59October 14, 2015
"Goood morning, Paris! It is 8 am on this inaugural Heroes Day! Over the last year, Ladybug and Chat Noir have been our heroes and protected us from Hawkmoth. They've proven that heroism isn't something limited to comic books or fairy tales; it lives inside each and every one of us! And that's why Mayor Bourgeois has officially designated October 14th as HEROES DAY! Don't forget about the new Ladybug and Chat Noir statue unveiling at Place des Voges this afternoon at 4pm. See you there!"
"Tikki… can you turn the radio off?" Marionette groaned, rolling over to face the wall. "I need to sleep."
The kwami floated over to the radio and turned the contraption off. "I've got you, Marinette. Can I get you anything else? I hate that you're sick, today of all days!"
Some luck! Of course Marinette would get a stomach bug and miss the first ever Heroes Day festivities.
"I'm okay for right now, Tikki. Thanks, though."
A sound came from the trap door. Tikki darted behind Marinette's nest of pillows. The girl sat up quickly, smoothing her tangled locks as Adrien's blonde head popped up.
"A-adrien! What're you doing here? School's started already…"
The boy chuckled as he climbed the ladder up to her loft so she wouldn't have to get out of bed. "I had an early morning photo shoot, but wanted to swing by and see you before heading in."
She frowned. "How'd you know I was sick?"
"Alya texted me last night that you wouldn't be in." He passed her a steaming mug. "This is from your mom. To help settle your stomach. And I left some soup with her in case you got hungry."
Marinette choked on her first sip of tea. "You made me soup?"
"Kind of," He smiled shyly. "I remembered a soup my mom used to make when I was sick, it always made me feel better. My dad still employs the chef that was here and helped her make the soup. I asked him to teach me how to make it."
"Adrien," Marinette pressed a hand over her heart. "That's so sweet. Thank you!"
He ducked his head. "Aw, I just wish I could do more to help…" He brightened. "Can I take notes for you in class today?"
Marinette's laugh turned into a hacking cough. "I-if you're so inclined," She wheezed. "It would be appreciated."
Once the girl's coughing subsided, Adrien joined in her laughter. "Then your wish is my command."
Adrien walked the short distance from the Dupain-Cheng bakery to the school. He smiled at the interaction he'd had with Marinette.
When Ladybug had called Chat the previous night to let him know that she was sick and couldn't make the statue unveiling and to give her apologies to both the mayor and the sculptor, he knew that he needed to do something to help Marinette. As Ladybug, she helped everyone! There needed to be someone to take care of her.
"Glad you could make it, Adrien." Ms. Bustier accepted his late note and indicated for the boy to take his seat. "Will you take notes for Marin-"
"Already on it, Miss!" Adrien flashed her a smile. He narrowed his eyes at Lila's scoff from the front of the room.
A buzz in his pocket indicated a new text. He chanced a quick look in case it was his Lady.
NINO: Eager to take notes for your FRIEND? ;p
ADRIEN: Shut up, man
NINO: What a HERO! Really taking the day to heart :p
Adrien kept an eye on the clock throughout his fencing practice. Since he'd come to school late, his father wasn't letting him miss fencing to go to the statue unveiling. But that didn't mean Chat Noir couldn't be there…
The boy purposefully advanced too forcefully and 'stumbled'. He made a show of wincing when he landed wrong.
"Ah!" He cried.
"Adrien?" D'Argencourt stepped towards his prized student. "What happened?"
"Sorry, sir. I guess my head's not in it today and I got distracted." He apologized. "May I go to the locker room and ice my ankle for a while? I don't want to risk anything with our tournament coming up soon…"
D'Argencourt nodded. "Very good. I will check on you once practice is over."
Practice ends at 4:30. I've got time. Adrien thought. "Thank you, sir!" He limped to the locker room so he could transform. He could already hear the roar of the excited crowd beyond the walls of the school.
Mayor Bourgeois stood next to the young sculptor admiring the height of the covered statue as the covering blew in the slight wind.
"Théo, you've outdone yourself!" The mayor clapped the young man on the shoulder. "Your portfolio was impressive, but this will quite possibly be your crowning achievement!"
"It was my honor, sir." Théo smiled. "I was grateful that your office called me in after seeing my model in the park. Ladybug and Chat Noir have done so much for this city in the short time they've been around… I just wanted to do my part to show my appreciation." He checked his watch. "It's getting close on time. They're supposed to be here soon, right? I was hoping Ladybug would sign the photo I used as inspiration for her portion of the statue."
