Chapter 1: Girl what?
Chapter Text
As usual, Marinette is late.
However, this time she’s woken up too late for even a proper breakfast, and instead she’s running down the street while wolfing down a croissant at an unhealthy speed. She sprints up the too-many steps of the school as she finishes swallowing the last bit of her food.
“Wait, wait, wait!” she yells, forcing her way through the closing doors and dashing past whatever poor staff had been doing their job. Unfortunately, that’s not the end of it, for there’s yet another unholy set of stairs left for her to zip up before reaching her destination. But Marinette has done this ritual many times, and her calves, though tired, are well-prepared for the climb. She makes her way up and nearly falls through the door of her classroom.
She isn’t expecting to see Nino occupying her usual spot, and also definitely not expecting to see a fresh empty seat next to Adrien. She immediately smiles and starts to make her way to Alya. How did she do it?
Just then, a certain blonde girl saunters over to Adrien. Ah, the usual.
“Oh, hey Adrikins, do you mind if I sit here today? You know, since the arrangements have changed,” Chloe asks, fluttering her eyelashes. Marinette is impressed for a second, Chloe must have practiced that eyelash fluttering in private. It looks pretty convincing.
“Um,” Adrien begins, and glances back at Nino for help. Nino winks, whispers a quick goodbye to Alya, and slides right in to his normal seat.
“Sorry Chloe! I was just chatting with Alya, but this is still my seat, even if Marinette got moved,” Nino says, shrugging. Chloe scowls, and Adrien laughs nervously. Marinette looks confused. Moved?
“Nino, what-”
“Oh, hi Marinette!” A familiar voice from behind her greets, and Marinette nearly jumps in surprise. When she glances back, she sees none other than Lila Rossi standing in the door with a bright smile on her face. Marinette grimaces instinctively before she can stop it.
“Hi Lila!” Literally nearly everyone behind her says in chorus, and Marinette rolls her eyes inwardly. She sees Chloe roll her eyes too, and Marinette nearly laughs at the irony of how Chloe is the only other one who dislikes Lila. Chloe slinks back to her normal seat as everyone’s attention centers on Lila.
“Hey everyone!” Lila says, waving with a sugary sweet smile on her face. “I’m so glad to be back with you all!”
Marinette bites at her lip, glaring at Lila as the rest of the class replies positively. Wordlessly, she turns back around and moves to take a seat, but someone grabs her hand.
Lila passes her, pulling her along. Marinette stumbles and tugs back.
“H-hey, what are you doing?” She says, barely restraining herself from ripping her hand out of the other girl’s grip.
“Oh, Marinette, I asked the professor if the two of us could sit together in the back! I’ve missed so much school, and seeing as you’re the class representative, I was hoping you’d want to help me catch up!” Lila replies, gesturing to her with a bright smile. “I’ve heard all about how you’re so supportive and a natural leader of the class! Would you do that for me?”
Marinette hears Chloe grunt somewhere in the background and stops herself from snickering. The rest of the class looks at her expectantly. There was no way she could refuse when Lila put it that way, especially not with the teacher looking up at them.
“You see, I’m farsighted so I thought it would be best if I sat in the back! I hope you don’t mind!” Lila continues, and Marinette can feel her gut recoil in disgust and confusion. Why is Lila trying to sit with her, and at the back of the classroom? Is it because Marinette tried to prove her wrong during her video call on Heroes’ Day? There has to be some kind of a catch.
“Oh, it’s fine. I would love to help,” Marinette says carefully, but her words are ever-so-slightly pinched. She looks to her right, giving Alya a pleading look, but her best only smiles at the interaction. Damn it, she’s probably finding this funny since Marinette’s always seemed suspicious of Lila.
“Oh, you’re such a sweetheart!” Lila says, and she squeezes Marinette’s hand on sweetheart . As if that weren’t enough, she blows a kiss with her free hand. “Mwah!”
Marinette frowns in confusion, and lets herself get dragged to the back. Lila exchanges pleasantries with the classmates along the way, and everyone responds to her happily. Like fools .
Lila slides into the final seat in the back, and pulls Marinette in to sit as well. She takes her bag off and sets it on the desk as Marinette stares, before finally crossing her legs and giving Marinette another one of her ever-present smiles.
Marinette presses her lips together and doesn’t smile back, and goes about putting her own belongings away. She prays Lila doesn’t want anything more than just guidance in getting back into the swing of things, and looks back at the teacher.
“So, Marinette,” Lila begins, placing a hand on Marinette’s shoulder. She jerks away in surprise; hadn’t the girl ever heard of personal space? But her movement seemed to go unnoticed or at the very least unimportant to Lila, and Lila’s hand returns to her shoulder with ease. “I’ve heard that you’re an awesome designer! And you’ve even won competitions hosted by Gabriel Agreste! That’s so incredible!” Lila gushes, and Marinette can feel her fingers start drawing circles on her shoulder. This must be exactly what Adrien was going through back on Lila’s first day in class. It’s kind of uncomfortable.
“Um, yea,” Marinette replies, trying not to pay attention. But it’s hard, what with Lila giving her practically all of her attention —and hand.
“You know, I love supporting artists like you! Wouldn’t it be so great if you could design something for me? I would love to model for you. Everyone would see your work!” Lila adds, and Marinette looks at her in disbelief. Could she not see Marinette’s complete and utter disinterest in whatever she has to say?
“Uh, maybe,” Marinette says, praying that maybe she could just yes her along until she gave up talking to her. As much as she wants to confront Lila, the teacher is already in the room and Lila is way too close for comfort.
Marinette jumps again when Lila places a hand directly on top of hers, giving Marinette a smile that was too warm to be true.
“Oh, you’re so sweet, Marinette! Thanks so much for agreeing to help me! And I would love to come by sometime so you can get my measurements.” Lila nearly purrs, and Marinette freezes, her face flooding with red from being flustered and angry. She can practically feel her heart beating out of her chest. Who does this girl even think she is?
Mme. Bustier finally coughs and starts class, pointing out Lila’s return to any latecomers before addressing the lecture at hand. Marinette starts flipping through the pages on her tablet, but she’s distracted. Lila doesn’t appear to have any sense about personal space whatsoever, and there’s barely a few inches between them. She keeps leaning her head on her hand and casting big smiles to Marinette, snapping her concentration in half. What does she want?
“L-let’s focus on the lesson, Lila! I’m sure you want to catch up quickly!” Marinette says when Lila tries to touch her hand again. Lila smiles again, although it looks a bit like a smirk, and turns to her own tablet.
***
Marinette is prepared to leap out of her seat and rush directly to Alya for help, but she’s barely moved before Lila slides her arm around Marinette’s.
“Let’s eat lunch together!” Lila suggests, squeezing Marinette’s arm. Marinette sucks in a sharp breath, resisting the urge to keel over and die. She glances around; luckily most of the other students are already leaving or too far away to pay much attention. Alya and Nino are idling just outside the classroom door, probably waiting for her.
Marinette frowns and removes her arm from Lila’s. She takes a step back, and Lila gives her a confused look.
“What are you playing at?” Marinette asks, folding her arms and narrowing her eyes.
“What are you talking about?” Lila asks, clearly feigning ignorance or something. “I just want to spend lunch with the prettiest and smartest girl in the class.”
Marinette blinks in surprise, suddenly blushing at the sudden praise despite knowing Lila was probably just using her snake skills.
“C’mon,” she shakes her head, trying to clear up the flush on her face, “I’m sure we both know that whatever this is, isn’t anything good.”
Lila leans a little forward inquisitively, and Marinette shuts up and steps back. The other girl’s gaze is dangerously focused, and Marinette’s never had it trained on her before. It kills all the words she has ready in her throat.
“Hey, Lila, coming to lunch?” Kim’s voice suddenly calls, and the moment is over. Lila looks away and waves.
“Of course, just having a quick chat with this sweet girl over here!” Lila says, and Marinette struggles to comprehend why this is happening.
In her moment of vulnerability, Lila grabs her arm again and pulls her close, gives her a split-second dangerous smile that Marinette isn’t even sure she actually sees, and drags her down to the cafeteria.
Why why why why why why why why why why????
***
Lila practically shoves Marinette down into a chair before sitting next to her. To make matters worse, she lifts her own chair up a little bit and moves it closer, the legs scraping against the ground.
Marinette is temporarily hurtled back to the first time Lila was at school, when she was studying with Adrien in the library and made the exact same move. Is Lila trying to flirt with her? Maybe to keep her quiet about what she knows? After all, Marinette’s the only one in the class who ever tried to expose Lila’s lies.
She frowns. No matter how sweet and flirtatious Lila is acting, it’s all fake, Marinette is certain. Right? Lila is a liar. In fact, she’s such a big liar that she was even akumatized into illusion-based akuma.
Marinette suddenly swallows in discomfort. What if Lila recognizes her? As Ladybug? Lila’s number one enemy?
Oh, shit.
Calm down. Marinette breathes slowly. It can’t be.
When she comes back to the present, practically the entire class is crowded around the table, and suddenly Lila is talking about her sprained wrist.
There are a bunch of small plates on the table, and as Marinette glances down to the lunch line, she realizes that her classmates have been volunteering to bring Lila her food.
Alya catches her eye; she and Nino are getting their own food. She gives Marinette a triumphant smile, probably meaning something like: See? Lila is super nice!
Marinette scowls back at her, but Alya doesn’t seem to care.
“Wow, I’ve heard so much about how great you are as the class representative, Marinette,” Lila says, and Marinette realizes she hasn’t been paying attention to any of the conversation.
“Huh?” She says, and as she moves to stand up, she’s immediately anchored down by Lila’s arm wrapping firmly around her elbow.
The rest of the class echoes the sentiment, and Marinette, for a second, is touched by the praise of her peers, before remembering that at the moment they are all merely following along with what Lila says. But… it isn’t so bad that they’re talking positively about her . Marinette bite her lip and feels a blush come to her face again; it’s always like that when she’s suddenly at the center of attention.
“You know, I’ve also heard about how Marinette is like an everyday Ladybug! How sweet! You’re like a real superhero! I’m sure you’ve done all sorts of wonderful things,” Lila says, and then gestures to the rest of the class. “I know this sounds so crazy, but Marinette and I used to be childhood friends! I visited Paris once before for a vacation, and the two of us were best friends! Marinette helped save me when I got lost. How incredible that we got to meet up again like this!”
Marinette stares incredulously as the other students practically devour this false news right in front of her.
“I, uh... Um. I need to go to the bathroom!” Marinette jumps to her feet, wrests her arm out of Lila’s iron grip, and sprints away to safety.
When the door of the bathroom closes behind her, Marinette lets out a huge sigh and leans against a sink, staring at her reflection in the mirror. There’s still redness across her cheeks and she gently slaps at it, trying to will it away. Sure, Marinette obsesses over a boy and frequently imagines the two of them together, but she’s never had a person come so close and treat her like that before. Something is fishy, but that doesn’t do much to dampen her natural reaction to someone holding her arm close and calling her all sorts of wonderful things. The words are double-edged. They’re sweet to hear but she knows they’re all fake. Everything Lila says is a lie, anyway.
The door to the bathroom opens, and Marinette grimaces as she turns around.
“Marinette!” Lila says, standing with her hands clasped. The door swings shut again, and the temporary ambience of the cafeteria fades away. “Oh, are you crying?” She asks, with concern in her voice that Marinette is sure is fake.
“No!” Marinette says sharply, glaring at Lila.
“I’m sorry, maybe I’ve been putting too much attention on you. I can tell that you don’t like me, but I don’t understand why… we barely know each other,” Lila sighs sadly.
Marinette keeps her eye on Lila quietly, trying to judge her actions. She knows Lila is a good actor and a liar, and there’s no way that whatever Lila is saying is true.
“Don’t tell me it’s because of this new seating arrangement in class…” Lila suddenly says, “I’m so sorry, you probably used to be sitting with your friends. I didn’t mean to separate you from them, Marinette!” She adds, and Marinette wonders how Lila can make her voice drip with so much nonexistent guilt.
“No. Why are you making up all these things about me?” Marinette finally asks, cutting right to the chase.
“Oh, you mean the childhood friendship story? Don’t worry about it, they’re just harmless little stories. People are always interested in what I have to say, so of course I want to include you! Besides, I wish we used to know each other already.” Lila answers, with a big smile on the whole time. She gestures with her hands in an engaging manner, then reaches out and gently takes one of Marinette’s. She puts on an impeccable face of sincerity. “Come on, let’s be friends!”
Once Marinette gets over the fact that someone is clasping her hand in both of theirs, she frowns. She really, really wants to cut right to the subject at hand, but Lila is acting so nice she almost feels guilty about it.
Stop, she’s just acting. It’s fine .
Marinette exerts an incredible amount of control, and pulls her hand away. To her surprise, Lila doesn’t let go.
