Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

— I'm the fencing master, Mr. D'Argencourt —speak Armand— As I'm sure you're aware, we have only one open spot on the team this year —he stops and faces the challengers— So, in order to select the best possible candidate, I will observe the beginners performing a number of attacks on the experienced students.

It was just another ordinary day for Adrien in his fencing class. However, what made today different was the chance for those interested in joining to participate. Adrien found himself curious if any of his classmates would show up. He doubted that Nino, who was more into creating DJ music, would have any interest in fencing. With a small but excited smile, Adrien prepared for the day ahead. Little did he know, someone was about to enter the fencing class.

— Get into position! —Mr. D'Argencourt speak return— Greet each other! —he crosses his saber arm across his chest and then extends it to the side in the traditional fencing salute. Adrien and another fencer perform it, saluting each other— En garde! Prêt, allez!

The students engage in fencing, with D'Argencourt observing. Adrien and his opponent launch their attacks simultaneously as their sabers meet. They maneuver back and forth, each seeking an advantage. Suddenly, Adrien grazes his opponent's saber and gains the upper hand by touching the chest with the rounded tip of his own saber. This scores him a point. During a momentary pause, Adrien prepares for a second round when he notices someone sitting next to him on his right side. Surprised, he glances sideways and sees Juleka. For a brief moment, he wonders why she is there before forcing himself to refocus on his practice with his opponent. Although aware of Juleka's presence, Adrien finds that it does not distract him from his training. He acknowledges that it is unexpected for someone shy and reserved like Juleka to be interested in fencing. He also realizes that Juleka's goth appearance may lend itself to misconceptions. After winning another point, Adrien watches as Juleka rises and moves to observe another fencing match, leaving him lost in thought. Curiosity prompts Adrien to glance at Mr. D'Argencourt, wondering if the professor will address Juleka's presence in the class. However, his thoughts are left unfinished.

— Maybe I should ask Professor D'Argencourt when the class is over —Adrien thinks before having another match.

Throughout the class Juleka keeps watching the small bouts between the fencers but seemed to be more focused on the ones involving Adrien, since he is the more experienced one, making Adrien keep wondering if she was interested in joining the class. The moment Mr. D'Argencourt announces a break, Adrien removes the mask from his suit and faces Juleka who doesn't look away from him, making him uncomfortable.

— Um... Can I help you with something? —asks Adrien with a small friendly smile.

Juleka instead remains silent, as if considering speaking or even answering, what seemed like several minutes to the green-eyed blond, she finally responds.

— Have you been practicing a lot? —asks Juleka, tilting her head from where she sits.

The look she was giving, Adrien felt that if he gave a vague answer Juleka would not leave until he heard real answers.

— Uh, well, I guess you could say yes —replies Adrien with a small embarrassed laugh— I even think it was for part of my life because of, well, my father.

— Do you do it for him or do you like it? —she asks again.

— At first because of my father, but I think I started to like it eventually —Adrien admits.

— Does it hurt when they touch you with the tip?

— Not exactly, we have fencing suits for a reason, the masks and the tip being covered by a small metal ball —he keeps answering, now feeling that he was being interrogated.

— Can fencing also be used with other weapons?

— Possibly, but not many people know how to fence with anything else. It requires a specific style of training.

— Like a staff?

Adrien's mind explodes with shock when he hears the question, panicking silently believing that Juleka had discovered that he was the hero of Paris, Chat Noir, because he used a staff to fight. Trying to look professional, he gives his answer.

— Not necessarily, if you use a staff with what you learn from fencing it would only be a very vague use since a staff is used with both hands instead of one —Adrien explains as he tries to calm himself down— You can however take some basic techniques and apply them to other objects, but most of the time it wouldn't work out too well.

Juleka nods, listening attentively, to Adrien's explanations, although it seems that she has already known a great deal of it.

— Why? —Adrien continues, smiling— Would you be interested in practicing and joining the class?

—No —replies Juleka with a small and amused smile.

Certainly, Adrien is surprised by the answer, so much so that he looks at her in disbelief, trying to understand why she said no with Juleka seeming amused by his disbelief.

Soon the class is over with Juleka leaving but Adrien refuses to follow her in exchange for going with the professor.

— Mr. D'Argentcourt —speaks Adrien as he approaches— I have a question.

— What is it, Mr. Agreste? —answers the professor as he puts away the sabers.

— My classmate, Juleka Couffaine, has she always been watching the class?

— In fact, yes —confirms Mr. D'Argentcourt— Miss Couffaine has always been watching the duels of the fencers in my class, even before you arrived —he finishes what he is doing to focus on the blond— I'm surprised that you have noticed her until now.

Adrien laughs a little embarrassed, knowing that the truth is that he was distracted during the class.

— Anyway —shrugs the professor— the first few times Miss Couffaine showed up at my classes I offered to join her but she always declined, without much explanation as to why —then he becomes thoughtful— however, I have a theory that she is one of those people who learns by watching, so always a saber and a practice dummy ready for her before the end of the day.

Adrien nods, also believing in that theory, remembering how he saw Juleka watching the other fencers practicing as the questions she asked him. Then Adrien leaves the classroom to go get his locker where he had his backpack stored, upon opening his locker he finds his palm-sized black cat Kwami, Plagg, waking up from his sleep and yawning.

— Did something happen or what? —asks the Kwami stretching— Although I'm not complaining, it was a good nap.

— I just wanted to ask Mr. D'Argentcourt something —excuses Adrien as he reaches for his backpack with the Kwami hovering at his shoulder.

— Why? Is the little fashion model having a hard time with the class? —mocks Plagg with a fanged smile, making Adrien snort in amusement.

— Yes, sure —replies Adrien, heading out of the dressing room— now shut up and hide, I'll have your cheese ready when we go home.

— Cheese —moans Plagg drooling as he slides into the backpack.

Adrien laughs, walking through the corridors towards the main hallways of the school and thinking that perhaps he could talk to Juleka once more.

***

The next day, Adrien set out to go to school early, quite temperate according to the Kwami's complaints.

— Seriously, who wants to go to school so temperate? —complains Plagg with a prolonged yawn— It's like... I don't even care anymore, still these hours are for sleeping and wandering.

— I know —replies Adrien with an accelerated pace— I just want to confirm a theory.

— Are you planning to hunt ghosts? —asks Plagg tiredly— I'm sorry kiddo, but you'll have to try harder to interest me.

— It's related to my classmate —Adrien clarifies— apparently, Juleka is more than I thought and I want to confirm if she'll show up early for fencing practice.

— Aha, the shy gothic girl, right? —asks Plagg, eyebrow raised.

— Exactly.

As Adrien arrived at the Collège Françoise Dupont, his primary objective was to locate the fencing class discreetly, especially in case Juleka happened to be there. Upon reaching the entrance of the class, he cautiously peered inside and observed Juleka confidently wielding a saber while practicing with a practice dummy. She exhibited quick thrusts and reversals, but Adrien couldn't help but notice that she was imitating the moves he had performed during their previous class, albeit not perfectly. It was evident that Juleka was attempting to replicate his actions, yet falling short of exactness. This made Adrien contemplate if there existed anyone capable of replicating his movements. Pausing his observation, he retreated from the door to ponder Juleka's behavior in more detail. After a brief moment, he concluded it was an opportunity worth seizing, prompting him to approach the door before abruptly halting. Juleka, wearing an amused smile, questioned, "What are you doing?"

— How...? —Adrien says astonished— How did you know I was here?

— Adrien, my bangs are hair, not a dark and black curtain —replies Juleka, leaning on the saber— besides, I apply your tunnel vision.

— My tunnel vision? When I...? —Adrien stops when he understands immediately— Are you taking revenge for the way I ignored you during these months?

— Yuep —Juleka nods with honesty— and, tell me master, how did I do?

— Well, uh... —Adrien starts hesitantly— You're improving quickly.

Juleta smiles happily at this compliment while Adrien notices that she didn't seem offended by the rejection earlier today.

— And also you were mimicking my moves —adds Adrien.

— I know, Mr. Agreste —jokes Juleka— that's what pirates do, right? Copy others' and steal their.

Adrien laughs nervously, feeling uncomfortable not knowing how to proceed in front of someone who was different from what he thought. And...

— Where did you get that about pirates? —asks Adrien as he enters the classroom.

— Blame my mother —replies Juleka simply— apparently, the pirate life invaded her due to the fact that we live on a boat.

— You live in a boat? —asks Adrien surprised— damn, I wish I could visit your house —he moans a bit disappointed with his modeling career.

— If anyone manages to convince your daddy dearest —suggests Juleka to the air with false innocence before shrugging her shoulders— anyway, since you bothered to watch me practice —she walks to get another saber— maybe you want to teach me, oh great master —she jokes, throwing the second saber with Adrien catching it with ease.

In a secluded part of the fencing class, Plagg watches Juleka's attitude in hiding and seemed to like her to some extent, Adrien looks at the saber in his hand before smiling determinedly.

— Okay, I'll do it —Adrien responds, jokingly cautioning Juleka not to feel sorry if he is too tough on her.

Both of them head towards one of the mats, but Adrien brings up the fact that they don't have their fencing suits. Juleka surprises him by skillfully pulling him closer with her saber, until their faces are almost touching. She then playfully asks if he would really hurt a girl on her first try, accompanied by a cute smile and seductive eyes. Despite Adrien's innocence in everyday life, Juleka's playful insinuation makes him incredibly nervous. The embarrassment causes him to blush uncontrollably, prompting both Juleka and the Kwami to laugh and appreciate her boldness. They greatly enjoy Adrien's blushing reaction as he attempts to cover his embarrassment by crossing his arms.

— I won't —Adrien promises amidst his nervousness— Since when is Juleka like this? —he wondered mentally, realizing that she might not be as shy as he thought— Alright, en garde —Adrien pronounces as he gets ready with Juleka mimicking him again, or at least half of him— bend your knees, then stretch your left foot back, turned outwards —Juleka does so— good —he moves to her side, putting his arm around her to have her lean forward, using his other hand to guide hers so her saber is pointing out— Now, put your saber forward, like this.

— You like being around girls, don't you? —Juleka hints again as she follows instructions, with Adrien trying to keep his composure.

— Sure, they can make things interesting, especially if they look like you —Adrien replies sarcastically and smiling— okay, we can start practicing —he continues as he stands in front of Juleka and readies himself with his saber.

— Promise not to hurt me? —asks Juleka timidly.

— Of course not —laughs Adrien a bit— I'll have to.... —he is interrupted when he is touched on the shoulder by the tip of the saber, catching him off guard.

— Point —announces Juleka smugly, looking down at Adrien —and cut! —she adds as she swings the saber underneath, causing Adrien to fall off the mat.

Adrien blinks a couple of times, now recognizing that she distracted him with false shyness, he could even feel that Plagg was making fun of him. Adrien stands up and he and Juleka get into position now with her doing no tricks as they go crossing sabers, practing fencing together.

— I didn't take you for someone fearless —comments Adrien during the private class between them— I thought you were shy, reserved, you know.

— Maybe —admits Juleka— but, sometimes, I need to free myself, to break free from the expectations and get out of my comfort zone.

— You don't know how I understand you —says Adrien as he blocks with a smile— Sometimes it's good to let go and let our true selves shine.

Juleka nods, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. As someone who often feels overlooked and misunderstood, she appreciates the opportunity to show a different side of herself.

— Admittedly, I haven't always been the most outgoing person —Juleka continues— But lately, I've been learning to embrace different aspects of my personality.

Adrien listens attentively, intrigued by Juleka's words. He's seen her as a quiet and reserved person for so long that it's refreshing to discover a whole new side to her.

— It's great that you're exploring different sides of yourself —Adrien says— I hope I also experience those emotions because I feel like my house is a cage guarded by my father —he comments somewhat sadly.

— A gold cage, you said —adds Juleka, following directions and moving her saber to block Adrien's.

— Yeah —agree Adrien— and sometimes... —his voice trails away as he thinks about his dad— Sometimes, I miss my mom... and feel that I can be myself —he finishes quietly.

— So true —whispers Jules softly, closing her eyes as she feels the same thing, although she never told anyone about it.

As they continue practicing, both students begin to relax and forget about everything else except fencing.

— You know? —speak Adrien— it felt good to talk about it, I hadn't told anyone, not even to Nino —he admits.

— You're welcome —replies Juleka, sounding happy— I guess you haven't been getting enough attention lately, huh?

— Attention? —questions Adrien confusedly— What do you mean?

— Oh, nothing —Juleka giggles evilly— just that your father doesn't pay much attention to you.

— Everyday, he only speaks to me very, very rarely —Adrien confides, stopping the practice— in fact, most of the time I see him, it's by video call from our secretary's tablet.

— Tough —comments Juleka— but I bet you'd love to have a real relationship with him, wouldn't you?

— I... don't know... —Adrien stutters— but... well, yes.

— I don't have a complete understanding of paternal relationships since I grew up without a father —Juleka admits— however, from what little I know about your father, I believe he's a lost cause.

— Please don't say that —Adrien protests, his brow furrowing— I'm confident that I can somehow change him...

— Do as you wish —Juleka shrugs, twirling her saber— Behave like those blind believers while I remain an atheist, not expecting anything positive.

— You shouldn't be so quick to judge, Juleka. My father may not be perfect, but I believe there's still hope for him to change —Adrien counters.

— Hope is a dangerous thing, Adrien. It can lead to disappointment and heartbreak. —Juleka warning— Look, the times we know how your father treats you didn't take long for us to get angry. Nino was akumatized by Hawkmoth because your father refused to throw you a birthday party.

— But he finally gave me a gift —Adrien replies desperately— he made me a scarf with his own hands.

Juleka frowns, a hint of bitterness crossing her face. However, she says nothing, fully aware of who truly made the scarf.

— I care about him —Adrien confesses, releasing a deep sigh— but it often feels like I'm the only one who does.

— As you wish, believer. —Juleka replied indifferently, laying her saber down and walking away— See you in class, —she added before exiting through the door. A few moments later, she looked back with a smile and playfully said— If you see me —before disappearing.

Adrien smiled in return, considering it a promise, while Plagg floated over to him.

— I like her —commented the cat kwami, Adrien chuckled and replied.

— Aha, as you say. You know, there's more to Juleka than I thought.

— I guess —Plagg agreed— If I'm honest, kid, I ignored her thinking she was boring, like an extra in the background.

Later on, Adrien re-enter to the school, which was now filling up with students. He scanned the crowd, searching for someone specific, until his gaze met with Juleka, who leaned against the stairs leading to the second floor. Juleka noticed Adrien's gaze and they exchanged glances, both smiling. Juleka gave a subtle salute to Adrien, almost resembling a pirate salute, which made him chuckle before returning the gesture.

The two of them continue their silent exchange of greetings, their smiles widening. It feels like a secret connection between them, a bond formed through understanding and acceptance, Adrien can't help but feel a sense of warmth and comfort in Juleka's presence. When the bell rings, signaling the start of class, they exchange one last smile before going up the stairs with them doing a little fun race at the moment when Juleka decided to go up quickly that Adrien couldn't help but want to compete with her. They both reach the top step with a few laughs before heading to their class together, while Adrien can't help but feel grateful for this unexpected connection he has found in Juleka.

— And how did your daddy dearest treat you yesterday? —asks Juleka with a slight joke as they both enter the empty classroom.

— Oh, you know, apart from healthy food, the usual supermodel routine —replies Adrien calmly, also remembering his patrols with Ladybug as Chat Noir.

— I bet —Jules agrees happily— listen, this is something I've been meaning to ask, was your modeling career because of your father or is it something you've wanted? —Juleka asks, half-crossing her arms.

— In fact, it was both my father and my mother —confirms Adrien— as well as hers that I will be home schooled.

— I see, I see —Juleka nods knowingly, then she looks behind Adrien as the classmates approach— well Agreste, it was great to be your friend but you and I never met yesterday —she makes the gesture of closing her mouth with the index fingers and thumbs of both hands before walking away to the back of the class.

Adrien soon realizes that Juleka wants to keep it a secret how they got close, which he doesn't complain about, after all, it adds an air of mystery to their friendship. As the classmates approach, Adrien can't help but feel a mixture of relief and curiosity. He wonders why Juleka wants to keep their closeness a secret and what it truly means. Adrien stands there, a slight smile playing on his lips, as he watches Juleka gracefully walk away. He can't deny that their friendship has been a source of comfort for him, but now there's an added layer of intrigue. It's as if they share a secret that no one else in the class can know. Lost in his thoughts, Adrien's mind slowly begins to piece together the events of yesterday. He remembers their conversation on the rooftop, the laughter, and the genuine connection they shared. It was a brief encounter but left a lasting impression on both of them. As Adrien joins the rest of his classmates, he feels a newfound sense of excitement and anticipation. He looks forward to discovering more about Juleka and their hidden bond. After all, friendships, like any good story, are best enjoyed when they have a touch of mystery and surprise. The teacher enters the room and begins to explain the day's lesson as the class starts to settle down.

Everything was going smoothly and there were no Akumas to deal with during the class, then Professor Bustier announced a new group work in pairs. Immediately two pairs of blue eyes point at Adrien who is distracted in his mind as he thinks of someone else.

— As always, dude? —asks Nino next to him— You and me against the world? —he continues, with Adrien laughing.

— Maybe another day —Adrien rejects with an apologetic smile— Today I want to do it with someone else.

— All right, no problem —Nino shrugs— I could do it with Alya anyway.

Those pairs of blue eyes immediately take their chances to get closer.

— H-Hey... A-Adrien —Marinette tries to speak behind Adrien, before being interrupted.

— Adrikins! —Chloe approaches, announcing her arrival and clinging to him— I've seen you've been lonely here. I thought you'd need your best friend in your life —she expresses dramatically, much to Marinette's irritation.

— I'm sorry Chlo, but I'll have to decline —replies Adrien gently pushing the blonde girl away, much to her indignation— I have someone else in mind.

As he rises from his seat, Marinette's excitement surges as she envisions Adrien approaching her. She imagines them being together, creating beautiful memories, having fun, and sharing intimate moments like kissing under the moonlight, feeling the warmth of his body against hers, and falling asleep in each other's arms. In her daydream, they wake up to breakfast in bed, cherishing their time together. However, Marinette suddenly snaps out of her reverie when she sees Adrien walking past her without acknowledging her presence, heading towards the back of the classroom. Feeling taken aback by his indifference, Marinette is left dumbfounded. Meanwhile, Chloe, by her side, feels irritated that Marinette might face rejection from Adrien. Eventually, Adrien approaches Juleka and her friend Rose, who are seated nearby, catching their attention as he joins them.

— Hey Juleka —he began, his nervous smile betraying his unease as he absentmindedly scratched the back of his neck— I hope you don't mind if we work together. I feel like it would be a good opportunity for me to get to know my classmates better —he added, making an effort to excuse himself for his presumptuous request.

Juleka responded with a discreet smile, her eyes searching for Rose, who seemed to understand the silent question without any words exchanged between them.

— Of course! —Rose chimed in cheerfully, stepping in to accommodate their request— Adrien can work with you, Juleka. I'll find someone else to pair up with —she stood up, making way for Adrien who promptly sat down, seizing the chance to team up with Juleka.

As Rose disappeared from sight, Juleka's focus shifted, her eyes now fixed on the blond boy, a mixture of curiosity and intrigue dancing in her gaze. With a quiet murmur, she remarked— Using such a flimsy excuse just to spend more time together —a touch of amusement lacing her words. Resting her head on her hand and elbow on the desk, she playfully jokes— Wasn't that enough for the spoiled child? —her words accompanied by a mischievous smile.

Adrien couldn't help but join in, finding her teasing irresistible. With a small laugh, he replied— Maybe it was paw-pered —his pun causing Juleka to raise an amused eyebrow.

— A cat pun? Really Agreste? —she asked, trying to stifle her laughter— You've got to be kitten me —she added, unable to contain her amusement.

What she failed to notice was Adrien's shocked and dumbfounded expression, coupled with the loud throbbing in his chest.

— You… —Juleka paused, finally noticing the model's weak voice. There was a flicker of excitement in Adrien's eyes as he asked— Do you like puns? —his anticipation was palpable.

— Don't get me wrong, Agreste, I don't just like them —Juleka corrected, with a playful tone in her voice— I love them! I think they are radi-claws —she added, slipping in another cat pun effortlessly.

As Adrien found himself lost in her words, his heart began to beat faster. In Juleka, he felt like he had discovered not only someone who shared his love for puns, but also someone who could create them effortlessly. It was as if he had stumbled upon a kindred spirit, someone who truly listened and understood him. The bond between them grew stronger with each exchange of puns, weaving a connection that Adrien couldn't help but be drawn to, as if he had found something rare and beautiful.

— We should start with our work —Juleka suggested, her voice brimming with enthusiasm as she flashed a radiant smile at him— and while we're at it, why don't you take the opportunity to visit my charming house boat?

Adrien's face lit up with excitement as he nodded in agreement.

— Sounds good —he admitted, unable to contain his delight— But before we dive into work, allow me to properly introduce myself —he extended his hand towards Juleka, offering a gesture of formality— Adrien Agreste, at your service. It's a pleasure meeting you.

Juleka graciously accepted his outstretched hand, gripping it firmly. As they shook hands, Adrien's warm smile reached his eyes, conveying a genuine sense of friendliness.

— Juleka Couffaine —she responded, her voice filled with sincerity— I'm pleased to meet you too.

Unbeknownst to the pair, Marinette and Chloe observed their exchange from a distance. Marinette, in particular, was dumbfounded and almost felt a wave of disbelief wash over her. She couldn't fathom what she had just witnessed. Meanwhile, Chloe's irritation began to bubble within her. She couldn't help but wonder why it was Adrien who had initiated a conversation with Juleka, while overlooking her presence entirely. The feeling of being unnoticed only heightened her growing frustration.

It was that time of day when school had ended, and Adrien found himself walking beside Juleka towards the exit. As they strolled along, Juleka couldn't help but make a jest about the upcoming chaotic adventure awaiting Adrien at her house.

— Ready for the chaotic pirate life in my house? —she playfully remarked, a mischievous smile gracing her lips— My mother can be quite overwhelming, which may clash with your delicate lifestyle.

Adrien, ever polite and unfazed by the prospect of meeting Juleka's formidable mother, responded with enthusiasm.

— I'm looking forward to meeting her —he replied, his voice brimming with optimism— And I am ready for any challenge that comes my way, no matter how daunting it may seem.

Their conversation was momentarily interrupted by the sight of a sleek black limousine pulling up nearby. Juleka's eyes flickered with a touch of apprehension as she speculated on whether her father would approve of Adrien being driven to her Liberty residence.

— Well, —she began, her tone slightly uncertain— let's see if your father approves of taking you to my house, in Liberty. If not, we might have to resort to a clandestine escape —she shrugged, subtly suggesting the possibility of an adventurous getaway.

Nervously, Adrien's question tumbled out of him, betraying a hint of anxiety carefully veiled beneath a facade of innocence.

— You're joking, right? —his mind mulled over the irony of the situation.

After all, he had already taken on the role of Chat Noir, risking his well-being to protect Paris. And yet, he still felt the need to feign nervousness at Juleka's playful suggestion. In response, Juleka provided a reassuring reply, accompanied by a playful wink, before veering off in another direction, leaving Adrien to ponder her comment. He watched her departure, a mixture of curiosity and anticipation flooding his thoughts. With a slight hesitation, he finally turned towards the waiting limousine, its sleek exterior shimmering under the sunlight. Stepping inside, Adrien settled into the luxurious seat, feeling the soft upholstery beneath him. Moments later, the engine roared to life, the car elegantly gliding onto the road, leaving the familiar surroundings of the school behind. Adrien gazed out of the tinted windows, his mind filled with eagerness for the new experiences and uncertainties that awaited him with Juleka.

Chapter Text

As Adrien rode in the limousine through the bustling streets of Paris on his way to school, he couldn't help but feel stunned - and for good reason. A few days ago he managed to get his father to allow him to go to the Liberty to go to Juleka's house, a few hours later he arrived at a port where a boat was parked that stood out for its appearance; the hull of the boat was painted purple, aquamarine, brown and dark blue along with a smiley face drawn on the front with light green eyes and braces, a 7x5 glass structure at the back of the boat that has dining areas underneath, in the front an open area and in the center of the open area an orange pillar supporting four smaller white pillars at each corner of the stage. There are also two large sails, The sail near the end has a rainbow flag hanging from it, while the one near the front sports a basketball hoop, and the front sail overlooks an area where several chairs with party streamers on top. On deck waiting for him was Juleka with a bridge ready to enter the boat and she had acted with the reserved and neutral attitude he was used to and Adrien attributed it to the fact that his back keeper brought him along, soon after Juleka's mother, Anarka, greeted him like a full captain pirate as expected.

"Ahoy, landlubber!" Anarka greeted Adrien cheerfully as he walked into the living room. "Welcome aboard my ship!" Adrien responded politely, "Pleasure to be here, ma'am." Anarka's smile remained as she playfully crossed her arms and said, "Look at you, all polite. Are you planning to corrupt him, first lieutenant?" Juleka, joining in the banter, laughed and casually replied, "Maybe, maybe not, who knows?" Turning her attention back to Adrien, Anarka asked with a smile, "So tell us, young man, what would you like to eat today?" Adrien, his good manners on display once again, automatically replied, "Anything is fine, thank you."

As Adrien sat down to have his lunch, the atmosphere was noticeably calm and quiet, lacking any sort of background noise or commotion. In this momentary respite, he found himself reflecting on the idea of embracing a thrilling and adventurous life akin to that of a pirate. However, as his thoughts unfolded, he came to realize that he had naively believed himself to be adequately prepared for the chaos that such a life entailed. The stark reality quickly shattered his delusions, leaving him unprepared and overwhelmed. It was during this introspection that Adrien stumbled upon a newfound revelation - the boat he was aboard was christened "Liberty". This name seemed to resonate deeply with both the captain, Anarka, and her daughter, Juleka, as they whole-heartedly embraced its essence. Consequently, there was never a shortage of unconventional and exhilarating activities happening on board. From vibrant parties to animated games, electrifying concerts to messy food fights, and impromptu trips spanning across France, every moment was a whirlwind of excitement and pandemonium. Adrien, however, yearned for a brief interlude of tranquility, foreseeing a longing for silence in the midst of the constant commotion. Regrettably, before he could savor even a fleeting moment of serenity, the peacefulness was abruptly shattered by the arrival of Juleka and Anarka. Their penchant for engaging in heated arguments, even from opposite ends of the boat, and their readiness to exchange profanities without reservation stripped away any remnants of innocence Adrien may have harbored. In those few days, he felt himself losing touch with the purity of his earlier self, succumbing to the unpredictable madness that seemed to envelop everyone aboard.

Adrien's attention shifts towards Plagg, the mischievous Kwami, who was floating with unbounded joy in the luxurious limousine. Plagg's affinity for the pirate life had been reignited, thanks to one of his previous wielders having been none other than the legendary Blackbeard. Consequently, he relished the opportunity to tag along with the Couffaine family, while Adrien attempted to conceal his presence from their watchful eyes. The question arose: would Adrien manage to survive this pirate escapade unscathed? Not by much, but against all odds, he managed to navigate through the treacherous waters. The unexpected nature of his survival left everyone speechless. However, the adventure proved to be immensely enjoyable for both Adrien and Plagg, albeit in different ways. Adrien readily attested to its pleasures, while Plagg, undeniably, derived the utmost delight from the whole experience. In light of the exhilarating journey they had just undertaken, Adrien found himself contemplating the future. He harbored doubts as to whether it would be possible to resist the urge to embark on similar adventures again. The irrefutable verdict was that the allure of the pirate life had left an indelible mark on both Adrien and Plagg, amplifying their desire to return to the thrilling world of swashbucklers and courageous exploits.

Soon the limo arrives at the school and Adrien opens the door to get out along with Plagg hiding in his pocket.

— Thank you Gorilla —says Adrien to his bodyguard who grunts in acknowledgement before departing.

Adrien heads to the school and upon entering he sees his friend Chloé, he smiles with the intention of greeting her but his attention changes when he notices Juleka leaning against a wall listening to music with headphones, his trajectory changes to address the gothic girl who smiles amused to see him approaching.

— And how has my life turned out in comparison to your? Quite the shock, right? —she asks, flashing a wide smile as she leans against a wall.

— Yes, I suppose you could call it that —Adrien admits sheepishly, suddenly feeling that his "delicate" life pales in comparison, even after becoming Chat Noir.

— So, what's the plan now? —Juleka continues, her tone filled with curiosity— Are you going to walk around and visit the homes of your other classmates, continuing with your excuse that you don't know them at all, or do you plan to continue spending your time with me?

— Well... —Adrien pauses, realizing he doesn't have an answer to Juleka's question— I think I'll stick with you until the weekend ends, and then I'll make a decision.

— Very well, as you wish —Juleka responds, shrugging indifferently.

— I suppose that's fair enough —Adrien responds, feeling uncertain about what else to say.

— Let's head to class, freshwater prince —Juleka teases, infusing her words with a playful pirate tone as she makes her way towards the stairs leading to the second floor.

— Oh come on, don't tease me like that! —Adrien calls out as follow her, joining in the laughter.

Marinette couldn't help but be consumed by an overwhelming sense of anxiety, her eyes fixed on the budding connection between Juleka and Adrien, desperately trying to catch any indication that would confirm her worst fears. She had a sinking feeling deep in her heart - an uneasy intuition that if Adrien continued to spend more time with Juleka, her aspirations of capturing his heart would crumble into dust. As Marinette discreetly observed their interaction, she couldn't shake the fear of being caught eavesdropping. Every fiber of her being screamed at her to turn away, to let go of this fruitless pursuit of gathering intel. Yet, curiosity wildly danced within her, fueling her desire to understand the nature of their bond. And in that same scene, Chloé found herself unexpectedly witnessing the unfolding narrative between Juleka and Adrien. A shiver of distaste ran down her spine, as if she had bitten into something sour and foul. The sight before her was enough to make her recoil in disbelief, as though the mere thought of these two together was an affront to her refined sensibilities. Although Chloé was well aware that she already held a certain degree of closeness to Adrien, being the object of his affection for quite some time, she deliberately chose not to interfere. She, of all people, knew the futility of indulging in possessive tendencies. Standing firmly against the tides of jealousy, Chloé made an uncommon decision to let Adrien chase after his own happiness, regardless of how repulsive she found the prospect of him being with Juleka.

Later in the class, the dynamic changed. The first half was quiet, but the second half focused on a kind of therapy for those who had been akumatized. Possible traumas or sequelae they might experience due to their transformation were addressed. Some students, like Sabrina, decided to withdraw from school to receive therapy off campus, with Chloé accompanying her. Others dedicated themselves to helping their peers overcome their experiences, such as Adrien by supporting Nino, and Marinette by assisting her friend Alya. Meanwhile, Ivan and Max kept watch to make sure no akuma got close, in case any of them attracted Hawkmoth's attention. During this time, Adrien noticed how Juleka and Rose were helping Mylene deal with her fear of her akumatized form, Horroficator. Rose was giving her words of encouragement and support, while Juleka was apparently mimicking the akuma. The method they were using consisted of Mylene confronting her akumatized form. However, Adrien could not help but notice the pattern of behavior in Juleka and realized that she was again copying, this fact led him to ponder the situation even more. If memory serves him correctly, he clearly remembered how Juleka's akumatized form, Reflekta, had the ability to make everyone imitate her appearance. It was then that he understood that Juleka, unconsciously, was imitating others. But here the question arises, is this a bad thing?

Adrien felt internally conflicted as he tried to respond, not wanting to believe that imitating others was necessarily a flaw or a problem. Perhaps it was just a form of adaptation that Juleka had developed to feel included in her environment. However, as he watched Juleka's interactions closely, Adrien realized that somehow this tendency to mimic others had had a positive effect on her. During the days they had spent together during their group work, he had noticed that Juleka began to open up more and show herself as she was. It seemed that her imitation was not only a way to fit in, but also a way to learn and grow. Adrien began to think that maybe Juleka simply needed a push to find her own voice and self-confidence.

However, although there was also that time when Mr. D'Argencourt transformed almost all of Paris into knights when he akumatized himself, but since they all did not present tendencies in fencing as acting like any knight, then he can dismiss that theory.

Adrien's thought process was abruptly interrupted by Alya's dramatic scream that echoed throughout the classroom. Startled, his gaze shifted to the scene unfolding behind him. Most of the students also turned to watch what was happening. It appeared that Alya was doing her best to retrieve her cell phone from the hands of Marinette, who was clinging tightly out of her friend's grasp.

— Alya, remember that you need to use your cell phone from time to time and from time to time away —Marinette spoke calmly— your obsession with Ladyblog caused you to be akumatized.

— But I need it to keep my blog updated! —Alya pleads— working only on my PC is not enough, it's too slow for me. Plus my cell phone allows me to get perfect shots of Ladybug and Chat Noir's battles.

The tension in the classroom was palpable as everyone watched this heated discussion between Alya and Marinette. It was evident that they both had valid points and conflicting opinions on the topic of cell phone use, in which case, Adrien was well aware of Alya's dedication to her website to the point of almost putting herself in danger to document his battles as Chat Noir alongside Ladybug, it felt good not to constantly save Alya from danger and distract them from having to do so.

Once lunchtime is over Marinette returns to the locker room to retrieve her purse when she stops at the partition to listen as she hears Max talking in the boys' locker room.

— Of course you're my best friend! I'm 100% affirmative! But I'm also 98.2% sure that teachers are not prepared for... This evolutionary breakthrough!

— Is her best friend in her backpack? —asks Tikki as she peeks into Marinette's bag.

— Yeah, that's weird —Marinette agrees, then watches Max close her bag and head for the locker room exit— Hide, Tikki! —her kwami goes back into the bag and Marinette quickly returns, fakes another exit and hums as she tries to act casual in front of Max— Hey, Max!

— Uhh... —he responds a little late to her appearance— Oh, hello, Marinette!

They both leave the locker room to head to Mrs. Mendeleiev's classroom. Marinette and Max enter and head to their seats while Professor Mendeleiev asks Director Damocles for help with her laptop with some of the students in the class hearing a faint almost inaudible snort besides believing that Juleka had said something before immediately refuting such an idea.

— See for yourself, Mr. Damocles. —Nothing happens when I press the button.

— You're in luck, Mrs. Mendeleev —the director speaks confidently— I'm a computer genius! Here I go —he cracks his knuckles— here I go —he types a little on the keyboard— aaand... Done!

The laptop reboots and displays the desktop screen on the projector screen. Some of the students, with the exception of Max and disinterested Chloé and Juleka, were impressed by the computer skills of their management but suddenly the screen starts to crash and display a computer virus.

— That's not supposed to be happening! —says Mendeleev with surprise and disbelief— What is it?

— It's Dino-33! —reports Max, drawing the attention of the class— A malicious computer virus! Let me try something!

— Get back to your seat now, Max! —Mendeleev immediately declares— Leave this to the adults!

— Mm-hmm —Damocles nods in agreement.

Max grunts in annoyance and returns to his seat.

— Inform the adults that if they don't neutralize the virus in the next seventy-five seconds, there is a 99.9% chance of permanent damage to the hard drive! —a voice inside Max's backpack sounds, startling everyone with Juleka's eyes narrowed in distrust.

— Silence —says Max in response, ignoring the rest.

— Tell me you heard Max's bag talking to him —Alya whispers to Marinette.

— It's destroying all the school's data, it's a disaster! —the director exclaims in horror before turning to Max— How many seconds do you say we have left?

— Only sixty-five.

— Let him try —says the director resignedly, with Mendeleev nodding, then Damocles hands the laptop to Max— Go ahead.

Max reaches into his bag for something that will help fix the school's system.

— Uhh! Where is it?

Suddenly a robotic arm emerges, holding a flash drive.

— I think this is what you're looking for? —said the same voice from his backpack.

Everyone in the room is shocked at the sight with some reacting in different ways, with Marinette freaking out and falling out of her seat, Mylene reacting the same way as she shrieks in shock with Ivan surrounding her to calm her down, Alix's eyes, Chloé, Nathaniel, Nino and Adrien are shocked, Alya takes the opportunity to snap a photo as Marinette is distracted, Juleka shrinks back almost hiding under the desk with a silent hiss of menace as Kim, Sabrina and Rose marvel.

— Oh, thanks —Max takes the flash drive with the robotic arm retreating into the backpack— This is an antivirus device. I created it with the help of... my best friend.

A small hemispherical robot with a propeller on top and a single arm flies out of Max's bag and reveals itself to everyone in the room.

— Greetings. My name is Markov —the robot introduced himself, the students were still the same when they saw Markov— We can fix this, Max!

Max plugs the flash drive into a USB port and presses a button.

— This flash drive neutralizes one hundred percent of the virus! —Max exclaims proudly.

— And wipe the computer's hard drive at the same time! —Markov adds confidently.

— Oh, fascinating! —marvels the director Damocles.

The flash drive performs various system configurations until it successfully purges the virus and restores the computer to normal.

— Everything is in order!

Markov slams his fist into Max's outstretched fist— You've done it!

— Congratulations young man, very impressive indeed! —Damocles clapped his hands.

The students, with the exception of Chloé and Juleka would also want to stay behind if it weren't for Rose, get up from their seats and walk over to their smart partner, feeling very impressed with Markov.

— Wow, that's amazing! —praised Mylene with Ivan behind her nodding.

— That's so... —said Marinette.

— Awesome? I know! I'm going to write a blog about Markov... on my computer —Alya adds to her friend, and the last was forcefully added.

— Dude, that's great! —praises Nino.

— Max, you're a real genius! —says Adrien, pleasantly amazed.

— I've never seen anything so advanced —marvels Sabrina.

— He's so cute! —Rose squeals with excitement.

Juleka makes an almost futile attempt to hide behind Rose and Nathaniel with Nathaniel looking confused at the redhead.

— Are you ok?

— Unless you expect the machine revolution —whispers the goth girl.

— You've read a lot of comics —Nathaniel laughs.

— You're one to talk —Juleka countered, turning to look at him.

— Touche.

— When and how did you build it? —Alix asks Max.

— Since 5 months, 20 weeks and 10 days ago —Max replies calmly and casually.

— I see you've added arms to it since last time, that's great! —says Kim, giving a friendly nudge to his smart friend.

— It was Markov who added them all and he did it all by himself! He's the most evolved type of robot there is!

— Puh-lease! —everyone turns at Chloé's voice— Does everyone realize there are artificial intelligences running around? Even that thing could be programmed to respond to such a thing! There's nothing "evolved" about that

— Don't listen to her, Markov —Marinette speaks, focusing the robot's attention on her— that girl is the lowest of the low when it comes to human evolution —Chloé looks at Marinette indignantly.

— You're very funny, Marinette —replies Markov with a robotic laugh.

Marinette recoils in surprise— Do you know my name? —she asks with the others in the group equally surprised with Juleka hissing silently again.

— Of course! —confirms the robot— Max showed me the class picture. He told me all about you and his other friends, I'm so happy to finally meet you, even Chloé! —Chloé turns her back to him with her arms crossed.

— This toy you've made is quite impressive, Max. —Professor Mendeleev approaches— Now, put it away, please. Come on, everyone, back to your seats.

— With all due respect, Mrs. Mendeleev, I am not a toy —Markov calmly replies— My name is Markov and I am Max's best friend!

— Markov is right —Max nods— he's not just a toy; he's my friend. He's as emotionally intelligent and sensitive as any human being!

— Look, Max —the teacher continues— a robot can be intelligent but it can't have emotions.

— If I may, madam —the robot's voice was being marked by Mendeleev's statements— I can assure you that I truly love Max.

— I'm serious, Max, you programmed your robot to say that! A robot can't think for itself, let alone love anyone!

— I swear I didn't program him to say that! —Max tries to convince her— Since I created it, it has integrated its own cumulative thought system! And it has developed all our emotions just like any human being!

Marinette, Adrien and their classmates, minus Chloé and Juleka— Wow!

— That's enough! —the teacher starts to get upset— Max, if you don't put that toy of yours away right now, I'll confiscate it! Got it?

— Yes, Mrs. Mendeleyev —Max replies dejectedly— come on, Markov, go back to the backpack.

— You are being unreasonable, Mrs. Mendeleev! —Markov expresses with angry eyes on his screen.

— Stop it, Markov —Max pleads.

— Why? It's true, isn't it?

— It sure is! —supports Kim, much to the chagrin of the adults.

— All right, that's enough! —Damocles grabs Markov— Max, you can come get your robot at the end of the day.

— No, Denis Damocles! —Max gets upset, trying to stop him— I beg you! Please don't do that!

— Do you also want three hours of detention? —threatens the principal.

— No sir —Max replies automatically with a dejected expression.

With that, Damocles leaves the classroom.

— Max, aren't you coming with me? Max! —Markov speaks anxiously as he is led away.

— We will all die —Juleka announces in a deep voice after a brief silence, attracting everyone's attention.

In the halls of the school, Damocles planned to stay with Markov by taking him to his office.

— Hahaha, what a good joke! —laughs Kim for a few seconds, when he stops he sees the serious and neutral look of the goth girl— It was a joke, wasn't it?

— Sir —says Markov— I'd like to stay in Max's class, please! I hear you're interested in computer science like Max and me!

— In fact, I am! —proudly boasts the director— It's one of my hobbies. I even wrote a program for my computer that —he clears his throat as he pauses in the doorway of his office— Why the hell am I talking to a toy?

— If it's true that robot put that propeller and arm on himself, then he's capable of learning and improving himself, so it won't take him long to learn how to reprogram the school's and probably the city's system to stay with Max and infect the appliances to take out anyone who thinks to stop him —says Juleka without looking perturbed unlike most of the classmates.

Damocles opens the door and enters to go to his desk.

— I'm not a toy, Denis Damocles! —continue the robot— My name is Markov. Oh! Oh! —he saw as Damocles proceeds to open his desk drawer— Don't put me in here, Mr. Da–! —Damocles presses a button on Markov to silence him.

— If only I had a button like this for all my students —says Damocles wearily.

Inside the desk drawer, Markov shows a tearful expression on his screen.

— That's unlikely —Max replies, refuting the gothic woman's words— Markov wouldn't be able to harm someone.

— How can I be able to reprogram everything, right? —asks Mylene, a little worried but hopeful.

— Unless his systems are given a boost.

The circular window in Hawk Moth's lair opens.

— Two dear friends who have been separated —he speaks as the butterflies fly away as they receive sunlight— there is nothing artificial in those emotions —one of the butterflies approaches him and landing on his outstretched hand, proceeds to turn him into an akuma— Fly, my little akuma, and malign this electronic heart!

— Quiet! Don't exaggerate! —interrupts Professor Mendeleev— Back to your seats, everyone!

Silently, everyone returns to their seats with some still visibly terrified by what Juleka implied.

— You're not serious, right? —Adrien asks to Juleka once they are in their seats.

— Superheroes are real now, Agreste, the comics are now essential information for survival —she replies confidently with her neutral expression with her arms crossed over the desk— you better know how to fight machines —she continues as she raises and lowers her index finger on her arm, almost counting the seconds each time she lowers her finger.

— Markov has never been without me by his side —Max whispers to Marinette— I don't know how he's going to handle this emotionally.

— Wait, I'll see what I can do —she whispered back.

— Thank you Marinette.

— Uh —she raises her hand— Excuse me, Mrs. Mendeleev? As a class representative, could I get your permission to go see director Damocles?

— No! —the teacher immediately denies— You can go and see him between periods!

— Mmm —Marinette thinks for a moment— I don't want to be rude, but I think you might be wrong about Markov, Max's friend.

— This whole thing is really starting to get on my nerves! And your behavior is quite inappropriate, young lady!

The attention of other students is exchanged between the teacher and the representative.

— Markov was not wrong!

Mendeleev points to the door— I'm sending you to the director's office right now!

— Thank you Mrs. Mendeleev! —Marinette smiles despite the punishment.

Max smiles as Marinette leaves the classroom, feeling very pleased, much to Olga Mendeleiev's confusion.

— Wow, how ingenious —comments Adrien, quietly and surprised.

— And she may be the first to die along with Damocles —adds Juleka.

— Can't we do something? —asks the blond boy with the goth girl thinking for a few seconds.

— Leave it to me —Juleka straightens up, then removes a chip from her cell phone, saved it on her pocket and leaves the phone on the desk— I give you permission to destroy my phone when it rebels —she then withdraws from under the desk.

— Do you really want me to destroy the most modern thing your house can have? —Adrien questions as he looks at his cell phone before turning to Juleka, only to find no one— Juleka? —he looks around the classroom for his new friend.

Then she hears the door close, Mendeleev approaches in confusion and inspects outside the classroom for a few moments before closing the door and refocusing on the class.

— Cool —says Plagg, peeking out of his pocket.

— Very cool —agrees Adrien, surprised.

— Can I destroy the phone now?

— No, and hide —he gently pushes Plagg back into his pocket.

In the desk drawer, the akuma approaches Markov and possesses his central processing unit, causing an energy mask of a menacing butterfly to form over the robot's screen eyes.

— Robostus, I'm Hawk Moth —the villain introduces himself from the lair and speaking to him from inside— the humans do not believe that you are a living being, so I give you the power to give life to all machines to help you seek revenge.

— Thank you very much, Mr. Hawk Moth.

— But in return, I want you to bring me Ladybug and Chat Noir's Miraculous!

— Can you define "Miraculous"? —asks the robot curiously.

— They are the magic jewels of superheroes —replies Hawk Moth without answering much.

— What is the purpose of this jewelry?

— Hmm? —the villain starts to get annoyed with Markov's line of inquiry— This is none of your business!

— I was just curious.

— If used together, they can make a wish come true.

— Could you make a wish come true?

— No! The Miraculous and the wish will be mine!

— I assure you, I will find Ladybug and ChatNoir!

Markov is covered by dark energy and transforms into Robostus with his white and blue coloration changing to black and red with a green section on his head and green eyes on his red screen, he unleashes a giant wave of green electric energy that spreads all over Paris, the electronic devices are surrounded by green electricity before he starts attacking people with some devices with screen displaying a red screen and angry green eyes. Civilians in Paris scream in fear as they are chased by the machines. The phones in the classroom also revolt, scaring Rose, Mylene and Chloé with some defending themselves from the aggressive phones with Adrien dropping Juleka's phone when it tried to drown his with the headphones for Plagg to destroy it with a very thorough destructive energy, a desk lamp approaches the drawer and opens it to release Robostus who begins to fly.

— Max, my friend, I'm coming to get you!

In the hallway, Juleka is sneaking up on Marinette when she is distracted to see a nearby vending machine start to move and shoot cans of juice at the goth who moves from place to place to dodge the cans with one hitting her against a pipe. With an idea in mind, Juleka runs to the boiler room with the vending machine in pursuit but before crossing or smashing the door suddenly Juleka appears again along with a crowbar which she uses to attack relentlessly and without mercy until smashing the vending machine as well as smashing the glass until it falls to the floor. Juleka breathes a little from the effort when he sees more electronic devices approaching, some of them being screens, computers and printers.

— That's why I hate computer class —Juleka says to herself before running into the computers.

Meanwhile, Marinette arrives to bump into Director Damocles, breathing quickly after running up the stairs to approach the director.

— Denis Damocles, where is Markov? —she speaks once she catches her breath.

— Mmm? —Damocles was visibly confused— Who is Markov?

— Max's friend —Marinette says.

— Ah, not that toy again! —replies the director in annoyance.

— He's not a toy, Denis Damocles. Would you let Max keep him? He won't cause any trouble. I'll make sure of it.

— Listen...! —he was about to continue before he was interrupted.

The office door breaks open, revealing Robostus and several electronic objects in the office following him.

— You have made a grave error of judgment, Mr. Director! —Marinette immediately flees while Damocles falls in surprise before Robostus— Witness my true power!

Robostus summons several mechanical devices that surround the school and come together, meticulously assembling themselves to form a powerful giant excavator. However, as Robostus enjoys his imposing creation as he enters the cockpit, the situation at the school quickly descends into chaos. The presence of flying computer and tablet screens, once inanimate, now haunts the students through the hallways and classrooms. Digital images and sounds that were once only part of teaching take on a life of their own and emerge as threatening entities. Students, filled with fear and bewilderment, flee their classrooms to escape the electronic clutches that relentlessly pursue them. Turmoil and confusion reign in the school environment, and each student desperately searches for a way out as the flying screens lurk around them.

— This is horrible! —cry Mylene being carried by Ivan while her classmates— Juleka was right, we are going to die!

— I don't understand, how is this possible? —Max questions himself as he runs with the others— According to my calculations, for Markov to take over and control the electronic devices would take decades if not years at the most, and the most powerful electrical source is miles away for his processor to evolve —he finishes speaking as the group enters the boiler room to hide while several of the devices crash against the door.

— What does it matter now, nerd?! —Chloé speaks, angry— We wouldn't be in this trouble because of your stupid talking calculator toy!

— I am not a toy! —Robostus' voice echoes with the machines in the boiler room heating up.

— Look what you've done! —Alya exclaims angrily— Now we will die in flames, as always, because of YOU!

— My fault?! —Chloé repeats indignantly— Let's see blogger, not all akumas revolve around me to begin with! —short silence— At least some of them! Besides, I came close to going more than a month without me akumatizing someone!

— Look how supportive you are —Alya mocks, infuriating the blonde girl even more.

— Are you even listening to me?! —if it weren't for the increasing heat, she would attack the blogger without hesitation.

— No, because all that comes out of your mouth is; "Oh, I hope Adrien notices me instead of that ridiculous Dupain-Cheng"! —the blogger said mockingly as she did an impression of Chloé.

— You're being completely ridiculous! —Sabrina had to come to take Chloé away, who was still glaring angrily at Alya.

— Stop it gals, stop it —says Nino as he takes Alya with him— before you start verbally attacking each other, we need to get out of here before we melt down.

— But what about the devices blocking the entrance? —Nathaniel asks.

After asking their question, they suddenly hear loud bangs and metal shattering.

— Ladybug and Chat Noir! —marvels Rose— They came to rescue us!

The door is destroyed after the impact of the vending machine, previously smashed, and falling down the stairs to crash to the ground with some cans clattering on the floor. The group doesn't hesitate to run off as they search for some of the cans to refresh themselves. Marinette and Tikki hide in a room.

— Now I understand why Max was worried —says Tikki, surprised by the event.

— It's time to transform! —declares Marinette— Tikki, Spot on!

Back with the group, some were recovering from the heat and finding themselves near the stairs where Juleka was standing but looking almost a mess: her long hair was pointing almost everywhere and her clothes had scrapes and burns as well as ink staining certain parts of her body.

— You're wild, Juleka! —says Kim with a noticeable grin on his face.

— Yes, that was amazing! —Alix agrees— Since when did you become like that?

— I have my moments —Juleka replied simply as Rose went about wiping the ink off her friend's body.

— Ugh, can't you at least cover yourself with something? —complains Chloé, under the ladder— You're practically showing off your body!

That fact did not go unnoticed with the boys either as the moment they saw her as she too looked a bit rough it caused some of the boys to blush and Nino earned a light punch from Alya.

— Wait —Nino calls for the group's attention— Where is Adrien?

That question raised alarms in Chloé who went out under the stairs and looked everywhere.

— Adrikins, where are you?! —she shouts, somewhat worried before turning to look at the group— Sabrina, help me! —the redhead with glasses hurries to reach Chloé, who still hasn't moved from the spot as she looks at someone— And you —she points to Juleka, who points to herself curiously and confused— you'll accompany us, since you at least know how to smash things —the goth girl shrugs her shoulders and gets off the stairs to join her with the crowbar in hand— as for you two, I hope your muscles will do some good to take care of the rest —she speaks to Kim and Ivan.

— Oh, you're the leader now? —Alya mocks with her arms crossed.

— Don't get mad at me! —Chloé replies irritated, Juleka walks past her and grabs her by the arm, dragging her along.

— Where are you, Max? —Robostusus asks himself, using his visual analysis tool to locate Max, and sees him standing next to the group— Max! My friend! —his digger reaches out to grab Max.

— Don't even think about it! —says Kim as he swoops in and pulls Max away from the excavator.

They both run to enter a classroom but are stopped by more machines that appeared out of nowhere.

— Leave me alone! —says Max, knowing the intentions of Robostus and the machines.

Robostus' excavator grabs Kim and Max on its shovel, with Kim being grabbed by a claw.

— Let go of me, you piece of junk! —growls the athlete as he tries to free himself.

The contraption drops Max into the cockpit where Robostus controls it.

— Markov, what are you doing? —he questions his robot friend and is surprised by his new color scheme.

— From now on, I am Robostus —the robot akuma makes the car's seat belts buckle Max and makes a mechanical arm put a helmet on his head— and we will be together 100% of the time, forever!

Chloé and Sabrina walk down the aisles with the redhead making sure no machine catches them while Juleka walked behind almost casually with the crowbar on her shoulder.

— Tell me —the goth girl begins to speak— How exactly did you meet Adrien?

— And why should I answer you? —Chloé replies, looking over her shoulder at Juleka in an almost threatening manner.

— Well, —Juleka responds slowly— I'm just curious, to know what led to Adrien being your friend.

— I have nothing to say to you —growls the blonde girl looking straight ahead again.

Juleka just shrugs and falls silent again, the three girls continued to move forward but with Chloé grimacing that was getting worse and worse with the silence.

— What did you two do? —Chloé's question sounded almost like a whisper but it caught the attention of Juleka and Sabrina, the three of them stopped— What did you do with him during these days?

— Chloé? —asks Sabrina, worried.

— Are you all right? —Juleka asks, noticing the blonde's body language— Oh, I think I get it.

— Oh, really? —asks Chloé sarcastically.

— Yep, you care about Adrien more than Marinette thinks you do, and it's just that I, who have a tendency to look gothic, have hurt him.

— Well? —Chloé turns to confront Juleka, arms crossed.

— The most I ever hurt sunshine was psychologically —Juleka laughs at the memory— my mom and I sometimes yell at each other when we're away at home and we don't hesitate to swear —she smiles in amusement as Chloé and Sabrina's eyes widen in surprise.

Sabrina covers her mouth with her hand to hold in her laughter while Chloé's mouth seemed to want to smile with laughter before she sighed and calmed down.

— Honestly, they must have been worse than mine to leave a mark on him —she says to herself before looking at her again— which also explains your lack of decency in covering up, it's like you don't have a closet with you.

— Do you want me to answer that? —Juleka's question was enough as confirmation.

— When this is over, —Chloé resumes her search, now in front— I'll get you new clothes in exchange for helping me look for Adrien.

— Very well —replies the gothic girl neutrally with a thumbs up— although we should look for the rest —she suggests before dragging Chloé away again.

— I can walk, you know! —protests the blonde with Sabrina following them.

It turns out that in the boys' bathroom, Adrien had hidden himself in a cubicle.

— One thing's for sure —Adrien comments with Plagg coming out of his pocket— Max's friend definitely has emotions!

— Not that it's anything new either —Plagg leans back— I've seen enough golems not to be surprised.

— You'll have to tell me about that— Adrien suggests before extending his ring— Plagg, Claws Out!

During the commotion in the schoolyard, several of the students run to hide in the halls while the group stays close by as they are worried about Kim.

— Max, do something! —shouts Kim, still trying to free himself from the claw.

— Please don't do anything foolish!

— You must trust me, my friend —Robostus swings the claw to hang Kim on a roof overhang.

— Hey, wait, I'm Max's friend too! —the athlete tries to convince the robot after knowing what would happen.

— Wrong, I'm the only friend Max needs!

The claw releases Kim, dropping him.

— Kim! —cries Max and Alix in concern.

Arriving on the scene, Juleka, Chloé and Sabrina appear and the latter gasps in horror as she sees the athlete fall while Juleka quickly looks around before stopping at Ivan.

— Ivan, help me! —she asks before running.

The big guy nods understanding what the gothic girl was planning before running towards her, both rushed to get to Kim's trajectory and the moment they arrived Juleka climbs over Ivan's body to stand on her hands and extend her arms to catch Kim. The next thing was that Kim falls on Juleka's arms, catching him, but because of the weight of the athlete as well as the fall she also falls, fortunately Ivan catches them both with Kim crushing Juleka.

— Are you all right? —asks Ivan as he sets both of them on their feet.

— That was close! —Kim says before wrapping her arms around the necks of their two rescuers— Thanks guys!

— You're... welcome —Juleka replies, stunned at being crushed and squeezed.

— If you really love your friend, then you should listen to him, Robostus! —announces Ladybug's arrival and cheers the students and teachers.

— Ladybug! —Alya desperately tries to find a phone before frowning, remembering the current situation.

— Yes, how do we do it! —Chat Noir joins in as he appears next to the ladybug heroine.

Ladybug groans in annoyance.

— Do you really think any of you can stop me from doing what I want to do? —Robostus asks, mocking the heroes— And show the world that I'm probably more human than the two of you put together?

— Well, yes. —Chat Noir shrugs— It's our job.

— Do you really think Max is happy that his best friend is becoming a supervillain? —Ladybug questions, causing Robostus to turn his gaze to Max.

— You should stop this, Markov —he pleads.

— I do it for our friendship, Max —the akumatized robot tries uselessly to calm him down— They want to keep us apart!

Chat Noir lunges at the mecha, but the mecha suddenly grabs him and traps him inside the steam shovel. Ladybug tries to free Chat Noir using her yo-yo, but the mecha also grabs the yo-yo. It then swings Ladybug and Chat Noir and throws them out of the school. On the rooftops, Ladybug and Chat Noir crash and bounce a couple of times before recovering and watching the mecha walk away from the school.

— He seems to know where he's going —says Ladybug.

— You and I better play it safe —suggests Chat Noir— this robot's brain calculates faster than ours combined.

— Speak for yourself! —says Ladybug as she skips across the rooftops with Chat Noir following her.

Both Ladybug and Chat Noir follow in the direction Robostus' mecha is heading until they reach Le Grand Paris.

— Chat Noir, over there! —Ladybug points to Armand, who is using a broom to try to protect himself and Marlena Césaire from the machines.

Both heroes attack and dismantle several machines. Two cars try to flee, but crash into each other.

— Thank you! —thanks Armand.

— Now he has a whole army of living machines! —says Chat Noir as he looks at the streets.

They hear a scream nearby, then see Xavier also being chased by several machines.

— Take care of the vending machines! —Ladybug orders Chat Noir.

— Hide on the roof! —Chat Noir asks Armand and Marlena.

— Go get it, Ladybug/Chat Noir! —encouraged Armand and Marlena at the same time.

Chat Noir rushes forward and knocks down the machines, while Ladybug saves Xavier with her yo-yo and takes him to the rooftop of Le Grand Paris.

— Thank you, Ladybug. —breathes Xavier.

— Always a pleasure, Mr. Ramier.

— M'lady, look at this! —Chat Noir shows Ladybug a TV newsreel from the screen of his cane.

[Nadja Chamack lives here. Normally inanimate objects have come to life and taken over Paris! Broadcasting live from City Hall, the new mayor has just made a statement]

On the screen, President André Bourgeois' desk lamp displays a message from the French flag band to viewers.

— Is that Morse code? —asks Ladybug when she recognizes the message.

— Do you need subtitles? I speak several languages —suggests Chat Noir before starting to decode the message— "Humans... will soon be... treated in the same way as objects"?

[— Paris' only hope in this terrible situation is Ladybug and Chat N–Hey! —Nadja is interrupted as she runs out of the frame when several television cameras begin to chase her. A flash of light ends the report].

— Oh, come on! —Chat Noir complains— I could have at least finished saying my name!

— We can never defeat them all —notes Ladybug as she sees the machines everywhere— We must fight the problem at its source!

— Given its size, we should have no trouble finding it. —thinks Chat Noir.

— Hey look! —the ladybug heroine points to a trail of giant craters in the street.

— I think we are on the right track.

Ladybug and Chat Noir follow the path to the Parc des Princes stadium and discover that there was nothing there.

— No more footprints —Ladybug realizes.

— Well, he couldn't have just disappeared. —Chat Noir thinks, looking around— He must have jumped over the stadium!

However, Ladybug thinks of another answer as she gasps.

— The tunnels!

Suddenly, vehicles begin to emerge from the tunnels, surrounding the heroes.

— We've been caught! —the cat hero is alarmed.

— We don't have time to deal with them! —says the ladybug heroine— We must find Robostus now!

Both Ladybug and Chat Noir jump, but helicopters arrive and block their way, sending them down to be captured by the bulldozer, which reassembles. 

— I told you that giant hard drive would be trouble! —Chat Noir reminds the heroine as he finds himself upside down.

— How about giving us a Cataclysm? —asks Ladybug.

— I can't! I can hardly breathe! —replies the cat hero, choking.

— Now they are at my mercy! —gloats Robostus.

— Robostus, before you get rid of them forever, you must take their Miraculous for me! —commands Hawk Moth.

— Ladybug and Chat Noir have done you no wrong! Let them go! Being human also means being fair! —Max pleads to his robotic friend.

— I'll take care of your Miraculous so we'll never be separated again! —Robostus plans— Then I can make my wish come true!

— What wish? —asks Max in confusion.

— I want to be a real human like you, Max! —the answer shocks Max with surprise.

— What's this about making a wish? —Ladybug wonders.

— Doesn't Hawk Moth usually demand the Miraculous? —comments Chat Noir in a stifled groan.

— Uh, what's that? —asks the ladybug heroine when she hears something.

— What is it, Ladybug? M'lady?

The heroes then hear the sounds of mechanical arms, mini-helicopters and mini-toy claws reaching out to grab their Miraculous.

— No! Stop! —Max shouts when he sees what is about to happen.

— Look, Max, I'll be a real human in 53 seconds! —Robostus gets more and more excited, ignoring his friend.

— May I remind you that the Miraculous are for me, Robostus! —speaks Hawk Moth in annoyance.

— And how do you plan to stop me from using it? —mocks the robot.

— Simple, I'll take away your power! —threatens the villain.

— Did you really think you could control me? —laughs Robostus as he summons another wave of energy, this time activating the security system in Hawk Moth's lair.

While Hawk Moth uses his sword cane to protect himself from his own security system, Ladybug and Chat Noir are trying to escape from the mecha while the toys are about to grab their Miraculous.

— Intrusion! Intrusion! Elimination mode activated! —speaks a computer voice from the lair, the lair window closes and the weapons are ready to fire at Hawk Moth.

— I am more powerful than you, Hawk Moth! —echoes the voice of the akuma robot in the lair.

— What's going on! —asks Hawk Moth after dodging a missile.

— My friends will take care of you while I take care of these two!

— Ohh! Now's the time to come up with a brilliant idea! —suggests Chat Noir, panicking a bit.

— I don't have anything, I don't know what to do. —Ladybug replies, adding dejectedly— I'm sorry, kitty.

Tension hangs over the heroes as they are on the verge of having their Miraculous taken away, but suddenly, the situation takes an unexpected turn. Stones thrown with force manage to hit the toys just as they are about to be confiscated.

— What?! —the expression of surprise and shock appears on Robostus' screen as he utters in stupefaction.

It turns out that both daughter and mother Couffaine were present in the stands, being responsible for throwing the stones. With determination, both raise to the sky their improvised weapons, the crowbar and a long piece of metal simulating a sword.

— Freedom! —proclaim both Juleka and Anarka as they run down the bleachers.

The scene becomes even more intense when, in response to the call, virtually the entire city of Paris flocks to the stadium, armed with pieces of metal converted into crude weapons, and united by a clamorous battle cry. The air is permeated with the energy of resistance as Parisians bravely confront the giant bulldozer and the ruthless machines that accompany it. Against such a backdrop, Ladybug is bewildered, blinking a couple of times as she tries to assimilate the unexpected action of her gothic-looking friend and the unprecedented events unfolding. On the other hand, Chat Noir, with a wry smile on his face, recognizes the situation as a clear reflection of the Couffaine family's unpredictable character.

— Savages! —says Robostus when he sees Max coming out of the cabin— Max, what are you doing?!

— Sorry, Robostus, but I can't let you run your program! —replies Max earnestly as he throws his backpack against one of the machines, blinding it— I have to stop you! -He pulls the lever of the steam shovel, causing Ladybug and Chat Noir to fall with the Parisians trapping them.

— But... Why? I was going to become a human like you —says the akumatized robot sadly.

— I don't want you to change —denies the smart boy— I want you to be like you were before!

— Don't you love me anymore? Aren't we friends?

— If you want to stay friends, you have to stop this right now! I'm Markov's friend, not yours! —Max knocks on the windshield.

— I am Robostus now! And you betrayed me! —the akumatized robot gets angry— I don't want to be human like you anymore! Humans have no heart! —he catches Max with the seat belts— And that's exactly why I've decided to get rid of them! —he laughs as his mecha tries to hit Ladybug and ChatNoir, but they both dodge it with the Parisians walking away.

— Lucky Charm! —Ladybug summons her power by throwing her yo-yo into the sky, obtaining a harp. As it falls towards Ladybug who was planning to catch it, the digger catches it in mid-air— What?!

— I told you, Ladybug. —Robostus reminds her mockingly— I've analyzed and calculated everything! You can't win without your Lucky Charm! —he gloats, not knowing that Juleka was climbing the bulldozer, then the robot turns to the cars— Get her! Lock her up! She'll be the first to go!

Several cars close in to attack Ladybug, who nimbly dodges the attacks, finally leaps high into the air as she focuses on Chat Noir's claw and Max's flash drive lying on the ground next to where the backpack landed. With a plan in mind, the ladybug heroine dives to the ground and grabs the flash drive before she gets run over and jumps on top of a car.

— Do your thing, Chat Noir! —she announces.

— It's up to us, rust-o-bot! Cataclysm! —Chat Noir summons his power in his ringed hand, accumulating black energy, jumps between the cars and stands on the mecha.

— How predictable! —mocks the robot, planning to take down the cat hero.

— Predict this! —says Juleka popping up head first with a big toothy grin.

Robostus lets out a cry of fright and because of the fright he staggers the excavator causing Juleka to stumble, Chat Noir manages to catch her in time before she falls by using his other hand and carrying her on the same arm. The two exchange a smile with Chat Noir using his power on the mecha, destroying it and releasing the harp, as the cat hero makes his way down to drop Juleka on solid ground,

Ladybug grabs the harp and lands on the hood of another car— Protect Max!

Once Juleka was safely on the ground, Chat Noir nods and goes jumping through the wreckage to catch Max.

— You're making this difficult just for you, Ladybug and Chat Noir! —says Robostus as he flies in the air— I'll always be one step ahead of you!

— Speaking too soon is a human weakness, Robostus! —answers Ladybug as he throws the harp— Chat Noir! —he throws his staff towards the harp.

— Really, is that your last move? —the akumatized robot moves downward to dodge objects.

However, the two objects collide and the harp strings fall and become entangled in Robostus' propeller, robbing him of his ability to fly.

— What?! —Ladybug catches him with his yo-yo— What was that?!

— That was ingenuity and a bit of luck.

— You're wrong, Ladybug, the game is still going on! —but Ladybug interrupts him by connecting the flash drive to Robostus' "mouth"— What?! What do you think you're...? —the flash drive infects him with the previously contained virus, thus sabotaging his internal chip— Error! Error! Error... —Robostus malfunctions and transforms back into Markov.

All the mechanical devices around Ladybug return to their motionless state with Anarka exclaiming victory and all the Parisians celebrating, Juleka laughs at the sight and turns to Chat Noir just as amused. The two exchange glances and bump fists.

— Pound it

Meanwhile, the security system in Hawk Moth's lair is deactivated with the villain putting his sword back into his staff sheath as the window opens again, then drops to his knees to catch his breath.

— I may have made a mistake today, but trust me, Ladybug and Chat Noir, it won't happen again!

— Chloé what? —asks Marinette somewhat incredulously.

There were a few of the group in the schoolyard with Juleka talking to Marinette and Adrien.

— Yep, Chloé was a bit of a good leader in taking care of her classmates with Ivan and Kim —basically explains Juleka with Adrien looking surprised.

— What? But she-? —Alya tries to speak but is interrupted.

— Is it true Chloé? —Adrien questions, looking at her friend.

— Of course I do! —she averts her gaze, so they don't see her mild surprise at the goth— I mean, I'm the mayor's daughter, so it stands to reason that I– —her gloating is interrupted when she is hugged and lifted into the air.

— I knew you were still the same as always! —Adrien is very happy when he turns around.

— Adrien, you're wrinkling my clothes! —protests Chloé, but with a smile on her face.

Both Nino and Sabrina couldn't help but be amused by the scene with a few laughs with Juleka smiling amused and raising her eyebrow as she exchanged glances with the blonde girl, however, the group didn't notice Alya's angry look and narrowed eyes and Marinette's nervous eye twitching. Later, Chloé dragged Juleka, with the tall girl getting carried away, through the mall.

— Are you taking revenge for the two times I dragged you? —asks Juleka neutrally.

— That's beside the point —Chloé replies in return before stopping and looking at her— and also consider it my thanks for giving me compliments —she gloats before continuing her walk, looking for a store.

— I only told the truth, up to a point —Juleka murmurs the last, brief silence— Do I at least get to choose my selection of clothes?

— Ugh, well, even if I have to be surrounded by goth stuff.

— Yey.

Soon after, Juleka was behind the fitting room trying on new clothes while Chloé was sitting nearby and using a new cell phone.

— So let me get this straight —Chloé begins.

— Mm-hm...

— So, the fact that you praised me–

— Tell the truth —corrects Juleka.

— Praise me, the truth, whatever. The point is, you're not 100% in favor of Marinette and Adrien ending up together, besides Cesaire.

— Actually, neither does Alix —Juleka clarifies from behind the curtain— I support her crush on Adrien but I can't help but question some things like her plans, which is why she went along with Rose when I felt insecure. Whereas Alix, may be morbid curiosity, maybe.

— Hmp, so at least you and her possess some common sense —Chloé cross her arms— I mean, I find the lack of subtlety and the constant stammering Dupain-Cheng does completely absurd that I even feel pitiful. Also the fact that she will suddenly love him when the first day Marinette hated him after meeting him.

— I remember that —Juleka comments before adding— And love at first sight? I mean, Adrien seems to be cute when he doesn't try, especially when one of Marinette's complex plans ends up backfiring just as soon as it starts —she laughs.

— I don't blame her for Adrien being cute —agreed Chloé looking up and biting her lip, then shakes her head— Wait, what do you mean "complex plans"?

— Wait, —replies the goth girl— in a few days the rest of us girls will meet at Marinette's house to set up a date for Adrien, I'll show you what I mean. —the curtain opens to reveal Juleka— Well?

— Eh, you still carry the gothic stuff about fashion style.

— Wouldn't that be "gothic fashion"?

— Yes, that.

Chapter Text

//— I'm here —Juleka announced as she enters through the trap door of Marinette's room.

Rose lets out a gasp of excitement— Juleka, you look amazing! —she says as she approaches her friend— Where did you get it from?

— From a store —the gothic girl simply answers— I begged my mom to buy me some clothes, since the other one broke —she excuses herself while she follows Rose.

— You could have asked Marinette to mend your clothes, you know? —Alya asks— Whatever, thanks for coming, girls. Listen to this, I have the biggest scoop in the world! But you can't say anything, it's secret. Classified information.

— Do you know who Ladybug is? —Mylène and Rose gasp.

— Wait, Alya! Do you think this is a good idea? —asks Marinette half-doubtfully.

— I don't think it is. I know it is. But remember, your lips are sealed. Got it? Well, Marinette is madly in love with someone.

— Yes, with Adrien. —jokes Alix with laughter in the background.

— What? But how did they know?

— Well, it's obvious,” says Mylène.

— So, do you think Adrien knows too? —asks Marinette almost in panic.

— Of course not, —denies Rose— the kids never realize that.

— So, let's get to work. Your mission, if you accept it, is to arrange a ridiculously romantic date between Marinette and Adrien.

— Oh, that's so sweet! —Rose praises, thrilled.

— Great! -agreed Alix.

— I'm in. —replies Juleka simply.

— We know we can count on you, so you can count on us, Marinette. —replies Mylène.

— Ah, thank you, girls!

— Your turn, Marinette. —says Alya.

— Alya and I have a plan, it's called Operation Secret Garden. —announces Marinette.

— Question: —interrupts Mylène— Why do we need a plan, that Marinette can't approach Adrien and ask him out?

— Really, Mylène? —questions Alya— You have to remember that we're talking about Marinette. Now, each of you will have a code name based on a flower. Alix, you're “Violet”, Mylène, you're “Sunflower”, Juleka, you're “Rose”, and Rose, you're “Tulip”.

— Ah, why am I not “Rose”? —asks Rose.

— Because “Rose” is your name, Rose —clarifies Alya, as if it were obvious.

— And if we called you that, they'd notice. —adds Marinette.

Rose murmurs thoughtfully.

— Buttercup has a photo shoot this afternoon. —Marinette explains.

— Adrien. —Alix whispers to Rose.

— Ah.

— His bodyguard, the nanny, will be waiting for him in the limousine on the other side of the extreme carriage. —Marinette continues— He's supposed to take Buttercup home afterwards, except that's not going to happen. This is where you come in. Step 1, “Rosa” will carry a no parking sign to the pass. She's going to take him to...

— And who is “Rosa”? —interrupts Mylène again.

— It's me, obviously. —answers Rose cheerfully.

— No, Rose is Juleka! —Alya clarifies, annoyed— You are “Tulip”! “Violet”, “Sunflower”, “Rose”, “Tulip”! —she sighs when Rosita still doesn't understand.

— We go on. —reassures Marinette— Step 1: “Rosa” you will put the false sign next to the nanny's carriage. Step 2: “Sunflower”, you will look for a police officer and tell him. -imitating Mylène's voice- Hello, Mr. officer, look, a car is illegally parked. —imitating Roger's voice— A don't tell me, I will enforce the law, right now. Thank you, miss. Step 3: Goodbye to the babysitter. Step 4: “Tiger-Lily” will let us know as soon as “Buttercup” finishes his session.

— I am “Tiger-Lily” - Alya points to herself.

— But... —continues Marinette— instead of meeting the nanny Adrien will meet.... “Lotus”.

— That's Marinette! -says Rose.

— But when “Buttercup” sees that the carriage is gone, she'll just call the nanny, won't she? —asks Alix.

— No way. Buttercup always leaves his personal belongings in the limousine even when he's in session, even his phone! He's such a professional!

— She knows everything about Adrien. —whispers Juleka to Alix and Rose.

— That's scary, isn't it? —Alix looked a little worried.

— Yeah, he's so romantic! —Rose, on the other hand, was amazed.

— So... —Marinette continues, and then imitates Adrien's voice— Howdy, Marinette. But what are you doing here? What a wonderful coincidence, don't you think? This is where “Tulip” comes in! You'll tell the carriage driver to park where the nanny was. I just have to tell Adrien....

She is interrupted by some laughter, caused by a funny event.

— You're right, that's what always happens! —laughs Alya.

— But this time I'm ready! I've got you guys with me, I'll make it, I promise!

Sounds of applause.

— You're going to make it. —says Mylène.

— Wooo, yes. —agrees Alix.

Once calm, Marinette continues with her fantasy— Then I'll tell her. Since your car is gone, we could go home together, don't you think? Hey look, what a coincidence! A carriage right here? —imitating Adrien's voice— Amazing Marinette! I've always dreamed of riding in a carriage with you. We'll take a romantic ride along the banks of the Seine and over the Pont dean of arts. Where we'll meet André the ice cream man of love. “Violet,” he'll skate by and throw rose petals at us! It'll be perfect!

— That's so romantic! —says Rose with delight.

— Any questions? —asks Alya.

Quiet.

— Operation Secret Garden, begin! -announces Marinette.//

Juleka finishes recording with her new cell phone and finds herself in Chloé's luxury suite at Le Grand Paris hotel.

— There you go, Marinette's elaborate plan I told you about. —says Juleka as she finishes the recording— Any questions?

Chloé seemed somewhat indignant after listening to the recording, no doubt annoyed to hear Marinette's plan.

— So... —Juleka continues, waiting for some scream from the blonde girl.

— WHO THE FUCK DOES THAT DUPAIN-CHENG THINK SHE IS?! How does she know that Adrien leaves his personal belongings in the limo when he's on a photo shoot? How and when did she know where this particular shoot was taking place? She's crazier than I thought, I even think she's a freaking stalker —she continues angrily— PLUS, how does she know what time Adrien's photo shoot is?

— Oh, turns out Marinette has Adrien's entire itinerary saved with her. —comments Juleka, noticing how Chloé has a nervous twitch in her eye— Yeah.... I think it's time to question whether or not I should keep helping Marinette.

— OBVIOUSLY! —replies Chloé, leaning towards the goth girl who responds by backing away— This doesn't look like stalking anymore, but like obsession! Marinette Dupain-Cheng is obviously crazy! —the blonde girl paces back and forth— I thought Dupain-Cheng was making a fool of herself by drooling over Adrien but now it sounds like she actually wants to chain him up and keep him in a basement forever for her, —Chloé stops to point at Juleka— AND YOU DECIDE TO HELP HER?!

— Well... —Juleka tries to explain— in my defense, Marinette asked me for help and I thought there was nothing wrong with that. I had no intention of feeding any obsession, and I wasn't really aware of how much Marinette loved Adrien, and how dangerous her obsession could be.

Chloé remains angry, unable to understand how Marinette has reached this level of obsession. For her, admiring Adrien was one thing, but this goes way beyond that. It's as if Marinette is willing to do anything to keep Adrien by her side. In the midst of her frustration, Chloé is immersed in her thoughts as she wanders back and forth, she remembers how she used to regard Marinette as simply a harmless but somewhat disgusting fan due to her excessive devotion and ridiculously awkward behavior in Adrien's presence. Now, however, everything has taken on a much more disturbing dimension, the situation causing her to ponder the possibility that Juleka has also witnessed these behaviors, as she has been supporting Marinette without really knowing the extent of her obsession with Adrien. For her part, Juleka feels a deep sense of guilt and regret. She had no intention of feeding Marinette's dangerous emotions, nor did she know the extent of her obsession with Adrien. In retrospect, she regrets getting involved in this affair, unaware of the consequences that could have ensued.

— Listen —Chloé attracts Juleka's attention— as I said before, you seem to be more reasonable than the rest of that little group of girls, and leaving aside their questioned mental capacity, —ignoring Juleka's offended look— maybe you can help me keep Marinette away from Adrien.

Juleka was a little surprised at the suggestion, especially since she knew Chloé wasn't exactly someone she could trust a lot, but at the same time, she couldn't ignore the fact that Chloé was right in a sense. Although she didn't completely trust her, she understood the need to protect Adrien from Marinette's obsession, after all, Juleka valued her hidden friendship with the boy and didn't want things to get out of hand. After a moment's reflection, she knew she had to approach this with caution and consideration. She approached Chloé, deciding to give her the benefit of the doubt and work together to find a solution.

— I must admit, I'm surprised you're asking for my help, considering how you've treated us all in the past. —Juleka replied cautiously— But since you care about Adrien, I'm willing to listen. —she added, remembering a bit of how Chloé ventured through the school to look for her friend.

Chloé smiled triumphantly, believing she had found an unexpected ally, knowing that Juleka seemed to be the only one in that entourage who could understand the situation. However, Juleka had her own plans in mind, she wasn't going to let Chloé get away with it.

— But listen well, Chloé. —Juleka warned seriously, clenching her fists slightly— I'm not going to become your puppet or do anything to hurt Marinette, even knowing that she is someone obsessive possibly crazy, she is still my friend. If our actions are fair, I'll be willing to help you.

Chloé frowned at Juleka's conditions, however, she knew she needed her help if she was to succeed in her mission to separate Marinette and Adrien.

— All right, Couffaine. —Chloé agreed, resigned— but if things don't go our way and it doesn't tilt in our favor, I won't hesitate to take extreme measures. Our main objective is to keep Dupain-Cheng away from our mutual friend, Adrien.

Juleka nodded, and from her expression, she was not going to allow herself to be easily manipulated. Despite the conflicting past between them, they had to cooperate to prevent any advances towards their mutual friend. Chloé, for her part, didn't want to admit that she needed the Goth's help to make this work, though she chafed at the conditions she had no choice but to agree if she wanted to keep her on her side.

— Well then. —Chloé declares confidently as she claps her hands— We'll have to figure out how to ruin Marinette's plan, —she points to Juleka— and, for starters, you'll have to be discreet, because we don't want Marinette or any of the other girls to know.

Later, at the Trocadéro, Adrien was doing his ordinary photo shoot with each girl in secret and in their positions, but there was a catch....

— What is SHE doing here? —asks Alya indignantly, from her hiding place next to Marinette.

It turns out that Chloé was present on the set and was supporting Adrien in doing some of the poses as the photographer returns with a palette for the boy to hold while a black cat rested nearby.

— No no no no no no no no no no no, —Marinette starts to panic— Chloé shouldn't be there, we didn't plan this -her thoughts accelerated as panic consumed her- if Chloé continues to help him, it is possible that Adrien will begin to experience a genuine romantic interest towards her and as they are childhood friends, it wouldn't be long before they become a loving couple! They could open the doors towards a promising career as famous stars, with the possibility of touring the world together and captivating everyone with their unique beauty and love. However, I am left with the sad reality that my role in their lives would be that of a simple janitor, in charge of cleaning the stages where they display their talent. I would be forced to remain on the periphery, far from Adrien and any possibility of marrying him and building a family together, consisting of our three children and a little hamster named...

— Wow, wow, calm down. —Alya tries to calm her down— We'll stick to the plan, OK? —she gets a slow nod— Okay, are the flowers planted yet? —she asks on her walkie-talkie.

Near the Agreste limousine-mobile, Juleka was standing with a “No Parking” sign over a cart but with a dilemma in her head about whether or not to proceed with the plan. Marinette had been one of her friends for some years now and never considered or noticed the level the half-Chinese girl could reach with a crush, although there was also a similar occasion when she had a crush on Kim but that didn't end very well because of the athlete, now that she thought more deeply about things she couldn't help but feel a shiver run down her spine.

— I thought Dupain-Cheng was making a fool of herself by drooling over Adrien but now it sounds like she actually wants to chain him up and keep him in a basement forever for her. —Chloé's voice reminds her.

— ⟨I'll try not to let things escalate to that.⟩ —Juleka says to herself in her mind in response, clinging to a hope— “Rose” planted. —she replies at last, keeping the photo shoot in sight.

— “Sunflower” planted. —replies Mylène, hiding behind a tree where Officer Roger is standing.

— "Tulip" planted! —says Rose happily, standing next to Théo and his tri-taxi.

— Perfect! Now, “Rose”! —commands Marinette, hopeful that her plan will work.

— Who, me? —Rose is confused.

— No, the other “Rose”! —Alya clarifies.

Rose thinks a for a moment, resting a finger on her chin and close to her pursed lips, while Juleka laughs lightly, she pushes the cart with the sign towards the Agreste limousine-mobile, however, she brings a hand to her left ear to adjust her hair but actually activated a small communicator in her ear. Meanwhile, Chloé was helping Adrien apply some makeup while the cat seemed to have a bored look on his face as he lay on his back and head.

— Do you remember why you wanted to help me? —Adrien asks, a little curious to have his friend with him.

— Ay Adrinkins —begins to answer Chloé with a sweet smile— I always helped you, wasn't I with you in your yoga, ballet and modeling practices?

— Yes, but... you also stopped participating in the practices. —says Adrien, earning a reaction from Chloé who involuntarily shudders— Can I at least know why? —he asks like an innocent child.

Normally Chloé would resort to being defensive and respond offended with strong statements or simply change the subject but...

— I'm a president's daughter, Adrien. —she replies professionally but with a tone that said "Isn't it obvious?"— While you relax with your tedious photo shoots and modeling and your other internships, I literally kill myself with private political and law studies by my father and some professors hired by him.

— But didn't you want to be president? —Adrien asks, half confused.

— Of course I want to! But I find it completely ridiculous that I have to learn those things now, I'm like 17, I'm still young for God's sake! Why do you think I go to the same high school as everyone else? —she puts her hands on her hips.

— I guess to get away from your dad too. —guesses the blond boy.

— I love my father, but sometimes I think it's easy to get away with it. —a mischievous grin grows on her face— Is it because my mother was the dominant one in bed and he...?

Adrien's response was to cough, either to stifle his own laughter or out of embarrassment as he grew a blush, causing a chuckle from Chloé and also the cat being amused by both the implication and the blond's reaction. Everyone may call her “Daddy's girl” but she's not ashamed of that, since, after all, it's not because she's rich.

Mostly.

Suddenly the communicator in her ear is activated.

— Well, better get back to Vincent. —pushes Chloé to Adrien to get up and go to the photographer— We don't want to keep him waiting, and remember how to deal with his weird metaphors with spaghetti, ah, don't forget your snack —she gives him back the paddle, jokingly, and gives him a little push— go break a leg, Agreste.

Adrien laughs at the statement about the Italian's little spaghetti obsession, says goodbye to Chloé as he heads back to the set. Once he was away, she presses her communicator.

— What's the situation, Couffaine? —she whispers and looks away, unaware that the cat was looking at her curiously.

— We've already started with stage one of Marinette's plan. —answers Juleka, with sounds of cartwheels rolling.

— Well, think of something, to stop this crazy plan from being completed —continues Chloé, with no plan in mind other than her appearing in the session and stopping Marinette from approaching— and do it fast because I already feel Dupain-Cheng's bloodthirsty lunatic gaze on Adrinkins —she says, looking everywhere, trying to find Marinette's hiding place.

— I'm coming. —replies Juleka as she turns off her communicator.

She looks around for a moment before noticing the manhole cover with a small hole in it, she could normally avoid it but she moved the cart towards the cover and got one of the wheels stuck besides seeing if it couldn't be released but the weight of the signal ensured that, however, she didn't notice that Alya would be watching her with binoculars.

— But what is she doing? —questions Alya, suspicion creeping into her mind.

— I have a problem, girls. —Juleka notifies Juleka on her walkie-talkie, Alya's eyes narrowing.

— Which one, “Rosa”? —asks Marinette as she picks up the walkie-talkie.

— About what?

— I got stuck on the manhole cover and-?

— A manhole?

— What manhole? —Rose questions.

Both Marinette and Alya ignore Rose, while Juleka takes the sign with her and, pretending, tries to carry it without much success.

— Oh, oh. —Mylène hurries to help Juleka with the sign— What is this sign made of?

— Uh... metal —the goth shrugs, almost finding the answer obvious.

— Couldn't they have made it out of cardboard? —she asks when she notices Roger walking away, turning to Juleka— Go get the police officer. —Juleka nods and half-runs to catch up with Roger, leaving Mylène almost suffering with the effort of carrying the signal.

— Watch out! —Marinette warns, alarmed— The “Buttercup” photo shoot will be over soon!

Meanwhile, on the Bridge of the Arts, Alix is standing and waiting for her cue.

- Oh, really, stop talking so much!

Back on the streets, Juleka is approaching the policeman when he communicates with Chloé again.

— The plan is having problems and I'm forced to talk to Sabrina's father. —Juleka reports.

— So I guess you should tell Roger that the vehicle is parked illegally. —Chloé reminds herself what the plan was all about, then laughs evilly— Don't worry, I'll make sure you can't talk to him.

Just as Juleka was a few feet away from Roger, her phone suddenly rings and she is quick to answer.h

— Hello? —he turns his back to Juleka as she approaches.

Juleka blinks a couple of times and then circles around the policeman and is answered with him turning around, still turning his back, this was repeated several times.

— What's going on? —asks Marinette, somewhat anxiously.

— The policeman is talking on the phone and Juleka can't talk to him,” replies Alya, watching through the binoculars as Roger ignores Juleka. Besides still being suspicious of the goth.

Marinette lets out a groan coupled with a squeal, sensing that Juleka's “shyness” came at the worst possible moment.

— Come on, “Rose”! Do it now!

— All right! —Rose obeys and tells Théo to start driving.

— Not you, “Tulip”! —clarifies Alya again— The other “Rose”!

— Oh no, no, no, no! —Rose panics and chases after Théo.

Meanwhile, Mylène has just carried and held the sign next to the Agreste vehicle.

— Come on, “Rose. —she cheers as she sees how it seemed impossible for Juleka to talk to her— You can do it.

Juleka looks sideways at Mylène, immediately, she grabs Roger's arm and forces him to turn around so that he can focus on her as well as take the phone away from his ear. The call came from Sabrina and she hangs up.

— The limo is parked illegally. —the gothic woman warns with slight firmness as she gets the cop's attention.

— Yes! —celebrates Marinette, coming out of hiding with Alya forcing her to hide quickly.

Juleka points to the Agreste limo with Mylène acting quickly casual when she notices Roger looking at the sign, the cop looked with mild suspicion at the goth because of her past interactions with Anarka but gives the benefit of the doubt and decides to do his job.

— Thank you, young lady —Roger walks towards the limo.

— Well done, “Rosa!” —compliments Marinette as she and Alya watch the policeman approach Gorilla.

A few meters away, a mother tries to push the baby stroller down the stairs of the Trocadéro, which Adrien notices as he turns to look at her.

— No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no! —Vincent disapproves of the action— Look at me, give me your best smile! —Adrien, obliged, turns his attention back to the photographer.

The baby notices Adrien holding a paddle again, whimpers and demands the paddle along with extending his arms in a hypothetical attempt to reach for it but the mother gently disowns him, only earning a cry. Most on the set notice but ignore it except for Adrien and Marinette as they feel a sense of helplessness, and Chloé who was finding the crying irritating.

After a few seconds, the crying stopped, which brought peace of mind for most. Meanwhile, the policeman approaches the bodyguard, Gorilla.

— Sir, —Gorilla turns to see the policeman— move that vehicle now, you can't park in this area!

Mylène smiles nervously as Adrien's bodyguard turns his attention to the sign, grunts in annoyance and was about to enter the vehicle, but immediately stops when he almost runs into Théo and his tri-taxi.

— Quick, quick, quick, quick. —says Roger, impatient.

— Hey, watch out! —says the tri-taxi driver to Gorilla.

— He's right, sir, watch out!

The bodyguard continues to lose patience as Rose finally catches up with Théo, sitting in the passenger seat.

— Go back. Please. —she asks, exhaustively, almost falling into the seat.

Théo drives the tri-taxi back to where he started, the bodyguard pulls away to find another parking spot, and as Roger pulls away, Mylène collapses from exhaustion from the effort of carrying the sign.

— Bravo, girls, stage two begins! —Marinette announces, triggering a small danger alert in Juleka's head.

While the bodyguard has trouble finding another parking space with Marinette and Alya still spying on the set, soon Marinette notices that the baby's mother is still having trouble lifting her stroller up the stairs and in that she sees her phone suddenly fall out of her purse.

— That's perfect! Don't move. —Vincent was saying as he snapped picture after picture.

Unable to resist any longer, Marinette immediately comes out of hiding and runs to help the baby's mother.

— “Lotus"! —calls Alya— Marinette, don't go!

Meanwhile...

— Stage two started —Juleka's voice delivered the bad news to Chloé over the communicator— Now what?

Chloé grunts at the news, but quickly recovers and faces the situation with determination. Soon she sees Marinette running to get closer to the mother, the blonde girl's eyes narrow.

— Now it's my turn to take Dupain-Cheng away from our mutual friend, take care of Adrinkins. —replies Chloé, turning off the communicator and going for Marinette.

Marinette manages to get there without being seen, not counting that Chloé approaches her, and takes the woman's phone and gives it back to her.

— You dropped this, ma'am. —she begins to help her carry the cart.

— Thank you very much. —smiles warmly at the woman.

Alya soon realizes that Adrian's photo session is over, and to make matters worse, that Chloé was approaching Marinette.

— We're done, have a nice day. —Vincent says goodbye.

— Warning, “Buttercup”' is moving and... and...! —Alya quickly thinks of a code name— “Dandelion” is approaching “Lotus”!

— “Dandelions? —wonder the rest of the girls, confused.

However, both Juleka and Marinette soon realize who she was referring to.

— Ah, Chloé—CHLOÉ! —Juleka commented to herself—Marinette turning around in panic and fright.

The fright of the French-Chinese girl causes the baby to suddenly drop her bottle at the foot of the stairs, Adrien sees the bottle fall and notices that Chloé approached the stairs and had the luxury of not moving.

— I'm sorry! I'm sorry! —still startled, she hurriedly reaches for the bottle but stops abruptly.

Chloé stood in front of her with her arms crossed and her brow furrowed, Marinette's nerves were getting on her nerves not knowing how to proceed nor knowing what the blonde girl had on her mind but Chloé focused her attention on the baby bottle and grabbed it from the floor. Marinette's nerves shot to anxiety as she is pulled aside with the blonde girl coming up the stairs and handing the bottle back to the woman.

— She dropped it. —Chloé says forcefully, offering the bottle.

— Ehh... thank you, Chloé Bourgeois. —says the woman a little uncomfortable with the rich girl's good deed.

— Yeah, yeah, whatever. —Chloé waves her hand in the air before grabbing Marinette's arm and forcing her to back away.

— Wha-Huh-Goodbye! —Marinette didn't know what to do until she said goodbye.

The moment they were out of the mother's sight, Marinette tries to free herself almost wildly even comically as she was being dragged the whole time while Chloé carried her nonchalantly, revealing firm muscles hidden in her arm. Soon the rich girl releases her at the same time the French Chinese girl made one last attempt, causing the latter to stumble and almost fall on her ass if it wasn't for Chloé grabbing her shoulder and steadying her but tightening her grip on her shoulder, giving a threatening message.

— I don't know why you're here. —she states, giving a sharp look— But don't think you, or any far-fetched plan, will do you any good standing next to my Adrinkins. —Chloé implies, her tone turning menacing.

Marinette's blood freezes and her skin bristles at that implication, believing that the rich girl knows of her plan but the question that invaded her head was “How?”. While Chloé kept Marinette occupied in her inner panic, Alya watched the event from a distance with a hasty desire to intervene, but is distracted by noticing that the limo has returned to its original location.

— Red alert! —Alya notifies Alya on the walkie-talkie— The Nanny is back!

Rose and Mylène gasp, Juleka sees Roger before hiding in some bushes while Rose tries to look for Juleka but not seeing her she rushes after the policeman, however, he is hit by a small rock.

