The Blazing Speedster

Synopsis:   A Miraculous Ladybug fanfic.   Marinette comes across Rapide, a teen turned into one of Hawkmoth’s villains.   He, thanks to his experience as a decathalon runner, gains the ability to move at super speed thanks to Hawkmoth’s influence.   Luckily, she has the assistance of a new Cheetah kwami Blaze, who Master Fuu acquired wandering about an open market.   Chat Noir, unfortunately, is somewhere in the French Rivera, savoring an opulent vacation… 

Chapter 1—I’m Still the Best

Roland Gerard was the finest athlete in Marinette’s junior high, there was no doubting that.   The young African teen had trained hard and had boastful pride when it came to his prowess and ability on the track.    He was competitive but a very likeable, amicable young man with a good head on his shoulders.   He knew he was being scouted for scholarships and was aware he couldn’t mess up his chances of entry into a prestigious sports-focused University.   Especially not today now that he could see recruiters on the track.    

All his friends gave him the usual encouragement and hearty pats on the back.   He had rested well, eaten healthy foods, and stretched before making his initial sprint around the track.   He took his mark at the starting block and visualized his goal.    He realized he would have to beat a record to impress the recruiters but that was easily accomplished.    

Bang ! No sooner had the gun sounded that Roland was zipping past all his competition.   He could envision the University in his mind, accolades, a paid scholarship, and his parents boasting every day of his accomplishments.    Everything was in his grasp until he was stopped dead in his tracks by a Charlie horse.   The agony in his left calf wrecked him and had him doubled over like a baby.    He had forgotten to eat a banana !    Hobbling off the track, helped by his friends, he limped away, trying to keep himself from crying in front of them.  

The scout had left the track.   They had gotten the evidence of so called ‘greatness’ that they had come for. 

‘I ruined it.   I ruined all of it.   I should’ve eaten that banana like mama told me !’, Roland shrieked in his mind.   He hit the wall angrily and huffed, still blinded by his tears.   Suddenly, a mesmerizing voice struck him out of the blue. 

‘You’re still the best, Roland, or shall I say, Rapide ?’, the mellifluous bass inquired.    He could see Hawkmoth, the notorious criminal speaking to him.   He wanted to resist, but the excruciating pain of defeat tasted acidic in his mouth.   No amount of Gatorade would ever wash away that kind of embarrassment.    He thought, perhaps he could redeem himself.   Hawkmoth revealed that with his incredible speed, obtaining Ladybug and Chat Noir’s miraculouses would be easy as pie.    Normally Rapide liked a challenge, but something easy seemed to be irresistible.   Plus, he was keen on seeing how fast he could travel in his new supervillain form. 

‘Maybe if I get into Hawkmoth’s good graces, he can pull a few strings at the University for me, even though I failed miserably.’, he thought to himself.    He knew who Ladybug and Chat Noir were, but now wasn’t the right time to strike.    He would have to hit either one or the other of them when their guard was down.     Little did he know, he would only be going up against Ladybug, since Chat Noir was relishing life in the French Riveria with his dad’s secretary and a few other personal assistants.   

Chapter 2—You Might Need This !  

Master Fuu had gotten lucky at the local bizarre that had come through town.    He had been introduced to a cheetah kwami by the name of Blaze.   Blaze happened to be encapsulated within a spotted golden bracelet.    A vendor there was giving the bracelet away, but Fuu knew it was special, especially when it reacted to him.     He was a kwami master and all the kwami respected him.    Blaze herself wasn’t really within the typical phylum of kwami.    She was supposed to be a myth and legend, but Fuu had known she was mentioned in the ancient scrolls.    She was among the ‘mysterious’ kwami that not many masters had been educated about.    With each new kwami, Fuu learned more and respected their abilities 100 times more that he had first learning and befriending them.     

Marinette was biking home in a mad rush when she saw Master Fuu waving at her. 

‘Marinette !  My dear child !   Come here, I want you to see something !’, he beckoned.  If Fuu was this eager to show her something new and unique, Marinette was certain that this surprise was going to be epic.    

‘What’s wrong, Master Fuu ?’, Marinette questioned, curiously.    He opened the box that Blaze was traveling in and he bowed to make her acquaintance. 

‘This bracelet comes with my ability.  I can merge with your original Miraculous.’, he explained.   Fuu had no idea such a talent was even possible, but kwami were always evolving.  It made logical sense that they could improve and integrate other abilities that enhanced their own and kwami got along very well together, even though they were different.   Marinette was always learning how to be a better friend through Tiki, but she often wondered what went on their miniature world.   Probably adventures she’d never get to see, but with her overactive imagination, she could see Tiki and Plagg going on romantic outings, or her new friend Blaze having a little bit of fun riding on a super-fast RC boat on the Seine that some kid was playing with on a lazy Saturday afternoon.    

Fuu granted her this bracelet and knew Blaze would take good care of her.   He told her that the cheetah was once thought to be myth.  

