Chloe got up, as she turned off her alarm. Zoe was still sleeping. She had insisted on a room for Zoe near her but when she requested the same room she allowed it. She pulled out her tracksuit.
"I wish you hadn't allowed her to use the same room. I appreciate the ability to speak." Stingg spoke up.
"Cause you talk so much," Chloe rolled her eyes.
"that is beside the point." Stingg replied, "That party through off your routine." he added as he noticed the slight shift in her activities. She normally did her running in the afternoon to avoid being noticed but she was invited last second so morning jog it was, maybe if she got out early enough she would avoid any attention.
"Ridiculous, I just need my space." She walked to the kitchen and ignored the staff who had become less skittish around her.
"Perhaps you could ask that redhead to join you," Stingg brought up.
"Didn't you just complain about no space to talk?" Chloe quickly ate her breakfast as she headed out on her jog that she usually did at night.
She did a few stretches, before taking off. Loath as she was to admit it her home had become a bit warmer as of late. Zoe was like a puppy starved for positive affection. It was so annoying Chloe this and Chloe let's do that. All the hugs, she needed her space hence the jogging. "Ridiculous." She sniffed at her sister's behavior she could hardly admit to any such nonsense.
Chloe kept at it when she came to a stop and realized she had forgotten her water bottle. She walked in ready to just pay and go.
"You need to help me!" She heard someone shout. "Don't ignore I need to know where the chips are I will have you fired you disrespectful..."
Chloe glanced around nobody was at the register. She took a deep breath. "Is anyone here!" She shouted as she cut off the other complainer. "She stormed around a corner elbow checking the Karen as she walked past whoever she was complaining about cause they didn't have a uniform on.
"Hello!" She rounded another corner as a hand grabbed her shoulder.
"That was very rude!" Shouted an older woman.
"I am ." Chloe flashed a hard glare "Going to give you two seconds before I call a home 'cause you are senile if you think she works here," Chloe rounded on her as she jabbed her finger back at the middle-aged woman.
"How dare you, you rude little brat," she brought up.
"rude?! You have been screaming like a toddler since I got here put on your big girl pants and help yourself. Or find someone who was paid to put up with your entitled butt. Now get out of my face." She stepped away as the woman stood there slack-jawed.
"I am going to call the police you insufferable brat. As Chloe was vaguely aware someone was now hiding behind her.
She rolled her eyes as she found the actual employee, "is there a problem."
"gee, what gave you that idea." Chloe thought.
"I need an officer I got assaulted by this rude teenager." she accused,
"Could you be a dear and send Roger Raincomprix," Chloe shouted at the phone as the older lady frowned in confusion.
Chloe found what she wanted as she swiped her phone. It seemed that the issue was now disrespectful to youth rather than whatever the original one.
"Chloe," Roger nodded,
"This girl attacked me!" Cried the woman as Roger blinked in schlock as he was thrown for a loop.
"she was chewing out another customer and wouldn't move after I announced myself then she grabbed me the camera was in the corner. Can I go I have a run to return to.
"is this true?" Roger glanced at the guy behind the register.
"Yes." He answered, he glanced at Chloe,
"That man is lying she is a horrible little girl! I demand you do something about this!" she ordered Roger.
"right well that could be a problem considering."
"What,"
"well if it's an issue you know where Daddy is I don't feel like pushing charges can I go?" Chloe looked at the woman as if she was little more than a bug.
"Sure," Roger walked as he took the attention of the Adult.
"um, Chloe thanks." Juleka made herself known as Chloe ruled her eyes.
"I didn't do anything for you she picked a fight and lost." Chloe dismissed, as she headed out the door only to run into someone.
"Of all the days," she fumed, up at the tall boy with the dyied cyan hair. "Sorry," she growled out before moving around and continuing her jog.
she paused as she checked her time. In all honesty, she didn't need to keep this up Chat Noir explained that it didn't add anything to the hero's transformation. But it was something to do, she had pretty effectively withdrawn from her surroundings. It was very frustrating to see that people around her reacted so positively to it.
"Hey!" Came a voice as she pulled out her earbuds.
"Oh it's you, what do you want?" She cut back an insult to his appearance he wasn't exactly badly dressed but the dyed hair was a bit tacky in her private opinion.
"I wanted to say thanks." He smiled it was an annoyingly kind smile, the smile of someone who would be taken advantage of if he wasn't careful.
"I already said I didn't do anything." Chloe glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. He was breathing fine she hadn't expected him to not even be winded she would hardly say she was sprinting but she wasn't slow.
"Still, you stood up for my sister. Thank you." She rolled her eyes as he turned to walk away.
"you managed to keep up do you do a lot of running?" She asked as she wondered why she was opening up this conversation.
"nope marching band," he explained as she nodded in understanding. Silence returned as he seemed to take that as his cue to leave.
"I usually jog later around the same path, so don't expect me to be around next time. Got it?" She warned him as he nodded and ran off.
"What was that about?" Stingg asked from inside her jumpsuit.
"Just a warning," she sniffed,
"Right," Stingg answered unconvinced, however, Chloe kept quiet not bringing it up. It wasn't long however it wasn't long before an Akuma took off again. She returned to her roof as she played with the baseball cap.
"Chloe!" Cried out Sabrina approached her. "What are you doing out here? Trying to get some space from Zoe?" She asked a bit too hopeful.
"Zoe isn't a problem she's not going to replace you or anything." Chloe brushed off,
"you seem down want to open up all the stuff your mom sent.
"you do it." Chloe waved off Sabrina hesitated as Chloe could hear the shuffling.
Chloe sighed as the wave of ladybugs hit and she headed down.
"Sweety would you be a dear I need some help covering for an employee." Daddy was talking to Zoe who seemed frozen at the question.
"I'll do it Daddy, got nothing better to do." She muttered to herself as her dad blinked as he rubbed his hands together nervously.
She sat at the front desk "You never offer to help," Stingg pointed out.
"We are in public," she reminded in all honesty she was thinking and she could do that here as well as anywhere.
"of course mistress," he vanished into her bag as she sighed.
