Falicia yawned she was currently relaxing on a couch in her living room. She was already contemplating selling the place, she had impulse bought it just to mess with Peter but now he was getting more use out of it and she couldn't think of what to do with a quarter of the place. She got up to raid the fridge as she opened it up. "No wine? But we have a weird red doll?" She closed the fridge only stopping and re-opening the fridge only to realize whatever it was was moving. She closed it again as she tried to ignore the sounds of a mess being made in the fridge.
"Hmm," she glanced around. "Richard you pulling a prank on me?" She asked as she heard something rush past. She focused her senses.
"Is he known to pull pranks?" Peter asked as he walked in and he followed her gaze.
"no, but I have messed with him a bit he might have decided to. Was that you running around?"
"no, I was working on a captured butterfly trying to see if I can neutralize the damn thing."
"you could just go beat him up," she reminded,
"Don't remind me this isn't about me it's about helping the kids, and I couldn't ask for an easier dummy I am confident the kids could handle him," he shook his head. Only to hear something shatter,"
"uh," she got out as a massive stream of red creatures rushed past the breaking things and stealing things as the two just kinda watched the insanity spread.
"urge to punch rising," Peter growled as Felicia went wide-eyed as the sea of chaos erupted around them.
"wait isn't that," she warned as Peter glanced only to see it. "How bad is this?"
"I have no idea," Peter admitted, "New York was never this bad this often, I am starting to feel homesick." He avoided what looked like a pie of some kind as he realized two of the small menses had decided that they were perfect targets. Then something seemed to make him look pale.
"What?" she asked as a blast of magic nearly took her head off and hit Peter he slammed into the wall and she spotted one with a very magical-looking book.
"Peter, are you okay?" She glanced back to see him getting up looking no worse for wear.
"I think so none of the spells that I had prepared were all that dangerous." His eyes looked unfocused as she moved to help him keep his balance. "You know I wouldn't mind putting my hand a bit lower," he looked her dead in the eye.
"I don't think you are in the right state of mind to be making decisions like that." She tightened her grip on him.
"but you wouldn't complain would you," he leaned in pushing her into the wall. "You never complain, even when I was married you still helped never asking for anything well maybe except not throwing you in jail but I always doubted it would hold. You went so far for me and it's the only thing I can do to, pay you back," she pushed hard breaking the wall as she pushed herself through it.
"I did complain, I am selfish!" She shouted at him, "I have always been so, stop making it out like it was even remotely about being a good person."
"then why aren't you?" He moved closer as his hand slipped into her hair.
"you not I. The right state of mind I can't," she wasn't sure who she was talking to at this point.
"I am though," as she wondered how in the world he could look cute at nearly fifty.
"liar!" She shouted as she grabbed his arm ready to pin him down if needed.
POV shift
Nino rubbed his temples as Chat Noir stood next to him. "Kinda reminds me of Katamari," Chat Noir pointed out as he looked at the tangled mess of Sapotis that he had stuck around the city.
"How can you be so calm this is a disaster," Nino pointed out as another crowd of chaos rushed past them nearly taking him out by his ankles. Chat noir kept still unmoved by the tidal wave.
The city had more heroes with Dick and Queen running around (Scorpion Queen was such a mouthful) they still couldn't reign everything in.
"I feel my weapons are a bit too lethal for this." Bright Claw landed next to him only to get smacked by a traffic cone. "Ouch," he glared the yellow and Blue costume was something to see.
Chat Noir practically floated down next to him as the three stood and watched. "I am just thankful this isn't the nightmare thing, that was a real pain. This is more petty annoyance."
"That's a positive spin I guess," Nino agreed reluctantly.
"Besides Ladybug is bringing in some help I have faith in her." Noir smiled as Nino understood.
POV shift
"Listen! We can renegotiate the amusement park idea if you want, okay?" She tried to grab one of the twins "But first, I need you to chill out and come back home with me." She nearly lost her balance on the Carousel as Ladybug dropped down her yo-yo destroying all the propeller hats and clearing the area. "Ladybug," she realized as the superhero approached her.
"I am going to need your help," she said as Alya glanced around as if it was obvious she wasn't able to do much. "Unless?" She wondered if I mean Nino would have and Chat Noir said she was on the shortlist.
"Don't get excited this one is on loan. So this has to go back." She gave an apologetic smile,
"Well that's fair pity but that's what you get for playing with someone else's toys." She felt a bit disappointed.
"Wait where you Spinnerette?"Ladybug realized,
"Guilty as Charged Nino got tagged so I kinda took over he was really worried about his identity to Chat Noir covered for him." She explained as the teen hero seemed to need a second.
"He lied to me," Ladybug realized,
"secret identities," Alya reminded "Chat probably would have been honest if you and Peter weren't so clear on secret identities so don't blame him for taking all that advice to heart."
"True the flirt probably would have given up his identity if I asked him." She shook her head.
"flirt?" Alya repeated "Poor guy was probably really depressed when he accepted your, refusal," she went wide-eyed.
"What?" Ladybug asked missing Alya recovering from her expression that Ladybug just missed.
"Nothing we are wasting time," she reminded
"Oh right, Alya Césaire, here is the Miraculous of the fox, which grants the power of illusion. You will use it for the greater good?"
"I feel like my track record speaks for itself," Alya reminded as the box opened up and a small orange fox spun out. "A fox you are just the cutest," she complimented.
"of course, I am Trixx the Kwami of illusion, all you need to say is Trixx let's pounce," Trixx explained as Alya put the necklace on. Her costume was a nice bright orange with a long tail coat-like tail and a flute. "This feels a lot less self-explanatory than everyone else's." She admitted as she looked over herself.
