Marinette looked around at the men in the odd attire. They didn't seem happy, no. Not in the slightest. In her dazed and dizzy state, she did notice however that they seemed to be frowning directly at her.
Internally she scoffed. How rude of them to openly glare at her as if her presence were a nuisance…
Wait.
Wait.
She was in the Miraculous world… That meant that it was highly likely that her presence was in fact unwanted.
"Fu! You brought a human girl, here?!"One of them exclaimed.
"I had no choice, it was either bring her here, or let her be caught." Fu explained.
"But this woman is not allowed in this realm! This will disrupt the balance of everything! Every atom affects another! SHE is made of atoms! Pulling her here will have a disruptive effect out there!" Another man yelled.
"I didn't have the luxury of thinking about that. We were attacked by Elijah." Fu answered.
"Elijah? Impossible! He should be dead!" One of the men said with wide eyes.
"But he isn't, he's as young as the day he left this place. Tikki tried to explain.
"What do you mean you didn't have the luxury? YOU are the guardian!" A man with a high ponytail exclaimed.
"I know, I know and I'm sorry for doing this, but it wasn't without reason." Fu tried to explain too.
Marinette looked around, she really didn't feel good. In fact, she felt awful and borderline delirious. Their voices were coming out in muffled puffs and try as she might, she found it impossible to concentrate.
"Marinette?" Tikki was next to her but her voice was severely distorted.
The bluenette sucked in a breath, why was the air so thick? Tikki's eyes widened. "Are you okay?"
Suddenly, she heard a new voice.
"Everyone quiet! Look at her, she needs energy and she needs it fast, humans are not meant to survive in this realm!" It said.
Everything became quiet for a second, but then she was being carried by someone with cerulean hair and devastatingly blue eyes.
That was before the world became black.
*******************************************
"I don't believe you, not for even a second." Adrien crossed his arms.
Plagg burped.
"Ughh."Nino fanned the air, disgusted at the putrid stench as he desperately scooted away from Plagg and held his nose.
Adrien's face contorted in revulsion, never had he smelled such an awful burp from the Kwami, it was enough to cause the blond to block his nose and hurriedly make his way across the room to dry heave.
Plagg rolled his eyes.
"Honestly, you guys make it like you haven't smelled camembert before, sheesh." He said.
Nino was holding a square cushion and waving it wildly in Plagg's direction, as if hoping to deter the passage of the stench's diffusion, which wasn't scientifically possible, or was it? The Moroccan-French man certainly believed so.
"Camembert smells like daisies compared to this," Adrien said in an unwittingly comical voice and he blocked his nose and dared himself to inch closer towards the Kwami in order to spray the Air freshener that he'd procured a few seconds prior.
Plagg frowned. Was it really that bad? Perhaps the boys were just being dramatic, as usual.
"Smells like frigging death." Nino gasped for air, his nose and mouth below his collar inside his shirt.
He flew upward and floated around on eye level with them.
"Well, in case you're wondering, Marinette, Tikki and Fu all made it into the Miraculous world, safe." He said. Adrien suddenly looked more alert.
"So Marinette is okay? When will she be coming back? You sure she's fine? Did anyone hurt her? How did they escape? How is she?"He asked eagerly. Plagg paused. "Well actually, I had no idea that humans were allowed in the Miraculous world, I mean they have no magic in them so I'm seriously shocked." He admitted. Adrien blinked.
"Wait, is it harmful to be there, or something?" Adrien asked, his blood running cold as he paled.
Plagg thought for a moment. "No idea, it's never been done before, I think." Plagg said.
Plagg looked at Adrien who suddenly had a ghostly look on his face, "But Fu's with them, so everything will work out."
"Fu?" Adrien asked slowly.
"The guy who saved Marinette when she was attacked." Plagg explained.
Adrien paused. "The really tiny guy who made her eat those…stones?"
"The exact same one!" Plagg said.
Adrien rung his hands. "I don't know… I don't like her being so far away… I don't know if she's safe or if she's hurt, or if she's eaten- "He started anxiously. Plagg flew up in front of Adrien.
"Marinette is fine. Trust me, okay? The reason they're in there is to find a way to stop Elijah, and the worst thing we can do it doubt them now." Plagg said.
"But Elijah is out here, right?" Adrien asked.
"Right. So we have to slow him down out here till they get back with a solution. Elijah was somehow able to create those weird concoctions to attack us with, and if they figure out a way to counterattack, we can take him down. For now, we have to gain as much information as possible. I was never there that day the Laboratory burned down, neither was Tikki, so I don't even know the full story, parts of it, but not everything. What I do know is that he's trying to destroy the miraculous." Plagg replied.
"Research? You've come to the right man." Nino said, cricking his neck.
Adrien nodded. "How long do you think they'll be in there?" Adrien asked.
Plagg thought for a moment.
"Well, Fu gets spat out after three days." He said. Adrien's face contorted.
"Spat out?" He asked.
"Yeah. Fu's a guardian. He jumps between the miraculous world and this one, and he's allowed to, provided he has a kwami with him. But he can't stay in there for longer than three days, at the end of the third day, the portal opens up and forcefully spits him out. He can go back right after though if he wishes, but he must surface in this world at the end of the third day." Plagg explained loosely. The model pursed his lips.
"Where does the portal generally open?" Adrien asked.
"Thankfully, it could be anywhere in Paris, and just Paris because Fu has established it with the Rulers of the Miraculous world that this city is his Earthly dwelling, so Elijah is unaware of where they will resurface too, in fact, he has no idea that there's a limit on their time there. Only the guardians, Chosen if we let them in on it, and Kwami's know." Plagg said.
"And me." Nino piped.
Plagg sighed. "How many times do I have to tell you? YOU'RE GETTING A MIRACULOUS." Plagg exclaimed. "I'll believe it when I see it." Nino said.
"How are we going to find them then?" Adrien asked.
"We aren't. He and his girlfriend are." Plagg nodded to Nino.
"We are?" Nino looked confused.
"If we go out as Chat Noir, and people realise that we're looking for something, it will lead Elijah to realise it too." Plagg said.
"Yes, but he won't know what we're looking for." Adrien said.
"In broad daylight, he could track us through reports of Chat Noir sightings, and not only attack us, but the girls too. It's safer if we operate at night, and not linger in one place for too long during the night."