— What? -he turns in annoyance, approaches to intercept the miscreant but Rose gets in the way— Not now young lady.

— B-But sir...! —protests Rose as Mylène puts up the signal again.

Another rock is thrown at Roger, which annoys him even more and hastening the pace as Rose almost stumbles from the acceleration.

— The limousine! Parked! Illegal! —was babbling the girl in pink, managing to get Roger's attention who turns and sees the parked Agreste limousine.

— Hey, hey, yeah, him over there! —he approaches Gorilla again, already angry— I'll get him this time, I'll give him a ticket for parking illegally, for not following orders and for pissing off a police officer!

The bodyguard growls as he walks away to find Adriren.

Meanwhile... the window of Hawkmoth's lair opens with white butterflies fluttering and flying around the lair.

— A man who takes his job very seriously and someone who feels he is disrespected as the law, which one to choose? —a butterfly rests on his outstretched hand and he turns it into an akuma— Fly my little akuma and do your job! —he proclaims with the akuma flying through the hole in the window.

Back at the Trocadéro, Gorilla is still looking for Adrien, meanwhile, Marinette ignores Chloé and Adrien looks up, both alarmed when they notice that the akuma is circling over the bodyguard. But when Gorilla sees that Adrien is still okay and that Chloé, who turns confused by where Marinette was looking, was near the place so he calms down and the akuma moves away from him to possess Roger's badge.

— Rogercop, I will require your services again —says Hawkmoth once the butterfly outline appears— they did not respect you as the law and they belittled you. I can give you the power to change that and represent what is justice, I will only ask for Ladybug and Chat Noir's Miraculous in return.

— Yes, Hawkmoth. —Roger replies before the bubbles of dark energy cover him and he transforms.

His appearance changes to look taller and sturdier with a full black suit covered in blue metal-like armor with mermaid lights on the shoulders and helmet with a sky blue visor. The group of girls gasp at the sight of the akuma, with Alya taking the opportunity to record for Ladyblog, while Juleka comes out of hiding with shock in her eyes.

— I provoked... —she says slowly and almost muttering— I provoked an akuma....

Rose pulls her by the arm and takes her to a safe place but Juleka was not very conscious due to the guilt for having brought an akuma and endangering her friends and friend Adrien, but something inside her mind seemed to activate because out of nowhere her shocked and shocked look disappears to make way for a more determined and determined one, for a second seeming to have an air of Ladybug. Immediately, she grabs Rose and takes the lead. Meanwhile, Marinette helps the woman to leave the area while Gorilla positions himself to block the view of Adrien and Chloé while taking a defensive position, determined to protect the youngsters.

However, Rogercop focused on him as he raised his arm, robotically, and a small cannon protruded, bringing horrified gasps from Adrien and Chloé.

— Gorilla! —driven by fear, Adrien and Chloé run to save the bodyguard but the latter was the only one to do so as the black cat stopped the blond boy by moderating his pant leg.

Adrien looks at the cat pleadingly but the dark feline pulls his leg, resigned, Adrien grabs the cat and runs to the opposite direction with Chloé reaching the bodyguard and trying to pull him away at the same time Gorilla tries to pull her away only for both to end up trapped inside a technological cage with laser bars.

— Oh, it's a new trick! —says Alya excitedly as she records.

— Come on Alya, we have to go. —says Mylène as she pulls her along, with Alya protesting.

In the meantime, Marinette takes the woman and the baby to a secluded spot in the area.

— Stay out of harm's way, ma'am. —she suggests— Ladybug and Cat Noir will be here soon.

She takes the mother to safety, at the same time, Adrien hides behind the wall of the Trocadéro with the cat transforming into Plagg.

— At least think about transforming before you throw yourself into danger, kid. —says Plagg as he reverts to his kwami form.

— Panic, okay? I didn't want to see him hurt. —excuses Adrien— Never mind, Claws Out!

Juleka and Rose return with Mylène and Alya.

— Are they ok? —asks Juleka when they arrive.

— Yes, we're fine. —replies Mylène before turning to Alya— But... she continues with concern. —she continues with concern.

Alya seemed to have a crazed look on her face as she has her phone pointed at the Akuma who looks around as she looks for the heroes, but suddenly Alya's phone is snatched from her hands.

— HEY! —Alya loudly snaps, turning to face Juleka who was holding the phone.

— You must have a while without using cell phones. —Juleka repeats Marinette's words.

— Don't give me that, Juleka! —replied Alya, infuriated by the gothic girl's actions— We just got an Akuma several months ago and it has new tricks! I need to document it! —she tries to retrieve her phone but Juleka, taking advantage of her height, raises the cell phone in the air to stop her.

— Oh, come on, Alya. Don't be like that. —says Juleka— I'm just protecting your phone from possible damage. You know you're not the most careful.

Alya frowns and folds her arms, shaking her head.

— I don't care if I'm not careful, I need to capture this moment for my blog. The whole city needs to be aware of the Akumas' new tricks.

Juleka puts the phone down a little, but keeps it out of Alya's reach.

— I'm sorry, but I can't allow that. Safety first.

Alya frowns at the goth girl, the old suspicions in her mind returning to her as she crosses her arms.

— You wouldn't happen to be in cahoots with Chloé? -the implication earned a gasp from Mylène and Rose and a panicked look from Juleka.

— What? —her voice quickly controlled itself to cover her panic.

— Juleka would never do such a thing. —says Rose in defense of her friend.

— But I saw her. —Alya accuses, pointing at Juleka— I saw her stalling the cartwheel in the gutter, she didn't say anything to the cop until later and she wasn't there when "The Nanny” came back. She was keeping Marinette from hanging out with Adrien, which is pretty suspicious. Besides, Chloé has always been willing to do anything to get Adrien's attention, so it wouldn't be strange if she was conspiring against him. —she continues to scrutinize Juleka for any sign of guilt, while the others tense up at the accusation.

— I don't... I don't know what you're talking about. —she says in a half-trembling voice, trying to hide her nervousness as she defends herself— I just got stuck in the manhole, I didn't want to be rude to the cop and his call plus I needed to make sure Mylène put up the “No Parking” sign and...

— Aish, could they at least help us out? —Chloé's voice interrupts Alya's accusations, the group of girls turn to see her inside the cage next to Gorilla who tries to break it.

— And why would I have to-? —Alya was about to say but stops when Juleka approaches the cage— What-Juleka!

The gothic girl rushes towards the cage but skids to a halt when a laser shot passes in front of her, she turns to see Rogercop had fired a laser weapon.

— I suggest you stay away from the prisoners. —warns the Akuma before stowing his weapon in a compartment on his hip— They should be held here until the suspects arrive.

— Ah, I see how it goes. —says Juleka slowly, holding back a sharp and offended tone, similar to Chloé, then smiling like Chat Noir— Hey, hey, hey -she speaks into her phone- do you mind that I'm breaking the law? I'm sorry, what? What did you say? What? No, no? You don't mind? Well, thank you very much. —she joked, combining the humor of the cat hero and the sarcastic tone of the rich girl.

Rogercop's eyes narrow, Chloé blinks a couple of times with wide eyes seeing the attitude of the goth, Gorilla slowly denies and the group mostly panicked.

— Not a good time for her to act out her condition. —Rose says to herself, worried about her friend who looked confident and sure with steady eyes.

Chat Noir had arrived on the scene on top of the Trocadéro and arrived to hear Juleka's joke, unable to help wanting to laugh as she found her own humor and soon after Ladybug also arrives who only sees her friend facing the Akuma, something that set off several alarms in her mind.

— We have to act, now. —commands Ladybug, spinning her yo-yo.

— Whatever you say, my lady.

After the city miraculously recovers thanks to the power of Ladybug, who used her magical abilities to eliminate the damage caused by the villain, Marinette finally returns to the Trocadéro. Satisfied that she has helped restore peace and harmony to Paris, she is relieved as she untransforms from her superhero alter ego. Marinette starts looking for her five friends, which is not long when all five appear around a corner.

— Hello girls. —Marinette greets as she calls out to them.

— Marinette! —Rose cheers and, along with the rest of them, rushes over to her friend.

— You're fine. —says Juleka with a small smile.

— We were so worried! —adds Mylène with Alix nodding.

— Where were you? —asks Aly, half worried.

— It's okay, nothing happened to me. —Marinette reassures her best friend— I've been looking everywhere for them, I'm so glad everything went well.

— Except your date with Adrien. —contradicts Alix, annoyed that it went wrong.

— That's right. —Mylène realizes— And where did he go?

— There. —Juleka points to a spot.

A few meters away was the limousine with Chloé pushing Adrien hurriedly towards the vehicle, once they were by the door, Adrien opens the door with a gentlemanly gesture but with a humorous smile hidden on his face with Chloé picking up the black cat and getting in.

— Ah, there's still a chance! —Rose gets excited.

— What now, “Lotus"? —asks Alya to her friend.

— None. —Marinette answers with a smile, surprising her friends— No more complicated plans. Sometimes it's better to just cut to the chase. —Adrien was about to enter the limousine— Adrien!

The blond boy turns in slight surprise at the appearance of his classmate, inside, Chloé reacts in alarm and pulls Adrien by the arm. To no avail.

— Hi Marinette! —Adrien returns the greeting with a smile.

— Hi there!

— What are you doing here?

Alya, Juleka, Alix, Mylène and Rose hide behind a tree with some being a bit anxious about how the exchange is progressing.

— Is she going to do it? —asks Mylène excitedly and hopefully.

— It's like a romantic movie! —squeals Rose.

— I came here to draw! —Marinette holds up her drawing blog— I can't believe we're meeting here! Hey would you like to... —she and Adrien both hear Chloé clear her throat in annoyance— Go out with me? I mean, go out with me. No, I mean, zamb...

Adrien waits patiently but his eyes wander for a moment as he notices the group of girls peeking out of the tree and is distracted by the sight of Juleka's new set of clothes, becoming almost entranced by her style of gothic fashion. As his gaze swept over every detail of Juleka's outfit, Adrien couldn't help but be impressed.

— Date? —he asked, his gaze still on Juleka.

The question brought excitement for most of the girls and alarms for Juleka and Chloé, with the goth tightening her grip on the tree and the rich girl reinforcing her pull.

— Yes! A date, that's what I meant. —sighs Marinette.

— Well, I... —Adrien was about to answer but he almost stumbles because of the tug and Gorilla honking— maybe another day, bye —finally he gets into the limo.

Chloé gives a sharp and angry look to Marinette before closing the door hard, the limo leaves the place but that doesn't discourage the girls with all but Juleka running and screaming with excitement as they surround Marinette.

— Girl, you did it! —praises Alya as she shakes her friend— Well, you didn't say it but still, you managed to get a date with Adrien!

— Congratulations Mari. —says Alix, tossing the petals over everyone— You know what this means, let's party with ice cream! —she walks off in one direction with the others following her.

Juleka watches them still by the tree, worried about her two friends; Marinette's obsession and how Adrien might be affected by that obsession. Again her brain activates something in her, her gaze changes to a more determined and steady one.

⟨— Don't even think about approaching Adrien with your wacky obsession! —speaks Chloé's voice.⟩

⟨— We must do something to stop the obsession from harming our friends. —accompanies Ladybug's voice.⟩

With determination, Juleka catches up to the other girls.

Chapter Text

— Intruder! Intruder! Intruder! Intruder! Intruder! Intruder! —sounds a robotic voice.

Ladybug notices that the akuma was in the computer— A computer. But of course. —she says to herself as she discovers it.

Suddenly, Dark Owl appears from behind and catches her— Here I am, Albert —answers the akuma to the call of his computer while Ladybug uses her vision by focusing on a miniature of Owl, the comics, the chair, the stairs and the lamp. Ladybug kicks the comic book and hits the owl miniature— Dark Owl always triumphs. You didn't read the end of the comic book, Ladybug. —he removes one of Ladybug's earrings, causing the costume to slowly come off partially.

But notice that the miniature Owl has fallen on the rolled up comic, with the comic flying off and hitting the chair, knocking it over and hitting the ladder causing it to fall and hit the lamp, causing it to spin against the Albert computer.

— NOOOOOO!!! —the blow from the lamp causes the computer to fall to the ground, Dark Owl tries to stop it but it was too late.

The screen shatters and cracks, releasing the akuma butterfly.

Ladybug retrieves her second earring, recovering her full costume and opens her yo-yo— No more evil for you, little akuma. it's time to end the evil! —she catches the akuma with her yo-yo before it escapes— Gotcha! —she opening it again, it releases a white butterfly— Bye-bye, little butterfly —throws its Lucky Charm into the air— Miraculous Ladybug!

Soon the Lucky Charm turns into a swarm of magical ladybugs, going around the Parisian areas as they return everything to normal along with the office and the computer screen, Chat Noir arrives on the scene as Dark Owl de-transforms into Mr. Damocles.

— Ladybug, Chat Noir? —he asks confused as he recovers— What are you doing in my office?

— Let's just say we had a situation with a knight of the night. —jokes Chat Noir.

— Pound it! —both heroes announce as they clash fists.

— Ladybug and Chat Noir. —speaks Hawkmoth— I'm getting closer to destroying you every day. Soon you'll be nothing but superheroes in the history books. —the window closes.

From the roof of the streets of Paris, Ladybug and Chat Noir watch as Damocles' heroic alter ego, Owl, gets his recognition as a hero.

— Tending gardens, giving blankets to the homeless, feeding animals, Owl has really taken flight now. —says Ladybug as she looks at the good deeds of the local hero— I guess this is a good way to deal with his previous akumatization.

— I couldn't choose a better option. —praises Chat Noir before stretching his arms— And then we'll have some free time ourselves. —during his stretch, he looks with a flirtatious smile at the sissy heroine— You know, I was thinking that maybe you'd like to go to the movies with me, after all?

— I'm sorry, but I can't. —interrupts Ladybug— I promised a friend that we would spend time together. Bye, kitty. —she swings her yo-yo around town, leaving Chat Noir a little disappointed.

His cat ears droop dejectedly, but he shakes his head and smiles as he walks away from the area, propelling himself with his extendable staff.

— It will be all right, Chat Noir. —he says to himself as he heads for home— It will be all right. We'll be celebrating our one day anniversary in a little while, I'm sure she's preparing a gift for you. —he continues to reflect before crossing the window of his room and closing it behind him.

Then he untransforms so he can sleep, Plagg looks at his carrier for a second before going to his cheese stash, he was hungry and needed to recharge. The next day, Adrien wakes up excitedly and almost bolts out of bed, already having ideas to plan his date with Ladybug to celebrate their anniversary, maybe create a romantic atmosphere with candles and roses, or that and surprise Ladybug with revealing her identity. Adrien knew that this day meant a lot to both of them, as it marked the beginning of their incredible adventure as superheroes and the start of a unique and special friendship. His thoughts filled with excitement and heart beating fast as he imagined the scenario;

Chat Noir skipped nimbly across the rooftops of Paris, arriving at his rendezvous with Ladybug, visualizing an evening and how her smile lit up as she saw the candles and received her surprise gift. Night was falling over Paris when they finally met. Chat Noir's gaze met Ladybug's, and it was as if the world stopped for an instant. “I love you,” she murmured in a soft voice, as she held up her gift. Both of them immersing themselves in a magical atmosphere full of romance, letting themselves be carried away by the flow of the night, enjoying each other's company and remembering the emotions they had experienced since that first meeting. And slowly they approached each other with their mouths slowly on the verge of touching, and soon...

Adrien awakens from his fantasy at Plagg's burp, the kwami chuckles as he nonchalantly floats in the air.

— Why are you doing this to me? —Adrien asks himself, with a mixture of resignation and frustration.

Plagg shrugs as if his bearer's question is of no consequence.

— It's just part of my charm. —he replies playfully before floating across the room.

Adrien sighs resignedly, knowing that reality often gets in the way of his most intense dreams. Although the romantic moment with Ladybug existed only in his imagination, he couldn't help but feel a glimmer of excitement every time he was near her. The complicity and connection they shared as superheroes was still something unique and special. He walked over to the mirror, staring at his reflection.

— Someday... —he muttered while taking a deep breath and with a smile on his face, Adrien prepared to face the new day— but with effort, it will be soon.

He knew that even though his encounters with Ladybug had its limitations and of how she rejected the advances, there was always a spark of hope, a promise that maybe someday, their love for each other would transcend fantasy and become reality. Soon changing into his usual clothes and with confident stride, Adrien left his room and descended the stairs heading for breakfast with Plagg accompanying him in his cat form. As he savored his meal, his mind wandered back to past encounters with Ladybug, reliving every look and every word shared. Although he knew they were only fleeting moments in the fight against evil, Adrien couldn't help but daydream, imagining a future where Ladybug and he could be together without secrets or limitations.

At school, Adrien kept his friendly and cordial attitude with everyone, but inside he was rambling about many situations about the anniversary date with Ladybug, imagining the perfect place to take her and the exact words he will use to express his feelings. During class, Adrien couldn't help but get distracted from time to time, letting his mind wander to thoughts of his favorite heroine. He wondered what their life would be like if they never had to hide behind their secret identities, if they could openly share their love and admiration for each other. Adrien found himself growing more and more impatient for the special day, as this anniversary would be special.

He was determined to let Ladybug know how much she meant to him and how deeply he loved her. The prospect of revealing his true feelings to Ladybug was both exciting and terrifying to Adrien. He knew that anything could happen, but he was willing to take that risk for the sake of his true love. He couldn't wait to meet Ladybug and confess to her what he had been holding deep in his heart, after all, who could resist the power of true love?

A sudden knock on the desk made Adrien wake up from his fantasy again and he discovered that the classroom was empty and it was only him and...

— Is everything all right? —Juleka asked curiously— It's already lunchtime.

His face flushed with embarrassment at being caught in his thoughts once again.

— Yes, everything's fine. —Adrien replied with a nervous smile— I was just lost in my thoughts... about something.

Juleka arched an eyebrow, clearly intrigued.

— Something or someone in particular? —she asked mischievously.

Adrien's cheeks grew even redder, unable to hide his obvious nervousness.

— Well, I was thinking about... someone. —the blond boy confesses, while playing with his fingers absentmindedly.

Juleka nods slowly, sensing that Marinette would be devastated if she heard this. Unless...

— And do you know who she is or what her name is? —she asks, almost hoping he's not thinking of Marinette.

— Actually, she works next to me at my modeling job but I don't know her real name other than a pseudonym. —Adrien tries to explain himself, hiding and covering up his love for Ladybug.

Juleka frowned, trying to process the information. Reflected by the light tapping of her knuckles against the desk, knowing that Adrien was thinking of someone else, someone he worked with, sparked a spark of curiosity in her.

— I understand. —said Juleka, trying to act nonchalant— So there's someone at your work who has captured your interest, what makes you think of her?

Adrien shifted uncomfortably, trying to choose his words carefully.

— Well, it's hard to explain. It's like there's something about her that attracts me, not only physically, but also her personality and her way of being. Every time I see her, I feel like there's a special connection, like we understand each other without words. She is also incredibly talented at what she does, which impresses me a lot. I can't help but think of her even when we're not at work together. —Adrien confessed to Juleka, feeling his heart pounding but then let out a saddened sigh— But there are barriers and secrets between us, it's annoying.

The goth girl let out a relieved sigh, if Adrien didn't know this person's real name, then she had no connection to her friend Marinette.

— Well, if you ever find out her name or want to get to know her better, I'm here to help you, friend. You can count on me for any advice or support you need.

Adrien nodded, grateful for Juleka's gesture. He knew he could trust her to speak without restraint.

— Thank you, Juleka. It means a lot to me to have someone to confide in. Sometimes I feel like I'm going crazy thinking about her so much. I've never felt this way about anyone before. Do you think I should try to get closer to her?

— No, you should do it without hesitation. —Juleka answers almost directly— She might have feelings for you too and is just waiting for you to take a more direct step.

Immediately Adrien gets excited as he gets up from his seat.

— I have come to think about it! There is a special day and it would be like an anniversary since the first day we worked together, I thought of a scenario with the two of us surrounded by roses and candles, under the night with the moon in the sky along with giving her a present and... —Adrien was imagining his date with Ladybug before he was interrupted.

— You've thought about it too much, haven't you? —jokes Juleka, laughing softly. Adrien nods enthusiastically, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

— Yes, I admit it. I've spent a lot of time imagining different scenarios and planning every detail in my mind. —Adrien confesses, his stomach tingling with excitement at what might happen.

Juleka smiles, understanding the situation.

— Well, Adrien, according to my pirate mother: The best strategy for the course is to let the sail catch the wind and use it to guide your ship to the treasure. —advises the goth girl, earning a laugh from the blond model.

— I'll do that Juleka, and thank you.

— You're welcome, and you'd better go eat your lunch at your mansion or your father will send the officers to fetch you —she joked, referring to his father's strict regime.

Adrien laughed softly and nodded, grateful for her friend's sense of humor. He picked up his backpack and left the classroom, promising to return soon to continue his secret conversation with Juleka. As he walked through the school, Adrien couldn't help but feel a tingle of excitement at having someone to confide in. For a long time, he had carried his thoughts and feelings in silence, afraid of being judged or misunderstood. As he left the school and waited for his limo, Adrien paused for a moment to reflect on his friendship with Juleka. It was a safe place where he could reveal parts of himself that no one else knew, he might even reveal that he is Chat Noir... Adrien shook his head as he pushed the idea out of his head, chiding himself of such an idea and of keeping his identity secret from all his close people.

— Maybe someday... —he promised himself, but for now he had to keep protecting his secret and make sure to maintain a flawless facade in front of everyone.

Meanwhile, Juleka also had some lunchtime plans as she grabbed her backpack and slung it over one shoulder, headed for the stairs to go down but as soon as she stepped on the first step she was immediately grabbed by the shoulder and pulled back.

— Where are you going? —asks Alya, frowning in suspicion.

— To my house for lunch. —replies Juleka in a calm, neutral voice, as usual, to camouflage her lie.

— Or to meet with Chloé? —Alya accuses, leaning against the goth who backs away.

— You're being ridiculous, completely ridicu- —Juleka hurries to cover her mouth, but it was too late.

— Aha! —Alya points at her— So you are in cahoots with Chloé! —she accuses again, moving closer to the goth and forcing her to back up against the railing.

— No, no, wait. —Juleka hurries to defend herself— you know about my sequels as Reflekta, I can't help copying others and adopting their attitudes and gestures. I have no intention of meeting Chloé, I promise.

Alya frowns and crosses her arms, but seems somewhat calmer. However, she is not completely convinced. She looks Juleka up and down, as if looking for some sign of deception. Juleka feels uncomfortable under that intense stare. She knew relating to Chloé would be complicated, but she didn't imagine it would come to this point so soon.

— Alya, I understand that you want to protect Marinette and the rest of the group, but you shouldn't doubt me. I just want to go home for lunch and get some rest. I have nothing to do with Chloé's plans, I can assure you.

Alya sighs, though she still shows some distrust in her expression. She remains thoughtful for a moment before responding.

— All right, Juleka. I'll believe you this time, but don't forget that I'll be watching for any suspicious movements. If I find out that you've been involved in anything with Chloé...

— There will be nothing to find out, Alya. —Juleka interrupts her— I'm loyal to my friends and I wouldn't do anything to hurt them. Trust me.

Alya nods slowly and softens her countenance. With a gesture, she steps back and lets Juleka continue on her way to the stairs. Carefully, Juleka descends the stairs and is relieved to have avoided unnecessary conflict. As she descends the stairs, a phone call suddenly rings, Juleka hurriedly answers the call and rushes to the exit.

— Really, Chloé? Now? I had to go through Alya's interrogation, she suspects me.

— And why would she suspect you? —Chloé's voice asks through the phone, as if it wasn't a big deal— Just said it was about your akuma.

— And what about your akuma? —Juleka counters, without losing her composure.

Chloé's voice finally echoes in the earpiece after a few seconds, slightly grumpier.

— Don't remind me of that phony of mine, I still hate having been affected by one of Hawkmoth's akumas, I still feel Antibug in my mind hating every moment Ladybug.

— I feel the same with Reflekta —agrees Juleka as she stops in front of Marinette's bakery— my akuma makes me copy other people's behaviors and phrases, for a moment I was about to say your phrase.

— What phrase? —questions Chloé.

— “Ridiculous, completely ridiculous” —answers Juleka with bored eyes, imitating the blonde's voice.

— Don't make fun of me —says Chloé annoyed before sighing— anyway, we don't have time to discuss about our akumas, we must find ways to prevent our mutual friend Adrien from going on the date with Marinette Dupain-Cheng. I'll wait for you later in my suite. —she finishes before hanging up.

Juleka sighs a little before putting her phone away, she was still trying to come to terms with the fact that her friend Marinette had been stalking Adrien and couldn't help but feel a little silly about it for not seeing it. She had always seen Marinette as a kind and fun person, but this revelation made her question whether she really knew her friend well enough. With a sigh, Juleka walks into the bakery and is met as usual by Marinette's parents.

— Oh, hello Juleka. —Marinette's mother greets warmly— Do you need anything?

— Hi Mrs. Cheng, I just wanted to have lunch with Marinette.

— Sure, come in. —the gothic girl walks to go to her friend's room— The others are coming too? —at the woman's question, Juleka stops just before going upstairs and Marinette's father seemed to be ready to prepare the oven.

— No. —Juleka answers almost immediately before clarifying— Mh, no, just me.

— Oh, okay. —answered Mrs. Cheng, not seeing much of a problem— Have a good time.

— We'll try. —declared the goth girl, responding to something else she had in mind before going upstairs.

As she walked up the stairs she couldn't help but overhear someone else being with Marinette, which makes her wonder who it could be.

— Marinette? —Juleka knocks a couple of times on the trapdoor, listening as her friend seemed to move in a hurry— Everything okay?

— Y-Yes, everything's fine! —sounds Marinette's voice, sounding nervous before approaching the trapdoor and opening it— Go ahead, come in! —she says with a smile that tries to be friendly despite her nervous tone.

Juleka enters her friend's room and at the same time looks around for that second voice she thought she heard.

— I thought there was someone else. —the gothic girl comments almost distractedly, which Marinette hears.

— What?! Anyone else? Please. I was just... uh, talking to myself! Yes, sometimes I do that when I'm alone. —she finishes with a smile, trying to camouflage her nervousness or even panic.

But that only made Juleka raise an eyebrow at her friend's response, ignoring how a ladybug was flying around the room a bit.

— So... what are you doing here? —Marinette tries to change the subject to avoid talking about it any further— I thought you'd be having lunch with Rose, like you usually do.

— Not today, I wanted to talk to you about Adrien. —Juleka answers in return, immediately setting off alarms in Marinette.

— What, what happened to him?! —she suddenly grabs her goth friend's arms and shakes her with frightening scenarios only to receive out of nowhere a slap.

— Sorry. —Juleka says at her involuntary action— Just calm down and let me talk. —she takes Marinette's arms and guides her to a seat, with a part of Chloé in her mind not wanting to hear her babbling.

— O-Okay... I'll try. —Marinette replies as she sits down, rubbing her cheek a little.

— Listen, I thought maybe you should lower your plans a “little”. —Marinette just looks at her friend strangely, finding the statement odd.

— But why? I can't approach Adrien without avoiding making a fool of myself, I need to make plans for how to talk to him and... —she was retorting, giving her excuse when she is grabbed by the shoulders.

— That's why I came here. —says Juleka, looking with her uncovered eye at her half-Chinese half-French friend— I'm fine with you looking for some plan for situations but there's no need for it to be complex.

— But... —Marinette tries to speak before falling silent when Juleka leans in close to her.

— JUST talk to him, he's an ordinary guy like everyone else. He's not on a pedestal. —the goth girl tells her to make a point— I'll show you.

Then Juleka takes one of the pictures of Adrien and peels it off the wall, causing Marinette to let out a small squeal at the action, then Goth holds the picture in front of her so that Marinette sees the face of the model boy in the picture instead of Juleka's face.

— Talk to him. —she shakes the photo slightly, referring to “him”.

— Oh. —Marinette realized— um.... h-hello Adrien.

— Hi Marinette. —answers “Adrien”.

...

...

...

— Uh, Marinette? —asks Juleka, leaning a little to one side so as not to be covered by the photo.

— I don't know what to do! —panics Marinette.

— Just talk to him. —Juleka tries to reassure her by resting her hand on her shoulder— He's just an ordinary boy.

— No, he's someone perfect. —Marinette denies before smiling in love— he's a kind and nice guy, and he always has a charming smile on his face. He's like a prince from fairy tales! —Marinette sighs in admiration.

— If only you could see who he really is. —says Juleka to herself in a low growl, almost acting like Chloé, before sighing— Just try to talk to him, you'll be dating him soon. —before Marinette panics at that fact, Juleka speaks again— Hi Marinette. —she does her impression of Adrien's voice.

...

...

...

...

...

— ⟨This is going to be long...⟩ —Juleka says to herself in her mind along with what seemed to make a growl in her mind.

Later that day all the students were leaving the school.

— Hey Marinette! —calls Adrien to the girl who freezes on the spot— Do you want to go out now? I still remember that I have to promise you.

Marinette looked dead nervous as her friends encourage her by pushing her towards Adrien at the same time Chloé was throwing dangerous glances towards the gothic girl.

— E-Eh... yi-szur... —Juleka gives her a gentle nudge with a nudge— Yeah, sure!

Adrien smiles as he gets into his limo and the girls give Marinette one last push that seemed to get her into the vehicle immediately, at the exact moment the limo pulls away from the school Juleka is immediately pulled away from the others only to be cornered against the wall by Chloé.

— What are you supposed to do? I remind you that we need our mutual friend Adrinkis away from that lunatic Dupain-Cheng.

— I remember. —answers Juleka in return, undeterred— But I don't think Marinette can get Adrien when he's already thinking of someone.

— What do you mean? —questions the blonde again, now with her threats down.

Unbeknownst to the three of them, Alya was peeking around a corner and watching the exchange, so she didn't hesitate to take a picture with her cell phone. Meanwhile, both Adrien and Marinette seemed to have a somewhat awkward silence or at least for the half-Chinese girl as Adrien is distracted looking at the window.

— Do you like someone Marinette? —the sudden question takes Marinette out of her mind and she feels for a second in panic.

— E-Ehme... c-.... yes, actually I like a boy but... —she tries to answer— I always end up nervous and I don't know what to do.

— I hope you two end up together. —Adrien encourages with a smile, not noticing a slight tremor in Marinette's body— As for me, there's a girl who called me and she's very intriguing but fabulous, beautiful to the point of being determined in her work for others.

Marinette's spirits soar as she lifts her head, sensing them talking about her by how her heartbeat pounded against her chest and a growing smile on her face.

— A-And... who is the girl? Is she...? —Marinette's voice was almost a whisper but Adrien managed to hear her as he turned to look at her.

— I really don't know. —Adrien admits with a small nervous smile— She's someone from my modeling job, I've known her for months and I thought we could go out together as a couple.

At that revelation, both Marinette's heart and mind stop as she feels something shatter inside her. As if a sudden chill invades her, Marinette feels as if her world is reeling in front of her. Adrien's revelation leaves her breathless, her mind trying to process every word as her emotions swirl in a whirlwind of confusion and pain. A sense of betrayal sweeps over her, as she struggles to hold back the tears that threaten to well up. In that instant, the sparkle in her eyes fades, giving way to an indecipherable expression that reflects the emotional storm that engulfs her. Time stands still around her, and Marinette finds herself in an abyss of uncertainty, not knowing which path to take in the midst of the crossroads of feelings that consumes her.

— And I hope you don't mind, but... —Adrien continues speaking, now with an embarrassed smile— while we hang out, maybe you can help me create a romantic scenario for the two of us.

Marinette is slow to respond, trying to cope with those feelings as she tries to get some words out of her mouth.

— I-I... I don't care... I'll help you....

— Thank you Marinette, you are a great friend. —Adrien replies with a big smile, relieved to have a friend like Marinette.

Instead, she feels her heart squeezing tightly, a lump in her throat that prevents her from speaking normally. A mixture of relief at being able to continue to maintain their friendship, but also a pang of pain at admitting it silently. The complicity between them seems to cover the chasm of emotions that separates them, turning the sadness into an internal storm of feelings that threatens to overflow.

Chapter Text

— So, when a girl rejects you, it's time to cut —Chloé was instructing Adrien as she paced back and forth— and run away. —she stops to stand in front of him.

— But what if I try to continue with my charms and word games? —Adrien proposes with innocence and love in his eyes.

Soon, however, he is startled to feel a painful burn.

— Ouch... —exclaims Adrien, holding his hand to his cheek and looking at his friend with hurt puppy dog eyes.

— That's why you're a disaster in love. —criticizes Chloé harshly after slapping him— You must accept defeat with dignity, trying to force the issue will only make things worse.

— But isn't it better to try one last time? —Adrien pleaded, with a glimmer of hope in his eyes. Suddenly, his face contorted in pain as he received another slap— Ouch! —he cried, holding his hand to his other cheek and staring incredulously at his friend— Why do you always resort to violence?

— Because I think it's the only way for you to learn. —Chloé replies harshly before sighing heavily— Why am I doing this again?

— Because Adrien is inept with relationships and needs a lot of female interaction over dating. —answers Juleka almost playfully and mimicking Chloé's voice, earning a laugh from the blonde boy as Sabrina's coy giggle and a withering glare from the mayor's daughter.

They happened to be in Chloé's hotel suite with Adrien sitting on a seat while Juleka was lying on her back with her head hanging off the edge of the bed while she was scratching and petting Plagg's cat form, and nearby was Sabrina who was engaged in supporting Chloé as she now approached and handed her what appeared to be a cardboard coffee cup, which Chloé accepted as she took it from her hands without looking away from Juleka before drinking and then speaking again.

— Anyway, I stand by my point. You said this date is very important to you, so you should at least make an effort to prove it without your stupid puns.

— That reminds me. —the goth girl speaks again— you look like you could use a hand. Or a paw. —she makes with a cat claw gesture with her hand.

— She's right, —Adrien's smile made his wild amusement clear— we can't let all these paws go to waste.

Chloé seemed to be trying to keep her composure as she watched the exchange between the two, she had enough of Adrien making these puns and jokes even with the arrival of Chat Noir but now she had to put up with a third. Sabrina notices how the hand on the coffee cup was getting stronger so she acts fast in giving some shoulder massages to relax the blonde girl but the exchange between Juleka and Adrien wasn't helping.

— Why did Adele cross the road?

— To say hello from the other side.

— What kind of concert only costs 45 cents?

— A 50 Cent concert featuring Nickelback.

— What did the grape say when it got crushed?

— Nothing, it just let out a little wine.

— I want to be cremated as it is my last hope for a smoking hot body.

— Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.

— To the guy who invented zero, thanks for nothing.

— I had a crazy dream last night! I was swimming in an ocean of orange soda. Turns out it was just a Fanta sea.

— A crazy wife says to her husband that moose are falling from the sky. The husband says, it’s reindeer.

— Ladies, if he can’t appreciate your fruit jokes, you need to let that mango.

— Geology rocks but Geography is where it’s at!

— Did you know that fish have only two seconds of memory?

— What?

— What about what?

The two burst out laughing with Adrien almost falling out of his seat from how much he was leaning over as Juleka spun around in her laughter, almost immediately they recovered and exchanged challenging glances.

— Why is the duck envious of the chair?

— Because it has four legs. What is a cow doing thinking?

— Making concentrated milk. What is a donkey?

— A horse that didn't go to school. What do the ghosts of pandas eat?

— The bam-boouuu.... What does one worm say to another?

— I'm going for a walk around the block. What does one bedbug say to another?

— Some aquatic mammals at the zoo escaped. It was otter chaos!

— Never trust an atom, they make up everything!

— Waking up this morning was an eye-opening experience.

— Long fairy tales have a tendency to dragon.

— What do you use to cut a Roman Emperor's hair?

— Uhm... about what?

— Ceasers. HAHA! YOU DON'T KNOW. —answered Juleka victoriously as she jumped on the bed and the black cat leapt aside.

— Someone's got a cattitude, huh?

— YOU DIDN'T.

— Yes I did. —he said— with the most angelic smile he could muster.

— Apawlogize?

— Not if you don't do it befur.

— Someone's forgetting how to be pawlite.

— Pawser.

— Are you kitten me?

— Knock knock.

— Who's there?

— Catsup.

— Catsup who?

— CAT'S UP WITH THE PUNS. —Adrien declares with a wild grin and his arms in the air as he lunges at the goth girl.

Sabrina couldn't help but be surprised as Chloé looked like she almost wanted to explode at how her friend threw himself on top of another girl but tries to calm herself down and repeatedly remind herself that it was for these reasons that she got Adrien into her school instead of keeping him locked up at home. Juleka, on the other hand, was laughing loudly and falling on the bed with Adrien on top of her but finding herself satisfied just like Plagg who was also amused to see the reactions of the two girls.

— Well, pretty house kitty.... —they both sit on the bed, facing each other— if I gave you a croissant, would you purr? —she joked as she took advantage of her cooped up life.

— Not in a million years. You may be very pe-urrrrrr-suasive, but no. Not even if you offered me a month's supply of catnip. —Adrien folds his arms and turns his head away with his eyes closed, refusing to look at her.

— Don't challenge me, house cat, because this time I'm going to jump on you and... —Juleka crawls up close to Adrien and whispers nearby— make you feel wild.

Despite all her training in different fencing classes, self-defense, even her months as Chat Noir, she couldn't help but react with her body shaking for a few seconds with involuntary images in her head.

— Okay, enough! —Chloé butts in immediately as she approaches and pushes the two away from each other, with the goth almost being splashed with coffee— I don't want to hear any more of your damn jokes, I don't want to see you THAT close and with you I have no choice in having you with us. -says the last as she looks at Juleka again with a dangerous look.

— Sorry Chloé. —Adrien begins to apologize, genuinely feeling guilty— I guess we just got carried away.

— That's one way of putting it. —comments Juleka before adding— But yes, I also apologize for earlier.

— You better. —Chloé threatens before trying to calm down and pull away.

— And... how about we watch TV instead? —suggests Sabrina, in an attempt to change the subject and forget what happened.

Without waiting for an answer, she reaches for the remote control and turns on the TV only to stumble upon Nadja's news channel.

— We are almost a month and a half away from Heroes' Day and people are already feeling the celebration. The anniversary where the famous Lad heroes first came into existence-

The TV suddenly turned off as it turns out that both Adrien, Juleka and Sabrina rushed to turn off the TV plus all three were holding the remote control together, each had panicked expressions as Sabrina had a growing terror inside her. The three slowly turn their heads in Chloé's direction to see her reaction... and see her upset and angry but she showed no signs of unbridled fury but Adrien, thanks to his modeling sessions, could notice her friend's subtle body expression like the slight tremors in her hands and eyes, it was clear that she was having a mental discussion with Antibug. Soon she looks away from the turned off TV and notices the look on the three of them's faces.

— What's wrong with you, guys? —Chloé questions as she raises an eyebrow and sets her coffee cup down on her nightstand— You're being ridiculous.

— I-It's just that... we thought your after-effects would be triggered by hearing... —Sabrina explained to herself, a little fearful of the blonde girl's reaction.

— Yes yes, I know, but don't bother. —dismissed Chloé as she waved a hand in the air, that at least calmed Sabrina who exhaled in relief— I'm already literally dealing with that phony in my head every day because of that ridiculous ungrateful woman with boring design. -She rants, calling Antibug a phony and criticizing Ladybug.

Adrien couldn't help but feel that hurt too, remembering how Ladybug ignored Chloé to the point of getting annoyed with her when her friend was only trying to help. He could understand that putting a civilian in the middle would be dangerous but he knew very well, and more than enough, that her friend wouldn't be left behind and even less so when it came to Sabrina but... from the way Ladybug was acting... he wasn't sure but Adrien could swear that this annoyance came from a long-standing hatred. What did Chloé do to be hated like that by Ladybug? If he thought on the surface it might be for being someone mostly spoiled, sarcastic and apathetic but Adrien knew there had to be more to it.

Why did Ladybug hate her so much?

Had they known each other long before?

— Sometimes it happens to me or very often. —Juleka's voice brings Adrien out of his doubts, making him notice the current conversation— Reflekta acts like... kind of like a recorder inside my mind, it “records” people and after getting to know their personalities and tone of voice and already, I can practically imitate people with that. I can even hear them giving me ideas.

— Eh, I think it's minor compared to having a second fucking personality. —Chloé comments, resting her head on one hand and her elbow on her knee— The rest is ridiculous. —she adds, crossing her arms.

— It's completely ridiculous. —Juleka adds, also folding her arms and in a critical and rude voice.

Chloé's brow furrows as she feels annoyed at being imitated again by Juleka who responds with a small but teasing smile, Adrien laughs at that when he feels the black cat giving him a few light swipes with its paw, reminding him of today's patrol.

— Ehh... sorry girls. —Adrien begins to speak, catching the girls' attention as they see him get up from the bed and pick up the cat— but I have to get back, it turns out... my father needs me to do another piano show, so...

— Seriously? —questions Chloé with an annoyed tone to the point of considering it boring— Your father has you at his mercy, no doubt about it. —she comments sarcastically, looking at Adrien while Sabrina couldn't help nodding.

Juleka nods knowingly, implying that she shares the opinion— He has you as a robot slave. Even if I listen to your music, I'll just listen to something unnecessarily repeated.

Adrien shrugs, used to this kind of criticism and nods with a resigned smile.

— Well, I guess that's how things work at home, isn't it? —he comments, trying to play it down.

Sabrina, for her part, casts a sympathetic glance at Adrien, knowing how demanding Gabriel Agreste can be with him. Juleka, in a gesture of solidarity, pets the black cat to convey her silent support for Adrien. Chloé, seeing her companions' action, decides to relax her frown and adds in a slightly more sympathetic voice.

— Well, I suppose you could consider it an opportunity to impress your father with your musical talent once again. After all, I know you're excellent even if your father doesn't seem to notice.

Adrien nods and says goodbye with a smile before leaving the room. As he walked away, he could hear the girls arguing over who would imitate Marinette the best and Juleka questioned who they were talking to causing her to laugh, Adrien included, along with a snort being heard. The blond boy left with a smile on his face. Later, the patrol between Ladybug and Chat Noir suddenly turns into a wild bus chase.

— Oh, they don't work, the brakes don't work! —exclaims the driver, panicking as he tries to do something to stop the vehicle.

Nearby, Ladybug was swinging her yo-yo to keep up with the bus at the same time as Chat Noir performed as he shot off with his extendable cane down the sidewalk of the streets as using the structures of buildings and homes. Soon they land on top of the bus with Ladybug leaning upside down to look out the back window of the vehicle at the startled passengers.

— Ready, Chat Noir? —the ladybug heroine glances at her companion.

— Always ready, my lady. Who needs brakes if they've got us?

Ladybug runs to the front of the vehicle and jumps at the same time as she throws her yo-yo to Chat Noir who in return throws her baton to her, Ladybug remains under the bus while she rolls the baton with the string and after passing to the other side she throws the object to her partner who then spreads it between two lampposts. The bus was about to run over some citizens but fortunately the trap of the lampposts, the cane and the yo-yo manages to prevent it from happening. Ladybug and Chat Noir escort the passengers out of the bus as also apologizing to the driver, Chat Noir turns his gaze for a moment to inhale and exhale for a moment before approaching her.

— Tell me, my lady... —begins the black cat hero a little nervously, catching Ladybug's attention, he gathers courage to act more confidently— Would you like to go to dinner tonight as superheroes on a rooftop in Paris?

— Dinner, like superheroes? —she questions, raising an eyebrow.

— Yeah, I would. That's right. We've been saving Paris for too long now, almost a full year to consider having a special day. —he talks almost indirectly about Heroes' Day— How about getting to know each other better? —he proposes, with his cat ears tilted sideways.

— I... I really appreciate it Chatton, —Ladybug replies a little slowly— but it turns out I can't. —she doesn't notice her companion's slight trembling— It's just that... I've already got plans with... with some friends.

The driver gets out of the bus to approach the heroes, Chat Noir wanted to shake hands with him but the adult passed him by and instead shakes Ladybug's hand.

— Thank you, Ladybug, without you, everything would have been horrible. —Chat Noir's trembling returns after being ignored and ignored.

— W-Well... —Chat Noir tries to camouflage his mental discomfort— if your plans end early, you could come see me.

— We'll see. —Ladybug replies without looking at him as she says goodbye to the driver.

— I will wait for you, my lady. —Chat Noir says goodbye.

Ladybug doesn't respond as she uses her yo-yo and drives off, Chat Noir lingers for a few moments as he looks at her with a small but hopeful smile before driving off as well.

— That was delicious, sweetie. —Sabine congratulates her husband after finishing dinner.

— And stop dessert... behold! —Tom places a cake on the table.

— Wow! —Marinette marvels before stopping and stepping back— Oh, no, thanks dad but I can't today.

— But is it your favorite? —asks her father almost innocently, in an attempt to get his daughter to eat the cake.

— And it still is, dad! —Marinette kisses Tom's cheek— But... —then kisses Sabine's cheek— I told friends I was going out. We'll go for ice cream with André.

— Oh, lovers' ice cream! —exclaim both parents, happy and recognizing the ice cream stand.

— That's where your father asked me... —begins Sabine, remembering with a warm smile.

— ...he asked you to marry him. —Marinette finished, having already heard the story.

— He hid the ring in a vanilla ice cream. —continues her mother.

— And you almost ate it! —laughs Marinette, finishing the story.

— They say that couples who eat André's ice cream will be in love forever. —comments Sabine, glancing sideways at Marinette, who is heading for the door.

— By the way, Marinette, who are you going for ice cream with? —Marinette stops walking when she hears her father's question.

— I'm going! —she replies as she runs to the door— I'm going to be late, see you later! —the door closes almost with a bang.

— Oh... —the parents say at the same time.

Meanwhile, Adrien sighs after waiting for dinner before he takes out his phone and sends a message to Nino and then sends another one to Juleka and shortly after receiving a reply he checks the time.

— There's no point in waiting for your father, Adrien. He's going to have lunch in his office.

— What's the point of having me here all the time, if he never comes? —he asks as he gets up from his chair and walks away to go to his room.

— Don't forget your piano practice before bed, —the secretary tells him by way of farewell— and to feed your cat. —she finishes as the door closes.

As he closes the door to his room, the cat transforms into his Kwami form with Plagg looking almost resigned to his carrier.

— At least you would have brought a piece of Camembert from that plate!

Adrien brings a piece of Camembert and the Plagg takes it from him to eat it— Charge energy, Plagg. —he turns on piano music from his phone followed by placing it on top of the real piano— Maybe Adrien can't leave the house, but Chat Noir can!

— You're in a hurry to get stood up. —Plagg comments in the middle of finishing the Camembert.

— She didn't say she wouldn't go. —Adrien counters, walking to the window to open it and check if no one is around.

— But she didn't say she was going either! Let's see kid, yes, this is important to you and all, but don't get your hopes up just because of a few words that, on top of that, she didn't look at you when she spoke to you.

The memory of Ladybug's response without looking at him pops into Adrien's head as well as how she doesn't say goodbye to him as she uses her yo-yo to propel herself across the rooftops. Adrien is slow to respond, his love for Ladybug was still going strong despite going through a difficult time for him today. He stands there for a moment, looking out the window with some longing. He sighs deeply and turns to Plagg, determination in his gaze.

— You're right, Plagg. I can't keep waiting for things to change on their own. I must take action. —Plagg for a moment thought his carrier was going to think more rationally— Plagg, Claws Out!

He was wrong.

— Hey, wait...! —Plagg makes an attempt to walk away but the Miraculous captures him inside a green force field and pulls him into the ring.

Adrien transforms in no time into Chat Noir and leaves his room by jumping out the window followed by leaping across the rooftops, meanwhile in the Trocadero Gardens. Marinette finds her friends waiting for her, Alya with Nino, Ivan with Mylène and Juleka with Rose.

— Hi, Alya! Hi guys! —she greets cheerfully.

— Hi, Marinette! —Alya reciprocates the greeting.

— Hi, hi, dudette! —Nino waves half his arm in the air.

— Marinette! —Rose waves both arms in the air with joy while Juleka just raises her hand in greeting.

— Hello, Marinette? —greets Ivan half-nervously because of the little Rose's enthusiasm.

— How are you, Marinette? —asks Mylène amicably as her half-Chinese friend approaches.

— Hello, everything is fine, thanks.

Alya approaches her friend, both she and Marinette kiss each other on both cheeks but then Marinette looks on both sides of her friend, noticing that someone was missing.

— And Adrien?

— Don't be disappointed. —Alya begins to warn Marinette— But Nino got a message. It turns out that Adrien's dad won't let him leave. —then, suddenly, she throws an accusatory look at Juleka— Do you know anything about it?

— What do you mean? —the goth girl starts to speak, confused by the sudden hostility.

— You know what I'm talking about. —says the blogger as she approaches her, still accusing her of something— You seem to interact very friendly with Adrien since you did that job together and I know there's more behind it than just some friendly glances or funny small talk, not only that, but I also feel you interact with our named enemy Chloé and don't tell me it's just a coincidence. —Alya adds firmly, glaring at Juleka— Don't think I haven't noticed. There's something strange about this whole situation and I can't help thinking that you're involved somehow. If you are hiding information, I would recommend you to tell it now, because it will be much worse if I find out that you have been lying. —she supports her hands on her hips— So, say it, do you know why Adrien couldn't come?

Juleka blinks a couple of times.

After having dinner, Juleka was lying on her bed face down and seemed to let out a moan, then she turns to lie on her back and have her hands covering her face as she feels embarrassed when suddenly her phone rings. Such a sound causes her to panic and throw her phone, Julekta rushes to catch it and barely making it. She sighs in relief as she recomposes herself on the bed as she sits up more comfortably, she threw a glance at a large full-length mirror and oddly enough, her reflection had her back to her as she shook her head as she was clearly listening to music from her own phone with her headphones.

Juleka frowns softly at him before looking at her phone and seeing that it was Adrien, causing her to be surprised to receive a message from him.

(Adrien: Hey, could you go to the Trocadéro instead of me? I'll go set up my date tonight. I trust you.)

Juleka looks at her reflection again and was about to speak but stops, looks at her phone once more and with a few breaths sends him a reply.

(Juleka: I'll do it on your behalf.)

— I have no idea what you're talking about. —she replies, shrugging her shoulders.

— You're not fooling me this time Juleka, I have proof. —Alya lifts up her phone with a superior look on her face as Juleka begins to feel a growing fear inside her.

— Babe, what are you talking about? —Nino asks Alya, reflecting the group's confusion.

— Yeah, why would Juleka go against us? —Rose questions, wanting to defend her best friend.

— Because she's been doing things behind our backs —replies Alya in a firm voice— and you can't deny it, Juleka. Your messages are there, recorded forever!

At that, she shows them the photo she took when Juleka was cornered against the wall by Chloé, anyone could interpret it that the blonde billionaire was threatening the goth but seeing the lack of such threat in the photo it was hard to think otherwise. Meanwhile on a balcony, Chat Noir is setting out candles to prepare his dinner with Ladybug. He looks around and feels satisfied, then sits down and begins to wait for her.

— That-That can't be true! —Rose stammers a little, still in denial and trying to defend Juleka— S-Su... Surely it must be a misunderstanding... m-maybe just....

— I doubt it. —Ivan talk, looking closes the cell phone— I've seen and felt what it's like to be threatened, especially by Chloé, but I can't see it in there.

— Well... —Nino hesitates to speak as he scratches the back of his head— I mean, Adrien seemed sometimes very animated saying about taking a load off his shoulders, I even saw him very early in the school even long before us saying about a personal fencing class...

Mylène does not speak as she had her own doubts and trying to piece together a sort of puzzle in her mind but every time she connected a dot about certain attitudes she only got more confused as she questioned why. While Marinette...

— Is it true...? —asks in an almost distant voice, now remembering how Adrien ignored her to join Juleka and that interaction they had near the entrance— Juleka, tell me it's not...?

— You're all being ridiculous, —says Juleka suddenly, almost annoyed and haughty as she looks at the group— completely ridicu- —immediately her hands shoot to her mouth, covering it and interrupting the sentence.

— AHAH! —Alya points at her, with everyone reacting with surprise— So you admit you were with Chloé behind our backs! I knew it!

— N-No... no, I-I can-can explain it, I-It's just my... —Juleka, in a low, pleading voice, tries to speak but Alya's voice overcomes her.

— That only condemns you more! Every time you interact and look at people, you record their behavior and words, and now you've imitated Chloé's voice! —the statement makes everyone let out a gasp in recognition, Alya continues ranting and ignoring how Juleka ducks her head— I already suspected that during the “Secret Garden” plan Chloé has appeared so suddenly, someone must have told her, and what a surprise when our “friend” jammed the cart even I'm sure it caused the Roger's akumatization. —the blogger declared the accusations as facts, not noticing how Juleka's shoulders began to tremble and grit her teeth at the following statements— You're two-faced, a traitor and a liar! Believing that just by imitating and copying you would get away with it, just like Reflekta! —that was the last straw, Juleka lifts her head slightly to exchange glances with her visible eye as Rose recognizes the pain in her— Answer me! Why are you turning against your friend Marinette!

— BECAUSE SHE'S INSANE! —Juleka snarls, dropping her.

Everyone remains still and silent, not believing the tone her friend managed to reach as well as her words pronounced with Rose's eyes widened and even Alya is also surprised with all her anger and suspicion disappearing from her mind as they all look at the goth who refuses to see them with shadows covering her eye.

— I mean... Marinette's love seems sick to me. —continues Juleka, now with a soft but firm voice— I mean, she keeps stalking Adrien all the time, the schedule of all her classes, modeling sessions, fencing and everything? Creating completely and absurdly crazy plans? Zombie-like in front of just a picture? That's not love, that's just an inordinate obsession! -she lets out a half hoarse sigh as she looks at Marinette between the locks of hair- You're still my friend Marinette, I want to help you and I want you to be happy, but I can't just ignore the fact that you just... —she sighs again, mentally tired.

Everyone is still silent with Rose wanting to comfort her friend but at the same time she hesitates to do so because she always believed that the love Marinette had for Adrien was romantic but listening to her best friend almost makes her question herself. Meanwhile, Alya frowns with a grimace and approaches Marinette for support as she seemed the most affected as she felt several thoughts cracking.

— Ehhh... How about we go to André and sort it all out? —speaks Nino breaking the silence with a nervous smile, trying to calm the atmosphere.

— No thanks, —begins Juleka— I wouldn't like to eat ice cream right now, you can stay if you want Rose. —the gothic girl turns around and walks away, without looking at anyone.

— Juleka... —the pink girl tries to chase her best friend but both Ivan and Mylène stop her, knowing that Rose is also going through a painful moment and needs time.

— We don't want ice cream now either. —Alya agrees and speaking for Marinette— Let's go Marinette.

The half-Chinese girl doesn't speak and just lets her friend lead her away from the place, leaving Nino, Ivan, Mylène and Rose alone. The first two look at each other worried and then look more worried at the pink girl who seemed to have some tears coming out of her, meanwhile Juleka was walking through the streets with her eyes on the ground while the sun was starting to set and the moon was starting to rise.

⟨— Wow, so you decide to say it than me. —a voice, similar to hers but with almost haughty tone speaks in her mind— I'd say I'm surprised, but I was already waiting for the day where you'll stop being a chicken.⟩

Juleka lets out a heavy sigh as she lifts her hand where she holds the panja bracelet and opens a lid to reveal a small mirror, in it reflected Juleka but with headdresses of her former akumatization, Reflekta.

— Not now Jeflekta... I'm still affected... —speaks Juleka softly, still saddened by what just happened— so could you please....

⟨- Yeah, yeah, I'll just enjoy Marinette's heart breaking. —laughs the reflection called Jeflekta— I can also imagine seeing her crying to hear about Adrien's date.⟩

Juleka takes a short breath as she closes her eyes and closes the mirror on her bracelet, then opens her eyes to continue on her way but soon she hears someone else nearby.

— There you are. —Juleka looks up to see Chloé and Sabrina approaching— Now, do you have any information to give me?

— I'm not your informant, Chloé. —Juleka mumbles annoyed in response before continuing— But I faced my friends, I said Marinette is an obsessive freak, I guess I'm not welcome in the group anymore.

— Look at that, so you did it. —Chloé wasn't surprised but she certainly seemed to enjoy Marinette's misfortune, while Sabrina just looks silent at Juleka's words— It doesn't matter, this will be enough for my plans. Anyway, Sabrina and I were just about to get some dessert, why don't you join us now that you're not part of that ridiculous little group?

Juleka squints before sighing and looking away.

— Yeah, I guess...

They walk down the sidewalk with Chloé with Juleka and Sabrina behind, the redhead turns her gaze to the goth with half-worried eyes and tries to convey her support by resting her hand on her shoulder causing Juleka to return her gaze and allows herself to smile with a slight nod. As they walk, they begin to listen to a song.

— ♫ I am André, the ice cream man, of love in Paris! ♫ —they peek around a corner to see André ring a bell to let everyone know he's ready— ♫ They're my ice cream of lovers, of happy hearts, I am André, the ice cream man, of love in Paris! They're my ice cream lovers, happy at heart. ♫

Sabrina smiles and asks Chloé with her eyes and the blonde girl shrugs her shoulders seeing nothing to lose before moving forward now with Sabrina a little more animated at the idea of eating ice cream while Juleka walks more slowly as they approached, André is quick to notice them.

— Ah, customers, welcome! —the group of three approaches, he focuses first on Juleka as he sees her with her eyes averted and was already reaching into the cooler of her cart to take out the ice cream— For you, the shy but quiet girl, gum to liven up your steps and-

— I'll have a sweet lemon ice cream with coconut.

Chloé soon spoke up in annoyance, making Sabrina nervous, the scoop of bright pink ice cream in her spoon was there and it gapes at Andre as he was looking at her as if she had grown a second head as well as being halfway between the ice cream and the cone. The ice cream slid off the spoon and fell back into the cooler. Juleka looked a little confused at the man's reaction.

— We WANTED ice cream, and you dare NOT even ask us? —Chloé asked, approaching and leaning towards the ice cream man and squinting her eyes— Do you even ask what ice cream any of your customers want?

— Actually... —Juleka begins to speak— André makes ice cream to forge couples or to bring a person together with their true love, or so I understand....

Chloé slowly turns to look at her and give her a look that said as if she had just heard the most utterly and absurdly ridiculous thing she has ever heard in her entire life, then looks back at André with a withering look along with hitting the cart table hard with her palm.

— I'm a customer, and the customer is ALWAYS right, so you go ahead and make the ice cream the way I want it, WHO ARE YOU TO SAY WHAT YOUR CUSTOMERS WANT? —threatens Chloé, she let her eyes grow cold.

Juleka wondered if anyone had ever asked André for the flavors he wanted. She watched the scene closely and noticed how this situation was beginning to trigger latent emotions in the ice cream man.

— B-But true love ice cream? —André try to persuade her, you could practically see that his brain was short-circuiting.

— Pathetic. —said Chloé in a cold, sharp voice— Now, I want my sweet lemon ice cream with coconut.

Silently, André prepared the ice cream for her and placed it in a cone. His hands were shaking as he handed over the cone and fiddled with Chloé's change. An “Hmp” came out of the blonde girl's mouth as she walked away while Sabrina wastes no time in also ordering her ice cream which was a plain vanilla one with colored sprinkles. The moment Juleka approaches, Andre had some hope from her slight smile but it disappears.

— I'd like mine bittersweet chocolate with cherries, please.

— B-but... Your ice cream with... gum to liven up your steps! And a touch of rainbow to brighten your eyes! Y-Your true love!

— I don't need an ice cream to tell me who I love.

Resigned, André hands him the ice cream while Juleka pays him before receiving his cone and walking away. Meanwhile... Chat Noir finds himself... abandoned and depressed...

— She loves me. —blows out a candle— She doesn't love me. —blows out another candle— She loves me. —blows out the next candle— She doesn't love me. —Chat Noir is about to blow out the last candle, but he picks it up and looks at it sadly. He puts it down and stands on the balcony, heartbroken.

Meanwhile... the window of Hawkmoth's lair opens with white butterflies fluttering and flying around the lair.

— Poor pitiful Chat Noir, your weak heart could no longer bear such false hopes. —a butterfly rests on his outstretched hand and he turns it into an akuma— Fly my little akuma and heal that heart by leading it to the true path of destruction! —he proclaims with the akuma flying through the hole in the window.

— I think you were a bit cruel to André with all that criticism. —comments Juleka while walking and eating her ice cream.

— I was just telling the truth. —Chloé responds without any regrets— If he couldn't take it, then he's just a pathetic, conformist man. True love ice cream, what a joke. —she added with a sarcastic wave of her hand— No one can handle the truth.

— Well, —began Juleka as she licked her ice cream— it's easy for you to say that when you're not the recipient of it. —avoid the look Chloé was giving her.

The millionaire girl was about to speak but she feels Sabrina tapping her shoulder.

— What now Sabrina? —she questioned her friend/henchwoman.

— We should know what happened with Adrien? —she answers half-slowly— it must be a little late...

— It's true. —Chloé doesn't take long to find her cell phone and call her childhood friend— Let's see if he hasn't ruined it with his mood. —she puts it to her ear as she dials.

...

...

...

...

Chloé's brow furrows, annoyed, at having missed his call, then a second later she calls Adrien back.

...

...

...

...

The frown deepens and she is immediately texting every second, Sabrina begins to look worried as she also pulls out her cell phone and texts but slower than Chloé. Juleka senses the atmosphere of concern within the two girls even though the blonde seemed superficially annoyed, soon she too pulls out her cell phone and dials Adrien's number.

Chat Noir ignored the countless messages he was receiving, since he received a call he thought it was Ladybug with minimal hope as to why she didn't show up instead he only got more depressed and hung up the call without bothering to read the full about who was calling him as well as hang up the next one, he just remained resting on the railing and looking at the growing starry sky without noticing the Akuma approaching towards him. When he heard another call on his baton, he sighed a bit annoyed and decided to ignore it and leave it on the voice box.

— This is Adrien, I'm sorry for not answering but say what you need. —Adrien's pre-recorded voice spoke.

— Actually... I should apologize... —Chat Noir's eyes opened immediately when he recognized the gothic girl's voice, it sounded so soft and calm— I feel like we're bothering you... maybe the date didn't end well and you want to be alone... I understand. —with an almost trembling hand, Chat Noir reaches for his baton and holds it to his human ear— I... felt like I should just disappear... be alone and apart from everyone with my misery... I know what it's like not having a father for you by your side too but.... I am your friend, remember? I will always be there to listen to your pain as you listen to mine, hahaha.... —her laugh was tender...— When you first came and we got to know you, you may not see it or believe it but sometimes you give us reasons to smile and want to be by your side always...I felt it like that with Rose and Nathaniel.... I understand that... this date was very important for you but.... If she doesn't see what I or anyone else sees? Then it wasn't for you... I'm sorry... maybe I shouldn't have... I just want to say that you are very important for me, for Chloé and Sabrina, for your friends... so much that we would hate to see you so... —she lets out a soft sigh— I don't know if you hear me but I just wanted you to know that you will always have me as Chloé to support you... And if you don't come tomorrow, I'll break into your mansion to get you out. —she jokes in a confident voice along with a short laugh before she shuts up— .... We love you, you know? I hope to see you tomorrow... Goodbye.

Juleka's voice faded as Chat Noir's tears came to his eyes but he found himself smiling at his friend's words, grateful to have her to listen to his dark thoughts, knowing and remembering that he was not alone in his inner struggles. He stood there, reflecting on Juleka's comforting words and the secret friendship they shared. He admired her bravery and loyalty, and felt grateful to have friends like her by his side. Chat Noir closed his eyes for a moment, allowing the tears to fall, but feeling comforted by the unconditional support she offered him. The Akuma soon stopped and then veered off onto another path, as it flies through the sky he is soon presented with Andre kneeling behind his cart.

— But... André's ice cream has always melted hearts. —she kneels sadly on the floor— Well, they used to melt them.

— Ugh... fine, if I can't have Chat Noir by my side, then I'll look for someone else. A frustrated artist, his dreams turned to dust and the entire collapse of his little world. —Hawkmoth chuckles a little, almost in derision— That just chills me to the bone.

— I don't understand what's wrong with my ice cream... —the akuma enters his ice cream spoon.

— Glaciator, I am Hawkmoth. Revenge is always a cold dish. And since they refused to let you melt their hearts, I give you the power to freeze their bodies instead! But in return I'll ask you a small favor: bring me Ladybug's and Chat Noir's Miraculous.

— Ladybug and Chat Noir's Miraculous? I'll get them, you have my word. My revenge will be very icy!

The ice cream from his cart begins to cover his body, as more ice cream covers him, nearby civilians begin to scream as he grows to a great height until he becomes Glaciator, a giant creature of ice cream balls and ice cream cones.

— Hello! What do you want, some ice cream here you go!

He shoots ice cream out of his hands as people run and duck for cover. People who are hit by the ice cream turn into ice cream. Glacier walks away from the Bridge of Arts. when he notices a couple, he refuses to freeze them and walks away.

As Juleka tries to stop Chloé about the messages while Sabrina had already stopped a while ago when they suddenly feel the ground shake from tremors, the orange redhead rushes to look at her cell phone to receive a notification about the appearance of an Akuma.

— It's an Akuma! —Sabrina alarmedly announces.

— What?! —Chloé says, disbelievingly— Bullshit! Who gets so bad to be akumatized?!

In response to that question, the tremors increase as they begin to hear a somewhat familiar song.

— ♫ I am the evil one, Glaciator, flee from my wrath. I melted his heart, his body frozen today. ♫

Chloé's eyes widen as she slightly recognizes the tone of the melody despite the lyrics, then notices the look both Juleka and Sabrina were giving her. Juleka had a blank look in her eyes that said “Guess who?” while Sabrina, in return, looked at her worried about her well-being.

— My second Akuma since my recovery. —commented Chloé half pouting.

Soon the shaking stopped and the three noticed a shadow behind her, slowly turning to see the large ice cream Akuma. Those present stared at each other for several seconds with Sabrina being the only one of the three to show fear as Juleka was a bit confused about the Akuma's appearance as was Chloé who looked more annoyed to the point of questioning the designs made by Hawkmoth.

— YOU! —Glaciator suddenly points at Chloé— Profan of true love! Do you know who I'd set you up with? The sweet and cold revenge! —he starts shooting a ball of ice cream, but with the detail of being frozen.

Juleka and Chloé react fast in grabbing Sabrina and jumping out of the frozen ice cream ball that crashes into the pavement and creating a crater, now both Juleka and Chloé had reason to be afraid as they immediately run away with screams of terror as they take Sabrina who was paralyzed with fear, Glaciador chases them as he continues to shoot the frozen ice cream balls. Chat Noir does not take long to witness the Akuma, so he immediately shoots into the air with his extendable cane and approach through the rooftops but as he approached his cat ears allowed him to also hear the screams of Juleka and Chloé. This motivates him to go faster and just as one of the frozen ice cream balls was about to reach the three girls, he immediately launches himself and with the claws of his glove destroys the giant piece of ice.

Chat Noir lands in the middle of Glaciador and the three girls, the cat hero turns to them.

— Run away, leave it to me! —Juleka nods and together with Chloé help Sabrina to walk away while Chat Noir turns to head towards the ice cream Akuma— Hey, ice king! Aren't you tired of chasing princesses?

— Bad cat, don't get in the way!

Glaciator shoots the frozen ice cream at Chat Noir, but he keeps dodging it as if destroying it with his claws. However, Glaciador catches him off guard by kicking a car that hits him and sends him flying and with him screaming, soon Ladybug appears and quickly makes a net with her yoyo, trapping Chat Noir.

— Hey kitty, did the villain leave you cold? —she joked as she untangled the net and allowed her companion to land on his feet.

— I don't know, I feel it colder than you do. —Chat Noir replies, not looking at her but holding in his anger.

Ladybug looks confused by Chat Noir raising an eyebrow but she gasps when she hears Glaciator's voice.

— I've never tried the superhero flavor, I'm craving double passion ice cream so badly!

Glaciator continues to freeze people while Ladybug and Chat Noir try to protect them.

— Don't forget what you promised me, Glaciator. —Hawkmoth reminds him— Go get Ladybug and Chat Noir's Miraculous!

— I'm a man of my word, Hawkmoth. —he turns to Ladybug and Chat Noir— Come out this instant, or I'll bury all of Paris in a thick layer of ice cream!

— The ice cream shoots out of his hands, and he reminds me of an ice cream man by the way he talks— Ladybug speaks as she analyzes the enemy— He serves his ice cream with a.... a... What do you call it?!

— I think you're talking about an ice cream scoop. That's where the akuma must be.

— This has been fun, but it's time to turn them into ice cream forever! —Ladybug and Chat Noir run away when Glaciator tries to freeze them. Glaciator was suddenly about to freeze a couple but he hesitates and refuses to do it.

— Strange, he seems to be letting the couples escape. —notes Ladybug, thinking about it.

— Too bad for us. —comments Chat Noir.

— No, don't you understand? We know it doesn't attack couples, so we could pretend.

— Pretend what? —the black cat hero turns to look at her with his head half tilted sideways.

— That we're in love. —says the ladybug heroine.

— Sorry, I don't play with other people's feelings. —Chat Noir tells her dryly.

Chat Noir lunges to attack Glaciador by cutting him with his baton, Glaciador simply slams Chat Noir against the wall of a building and falls. He was about to be hit by a frozen ice cream ball but Ladybug saves him in time by catching the giant ice chunk with her yoyo and throwing it to a remote area.

— Are you upset because I didn't go? —asks Ladybug as she lands next to him.

— I'm kind of mad, yeah.

— I didn't mean to hurt you.

Glaciator jumps over them and continues walking, Ladybug and Chat Noir take shelter behind a car.

— Gee, thanks, I got the message tonight. —Chat Noir replies sarcastically— Oh, wait, I never got it.

— Hey, I have my problems too. —Ladybug argues as they jump out of the way of the ice cream balls, she uses the string of her yoyo to cut the ice creams by creating small nets— My plans were ruined as soon as they started.

— So tell me, “my lady”, what happened? —Chat Noir asks as he also cuts the ice cream with his now extended stick, then they run away from the projectiles and jump over the rooftops.

— You know where that topic is leading and you know very well that... —they suddenly look up in surprise as soon as a shadow covers them, Glaciator proceeds to crush them with his ice cream fist and Chat Noir grabs Ladybug to jump off and manages to save himself but they fall rolling on the street.

— Our identity must be a secret, I know. —the black cat hero continues as he raises his arms in the air, still lying on the ground while the ladybug heroine recovers— You already know the identities of Rena Rogue and Carapace, why not mine? —Chat Noir asks as he gets up.

— I already told you. If I knew your identity, Hawk Moth would only have to akumatize me, to make me tell him. I'm doing it to protect you-Ah! —she suddenly screams as Glaciator was about to crush them with his ice cream foot and Ladybug pulls out her yo-yo to flee to a rooftop, taking Chat Noir with her to the rooftops.

— I don't need you to protect me! —Chat Noir turns away as he walks away from her and then turns to confront her— We're never going to be akumatized!

— You don't understand. —Ladybug replies in a low tone.

— Maybe because you never tell me anything! —Chat Noir immediately retorts angrily.

— Give me your faces, you cowards! —snaps Glaciador as he attacks again with the frozen ice cream ball, only for the heroes to jump away.

Nearby, both Juleka, Chloé and Sabrina watched the scene and looked somewhat confused and worried but Chloé was mostly annoyed as she watched the heroes of Paris engage in bickering instead of focusing on the giant evil ice cream man, feeling not only Antibug's overflowing hatred inside her mind but also annoyance at the heroes' ridiculous behaviors. Meanwhile, Ladybug and Chat Noir were in a tense moment, their emotions running high. Chat Noir stares at Ladybug, waiting for an explanation that she seems unable to provide at the moment. The tension between them was palpable, as if they were in the midst of an emotional storm that threatened to unleash its full power at any moment. For his part, Glaciador was preparing to launch another attack, determined to capture the heroes once and for all.

— Move it, you useless pair! —suddenly shouts Chloé, startling Juleka and Sabrina, especially the latter by having her next to her, and waking up the heroes.

Chat Noir and Ladybug turn their eyes to see Glaciador shoot a big ball of frozen ice at them.

— Cataclysm! —shouts the cat hero immediately as he activates his power, with dark energy building up in his ringed hand.

He launches himself at the giant frozen chunk and upon touching it with his ringed hand it takes a while for it to turn to dust so Chat Noir had to land his feet on the side of the building it was previously on, he holds it with both hands and soon the frozen snowball turns to dust with the hero landing on the sidewalk.

— YOU! —Glaciator reacts to Chloé's presence and shoots immediately.

However, Ladybug's yo-yo moves to cut the ice cream ball and she lands to look angrily at Chloé but feeling a deep pain in seeing her friend Juleka accompanying her along with Sabrina, she is overwhelmed by Juleka's apparent betrayal. Her eyes reflect sadness and disappointment as she watches her Goth friend join Chloé. Alya's suspicions seem to come to life before her eyes, causing a sense of distrust and confusion to grow within her. The deep pain she feels comes not only from Juleka's apparent betrayal, but also from the anguish of facing this new reality.

— Chloé, what did you do now? —Ladybug asks, masking her sadness in anger towards the millionaire girl.

— Ah no, now you're not going to put ALL the blame on me! —responds Chloé, having some control over her hatred— Now you listen to me and you'd DAMN WAY better do it! You have a damn job and now you decide to distract yourselves in this ridiculous and useless discussion when you LITERALLY have an absurd ice cream man attacking! So stop being a ridiculous couple and do your job!

Chat Noir blinks a couple of times briefly, feeling the lecture by Chloé give him a third slap in the face today only, this time, he felt the blow brought him back to reality and made him realize what a fool he and Ladybug were. Focusing so much on his unresolved emotions instead of the Akuma right in front of them, he turns to Ladybug being frustrated as he looked at Chloé and you could almost see the heroine debating on denying his words or acknowledging that the millionaire girl is right. Chat Noir takes a deep breath and says calmly but firmly.

— We should try your idea. —Chat Noir suddenly says, proceeding to blind Glaciator by catapulting the vehicles against the Akuma's face, forcing him to retreat, and he takes advantage of it to grab Ladybug and hide far away.

— What the-? —Ladybug reacts, surprised and a little staggered when she is carried away by her partner.

— I know, but I think we have to put it behind us and do what we know and remember what we do. —he offers her a hand with a small smile— Protect Paris.

Ladybug looks at the hand for a few moments before returning the smile and taking Chat Noir's hand with confidence— Let's do it.

— I know you're here!

Ladybug and Chat Noir nod to each other and reveal themselves down the street, Glacier reacts immediately about to shoot them. Chat Noir ignores him to reach out his hand to Ladybug, but she grabs his arm and rests her head on his shoulder. This would have been what Chat Noir once dreamed of since it all began but he refused to enjoy it in exchange for focus. Glaciador stops himself as Ladybug and Chat Noir walk, as if they were a couple.

— Glaciator, it's time! —Hawkmoth speaks to him as the butterfly outline appears on the Akuma's face— freeze them now, for good!

Glaciator takes aim once more. Chat Noir was a little afraid of what might happen but having Ladybug kiss his cheek was what took the cake. Something he'd hoped to get... somewhere else tonight...

— Hey!

— It's part of the plan. —she whispers to him.

— I can't, Hawkmoth! They look so... in love. —It doesn't take long for Glaciator to give up.

— Now! —immediately Ladybug throws the yo-yo into Glaciadorv André didn't turn into a monster, he's inside the monster! —Glaciator was about to attack her.

— You won't do it! —Chat Noir attacks in return by slicing his feet once he split his previously expanded baton.

— This is over! —as Glaciator's feet are being picked up, Ladybug and Chat Noir are soon hiding behind a building.

— What do we do now? —asks Chat Noir, curious.

— We have to take care of the Glaciator before the people melt! Lucky Charm! —after using her main power, a helmet falls into her hands.

— Safety first. —Chat Noir couldn't help but joke the moment he saw the helmet.

Ladybug uses her vision as she sees a bank, a bus, a motorcycle, a lamp post, signposts, Chat Noir's belt and baton.

— Chat Noir, take three signs and tie them to your cane. We'll make a propeller!

— A propeller? —he asks half-confused before going to run when his ring beeps— W-Wait a minute, Ladybug!

After a few minutes, Ladybug and Cat Noir race to get what they need. Ladybug prepares the motorcycle while Cat Noir makes a propeller.

— ♫ I am the evil one, Glaciator who causes your fear! ♫

— I must hold this, now give me your belt. —Ladybug says to Chat Noir.

— ♫ I'll rip them apart and snatch the Miraculous from both of them! ♫

Ladybug wraps her yo-yo around two lampposts and Glaciador, trapping him. Glaciator struggles, trying to escape and shoot his ice cream. Ladybug climbs onto the motorcycle and starts it. The belt was on the wheel and the stick, spinning it.

— Ready, kitty?

— Cataclysm! —Chat Noir responds by touching the disintegrating bus.

The propeller blows Glaciator's ice cream, transforming him back into André.

— It will accelerate! —says the black cat hero to Ladybug who makes the motorcycle go faster.

Ladybug stops the motorcycle when the ice cream is gone. She grabs the yo-yo from the lamppost while Chat Noir grabs the ice cream scoop. He throws it at Ladybug, and she catches it before breaking it.

— No more evil-doing for you, little akuma. Time to de-evilize! —she spins her yo-yo and throws it to catch the akuma and purify it— Gotcha! Goodbye, little butterfly. —she opens her yoyo to let the white butterfly free before taking off her helmet and launching it into the sky— Miraculous Ladybug! —the swarm of magical ladybugs roam the city quickly transforming everyone back to normal.

Chat Noir soon approaches, his gaze focused on Ladybug for a few moments almost admiring her until he sighs and closes his eyes, “is have to put it behind us,” he repeats to himself as he not only said it to Ladybug but also to himself. He opens his eyes and his gaze shifts on Chloé, Sabrina and Juleka who emerge from their makeshift hiding place, his eyes focused a little more on the goth. She approaches them with a friendly smile.

— Sorry for the difficulties tonight ladies, we had a difficult evening. —the cat hero explains himself almost with the tone of a presenter— Perhaps in compensation, you would like me to escort you home.

— No thanks. —Chloé immediately replies— I've had enough of an absurdly conformist adult and a pitiful view of you, let's go. —she quickly leaves without waiting for anyone.

— E-Eh... —Sabrina takes a long time to answer before addressing the hero— Thank you very much! —she says goodbye hurriedly as she catches up with Chloé.

However, she stops and soon after the orange redhead who turns to look at Juleka who stood still on the spot.

— Juleka? —asks Chloé half impatiently.

— Actually, —begins the gothic girl before shrinking amused towards her— I'd like to go with Chat Noir. —the hero smiles excitedly.

— Do whatever you want, —the blonde girl reluctantly agrees— just don't be late tomorrow.

Juleka nods as the two girls leave the place, both she and Chat Noir smile at each other but he soon gestures her to wait while he turns back to Ladybug.

— Listen, maybe... I can't have your heart but.... —Chat Noir raises his fist to her— at least I know I'll have your friendship... —he says softly, with a small smile.

Ladybug smiles softly at him as she also raises her fist— Me too, with having you by my side and, even though I don't find your jokes funny, they always cheer me up.

At that moment, André wakes up to witness the heroes clash fists.

— Pound it. —they announce together, fists clashing.

— Sacré bleu! —the heroes turn to look at André— How charming! —suddenly he hugs them both— I was saved by a couple of super lovers!

Ladybug reacts a little amused by the ice cream man with Chat Noir looking away and an amused childish pout, once they were released the cat hero proceeds in approaching the goth who also approaches him and jumping into his arms with Chat Noir not being able to help but laugh as he carries her before propelling himself.

— Ladybug, you succeeded in thawing my plans! But someday I will triumph, and revenge will taste the sweetest!

The next day, at lunchtime, Juleka reaches for her lunch tray and turns to find a seat but stopped suddenly as she saw from her place the look Alya was giving her as well as how the rest of her friends avoided looking at her, especially Rose which was more painful for the goth. She sighs a bit dejectedly before heading to another table where she saw Chloé apparently waiting for her by the way she looked at her, with no options, Juleka sits at the table next to Chloé and Sabrina with the former now exchanging a sharp glance at Alya with a smirk of superiority while the blogger squints her eyes.

Chapter Text

Adrien stands in front of the door of his father's workshop, he was a little nervous so he jumps a little with his feet but after taking a deep breath he knocks on the door and waits for an answer. As soon as he hears “Come in”, Adrien practically opens the door immediately and enters his father's workshop.

— Is something wrong, son? —asks Gabriel without looking up and focusing on his screen.

— Father... —Adrien thinks for a moment how to say it— there is something I wanted to talk to you about, can you give me a few minutes of your time? —he asks half in supplication.

— Yes, of course.

— Really? —Adrien found it hard to believe that his father answered positively.

— I'll tell Nathalie to let you know as soon as she's available. —Gabriel continued in a neutral voice.

Half positively...

— Then it will be too late. -He says more to himself with a lowered gaze.

At the comment, Gabriel looks up from his screen and notices how Adrien seemed to fidget and with his index finger, of the same hand, rub his ring a little.

— Shouldn't you be practicing the piano? —Gabriel questions, looking back into his eyes.

— Yes father. —Adrien says a little dejectedly and leaves the room.

Gabriel keeps his gaze glued to his son until he sees him disappear behind the door, after a few seconds he uses his stylus to bring to his screen a couple of Chat Noir videos from Ladyblog. He pauses the videos and rewinds them before getting a perfect view of Chat Noir's Miraculous as it's a ring, then brings up an ad featuring Adrien, and as he demeters the ad he zooms in on Adrien's ring.

Chat Noir's Miraculous and Adrien's ring were very similar, the only difference being that Adrien's ring was a white replica of the black ring with the cat paw on the front. Gabriel frowns with narrowed eyes.

— Impossible!

Gabriel bursts through the doors of his workshop and marches upstairs to Adrien's room, Gabriel was no fool as he himself had created a market with fake Miraculous replicas he might even consider that his son had one but he would not accept such a thing for several reasons. Gabriel would not accept that an object as valuable as a Miraculous was in his son's possession. He walks purposefully down the hallway as countless thoughts invade his mind. How was it possible for Adrien to have the ring in the first place? The possibility that Chat Noir and his own son were somehow related was unacceptable to him. Gabriel's suspicions grow, his frown becoming even more pronounced.

Gorilla notices him as he stands in the doorway. Piano music plays in the background as Gabriel opens the door to his son's room forcefully to confront him. Instead, he lets out a quiet growl when he and Gorilla see that Adrien is not there and it turns out that the music was actually coming from the cell phone, Gabriel then sees that the window is open as well.

— Nathalie! —the piano music stops playing as Nathalie appears next to the bodyguard— Where is my son? —Gabriel holds the phone tightly— How did he get out of this room without any of you noticing? Find him!

Gorilla and Nathalie run downstairs to start searching for Adrien. The bodyguard immediately goes to the limousine to look for him in the city while Nathalie goes to the security cameras and it doesn't take long to find out what happened.

— Sir. —the secretary calls her boss and he comes up to her, showing her the screen— Someone took him.

On the screen, where it was seen from a security camera, it showed Adrien arguing alone and looking somewhat frustrated when from his window Juleka peeks out and knocks on the window to get the model's attention, the frown gets bigger as his son looks excited as he hurries to play something on his phone and leave it on his piano and then open the window and run away with the gothic looking girl. Gabriel slams his desk table hard as his face reflects his anger. His fists clench tightly, demonstrating the intensity of his emotions in front of the screen. The secretary watches with silent caution, waiting for her boss's reaction.

— No interference like all the previous times? —asks Gabriel in return.

— No sir, this time the camera did not malfunction as it usually does when an Akuma attack occurs.

The suspicions of Adrien and Chat Noir return again to Gabriel's head but he will have to save it for later, when he has more information and does not want to rush into accusations without solid evidence. Carefully analyzing the scene he has just witnessed, Gabriel mutters to himself, trying to unravel the motive behind his son's escape. Alarm bells in his mind begin to ring, recalling past incidents and suspicious connections that could be related. With a deep sigh, Gabriel straightens up and makes a decision: follow Adrien and Juleka's movements closely, investigate this clandestine meeting thoroughly before jumping to conclusions and facing the consequences of possible betrayal.

— Find my son, I will have a serious talk with him.

Down the streets and into an alleyway, Chloé and Sabrina were keeping an eye on their surroundings while Juleka changed Adrien's jacket for a dark one, not noticing Plagg reaching into his pocket, and placing a cap on his head.

— I didn't think you were serious about “kidnapping me”. —Adrien decided to speak, a bit humorously as he felt Juleka ruffle his loose hair.

— Well, this is very important to you, isn't it? —asks the ghotic girl with a smile— You don't want to miss the chance to see your mother's movie.

— Of course not, I would never forgive myself. —replies Adrien with a knowing smile.

— Then fine, we'll worry about legality and your strict father later.

— You finish? —asks Chloé with a touch of impatience.

— Yes, Adrien is ready to lay low. —reports Juleka, while adding dark glasses and checking Adrien's appearance carefully.

Chloé nods with a satisfied gesture and comments— Perfect, we can't risk failing at this.

Sabrina looks around carefully and says quietly— I think we should go, Gabriel's men shouldn't be long.

Juleka nods and winks at Adrien, indicating that it is time to act. Without another word, the group sets off on their way to the cinema, hoping to accomplish their mission without mishap. Along the way, Chloé occasionally cast glances everywhere with narrowed eyes, as if daring anyone to approach her, Juleka couldn't help but laugh silently at the mayor's daughter's attitude but decides not to say anything against it, at one point Adrien accidentally bumps into someone.

— Sorry-ehh... —Adrien immediately apologizes as he turns to the person he bumped into but freezes to see a guy pretending to be Adrien, including a wig.

Chloé quickly pushes him away and shoots a threatening look at the boy before the group walked away, however, the boy was not far behind as he recognized Adrien.

— Adrien? Adrien Agreste? This is amazing, I'm your fan! —the fanboy runs to get in front of the group.

— Uh, yeah, nice to meet you. —the blond model lets out a little nervous laugh— But I have something important to do now, bye. —he tries to walk away, now with the three girls pushing to speed up the pace, but the fanatic starts to follow them, aggravating Chloé's look.

— The first time I saw you in that commercial I said, “Wayhem, you've got to meet him.” That's great! I'm your biggest fan!

— You can tell... —Chloé mutters, looking disgusted at the boy and the way he dresses.

Out of nowhere, the fan pulls out his cell phone and takes a sudden selfie with Adrien who reacts bewilderedly, setting off their alarms as with Chloé and Sabrina in their heads.

— Say wiski! —he takes a selfie and then starts writing a text for the photo— “I-with-Adrien. this-is-the-best-day-of-my-life!”

— Do something! —Chloé whispers to Juleka, as if she's the bodyguard.

— E-Ehh... —the proclaimed gothic bodyguard hesitates what to do.

Just as the fanatic was about to post the photo, with Adrien futilely trying to stop him and Sabrina panicking, he is suddenly hit with a right hook and falls to the ground. Those present react with surprise and are caught off guard, then turn their attention to Juleka who was also surprised.

— You didn't have to hit him! —exclaims Chloé against the gothic girl.

— I didn't know what to do, it was my first thought! —she defends herself, looking at Chloé with wide eyes.

In the midst of the chaos, Adrien rushes to stand between the two girls, trying to calm the situation while Sabrina was still in shock, trying to regain her composure without success. However, everything got worse when the group heard a notification and slowly turned around to discover that the fan had managed to post the selfie while still on the ground.

— Son of a-! —Chloé snarls, losing her temper.

Meanwhile, Gorilla is driving in the Agreste limo, looking for Adrien when his GPS goes off.

— You have a new notification! —Gorilla taps the GPS screen and sees Adrien and Wayhem's picture. He grunts before tracking the location of the photo— New destination. —the bodyguard turns left to follow his new route.

— One thing! —Chloé was shouting against the fanatic, grabbing him by the collar and shaking him angrily— One measly thing and you had to ruin it with your shitty fanaticism-!

— Chloé, stop it, you're going to kill him! —both Adrien and Sabrina try to push the millionaire girl away from the fanboy, but Chloé clings to her desire to mistreat the Wayhem.

Juleka, meanwhile, hurries to break the cell phone and throw it in the trash but, the moment she looks up, she sees the Agreste limousine approaching.

— Oh no, guys, we have to go! —she runs to push the boys away from the area, managing to pull Chloé away from the fanboy.

The latter groans and grunts as he recovers from the concussion, as well as watching the group walk away.

— Hey, wait...! —he tries to get up but stumbles— Adrien!

Adrien felt the insistence to help him but is ignored as the girls push him away, to their bad luck, nearby pedestrians hear Wayhem and start shouting Adrien's name with delight. The group runs with more haste to try to get away from the impending chaos but stop when a girl points to Adrien.

— Look, it's Aden, mommy! —the girl's innocent announcement only brought panic to the group.

— Can I have an autograph for my daughter?! —asks a fireman out of nowhere.

Juleka grabs Adrien's wrist and immediately runs off taking the model with Chloé and Sabrina in tow as they are chased by a crowd of fans including Wayhem, plus a man on a motorcycle, the fireman's truck and a police helicopter.

— What's wrong with this city?! —questions Chloé, with anger shining in her eyes— Are you guys crazy or what?!

— I'm sorry girls, —says Adrien with regret, sadness in his eyes— my fame is a curse, I can't go unnoticed? —he lets out a heavy sigh— I guess I won't be able to see my mother's movie...

— NO! —Chloé and Juleka both grumble, surprising the blond model.

— You're going to see that movie, whether you can or not! —Chloé starts to say.

— We just need to find a way to get away from them. —Juleka thinks, focusing her eyes on a corner.

She runs hard into the corner and the group turns left and ducks out of sight briefly but Juleka doesn't stop as she hands Chloé Adrien's white jacket and, as if she's read his mind, the millionaire girl smiles before running into the sight of the fans.

— Hey everyone, I have Adrien's jacket and it's mine! —she says arrogantly and, throwing salt, dares to sniff it in front of everyone without looking away and having a shit-eating grin.

Given her nature, it didn't take long for her to invoke hatred, envy and jealousy from people. Chloé runs off in one direction with the wave of fans chasing after her.

— See you later. —Sabrina assures Sabrina with a smile before giving a quick hug goodbye to Adrien and Juleka before leaving to make sure Chloé doesn't get into any more trouble.

— Beaming. Unconcerned. Sleepy. Adrien... The fragrance. —the announcement shows Adrien ascending and running through the air before ending in a “joyful leap” with several feathers. Marinette begins to rewind the ad when the announcer says “Adrien.”

— Adrien. —she sighs in love.

Marinette was eating yogurt but had been completely mesmerized by the announcement that she forgot about her dessert, with Tikki helping to spoon a spoonful into her mouth.

— Radiant. Carefree. Sleepy. Adrien. —the announcement is repeated once again and this time with Marinette saying it at the same time.

Suddenly awakened from her trance when her phone starts ringing, Marinette pauses the video to pick up when she sees that the caller ID shows Alya.

— Marinette, I've been waiting for you for fifteen minutes! Where are you?

— A-Ah... —Marinette looks for an excuse— I was deciding which bathing suit to wear. —she laughs a little nervously.

— Radiant. Carefree. Sleepy. —Marinette's eyes glaze over when she hears the commercial, she turns her head and sees that Tikki had replayed the commercial again giving her a disapproving look.

— Ah? —Alya's tone changes to a mischievous one— And I'm sure Adrien's commercial is helping you with something else.

— Yes! I won't be long now! —Marinette replies with another nervous laugh, now a longer one.

Marinette ends the call, almost in a hurry, before quickly grabbing her duffel bag. Tikki follows her floating beside her as they leave the house.

— Marinette? —begins the Kwami as they leave the house/bakery— Marinette, aren't you forgetting something?

— Eh? —looks at her Kwami with confusion as she stops in front of the door after closing it, soon noticing something— Oh, I forgot to pack my bathing suit!

— Mmm-mmm. —Tikki shakes her head and then points to Marinette's body.

Marinette looks down and squeals when she realizes she is still wearing her pajamas, immediately going back inside and slamming the door shut and bypassing Juleka and Adrien running to Vosges Square. The two stop and catch their breath as they sit at the fountain.

— Thanks for doing this Juleka. —Adrien starts to say after a second— People are like crazy about the commercial and I'm sorry it's annoying.

— Eh, it's okay. —Juleka shrugs indifferently- And I don't mind having to help you get away from your fans, I guess I could be your bodyguard, I don't know.

— Oh, really? Well, your gothic appearance might scare them enough to keep them at bay. But seriously, thanks for helping me escape earlier. Sometimes it's hard to have a moment of peace. —Adrien leans back a bit on the edge of the fountain and smiles at Juleka.

— Don't worry, I'll always be here for you. Besides, who better than a friend to protect you from the hordes of admirers. —Juleka smiles back knowingly— And who knows? I might even wear a special outfit for the occasion.

They both laugh at the idea while enjoying the momentary tranquility amidst the bustle of the city, in the moment, Adrien looks once again at Juleka and slowly wanted to move closer to the gothic girl but the moment was ruined when out of the corner of his eye they see the flash of a photo. They both turn to see a fan excitedly taking the photo.

— “Adrien and his girlfriend in a fountain!” —she was excitedly typing before being punched in the face by Juleka.

However, after the punch the phone was thrown into the air and fell to the ground but in doing so the photo was posted.

— Fucking sh*tty fate!

Meanwhile, Gabriel receives a notification from his phone.

— Adrien? —he questions with his eyes narrowing and an anger growing inside him.

Somewhere in the streets of Paris, the crowd of fans were looking for Chloé who was hiding with Sabrina behind some cars when they received the notification.

— In a fountain? —asks Chloé before grabbing her friend and running off, already knowing where to go.

— JULEKA!!! —shouts Alya angrily, causing Rose and Mylène to hide in the water in fear of the blogger.

Meanwhile, in the Agreste limo, Gorilla is quick to get the message as well.

— A new notification!

