Miraculous: Tales of Lady Beetle & Cat Noir

Origin [Part 2]

Nathalie is waiting for Adrien in the dining area.

"Hmm, what's he doing?" Nathalie asked, mostly to herself as the clock chimes once; she called his name out. "Adrien?"

Panic stirred within her as she stepped into the hallway, calling his name louder, her heart racing at the thought of where he might be. She checked the bedroom, bathroom and the living room, but there was still no sign of him.

"Where could he have gone?" she murmured anxiously, her mind racing with worry as she considered the possibilities, hoping he was just being playful or momentarily distracted.

After a few minutes, Nathalie finally relayed the situation to Gabriel, who erupted in anger while standing near the staircase and entrance of the home. "You didn't see him leave? If anything happens to my son, you'll be to blame!" he shouted, his frustration palpable.

As Adrien raced down the bustling streets of Paris, his father's voice echoed in his mind, propelling him forward.

"You're such a strange kid. Who would want to be at school when he can stay at home all day?" Plagg questioned, bemused by Adrien's urgency.

"You don't understand, Plagg!" Adrien shot back, frustration spilling over. "I'm tired of being cooped up by my dad; I want to connect with others and experience life!"

"Uhhh, I think I'm feeling weak..." Plagg smirked.

Rolling his eyes at Plagg's dramatic fake weakness, Adrien paused to grab a wedge of Camembert from his bag, waving it at the kwami.

"You know what's truly strange? The fact that your breath smells like this cheesy nightmare 24/7!" He scrunched his nose, thoroughly disgusted.

With a cheeky smirk, Plagg retorted, "If you want to become a superhero, then stinky cheese is just part of the package!"

Adrien sighed but pressed on, determined to reach school, where the potential for friendship awaited him.

- - - - - - - -

Feeling well-rested after a peaceful night's sleep, Marinette made the decision to leave her miraculous earring at home, wanting to avoid drawing any unwanted attention to how she acquired it.

This small act of caution allowed her to blend in seamlessly with her classmates, ensuring that her secret identity remained safe while she navigated the joys and challenges of her day.

At Collège Françoise Dupont, the conversation between Marinette and Alya buzzed with excitement about the latest happenings on the Ladyblog. "Ladyblog," Alya gushed, handing Marinette her phone to showcase the impressive views on her latest video about the superhero Lady Beetle.

Marinette frowned, puzzled. "But why is it called Ladyblog? What about Cat Noir? Isn't he her partner? Shouldn't he be included?"

"Uh well."

Alya's nervous chuckle did little to quell Marinette's unease as doubt crept in. "What another villains comes and if they fail? What if they aren't cut out to be superheroes?" she voiced, concerned about the weight of their responsibilities.

Alya, however, was unwavering in her belief. "They'll handle it, I believe in them!" she insisted, trying to bolster Marinette's confidence.

Marinette couldn't shake the feeling that at just 13 years old, she and her partner were too young to grapple with the immense responsibilities that came with being a superhero.

A wave of doubt washed over her as she pondered whether Cat Noir was also her age, questioning if they were truly equipped to take on such challenges and protect others.