Notes: We're getting closer
Disclaimer: I definitely do not own the Miraculous franchise
Miraculous Universe
Ch. 5: A Step in the Right Direction
The school year went on like usual. The only thing unusual was the times Adrien wasn't there to fulfill his modeling or private classes. One weekend, though, Marinette and Nino decided to sit in on Adrien and Kagami's fencing lesson.
"Oh, hey, Marinette, Nino. Thinking of joining the class?" Adrien asked.
"Fencing doesn't really feel like my style, mec."
"I've been learning a different self-defense, actually," Marinette replied.
"Really? What's that?"
"At my mom's behest, I've trained with a gùn."
"The long Chinese staff weapon? That's different."
"That sounds most impressive," Kagami chimed in, "Perhaps you and I could spar at some point."
"Something tells me you've learned a lot of fighting styles," Marinette said.
"You're correct. Mother wanted me to learn as much as possible, and there are several Japanese methods of self-defense."
"So you could probably beat up everyone here?"
"I will neither confirm nor deny that. I will say that, like with any weapon, you must know when not to use it."
"By the way," Adrien said, "Where's Alya?"
"She's learning savate with her sister," Nino explained.
Every class member cycled through another until M. D'Argencourt called attention.
"Now to end the class," he said, "Our two finest students will have one last match: Agreste vs. Tsurugi."
"I just realized," Nino whispered to Marinette, "Tsurugi is Japanese for sword."
"Really?" she said, "Her family certainly knew what they were doing. Wait, how do you know that?"
"I've been watching animé."
"Oh, right."
Adrien and Kagami were moving fast. It gave Nino an idea. He looked up a music piece on his phone, and then nudged Marinette to get her attention. He handed her one of his earbuds. He then started playing music that sounded very familiar.
"Wasn't this music in a movie about pirates or something?" she thought to herself, "I'll bet Adrien would like to be a pirate. Not the part about looting and killing, but the whole being free thing, like in that manga Nino showed me."
Life went on the same until October. It was then that Marinette had a talk with Zoé.
"Halloween? I don't think we've ever really bothered with it, Zoé. France as a whole only started observing it in the 1990s."
"Oh, I guess I should've looked it up. I just thought it could be fun for us."
"Well...I'll mention it to Mme. Bustier. I'm sure the teachers wouldn't have a problem with it. Besides, you're right. It does sound like it could be fun. If we all pitch in, it could be a nice get together."
Marinette had a talk with Mme. Bustier, and she agreed. By the end of October, they party was almost under way.
"Will you be able to make it, Adrien?" Marinette asked.
"I'll have to double check with father."
The next day...
"Father said no."
"It won't be the same without you, mec," Nino said.
Chloé smiled, "I have a cunning plan."
She whispered something into Adrien's ear.
"Do you really think that'll work?"
"Do you want to come badly enough?"
"You know I do, Chlo."
"Then it's time to take action."
When Adrien got home, he went to speak with Gabriel.
"Father, about that costume party..."
"I already told you no, Adrien. It's a waste of time."
Adrien was holding something in his hands, "Do you know what this is?"
"What are you doing with hair dye? It's not even a conventional color. This isn't some cartoon where people go around with green hair."
"If you won't let me go to the party, I'll use this on my hair."
Gabriel tore himself away from his screen, "What did you say?"
"I think you heard me, Père."
"I see your spoiled friend has been giving you advice."
Gabriel and Adrien stared at each other.
"Oh for crying out loud," Nathalie said, "Just let him go, Gabriel. The bodyguard said he'd be a chaperone. Adrien is caught up on his work anyway. It's just a few hours."
Gabriel looked like he was about to object, but simply growled and said, "Very well."
Adrien dashed out of the room, "Thanks, Nathalie! Thanks, Père!"
"There's no point in pouting, sir," Nathalie said, "He would've gone through with the hair dye. I know you don't want that. Think of the brand."
"Why do you have to be so lenient towards him?"
"Well since you're too busy to be a proper parent, someone has to give him a treat now and then to keep him obedient. Besides that, it's not going to interfere with his schedule."
It was soon the night of the party. Marinette was dressed as a fairy, and holding a bag with knitting needles and yarn.
