#and they can both catch an akuma in it but only ladybug can purify it

[kawaiichibiart]

Okay but seriously

WHY THE FUCK COULD LITERALLY ANYONE ACCESS LADYBUG'S GODDAMN YOYO?!?!

Like, come on. Why the hell were Felix and Gabriel easily able to open (Felix) and access what was inside (Gabriel)??

You'd think each respective miraculous user would be the only one to access their weapons fully. But nooooooo. You can access them completely.

I can accept someone else being able to use Ladybug's yoyo for actual weaponry or as a way to get around (like a grappling hook).

But the fact that apparently anyone, or at least anyone who's ever wielded a miraculous, can just open it and take whatever's inside?? They don't need to be the one wearing the ladybug miraculous...

I wouldn't be surprised if it at some point someone else was able to purify an akumas and cast the miraculous cure, simply because they used Ladybug's yoyo. I mean if the bad guys could open her yoyo and dig through it, who's to say another good guy can't be the one to cleanse everything (this is obviously an exaggeration brought to you by my complete irritation, but my point stands).

[kisilinramblings]

A "little" rant about the Magic System inside the Miraculous Movie.

Spoilers ahead.

ML Show : So we take inspirations from both the Mahou Shoujo and Superhero genres and mix them together. The magic system of the ML universe has clear rules. They can be bended, or played with but never broken. Each Miraculous grants a superpower and can be used once at a time. The Miraculous are intended to be used for the greater good but it all really depends on the Miraculous Holder. To protect their Miraculous, the main are following a secret identity rule, which contributes to the lovesquare that can lead to a diversity of situations and interactions between the same two people. The Miraculous is powered by a Kwami. Without a Kwami, the Holder cannot transform. The Akumas serve to create a Monster of Week. However, we use anybody and each have their reasons to have negative emotions and have power in-link to help their situation. Akumatization is also a consented deal, however HM usually is manipulative and deceptive enough to trick his victim into accepting the power he offers. Then it plays out like a game a flag in which Ladybug and Chat Noir team up. While there is battle, the heroes usually win through ruse to catch and break the akuma object in order to capture and purify the Akuma. With this system and lore, we have a good sandbox to back up as many episodes as necessary.

ML Movie : We don't have time for this. Whatever looks cool on-screen. Hey! How about multiple Akumas active at the same time? Or an Akumatized Hawkmoth that can turn water into magma or use Darth Vader's Force? That looks evil. And how about Cataclysm but just during that last battle? Lucky Charm? What's that? Not epic enough and too complex to came up with. No-no-no, let's just put a spell similar to the Miraculous Ladybug that rebuild the city at the end because everything is too much of a wreck after that showdown. No need for further explanation to the audience, even the new one we will reach. The characters have it figure it out. Also, Kwamis can manifest themselves even if they are powering up the Miraculous now and their Holder doesn't detransform. Not immediately. Actually the Holder can possibly transform even if they aren't wearing their Miraculous and Kwamis can just decide to transform their chosen one if this on is relunctant to become an hero. Oh and let's simplify so the Butterfly Miraculous is an EVIL Miraculous. Why is only that Miraculous Evil though? Pff! Who cares. We need a bad guy. For the Akuma just need a bit of negative emotion. Let's not dwaddle on why the person is feeling negative emotions and fixing their problem. In fact, Hawkmoth will mostly uses prisoners and other villainous goons instead so they get sent back in prison. The Akuma will possessed its host and is released randomly whenever we say the villain was KO'd. The heroes have no reason to keep their identity secret in the first place. A reveal could have even happen midway if we would have wanted, but we'll put it at the end to close the movie to make it appear we have wrap-up things.

====

All that to say, it is normal to adjust the rules to the format. Like the five minutes timer which serves in rising the tension inside an episode can be cut no problem for a movie adaptation. Even going with just the first 7 Miraculous of the Miracle Box works for a trilogy. But you still need rules that serve as your base that you will respect to make the magic system coherent to the audience.

[miracleandplagueau]

MNP ✦ Wonders ✦ Part 1 -- Categories, types, powers

Time to talk about actual Wonder's properties and how different they are from the canon miraculouses, which despite being described as "magical", always seemed to lack that ""miraculous"" effect that we're told about constantly.

By the way, It's definitely going to be a longer post :)

There is a total of 19 Wonders, with only 8 being fully introduced or seen in the MnP. Those 19 Wonders have been separated into two boxes: Motherbox and Zodiac box, with the latter's fate not being fully known. It's heavily suspected by the current Guardian that all Wonders from the Zodiac box have been destroyed (with a single exception).

✦ MOTHERBOX (WONDER BOX)

Motherbox has been considered the root, the foudation of the balance for centuries, even longer than that as It contains Wonders of great power that are directly connected to elemenets of the world. Let me explain. Within the box, there are Wonders of Balance and Wuxing Wonders; all of which have their very own purpose deeply rooted in the world's peaceful existence.

All 7 Wonders within the Motherbox can also be grouped into insect-type (Bee, Butterfly, Ladybug), feline-type (Fox, Cat) and exotic-type (Peacock, Turtle). This is most often used to describe similarities in hero forms.

✦ WONDERS OF BALANCE

Both Wonders are the most powerful artifacts ever known to mankind. They're the ones keeping everything in order and must exist simultaneously or else risk everything falling apart. Additional properties include of not being able to be separated; you cannot take one Wonder and leave the other in the box. Again, they have to be active, idle, created or destroyed at the same time. One cannot exist without the other and that is a solid fact.

☯ The Yang Wonder - Ladybugs are known for their luck symbolism. In the Wonder's case, It not only brings fortune, but order, balance, miracles and most importantly - creation.

The Kwami is Tikki - duty-bound insect kwami. Using her raw power would spread overwhelmingly good fortune across the land. While It sounds good at first, it's definitely something of a monkey paw situation with twists at every turn. Besides, every single person with very contradicting wishes would turn this into a massive cataclysm.

The weapon is a yoyo. It's capable of catching akumas and purifying them.

Ladybug's power is Lucky Charm. It creates an object that If used correctly, can provide a direct solution to one's problem or immediate defeat of the foe.

Additional skill that the user holds is the Purification/restoration spell. It was invented by the Guardians many decades ago to fix the damages coming from massive battles and only Tikki was able to use it to its full extend.

☯ The Yin Wonder - Black cats have been regarded as the "darker side of the moon" for a very long time. If they weren't the messengers of misfortune and bad news, they were considered witches' apprentices. Harbringers of discord, chaos, misfortune and darkness, destroying everything in their path.

Plagg is the Kwami of destruction. His raw power will cause mass destruction and in contrast to tikki, misfortune.

User's weapon is the stick that allows for extension when needed. Both his and Ladybug's weapons can catch, store and release akumas in context of the show.

Black Cat's power is Cataclysm. Once used on an item, It will "bring misfortune", in most cases it being destruction of the item. In case of using it on a living being, It will kill them almost immediately.

✦ WUXING WONDERS (SECONDARY)

Wuxing is a Chinese art form that introduces us to a scheme of 5 elements: fire, metal, earth, wood and water. All of those elements are assigned to the Secondary Wonders.

火 Fire Wuxing - Fox - Despite the resemblance in type, Fox Wonder is actually closer connected to Yang Wonder - Ladybug. It's the second phase within the scheme and often associated with red colors, strength, dynamism and creativity - which is almost directly connected to its power of illussion creation.

Trixx is the Kwami of Fire. Using their raw power will result in strong, believable illusions of solid objects, buildings, people all over the world that cannot be easily destroyed or recognized as fake.

Fox's weapon is a flute. It's sturdy, allowing it to serve a similar purpose to cat's stick. It can create little balls of energy to attack the foe with.

The granted power is Illusion. User may create a single illusion of any size (reasonably) that is hard to distiguish from reality and not easy to break.

Additionally, If potion of Evolution (see below) is consumed, It grants the user the ability to turn the energy blasts into fireballs until the user detransforms.

水 Water Wuxing - Peacock - Through their graceful movements, peacock is associated with stillness and cold. It's also representative of wisdom, intelligence and wielding great power that is capable of flooding the lands. It's closely related to Yin - Black Cat with its relation to winter and death of matter due to its position in the scheme (inwards and downwards).

Duusu is the Kwami of water. Usage of teir power without a user will result in a mass derealization and removing the ability to tell what is real or not. It's similar to Trixx's power, however It doesn't create anything and simply affects one's mind.

The weapon is a handfan. The feathers are solid and can be pulled out to be thrown at the enemy. They regenerate when the fan is closed.

Peacock's power is Concealment. The user is able to trick the foe's mind regarding their location, position or attacks. It's like an illusion, but from the inside.

If potion of Evolution (see below) is consumed, the user can create water attacks or control nearby sources.

木 Wood Wuxing - Butterfly - While the name might not speak to you at first, Wood element is a lesser character of Yang. It's often associated with strength, cooperation and generosity, which aligns well with the Wonder's power - lending strength to others. Additonally, in Chinese medicince it can be connected to feelings of both anger and patience - resilence in achieving one's goal.

Nooroo is the Kwami of Wood. Using their raw power will result in mass mind-control of people, turning them into loyal followers - specifically targetting those influenced by intense emotions.

User's weapon is a ribbon wand. The length of the wand itself depends on the user's preference - it can be a small handle or a full cane. The ribbon is extendable.

Butterfly's power is Transmission. The user is able to transfer a part of their strength to person of their choice whereas It's important that the person is feeling an intense emotion: whether positive or negative.

If potion of Evolution (see below) is consumed, the user is able to extend their own power (OR the person they've used Transmission on power) by taking up various attributes of different wood types. For example, they can become as sturdy as bamboo or as flexible as Ash.

金 Metal Wuxing - Turtle - Hard and resilent, patient and strong - those are attriubtes of the Turtle. It's representant of wiseness, self-reliance and transformation. The emotions connected to Metal Wuxing are grief and courage.

Wayzz is the Kwami of Metal. Using the power without a user will result in very durable shield elements or straight up shields being created in the nearest proximity

User's weapon is a shield. The size can vary.

Turtle's power is Construction - to create a hexagonal construction of extreme durability which is usually meant to serve as a shield. It can be either a bubble, a wall or a box.

If potion of Evolution (see below) is consumed, it allows the user to create smaller, less durable metal shields or items, but at the same time allow them to bend them however they want even after creation.

土 Earth Wuxing - Bee - Deeply connected to the plants and life on earth, Earth Wonder balances between both Yin and Yang. It doesn't create nor does it destroy. It keeps a perfect balance as all things should be and helps life thrive. The attributes are hard-work, throughfulness, stability, but also stubborness, ambition and worry. Additionally, It's not connected to any specific season - instead, It's almost representant of the period where seasons change.

Pollen is the Kwami of Earth. Using the power without a user will result in paralyzation of many many people in the nearby radius.

User's weapon is a spinning top/spinner. It's very similar to Ladybug's yoyo

Bee's power is Subjection. It paralyzes the person touched by it until the user detransforms. If the spinner is present, the user can use it to apply te venom directly. If the spinner is not nearby, one can use their hand to apply it.

If potion of Evolution (see below) is consumed, the user can fertelize the ground below them and allow supportive plants to sprout to help them in defensive position. Will only work when person is on the ground.

✦ ZODIAC BOX

Wonders kept within the Zodiac box weren't directly connected to any aspect of life, but still provided great support to the other Wonders. Their powers were very utility-based and provided assistance in ways that secondary or balancing wonders couldn't. Worth noting, the Chinese Zodiac was created by using the Wonders as a blueprint, as a way to honor them despite not being as groundbreakingly powerful as those from the Motherbox.

Curretly, there is only one Zodiac Wonder left - The Rabbit Wonder. As to why it survived, I cannot tell due to spoilers, but It wil be revealed eventually.

☁ Rabbit Wonder - The only known surviving Zodiac Wonder, its whereabouts are currently unknown.

Rabbit's Kwami is Tuzin

The user's weapon is an umbrella.

Rabbit's power is Burrow. It allows the user to create portals wherever, jump into them and jump out on the other side. It can be used to transport people, items or just move quickly.

✦ POTION REPLICAS (CONCEPT):

Many of the properties that Zodiac Wonders once provided can be artificially replicated by the use of potions and extracts. Only the skilled Guardians are able to do so and effects will not be as strong as the original artifact provided, but they can still be of use. Examples of the concept will be listed below.

▲ Jubiliation - Once the power of Pig Wonder, now can serve as an essence with calming and un-stressing effects. Master Fu uses it quite often. ▲ Evolution - Dragon's power was once able to use three out of 5 elements of Wuxing. Now, the replication extract may allow the Wuxing wonders' users to use that element in a fight as additional skill/ability. ▲ Elation - Tiger's power that provided the user with ability to gather and release a massive blast/punch of energy. Consumption of the potion will allow the Wonder user to do the same one time - similarly to their "main" power" which will not initiate the countdown to detransofrmation nor will it exhaust the kwami. ▲ Determination - Once the snake's power to give the heroes more time to defeat the foe. Now using a dose of the extract will reset the countdown. ▲ Pretension - Similarly to Jubilation power, Rooster essense can improve your focus on execution of a skill, even outside of the fight. (ex. studying. sewing, playing the piano)

Other potions I didn't think of yet nor can I really think of any use

✦ Additional notes:

Motherbox Wonders are indestructible, literally. The only thing that can possibly damage or remove them completely is their very own power. The obvious example would be Black Cat's Cataclysm and you're completely correct, but a Kwami would be able to destroy it on their own or other holders (Getting a little creative here: ex. If the Turtle user was to crush one of the Wonders, they'd likely successfully damage it.

