Chapter Text
Alix ran downstairs to the kitchen. She bounded towards the table where she sat and inhaled her food.
“Woah, slow down, kiddo. What’s the rush?” Alim asked.
“C’mon, Dad, it’s the first day of school. Can’t be late for it.”
“This is a switch. You normally hate the first day. My, I remember all the times I had to drag you out of bed. Ever the fighter you are,” Alim reminisced.
“Yeah, well, it’s the last year of that crummy school before I can finally pursue a school with actual engineering classes. I’ll be people just like me and not, well, the people I suffer already.”
“Alix, be nice.”
“Why? They’re all freaks! There’s Marinette the clumsy ditz, Nathaniel whose nose is shoved in a sketchbook as he steals glances at the ditz, Ivan and Mylene just exist, Kim is so annoying with all his pranks, Juleka creeps me out a little, Rose is completely nauseating with all her talk of romance, and don’t even get me started on Chloe and her little pet.”
“Yes, about that. Try not to agitate her this year.”
“Me, agitate her? Please. That little brat has it coming every time. Besides, if I don’t stand up for myself, she’d walk all over me like she does with ditzy Marinette. The others too, but Marinette is Chloe’s favorite to bully.”
“Yes, well, please avoid any confrontations. I know you are very bold and will rise to any challenge, but please don’t fuel the fire this year. It took a lot of convincing on my part with the Mayor, Chloe’s father may I remind you, to not intimidate the principal in expelling you.”
Alix snorted and rolled her eyes. “Spineless, the lot of them.”
Alim grimaced. “Alix, sweetie, maybe it’s time to consider toning it down a bit.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, I just can’t help but notice that you often have issues with getting along with people and would rather jump to harsh judgements of people before getting to know them. Maybe this year you can try to not do that, perhaps?”
“Why?”
“I just don’t want to see you alone during these years of your life. They are far from the best years you’ll have, but they are still made more enjoyable with friends.”
“Oh yeah? Then where are all your friends?”
Alim chuckled nervously. “Well, you see, it’s a bit different. I’m always so busy and while I don’t have friends per say, I do have business associates and other such acquaintances.”
Alix rolled her eyes. “Right. Anyway, I gotta go. I’ll stay out of Chloe’s way, but if she comes at me, I’m not backing down.”
“Well, let’s just hope that the mayor spoke with her too and she’ll listen. But don’t jump to violence immediately, please. Try walking away first?”
“I’ll give it a try.”
“Thank you. Oh, would you like a ride to school?”
“Nah, I’m good. Thanks though.”
Alix got up and gave Alim a kiss on the cheek before she headed out. She walked her usual route to school. She stopped at a cross walk with the other busy passersby when she saw an elderly man crossing the street. She gasped as she heard the beeping of a car horn. She dashed out and pulled the man to the other side before the car hit him.
Alix ran forward in the direction the car went. “Fuck you, asshole! Pedestrians have the right of way!”
“Why, thank you, young lady,” the man said.
“Huh? Oh, no problem. But, hey, be careful, gramps. These crazy drivers stop for no one.”
“I will. Thank you again.”
Alix smiled and ran off. She hurried to school as the first bell rang. She bounded up the stairs to the classroom. She took her seat as Marinette went around the room, passing out fresh macaroons.
“Hey, Alix. Ready for a new year?” Marinette asked with a big, cheery smile.
Alix’s eye twitched as she forced a smile. “You bet.”
“Me too! Oh! Before I forget, take a macaroon. Fresh from my parents’ bakery.”
Alix took one before Marinette moved on. She glanced around the room to see the same faces as last year except for one new face. A girl with brown ombre hair who sat in the very front row with Marinette. She raised a brow and looked over where Marinette usually sat to see Chloe and Sabrina sitting there. She wondered why the changeup, but otherwise ignored it.
Alix’s attention shifted to Miss Bustier as class and the year finally began.
~~
Adrien ran down the sidewalks with the school in sight. Hope flared in him as his feet touched the steps. He headed up them as he heard a car skid to a stop. He paused and looked to see Nathalie and his bodyguard, Gorilla, emerge from the car.
“Adrien, please reconsider this. You know what your father wants,” Nathalie said.
“But this is what I want, Nathalie. Doesn’t that matter too?”
“Adrien,” Nathalie started.
A pained groan stole Adrien’s attention. He glanced towards it to see an old man on the ground, unable to get his cane. He ran down the steps, helped the old man up, and handed the man his cane.
“Thank you, young man.”
