Chapter Text
I’ve been exposed.
An Exposé From Rena Rouge
Submitted Anonymously to the Ladyblog
We’ve been compromised. Carapace, King Monkey, Pegasus, Viperion, Ryuuko, and myself were all exposed during Miracle Queen’s Akumatization. No one saw who we were…except the people who should NEVER see who we were. Hawkmoth and Mayura.
And Miracle Queen. AKA Chloe Bourgeois. Queen Bee. Who VOLUNTARILY allowed herself to be Akumatized in order to take over the city and commanded all of the Auxiliary Heroes like her little puppets.
Ladybug can never call upon us again. We are too much of a liability…a risk. Hawkmoth would target our families and friends. I’m writing this knowing full well there’s a chance that Chloe could expose my real name and Identity publicly. It’s a risk I’m willing to take.
Because we don’t want the Mayor’s daughter to get away with this. We don’t want her treachery to go unpunished. We want justice. She sided with a megalomaniacal super-powered terrorist who has held our city hostage numerous times, and exposed the identities of six heroes to him, putting our families and us at risk.
“Nooroo,” Gabriel said. “Dark Wings Rise.”
The Butterfly Kwami was sucked into the brooch as magical energy surrounded Gabriel Agreste and transformed him into Hawkmoth. He stood in silence. Concentrating. Reaching out with his mind, pouring over the emotions of everyone in Paris…looking for something specific. Trying to find a very specific set of emotions that only one woman could be feeling.
“Sir…” A voice spoke softly from behind him. “Sir what are you doing?”
“Nathalie,” Hawkmoth said without turning. “Why are you out of bed? You are in no condition to be walking around.”
“What are you doing sir?” she repeated.
“Ladybug was declared the Guardian, lost her mentor, and her auxiliary heroes were exposed, and the weight of the world is upon her shoulders,” Hawkmoth said, frowning. “She’s never been in a better position to be Akumatized. If I can find those emotions, I’ll have her at last.”
“Let me help,” Nathalie said, attempting to step forward, and stumbling slightly upon her crutches.
“No, Nathalie,” Hawkmoth replied.
“You fixed the Peacock though…” She said. “Surely with both of our empathic powers combined…”
“The Peacock is fixed,” Hawkmoth interrupted. “You are not. And as such, you are in no condition to wield it. Still…the idea itself has merit.”
Hawkmoth considered his last fight with Ladybug and Chat Noir.
He reached over and picked up the peacock miraculous, pinning it to his suit. Nathalie’s eyes widened.
“Nooroo,” He said. “Duusu. Unify!”
Duusu was immediately sucked into the peacock pin, and Hawkmoth’s outfit gained a series of Peacock accents.
Hawkmoth staggered for a moment, overwhelmed by the crashing wave of Duusu’s powers. Ladybug and Chat Noir were stronger than he thought, if they were able to take the strain of two Miraculous at once…but it didn’t matter. His empathic powers were indeed enhanced.
“Excellent,” Hawkmoth said, smiling. He closed his eyes. Crushing weight. Extreme loneliness. THERE. That had to be her. That HAD to be Ladybug. He reached out and scooped up a butterfly. Preparing to pour his power into it…and then the emotions just vanished.
“What?” He said. He concentrated harder…but found nothing.
“No that had to be Ladybug,” he demanded. “That had to be her! Where did she go?!?!”
Hawkmoth threw his sword cane to the ground in frustration.
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Marinette Dupain-Cheng was meditating with her mother. Her mother meditated every morning, before starting work with Marinette’s father in the bakery. Marinette had joined her a few times in the past, but ever since she had inherited the Miracle Box from Master Fu, she had made it a habit of joining her mom every morning.
She had to, as far as she was concerned. There had been a few close calls with Akuma in the past few months, and with the additional responsibility of the Miracle Box, Marinette was taking no chances that Hawkmoth’s corrupted butterflies could get anywhere near her. As she meditated and centered herself, she felt all her worries slowly evaporate. The weight of the Miracle Box. The Loss of her Allies. Master Fu’s memories. Adrien and Kagami’s new relationship. It all vanished.