However, just attempting to destroy it (usually in disguse form) can often trigger a defense mechanism. It heavily depends on the type of Wonder, but It usually ranges from blinding flash of light to illusion of destruction where It pulls itself apart before putting itself back together once the user calls for it.

Most cases of Kwami using their powers without a user need to be fixed with the purifying spell of Ladybug.

I might update this post If I ever think of something new :)

| PART TWO ->

[dreamwreaver]

One of the things that bothers me about miracle queen beyond how dirty they did Chloe starting in this episode and continuing in for 2 whole SEASONS, sigh, happy thoughts. Anyways one of the other things that bothers me about the episode is just how callous fu is.

When jade turtle is sitting inside shelter, just before Mayura calls forth hawkmoth's sentimonster, he watches her get dizzy and nearly faint. He watches hawkmoth catch her and worry over her and mayura's half hearted reassurances that she's fine when she clearly isn't. And he says nothing, he does nothing.

Remember, this is a man who has lived his entire life trying to fix the guilt that plagues him from a mistake he made as a child. Yes, since this occurs after feast most of that is gone because everything except the recovery of the peacock and butterfly miraculous has been resolved. But he also deeply cares about people and is demonstrated to be a healer. More than that, he knows that there is some enhanced strength and resilience when the miraculous are used. The fact that mayura is weak to the point of being unable to stand SHOULD bother him. But for being the wise mentor in a show about the importance of caring for others, he doesn't. For someone consumed by his mistakes, he still doesn't see how putting both the pressure of being the bearer of one of the two most powerful jewels in his miracle box and the guardian might affect a teenager.

The fact that he's only a rent a miraculous vending machine bothers me. He's not a mentor, what do we see him teaching Marinette? Or adrien? Aside from Syren we NEVER see him interacting with adrien.

Also also, here's my big issue with the show, fu says in the origins episodes how dangerous it is to have the ladybug and black cat out and active. But who said he needed to be there to save the day? Like chat can destroy any object that holds an akuma, aside from the yoyo being the only thing that can capture them (for some reason which is never explained) all the ladybug needs to do is summon an object to use the cure. Fu could do that from his hideout! Chat's staff can be plenty of other things, why not a magic butterfly net that can hold the akuma until fu as the ladybug can purify it?

Like for someone who seems to care about not repeating his mistakes... I mean... come on

[aidendh]

Mirac! OC! Dymitry Laurent |P2

His favorite superhero is Wonder Woman

Rozovaya Ledi would be his Pig or Ladybug/Mouse name

[Pink Lady in Russian]

-:Sandboy:-

He stayed up to catch up on a show he hasn't had time for because of Akumas

Dymitry's Nightmare - Badly misinterpreting everything people say, eg; thinking his friends are mad at him but are being mean about it

(This includes Tikki and still happens while he's transformed)

Krasnaya Ledi's Nightmare - Sacrilege of his Sacred Duty; Tikki forces him to detransform and lectures him as if he greatly misused her powers and is no longer worthy

Though only he sees this, everyone else sees Ledi transformed and reacting to something they can't see

-

:Talisman:

Magnifying Glass - Can see through Nightmares and see invisible ones

(Includes hearing)

Chat Noir uses it to snap Ledi out of it, then Ledi uses his powers to split it in two so they can both have one

When focusing, Ledi can use it to Purify nightmares in it's view

It can also be used to swipe through nightmares, temporarily destroying them for a minute

--

Dymitry got his Scar from a Pride Parade he attended in Russia, he was a victim of assault by the Police trying to shut it down

He was only 13 and was attending with some friends, one of them ended up with a broken leg that never healed properly because of the Assault

His family moved to France to escape the violence

He makes sure he is always prepared when attending a Pride Event

His parents brought him up to always be yourself no matter what others say

Despite this, they didn't agree with Pride because of their religious upbringings

However when pressed, Dymitry simply says that he will always be himself no matter what they say

This makes them proud, even if it takes awhile for them to be comfortable with it

Dymitry had short hair back in Russia

--

The friend with the broken leg;

Trans M-F, female uniform, hid male from school, heavy pride equality activist, glasses, Greyish hair

She named herself Sonya Volkova, though her dead name is Vadim Volkov

[Sonya, means Wisdom and Volkov(a) is derived from Volk, meaning Wolf]

The Police broke her left leg

She likes boys and could of eventually fell for Dymitry

He looks up to Sonya, he wishes he could see her again, but it's too dangerous to go back to Russia

-

Their other friend is a guy in an older grade with shoulder-length Brown hair and is gay

His name is Yakov Sorokin

[Sorokin is derived from Soroka, meaning Magpie]

He is the physically fit one of the three

Kinda the older brother of the group

They were all hidden LGBTQ+ members

--

His old Secondary School Uniform was Dark Blue

The School's emblem is a White 4 piece shield

It symbolizes people coming together to make them stronger

But the Students, including him, take it as the school cuts them apart

He often wore his hoodie properly and barely got away with pierced ears

Because of saving up for their move to France, Dymitry has been wearing the same oversized jeans for years

He used to wear them rolled up to just his ankles

Sonya gave him the nickname Dima, though Yakov often teases him with Dimi

[Dima means Strong Fighter]

By the time of the move, Yakov has a boyfriend

Dymitry Laurent (13! Casual)

-

--

A Quiet Student with a love for Superheros

Sexuality: Biromantic, Asexual

(Keeps his Sexuality secret)

Secretly attends Pride events

--

Krasnaya Ledi's Lucky Charms manifest as Artifacts, Enchanted items and straight up Talismans

Except for Dark Cupid, as it was a spray bottle of spray candy

-:Glaciator:-

Lucky Charm: Red String of Fate

(As strong and warm as their love)

"It is as strong as our Love!" -KL

"Love comes in all shapes and sizes. Whether that mean platonic, romantic or even familial!" -KL

--

[san-fics]

Behind enemy lines

Maribat: Robibug, Daminette, Robinette, Damibug

Ao3

Part 1

Marinette had a strange feeling of being watched. It had been following her for over a week.

In fact, almost from the day that Ladybug began to come to the patrols alone, it seemed to her that someone was following her. But every time she looked around, she never found anyone.

It was only two weeks since the day they found out that Parisian villain was non else then world famous fashion designer Gabriel Agreste. And perhaps it would be a good thing to know your enemy by sight, if only this knowledge didn’t bring some consequences Marinette never expected.

The fight was hard, but they were winning. Ladybug and Chat Noir not only defeated that akuma, but — thanks to the help of Rena Furtive — were able to follow Shadow Math to his lair, that turned out to be Agreste mention.

What they didn’t expect at all — was to find Adrien’s mother in the basement.

Chat Noir was shocked more then she was, and the next moment Marinette understood why.

“Mother.” Chat said, eyes wide open.

Both Ladybug and Shadow Math were stunned by the revelation, that in fact one of the most famous Parisian super hero was Adrien Agreste, not less famous Parisian photo-model.

“Son!” Shadow Math exclaimed solemnly. “Join me! We can save your mother together!”

“How could you?!” Chat Noir’s rage was almost perceptible. “How could you hold her here all those years?! Letting me think she could leave me!” Chat took a fighting stand. “I will never join you!”

“Then I’ll make you join me.” Shadow Math smiled, and let a dark butterfly out of his staff. “You feel the bitterness of betrayal and injustice...” He started, while the butterfly was making its way towards masked Adrien.

“Oh, no, you don’t!” Ladybug yelled, catching it with her yoyo, and letting out the purified one.

This woke Chat Noir up from his anger. He blinked and nodded to his partner.

“Thank you, m’lady.” He turned back to his evil father. “Now let’s take him down.”

“Ha-ha-ha!” Gabriel’s laugh was loud and sounded insane. “Do you think two teenagers can ‘take me down’ that easily?” He asked, grabbing another white butterfly, that immediately became dark in his palm.

“You won’t be able to akumatize us!” Ladybug said, making a step towards him.

“I don’t need to akumatize you to win this battle, fools!” He yelled and let the akuma go, distracting the heroes with an attack.

Ladybug repulsed the attack and left the fight to Chat, while she turned around to catch the akuma. But it was too late, as she saw Natalie standing behind her, already enveloped in a dark mass.

A moment later at Natalie’s place was a dark figure with some sort of white cloak.

“I am Shield.” She said. “And I will protect the once I care about.”

She lifted her shoulders along with the cloak and, turning around herself, disappeared into a white wall of light. The next moment she appeared beside Shadow Math, wrapped a cloak around him and they both disappeared from sight.

The last time Shield reappeared next to the capsule containing Emilie, surrounded the capsule with a wall of light and vanished in the air.

“No!” Chat Noir yelled, rushing towards the capsule, but it was too late.

The silence around them was hard to listen.

*

Ladybug shivered at the memory, sighed, and continued her patrol.

Almost two weeks since Adrien gave up his miraculous to her.

All three — Ladybug, Adrien and Plagg were silent for a moment. The decision was obvious, but it didn’t make it easier.

The ring couldn’t stay with Adrien, as his identity was known by the worst enemy. Just like he couldn’t use any other miraculous, because his close connection to Gabriel was making him one of his most likely future victims.

Just changing the costume or hiding like Alya did wouldn’t work this time. And Adrien himself wasn’t sure he could keep cold and resist the akuma in case of butterfly coming for him with everything that fell on him that day.

And it was where their next unpleasant, but important decision was made: Adrien had to leave Paris.

Shadow Math was likely to use him somehow, and though Adrien didn’t know Ladybug’s identity, he new some other heroes by name, as well as their strategies, superpower-upgrades, and Ladybug’s weaknesses, that he used to help her to overcome, supporting in her moments of self-doubt.

Plus, staying in the city where people just got to know that your father was a villain — wasn’t the best idea, when you couldn’t really defend your family name.

Maybe Ladybug would keep things about Gabriel being Shadow Math on a low profile if she could, at least for now. But the journalists followed them fighting that day’s first akuma to the Agreste mention, so their conclusions were on the news before Ladybug and Chat noir left the place.

Adrien wanted only one thing — to take his father down. And he wanted it strong enough to understand that the best way for him to help — was to stay as far as possible.

That day, holding crying Adrien in her arms, Marinette understood how much care she had for the boy. She could only see his true self now, the one he used to show as Chat Noir — her funny and brave, cheerful and sensitive friend. And she wanted to take care of him.

As Marinette she promised to Adrien to call him every day, saying that Ladybug gave her this task in case it wouldn’t be safe for her to contact him. She called him ‘Kitty’ by accident, still processing his two guises in her life.

Adrien looked at her with a long studying gaze, and she felt he probably had his suspicions about her identity that moment. But he knew better then to ask her directly, or even think about it for too long. If Shadow Math was to reach him somehow, it was better for Adrien not to know for sure, and they both knew it.

But something changed between them, when they held each other at the airport.

That day Marinette’s feelings for Adrien as a close friend overcame her crush. She could finally see him as a real person, and not as a picture from the magazine. And she treasured it.

Adrien flew to London the next morning. And though they were so far from each other now, Marinette felt like they never were closer, as never their friendship was so strong, not disturbed with her bubbly fangirl adoration anymore.

He was her partner, and it wouldn’t change. Ladybug would return the ring together with Plagg to him once.

Once their enemy was defeated.

*

Ladybug had another weird feeling of being followed and turned around sharply. She thought she saw a shadow moving behind a chimney, but when she reached it, no one was there.

It was becoming her paranoia.

Ladybug had her own spy — Alya with the fox miraculous in camouflage costume, who was following the fights, but not interrupting, in order to be able to find Shadow Math. It was her that saw him hiding not far from their fight with his akuma that day.

She send this information to Ladybug and the moment she and Chat Noir won over the akuma, they followed the main villain to his headquarters.

It was a good thing Alya haven’t revealed herself that time. They could repeat this trick again and find Gabriel’s new hiding place...

The thought of the spies made Ladybug shiver though. She had the feeling of being followed ever since she came on patrol alone two days after Adrien left. And it never fainted since.

To be honest, she had her suspicions, that now not only Shadow Math could be after the miraculous. If before they could keep some resources, including Ladyblog, on local level, in order not to invite unnecessary attention to the magical jewelry from around the world, now that Gabriel Agreste’s name was involved, the situation was totally different.

Alya analyzed the information, spreading on the global net just a day after the first news report mentioned his name, and concluded, that the news were already all over the world.

So the possibility to fight more power-hungry maniacs on Parisian streets was high, and the shadows, following her patrols, could easily be real, and not commung from Marinette’s tired imagination.

And as far as Ladybug knew from the mayor, Gabriel himself was smart enough to transfer most of his funds to international banks in advance, and perhaps not only under his own name. And until his guilt wasn’t proven and the authorities couldn’t influence it in any way, he had enough financial support to acquire a new den and build new plans for attacks.

For a moment Marinette felt so small and lonely in the world...

No. She shook her head and pursed her lips together stubbornly. She was the guardian. And she wasn’t alone. She had Tikki, and Adrien, and Alya, and Plagg, and all the rest of the qwamies. She had her temporary heroes, ready to help too.

And maybe if the news about the miraculous spread around the villains, they could spread around the heroes as well?

Ladybug turned again, and this time she definitely saw a figure, flashed into hiding behind the wall, and a cape that followed.

