Nino wasn't sure how to feel, he needed to talk to Chat he looked at the glasses. Peter told him to take a night to himself considering. However, the Akumatized Chat Blanc kept flashing in his eyes every time he closed his eyes. Knowing that a copy of his friend was now running around it was weird the idea that the next time he saw Peter he might see kinda what Chat Noir looked like.
"I am Sure Chat will understand he probably will be more upset he missed out on the adventure." Silkk smiled however he knew she was trying to ease his concerns well if Chat even wanted to talk to him it would be a win, maybe ask if Alya could take over for Silkk since she already knew about Silkk and by extension Peter.
"This can't be put off, Silkk webs out," he transformed as pulled up the nunchuck and made a call.
"Arachnid everything okay?" Chat Noir glanced at him. "You caught me just jumping around so if it's bad I'll be there in two shakes of a tail."
"I need to talk to you in person. I know Professor Parker said he would handle it. But this is weighing me down." He got a location on his screen showing where Chat was.
"Okay," he turned off the phone.
Nino shot out of his room and took off his stomach hurt a bit he felt like he had betrayed his friend however as he landed he noticed Chat wasn't himself either as he kept looking at the ground as well.
"Chat I,"
"Don't worry about it's my fault you were in that situation." He looked him in the eye. Nino needed a second,
"What," he answered a bit confused he was here too.
"I was in the building I had been out of costume, and Plagg had wandered off that's what happened I should have kept a better on him and you three were put in needlessly put in danger because of it. So anything that happened is my fault, not yours." Chat explained before going silent. "I am sorry I understand if you are mad at me." Chat looked like expected to be hit or something.
"Ah, so Professor told you everything do you have any idea what could have akumatized you, are you feeling okay you know." Nino changed the subject.
"No, he didn't mention that but he did say you looked shaken up a bit, What happened?" Chat asked as Nino sighed he hoped he could have left this to Mr. Parker but he gave Chat a rundown of what it was he had to deal with before getting plucked out of danger.
"We may want to talk to Adrian and make sure he doesn't have any sore feelings." Chat mused as Nino was ready to volunteer himself. "As for an idea about what could have caused it I mean I would have said heartbreak but that ship has sailed for now,"
"Well Pete did say it was a future that was becoming impossible but you have a double running around now Mr. Parker is figuring things out but you may want to make sure nothing weird happens," Nino snapped his fingers as he remembered that detail.
"Seems like I got something to do seems fair." Chat nodded, "Any thanks for letting me know what happened your a good friend," Chat gave him a pat on the arm, "I'll see you around Arachnid." with that he vaulted away.
He felt a bit better as he swung home. A second day of activity should have put him on a bit more edge.
"Nino!" Silkk shouted as he was woken up,"
A pale-faced Chat Blank was glaring down opposite him was Lady Bug a weird blue color with white spots. "For over your Miraculous your failure." Ladybug glared
"He's a failure in a lot of ways maybe Alya would appreciate a better boyfriend as well," Chat Blanc purred at the idea.
"You are not my friends," he realized almost instantly. "Silkk webs out!" He transformed as A sword came down on his bed cutting it in half as he narrowly missed a cataclysm to head he quickly escaped out of his room as he swung his hands gripping the outside wall of his home.
He only had a few seconds as the wall broke under him as he flipped up onto the roof only to see a massive sand tornado, lightning raining down and mass screaming as monsters and nightmares roamed the city. Parker came crashing down the road his costume repaired itself he could have sworn he had seen some blood but before he could speed up a giant grey mass charged down the street and he had a sword and a staff aimed at his head.
"Hand it over!" They both shouted at him.
"What in the world is going on!" he screamed to himself
POV shift
Adrian curled up on himself as all he could hear was the slow creaking of the metal as his cage swung in his room. He couldn't hear or see much in the dark as he hunk there in the small confined birdcage.
"Adrian!" It sounded like Plagg but it sounded far away. "Adrian!"
POV shift
TD Adrian suddenly felt his head burn seconds before his air was suddenly cut off as Hawkmoth was inches away from his face as he opened them. "I am not finished with you Son!" He smiled as the displaced teen gasped for air.
POV shift
"Marinette," sounded a creepy voice as Adrian crawled up. "I don't want you I want Ladybug, nobody wants you only Ladybug," he crawled forward.
"My identity!" She mentally panicked. Only for something to smash through her room. Only for a massive mob of colorful characters to charge threw her rooms. Just when she thought it was over it would just keep going as a pair of stilts walked past her as well. She frowned as she saw Peter Swing pass as each of the costumed figures continued to try and attack him.
"Interesting," said a cruel voice as a purple-gloved hand grabbed Adrian on her bed and pulled him off. She raced over to see what looked like a green man in a purple costume. He tossed Adrian as the Green Goblin looked at her.
"Who are you?" She asked,
"Just a very cruel memory of Peter's made manifest." He showed all of his teeth as Marinette was very creeped out.
"And you're not running around like everyone else?" She asked,
"Not all nightmares are equal it seems, I have a bit more self-awareness it seems. Understandable unlike most of what's chasing after him the scars I left were crippling. Well good Luck Ladybug I am rooting for you," he dragged Adrian and tossed him out of the building. "It's not a bridge but it will do," as his glider swung around he spun to face her. "Do try to take your time I might need a bit," he flew off.
"That can't be good," Tikki spoke up. Marrinette raced to the hole in her room to see the mass of figures chasing her teacher as she nodded not really able to respond.
POV shift
Gabriel closed his eyes as he took a second to feel all the panicked emotions. Peter was in particular turmoil. The fear and panic was perfect but sadly it would dissipate the second he recalled his current project.
"Hmm not a bad Atmosphere, you really should have upgraded your passwords." Said The stranger as he walked in the outfit was loud however he was confident this wasn't one of his creations.
"I have no time for intruders," Gabriel turned to look at him. This green-skinned man with a purple outfit casually looked over the area as if this wasn't the first villain's lair he had visited
"Considering your track record I think you have all the time in the world. Pleased to meet you Mr. Hawkmoth, Green Goblin, or Norman Osborn. You don't mind if I make use of your setup."
"What do you mean by that?" He rounded on him as he glared at the Halloween reject.
