#paris salt

[simplyanotherartist]

Do you actually think Paris is ungrateful towards Ladybug?

OOF.

Canon or Fanon?

In Canon, I think Paris is truly grateful and appreciative, and Heroes Day and all the stuff they do to promote the heroes goes to show it, but they also have those episodes where they just... overlook them too much. Like those episodes when the authorities will at one moment love them, but then try to stop them from defeating an akuma? Or when they are so ungrateful and try to get in the way because the akuma is benefitting their personal goals in some way. But for the most part, Paris is both grateful and kind to them for all they do.

Fanon? Uhhhhhh...

Most of the fics for MLB that I've read show a more in depth look of what the reality would be if things were more realistic. People aren't always grateful for the heroes in everyday life, and would be the same for super-powered heroes. Look at DC and MCU for examples on how people would realistically treat heroes; there's hero-worship, gratefulness, hatred, creepy obsession, and more.

In my fic #8024, I don't mean to show Paris is as a whole ungrateful, but they are just like Metropolis to Superman; they take him for granted because they think he'll always be there and he's in some way obligated to help them all the time. That's how I see Paris realistically being towards Ladybug.

[goldenlaurelleaveswrites]

Juleka vs. the Forces of the Universe ch 11

Juleka vs. the Forces of the People of Paris ii 

I am so sorry for the wait everyone!!! It ended up being way longer than I had anticipated! When I posted chapter 10, most of this chapter was written. But than I ended up hating a lot of it 😅 And then life threw some major curve balls at me that delayed me rewriting what needed to be rewritten (namely, 90% of this chapter 😂) I really appreciate all of your love and support and your patience while I dragged myself through the end of May and June. I really hope you all enjoy this! 💖💖💖

Juleka vs. the Forces of the Universe (AO3)

_____________________________________________________

She had been enjoying her day. Luka and Marinette were having a study ‘get together,' as Marinette had called it when she asked Luka. And while it wasn't lost on her that Marinette had avoided the word 'date.' But she honestly wasn't complaining. She would take whatever victories she could and Marinette asking Luka to hang out was a victory in her book. Especially after their enlightening consversation... 

If they were going to be idiots... well, at least they were being idiots while spending time with each other. And they were hanging out on the Liberty, which meant her mom would be there to run interference if Alya showed up.

And she and Rose had a much-needed date planned. With all the time she had been devoting to the headache that was her idiot brother and friend, she was more than ready to have a day with Rose. 

And it was a beautiful day. A perfect day, really. Especially with Rose holding her hand as they strolled down the streets. 

Or at least, it had been perfect. 

Until Andre and his ice cream had decided to crash the party. 

“Cherry with dark chocolate chunks and black licorice. Eat this, and you’ll find love as true as that of Ladybug and Chat Noir!”

Cherry and black licorice? Together?

Did Andre even have tastebuds?

And love as true as Ladybug and Chat Noir? It was official; everyone in Paris was either blind or an idiot. 

And if that charlatan of a matchmaker was going to shill out sinister soulmate sweets... Well then, she was just going to have to pull the plug on his proverbial cooler. 

                                                                   ***

The question was, how was she supposed to put a stop to Andre’s nonsense?  

She glared at the ad that was playing on the tv. It was bad enough that he seemed to pop up on every street corner, but now she had to listen to him in her own home? 

And it wasn’t even a good commercial! 

And of course, Adrien was in it too.

And he seemed to be loving it. But of course, he would.  

The ad was for the atrocious Ladybug and Chat Noir-themed ice cream that was now blatantly being touted as the official ice cream of the superhero duo. And she had a feeling Ladybug hadn’t been consulted on that. 

Or the commercial. 

It didn’t actually feature anyone in a Ladybug costume. But given the actress's dark hair and the way she and Adrien—how could he have thought playing 'Chat Noir' in a commercial was a good idea?—were playing a couple in love... It was obvious the director had been going for the whole ‘love in and out of the mask’ thing. Despite Ladybug’s constant protests that she didn’t feel that way for Chat Noir. 

And seriously, what was with people? Ladybug had said countless times, including on live tv, that she didn’t love Chat Noir romantically. And yet… everyone just ignored her. They ignored the person responsible for saving the city on what nowadays felt like a near-daily basis. 

Instead, they chose to listen to Chat Noir! Chat Noir, who was constantly proclaiming his love for Ladybug from literal rooftops. And often at the worst possible time too. He was the one people chose to listen to when it came to anything about the so-called relationship. 

Why? 

She shook her head to try and clear her thoughts. Fixating on that right now wouldn’t solve anything. She needed to figure out a way to stop Andre. And hopefully, get this stupid ad off the air as soon as possible. 

                                                               ***

It was on. Again. 

Had Andre taken marketing advice from Gabriel Agreste? 

Because it felt like the only two commercials on tv these days were the ones for the Agreste brand and for the Ladynoir ice cream. Well, those and the promotions for the upcoming Ladybug and Chat Noir special of Side-by-Side.