"let's go I am not sure how long the guys can hold out." Ladybug swung off as she jumped after.
"I miss the web shooters," she thought to herself.
"Are they always like this?" Alya's face palmed as her boyfriend shot another web line at Chat Noir and handed it to a clone as a good three dozen of her sisters tried to pull the cat-themed hero who stood in place.
"Guys!" Ladybug shouted as Nino stopped Chat Noir sliced the webs and grabbed them with a slight twist all the clones tried to scatter but only ended up trapping themselves.
"That was clever," Alya admitted as the two leaped over.
"Okay, so what's the plan exactly Miss?" Chat Noir asked her,
"Rena Rouge," she introduced as Nino dropped down,
"Okay, should we get more backup?" Nino asked,
"What handsome, you don't think I am enough?" She teased,
"Just a thought, and while you are very pretty I am currently dating someone," he backed away from her and hid behind Chat Noir.
"oh right, the interview right sorry," she chuckled,
"wouldn't be the first misguided flirt on the team," Ladybug teased as Ladybug flicked at Chat Noir's bell.
"So what are we working with?" Chat Noir ignored Ladybug as he focused on her.
"I-Look out," she interrupted as a wave of about a thousand rushed towards them.
"I think Hawkmoth is done playing around." Chat Noir figured as he closed his hand.
"okay let's try this again Miraculous Ladybug!" She shouted as an item dropped.
"a unicycle?" She asked as the four dropped into an Ally and rushed along it.
"Miraculous!" Shouted the swarm behind them as Chat Noir kept behind the covering the retreat.
"clear!" Nino shouted as he tossed a ball to Chat Noir rushed out of the way and a spiderweb blocked the ally cutting off the attack.
"Hello!" Cried out a Sapotis through a traffic cone. Ladybug grabbed it then a trash can.
Ladybug started to gather things together as Alya watched trying to figure out exactly what it was she was doing. "Rakes? Unicycle wheel? Traffic cone? Tape? Trash can! Do you always make it this complicated when you're saving Paris?" She glanced over everything.
"Not always Sometimes I just look awesome and do it myself." Chat pinned as she giggled at his wordplay.
"I like her," Chat Noir flashed her a wink as he kept the clones of them.
"I need you to web up a few areas this will funnel them in," she ordered Nino as he nodded as she pointed him out, "I need an illusion that will attract all of them."
"Just picture the image in your mind and play the flute," Chat Noir explained with all the encouragement he could.
"right here it goes," she readied herself and focused on her music as Ladybug announced something using the traffic cone.
the visual came almost to life as the noise of a massive park erupted into the middle of the city. With most already chasing them the stranglers had to race around to the trap. She wondered how much control Hawkmoth had over his victims considering that it was pretty obviously a trap.
"cataclysm!" Chat Noir finished the job as her sister's reverted to normal.
"Pound it!" All four shouted as the fists all connected it felt like finishing a long project with really good friends.
"Oh, Um right I'll Um get them home," Nino gave a searching look before approaching the girls.
"You sure I got a bit of time." Chat Noir offered as he gave them both a nod. "Couldn't have done it without you." She walked over to Nino.
With a place obscured, she took off the necklace. "Just promise me that if you need the fox again," she looked at the necklace as she handed it back.
"I wouldn't dream of replacing one of you." She smiled kindly as her earrings beeped "Got to go bug out."
She smiled but she felt empty Nino still had Silkk she wanted to spend more time with Trixx. She knew it wasn't fair that Trixx wasn't asked, however, that knowledge didn't help her mood through school.
"Alya? You seem kinda down today." Nino noticed or maybe he had noticed and was just trying to give her some space.
"just feeling kinda bad after last night." She admitted,
"Oh well, you were just trying to keep order is all I mean when the Toddler got akumatized we were kinda limited on how much we could do." He reminded her when she remembered that she hadn't told him she was Rena.
"Well, it only seemed fair." She pulled him away to an empty part of the school. "I am Rena," she looked him in the eye.
"Really nothing happened, what ohhhhh," he realized "Why are you so down?" He asked as Silkk floated into view.
"it's obvious, she probably had hoped to hold onto her new companion. Especially with everyone mentioning it." Silkk had her figured out.
"yeah it felt so right, it so saddening that I can't keep helping," she sighed only for a pair of glasses to be slid onto her face.
"it's probably not the same but I have it on hood authority web swinging is a good cure for the," she cut him off as she pulled his head down to a kiss.
"You are the best boyfriend," she couldn't help but squeal a bit.
"Well," he blushed,
"I don't think I forgot that comment last night when you were worried."
"uh," he got out.
"good boy," she playfully flicked his nose. Now the day was slow for another reason.
She stretched a bit "Silkk webs out," and she felt the familiar transformation. She swung out into the city. She landed and looked around the city was nice and quiet. Still just being out felt nice. Only to see something moving, "Chat?" She thought well they did do patrol, she pulled out the chuck and gave Chat a call.
"Mister attentive flacking and not answering his. Another faker?" She swung after the shadowy figure.
however, what shocked her was rather than breaking into anything valuable he broke into "A hospital?" She watched as he got in through the roof.
She stopped as as noticed the lights were on her eyes lingered on the front door then at her phone. She got no answer again. She took a deep breath and walked in.
She frowned as she realized she had no idea where the intruder vanished from. Alya shook her head as she walked down the hall listening for any activity.
A light crawled around the corner as she stopped and watched as a guard walked down an intersecting hall. He glanced over at her then shook his head and kept walking. She glanced down the hall as a door closed back the way the guard had come from. She headed down the hall and turned a corner.
"Chat?"
"A- Spinnerette it's good to see you, what are you doing here?" He asked as he closed the door behind him.