Ever since that sleeping akuma, she'd been having that same dream over and over again. It was wearing and not one she appreciated. Being tormented with the impossible.
"Chloe, would you like some company?" Zoe asked as she glanced over narrowing her eyes.
"the point was to have some space to think." Chloe frowned as the ever-friendly-looking Zoe moved closer. That spike of jealousy popped up.
"Sometimes talking helps to voice your thought might help organize them." She brought up as she smiled trying to help her sister's mood.
"what do you want?" Chloe asked as she looked away.
"To help?" Zoe offered,
"Not that what do you want to do with your life?" Chloe asked.
"Oh, well I guess an actress, I mean it's kinda cliche but you put me on the spot," Zoe admitted,
"well lucky you, I am not sure anymore," Chloe admitted as she tried to cut out the bitterness.
"Oh, I always thought you would take over for Mom with her magazine."
"I doubt there is much of a future in print media." She dismissed the idea part of her felt ill at the idea she wasn't sure why, most parents worked heck she wasn't sure she ever met Sabrina's mom. Her mind flashed to the party as her science teacher entered her mind. She rubbed the back of her head as she dismissed her thoughts.
"You never know I think someone said the same thing in a book made in the eighties," Zoe recalled, their dad walked in as he paused surprised.
"You need to get your groove back, Chloe you need your confidence back." Zoe stood up a confident smile on her face. Chloe gave a slight smirk despite herself.
"I am Chloe Bourgeois I have no end of confidence!" She stood up outraged at the implication that she was anything but as she looked at her sister.
Chloe was distracted as a guest walked in she gave her dad a look who seemed caught up in something as she checked the person in while she hadn't done this often before it was only when it was someone important like a celebrity. She passed over the key as she got the bell boys moving. Zoe looked at her as if she understood something Chloe didn't as she sat back down.
POV shift
Richard sat down as he set his phone off he was happy to be back in the lives of his friends. He was amused at the changes and the ones that stayed the same were heartwarming. Chloe surprised him she seemed less dismissive," he winced as he touched his head.
"you okay?" Peter asked as he noticed him, they were cleaning up after the party.
"You would call it vertigo," he admitted, as Peter paused giving him his full attention. "It's nothing just dizzy probably stayed up too late. Would it be okay to sit down?"
"sure call if you need me." Peter went back to cleaning but he was still attentive as he walked out of the room.
"bub, keeping things locked up only hurts trust me stuff doesn't like to be caged any more than it should be released," Hopps spoke up.
"Nothing about me is normal no sense worrying," he suddenly remembered a movie premiere it was the movie for the Parisian heroes he was there with Marinette. He was so happy but he could remember. His hand suddenly lost its grip as he fell to the ground.
"Rich," Falicia was suddenly next to him.
"It's fine, just a rough morning after a great party." He grabbed onto the table.
"I might believe you if you did anything that would even imply some form of intoxication I might believe you." She glanced at him.
"right," he admitted as he pushed against the wall. "I'll let you know if it's worth worrying about." He said however she didn't look convinced before walking off.
"This isn't going to last," Venom spoke up as the black being shifted away showing his hand was still struggling to solidify.
"like me passing off the issue or the random fading?" He asked as he flicked his hand and reformed seemingly fine.
"yes? Both I have been around the universe this is strange even by my standards." Venom explained, "I can make up for this and will respect your decision I advise we speak to Peter on this.
"I think if he had any ideas he would have considered a relapse. Besides it's not like I was living a long life to begin with." He smiled as the bump popped up its blank white eyes unmoved as they stained up at him.
"I am not up for losing another host not without a fight." Venom pressed back.
"hey, you still have the original." Richard advised,
"You have a very low opinion of yourself one I don't share." Venom responded,
"Maybe another miraculous could work?" Hopps brought up.
"Hmm," He considered the idea.
pov shift
Marinette paused in the patrol to be honest patrol kinda felt pointless. Not that was much of an issue Nino was good company and Chat Noir was a lot easier to deal with and was growing on her like a fungus.
"So anyone else thinks this kinda pointless?" Nino asked as she hesitated to agree with him.
"Go hang out with Alya I can handle this myself no sense in wasting everyone's time." Chat Noir answered as he glanced over the city.
"You sure?" Nino asked as he glanced between them.
"We are friends I'll call if we need you, I got nothing better to do so you can go off if you want to." He looked at her as he spun his staff resting it on his shoulders as his hands dangled off and lazily looked around.
"well okay," he shot off not needing any more urging took off.
"Chatton," she spoke up as he glanced back at her a bright smile on his face. For once though she questioned its authenticity.
"yes, my lady?" He asked as he tilted his head a bit she wondered if he leaned into the cat theme or if the Kawmi encuraged the behavoir.
"Are you okay?" She asked, "I mean we have to keep our identities a secret but you seem different."
"I could always flirt with you for old time's sake." He offered as she rolled her eyes.
"Don't change the subject kitty you've been distant," she brought up.
"It would probably give me away if I explained it so, simply I am kinda jealous of my time-displaced self." He rubbed the back of his head.
"I suppose living in a mansion with a retired hero would be kinda cool," only to see a light wince she was probably off the mark.
"let's walk on the street, you say hi to everyone," he dropped off the building interested in avoiding the topic.
she put her customer service smile on as she was greeted and glanced over as two girls approached Chat Noir.
"you are so cool and my friends are big fans. Selfie?" She looked apologetically at him as he gave an amused smile.
"Say miraculous," they posed for the phone as he handed it back and the two strangers giggled and waved goodbye.
"This is a distraction, we should be patrolling a bit more effectively."
People brightened as people smiled and treated them. She realized what he had done with the people surrounding them she couldn't prod him on the problem. Her concern was growing that Chat Noir had a less-than-ideal home life she had to make sure he was safe he was irreplaceable. "Where did that come from?" She thought but shook it off.
"Chat," she warned as she was about ready to drag him off if needed.
"What?" He asked as he turned to look at her.
