Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

So, here we go.

Details about the setting:

• Kwami spirits are passed down through bloodline, rather than being bound to jewelry.
  • The lore of this is left largely unexplored, though it is hinted that this was to prevent Miraculous wielders from growing too powerful, somehow.
  • The kwami becomes attached to someone at birth, though they often lay dormant until adulthood.
  • Kwami can choose to attach themselves to someone of the same bloodline, if their current wielder disappoints them.
  • Kwami can also temporarily be transferred to items or individuals of different bloodlines, though this cannot be maintained indefinitely and will weaken the kwami's powers.
  • Artificial Kwami can be created, though they are usually weaker in power than naturally-occurring spirits.
• Miracle Drivers, the transformation devices in this AU, can only be used if the wielder has an active kwami. 
• There are different kinds of Miracle Drivers, made by different Miracle Smiths (henceforth referred to as smiths).
• The Miraculous Grimoire contains a mostly-complete record of the bloodlines that seal the Miraculous, and is held by the Guardians.

Background information:

• Everything in Miraculous Ladybug happens, except for anything supernatural. So no Hawkmoth, no heroes of Paris, etc. The main characters figure out Lila's been lying a bit too late to do much about it. Basically, the main cast met up in middle school and had the interactions one might expect in a no-magic AU of Miraculous Ladybug before the show, with the exception of Adrienette developing until now.
• The Guardians have dwindled in number, until only two remain.
  • Both of the Guardians are smiths, who create their own Miracle Driver systems.
    • The younger of the two, Wang Fu, creates the Seiken system, designed for the Central Chinese miraculous, and the Mirror system, designed for the weaker Zodiac miraculous.
      • The Seiken System is based off of the latest season of Kamen Rider, Kamen Rider Saber, and draws visually from its design. Miracle Riders that use the Seiken system use sword-like artifacts to transform.
      • The Mirror System is based on Kamen Rider Ryuki, and Miracle Riders that use it use the same card deck / belt combination to transform.
    • The older of the two, Su-Han, creates the ZECT system, designed for only for a few of the Central Chinese Miraculous - the Ladybug, the Bee, and the Butterfly.
      • The ZECT System is based on Kamen Rider Kabuto, and Miracle Riders that use the system use mechanical insects and buckles, similar to those in the show, to transform.
• A couple years before the events of the story, the following happen in sequence: 
  • Emilie Agreste mysteriously disappears. Gabriel is hit hard. The public are suspicious, but not overly so.
  • Amelie Graham de Vanily dies in an accident, and Félix is forced to move in with the Agrestes.
    • Ironically, the presence of another child means Gabriel is forced to step up as a father. He is significantly more present in his son and nephew's lives than in canon.
    • Félix holds some resentment for Gabriel, though not much.
  • Su-Han disappears with the Grimoire. Fu assumes that he betrayed their order and absconded with the Grimoire for his own purposes.
  • Shortly after, a villain known as Zero appears, and is capable of using Bottle Essences to turn people into rampaging monsters. These monsters are known as Akuma, and often cannot be defeated by mundane means. The use of Bottle Essences convinces Fu that this Zero is his former companion Su-Han, as the creation of Essences of Nature is a secret held within the Grimoire.
    
    • As discovered by the heros a few episodes in, Zero can use a Bottle Essence on a Miraculous wielder to turn them into a Hazard Akuma, which are significantly more powerful. Not only that, but these Akuma lose their Miraculous upon transformation, and Zero can use their former bond to control and easily reakumatize them.
  • A hero using the ZECT system, in conjunction with the Ladybug Miraculous, appears and combats these Akuma. Fu suspects that this is some sort of plot on Su-Han's part to paint the hero as a savior, and then use them to betray and conquer the city.

Our main cast:

Everyone's aged up to around college age (19-21). Not for weird reasons, but because I find it easier to write about college students fighting horrifying monsters than middle school students. Seriously, what the hell.

Transformations are semi-public - unless riders show up to the fight transformed, it is assumed that everyone engaging in the combat sees them transform, but most members of the general public have already fled the scene.

Riders in the Miraculous universe have Kamen Rider "formgrabs", who they borrow parts of their visual designs for their rider forms from. They do not necessarily mirror these Kamen Riders in personality or character. Riders in the Miraculous universe also lack helmets, instead having stylized masks to protect their identities.