“Who are you? And why do you follow me?” Ladybug asked loudly.

[about this au]

[part 2]

[more MLB fanfic]

[December 2021 posting schedule]

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[angstymdzsthoughts]

(1/?) Bcz of his absences during akuma attacks & his hero life taking up more time, WWX’s ‘suspicious’ behaviour is soon noticed by YZY. She suspects he’s causing trouble (ex: drugs, smoking, harassing, cat-calling etc.) and after a particularly nasty akuma + the fact that he once again did smthg better than JC + JFM’s lengthy absence, she snaps and kicks him out of the house.

(2/?) WWX tells himself it’s ok, now he can do hero work 24/7. YZY lies to JFM & authorities, claiming he ran away. NHS suspects smthg (he alrdy more or less knows everyone’s secret IDs tbh) and investigates. But WWX insists it’s ok and not worth it, they had bigger problems anyways & he can’t abuse his power (plus, he’s secretly glad to be away from such a toxic household).

(3/?) WN offers him a place to stay & LWJ, JZX and NHS keep it a secret. They continue to be heroes, fighting akumas but they’re getting stronger and harder to defeat. One day, YZY gets akumatized and boi, she is a STRONG ASF akuma due to all that pent up bitterness and resentment. She becomes the Violet Spider and wreaks hell on the heroes. Unfortunately, JYL & JC are caught in the crossfire.

(4/?) Just before YZY could kill her own kids, WWX pushes them out of the way and gets hurt. Fatally. Even worse, his timer runs out and he detransforms; caught live on the news. LWJ screams, rips YZY’s spider leg off and carries WWX away but it’s too late. WWX used the last of his energy to purify the akuma & cast miraculous cure at the cost of his life. Everyone in the city heard LWJ’s anguished cries.

(5/?) A funeral is held, NHS casting illusions of their herosonas so they could attend too. When the Jiangs arrive, LWJ SNAPS. He calls out YZY on her abuse, JC on his entitlement, JFM & JYL on their passivity. He calls YZY for lying to the authorities and revealed she purposefully left WWX to fend for himself on the streets again.

(6/?) LWJ has to be physically restrained but it did make the police finally look into YZY and arrest her for child/domestic abuse & murder. But LWJ feels it’s not enough. After all, if WWX wasn’t a hero, would anyone have cared? Not too long ago, everyone in their school spat on his name but now shed tears and sang praises of him as though he was a close friend.

(7/?) Then LQR suggests him, WQ or JYL becomes the new Ladybug but the wound is still too raw (he just lost his zhiji, did his uncle see him and WWX as expendable child soldiers?). He runs away and goes to weep over WWX’s grave, regrets never making his feelings clear when he had the chance. Then someone arrives- his own father. He reveals his mother’s body and offers (manipulates) him to share the wish to bring both their loved ones back.

(8/?) LWJ agrees and lets himself be akumatized. He goes back to dig up WWX’s body (to be preserved like his mother's) but WN catches him. They fight, NHS & JZX also join to help but are no match against him. LWJ was always the most skilled; combined with the akumatization, he was leagues ahead. He tore through WN's shield, knew NHS's tricks and was a better fighter than JZX. Finally, he saw his beloved. Some magic had rubbed off on WWX, preserving his body & beauty, much to his relief.

(9/?) His uncle & brother went into hiding, knowing they’ve lost LWJ. He goes on a rampage- he made sure to torture YZY, made her feel every ounce of pain, suffering & fear she put WWX (a mere child) through. He ended her misery by slicing her into pieces with his qin strings and rearranging her body into a macabre kowtowing position (as if begging for forgiveness) before WWX’s past grave. Soon, more victims joined (ex: JFM, JC, Jin Zixun, Su She, Teacher Yao; JYL was the only Jiang spared).

(continuation of ML AU) (10/?) LXC takes up the ladybug mantle and confronts him but it isn’t enough bcz 1. this is his baby brother, he still(optimistically, naively) has hope for him & 2. LWJ knows LXC will hesitate, he’s too soft-hearted, he’s pragmatic enough to use that to his advantage. He pretended to be hurt, got LXC to drop his guard, then ripped the earrings off. Before leaving, he told LXC the secret LQR kept from them.

(11/?) Both sets complete, a wish is made. As the light envelopes them, LWJ tenderly caresses WWX’s cheek and kisses him, promising it’ll all be over soon and this time, he’ll do better. He’ll do right by him. Everything will be right and just at last, as it should be.

(12/12) Thus, it’s the dawn of a new day. LWJ goes to school, hangs out with JZX, WN, NHS & WWX, study at his home under the guidance of his stern uncle and father, his patient brother & his kind mother, and then play video games at WWX’s home (filled with warmth & love by a now alive Cangse Sanren & Wei Changze). Before leaving, WWX being the loving bf he is, gives LWJ a tender goodbye kiss. As for the Jiangs well, how can you find answers for someone who never existed?

[totebagchiqbarista]

can we have a chat noir x reader x ladybug where chat and lady are constantly trying to out due in battles each other for the reader’s attention, even in school with adrian and marionette

a loving feeling

Pairing: Adrien/Chat Noir, Marinette/Ladybug x GenderNeutral!Reader

Here's the first request I got! I literally love this idea so much oh my god. I hope you like it :)

“Adrien, dude, go talk to them. Now’s your chance!“ said Nino, reassuringly patting his best friend on the back. Adrien’s palms sweat just because of the thought of talking to them. It had been so long since he felt anything other than platonic love for somebody and was losing his mind. Adrien knew he wasn’t the only one who saw Y/N as potentially someone who was to be more than a friend. How could he be? 

“Go! Now!“ Nino pushed him closer to the infatuating dream of his best friend. Disappearing in a split second he rebounded with his girlfriend. 

Adrien made a few steps. It has seemed the person of his dreams was way too far away from him. Fear grew with each step and his heart was now beating in his throat, unable to catch a breath. Yes! They are so close! He can see them, just a bit more. He is already there, just hanging by the tip of a finger... And suddenly he was in a broom closet. 

“Oh, Plagg I chickened out again“ Adrien cried, clenching his fists against the wall. The kwami flew around his head in an attempt to catch his gaze. 

“Honestly Adrien, you could only talk to them when you were Cat Noir. But when you’re...well you, you lose your mind!“ he spoke “You see, cheese doesn’t do that to a person“

“You’re a kwami“

“My point still stands.“

Adrien banged his hair against the wall. It’s true, he could always talk to them when he was dressed in black. “I'm going to talk to them, today!”

“You go to the same class, you talk to them every day “ Plagg rolled his eyes, getting tired of the same old story his owner has been playing over and over

The blonde boy shook his head trying to talk to Plagg on a serious note “You know what I mean”

Upon entering the class, Marinette stumbled over her thoughts. She had decided she will talk to them today. She had no idea how, but she had put her mind to it. She is doing this.

"Hi, Marinette," said Y/N when they saw the bluenette deep in her thought.

Marinette's eyes widened in surprise, her breath hitching in her throat. She had to process what is happening before she could open her mouth.

"O-oh, hi, Y/N. Are you how? I mean, how you are?" she felt embarrassed by the inability to speak as she tried to collect herself "How are you?"

"I'm good, thanks. Do you want to sit next to me today? Nino and Alya sat together." they questioned, pointing to the couple in love, sat in the second row.

Marinette's face lit up in joy as she shook her head in approval "Yeah, I will". The two sat down in the first row, waiting for the class to start.

"So, Y/N, tell me, um do you- want to-" Blue-haired girl started as the duo collected their bags and headed towards the door. Y/N watched the girl carefully until she was interrupted by a loud cheer behind them.

They turned around, meeting eyes with a pair of green ones that lit under the blonde hair. "Hi, Adrien!" they waved in response.

Marinette's face reddened. It wasn't just because of the Adrien himself who too, made her blush a little. But it was because he could not have found the worse time to come by...

Her fingers twitched as she watched him smile sweetly and sly to the person she was just about to ask out. He had a kind, heart-warming smile on his face, and he was talking so softly to them. His fingers twirled in his blonde hair as he...

Marinette's face widened at the realization. The guy was stealing her date!

"Actually, we were talking you can come back by later" she interrupted blushing Adrien, taking Y/N's hand in hers and walking off. Without thinking, Adrien reached out, grabbing Y/N's hand. His fingers wrapped around their wrist. "Why can't I join you?" he blurted.

"Of course you can!" Y/N exclaimed

"No, you can't. Don't you have a fencing class to attend to?" Marinette fought back, crossing her hands on her chest.

"It got postponed"

"It never does"

"But today it has so I have an hour of free time"

Y/N watched as the two held a strong eye contact filled with rage and jealousy. Their bodies came closer and closer as they fought back and forth for their attention.

Suddenly, the door of the school burst open, shrieks fulfilling the building. A woman dressed in black entered, her ripped dress falling to the floor. Silver hair of hers flowed in the wind as she wrapped her fingers tighter around the machine in her hand. Two rat ears grew on the tip of her head and a tail that followed the theme.

She walked around, shooting every random passenger and turning them into...rats?

"We have to hide!" Y/N exclaimed as they took both of their hands, leading them into a classroom.

Marinette stuttered, ripping their hands apart even though that was the last thing she wanted to do. "I forgot my bag in the other classroom, I have to get that, it's important, you guys go hide now!"

Y/N nodded, running again, leaving Adrien to follow along. "Locker rooms! We can hide there" he said, grabbing them by the hand and running to the secure place in school.

"Chloe! Where are you Chloe!" the rat lady yelled, leading her way through the corridors of the Françoise Dupont High School. "Hide here," he said, showing them a safe place in one of the lockers.

"You too." They said pointing to the one across. Adrien only nodded in response and faking it once they were completely safe. The blonde's legs carried him to the bathroom by the speed of light.

Closing the door he took a moment to take a deep breath and rest his back against the wall. His kwami reappeared in front of his face, waiting for a word. Something. Anything.

"Don't you have a significant other to save, Adrien?"

Adrien got himself on his feet, away from the daydreams. Plagg was right, he did everything better when he was Chat Noir, so saving them should be as easy too. Maybe then he can finally talk to them without interruptions or his own fears.

The blonde nodded. "Plagg claws out!"

Although they knew they could be in danger, Y/N couldn't take being locked up in a locker anymore. She stepped out, only to be met by Adrian's open locker. The rat lady must have got to him.

"Stupid" they hummed to themselves as they looked around, figuring out what to do.

Suddenly, the door to the locker room opened and the infamous black cat costume appeared before them, taking their breath as always. "Well hello I guess we're stuck in danger together," he said flirty "Might as well make the most out of it" he bowed down before them.

"Poor kitty, and where's your lady?" They said, teasingly to the cat boy who so desperately tried to get under their skin.

"Said she will be right back."

And just on queue, the lady in red stormed into the room. Taking a look at Chat Noir once she sighed. "I'm sorry to do this, but it's important. Multimouse, I need you." She handed the already well-known miraculous box to them as they nodded in response.

It was safe to say Chat Noir was losing his mind. His eyes widened at the sudden information, as he stared at them in amazement. "You're Multimouse?!" he squeaked. Thinking back on the previous times Multimouse came to help and he did nothing but flirt with them. There was something that stood out about them and he never knew what. Now, it all made sense.

Then yet again, he wonders how whenever Multimous was around, Ladybug also got way more talkative and goofy and eager for their attention. He remembers all the fights over Multimouse he and the lady had led. It all came together now.

"Of course I am," they said, tying the necklace around their neck and meeting with Mullo, once again.

"I've missed you Y/N," Mullo said, happily flying around.

"I can say the same" they responded, ready to transform "Mullo, get squeaky!"

"Wow," both of the Paris' superheroes were smitten. Stealing a dirty look from each other for one last time they created a plan with Multimouse to defeat Ninkilia. As Ladybug said, she is completely sure the Akuma is in her hand machine.

"That's the plan, just follow my lead" she finished her speech

"As you wish my lady" Multimouse chimed in before Chat Noir could say anything. Ladybug's hot cheeks were prominent through her mask, and the cat looked nothing but jealous.

"R-right, let's go" the girl with spots exclaimed, her cheeks still burning red.

Jumping from the roof, Multimouse teased the villain. "A mouse? No!" Ninkilia yelled. "If you can live in the garbage now, why can't you do it in a form of a true rat itself" she cried as she shot around random people on the street.

"We have to get to her hand machine quickly," Chat Noir said fighting the lady in black. "And maybe then we can go somewhere just the two of us."

He winked at Multimouse who only laughed, and earned a look of pure hatred from Ladybug. Expecting a comment on his own behalf, Chat Noir was surprised by the lady's response. "You don't want to go with him trust me. I know the best ice cream in town."

Multimouse only laughed "Let's get rid of this rat lady first," they said "Multitude!"

"No, not the mice!" Ninkilia desperately tried shooting the little mice around her as they climbed up her legs. Ladybug's yoyo wrapped around her, pinning her to the ground.

"Chat Noir!" Ladybug exclaimed.

"Cataclysm"

The Akuma has been purified and the trio has once more, saved the day. "Pound it!"

"It has been a pleasure working with you" black cat smiled sheepishly, taking the mouse's hand and kissing it softly. "Will I have the pleasure of seeing you again soon?"

"We'll see," they said, signalizing Ladybug it's time to go.

Ladybug pulled them close, taking them by the waist and already feeling her heart beat faster. Multimouse, or precisely, Y/N placed their head in the crook of her neck and sent shivers down her spine. Soon, they were flying through the air, holding just by her yoyo.