She snuck a glance at Marinette out of the corner of her eye. Luka had invited her over to hang out, and the two of them had ended up in the living room to watch one of those cheesy made-for-tv movies they both loved. She was reading her book. Or at least pretending to. She had stuck around once the two settled in. Just in case the Universe decided to try anything. 

And not only had it tried… it was succeeding. 

It had managed to shove not only Adrien but also Chat Noir down Marinette’s throat. 

Marinette, for her part, was glaring at the tv as the actress portraying ‘civilian Ladybug’ giggled before accepting a spoon of the ice cream from Adrien. Luka's face was screwed up in digust, and she was sure she heard him mumble something that sounded like, 'how do you ruin ice cream?’ 

And she could feel her eye twitching. 

This was hardly the first time a company had used Ladybug in their marketing, but it was certainly the most overt. At least, when it came to her supposed relationship with Chat Noir. And there was no way Marinette- Ladybug would have given… 

                                                              ***

There was no way Andre had gotten permission to use Ladybug’s likeness. 

And she would bet her favourite lace gloves that Andre wasn’t giving Ladybug a cut of the profits he was making off of her image.

And she was sure that was less than legal. 

                                                             ***

She hefted the books onto the desk she had claimed in the university library with a groan. She would have gone to the public library near the Liberty, but she didn’t want to run the risk of running into anyone she knew. Or having to explain why she was researching intellectual property laws. And she couldn’t exactly research this stuff on the Liberty. Not when Luka was hanging around. 

He probably would think it was a good idea. 

But she couldn’t risk him connecting any dots. 

With a sigh, she settled herself into the little cubby desk and opened the first book to the index. She already had found most of what she needed online. But she wanted to find some similar cases to use to back up her points. 

And she still had to find the proper formatting to write the letter. 

It was going to be a long day…  

                                                            ***

She ran down the hallway, frantically searching for a place to hide. 

Why did there have to be an akuma at this library? 

She couldn’t let herself be seen by Ladybug or Chat Noir- otherwise, that would raise too many questions. After all, in their minds, why would she have any reason to be in the Law Library at the university? 

She cringed as another roar, followed by screams split the air. She hadn’t actually seen the akuma. But it sounded nasty. 

She darted around a corner and almost stopped to sigh in relief. There, like a shining beacon, was an open broom closet. The custodian must have forgotten to close it in the chaos. With another backward glance over her shoulder to make sure the coast was clear, she ducked inside, closing the door firmly shut behind her. 

                                                             ***

“And stop calling us a couple!” 

She flinched back further into the depths of the broom closet she had ducked into, fumbling with her phone in the darkness of her sanctuary. Ladybug sounded mad. And given what she had just said…

“C’mon m’lady. You’re the only one that doesn’t see it.” 

“See what exactly?” 

“That you and I are made for each other! It’s our destiny to be together.” Ew. “You and I were chosen-“

“To protect Paris, not to be-“

“And you can’t forget Dark Cupid! Or Oblivio.” She couldn’t see what was happening outside the closet door, but she imagined Ladybug was probably redder than her suit. “I mean, we kissed-“

“I don’t remember Oblivio. Or what led to that kiss!” Ladybug’s voice had dropped to a seething hiss, but it was still perfectly audible. They had to be right outside the closet. “And neither do you.”

“But-“

“And I only kissed you during the fight with Dark Cupid because you were under his control, and I was desperate. Chat- I… you know I’m in love with someone else. I need you to st- shhh!” There was a beat of deafening silence. She didn’t dare breathe. Had Ladybug caught on that she was right there? “I think the akuma’s coming. Come on, we need to get to the roof.” 

The patter of soft footsteps receded, followed shorting by the stomping of what had to be the akuma. Thankfully, Hawkmoth’s latest victim didn’t bother to stop and check to see if anyone was hiding in the broom closet. 

But that didn’t stop her from holding her breath until it had moved away, and she was left in another heavy silence. 

When she was sure it was gone, she heaved a sigh of relief and pressed the button on her phone’s screen to stop the recording. 

                                                           ***

She smiled proudly down at the letter she had typed up on the computer she was using. There was no way Andre would be able to continue with the Ladybug and Chat Noir ice cream nonsense after receiving this letter. Not in his right mind anyway. And not with a legal leg to stand on- not that he had had one in the first place...

She shook her head and turned her attention back to the task at hand. She narrowed her eyes as she proofread it for the umpteenth time. Looking for any grammar issues or typos. But it was perfect. 

Was it a fake? Technically… yes. But were its contents accurate? 

Also yes. 

And even if she were to be caught… well, she was only informing Andre of the law and his legal responsibilities. Surely officer Rodger couldn’t fault her for that? 

And it was for Marinette. And that made the risk worth it. 

The next step was getting it to him without placing suspicion on herself… 

                                                          ***

It seemed the Universe was adamantly against her delivering her cease and desist letter to Andre. Every avenue she had tried so far had turned up either a dead end or been made impossible by what was increasingly feeling like contrived circumstances. 

