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Tales of Bloody Bug and Chat Noir - Chapter 15 - Felix

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Adrien sat in the garden as he stared up at the statue of his mother, Emilie Agreste. He sighed and glanced back to see Nathalie and Gabriel looking at him from the window. He smiled and waved, but only Nathalie returned it. He turned away back to the statue.

“Little kitty on a roof. All alone without his…,” Adrien started to sing.

“Adrien,” Gabriel said.

“Father?”

Gabriel moved down the steps and sat beside Adrien. “There’s something important I have to talk to you about.”

Adrien tilted his head as he looked at Gabriel, noticing the bags under his father’s eyes. “Father, are you ok?”

“It’s nothing. Just nightmares and stress. But I need you to listen. There is something I need to tell you. Something I’ve thought about telling you every day, but I don’t know how to find the words.”

Adrien gasped. “Father, it’s ok. I understand. I loved Mom too, but it’s ok that she’s gone. I accepted and I’m here for you.”

“What? How could you think such a thing?”

“But… I don’t understand. She’s gone. She died. I thought you were ready to grieve. It’s All Saints’ Day, Father. Shouldn’t we be honoring and celebrating her, as well as grieving?”

Gabriel stood and glared down at Adrien. “As long as she’s in our hearts, she lives on! She’ll never be just a memory, Adrien.”

Adrien frowned and looked away.

Gabriel sighed and turned his back. “We’re expecting guests. Be ready.”

Adrien watched Gabriel disappear back inside. He looked back at the statue when Plagg peeked out from his jacket.

“Wow, your father’s like a piece of Tomme cheese. A rind so thick that it’s almost impossible to get inside.”

“Don’t be hard on him, Plagg. It’s been a year since Mom died, and it can’t be easy with All Saints’ Day today. A day we’re supposed to honor those that have passed, like Mom.”

“And what about you?”

“I don’t know. I wish we could honor her together, but I guess I’ll be doing that alone too, as usual now. C’mon, let’s get ready for company.”

~~

Alix circled her mother’s tombstone as she washed it thoroughly. Alim and Jalil watched her as she scoured the stone, washing away all impurities.

“Alix, honey, you’ve washed the tombstone five times now. It’s clean,” Alim said.

“Just one more rinse. I just need to make sure it’s spotless.”

Alim knelt and touched Alix’s shoulder, giving her pause. “The tombstone looks lovely, Alix, but now it’s time to rest. We have a big night tonight and I know you’ll want to have your energy for that.”

“I know, but I just want to make up for almost losing her body. After what happened with Chat Noire, that guilt remained with me. We almost lost her completely because of me. If I hadn’t fixed everything, we’d have nothing to honor today.”

“Now, Alix, I know you know better. We both do.”

“But where would we celebrate her if not here on this day? It’s supposed to be here like it always is.”

“It doesn’t matter where we celebrate, so long as it’s together and for her. On the days when the veil is thinnest, and she gets to see us. And why we need to be at our best tonight when we make our offerings and prayers. We need to show her that,” Jalil said.

Alix raised her brow as she looked at Alim.

“Right, but all that aside. It’s more than just honoring her, but the family we made and the legacy she left behind. So, let’s head home and prepare for tonight, ok?”

“Fine.”

“Oh, Alix, your friends have been asking for you,” Jalil butted in.

“Have you been reading my messages?”

“Occasionally when your screen lights up and I see some of the message. They want to do something nice for Adrien today.”

“Why?”

“Something about his mother I think?”

Alix looked away.

“Alix?”

“It’s… it’s just I… I may know who he is.”

“Oh? Oh! I see. Do you want to help him?”

“Yes? No? Maybe? I mean, I understand, but at the same time, I don’t know. I want to help, but am I really the best one to help him? I’m… me!”

“You seem to help him as him,” Tikki squeaked from under Alix’s cap.

“That’s… it’s different. When the world doesn’t know it’s you, it’s easier to share. I mean, why should I care what strangers think opposed to… to….”