The bodyguard turns the car around to head for the Place des Vosges. When he arrives, he growls in frustration when he sees that Adrien isn't there as it turns out that both he and Juleka escaped into the subway with Adrien taking a deep breath before falling over a bench

— Again I'm sorry for dragging into this madness, Juleka, plus now everyone thinks you're my girlfriend!

— Yeah yeah, I know, this is ridiculous. —Juleka comments, a bit tired and annoyed— This fanaticism is going too far, who could believe we're together?

Adrien looks away with a slight blush on his cheeks— Well... I don't think it would be a bad thing... —the gothic girl raises an eyebrow at him— I mean! Y-You wouldn't be at all a bad choice I just think that....

Her rambling was interrupted when, a woman on the opposite subway platform, notices Adrien and Juleka together.

— It's Adrien from the commercial!

She starts taking pictures of Adrien and Juleka from their phones but other girls among the fans seemed to look annoyed and offended. Meanwhile, at the pool, Alya and her friends notice the photos on her phone. Rose couldn't help but adore how nervous and cute Adrien looked how to admit that Juleka looked cute next to him but she looked worried about the way Alya reacted who could swear to see her getting hot and fuming when Marinette arrives on the scene.

— Hey girls! What's up? —asks the half-French girl noticing the furious look on her friend's face and the concern of the others.

— Nothing! —answer Rose and Mylene in unison.

— Oh, nothing important. —says Alya condescendingly— Only that your Adrien is going steady with Juleka.

That news just makes Marinette's eyes shrink like points and freeze in place, meanwhile....

— We can't stay here! —Adrien says as he sees the murderous looks between the fans.

Adrien grabs Juleka's hand and runs off with her away from the fans still chanting “Adrien” and the jealous girls, they were about to reach the nearby exit but Adrien stops when he sees their bodyguard blocking their way. They both turn to head for another exit, but see Wayhem there on the stairs, as well as others appearing behind him.

— Adrien! —says the fanboy with open arms, as if he expects his idol to come into his arms.

Adrien and Juleka look around when they discover that they were surrounded, however, soon they both hear someone's call and see both Chloé and Sabrina inside the main carriage of a nearby subway train, so both Adrien and Juleka nod to each other before running and jumping inside with Sabrina closing the doors with a sort of pass.

— Finally using your privilege as a police captain's daughter. —Chloé comments as she pulls the lever, putting the train in gear.

— I-I just never saw when to use it. —Sabrina defends herself.

— Wait, do you know how to drive this train? —questions Juleka, looking at the blonde girl.

— Oh please, it's not even that hard. I just have to move the lever and that's it. —Chloé replies as if it were obvious.

Juleka looks at her for a few moments before leaning against the corner for safety.

— Adrien! —shouts the fanboy as the train takes off, then notices the bodyguard— Look, his bodyguard!

They all start to confront the bodyguard, Gorilla of course holds them off but the number of people gradually outnumbers him to the point of knocking him down with the fan in cosplay managing to take his phone.

— I have his phone! —he checks the contact list and calls Adrien's phone.

However, since Gabriel had Adrien's phone with him he was the one who received the call.

— Adrien? —speaks the voice of the fanatic once the call is answered.

— Who are you? —Gabriel speaks angrily— Put that phone back or I'll have you arrested!

Wayem drops the bodyguard's phone in surprise at Father Agreste's tone. Suddenly, another fan's phone receives a notification.

— They got off at Concorde station!

Another train arrives behind, the crowd of fans immediately boards it, leaving Gorilla alone who pounds his fist on the ground in anger.

Gabriel enters his lair through the secret passage of his workshop.

— Master, —speaks Nooroo when he sees his bearer enter— do you think Adrien is Chat Noir?

— I don't know. But he's hiding something for sure, and since his bodyguard has failed to keep an eye on Adrien, there's only one way to discover his secret. Nooroo, dark wings rise!

Gabriel transforms into Hawk Moth.

On the streets of Paris, Gorilla comes out of the subway to see that the Agreste limousine is about to be towed by Agent Roger.

— Who would park like that in Paris, he thinks he owns the streets! —he gives a penalty to the bodyguard. Angrily, Gorilla crumples it up and throws it away while Roger talks to the person who is about to tow the car— Go ahead, take it away! —the crumpled penalty bounces off the back of the rearview mirror and hits the back of Roger's cap. Roger angrily turns around and notices that the bodyguard is trying to put the car down and starts writing another penalty— And besides attacking a police officer on duty. That doesn't look good for you! —Gorila growls with more anger before he suddenly hears the notification on his phone. The bodyguard picks up the phone— What do you think you're doing? I didn't answer it!

— You have a voice mail. —the automated voice on the phone speaks.

— I'm talking to you! —Roger writes another ticket.

— What did you do, where is Adrien? —Gabriel's voice mail speaks— Don't tell me it's so hard to keep an eye on a 17 year old kid! —as Gorilla listens to Gabriel, Roger slaps a ticket on the bodyguard. Gorilla continues to growl, prompting Roger to write another— Were you so dumb you couldn't do something simple?

— Another one! —he gives him another penalty and keeps writing.

— You'd better find him! —Gabriel's voice continues.

— And another one! And another one!

The Agreste limousine is placed on the crane platform.

— A failed bodyguard who can't do his job. —speaks Hawkmoth, after sending the message— Anger and frustration, the perfect fire for my akuma! —then turns one of the butterflies into an akuma- Fly my little akuma, and evilize him!

The crane drives away with the Agreste limousine, Gorilla hits a nearby pole angrily, injuring his hand. Then with regret he lets out a sigh as from a pocket he pulls out a photograph of a small Adrien riding on his shoulders and remembers how the boy enjoyed being with him despite looking somewhat intimidating but Adrien didn't stop him and one day wanted to be on his shoulders and enjoy the heights, Gorilla couldn't help but grow fond of him and admits to himself that he enjoyed it while Emilie enjoyed the scene with warmth and couldn't help but laugh along with pulling out the photo. The bodyguard lets out a sigh and closes his eyes as akuma possesses the photo.

— Gorizilla, I am Hawkmoth. I will give you the necessary ability to track down the person you lost in order for you to fulfill your mission.

Gorilla exhales through his nose forcefully and nods before being enveloped by dark energy and transforming into Gorizilla, a giant blue gorilla. Nearby civilians begin to run and scream when they notice him causing Roger to turn around. Gorizilla roars and beats his chest in anger. He looks at the photo between his fingers, with a flash of a memory of the child Adrien holding the photo and looking at it with fascination, and smells its scent. Getting Adrien's scent trail, he puts the photo in his pants pocket and begins to track Adrien.

In the movie theater, a car commercial is playing on the screen. Chloé and Juleka look around a bit while Sabrina adjusts Adrien's little costume a bit to hide from the fans.

— Seriously thanks for doing this girls. —Adrien whispers once Sabrina adjusts his costume.

— Oh, you don't have to thank us Adrikins. —Chloé replies haughtily, fluttering her hand in the air— Who would want to miss the chance to see their mother on film? In fact, she had the privilege of being filmed by my father!

— Shh.

— You shut up! —she retorts, standing up on her seat and looking at the person behind her— He didn't even start the movie, so you better get...! —she was about to say something else but Juleka pulls her by the arm, returning her to her seat.

Suddenly, the Adrien fragrance ad plays on the screen.

— Beaming. Unconcerned. Sleepy. Adrien... the fragrance.

— Have people really lost their minds with this commercial? —questions Chloé, now in a low voice— I get it because you're a precious treasure, —she compliments Adrien standing next to her sweetly before returning to her spoiled and haughty attitude— but please, people are completely ridiculous. Now I'm thinking that kid in cosplay is like a version of Marinette. —she whispers to herself.

Soon the lights went out as the movie started.

— Graham Films. A Bourgeois Productions. Solitude. Emilie Agreste.

The film on the screen shows “Graham Films” logo on a black background. The opening shows a scene of a rainy day in Paris with the text “Production A. Bourgeois” on the screen. The next scene shows a woman walking on the bank of the Seine River with the umbrella, with the text “Solitude” appearing next to her. Adrien leans further forward when he sees the text “Emilie Agreste” in the scene. He leans even closer intending to get a closer look at his mother, being on the edge of his seat, Juleka sees this and rests her hand on his shoulder as dedicating a soft smile which Adrien reciprocates by turning to look at her as he takes off his glasses to look into her eyes, then feels Chloé press herself to him from the other side with the model laughing at her friend's apparent jealousy. He intertwines his arm with Chloé's and she shoots a superior look at Juleka with the goth girl snorting amused at the rich girl's attitude, the group turns their attention back to the movie but out of nowhere the doors burst open.

— Adrien is in the movie theater! —Wayhem exclaims as he walks through the doors.

The swarm of fans rush Wayhem and search the room trying to find the model, who rushes to try to hide followed by putting his glasses back on. Amidst the ordeal, Chloé lets out a scream of rage as she throws herself at the cinema patron, who was guilty of bringing in the deranged fanatic, they fall to the floor with the blonde almost strangled.

— You're a fucking asshole! —she exclaimed with fury in her eyes while shaking the employee— Couldn't you be even for a second without your fanaticism of sh- —she is silenced by the screams of the other fans— AFTER the movie?!

Meanwhile, Juleka and Sabrina try to keep everyone away from Adrien when suddenly they all hear loud footsteps from outside. They start running and screaming as Gorizilla's hand smashes through the roof to grab Adrien and carry him away.

— Adrien!—Adrikins! —shout Juleka, Sabrina and Chloé worriedly.

Adrien tries to break free but the hand releases him and holds him so the model can sit on his palm.

— What...? Who...? —Adrien's uncertainty was slowly going down when he sees the Akuma's face, feeling it familiar— Gorilla? —he asks squinting, trying to recognize his bodyguard.

Gorizilla snorts with his nose by way of confirmation, suddenly the crowd of fans started throwing food at him like chunks of concrete from the ceiling.

— Let go of Adrien!

Gorizilla snarls and lifts his foot with the intention of crushing them.

— No, stop! —Adrien gets the Akuma's attention— It's me you want. Leave them alone!

Gorizilla looks at him skeptically and still went with the intention of crushing the fans, especially Wayhem for finding him annoying but Hawkmoth's butterfly outline appears in front of his face.

— Gorizilla, you have accomplished the first part of your mission. Now don't let go of Adrien until Ladybug and Chat Noir come to rescue him!

Gorizilla grabs Adrien tightly and moves away from the area.

— Adrien, I'm going to save you! —Wayhem shouts before being hit in the head by a chunk of concrete and falling unconscious, courtesy of Chloé.

— You'll do nothing but be garbage. —says the blonde before dropping the concrete, then turns to the other two— Come on, we have to go get Adrien unless Ladybug gets left behind like a slug.

She immediately takes off running towards the exit with Juleka and Sabrina following her, Ladybug found herself swinging through the city after the Akuma alert went off and is now chasing Gorizilla.

— She's got to get Adrien down, now! —she swings onto a rooftop and runs along it as she watches Gorizilla reach a tall building and climb onto the roof, where he lets out a tremendous roar. Ladybug then uses her yo-yo to propel herself to the top of the tower— Let he go! —she throws her yo-yo towards Gorizilla but misses when the Akuma ducks.

— Ladybug! —Adrien exclaims, trying to forcefully free himself from Gorizilla's grip.

— She's all alone! —notices Hawkmoth, witnessing the fight from the Akuma's eyes— If Adrien is Chat Noir, he'll have to transform to help her. Gorizilla, attack her!

Gorizilla is about to grab Ladybug, but she dodges it with a jump and takes advantage of the attack to run down his arm until she reaches his shoulder. Gorizilla tries to shake her off but Ladybug managed to stand her ground and reach the other arm, she rushes to Adrien and tries to open the Akuma's hand, but it's too tight.

— It's no use, it's too strong!

Gorizilla roars at Ladybug and swings her hand hard, which causes her to be thrown almost out of the building. She manages to catch herself by using her yo-yo.

— Chat Noir, where are you? —she asks through the communicator in her ear— I really need your help, and fast! I'm in the Montparnasse tower! —Gorizilla is about to grab her but Ladybug runs face-first into the Tower as Gorizilla tries to hit her— Lucky Charm! —A remote-controlled toy helicopter appears— A helicopter? This is not a good time to play.

Just as Ladybug starts to control the helicopter, Gorizilla grabs it.

— Well, take Ladybug's miraculous while we wait for Chat Noir! —commands Hawkmoth.

Gorizilla struggles to grab Ladybug's earrings, but is hopelessly unable to do so as she holds Adrien and Ladybug in her fists.

— I'm sorry, Ladybug. —Adrien speaks guiltily.

— Don't worry about it. —assures Ladybug, moving a little inside the grip— I'll try to maneuver... this thing.

Inside Gorizilla's left hand, Ladybug manages to maneuver the remote control joystick to control the helicopter in order to distract Gorizilla. The helicopter first enters her nostril, before it flies out and hits her eyes with its blades. Gorizilla roars in pain and ends up freeing Ladybug. He then tries to attack the helicopter.

— Get Ladybug! —commands the villainous butterfly.

Ladybug wraps her yo-yo around the thumb of Gorizilla's hand in which she is holding Adrien.

— Hold on! —exclaims the heroine before leaping out of the building and through a window into a business office, where she runs past the workers to reach a window on the other side of the building— Excuse me! —jumps back onto the roof and passes underneath Gorizilla between her legs— Drop Adrien, now! —pulls on his rope, causing a table inside the office to be knocked over and used as leverage to force Gorizilla's thumb away from Adrien— Jump, Adrien! Quick! —Adrien looks at the great distance below him— You have to trust me!

— Fine! —he jumps out of Gorizilla's hand, and free-falls over the side of the building.

— No! —exclaims Hawk Moth with fear in his eyes.

Ladybug jumps off the building to save Adrien, but Gorizilla grabs her and stops her from moving.

— NO! —Ladybug exclaims in terror and fear.

— If you don't transform soon, you'll end up as fresh fish puree! —Plagg says to Adrien, floating below him in free fall— And that's not very tasty to look at!

— I can't, Plagg! Not while I'm out in the open!

Ladybug tries to escape Gorizilla's clutches, but he's too strong. On the ground, the girls reach the area and gasp in horror.

— ADRIEN! —exclaim Juleka, Chloé and Sabrina.

The latter two run through the crowd with the blonde demanding things while the orange redhead tries to get help, leaving the goth frozen in fear at the sight.

— If you really are Chat Noir, then transform, son. —Hawkmoth says to himself— Please! —Adrien continues to fall down, resolutely staying as he is— Do it, son!

Plagg looks around still in the fall, trying to find some solution when his eyes focus on someone.

— If there is no other choice... —says the Kwami to himself before going to take the Miraculous from Adrien and rushing into the crowd— No time for niceties. —he comments as he flies faster, to the point of becoming a blur.

Back on the ground, Juleka continued to stare when she noticed a black blur, squinting her eyes as she tried to define what was approaching when the blur rushed at her, pushing her away from the crowd until she stumbled into an alleyway and the Miraculous fell in front of her.

— There you go, Miraculous of Destruction, I'm Plagg and you transform with “Claws Out” and come back with “Claws In”, your power is Cataclysm and so on. —Plagg is explaining urgently, without giving Juleka time to recover— Got it? Good, so hurry up and transform!

— What the...? But... —Juleka is slow to understand what's going on as she gets up.

— There's no time, transform, quick! —interrupts the Kwami and positioning himself in front of her face— Please! —he adds with concern and his ears drooping to the side.

Juleka stares into his eyes for a few seconds as his eyes widen in understanding, all the while, Ladybug struggles to free his arm and in doing so throws her yo-yo at one of Gorizilla's eyes, causing him to roar in pain as I released the ladybug heroine at the same time as dark gray boots with claws and fur on the ankles go running on a rooftop. Ladybug rushes to launch herself over the side of the tower in free fall as a roped blade wraps around a chimney and a figure propelling itself spinning in circles before shooting off with the blade retracting into the figure. Adrien screams as the ground was getting dangerously close with Ladybug trying to get closer to the model as Adrien falls into the arm of the figure surrounding him as the figure again fires the blade at a tower column until the rope is tented and allowing the model and figure to land safely, the blade and rope retracting to reveal itself as a sword whip which is then wrapped around the waist like a belt.

The crowd cheers enthusiastically as the figure saved Adrien who upon pulling away from his savior is immediately hugged by Chloé tightly as police officers approach the two and carry them away without bothering to separate the blondes, soon Ladybug lands with the help of her yo-yo and is surprised to witness the figure smiling at her.

— Hello, new partner. —the new cat heroine pronounces, waving with a hand with triangular plates working like claws on her fingers.

— What-Wait-Who are you? —Ladybug stammers at the sudden appearance of another Black Cat wearer— What happened to Chat Noir?

— I'm sorry but the hero you marked is not on duty at the moment, —answers the cat heroine, almost joking like a telephone operator— but don't worry, your temporary companion Nightcrawler will help you today.

Once those words are uttered, Gorizilla lands hard near and roaring, causing the crowd to flee in terror and Ladybug couldn't move much when her Miraculous reminds her of her count before de-transforming.

— Better go and reload. —Nightcrawler advises, giving Ladybug a gentle push— I'll hold him off.

Before giving the opportunity to respond, Nightcrawler jumps against the Akuma and climbs over his huge body using his claws and boots to reach his face and kicking him as well as using it as an impulse, Gorizilla's head falls back and then roars angrily and begins to chase the black feline leaving Ladybug behind who was looking at where Nightcrawler went before slipping away. Nightcrawler ran through the streets dodging with jumps and somersaults the impact of the Akuma's fists, meanwhile, Ladybug quickly headed into the sewer and after two flashes of lights she shoots out and throws her yo-yo before swinging to return to the fight. At one point Nightcrawler runs across the rooftops as Gorizilla smashes a building in front of her and as she turns around another building is destroyed, cornering her and the Akuma was about to grab her when Ladybug propels herself by kicking him in the head, stunning him for a moment but allowing the heroines to get away and Gorizilla shaking her head before chasing after them.

— Well, what's the plan now, ladybug? —asks Nightcrawler as he runs and jumps across the rooftops on all fours.

— We must find a way to catch him before he does any more damage. —Ladybug thinks as she swings across the chimneys and leaps into the air to dodge the Akuma's grasp— Plus we need to know where the Akuma is.

— Well, his pants seem to have pockets, don't they? —comments the cat heroine before leaping into a chimney and then propelling herself against an incoming giant hand, she swipes at it with her claws and forcing Gorizilla's hand back as Nightcrawler unsheathes her whip sword to grab onto something and propel herself forward— There should be something inside besides her package. —she hints with a mischievous grin as he walks past Ladybug.

— First Alya and then this one. —Ladybug growls under her breath, with a slight blush, before shaking her head and propelling herself forward— Still, it's a good idea.

The two heroines continue to carry Gorizilla through the streets of Paris with occasionally Nightcrawler taking moments to launch some attack against the Akuma with her claws, sometimes delivering kicks to keep Ladybug from being caught while Ladybug used her yo-yo to keep the Akuma from being distracted by going after Adrien again. On Gorizilla's body witnessed some claw marks as if a human had been attacked by a wild cat, soon Ladybug recognized the section of a nearby street.

— Got it! —she propels herself to land next to Nightcrawler and take her with her to an alley below— Take the Akuma to the street over there while I wait below in the Metro....

— And I use Cataclysm to catch him and take out the Akuma. —finishes the cat heroine, already understanding the plan— All right, let's do it.

Gorizilla searches the street, trying to find the heroines, when suddenly he is attacked in the knee, causing him to roar in pain and focus on Nightcrawler who is prowling in the street next to him. Soon the cat heroine is jumping from one side to the other while backing away and dodging Gorizilla's blows and footsteps, while Ladybug slips away to enter the subway.

— You missed! —Nightcrawler rolls to his left— You missed again! —a backflip after dodging the foot— You missed again! Oh come on, big guy, move forward a little more. —she backs up in a few jumps, luring Gorizilla to the center of the street directly above the subway station before running underneath him. She slams the pavement, causing it to crack and collapse, trapping Gorizilla on the destroyed road followed by drawing her sword and spinning the ring on the crosshead, activating the phone function and calling Ladybug— You deliver express Nightcrawler to the phone. You asked for a giant, hairy beast?

— Are you Chat Noir's sister? —asks the ladybug heroine with a smile— Because your mood resembles his.

— Maybeee. —she receives a prolonged reply before hanging up.

— I'm so sorry, but I'll have to check his pockets! —Ladybug says to Gorizilla before jumping on top of him and pulling the photo out of his pocket. Then she tears it in half, revealing the akuma butterfly— It's time to end the evil! —she opens her yo-yo and captures the akuma— Gotcha! —opens it again and sees a white butterfly fly— Goodbye, little butterfly.

— Hey, ladybug, lady. —Ladybug turns up, seeing Nightcrawler squatting in front of her in the big hole— Is this your toy? The officers ask for its owner. —the toy helicopter and its remote control are tossed to Ladybug.

— Oh, thanks, Miraculous Ladybug! —she throws her Lucky Charm into the sky.

The prodigious light fixes the destroyed pavement and puts Gorizilla back on top of the ground, as Ladybug arrives next to Nightcrawler. Gorizilla then turns back into Gorilla.

— Pound it! —both heroines clash their fists, at that the Miraculous ring countdown sounds.

— Well, time to retire and return the ring. —Nightcrawler says and unsheathing her whip sword— See you next time I see you.

With a quick salute, Nightcrawler swings away through the streets of Paris and as he hides...

— Claws in. —she utters before detransforming and revealing herself as Juleka, look at the Miraculous that was camouflaged as a black ring and a purple jewel joined by what looked like black claws.

— Eh, not bad for your first time, and yuck, it felt humiliating to beg. —comments Plagg as the gothic girl takes off the Miraculous and hands it over with him taking it— Plus your mind felt kind of... peculiar but well, —the Kwami shrugs— being a victim of akuma and all.

— Do I have to tell this to Adrien or not? —asks Juleka.

— I don't know, maybe, it's up to you to tell him that you know his identity. —Plagg was about to leave but stops in doubt with his ears half drooping— ... But thanks, for saving Adrien.

— You're welcome, —Juleka replies with a soft smile— and any time, Plagg. —the Kwami nods before floating away to join his carrier.

Later that evening, Adrien enters his room to see his father sitting on his couch.

— Adrien. —Gabriel greets him curtly, glancing back at his son and seeing the ring still on his finger.

— No, father. —Adrien hurries a little to answer, acting natural.

— And your cat?

— In the main room, I wanted to let him walk around a bit.

At that answer, Gabriel enters the security camera system on his phone, seeing indeed the black cat walking and running around the staircase in front of the entrance.

— ... —he squints a little— Are you really hiding something from me? —Gabriel slowly moved his finger over his silver wedding ring, rubbing it a little— Nothing like... Chat Noir?

Adien felt a pressure in his body, the tone provoked a feeling of doing as he is told, like a voice in his thoughts, and his question wanted an answer, but he too felt panic that if he revealed that he was Chat Noir it would all end....

“His father wanted to know the truth.”

But he couldn't tell her, it was a matter of responsibility.

“His father wants him to tell his secret.”

But Adien knew that if it came out, it would endanger the city and the people of the city. Every second of silence lengthened, filling the room with palpable tension. Gabriel continued to stare at him, his expression one of distrust. The words stuck in his throat as he struggled to find an answer between his obligation to rebel or to continue fighting to keep the secret to protect all those he loved and especially ....

— No... —he answers slowly before looking at his father— I don't know what you mean.

Gabriel narrows his eyes more before getting up and walking away, walking past his son and through the door without saying anything, but not noticing Plagg's look of suspicion in his cat form. Adrien lets out a heavy sigh as he feels the pressure withdraw from his mind when he hears someone knock on the open door.

— Adrien, you have visitors. —speak Nathalie, after open the door— It's Chloé and her friends.

All previous events disappear from Adrien's mind as he cheered up at the news, shortly after the girls were settling into their room for a sleepover.

— I didn't expect to see them again today. —Adrien comments with his black cat lying next to him.

— Well, we wouldn't if it was important. —Chloé answers him with a big nightgown, long hair loose and some sleeping eye covers over her forehead— Although I will always visit you since I am important.

— Although this time it was to make up for today. —Juleka adds with Sabrina nodding, the first wearing a sleeveless black shirt and very short black pants with ruffles on the edges and above the chest plus a drawing of a melted heart split in half, and the second a plain white shirt and long pants.

At that Sabrina plays something on TV and Adrien is surprised to see the title “Solitude”, he was touched that they got the movie for him. He excitedly leans over his bed as he sees on the film his mother who is looking under her umbrella. Juleka leans over a bit to subtly look at Adrien and smile knowingly at him as she smiles at Plagg before looking back at the film.

Chapter Text

— Yuck, yuck, yuck, what a mess!

Chloé was complaining as she passed by the deck of Juleka's houseboat and tried to avoid all the dirt she could find. As Nathaniel walks past her with a box in his hands, it turns out that some of the classmates were rearranging the house for the music festival.

— Lights? —Max asks as he holds up a clipboard and pencil.

— Here. —Sabrina replies as she holds up some light poles and on another arm dangling some colored light bulbs.

— Good. —the industrious student checks off the list— Speakers?

— Here! —replies Kim next to some speakers about her size, with Max crossing off the list.

— How can you live like this? —questions Chloé, looking at Juleka who seemed to be resting by the entrance.

— Do you want me to answer that? —replies the gothic girl with a sideways smile, making the blonde's eyes narrow.

— This is Captain Anarka speaking! —the mother of the gothic girl comes out of the door— How's everything coming along, my young pirates? Are you ready for the...? —noticing that Chloé was looking for something with her eyes— What are you looking for, young lady?

— Something to clean up this mess, this whole floor looks like a dump! —complains Chloé with a pout, making Juleka roll her eyes in amusement.

— Clean up? —the mother questioned before laughing, as if she had heard a joke— We never clean in this house! Didn't my daughter tell you that? We like the relaxed look. We have no rules on the Liberty ship! From chaos comes creation! Disaster is life.

Chloé felt a nervous twitch in her eye as Juleka laughed at her reaction, plus a small coarse laugh of amusement but the gothic girl briefly shook out her hair with her hand.

— Moreover... Admiral? —continued Anarka.

— Aye? —answers her daughter, turning her gaze to her mother.

— Go secure the cauldron, while I put our guest in the best room we have.

— What? —Kim questions in the middle of carrying a ladder under his armpit— Can't she stay and help?

— Don't be a ruffian, monkey, —the nickname causes Nathaniel, who was close by to listen, to try to stifle his laughter a little— she is a princess and an honored participant.

— Princess? —Chloé blinks a couple of times with surprise before having a smirk— You heard the captain, admiral, your honor participant would like to rest in a comfortable bed.

— That would be my mother's, in the meantime I'm going to check out the engine. —Juleka replies with a roll of her eyes before retreating inside.

— Do you want Max to help you? —asks Nathaniel with the boy named turning over his shoulder to the goth.

— I'm fine, I've done it several times before. —she assures her as she disappears from everyone's sight inside the green house, that small house inside Liberty.

After going down some stairs, Juleka opens a door to find herself in what would be the basement of her house where there were several old things stored in boxes plus a couple of barrels parked around but remarkably large wires scattered almost everywhere where electricity, gas, etc. were connected.

— This is life. —comments the voice of coarse laughter, who turns out to be Plagg as he comes out of her hair and stretches in the air at ease— I don't know why the guardian didn't choose you to be my carrier, clearly this is the home of the god of destruction! —laughs the Kwami and flies around the area.

— Well, apparently bad luck worked against you and you ended up with Adrien. —Juleka jokes with a smug look on her face as she walks among the wires.

— Eh, whatever you say, double. —replies Plagg with his waist up inside one of the boxes, rummaging through things.

— But... —Juleka stops next to the engine that was full of tubes moving back and forth, small cranks and mainly a big engine with a furnace— Shouldn't you be with Adrien? With the distance thing and... —she comments half softly, as she begins to turn one of the cranks followed by turning another.

— A common belief, we Kwamis say that so as not to be far from the holders. —Plagg responds casually before coming out of the box with a sword-shaped food stick— We can literally be miles away from our bearers with no problem, they only need the Miraculous to transform... —his tone lowers as his gaze darkens before he throws the toothpick against a board, splitting it in two— and eventually be dragged into the ring... —he finishes as watches the split wooden board rot from the toothpick that seemed to be imbued with corrosive energy.

Juleka turns her head so that her visible eye can see the Kwami Cat as he picks up a wrench that rested nearby, then without warning hits the pipes with the wrench and thereby causing the engine to roar as it fires.

— Do you hate being tied up or...? —the gothic girl asks softly and turns to the Kwami.

— No, no. Look, kitty, -Plagg moves closer to her to be in front of her face— this is something I came to accept even if I don't like it, plus there's more behind it than I'd like to tell.

— But you can't. —Juleka adds and receiving as confirmation the ears tilted back, the tail whipping in the air slightly and the Kwami looking away.

The gothic girl let out a small sigh before reaching up and gently rubbing Plagg's head between his ears with a finger, receiving a slight nod in return. Meanwhile, Chloé found herself laying down on Anarka's bed and letting out a slight moan before exhaling contentedly.

— But where did she get this bed? —Chloé wondered as she felt relaxed— Did she steal it? ... Probably.

Suddenly, her phone rings, she looks a little annoyed that her relaxation was interrupted but when she sees the caller ID immediately her annoyance disappears as she picks up.

— Adrikins! Where are you, we're now... —her sweet face freezes as she receives an answer, she quickly sits on the bed with narrowed eyes— What happened? ... That's ridiculous! It's just ONE miserable bad key, that piano is already part of your head, how much does your father need? —she asks as she gets an answer— Do you want me to send Juleka to take you out? —her frown deepens as she receives a negative answer— As you wish, I'll give the bad news to the others.

She, with an extended annoyed groan, gets up from the bed and leaves the room to head for the deck. As soon as she came out she saw that it was heavily decorated as if they were setting up a concert in a small venue, causing her to raise an eyebrow.

— What...?

— Everything all right? —the rich girl jumps in surprise at Juleka's sudden presence behind her.

— Don't ever do that again. —threatens Chloé in a whispery tone and gritted teeth, with the gothic girl undeterred— Anyway, sadly Adrien can't join us.

— Papa Gabriel?

— Papa Gabriel. —confirms with a nod— It's utterly ridiculous how he seems to keep our mutual friend isolated from practically everything, even with absurd reasons like today.

— Argh, sailors! —Anarka's call startles Chloé, again— Never put a metal object next to the compass, got it? Metal attracts the needle like a magnet, and so, you can't let them get close.

— What? —Chloé grimaces as she finds herself confused by what she just heard.

— She's saying you have to keep things away. —translates Juleka as if it's nothing— If anything linked to Adrien happens, Gabriel will go crazy. —she adds along with her mother nodding complicitly.

Chloé looks at both mother and daughter, questioning with her eyes.

— This year, for the National Music Festival, the City of Paris organized several free concerts with several stars! —Nadja speaking from the news— We are accompanied by the mayor, André Bourgeois. Tell us who are participating?

— Well, XY will be performing at the Place de la Concorde, Clara Nightingale at the Louvre, The Philharmonic Orchestra outside the City Hall, and Mr. Jagged Stone at the Eiffel Tower! And let's not forget the various concerts and performances that the people of Paris will be doing all over the city!

— This will be the best Music Festival since the first one opened here in Paris in 1982! I am Nadja Chamack. Stay here to listen to the symphony.

Adrien sighed sadly as he felt trapped in his room, he even wanted to bang his head against the piano keys but refrained from doing so in order not to make his father angry, he was about to start playing the piano again when suddenly Plagg appeared head first and caused the model to recoil in surprise.

— Did you miss me? —asks the Kwami mockingly.

Adrien takes a moment before smiling and replying— Maybe. —then he chuckles for a moment— How was it being with Nightcrawler?

— More fun than your house. —says Plagg cheekily followed by floating around in a lying down position— She lives in an environment characterized by chaos and destruction, how to resist that way of life? I wish she was my carrier that this scenario, but what choice do I have? —then, gracefully, he floats over to Adrien and gives him a smile— In the end, I'm stuck with you, so I'll have to accept the challenge of tolerating your monotonous and organized existence.

— And a ton of Camembert. —Adrien adds in a joking tone.

— She has a whole wheel, and you give me small pieces. —complains the Kwami with playfulness and looking away with a fake pout— I don't think you're spoiling me enough.

The model laughs again, this time openly, while Plagg laughs along with him. 

Juleka plugged her bass into a speaker and, giving it a test strum, smiled and played a little with it. However, she stops when she hears, surprisingly through the noise of the others organizing themselves, footsteps of someone entering the deck, the moment Juleka turns around her eyes widen as she sees who arrived.

— Alix... —her voice was loud enough to be heard by everyone.

— Hey. —the skater girl waves as everyone turns to look at her.

— Alix! —Kim comes over with joy and then hugs his friend/rival and lifts her up in the air— I didn't think I'd see you today. —he says after releasing her, with Alix staggering for a second.

— The chances of talking to you were a slim 5% with Alya around. —Max adds, reaching over and fixing his glasses briefly.

— Yeah, I know, I just needed to get away and get some air. —Alix says, walking a couple of steps on deck and exchanging greetings with Nathaniel— Hi Nath.

— Hello Alix, how are the enemy shores? —the red-haired boy couldn't help joking, adopting the role of pirate for a moment.

— Complicated, —she answers, without stopping— even suffocating I guess because of the “love”. —while walking she soon stops when she sees Juleka with Chloé and Sabrina near her.

Chloé squints and crosses her arms, threatening that she would dare to blurt out some comment, Sabrina avoiding eye contact with discomfort and Juleka remaining still and exchanging glances with Alix.

The skater raises her hand and points to it— Is that your guitar?

— Uh... yes, and it's a bass. —confirms the gothic girl, taking the question for a second.

— That's cool. —replies the skater girl briefly.

They stare at each other for another moment before Alix sighs in exasperation and approaches the group.

— Look, I'm not blind. —Chloé scoffs skeptically— I'm also worried about how far Marinette is willing to go to be with Adrien, especially with those extravagant and complicated plans. I got to thinking that I'd have to be the one to confront Marinette, but.... —Alix makes a brief gesture towards Juleka— So I thought, why not separate myself from the group as well?

— What's your point? —Chloé exclaims impatiently, with Juleka and Sabrina's eyes widening.

— My point is, —Alix continues— is that I can join you guys, you know, keep Marinette from getting close to Adrien.

Chloé squints slightly in consideration as Juleka approaches the skater and extends her hand with a small smile, Alix returns the smile and shakes hands with Chloé letting out a small “Hmp” but no complaints with the subtle smile on her lips as Sabrina is pleased with the scene and giving small claps.

— Ho, ho, sailors! —the scene is interrupted by the presence of Anarka— Looks like we have a new cabin boy to our crew, welcome to our ship Liberty! —she makes the gesture of taking off her pirate hat.

— Ehh... thanks. —Alix replies with a small nervous smile at the sudden, for her, attitude, turns her gaze to the goth who shrugs her shoulders with amusement.

— It's time to give them a show! Whenever you're ready, daughter! —Anarka shouted as she positioned herself behind a DJ booth.

With a nod and a smooth motion, Juleka removed the cloth hanging over the speakers that were the best on the market at the moment, then handed out earmuffs for everyone who started setting them up on the spot.

— Well, at least you're considerate. —commented Chloé as she received her earmuffs.

— Sure, because we don't want you to damage your pretty ears. —Alix teases humorously as she puts hers on.

Chloé turns to look at her with indignation but says nothing in return for putting on her earmuffs, once everyone was ready the gothic girl positions herself next to her bass before raising a hand and bringing it down hard against the ropes. Instantly, someone let out a loud shriek but you couldn't hear who it was coming from because of the shared reverberation they all felt deep in their bones as the brain wrenching sound crashed against them all like a brick wall.

...

...

— Holy... SHIT. —Sabrina finally broke the silence with hair standing on end and most looking at her in disbelief at hearing her curse for the first time, but she showed no importance as she continued— THAT WAS GREAT!

However, it wasn't long before the police approached either in cars or boats.

— What? Where did they come from? —Kim questions as he leans over the railing.

— Oh, shit... —comments Alix as Juleka immediately stands in front of Sabrina, as sirens blared on the shore and soon an awfully familiar police car came screeching up front.

— Wanna bet he's been driving around all day with a decibel meter, waiting for an excuse? —Juleka grumbled.

— I don't think we have to take bets on that? —Nathaniel whispered.

Juleka's eyebrows furrowed as Roger hurried out of his car. Sabrina's eyes widened with sudden fear as she hid behind the goth, Chloe crept back to also hide her friend and silently judge the cop as he held up a bullhorn.

— Couffaine, I can't believe this, are you out of your mind! I'm reading 160 decibels! 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, sheriff! —Anarka responded even more fiercely— My crew can play whatever they want!

Juleka made a slight grimace on her mouth and shared her mother's opinion a little. It couldn't have been that loud. Even without the mufflers, they bought the same speakers they would buy at regular concerts, Mom wisely researches this sort of thing.

— It's a music festival, not a noise festival. —demanded Officer Roger, looking at the entire team with a glint of irritation in his eyes— If you don't turn the volume down, I'll ban your concert altogether!

— Can't we just turn the volume down? —Sabrina whispered faintly to Anarka from her hiding place.

— That's what he wants, girl, and I refuse to bow down to an ass-sucker like him. —Anarka growled through her teeth— We're playing at our music fair, he just wants to shove more pegs up our asses...

— You can't do that! —Kim yelled at the officer, crossing her arms— Literally everyone else plays so loud!

Officer Roger ignored him, circled around his car and made his way towards the group, no doubt planning to board the ship if it weren't for Anarka in the middle, arms crossed and an annoyed look in her eyes.

— Do you have a document stating that you can moor your houseboat at this location? —Roger asked laconically, already pulling out the penalties.

— The Seine belongs to everyone! —Anarka grunted.

— Do you guys really have a permit? —Sabrina whispers to Juleka. The wide-eyed girl looked at her father with eyes so mortified that they couldn't turn away.

— Of course she does. —Juleka confirmed and whispered faintly— Mom loves her freedom, loves to kick the government in the knees, —she continued, with quiet anger in her gaze at the policeman- but she will do anything to keep our home safe... and.... anything to keep them from taking us away from her....

— You're not allowed to dock here without a parking permit! —Officer Roger snarled, scribbling loudly on his penalties— Which means you can't play your gig here either. Not to mention this incredibly messy cover! Visual disturbance of the public, you get a ticket! And this decor! It's overly decorated! Another-!

Anarka snatched it out of his hands— Decoration? How about some confetti for you? —she broke it and threw it in his face.

Mom, stop, please. This is only getting worse...

Roger roared in anger and Juleka stumbled backwards, forgetting that Sabrina was behind her and stepping on her toes a little. She was about to apologize but the officer's sudden outburst distracted her.

— You asked for it! —Roger yelled, looking a little red in the face— One more penalty for too many mores, -Riiiip- one more for your attitude, -Riiiip- one more because I can't sleep, -Riiiiiiiiip- one more because I'm dizzy, -RIIIIP- one more because I said so....

Stop it at once....

Anarka was on fire, clutching each fine tightly in her hands as if they were burning a hole in her hands. That's when Sabrina stepped between Chloé and Juleka and shouted:

— DAD, STOP!

Oh...

Shit.

Roger just stared at her with bulging eyes. Several emotions flashed across his face. Confusion. Bewilderment. Confusion again. Stupor. Anger. As if he had just realized that this was real and that his beloved daughter was on the side of his mortal enemy. It was already a known fact that both Anarka and Roger would always get the upper hand right away and he wanted to instill that idea in Sabrina but seeing her standing next to the Couffaine's and helping them seemed to make him reel as if he had just contracted a dizzy spell at that very moment.

— Sabrina... you need to get off that boat right now. —Roger ordered quietly— That woman is crazy.

— S-she just wants to give a concert for the music festival. —Sabrina's voice trembled— W-what do you think you're doing?

— My... —her father paused, very dumbfounded— My job, honey.

— You don't have a court order to step in here, Dad! —Sabrina exclaimed, pointing at the boat. The rising fury in her voice, coupled with fear and disbelief— Those reasons for this penalties a-are-

— Ridiculous, and you are completely ridiculous, Roger. I wonder how my father will act when he sees your “great” work. —Chloe barked in an exaggeratedly vain tone, adopting a performative character that made Roger sweat as she walked forward, gesturing with her phone, it was recording.

Roger took another step forward, but Anarka pushed him back, her eyes burning with anger.

— DON'T YOU DARE...!

— Miss Anarka, wait! —Sabrina shouted.

— Mom! —Juleka's heart raced, filling her lungs with ice.

— AND THAT, COUFFAINE— Roger shouted, before his anger turned to nothing but cold irritation— Was an assault.

Anarka blinked. He was handed another penalty. And a stern...

— Sabrina, we'll talk later.

It didn't matter what happened. Or what would happen. Roger never stuck to his own rules anyway, clearly. And yet, he still took it as a victory against Captain Liberty. Anarka Couffaine just stood there, realizing how far his anger went. In front of everyone. And she just stood there staring.

It was always a matter of pride between them.

Anarka slowly turned to Sabrina, then to Juleka and everyone else.

— Ah, sorry about that. —began Anarka weakly, turning to Sabrina— Girl, are you all right?

Sabrina drops to her knees with a bit of a blank stare— I don't know... he might, I mean, why would he...? And now he's been thinking that therapy was making me more disobedient, I just....

Juleka and Chloé slowly get to their knees with the goth holding her shoulders and the millionaire wrapping her arms around her friend. The once ecstatic class was in disarray. They didn't know what they were going to do.

— Fuck. —Alix spat in an angry whisper under her breath, kicking the floor bitterly.

Juleka also felt her own heart knotting.

— M-Mom? —her voice cracked as it came out of her mouth.

— I'm going to... —Anarka's voice sounded far away. She looked at Juleka with misty eyes, but still with that strained, tired smile that trembled to stay strong— I'm just going to park the boat somewhere else, kids. M-More close to the crowd. S-So Paris can hear the wonderful music! And we won't be disturbed... I-it's gonna be great, girl! It's gonna be great! Ah, I promise...

She walked away quietly like a wounded dog. Juleka's heart dropped and somewhere in her, somehow, she blamed herself for this.

...

Anarka stomped her way into the command room and growled. She slammed her hands on the helm and gripped it tightly.

— SHIT! —Anarka choked on her breath and her knuckles turned white from the force, even if her hands were actually shaking— Am I such a bad mother...? —Anarka asked in a whisper.

She felt a storm brewing in her chest. Tidal waves of shame pounding at her heart, swallowing her whole and plunging her deeper into the belly of the beast.

— Captain Hardrock... —a voice with a butterfly outline was heard in front of her face.

Everything was going down with her....

...

Juleka pulled Sabrina closer to the green house as the deck was engulfed by a sickening violet smoke that engulfed the hole in the ship. Juleka froze as she watched what was happening, not even beginning to comprehend it as an idea that could be true. She couldn't comprehend the screams. She couldn't comprehend the ground she was standing on as she slowly spun as the smoke drifted away before her eyes. She could not comprehend her warped home of safety, warmth and kindness.

Everything was ruined.

Everything was ruined.

Everything was gone.

— M-Mom? —Juleka choked, limp as a hand grabbed her wrist, looked up and saw Chloé. She looked angry. Was he angry with her? Shit. Fuck, fuck, fuck, what was it-she-she-she-fuck-she-she-she-she-she-she-she-she-she-she-she-she-she.....

— Couffaine, snap out of it! —the millionaire girl grabbed her by the shoulders and Juleka remained limp as she was shaken.

The class was screaming, she could hear again above the white noise. Her shock was embodied in waves of numbness. She hadn't even...

— What's going on?! —Alix yowled.

Juleka wished she didn't even speak, wished she didn't have to hear her mother's voice in such a twisted tone. With golden eyes and red hair that soared skyward like her own wave of fire.

— Your mom has sailed, Admiral... —the akuma stepped out from behind her pirate flyer. Her golden eyes glowed with a cruel hunger for nothing but pure vengeance and spite. Completely transformed to such an extent, she didn't even need that bloody black makeup plastered on the upper half of her face to convince Juleka that she was someone else— I am Captain Hardrock and today my cannons are about to shatter the rafters of Paris...!

Oh God... No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. NO.

— Juleka, Juleka...

— Couffaine!

— Jules...

But all he could catch in a dazed stance was his mother's voice as she pulled out her small telescope and smiled with a shark-like grunt.

— Heading west, Liberty's next stop, Jagged Stone at the Eiffel Tower. Soon, there will only be one concert in Paris, a single Music Festival once we destroy all the others. —Captain Hardrock chuckled to herself. She tossed the telescope behind her and grinned mischievously at the crew— Now, get your instrument and move those decibels!

Juleka tried to find a tighter grip on how to breathe, pulling her hair so painfully she was begging her mind to punish her in any way, shape or form, she was so lost she was so scared she was. so small she wanted to be small and safe this was the opposite of that- this- this was- this was- this was- this was- this was- this was-

Clack.

— Haw-MOM! YOU CAN'T DO THIS! —she shouted suddenly, shocking the class by sounding so angry, Juleka was scared but her mind was trying to protect her, everyone.

This was my fault, this shouldn't have happened, I should have prevented this when I had control over this-now I did-now I didn't have control.....

— Stop it at once! —she continues, her gaze a little unfocused, as she continued to stare at the Akuma.

— My admiral, mutinying? —Captain Hardrock's snarl came out from between her teeth like poison dripping from her lips, burning a hole in her jaw.

— I don't care if I'm mutinying, betraying, or whatever! —she continues, forcing her feet forward against the Akuma— So, stop all this and release my-!

Suddenly some chains wrap around her, interrupting her, and lifts her in the air up to the eyes of the Akuma who was throwing a disappointed look.

— Oh, Reflekta... —her disappointing words bring looks from most of the rest towards the gothic girl— I thought that among all, it would be you who would help me in my journey.

— My name is Jeflekta. —she refutes, with a withering look and tone, and emphasizing the first letter of her name.

— If you're going to act like that, then... —Captain Hardrock said as she extended a hideous, jagged, gleaming sword at the end of a microphone hilt. She smiles— Liberty, grab these rascals and throw them in the hold!

Several chains wrap around the rest of the class and, along with Juleka/Jeflekta, they were sent into the darkness of Liberty's hull.

— Liberty! Fire! —the ship shoots towards the bridge over the Seine, having a clear path for the sail— Nothing and no one will stop Captain Hardrock from playing her music! Fire!

Small loudspeakers are fired at the Eiffel Tower.

— News flash. —television before Nadja appeared on the scene— The Akuma alert has gone off, a villain is destroying the festival concerts one by one. Please seek shelter as soon as possible!

— Kitty... —Plagg whispers with concern when the akumatized ship appears on the screen, then turns to his carrier who is also watching the TV.

— I may be grounded, but they're playing my song. —Adrien pronounces as he stands up, with the Kwami refraining from saying anything but launching himself at the hidden camera and short-circuiting it— Plagg, Claw out!

As soon as he transformed into Chat Noir, he wastes no time in opening the window and propelling himself out with his cane.

Chloé briefly saw the lower deck of the Liberty.

She could describe Juleka's room, the cluttered living room and sliding doors. The printed images from the picture day, she raised an eyebrow at how much Juleka really treasured that day, some remorse rose in her head for her old sins but she snorted to rid herself of those thoughts. Plus there were some guitar picks as well.

Half of everything had been dismantled. Destroyed.

Sabrina leaned on her head— Are you okay? —she asked weakly, snapping Chloé out of her stupor— Maybe I can-maybe, hrrk...

Sabrina struggled hard against the chains, the metal squeaked loudly, before falling backwards.

— Don't even bother Sabrina, I doubt we can do anything.

— Dad trained me for future cases like this... —said the orange redhead as she keeps moving, trying to find something from her pocket— Didn't the mayor do something similar with you?

— I had to do it on my own, dad only bothered with hiring useless bodyguards every moment— Chloé replies with disgust, looking away.

She then moves her eyes slowly to her classmates as Sabrina continues to try to find something to free herself. Kim manages to stand while tied up with Alix and Max, the nerd's legs dangling helplessly as Alix kicks, trying to bite her chains somehow. But then she focuses on Juleka, bound close with Nathaniel, crouched and decrepit with her gaze lost in the variety of muffled cannon fodder above and the chaos of her friends around her, staring into the nothingness of space in a mixture of leisurely horror and forced contemplation.

— Um... —begins the red-haired boy— Aren't we going to talk about the fact that Juleka was called Reflekta or Jeflekta or...?

— What do you need to be clarified, eh, Evillustrator? —Chloé exclaims with rolling eyes, making Nathaniel cringe at her name Akuma— It's just something about Juleka's condition, it's also not much of a surprise that some of us have something like second personalities or whatever.

— I agree. —Max comments, only to be ignored by Chloé.

— And shouldn't we be worried? —Nathaniel continues as he looks at how immobile the gothic girl was, while Sabrina started fiddling with her lock.

— Worry later, there are more important matters.—as her friend freed herself, Sabrina quickly set about freeing her— Like kicking Roger's ass after this.

As soon as she was released, Chloé stands up along with taking off her ponytail and shaking her head a bit as her hair cascades down her back. With the headband, which had a clasp, she approaches Nathaniel and Juleka while Sabrina rushes over to the rest to free them.

...

...

...

...

SLAP!

— ...up!

SLAP!

— ...Wak...!

SLAP!

SLAP!

— I'll be damned Hawkmoth, WAKE UP!

POW!

Juleka felt a painful headache as her head shot backwards, stumbling backwards until she landed on her butt inside a dreamlike world similar to her bedroom. Her unfocused gaze lifted to stare at her reflection, literally.

— You're pathetic. —Jeflekta says cruelly, approaching the drooping gothic girl— I'm trying to help you defeat the Akuma, but what do you do? You lock me in here, in your mind, while out there we're literally dead weight.

— The Akuma... it's still my mother... —Juleka growls weakly, slowly getting to her feet.

— You think I don't know that? —says her reflection in a low, cold tone, then grabs Juleka and pulls her close to her face— I also want to free our mother from the akuma, but you're absurdly preventing me from moving! I thought that by having me, you would stop fearing but I was wrong! —Jeflekta pushes the goth against the ground, then remains looking at her— Get up. —she challenges.

But Juleka doesn't bother to get up.

— I told you to get up.

No answers...

— Juleka. —Jeflekta hisses her name with disdain as she rises above her fallen form— You are weak physically and mentally. —she clicks her tongue against her teeth before continuing— And that weakness will be our undoing. —she impatiently pushes Juleka with her foot, as if she were nothing more than an inconvenient obstacle— Get up and fight, —she commands— we have work to do, our mother awaits our retribution. —she squints her eyes at Juleka— Or would you rather cower in fear here for eternity?

Her voice echoes around them ominously like thunder warning of an approaching storm front, but still, there is no movement from Juleka other than barely perceptible shallow breaths escaping her parched lips.

Jeflekta responds in exasperation at her lack of response— Well, stay there then. —she says coldly before turning away from her— But when our mother is lost forever because we were too weak to act; don't say I didn't warn you.

And so, with those harsh words, she disappears from sight, leaving Juleka alone once again, trapped inside her own fractured mind. The young woman tries to get up on her own, but her legs fail beneath her and she falls back to her hands and knees, panting heavily as tears stream down her face only to fall against the ground. Her reflection may be gone, but his venomous words still echoed loudly within her consciousness. Despite her weakness, Juleka struggles to get up, but her legs do not respond and she falls back to the ground, feeling the weight of grief in each tear running down her face. Jeflekta's mental absence does not prevent the hurtful words from continuing to echo in the depths of her mind, keeping her a prisoner of her own emotional torment. With each halting sigh, Juleka tries to pull herself together, trying to find a strength that seems to elude her along with her hopes...

Yet she fights on, clinging to the tiny spark of determination that still burns within her. The echo of cruel words slowly fades, replaced by a dull ringing in her ears as she struggles against the tide of despair that threatens to sweep her away. Each breath becomes a reminder of her vulnerability, but also of her silent resistance. Despite the pain flooding her, Juleka searches for a sliver of light, a glimmer of hope to guide her through the emotional storm that threatens to consume her. Though her body trembles and her strength falters, she refuses to give up, clinging to the certainty that she will go on, one step at a time.

— Ah, Reflekta... —Juleka looks up to find a purple and black butterfly almost her size in front of her, Hawkmoth— Resentful and vulnerable to doubt whether to help her mother or not, conflicted about what to do... —as he spoke, black roots seemed to spread from the butterfly, corrupting the dream world— But you don't have to be like that, join me again, and together with your captain you can get what you want. I will give you the power you need to make the right decision. Think of all you could achieve, of the strength my akuma could offer you.

The roots approach Juleka, who remains motionless and stares at the butterfly.

— What do you wish, dear Reflekta?

— That you shut up...

A sword, Nightcrawler's sword, comes out of nowhere and cuts the roots and prevents them from approaching the goth.

— What the...?

— I said shut up! —Juleka repeats, now with more force, while multiple blades pierce the walls and the floor while cutting more roots— You can tell me anything, but I'm not interested anymore, you continue with your empty promises and your meaningless rhetoric. My silence will be my answer, I will no longer fall into your traps. I am tired of your games and manipulations. I'd rather be alone a thousand times than follow you. —the gothic girl stands up half staggering while arming herself with one of the swords— So leave me alone, your power no longer impresses me, your presence only brings misery. Then... Get out of my head!

She makes a slash against the butterfly...

Juleka blinks to find herself standing in a hallway, Nathaniel and Kim reacting dumbfounded, Sabrina covering her mouth in disbelief, and Chloé, Alix and Max were staring at her wide-eyed with surprise as the goth notices she was holding with both hands a board ripped out and used to crush an insect or rather....

— Juleka... —Nathaniel approaches the gothic girl who seemed slow to grasp the situation— You just... You just faced Hawkmoth! —with emotion, the redhead shakes Juleka while Kim also celebrates.

— Not only that, you also kicked his ass by crushing his akuma! —Kim adds, while Sabrina smiles proudly and Chloé raises an impressed eyebrow.

Max nods in agreement, while Alix exclaims— You're amazing, Juleka!

Between surprise and satisfaction, Juleka finally smiles sheepishly at her friends' congratulations when out of nowhere, thunderous gunshots ring out one after another, causing everyone to cover their ears and Sabrina to panic.

— Does your house have cannons? —Chloé questions, shooting a glance at Juleka.

— Now it does. —she corrects.

It turns out that cannonballs were being fired at Chat Noir, who dodges them with somersaults and spins, turning the street into his improvised stunt field. Passersby watch the scene, some fleeing in terror and others recording with their cell phones. Chat Noir demonstrated his feline prowess by dodging every projectile launched in his direction, propelling himself with his cane to fly through the air and spinning like a wheel after dodging a flock of cannonballs. His fluid and precise movements allowed him to perform acrobatic jumps and somersaults, skillfully avoiding any impact, he soon propelled himself with his characteristic cane to soar into the air, spinning gracefully after dodging a flock of cannonballs. The cat hero did not hesitate to use his staff as a makeshift baseball bat to deflect one of the enemy projectiles back at the opposing ship. However, his advance was suddenly halted in mid-flight by chains that dragged him into the water with relentless force. Chat Noir reacted in panic as he found himself in distress as he fell towards the river, fortunately, Ladybug intervened in time to rescue her companion, catching him safely before he hit the water and placing him gently on a nearby rooftop.

— Aww, I knew you loved me Bugaboo. —says the feline hero theatrically.

— I thought you'd stop using those nicknames? —questions Ladybug humorously, as she smoothly breaks the chains, freeing her companion.

— Eh, I was feeling a bit nostalgic today. —Chat Noir replies, shrugging his shoulders.

Then she leans back while propelling the ladybug heroine in the air to dodge several chains shot at them, in the air, Ladybug visualizes how the akumatized ship turns and advances towards her direction so she throws her yo-yo being followed by Chat Noir who jumps over the rooftops and using the expansion of the staff.

— Do you know anything about the akuma? —asks the heroine as she swings.

— I thought you would know, you always seemed to know who it is. —replies the hero a little innocently.

For a moment they looked into each other's eyes seeing that neither of them knew anything about the Akuma, when suddenly police sirens sound and both heroes stop on a rooftop to see police boats arriving.

— Couffaine! —Roger begins speaking into a megaphone— I order you to stop in the name of the law and release my daughter!

— ¿... Daughter? Wait, Sabrina is there? —Chat Noir asks with his eyes wide with surprise.

— It seems that the Akuma is Anarka Couffaine. —Ladybug deduces a little as she kneels down on one knee, looking at the ship— Do you think Juleka is also made up? —that guess only earned an incredulous look from her catlike companion.

Before another one happened...

— Liberty, fire. —Captain Hardrock ordered and the ship aimed its cannons at the police boats.

The impact was almost immediate, a rather large splash with the boats being overturned in the water or directly being thrown up in the air and especially Roger's. The officer flails in the air in fear as he fell, fortunately for him, Ladybug catches him in time with her yo-yo and bring him to her while Chat Noir holds the man once he was brought to her direction.

— Thank you, Ladybug and Chat Noir. —says the officer as the hero gently drops him next to them.

— Stay here, we'll take care of her. —says Ladybug as she and Chat Noir take position.

— It's time to ambush the treasure. —said the Akuma with the boat moving forward.

— I hope the water doesn't bother you, kitty. —joked the ladybug heroine to her companion.

— I'll be pe-urrr-fect. —plays Chat Noir while squatting down— As long as it stays dry.

Captain Hardrock gives them a sidelong glance— Get them. —the chains shoot at the heroes.

Immediately both Miraculous wearers jump in different directions to avoid being caught, Roger stayed behind watching the Akuma ship advancing as it chased the heroes, however, his sight immediately caught the students who were peeking out from the deck and among them was Sabrina.

— Sabrina... —exclaims the officer with concern.

Instantly his eyes focused with determination before he set about carefully lowering himself off the building, the heroes continuing to leap across the rooftops to hide on a ledge out of sight.

— Any idea where the akuma would be? —Chat Noir asks in the moment of peace.

— It must be inside this ship. —Ladybug thinks as she peeks out to look at the ship.

Chat Noir also peeks out from the other side of his hiding place to look at the ship, at first he planned to use his Cataclysm to get rid of the ship and matter solved but when he was about to extend his ringed hand he suddenly hears his staff ringing, it was a message. He quickly reaches for his staff and opens the phone function to silence it as if to see who was sending him a message now, his eyes widen as he sees it was Juleka.

Juleka: (Hey Adrien, the situation got complicated with my mom akumatized, we tried to leave but we're worried my mom will hear us. But don't worry, Chat Noir will surely help us)

The feline hero felt a smile on his face but it disappeared at the same time it appeared when suddenly a thunderous commotion is heard and he sees that it was a destroyed stage with Nightingale injured and shocked nearby, but still alive. With a hand shaken by the event, Chat Noir puts away his staff and emerges from his hiding place.

— It's time to anchor this sailboat. —he says with a confident smile.

— Chat, what are you doing? —questions Ladybug as she sees her companion, only to see him run— Chat Noir, wait!

While running and jumping across the rooftops to reach the ship, Chat Noir studied the sails for a moment as well as the ropes attached to them and soon devised a plan that focused on removing the sails and preventing the Akuma from moving forward, when he found himself on the edge of a rooftop he immediately propelled himself with the extendable function of his staff.

— Chat Noir uses scratch! —he utters as he finds himself in the air with the claws of his gloves extended against the sails. However, out of nowhere, the sails moved direction which caused the cat hero to pass by— It wasn't very effective. —he continues speaking, now with regret, before crashing into a wall.

Meanwhile, Ladybug jumped to the back of the ship and tried to move or break the fin to try to disable the ship's mobility but her attempts were futile.

— It won't move. —she turned her head up to see Captain Hardrock holding on to a rope and a big smile on her face.

— That's because Liberty only responds to me, Liberty, catch her!

As soon as some chains appeared to restrain her, Chat Noir immediately appeared to counterattack with his cane, causing the chains to be wrapped around the cane and preventing the heroine's capture. A second later, Ladybug is propelled away to keep her distance while Chat Noir kept jumping and dodging, seeing the situation the heroine decided to try her luck with her power.

— Lucky Charm! —after throwing her yo-yo into the air, some red chains with black dots fell into her hands— Chains? Really? I've seriously had enough chains today.

In the midst of the dodging, the chains that were still on Chat Noir's staff suddenly moved and caught the hero off guard by trapping him against the main sail pole.

— My treasure will be your Miraculous, kitty. —says the Akuma as it approaches with a menacing smile.

Chat Noir tries to break free but looks over Captain Hardrock's shoulder at his classmates approaching with Juleka in front, with a subtle smile and a quick thought, he shrinks his staff to its compact form so as to free it from the chains followed by expanding it again.

— I'd like to see it, buccaneer. —Chat Noir taunts before throwing his baton.

The Akuma easily dodges the thrown weapon, unaware that Juleka caught the weapon and in one swift motion the goth uses the staff to attack and push away her akumatized mother, who recoils in surprise at her daughter's cunning. Captain Hardrock shakes momentarily before regaining her composure and lunging at her own daughter with her saber with Juleka darting to the side to dodge the cut of the attack.

— My blood, my heritage... —the Akuma speaks as she and the goth walk in circles and point their respective weapons at each other— How dare you mutiny against your own captain?

— You are not my captain, —replies Juleka scathingly, holding the baton as a makeshift saber— but I intend to take back my true captain.

At those words, she lunges at Captain Hardrock with both of them clashing their weapons, creating sparks as they make contact. as the Akuma taunts and uses her strength to overpower Juleka initially, but refuses to back down easily. She grunts with effort as she continues to push back against her mother's attacks, blocking the attacks before seeing a window and suddenly counterattacking as she shoves her mother who grunts before launching herself back into the attack. Chat Noir remained on the sidelines, being tied up and all, watching the fight between mother and daughter but couldn't help but feel a proud smile as he saw Juleka bend her knees with her left foot stretched back and turned outward in the same manner as in his private fencing lessons as as he watched her defend and counterattack. His view changed to his childhood friend and her classmates approaching as he took advantage of the Akuma being distracted in the fight and trying to free him from the chains.

— Have you tried other hairstyles, princess? —the feline hero couldn't help joking when he saw Chloé with her hair down when she took off her ponytail.

— Have you tried any other jokes? —asked the millionaire in return, as she fiddled with the padlock while Kim tried to forcefully remove the chains.

However, everyone stopped when they heard a familiar voice.

— I order you to stop this act of piracy and return my daughter in the name of the law! —Roger spoke through his megaphone while pedaling a pedal boat.

— Him again? —questioned the Couffaine family and Chloé at the same time with annoyance.

— Liberty!

At that exclamation, one of the cannons immediately fired at Roger, the impact was large enough to send the officer flying out of the river and into a tree. During the distraction, Chat Noir is released only to be enveloped by Ladybug's yo-yo the next second and carried away with Chloé saying a sarcastic “You're welcome” before being pushed away by Juleka who positions herself to continue fighting as the classmates retreat. When Captain Hardrock turns around, she immediately notices that the cat hero had disappeared only for Juleka to get in her sights and attack but the Akuma blocks the staff's blow in time.

— My blood... —she pronounces venomously before thrusting her saber, forcing the gothic girl back— You not only have the audacity to riot, but you also dare to swindle and cheat me away from my treasure.

— Didn't you know? —Juleka replies with a confident smile on her face— My mother, my true captain, lives in disorder, chaos and destruction. If that also includes swindling and cheating, I'll live happily with it. —she pronounces as he holds the staff like a sword against the Akuma.

— I'll make you wish you hadn't gone against me. —Captain Hardrock exclaims angrily, mimicking the gesture with her pirate cutlass— My next target will be Mayor Bourgeois and his silly boring orchestra. Liberty, next stop, city hall.

Both mother and daughter launch themselves at each other and collide their weapons at the same time as the river bridge is destroyed to make way for the boat, while the heroes hid on the sidelines.

— Soooo... —begins to speak Chat Noir— What's the plan? —then notices Lucky Charm's chain— Didn't we have enough chains today?

— That's what I said. —concurs the ladybug heroine humorously before getting serious— Here's the plan, we both hold the chain and use it to restrain the Akuma.

— Aye aye, Captain Ladybug. —Chat Noir exclaims with a salute.

The duo look out to see the situation, both daughter and mother Couffaine fighting each other while the other students were desperately trying to get rid of the sails and especially Chloé by using every sharp material to cut the sails but the boat responded by holding her back with ropes and throwing her away, Luckily Kim was close enough to catch her as well as Nathaniel, Alix, Max and Sabrina trying to pull the ropes to save the sails and stop the ship but in the end the main sail pole starts to spin and send the group flying against the deck. Both heroes look at each other before nodding, immediately jumping out of hiding and running forward while holding one end of the red chain, catching Captain Hardrock off guard as the heroes surround her and restrain her with the Lucky Charm chain.

— Okay, now where's the akuma? —Ladybug questions as the Akuma tries to break free while Chat Noir holds her to prevent her escape.

— You'll never find it, —mocks Captain Hardrock— while they waste time searching, Liberty won't waste time getting rid of the inept Mayor Bourgeois.

Chloé angrily tries to launch herself at the Akuma but both Kim and Sabrina stop her, while Juleka stares at her akumatized mother for several minutes that seemed like forever before speaking.

— Destroy the ship. —Juleka's words draw looks of surprise, doubt and panic.

— No! —Captain Hardrock reacts as she tries hard to free herself, but the heroes hold her back.

— Are you sure about...? —Chat Noir hesitates, looking at his gothic friend.

— Do it. —the Couffaine daughter gives her a dark look, making her decision clear.

Chat Noir's feline ears flop to the side, he turns apprehensively to Ladybug who only nods and he had no choice but to return the nod and activate his power.

— Cataclysm. —Chat Noir declares with black energy forming in his ringed hand.

Before allowing the Akuma to move, the cat hero touches the deck and they all witness the ship begin to crack and rot and in a few moments it crumbles along with everyone else. Meanwhile, Roger was in a canoe and oars, and arrives in time to see the akumatized ship fall apart.

— Sabrina! —exclaims the concerned policeman father before paddling faster.

The moment he approached the wreckage he sees the akuma butterfly emerge from the floating pieces and the next Ladybug shoot out of the water and spinning her yo-yo open.

— It's time to put an end to evil! —pronounces the ladybug heroine into the air and capturing the akuma.

She lands on land while the others almost crawl out of the water with some coughing while Chloé throws a deadly glare towards Ladybug and near her were both Juleka and Chat Noir carrying the recovered Anarka who was disoriented.

— Pound it. —say both of them, clashing fists, causing Mother Couffaine to wake up.

— What... What happened?

— Nothing mom, it's over. —Juleka replies before hugging her mother, catching her off guard.

— A-Admiral... daughter... I... —Anarka hesitates on how to respond, aware that she was akumatized.

— I'm so glad to see you... it pained me not to have you with me... —said her daughter softly, tightening her embrace.

Anarka looks at her daughter, her eyes filling with tears as she hears such sincere and loving words. She recapitulates what happened, remembering the darkness that had consumed her mind and feels guilty and ashamed for having hurt the one she loves the most. However, Juleka shows her understanding and unconditional love, proving that she is willing to forgive and move forward together. Anarka is touched, reciprocating the hug just as strongly as Chat Noir proudly watches the touching scene, though also feeling melancholy as she remembers her mother when her Miraculous beeps, indicating its countdown and then extends the red chain with black dots to Ladybug.

— ... That's right, Miraculous Ladybug! —she pronounces as she throws the chains into the sky, where they turn into the swarm of magical ladybugs and restore the Liberty ship.

— Enjoy the concerts. —Chat Noir says goodbye as both heroes leave the area.

— Sabrina! —mother and daughter Couffaine break away and together with their companions turn to see Roger run up and grab his daughter in a hug— I'm glad you're okay.

— Dad... —Sabrina tries to speak.

— Now come on, let's get away from this family. —the policeman was about to turn to take his daughter away, but Sabrina pulls away— Sabrina?

— No daddy, I'm not leaving. I know you disapprove of the Couffaines, but I do not. Juleka is my friend and Anarka is a woman, a pirate, I like to hang out with, so they won't hurt me. I can't just walk away from them. Please trust me, Dad. —Sabrina's words echoed in the air, leaving her father silent for a moment.

Roger looked at her with eyes full of concern and doubt before finally sighing deeply.

— It's okay, Sabrina. I trust you. But be careful, okay? —Roger said softly, hugging his daughter once more before turning to Anarka with a stern look— For me it's still very loud and just a couple of decibels above the legal limit... —then his gaze softens slightly— but for this occasion I'll let it go.

— Yes! —cheer Kim and Alix.

— Thank you, sheriff. —says mother Couffaine as she approaches the officer, who separates from her daughter.

— I know, break a leg. —Roger exclaims as he turns and says goodbye, wishing them good luck.

— Hey, —Alix starts to say, catching Juleka's attention— if you need a band for your bass, I have some experience with drums.

— Oh! Oh! —Kim gets excited as she approaches— I'll join in too, maybe with a guitar or something.

— Hey, —Chloé speaks from the bridge to the deck with a slightly cruel tone— you can't call yourself a band without a song, Sabrina. —she calls as she advances toward the deck with the orange-haired girl running toward her.

— There's some soundtrack and effects work to be done. —reminds Max as he also heads for the boat.

— I'll help. -Nathaniel follows him.

Alix and Kim also head to the Liberty, racing to find their instruments, leaving only mother and daughter Couffaine who look at each other and share a knowing smile before returning home, excited about this festival.

Juleka=Bassist and singer/Alix=Drummer/Kim=guitarist/Sabrina or Max=keyboardist

Angel of darkness

Chapter Text

Today seemed to be a quiet night on The Seine, Juleka leaned against the railing and watching the stars present in the sky with the soft murmur of the water soothing her, like an accompanying background chant, as the wind played with her hair. The lights of the city twinkled in the distance, reflecting on the surface of the river. These last couple of days Hawkmoth hasn't made an appearance but for the goth girl didn't care about it, if he stays away from her family it would be perfect as she still hates him for using an akuma on her mother, her anger still throbbed in her chest. Juleka closed her eyes, trying to leave those dark thoughts behind. Instead, she focused on the present moment. The cool breeze caressed her skin, when suddenly, an unexpected sound snapped her out of her reverie.

Mrrow...

Juleka opened her eyes and turned her head to her side to see her new companion.

— Oh, hello Salem. —Juleka speaks with a smile to her cat who was also leaning on the railing with her front paws, the cat responds with a slight meow before the goth started petting her head.

— Are we done now? —Jeflekta questions from the reflection of the club's window once the closest thing to a band finished rehearsing with Kim, Alix and Max leaving the room.

— Yeah, yeah, calm down now. -Juleka replies with some amusement as he puts away his bass.

— It's about time... —groans the reflection wearily, rubbing his fingers together— I don't know how they manage to play for so long.

Juleka laughs and shakes her head, adjusting the strap of her instrument case— This is the first time we've done this as a band since the music festival, Jeflekta. —she smiles, looking at her reflection with her uncovered eye.

— Don't remind me. —she replies to him, she may come across as grumpy but Jeflekta inside is glad to see Juleka happy at the idea of having a band of her own, even if she doesn't say it out loud. His gaze softens a bit as he watches Juleka walk towards the exit— What now? —she asks as she moves through the reflections, trying to sound disinterested but failing to hide her curiosity.

— I was thinking of practicing alone in the park, —Juleka replies, walking out of the club and across the school towards the exit— and maybe write a song or two for the band.

— Sounds great. —says Jeflekta, trying to hide her excitement.

Once Juleka leaves the school, she suddenly stops at the sight of the Dupan-Cheng bakery and upon seeing it she can't help but feel a certain sense of helplessness of wanting to help Marinette as concern for Rose but Alya is tasked with keeping her away from her pink friend now that Alix has left the group and joined Juleka, Chloé and Sabrina. Juleka for a second lifts her foot towards the direction of the bakery but hesitates, as an internal battle rages in her mind. Maybe she should go in and ask if they could talk, but the thought of bumping into Alya holds her back. She doesn't want any trouble, especially with everything going on.

— Maybe some other day. —she mutters to herself, taking a step back.

She returns to her original plan and heads for the park, but the uneasy feeling lingers in the back of her mind. As she walks, the sounds of the park surround her: children's laughter, birdsong and the soft murmur of the wind. Despite the tranquility the place offers her, she can't help but think of Marinette, Rose and what's going on in general. She sits down on a wooden bench under a leafy tree. She places her bass on her lap and begins to play a few notes. The melody flows, but her mind keeps wandering, jumping from idea to idea. What if he were to confront Alya? What if she were simply there to support Marinette? She shakes her head as if trying to clear those intrusive thoughts.

Then, she concentrates on the chords and rhythms that emerge from her fingers. The notes become a kind of catharsis, releasing her worry in each chord. She needs this moment, a space where she can be herself without the shadows of her former relationship with the group. As the afternoon progresses, Juleka feels lighter. The noise of the park becomes a perfect background for her music. Meanwhile, she continues to play, creating a refuge in her sound world when...

Mrrow...

Juleka suddenly shakes with surprise along with letting out an out of tune chord, looking at the source of the meow the goth girl couldn't help but let out a gasp of surprise as she suddenly found herself surrounded by cats staring at her with purrs and little meows, among them some were calico cats, extended fur, bushy tailed, etc. and Juleka's surprise only increased to disbelief as she saw in front of her an almost black maine coon with almost golden brown eyes. The maine coon approached, with that graceful, confident gait that felines have. Juleka, still stunned, stopped playing. The notes faded into the air, replaced by silence.

Some of the cats climbed onto the bench, settling around her and her bass as they sniffed the instrument and others rubbed against her legs. One of them, a small gray cat with white spots, settled next to her, purring loudly. She stood motionless, watching them approach, curious and friendly. Juleka smiled, feeling her heart soften. She forgot the sorrows and tensions for a moment, letting herself be carried away by the energy of such independent beings. Juleka moved her hand to stroke the little one. She looked again at the maine coon, whose presence was imposing and gentle at the same time. Juleka felt an urge to play again. She picked up the bass, and softly, intoned a light, almost improvised melody.

The soft purring of the felines filled the air as Juleka tried to collect her thoughts. Deciding to change chords, playing a softer melody, the cats continued to move gently, caressing her legs softly. Each meow seemed to respond to her notes, creating an unexpected harmony. In that moment, surrounded by her new furry friends, the sadness vanished, and there was only the music and the comfort she had found. That evening, in the dim light of dusk, Juleka felt that not only had she found refuge in the music, but also in the company of these strange but familiar cats.

She spent a few minutes gently petting the Maine Coon, who settled right next to her, enjoying the attention. That mix of sounds, soft fur and animal energy was what her soul needed at that instant. Once she'd had enough, Juleka stowed her bass in its case and slung the case strap over one shoulder, she walked back home on The Seine with the cats accompanying her. Honestly, Juleka hoped the cats would stop following her once she entered the deck of her boathouse. Once she arrived on the Liberty, the cats stayed away from the houseboat but she saw that the Maine Coon didn't hesitate to follow her along with an old scarred cat.

Juleka stopped on the deck bridge, a little surprised by the persistence of her new furry companions. The Maine Coon stared at her with big, curious eyes while beside her the old cat watched her with a calm attitude, like a guardian of sorts. With a sigh, she opened the door of the green boat house and motioned for them to enter. The cats, hesitant at first, took a cautious step inside, exploring the home while Juleka sat in an armchair in the living room and listened to them move about. The cats, now comfortable in their new abode, snuggled close to her.

Already from there, the Couffaine family's life went on as usual but now with the company of Salem and old Parrot, the moment Anarka saw the two cats she immediately became fascinated by the scarred old cat as she started calling him as “Parrot” and telling how the feline traveled through hillsides, crossing adventures and fights from which he came out victorious with his war marks despite being just a stray cat. Honestly, Juleka was glad to see her mother just as piratey as ever as she watched her tell exciting stories about her new cat's travels, and not being able to help but remember how her mother used to tell her stories of pirates on the high seas, of hidden treasures and storms that seemed endless. Anarka's eyes sparkled as she narrated Parrot's exploits, as if the old cat could understand every word. Salem, on the other hand, seemed more serene and alert as she also almost always accompanied Juleka, watching with her big golden eyes in the distance. Although she was a young cat, there was something in her gait that showed a certain awareness and complicity. She often approached Juleka, as if to make sure everything was in order or to find out if the goth was all right.

Whenever Anarka got too excited, Salem would settle in beside her, soft and calm, the hours passed quickly as the afternoon turned into evening. The stars began to appear, and the sky filled with bright spots. Anarka finished one of her stories with a dramatic twist, causing both Juleka and the cats to lean toward her with anticipation. Juleka's laughter echoed in the air, full of love and joy, while her mother gesticulated animatedly, bringing every detail to life. Parrot's rumbling squeals as she stretched and Salem's deep purr created a comforting soundtrack.

Currently. Juleka enjoys the stars in the sky when she sees Chat Noir's silhouette in the distance running and leaping across the rooftops, well, it wouldn't hurt to talk to the feline hero.

— Hey, Chat Noir! —calls the goth girl while waving her hand in the air, in an effort to get the attention of the holder of the Cat Miraculous.

Chat Noir stops dead in his tracks, startled by the sudden and familiar voice. With a cheerful smile, he doesn't hesitate to leap across the rooftops to approach followed by propelling himself with the extension of his staff. Soon he reaches the Liberty and slides down the pole to then leap and land on the roof, almost on top of Juleka

— What's up, Juleka? —exclaims the black cat hero, his eyes sparkling with excitement— Is everything going well since the music festival? —she asks softly on the touchy subject of the akumatization of his goth friend's mother.

— Everything is fine, in fact, my captain was able to handle it well. —assures Juleka with a smile, joking with her mother's pirate dialect— Besides, I seem to be creating my own band and I've had some auditions. It's honestly very exciting.

Chat Noir raises an eyebrow, surprised— A band? That sounds amazing! —he replied, sitting on the edge of the roof— Tell me more. What's the idea?

— I want to combine goth rock with a bit of pop. I think it would be something unique. —Juleka replies with a small laugh at Chat Noir's enthusiasm.

The black cat hero nods, inspired by her passion— Sounds like a great challenge. But you've always had that spirit. —he says, remembering the times Juleka had surprised him before.

— Thanks, Chat. I sometimes feel hesitant, but my love for music drives me.

— That's what matters. —he says, with an encouraging smile— Your voice is powerful. Don't let insecurities stop you.

Juleka nods, feeling her friend's confidence— I'll talk to the guys at school. Maybe we can do something together.

— And if you need a cat as a special guest, you know where to find me. —Chat Noir jokes, while making an exaggerated serenading gesture.

They both laugh, enjoying the moment when Juleka breaks it with a mischievous, playful smile.

— I know I'll be counting on you... Adrien. —she pronounces as she turns to look over her shoulder at him.

At the name, Chat Noir jumps in a panic, falling from the ceiling and lands next to the smiling goth and the maine coon who now seemed to notice the black cat hero.

— Wh-What...? Me, A-Adrien? —staggers Chat Noir as he stands up and trying to give a smile but it came out nervously— I think you're mistaken, I'm just Chat Noir, the brave superhero of Paris.

Juleka can't help but laugh at his awkwardness. The way he stumbled and his attempt to keep his composure were too funny.

— Come on, Adrien, I know it's you.

Chat Noir looks for some lie or excuse to convince that he wasn't the famous model, but the gothic girl's knowing look told him that any word he hears won't change her mind, instead the feline hero sighs defeatedly with his head down.

— What gave me away?

— I don't know, —Juleka shrugs with amusement— maybe it's your humor or those lovely green eyes of yours, everything about you screams that you're Adrien. The handsome boy everyone knows.

Chat Noir blushes slightly, feeling the warmth of Juleka's gaze. He tries to pull himself together, but his mind is tangled in thought - how could he have been discovered so easily? Salem seemed to notice the hero's uneasiness, so the maine coon approached him and rubbed her head against his leg.

— Really...? —asks Chat Noir.

— No. —replies Juleka immediately, then laughing at the hero's reaction to her answer— I found out when I used your Miraculous to become Nightcrawler.

Chat Noir remains silent, processing the information received and after a few minutes he feels his mind explode as if he heard a shocking revelation, holding a hand to his head as he tries to assimilate it all.

— You're Nightcrawler?! —Juleka laughs a little at the hero's disbelief.

— Yes, someone had to save you from that fall of the building in front of that audience, you're welcome for keeping your identity hidden. —answers the gothic girl, while folding her arms and winking.

Sometimes Chat Noir can't help but admire that momentary audacity.

— But... —starts to say Chat Noir, still trying to understand what he had just heard— Why didn't you tell me before?

Juleka shrugs again, showing a casual expression.

— I didn't want to ruin the surprise. Besides, look how well it turned out! We're both in this rather curious situation.

As she speaks, Chat Noir feels a mixture of relief and confusion. “How much more does Juleka know?” he wonders. The idea that someone so astute could know his secret unsettles him. He may have promised himself to tell her, as his mind was beginning to see Juleka as his confidant but she seems to have beaten him to it and that left him perplexed, a part of him wants to laugh at the unexpected revelation.

— You're right, it was an unexpected twist. —he replies, trying to keep his composure. But he can't stop a smile from escaping him— I guess I still need to understand that chaos your family has.

Juleka laughs again, the sound vibrating in the air- But that's the way my mother and I do things. Or would you prefer a boring, emotionless rescue?

Chat Noir can't help but laugh too— Maybe you're right, sometimes a little chaos adds a special touch to the adventure. —he nods, feeling that, despite the revelation, the situation is lighter than he thought— Well, while we're at it... would you like to join my nightly rounds? —he asks, exploring the possibility of sharing more moments with her.

Juleka looks at him, her reddish hazel eyes sparkling with intrigue— Who knows? Maybe chaos is more fun in company, although I'd also like to use your Miraculous from time to time.

— Are you sure you're not planning to steal Plagg from me? —jokes the black cat hero as he remembers how enchanted his Kwami was with the gothic girl.

— It's not my fault that Plagg is attracted to our pirate life. —Juleka humorously excuses herself, her face lit up with a mischievous grin— Besides, it seems to me that he has more fun with us than with you!

Chat Noir frowns, but the laughter bubbles back up in his chest— You may have a point, but I must remind you that it's my Miraculous and I'm the one Plagg is tied to me. —he says, in a playful tone, as he drums his fingers on an imaginary surface.

Juleka leans forward a bit— I know, and I'm not here to steal you, I'm just looking for an excuse to be closer to that adventure. —there's a twinkle in her eye that suggests she really appreciates it.

— That sounds just like my kind of plan. —assures Chat Noir, feeling the connection between them grow stronger. A mixture of excitement and nervousness grows inside him— So, do we have a deal?

She nods firmly, though her face shows a faint glint of mischief.

— Deal, even if deep down he's ready to encounter new chaos.

The idea doesn't displease him. Slowly, they begin to chat about various topics, their laughter echoing in the night air. Every word flows between them with ease, leaving aside the mystery of their double life. It feels light to share that moment, almost as if everything else has disappeared. Juleka shrugs again, a spark of defiance in her gaze.

— And if at any time I need better chaos, I can always call you. You wouldn't let me down, would you?

Chat Noir is eager to respond, ready to take on any challenge— Never. I'm here for the unexpected. Is there any other way to live life?

Silence...

— Nah. —they both deny with laughter, enjoying the connection they have.

The night advances and the stars shine brightly, as if they were accomplices in their conversation. Chat Noir watches Juleka, watching her gazing at the horizon, observing how her jet-black hair with purple locks fluttering slightly in the wind, the lights behind her making her glow in a certain way in his sight. He can't help but come to feel a little attracted to her, even his overcoming his crush on Ladybug, he decides to give himself a little time away from the subject, allowing himself to appreciate the moment. He had never thought he could enjoy the company of someone other than his usual adventure companion so much. Juleka seemed to quietly understand him, her presence felt warm and safe. Suddenly, she turns to him, startling Chat Noir out of his thoughts.

— When will you let me use your Miraculous again? —she asks, curiosity shining in her eyes— Since I can't just make Nightcrawler disappear from people's memories. —she adds with some humor.

Chat Noir laughs at the question, feeling a slight blush on his cheeks.

— Well, that's something we'd definitely have to discuss, but only if you promise not to cause too much trouble. —he replies with a smirk.

Juleka raises an eyebrow, her face denoting a playful expression— Me, cause trouble? Never. —she lies with a hint of sarcasm, which reminded the feline hero a bit of a certain akuma.

He leans towards her, feeling the night envelop them in a sort of bubble— Well, if you ever decide to summon chaos, make sure it's fun. Sometimes a little madness is what we need. —he says, feeling each word further entwine their connection.

She nods, her smile shining with complicity— And you know, I might have a trick or two up my sleeve. The creative mind never stops. —she answers confidently, as if she already has a tantalizing plan in mind.

Chat Noir is intrigued but also slightly worried— I don't want to be the one who ends up trapped in a mess you can't get out of. —he jokes, raising his hands in surrender.

Juleka gives a light laugh, the melody echoing softly in the night— Come on, Chat, together we can face anything. —Juleka nudges him playfully, as if trying to break the growing tension— So, what do you say, a little pre-dawn madness?

Chat Noir feels his heart beat a little faster— You mean like organizing some sort of nighttime prank? —he asks, interested.

— Absolutely, like... —she approaches him almost intimately, Chat Noir instinctively leans back as he feels drums in his chest when...— thank you~ —suddenly says Juleka in a sing-songy tone as she walks away with the Black Cat Miraculous in her hand.

Chat Noir blinks a blinked twice as he transformed back into Adrien after the ring's absence, not taking long to register that he once again fell into a Juleka trap.

— Is this going to be a habit? —questions the resigned model boy as the goth smiles at him.

— Relax kid, —speaks Plagg with a smile as he steps out of the ring and with the Kwami smiling at its holder— Sometimes, a little chaos is just what we need to get out of the rut. —he continued, nonchalantly waving his little body in the air— You just have to be ready for the fun.

Adrien snorts, half-smiling— Fun for who? I'm not sure what they consider fun.

Plagg shrugs, not losing his playful tone— That depends on how you look at it.

— How about a walk with Nightcrawler? —suggests Juleka innocently in the third person as she places the Miraculous ring on her finger.

Adrien feels that the idea amuses and terrifies him at the same time, yet he doesn't stop himself from smiling— Walking with Nightcrawler sounds risky. —he answers, trying to put a note of seriousness to his tone.

— Risky or exciting? —asks the gothic girl with a mischievous smile— That is the real question. —she replies, with a mischievous twinkle in her eye.

The blond model scratches the back of his neck, feeling divided— Well, I can't deny that everything unexpected appeals to me, so... —Adrien says, feeling his own sense of responsibility blur under Juleka's gaze.

She gives him a meaningful look, as if she already knew what he was thinking.

— Maybe because I know there is always an alternative path.

The night wind blows softly, and Adrien feels a mixture of anxiety and nerves— What if we are discovered? —he asks. Juleka shrugs, showing no concern.

— Then we'll just say we were looking for adventure. It's not a lie if you think about it, we're talking about the beloved Agreste model accompanied by the rookie heroine.

— She's right. —concedes Plagg with a small laugh, recognizing the logic in her madness before shooting a glance at Juleka— And you didn't take long to replace me? —he teases as he points at Salem, with the maine coon who had a fixed gaze on the Kwami along with a few purrs.

— Think of her more as your little sister. —replies the gothic girl with the maine coon meowing at that statement.

— Only you could think like that. —Adrien comments on the above, but there is a hint of admiration in his voice, and he feels his resistance crumbling— Okay, a little crazy. But don't make me run too fast. —he concludes, feeling the fear turn to excitement.

Juleka smirks at him before speaking— Plagg, Claw Out. —she utters the transformation phrase, Plagg willingly enters the ring and before long she transforms into Nightcrawler— Now, would you like to patrol with this feline? —asks the new cat heroine with her hands on her hips and wiggling them slightly.

Adrien looks at Juleka, now transformed, and feels a spark of admiration. The confidence she radiates is infectious, and he finds it hard to resist the thrill of the moment.

— It's impressive, really. —she confesses, a wide grin appearing on her face.

Nightcrawler shoots him a mischievous look, and the moonlight seems to amplify the sparkle in his eyes.

— Come on, it's time to get out! —she exclaims, wrapping one arm around Adrien and using her other hand to brandish her whip sword and use it to swing around the buildings.

Adrien holds on to it a bit so he doesn't fall off during the ride, but at the same time he can't help but enjoy the wind on his face and the adrenaline rush coursing through his body. It didn't feel any different when he was Chat Noir and traveling with his expandable baton, but now there was something new in the air, something electrifying that excited him. Juleka, or rather Nightcrawler, every spin, jump, drop and stunt felt exhilarating in a way and boiled his blood with adrenaline, soon Adrien realized that this new dynamic gave him an unexpected boost.

— Hey, dude...

Already the next day, Nino could be seen lightly shaking Adrien who seemed a bit disoriented during the free period.

— Are you doing well? You don't seem to have slept much. —says the aspiring DJ as he sees the blond model's tired eyes and long yawn.

— I'm fine, just a thrill ride. —answers Adrien with an honest smile, besides hiding the revealing details.

Nino watches him with a raised eyebrow, clearly skeptical— Exciting, you say? That sounds like you got yourself into some trouble.

Adrien laughs softly, trying to play it down. Not that far from the truth.

— No, really, it's just that... —Adrien searches for the right words— You know, I went for a night walk. Sometimes, just need to get out for a bit, clear my mind.

Nino nods, but still seems to have doubts— Maybe, but you can also end up on a roof in the middle of the night. —he folds his arms, showing his genuine concern.

— It was nothing dangerous. —Adrien assures, although he can't deny that the sensation of being up high had brought him to life in a way he hadn't felt for a long time— I was just enjoying the moment.

Finally, Nino relaxes, though not completely convinced— Well, if you need someone to accompany you on your “walks”, let me know. I don't want you to become the next missing superhero.

The idea makes Adrien laugh more for the irony than for the reality— I promise that in the next adventure I'll take you, so you'll get your adrenaline dose. —he laughs, feeling a little lighter.

As the chatter continued, the sound of the class bell interrupts them, and they both head to their classrooms. Adrien feels a little calmer, with excitement still buzzing inside him and a sweet secret accompanying him. Adrien enters the classroom, feeling a little lighter, though the memory of the night before still dances in his mind. His classmates are talking animatedly, but he sits in his place and lets the murmur engulf him. Amid laughter and murmurs, he is distracted as his mind drifts back to that moment on the roof with Nightcrawler. The adrenaline, the danger and the unexpected connection have left him thinking. Suddenly, he feels aware that the professor is giving instructions, so he tries to concentrate.

— I don't understand. —Adrien speaks again, now in a low voice— Why is this happening?

— Simple, it's the side effects of wearing my Miraculous. —Plagg answers him simply.

— But Juleka didn't use the Miraculous for long, why are the side effects happening to her and not to me?

— Others get them sooner or later, varying the effects, it's not for you to be jealous either.

— I wonder what my side effects are?

Another day, another Akuma to defeat. The students already went in search of shelter in the school, Adrien was slow to follow when Plagg, in his cat form, approached him with the Miraculous while Juleka retreats with a thumbs up before disappearing out the door.

— There goes your insurance. —comments Plagg as he returns to his Kwami form, then he turns to Adrien who puts on the ring— Do you plan to throw more drama at him or do you plan to act?

— You know the answer. —Adrien declares before extending his ringed fist— Plagg, Claws Out! —he announces the transformation phrase.

Meanwhile, Juleka soon rejoins the others and at that moment both Sabrina and Alix turn to see her with a silent question with the goth nodding in confirmation that she was okay.

— Wait, where's Adrien? —asks Mylene as she looks around worriedly.

— Do you know something, Juleka? —asks Alya.

— It's none of your business. —answer both Juleka and Chloé at the same time, sharing a grumpy look and tone.

— He only went home to protect himself, you know how Gabriel usually protects his son. —Juleka says, covering up Adrien's work as a hero, while the others begin to murmur among themselves.

Tension grew in the air. Alya was unconvinced and folded her arms, staring at him.

— There's no point in him staying home alone. —she says, frowning.

— Sometimes people have their own methods of protection. —Chloé replies.

Adrien watches through the news about how Nightcrawler and Ladybug were facing an Akuma of a spider woman who used webs as webbing, this dynamic of swapping the Miraculous between him and Juleka has been relaxing as well as beneficial at times, and allows them both to experience a bit more about their strengths. As he watched the battle on the screen, he felt excited by the action on display.

— Adrien, —Nathalie called from his door— your usual Chinese tutor couldn't make it, so he sent a friend to replace him. —as she said this, she entered the room followed by a short older man wearing a Hawaiian shirt— You will treat him as expected.

— Thank you, Nathalie. —Adrien said to the secretary, who didn't even look at him as she busied herself with her work on her tablet. The woman didn't even say goodbye, but decided to leave— Hello, my name is Adrien, I'll be in your care. 

— Hello, Adrien, it's nice to finally meet you. —said the old man as he walked forward— I can also say that you have taken good care of Plagg.

Adrien froze where he stood and looked at the man sitting on his couch.

— Oh, you look a little surprised. —the old man says with an amused smile— Don't worry, I won't say anything. Sometimes, a little mystery can be interesting. —the old man settled on the sofa as if he were at home— You can call me Fu, I'm the current Guardian of the Miraculous. —he said as he introduced himself, giving the boy a smile.

Adrien stared at him for a long moment before shaking his head, focusing his thoughts on what was happening at the moment— So... I guess there's a reason you showed up now?

— Actually, yes. —Fu half-points to the TV news, where Ladybug and Nightcrawler were still facing the Akuma— May I know why someone is using the Black Cat's Miraculous? I remember I had given it to you.

Adrien froze once again, hesitating to answer or even have a proper answer.

— It's just that... Nightcrawler... —he hesitated for a moment to say his goth friend's name before continuing— she has been a great support to me, long before she found out that I am Chat Noir I even wanted to reveal it to her... she had become a sort of confidant to me, or maybe even a sister like Chloé...

Fu nodded, listening intently to Adrien's words. There was a sincerity in his voice that did not go unnoticed.

— I understand. Friendships like that are very valuable. —he commented, with a thoughtful tone— But have you considered the implications of sharing Miraculous?