"investigating, what are you doing here?" She asked as she watched him relax around her not bothered by her sudden arrival.
"Nothing crazy just patrolling and visiting people,"
"visiting people," she crossed her arms. "At night? When people are sleeping." She didn't buy any of this.
"Well, you see it's a new form of visitation you enter the dreams that way you can get to more people." He was a really bad liar as he flashed a big smile to try and sell it.
"Wanna try again kitty?" She asked as his ears dropped.
"Come on," he opened the door she could just feel the room seemed off. "Here," he opened up the computer and stepped aside.
"you know this is illegal right?" She glanced at him.
"We aren't exactly sanctioned by the government," Chat reminded as he brought the patient information. She couldn't understand a lot of it but she did recognize Terminal. "Yep look at the diagnosis."
She blinked the patient should have been dead, she kept reading "wait you've been destroying cancer,"
"If I had Silkk," he glanced at her, "I might be able to do a bit more for recovery, but I always come back to make sure that things are going smoothly.
"Please tell me that," She started
"That I asked." He looked at her
"Oh well yes but who did you ask?" she looked him in the eye he seemed so confident.
"Yeah, most people were a bit too okay with it I only asked someone if it was terminal. I am getting very effective at it no fatalities and a few people got to go home and see family they never thought they would." He gave a thumbs up. "Wish I had this power back when my mom was alive," he whispered to himself but in the quiet hospital room he might as well have screamed it.
"So do Peter and Ladybug know," she asked
"They don't know But at this point I doubt
"looks like you dotted your I's and crossed your T's," she glanced at him. She put her hand on the person and she could feel the person relax the body mending and putting her on a timer.
"Hope that mend doesn't bring back growth as well. I am sure we will hear something in a few days." Chat Noir put a hand on her shoulder.
"So care to explain the secrecy?" She asked as they headed up to the roof.
"Lots of reasons, One, I didn't know if it would work at first so false hope. Two, if it does work well as selfish as it sounds I am going to be busy or neglecting someone. And Three well, I am not interested in glory it doesn't feel very heroic to go around telling everyone you're doing good deeds," He shifted his head as if trying to get the right words to tumble out in the right order. "
"Hmm," Alya frowned she got it that being a hero was an Honor but the idea of being on call as often as people would want if this did work.
"Well I guess it's time to go, I'll let you know what happens," he headed for the steps, "So how did you find me?" he asked as he headed out into the hall.
"I followed you in," she answered however he froze.
"I was here for about ten minutes," he glanced at her, "were you following me that long?"
"No, you just arrived and I followed you in," she pointed as the two squinted at each other as the pieces clicked into place.
"Best place to start is the security camera," he pulled out his staff and pulled out an earpiece, "Just in case we have to split up," he said as head out of the room.
"You act so differently," she pointed out as he walked casually looking around his green eyes clear as day.
"What can I say Peter is a good influence," They entered into the security room with a dozing guard as Chat looked over the feed. "I think he went to the server room, I'll make sure but he might not hang around." he nodded as she headed down following the map on the wall.
She entered the room she only got a few feet in. "You out late can I help you with something?" Asked a familiar voice.
"Chat?" She blinked only to see a black-suited figure with a white spider logo and white eyes.
"Oh right, I guess Nino might not have mentioned what happened." He snapped his fingers.
"Who are you?" She rounded on him ready to fight.
"It's me bright badger just a different costume. I am investigating a lead on Hawkmoth." Bright Badger shrugged
"We are not just a costume," said a very grim voice that made her hair stand on end.
"Don't mind Venom he's cool." Chat vouched,
"Right, still that voice makes my skin crawl." she tried to relax a bit she was with Chat Noir after all. "Is he like a copy of you or something?" she looked at him as he twisted his hand a bit.
"It's complicated," Chat spoke up "So why are you here anyway?"
"Just a new angle what if Hawkmoth is motivated by tragedy?" he figured
Alya had to stop herself from laughing. "Well, I think Marinette may have mentioned the possibility. But I chalked it up to her looking for the best in people."
"Can't escape the shadow of Marinette," Badger chuckled however Alya noticed the sharp twitch Chat gave at the comment.
"Of course," Alya shook her head.
"what?" They echoed sounding almost the same. She rubbed her ear in annoyance.
"All the attention she gets and never from the guy she's interested in." She shook her head as both boys glanced at each other in confusion. She noticed Chat's smile seemed a bit more forced.
"of course," Chat Noir got out, "it's getting late if Badger here wants to keep at this we'll no crime but no reason to put off my beauty sleep." He nodded and headed out before anyone could stop him.
"I wouldn't mind helping but could we set this so we don't have to do this in the middle of the night at a hospital."
"Sure," he admitted,
"So what exactly are we looking for?" Alya asked as he explained the basic idea. The age was what had him if it was anyone younger they would have probably used their powers of the bat an older person probably found it but had no need until some kind of outside force impacted it. She liked the logic of it but she knew that it would take time add on the bird man running around it was beginning to pile up.
Pov shift
Gabriel frowned as he stood in his lair he had screams up playing and replacing moments. He downed as he looked over the reports from the Vulture as the AI called him. Frustratingly their identities were a mystery the heroes were as careful as ever however they were always close by only on a few occasions when all three were not there within ten minutes.
"This pointless." he growled "I know all this information but none of it is what I want." he tossed his papers to the side. When the sensor went off one he hadn't installed.
"Interesting," the AI spoke up finally.
"What have you been doing?"
"Just putting a few small feelers out it seems someone was looking into the medical records of your wife." the AI brought up.
"What?" he paused,
"You're not watching your back as well as you could be." The AI pointed out as Gabriel felt his eye twitch.