"Do you feel safe at home?" She asked,
"Safe? Yes safe as possible, that's honestly part of the problem, helicopter parent, in a sense," he added, her mind no fault of its own quickly went over, the possibility.
"Stop," he snapped at her, which snapped her attention back to the here and now, "I know that look," that was surprising. "Fine let's talk," he sighed, as he leaped back up onto a rooftop.
"Chat?" His behavior was being very odd, she was now second-guessing a few things about her partner.
"I am not in any danger, okay? I am physically fine my issues are an emotional problem. My civilian identity is locked in Paris I am not going anywhere. Okay, I am kinda high profile so with as smart as you are I can't go into detail 'cause you will figure it out." He explained as she couldn't help but feel a bit of pride that that he considered her that smart.
"Really?" She shook her head, "unless you are the son of the prime minister or something I doubt it." But the smile was long gone.
"I have seen you figure out impossible situations with little more than a random object and your surroundings. I hold your intelligence in high regard and don't doubt for a second that a few loose details wouldn't be all it takes."
"What?" She blinked in surprise
"Ladybug give me some credit, I didn't fall head over heels for a costume." He shrugged as he looked at her.
"You can't fall in love with someone you don't even know my name." she retorted dismissing his comment.
"A rose by any other name?" He offered, "Why do I need a name? I see you by your deeds. I see your intelligence, your kindness, your bravery I seen so much of you and you don't realize that what makes you a good hero makes you a good person and you do it so natrually." He seemed to brighten. "Unless you're the complete opposite of yourself in civilian form only a fool would not fall in love."
"Anyone can have those things it's so vague honestly Chat," she sighed as she worried he was back sliding she wasn't sure she would appreciate the return of the flirting.
"It's why I was attracted to my new crush after moving past you. She's nice, mind you she's not as brave but she is brave. I am just not sure if she's interested." He admitted,
"Mr. Love doesn't know when someone's in love." She teased,
"She's different, not sure if she hates me or you know shy." He shrugged, "I already drove you up a wall so not keen to do it again." He admitted as she felt a slight pang of sympathy.
"I doubt she hates you," she shook her head for all his faults he was difficult to dislike, which was probably why she gave him so much leeway.
"the only time I feel free is in costume." He sighed as she blinked not sure where this was coming from probably for the best.
"what," she almost got whiplash from that.
"Sorry, I should probably not unload on you." He had his back to her now as he seemed to shrink.
"hey, we are friends sometimes we need to vent." She jumped up and sat down next to him.
"It's dangerous, I started to view Parker as a father figure, and I kinda want him to be, with my copy more or less his son it hurts cause that's what I want but it's selfish. It feels like the only things I want I can't have and they sit there flashing in front of me and I hate myself for it. I have so much, and I want more."
"What about your mom?" She hesitated in her question.
"She is no longer with us which is part of the reason my dad is the way he is, but in retrospect he didn't change that much after her passing. The more I look back on my life the more I see other peoples lives I realized just how diffrent my upbrining was."
"I never would have guessed, my biggest problem is unrequited love, and while the Akuma's. My issues seem kinda ordinary," she chuckled but there wasn't much humor in it.
"Ordinary sounds, nice," he shifted and laid his head on her shoulder. She stiffened but she could see out of the corner of his eye that he had closed his eyes as she paused and recognized a low purr. As she realized he had fallen asleep. She guessed everything caught up with him. If all of his extra work with Peter and his vague comments he must have run himself ragged. She reached out to try and wake him however her hands started to play with his wild blonde hair. She smiled and wondered what it would look like if she styled it a bit. She sat there mildly amused but also annoyed that she couldn't force herself to push him off she swore she hadn't blinked when she realized he was resting his head on her lap. "Wait how did this happen?" she frowned in confusion. She pulled out her yo-yo "Can you help me out I have a sleeping kitty on my lap," she called as Peter blinked he looked even more tired than Chat Noir.
"My best recommendation is to accept your new fate," he answered as she lowered the cam to show Chat Noir. "Oh that Kitty, I am a bit occupied at the moment, I can send someone over to help," he offered,
"Thanks, you look like you could use some sleep, we have school tomorrow," she pointed out as Peter let out a yawn.
"I could be working on my projects," she muttered to herself as she closed the yo-yo. However, rather than close it, she flipped open her suspect list. Parker had been scratched off completely as was Gabriel. She wasn't sure about that second one. However, her eyes glazed over the list was too long and nobody stood out those that met the height requirement was a bit higher on the list but nothing pointed at them. Her fingers continued to play with his hair as the purr intensified but she ignored it.
"Hawkmoth you need to make a mistake, someone that's not akumatized someone who can hear your voice or your mannerisms something to give me a direction." She muttered to herself. The trouble was each new theory that popped up was quickly shot down. Nino had talked about people spying for the guy but outside of the winged guy who had also been pretty silent. It was just the same thing over and over again. "Was it a ploy? It's not impossible there has to be something." She but at her covered fingernails trying to force her brain before a whimper came from Chat as she realized she stopped stroking his hair.
"What a simple guy, doesn't take much to keep you happy," she teased the sleeping hero.
"I'll take this over complicated and overworked. You could probably solve this on your own." Black Cat crossed her arms.
"Well then be my guest." She leaned back as Felicia grabbed him around the middle and he didn't move. She blinked in confusion.
"He can't be this heavy," she looked at her.
"He got a lot stronger or sticky cause he got into a fog of war with the Sabatis and they couldn't move him.
"What?" She looked at her in confusion.
"I have no idea, new power I know he has night vision as well so you got me." She shrugged as Falicia opened up her phone.
"Yes?" he answered very annoyed,
"Don't take that tone, look I can't move him either." She answered,
"That's nice, wait what?" He answered as that got his attention and both of them rolled their eyes.
"How, when?" He frowned, "I'll be a second." He hung up sounding very ticked.
"oh boy, he sounds upset." Marinette swallowed
"I don't get it," she admitted, Peter opened a portal as both blinked,
"you could have just done that?!" They both shouted at him.
"You needed to get out of the house," Peter looked at Felicia who just glared at him.