"And Chloe's still at large." Adrien said lowly.
"She is." Plagg said in agreement.
"Soooooo, we just do what we said we would. Expose her." Nino said.
"I think I have a plan." Adrien said.
Nino tilted his head. "What?" He asked.
Adrien crossed his arms. "As Chat Noir, I decided to record some of the statements of Marinette's attackers… But I know that many more must have been involved… And I need them to make statements."
"But nobody is going to just admit, that will put them in trouble with the police."
"Yes…But not if the police are involved." Adrien grinned.
"…Why would the police collaborate with you? No offence but you are a psychopath, probably schizophrenic and bipolar, not to mention a total sociopath and the most ruthless Super villain of France." Nino said, ticking his fingers off as he spoke.
Adrien scoffed. "I may be a psychopath, but I'm most certainly not schizophrenic." He waved a hand. Nino's eye twitched.
"Besides…"Adrien started, a devilish grin sneaking onto his elegant features.
"They will if they want Adrien Agreste back." He said.
Nino gaped at him and then glanced toward Plagg.
"Are you hearing this?" He asked the Kwami.
"Well, technically he isn't hurting anyone." Plagg said.
Adrien just grinned.
******************************************
Nino bit his lip as he watched Adrien scribble down his plan and make adjustments.
"So what if Elijah waits at the station to attack you when you come to read the statements?"
"Then he'll wait forever. I'll ask them to confidentially leave the statements at a designated occasion." Adrien replied.
"What if they try to jump you?" Nino asked.
"Oh they won't, trust me."
"But they could," Nino said.
Adrien sighed and looked at his companion. "They won't. And if they do, they're endangering Adrien's life. They won't risk it. And if they do, I can defend myself."
Nino paced. Adrien had explained the entire plan, but he was afraid of Elijah. He had never had an encounter with the man, but he was admittedly afraid of him, which was insane considering that he was talking to a demented mass and serial attacker and having him live with him.
The blonde eyed his companion. "Why are you pacing?"
"I'm worried about you, you moron!" Nino snapped and continued to pace.
Adrien's eyes widened and he put his page down.
"Worried?" He asked, dumbfoundedly.
Nino looked at him with an annoyed expression. "Yes, worried. You're going in there, alone. Not to mention your physique has been less than even 50% in the last few days. You just overdosed, like an idiot just last night….Wait a second…YOU TRIED TO KILL YOURSELF YOU BASTARD!"
Adrien sat there, stunned at the outburst.
"I had no reason to live, I thought Marinette was dead." Adrien said with a frown.
Nino's nostrils flared. "So you didn't care that you'd be leaving behind people who cared about you?"
Adrien raised a brow, Niño stared back.
"You insensitive douchebag. You were just going to leave Plagg and I behind?" Nino asked, suddenly enraged.
Adrien rested his chin on the back of his hand.
"Yes." He replied.
"So you didn't give a shit about how we'd feel about you leaving us?" Nino asked, shocked.
"Well, truthfully, both of you felt an obligation to be around me and help. Plagg, because he believes that somehow, there's a hero in me. You, because of Marinette."
Nino was quiet for a moment.
"I didn't stick around because of Marinette, maybe at first, but not anymore. I'm here because you are my friend. We are friends, Adrien. If you're facing something, I'll face it with you." He said.
Adrien frowned.
"I don't quite understand… When did we become friends?" Adrien said.
Nino huffed. "What, you thought all the jokes and the secrets and the advice was because I'm scared of you slitting my throat? Dude, we became friends the moment you trusted me enough to laugh at my jokes. Crazy as this may sound to you, Marinette is not the only person in this world who cares about you."
Adrien looked perplexed.
"But I was unaware of this development." He said. Nino sighed.
"Adrien forget that. Just understand that if you died, I would be very sad, because you are important to me. And that is why I'm worried." Nino said.
Adrien was silent… It was the first time they had actually talked about what kind of relationship they had, but if he were to be irrevocably honest with himself, he'd been calling the bespectacled man 'friend' in his head for a while now.
It was strange though, acquiring a friend.
He'd always read about friends, and he'd always had a very warped concept about them. It was completely understandable that he had developed such a prejudiced mindset about them, he had never had a real human one before this year.
In a way, he felt lighter. It was a wonderful thing knowing that at least three people gave a damn about the real him. However, he was wary.
He never wanted to be hurt again, and Marinette and he still needed to discuss what had gone down yesterday, he never wanted to be betrayed again like the way that he was betrayed by Chloe.
But something about Nino had him stop his running thoughts for a moment. Perhaps it was the earnest tone of the man or the determined look in his eye, but Adrien found himself not minding that he and Nino were friends.
A deeper part of him was overjoyed, the part that had been longing for affection, and though Marinette had given him enough of it, coupled with the romantic sort of affection, he was glad to have another genuine friend that he could turn to.
A sneeze caught their attention. Both boys turned towards the kwami in question, who dozed lightly in a small kitten-bed that Nino had thought to get.
"… He still hasn't gotten better." Nino said.
Adrien bit his lip and stared at the creature, deep in thought.
"Nino, could you do me a favor?" Adrien asked.
"What kind of favor?" Nino asked.
"I need you to get some laboratory equipment. I'll make a list, and tell you exactly where to go to get it. I may also need to take over your basement… And I need you to take me to that address I gave you the other day and help me ransack the place for anything mystical or mysterious looking." Adrien said.
"What?!" Nino yelped indignantly. "You can't go out! They'll catch us! They'll see us if you're with me! Nobody just walks around with a figure and height like yours dude." Nino said.
"Make me look different," Adrien said and looked over at Plagg.
"Plagg is right… Marinette is probably working as hard as she can to bring Elijah down. I can't just do nothing. Last night, when we faced Elijah, he mentioned that he'd made concoctions to bring Tikki down… But Tikki's response as Plagg ran away with me and her expression led me to believe that whatever he made was something that Fu generally made. She'd said something along the lines of ' Fu would never make those for you.' And he'd said that he made the fancy beans or draining stones himself." Adrien started.
"Okay, so what are you getting at?" Nino asked.
"Don't you get it? Elijah isn't like Fu, he isn't a guardian or whatever, he's just a normal human, but he was able to create those bean looking stones. What if we were able to analyze the composition of those stones? We'd be able to create them too, and when we face Elijah again, we can take him down." Adrien said.