"Please your still in your cocoon moth man. Hardly committed to your cause." The man laughed as it echoed.
"I am completely committed to my cause now leave this place at once specter!" He raged never before had he felt so insulted.
"Would you kill your assistant?" The eyes locked onto his. "Would you torture your son for it? Would you sacrifice your sanity?" He asked as he suddenly found the man inches from his face. "You hesitate, are a man of power? Cause men such as ourselves take what we desire. Family? Friends these things only hold us back merely pieces on the board."
"Leave my son out of this," he yelled as he raised his cane ready to strike the man but something held him back in the moment.
"No, no no no, your so close but you cling to these things." He turned walked away then turned back. "So long as you cling to them it will hold you back! Once you have what you want all things you sacrificed will be yours so why care?" Hawkmoth paused but he couldn't argue.
The smile grew, "ah there it is that familiar little fork," he gave a low chuckle, "You need to spread your wings little butterfly don't let morality hold you back in any way, take what rightfully belongs to you." He urged as Gabriel's eyes shifted he felt something press into his hand. "I left a little surprise for you, something that will even the playing field as it were. Why limit yourself to Akuma after all Spider-Man isn't." He glanced down to see a formula written down. He looked up,
"Why?" He asked as the Goblin,
"Cause," he shrugged, "you remind me of me, or maybe because death can't cool my hatred or maybe it's a plan to steal what this little war is about and return to life rebuilding my criminal empire? Who knows just know that you really shouldn't trust me," he broke into a full laugh and jumped onto his glider he flew off into the sky breaking out his window as the laughter faded into the distance.
He sat the tablet down as he refocused on his current project. He glanced down at the tablet however the formula wasn't what he focused on. "An Empire if he was going to re-write reality anyway with a wish why not branch out he glanced at the formula as something started to worm its way into his computer systems.
POV shift
"Come on kid I taught you better than that," Peter said, at least Adrian wasn't sure if it was him he glanced around aware now that something was wrong but these bars.
"Ahh!" Adrian pulled them free as he took a deep breath, "Plag Claws out!" he dropped down landing in full costume as he swung his staff around knocking it to the ground as he smashed the cage until it resembled a wall of bars rather than a cage as he could only hear the sound of his labored breath.
An explosion went flying out from the Felicia mansion before a second crashed down. "Um crap he can't contact me," he realized as he looked at his staff. "It's time," he called up Chloe. He didn't want to know what his double was dealing with but he couldn't let anything get out in case it compromised his identity.
POV shift
"Ridiculous," she shrieked as she completely Barracked the room. Stingg floated as silent as ever.
"Nothing, you can do nothing to gain my approval!" Hissed her mom's voice. "You are worthless you have no value," she continued as Chloe leaned against her dresser pressed up against the door. Her phone suddenly went off.
"Shut up shut up You, are, not real!" she shouted at the fake
"Your phone Mistress," Stingg reminded as the calm creature calmed her as she realized Chat was calling her.
"Yellow Kitty," she answered as she put a hand on her dresser adjusting her hair and trying to look good and casual.
"We need all hands on deck for this one, I am going to be a bit occupied and I have no idea what insanity is being brought forth. Meet up with Ladybug and help her the best you can. Oh, that's a lot of teeth." He sounded mildly surprised as something breathed into the phone.
"Sure finally need me time for my grand reveal," she posed only to get hung up on. "Rude much," she turned her phone off. "Needle rise!" She pulled the cap over her head as she eased her other arm getting her black suit. The suit was a pure black version of Ladybug's domino mask as her hat vanished she kinda looked like a burglar. She felt the weight on her wrist as the stingers charged up as she adjusted the scorpion tail belt, which seemed to move.
She moved out of her room and took off but the city was so busy as Roger raced away from a swat team. A body went flying across the skyline only to swing back around as he was attacked by Chat Noir and Ladybug. Her first impulse was to join in and help only to recall that Chat called her in cause he was busy.
She raised her wrist and shot out her needles from her wrist. Chat leaped away as Arachnid landed next to her. She wasn't keen on him, mainly cause she still felt entitled to being a hero she should have been chosen sooner.
"Chat mentioned you Um, miss?" He glanced at her.
"Scorpion Queen," she answered not sure, "Royalty indeed," She thought.
"Right, Queen, I haven't seen Ladybug and," he avoided the Yo-yo. "There is so much going on that I don't know where to look," Arachnid explained,
"So what's with these two?" She asked as both chased after Arachnid as she had to race after him.
"Nightmares, I don't want to get into it," he shot a web and trapped Chat Noir's leg only for it to be destroyed.
"Yeah but why them they're your, friends right," the word friend twisted in her mouth but Arachnid seemed to not notice hard to tell with the mask.
"It's a nightmare it's not supposed to make sense!" He shouted as hit Ladybug with a taser shock to the side Arachnid hit the nightmare with a web pinning her to the wall. She avoided a few clawed swings aimed at her head as she docked back away from him. She grabbed the arm and managed to lead him into a wall recalling the grappling motions needed. She grabbed the staff as he swung it back at her she grabbed then extended the staff over two buildings as she tossed him. The fake went up in the air from the combined power of both her legs. "Well hit him," she told Arachnid who webbed him up he fell Arachnid finished the job as the nightmare hung from his own staff wresting trying to get free.
"Thanks," he glanced at her.
"Whatever," she rolled her eyes at him. "I just don't get it, by doubting yourself you doubt them when both Ladybug and Chat Noir have always won. If you don't have any confidence in yourself have confidence that they made the right choice. Now come on I don't plan on my first night being anything but flawless." She insisted as she scanned the area.
"You know that makes a bit of sense," he admitted uncertainly, she puffed up a bit as of course she was right.
"The Sandboy just checking in, now nightmares can begin," sang a voice as they both seemed to know at the same time.
"Get back here!" She shouted as her arm bands shifted into gauntlets. Only to get hit by the sand blinding her as Ladybug appeared.
"Pathetic, you can't impress me and you can't impress your mom!" She formed another sword as Chloe realized she had no idea how to avoid the blow mid-air.
POV shift
"Adrian," hissed a deep voice. "We wish to talk to you come on Son. It's all for the good of the family."