She had tried mailing it. 

There had been a postal labour strike. 

She had inquired about getting it delivered by courier. 

That would leave a trail directly back to her. 

She was beginning to think the best option would be to fold it into a paper airplane and aim for Andre’s head… but somehow, she doubted that would work. 

And the longer the letter remained hidden at the bottom of her bag, the antsier she was. Because the longer it sat there, the more likely it was that someone would see it. And then her plan would be shot. 

But… she was her mother’s daughter. And… she was petty. 

So come hell or high water, or whatever else the Universe decided it wanted to throw at her, well... She was a Couffaine. 

And Couffaine’s always found a way. 

                                                          ***

As it would so happen, the Universe —or rather, Hawkmoth—decided to throw an akuma at Marinette. Well, Ladybug technically. 

And the akuma just so happened to be that toddler that kept getting akumatized into a giant. Gigantitan or whatever it was called. It couldn’t actually talk. So no one really ever seemed entirely sure what to call it. 

But right now, that baby akuma was her saving grace. 

Because it had apparently wanted ice cream. 

And it had found Andre. 

Who had run off screaming before being whisked away by Ladybug. Leaving his cart empty and abandoned. 

Was it stupid to run out into the open with an akuma of the loose? Especially one as big and clumsy as this one? 

Yes. 

But this was her only chance. There was no one around- everyone else had had the sense to seek shelter away from the ice cream cart. 

And even if there were people around, all she had to do was pretend to be hiding while she slipped the red and black envelop into his cart. 

And hope he would actually cease and desist.

                                                            ***

Somehow, Alya was still grinning like the cat that had caught the canary. Which, she supposed, Alya had. In a way… 

The Ladybug and Chat Noir special episode of Side-by-Side had been derailed at the last second. In more ways than one. 

Andre, who was supposed to be a guest on the hero special—probably to talk about their love for one another and plug his ice cream—had dropped out at the last second due to ‘unforeseen reasons,’ according to Nadja. 

And it seemed Hawkmoth had taken advantage of the interview to akumatize someone. And Ladybug and Chat Noir had left before the opening credits even began. And honestly, she felt a little bad Marinette had to deal with another akuma. But in some ways, it was better to go up against an akuma than Nadja and Alya… 

Especially given the opening credits had touted the episode as a ‘Soulmates in Action’ special. Something she very much doubted Ladybug had been informed of beforehand. 

But with the heroes off doing their jobs and the ‘special guest’ the promos for the episode had been touting gone—due to what she could only assume was the letter, given the commercials for his ice cream had suddenly disappeared off air—Alya and Nadja had had to improvise. 

And they had decided to rehash all of the pictured of Ladybug and Chat Noir that Nadja had already taken out of context. Along with all the new ones Alya had managed to get for the Ladyblog.  

So far, they had shown her photo of Ladybug and Chat Noir kissing after—during?—the Oblivio incident no less than five times. Not even counting the times it had been used in the opening. 

“…just incredible!” Nadja was saying as she and Alya were turned to look at the screen behind them, which was currently displaying said photo. Blown up to the size of a movie theatre screen. “And to get it from so close up! Just marvellous!” Alya was preening, the praise puffing her up and putting a grin on her face. 

“It was amazing seeing them like that! So in love with each other, they really are made for each other,” Alya said smugly. 

Nadja smiled as she turned back to face the camera. “Well, folks, now we turn it over to you! At the beginning of the episode, we asked you to send in your best photos and videos of Ladybug and Chat Noir. Let’s take a look and see what you all have for us!” 

The first picture was a rather benign if blurry photo of Ladybug and Chat Noir running across a rooftop. But Alya and Nadja still found plenty in it to pick apart, bringing up any little detail that pointed to the two heroes being in love. 

It was incredible, the heights they could jump to to land on those conclusions. 

The next few photos were much the same. A little blurry. Pretty inoffensive- though it was weird to think that people were just taking pictures of the heroes going about their business. There were a few videos too. Mostly of akuma battles or the moments immediately after battles. 

She watched with bated breath, hoping that by some miracle, her video had made it through. 

The call had been for ‘best Ladybug and Chat Noir moments.’ 

She thought hers was the best. 

For revealing the truth, at any rate. 

But she didn’t know what kind of screening the submissions were going through. And she had not been optimistic about them airing a video like hers. 

So she had made a video montage of different Ladybug and Chat Noir pictures she had pulled from the Ladyblog—with credit of course—and tacked it onto the beginning of her recording. Hopefully, if they were screening submissions—although given the quality of some of them, that seemed unlikely— they wouldn’t watch the whole thing. She had even made an email called ‘ladynoir4evr’ to send it from so as not to arouse suspicion!

Nadja and Alya went through a few more pictures and videos, talking about the dynamics and body language in each one. And, somehow, they seemed to agree that every photo and video was proof of the heroes’ love for one another. Even though it was pretty plain to see in some of them that that was not the case. 