"When could you do that?" Marinette asked,
"Right well it seems I am not the only one not keeping things in the know." Peter frowned as he glared over his shoulder. He pulled out a device and some kind of static rushed around her it felt tingly as Peter pulled Chat off her.
"How in the world?" Falicia looked at him however Peter gave her a look and she stopped.
"Sorry about that, me and both furballs' are going to be having a nice chat." He growled as Chat blinked in confusion as he realized his situation.
"Don't leave me with him." He begged her with his big lensed eyes.
she just smiled and waved as he vanished into the portal. "What did he mean by both?" She wondered.
POV shift
"Idiots you three are all idiots!" Peter all but shouted however Adrian winced, Dick avoided eye contact, and Venom quivered on a stool as the three of them were given the riot act.
Peter was very pushed that all three of them had kept a secret from them. His new powers, apparently Dick were vanishing, and Venom lying about both.
"Sorry," they apologized to him as Peter deflated and sat down.
"Is there anything you can do?" Felicia asked,
"Nothing has popped up in most cases from what I know if a future is prevented it is separate from the original reality. So destroyed is kinda foreign I mean I think there was something with 616 housing individuals from another universe but Magic is involved so,"
"How do you know that?" Dick asked confused,
"The X-men deal a lot in disastrous futures so when I took up a teaching gig I did a bit of research for my heroic ethics class." He explained,
"So no changes then except that your dead tired," Dick sassed as Adrian glanced at his copy surprised at the comment.
"For now however time is not our friend and I would have appreciated knowing sooner rather than later. Pull another stunt like that and I am grounding you."
"Understood," he answered the fight vanishing if for now at least.
"As for you Venom don't make a habit of this, Adrian we might need to re-pick up some training to make sure you don't accidentally trap your partner when you doze off. You three are dismissed I need to get back to work." He sat down.
"Do you want help?" They both spoke up at the same time.
"I am going to need a cup of coffee." He sighed.
pov shift
The first day of school after the party was a downer Marrinette had felt like a queen and the next big holiday to look forward to was Christmas. Not helping was the enigma that was Chat Noir. With everything going on, she could honestly say she had seen more sides of her partner than she could say about anyone. Sadly she came to some conclusion that his romance was genuine that or he was even more of a player than she thought and could change up his approach.
She never gave him much thought but seeing the smile fade and the cat exposing his soft underbelly through her for a loop.
In some ways, she probably knew more about Chat than anyone around her.
"you okay?" Alya asked as she sat down.
"Just thinking,"
"uh oh, anything that requires this much energy is going to be big." Alya joked however there was merit in the comment.
"I have a friend I play games with and I kinda realized I know more about him than almost anyone, I guess just dealing with the implications."
"Considering the effort you went into when it comes to, him," she noticed Adrien walk in. "I am suprised you know someone that you don't know everything about its kinda suprising."
"I put a lot of work into that and for personal reasons everyone else I only know so well, but this guy well I thought I had him figured out but now. It would be like judging Ladybug only when she's in costume."
"You say that but I know enough about Ladybug to know a bit and I only metter her a hand full of times," Alya answered "For this guy to be such a mystery to you, well maybe you wern't really paying attention to him, usually you just need to listen and people will tell your everything." but before more could be said Marrinette's phone went off her hero phone.
CN: something big came up found something that needs the power of destruction going to be out of the country. Peter is using Blurry but this requires his full attention.
"Something up?" Alya asked as Marinette forced a smile she hoped it was nothing bad.
"Just a commision text I asked for an extention and they just agreed to it.
Pov shift
"I swear if you start playing the Indiana Jones theme I am going home." Dick glanced over at Felicia who was sporting a fedora.
"Okay you play it then," she said as the two stepped into a small cave with a door with a red and black ting-Yang sign.
A spot for a ring under it on one side. "Is that you just needed a key?" Dick glanced at her.
"well, that's step one who knows how much further it goes." Felicia took off the hat "But we take this slow and cautious," as she pulled out a set of earrings.
"you didn't,"
"relax it's just a Spare pair we want to see if these will function if so Plag can stay in Paris and we can just do this."
"I'll go anywhere so long as I get my Camembert," he swallowed a hunk of cheese.
"Hurry up he's going to get expensive at this rate." she said as he downed another slice of cheese.
pov shift back
With class wrapping up Principal Damocles pushed everyone out of school as Alya tried to insight a sleepover which while nice would make heroing a bit harder. She sighed as she suited up and good thing the principal had decided to try his hand at her work again. She knew his heart was in the right place but not even Professor Parker could stop the man who had tried to explain the harm of such vigilante work.
She managed to catch both him and the cat she had caught him trying to rescue. "Owl please, find a safer means of hero work."
"I can handle it," he grunted as she lowered him to the ground.
"Mr. Whiskers," cried Mrs. Michelle as she grabbed her cat.
"I need to get going, but I mean it I have a lot more durability than you and this can backfire if you try taking on more than you can handle." She smiled all the while ignoring that little voice pointing out uncomfortable similarities. She swung off before the news could be set up.
As much as she wanted to put her foot down she was weary due to the nature of her adversary. She headed home she already had her computer up as she logged into the network. Something came up recently and Peter said that he couldn't give the time to the defense grid. However, he had added that it wasn't working as intended and he couldn't figure out why.
Well, she could see that part of the problem was a lot of parts of the city had no systems in place. However, that wasn't the only issue some victims were in the middle of the net but nothing had been set off which was weird since before each one would trigger giving a general idea of travel time and location.
"Hmm," Finn glanced over everything as he slowly floated closer. He picked up a fry as he casually munched on it. "Looks like the Data has been compromised," Finn scarfed down the Fry as Marinette glanced at him.
"Unless Peter's programming skills are lacking." She glanced at her schedule. She took off, she headed to the school first.
She glanced at the device after plugging in her hero phone. "Okay so everything looks normal, but how can I test it?
"Understanding your powers is critical knowing what you can and can't do needs to be second nature cause when life is on the line a split-second decision can be the thin line between life and death" she recalled the list of advice.