We’ll only be friends the day you stop lying, is what Marinette wants to say, but for some reason she feels the need to soften her words. What are you supposed to do when a girl is clinging to your hand with big wide eyes? Technically, Lila has barely done anything hurtful at all, and has even improved Marinette’s social popularity in the brief time she’s been here.
“Lila, please. I really, really don’t like lies. About anything, even it’s harmless,” Marinette finally says. “I don’t want to be friends if you’re going to be making up all these fake stories.”
At first, Lila’s face falls and Marinette, for a split-second, feels soul-crushing guilt at her sad eyes. Thankfully, Lila’s frown transforms into a smirk, and she looks smugly at Marinette. Oh, thank gosh, now she doesn’t have to feel any guilt.
“I only tell people what they want to hear,” Lila says, and surprises Marinette by giving her hand a quick squeeze. Marinette jerks her hand back, but it’s still not enough and Marinette isn’t sure she wants to get violent in the bathroom.
“It’s called lying!” Marinette exclaims, taking a step forward, “Besides, you know I don’t trust you! Remember the video call you had with our class? Why are you trying to be my friend?” Also why did you call me pretty and smart?
“There’s nothing you can do about it anyway, Marinette,” Lila immediately replies, her sugary sweet voice dropping instead to something a little dangerous. “People can’t resist when they hear what they like to hear,” She continues, taking confident steps forward. Marinette backs up, glaring at Lila.
“You don’t want me to lie about you, then fine. I don’t care. But soon you’ll be my best friend whether you like it or not, and I’ll make sure the class knows it. I’m sure you wouldn’t like me to tell the whole class how you cruelly hurt me in the bathroom when I came to help you.” Lila’s suddenly extremely close, and Marinette can’t back up anymore; she’s pressed up against the tiled wall, and she tries to lean away. When Lila says best friend, Marinette freezes. She’s hurtling back to the day when Lila told everyone how she was best friends with Ladybug.
Does Lila know? Is she trying to forcefully make Ladybug her best friend to make her lie true? Marinette glares.
Lila lifts the hand she’s holding and puts it against the wall beside Marinette head.
Oh wow, this is like, this is like a kabedon, Marinette thinks somewhere in the back of her brain. So much for a sprained wrist.
Lila’s free hand slams into the wall on the other side of her head, and she leans in closer. Marinette feels her heart thumping even harder from the proximity. Somewhere in her head she notes that Lila is actually so close that she only would have to barely lean in to kiss her.
Brain, stop, please, jesus, shit. Lila’s hand was hot on her own palm and it wasn’t helping.
Marinette squeezes her eyes shut and turns her head, trying to avert whatever terrible thing was going to befall her.
“As long as you don’t do anything stupid, I won’t say anything bad about you,” Lila finally says softly, and Marinette opens one eye.
To her own surprise, Lila is also looking away, and Marinette isn’t sure if it’s the terrible bathroom lighting, but she thinks she sees a bit of red on her face. No, that would be dumb.
“You do seem a little smarter than everyone else, so I’m sure you know how easily I could sway the rest of them. All you have to do is stay quiet and be my friend, and you’ll be just fine,” Lila adds, before looking back at Marinette. “Maybe you don’t like lies, but I’m not hurting anyone. So it doesn’t matter.”
Lila’s voice actually sounds a little pleading, but that was also probably fake. Who knows, at this point?
Marinette takes a second to mull over her words. Her own hand relaxes in Lila’s grasp as she considers it. It’s true, although everyone is practically brainwashed, Lila’s lies (so far) haven’t been malicious. She hasn’t hurt anyone except for Marinette, but Lila theoretically doesn’t know that she’s Ladybug or whatever.
Maybe. Unless this whole thing is a ploy to get close to Ladybug.
But anyway, maybe it is fine to just let Lila keep lying. Maybe she’d go on another big trip again and be gone for a good chunk of time.
“So you just want to be my friend to make sure I keep quiet,” Marinette summarizes, more resigned. “Was it really necessary to pin me against a wall? Have you been reading too much manga?”
Just then, the bathroom door swings open.
“Marinette? Lila? Are you alr- oh!” From behind Lila, Marinette sees Alya in the doorframe, her mouth open in surprise. Alya looks at Lila, then at Marinette, then at Lila’s hand on Marinette’s against the wall.
Lila’s free hand moves quickly and Marinette is too shocked to react. Lila grabs her waist and pulls her off the wall into a hug and turns both of them a bit more to Alya. The loud sound of the door closing echoes as they look at each other for a second.
“Uh, Alya, thi-” Marinette begins, trying to find the words to save herself, but too many things are happening.
“Oh, hey Alya!” Lila cuts in, “we’re just fine! Marinette and I just wanted a few moments alone! She was feeling a little down but it’s all okay now.”
Marinette watches in horror as Alya’s surprised face gives way to the smuggest grin she’s ever seen the girl ever wear in her entire life, ever.
Aw, crap.
Chapter 2: Opportunity
Summary:
The akuma strikes and Chameleon makes her move.
Notes:
i was struck by the writing bug, this is what i managed to squeeze out lol. i didnt think there'd be a second chapter but uh. yeah.
Chapter Text
“This is unbelievable,” Chloe hisses. Sabrina shrinks back out of habit and fear, but puts on a well-practiced consoling expression. “ How can she be gone for MONTHS and then come back and steal away everyone’s attention!” Chloe throws her hands up in the air and smacks a book to the ground; Sabrina’s book, of course.
“I’m sure it’s only temporary,” Sabrina cuts in with a trembling voice, “she probably has another weird trip to go on soon! Then she’ll be gone for a long time again!”
“I don’t care!” Chloe snaps, slamming her fist onto the table, “I want her gone , now!” Sabrina lets out an eep .
“Y-you know Hawkmoth has sent a lot of akumas after you, he might send another one if you don’t calm down!” She exclaims, reaching down to retrieve her book. Chloe shoots Sabrina a death glare, who backs up and clutches the book to her chest.
“Don’t you criticize me, too!” Chloe snaps, but she knows Sabrina’s right. And she cannot wait to unleash her anger on that stupid Lila Rossi once he does.
***
Lila slinks towards the classroom nonchalantly when a flash of purple catches her eye. A black butterfly glowing with dangerous purple flutters towards the window. Lila follows its trajectory with her eyes, and smirks when she sees an absolutely feral Chloe yelling at Sabrina in the classroom. Typical. But, hmm, Lila never lets an opportunity to bully Ladybug slip away. Or perhaps, an opportunity to force Marinette to bend to her will. She increases the speed of her gait and reaches out a hand to catch the butterfly in her ring. The familiar bridge builds again.
“Don’t bother with her, Hawkmoth. I’m a much better option. I’m sure you recognize me; Lila. Let’s destroy Ladybug together,” She proposes, flexing her fingers to observe how her ring now glows with black and purple. It never ceases to intrigue her; how the akumatization works.
“Interesting,” a dark voice replies, “Your tenacity is impressive. I have some new powers for you; do not fail me again, Chameleon.”
Lila rolls her eyes; as if Hawkmoth hasn’t failed for the last fifty akumatizations straight. But whatever. She braces herself for the invasion of magic. It’s a strange feeling. Her negative emotions normally would be enhanced, but she’s rather clear-minded this time, so perhaps it won’t be as overwhelming. The rush of cold and hot envelops her as she becomes something new.
***
“You didn’t tell me you and Lila were a thing,” Alya says, smiling.
“We’re not. We’re just friends,” Marinette says. Not even that. I’m just being blackmailed into being her friend .
“Mhmm,” Alya smirks, “real friendly.” Marinette makes a withering look at her.
“Listen, Alya. She wants to control me. She was threatening me in the bathroom,” Marinette corrects, leaning in to keep her voice down. The two are briefly in the locker room, collecting their belongings.
“Threatening you by doing this?” Alya reaches out and quickly grabs Marinette’s hand, faux pressing her against the locker in a kabedon-esque pose. Marinette frowns again as her cheeks warm from the proximity and the memory of what transpired in the bathroom.
“She’s a weird girl. You’ve seen how she tries to suck up to Adrien.”
“That was when she liked him. But now it looks like she likes you~.” Alya singsongs, dropping the kabedon to put her hands on Marinette’s shoulder. “Listen, I’m sure there’s many layers to Lila. But it’s clear to me she has something for you. And, you know, it means she won’t be all over Adrien anymore. Isn’t that a good thing?”
Marinette sighs and pushes the hands off. “You weren’t there, Alya. You should keep your guard up,” She says as Alya adjusts her hands to fold her arms.
“Sounds like paranoia,” Alya comments. A flash of irritation hits hard in Marinette’s head.
“Yea, sure, fine. I’ll just go make new best friends with Lila since it seems like my current one doesn’t trust me about anything,” Marinette snaps, and Alya’s jaw falls open. Marinette curses herself internally; she isn’t supposed to express her frustrations for fear of drawing akumas, and the look in Alya’s eyes is not a pleasant one.
Marinette formulates some words to fix the situation, but they’re stolen away by Lila entering the locker room. She stares over Alya’s shoulder at her, mixed emotions of anger and confusion bubbling at the sight of the Italian girl.
“Oh my god, hi! Alya, Marinette!” Lila exclaims and rushes over. Alya’s betrayed expression turns even more conflicted, but Lila ignores it. Instead, she smiles brightly, leans forward, and plants a kiss on Alya’s cheek.
What the-?
Alya drops like a rock, back sliding down the lockers.
“What did you do?” Marinette gasps, kneeling down to catch her. But as she glances up, it’s no longer Lila standing there, but another Alya?
“Oh, no! Look what you made me do!” Alya-Lila exclaims in mock horror. Marinette puts two and two together.
“You’re akumatized,” she says, slowly standing up.
“Because of you,” Alya-Lila shoots back. “You don’t want to be my friend, Marinette. That upset me.”
What, for real?
“You were threatening me, Lila. That’s not friendship,” Marinette says, backing away as subtly as possible.
“I do what I need to,” Alya-Lila replies firmly, advancing. Marinette glances down at the real Alya, sound asleep on the floor. How could this happen? “It’s obvious my usual tricks won’t work on you, so you’ve left me no other choice.” Marinette shakes her head in disgust.
“Why do you even want to be my friend? You have so many others!”
There’s a short pause.
“People like you. It’s best for my image,” Alya-Lila answers.
“So you want to just use me,” Marinette reframes.
“No, you would benefit too! People like me a lot, too,” Alya-Lila snaps, anger clear in her voice. “I don’t understand why you don’t want to be my friend. You would benefit just as much as I do!”
“I make friends with honest people,” Marinette retorts, and Alya-Lila growls, shoving Marinette back.
“I’ve heard enough of this. You know how many people believe whatever I say. If you don’t listen to me, I’ll do everything I can to make as many akumas as possible, and make them target you! There’ll be so many that your precious little Ladybug will never be able to stop them all.” Alya-Lila threatens.
Now that, Marinette thinks, is a credible threat. Chloe hands out akumatizations like Halloween candy without even trying. How much worse would it be if someone as skilled with words like Lila actually made an attempt to make them as frequently as possible? Marinette is already struggling balancing Ladybug duties with her life. Her feet hit the wall behind her again, reminiscent of the last Lila encounter. Alya-Lila’s eyes soften as Marinette bites her lip, backed into a corner.
“Listen, Marinette,” she says softly, leaning in too close yet again. It’s so strange, hearing Lila’s intent with Alya’s persona. “No one else has to get hurt. All you have to do is let go of your childish sense of honor.”
Marinette’s aware that Lila is dangerously close. If she wants to escape, she has to do it now, before those deadly Chameleon lips touch her. She raises a gentle hand to Alya-Lila’s shoulder and meets her eyes.
“Ok,” she says quietly, and Alya-Lila blinks in surprise. There it is.
Marinette drops out of Chameleon’s arms and scrambles out the side, heard pounding in her chest. If she were Ladybug right now, she’d be much faster and it’d be way easier to escape, but she has to rely on her usual self right now. Just get out, slam the door shut, and find a place to transform. Easy.
A hand reaches out and grabs her wrist as she’s getting to her feet, and yanks her back.
Ah shit, well it was worth a try. Alya-Lila practically throws Marinette back into the corner, who stumbles and drops to a knee, vision swimming. Chameleon leans down.
“Hm, nice try. I suppose it wouldn’t be all fun if you didn’t keep fighting,” she muses, and grabs Marinette’s jaw. “But stay still, I have a couple of superheroes to ruin,”
Marinette wheezes in response, trying to gather her strength again, but it’s useless. Warm lips are pressed to her cheek faster than she can recover, and she feels her consciousness dissolve to nothing.
***
Chameleon hums gently as she hoists Marinette up and into a locker. Better keep her from interfering anymore, in case she wakes.