The end of the episode was drawing near, and her video still hadn’t been shown. She was about to shut the tv off and mope her defeat over a bowl of chocolate ice cream when Nadja grinned. 

“And Alya, it looks like our next submission comes from a fan of not just Ladybug and Chat Noir, but of the Ladyblog as well! Let’s take a look!” 

It was happening! Her video had made it through! 

She watched as Alya and Nadja turned in their seats to look at the screen behind them. 

The photos she had pulled from the Ladyblog played on screen, along with a cheesy love song she had pulled from the internet. At first glance, it would appear like any fan-made presentation on why Ladybug and Chat Noir ‘belonged together.’ 

“…so sweet,” Nadja was saying when the screen turned black and the music cut off. 

The sound of her recorded breathing crackled through the speakers. 

“What’s happening-“ 

“See what exactly?” Ladybug’s voice was clear as day. 

“That you and I are made for each other! It’s our destiny to be together. You and I were chosen-“

“To protect Paris, not to be-“

“And you can’t forget Dark Cupid! Or Oblivio. I mean, we kissed-“

“I don’t remember Oblivio. Or what led to that kiss!” the recording of Ladybug hissed. “And neither do you.”

“But-“

“And I only kissed you during the fight with Dark Cupid because you were under his control, and I was desperate." 

Nadja was frantically gesturing for the video to be cut while Alya seethed at the screen behind her. 

"Chat- I… you know I’m in love with someone else. I need you to st- shhh!” 

Abruptly, the tv cut to a commercial. 

But it was too late. The- not really damage, but it had been done. The video—the important bits anyway— had played. 

For all of Paris to see. 

Hopefully, Paris would listen.  

                                                              ***

She had just been getting ready to go to bed when a notification for the Ladyblog popped up on her phone. Her stomach sank as soon as she saw it. 

She clicked on the notification. 

And a lead weight settled in the pit of her stomach when she saw Alya was live-streaming. 

“Hey, guys! I know a lot of you were confused by the… incident on tonight’s episode of Side-by-Side. Trust me, none of us were expecting that!” Alya laughed, though it seemed forced. And- yes. Her eye was twitching. “But rest assured, there’s a perfectly reasonable explanation for that video.”

Oh. She was just dying to hear how Alya was going to spin this one. 

“We all know that Ladybug and Chat Noir quarrel from time to time- every couple does. And she likes to be a professional, and we all know Hawkmoth is a big threat. So obviously, she doesn’t want a public relationship with Chat Noir. And especially not a public lover’s tiffs…” 

Ok…

“And they must have known someone was hiding nearby to film them! Chat does have those cat ears of his!” 

Yeah. But were they even functional?

And she sincerely doubted either of them had known she was in the closet- they had been a little preoccupied. Ladybug with the akuma. Chat with flirting. 

“So they wanted to keep suspicion off of them!” 

Even if that was the truth, why would Alya and Nadja have devoted an entire episode to unveiling their love? If they were really secretly dating, wouldn’t Alya try to keep it a secret to protect her beloved heroes? And if it was a lover’s tiff, why would Ladybug say she was in love with someone else?

Alya’s story had more holes than her gran's crochet blankets. 

"So don't worry, everyone! It was just a clever plan on their part!”

Comments were popping up with lightning speed under the live-stream video. The vast majority were agreeing with Alya and spewing variations of ‘Ladynoir was life.’  

But a few, she noted with satisfaction, were poking holes in the stories and theories. And it was time she joined their ranks. 

Quickly, she checked to make sure she was logged out of her email so that any comments she made couldn’t be traced back to her. 

And then she set to work. 

                                                           ***

Her teeth were beginning to ache from the way she was clenching her jaw. But what else was she supposed to do? It wasn’t like she could march up to the akuma and tell it to knock it off. 

Or Chat Noir, for that matter. 

All she could do was hide. And silently apologize to Marinette. Because maybe… just maybe she was a teeny tiny itty bitty bit to blame for this akuma… 

Apparently, it was some disgruntled viewer who had watched last night’s episode of Side-by-Side and hadn’t been too happy with the video she had submitted anonymously. And even less happy about her poking holes in Alya's story during the Ladyblog live stream. Based on what the akuma had been saying, it seemed they were one of the people who had been leaving all those comments on the Ladyblog all night about how Chat Noir and Ladybug were ‘meant to be.’ 

All the comments she had spent the night disproving. 

Yeah… maybe this one was at least a little bit her fault… but seriously! It wasn’t her fault that people got so up in arms about Ladybug’s business to the point that they ignored what Ladybug herself had to say on the matter! 

And she hadn’t been mean! She had just pointed to the facts!

“You two are destined to be!” Shipper screamed as he shot another glittery, pink cannon ball covered in hearts at Ladybug. And Shipper? That was the best Hawkmoth could do? 

