Behind The Masks [COMPLETED]

chapter 2

Adrien's eyes were raw and heavy. He stayed up all night by his fireplace trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together. Under his eyes were heavy bags, heavy enough to be mistaken as groceries. He tossed his pencil across his desk and got up drowsily. He carried himself to the kitchen to get breakfast. Natalie was busy organizing files with his father to make breakfast so he had to make the best of what he could. He would get breakfast at school but no one should trust cafeteria food judging by the pink chicken nuggets they served last week. Despite that, Adrien got out a frying pan from the cupboards. He took a quick glance outside the window, noticing it was still dark. He had to wake up 2 hours early for morning patrol with Ladybug on Tuesdays which was probably why he woke up to the stars still spread out through the skies. Adrien started cooking his omelet as he mixed the eggs, salt and pepper into a small bowl. He spread out the butter in his skillet, heating it up. He continued to pour in the omelet mixture as he watched the top surface of the eggs thicken. He folded the omelet in half with his turner and slid his freshly cooked breakfast on his plate. He grabbed a fork and plopped into the chair. Soon enough, he completed his breakfast, licking the last bit of flavor off of the plate. Boy, was he glad there were no cameras around.
-school-
"Ohhh Adrieenn!" Chloe croaked, waving her hands in the air. Adrien's eyes widen with fear as he scatters his way through the crowd.
"Mooovveee it, Blondie McBrat. You clearly get on his nerves so leave the poor cinamon roll alone," Alya shook her head. Chloe growled in anger and stomped off to the other side of the hallway. Adrien quickly thanked Alya for chasing away Chloe and ran his way towards Marinette. Marinette was sitting on a bench drawing in her pink and white polka dotted sketchbook. Her hands swiftly moved on the paper as she finished coloring a mysterious black disguise of a certain hero. She rubbed the charcoal on the part of the mask which was drawn on. She colored the eyes a neon green with 2 different shades.
"Is that Cat Noir?" Adrien's voice echoed into Marinette's ears. She threw her sketchbook in the air as she fell off the bench. Adrien caught the sketchbook in his hand while Marinette thumped on the floor. Marinette listened back to Adrien's voice. "Is that Cat Noir?" It sounded so familiar but at the same time, it didn't. She could almost hear the flirt in his voice like Cat Noir's towards Ladybug.
"U-uh y-yeah," Marinette nodded, grinning sheepishly. "Boy, you sure did love your adventures with Cat Noir the other day to result in this amazing drawing." Adrien finished. "W-what adventure?" Marinette asked, stuttering.
"The Evilustrator. I heard you got to help him while Ladybug was on a secret mission."
"Ohhhhhhh y-yeahh.." Marinette remembered, still grinning her cheeky smile. Suddenly, Marinette's pupils decreased it's size as her mouth dropped. "Wait. I never told anyone about that.." Marinette squinted her eyes. Adrien's eyes widened as if he just cut the cheese. His cheeks highlighted a bright red causing him to stutter his way out of this conversation. "I-i saw you and Cat Noir stuck in a glass square or something while I-i was passing by. I-i couldn't do much to help and if I wasn't home by 8, Father would've come to look for me and make everything more complicated than I-it's supposed to be." Adrien explained, trying to sound completely serious. He doubted Marinette was even listening to a single word he said judging by the fact that she's gawking at Adrien, drooling on her sketchbook. Just in time to interrupt the awkwardness between them, Marinette's pink watch beeped just in time. It was time for class. She waved an awkward position of a goodbye to Adrien and ran to class. Room 201. She sat on her usual seat right next to Alya and right behind Adrien and Nino. No one knew one thing for today, but even in class, Adrien was busy scribbling down clues. What if Marinette already knew about him being Cat Noir? Adrien dropped his head gently on the desk, sighing. Plagg snuck his way out of Adrien's pocket, trying to get his attention. Adrien yanked Plagg off of his knee and took him outside of the classroom. "What?" Adrien asked. Plagg swirled his way out of his hand and finally balancing himself levitating a few feet up. "I think I might have a clue on what you're looking for. Master Fu. I'll have to take you there after school though." Plagg nodded. "I don't have time for after school. I'm sorry but I need to do this now." Adrien gestured Plagg to get back in his pocket. Plagg gave him a small glare which had "what are you up to?" Written all over it. Without any argument, Plagg continued to eat quietly. "Plagg, Claws Out!" Adrien yelled. Plagg got sucked into Adrien's miraculous like a vacuum cleaner. The background faded to a green and silver. Adrien raised his hand up in the air as his ring flashed from a dull silver to black with green paws on the middle. His 2 fingers went across his face with a small strike off green lightning bolts in every touch. A black mask went over his eyes as his eyes turned a bright green which activated his night vision. He stroked his hair as cat ears immediately appeared as his hair changed into a slightly messier version then his regular style. More green lightning strikes surrounded Adrien's body as his regular clothing turned into a muscly black suit from head to toe. A tail sprung out from behind him adding the final touch. The background had a symbol of Cat Noir's ring design and black and green streaks fading out around it. Adrien was officially Cat Noir.
Cat Noir raced into the classroom.
"Everyone, you have to evacuate the school. Hawkmoth is on the loose. With his power of so many akumas, you might all be akumatized. Try not to release any anger or frustration or sadness. You may not see him but he sees you. He's a scarier version of Santa Claws. But evacuate the building immediately." Cat Noir announced. The students rushed out of the building to call their parents. In about 5 minutes, most of the school was already empty.
-meanwhile-
Marinette knocked on the hollow wooden door. The door creaked open. She quietly walked inside with Tikki on her shoulder, holding a book close to her chest. Right in front of the window was Master Fu. He gave Marinette and Tikki a warm smile.
"Welcome, Ladybug."