“Marinette? Is that you? What happened?” Alya’s voice comes groggily from behind her.
“Alya, you’re okay!” Lila puts on her sugary Marinette voice and runs over to Alya, throwing her arms around her. “I’m so sorry for what I said before!” Eavesdropping always pays off. “I hope you know that you're the best friend I’ve ever had, and I would love for us to be friends with Lila too!” Two birds with one stone. Alya’s hands flounder before finding purchase around Lila’s back.
“Yea, of course,” she says sleepily as the akuma magic begins to fade away.
“You stay here,” Lila says, standing up, “I’ll take vids for the blog, but you should rest here. The akuma is dangerous!”
Alya nods drowsily, still stirring, and Lila-as-Marinette steps out the door. Rumor has it that Marinette is Ladybug’s friend, so this should hopefully be irresistible bait for her. Gotta attract some attention, though…
Lila skips around and interacts with people, angering them, confusing them, normal akuma stuff. She leaps on Adrien and swings him around and maybe tosses a cake in his face, then dashes in and out of traffic. All waiting for Ladybug and Cat Noir to show up. Her main power is appearance deception, but she still is faster and stronger. She zips around, clambering up buildings. It’s when she’s trashing Chloe’s room that one of the superheroes finally shows up.
“Marinette!” Chat Noir calls out from the balcony. Chameleon straightens, tearing a yellow cardigan in half and tossing it over her shoulder. “Never seen you akumatized before, but I suppose there’s a purr-st for everything.”
“Oh, you know how it is. Chloe bullies everyone and makes ‘em mad,” Chameleon shrugs.
“You seem pretty calm for being akumatized,” Chat comments, perching on the railing.
“I’m about ready to be saved, Chat, I’ve exhausted myself,” Chameleon lies, walking calmly towards the balcony door. “If Ladybug’s nearby, I can go ahead and break the akuma out.”
Chat’s eyebrows raise in surprise and suspicion, but steps down from the railing as Lila passes the threshold of the door.
“I’m done being sad… please, Chat, save me. Take me to Ladybug,” she says mournfully, and reaches out to touch Chat’s shoulder. Chat’s eyes soften. Pfft, easy. Seems as if he has a soft spot for Marinette, and for playing the hero.
“I’ve been calling her, but she hasn’t picked up yet. Might be on the wrong side of Paris, today. But I can take you around and see if we can find her. Promise not to cause anymore havoc?” Chat suggests, taking Lila’s hand.
“I promise,” Lila whispers, and leans in to kiss Chat Noir on the cheek.
He really is just too easy to deal with. She catches the sleeping boy with an arm and gazes down at him.
As a practiced akumatized victim, Lila could tell when Hawkmoth was actively watching through her eyes via the strength of their connection. He’d ceased some time ago during her rampaging, possibly having gotten bored while waiting for the superheroes to show up. Knowing Chat Noir’s identity without Hawkmoth breathing down her neck would be wonderful, although he’s sure to resume his watchful gaze soon.
Lila slips the black ring off the superhero, and watches in wonder as darkness ripples over the body and fades, leaving behind none other than Adrien Agreste. The black ring changes, too, into one of light silvery metal. How interesting.
If Lila became the new holder of the black cat miraculous… there’s too many possibilities. Her mind races. Already she’s more powerful by taking control of the akuma without her own emotions going haywire. Who knows what kind of power she’ll have once she becomes Chat Noire? Perhaps she can even sever the connection with Hawkmoth and become her own independent entity.
Chameleon slides the silver ring onto her finger.
Chapter 3: Replacement
Summary:
Marinette finally wakes up.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Why does she feel so squished?
Marinette blinks her eyes awake, but it’s still just as dark as if she were staring at her eyelids. Her body is stiff and uncomfortable, and somehow is mostly upright. Marinette reaches out, but finds her hands obstructed by a metal surface in front of her. Something hard—a coat hook—is pressing into her shoulder.
“Marinette! You’re awake!” A small voice pipes up.
“Tikki?” Marinette mumbles as she pushes against the metal, and then promptly stumbles forward as it opens and collapses in a heap.
“Marinette?” Another voice calls, and somewhere Marinette faintly registers it as Alya’s. Oh, no. “H-how were you in there? You left like, an hour ago?”
“What?” Marinette shakes her head and presses a hand to her temple, trying to will away the sleepiness. “Alya?” There’s some shuffling around and firm hands grip her arms, helping her to her feet until she can see serious brown eyes.
“The tiredness will wear off in a bit,” Alya says, sitting Marinette down onto the benches nearby. “I guess I was fooled. The akuma took your appearance, right after she took mine. That’s…. crazy. Crazy cool! But… still, wow. Ugh.”
Ah, shit, right! The akuma! Lila .
“We should get somewhere safe,” Marinette says, shaking her head, “Who knows if she’ll come back?”
“Safe? C’mon girl, do you know who you’re talking to?” Alya pulls out her phone. “I need to see if I can catch anything on camera! I might see Ladybug again!”
“Wait, Alya,” Marinette says quickly, “I don’t know if that’s a good idea. Lila’s… well, you saw her. She’s the akuma.” And not just any akuma, either. An akuma still hanging onto more mental control than she’s used to seeing. “Lila’s dangerous.”
There’s a moment as Alya shoots her a look.
“Just because she got akumatized doesn’t mean she’s bad. Everyone has bad days.” The reporter crosses her arms and sighs. “I still don’t get why you hate her so much. She likes you. I wonder what got her so upset to be akumatized again.”
Ugh .
“Alya, can you just accept I don’t like her? Sometimes people don’t mesh, okay?” Marinette tries, “Besides, you should get going soon. Ladybug’s fast; you don’t want to miss her.”
Alya raises an eyebrow, but ultimately shrugs and gives Marinette a sympathetic shoulder pat.
“Alright, girl. It’s your business. I’ll see you later!”
With that, Alya takes off. Normally Marinette might have made a bigger deal of her finding somewhere safe to hide, but at least this clears the room for her to transform.
***
Ladybug is horrified to see clips of herself as Marinette wreaking havoc across Paris all over the internet. She’d been out cold for an hour and Lila was really making a fool out of her the whole damn time. At this point it might really just be best to go along with damn girl’s wishes. It’s entirely plausible that Lila might do something to her before she makes other akumas and renders her powerless, and it probably wouldn’t be too hard for her to put two and two together. She tries not to think about how Lila may notice that Ladybug will only show up after Marinette would wake up.
She closes the yoyo and continues to swing through the streets, trying to spot wherever Chameleon might be. A thought nags at her head, that Chat Noir must have been able to do something , right? If Chameleon was out for an entire hour that’s plenty of time for him to have confronted Lila.
Ladybug shakes her head, a darker voice reminding her of all the times the stupid boy got compromised and turned against her, and she had to clean everything up all by herself. Gods, she really does have to do everything on her own.
“Ladybug!” A voice calls out, “The akuma!”
Ladybug jerks her head in that direction, and is surprised to see a purple butterfly fluttering out in the air, right on the roof of the mayor’s hotel. Immediately she leaps into action and whips her yoyo out towards it, quickly capturing it inside. A few more words, a burst of magic, and a white butterfly emerges.
It hasn’t ever been that easy before. Ladybug shifts her attention and crosses the gap between the buildings to meet the crouched figure that she assumes is Chat Noir, but something is off.
“Chat?” She says questioningly, looking down in confusion. It’s not the same Chat Noir she knows. This is no blonde boy, but a girl with hair so dark that Ladybug nearly mistakes it for black, before the sun hits its just right for it to shine a warm brown.Though she doesn’t have the bright blonde Marinette expects, she does still have a set of piercing green eyes along with the broken remnants of an akumatized and most likely cataclysm-ed object in her hand. “Who are you? Where’s the real Chat Noir?”
“Nice to meet you, Ladybug,” the girl says with a laugh, getting to her feet. Rusty ashes fall from her palm and blow away in the wind. “A ‘thank you’ would be nice, by the way.”
Ladybug narrows her eyes in suspicion, looking her over. The superhero outfit has a bit more to its silhouette than usual, with the pattern reminiscent of actual clothing rather than just the usual skintight suit she’s come used to seeing. The girl has a long, thin ponytail that nearly skims the ground and a stylish black leather jacket lined with lime green. It actually looks stylish somehow.
“ Thank you ,” she says, “but seriously. Who are you?”
“Chat Noire, Lady Noire, or just Noire, I suppose,” the girl answers, cocking her hip and smirking, “Well, I probably need to workshop a different name. A cooler one. Though I assume you’re worried about the previous Chat Noir, aren’t you?” The confident demeanor shifts again, and Noire draws her eyebrows together and looks down. “I’m not sure what happened to him, honestly. I was hiding, waiting for the superheroes to come save the day. But neither of them showed up until I found this ring around the corner. I guess Chat Noir retired. That’s what the creature said, anyway.”
Ladybug stares, adrenaline pumping through her veins. Chat Noir, retiring? And she mentioned the kwami, too, so she must have the real miraculous.
“I’m sure we’ll make a great duo, though,” the girl continues, and Ladybug looks around warily.
“Where’s Li- I mean, the victim?” she asks. Something feels off, but she can’t quite figure it out.
“She took off as soon as I destroyed her earring,” Chat Noire answers, “I guess I was lucky she was distracted when I finally showed up. I’m sure I would have been no match for her in any other situation, but I bet you would have saved the day like always!”
Ladybug lets out a sigh, biting her lip. What is even happening today? First Lila’s return, then the seating fiasco, then the bathroom, Chameleon, and now there’s an entirely new black cat user? But she can’t deny the relief filling her as she follows the white wings fluttering into the distance. A few more seconds, and she composes herself. She’ll have to think about everything later. For now…
“You did a good job,” she finally says, eyeing Chat Noire. She doesn’t know if she can trust her, yet, but she did take care of the akuma on her own while Marinette was passed out in a locker for an hour, which is more than the previous Chat Noir ever did. No offense to him; he was an alright superhero. He was fun and friendly and could help her loosen up, but definitely not the best in actually saving the day in most cases. She’s lost count of how many times Chat Noir was turned against her. “Where did you find the ring?”
“On the ground,” Noire repeats, flexing her fingers out to show the ring off, “just in the alleyway I was hiding in. Well…” She pauses, pursing her lips before shooting Ladybug a sympathetic look. “Actually, it was a bit more than that. I was hiding, and Chat Noir dropped in. He didn’t see me though, but it sounded like he was crying. He was saying things like how he felt so useless and couldn’t do anything on his own. And then he just took the ring off and left it on the ground.”
What?
“He just gave it up?” Ladybug repeats, shaking her head. “Just like that?”
“Yea,” Noire answers, nodding, “I was really confused at first, but then he turned into just a regular boy, and I realized what was happening. You still hadn’t shown up, so I knew I needed to do something. At the very least, I needed to keep the akuma at bay and keep the ring safe.”
Ladybug’s blood pulsed in her ears. On one hand, that doesn’t sound like him at all. On the other, maybe he finally realized how much he was sucking at performing his responsibilities? But this isn’t the solution. Wait a minute…
“Y-you saw who Chat Noir really was?”
“You mean you didn’t already know?” Noire turns back, sounding genuinely surprised, “I’d have thought you both would have trusted each other with that information.”
“It was a rule to keep each other safe,” Ladybug says defensively.
“Oh, I get it. In case either of you were akumatized,” Noire says, “that makes sense. Smart.” Ladybug blinks, not expecting the acceptance let alone the acknowledgement of her practicality after the countless times Chat Noir moaned and groaned over the exact same issue. “And I only saw his back. He was blonde and had a white jacket on, but that’s all I could see.”
Ladybug only knows of one person who wears a white jacket while blonde. Well, two, technically. But that can’t be right. Gabriel Agreste is too old and tall while Adrien is way too busy to ever be a hero. It must be someone else.
“I see. Well...Thanks.” Ladybug shakes her head and sighs as a headache begins to assault her. This is too much to happen in one day. “Thanks for stepping up, Noire. I’ll take the ring back, then.” She holds out a hand. She needs to get it back to Fu, so he can choose a new wielder. Noire takes a step back, frowning.
“Wait a minute,” she protests, “I did a good job, even without you. Can’t you let me try being your partner for a bit? The other guy just gave it up.”
Ughhhh .
“Noire, you have to be chosen to be a hero,” Ladybug says, rubbing the bridge of her nose.
“By who? Why can’t you choose?” Noire returns, but her tone is calm. “You’re Ladybug, aren’t you?”
Well…
“I barely know you, Noire. I’m thankful for what you did, but…” Ladybug trails off, remembering in clarity a montage of every time Chat Noir suddenly fell under the influence of an akuma. Somehow the montage lasts more than five minutes.
