Enter the Bogeyman: A Stammering Adrien AU Story
Based on this AU.
This is a nonprofit story. The only characters or locations I own are the ones I make up. All other fictional characters and locations about Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir are the property of Thomas Astruc and Zag. Please support the official release.
Adrien slowly opened his eyes. As he did, he took a look at the ghastly sight around him. It looked like some twisted haunted house, and as he continued to look around, to his horror, there was Marinette, his beloved princess, dangling in chains next to him, as well as Chloé. After Adrien took all of this in, he looked to his beloved, then to his childhood friend.
“Chloé! Marinette! Wake up!” Adrien said as he tried to force his hands out of his shackles.
Marinette groaned as she woke up. “Ugh! My head! What happened?”
“Ugh! I feel like I got hit by a truck,” said Chloé as she woke up. “Where are we?”
That’s when they were joined by their hideous captor. A repulsive, ten-foot giant garbed in a long, black, tattered, hooded robe, as well as a pair of broken handcuffs around his wrists. His limbs were long and lanky, as were his fingers. The creature's skin was gray and ghoulish, as if he had clawed his way out of the grave with his long, sharp, black fingernails. His teeth were sharp and jagged, resulting in a twisted, toothy grin. Black strands of stringy hair peered out from his hood. The nose of this creature was missing and its lips had been torn off, furthering his corpse-like appearance, and his eyes were black and sunken-in with glowing yellow irises. He crawled up the wall to greet the frightened youngsters.
“Oh good, oh good. My guests are awake,” said the beast. “Welcome, children, to Château des Cauchemars.”
“Who, or what, are you?” asked Chloé, trembling.
“Everything you have feared and will fear, sweet child. I am the Bogeyman.”
The Bogeyman crawled across the wall like a spider, making his way towards Marinette, who did her best to keep her composure, despite being scared.
“I-I’m assuming you’re Hawkmoth’s latest Akuma?” she asked.
“Bingo,” said the villain. “He gave me the power to warp the world around me into a nightmare, and I plan to take full advantage of that”
Chloé rolled her eyes. “Make the world into a haunted house? Just sounds like another way of saying “take over the world.”
Bogeyman crawled over to Chloé and turned her head towards him. “Take over the world? Oh no, my dear child. Nothing so superficial,” he said as he licked her cheek with his long, slimy tongue. “As I said before, I’m the Bogeyman, and as such, I crave the taste of fear. That is why I plan to turn Paris into my personal playground, just as soon as I give Hawkmoth his precious jewelry.”
Adrien watched helplessly while the beast laughed. He couldn’t get his hands free, and even if he could, transforming in front of him would reveal their identities to the villain. The situation seemed hopeless. He could only hope that his other allies weren’t captured.
Carapace and Rena Rouge could hardly believe their eyes. This new Akuma had turned a mental hospital into a haunted house. A place of healing had now become a house of horrors, people were being kidnapped left and right, and Ladybug, Chat Noir, and Queen B were nowhere to be found, and both Carapace and Rena had a good idea as to why.
“I have a really bad feeling about this,” said Carapace.
“You’re not the only one,” said Rena. “I’d feel better if Ladybug, Chat, and Queenie were here instead of in there.”
Carapace shivered. “I don’t even want to think about what the Akuma is doing to them in there.
“Don’t remind me. Just thinking about it makes my skin crawl.”
“Yeah,” said Carapace before taking a deep breath. “But we won’t save them by standing here and being scared. We’re getting in there, kicking some butt, saving our friends, and our town.”
“Not without some backup, you’re not,” said a familiar, masculine voice.
Rena and Carapace turned around to see Viperion and Ryuko.
Carapace gave a big smile. “Boy am I glad to see you guys. We have a serious problem.”.
“We’ve noticed,” said Ryuko. “Where’s Ladybug and Chat?”
“That’s just it! They’ve gone missing! Queen B too!” said Rena
“And we have a hunch that the Akuma has them!” said Carapace.
Viperion growled. “If that Akuma hurts one hair on my queen’s beautiful head...”
“Easy, partner,” said Ryuko. “She’ll be fine, but only if we focus on saving Paris.”