• Alya Césaire (Kamen Rider Fox / Rena)
  • Formgrab: Kamen Rider Kenzan
  • An aspiring reporter who always strives to reveal the truth, no matter the consequences.
  • Her companion is the Kwami of Illusions, Trixx, and she uses the Seiken system to transform into Kamen Rider Rena.
  • Thrust into the double life of a hero, Alya must contend with stresses of hiding who she is from the world and those close to her. 
  • Nino's girlfriend, grows closer to Chloé, friends with Marinette and Adrien. Distrusts Lila.
  • Later in the series, she uses Juleka's Roaar and Mylene's Mullo in conjunction with her bonded Miraculous.
  • Archetype: Leader, Trickster Hero
• Nino Lahiffe (Kamen Rider Turtle / Carapace)
  • Formgrab: Kamen Rider Buster
  • A part-time musician who would give his everything to help those close to him.
  • His companion is the Kwami of Protection, Wayzz, and he uses the Seiken system to transform into Kamen Rider Carapace.
  • Thrust into the mantle of a warrior, Nino frets over how best to guard those close to him, and weighs carefully the sacrifices he must make to keep them safe.
  • Alya's boyfriend, grows closer to Chloé, friends with Adrien and Marinette. Somewhat distrusts Lila.
  • Later in the series, he uses Rose's Daizzi and Ivan's Stompp in conjunction with his bonded Miraculous.
  • Archetype: Heart, Foil (Chloé - finding who they are)
• Chloé Bourgeois (Kamen Rider Bee / Royal)
  • Formgrab: Kamen Rider TheBee
  • A mayor's daughter who strives to break out of the grave she's dug for herself.
  • Her companion is the Kwami of Subjugation, Pollen, and she uses the ZECT system to transform into Kamen Rider Royal.
  • Thrust into the spotlight of a superhero, Chloé must discover who she truly wants to be, before the world tries to make that decision for her.
  • Former friends with Adrien, growing closer to Marinette, Nino, Alya, and Félix. 
  • Later in the series, after Alya reveals Fu's connection with Su-Han, she uses the revealed Hyper Zecter to reach her super form.
  • Archetype: Powerhouse / Big Guy, Foil (Nino - finding what they want)
• Kamen Rider Ladybug / Coccinelle
  • Formgrab: Kamen Rider Kabuto / Sabela
  • wHo CoUlD tHiS ~mYsTeRiOuS~ kAmEn RiDeR bE?????
  • Her companion is the Kwami of Creation, Tikki, and she uses the ZECT system to transform into Kamen Rider Coccinelle.
  • Handed a mysterious belt and offered the chance to be a hero, Marinette must figure out how to strike a healthy work-life balance on top of keeping her identity secret (because that's what superheroes do, right?)
  • Friends with Alya and Nino, growing closer to Chloé, acquainted with Félix, strongly distrusts Lila. Grows closer (romantically) to Adrien over the course of the series.
  • A lot of the out-of-suit humor comes from Alya and company making increasingly outlandish guesses as to who Coccinelle could be as Marinette blushes in the background.
  • Later, after a disastrous occurrence, she uses Chloé's Pollen and the Butterfly Nooroo to assume an extremely taxing super form.
  • Archetype: Lancer / Sixth Ranger, Foil (Félix - working in the darkness)
• Kamen Rider Butterfly / Psyche
  • Formgrab: Kamen Rider Sasword / Kiva -> Kamen Rider Drake
  • Gabriel Agreste is not a hero - he has no illusions regarding that. He rarely engages in combat, and does not trust the heroes with his Miraculous until a disastrous occurrence.
  • Félix Agreste is going to try his damned best to be the hero he knows he can be, even if it means investigating all this without a Miraculous to help him out.
  • Their companion is the Kwami of Transmission, Nooroo, and they both use the ZECT system to transform into Kamen Rider Psyche.
  • Archetype: Smart Guy, Foil (Marinette - working in the light)

Our antagonists:

• Kamen Rider Zero
  • Formgrab: Alternative Zero
  • A mysterious entity that seeks to take the Central Chinese and Zodiac Miraculous for some unknown reason.
  • Develops the Build system, which can use the collected Bottle Essences in conjunction with the Miraculous.
    • The Build System is based on the transformation devices used in Kamen Rider Build.
  • Uses the artificial Kwami of Control, Inkk the squid, in conjunction with a copy of the Mirror System, to become Kamen Rider Zero.
    • Their suit has a full helmet.
  • Rarely seen in a fight. Never defeated in a fight until the final confrontation.
  • After their first defeat, uses the Black Hole Breaker in conjunction with the artificial Kwami of Consumption, Maynn the lion, to assume a more powerful form.
• Adrien Agreste (Kamen Rider Black Cat / Noir)
  • Formgrab: Kamen Rider Build Hazard
  • A naive heir, promised freedom and a reunion.
  • His companion is the Kwami of Destruction, Plagg, and he uses the Build system to become Kamen Rider Noir.
  • Adrien wants freedom from his father, who can be overbearing at times, and Zero has promised him that if he works with them.
  • Friends with Alya and Nino, grows romantically closer to Marinette.
  • He initially uses Bottle Essences with the Build System, but eventually uses the berserk-inducing Hazard Trigger. During the disastrous occurrence, he is desperate enough to use the Black Hole Breaker, putting him under Zero’s complete control as Kamen Rider Blanc.
• Lila Rossi (Kamen Rider Peacock / Argus)
  • Formgrab: Kamen Rider Killbus
  • A model with a life built on lies, loose ends pulled like a marionette’s strings.
  • Her companion is the Kwami of Emotion, Duusuu, and she uses the Build System to transform into Kamen Rider Argus.
  • Zero blackmails her into joining them by threatening to reveal her lies and ruin her entire career.
  • Initially distrusted by most of the cast, but grows close after her reveal. Allies with Adrien.
  • She initially uses the Bottle Essences with the Build System, but is given the Iris Gate Peacock as an upgrade form. After the disastrous occurrence, she tries to leave with Adrien, but is forced to flee when Zero attacks her through him. She later allies herself with the heroes by saving them from Blanc.

Other Characters:

• Wang Fu
  • Guardian of the Miraculous
  • Has a staff that can temporarily nullify Miraculous abilities in melee.
  • Really distrustful of those mysterious riders
  • Develops and maintains the Seiken and Mirror systems.
• Mirror Riders 
  • Handle smaller Akuma appearances to allow the main heroes to do their investigations. 
  • Luka Couffaine (Kamen Rider Snake / Ouroborus)
    • Formgrab: Kamen Rider Ouja
    • Joins mid-season for romantic drama / poly love plot
    • Primarily uses the Time Vent card to hold off Akuma
    • Gets a Survive card late in the series.
  • Kagami Tsurugi (Kamen Rider Dragon / Ryuko -> Arashi)
    • Formgrab: Kamen Rider Cross-Z -> Kamen Rider Ryuki
    • Temporarily uses the Build System to escape her responsibilities as heiress of the Tsurugi company.
    • Realizes that this is hurting innocents and dramatically transforms publicly to fight Zero.
    • Zero destroys her Build Driver, but she gets a Mirror Driver and helps fight Akuma.
    • Primarily uses the Storm Vent card to hold off Akuma
    • Gets a Survive card late in the series.
  • Marc Anciel (Kamen Rider Goat / Bouc)
    • Formgrab: Kamen Rider Imperer
  • Nathaniel Kurtzberg (Kamen Rider Rooster / Sunrise)
    • Formgrab: Kamen Rider Odin
  • Sabrina Raincomprix (Kamen Rider Dog / Fangs)
    • Formgrab: Kamen Rider Knight
• Hazard Akuma
  • General formgrabs: Orphnochs  
  • Subject to change
  • Juleka Couffaine (Kamen Rider Tigress / Tigress Hazard Akuma / Tigreflekta)
    • Has a stint as Mirror Rider Tigress before getting Akumatized.
  • Ivan Bruel (Kamen Rider Ox / Ox Hazard Akuma / Stonehorn)
    • Has a stint as Mirror Rider Ox before getting Akumatized.
  • Rose Lavillant (Pig Hazard Akuma / Regalegra)
  • Mylene Harpele (Mouse Hazard Akuma / Mousketeer)
  • Max Kanté (Horse Hazard Akuma / Centaurus)
  • Le Chien Kim (Monkey Hazard Akuma / Dark Rogue)
• Alix Kubdel
  • A mysterious rider(?) who seems to want certain events to go certain ways.
  • It is deduced by the cast throughout the show that there is a present Alix (who knows nothing and is yet to awaken her Miraculous) and a future Alix (who looks about the same, but does have a Miraculous and has a hand in things)
  • Generally helpful, mysterious at times. Presses to have the team assemble to better take on Zero.
  • Her companion is the Kwami of Time, Fluff, and she doesn't seem to use a Miracle Driver.
  • Doesn't transform throughout the show, but seems to be able to use her powers anyway, to a higher degree than the cast, even when they're transformed.