“Know me? You’re not supposed to know me, right? No identities. Here, why don’t we just go for a week?” Noire suggests, “A week where I’ll stay as the new Chat Noire, and you can judge my performance. If it’s unsatisfactory, then I’ll give the ring up to you. But if you do that, then you’ll know my identity, and that’s risky business, isn’t it?” Noire steps closer and puts a hand on her shoulder, breaking Ladybug out of her depressive montage.
Ladybug’s reflex is to shut this down, but she really can’t deny how enticing it would be to have a competent partner. And despite her courtesy, Noire seems like it would be difficult to get her miraculous forcibly. Ladybug isn’t particularly feeling like wrestling her right now.
“Besides, between you and me,” Noire says in a lower tone as she leans in a bit closer, “It was frustrating to see how often you had to pick up after his slack. I’m a get-it-done-yourself kind of girl, since you can’t really always trust other people to do it right, you know?”
“We’re equal partners,” Ladybug says automatically, but it doesn’t sound believable even to her ears. She wants to defend Chat Noir; he really is a good friend and does his best despite his failures. Mostly… well…
“Of course you are.” Noire steps back with a sweet smile. “So, we have a deal? I get a week with the ring, and you can let me know then if I’m qualified.” Confidence radiates from her in a way that somehow relaxes Ladybug’s anxiety.
“Alright, fine,” Ladybug agrees, “One week. It won’t be easy, alright? Being a hero is hard work.”
“Of course,” Noire says, “I never thought it would be.”
//
Marinette can’t help but feel anxiety sitting deep in her stomach as her transformation falls away.
“Tikki, what should I do?” She asks, leaning against the wall. The kwami flies up, unusually energetic after a transformation since she didn’t use her power.
“I don’t know,” Tikki answers, “This is a weird situation. I bet Master Fu would have a better idea.”
Marinette puts her face in her hands as irritation wells up. Life is already stressful as a hero, but Chat Noir had to go ahead and throw his valuable miraculous away? Where anyone could have found it?
“I never thought he would just leave the ring on the ground! How can he do something so irresponsible?! Why wouldn’t he just bring it to Master Fu in the first place?” Marinette frowns, biting her lip. “And I don’t even know if he’s okay, or if I’ll ever know he’s okay! He could have just talked to me- he didn’t have to- ugh!” She winces as the side of her hand hits the wall, scraping at her skin.
“Careful, Marinette! You need to calm down,” Tikki says quickly, “You can’t get akumatized.”
Immediately she sucks in a deep breath, squeezing her eyes shut as she forces the frustration away. She has to; she can’t let herself feel it.
“You’re right,” she says quietly, shaking her head. This sucks.
“You are too, Marinette. I’d be just as upset,” Tikki says, patting her shoulder, “We just have to be careful. And if Chat Noir really did forsake his miraculous, then we’ll have to have a new holder either way. I just hope this new one turns out to be trustworthy. Maybe she’s good, and we won’t need to do anything.”
“Me, too,” Marinette mutters, “but shouldn’t we try to get the miraculous back to the other Chat Noir?” She says this, but inside she wonders if that’s really a good idea when he wasn’t ever really doing a good job. It feels selfish but a part of her hopes that the new Chat Noire is the capable partner she’s wanted this whole time.
She just can’t get that hope too high.
Notes:
lolol
Chapter 4: Alliance
Summary:
Lila gets a chance to talk with her new flying fairy, and Marinette resigns herself to being Lila's friend.
Chapter Text
Chloe was thrilled to find Adrien passed out in her closet. Adrien was mortified and escaped as fast as he could. It was only when he ducked into a public bathroom that he gave himself time to breathe and hear what happened from Plagg.
“Plagg?” Adrien repeats, holding open his jacket. That’s strange, Plagg normally comes out immediately… unless he’s too full of cheese. What happened? “Come on out Plagg, I have some of your favorite,” he tries, patting at his pockets and spinning around to try and spot the kwami.
There still isn’t a response.
That’s when he notices.
He isn’t wearing the ring.
***
It actually looks great on her. Lila tilts her hand, letting the light glint off of the ring. When she took it from Chat Noir, it was black with a green paw print emblazoned on it. Now it’s a dark silver with a stylish orange gem in the center, somehow matching her outfit. How strange.
“This hasn’t happened in like four centuries,” a small, befuddled voice says, “wack.”
Lila glances down. The small creature she saw earlier is now lying full on its back on the table, as if about to take a nap.
“Really?” She thinks the whole experience should be way more wack to her . Tiny fairies hiding in jewelry are what make Ladybug and Cat Noir real superheroes. Who could have foreseen that?
“Girl, you literally de-akumatized yourself. That’s crazy.” The creature’s head falls to the side to make eye contact with her briefly, but its eyes close soon after, right before a large yawn.
“Uh-huh. And you’re a tiny cat fairy,” Lila says, regarding it inquisitively. Honestly, she’s still kind of weirded out. “And now you’re going to take a nap.”
“It’s ‘cause I’m sleepy!” It replies. “You used the power! It just tires me out.”
“So things like Cataclysm and Lucky Charm are a one-time use, huh?” Lila crosses a leg over the other and leans back. “What’s your name? How long until you recover?”
“Whoa, chill out,” it says, “how about you get me some cheese first, and then we’ll talk?”
“Cheese?” Lila repeats, the weirdness level rising rapidly.
“You know, cheese . People eat it with crackers. Or wine. In sandwiches.”
“Right.” Lila shakes her head and stands up. “Yea.”
She’s two steps away before she looks back suspiciously, and she places an upturned basket over the creature.
“This won’t stop a kwami,” it laughs from inside, and then sticks an arm through the braided wood. Shit. Still on guard, she removes the basket and just grabs it. It’s… warm . Like she’s holding a hamster.
“Kwami,” she says, “so that’s what you are.”
“Show me the cheese!” The kwami says, completely disregarding the comment, “I’m starving!”
“Sure.” Her parents aren’t home, so Lila just walks downstairs with the kwami in hand, but she holds it out as far as she can. With her free hand, she opens the fridge. It’s pretty barren in there, but there is a bag of mozzarella cheese sticks as well as some provolone sandwich slices next to some questionable looking leftovers.
“Damn, girl, you live like this?” The kwami says, phasing out of her hand to grab a cheese stick. “This is not real cheese, by the way.”
“Hey, it’s all I got. Take it or leave it,” Lila snaps, folding her arms, seeing as how there’s no point in trying to hold it.
“Yea, yea, sure. Call me Plagg. Anyway, Adrien would have real camembert,” it laments as it tears open the plastic, “wait, I mean, Adam-”
“I already know,” Lila cuts in with a smirk, “so Adrien was Cat Noir all along, huh? I suppose it makes sense. A boy that perfect and responsible can only play hero as the most irresponsible miraculous holder ever seen.”
“Don’t talk about my boy like that!” Plagg protests. “Speaking of which, where… where is he?”
“He’s… oh, I suppose I left him at the hotel. I’m sure he’s fine.”
“You left him in the claws of Chloe?” Plagg stares. “A fate worse than death!” Lila snorts at the thought of the blond girl and then smiles.
“Well, now he doesn’t have to risk his life fighting for Paris. He did seem so tired all the time. I can’t imagine how he managed to balance his hero duties with everything else in his life.”
“You’re going to keep it?” he says weakly, numerous thoughts running behind his eyes.
“Of course. Why wouldn’t I?” Lila cocks her head and smiles again. “Besides, if his father ever found out about it, Adrien would be grounded for the rest of his life. This is better for him, don’t you think?”
“You stole the ring,” Plagg huffs, “Now Hawkmoth knows his identity. Probably yours, too.”
“I was akumatized!” Lila returns, “Akumatized with the order to literally retrieve the miraculous; I wasn’t in my right state of mind. But recognizing Adrien was the only reason why I was able to snap out of it and break the akuma myself. I put the real Chat Noir out of commission; how else was I supposed to defend myself? Ladybug still hadn’t shown up by then, someone had to do something . And I’m not worried; I can take care of myself.”
She tactfully leaves out the fact that she knew Hawkmoth hadn’t been watching at the time. All the better if this little creature thinks Adrien’s a lost cause due to his revealed identity.
“Hmm… That sounds like it makes sense.” Plagg takes a large bite of the cheese stick before wincing at its taste. “You should probably give the ring back to Ladybug though.”
“She agreed to let me be the new Chat Noire for a week,” Lila answers, a little smug, “so there’s a chance I’ll be the next permanent holder. I did such a good job for my first time, after all.” Ladybug was interesting to see at that time. For a responsible hero that usually replies quickly to crisis, she sure took her time. Over an hour, maybe two, passed, before she finally made her way over to the akuma. And Chameleon had been pretty outright catastrophic across all the feeds, so it was pretty strange Ladybug took so long to notice, though to be fair, Chat Noir also was very late.
“Well, shit,” Plagg says through a mouthful. Lila smiles, shelving the thoughts for now. She’ll have time to ponder all that later .
“Though, Chat Noire is quite uninspired. I’ll need to come up with something unique,” she muses. “Man. This is such a lucky break for me.”
“Being a hero isn’t that easy, you know,” the kwami waves the cheese stick at her. “It takes guts, girl.”
“Guts? Adrien barely has any . If he was able to do it, then I’ll do it a thousand times better,” Lila scoffs, grabbing the end of the stick and dragging Plagg along with it, to look the kwami face-to-face. “Don’t you remember how many times Ladybug had to clean up after his incompetence?”
“Well-” Plagg begins, and there’s no follow up as he recalls the many times that Adrien Agreste did indeed, clown it over a multi-minute long montage. “You may have a point, but he was chosen to be the holder of the black cat miraculous.”
“Being chosen isn’t my style,” Lila returns easily. “ I do the choosing, and I determine what happens to me. Right now, I’m choosing to be the new… oh! Lynx Noir . That’s who I’ll be.”
“OK, never let it be said that I don’t respect women,” Plagg says in surrender. “Either way, you should still speak with Master Fu. He knows everything you’ll need to know.”
Master who ?
“I’m going to need some onboarding here,” Lila says, “Explain everything you can.”
***
Marinette is fucking exhausted. Everywhere on every screen, every website, every chat: clips of her going crazy, throwing cars, scaling buildings, and other random shit. She had to fight her way through her parents' worry just to be faced with two hundred and eighty seven notifications on her phone. Not even Alya can fight the false news and explain the truth against the sheer volume of Marinette content, she’s sure.
And now she has to go to school on top of it all. Armed with comfort cookies, baguettes, macarons, and pain au chocolat courtesy of her beloved papa, Marinette soldiers on. If there’s anything she’s learned from Chloe, it’s that bribery sometimes works.
Dodging as many people as possible, she finally spots orange.
There .
“Lila!” She calls out, figuring it’s best to get it all over with now.
“Marinette!” Lila cries, “Are you okay? Oh my god, I’m so sorry!” She practically flings herself at Marinette, arms thrown around her neck as bakery bags tumble to the ground. “I let my emotions get the best of me and hurt you, didn’t I?”
Marinette takes a step back to maintain balance, absolutely and utterly overwhelmed. Her arms automatically return the hug (girls supporting girls, as you know) as Lila practically sobs into her shoulder. Of course, every eye in the vicinity is now on them. Chatter dies down so everyone can listen in detail.
“Um, Lila… are you… uh…” Marinette trails off, blinking as she sees all the other students coming closer. Lila pulls back, keeping her hands on Marinette’s shoulders to gaze at her with intensity. Impressively or genuinely, tears brim in her eyes.
“It’s all my fault,” she says loudly, “I’m sorry. I said such thoughtless things to you and caused your akumatization! This will never happen again. Please don’t be mad at me!”
Oh .
Lila wants to pin the akumatization on her , while taking responsibility for causing it. In a way, that somehow clears Marinette’s name, but a lie is a lie and it doesn’t sit well in her stomach.
“Lila-” she begins, flickers of annoyance rising, when she stops. But , a voice says, but, you’ve never been akumatized before.
The opportunity becomes clear. One of Ladybug’s defining characteristics is not getting akumatized. She never falls prey to the akuma. Assuming the idea of being Chameleon grants Marinette more cover from being identified as Ladybug’s civilian self.
Ladybug is the strategist, after all.
In the thick of the crowd behind Lila, Alya looks in on the commotion with concern and confusion. Marinette nods once after a few seconds delay.
“Um. I’m not mad,” she says quickly, very aware of all the spectators boring their gazes into her. “It’s fine. It happens! Practically everyone else has already been akumatized, it was about my turn anyway.”
“Oh, no, and I made you drop all of this, I’m so, so sorry.” Lila quickly darts around, pulling together the fallen bags and pressing them into her hand. “Marinette, you’re my best friend. Will you forgive me? Please?”