“Y'know, m’lady, he has a point,” Chat said from where he was perched in the branches of a tree. “You’re the only one who doesn’t see it,” he sighed wistfully. 

“Chat! Focus!” Ladybug snapped as she rolled out of the way of another incoming cannonball, clutching the black and red roll of tape to her chest as she went. 

She watched from her hiding place in the bushes as Ladybug continued to battle Shipper while Chat Noir continued to banter about how he and Ladybug were ‘meant to be’ and ‘destined for one another’ and how she would ‘come around eventually’ as he went between lounging and dodging stray cannonballs. 

Sharp pain flared through her palms. When she looked down, there were little red crescents imprinted into her palms from where her nails had dug into the skin. 

He wasn’t even helping! He was just agreeing with the akuma! And a quick glance around at the other civilians watching the battle from the bushes with her, and scattered across other hiding places in the park, told her that most of them didn’t seem to see a problem with it. 

Some of them were nodding in agreement!

What was wrong with people? 

Thankfully, Ladybug managed to wrap the battle up fairly quickly. Which was impressive given Chat was no help whatsoever. 

Glittering ladybugs washed over the park, spreading out to the rest of the city where they would repair any damage that was done. But she couldn’t help but roll her eyes. 

Chat was still flirting. Even as Ladybug tried to comfort the akuma victim. Who seemed more interested in what Chat was saying and how Ladybug was reacting to it. Or rather, wasn’t. It seemed Ladybug had given up and was just trying to ignore him. 

After exchanging a few words, the akuma victim walked off. 

And Chat Noir managed to get Ladybug’s attention again. 

She couldn’t hear what the two heroes were saying, but it looked like Chat was flirting. Again. Around her, people were slipping out of their hiding places, watching the exchange intently. Some even had their phones out and were filming and taking pictures. 

Her jaw tensed as Chat caught Ladybug’s hand in his. 

“They make a wonderful team. And a lovely pair. Do they not?” 

She jumped at the sound of the voice and whirled, only to find an old man standing beside her. Her eyes narrowed. It was the same man she had met before… the one who had commented on Marinette and Adrien being ‘made for each other.’ 

What was he doing here? He hadn’t been there a minute ago- she was sure of it! And why was he so interested in Ladybug and Chat Noir and Marinette and Adrien? 

He turned away from the pair of heroes to look up at her expectantly. 

He wanted her opinion? Fine. She was going to give it to him. 

“No.” She said bluntly. “They’re not a good couple. They're barely a team in my opinion.”

“Oh?” he raised an eyebrow. 

“Didn’t you watch Side-by-Side last night?”  

“I believe the saying goes, ‘do not believe everything you see on television,’” he replied lightly, with heavy thought in his eyes.

“Well, I’m inclined to believe what Ladybug says and… well, you saw what just happened! She keeps saying no, and he can’t take a hint! And he didn’t even help with the akuma! What kind of team is that?”  

“Yes, I see…” the man said slowly, his voice heavy with thought as he watched Chat Noir try to plant a kiss on Ladybug’s hand. Ladybug snatched her hand away and swung away brusquely. He turned to her abruptly, his eyes flashing. “Thank you very much, miss.” 

“What-“

“Please, excuse me. There is something very important I must see to, straight away.” Before she could say anything, the man had turned and strode away with surprising speed. 

She watched as the man hurried off. Something about him bothered her. He was a little too interested in Marinette and Adrien and Ladybug and Chat Noir for her liking. At least for Ladybug and Chat Noir, the same could be said about everyone in Paris. 

But his interest in Marinette and Adrien...

There was something more to it. 

But she wasn’t sure what. 

She glared at the retreating man’s back as he headed towards the exit to the park. Something about him… it felt like he knew too much for his interest to be just interest.  

She moved to follow him when her phone vibrated in her pocket. By the time she had dug it out of her pocket, when she looked back up, the man was gone. Still frowning, she pulled up her messages. And her mood instantly darkened. 

Alya 🦊?!: ADRIEN IS AT THE BOURGEOIS ANNIVERSARY PARTY

Mylène 🌼 : he is?

Alix 🛼 : so?

Alya 🦊?!: I just saw him

Mylène 🌼 : Wait! You’re there?

Alya 🦊?!: yeah

Alya 🦊?!: had to drop off stuff to mom 

Alya 🦊?!: now I’m stuck here

Alya 🦊?!: and I missed the akuma battle 🤬

Alya 🦊?!: but dont u see???

Alya 🦊?!: this is the perfect opportunity!!! 

Alya 🦊?!: surrounded by love at an anniversary party!!!! She’ll HAVE to confess!!!!

Rose 🌹💗: OOOOHHHHHH 

Rose 🌹💗: ITLL BE SO ROMANTIC 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

The Bourgeois’ anniversary party? Romantic? In what universe? 

Alix 🛼 : sounds gross to me 

Alix 🛼 : going to a party for Chloe’s parents?

Alix 🛼 : 🤢🤢🤢

Mylène 🌼 : I don’t know about this one Alya

Mylène 🌼 : how would marinette even get in?

