Chapter Text
I stared at the ceiling, enjoying the few minutes of silence before my day. Father and Nathalie ran a tight ship; most days I only saw home when I was falling asleep or eating breakfast. I sighed, getting up. At first, I hadn’t minded being a model. The travel, fun clothes, and interesting photos were all great. The attention was too.
It all soured quickly. Kids making fun of me at school, only wanting to be my friend once they knew who I was, the obsessed letters, stalking on various levels, the attempted kidnapping that cause Father to hire a charter to and from every place I would go, never without Nathalie or G. After Mother disappeared, he refused to let me leave unless absolutely necessary.
Father quickly pulled me from school when I was younger, setting me up with world class tutors. He always ensured my education would never lack. Too bad he always lacks on the showing up part. I thought bitterly as I beat Natile to my door.
“Oh,” She said surprised, tablet in hand. I don’t think I had ever seen her without it or the headset she wore. “Adrien, good morning.”
“Good morning, Nathalie.” I greeted politely. “What am I doing today?” She walked with me down the white halls and the marbled stairs that led to the large dining room. A table of light wood sat with seats for twenty people.
It hardly ever saw more than one.
My place was already set, omelet and fruit like every morning. A mug of Café au Lait and cup of water sitting off to the side. I ate as Nathalie droned on about my schedule. A French history lesson, three photoshoots, a fitting at my father’s studio, and a run-through of the show later this week.
Just a typical day. I thought as I ate.
“Nathalie?” I asked once she had finished. She hummed in recognition of my question. “Has Father said anything about school?” She smiled sadly at me.
“I’m afraid his answer is still no.” I hid my disappointment. Not sure why I thought he would say yes in the first place. A thought buzzed in the back of my mind. It’s about time I do something for myself. I’m fifteen after all. Besides, I won’t be in too much trouble. I never do anything like this. Excitement filled me.
Chole had been talking nonstop about starting at a new school, new people, new outfits. I admit, I’d tuned her out more than once to daydream about what it was like to go to school and make friends. Today was supposed to be the first day as well according to Chole.
“Adrein?” I looked up, my train of thought broken. “Finish eating, we have a packed day today.” I nodded, eating quickly.
“Yes Nathalie.” She smiled and left me to finish breakfast and to change. I grinned, grabbing a bag with a notebook and some pens. Today’s the day. I thought as I opened my window, shimmying out onto the ledge and dropping down into the gardens with ease. I opened the gate and took off running down the sidewalk. I’m finally going to do something for myself!
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“Adrien Émile Gabriel Donatien Athanase Agreste!” I winced as Father called my full name into the dining room where Nathalie had been teaching me. I had been so close to making it into the school when a man who had felt very familiar tripped and fell on the cobbled sidewalk, cane just out of reach. I helped him quickly, checking if he was alright before turning back to rush into the school.
To my dismay, Nathalie and G were standing on the steps waiting for me.
“Father please-”
“You must give up on this nonsensical idea of going to school Adrien,” He said. “I will not have you running amuck in such a dangerous world!”
“Please Father!” I begged, standing from my seat. “I want to make friends; I want to see more than just this house and photo rooms and studios! I want to feel normal-”
“You are not normal; you are my son.” He stated coldly. “And you’ve seen what can happen when you are left to wander the world alone.”
“I can take care of myself now Father,” Desperation filled me, the need to do something normal overriding my common sense. “Just give me a chance-”
“I’ve said no, Adrien.” He said, turning to walk away.
“I’m not going to disappear like Mother!” I immediately regrated the words as soon as they left my mouth. He paused.
“Finish your lesson Adrein,” He said, no emotion filling his voice. “You don’t want to be late for your shoots.” With that he left.
“We can leave it here for today-” I didn’t wait to be dismissed, running up to my room, regret at my words filling me. I thought back to that man as I buried my face into the pillow, trying to distract myself. Where have I seen him before? I wracked my brain and the only thing that came up was helping him carry some boxes from a bakery to his car.
That place had smelled so good. The craving for fresh bread filled me as I groaned into my pillow. Sirens filled the silence. What’s all that about? I flicked on my TV.
“It seems like a supervillain had taken over the streets!” The news lady said as the screen switched to video of the villain. He was made of boulders, throwing cars around as the police tried to neutralize him. “Police are having a hard time containing this villain, stay tuned for more live updates as the situation unfolds.”
Maybe my shoot will be canceled. A boy could dre-
Something was on my table. What the…It was black, with red designs painted onto it. I picked it up gingerly, examining it. Nathalie must have left it here. I opened the box, a silver ring sitting in it. A green glow came from the ring as something formed. I threw the box onto the couch as a small black cat looking thing appeared.
“Hey,” It said. I just stared. “Got anything to eat? Oooo stinky cheese would be the best-”
“What are you?” I asked, feeling my brain short circuit as the thing seemingly levitated round my room.
“Nice place,” It said, attempting to take a bite out of my arcade game. “Not edible,”
“Hey-!” If flew away, putting its little mouth on several other things. I scaled my climbing wall, waiting for the perfect moment to drop down on the creature.
“So-Ack!” I grabbed it, holding it close. It didn’t feel warm or cold, like I was holding nothing.
“What are you? Where did you come from?” I demanded.
“Jeez kid, take it easy. I’m Plagg, I’m a Kwami, I give you powers, now feed me.” Plagg stated. I pulled out my candy stash and fed him some chocolate.
“What powers?” I asked, releasing him as he ate.
“Destruction.” He said. “Can I have more?” I gave him another piece.
“What am I meant to do with you?” Plagg laughed.
“Become a superhero of course! You’ve got yourself a villain right now to go take care of!”
“How can I be a superhero? I’m not even allowed to go to school, let alone leave my house!”
“I can help you change that,” He said, belching and rummaging around. “If you’re willing to change that is.” I studied the ring. I’m already in trouble.
“So, how do I do this?” I asked, putting the ring on.
“You’ll have five minutes after you use your special power before turning back,” He stated, continuing to wreck my room.
“Can you not?” He shrugged and floated in front of me.
“’Cataclysm” is how you activate it, after that the next thing you touch will be destroyed, even living things so be careful. To transform just say ‘Claws out’.” I nodded, hyping myself up.
“Plagg, Claws out!”