Clever, clever Lila. Her acting is so powerful Marinette nearly forgot that her original intent was to be “best friends” in the service of Lila’s popularity. Finding no other graceful way out of this, Marinette exhales.
“Of course I forgive you, Lila,” she says with a bright smile reminiscent of her Ladybug persona, and she initiates a hug of her own. Fine, fine, fine. Who cares if she pretends to be Lila’s best friend?
“Good choice,” Lila whispers softly in the embrace, and the hairs on Marinette’s neck go up in fear.
“Not much of a choice,” she says back, “but I guess this is fine.”
“I can manage with that, Marinette. I’ve always admired you, you know. All this time, I just wanted you on my side. You’re a good ally to have.” Lila pulls back again, wearing a watery smile of happiness. Everytime, Marinette can hardly tell if or when the snake is acting. She makes her own expression match, as if she’s glad to have “made up” with her “best friend”. Marinette’s teeth clench behind her lips. “Thank you so much. I’m glad we’re friends.” Her voice rings out, loud and clear.
“I brought these to make up for everything I did while akumatized,” Marinette says, lifting the bags. “And to make up with you, Lila.”
Bribery, peace offering, same thing, she guesses. Lila’s smile widens.
“That’s so sweet!” She exclaims. “You’re amazing ! I’ll help carry them to class.”
Mind still reeling, Marinette trails after Lila towards the classroom, but she’s pulled to step back a bit farther behind.
“Girl, wait, I’m so confused,” Alya whispers. “So you were the akuma, not Lila? I could have sworn…”
Marinette blurts out the next thing she can think of: “She was self-conscious about being akumatized twice so I took the blame for this one.”
Akumatized twice, and yet the second time around, must have seen the new black cat user. How does Marinette find out more about that ? She isn’t sure Lila will know much, however. Practically every akumatized victim hardly remembers anything they did while under the influence of the black butterfly.
“Woah, really? That’s a small scoop right there.”
Lying to Alya sucks, and she feels the lie sit inside her like a rock. Next to the larger Ladybug-sized rock, that is.
“Keep it between us,” Marinette says quietly.
“My lips are sealed, girl, I promise. And here I thought you just ‘didn’t mesh well’? But now you’re covering for her, huh?”
“I’m just being nice,” Marinette says with a shake of her head.
“Sure you are,” Alya agrees, “but don’t forget I’m your best friend, too!”
Marinette just lets the matter drop. No matter how she feels about it, she’s supposed to be Lila’s new bestie, so just letting Alya believe whatever is the easiest path to take.
In the classroom, Lila helps Marinette set out all the baked goods for the entire classroom to share. Everyone eats up the story as much as they eat up the treats, and despite the discomfort that lingers in Marinette’s mind, there’s something enjoyable about her classmates smiling and thanking her and empathizing with her supposed akumatization. Minutes later, Lila links arms with her and pulls her up to their assigned seats as everyone clamors around the free food.
“Not so bad, isn’t it?” Lila leans her head over as she asks the question under her breath. “Don’t you think you deserve that kind of attention?”
“It could be worse,” Marinette says carefully, reminding herself how it’s all built on a tower of cards. “And you don’t have to keep flattering me, Lila. I’ll be your friend if you just keep everything within reason, alright? No more lies about me, okay? Don’t make promises to anyone you can’t keep.”
“Who said I was flattering you?” A warm hand settles intimately on Marinette’s wrist and she blinks, heat rushing to her cheeks. “I want you to be my friend for good reason.”
“You picked me because I was the only one who’d call out your bullshit,” Marinette returns, pulling her hand away after three seconds too long. “But you really got akumatized just because I didn’t love the idea of being your friend?”
“Yes,” she says with a smile, and Marinette doesn’t know how to take that. “I don’t really remember what happened during it; I hope it wasn’t too bad. And of course I’d rather have you with me than against me. You are popular, even if you don’t think so. Class rep, everyone’s favorite snack source, skilled gamer, talented fashion designer and practically everyone’s friend… well, that’s perfect for my needs.” Lila simply scoots closer, her shoulder coming against Marinette’s. “And maybe I’ve had my eye on you for other reasons, and that’s why it hurt my heart so bad to not have your favor.”
There’s absolutely no way in any hell that Lila genuinely feels anything like that towards Marinette.
“You like Adrien. Isn’t that why you were going after him?” Marinette shoots Lila a stern look, feeling more and more frazzled.
“I went after him for his popularity, but he’s not good enough,” Lila simply answers. “I got to know him well enough to realize he’s spineless and boring. And with his modeling, he doesn’t have enough time to work for my needs.”
“How could you say that?” Marinette says quickly, frowning. “He’s literally Adrien Agreste! He’s kind, smart, talented, and handsome! He’s perfect!”
“Is he really?” Lila says flatly. “He keeps looking at you, and not in a good way.”
“What?” Marinette looks down to where Adrien sits to see that true to Lila’s word, he’s looking up at her and her heart practically stops. But his mouth is in a small frown and his eyebrows drawn together, as if scrutinizing her.
Almost as if glaring at her. Why?
But upon locking eyes, he quickly turns away.
“What’s his problem?” Lila rolls her eyes. “That was weird. Well, if you still think you have a chance with whatever that was, I guess have fun chasing after white bread.”
“Don’t talk about him like that,” Marinette says in a small voice, and it comes out a little choked. She doesn’t know why. All she can see in her mind is Adrien’s disapproving face. What did she do ?
Lila’s silent for a moment as students begin their return to their seats.
“Okay,” she finally says, in a strangely gentle tone that makes no sense coming from her. “Sorry.”
Marinette looks at her, not expecting that response. A second later, and the teacher begins the lesson.
It’s hard to focus, because she can see every time Adrien glances back up at her, that strange, unreadable expression still on his face, and it happens at least eight times during the lesson. Usually it’d make her heart beat with butterflies, but there’s something else in his gaze that makes her blood run cold.
Notes:
see you all in 2026 next (jk... unless?)
Chapter 5: What about me?
Summary:
Marinette ponders Adrien's behavior, and Lila offers some potential ideas on how to proceed.
Notes:
for lilanette week day 7 you guys can get a bonus chapter in the same year 😂
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Marinette isn’t imagining it, because even Alya takes notice of Adrien’s newfound frostiness towards her. But he doesn’t take any steps to talk to her or explain anything at all, only pointedly avoids her.
Frustration and anxiety roil inside her like a stormy ocean as she follows Lila’s lead throughout the day, wearing something akin to her Ladybug persona to keep up cheerful appearances. She doesn’t even pull away the next time Lila takes her hand or brushes her shoulder, feeling so twisted inside over the lies, the whole Chat Noir and Noire thing, and Adrien’s strange new hatred, that she just goes along with it all.
It’s the path of least resistance, in a world that seems to be turning upside down all around her for no reason at all. She hopes it’s mild enough to avoid catching Hawkmoth’s attention.
“Hey girls,” Alya says after the final bell rings, “hang out at my place?”
“That sounds fun,” Lila says with a smile, “but I think Marinette is feeling a little down after the akumatization and… well…”
“Adrien, yea,” Alya sighs with sympathy. “I don’t know what’s up with him.”
“I have to help my parents out at the bakery,” Marinette says quickly. “Can’t hang out. Sorry. Maybe tomorrow.” She wants nothing more than to get in bed and then be unconscious for the next twenty years.
“I’ll walk her home,” Lila offers, “I see Nino’s waiting for you, Alya.”
“Oh, shoot, I forgot we had a date! Sorry y’all, and thanks, Lila. Cheer up, Marinette, I’m sure you’ll get to the bottom of this and make everything right.” Alya wraps her arms around Marinette in a quick hug, but it doesn’t feel like much in the wake of Alya’s disbelief in Marinette’s words over the last few days.
“See you tomorrow!” Lila calls out brightly. Marinette keeps her eyes to the ground. “Lift your damn chin, girl. If Adrien’s going to treat you like that, then you should act as if it doesn’t bother you.”
“But it does bother me,” Marinette says mulishly, feeling so pathetic. Without even a goodbye, Chat Noir surrendered his miraculous like it was nothing and is now gone forever. And Adrien, too, wordlessly seems intent to never speak with her again. Unrequited feelings aside, she really did view them both as trusted friends, more than most of her classmates.
Hell, the next time she has the opportunity, she needs to talk to Fu. If Chat Noir is retired for good, Fu at least should know his civilian identity and can maybe clear everything up.
“Christ,” Lila swears, grabbing her hand to pull her along. “You should never waste emotions on stupid boys who won’t give you the time of day.”
“He’s not stupid…”
“Just come on.” With vigor, strength, and a potent eye roll, Lila pulls her down the street. They’re halfway to the bakery by the time Marinette remembers Lila’s holding her hand, and it feels… warm .
No one else is around them now. Their classmates are far away. What does Lila have to gain from this ? Besides pretending friends for appearances, what does she stand to gain?
She might know you’re Ladybug .
How would she even know that?
Marinette should pull her hand away, but she can’t find it in herself to actually do it. She agreed to be Lila’s friend, didn't she?
“Here you are,” Lila says, her hand falling away. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Adrien hates her, Alya’s with her boyfriend. Marinette should speak with Tikki but at the moment she doesn’t want to be alone otherwise.
“You can come in if you want, since I guess we’re friends now,” Marinette sighs, pushing the door open. Lila binks in surprise but follows after.
“While you help in the bakery?” Lila asks pointedly.
Marinette doesn’t reply. They both know it was an excuse to dodge hanging out with Alya. As expected, Tom and Sabine are all over her with overbearing concern, and then perfectly charmed by a smiling Lila. Sabine somehow convinces Lila to hang out for a bit and promises to bring snacks up to Marinette’s room with perfect hospitality, so the two girls find themselves together there.
“Very cute decor,” Lila observes as Marinette lies on the floor face down. “I swear to god, Marinette. Don’t cry .”
“I’m not,” she mutters, “wouldn’t want to attract another akuma.” Marinette is activating the emotional repression technique, an ancient technique used by girls worldwide.
“Come on, girl. Your pores are going to get full of floor gunk. I need you to look your best.”
For some reason that works and Marinette drags herself up to a sitting position. Transactional or not, the “friendship” with Lila seems to be keeping her steady in the wake of her closest friends seemingly ditching her.
“I can’t believe you actually got akumatized because of me,” she mutters as Lila walks about the room, picking up random things to look at.
“I’m on my period,” Lila returns without missing a beat, “my emotions are volatile, so it was hard when the girl I admired so much seemed to dislike me.” Marinette’s eyes follow Lila’s steps. She flips through a loose sketchbook on the table, which, in normal circumstances, would prompt Marinette to leap over and tear it away. But these are not normal circumstances, and she feels strangely defeated and resigned to just letting Lila do whatever.
Her thoughts are still occupied with trying to figure out why Adrien hates her all of a sudden.
“How can I believe anything you say?” Marinette shakes her head though the explanation seems sound. “I can never tell when you’re acting.”
“You think I’d fake a period?”
“Uh, yea.”
“Fair. Well, let me put it this way. I like attention. I want to be the girl everyone loves. This much has to be obvious.”
“Yea, very obvious.”
“You are a girl with many talents and beloved by many, right?”
“Ehh…” Marinette is unconvinced. Lila rolls her eyes.
“You are, Marinette. I can list off all your titles and accomplishments, but I’ve already done that before. So, like I’ve said, you are perfect for what I need. Two beautiful and confident girls like us, we’ll be the star of the show everywhere we go.” Lila holds up the open sketchbook, on a page of two dress designs side by side. “Let me spin my stories and have a little fun.”
“Um.” Marinette is still uncertain, and can hardly take the praise as genuine. “Chloe isn’t going to like that.”
“You still care what she thinks? Please . She’s nothing. If you’re with me, I’ll always have your back, as long as you have mine.” Lila extends a hand down confidently, determination radiating off of her. “I’ll keep my stories within reason, and you won’t have to worry about anyone getting hurt. Unless of course, it’s Chloe. You know how it is.”
Strangely, it’s reminiscent of that new black cat holder she met with just the other day, the one who claimed to have freed Lila from akumatization. Despite it all, Lila is no longer pursuing Adrien, and Marinette won’t say no to some capable female friends. She looks up at the hand, Lila’s fingers and wrists adorned tastefully in rings and bracelets, and up at her face, to see a cool smile.
Adrien would never agree to telling Chloe off, even when Chloe so blatantly hurt Marinette and so many others, so to hear Lila so easily diss the girl is refreshing. Maybe she really will have a good ally with Lila. She reaches out and takes the hand. Lila’s grin deepens, and she pulls Marinette up to standing. Maybe this is for the best.
***
Just above Marinette’s room, on the rooftop balcony, Tikki and Plagg stare at each other.
“ Lila got the miraculous?” Tikki exclaims. “ How ?”