Plagg stayed very quiet as Adrien spoke of Elijah.
"What if we can't find any of those stones to analyze? Actually, what if the stones don't work on humans?" Nino asked.
Adrien grinned.
"I know they do." Adrien said, and Nino looked confused. "When those bastards hurt Marinette, I'd taken her to Fu. He'd given me a whole lot of things to help her feel better, but a few things really stuck out. The first was the glowing green stone, and the second were the black cubes. The cubes were dry, cold and almost powdery; they didn't look as if he'd just made them. So I'm certain that he must have stored them somewhere in his home. Pertaining to the stone, I had to get Marinette to swallow it, and I'm certain it accelerated her healing. That's why I'm certain that they'd work on humans. The last thing he'd given me was these pink biscuits, and they were quite cold too, I can't imagine that he'd been baking them when I sat outside." Adrien said.
"Okay wait, wait, do you think Elijah would have just left all of that behind at Fu's place? According to Plagg, Fu had been escaping with the girls, so Elijah had been keeping him captive, wouldn't that mean that Elijah had most probably been at Fu's place?" Nino asked.
"Possibly…"Adrien thought for a moment.
A loud yawn came from the Kitten-bed and Plagg sleepily rubbed his eyes and joined the conversation.
"That's a great idea kid, and you're right… But we can't get to it." Plagg said.
Adrien frowned. "Why not? Is it hidden somewhere in his house?" He asked.
"The location of the concoctions aren't the problem, every stone and mix lays untouched in there unaffected by time or biological processes, I know where it's been hidden, but it's the container it's in that's the real issue."Plagg sniffled.
Nino and Adrien glanced at each other and back at the kwami.
"Container?" They chorused.
"Well, yeah. The Miraculous box isn't the only Magical contraption in Master Fu's house." Plagg said.
"What's wrong with the container?" Adrien asked after Plagg sneezed.
Plagg rolled over on the soft bed. "The only way you can get in is if you've been chosen to be a Guardian by the guardian before the present one which would make you the present guardian, or you've been chosen to be a guardian the present guardian." Plagg said.
Both boys deflated.
Plagg looked at them. "It was a really good idea though, kid. Really." Plagg said.
Adrien sighed, "I'll just have to come up with something else. I don't suppose you know what goes into those creations or have a recipe book or something, do you?" He asked Plagg who just shook his head.
"We aren't allowed to know what's in it, and there is a book, but kept somewhere in Paris at a location we know nothing about," Plagg said.
"But you're allowed to know where the creations are kept? How does that work?" Nino asked. Plagg shrugged. "Even if a Kwami was kidnapped, and we did tell them where the container was, our kidnapper would never be able to open it. You can't break it open, it has a special seal." Plagg said.
Nino groaned and fell onto the couch.
"I'll figure something out, I've already plotted out Chloe's demise, I'll start on a new plan for Elijah once I finalise it. Not being able to analyse the concoctions isn't a train-smash, hypothetically speaking, it was just an idea anyway that I'd actually be able to decipher the components, I mean I haven't practised in so long, and for all I know there could be some magical dust or something of a similar sort in it which is practically unobtainable lest Plagg's burps suddenly emit magic… I'll figure something out, there's always another way." Adrien said, his voice determined as he turned back to his page to scribble away at his page.
Nino twisted his lips and exhaled through his nose. He really did wish that there was some way to do something. Adrien had enough on his plate already, it was much too much a burden for Adrien to carry alone… If he could just-
Something clicked in his head.
"Hey, wait a second, Plagg, what Miraculous does Fu have?" Nino asked.
"Ugh, he has that know-it-all guardian kwami, Wayzz, this yucky alien looking turtle thing who is sooooo boring and loud-mouthed," Plagg said.
Adrien let out an amused chuckle but chose not to comment.
"Who was supposed to get Wayzz next?" Nino asked carefully.
"You, of course, Fu said so himself." Plagg said nonchalantly floating over to Adrien so that the man could scratch behind his ears as he normally did.
For a moment the three were quiescent as Nino narrowed his eyes at the information so carelessly said, and Adrien absently scratched the Kwami, but suddenly the quiet was broken when Adrien's eyes widened in realisation and he abruptly jumped out of his chair and pointed at Nino.
"YOU!" Adrien abruptly said without explanation.
"ME!" Nino exclaimed understanding exactly what his friend had meant.
Plagg, who was still feeling dizzy and irritated that Adrien had stopped scratching him couldn't follow as quickly as he wanted to, as a result, stared at them curiously.
"The idiot? What about him?" Plagg asked, gesturing at Nino with his arm.
"Fu said so himself! "Adrien said, his eyes bright.
"Uhhhh…"Plagg looked at the blonde dumbly.
"It means that Fu chose Nino!" Adrien said.
"And you said only guardians can open the box, if they're chosen to be a guardian already and already are one, or if the person is going to be a guardian and has been chosen by the present guardian!" Nino exclaimed.
"So technically, Nino is a guardian!" Adrien exclaimed.
"So I can open the container!" Nino continued.
"Because Fu, the current guardian has chosen to give you Wayzz! Who is the kwami of the guardian!" Adrien said, grinning widely at Nino.
"And then you just have to do your DNA profiling thingy or lab chemistry voodoo nonsense and figure out what's in there!" Nino replied.
"Then we create it and when we fight Elijah we can counter all his attacks!" Adrien said.
"Bro!" Nino exclaimed.
"Dude!" Adrien said back.
Plagg stared sleepily at the two… He was still lost. Adrien looked at him.
"You get it,right?" Adrien asked when he noted the far-off look on Plagg's small face.
Plagg blinked. After a moment, his hazy thoughts rearranged themselves and he understood, he gasped.
"It's YOU!I get it now!" He shouted in realization.
Nino scratched the back of his head.
"And he calls you blonde." Nino muttered to Adrien.
Adrien rolled his eyes. "He's sick." He said to Nino. "It's part of the reason I want to get some of those stones. He's been sick for quite a while now, and it doesn't just seem to be Influenza, it must be some sort of Kwami illness." Adrien said.
"Could have just said flu, you know…Like who the hell says Influenza bro?" Nino asked.
Plagg yawned again. Nino continued to rant but Adrien stayed quiet.
"Plagg… Why does Elijah hate the Miraculous?" He asked.