"Nette," Nino said, "Is this that weird knitting fairy thing you talked about when you were a kid?"
"I couldn't think of anything else. What are you supposed to be?"
Nino was wearing a shirt with red and white stripes, blue jeans, and a red and white knit cap.
"Alya called me and told me what she was dressing up as. Then she gave me a suggestion...by which I mean she told me what to come as. I think his name's Wally. Apparently he's hard to find."
"What, wearing that? How?"
"You'd be surprised, girl," came Alya's reply.
She was wearing a black jumpsuit, but on top of that was a long red trench coat. She even had matching red boots and a wide-brimmed hat that covered her eyes. She took her hands out of her pockets to reveal she was wearing grey gloves. She tipped her hat back.
"I came as an infamous lady thief who not only has never been caught, but has stolen some of the craziest objects ever."
"A thief?"
"Carmen only does it for the challenge. She always gives back what she stole."
"Behold the glory that is me!" came a familiar voice.
In sauntered Chloé, wearing perfectly normal, albeit fancy, clothes. Zoé was next to her, wearing very casual clothes. She was holding a camera, and her t-shirt had "USA" on it.
"Chloé," Marinette said, "You don't look like you're wearing a costume."
"Sure I am. I came dressed as myself. Why would I be anyone else?"
"That defeats the purpose of a costume party."
"Whatever! I had an outfit I wanted to show off, so I am."
Marinette rolled her eyes, "What are you supposed to be, Zoé?"
"I'm an American tourist."
Sabrina came in wearing a headband with ears and a dog collar on her neck. The nametag had "Sabrina" on it.
"Hey, everyone. I'm a police dog."
Kim was wearing a bathrobe and flip flops.
"Kim," Marinette said, "Please tell me you have clothes on underneath that robe."
"Just swim trunks."
"What? Aren't you cold?"
"Uh...yes, actually."
Luka walked up, wearing a lot of leather clothes.
"Evening, little fairy. I'm Jagged Stone. Rock and roll and all that."
"Cool," Marinette said, but then she turned to Chloé, "Hey, didn't you say Adrien got the okay to come?"
"He'll be here soon, I'm sure."
That's when he walked in, wearing a tuxedo. Kagami was next to him, wearing a kimono. Ondine was there as well, wearing a shirt that resembled fish scales, and a headband with cat ears.
"Hey, guys," Ondine said, "You get it? I'm a catfish."
"Not from where I'm standing," Kim said.
Marinette was surprised, "Did he just flirt with her? I didn't know he had it in him."
"Hey, guys," Adrien said, "Sorry I look so formal, but I'm not used to wearing something for fun."
"Not a problem, mec," Nino said, "If anyone asks, you're James Bond."
"Oh, yeah! Why didn't I think of that?"
"This is a new experience for me as well," Kagami said, "I didn't have much to work with."
"Just tell them you're a geisha or something," Alya said.
Kagami smiled, "Arigatō."
"I suppose I have you to thank for understanding what she said, Nino. It was your idea to watch all that animé."
Time passed by, and eventually it was Christmas. Marinette wasn't sure if she should get something for everyone, so she settled for bringing sweets to school.
"Maybe next year I'll get something for Adrien and Alya."
Chloé, meanwhile, knew she should get something for Zoé. She spent the day brainstorming.
"Maybe I should get some advice, but from who? Almost everyone in class is an only child apart from Nino, Alya, Alix, and Juleka. I don't think I can talk to any of them. Wait a second, Luka isn't in our class. I can ask him. I'd rather talk to him than Juleka."
She asked the limo driver to take her to the Seine.
"I'm sure I'll see that houseboat they talked about pretty easily."
Sure enough, there it was. Lucky for her, Luka was on the deck, strumming his guitar.
"Hey, aren't you cold?"
He didn't look up, "Aren't you?"
"I can't be cold right now. I'm on a mission. I came to talk to you."
Now he did look up, "This is a surprise. What can I do for you?"
"You have a sibling, and now so do I. I don't know what to get her."
"Just get her something you think she'd like."
"That's too vague a statement. I could've thought of that."