"I can scrub you from my systems," Gabriel calmly reminded the AI as he glanced at the speaker.
"True, but you're relying on people knowing to keep their mouths shut. Parker will stop playing around the second you step too far out of your current MO. However that pop-up means someone in this city is looking into you, be that cause they want the dirt, or they suspect your involvement in your wife's disappearance. Either way, you need to remove unknowns and you need as much control as possible." Osborn explained.
Gabriel paused, "I am listening my actions have proven that."
"Like all things You do not go far enough." Osborn chuckled, " "Once you have your wish who cares about anything else? All are resources."
"what would you advise?" Gabriel said giveing the man more of his attention.
"Business as usual is great however we need to know more about your powers which means more experimentation, can manipulate people into producing certain powers?"
"That is useful I could design a victim to be a Ladybug Slayer." He realized however Osborn went silent. "Something wrong with the name?"
"It's very inspired, out of curiosity how did you figure out Peter's secret?"
"That he's the Guardian?" Gabriel hummed, "It was obvious, Parker is the only individual it could be he is smart and was able to beat me in fencing. Only through magic could anyone possibly best as he had been.
"What is a Guardian?" Osborn asked as his confusion gave him a Pause.
"The Guardian of the Miraculous obviously the reason behind all of this, are you not reading all my digital information?" He reminded as he wondered just how fast this AI was if it was taking this look/
"your book explained powers It has nothing to on Guards." Osborn pointed out.
Gabriel realized that laps as he considered withholding that information the AI's information could be out of date. "Nooroo explain all relevant information on the Guardian." He ordered as the Kwami sighed as he explained the history of his own creation and the sudden vanishing of the order.
Gabriel set his devices down in his office as he nodded at Natalie who mirrored it leaving her phone behind as well.
They got into an older car intentionally and he sat down in the driver's seat. Safely around his corner, "I may have made a mistake,"
"I do not trust that AI either Sir," Natalie started but he turned his head and she stopped.
"I don't believe Parker is the Guardian we may have been wasting our resources on him. Our inability to find anything may be that he has nothing. We need to pull back and return to hunting the Guardian proper."
"Perhaps Mr. Parker knows the Guardian he seems to have some access to the Miraculous. So Akumatizing him would still help perhaps even be a victory."
"Perhaps I'll leave that to you for now as for the AI he is useful but keep an eye, out," he slowed down as he saw a boy outside the mansion Peter had been living at. Bright red hair but he had the right build. He slowed down a bit as he realized were he was at.
"You don't think," Natalie glanced at the boy then at him.
"We may have found him," he agreed marveling at his luck. He pulled over and rolled down the window as he noticed the decorations up were very much Halloween-themed. "Excuse me, is there some kind of event going on here young man?"
"Richard, I think so some students wanted to throw me a party and well it is Halloween." He greater after his eyes flashed with recognition. Which would line up. He noticed the ring on his finger.
"Finally found him," he realized, only to then realize that Parker probably had his Mansion just as equipped as his and without the limitations of city ordinance.
"well, I am going to go, see you around." Richard grabbed his baggage and quickly walked away. Gabriel turned to look at Natalie however while she was watching him as well she seemed to see something he didn't. "Did I miss something?"
"Nothing he just looks a lot like your son is all." She admitted but he dismissed hopefully he could talk to that damn AI and get everything straightened out so that way there won't be any more confusion.
POV shift
To say Felix was surprised when his cousin had asked him over, was an understatement after his father and Aunt passed away that side of the family kinda went dark. Add to that Adrian was never one to do anything his dad didn't ask was enough to spike his curiosity. Of course that wouldn't stop him from having some fun at his cousin's expense. He kinda expected some kind of comment but Adrian didn't say anything considering he had popped up early.
Adrian walked into his room and smiled. However, that second before he looked down. "Something up?" He asked Adrian putting on his best I couldn't care less expression.
"Just unlucky in the love life. Girl, I was just thinking I might be interested turned out to be interested in Simone already."
"And you know this how?" He asked as his eyebrow twitched up.
"Usually it's pretty obvious," Adrian glanced at a picture with Chloe in it.
"of course," he went along with it not that it mattered right now anway Adrian wasn't going to be able to do anyything without his dad's say so.
"so ideas for costumes?" Adrian asked as he tossed his bag on the desk.
"a knight?" He noticed Adrian's costume witch was set up in a corner out of view of anyone walking into the front room. It was a rather good full costume with a red cape on it. The outfit was well-designed and sturdy from the slight inspection he had given it.
"I figured I would splurge a bit, to be honest," Adrian waved off as he pulled up his phone to look at something/
"I guess we'll have to look around for me ready to take off?" he brought up expecting some pushback.
"Sure, I know a way out," Adrian motioned for the door.
"uh okay," Felix blinked "so where exactly is this party?"
"Not too far from here about a five-minute walk or so? Teach has his Nephew coming to live with him. His dad died recently so the class wanted to throw a party." He explained as Felix found himself back outside. "Wait I know the best place to get a costume for you, come on,"
Felix blinked as he was dragged along still trying to adjust the situation.
"Adrian?" A guy in glasses spoke up as the gates closed behind them.
"Nino, hey this is Felix," he was soon shaking hands with Adrian's friend. This was so weird, Adrian didn't have friends out of Chloe if she could even be called that.
"I was going to swing by and remind you," Nino started, as Felix noticed he had a bag on him and probably had his costume.
"When did he grab that?" he looked at Adrian as he realized a lot had changed since the last time he saw him.
"Got mine but we got an emergency, Felix doesn't so I figured we could swing by the studio and see what they got."
"What?" They both asked at the same.