Viperion took a deep breath. “Okay, let’s get in there, and kick some butt.”
With that, the four young heroes made their way in to save their teammates.
Adrien, Chloé, and Marinette all sneered as their creepy captor played an eerie tune on the piano that he had conjured into the room with his powers.
“You know, you might as well give up,” said Chloé. “Even if Ladybug and Chat Noir never show up, there’s at least five other heroes out there just waiting for a chance to beat you down, Bogeyboy.”
The beast chuckled and went up to the blonde girl. “That’s Bogey-MAN to you, my pretty. And let them come. It won’t spoil my fun. Speaking of which, I have other children to attend to. Au Revoir.”
The fiends vanished into the shadows, and the three youngsters looked at each other, and nodded.
“Tikki, Plagg, Pollen, you’re up,” said Marinette. “Hurry, before he comes back.”
The Kwamis came out and started working the locks on the shackles.
“Wait, did he just say there were “other children” in here?” Chloé asked.
“That means we’re not the only ones t-t-t-trapped in here,” said Adrien.
Marinette’s brow furrowed. “We need to find them and get them out of here before the Bogeyman does who-knows-what to them.”
Adrien shuttered. “I don’t even want to think about it.”
“Me neither,” said Plagg as he unlocked Adrien’s shackles. “There.”
Tikki was the next to free her chosen host. “All done.”
Finally, Pollen undid Chloé’s locks. “You’re free, my queen!”
“Good work,” said Chloé. “Now, let’s power-up and give the Boogeyman something to be scared of.”
“Right,” said Marinette. “Tikki, Spots On!”
“Plagg, C-Claws Out!” said Adrien.
Finally, came Chloé. “Pollen, Buzz On!”
Deep in the twisted hallways of the Boogeyman’s castle, Team Miraculous was wandering around, looking for their lost comrades. The castle was dark and quiet, dimly lit by torches. Its walls were covered with images of the horrific torture of humans by hideous monsters, and all sorts of creepy creatures crawled through the cracks and crevices.
Viperion shivered. “This place gives me the creeps.”
“Right there with you,” said Ryuko, holding up her sword. “Everyone, just stay close to me.”
“You don’t have to tell me twice,” said Rena.
Carapace wiped the sweat from his brow. “This place is huge. How are we going to find anyone in here?”
Just then, the young heroes heard a loud scream from a room down the hall.
“That’s one way,” said Viperion. “Hurry! Someone’s in trouble!”
The team rushed towards the room, and peeked inside. In the room was Sabrina Raincomprix and Wayhem, hanging from chains on the wall over a pit with giant snakes. Standing next to them was a ghoulish giant in a black robe.
“What’s wrong, children?” the villain asked. “Don’t you like my pets?”
The youngsters struggled and screamed as the creature pulled one of two levers that lowered them into the pit and took a deep breath.
“Ah, the sweet smell of cortisol and adrenaline,” he said as he licked his chops like a hungry predator. “Let’s see if my pets like it too.”
Ryuko growled as she leaped into action, followed quickly by Rena, Carapace, and Viperion. Carapace tossed his shield, hitting the villain in the head while Ryuko sliced through the chains, catching Wayhem while Viperion caught Sabrina before they could fall into the pit. Rena worked the levers, stopping the chains from lowering and closing the pit. While they had a moment, the heroes tended to the two victims.
“Are you okay, Wayhem?” Ryuko asked.
Wayhem responded by clinging tightly to the heroine. “Thank you! I was so scared!”
Ryuko blushed as she comforted the frightened young man. Meanwhile, Viperion tended to Sabrina.
“You have to stop him!” she said as she grabbed Viperion’s shoulders. “He’s got Marinette, Adrien, Chloe, Kim, and Max! He’s going to...”
“Sabrina, calm down,” said Viperion. “We’re going to stop this thing. Trust me.
The monster picked himself off the floor by contorting and twisting his body. With several sickening cracks, he was standing up straight and snarling at his intruders.
“Well, well, well, what have we here?” he asked as he gnashed his teeth. “Ladybug and Chat Noir’s little playmates.”
Viperion sneered. “Who are you, and what have you done to the others?! You better have an answer!”