"I'm guessing you want to surprise her, which means asking her is out of the question."
"Exactly."
"Well...you could always make her something."
"What? I'm creative, but not really in that way."
"It doesn't have to be complicated. You don't actually have to physically make it."
"You mean like...maybe just some picture or something?"
"Or something. Sounds like you already have an idea."
"As a matter of fact, I do. I guess I should thank you, music man."
"It was a pleasure, Mlle. Fashionista."
Christmas Day was here at last. André got Zoé some old movies, while Chloé received a bracelet. Chloé got her father a mug that said "Best Dad/Mayor Ever".
"I'm sorry all I got you was cards," Zoé said, "But I wanted it to be a surprise, so I couldn't ask for money. I also couldn't think of anything else."
"It's the thought that counts, Zoé," André said, "You are still new here, after all."
"I didn't even expect you two to get me anything."
"Not get you anything?" Chloé said, "Ridiculous! Of course I got you something. You don't know how hard it was to keep secret."
She reached behind her bed for a present. She handed it to Zoé, who gently unwrapped it. It was a collage of various pictures of all the kids from school and André, all arranged in a circle. In the middle of the circle was one big picture of Chloé and Zoé. At the top of the collage was "Welcome Home".
"Home?"
"Well, yeah. You live here, don't you?"
"You made this for me?"
"Who else?"
Zoé's eyes were tearing up, and she engulfed Chloé in a hug. All these sudden hugs still surprised Chloé, but she didn't dislike them.
"Thank you...sis. You're the best. I don't care what anyone says about you."
Chloé sat in silence, enjoying the hug, but then...
"Wait, what DO people say about me?"
Zoé started laughed as she wiped away her tears. A few days later...
"Hey, Luka," Juleka said, "Did you know you got a package?"
"Really? I can't imagine who from."
He opened it up to find an ugly Christmas sweater, and a card with "Thanks" written on the inside.
"Who's that from?"
"Oh, just an acquaintance," he replied with a smile.
The rest of the semester went on as usual, at least until Saint Valentin. Adrien, now that his face was everywhere, got a lot of gifts from fans. The class didn't really pay attention to the holiday, but Marinette did grab one valentine for Adrien. After class...
"Adrien, before you go, I got you this."
"A valentine? It's nice to get one from someone that actually knows something about me."
He opened the envelope and read the card. He started laughing.
"It says, Let's Bee Friends, and there's a picture of a bee! That's brilliant!"
Gorilla just pulled up.
"I gotta go. Thanks, Mari."
Once he got into the car, he immediately showed Gorilla the card.
"Look at this card Marinette got me. Isn't it amazing?"
Gorilla handed it back, a big smile on his face.
"Wow," Chloé said, "I don't think I've seen him laugh that much in a long time. What did you do?"
Just then, she got a text. Adrien sent her a picture of the card.
She rolled her eyes, "You already know him too well, baker girl."
Summer was here in no time. As usual, Gabriel objected every time Adrien wanted to hang out with his friends. So one day...
"If it bothers you so much, Sir," Nathalie said, "Why not let his friends come here?"
"Why in the world would I let those...children...enter my home?"
"Unless you want Adrien's rebellious streak to resurface..."
He growled, "Very well. Just this one time, and only his closest friends."
That weekend, Adrien could hardly keep still. When he heard the doorbell, he rushed to the door to await his friends.
"Remember, Adrien," Nathalie said, "They must all stay in your room and keep the noise to a minimum."
"I promise, Nathalie."
Gorilla was smiling as he opened the door. First in came Chloé, followed by Zoé and Sabrina, and then Kagami and Ondine, and then Marinette, Nino, Alya, Kim, and Luka.
"Mesdames et Messieurs," Adrien said with a bow, "This way, please."
"Honestly, Adrikins," Chloé said, "Four of us have already seen your room before."
Marinette was in awe of the size of the house. She was sure that, out of the corner of her eye, she saw Gabriel spying on them. She hurried to catch up with the group.
"Mes amis, welcome to my room."
"Mec, this is huge!" Nino said, "Is that an indoor rock climbing wall?"
"Obviously," Chloé replied.
"Your windows are nice and big," Alya said, "What a beautiful view."