"Thank you for choosing me," they said, as they scootched closer to her body, clinging in fear of falling down.

"How could I not?"

Marinette's heartbeat raced faster as they shared a soft smile. If it were up to her, she would like to fight alongside them all the time.

[tinybriewrites]

Like A Drama - 2

Climbing into the attic, Marinette could see her brother Lewis working on his latest invention.

"We need to talk."

"Can it wait? I just need to fix the last bits of wiring," he said without turning around.

"It's serious," her voice cracked, catching her twin's attention. Looking at his upset sister, he gave her a gesture to start talking.

"I think we're adopted," she said with her face in her hands.

"That's ridiculous. Maman kept a pregnancy diary. You've even seen all the photos in the album," he said.

"I know, I know, but I just can't shake this feeling off."

"You saw something," he deduced. "When you got hit by the akuma."

"I saw a woman leaving twin babies in front of the bakery."

"That could just be another soap opera plot. Heck, a guy claiming to be my future son came to me with a time machine during the fight."

"That's what I thought too, but then I saw him. He was a boy who looked exactly like you, except with my hair. It was uncanny."

"That could still be a coincidence," he argued.

"I can feel it," she whispered. Lewis took a deep breath at the implications. Ladybug instincts were rarely wrong.

"Okay, alright, um," he said. "Here's the plan. We'll confront maman and papa after dinner."

"Forever together."

"Forever together."

 ---

Sabine turned pale the moment the twins brought up what Marinette saw. Tom immediately pulled her into his arms.

"We never meant for you to find out this way. We were going to tell you when you were a little older," the man admitted.

Lewis winced. Marinette gasped. They were adopted. It slowly sunk in for the two. Their birth mother had abandoned them on the steps of a random Parisian bakery.

Tom pulled the two teens into the hug, as well. "This changes nothing," he whispered. "You are our petites étoiles. No matter whether you're related to us by blood or not."

"But what about the pregnancy pictures? And the ultrasounds?" Lewis questioned, a weak attempt at denying the truth in front of him.

"I had a miscarriage," Sabine said, eyes closed. "The night after we returned from the hospital, we found you two. It was fate. I'll forever be grateful for that one summer night. You twins brought light into my life when it was darkest. My little lucky stars, don't you forget it. We love you so, so, so much," the small woman said, silent tears streaming down her face.

The family of four spent the rest of the night talking openly about everything that had happened sixteen years ago. There were tears, and there were laughs, but this was undoubtedly the clear, unblemished truth. Marinette and Lewis Dupain-Cheng were loved.

 --- 

On the outside, nothing had changed for the twins. They were both still absorbed in their respective hobbies: Marinette with her designs and Lewis with his inventions. Secretly, however, the two burned with determination to crack Hawkmoth's identity. The only clue they had to their birth father was Batman. Of all people, it had to be Batman. That made things complicated. Ladybug had met him at a meeting with the Justice League International two years into the Hawkmoth situation. He was respectful of her and Chat Noir's abilities, considering their positions as untrained teenage heroes. Although, from what Tikki and Plagg had said, Wonder Woman and Aquaman may have played a bigger role in that. She hadn't seen him since she requested all associated heroes to stay away from Paris while Hawkmoth was active.

Marinette couldn't leave Paris. The city needed their Ladybug. If their father was in any way related to the big old bat, then he was probably nowhere near France, and Marinette couldn't take any chances. So, the twins had to end Hawkmoth once and for all before they could even begin the search.

Lewis spent hours creating different prototypes of miniature trackers for Ladybug to place on the purified akuma. Each time, the signal magically disappeared without a trace. Tikki told the twins that it was likely Nooroo's instinctive protection at work.

"Fusing miraculous magic with the tracker might be helpful, but you'll need really high precision for that. It would be dangerous to attempt otherwise," the small goddess had said to the two.

Marinette became more devoted than ever to honing her creation magic. She wasn't slacking before, by any standards, but now she was driven with purpose. And, that made a load of difference when it came to magic - willpower. Her skills with the magic skyrocketed, both in and out of the suit. Akuma attacks, in turn, became more manageable for the Parisian heroes. Hawkmoth was improving, but Ladybug's speed left him in the dust.

Two years passed before Tikki had told them that Marinette was ready. The two were one step closer to unmasking Hawkmoth and freeing all of Paris. They were closer to the starting line of their search for their father. Their efforts were finally bearing fruit.

But just like some sort of cosmic joke, Hawkmoth chose that very day to suddenly go radio silent for three weeks. No akuma attacks, no public disturbances, nothing. Paris was the most peaceful it had been in half a decade. Newspapers questioned whether Hawkmoth had finally left. Everyone was celebrating, everyone but the twins.

As each day passed, they hoped more and more than an akuma would show up. They, along with Chat Noir, knew better than anyone that Hawkmoth wouldn't have left Paris alone. No, he was planning something. Something big.

Prev  |  Next

@maribat-bdbwm

[liquid-luck-00]

The Adventures of Miss Mischief 1

Chapter 1

@maribatmarch-2k21 Day 23: Enemies to lovers

Ao3 *** Here *** Part 2

Obviously this turned out way to long, and it kindof went in its own direction so here is part one of i have no idea how many.

~~~~~~~~~~

Marinette Todd was never one to back down from anything. When her parents died leaving both her and her big brother orphans she didn’t cry. In fact, she became tough and nails. She could use her size and innocent features and be able to pickpocket and manipulate situations on her favor. But that was all turned in its head the night her big brother didn’t cone back. She knew it was dangerous and beyond reckless to go out and look for him, but she did. She went out and looked, for him anyways.

As she was running across the rooftops when she was hit and grabbed. She looked around quickly before her eyes landed on Joker.

“Shit!” Was a breathed trough her teeth.

The maniac clown walked towards her laughing.

“Well, well, well, what do we have here?” He laughed as he spoke. “What’s your name girly?” The henchman holding her tightened his hold on her neck effectively choking her when she didn’t answer. Mari knew she had to do something, she let fear wash over her features tapping the arm of the thug. “Let her go.”

She fell limply to the ground gasping for breath. “Not on your life.” She knocked the legs out from under the bench man and ran. She jumped off of the roof, the moment she landed she heard the crack and knew she broke her leg, but she didn’t stop. She wasn’t about to stop so she ran, turned corners, jumped over what she could, but did not stop.she would have continued to run had someone not pulled her out of oncoming traffic and in turn her flight state.

“Hey are you okay? Can you hear me? Can you understand what I’m saying?” She finally nodded at the last question. “My name is Jim Gordon what’s your’s.” She stayed quiet. “Can you speak?” She nodded. “Do you have a name?” She stayed quiet. “Do you have someone to call?” Quiet. “Are you a street kid?” Quiet again. He pulled out a phone and spoke. “Commissioner Gordon here, I have a street kid needing medical attention, broken leg.” He hung up after giving their location. “We are going to help you okay.”

Marinette stayed quiet. When officers came, she kept quiet about herself. She only told them about her injuries but stayed quiet on the rest. If Jay was still out there, I don’t want him caught by child services.

She would have gone into child services had a couple not asked what was going to happen to her. She had noticed the couple often in the hospital but never reached out.

They ended up adopting her, unfortunately they were from Paris meaning she would have to leave the place she called home. On the flight over she would have cried leaving Gotham, but that only would have brought up questions about her past, so she fell asleep.

- - -

Five years she had been living in Paris, the city of lights, and she still missed Gotham. It’s shadows and perpetual darkness was her home. It was surprising when her class was interrupted by a villain but growing up in Gotham prepared her for that. What it didn’t prepare her for was the magical mini god named Plagg who was supposed to give her powers.

“So, can you explain this to me more.”

“Sure kid. Your powers are cataclysm, you destroy whatever you touch, but you have five minutes afterwards before you transform back. Your weapons are one ore two batons, that are extendable, but weapons depend on how comparable you are me.”

“Okay so what about that partner you mentioned?”

“They will most likely have the ladybug miraculous.”

“What does that miraculous do, as in powers wise?”

“They have lucky charm and cure, but…”

“But what Plagg?” She questioned needing to know what she was going into.

“Since this seems to be the butterfly, they also need to cleanse the butterfly.”

“Okay I think I’ve got all I need to know for now, you?”

“Hungry.”

“What do you like?”

“Cheese!”

“How do cheese danishes sound?”

“Acceptable.”

She let Plagg eat comfortably before transforming and heading out. Her partner was unbearable the moment she met him, then again that wasn’t too hard to accomplish seeing as he captured the two of them in his yo-yo string. Then during the battle, he used his lucky charm but didn’t know what to do with it. In the end she ended up taking it and defeating the akuma.

“We make a pretty good team together don’t you think?” He leaned towards her.

“Catch the butterfly.”

“What?”

“Catch the butterfly, Mister Bug!”

“Okay,” he sounded defeated and he did as he was told. Releasing a now white butterfly.

“Now cast your cure.”

“My what?”

“Did your kwamii not explain anything to you?” A sheepish smile spread across his features. “You have to be kidding me. Cast your cure by tossing your Lucky Charm but do it quick you don’t have much time left before you transform back, I’ll talk with the victim.”

“Who are you two? Are you new heroes? What are your names?” The new girl who sat next her earlier appeared spewing questions. As a swarm of ladybugs covered the scene.

“I’m Mister Bug, see you around partner.” He winked at her as he swung away.

“I’m Miss Mischief. Now if you’ll excuse me, I want to check up on the victim.” She moved past the reporter and towards Ivan, she gave him a small pep talk and with his confidence up she left.

It took her almost a month to pluck up the courage to approach Nightrunner to train her.

“Excuse moi, Monsieur Nightrunner.” She had approached one night while they were both patrolling.

“You are one of the new heroes, Mischief, right?”

“Oui. Um I was wondering, wold you be willing to train me?”

“Merde how did you become a hero then?”

“Magic jewelry appeared in my room.”

“Do you know how it appeared?”

“Apparently there is a guardian, but I don’t know who they are.”

“Do you know who your partner is?” She shook her head in response. “Merde! Okay why don’t you run patrol with me, and we’ll figure something out from there.” She nodded and the two left to finish the patrol.

- - -

To say she was surprised that she still remembered some of the things and moves she learned from living off the streets of Gotham was a huge help.

But that Bug still annoyed her to no end, they had talked the night after the first akuma, and apparently the reason why he didn’t know anything was because he was so exited to be a hero that he didn’t let his kwamii explain anything. She gave him an earful after that. Unfortunately, the red annoyance got it in his head that the two of them were soulmates.

It came to a head when during the akuma Mr. Pigeon. Bug simply summoned a lucky charm handed it to her and walked out. Sure, she defeated the akuma without using her power, and sure the bug caught the akuma and purified it, but she was so done with this. She walked out holding the luIcky charm guiding Mr. Ramier out when he approached.

“Nice work Kitty Cat.” As usual reporters surrounded them, he held out his fist for a fist bump.

She simply crossed her arms, “Thanks for the help, Bug.” Sarcasm dripped from her words like venom.

“What’s with the cold shoulder all of a sudden?” He responded.

“You left me alone to fight the Akuma on my own. Do you really expect me to sing your praises when you sat out here and did nothing?”

“But…” he thought for a moment before arriving at this sentence. “We are soulmates though don’t you trust me?”

“Yes, I trust you bug, you are my partner, but that does not answer my question. The part that we are soulmates is irrelevant and incorrect. Just because our miraculous are two halves of a whole does not mean that I have to have romantic feelings towards you. I’ll see you later for patrol” she vaulted away leaving him to stew.

Luckily, they split for patrol and she shadowed Nightrunner, and after they trained outside of the city. Which helped calm her down a bit.

Next

~~~~~~~~~~

Permanent Taglist: @itsmeevie01 @adrestar @miraculouspenta @vixen-uchiha @animegirlweeb @jumpingjoy82 @thedragonbug @astoriaandroses @icerosecrystal @t1dwarrior-of-earth @moon5606 @zalladane

[thr-333]

Drastic Measures- Part 5

@daminette-december2019-2020

~Sweater~

Shoves romance to the side and shoves friendship in your face!!!

Ao3

First< Previous > Next

----------

“Marinette,” Adrien whines as she opens the curtain the second they get back, “Sleep,”

“Just a minute, I want to design Damian something,” Marinette takes up residence at the desk, throwing open her sketchbook, “I will be friends with him!”

“Wasn't he kind of a jerk to you?” Adrien flops onto the bed, Plagg rig after him, "I think we should go back to that point, maybe sleep on it,"

“You were a jerk too~” Marinette sing-songs finishing up a rough sketch of a sweater.

“I was trying to get the gum off your seat!” Adrien slams his hands down.

“Sure you were~”

“Mariiiiiii,” Adrien collapses back into the bed covers, muffling his whining.

“Come on you,” Marinette collects her sketchbook, “Come get material with me,”

“No, it’s time to sleep,”

“It’s midday,”

“Your point?”

"Ok, Plagg 2.0 should I get you some camembert while I'm out too?"

"I'm up!" Adrien sits bolt upright, "Never call me that again,"

Marinette ends up dragging Adrien out of the mansion he pouts as Alfred delivers them into the city she thanks him profusely.

“We were just in the city why didn’t you pick up fabric then?” Adrien walks by her side down the street.

“Because I’m stuck between 2 concepts and I need to see the fabric before going forward,” Marinette bounces along looking through the windows there are quite a few craft shops in the area which suits her just fine.

