Chapter Text
“Hey, Luka,” Juleka’s voice made him look up from where he was playing his guitar on the deck. She pushed back her hair and mumbled shyly before clearing her throat. “So… um… my friends are coming over to help with the set up of tonight’s gig and I was just wondering if you could.. -”
“Hide while you set up because I’m too handsome for your friends to see?” He joked, smiling before playing rolling his eyes. “Is this to do with Operation Adrinette again?”
“W-what?! You’re not suppose to know about that!” She gasped, clearly embarrassed but he chuckled lightly and stood up before lightly kissing her cheek.
“I think it’s sweet that you’re trying to help your friends fall in love,” He mumbled, sliding the guitar to his side. “Don’t worry. I need to do my mediation anyway so I won't be in your hair but I can’t make any promises about Mom,”
“I’ll work out something,” She mumbled. He chuckled and walked towards the stairscase.
“Just come and get me when you need me,” He stated before going below the deck. He headed into his room and placed his guitar on the bed before sitting cross legged. He closed his eyes and began to relax his mind as he listened to the sound of the world. He could hear the sound of the water, splashing about on the sides of Libarty and gradually, he lost track of time. Soon or maybe not, he heard the sound of people joining Juleka and his mom. He recognized Ivan and Rose’s voices but then voices he didn’t know became part of the gathering sounds. He listened carefully before let out a deep breathe, continue to zone out as he thought about the music festival. Juleka was so excited when his mom had suggested they do their own concert. She had practically invited all of her classmates and it sounded like a few of them had came by. He couldn’t help but smile. He was glad she was making friends. Especially that girl… Maria… Mary… he couldn’t quite remember her name as Juleka used mumbled her words and had only spoken about a couple of times but what she did say was great. This girl had made it her mission to help Juleka break the curse of the school photo. He hoped that she would be there so he could thank her for that. Eventually, the sounds of footsteps could be heard coming towards his room. He guessed that everything was ready and that Juleka was coming to get him but he then realized he didn’t recognize the footsteps. They were too light to be a male but not timid enough to be Juleka. Definitely wasn’t Rose as she would have been shouting his name and well, his Mum wouldn’t be walking to his room. She’d just yell. The person seemed to walk as if they were in a slump and their heart music matched. They finally came in and for a second they were fine.
“Urrg!” They gasped, confirming that it wasn’t the people he knew but he figured it was probably one of Juleka’s friends. He heard them step forward and could feel their eyes on him as he breathed in slowly before he slowly opened his eyes and smiled. She was really pretty in his eyes. Blue blue eyes, a simple style in fashion that suited her and her hair was tied back in cute bunches. However, she instantly lost herself and panicked, stuttering her words. “Ah… err.. Hey… my n-name’s Mamer.. um… Ma-Ma-Marinette. Er.. your mum’s sent me down.. ur… the groove… um… the group’s waiting for you,”
“Hello, Ma-Ma-Marinette,” He replied, placing his hand near his mouth as he chuckled but she instantly looked hurt. He realized he must of embarrassed her and frowned as he realized again that he just isn’t good with words. “Sorry. I tend to make more with this,”
He picked up his guitar and strummed the strings. Instantly, her eyes went wide with surprise so he smiled and lightly patted the bed. She sat down as he watched her.
“That’s strange,” He mumbled, closing his eyes. “It seems you have something like this inside your heart,”
He played a mellow tune on the strings as she listened. He opened his eyes to look at her and smiled as she smiled back before she closed her eyes as he continued playing. She placed her hand on her heart as she listened to his music before he slowly closed his eyes as he continued to play.
“How do you do that?” She asked as he came to a stop. He leaned on his guitar and looked towards the floor a little.
“Music is often simpler then words,” He stated, looking towards her as she got up and walked over to his Jagged Stone poster and pick collection. She lightly picked up one of the picks to have a look at it before looking up at the poster.
“You like Jagged Stone’s music?” She asked with curiosity. He smiled as he watched her.
“He’s my favourite singer,” He replied, getting up and swinging his guitar on his back. He walked over and stood next to her.
“Mine too,” She replied then she noticed he had moved next to her. She briefly lost her cool again, almost dropping the guitar pick but she managed to catch it. He thought it was cute.
“You can have it if you like,” He smiled, looking down at her. “I’ve got plenty,”
“O-oh… T-thanks,” She gasped, blushing a little as she looked at him.
“I think I better go and join the groove you said,” He suggested, rolling his eyes playfully. Instantly, she got embarrassed again.