"Is that a basketball hoop?" Ondine asked.
"Indeed it is," Kagami answered.
"He also has a loft," Zoé said, "With a large film collection."
"That's quite a big TV," Marinette said, "Ooh, and what a handsome piano."
"Socqueline couldn't come, Marinette?" Adrien asked.
"No, she had to help at her parents' store."
"Gasp! Is that what I think it is?" Kim said.
"What?" Sabrina said, "You mean the bathroom?"
"Exactly! Excuse me for one second," he said, dashing away.
"Juleka couldn't come, Luka?" Adrien asked.
"She and Rose made plans with the other girls. This is a pleasant room, Adrien."
"Yeah, it sure is."
"It must drive you crazy to be in here all the time."
"You have no idea."
"That's right," Marinette thought, "It's basically a prisoner showing us his cell."
"Hey, here's an idea," Zoé said, "Let's play a board game. One we can all play. How's about this one?"
Chloé looked at the box, "This says 2-5 players."
"Yes, but there are 11 characters, and 11 of us. We each pick one, and when one gets eliminated, another takes their place."
"Okay, but I call the Dinosaurs."
"Of course you would," Alya muttered.
It was a Jurassic Park board game. The human players had to escape the island, while the dinosaurs had to eliminate the humans.
"Let's make it really fun," Adrien said, "We have to act like the character we get."
"How do we decide who goes first?" Nino asked.
"I think I have some pipe cleaners in my backpack," Marinette said, "The four shortest go first."
It was decided that Kim, Kagami, Sabrina, and Ondine would start.
"We're gonna make a fortune with this place," Kagami said.
Kim turned on an electric fence to avoid being attacked, "Some of the minor systems, they might go on and off for a while, but it's nothing to worry about."
Sabrina was helping the human gain an advantage, "Three minutes, I can have the power back on in the entire park."
Chloé moved the Velociraptor closer to Ondine, which prompted her to say, "I've hunted most things that can hunt you, but the way these things move..."
Before Kim could get to the helipad, the Dilophosaurus took him out.
"I'm totally unappreciated in my time."
With Kim out, Nino joined in. The Tyrannosaurus rex was already heading for the other pieces.
"Don't move," Nino said, "He can't see us if we don't move."
"She, actually," Alya said, "All the animals are female."
"I knew that. I'm just quoting word for word."
Kagami was then eliminated.
"When you gotta go, you gotta go," Luka quipped as he joined the game.
"I didn't realize you were a comedian," Kagami said.
"I, uh, have my moments."
Sabrina was eliminated next. She lolled her head to one side, stuck out her tongue, and placed an arm on Alya. She chuckled and managed to get her figurine where it needed to be.
"I'd like to stay with Dr. Harding and finish with the trike."
Ondine was almost to the helipad, but Chloé managed to get her with the Velociraptor figure.
"Clever girl."
Marinette now entered the game, and she easily reached the safe area.
"It's a UNIX system. I know this."
"Realistically though," Kagami said, "I doubt any of us knows anything about a computer system that was made available in the 1970s."
"Well how did you know that?"
"I was curious, so I looked it up."
The T. rex was heading for Marinette, but Luka distracted the beast.
"Ian, freeze!" Nino cried.
Luka sighed, "Boy, do I hate being right all the time"
Marinette managed to escape, so Adrien joined the game. He headed for his space on the board. He pointed to the space he was on.
"That means that only eat vegetables, but for you I think they'd make an exception."
Adrien was already heading for the helipad. Nino helped him by distracting Rexy.
"T. rex doesn't wanna be fed, he wants to hunt."
Adrien escaped and offered Marinette a fist bump. Zoé was the final piece. She stared at the board.
"Uh, aren't you going to make a move?" Chloé asked.
"Creation is an act of sheer will. Next time, it'll be flawless."
"Get all your monologuing out of the way, dear sister, because I'm coming after you."
While she did that, Alya managed to escape. She shared a fist bump with Marinette and Adrien. Nino soon escaped as well. Luka was still avoiding the dinosaurs.
"Uh, now you do eventually plan to have dinosaurs on your, on your dinosaur tour, right?"