Alix 🛼 : 🤮🤮🤮

Mylène 🌼 : don’t be gross Alix

Alya 🦊?!: her parents are catering 

Alya 🦊?!: I saw them unloading stuff

Alya 🦊?!: and they need marinette to be there so she’ll have to go

Rose 🌹💗: why do her parents need her?

Rose 🌹💗: are they ok?

Alya 🦊?!: they forgot some stuff and need her to bring it from the bakery

Alya 🦊?!: IT IS LITERALLY PERFECT

Alya 🦊?!: except for the fact that ice queen is here too 😡🥶

Alix 🛼 : so if she’s there y r u telling us about it?

Alya 🦊?!: she isn’t here

Alya 🦊?!: she isn’t answering her phone

She had been a little busy fighting an akuma.

Alya 🦊?!: and we need to sneak in to run interference for when she does show up

Was it wrong that she wished the battle was still going so that Marinette wouldn’t be able to check her phone and end up getting dragged into what she was sure would be another Adrienette train wreck? 

Rose 🌹💗: anything for true love!!!!

Rose 🌹💗: 💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖

Alix 🛼 : i guess i’m in

Alix 🛼 : dont have anything better to do  

Mylène 🌼 : ok, meet u there 

Alya 🦊?!: meet me by the kitchen door I can get us all in that way

Alya 🦊?!: anyone seen J? 

Rose 🌹💗: no

Rose 🌹💗: I can call her!! 😊

She cast one last uneasy glance in the direction the old man had disappeared. Something in her was screaming that what he had said was important. That something big was about to happen. But she didn’t know what, or what it would have to do with him. 

But she didn’t like it. 

But she also didn’t like where the girl squad was going. 

Queen of Darkness 🦇: was doing laundry

Queen of Darkness 🦇: sorry

Queen of Darkness 🦇: on my way

[is-nino-actually-luka]

Do you guys ever think about how Badrien just doesn’t talk. He’s absolutely silent the entire time when he doesn’t have his miraculous. Like when he was handcuffed on the ground he didn’t ever say anything. When Marinette asked if he knew her he just shrugged. Literally the only things I remember him saying was Plagg, Daggers Out. He only ever spoke to become Claw Noir.

But when he was transformed he was talking non stop. He was taunting everyone, his allies and his enemies, even by himself he just played with dolls and talked to himself.

And I just kind of think about this a lot

[accidentally-drank-paintwater]

A feel bad for ladybug

[theerurishipper]

We're in unfortunate implication nation, baby

The Season 5 finale, with the help of episodes like Chat Blanc and Ephemeral, establishes that Adrien's emotions are to be seen as inconveniences or even seen as potentially dangerous in such a way that they need to be controlled by another person. This validates Gabriel's abuse of Adrien by suggesting that he was right all along to control Adrien, lest he goes out of control by being emotional and destroys the world or something along those lines.

By all logic, the Paris special doesn't portray a true morality swap situation, just a story about the same people with the same capacity for good who have gone down the wrong path, but can be brought back to the light. Everyone who is good in our world is good in theirs, and vice versa, as evidenced by the fact that the terrorist children are going to be redeemed but Chloe is still somehow still evil. Gabriel is among those who are considered good.

The above point is further driven in by the fact that Gabriel is akumatized (I forgot the word used in the special and I'm too lazy to look it up) into Guardian Angel in the special, a phrase commonly associated with caring and protective caretakers of any kind even though his son has become a magical terrorist despite his wonderful parenting, somehow.

Gabriel is akumatized into Guardian Angel by Marinette, and considering the revelations from the Season 5 finale, this works as foreshadowing for her siding with Gabriel and essentially continuing his work of controlling his son. Gabriel is named Guardian Angel by her, and in the narrative, this implies that she validates him as a parent, metaphorically now and literally later.

Considering the lack of morality swapping, her actions in the finale and the fact that Marinette is the writers' mouthpiece, this is the writers' way of informing us of the wonderful parenting abilities of Gabriel Agreste, reinforcing the idea that Mr. Monarch is not evil, just misunderstood.

In fact, the Paris Special has Claw Noir be a murderous villain who is willing to Cataclysm his opponents in a universe where Gabriel is a good father, leading to the conclusion that Gabriel's lack of abuse and control of his son has led him down this dark path. The implication being that he needs to be abused or else he'll become a villain.

And this is supported by the fact that Gabriel akumatizes Chat Noir into an angelic version of himself, complete with the angel wings and white costume and all, showing us that Adrien on his own is prone to becoming a volatile monster and needs Gabriel to keep him line and turn him into the angel he is today.

I hate it here.

[pythagoras180]

[angelshizuka]

"Marinette is a normal reletable teenage girl" has been shoved down my throat for 8 years and it took me until the Paris special to truly relate to her. Emonette is MUCH closer to what I was like at 14.