"What is going on? Why is there a bodybuilder version of you running around?" TD glanced at Venom.
"No idea, this is all new to me, I gave birth before but this is something out of my nightmares," Venom admitted as a pair of long claw-like fingers grabbed onto the wall.
"Akuma," they both realized only for Chat Noir to suddenly go through the wall.
"Hi me," he groaned as he looked at Venom and then pointed at the bulky Hawkmoth with the white logo on its chest.
"We need to settle on a name." TD thought to himself. "Call me Richard, Richard Paul Parker," Richard introduced.
The two split as long tendrils shot forward. "Oh Gramdpa's name," Chat Noir realized, as just having him there seemed to lighten the mood. "But why Paul?"
"It sounded American, and I need a middle name," he shrugged,
"I guess that makes sense," Adrian agreed as Richard got up.
Venom crawled over him as the two boys in black squared off against the fusion of fears. Then an ear-piercing blast went off as both Symbiots suddenly snapped in and stretched as their forms shifted. Black Cat walked in with the sonic blaster as she intentionally put herself between the monster and the boys.
"That was unpleasant," Richard stood up, Venom was still twitching but it wasn't as bad as Chat Noir's ears pinned to his head as he tried to recover.
"Okay this is getting frustrating I just showed up and this city has gone to hell," she growled as Peter rushed. "I am so done with you!" She rounded on him only for a massive mob chasing after him.
"Playing through," he shouted only for a long-coated figure to show up that looked like some kind of weird vampire person.
"Oh no," Black Cat forgot about her target as something changed. Peter suddenly seemed to lose himself the figure looked like an aristocrat and that was all he saw before Peter put him through a wall.
"NEVER AGAIN!" In the harshest voice he had ever heard. The mob followed however what could be heard did not sound like any fight Richard ever heard even when he was Adrian. The battle raged on and on. He wasn't sure how long he stood there a second, hours but Parker just kept going even ganged-up arms and limbs grappled somehow he powered on as his suit was destroyed and repaired as his body was collecting more scars, he tried to move but a hand had pulled him back as the flashes of Peter's face he looked devoid of any deeper thought as he just fought. He winced it was at this point he realized just how much Peter Parker held back as he practically smeared one of his attackers.
"He's got this, go," Cat nodded as the two nodded and took off out of the city. They both lingered before taking off as the bodies started to pile up.
POV shift
Gabriel as he glanced over the video recordings he had set up multiple screens each one showing off different parts of the ongoing conflict. It was frustrating how competent everyone was and now another masked hero had arrived as if things felt impossible as it was. "This isn't working I need to change my approach. Can I," he wondered as he tried to think well let's see if this works, "Sand boy land somewhere," he ordered if this didn't work it wouldn't matter. "De-evilize, now Championize!" He watched the heroes stop in confusion as the child returned to normal only for the butterfly to fly back around. "Now sweet dreams give everyone a goodnight dreams," he smiled as an explosion of sand blanketed the city of Paris.
"Set alarm for five seconds!" He ordered his tablet and he was soon knocked out.
"Gabriel?" He opened his eyes only to see.
"Emilie," he completely forgot about his plan for the night it seemed so real. He reached out she felt warm as he bright smile brightened at his touch.
"I missed you, my love," she leaned in only for his alarm to go off. His eyes cracked open never before had he been so angry. "I want, you," he got sleep instead of a soft tired voice. "Where did they drop?" He was now in a more livid than normal he headed out into the night to hunt down his helpless quarry.
POV shift
Nino woke up, he blinked he hadn't felt this well-rested in a long time. He rested his hand only to feel a body. He froze in panic as Alya slowly got up and stretched.
"Morning, you up early going to work on your music for hero day?" She asked as the panic vanished.
"Oh right yeah Chat and Adrian are going to come by to help me tune it just it's the anniversary of Hawkmoth's defeat." He remembered what happened but something felt blurry like he couldn't remember details outside of the obvious fall of villain.
"Don't worry about the past," the doorbell rang as he realized Alya was already dressed and it was much later in the day.
"Adrian, Chat," he greeted his two friends as he tried to figure out why Chat was still in costume even after all these years. He rubbed his head as Adrian sat down as Chat headed for his room.
"We'll come on we got stuff to do." Chat urged as Adrian groaned and Nino shook his head.
"We got time but I guess," Adrian sighed as the model went with the flow.
POV shift
Adrian shifted as he took a deep breath as this was the day. "Dear come on," Mom shouted as he hurried down the stairs. "I can't wait to meet her," his mom all but skipped down the steps.
"Mom," he looked away, "she's just a friend."
"You never bring home friends, she must be special regardless." She smiled it felt so nice to see her again. He winced as the thought it seemed wrong.
"I agree, I never had a chance to talk to your friends at your birthday," his dad walked down he blinked as the brown hair was combed back. He blinked as the greying man joined his mom at the base of the stairs. "Teach?" he questioned as Peter messed up his hair.
"Its dad at home, son," he smiled as a twinge of guilt hit his heart as mom pushed him forward but he didn't feel her do so.
He opened the door as a dark-haired girl with her hair down knocked at the door. "Adrian," she smiled nervously her voice was familiar but a nagging feeling told him something was missing as she adjusted a red and black spotted bracelet that reminded him of a lucky charm.
"This is," his lips moved but he felt like he went dead for a second. "This is Mom and Dad," he smiled only to see his dad had facial hair only to blink it was gone and he looked right but he didn't say anything.
His smile strained as his girlfriend chatted with his mom and his dad put a hand on his shoulder. "I approve, you did good son, I am proud of you," his voice shifted, however, he was feeling so happy.
POV shift
"Ah," Felicia got up from her desk, "that was a weird dream magic jewelry." She chuckled.
"Mrs. Parker your husband is here can I send him in?"
"Sure," she answered,
"Hey dear," Peter walked in, "hope you don't mind it's our twenty-fifth anniversary. I asked May to watch Ben and Felicity, so it will just be us two." He smiled as he walked to her desk a flirtatious smile on his face. (1)
It was dream-like as they chatted away, Peter talked about the Avengers which she now bankrolled taking over for Tony since between him and the other Avengers someone was disbanding the group. Peter was slowly backing away from the field leader and was talking about his work with Cap's Son who inherited his father's powers and was getting ready to take over. Peter explained but she already knew. Dinner was a dream come true rambling husband and all.
