Miraculous: Tales of Ms. Ladybug and Tom Cat

Part 16: Tom Cat

"Don't be bemused, it's just the news. I'm Nadia Chamack here with a special report. Apparently, there's a new pair of superheroes in town with outfits and abilities incredibly similar to that of our very own Ladybug and Cat Noir. Yesterday these two new heroes assisted Ladybug and Cat Noir in their battle against the rose villain Rose Queen. Together they successfully saved the day but were unavailable for comment." Emilie turned off her phone and began to get dressed. All of the other girls went home after Rose Queen's attack, so it was just Marinette and Emilie.

"Your parents are really great Marinette," Emilie said. "I can't believe they're letting me and my brother stay at their house."

"Believe it. My parents are awesome." Marinette said. "So, in the future, are they still the best bakers in Paris?"

"You know it!"

The girls giggled as they got dressed and went to the balcony.

"So, I have a question. How does Thomas know my identity? I mean, I understand you, but how did he find out?"

Emilie thought quickly to cover herself. "Well, you see, he is my brother, and I can't keep secrets from him! Especially if he is Cat Noir and all." She then gave a rather unconvincing smile.

"Even so I still keep my identity from my Chat Noir," Marinette said.

Emilie sighed. "Look, I lied, but I can't tell you the truth otherwise it could affect the future! And if it affects the future then me and my brother might cease to exist!"

"I guess I won't push it any further," Marinette said grumpily.

Suddenly Emilie could see Thomas vaulting across the roofs of Paris to the bakery as Chat Noir. With one move he landed on the roof.

"Well hello, Ladybugs," Thomas said while giving a courteous bow. He then deactivated his Miraculous.

"Well, we have good news," Emilie said. "Marinette's parents are letting us stay here so we don't have to worry about sleeping arrangements or anything like that."

"Well that's great," Thomas said. "I did have some pretty cool digs last night but this should be just as cool."

"Really, where'd you sleep last night?" Emilie said

"Well, I went back to Chat Noir's house last night," he said, moving his eyes in a direction to imply Ladybug was listening and he couldn't go into detail. "And his place was paw-sitivley   purr-fict for me and Plagg."

The trio then went down the stairs to meet Marinette's parents. Emilie would sleep in Marinette's room while Thomas would sleep in the guest bed.

"I'm ok with you staying here under one condition." Mr. Dupain said. "You guys have to help me in the bakery! I promise it'll be lots of fun! We'll bake cakes and croissants and even chouquettes if we have time!"

"I'm good with that," Thomas said. "Emilie?"

"Sure. It could've fun. I'm ok in the kitchen, but you should see Thomas. He's very talented."

"Oh yeah! I'm a mean green baking machine!" Thomas said triumphantly

The siblings then went to the bakery and helped to make everything from bread dough to croissants to macaroons. Thomas had always been the better baker of the two, but Emilie could hold her own in the kitchen. They sifted flour and rolled dough and even helped to frost a giant birthday cake. It reminded her of old times, back when she and Thomas had been little and their grandparents always made them bright green and Red macaroons, a favorite of her mother and their brother Louis...

After two hours of mixing dough and getting covered in flour, the three of them decided to get cleaned up and go see Marinette's friends.

"So, I've been thinking." Thomas said, rubbing his hands through his hair as he walked, "What if I went by a different name? As a superhero I mean."

"Why would you do that?" Emilie asked

"Well, it would get confusing and a little tiresome if we had to keep distinguishing between me and Chat Noir all the time. So what if I went by a different name to make it so there wouldn't be any confusion?"

"That's a good idea Thomas!" Marinette said. "What would you think of calling yourself?"

Thomas thought for a moment. "What about something like, Tom Cat?"

Emilie just slapped her forehead while Marinette just laughed.

"What's so funny?! It's a good name!" Thomas said, blushing from embarrassment.

"Have you ever considered the fact that you have a secret identity?" Emilie said. "And that if you chose a name like that it would be easier for villains to find out who you are?"

"Well, I go by Thomas! And besides, the Miraculous guard our identities anyway, so I think I'd be ok.."

"Well, I think it's clever," Marinette said. "True it's kinda risky but it kinda works for you Thomas."

Emilie gave a look to Marinette that clearly said, How can you support his idiocy?

"Well, there's still one person I should probably ask first," Thomas said. He then opened his hoodie to reveal Plagg swallowing Camembert whole. "What do you think, Plagg? Should I call myself Tom Cat?"

"Well, so long as you don't embarrass yourself and I get fed Camembert I don't care."

Thomas looked assured "It's settled then. Call me Tom Cat."

"Maybe we should put the superhero talk on hold," Marinette said. "I mean, it's great to be able to talk about this stuff with someone, but we're kinda getting close to my friends."

Emilie and Thomas then looked down at the dock to see a houseboat with Marinette's friends already on deck talking and playing games.

"A houseboat? Sweet!" Thomas ran down the steps and onboard.

"Thomas! Wait up!" Emilie called as she ran down the steps.