“Did I really say that?!” She gasped, moving her hands over her hair before hunching her back as if ashamed. “Oh, nooo,”
“You’re a funny girl, Marinette,” He stated, hoping to make her feel less embarrassed as he walked out to head to the deck but not before stealing a look at her. She really was pretty. He heard her sigh softly as he headed upstairs. He walked over to the amp and started to set up as Juleka set up.
“You took your time,” She mumbled to him. “You didn’t scare Marinette, did you?”
“I don’t think so,” He replied. “I just did what I usually do when I meet a pretty girl,”
“You played her your guitar…” She dead-panned as he smiled a little.
“So what if I did,” He mumbled, stealing a glance at her as she walked over and sat next to her friend. “She’s pretty, funny and she seems very kind,”
“And she’s in love with someone else,” Juleka mumbled as he closed his eyes to play his guitar a little.
“Are you ok, girl?” The girl next Marinette asked. Juleka had said her name was Alya.
“Um hmm,” Marinette replied before he felt her eyes on him again. He opened and looked over at her, smiling at her with a kind of sly look. Marinette blushed a little.
“I think Marinette the compass has found herself a new statue,” Alya hinted.
“What?! Luka? No way.” She gasped, looking away before glancing over at him. “You’re been ridiculous,”
She sucked in a little bit of air as he focused on the guitar.
“Sure, he’s cool and nice and everything,” She stated, looking at him as she held her face in her hands, completely unaware that he was listening. “But there’s only one statue that drives this compass crazy,”
It took every bit of his strength not to laugh as she literally did a hand action to show what she meant. Fortunately, his mum had perfect timing.
“Ho, ho! Sailors! Let’s give them a show!” She shouted, moving her hand in a flick motion before looking at Luka. “Whenever you’re ready, Luka,”
He grabbed the cloth that covered a tall something and pulled it down, revealing a huge set of speakers before looking at it. Alya and Marinette stared at the monstrous speaker as Melanie offered them some earplugs. Of course, they would need them. He liked to play as loud and as clear as he wanted but sometimes, it could be too loud for others so ear plugs were a necessary thing.
“You’re gonna need these,” She states as they take them out of her hands. “Believe me,”
Once he was sure they were both wearing them, he lifted his hand and struck the strings with his pick. The sound blasted out through the speakers and he was pretty sure several cars had been over turned. Marinette, Alya and Nino were all looking surprised and a little bit frightened but Melanie was just sat there happily. He wasn’t surprised. She had been to several of their band practices. Of course then the police turned up. Luka bit his lip as two helicopters, three boats and three cars surround the boathouse before he looked at Juleka.
“Was that too loud?”
“What do you think?” She rolled her eyes as the policeman got out of the car,
“Mrs. Anarka, are you completely out of your mind? I’m reading 160 decibels!” He gasped, showing her a piece of equipment. “That’s 10 times the sound of a jet engine! You just can’t do this. You’ll have to play something else!”
“It’s the National Music Festival today Officer Roger! My crew’s allowed to play whatever they want!” She argued back, causing Luka to frown. He really didn’t mind turning down the volume as long as he got to play.
“It’s a music festival, not a noise festival. If you don’t turn the volume down, I’ll ban your concert altogether!” Roger threatened. Luka went to say something but Marinette got there first.
“Uh, maybe we could turn the volume down a bit Captain? Then there’d be no more problem, right?” She pointed out but his mother wasn’t hearing anything. He knew better then anyone that she was a stubborn, old goat. It’s her way or the high way sometimes.
“No, out of the question. I didn’t name my galleon Liberty for nothing, you know! It’s a matter of principle!”
“Mum, please. Let’s just turn down the music,” He stated, walking over before turning to Roger. “We’ll be allowed to play if we tu
“Of course,” Roger agreed.
“Out of the question! Haven’t you ever heard of freedom of speech, Roger? This is me home! I will do as I want!”
“Do you have a document stating you can moor your houseboat in this location?”
“The Seine belongs to everyone!” So that’s a no. He thought.
“You are not allowed to moor here without a parking permit! Which means you can’t play your concert here either. Not to mention this incredibly messy deck!” He gasped, handing her tickets. “Public visual disturbance you get a ticket! And this decoration it’s too decorated! Another ticket!”
“Yayha!” She yelled out as she ripped up the ticket before laughing. That didn’t go down well with Roger.
“You asked for it, One more ticket for making me use too many tickets, one more for your attitude, one because I can’t sleep, one more because I’m seasick, one more because I say so…” He went on and Luka could see his mom get angrier and angrier. Roger left soon but his mom stormed off into the bridge as he frowned deeply to himself before walking over to Marinette. Before he could say anything to her, a black and purple smoke suddenly started to spread over the ship, beginning to transform it. Marinette looked around panicked.