Chloé sent one of her dinosaurs after him, but he managed to escape as well.
"That's, that's Chaos Theory."
"That's five players," Adrien said, "Humans win."
"The game isn't over until Zoé dies or escapes as far as I'm concerned."
All three dinosaurs encircled Zoé and began to attack. She was soon eliminated. She stood up and looked off into the distance.
"I met a traveller from an antique land
Who said: Two vast and trunkless legs of stone
Stand in the desert. Near them on the sand,
Half sunk, a shatter'd visage lies, whose frown
And wrinkled lip and sneer of cold command
Tell that its sculptor well those passions read
Which yet survive, stamp'd on these lifeless things,
The hand that mock'd them and the heart that fed.
And on the pedestal these words appear:
"My name is Ozymandias, king of kings:
Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!"
Nothing beside remains: round the decay
Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare,
The lone and level sands stretch far away."
"Okay," Chloé said, "You're getting way too into character."
Everyone had a good laugh and applauded her recitation of the poem. That's when Nathalie knocked on the door.
"Adrien, it's time for your friends to go."
He sighed, "Okay. Thanks, everyone, for the best day ever."
"The best day ever...so far," Alya added.
"As cool as this place is, mec," Nino said, "Maybe we should meet at someone else's house next time."
"I think I'd like that," Adrien said.
Everyone was shuffled out the door until Chloé and Zoé were the last ones. Chloé looked like she was about to yell.
"Don't even think about it," Nathalie warned.
She shrugged, "Fine."
"Au revoir, M. Agreste!" Zoé shouted.
The sisters then ran for the gate. Adrien was stifling his laughter, while Nathalie facepalmed. In no time at all, the new semester started. Classes went on like normal, and the students managed to convince the teachers to let them have another Halloween party. And just like last time...
"Again, Adrien?" Gabriel asked, "It really is a waste of time."
Adrien smiled deviously, "You know, Père, I've often wondered what I would look like if I shaved my hair off."
Gabriel glared at him, "You wouldn't dare."
Adrien glared right back, "Try me."
That look on Adrien's face reminded Gabriel of his horrible nephew.
"Very well," he said through clenched teeth.
Adrien ran back to his room.
"He's getting good at negotiating, isn't he?" Nathalie said.
This time, Adrien arrived dressed as his father, with a white suit, glasses, and slicked back hair. He told Marinette ahead of time, and at his suggestion, she came dressed as Nathalie. She wore a nice suit, heels, glasses, and her hair in a bun.
"It's not exactly easy to walk in these heels, sir."
"Well you had better learn, Nathalie. I expect everything to be perfect."
"Mec, you're way too good at that," Nino said, dressed as a Ninja Turtle.
Alya was dressed in a familiar yellow jumpsuit, "Give us the scoop. You two actually planned this?"
"That's correct, Mlle. Césaire," Marinette replied.
"Yo, everyone!" came a shout.
"That voice sounded familiar," Alya said, "But it couldn't be. She would never say yo."
That's when Chloé swaggered up dressed as Zoé, complete with the tye dye sneakers. This actually caused Adrien to break character.
"Chloé? Is that really you?"
"No, you old geezer. I'm Zoé! I'm from America. I speak slang. What's the word?"
Zoé walked up, dressed as Chloé, "You'll have to excuse my sister. She has no taste in clothes. Ridiculous! Utterly ridiculous!"
Sabrina was wearing a fairly accurate police uniform.
"What seems to be the problem here, sir?"
"These people are an insult to fashion," Adrien said, "I demand they be arrested."
"Sir, don't forget about your busy schedule," Marinette said.
Laughs were had all around. Later, when Christmas came by again, Chloé and Zoé chipped in for a new coffee machine for André. Marinette got Alya some DVDs related to superheroes.
"Girl, why didn't you tell me you were getting me a gift?"
"Because that ruins the surprise."
"But I didn't get you anything."
"You don't have to, Als. True giving is when you do so without expecting a gift in return."
"Yes, I know, but I'll make it up to you."
Marinette had been working on a scarf since last year for Adrien. When they got back from break, she gave it to him. It was the same shade of blue as his eyes.