“Friends?” Alim asked.

Alix nodded.

“Well, that’s part of it. You will learn to open up and share more of yourself. Taking that first step with strangers is a big step. The next will be with your friends. So, why don’t you go help him in your way?”

“Are you sure?”

“Go on. I know she would approve as well.”

Alix smiled. She hugged Alim and headed to the Agreste mansion.

~~

Adrien sat at his desk and stared at his monitors’ background. He smiled seeing him with Emilie until he heard his door open. He turned to see Nathalie enter his room.

“Your father is waiting for you downstairs, Adrien.”

Adrien nodded. He followed Nathalie downstairs to the parlor. He stood with Gabriel by the front doors. He watched as Nathalie opened the door for a woman that looked identical to Emilie. He gasped as his heart leapt, the faintest hope that it was her. The hope extinguished as the woman stepped forward to reveal his aunt, Amelie.

“My, my! Look at how much you’ve grown!” Amelie cooed.

Amelie approached Adrien and kissed his cheek. He smiled before she turned to Gabriel.

“Gabriel, isn’t he just the absolute cutest?”

Gabriel grunted. “I’m sure Adrien is glad to have such a timely visit from his aunt today of all days.”

“Of course! It’s All Saints’ Day. I thought it’d be better if we were all together on a day like this. Don’t you agree?”

Adrien nodded while Gabriel rolled his eyes. Adrien gulped and looked back at Amelie. His eyes widened seeing a boy that looked exactly like him. He grinned as his eyes lit up.

“Felix?”

Felix walked up to Adrien and held out his hand. Adrien looked at it, then hugged Felix.

“It’s so good to see you again!”

“Aw! You two still look so much like twins! Oh, remember when you two would have so much fun pretending to be each other. I still remember when they had you and Emilie fooled for a whole weekend!” Amelie reminisced.

Gabriel growled. “I won’t be fooled a second time.”

Adrien stepped back. Felix turned to Gabriel and offered a hand.

“Hello, Uncle.”

Gabriel didn’t move. He glared down at Felix’s hand, then Felix.

“Now, Felix, you know your uncle’s never been the physical sort.”

Felix rolled his eyes but lowered his hand.

“Now, Gabriel, while I am here for the holiday, I do have important business to discuss with you about the Graham de Vanily twin rings,” Amelie reminded.

“We’ll discuss it later. It must have been a long trip from London. Rest a little. Nathalie?”

Nathalie moved from the door and escorted Amelie away.

“Adrien, take Felix to your room.”

“Yes, Father. Come on, Felix!”

Adrien ran up with Felix walking behind him. He headed into his room and grabbed a basketball as Felix stood in the middle of the room.

“Hey, remember our shooting contests?”

Adrien passed the basketball to Felix. Felix caught it but tossed it aside. Adrien tapped his hands on his legs as Felix glared at him.

“Hey, so, uh, I’m sorry I never went to your dad’s funeral. Father thought it would be too hard on me considering everything that happened this year. You’ve got every right to be angry with me.”

“That’s not what bothered me until you brought it up. It annoys me more seeing you always do what Gabriel tells you.”

“I mean… he’s very protective of me, but I don’t always do what he says. Well, now a days. Not since he changed. Not since Mom died.”

Felix raised a brow, then smiled. He hugged Adrien. Adrien gasped, then returned the hug.

“Say, do you have that chessboard? Would you like to play a round of chess?” Felix asked.

“I do! I’ll go get it!”

Adrien ran up the spiral stairs in his room to the second level. He searched his shelves until he found the chessboard and pieces.

“Found it!”

“Grab some cards, while you’re up there!” Felix called.

Adrien smiled as he searched for a deck of cards. “You still doing magic?”

“Now more than ever. You’ll see!”

“How about karate? Still practicing?”

“Of course!”

Adrien grinned until Plagg phased through the floor up to him.

“We need to talk, Adrien,” Plagg said.

