Tales of Ladybug, Cat Noir and Cat Blanc Vol. 2

The Collector

A day after the Volpina events, James was walking home from school, arguing with his kwami. "You could've exposed us both, Frost. Do you understand?" scolded James. "What?! No I couldn't. It was just a rat. It looked like it was hungry!" argued Frost.

"It was a rat! It would've died anyways! Also, you went in front of THE CAMERA, you better count your lucky stars that the cameras couldn't record you or else you would be in the nearest ocean by now." countered James.

Frost stuck his tongue out at him. "Whatever. Doesn't matter now." shrugged James. "You better keep quiet cause you don't get to talk after that stunt you pulled at school." Frost gave him an annoyed glare as he walked in the room

Apparently he just walked in on an argument. "You will be homeschooled again... with Nathalie." revealed Gabriel, walking away. Him and James walked beside each other, stealing glances before James went to check on Adrien.

"Hey, you okay?" asked James. "Yeah little brother. Hey, can you call Nino for me?" asked Adrien. "Sure thing." James picked up the phone. "I hope this homeschooling doesn't qualify for me."

"No it doesn't," answered Nathalie. "Gabriel had decided that he, in a way teenagers would understand, would cut you some slack." James nodded. "Great. Hey Nino," greeted James once Nino picked up. "James? Where's Adrien?" asked Nino.

"Uhhh.. he's homeschooled."

——

The next day he was met with a sobbing Chloe. "This is a terrible tragedy!" She cried. Marinette goes over to James. "What's up with her?" asked Marinette. "Adrien's grounded for life." answered James, glancing at her.

"What? Why?" asked Marinette. "Something about losing this major important book that belongs to our...Gabriel." answered James, pausing for a minute or two. "Our Gabriel? What are you—?" asked Frost. "Shhhhhh you don't get to speak!" shushed James quietly and quickly so no one else could hear him or his kwami.

"Your dad? Phew." sighed Marinette. "Phew?!" repeated Chloe in disbelief. "Phew, cause I... I was scared it was super serious. I mean, yeah, sure, it really is serious but it's not like he's sick or anything, you know. Surely we won't just stand by and let this happen! Ha!" said Marinette sheepishly, running out of the room.

James tilted his head as Chloe ignored her and continued sobbing. "I'm not dealing with this crybaby," said James, pointing to Chloe. "I'll be in the bathrooms, if you need me call or text me. I'd rather lick the floor than listen to her." He hissed as he also ran out.

As school ended, James walked home and heard things breaking. "What was that?!" asked James, rushing to where Nathalie guarded the door to Gabriel's atelier. "Your father is very busy." stated Nathalie. She turned to the bodyguard.

"Shouldn't Adrien be practicing his piano?" asked Nathalie. The bodyguard nodded, escorting Adrien upstairs with the latter looking back sadly. "I-I'll go to my room as well. See you soon, Nathalie." said James, waving goodbye.

Nathalie waved back, smiling. "See you soon, James." responded Nathalie. James ran up to his room and laid down on the bed. "So... Nathalie looks much more nicer than Gabriel." said Frost awkwardly after moments of silence.

"Yeah. She doesn't deserve to be his assistant," sighed James. "I don't understand. Why does Gabriel have to be so coldhearted? I don't-" started James before a light bulb went off in his head. "Hey, I have an idea. Why don't I look for the book?"

"Great idea James! Transform already!" agreed Frost. "Frost, claws on!!" cried James, being replaced with Cat Blanc in a flash of blue. He leapt out of his window and ran on all fours atop a building. Suddenly, his baton beeped. "A voicemail from Ladybug," realized Cat Blanc, answering it.