"You made this for me?"
"Yeah...I think I did an okay job."
"Okay? This is probably the best present ever."
Soon it was almost summer, and goodbyes were being said. Luka, Juleka, Socqueline, and Théo were all heading for lycée.
"I'll miss you, Juleka," Rose said.
"I'll miss you, too," she mumbled.
"Thanks for looking out for me, Socqueline," Marinette said.
"You don't need my help anymore."
"Maybe not, but we'll always be friends."
"Absolutely. By the way, I know you started wearing your hair in pigtails because of me, but please, don't be afraid to try something different now and then."
"See you around, Luka," Nino said.
"Yeah, you were always the coolest one here," Adrien said.
"I don't remember doing anything cool."
"It certainly wasn't the way you dress," Chloé said with a smirk.
"I'll miss you, Chloé. I hope you know that," he replied, half sarcastically.
"Here's hoping you get that studio you wanted, Théo," Nathaniel said.
"When you do, I hope we're invited to hang out," Marc said.
"Of course. I never said this art studio had to be for specific types of art."
Just as summer break started, Nathalie received an important message.
"Adrien, why don't you go spend some time with one of your friends?"
"Really? What about father?"
"I explain things to him. You run along."
"Merci beaucoup!"
Gorilla looked a bit skeptical, but if Adrien was happy, then he'd gladly take him anywhere.
"Nathalie," Gabriel said, "Where is Adrien going?"
"I said he could go over to a friend's house."
"Why do you allow Adrien to associate with those riff raff?"
"First of all, you were once that so-called riff raff. It's one of the many reasons Amelie doesn't like you. Second, I thought it best since M. Fu is on his way here."
Meanwhile, Adrien went to Nino's place.
"Your parents always seem so nice."
"Even if they weren't, it would still be better than your dad...no offense."
"None taken. I know only too well how difficult he can be. I'm just glad Nathalie's there to smooth things over. Now how's about I school you again at Ultra Mecha Strike III?"
"Mec, you're way too good at that game. You need a better opponent than me. Okay, just a few rounds. I can only take so much abuse. Afterwards, how's about I introduce you to a few movies you likely haven't seen yet?"
"I think I'd like that."
"Just one quick question. Why doesn't your bodyguard ever say anything?"
"He's just the strong silent type, I guess. He gets himself across easy enough. Truth be told, though, I don't even know what his name is."
"So you just call him bodyguard all the time?"
"No, I also call him Gorilla. I heard it's slang for a muscular bodyguard, plus, well, look at him. He's big and strong, but also gentle when he wants to be."
"That does seem to fit him, but I think one of these days you should ask him. I'm sure he'd appreciate someone calling him by name."
"I'll try to remember."
Back at the Agreste mansion
*Ding Dong*
Nathalie looked at the security camera. It was M. Fu, and he was holding the grimoire.
"Come right in, M. Fu."
As he walked to the door, Nathalie called Gabriel.
"Sir, he's here with the grimoire."
Gabriel joined Nathalie at the door.
"In here, M. Fu," he said, pointing towards his atelier.
"M. Agreste, so nice to see you and your assistant again. I know it's been three years, give or take, but it did take some time. However, I finally managed to translate everything. Here is the grimoire, and here are the corresponding translations."
Gabriel began flipping through the manuscript.
"This is better than I could've imagined, M. Fu. You've certainly outdone yourself."
"You flatter me, M. Agreste. When I began this task, I asked your assistant why you were so adamant that this ancient text was translated. Would you mind if I asked you the same question?"
Gabriel thought about it, "I don't see why not. My wife was the one to discover this grimoire. She...passed...not long afterwards. I wish to satisfy my curiosity and find out exactly what it is she found. Also, these clothes and jewels give me inspiration for new creations. All of this will be done in her memory."
Fu nodded, "I can understand your reasons. I am sorry about what happened to Emilie."
"Thank you."
"Well, it's still summer and I have a shop to get back to. I shall leave you to it, M."
Before he could leave, Nathalie handed him a cheque.
"My goodness! Isn't that a bit much?"
"I told you I would make it worth your while, and you've delivered. I am showing you my gratitude."