“My my, don’t we have a temper,” said the villain with a mocking chuckle. “I am the Bogeyman, and as for your little friends, I’ve done nothing yet, but oh do I have plans.”
“Okay, you, listen up. I don’t know who you are or what Hawkmoth offered you, but this game of yours is over,” said Ryuko, pointing at him with her sword.
Bogeyman chuckled. “Oh no, my dear child. The game has only begun.”
As the Bogeyman said this, he opened a door to reveal Lila, Rose, Alix, Nathaniel, and Ivan. They were all turned into large, rotting ghouls with sharp claws and teeth and glowing, yellow eyes, marked with a glowing, yellow bite mark somewhere on their necks, legs, or arms.
“Come, my children. I have some sweeties for you,” said the Bogeyman with a chuckle. “ Be sure to share.”
With a demented cackle, the Bogeyman melted into the shadows and slithered away, leaving the young heroes and hostages alone, surrounded by their mutated friends. Ryuko handed Wayhem to Sabrina. She struggled a bit, but was able to get a hold of the poor boy.
“Take him, and get out of here,” Ryuko ordered.
“Got it,” said Sabrina, “Come on, Wayhem.”
Wayhem felt guilty as Sabrina struggled. “I’m sorry, Sabrina. If I just had my wheelchair...”
“Don’t worry about it. I can manage. Let’s just get out of here before that creep comes back.”
Ladybug, Chat Noir and Queen B walked through what felt like a labyrinth of hallways, searching for any other captives of the Bogeyman.
“Man, this place is huge,” said Queen B. “What do you think it was before Boogeyman warped it?”
“Probably s-s-s-somerthing creepy. Like an an old castle, or an abandoned insane asylum with broken windows, old cages, discarded straightjackets, and...” Chat went on.
Ladybug covered her ears. “Chat, this place has been creepy enough already! Please don’t make it worse!”
“Oh, right,” said Chat, giving a sheepish grin. “Sorry.”
Just then, something caught the trio’s attention the heard the frightened screams of two young men.
“That sounded like Kim and Max!” said Queen B, running towards the screaming
Ladybug chased after her. “Queenie, wait up!”
“Hang on, guys!” said Chat. “We’re c-c-coming!”
They entered the room and found the boys, tied together and dangling upside down from a rope over a pit with a pack of rabid dogs The boys were panicking, making the rope flail back and forth as they desperately tried to avoid the beasts.
“Help!” shouted Kim. “These things are gonna kill us!”
“Don’t panic. We’ll get you down,” said Ladybug.
Chat used his claws to cut through the ropes, and as the boys fell, Queen B leaped across the pit, catching them both and setting them down on the floor.
Chat Noir smiled. “No sense hanging around here.”
“Are you boys okay?” Queen B asked.
“Yeah,” said Max, rubbing his sore neck. “Thanks to you guys.”
Chat helped Kim up. “Okay. You... You guys need to get out of here.”
“No way. We’re staying right here to help you take down this creep,” said Kim.
“Yeah,” said Max. “It may be risky, but I refuse to let this Akuma hurt anyone else.”
Queen B guided them to the door. “No offense, boys, but I’m pretty sure the Bogeyman would literally swallow you guys whole and spit out your bones.”
“That’s a good point,” said Max.
Kim sighed. “Alright, but give him a punch for us.”
“You’ve got it,” said Ladybug, waving them goodbye.
Queen B took a second glance at the boys as they left. She couldn’t help but admire their willingness to fight. It got her thinking.
Viperion and his team of heroes fought ferociously against their corrupted friends, taking them out one by one.
“Man, after tonight, I think I’m off horror movies for a long, long time,” said Carapace as he knocked Ivan down.
“Ditto,” said Rena, as she tripped up Lila. “The last time I saw stuff like this was in a nightmare,”
Ryuko shivered as she slammed Rose onto the ground. “I’m not entirely convinced that this isn’t all one, big nightmare.”
“Keep it together, guys,” said Viperion, kicking Nathanial in the head. “I’m scared too, but once we beat Bogeyman, the nightmare is over. We just need to find...”
“Ladybug! Quick! I heard s-s-someone over here!” said the familiar voice of Chat Noir.