“Oh no,” She gasped as the ship completely transformed.
“Raise the mainsail me deck hands! Let’s get swashbuckling around here!” The familiar voice of his mother shouted but it seemed different then normal. He looked over and saw a different woman in her place. She was dressed like a pirate with short red hair and yellow eyes.
“Mom?” Juleka questioned as he stepped forward.
“What’s going on?” He demanded as the other looked at her.
“Your mom has weighed anchor, me lad. I’m Captain Hardrock and today Paris’s timbers are about to be shivered by my cannons,” She cackled as she looked through her telescope that had previously been her sword. “Westward ho, Liberty next stop, Jagged Stone at the Eiffel Tower,”
The ship shifted and began to sail in that direction.
“Soon, there will only be one concert in Paris only one Music Festival. We will destroy all the others. Now, get to your instruments and rock those decibels!” She ordered but Luka stepped forward.
“Mom please, you can’t ruin the Music Festival,” He begged as Marinette stood next to him.
“You can’t force people to listen to your music!” She reasoned.
“No way we’re playing like this!” Ivan piped up, getting nods of everyone else.
“Mutiny? On my ship? Liberty, seize these scallywags and throw them down into the hold!” She ordered, pointing her sword at them. Instantly, chains came at them in all directions. Rose and Juleka were chained together as were Nino and Alya and Ivan and Melanie. The chains then wrapped around Luka, chaining him to Marinette before the floor literally opened, causing them to fall and roll into the deck before it closed up.
“Is everyone ok?” Luka asked, worried that someone might have gotten hurt.
“No real injuries,” Alya reported. “Just chained up to my boyfriend,”
“Yeah, we’re as good as we can be, dude,” Nino added in.
“Juleka? Rose? You ok?” Luka asked.
“We’re fine, Luka. So is Ivan and Melanie,”
“Marinette? You ok?” He asked, trying to look over at her.
“Y-yeah… I’m use to Akuma attacks,” She mumbled but then realized what she said. “Um.. I mean-”
“Yeah, we all are,” Alya pointed out. “Always seems to happen around us. And we’ve had a lot in school,”
“Yep but Ladybug and Cat Noir will save us!” Rose gasped.
“I hope they should up soon,” Luka mumbled before trying to move and struggle. “No good. These chains are tight. Ah if only I had learn how to pick locks instead of guitar,”
“That’s ok.. I like your music,” Marinette smiled as she looked down. A few seconds later, the chain loosed and felt off as the padlock opened
“Wow, how’d you do that?” He asked. She looked flustered.
“Uhh, I, uhm…” She gasped before pulling out the pick he gave her. “With this,”
“You’re amazing,” He smiled, looking at her softly. “A real magician Marinette,”
“You think so?” She gasped as he offered her his hand to help her up. He nodded and she blushed a little before placing her hand on her arm and looking at him. “Oh, it was nothing, uh, amazing, really?”
“Excuse me, but some of us are still chained up here you know,”. Alya interrupted before they heard Captain Hardrock coming. “Marinette, she’s coming,”
“We’ll come back, I promise,” Marinette gasped as Luka and her ran out of the room. He grabbed his guitar and used it to seal the door. It only buy them a little bit of time but enough to try and escape. He rushed over to a porthole and opened it as Captain Hardrock began to try and kick down the door.
“Go,” He ordered but Marinette shook her head.
“I can’t swim,” She squeaked, causing him to frown. He then rushed open to the bed and pulled out a large hidden draw underneath it.
“Hide in there,” He ordered.
“What about you?” She asked.
“Don’t worry about me,” He smiled, making her worry but she got into the draw. “There should be a button on the side that will slide it open once she’s gone. You’ve got the akuma alert app on your phone right?”
“Yeah… I’ll use it to inform Ladybug and Cat Noir,” She smiled as he closed the draw. She heard him rush over to the porthole again as the door gave in.
“Run, Marinette quick!” He shouted, making her realize he made it look like she got off the ship. She couldn’t help but admire him.
“Seize him.!” Captain Hardrock ordered, causing Marinette to hear the chains coming towards Luka and him yelling out as he struggled against them before been pulled away. She heard footsteps as Captain Hardrock looked outside.
“She won’t get very far,” She mumbled before leaving the room. Marinette felt around and pressed the button, opening the draw. She sat up as soon as it was open.