“What a pickle,” Plagg says with a shrug. “Gosh. Let me try to remember. It’s a little blurry. That crazy girl was the akuma, of course. Except we thought it was Marinette? She fooled Adrien real good, that naive guy. She gave him a peck on the cheek and he dropped out cold! It hit me too, I was blacked out for some time. Good nap, though.”
“Plagg!”
“Right, so when I woke up, I was really confused, because then she was Chat Noir? Adrien was nowhere to be seen. Uh, let’s see. Then the new Chat Noir put the ring on. He was acting confused and said his memories were fuzzy after getting hit by the akuma, so I reminded him how to transform and stuff since he seemed to have forgotten, even though he was already transformed? Yea, weird, right?”
Good gods , Tikki thinks. What the hell . Plagg, you idiot .
“The craziest thing is that then he just used the Cataclysm on a different ring he was wearing and I realized it was her the whole time! She de-akumatized herself! That’s practically unheard of!”
Tikki’s jaw drops.
“Lila de-akumatized herself?” She repeats.
“I don’t know, she said that after recognizing Adrien or something, she came to her senses. But yea. She used me, freed herself, and then kept tabs on the akuma while waiting for Ladybug to show up and purify it. I can’t really explain it.”
Tikki and Plagg phase through the roof to look into Marinette’s room. Strangely, Lila seems to be giving Marinette a pep talk that seems to be working . She seems to be being good , and even performed Chat Noir’s job when she was literally the akuma.
“That’s not what Lila said at all,” Tikki says pensively. “She told Ladybug that Adrien gave up the miraculous voluntarily.”
“She did?”
“Plagg, you were there .”
“Right. Well, she does have a penchant for telling her little lies.”
Tikki lifts her arm to her chin as she thinks.
“The only benefits to saying Adrien gave up his miraculous voluntarily, is that Ladybug will be less likely to try and return the miraculous to him,” she says. “I’m guessing she wanted to reduce the chance of Ladybug trying to take the ring back.” Does she have any other motive to keeping the ring?
“Plus, maybe she was trying to spare Chat Noir the embarrassment of being defeated so easily? I’m sure Adrien wouldn’t want Ladybug to ever know how the akuma managed to get him so quickly. It was kind of uh… well, it was embarrassing, to be honest.”
“Maybe. Either way, we should get you back to Adrien,” Tikki says after they pop back on the roof. “Lila’s not supposed to be the holder. She wasn’t chosen; Adrien was .”
“Well, yea, but your holder agreed to let Lila go for a test run, and both Hawkmoth and Lila know his identity now! That’s no good.”
“Shit,” Tikki swears, “you’re right.”
“I’m just hoping Master Fu will have answers,” Plagg says with a shrug. “If I can convince her to actually go there. She seemed interested. Plus Hawkmoth must know it’s her.”
“Something doesn’t feel right about her,” Tikki says, frowning, “we can’t let her just steal a miraculous and use it. I mean, you’ve seen it. She’s been super weird with Marinette.”
“Well, she was akumatized at first,” Plagg reasons. “Maybe after she got ahold of herself, she felt she needed to take responsibility, especially after revealing Adrien to Hawkmoth. As for sucking up to Marinette, well, who really knows what’s going on in a teenage girl’s mind? Maybe she’s in love , ew. Not two lovesick buffoons, gods help me.”
“Hmm,” Tikki says, but she’s still worried. At the same time, when Adrien is leaving her behind and Alya dedicating most of her time to her newfound relationship with Nino, Lila is providing support that Marinette desperately needs. “Wait. You said you and Adrien thought the akuma was Marinette. Oh no .”
“Ack!” Plagg squeaks. “He must think she stole the ring.”
Tikki slaps her forehead. That’s why Adrien was giving Marinette the cold shoulder. How has Hawkmoth not sniffed out his desperation yet?
“And we can’t let him know that it’s Lila, because then he’d know the identity of the new hero, and that’s no good because he’s so prone to akumatization, and, oh gods . Plagg, this is a disaster!”
“You’re telling me, sister!”
***
“You know how you can show Adrien that you’re thriving without him?” Lila says, carefully applying a coat of nail polish to Marinette’s ring finger. Marinette can hardly understand how this scenario came to be, after the whole Volpina thing, but somehow Lila is raising her mood, what with the commitment to an anti-Chloe concord and to having Marinette’s back.
“Yea?” Marinette says with a raised eyebrow. She’s not sure she wants to do anything before just talking to the boy first and figuring out what's up.
“Here’s my idea: you should move on . Everyone in the entire world knows about your crush, him included, I’m sure. So, find yourself someone else, steal their heart, and show it off the world. Post about it on your social media, walk hand-in-hand at school, look like you’re having the time of your life. That’s what I’d do, at least.” Lila starts on some simple nail art, dotting on some small white spots to the pink base color.
“I’m sure not everyone knows,” Marinette says, bright red, and Lila sends her an unamused look. “OK, fine. But… I don’t know if I want to move on.”
“We’ll see if his behavior improves,” Lila offers, “you can just think about it. But now that we’re going to be friends, I don’t let creeps get away with disrespecting my people. If he keeps this up then I might have to even the playing field.”
Marinette never expected such a strong pledge of support from Lila of all people, but following the logical benefits that she is seeking from their friendship, she guesses it only makes sense that Lila would want to make their alliance strong enough to last. And even if her heart still throbs at the thought of Adrien, having Lila come to her defense feels… nice .
“That’s pretty harsh,” Marinette comments, “but I guess I appreciate it. I’ll try to resolve this first, though. I don’t know what’s got him so upset. I must have done something really bad.”
As Lila’s fingers continue to work on Marinette’s hand, light glints off one particularly large ring amongst the several she wears. Smooth dark silver with a single large orange gem, it looks very beautiful and matches with Lila’s general color palette.
“A girl as goody-two-shoes as you, I can’t imagine you doing anything that bad,” Lila says with a shrug. She briefly looks away.
“Haha. Anyway, it’s not like I can just pick someone new. I’d never want to date them under false pretenses. I don’t like playing with people’s feelings.” And after the Kim fiasco, too, Marinette isn’t sure she wants to entertain the possibilities of something similar happening again.
Her eyes drift up from the warm hands on hers. The cuff of a stylish jacket, the bow of a cute romper, the chains of fashionable necklaces and the face of probably the most fearless girl she’s ever known, despite her penchant for lies. Framed by those two iconic locks on either side, Lila’s green eyes are focused on the task at hand.
They’re pretty when she’s not spinning her web of lies, Marinette thinks. She blinks in surprise when those very eyes flick up to match her gaze.
“What about me?” Lila asks, and Marinette stares.
“What?”
“Well, I perhaps forcefully threatened you into my friendship,” Lila muses, “since I always get what I want. But, if you want, we can pretend to date so you can show you’ve moved on from Adrien. It’d only be fair. Though… I’d date you for real regardless.”
“No way,” Marinette says quickly with a laugh, “that’s crazy!” But Lila’s expression is serious, with maybe a hint of red, and her breath catches in her throat. She’s not ready to move on, and she might never move on. And that over-the-top flirting, it can hardly be genuine. Lila said that kind of stuff to Adrien and plenty others, she’s sure.
“It’s just an option,” Lila says in a flatter tone, dropping her gaze to continue her work. “I’m sure it would benefit our mutual popularity quite a lot. In my experience, couples always get more attention than individuals. And you’d do quite well, since you’re so cute.” Right, Marinette remembers. It’s just a strategy for Lila’s goals, not an extension of feelings, not that Marinette could ever trust everything Lila actually says. She’s sure all the compliments are just to fortify the alliance and nothing else.
“Marinette!” Her mom’s voice calls from below. “A classmate’s here to see you!”
“I wasn’t expecting anyone,” Marinette says after a pause, and glad for the distraction from the topic at hand. Discussing strategies to manipulate her social standing as if it's a battlefield is very weird for her, though it seems to be Lila’s default activity. “I’ll be down in a minute, Mom!”
“Well, I’ve finished your nails. Give them time to dry and it’ll be all good. I’ll head out for now so I don’t impose on whoever’s visiting.” Lila stands and puts away the supplies. “But seriously, think about it. We’d make quite the impression, I bet, and Chloe would be so hilariously mad.”
Marinette lets out a large breath as she gets up as well, shaking her head in amusement at the thought of the Bourgeois. But jeez, never has a normal girl with a normal life had so much crazy stuff to think about before. She needs a conspiracy board just to map it all out at this point.
“I don’t think it’s going to happen,” she says, “but I’ll think about it.”
“That’s all I’m asking for.” Lila pulls up the trapdoor and gestures for Marinette to go first, reminding her to watch out for the wet nails. Down the stairs, and some more stairs.
“Sorry for the wait,” Marinette’s saying as she steps through the door, “I was just-”
Her voice cuts short as Lila almost stumbles into her back, her feet freezing on the spot. Because before her is none other than Adrien Agreste, a tight expression on his face.
“Speak of the devil,” Lila says contemptuously, a hand supportively on Marinette’s elbow. Somehow that breaks Marinette out of her stupor.
“Marinette,” Adrien says quietly, “we need to talk.”
Notes:
warning. adrien salt incoming in future chapters. i made him a big toxic baby. and i dont want to rewrite it :)
Chapter 6: Lynx Noir
Summary:
Adrien sends a message... and deals with the consequences.
Notes:
behold, lynx noir upon ye! (again!)
soo... this is the "adrien is unreasonable" edition meaning he is acting like a dummy! and probably overreacting! but i also don't like him so... mashallah this is what must be done
Chapter Text
“Do you want to talk to him?” Lila asks quietly. Marinette feels her blood racing in every vein at the sight of her beloved crush standing right here, but that same blood runs cold when she sees his expression.
“I should,” she says back, finding her voice. “H-hi, Adrien. Sure, let’s uh, um, talk.” His eyes look past her to Lila before narrowing.
“Alone,” he says, and turns to leave.
“You should go home,” Marinette says to Lila, “I’ll talk with him and get to the bottom of it.”
“Alright,” Lila says. With that, she steps past Adrien, practically shoulder-checking him as she shoves her way to the door. Marinette blinks, not expecting the outward hostility, let alone Adrien’s scandalized face at the blatant disrespect.
“Don’t make her cry, Agreste,” Lila says with a sneer, tossing her hair. “See you later, Rinette! Call me after.”
Don’t make her cry? Rinette?
“Great,” Adrien says as the door swings shut, “and now you’re talking shit about me? I can’t believe you, Marinette.”
“What? What are you talking about?” Marinette’s mind swirls with thoughts, trying to figure out what he’s saying.
“Whatever. Follow me.” Adrien steps out, turning in the opposite direction of Lila and Marinette hurries to follow numbly, not even finding enough time to throw on a jacket in the crisp autumn air. Just in a nearby secluded alleyway, Adrien turns back to face her.
Marinette is scared. She’s never seen Adrien look like this, so despondent. She’s half expecting a dozen purple butterflies to descend upon him any second now. Hell, to descend upon both of them at this point. She bites her lip in fear.
“I really thought we were becoming friends,” Adrien says with a frown. “But I should have known better. Everyone always wants something .” His gaze drops to his hand, where he flexes his bare fingers.
“I don’t understand,” Marinette says, her throat tight.
“Don’t play dumb,” Adrien retorts, “you know what you did. I’m a gentleman, so I’ll keep it a secret and let you do whatever you want, but I’ll never be able to trust you again. You took everything from me.” Near the end, his voice sounds broken, and she can’t understand what he’s saying, and it hurts in her chest.
The lump makes it too hard to say anything .
“We’re done, Marinette,” he says, looking to the side, “we’ll never be friends again. Have fun, I guess. This is the last time we’ll talk. After this, it’s over.”
Marinette’s eyes widen as she gasps. The alleyway seems to sway in her vision as her heart pounds in her ears. Her mouth opens as she tries to answer, to say something, anything , but she feels her world just shutting down entirely, a dread so powerful she feels paralyzed.
“Nothing to say?” He says coldly, raising an eyebrow. “Figures.”
His face shifts all of a sudden, but she can’t focus on it, only on how her knees seem to give out and her breathing seems to stop working. Maybe she’ll die, actually. She’ll never be able to breathe again and she’ll just die out here, right?
Distantly she hears shouting, and then something slams into her side. Whatever breath was left in her lungs is knocked out forcefully, and she sits up, vision spinning. Adrien’s leaned against the wall behind him, eyes wide in shock and fear. Just where Marinette was previously, Lila’s down on a knee, a hand raised above her. Around her wrist is a black bracelet, sparking with purple electricity, a butterfly shape hovering in front of her face.
Instantly it all becomes clear: Lila took an akuma directed towards Marinette .