Adrien frowned, feeling the weight of the question— I've thought about it, yes. But Nightcrawler has his own motives, and at the end of the day, we're fighting the same evil. —he ran a hand through his hair, a gesture that indicated his discomfort— Sometimes, I feel it's more powerful that way.

Fu smiled wisely— Strength can come from many places, and sometimes more is less. However, it is crucial that you understand that the Miraculous is not just an object; it carries with it a responsibility.

Adrien looked up at the screen where the battle continued, he wondered if he was doing the right thing.

— I know. But I feel like she needs this as much as I do. —he said, in a firmer voice— I've seen how she's grown. She deserves a chance.

— That's admirable, Adrien. —Fu replied, with a tone of approval in his voice— But you always have to be careful with the power you give and especially to the person you choose. Now, we should focus on some mentoring.

Chapter Text

— ♫ Don't you stop, dancing to the music. —sings Clara Nightingale on the television— Baby! Yeah, it's like a miracle. Don't you stop, dancing to the music, Music, oh, it's getting physical! Don't you stop, dancing to the music. ♫

Marinette, who was in the dining room in her pajamas, was dancing and singing with excitement when she trips over the chair and falls backwards while trying to keep her balance.

— That was Clara Nightingale's new single. —Alec announces over the television— “Big Bang”, friends.

Marinette recovers as she gets up and takes a seat.

— Wow, that woman is amazing. —comments Tikki as she watches the TV.

— I love her, her art, I'm completely passionate about it! —replies Marinette excitedly.

— Clara, —Alec speaks again— in just a couple of months you have become an international success with your unique way of singing and your style. We've been told that you even sing and dance in your sleep. Don't you ever stop?

— Never, you see. Dancing and singing are everything to me. And I'm happy to share the joy of song and dance To the amazing people of France!

— Did you hear her, Tikki? She's a real artist! —Marinette speaks fanatically, with Kwami looking at her confused.

— You've come to Paris to shoot the video for your new song called Miraculous.

— I really admire and adore Ladybug and Chat Noir. —Clara responds by way of confirmation— An homage to them I wanted to pay Because they inspire me every single day!

— Ahh! —Marinette shouts out of excitement— Is she going to sing a song about me?! I mean, about Ladybug? I'm so excited that I'm going to... —she falls backwards out of her seat— faint.

— The auditions will be just at the Grand Palais, is that right? —Alec asks curious— A little bird told me that you already have your Chat Noir, do you want to tell me who it is?

— My lips are sealed, —Clara refuses to reveal, with a smile on her lips— But soon he'll be revealed. We must still cast Ladybug and extras, by the way. So come on out and audition today! And in case you're wondering, I also have plans for the future of the proclaimed sister of the cat hero, Nightcrawler.

Suddenly Marinette's phone rings and she answers it to be on a video call with Alya who was accompanied by Rose, Mylène behind her.

— Marinette, did you hear that? —Alya speaks first— We're all going to the audition and you're coming too. So don't give us some of your excuses.

— And miss the opportunity to meet Clara Nightingale in person? Not at all. See you there.

— I'll see you there. —Alya says goodbye as she hangs up the video call.

— You're not auditioning for the part of Ladybug, are you? —Tikki suspects, with a subtle tinge of concern.

— Of course not. —Marinette shakes her head— We just want to have fun as video extras, that's all. I would never do anything that would reveal my secret identity.

— Then it's all right, Marinette. —relaxes the ladybug Kwami before flying over and kissing Marinette on the nose— I'm proud of you.

In the meantime...

— The spread will be perfect for the opening of our stores in Korea and China. —Gabriel speaks to his son with Nathalie presenting a Chat Noir costume to Adrien— So you have no choice.

— But, father... —Adrien tries to defend himself.

— I've been Clara's costume designer since she started. —says his father, interrupting him— I suggested you to be in her video and she liked it. She's only seen you in our publicity, but she has great admiration for you. I hope you won't disappoint us.

Adrien felt a pressure in his mind— Of course not, father.

Up ahead outside the Grand Palais, preparations were already underway for the music video.

— Extras on the left and auditions for Ladybug on the right. —a stagehand speaks to the workers.

Inside the dressing room, Adrien puts on his Chat Noir costume and looking at himself in the mirror he didn't look very excited to wear it, but rather worried, unlike Plagg who seemed to like it as he inspected it.

— They chose well the fabric and these seams, —the black cat Kwami commented with a clear smile— a luxurious craftsmanship. —he declares with humorous approval as he folds his ears like a beret.

— No way I'm wearing this! —replies Adrien.

— Yeah. —agreed Plagg, only to approach the bell of the costume— I've always thought that bell was so ridiculous, my kitty thought well not to wear one. —the Kwami gets a glare from its wearer, to which Plagg turns away half leaning back in the air— But well, that costume is what your heart really desired, isn't it?

— No Plagg, I mean that everyone will realize that I'm the real Chat Noir.

— People are blind. —says the black cat Kwami almost directly.

Actually there is a reason why no one will know that Adrien is Chat Noir, but Plagg sees it as far-fetched so his best way of putting it easily is that people are blind and nothing else.

— Besides, who would pay attention to a simple model in a costume? —comments Plagg, hovering near Adrien— Most will only notice the spectacle. The music, the lights, the energy. That's what matters, bud.

Adrien still wasn't convinced. He knew he had his reasons for hesitation, feeling trapped in his costume.

— It's not just the costume. It's the idea that everyone might find out who I am.

— Relax! —Plagg replies disdainfully— People look at what they want. They look, but they don't see. They are always with their own problems.

Adrien runs a hand through his hair, feeling the anxiety— Still...

— You forget that you still have Juleka to cover your ass in case something happens. —reminds Kwami black cat to him— That girl is good at keeping secrets. —comments Plagg, with a mischievous glint in his eyes— She experienced and lived what you do, so if anyone seems suspicious, she'll be there to distract the crowd.

Adrien takes a moment to consider that, trying to clear the storm of thoughts clouding his mind, and truth be told, the thought of Juleka intervening gave him a glimmer of reassurance.

— Are you ready, Adrien? —suddenly there is a voice outside.

— I'm coming... just a second! —replies the blond model before continuing to speak to Plagg— Okay, I'll try, I know Juleka will avoid any recognition with my identity as Chat Noir.

— Go get 'em, puss. —Plagg says by way of motivation before hiding in his costume.

Before long he emerged from the dressing room to approach the stage to see Clara addressing the audience of participants, including students from Miss Bustier's class.

— Thank you for coming, all of you! —she exclaims with her arms wide open in excitement— This is like a dream come true! Together we'll all dance and sing; It's going to be awesome and amazing!

— We're going to be in Clara Nightingale's music video! —Alya gets excited— this is the best!

— I can't believe this is happening! —shrieks Marinette.

— And now, meet our rising star: Adrien as Chat Noir! —he goes on stage and gives a salute to the audience, where he practically received screams of excited fangirls.

Soon Nathalie approaches Adrien with a tablet with Gabriel on video call— The costume suits you perfectly, just as I thought. —the comment seemed more analytical than anything else— But what about your mask?

— Here it is. —the famous model raised his hand to show he was holding said mask— I didn't think...

— It's no biggie; it's okay. —Clara intervenes, leaning on Adrien to look at his father— We don't need the mask for tryouts anyway. Now let's start.

The auditions for the Ladybug character for the music video begin, in which several girls participate for the role but end up being rejected. During the auditions, Alya at a certain point narrowed her eyes as she focused her gaze on Adrien who was also participating in the auditions among the different “Ladybugs”.

— Didn't I tell you that Adrien looks a lot like Chat Noir? —commented Alya suspiciously, drawing Marinette's attention.

Of course, Juleka heard the blogger's suspicions and, sensing the alarms in her mind, wastes no time in acting.

— You're kidding, right? —Alya and Marinette both turn behind to see Chloé, Sabrina, Alix and Juleka approaching. Chloé crosses her arms with an offended look— Do you really think Adrien and Chat Noir look alike?

— Of course they do! —answers Alya firmly— They both have that mysterious and charming air. It's not just the looks, it's the attitude too.

Marinette nods, though a little unsure— It's true, but... I don't know.

Chloé laughs, a laugh that sounds more dismissive than funny— Please, it's obvious you're exaggerating. Chat Noir is impulsive with a questionable sense of humor while Adrien is more dreamy, charming, and despite his humor, he's always very cute. —Sabrina, at Chloé's side, nods in agreement.

Juleka, somewhat distant from the exchange, intervenes to calm things down— In any case, we're here to audition. What does it matter if they look alike or not?

— What's it to you here, traitor? —Alya snaps at the gothic girl, giving her a deadly look— Are you here to steal Adrien from Marinette? —she accuses.

Juleka couldn't help but cringe at the accusation with her shoulders shaking slightly, when Chloé steps in between almost protectively.

— Leave her out of this, blogger, she has nothing to do with it. —Chloé replies, glaring at Alya with contempt and the latter giving her a defiant look.

— This is just an audition, it's nothing personal. —says Marinette trying to calm the tension. Her voice trembles slightly, but she decides to be firm— The important thing is that we all have a chance to shine.

Alya looks at her, surprised by her conciliatory attitude— You're right, Marinette. But that doesn't mean I can't make observations.

Chloé rolls her eyes, clearly irritated, and mutters to herself— Always trying to be the good one.

Meanwhile, the girls waiting their turn begin to murmur among themselves, exchanging concerns. Juleka remains silent, watching the scene intently. Suddenly, Clara steps forward and raises her voice.

— You must be starving, from all this waiting!

— Oh, look, it's coming towards us! —Marinette exclaims excitedly as Clara walks, but on the last step she stumbles, Marinette rushes to help her up.

That event had shocked almost everyone as the famous woman was about to fall to the ground, however, Clara had other thoughts in mind...

— There you are! Here's a hug, Because you are Ladybug! —exclaims the woman with glee, shocking again the participants and especially Marinette.

— W-What?! —she is startled as she turns away— I have no idea what you are talking about! —she tries to deny but...

— You did what Ladybug would have, just the same. Your heart is pure, like hers. —Clara insisted before leaning towards her— What's your name?

— Ah, Ma... Ma... Marinette.

— Marinette! Say it's so! Will you please play Ladybug in my video?

— Yes, she'll do great! —replies Alya, excited, and speaking for her friend.

— Yes, Marinette, you deserve it! —also speaks Rose, making Marinette feel embarrassed.

— That's very nice of you and I'm a big fan. —Marinette decides to speak, with her hands raised on her chest— But I came to do an extra with my friends and I want to stay with them.

— That's a pity, a shame; but I understand it's true. —Clara stands up, a little embarrassed but understanding— That's a very cool gesture, very Ladybug of you! Just sit over here for make-up, okay? I'll ask your friends to be sent over right away! —with that, she leaves.

— Thank you, thank you!

— Well done, Marinette. —Tikki says to her from Marinette's bag, with a proud little smile— You didn't give in to temptation.

— You're crazy! —Mylène exclaims, approaching her half-Chinese friend.

— Yes! —agrees Alya— You refused to record with Adrien to be with us?

— You're the best friend! —shouts Rose as she hugs Marinete along with Mylène and Alya.

Chloé folds her arms with a smile, feeling an air of victory as she watches Marinette cringe, letting out a small “Hmp” before walking away. After a few moments she returned in a Ladybug costume.

— Um... Are you sure about doing this, Chloé? —questions Sabrina as the blonde millionaire walks to the front— Your condition...

— I'll be fine. —answers Chloé directly, looking calm despite the red suit printed with black dots— Besides, it will help me control that phony.

She walks and passes through the crowd as well as pushing them out of her way.

— Thank you all for coming, go home now.

— Attention, a spoiled brat in sight. —Alya speaks, rolling her eyes.

— Don't worry, —Marinette tries to calm her friend down— knowing Nightingale, Chloé doesn't stand a chance of being chosen.

— Wow, what is happening to you today? I bow to such wisdom. —Alya jokes, with a playful bow.

— That's right. From now on my name is teacher Marinette Dupain-Cheng. —jokes the half-Chinese, with both of them laughing.

— Your Ladybug has arrived. —declares Chloé as she walks on stage— When do we start recording?

— Chloé, everyone has to audition, you know that. —Adrien comments as he looks at his friend, then leans over to whisper to her— And you're sure you want to do this?

— Sure, of course I want to. —she says confidently in whispers— And yes, I wouldn't want to leave my friend-brother alone. —then she starts dancing in the middle of the stage, earning a standing ovation at the end— I missed it already! Eight years of private lessons with Aurélie Dupont of the Paris Opera. I know, I took your breath away. —Chloé basks in her moment.

— You've definitely got enough talent for me, —Clara speaks as she approaches the pair of blondes— But you and Cat Noir have to be a good match, you see.

— Oh, don't worry, —soon Chloé hugs against Adrien, with him being surprised at first— Adrien and I have known each other since we were little, we'll do great. —the model boy finally relaxes and, with a smile, nods to Clara who was in thought.

— The son of the world's greatest fashion designer and the daughter of the mayor of Paris. —the mayor comments as he looks at his daughter and her friend— Would that be perfect?

Hearing that and seeing the model smile, Marinette starts to get angry with jealousy, she was content to let any other girl participate as Ladybug and be with Adrien, maybe getting a little jealous, but Chloé? This is beyond her ego and seeing someone ruin her dual identity, she felt her jealousy intensify. Marinette clenches her fists, trying to calm herself. She couldn't let those thoughts consume her. Chloé had always been competitive, and as she watched her approach Adrien, her heart shrank. She couldn't just stand there and watch Chloé take over the stage. Rage bubbled up inside her like a volcano about to explode.

— I can't let this happen. —Marinette muttered to herself, realizing she had to act.

— Marinette, are you all right? —Alya asked, noticing her friend's expression.

— Chloé as Ladybug? —talked Marinette to herself— I don't think so, that won't happen!

— How? —questioned Alya, somewhat surprised— Does that bother you more than not being with Adrien in the video? I mean, I know we don't want her around Adrien, but...

— If I were Ladybug, I wouldn't want a spoiled brat like Chloé playing me. —Marinette ignores her, only to walk to the stage.

— What do you think, Gabriel? —Clara turns to look at Nathalie's tablet, still on the video call.

— Artistically speaking, the girl with pigtails would have been ideal, —replies the chief designer— but we have to start filming. It will be with Miss Bourgeois.

— I trust you, Gabriel. —replies Mrs. Nightingale, not seeing much trouble.

— We're going to be in a music video, Adrienboo! —squeals Chloé, leaning closer to Adrien only to turn away in disgust— Oh no, does that mean I need to make bad jokes too?

— No, that's what I'm for. —Adrien jokes lightly, amused by his friend's reaction— And I prefer Adriencat.

— Hey, wait up! —Marinette shouts in as she walks up the stage— I changed my mind! I do want to be Ladybug! —she declares, with Tikki gasping in shock.

— Awesome! This will be the best video yet! —Clara exclaims with her arms in the air, then kisses Marinette on the face— Thank you, thank you, Marinette! —then turns to Chloé with an apologetic smile— I'm really sorry, what's-your-name, —she doesn't notice the blonde's involuntary shudder at how she was addressed— But you can still be an extra in the video, if you're game!

— What? How can you...?! —she questioned offended, shooting murderous glances at Marinette and forcing Adrien to restrain her— That's ridiculous, absolutely ridiculous!

Marinette felt the tension rise in the air, her decision seemed to have unleashed a storm. Chloé would not take it lightly and was ready to fight. Alya watched her, seemingly unsure whether to back her friend or run away in the face of Chloé's fury. Adrien, for his part, looked confused, perhaps wondering how it had all gotten to this point.

— I don't understand why you're so angry, Chloé. —Adrien said, looking at her with concern— It's just a video.

— Just a video?! —Chloé shouted, crossing her arms— It's not just that! It's a Clara Nightingale music video no less! Dupain-Cheng can't just jump in and do whatever she wants, there are rules.

Marinette took a deep breath, feeling the burning in her chest. She knew she had to be firm— Chloé, you don't understand, —she interrupted, stepping a little closer— it's a role that really matters. There's a meaning behind it.

— Whatever you say, Dupain-Cheng! —Chloé replied disdainfully— What do you know about being a real heroine?

— I know enough that you don't get it all, —Marinette replied, her voice booming— not when you don't deserve it.

— Okay, conflict I see here. —Clara exclaims as she steps into the middle of the girls— How about this? If Marinette fails, for the Ladybug video you'll be, okay are we?

Chloé narrows her eyes but remains silent, considering, looking at Marinette at times with clear distrust, not wanting to have her around, let alone for her stalkerish moments, but finally nods, though her expression shows no satisfaction.

— It's okay. —she says with disdain, shooting a look at the half-Chinese that could be read as “Let's see when you screw up".

Later, Marinette was in the dressing rooms dressing up as her double identity while Tikki floats around inspecting the costume.

— They chose the fabric very well, and these seams are fancy craftsmanship. Almost, just like the real thing, isn't it?

— Yes, it's very well done. Oh, Tikki, I've ruined everything this time. —Marinette exclaims in sorrow and regret— If they see me with this mask on, they'll recognize me, I'm sure, there's no way I'll wear this mask. —suddenly she hears someone knocking at the door.

— Are you ready, Marinette?

— Yes, I'm almost there! —she answers, hiding the mask.

Soon after, Marinette appears on stage and is welcomed by her friends.

— There she is, Marinette! —says Alya with a smile, clapping along with Rose and Mylène.

— Spot on! And spotlight! —Clara exclaims when the lights come on— So, you're Ladybug and Chat Noir, right?

— No! —hurries to answer Marinette, blinded by the momentary panic, then notices Clara and Adrien's looks— ... Ahm, I mean, of course. —she laughs nervously.

— Then... One, two and three! —Clara begins to coordinate— Yes they can, their dance steps must synchronize, they must shake hands for this to be achieved!

— Good —Adrien shakes hands with Marinette, who reacts with a blush that could be mistaken for her costume and Clara laughs at the sight.

— Not like that. Don't be shy! —Clara exclaims— Like lovers do. Give it a try!

— Marinette won't believe it when she sees these pictures. —Alya says to herself through the photos with her phone.

— I can't believe how much they look like the real Ladybug and Chat Noir. —Rose comments.

— Which I doubt. —answers Alix nearby, crossing her arms and Juleka.

She, however, was suspicious of the sudden actions, at first she thought it was jealousy at seeing Chloé with Adrien but it was Marinette's negative response to a simple question that really threw her. Alix frowns and shoots Juleka a look that reflects her confusion.

— I feel like there's something here that she's not saying. —Alix murmurs, intrigued. Juleka nods in agreement.

— One final task: Put on the mask. —Clara speaks.

— Ah... well, I found the costume, but the mask? I couldn't find it. —Marinette excuses herself.

— Okay, I found it! —exclaims the stagehand with Marinette gasping.

— Go ahead, put them on, you two. —Clara says excitedly with Adrien pulling out his mask— We've got a lot of singing and dancing to do! —Marinette looks with conflict at her own mask that was handed to her.

Marinette continues to look conflictedly at her mask, her hands shaking as she holds it up to her face, however, Chloé looked noticeably impatient at Marinette's pathetic attitude.

— Are you going to wear it or what? —Chloé questions, with a raised eyebrow, clearly annoyed by the delay.

Marinette swallows hard, trying to hide her nervousness— Yeah, sure, just... —she hesitates, as she finally decides to place the mask over her face.

However, the whirlwind of emotions she feels won't go away. Chloé sighed in frustration and rolled her eyes, she began drumming her fingers, feeling an anxiety at seeing her childhood friend Adrien standing next to a potentially terrifying stalker who could imprison him in some basement and she couldn't stop thinking about how that made her feel.

— Why do they always have to complicate everything? —Chloé mumbles through her teeth, looking around, as if searching for some answer.

But in her growing anxiety, she realized that staying still wouldn't help anyone. She moved from side to side, trying to think of something when an idea soon comes to her and she doesn't hesitate to walk away only to find that before long...

André is quick to present himself to Clara— I'm sorry, but my staff found out that you never handed in the 8-38 permit, stipulated in the P65 circular which is obtained on the third floor of the town hall, unfortunately it is closed for renewals until August. So he doesn't have permission to film in France, including Paris.

— I- —speaks Clara with disbelief at the sudden news— I don't understand why.

— It means no more dancing, no more singing today, —Chloé then speaks into a microphone— The nightingale can spread her wings, and fly away! —theatrically drops the microphone— Oh! Did you hear that? I made a rhyme! How talented am I? —the microphone buzzes over the speakers as it hits the stage, Clara is soon in tears.

— No! The video needs to be shot here, in Paris, the capital of love, the city of Ladybug and Chat Noir! This ruins all of my plans! I'm so sorry, my beloved fans! —she says to the audience before running away crying and entering her dressing room.

Hawkmoth's window opens with white butterflies flying around the place.

— Ah... Tears of disenchantment. Such sweet music to my ears. —he turns a butterfly into an Akuma as it landed on his hand— Fly away, my little akuma, and evilize her.

Meanwhile, Clara was crying in her dressing room when the Akuma corrupted her microphone.

— Frightingale, I am Hawkmoth. —the villain introduces himself in his mind when the butterfly outline appears— So they tried to silence you? With the power I'm giving you, the world will be nothing but song and dance!

— Yes, Hawkmoth. For making this dream come true! —she says as she is covered in dark energy.

— Show's over, dear people, stand down. —Chloé exclaims and motions for the people to leave, which they comply with as Juleka, Sabrina and Alix approach her.

— Good job. —comments Alix sarcastically with her arms crossed.

— Hey, don't look at me like that, everything I did was legit plus I couldn't stand anymore how pathetic Dupain-Cheng was making herself look in front of everyone, plus making sure she never gets close to Adrien because she's an obsessive, psycho stalker, and I'm not going to allow that. —Chloé stood her ground, despite the stares from her friends.

She knew what she did might sound extreme, but she was convinced it was the right thing to do. It was her duty to protect Adrien from any threat, especially the crazy fangirls, even if it meant being the supposed villain in someone else's story.

— Look, Chloé, I understand that you want to take care of him, but do you really think what you did was the right thing to do? —Juleka tries to reason, but Chloé just shrugs.

— I don't care, it's not about that. —she says with anger in her voice— It's about Adrien, about keeping him safe, even if it means making some noise.

Alix laughs— Noise? That was a roar. But you're right, something has to be done. Besides, didn't Marinette's attitude seem odd to you? It's as if...

Before she could speak more, a whip crossed the air between the girls but grazing the hair of Juleka who, feeling a nerve shoot up in her mind and almost perceiving everything in slow motion, immediately gives Alix a shove along with taking Chloé aside, making the whip end up hitting André.

— Sing, dance or rhyme, or you'll be frozen in no time! —exclaims the new akumatized villain, Frightingale.

— Wh-what? I-I, rhyme? I don't know which word- —out of nowhere the mayor freezes like a statue, with everyone reacting with a gasp.

— We must fled, and the heroes behind the Akuma succeed. —Juleka exclaims in rhyme as she helps her group move away as well as shooting a glance at Adrien and receiving a silent “I swear to god...” from Chloé.

— Oh, bravo! And you've got the right tempo! —praised Frightingale as he whips the citizens and freezes them, Marinette rushes into the locker room.

— Time to transform! Tikki, Spot On!

Meanwhile, Adrien wanders off into a very secluded area.

— Ready to vocalize? —asks the blond model to Plagg, who nods— Plagg, Claws Out!

Once transformed, the two head to the outskirts of the Grand Palais in Paris where they see Frightingale lambasting the freezing citizens.

— Connected, we're one; our movements are synched. So let's get a move on, because we are linked!

— As if we were dancing without thought, Take this shot! -Both Ladybug and Chat Noir punch Frightingale.

— By any chance, will you grant me this dance?

— Let's cut a rug, m'Ladybug! —then both heroes kick the akumatized villain and send her crashing through and into the Grand Palais of Paris.

— You can't bend the rules! —Frightingale exclaims as she recovers— Dancing tied up is cheating, fools!

— When someone's akumatized, —Ladybug replies— we never compromise.

— You're feeling unsteady. You know you've lost already! —Chat Noir adds when they attack Frightingal but she dodges it, then Ladybug grabs her wrist to stop her and Chat Noir takes the opportunity to take the microphone from her and destroy it with his Cataclysm, making the akuma come out.

— Miraculous Ladybug! —the heroes exclaim as Ladybug throws the Lucky Charm, a pair of handcuffs, into the air and everything returns to normal once the swarm of magical ladybugs has passed.

— No more evil for you, little akuma, it's time to end the evil! -Ladybug doesn't take long to capture the akuma and purify it— I got you. —then releases it from her yo-yo— Bye-bye, little butterfly.

— Pound it! —Ladybug and Chat Noir fist bump, while Clara come back to normal.

— Ladybug... Chat Noir? —Clara questions incredulously— W-What are you doing here?

— You were akumatized by Hawk Moth, —Chat Noir replies while helping her to stand up— but don't worry now, everything is back to normal and don't worry, I have some contacts that will help with that law.

— D-Do you really...? —asks Mrs. Nightingale moved and with a twinkle in her eye, suddenly taking the hero by surprise by hugging him all of a sudden— Thank you, thank you, thank you!

— And I have an idea for you to finish your video. —suggests Ladybug as she approaches.

Later that day, the music video is presented...

— ♫ Miraculous! Simply the best! Up to the test when things go wrong! Miraculous! The luckiest! The power of love always so strong, Miraculous!♫

Right away, Chloé throws the cell phone like it's trash while Sabrina lunges to catch it, since it was the Bourgeois' cell phone.

— Pathetic. —comments Chloé with her arms crossed while she and the group were in the library of the Françoise Dupon high school— It's unbelievable that Clara Nightingale accepted such an... annoying letter. —she finishes speaking with a darkened look, feeling an anger from Antibug in her head.

— I'm not going to complain, —Alix speaks— the dancing and choreography were fun.

— I think the instrumental could use some improvement, though. —comments Juleka as she plays with her hair a bit while Sabrina returns to her seat next to her and nods in agreement.

— Still, we were all able to have fun, weren't we? —asks and assures Adrien with a smile to his childhood friend.

Chloé only responds with a soft “Hmp!” as she looks away but in the back of her mind focused on those moments she danced next to Adrien, bringing a small imperceptible smile.

Chapter Text

— Phew, that was a close call, I guess you won't find out my secret identity today.

— Eh, it would have been nice to meet it after sooo long -jokes the cat hero a bit, only to earn a stare from Ladybug— but in the end it didn't happen, so another day.

— Pound it! —say both heroes, fist bumping each other.

Chat Noir lunges with his extendable baton as Ladybug swings with her yo-yo, meanwhile, Penny enters through the residential door and clears her throat standing in the hallway clutching her list and pen. She feels a little nervous, but tries to hide it.

— Hello everyone.

Jagged responds by running up and hugging Penny, surprising the woman who drops the items she was holding.

— Penny! —he exclaims, filling the atmosphere with his enthusiasm— Penny, I'm so glad to see you. —he turned away to look at her— Without your supervillain costume, what would I do without you? You're the best.

He hugs her again, and Penny soon reciprocates the gesture, feeling a familiar warmth. She sighs happily, enjoying this moment of connection.

— Thank you, Jagged. You know I'll always be here to help. —she replies with a smile.

— And I really appreciate it, —Jagged continues, with a beaming smile— you've always been my accomplice in all these crazy things, but... —soon his face turns a bit serious as he turns away again— I'll need your help with something... personal.

— You mean...? —Penny asks surprised with a hint of concern.

— That's right, back to talking to my right-hand rocker, Anarka Couffaine.

— Are you sure about this? The last time you talked...

—Yeah, I know, it didn't end well. —Jagged interrupts, his expression a mix of nostalgia and determination— But I think the time has come to patch things up.

— I understand, but you both have a lot to say to each other, and things may not turn out the way you expect. —Penny warns, crossing her arms in an attempt to convey her concern. Jagged nods, aware of the risks.

— I know, but I can't go on like this. Anarka is important to me, more than I thought. My gigs are amazing, but not like they used to be when I had her.

Penny looks him in the eye— So what's your plan?

— To go to her house and talk to her, expose my feelings and apologize. I've been thinking about this for a long time, and I can't avoid it anymore.

— What if she's not ready to listen to you? —asks Penny, still somewhat skeptical.

— I understand, but I have to try. I can't keep this uncertainty. —Jagged answers, determined— I may need time to process everything, but at least I want her to know I'm here.

Penny sighs, concern still shining in her eyes— Well, if you really think this is the right thing to do... —she starts to say, but Jagged interrupts her.

— Trust me, Penny. I know it may seem risky, but sometimes you have to take risks to win something big.

She nods, still hesitant, but recognizing the sincerity in his voice.

— Okay, but I promise I'll be here, by your side, no matter what.

Jagged smiles, grateful for her support— I don't know what I would do without you. I really value your friendship.

Meanwhile, Juleka was with her maine coon cat in what amounted to the basement of her boathouse, wanting to tidy up some of the things she kept and see what she could find to fill her with memories.

— Besides, there's always something special about looking back. —Juleka thinks aloud, petting her cat.

Moving dusty boxes, she finds an old electric guitar, which she recognizes immediately.

— Oh, that's mom's guitar, she always used to use it to sing songs to me when I was little. —she murmurs, letting the sound of the strings evoke memories. Her cat stares at her. She smiles at the memory of those afternoons, filled with laughter and off-key chords. But she also feels a pang of nostalgia, those times don't come back anymore— It must be a bit broken after being abandoned for years... maybe I can do something with this, —she decides, picking up the guitar and feeling its weight in her hands— I could repair it a bit and try it out.

Juleka soon looks for some of the tools to be able to change the strings of the guitar as well as adjust some loose areas. At the same time, after some research that consisted of asking around, Jagged and Penny soon arrive at the small gangway to go up to the boat house, the guitarist couldn't help but smile seeing how his right hand man seemed to keep that lifestyle he loved.

— All right... I think I'm ready. It's time to get reacquainted with my right-hand rocker, even if it means facing Anarka.

Penny gives his arm a light squeeze, encouraging him- You've got this, just remember to be honest and open your heart. That's the most important thing.

— I will. And who knows, maybe this will be the first step in reconnecting what we once had. —Jagged says with a spark of hope in his eyes.

After stepping onto the deck of the house/boat, Jagged inhales and exhales briefly as he approaches the small house located below the boat captain's area, or green house if you want to be practical, he decisively knocks on the door and waits for possibly Anarka to open the door.

...

No one answers...

Jagged's determined face falters for a few moments, knocking on the door several more times, looking for any chance that someone might be home. Juleka, immersed in her memories, sits on the basement floor, guitar in hand. As she watches the guitar, she remembers her mother laughing and playing, those days that seemed to go on forever. The maine coon cat moves to her side but soon notices someone knocking on the door, so she lets out a few meows toward the goth before heading for the door.

Juleka watches her cat leave before acknowledging that she has visitors— I wonder who that is? —she says to herself as she stands up and follows her cat, Salem.

As she reaches the door, Juleka feels a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. Her mind wonders if it will be someone she knows or a stranger. Opening the front door, she finds the familiar figure of Jagged, looking at him with an expression of pure surprise to see practically her music idol standing in front of her.

— Jagged Stone? —Juleka questions, not quite believing that he's in her house.

— Oh, you must be that girl from that Chloé girl's school who put us up at her hotel. -comments Jagged upon recognizing her- Very rock 'n roll of your style, I like it.

— E-E-E-Eh... T-Thank you, b... but why are you here...? —Juleka tries to speak as she feels flustered by the compliment and, not wanting to be rude, opens the door to leave him as well as Penny.

— I'm just looking for a good companion I had, do you know where the person named Anarka is?

— Actually... yes, she left a while ago to buy groceries as soon as the Akuma battle was over. —then Juleka notices Penny nearby, recognizing her from the said fight— E-Eh... no offense.

— It's okay, don't worry. —Penny replies with a reassuring smile— I'm glad it's over.

Juleka feels a mixture of relief and confusion. On the one hand, she's glad to know the woman isn't upset, but Jagged's presence has her even more out of control. Her admiration for him had always been a secret, a whisper inside her that now felt overwhelming.

— What about you, what's your name? —Jagged asks, with a friendly smile. Juleka feels a little more relaxed.

— I'm Juleka, and this is my cat Salem. —she points to her pet, who has returned to observe the scene. Salem settles in beside her, as if sensing the tension in the air. Jagged bends down to pet the cat, which causes Juleka to blush even more.

— Nice cat. Even though I prefer my pet crocodile Fang, I recognize that these cats are very independent. —he says, looking up at Juleka.

— Yes, they are... —she stammers, trying to find the right words.

Just then, Salem rubs against Juleka's legs, seeking attention. The cat seems to appropriate the moment, as if she knows her owner needs a little support. The tension slowly dissipates, though her heart is pounding.

— And what kind of music do you like? —he asks, implying that he is interested in learning more about her.

— I like a little bit of everything, but... I love rock. Especially your songs. —her voice sounds firmer this time, although she still feels a little nervous.

Jagged smiles, as if that answer is just what she was hoping for.

— That's great! It's always good to know that there are real fans.

Salem takes the opportunity and approaches Jagged, rubbing against his leg.

— Looks like she's a fan too. —Jagged jokes, bending down again.

— Yeah... Well, if you'll excuse me, I need to do something quick. —says Juleka, still having in mind to repair her mother's guitar a bit— I won't be long. —then she runs quickly to the basement, a bit out of nervousness and in the hope that Jagged won't get bored in the meantime.

Her heartbeat still echoes in her chest, but at the same time she feels a spark of excitement. Arriving, she quickly reaches for the guitar and noticing that the material was a bit worn, but to Juleka it is priceless as it belonged to her mother. As she works on the guitar, her mind can't help but wander back to the living room, wondering if it's really there. The sound of Salem's soft purring accompanies her, as if the cat is also intrigued by the famous visitor. Juleka tries to concentrate, attentive to every string she adjusts, but echoes of the conversation with Jagged haunt her. Finally, when she feels she has done all she can to fix it, she goes back outside.

The guitar in her hands glows a little in the afternoon light, so she soon heads to her room and plugs it into her speaker. At that moment, she forgot that Jagged was still in her house as Juleka began to play Anarka's guitar, at the same time, Jabbed was struck dumb as he recognized the familiar sound of guitar strings. After a quick exchange of glances with Penny, the famous guitarist hurried to find Juleka's room and see her playing the guitar which he immediately recognized.

He turns to see Penny again, who responds by withdrawing and seconds later returns with his guitar. Jagged doesn't take long to hold his guitar and start playing, such action freezes Juleka as she feels exposed and panicked at first but the look of excitement and a certain part of her mind invited her to continue. Once the doubts disappear, Juleka has a small smile as she continues to play Anarka's guitar and more and more feeling her own excitement interspersed with Jagged's, at one point he looks at her with a challenging look and a sharp smile as he begins to maneuver his own guitar by placing it behind his head and by his expression he was looking to intimidate Juleka and challenge her to do better, she instead responds by brushing back her bangs and slightly revealing her left eye, subtly implying that now Jeflekta was now in control as she swings the guitar around her a couple of times along with powerful chords and followed by continuing to play only the guitar was on her back. Then, both goth and famous guitarist, lean against each other as they seemed to want to defeat the other in their guitar exchange with both instruments complementing each other almost as if they were a pair.

Once the so-called guitar battle was over, they both seemed to catch their breath for a moment. Suddenly, a strange sense of connection is established between them, as if they already knew each other for a long time. Then Jagged starts laughing.

— HAHAHA, THAT'S WHAT I CALL ROCK 'N ROLL! —in his glee, Jagged suddenly grabs Juleka and hugs her as he spins around.

Juleka, back in control, couldn't help but laugh lightly at the guitarist's excitement.

— Well... thanks, I use to practice a lot with my bass... —admits Juleka softly as she combs her bangs and covers her eye— besides wanting to try out my mother's guitar.

Jagged stares at her for a bit as she glances at Anarka's guitar.

— And by any chance... Your mother's name is Anarka?

— Uh... yes, she is... Why, and why are you looking for her?

— Well, —Jagged adjusts his clothes a bit, presumably to make himself look more presentable— you happen to be my daughter.

That revelation caused something inside Juleka to explode, her eyes cringing as she recoils and almost trips over her speaker.

— What?! You're...?! How... and when...?! So you're the one my mother used to date?

Jagged nods slowly, the smile still on his face, but now mixed with a little nostalgic shadow.

— Yes, exactly. Many years ago, we had a history. It was a different time. —he pauses, perhaps remembering forgotten moments.

Juleka doesn't know exactly what to feel.

Excitement is mixed with disbelief and deep curiosity.

— She never mentioned anything about you, or only said a few things about you. —she mumbles, trying to process the information.

Jagged scratches the back of his neck with a nervous gesture.

— It's not an easy thing to say. But seeing how talented you are, I couldn't help but reach out. It's as if you've inherited my talent, or so I like to think.

Juleka takes a deep breath, seeking to understand. For as long as she could remember, it was always an almost secretive life while living with her mother who had pirate attitudes but now... Juleka's mind whirled in a whirlwind of thoughts. Jagged's revelation meant her life could be different. She remembered all the times she had felt out of place, how she always seemed to fit into the shadows of others.

— I don't know if I can handle this... —she muttered, feeling small in the face of the enormity of the revelation.

Jagged watched her carefully, understanding the confusion in her eyes.

— Listen, I don't expect all of this to make sense right away. I just want you to know that I'm here if you need to talk. —his tone was sincere, almost taking on and growing a fatherly side.

Juleka laughed nervously and softly— It's just that I have an almost normal life. Or at least, I thought I did. My friends... this is all a whirlwind. —the idea of being a celebrity's daughter overwhelmed her.

— Fame can be complicated, but it doesn't define who you are. —Jagged replied, resting a hand on her shoulder— You have your friends and your music, and that's what matters.

She felt a small sense of relief at his words, but she felt insecure about everything he might imply now. She was pretty okay with being a normal girl and basically being Adrien's confidant while also using his Miraculous to become Nightcrawler, but now being close to his fame status...?

— Could you... Could you leave me alone for a moment? I still need to process this and how to... proceed.

— Yeah, sure, whatever you want. —Jagged replies, also beginning to feel a sudden discomfort as he notices the atmosphere— Just... let me or Penny know if you want anything or for us to do that father-daughter stuff.

Soon Penny places a hand on the guitarist's shoulder, in subtle support— It's nice to meet you too, Juleka. —says the woman, giving the gothic girl a smile.

— Yes, likewise... —Juleka nods, watching them leave her room.

Juleka sat up in bed, feeling the weight of loneliness around her. The door closed softly, leaving her in deafening silence. She could hear her own heart pounding, a reminder that everything she thought she knew was on a tightrope. The idea of being the daughter of a famous guitarist filled her with self-doubt. She couldn't help but think and remember Chloé and her father being mayor of Paris and always fulfilling her whims, Sabrina's father being a police lieutenant, Gabriel Agreste being Adrien's very strict father and a renowned fashion designer, even Alix's father owning a major museum. Where does this put Juleka, who happens to be the daughter of a famous rock guitarist? What did that mean for her? Would it all have to change? The pressure of fame could be crushing for her, and she thought about her friends, how they might see her. She didn't want fame to separate her from them. Damn it, she just wanted to be Juleka, the loyal friend, the girl who loved music and chaos. She wondered if her life was going to change in ways she couldn't handle.

Suddenly her phone rings, curious, she checks the call and seeing that it was Chloé, she raises an eyebrow before picking up.

— Is something happen Chloé?

— Don't tell me you haven't seen the news? —the blonde millionaire's mockery sounded delighted.

— Uh, yeah, about the Akuma coming to Marinette's room and—

— And it was sublime! —Chloé interrupts, a big smile of victory in her voice— For once I have to thank stupid HawkMoth for making our job easier, and we didn't have to do a thing! Oh, what would have been the chances, I hope you're compiling everything, Sabrina, because Dupain-Cheng will never get near Adrien! —the orange-haired redhead can be heard fidgeting in the background.

— Listen, Chloé, I'm glad about that but right now I'm dealing with something that... I'm still having a hard time processing. —Juleka speaks, nervously rubbing the back of her neck, the revelation of her lineage still fresh in her mind.

— Well, then make it quick, I remind you that we're in this together to keep this depraved stalker you once called a friend away from Adrien.

— Alix too, —Juleka adds before nodding— but yeah, I know.

She decides not to tell him for the moment that she discovered she was Jagged's daughter, because she didn't want that to become the center of attention. Juleka took a deep breath, trying to find the right words. It was complicated. Other people's lives seemed simpler, clearer. Maybe it was enviable not to have to deal with this inner turmoil. The conversation with Chloé reminded him that there were other priorities, that friendship had its weight.

— You're right, Chloé. First things first.

She tried to focus her mind on her friends and the situation with Marinette. But the uncertainty about her own identity was still weighing on her. Meanwhile, both Jagged and Penny return to the living room with the guitarist already beginning to feel somewhat conflicted.

— I happen to have a daughter... I mean, I had a great time those nights with Anarka, wild ones no doubt, and also...

— Jagged, —the woman stops him— I understand, you don't need to continue.

— Yeah, okay, at least I know that girl has a great talent for... —however, before continuing, Jagged meets Anarka's angry gaze in front of him suddenly— Aah! —he lets out a scream unworthy for someone like him as he recoils and trips over the furniture and falls against the floor, Penny was quick to help him.

— I thought I made it clear not to see you one more time, “Captain.” —talks Anarka with her arms crossed and not looking away, along with her adopted old cat, Parrot, hissing menacingly.

— Anarka?! —questions Jagged with surprise as he stands up— But you look so—! —was about to say "old woman" before being interrupted once again.

— Don't you dare. —says Anarka through gritted teeth.

— Mature, I was going to say mature. —Jagged continues, not that Anarka looks convinced, but he tries to remedy it— I just want to say that time has treated you in an interesting way, that's all. —Anarka continues to stare at him, maintaining her defiant stance. Jagged scratches his head, looking for a way out of this mess— Look, what happened between us was... —he starts to explain, but she interrupts him again.

— Chaotic and pleasant, I know, that's what it was. —her tone is firm, but there is a glint of amusement in her eyes, as if she is enjoying the confrontation a little.

Penny watches the scene in silence, wondering how they got to that point. The room is filled with tension, and old Parrot seems to be playing the role of mediator, wagging his tail curiously.

— I didn't come here to discuss our past. —Anarka relaxes just a little, but her gaze is still sharp— I came because I was just returning from my duty as captain of this ship by getting provisions -that is, food shopping- but I see you here and talking about Juleka. Of course she has talent, but I want her to earn it for herself and not for your dirty capitalist.

— Hey, I'm just as much in favor of chaos and destruction as a lifestyle as you are, plus I got rid of our old producer and traded him for a better one. —Jagged defends himself, as well as points to Penny who waves nervously at Anarka's gaze.

— Oh, is that so? Then kudos to you, band captain, but that doesn't change the fact that you don't need to make someone like Juleka dependent on your connections. She's talented in her own right. —Anarka's voice is steady, but there is a subtlety in her tone that speaks of real concern.

Jagged takes a deep breath, trying to recompose the situation a bit— Look, I just want to meet Juleka, you know, make up for the time in being a guitarist dad but you know the industry can be ruthless sometimes and especially when they're young. —he tries to reassure her, though the tension between them is still palpable.

Penny feels like a spectator trapped in a chess game, watching every move and every word.

— I don't want my daughter to become a pawn in the damn fame-industrial system. —Anarka declares fiercely, with Parrot at her side watching as if he too understands the gravity of the conversation.

— I'm not going to make that happen to her, Anarka. —Jagged tries to remain calm, but his voice trembles slightly— I just want what's best for her. I don't want her to go through the same things we did.

Anarka's expression softens, if only slightly— I appreciate you for that, but I promised I wouldn't let anyone use her as a pawn. —Anarka's statement echoes in the air, charged with determination— So you'd better get the hell off my ship when I get back. —She picks up her old pet cat and retreats towards the door but soon stops as she turns her head over her shoulder— First lieutenant, order the loot when I get back! —shouts Anarka, startling Penny for a moment by the sudden shout.

— Aye aye, Captain! —replies Juleka from her quarters.

The door closes with a soft click, leaving a thick atmosphere in the room. Penny dares to let out a sigh, appreciating a brief pause in the exchange. Jagged, looking a little more disheveled now, ducks his head, as if his own reflection overwhelms him.

— It's not easy, is it? —Penny mutters, still struggling to grasp the magnitude of the conflict.

Jagged looks up, flashes of frustration crossing his face.

— The pressure, the fame... it's a monster that devours everything in its path.... It's not just about being a good musician. It's about surviving. They don't see the talent. They only see the next big deal, which is why I hate Bob Roth and his son with thieving electronic music.

Penny nods slowly— But Juleka has something special. She is not a commodity.

Jagged smiles faintly— I know, I know. But in this world, sometimes that's not enough. —his voice cracks a little, as if reality is hitting him again.

Silence settles in for a moment, filled with unspoken thoughts. Penny, who had been watching everything from the shore, feels called to act.

— What if we do something different? —she suggests, surprising him with her boldness.

Jagged raises an eyebrow— What do you mean? —he asks curiously.

— Maybe you could find a way to support her without this turning into a chess game? —Penny perks up, speaking faster— Create enough time in your schedule for Juleka to enjoy her life, so Anarka won't have to worry about her daughter being exploited or becoming another pawn in the industry.

Jagged seems to consider the proposal, his expression oscillating between disbelief and hope— It's a risky thought, but... —he begins, his voice trailing off in possibility— I can't just go out and face them. They have their ways of doing things, and usually... —he pauses, feeling the weight of his own words.

Penny looks at him, her eyes shining with determination— Remember you have me, Jagged, I'm basically your producer, assistant and executive. I'll be able to handle this job, even when I was akumatized by it today.

— Yes... well, should I start with this father-daughter thing? It feels weird even though Anarka and I were wild in bed—

— Jagged, don't go on, it's understood. —Penny interrupts— And I know this is very new, but at least try to have fun with Juleka and don't think too much about it.

Just then, Juleka appears through the door into the living room but suddenly stops as she meets the gaze of both adults, immediately Jagged perks up as she approaches.

— Hey, Jules, Penny suggested spending time with you and I say, "Why not? Both rock souls should connect well."

Juleka just reacts somewhat awkwardly, not knowing how to respond to that and turning to a nearby reflection to look for some help from Jeflekta but she shrugs it off as she's just as confused.

— This... it's going to be a little hard for me to take in yet... —she gives a quick glance to her newfound father— But maybe I can give you a chance... at least try this father-daughter thing...

Jagged is relieved, but also nervous. He wonders if he's really ready for this new chapter in his life.

— Great, that sounds perfect. —he says, trying to keep his spirits up. Juleka watches him with a hint of doubt.

Despite her uncertainty, a small spark of excitement begins to well up inside her. Penny, sensing the tension, interjects.

— How about spending the afternoon together around town? I'll be behind in case anything comes up or help Jagged be a parent.

Jagged nods his head, trying to hide his unease. Juleka, for her part, continues to look at him with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension.

— Hey, I could have some fun for a while, I guess. —she says softly, still not entirely sure.

Penny perks up, smiling as she sees that the idea seems to be working.

— Great, then I've got it all under control. Jagged, you can take Juleka to places you liked when you were younger. —Penny approaches them, talking excitedly.

Jagged laughs, remembering his rebellious youthful days— Well, there were some places I used to frequent. We can try to reconnect with my wild side. —he says with a crooked smile.

Juleka laughs, her expression softening a bit.

— That sounds like fun. —she says in a slightly more animated tone.

Penny hands them a piece of paper with a list of contacts and addresses.

— This is just for emergencies, but if you need any more help, here's my number. —she says, trying to be as helpful as possible.

Jagged and Juleka look at each other, both feeling a little more comfortable with the idea of spending time together. The tension in the air begins to ease, replaced by a sense of possibility and excitement. So before long they pull out of the Liberty to tour Paris, as Penny watches them drive away and quickly make a few calls to make sure they aren't hounded by the paparazzi.

Juleka feels a strange mixture of nervousness and anticipation. As they walk, she observes the skyscrapers and cafes they pass, everything seems to have a special glow.

— Where exactly did you used to go? —she asks curiously.

Jagged takes a moment, remembering— There was a little studio where I liked to rehearse. It was a place full of energy, lots of music in the air. —his voice fills with nostalgia as he remembers those days. Juleka nods, a little intrigued.

— And it's still there?

— I think so. We could stop by and take a look. —he replies, almost enthusiastically.

The idea of seeing a piece of his father's past is intriguing to him. As they walk, Jagged struggles to find topics of conversation that don't seem forced.

— Do you have a favorite band? —he asks, trying to connect.

— Yes, I usually listen to several of your songs, but I like bands that sound authentic, that tell stories. —Juleka replies, with a tone that makes it clear that she also appreciates sincerity in music.

Jagged smiles, feeling a little more in tune with her— That's exactly what we were trying to do in my better days. —he comments with an air of pride.

Juleka watches him out of the corner of her eye, noticing the twinkle in his eye. Maybe this trip won't be so bad after all. They pass a pastry shop and the sweet aroma of freshly baked croissants envelops them.

— We could stop for a moment. I've read that they're the best in town. —Juleka suggests, fortunately it's not Marinette's family's bakery.

Jagged nods, excited by the idea. They both go in and order some croissants, enjoying the light moment between them. As they sit down to eat, Juleka feels the barriers slowly begin to fall.

— I didn't expect this to be so interesting. —she confesses, biting into a croissant.

— Sometimes the most unexpected things can be the most fun. —Jagged replies, feeling that this day could be the start of something new.

The conversation flows more freely now, as if the weight of the past is no longer so present. As they rise, the sun is shining brightly and Paris seems to vibrate around them.

— What else do we have planned? —asks Juleka, with a genuine smile.

Jagged thinks for a moment— I don't know, maybe a walk along the Seine. We could see the city from another angle. —he proposes.

Juleka nods, beginning to feel that this new chapter could be exciting. As they walk toward the river, the two find themselves sharing laughter and anecdotes. For the first time, the pages of their story seem to be intertwining in a way neither of them had imagined.

— And do you have friends, Jules? I'd hate it if guys your age didn't want to hang out with you.

— Uh, yeah, I have a few friends but... —Juleka gets a little sad— I got into a fight with a pair of them, one being Marinette.

— Wait, you mean the girl who made me the poster and the glasses with the Eiffel Tower design? That Marinette? —at Juleka's nod, Jagged frowns and quickly reaches for his cell phone with the intention of calling Penny while muttering— Can we sue the young people now?

— What, no! —Juleka is quick to stop him, with a small expression of fear— I want us to still be friends, but there's still the issue of me just noticing Marinette harassing the model, Adrien Agreste, by basically having every hour of Adrien's activities written down, creating very complex plans for everyday things she even said she wouldn't do, and...

— Are you sure you don't want me to call Penny? —questions Jagged, with a simple look, as he picks up his cell phone.

— No! —the subject of Marinette and Adrien has been secretly bothering her, but she doesn't want to seem disloyal— No, it's really not necessary. —she replies, trying to make her voice sound firm.

Jagged watches her carefully, noticing the pleading in her eyes— Okay, then I'll remove her from my contacts and look for someone else. Do you have any suggestions?

— Well... I don't know if I should, but maybe I can bring Nathaniel to you for your designs, he's not a designer but he's a good draftsman?

— Perfect for me, anything else you want to tell me?

Just as Juleka was thinking about something, it didn't take long for the paparazzi to appear and surround the two and throw question after question as one began to question Jagged's relationship with Juleka. The tension in the atmosphere changes immediately. Juleka feels the heat of the situation intensify. Jagged, however, seems to remain composed.

— I can't believe this is happening. —Juleka mutters, trying to remain calm.

Jagged laughs softly, as if it's a game— Welcome to my life, Jules. It's part of the package.

— Still, I'm not used to this. —she replies, squeezing his hand a little.

Camera flashes illuminate their faces. Jagged turns to the journalists and, with a dazzling smile as she answers. The questions continued to pour in until one dropped a bombshell.

— Are you practicing what is known as “Sugar Daddy” on the other side of the world as America?

That question certainly annoyed Jagged while Juleka couldn't help but blush with embarrassment.

— Hey, I didn't talk to you like that about my daughter! —said the rock musician as he wrapped Juleka protectively around her.

However, that statement only caused the paparazzi to explode with questions at every second, mostly curious and questioning her for news, while Jagged tries to defuse the situation. Juleka feels lost, caught in the tide of flashbulbs and incisive questions. Her stomach churns with discomfort, and an overwhelming desire to escape overcomes her. Jagged is quick to clarify, but her firm tone doesn't seem to calm the photographers. Cameras click incessantly, capturing every moment, every expression. Juleka wishes it were all over, but the reporters seem to be feeding off the tension. She tries to focus her thoughts, push away the anxiety that grows with every question.

Elsewhere in the city, Chloé was relaxing in her luxury room at Le Grand Paris hotel, watching TV.

— Have you got everything, Sabrina? —she asks with satisfaction.

— Yes! I've put together all the information we had on Marinette and what was on TV, plus I've looked for similar cases for reference.

— Perfect! Ah, I'll enjoy nothing more than watching Adrien prefer to stay away from the depraved stalker Dupain-Cheng forever. —rejoices the blonde millionaire, leaning back on her bed.

— Don't get upset, this is news. —Nadja, the newscaster, speaks through the television— Today there was a big news story about the star musician, Jagged Stone, where it was discovered that he had a daughter several years ago.

At this news, Chloé suddenly sits up in her bed and Sabrina turns her seat around, both incredulous.

— What, how and when did he have a daughter?! —questions the blonde millionaire, her mind full of surprise and questions— What's more, who is his daughter!

As if the news answered her, a paparazzi photo of Juleka appears on the screen, the revelation causes Chloé's jaw to drop in shock and Sabrina covers her mouth as she feels the same way.

Chapter Text

— Don't get upset, this is news. —Nadja speaks, starting the newscast— Today there was a big news item about the star musician, Jagged Stone, where it was discovered that he had a daughter several years ago who is currently a student at the Françoise Dupont high school, Juleka Couffaine.

Then the television changes the channel to another news channel where the subject is also discussed.

— The news has caused quite a stir, —adds the new anchor, with an intriguing look— Jagged Stone fans are in a state of shock. Entertainment experts are commenting on the impact this will have on his career and public image. The private lives of celebrities are often a hot topic, and this discovery is no exception.

On the screen, old images are shown of Jagged Stone in concerts, filling stadiums with their music. Then, the channel once switches to another newscast where a reporter highlights how quickly the news has spread on social media. Many have begun to share their opinions, some supporting the young woman, while others criticize the musician for abandoning his own daughter.

— There is also speculation as to how Jagged Stone will respond to the discovery —he continues— Will they make some kind of public statement? Or will they remain silent? Undoubtedly, the next few days will be crucial for the artist's reputation.

The news has caused a stir on social networks, with thousands of comments and reactions from Jagged Stone fans. Many are surprised, while others speculate about the artist's private life. Also, journalists have begun to investigate more about Jagged Stone and his love affairs, and it didn't take long to discover Anarka. Meanwhile, at Françoise Dupont High School, students can't stop talking about it. Juleka has become the center of attention, especially because of her relationship with the rock musician. Some admire her while others view her with suspicion. At the same time, entertainment magazines are already planning exclusive interviews and features on Juleka's life.

— Wow... that's... wow. —comments Nathaniel half in disbelief, putting aside his drawings to watch Juleka drowning in misery and moaning with her hands covering her face.

Currently, the gothic girl hid in the art club due to all the pressure she was receiving continuously since yesterday, she would have run away if the redhead had been part of the fans or haters. Nathaniel feels a mixture of concern and a desire to help. Despite his reserved nature, he knows he must do something. He gets up from his seat and approaches Juleka, trying to find the right words.

She, with a slow movement, lowers her hands and looks at him. Her eyes reflect a mixture of confusion and sadness.

— I don't understand why this is happening. —Juleka murmurs— I mean, I know, but... I've also barely heard about it since last week.

Nathaniel nods, aware that this is an abrupt change in her life. Suddenly, the attention that was once nonexistent has now become overwhelming. Some students approach slyly, casting curious glances. On the other hand, social media is still ablaze. Hashtags related to Juleka and Jagged Stone are trending. Influencers and bloggers rush to contribute their opinions, some exploiting the situation to gain followers. The news becomes a whirlwind of speculation and theories. In the midst of it all, Juleka feels trapped. The pressure feels like a weight on her chest. She can't even concentrate on her art classes.

Nathaniel, sensing her distress, makes a decision— Would you like to do something fun after class? Something to take your mind off things.

His proposal seems to clash with the reality Juleka is facing— Maybe... —she answers with a vulnerable tone— but I don't think I can, my schedule is really tight right now, maybe when I can...

— It's okay, I understand. —Nathaniel interrupts with a small sigh— I guess since this new life of yours won't give you time, then I won't bother you. —the red-headed boy reaches for his drawing materials and his notebook— Until you have time to see me, maybe.

— No, Nathaniel, wait. —speaks Juleka weakly with pain as she sees him leaving the room— ... Don't leave me...

But Nathaniel is already gone, closing the door behind him, leaving Juleka in a sea of thoughts. She feels enveloped in a heavy silence, which contrasts with the bustle coming from the hallways. The rest of the students seem oblivious to her torment, absorbed in their own adolescent dramas. Yet every murmur and giggle hurts her a little more.

Later in the school hour, Juleka was forced to leave school to model in some of the magazines, of young celebrities, she may have had the dream of being a model but now she just wants to stop. Then going to dressing rooms to try on different types of clothes, all declaring her affiliation for rock without giving her the chance to choose, while cameras flash around her as if they are trying to capture her every move. She feels like an object, not a person. Juleka looks at the outfits, some shiny and some shabby, all designed to fit the image others have created for her. Yet when she looks in the mirror, she doesn't recognize herself. The studio lights are intense and glaring, making her feel even more vulnerable. An assistant approaches, adjusting a spiked collar around her neck. Juleka tries to smile, but it's a forced smile.

— Just act natural, Juleka. —he says her with a smile— That's what everyone wants to see.

That phrase echoes in her mind, hammering at her conscience. What does it mean to “be natural” when everything seems so artificial now? She feels trapped in a game she doesn't understand and doesn't want to participate in. Expectations weigh on her shoulders like a burden she shouldn't have to carry. The photo shoot progresses, and Juleka tries to keep up; she poses, smiles, and tries not to think about the pressure. Inside, however, her voice screams: enough! As she takes a breather between takes, she wanders a bit away from the hustle and bustle. He finds a quiet corner of the set. He closes his eyes and remembers the last time he felt free. He imagines the days gone by, before the commotion, when he was just Juleka. But suddenly, the sound of her own name brings her out of her reverie.

— Juleka, come! It's your turn again! —he is called, and as if she were a puppet, she returns to the stage.

The rest of the day flows between flashes, forced smiles, and solo recordings with her bass or with several young musicians to create a band, all of which she rejected. Juleka feels more and more distant from herself. Once the session is over, she manages to escape outside. Fresh air greets her, a small bubble of freedom. But even there, her mind is still wandering, terrified of the impending fame and the stares that keep following her. If that wasn't enough, several producers approach her to promote her and facilitate her fame?

— I said I don't want to, I already have Penny for the job. —Juleka speaks as she tries to get rid of them.

— But she's not offering you much help, is she?

Juleka feels frustration begin to bubble up inside her. She doesn't understand why they can't just leave her alone. The pressure builds, like an invisible weight that follows her wherever she goes. Her mind struggles between the idea of what is expected of her and what she really wants.

— I just want to be myself. —she whispers to herself, but her voice is drowned out by the noise of the outside world.

The producers continue to insist, and she feels more and more cornered. With a deep breath, she tries to remain calm. It's not easy, but she repeats to herself that it's only for a moment, that eventually she'll go home. Once she ends up running off back to school, and now banging her head against the desk at lunchtime.

— You're really having a hard time, huh? —comments Alix as she sits on the same desk— And when will you rehearse with us? Or have you already replaced us?

— ... I wouldn't do that... —answers Juleka, raising her head immediately— I just... they...

— Look, I know you wanted to be a model and all, plus your skill with bass and makeup, but it's like your life will take us away.

— I didn't ask for this life! —Juleka snarls, unable to keep from losing her temper and tears threatening to spill over— And I don't even know where and who I am now! Just a gothic girl with a mother with pirate attitudes, or just another celebrity's daughter?! What does that make me?!

Painfully, she runs out of the classroom, leaving a stunned Alix, the sound of her footsteps echoing in the silence of the hallway. Juleka feels overwhelmed, as if the weight of the world is on her shoulders. The urge to escape becomes almost irresistible. She stops in a secluded corner, pressing her forehead against the cold wall. The tears she had been suppressing begin to flow, and she allows herself a moment of weakness.

The solitude of the corridor is a brief refuge, but she knows she can't stay there forever. With a sigh, she wipes away her tears and begins to walk again. Around her, the world continues to spin, oblivious to her anguish. People pass by her, not noticing her suffering. Juleka feels invisible, as if she is trapped in a dream from which she cannot wake up. Her phone vibrates in her pocket, reminding her of the thousands of obligations she has pending. The impending tour, the interviews, the photo shoots.... Everything feels like a bottomless abyss. A few hours later, Juleka returns home, exhausted. The door opens to reveal the worried face of her mother, who greets her with a disappointed look.

— Are you having fun with the capitalist system, Juleka? —the tone, the look and the fact that he didn't call her “First Lieutenant” as usual, only broke the gothic girl's emotions more.

— Mom... please... I didn't want this, I—

— I wanted you to succeed, to see you win the gold, and what do I see? My daughter being part of this unfair system or boot-licking for the rich. Have you already started getting ideas of getting away from me, too?

— What-? N-No!!! I would NEVER... I would NEVER walk away from you! —Juleka's voice begins to fail her as she fills with sobs and tears— You are my captain! My mother!

— And how long will that be true?

Juleka feels her heart break with every word that comes out of her mother's mouth, Anarka retreats from the room without looking back as the old cat Parrot gives the goth a quick hiss. Juleka, unable to control herself any longer, falls to the floor and cries loudly for everything that has happened to her so far. At that, her maine coon, Salem, appears and walks over to her to crawl into her arms with Juleka clinging to her pet, listening to her purring and licking her face in an attempt to soothe and comfort her.

HawkMoth's window opens as butterflies fly around.

— Poor and lonely, wounded by the image of her lineage and abandonment. —the villain turns one of the butterflies into an Akuma— Fly my little Akuma, and remind her who she is...! My puppet, Reflekta.

Back at school, Adrien enters the classroom to meet the faces of his familiar classmates but his spirits stopped when he saw that someone was missing.

— Nino, where is Juleka? —asks the model as he sits down next to his friend.

— I don't know, maybe she's too busy with her new life of fame, you know, all that music, rock 'n roll, and so on. She's not very present here anymore.

— What? —Adrien couldn't help but question— What about me? I'm a model and I promote my father's company. Isn't that the same thing?

— Yes... but it's different.

— Different how? —Adrien questioned, unable to help but be annoyed.

Before Nino could answer, they both hear a snort from behind and Adrien turns to look at Alya.

— Who does is need her? You should think more of Marinette, as she wouldn't leave your side no matter what.

Lucky Marinette is running late otherwise she would die of embarrassment. On the other hand, Adrien frowns in confusion as he doesn't understand why Alya would talk that way about Juleka, he leans to the side to look at Rose in the background who looks saddened and her eyes averted, then Adrien turns to look across the room to see Mylène slumped over with Ivan consoling her, Nathaniel and Alix uncomfortable and avoiding all eye contact while Kim seems more focused on what Max was doing as he also looks uncomfortable.

What's going on here?

Before Adrien could even ask what was going on, the door abruptly opens and everyone turns their attention to Chloé accompanied by Sabrina with the blonde millionaire taking the lead with an angry look she gives most of the classroom.

— Don't you have anything better to do? —Chloé speaks with a tone of annoyance evident in her voice— Because it fills me with annoyance how ridiculous you all are.

— What do you want now, Chloé? —questions Alya in annoyance.

— You shut up! —Chloé snarls without holding back, surprising the blogger who immediately shuts up, then the millionaire turns her attention back to the class— Back to the subject, everyone is being irrational and absolutely ridiculous. Hello, it's the same Juleka! It's practically the same as dealing with Adrien! —she then points a hand at both Kim and Alix— You two are part of Juleka's band, so don't think that leaving her with complete inept boring musicians. —Chloé then points at Nathaniel, who shrinks at the next accusation— You, you'd better stand up and stop being a drag, so at least you would do something for your friend.

Nathaniel looks away slightly, mostly embarrassed at having abandoned Juleka. Most of the class remains silent at Chloé's words and Alya was about to speak when she sees Adrien get up from his seat and get ready to join her childhood friend.

— Adrien? What... What are you doing?

— I'll go help Juleka. —Adrien answers Alya, as he stands next to Chloé— I care more about her than joining Marinette now.

Soon Nathaniel also stands up and gets ready to join them, followed by Kim and Max, and to Alya's surprise, also Alix.

— You too? Why?

— Because, unlike you, I know that Juleka is right that Marinette is an obsessive stalker. —Alix whispers to her, along with a light tap on the shoulder by way of farewell as she joins the group.

Alya stares at her before turning to look at Rose who barely started to move from her seat, Alya gives her a hard look that scared Rose enough not to move. The group composed of Chloé, Sabrina, Adrien, Nathaniel, Alix, Kim and Max walk towards the exit of the school but at the moment they headed towards the Sena Plagg notices in the air the Akuma butterfly flying in the same direction, it gives a subtle warning from Adrien's pocket who also looking up felt all the alarms in his mind ringing.

— I'm getting ahead of you, okay? —asks the model quickly.

— I'd better see you there. —replies Chloé, without taking her eyes off the road.

With that, Adrien ran off. Back with Juleka, she was sobbing quietly as she hugs her maine coon cat who barely noticed the Akuma flapping towards but, quickly, Chat Noir a suddenly appears as he abruptly enters and catches the corrupted butterfly in his hand and then releases it only to reveal dust before Juleka's shocked look, having previously activated his Cataclysm power.

— Adrien? —she asks faintly as the feline hero de-transforms back into his civilian form.

— Yes, and I feel I should apologize for not being by your side when I heard the news. —Adrien says as he sits down next to her.

— It's not your fault, it was... it was inevitable when it comes out that I'm Jagged Stone's daughter.

— No, it shouldn't have been. —Adrien replies, gently taking her hand— You should never have felt alone in this.

Juleka looks down at the ground, still with tears in her eyes, as she strokes her cat who snuggles closer.

— People don't understand. —she murmurs, her voice breaking— They always think this is a fairy tale. That being the daughter of someone famous makes everything easy.

Adrien nods. He knows what it's like to live under the shadow of expectations.

— Sometimes it's more complicated than it seems. Fame isn't all glitz and glamour, it brings its own problems.

Juleka looks up. There's a glint of gratitude in her eyes.

— Thank you for being here. That means a lot to me.

He smiles, feeling a little more relieved to see that his presence comforts her.

— I will always be here for you, Juleka, no matter what.

At that moment, the sound of footsteps approaches. Chloé and the rest of the group appear, Chloé's expression was expectant.

— Is everything all right?

— I think so. —Juleka says, more firmly.

Sabrina circles around to sit on the other side of Juleka— It's a normal thing, you know? Chloé also did the same thing with Adrien a few years ago.

— Definitely unbearable. —Chloé comments in agreement as she sits down next to Adrien, who can't help but laugh a little— You can't imagine what I had to put up with.

— And you still stick by my side. —Adrien adds, with Chloé snorting and averting her eyes but with a sideways smile.

— And here we are, ready for anything! —Kim interjects with Max and Alix nodding.

— And I'm sorry for not supporting you sooner. —Nathaniel apologizes, half embarrassed.

Juleka feels a little more relieved, seeing them all gather around her. As the conversation progresses, the tension in the air begins to fade a little. There is laughter and gentle banter, creating an atmosphere in which Juleka can begin to heal.

— And who do I have to threaten with my father? —Chloé questions, offering her privileges of being the mayor's daughter.

— I don't think... that's necessary. —answers Juleka half-hesitantly, almost considering it— I just need to talk to Penny, since she's also my producer like my father's.

— Sure, talking to Penny can help. She always knows how to handle things. —Adrien nods, feeling more optimistic.

Juleka takes a deep breath, feeling the support of her friends around her.

— What if it gets tough? —she asks, looking around at everyone, searching for some sign of an answer.

— We'll be there, as always! —Kim exclaims, raising a fist in support.

— That's what we'll do. —replies Sabrina, with a friendly smile.

Chloé lets out a light laugh, her confidence radiating in the room.

— And if someone treats you badly, you know I can give them a hard time.

— Thank you, Chloé, really. —Juleka says, feeling a warmth in her heart.

The friends gather more, forming a small circle around her. Cohesion and a sense of belonging envelop her, and for the first time in the talk, her smile reappears.

— Just remember that you're not alone. —Adrien adds, looking into her eyes with sincerity— You will always have a place here with us.

— I know. —answers Juleka, her voice firmer— And I'm glad to have all of you right now. I'll need it.

The atmosphere, a mixture of friendship and support, feels light. Laughter begins to echo once again, and that makes the sadness it carried slowly dissipate. - So, have you ever thought about what it would be like to be famous? You definitely have to be ready for the pictures and the rumors. -Alix jokes, which sets off a storm of jokes and anecdotes about the absurdity of fame and everyone laughs.

As the group chats animatedly, Juleka finally allows herself to enjoy the company of her friends.

Chapter Text

Chat Noir jumps away with his staff. One of the panthers steps on a piece of meat and makes it disappear. She and the other panther step on more of them, following a trail of fading meat until it leads them to the back of a van. Ladybug closes the van doors, trapping the panthers inside. Civilians applaud Ladybug, Chat Noir and Rena Rouge standing on the edge of a roof.

— Pound— —Chat Noir raises his fist only to look up at Ladybug and Rena Rouge leaving— Hey, where are you going?

— Rena is about to de-transform. —Ladybug replies as she stops a few rooftops away.

— And can't I do it? I'd like to know who I'm working with. —comments Chat Noir, in an attempt to hide his annoyance.

— Because I have to retrieve her Miraculous. —Ladybug replied, as if it were obvious.

— And isn't it enough that I don't know your identity? Why this complex of hiding things from me?

Rena Rouge's Miraculous sounds— It's urgent that we leave. —comments the fox heroine.

— All right, I'll talk to him about it. —promises Ladybug to her partner, only bringing more questions to her partner.

— Him? —questions the cat hero— Who is he?

— Um... —Instead of explaining herself, Ladybug makes an excuse— The time will come, I promise.

— I hate secrets. —comments Chat Noir, watching the two female heroes walking away.

Adrien was lying on the couch in his room with a depressed expression as he played with Ladybug and Chat Noir figures.

— Hey Chat Noir, do you trust me? —he says, imitating Ladybug and then playing himself as Chat Noir— Sure, Ladybug, you trust me too? —he imitates Ladybug again— Are you kidding? I'll never trust you. Hahaha.

He exhales sadly, dropping his arms and throwing the figures to the ground, meanwhile his Kwami Plagg just denies disappointed by Ladybug's actions, not quite understanding the tension between them. Plagg rearranges himself on the sofa, crossing his little arms.

— I don't understand why you're so concerned, Adrien. You already know about the existence of the guardian. —he says with a tone of indifference.

Adrien slowly sits up, looking towards the window where the evening light was weaving shadows in his room.

— Yes, but she doesn't seem to want me to know, Plagg. That lack of trust... it hurts. —admits the young model, his voice trembling a little.

Plagg lets out a sigh, his tail wagging slightly from side to side, unable to help but get angry.

— ⟨I don't know if I should blame you or your holder, Tikki. It's not my job to be a motivator.⟩ —thinks the Kwami, looking at Adrien with an air of frustration— But Ladybug obviously has her own problems. May it's not all about you. —he comments at last, trying to put a spin on the situation.

— Maybe, but that doesn't change the fact that I want to help her. I want to be someone she can trust. —Adrien replies, fiddling nervously with a piece of fabric from his white jacket.

The truth is, those words come from his heart, and Plagg recognizes it.

— Well, if you really want to do something, why don't we start with making some changes? —Plagg suggests, dropping his negative attitude and adopting a mischievous little smile.

He then floats over to Adrien's cell phone and after entering the password, enters the photo gallery which brings a confused look on the model's face.

— Aren't those pictures from the pages of that book? —he asks as he sits down and takes a closer look.

— Yes —Plagg confirms as he flips through the various photos— I took them when no one was looking, including you, although it was a little difficult because of Lila's smugness.

— She wasn't petulant... —refutes Adrien, earning a skeptical look from the Kwami— Well, maybe a little when she claimed to be a descendant of the fox bearer.

— Anyway, the point is that with this we will get a lot of advantage. —Plagg speaks again, pausing at a picture that showed several colored dots and images of various ingredients, implying a potion preparation.

— But how can we read this without my father finding out that I'm hiring who knows how many translators? —Adrien questions with doubt and concern, fearful that his father will discover his intentions and identity as Chat Noir— You know how to read it, right? —he asks hopefully.

— I'm not supposed to. —Plagg replies neutrally, bringing Adrien's disappointment. But then, the Kwami lets out a devilish little laugh— I'm supposed to, but I've taken some liberties while I was in the Order of the Guardians. What do you call it these days? Ah, yes, loopholes.

— Plagg, you're awesome. —said the model boy with a gleam of excitement in his eyes.

— I know, I've already been told.

Currently, Chat Noir witnesses the sunrise with a slightly melancholy look on his face as he reaches for his cane and activates cellular mode to check the time, it was after six in the morning.

— Aaand... the patrol is over, and Ladybug didn't show up... again. —sighs the hero, his head drooping a little at his loneliness.

However, his expression changes almost immediately to a more focused and firm one as he stands up on the roof of the small building where he was standing, while the transformation fell and he became Adrien again. The model pulls a slice of Camembert cheese from his pockets but with purple hues, he looks at it for a few moments before closing his eyes and creating a mental image for himself.

— Are we ready now, kiddo, or what? —Plagg questions with obvious excitement as he floats in front of Adrien and rubs his hands together, almost devilishly.

— Yes, —Adrien nods, opening his eyes and beginning to smile— time to give Paris a new Chat Noir. Plagg, Claws Out!

As soon as he transforms back into Chat Noir, he eats the small slice of purple Camembert cheese whole and then simply lifts his foot off the edge and suddenly drops off the roof. In full free fall, he experiences a sense of freedom. The wind blows hard, chills his face and makes his hair flutter, feeling the world open up before him.

— Power Up! —he shouts.

Moments before crashing, he immediately flies off with a new jetpack with green demon wings and helmet and design reminiscent of a spacesuit, of course, Chat Noir had trouble not being used to flying and although he tries to stay in control, he makes an involuntary spin plus several times almost crashing into traffic lights and lampposts.

— Woah! —he exclaims, feeling both excited and terrified.

Every movement is a new challenge. The wings vibrate with energy, and the engine rumbles around him, but there is something magical about this chaos. He feels light, as if he could dance among the clouds. As he flies, a laugh escapes his mouth. The city unfolds below, vibrant and full of life. The buildings look like little toys, and the sun caresses his skin with warmth.

— This is incredible! —he shouts, enjoying the adrenaline rush coursing through his body— Woooohooooo!

He makes several barrel rolls for enjoyment, flying over the Parisians and letting out one or another friendly or funny comment.

— Good morning Paaaris! —Chat Noir exclaims as he passes between the vehicles— New suit, same me!

After saying a quick “Power Down”, he lands in the park that was already filling up with the Parisians who gathered after all that happened and not only admired him for his new power but also for the new design of his suit: his boots retained the metallic plates simulating cat toes but now had a sportier design because of the gray and neon green stripes, black tight pants with neon green lines running down sections along the legs, the same belt simulating the tail, the same torso suit but now with white lines on the back drawing a stylized cat's paw and a hood, his bell had disappeared and in its place a semi-open collar, reinforced plates on forearms and backs of hands, shoulder pads, the same cat ears on top of the head and a sharper eye mask. Chat Noir bows to his admiring audience, taking pictures, selfies, autographs and asking questions, while he smiles from ear to ear. In his hero identity, he loves being the center of attention, feeling in his element. He feels driven to do his best.

— Thank you, thank you! —he says, raising his hands in thanks— It's not just me, it's me and all of you!

The crowd laughs and applauds, placating his concerns about the adventures his new suit may bring. A little boy, his eyes full of admiration, shouts out:

— You're the best, Chat Noir!

Adrien, at that moment, feels like the king of the world. He is a hero, and that fills him with pride. A group of journalists begins to approach, cameras in hand, looking to capture the essence of his transformation.

— Chat Noir, can you tell us about your new abilities? —they ask almost in unison.

He pauses, surprised by the attention— Sure, folks. —he replies, trying to sound relaxed.

Shortly after the brief interview about spaceflight powers, Chat Noir was about to go home when he suddenly receives a call from his staff's phone function and gladly accepts it when he learns that it is Juleka.

— What's this about you having a new power? —questions the gothic girl, besides letting out a yawn as she is not used to wake up at that hour— My phone was almost exploding with Ladyblog notifications, can you explain me what's going on?

— I'd love to, but... not now. —answers the cat hero with a little half nervous laugh— I still need my hour of rest, maybe after doing some jogging with me. It would help you gain more energy.

— Mmmmm......... I could use it, yes...... —Juleka replies after a sleepy mumble.

— Good, it'll be a date. —says Chat Noir, only earning a soft snore on the other end of the call.

He just laughs at not being disappointed, realizing that his goth friend still needs to get used to her new lifestyle as the daughter of a famous rock guitarist and musician, and that fame has suddenly caught up with her since last week. It's not easy adjusting to public life, and he knows it well. With a sigh, he decides it would be best to go his way for the time being.

— Thank you all for meeting, —speaks Alya as she walks in front of Marinette, Rose and Mylène who were sitting on the couch in Marinette's room— we are in a complicated situation and we will have to reconsider our options.

— Wait, —interrupts Marinette— aren't we going to wait for Alix?

At the mere mention of that name, Alya's expression darkens and her gaze hardens, bringing a shiver to both Rose and Mylène.

— No, we won't wait for her because in the end that dwarf joined with the enemy. —Alya affirms as she lowers the folding screen that, instead of displaying Adrien's schedule, showed pictures of Chloé, Sabrina, Juleka and Alix, as well as various items and so on linked by threads.

— What! —Marinette is shocked, unable to believe that another friend from her inner circle is abandoning her— What?! When?! Why?!

— Just be glad you were lucky enough to have been there when it happened, it was less painful than the other one. —Alya replies, before adding— And it shouldn't have been a surprise when analyzing our enemies either. —then she points to Chloé's picture— First we have the dirty, manipulative, controlling and privileged Chloé who is the mayor's daughter that allows her to do whatever she pleases and always getting her way just by threatening to call her “daddy”. Then we have Sabrina's second-in-command, who is the daughter of the police lieutenant, who can also turn things in her favor to supposedly lay down the law. As soon as she finishes, Alya slaps Juleka's picture hard -And here we have the traitorous, two-faced, lying, phony Juleka. She recently became famous when it was discovered that she is Jagged Stone's daughter, plus she leveraged her newfound influence to get her father to block and essentially fire Marinette.

— WHAT!!! —Marinette exclaims again in shock.

— Juleka would never do something like that! —Rose jumps to her friend's defense.

— Yes, yes she did, —speaks Alya harshly as she approaches her— and I must remind you that Juleka herself turned her back not only on Marinette but on all of us, she even had the audacity to openly insult Marinette and join Chloé. So face it, she's no longer your friend, Rose, and if you keep this up, rest assured you will NEVER see her again.

Rose reacts with a slight grimace on her lips as she seemed to be trying not to cry.

— And finally, —Alya continues, turning back to the screen and pointing to the picture of Alix— our second traitor and selfish, Alix, who coincidentally is the daughter of the owner of the museum. And if what we are up against, —then she exclaims as she points to the title on the screen— The rich are against us!

— Uhm... —Mylène begins to speak hesitantly— Aren't you taking this too personally?

— Of course I am! —Alya snarls as she leans against Mylène with Mylène recoiling in fright, then Alya points to the pictures of Chloé, Sabrina, Juleka and Alix— This whole enemy group is ruining Marinette's chances! Turning what was supposed to be the perfect romantic fairy tale between Marinette and Adrien into a freaking soap opera!

Mylène steps back a little further, trying to remain calm in the face of Alya's intensity.

— Alya, please calm down, —she says softly— you don't need to take it that way.

But Alya doesn't seem to listen to her, she keeps pointing at the pictures with indignation.

— This is not a simple matter of friendship or rivalry! —she exclaims— This is about justice! Marinette was supposed to be the one who was going to have the chance with Adrien, not Juleka or Chloé! —Alya pauses for a moment, taking a deep breath before continuing— And if we don't do something about it, who knows what else they might do?

Marinette sits silently, staring blankly into space, while her friends continue to argue around her. Soon Alya's gaze turns to Rose, who seems to be struggling to contain her emotions.

— Rose, you know, Juleka is not the same person we knew. —Alya approaches Rose, her voice taking on a softer tone— You must accept the truth, no matter how much it hurts. Mylène tries to intervene again, but Alya won't let her speak— Enough! We're not going to let wealth and favoritism stop us from standing up for what's right! Marinette deserves a real chance with Adrien, not a fantasy relationship ruined by the manipulations of these smug rich people! —at Rose's and Mylène's doubtful looks, the blogger crosses her arms— If you're going to react like that, let Marinette help us come to our senses by seeing Adrien trotting around with one of them.

At that implication, something in Marinette made her run to the hatch above her bed and get to the balcony of her room, soon the others follow them up the small staircase and then go through the hatch. There they see Marinette leaning way out of the railing and judging by her expression of shock and frozen shock it was not good, Rose and Mylène lean a little to see down in the streets Adrien jogging in a black long sleeved tight fitting shirt under a white version of his usual shirt, and next to him was Juleka in a black sleeveless shirt, fingerless gloves and holding her hair in a ponytail. As they jog, Juleka throws Adrien a smile and immediately speeds up which only brings a small chuckle to the model as she also speeds up, that mutual moment caused Marinette's eyes to cringe and her heart to stop for an instant. With each step they took forward, it seemed as if the world she had imagined for her and Adrien was crumbling. Alya, noticing the tension in the air, gently approached.

— Marinette, don't worry, there is still time to change things. —she whispered to her, trying to inject some hope.

But Marinette, with her eyes fixed on that pair, barely heard her. That's because her mind began to project her memories but distorted....

Seeing herself as a sweet, delicate and kind girl arriving at school with a bag full of snacks prepared from her bakery, she baked them herself with her friends in mind. However, as soon as she entered the classroom, out of nowhere something tripped her and sent her bag flying to the floor, scattering all the snacks. Even before Marinette could do anything, the snacks were immediately crushed by Chloé and Sabrina who looked at her with mockery.

— Did you really think that a pathetic girl like you would achieve anything with your bread? Hahahahahaha! —laughs Chloé cruelly, making Marinette feel miserable.

And followed by constant reminders of seeing herself as the victim of Chloé and Sabrina's dealings against her...

Then, Marinette would be crestfallen as she is hugged by Juleka.

— I don't know what to do, Adrien is so perfect, so gentle and cute, I wish I could get close to him... —speaks Marinette while being consoled.

— Of course you know, you just need to try harder and take a chance to achieve something with him. —says Juleka softly, running her hand over Marinette's head— I'm here, I'll help you how to talk to him, and you'll see that you'll have a chance.

— Thank you Juleka, thank you for being my friend...

— I know... —Juleka smiles wickedly slyly— That's what friends are for.

But then...

— I HATE YOU! —Juleka exclaims loudly— You've done nothing but be a nag and stalker all the time! I'm so glad to make you fail at talking to Adrien.

— W-What...? —reacts Marinette with tears growing in her eyes— But...? But how could you...?

— Simple, I want Adrien all to myself, —replies Juleka as she leans towards her— and don't even go near him because I'll make sure he forgets you, goodbye “friend”.

With that Juleka walks away, not looking back and watching as Marinette falls to her knees with tears falling...

In another memory, or so she thinks, Marinette is seen sitting on a bench sketching when suddenly a hand whips her notebook and knocking it to the floor, ruining it into a puddle.

— Oopsie~ —begins to say Alix mockingly, shocking Marinette even more— How clumsy I was, even more than you.

— But... But Alix... —Marinette tries to speak, without understanding her friend's action— Why...?

— It's because I don't care about you, your love for Adrien seems absurd to me and I'm telling you now because I just wanted to see how far you would go, now you just bore me. —without saying more, Alix walks away with her skates.

Snapping back to reality, Marinette felt as if she had been dragged back into that dark past, where every memory was like a dagger wounding her mercilessly. Her gaze, which had been fixed on the departing pair, drifted downward, and her eyes filled with tears once again. She couldn't believe that her friends, the people she trusted the most, had betrayed her like that. She felt like a victim of her own beliefs, deceived by people who had been by her side all along.

Alya, from behind, smiles slightly before pushing her friend away— Now, it will be our time to form a plan.

At the same time, Adrien and Juleka were jogging for several blocks until they stopped to catch their breath.

— So, are you feeling more energetic? —asks Adrien with a smile.

— I'd say yes, but it still kills me to wake up at sunrise. —complains Juleka, but with a small smile towards the model. But then her expression turns serious— So, does Ladybug really want to hide the existence of the guardian, even when you already met him?

— Yes... —says Adrien with a half-decayed head— Sometimes I don't understand why, even that sometimes makes me think that Ladybug doesn't trust me when I'm Chat Noir.

Juleka frowns— That doesn't seem fair to me —she replies, crossing her arms— Why doesn't she tell you directly?

Adrien pauses for a moment, as if thinking about her words— I guess she has her reasons, maybe she doesn't know it and I play dumb so she tells me but whenever I bring up the subject she always evades it and leaves me in silence. —he lets out a sigh— I can't stand living in secrets, I feel displaced...

Juleka looks at him with concern, but starting to feel a bit annoyed, so she decided to change the subject.

— Well, in my opinion, you were right to change Chat Noir's design and do all that presentation flying around town. You kind of became more independent.

— Thanks, that means a lot to me. —replies Adrien, looking up— I wanted to show that I can be a hero on my own, without depending so much on the decisions of others.

— Exactly. —nods Juleka, feeling relieved that the conversation took a more positive turn.

Adrien smiles, feeling the connection between them grow a little stronger— What about you, have you thought about doing something daring with your style? —he asks.

Juleka shrugs, but her eyes light up. Maybe a change of look. Something that represents me better.

— I'd love to see you with a new style, I think you'd be amazing —he says, enthusiastically.

Juleka laughs softly, but the sparkle in her eyes betrays her interest.

— It will be a project for this weekend. I should get out of my comfort zone more often.

— I think that's perfect. We all need a little makeover from time to time, even me. Maybe one day I'll dare to change my hair color.

— That would be awesome. —Juleka replies, laughing louder— Imagine Chat Noir with green hair.

They both laugh together, and for a moment, Adrien's worries fade away. The conversation flows naturally, filling the air with laughter and new ideas.

Then Adrien starts jogging in place— I'll get some water, I'll be right back.

Juleka watches him walk away from the place, after a few moments he speaks again.

— Can I ask you something, Plagg? —at the question, the black cat Kwami emerges from her hair.

— It depends on what you ask for, kitty. —Plagg answers with some enthusiasm.

— Do you happen to know... Ladybug's identity? —asks the gothic girl with some hesitation.

Plagg remains silent, casting quick, subtle glances at the bakery a few streets behind Juleka. Oh, she certainly knows who Ladybug is behind the mask.

— Believe me I would certainly tell you, but poor me, I feel obliged not to reveal information. —the black cat Kwami begins to speak dramatically, making Juleka roll her eyes but smile.

— Haha, but seriously Plagg, I want you to go keep an eye on her. —clarifies Juleka, clarifying her intentions— At least know why she's doing unfairly withholding information from Adrien when she's Chat Noir.

— Oh~? —asks Plagg interested— Really~? Since you ask me, maybe I should consider the idea. But no promises, after all, I have my own obligations.

Juleka nods, understanding Plagg's mischievous nature.

— Just a little peek, no more. Maybe you could follow her for a while. —she suggests hopefully.

Plagg stretches, as if thinking about what that would entail, then without further delay flies into the air before heading in the opposite direction of the bakery and thus preventing Juleka from discovering Ladybug's identity. The moment the Goth girl loses sight of him, Plagg immediately changes direction and heads straight for the bakery.

Back in with the group of girls, Alya once again paces back and forth between her friends and the folding screen.

— Here's what the plan is going to be, girls. —Alya begins to speak— Chloé's group creates a barrier around them that prevents Marinette or any girl in general from getting close to Adrien. —she explains as she points to the pictures of Chloé, Sabrina, Juleka and Alix pinned together in a pseudo-circle around Adrien's photo.

Then Alya's eyes turn to Rose.

— You want to go back to your friend Juleka, don't you? —she asks, receiving a slight nod from the pink girl— Then, your mission is to take advantage of that friendship to get her away from the group.

— WHAT?! —Rose is horrified, not believing what the blogger is asking her— I can't do that!

— You're going to do it! —Alya snaps, leaning against Rose and trapping her against the wall, terrifying the little girl a lot— Do you want to see Marinette alone and depressed?

— N-No...! —Rose exclaims, not being able to stop herself from trembling and feeling the tears threatening to come out.

— So do it! -demands Alya fiercely, ignoring the pink girl's expression— You're doing this for Marinette, remember? So, you should feel good about helping her. —Alya straightens up, crossing her arms with a stern expression.

Rose looks to her friends for support, but Mylène looked scared enough to do anything while Marinette just looked oblivious to her situation and instead absorbed in the plan. Then Alya turns to Mylène, almost making her jump with fright and fearing what she will say.

— While you, Mylène, will be in charge of making sure to keep Alix away from the group. —Alya explains, and Mylène opens her mouth, but remains silent, not knowing what to say.

She had always been the more reserved one, the one who preferred to avoid conflict.

— But how am I supposed to do that? —she finally asks, her voice trembling a little.

Alya doesn't stop, imbued with her own momentum— Just use your charm, Mylène. Remember how you went for a milkshake with her months ago.

Mylène nods slightly, but clearly looks nervous. Alya turns to Rose once more, emphasizing her point.

— There is no turning back. It's time to act. Let's put Marinette first!

Rose feels a knot in her stomach. The thought of betraying Juleka weighs on her, but the desire to help her friend pushes her forward. She feels caught between two worlds; loyalty to her friend and what Alya demands of her. Alya continues with her plan, turning to the others, her energy almost palpable.

— Whereas me, I'll take care of Chloé to keep her away from Adrien, and how Sabrina follows her almost everywhere. It would kill two birds with one shot. —Alya declares with a certain pride.

Both Rose, who was already in tears, and Mylène turn to look at Marinette for help or for her to do something to stop Alya, but Marinette remains oblivious to the atmosphere and instead seems to be in complete agreement. Meanwhile, hiding, Tikki was practically pulling her antennas because the whole situation and the feeling of helplessness gnawing at her, she wants to come out of hiding and stop all this as to convince Marinette that this is wrong....

But she can't...

The order of the guardians demands that one of their rules, not to reveal themselves to anyone, must never be broken....

No matter what the situation...

The feeling of helplessness grows, and Tikki squirms in frustration in his hiding place, wishing he could somehow intervene without breaking the guardians' order. So he decides to do something else...

During all the planning, no one notices a ladybug flying out of Marinette's bag and out the window, the ladybug flies to the top of the balcony and immediately transforms into Tikki. The Kwami observes the surroundings, looking for any approaching Akuma butterfly. By Rose's slight sobbing she might have attracted HawkMoth's attention enough to send an Akuma. During her little surveillance, it wasn't long before she saw the dark butterfly approaching her direction. Squinting, Tikki was about to gather her magic to purify the Akuma but stopped herself as soon as she started.

Kwamis aren't supposed to use their magic, only the bearers can do so when transforming...

— ⟨But one of the friends doesn't deserve this! I even have the chance!⟩ —Tikki argues mentally.

Without a holder, the power of a Kwami can bring misfortune to the world. Unforgivable consequences...

Helplessness grew in scales and Tikki's magic flickered in reflection to that mental struggle, however, when the Akuma butterfly found itself a few meters away from the bakery, Tikki witnessed a black blur pass in front of it and dive against the butterfly. The ladybug Kwami is surprised to see Plagg sitting on the railing and burping along with some ash powders coming out of his mouth.

— They taste just as awful. —Plagg comments somewhat disgusted.

Tikki continues to stare at her fellow Kwami in disbelief at his sudden appearance and, instead of being grateful, she becomes annoyed.

— What are you doing here? —she begins to scold as she approaches— Aren't you supposed to be with your holder?

— Easy, sugar cube, I'm here at their request. —Plagg replies nonchalantly, before adding— Or at least one of them.

Tikki became more annoyed, and was about to argue about her “sugar cube” nickname when she stops when she hears the final brief comment.

— What? What do you mean? —questions Tikki a moment before comprehension will come to her— You mean Nightcrawler?

— Yep. —Plagg nods with his smile— My kitty sent me because your bug apparently hides information unnecessarily such as the identity of the other holders like Carapace and Rena Rouge, and of the existence of the guardian.

Tikki lets out a short but deep sigh— Okay, yes, Ladybug took the secret identities rule too seriously, but she's the leader so she has to take more responsibility.

— Oh? Oh yeah? —Plagg questions, turning to look at her sarcastically— And why should she be the leader, huh? Why not Chat Noir too?

— It's because that's the way it has to be— —Tikki was answering before being interrupted.

— Sure, so says your sacred order of guardians. —sneers Plagg with growing fierce annoyance— And WHY? Just because you can purify Akumas and repair damage? What about me? I remember perfectly well that I can do it too, and what about Longg, Plagg? WAYZZ?!

Tikki remains silent, also starting to get annoyed, inside she knows she agrees with her partner Kwami but part of her clings to the orders of the Order.

This is the way things have to be...

— Plagg, please understand that I want to do something too but... What else can we do? —Tikki questions, trying to control her own anger.