“Phew, that was close,” Tikki stated as she flew up. Marinette looked at her.
“Tikki, I have to save my friends,”
(***)
“Luka, did Marinette get away?” Alya asked, worried about her friend.
“She’s still on board…” He admitted. “But she’s activated the akuma alert app to alert ladybug and cat noir,”
“Excellent,” Alya grinned. “That app is a life saver literally,”
“Yeah…” He mumbled, worried. “I hope mum.. I mean Captain Hardrock doesn’t capture her,”
“She’ll be fine,” Melanie smiled, trying to reassure him. “We’ve had enough akumas at our school so Marinette knows what to do. We have akuma drills once a week,”
The sound of a door opening and someone coming down the stairs made everyone tense and look towards the door but it wasn’t Captain Hardrock who came through it.
“Ladybug,” Alya gasped, happy to see the heroine. Luka couldn’t help but be happy. Marinette managed to activate the alert. Ladybug looked at them then broke the chains with her yo-yo, freeing everyone. To his surprise, she walked over to him and offered him her hand. He took it and she helped him up. He placed his hand over hers as he looked at her with concern.
“Ladybug, is Marinette okay?” He gasped, worried.
“She’s safe,” The heroine confirmed, causing relief to flow through his mind. “She’s the one who alerted me,”
“That girls unbelievably brave,” He smiled, noticing the small shy smile that Ladybug did before she summoned her lucky charm. She frowned a little, unsure of why it had given her a chain.
“Huh? Another chain? Some pliers would’ve come in more handy,” She mumbled before turning to the teens. “Don’t worry, guys, I’ll find a way to get you out,”
She rushed off back upstairs, leaving them downstairs. Luka watched her leave before rushing into the room where Marinette was.
“Marinette?” He gasped but found the draw she should be hiding in was empty. He really hoped his mum hadn’t recaptured and had her tied to the rigging. He rushed back to the others. “Marinette is gone,”
“Don’t worry. Ladybug must of taken her off the ship when she got here,” Alya reassured, making him nod. He opened that was the case but before he could do anything else, they all feel the ship lurch in a different direction then suddenly, it felt like it went up a ramp before it slammed onto the ground and came to a stop before falling on it’s side then rust started to spread everywhere before it completely turned into dust. Luka just looked around in complete shock as Ladybug purified the akuma and his mum turned back to normal.
“Pound It!” The two heroes shouted, fist bumping each other.
“What happened?” His mom asked, confused as she sat on the floor. Cat Noir looked at her.
“Oh not much, you just had a bout of… Seasickness,” He explained before his ring beeped. “Time to raise the sails my lady,”
With those words, he was off and Ladybug threw the chain up in the air, shouting the magic words that would fix everything. Luka was completely amazed as one minute he stood on the grass, the next he was back on a completely restored It was like none of it happened.
“Enjoy your gig,” Ladybug suddenly stated, confirming it had happened. “Bug out,”
He watched her fly off before he remembered Marinette. He looked around but she still wasn’t around. However, a few minutes later, she ran back on board. He rushed over.
“Marinette! You’re ok!” He gasped, surprising her.
“Y-yeah… I’m glad you are too,” She smiled, causing him to smile back as Roger made sure the sound wasn’t too loud. He tested Luka’s guitar, Rose’s voice and Juleka’s bass. He mentioned that it was technically over the legal limit but he let it slide as it was the music festival. Luka grinned as Marinette smiled. He went to talk to her but he soon lost her attention as a blonde haired boy came onto the ship.
“Hi everyone,”
“Watch where you’re walking, the-” She stuttered as Adrien processed to trip over the old keyboard. He picked it up and opened the case as Nino and Luka rushed to help him.
“Adrien are you okay buddy?”
“Nah it’s all good, I-” He grinned before actually looking what was inside the case. “Whoa, an original ZX20.4, I love the sound of this instrument,”
“Aww, that old thing,” Anarka shrugged. “No one knows how to play it,”
“I know how to play it,” He declared as Luka offered him a hand.
“Great, welcome to the band Adrien,” He smiled, happy to have made a new friend but he had an inkling that this was who Marinette liked.
“Thanks, uhh,”
“Luka,”
“Thanks Luka,” He smiled before he waved at Marinette, who blushed. Luka looked over before looking at Adrien.
“You like her?” He asked but Adrien lightly chuckled.
“Yeah,” He replied, causing Luka’s heart to drop slightly before he looked over at her. “She’s a great friend of mine. How could I not like her,”
“She is great,” He agreed, only he meant it in a way Adrien didn’t