POV shift
Marinette knew something was wrong the second she was face to face with Adrian. She was dancing in heels and wasn't stuttering or blushing. She spun him around perfectly as she leaned in so close. "Congratulations on your first line," he smiled as she looked into his green eyes.
"Too good to be true the problem is how do I wake myself up?" She thought as her Yo-yo glowed she dropped him "Oops," she knew he wasn't real but oops.
"It's okay please don't wake up enjoy it, you have done so much my lady." He looked a bit more desperate. "Don't you want a sweet dream?" the voice sounded younger and confused.
"I can't right now maybe some other time." She put her hands on her knees she could almost feel the confusion from the childlike voice coming from Adrian. A crack hit and the dream faded as her Yo-yo glowed and her dress vanished into her regular costume.
She stepped forward and expected to wake up only to find a warm sunset as a familiar figure sat next to her. She stepped forward, "you need to wake up Chat," she told him only to realize her double had already vanished.
"Oh," she realized, he was looking at her very much aware of the situation just like she was.
"My dream is impossible so I recognized it off the bat. But it was a good dream but I screwed up it wouldn't be right to return to the ring." He sighed, "You might want to keep going time can't be easy to gauge."
She stood up "You were a great partner," she didn't know what to say.
"Wait, you are the one who was displaced," she realized as she snapped her fingers.
"little kitty on a roof all alone without his lady." She heard him sing as the next door opened up. She had no idea if this was a waste of time but staying still seemed the least productive idea."
"I still need your help," she said, He stood up as he looked at her he seemed so sad and she was half tempted to let him stay in his dream.
"One last time," he stepped off the ledge and followed her to the door as they both stepped into the next dream.
She hopped into a school her school, "Nino?" She wondered to herself.
"No I don't think so, just a feeling," he considered as she glanced to see a new cat he had a black suit but had green claw marks on one side with a green paw print. "Call me Stray Chat to help keep things straight." He thumbed himself she didn't much care for the name "You will probably find out it's Chloe,"
"Chloe," she wrinkled her nose at the idea.
"I had hoped and still hope that it would help make her a better person. Being a hero and all, that and she can help clean up any trouble she might make." He admitted they walked in only to cringe a bit at the sight.
"Chloe," "Chloe," the room was a wash as all the familiar faces fawned over her as she showed off a very loud outfit. Her inner designer winced a bit.
"Grr," she felt her anger build as dream Adrian fawned over her he acted like a brain-dead model.
"Hmm, kinda funny," Stray chuckled a bit as her anger vanished for a second.
"What," she looked at him,
"She is still so childish, someone is missing," he pointed out
"How do you know?" She frowned at him only to realize how close they were.
"Marinette," he said as she twitched in fear, "Nino recommended her so looked into her a bit if there was ever a woman who could ever hope of drawing my love away from you it was her," he said as she wondered if he knew her identity in some way.
"Really," she sniffed not sure how she felt on the one hand she wasn't interested in his affections being no longer expressed there and to fall in love with her other half while kinda funny was a worry. "Well, I don't recall asking you to stay loyal to me." She waved off.
"True however when your heart burns for one only to feel even a bit of that same love for another it feels like a betrayal of one's self that I am unworthy of both. Unworthy of you my lady I failed I don't remember how or why but I am sorry." She locked eyes with him that familiar flirtation was gone instead a longing mixed with pain and regret.
"You are just a flirt," her words were a lie and all but a whisper he never felt less like a flirt in this moment. "Now isn't the time, we need!" She raised her voice and her walls.
"Ladybug!" Chloe shouted as she jumped away from Stray only for another crack form as Chat Noir jumped in he rubbed his arm against his face as he spotted his surroundings.
"This well I guess Cats out of the bag," he chuckled as he rubbed the back of his head.
"Ugh," she glanced at her Chat, she felt a headache coming on. "Two of you," she groaned,
"I take it you got out of yours?" Stray glanced at him.
"It took a hot second but do we know this is the best option? This could be a trap within a trap," Chat Noir considered as he glanced at the now dissipating class.
"Well, we could try dropping but don't they have an urban myth that you die if you hit the ground in the dream," Marinette said she didn't put much stock in it but magical sleep was different.
"I can give it a shot," Stray brought up as she and Chat Noir grabbed him before he reached the window.
"Don't you dare risk it," she yanked him back.
"Oh come on at this height I would just break a leg or two," he dismissed.
"That's not the point," Chat Noir beat her to it.
"Oh just upset that I beat you to it," he teased Chat Noir
"That's my job is to take hits," He reminded the double.
"So you're saying you wouldn't if it wasn't your job?"
"We both know that when it comes to that I am a do as I say not as I do kinda guy," Chat Noir pointed out. It was weird to see him arguing with himself.
"That's probably why we didn't get the earrings," Stray laughed as Chat blinked and looked at something she didn't see.
"We don't have time for this the clock is ticking," She interrupted her right eye twitched in frustration as she regretted dragging Stray along.
"Ridiculous," the dream had vanished as Chloe crossed her arms and pouted as she sat her desk. "How can I enjoy my dream with you guys arguing so much?"
"We are not really arguing," Chat Noir pointed out,
"Out!" she ordered as the vortex opened up on them. They moved forward as she glared at Chloe she didn't notice the two Cats as while her sympathy was there she was currently surrounded by to flirts and a brat, not a fun combination. They found themselves outside a home on a chilly autumn night. A party was going on and she felt very uncomfortable. The door opened up as a massive rock monster stepped out with a long coat and a fedora between his fingers.
"This was fun but we got a few more families we got to get to web head," He said in a rough voice as he put the hat on the three paused as they realized the man had stepped down to see a group of people. A long hand screeched back as a blonde woman and blonde man both walked down. followed by a graying man all three of the humans looked older than Petter with one man with blonde hair looking around his age.
"I know Steve said he might swing by as well," Said a familiar voice, there stood Peter he looked a smidge younger he had a bit more weight on him and a clean-shaven face.
"Peter we need more pop!" called a voice that wasn't as familiar.