Obviously I totally understand a lot of people relate to ogverse Marinette, I just hate how people use it as an argument why everyone HAS to relate to her, like all girls magically had the same childhood.

[motherofplatypus]

So like, has Marinette overcome her trauma of Cat Blanc, or has that become another irrelevant event now?

[anastasia-queen]

Miraculous Ladybug Meme 3: Retrospective (As of Right Now)

[wolflover2426]

I honestly don’t get why people want Lila to be the Supreme in the alternate universe of Shadybug and Claw Noir when it doesn’t make sense at all from a canon standpoint. For one, she’s literally a teenage girl and have zero connection to the miraculous at all until like the season 5 finale. And second, I feel like people only shout about it because of their own misconception that Lila is this plotting mastermind when really, she just gets away with stuff due to bad writing and characterization.

Plus, it’s more obvious that the Supreme could either be Master Fu or the Order Of The Guardians because it makes sense why the Supreme have such an iron grip towards both Plagg and Tikki that prevents anyone from making a wish.

[gale-gentlepenguin]

Look Marinette was not bullied by Chloé. Derision proved that.

Marinette was TORTURED by Chloé. Like for f***'s sake. There is a difference.

One is putting gum on someone's seat or making cruel insults.

Torture is when you psychologically abuse someone by putting insects in their locker and getting the boy they like to put insects in a jewelry box, or make it so teachers wont do anything to stop it.

For f***s sake.

I was bullied in my past in middle school and let me tell you, the s*** chloé pulled where she planned on ruining Marinette's life isnt bullying. That word is far too weak of a descriptor.

[itsemsie]

You know they didn't need to mention that Chloe bullied Shadybug in her universe, they could have her easily say "There was always people who looked down on me, people who mistreated me and wouldn't; listen to me"

They didn't have to say it was Chloe.

The writers could have made it anyone, it could have been Lila, Rose, Juleka, Mylene, Rose, Alix, Luka, Socqueline, Luka, Zoe.

You could have had it she went evil because none of her friends believed her about Lila and Lila took Marinette's place as their BFF. Like the writers didn't have to have it be Chloe. I know it's just one line of dialogue but it just irked me so much that Atsruc couldn't even let Chloe be nice in a parallel universe and seems like he's trying to imply that Chloe is terrible and a monster in every universe. It's just a big unimaginative.

[starguardianniom]

The Paris Special and Cataclysm

So the special happened right after Destruction ended, so right after Monarch deliberately made Chat Noir use Cataclysm on him so Ladybug could not longer have any leverage on him and escape with the Lucky Charm, dooming himself.

A bit later the same night Claw Noir, while fighting Chat Noir, Cataclysm himself and doesn't seem bothered after letting out a scream. Or the physical pain doesn't even reach the level of emotional pain he feels during that time, who knows.

So Chat Noir has his own father and an evil alternate version of himself who literally had him hurt themselves and he's horrified.

They are willing to hurt each other if it means they can win in the long run, showing their goals have past reached their own wellbeing. It just shows how unhealthy they are mentally and how it poisons their minds.

Cataclysm here seems to be the symbolism of their destructive grief and negative emotions, they let it consume and hurt themselves rather than trying to heal and move on. And grief can literally kill you, dying of a broken heart is a real thing, and I feel that in the special it showed us the 2 possible outcomes of it.

Negative emotions can lead you to spiral that can end with you also destroying yourself emotionally and physically, though I don't feel like I need to go into details, I feel the special kind of showed some ideas well enough.

In the first one outcome, which would be Gabriel since he got Cataclysmed first before Betterfly, Shadybug and Claw Noir showed up, Gabriel never let go of his grief and negative emotions, doesn't want to move on from Émilie and wants to bring her back no matter what, that's the outcome of letting grief and negative emotions consume you entirely.

The second outcome is Claw Noir not minding to get Cataclysmed himself and keeps using his power all the time, but in the end after a talk with Adrien, he choose to let it go and finally start to heal rather than stewing in his bitterness, sadness and loneliness and the all consuming, numbing pain of grief and all the dark emotions that comes with it. Of course he still has work ahead of himself, but he did the first most important step, and it was to accept that his mother was gone and would have prefered him to be happy rather than being miserable and mourning her loss for the rest of his life, and sure you can keep mourning your loved ones, but it doesn't mean that you can't learn to live with it and move on and be happy yourself, they still stay with you in your heart, and they would want you to live a long and happy life even if they're aren't around anymore.

I think this is why in the end (apart from the other reason of plot device since we still had the rest of season 5 to go through) Claw Noir got healed from his Cataclysm wound by Shadybug's Miraculous Cure, whereas Monach wasn't, because Claw Noir was ready to let go of his grief, Monarch wasn't, so Claw Noir got healed cause he wanted to stop hurting over his mother's disappearance after a talk with his alternate self who completely understood his feelings and situation and told him his own experience and offered advice that helped him be in a much better mental state that he was, but Monarch didn't want to give up on Émilie after getting most of the miraculouses after he feels so close after all this time so he wasn't healed because he couldn't let go, as he is obsessed over Émilie and his goal.