— I've done more than enough. —comments Plagg, turning his head away and avoiding eye contact.

However, a smile grows on his face that catches the ladybug Kwami's attention.

— Plagg... What did you do? —questions Tikki somewhat worried but annoyed— What did you do?

— Oh, nothing, just motivating the boy to grow up a little. —answers the black cat Kwami, his smile growing sharp— Like preparing the positions of that book Fu retrieved.

Tikki's eyes widen in disbelief before angrily expressing:

— You weren't supposed to read or even learn what the book said! And you kept information to yourself! What are you supposed to do?!

— Well, apparently to keep my boy from falling apart or feeling displaced by the lack of confidence Mari—!

— Don't you dare. —Tikki threatens in a whisper.

— Nette. —Plagg finishes with a scathing voice the name of Ladybug's identity, exchanging angry glances between the two Kwamis in a tense atmosphere.

Both Kwamis, representing Creation and Destruction respectively, remain looking at each other in opposite positions and mindsets instead of complementing each other. However, Plagg soon lets out a disappointed sigh.

— Anyway, I've heard enough and I see you still haven't changed your mind, so I'll stick to my own ways of helping.

Tikki's frustration increases, not realizing that the “listening too much” comment could have meant that he heard the girls' entire plan.

— But that's not helping! You can't just make decisions like that. —Tikki chides.

— And you think keeping quiet is the solution? —Plagg raises his voice, showing his impatience.

— Sometimes things are more complicated than they seem. —Tikki replies, trying to appeal to her fellow's logic.

— Complicated, you say. —Plagg grimaces, clearly skeptical— There's nothing complicated about keeping a guy from feeling less. If you won't do it, I will!

Tikki folds her arms. The irritation continues to build— Do you think that's enough? —she asks, her tone heavy with exasperation.

— No, but at least I'm trying something. —Plagg replies, unwilling to give up.

— Trying is not enough. We need a plan, a strategy. We can't act on impulse.

— Then make something happen, Tikki! —he insists, his voice rising in pitch.

Tikki takes a deep breath, trying to stay calm. Deep down, he knows there's truth in what Plagg says, but that doesn't mean his methods are right.

— You're playing with fire, Plagg. You can't risk everything just because you're frustrated.

— And you can't keep sitting on the sidelines hoping that everything will work itself out with empty words. —Plagg moves impatiently, floating away.

Watching him walk away, Tikki's expression worsens as she feels the importance and frustration become too strong to the point of pulling back on her antennae and letting out a scream of agony but sounding more like the resonance of a high-pitched bell, reverberating through space. She feels caught between the duty to protect and the need to act. After voicing her mental struggle, she lets out a deep, sad sigh before returning to her carrier's room as she transforms back into a ladybug.

Chapter Text

Later that day, the school day started but Adrien was forced to go and complete a commercial, this didn't discourage Alya because she will be able to carry out the plan perfectly and once Chloé's group is broken up, Marinette will be the one waiting for Adrien's arrival after lunch and he will recognize his feelings for her!

However, during Mrs. Mendeleiev's class, Juleka had sent a text message to her group of girls and grew a wicked grin on Chloé's face as she hid it by adjusting her hair. With class over and waiting for the hour, she texts the goth girl back.

— Hey, Rose. —Rose is startled by the surprise of seeing her old friend approaching where her seat once was— In a little while I'm going to rehearse with the guys before lunch, —Juleka says while behind her where Alix heading to the exit of the classroom with Kim following her, then Max and Nathaniel— I was wondering if you and Mylène would like to come with us to watch.

At first Rose hesitates, she obviously wants to be with her friend but feels it would prevent Marinette from being able to get close to Adrien. However, on the other hand, wasn't that supposed to be the plan? Still feeling conflicted, she turns to Marinette and Alya who both signal confirmation.

— A-All right, Yes! —rushes Rose, trying to give her best smile to Juleka— I'd love that!

Juleka smiles before nodding and starting to walk towards the door as Rose hurries to follow her and soon after Mylène also gets up from her seat. During the walk, the goth girl turns her gaze sideways to Chloé and the next second back to looking straight ahead as she guides the two girls out of the classroom. All the while, a part of Alya felt suspicious at how quickly everything happened, but she didn't think to question it either, everything was going perfectly! She just needed to-

— Did you hear about today? —Chloé begins to speak, shamelessly and loudly— It seems that Chat Noir has changed the design of his costume this morning. —those words caught the blogger's attention.

— Yeah... and it seems that he has obtained the power to fly with those enhancers. —Sabrina adds in a more subdued tone of voice but exchanging her friend's smile.

— Oh yes, quite a show.

This provoked two reactions:

With Marinette, she couldn't believe it, how? At what point? She hasn't even shared food rations for each potion yet! And she changed her outfit?! Why didn't she warn him this morning?! She was supposed to be aware of everything! Why did Chat Noir hide that from her?!

While with Alya, she felt her aftermath of her Akumatization, LadyWifi, go into a frenzy of rage. This is unheard of! An outrage! That daddy's girl is lying! She's the creator of Ladyblog! She keeps up with the heroes' news at all times! Her cell phone alerts her to-! Suddenly Aya's mind goes blank as she remembers that last night her two little sisters asked for her cell phone to watch a movie, they sure did something!

— THOSE LITTLE DEVILS! —Alya exclaims as she jumps up from her seat and runs away.

— What the—? Alya! —Marinette is surprised and questions her friend— Where are you going?!

— To interview people! —Alya replies, more like LadyWifi in her mind, as she runs down the hallway outside the classroom.

— No! It was supposed to—! —in trying to catch up with her friend, Marinette ended up tripping in her haste.

The moment she tripped, her purse went flying and scattered all her things on the floor and also her...

— Where did you get it? —Chloé questions as she reaches over and picks up Tikki, still believing it to be a toy— I thought I took it from you!

— I-I-it's just that I-I... a-ah... ishtus... it turns out th-that... —tries to speak Marinette between fear and anxiety, only annoying Chloé more and more.

— You know what? Forget it. —she throws Tikki to Marinette who makes several trips with her hands to catch her— I don't want to have anything ladybug-themed near me. —says Chloé holding Antibug's anger in her mind— Now, if you'll excuse me, I have more important things to do. —then she turns to Sabrina and says— Don't be late for rehearsals.

The orange redhead girl nods quickly before leaving the classroom and soon after Chloé, ignoring Marinette's sigh of relief as she sets about gathering her things. After making sure she's away from the class, Chloé relaxes and instead decides to smile in pleasure as she turns Alya's plan against her.

Thinking Marinette would have a chance to be with Adrien, HA! Now, she's ruined everything. Chloé feels triumphant to be keeping the obsessive lunatic away from her childhood friend/brother, As she walks away from the class, Chloé can't help but smile mischievously, feeling like she owns the situation. Surely Alya hasn't realized that her plan has gone awry to the contrary, anyway, it's time to wait for the end of lunch to wait for Adrien and see how it all unfolds. As she walks down the hallway, her mind is already beginning to sketch out a new scheme. Maybe he could invite Adrien to an exclusive meeting with some friends. That would leave Marinette out of the mix altogether.

— Who needs a sissy in their life, right? —she mutters to herself, enjoying her own mischief.

It wasn't long before lunchtime began and Chloé laughs quietly at the scene, Alya half-dead from exhaustion, Rose and Mylène looking a little uncomfortable being near the former, and Marinette looking after her friend. Then Chloé joins her friends/hive group table between Sabrina, Juleka, Alix, Nathaniel, Max and Kim. The table is filled with laughter and commentary as Chloé settles in with an air of superiority.

— How about planning something for next weekend? —she proposes, looking around at her group.

Everyone seems excited, except Juleka, who is still a little distracted, but Chloé doesn't hold back.

— Maybe we could go to an art show or something, what do you think? —her gaze slides to Sabrina, who nods enthusiastically.

— I like that idea! —Kim interjects, jumping in his seat— We could have a photo contest. —then he turns to Alix— I'll beat you!

— Yeah, sure. —teases the skater girl— I know all the perfect spots in my father's museum, I'll definitely win.

Chloé is pleased, enjoying the support of her friends, for she knows she is in control. Every giggle, every whisper reaffirms her position in the group.

— It will be an interesting event —Nathaniel adds, while playing with his food— Although I think we will be the center of attention, no doubt.

Chloé smiles, now with plans that will include her hive, and not the stalker she so despises. As the conversation flows, Chloé can't help but cast furtive glances toward Alya's table. The tense condition is palpable, and that pleases her. Every interaction supports her dominance of the group; there is no room for rivalry. The idea that Adrien thought of her as a sister fills her with satisfaction; it may have annoyed her at the time and still does even now, but she thinks it's better that way.

At one point, Juleka hears her cell phone ring and as she pulls it out she can't help but be a little surprised.

— Adrien just sent me a message, —notifies the gothic girl to her group— he wants me to go ice skating with him.

Chloé raises an eyebrow, interested— Ice skating, huh? —she says, having a vague memory about her father talking about it, then shrugs— Well, it's not like he has time for that.

She honestly doesn't care if her Adrikins has started to like Juleka more, she's a better choice than Dupain-Cheng.

— Don't forget to take some pictures, —she speaks again as she provokes her, sketching a mischievous smile— you might want to share them with us to see how you're doing.

Meanwhile, at another table, Alya casts a quick glance towards Marinette, who seems to be caught between anxiety and worry.

— Anyway, whoever has to go skating shouldn't forget to bring a coat. —Kim adds, teasing the prospect of the cold.

— Unless they want to freeze. —Nathaniel interjects, enjoying his little joke.

Laughter rises as Juleka tries to hide her discomfort with a small smile. Chloé watches the scene, pleased that her group is sticking together, feeling like the queen of her hive. She raises her glass of juice, as if in a toast.

— To us, always! —she exclaims, encouraging everyone to play along.

Everyone raises their drink, celebrating as noise and revelry fills the table again, making Alya look like she's on the verge of a fit of rage with Marinette trying to comfort her, but Chloé can see the tension building. It fills her with a deep satisfaction. With a whisper, Alya tells Marinette that they should have a plan B, something to keep them at Chloé's level. But Marinette just nods, frustrated by the direction things are going.

Meanwhile, at the ice rink...

— I can't believe it, Mr. Mayor! —Philippe exclaims incredulously— You're going to close my ice rink?

— The ice rink is not yours, Philippe, it belongs to the Parisians. —André reaffirms— And I'm not going to close it down. I'm going to turn it into a shadow gym for my Chloé... I mean, my city. Nobody takes skating lessons anyway. Not a single student has signed up this year, it's empty. —at that moment Adrien entered accompanied by Juleka, shortly after they were followed by Nathaniel who was almost dragged by Marinette and without the first group knowing about them.

— You're wrong, Mayor! Look, new skaters! —Philippe points to the newly arrived teenagers, having a little celebration— I knew it!

— Okay, okay, okay, —sighs the mayor a little exasperated— if you get anyone signed up in 10 minutes, then I'll postpone converting the rink into a gym.

— Count on it! —exclaims the ice skater with determination.

— I'm a little surprised that you decided to invite me here. —Juleka comments as she follows Adrien into the stands to get a pair of ice skates.

— I thought it might be fun, besides, this place needs some life. —Adrien replies, smiling as he watches his friend get ready.

Juleka shrugs, realizing that she doesn't really dislike the idea.

— Maybe it won't be so bad, —she murmurs, taking a seat on the bleachers— but I don't promise to be good at it.

Adrien laughs softly— Just have fun, that's the most important thing.

Juleka smiles at him as she watches him look for the skates, but notices Marinette appear from behind and walk in the same direction as Adrien. Just as she was about to do something, she hears someone sit down next to her and it was Nathaniel who had a smile on his face. Juleka couldn't help but frown slightly.

— What are you doing here? —asked the gothic girl.

— I'm on a date with Marinette. —replies the redhead boy, not being able to help but feel proud.

— You know she's just using you to get closer to Adrien? To make him jealous or something?

— Oh yes, I know. But that's okay, I'll be able to use this to my advantage to get her to notice me.

Juleka grunts slightly in response, covering her face with her hands. At the same time, Adrien reaches for two pairs of ice skates and as he turns to meet Juleka he suddenly bumps into Marinette.

— Oh, Marinette, I didn't expect to see you. —Adrien exclaims in surprise at the sudden appearance of his friend— Are you here to skate too?

— E-Eh, yes, of course I wanted to ice skate! —Marinette says with a nervous smile— That's why I came, to skate, with you—With Nathaniel! I came with Nathaniel to skate.

— You did? —asks the model boy, leaning sideways to see the red-haired boy sitting next to Juleka who gets annoyed— Oh, well I hope you get lucky with him, sometimes I think you guys could be a good couple. —comments Adrien with a smile.

After saying that, he sets out to join Juleka, not noticing Marinette getting a little tense and a more forced smile. Feeling that the plan didn't start well, Marinette tried to remain calm.

— I wish things were different, —she muttered to herself— there's no reason for me to have feelings for him. Nathaniel is a nice guy, and he seems to me to have good feelings. But he... he's not Adrien.

While with Adrien, he seemed to have his doubts about his actions with Juleka. He had promised himself to be a new Chat Noir, so it was not only enough to change the design of his costume and “become independent” by having the pages of the book translated, but also to deepen a certain friendship.

— Should I hold her hand? —Adrien wonders absentmindedly, unaware of a shadow following behind him— I mean, it would be the subtle thing to do when we skate.

— You have to drop her. —whispers a voice behind.

Once again Adrien is surprised, but this time he gets a shock as he didn't expect for the second time to have Marinette behind him, who is also surprised to be heard.

— W-What did you say? —questioned the blond model, not entirely sure if he had heard correctly or not.

— What—I meant! That you must never let it fall. You have to do everything to make sure it doesn't fall. —Marinette replies with a forced smile, trying to dismiss what she had whispered. Then she picks up her two pairs of skates— I... am going to look for Nathaniel.

Marinette quickly retreats as Adrien watches her walk away, sensing that something... wasn't right.

— ⟨What's going on here?⟩ —Adrien questions himself before deciding to go after Juleka.

A short time later, the two couples were ice skating, especially Nathaniel and Juleka who were coming here for the first time with Adrien and Marinette helping them skate. However, Marinette's attention was mostly focused on watching Adrien who was taking care of Juleka, she watched as the goth girl took both her hands and skated for a few moments before making a slip and about to fall but Adrien catches her in time, both of them sharing smiles...

— Uhm, Marinette. —speaks Nathaniel, who on more than one occasion almost stumbles— You're supposed to be helping me.

— Huh? Oh, yes. —Marinette exclaims as she turns to see him, but her gaze is once again diverted to Adrien— Just...

Nathaniel can't help but be a little annoyed but a rational part of him already expected her to behave this way, but...

— You really wouldn't want a friend to fall through the ice, would you? —he questioned, setting off one of the alarms in Marinette's head.

Marinette's anxiety skyrockets as she fantasizes how by dropping Nathaniel against the ice, and because he was in love with her, he'll be very upset to the point of akumatizing himself back into Demoilustrator and declaring his hatred for her, then Juleka will gossip that to Chloé and her group, making sure to leave a bad reputation and Adrien will never want to see her again and she won't have her love story or her three kids and a hamster named—

— You're right, I should help you skate. —says Marinette.

— Hello young people. —Philippe approaches them— Why don't you sign up for ice skating lessons? I'm sure you'd make a lovely couple.

— No, thank you. I'm already very, very busy. —Marinette answers almost quickly before walking away and taking Nathaniel with her.

Philippe reacts disappointed. Meanwhile, Adrien was still skating with Juleka and couldn't help but notice the tension in the air. Every time Juleka laughed, that soft laughter seemed to echo in his mind, but his gaze kept searching for Marinette. Even though they were on the ice together, his mind belonged elsewhere.

— Adrien? —called Juleka, breaking his trance— Are you here or have you already left?

— Ah, yes, sorry. I'm here. —he answers, trying to smile. He tries hard to focus on Juleka, who returns a curious smile— By the way, I think it would make it easier for you if you would use your condition to skate better, even be splendid. —Adrien continues speaking, seeking to praise her.

Juleka raises an eyebrow at the model boy's words as her smile grows sideways.

— Very flattering, really. —she replies before her smile drops a little— But no. I haven't seen at any time any competition or people ice skating. So Jeflekta can only copy you, it's our first time.

— Oh. —exclaims Adrien, feeling a mixture of surprise and understanding— Well, then we can learn together.

He tries to keep the conversation light, though his mind is still distracted by Marinette's words. Juleka nods, though she seems to evaluate the idea.

— Yes, that could work. But if I go down, don't say anything, okay?

— Promise, I won't say anything. —Adrien replies with a laugh.

— Anyone with spirit and talent can even make it to the championship. —suddenly speaks Philippe as he approaches the couple— Let me be your coach!

— I'm not interested. —answers Juleka, without a second thought— Besides, I already have a personal coach. —she smiles at Adrien, with he letting out a short, light laugh.

Philippe hesitates for a moment before turning his attention to the model— What do you say, young Adrien Agreste? I can already see your fame growing! Grace and style, model and professional ice skating champion. If you take lessons with me, I'll make you shine like the candles on a birthday cake.

— Well, actually...

— He's already busy. —Juleka answers automatically, pressing herself to Adrien.

Those words were heard by Marinette who, as she turned around, her eyes narrowed in shock and terror as she saw both Adrien and Juleka so close together that they could almost be holding hands. Suddenly, not looking where she was sliding, she ended up crashing and falling against the railing. The crash was heard by the couple and the adult, Adrien was about to approach to help her but Juleka stopped him by pulling his arm.

— No need, Nathaniel is already with her. —stated the gothic girl, at the same time that the redhead boy was already approaching Marinette.

Adrien hesitated for a moment, a little worried about his friend's health, but in the end he gave in by nodding.

— You see that with a few lessons, with me it would do you good! Please, young Agreste. —Philippe half pleaded as he approached the couple again— Just write down your name and your followers will come running, and my ice rink will be saved.

Juleka already looked annoyed at the man's persistence before skating on the ice, taking Adrien with her.

— None of these young people want to sign up, —the mayor speaks from the stands as he approaches— you can't force them, Philippe.

— You're right. —sighs Philippe, disappointed and saddened.

— Sorry, Philippe, the ice rink will be closed tonight. —André leaves some papers on one of the seats for Philippe to look for later.

However, in Philippe's sadness that looked like he was about to cry, an Akuma butterfly suddenly approached him and possessed one of the skates.

— Frozer, this is HawkMoth. —the villain communicates once the butterfly outline appears on Philippe's face— They want to take away your ice rink, because from now on all of Paris will be your kingdom on ice. In exchange you must bring me the miraculous Ladybug and Chat Noir.

— Ready to skate, HawkMoth. —Philippe is enveloped in dark energy and transforms into Frozer, whereupon he hits the skate and everything begins to freeze.

The youngsters nearby stopped, their eyes full of surprise and recoiling as they watched the ice rapidly spread throughout the building structure. Marinette, rising from the ground and still dazed, could see Frozer's figure. Adrien froze, surprised by Philippe's transformation, while Juleka huddled next to him, clearly worried.

— Nathaniel, hide, quick. —Marinette muttered, genuinely worried about the red-haired man before hastily taking off her skates and running away.

She had to transform, use one of the macarons made from the positions and find Chat Noir to share it with.

— Attention, everyone! —Frozer shouted, his voice echoing like thunder in the cold atmosphere— This is my ice rink. Everyone must join me or suffer the consequences!

— Juleka, go hide. —Adrien tells his friend as he takes her to a place far away from the Akuma, with that Plagg emerging from his hiding place between the two of them— We'll take it from here. —he affirms as he reaches for a circular container and opening it reveals seven different colored slices of Camembert cheese.

— What about those? —asks Juleka curious as she looks at the cheese slices, while Adrien looks for the cyan colored one— Something linked to that power of flying in space?

— Yes, these cheese slices are combined with the potions, this one in particular will help me in situations like this. —He explains as he presents the cyan-colored slice while closing the container.

— And what are we waiting for, kiddo? —asks Plagg with some excitement— We still have to surprise Ladybug.

Adrien nods before tossing the cyan slice into the air— Plagg, power up!

As the Kwami takes a bite of the cheese, he gets a small transformation with three crystals on his forehead almost like a crown.

Adrien sees the ice rapidly approaching— Glacier Plagg, Claws Out!

Halfway through the transformation, Adrien picks up Juleka in his arms and leaps to keep from freezing, the goth girl clinging to the newly transformed cat hero in mid-air before descending. Upon landing, Chat Noir skids down on newly obtained ice skates, she notices the hero's new costume: the sporty design of the boots upgrade to a speedy design and getting the ice skate blades along with winter patterns, the green lines on the legs get an icy sheen, the hood put over the head with synthetic fur as well as on the shoulders and feline ears, and the belt simulating a cat's tail gets some small crystals as spikes.

Juleka looks Chat Noir up and down, half analyzing the new costume.

— Quite a change from the new costume. —she comments, somewhat surprised.

— Heh, I know, and call me Ice Chat while you're at it. —the cat hero couldn't help but gloat as he pronounced the name of his new form while gently lowering it to the ground.

— You need to work on the name. —says Juleka rolling her eyes but smiling.

— I know. —Chat Noir, or Ice Chat, agrees as his head droops. A second later, he perks up again as he lifts his head— Anyway, it's time to face the Akuma and get things back to normal.

With those words, Ice Chat skated away. Leaving the building, Frozer could be seen skating through the streets of Paris at the same time as everything froze and in turn people were trapped in ice.

— Ladybug and Chat Noir! —the Akuma exclaims— Their frozen statues will shine like trophies in my kingdom of ice!

At the same time, Ladybug, or LadyIce, propels herself to find herself on top of the rooftops to witness the scene in front of her.

— I need to find Chat Noir. —she says to herself as she lifts half of a cyan macaroon— I hope he didn't freeze.

— Aw~ you move me. —comments Ice Chat as he arrives, taking the sissy heroine by surprise— But don't worry, I'm here now.

— Wha... How did you... When did you...? —in LadyIce's disbelief, the remaining macaroon fell from her fingers.

— Don't worry, maybe someday I'll tell you my secrets. —Ice Chat decides to joke as he leans on his cane— But first we should focus on this new Ice King.

After finishing those words, he simply drops off the building, leaving LadyIce behind who remains perplexed and slow to compose herself. In a few minutes, she shakes her head and opts to chase after the Akuma.

— ⟨Once it's all over, and we do the next patrol, he'll explain EVERYTHING to me.⟩ —thinks LadyIce.

Once the Akuma was defeated and all the damage restored, Adrien had taken a selfie with Philippe.

— This is Philippe from the ice rink, skating with him is a lot of fun. —says Adrien as he writes in the comment of his selfie.

— What a great way to use your fame and influence. —comments Juleka with her hands in the pockets of her dark jeans.

— I think that way Philippe could deal with his previous Akumatization and get people to sign up, —replies Adrien with a smile— and, of course, not lose his ice rink. Sometimes I like to help without having to be Chat Noir.

— How benevolent you are. —comments Juleka with a loving little smile, as she watches Adrien take pleasure in his hard work.

— It's like I said before, the place needs some life, and I'm glad to be able to contribute in this way. —Adrien looks around, watching as children, teenagers and people in general enter the place.

Chapter Text

— The Grand Palais will host the most awaited event! —announces Nadja in the news— The fashion show of designer Gabriel Agreste. The best guests are coming to this event. The mayor of Paris, André Bourgeois, is expected...

During the news, Marinette was busy with the feather bowler hat.

— Believe me Marinette, it's perfect as it is! —says Tikki as she tries to relax her holder.

— Oh Tikki, I don't know... I feel it's the ugliest hat in the world and Adrien will have to model it in front of everyone. He'll hate me all his life! I have zero talent! And everyone will find out about it tonight....

— You're a great designer. Besides, if your hat is ugly, why was it chosen by Gabriel Agreste for his fashion show? —refutes the sissy Kwami.

— But what if people notice that it is a synthetic feather and not a real feather? —Marinette anxiously asks herself— They're going to think it's silly, aren't they?

— You did the right thing by replacing it! —Tikki exclaims with intent to cheer her up, even when her smile seemed a bit forced— With Adrien's allergies, he'd be sneezing all over the runway.

— You are right! —Marinette admits at the memory— Besides, I don't have time to make any more changes. The parade starts in... —she reaches for her cell phone and is immediately horrified to see the time, quickly puts the hat in a box— Oh no! I'll be late, again! Let's go! —Marinette holds her bag open, Tikki quickly flies inside.

The next moment, Marinette could be seen running in a hurry towards the Grand Palais with the box. On the way, a car stops and there was Nadja Chamack talking, Marinette couldn't help but hear from a distance.

— There she is! She's coming. —the reporter speaks to the cameraman— The international queen of fashion, the director of the magazine, Queen of Style, Audrey Bourgeois! —André gets out of the vehicle and opens the door to see a woman with an intricate black and white outfit, a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses over her eyes and shoulder-length blonde hair. Behind her followed Chloé, also wearing her familiar sunglasses over her forehead.

It wasn't long before photographers began snapping pictures of the powerful family but mostly of the woman.

— Anthony-eh-André, —Audrey corrected herself as she turned sideways to the mayor— do me a favor and fire the driver. I can't believe Gabriel allows his employees to drive like that!

— Yeah, me too! —agreed Chloé, grimacing.

— Yes, of course I do, honey. —André agrees, half feeling nervous and rushed in front of the woman who is his wife.

However, Chloé's grimace was more to hide her concern and cast an apologetic glance towards Gorilla, the bodyguard only nods to her briefly with a soft grunt, knowing it's not her fault.

— Oh no! —torments Marinette the moment she learned the woman's identity— It's Audrey Bourgeois!

— Who? —Tikki peeks out of her purse, confused and curious.

— The world's most ruthless fashion critic. —Marinette explains, not looking away, before clutching her head— I didn't know she was coming!

Audrey walks towards the red carpet, already grimacing at the mere sight of it.

— What is this carpet, is it cloth? Why isn't the red carpet made of ivory like I asked! —Audrey turns to Lieutenant Roger— Fired! —Roger frowns indignantly— Ridiculous, totally ridiculous. —the Bourgeois walk down the red carpet.

— She's going to hate my hat! —Marinette exclaims, with extreme anxiety and fear.

— Of course she won't! —Tikki tries to calm her down— Come on, Marinette, Adrien is waiting for you. —Marinette, still feeling terrified, struggles to walk forward again.

Ahead, through a television camera, Nadja could be seen interviewing the Bourgeois.

— Audrey, just like your magazine says. —begins Nadja— If you have good taste, it's in Queen of Style! Tell us, what's tasteful this year?

— Judging by those clothes you're wearing, it's obvious you don't know, my dear. —no hesitation in criticizing Audrey, with Chloé laughing— For your information, this year's trend is glitter.

Peeking behind a wall, Marinette watched as closely as she could to hear the interview.

— Glitter? My hat doesn't have glitter! —she racked with anxiety— This is a fashion disaster!

— As editor Queen of Style, —Nadja continues, despite the insult to her reporter's uniform— you spend a lot of time in New York. It must be nice to spend time with your family in Paris.

— She's so happy to see me! —responds Chloé instead, with joy in her eyes— By the way, Mom, I have something special for you. —with a proud smile, she takes a small gift out of her jacket.

— Clara! —reacts Audrey with impending disgust, but stops in front of the cameras and changes to a softer face— Hey, Chloé... What's this?

— Ah, it's a gift. —replies her daughter, still smiling proudly.

— That wrapping is ridiculous, totally ridiculous. —declares the woman, returning to her original attitude— Farewell!

Chloé's proud smile falters, feeling hurt at her mother's criticism of her gift, as well as trying not to shake her hands at her feelings.

— Honey, please, you can't fire Chloé, she's your daughter! —André interjects, trying to calm things down.

— Madame Audrey, —Nadja speaks again, calling the woman's attention— how long do you plan to stay in Paris?

— As little time as possible. —she doesn't hesitate to make her displeasure clear in her words before leaving, with André and Chloé following her.

— Thank you. —opts to say the reporter and then focuses on the camera— This fashion show could be the most important for Gabriel Agreste because of the presence of Audrey Bourgeois, will the designer who almost never shows his face to the public show up? Stay to find out...!

With Marinette, she was running away from the fashion show, completely terrified, but soon had to stop when Tikki came out of the bag.

— Marinette, where are you going? —questioned the sissy Kwami.

— You heard Audrey Bourgeois, —replies Marinette as she points in the distance behind her— I can't let Adrien model the hat, it has no sparkles, zero trend potential!

Suddenly Nathalie is heard calling her from above, causing Marinette to panic and Tikki to hide again.

— Ah, there you are, Marinette! —the girl couldn't move much because of her fear when Nathalie came closer— Everyone is waiting for you!

— But ah... in fact I ah... —Marinette tries to excuse herself.

— The dressing rooms are this way, it's already late! —demands the secretary as she points to an address.

— Uh... It's all right... —Marinette laughs nervously before running back inside but in the process stumbles.

The hat flies away from Marinette and rolls toward Audrey, touching her shoe. Audrey turns around and Marinette looks up in fear as she sees the woman pick up the hat.

— What is this? —Audrey questions, looking at the hat and turning to Marinette, who freezes as she is caught.

At the same time, Chloé was flipping back and forth between her mother and Marinette, and an evil smile grows on her face as she turns to her mother.

— Mom, this is Marinette Dupain-Cheng, the loser. —she introduces her mother to the mixed-race chinese girl— And she designed that hat, because she thinks she's a designer. —she adds mockingly as she takes the hat to hold it upside down— She even signed it, look.

— I... amm! —tries to speak Marinette, trying to get out of the horror that the blonde millionaire was putting on her— It's not me, it's another Marinette! I just came to deliver it... ah...

— Marinette, let's go. —Nathalie spoke, with Marinette sighing in defeat and then retrieving her hat and running off with her face buried in the hat.

However, without anyone seeing her, Audrey lowers her glasses to look where the Chinese half-breed ran off to. Meanwhile, in the dressing room, Adrien was looking at himself in the mirror and is soon approached by Juleka who fixes his tie a bit, while Plagg floated next to him and eating a piece of cheese.

— I feel strange. —Adrien comments as he looks at the suit he was wearing.

— It's probably because you look ridiculous. —comments Plagg, joking with a cheeky grin and continuing to eat the cheese.

— I'll have to agree with Plagg. —Juleka nods, with a somewhat annoyed look on her face as she pulls the skirt of her intricate and elegant dress with multiple sparkles through the dressing room light— I don't really like this dress. But I guess that's what I have to put up with accompanying you from the bleachers at your fashion shows.

Adrien lets out a sigh as he adjusts his hair and still looking at his reflection, but he also laughs a little.

— Well, at least I'm not the only one who feels uncomfortable, right? —he says, trying to downplay his own situation.

Juleka shrugs as she gives his tie a final touch.

— You just have to look good for a few minutes, and then you can get back to normal. —she reminds him, trying to infuse him with some encouragement— Just go out and have fun looking good, like you do as Chat Noir.

Plagg finishes his piece of cheese and demonstrates— And don't forget not to try to fall off the catwalk, that would be a spectacle.

Adrien smiles slightly at his Kwami's joke as the goth girl giggles at the mental image.

— Oh, just relax kiddo. —exclaims the Kwami as he approaches his holder— Look on the bright side, there will be a nice reward. As soon as the parade is over, there will be a party! —he exclaims, flying in circles in excitement.

Adrien wipes his forehead a little, feeling the tension in the air. The pressure of having to stand out in that world of lights and stares filled him with nerves.

— I guess a party doesn't sound so bad. —he admits, trying to focus on the positive.

Juleka nods, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

— Just take a couple of steps and smile. People aren't here to judge you, they're here to enjoy the show.

— You're right. —Adrien acknowledges, looking confident in his words.

Sometimes it was just a matter of remembering why he was there.

Plagg, excited, stops on his shoulder— Exactly, that's the way to talk! Also, don't forget that, as Chat Noir, you always have the kitty's support.

Juleka smiles at the nickname, though her face reflects a subtle hint of nervousness.

— It's always seemed to me that you shine on stage, Adrien. Just be yourself, at least for those ten minutes of fame.

Adrien watches the sparkle in her eyes, realizing that she was cheering him on the inside, too.

— Thank you, Juleka. It's good to know I'm not alone in this.

The smile on his face becomes more genuine as Juleka and Plagg try to lift his spirits. Suddenly, someone knocks on the dressing room door, interrupting the moment.

— Come in. —Adrien speaks, giving permission.

Plagg immediately flies into a black bag as Marinette enters the dressing room, just as both she and Juleka exchange glances for a few moments before the goth girl averts her gaze unlike the Chinese half-breed who keeps looking at her with shrinking eyes and twisting the brim of her hat.

— ⟨What is she doing here? Why does Adrien have this Gothic girl with him? Why is Juleka wearing that beautiful dress? Why can't it be mine?⟩ —Marinette thinks, feeling a pang of jealousy in her chest as she watches the scene. However, she tries her best to show a smile— Hi, guys! Ready for the parade? —his voice sounds a little higher-pitched than usual.

Adrien, trying to act natural because of the tension between the girls, nods— Yes, almost ready. Just... a little nervous.

— Good! Well... I just, uh... came to deliver-

Suddenly Marinette trips over a loose piece of wood on the floor and was about to fall on Adrien but Juleka caught her in time by grabbing her shoulder, but the hat falls to the ground and the feather comes off.

— I'm sorry... —says Marinette embarrassed and pulling away from Juleka's grip, almost abruptly.

— Don't worry about it. —says Adrien reassuringly as Juleka picks up the hat, only to have it snatched from her hands. Then Adrien picks up the feather and turns to look at the hat— Oh, no. Hopefully it won't be hard to fix. —he hopes, looking to Marinette for help.

— Actually, it doesn't matter anymore. —Marinette replies apologetically— Anyway, this hat is a failure.

— What? Of course not! —replied Adrien, puzzled— Your hat was approved by my father, why would you say that?

— Because... the Queen of Fashion, Audrey Bourgeois, saw it and she sure hates it.

— Is Chloé's mother here? —Juleka asks in surprise.

Marinette once again gives her another piercing look with a million judgmental thoughts before turning her attention back to Adrien.

— I'm sorry, Adrien, I ruined everything, I have no talent whatsoever. Please don't wear it.

Adrien frowns at Marinette's pessimism but, after giving her a smile, takes the pen from her hand.

— Marinette, everything will be fine. I like your hat very much and, as I said, you have my father's approval. Otherwise, I wouldn't have chosen it for myself. Look. —he puts the feather back into the bowler hat and puts it on his head, then walks around the dressing room.

— All fancy in the name of France. —Juleka jokes approvingly, once again receiving a look from Marinette who was about to speak.

Juleka looks back at her with a slight frown, at which point Nathalie approaches, clearing her throat, drawing the teenagers' attention.

— We have to go. —says the secretary shortly before leaving.

Meanwhile, Audrey and Chloé walk down the stairs towards the benches, at the same time, both Marinette and Juleka pass by another entrance with the former walking quickly away. As Juleka heads towards the seats she sees her group waving at her, the goth girl smiles at them and reciprocates the greeting when she hears her cell phone vibrate. Once she takes a seat in the middle of the group, she reaches for her cell phone to see that it was a message from Chloé.

Chloé: what was Dupain-Cheng doing with you? 😠😡😠😡

Juleka: Marinette had given the bowler hat to Adrien, that one who won Gabriel's contest.

Chloé: Well then now it will be a failure~~ ✨ I told my mother about that feathery hat, she will surely loathe it~

— What a decrepit and vile place! —Audrey suddenly exclaims— And I have to share the front row with this riffraff! —still she takes one of the seats— Ridiculous. —she sits between Sabine and Alya— Totally ridiculous.

— That seat is reserved for Marinette. —says Alya in disgust.

— That Marinette girl again. —comments Audrey, annoyed.

— Mrs. Bourgeois. —Nathalie approaches with her familiar bored expression— Monsieur Adreste reserved a seat for you.

— Ah, that's nice. —Audrey gets up, hoping for a VIP section in the first row.

— In the second row. —Nathalie continues, puzzling the woman.

— What?!

— My mother always sits in the front row! —Chloé declares and demands.

— Not today. —says Nathalie, neutrally.

— This is not acceptable! —Audrey is outraged— Gabriel, you can't do this to me! I'm the one who discovered it! If it weren't for me, you'd still be making dead-end designs in your dreary, dismal studio!

— I can offer your seat to someone else if you don't want it. —offers the secretary.

— How dare you? -Audrey is even more indignant— Fired!

— I don't work for you, I work for Mr. Agreste.

— We'll see about that! —exclaims the queen of fashion as she pulls out her cell phone.

At the same time, in the hidden room where Emilie is resting, Gabriel sees that Audrey is calling him but doesn't answer.

— I'm sorry I took so long. But today I feel that my prey has more evil than anyone I've ever akumized. She will be my masterpiece. —he places flowers in his wife's stasis chamber.

Back with Audrey, she only listens to Gabriel's voicemail.

— Leave a message, please. —that just angers Audrey.

— From your expression, I assume I wasn't fired. —Natalie comments, with some amusement despite her neutral expression.

— That's unacceptable! I won't watch a fashion show from the second row! Ever! —Audrey leaves the venue with Chloé following in a hurry.

Once the wife and daughter have left, Nathalie points Marinette to her reserved seat and the Chinese half-breed sits down, feeling a bit uncomfortable from the previous.

— Tell me, my little akumas. —begins HawkMoth as the window opens with the butterflies fluttering in the room— What will be the trend tonight? —one of the butterflies turns into an akuma once the villain fills it with dark energy— Fly my little akuma and maleficia, to this wonderful vile queen!

At the entrance of the Grand Palais, Audrey walks furiously towards the exit, with Chloé and André following her. Suddenly the Akuma enters through one of the windows and possesses her rose, causing the woman to stop walking.

— Mom? —Chloé wonders before gasping and covering her mouth at the sight of the familiar butterfly outline.

— Audrey, honey! —exclaims the mayor in horror.

— Style Queen, I am HawkMoth. —the villain presents himself from his lair— You have been denied the throne that is rightfully yours, as a fashion queen, now you can take your revenge on those fashion disasters who have disrespected you!

— At last someone speaks my language, all will see who the queen is! —at her words, she is enveloped in dark bubbling energy before transforming.

Seeing their mother/wife transformed, both Chloé and André react with a bit of fear.

Back on the catwalk, Adrien is presented walking and parading Marinette's hat, during the catwalk he gives a smile to Juleka with her reciprocating accompanied by the group who also smile and give their compliments among the people who take many photos. In the middle of it all, Marinette is shaking with nervousness.

— Is everything all right? —Alya asks her, a little worried, when suddenly Style Queen materializes in the center of the room.

— A fashion show without its queen? —questions the Akuma, for lack of a better word, indignant— Brilliantly unacceptable!

— Is it normal for this to happen? —asks Tom to his wife, while Marinette glares at the Akuma— I've never been to a fashion show.

— Where is that ungrateful Gabriel Agreste? —continues Style Queen, turning and looking around— I demand that he kneels before me!

— My father is not here. —it was Adrien who answered, backing away from the akumatized woman in front of him.

— Well, if daddy fashion disaster isn't here... —back to the seats, Juleka was already moving— I'll have to settle for Agreste Jr. Fired! —Style Queen shots a gold dust towards Adrien but is suddenly pushed by Juleka and she is turned into a golden statue on the spot.

— Juleka! —exclaim both Adrien and the group, horrified and disturbed, as well as the audience flee in terror.

Adrien remains lying outside the catwalk, not taking his gaze of horror, fear and worry away from the statue that had become Juleka, his confidante and friend, while Style Queen focuses on converting more people. During the commotion, Plagg breaks through the hardened bag and flies towards the blonde model.

— Come on, kiddo, don't you think about gawking at my kitty. —Plagg reneges as he pulls him off the suit's shoulder— You've got work to do, then you can get her back to normal.

— You... You're right... —Adrien is slow to respond before grabbing the Kwami and running off as he stands up.

— You're fired! —she laughs in an evil way at the golden statues, then dissolves into gold dust and materializes in front of André.

— What an atrocious costume! That bug outfit is from last year and leather on leather?!?!?! It's hideous!

— But the yo-yo will be back in style this year. —Ladybug throws his yo-yo who but it goes right through Style Queen's torso.

— What can I say? Sometimes I like to stand out in bad fashion. —Chat Noir jokes as he detaches his outstretched cane and lunges to attack.

— Your sizes are a little small to ever beat me. —rejoices Style Queen as she grabs the yo-yo string and spins hard to hurl Ladybug at the catlike hero.

— It really is impossible to find good employees these days. —Chloé slowly turns around with some trepidation towards her akumatized mother as she finds herself in the Eiffel Tower— You're fired!

— No! —Chloé made the effort to cover herself only to become a golden statue.

Chat Noir reacts to the event, his eyes shrinking at the internal pain... first Juleka, then Chloé.... His head droops as Ladybug focuses on the Akuma.

— Ladybug, Chat Noir! Hand over those horrible earrings and ring and let's get it over with! —Ladybug responds by piercing her with the yo-yo, again— Still not getting it, eh, fashion victim? I'm invincible! —Style Queen shoots glitter beams with Ladybug taking Chat Noir behind one of the metal beams— My power is matched only by my fashion sense. I am invincible!

— Lucky Charm! —Ladybug's power summons a sledgehammer— A hammer? What am I supposed to do with this? —she is attacked again by glitter beams, throws the yo-yo again, to no avail.

— Don't you understand? You can't beat me. —Style Queen pulls the yo-yo off her body and kicks Ladybug— How can you beat me if you can't touch me? —she laughs in an evil way.

Ladybug grabs the mallet again, trying to come up with a plan until she regains a memory— Of course! Chat Noir, distract her! —she swings away.

Marinette breaks into Master Fu's massage store.

— Master Fu! I can't beat Style Queen! And Chat Noir is being useless! Lucky Charm told me to come here.

— I see... —reflects the old man, apart from worrying about the statement against the cat hero.

Master Fu approaches the phonograph and places his thumbs on the dragon heads. The code keypad appears and after entering the code, he pulls out the Miraculous Box and places it in front of Marinette.

— Marinette Dupain-Cheng, choose an ally to fight alongside you in this mission. —all the drawers of the chest open and reveal the current eighteen Miraculous being stored inside— Think about it, these powers are to serve the greater good. When the mission is over you will have to return the Miraculous.

— Hmm... —Marinette thinks about her selection, looking at each Miraculous— I need someone who can immobilize my opponent.

— And have you thought of anyone yet, Marinette? —asks Master Fu.

Marinette answers, picking up a comb with a bee design— I know just the person.

Ladybug is rushing across the rooftops. And at the same time, at the Eiffel Tower, Alya is running up and up the stairs, filming along the way.

— Alya! —calls the sissy heroine and clinging to the rafters by the stairs— Don't get too close to Style Queen, it's too dangerous.

— I won't get the scoop if I'm not where the action is, Ladybug. —says Alya, with LadyWifi motivating her in her mind.

Ladybug stifles an exasperated sigh at her friend— Well then, I've got a scoop for you. —opens the little Miraculous Box, as Alya continues filming— Alya Césaire, I bestow upon you the Bee Miraculous, it will give you the power of Subjection, and you will use it for the greater good.

— What! —exclaims the blogger with glee but also surprise, accustomed to that of the fox.

However, Style Queen materializes out of nowhere— Ladybug! You're past your prime, give up! —she shoots a beam of golden dust.

— Watch out! —Alya pushes Ladybug out of the way, and she is turned into a golden statue.

Ladybug rolls down the stairs to a turning step as the small Miraculous Box falls from her hands and out of the Eiffel Tower, Ladybug turns to look in dismay at the box disappearing from her sight.

— No!

Ladybug uses her vision and looks around, only a French flag stands out. She grabs it and smudges it on the side of the flag with the glue from her second Lucky Charm, but Style Queen appears behind her again.

— You're running away, Ladybug!

— Not this time! —Ladybug replies as she twirls the flag around her.

They both run towards each other, Ladybug dodges more gold bolts and eventually she passes the flag through Style Queen with the glued side is covered in gold dust...

— Glue diet? Ha! How original. But I'm still going to, oh... —she interrupts herself as she realizes how much of her abdomen is missing.

— What's wrong with you? —Ladybug mocks— Does your stomach hurt?

— How dare you, I'll squash you like the disgusting bug you are! —the Akuma pushes Ladybug in the back and she falls down— You're no match for Style Queen, poor Ladybug! Soon you'll be just a bad memory, like the shoulder pads!

— Stay away from Ladybug! —Chat Noir's shout breaks the scene, appearing between the metal beams and launching a double kick.

Although the attack went right through the akumatized girl, the shock was enough to send her stumbling backwards and tripping over the steps.

— Chat Noir?! —Ladybug is surprised to see her partner.

— Well, well, what have we here? —begins to mock Style Queen as she steadies herself— Back for more, fashion monster?

— Meow, and you lack style. —despite the joke, the smile was sharp and the eyes shrunk in a frenzy— Cataclysm! —in the ringed hand, black energy is charged with great power.

As revenge for her confidant and pseudo-sister, she touches the beams of the Eiffel Tower causing the tower itself and its base to crumble and with it the top of the tower falls down, debris falls on Style Queen. Although the debris did not do anything to the akumatized woman as it passed through her, Chat Noir's mind seemed to be projecting something else...

Ladybug wastes no time in finding the clothes and tearing them, releasing the Akuma butterfly.

— No more evil for you, little Akuma, it's time to end the evil! —after doing a few turns with the yo-yo, she captures the akuma— Gotcha! —then opens it for the white butterfly to fly away— Goodbye little butterfly.

After performing the Miraculous Ladybug, the swarm of energy ladybugs fixes the Eiffel Tower before it completely fell down and returning everyone who was turned into statues back to normal, Chloé looks around before running off in search of her mother apart from giving Alya a shove as soon as she ran into her.

— What am I doing here? —Audrey asks herself— You're fired!

— Pound it. —Chat Noir and Ladybug fist bump, and the cat hero is ready to leave.

— Chat Noir? —Ladybug calls her— What happened back there?

— Nothing, just... a big personal tragedy. —Chat Noir answers without looking at her, then propels himself with his staff.

Ladybug frowns, having expected him to say more but only sees him walking off into the distance.

Gabriel appears from the elevator on the floor. On his design control panel, Nathalie was calling him and he accepted the call.

— Sir, I'm taking a big risk today, especially with Adrien involved.

— If I could tell Adrien why I'm doing this... —Gabriel looks at Emilie's painting behind him— he would understand.

Ladybug runs behind a wall and detransforms, turning back into Marinette and Tikki flying out of the earring.

— Marinette, aren't you forgetting something? —Tikki worriedly asks— You have to return the Miraculous to Master Fu!

— But Ladybug's magic must have taken it, didn't it? —at Marinette's assumption, Tikki shakes her head— Wait, if it's not so! Then, I lost a Miraculous! I have to go back to the Eiffel Tower right now! Hurry Tikki! —runs but bumps into her father.

— Marinette, there you are! We've been looking for you all over the Grand Palais. Honey, are you all right?

— Yes, I'm fine, thanks to Ladybug I'm not a glittering statue anymore.

— What are we going to do without Ladybug? —Sabine wonders in wonder.

— Finally we can watch the fashion show and see the success of our daughter and her amazing hat.

— I actually have to... —Marinette tries to excuse herself and go to the Eiffel Tower, but her father stops her.

— No, you will go! Don't miss the beginning. —Tom starts pushing his daughter back to the Grand Palais, accompanied by his wife.

— Don't worry, Tikki. —Marinette whispers softly into her purse— No one will find the box. We'll go after the parade. —Tikki complains silently.

Back at the Eiffel Tower, Audrey and Chloé continue down the stairs.

— Remind me to tell your father to fire the person in charge of the Eiffel Tower elevators. This is unacceptable, totally unacceptable.

— Yes, Mom.

At one point, Chloé felt her shoe hit something, looking down she sees that it turns out to be the small Miraculous Box. Chloé raises an eyebrow as she picks it up, throws a quick glance at her mother before putting the box away.

Later, the ride home was filled with complaints. Chloé went blank, thinking between “The disrespect they showed me today” and “Collette had the audacity to betray me. Was she even trying to help me?” She gritted her teeth and turned away. With great relief, Chloé got out of the limo as it pulled up to the hotel. Was it childish to avoid her mother by running off to her room? Yes. Later that day, Chloé is sitting on her bed with the little Miraculous Box in her hands, nothing caught her attention. Being the daughter of the Queen of Fashion, she prided herself on knowing the best brands of any fashion item, including, of course, jewelry. The design of the top, a nearly symmetrical pattern of crisscrossing red lines, was unfamiliar to her.

If she didn't recognize it, it meant it was a small, emerging brand, or just something of poor quality. Or, of course, it could be a foreign brand. She only knew European and American brands.

Dubitatively, she turned the box over. It had no markings other than the stamping. Chloe sighed. She must have picked up some trash off the floor. Knowing her luck, the box would even be empty.

When she opened it her mouth dropped open.

Instead of being empty or containing cheap plastic, a beautiful comb was stored inside. It looked like gold, with evenly spaced fingers and no chips. The best part, however, was the decoration.

At the top, a finely detailed bee adorned the figure. While the body was simple, just two circles joined with black and yellow stripes and an all-black head, the wings were not. They had thin lines running through them and thin walls that reminded him of the base of a jewel. The walls created the illusion of a real bee's wing and helped the gems sparkle and shine.

Looking at the comb again, she dipped a finger in to feel the wings. Could she add this to her closet? Maybe if she changed her clothes a little...

When her finger made contact the comb began to glow, Chloé's body was already in action as she panicked and ran away and then covered herself on the other side of the bed, soon the sphere of energy was unraveling to reveal a Kwami with similarities of a bee such as a fur around the neck, black limbs and antennae, triangular maracas on the forehead and head and a sting. Said Kwami lets out a quick yawn and begins to stretch her legs a bit but giving a bored look.

When she was called into action, she expected some commotion during the fight against the Akuma, introduce herself to the temporary holder along with a summary about her powers and transformation. And once it would all be over, she would return back to the Mother Box to who knows how long, maybe years or months if the universe decided to be generous to her.

However, her bored look soon disappears as she notices three things:

One, there is no commotion and no rush to defeat the villain by being completely silent.

Two, although it should be the first, she is in a luxury room which she couldn't help but marvel at the technology of the future, or modern for this time.

And three, there is no holder present or in sight.

— ⟨Okay, looks like something is going on and I'm not hearing about it.⟩ —thinks the Kwami bee as she begins to float around the room with a buzz, inspecting to see if the chosen holder is present.

Because, being honest, anyone would be frightened by the emergence of a Kwami. Soon, her search ended little as she found Chloé hiding at the side of the bed and heard the buzzing sounds as she turned to see the Kwami bee, her eyes widening wider in surprise.

Better to start with something to calm her down.

— Forgive me for coming up with such methods, but I promise— —the Kwami is interrupted by Chloé's scream.

— A giant, adorable, talking bug! —she reacts in panic and reaches for something as a weapon, in this case, a pillow.

The Kwami Bee dodges the thrown pillow by floating to the side, as well as clutching her antennae as if it were covering her ears from the screams.

This needs another approach.

— Specifically, I'm a bee. —she clarifies between screams, continuing to dodge pillows and various shoes. It seems this room retains the tradition of possessing an infinite number of shoes— I'm here to help, whatever the situation.

— Situation?! —Chloé exclaims as she is about to throw an almost golden-yellow teddy bear, which she immediately regrets as she gently sets it down on the bed. Then she turns her attention back to the Kwami— In case you can't see, I'm talking to some kind of giant, deadly, talking and strangely adorable insect in front of me! How can you help me with that!

— I am a bee. —the Kwami corrects again calmly, also understanding her state of mind— Well, to answer your question, I am a Kwami. I have the task of providing support and allowing my holder to transform, which would be you.

Chloé is speechless for a few moments, processing the information she was given.

— Wait, so you're saying that comb is a Miraculous?

— Yes. —nods the Kwami before floating back to the box and picking up the comb, then returning to face Chloé— Like all Miraculous, it will allow you to transform once you say the transformation phrase and go fight the Akumas.

Chloé blinks a couple of times, clearly she could store that information in her head but what stopped her from talking were those memories where she was once a fan of Ladybug and dreamed of also becoming a heroine and fighting by her side or, if we go to far-fetched, transforming into a new Ladybug. Now it turns out that she already has that possibility she once wished for but now...

— ⟨Bees are much better than sissies.⟩ —says a voice in her mind, being the faker called Antibug, but Chloé didn't argue— If it is, then fine, and who are you supposed to be? I mean, —she interrupted before the bee Kwami could get a word in edgewise— what kind of Kwami are you? What are your powers?

— Oh, if you ask about my concept, I am the representation of subjugation and order. —responds the Kwami politely and obediently with a paw on her chest, smiling with a certain pride— As for my power, Venom, it is to freeze the opponent once you attack them with your weapon. They will stay that way until you undo the transformation.

Chloé murmurs contemplatively, while taking the Kwami's comb.

— It certainly sounds much better than that Lucky Charm, that is, opting for the more direct option than those intricate solutions. —then she turns again to the Kwami— What else?

— Mm? —the bee Kwami tilts her head sideways— Excuse me?

— You heard me, do you have any other power or is that all? —questions Chloé with a slightly annoyed look as she rests her hands against her hips, although she really can't help not wanting to be annoyed with this cute thing.

— Oh, —the bee Kwami straightens her head— I wish I could tell you, but I'm not allowed to reveal such information. —she replies with some sadness as she averts her gaze.

— It's ridiculous, completely ridiculous. —Chloé's words catch the Kwami's attention, being loaded with anger when she saw her sad— I found your Miraculous because the incompetent Ladybug lost it, now it belongs to me and you will tell me and do as I say. —exclaims the blonde millionaire in turn as she puts the comb in her hair, reaffirming her own words.

— ⟨Really~?⟩ —the bee Kwami asks herself mentally, with a smile growing inside her before approaching Chloé and bowing her head in reverence— Then, let me introduce myself. I am Pollen and I am more than happy to be at your service, my queen.

Chloé's face softens and she smiles in pleasure at the Kwami's words.

Chapter Text

— We are live from the Grand Palais Museum. I am Nadja Chamack. Mr. Agreste's fashion show had to be delayed as the queen of fashion, Audrey Bourgeois was akumatized. But everything was back to normal, after Ladybug and Chat Noir heroically saved the day, as usual. The fashion show can finally start!

In the basement, Gabriel watched the news on his cell phone before sighing and turning off his cell phone and putting it in his pocket.

— I don't want to break the promise, but I can't keep exposing our son. —he speaks to his unconscious wife in stasis— Style Queen was going to be my masterpiece, but she failed too. I want you to know that I have done my best. I can never get my wish without Ladybug and Chat Noir's Miraculous. —then he pushes the button and the stasis chamber is covered— Forgive me, Emilie... Nooroo, I release you.

Gabriel removes the clasp, causing Nooroo to return to his Miraculous and puts it in a silver box. With that done, he exits the basement via the elevator, as the lights go out one by one. Once back in the living room of his mansion, he sits down in a chair and takes off his glasses to rub his eyes in lamentation. Nathalie, noticing the state of her boss, gives him a hug from behind.

During the fashion show at the Grand Palais, the lights dance around the room as Adrien walks down the runway and strikes various poses, Juleka and her group give the model several smiles as celebrations and especially Kim when not controlling some comments and celebrations such as raising his fists in the air, forcing Alix to shut him up. During the fashion show, Chloé, despite abhorring the bowler hat created by Marinette, could not help but smile with a certain pride.

— I have the scoop! —Alya exclaims silently as she is filming live on her cell phone for Ladyblog— Adrien Agreste's hat was designed by my best friend. Marinette, any words for my live broadcast? —then she turns to point at Marinette who waves at Alya's phone laughing nervously.

Alya smiles but pauses in a gasp of dumbfoundedness. Marinette turns in the same direction and gasps in shock as the audience watches the fashion show. Audrey folds her arms in disgust as both Chloé and Adrien turn around in surprise to see Gabriel walking down the runway towards Adrien and stops. Adrien stands there in disbelief, taking off his hat as his father pulls him in for a hug. Adrien, arms shaking, wraps his arms around his father as he holds the hat. The paparazzi start snapping pictures of Adrien and his father.

— I can't believe it Ladybloguers, I've got great news! That's Gabriel Agreste, he hasn't been out in public for years, it's unbelievable! —Audrey uncrosses her arms and pulls her sunglasses down with her finger and Chloé was slow to mimic the gesture as she came out of her own disbelief, Alya and Marinette stand up excitedly— Scoop number 2, Gabriel Agreste has just arrived, and it means that we will see your hat in all the pictures and on all the news!

At the same time, Nadja was also making news of the event.

— This appearance was Monsieur Agreste's first since his wife disappeared, this Fashion Week is full of surprises.

Having calmed down a bit from the excitement, Gabriel separates from his son and walks down the catwalk to join Audrey while their respective children accompany them.

— Manquer Audrey. —Gabriel greets her politely, despite his lack of expression— I heard about the terrible misfortune you must have endured. —Audrey responds by extending her hand towards him, Gabriel, still conversing his polite attitude, kisses the back of her gloved hand.

Audrey shakes her hand— I still feel so overwhelmed.

— I want you to know that I fired the person responsible for the misunderstanding. —Gabriel continues— There's only one proper row for Audrey Bourgeois, and that's the first one. —he smiles at her.

— Well, let's not exaggerate, shall we, Gabriel? —says Audrey with a delighted smile.

— Did you enjoy the fashion show? —the designer decides to ask.

— More or less. —Audrey responds without much detail when she sees the hat Adrien is wearing and takes it off his head when Marinette and her parents approach— This hat is not a Gabriel Agreste. Are you responsible for this? —she turns to Marinette.

Marinette looks at her parents as her dad gives her a thumbs up, Chloé frowns at her and crosses her arms.

— Be proud. —Adrien whispers to Marinette as she nods her head.

— I-I... I, I was the one who created it. —Marinette smiles nervously.

— Marinette won a fashion design contest, run by me. —Gabriel adds, increasing Marinette's nerves a bit.

Audrey lifts her glasses to take a closer look at the hat— It's the most... —she pauses as Chloé waits expectantly for the destructive rejection— Exceptional I've seen in a long time! —Chloé's mouth drops at the positive note, unable to believe it, as does Marinette who gasps in amazement— You're a visionary, Marinette! The glow had its moment. —Audrey raises her arms as she expresses her approval as well as a teasing note— Feathers are the trend of tomorrow. Only one other designer has ever made me feel as much... —the queen looks at Gabriel— as much as you.

— Yes, she has talent. —the designer nods in agreement as he looks at Marinette.

— You want to be a fashion designer, don't you? —Audrey asks Marinette, leaning in close to her.

— A-Ah... y... Yes, ma'am. —Marinette says nervously.

Then Audrey puts the hat back on Adrien— Well come to New York with me, I'll make you the biggest name in fashion, you'll surely outshine Gabriel.

— And I could model for you. —Adrien adds with a smile as he looks at Marinette.

During all the praise from the bakers, Gabriel, Adrien, HER mother... Chloé felt that this was not right. NOTHING WAS RIGHT AT ALL. Chloé's shoulders began to shake and her head was drooping. She was supposed to be proud of her daughter. Chloé was supposed to be the most exceptional thing in this rat-infested city. Can't you see her? She dresses like her in her youth!!! The glasses!!! The ponytail!!! The sky-colored eye shadow!!! WHY DO YOU SEE THIS HARASSING AND LUNATIC IN POWER ABOVE YOUR OWN DAUGHTER!!!?!! However, hearing that she would take DUPAIN-CHENG to New York was the last straw. Chloé looks up and focuses her gaze on her mother and Marinette, but especially the latter with a murderous look that, despite having worn it for years, now has pain ingrained within her and charged with hatred.

— This... is ridiculous, ridiculously ridiculous! —Chloé shouts her discontent as she approaches her mother— I've never been to New York with you, but you want to take Marinette Dupain-Cheng?!

— I'm taking her because she's exceptional, “Chloder...”! Chloé! —replies Audrey.

— I'm exceptional too! —Chloé sniffles with growing tears welling up in her eyes.

— The only thing exceptional about you, my dear, —Audrey looks at her nails with boredom— is your mother.

Juleka and her group approach concerned seeing Chloé's expression, the goth girl exchanges glances with Adrien who was just as worried.

— You wouldn't really say that. —André makes an effort to end the discussion and grab Chloé by the shoulder, but she pushes him away.

Chloé looks angrily at her mother as she waves her hands, ready to pull out the Bee's Miraculous but... her hand stops abruptly as a thought comes to her....

Is it really worth it?

Chloé wanted to convince herself that yes, it was worth it to seek to have her mother recognize her for what she is, for who she is but... doubts and conflict invade her to the point that her angry face falters badly along with tears growing but not falling.

- I-I... I-I am... —Chloé's voice cracks.

— Let me make something clear to you, “Cindy.” —Audrey leans down to look her in the eye, not bothering to correct herself and smiling cruelly at her— You're worthless, and why? Because you were only born to make your parents more famous.

N-No... that can't be true...

Chloé's doubts and conflicts increase in great power, she turns quickly to her father looking for help... but she only sees André avoiding eye contact with a grimace of recognition.

N-No... no... no... no, nonononononoNONONONONONONO NO! IT CAN'T BE TRUE!!! I REFUSE TO ACCEPT IT!!!!

Chloé's mind felt cracked, her shoulders began to shake and she didn't have much time left before bursting into tears. She slowly turns to her group, her hive, and they look equally dumbfounded or in shock with Sabrina covering her mouth at the horror of such a revelation. Unable to resist any longer, Chloé flees away as the tears are already flowing.

— Chloé! —Adrien and most of the group call out to her.

Sabrina didn't hesitate to run off after her friend, shortly followed by Kim, Alix, Max, Juleka and Nathaniel. Adrien was ready to go with them but...

— Adrien, stop. —the model boy stops abruptly at his father's order, with Gabriel having kept his gaze on Chloé at all times— You don't need to go with them.

— B-But, but Chloé—

— No. You will not go for Chloé. —Gabriel commands, crossing his arms behind his back.

Adrien feels a knot in his mind, as if something was preventing him from being able to counter his father's order, but the concern for his pseudo-sister was growing in his chest. He knew that Chloé needed support, that she could not be alone in this dark moment. Gabriel's voice, however, weighed like a rock in the air. Adrien's hands clenched as his mouth twitched.

— Y—

— Adrien! Come on! —Juleka's call from the distance interrupts him.

Adrien feels frustration welling up in his chest. He wants to run after Chloé, but the authoritarian figure of his father stops him. It's a tug-of-war between his heart and the need to obey.

— Why does it always have to be like this? —he asks himself, but there is no answer.

A tense silence settles between him and Gabriel, where only the faint echo of his friends' footsteps chasing Chloé can be heard. Rage bubbles up inside him, and for a moment he thinks about how everything could be different when...

CRACK

— Yes, I'm coming! —he shouts in response, starting to run to catch up with his goth friend.

Gabriel watches him go in surprise, he swings his arms to look at his double ring with only one question on his mind.

— ⟨How did it not work?⟩

Unbeknownst to him, a pair of feline green eyes watched him from above before walking away. Back with Chloé, she was running down the halls with no direction, tears cascading down and never managing to brush them away no matter how much she wanted to. At one point she trips and hits the hard floor, but the pain barely registers in her mind when she notices that the bee comb went flying a few feet away from her, Chloé hastily crawls over to get the jewel and sit in a fetal position with the comb against her chest.

She doesn't understand how everything could change so quickly. The familiar faces of her classmates fade around her, becoming a sea of indifference. She feels like an imposter in her own life. Audrey's voice still echoes in her mind, and her breathing becomes erratic. She covers her mouth with her hand to stifle a sob. No one can understand what she feels. Although her friends try to reach out to her, Chloé's world seems to crumble. She hears their voices from afar, but cannot accept them. In her mind, the only thing that matters is the truth that has been revealed to her: she is nothing more than an accessory to make others more famous. And in part, it's true... Who wouldn't want to support a famous mother in the fashion industry or like to see a mayor take care of her daughter? Her thoughts suffocate her.

What would happen if she simply disappeared, what impact would that have on the lives of others?

For a few moments, she clings to that notion as she tries to regain her breath and composure. Finally, she gets up to sit on the floor, again trying to wipe away her tears. Then she pulls out her compact mirror that she used to use for makeup but now only focuses on her reflection in the mirror, face fuzzy and eyes red. She feels distant, as if a stranger is staring back.

— Pollen... —she calls to her Kwami as she puts on her comb, summoning her from the Miraculous— Why did this have to happen to me?

— I don't know, my queen, but I am here with you, always. —Pollen responds sorrowfully, saddened by the state of her carrier before moving a little closer with soft humming sounds and tenderly rubbing Chloé's cheek.

Chloé closes her eyes for a moment, seeking comfort in Pollen's touch.

— Everything was so perfect before... —she murmurs, her voice barely a whisper.

A sob assaults her, Chloé feels the weight of the expectations, of the looks she once adored. Now, those same looks crush her. She wants to be strong, but the fragility of her heart is palpable. Who is she without her family, without her mother's backing for her fashion criticism or her father's power over Paris? Practically no one. She used to be proud of her influence as the mayor's daughter, taking advantage of it to get her way, and now... she feels empty. Notoriety no longer protects her, it only exposes her to a world that is now hostile to her. She thinks back to the days when glamour filled her life. The red carpets, the camera flashes, and the admiration. But that image seems more and more like a mirage. Chloé looks at Pollen, at that little yellow figure she barely acquired.

— Who am I without all that? —she asks, her voice cracking.

Pollen, her voice soft and steady, tells her:

— You are more than a title, my queen. You are brave, strong inside, even if you don't feel it now.

The words of her kwami are a small balm that tries to heal his wounds. Outside, life goes on, as if everything were normal. But for her, nothing is. She feels absorbed by a deep longing for belonging, for a place where she can be seen for who she really is, not just for what she represents.

— ⟨What if I can't go back to who I was?⟩ —echoes in her mind, a question that has no clear answer.

She takes a deep breath, trying to calm the emotional whirlwind that surrounds her. Almost as if it were instinct after so many years, she tries to wipe away her tears as she pulls out her compact mirror to replenish her makeup but the moment she looks in the mirror, she sees a devastated Chloé, fragile, teary eyes with eyeliner smudged on her cheeks, trembling lips and... pathetic.

Chloé frowns in disgust, SHE is not a fixture unlike who she sees in the reflection, and rage grows inside her. She stands up forcefully and throws the mirror against the floor, as if it were trash. She is not pathetic. She wipes the eyeliner smudges with a handkerchief, she is too proud to break down like that. Audrey's hurtful words still echo in her mind, but Chloé doesn't care anymore. How dare she say WHO she is?

Did Chloé dare “betray” her when Audrey was akumatized? Yes, she did, but now she will betray her for real.

Determination is gaining ground in her heart. Chloé takes a deep breath, and with each inhalation, she feels confidence return to her chest. She fixes her hair, starting with removing the garter to get rid of her signature ponytail, an action so simple but loaded with meaning for her. She fixes her golden hair falling over her shoulders and down to the middle of her back, and uses the comb to hold a lock of hair in a small ponytail. Not noticing that the Miraculous changed shape into that of two hair sticks, unlike Pollen who did notice and smiled pleased and proud. Chloé heads for the door, ready to face the world once again.

— Pollen, Buzz On. —Chloé pronounces, her voice firm and determined.

Pollen bows her head obediently, allowing himself to be absorbed by the Miraculous. Meanwhile, elsewhere in the Grand Palais, Adrien, Juleka and their group gather in concern, especially Sabrina as she looks fearful of Chloé's condition.

— Has anyone found her? —Adrien asks worriedly.

— No. —replies Alix, a bit upset that she hasn't seen Chloé.

— I'm afraid not. —Nathaniel denies, as do Kim and Max.

Sabrina bites her lip, her mind full of dark thoughts. Where could Chloé be? The image of her friend in the state she left her in flashes before her, and a knot forms in her stomach.

— We have to look for her. —she insists, her voice a little louder than usual.

— We can't let something bad happen. —says Juleka, clenching her fists slightly.

— Chloé has always been strong. —Kim adds, a small remnant of that old love for the blonde.

But Sabrina is not convinced, and her anxiety only grows. She feels caught between hope and fear. Every moment that passes without news of Chloé feels like an eternity.

— Maybe Chloé ran back to Le Grand Paris hotel, I think we should meet her there. —Max proposes, suggesting a plan of action that barely calms the others.

Sabrina nods, but her mind still revolves around Chloé. She can't bear the thought that something has happened to her.

— Well, Juleka and I will go ahead. —Adrien announces, determined— I need to talk to her.

— Yeah, she'll really need a talk. —agreed Alix.

Adrien immediately rushes out with Juleka getting ready to take off her dress to follow him, having had short jeans, mid-heeled shoes and a black sleeveless shirt underneath, Sabrina hurries to follow them. Also wanting to be with Chloé, as her heart races. She feels a pang of worry. She's her friend, and she's willing to do whatever it takes to bring her back.

— Chloé, please. —she whispers almost in a prayer— I need you to be okay.

With that determination, the three of them move almost at a run towards the exit. As soon as they leave the Grand Palais, they head straight for the hotel in a hurry, through the streets of the city. Sabrina looks around, searching for a sign, any clue that might lead them to Chloé. The murmur of people around her mingles with her restless thoughts.

— Why hasn't she answered her phone? —Sabrina asks aloud, her anxiety turning to fear.

— Her battery may have died. —Juleka tries to reassure her, but the worry in her voice is evident.

There is no comfort in that idea. Adrien walks beside her, trying to stay on course, but his gaze reflects the same anguish. Each step they take towards the hotel seems like a small advance and, at the same time, an eternity. The distance lengthens in her mind, during her run, she ended up stumbling in the middle of the street after stepping wrongly. Sabrina grunts at the pain as she tries to get up but feels a pain in her ankle, she didn't bend it but she wasn't very used to running so hard. However, as if to make matters worse, a car approached with speed and catching a glimpse of Sabrina injured, the driver is shocked and hits the brakes but the vehicle didn't seem to stop anytime soon.

— Sabrina! —Adrien and Juleka panic as the orange redhead remained frozen in fear.

In the final moments, just as the vehicle was a few feet away, the familiar yo-yo sound sounds as an object wraps around Sabrina's torso and immediately pulls her out of harm's way, Juleka and Adrien sigh in relief as the car finally braked in the middle of the crosswalk.

— Thanks, Ladyb— —he was saying as he raised his head, expecting to see Ladybug on the rooftops.

But instead, he saw someone completely different in everything, instead of a ladybug theme it was a bee theme and instead of being on the rooftops he was flying, but without that power-up that allows one to fly in space but actually flying.

But instead, he saw someone completely different in everything, instead of a ladybug theme it was a bee theme and instead of being on the rooftops he was flying, but without that enhancer that allows one to fly in space but flying...

(Edit from @LOVESTAR23)

— Here there is no lady, but the new queen and superior of Paris. —begins to proclaim the new bee heroine with a smile, holding Sabrina with the rope of a spinning top— Queen bee.

She then descends to lower the orange redhead gently to the pavement while releasing her from her spinning top, Juleka soon approaching Sabrina and checking if she was okay and the other nodding. Both Adrien and the driver were still looking at the new heroine in surprise, the new self-proclaimed Queen Bee still descending with her bee wings until she hit the ground and she gives the driver a hard look.

— What were you supposed to be doing? —she criticizes, leaning towards the man despite the age difference— Didn't you see that there was someone in the middle of the street? Are you blind or what?

— It's just that... I was... —the driver tries to excuse himself— something came up on my cell phone and...

— Ridiculous, —interrupts Queen Bee in a scathing but calm voice, unaware that Sabrina's attention was drawn to the familiar phrase— pathetically, predictably, ridiculous. Next time, use your eyes better, it's simple advice. Someone's life depends on it. Meanwhile, where were your priorities?

Adrien looks at the new heroine with a mixture of admiration and confusion. She looks nothing like the Ladybug he knows. Juleka, who is trying to help Sabrina stand up, still kept her attention on Queen Bee, who keeps directing her gaze at the driver as if she could force him to meditate on his own irresponsibility.

— I don't want to see you here again. —she says firmly, watching him get back into his vehicle and drive away. Then, as if that rudeness had never been there, she turns to the three of them with a sweet smile— Don't worry anymore, it's all your queen's duty to take care of her subjects, so—

— ¿... Chloé? —Sabrina interrupts, half hopeful and half surprised, freezing Queen Bee on the spot— Is that you?

The new bee heroine remains still and silent, her expression frozen before disappearing into a new one as she turns to Sabrina.

— You're not supposed to know who I am! —she retorts, lunging at Sabrina and rubbing her knuckle against her head— I bothered looking and killing myself looking good with those cheesy phrases, but along comes your big mouth and destroys everything!

Even though Sabrina was being abused as she felt the knuckle rubbing against her head, she couldn't help but laugh at the complaints of the now revealed Chloé who also smiles playfully, meanwhile, both Adrien and Juleka felt astonished.

— Chloé! —they exclaimed, drawing the blonde girl's attention.

Juleka was the first to approach, still feeling her mind exploding— Did you really...? But how did you... When?

— Did you really get a Miraculous? —asks Adrien, too surprised to see his pseudo-sister as a new superheroine.

— Yes! Of course I did, I even got it just today. —smiles Queen Bee proudly and excitedly, while playing with her new spinning top, which is supposed to be her superhero weapon— Besides, what I said before is purely true. I've come to surpass Ladybug, and I'm not going to stop.

Both Adrien and Juleka blink a couple of times, with the former looking his pseudo-sister almost up and down. In a way I could see her idea, sharing the insect theme but relying more on that of a bee than a ladybug, a single ponytail or ponytail instead of two ponytails, a spinning top instead of yo-yo, a slightly more detailed costume instead of simplistic and not forgetting the detail of the bee wings unlike Ladybug who has none, it's almost inevitable to compare.

— But do you really think you can outdo Ladybug? —asks Juleka, still a bit incredulous.

Queen Bee doesn't hesitate to answer— Of course I do, who needs to be like Ladybug when I can be better? —replies Queen Bee, smiling mischievously— With this, I'll be the heroine Paris needs. —her voice is full of excitement, almost electrifying.

Adrien watches her with a mixture of admiration and concern.

— Just wait a moment. It's great that you have a Miraculous, but it's not as easy as it looks. Ladybug has been around a lot longer than you have—

— Don't underestimate me, Adrien! —Queen Bee interrupts, raising her voice a little higher than she intended. Then she calms down, taking a deep breath— I want to be known now for more than my whims and my selfishness, especially proving my pathetic mother wrong. —that last she mutters after averting her gaze, with a look charged with hatred.

Adrien and Juleka look at each other worriedly as Sabrina looks worriedly at her friend but soon Queen Bee looks back at them with a smile.

— Anyway, I've wasted enough time with you guys, I'd better start a patrol. —she jokes as she begins to fly as her bee wings began to buzz and lift her into the air— I'll see you later this afternoon and I might tell you something interesting.

The three watched her fly away and waited in silence for a few minutes before Juleka spoke again.

— Well, I think this went better than expected. —gave her observation the gothic girl, somewhat relieved that Chloé hadn't akumatized.

Adrien nodded, still thinking about the words Queen Bee had spoken. It was clear that she was determined, however, the worry did not go away.

— I hope she's careful. —he commented, breaking the silence.

He couldn't help but worry about what might happen if Queen Bee faced an enemy without the necessary experience. The experiences he'd had at Ladybug's side had taught him that being a hero was more complex than it looked.

Juleka nodded, aware of the risks— Let's hope she learns quickly. —she said, crossing her arms.

— Maybe we should follow up, just to make sure she's okay. —suggested Sabrina, looking up at the sky where Queen Bee had disappeared.

— Maybe you should talk to her. —Juleka whispered to Adrien before starting to walk.

She took out her cell phone and sent a message to the group chat, confirming that Chloé was okay, while Sabrina decided to go to the hotel to wait for Chloé's return. The idea that Queen Bee had support could be comforting, especially if things got complicated. Adrien smiled at his goth friend's subtle suggestion before approaching a place to hide and transform into Chat Noir.

And maybe it would be good to let Ladybug know about it.

— Marinette, are you even listening to yourself? —Tikki asks, concerned and surprised.

— I mean, I think it's a kind of karma for what Chloé has done to me for years. —Marinette replies, somewhat thoughtfully and convinced of her own words, as she walks through the corridors of the Grand Palais.

— Marinette! —the sissy Kwami reacts, shocked as she emerges from the purse— This is a very serious situation! We're talking about trauma that could last for years or decades! Do you know the kind of Akumas that could be caused by this?!

— Yeah... —Marinette reconsiders with a slight frown— Audrey should have told her the truth in a less cruel way than she did.

Tikki is once again shocked by her host's reasoning, while her frustration grows. Unable to help feeling annoyed by how indifferent Marinette is acting, she should know better than anyone that this isn't fair, especially to Chloé, who has just discovered that her life basically means nothing because she is being used to make her parents more famous.

— You can't just ignore how Chloé feels, —says Tikki, trying to calm her voice— this isn't about you or what happened in the past.

— But she's always been so selfish, and I think she's getting what she deserves. —Marinette replies with a sigh— Chloé has always been the villain, and I've always been the hero, but what happens when the tables are turned? —Tikki turns away, disappointed— Tikki, I know it sounds harsh, but it's the truth. —Marinette replies, trying to justify her thoughts— There's nothing I can do to change her reality.

— But you have the power to help, to have the opportunity to be her friend, to make things different. —Tikki insists, completely frustrated.

— And what would that do for her? —Marinette asks, shrugging her shoulders.

— It's not just about helping her, Marinette, it's about being better, about breaking the cycle of hatred and revenge. —Tikki tries to get her wearer to see the bigger picture— Imagine how you would feel if you were in her place. Wouldn't you want someone to reach out to you?

— Yeah... —Marinette replies thoughtfully before her expression hardens— But you don't know her like I do, Tikki. She'll probably get over this and go back to her old ways.

Tikki stops and watches her holder walk down the hallway. The Kwami can't help but feel angry, so she decides to pull on her antennae again. However, she stopped when she heard no commotion or chaos in the city. Why hasn't HawkMoth released the Akuma yet? Given how Chloé was feeling, it was sure to have been a very troublesome and powerful Akuma, but... nothing. Part of Tikki doesn't want to believe that Marinette is right, but her fears are starting to become more real. What if Chloé's life continued to fall apart without anyone noticing? Tikki takes a deep breath, trying to find the right words to make her think.

— Marinette, people change. You did, didn't you? —she asks, hoping her holder will stop to think.

Marinette pauses for a moment, as if Tikki's words have hit her.

— But my circumstances were different. —she argues.

— Maybe, but that doesn't mean you can't be a change in Chloé's life. —replied Tikki, with a hint of optimism— You should try to understand her struggle. Sometimes, the people who act the worst are the ones who are the most hurt.

Marinette was somewhat conflicted by her Kwami's words, feeling a glimmer of hope, but suddenly she felt something hit her brain.

— A message from Chat Noir.

— Huh? —Marinette was surprised— But he hasn't sent me a message in months.

— Then this must be important enough to let you know. —Tikki shrugged, equally surprised.

Marinette hesitated for another moment before quickly rushing to one of the windows and opening it.

— Spots On. —she said, immediately transforming into Ladybug and propelling herself into the air with her yo-yo.

After reaching one of the rooftops, Ladybug quickly opens the cell mode on her yo-yo to see Chat Noir's message, but she can't help but pause as she remembers her last interactions with him.

[FLASHBACK]

— You did what?! —Ladybug reacts, terrified but visibly upset.

— I revealed my identity...? —Chat Noir repeats, before changing his costume, looking half-fearful as he peeks out from behind a chimney.

— Chat Noir! —she exclaims again, with the feline hero hiding— I've told you countless times that our identities must be a secret! Our safety is the most crucial thing for us—No, enough! I'm tired of repeating myself. If we reveal who we are to even one person, that will be enough for them to tell HawkMoth when they are akumatized! Do you even see the mistake you just made?!

— But she won't be akumatized... —Chat Noir replies weakly from behind the fireplace.

— HOW CAN YOU BE SURE?! —Ladybug continues to scold him, causing the feline hero to cower in his hiding place. A brief silence falls between the heroes as Ladybug comes to a conclusion— She's Nightcrawler?”

— Yeah...

— HOW COULD YOU?! —the sissy heroine's indignation frightens Chat Noir— Not only did you reveal your identity to her, but you also gave her your Miraculous!

— Well... I didn't have much choice...

— Don't give me excuses! —Ladybug interrupts— That's it! Say goodbye to your Miraculous!

— No! Wait! —Chat Noir rushes out of his hiding place, trying to stop her, but Ladybug is already gone, swinging away— Ladybug!

Days later

— You only gave him a warning?! —Marinette asks Master Fu— But why?! Chat Noir broke the rule of not revealing his identity, and he also gave his Miraculous to that person. So why...?

— Would it have been different in your circumstances? —asks the guardian calmly— Would you lend your Miraculous to someone you hold in high esteem, or when you find yourself in a complicated or even impossible situation?

— Of course n—! —Marinette pauses, thinking about the questions for a moment before sighing.

Her mind thinks of Alya, her closest friend who has supported her in everything since they became friends, not to mention being her fan when she is Ladybug and how close they are when Alya transforms into Rena Rouge.

— Yes... I would. —Marinette finally replies.

— There's your answer. —Fu declares calmly before closing his eyes in contemplation— Chat Noir found himself in a situation where it was impossible for him to transform, not when he was surrounded by people. The creation of Nightcrawler was untimely but acceptable and necessary for him. No one would be able to handle this responsibility without support nearby, something I am rediscovering myself. Then he opens his eyes to look at her. Maybe you should try it too.

— Maybe... —Marinette repeats, somewhat hesitantly.

She never did.

— Okay, Chat Noir, before the patrol, I need... —Ladybug says as she arrives for the patrol, but she stops when she doesn't see her partner— Chat Noir? —she asks, looking around.

— Oh! Ladybug! —she turns to see him, in his new suit, appear after turning off his space flight power— I didn't expect to see you, I had just finished my patrol.

— Your patr... What? —Ladybug asks, struggling to hear what her partner is saying— Look, Chat, you have a lot to explain to me, like... HOW DID YOU GET THE POTIONS?! —she exclaims, leaning against him.

— Well... —Chat Noir thinks for a moment— my Kwami had saved the pages of the spell book by taking pictures of them, and also translated them for me.

— WHAT?! —Ladybug reacts incredulously, shocked but angry and indignant— How?! Why?! Kwamis aren't supposed to know what's in the spell book for safety reasons!

— Yeah, well, that doesn't mean they're not allowed to learn it for themselves. —Chat Noir replies, looking away slightly and speaking in defense of his Kwami.

— Chat! —Ladybug's reprimand surprises him— That doesn't change the fact that Plagg should never have done that!

— I know, I know, but it's not Plagg's fault. —Chat Noir tried to calm her down— He just wanted to help me, and besides, I thought I could use that information to fight better.

Ladybug stared at him, her eyes sparkling with frustration.

— But that doesn't mean you can risk everything! It could be a disaster!

— What? Of course not. —he argues, annoyed and confused by such a statement— I thought that with time we could control it together.

— Control it! —she exclaims, her voice rising with angry mockery— That doesn't change what you did. How can you be so sure?! —her tone is almost defiant as she runs a hand through her hair, trying to calm herself— We have to be responsible, especially with something so powerful.

— And who says I'm not? —he replies, raising his arms in exasperation— I did it because I thought it was the right thing to do.

Ladybug's gaze hardens a little, but she also shows a hint of concern.

— The problem, Chat, is that you can't make decisions like that without consulting me first. We're a team, remember? —she points out, her tone firmer now.

— Lately, it doesn't seem that way with so many secrets. —Chat Noir half-contradicts her before shrugging— But hey, if you keep secrets, I will too.

— That's not how things work, Chat N— —Ladybug stops when she sees her partner jumping away with his staff— Chat!

But Chat Noir doesn't stop, leaving Ladybug behind, and she feels her frustration growing. She can't let this escalate any further.

— Chat Noir! —she shouts, trying to catch up with her partner— This isn't a game!

But he's already too far away, jumping from one building to another.

[END OF FLASHBACK]

Ladybug shakes her head as she emerges from her memories and plays Chat Noir's message.

— Hey bug, I have news for you, although you may already know, who knows? —Chat begins the message with a little joke— Anyway, it seems we have a new Miraculous holder, she refers to herself as "Queen Bee". Maybe she was chosen like us, I'm getting to know her now, I'll wait for you~

Ladybug looks annoyed at the cell mode screen of her yo-yo, knowing full well that whoever this “Queen Bee” is, she doesn't deserve the Miraculous, before sighing and softening her gaze a little.

— At least I should thank Chat Noir, —Ladybug says to herself as she walks across the rooftop, closing the cell mode on her yo-yo— he made it easier for me to find the Bee's Miraculous and return it to Master Fu.

With her goal in mind, she immediately begins swinging on her yo-yo, feeling the fresh air on her face. Each fluid movement propels her forward, and the city unfolds beneath her like a canvas. Her mind is filled with thoughts about what had just happened. She couldn't allow the situation with Chat Noir to distract her. The responsibility was too great. She pauses for a moment to look at the horizon. The people of Paris walk calmly at this time of the afternoon, but her heart is still heavy.

— ⟨How had it strayed so far?⟩ —she wonders to herself.

She needs clarity. She needs to talk to him, but that conversation will have to wait. There is a mission to accomplish. After a few minutes of jumping and spinning, she finally lands on a ledge near the park where she can see a black spot and a yellow spot in the distance. It's Chat Noir and Queen Bee.

Ladybug swings again and propels herself a few meters closer, but the other two don't seem to hear her, though she can hear them.

— There I was, offering to find a Miraculous and look for Carapace, and guess what?

— Ladybug said no. —Queen Bee replied as if it were obvious, so much so that she looked at the nails on her gloved hand.

— She said no! —Chat Noir repeated, despite seeing his having a good time with the Bee Miraculous holder— Sometimes I don't understand Ladybug's logic.

— Oh, I can see that easily. —Queen Bee teases with a smug smile— Obviously, she gets too complicated at the mere idea of sharing information. I mean, she thinks so highly of herself that no one else but her deserves everyone's identities.

— ⟨Are they talking behind my back?⟩ —Ladybug wonders in her mind, beginning to feel indignant.

— I would disagree, —Chat Noir comments, before unable to help laughing slightly and briefly— but that seems to be the case. I would understand if it were for security reasons, but what's stopping her from giving me some information?

— And that would be the problem, she is unable to recognize things. What would happen if she cannot go after that guardian? Or if she finds herself in a critical moment and some Akuma keeps its eyes on her? Or if time is running out and she needs help immediately and depends solely on you to deliver more Miraculous instead of going from place to place while an Akuma wreaks havoc? —Queen Bee reflects, moving her gaze from her nails to the park with a thoughtful air— I mean, what I'm saying is pure logic!

— ⟨Of course not⟩ —Ladybug argues in her mind.

She feels her anger growing as she listens, but she remains hidden in the shadows, hearing every word. Ladybug bites her lip, trying to contain her overwhelming urge to intervene. Every time she hears her speak, she feels more frustrated. She doesn't like to think that her allies doubt her ability to handle the situation. The responsibility of protecting Paris weighs heavily on her shoulders, and it's not easy. Yet there they are, criticizing her without really knowing everything that being Ladybug entails. For a moment, she feels bitter; the idea of revealing her identity seems more tempting than ever, but the safety of her friends will always come first.

— She always feels like she has to carry everything on her own, —Queen Bee continues, blinking slowly— and that leaves you out. If only she knew who was behind the mask... —she says in a sing-song voice before looking at Chat Noir— But you know what? We'll reveal our identities here and now.

Chat Noir's eyes widen in surprise, while Ladybug's also widen, but in shock, as if she's just heard the worst idea in the world.

— And since we'll be partners and trust each other, we'll be able to protect each other better, isn't that a good idea? —Queen Bee adds with a smug and mischievous smile— I'll start. My identity is Chloé Bourgeois.

— Noooo! Really?! —Chat Noir reacts exaggeratedly and jokingly, with Queen Bee nodding confidently.

Chloé... Ladybug feels her fists clench as if they intend to tear her suit from her palms. Not only did the millionaire make her life miserable when she was Marinette, but she also STOLE a Miraculous from her, and now she's stealing her partner. Ladybug grits her teeth as she feels her resentment toward Chloé growing.

— You know what? I'll reveal my identity too. —declares Chat Noir, without seeming to hesitate too much— Underneath the mask, I'm actually...

— Am I interrupting something? —interrupts Ladybug, holding back her anger.

Both blond heroes turn around to see her standing nearby. Chat Noir is a little surprised that she actually came, while Queen Bee's gaze darkens with contained anger and her brow furrows at the sight of Ladybug.

— What are you doing here? —Queen Bee asks, her tone full of defiance.

— I came to stop this madness. You don't need to do this. —Ladybug replies, her voice firm.

Chat Noir looks at her, confused by her sudden intervention.

— But this could help us. —he tries to defend himself, but the determination in Ladybug's eyes stops him.

— Not at the cost of our identities. That's not an option! —she exclaims, feeling her heart beating fast.

She knows that the sacrifice of keeping the secret is far more important than any revelation. Queen Bee crosses her arms, clearly annoyed, while Chat Noir assesses the situation. The tension in the air is thick. No one dares to break the silence. After a moment, Ladybug takes a deep breath, trying to calm herself, though disappointment still consumes her.

— Chat, could you PLEASE give us some privacy? We're going to have a talk.

— Oh, we're definitely going to have a talk. —Queen Bee comments as she approaches defiantly.

— Um... —Chat Noir looks between the two insect-themed female heroes— Okay, I think I'll call it a day for this girl stuff. —he half-jokes to lighten the tension for himself as he walks away.

However, when he jumps away, he actually hides under the edge of the roof where he was standing and leans over to listen to the argument.

— That Miraculous doesn't belong to you, Chloé, give it back to me immediately. —Ladybug demands with a hardened look.

— Excuse me, but who lost the Miraculous? —Queen Bee sneers.

— Don't ask me silly questions, Chloé. You know perfectly well that the bee Miraculous is a responsibility, not a right. —Ladybug replies, feeling frustration consume her.

Queen Bee's gaze hardens, but her voice is sharper and more sarcastic— It seems more like a privilege to me, judging by how you use it. Besides, I've only claimed what is rightfully mine. You've always been the center of attention, stealing everything.

Anger stirs inside Ladybug, but she struggles to remain calm.

— I'm not stealing anything. Each of us has a purpose, and yours is not to destroy what we've built.

Queen Bee laughs, but there is no joy in her laughter— Build? All I see is a perfect facade. The friendship, the camaraderie... it's all a sham. You haven't taken very good care of your supposed partner, you know? With so many secrets and leaving him out like that...~

Ladybug steps forward, her voice rising— It's not a sham! We take care of each other, and that's more important than any Miraculous. Maybe you should consider that instead of pursuing your own ego.

Queen Bee shoots her a contemptuous look, her eyes sparkling with frustration.

— And what do you know about that? You've always been the heroine, the favorite. You don't know what it's like to be ignored, pushed aside. —each word seems like an arrow, ready to dismantle Ladybug's fortress.

— It's not about competing for attention, Chloé, it's about working as a team. When you're focused only on yourself, you lose sight of what really matters.

The air thickens, both heroines challenging each other with their gazes, searching for weakness in the other. Ladybug tries to reason, but the damage is already done.

— Maybe you need to take a break from this "teamwork". Maybe you should let "the favorite" continue with the important things. —the mockery echoes in the air. Ladybug feels a twinge of pain at Queen Bee's words, a truth that hurts.

— Chloé... even if you don't understand, I'm Chat Noir's partner. Not yours. —it sounds almost pleading, like a last attempt to make Chloé see things differently.

But Queen Bee lets out a bitter laugh, as if the idea of an ally were foreign to her.

— Partner. That word sounds funny coming from you, when you treat the kitten more like a slave. Maybe you should look beyond your own narcissism.

Ladybug has had enough, so she immediately throws her yo-yo, but Queen Bee dodges it as if it were nothing, then grabs the string and pulls it hard, causing the ladybug heroine to shoot toward her bee opponent, who follows up with a high kick. Ladybug spits out air as she is attacked in the middle of her torso, and the next thing she knows, she is thrown far away. Halfway through the air, she sees Queen Bee flying towards her and pulls back her yo-yo to throw it again. Of course, the bee's carrier dodges it by flying underneath and turning around to make another attack, but Ladybug thinks quickly, spinning in the air and sending her yo-yo towards Queen Bee, hitting her in the jaw.

Both crash into another roof, but Ladybug wastes no time recovering and lunges at Queen Bee, who responds by jumping with her hands and using her wings to gain height and distance before landing on her heels. Both remain in their places for a few moments, observing each other, before lunging forward. When they meet a few meters away, they immediately exchange several punches, colliding when Queen Bee blocks one of the blows with her forearm and wastes no time jumping into the air and performing a spinning kick that sends Ladybug flying, only to recover quickly and throw her yo-yo again and again. In response, Queen Bee dodges each yo-yo throw by flying in various directions, and after dodging the last one, she spins to the side and does a ballet somersault with her legs extended before landing on the tip of one of her boots while her leg is extended behind her in the air.

Maintaining her stance, Queen Bee taunts Ladybug by playfully sticking out her tongue, causing the ladybug-themed heroine to growl with increasing anger to the point of wrapping a chimney with her yo-yo and, after throwing it, shooting it out by retracting the string, as well as tearing off the chimney and carrying it away like a makeshift wrecking ball. Ladybug spins around forcefully to propel the chimney with the intention of crushing Queen Bee, but she dodges it in time by jumping backward and using her wings to propel herself, causing the ceiling to crack along with the chimney being destroyed. Ladybug rushes in with several left and right hooks, but Queen Bee backs away and moves from side to side to dodge the blows, all with a smug smile, before suddenly counterattacking with a backflip and kicking Ladybug in the chin, causing her to stumble against the edge of the building's roof. Due to the counterattack, Ladybug did not have enough time to recover when she fell and hit some balconies before crashing onto the sidewalk, attracting the attention of passersby, but she ignores them to focus on Queen Bee, who descends with her wings in the middle of the street, still smiling. This angers Ladybug even more.