She centered herself and let her mind come into sharp clear focus. She had her emotions in check, and was ready to face the day.
“You’d better get ready for school, dear,” Sabine said quietly.
“Thanks maman,” Marinette said, smiling at her mother as she got up from the yoga mat that they had set up in the living room.
“I’ve really enjoyed our meditation sessions together, honey,” Sabine called after her daughter.
“I’ve enjoyed that I haven’t been late to school once since we started,” Marinette winked at her mother conspiratorially. Marinette quietly made her way up the stairs to her attic bedroom, where Tikki was watching the news on her laptop.
“No Akumas?” Marinette asked as she began changing her clothes for school.
“Mmm-mmm,” Tikki said. “Not in almost a month now.”
“I think that scares me more than anything else,” Marinette said. “What is he waiting for?”
“I have no idea---“ Tikki started to say, but stopped suddenly upon seeing something on Marinette’s laptop. The Kwami shot forward and immediately turned up the volume on the computer.
“In international news,” Nadia Chamack said. “Two new superheroes debuted in the city of New Orleans in the United States over this weekend. They call themselves ‘Scarlet Phoenix’ and ‘Kirin Ryu’, and have already made a name for themselves breaking up a human-trafficking ring, and President Hombee is talking about inducting them into…”
“IT’S BENNU AND HAART!” Tikki squeaked excitedly.
“Who?” Marinette asked curiously.
“The Kwamis of the Phoenix and Stag Miraculous!” Tikki exclaimed.
“Phoenix and Stag?!?” Marinette glanced over towards the large wooden hatbox (With a built-in booby-trap similar to that of her diary box.) where she was keeping the Miracle Box, having not touched it since she put the Miraculous that Chloe had stolen back.
“They’re from a different Miracle Box,” Tikki explained. “Marinette, do you know what this means? The Order of the Guardians has begun choosing heroes again!”
“OH!” Marinette said, pausing the video to take a closer look at the two new Miraculous Heroes.
“Tikki…” Marinette said quietly. “Should I…Should I be going to the temple for training?”
“Eventually, maybe,” Tikki said. “But not until Hawkmoth’s threat has ended. Your first duty has to be to Paris. The Guardians won’t respect you if you don’t put that first.”
Marinette nodded. “I understand Tikki. I just wanted to let them know about Master Fu.”
“I’m pretty sure that they already know,” Tikki said quietly. “Master Fu left contingencies in place for passing the box onto you; so I’m quite sure he did the same for sending them a message.”
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Marinette was already sitting at her desk and sketching in her notebook when Alya walked into the classroom, chatting with Nino and Lila. Marinette tried very hard to ignore the silent daggers Lila surreptitiously shot at Marinette as she made her way up to her seat.
“Girl,” Alya exclaimed. “You have been at school early for the last month. Who are you and what have you done with Marinette Dupain-Cheng?”
“I’ve been meditating with my mom in the morning,” Marinette admitted. “So have to get up early to do that. But it’s been a real blessing in disguise. Helps prepare me for my day. Center my mind.”
“Calm your emotions?” Alya asked, glancing at the door as Adrien and Kagami stood in it. The two of them took turns walking each other to their classrooms. Kagami kissed Adrien on the cheek, and walked away as Adrien entered the room.
“Among other things,” Marinette said, smiling to herself. “Good morning, Adrien.”
“Morning ladies,” Adrien said, sitting down at his desk next to Nino.
“You sure you’re okay girl?” Alya asked.
“I’m fine Alya,” Marinette said. “It was a crush. Seriously. I’ll be fine.”
Besides, Marinette thought to herself. I could live off the seething rage coming from Lila right now. Sure, it’s not me with Adrien; but more importantly, it’s not her either.
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Kagami exited her classroom, prepared to track down her boyfriend and have lunch with him, when she saw Alya grab Marinette’s hand and duck down under a stairwell.