"Give him a second Ben's not the only one leaving," replied another voice as a rather short man walked out as well as it seemed like an impossibly large amount of guests. Ladybug finally sighed and ignored the uncomfortable feeling of intruding on a holiday.
She headed in as the smell of home cooking hit her noise this dream felt incredibly detailed. A very old woman easily in her nineties poked out of the kitchen and felt familiar. "You must be Peter's students," she brightened "If you want some Thanksgiving turkey I can put something together for you,"
"Oh no thank you," they all said at the same time," only for the hurt expression to quickly change their minds,"
"Oh May please be nice the poor kids are probably stuffed," said an equally old man as a kid rushed around them. "Grandpa Ben can we play catch,"
"Sure thing Ben," he smiled, "Hurry up she's very good at getting skinny kids to eat you should see my nephew," he winked as Ladybug pushed the two boys forward the table looked like it had once been filled as Peter talked to an older teen with red-hair sitting next to a redhead who had a few grey hairs at the table. She spotted a wall of pictures filled with happy smiling faces the wall seemed to grow pictures of students both in costumes and out some in sports, others sciences. Hero's receiving the key to the city articles talking about a Spider-woman saving a cat from a tree. "Ladybug and Chat Noir save the city from Hawkmoth after a well-fought battle," as all three saw themselves smiling at the camera.
"Hey kids," They glanced up as the pudgy Peter was replaced with a more familiar, even if he looked even older. The house was empty, and now the sounds of a happy family were drifting away as if a room away.
"Sorry," she apologized,
"I guess that's the ultimate trap of this place," he admitted as he started to look more like himself.
"You okay Pete?" said the much older man, Peter nodded not looking at him as if just that would harm him in some way.
"We need to figure out a way out of this," But as soon as she said it Peter suddenly charged her the shock woke her up she shot up head slamming into Hawkmoth as everyone jumped up.
"One more second!" Hawkmoth raged Only for Peter to deck him off the building.
"I have work in the morning I don't have time for this," he collapsed to a knee as she realized his body was on fumes,
"ugh," Scorpion Queen sliced open the pillow with a knife as the butterfly was set free a white one,"
"Got it," she swung the yo-yo and purified it as the massive swarm hit the city repairing all the damage. "That was far too close for comfort,"
"Where were you!" Queen shouted at Chat Noir who put his hands up.
"Pick a place the city was insane that has to be the worst I have ever seen the city," he responded with a sigh.
"That was probably my fault considering," Peter stood up still in costume, "Anyway probably best to head home good Job blonde," he nodded as the blonde preened something about her just made her want to wring her neck. She didn't dwell on it too much the new girl did her job and so that was something. She wondered why Chloe's dream connected to the group she was surprised she didn't touch Nino's or Chat's dream for that matter, she was a little impressed. She swung off only to realize they landed at the hotel and she had a moment of realization. She got back home just in time as she crashed on the bed trying not to think about everything that happened she still felt like she hadn't decompressed from all the multiverse before being tossed into another fight that seemed to strain her stress levels.
POV shift
"You know I never thought a man in a purple suit preying on people with negative emotions would be anything worth worrying about but that was eye-opening," Felecia walked into her home.
"Yeah," Peter agreed who was sitting on a couch as brown-haired double Adrian sat down was eating a bowl of ice cream he looked down only to freeze as she saw a familiar black blob, only to relax a bit as it licked at it's ice cream looking just as warn out.
"So how did it feel having that torn away," she asked
"Honestly my dream was kinda sad even if it was happy, Call me Richard," he glanced at her before returning to his ice cream.
"Okay I take it he's the big thing we needed to talk about?" she glanced at him then at Peter as she wondered about the name choice."
"Let's just say it has been a very eventful twenty-four hours," he frowned as she sat down, "Sit down for this one trust me its fun," he sighed as he took a bit and explained what had been going on it, was saying something that she was only shocked for a second after her life was far to exciting.
"Okay sounds like you have everything more or less taken care of." She glanced at Richard who was now picking at his bowl.
"In case anyone asks would you be willing to claim him as a secret love child?" He rushed out.
"Um," she blinked as Richard choked on air himself.
"With me specifically," he shifted,
"Sure," she shrugged as she glanced at the kid. "So long as he is cool with it. Just so he knows what he's getting into. However, I think you might be missing the easy out and just say he's the son of Ben your clone." She pointed out.
"Ben? Your clone but isn't that your son's name?" Richard asked.
"It's complicated, yeah I guess that work twin brother's son." Peter realized,
"So we have the son of Ben Parker twin of Peter Parker and Myself." She figured.
"Your life sounds complicated," Richard glanced at Peter.
"Considering recent events not getting less so," Peter pulled out his laptop then flipped open a book. The book was not in a language she was familiar with.
"Taking up a new language?" She asked,
"Nope a simple memory spell," he answered as Felicia nodded then the words caught up.
"What?" She looked at the book.
"It's nothing crazy, I can't exactly jump between universes or anything. Richard was with you and will know he might be recognized if a few people ask in Queens New York. That way everything is set up and nobody will be the wiser, congratulations your life is set what you do with it is up to you."
He set down a folder with all his papers. Peter sat down across from him. "Thanks," Richard nodded as he didn't seem to see anything.
"How about a vacation?" Felicia brought up, "Something to change things up it's what Ben did," she reminded me,
"That's his call," Peter sat down at the computer as he looked over at Richard.
"I am going to go clear my head," Richard stood up,
"Hmm," she and Peter glanced at the unspoken, "Sure he's not your kid?"
Venom grew into the suit as he opened up a window and took off.
POV shift
Adrian sat down at his computer as he glanced at the background. There was a knock as he glanced up to realize he had a different kind of visitor.
"Hey, Adrian, that still sounds weird," the suit unwrapped the mask, "I wanna say a few goodbyes I am going to do some traveling to shake off the similarities."
"Oh sure," he tossed the phone over. "Do you, want to trade places?"
He froze, "no," he answered, "It's yours it feels unfair considering I am the one who screwed up."
"Yeah, but you didn't have a choice you should have some say." Adrian felt a tingle as he leaped out of the way. "Hat!" He tossed the hat at the double as he got out the window. He wasn't too stunned as he climbed to the ledge.