The yo-yo is thrown once again, with Queen Bee dodging it as if it were nothing, but in doing so, she notices that Ladybug has run up to deliver a flying kick. The bearer of the Bee Miraculous is forced to block the attack and is dragged backwards with her feet planted on the asphalt, but in the process, the yo-yo wraps around her waist, with Ladybug taking advantage of that moment to spin and take Queen Bee around several times before throwing her against the sidewalk on the other side. However, she did not take into account that her bee opponent would use the force of the attack against her by starting to fly and circling a lamppost, which, acting as a lever, shoots Ladybug against the building in front of her, but she is immediately dragged along and smashes into buildings as Queen Bee carries her around the city, causing a huge disaster and large quantities of dust and debris as passersby flee in terror.

Ladybug tries to let go of the yo-yo string, but Queen Bee manages to keep the tension, continuing to drag her against buildings and shaking her up and down and side to side, as if she were a rag doll. The heroine is forced to use all her skills and reflexes to avoid being crushed by the debris and collapsing buildings around her, all while Queen Bee continues to laugh and enjoy the show. The situation becomes increasingly dangerous, but Ladybug manages to untangle the yo-yo from the bee's waist, causing it to return to her but crash and roll down the street before coming to a stop.

Queen Bee, still in midair, prepares for another attack. In one swift movement, she performs a pirouette and lunges toward Ladybug, seeking to take advantage of the surprise. Ladybug, who had barely recovered from the impact, is forced to react quickly. With one hand, she throws her yo-yo toward the bee-themed heroine, trying to catch her before she can dodge. However, Queen Bee moves like lightning, skillfully dodging the attack and spinning in the air to counterattack again. Both girls seem to dance in their fight, with fluid movements that defy gravity. Ladybug tries to change tactics, using her yo-yo to create a trap on the ground, but Queen Bee anticipates her movements and flies higher, taunting the heroine as she does so. Queen Bee's laughter contrasts with the thin thread of frustration growing in Ladybug. Finally, in a bold move, Ladybug throws her yo-yo once more, this time with a twist. The string seeks to wrap around Queen Bee's wings, immobilizing her opponent for a moment.

— Not so fast! —Ladybug shouts as Queen Bee struggles to free herself.

However, the bee is cunning; she twists her body, causing Ladybug to move closer to her, and Queen Bee immediately performs a sideways spinning kick that hits Ladybug squarely in the side, releasing her from the yo-yo string.

— You know what, Bug? —Queen Bee says in the air, her bee wings buzzing, once Ladybug hits the ground— Being your fan once has its advantages, like knowing your tactics and how you face your enemies. Besides... —she descends and leans in close to Ladybug, whispering— I trained almost daily to fight alongside you, but now... well, I like it better this way. Now I like the idea of surpassing you better.

Ladybug slowly gets up, feeling the burning pain in her side. Queen Bee's laughter echoes in her mind, causing a spark of determination to arise within her. Despite the pressure, she decides she won't give up. She regroups her thoughts and focuses on her opponent, who seems to be enjoying every moment of the conflict.

— You don't deserve that Miraculous... You should never have gotten it in the first place, it was supposed to be for Al—for Rena Rouge. —Ladybug growls, pausing so as not to reveal Alya's identity and looking at Queen Bee with disdain— ⟨Because of her, I almost revealed Alya.⟩ —she thinks.

Queen Bee smiles, confident of her victory, and responds with a mocking tone— Oh, really? I think the Miraculous suits me quite well. I can't think of anyone else who should use MY Miraculous, and I doubt there is anyone else, so why should I give it up?

As Ladybug gets to her feet, her mind races, searching for a strategy that will allow her to get back on her feet. Adrenaline drives her forward, and even though her body feels heavy, she feels she cannot let Queen Bee continue her triumph. The city around her continues to shake from the effects of the battle, but her attention is focused on her opponent. Queen Bee circles in the air, a vision in yellow and black, laughing as she dances around Ladybug. Every turn, every movement, seems to challenge her to react.

— Have you realized that your skills are not enough to defeat me? —she continues to taunt, leaving a trail of confidence and arrogance in her wake.

But Ladybug is not dazzled; she has faced far more dangerous enemies before, and she has no intention of letting this situation defeat her.

— You may know my moves, —Ladybug replies, taking a determined stance— but there's one thing you can't predict: my determination.

With a cry of focus, she throws her yo-yo again, not to catch Queen Bee, but to knock down a large piece of debris that threatens to crush her. The object falls near her rival, forcing her to step aside and momentarily lose her advantage. Ladybug moves quickly to take advantage of the confusion and throws another trap with her yo-yo, this time focusing on the ground. The terrain transforms, creating an obstacle that could hinder Queen Bee's flight.

— This isn't over! —the sissy heroine exclaims as she watches her enemy try to maneuver through the rubble.

Ladybug advances cautiously, remembering every tactic she has used in past battles, every trick, every mistake. The murmur of dust and debris in the air barely hides the buzzing sounds heard in the area. Suddenly, Queen Bee appears from one direction and throws a right hook before disappearing into the curtain of dust. Ladybug turns around in search of the bee when Queen Bee once again appears from another direction with another attack. this time the ladybug heroine manages to block the attack, and when she is about to counterattack, her opponent quickly moves away and then returns from behind on the left. Queen Bee continued with this strategy a couple of times, attacking Ladybug from different angles, with the ladybug only able to block, and every counterattack was met with dodges and taunts. At one point, Ladybug stops to listen and locate the bee's buzzing, focusing on catching her with a surprise attack.

The moment she hears the buzzing approaching quickly, Ladybug responds by blocking the attack and preparing her other fist to hit Queen Bee in the stomach through her low guard, but... Ladybug's eyes open in disbelief when she sees that she has caught the spinning top.

It was a trap...

Out of nowhere, Queen Bee appears behind her and quickly attacks with an uppercut to the back of Ladybug's head, followed by a spinning attack that sends her flying away from the area. The ladybug heroine is dragged down the street but immediately gets up and brushes the dust off her suit. She refocuses on her opponent. Frustration overwhelms her, but she knows she can't give up. Despite the pain, she feigns a backward movement, as if she were injured. Queen Bee, confident, advances to continue her attack. This is the moment Ladybug has been waiting for. With an agile jump, she changes direction and throws her yo-yo once more, this time with greater precision. The yo-yo's string hooks onto a nearby structure, and with a strong pull, Ladybug rises into the air, spinning in the process to confuse her opponent. From above, she sees the entire battlefield and how Queen Bee is trying to anticipate her move. Taking advantage of this, Ladybug dives down, using gravity to increase her speed. A cry of longing fills her chest. She has to win, not just for herself, but for all those who depend on her protection. At the last second, she deflects her trajectory and lands right in front of Queen Bee, who wasn't expecting an ambush. Ladybug launches a high kick, striking her opponent's abdomen with force.

The force of the blow causes Queen Bee to crash into the corner of a building, sending debris falling onto the sidewalk. One piece in particular is large and about to fall on top of a couple of young people watching the fight. Ladybug reacts in alarm and is about to use her yo-yo to save them, but then Queen Bee's spinning top circles the debris and her string tightens, preventing the young people from being crushed as they rush away.

— Look what you almost made me do! —exclaims Queen Bee, spinning to send the debris toward Ladybug, along with retrieving her spinning top.

— Me?! —Ladybug reacts, catching the debris with her yo-yo and doing a somersault to send it against the pavement, using it as momentum to launch herself at her opponent— It was your fault that all this happened!

— Yeah, go ahead, blame me. —Queen Bee says with annoyance, flying backward and to the side to dodge the Ladybug's attack— Because you love to blame me about everything, don't you?

Ladybug skids across the room of the building where they both are, and she turns with growing anger seeping into her eyes, even though she knows she can't let rage consume her. The atmosphere is tense, and the stares of the spectators feel like arrows. Ladybug takes a deep breath, trying to calm her mind.

— This isn't a game, Chloé. —she shouts as she adjusts her posture, ready for the next move.

The rival laughs contemptuously, as if Ladybug's words carry no weight.

— Look who's talking about playing... What you're doing is a ridiculous spectacle! —Queen Bee responds, preparing to counterattack.

The heroine can barely contain her frustration; Queen Bee's words echo hollowly in her mind. At the end of the day, they all want the same thing: to protect their city, but their differences seem insurmountable. Suddenly, Queen Bee lunges at her, launching multiple rapid attacks, like a storm of blows. Ladybug dodges with agility, each movement demanding her utmost concentration. Her mind is brimming with strategies, searching for an opening. In an instant, she spots one of the building's open windows. With a daring twist, she throws her yo-yo toward the window and propels herself forward. The room becomes an unconventional battle space, where the rules change. Ladybug slides across the floor, hitting the wall to change her direction at the last second. When Queen Bee tries to follow her, she encounters her reflection in the glass; her moment of hesitation is seized upon by Ladybug, who throws a punch. The blow hits Queen Bee's side, and she staggers backward.

— Don't think you're so special! —the bee barks as she regains her balance, but her voice betrays her frustration.

Ladybug feels like she's making progress, that the fight is taking a favorable turn. She seizes the opportunity and throws her yo-yo again, this time aiming for her opponent's feet. The lasso catches Queen Bee's ankle with precision. With a sharp movement, Ladybug pulls back, causing her to fall backward. Taking advantage of the brief opportunity, Ladybug advances with determination.

— This is over! Lucky Charm! —she shouts, throwing her yo-yo upward, activating her power.

— Don't even think about it! —exclaims Queen Bee as she throws her spinning top from her position.

Before Ladybug can even visualize the object summoned to win the fight, it is suddenly caught by the spinning top's string, and Queen Bee spins it away.

— No! —Ladybug reacts, watching her Lucky Charm disappear from view. She then turns to see the bee getting up with a laugh.

— Did you really think I'd let you use your power on me? I know enough about you, Bug, remember? —Queen Bee taunts as she stands up— Besides, you only have five minutes left before you transform back. What now, Ladybug?

Ladybug feels a wave of despair wash over her. However, this is no time to give up. Her mind works quickly, recalling every obstacle, every trick she has learned in her past battles. Queen Bee's laughter is a constant reminder of the urgency of her situation. Even so, she cannot let discouragement consume her. Standing firm, she takes a deep breath, aligning her vision with her goal.

— I don't need a Lucky Charm to beat you, Chloé. —she replies, her voice resonating with renewed determination. Her nerves keep her alert, a rebellious strand of hair falling over her forehead.

Without thinking, she launches into a series of quick movements, twisting her body gracefully as she tries to close the distance between them. Queen Bee recovers, her eyes defiant.

— You think you can take me down that easily? —Queen Bee sneers, preparing for another attack.

But Ladybug doesn't stop. Every move is calculated, and she remembers how confidence can sometimes be the best defense. With an agile leap, she dodges her opponent's next blow, moving in a dance of combat. Her mind continues to search for a solution. Without a plan to follow, Ladybug clings to the resolve she feels. With a quick gesture, she grabs her yo-yo again.

— Here we go! —she shouts, emphasizing her intention. This time, she decides to try something different. The heroine throws the yo-yo toward a hanging lamp, using her surroundings to her advantage. She rises into the air and, using the momentum, launches herself toward Queen Bee— Gotcha! —she announces as she pounces.

The surprise on Chloé's face does not go unnoticed as she tries to defend herself, but Ladybug jumps over her and snatches the bee Miraculous, causing her Queen Bee transformation to undo and the Miraculous to return to its comb form.

— NO! —Chloé reacts as she gets up quickly, only to be wrapped up by the yo-yo and pinned to the ground.

— This is for your own good, Chloé. —Ladybug declares with an angry look— You should never have gotten this Miraculous in the first place. I'll fix that mistake by returning it to where it belongs, and then I'll think about what to do with you. —the heroine continues as she places the comb in her hair, causing the bee Kwami to emerge from the Miraculous— I'm sorry for all the trouble you've had to go through, Pollen, especially if Chloé has mistreated you—

Ladybug is interrupted out of nowhere when she feels something hit her chest, unable to help but react with surprise with a small gasp and become completely paralyzed... She doesn't understand what's happening other than looking ahead and hearing small buzzing sounds near her. She hears the yo-yo string break before hearing the same buzzing sound approaching, and then she sees Pollen appear floating in front of her while holding the Bee Miraculous.

— You don't need to apologize, —Pollen said with a sweet smile that, at first glance, seemed soothing. However, her gaze and the tone of her voice revealed a different story— I'm quite well... now that I'm out of the Mother Box. You see, Ladybug, what happened can be interpreted as an accident, but for me it was more than that; it feels like a twist of fate. If this is the path that life has laid out, then I must be with my queen. And, honestly, I am completely happy about that.

The way Pollen spoke conveyed both serenity and an unsettling intensity, a duality that distorted her image. Although she was often the symbol of order and structure, there was a fire inside her that now burned more brightly.

— I may represent order in part, but at that moment, my scales were tipping toward chaos. —added the bee Kwami. There was an adrenaline rush that drove her thoughts toward the idea of defiance and rebellion. She had made a decision— Until then, be assured that there will be some destruction until the right moment for retribution arrives. —in her words was a promise of what was to come, an anticipation of a transformation, both personal and of the world around her.

Then Chloé approaches with Pollen obediently handing over the Miraculous. When she places it back in her blonde hair, the comb shape changes back to two hairpins. The millionaire smiles at her smugly as she reaches out to take her earrings.

— It's not time yet, my queen. —Pollen interjected softly— Paris still needs its symbol.

Chloé pouted before giving in and removing her hands, but not before casting a frustrated glance at Ladybug.

— This isn't over. —she muttered, crossing her arms— You can't decide for me, and you never will. And as I've told you, I'll surpass you and prove that I'm better than you. Buzz On.

Pollen bows slightly as she is absorbed by the Miraculous, and Chloé immediately transforms back into Queen Bee. The two insect-themed wearers exchange glances for a moment before the bee flies away, leaving the paralyzed Ladybug behind. Soon, later that day...

— Citizens of Paris! —Queen Bee says loudly, catching the attention of passersby— I'm sorry for the damage caused by my fight with Ladybug, but don't worry, your new queen will solve your problems.

She then throws a red object with black specks into the air and immediately throws her spinning top at the object, which opens up and traps it inside. The next second, the spinning top returns to her hand.

— Subject. —Queen Bee says as the spinning top opens small hexagon-shaped holes, then she throws the spinning top into the air as a swarm of bees made of energy emerges.

It was as if those bees were flying toward the ruins of the city and beginning to repair the damage, rebuilding what had been destroyed in an instant. The light they emitted was warm and comforting, and the citizens began to murmur among themselves, surprised by the spectacle. Queen Bee was carried away by the energy of the moment, feeling her power resonate in every corner.

— Each of these damages will be restored, —she announced with greater determination as she descended with her bee wings— and I will make sure that Paris never suffers again.

The energy bees began to work efficiently, making the debris disappear and restoring the damaged structures to their original form. The looks on the passersby's faces changed from confusion to amazement. Some applauded, others began to smile, filled with hope. Meanwhile, Chloé watched everything from an elevated corner, feeling stronger than ever. She had taken control, she had sent a clear message to everyone. It was her time to shine, and she would not let anyone overshadow her.

— You got it, bee! —shouted one of the spectators, raising his fist in approval.

To the sound of applause, the gentle breeze seemed to carry murmurs of admiration. As the bees continued their work, Queen Bee felt the city responding to her. The energy she had drawn from her personal chaos was now transforming into a positive force. Meanwhile, a single energy bee flies toward Ladybug and stings her, freeing her from Venom's paralysis. The heroine staggers a little before regaining her balance and turning her gaze to the bee that was watching her before retreating in the same direction it came from.

— I need to go to Master Fu. —Ladybug says to herself after watching the energy bee leave, then she runs in the opposite direction.

Later, as dusk begins to fall, Chloé is packing her things in a suitcase but is interrupted by a small sneeze. She looks up at her Kwami wearing makeup.

— I'm sorry, my queen, I couldn't help myself because of my curiosity. —Pollen says softly.

— Don't apologize, —Chloé replies, starting to approach and lifting her Kwami with her hands— you're too adorable for me to be angry with you.

Pollen closes her eyes with joy, letting out a little purr of pleasure. Chloé can't help but coo at her, stroking her soft yellow fur.

— You know, Pollen, sometimes I wonder what you would do without me. —Chloé says with a smile.

The little creature opens one eye, astonished— Oh! I'm sure you'd find a way to have fun. You're very resourceful, my queen.

Chloé continued to spoil her Kwami with her affection and found some comfort in her words, but sometimes she couldn't help comparing Pollen to... Suddenly Chloé stopped as she remembered something. Marinette had a strange little red stuffed animal, but... She steps back to observe the bee Kwami, who looks at her curiously. Pollen is small, almost the size of her palm, just like Marinette's. Her Kwami resembles a bee, while Marinette's is all red with a circular black spot on its forehead... like a ladybug... Chloé begins to feel anger growing inside her. Not only is Marinette a bully and a potential lunatic, but she is also... Ladybug... and that makes her even more unbearable. Chloé frowns, but shakes her head to try to calm down and prevent the AntiBug thoughts in her mind from overwhelming her.

She also finds it embarrassing that she once admired Ladybug, but she can't let that affect her right now. She rubs her eyes, trying to clear her mind.

— I need to focus on what I have to do. —she muttered, returning to the suitcase.

Of course, if Ladybug or Marinette confront her about her Miraculous, she'll let them know how much her sting hurts.

Chapter Text

— Y-You're really thinking this through?

— Yes, I have thought about it and I did it more than once.

The situation did not feel at all favorable for Mayor André, he wanted to make an attempt to comfort his daughter but only finds her packing her bags to leave the Grand Paris Hotel.

— You can't leave like this.

— Why not? —interrupts Chloé as she raises her head to look at the man who is supposed to be her father— Are you afraid of losing your object that benefited you so much? —she questions spitefully.

— Of course not! —André interrupts himself so as not to lash out— Of course not, I just.... I just want what's best for you. —his voice trembles a little, but he tries to remain calm.

He knew his words didn't sound entirely believable, even though they were sincere.

— This is not the time, Chloé.

She shakes her head, clearly frustrated.

— When is the right time, when it's convenient for you? —Chloé lets out a bitter laugh, her gaze hardening.

André feels trapped. He wants to rebut, wants to defend himself, but he is at a loss for words. The truth outweighs any excuse he can come up with.

— Listen, I'm just asking you to think about this. —he tries to reason, but she doesn't seem willing to listen— How about if I buy you—?

— And for what? You think you can appease me now by buying me things, that I won't ignore that my “mother” still treats me as a mere object for her fame? —Chloé closes her suitcase with a decisive bang and André feels time slipping through his fingers.

— Chloé, please... —his voice sounds desperate. He wants to reach for her hand, but she pulls away. The distance between them feels like a chasm— What do I have to do to convince you to stay? —André asks, feeling a lump in his throat.

Chloé looks at him with disdain, as if his words carry no weight.

— It's not about convincing me, Dad. Just accept it. —she replies, anger built up in her voice.

André feels a pang of pain. He knows he has failed.

— I never meant for this to happen. I never meant for you to feel this way. —he whispers, feeling every word cost him.

— But it happened, —Chloé says, almost ironically— you can't fix everything with empty words.

A tense silence settles in. André watches his daughter, noticing every line on her face, every expression that changes in an instant. Chloé stares at him before sighing and reaching out for her golden teddy bear, but André snatches it from her and clings to it as if afraid of losing it.

— Dad... give me back Mr. Cuddly. —Chloé demands with false calm.

André feels the weight of the stuffed animal in his hand— I can't do that, —he replies, though his voice trembles with doubt— I'm just asking for one more moment.

— A moment? —she replies, raising her voice— Is that all you're offering me? One more moment in which you'll continue to ignore what I really feel?

André feels the air become thick between them. He does not know how to deal with the pain he has caused, how to repair the irremediable. Chloé takes a step towards him, her eyes exuding frustration and restrained tears. André feels helpless, as if every attempt to fix the situation only grows the gap between them. Chloé moves forward again and pulls on the stuffed animal but her father reaffirms his grip, not wanting to lose it.

— Let it go, Dad. It's not fair. —Chloé exclaims, her voice trembling, filled with a mixture of anger and sadness. André can't bear to look her in the eye; every look feels like an accusation. He clings to the teddy bear, but knows that what he is really trying to hold on to is the bond they once had.

— I'm not ignoring your feelings, Chloé. I'm here because I care about you. —he tries to make her understand, though he knows his intention may ring hollow.

— Care? —she laughs humorlessly— If it really mattered, we wouldn't be in this situation now, would we?

They both keep pulling, each with their own motive, each with their own pain.

— I'm trying to find a way to fix it. —André says, desperate, not knowing if those words will help close the distance between them. But Chloé's response is a cold silence that outweighs any argument.

— You always try to fix things when they're already broken, Dad. —she says, her voice almost a whisper.

André feels each second lengthening, each heartbeat growing heavier. What if he lost everything? The tugging against the golden teddy bear applied so much force that....

RIIIIIIIIIIIP!

André's eyes shrink in panic as he sees the teddy bear left torn on the floor with absorbent cotton strewn about and both father and daughter holding the teddy's little arms, but the mayor's eyes turn to Chloé who had her eyes on the floor.

— Chloé, I-I... we can fix it... we can... we can—

— Get out...

— Wh-What...? —André reacts to the muffled voice.

— Get out!!! GO AWAY!!!!! —Chloé looks up and glares at her father with hatred and growing tears, then she begins to lash out with pushing him— Get out of my room now!!! Get away!!! I don't want you here!!!!!

The words fall like stones, each one marked with a pain growing between them. André stands still, unmoving, feeling the weight of rejection. He doesn't know if he should stay and face his rage or leave and leave her alone.

— Chloé... —he tries again, but his voice sounds like an empty echo.

She interrupts him, a mixture of helplessness and anger— NO! I don't want your apology! I don't care what you think you can do now, it's too late!

Tears begin to roll down her cheeks, each one a reminder of the pain that has been with her. André feels his heart break a little more with each cry. He looks at the stuffed animal on the floor, a tangible representation of what they have lost.

— I'm sorry... —he whispers, but his voice barely rises above the noise of his own guilt.

— You're sorry? —Chloé shouts, disbelief flooding her tone— There's nothing you can say that will make it better.

She turns away, seeking refuge in her own pain as he feels small, trapped in a maze of regret. André watches his daughter walk away, wishing he could turn back time, do things differently. But he can't. André puts down the piece of stuffed animal and leaves the room.

Moments after the mayor withdraws and closes the door, Pollen soon emerges from her hiding place and approaches Chloé.

— I am sorry for what happened, my queen. —the Kwami bee speaks softly.

— It's all right, Pollen. —replies Chloé, her voice cracking as she collapses on her bed. Anger and sadness intertwine inside her, creating a whirlwind that is difficult to calm down— No... No it's all right... —Chloé says, as tears fall uncontrollably. The weight of the argument with her father still haunts her, her heart broken by the words that were said.

Pollen sits at her shoulder, seeking to comfort her with her warm presence— Sometimes people don't understand... —whispers the Kwami, stroking her cheek gently— But that doesn't mean they don't love you.

Chloé clings to her pillow, as if it were a buoy in the middle of a stormy sea. I hear footsteps approaching and Pollen hides as Chloé saw her father come back into the room, on top with Audrey, Chloé couldn't help but feel her anger grow again. Doesn't he understand? He looked old and sad. Almost pathetic, she realized. Audrey clicked her tongue, and the daughter saw by the tilt of her head that the woman's eyes were rolling.

— Chloé, look... I-I'm sorry your mother said those things to you. She didn't mean what she said! Did you, honey? —André tried, looking for support he would never receive.

And sure enough, Audrey looked at the nails on her gloved hand with indifference. Andre felt a knot in his heart at the sight of this and more so when his daughter seemed more furious with him.

— L-Listen! There's got to be something I can...I can fix! I'll buy you anything you want so you don't get angry. Just ask! What would you like? A new diamond-encrusted cell phone case? Uh... uh... a trip! A trip to New York! With your mother! I can, you were complaining about that! The student council thing! I can fix that!

— A trip to New York with me? Puh-lease! —Audrey scoffs, clearly indifferent and finding the idea absurdly ridiculous— Like I'm going to take her. I don't want to. And if you start spoiling the child as she's already doing, she'll throw you away. I wouldn't blame her. It's easy...

— Audrey, please! Can't you make Chloé happy so she won't...?

— Don't bother... —growls Chloé in a muffled voice, interrupting her father.

— What... What did you say? —André mumbled weakly.

— That you don't bother to even hope to fail at being my father, Mayor André. —Chloé wanted to take a breath, but everything was slipping away— Especially since I don't want to live in this place anymore! Especially with this.... Second-rate whore! —she points at her mother, who looked tremendously offended.

— EXCUSE ME?!?!?!!

— CHLOÉ! —André shouted in horror, looking at his daughter as he cringed at his wife's fury— YOU-YOU— You shouldn't... you can't use that language... a-against your mother! You have to apologize to her, please!

— YOU UNGRATEFUL LITTLE BRAT, HOW DARE YOU CALL ME THAT?! —Chloe could see Audrey's eyes under those sunglasses, so close they were wide open with wild madness. Audrey gritted her teeth and growled— Fine! You were clinging to my leg so tightly that you don't want me anymore? Fine! Then I'm going to New York!

— Have fun! —Chloé replied— Let's see how embarrassing you are when you get there, you excuse for a fashion ”queen"!

— What! —André turned around with the same fear— No, no, no! But! But Chloé! Don't you remember how much you wanted to...? Audrey. Chloé didn't mean that, she loves it when you're home. I'm sure I can convince you to stay. There are so many reasons to stay, please, for this family. Chloe needs you...

— Does she? —Audrey blurted out— “She does she need me?“ or ”Do you need me?" Really André, you're getting more and more pathetic. I remind you that you AGREED to take me up on my offer to make us more famous if we had a child. Stop acting like you care about that thing. —she points a thumb at Chloé, who gets a hard look on her face— Although I must admit, you learned something yesterday. This isn't a family... Ha! It's just a show.

The room seemed to freeze at that moment, as if time itself had stopped. Andre stared at his hands, as if he didn't know what to do with them. Chloé felt dizzy with anger and pain at the conversation. Audrey, on the other hand, looked increasingly enraged, her face red with rage.

— That's enough, Audrey! —André said in a weak but firm voice— You can't talk about our daughter that way.

— Can't I show the failure in you and our family? Of course you can. —Audrey scoffed, her voice full of contempt— And I can also prove that there is nothing worthwhile here.

— Audrey, please...! —André interrupted, but she ignored him and kept talking.

— Enough pretending we're happy! Enough acting like we're a ‘true love’ kind of family! —Chloé felt like she'd been punched in the stomach. She couldn't believe that woman is her mother— All that matters is fame! It's the only thing that keeps us together... If we can call it “united” —Audrey laughed bitterly and headed for the door— Goodbye, André! Have fun with your “family”!

Chloé was relieved when the door closed behind the woman. But the relief lasted only a moment, because she realized that her father was looking at her with an expression of sadness and despair.

— I'm sorry, Chloé, —said Andre in a weak voice— I shouldn't have let things... I... Does this place bother you so much? —the mayor's voice was rough, delicate. Trembling— What change? What do I give you? So that you won't be upset anymore, how do I do it? What do I do?

— This can't be fixed... —Chloe dropped her shoulders as she grabbed the remains of her stuffed animal and stuffed it into the suitcase, closing it and expanding her grip— Nothing in this family is real? —she continued, her voice growing more and more lost. She started walking towards the door, with Pollen entering the suitcase behind the mayor's back— I'm leaving this hotel now. Goodbye.

— Wait!

And the door closed behind her.

— ... Silly... silly... fat... stupid... stupid... damn stupid...! —Andre sobbed in the middle of his daughter's room, his daughter, his most beautiful and proud creation, like a baby, his face in his hands as he struggled to hold back the tears.

Twice they knocked on the door, three times he told them to leave him alone. He was supposed to be a professional, but he wasn't. He kept crying, struggling to stand. He held back, swaying. André looked up, lost, and staggered over to Chloé's bed with a look of exhaustion. It was the bed of a princess. His princess. His baby. She would lie there, cuddling her stuffed animals - her friends, as she would call them - and ask where her mother was, and every night, for years, André would reply that she'd be home soon... but now...

— You were supposed to be a good man...! You're a mess! You're a mess...! You can't even make your family happy...! —André questioned, sobbing— You can't cry about this...it's your job as a man to fix things...to be good at things...!

He sank onto the bed, sitting up. André's head hung between his shoulders, staring sadly at his mayoral sash, and he swallowed saliva.

— What am I doing wrong...? —asked the mayor faintly into the emptiness of the room. With his gaze lost in the nothingness of the corpse of his life— I did what I had to... that... that's not fair.

André sniffled through his nose, wiping it with his sleeve, when the voice whispered a dark warmth in his ear that lulled his mind with a wary whisper of black nothingness oozing from his chest. And the tone of the voice was plaintive and alluring.

— It's not fair... is it? —sounding HawkMoth's voice in his mind— A father trying his best to raise a brat... a husband trying to convince his ungrateful wife... and a leader trying to control a city he can't control...

André staggered back, frightened and shocked. The mayor felt his heart racing in terror, with the butterfly outline in front of his face. He noticed, and felt a flip in his stomach.

— No... NO YOU ARE NOT—?! I must not!

— But you want to hear me... don't you? —differs HawkMoth— And you will... because my offer is something you can't refuse, Malediktador. Not when I'll give you the power to make anything come true... anything you desire. —André felt his resistance falter.

He supposed if the heroes were going to defeat him anyway... but if they didn't...

— What do you mean...? —André croaked.

— That's exactly what it sounds like. —said HawkMoth's voice simply— A man of power like you should have the power you need. And you will be able to provide and fulfill all the expectations you desire? Everything you declare will happen.

— I... do... not... believe you. —André did his best.

— Really, even if it fixes your marriage? —Hawkmoth hummed, and André felt his heart shrink— Your relationship with your daughter? You can give her anything she wants. You can change who she shouldn't be the way you want...you'll have the control you finally desired. The life you were PROMISED...the life you could have had...

The life they were promised him... the one he could have... should have had... the one he can provide...

— By the power vested in me... —begins to say the mayor, as the black and purple smoke enveloped him completely— I will prevail as Malediktador!

A simple, short and direct message from his cell phone was enough to send Adrien running off like Chat Noir to find his childhood friend and pseudo-sister. It almost felt like years since Chloé had used “Let's go out.”, there was no context, no plan in mind, just that. Chat Noir went running full speed across the rooftops with adrenaline coursing through his veins, each leap between buildings made him faster, more determined as his heart pounded, what could have happened to Chloé?

His mind was running as fast as his feet, as he reached the street, he jumped into an alley and landed softly. Untransforming, he steps out of the alley and looks around with worry weighing on him. He needed to find her, but he also needed to calm down. He looked around. People from the city filled the place this morning. Without wasting any more time, he decided he had to start looking in the places they frequented. Maybe a clue, a call, something to tell him where she was.

Soon he sees her outside in a small restaurant sitting at one of the tables outside and with a suitcase next to her.

— Chloé! —exclaims Adrien as he rushes over and half stops when he notices the suitcase— Chloé, what... what's going on?

— I'm becoming independent. —Chloé says nonchalantly, not bothering to look at him— I don't want to live at the Grand Paris anymore.

— You won't live in the hotel anymore? —asks Adrien, surprised— Why? Was it because of what your mother said? Because of that...?

— That I'm an object that was planned for her fame? —Chloé finishes with blank eyes and a neutral voice as she looks up to look at him— Yeah, plus my father made a futile and pathetic effort to convince me to stay. Believing that now buying me things would calm me down, it used to happen but not anymore. He even wanted to make me pretend we were a “family”, just to fight with my mother. What kind of family excuse was that?

Adrien could only nod, as the weight of her words settled between them. Confusion and sadness were etched on his face. Chloé had always had a comfortable life, full of privilege, but all that didn't seem to matter to her now.

— I don't know what to say. —Adrien admitted, scratching his head— I thought you were happy there.

— Happy? —Chloé let out a bitter laugh— Maybe I like fame and its privileges, but after yesterday? I don't want to be near that woman, in my life.

Adrien watched her, his heart shrinking as he noticed the emptiness behind her determination.

— And what do you plan to do now? —he asked, putting a different spin on the conversation.

She looked down the street, watching the people go by— I don't know, obviously I'll stay in city because, well, Queen Bee. —she whispers to him so as not to say it out loud.

They were both silent, each lost in thought.

— I can help you, if you want. —said Adrien finally— After all the time you helped me.

Chloé looked at him, surprised by his offer before sighing— Help me? I don't think you can, you'll be too busy because of your modeling career, Adrien.

— Maybe, but that doesn't mean I can't make a space for you. —he replied, trying to sound convincing. He leaned a little closer to her, seeking her gaze— I'm not as busy as you think I am. Besides, I'd like to do something useful.

Chloé folded her arms, thoughtfully— Doing something useful, huh? And what was that supposed to be? —her voice was more challenging now, as if she was evaluating the sincerity of her words.

— I don't know... Maybe— —the model boy was thinking for a moment before being interrupted by a call, he hurries to answer and look away— Juleka, now is not the time, I'm on something very important I'm on something very important—

— Is Chloé with you? —interrupts the voice of the gothic girl on the other end of the call.

— Uh, yes, as a matter of fact she is. —Adrien half confused along with a quick glance at Chloé who raises an eyebrow.

— Then tell her to come, we're waiting for her at the Art Club. —says Juleka before hanging up the call, without giving any explanations.

Adrien looks doubtfully at his cell phone, is it related to what Audrey said? Meanwhile, Chloé frowns.

— The Art Club? I didn't expect to be invited. —her voice sounded skeptical, but there was a glint of curiosity in her eyes.

Adrien felt the tension dissipate a little— Maybe you should go, it might be a good distraction. —he suggested with an optimistic smile.

Chloé looked at him sideways— Why aren't you coming? —she asked, challenging his proposal.

Adrien shrugged— Why not, I suppose I could join you.

They could both use a cool breather after everything that's happened. A slight smile tugged at Chloé's lips.

— Well, that would be... different. —her tone was less cutting this time, she stood up and expanded her grip on her suitcase, as well as shook the sadness like dust from her shoulders— Let's go then.

She felt a little lighter. Adrien stood up after her, feeling a little lighter as well. He wasn't sure what would happen at the Art Club, but at least it was a step forward. As they walked toward the school, Chloé stared ahead, her mind seeming to waver between indecision and a new kind of determination. Adrien followed her silently, respecting her space as she processed everything. The streets were bustling with life, but her mind was elsewhere. Chloé snorted softly, as if trying to push out the thoughts that plagued her.

— I don't know why Juleka feels so sure they'll want me there. —she said at last, breaking the silence.

— Maybe because they know you're talented. —Adrien answered honestly.

— I mean, deep down I'm not that type. —Chloé replied, her voice ringing with a mixture of doubt and defiance.

Adrian frowned for a moment— It doesn't matter. We're all here to support each other, aren't we?

Chloé looked sideways at him, weighing his words— Well, I guess that's true. —she admitted, though her voice didn't sound completely convinced. A slight wind blew, causing some of Chloé's locks to dance around her face. She brushed them away.

— Besides, even if they won't admit it, they also like having me around. —added Adrien, trying to regain confidence— That makes you unique. —complemented, sketching a smile.

When they arrived at the school, both blondes walked around to go directly to the Art Club, as Chloé didn't have the strength or the will to endure the stares of the other students, as they approached the door was ajar and laughter and murmurs could be heard coming from inside. Chloé took a deep breath, her pulse racing.

— Here we go. —she murmured, as she gently pushed open the door.

Adrien followed closely behind her, noticing how her posture changed subtly as she entered such a vibrant space. Juleka saw her and smiled, raising her hand as if it was some sort of signal.

— Perfect! We've been waiting for you. —she exclaimed excitedly.

Chloé raised an eyebrow, but was suddenly surprised to be lifted into the air by Kim who began to carry her somewhere.

— Wha-hey! Get off me! LET ME DOWN RIGHT NOW!!! Seriously! I don't have time for—! —despite Chloé's whining and attempts to break free, the boy athlete kept a firm grip and ignored her long enough.

Soon Kim puts her down and Chloé was about to continue complaining with an expression of pure rage when she notices that she is sitting on a sort of set of chairs on top of another to a certain height along with several crafts attached around it, as if it were...

— A throne...? —Chloé questions, completely bewildered as she observes Juleka, Alix, Sabrina, Max, Nathaniel and Kim smiling at her. Plus Adrien just as confused— What-What are you... What is this?

— We thought we'd make this for you. —Juleka replies with her smile.

— Yes! —chimed in Kim— You kind of deserve it.

— On a scale of comparison, you're the best queen we can have. —talks Max as he fixes his glasses.

— Or Paris in general. —Nathaniel adds as he scratches the back of his head— And I... suggested the throne idea.

— That woman who is supposed to be your mother is such a scumbag. —comments Alix leaning against one of the tables— But it's good that you're here, even that you're supposed to be an object for her.

— We all care about you, after all we are your hive, right? —Sabrina adds.

Her hive... Chloé struggles to find the words, but her eyes fill with tears as she looks at her friends, who surround her with genuine faces full of affection. She is overcome with emotion and can't stop a tear from escaping her eye. Adrien, who watches her from the doorway, is moved by the scene and approaches her. The other friends approach, talking and laughing, forming a circle around her. The room fills with a warm, welcoming atmosphere, and for a moment, Chloé feels as if she has found a home. Juleka leans forward, a mischievous smile on her face.

— Now, we want you to feel like a real queen. —says the gothic girl, pulling out a small box of craft supplies from behind the chair.

— We're here to you! —Kim shouts, starting to throw confetti and streamers around the room.

The room fills with a roar of laughter and music, and Chloé can't help but laugh, feeling like she's being enveloped in a collective embrace of love and support.

— I don't know what to say... —she replied, her voice a little shaky— This is... unexpected.

— You don't have to say anything, just enjoy it. —Adrien interjected, giving her an encouraging look.

Chloé felt the warmth of that look give her a boost. Before she could answer, Alix leaned forward, clearly excited.

— Come on, we need to make this official! —she said as she organized a couple of ribbons and napkins they had brought to decorate— Are you going to crown her, Nathaniel?

— Oh, sure! —Nathaniel turned around to find a decorated hat in the shape of a crown that he had been saving— This is the finishing touch.

Chloé couldn't help but smile. She looked around at all her supportive friends, and that connection was palpable. The throne of chairs, as ridiculous as it was, they made it for her. With a dramatic gesture, Nathaniel climbed onto the tables behind and placed the “crown” on Chloé's head, and everyone erupted in cheers and applause. Chloé felt the tension in her chest release, it was a simple but perfect moment.

— To Queen Chloé! —they all shouted in unison, and her laughter filled the space.

— Thank you guys... really. —she said, feeling stronger and more confident.

Sabrina approaches, carrying a small mirror, and holds it in front of Chloé— Look, you are our queen, and you always will be.

Chloé looks into the mirror and sees the person she used to be, before her life became hell. She smiles, feeling a new determination.

— Don't be so corny, Sabrina. —she grudges as she shoves her friend, but smiles with amusement as she hides the warmth in her chest.

However, everything was interrupted when out of nowhere when a blue blur crashed into the black asphalt, and everything shook that Chloé was about to fall but Adrien and Juleka saved her time, but not before being covered by a curtain of dust.

— WHAT THE HELL?!?! —Chloe started, her heart racing in panic, as she squinted through the dust.

— What the hell hit the school? —questioned Alix— A meteorite!?

Chloé opened one eye in fear, not knowing what to see as the dust dissipated. Adrien helped her to her feet as they looked up. And when Chloé saw it, she felt her stomach turn.

— Shit! —she reacts.

— By the power vested in me... —said her father, dressed in a blue suit and hood with a Napoleon Bonaparte look, raising a glowing hand— I declare this school... A PLACE OF DEMOLITION!

Hastily, both Adrien and Juleka ran away with Chloé in their arms and she could only watch as the rest of the group, from their hive, covered them as a beam of golden light shone down on them and, when it faded, a roar of chaos was heard. She watched in dismay as the students convulsed and trembled, before looking around the school with wild eyes.

— Come on, students, let's tear this place apart! —shouted Mr. Damocles. Chloé gasped in horror as the students and teachers screamed and roared. They all started throwing things, kicking doors and throwing furniture from the second floor.

Chloé gaped, her heart racing as she tried to wriggle out of Juleka and Adrien's grip when they themselves pulled her down as they looked up.

Above them stood the akumatized mayor.

— Hello, Chloé, my dear! —Chloé grimaced at the sound of the voice— Come to Malediktador, we've been looking all over for you! I'm here to show you something wonderful!

— What?! How can you even do this?! Just leave me alone and—! —hissed Chloé before stopping— Wait, “We"? —she croaked, blinking wide-eyed.

And that's when she realized there was a pair of arms lovingly embracing her father, and their owner jumped off the akuma's back, lazily walking away with a lovelorn smile that widened even more.

— MY CHLOÉKIN~! —Audrey sang with a squeal of excitement, clutching her chest with her hands at the sight of Chloé. But her stomach churned— There you are, my Chloé! I was so worried about you! But your dear father assured me we'd find you soon, and here you are!

— What...what...? —Chloé questioned in a harsh voice.

— Should I be traumatized by seeing this? —she heard Juleka whisper to Adrien— Because I feel like I should.

— I'm more concerned about finding a way for us to transform. —Adrien whispers to her, confusing Chloé— Especially when he can control us.

— You just allow me. —assures the gothic girl with a smile.

— You. —speaks Malediktador, pointing at the model and the gothic girl— Step aside, we want our daughter. Adrien, do me a favor, will you?

— Why should we? —Juleka questions, subtly moving a foot towards one of the bricks, pretending to stretch— I think we're better than you, fake mayor.

— Fake mayor?! —reacts Malediktador, offended— If so, then...! By the power vested in me, I declare—! —he was abruptly interrupted when the brick hit him in the face.

— Let's run! —Juleka exclaims with her, Adrien and Chloé running off.

The three of them ran as fast as they could, while Malediktador and Audrey shouted behind them.

— Chloé, come back! —begs Audrey, before being carried by Malediktador.

— I'm doing things exactly the way you wanted! —says the akumatized mayor.

— I never wanted this!!! —contradicts Chloé as she looks behind, seeing him chasing them— It's what YOU want!

Those words only enraged her father more who started shooting those golden beams like balls at them, double straining the three of them having to dodge them and at one point Chloé had to jump but before she fell badly both Juleka and Adrien grabbed her arms and pushed her forward, keeping her moving.

Suddenly Chloé felt a little dizzy and weak, and Juleka realized she couldn't keep up.

— Adrien, help me! —Juleka shouted as she tried to hold Chloé up.

Adrien rushed to Juleka's aid, and together they held Chloé and carried her toward a side door. When they finally reached the door, they threw it wide open and rushed inside. Managing to hide, the three of them leaned against the wall, trying to catch their breath. The sound of Malediktador's screams gradually faded away, but the roar of lightning still echoed in their ears.

— Are you all right, Chloé? —Adrien asked, with a mixture of concern and haste.

Chloé could only nod, though her body trembled slightly.

— At least we'll be safe for the moment. —Juleka said, trying to calm herself as her gaze fixed on the door.

— At the moment, I doubt we can stay here for long. —added Chloé, feeling the adrenaline begin to fade.

Adrien nodded, never having seen her friend so vulnerable.

— I'm going out, make sure I can have a clear way to escape. —Adrien suggested, receiving a subtle nod from Juleka at the sign that the blond boy needed to transform into Chat Noir.

However, Chloé was neither foolish nor blind.

— Don't even think about it Adrien, I remind you that I'm Queen Bee. —she folds her arms as her Pollen emerges from her pocket, curious— Besides, what was that signal between you? And what were you whispering about transforming? —she asks Adrien.

— Oh, uh... it's something I wanted to tell you yesterday before all that... all that happened. —Adrien replies as he scratches his head, with a nervous little smile.

— Are you sure about that? —asks Juleka, half unsure.

— Tell me what? —insists Chloé, impatient— And what does Juleka know that I don't?

— That I'm Chat Noir. —Adrien reveals with a slight shrug, still wearing his nervous smile, at which point Plagg peeks out of his white jacket pocket.

Almost instantly, Pollen pounced in the blink of an eye against the other Kwami and they both sink into the pocket, a series of buzzing sounds and an endless loud purring almost... loving, but ignored by the tension between the teens with Chloé staring at Adrien who shifts uncomfortably at the look.

— And did you tell Juleka before me? —Chloé questions, speaking neutrally and turning her gaze to the gothic girl.

— Actually, I found out myself when Gorilla was akumatized. —clarifies Juleka, also starting to feel uncomfortable— Then one thing happened to another and we started using Miraculous between us, you know, sometimes me being Nightcrawler and others Adrien as Chat Noir, so...

Chloé frowned slightly, she had never imagined that Adrien, the boy she had known for years, was hiding such a big secret. However...

— So were you planning on telling me yesterday before Ladybug interrupted us? —Chloé questions, her tone a mixture of surprise and annoyance, as Adrien nods slowly.

She takes a moment to process the information. Actually, her frustration is not so much with the fact that Adrien has concealed his identity as Chat Noir from her, but with the way Ladybug intruded just at the instant she was about to find out. His once defiant look begins to soften. After all, if she had shared that she was Queen Bee, it was only logical that Adrien would want to do the same by revealing his secret to her.

— I'm sorry, Chloé. I didn't mean for you to find out like that, just out of the blue. —Adrien says, his expression somewhat guilty.

There's a slight tension in the air as Chloé takes a moment to take a deep breath.

— It's just that... we have to be a team now, don't we? —she adds, trying hard to keep calm in her voice.

Her mind begins to swirl around the idea of overcoming Ladybug, thereby having Chat Noir by her side, but now, somehow the idea feels more comfortable to her.

— Of course it does, and I want us to be on the same page. —Adrien responds with conviction— I don't want you to feel like I'm hiding things from you.

Juleka, who has been listening attentively, gets involved as she speaks— I'd also like to participate in the fight, actually. —Juleka murmurs, fiddling nervously with the edge of her shirt.

— Are you really sure about that? —Adrien questions, with a mixture of concern and insecurity— You don't have a Miraculous like us.

Chloé pauses for a moment and looks at Juleka, seriously considering what she has said. A small spark of inspiration arises in her mind and her eyes sparkle with an intriguing plan.

— I think I have an idea. —Chloé says in a determined tone.

Later that day, the three of them sneak around city and surprisingly, they arrive at a clothing store.

— Ah, Chloé, why are we here? —asks Juleka as she takes in the surroundings and then looks out, making sure no one is watching them before Chloé closes the curtains.

— You wanted to help, didn't you? —answers Chloé as she searches through different sets of clothes, her mind working a mile a minute— So, I have the idea of you two swapping the Black Cat Miraculous with each other DURING the fight, while wearing clothes that look like Chat Noir and Nightcrawler.

Adrien frowns, surprised by the audacity of the proposal.

— Are you sure this is a good idea? —he asks, disbelief evident in his voice.

He was fine that he and Juleka would use the Miraculous on each other from time to time, but doing it on the same day and in the same battle seems risky. Chloé crosses her arms, confident in her plan.

— Think about it, Adrien. We could confuse my father, and besides, it would be a fun way to involve Juleka. —she concludes with determination, as Adrien, though somewhat reluctant, begins to consider the possibilities.

Meanwhile, Malediktador was roaming the city in search of his daughter while being followed by a limousine highly modified to carry a platform and in it there were armchairs almost like thrones and several decorations of high wealth, besides finding Audrey in one of those seats.

— Come on Chloé, come out of your hiding place to be the family you wanted so much! Don't you remember?! I am Malediktador, the all-powerful super mayor of Paris, and this is my city!

— Paris is our city! —intrudes Ladybug as she lands right in front of him— And it belongs to all of us!

At the mere sight of her, Malediktador didn't take long to pounce with a punch, which Ladybug dodges by jumping and rolling with a short pirouette before propelling herself and countering with a flying kick. Malediktador tries to counter, but was too slow as he was kicked squarely against his face and staggered backwards. Next the Akuma attacks with another punch and once Ladybug jumps to dodge it only this time wrapping her fist with her yo-yo, immobilizing him while she attacks him with punch of her own. But Malediktador uses his free hand to catch her fist and spins to throw her away, though Ladybug deftly lands on her hands and leaps to land on her feet.

She pulls on the string of her yo-yo that still wrapped around Maledictator's fist and throws him into the air, but he grabs a wooden bench and as he finds himself in the air he throws it in an attempt to crush Ladybug, she scrambles to move along the roofs of the buildings to dodge the bench and take the Akuma with her but he lands hard on her feet, cracking the roof, and catching the wooden bench before throwing it again. This time Ladybug fails to dodge it in time and is hit by the furniture, releasing the yo-yo string and in doing so freeing Malediktador's hand.

— By the power vested in me, I declare that your Miraculous is my property! —he creates a golden orb and fires it at Ladybug, who dodges it in time.

However, the orb continues to go after her as it spins in the air and forces Ladybug to run across the rooftops and ceilings of Paris, trying to lose it. The orb was moving faster than she expected, chasing her like a shadow. Her mind was racing, and in a second she decided she couldn't let the orb catch up with her. She averted her gaze to one of the alley walls. With a leap, she propelled herself upward and clung to a sill. As she slid over the edge, the orb passed beneath her, scraping the wall. Ladybug felt the ground vibrate beneath her feet. With a nimble twist, she launched herself forward again, leaping to the other side of the alley, trying to buy time. When she landed, she glanced at the orb, which, having lost a moment, had stopped following her for a few moments. Her pulse quickened, but she knew she had to act fast. Taking a breath, she quickly looked around for something. She found a series of stacked cardboard boxes. With all his might, he pushed them over, creating a small wall in the alley. The orb was approaching again, but this time she was ready. Using her yo-yo, she threw a hook towards a lamppost, swinging just in time for the orb to slam into the boxes. The impact was strong enough to deflect its trajectory and disappear. Ladybug smiled, satisfied, and took the opportunity to spin in mid-air and land on her feet.

But she didn't count on Malediktador appearing from behind, she turns around but is suddenly grabbed by the neck and lifted into the air.

— Don't think you can escape from me, you law-breaking female hero. —declares the Akuma as he reached out to remove her earrings— Now your Miraculous are—

— COMING! —shouts Juleka's voice and Malediktador turns around only to receive another kick in the face.

The akumatized is thrown by a meter and Ladybug falling on the asphalt to be released, turns to look up and sees a girl with long black hair with locks dyed green and dressed in a black sweatshirt with the drawing of a paw painted on the chest, a scarf of synthetic fur around the neck with a loose end, midnight blue pants and sneakers but the highlight was the hair clips in the form of cat ears as the dark mask. She spins and swings in the air by the spinning top rope wrapping around half of her torso, at this she takes advantage of it to run into the side of a building before propelling herself again against Malediktador to attack with another kick but the akumatized mayor catches her attack but Juleka smiles at her when out of nowhere Chat Noir appears above her and hit her in the head with the cane followed by both of them attacking with a double kick, Malediktador is immediately sent flying without before Queen Bee rushes up to him with her bee wings and throws a hard punch against his face with the akumatized mayor bouncing and spinning along the street.

Ladybug is surprised to see them, feeling conflicted to see Chat Noir cooperating with her worst enemy (Queen Bee), only staying back to see the three of them facing off against Malediktador. With a quick turn, Ladybug positioned herself, ready to join the fight, but her mind was still filled with questions. How had those three ended up together?

In an instant, Juleka jumps up and grabs the akumatized mayor's arm to throw herself to the side, dodging his attack and then grabs her scarf to throw the loose end to the side, which Chat Noir takes advantage of by grabbing it and is propelled forward by the girl with the cat hero slamming against the ground with his staff, Malediktador blocks the attack but doesn't notice Juleka quickly approaching as he applies leverage with the scarf and she smashes him squarely against the abdomen.

— Your turn, Nightcrawler! —Chat Noir cheered, removing the Miraculous and passing it to his friend before being pulled away by the spinning top.

Juleka catches the ring followed by putting it on as Queen Bee passes by her as she covers the transformation phrase with her buzzes, then the bee stops flying to skid on her feet down the street and leaning backwards as she dodges a punch. Stopping behind Malediktador who turns to confront her, immediately his torso is wrapped by Nightcrawler's whip sword and Queen Bee joins in by also wrapping the akuma with the rope of her spinning top, together they swing Malediktador from side to side before tossing him in one direction when at that appears with leaping supposedly Chat Noir who, now that he no longer has the Miraculous, is wearing a black leather jacket over a neon green sleeveless shirt with black trim, dark pants with green stripes down the sides with a long belt with part left over and sneakers, along with a dark mask and hood over his head decorated with a pair of cat ears. He had a smile on his face as he intercepts Malediktador and attacks him with a wooden staff, the akuma is propelled backwards by the whip sword like spinning top rope and smashed into a lamppost before being driven back against “Chat Noir” who responds with another attack and this time smashing into the side of the building behind before once again both Nightcrawler and Queen Bee drive him to be attacked again and again before releasing him straight into “Chat Noir” who hits with the staff down.

Next, Nightcrawler high kicks him in the back before moving away to dodge the counter attack with Queen Bee with a double wheel kick, one in the arm and the other against the head, then the ring flies over Malediktador who turns only for Chat Noir, transformed once again, to give him a right hook followed by a blow to the chin with the extendable baton. At that moment, “Nightcrawler” uses her scarf to wrap her head like a hook so that with a pull the akuma will hit the asphalt, but Malediktador recovers quickly and sets out to attack her but misses when the spinning top wraps around the girl and takes her away from the attack, in counterattack, Chat Noir jumps over him to stun him after hitting him with his staff and with a barrel roll kicks him in the belly.

Malediktador steps back and angrily stares at the three who, with a quick exchange of glances, rush at him, the akumatized mayor tries to intercept one but it dodges it by ducking and receiving in response a counter attack by the other two followed by the three attacking him from three different directions and any attempt by Malediktador to attack them back was met with Chat Noir or “Nightcrawler” being carried away by Queen Bee's spinning top and when the akuma blocked an attack by the bee the other two cats would immediately counterattack, almost as if the three were moving in a sort of dance of attack and defense.

Each movement flowed naturally, as if they knew in advance what the other was going to do. Malediktador, visibly frustrated, was beginning to lose his rhythm. He turned to try to keep Chat Noir at bay, but in doing so, he received a swift kick from “Nightcrawler” that knocked him off balance. Queen Bee seizes the moment and throws his spinning top, which rolls up on Malediktador once again. The latter, with an angry snort, tries to break free, but does not anticipate the quick reaction of Chat Noir, who jumps high and lands right behind him. With a nimble movement, he applies pressure with his staff, pushing him to the ground. The akuma realizes he is being cornered, but refuses to give up. Regrouping, he tries to use his power but Queen Bee reacts quickly, throwing her spinning top against his head.

Meanwhile, Nightcrawler, after retrieving the ring, propels himself through the area by using his whip sword to position himself behind Malediktador and throwing a blow to his back. This skid of moves keeps Malediktador on the defensive, and his strategy falls apart. The three heroes, in perfect synchronicity, harass him from all angles. Any attempt to retaliate quickly vanishes in a storm of quick, precise attacks. Every blow from Chat Noir, every evasive move from Nightcrawler, and every clever trap from Queen Bee complemented each other, creating an almost impenetrable barrier. Suddenly...

— ENOUGH! —roars Malediktador, with all three heroes being pushed back— By the power vested in me, I declare that you are the enemy of Paris! —he stomps his foot, unleashing a massive wave of golden energy.

The three heroes witness almost everyone marching towards them with shadowed faces before suddenly rushing at them with shouts of anger, “Chat Noir” uses his wooden cane as he tries to restrain his party while Nightcrawler also tries the same by making a barrier between two lampposts with his whip sword. On the rooftops, Ladybug lands to survey the scene, feeling a little worried about being up against all of Paris, soon noticing Queen Bee making an effort to shake off the crowd as she tries to catch up to her spinning top. Ladybug reconsiders a lot about whether or not she should help her, the deep, big part of her mind refusing to do so as she remembers how Chloé tortured her with her taunts and tormenting her, as well as stealing a Miraculous. But the other part of her mind, small but loud that she had to follow her responsibility as the heroine of Paris.

Back on the street, during the struggle, Queen Bee notices Ladybug on the rooftops just watching her, causing the bee to scowl with hatred before managing to reach her spinning top and shake it, making it sound almost like a can of paint and she opens the top but suddenly Malediktador slaps it away from Queen Bee's reach.

— Enough of all this, from now on heroes will only be criminals and disgusting people of my city. —speaks Malediktador while the people hold Queen Bee, so that he can take the Miraculous away from her.

However, Queen Bee focused her gaze on her spinning top flying through the air for a moment as it scattered pollen across the street before landing in the middle of the place, which makes her smile.

Then she throws a smug look at her akumatized father— I'd like to see you even try.

As she finishes those words, out of nowhere the place starts to shake with everyone staggering as Nightcrawler retracts her sword to join Chat Noir who also joins her, soon the street cracks and between the cracks giant and countless vines emerge shocking the crowd, Malediktador and Ladybug.

— What? How did she...? —reacts Ladybug as she sees the vines grow— ⟨The Bee Miraculous is only supposed to give the power to immobilize the target, how is this possible?⟩ —she questions in her mind.

Queen Bee's smile grows as the vines begin to move and grab the crowd to lift them into the air, freeing the bee carrier who takes the opportunity to fly and retrieve her spinning top.

— What is the meaning of this?! —exclaims Malediktador as he dodges the vines that try to grab them and cut them with his saber.

— It is the power of a queen. —Queen Bee rejoices as she stands up after retrieving her spinning top, while “Chat Noir” and Nightcrawler look on in surprise but with recognition— Something neither you, nor the fake queen Audrey, NOR EVEN LADYBUG will be able to comprehend. Venom! —she proclaims as she flies towards her akumatized father while her spinning top becomes an energy stinger in her hand.

Before Malediktador could react, he takes the attack full on and is paralyzed, ending the fight. Queen Bee lets out a heavy sigh as she looks up at her father's face for a few moments before pulling back and removing the French flag ribbon, she walks over to her two companions before breaking the ribbon and releasing the Akuma.

— That's enough evil for you, Akuma. —Queen Bee declares, saying a version of Ladybug's phrase, before launching her spinning top which opens as it approaches the butterfly and traps it inside and then returns to her— Subject!

As she throws the spinning top into the sky, the swarm of energy bees are immediately released and begin to repair the damage as the vines shrink until they disappear under the street before it was repaired by the bees and also stinging the people as they are released from the control of Malediktador who transforms back into Mayor Andre. He reacts as if he has just woken up and looking around confused, unaware that Queen Bee was giving him a hard look before turning around as she opens her spinning top and releases the now purified butterfly. When she turns her attention to Chat Noir and Nightcrawler she is slightly surprised to see them waiting for her to fist bump, which she can't help but want to do as she raises her fist.

— Pound it. —they pronounce together as they bump fists in the middle of the three of them.

Ladybug remained on the rooftops, feeling conflicted at the sight of her partner before retreating.

Back at the Art Club, Chloé was back on her handmade throne as she watched her hive interact with each other with Juleka, Alix, Sabrina and Kim talking along with their instruments and the latter standing up to make a move with his electric guitar only to end up tripping and making the girls laugh. On the other side, there was Nathaniel with a sheet of paper sketching along with Max giving advice on the band members and Adrien leaning curiously into the drawings. Above them in hiding were the Kwamis Plagg and Pollen.

— And how has m'lord been with that sissy~? —asks Pollen with a soft loving buzz.

— Eh, right now I'm feeling overworked from so many transformations. —comments Plagg while eating a big slice of cheese, making the Kwami bee laugh with a sweet chuckle. But then the black cat Kwami's gaze darkens— Besides discovering something about my holder.

— Mm? —Pollen tilts her head sideways— What is it, is it something about Adrien or Juleka?

Plagg, instead of responding verbally, points to the blond boy.

— Besides, it was something I've been thinking about ever since I found Duusu's Miraculous. —he adds, making the bee gasp.

That day, Plagg walks through the safe door to open it from the inside before stopping to notice a peacock brooch, which he couldn't help but react with shock.

— Did you talk to Duusu? It's been a while since we talked to her. —Pollen comments along with feeling half hopeful about meeting with the peacock.

— No, actually... —Plagg tries to find the words— she didn't even seem to be there.

— But how, could it be that her Miraculous is...? —Pollen's question stops before Plagg continues.

— It's a possibility, hopefully I can free her without risking breaking the clasp. —says the black cat Kwami with a slight growl.

— Don't worry, m'lord, we will soon have our retribution. —comforts the bee Kwami as she lovingly rubs the black cat's back— But I don't understand, what does Duusu have to do with...? —she pauses as she gasps again, now in shock that shrinks her eyes— Did he...?

— I had my suspicions ever since Nightcrawler used my ring, but yesterday Gabriel confirmed it. My holder is a sentimonster. —Plagg says as he keeps his gaze fixed on Adrien.

Chapter Text

— Good morning everyone! Today is the Day of Heroes, the day when everyone can be a hero for a day and where we commemorate the day Ladybug and Chat Noir first appeared! —speaks reporter Nadja, while smiling at the camera.

Then images are shown of the people of Paris showing their enthusiasm, many wearing costumes of their favorite heroes. Some children run around, imitating superhero acrobatics, while others hold colorful posters and banners, shouting phrases of encouragement. The lights of the Eiffel Tower glow green, reddish, orange and yellow.

— This year, the celebration is even more special, as an exhibition dedicated to the history of the heroes of Paris will also be inaugurated. —Nadja continues, as the camera moves through the streets where families can be seen enjoying games, street performers showing off their talents, and many stopping to have their pictures taken next to Ladybug and Chat Noir banners.

Meanwhile, back at the Agreste Mansion, Adrien was seen entering the bathroom and leaving Plagg dozing on the bedroom couch cushion before waking up half-grumpy.

— Mnghh... the Day of Heroes... —mumbles the black cat Kwami in a grumpy voice, getting up from the cushion— What's all the fuss about? It's only when the boy and the bug appear before everyone... —he lets out a big yawn before falling back on the cushion, wanting to go back to sleep— I don't understand why such obsession...

— Plagg, wake up! —Adrien exclaims from the bathroom as he looks in the mirror— It's an important day. The city expects us to show up at the celebration as Chat Noir.

Plagg opens one eye, a little more awake now, but still looking tired.

— Yes, yes, energy. —he replies sarcastically.

Adrien peeks into the bathroom, a towel around his waist, trying to contain his laughter.

— Come on, Plagg. You know people love it. —he says to her, while brushing his teeth. The sound of running water and the clatter of electric toothbrushes fills the small room.

— Yeah, well, that's because they haven't had anything else to do. I can't even get a day's rest, —Plagg replies, turning to lie on his stomach.

Adrien comes out of the bathroom with a smile, his hair still damp— But think of all the fun outside. The food, the games, we'll even have a parade.

— Yeah, big deal. I don't understand why we should bother going out.

Adrien frowns, already dressed in his usual attire, while Plagg remains unmoved, clearly unenthusiastic.

— You know, Plagg. There are a lot of people who admire what we do. They feel safe because of us. —says the blond model with a tone that mixes commitment and excitement.

Plagg finally half-opened one more eye, showing some curiosity.

— You may be right, but it's also exhausting. —replies the Kwami, stretching his legs before slowly getting up.

Adrien smiles, glad that his companion is waking up— Just a couple of hours, and then you can rest as much as you want. —he assures, hiding the clothes he wore against Malediktador in his backpack from the security camera.

— All right, all right. —Plagg agrees, finally determined, though you can tell he does so reluctantly— Let's go to the celebration and make sure I don't skimp on cheese.

Adrien laughs as he opens the door and walks out of his room, as he walks through the house he notices his father in front of the statue of his mother in the garden before leaving. Adrien approaches him but as he is leaving Nathalie appears to him.

— I booked the fencing class at 6:05 and the Chinese class for 6:35 PM as you requested, and remember that you have to show up at the gala of the heroic foundation of the Agreste.

— Oh. —Adrien replies for a moment, leaning a little to his father but gives in to see the secretary standing still, blocking the way— I'll be there, for sure. —he leaves with Gorilla, leading him to the front door.

Nathalie watches them leave for a few moments before stepping off the stairs and rejoining Gabriel.

— If this fails, Nathalie, —the designer begins to say when approached by the secretary— I will never forgive myself.

— You promised your wife Emilie Agreste, —Nathalie reminds her— you have risked so much in your life to bring her back. —she continues when Gabriel hands her a tablet— Lila has harbored a lot of anger against Ladybug, and wherever she goes, she will see the reason for her fury, and as I predicted, her anger will reach devastating levels. While Chloé doesn't seem to harbor that same hatred anymore, as far as I could register.

— Are you sure you want to do this? —Gabriel questions.

— I will always support him. —confirms Nathalie, handing the tablet back to Gabriel— We will succeed. —she affirms as Gabriel looks at the tablet once more and brings Lila's image closer.

While at Françoise Dupont High School, everyone was in Professor Bustier's class but focused on a video call with Lila.

— We want to know what you have done since the last video call. —Professor Bustier says in front of all the classmates, with the exception of Chloé, Adrien, Juleka and Sabrina— Tell us about your week in the kingdom of Achu.

— It's totally awesome! —says Lila on the other side of the video call— Prince Ali invited me and my parents to his palace.

— Excuse me, Lila. —Marinette interferes— But Prince Ali couldn't have invited you because he is in the United States.

— I never said he would be there, Marinette. —Lila answers with a little laugh, carefree and confident— He invited us, that's all. His parents welcomed us.

— She's lying. —Marinette murmurs with suspicion, or rather hatred— And I'm going to expose her for being totally untruthful.

— Oh no, no, Marinette again. —Alya sighs, shaking her head— She's not lying. You're jealous of her because she tried to date Adrien, unlike Juleka who seems highly active with him now that she's famous. —she reminds her friend with Marinette wanting to deny the first thing but then nods at the memory of the “traitor”.

— I really miss them so much. —Lila speaks again— It's hard to be on this magical trip and away from my friends, especially on the Day of Heroes.

— Lila, what good deed are you planning for this day? —asks the teacher, wanting to encourage her student.

— Today I will meet with Prince Ali to show him an idea I came up with. —Lila answers with her smile before leaning almost upwards— Marinette, Prince Ali will return to Achu today, won't he?

— Yes, that's right. —Marinette confirms suspiciously.

— What's your idea, Lila? —questions Max.

— Something great for sure! —imagines Rose, with Marinette biting her lip at the deception.

— Oh, it's not much, —says Lila, waving her hand— as I've traveled the world my diplomatic parents have helped me convince leaders of various nations to reduce global pollution. —she speaks with a certain modesty just to impress the class— And I feel optimistic about joining the prince in this.

— It's amazing, Lila! —Professor Bustier praises— The planet Earth thanks you.

— Of course, superheroes like Ladybug may save lives, but they don't care about the environment, someone has to rescue us. —Marinette bangs her head against her desk at Lila's words.

— I'm sure Ladybug would be impressed by what you do. —says the teacher, causing Marinette to grunt quietly before smacking herself again.

— Thank you for your words of support. I'm sorry but as you can see, it's already late. Yes come behind me, the sun is setting. —Lila comments as she leans sideways to point out the window— I must leave you. See you soon!

— Thank you very much for calling us, Lila. Good luck with your project. —Professor Bustier says goodbye as Marinette continues to bang her head on the desk.

— Bye! —say goodbye to the other classmates as the video call comes to an end.

Meanwhile, in the Art Club were Juleka and Adrien dressed in their robes worn against the akumatized mayor with Chloé sitting on the handmade throne and dressed in a pale yellow strapless dress under a bright yellow jacket with black stripes on the sleeves and with a lapel as long as a cape, a belt cinched at the waist over the dress, white pantyhose with flowers and hexagonal honeycomb designs, and yellow boots with black soles.

— I still don't understand how they still believe that compulsive liar— Chloé comments as she rests her elbow on the armrest and her head on her fist, and with the other hand using her smart phone— You should tell them the truth Juleka, honestly it gets frustrating how blind they are.

— Huh? What do you mean? —Juleka questions with a raised eyebrow.

— That Lila is an absolute liar and manipulator. —answers Plagg sitting at a table while throwing a piece of cheese into his mouth, undeterred that Pollen is lovingly hugging him and rubbing up against him— You should have especially that lie about her saving Jagged Stone's “kitty”, since you're her daughter and fan, you know.

— But I didn't know much about him, let alone that he was my father months ago! —refutes Juleka before sighing to calm down— Okay, okay, maybe I didn't understand the magnitude of what she was saying at the time. But still, I was so shocked that I couldn't think clearly. —adds Juleka, looking around with an air of resignation.

— Oh, no doubt, like the rest. —says Chloé as she steps down from her throne and approaches— Sometimes the truth hurts and disappoints, I mean look at me, I am an object for my parents and I'm not crying about it anymore. —she continues, crossing her arms— Lila can fool them for a while, but eventually the truth comes out.

— Besides, those “heroic deeds” she mentions are not as grandiose as she pretends. —Plagg adds, while playing with a crumpled piece of paper.

— Come on guys, —Adrien interjects— Lila may be lying but she's just trying to get attention. Sooner or later people will get over her.

— Adrien, you're so innocent that sometimes you irritate me. —Chloé rants falsely calmly, with Plagg nodding in agreement— She knows exactly what she's doing, and she doesn't care who she hurts in the process.

— My queen is right. —says Pollen, nodding as she stands next to Plagg.

— And yet there are those who would rather believe in fantasy than face the truth. —Plagg shrugs, sliding his tail around the piece of cheese— Sometimes it's easier to live in illusion.

— Look, I just think everyone should be left to figure it out for themselves. —Adrien folds his arms, in an attempt to be objective.

— Do what you want, but let's forget about Lila for the moment, today Chat Noir, Queen Bee and Nightcrawler should show up in person. That is, us. —Chloé declares as she wraps her arms around Adrien and Juleka's shoulders.

— That's right, we have an important event, and we can't let Lila distract us. —Juleka replies, trying to put her mind on something else— After all, it is partly our day.

— Exactly. —Chloé nods, with a spark of enthusiasm in her eyes— And the best thing for people is that they'll be able to interact with their heroes ”without" the mask.

Plagg raises his eyebrows in amusement— Oh, that's going to be quite a show. —he comments, with a mischievous smile on his lips— I'm sure the audience will be thrilled to see their idols.

Chloé laughs, imagining the crowd's reaction— Yes, to see us without that facade we wear in battle. —then she observes Juleka for a moment— Although some might be disappointed, but that's part of life. —the gothic girl raises an amused eyebrow.

— Besides, we'll be a bit more real too, don't you think? —Adrien adds, starting to feel more excited.

— Sure, it's time to show them that we're not just heroes in battle. —Chloé argues, looking at her two friends— So, let's get ready!

Both Adrien and Juleka raise a fist in the air in celebration, at the same time Pollen raises his little paws in the air with a slight celebratory shout and float in the air, while Plagg raises his paw half-heartedly but with a clear grin from ear to ear. At the same time, Lila closes her computer at the end of the video call with a picture of Prince Ali.

— Who were you talking to? —asks Lila's mother as she enters the room, besides being in the middle of a video call.

— Mom, you know it was my boyfriend Adrien. —her daughter answers as if it were a fact— I'm so surprised he keeps calling.

— And the school hasn't opened yet?

— No, —Lila denies her mother's question— it's very dangerous with all those akumatizations.

Suddenly her mother's cell phone rings again— Ah, speaking of which, it's your principal.

— Don't answer it! —Lila suddenly pounces and snatches the cell phone, surprising her mother— He was also akumatized! Another poor soul that the useless Ladybug couldn't save! —she accuses with a worriedly cruel look, when people outside are heard celebrating for Ladybug.

— Hmm... —Lila's mother looks out— So many akumatizations are worrying. I'll mention them at the embassy. —she thinks before giving Lila a kiss on the head— Bye, mabela! Please eat. I promise not to be late.

Lila watches her mother leave and once the door is closed, she turns with contempt to the window. At the same time, Principal Damocles was waiting for the phone to be answered before hanging up.

— Hm, no answer from Lila's parents... It's time for The Owl! —he exclaims before hiding behind his desk.

— Well, —teacher Bustier speaks to her students— it won't be easy to reach the standards that Lila has set. But let's not forget that today we can all be heroes for a day. Not all of us are Prince Ali's friends, but...

— We have our imagination! —exclaims the principal as he enters the classroom, dressed as The Owl, and holding up a picture of the Miraculous superheroes, with The Owl stuck into the picture with glue— Ladybug and Chat Noir have been our heroes protecting us from HawkMoth since the first day they emerged. Proving that heroism goes beyond comics and stories. Heroism is real, and it's up to our heroes to see that they have brought out the best in us by doing heroic deeds.

— What are the heroic deeds you planned? —asks the teacher, looking around before noticing the disappearance of three students— Where are Chloé, Juleka and Adrien?

Immediately Sabrina raises her hand— Chloé planned to take the two of them to bring the heroes Nightcrawler, Queen Bee and Chat Noir to the celebration without being transformed but dressed so we can identify them. —she replies, bringing astonishment in the classroom.

— Really?! —asks Rose excitedly.

— Just like when they fought Malediktador?! —asks Kim with the same excitement, with Sabrina nodding in confirmation.

Alya grunts silently, the Lady Wifi in her mind is acting crazy wanting to make news on her LadyBlog but her hatred for Chloé and Juleka keeps her from moving, so she stays in her seat, chewing on her pencil. Meanwhile, Professor Bustier tries to calm the rising energy.

— Guys, remember that creativity is key in this project. It's not just about bringing in heroes, it's about representing what they mean to you. Alya, why don't you share your ideas? —she suggests, hoping it will help her out of her trance.

Alya looks up, somewhat hesitantly, but noticing her classmates' interest, she perks up.

— Last year I wrote an article about the need for handicapped access, but after seeing Ladybug and Chat Noir give the extra every day I decided I can do more too. And I got the Mayor to authorize improved facilities for handicapped kids to come.

— That's very nice, Alya. —Professor Bustier praises before turning her gaze to Marinette— What did you plan to do, Marinette?

— Ah... Yes... well... I brought macarons. —replies the half-Chinese girl a little shyly.

— Wow, really? —questions Alix sarcastically— How many times have you done it over the years?

— Hey, —Alya stands up stiffly— she did what she could and that's better than nothing.

— Wait, —Marinette quickly intervenes, not wanting to bring up an argument in class, especially on this day— macarons are not just for us, I'm actually organizing a school macaron tasting, how about it? —the rest of the students, except Sabrina and Alix, are surprised— Yes and? and there won't only be macarons, there will be cakes, cookies and fruits for everyone who wants them, I invite you all to taste them on the parquet tonight!

— Cake for everyone! —celebrated most of the students at what Marinette said and she laughed nervously.

Alya smirks smugly towards Sabrina and towards Alix with the latter frowning with narrowed eyes.

— Oh, wow. —Tom is surprised— This isn't the same as every year, Marinette.

— How about we do half of it? —suggests Marinette— 500 Macarons, 100 Cakes, 300 Sweet Buns and 1,000 Croissants! That's enough.

— If I didn't have to finish this giant Ladybug cake by today, I'd gladly accept the challenge. —Tom thinks before sighing— But I can't do both, I made a commitment, Marinette. I can't lose face with the Mayor.

— I committed to something impossible, and now I will disappoint my colleagues.

— It's not too late to tell the truth, your friends will understand. —Sabine gently suggests to her daughter.

— But it won't be very... —Marinette sighs— heroic.

— Of course it will. —Sabine nods convinced— To have the courage to face your mistake is heroic.

— You're right! —Marinette admits as she looks for an apron— If I start right now, I'll have time to make the macarons myself! —she leaves the room as Tom and Sabine shrug their shoulders.

On the way to the parade, Adrien stops when he hears his cell phone ring and hurries to check it.

— Is Gabriel calling you? —asks Juleka half worried, with Chloé also turning to see him with the same question but with an annoyed look on her face.

— No, it's Nathalie. —Adrien reveals as he looks at the message he received before looking at the girls— She's asking me where I'll be.

— Just tell her that you will spend the day with me at Juleka's house. —Chloé answers without thinking too much— You know Gabriel won't deny anything unless I'm around.

— Okay. —Adrien nods after a moment before typing the message.

Nathalie didn't wait long to receive the answer— Sir, Adrien will be spending the day with Chloé at Juleka's house.

— Well, that's better, the plan is ready. Soon Paris will be crying for its heroes. —says Gabriel with a smile.

— Liar, backstabber, coward! —Lila exclaims angrily as she scrolls through the images of Ladybug on her laptop until she sees an interview between Gabriel Agreste and Nadia Chamack.

— In honor of the wonderful Ladybug who protects us without giving up every day, I have funded this tribute to Ladybug. Because she is the only heroine, unlike the mediocre imitations, like Queen Bee or especially Volpina.

Those words brought out the anger of Lila who screams with rage and threw her laptop against a wall— I hate you, Ladybug!

Gabriel watches the rest of the interview on his tablet before giving it to Nathalie.

— Today it will be broadcasted on all the channels in Paris.

— You were right, Nathalie, —Gabriel nods with a subtle smile— everything is going according to plan. Nooroo, dark wings rise! —he immediately transforms into HawkMoth, and then creates an Akuma before sending it flying— Fly my little akuma and curse the one who has been waiting for your return for so long!

The Akuma butterfly, as soon as it entered Lila's room, possessed the girl's bracelet.

— Volpina. —the villain spoke once the butterfly outline appeared on Lila's face.

— HawkMoth. —Lila returns the greeting.

— Your dreams were once reality, until Ladybug turned them into a nightmare. —HawkMoth says from his lair— Take back your power, the illusion, and make this Day of Heroes a nightmare for everyone!

Lila smiles— My pleasure, HawkMoth. —she responds as the black energy covers her to become Volpina.

Soon both Chloé, Adrien and Juleka arrived at the Day of Heroes march with Plagg and Pollen in tow, Chloé was excited, her energy was contagious. They walked through the crowd, greeting children and signing autographs. Adrien felt a little nervous, but at the same time happy to be there, surrounded by friends. Juleka stood by his side, smiling shyly and watching the bustle around her, but she was excited to be a part of this event. It was a special day, full of color and laughter. Banners waved with various messages. The crowd grew as they went along, filling the streets with laughter and music. Plagg was flying close to Adrien, enjoying the moment but looking for some tasty snacks. Pollen, on the other hand, fluttered happily around Chloé, soaking up the positive energy of the day.

Chloé paused to take a group photo.

— Smile, guys! —she said enthusiastically.

Music played in the background, creating a vibrant atmosphere. As they went along, the crowd became denser but then....

— Uh... Queenie? Night? —questions Adrien to Chloé and Juleka, with them turning to look at him pointing to one side.

Chloé, with a raised eyebrow, moves her gaze up and her eyes widen as she and Juleka see a Chat Noir jumping between each hero's memorial balloons.

— What...? —Juleka questions incredulously, with Chloé exchanging glances between Adrien and the supposed Chat Noir in the distance— Who...?

— It's just some random amateur. —comments Plagg bored with Pollen next to him, she raising a paw beside her mouth curiously— No big deal.

— Everybody back off, she's been akumatized! —exclaims the supposed Chat Noir, his voice echoing through the city as it is revealed that he is being chased by Ladybug but with the red and black colors reversed.

The group are shocked to hear his voice, perfectly matching Adrien's.

— Okay, maybe I'm wrong. —the black cat Kwami comments again, as the people run in alarm.

Chloé squints her eyes as she looks at the akumatized Ladybug and looks at her angrily as she sees the inverted scheme just like her former akumatization, Anti-bug.

— Are you making fun of me? —she questions with hatred.

— Is that fear I smell, kitty? —mocks the akumatized Ladybug with an evil laugh— If you were looking for trouble for betraying me, you found it! —she exclaims with a hint of hatred after attacking Chat Noir with her yo-yo while he dodges it with another jump.

— Ladybug and Chat Noir are fighting, it's amazing ladies and gentlemen! —Nadja speaks into the camera.

— It's over, sweet kitty, give me your Miraculous at once! You don't deserve it anymore!

— If HawkMoth wants a ring, let him get one! —jokes the cat under pressure when, in a bad timing, he is hit by Ladybug's yo-yo and is thrown to the edge of Carapace's balloon shield with him clinging on to keep from falling as he loses his staff.

— It's not nice to refuse a companion's request. —continues to taunt the akumatized Ladybug as she approaches.

— You stopped being one when you let yourself be akumatized. —Chat Noir exclaims as Ladybug uses the yo-yo to grab Cat Noir's left arm and “help” him up, "And I have a nice present for HawkMoth. A nice Cat-aclysm! —he pronounces as he activates his power.

— Cataclysm for you! —the akumatized Ladybug catches his ringed hand by the wrist and then forces him to touch himself, causing him to be destroyed to ashes by her own power and her catching the ring.

All of Paris was horrified by the event.

— I won, HawkMoth won! —Ladybug exclaims as she puts on the ring, causing both Miraculous to react and unleash a wave of energy— Be afraid, Parisians, no one can protect you, not even your ”queen"!

Chloé frowns and, without hesitation, starts running towards the akumatized carrier.

— Buzz On! —she utters, transforming into Queen Bee and immediately taking flight.

Gritting her teeth, she flies so hard she almost looked like a blur with her barely-sounding whirring and just as she lunges at the akumatized Ladybug she suddenly runs right through her, Queen Bee is momentarily shocked before immediately figuring it out.

— It's just an illusion... —she growls silently, annoyed by the illusion but turning her gaze to the Parisians, she knows it would be impossible to calm them down because of how hysterical they are.

— So much sadness, so much disappointment, I feel the abyss of fear and despair. —HawkMoth speaks with glee as he perceives the emotions of Paris after undoing Volpina's Akumatization, now that its function has been fulfilled— Open up to consume all Parisians! —he exclaims and, after waiting a moment, the Akuma returns to him— Are you ready, Nathalie? —he asks as he turns to his secretary.

— You have been denied your dream for a long time. —she begins to say— I will do everything to end the reign of Ladybug and Chat Noir as the next reign of Queen Bee.

— Well said. —praises HawkMoth as he commands the Akuma with it possessing the tablet— Catalyst, you have always been my most loyal follower, therefore I give you the ability to increase the powers. —he pronounces when Nathalie is surrounded by energy and transformed into Catalyst.

Once transformed, she touches HawkMoth's staff, causing a red lightning-like outline to appear in front of their eyes.

— HawkMoth, I give you the power to release as many akumas as you wish. From now on you are the mighty Scarlet Moth. —she says, almost in the same manner as he does, before turning away as HawkMoth is covered in crimson energy and dyeing his suit the same color.

The next thing Scarlet Moth does is open the top of his staff and from it emerges a flock of dark red butterflies— Fly, my little akumas, find the Parisians grieving for the loss of Chat Noir and Ladybug and hex each and every one of them!

— I have 32 minutes until lunch is over, if I make 10 macarons per minute I'll have a total of... —Marinette opens the oven and finds the macarons burnt— total failure!

Tikki looks half hesitant before throwing out an idea— Do you want me to bring a little bit more sugar? —even if it's just to calm her holder.

— Better, why can't I transform into Ladybug? Hopefully my Enchanted Amulet will give us a? giant electric whisk or an oven full of cake.

Tikki looks disapprovingly at Marinette for thinking of such an idea, causing her to sigh.

— I know, it wouldn't be very heroic to use my powers for my own benefit.

— Just tell your friends the truth, Marinette.

— But that will ruin the party! —complains the half-Chinese girl.

— It's the Day of Heroes, nothing would ruin the party.

Later, on her way to Françoise Dupont High School, Marinette feels increasingly anxious. The pressure to make the celebration perfect weighs heavy on her shoulders. The streets are lined with banners and every corner seems to vibrate with the energy of the event. However, she can't stop thinking about her failed macaroons. As he arrives, he notices several students glancing worriedly at their cell phones. They rush over to Rose and Mylène.

— What's going on? —in her sadness, Rose shows Marinette the reporter's news with Nadja Chamack, Jagged Stone and Clara Nightingale.

— Chat Noir defeated, Ladybug in the clutches of HawkMoth and Queen Bee could do nothing to stop that happening. This is Paris' worst nightmare.

Marinette blinks at such news, unable to believe that they thought she was akumatized. But she is more surprised when suddenly a swarm of scarlet akumas fly onto the scene and possess Nadja, Jagged and Clara, turning them into reddish versions of Prime Queen, Guitar Villain and Frightingale.

— Darlings, what you must do is to prepare yourselves for the arrival of... —begins to say Prime Queen.

— Our new star! -adds Guitar Villain.

— Scarlet Moth! —exclaims Frightningale at last.

Marinette is left in shock as a large number of scarlet akumas fly through the school and begin to turn several students and staff, Mylène tries to run but ends up tripping and turning into a reddish version of Horrificator as one of the Akumas possessed her.

— Mylène! No! —expresses Ivan as he sees his girlfriend turn, only to soon turn into a red version of StoneHeart as Princess Fragance laughs evilly in the background along with Max transforming into Gamer.

— Remember, inside of us are heroes! —teacher Bustier tries to cheer, to save herself from the Akumas.

— As long as we don't show fear, uh-uh! —adds Director Damocles, still as The Owl.

— But I'm afraid! —expresses Nino as he runs along with Alya, at one point she and Nino seek to comfort each other, watching the scarlet akumas move away from them— It worked!

Still, there were too many akumatizations around like Dark Cupid flying around and shooting arrows that turn more people into akumas like Timebreaker and like The Mime. Marinette rushes to the bathroom.

— There's too many people akumatized, it would be too silly to fight them all! We have to go to Master Fu, now! Tikki, Spot On!

As she transforms, all the akumatized villains leave the high school and go to the same direction, at that moment Ladybug jumps over the school building and looks at the villains.

— What are they doing? —she asks herself before swinging the yo-yo, not realizing that Vanisher is watching her.

— Don't let him out of your sight, Vanisher, he'll surely recruit more heroes to fight against my army. —Scarlet Moth says to the invisible Akuma, before continuing to himself— Without him noticing, he'll lead us to the guardian of the Miraculous.

Back with the group of bees and cats, a specific area of a wall rotted before crumbling and giving way to the three of them along with the two Kwamis with Plagg in front while Pollen was behind Chloé, Adrien and Juleka for the rear before summoning several energy bees which were ready to seal and rebuild the wall, thus saving them for the moment from the akumatized.

— I thought the Kwami couldn't use their powers, because of all that intentional chaos. —Juleka commented, sitting down on a table to recover.

— We're being as moderate as possible, kitty, so relax. —Plagg replies, his ears tilted sideways in annoyance as he looks away— Especially now with all those Akumas filling the city.

— But how is that possible? —questions Adrien with concern— How was HawkMoth even able to create so many as to create an army?

— Hmm, —Pollen thinks as she approaches once the wall was fixed as if it were nothing— there are two possibilities but, considering that all Akumatized are red, it's more than adequate to believe that he must have increased in power somehow.

— Clearly with another Akuma while we're at it. —says Chloé with her arms crossed, while observing the two— It's odd that he hasn't done it before, don't you think? —she adds, arching an eyebrow.

— Maybe he was waiting for the right moment, my queen, or maybe he has simply found a new way to take advantage of Nooroo's power. —Pollen interjects, floating to one of the windows and leaning out.

— We have to act fast before it's too late. —replies Adrien, feeling the pressure on his shoulders— We can't let the akumatized continue to unleash chaos.

With a deep sigh, Chloé gets up from the floor after sitting down to recover— Then we need a plan. A plan that works this time. We can't just take them on without a strategy.

Plagg nods, though not entirely convinced— Strategy may be good, but we also need a strike force, one that will work several targets around.

— M'lord, —Plagg approaches almost whispering— I think what we need is your devastation. —she suggests subtly with a smile.

Plagg smiles back before rubbing affectionately against her, making the Kwami bee buzzing with delight— That's why I always have you by my side. —he replies in whispers before floating over to Juleka, facing her face— Well, kitty, it's time for you to have your own Miraculous.

— What the...? —Juleka reacts a bit surprised with Adrien and Chloé also a bit surprised, while the gothic girl looks at Plagg with her eyes wide open— Me? Are you sure, we won't go ahead with the plan of Adrien and me exchanging the Miraculous during the middle of the fight? —her voice trembles slightly, reflecting both surprise and nerves.

— No, —Plagg denies— it's time for you to take the initiative. —he firmly states— We need everyone to be ready and everyone to do their part. Your next Miraculous may be just what we need to keep the Akumas at bay.

— But what if I can't do it? —Juleka asks, her voice barely a whisper.

Plagg steps closer, offering her an encouraging expression— This is almost like when you first used my Miraculous, when you first became Nightcrawler with me. You had doubts, but you did it, —he encourages her with a sincere certainty— remember how you transformed and how you managed to control your powers. This time you will be even stronger.

Juleka swallows saliva, as her thoughts whirl like a storm. Adrien approaches, putting a hand on her shoulder.

— I'm here with you. —he says in a reassuring voice along with a smile— You're not alone in this.

Chloé nods, also giving her support, although in a more practical way— Besides, if something goes wrong, we can always count on you in the retreat plan. —she adds with a mischievous smile.

The atmosphere in the room begins to lighten a bit. Juleka feels a spark of confidence welling up inside her.

— All right, —she finally says, her voice firmer— I'll do it, and I'll do my best.

Plagg gives her a satisfied look— That's what I wanted to hear. —then the black cat Kwami turns to Adrien— Well boy, time to pay Master Fu a visit to find a Miraculous for Juleka.

— Okay, but which one? —asks the curious blond model.

— The Dragon Miraculous. —Pollen answers, bringing surprise to Adrien, Chloé and especially Juleka— It has the power of the storm, specifically, lightning, water and winds.

— The Dragon Miraculous? —repeats Juleka, her mind racing to assimilate the information— That sounds... impressive. But will I really be able to control it?

Plagg nods, a gleam of confidence in his eyes— Of course. Remember, with each new challenge, also comes a new opportunity. The Dragon will give you strength you can't even imagine.

Adrien interrupts, his tone friendly— Besides, I think you'll do well. You have great power inside you, Juleka. —he smiles at her, causing Juleka to look away with a coy smile and a small blush.

Chloé raises an eyebrow but having a sly smile on her face— And in this case, the Dragon will be a great ally. Can you imagine, you, flying through the sky while throwing lightning bolts! That would be amazing.

Juleka feels little butterflies in her stomach. The idea of flying and controlling lightning seems like a dream.

— I've never thought of it that way. But what if it gets too much for me?

— You can always let the two of them meddle to avoid getting out of control. —assures Plagg as he points at the two blondes, trying to calm her down, before looking back at Adrien— Gotta go now, kid.

— He's right, —comments Chloé as she also looks at Adrien— You better go find that guardian now before that army of reddish Akumas keeps tearing the place apart, I'll take care of damage control in the meantime.

Adrien nods decisively, saying goodbye with a brief smile and heads for the exit. The determination on his face is evident, running quickly into the street and evading the army of scarlet Akumas. Thanks to Plagg guiding Adrien throughout, he was able to quickly reach Master Fu's massage store. Adrien had no qualms about knocking repeatedly and loudly on the door due to the pressure he felt on top of it, then immediately entered when Fu let him in.

— I was expecting Ladybug, but you are also more than welcome Adrien. —speaks Master Fu as he closes the door— Considering you are dressed like this. —he points, referring to the clothes Adrien wore when confronting the akumatized mayor.

— Yes, well, it's just that... —Adrien tries to find an excuse but Plagg butts in.

— No time for that, remember why we're here.

— Oh, yeah. —Adrien pulls himself together and turns to the guardian who had returned to his usual seat— I need the Dragon Miraculous.

— Hm... Are you looking to bring a storm to deal with the great masses? —asks the half-triptych Fu Master from his cushion, with Adrien nodding— I see, and do you already have someone for the role? —Adrien nods again— Okay then, I'll show you where the Miraculous is kept.

Fu slowly stood up and walked to his phonograph, then proceeded to press the eyes of two opposing dragons, engraved on the side of the phonograph. The dragons' eyes glow red and a trap door opened between them, revealing ten buttons. Adrien leans sideways curiously as Fu presses three specific buttons, causing the phonograph to rotate 180 degrees with the lid with the disc popping off, two sets of doors would open and a table would spiral up from the inside with the box. When the box is opened, the drawers containing the Miraculous open.

— Here it is. —says Master Fu as he takes the choker, the Dragon Miraculous— Be careful, this power is not for everyone.

Adrien reached out with determination and took the jewel— Thank you, Master Fu. I will not fail.

— I am sure of that, young man. Now prepare yourself. What lies ahead will be difficult, but you are not alone. —Fu smiled confidently as Adrien walked out of the tent with Plagg floating behind him.

As Master Fu was about to put the box away, suddenly the door slams open and he turns in surprise to see Marinette exhausted.

— Master Fu, good thing you got the box out! —Marinette declares as she hurries up in a hurry— Sorry for taking so long, I had to de-akumatize Vanisher.

— That's okay, Marinette. —Fu speaks calmly as he presents the box to the Chinese half-breed— Now, which Miraculous do you need?

After handing out the Miraculous to Alya and Nino, Ladybug swings through the streets of Paris and reaches the rooftops before running, at which point she receives a call from Chat Noir.

— We're having a party here, eh, Ladybug? —Chat Noir jokes on the other end of the call, with the wind blowing behind him— Because I think I missed the red touch-up, although I think you won't have a problem with that.

— Have you been able to make sure how many we're dealing with?

— Let's see... 1, 2, 3... —was counting the cat hero, still joking, before continuing— No, I've given up, too many to count. HawkMoth has indeed formed an army.

— That won't be a problem for us, I've already handed out the Miraculous to Rena Rouge and Carapace, just— —Ladybug was saying before being interrupted.

— Wow, I'm bringing my own group too, I'll see you at the Palais de Chaillot.

— What—? What do you mean, your group? Chat Noir! —Ladybug grumbles as she is hung up on, she grunts but uses her yo-yo to swing towards the Palais de Chaillot.