“Please don’t run off,” Adrien gently holds her sleeve, “Marinette this city…”

“It’s filled with a dark energy,” Marinette agrees, even in this nicer area had something ominous hanging over it, “It’s like it’s seeped into the city’s very bones,”

“And the Akuma aren’t helping things,” A child across the street starts crying and they both instinctively lookout.

“On the plus side at least hawkmoth doesn't send Akuma after every little thing,” Marinette forces herself to relax, moving on as the kids parents comfort them.

“On the downside, he sends them after emotions that are a lot worse,” Adrien follows along into a store as Marinette filters through the shelves.

“Maybe but we can handle this,” Marinette absent-mindedly raises her fist, meeting Adreins, “Do you think I should make something for everyone, you know as a thank you?”

“I haven't gotten them anything,” Adrien takes the armful of fabric Marinette passes him as she brings out her sketchbook to select old designs.

“I’ll handle the making,” Marinette ticks off a vest she thinks with be perfect for Bruce, “And you handle the finances,”

“I stole my father's credit card,” Adrien says with a grin, “He’ll probably find out where I am soon anyway so might as well start using it,”

“In that case,” Marinette pulls out a roll of incredibly expensive fabric, “We also need new phones,”

“And we should go out for lunch,”

“Get our hair done?” Marinette adds, looking at her half hacked off hair “I still need to fix mine from this,”

“I was thinking our room could use a chair?”

“And the bookshelf is looking a bit empty,”

“A nice expensive rug would really liven up the room,”

“Would it be completely inappropriate to get a motorcycle?”

“Yes,” Adrien agrees, “Let's do it,”

They stop to get new phones first, having destroyed their old ones when they ran away. Adrien finds the most expensive restaurant in town, but it's on the far end so they stop to get a motorcycle first.

“I didn’t know you could ride,” Adrien gestures for the waiter in their private room, “Yes can I please have the duck?”

“My Nona taught me,” Marinette sips at the most expensive drink she can legally buy, “I thought you hated duck?”

“Oh I do,” Adrien grins, which drops when his phone starts ringing, “How did he even get this number?”

Marinette looks over his shoulder to see Gabriel trying to call. Adrien purposefully hangs up rolling his eyes.

“We should go do our hair next,” Adrien leans over the table with a manic grin, ”I was thinking of dying it hot pink,”

“Love the concept,” Marinette cringes at the very thought, “But the execution is flawed, you need to dye it a color you actually like not one just to spite your father otherwise he's still just controlling your life, just in a different way,”

“You're right,” Adrien sighs leaning back examining his blonde locks, “What do you think?”

“A nice pastel or cherry blossom pink would look amazing,” Adrien perks up at the suggestion he can still keep the pink, “Actually I might do that too- oh wait! Will that affect our transformation?”

“Not unless you really want to deep down,” Tikki explains, her and Plagg gorging themselves on expensive cheese and treats.

“Well deep down I really don't want to give away our identities like this,”

“It’s a plan then,” Adrien smiles, “Now do you want to order anything else?”

“Thanks but I’m full,”

“What's that got to do with anything?”

 ---

 “Looks great Nette,” Adrien gives her a side hug, the hairdresser shooing him away while he does the final touch-ups.

“Are you talking to me or yourself?” Marinette smiles at the new and improved shock of pink hair.

“Well obviously I look fabulous, but you look great too,” Marinette rolls her eyes at him looking back in the mirror. Instead of evening out her hair, they had made it look like her little episode was actually intentional giving it nice layers and even doing an undercut on the other side. Unlike Adrien, she didn't go all pink, instead the tips being white ombre up to pink and then her natural hair color.

“Thanks, you have to send a picture of your hair to Nino he's more invested in your teenage rebellion than you are, he’s probably also hurt you left him out of the running away part,”

“He has suggested, more than once, running away together,”

“Why what's wrong with Nino's family?”

“Nothing at all,” Adrien quickly covers, “I think he just really wanted me to run away, his mum offered to pack us lunches,”

“Well, maybe we could have used the turtle,” Marinette sighs, “But I could do that to Nino, you already had to leave Kagami behind, have you given her a call yet?”

“Oh um, about that-" Adrien points at her tapping his chin thoughtfully, "Never mention it again,”

“Adrien,” Marinette scowls, “Call your girlfriend,”

“She’ll kill me,” Adrien hides partly behind a seat looking meek, “Also you don't get to lecture me, you haven't called your parents,”

“That's different,” Marinette groans sinking into the seat, only to get told off for moving, “They’ll want me to come home, how am I supposed to explain that I can’t,”

“They’re your parents,” Adrien stresses, “I’m sure they’ll be happy enough to know your ok,”

“Maybe,” Marinette hums, the cloth being removed from her shoulders letting her get up, “I just feel so bad for putting them through this,”

“Maybe one day they’ll understand,” Adrien walks with her to the front to pay.

“Maybe,” Marinette looks down at the bill, “Wow this is a lot more expensive than the usual dye job,”

Made sense because they were in the higher income distinct of the city.

“Why Marinette,” Adrien grins swiping the card, “That's the point,”

Ten minutes later they were laughing as calls kept pouring in one after the other. They are only interrupted when they get the distinct feeling of an Akuma.

“Duty calls,” Adrien sighs putting his phone on silent.

“Seems so, at least we can call out skills multiple times," Marinette walks casually into an alley with him, “What are you up to?”

“About three,” Adrien shrugs transforming, “It takes about double the time for the transformation to drop now,”

“Same, wish I could say that gives us the edge but really it only keeps us from falling off the cliff,” Marinette also transforms, her new costume bringing a smile to her face.

“How eloquent my lady,” Marinette playfully pushes him, Chat catches himself catapulting over the building, she quickly follows behind.

The Akuma is standard, Marinette guesses the akumatized item is the wrist watch. The problem comes with their recurring thorn in her side.

“Ladybug-”

“Get out of the city,” She cuts Batman off, “Yeah, yeah let us handle this first,”

Marinette throws her yoyo out just in time to deflect an attack headed at Chat.

“Do you need any help?” Robin asks, Marinette smiles, partly at the aghast face Batman makes.

“Do you think you could tag-team it with me?” She asks formulating a plan, with the extra help she might not need the lucky charm, “Make your attacks big and draw his attention, grab the wristwatch if you can,”

“On it,” Robin gives her a nod jumping into the fray, Ladybug doesn't give batman a chance to object running after.

Robin does a good job they work in perfect sync falling back when the other moves to make an attack. When the Akuma focuses on them too much Chat swoops in and gets their attention giving them the chance to swipe at the wristwatch. It goes on she sees Robin get thrown back after another failed swipe at the wristwatch. Ladybug takes the chance to move forward grabbing for the wrist, she isn't watching out for the other arm, the impact hitting and sending her flying back.

“I got you,” Her momentum is stopped by a hand bracing at her back, saving her from crashing into the adjacent building.

“Thanks, Robin,” He helps steady her as she finds her footing again, “I’ll move in you follow me up,”

“No need,” He smirks brandishing the watch.

“You did it,” Ladybug beams, taking the watch and smashing it to the ground, “Great job!”

“Ah, thanks,” Ladybug doesn't pay attention to how Robin brushes, focusing on purifying the Akuma and fixing the damage.

“We made a pretty good team,” Ladybug turns to Robin when everything is settled, “Pound it,”

Robin meets her fist with some hesitance, which disappears when she smiles at him again.

“Ladybug!” Batman yells heading their way.

“Ops sorry,” Ladybug cringes, “Sorry! Cant stop gotta go, bye bye!”

They run from the scene faster than Batman can hope to catch them. They end up back at her newly brought bike stacked with fabric and protected by a bit of luck. Marinette races home to make everyone's gifts, knowing just who she wanted to start with.

 ---

 “There you are!” Marinette exclaims, having spent the past half hour searching the manor for him.

“What do you want?” Damian snaps as if he wasn't just playing with the cat on the floor half a second ago.

“Nothing, I made something for you~” He continues to scowl but Marinette doesn't let it discourage her, “Here, I didn’t know your size so I made a baggier style, do you like it?”

Damian takes the sweater holding it up to where she put it on him looking down a little shocked. Marinette almost wants to laugh at the expressions trying to shift back from awe to disinterest, it’s cute. She smiles wondering what his face would look like if she made a matching one for the cat, and maybe Titus too.

“.... It’s well made,” Damian eventually allows, folding it over his arm, Marinette notices how his fingers linger on the soft fabric.

“Good to know,” She smiles, bidding him goodbye before the moment can be ruined. She bounces down the hall humming to herself.

“Someone's happy,” Tikki flies out of her bag.

“He liked it, why wouldn't I be happy?”

“Someones really happy,”

“Stop it Tikki,” Marinette giggles, making the kwami laugh in turn.

“Just like adrien~” Tikki sing songs floating down the hall ahead of her.

“Well then, keep Kagami far away from this one,”

“Don’t turn into a stuttering mess and we have a deal,” Tikki agrees.

“Please Tikki I’m not thirteen anymore,” Marinette brushes her off, ready to go make the others gifts, if she spent the whole time humming to herself Tikki wasn't going to explain why to Adrien.

---------

Taglist? nope don’t have one, horrible at keeping track of them sorry~

[catwentnugget]

Miraculous Ladybug Fanfic

- Don’t Say It -

Summary: Chat Noir finally snaps with Ladybug. (Inspired by Season 4) ⚠️WARNING: Swearing, Slight Spoilers ⚠️

On WattPad at InsomniaCatwent Miraculous Angst {One-Shots}

https://archiveofourown.org/series/2477575

“Pound-“ the bluenette halts her first bump as she sees Chat Noir extend his baton, preparing to jump away.

“Yeah, yeah, I have to go.” He murmurs, not bothering to make eye contact with his partner.

“Chaton, are you alright?”

The feline hero glares at her, making a scoffing sound before jumping off and running across the buildings.

Ladybug frowned, confused by his harsh and cold attitude. ‘He must be busy or stressed with his life,’ she thought finally, ‘I have to meet up with Alya for patrol anyways.

The bluenette swung her yo-yo a few times, gaining the momentum to throw it further, reaching the park, where they had planned to meet. Alya stood there with her flute in hand, her costume in a light shade of purple, her way of calling it her new disguise.

“Alright, we ready?” Ladybug asked.

“Yep!”

The two jumped off, beginning their run through the city for the evening, unaware of the feline hero who sat on one of the rooftops, watching them run.

You know you’re irreplaceable.

A tear slips out of his eye, just to be wiped immediately. Letting out a shaky breath, he slumped against the chimney, leaning his head back. A strained laugh rises from his mouth before turning into soft sniffles.

“I guess I am replaceable, huh?” He murmurs to himself.

-

Night started settling in and Chat Noir was still sitting on that rooftop, lacking the energy to move. Right then, a giant explosion goes off, making him jump to his feet.

Scanning the area, he finds the akuma decked out in all black. A long sash goes across her left shoulder, armed with small bombs, crossing to her right hip. Her blonde hair is in a long whiplike braid. A black mask covers her face.

Right then, his baton lit up with a message. Frowning he opens it to see an incoming call from Ladybug.

He hesitantly picks up and sees Ladybug’s face flash on the screen as she runs across rooftops, her yo-yo shaking as she speeds up.

“Chat Noir! Are you seeing this? Get over to the Eiffel Tower as soon as possible.” Ladybug says.

“Why don’t you get your new partner over, I bet they’ll be more help.”

“Wh- What-“ Ladybug questioned only to be cut off as she dodged a flying bomber with a yelp.

“What are you talking about Chaton?”

“Don’t ‘Chaton’ me,” the feline responds harshly.

“Can we talk about this after?”

“Whatever, I’m coming.” He mutters, hanging up abruptly before his partner could get another word in.

‘I can’t put Paris in danger because of a little jealousy,’ he thought, vaulting himself over with his baton.

He lands at the base of the Eiffel Tower where there was a flipped over bus, fearful cries and calls for help came from it, making him run faster to them.

Lucky the bus flippped so the door was right side up, he climbed on top and used his baton to pull it open.

“Come on, it’s okay, lemme help you,” he calmingly, putting his baton to the side as he helps a mother pull her baby out.

One by one he got them to safety before returning his attention to the akuma who was chasing Ladybug across rooftops, the akuma’s hands were glowing blue as grenades appeared from thin air.

He flings himself up towards the akuma, raising his baton, he smacked her out of the skies. The akuma scowled and started throwing things at him, only for it to be deflected away.

He scans over the akuma, searching for the object, his eyes landing on the small pack she wore on her belt. It illuminated a dark glow, the aura of fear, anger, and other negative thoughts came surging from it.

Chat’s attention turns from the akuma for a second, his stomach dropped as he saw that one hero Ladybug was with earlier. Using this to her advantage, the akuma threw a grenade at him, exploding on impact.

With a groan, he fell back, slamming into the flipped bus. The pain slowly dissipated to a dull ache due to the suit’s power to absorb hits.

“Chat!” Ladybug screamed, dropping down next to him, her hands frantically checking for anything broken.

“I’m fine,” he coughs, pushing her away to which she frowns but nodded quietly, pulling herself up to continue the fight with the other hero.

Chat pulls himself up, leaning against the bus for a moment to catch his breath, wincing. Looking over, he sees Ladybug struggling to find the akumatized object, the bag securely tucked on her waist.

His heart nearly jumped out of his chest when he saw his partner get thrown across the place, crumpled on the ground from a grenade. “LADYBUG!” The other hero shrieked, running towards her with her flute out for defense.