"what do you think it's all outdoor shoots? Not everything gets used and some stuff staff work on things like costumes that never get used. Wish I thought of it sooner. The Limo rolled around as they got in. "Dad's off doing something we good?" He asked the big guy who nodded. They pulled up to the big building and Adrian walked in like he owned the place. Which wasn't too far from the truth security just waved them through.
"hey, Nino right?" Felix glanced at his cousin's friend.
"yeah?" He asked as the two seemed to be slowly getting a feel of the other.
"Weren't you on TV?" He asked as he opened with a simple question to open the guy up for questions outside of Adrian's ear.
"Yeah it was a talent thing right honestly they haven't called me back is that show even on?" Nino asked as Adrian shrugged at the question
"I take you don't watch much TV?" Felix asked as Nino chuckled,
"Honestly way too busy, between my classes, girlfriend, and my Music I have no time to watch much," Nino admitted.
It wasn't long before Adrian opened a storage room filled with rows and rows of costumes in the storage area.
"oh wow, why didn't we think of this sooner these costumes are so much better than what I got. Can I?" Nino asked as he looked at Adrian who shrugged.
"I mean yeah but didn't you do something with Alya?" He asked,
"Right well, maybe next year. these this looks complicated." He pulled out a blue suit that looked like a prince's outfit with all the trim.
"I swear that looks like it most of these are your size can Nino actually wear any of this?" he asked as Nino sighed realizing it might not be the gold mine he thought it would be.
"Bummer oh that costume for a butter commercial." Adrian pulled out a cat mask. "It was part of a beauty and the beast thing. I didn't understand it myself."
"Thought so," Felix smiled as he pulled it off the rack to try it on. "It seems a bit smaller than the one in the commercial.
"wait not everything is for you?" Nino realized as he spotted a few female costumes. Felix bit his tongue to swallow back a snide comment. Only to have to bite one back Adrian walked out in an orange jumpsuit and a headband with a metal plate on it. (1)
"How in the world did this get here, believe it," he laughed with a bright smile on his face
"You look ridiculous," Felix got out as neutrally as possible. "I can't believe I said that," he groaned in realization.
"I thought we were looking for something for Felix?" Nino brought up. As Adrian playfully rolled his eyes,
Whatever the reason Felix watched as Adrian went through everything however the idea of snagging the Knight outfit seemed like a funny little way to get back at Adrian. The question was what to have Adrien wear.
POV shift
"Adrian?" Nino asked as Felix walked into one of the spare rooms.
"hm?" He glanced at him.
"You realize he took your costume right?" Nino had noticed it after he offered to carry both bags he had in hand.
"yep," Adrian answered, Felix kept asking questions that normally wouldn't bother him but they were personal. He would have waved them off however, he adjusted his glasses.
"You not going to say anything?" He continued,
"if it makes him feel better. Felix never had friends most people can't tolerate his personality enough to be more than an acquaintance. So it's whatever I wasn't there when he needed so I'll accept a few personal slights." Adrian shrugged not too worried about
"Don't you think he might do something weird he tried to steal your phone on a few occasions." Nino eyed Felix something about the guy bothered him.
"Don't tell anyone it could be fun." Adrian smiled it off
"ugh," Nino heard a voice as Adrian moved his hand to his mouth to cover a laugh.
"What's so funny?" Nino glanced at him confident he heard a sour sigh from the model.
"slight cough, I am going to get changed nobody will suspect it's me," he chuckled.
Nino sighed and shook his head, "Nino! He we need a hand." Alya called for him as he turned around to see a bigger bag.
"Who is this for?" He asked as he was now worried Alya went all out on her costume.
"don't worry it's Marinette's" Alya explained,
"pity she just missed her boyfriend, he could have helped." He smiled as said designer gave a nervous laugh as his girlfriend elbowed.
"So what is Adrian wearing?" Marinette asked he disappeared as did Felix for that matter.
"Something wrong?" Alya asked as she glanced at him it never ceased to amaze him how quickly she could read him.
"Adrian," he admitted as Marinette froze the idea of something being wrong always seemed to negatively impact her.
"Don't tell me his dad told him no." She went wide-eyed as she started to panic.
"It's not that, his cousin pulled something and Adrian seemed to just take it as if he deserved it. I can't do anything but I don't agree with him." He folded his arms.
"What does he look like I'll tell him off." Alya rolled up her sleeves on her sweater.
"I was told not to tell the costume change, however, he looks just like Adrien just slick back hair and a "better than you" attitude." Nino raised a hand however that path was now being tested by his girlfriend.
"Yo!" Came a voice as a werewolf walked up to them. The two stopped as The werewolf grabbed one of the bags. "Need a hand?" He asked.
"Sure," Marinette nodded as she eyed him suspiciously.
"What?" The wolfman asked as he looked at her, his voice was familiar but he wasn't sure what Adrian had in the other bag and there was also the addition of another new guy running around.
"Nothing we just have a troublemaker running around," Alya explained as the wolf tilted his head.
"sounds like fun I want in," the wolf's muffled voice responded.
"Wait," Nino squinted suspiciously only for the costumed figure to walk off.
"Changing room is this way," the wolf carried off Marinette's stuff. Nino shook his head as he wondered who the wolf was. However, it wasn't long before everyone started to show up.
Nino adjusted his robe as he put on the Star and Moon wizard cape as Peter stepped into the room.
"You look like a flag," Nino laughed as Peter walked in a ridiculous costume with a shield with a star in the middle, as well as what can only be described as an American flag as a costume with a big A on the forehead.
"Do not mock the Captain, I have killed for less," Peter responded in a cold tone that made Nino lean back a bit not sure if it was a joke.
"My universe had a hero called Captain America, he's still around so I figured he could get some representation." He smiled a bit.