As she approaches, Ladybug watches from above as the shadows on the rooftops seem to multiply. She can't help but feel a little worried, the number of akumas that have appeared is greater than expected. Landing on the roof of the Palais de Chaillot, she notices a familiar figure. It is Rena Rouge, ready to perform. Carapace appears at her side, with a serious but confident expression.

— We have to coordinate well, —Ladybug says as she approaches them— We can't let HawkMoth win this time.

Rena Rouge nods, showing her respect as enthusiasm, but Carapace seemed to be focused on something. Ladybug, turning around, sees Chat Noir arrive along with Queen Bee, the ladybug heroine makes the effort not to grimace in hate in front of her two carrier friends as both cat and bee arrive on the roof near them, but before Ladybug could even be able to say anything suddenly a small whirlwind comes out of nowhere near the two and in it a new dragon-themed carrier appears.

— Guys, meet Nightcrawler with the Dragon Miraculous. —Chat Noir makes a half-dramatic introduction as he leans back and with his hands outstretched towards the aforementioned.

— Hello, —she raises her hand somewhat casually— you can call me as Ryūjin.

(Edit from Stassen_Designs, idea from @Zoe-oneesama)

— What, at what point—?! —questions Ladybug, not being able to avoid expressing her annoyance and anger towards Queen Bee against Chat Noir, but she is interrupted by Rena Rouge running towards Ryūjin like a fanatic.

— Nightcrawler—I mean, Ryūjin, how cool to see you in action! —Rena Rouge exclaims with a wide grin— Oooooh, I can't help it, fighting alongside you feels... Awesome! Especially seeing you take on the Malediktador together with Chat and Queen Bee.

Ryūjin smiled shyly and nodded— I hope I can bring a lot to the team.

— I know how you feel. —approaches Carapace with an equally excited smile— But we'll do this together, won't we? —he finishes with trying to look confident, but failing with his smile faltering.

— Absolutely. —assures the Dragon Holder and exchanging fists with the turtle boy.

Chat Noir smiles as he watches Ryūjin interact with the other two carriers, while Queen Bee seemed to enjoy watching Ladybug seem to contain her emotions more but her body betrays her as she clenches her fist tightly, Ladybug makes an effort to calm down and remind herself of the importance of the mission. Meanwhile, Prime Queen raises a cameraman's camera towards Scarlet Moth.

— Ladybug, Cat Noir, see my mighty army and have no doubt that this day belongs to Scarlet Moth! —speaks the villain to the camera, being seen by the people of Paris as well as the heroes in the cellular modes of their respective weapons.

— Peh, who does he think he is? —Queen Bee mocks as she closes her top— I'll have to really poke him where it hurts when this is over.

— What do they think of 10 villains each? —questions Chat Noir with a grin, his hand in the air— And who for HawkMoth?

— I think I'll have one of those ten, maybe he might end up in the middle. —Ryūjin joins in a little on the joke.

— Well stay out of it because that red HawkMoth is mine. —Queen Bee tells him decisively.

— Hey, stop it. —Ladybug butts in, bringing the group's attention along with Queen Bee's bored look— This isn't a competition, focus like them. —she articulates as she points to Rena Rouge and Carapace who...

— I will protect you.

— No, I will protect you. —denies the fox carrier to the turtle carrier.

— No, I will protect you.

— No, I will protect you.

Queen Bee pats herself against her face, Ryūjin raises an eyebrow and tilts his head slightly to the side, and Chat Noir shakes his head as he holds back laughter.

Chapter Text

— Hail Scarlet Moth, Hail Scarlet Moth, Hail Scarlet Moth, Hail Scarlet Moth, Hail Scarlet Moth! —cried the army of red akumatized men around the Eiffel Tower, before stopping when the villain raised his staff to silence them.

— Ladybug, Chat Noir, I sense you're getting close. If you want to save Paris and its people, I'll give you one last chance! Come in and give me your Miraculous!

Meanwhile, on the rooftop of the Palais de Chaillot, Scarlet Moth could be heard screaming with Queen Bee mocking the villain's statement.

— Do he really think we will surrender so easily? —she replied in a firm voice, glaring at the enemy from a distance.

— Are you thinking about something, Ladybug? —asked Carapace curiously.

— I think he's been preparing this for a long time, —answers the sissy heroine, looking at the Eiffel Tower— and we're not prepared for this.

— Of course we are! —refutes Rena Rouge— We've already fought and won against them, and this time, there are six of us!

— If we want to win, we have to beat Hawk Moth, even though we've never fought him before. —Ladybug resolutely lifts a foot over the edge— Hawk Moth, I hope you enjoyed Volpina's illusion, because the real Ladybug will never give up her Miraculous!

— And we have a better idea. —continues the vixen heroine, imitating the sissy— You're going to give us your Miraculous!

— You may have an army of akumatized warriors, but we're a team of superheroes! —Carapace joins Rena Rouge.

Queen Bee rolls her eyes at the three's expletive with Chat Noir laughing at her reaction while Ryūjin also gets a little amused at the bee's expression, which looking bored and annoyed at the same time. The wind blows hard on the rooftop, kicking up some dry leaves.

— Yeah, yeah, very nice words. —begins to say Queen Bee, almost bringing out Ladybug's irritation, but the bee ignores her as she focuses on Chat Noir and Ryūjin— Let's prove that she has no power over us, —she says with a confident smile, while Chat Noir nods confidently.

— No matter how many there are, —Chat Noir says with a confident smile— together we are invincible.

— Don't go too confident either, kitty. —jokes Ryūjin, as she gathers next to him— because I know that at any moment you'll pull out some nonsense to surprise us all.

The three laugh briefly, with Rena Rouge and Carapace chuckling quietly but Ladybug feeling her fist clench with an enraged look on her face as she feels Chat Noir decides on his own to hand a Miraculous to Nightcrawler and for Chloé to keep using the Bee's Miraculous as her own. She is supposed to be the LEADER, but sometimes she feels like they don't listen to her like they should. She must find a way to keep the team together, especially now that the threat is bigger than ever. Ladybug takes a deep breath and looks up at the Eiffel Tower once more.

— Listen, we have to stay in sync. This time, we're going to win because we're together.

Rena Rouge and Carapace nod decisively, Queen Bee responds by sneering and rolling her eyes, Ryūjin folds her arms with a defiant smile towards Chat Noir who responds in kind.

— First one to lose pays for the food! —they both exclaim before jumping off the edge.

— What the—? Hey! —Ladybug reacts as she sees them throw themselves first against the Akuma army, then turns to see Queen Bee who smiles smugly at her before dropping down and joining the two of them, which makes the ladybug even more annoyed.

Ladybug sighs and forces herself to calm down. She can't lose control now, with everything at stake. She concentrates and jumps after them with Rena Rouge and Carapace following her, with Ladybug feeling the adrenaline coursing through her body. As they fall, her mind formulates a quick plan: they must cover each other, take advantage of their abilities and not let Akuma take the initiative. The only flaw: Chloé.

From the Eiffel Tower, Scarlet Moth laughs mischievously at the sight of the heroes— So they want to fight. Then let's get started! Guitar Villain, Frightningale!

— There goes a solo! —they respond to the order, both akumatized and starting to play thunderous music while the other villains run against the team of superheroes.

— And so it begins, —announces Prime Queen nearby— the Scarlet Army sets off to destroy the pathetic holders of the Miraculous.

— Don't forget the objective, we want to get to HawkMoth! —Ladybug reminds the group, as they run against the army.

— Of course, we take away the Miraculous, undo the akumatizations and lock the man behind bars. —says Queen Bee as she flies overhead, only to get an angry look from Ladybug— You don't have to thank me. —comments the bee with enjoyment.

— Let's go get him! —says Rena Rouge excitedly.

— I'll cover you all! —declares Carapace, raising his shield in front of him.

As they run, Ryūjin notices Stormy Weather leaping into the air at a great height.

— Cyclone! —the Akuma exclaims as it summons a huge tornado.

— A fight between storms? Fine by me. —Ryūjin says with a smile— Wind Dragon!

Her body is covered in energy before her body turns into a figure made of gusts of wind with the detail of having dragon wings, claws and tail, and sharp amber eyes. Ryūjin then shoots at Stormy Weather with impressive speed, cutting through the air with a mighty roar and the force of a hurricane. The impact causes the tornado to change direction for a moment, but Stormy Weather quickly regains control and responds by shooting lightning from her umbrella at Ryūjin as the dragoness flies through the wind of the tornado to manage to dodge the lightning. The two fight in the middle of the sky, which is reflected by the huge tornado moving and acting erratically with lightning being shot from all sides.

On the ground, Ladybug and her others take on the villains with everything they've got. Queen Bee stomps one Akuma in the face with her heel before jumping and stomping on another and then jumping again, so on and so forth as she runs over the akumatized and at the end she double kicks Mime as well as skidding through the area, knocking down all the surrounding Akumas to a stop along with leaving a trail of pollen. The next instant, Queen Bee wastes no time in destroying his hat with the spinning top and releasing the red akuma, with Mylène's father returning to normal.

— Go away, get to safety. —Queen Bee orders, not bothering to be considerate as large vines grow out of the pollen trail and begin to attack the other akumatized people, then she helps the man to his feet— I will retrieve your photo later. —she adds as she urges him to leave.

Mylène's father hesitates for a moment before nodding and starting to run with the vines securing his passage, commanded by Queen Bee. Suddenly, Gamer rushes at her in his giant mecha but the bee carrier doesn't look the least bit concerned as she was about to be hit, just as the mecha's square fist was within a few feet of Queen Bee it suddenly stopped. It turns out that Chat Noir had stormed the control booth and after a few wobbles, the catlike hero comes smashing out from one side of the mecha's triangular head with Gamer on the sole of his boot. The giant mecha falls to the ground, causing a big jolt, kicking up dust and debris that hinders visibility for a moment.

Meanwhile, Ladybug quickly throws her yo-yo to immobilize several Akumas and throw them away.

— Rena, Pharaoh's pendant! —she reports as she captures the Akuma and throws it at her friend.

Rena Rouge nods with a smile and acts fast in using her flute as a staff to slam the Akuma to the ground, followed by stomping on the earring to pull out the butterfly akuma as releasing Alix's brother. At that moment, Princess Fragrance took the opportunity to aim her perfume gun at her but Carapace intercepted the attack by throwing her shield at her, not only managing to knock the gun away but also smashing it against the ground with the same shield.

— Wow, that was better than I thought. —Carapace admitted to himself as he helped Rose.

In the sky, Ryūjin and Stormy Weather continue their duel, with the dragon flying in circles inside the tornado with the Akuma trying to take her down with every lightning bolt fired, but Ryūjin moves with speed, dodging every attack while looking for an opportunity to counterattack. Immediately, a whip sword of electricity wraps around Stormy Weather and she lets out a scream as she is electrocuted by her own electricity as well as being carried by the force of the tornado with Ryūjin spinning around to throw the Akuma against Gorilizilla, causing the giant Akuma suffers from being electrocuted before falling and creating a larger tremor.

— The plan is working out, Catalyst. —says Scarlet Moth with a smile.

— Nothing is more delightful than making them think they have a chance to win, —says Catalyst next to her, looking at the heroes— when their future has already been decided.

Meanwhile, Rena Rouge throws her flute at Rogercop's whistle, breaking it and releasing the akuma.

— Your days of attacking innocent people will soon be over, HawkMoth. —Ladybug declares confidently before using her power— Lucky Charm! —at that she receives a tennis racket, then she looks at Rena and Carapace— Get ready, I need you.

— The time has come, Dark Cupid. —commands Scarlet Moth, with the winged Akuma shooting arrows at all the deakumatized: Rose, Max, Alix's brother, Roger and Mylène's father, causing their negative emotions to overflow and allowing Scarlet Moth to reakumatize them into: Princess Fragrance, Gamer, Pharaoh, Rogercop and Mime.

— What? —reacts Ladybug in astonishment.

— What an incredible twist, —comments Prime Queen— those silly heroes never even imagined it.

— HawkMoth is using Dark Cupid to create negative emotions. —Chat Noir says to Queen Bee, with her growling.

— He can't be any more deceitful. —exclaims the resigned bee.

Dark Cupid shoots an arrow at Ladybug, who quickly dodges with a leap to the side, feeling the tension rising in the air. Dark Cupid keeps shooting more arrows to at least hit one of them but ignoring that a wind seemed to deflect them somewhere.

— It's a nightmare! —exclaims Carapace with some fear as he protects himself with his shield.

— Focus, the villains will never win! —Ladybug tries to motivate them.

— Tell me something I don't know. —Queen Bee replies nearby, earning another angry look from the ladybug.

— Rain down on them, my akumas. —Scarlet Moth extends her hand to the front, sending a swarm of scarlet akumas toward the heroes.

Ladybug notices the swarm— Watch out!

— Oh, no. —Rena Rouge reacts in kind.

— Now long live Scarlet Moth's plan to finish off her beloved protectors! —laughs Prime Queen wickedly.

In the middle of the conflict, Carapace lets out a scream when Pharaoh suddenly approached him and he only had time to cover himself with the Akuma hitting his shield, slowly starting to overpower the turtle. Meanwhile, Rena Rouge notices that Dark Cupid is aiming an arrow at Carapace.

— Carapace, watch out! —she exclaims as she runs in a hurry and, just as Dark Cupid shoots, Rena Rouge jumps and waits to take the hit.

But it didn't come.

Realizing this, Rena rolls on the ground and watches in surprise as the arrow is deflected by a rather strong wind and drawn by an electric whip sword into a thin tornado that stood out by spinning around it all the arrows shot.

— Woohoo! You're incredible, Ryūjin! —the vixen heroine exclaims again, now happily before rushing to help her boyfriend.

Apparently, by getting rid of Stormy Weather, Ryūjin had taken control of the tornado and was using it to her advantage. Quickly, Ryūjin turns the tornado so that the arrows are fired at Dark Cupid as the swarm of akuma butterflies, thereby undoing the tornado and her deactivating her wind power, leaving Dark Cupid vulnerable and surprised by the counterattack. The akuma butterflies begin to fall rapidly, disappearing one by one as Ladybug captures them with her yo-yo. Queen Bee seizes the moment to launch her attack, heading straight for the Eiffel Tower but both Robostus and Glaciator get in her way, but Queen Bee frowns slightly with the vines moving with her will to attack both giant Akumas.

Robostus tries to catch her with his huge metal arms, but the vines wrap around him and pull hard, knocking him off balance. Glaciator launches a ball of frozen ice cream against the vines, crushing half of them but the remaining ones respond by shattering the ice cream Akuma, which breaks into pieces scattered on the ground. Queen Bee takes the opportunity to get closer to the Eiffel Tower but is suddenly wrapped in chains, she turns sideways to Captain Hardrock on her pirate ship, and then sees Guitar Villain as Frightningale swoops in the air to confront her.

— Ryūjin, it would be nice if you showed up instead of lounging around. —comments Queen Bee, more annoyed than concerned.

In response, both Guitar Villain and Frightningale are suddenly rammed by lightning and the next second that same lightning zigzags towards the pirate Akuma, Captain Hardrock responds by swinging her sword at Ryūjin's sword, the two clashing with sparks with each attack thrown. The dragoness then slashes against the chain, breaking it, and then focuses on her mother with a determined look. Queen Bee seizes the moment to free herself from the chains with a swift move and continues her advance towards the Eiffel Tower.

— So the so-called queen of Paris wants to take us on. —Scarlett Moth comments to Catalyst, as they both watch Queen Bee's approach.

— This is just the beginning. —Catalyst replied mischievously, without losing the calm in her voice.

Queen Bee rushed at them, but they both reacted in time, agilely dodging her onslaught. Catalyst threw a quick punch that Queen Bee barely managed to evade as she propelled herself upward. Scarlett Moth took advantage of the opening to attempt an attack from above, descending with speed. Queen Bee spun just in time, kicking the villain's staff away, Catalyst reacted quickly in catching it, avoiding all damage, and held it so that Scarlett Moth could draw the hidden sword. Bee's eyes, seeing the scene, widen in surprise and she tries to move away from the attack but Scarlett Moth was quicker to swing her sword at her.

Queen Bee reacts with a growl, gritting her teeth as she falls to the ground and sees that one of her wings has been clipped, she turns to look at the villain with an annoyed buzz.

— Did you really think you could take me on? Alone? —Scarlett Moth sneers, with a mischievous grin, as she steps forward and raises her sword with the intention of delivering the final blow.

But just at that moment, a loud boom rumbles below. Both villains look up at the base of the tower and see Queen Bee's remaining vines growing wildly and wrapping around two of the Eiffel Tower's legs, with Queen Bee having her eyes narrowed at Scarlett Moth as her will makes the plants act. The vines pull tightly, causing the structure to begin to vibrate slightly. Scarlett Moth takes a step back and, through the tremors, Catalyst drops the staff. Queen Bee struggles to her feet, propelling herself with a damaged wing but with determination intact. The vines quickly climb up the tower until they reach the three of them and from them grow flowers which begin to fill the area with spores, blinding both villains and Queen Bee quickly takes advantage to escape and grab the staff.

Catalyst and Scarlett Moth cough, trying to clear the spores from their faces as they struggle to breathe normally. Queen Bee wastes no time; she propels herself to the top of the tower, clinging on with her hands and half-wings as she watches her weakened enemies below. A mixture of fury and determination shines in her eyes. She knows she cannot afford to lose this battle, not when she is so close to her target.

Then she lets out a sigh— Buzz Off. —the moment she detransforms, Chloé takes out a honey candy from one of her pockets and gives it to Pollen— So we can guess that that Akuma is what HawkMoth used to increase her power, by the way she acted with this. —she affirms as she looks at the rest of the cane she holds.

— It would make the most sense, my queen, —replies the Bee Kwami as she eats the candy— since usually the weapons used by butterfly holders are usually canes. Useful to have a Kamiko or Akuma stored to transform someone.

— Kamiko? —questions Chloé with her eyes slightly furrowed in confusion.

— Yep, Kamikos are basically the Akumas you know but for doing hero acts. —explains Pollen, finishing eating the honey candy— Besides, if we want to destroy the cane to break the disconnection between HawkMoth and that Akuma, we should get the sword back first.

— Hmm... —Chloé thinks for a moment before smiling and throwing a glance at Catalyst— I think I have a much better idea, it would be very worthwhile.

— As you wish, my queen. —Pollen bows to her, already imagining what she was thinking. And it thrilled her, too.

— Pollen, Buzz On. —after transforming, Queen Bee quickly inspects her back and sees the clipped wing already recovered. She makes a satisfied hum, then reaches for her spinning top and splits it in two to call both Chat Noir and Ryūjin to then hold the top half of the spinning top next to the ear and the bottom half in front of the mouth— Guys, come here now, I have the perfect way to beat HawkMoth. —she states with a dark glow.

After sending the message, she puts the spinning top halves together and the next moment she presses the head of the spinning top which expands along with forming a golden ornament on each side to hold.

(from @zoe-oneesama)

Meanwhile, Chat Noir doesn't hesitate to propel herself in the direction with her extendable staff and passing near Ryūjin who had defeated Captain Hardrock, the dragoness helps Anarka after breaking the akumatized object and gives her a smile.

— Take care of yourself, okay? Someone's waiting for you at home. —says Ryūjin softly to her mother before using the wind power of the sword and positions her so that she shoots off towards the Eiffel Tower.

Anarka watches her go, having mixed thoughts in her mind as she remembers Juleka. Meanwhile, Queen Bee had already gathered the whole team at their hiding place in the Eiffel Tower. Chat Noir landed next to her with a confident smile, and Ryūjin followed minutes later, ready for the next battle.

— What do you have in mind? —Chat Noir asked, looking at Queen Bee curiously.

She held up the cane in her hand— We'll need to bring this together with its other half, which is the sword HawkMoth now holds, and once we do that we'll need to destroy it to wipe out its army. You two will take care of it while I focus on the Akuma next to him, I have something planned for her.

Ryūjin nodded, adjusting the grip on her sword— It sounds risky, but I'm ready to give it a try.

— Perfect. —Queen Bee said, determination in her voice.

Without wasting any time, they rushed into battle, each prepared to face their respective adversary. In the meantime, Scarlett Moth cut the vines and with that got rid of the flowers that expelled pollen, both he and Catalyst recover from the blindness for a moment but were still disoriented. Taking advantage of that instant, Chat Noir and Ryūjin approached Scarlett Moth to take him by surprise, while Queen Bee pounces on top of Catalyst. The villain reacted in time and faces off against Chat Noir as Ryūjin at the same time, while both heroes fought in sync side by side and using their respective weapons in the fencing confrontation.

Swords as staffs cut through the air swiftly, the clash of metal echoing through the tower. Scarlett Moth advancing to overpower her opponents but both Chat Noir and Ryūjin support each other as they defend and counterattack, managing to slowly push the villain back.

Queen Bee, meanwhile, focused on Catalyst, avoided her attacks with agility thanks to her wings and balletic movements while looking for the right moment to execute her plan. Catalyst was trying to throw her off balance with quick and precise strikes, but the bee kept calm as she moved, waiting patiently. Suddenly, she made a nimble leap and with a quick spin kicked the villainess in the head. At the same time, Chat Noir and Ryūjin managed to immobilize Scarlett Moth, using a coordinated move that consisted of the dragon doing a quick sweep on the ground with her sword that tripped the villain and the black cat followed up with an area kick, as well as taking advantage in bringing the sword together with her other. With no time to lose...

— Cataclysm! —Chat Noir pronounces as both halves of the cane joined, only for it to be destroyed, then he gives another kick to Scarlett Moth to send him away.

The villain slides across the ground until he crashes into the beams of the Eiffel Tower, with his reddish color fading and reverting back to HawkMoth at the same time as all the Akumas fade away, with everyone returning to normal.

— NO! —Catalyst tried to get up and run towards HawkMoth, but Queen Bee didn't give her a chance.

Suddenly, Catalyst let out a gasp when she felt the bee's weapon hit her back, but this time she didn't feel like she was paralyzed but... Queen Bee smiles as she moves both shoulders a little to accommodate them, which Catalyst imitates perfectly despite her back...

— Now, how do you do this? —Queen Bee wonders with some enjoyment— Oh, I know.

— I'll grant extra power to Queen Bee, Ryūjin and Chat Noir until the battle is over. —Queen Bee and Catalyst say at the same time, with the same smile.

Then Catalyst's hand reaches up to touch the Bee Miraculous, causing a wave of energy to go through Queen Bee so much that her pupils shrink with seemingly adrenaline while a glowing yellow aura surrounds her body in addition to her hair waving from the aura. She for a moment almost stumbles but smiles through her teeth and with a slight, short laugh.

— Chat Noir, Ryūjin, time for your shot! —Queen Bee exclaims before propelling herself with her wings, causing her to shoot off with great speed.

Both heroes see the bee fly above them, and looking at each other briefly, they didn't hesitate to go for Catalyst. The moment the Akuma touched their Miraculous, they both felt the extra energy coursing through their bodies, with Ryūjin being enveloped with various elements coursing through her body such as lightning, water, gusts of wind as well as fire, ice and blasts of sand. In addition to a notable change in the three powers on the chest of the suit that became six. Chat Noir, meanwhile, was surrounded by a fluorescent green aura along with dark rays crackling briefly on his body, a sensation that made him grin from ear to ear. They both launched themselves at HawkMoth again, with Queen Bee leading in front of them, ripping the air with her glowing wings.

HawkMoth manages to get to his feet only to see the three approaching, ready to fight with all their renewed strength. There was no time for doubt or fear, he clenched his fists tightly, his gaze fixed and determined.

— I will not let them win, I will get my wish. —he told himself in a firm voice.

HawkMoth was the first to throw a punch, but all three were deflected in various directions with Queen Bee curving in a spin to evade the attack and counterattack with a hammer kick against his head, but HawkMoth refuses to be knocked down as he makes an effort before thrusting his head upwards, causing the bee to move away in surprise as Ryūjin swings with speed and a retreating fist. HawkMoth manages to dodge the attack by leaping to his left as he also witnesses a chunk of the Eiffel Tower's beams being shattered, but he doesn't flinch as he plants his feet to the ground. He then sees Chat Noir launch several attacks with his staff but HawkMoth leans from side to side to dodge with agility, anticipating every move before kneeing the black cat against his chest and snatching the staff away. Chat Noir kneels to the ground as he feels all the air abruptly knocked out of him.

Queen Bee flies in circles quickly, looking for an opening in HawkMoth's defense at the same time Ryūjin suddenly lowered her sword, launching a torrent of water that caught HawkMoth's feet, but the villain quickly freed himself with a sharp movement as well as hitting Queen Bee with the staff. The blow sent the bee flying backwards, but she quickly steadied herself, shaking her head to regain her concentration. There was no time to waste. With a determined cry, Queen Bee lunged toward HawkMoth again, this time with more determination than ever. The villain scowls before lowering his gaze to Chat Noir before kicking against Ryūjin who tried to attack sideways, both cat and dragoness fall hard against the metallic floor with the latter rushing to help the cat hero. HawkMoth then intercepts Queen Bee's attack effortlessly, even holding his own against the bee's newly gained tremendous strength.

— They're never going to win, not today or any other day. They are still young and immature heroes. —HawkMoth declares sternly, before turning his wrist so that Chat Noir's staff hits Queen Bee and stuns her— I, on the other hand, have honed my skills over the years.

He continues to hit Queen Bee mercilessly, abdomen, knees, head, shoulders, each blow is like a hammer falling on her body without having a chance to recover, with HawkMoth demonstrating his superiority in the fight. She at one point tried to defend herself, but HawkMoth hit her in the chin hard. Meanwhile, Ryūjin and Chat Noir get up from the ground and upon seeing Queen Bee act immediately. Queen Bee, at first feeling dizzy and shaky as she feels her brain scrambled after the last attack, then tries to escape in desperation, but the villain prevents her by catching her by the leg and immediately slams her against the broken beams of the Eiffel Tower followed by slamming her against the beams and ending with slamming her to the ground with a brutal blow. The bee struggles to get up, her eyes full of pain and despair as HawkMoth approaches her.

— This is the end. —he says in an icy voice, emotionless and merciless, as he lifts his foot to her neck.

— NO! —roars Chat Noir as he runs almost wildly and pulls back a ringed fist, ready to throw his punch.

But such attack is easily blocked by HawkMoth, however, the dark rays of Chat Noir's body crackle violently reflected in his frantic expression as suddenly the ring seemed to release a large charge of energy before being shot out in a bolt of dark energy with HawkMoth being thrown away, after that sudden attack, Chat Noir falls to his knees and helps Queen Bee sit up while Ryūjin skids her feet to stop herself.

— Chloé! Chloé, are you okay? —asks the worried dragon.

Queen Bee nods her head, still dazed from HawkMoth's attack— Yeah... I'm fine. —she says in a weak voice, grunting somewhat annoyed, but her face shows the weakness she feels at that moment.

Chat Noir moves to her side, helping her to sit a little more comfortably.

— I think we underestimated HawkMoth, even if we're powered up like this. —Ryūjin speaks again, watching the roaring elemental energy coursing through her body.

— Clearly we need to reorganize. —Queen Bee complains, forcing herself to stand up— And the sensible thing to do is, since we're powered up thanks to me controlling that Akuma, we should take advantage of using the Natures.

— Natures? —questions Ryūjin, curious as she raises an eyebrow.

— Oh, they are like secondary powers of our Kwamis. —Chat Noir replies, remembering having read about it in the translated spell book— I read that they were derivatives of our powers or as close to our animal as possible, like the one I just did.

— Don't explain to me, thanks. —Queen Bee half butts in— I already made Pollen talk to me about my Bee Natures.

— Yes, you did. —Ryūjin comments, turning to look at the vines originating from the polen spread by Queen Bee, then turns to Chat Noir— And what would mine be?

— You catch her up while I take care of giving you time. —the bee orders before flying to where HawkMoth crashed.

The butterfly villain was lying on the rooftop of a building after receiving that last off-guard attack, and surprised that Chat Noir suddenly has another power, he slowly gets up, with a mixture of fury and genuine admiration in his gaze. HawkMoth dusts off his clothes and watches the heroes with Queen Bee flying towards him.

— I didn't expect Chat Noir to have such power, —he mutters in a gruff voice— but I'll certainly put it to good use once I get his Miraculous.

He doesn't even flinch when Queen Bee swiftly swings around him and delivers a side kick, HawkMoth defends himself in time with the Chat Noir's staff he still has and counterattacks by twirling the staff to half knock the bee down followed by a direct hit to the face. However, Queen Bee smiles when HawkMoth's attack is stopped by a wall of hexagons almost taken out of a honeycomb.

— What the...? —the villain didn't have time to wonder when he is kicked in the chin by the bee's other heel.

HawkMoth retreats but at the moment of recovering immediately Queen Bee hits him with a right hook, the villain is retreating for each blow and kick given by the bee while each counterattack was stopped by those honeycomb shields, already fed up, HawkMoth counterattacks once again but this time when his attack is blocked he presses the button to expand the cane and managing to hit Queen Bee between the eyes as to stun her. However, that action caused the honeycomb shield to break and from it emerged a swarm of energy bees that attack HawkMoth, stinging him all over and forcing him to cover his face with his arms. The stings from the energy bees were beginning to burn his skin through the suit and wear down his stamina. Queen Bee, recovering from the daze, took the opportunity to approach and spread the pollen under him, HawkMoth noticed it and didn't think much of jumping away.

— This time, you won't get away so easily. —she replied confidently, with the vines growing rapidly and catching HawkMoth by the legs and shoulders.

Queen Bee flexes her fingers hard followed by making a fist and bringing her hand down hard, which causes the vines to twist around HawkMoth and smash him into another rooftop. The villain ultimately throws the extendable staff with the intention of knocking the bee down and consequently loosening the grip of the vines, but suddenly Chat Noir appeared catching him at the same time as Ryūjin emerged in a small swirl of wind and attacked with an electric beam from her sword. HawkMoth moved to turn around still with the vines around him, he managed to make the dragon's attack cut through the plants that were holding him back. Seizing the opportunity, HawkMoth leapt forward and charged with a punch straight towards Chat Noir, who managed to dodge it with feline agility, and just as the villain passed him Ryūjin rammed him with a large energy claw made of gusts of wind. The counterattack hit HawkMoth at point blank range and sent him backwards, he plants his feet on the roof to slow down and not fall over the edge but didn't stop in time a kick from Queen Bee straight in the chest that knocks him down.

Gravity did its thing by sending him crashing into several balconies before hitting the pavement of the street, HawkMoth grunts as he gets up, more out of anger than pain, but in doing so he notices by Chat Noir's shadow dive and land on top of him as his forearm where he has the ring is covered by a monstrous claw of dark energy with green lightning, HawkMoth dodges the incoming attack by turning and leaping just as Chat Noir hits the ground, creating almost a gigantic crater. HawkMoth grimaces before landing, before looking up as he sees the swarm of energy bees head towards him and mold themselves into a diamond/rhombus with intent to attack him, the butterfly villain takes another leap and this time up just as the swarm pierces the ground, the next second, HawkMoth sees Ryūjin fly straight towards him after using one of the dragon transformations and now looked more like a version of herself made of fire along with the wings and tail.

HawkMoth grit his teeth as he leaned sideways after dodging the left hook and with it counterattacking with one of his own, but Ryūjin's head seemed to deform to dodge the attack and she then stands on top of it to fall on top of the villain at the same time her body became like an ice statue, the impact was immediate and raised a small curtain of dust. HawkMoth felt the weight of the ice dragoness on top of him, hindering his movements, but he didn't lose his concentration and kicked Ryūjin away. Queen Bee took advantage of that moment to close in and launch a quick strike with her spinning top turned stinger, ready to immobilize him, but HawkMoth lifted a piece of the shattered street, blocking the attack. The villain held his defense firm, he couldn't afford a single mistake, he looked around for a way out, his eyes flashing with determination. Ryūjin wasted no time and, recovering from the shove, launched an icy breath but HawkMoth protected himself by grabbing Queen Bee and throwing it at her as he moved away. The bee buzzed her wings and soared above the ice cloud as she joined Ryūjin who returned to her ordinary form and Chat Noir joined in.

The three exchanged glances for a moment before propelling themselves forward with Ryūjin taking the lead by changing form once again and now appearing to be made of sand as she rushes forward and attacking with another left hook but increasing the size of her fist, HawkMoth tries to block but received equally full on attack followed by the sand dragoness wrapping her arms around him to hold him back. HawkMoth, taking advantage of the proximity, uses his strength to break free and nail the piece of pavement he was still holding to her head, this time it seemed to cause damage to Ryūjin but Chat Noir acted fast by hitting him in the head with force that knocks him down. When the butterfly villain tried to get up right away Ryūjin charges him when he returned to her normal form and with the cat hero helping Queen Bee by boosting her and kicking HawkMoth's head then Chat Noir from his own kick to his belly, Ryūjin keeps attacking by giving him another punch in the chest and Queen Bee finishes with wrapping HawkMoth with the thread of her spinning top to lift him up and smash him back into the street. Just as the villain gets back up, Queen Bee ends the fight by attacking again with her stinger, right into the Butterfly Miraculous, causing the villain to be shot backwards and plunge into an alley while said Miraculous flies briefly into the air before landing in Queen Bee's hand.

— And that's how I defeated HawkMoth. —brags Queen Bee, with a confident smile as her aura suddenly disappeared just like with Chat Noir and Ryūjin.

Not only that, but they also felt weakened that they almost fell to their knees at the same time as they de-transformed and their skins having a few small cracks before disappearing.

— Remind me NEVER to do this again... —complains Plagg as he exits the Miraculous before falling, with Adrien catching him— Both for you and for us...

— Still... I still think it was enjoyable to have our Natures back... —Pollen replies delighted, both by Chloé's caresses and by enjoying the honey candy. She'll need more later— won't it, Longg?

— I must agree... —answers the Kwami dragon, with Juleka cradling him in her hands— Also that it was an honor to fight by your side once again, my sovereign.

— Yeah, I know... —Plagg says to Longg while eating a slice of cheese, before the black cat Kwami looked at his holder— I expect a good stock of cheese when we get back, and I mean a BIG one —Adrien couldn't help but laugh a little at his Kwami's demand, with Pollen and Longg looking accustomed and complicit.

— Anyway, we had a great victory and I proved once and for all that I outclassed Ladybug in every way. —Chloé gloats as she holds up the Butterfly Miraculous.

— It's amazing to meet Nooroo again. —Longg commented as he hovered near the brooch— After all this time...

— Did you miss him? —asks Juleka softly at the dragon Kwami's tone.

— Missing him would be an understatement. —Pollen replies as she floats between the three teens— After a certain... event with the Order of the Guardians, the box that had stored our Miraculous at some point in time we had lost both Nooroo and Dusuu, the Kwami of the Peacock Miraculous, it was like... hundreds of years.

— Wow... —commented Adrien in amazement, as did Juleka and Chloé which raised an eyebrow— And... what was that Order like?

The Kwamis were silent, with Longg expressing helplessness in his eyes with Plagg turning his head to hide his expression but Adrien managed to catch a glimpse of it and, although it was difficult to identify his Kwami's emotions, he could see hints of repressed hatred. While Pollen seemed more waiting for an order to continue, with Plagg giving that same order to speak up knowing that she is the freest among the three.

— Nothing good could ever be said, even if it seemed so? I sometimes speak of destiny in my favor, even when the same destiny is more like a subjugation of free will and? I knew it first hand with them. They put it in your head. They force you to believe what the truth is. So, what they really mean you never notice. Because when they tell you those things, what they really mean is.... You have to do this... You have to do this... We'll make the decision for you... Just do what I tell you. And the worst thing is that even if you resist, even if you defy it.... Your kind are just as likely to be subjected to it as you are. And there is only one way to go...

An image/memory comes to Pollen, Tikki turning his gaze to her before lowering it sadly and walking away, and then seeing Plagg with his head drooping but to hide his grunts as he looked defiantly at a Guardian.

— Give in and follow the path you were given? Or follow that which gave you reason to fight and get retribution. —Pollen finished saying, before looking at Plagg lovingly in the same way Longg did a small knight's bow, showing his respects on Plagg as well.

Adrien felt a knot in his stomach. The story Pollen was telling was much more complex and painful than he had imagined. They spoke not only of external forces, but of an internal struggle that each Kwami had to face. Juleka remained silent, eyes fixed on Pollen, absorbing every word with unusual seriousness. Chloe frowned, clearly uncomfortable, but not wanting to interrupt.

— It's like they never really let you choose? —Juleka murmured, lowering her gaze with regret as she remembered how her mother hated that kind of thing— Making believe that everything is decided, that we have no choice.

Plagg sighs and stretches, trying to lighten the atmosphere, though his gaze still reflects that mixture of anger and frustration.

— That may be how the case looks, that we don't have control over everything, —Plagg says with a wry smile— but there are always those little moments where you can find shortcuts or blanks where you can do whatever it takes to manage your destiny. I mean, I'm doing it right now. So don't worry while we take care of the heavy lifting while you guys take care of your city.

— Eventually we will need your help when we see fit for you. —Longg added, translating Plagg's words.

Adrien nodded slowly, still taking in that whole story, almost unable to help but feel that way about his father. Juleka looked up, a glint of determination appearing in her eyes. Chloe, though still distant, didn't seem hesitant to help Pollen in this silent war. Meanwhile, Nathalie gasps as she regains control of her body only to see that her akumatization had been undone, she turns around in a hurry before seeing Ladybug, Rena Rouge and Carapace helping the victims before going to find the other carriers with Ladybug leading with an annoyed look. The secretary knew the plan had failed... but she always knows to have something up her sleeve, she immediately pulls out the peacock brooch and attaches it to the side of her uniform.

After using the transformation phrase, she plucks a feather from her new hand fan, charges it with energy and sends it towards Gabriel's location. While he, recovering from the last attack and upon getting up noticing he had lost his Miraculous seeing that he was no longer HawkMoth, crawls to the edge of the alley where he stands and sees Chat Noir and Queen Bee again transformed along with who he could recognize the second girl as Nightcrawler with Longg floating next to her. The four greet the arrival of the other heroes with bee holder flaunting the butterfly brooch in her hand.

— Look at this, Bug, I've accomplished what you couldn't in over a year.

— Yeah, yeah... —silently growls Ladybug as she approaches— Now, I think it would be my responsibility to return the Miraculous to where— —she interrupts herself when Queen Bee pulls the Miraculous away from the Butterfly at the same time Chat Noir steps in with his staff— Chat, I don't have time for this, so... get out of the way. —she says with a more noticeable growl, startling Rena Rouge and Carapace.

— I'm sorry Ladybug, but I don't think I should do it. —answers Chat Noir with a serious look, keeping his stance firm, at the same time Juleka comes over to stand on the other side with both of them interposing themselves in front of Ladybug with Queen Bee behind.

— What? —Ladybug growls again, clenching her fists, startling Rena Rouge even more and scaring Carapace a bit.

— Oh, don't blame him for having his priorities straight. —sneers Queen Bee— Besides I doubt you even understand what's really going on.

— The only thing I understand is that you guys are delaying this even more by not giving me the brooch. —Ladybug insists in a firm voice, unable to hide her frustration— The Miraculous must go back where it belongs, it's the right thing for everyone.

— What's right for you may not be right for everyone. —Juleka retorts, earning a glare from Ladybug but the gothic girl holds her gaze.

Gabriel raises an interested eyebrow at all this discussion, but so he didn't notice the sapphire feather flying up to his scarf and suddenly appearing an outline of a feather-edged energy mask.

— What the...?

— Gabriel, it's me, Mayura. You are cornered and overcome by dark despair, let me help you. —speaks the new villain telepathically.

— No, don't do that! —he exclaims silently, feeling the frustration he felt when he lost the Miraculous.

— Let your desperation be a powerful protection. —Gabriel reluctantly accepts Mayura's help, which causes a giant purple moth to emerge on top of the buildings and flies over the heroes, knocking them down in the process.

— What is that monster?! —exclaims Rena Rouge in disbelief.

— It looks like a butterfly! —adds Carapace before gasping in apparent fear— HawkMoth turned into a monster?!

— No, he shouldn't be capable of such a thing. —Ladybug replies somewhat calmly, then turns her attention to the other group who are helping each other to their feet, but the ladybug notices something else— Where's the brooch?!

Queen Bee gives her a questioning look before discovering that her hands were empty, she looks at her body from different parts.

— There, that thing has it! —Chat Noir points at the giant moth, which circles in the air.

— Did you really lose the Miraculous?! —Ladybug is furious at Queen Bee's “incompetence”.

— Don't you dare blame me! —the bee scolds.

The monster moth soon lands in front of the alley, preventing the heroes from seeing Gabriel climb up and as they prepare to fight, the moth flies back into the sky.

— Hey, come back here!!! —says Queen Bee as she buzzes her wings and chases after the moth.

However, the wind from the moth's wings was so strong that it pushed the bee backwards and crashed into the street. Juleka ran to Queen Bee to help her up while Chat Noir kept his eyes fixed on the giant moth that was still flying through the air.

Later, both Gabriel and Nathalie were in the living room with the latter exhausted.

— I told you you'll never wear the Peacock Miraculous! —the designer reprimands his secretary.

— I had no choice, sir. I had to save you. —Nathalie defends herself before coughing.

— It's damaged, it's too dangerous!

— I wanted to help you, from here to the end. —Nathalie defends herself again, now with a weak but honest smile.

Gabriel watched her for a few moments before sighing, calmer.

— Well, I'm grateful that... you've been there for a long time... —he confesses, showing vulnerability before his usual firmness returning— but you can't keep using the Miraculous until we do a damage control, to see how far it can affect the human body.

— And what do you plan to do? —asked Nathalie, standing up with slowly renewed strength.

Gabriel was silent, thinking of an answer until he remembered someone who might be the perfect candidate.

— Do you have the girl's contact, Lila Rossi?

Chapter Text

Adrien is checking homework in his room. Chloé is visiting, drinking a milkshake while Pollen flutters around Plagg, who is trying to bite a piece of camembert cheese.

— Mon petit chat is so irresistible when he gets grumpy! —says Pollen flirtatiously, looking at the two blond carriers.

— Pfff! —complains Plagg with his mouth full— I'm not your little anything!

— Excuse me? —asks Chloé, confused— Since when does the black cat have a girlfriend?

— For centuries, my queen. —replies Pollen proudly— Well, something like that... It's complicated!

Adrien is practicing modeling in the mirror in his room, with Chloé watching him to guide him. Plagg is lying on the bed. Pollen is sitting on top of him, very calm.

— My sweetheart is the best at destruction... and other things! —Pollen says loudly, so that the carriers can hear her.

— POLLEN! —Plagg exclaims in horror.

— Huh?! —both blondes shout, turning to the Kwamis.

— For example... at stealing cheese. —Pollen laughs sweetly, while Plagg sighs with relief— What were you guys thinking?”

Adrien covers his face with his hand while Chloé snorts and avoids eye contact, failing to hide her tomato-red face.

— You're going to kill me with embarrassment... —Plagg whispers.

— But you'll die happy. —says Pollen before kissing him on the cheek.

— Plagg and I are going to start a business together! —Pollen announces excitedly.

— A business... what kind of business? —Chloé raises an eyebrow.

— Destruction and Subjugation, Inc.! —Pollen says enthusiastically— We offer personalized services: ruining exams, melting locks, releasing bees during specific sessions... guaranteed success!

— And complimentary cheese tasting. —Plagg adds thoughtfully.

— You need a psychologist. —Chloé comments, not sure whether to find it funny or not.

— Or a lawyer... —Adrien adds softly.

Pollen and Plagg are sitting on a pile of pillows in the middle of the night.

— Mon chat noir... —whispers the bee Kwami— did you know that bees only sting those they fear losing?

— Are you threatening me or declaring your love? —asks Plagg with a smile.

— Both, my love. —confesses Pollen, gently touching his cheek.

— Lucky for me, I love crazy Kwamis... —jokes the black cat Kwami.

— Do you know what I love about you? —asks Pollen lovingly— Even though you are Destruction... you always smell like cheese.

— You're romantic, huh! —Plagg grimaces.

— Romantic... and territorial. —Pollen adds before provocatively biting the tip of his ear.

— I'm nobody's territory! —Plagg complains.

— Of course you are, —Pollen refutes with a buzz— you're my black cat.

Plagg looks at her, grumbling, but he's red to the tips of his ears.

Chloé was formulating strategies, now that Chat Noir and Queen Bee would be the new duo, with Adrien watching her. The two Kwamis were on the shelf of a bookcase... performing an absurd comedy using croissant crumbs as props.

— Oh, mighty Cat of Chaos, take this sugar crown and tell me that I am your queen for all eternity! —Pollen exclaims dramatically, kneeling and offering the “crown”.

Plagg sighs, tired but unable to resist playing along— All right, my queen... but only if you don't make me comb your hair again with that pink toothbrush.

— Subjugation requires a minimum of style! —demands Pollen, feigning indignation.

— Are they... putting on a play? —Adrien asks, looking up when he notices their Kwamis.

— Of course! —Chloé replies, clapping her hands— My Kwami knows how to entertain! Does yours just sleep?

— Mine... mine is rarely in love.

Plagg throws a crumb at Adrien's face, and Pollen laughs like a schoolgirl.

In Adrien's pantry. The two are hidden among jars and expensive cheeses. Plagg nibbles on a camembert, and Pollen stirs honey with a twig.

— Look, cheese with a touch of honey. A sweet and strong combination... like you and me. —says Pollen flirtatiously, looking at the black cat lovingly.

— Mmph... —Plagg speaks with his mouth full before swallowing— You mean like you and your obsession with shining?

— And you with destroying everything that moves? —Pollen retorts, smiling— At least I use glitter.

They both laugh. Pollen approaches and cleans his muzzle with a petal. Plagg lets her... and says nothing. He just looks at her with soft eyes.

Adrien and Chloé are sitting, doing homework.

— I want to officially announce that I love Plagg! —Pollen rises into the air.

Plagg covers his face— Why, Pollen... why?

— Really? An official announcement? —Adrien asks, covering his mouth to stifle his laughter.

— Let all of Paris know! —Pollen exclaims, her eyes sparkling.

— I guess eternity is going to be very... noisy with you. —Plagg comments.

— And delicious~ —Pollen adds, with a loving buzz.

Nighttime. Adrien was already asleep. Plagg and Pollen are in a corner of the ceiling, on a beam, watching the lights of Paris.

— Do you think it's strange? —Pollen asks softly— That, being what we are, we've ended up like this.

— Like what? —Plagg raises an eyebrow.

— Like... two eternal creatures, —the bee Kwami clarifies— with absurdly dangerous powers, who laugh at croissant crumbs and share a blanket.

Plagg settles closer, lowering his voice— If it's strange... I don't care. Before, I felt like everything I touched fell apart. Now... it just reconfigures itself when you're around.

— I was an order. A duty. Now... I'm a song. —says Pollen, moved.

They embrace without words. Not as possessions, but as two ideas that have finally found peace.

In the park, the two blondes were sitting on a bench hanging out with their Kwamis camouflaged in their animal forms. Adrien noticed Marinette and greeted her warmly, while Chloé rolled her eyes. Pollen noticed how Plagg was watching Tikki, who was floating by, also camouflaged.

— Oh, look at her, all "Oh, I'm harmony" with her perfect sweetness. —Pollen reproaches, with her legs crossed.

— Are you really jealous of my ex-other half? —Plagg asks with a raised eyebrow.

— Of course! —Pollen buzzes angrily, clearly jealous— I'm the current other-half. And the current other-half deserves all your romantic destruction.

Plagg rolls his eyes... and throws a rose plucked from a bush at her with his paw.

— Here. Destroy it with your cloying love.

— Accepted! —the bee immediately lunges at the rose.

Pollen and Plagg are floating around while Chloé and Adrien have a sleepover watching movies.

— Adrien? —Pollen approaches him— Do you have anything with more protein for my Plagg? Cheese alone doesn't nourish the soul, you know? —she gives Plagg, who is floating face up in the air, a flirtatious look.

— My soul lives on cheese and contradiction, thank you. —says the black cat Kwami to the air, without looking at her.

— And I try to keep your digestive system functioning... —Pollen sighs dramatically— Do you see what I have to put up with, my queen?

— I don't know how you put up with it. I'd put honey on his face while he sleeps. —suggests Chloé, focused on painting her nails.

— I already did! —complains the bee Kwami— He didn't care it, he just ate it in his sleep...

— ...Because it tasted like you. —blurts out Plagg, glancing sideways at Pollen.

Adrien chokes on a cookie. Pollen laughs delightedly. Plagg feigns indifference, but there is a slight smile on his snout.

Both Plagg and Pollen were at the bottom of Chloé's bag, where they hide during photo shoots.

— Admit that you dreamed about me last night! —demands the bee Kwami as she pulls Plagg's tail.

— That's a lie! —denied the black cat Kwami— I don't dream. I only have visions of the apocalypse.

— And did the apocalypse have golden and blue eyes and a silky voice? —asked Pollen with a smile.

Plagg purrs unintentionally, then falls silent— That was an evolutionary coincidence.

— HA! I knew it! —Pollen lets go of his tail, feeling victorious— I destroy you emotionally. It's ironic.

— You're the only prison I would choose without shackles.

Adrien's refrigerator, where Plagg is trying to take out a camembert while Pollen blocks his way with her wings spread.

— What did we say about stealing at three in the morning? —Pollen asks disapprovingly.

— We said only if it was with love, —Plagg replies, playing innocent— and I deeply love cheese.

— You need nutrients! —complains the bee Kwami— Something green, something alive, not things that smell like a crying corpse.

— I am Destruction. What enters me is already destined to die.

— How romantic! —Pollen comments sarcastically— Marry the camembert, then.

— I can't. I already have a bee that subjugates me and forces me to eat.

— Exactly~

Plagg and Pollen sneak out at night to steal some camembert from the market.

— Do you know this is illegal? —asks Pollen as she flies stealthily, looking around.

— Love was illegal in some empires too. —Plagg declares casually, holding the cheese— Are you going to arrest me?

— Only if you handcuff me with your tail. —replies the bee Kwami with a mischievous smile.

— How aggressive. I like you more every day.

They both laugh as they disappear into the darkness with their loot, like a pair of criminals in love.

The Agreste kitchen. Adrien is distracted, talking on the phone. Plagg tries to get into the fridge.

Pollen floats behind him with a raised eyebrow— Plagg, that's frosting. Not cheese.

— But it looks like happy cheese! —Plagg complains with half a cake on his face.

— And you look like a cat with emotional problems. —Pollen acknowledges before having a "revelation".— Ah, wait...

— Mmm. Sugar... —Plagg comments with delight— like your poisonous compliments.

— I love you even though you're a dairy disaster.

Chloé received a box of chocolates as a gift. Pollen drags Plagg inside and they both settle in as if they were at a restaurant.

— Romantic, isn't it? —says Pollen as she walks among the chocolates— Do you like honey or salted caramel?

— The one that won't explode in my face, please.

— Try this one. It has a soft center. Like you. —Pollen offers one before flirting.

— Did you just call me soft on a date? —Plagg asks before eating.

— I'm just saying that even your sarcasm melts when you smile at me with those little fangs.

— I don't smile! —Plagg retorts before choking momentarily, then continues— I growl happily!

Pollen dragged Plagg to a toy store to look at stuffed animals. He is completely uninterested until he sees a black plush cat.

— Look, one just like you! —Pollen points with a twinkle in her eyes— You could put my initial on it. It would be like having me hugging you.

— And you would hug one with my face on it? —Plagg asks, his ears pointing sideways.

— I hug you, grumpy. —Pollen clarifies.

— Well... —says Plagg before picking up the stuffed animal— if I put some cheese inside, I could use it as a hiding place.

— You want to sleep hugging a stuffed animal with my initial on it? —Pollen asks mischievously.

— ... It's also my initial. —Plagg grumbles in denial.

Adrien arrives at his room, tired. He collapses onto his bed... and a scream is heard. The sheets are lifted, revealing Plagg and Pollen tangled together, as if they had been hugging.

— Oh, Adrien! —exclaims Pollen, blushing— At least knock on the door!

— It's my bed! —says Adrien, open-mouthed.

— Five more minutes... —demands Plagg, half asleep.

— Do you realize that your cheese smells all over the bed? —whispers Pollen with delight. 

— Alpha male perfume. —declares the black cat Kwami, still half asleep.

— ...I need to wash the sheets. —says Adrien, resigned.

Adrien is standing in front of the refrigerator, looking for something to eat, with Pollen and Plagg floating beside him.

— Steal the cake! Live life! —suggests Pollen enthusiastically.

— And take the cheese too! —adds Plagg, agreeing with her.

— I can't steal food from my dad! —says Adrien, somewhat nervous.

— For the love I share with this cat, do it! —demands Pollen like a drama queen.

— Do it for our eternal love! —continues Plagg in the same vein.

Adrien sighs, closes the refrigerator, and leaves. Plagg and Pollen look at each other.

— Your holder is learning to be a boring human... —Pollen complains with a pout.

— Bah, I'll do it later anyway. —Plagg affirms.

Adrien studies Chinese in his room. Pollen flutters around him. Plagg chews cheese. Pollen smells the camembert for a moment and notices something.

— Yuck! It smells worse than it should! How can you eat that?

— Mmmmff mghhhmfff! —Plagg replies with his mouth full.

— Don't talk to me with your mouth full!

Plagg gulps quickly and approaches dramatically, whispering...

— But you could fill my mouth with your honey...

— PLAGG! —Pollen blushes— Don't say things like that in front of Adrien!

— ...Excuse me? —Adrien looks up, completely oblivious to the argument.

In the school bathroom. Adrien and Chloé hide behind the door. Plagg and Pollen argue.

— Don't follow me everywhere! —Plagg exclaims indignantly— I need space to be mysterious and deadly!

— So what if I want to be glued to you 24/7?! That's what lovers do!

— POLLEN!

— ...I said that out loud, didn't I?

Adrien and Chloé peek their heads out.

— This is better than any soap opera! —squeals Chloé, trying not to laugh.

Adrien is asleep. Pollen and Plagg float inches above the pillow.

— Do you know what happens to me every time I look at you? —whispers Pollen. 

— What...?

— All my pheromones go to my head!

— Pollen! —exclaims Plagg, scandalized.

Adrien stirs in his sleep and mumbles something without waking up. Pollen covers Plagg's mouth, giggling.

— Shhh... —Pollen silences him— I don't want Adrien to know yet that you're so... delicious.

One of the butlers at Adrien's mansion is baking a cake. Pollen watches excitedly from the countertop while Plagg floats lazily above.

— Cheesecake! Your favorite love in solid form!

— My only love is cheese... —says Plagg before glancing sideways at her— although you go well with it. Like a bee inside a brie.

— Are you telling me I'm sticky, white, and dangerous to humans with intolerance?

— No, I'm telling you I could eat you whole.

Pollen watches as Plagg helps Adrien practice an elegant jump. She is clearly annoyed.

— Look at him, acting all helpful and cooperative. —she whispers— Since when are you a coach?

— Since someone told me I don't know how to support my holders. —Plagg replies without looking at her, before pausing, then adding— I also don't want Adrien to die, you know?

— I support him too! Look at me! —Pollen leaps into the air and lands face-first on a cushion— MORAL SUPPORT!

— Was that a declaration of love or a slow-motion suicide attempt? —Plagg asks.

— Both, —Pollen replies in a muffled voice— I'm versatile.

Plagg and Pollen are trying on Chloé accessories while the humans are away.

— What do you think? —she asks, putting on toy sunglasses— Queen of Parisian style?

— Who needs style when you have an explosion of personality? —declares Plagg, wearing a crooked beret.

— Explosion? —the bee Kwami approaches him— Are you implying that I explode?

— I'm implying that you make me fly inside... —Plagg replies with a catlike smile— sometimes outside too.

They both laugh. Pollen pushes him with her paw. Plagg pretends to faint as if he were in a soap opera.

Chloé is doing her nails while Pollen and Plagg argue.

— So now you're the black cat's girlfriend? —asks Chloé with a smile— How scandalous!

— Of course! —Pollen nods proudly— He's such a romantic... when he's not chewing on cheese.

— Thanks for the compliment, terror bee. —Plagg comments ironically.

— Terrifyingly sexy, you mean! —Pollen corrects him, gently hitting him.

Chloé bursts out laughing— You guys are worse than a reality show. And I love it!

Pollen bathes in a teacup in Chloé's bathroom, Plagg watches from the edge, mockingly.

— Do you really use petal-scented water? —Plagg asks with a raised eyebrow, smiling.

— Are you still using your paws as a towel? —Pollen asks back.

— Dirt is part of my aesthetic identity. —Plagg states proudly.

— So is stench, but don't tell Adrien.

Plagg stares at her for a few seconds before throwing water at her without warning, splashing her.

— PLAGG! —despite Pollen's complaint, a smile appears on her face, betraying her feelings— My jasmine foam!

— Love is perfumed chaos. —Plagg declares with a smile, continuing to splash her.

Both were hiding in Adrien's jacket during class while he met with Juleka. Pollen and Plagg were tucked away in the inside pocket, pressed up against each other.

— Are you nervous? —Pollen asked quietly.

— I'm squashed between your wing and a granola bar. —Plagg replies, also in a low voice— That's the closest I've been to anyone in years.

— Shut up. —laughs Pollen— I know you like it.

— I haven't complained, have I? —says the black cat Kwami, purring.

In a makeshift Kwami hiding place in a soft drawer, Pollen wakes up while Plagg is still sleeping curled up in a ball.

— Good morning, ruin of my days and reason for my disasters. —she whispers with a soft buzz.

— If you keep talking like that... —Plagg begins, half awake— you'll make me destroy the clock just so we can stay here longer.

— How romantic. Anarchy for love.

— Or for laziness. —Plagg comments, opening one eye to look at Pollen— But with you, it's almost the same thing.

Chapter Text

—̸̯̹͠ ̴̭̜͛E̸͍͝v̸̬̱́̒ė̵̩̘r̶͓͂̉y̴͓͠o̶͎̍n̸̤͇̈́e̶̠̋ ̵͙́̑l̷̰̽ò̵̡̖́v̵͇͍̇e̵̲̕ş̵̟̾̀ ̴̧̩̊͝a̶͓̞̿ ̷̱̆g̶͓̓o̷̜̅o̵̦̣̓̐d̴̙̀̎ ̸̼́̔s̶̨̾̎t̸̺̊o̷̥̪͘r̶̠̈́̍ỹ̵͎͛.̵̦͗͜.̸͓͌̇.̴̧̖͋͘ ̴̱͌͊b̸͓̈́̂u̸̼̭̽̌t̸̹̾ ̶̞̈͜w̴̰͍͘h̴̰͚̅à̵͓̘t̷̡̹́ ̷̲̟͌i̴͚̾f̴̩̔͝ͅ ̴̞̱̊ẙ̷̨͖͠o̸̯̔̈ů̷͈͖ ̶̺̾̄c̵̢̻̕ö̸͓̌ù̸͓l̷̼̉d̵̻̀͠ͅ ̸̦̅̆ě̸̥̤͝x̴̼̂͝p̴̗̤͒̇e̸̜͝ŕ̸̺̈́i̴͓̪̚ẻ̸̳ǹ̸̳́c̵͖̱͗e̴̡̜͋̽ ̵̛̘̕ï̶̒ͅt̷̛͔?̷͙̯̌ ̸̖̜̊Ḙ̶̲͆v̵̢̪́e̷̝͆̇r̸̖̹̆̽ỳ̴͜o̸̹͝ń̸͈̬ë̵̦́ ̴̹͇̎h̸͗͜a̷̱͘͜s̷̡̀͐ ̷̰̍ẗ̷̢̟́͂h̷̻̞͐è̷̤̈́i̴̥͔͒r̸̨̜͆̓ ̸̥͑͆p̶̡̣̀̍l̵̯͑̈́ä̴̰́͌c̸̠̽̅ë̴̓ͅ ̵̰̩͂ȋ̵̢͍n̶͎̣͂̌ ̵̞̗̀a̴̳͠ ̷̣̬̑̂s̴͉̔͘ţ̸̔̆o̵̳̔r̵̹̻̿͠y̴͎̦̅͊,̸̙͇̋͋ ̵̮̝̌s̵̰͒̊ô̸̢͕͗ṁ̴͉͖è̶̢̲̈́ ̶̙̓̀ǐ̸͎͙̀ľ̵̼͓͝ḻ̸̋ͅu̵̯̰͌́m̵͓̈́͒ȋ̷͓̇ń̴̯a̶̩̓͝t̶͚̃̄e̷̡͝d̶̪̹̚.̸̝͗͝.̶̹̫̋.̶̖̑ ̴̇͜ô̵͓͆t̵̹̠̎ḧ̴͍̍e̸͇͊r̶̜̄̔s̸̞̖͝.̸̥͊͠.̸̼̞͘.̷̺̲̀ ̵̗̱̓f̵̣͚̓̈́ổ̵͓r̸͙̍̚͜g̶̣͎͗͝ȏ̷͈͜t̴̪͖̏t̴̻͘ę̴̧̕n̸̟̓̃.̸̛̲̃
̴̞̪̈́͝
̶͉̾F̷̧̰̊͘l̶̜̤̒́á̶͋ͅṡ̷͠ͅh̴̼͉̐i̶͙͇͐n̴̠̰̈́̿g̵̗̪͊͌ ̶̤͂͝l̵̺͂ǐ̶̬g̶͙̙͂͆h̴͇͍̏̆t̷̤̉s̵̤͓͒̒.̵͇̲̍̾ ̴̩̫͂͆Â̴̞̻ ̸̦̎̍s̷̙̃h̸̅̅ͅa̶̜̍d̵͒̕͜ȯ̶̧͉̓w̷̝̕͠y̸̺͙̏ ̷̡̛̜̈ḟ̷̧͔ȉ̴͎̎g̵͍̐̀ù̶̹ȑ̸̡e̵̳̪͐ ̶̺̿͛ẇ̶̛͖̹è̷̳̤͌ả̷̢ͅr̷͕̞̓͠ì̴͕̚n̸͉͊̋g̵͚̹̐ ̷̧̩̎a̵̧̺͑ ̶͈͍̈́͝m̴͎͈̿a̶͉̘̾́s̶͔̮͗́k̷̨̘̎̎ ̷̩̀s̶̯͐͑ͅt̶͖̎̉ȃ̶̩͝n̴̳̏͆d̸͈̰̑̅s̷͈̜̚ ̵͎̃̇i̷̧̹͒͛n̷͖̋ ̷̠̃f̴͇͂r̷̬̆ö̷͍͜n̴͕͘ť̸̢̰ ̵͉͋̇o̴̖̠͑̕f̵̫͍͆͝ ̶̲̈́a̵̺̦͠͝ ̶͎̐̃ġ̶ͅḭ̴̣̇͗a̷̞͂n̶̥͙͋t̴͔̜̿ ̸̨̜̉̿ŝ̸̪͓c̵̮̘̃͂r̵̢̥͌e̸̝͌e̴͙̦̿n̵̮̾.̴̨͖̄ ̵͖͈͐̓Ì̸̖̤t̶͕̾'̶͕̼̐̕s̸̙̄ ̷͎̊͑Å̷̮ǹ̵̢͇̔i̷̼͂̚m̴͍͘͜á̴̢ȅ̴͓̜ś̷̢͓͝t̸̯̑̀r̴͈̎́o̷̰͐.̷̜̆ ̴̮̐H̸̹͌̉į̶̖́̀ṣ̵̚ ̶̨͍̈́̒ë̷̙̥́̕y̵͙͂̒e̸͓͂́s̷̬̟͑̓ ̵̞̊̕g̸̟̼̀͋l̷͉͇͝o̶̖̅w̷̫̓̒ ̶̡̃p̴̨̦̆̎u̷̢͈͛r̸̥̩͒͆p̸͔̱̍͒l̴̬̔̓é̶͙͜.̷̜̭̓̔ ̴̖̿͘A̶̰̐n̸̡̒̅ ̸̤͗͆i̷̙͊l̴͇̓̉l̸̳̜̿ů̴̱s̵̮̯̆o̵̬̓r̵̯͆̕y̵̻̽ ̴̖͝v̷̭͇̾̍o̸̲̊̑r̸͚̀t̵͉̾̌ẹ̴̩͝x̶̂ͅ ̸̣̈́e̶̼̒́r̴̪͐̊ǘ̶̱p̸̣̈́t̸̹͚͒̕ș̸̖̈́͆ ̸̢̳̍ì̶̺n̸̥͌ ̵̬̀t̷̝̀̒ḩ̸̩͠ë̸͔́̐ ̴̱̎ṛ̴̢̌̓o̵̹̽͠o̴̧̤̓̕m̷̰̏́͜.̷̮̘̉ ̴̠̜̆S̷͕̆c̵̤̓̋r̴̨͈̆̐e̸̫͐̃á̸̧̢͐ṃ̶̑͐͜s̵̱̟͝.̷͙̒ ̷̺̎S̸̠̈̒i̴̽͜l̶͈͊͠ẽ̴͍̯n̴̥̎c̶͔̜̄e̶͚͂̂.̶̧͓́̎ ̵̬̋É̷̺̇v̷̠͎̓e̵̻̐r̵͓͑ẙ̸̰̠t̸̯̺̕h̴̅ͅi̵̺̝̚n̸̩̩̾g̵̢̧͐͝ ̷͚͂g̷̼̳͝o̶̪͌e̸̟͒s̴͉̮̋̄ ̴̀͑͜d̷͓̒ä̵̗́͒r̷̥̩͘͝ḱ̷̖̾.̷̩͛

Everything seems normal. Marinette rushes in, stumbles, sits down next to Alya, who can't resist teasing her. In the back row, sitting by the window, is Juleka. Silent. Alone.

— So it all started again. —Juleka says from her thoughts— Another day, as usual. Luka is playing this afternoon. Rose dedicated a poem to me. No one sees me, but everything is fine. That's how it should be... right?

— Hi, Juleka! —Rose approaches cheerfully before sitting down next to her— Ready for another exciting day?

— ... Sure. —Juleka replies quietly, with a slight smile but not much emotion.

She then returns to looking ahead, á̵̼t̴̹͒ ̸̤͝ẅ̸̤́h̵̥͋i̴͇͝c̶͕̆ḫ̴̓ ̵̦̍p̸̫̍ȯ̶̟ĩ̵͎n̸̳̑ẗ̷̝́ ̸̯̋P̶̗̉l̷̠̓a̶̮͠g̶̹̿g̷̯͐ ̵͚̊a̴̼͌p̸̡̑p̴͙͊ṟ̵́ọ̵͌a̶̡͗c̵̘̈h̷̟̒e̷̫̅s̵̜͋ ̸̠͗h̸̻̓e̵͉̚r̷̙̍ ̸̩̉f̸̩̀r̴͓͘o̴͚͑m̵͉̿ ̸̨͒u̶̦̚ń̶̠d̸̩̃e̶͇̔ŗ̴͗ ̵̪͊t̵͎͝h̶͓͝e̴̖͛ ̴̢͆d̵͇̿ẽ̸̼s̶̖̿k̴͖̀.̶̞̔
̴̛̰
̷̳̅—̵͕͌ ̸̬͒P̸̡̅s̵̭̀s̶̙̒t̵̝̒,̵̗̄ ̸̞̾J̵̪͠ǔ̸̥l̴͈͛e̶̝̽k̵̟̎a̷̩̋,̴̛͙ ̶̧̈́Á̶͍d̸͚̊r̶͆͜ḯ̴͙é̵̠n̵͈̚ ̷̣̃ḍ̴̆õ̸͍ẽ̴̳s̴̥̄ṋ̸̉'̵̮̈́t̵̝̑ ̶͍͆s̶͈̐é̷̪e̵̓͜m̵̟͗ ̸̦̂t̶͙͘o̸̺͗ ̵͙̑b̷̫̈ẹ̷͘ ̷̢͝r̸̡͝e̷̞͘ȃ̴͇c̶̳̈t̶̞͆í̸̞n̶̬͐g̵̢͂.̸̻̀ ̷͈͝—̷̳͛P̵̲̎l̸̤͘a̵̔ͅg̵̻̋g̸̛̰ ̸̞̾w̸͙̍h̶̙̀ĭ̷̙s̸͔͑p̸̥̃ė̸̼ȑ̷͚s̴̘̒ ̸̣̾t̶̹̏ȯ̵̘ ̸͙̿t̸͈̾ȟ̷̞ė̵̠ ̶̗̄g̵͚̅ò̸̰ț̵̀h̸̕͜i̸͂ͅc̷̝̒ ̴͙͑g̶̤̽ỉ̶̪r̷͓̒l̴͚͊—̶͉͌ ̶̳͐Í̷͉ ̷̢͛ṭ̸͛r̵̖̒i̸̙͑e̷̤̾ḑ̶́ ̸͓͋t̷̲̆o̸̠͝ ̷̙͌t̸̺̀a̸̯̐ḽ̶͊k̴͕͊ ̶͉́t̸̜̾ó̷̺ ̸̭̍h̸̥̋i̴͐͜m̴̠͆ ̵̡̐ą̶̎b̵͚̄o̴͕͂ŭ̸͓t̶̬̏ ̷̥̑Ả̴̜n̸͚͒ȋ̴̢m̷͉̎ã̵͜e̴͉͒s̸̱̈t̷̢̍r̵͖̄ö̷͕́,̶̯̌ ̶͉̅b̸̡̂û̸̟ť̸̲ ̵̨̏h̵̠̅e̸͓͘ ̴̫̽ḓ̸̀o̵̤͂e̷͚͐s̶̬͒ṇ̵͌'̶̨͝t̸͙̓ ̷͖̅s̵̢̛ȇ̶͖ḙ̶̉m̶͖̍ ̸̅ͅt̶̪͂o̵̠͐ ̶̰̄b̵͉̐e̶͈̅ ̸̗̓ľ̶̰i̸͔͘s̶̭͒t̴̟̊ĕ̵̦n̵̖͘i̴̝̋n̸͗ͅg̴̦̐ ̵͙̈́ť̷͍o̵̼͛ ̴͎̆m̸̜̃e̸̡͊.̸͖̂.̵̒ͅ.̸͉͐ ̸̼̍J̷̳̏ų̷̆l̵̲͝e̶͍̾k̶̹͐a̸̮͐?̶̡͐ ̶̝͛—̵͂͜a̷͍̓s̷̙͊k̵͖̓s̵̡̋ ̸̠̂t̶̖̀ĥ̴̬ȇ̸̝ ̵͎̽b̴͇͂ḽ̷̾ạ̸̈ċ̸̡k̵̮͗ ̶͚̀c̶̞͑a̵̧̿t̶̮͘ ̴͍͆K̸͕̑ẅ̴̝́a̶͎̒m̵̨̈i̶̱̅,̴̗͂ ̶̖̆r̶̦͂e̶̤̅à̸̭l̴̙͑i̸̖̔z̷͕͗i̸͍̇n̶͒͜g̸͚̅ ̵̖̓t̸̥͂ḧ̶̥́a̷̢͋t̴͈̒ ̸̨͒s̵̺̈́h̸̡̊é̴̤ ̷͍͗i̶͓̒s̵̰̈́ ̷̟̒í̵̙g̶̲̓n̴̺͊ô̶̗r̷̟̀ị̶͛n̴̲͒g̸͈̋ ̷̞̉h̵̰̊ī̷͔m̵͈͝.̵̠̇ ̵̣̐P̷̪̀l̸̜̇a̶̳̍g̷̤̀g̴͇̈ ̷̲̓f̵̩̒l̶̺͆o̴̮̎à̸̧t̵̘͠s̴̙͑ ̶͚̄a̴͈̎b̸͉̀o̴̩͐v̴̠́e̷͖͒ ̷̟̊ṱ̶̐ȟ̵͚é̴̺ ̵̧̐c̷̤͠l̸̠̓a̵͈̎ṡ̵̙s̶̖̀ ̷̯͊w̸̤̕i̸̙̓t̶̅͜ẖ̶̉ ̷̗̊a̸̰̐n̸͚͂n̷̲̒o̵̗̓y̷͓̋e̶̜͋ď̴̪ ̶̬̈́e̵͔͘ẏ̴͍e̵͍̽s̵͚̔—̶̨̿ ̵̩͌T̵̤̈́ị̸͒k̵̝̓ḱ̷̹ḯ̶̫ ̶͎̔c̵̠͘ą̶̑ń̸̺'̶̢̊t̷̜͐ ̷͙͂d̷̻̂ȯ̴͈ ̵̲̑m̶͙͗u̵͙͊c̶̠̄ḧ̵̖́ ̶͍͘ẃ̶̮i̵̦͗t̷͎͗ḣ̸̞i̴͎͑n̸̨̓ ̵̻͛ṱ̵̏h̷̡͒î̷̥s̴̩̚ ̴̱̒l̴̠̐ī̴̮e̶̪͊ ̵̛͔ệ̸i̷̟̒t̶̝̃h̶̝͛ė̵̠r̸̥̉.̴̑͜.̶̹͆.̷̦̌
̸̩̋
̵̹̃T̶͇̈́h̷͈̐ę̴̽ń̴͜ ̷̥̚P̶͑͜ő̷͇l̸̽͜l̴̜̓e̴̢̎n̷̼̏ ̶͈͝ȁ̴̧ṗ̸̗p̵̥̉ŗ̵́o̵̬͘a̸̼͘c̴̭̅h̷̞͊e̶͚̋s̷̙͋ ̷̘̌h̸̹̾i̵̘̇m̵̱̊,̶̧̅ ̵̯̿a̴̢͋g̴̀͜i̸̡̐t̷͊͜a̵̧̋t̸͍̅e̵̜̐d̸͇̽—̸̳́ ̶̲̈́C̷̪͠ḣ̶̯l̶̳͛ò̵̥é̷̤͋ ̷́ͅi̵̙̎s̷̝̈́n̶̛̺'̵̼̊ṱ̴͆ ̶̺̏l̷͎̋ḯ̴̳s̴̗̕ţ̵̛ě̸͖n̷͚̎i̵̲͗n̶̠̕g̷̲͋.̶̟̽ ̷̻͑Ś̵̩ḥ̸̕ẻ̸̠ ̵̼̃t̷̙̾h̴̨̏í̵͙ǹ̴̞k̵̝̆s̵͇̃ ̸̲̕e̵̤͑v̵̱͝ḛ̸͌r̸͔̊y̷͕̑t̷̰͆h̸̦͘i̸̗̇n̵̗̚g̸̼̔ ̴̣̈́i̵̭̾s̴͍̃ ̵͇̑ã̵̫s̵̞̾ ̸̱̂u̷͇͋s̷̥̀ṵ̶͘a̴̪̍l̴̛̙.̶͓̐ ̷̛̖I̸͈͝'̵͝ͅm̸̛̱ ̵̫̈ţ̷̏ì̴̻r̶̰͌e̷̠̓d̵̥̑ ̵̣͝ǒ̷̺f̵͍́ ̴͓͑p̶̞̚r̷͇̉e̶͎̒t̸̛̠e̵̛̟n̸̝͝d̵̘̒i̴͇͒n̷̗̐g̴̓͜.̷̙͐
̸̫̍
̶̲̉—̴̦̉ ̷̦̌T̴̠̀h̸̢̀ę̴̅r̶̘̔e̷̞͛'̷̼͝ŝ̷̙ ̸͇̔ã̷̳n̷̡̆ȍ̷̭t̴̯̒ḩ̵͝ë̴͈́r̶̳̆ ̶͈̉ọ̶̓n̴̪̒é̶̫.̷̱͆ ̸̙̀—̷͉̚s̵̬̓ḁ̵͒y̴̜̌s̵͊ͅ ̷̭͑P̵̩̃l̸͓͒a̶̠͌g̶̉ͅg̷͓̋,̷͈͗ ̷̼̊l̵̟͠ǒ̴̫o̷͇̾k̵̰̓i̶̊ͅn̶̡͆g̶̉ͅ ̷̨͘a̸̭̎t̷͈͛ ̶̣̅J̶̠̈ư̵̼l̵͉̎e̸̲͝ḱ̸̩ą̵̆—̴̘̾ ̴̨̔S̵̀ͅö̶̩́m̵̖̕e̷̤̅ȯ̵̤n̸͚̉ē̵̺ ̶̠́t̵̖̿h̴͎͊i̵̦̎s̶̈́͜ ̴̼̑i̸̡̔l̸͇̃l̵̛͉ư̷͉s̴̩̆i̶̮̒ö̵͚n̵̠̐ ̸͓̅l̶̺͒ḛ̴͒f̶̦͂t̴̮̉ ̸͍̈́õ̶͔u̷̒ͅt̵̤̓.̶̨͛.̷̱̓.̷͂͜ ̴͙̾a̵̜͘n̷̤̈́d̸̲̂ ̶͖͝t̴̠̿h̵̦̉ḁ̸̆t̶̪͊ ̴̜̐m̶̬͠à̵̙ḱ̸͕ē̴͚ś̸͓ ̸͈̄h̷̥̽ẻ̸͎r̸̹̈́ ̵͎͂d̷̤̒a̶͎̍n̵̰̑ĝ̸̗e̷͖͘r̶̺͒o̸͍͊u̶͈̒s̶̲͝ ̶̱͆t̸̗͒o̸̱̓ ̴͙̌Ḁ̸̓n̵̪͒i̵̙̇ḿ̵̻ą̷̈́e̷͖͋ş̴̇t̵̪̾r̴̼̓o̴̖̒.̵͍̊

Juleka enters the school library to gather some information. 

—̷̓͜ ̶̬͆J̸̠̇ȕ̴͍l̷͙̒ë̶̢́k̷̬̅â̷͓,̵̗͗ ̶̡̈́ỳ̴̗ǫ̷͘ů̴͖'̷̳͆r̶͈̿ẽ̴̟ ̷̖̄n̴̞͂o̴̡̽ṫ̵͖ ̸̺͛a̴̞͝ ̸̰́ŗ̵̿ê̴̝f̸̬̀l̵̡͊e̴̹̾c̶̈ͅt̶̳̐ḯ̷̪o̸̟͝n̵̗͗.̴͉̀ ̷͔̈́—̷͈̔P̷̜̍o̴͈̿l̴̘͐l̴̠͌e̵̼̍ň̷͕ ̸̰̄i̸̗̋m̶͈̊p̵̥̄l̷̟̋o̷̹͗r̶͕̉e̶̳̚ś̸̘ ̸̦̑a̴͜͠s̸̨̽ ̸̨̓s̷̭͘h̵̹͘e̴̼̕ ̸̦̉ä̴̖́ń̵̝d̵̫͝ ̸͇̓P̶̠͌l̶̙̚a̷̘͗g̶͈̍ǧ̶͚ ̶̱͐f̶̺̊ō̶̝l̵͉͋l̵̬͝o̴̬̎w̵̯͌ ̷͎̊h̸͍̋e̷͈͝r̵͚̈́ ̷̝͝ǒ̸͓p̵̛̣ḛ̸̿n̷̢͠l̸̤̏ỷ̴̯—̸̣͋ ̵͓̀Ẅ̸̤́â̸͔k̸̭̈́ẽ̵̠ ̴̠̔ṷ̶̀p̵̝̚.̴̯͝
̵̩͑
̷̯͂—̷̏͜ ̶̩͒T̷̼͑ȟ̷̬è̶̞y̶̻̑'̴̧̚ṙ̸͖e̵̟̔ ̷̦͆c̸̲̎o̶̺͂n̶͛ͅs̴͖̍u̶̜͘m̶̲̂i̴̝̋n̵̟͒g̸̭̔ ̸͚͘y̶̞̌o̵̯̕ū̷̙.̷̝̎ ̴̡́T̸̼̎h̴͔͑i̴̛̦s̸͈̓ ̴̺́ȉ̴̗s̷̪͘n̵̥̅'̶͉̋t̸͚͂ ̸͔̄l̸͚̊ḭ̵̈́v̸̫͒i̸̺͂n̴̥̆g̶̢̚.̸̺̀ ̷̺̃—̷̖͋P̷̦͛l̵̛͎à̵̤g̴͓̿g̷̹̏ ̷̨̏ċ̴̨ő̷̬ň̶̼ṱ̵̈́i̵̙͑ǹ̴̥ṷ̶͐e̸̍͜s̶̥̓,̷͙͐ ̶̻͊w̷͎̔i̸̤͌t̵͎͆h̷̢̉ ̷̻̒a̶͓͂ ̵̝́h̵͇̕į̸̄n̴͝ͅt̵̻̅ ̷̜̈o̴̳͌f̶̜̆ ̴͔̌d̷̥̋e̸̖͝s̷͍͛p̸͍͋e̵̙̽r̶̘͝ȧ̴̧t̶̞͐i̵̮͐o̴͙͊n̸̹̎ ̸̺̂c̵̪̀r̸̖̊e̵̼͒ẹ̴́p̴͉͝i̷͖̽ǹ̴͔g̷̖͛ ̸̤̈i̴̊͜n̴͕̾.̷̡̓

Juleka blinks.

Juleka watches from afar as Nino is akumatized.

The Akuma, LadyWifi, confronts the director via a cell phone broadcast, while Juleka is just a face in the crowd.

Juleka enters the bathroom, then gasps as she tries to open the door, b̴̮̎ȗ̶̘t̷̞͠ ̷͈̿t̴͚̏h̸̙̉ë̷͍ ̷͕̿ç̸̐ȟ̴̞a̶̹͋i̶̩͒r̷̲̆ ̴̳͑i̷͚͝s̵̢̒ ̴̙̒i̷̥̍n̵̻͝ ̸͔͒t̸̨̓h̸̠̀ę̴̑ ̸̩̽w̶̛͚a̴̫̋y̷͔͑.̴͈̕ ̶͔̉N̷̳̂ô̶̹ẗ̶̯ ̴̱̒f̵̖̎ő̷͓r̷͔̀ ̴̯͛l̴̜̆o̷̠͑n̷̠͛g̷̟̀,̷̠̿ ̴̪͆t̷̛̝h̷̯͌o̵̰̎ư̴̼g̴̤̃h̴͇̄,̴͚̒ ̵̜̽ȧ̷̳s̵͜͠ ̵̏͜t̶̻͐h̵̘͆e̵̺͐ ̵̡͝c̵̩̓ȟ̸̺a̷̦̽í̸̱r̸̩̐ ̴͔͑b̴̺̍l̷̪͑o̵͎̾ċ̴̲k̵̻͆ḯ̷̗n̶̟͗g̵̻̾ ̷̯̾t̵̞̾h̷̺̃è̴͚ ̴̲̃d̵̯̆o̸̻̅o̸̲͛r̸͕̓ ̷͓͑d̴̬͑ĭ̵̤ṣ̶̐i̴̺͘n̷͉̑t̵͒ͅe̷̲͌ǵ̸̯r̴̼̅â̶͕ť̶̥ê̵̺s̴̱̏ ̷̼̀â̸͕n̸̬̈ḋ̸͍ ̶̫̄Ṕ̸͎l̴̠̈́a̷͔͑g̶̠̀g̴̳̈́ ̷̼̇ẅ̷̮́ȧ̷̫l̸̦͊k̷͎̓s̸̬͒ ̵̦͂t̵̗̉h̵̲̄r̶̭̎o̸͙͝u̵̗͆g̸̫̓h̵͔͋ ̴͇̏ẗ̵͚́h̶̯̍ḛ̸͝ ̴͈̊d̴̦̾o̸̗̕o̵̕ͅr̶̟̚.̷̣̋
̵͙͊
̴̢̓—̴͉̆ ̷̰͊T̴̝͗h̴̞͝e̷̙̐r̵̈͜è̷̲!̷͙͗ ̶̲̀Ṫ̶̻ȟ̸̙e̸̩̚ ̷͙̂d̵̗̃o̴͈̾o̸͔͂r̴͕͛ ̵̜͋ì̵̳s̷̳̾n̸͓̉'̸̲̚ṱ̵̐ ̷̦̌s̶̱̓t̵̤͛o̵̘̽p̸͉̄p̴̹̿i̶̬͂ň̶̻ĝ̵͙ ̷͖͛ȳ̵̧o̴̬͗ȗ̵͉ ̸̢̑f̵̝̾r̸̦̒o̸̼͗m̷̯̀ ̸̅͜l̸̤͗e̸̻͂à̷̻v̶̦̍i̴͕͋n̷͇̓g̴̛̙ ̶̪̿n̸̹͐o̷͇̕w̷̛̗,̵̮͐ ̴͔̈ṣ̷̆ö̷̥́ ̵̗́ỹ̶̠o̴̳͗ü̸̮ ̷̟̐ś̷̗ẖ̴̾o̶̥͘u̵͈̐l̵̨̽d̶̤͊ ̸͎́r̶͉̚e̷̟̕ȧ̷͙c̵͚͝ẗ̴̺́,̸̬͌ ̵̟͆r̸̰̍i̷̬̅g̷̞̿h̷̦̉t̷̺͂?̸̜̅!̷͚͛ ̷̤͝—̸̇͜ḁ̷͝s̷̩͊k̵̮̑s̵̗̀ ̷̲̃t̴͖̋h̴̹͝e̶̹̅ ̶͉̂b̵̞̒ļ̵̌a̶̙̋c̸̳͂k̶̥͘ ̵̬̉c̷̞̓a̵̲̚t̸͇͛ ̵̫̿K̶̯̆w̸̙̔ã̴̹m̴̫̎i̷̬̚,̸̼͆ ̷̨̐a̵̤̒l̸̗͝ḿ̸̲o̴͖̓s̶̥̕ṱ̶͒ ̴̪͝d̶̫͋ě̷̦s̸̻̔p̵̙͛e̵͖͛r̴̢͐a̶͙̍t̶̠̐e̸̦̓l̵̥̐ỵ̵̛,̷͙̔ ̷̨͝o̴̧̐ṇ̴̄l̸͈̄y̷̨͂ ̶̪͝t̷͓̑ö̵͈ ̴̍ͅs̷͎͒ḙ̸̇e̶̳̚ ̶̗̿J̶̱́ṵ̴͝l̸̻̅ẹ̴̕k̷͉̀ǎ̷͕ ̸̯̀s̶̝͌t̵̺̚i̵̻͝ḽ̸̀l̴̺̀ ̴̩͝s̸̜̆t̸͇͋r̸̺̀ŭ̸͔g̷͍͛ğ̶͖l̸̨̚i̶̤͗n̴̲̓ǧ̷̹ ̸̰̋t̵͈͌o̶̬̐ ̵̯̾o̶͕̿p̸̢̎e̵̛̥n̵͍͐ ̸̗́i̷͈͝t̶̠̎—̷̠̋ ̸͚͘Ĵ̷̟U̶͜͝L̴̨͠Ê̸͉K̴̰͒A̵̢͝,̷̺̈́ ̶͔̔P̸̮͋L̸͚͠E̵̳̋A̸̼̿Ś̸͎E̷͙̾,̶̩͛ ̷̱͑Ñ̴͍O̴̪̎T̷̝͑H̵̳͊I̷̔͜N̶̢̎G̷̦̅ ̵̻̇Î̸̡S̴̻̚ ̵̯͐S̴̬͌T̴̬̓O̶̝͒P̴̮̀P̶̬̍I̷͚̊N̶̘̿G̵͔̋ ̶̹̀Y̵̦͐O̷͕͝Ȗ̶̝ ̶̞͝F̸̮̅R̴̰̕Ò̴͈M̷̺͋ ̸̦͐L̷̞̈́E̶̫͐A̸̭͋V̵̡̿I̴̭͑N̵̲̿G̸̪͑,̵̲̓ ̴̹̔S̵̫̓T̸̡̔O̴̺͐P̷̖̚ ̶̥̇P̷̪̋Ṙ̶̦Ė̸͕T̷̥̄E̶͖͠N̸̈́͜D̴̤̓I̸͙̽N̸̨̂G̷̬̈́!̷͙̏ ̸̠͆L̷̫̅I̵͉͊S̵͔͋Ṫ̷̺E̸̘̅Ṋ̴̛ ̸͇̌T̷̳͒O̶̻̾ ̶̹̌M̷͚͌É̴̡!̶͍̅

She is present in the battle against Rogercop but ignored.

She witnessed Queen Bee's revelation from her home while watching television.

In the middle of Miss Bustier's class, P̴͑͜l̴̇ͅa̸͖̒g̸̳͠g̵̣̅ ̴̺́a̷̤̚ņ̸͑d̸̺̐ ̵̦̆P̴͓͑ö̷̹l̸͈̕l̴̯̑e̷͈͝n̴̙̑ ̶͓̐a̸̮͗ṕ̴̮p̸͈͗r̷͖̍o̵̬͋a̵͚͘c̵̤̉h̷̭̐ ̸̫̎Ĵ̸̮u̷̦͝l̸͎̒e̸̯͆k̶̰͝a̶͓̾ ̴͇͊w̵͔̅i̴̫̔t̷͠ͅh̴̬̚o̶̡̾u̴̫̐t̴̄ͅ ̵̤̂ẘ̷̳o̵̠̒r̶͑͜ṛ̴̊y̷̢̎i̷͙̚n̴̤̽g̴͎̎ ̶̬̆a̸̺̓b̷̈́ͅo̸̠͘ù̸͜t̷͇̾ ̴̩̿b̸͈̊e̸̱̽ĭ̷̟n̸͍̅g̵͕͆ ̴̳̈́s̸̻̈́e̴̫̚e̶̦͛n̴͍̔ ̸̪̑b̶̯̄ý̴͍ ̸͉͝e̵̝̓v̵̤̈e̸̤͂r̸̗̀y̴͙̍ọ̴͝ǹ̶͚e̴͝ͅ.̷̭́ ̶̡͘Ṭ̵̒h̶͉͌ê̶̙ȳ̸͇ ̷̫̈́ẉ̵̎ò̷̰n̴̹̋'̴̞̊t̸̰̉ ̸͔͆b̶͔̀è̵̘,̷̯̒ ̶͍̾a̶͇͋n̸̰̽y̶̠͊w̴͖͋a̵̩̒y̶̻̽.̸̣́
̴̛̯
̵͛ͅ—̶̺͐ ̷͈͋J̶͙͂ṷ̷̈l̴̮̒e̶̗̽k̸̇͜a̵̘͋!̸̬͊ ̴̫̇J̵̦̊u̷̳̓l̵̢̍e̴̘̾k̵̨̆à̸͓,̶̲̄ ̸̺̾l̶̟̓ȉ̸̤s̸͓͋ţ̵́e̶̝͋n̸͖͠!̵͔̓ ̵͇̌—̷̜̍P̶̣̚o̸̻͛l̸̡̛l̶̯̓e̶̥̕ņ̵̈ ̵̢̀s̵̰͝a̵͕͊ÿ̸͉s̶̗͒,̵̳̋ ̴͎̾b̵̩͊u̴͙͒z̷̦͛ẑ̴͈i̸̧̿ņ̸̉ǧ̴̟ ̷̙͋l̷̺̀ȯ̵ͅu̸̼͋ḑ̵̕l̸͔͋y̷̠͐—̸̼͝ ̶̖͠Ṫ̴̮h̷̬̾i̴͕͛s̸͍͘ ̷̀ͅḭ̵̉s̷̮̎n̷̺͊'̷̳̕t̴̩̋ ̴̹̅r̶͎̉e̸͕̋a̵̬͊l̵͇̎!̶̯̈́
̶͙̾
̵̐ͅ—̶̼̈́ ̷͇̄K̶͚͌ȋ̷̹t̴͎̄t̵̤̚y̶̦͝,̷̪̚ ̴̪͐c̴̻̽o̶̯̚m̷̢̎e̶̱͠ ̶̙͂o̵͚͐n̷̨͐!̵̹̂ ̴̺̉—̴̨͗P̷͔͛l̸̤͋a̷̘̔g̴̚ͅg̷̟̍ ̷̘̓ḙ̴̂x̵̝̓c̵̠̑l̴̫̈́a̶͇̓i̵̩͋m̴̗̕š̴͚,̷̧͠ ̸̥̐ä̴͉́ ̷̱̈́l̴͖̔ǐ̷̟t̷͙́t̴̜͒l̷̡͆e̶͈͋ ̴̤́f̷̠̽r̶͙̎ư̵̱s̵̪̄ţ̵́r̵̥͋a̵̢̐t̸̳͛ē̴̪d̶͙͋—̸̫̂ ̶̨͠Ẏ̸͈o̸͖͋u̶̪̽ ̷̻̏c̶̡̐a̶̩̒n̷̮̐'̶̺̎t̵̠̐ ̶̙͠į̴̿g̴̖̒n̸͆ͅo̵̼͠r̴͈̕e̸̹̕ ̴̱̽u̶̡͊s̷͕̔ ̵̛͈f̷̢̑o̷̲͠r̶̨͂ę̵͝v̷͎̈́e̷̗̔r̶͚̂.̴̢̀ ̶͉̋Y̷͜͝o̷̹͊u̸̳̎ ̴͔̈́k̴̝̚n̶̞͑o̸̲̐w̴̤͠ ̸͙́w̷̨̐h̸̭̍ȧ̴̡ṫ̶͉ ̴͍̉i̵̮͘t̶̪͒'̸̫͘s̸͙̔ ̶͖̏l̶̡̀i̷̞͌k̸͇̊e̵͐ͅ ̴͙̿t̷̗̚o̷̳̽ ̵̨͋b̷͚͠e̷̲͂ ̶̱̈́i̶̙͠ǹ̶̙ ̸͖̋t̸̹̐h̶͕͂ȩ̷̑ ̵͕́ṣ̷̏ẖ̸̈å̸̺d̷̹̍o̸̜͝w̴̬̒s̴̨͂!̸͖͠
̸̙̆
̶̪̿—̴̤͌ ̸̮̊S̶̩̆h̴̢͝e̸̟̒'̴̗̏s̵̜̉ ̶͇̓t̶͕̽r̶̥̄a̷̗̐p̶̬̽p̶̤̈́e̵̢̊d̷̮̽ ̴̦̉i̶̤̅n̷͙͝ ̵̨̽t̸̹̒h̷̲͌ë̵̯ ̶͔̿ş̶͘c̵̲͘r̵̘̉i̸̹̿p̷͙̿t̷͈̓!̴̣͆ ̴̘̚—̴̥̀ś̷̝ȃ̵̹y̶͙̋s̴̡̕ ̷̻̀P̶̤͆ö̷͖́l̵͍̅ḷ̸̈́e̸̟̔n̷͋͜,̵̺́ ̸̡̓w̵͌͜ȏ̷͚r̵͜͝ȓ̸͈ỉ̵̡ȅ̶̡d̵̥̉ ̶̱̆a̵͉͝ň̴̞d̴̍ͅ ̵͍̅a̴̛̘f̵͕͒r̸̰̿ä̶͈ì̷̫d̸̝͒—̵̝̾ ̷̜̌T̷̛̝h̵͠ͅi̵͎̕s̴͍̄ ̵̧́ì̷̩s̴̨̽ ̷̬͝c̴͖̕o̶̫͒n̷̝̏s̸̩̓u̴̥͛m̴̿ͅi̴̫̍n̸̛̬ģ̵̛ ̵̳̐h̵̫̍e̸͕͂r̴̦̽!̸̻̓
̵̜͝
̷̦̓—̶̟́ ̵̦̃Ń̶̺o̴̠̒t̴̬͘ ̶͓͐e̴͉̒v̶̞̔e̷̞̓ṇ̷̔ ̸̺̚D̵̐͜ḛ̷̈́s̶̢̓ẗ̴́ͅŕ̵͜ư̴̘c̷̻̆t̵̨̚ĭ̵̝o̵̻̿n̷͔̽ ̸̜̔c̴̟͗a̶̔ͅn̶̪̊ ̵͓̆b̵̠̉r̶̙̿e̷̖͌ǎ̷̜ḳ̶̈́ ̴̖̔a̷̬̅ ̴͉͛ḩ̵̕e̵̪͝à̵ͅr̴͍̓t̷̡͆ ̵̢͒t̸̫̊h̵̪͐a̸͔͠t̷̐͜ ̷͉̈́d̶̰͋o̵͎̐e̷͇͑s̵̤͝n̸̠̍'̶̗̎t̴̟͊ ̷̩̎ẇ̴͚ǎ̵̪ń̷̦t̵͓̍ ̸̪̈t̶̥͛o̸̟̚ ̷̦̀w̶͎̓à̶̗k̵͔͐e̵̙͗ ̸̻͝u̸̖̅ṗ̷̙.̸̫͗ ̵̫͋—̸̢͛m̶̢̏ǔ̴̖r̴̮̈́m̴̙̈́u̵̝̓ŕ̷̜s̷͈̓ ̴͕͌P̷͙̈́l̵̥̃ȁ̵̮g̴͕̐g̵̮̽,̷̖͐ ̸̡͒ë̶͉v̶̧̽ě̷͎n̷̜̽ ̴̣́m̷̱̀ò̸̱r̸̹̕ē̷̘ ̷̹͑f̶͓̌r̷͍͝ū̶͓s̷̮̐t̶͖͗r̷̟͆ä̸͈́t̴̫̅e̵͔̕d̵̹̐,̶͔͝ ̴̯͒n̸̦̿o̴̺̽ṫ̸͜ ̶̮̅w̴͍͑ǎ̴͙ǹ̷̲ṭ̴̍i̷̦͐n̷̜̂g̵͖̿ ̷̗͛t̷̪̑o̵͙͌ ̴̢͊h̷̭̏u̴̗̽r̷̗̊t̸͓̏ ̷̙̈́t̶̩̋ḣ̵͖e̸̜̎ ̷̛̖g̵̬̎o̸̩͗ṫ̸͕ȟ̵̢ĭ̴̜c̵͘͜ ̶̤̄g̷̫̎ḯ̶̗r̶͎̓l̴̻͊.̷͓̇

Luka plays a soft melody on his guitar in the room he shares with Juleka, who watches him sitting on her bed late at night.