"Create," she focused as her suit glowed and changed she pulled out a fake moth. It crackled with energy as the censor went off and so did her phone.
"What's going on? Help?" Unknown caller.
"false alarm testing something," she texted back.
"Need help?"
"Sure, this isn't going to be glamorous." She sighed more annoyed.
"It's nice to meet you, I don't think we got to formally meet." Scorpion Queen introduced as Marinette glanced at her. She resembled a thief the domino mask didn't help.
"Nice to meet you," Ladybug stepped forward and the two shook hands. The blonde-haired hero looked around her age and something about her seemed to just raise her hackles so to speak.
"Right," she seemed equally uneasy. "This could be a faker," she kept her guard up as Finn seemed to notice he squinted at the newcomer .
brief pov shift
"It's ladybug she didn't trust me but it's ladybug she's so cool, no keep it professional, wait did she see my dream does she know who I am? What do I do Chat Noir you didn't train me for this!" She internally panicked.
shift back
"Let's go," she leaped off ready to continue, ladybug casually ordered as Queen followed her. She could tell Queen was regretting her decision there really wasn't much she could do.
"So is hero work always this dull?" She asked not bothering to hide her annoyance.
"This isn't the norm I noticed an issue and I am looking into what the issue is."
"The issue is they are ugly," Queen commented as Marinette let out an amused breath.
"Well, he's no Gabriel Agreste that's for sure." The two shared a laugh at Peter's expense.
"So what is the problem if for no other reason than cause it's too quiet." She leaned over his shoulder as the black-tipped hair dangled near her curling a bit like a scorpion tail.
"Okay," she explained the situation as Queen poked holes or tried to but Peter was designing this to make it impossible for there not to be a trail.
"Maybe he has a really good purse?" She joked however that might not be too off.
"That's possible I guess, we don't set them off so if he has been moving around to avoid them to keep his base hidden." Marinette considered as Queen smiled at the idea.
"We could check the camera's to see if he's dipping in and out of the area," Queen added that the idea was less helpful.
"Hmm I also wouldn't mind looking into a few other options. Here take this and run around the sensors and see if you can set them off.
"fine," said the less-than-enthusiastic heroine. However, something was weird everything started working properly. Implying that something might be up.
"Peter I think something might be wrong with the sensors." She called,
"Any ideas?"
"I don't know it seems almost alive unless I am being watched something should be tripping them."
"How are you testing that?" He asked, "Wait you can just do that?" He asked,
"Yes." She admitted not thinking much about it.
"So could you make say a kind of metal based on the atomic structure?" He asked as Marinette paused, as something clicked into place what Parker had been explaining all this time that she hadn't caught on to what Chat had been gradually learning but hadn't fully understood. She was creation she could create anything. "Spots? Ladybug?"
"What Can't I do?" She wondered out loud.
"What you can do is pretend you didn't think that and keep it in your preverbal back pocket. Feigned weakness is one heck of a trump card." He whispered with a chuckle.
"You knew?" She asked only just watching as the sensor system sped up.
"I have seen a lot of things Miss, it wouldn't be the wildest power set I have ever seen but the same relates to your partner you two might be far more powerful than you realize." However she was cut off as pain all but defended herself. A cloaked figure landed before her as she skidded to a halt.
"Are you sure that doesn't seem very heroic?" The figure touched, "right outnumbered," he agreed as she realized it wasn't Hawkmoth he was talking to.
Dark Owl tossed a trio of owl-rangs at her as she quickly dodged them as she brought out her Yo-yo. The larger man charged at her but she quickly avoided the blows as she quickly set to work dealing with him. He was hardly as concerned it wasn't long before the attacker was wrapped on the ground.
"Wow," Queen stood there slack-jawed as she took the time time to try and find where the little devil was housed.
However, she found nothing on the guy. "Is that the Principal for that school constantly being targeted." Queen, she snapped her fingers. "Damocles?"
"Maybe something at his office," she realized,
"So should we leave him here or should I stay back?" Queen asked,
"See if you can take his power. So that way if he escapes he won't be an issue." She also wanted to know if it would work.
She took off her belt "Bitter betrayal!" She cried out as the belt cracked and changed turning into a utility belt and a cape and cowl suddenly grey into place she kinda looked like a cleaner version of Knightowl from the comics.
"This is awesome, we need more things like this in fashion, that, and good pockets." She brought the cape up,
"I am the danger that flaps in the night," she declared as Marinette rolled her eyes and gave a laugh.
"of course, I get another Blonde goofball." She shook her head more amused. She swung off kinda enjoying the makeshift Knightowl it was kinda like childhood dream swing through the streets with her hero.
They landed at the school as they broke into the window. The setup was a weird cross of fiction and the office of the principal.
"It's nice to meet you madam Ladybug so nice to meet you." Said the computer. "For the first time," the tone implied it wasn't.
"Wasn't he the guy that was chasing that old hero along with that massive group?" Queen pointed out
"Such insight, and here I thought this was a world of fools." He chuckled as his red-tuned face mocked them on the computer screen. The power that was stolen suddenly dissipated. "Spoke too soon it seems."
"He's just a distraction, don't give it the time," she dismissed the talking head with a flick of her fingers.
"Truth is one nasty distraction besides magic doesn't work on me don't you want to know who your hero is?" His focus shifted to the blonde. Marinette paused if this was some digital version of that one man he probably knew everything Peter knew at the time, even if he was lying about the magic thing. She glanced at Queen who seemed to be unwilling to make eye contact he struck something with her.
"I don't want to know," she clamped her ears over her head. "Lala," she drowned out the computer as Marinette moved for the volume control.
"Now we can talk, Marinette," he smiled as she froze. "Don't you worry little girl I have a use for you so keep up the good work I got my eye on you." He chuckled, "It's the computer." With that, he switched off as Marinette kicked the object in feeling a sense of pure dread at the attention of this computer program.
One purified butterfly later she stood there looking at the computer.
"You want me to check up on the principal?" Queen asked once she realized the device was silenced.