‘Well, now we know that’s false.’, she laughed.   She thanked her master for the gift and got the strangest premonition that something bad was about to happen.    She kind of wished she had Adrien’s help, but he was on ‘DND’ status even though she could text him.  He would be slow in responding since he was soaking up rays at the Rivera.    She inhaled and exhaled slowly.  ‘Maybe I don’t need Adrien this time.   Blaze and Tiki will know how to combine their specialties.   All I have to do is say ‘Merge’, like Blaze told me.   I know I can trust them.  Why doubt the kwami now ?’, she mused.    She was being too worried.   All she was aware of is that something sinister was about to be afoot, and she had to put a stop to it.

Chapter 3—Time Is Mine to Manipulate !  

Rapide used his super speed to turn back the clock and impress the scout, but he had no idea what he was unleashing.   He created an alternate version of himself called Negarapide that destroyed everything in its insane wake.    It wasn’t a slow degradation or eroding.   Everything Negarapide ran through was much worse than Chat Noir’s cataclysm.    Marinette couldn’t believe what she was seeing.   Blaze came out and urged her. 

‘Put on the bracelet, Marinette !  Now !   Tell Tiki and I to merge !  We’ve got this !  Just breathe !’, they reminded her.    She found it silly that she was letting her fear overcome her.   With a few slow inhalations and exhalations, though, she built herself up and slid the golden spotted bracelet on.   

‘Merge !’, she commanded.   Tiki and Blaze melded into one on her wrist, producing a red cheetah pattern that became her new suit.    It was absolutely stunning to behold.   She had the ability to use time to her advantage, and she found Rapide completely devastated, crying on the bleachers, wondering what he had done.  

‘I didn’t anticipate this…Why did I listen to Hawkmoth ?!’, he cursed himself.  

‘You weren’t in your right mind.  You can still break the hold he has on you.’, she said, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder.    

‘Really ?  How ?’, Roland questioned.     Marinette knew she had to trick Negarapide and stop him using a time trap.   She would disguise herself as an athletic scout and see what had been infected by the akuma on his body to free him from Hawkmoth’s manipulation.  

‘You really are everything they say you are.’, Roland said, flirting with Marinette slightly.   Marinette couldn’t help but blush.   She wasn’t expecting a compliment from her foe, but she took it all in stride and began implementing her ingenious plan to put Negarapide to rest.   

Chapter 4—Time to De-Evilize !  

With her use of Tikki and Blaze, Marinette reversed the situation and returned the akuma to its original state.  

‘Bye bye, little butterfly.’, she said, releasing the newly reformed creature into the world.   It floated away blithely in the air, and all had been returned to normal.   Negarapide blurred into non-existence and Roland was left in the grass, looking like he had decided to take an afternoon nap.    When he woke up, just like with all other ‘Miraculous’ encounters, he wouldn’t remember what had happened.    Roland wouldn’t even recall why he thought a sports scholarship was so important.    Besides, in his mind, he had other passions.   He enjoyed cooking and thought maybe Marinette could use an extra hand in her bakery.   Also, he thought she was kind of cute even though he knew that she and Adriene were an item.   He would pursue becoming a pastistier and follow his dream even if it meant going to college would be more expensive.    At first, Roland’s dad, Leon, wouldn’t be so supportive, but Leon’s wife, Geraldine, would be far more supportive.   In time, Leon would come around, but now, he would probably feel a bit more bittersweet over the whole ordeal.  

Chapter 5—Hawkmoth Fumes 

‘NO !  I was so close !   I had the element of time on my side !’, Hawkmoth cursed.   His faithful assistant was there to calm him down.    

‘Mr. Agreste, you will have your day soon.   Keep trying.   One day, we’ll triumph.’, she said.  In her mind’s eye, she prayed Gabriel would stop obsessing over bringing his wife back from stasis.   It was so achingly obvious that she was in love with him, but all he ever saw her as was his faithful secretary even though she had assisted him as The Peacock many times over.   

She would take her own advice and embody patience.   It was, indeed, a virtue.   One day, Gabriel would come around and realize there was no resurrecting the dead.   He would let his former wife rest in peace and come to know her as his true, devoted partner.   

Epilogue 

With spring break coming to an end, the Dupen-Chang Bakery had begun hiring and Roland got his first job.  He was one step closer to realizing his dream.   Chasing Marinette became a distant fantasy once he had seen her and Adrien together riding their bikes to picnic somewhere along the Seine.   He hadn’t met his red thread yet, but he figured, now that he knew how to make macaroons, the quickest way to a woman’s heart was through sweets.   He’d get the girl someday, and he’d also be able to provide a happy homestead for her once she came into his life.   Right now, he was so happy and seeing Marinette happy made him ebullient.   He would still run 5Ks for charity, but he would never fall for Hawkmoth’s persuasion ever again.    

The End