“What are you doing here? Hide!”

“Mind if I take a shower?” Felix asked.

“Not at all. Make yourself at home!” Adrien answered.

“What’s up with that cousin of yours? First, he searches through your things, and then, unforgivably, he squashes my hunk of goat’s cheese under your pillow! I’ve been maturing that baby for two weeks, do you realize? Two whole weeks!”

“Listen, Plagg. Felix lost his dad not so long ago. He’s probably not himself.”

“I’m sorry, but that’s no excuse. You never touched my cheese and yet you lost your mother not so long ago.”

Adrien grimaced and looked away.

Plagg flinched. “Oh, Adrien, I’m sorry! I didn’t mean it like that. I just… your situations are similar, but you’re so different.”

“I know. I’m sorry about your cheese, but, please, be patient with Felix.”

Adrien grabbed the chessboard and cards and headed down to the first level. He put them on the coffee table when he heard a clattering noise. He looked around when he heard it again near the window. He approached it as he saw a pebble hit the glass. He ran up to it, looked out, and saw Alix standing in the backyard. He gasped and opened the window.

“Alix? How did you get in?”

“Uh, climbed the wall and fence?”

Adrien’s jaw dropped, then he shook his head. “I’m sorry, Alix, but you can’t be here.”

“Well, if I listened to the rules, I wouldn’t do half the crap that I do anyway. Sound familiar?”

Adrien’s eyes widened. “It… it is you, isn’t it? How did you know it was me?”

“Your little stunt a few days ago with Silencer. You weren’t exactly subtle, nor was your kwami.”

Adrien grimaced. “Are you… angry at me for that?”

“No, but I can’t exactly praise you either. That was a real shit move. At least when that crap happens to me, I don’t purposely make it happen. It just… it just happens because of who I am.”

“I know. I wish I could apologize, but Juleka isn’t letting me near Luka. Though I don’t blame her. Anyway, what brings you here? Is there an Akuma?”

Alix didn’t answer. She took several deep breaths before she parkoured up to the open window. Adrien watched in awe as she slipped into his room. He flinched when she smacked into the ground.

“Made it.”

“How do you do that?”

“It’s all in the legs, and the arms. Anyway, let’s ditch this place and go have fun.”

“I can’t. My cousin is here, and I can’t leave him.”

“Why not?”

“I just… it’s been forever since I’ve seen him. That and he and Aunt Amelie came for All Saints’ Day, even if I’m sure Father won’t really let us celebrate it.”

“That’s why we celebrate it. Let us honor our mothers together.”

“I want to, but Father wouldn’t ever let me.”

“Hey, there’s a saying I’ve grown to live by that my mother did. It’s better to ask forgiveness, than permission. So, let’s go!”

“But-.”

“Adrien! Can you lend me some clean clothes? I left my suitcase downstairs!” Felix yelled.

“Huh? Oh! Yeah! Take what you need!”

“C’mon, Adrien. Don’t you want to do what you want? Don’t you want to honor your mother? Don’t you want to live?” Alix pushed.

“I do, but-.”

“No buts. Let’s go. Your cousin seems to be doing fine.”

“Why doesn’t he come with us? I mean, he lost his father recently.”

Alix considered, then sighed. “Fine. He’s in the bathroom, right?”

“Yeah. He should be-.”

Alix pushed past Adrien to the bathroom door. She rolled her shoulders before she kicked the door open. Felix shouted and dropped Adrien’s phone.

“What’s wrong with you? I could have been-!” Felix started.

Alix whistled. “Damn, you look so much alike. Even more in Adrien’s clothes. Oh, and what do we got here?”

Felix reached for Adrien’s phone, but Alix grabbed it. She smiled and tossed Adrien his phone.

“Alright, boys, get ready. We’re heading out on the city.”

“What? I’m not going anywhere with the likes of you.”

“Good! I didn’t want you to come. Your soft-hearted cousin did. Anyway, let’s go, Adrien!”

