True selves

Chapter Four

Hours passed as the two girls stared at the unusual looking mailbox at Adrien's house. Marinette was hesitant to open it while Alya straight away tried to open it.

She failed because it simply wouldn't budge. Even Marinette gave it a try, however it stayed firmly shut.

A doorbell was placed beside it, Alya pointed it out to Marinette who panicked, stammering "No way, Alya! What if Adrien picks up?!"

Wearing an expression 'Really?' , Alya pressed it with her forefinger.

Her dramatic friend immediately shrieked in shock, suddenly a mechanical device extended out to Marinette.

It was eyeball-shaped with a camera inside, Natalie Sancoeur (Gabriel's secretary) answered sternly,"How may I help you?"

Gulping, Marinette explained that she was just Adrien's classmate and she wanted to drop off a gift for him. The camera scrutinized her awkward smile while Alya was smiling in the background.

The metal mailbox automatically opened and she ordered Marinette to put it inside. So she did, the box closed with a mechanical clang.

The two best friends squealed happily but it died down when Alya asked whether Marinette had signed her gift.

A dark grey cloud made its presence known over Marinette's head as she had completely forgotten to add in her signature.

Sighing, Alya and Marinette made their way home. This time, they were thinking ways again to sign the present without people noticing.

Natalie placed the gift on her table when the intercom beeped. She quickly answered it, only to see her boss Gabriel Agreste.

He demanded to know who the two visitors were. She answered in monotone that they were delivering a gift for Adrien.

"Speaking of gifts, did you prepare one for my son?"

His assistant froze in place, knowing that she was probably going to get another angry rant from him.

Stuttering, "Sir, you didn't ask me to.." Her sentence barely ended when he shouted through the intercom.

"Do I even have to tell you!!?!"

"Sir, I am really sorry. I'll prepare one right away!"

That ended with a sigh. Natalie was shaking from fear, her neat hair was a mess and her glasses askew.

When she saw the earlier gift, her brain generated a terrible idea. Making herself look presentable, she decided to use Marinette's gift as a substitute. Besides it wasn't even signed so Adrien would have no idea.

Another secret she would have to keep to herself.

Her intercom beeped again, this time from the gates. She pressed the button and Nino's face appeared on the screen.

"Yes?" She tilted her head, puzzled.

"I would like to speak to Adrien's father, please."

An odd request but certainly a dangerous one. Natalie wondered why on earth would he want to see her boss.

Nino was waiting nervously in front of the grand staircase of Adrien's home. His hands were twiddling with a bubble blower. Natalie introduced herself and stood beside him, waiting for Gabriel Agreste.

Footsteps sounded and there stood Gabriel with his designer clothes and strict expression. His eyes were cold and uncaring, he glared at Nino and snapped, "What is it that you wanted to talk about?"

Nino bravely inquired,"Mr Agreste...sir. I just wanted to ask you whether if Adrien could have a birthday party. You see, I know you dislike parties but he deserves it!"

His eyebrows drew together,"Drop that subject. I'll decide whether he deserves it or not."

"But it's his only wish, sir! He's a great kid, good at everything you asked him to do!"

At the exact tense moment, Adrien entered into the conversation.

"Nino, When did you get here?"

"What are good friends for? So please, sir just humor Adrien's wish!"

The father's mouth snapped together in a hard line, he fumed,"Listen carefully, whatever your name is. I will raise and take care of Adrien my way. So don't tell me what to do."

"Also Natalie, why on earth did you let him enter my house!? You, young man are a bad influence to Adrien!"

"Father, you're too harsh on Nino! He was just defending me, that's all!" Adrien cried out, desperate for his cold-hearted father to understand.

But the damage was done, with a stiff stance Nino made his way towards the main doors. His best friend chased after him, apologizing for his father's behavior.

"Nino, please don't take offense from his words. He's a frustrating man but I'm sure he has a reason for that!"

"Frustrating or not, that went to far! I can't just sit here and let this go, Adrien!"

With those final words, he angrily stomped his way to the park. Adrien was left behind, looking like a rejected puppy.

Nino was sitting on a park bench, trying to calm himself down. A loud cry caught his attention, he lifted his head to see a poor little boy who was being dragged away by his father.

"No more playing for you, it's time to go home!"

Nino shocked his head, feeling sorry for the boy. It's always the adults that are the problems, not the children.

His hatred sparked, glowing like a flame attracting someone to it.

A man was standing in the middle of a room with a large window and butterflies fluttering around him. They were harmless butterflies but the evil, twisted man was the one to watch out for.

A butterfly landed on his gloved hand, Hawk Moth filled it with his own dark energy. It flew away through the small opening to its new host. The insect touched Nino's bubble blower, turning into an item full of hatred and darkness.

He then softly whispered into Nino's mind, persuading him to the dark side.

"You want to help your friend, but you have no powers to do so. I'm Hawk Moth and I have a solution for you, my dear bubbler."

Nino staggered turning into another form, the Bubbler. A purple butterfly frame appeared on his face, allowing the villein to talk to him.

"Now shall we take care of those pesky adults? All you have to do is to steal Ladybug's and Cat Noir's relics."

"Yes, Master Hawk Moth." Replied Bubbler. Nino was deeply buried in waves of darkness, his hatred had completely took over him.