Chat Noir made a half second choice, pulling a small knife from the baton and throwing it at the akuma’s bag with scary exact aim. The knife’s weight dragged down the bag, causing a rip. The akuma’s face goes pale as she falls onto her knees with a pained wail.

Ladybug pulls herself up with the help of the other hero. The blonde grabbed a red bag with black dots, a Ladybug Lucky Charm, and threw it over the akuma to trap it.

“Here,” he says stiffly.

“Thanks, Chat.”

He nods quietly, his eyes not bothering to look at her. “Are you alright?” He says finally. No matter what negative feeling he felt in his heart, he couldn’t bear to see her hurt.

“Yes I’m alright, I’ll be better when I throw the Miraculous Charm and fix the place.”

Ladybug steadied herself before throwing her yo-yo out, purifying the akuma from the bag before throwing the bag up as well.

“I’ll talk to you later,” Ladybug turns to the other hero. The purple fox dressed hero nods before running off.

“Chat,” she says, finally taking his hand into hers, “we need to talk.”

“Yeah no shit Ladybug.” He scoffed, taking his hand out of hers.

“What’s up with you? You’re being so mean and cold!” Ladybug argues, finally fed up.

“What’s wrong with me?” He laughs coldly, glaring at her.

“Yeah, what’s wrong with you!”

“My issues I have with you!”

“I haven’t done anything-“

“Don’t you dare say that.”

“What-“

“Don’t you dare say that.”

“Well I didn’t do anything!”

“You told me you can’t tell anyone about our identities. Yet I found out that both Rena Rouge and Carapace’s identities have been revealed to each other.”

“I- how did you-“

“That’s irrelevant, but I found out that apparently, everyone outside of me can do their own thing, hell you brought in Chloe. Out of all the people, you brought her in.”

“Chat-“

“No you can’t sweet talk your way out of this either, no more ‘Chaton I trust you’ or ‘You’re irreplaceable’ because apparently you can’t trust me even if I’ve been with you since the beginning. That apparently I am irreplaceable after all.”

The tears began to spring from his eyes, only for him to turn away, wiping them off before returning his attention to her.

“So don’t tell me another little speech about how much you care or how much you think about me. Not if you’re going to just lie and then leave me.”

“Chat you’re being selfish!”

“I’m being selfish? Go on, I want to understand why! Because I’ve been keeping you safe and now am hurt when I am no longer the one you count on anymore? That I’ve been replaced in a single second?”

“That’s not what I meant,” she whispered.

“Well that’s what you said.”

“Do you want my miraculous back now too? Find yourself a new Chat Noir? Hell maybe an even better one.”

“No! Don’t leave!”

“Why the hell not?”

“Because- because I need you!”

“Do you now? Can’t you get one of your new trusted partners to comfort you now?” He gestured in the way the fox hero left.

Chat Noir pulled out the baton, extending it into the air before his hand was grabbed by Ladybug’s. Tears streaming down her face.

“Chat please, I just needed someone-“

“You call me selfish when you pull this bullshit.” The blonde laughed dryly.

“I’m struggling Chat!”

“You think I don’t either? What? Because I smile and make jokes? You don’t know anything about my life and you think I’m living the dream?”

“Chat stop!”

“No, what about your life that is so stressful that you couldn’t even bother to confide in me?”

“Being the- the Guardian and being Ladybug and doing all of this!” She screamed, stretching her arm out there.

“You don’t think I’m doing all this too?”

“Yeah maybe Fu gave you the title but we’re in this together. At least we were in this together.” Chat pulled his arm away.

“Do you want the miraculous back? Tell me now or I'm going home.” He stated firmly.

“No, you can’t be replaced and-“.

“Don’t say that.” Chat cuts her off, tears beginning to build again. “Don’t you ever fucking say that.”

He takes a deep breath, taking in the silence.

“Don’t say it if you don’t mean it. Reject me all you want Ladybug, and I’ll be fine. It’s the truth at least. Don’t lie to me, please.” He whispers, practically begging to her.

He glanced at her once more, vaulting off into the night and then back home, leaving Ladybug to fall to her knees in tears.

Like it? There’s more on my AO3! The link is back at the top! Have a great day! <3

[your-brilliant-lady-m]

Part 3 - Basic Concepts of Miraculous Ladybug: Transformations, Potions and Power-Up's

Welcome to my analysis of basic concepts in Miraculous. Let's talk about transformations, potions and power-up's. This one is going to be interesting.

Apparently, only child superheroes have a time limit and can use their power only once. And adults can use their powers many times and maintain their transformation.

I don't take Thomas Astruc's Twitter statements seriously, but he said that adults don't have to detransform because they can feed the kwami with their energy. What happens when energy runs out? Does it mean that holder of the miraculous dies and transformation drops? Or does transformation drops when the kwami grows tired enough? However, according to "Silencer", transformation can't be released until the holder says detransformation words or uses their power (applies to children only). Is that why Master Fu doesn't transform these days? Because he is old and doesn't have enough energy for Wayzz.

At the same time, Bunnix/Bunnyx held her transformation for several thousand years in "Timetagger" and she was still alive. Moreover, not only she was still alive, she hasn't aged a day. Alix still looked around 25 even after spending so much time in stone. Her sanity was also still intact. Does that mean that as long as people are transformed they are immortal and can't die of natural causes, can't get sick or be killed? Does the Miraculous pause all inner processes? Do people stop ageing when they are transformed? Does that mean that prolonged transformations essentially slowed down puberty for Marinette and Adrien because every Akuma attack (their transformation during this attack to be precise) acts as a pause for their growth process? Does that mean that transformed heroes don't need food, sleep or oxygen? And Alix doesn't experience any negative side-effects after prolonged transformation. A lot of questions must be answered here.

But apparently, the "adults can use their power many times without detransforming" rule does not apply to Gabriel. In "Heroes' Day" he turns Nathalie into Catalyst who gives Hawkmoth the power to "release as many akumas as he desires". Does that mean that he can't normally do it? On the other hand, in "Queen Banana" he creates another Akuma right after the fight with akumatized Chloe ended.

Do you remember this? In "Origins" we find out that akumatized butterflies can multiply. That's why Ladybug needs to purify them. So, does that mean that Scarlet Moth and Catalyst weren't necessary?

Hawkmoth's plan in "Heroes' Day" was actually very smart. However, it can fall apart when you remember that butterflies can multiply. How does that work? Why do they multiply? Could Gabriel akumatize Nathalie into Catalyst (akumatized object is something not very valuable, like a piece of paper), then break the akumatized object and release the Akuma into the world? Would that turn people only into copies of Catalyst? I wouldn't call this thing a plothole, exactly. I'm just curious because it's an unclear moment. Perhaps you could explain it as the element of a soft magic system with unclear rules. Because the magic system in Miraculous is a mix between the hard and soft system.

Adults without time-limited power have a serious advantage over children. Why does Master Fu give Ladybug and Black Cat to teenagers then? In the beginning, Fu doesn't know that Butterfly holder is an adult. Isn't it safer to give 2 most powerful Miraculouses to adults just in case? If Butterfly Holder is a child then 2 adults with more powerful Miraculous would win much faster. If Butterfly Holder is an adult as well, then the fight is more even.

We know the out-of-universe reason for doing this. There would be no story then. Miraculous holders have to be kids since it's a kids show. But in-universe it doesn't make sense. In "Furious Fu" Su Han even says that children are not allowed to handle the Miraculous at all according to the rules of the Order. Fu knows that children have a time limit. It looks like he deliberately sets them up for failure. Why?

Is that because children are easier to manipulate as they are most likely to trust Fu's judgement no questions asked? This reasoning doesn't look good for Fu, who is supposed to be a wise and kind mentor. Is that because children won't abuse their powers? Find a trustworthy adult then. Give us some kind of in-universe explanation!

If you can't explain it then do something with the time-limit rule. It's an important plot device, which contributes to tension and raises the stakes during fights. So, removing it is unwise. Consider giving adults a time limit as well then.

Or you can create different rules. Maybe Black Cat and Ladybug can't be wielded by adults, unlike other lower-tier Miraculous? Maybe Miraculous and Kwami can choose the wielder in some capacity, and this magical bond can't be changed? Do Kwamis feel a pull towards several people and Guardian then chooses the final holder? If there's no pull whatsoever, then Kwami won't be able to grant powers to this person? How much weight does the decision of a Guardian have?

I actually like this last idea the most. It makes sense and avoids plotholes at the same time preserving the time-limit rule. I spent less than 20 minutes figuring this out.

This way Fu gave Ladybug and Black Cat to children because he didn't have a choice. Plagg and Tikki gave him suggestions but these people didn't pass his tests. Marinette and Adrien are the last ones and they do pass. It adds some tension and showcases desperation on Master Fu's part. Magical pull doesn't always mean that potential holders are good people. That's why Miraculous sometimes end up in the wrong hands.

Insert a conversation between Marinette and Tikki or Plagg and Adrien about this choosing process, have them wonder about the bond Nooroo and Hawkmoth share.

Then add more information about bonding. The magical connection can be formed just like people form relationships if human and Kwami spend some time together. It nicely adds up with the reason why Master Fu gave Ladybug and Black Cat to teenagers. He could have given both jewels to adults without a bond and waited for the connection to form but alas, there was no time. He needed active holders right now, and waiting for some adult to come around wasn't an option. But here's the catch. Only decent, kind people with good intentions can earn and create a magical bond. And this has the potential for a truly delicious scenario (more on that later).

It's a very tricky situation. But these rules must be stated and figured out in the very beginning. Because it can create plotholes down the line.

Unification

Combining several different Miraculous is an interesting concept and fusion of powers has been used for a long time as a storytelling element. It's important for the plot in several episodes of seasons 3 and 4.

However, there's "Kwamibuster", where the worldbuilding is broken one more time. It is awfully inconsistent within itself just like "Chat Blanc", "Timetagger" and "Furious Fu". (How do writers keep doing this? I have no idea. But then again even "Avengers: Endgame" contradicts itself numerous times. It's truly miraculous how they managed to do this with their budget, I'm impressed).

For a moment let's ignore all absolutely awful priorities that Marinette has in this episode as well as the rule "you can't know the identity of your partner or else you will have to give up your miraculous". This rule is literally never mentioned again before or after this episode. It's just there and it doesn't make sense. I know it's hard to ignore, but one must try. Instead, let's focus on this dialogue below.

Master Fu clearly states that you can't merge the Miraculous. It could make you lose your mind. The only more or less acceptable unification is that of Ladybug and Black Cat.

What happens next? Marinette puts on every Miraculous without any problem just "to free Kwamis" and transforms into Multimouse. The only sign of her discomfort is a moment of dizziness that's gone in a few seconds. Moreover, it never happens again, it's never mentioned. Then she does the exact thing that Fu told her not to do and starts merging Miraculous left and right. She continues to do so in season 4 every other day. What? Of course, how could I forget Shadowmoth? Gabriel merges 2 Miraculous every time in season 4. He doesn't lose his mind.

You can't tell us that merging can make you lose your mind and then in the next scene show us the complete opposite. That's bad writing. If you need the concept of unification to work then cancel the "lose your mind" rule and instead say that the merging process tires you out. There's no lasting harm, just that you will be very tired. If you want to raise the stakes, then say that wielding more than one Miraculous requires a strong will and practice. It's possible, but you can't perform unification just like that.

In this case, you lay the groundwork for the plotline of Marinette and Adrien for season 4 and 5. This plotline is about mastering unification. Show us how our heroes practice with different combinations of Miraculouses outside of Akuma battles. Show how they are improving. Maybe, Ladybug and Chat Noir nearly lose in the season 3 finale because the unification still drains them. However, in season 4 they put more effort into their training and by the time season 5 rolls around they are good at this. They became a stronger team and partners because of that. Their training sessions are also a good set-up for the development of the love square. Nothing like this will happen, but a girl can dream.

Look, I get it. You want Marinette to be special. Unfortunately, you have made her too special. She starts to break the laws of your magic system. We don't see the process. One moment she has 0 knowledge about something and then she is already an accomplished master of the thing in question and often it happens in the same episode. Marinette somehow just knows about the properties of every Miraculous on-screen, but her training happened off-screen. We as the audience are left confused and wondering. Wait, how does she know this? Was there a missing episode? Was this mentioned in some comic? The audience keenly feels the lack of plot-relevant content and explanations.

Potions and Power-Ups

They are a marketing ploy to sell more toys and merch with character transformations. That's it. Are they useful for the story? Yes, they are sometimes. Do power-up's make sense as a worldbuilding element? I'm sorry to tell you this, but no.

Miraculous Grimoire contains lots of potion recipes for Kwamis. I liked that Kwamis can't read the grimoire to avoid giving information to malevolent holders, which implies that they can't lie to their holder about their powers. I talked about this in my previous posts.

Let's start with Ice Transformation. Apparently, in-universe its only useful characteristic and the thing that sets it apart from normal transformation is skates. Maybe, this transformation also has additional protection from the cold. Maybe. Miraculous makes heroes nearly invulnerable and enhances their physical abilities. I find it hard to believe that protection from elements is not included in the package. And that's it. If we remember that Miraculous holders have subconscious control over transformation's appearance, we can also assume that a person can have conscious control as well. The laws of the magic system in Miraculous allow Marinette to ask Tikki to create skates for this particular transformation. Potions aren't necessary for this. This way you can still sell new toy, but in-universe this works better.