“Lila!” She screams, but it comes out weak and barely audible. Marinette’s Ladybug, she has to get up, she needs to get up, right now-
“Get a better hobby,” Lila hisses aloud. The girl pulls herself to standing in front of a trembling Adrien, and she lifts her gaze. Where Marinette expects to see anger, she sees a terrifying calm. There’s a few heartstopping seconds, and then the butterfly pulls free from the bracelet. All of Marinette’s agony is shoved behind an awe that overtakes her. How in the fuck?
Adrien’s shuffling away, still pressed against the wall with eyes full of fear. The akuma rises higher, leaving Lila behind, but its trajectory shifts. To Marinette or Adrien, it seems like it could go either way with the confrontation that’s occurred.
Lila shakes the near-akumatization off and rushes to Marinette. With surprising strength she hauls her up to standing.
“Breathe, Marinette. Let’s get out of here.” She says, holding her up. Unsteadily and silently, Marinette nods, eyes trained on the akuma, trying to calm her emotions and reminding herself of the threat of Hawkmoth. That’s more important than whatever beef Adrien has with her. As Lila pulls her to the main road to dodge the akuma, she sees Adrien again, his expression incredulous as the butterfly circles above them.
“You’re a pathetic piece of shit, Adrien,” Lila spits as they pass, shocking Marinette with her venom, “I told you not to make her cry. Get out of here before you get akumatized and make a bigger mess than you already have.” Together they turn the corner and leave the boy behind.
With the threat of an akuma, a Ladybug-like calm falls upon her, calling her strength back to her.
“I thought you left,” Marinette finally says as Lila opens the door to the bakery.
“And leave you to deal with him with no backup? Absolutely not,” Lila says, shaking her head.
The sentiment somehow touches her heart, and it doesn’t make any sense.
“Thanks,” Marinette says quietly, “really.” Lila sends her an unreadable look.
“No problem. Like I said, I forced you to be my friend, and I take care of my friends. I need strong allies.” Lila shifts her weight, exhaling through her nose. “I’ll get going; my parents must be worried. Stay inside.”
“Alright,” Marinette agrees. As much as she wants to offer Lila to take shelter in the bakery, she needs to clear the space to transform and take care of the akuma, especially if it takes root in Adrien. “Be safe.”
“I will, as long as you let me fix your nails after this.”
***
Adrien is afraid .
An akuma didn’t used to be so scary, but back then he had a silver ring and a kwami at his side.
Here, he’s alone . All alone, all over again, and all he can do is run and try not to think of the crestfallen expression on Marinette’s face as he laid down his intentions. Warming up to him both as Adrien and as Chat Noir, he’d trusted her .
All for her to get akumatized, knock him out, and take the ring. At least, that’s the only thing that could have happened. Marinette was the last thing he saw before he fell, and the ring was gone next time he awoke. And if she stole it, she must have seen him as Adrien. Without a single word, she left him there, powerless and vulnerable.
He’ll never forgive her. The only outlet he ever had from his demanding job and strict father, torn away from him so cruelly and unceremoniously. He’ll never be free, never fly through the night sky and find solace in Ladybug’s banter.
Ever, ever, again.
He doesn’t get far. He’s only just ran out of the alleyway and down a block before the pain fills his body. Twisting and writhing inside of him, his despair multiplies in magnitude.
The taste of cruel, cruel betrayal, Hawkmoth purrs in his head, how agonizing .
It doesn’t matter if he resists, does it? He’s not Chat Noir anymore. If he can’t be the hero, then maybe it’s better to be a villain. See how well the new black cat holder Marinette fares against the real Chat Noir.
Hawkmoth is hardly finished speaking to him before he’s launched across the street and slammed into the wall. It doesn’t hurt that much, but he wasn’t expecting it, and he glowers as he rises, rubble falling from his shoulders. Before him stands- Marinette? Or is it really? Tall, confident, and staring at him with intensity stands the new holder, and he’s confused because it looks nothing like Marinette. In fact, Ladybug would be a closer comparison to Marinette than whoever this is. With striking green eyes and a ponytail that skims the ground, she looks like no one he knows.
“I really hate self-pitying boys,” she says, staff thrown over her shoulder, “get it together.”
It doesn’t sound like her, either, but it still could be her, couldn’t it? It could just be magic changing her appearance.
“You,” he breathes, and his anger redoubles, “ you- ”
He’s interrupted as she thrusts the staff out to hit him square in the chest.
“ I’m Lynx Noir,” she says, unafraid, “and you’re just a selfish child. I’ll make this quick , because I don’t make Ladybug clean up after my messes.”
I’ll give you the power of-
Hawkmoth doesn’t get to finish the sentiment. His vision shifts as Lynx Noir tears the watch off his wrist and crushes it easily in a single hand, not even deigning to use cataclysm .
In just ten seconds, Lynx Noir dealt with the situation, and Adrien is left uselessly on the ground, bewildered and overwhelmed.
“Noire!” Ladybug’s voice calls, and Adrien glances up to see the spotted heroine jumping down from a nearby building. “How did you get here so fast? Wait, you already got the akuma?”
“Lynx,” the new holder says, turning away from Adrien as if he doesn’t exist, “New name. I’m Lynx Noir, now. I was in the area and heard shouting about an akuma. Turns out there was one preying after this kid. And what about you, you got here pretty quick as well?”
“Uh! I was just shopping in the area!”
Adrien watches, dazed, as Ladybug easily scoops the akuma up in her yoyo to begin the purification process. She speaks easily with this ‘Lynx,’ somewhat familiar already. Not once does she ask the new holder who she is or where Chat Noir is. It’s like he never existed in the first place. She’s already gotten over him .
“Ladybug,” he says pathetically, tears welling in his eyes, “don’t you recognize me?”
Lynx’s lip quirks up in a mocking smirk behind Ladybug who looks at him in concern. She approaches to help him up, but holds him at a distance as Lynx cocks her head, greatly amused at his despair.
Because she knows it used to be him, doesn’t she?
“Of course I do. You’re on practically every advertisement across Paris. Adrien Agreste, the model,” she says, a strange tone in her voice.
“Right,” he whispers, his heart aching. “Where’s… where’s Chat Noir? Who is this?”
“I don’t know,” Ladybug sighs, her eyebrows drawing together. “He… resigned. I’d rather not talk about it.”
Resigned?
“He abandoned his post,” Lynx pipes up, locking eyes with him. “But Paris still needs help, so I stepped up in his absence.” Adrien glares at her, ready to tear the mask off the imposter, and Ladybug follows his gaze, looking between them.
“You handled it really fast, Lynx,” she says, impressed, “it’s almost never been that quick before.” Adrien can hardly believe it, horrified to hear Ladybug’s praise of his replacement.
“I like to be efficient,” Lynx returns with a smile, “I’d never want to so incompetent as to hold my lady back.”
That’s it. Adrien screams and runs at her, pushing past a shocked Ladybug as he tackles Lynx to the ground, tears brimming hot in his eyes.
“Adrien!” Ladybug yells, but he doesn’t care, wrestling with Lynx with tooth and nail, scrabbling for the ring. But Lynx is only smiling underneath him, dodging his hands with ease.
“Poor, poor, Adrien,” she taunts, quiet enough so no one else can hear. “Make any more of a scene, and the world will know that you’re Chat Noir.”
He pauses, staring down incredulously at her.
“Your father will never let you leave the house ever again . And you’ll never be able to play hero for the rest of your life.”
No. No. That can’t- that can’t happen.
Lynx lets out a pained shout just before Ladybug makes it over, pulling an awestruck Adrien off of her.
“Adrien!” Lynx exclaims, grabbing at her shoulder with a wince. “What’s wrong with you?”
“I know you just got akumatized, Adrien, but that’s no excuse , why are you lashing out?”
Adrien just stares, not replying as he watches Ladybug’s stern expression before she tends to Lynx Noir, helping the imposter sit up. Their conversation fades out as he realizes it’s well and truly over for him. If his identity ever gets out, he’ll lose all chances at ever becoming Chat Noir again, and his father will no doubt double down on his monitoring. He’ll be pulled from school. He’ll never see Nino again.
He’ll go back to that lonely, lonely hell.
Not to mention Ladybug was the one who always insisted they never share their identities. She was never going to give him that chance, anyway.
And if she can’t even recognize her kitty cat, when he’s right here in front of her, sobbing in front of her, then maybe she never deserved to. Numbly, he turns around to walk away.
“Wait, Adrien, I know you’re upset, but I can take you home, I can-”
“No,” he says coldly, halting Ladybug in her tracks. “I’ll manage it myself.”
“But-” she says, and it almost breaks his resolve to leave her behind, just as easily as she did him. “But he might send out another akuma. You need… you need to think positively…”
Adrien barks a laugh. Of course, she only cares in case he becomes another villain. She doesn’t care about him. She never truly cared about Chat Noir, did she?
“Whatever,” he says, empty inside. “ Whatever .”
No matter who Lynx Noir might be, Marinette’s the one that took the ring from him and left him vulnerable without a word, akumatized or not.
He’ll never forgive her, nor will he ever forgive Ladybug for allowing him to be so easily replaced.
Chapter 7: Puzzling
Summary:
Everyone ponders and processes the events.
Chapter Text
Lila: did u stay safe? u good? ur nails didn’t get messed up?
The pixels stare at her as she climbs the steps back up to her room. Was Marinette good? It’s really hard to say, but it’s likely a huge no . There’s a torrent of emotions that want desperately to be processed, but she’s holding them at bay for the moment, fearful of another akuma making its way to her. The things that remain clear in her mind is the fact that Adrien hates her for some reason, and it was devastating. Yet, of all the people to come to her side in that soul-crushing moment where she was quite literally on the verge of a full-blown panic attack, was Lila , not just to support her, but to literally bodyblock an akuma. She pulled a “get down Mr. President” and promptly flexed her mental power like nothing , shoving Hawkmoth out of her mind with ease.
Just who is this girl? A girl relying so heavily upon lies for the sake of popularity, who was akumatized with Ladybug’s exposing of her in front of Adrien, and then again when Marinette was uncomfortable with her trying to buddy up, confessed her true motives of a mutually beneficial friendship (while simultaneously joking about it being a romantic relationship instead), and genuinely went to bat for her while Marinette was dealing with Adrien.
Uncertain as she is about Lila’s true intentions, it seems Lila is a worthwhile ally who will be supporting her somewhat. Taking on an akuma seems to be far more than anyone would go, if they had been lying about wanting to be friends.
She wonders… who else knows the true Lila? Is there anyone else she “befriends” and then explains her intentions beyond surface-level flattery?
For some reason, she doubts it.
***
“You didn’t have to be so mean,” Plagg says with a frown. Lila glances up at the black creature as she shuts the door behind her. Back home, to her forever-empty dwelling. “Threatening him like that? That was uncalled for.”
“He went too far, accusing Marinette and saying those awful things. I was upset on her behalf. Still on my period, also,” Lila returns with a shake of her head. “ And he was practically on the verge of revealing his identity. Isn’t that bad, even if he’s no longer Chat Noir?”
“You know this misunderstanding is because you looked like Marinette when you took the ring,” Plagg reminds her.
“I was akumatized , and his identity was revealed to Hawkmoth,” Lila says in a hard tone, but she’s laughing inside. Of course, she’d taken the ring for herself , and not for Hawkmoth. Who better to be a photogenic, charming hero but her? “It’s not my fault he jumped to conclusions and ran with it. Besides , I really do think I’ll do a better job than him. He made a lot of mistakes and risked Paris multiple times. I can’t abide by that.”
“Losing Chat Noir is a lot for him,” Plagg says, his usual casual attitude replaced with melancholy. “He must feel so isolated without me. And I miss him, too.”
“I’m sure it really sucks for him,” Lila says, softening her tone appropriately. “But either way, with his identity compromised, it’ll never be safe for him to be Chat Noir again, nor will it be safe if any of this becomes public knowledge. I wanted to make sure he would leave everything behind, for his own safety. Hawkmoth is to blame for taking control of me and using me like that.”
How perfectly she weaves her words. She’s sure the god-creature will be convinced.
“But yes, it is partially my fault since I was the one who was akumatized. So I have to take responsibility and fulfill Chat Noir’s role in his stead. That’s the least I can do.”
“You sure you don’t just want hero cred?” Plagg raises an eyebrow. “As altruistic as you want to appear, we both know you just want the attention.”
“Well, who wouldn’t want to be a hero?” Lila counters. “Plagg, even if I want the fame, that doesn’t mean I won’t take my responsibilities seriously. You saw how easily I dealt with that akuma.”
“Well, you got me there,” Plagg says with a shrug. “I mean, it’s not like I can do anything about it. You’ve got weird motives, but the most important thing is being dedicated to protecting Paris and defeating Hawkmoth. There’s been plenty of holders before you without the purest of intentions, but still stayed true to the most important duties. We can hardly ask everyone to be a saint. Heck, even Adrien liked the freedom more than performing the hero part.”
