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celestiall0tus · 2 months

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Tales of Bloody Bug and Chat Noir - Chapter 6 - Mr. Pigeon

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Alix finished her lunch with Alim at their usual spot for her birthday lunch. She put her plate to the side along with Alim’s.

“Wonderful, as always, wasn’t it?” Alim asked.

“Yup. Same as always,” Alix remarked.

“Any plans before dinner with Jalil?”

“Not really. Maybe head to a park. Or just stay home. Haven’t really decided.”

“Well, I have something for you as this isn’t just any ordinary birthday.”

“What do you mean?”

Alim reached into his suit and pulled out a silver pocket watch. Alix tilted her head as she stared at it.

“This family heirloom was made by one of our ancestors many years ago. It’s been passed down from one generation to the next on their 15th birthday. And today is your turn to inherit it.”

“Why didn’t Jalil get it then? He had his 15th birthday way before me. Wouldn’t he have gotten it?”

“Well, yes, but she wanted you to be the one to have it.”

Alix straightened. “She did?”

“Yes. While Jalil should have gotten it, you showed a certain aptitude from a young age that she knew you’d appreciate this much more.”

“How so?”

Alim placed the pocket watch on the table. He pressed the middle of the lid. It popped open as blue mist swirled and formed into a hologram of a woman holding up a watch. Alix’s jaw dropped. She grabbed the watch and inspected it.

“How is this possible? And many years ago, right?” Alix asked.

“Indeed.”

“This is incredible! Impossible even. I need to get home. May I leave? I have to inspect this immediately.”

Alim smiled. “Of course. I’ll see you tonight for your birthday dinner.”

Alix grinned. She kissed Alim’s cheeks and ran off. She made it home and headed for her room. She threw her backpack aside and sat at her desk. Tikki squeaked and joined her.

“What’s that?” Tikki asked.

“A family heirloom. Check it out!”

Alix showed off the hologram to Tikki.

“Incredible! Whoever made that is a true visionary and inventor.”

“Do you think it’s possible to make another one? Dad said one of our ancestors made this. If someone who knows how long ago made this, it has to still be possible, right?”

“Of course. Anything is possible, but it will be difficult.”

“Excellent. I love a good challenge. However, first I need a design.”

“What for?”

“You’ll see. Now, hop in the bag. We’re heading out.”

“Out? Out where?”

“To the Trocadéro.”

~~

Adrien sat of the steps of the Trocadéro while he waited for the photographers to finish their prep. He checked in on Alya’s blog, the Ladyblog, to see if she had posted anything new. He frowned not seeing anything since his birthday party. He grumbled and crossed his arms. He had hoped his defeat of Copycat would have gotten him some attention, but it hadn’t. Bloody Bug still held all the attention, though he could see why.

Bloody Bug was unlike anyone Adrien had met. She had her volatile temper that made her terrifying to deal with at times, but there was someone that cared enough under all that anger. The way she helps the victims see reason, even going as far as throwing him a party because that’s what Nino as Bubbler wanted. How many people would do all that for anyone they didn’t know?

A shadow fell over by Adrien. He looked up as Alix jumped over the stairs and landed near the camera crew. They yelled at her, but she laughed and skated away. He watched her do a lap before she sat on a bench to change out of her skates into normal shoes. She ran up the stairs to the entrance of Trocadéro. He moved an inch to go see what she was up to, but Vincent yelled out.

“We’re ready, Little Agreste. Smile for the camera.”

Adrien frowned, then forced a smile. He told himself he’d get through this photoshoot before he went to see what Alix was up to if she was still there.

Alix sat near the entrance of the Trocadéro. She placed her skates and backpack down before she took out her design sketchbook and a mechanical pencil. She left her watch in Tikki’s care while she worked. She was absorbed in her sketches when a hand tapped her shoulder. She jumped and snapped her head up to see Marinette.

Marinette waved nervously. “Hi.”

“Uh, hi?”

“Would you mind if I sat with you?”

“Uh, why?”

“I just sorta feel like there’s someone watching me. It’s making it hard to sketch.”

Alix blinked and looked past Marinette. She eyed Sabrina half hiding behind a corner. She glared daggers at Sabrina, who hid completely from view.

“Alix?” Marinette asked.

“Huh? Oh, right. Yeah, go ahead.”

Marinette smiled and sat next to Alix. Alix paused her designing as she watched for Sabrina and potentially Chloe. She glanced between Marinette and the corner Sabrina hid behind.

“So, uh, what are you doing here, Marinette?” Alix asked.

“Oh, I came here to gather inspiration for a design contest.”

Alix perked up. “Design contest? What kind of design?”

“A derby hat design contest held by Gabriel Agreste. And whoever wins will have their design worn by Adrien,” Marinette squealed.