Viperion’s face lit up, “Chat, is that you?!”
“Viperion?” Chat replied. “Hang on, we’re coming!”
The two groups ran towards each other until they met at the corner in the hall. This reunion was marked with laughter, relief, and hugs all around.
“Boy, are we glad to see you guys,” said Ladybug, hugging Rena and Ryuko.
“Us too,” said Rena. “I was starting to fear the worst.”
“Did that creep hurt you guys?” Carapace asked.
“Nothing we can’t handle,” said Chat. “What’s important is that w-we are all here.”
Viperion hugged Queen B, then looked to Chat. “Then what are we waiting for? Let’s find that ghoul and kick his butt.”
That’s when the team felt a chill in the air, followed by the echo of the villain’s voice.
“What a touching little reunion, but no need to go searching for the Bogeyman, child,” said the beast as he appeared out of the wall. “The Bogeyman has found you.”
The group gathered themselves and took out their weapons, staring at the ghoulish giant in his tattered robes and torn gauze.
“Give up, Bogeyman,” said Ladybug. “This nightmare of yours stops here.”
Bogeyman laughed. “Dear child, this is merely a prelude to the nightmare. Once I dispose of all of you, I will turn Paris into a pit of shadow and despair: A vile cesspool crawling with monsters. It will be magnificent.”
“I’d hate to spoil your mood, but your p-p-plan is going to end in utter catastrophe,” said Chat, taking out his baton.
Before anyone could respond to the pun, Bogeyman attacked, lunging at the children. They managed to jump out of the way, but Viperion got pinned down by the monster’s right hand. However, before he could deliver a fatal blow, he felt something slash his other arm. He snarled in pain, and looked to see Ryuko, holding up her sword.
“Keep your claws off my partner.”
The Bogeyman growled, spewing what looked like a green, corrosive goo from his mouth.
“AUGH!” Ryuuko said as it burned her arm.
“Ryuko!” Ladybug said as she rushed to her aid.
“Aw, sick!” said Queen B, jumping off the walls. “Seriously, what is with you and gross stuff?!”
The monster snarled, slashed Queen B across the back, causing her to scream. He then tossed her across the room, laughing as he did. He then slammed Ryuuko on the ground and kicked Rena in the head. He then grabbed Queen B, and expanded his jaws until they were large enough to devour her.
“Pitiful! Just what I would expect from children!”
Just when it seemed over for Queen B, Bogeyman felt Chat Noir’s staff knock him right in the face, followed by a blow to the neck with Viperion’s lyre, and another from Carapace’s shield, and Ladybug’s yo-yo tripping him up, causing him to drop his victim. He turned to see the four young heroes standing with Rena Rouge, scowling at him while Ryuko helped Queen B.
“Nobody m-m-messes with my team,” Chat said, ready to strike again.
Bogeyman chucked. “Team players, are we?”
He then whistled, summoning Rose, Lila, Ivan, Alix and Nathaniel to their feet. Another battle began. Rena used her powers to distract them with duplicates.
Ladybug decided now was as good a time as any to make the call.
“LUCKY CHARM!”
From out of thin air came a paint gun.
“Okay, a paint gun. Fine,” said the heroine. “Now think, Ladybug, think.”
Ladybug observed the fight going on around, and saw the cuffs of the Bogeyman’s wrists, having a hunch that is where the Akuma must be. She then came up with a plan. She took the gun, took aim, and shot the Bogeyman in the face, causing him to give an unsettling, inhuman screech.
“My eyes!” he shouted. “I can’t see!”
Ladybug took the chance to use her yo-yo to tie up his wrists.She then turned to her teammates.
“Rena! Ryuko! Keep his minions distracted!”
The girls nodded and continued fighting. “Right!”said Rena. “Got it!” said Ryuuko.
“Carapace! Viperion!” she shouted. “Go for his head!”
“On the double!” the boys said in unison as the threw their weapons at the villain’s head.
With the villain dazed, Ladybig turned to Queen B.
“Queen B! Paralyze him! Quick!”
Queen B winced as she took out her weapon. “You’ve got it. VENOM!”