Which brings to their fate, Claw Noir lives, while Monarch at the end of season 5, dies, well choose to die and join Émilie and fix Nathalie rather than facing the consequences of his actions more would be it, getting what he wanted and also not entirely, given he was supposed to bring Émilie back and sacrifice someone else so that they could be a happy family again, but instead he chose to orphanate Adrien and be with Émilie and have Nathalie guard Adrien at the last second, he's still a horrible excuse of a parent and while I'm beyond pissed at this ending I'm also beyond done watching him do anymore crap for the following seasons.

So in the Paris Special there was the lowkey message of either you let your grief and negative emotions destroy you or you choose to accept them and start moving on to heal, and it was symbolised by Cataclysm.

It doesn't mean you aren't allowed to feel grief or negative emotions, you can't be happy 24/7 for your entire life, but letting them out in a healthy way instead of stewing in them without letting them go is what I feel the Special was about.

Thoughts?

Feel free to add your own piece of interpretation to it too.

[felinetteagain]

The Cat Noir will no longer be afraid of his destructive power! Is it for the better or for the worse?

After Ladybug and Cat Noir grew up (523), Ladybug acquired the ability, like Shadybug, to restore everything that was destroyed using any lucky charm.

This can be seen in episode 526, where Lady Bug, after a new transformation, rebuilt the destroyed Paris with the help of a new lucky charm.

Knowing about Shadybug's ability to restore everything that was destroyed with the help of any lucky charm, Claw Noir was not afraid to use the cataclysm on himself.

When Cat Noir realizes that everything he destroys can be restored with any lucky charm, he will stop worrying about controlling his anger. And every time he gets angry, he will use cataclysm. Will Ladybug, Master Su-han and the rest of the team like this?

Adrien: This power's so heavy, Plagg. I feel like I'm losing control.

What if I ended up destroying everything around me without even meaning to?

[thecoolcatstuff]

*fandom seeing the special leaks*

[theerurishipper]

I’m gonna wait to see the special before drawing any more finale conclusions but for the moment everything we got from the leaks is just so… weird? and nonsensical? 

So the only reason why our Marinette didn’t turn evil was because of Alya. Which contradicts everything TA and his team have been saying about abuse. Why does Alya being a positive influence for Marinette works but Audrey being a negative influence for Chloé doesn’t? They had Mylene say, “Having a bad mother doesn’t justify your actions” so neither should bullying. The lesson with Chloe is that abuse is ok and children that turn out ‘wrong’ because of it should just be left alone with their abusers because they somehow deserve it by not being able to turn out perfect on their own. Why shouldn’t the same logic apply to Emonette and Emodrien? (I believe they’re the names the fandom’s been using but I’m not sure) You’re being bullied? Doesn’t matter. You shouldn’t lash out and become evil. It’s 100% on you now. Like seriously, am I missing some piece of information here? If I am please correct me! Because as of now it just doesn’t make sense to me. The lessons TA wanted to teach its fans is that sometimes people are just bad and no amount of tragic backstory justifies their actions, but every single choice he’s done from season 3 is just proving over and over that this logic only applies when it’s time to diminish Chloe. Chloe is 14 and has decided to be evil. Emonette and Emodrien are 14 have decided to be evil. “But they tried to show Chloe the right path and she didn’t take it, she’s evil” Gabriel seems to be a good father in the other universe, so shouldn’t be this the same for Emodrien as well? How did he even end up being a ray of sunshine with an abusive terrorist father but ends up being a villain with a good father? How does that even work? I really hope there’s more to the special because if they’re really going for the message that somehow Gabriel’s abusive parenting was a good thing for Adrien… I’m going to scream. 

Like, I understand the story they were going for with Chloe. Unfortunately, it's true that some people don't change. But then they began stating that she's not an abused child and it's not the influence of her mother that made her this way, it's just that she's Evil™. And her "consequences" ended up being more abuse. It's so fucked up.

And you're exactly right about Chloe being exempt from the justifications and explanations that the rest of the cast receives. Emonette gets to commit terrorism, and all this can be explained away by her having been bullied by Chloe, but Chloe isn't influenced by her mother's abuse, oh no, she's just born evil and is unworthy of change! The Chloe equivalent of Emonette's story would be for her to be sent back in disgrace after committing all her crimes to be bullied by Chloe some more, but you just know that ain't gonna be how it goes down. The characters are going to downplay Shadybug and Claw Noir's crimes, offer them compassion and insist that they are good people, and they're gonna get off scott-free. And of course, Emonette wouldn't deserve more bullying as a consequence, and that's the truth. But apparently Chloe's deserved ending is more abuse? It's horrid.

And the Gabriel-Adrien implications are a step further into the abuse apologia category. I just wrote a whole post about it, but you're right on the money about the implications. And I really think that's what's going to be portrayed, unintentionally or not. It sucks.

Thank you for your ask!