Ladybug let out a tired sigh as she made her way into her room, bones aching after fighting a very stubborn Akuma.
She plopped onto her bed as she changed back into Marinette, and Tikki fell down on the bed next to her, exhausted.
"Are you okay Tikki?" Marinette asked, eyes closed.
"Yes, just exhausted." Tikki responded, snuggling into the covers of the bed.
Marinette sat up, stretching her arms above her, and heard her bones crack, making her wince. "In that case let's go get you some cookies."
Marinette scooped Tikki into her hands and placed her into her small bag.
She stood up and headed down the stairs.
She noticed that the kitchen was quiet, which was quite unusual. Usually her mom was preparing dinner, considering it was Friday afternoon.
She spotted a piece of paper on the counter. Curious, she walked over and picked it up, noticing her mothers writing.
Marinette, your father and I have gone to deliver a very important pastry, which we will tell you about when we get back. Around 10 maybe. I cooked dinner earlier today, and its in the fridge, just microwave it and eat. I cooked your favorite! We'll see you later!
-Mom
P.S.- There's some extra cookies in one of the jars
Marinette just smiled. "Looks like mom and dad aren't coming home until 10 Tikki."
Tikki floated out of her bag, still tired. "That's great. Hopefully nobody will be akumatized for a while."
Marinette walked over to one of the jars and pulled out a couple of cookies, handing one to Tikki who began to nibble on it.
Marinette walked over to the fridge and spotted a plate with her favorite food on it. She smiled happily, and took the plate out of the fridge and placed it into the microwave. After three minutes, the food was ready and she sat down to eat, after grabbing a spoon. Tikki sat on the table, eating the chocolate chip cookie. She placed the rest of the cookies she grabbed next to Tikki.
Her phone vibrated in her pocket.
Placing down her spoon, she reached into her pocket to pull out her phone.
She saw that she received a text from Alya.
Alya: Hey girl! I heard from a little birdie that Adrien is going to the park!
Marinette inwardly squealed, fingers quickly forming a response.
Marinette: Really?!?
Alya: Yes girl! ;D Want to meet up at the park? I'll make sure you don't freak too much when you're in front of him.
Marinette: OK! See you in a little bit! :D
"What is it Marinette?" Tikki asked curiously, on her third cookie.
"Adrien's going to the park!" Marinette squealed, eyes shining.
Tikki's eyes widened. "Then you better eat quickly so-wait! Marinette, slow down or you'll choke!
Marinette paid no mind, and just gobbled up the rest of her food.
Tikki sighed, finishing the last of her cookies.
Marinette quickly stood up and washed her plate and spoon, leaving them to dry on the drying rack.
"Let's get going Tikki!" Marinette cheered, heading towards the first floor.
"I'm coming!" Tikki giggled at Marinette's enthusiasm, floating into her usual hiding place.
With high hopes, and excitement at seeing her crush, Marinette made her way to the park.
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Thanks for convincing my dad to let me have a day off Nathalie ." Adrien said, looking out the window of the limo.
Nathalie merely responded nonchalantly. "Everybody deserves a break, but you better be prepared for tomorrow. You're going to accompany your father to the gala he is hosting. I was going to inform you later on to pick out suitable clothes for tomorrow morning, but I might as well inform you now."
"Tomorrow morning?" Adrien asked, turning to face Nathalie, who nodded in confirmation. "When does it end?"
"At midnight." Nathalie said after a moment, looking at her clipboard.
"And when do we leave to the gala?" Adrien asked hesitantly.
"...At 8 in the morning." Nathalie responded, checking the highlighted words on her clipboard.
Adrien's eyes widened. "So it's going to be for the whole day?" 'I won't be able to help Ladybug if an akuma appears, it's still difficult even if we both team up, like the one earlier, she was really crafty. Tomorrow I'm certain dad is going to have someone keep their eyes on me. This is just great.' He thought bitterly. 'Without me, Ladybug may get seriously hurt.'
"Yes, for very important people are going to be present. Prince Ali is going to be present for one, as well as other famous models and fashion designers. Several royal families as well." Nathalie said, flipping some papers.
A question appeared in Adrien's mind.
"I see. Um, could I... invite a friend to come along?" Adrien asked, carefully. He honestly didn't want to spend the whole day trying to talk to a bunch of strangers, rather he wanted to talk to someone he knew, like Nino.
"I'm afraid that won't be a possibility. Your father has made it perfectly clear that only those of high standing shall be present." Nathalie said, causing Adrien to frown slightly.
Adrien then sighed. "I see."
A moment of silence.
"Just enjoy the day off Adrien." Nathalie said, eyes softening slightly, going unnoticed by Adrien who was looking out the window of the limo.
"I will." Adrien muttered.
"We're here." Their chauffeur said loudly, pulling up next to the side walk, unlocking the doors.
"We'll pick you up around 7." Nathalie then said, eyes back to their usual coldness.
"Okay." Adrien nodded, opening the door and getting out, then closing the door of the limo. He made his way into the park, where many students were hanging around.
The chauffeur then started the car, heading in the direction of the Agreste mansion.