"I'm sure they'll be along any minute," Mayor Bourgeois mused. "Hero things and such…"
Before Mayor Bourgeois could say anything else, Chat Noir landed lightly next to the statue. The crowd went wild. Chat waved and posed for a couple of pictures before making his way to Théo and the mayor.
"My boy," Mayor Bourgeois shook the hero's hand. "Cutting it close, aren't we?"
Chat grinned. "A hero's life is hustle and bustle, Mr. Mayor. I got here as quickly as I could."
"And Ladybug? Is she going to make a late grand entrance?" Théo kept checking nearby rooftops, as if Ladybug were lying in wait.
"The Lady will un-fur-tunately not be making an appearance tonight. She asked me to make her apologies to the two of you."
"Not coming?" Théo slumped. "Can you at least share why? I can't believe someone as brave and smart and kind as her would miss something like this!"
Chat crossed his arms. "Like I said, it's unfortunate that she can't come. But to share any further details could potentially put both of our identities at risk."
Théo narrowed his eyes as the mayor cleared his throat.
"Well, at least we have one hero at the unveiling today. Let's get started!"
The crowd quieted as Mayor Bourgeois approached the podium with Théo on his left side and Chat Noir on his right.
"People of Paris," He boomed. "For the last year, our fair city has been plagued by the menace known as Hawkmoth." The mayor paused while people took the opportunity to boo the villain's name. "I agree with your sentiments, just as I'm sure you agree with mine at how grateful our city is for the heroes who have taken a stand - Ladybug and Chat Noir!"
Chat briefly launched himself into the air with his baton when the mayor gestured to him. The crowd loved it!
"While we are saddened by Ladybug unable to make it today, we are honored that her partner, Chat Noir, could join us as we bestow our thanks in the best way that we can," Placing his hand on Chat's back, he simultaneously turned them while nodding at the backstage team.
The statue's covering slipped away. Everyone there was properly awed.
Théo's statue made of polished marble shined in the afternoon sun, depicting Ladybug joyfully throwing her yo-yo into the air as she leapt off Chat Noir's back.
The mayor returned to the podium to say a few words. Théo and Chat hung back, admiring the statue.
"It looks great, man!" Chat congratulated. "Quick question though… did you make Ladybug taller than me?" The hero didn't miss the sculptor's scoff and eye roll.
"Of course I made her bigger. She's the icon of hope in Paris! She deserves something as big as the Eiffel Tower, but this is as good as I can get for right now." He pulled a newspaper clipping that contained a photo. "I wish she would've come today. I'm sure that she'd love the statue and want to see my other work! Some time together would show her all the things we have in common… our devotion to the things we love!"
Chat took a slight step back as Théo's tone changed. He wasn't jealous of Théo's obvious crush on Ladybug… What worried him was the manic and possessive gleam in his eye. And just how old was this guy anyway?
"Are you involved with her?"
The question took Chat by surprise. He blinked. "I beg your pardon?"
"Are. You. Involved. With Ladybug." Théo spoke slower… darker.
"I mean," Gosh! How to answer this without stepping on the 'delicate feelings' truce he and Ladybug had built and protecting his friend from this obvious creep! Chat rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.
"You're not denying anything!" Théo accused.
"Denying what?!" Chat exclaimed. "It's no secret that we're close!"
Théo scoffed again as he shouldered his way past Chat and through the crowd. Not before Chat's sharp hearing caught his parting mumble.
"What does she see in that guy anyway?"
Marinette sighed. Even though she watched the unveiling from her balcony, it wasn't the same as being there. She blinked as she tried to catch another glimpse of her partner amongst the crowd. Her blinks became longer and longer until she fell asleep.
The girl started awake when her phone started blaring. "What in the world?" Pressing the notification for the LadyBlog brought up a live news feed. Nadja Chamack looked bleakly into the camera.
"And in some astonishing news, there's been a spectacular theft at the Louvre. A warning to any parents of small children in the room; this will be SHOCKING to everyone. Amateur video uploaded a mere thirty minutes ago proves without a shadow of a doubt that the thief is none other than the famous hero, Cat Noir."
"WHAT?" Marinette and Tikki shrieked simultaneously. Marinette didn't even wait to watch the rest of the broadcast before transforming. The magic of her suit helped with her illness, but she didn't feel 100%. She quickly made her way to the rooftops before opening her yoyo's communication device.
"Chat? WHAT on earth is going on?" She questioned her partner as soon as he answered.
He sighed. "I was hoping you wouldn't hear about this 'til after, Bug. I didn't steal anything. I found something belonging to the sculptor from the unveiling at the scene of the crime. He must've been turned into an akuma that has shape-shifting abilities." Chat Noir pressed himself further against the smokestack he hid behind as the sound of a helicopter filled the air. "I've got this one covered, LB. You rest and get well. I'll let you know when the akuma needs to be cleansed." With that, he ended the communication.