"Sure," she answered, as she came to a very crazy possibility. She took off because she needed to talk to Peter. She swung in as her fear was replaced with concern.
The man had a pile of coffee cups, he had noticeable bags and everything was a mess. She watched as he hung his head and then snapped back up to the screen as she noticed a pile of old books a few of which were open.
"Mr. Parker?" She spoke up as he snapped up spilling his empty cups as he realized he had company.
"Ladybug what's wrong?" He asked as he pushed his messy hair back.
"I think something from your mind may have slipped through." She swallowed not keen on. This conversation was for a lot of reasons. She explained the first interaction and then the implications of the computer as she felt bad she was so used to dealing with things clean with her ladybugs she hadn't considered the idea that things might slip through. She half expected him to scold her.
"I am so sorry I worried my very existence could have been an issue. This proves that I shouldn't have come at all." He dropped his hands in his head. "I had my suspicions but this squares it."
"I need help on this." He sighed "I can't do so much at once."
"I can help what do you need?" She asked ready to do what she could. A find warm smile spread over his face.
"I need help with computer stuff which is sadly outside your wheelhouse. And the one thing you could help with I refuse to put on your shoulders." He stood up as the warmth slowly drained.
"Max, I can ask Max he is a prodigy even if he can't help with Osborn could he help with the sensors." She brought up.
"hmm, he might be able to help." He rubbed his beard hesitant to drag someone else into the mess.
"I'll ask I'll help him out where I can." She insisted as she was confident he would be willing to help. "Didn't you say we needed to ask for help in class?" She reminded as he sat down and she almost missed something she glanced back but his back was to her.
"yeah, mind I am no stranger to working in groups but I was always the odd man out. However you seem to know what to do so we shall follow your lead on this." he smiled with a twinkle in his eye as if waiting for something along these lines.
"Are you teaching me?" She asked,
"I am always teaching, be careful you might learn something." He teased over his shoulder.
"Teachers," she grumbled it was way too late to bring anything up with Max tonight she wondered if passing Finn over to him would help even if he was the secret weapon.
she got back to her room to find Finn on the computer he was going over a video on human advancements she found it a dull watch but he was so hooked on it that she could leave it on for hours and he wouldn't move from that spot, well unless he needed to hide but he lacked the Understanding Tiki had after all "its an honor to be chosen so why hide it?"
"Ladybug was in top form only a few people even realized there was a problem the Dark Owl, inspired by the popular comic book character, was expertly handled." he said as he brought up a clip from the news she was suprised they had been caught at all on camera.
"By my numbers, if this continues Ladybug might be capable of dealing with this issue before we even notice. If I was Hawkmoth I would consider hanging up their mask." Said another news anchor. "We can only hope, don't be bemused it's just the news,"
pov shift
Natalie frowned as she closed the door to Adrian's room. She remembered seeing changes in him but now it was impossible to ignore. He was much more private it was almost like he was turning into Gabriel and in retrospect cause she told his dad what he was dealing with he had cut her out when it came to any concerns. She entered her room and looked at the phone she had left. She had made a promise that was until she realized that Gabriel could bring her back she couldn't say no to that possibility. However, Emilie had left instructions. She headed to her room, things were so much easier back when it was just the three of them.
pov shift
Gabriel felt his rage boil over as he stood up and shut the TV off. He returned to his hideout the setup was completely different now it was filled with a chemistry lab as well as all the tools that would make any inventor drool. The Tinker was popping in and out even still as he willed everything forward he was becoming very frustrated.
"Patience, Mr. Agreste pride comes before the fall. Without my intervention you would be no worse off."
"she's getting better!" He raged,
"exactly and you need to adapt as well which is what we are working on. Do you think Parker was going to sit back and let the girl coast off her talent he knows all too well what happens when you are not prepared. The easy tricks that you could have called on were already in the process of being patched up. That being said I have realized a very interesting observation. The increase in Miraculous activity historically is very vague and only one who knows could trace the impact throughout history. I have concluded that Peter is tracking and finding these items. We need a copy of his program if we can swipe whatever it is he has we could add to your arsenal."
That got his interest, "That would be useful."
"Sadly that will require some globetrotting as I doubt one would have escaped his notice in grand Pari." Osborn pointed out.
He headed down he just so happened to know a really good treasure hunter. He found her in her room looking at her old gear. If she was feeling nostalgic this could work. "Natalie I need you to do some traveling for me." He said in a neutral tone.
"No," Natalie answered as he blinked
"No?" He repeated, a bit surprised she had never refused him.
"I can't leave Adrian alone here." She answered her eyes closed.
"Adrian will be fine." Gabriel dismissed her concerns he was his son he could handle it if he got his mother back. Everything would go back to the way it was when he was done.
"He isn't fine!" She snapped at him the explosion was the biggest surprise.
"He's acting like you now!" She pointed out,
"What?" He blinked he wasn't sure what she meant he was a kind husband and father he did everything that was required and then some of his son was acting like him he was acting like a man. "What is wrong with that?" He frowned at the idea.
"He's not asking about you anymore he goes to his room he does what you ask but that's it. He used to ask about you he used to be sad when you were 'working' Now he isn't surprised worse he's not talking to anyone now you interact with me more than me. He doesn't trust me anymore, I fear that even if we get your desire back she won't recognize her son anymore. He not acting like her anymore he's acting like a prisoner and he's been getting fit short of an orange jumpsuit he might as well be."
"Don't you dare insult my wife, me and Natalie agreed to protect him from the outside world!" he roared his temper truely triggered.
"That was fine when you both were here dedicated to it!" She rounded on him. "You used to have models around his age he could at least interact with kids his age. He didn't mind not going to school so much until you put all of the modeling work on his shoulders and with out your wife around nobody is bothering to parent him, Peter is more of a father to him than you!" she jabbed a finger her anger matching his blow for blow.
"What does it matter him being a little miserable here when all will be right with his mother back." He dismissed.
"It's not going fix everything, Gabriel. You need to make an effort I need to make an effort or all of this is going to end up with you gaining your wife but losing your son instead. So until I am sure you doing your duty I am not going." She put her foot down.