“Hold up! Your father wouldn’t approve of you going out, Adrien.

“Uh, what’s that thing you said? If you listened to the rules, you wouldn’t do half the stuff you do?” Adrien asked.

“Atta boy! Let’s go!”

“Wait! You can’t just leave me here,” Felix argued.

“Then you can either come along and do something against the rules for once, or you can stay here like a good little boy who always listens to mommy.”

Felix grumbled. “Fine. Give me a minute to change.”

“Excellent, but first.”

Alix pulled Adrien and Felix in. She pulled out her camera and took a photo with them. She pushed Felix away as she headed out of the bathroom.

“What was that for?”

“Letting the girls know you, well Adrien, is in good hands. Now get changed. We have a city to terrorize.”

Alix and Adrien left Felix to change. Alix sent the photo to the girl group chat before she approached the window. Adrien followed behind her before Felix joined them. She nodded and hopped out the window and rolled onto the grass.

“Let’s go boys. We don’t have all day.”

Adrien and Felix exchanged glances before they followed Alix. They tumbled onto the grass and brushed themselves off as they stood. They looked around, uncertain of what to do next when Alix ran for a small tree. They watched her climb up it, hop onto the wall, and then climb over the fence atop the wall. Their eyes widened and their jaws dropped.

“Move it! Don’t want the adults to catch us.”

Felix and Adrien nodded before they followed Alix. They struggled up the wall and fence but made it over. They jumped down to the sidewalk, landing less than gracefully.

“Well, look at that. Congratulations, boys, you committed your first acts of rebellion. How’s it feel?”

“Technically not my first one, but that was the hardest. How do you make climbing all that look so easy?”

“I mean, you gotta learn otherwise the cops catch you.”

“This is wrong. We weren’t given permission to go out. We should go back,” Felix fussed.

“You go back. We’re heading out,” Adrien said.

“But Father will be-!”

Felix cut himself off as he covered his mouth. Alix’s eyes widened as she saw fear in Felix’s eyes. She reached out and took his head, surprising him.

“Today is typically about honoring the dead. They also say those that have passed are watching us on these days when the veil is thinnest. So, if that’s true, let’s give your father’s spirit a healthy dose of disrespect. What do you say?”

Felix didn’t answer, but the fear faded from his eyes and was replaced with hope. Alix grinned, tightened her hold on Felix, and ran.

“Move it, boys! The city is ours this day. Let us live for the day, and in the memory of what was and shall never be again!”

Adrien cheered as he and Alix ran side-by-side while she dragged Felix behind them. They explored the city at their leisure as they took Felix to each of the sights. She gathered mementos along the way she planned to offer to her mother’s grave. She didn’t want to put much stock in Jalil’s theories in front of him, but a part of her began to believe her mother was watching. If it was true, she wanted to show her mother how much how changed and the joy she now found in companionship.

Alix lingered on the notion as they reached the Pont des Arts and stumbled on Andre’s ice cream stall. Felix and Adrien smiled and enjoyed each other’s company, a far cry from what she had seen earlier when Felix was moody. A lot of Felix reminded her of herself. Seeing him now as he was, it felt another reflection of herself. One where she’d let people in. Is this what she was becoming with these boys and even the girls? If it was, she loved it. She loved seeing what she could be. Even if she didn’t overcome her anger completely, she could still be so much more. She could finally learn how to really be like her mother. To make those connections she never knew she wanted until she met Tikki.

“Alix! Come get some ice cream!” Adrien called.

Alix snapped out of her thoughts and smiled. She trotted over when her phone rang. She took it out when the screen lit up pink. She panicked and threw it to the ground. She stepped back as Lady Wifi, Reflekta, Princess Fragrance, and a fourth villain emerged from the phone. She tilted her head as she took in the new villainess.

The fourth villainess was an atrocious high fashion, heart-themed dress with leggings, platform pumps, and sunglasses. Her hair was pulled up in a puffed-up swirl that looked like cotton candy. She held up a sketchbook with a pencil in hand.