“No one in their right mind would want Hawkmoth to keep up his clownery,” Lila lies, “of course I want him gone.”
“That’s all I can ask of you,” Plagg says, nodding. “But soon, you do need to check in with Master Fu. He is kind of the authority on it all.”
“As long as he doesn’t want to take the ring and give it to some other inefficient holder,” Lila says as she drops into a chair, gesturing with her hand. “I’ll see about finding some time to drop by soon.”
“As long as you prove to him that you’re in it for the good fight, he’ll probably let you keep it. Plus, it can’t hurt that you’re apparently a literal gigachad that can de-akumatize yourself. Even if Hawkmoth knows your identity, he can’t akumatize you. I’m sure Fu will see the benefits.”
That’s actually a fantastic point Lila hasn’t considered. Not only did she skillfully and quickly handle two akumas, but she has the next best thing to akuma-immunity: being able to maintain her control while akumatized and to reject the akuma at will, as long as she willingly grabs the akuma while not emotional, she assumes. Who knew that stealing Chloe’s butterfly would reveal such a boon?
“I am pretty cool, huh?” Lila says, tossing her hair. “I suppose I’ll have to explain what really happened to Adrien when I meet this guy. And probably break the news to Ladybug, too. I didn’t think he’d take it out on Marinette, the poor girl. She’ll be upset, but I hope she understands.”
“Uh-huh,” Plagg agrees, “if we can manage it without revealing your identity. We could speak with Fu first, and then figure out what’s OK to share with Ladybug, but also, you seem like you’re going to do whatever you want.” Lila heaves a slightly exaggerated sigh as the gears turn anew, pondering ways to phrase the events to maintain her secrecy. It’s so interesting how much the heroes have to hide from each other, the kwamis, and this mysterious master.
“This is tough, I already blurted out whatever I could think of when I first saw Ladybug, so breaking the news will be difficult,” Lila muses. If she can get this Fu’s permission to remain Lynx Noir, she wonders what she should do next. Back before setting her sights on Marinette, she’d put Ladybug at the top of her shitlist for yelling at her in front of Adrien. But now, months later and with her more-informed dislike of the spineless blonde, she’s not sure if she actually wants to destroy the heroine. More than ever, now, as Chat Noir’s substitute, it might be best to stay friendly and rake in the benefits of being famed and celebrated.
Of course, imagining Adrien’s despair as Lynx steals Ladybug’s love does warm her heart.
“I’m sure Adrien would be embarrassed if he knew I told her that he’d actually been defeated,” she says, faking a slightly sad expression. “But it’s only right to reveal the truth.”
Plagg sighs, too.
“It’ll be for the best,” he says. “Oh, my poor Adrien.”
Lila glances away as she smirks, her expression hidden by her hair.
“Alright. Now get me some camembert.”
***
His words still echo in her thoughts. Where is Chat Noir? She doesn’t know. Drained and mind whirling after an awkward family dinner, Marinette stares at her ceiling.
“That was crazy,” she finally says aloud.
“I agree,” Tikki says, “I’m worried.”
“Chat Noir disappeared, allegedly he resigned,” Marinette begins, “some new girl shows up and wants a probationary week. Meanwhile at school Lila wants me to be her bestie, literally even said she’d date me? And all the while Adrien hates me for no reason I can understand! He didn’t explain a thing and- and-”
“I’m here for you.” Tikki pats her on the shoulder as her chest feels tight. Marinette sucks in a deep breath and exhales, trying to sort her emotions without letting them overwhelm her.
“He said I took everything away from him,” she recounts, biting her lip. “Then, an akuma shows up for me.”
“Lila takes and refuses the akuma next,” Tikki continues, “that’s crazy .”
Yes. Something that can’t be ignored: Lila pushed Marinette out of the way of an akuma, and then forcefully rejected it , buying her enough time to run and transform. Was that a genuine show of friendship? And how strong is Lila to be able to enact her will over an akuma like that? That would have been her third time.
“Lynx and I both got back to the scene very fast,” Marinette says. “ Very fast. I hadn’t even seen Adrien change form.”
“You both said you were in the area,” Tikki reminds her.
“Sure, it could be a coincidence. But the thing that worries me most is what he asked me. Don’t you recognize me? Which, why wouldn’t anyone recognize Paris’ most famous model?”
There’s a pause as both of them let those words hang in the air. Ladybug hasn’t spent that much time with Adrien Agreste, but he was pleading with eyes that looked as if they might well up with tears if just a few more seconds passed. His face fell with her response. He hadn’t wanted to be recognized as Adrien, but as someone else.
Tikki wears an uncomfortable expression as Marinette shifts the pieces around, pieces that never should have fit together, but click uncomfortably into place as they are lined up side by side.
Adrien lashing out at Lynx Noir only makes sense if this is true.
“Tikki,” Marinette says, hollow, “there’s no way Adrien is Chat Noir , is he?”
“I’m not sure,” Tikki says, delayed, “but all I know is that Chat Noir’s identity was compromised.”
The possibility is threatening. What if it was Adrien, all along?
“Compromised? How ?”
Tikki glances to the side, pensive.
“There’s a limit to how much I say,” she finally answers. “I’m not completely certain, but it’s highly possible Hawkmoth knows his civilian identity, which is why he can’t be Chat Noir at this moment.”
“Who is- was he?” Marinette asks. And at the same time, she’s remembering hundreds of coincidences, of Adrien’s disappearances coinciding with Chat Noir’s arrivals. But not every time, right…? She remembers checking often for Adrien while she was in Ladybug, to ensure his safety, and then seeing Chat Noir soon after. How could he have moved so quickly? It must not be him, right? Surely there’s something else Adrien must have been upset about.
Marinette doesn’t think she could handle it, if it really turns out to be Adrien. It would be practically unbearable on top of every other overwhelming thing happening to her. Compartmentalize your thoughts and emotions .
“I don’t know for sure, and I don’t think it would be a good idea to say even if I did know,” Tikki says sadly. “I’m sure you’ll want to go straight to him, but we don’t want to draw any more attention to him or give Hawkmoth an opportunity to tail you, if he’s monitoring him now.”
A strange feeling grips Marinette’s heart. Could what Lynx Noir said be true , then? That Chat Noir’s identity was revealed, and in shame of that incident, gave up his Miraculous? But he wouldn’t leave it on the ground , would he, where anyone could have seen it? It isn’t the first time Chat Noir would have been incredibly irresponsible, but still…
“That being said, I’m wary of Lynx Noir,” Tikki adds in Marinette’s silence. “I know it’s been crazy, but we should go to Master Fu as soon as you can. We need his guidance more than ever.”
“Okay,” Marinette says, worn. She could do with some guidance for her wounded heart and bewildered brain.
“And… stay on your toes around Lila.” Tikki makes a troubled expression.
“You don’t need to tell me twice,” Marinette returns, “what with this very weird contractual friendship. Though… she really did help me out tonight.”
“Not just because of that,” the kwami says carefully, looking to the side still.
“What do you mean?”
There’s a pause.
“Nevermind for now, Marinette. You need to get some rest. When we have the next opportunity, we’ll find Master Fu.”
***
Adrien doesn’t come to school the next day. Or the next. Or the next.
People hardly notice, because the next big news is the new Lynx Noir that appeared publicly for the first time, on a busy street right near Marinette’s bakery, long enough to be caught on camera at least once. Understandably, her first real appearance on the hotel roof was not quite visible to most of the public.
Then a couple more times over those few days, Lynx Noir appears and fights akumas besides Ladybug, proudly and effectively, ending threats oftentimes within less than a half-hour.
Alya won’t stop her theories. Chat Noir never announced his resignation, so everyone’s wondering where he went and who this new girl is. Marinette hasn’t been able to find the time or the energy to seek out Master Fu amongst it all with her Ladybug duties, class representative responsibilities, helping with the bakery and et cetera, and she’s scared to find out the truth of Chat Noir’s disappearance. At least at school, sticking to Lila somehow makes everything easier, because she does enough talking for the both of them and lets Marinette just sit in peace most of the time.
She’s taken all of her thoughts of Adrien and packed them away to the recesses of her mind, tentatively setting on the idea that it’s highly unlikely he was Chat Noir (it must be another blonde in a white jacket, she’s sure), his outburst aside. She still doesn’t know what he’s upset about, but even if it’s a misunderstanding, the fact he truly believes she hurt him with malicious intent… is too much to brush aside. She’d thought they’d gotten close enough to have a bit of mutual trust, but she was wrong.
Lila’s right. She shouldn’t waste her time or tears on people who disrespect her without a second thought.
***
“Adrien,” Gabriel says, taking in the sight of his son seated across the table. The boy’s gaze is downcast as he pushes the food around his plate without taking a single bite.
With Nooroo’s connection, Gabriel has been bombarded with wave after wave of absolute bitter, bitter anger for days . Loath to akumatize his own son after nearly doing so by accident (he’d been targeting that Dupain-Cheng girl, he swears, but sometimes those akumas have a mind of their own), Gabriel has very carefully directed his butterflies to other targets. But by the gods has Adrien been a roiling ball of negativity for nearly a week, and he hasn’t even said a word about it to Nathalie or to his own father. Gabriel does not know why Adrien is upset, other than the fleeting glimpses of a vague betrayal he felt earlier.
“Yes, father,” Adrien says after an incredibly delayed pause, his voice empty.
“I’ve been informed you were not present at school for the last few days,” he begins in a neutral tone. Gabriel’s eyes flick across the table, and he pushes the plate of pancakes closer to his son. “You were the one who wanted to go to class; why the absence?”
When Adrien’s gaze rises briefly, his eyes are full of coldness in a way that almost startles Gabriel.
“Why do you care?” He finally says, standing up from the table. “Aren’t you satisfied as long as I do everything else? Fencing, piano, modeling… what does a few missed school classes matter?”
Taken aback, Gabriel stares. The disrespect!
“Excuse me?” He says darkly, standing in turn to tower over Adrien and matching his steely gaze. Behind Adrien, Nathalie is rapidly shaking her head with a grimace on her face. Gabriel coughs. “I mean, son. I’m worried you might not be feeling well. Is…” he squints at the woman as she makes rapid discreet hand signals. “Is everything okay?”
Emotion flickers across Adrien’s face, that anger sinking beneath something else that Gabriel can feel: a terrible sadness. The boy swallows, blinking quickly as he looks to the side.
“I’m fine,” he says. His small hands ball into fists. Gabriel’s mouth thins into a line as they arrive at this familiar stalemate, Adrien pointedly avoiding his gaze. He never knows how to actually talk with Adrien beyond discussing his plans for Adrien’s future, and that holds true even now.
“I want you to know that you can always talk to me if you need,” Gabriel says carefully. Nathalie makes a thumbs up. “As long as my schedule allows, of course. Otherwise… I’m sure any of your teachers would be happy to lend an ear.” Gabriel frowns as Nathalie’s thumbs-up turns to a middling thumbs-side, but hides it as Adrien looks back at him, brows furrowed.
Gabriel can feel his emotion: incredulity .
“Yes, father,” he finally answers after a long pause. “I’ll head to school now.”
“Alright,” Gabriel says, “I’ll see you in the evening.”
Gods, if only Emilie were here. She’d know just how to gently encourage Adrien to explain his worries, how to properly soothe him and wipe his tears. Gabriel is sure Adrien would never cry in front of him, and to be fair he can’t even blame him for how… unfatherly Gabriel unfortunately is despite his best efforts.
His resolve strengthens: with Emilie’s return, Adrien will be able to be happy again. Gabriel must redouble his efforts to retrieve the two miraculouses he needs most of all: the ladybug and the black cat. While he still has no clue as to the identity of the spotted heroine, he has some suspicions about the new Lynx Noir. Of course, it isn’t lost on him that the new girl appeared just after Lila Rossi claimed an akumatization for herself. Since that day, Chat Noir has practically vanished. Gabriel had to stop watching as Lila’s rampage dragged on longer than intended and his business duties called him to a meeting, but he knew that at some point the akumatized object had been broken, and the akuma purified.
While much of the timeline is blacked out, Gabriel is quite aware of how cunning Lila seems to be, and how she happily plucked the akuma from Chloe with ease. Not overtaken by negative emotion, she was in a clear state of mind and therefore acting more intelligently and independently than other akumatized victims. Desiring power and fame, he wouldn’t be surprised if she was attracted to the potential power of being a “hero”.
If she is this new Lynx Noir , well, then… the possibilities are quite expansive.
Gabriel watches as Adrien walks away, Nathalie passing him his bag. When his son glances back, Gabriel raises a hand in a single, small wave.
Eventually, everything will be right again.
Notes:
nathalie desperately trying to make gabriel act like a normal dad is the funniest thing imo
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