Alix deflated. “Oh. Lovely.”

“Isn’t it? I already impressed Adrien with my scarf, but now to show him and his father my designing skills. It’s why this needs to be absolutely perfect.”

“Why?”

“Because it’s for Adrien, the love of my life. And if I win, I can get one step closer to him and his heart. Then we’ll start dating, and eventually we’ll get married, have kids, and maybe a dog. No, a hamster. Not just one, but two!”

“You’re crazy, you know that, right?”

“Nothing is crazy when done for love. And this is true love after all.”

Alix snorted. She glanced around and saw Sabrina sneaking behind them. She hummed and closed her sketchbook.

“Say, Marinette, what have you got done so far?” Alix asked.

Marinette opened her sketchbook, considered, then covered it. “You’re not going to steal them so you win, will you?”

“Do you honestly think I’d be so underhanded? Especially considering who you’re talking to?”

“Er, right. Sorry.”

Marinette lifted her sketchbook for Alix. Alix glanced at Sabrina, who held up a phone to take pictures. Alix grinned, turned, and chucked her sketchbook at Sabrina’s head. Sabrina screeched and ducked out of the way, dropping the phone. Alix ran up and snatched up the phone and her sketchbook.

“Well, well, I’d recognize this phone anywhere,” Alix remarked.

“N-no, please. She’ll be angry,” Sabrina begged.

“And I’ll be angrier.”

Alix smashed the phone against a pillar. She stormed away from Sabrina and towards the road.

“Chloe! Chloe!” Alix yelled.

Chloe scoffed. She stepped out from hiding. The disgust and annoyance on her face melted into fear when she saw Alix.

“Kubdel! What a surprise. What brings you here?”

Alix snarled and threw Chloe’s phone at her. “Leave now. Your plans are up in smoke, Chloe. Your attempt to steal Marinette’s design to win the stupid fashion contest has failed.”

“Are you accusing me of such heinous and lowly acts? Honestly, Kubdel, I-.”

Alix grabbed Chloe’s jacket and pulled her down, so they were eye-to-eye. “Don’t you start your crap, Chloe. Unless you want a refresher.”

Chloe shook her head and leaned away. Alix released Chloe and she retreated. Alix sighed and returned to Marinette.

“There. She won’t bother you anymore today.”

“How do you get Chloe to leave you alone? If I tried that, she’d just laugh and bully me more.”

Alix snorted. “No offense, but you couldn’t pull off what I do. You’re too soft.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“What else? C’mon, Marinette, Chloe pushed you over several times and you didn’t even get up. You just laid there on the ground like a little bitch.”

Marinette shrank back. “You saw that?”

“Uh, yeah. You’d be surprised all the crap I see. Point is, you need to toughen up first, and that is something you need to figure out on your own.”

Marinette hummed and looked at her sketchbook. Alix looked around and saw an unusual amount of pigeons.

“Where the hell did all these pigeons come from?”

“That’s… a lot of pigeons,” Marinette agreed.

Alix furrowed her brow. She searched for any news updates on her phone and saw a pigeon-themed villain was attempting to take over Paris. She grumbled and rolled her eyes.

“Marinette, I’ll see you later.”

“What, already? What if Chloe comes back?”

“She won’t. You’ll be fine. Good luck with your hat contest thing.”

Alix grabbed her stuff and headed off before Marinette could say anything. She headed for a sheltered area without any people.

“Alright, Tikki, let’s get this over with. Tikki, spots on.”

Tikki disappeared into the earrings and transformed Alix into Bloody Bug.

Bloody Bug headed out into the city. She curled her lip at the vast multitude of pigeons everywhere. She avoided them as much as she could as she searched for the villain. She paused when she heard a series of sneezes behind her. She turned to see Chat Noir, struggling to keep up with her as he sneezed. She landed on a rooftop and waited for him.

“What’s wrong with you?” Bloody Bug asked.

“I’m allergic to feathers,” Chat Noir answered.

“My sympathies. Have you seen our mark?”

Chat Noir sneezed. “No. I just saw you. Any idea where he’d be?”

Bloody Bug hummed. She looked back and forth in thought as she noticed pigeons gathering around her and Chat Noir. She smiled and grabbed one of the birds.

“What are you-?” Chat Noir started.

“Hey, birdie. Fly to your bird master and tell him that Bloody Bug and Chat Noir will be at the Eiffel Tower. And don’t be late. I’d hate to start the barbeque without him.”

The pigeon freaked out until Bloody Bug let it go. It flew off with all the others.

“We aren’t really having a cookout, are we? I don’t think pigeon would taste very good,” Chat Noir remarked.

“Don’t knock it until you try it.”

Chat Noir curled back his lips and wrinkled his nose.

“Let’s go. Can’t keep bird boy waiting.”

