Chương 2: "Origins, of Ladybug, Cat Noir, and Luka"

Miraculous Ladybug: "The Only Competent Villain"

Luka's first full day in his new life was as unremarkable as the previous one had been. except that he was now more wealthy than before. At least, on the surface.

The school buzzed with its usual chaos—students laughing, chattering, and obsessing over meaningless drama. None of it mattered to Luka. Or rather, to him now. This wasn't the life Luka had been living. This was a chance of a lifetime, an opportunity for something far bigger.

He figured out were he was in the timeline quite easily, Seeing Marinette Walking into class with a box of macarons and Chloe stealing her seat was a big sign they were in the episode "Origins" the true beginning of the show.

Seeing this, she and Adriene must have already met with Master fuc- I mean fu.

Of course, Luka thought, watching Chloe's spoiled antics with mild amusement. This was the moment from "Origins," the very first episode where Marinette and Adrien officially crossed paths as Ladybug and Cat Noir. It was the beginning of everything—of the powers, the responsibility, and the constant mess of battles with Hawk Moth.

The realization brought a new layer of clarity to Luka's plans. He was here, at the beginning of their journey, and it didn't matter how far back this placed him in the timeline. What mattered now was that the pieces were already in motion. Since Adrien and Marinette had already met Master Fu, and the magical duo was on the verge of becoming superheroes. He could use this moment to carefully maneuver himself into their world, to align himself with and, against them. Although not much had happened, Luka could already see his plans in motion.

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Adrien's POV

Adrien sat in his usual seat, his gaze darting nervously between Marinette, Luka and the rest of the class. The day had started off uneventfully, but there was something… different about today.

Marinette, as usual, was late to class, a box of macarons balanced carefully in her hands. Adrien caught a glimpse of her smile before Chloe as always, ever the queen bee, stole her seat without an ounce of hesitation.

As he tuned back into class, he noticed Luka sitting a few rows behind him, his guitar case leaning against the side of his desk. Luka had always been a quiet, composed presence, almost distant in a way that Adrien couldn't quite figure out. The boy never seemed particularly interested in the chaos of school, always appearing calm and unbothered.

But today, something seemed different. Luka wasn't just zoning out. No, there was something sharp behind his eyes. A quiet confidence, the kind of confidence Adrien could never muster, even with his new found powers.

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Luka watched them from the corner of his eye, his gaze flicking back and forth between the two. Marinette seemed distracted by the commotion at the table, trying to shove Chloe out of her seat. Luka felt a flicker of amusement, though it was short-lived. He had more pressing matters on his mind.

Ladybug and Cat Noir... The thought had begun to fester in his mind as he sat through the rest of the morning. He could already see the clear path to what needed to be done—what would happen. These two were mere pawns in a game that had yet to unfold completely.

The day passed in a haze, filled with schoolwork that barely held his attention. What really consumed his thoughts was how to insert himself into this narrative. He wasn't going to be a bystander in this world. No, Luka was going to control it.

When the school day ended, Luka took his time leaving the building. He wasn't in any rush to meet anyone, certainly not Marinette, though he'd be lying if he said he didn't feel a strange pull toward her. Maybe it was the challenge of Ladybug's alter ego. She seemed more complex than the others, and Luka wasn't one to shy away from complexity. But he also didn't need to rush things. The right moment would come.

As he passed the school gates, he saw Nino, according to Luka's memories hes the one who hangs around me the most. I waved as I walked by, but a voice behind stopped me n my tracks.

"Luka!" It was Nino, his classmate and one of Adrien's closest friends. "You heading to the music store again?"

Luka turned, a casual smile on his face. "Yeah, I'm in the mood to play for a bit. You want to join?"

Nino grinned. "You know I'm always up for that. You've got that magic touch on the guitar, man."

Luka chuckled softly. "Sure. Let's head out."

As they walked together toward the music store, Luka's mind was racing. This is it. I'm getting closer step by step.

By the time Luka returned home, the sun had dipped beneath the horizon. He leaned back in his chair, glancing out the window. Paris, the city of lights, sprawled before him. But to Luka, it wasn't a city of beauty. It was a city of opportunity.

He had no illusions about the challenge ahead of him. Ladybug and Cat Noir were still too caught up in their foolish, naive ideals to recognize that there was someone else who could control this city.