"It's a shame he can't take a friend along." The chauffeur said after a while, blue eyes on the road.
Nathalie nodded in agreement. "I tried to convince his father, but he made it perfectly that the answer was no."
"It makes me wonder if Mr Agreste was ever like Adrien, lonely and fighting his way to make friends." The chauffeur said, thinking of the head of the Agreste family.
"Perhaps, but it's for the best that we don't dwell on it." Nathalie suggested, leaning back into the seat of the limo.
"Very well. I, however, hope that Adrien doesn't turn out like his father. He deserves to live the way he desires. He's been by himself for far too long." The chauffeur said, thinking back to the little child he was ordered to protect and drive around years ago.
"I hope so too, but by entering a public school against his fathers wishes, Adrien is becoming his own person, little by little." Nathalie said, thinking back to when Adrien fought to get into Collège Françoise Dupont.
"That's true," the chauffeur laughed. "Adrien will definitely break free from his fathers control soon enough. And I can't wait to see Mr Agreste's face when that happens."
Nathalie chuckled. "That would be rather funny to see. However it's best that you keep those thoughts to yourself, Henry."
"Very well. We're just about to arrive the mansion." Henry grinned, spotting the mansion.
Nathalie sighed, knowing full well that she would be busy for the rest of the day, making sure the preparations were in order for the following day.
But she would make sure to be there to pick up Adrien.
-----------------------------------------------------------
"So what are you going to do? What if a Akuma attacks?" Plagg asked, floating up to Adrien's face.
"There's nothing I can do. Father has made it clear that I am supposed to be there at the gala, and even if an Akuma attacks, I won't be able to leave, I know my dad is is going to have someone keep their eye on me." Adrien said frowning.
They were underneath a tree, far away from everybody else. And far away from a certain tomato head.
"That sucks." Plagg said, crossing his little arms.
And for once, Adrien couldn't agree more.
A moment of silence.
"Hey."
"Yeah Plagg?"
"Do you have money to buy me some Camembert? I'm getting hungry."
Adrien sighed, but nodded.
"Great! Lets go buy me some cheese!" Plagg cheered.
"Later, Plagg."
"No! I'm hungry now!"
"Later."
"Now!"
"Later!"
"NOW!"
'And so, this is my life' Adrien thought tiredly. They continued to bicker.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Marinette turned the corner, close to the park. A couple more steps and she spotted Alya, who was looking down at her phone.
"Hey Alya!"
Alya looked up, smiling widely when she saw her best friend. "Hey girl! I thought you might have changed your mind about meeting up!"
"When it comes to Adrien, never! So where is he!?" Marinette asked excitedly looking around the park and seeing many of her peers, as well as several other students.
"He's over there, the one on the right." Alya pointed, and Marinette spotted Adrien, who seemed, to be, talking to himself?
Nevertheless, her heart fluttered.
Marinette took one step before Alya grabbed her arm. "But before you do, maybe you should talk to somebody else."
Marinette shot Alya a confused look. "Who?"
"Nathanael." Alya said, gesturing to the left, where the artist was, curled up in a ball, underneath the shade of a tree.
Marinette's heart clenched.
She knew full well how much the shy artist was suffering, obvious by how he has been acting the past few days, and she couldn't help but feel guilty.
She's been going on with her life, yet she never thought about talking to the shy artist who held a crush on her.
Perhaps Adrien could wait.
A male voice pierced the air. "I am The Master and you shall bow before me!"
Both Alya and Marinette turned to face a blonde haired man floating in midair, wearing a a yellow vest on top a long sleeve dress shirt, a black top hat, and black gloves, and holding a black cane. An eye patch was over his right eye.
And, perhaps Nathanael could wait as well.
It was time for Ladybug to make an appearance.
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Looks like an Akuma appeared." Plagg said, green eyes looking at The Master.
"Then its time for Chat Noir to make an appearance." Adrien smirked.
----------------------------------------------------------
"So it looks like we found our match Wayzz. Nathanael Renard." Master Fu said, paper in hand.
They had exited the cafe and were in an alleyway, looking over the information and pictures they had printed.
Many people had been akumatized, but only one stood out. And that been the artist, The Evillustrator. Or Nathanael Renard.
"It would seem so Master, but perhaps for now we should relax, it is after all a Friday afternoon, why not take a calming walk in the park? We can search for Nathanael tomorrow." Wayzz said, looking at Master Fu.
"That does sound nice, Wayzz and why not? A walk certainly sounds nice." Master Fu said
"Then shall we head to the park master?"
"We shall."
They had no idea what they were going to be walking into.
---------------------------------------------------------
And that's it for the prologues, the next one is the official first chapter!!
And a little question,to those who have written miraculous stories, did I keep Adrien and Marinette in character? I feel that I did a better job at Adrien than Marinette, considering I don't really know how to write a lovesick character.
So again, did I do okay at least?
And thank you all who added this book to a reading list, it really means a lot! :D And I hope this book shall be up to your expectation!
Until the next update!
-Rinku
P.S.- To anybody who figures out who the person is in the picture, you are now my friend!