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chapter two- the brightest colors

Gabriel sighed as he sat at his boring old desk job, looking out the boring old window at all the other boring old buildings. He was only removed from his thoughts when his pencil lead broke, and he got up to sharpen it in the manual sharpener. As he lazily turned the knob, his gaze was automatically drawn to the cemetery his building overlooked. Part of him still wished his father could've seen him grow up and met his son, but that was all behind him now. He looked over as a supervisor walked by, and an idea jumped into his head. He strode confidently over to the man, and held out his hand for a shake. "Sir. Gabriel Agreste," he asserted, putting it down when the man walked past without even acknowledging him. "If I may sir," Gabriel continued, having to walk at a brisk pace just to keep up with the stone-faced man, "I believe I have skills and ideas that go well beyond punching numbers into a calculator. I've read about-"

The man silenced him but holding up his hand, and looking out to all the other men in the office. "Gentlemen," he said sternly, "can I have your attention. You are all dismissed." He handed Gabriel a small notice. "Bankrupt?" the platinum blonde asked, looking up at the man. "I thought this company had a dozen trading ships." The man stared back at him. "Yes, at the bottom of
the South China Seas," he said flatly. "Typhoon sank them all." He handed Gabriel the book, and a little black box he pulled from his pocket. "This is all that survived."

Gabriel packed his things into his brief case for the last time, staring at the deed, and the book and box. He decided to take them, pocketing the little box before heading home.

Upon arriving, the man set his briefcase down on a table, and his curiosity led him back to the little black box. He retrieved it from his pocket, and looked it over carefully. It was octogonal, and was small enough to fit in the palm of his hand. Intricate red markings were painted purposefully on the top of the box, and it had little yellow hinges on the back. He gently opened it, and found two brooches inside; one a dark jewel adorned with strands of purple silk, and the other seafoam green, and shaped like a fan of peacock feathers. For some reason, Gabriel found himself being drawn to the former, and gently picked up the purple accessory, closing the box and setting it down as he examined the brooch more closely. Just then, a bright orb of light engulfed the brooch, and Gabriel stepped back, shielding his eyes. The light dispersed with a flash, and in its place was a little floating purple creature. It had little wings on its back, and a darker purple swirl on its forehead. Gabriel stared dumbfounded at the little creature, which looked back at him with a little smile. "Hello," it spoke, its voice high-pitched and childlike. This startled the man even more, causing him to stumble backwards into the door. "Don't be afraid," it said, a worriedly sympathetic expression on its face. "W-what are you?" Gabriel stammered, "what do you want from me?!" The creature floated closer to Gabriel. "I am a kwami, and my name is Nooroo. That jewel-" he said, pointing to the brooch that now lay on the floor, "-is a miraculous, a special item that grants a specific power to whomever wields it." Gabriel bent over to pick up the brooch, keeping his eyes fixed on the kwami. He stood back up, and upon Nooroo's nod of approval, removed his tie and fastened the brooch to his shirt. "So what can I do with it?"

"The Miraculous of the Moth grants the power to give someone their own superpowers, and to make that person your devoted follower," Nooroo explained. Gabriel grinned. "That's incredible! I have to tell Emilie," he said, preparing to head up to the roof, before the kwami flew in front of him. "No! You mustn't reveal your identity to anyone, not even your family," Nooroo said urgently. Gabriel's smile faded. "I can't even tell my wife?" he said. Nooroo looked concerned and thoughtful. "Well..." he said, "there is usually more leniency when it comes to marriage, as it may be unavoidable under certain circumstances." Gabriel looked pleadingly at the little moth. "What about my son Adrien? Just this once. He's only five." he said. Nooroo sighed. "Since he is so young, I'll allow it. But he must never see me again," the kwami said firmly. "Deal! Now, how do I transform?"

***

"Pew! Pew-pew!" Emilie hunkered behind a large box, finger guns ready. She peered above the box, scanning the area in front of her, looking for a particular silhouette among the hanging bed sheets. She soon grew puzzled, not seeing any activity anywhere. Just then, she felt tiny arms wrap around her shoulders, accompanied by a flurry of giggles. "I got you, Mommy!" came the little voice she'd been searching for. "You got me," she said lovingly, giving the little blond boy a tight hug.

"I got you both," said a voice from behind them. They both whipped around to see Gabriel, who ran up and engulfed both of them. "Daddy!" Adrien exclaimed, climbing onto the tall man's shoulders. "You're home early," Emilie remarked. "And until further notice," he said, bobbing up and down to Adrien's amusement as he retrieved the notice from his back pocket, handing it to his wife. "Well," she said, setting aside the paper, "I didn't think you were right for that job anyway."

"Or any job apparently," Gabriel sighed. "That's what makes our life together so exciting," Emilie said, placing a gentle hand on his arm. He was about to say something back to her, but was cut off by Adrien's excitedly patting the blonde tuft of hair on his father's head. "Did you bring a present?" the golden-haired boy piped up. "For what?" Gabriel asked jokingly, holding onto his small legs for support. "My birthday!" he said with a giggle. "Oh, it's not your birthday," he teased, setting the little boy down. "I do have a present," he said as he looked over his shoulder at Nooroo, who'd managed to hidden the whole time. "The most amazing birthday present ever." Emilie stood beside her husband, Adrien sitting criss-cross on the floor and looked up excitedly at what his father had to show him. "Many centuries ago," Gabriel started, lowering himself slightly to meet Adrien's eyes, "magic jewels bestowing extraordinary powers were created. Throughout history, heroes have used these jewels for the good of the human race. These were..." he said, undoing his tie and revealing the purple brooch, which now looked like nothing more than a little purple button. "the Miraculous." Adrien's eyes widened, his gaze full of wonder and amazement. Emilie smiled at her son's antics, taking enjoyment from her husband's story as well. Gabriel took a couple steps back, and Nooroo flew over to him. Adrien gasped as he ran up to the little creature, and Nooroo smiled back nervously. "Settle down, now, Adrien," his father said. "You haven't even seen the best part yet." Nooroo directed his attention back to his master, and their eyes met. "Nooroo," Gabriel said, spreading out his arms, "wings rise!" At that, the brooch glimmered, and Nooroo's being was sucked into it with a flash. A purple sparkling light spread from Gabriel's feet to his head, covering his body in sleek black pants, an extravagant purple suit jacket, and a grey mask. A cane and top hat also materialized in his now gloved hands, and from the hat erupted a beautiful flurry of snow-white butterflies. The butterflies floated and danced all around them, their brilliant wings glimmering in the moonlight. "Happy birthday, Adrien," his father said, holding out his finger for a little butterfly to perch on.