Our next stop is Aqua Transformation. It gives heroes the ability to breathe underwater and fins. That's all. In "Syren" it appears that this transformation also makes them more agile and fast in the water. However, Ladybug's yo-yo worked just fine before Aqua form when she tried to drag Kim to the surface. Her movements underwater weren't restricted either with normal transformation. So their fighting ability is not affected by the potion.

Kwami can live without oxygen. I mentioned earlier that Bunnix with normal transformation in "Timetagger" spent several thousand years in stone without oxygen and probably in some kind of stasis. Do transformed heroes need oxygen? No. Then their inability to breathe underwater doesn't make sense. Therefore, a potion isn't necessary for this.

Next, let's talk about fins. They could appear through the conscious desire of the holder just like skates.

Honestly, "Timetagger" and "Chat Blanc" completely destroyed worldbuilding in Miraculous. These episodes just shouldn't exist. They aren't even consistent within themselves, nevermind the rest of the show, which is why I still don't understand why fandom has such a weird hard-on for them and for Bunnix. Oh, wait. On second thought, I get it. They were just fanservice after all.

Cosmo Bug an Astro Chat. Space power-up give heroes the ability to fly and exist without oxygen. Ancient grimoire had the recipe of space potion, apparently. And humans got into space in the second half of the 20-th century. Ok. That totally makes sense.

If ancient people invented a space potion, that could also mean that back in Ancient Egypt Ladybug and Black Cat holders could use advanced technology. But Su Han in "Furious Fu" is surprised to discover that Ladybug can just call Chat Noir. He assumed she would send a bird with a message. That means that unconscious control over transformation extends to the weapons of heroes. For Marinette and Adrien communication means smartphone with navigation, messages, trackers and Bluetooth earbuds. That's why magic gives them smart weapons. Su Han's words prove that the invention of the space potion is not possible. Unless space potion was also subjected to unconscious control over transformation. People couldn't imagine the possibility of space travel in Ancient Egypt, but they could imagine flight. So, perhaps, for heroes back then space potion simply meant wings.

We've established that heroes don't need oxygen. So, a potion isn't necessary for this. The ability to fly also could be achieved through conscious transformation.

That's all for this part of analysis. Let me know what you think. Stay tuned for the next meta. See you!

[mlwritingprompts]

Submitted Prompt: Different Beginning

Akuma Marinette AU

Diverges from Origins

I hope no one was OOC or bashed.

—–

A divergence in Origins in which Kim and Ivan did not fight and Caline did not punish Ivan, but instead Chloe went out of her way to torment Marinette, something that is natural for her to do at this point.

Now, the problem is not that Marinette will do something bad, she is way too used to being attacked by Chloe, but even before Alya became her friend, her rage was slowly bubbling over the years, and she is having more and more problems controlling herself.

Only, Hawkmoth has better ideas.

He feels the rage and fury in Marinette, and decides that she will be his first Akuma, and sends his black butterfly to her.

Marinette, having no knowledge about what is going to happen as she had only got to see and know Tikki when she (canonically) returned home, paid no heed to the Akuma until it made contact with her bag, and she heard a voice in her head telling her to listen to him.

Marinette is too angry and disturbed by what happened, and she ends up under the villain’s control, transforming into a supervillain with the primary purpose of dealing with Chloe permanantly.

(Her form and power is up to you.)

The Akuma’s rampage causes a very devastating destruction, quickly getting Chloe as a causalty, and Adrien…

He verily regrets the fact he rushed without fully understanding what he’s about to enter.

His fight against the Akuma is not fun, exciting, or a chance to mess around.

The whole experience is nothing but painful, exhaustibe, and nervewracking. 

He had nearly got knocked unconscious when he tried to joke to the Akuma, and quickly learned that in this battle, his life is forfeit if he makes a mistake, especially since he has no knowledge on what he’s supposed to do as he did not give Plagg too much time to tell him anything of importance, and he also has no idea wether he is the only hero here or not as Fu didn’t tell Plagg about that too.

He really regretted not allowing Plagg to explain everything properly.

It was only after nearly an hour that Adrien found out help to this horrifying situation falling from the sky, literally.

A person wearing a ladybug-themed suit that covered their whole figure, making their appearance completely unidentifiable, calling themselves Simetra (they really are one of Marinette’s parents, or even both parents if you want both of them to transform into one via the Ladybug earrings).

Simetra is capable of dealing with the Akuma, able to predict what the Akuma will think to a degree (Marinette is their daughter and they are good parents)

The fight continues, with a dead-serious Adrien focused on actually fighting, trying not to mess this up because as they might actually lose if any of them showed carelessness.

The fight ends with the Akuma being defeated and Marinette freed from Hawkmoth, and Simetra, having time to ask Tikki on what to do, purifies the Akuma before it multiplies.

Hawkmoth makes some grand villainous entrance earlier than canon, and gives his speech, that gets stopped by Simetra, who promises she will catch him, sooner or later.

In the aftermath, things do not go away and return to how they are.

Adrien is still terrified of him nearly dying on his first day in what he thought a fun experience, and he is not interested in having that happen again.

He can remember the fear and horror he felt as he fought, and he does not want that to happen to him at all, even if this Simetra was capable of winning and catching that villain, he will not let his fate in their hands if possible.

Adrien learned the dangers of being a superhero here, and he will be more careful and serious (if he even wanted to keep using the Ring.) from now on, caring about others instead of just how he can have fun.

Chloe is terrified of what happened to her under the power of the Akuma, and she will be scared for a while, and will have this to examine how to not get targeted by such Akumas and normal people. That’s her motivation at first, but eventually she might learn to be nice to people for the sake of being nice.

Marinette is terrified of what happened, seeing her Akuma form and the destruction she caused while under the villain’s control afterward on video, and promises to be stronger so the villain will not take advantage of her again. Obviously, she didn’t do anything wrong, and it wasn’t her fault, but it’s going to take a lot of talking to her friends, if not getting actual therapy, to get her to realize that. 

And Tom and Sabine…

Well, they are very furious and angry at the whole situation, and at Tikki and Fu in particular (they managed to have Tikki tell them about him) as the two were going to simply shove their dear daughter into the hero’s role without asking her permission. Don’t even get them started if they find out that Adrien is also a child who’s been shoved into this role and left to fend for himself. If they hadn’t shown up he probably would have died. He doesn’t have the tactical skills or ability to think on his feet, and if not for them it would have ended in disaster.

And they will do everything in their power to end Hawkmoth’s reign, and if that means dealing with an old man who thinks forcing kids to deal with a supervillain is a good idea, well…

Oh, what a mess this became...

send a prompt - Rules for the blog

[dandelionflower]

Felinette Month Day 27

In between

Alya stared, blank-faced at the pair in front of her.

Marinette and Adrien had always had chemistry, but this was unbearable. They were just standing at the doorway of the classroom, each one offering to let the other go in first.

“You go ahead.”

“No, you, I insist.”

“Please, just-“

“Excuse me.” Felix walked in between the two without a second thought or a third word. He headed to his desk and sat down, flipping open a book and reading diligently.

Felix Culpa. The destroyer of her OTP. He was terrible, almost always introducing himself at the worst moment, never seeming to purposely do anything, but it always ruined whatever was happening between the other two.

Marinette seemed to hate him just as much, always tracking him with her eyes whenever he entered the room. Adrien was his usual oblivious self, giving Felix a grin whenever he saw him. He seemed to be making more of an effort to connect with Felix, since he and Marinette started their awkwardness. Weird.

Still, Alya was certain something had changed since last week. Marinette and Adrien had somehow become closer and more awkward simultaneously, but she expected that the two would be dating within the week.

Speaking of, the two walked in together, whispering and shooting furtive glances at the back of the room, where Felix sat. Clearly they had noticed his tendency to ruin their moments.

They slid into the front desk, Marinette shooting Alya an apologetic glance that she waved off with a knowing smile. If the lovebirds wanted to spend more time with each other, who was she to stop them?

—

Felix was avoiding her. She just knew it.

Ever since Team Builder, she and her two partners had been out of it. She and Adrien were getting to know each other anew, but Felix seemed insistent on never looking at them directly again.

Team Builder was the coach of a failing baseball team. She wanted the all teams to be honest with each other and share deep secrets to become a closer team. Her first target was her baseball team.

Her second was the group of three heroes.

After working through the trust-building obstacle course with ease, they reached the truth telling stage.

Some of the questions weren’t so bad, even things they’d talked about before.

“What is your greatest fear?”

“Who on the team do you trust most?”

“What is your greatest pet peeve?”

Easy answers, with little opportunity to hurt anyone, even the question about trust. Both of the boys said they trusted her most, and she begrudgingly revealed that she trusted Chat Noir more. Apidae faux pouted for a moment, but admitted that he expected that would be the case.

It was around “who is your crush?” that things started going downhill.

Chat Noir opened his mouth, probably to proclaim his “undying adoration” for her yet again, but choked.

“What’s wrong?” She had teased. “Cat got your tongue?”

“My L- M- Mi. Kagami Tsurugi.” The words sounded normal, albeit strangled, but his face showed that he did not intend for them to come out.

Apidae was next. He stepped forward, breathed in deep, and said without a waver in his tone.

“Marinette Dupain-Cheng.”

She didn’t say a word. She couldn’t. What could she say?

On her turn, she walked up, ready to spill her guts on her crush on Adrien, but the words wouldn’t come out.

“A- Adri- Apidae.” No. That wasn’t it. What was happening? Was this how Chat Noir felt?

Apidae coughed as the doors opened to the next level. Neither of them looked at each other as Chat Noir bounded ahead of them to what looked like the final stage.

“Welcome! You have proven yourselves to be a secure and trusting team. With this final push you will become the perfect team!”

Apidae snorted. “What? No, let me guess. You’re going to take our miraculouses and force us to reveal our identities to each other, so our final walls are down.”

“You’re close!” She waved her hand and chains appeared on their wrists. “I’m not giving Hawkmoth anything until he proves he can be a team player with his blue belle. But I’m also not giving you the chance to fight me until you prove yourselves. So here’s your final question; what is your true identity?”

Chat Noir grunted, shifting against the chains. “I’m not saying a- Adrien Agreste.”

“Chat! You’re Adrien? All this tim- Marinette Dupain-Cheng.”

Apidae made a startled sound. “We don’t have time for this. We need to stop her. Now.”

“How aren’t you saying it?” Ladybug glanced at him as Chat- Adrien used his cataclysm to destroy their chains.

“I’m not using the initial sound in my name.” He said simply, though it was clear that he was struggling with his words.

It was a difficult fight, with Apidae unable to communicate to the best of his ability, Chat and Marinette awkward and embarrassed, and Team Builders ability to manipulate their environment.

Apidae tried to use his venom, but it was blocked, and they were left with less than five minutes before she would be fighting alone.

And soon she was. Chat Noir detransformed to reveal Adrien, who, while athletic, did not have miraculous armor to protect him from the blow. He was knocked prone against a wall, and stayed crumpled there.

A minute later, Apidae detransformed too, revealing the crush she didn’t even know she had until then to be Felix Culpa. Felix still stood, weaving around every attack, using one of the still-intact chains to hold her.

“Ladybug. Lucky Charm. Now.” He struggled for hold her, only barely containing Team Builder.

“Right. Lucky Charm!” She threw her yo-yo and was met with a baseball bat. She knew what had to be done. She gave Felix a look and he nodded.

Team Builder broke free of his hold and knocked him aside, not hard enough to knock him unconscious.

Marinette distracted her by asking about her batting form as he got back up and crept behind her.

Like a well-oiled machine, she tossed the baseball bat to him as he leapt up, he caught it and swung it into Team Builder’s head, just barely fracturing her helmet. A fracture was all that was needed for the akuma to crawl out and get purified.

She tossed her miraculous cure, and waved for Felix and Adrien to scramble away as she knelt by the dazed coach.

“Are you alright, ma’am?”

“Yes, I think so, but I can’t remember anything.” She looked up at her with horrified eyes. “Was I akumatized?”

“I’m afraid so, but you didn’t do much harm.” Her miraculous beeped and she waved a goodbye before swinging away, catching Felix’s eye as she left.

They hadn’t talked since then. She and Adrien had taken every opportunity to talk to him and he made every excuse not to.

“Enough is enough.” She hissed at Adrien, during quiet reading time. “We need to talk to him now.”

“So you two can talk about your crush?” He teased with a grin.

“Not just that!” She felt her ears turning red.

“But mostly that.” He gave her a kind look. “Just let me handle it. You go stand by your locker after class.”

“Okay.” The rest of the class was spent on trivial topics, jokes, and planning fo make it easier to slip away during akuma fights.

She left to go to her locker after class, Adrien shooting her a wink as he walked purposefully towards Felix.

A few minutes later and she was at her locker, in the crowded room, staring at the doors waiting for Felix (and Adrien too, of course).

Suddenly, the doors slammed open to reveal Adrien, carrying a struggling Felix over his shoulder.

“Adrien, I swear to-“

“Yeah, yeah. We need to have a conversation, and you have to deal with it.” He commented with an east smile.

He set Felix down in front of her, restraining him in a hug.

“I do want to talk, but in front of so many people?” She glanced at Adrien, then the room.

It was deserted. In the few minutes she had been distracted, Alya has shuttled everyone out of the room, shooting her a wink and a thumbs up before exiting herself.

“Never mind then.”