Plagg blinked.
"It's…complicated." Plagg said.
"It's a good thing we're nerds then." Nino said.
"… I need to know why we're fighting against him at least, Plagg." Adrien said.
Plagg stared at him for a long time, before he groaned and then sighed resignedly.
"As I said before… I don't know all that much about it…"He started.
"That's alright, just explain what you're knowledgeable of." Adrien said.
Plagg groaned again.
"Might as well sit down, dorks." Plagg said to them, and they both sat on the floor, looking up at him as he looked down at them from his high kitty bed.
He took a breath, ready to relay the long, tedious story to them.
"A long time ago, Fu was chosen to be the guardian. He was sought out by the rulers of the Miraculous world and trained. There are seven rulers of the miraculous world, and all seven believed in him. These rulers wrote books, and information, and taught it to Fu, not another soul out of the seven and Fu had set eyes upon the scrolls and books, and Fu became the greatest guardian they'd ever had, although he's a great pain in the ass at times… Anyway, Fu was from Earth, and so to bring him to the Miraculous world to train him, Tikki and I just shared our energy with him. It was pretty easy, back then Duusu was safe, and we didn't have to split our energy that many ways. So Fu trained, and he learned, and then he was sent back to Earth, with the Miraculous box and all the Miraculous. For about forty years or so passed, but before he left there was this runt. Always sticking his nose in everything. In the miraculous world, the leaders aside from the seven rulers are just formed magically, no gestation period or whatever, so when this kid showed up, well, teenager, man-kid, whatever, nobody really cared. I mean, we figured he'd just grow and become a leader. But, he was a bit odd. He didn't see why the leaders held their information so tightly. Fu became a father figure to him I guess, the kid followed him everywhere, so when Fu had to leave him and come to Earth he was devastated. Fu didn't really call on any of us during that time, during those forty years, we hadn't heard from Fu, but the leaders did. From the outside, Fu could choose who he spoke to, but it seemed he'd forgotten the kid who was so attached to him."
Adrien listened intently, where was the story going?
"Then one day, Fu decided to give the Peacock Miraculous to this blonde, green eyed little lady-kid with the worst of tempers… He name was Emilie Delacour… She…Later became Emilie Agreste." Plagg glanced at Adrien.
Adrien sucked in a breath as he looked at Plagg with wide eyes.
"And if you didn't figure it out, the runt was Elijah… Elijah wasn't a bad kid, but he was a jealous one. He'd hear about what the outside world was like from all the Kwami's who had seen the different centuries…And he wanted to go out too… He wanted to see Fu, he wanted a normal life. So, he committed a taboo." Plagg said and exhaled slowly.
"We didn't know at the time that it was possible, but Kwami could be used within the Miraculous world too, so as Tikki and I slept, he'd captured us, made us stay asleep, and he made a wish." Plagg said.
"He used you guys without the Miraculous on?" Adrien asked.
Plagg paused.
"Remember the first time I did the Reversal with you, and was able to take off the ring? In this world, the ring acts as a sort of container for a Kwami to inhabit away from the box. If I do a reversal, I'm out of the container, and you're in it. I'm not the one drawing power from you, I'm not drawing power from a container because I become an embodiment of the power, so though you were in the ring, the ring was useless to me. In the miraculous world… The world itself is a container, so in there, miraculous aren't needed. If you are a leader, you are allowed to call upon a transformation."
Plagg sighed.
"So he used us. He made a wish, and he got his wish… He wished to be a human." Nino blinked.
"He's a damn idiot, he could have wished to be a shark or an anime character and he picked a human?"Nino exclaimed.
"You don't get it… Every action has a reaction or counteraction… Elijah wished to be human, he was stripped of all ties with the miraculous world, he became human, he lived as a human, he loved and married a human, he had a kid with that human, and all that time Fu had never ever found him. It was crucial to find him, because when he became human, someone else was stripped of their humanity." Plagg said.
"Stripped of humanity?" Nino breathed.
"Yeah, completely. It's like the law of equivalent exchange, you can't get something if you don't give something."
"So what did the person who lost their humanity get?" Adrien asked wearily.
"Nothing, well, nothing that would have benefitted them actually, because they technically and unknowingly got Elijah out." Plagg said.
Plagg sneezed and looked back at the boys.
"When Elijah popped out, he didn't pop out in Paris, we didn't know where he popped out really, but Fu needed to find him because if he didn't return Elijah to the Miraculous world, someone would never ever get their humanity back. It didn't matter that we didn't know who lost their humanity, the fact is that someone, somewhere did. And that wasn't acceptable. Eventually, Fu figured out where Elijah had gone… He'd gone to this place called Tibet. He'd become a scientist." Plagg said.
Realisation began to dawn on Adrien's features.
"…Mum went…to…Tibet." Adrien said.
"And so did Fu, right after her. When Fu saw Elijah again, he'd pleaded with him to change his mind but Elijah had run away. Blondie was there too, but she'd been able to track him down to a lab, before Fu could even reach it… The laboratory was huge, privately owned by Elijah's wife, who was pregnant at the time. She was a scientist, and she'd taught everything she knew to Elijah who had never gone to school. Your mum tried to capture him forcefully, but something went wrong, and a fire had broken out, it could have been a Bunsen burner, could have been an explosion, we were never told. Fu eventually got there and Blondie and he did everything they could, and they got everyone out of that building… Well, almost everyone. They hadn't found Elijah and his wife, but Blondie had gone back in. Fu was hurt and he'd passed out, and Wayzz had forcefully detransformed him because he was drained. By the time he came to… The laboratory was burned to the ground, and he hadn't seen your mum or Elijah. He looked, he really did, at least that's what they told us in the miraculous world. They told us that Duusu was just being kept aside to recuperate, and they said that Elijah was most probably dead, and that the humanity returned to the person on Earth who'd lost it. That day, I started noticing Tikki getting weaker. It was a few years later that Fu called us…He told us about you. That was when we met."
Adrien frowned. "So this is why he knows so much…And why he blames the Miraculous for everything… But Elijah didn't look like he'd been burned." Adrien said.
"Actually, he looked as if he hadn't aged a single day since he left the Miraculous world." Plagg said with a frown of his own.
"So he just wants revenge." Nino said suddenly.
"Maybe... but I think it's more than that. I think he wants to make a second wish. We aren't genies, the wishes made a sometimes cataclysmic." Plagg replied.