"Son, is there someone here?" Gabrial asked as he opened the door.
"Just talking to myself." Richard said, "I was just getting my thoughts out." He heard the door,
"Fine try to get some sleep it's late. Uh," a slight grunt as if he couldn't say something.
"See you tomorrow Dad," Richard said good night.
"Goodnight," he answered and the door closed. His double seemed shaken and went silent after his dad had walked away.
He made a few calls, as he watched Richard take off.
POV shift
"Sorry," Nino apologized, only to blink in surprise as the mask retracted. "Is that a good idea?" He looked familiar but the brown hair could be just about anyone.
"It's no big deal I plan to take off for a world tour so I figured I would show my face so when I pop back over we can still be friends," he admitted, "this feels selfish but I don't know if I could handle not having people who know."
"I, yeah I can see your situation being heavy, here when you get your number feel free to call me when you feel lonely."Nino offered,
"Sounds good," The time-displaced Chat Noir nodded
"So Is this what you looked like?" Nino asked,
"More or less." He shrugged with a calm smile.
"Um hi," Ladybug spoke up after she flipped onto the rooftop.
"This is so weird," Nino sniffed,
"Yay kinda weird," Ladybug agreed as she looked at the time-displaced guy.
"I just say goodbye but this isn't the end if you ever need an extra set of hands I'll be here. Nino found himself in a hug as he glanced at Ladybug.
He pulled back as Nino could see a smile and tears. "I forgot a lot I don't know why I am crying," he pushed the tears back only for Ladybug to pull him back into his hug.
"Well if you remember anything let us know." Ladybug released him as Nino nodded. The silence dragged out a bit.
"Well I guess it's time to head out, I am not sure when I am leaving but I am staying at the mansion if you want to swing but the first day as Richard Parker." He smiled softly. "See you around," his mask went back up as he swung off.
"Man I feel I screwed up but I don't think I would change anything." Nino glanced at Ladybug.
"You had no idea what would happen outside of someone fading." She put a hand on his shoulder. "I wouldn't have done anything different."
"Thanks, I am just worried that our lives might get more complicated." He admitted
"I hope not I don't want to be doing this for the rest of my life."
POV shift
"But why Dick? between you and Peter I am not allowed to pick a name, without you changing it in some way." Dick complained.
"Cause it's Richard sounds like an old man's name besides it sets up a funny joke." Felicia waved off, "Besides you picked a name that belong to Peter's dad so nickname. So I got interrupted in the middle of Japan. I did find you a new friend, I talked to Peter about it and he figured one old lady is probably not the best company." She handed him a familiar shape.
"Shades? Aviators," a blue tint with gold frames.
"Sup bub," said a gruff-sounding Kwami. "Call me hopps. "The Kwami of integrity," who was yellow and blue with a sharp pattern over his eyes kinda like teardrops.
"Nice to meet you, Hopps," Richard greeted he wasn't Plagg but at least he was going out in the world with a new friend.
POV shift
Gabriel sat at his desk as he looked at the formula. He had his computer put together a list and it was close to dawn before he had everything finished and now the tube was sitting in front of him with a green liquid no more suspicious than any other green liquid in the world.
"Still. Not sure," said his tablet as he glanced over to see a familiar mask on the screen.
"I am not particularly trusting of a man willing dressed as you. One doesn't get this big in the fashion industry by being trusting." He grabbed the vial and opened up the safe placing it behind the book he had already changed the code since his son had already got in once as it was.
"A wise choice however you are outnumbered you have only one confidant and the heroes," he his the word. "Are improving every day you need to change up your plans. Use the minions build up a network and start building capital I can create other things for you perhaps it's time to strengthen the Paris criminal element."
Gabriel blinked as a few designs flashed onto his screen a flight suit a suit that looked like an exosuit and one with multiple limbs. "The first step is finding someone willing to play." The voice chuckled a bit
POV shift
Peter was looking at the ceiling. He had more or less blacked out for the fight. He had gone over some of the videos and thankfully his identity was secure however the news was theorizing on the mob of supervillains. The amount of danger that had brought on was so great he was confident something horrible would be born from it even if he couldn't figure it out. "I really shouldn't stay this has shown my presence can be an issue beyond mind control. However, I can't," he reminded himself
He glanced around the house, headed over to the table, and got to work. As his pen scratched away making corrections, he poured a cup of coffee and continued to work.
"Mr. Parker?" He glanced up to see an empty room and went back to work. "Peter?" He looked up to Adrian. "You been up all night?"
"Just getting some work done," he got up to get a refill. Only to realize it was past noon and he hadn't gotten any sleep.
"You realize it's Saturday you should probably get some sleep." He smiled.
"Probably not a bad idea," he took a swig of coffee. "Little hard now how are you handling your nightmare?"
"At the risk of sounding snippy better than you." Adrian pointed out.
"It's not that, it's not my first time tangling with my entire rouge's gallery." He waved off as he remembered the Goblin Invasion and other such events. "Richard took off as well with Felicia so no easy backup." He took another sip.
"I was kinda hoping he would hang around I always wanted a sibling." Adrian chirped,
"Hmm," he grunted into his cup. "Yeah, that would be nice." He agreed, "so do you need something?" He asked as he looked around the kitchen it was a modern-style island in the center with hanging storage none of it looked used.
"No just thought I would come by and help with the suits if you needed it," Adrian admitted, Peter's eyes focused on Adrian as something felt off now that his brain was working a bit where were Blurry and Plagg?
"Oh that, yeah I got something in the basement." He nodded and headed down as he waited for his Spider-sense to activate, however, "this might be a good thing" he mused.
"So I watched a few videos and I noticed one showed up late he looked like a green elf or something what made him different?" Adrian asked.
Memories flashed before him, a bridge, an exploding building, a glider stabbing, a patriotic Ironman suit, his face laughing on a screen, a carnage suit, and a corrupted child both with slasher smiles.
"He's a monster if there ever was one. It all started with a desperate move with a super soldier serum. He gained a lot of power but he went insane, he lost all connections with people. He drove his son insane which led to his death. He corrupted his grandson and was responsible for a lot of my worst days. But make no mistake Mr. Agreste was a maniac if there ever was one and he cared nothing for anyone, not his son, his grandson, or his wife. If he offered you anything don't take it if you value your personhood."
