Adrien would reluctantly admit that he had a tendency to being flashy. So yes, he did like modelling for the photos and videos that advertised his father's company. He enjoyed being in the spotlight; he enjoyed showing the world what he could do. Still, those were advertisements. They were stiff, they were frozen, they were, at their core, boring.

Thus, Chat Noir was born.

Though he liked flashiness, he could admit that Chat Noir sometimes erred on the side of flashy. With over-the-top performances and far too many cat puns, Adrien loved to record his own videos, posted on a personal channel, totally separate and unaffiliated with the one he was famous for.

The identity, as much as he loved it, was mostly an accident. He wanted to get out of the house one day, so he wore all black, including a cat-eared hoodie he had bought as a joke but was never actually allowed to wear outside the mansion for his "image". Paired with dark sunglasses to hide his eyes, he basically just went undercover. As famous people sometimes do so people wouldn't recognize them on the street.

It was only after Chat Noir's debut PR video that he started to really embrace the persona. In secret, he bought a black choker with a bright brass bell, and ditched the sunglasses in favor of a superhero-esque mask, with lots of black eyeshadow (and some eyeliner as well) to cover the exposed skin around his eyes. He fashioned a fake tail out of an especially pliable belt (something which his fans constantly teased him about. He jokingly got a furry tail once but was so used to the belt at that point that wearing the new one was just awkward and he couldn't get it to move quite right when he danced.). He even, occasionally, adopted his newer, fancier leather jacket instead of his plain hoodie. He had gotten a cat ear hood attached to the jacket and his fans really liked him in leather, for some reason. His standard hoodie, though, was a bit easier to move in so if he was getting acrobatic, he'd go back to the basics.

The only problem was that since his videos were largely performances, he was constantly harassed to do live performances and meet-ups, which Adrien would be over the moon to do but couldn't because Chat Noir absolutely had to remain anonymous. Despite his popularity, having Chat Noir connected to his company would not make his father a happy man. To arrange such events would be too difficult while keeping up his identity so he just abstained completely.

And besides, even though he did get a lot of messages asking about performances and meet-ups, he never thought of himself as anything more than an internet sensation. It was nothing compared to the weight the name "Agreste" carried in Lumiose City. And it wasn't until he received a message from some people all the way in Hoenn, asking him to be a judge for a Pokémon Contest, that Adrien thought maybe his influence was a bit bigger than Lumiose alone. The internet reaches all corners of the Earth, I guess. I didn't think PR videos were very popular outside Kalos though.

Wouldn't it be cool to actually participate in a contest though? I'm obviously more influenced by Showcases, but they might actually let me enter a contest. I'd do it as Chat though. Dad might even let me but I couldn't do it how I wanted to if he was watching over it the entire time. I wonder if they have any rules against anonymity. I might have to let them know who I am to register but I don't see why I shouldn't be able to perform with an alias.

Still stupid that Showcases are girls only. So unfair.

I'm totally going to make a video about this. I can't even participate in a contest because I can't just leave Kalos. And I can't be in a Showcase because only girls can be performers. So dumb. Not cool.

Adrien drummed his fingers on his desk and frowned. Gyms are just boring. Seriously, I'd rather perform than battle. I should mention this to Chloe. She'd start a revolution. "Just wait until I talk to my father about this. They won't keep Adrien Agreste out. Who do they even think they are?" Pfft, but then I'd set myself up for failure, since I'd have to do it as Adrien, if she could even get that done. No, it has to be Chat.

Nothing to do about it, I guess. At least I can perform on the internet.

Adrien felt his chest constrict as he politely turned down the offer to judge the Slateport Contest. Even if I don't perform, it would still be amazing to actually see one in person. I haven't even been able to go to Showcases.

When he arrived at school, he greeted Nino and the day with a smile and enthusiasm, as always, and focused instead on his school work.

Adrien's life was pretty routine. He would go to school, do whatever modeling jobs his father put into his schedule, and work everything else in the spaces in between. After his extracurricular lessons, that left only a little time, but Adrien made it work. Mostly, thankfully, so long as he didn't cause trouble, he could use his time however he wanted.

So of course, he split it up between hanging out with his friends and rehearsing for his performances as Chat Noir.