Nino bit back his response of 'You just wanted to say CATACLYSM'.
"I see…"Adrien thought for a moment.
"I have another idea…"Adrien said cautiously.
"NO. We are NOT locking Elijah in a lab and burning it down." Nino said.
Adrien rolled his eyes. "That wasn't what I was going to say, Marinette would kill me, not to mention this guy over here would lose his shit." Adrien nodded his head towards Plagg.
Nino internally beamed at Adrien saying 'lose his shit', happy that his friend was becoming more normal.
"I was thinking… what if we turn Paris against Elijah and Chloe?" Adrien said.
"How do you propose to do that? With Chloe, at least you have evidence, with Elijah, he could very well do his own broadcast and tell the people to help him take you down." Nino said.
"While that may be true, I do have something that France needs the aid of that he doesn't even with science." Adrien said.
"And that is?" Nino raised a brow.
"Powers that can make Paris safe again." Adrien said bluntly.
Plagg's eyes widened, and so did Nino's.
The room fell into a stunned silence.
Plagg was staring at him with his mouth open and his ears sticking up. The amount of shock in his small body that all his fur was standing on end. He was almost trembling from it, while Nino was outright tremoring. His eyes were wide and almost glossy as if he were about to cry.
Both males stared at him with such intensity that the man in question became self-conscious.
"What? Are my eyebrows that bad now?" He asked.
"You…You mean it?" Plagg asked in barely a whisper.
Adrien tilted his head, confused.
"Because…That would make you a hero…"Nino said.
Adrien raised a brow and scratched his neck.
"I guess it would… But I have selfish intentions, I'm doing this so Elijah doesn't hurt Marinette, she is one of the wielders after-all, and so is Nino."
"And so are your mama and Nino's loud-mouthed girlfriend." Plagg said. Nino protested with a huff.
Adrien nodded slowly. "I guess that I… I kind of have people that I want to protect now, it's not like I'm a big hero or something, I just don't want them to get hurt." Adrien said quickly.
Plagg just smiled softly. "Kid, you're a bigger hero than you will ever know." He said simply.
*******************************
Chat took a deep breath and looked down at the streets. It was raining.
The sky was a dark mass of blended greys, not unlike the young villain's thoughts.
She was too far away. Much too far.
And he hated it. He hated it so much. It was agonizing, and yet he couldn't let Plagg or Nino know about the building knot of anxiety building below his diaphragm.
He couldn't reach her. He couldn't protect her, he couldn't see her, it was as if she didn't exist, and the worst part was that nobody had noticed that she'd been missing.
Of course, she'd only been gone a day, but it was much too long for him. Just the thought of her being gone another day was too much.
However, he understood, that the only way to get her back and keep her here, was to fix the pandemonium that he'd played a part in causing.
Drip.
Drop.
Drip, drip, drop.
It was still raining, and he'd stood out in the rain like that so many times in the past, he'd cried in the rain, attacked in that rain, screamed in that rain, escaped and reveled in that rain.
This time though, it was different.
Everything had changed.
For a moment he tilted his head upward as if to find solace in the icy blades of liquid. It calmed him, like it always did.
He inhaled and closed his eyes, perusing.
His mother was alive, lost and out of reach.
The love of his life and very reason for living, was in another world.
His molester was hiding somewhere, probably deviously scheming.
'Adrien' was still missing, and Paris was longing for his return.
Nathanael was in a coma, and was still in love with Marinette.
Paris was no longer the City of love, as much as it had become the Capital of crime.
His father, was on a rampage, putting up posters and setting up search parties in other countries to find Adrien.
And he, he was about to finally answer Plagg's question.
Had he changed his mind?
…He had.
He had, as much as it was a blow to his pride, because he wanted to someday be able to take Marinette to look at the Eiffel tower at midnight, or dance with her in the rain so she could love it as much as he did, and he wanted her to be free again, free to come and go wherever she pleased, whenever she wanted. He wanted to be able to take quiet walks with her at night or have a picnic under the stars, or just be with her without having to worry about some imbecile coming to attack her.
And he still wanted the world to hurt. He wanted them to suffer. They deserved the pain and he had every right to make them burn…
But his time with Nino changed that too…
Nino was part of Paris. Nino had bought his magazines too. Nino had played a part in his pain…
But Nino at that time, like everyone else, didn't know the truth. They had no idea that they were making him suffer. He had played his character too well, it was impossible for them to have known.
Even Marinette hadn't known…
But he'd come to love both Nino and Marinette… and it made him realise, that if Paris had only known,maybe they would have protected him, like Marinette and Nino had done.
Perhaps it was too hopeful of an observation, but he was no longer the man ignorant of emotions such as compassion and love. He understood now…
Maybe not all of it…But he understood enough.
He took a breath.
Love, was a scary, scary emotion.
He glanced over at the studio and took one more breath to finalize his thoughts before jumping down onto the tarred, watery street. Slowly, he walked over to the studio and looked around for a way to get in.
He couldn't be there long, Elijah would come if he knew that Chat was at the studio.
The man looked at his hand, it was the only other option.
"Cataclysm!" He said and his hand became covered with black fog. He calmly placed his hand on the lockdown-system door and it immediately disintegrated into ash. Slowly, he walked into the studio and suppressed a groan as people began to pale at the sight of him. He walked straight past them, towards the IT department, and once there he zoned in on a man wearing a headset.
The man was staring at him with horror in his eyes and a stricken look on his face.
Chat sighed and looked around at everyone. The team had immediately stopped their news broadcast.
"Everyone, look at me." He said. He didn't have to, because they already were frozen, petrified, staring at them.
"I'm not going to hurt any of you. You have my word." He said and held up a flash-drive.
"I need you to help me air something, can you do that?" He asked looking around at the station's crew and hosts.
After a moment, everyone nodded dumbly.
"Purrfect. Who do I have to give this to?" He asked.
Everyone pointed at a man who had raised his thin, shaking arm in a synchronized manner.
He nodded.
"Catch." He said, tossing the flash-drive at the man who fumbled with it a few times before actually grasping it.
"Air it to the very end, please." Chat said.
A few people gasped at hearing the villain say 'Please'.
"R-Right, Mister C-Chat Noir, Sir." The man stuttered.
"Just Chat Noir." Chat said.