Kagami hadn’t really spoken to Marinette since the former had started dating Adrien. Truthfully…She was racked with guilt. She knew that Marinette had feelings for Adrien…and she couldn’t bring herself to talk to her only other friend.
The guilt had made Kagami miserable. Not miserable enough to even consider breaking up with Adrien, or talking to Marinette, but miserable nonetheless. The time she spent with Adrien was pretty much the only happy points in her life at the moment. Even fencing wasn’t bringing her the joy that it used to.
What kind of woman does that to her friend?, Kagami tried not to think.
Swallowing her pride, Kagami approached the stairwell, hoping to work up the nerve to actually talk to Marinette. Though she didn’t even think far enough ahead to consider what subject they might actually talk about.
It ended up not mattering, since she froze when she heard Alya’s words…
“So now that Adrien is off the market,” Alya was saying. “Are you gonna make a move on a certain guitarist?”
Yes, Are you? If you started dating Luka then maybe my guilt would abate.
“No, Alya,” Marinette replied.
Kagami sank.
“Luka is very sweet,” Marinette admitted. “But I don’t think I’m ready for a relationship. Not with him…or…anyone really. I’ve got…too much going on in my life right now. And I wrapped up so much of my time trying to get Adrien to notice me…I think it’s for the best if I figure out myself right now. No boys. Just me. Just Marinette.”
“You’re telling me, that if Model-Boy broke up with Kagami right now,” Alya asked. “And then declared his undying love for you, you wouldn’t be all over that?”
“Absolutely not, Alya,” Marinette said. “Kagami is my friend. You don’t date your friend’s exes. They’re happy together, so I’m happy FOR them, even if not for myself. But Adrien is a closed door. He’s off the table forever.”
Kagami broke inside. She could feel her soul shatter apart into a million tiny pieces.
The Japanese girl spun around and ran away from Alya and Marinette’s conversation, quickly finding an empty classroom and locking herself in.
She allowed herself a single loud sob before composing her mind. It was never a good idea to be overly emotional in Paris. Even if there hadn’t been an Akuma in a month.
Marinette is a better friend then I am. Kagami realized. A better friend and a better person than I could ever be. And I have avoided her.
“On my family honor,” Kagami said quietly. “Somehow. Some way…I will figure out a way to make it up to her.”
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Chat Noir pole vaulted across a rooftop, landing softly next to Ladybug, who was sitting atop Notre Dame Cathedral, looking contemplatively out at the Seine.
“Evening Milady,” Chat said. “And how are we doing tonight?”
“Better, I think,” Ladybug said after about a minute of silence. “It wasn’t great…what happened to Master Fu, or our allies. But I think I’m finally in a good headspace to begin picking up the pieces.”
“There hasn’t been an Akuma in a month,” Chat Noir commented.
“Nope.” Marinette said. “He’s waiting for something. I don’t know what, but we can’t let our guard down. Especially since we can’t call on any of the reserves again.”
“We could always call on Multimouse,” Chat commented. “Marinette was the only temporary hero who didn’t get summoned to Miracle Queen’s side, for whatever reason. So she’s still safe—thank God—Hawkmoth doesn’t know about her.”
“But her identity was exposed, Kitty,” Ladybug started to argue.
“Yeah,” Chat retorted. “It was exposed to me. No one else saw. If it didn’t matter for Viperion, Pegasus, and Ryuuko, then I don’t see why it should matter for Multimouse. I can even play delivery-cat if you want.”
“I’ll…Think about it,” Ladybug stammered. “Marinette is still pretty clumsy though…”
“Maybe,” Chat shrugged. “But she’s still smart, brave, sharp, quick on the uptake, and capable of following your crazy plans to a tee. Kind of makes her ideal, actually.”
“Kitty,” Ladybug chuckled. “Do you have a crush on Marinette?”
Chat Noir shrugged. “She’s a mouse. I’m a cat. It’s instinct. But seriously, she’s awesome, and the only ally we’ve got left.”