And of course, having to manage his time so carefully, Adrien was an expert multitasker. That was why he was checking his email on his phone while carrying on a conversation with Nino, Alya, and Marinette. There was a short lull, so he took the opportunity to check his newest mail. And he very nearly choked on his croissant.

"Oh man, you okay, dude?" Nino patted him on the back, and after a few moments, Adrien managed to breathe again.

"Y-yeah, fine." He very quickly locked his phone and shoving it into his bag. Man I wish I could tell them, but they don't know about Chat.

The others gave him more concerned glances but let it go. I need to look at the email again, oh my god. Did it really say what I think it said? Can I make it then? Arceus, probably not, I need to check the time again. Please, please, please let it be during my free time. While his friends were talking, Adrien subtly pulled his phone out again and opened it, rereading the message.

"Mr. Chat Noir, We of the Pokemon Showcase Organizational Committee would like to invite you to be a guest performer at next month's start of the season Lumiose Showcase. The performance will be on Friday, October 14 at 7:00pm. You would be expected to arrive no later than 5:30pm. If you are interested, please respond ASAP for more information." October fourteen, October fourteen, oh Arceus, please. Any major things for Dad should be marked already and as long as I tell Natalie that I'm busy that day they shouldn't schedule anything over it. He quickly brought up his calendar and scrolled down to the date in question. Nothing, good.

He created a new event, knowing that it would update the calendar that Natalie used for him as well so he didn't need to say anything about it to her directly (he resolved to anyway, just to be sure), and named it the same thing he named all his practice days. "Meet with Juleka". He thought for a moment, and added the word "important" before creating the event. It wasn't technically a lie, after all, Juleka was often there when he practiced. She was sort of his personal judge, and she gave him some criticism and helped him create his performances. Mostly though, she liked making him look good. She did his makeup and occasionally even changed his outfit. It was kind of fun. A lot of his persona's design alterations in the last several months had been her ideas and he liked switching things up. She also did some major remodeling of his account on the video sharing site he used. And it was, quite frankly, a lot easier to do his performances with another person helping out behind the scenes. I have to tell her about this.

Quickly forwarding the email to her, he sent her a quick text telling her to look at it. It only took a few minutes for his phone to buzz.

J – That's so rad! Can you do it though?
A – I should, unless someone changes my schedule last minute.
J – Your fans will be so excited. You should make a video about it when you accept the offer
A – I will if I can. should probably ask if it's okay first.
J – True. We need to get you a new outfit too. And don't say it, you are NOT wearing your ragged old hoodie to a stage performance
A – why not?
J – I can't believe you're the son of a famous designer
A – Juleeeeeeeeesssssssss teasing is mean.
J – No class. At all. You're getting a new outfit. We'll talk more about it next rehearsal. Still on tomorrow night?
A – yeah, same time.
J – This is so exciting. I can't wait to see you perform, you'll do amazing
J – Oh man, Poochyena found The Stash again, I have to go stop him. See you, Skitty
J – Speaking of skitty though, maybe you could ask Marinette to make you some new clothes?

Adrien held back a chuckle, knowing perfectly well how much trouble Juleka's poochyena liked to get into. At least he's not cuddling Goodra again. We spent hours trying to clean out his fur. He turned his gaze back up to his friends. Especially Marinette. I could ask her. I do love her clothes, but I don't think I really want any more people knowing about me being Chat Noir. But no, I couldn't ask her to do that for me. I don't really need new clothes anyway. I don't have to wear the "ragged old hoodie"; the fans like me better in leather anyway. But then, for a stage performance I should go all out, I absolutely need full movement. Oh, to do or not to do. Whatever, I'll talk with Juleka.

Adrien just glanced over all his friends again, fidgeting in his chair. Arceus, I love you all but I really just want to go home and reply to that email!

He did, somehow, manage to stay seated for the rest of his time with his friends. Despite his excitement, he would never take the time he had with them for granted, so he did his best to focus on them. In the end, he was fairly certain that no one suspected he had a super exciting secret that made him want to jump onto the rooftops and scream.

When it was finally time to head home, though, he was on cloud nine. The moment he got through the doors, he flew up to his room and opened his email, sending a quick reply saying that yes he was very interested and asking whether he could inform his fans that he'll be performing there.