He turns to the door and grit his teeth. He was losing control of his home. "Parker," he slammed the door of his office ready to return to work when he stopped to look at Emilie's painting.
"Osborn was right, I need, let's see if I can't find more cooperative individuals." He headed into his lair, "Nooroo, Dark wings rise!" He closed his eyes and focused.
He needed the thinker then he would need someone interested in finding what he needed.
He could feel the Tinker's emotions as she quickly copied what she needed from the scanner. The information was transferred to his tablet as he shifted over the purchase orders.
It wasn't long before she was back crafting exactly what he needed. Loath as he was to admit it Osborn seemed to be the only person truly helping him the idea of intentionally hitting negative emotions to create villains with powers he needed had never crossed his mind and to say he wasn't happy with the new systems in place was an understatement. Apparently, the sixth sense Parker had had a weakness and while inside this room it could be strengthened to a crippling degree. It was nice to feel safe in his own home again.
He flipped over tome of the sinister suit projects so far only the flight suit was finished and his spy was doing his job. However, some projects required meddling with things he was hesitant to pull that trigger just yet given he wasn't sure if the loyalty of individuals. He mused over the idea that he could use an Akuma that could revert a person to remove the issue if it becomes one. Loath as he was to admit he needed to plan for setbacks when he finally won it wouldn't matter anymore.
His goals were expanding with everything settling his next project was an Akuma preferably a gambler he could have them find weak people willing to work for him and with an Akuma that could lead them outnumber the heroes of things moved fast enough Parker wouldn't be fast enough to stop him. Not that his threats had meant much he wondered just how willing Parker was to get involved or if he was distracted with what he considered to be more pressing.
he dismissed the Tinker and Decided to send out another threat to the city. A young girl with unrequited love honestly he felt confident in this one and when the newly named Siren all but flooded the city of Paris he was beginning to wonder if he was too hasty in trusting Osborn.
POV brief shift
"If this was intentional I am going to be pissed," Peter frowned as held up his computer tower as his home flooded with water. A text message came in as he quickly made a portal for Plagg to fly through.
"Duty calls," he sighed playfully as he took off towards Adrien.
Pov Shift
"Oh boy," Nino avoided another phone pole. Siren currently had her arms pinned to her side but she was more than willing to run him into anything and everything as he ran up a wall before being dragged bag down towards the water. He was trying not to think about the last time the city had been flooded.
Chat Noir rushed along above him dropping off a few civilians. The number of injuries was concerning as Nino wondered if the Ladybug swarm was capable of being, "Woah," he just managed to avoid something sticking out of the water as he was forced to do the splits to avoid it.
He needed to do something before he found out how durable he was in this suit. He adjusted his grip and pulled out a web grenade. She turned a corner and quickly changed her direction down an Alley. He snapped passed the alleyway and released his thread as she pulled the grenade after her. He snapped a web and swung up as the explosion went off. He stepped out over the area as he saw her struggling to free herself. An orb expanded from her mouth as the ball shredded the line. Suddenly a blast of something shot at him as he avoided the attack.
"Hydrokinesis?" He realized he had lost track of her. "Ugh, I really would have rather been at the movies." He frowned as he kept up the pressure.
Chat Noir had already got Kim out of the way however they were at a stalemate he got lucky tagging here earlier but she was too fast to web up and Ladybug already had a close call trying to fight her on her home turf it went about as well as you would expect.
Then the water started to drain, "wait what?" Nino stopped as he spotted Chat Noir on the road with a ring of green energy as the water rushed towards him. The steam started to erupt obscuring him as the net person slowly got dragged back towards him the water started to retreat Nino realized he was getting everyone's water out of the way so he could try something new. "Are you using Cataclysm?" He asked,
"No, he shouted over the water. Let me know if she gets too close I don't want to destroy her I am trying to only destroy water I have no idea if my powers will recognize the difference!"
Nino saw it first as the smart car flew straight into him. "I guess that answers that question. It wasn't long before Chat was buried under a pile of loose things as Siren desperately tried to keep Paris flooded while not being pulled into the growing pile of things. Nino kept his eyes open as he mused over what to do on one hand he had a much better shot on the Akuma but if someone fell in that wouldn't be a pleasant experience.
He decided to hold off and play it safe. Ladybug as she stopped next to him. "What is going did Peter send some new toys?" She asked as he shook his head.
"Chat must have figured out a way to use his powers or he's cataclysming the water and it's not touching anything else. But he's taking in all the water."
"How is he breathing?" She asked in concern as she held on to something he wasn't familiar with.
"He must be destroying enough water to keep his head above water." He figured
"I wish he would tell me he could do these things but considering what we learned today it's probably for the best." She watched as seemed to reassess the situation.
It was always a marvel to see her work even if things went easy she grabbed Chat's staff and with her yo-yo, she made a fishing pole as she lured in the fishy fiend.
"Finally," he sighed as he sat down he felt fine now but mentally he was drained. Ladybug went down for what Peter called the moral of the day. Nino couldn't argue well for the most part they usually had a few repeat offenders who couldn't learn their lessons.
His phone went off as Alya gave him a text about the movie he nodded and after a quick goodbye took off. He managed to arrive at the updated show time with Silkk happily sucking on a cherry drop her cheek bulging out as she enjoyed her treat.
"busy day huh?" Alya asked as they walked in only for Adrian and Marinette to rush in out of breath.
"You two are made for each other neither of you can seem to show up on time." Alya teased as both blushed and looked in opposite directions. However, they were distracted as the the sky slowly got cloudy.
"looks like we might get that snow after all." Marinette noticed as Adrian leaned over she quickly hid her phone and squeaked in embarrassment.
"Probably, or they make each other later, for reasons, you sure you two aren't dating?" He asked as Alya pushed him as the two sputtered out denials and excuses. Nino laughed as he headed into the theater as the snow fell.
Nino stretched as he got a text from Petter.
Pp: bring Alya and come visit.
"This is so cool, Alya come on," he transformed and quickly swept her off her feet.