"Oh nothing to worry about," Adrian waved off,
"Good here, it's just the suit but my Nephew might need it," he tossed Adrian a watch.
"You have a Nephew?" Adrian asked,
"Yeah Richard, my clone had a kid and died recently so I am adopting him. I figured some time on the road might do him some good. You remember right?" He asked,
"Yeah sorry," Fake Adrian lied as he activated the suit it was based on Ben's suit and looked a bit like him with the blonde hair.
"No problem, so how's things with your girlfriend?" He asked,
"Things are fine," he put the mask on.
"That's good after that pregnancy scare I was worried." He looked at the computer to intentionally hide his smile. Faker froze a second before realizing they had frozen.
"Right thankfully just a scare, would you mind if I held onto this break it in?"
"Maybe next time it's just the suit part anyway no upgrades," Peter held up a hand as the watch was returned. "See you around and pack some protection next time you hang out with Miss Dupain-Cheng,"
POV shift.
"Dad?" He blinked in surprise as he sat at the dinner table. "You okay?"
"I just had a break in my work," Gabriel sat down as Natalie brought out his food. "So how have things been at school making friends?" He asked as he seemed to avoid eye contact.
"Yeah I know you probably don't like him but Nino has been a good friend. Alya is cool but since they are dating I have been hanging out with Marinette a lot lately."
"Really," he coughed, "Miss Dupain-cheng right?"
"Yeah, she's the girl who won the contest. I am surprised you remember her." He perked up it felt like his dad was paying attention.
"So just friends at school?"
"She's just a really good friend, I think I don't know if she puts up with me just cause she's friends with Nino and Alya. I have considered asking her out." He glanced up from his food as his Dad had his full attention. "What?"
"You haven't been, careless have you?"
"With what?" Adrian asked confused, "I was only at her house alone once to play a game but her parents kept interrupting so we really couldn't play for too long." Adrian recalled trying to figure out his dad's angle he was always around his bodyguard so he wasn't in any danger that was Gorilla's job.
"Right, you would tell me if anything develops right?"
"So you want something to develop?" Adrian wasn't sure but was his dad okaying a relationship with Marinette? He squinted at his dad. "I mean I could ask seems a bit early we only met at the beginning of the school year."
"No," he stood up. Girls are nothing but trouble I just remembered something from my workload. I'll finish this later." He took off as Adrian looked at Natalie who shrugged just as confused.
He got a knock on the door as Natalie who was now deep red handed him a bag before quickly closing the door. He glanced in turned completely red and shoved the condoms into his desk drawer. "I am so confused." He admitted to himself as Plagg laughed as he rolled through the air. "I am just going to pretend I understand what is going on."
"I wonder why the sudden concern from your dad?" Plagg floated around as Adrian looked over his schedule. "So you gonna use them?" The Cat continued to tease. Adrian focused even harder on the words as he was sure his face was now tomato red at this point.
"What," he blinked as he had to reread. "I have to be Chat Noir for a music video?" He jumped up accidentally knocking Plagg. "Sorry,"
"Oh, this should be good." Plagg teased as Adrian pulled out his phone and checked the hallway.
"Hello?" Peter answered,
"I have to be in a Chat Noir costume for a music video what do I do, also my dad has been very weird."
"I take it you can't back out?" Peter asked sounding very amused. "I went as myself during Halloween once."
"What?" Adrian blinked,
"People are blind just make sure you act like it's no big deal and try acting unsteady or something like screw up what you do naturally and you'll be fine. Celebrities fail at look-alike competitions all the time." Peter explained,
"Seriously you seem way too calm about this." Adrian felt a bit more calm.
"Try it at school if you get the costume it's a riot," Peter encouraged, "It's all about confidence. Good luck." With that, he hung up as Adrian could swear he could still hear the man laughing.
Adrian stepped out of the Limo as the look Nino gave him was enough to make him second guess this idea. "You're not going to believe this Nino I got roped into a music video I figured with it getting close to Halloween why not break in the costume? I need to wear." He flashed the mask, "What do you think dead ringer for the guy?" He asked in full costume only to intentionally lose his balance mid-pose.
"Oh yeah dead look for him." Nino grabbed his shoulder as Alya and Marinette blinked at him.
"Music video?" Chloe asked as she glanced over at him.
"Yeah, it's just trickled down to me but Dad's designing some of the outfits so I get to be Chat Noir." He took the mask off. "The girl who voices Ladybug for the show is too old so they are going to do a contest to see who gets to be my Ladybug, oops probably shouldn't have said that." He chuckled.
"Look alike?" Chloe sighed, "That's not fair." She stomped her foot.
"It's also in personality you don't have to look exactly like her, wigs are a thing." He reminded.
He nearly missed Alya elbowing Marinette who seemed to jump back to life.
"Nothing crazy I am just dancing but there have been some arguments about a kiss," he looked away from Marinette unable to look at her considering this morning.
The warning bell rang as they took off as Nino put an arm around his shoulder. "Sooo," he stretched the word out as Adrian glanced at him. "Couldn't seem to look at Marinette."
"Of course he noticed." He cringed a bit not a conversation he wanted to have. "Today is not the best day. I already had an uncomfortable conversation with my dad." He looked at Nino who tugged at his collar getting the hint.
"Sorry, I just really feel like you would make a good couple." Nino shrugged,
"You never once got the impression she liked me. Besides," he sat down. "She is the kindest, bravest, smartest, she can back create incredible works from fashion of all kinds. What interest would she have in a bland model?" He caught Nino glance behind.
"It's nothing," Nino said as Adrian turned only to see space.
"For a second I felt the desire to say she's right behind me." Adrian chuckled.
"You don't have a high opinion of yourself, dude." Nino pointed out,
"Being nice is the bare minimum a friend should get," Adrian replied, "so being nice has never really seemed like a reason to like someone."
"Huh never thought about it like that, I guess that makes sense since nearly everyone in school is pretty nice." Nino admitted, "Still if everyone was that nice I don't think Hawkmoth would have much to grab onto."
Adrian frowned as he wondered why he was being so hard on himself, "I mean it's not like she passed me at my best, a hero of Paris." He flinched at that random thought. "Maybe my confidence took a bit more of a hit than I thought."