“What’s going on here?” Alix demanded.

“We’re here to punish Adrien and you,” Reflekta answered.

“What? What for?”

“We sent Adrien super nice messages, but he responded to them with a super mean message!” Princess Fragrance whined.

“And then we see you all happy with not just one Adrien, but two! Keeping them all to yourself,” the villainess screeched.

“We should have known you’d turn on us eventually, but never with Adrien. Now it’s time to make you both pay,” Lady WiFi sneered.

Alix felt her heart drop into her stomach. She glanced at Adrien and Felix, who had genuine fear and concern in their faces as they looked at her. She could still save them. She could give Adrien time to transform, or she could reason with them to get them to release the Akuma like Nathaniel and Luka had. She’d rather punch them for this, but she’d give them one last chance.

“Is this really why you were akumatized? Is this really why you accepted an offer to become monsters?”

“It is. Do you think we’re so stupid to face you without some assistance? You’re a raging monster without an Akuma,” Lady WiFi said.

“A little monster we gave a chance. We thought you cared, but it was all a lie, wasn’t it? You helped Adrien make that message, didn’t you?” Princess Fragranced demanded.

“You likely corrupted poor, sweet Adrien, didn’t you? Turned him against us for your evil, nefarious reasons,” the villainess added.

Alix clutched her fists. She took a deep breath as she let the tears that burned her fall. “Oh yeah? Well, let me just start this by saying… fuck you!”

The four girls’ eyes widened as they exchanged glances.

“You honestly assume that of me? What in your right fucking minds would make you think such fucking, utter nonsense? Why would I care to ‘corrupt’ Adrien? Why would I help him make a mean message when I have no issue telling you to your faces how much you piss me off or annoy me? Do you honestly think so little of me?”

Reflekta and Princess Fragrance hesitated as they looked at each other, but Lady WiFi and the villainess stepped forward.

“What should we even expect of you? You’re just a little monster like Chloe,” Lady WiFi hissed.

“Yeah, I fucking am, but not for the reasons you think. And you know what? You fucking bitches were lucky I even listened to my dad in the first place. If I didn’t, if I just continued to shut everyone out of my life except my family, I wouldn’t be in this fucking situation! I wouldn’t be screaming and crying over some foolish bitches I thought I could trust. I thought I finally found people who would accept me for me, but I was wrong. And you know what else? Go-!”

“Wait!” Reflekta and Princess Fragrance yelled.

Everyone watched as Reflekta and Princess Fragrance pushed past Lady WiFi and the villainess as they reverted to Juleka and Rose. They looked around in confusion before they turned to Alix. They gasped and ran up to her.

“Alix, what did we say? What did we do? Please, tell us,” Juleka begged.

“Yeah! We’ll make it up. Please, just tell us what happened!” Rose added.

“You thought I helped Adrien make a mean message for you guys,” Alix whispered.

“What? No! I mean, we were raw after that message. Then we saw your photo with the two Adriens and then Marinette-!” Rose blurted.

Alix narrowed her eyes as she glared at the villainess. She let out a small gasp when she saw the panja bracelet on the villainess’s left hand.

“Marinette! You fucking little-!” Alix roared.

“Marinette’s gone. I’m Heart’s Design and you will surrender to me.”

Heart’s Design opened her sketchbook. She held her pencil to the page when Chat Noir snuck up and smacked them with his staff. Alix took a sharp breath as she looked around.

“Everyone! Get to safety! Juleka, Rose, take Felix and get to safety,” Alix ordered.

“What about you?” Juleka asked.

“Yeah! Come with us!” Rose begged.

“No. You’re safer away from me. They’re after me, remember?”

“She’s right. C’mon, let’s go,” Juleka said.

Rose nodded and turned to Chat Noir. “Chat Noir! The Akuma is in the tablet Lady WiFi has!”