"A real hero?" Alya popped in as she pushed her witch hat out of the way. Both Nino and Peter gave her a slightly offended look. "Sorry," she looked a little regretful. He could be made she looked nice in her black and red Witch costume a long dress with some cuts to make it look particularly spooky with a corset with some red designs that reminded him of a fire.
"You look good." He got up as she kissed him on the cheek.
"In better company, I'll be more than happy to talk about Steve." He seemed to swell a bit at the name not even paying attention to them as Alya shared a glance with him.
"hey guys," Marinette spoke up as they glanced up the stairs to see her dressed up and she went all out. A black dress with a venom green undercoat, a high collar, and a fan that matched the two colors with white makeup on her face, she flashed some fake fang and a bit of fake blood dripped from the corner of her mouth.
"Look I don't know much about costumes but that looks like a lot of work." Nino was impressed at the work she had put in for it the costume could have been phoned in but the material and cut that she crafted making shapes of the green and turning it into a green flame showed that she knew how to make something look bad in the right way.
"Well, I thought how often will I get to do this?" She stepped down a few steps. "I thought about adding some heels but didn't want to risk it." She grimaced.
The sounds of excitement erupted a bit at a time as everyone celebrated in the room designed for the party.
"Sounds like they started without us," Alya commented,
"Oh is Adrien already partying?" Marinette asked, ready to join in.
"No idea I don't know what he went as since plan A was, stopped," Nino shrugged, "he might be the werewolf but I don't know for sure." Nino theorized. As he heard the sound of a bell.
"right well then," she took a step forward only to nearly fall when a red-covered arm reached out.
"Careful my vampire queen," hissed a sinister voice as Nino noticed the red and black jester that had suddenly appeared catching Marinette before Alya could do more than put a hand up.
"You recognized the idea already?" She answered a coy smile on her face.
"The blood and fangs were a good indicator. I added the queen 'cause any good jester should have one." The Jester pointed out as he tapped the hard mask over his face one side laughed the other side cried. Nino wasn't sure he couldn't see the eyes but this could be Adrien. However, the werewolf looked about his height the hat could observe this for someone else.
Jester stomped as the bells on his feet and hat jingled. "What are we waiting for Mistress your Dark court awaits," he opened the door leading into the main room.
"Right," she answered as Alya glanced at him.
"Adrian?" She mouthed.
"I think so?" he answered back. The room was filled with decorations and spooky colors. Two tables filled with sweat and one punch bowl with black cups ready to go. Pumpkins on the table are all lit up and carved into all kinds of faces.
"DJ bought time!" Alix shouted as she pointed him towards a small set with big speakers.
"I don't have me," he pointed out only for Alya to press his laptop into his hands. "Okay, let's get some music going." He smiled
"make some Magic," Alya encouraged," as he didn't need to be told twice. He was thankful he had taken some time to think of a playlist for Halloween which Alya had requested.
"Clever girl," he laughed as he plugged himself in and started up the music.
POV shift
Marinette sat back a bit as she looked over the costume. Ivan had a Frankenstein costume with Mylène doing the bride. Alix went with a zombie look and lots of makeup to create the injuries. "I think that's the first time I've seen her in makeup," Marinette commented to Alya. The werewolf was talking with Ivan and the big guy seemed a bit more open than normal. Rose had a Snow White outfit on which kinda worked with Juleka's huntsman costume with her ax resting on her shoulder. Kim went more store-bought with a Goku costume and a rather bad wig. Max was a mad scientist who even added some blood to the white lab coat and tore it up a bit to add to it. Kagami was a samurai no gimmicks just full costume and was chilling not too far from a knight who seemed uncertain how to proceed. Nathan was surprised he was dressed up as Chat Noir, and he wasn't the only one, Chloe was dressed up as Chat Noir as well. Sabrina was going as Ladybug cause of course she had to play along. Zoe was in an Arachnid costume none the wiser that her hero was starting up the music. The Jester handed her her punch and then the other to Alya.
"So who do you think Adrien is?" Alya asked as she continued to scan the room. The Jester spun and moonwalked across the dance floor as he waved at them as he went.
"Couldn't be him," she giggled as the goofball seemed to pause then sprint back before sliding right up to her on his knees.
"Will you honor me with a dance oh mistress of the night?" He offered a hand.
"Okay," she let him lead her to the dance floor.
"Hey, Chloe?" Kim tried only to be brushed off.
"Poor Nino nobody's jumping on the dance floor." Alya prodded.
"fine but," she handed Alya her punch as she took off the outer part of the dress she had expected to dance so she had a second layer more suited for it. She handed the more extravagant part of her costume to Alya. It had to be Richard under that mask it seemed she was doomed to be chased by the goofball regardless of her costume.
"Wow," the jester took her hand as they headed out to the dance floor. She couldn't help but smirk a bit as the two joined the dance floor which seemed to bring on some courage. Ivan and Myeline entered Alix and Kim danced alone and after the first break, Jester motioned at the wolfman.
"What's that about?" She asked,
"just pointing out some lonely partiers, my mistress," Jester pointed out, "you seem distracted looking for someone?" He asked,
"A friend," she answered as she was thankful for the makeup.
"Just a friend?" He asked as the two locked eyes as they spun around each other.
"yeah," she nodded, as something changed as her more dance-ready dress suddenly felt like the best idea ever.
"His loss," Jester commented, "that means I get you all to myself." Something in her made her heart beat something had changed the Jesture wasn't acting right anymore. The way he danced was something more becoming of a prince than a clown.
Before she could say anything "Ow!" Howled the wolfman who took over the music.
"finally dragged him away from your music." Alya joked as Nino and Alya swung by.