Everyone blinked rapidly at the villain. Why was he behaving so… tamed?
He crossed his arms behind his head as he waited for the man to input the flash-drive into the main computer, as he did so, he glanced around and noted everyone still staring at him stunned.
He cleared his throat.
"Sorry for scaring you guys, every time I come in here." He laughed a little nervously. Their eyes widened.
Suddenly, a man fainted.
Chat groaned and rolled his eyes. "Come on, I didn't even do anything!" He exclaimed. They all just blinked back at him silently. He sighed and decided that perhaps it would be best if he stayed quiet, but just as he thought that, he caught sight of a designer, standing at the clothing racks. He gasped and pointed, "You!" He said giddily.
The man in question began to shake uncontrollably and the two hosts that had been near him, fell to the ground, unconscious, thinking Chat had pointed at them.
The man looked around him and realised that he was the one Chat was pointing at.
"M-M-M-M-Me?" He squeaked in horror.
"Yeah, you!" Chat exclaimed.
He had seen quotes and tear-outs from magazines in Marinette's scrapbook of Inspiration. The man's name was Christopher Croé, and when he'd asked Marinette about her fascination with the man's work, she'd gushed on and on and on about how she wanted to meet the man someday, get his autograph and maybe even work with him.
Chat grinned, but perhaps it was a bit cynical looking because the man looked like he was starting to hyperventilate.
"My girlfriend loves you!" Chat exclaimed, and he suddenly looked around for a pen.
The man shrieked in horror and fell to his knees.
"I swear! I've never ever had feelings for your girlfriend Mister Chat Noir Sir! Please believe me! I don't know who she is and why she loves me but I had no part in those affections! I'm gay! I'm gay! I would never! Don't kill me! Please! I'm sorry she loves me, I don't know what I did!" The man began to cry hysterically as he put his hands together and begged for mercy.
Chat who had found a pen and a page turned blinked at the blubbering man on the floor. He scrunched up his nose. He really didn't like the sight of Mucus.
"What are you talking about? I was going to ask for your autograph." Chat said as he walked towards the panicking ban and squatted with a frown.
The statement was too much for many of the crew, several of them had fell in shock, and those whose legs were still functional had collectively gasped.
Christopher gawked at him and stared at the pen and page that was being handed to him.
Chat's ring beeped.
Slowly Christopher reached out and took the page and pen.
"I…I…Wha…I don't understand,sir." He said.
Chat tilted his head.
"What don't you understand?" He asked.
The man gulped.
"Why aren't you attacking us?" He asked.
Chat let out a chuckle and pulled his baton out, twisting it open and pulling out a tissue.
"Well, maybe my tantrum is over." He remarked and handed the man the tissue.
Everyone heard him. Everyone in the studio heard those words. And they were speechless.
Christopher looked at the tissue, took it tentatively, and wiped his nose.
Then, he clicked the pen and signed the page, writing his name in a shaky script, it didn't matter though, anyone could tell that the writing belonged to him.
He handed it back to Chat who put it into his baton.
"Thank you, she really loves your work, especially your Fractals line, her only issue was that the clinching at the waist in most of the dresses isn't as flattering on more petite women than it is on 'hourglass-figured women' as she said, and the choice of colors in your Dessert Cream collection was a bit too dull, and some putridly clashed, she enjoyed the beige and cream combinations with the Swarovski crystals , but your Dessert Cream: Peaches, plums, and Pine dress was horribly clashing, exquisite design but such an unfortunate shade of green to have with Plum, she did tell me that Pear would have suited the dress a bit better and would have really complimented the name of the dress as well."
Everyone was openly gawking at the villain. They couldn't believe what they were hearing.
Christopher blinked
"I'll… I'll look into it, sir, thank you so much." He said. Chat stood.
"Sir… It's ready to be played." The man at the computer said.
"Thank you, I'm going to leave now, but as I said, make sure that video plays to the very end. Have a pawesome evening." He saluted them and started to walk out of the studio, leaving a hoard of stunned and awed people behind.
***************************************
Alya yawned and watched as the host on the Kids+ channel droned on and on about a boring topic. Live shows could be tedious, but her little sisters seemed to be enjoying it so she just yawned again and tilted her head backward.
Suddenly the screen went blank.
"What?No! You've got to be kidding!" The twins exclaimed as the man was cut off.
Alya looked back at the TV.
"It could be the rain." Alya said, getting up to go reboot the TV system.
The girls sighed. As the channels began to load, Alya stood in front of the TV with crossed arms.
"And besides, I told you girls not to watch Kids+ anymore."Alya looked at them with a raised brow.
"But Alya! Chat Noir hasn't been there in ages!" Both girls exclaimed.
"Still girls, just because I'm studying in America doesn't mean mom and dad haven't told me about you both watching the broadcasts." Alya said.
Suddenly, the screen changed from blank to a recording of Chat Noir. The twins eyes went wide and Alya turned quickly as she heard Chat's voice.
"Ella, Etta, go to your rooms." She said, and wordlessly they left, there was no arguing with Alya about this.
'Good evening, Parisians. I trust you're all in high spirits and such. I'm sure you're all wondering the meaning of this interruption, I assure you, I won't be too long.' Chat said through the screen, leaning on his baton.
'First, Let me give you a rundown of my life these past few months. As always, my life was being its usual shitty self, and you, continued to be very shitty people. Sometime down the line, a very disgusting creature decided to hurt someone that I love. Yes, I am apparently capable of such an emotion, and yes, that realisation freaked me out too. As I continued to try and thwart this slimy creep's advances, I learned quite a number of things… And… I learned some things about myself too. This is not an attempt to plead my innocence, no, I understand that I'm not a hero. I've done some rather disturbing things, things that I took pleasure in at the time, and I won't lie, it still does make me excited thinking about blood and innards spilled on the floor…But I realised that doing those things happen to hurt those I care immensely about. And I also learned, that while many of you may be deserving of capital punishment, my mannerism or dealing with that is… troubling. As you know, I've promised to reveal to you the woman who's dared to challenge me. This woman however, has actually hurt many of you Parisians, and some of you still remain oblivious. So I realised, I might as well let you in on my game too. In other words, you will have a hand in bringing her down. Why should you help me, you may ask? Well, I've decided that if you, and the police collaborate, I will give Adrien Agreste back, perfectly healthy. You may wonder how he may be healthy in the slightest after what you've seen the last time, see for yourself.' Chat stopped speaking and the scene changed to reveal a perfectly fine, and innocent as ever looking Adrien.