The Bogeyman was paralyzed, and Ladybug turned to her partner.
“Chat!” she said. “Go for the cuffs on his wrists!”
“You’ve got it, M’lady! CATACLSYM!”
The cuffs were destroyed, and out of the one on his right came the Akuma. Ladybug knew what she had to do as she readied her yo-yo.
“No more evil-doing for you, little Akuma,” said Ladybug. “TIME TO DE-EVILIZE!”
The butterfly was captured, cleansed, and set free.
Ladybug waved goodbye as she watched it fly away. “Bye-bye, little butterfly.”
There was only one thing left to do.
“MIRACULOUS LADYBUG!”
She tossed her Lucky Charm into the air, and the swarm of ladybugs undid all the damage done by the Bogeyman. Every twisted image, every deadly trap, every vicious monster, gone. All of his minions were set free, and everyone’s injuries were healed. The Bogeyman’s lair was revealed to be an abandoned hospital, and the Bogeyman was revealed to be a tall, thin man with long, black hair, and a short beard.
“Anton Moreau?!” said Ladybug, terrified. “The escaped homicidal maniac?!”
Moreau chuckled. “I didn’t need to be the Bogeyman to take out my enemies before,” he said, picking up a discarded, broken bottle. “And I don’t need it to get rid of you!”
The maniac laughed as he rushed them, only to be taken down by Ryuko.
“You’ve done enough damage, Moreau,” she said. “Like I said before, the game’s over.”
It didn’t take long for the police to arrive and arrest Moreau. As soon as they got the chance, the heroes made their way to Master Fu’s shop, being careful not to be seen. Once out of sight, they all detransformed.
"Boy, am I glad that's over," said Nino.
"Tell me about it," said Chloé, wincing at the sharp pain in her back. "The wounds are gone, but my back still hurts. Is that normal?"
Marinette nodded. "Don't worry. The soreness usually fades in about an hour."
Chloé sighed and sat down in a nearby chair where she felt Luka’s lips press gently against her cheek, making her smile and blush. As this was going on, Fu made his way in, looking over the group before smiling.
“Another job well done, team. You should all be very proud.”
“All in a day’s work, Master Fu,” said Alya. “I’m just glad Moreau is going back to the asylum. Akuma or not, that guy is going to give me nightmares.”
“Well, at least the living n-n-nightmare is over,” said Adrien.
The team all relaxed and talked amongst themselves, glad to put another battle behind them. That’s when Chloé approached the old guardian.
“Um, Master Fu?” she said, tapping him on the shoulder
Fu turned and smiled at her. “Yes, Chloé?”
“I don’t really know how this works or if it’s my call to make, but I think I found two more worthy candidates for Team Miraculous.
With those words, Chloé had the master’s full attention. “Go on...”
Epilogue
Max and Kim were hanging out at Max’s house, playing one of his games. Both boys were laser-focused on obtaining victory. However, just as they were ready to beat the boss level, they heard a tapping at Max’s window. They paused the game to investigate, opening the window, and what they saw made their jaws drop.
“Queen B?”
The yellow-striped heroine climbed in. “Evening, boys.”
“No way,” said Kim as he stared. “What are you doing here?”
Queen Bee stretched a bit before looking at the duo. “Earlier today, you two were willing to risk your safety to help me and my team beat the Bogeyman.”
“Well, yeah,” said Kim. “We’re tired of Hawkmoth’s Akumas pushing everyone around.”
Max sighed. “We just wish we could help in some way.”
“Maybe you can, boys,” said Queen B, taking out two octagonal boxes. “Maybe you can.”
The two boys gaped at the boxes, then back at the heroine.
“You... You mean... “ Kim started.
Queen B nodded. “Max Kante, Le Chien Kim, you two have been chosen to wield the Horse and Monkey Miraculous. You must reveal your identities to no one and use them responsibly. Are you two ready and willing to do this?”
Max and Kim’s eyes lit up as they gazed upon the artifacts. Kim took the Monkey and Max took the Horse.
“You can count on us, Queen B,” said Kim.
“Yeah,” said Max. “We won’t let you down.”
Queen B smiled. She knew she made the right choice.
26 notes
·
View notes