Adrien smiled. “It’s no problem.”
Adrien turned to head into the school, but found his path blocked by Nathalie and Gorilla.
“Please. I just want to go to school and be with people my age.”
Nathalie shook her head and motioned to the car. Adrien sighed and left with them.
~~
The bell rang to signal the end of the class hour. Alix leapt to her feet and dashed for the door to head to gym class. She paused when she heard Ivan yell at Kim. She glanced back at the guys but rolled her eyes and kept moving. Kim was likely up to his tricks again and Ivan fell for it as always.
Alix headed to the first floor as Ivan stormed out of the classroom and for the principal’s office. She watched for a moment when he barged in but was sent out. She snorted in amusement but frowned when she saw an odd black butterfly. She tilted her head, then grinned. She took out her phone to get a picture to show Alim. She snapped the photo as Mr. D’Argencourt yelled at her.
“Miss Kubdel! No phones out on school grounds.”
“Yeah, but there was this-,” Alix started.
“No excuses. To the principal’s office, now.”
Alix growled, stuffed her phone into her pocket, and headed up. She put one foot on the stairs when there was a roar. The ground shook as a rock golem stepped out from the principal’s office. Mr. Damocles, the principal, tripped and crawled to the railing.
“Students, run!”
“Kim!” the golem yelled.
Alix gasped. The monster sounded like Ivan. Was it Ivan? What happened to him? Was this even real?
The golem jumped down and caused the ground to shake violently. Alix caught herself on the railing before she ran out of the school with the other students. She took one glance back before she headed for home.
~~
Adrien stared off at the wall while Nathalie asked him history questions. He had been so close to being in school and with people his age. He could have finally been free of this isolation if he didn’t stop to help that man. Perhaps he should have ignored the man and went inside. Maybe then he wouldn’t be stuck here.
“Nathalie, that’s enough,” Gabriel said.
Adrien flinched hearing his father’s voice. He looked over at Gabriel’s glower.
“Adrien, I’m disappointed that you would sneak out when I’ve made it clear you are to never leave the house unless I have given my authorization. There is nothing out there that you could need. Everything you need is within these walls.”
“But, Father, I want to be with others my age. I want to go to school and make friends. I want to live my life.”
“Adrien, you are not like those commoners. You are amongst the elite. It’s bad enough the mayor allows his daughter go to such lowly schools, however I will not make those mistakes with you. You will be given the best education and everything else that our wealth and status has to offer. What more could you want?”
“Friends.”
“You have Chloe. Is that not enough?”
Adrien opened his mouth but closed it when he heard screams outside. He glanced out the window, but his view was blocked by Gabriel.
“Go to your room, Adrien. Now. I want you to think on everything I’ve said.”
Adrien ran from the room up to his bedroom. He threw himself onto his bed before he tore it apart in a fit. He stopped when he heard a loud roar. He ran to his windows but didn’t see anything. He jumped onto his couch and turned on his TV to the news. His eyes widened seeing a stone golem terrorizing Paris as it chased a guy his age.
Adrien covered his mouth. He looked down, away from the broadcast, and saw a small black and red hexagonal box on his coffee table. He picked it up and opened it. A bright light flashed and orbited around him. It stopped above the box and took the form of a small black creature with a tiny body, large head, cat ears and tail, and piercing green eyes.
“Woah! What are you? Are you a genie?”
“No way, but I did meet him once. Sure, he grants wishes, but what’s the big deal anyway?”
Adrien raised his brow as the creature flew around his room and admired everything while it bit down on everything. He tried to get its attention, but it ignored him. He huffed, climbed up on the rock wall, and dove down as he caught the creature.
“What are you?” Adrien asked.
“I’m a kwami. I grant powers. Yours is that of destruction. Got it?”
Adrien shook his head.
“Wonderful, now, got any food? I’m starving.”
Adrien sat up. “This is a prank, right? My father is just messing with me.”
“Yeah, no. Your father isn’t and he must never know about me. No one can if you’re to be a hero.”
Adrien released the creature. “A hero? What good is a hero that’s stuck in his own house?”
“No good, but you can change that. If you’re willing that is.”
Adrien looked back at the box that held a silver ring. He nodded and slipped it on.
“Cataclysm is to use your powers. Plagg, claws out is to transform.”
Adrien grinned and struck a pose. “Plagg, claws out!”
“Wait! I hadn’t finished explaining-!” Plagg yelled as he was sucked into the ring.