Ladybug flushed and looked away. “Fair enough.”
How the heck am I going to get out of this one? Ladybug thought.
“I…Um…I guess I should mention,” Chat said quietly. “That…I have a girlfriend now.”
“Really Kitty,” Ladybug rolled her eyes. “Trying to make me jealous again?”
“Not…not…this time,” Chat said. “I really do have a girlfriend.”
“Is it Marinette?” Ladybug said teasingly, clearly still not believing Chat.
“Heh, no,” Chat said. “It’s…. Someone else.”
“Oh my God, you’re serious,” Ladybug said, blinking at Chat Noir.
“Guilty,” Chat said abashedly.
“Chat that’s…wow…I was not expecting that,” Ladybug said.
“Yeah…” Chat said. “I just figured that…you ought to know. Can’t really call you Bugaboo anymore when this kitty’s no longer on the market.”
“In fairness,” Ladybug said. “You couldn’t call me Bugaboo before either.”
Chat let out a Cheshire grin. “What about you Milady? You and your mystery man?”
Ladybug sighed. “There is no me and mystery-man. He’s…. well he’s also seeing someone else now.”
“Oh…Milady… I’m so sorry,” Chat said blinking. “I didn’t think that…”
“It’s fine Chat,” Ladybug said. “It’s for the best anyway. I’m the Guardian now. It’s kind of more important than silly teenage relationships.”
“So…you’re just not going to date anyone ever again?” Chat joked.
“That’s the plan,” Ladybug replied.
A look of horror crossed over Chat Noir’s face. “Oh my God, you’re serious,” he said echoing her words from earlier.
“Chat, a relationship requires communication and honesty,” Ladybug said. “But being a Guardian is a burden and responsibility that would absolutely prevent that kind of communication and honesty. Even more than just being a superhero would. Because I’m not just a superhero anymore. I’m more. So…yeah. A relationship…really not in the cards for this bug. It would never be safe.”
Chat was silent for several minutes, taking in what she was saying to him.
“Do you need to know my identity?” he finally asked. “For the whole…Guardian thing, I mean?”
“Eventually,” Ladybug said. “When Hawkmoth is defeated, and we reclaim his Miraculous, and put ours back in the Miracle Box, then I’ll need to know your identity.”
Chat nodded quietly.
“But we’re partners first, Kitty,” Ladybug said. “Ladybug and Chat Noir. But when that day comes…I promise I won’t leave you out. You’ll get to know my identity too. I promise.”
Chat stared off into the city. “I’d like that, Milady.”
“I thought you might,” Ladybug said smiling. “I’m going to head home. I need to get some sleep. I think you do too, Kitty.”
Ladybug flung her yoyo out and swung off the bell tower and into the night.
Chat Noir stared quietly into the inky black Seine.
Ladybug is never going to be in a relationship? That’s…awful. I get my first girlfriend at the same time she decides that she can never date? What kind of partner am I? I have a lot to think about…”
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“Nooroo, Duusu, divide,” Hawkmoth, said, divesting himself of the Peacock powers. “Dark wings fall.”
The Butterfly Miraculous released Nooroo and Gabriel Agreste stood in Hawkmoth's place.
“Why can’t I find her…the emotions should be so obvious?”
“I do not know master,” Nooroo said. “I am not her. I can’t say or even understand what she is feeling at the moment.”
Gabriel scowled and turned towards the elevator, scattering butterflies as he walked.
“It’s becoming clear that I can’t Akumatize Ladybug from just her baseline emotions. She’s found some way of dealing with them. I need another tactic…something…”
Gabriel paused. “The temporary Miraculous Holders. I know who they are. Which means that Ladybug does too…IF I go after them…Then maybe I can stir up Ladybug’s emotions enough to Akumatize her. She’s almost there already. Standing at a precipice. She just needs a nudge…”
“Mark my words, Ladybug,” Gabriel said smiling. “Soon I will Akumatize you. And once I do, the Ladybug and Black Cat Miraculous will be mine, and I will finally get my wish.”