"Chat Noir? CHAT NOIR!" Ladybug huffed. The sculptor, huh? Using the search feature on her yoyo, she found where Théo Barbot rented his studio space.
It wasn't long before she arrived at the warehouse to the sight of two Chat Noirs wrestling.
"Oh my word." Now there's TWO of him!
"Ladybug!" The two Chats exclaimed. They held each other in tight headlocks.
Without hesitation, Ladybug launched herself at the Chat Noir on the left, pinning him to the ground. "What did Chat do to you that made Hawkmoth want to target you?"
"What do you mean?" The Chat beneath her shrieked. "I'm YOUR Chat No-" His protest was cut short as Ladybug yanked his arm further up his back.
"You are NOT my Chat." She gestured to the boy moving to stand beside her. "He is."
"How'd you know?" The real Chat murmured. "You barely saw us."
The smile she graced him with filled Chat with an immeasurable warmth.
"I'd know you anywhere, Chat."
"I KNEW the two of you were a thing!" The CopyCat thrashed. "You didn't even care about my statue! I poured my heart and soul into carving that thing to honor you, Ladybug, AND YOU DIDN'T EVEN SHOW! You left him to make your excuses!"
Ladybug raised her eyebrow. "I wanted to be there, Théo. But I caught that stomach bug that's been going around. I've been sick in bed all day!"
CopyCat's eyes widened. "B-but you're here…"
"I'm here because I didn't want my partner doing battle with an akuma alone. I'm here because Hawkmoth targeted your anger and disappointment. I'm still sick."
The boy's face wilted. "I-I'm so sorry, Ladybug. I never meant to doubt you… I just look up to you so much!" A few tears escaped down his face.
"Let us help you," The girl soothed. "Where's your akumatized object?"
"It's…" A lighted mask appeared around CopyCat's eyes. He winced as if in pain. "My… pocket! Hurry!"
Chat Noir quickly retrieved the newspaper clipping from its hiding space. "Cataclysm." He whispered. The paper dissolved and a purple and black butterfly emerged from the ashes. Ladybug quickly cleansed the butterfly and used the Lucky Charm she'd called earlier to fix any damages. The heroes helped a sheepish looking Théo to his feet.
"I'm so sorry, Ladybug. I… I guess I let my jealousy of you and Chat Noir overtake me. It won't happen again." The artist looked between them. "Paris is lucky to have you - both of you." He waved the pair off. "I can find my own way home from here. I hope you feel better, Ladybug!"
Ladybug was secretly relieved as she could feel her energy rapidly fading away, even with her magic suit to boost her. "Thanks, Théo. Barring any weird illnesses in the future, I'll definitely be at your next unveiling!"
The heroes launched themselves into the air towards the Dupain-Cheng Bakery.
After landing within a shaded portion of Marinette's balcony, the girl transformed. Chat quickly moved to support her as she nearly collapsed.
"We need to get you inside." He murmured. Marinette didn't put up much of a fight.
Chat purposefully tried to avoid landing on her bed in his boots and laid her down. He made her take a swig from the water bottle her mother had placed by her bed earlier that morning.
"I'll see you later, Princess." Chat opened the trap door leading to the balcony when he felt a gentle tug on his tail. He turned back to face his friend. "What?"
"What did Théo mean he was jealous of us?"
Chat made a disgruntled noise in the back of his throat. "I DIDN'T tell him that we were a couple, if that helps."
"Then what gave him the impression that there was something to be jealous of?"
The boy could see that he wasn't getting out of this so easily. He plopped down on the end of Marinette's bed, pulling a pillow into his lap. He played with the fringe on the edges.
"The Théo that you saw today… that wasn't the Théo that I met at the statue unveiling."
Marinette frowned. "What do you mean?"
"He… He was just weirdly obsessed with you. Seriously!" He defended when he saw her eyebrow quirk. "This guy clearly seems older than you and he acts like because he made a statue of you that he automatically owned you; owned the time you were supposed to be there today."
"That doesn't explain-"
"After the Mayor did his speech, Théo asked me point blank if I was 'involved with you'. I'll admit, it caught me off guard. Yes, we're close, but not that kind of close. It took me a minute to gather my thoughts and he pounced on me!"
"I believe you, Kitty." Marinette scooted closer. "Théo wasn't right in his assumption of us; but he was right about one thing." She stilled his fidgeting fingers. "Paris is lucky to have you as one of its heroes… I'm lucky to have you as my partner."
Chat smiled as he lifted Marinette's hand to his lips. "As am I, milady. As am I."