And he was so excited that, for the first time in over a year, he had to bribe Plagg, his absol, into bed so he could snuggle with the large pokémon (Adrien always fell asleep easier with Plagg next to him.) Burying himself in Plagg's soft fur, Adrien let his mind work on new ideas for his performances until he eventually drifted off.

The next morning, the first thing he did was check his email. Nothing. He frowned, getting ready for the day instead. After a shower and brushing his teeth, Adrien picked up Allie, his little eevee, and fussed over her a little. Allie was given to him by Chloe a while ago, and she was still a little young to do a lot of the more intensive performances that Adrien did, so she never appeared in his videos. Luckily, that meant she was totally safe to have out at any time, because people wouldn't see her as a pokémon he has in common with Chat Noir. Alya has already pointed that out one too many times. I can get away with my team now but if I add any new members and then have them perform, one of my friends will catch on.

Whatever. I still have my trump card. "Were would I have gotten a roserade? Or a poochyena? I obviously don't have those pokémon, I can't be Chat Noir." Thanks Juleka. And thank you to your wonderful and talented pokémon. Those were fun performances. He finished getting ready and picked up his bag, checking to make sure he had all his pokéballs, before heading off to school.

Normally, when he'd get to school he'd immediately seek out Nino and spend some quality time with his best bro before they had to go to class. It took all of Adrien's self-control to not immediately seek out Juleka. Instead, he suffered through the entire school day, irritating Nino with his nervous energy. He just wanted to scream, he wanted to dance, he wanted to hug someone. Anything. He just wanted to let it out, but no one could know and it was so frustrating.

Nino, Alya, and Marinette all at different points of the day asked if he was okay, and what was going on, but all he could do was smile and tell them he got some "good news" and absolutely refuse to elaborate on what that news was. He kept the same mood all day, just happy jitters that confused everyone except one girl in the back of the room with a small, knowing smile.

That night, Adrien was out the door with a duffel bag containing everything necessary for his transformation, and hurried to the Centrico Plaza PR studio.

Juleka was waiting in the lobby. He called out to her. She turned to him with a smile, and he paused only just long enough to register her black shirt saying "The time is meow" before reaching out to give her the biggest hug he could muster. She wrapped her arms around his neck so he just hugged her middle tightly and picked her up, spinning once for good measure. "Juleka, this is so amazing!"

She just laughed as he set her back down. "The time is meow," she said, indicating her shirt. "It's going to be so rad."

"It will!" Adrien bounced on his toes in excitement. "Oh, by the way, did you get Poochyena out of The Stash?"

"Yep, and re-hid it."

"Why your poochyena likes to roll in your makeup stash so much will forever be a mystery to me."

"Me too, man. I hear Nathanael has a similar problem with his lotad and paint."

"There should be a support group for that."

Juleka just shrugged in response before taking his hand and guiding him to their usual rehearsal room. She shut the door and turned to him, brushing her hair out of her eyes carefully. "Have you thought about asking Marinette about designing a new outfit?"

"Yeah…"

"Not too into it?" She raised her eyebrows.

"It's not that! You know I love Marinette's work." Adrien sat down, opening the bag and pulling out the gym shorts and loose t-shirt that he practiced in. "It's just… I'm not sure I want to tell her that I'm Chat Noir. It was weird enough when you found out. And that turned out fine, but this was supposed to be a secret, you know?"

Juleka nodded thoughtfully. "You could ask her while you're dressed up. If Chat Noir asks her, then she doesn't need to know that Adrien is involved at all."

"I suppose… but why would Chat know who she is in the first place?"

"I recommended her, obviously." Juleka smiled. "I'll ask her if she can do it, and if she agrees then I'll bring her to you here, and you'll be in costume."

"I feel like I should be the one asking her…"

"Then I'll tell her that Chat Noir has something important to talk to her about. If all people know is that I'm friends with you, you could still be anyone."

"That's… true. Do you want to do that?"

"I think Marinette's the best for this." Adrien nodded in agreement. "Did you reply to the email? Are we making an announcement video today?"

"Oh! Yeah, we are. I responded last night and got all the info we need just a few hours ago. I brought the costume so we can do that whenever."

"Let's do it before you practice and get all sweaty."

Adrien had to laugh. "That's probably a good call."