"Still haven't seen Adrien he's going to miss all the fun," Nino commented as Marinette frowned
"you sure he isn't the werewolf?" she asked but after that howl, she was beginning to think she was, no her body started to have that feeling that she got whenever she was close to Adrian, it made her heart beat and her knees weak.
"I think that's Dick." Nino admitted, "The Night is Felix so." They glanced at the Jester.
"Wrong," the Jester "pulled up his mask.
"Chat?" She got out as she realized that Chat was hear and was the one putting her in knots. She wasn't sure how to handle this, this wasn't right she soon found herself being swept off her feet by the guy she had pushed away wires were being crossed and it made it all the easier for him to lead her around the dance floor.
"Just checking up on my double Sorry to crash." He slipped the mask the cloth twisted so she could now see his green lenses.
"double?" She faked, "Did I miss something?" She asked faking ignorance and she hoped it was convincing.
"It's complicated I missed a wild adventure and ended up getting a copy. Sorry for crashing but he seems to be, doing okay." He apologized
"What?" Alya blinked as Nino looked very uncomfortable.
"Ummm," Nino got out as Marrinette realized that he wasn't sure what to say cause he would only know if he was a hero and he wouldn't know she knew. Her brain started to hurt this was getting a bit hard to keep track of.
"Nino I need help," Adrian poked his head around a door draped in a white clown costume. The door closed on him as Falicia walked in with a red devil costume that should look nice but the woman couldn't wear anything without it looking like a sexy version of the costume.
"Bet he's regretting that decision," Nino shook his head. She felt a kiss on her hand.
"Time to go," he headed for the door as Nino took off.
"Nice costume Nathan," he waved as he walked
"Thanks?" Nathan answered confused.
"A model and a superhero," Lila commented, "someone knows how to turn heads." Marinette glanced over to the liar in an Angel costume. As she chased after Chat Noir he would be welcome to stay but she watched as he vanished out the window nobody seemed to notice as gave her one last look and for a second she worried he knew who she was.
"Hi, Lila," Alya greatest as Marinette echoed her friend just with less enthusiasm.
"What happened with Adrian struggling with his costume?" she asked as she watched Nino go to help his friend.
"Nino's helping him his cousin played a joke on him no big deal." Alya dismissed playfully as Marinette simply watched Lila. She didn't like the girl her interest in Adrien drew her attention but something about Lila told her she didn't have Adrien's best interest at heart.
"I always wanted to bob for apples." Adrian walked in and he noticed the tub. He had on a red wig and a multicolored polka-dotted clown costume.
"You look ridiculous," Alya giggled as he walked over with his big red shoes.
"I believe that was the point of the clown," he laughed as the red nose fell off. "Oops," he grabbed it, "you look good,"
"Thanks," Lila and Marinette said at the same time as both shot each other a glare that both hoped nobody noticed.
"Come on," Nino pushed him forward.
"I was told that Some games have been set up and we have a few prizes. Here so musical chores!" Peter announced. "For the record, I am not sure what these are so don't complain to me I just live here." He joked as he ducked under an apple.
"Oye not near the laptop," Nino called as everyone got in position.
"Okay so based on the timing the best way to win the game is to," Max explained only for the music to cut and be the first person out. "That's what I get for not paying attention," he laughed a bit.
"Don't worry I got you, Max!" Kim called,
"You are next Kim." Alix challenged as the two's competitive edge came out full force.
"Guys it's just a game," Marinette laughed nervously.
"Yeah let's try not to sit on each other." Adrian agreed as the rounds kept on going. Each time a person dropped followed by a chair. Nino went early and took over the music.
Adrian's costume was a tripping hazard as Felix tried to get onto a chair only for the chair to move leaving him on the ground. "Sorry," Adrian apologized, as Felix got up a bit sour but seemingly impressed that Adrian had pulled the chair out from under him. The knight clinked back to his feet and walked away.
"You are so lucky," he huffed as Marinette managed to snag a chair on the next one as Alix was knocked out leaving her with Chloe, Lila, Adrian, and Nathan.
"Go Marinette!" Alya shouted a few classmates shouted for sides Lila getting the most support. Adrian and Lila moved for the same chair only for Lila to fall.
"Ouch, could you help me up?" She asked feigning pain.
"Here." Chloe grabbed her hand. "You should have braced yourself honestly this game gets cutthroat as she lead her away.
"Thank you, Chloe," Marinette smirked at the back of the retreating girl's head. "Never thought I would think that without some form of sarcasm."
Adrian snagged one from Nathan, and Marinette managed to outfox Chloe leaving Adrian and one chair behind. "No hurt feelings Marinette?" He looked her in the eyes his burning with a playful competitive as the room split between the boys and girls.
"I don't plan to lose," she suddenly could keep eye contact as she hovered her hand over the chair something about the challenging look he was giving her brought out a competitive fire in her that normally only came out when working alongside Chat Noir. The music cut and she sat down on something much softer than the chair.
"Comfy Marinette?" Whispered Adrian in her ear. She shot up apologizing over and over again as she tried to hide her blushing face from him.
"looks like we got our winner and runner-up," Nino announced.
"Sorry," Adrian apologized back as she noticed him turning red and looking away.
"right no problem," she shakily replied only as a bag was pressed into her hand. "Oh," she noticed everyone was getting bags as a Piñata was brought out.
POV shift
"Hmm," to say Felix was a bit annoyed was fair. Adrian seemed to be fine his little joke did little to break his stride. Mind you Kagami was nice, it just wasn't going the way he had planned even if he felt oddly comfortable with her.
However, he could test this place out Parker was an inventor. He headed out of the party.
He pulled out his monocle ready to start looking for secrets. His first idea was to look for an office first.