He waved nervously at the camera.
"Hi there, Parisians, so before you get worried, I'm okay! Alright, I wasn't at first, but turns out Chat Noir isn't too bad with first-aid. Anyway, I wanted to let you know that I'm fine, and Chat Noir has not been hurting me, I'm not allowed to leave though, but Chat Noir promises to return me if you work with him. Please forgive me for asking this… but could you please, please collaborate with him? I don't know who he's trying to bring down, but he's explained to me that this person has been Blackmailing people of Paris. He says she's done it to many, many people, and he didn't say how many, but I can deduce that it's quite a number."
Adrien picked up a page.
"This is what he says he wants done… At the end of this video, he will show you the Photos of twenty women. Each of them is a possible suspect. Those who were Blackmailed to commit crimes that they didn't want to will immediately recognise their blackmailer. This is the course of action to be taken. If you have been blackmailed by a woman on the screen, you must immediately proceed to the Police Station as soon as possible. It is not only to give a statement on what was asked of you, and by whom, but also for your protection. This woman I capable of dangerous things and may even send people after you to shut you up…Permanently. This is where Chat Noir asks for the help of the police. He requests that all those coming forth with information be put in a safe house." The scene changed to Chat, again.
"I know what many of you may think. You may be wondering if confessing would result in charges being laid on you. Let's think for a moment, would you rather confess and be protected by the police, or not confess and anxiously wait for this evil woman to plead your allegiance? Let me tell you, she isn't with a shred of remorse in her heart, and allegiance or not, she WILL double cross you. Think carefully. You'll be able to live without the constant threats and fear. Think about it.
And to the Police, I've been feeling rather generous as of late, so I have but another deal to make, not concerning Agreste, who I will return IF I get consistent collaboration from you. This, concerns a very troubling development that has come to my knowledge. It concerns a man named Elijah.
Nyaow, this man, is extremely dangerous. Dare I say it, perhaps even more dangerous than myself. He's kidnapped, maimed, assaulted and has even killed. Yes, he does sound a lot like me, but I've never killed anyone, and if you look at your records, I've never fatally attacked anyone lest they were something of a villain or an adulterer, you're welcome. I don't feel very happy about him existing in Paris, because this man, sees no problem of taking advantage of people even in their sleep.
So, I have a proposal. I will eradicate Paris of criminals completely, and in exchange , I want information and constant updates about Elijah's location, and sightings. He will be running all over this city, and I can't be everywhere at once, which is why, against my pride, I'm requesting your assistance. If you're confused as to what I mean when I say that I will eradicate Paris of criminals, I mean that I will do my best to restore Paris to its former state. Truth be told, even as a supervilliain, I'm saddened by what Paris has become. Now you may believe me, or you may not, it is up to you, really. However, I really wouldn't gain a thing by lying, and I only do things if can gain something in return. Otherwise, the effort would be pointless. Now as I've said before, I'm not hero. I refuse to conform to any stereotypical nonsense, but you have my word that I will do my best to change this city, if not just for my own benefit, for the benefit of everyone else who has someone that they love too, and want to protect with their entire existence… I guess that's why I'm here… I'm here because I want to give them the best possible life, one where they don't have to fear getting blackmailed or hurt again, or taunted and emotionally abused, or raped… I don't want my Princess to live in that cage, or barred up tower, or wonder 'What if?', I don't want her to keep living in the past when things were happier, I want her to know that she will have a happy, beautiful future too, because she deserves it, I want her to be able to live, jump in puddles, wear a swimsuit if she thinks it's pretty, smile and be able to breathe without thinking that she's spending too long catching her breath. I don't understand it. I don't think I ever will. I'm not a good person. You know it, and so do I, but the promise that I'm making is for her, and if any of you feel the same way about someone, anyone… Then help me make this hellhole better."
Chat picked up a perfectly sketched image of Elijah.
"I'm going to send this image to the police, I'm expecting it to be printed and put up around the city so that everyone knows what he looks like. I'm also going to send the images of the twenty women to police, all via this." He picked up his baton and slid it back to reveal the screen.
"And no, you won't be able to track it. Alright, so I think it's about time that I show you the suspects. Now under no circumstances must you act out against them, do you understand me? Nineteen of these women are innocent, but for the sake of buying enough time for the confessions to be made without he pulling an elaborate little scheme, I have to mention them. If I name her, outright, who knows what this psycho witch will do to you guys.
And for the last part of this clever little scheme, this game must be kept a secret. NOBODY outside Paris must know about this. I've had a chat with our dear mayor about it…"
The scene changed from Chat against a white background to Chat sitting on Mayor bourgeois desk, legs crossed leisurely as he waved his tail in lazy circles. The man looked just about ready to faint.
"I hereby decree that any individual found divulging information about Mister Chat Noir's plan to anyone outside of Paris will be sentenced to LIFE IMPRISONMENT. All photos, broadcasts, recordings, letters, articles or any other medium of the information are prohibited from leaving this city. It is for that reason that transportation to and from Paris will be halted until Mister Chat Noir deems fit. You may have also noticed that messages to anyone outside of Paris will not send, and neither will you receive any from anyone outside. This city is hereby under a complete isolation from the outside world and a communication lockdown. The police will work under Mister Chat Noir's instruction to ensure that all citizens follow protocol, and are under my command to obey and not attempt to harm Mister Chat Noir at all times. Take heed to all of these decrees."
Alya's eyes widened and she grabbed her phone. Was that possible? She quickly sent a message to Max who she knew was not in the country. Sure enough, the message did not deliver, but the one that she sent to Nino did.
She looked back at the TV wondering how Chat Noir had got that to happen.
She blinked rapidly. What was he? An alien? Was her best friend who Nino assured her was missing but safe at the same time really with this guy?
The scene changed back to Chat Noir.
"Yes, yes, I know you feel like you're going to die if you can't go on Instagram or talk to your long distance mistress or whatever, you wont'. As soon as all incriminating evidence is collected, you'll get your internet freedom back." He waved his hand nonchalantly.