"You're very kind, M. Agreste. Goodbye for now."
With Fu gone, Gabriel and Nathalie began pouring over the grimoire and its supporting manuscript.
"With this, Nathalie, you can go back to that site and investigate further. Take a whole team with you. Comb that entire temple for any of these, what are they called? Miraculous."
"I shall leave as soon as possible, sir."
It was a few days before the next semester. Nathalie was packing, and Adrien was helping with her bags.
"Where are you going, Nathalie?" Adrien asked.
"I'm just taking an overdue vacation, Adrien. I'm sure you can handle things without me for a while. I'll be back as soon as I can."
"Be careful out there, Nathalie."
"Thank you, Adrien."
Of course Nathalie was eager to finish what Emilie started, but she really did need a vacation. So she went to a few other European countries first. After she had a good rest, she headed immediately for a team that could traverse the mountains. Together they easily reached the same peak where the dilapidated old temple still sat. While the team fanned out across the site, Nathalie decided the best place to look would likely be the room where Emilie found the grimoire. She made her way down to the basement again. This time, she left no stone unturned. She swept away every pile of snow and ash just to be certain. Just when she had looked almost everywhere in the room, she facepalmed.
"How could I not check the most obvious spot first?"
She looked underneath the cabinet where Emilie said she found the grimoire. She blew away any ash and snow underneath...and that's when she saw it. Something under there was a bright blue color. She reached out and grabbed it. There is sat in her palm. She checked the pictures on her phone just to be sure. It was a brooch that resembled a hand fan, or the fanned out train of a peacock.
"This is it. This is the Peacock Miraculous. Now to see if there are any more here."
After a week or so, the team turned up nothing near the temple. Nathalie had them spread out into the nearby areas. Eager to find another, and wanting to do something to keep busy, not to mention keep warm, she starting searching as well.
"If these things really are magical in nature, then I seriously doubt a metal detector will do anything. I'll just try using a sieve."
Then team was using a large machine to filter anything that might be hiding in the snowdrifts. Nathalie wandered off a ways and started searching on her own. She wasn't sure how long it had been. Had it been another week? Two weeks? Three weeks? Her mind drifted off, so she lost track of time. She thought of Emilie, Gabriel, Adrien, Tomoe, Fu, and even the bodyguard. Every time she thought it would be best to give up, she steeled herself. What would Gabriel say? She had to exhaust everything first. Suddenly, that's when she had an idea. She went to the team to ask for some climbing equipment. She prepared herself, and then went down to the very spot where she had found Emilie's body. Once down there, she started to strain all the snow in the area for something, anything. That's when she finally hit the jackpot. This trinket was also a brooch, but this one appeared to be a locket, and it was a deep purple color. It was oval-shaped, and with four thin, stiff strands of fabric sticking out, making it resemble a butterfly. She checked her notes again.
"This is the Butterfly Miraculous. Gabriel will be so pleased."
Nathalie and the team went back to the site several times, just to make sure there weren't any more Miraculous in the area. After another week or so, she paid the team the rest of their money and left.
"I should get these back immediately...after I take another vacation."
Nathalie spent another few weeks in different parts of Asia. By the time she got back, it was almost time for the ceremony for all those in collège to move on to lycée.
"I can just make it."
Nathalie managed to catch the end of the ceremony.
"Nathalie? I didn't think you'd be back on time," Adrien said.
"I just managed to make it. I'm sorry your father couldn't."
"I was expecting that," he replied with a frown.
"Just remember, Adrien," said a voice, "He works hard to provide for you."
"Master Fu? I definitely didn't expect you to be here."
"We're friends aren't we? As a matter of fact, I'm here to see several people."
"Master Fu," Marinette said, "What a pleasant surprise."
"Nice to see you here, Master Fu," Chloé said.
"You know him, too?" Marinette asked.
"What are you kidding? He has the best massage parlor in town."
"Oh, hey, Master Fu," Alya said.
"You've met him before?" Marinette asked.
"A couple of times, yes. I just bumped into him here and there."
"We should get going, Adrien," Nathalie said.
"But we were all going out to eat as a celebration. Please?"
Nathalie suddenly had a realization.