"What are you doing?" Chloe interrupted him as he glanced back to see the cat.
"looking for the bathroom." He answered as he already had the excuse in the bag.
"Well, there is one inside the party room so that nobody goes sneaking off. You should know that." Chloe pointed out as he sighed realizing that Chloe wasn't going to cooperate.
He decided that he would be better off just accepting the loss of time and ignoring her. He headed off down the hall. "Don't ignore me," she grabbed his arm to drag him back his self-defense instincts took over as he moved to reverse the hold only to get that reversed she twisted his arm around and pinned him to the wall much to his surprise.
"When did you start, working out?" He grunted against the wall.
"Around the same time Adrien stopped being my friend, so take that as a warning," she released him his pride more wounded than anything.
"Whatever," he frowned at her,
"get over yourself, it's no wonder you don't have any friends."
"like your one to talk," he shot back,
"I am I do it all the time which is more than you can say, you Make Kagami look like a social butterfly." She crossed her arms baring his way.
"what seems to be the problem?" Falicia stepped around a corner as Felix glared his little test run was now shot.
"Felix needed help finding the bathroom cause he doesn't listen well when he looks down on his peers." Chloe continued her verbal prodding.
"Sheath the claws kitty, I can't have you kids put on your own lest you leave with more than you entered with. They both twitched in disgust as they were ushered.
"hey Mom," the werewolf greeted as he pulled off his mask. Felix had to catch himself as what looked like a red-headed version of himself.
"you must be Richard," Felix sized him up a bit.
"Chloe, this is Felix anything anyone said about me is probably true, and trying to be less so." She shook hands first.
"fair enough, nice to meet you, running low on snacks. I'll run to the kitchen.
"I'll help," Felix volunteered himself.
"I wouldn't recommend that," Chloe muttered,
"Sure, and call me Dick." Richard answered.
"how do you get Dick from Richard?" Chloe asked confused at the nickname.
"you ask Nicely," Dick winked at her as she pushed him away and walked away Dick chuckled to himself which implied he had been waiting for that joke.
"Can we go?" Felix insisted as Dick lead the way.
"sure," he led the way to the kitchen as Felix looked around he wasn't expecting an opportunity to explore but he might see something.
"You're uncle doesn't have a lot of staff." He observed,
"My dad was the same way, they like their privacy I guess not being a deal makes it a nice getaway my mom likes to travel so I can enjoy both lifestyles.
"So what's up with your mom and your uncle?" He asked as Dick got into the fridge.
"It's complicated, being around someone who looks like a dead loved one isn't easy." Dick put the tray on the counter before grabbing a pitcher.
"Hmm," Felix grunted at the comment.
"so you got any friends in London?" Dick asked,
"no," he answered as he rolled his eyes this party was filled with friends.
"fair enough," Dick handed him the tray. "So you just here to torment your cousin then?"
"And what if I am?" Dick blinked in surprise, "I have my reasons for being here and it's not to make friends or reconnect with family members who couldn't be bothered." He couldn't keep the bitterness out of his voice. Dick pulled out a flyswatter and it charged with electricity. "Whoa," he readied to fight only for Dick to hit a black moth.
"carefully with those negative emotions, they can cause trouble here in Paris." Dick put the pest control tool away.
"Does everyone have these?"
"No remember Uncle Pete takes his security very seriously." He walked off as Felix got the door and the pitcher.
"Rich people," Felix commented, Dick looked ready to say something but didn't.
The door opened as the sounds of the party blasted, Ivan helped with the tray. "All this doesn't matter none of it does I know why I am here and nothing will change that." He readied himself.
"that was nice of you to help," Kagami spoke up as she appeared next to him.
"Sure," he grunted and looked away from her trying to ignore the look Adrian was giving him off to the side. "Whatever it takes." He reminded himself.
the rest of the party was about as interesting as anything else it wasn't long before everyone started to head home. Adrian and he said goodbye as Nino, Marinette, and Alya walked them home.
"Dude, do you ever run out of energy?" Nino asked as Adrian continued to sweat off his clown makeup.
"That was a blast I could keep going for hours." Adrian laughed as he leaped up and grabbed a bus stop cover and then proceeded to do a one-arm pull-up.
"That outfit is going to need to be washed with all that cringy dancing you did." Felix sighed as Adrian dropped down.
A limo pulled up next to them. "We'll see guys Monday," Adrian pulled open the door.
"What but you right around the corner." Marinette brought up as Félix felt his eyebrow twitch in annoyance.
"it's for you," Adrian laughed as he motioned for them.
"awesome," Nino shook his head as Alya shifted.
"you sure about the limo?" Alya asked,
"I know them, so it was easier for me," Adrian chuckled "Oh, this was probably picked at random." He pulled out a tiara "Here," he placed it on her head. "A clown shouldn't be wearing a crown meant for a queen." He smiled as he took a step back.
"Quite flirting with her and move it," Felix grumbled as he glanced at the girl wondering what his cousin could see in such a quiet girl.
"get in here," the girl was pulled into the limo as they all headed off.
Au: The unintentional effect of Chloe changing is I get to user to cut Lila off from her attempts to snag Adrain hehe. While not something I'll focus on I'll see what gets brought up between Felix and Kagami, maybe I can finagle a triangle or something if for no other reason than I am evil.
(1) Naruto reference I cut my teeth on fanfiction with him and Final Fantasy 7 far too long ago and an artist I followed did a lot of Naruto artwork and ended up doing some Ladybug and Chat Noir artwork and I realized I had one heck of a Mark when it came to romantic leads Blushing wall flowers and Oblivious soft hearted idiots. I was very happy when Naruto ended up with Hinata