"You are too hard on yourself," Nino patted him on the shoulder
POV shift
"You think you know a guy," Alya mused,
"Yeah, I don't know what brought it on. The dude just cracked open. Never seen him so hard on himself. How is Marinette doing?"
"Squee!" Said the girl squealing in the background.
"On cloud nine right now," Alya admitted with a hint of amusement.
"What's her excuse for not being able to talk to him now?" He asked already knowing how the game worked.
"Well, you know how she could talk to him for a while?"
"Yeah?" He answered,
"Well that's out the window just talking about him turns her into a stuttering mess." He could almost see Alya shaking her head.
"So she freezes up and he thinks she's out of her league and is just being polite to him. Great back to square one." He facepalmed,
"Yep, you ever get the impression we put more work into getting them together than we do?" He chuckled a bit.
"It feels like it some days, right now we are trying to talk her into trying out for the music video. She seems even more adamant about not doing it."
"Well, she was always one to be behind the camera costumes and stuff like that. She would sooner do the catering than be the leading lady. Wait we?"
"We got a few friends interested and they want to go as a group," Alya explained,
"Ah for a second I thought you dragged the rest of the class into helping Marinette." Nino chuckled as he considered going as well if for no other reason than to see the setup.
"No, they invited themselves pretty much everyone in class knows, well almost everyone," Alya explained as Nino felt his body twitch at the comment as he tried not to laugh.
Alya and the girls all showed up, as The crowd to get in was large. Nino was a bit surprised to see so many people and guys, "Well they did say that they didn't have to be a perfect match." He shrugged,
"Nino!" Adrian called as the security let Adrian wave them over,"
"Nice to have a man on the inside?" Alya whispered to him.
"Don't say that I feel guilty enough as it is. Though it does feel like that whenever something big goes on Adrian gets swept up in it. I think Rose compared to Royalty once sometimes it feels like." He whispered back.
"Come on in you got to see the set," Adrian practically jumped after saying hi to everyone.
"Ah," Marinette got out as everyone got a laugh.
"You didn't tell her did you," Adrian whispered as he glanced back at Marinette.
"I didn't tell her anything, maybe she just likes you," he may be boarding on revealing her feelings but man he wish sink or swim they would do something.
"Ahhhh, It's Adrian!" Suddenly the girls started to scream as nearly everyone interested made a lot of noise.
They gathered up near the trailer, "so you guys here to try out for Ladybug?"
"No just extras," Alya spoke up,
"You sure Alya I think you could do it, but if it's just extra I could put a good word in." Adrian offered,
"Hey stop flirting with my girlfriend," Nino put Adrian in a playful headlock.
"Hey models aren't known for their minds but Alya's always been doing what's right if we didn't have the current girl behind the mask Alya could." Adrian pulled himself free and Nino realized Adrian wasn't joking.
"Guys no way Ladybug is the best no one could replace her." Alya denied,
"True," both boys said Adrian defensively while Nino was more thoughtful.
"But Adrian is like the second person to say so. You got a reputation girlfriend," he brought her in for a hug.
"Ease up Nino," Adrian whispered into his ear but it sounded like. He glanced as Adrian walked away he winced as felt a mild twinge of a headache. "Hey, Clara!"
"Ease up on the comments it's embarrassing," Alya gave him a light elbow.
"Well, I guess being compared to Ladybug is just one complaint to many. Besides if I didn't you would have pushed it on poor Marinette," he laughed as every girl looked away as Marinette glanced at them all.
"Who's side are you on?" Alya glared at him.
"Just trying something," he whispered as Alya blinked in confusion. He looked at Marinette who seemed lost in her thoughts.
"Hey, can I talk to you about something?" He asked she snapped up.
"Um sure," she eyed him,
"So I wanted to know if you got a similar thought, to me," he glanced around to see Adrian was out of earshot.
"About Adrian?" She asked he nodded stiffly,
"Yeah, that conversation you overheard I think Adrian might be depressed," she blinked however he spotted her shift she went into her thinking look. That was one thing time had given him he knew Marinette was really smart Alya seemed to see a different version of her.
"That would add up, or at least doesn't value himself much." She theorized,
"That's probably more likely, here I am trying to act all smart." He adjusted his cap. "He always keeps his cards close I don't think I would have ever noticed, if not for well it's nothing." He waved off, Marinette looked at him and almost like a supercomputer seemed to nod.
She fell back against the trailer and suddenly slid down. "Are you okay I just wanted to know ya know. I don't know if I was the only one Alya seemed to only focus on the praise for you."
"It's just he always seems no nice, I didn't want to think about too much more I didn't want to worry that I was being shallow."
"You are not shallow you thought the worst of him first. It's just well maybe if you realize he would probably be really sad if you went back to stuttering around him he's already under the impression you only put up with him to be polite."
"Did Alya?" She glanced at him with a suspicious look.
"What kinda, I kinda thought about parting you two before Alya dragged me into her idea." He admitted,
"Why?"
"One I think you would make a great couple. And you both have what the other wants. That sounds transactional now that I said it out loud. Maybe I should leave this alone." He backed off.
"What could he have I couldn't earn myself, and what could I have that he couldn't get himself?"
"Fair so let's just say I put my foot in my mouth and leave it at that."
"Lahiffe," she rounded on him as he backed off.
"Guys," Adrian interrupted only to see the expression. "Am I interrupting something am I?"
"Just me making a fool of myself," Nino admitted as he accepted that he was not much of a matchmaker. He walked off to Alya who noticed.
"No good?"
"I think I did more damage than anything else." He sighed only for Alya to glance around.
"Well, that depends on what you were attempting." He got a warning so he waited to make his glance noticeable.
The two were back to talking, Adrian was giving him a concerned look but they were talking. They didn't have any luck on a Ladybug for the first day but he got to see all the fun stuff and even got to shadow the director. It was odd though he had expected some trouble from Hawkmoth.
(1) couldn't figure a good name for the theoretical kids of Black Cat and Peter so I just rolled with the names their kids had in the comics.
Au sorry editing dragged and I hyper focused on my own story that had been slowly being worked on not done needs serious editing but it's finally looking whole.