"Now, here are the suspects… One: Alexia Strauss, Two:Ellie Crai, Three: Nathalie Sancouer, four: Clara Nightingale, five: Penny Rolling, six: Chloe Bourgeois, seven: Mireille Caquet, eight: Aurore Beauréal, nine: Gina Dupain , ten :Kagami Tsurugi, eleven: Nadja Chamack, twelve-", as he spoke, the images of the women in very clear headshots were put on the screen.
"-Caline Bustier, thirteen: Sabrina Raincomprix, fourteen: Marinette Dupain-Cheng-"
Alya let out an involuntary screech. What was wrong with this man? He couldn't just name Marinette as a suspect!
But then again… It would take suspicion off of her as being someone close to Chat Noir… Alya pondered, Chat was intelligent.
"Fifteen: Clara Contard, Sixteen: Elenor Descartes, Seventeen: Alix Kubdel-"
Alya could imagine the anger that would seep from the women being called out as a criminal suspect.
"Eighteen: Lila Rossi, Nineteen: Sarah Carter, Twenty: Alya Cesaire."Alya fell backward in shock.
"WHAT?!"She screamed at the TV.
"Now as I said, nineteen of these women are innocent, maybe some of them are blackmailers and I hit the nail on the head, but regardless, to the police, you are not to make contact with any of these women, and to the Parisians, neither are you. If you do attempt to hurt them in any sort of way, we are going to have some serious issues, and I'm certain you don't want that. There are some women mentioned on the list that are not inside Paris at the moment, that is not a problem that you should be concerned about. Follow what I say, and you get Agreste back, and a safe home once again, deal? Now as for Elijah, if he is sighted, an email must be sent to this address."
An odd looking email was broadcasted across the screen.
"Once again, I'm sure you understand that the account or email cannot be traced. I'm certain I've covered all the points I've needed to, and I think I deserve a reward for being civil and mostly harmless throughout this entire video. Goodnight, and good luck to all of you. Claws out."
The video ended.
Chat slipped into Marinette's room, knowing that the entire city had seen the broadcasted video.
It was irritating being so boring, no puns, no cynical smiles, no humour. He wanted to fall asleep just making the video. He supposed though that his sudden change of demeanour was enough to paralyze and capture the attention of the masses, after all, they'd never seen him be civil before.
He sighed picked up Marinette's pillow, holding it to his chest tightly.
Distance, was a damn, frigging hard thing. She was safe, he knew, but he didn't like not having her there, in his arms, where he could protect her from anyone who would try to harm her.
He hated it. He hated that the last time he'd seen her, she'd been concerned that he was going to end his life, and not even long before that, he'd pulverized and mutilated a man in front of her, questioning her loyalty, and comparing her. And though she'd kissed him, nothing was okay.
He needed to apologize for so much, for everything, for being such an idiot. He couldn't brush it under the carpet, he wouldn't.
And then there was Chloe…
That evil thing. She'd actually managed to kidnap Marinette… He'd let that happen, and if Plagg's wife or girlfriend or whatever hadn't gotten there when she did, Marinette would have lost her life. She would have died, and it would have been his fault. He couldn't bear the thought of it. Just the idea of it haunted him and forced an uncomfortable feeling into his chest…because it was almost reality.
Never. Never, ever, ever again would he let that happen. He was going to protect her with his very life, because if she could get kidnapped before, then he wasn't doing a good job of it, was he?
No, he would fix his mistakes.
He loved her too much to let her ever be sad or hurt again. He would make sure she was the happiest woman in the world, and he would help her build the best possible life, together.
Of course, he couldn't really act on his thoughts seeing as she was in another world.
He would just have to wait till she returned, just like he had to wait for the confessions so he could put that thing away for good so that she'd never hurt his princess again, and like how he had to wait for Elijah to be spotted to find out wherever the hell the man was hiding…
All good things to those that wait.
He'd done what he could, so as much as he hated complacency… It was all he could do as he hugged the pillow to his chest.
A beep from his baton caught his attention. He picked up the device and peered at the screen, his eyes widening as he read the name of the person he'd received a message from on his own strange email.
"Dear Chat Noir
I understand that you have not harmed my child, Adrien, after what I'd seen the last time. For that, I am truly, eternally thankful. I am. I will never truly understand why you took him, as you could have taken anyone, but I need you to know that I will help you in whatever way possible in order to get him back.
When you spoke about wanting to protect that person that you love, it occurred to me that I have only wanted to do that for two people. My wife… and my son, Adrien. I isolated him to do just that… because I never wanted him to be taken from me. I wanted him to be mine and his mother's forever, safe and sound. I never wanted him to develop attachments to anyone because I wanted to save him from ever feeling the pain of losing someone. I even went to the extent of isolating him from myself.
You've taken him, and I've realized that I couldn't have made a worse decision. I've regretted it every day since he's been gone. I understand that you may not care for this message, and I've never been a man of urgency but I've become desperate. I need my son to know that I care for him, that I love him, I love him so much and I've forced him to live a life that I should never have forced him to live. Please, please tell him that.
Chat Noir, I will do whatever you want. Tell me what I need to do, and I will get it done. I've already decided to issue a statement that pertains to the confessions of those blackmailed; I will provide lawyers, additional body guards, and any attorney fees to all, and every one of the people who come forward. I also feel that I should let you know that I have been in contact with Elijah. I apologize, but before, I had run out of options and had found him… And requested his help. You see, Chat Noir. I know about the Miraculous, and I know you have the Ring of the Black Cat, and I can't tell you how I know because I swore an oath, but Elijah knows about them too. He wants to use them, and then destroy them afterward. I know that you know who Master Fu is, and he may have spoken to you about it, but there is a whole other world called the Miraculous world, and I know that Elijah wants to get there and destroy it.
Again, I am sorry, because even though I shouldn't have, I was the one who told Elijah that Fu was in Paris. I gave him all the resources he needed to annihilate you in hopes that I would get my son back. I'm telling you this so that you can prepare yourself, please don't punish my son for my foolishness.
If I find out anything, I will message you immediately. I will do whatever you ask. Thank you again for not hurting my boy anymore. If you need anything whatsoever, do not hesitate to contact me.
I will do it anything.
Yours faithfully
Gabriel Agreste"
Chat swallowed thickly and bit his lip in a futile attempt to stop the trembling.
Slowly he sent a reply.
'This was enough. Adrien says he loves you too.'
And then, he cried.