Bloody Bug and Chat Noir headed to the Eifiel Tower. She went over designs for a device to capture the pigeons in her mind. If they could take away the army of pigeons, that should make it easier to get to the Akuma. They arrived at their destination before long. She finalized the details as their villain arrived.

“Bloody Bug and Chat Noir, you dare to threaten my sweet, little birds? Now, you’ll face the wrath of Mr. Pigeon!”

Mr. Pigeon blew on a dark purple bird call whistle as pigeons swarmed the tower.

“Luck Charm!” Bloody Bug yelled.

Ladybugs swarmed above Bloody Bug. They created a leaf blower device that fell into her hands. She grinned and strapped it on.

“Uh, what are you going to do with that?” Chat Noir asked.

“You’ll see. When you get a chance, destroy the bird call whistle. Got it?”

“Alright. Ready when you are.”

Bloody Bug turned on the leaf blower. A powerful vacuum sucked up all the pigeons into the device. They furiously flapped and flailed but were unable to escape the pull. She sucked up all the pigeons that swarmed the tower and the ones that Mr. Pigeon stood on. He plummeted once his support was gone. He raised the bird call to his mouth, but Chat Noir jumped in. Chat Noir extended his staff towards the whistle and shattered it, releasing the Akuma. Chat Noir dove for Mr. Pigeon while she caught and purified the Akuma.

“Miraculous!” Bloody Bug yelled as she threw the leaf blower up.

Ladybugs burst from the device. The captured pigeons were released and returned to their docile state. Bloody Bug joined Chat Noir on the ground with the pigeon man.

“What happened? Where am I?” the man asked.

“You were turned into a pigeon themed villain. Any reason why?” Chat Noir asked.

“Huh? Oh, yes! I had a run in with that foul cop, Roger. He told me I couldn’t feed my little bird boys and gave me a ticket and warning. It just made me so angry that I couldn’t feed my babies.”

Bloody Bug pursed her lips. “Yeah, you deal with this one. I’m gonna head out before I transform back. Bug out.”

Chat Noir watched Bloody Bug leave before he turned to the man. “Hey, so, maybe instead of feeding pigeons in the parks, why not go somewhere else in the city?”

“But, my boys, my babies! If I don’t feed them, who will?”

“Well, there are a lot of pigeons in this city. While you’ve focused on the ones in the parks, the others have been neglected, haven’t they?”

The man gasped. “I didn’t think about that. All my time feeding my park babies and I didn’t think of the others.”

“Right? And if you feed them, I’m sure they’d tell their park buddies, and you’ll see the ones you feed in the parks where you don’t have to worry about getting in trouble for feeding them.”

“Capital idea, Chat Noir. Thank you so very much for opening my eyes.”

Chat Noir smiled as the man ran off. He headed back to the Trocadéro. He de-transformed and rejoined the photo crew.

“Ah, there you are! Have your allergies cleared up?” Vincent asked.

“Sure did. Once the pigeons were all gone, everything was better.”

“Wonderful! Now, let’s get back to the shoot.”

Adrien moved back to position when he spotted Marinette. She stared down at him with her jaw agape and eyes wide. He waved to her. It took her a minute to register the gesture before she smiled awkwardly and waved. He took another step when an idea popped in his head.

“Hey, Vincent? Remember when you wanted an extra roughly a couple weeks ago? Think we could still do that?”

“Ah, yes! A wonderful display, but with who?”

Adrien looked up at Marinette. “Marinette, would you like to?”

Shock spread on Marinette’s face. She fumbled her words as she made bizarre gestures. Adrien tilted his head at her behavior until he saw one of their classmates, Alix, appear behind Marinette. Alix had a wicked grin he’d see on Bloody Bug before.

“Go on, Marinette, what’re you waiting for?” Alix asked as she shoved Marinette.

Marinette screeched as she fell down the steps. Adrien rushed up and caught her.

“Are you ok?”

Marinette managed a small nod.

Adrien looked at Alix. “That wasn’t nice.”

Alix shrugged. “That’s a matter of perspective. From my perspective, it was the nicest thing I could do.”

Adrien frowned as he set Marinette beside him. “How is shoving in any way a nice gesture?”

Alix hummed. Her eyes darted to Marinette before she smiled softly. “Actions speak louder than words. Instead of justifying myself with empty nothings, judge for yourself what my actions and intentions meant.”

“But-.”

“See you two at school tomorrow.”

Adrien raised a brow as Alix skated off. He snorted and turned to Marinette. “You sure you’re ok?”

Marinette smiled and nodded.

“Then would you like to model with me?”

Marinette’s face lit up as she nodded.

Vincent cheered. “Excellent! Let us begin.”

Also, shout out to @adventuremaker21 for the leaf blower idea