“Sir please.” A squeak came from Felix’s bag. “I’d like to see Tikki and Plagg. Just for a moment?” An adorable yellow head gave him puppy-dog eyes.

“Fine.” She squealed and flew out, hugging his cheek and dive bombing Adrien’s bag. “But I want it clear that I’m doing this for Pollen.”

“Noted.” Adrien cautiously released Felix.

“So, what needs to be said? I feel that there’s nothing to be resolved.”

“I beg to differ.” Marinette took a step forwards, fully aware of how close her face was to his. “I think we have quite a lot to talk about. Like your crush on me.”

“You mean our mutual crush on each other.” His eyes bore into hers and she stepped back, rubbing her neck.

“Y-yeah. So...”

Adrien waved his hand. “I’m gonna step out and let you two handle this.”

Once he was gone, Marinette sat down, putting her head in her hands.

“I have a crush on you. You had a crush on me.” She murmured. “What else for you want me to say?”

“Well, ‘yes’ would be a nice start.” His feet shifted.

“Huh?” She peered up at him. His face was absolutely crimson.

He coughed a pulled out a crumbled sheet of paper. “Marinette Dupain-Cheng,” he glanced at her, “when I first saw you, I thought you were immature, and preppy.

Then I actually had a conversation with you and I was proven exactly right.”

She made a little sound of dissent.

“But accompanying your immaturity and preppiness, was a deep compassion, and an impeccable fashion sense. I fell for you and kept falling with every day I spent in your presence. So, Marinette Dupain-Cheng, will you go on a date with me?”

She stared at him.

“This is why I made the request that you say yes.” He whispered.

“Oh!” She straightened. “Right.”

“So...”

“Of course.” She beamed and lunged for him, hugging him as tight as she could.

“Finally!” Adrien shouted from the hallway.

“Finally.” Felix whispered into her hair.

@felinettenovember

[mlbthoughtsandships]

Compulsion--8/?

Read on AO3

[1-Imprint on Me/Soulmate–Imprint] [2-Jealousy] [3-Unconventional Proposals] [4-The First Night] [5-Who’s really the sap?] [6-Spoilers] [7-Ask Me Again]

This newest akuma was...different. This woman wore a white and pink maid's outfit; the apron was heart-shaped; and the chest was a giant clock with heart-shaped hands. It was in this clock that her powers lay; at random intervals--Ladybug couldn't stop moving long enough to nail down a pattern, a burst of pink light would rip through the center at in the direction of her target. Chat Noir had already been clipped; a giant, yellow timer counted down from 10 minutes above his head. No amount of questioning would result in an answer; the akuma had just cackled and said that they would both see at the end of the timer. She had announced herself as Countdown, but offered no more information. Since that moment, she had been trying to nail Ladybug with her beam. 

"Why won't you stay still!?" She complained, furiously. Ladybug ducked behind a parked car as Chat redirected the beam into a post. He joined her behind the car. 

"What do you want to do, milady? As curious as I am about this timer, I'm not very eager to see what it does," he stated. 

"I think we're going to need some he-" The car was suddenly blasted away. Chat Noir barely managed force Ladybug's head down as another blast sent the car soaring into the park. They both vaulted to their feet, ready to dodge or fight, whenever another blast--not hardly 30 seconds from the last--slammed into Ladybug's chest. Chat cried out for her as she went flying back into a separate light post. She groaned at the painful strain to her back and looked up at her own timer--now blazing about her head. 5 minutes...and it was counting down faster than Chat's. 

"Oh~," the akuma sang. "Oh my, kitty's gonna have a broken heart." 

"You ready to tell us what it does?!" Chat demanded. 

"If you haven't figured that out by now, then I'm definitely not going to tell you." Ladybug looked around. The epicenter of the attack was close; men and women bore the same timers-counting down. There was a sound of something chiming coming from Countdown's clock. Her eyes immediately darted almost manically around the square; Ladybug's eyes followed hers. One woman's timer hit zero and then she vanished. She reappeared, however, soon after--right as another woman's timer hit the same number. They stood in front of one another in a daze as a pink hue took over their irises. The akuma laughed gleefully. "I knew it~" She sang. "You two were totally soulmates!" She jumped up and down in delight. Ladybug's mouth fell open.

"You mean these silly timers are a soul-mate radar?!" She complained. The akuma's glee died down; a pout came on her lips. 

"Yes, I can't believe I gave the game away..." Her pout disappeared as quickly as it had come. Her smile got wider. "There's also a compulsion charm imbedded into the beam. Those two will be going out to dinner. You two however...will deliver your miraculous once the timer reaches zero!"  

Ladybug's lips twitched. The akuma realized it at the same time and let out a shriek of rage; they would be teleported to their soulmate. Which could be anywhere in the city. "Well, I suppose you'll have 4 minutes to try and take it, Countdown." She taunted as she dropped into a fighting stance. Chat, however, didn't move immediately; he was busy having an internal meltdown at the fact that Ladybug's timer was faster and lower. His timer had only just moved past 8 minutes.

"Ah," Chat shook himself. "I won't let such a silly thing as timers separate us, milady!" He declared with bluster, jumping upwards as a beam shot at his feet. 

"Ah, but they are accurate," Countdown teased. "They'll transport you to your soul's one true fit." 

"And how can you read our souls?" Ladybug asked as both of them crept closer to the distracted akuma. "What makes you the deciding vote?" 

"I'm not~," she sang, "you are." Chat hooked his baton into a sewer drain lid while Ladybug kept the akuma's eyes on her. She shot her yoyo at Countdown's head. The woman dodged. "HA, you missed!" Her yoyo wrapped around the light post. Ladybug used the momentum of the string and the steadiness of the post to propel herself forward. The akuma dodged as Ladybug's feet flew past, but she couldn't dodge the sewer cap that Chat Noir hurled with his baton. It slammed into her and knocked her to the ground, but the clock did not break. 

Which was unfortunate. 

Ladybug's timer hit 0:00. 

 X

Luka yelped as a weight slammed into the deck beside him. He jumped up as he identified the mass on the deck. "Ladybug!" He cried out as she staggered to her knees. She pressed her palm to her forehead as if gathering her bearings. "Are you okay?" He asked as he helped her to her feet. She leaned into him for a moment, naturally, as if they had done it a thousand times, before pushing away. 

"Yeah," she seemed to take assessment of herself and then gave a firmer nod, "yeah. I need..." She looked up at him, their eyes met, and her eyes glazed over in a pink film. Luka's stomach dropped. 'She's under the influence of an akuma,' he realized. He looked around the deck for something, anything that could snap her out of it or save him if the influence made Ladybug violent. "Luka," she called before he resolved himself to using his guitar for blocking. "Luka~" she sang. His eyes snapped over to her; first in alarm at the beautiful voice and then in true shock as her hands reached up for her ears. He realized immediately what the influence was. He grabbed her hands quickly and pulled them down by her hips. The action brought them closer--closer than he had ever thought he would be to the one who gave him the chance to be a temporary hero. "What are you doing?" She asked as she wiggled; a small giggle escaped her. He tried to ignore how jarring that sound was coming from the leader of the miraculous team and how familiar it seemed. 

"Stopping you from making a mistake," Luka told her as he kept hold of her hands. He held her back into the depths of the boat, hidden from eyes.

"But you wanted to know my secret!" Ladybug protested. Luka almost tripped on the first step down into the hull, realizing that she was referencing his akumatization. He almost clipped his shoulder on the wall, but Ladybug pulled back just enough that he stayed on course.

"You don't want to do what you think you do," he told her soothingly. "I never should have asked." 

"You should have! It was within your right to know!" Ladybug argued as she tried to wiggle her hands free. "I do love you, Luka," she said freely. His eyes widened; his grip on her hands loosened for a second. He scrambled to try and catch her hands as they darted up to her ears, attempting to make the most of her time freed. Luka did the only thing he could think of. He slapped his hands around her wrists and pinned them to the wall behind her. Her mouth fell open and a vivid blush spread across her cheeks. He took a deep calming breath. 

"No, you don't." He argued. "It's the akuma making you-"

"No, it isn't." Ladybug retorted, trying to free her wrist in sharp bursts. Luka wondered idly why she wasn't overpowering him; in the suit, she was certain strong enough. 'But the compulsion isn't...there's something else to it. She didn't just appear to me randomly and she's acting almost...lovesick.' 

"Ladybug, why are you here?" He asked. 

"Countdown, the akuma, her beam is supposedly some soulmate timer or something corny like that..." Luka didn't have time to unpack all that, especially since her leg was now sliding up his. She could easily kick him away, all it would take was wedging her knee between them. He swallowed.  

"I'm sorry about this," he apologized as he closed the small distance between them and pressed into her body. Her cheeks flooded with red and he was certain his own matched. "T-The, ah, compulsion is secondary to the timer?" He questioned. 'Get her thinking,' he rationalized. 'Engage her brain and she'll stop trying to expose herself...' Ladybug nodded. "Why is the thought that you love me more overpowering than the compulsion?"

"She's a matchmaking akuma," Ladybug clarified. "She said that I was the deciding vote about who I was transported to." Luka swallowed as he fought the urge to lay his head on her shoulder--even temporarily in exasperation. 'So, I'm gonna have to unpack it, huh?' He thought.

"So, subconsciously, you thought of me whenever she said soulmate?" Ladybug shook her head. 

"No, I thought of you when she said 'my soul's perfect fit'. Soulmate is too...broad of a definition. If that were all, I could have just as easily teleported to Alya--since I consider her a platonic soulmate. But 'perfect fit' means more."

"That...doesn't sound like subconscious," he said weakly. It wasn't just her response; it was the name Alya combined with the way she said  Ladybug smiled, but it was a trembling thing as if she didn't want to be saying all this. Luka's eyes widened. "You can't help but respond to me," he realized with dread. 

"It doesn't seem like I have much of a filter," Ladybug agreed. Luka's mind raced. 

"It's more than that, you have to be honest with your responses..." Ladybug nodded again. Luka pinched his lips together. "Shit, okay. Where is the fight happening?" 

"Near the park that has the Ladybug and Chat Noir statue," she answered. Confusion had slipped into her tone.  

"I want you to take me there." 

"What? Why?" 

"Because you are the only one who can purify the akuma."

"I'm not taking you into danger without a suit, Luka!" Ladybug argued; the first hints of her true self since before the pink glow. Luka pursed his lips. 

"Please, Ladybug," he begged. She jerked as if he had slapped her; he bit into the inside of his cheek. A whine escaped the back of her throat as her head slammed into the wood of the boat. 

"Don't," she protested weakly.

"Please," Luka repeated. He smothered the guilt as her pained eyes met his. He gave her wrists an apologetic squeeze as he stepped away and let his hands fall. His request seemed to overpower the compulsion as she stepped forward and let him out of the boat. She wrapped her arm around his waist and urged him to hold onto her. "Focus on the fight when we get there and I'll be safe," he told her as she swung the rope around a pipe jutting out from a house just a few feet from where they were docked. His breath caught as they were off. It was a jarring feeling, traveling by air-hanging from someone. 

Before the feeling could make him dizzy, they landed at the fight. Chat Noir had broken the clock and freed the akuma. He had managed to cage it in his hands. The timer above his head read 4 minutes. He stared in astonishment at Ladybug and Luka. Luka caught her hands before they could dart back up to her earrings at the realization that there was no akuma, no fight to be had.

"The akuma needs to be purified," Luka tried. He didn't want to ask her to do something again whenever she couldn't resist. Ladybug's lips pouted. 

"Yeah, but..." 

"I need you to purify the akuma, Ladybug," Luka resigned himself. 

"Thank you," Ladybug breathed, stunning him, as her yoyo wiped out. Chat's hands parted numbly, allowing Ladybug to catch it with her yoyo. 

"Bye-bye, little butterfly," she said as the purified butterfly flew off. Now that the akuma was cleansed.

"Is the compulsion still-" 

"No, it's not," Ladybug sighed in relief. She turned to him. Her blue eyes were shining with relief and true affection. Luka's stomach clenched. 'Oh,' he realized immediately. The words she had spoken under the influence of the akuma combined with the way she was looking at him now--'Marinette.' And it was like the mask no longer existed. He could see the freckles across her nose that were hidden by the mask. He kept his expression as neutral as he could. Then, Ladybug hugged him; and he didn't bother hiding the shock. "Thank you," she whispered somehow more earnestly than before.  

"You're welcome," he murmured as she stepped back and let him go. He was aware of Chat's eyes fixed on them, but the black cat didn't say a word. Mari-Ladybug called for her Lucky Charm and threw it into the air. The Miraculous Cure washed over the city, Chat, and herself in turn. 

"I'll tend to the akumatized victim," Chat Noir said in the silence that had settled once the ladybugs had retreated. "You should take Luka home." He added to Ladybug. Ladybug nodded. 

"Right. Thanks, Chat." 

Like before, they traveled in silence. As they landed back onto the deck, Luka rubbed the back of his neck and readied to tell her that he knew. 

"Luka..." She interrupted. "I...know you aren't stupid...and we can eventually come back to this," the this was loaded, "but right now..." 

"Hey, I told you didn't I?" He stuffed his hands into his pockets. "I'll be here when you're ready." He reminded her with a slight smile. Her breath caught. Her own smile, trembling with both heartache and relief, pulled her lips. 

"Yeah." They shared a smile and she turned to leave. As she put her foot up on the edge of the boat, she turned back to him. "I meant it, you know," she reminded him. 'I do love you, Luka.' 

"I know," he reassured.