"Yes, you can go. I'll speak to your father. The bodyguard will pick you up."
"Thank you, Nathalie!"
"Okay," Chloé said, "We're heading for the restaurant now! Sabrina, Zoé, Adrien, get in the limo. Everyone else can walk there or whatever."
Nathalie hurried to the car. She looked at Gorilla.
"Back to the mansion. Adrien's spending the day with his friends."
She didn't notice the bodyguard smiled. He was glad Adrien got some free time. Once at Agreste Manor, Nathalie hurried into Gabriel's study and closed the door.
"Nathalie...you took your time."
"I think I'm owed that much, Gabriel. I let Adrien spend the day with his friends...mostly so we could be alone. I found some of them."
Gabriel looked stunned, "Let's step into the secret room."
"Do we really have to?"
"Yes," he snapped
Gabriel reached over to the massive portrait of Emilie and pressed a secret switch. A nearby closet turned out to be an elevator.
"I nearly forgot you added this...basement."
Now that they were completely alone...
"Let me see them."
Nathalie pulled them out of her fanny pack. They were wrapped in cloth which Gabriel tore the away in his eagerness.
"They're magnificent," he said, holding one in each hand, "Which ones are these?"
"According to the Grimoire, the Butterfly and the Peacock."
"How do they work exactly?"
"You put on the Miraculous, concentrate, and then say, transform me. Every Miraculous gives you enhanced strength and agility, a special weapon, a power unique to that Miraculous, and a costume complete with glamour to avoid recognition."
"What does the Butterfly do?"
"It allows you to sense strong emotions in people. You draw on those emotions and then give superpowers to someone else and have them fight for you. If they're not working out, you can take back the powers at any time."
"Interesting...and the Peacock?"
"It also allows you to sense strong emotions, except instead you use them to create a creature called a Sentimonster that fights for whoever controls it."
Gabriel kept looking at the two Miraculous. He finally handed the Peacock to Nathalie.
"One at a time, Nathalie," he said, attaching the Butterfly Miraculous to his shirt, "Transformez moi!"
Gabriel was enveloped in a white light that looked almost like a swarm of butterflies. He held out his right hand as a cane appeared from the ground. The light faded, and Nathalie saw his new look. His entire body was covered by a large cape. His face was obscured by a wide brimmed hat. He unfurled the cape, which while violet on the outside, was a mix of bright purple and blue on the inside. The cape also resembled butterfly wings. His suit looked the same, but instead of white, it was a shade of purple. He lifted the brim of the hat to reveal a silver butterfly-shaped mask on his face.
"I pride myself on being fashionable. How do I look?"
"Would you like me to be completely honest?"
"Of course, Nathalie."
"You look a bit like a pimp. Was that intentional?"
"Excuse me?"
"I'm sorry, sir, but with the suit and the hat and the cane..."
Gabriel tapped his cane in annoyance, "It doesn't matter. It's not like I'm about to go running around outside in this. Not yet anyway. We have to test this power, but it has to be at the right time."
"Are you intentionally making your voice deeper?"
"I going to ignore that. We have to plan when we're going to do this. It's not like we have all the time in the world. We have a business to run, after all. De-transform."
Gabriel was now back in his white suit.
"We must wait for the right moment."
"By the way, sir, about Adrien."
"Oh yes, where is he anyway?"
"As I said to you before, you may recall, he's out having dinner with his friends."
"What? Why would you allow that? He has better things to do."
"Gabriel, in case you didn't notice, he's about to move from collège to lycée, and he's always done everything you've asked, if not outright demanded, of him. Let him have this. Besides, I thought it best that he wasn't home when we discuss our new assets."
"Hmm, perhaps you're right. I will allow it this time, but he shouldn't get used to it."
Nathalie rolled her eyes behind his back.
At the restaurant...
"A toast, everyone," Adrien said, "Here's to some awesome years that await us in lycée!"
"I second that," Marinette said.
"Hear hear!" Alya cheered.
"I suppose if anyone would be excited about all this, it would be you," Chloé said.
"What are you excited most about, mec?" Nino asked.
"I just know that things are going to change."
"For the better, I hope," Zoé said.
"I guarantee it!"