Adrien beamed as his clothes transformed into a black full body suit with cat ears, a tail, and a superhero mask. He looked down at himself.
“So cool!”
Adrien ran to his window, opened it, and headed out in search of the monster.
~~
Alix burst into her home and turned on the news. She watched the broadcast of the monster rampaging through Paris as it chased Kim. She had no doubts that it was Ivan at this point with its relentless pursuit and voice. That still left the question of how Ivan became such a monster.
Alix turned off the TV and headed up to her room. She grabbed her journal and sat at her desk. She reached for a pen when she saw a small black and red hexagonal box. She tilted her head as she opened it. A red orb shot out and flew around her. It stopped over the box and took the shape of a red kwami with three black spots on its head.
“Uh, what is this? What are you?” Alix asked.
“I am Tikki, kwami of creation.”
“What’s a kwami? Was it something like you that turned Ivan into whatever that golem creature thing is?”
“Not in the way you may be thinking. He was transformed by another holder, someone that also has a kwami.”
“Woah, you mean like a supervillain?”
“Something along those lines, yes.”
“And does this mean I get to be a superhero with you?”
“Yes.”
Alix whooped and hollered. “This is awesome! It’s just like my wildest dreams. What do I do? What can I do?”
“With me, you will wield the power of creation. Your power, Lucky Charm, allows you to create one item per transformation. Once you use this, you will have five minutes before you transform back, so use it cautiously.”
Alix’s eyes widened as they sparkled. Her mind raced with the opportunity to create her designs she’s only brought to life through sketches and vivid daydreams.
“Now, this is important. You must find the object that the Akuma is hiding in. It’ll be a little black butterfly.”
“Oh! You mean like this one?”
Alix showed Tikki her photo from earlier.
“Yeah! That’s exactly it.”
“Got it. So, what do I do with it?”
“You will catch it in your yo-yo. It’s a magical yo-yo that can purify the Akumas and your mode of transportation. You just need to swipe up along the middle and it’ll open. Once you purify the Akuma, you can use the object you created with Lucky Charm by throwing it up while saying ‘Miraculous.’ Ladybugs will then fix all the damage the monster does.”
“Got it. Alright, I’m ready.”
“Excellent. Put on the earrings and say, ‘Tikki, spots on.’”
Alix took the earrings from the box and put them on. “Tikki, spots on!”
Tikki disappeared into the earrings. Alix grinned as her clothes transformed into a black full bodysuit with red with black spots and black boots, long gloves, leotard, and a strip along her legs with ladybug emblems on each of them. Her reddish pink hair turned red and spiked out as a red and black spotted hero mask covered her face and her eyes turned red.
Alix let out a breath as she looked herself over. She eyed the yo-yo at her hip and grabbed it. She opened her window and slipped out. She leapt up to the nearby buildings to the roofs. She scanned the area as she absentmindedly twirled her yo-yo. She grinned as she eyed the Notre Dame Cathedral. She chucked her yo-yo in the direction, and it latched onto the building.
Alix took a step back and braced herself. She tugged on the string and was sent flying towards the Cathedral. She gasped as she flailed about before she got her bearings. She landed against the wall of the Cathedral. She tugged on the string again to release it, but she shot up. She yelped and flicked her wrist. The yo-yo released and she plummeted. She turned to land on her feet when a boy in a cat hero costume collided with her. He yowled as they slammed into the ground.
Alix untangled herself from Adrien and glowered. “Watch where you’re going, fleabag. I would have totally nailed that landing if you hadn’t got in the way.”
Adrien smirked. “I happened to be doing just that. Maybe you should watch where you’re falling and stay out of my way.”
Alix snorted. “Alright, I’ll give you that one, fleabag. What are you doing out here anyway? Shouldn’t people be hiding from this monster?”
“I could ask you the same of you, little bug.”
“Don’t call me little, fleabag.”
“Yeah, it doesn’t feel right. Perhaps, fun-sized bug? No. Oh, how about mini bug? Sounds cute, doesn’t it?”
Alix’s eye twitched. She reached up and grabbed the bell of Adrien’s suit. She pulled him close, so they were eye-to-eye. “The name is Bloody Bug, fleabag. Call me mini bug again and I’ll send you flying into the Seine.”
“Well, pleasure to meet you. You can call me Chat Noir… Mini Bug.”
Bloody Bug snarled. She grabbed Chat Noir and threw him in the direction of the Seine. She turned and ran in the opposite direction when she saw a pillar of dust shoot towards the sky. She changed direction and headed that way until she found the monster. She grimaced seeing that he had finally caught Kim and was several sizes bigger than he was in the school.