"Wait what?" She blinked in surprise as he swung across Paris. He wasn't to surprised to see that well almost was present.
"Why is Alya here?" Ladybug asked,
"Why am I here?" Alya asked as Peter pulled out a familiar shape.
"Well everyone kept bugging me about it so, really didn't have much of a choice." He teased,
"How lucky," said Richard in a blue and yellow costume as he frowned at the box as if it had insulted him.
She opened the box as a Bird-like Kwami blinked at her then raised her pointed beak. "So you my weirder?" She asked as she seemed to be judging her.
"That's the idea," she answered,
"Don't disappoint me, I am Missty, the Kwami of change, my powers are that of the weather. It seems that there are a lot of wielders here that's odd." She noticed she didn't seem upset.
"I get the feeling that a few things of changed since that time you were out." Alya pointed out,
"The temple was destroyed, and you lot are either connected or sealing out missing miraculous for some reason." She realized,
"Pretty spot on." Peter got out.
"wait do you know what happened?" Alya asked leaning in as she probably smelt a story.
"No I was active due to a drought, it wasn't going to be long term but when he got back the place was destroyed. The monk was already old by the standards of the order so he put up defenses around me only someone with a strong connection to the miraculous could retrieve it."
"That explains it," Richard chuckled as Felicia laughed nervously.
"Also I already told the school I'll be taking a week off at the end of November. American holiday and I need to talk to a few friends about a problem I need to fix. Falicia and Richard will be coming with me but the workshop will be open and will have an emergency phone if it's an emergency.
"Wait you leaving?" Chat all but shouted as Nino and Alya wondered if Chat was worried that he wouldn't come back.
"It's just a holiday, thanksgiving I plan on seeing a few friends and visiting a few relatives. I'll be back on Monday of December. This is kinda something I need to do I already put it off long enough." He explained but he looked more like he was going to jail.
"Chat we got this even if stays we protected this city on our own we can keep it up regardless." Ladybug pointed out and while she sounded kind Chat stood up and walked away.
"Hmm," he took a deep breath clearly controled but he was clearly not wanting to hang around.
"Chatton," Ladybug called after him Nino glanced at him.
"I'll talk to him."Nino moved after as Alya glanced at him. He felt bad this big moment chafed by Chat.
"I'll talk to him you celebrate." she smiled as she went after Chat Noir. However he was worried and followed after them, as he over heard their talk.
"I am fine honest I just didn't have anything to add." Chat smiled, as Ladybug eased an eyebrow at him. "It's fine he insisted."
"You don't seem fine." Ladybug pointed out.
"I just need a second okay I am fine, Alya might need some advice on the new Miraculous."
"Yeah, I am about as Likely to buy that as an XY cd," Nino spoke up.
"I just like having him around okay I don't do well with people leaving." He slumped and looked away.
"Its okay,"s he put a hand on his shoulder and pulled him into a half hug.
"You got lots of friends and maybe more on the way ever happens Dude, we will be there for you." Nino spoke up as he walked up and put an arm around his shoulders and gave a playful jab to the chest.
"Nino, I don't deserve such a good friend." The genuine look Chat gave him seemed to eat him up.
"I should be saying that to you now come on my girlfriend is waiting." He Dragged Chat Around as Ladybug smiled at him.
"Alya is lucky." She said as he was thankful for the mask as he was sure he was blushing.
"Okay all good show us what you got Queen," Nino found himself front and center before Alya as she looked at the armbands.
"These might be harder to hide." She smiled a bit amused at the arm warmers.
"Not your style?" Ladybug had brought up.
"Maybe I can ask Marinette to help with that." She slipped them on.
"I nominate Marrinette as the next nominee." Chat Noir brightened up.
"That would be awesome she would make a great hero!" Nino agreed.
"Ladybug and Marinette we would be unstoppable." Alya agreed as the three of them brightened at the idea.
"vetoed." Peter shut down as everyone looked at him in shock.
"she's too busy and I feel Adrian wouldn't work due to his busy life as well before you ask. I would also recommend pulling from outside your class if possible." He brought up as Nino was torn up both were great people and Adrian already proved himself, in fact, he did well considering. He glanced at Chat and Ladybug.
"Wait Adrien said that he was being trained to be brought in." Nino brought up.
"He can't, when he was patched up something went wrong he can't use them anymore." Dick cut in as if reading his mind. "Mr. Parker thinks it has to do with Venom's patch job on him."
"Wait really," Chat looked over at Peter as if he was missing something before shaking his head.
"We are not sure about the possible side effects so I'll be keeping an eye on him, he might be a bit stronger so Nino if you notice anything let me know. I also have this setup, he set down a series of briefcases. Each item is different but after the success of Chat Noir's recent testing, this will have a Partner Ai it has voice-changing settings so you can all stay in contact plus a bit of info on possibly friendly people in the multiverse if we have another issue. Please Ladybug don't be afraid to use it," he looked at her directly who looked away "I mean each one of these a program that will destroy the one that Ladybug interacted with based on Norman Osborn. He is not to be trusted or messed with and has killed," that shook everyone in the room up. "He gets tagged it will destroy him and your AI will do all the work but they must be active. That's all for now we will keep you all posted."
Everyone nodded as Alya noticed everyone looking at her. "Oh, all right what do I say?" She asked Missty.
"Storm strike!" She announced as Alya echoed her her arms crossed over her chest as a black outfit appeared with a matching jacket with Silver trim she looked like a biker as a mask formed over her eyes. Her hair lightened into a silver and got thicker.
"This wasn't entirely what I had in mind," Alya admitted as Peter glanced at Felicia. "I mean it looks cool but." She looked it over. "I feel like a biker chick what do you think Nino?"
"I, I think it looks nice." He felt his face turn red.
"well it's not bad it just looks different." She admitted with that there was small chatter as Nino swung off with his girlfriend flying above.
"My guardian Angel." He was so distracted he almost ran into a lamppost.
"try not to give me any more work than you already do." She giggled as he narrowly avoided the impact as she looked down at him. It was a good way to end the day.