Chat Noir gave a thumbs up and went back to fighting Lady WiFi and Heart’s Design. Juleka and Rose glanced at Alix before they grabbed Felix and ran. Alix sighed and retreated to a nearby alleyway and transformed. She headed back as Chat Noir disarmed Heart’s Design and tossed her sketchbook into the Seine.

“No! How could you? Now how am I supposed to make Adrien mine?” Heart’s Design cried.

Chat Noir recoiled. “What?”

“That book would allow me to make Adrien love only me and no one else. We’d be together and he’d have all he ever needed… me!”

Bloody Bug ran in and punched Heart’s Design in the jaw, sending her flying. Lady WiFi gasped and moved to freeze Bloody Bug. Bloody Bug juked Lady WiFi and tore the tablet from her. Bloody Bug snapped it in half, released the Akuma, caught it, and purified it. Heart’s Design and Lady WiFi reverted when she released the butterfly.

Alya gasped. “What happened? Where am I?”

“Alya, I’m disappointed,” Bloody Bug said.

“Bloody Bug! Please, you must understand, this girl, she-!”

“A hero doesn’t make excuses for their actions. We take ownership. What I’ve seen here is the making of a villain, not a hero.”

“What? No! I was helping my friend! That counts as being heroic, doesn’t it?”

“Not when you attack civilians after accepting to become a monster. Alya, I see your true colors now. I see the real you. You’re not a hero. You’re a bully masquerading as a hero.”

“No. No! Please, Bloody Bug, let me explain.”

“I’m done listening to your lies, Alya. Chat Noir, you may if you wish, but I’m done.”

Bloody Bug turned away and headed towards Marinette. Chat Noir glanced at Alya before he followed Bloody Bug. She grabbed Marinette’s left hand and pulled on it, causing Marinette to cry out.

“You have a lot to answer for, Marinette. What ailed you?”

“I… I’m sorry, please. I just… I… We made messages for our friend Adrien because it’s All Saint’s Day and he was surely honoring his mother since she died in the past year. We wanted to cheer him up and let him know we were here, but he sent us a mean message in response. And… and I told him I loved him. I was devastated, then I saw Alix happy with two Adriens and… and… I saw red. How could she betray me like that? I’m the one that loves Adrien, not her.”

“How dare you,” Chat Noir hissed.

“Chat Noir?” Bloody Bug whispered.

Tears streamed from Chat Noir’s eyes with pinned back ears and his pupils narrowed into slits. “You claim you love him, but this isn’t love! And Alix didn’t betray you. You betrayed Alix! You hurt someone that dared to call you a friend all because of an obsession! Not love!”

“It is! It’s true love! From the moment he gave me his umbrella, thunder rolled. It was love at first sight! We’re meant to be!” Marinette screamed.

“Enough! Marinette, you and Alya have disappointed and betrayed me. I trusted you both, and this is how you repay that trust.”

“What? No! I swear, it isn’t! I’m good. I promise!”

“Actions speak louder than words, and your actions here drown out your words. I expected better of you.”

Marinette’s jaw dropped as Bloody Bug grabbed the panja bracelet and tore it off.

“Like I told another, prove to me you can be better. When you do, I’ll consider you both again. As of now, consider my trust in you both destroyed. Chat Noir, let’s go.”

Bloody Bug and Chat Noir shot Marinette and Alya a final look before they headed off. They traveled along the rooftops until they were far enough away from Pont des Art.

“Bug?”

“What’s up?”

“Are you ok?”

“No. And, I’m sorry about Marinette, Lady Tigress, whatever.”

“It’s… it hurts. I… don’t know how to take this.”

“Yeah. Me either.”

“What now?”

“I’m going to return the tiger miraculous, probably head home until this evening.”

“What’re you doing this evening?”

“I’ll be going to the graveyard my mom’s buried at and paying my respects.”

“Would you… would you mind a couple extra people?”

“Not… not at all. See you around seven?”

“Yeah. See you at seven.”