“Hey! Put the idiot down!” Bloody Bug yelled.
“Y-yeah! Do what the bug said, Ivan,” Kim added.
“The name is Stoneheart!” the monster yelled.
“Fine, Stoneheart, whatever. Put the idiot down!”
Stoneheart roared. He raised his clenched fist about to bring it down when Chat Noir joined Bloody Bug.
“You don’t smell like wet cat, fleabag.”
“Oh, Mini Bug, you should know cats are amazing at avoiding unwanted baths.”
Bloody Bug’s eye twitched. “Wonderful, now stay out of my way.”
“I got this. My power is that of destruction. I’ll turn this boulder into rubble.”
Stoneheart roared again and brought his fist down on them. Bloody Bug grabbed Chat Noir and leapt out of the way. She turned as she raised him over her head and threw him at Stoneheart. He yowled as he collided with Stoneheart’s face. Stoneheart tried to swipe at him, but she lassoed Stoneheart in her yo-yo string, restraining his free arm.
Bloody Bug grunted as she struggled against Stoneheart. “Let’s see if this works. Lucky Charm!”
Ladybugs swirled around the yo-yo as a ring of chains were created. It hovered in the air for a moment before it fell to the ground at Stoneheart’s feet.
“Wonderful. You make what I want, but don’t go where I want. Lovely. Fleabag, do something!”
“I’m a little busy!” Chat Noir yelled as he leapt around Stoneheart.
Stoneheart snarled and released Kim along with a purple rock. Bloody Bug released Stoneheart and dove for Kim, catching him and the rock. Kim took off as she turned, lassoed Chat Noir, and pulled him to her.
“Well, well, we meet again, Mini Bug.”
Bloody Bug sneered as she held up the rock. “Shove it and destroy this, fleabag.”
Chat Noir raised a brow, then shrugged. “Cataclysm!”
Dark energy emitted from Chat Noir’s ring. Bloody Bug watched the rock crumble to pieces at his touch, releasing the Akuma within. She smiled and swiped up on her yo-yo. The middle parted to reveal a glowing white void within. She caught the Akuma and the yo-yo closed. She waited a moment before she messed with it to get the Akuma out. She hit the middle and it opened again, releasing a white butterfly.
Bloody Bug smiled. “Later, butterfly.”
Bloody Bug looked to Stoneheart as he reverted to Ivan. She sighed and approached him. She grabbed her charm and knelt beside him.
“Hey. Are you ok?” Bloody Bug asked.
“Uh, where am I? What happened?”
“What’s the last thing you remember?”
“I… I was going into the principal’s office, then there was this voice that offered me power to get revenge on those that have wronged me. I… I think I accepted.”
“Well, you kinda did. So, why did you?” Chat Noir interjected.
“Does it matter? Look, just don’t do it again,” Bloody Bug remarked.
Bloody Bug threw the charm up as she yelled “Miraculous.” It dissipated into a swarm of ladybugs that repaired the damage done by Stoneheart. She turned as the ladybugs turned the crumbled rock into crumbled up paper. She took it, read it, and gagged. She shoved the paper into Chat Noir.
“If you want to help the man out, be my guest, but I’m done. Bug out.”
Bloody Bug swung out. Chat Noir tilted his head and read the paper. One ear pinned back in confusion as he read Ivan getting mocked for not being able to tell Mylene he likes her.
“So, you have a crush on someone? And you can’t tell her?”
Ivan sneered, then sighed. “I just can’t do it. I get nervous and chicken out.”
“Well, what if you find a different way to express it? I mean, there’s making something special, letters, poems, all that wonderful cheesy stuff.”
Ivan hummed. “I could… write her a song?”
Chat Noir beamed. “Oh, a song would be amazing! She’d be sure to swoon. I mean, who wouldn’t want a song written for them?”
Ivan smiled. He stood and held out his fist. Chat Noir tilted his head and looked at it.
“Uh, what is this?”
“A fist bump. Make a fist and we bump fists.”
One of Chat Noir’s ears pinned back in confusion. He balled a hand into a fist and bumped it against Ivan’s. His ears shot up and turned forward. The small gesture spread a silly grin on his face and filled himself with joy.
“Wish me luck, uh, cat boy.”
“Break a leg!”
Chat Noir watched Ivan leave when his ring beeped. He looked down to see a couple pads remaining in the pawprint. He panicked, not sure what it meant, but hurried home all the same.