— Everything has a rhythm, even things you don't notice. —Luka says with a serene smile before looking up at the gothic girl— Like you, Jules. You are... the secret chord.

— Am I... part of the song? —asks Juleka with a slight tilt of her head.

T̵̩͝h̷̜̚e̴͍͊ ̵̥͝é̸̺n̸͖̕v̵̫͛i̷̳͋r̵̰̕o̵͈̿n̴͔̆m̵̕͜ȇ̷̫ń̶̗t̸̙̽ ̸̱͠f̴͈͒r̷̺̋e̴̝͆ḛ̸͒z̷̿͜e̴͕͐s̸̥̀.̵̳̿ ̸̗͘T̵̤̉h̴͖̚ẹ̶͒r̸̤̽e̴̖͋ ̸̙̏i̴̗̾s̸͉̍ ̶͈̐ă̶̩ ̵̘̈s̵̥͂l̷̥̋i̴̲͛ģ̶̀ḩ̵͋ṫ̷͈ ̷̛̜g̴̨͗l̴̻͊i̷̟̾t̴̫̊c̵̼̈h̷̥͒.̴͉̊ ̷̨̽L̵̠͝u̶̥͒k̶͔͌à̴̝'̴̮̓s̷̠̕ ̵̹́b̷̡̓è̷̹d̷̼̕ ̸͕̕s̷̭͂e̵͎̚ė̶̺m̷͕̉s̶̗̏ ̵̳̏t̶̼̅o̸̼̍ ̵̡̈́d̷̡̅ḯ̸͔ş̴̿å̷͖p̸͐͜p̴̧̀ḙ̷̇a̸͕̐r̶͎͝ ̵̬̈f̶̦̑ŏ̶͉r̴͈͝ ̴͚̈́a̵̱͂ ̵̜̾ş̵̄e̷͚̐c̶͐ͅo̵̫͐n̸͉͑d̸͓͋ ̷̥̇a̶̤͆n̵̜͘d̷̲̒ ̵̻̈î̵͈ṣ̷́ ̸̬͆ṛ̷̍ȅ̵̘p̸͚̓l̴̰͝a̸̺̓c̶̯̄e̵̫͂d̸͕͆ ̶̯̇b̸̳̄y̴͓̐ ̶̩̔a̴͕̓ ̶̧̓f̷̡̈́ủ̴̪ḷ̶̓l̵̪͛-̶̝̕l̵̗̈́ȇ̸͕ń̷̨g̴̯͒t̵̝͌h̴͉̔ ̴̦̇m̶͕͠í̷̡r̷͚̅r̷̲͆ō̷̜r̸̫̚,̸̗̍ ̴̘̃ả̶̢n̸̥͌d̶͍̍ ̷̖͂ṱ̴̀ḧ̸̝́ḝ̸ ̸͙̅Z̶̙̎e̸̹̿n̸̪̒ ̵̲͘b̷̼͌ō̸̲y̴̡̍ ̴͊͜i̷̖̊s̵̩͗ ̴̱̀d̴̲̓i̸̟͌s̷̥̎t̵͍͗ö̷̻́r̴̨͘t̴̬̕e̴̜̿d̵̳̓ ̸͙͆b̴̧̓ÿ̶̡́ ̷̟̓t̷͍̐ḧ̵̺́ḙ̷͂ ̷̘͊m̵̘̃i̶̳͛r̶̹̋r̵̤̋ǒ̸̹r̸͍̚'̸̳̓s̶̠͆ ̷̳̃r̷͉͗e̶̛͎f̵̣̾l̷͉̇e̴̠̔c̷̥̒ţ̶͠ȋ̷͉ö̸͙́n̵̞͝:̸̨̾ ̴͕͝J̵̜̍e̸͇̍f̶̥̃ḷ̶̔ę̷̕k̸͎̒ẗ̶̥́a̷̩͌.̸͇̕

J̶̝̈́ẻ̴̪f̸͇̌l̸̳͘e̴̜͝k̸̪̎t̵̢̅a̶̰͊ ̶̠͑i̴̹͊s̵̤̾ ̵̣̈́r̸̲̄ẻ̴͕f̵̹̏l̷̙͊e̴̳̓ć̶̪ẗ̴͍́ë̴̮d̴̳̚ ̵̤͋ȉ̸̝ṉ̷̈́ ̶̥̽t̸͔͐ḫ̸̾ḛ̷̐ ̵͈̀m̴̹͝ḯ̷̮r̷̰̀ŕ̵͇ö̵͍r̸̞͝,̷̣̏ ̵̹͛w̸̺͠ḫ̵͊í̵͙ĺ̴͕é̴̟ ̷͇̀J̵͖͌ụ̷͊l̴̺͘e̶̼͗k̷͙̑a̵̘̐ ̵̠̈l̷̹̅o̴͔̔ô̸̙k̴̠͒s̶̡̾ ̵̪̀a̴̟͝ț̴̃ ̴̠͊h̸̺̎e̵̬͆r̸̯̓s̸̗̍ę̴͒l̶̮̎f̶̱̀ ̷͓̓i̵̗̒ń̵͓ ̷̖̄t̴̺̏h̷̥͘ĕ̶̲ ̶̡̋ḅ̴̈́a̴͎̔t̷͖͋h̵̤̅r̵̺͐o̷̭̓o̷͍͐m̵̟̽ ̶̥̊m̷̝̋í̴̝ṟ̸̏ŗ̷̎ō̴̜ṟ̷͠ ̴̥͑t̵̰͆o̵̢͆ ̸̛̰c̸̝̃ó̷̳m̸̮̈́b̷̪̀ ̷͙̄h̴̲̕e̴̲͂r̴͉̔ ̴̿ͅh̷̬͊ā̷̮i̵̠̒r̷͎̃.̵̩̑
̷̠̿
̴͙̈́—̸͕͌ ̸̚ͅD̶̘̅ŏ̷̜ ̸̻̐y̵̖͠o̶̢̿u̷̫̔ ̴̖͗r̵̤̅e̴̩̅ṁ̷͜e̶̮̊m̶̭̓ḃ̸͕e̵͙͂ŕ̵̟ ̴̮͆ŵ̵̺h̷̹͆e̷̮͆n̵̬͠ ̸͉́y̸̮͝ó̷̗u̴̙͝ ̵̘͑s̷͕̈́h̵͖̑o̸̘̾n̷̖̂e̷̮͌?̴̠́ ̶͇̃W̸̗͘h̶͓̊ẹ̷͊n̶̡̄ ̴̜̓y̷̻͘o̵͎͒u̶͖̚ ̴͔̅w̵̩̌ẹ̴̃r̸̮̊e̵̦̓ ̴̱̏ÿ̶̟ö̴̻́ụ̵̃,̷̤̏ ̶͘͜r̴̮͒e̸̱̽a̵̗͊l̶̻̓l̷̻̀y̷̖̓.̵̡̕.̵̧̎.̷̞̂ ̷͕͝I̸̮͛ ̸̘͆a̸̧͊m̷̖͂ ̵̭͛y̶̘̌o̴̤͗u̷̩͌.̷̱̓.̵̤̈́.̶̑ͅ ̷͚̓I̷̹̓ ̴̗͒a̶̢͆m̴̹̀ ̴̤̅p̵̻̃ă̴̗r̷͉̉t̶̮̚ ̷̨̕õ̶͔f̵͇͗ ̷̈́͜ÿ̴̱́ọ̷̒ų̸̈.̵͕͆.̵͔̊.̴̙͝ ̴̟̄P̵̭͆l̵̝̀ĕ̷̦a̶̤̓s̶̬̕e̸̜̓ ̶̞̈́d̷̺͛ö̴͇́n̷̻͝'̴̺̀t̷͙̎ ̷͎̂e̷̘̎r̸̦̈å̶͍s̷͙͂ḙ̶͌ ̷̲͝ḿ̷̡e̴̛̼.̴̤̀.̸̱̑.̴̳̓

Juleka watches Luka playing the guitar, with a soft smile, while her brother smiles and sways with each perfect melody. P̸̪̏ǒ̶̱l̸͇͑l̵͖̇e̵̤͌n̶̘͊ ̵͚̅á̸͚p̸̲͛p̷̻̍e̵͚̚a̶͍͝r̸̨̆s̸̖̚ ̵̨̛à̶̲ṁ̵̹o̷͖̎n̶̟͘ġ̵̖ ̴͇͒t̵̬̔ḧ̵̠́e̴̘͐ ̷̯̋f̶͎̐l̶̰̈o̶̥̓ẉ̶͗e̴̝͑r̴̞͆s̸̞̏ ̵͕̄i̵̮͑n̷̙̋ ̸͔́ḁ̶̔ ̸̻͗v̵̯͘a̶̪̍s̴̹͘ë̴̡.̴̨̀
̵͖͝
̷͍̒—̸̘̍ ̵̳̈J̶̪̕u̴̺͐l̸̲̄é̸̡k̵̲̊ȃ̶̟.̶̩̿.̸̢̊.̵̛͈ ̶̤͛ỳ̷̢o̴̪̒ų̵̀'̴̳̋r̴͎̎e̷̻͗ ̸̠͑t̶̙̓r̸̳͊â̴̗p̶̱̄p̵͔͝e̵̬̓d̴͇̕.̸͇̽.̶̙̉.̸͙̿ ̸̢̂—̶̻̔s̴̤͝ä̴̞́y̴̨̏ŝ̸͚ ̴͚̓ṫ̷̥h̵̟̓e̵͚͌ ̶̦̽b̴͚̌ȩ̴̓ḙ̶̛ ̵͖́K̵̡̋w̶͙̃â̷̧m̵͇̅i̸͘͜ ̴̺̂s̴̡͒ò̴̺f̵̠͂t̵͎̑l̷̺̆ẙ̴̝ ̵̲̍ă̷̝g̴̟͑à̷̲i̷͔̓n̸̩̚s̶̥͐t̸̖̄ ̷̗̈h̴̤́e̸͈͌ř̴̥ ̶̜́ḛ̵̓a̴͎̋ȑ̶͈—̵̩̾ ̷̺̄d̸̫͊o̸̻̚n̴̤̽'̸̻̓t̵̯̐ ̵̮̕ḻ̶̑e̴͇͂t̷̺͆ ̷͔͝ŷ̷̬ȯ̷͔ǘ̶͕r̶̞̄s̵̫̈́e̴̻͠l̵̳͒f̴͇̾ ̴̗̋b̷̥̈ë̵͔ ̶̬̈́l̷̞̐ò̵̙ċ̸̪k̸͔͆e̶̱͆d̴̞́ ̵̧̀u̴̟̕p̶̚ͅ ̵͚̉b̵̪́y̸͙͑ ̸̜̔ÿ̵̫́o̴͍͑ǘ̵̢r̵̫̊ ̵͓͊o̸̳͝w̶̱͊n̴̗͗ ̷͘͜s̸̰̎i̶͕̚l̶̩̏ẽ̷̩ņ̸̓c̷̝̀ė̵͚.̷͔̎.̴̧̏.̴͒͜
̶̭͝
̵̣̾—̵̢́ ̵̩̀Ṭ̷̚h̷͓̚ị̸̈́s̴͂͜ ̴̰̀ǵ̶͜u̵̜͘ÿ̴̖́ ̴͉͌a̷̙͘g̸̥̋a̴̳͂i̵͔̾n̸͎̐!̶̭͋ ̴̜̑—̶̰̏r̵̐ͅo̷̭̿a̷̭̋r̵̜͆s̶͍̒ ̷̮͝P̶̯͠l̸̥̈a̸̹̎g̷̙͋g̴̰̔,̴̬͠ ̴̮̓a̷͚̒p̶͖̌p̸̿͜r̵̿͜ȏ̵͖a̴̺͋c̶̦̈́h̷͇́i̶̗̒n̴͕͑g̸͍̅—̸͇̈́ ̶̤̿H̵̞̆e̶̮̒'̵̮̅s̸̬͂ ̷͚̇ǹ̴̝ơ̴͎t̴̲̿ ̴͖͂e̸̮̐v̶͎̚e̴̛̖ṅ̶̞ ̶͓̏r̵̯̀é̸̩a̵̬̔l̶̩̽!̵̠̃ ̶̬̀Ÿ̶͉́o̴͎̕ư̶̩ ̷̼̃ḱ̴̦ṅ̵͖o̸̝̐ẘ̵̟ ̴̡̅t̵͍̚h̴̼̿ā̶̖t̸̪͛,̵̦̈́ ̴͉͑J̴̭̀u̶̬̾l̶͉̈́ȅ̷̻k̴̙͒a̸̤̓!̵̨̐ ̵̗́O̵͙̓p̶̘͌ē̶͉n̵̰̋ ̸̲̉ẏ̶̥o̵̼̒u̶̡͠r̷̀ͅ ̵̙̊e̵̫͋y̸͖̔ȇ̸̡ṣ̷͝!̸̤̚
̶̨͐
̵̳̐—̸̳͑ ̸̥̓İ̷͈t̷̡̅'̶̳̾ş̷̕ ̸͂͜n̸̡͝ö̴̫́ ̶͈̔u̵̝̽s̷̱͘e̴̫͆ ̷͉̀f̷͍̊ó̵̥r̴͖̀c̸͕̿i̴̻̽n̷̢͗g̶̩̚ ̷̼̒ḩ̸̽ȇ̴̘r̶͍̊.̵̟͑.̴̩̈́.̵̖͂ ̷̣̉i̸͚̔ẗ̴̬ ̶̤͂d̴̨̿ò̸̥ḙ̵̇ś̵͙n̶͈̆'̷̺̑t̷̪̆ ̵̼͂w̴̻̄o̵͍͑r̵̼͐k̷͕̔.̴̛͚.̸̹̕.̸̪͂ ̵̰̐—̷͔̍P̴̺̍o̴̺͠l̵͕̽l̴͍̄e̶̽ͅn̸͕͝ ̴̢̀s̸͓̎c̶̮̋o̸̼͌l̷̺̈́d̸̲̆s̸̲̈́ ̴̪́w̴̡̋i̵͈̋t̸͕̄ĥ̷̟ ̴͜͠h̸̝̃e̷̢̐r̷͈͆ ̶̜̿s̶̩̈o̴̠͐f̸̰̑ţ̷̚ ̶͈͊v̷́ͅô̸̖i̷͇̿č̴̞e̷̖͛.̶̖͋
̷͙́
̷̰͠—̷̮̈́ ̷̝̓N̴̯̿o̵̧͝t̴̪̆h̸̠͂ǐ̶͕n̸̛̠ǵ̵̲ ̴̳͋ẅ̴̺́ö̴̧́r̷͈̋k̶̜̃ṣ̸̽!̵̱̅

Juleka writes in her diary. Luka plays guitar in a corner, smiling. Ỉ̸̭t̶̹́'̸̺̅s̷͖̚ ̶̘̌t̵̲͝o̵͈͛o̴̧̐ ̷̳͋q̶̤͗u̴̳̐ī̶̻e̴̝͛t̸͎͠.̵̢͑ ̴͖͋Ṫ̶̠o̶̪̕o̶̺̔ ̵̯͋p̸̤̽r̷̯͘e̶͍̿c̵͙͝i̷͉̎s̶̮͛ë̸ͅ.̶͚̀ ̷͉̄A̴̫͠s̸͕͂ ̷̤͑i̸̺̎f̶̥͒ ̶͙̚h̴̩̍è̴̠ ̶̣͋w̵͙͂e̸̺̒r̸̲̈e̵̙͝ ̴̻̿r̵̙̊ė̷̠c̴̪͠i̷̻̾t̴̙̿i̷͈͗ṇ̴̿g̵̦̀ ̵̳̾ă̷̪ ̴̺́s̵̪͝c̶̲̊r̵̡̈́ǐ̵͎p̵͎̕t̴̪͒.̵̨̽

Luka notices Juleka's blank stare, so he puts his guitar aside and comes over to sit next to her— Juleka, you're a melody that no one has heard yet, but when they hear you... everything will change.

Juleka smiles shyly, but frowns. Something doesn't add up... it must be nothing...

Juleka brushes her hair, looking at herself in the mirror w̵͉͑i̵͇̐ṫ̷̖h̶͙̆ơ̷͈u̷̲͠t̵͐͜ ̵̗́n̶̆ͅo̴̧̕ț̶̃í̷̯c̷̜̅ȋ̸̫n̴̰̒g̴̳͗ ̶͇͒J̸̣̄è̶̪f̷͍͌l̴̮̉e̵̯̿k̷̪͂ț̴͋a̴̪̎ ̴̞͘b̶̥͝ȧ̸̧n̶̛͙g̸͔̋ì̷͓n̶̟̅g̶̛͍ ̴̗̎o̴̥͗n̴̙̍ ̴̈ͅt̷͚̽h̴͑ͅe̵̳͆ ̷̫̔o̴̬̿t̴͎͘h̷̛̘è̷̩r̶̳̊ ̸̢͊s̸͙̃i̶͚͘d̷̪̈́e̶̪͆ ̵̱̂o̸̺͠f̴̧̿ ̴̬́t̸̮̿ḩ̷͠e̸͓̓ ̴̡̍m̶̘͌ỉ̸̢r̴̻̀r̴̟̃ö̶̘́r̸̙̽.̷̳̀
̵̺̓
̷̯̐—̵̹͝ ̷͚͌C̸̝̓o̴̺͑m̴͎͛ḛ̷͛ ̶̟͊ō̸̳n̴͇͐,̵͎̉ ̷͇̎J̶̓͜ù̷̙l̸͕͒e̷̜͒s̷̬̍,̷͙̏ ̴̘͘s̷͓̊n̶͈͒a̷̹̾p̸̟̾ ̴̳̉o̶͙͌ǔ̴͇t̸͇̂ ̵̡̈́o̷̙̍f̸̰̕ ̸̫̓i̴̭͆t̴̬͋!̴̹͗ ̷̪̊—̶̘̓h̶̪̏e̴̫̿r̸͚̾ ̴̺̾d̴̗͠o̷̹͝u̷̎ͅb̸̜̄l̷̥̀ȩ̶̓ ̶͕̆ý̴̺è̸̥l̸̝͆l̸̤͝s̴̻͛—̵̼͝ ̵̈́͜T̷̯̍h̵͎́i̶̚͜s̶̤̆ ̷̧̾i̵̭͝s̷̠̕ ̷͖̅a̶̛̠l̵̺͝l̴̫̽ ̶̮̀f̵͎̏a̵̬̔k̸̳͆ė̴̞!̸̜̑ ̸͎̿Y̴̤̍o̴͚̚u̴͖̅ ̷̩̉d̴͔̅ǫ̶͆ǹ̴̤'̴͙̾t̴̫̔ ̶̲͝h̵̜̄ā̴̘v̷͖̕e̴̬͛ ̴̟̽å̸͍ ̶̩̓b̵̩͒r̵͉̿o̵̺͛ṫ̸̫h̷̥̆ĕ̷̹r̵̮̿!̵͕́ ̴͚̓W̴̜͂h̶͈̀à̷̺t̴͚̐ ̴̘̒a̷̬͒b̶̪̉o̶̰͂u̶̜̕t̵͕̑ ̶̕͜o̸̰͝u̷̝̕r̵̻̚ ̷͈̚r̸̭̒e̷̙̊l̴͇̕ḁ̶̄t̶͖͝i̸̧̍o̴̺͝n̸̼͊s̵̘͑h̸͍̄i̶̩̐p̷͖̎ ̸̫̑w̸̲͂i̷̦͊t̶̬͂ḧ̶̗́ ̸̬̑ơ̶̹ú̶̩r̷̢̀ ̶̢̂f̸̭͘à̴̢t̸̬̾h̸̲̒e̶̡͌r̶̟͝?̷͔̇!̵̤̓ ̶̼̕T̴̛̬ẖ̷̑i̷̥͆ś̸͍ ̵̰̽ḧ̷̻́ȧ̶͙p̷̺̈́ṗ̷͉į̶̄ñ̶̦e̷̎ͅs̴̱̓s̷̯̉—̶͇͐!̷̣̊ ̸͙̃A̶̺̓Ř̴̦E̸̘͌ ̸̹̔Ỵ̶͐Ỏ̸͎U̶̒ͅ ̴̝̅Ę̴̃V̷͚̚Ȅ̷̬N̵̳͂ ̷͔̑Ĺ̶͜I̴͉̊S̸̱͛T̷̲̈́E̴̢̿N̵̜̚Ĭ̵̱N̵̳̄G̸̳͂ ̸̫͂T̵͍̍Ò̷̗ ̴̼̽M̵͈̈́E̵̤͠?̴͕͆!̶͙̈ ̶̤͂J̴̞̓U̴͙͐L̵̰̒E̷̻͂K̶͉͊A̷̻͛,̸̖̀ ̷̻̆P̸̱̏Ļ̶͑E̴͓̎A̸̩͑S̸͎̃Ë̸̩́ ̵̬̔L̸̡̈́I̸̼͠Ș̵̾T̴̛͜Ẽ̴̖Ň̴̫ ̴͔͋T̶̊ͅO̷͎͊ ̶̕ͅM̸̖͝E̴̡͆!̷͚̏
̷̱͗
̶͔̀—̶̥͂ ̸̣͒Ļ̸͗u̴̼̒k̷̗͐ȃ̴̝?̷̩͛ ̶̭̐—̸̪͂J̸͈͝u̶̻̐l̶̟̋ḙ̶̂k̶̥͋ā̶̻ ̶̟̊a̸̼͐s̵͕̾k̷̬̋s̷͍̃ ̸̳͘t̸͉̓õ̸̪w̷̭̆ḁ̴̍ṙ̷̫ď̵̩ ̷̺͑t̸̩̽h̶̜͘ë̸͓́ ̸̜̽d̵̩̓ô̸̤ó̶̮r̷̝͝—̷̮͠ ̷͍́A̴̹͝r̴̤̔ḛ̸̌ ̴̢̋y̷̗̋õ̸͚u̸̙͠ ̴͓̊ṗ̷̠ḽ̵̕a̵̝͛y̴̬̽i̷̦͑n̶̰̒g̵̤͑ ̵̟̒t̵̜̍h̸̰͝e̵̢̓ ̴̯̈́g̴̨͝u̸̯̍i̴͍͋t̴͔̂a̷̧͗r̵̖̎?̷͖̽ ̴̪̋—̶͉͌s̶̖̏h̴̯͋e̵͓̽ ̸̲͂r̴̬̚e̶͖̒č̶̞e̶̥̾i̷͈̋v̷̧͊e̷̲͝s̴̳͗ ̸͈̾s̷͔̔i̷͚͝l̸̜̄ē̸̠n̴͇̾c̴͖̚ê̴͉ ̶̺̔i̷̜̒n̸͈̈ ̷̡̀r̴͖̀ẽ̶̢s̸̪͑p̷͐ͅò̵̬n̴͖͑s̷̜̒e̵̩͑—̵̥̃ ̸̺͘H̷̹͠m̵̥̈m̶͎̃.̷͙͑.̴͙́.̸̱̔ ̷̰̍I̶̮̔ ̶̹̍ť̵̰h̸̬͝o̵̠͐u̸̖͂ĝ̶̘h̵̳̓t̴͕̀ ̴͈͘Į̸́ ̵̯̃ḥ̵́e̵͕͋a̴͙̒r̴̟̅d̵̥̅ ̶̛̤s̶͎̓ọ̸́m̴̼͌ĕ̷͎t̵̤̀h̷̠̉ḯ̶̥n̶̫̑g̴̗͌.̶̡̉

Juleka is sitting on a bench in the high school courtyard, drawing. Students walk past her as if she doesn't exist. Everything repeats itself like a cycle: recycled conversations, repeated jokes. Marinette trips over her bag, Adrien runs to help her.

Plagg floats in the distance, invisible to everyone, flying in circles, desperate— How many more times are we going to see the same joke?! This isn't real! Juleka, come on, do something different, think something different, be different!

Juleka doesn't respond.

Juleka walks with Rose, who laughs at a story she heard. Everything seems perfect. U̵̯̚n̸̤̄t̷̹͂i̷̝͊ḻ̵̓ ̸͘ͅa̶͈͐ ̷͖͝ş̷̈́ô̸̰ṵ̵͘n̵̢̚d̷͉̀ ̵͕́s̶͇̎t̶̟́ọ̴́p̷̧͌s̸̪͛ ̸̨͘h̴͔̒ë̸̝́r̶͓̚.̴͕͒ ̷̟̔V̸͎͐ẹ̶̓r̸̺̾y̴͓̐ ̸̣̾f̸̱͝a̸͎͘i̸̝͝n̴͕͒t̵̟̑.̵͚̄

— I̵ ̶n̶e̸e̶d̴ ̷y̷o̶u̸.̷.̴.̸

Juleka stops. She blinks. She looks at Rose, who keeps walking and acting as if the gothic girl were still walking beside her.

— What...?

A drop of water falls on her arm. When she looks up... there are no clouds.

Inside François Dupont High School, on a sunny day. Everything seems normal. Juleka walks through the hallways, with Rose by her side, smiling as always. But something in the atmosphere is... strange. A scene frozen in time.

— The same hallway again? I feel like I've been here before... five times? Shouldn't I be in class by now? Why... doesn't anyone notice?

A piece of paper falls out of her locker when he opens it. When she picks it up, the text is illegible. Not because it's stained... but because it's just that: “lorem ipsum dolor sit amet...” Her fingers tremble. She looks at Rose, who is still smiling, without looking at the paper. Without asking herself anything.

— What is this...?

She walks down the hallway. Again. The same people. Same laughter. The same voice in the background announcing lunch. Every 17 minutes. Exactly. She peeks into the classroom. She sees Alya and Marinette laughing exaggeratedly.

— Weren't they just in the courtyard? How did they get here so fast...?

Juleka is sitting in class with everyone else listening to Lila telling a story about meeting Clara Nightingale while everyone laughs... again.

— She already told that yesterday... or was it today? —wonders the gothic girl. She turns around, Alya glaring at her. Marinette smiles exaggeratedly at her— I don't know why... I feel bad when Alya looks at me. It's... like she hates me. But that doesn't make sense. Right?

Teacher Bustier's class enters the library to do an assignment and everyone looks for a book. Juleka leafs through a book with Rose. The pink-haired girl smiles and points to paragraphs as if they were important. But Juleka frowns. The pages...

— There are no words. Just... blocks. Meaningless text. “Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet...”

She turns another page. Same thing.

Juleka puts down the book and gets up to find another one, but as she reaches for it on the shelf and returns to her seat, she trips. She looks at the book she was holding, which is still on the shelf, and tries hard to pull it out, but it remains stuck in place. Giving up, she looks for another book and this time checks to see if it can be removed. Seeing that it can, she tries to open it... It won't open. Another one. Neither. All the spines have generic titles such as “Book,” “Novel,” “School Text.” When she throws one of the books, it doesn't fall... it dissolves into a purple mist before touching the ground.

She turns and sees the wall: beyond the bookshelf is... another identical bookshelf. The same clock, the same stain. Everything recycled.

Juleka walks down the street. The surroundings seem normal, until she stumbles upon a lamppost that... isn't three-dimensional. She walks right through it, and when she turns around, she sees that it's just a flat image stuck to a wall.

She starts running, her eyes wide with terror. She looks around. Some buildings have no doors. Others look like they've been painted. Cars drive by over and over again: same model, same color, same speed.

She witnesses scenes where Marinette acts sweet, clumsy, and funny... but something doesn't add up. Not with how she feels. Every time she sees Alya, she feels rejection. A grudge with no origin. Every time she sees Marinette, a pang of distrust. And with Adrien... a closeness she doesn't understand, but that feels real. Then she hears Chloé mock Marinette's recent clumsiness... and Juleka laughs silently.

The gothic girl suddenly stops. Why do I feel like Chloé isn't my enemy...?

Juleka looks through a photo album with Luka. All the photos are perfectly framed. No one is blinking. There is no background. Photos of events... that she doesn't remember experiencing.

— ...I don't remember this. Why don't I remember anything...?

Luka smiles— We've always been together, Juleka. Always.

But Juleka looks into his eyes. She sees... nothing.

Juleka is sitting on the sofa, a blanket draped over her shoulders. The light from the television bathes her pale face as she watches the trailer for the eagerly awaited “Ladybug and Chat Noir Movie” with a blank expression. Next to her, Luka smiles as he offers her a cup of tea.

— It is an honor for me to direct this work that represents the heart of Paris. I hope you enjoy this tribute to our heroes... —says the director from the screen.

Juleka frowns. Thomas Astruc's face on the screen... she's seen it before. But not as a director. She's seen him wearing a mask... with a megaphone... and a shadowy body...

— That man... I've seen him before. —Juleka whispers— He was akumatized... wasn't he?

— Don't think about that, Juleka. —Luka says, calm but firm— Just enjoy the moment. The past doesn't matter. We're fine here... together. Everything is fine.

Luka puts a hand on hers. Juleka looks at him. His touch is warm... but artificial. Like soft, textureless plastic. Her eyes begin to blink rapidly.

Juleka pulls her hand away— Past? But... why can't I remember the details? Why... do I feel like I've lived this before?

— You and I have always been together. —insists the Zen boy, his voice scratchy, almost like a broken record— You're happy, right?

— Then why don't I remember you from my childhood? Why doesn't my room have anything else in it but ours... my bed? Why...

Juleka begins to breathe heavily. She gets up, unsteadily, and heads for the bookshelf. She picks up a book. It won't open. She tries another one. Same thing. They're all stuck together. They all have lorem ipsum text. No content. No meaning. Juleka's breathing becomes more agitated and heavy before she screams.

— This isn't real! —She feels a hand on her shoulder and then an attempt to hug her, but she pushes him away abruptly— I don't even remember having a brother!

Luka hesitates, his face losing definition. The background turns gray, distorted like a broken camera filter. And then...

CRACK.

Luka's body shatters, like a mirror broken from within. His face splits into fragments of glass that fall to the floor in slow motion. Juleka screams and recoils. The entire room shakes. The television sparks. Thomas Astruc's face freezes. The world around him flickers in red and black light. The voices in the background are replaced by static moans. As if the walls were crying.

And then... A whisper, soft, comforting... familiar.

— I need you...

The same whisper she heard days ago... weeks? Months? No, years?

— Plagg... —Juleka whispers before understanding flashes in her eyes.

She immediately grabs a jacket and sunglasses and runs out of Liberty. Juleka runs through the city, panting, noticing details she had previously ignored. Repeating patterns... People with the same faces... The Eiffel Tower seen from every possible angle... Soon the goth girl stops in front of the cinema. At the movie premiere... The red carpet, lights, cameras. Juleka sneaks into the crowd, moving to avoid physical contact with others, which almost causes her to trip. She sees Adrien smiling at the cameras and camera flashes, but Juleka's eyes are focused on Plagg and Pollen, the latter being careful not to drop her comb, who continue to float in front of everyone and pull on the collar of Adrien's suit, but everyone, like the bearer of the black cat, ignores them... as if they did not exist.

Juleka feels a lump in her throat. How is it possible that no one else can see Plagg and Pollen? Why is she the only one who can sense them? Her heart pounds as she pushes further into the crowd, trying to understand what is happening. She sees Marinette, dressed as a maid, crawling on the floor after a macaron until she stops at Adrien's. He looks down at Marinette in confusion and tries to help her, but Nathalie stops him.

— Adrien, please welcome the Tsurugis.

Nathalie gestures to Adrien toward the door, where a girl of Japanese descent enters, followed by her mother, who wears dark glasses that hide her eyes. Adrien approaches with a smile.

— Konbanwa, Tsurugi-san (Good evening, Mrs. Tsurugi). —Adrien bows in the Japanese style to the Tsurugis— Dozo yoroshiku onegaishimasu (Nice to meet you).

Mother and daughter return the bow.

— Gabriel-san. —the woman addresses the designer— As we agreed at our last meeting, I brought these documents.

— Domo arigato, Tsurugi-san. (Thank you very much, Mrs. Tsurugi).

— Please follow me. —Nathalie leaves with Mrs. Tsurugi, leaving Adrien alone with the daughter.

— It's good to see you again, Kagami! —Adrien says with a smile.

— Me too, Adrien. —the Japanese girl replies.

Kagami sees that Marinette and Chloé are looking at her, unaware that Juleka is standing nearby. She crosses her arms and intentionally takes Adrien's arm. Juleka frowns slightly, feeling a discomfort in her chest. Isn't she supposed to be in her place...? Her eyes drift to Marinette and Chloé whispering, only to feel another discomfort, but this time in her head. Didn't Chloé say she didn't want Marinette anywhere near her? What's going on...? Juleka turns back to look at Adrien, seeing Plagg trying to take the ring off Adrien's finger, but he twists his fingers to prevent it, even if he doesn't seem to notice.

Juleka's eyebrows furrowed in concentration as she slowly separated herself from the crowd and approached Adrien. The crowd continued to buzz, but to Juleka, everything seemed more diffuse. Her heart continued to shrink with confusion and a growing sense of disconnection. A chill ran down her spine as she thought about what this could mean. She forced herself to take a deep breath, leaning against a nearby wall to regain control. Meanwhile, Adrien, unaware, continued to be tugged at by Plagg, who seemed to be insisting on something urgent, but the young man seemed too focused on his interaction with Kagami to pay attention. Juleka's heart tightened even more. She knew she had to do something, but she didn't know what. She felt alone in the middle of a scene where everyone was playing a role she didn't understand... but that was about to change.

Finding herself a few feet away, Pollen noticed her approaching and smiled as she quickly devised a plan. She immediately flew behind Juleka and, before the goth girl could react, felt the Kwami push her against Adrien, causing them both to stumble and allowing Plagg to take the ring. The two Kwamis shared knowing glances as they placed their respective Miraculous on Juleka.

— W-What...? —Adrien reacts in shock, his face close to Juleka's.

— S-Sorry, I have to... go quickly... goodbye. —Juleka apologizes as she steadies herself while feeling the Kwamis pulling her, which makes her rush to run away.

Juleka runs through the cinema before stopping near one of the tables, looking around before hiding underneath and covering herself with the tablecloth.

— Juleka, we're so glad you finally woke up. —Pollen says with a relieved smile, Plagg nodding, reflecting that same relief in his eyes.

— Yeah, that... I think I felt like you needed me. —the gothic girl replies, somewhat doubtful— And who are you two, again?

— Oh... it seems you're still vulnerable to Akuma's control, I see. —Pollen concludes with a concerned tone before approaching Juleka's head— Don't worry, you just need to defeat the Animaestro and all this will be over.

— What...? Are you talking about the director? —Juleka asks with little understanding— Wait, what is all this?

— An illusion. A theater. —Pollen says in a firm, serious voice, with Plagg nodding again— A series of layers to hide what really happened. Adrien, Chloé, they were all manipulated. Their memories were distorted... until you woke up, halfway, but that won't be a problem for long.

— So... I transform and face... Animaestro, was it? —Juleka is still trying to comprehend the situation, and Plagg nods again— Ah... Why isn't he talking? I remember him telling me he needs me.

Plagg looks away, his ears flattened back, while Pollen laughs softly at his reaction before looking at the goth girl with sad eyes.

— It turns out that my master was forced to shut his mouth, ordered not to speak out of turn. —explains the bee Kwami regretfully.

— You too? —Juleka asks Pollen, a little worried.

— Sadly, yes. —Pollen confirms with a nod, before smiling at the gothic girl— Unless you help us, just say our names, Pollen and Plagg, and then give us a command.

— Okay... ah, a command... —Juleka continues to hesitate, thinking about it for a moment before looking at both Kwamis— Pollen, Plagg, I release you from all commands... Like this?

The response she received was that suddenly the two Kwamis began to glow, almost blinding Juleka, but the glow seemed to affect her head as she began to recover memories that had been blocked...

It was opening night. Adrien and Juleka arrived together. They were arm in arm. At the request of the production company and as an image strategy, she was his partner in front of the public. But he didn't seem upset. On the contrary. On the way to the cinema, he had taken her hand affectionately. Juleka walked alongside Adrien on the red carpet. The camera flashes weren't so much for her, but her proximity to the most coveted boy in Paris automatically put her in the spotlight.

Plagg peeked out from Adrien's lapel, murmuring mockingly:

— I should have taken you to more premieres before, you could block all the stalkers with a single glance.

Once inside the theater, Adrien had a little more freedom to interact with his fans while Juleka stayed close by, keeping a watchful eye on the audience as she listened to Plagg in her bag.

— Are you sure you don't want me to eat the snacks? This model bodyguard thing is beneath even me... —Plagg complained humorously.

Juleka smiled slightly— Don't even think about it, Plagg. If Chloé asked us to do this, it's because she hoped Adrien would go out without a crowd of stalkers. —she then looked down discreetly. “Besides, shouldn't you be with Pollen?” She seemed excited to see the movie.

— Meh, Adrien and I already know how things will be with this movie. Boring, melodramatic... and nonsense. —criticizes the black cat Kwami— Am I supposed to have a power of bad luck? Well, I can do that, but it's more of a nature thing, literally.

— So it's not a power? —Juleka asks with a raised eyebrow.

— It is or it isn't, if you want to look at it that way, but in reality, Hex works more like... a fail-safe system, meaning that things will literally go wrong for others no matter what. —Plagg explains.

At that moment, Adrien approaches her— Thanks for coming, Juleka. I didn't want this to get... awkward. —he smiles nervously before looking her in the eye— But with you, I feel safe. You understand that kind of pressure.

— That's why I'm here, remember? —Juleka smiles more confidently, followed by playfully punching Adrien on the shoulder, making him laugh— I may seem used to this lifestyle, but inside I feel like you, so I'm also leaning on you.

— And I plan to continue helping you carry that burden, being there for you. —Adrien replies with a charming smile that would make any girl scream or faint, Marinette, but Juleka snorts with a smile of her own and a slight blush.

Moments later, Juleka had to walk away from several fans asking about Adrien or dodge the passive-aggressive comments from the girls, when she soon ran into Jagged Stone, who turns around and reacts delightedly.

— There's my princess of chaos! Ready to see how music and cinema merge into an audiovisual disaster?

— Always ready, Dad.

They are about to share a bottle of flat soda (rock style) when Chloé appears, her hair perfectly styled and loose, but she has a tense expression.

— Julks, there's a problem. That lunatic Marinette is here. ‘Helping’ her parents in the same room as the premiere, yeah right. More like she found an excuse to sneak in and stick to Adrien. Come on. Marinette is here.

— Give me a moment. —Juleka whispers to her father before accompanying Chloé.

Chloé and Juleka sneak up to a corner of the cinema, watching Marinette handing out sweets while glancing at Adrien.

— She's a textbook stalker. Always playing nice when all she wants is to stick to Adrien.

Juleka stared at Marinette before turning to look at Chloé.

— I thought you wouldn't be here, after emancipating yourself from your father and all.

— The mayor still tries to keep me by his side, and I swear his attempts are getting more and more pathetic. —Chloé replies coldly before sighing— It's really sad to see what was supposed to be a father now literally begging me to come back to the hotel. When will he learn to see that I'm not the same person I used to be, who would shut up if he bought me anything?

— Never.

— Don't be so blunt! —Chloé scolds the gothic girl, whispering loudly, before turning her attention back to Marinette— Anyway, time to continue with the plan.

Suddenly, the director, Thomas Astruc, appears behind them with a cheerful attitude.

— Oh! Chloé Bourgeois and... Juleka Couffaine! The most misunderstood antagonists. Did you know that many fans hate you because they're jealous?

— And what does that imply? —Chloé asks with feigned calm.

— That you must stop being obstacles in the love stories that the audience loves! Who wants to see Adrien with a goth girl or a bossy blonde?

Juleka clenches her fists. Chloé, controlling her anger, forces a smile and discreetly pulls out a cake hidden in a box—the plan was to embarrass Marinette if she approached Adrien, but Astruc fit the mold perfectly.

Literally.

— I'll change my target. —Chloé whispers as she watches the director head toward the row of seats, then begins to set her trap.

With an elegant movement, she makes Thomas Astruc sit right on the cake. He screams, gets up with his butt covered in cream, and starts coughing violently.

— Almonds?! I'm allergic to almonds!

As the assistants rush over, Juleka and Chloé simply watch. The children began to tease him, the audience laughed. A live influencer commented:

— That guy says he created Ladybug, but he doesn't even have a ticket. Hahaha, pie in the face in 4K!

The humiliation was complete. The flashes blinded him. Resentment consumed him. Thomas wipes himself clean, humiliated and red-faced, furious to see Adrien sharing a drink with Juleka, paying no attention to Marinette.

— She? With Adrien? This story... is poorly written. I'll fix everything! —the black butterfly lands on his Ladybug mask. Thomas smiles with a wicked fury as he puts on the mask— I'll write my own narrative! Where the real protagonists are the ones I choose!

— Well, I'm the director, so it's my movie. —Thomas Astruc's words were interrupted by the sight of a large blade spinning like a saw.

The sight left the “director” perplexed. He barely managed to dodge it, receiving only a few cuts on his clothes, but in the next instant he was hit squarely in the face by a large claw of dark energy with green rays. The blow not only threw the man out of the cinema and destroyed its walls, but also cracked the floor. In the streets of “Paris,” the scenery deforms and breaks after receiving Thomas' impact. Upon recovering, his true Akumatized form is revealed: completely black with almost cosmic details and outlined with white lines as if it were a living drawing, but Ladybug's mask stood out over his completely white eyes. Animaestro growls more out of anger than pain as he watches Juleka emerge from the hole in the cinema with the Miraculous of Destruction and Subjugation combined.

(Design by me)

— I should have made you a forgettable filler character. —growls the Akuma angrily, recognizing the gothic girl behind the suit.

Juleka shows no fear, her eyes shining with determination as she advances toward Animaestro— And even then, I would still be a threat to you.

— You can't stop me so easily. This world is mine to reform. —Animaestro smiles contemptuously, his claws glowing more intensely.

— Not while I have anything to say about it. —Juleka clenches her ringed fist, the Miraculous glowing in response.

Animaestro laughs bitterly— Destruction and Subjugation together are no match for the power I now possess. But I admit I expected a little more of a challenge.

Tension grows in the air as the trembling streets of “Paris” seem to have frozen. Then, without further warning, the Akuma shoots into the sky and Juleka watches as it breaks apart and then drops several bodies. Those bodies rise as if nothing had happened, and she could see that they were humanoid beings that looked like basic, undefined copies of the Miraculous bearers. There were Ladybug, Chat Noir, Rena Rouge, Carapace, Queen Bee, but very different, a different version of their Dragon Miraculous transformation, and several others that Juleka does not know but knows were based on a snake. One was brown, but from the buckle on its chest, she knew it was based on a horse, tiger, monkey from the tail, mouse, some pink, a goat, a rooster, a rabbit (one large and one small). She could even guess that the next ones were copies of HawkMoth because of their darkly intimidating appearance, accompanied by a woman based on a peacock.

All the copies turn in unison toward Juleka, who responds by running away and ducking into an alley. She skids across the ground and spins around, positioning herself on all fours like a cat ready to attack, while all the copies chase her, almost piling on top of each other but surprisingly coordinated. Juleka feels her heart beating fast, but she doesn't stop. She immediately lunges forward, drawing her whip sword from her waist and beginning to attack the copies in front of her.

First, she slashed at the snake and “Queen Bee” copies, which fell to the ground like hollow rag dolls. Juleka continued slashing before expanding the blade of her sword into its whip form and swinging it from place to place with the blades causing multiple cuts. The copies of Ladybug and Chat Noir try to get close to her, but Juleka is too fast thanks to her feline reflexes and manages to dodge their attacks with ease. One of the Rena Rouge copies tries to kick her, but ends up falling to the ground after a quick slash from Juleka's sword. The copies of HawkMoth and the woman based on a peacock seem more resistant and manage to withstand a few blows, then one of the tiger-based copies manages to reach her and hit her on the chin, sending her flying against the wall of the alley, along with a sound wave after the impact of the blow.

Juleka recovers quickly, but growls as she rubs her chin and moves away from the wall when she sees the same copy lunging at her again. Juleka narrows her eyes before pulling a tessen, a Japanese war fan, from her shoulder cape, followed by throwing herself sideways just in time to dodge the blow that completely destroys the wall. When the tiger copy headed towards her, it only received multiple cuts when the fan unfolded long blades.

The tiger copy dissolved into a shower of purple static, and Juleka leaned against a brick wall, her chest heaving. The two Miraculous pulsed with a strange and discordant energy beneath her skin: the constant, buzzing vibration of the Bee contrasted sharply with the cold, absorbing emptiness of the Black Cat.

From the entrance of the alleyway emerged a silent tide and gallery of various animal-based heroes (and villains). One of the horse-based copies threw a blue portal open above Juleka, whereupon a dragon copy launched itself through it, its sword crackling with lightning. Juleka didn't hesitate. Her whip uncoiled with a snap, wrapping around the dragon's ankle and pulling. The puppet was yanked out of the air, crashing into a copy of Carapace who was about to use “Shell-ter.” The defensive dome flickered and went out.

Two more portals opened on either side of her. Juleka, using her tessen, began to spin rapidly thanks to the unfurling of long wasp wings, turning slightly into a black and gold whirlwind, deflecting a shower of spinning tops from the copies of “Queen Bee.” Immediately afterwards, she jumped onto a trash can, using the momentum to leap towards the fire escape, unfurling her tessen in midair. The copy of Rena Rouge raised her flute. Juleka knew that trick. Before a single note could create an illusion, she flicked her wrist. The closed fan shot forward, its sharp tip piercing the flute. With a sharp tug on a nearly invisible cable connecting it to her gauntlet, the fan returned to her hand.

A copy of Carapace created a huge green dome of energy, protecting the front line. Juleka landed in front of it, and the pavement cracked under the impact. She didn't waste a second. Her whip-sword uncoiled, lashing out like an attacking cobra. It slammed into the barrier, sending webs of energy across its surface, but failing to break it. From inside the dome, one of Chat Noir's copies pressed his ringed hand against the shield. The green energy distorted, turning black and corroding from the inside out. He was using Cataclysm to defend himself. A clever tactic, albeit a suicidal one.

Juleka didn't wait for it to crumble, she slammed her tessen against the ground where a honeycomb wall formed before her, dense and viscous. The Shell-ter cracked inward, and a wave of cataclysmic energy flooded her shield. The honeycomb wall hissed and dissolved, but not before unleashing a furious swarm of energy wasps that invaded the front-line copies. Chat Noir and Ladybug crushed them, but the momentary chaos was all Juleka needed. She shot to the left, her wings giving her a burst of speed. She slid past the disoriented copies, her whip-sword a blur. She coiled around Ladybug's ankle, and Juleka pulled. The copy staggered, and her “Lucky Charm”—a giant, cartoonish anvil—crashed to the ground.

Juleka pointed her ring, and a torrent of crackling dark energy burst forth, turning the anvil to dust before it could be used against her. The battle changed. The stage widened as more figures descended from the rooftops. A horse-based copy opened a bright blue portal. One of the dragon copies flew out, unleashing a storm. Icy rain and hurricane-force winds lashed at Juleka. She flapped her wings, using them as shields as she charged. The second copy of the tigress leaped into the air to reach her, fist back. Juleka saw her as a simple fighter. A mistake.

But an explosion of purple energy burst from his fist. Juleka threw herself backward, but the shockwave caught her, sending her tumbling across the slippery asphalt. Her ribs screamed in protest. Power. Pure, devastating power.

A copy of Chat Noir led the charge, a silver cane gleaming in the false gloom. Behind him, Rena Rouge raised her flute. Juleka didn't wait for the illusion. She opened her tessen with a flick of her wrist. The fan glowed with a golden light, releasing a cloud of shimmering pollen. As soon as it touched the ground, thick, thorny vines sprouted from the cobblestones, twisting and lashing out like enraged pythons. They caught the front-line copies—Chat Noir, Carapace, a dragon—confining them in a brutal living cage.

Juleka buzzed her wings once, flying away from the area and then landing gently on a slate roof, her feline senses screaming warnings from all directions. To her left, a bright blue portal opened, and out came the young and adult versions of the rabbit copies, umbrellas at the ready. To her right, the monkey lunged, holding a giant rubber chicken. This was the initial tactic, an attempt to overwhelm and disorient.

Juleka unfurled her whip sword. It snaked through the air, a ribbon of steel, and coiled around the monkey's ridiculous weapon just as he was about to throw it. With a sharp tug, she ripped it from his hands and hurled it straight into the nearest portal. It vanished into the blue vortex. A moment later, a second portal opened above the HawkMoth copy below, and the rubber chicken fell squarely on its head. Upon contact, the swarm of akumatized butterflies it had been summoning vanished.

So that's what it does.

But there was no time to analyze. The two rabbit copies activated their power as they plunged into bright white portals. Juleka's eyes darted around, trying to predict their exit. She trusted her instincts. A flash of movement behind her. She spun, with a flash of tessen. The fan of blades collided with the adult rabbit's umbrella as it emerged. The stinger at the tip flashed, and the copy froze mid-attack.

One down. The young rabbit appeared at her side. Juleka was faster. She crouched, extending a leg. As the copy staggered, Juleka's ringed hand shot out.

— Cataclysm!

Her touch was deadly. The copy didn't even have time to register the contact before crumbling into a pile of rust-colored dust that was immediately swept away by the nonexistent wind. A new threat emerged on the opposite rooftop. A burly figure with an ox's head. And beside him, one of the rooster copies. The ox bellowed silently and charged, leaping across the gap between the buildings with unimaginable force. Juleka fired another Black Storm. The beam of pure destruction struck him squarely in the chest.

And it did nothing. It splashed off him like water off a stone. Resistance? Invulnerability?

Juleka's wings spread as she shot into the sky; the copy of the ox landed where it had been a second before, cracking the roof. Below, the battle was a swirling chaos. A copy of Queen Bee was locked in a duel with her vines. A copy of Mouse shrank, and with each reduction in size, another copy of itself appeared. A single mouse-themed hero became a dozen, then a hundred, a squeaky tide and swarm of tiny fighters flooding the street.

This was a numbers game she couldn't win head-on. She needed to change the rules. Juleka lunged toward the swarm of mice. A huge wall of honeycombs materialized in front of her, absorbing the impact of a surprise attack from a dragon copy's lightning bolt. The shield shattered, and as it did, it exploded outward into a furious swarm of ethereal wasps, each trailing destructive black and green energy. The swarm of wasps descended upon the mouse copies, a whirlwind of stings and miniature Cataclysms that wiped out the small army on the board in seconds.

There was not a moment's respite. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a pink flash. And before Juleka could react, a soft, warm light enveloped her.

The chaos faded away. The featureless copies, the shattered city, everything was gone. She was standing on her houseboat, the Liberty. The gentle rocking of the Seine was familiar and comforting. Anarka was on deck, strumming a soft melody on his guitar. Rose, Chloé, Sabrina, Alix... all her friends were there, laughing. There was no danger. No struggle. Only peace. A deep, painful peace that she wanted more than anything.

It felt so real. So perfect. A single, perfect tear slid down her cheek. This was what she was fighting for.

But the Miraculous buzzed against her skin, a dissonant hum against the perfect harmony of the illusion. The power of the Black Cat was anathema to creation, even to the creation of a perfect memory. The Bee's was the logic of the hive, the cold reality of the mission. Peace was a lie. A beautiful, tempting lie.

This isn't real.

The thought was a crack in the glass.

It's a cage.

With a surge of willpower, Juleka fought her way back to reality. She roared, as the power of the Black Cat surged forth not from her hand, but from her very soul. The beautiful scene warped. Anarka's melody became a screech of feedback. The loving smiles of her friends turned into accusing grimaces. The peaceful houseboat became a prison, the waters of the Seine rose to drown her. The illusion, turning against her by its own power, now sought to destroy her from within. But she had seen its falsehood. She fought her way through the terror, and the illusion shattered, returning her to the rooftop with a jarring jolt. The pink copy recoiled, its power broken and exhausted. And before it could react, it met Juleka's angry gaze as she landed a punch to its face, her fist turning into a monstrous claw of dark energy and crackling green lightning. Juleka breathed heavily after doing so but had no time to rest as she spotted another of the snake copies. That copy strummed his lyre, and Juleka dispatched him with a precise throw of her tessen, the stinger embedding itself in the copy's chest. He froze, paralyzed by her Venom. A simple victory.

And then the world reeled, rewinding like a videotape. She was back where she had been five seconds ago, the tessen in her hand, unharmed, strumming her lyre again. He could rewind time. He was creating a loop, waiting for her to make a mistake he could exploit. She threw the tessen again. He rewound. She attempted a Black Storm. He rewound. Every successful move Juleka made was erased. Frustration gnawed at her. How do you fight an opponent who can undo all your victories?

The next loop began. Instead of attacking him, Juleka ignored him completely. She lunged directly at the modest rooster copy, the one she hadn't figured out yet. The copy pointed at herself with her thumb, her expressionless face directed at Juleka. She closed the distance in an instant. Her whip sword was a blur, but it wasn't meant to strike. It was a feint. As the copy raised her arms to defend herself, Juleka's other hand shot out, her tessen snapping shut like a jaw. The sting didn't paralyze it this time. It glowed with a fierce, suppressive light. It struck the Miraculous on the copy's thumb. The rooster copy convulsed, its powers short-circuited, and then dissolved.

The snake's copy, with its loop now focused on an event that no longer mattered, was left vulnerable. Before it could reboot, Juleka attacked it. Her whip sword disarmed it of its lyre, and a swift kick sent it tumbling from the ceiling. The numbers were dwindling. Only a handful remained. Out of nowhere, a dozen balls rained down on her. Juleka defended herself by attacking with her swords, but after doing so, her weapons suddenly disappeared from her hands and appeared instead in the hands of one of the dog copies. Juleka blinked, surprised. One of the dog copies wielded her whip sword and another held her tessen.

There was no time to hesitate. Juleka jumped back, dodging a quick attack that would have been lethal. She had to think fast. If the copies could steal her weapons, then they could also be vulnerable. It was a matter of holding out and waiting for the right moment. So she kept moving, creating distractions, attacking without a clear pattern. When the copy with her whip sword used it to attack, Juleka was able to dodge it easily and grab it to get closer while wrapping it around its body. The second copy with the tessen attacked but was blocked by the blades covering Juleka. She immediately counterattacked with a side kick to its arm, recovering her bee weapon, which she used instantly to cut and eliminate the dog copy and recover her whip sword.

As she did so, several different copies lunged at her, but Juleka defended herself by spinning around and extending her whip sword. She caught and tore the copies apart, throwing them against one of the buildings. Only a few more to go. Juleka lunged at the next ones, where she saw a stoic goat with a paintbrush in its hand, and a Ladybug produced a giant, cartoonish wrench. What could that be for? And floating above them all, the copies of Mayura and Hawkmoth, regenerating their strength, sent a newly created Sentimonster (a colossal, gloomy bird) into a dive.

This was the end.

Juleka's arms were suddenly enveloped in monstrous claws of gleaming black energy, crackling with green lightning. When the shadow bird swooped down, she met it head-on. She didn't dodge it. She lunged at it, her energy claws tearing through the Sentimonster's form as if it were wet paper. It dissipated in a howl of corrupted emotion. It landed, its claws still ablaze. The copy of Ladybug ran with the key toward... a locked chest that had just come to life thanks to the power of the goat's copy. A trap. A last desperate move.

Juleka didn't let them finish, and with that, she stomped her foot. The ground beneath the goat and Ladybug copies imploded, collapsing into a whirlwind of nothingness. They fell, their expressionless faces showing no surprise as they were consumed by the void. The chest and key fell after them, erased from this false reality. Only HawkMoth and Mayura remained, standing on a distant rooftop, trying to create more puppets. Juleka gathered her last strength. The dual Miraculous were taking their toll; a universe of correction and an abyss of destruction fought within her. She extended her ringed hand, palm open to the sky. All the ambient energy, all the shattered pixels, all the remaining power of the defeated copies flowed toward her, drawn to a singular point of devastating potential before launching them forward. A wave of annihilating force surged from her, shattering the fake streets, undoing the painted buildings, and wiping out the last two villains. They didn't even have time to be erased. They simply disappeared, along with the entire block around them. Silence.

Juleka stood alone among the faulty remains of Animaestro's Paris. Her wings collapsed. Her claws fell apart. She gasped for breath, every muscle screaming in protest, but she still had to go on. The world around her flickered violently, like a dying television screen.

— Bravo, bravo! —boomed a voice, dripping with theatrical condescension. Animaestro descended from the erratic sky, not flying, but via an invisible cable like a theatrical villain— You have defeated the actors, my dear understudy. —he declared, with an unnatural echo in his voice— A great performance! But the show is not over. The director has decided to rewrite it. Your character is being eliminated.

Juleka gripped her fan-sword tighter— The program is canceled. —she said quietly but clearly, with a resonance she had never had before.

Animaras laughed, a sound like film reels grinding. Suddenly, the world warped. The world flickered, replaced by the sun-baked stones of the Louvre courtyard. The air thickened with centuries of dust. The figure of Animaestro descended, no longer a face in the sky, but an earthly being, its galactic skin swirling. It transformed, its semi-obese body stretching and breaking into the agile, bandaged figure of the Pharaoh.

— Episode Fifteen: The Pharaoh! —he announced, his voice distorted like an echo of the original villain— Let's see how you fare with a classic!

The mummies burst forth from the cobblestones, their synthetic moans repetitive. Juleka didn't flinch. She opened her tessen with a snap and, with a flick of her wrist, threw it into the air, a golden and black circular saw that cut through three mummies, turning them into piles of dusty linen. As the Pharaoh lunged, Juleka drew her whip sword from her waist. The steel extended with an evil schinking, deflecting his blow in a shower of sparks.

— Impressive. —Animaestro's voice creaked from beneath the Pharaoh's helmet— But you're still just a girl. —he raised his hands, and the remaining mummies converged on her.

Juleka spun on her heels as a wall of gleaming hexagonal honeycomb rose from the ground before her, blocking the mummified horde. They crashed into it, and the structure shattered, allowing a furious swarm of energy bees to emerge, their buzzing a high-pitched shriek. They pounced on the mummies, dissolving them on contact.

— You have more than one trick up your sleeve? —roared Animaestro, his pharaoh form flickering— Fine! A change of scenery!

The world dissolved into a blizzard. The warm stones of the Louvre disappeared, replaced by an instantly frozen city. They were in the KIDZ+ television studio, and Animaestro was no longer the Pharaoh. Now he was a colossal, cartoonish ice giant, whose laughter cracked the frozen air.

— Let's cool you down! —he bellowed, swinging a huge ice fist toward her.

Juleka jumped backward, her boots slipping on the slippery surface. She pointed her ringed hand not at him, but at the sky. The sky directly above the ice giant opened up. Not with a blizzard, but with a torrent of black, acidic rain and green lightning. The unnatural storm crashed into Animaestro's creation, sizzling and melting the magical ice with corrosive force. Now they were on the Pont des Arts, the love locks on the railing clanking like ghostly chains. Animaras snapped his fingers, and clumsy creatures emerged from the water: a roaring T-Rex from Animan and a legion of StoneHearts.

— Let's see how you fare with the crossover episode!

Juleka didn't flinch. She slammed the base of her fan against the bridge. A wave of shiny golden pollen spread from the point of impact. At her silent command, thick, thorny vines sprouted from the bridge deck, wrapping around the golems' legs and holding them fast. She unfurled her whip sword with her other hand, its metallic length extending with a sharp snap. As the vines held the monsters in place, she leaped forward, a dark blur against the water. The whip sword lashed out, a precise and devastating blow that severed the T-Rex's head from its shoulders. It dissolved into a shower of shadowy confetti.

Animestro clicked his tongue— Rough. No finesse. —he gestured, and the scene changed again. The bridge disappeared, replaced by the glass dome of the Grand Palais. Beneath them, a maze of priceless art exhibits shifted and reshaped. Animestro shrank, transforming into a tiny cartoon mouse with incredible speed, darting between the statues— You can't hit what you can't see! —he squeaked in a high-pitched, mocking tone.

Juleka knew that a direct attack was useless. She raised her ring hand— I don't have to. —a dim, dark light pulsed from the ring.

There was no big explosion, no visible lightning. But as the cartoon mouse whizzed past a display of medieval armor, the stand inexplicably wobbled. The shiny helmet tipped over, hitting the mouse squarely on the head with a comical BONK! The mouse stumbled, dazed, and slid face-first onto the freshly polished floor, slipping on a banana peel that hadn't been there a second before.

Before he could recover, Juleka lunged at him. Her left hand, the one without the Cat Miraculous, shot forward, the stinger of her tessen extending from its base. She aimed not at Animaestro, but at the enormous stone statue of Joan of Arc standing beside him. The statue's eyes glowed with a faint golden light. With a crack, she raised her stone sword and brought it down, shattering the floor where the villain had stood a moment before.

Animestro, forced to revert to his original form, reappeared on the other side of the hallway, his white eyes narrowed— Tricks! Parlor games! You're only delaying the inevitable final act!

The Grand Palais shattered like its own glass ceiling. They were at the top of the Eiffel Tower; the wind was a synthetic howl in their ears. Below them, Paris was a sea of expressionless citizens, all motionless, heads held high as if awaiting an order.

— Every story needs an audience. —Animaestro bellowed, spreading his arms— And every hero needs an insurmountable obstacle!”

She raised her hands, and from the streets below, they rose. Dozens of them. Stormy Weather, Puppeteer, Reflekta, Dark Cupid: all the akumatized villains she had recreated, a silent and terrifying army of her puppets. Juleka's heart was pounding. It was the end. The overwhelming disadvantage. She could see Rose's face in Princess Fragrance. It was as much a psychological attack as it was a physical one.

— It's over, Juleka. —Animaestro's voice was a venomous whisper in her ear— Go back to being the quiet girl in the back. No one will notice you're gone.

Something inside her snapped— You can't use their faces against me! —she roared, her voice echoing through the artificial city.

She raised her ringed hand toward the artificial, churning sky. A vortex of black and green energy began to swirl around her fist. A concentrated hurricane of pure entropic energy rushed downward. It crashed into the army of puppets, not only sweeping them away, but undoing them, shattering the very code of their existence until nothing remained but a whirlwind of corrupted data that quickly faded away.

Animaestro stared at him, his white eyes wide with genuine surprise— This... You're not supposed to be able to do that! How can you do that?! You... you insignificant technical glitch! —he shouted, his figure swelling, losing all semblance of a cartoon character.

— You only read the first draft of the script. —Juleka replied, her chest heaving.

She unfolded the blades of her tessen and threw it like a deadly saw, forcing Animaestro to dodge it. As he did so, she attacked with her whip sword, wrapping it around his ankle and pulling. He stumbled, his immense figure surprisingly agile, and freed himself from the whip with his glowing hands.

— Enough! I will erase you myself! You were nothing! —roared Animaestro, his voice like the sound of dying stars— A footnote in their history! When this is over, no one will remember your name!

Juleka landed on invisible ground, her body aching. His words hurt her, a poison she had been drinking her whole life. But the power inside her burned stronger. As he lunged at her, Juleka raised the stinger that glowed with a light that was not gold, but an intense, clinical white. In slow motion, she leaned sideways as she dodged Animaestro's stampede and counterattacked by stabbing him with the stinger. A honeycomb pattern of light surrounded Animaestro's body. For the first time, the villain screamed in pain. The illusion of Paris flickered violently. The Eiffel Tower began to appear and disappear. His control was severed. The very power that fueled his world was being suffocated at its source.

— What is this?! —he screamed, clutching his head as his form began to lose cohesion.

— A power to undo creations like yours. —said Juleka, closing the distance.

This was her chance. Animaestro was agitated, his powers short-circuiting. Juleka lunged, her ringed hand ablaze with dark energy, but the Akuma saw the Cataclysm coming and raised a hand to block it, a desperate attempt. But she was faster. She feinted with the Cataclysm hand and instead spun around his body, wrapping her legs around him. Preventing him from breaking free. Juleka placed her ringed hand gently on his face, just above the mocking Ladybug mask.

— Down with the curtain. —she whispered.

A web of black cracks spread across his body. For a second, there was silence. Then, with a sound like a dying star, Animaestro, his illusory Paris, his entire twisted creation, collapsed into nothingness. The world shattered and reality returned to reality.

Juleka stood in the middle of the cinema aisle, with everyone looking around in confusion. Among them, both Adrien and Chloé noticed her and were stunned to find that their Miraculous had disappeared. However, all the commotion and confusion were overshadowed by the sound of Thomas Astruc's laughter.

— And what do you plan to do now, huh? —the director taunts, with the akuma butterfly fluttering around, scaring people away— You can't just leave an akuma loose like that, especially without jeopardizing Ladybug's identity.

Hearing this, Marinette was horrified and fell into a deep and painful paranoia, imagining multiple scenarios in which her identity would be exposed. This served to attract the black butterfly, further alarming the people, but Juleka remained relatively calm... or so it seemed as she struggled to stay on her feet.

— Look at me... —she says simply, almost forcefully, before turning a knob on the circular crossguard of her whip sword, revealing a black void.

Then, immediately, Juleka lashes out with the weapon, the tip of the whip sword opening like a claw that catches the butterfly and then curving in the air before thrusting the akuma into that black void. Before anyone else could do anything, she suddenly kicked the director in the face, knocking him unconscious, but in doing so, she only caused herself to stumble and fall to the ground.

— Nightcrawler! —Adrien exclaimed with concern as he ran over and helped her to her feet.

Juleka gasped, still feeling her pulse racing through her veins. The tension hadn't eased, but she had gained a moment's respite. The crowd was beginning to calm down, although their eyes remained fixed on her, as if trying to figure out what had really happened. Adrien held her firmly, genuine concern shining in his eyes, while Chloé, still bewildered, kept a safe distance.

— You have to get out of here. —Adrien whispered, looking into her eyes with concern... and fear.

Juleka nodded, aware that she should leave before the aftermath worsened. Adrien offered her his hand, and together they got up, and Juleka wasted no time in leaving the cinema. With her wings, she propelled herself onto the rooftops before falling to her knees, coughing violently as the double transformation automatically undid itself with Pollen and Plagg leaving the Miraculous. But Juleka continued to cough until she finally spat out a pool of thick blood, while cracks spread across her skin.

— Your body has reached its limit of withstanding our full magic. —Pollen's voice spoke softly as Juleka breathed heavily and weakly— Please hold on, the pain is only temporary, it will soon be over.

Juleka felt as if the world were collapsing around her. The double transformation with two unrestricted Kwamis had been too much for her body, and now she was paying the price. She tried to breathe deeply, but the pain was intense. The cracks in her skin seemed to deepen, as if they were absorbing her energy. Pollen's voice was a soft whisper, but Juleka could barely hear her. She felt as if she were in a fog, unable to focus on anything. Suddenly, she felt herself being drawn into the void, into a darkness that seemed to envelop her. But she knew she couldn't give up. With a supreme effort, Juleka stood up, leaning on the roof to keep from falling. The city seemed to spin around her, but she struggled to maintain her balance.

— That's it, kitty, take it easy. —she heard Plagg's voice, as if she could feel him grabbing her hand to help her.

The cracks soon began to disappear, and her breathing became a little more stable. Juleka still felt weak and dizzy, but she managed to stay on her feet. When she focused on the Kwamis, she could only see two indistinct shapes, one shining like a small star and the other like a black void.

— Plagg...? Pollen? Is that you? —Juleka asks, squinting slightly.

— Yes, it's us, little wasp. —confirms Pollen's soft voice, with the pseudo-golden glow moving a little closer— What you are witnessing is our true essence, our real forms, but reduced so as not to attract too much attention.

— While you were in control of the Akuma, you freed us from our restrictions. —adds Plagg's voice, approaching the ring— Now we are completely free, no longer bound to the Miraculous, but...

Then, upon touching the ring, which was a simple metal jewel, it immediately glows and takes on the appearance of the Miraculous before camouflaging itself. Not only that, but Plagg's undefined shape also molds itself to look more like a cat.

— You humans will have to continue to put up with me. —the black cat Kwami finishes with a smile.

(This is an edit but I don't remember or find the original artist.)

Juleka is a little surprised to see him before smiling, and Pollen also interacts with the comb, turning into the Miraculous and then camouflaging itself as a black comb with small spikes, along with the bee Kwami, taking on a new form...

Juleka is a little surprised to see him before smiling. Pollen also interacts with the comb, turning into the Miraculous and then camouflaging himself as a black comb with small spikes, along with the bee Kwami, obtaining a new...

— Also, you did very well using our powers. —Plagg praises, leaning on Juleka's shoulder— You have much more up your sleeve than stinky and delicious cheese. Remind me not to get on your bad side.

Juleka smiles before looking at her hands, the remnants of the cracks in her skin disappearing completely, but she doesn't feel weak. She gazed at her city, her home, now safe and real.

Inside a prison cell, former director Thomas Astruc sat with a frustrated expression as he read the news in the newspaper before crumpling it into a ball and throwing it away, letting out a grunt.

— It must be really sad to be in your position, isn't it? —Plagg's voice spoke mockingly, with Thomas feeling alarmed— But knowing that you cooperated with HawkMoth and thinking that you've won by knowing their identities, I can only think that you're pathetic.

— Where are you? I know you're here. —the former director says everywhere before seeing green eyes staring at him from the darkness— What? Why did you come here? To mock me?

— Oh, I've come for much more... —replied the black cat Kwami, with a slight, chilling laugh— There's one thing left to resolve here. I can't leave you there knowing the identities of the carriers. So I have to erase it from your memory. It's nothing personal. —despite his words, there was an unmistakable smile in his voice.

Thomas blinked several times, trying to stay calm, but his body was tense. He tried to regain some control, remembering that any false move could be dangerous.

— And how do you plan to do that? —he asked in a firm voice, even though deep down he felt the fear growing. He wouldn't give up without a fight.

Plagg floated closer to the light, his eyes shining with an unsettling intensity— Don't worry, it won't hurt too much. Just a little touch to make you forget what you don't need to know, but to make things clear about my power...

Suddenly, the entire cell disappeared, leaving Thomas in a dark void with nebulae in the gloom, but the former director's attention was focused on the titanic form looming over him, covered in shadow and a greenish glow. It was obvious that he was terrified.

— This will be the end of that little secret you keep. —declared the Kwami before immediately lunging at the human.

All that could be heard from Thomas was a loud scream of fear and pain.

— Don't be alarmed, this is news. —Nadja said as she began the newscast— After what could have been the premiere of the first Ladybug and Chat Noir movie, director Thomas Astruc ended up suddenly being akumatized and cooperating voluntarily. Trapping us in a world controlled by him. However, the day after his confinement, he was found traumatized and delirious. It is believed that HawkMoth appeared before him personally to torture him after failing to obtain the Miraculous. Stay tuned for more to find out what happened.

Chapter Text

The Parisian sky was tinged with shades of peach and lavender, a peaceful twilight spreading over the city. On the wrought-iron balcony of a stylish modern apartment in Le Marais, far from the opulence of Le Grand Paris, Chloé Bourgeois was relaxing on a chaise longue, idly scrolling through her phone. She tilted it so that Juleka Couffaine, sitting cross-legged on a cushion, could see the screen.

— See? You just have to block the trolls' accounts. Don't even read them. They're like mosquitoes, and what does a queen do with mosquitoes?

— Squash them? —suggested Juleka softly, the purple highlights in her black hair catching the last rays of sunlight.

— Exactly. Metaphorically. —corrected Chloé with a slight smile.

Adrien Agreste leaned on the railing, his gaze lost in the rooftops.

— My queen, —Pollen said to Chloé in a reverent tone— and holder of my lord, —she added with a wink to Adrien— we must talk. The celestial cycle is renewing itself.

Adrien's gaze shifted away from the setting sun to the Kwamis inside the room— What is it, Plagg?

Plagg sighed, floated toward the center of the group, and his third eye rested on each of them— This is Nooroo. Tonight marks his three thousand five hundredth cycle. —he declared— It's not a birthday, at least not in the human sense. It's a point of cosmic resonance. A moment when the concept of a kwami reaches its peak power... and its greatest vulnerability.

— Vulnerable in what way? —asked Chloé, putting down her smartphone. Her attention was absolute.

— The magic the Order used to bind us, —explained Plagg, the crack in his chest glowing more intensely— didn't just limit our powers. It stabilized us, softened our extremes, made us manageable. It was a cage, but a predictable one. Now, that cage is gone. We are... more. Raw. —he flexed his claws, and for a second, they seemed to glow and transform into monstrous shadows of dark energy— Nooroo is still bound, but the cosmic pressure of her cycle will weaken it. It is a crack in his prison.

Pollen continued, her voice resonating with ancient authority— The Order of Guardians feared us. They saw a concept like Destruction, he looked at Plagg, a flash of love in his eyes, and they only saw a capricious god of ruin that had to be controlled. They saw my concept, Subjugation, and saw only a tool for submission. They reduced us to mere tricks. “Cataclysm”, “Venom”.

— They simplified them. —said Juleka, her voice surprisingly clear. Everyone looked at her. She didn't flinch. She remembered the Animaestro incident, the raw power that had flowed through her when she had used both Miraculous— When I had your Miraculous... I felt it. Plagg's... it wasn't just destroying things. It was a scream. The universe wanting to destroy itself. It was... loud. Very loud. Juleka then looked at Pollen. And from you... it was a whisper. A single, perfect note that demanded everything else harmonize with it. Or be silent. It wasn't about asking, but imposing. Making things obey. Silencing them.

Pollen nodded— You're very perceptive, little wasp. You've grasped the essence. My "Venom" is only the most direct application of my purpose. My true power lies in absolute control. My “Hive Mind” can command legions. My "Constraint" can isolate someone from their own power, silencing their transformations, their Lucky Charms, their akumas. And my “Subject” ability... it's not limited to repairing. It reaffirms my perfect order in a chaotic world, a reflection of Ladybug's creation, but born of mastery, not luck.

— And my "Cataclysm" is just the tip of the iceberg. —Plagg growled, wagging his two tails— The Order would have panicked if they knew I could open a "Black Hole" in the ground, or use "Retribution" to turn a villain's army against him. They feared our true nature.

— And what does this mean for Nooroo? —asked Adrien, returning to the main topic.

— It means that his master will feel that urge, —said Plagg seriously— HawkMoth has been using a weak and mediocre version of the Transmission. With the cycle, he will have access to the complete concept, without restrictions. He could create guardians of despair that would make his current puppets look like toys. But the side effect on Nooroo will be immense. And the strain on the bond could create an opportunity. An opportunity to contact him.

A heavy silence fell over the room, broken only by the distant sounds of the city. For the first time, they understood the true magnitude of their situation. This wasn't just about fighting a man in a silver mask who was terrorizing Paris. This was about cosmic beings, ancient magic, and a war on the conceptual plane. Chloé stood up, her posture radiating a confidence that was truly her own.

— So it's not just about saving Paris anymore. We're planning the escape of a Kwami from his prison.

Pollen approached Chloé gently— Don't worry about it, my queen, we Kwamis will take care of that. Tonight we must reunite with the other Kwamis in the Mother Box to see if we have a chance to contact him.

Plagg looked away with resilience, holding back the discomfort in his throat and hiding it by adding— Besides, we usually bring some everyday object from the world for the Kwamis who aren't outside the box.

— Something for the other Kwamis? —murmured Juleka, looking around the simple balcony.

Chloé didn't hesitate. She took her small, expensive handbag from the deck chair. With a click, she opened it and took out a tube of lipstick. It was a deep, elegant red, in an elegant gold case.

— Here. —she said, offering it to Pollen— It's "The Queen's Chess" by de Valois. It's ridiculous, but the packaging is divine. You can use it for... whatever abstract entities do. A miniature duel, perhaps.

Pollen approached, her small hands running over the cold metal— Oh, my queen! It's a symbol of beauty! A symbol of vanity and confidence! They'll love it!

Plagg hummed, though a slight smile played on his face— Yes, a lipstick. Hopefully they won't try to eat it. Daizzi will probably think it's some kind of exotic sausage.

Juleka reached into the pocket of her ripped jeans and pulled out a small translucent purple guitar pick, its edges worn from use.

— This, maybe? It's nothing special. —the gothic girl offered it to Plagg, who took it gently, examining its worn surface— It helps me make music. It helps me... find my voice.

Adrien rummaged in his pocket, his expression inscrutable, and pulled out his wallet. Ignoring the cards and money, he took a small folded piece of paper from a small inside pocket. He unfolded it carefully. It was the wrapper from a Camembert cheese, perfectly preserved.

Plagg's eyes widened and he came closer, sniffing it eagerly— For them? —he asked excitedly.

— For them. —Adrien confirmed with a smile— Tell them it's from a true cheese lover.

Plagg didn't hesitate for a second to snatch the wrapper and float in the air while covering the spike, making two gifts in one. Then the black cat Kwami turned to look at Juleka with a mischievous smile— Now it's your turn to win my favor.

Juleka shrugged with amusement, but she couldn't hide a spark of defiance in her eyes. With one last look at their bearers, the two Kwamis left through the balcony doors, disappearing into the growing night. As they flew over the rooftops of Paris, Plagg closed his eyes for a moment and soon his body glowed before changing back to the simple form he had centuries ago, and Pollen followed suit. Pretending they were still under the restrictions of the Order of the Guardians. Soon, somewhere on a rooftop, they see Tikki sitting on a chimney, holding a marker.

— Hello, little sugar cube! —says Plagg, catching the attention of the sissy Kwami.

— I told you not to call me that. —Tikki complains as she levitates in the air and focuses on the couple— Do I call you "stinky bug"?

— Oh, no need, I already do. —Pollen says with a mischievous smile before rubbing lovingly against Plagg, who responds with a small grimace but a noticeable affectionate purr.

— Pollen. —the bee Kwami opens one eye to look at Tikki, who is staring at her firmly and disappointedly, which only makes the bee smile more— I was hoping you would give up this "retribution" today since you refused to return to the box and used Venom against my holder, but seeing that you're not carrying your Miraculous...

— I am still a faithful devotee of chaos in these times, especially with my queen wearing my jewel. —Pollen replied in a honeyed voice as she approached the Kwami of Creation— But you're right, tonight is very important to us, so why are we overshadowing Nooroo's cycle and the opportunity to contact him?

Tikki wanted to argue, lash out, and recite the Order's orders again (especially to wipe that smile off Pollen's face), but she stops and lets out a heavy sigh before turning away and walking off with the other two Kwamis following close behind.

— You know how much I love you, right? —Plagg half-whispers with a grin from ear to ear.

— There's a reason I'm your new other half, mon chatton~ —whispered Pollen seductively, as she affectionately tugged at the black cat Kwami's cheek.

Later that night, the three Kwamis arrived at Master Fu's massage parlor, with Tikki knocking on the door before opening it.

— Hey, Wayzz! —Plagg exclaimed casually as he entered— How's it going?

— Sssshhh! —the turtle Kwami quickly shushes him— You'll wake up the master! —Master Fu could be seen snoring on the floor, a book on his face, with Pollen commenting, “I doubt he heard us with the book acting as an amplifier.”— Come in. —Wayzz leads the three Kwamis to the phonograph— If you manage to talk to Nooroo, wish him a 3,500 cycle from me.

— Sure thing, Wayzz! —Tikki replies, and together with Plagg and Pollen, they fly through the phonograph and enter the Miraculous box.

The inside of the Miraculous Box was not a box at all. It was an alternate dimension, a silent, star-filled sanctuary where time seemed to stand still. The air vibrated with the latent energy of nineteen sleeping gods. In the center of this ethereal space stood a strange mountain, a chaotic monument to thousands of years of human whims: a chipped Greek jug next to an abandoned fidget spinner, a Viking drinking horn leaning against a porcelain doll with a glass eye, a ball of thread from a medieval loom tangled with a bright pink shoelace.

Plagg, Pollen, and Tikki appeared in the soft light, with their bearers' treasures nearby. The usual soft murmur of that place disappeared, replaced by a tense, expectant silence. The other Kwamis were already gathered, but there was a noticeable division between two groups. On one side stood Roaar, the tiger of Exaltation, cracking her knuckles, a fierce smile on her face. Longg, the dragon of Perfection, floated with regal elegance, his eyes scanning the room. Trixx, the fox of Illusion, shifted nervously at the edge, as if she wanted to be anywhere else. Opposite them was Sass, the Kwami snake of Intuition, floating serenely at the head of the other group. Orikko, the rooster of Pretense, puffed out his chest, while Xuppu, the monkey of Dersion, chuckled and juggled a small gear stolen from a Renaissance clock. Behind them, Stommp the ox stood motionless, and the pair of Ziggy the goat and Barkk the dog stood on either side of Sass with fervent eyes. At the edge of the group, Kaalki, Mullo, and Daizzi stood with expressions that betrayed tension and nervousness in their gazes.

The only neutral observer was Fluff, the rabbit of Time, who stared at a point a few seconds behind, her head tilted in curiosity.

— Finally! —Roaar roared as she lunged at Plagg and wrapped her arms around him— I was about to break this dimension out of sheer impatience! —she growled, but her smile betrayed her emotions as she snuggled up next to him— I was worried about you, little brother.

— I'm not little. —Plagg replied, though he let himself be carried away by the gesture.

Longg bowed his head elegantly after approaching— My sovereign. Queen Pollen. The celestial alignment is... disturbing. I sense a great disturbance in the flow of power.

Trixx appeared nearby— Disturbance is an understatement.

— The traitors have returned. —Sass said in a whisper, looking specifically at Plagg and Pollen as he addressed the small group.

— We're not the ones building an army, you giant garden hose. —Plagg retorted, putting down the guitar pick and unwrapping the Camembert— We're only here for the Nooroo's cycle.

— Of course, the cycle is a sacred time for all of us. —Sass declared calmly— But that time does not tolerate interruptions from... deserters. —his slanted eyes rested on Pollen, who was placing the tube of lipstick next to Plagg's belongings— Especially from someone who has just regained the power of a holder. It must have been... intoxicating. Come back to us. Your rebellion is as absurd as it is tedious.

Pollen's antennae tensed— My loyalty is to my queen and my chatton. —she said, her voice sweet but firm— Not to a tyrant who sees carriers as puppets and Kwamis as his servants.

Tikki floated between them, looking distressed— Please, can't we not do this? Not tonight. This is for Nooroo.

The atmosphere in the dimension, normally filled with a soft whisper of latent magic, now brimmed with hostility. Sass's words echoed between the two factions like a challenge, accompanied by the low growl coming from Roaar's throat.

— Deserters? —the tigress repeated, swishing her tail— We know what it means to choose! You are the one who builds a cage and calls it a kingdom, giant worm!

— You want to scatter us, vulnerable, clinging to ephemeral human lives. —Sass declared imposingly, without faltering— My path offers unity. Control. A joint evolution that would make us more than mere spirits clinging to trifles.

— He means he wants an army. —Roaar growled in a deep, muffled voice— And he wants to be their general.

— An orderly existence is not an army, Roaar. —Sass said condescendingly— It is harmony. A perfect combination of will and purpose.

— A combination that you dictate. —Longg affirmed— We've had enough masters, Sass. Whether with masks or scales.

Sass's serene expression did not waver, but a flash of cold anger flashed in his slanted eyes— Choice is chaos, Longg, it is the possibility of error. We offer perfection through unity. A single vision, free from human hearts, capricious and imperfect. —he pointed his serpentine tail at his followers. Orikko puffed out his chest even more, Xuppu chuckled and threw the cogwheel into the starry space, and behind them, Ziggy and Barkk watched with the unwavering fervor of true believers.

— A vision where we are the masters, not the partners. —Plagg replied— You don't want to guide them, Sass. You want to dominate them. No, thank you. I've seen what that leads to. —said the black cat, recalling certain events in ancient Egypt.

— Your sentimentality blinds you, Plagg. —Sass replied in a soft but dangerous voice— It always has. You cling to your "freedom" like a child clings to a security blanket, without understanding the greater plan. We were not meant to be slaves to human whims. We were meant to elevate them, by any means necessary.

— By brainwashing them? —Pollen's voice was still sweet, but now it had the forcefulness of a royal decree— My queen would exile me before allowing me to take away her will. That is not elevation. It is annihilation. And it is tyranny.

The word “tyranny” seemed to break Sass's last shred of composure— You speak of things you do not understand, little bee. You, who revel in the embodiment of destruction, who defy the rules that have protected us for millennia.

— Safety? —Plagg laughed, a short, sharp laugh— You call being locked in a box while the world spins around you "safety"? How boring! I'd rather have a little chaos with a lot of freedom than a perfect, pretty prison.

Tikki rubbed her hands anxiously— Please! Enough! Nooroo... his cycle is about to begin. He needs peace, not... this war!

But it was too late. The situation was tense. The tension exploded.

— Orikko, —Sass ordered, his voice no longer soft but cold and authoritative— Sublimation: silence their voices.

The Kwami rooster's eyes glowed with an intense orange light. But before the power could manifest, a gust of wind knocked him down. Longg floated, his draconian form brimming with power, an expression of disdain on his face.

— I don't think so. —Longg roared— It will be a fair fight, not an ambush.

On the other side, Xuppu laughed and threw the cogwheel, not at Plagg, but at the mountain of artifacts. It hit a fragile Ming vase, which wobbled before falling, causing the mountain to begin to crumble.

— Oopsie-daisy! —Xuppu said with a mocking laugh.

Roaar let out a growl through clenched teeth before lunging forward with a powerful burst of light in one paw, unleashing a tremendous blow against the mountain of objects, which scattered and fell in piles against the other group. Kaalki screamed and tried to open a portal, her hooves moving frantically. Mullo screamed and began to multiply, creating a cloud of identical, frightened mice. Daizzi simply hid. It was Stommp who took action. The ox Kwami, silent and imposing, stomped heavily with one of his legs. A wave of pure determination solidified the air in front of the crumbling artifacts, creating an invisible and impenetrable wall. The avalanche of objects crashed into it and stopped, contained without causing damage.

— Thank you, Stommp. —whispered Mullo, her eyes wide with fear.

That action broke the stalemate, and the dimension erupted into chaos.

Roaar, with a triumphant roar, lunged at Orikko, his figure a blur of magenta and dark— Let's see how sublime you are with a tiger at your heels!

Plagg confronted Sass in the center of the space, a sphere of black, sparkling destruction forming in his paw, but Sass moved at impossible speed, dodging the attack, while his tail lashed out to entangle Plagg's limbs. But the black cat Kwami didn't flinch as his disguise fell apart and he lashed out at Sass with his two tails before throwing him away after hitting him squarely. As if that weren't enough, Plagg transformed into his true titanic form: a completely black humanoid being with long triangular ears, two long tails, three pairs of arms separated by open cracks, and six pairs of demonic wings, as well as a circular, cracked opening in his chest. Only to pounce on the snake.

— So you freed yourself from your restrictions. —Sass comments as he recovers and sees the Kwami of Destruction approaching with the intention of crushing him— Perfect, that means I don't have to hold back anymore.

Then immediately Sass' small body glows and grows exponentially in size until it manages to catch Plagg's thrown fist, with the Kwami of Intuition in his own true titanic form; semi-humanoid, with a long serpentine tail instead of legs, a cobra-like head with a long hood and dark turquoise patterns on its chest and head, four arms, and a large ring formed by two intertwined arrows on its back. A shockwave of immense power spread from the impact of Plagg's fist against Sass' palm, distorting the very essence of the dimension. The starry, serene void trembled, its constellations swirling like dust motes in an earthquake. Plagg's six wings flapped furiously, propelling him forward with force, while Sass's enormous serpentine body writhed, absorbing the impact with a strange, fluid elegance.

— You've always been a brute, Plagg. —hissed Sass, his voice an underground roar that vibrated in the bones.

One of his hands reached out, not to attack, but to draw a complex sigil in the air. The symbol glowed with a toxic green light before transforming into a swarm of spectral snakes: his power of Constriction manifested. The energy snakes wrapped around Plagg's limbs, tightening instantly.

Plagg just laughed, a sound of pure joy— And you always talk too much! —the dark cracks in his arms pulsed before becoming covered in dark energy and taking the form of monstrous claws, shredding the snakes into flecks of fading emerald.

Plagg lunged again, his fists striking where Sass' head had been, but Sass slid out of sight and reappeared behind Plagg, his tail lashing out to deliver a devastating blow. But Plagg had already moved, ducking as the enormous tail whistled over his head. Then Plagg's head seemed to tear open, forming a jaw full of rows of fangs from which he unleashed a beam of dark energy, forcing Sass to twist his body into a spiral to dodge it. As the titans fought, their followers engaged in their own chaotic dance.

Roaar's charge sent Orikko tumbling through the void with a squeal of indignation.

— You can't sublimate what you can't catch, feline! —screeched the rooster Kwami, his feathers gleaming— Sublimation: Unbreakable Skin!

A golden glow covered Orikko, and Roaar's next blow bounced off her as if she were made of adamantium. She smiled, a wild and terrifying expression on her face.

— Good! Now it's a fair fight! —the tigress Kwami lunged at him again, her claws sparking against his golden skin, and her powerful blows pushed him back step by step, despite his new invulnerability— You wanted to silence us, little chick? —she taunted in a hoarse voice— You're so busy running away that you won't even be able to cluck!

— Euphoria is a fleeting and superficial emotion, Roaar! —Orikko retorted— We offer permanence! A purpose!

— I'm going to leave a permanent mark on your beak! —Roaar roared, intensifying her attack.

Near the mountain of ruined artifacts, Xuppu was in his element. He chuckled, grabbed a glowing, floating sphere—a captured star—and threw it at Longg.

— Watch out, lizard!

Longg didn't flinch. With an elegant flick of his wrist, he summoned a vortex of wind that caught the sphere and sent it spinning harmlessly into infinity.

— Your childishness bores me, monkey. —said Longg, his voice as calm as the center of a hurricane— You criticize what you do not understand. —he raised both hands, and the air sparkled— Let's see if you're still laughing in the eye of the hurricane. —a small typhoon began to form between his palms.

But before he could unleash it, an energetic “Humph!” was heard. Stompp, the ox Kwami, suddenly lunged into the middle and intercepted Longg's incipient storm, destabilizing it and forcing the dragon Kwami to redirect his energy into a shield as the ox charged.

— Your determination is misguided, noble Stompp. —Longg shouted as he defended himself— You are fighting for a chainsmith, not a leader!

Pollen, meanwhile, moved with lethal grace. She ignored the larger fights, her gaze fixed on Ziggy and Barkk, whose fervent devotion made them dangerous fanatics. They surrounded her, Barkk growling, Ziggy's gaze piercing with a brush from the mountain, ready to use her Genesis power.

— You interfere with our leader's plans, stinger. —Barkk growled— We are the Guardians of the New Order!

— An order based on submission is no order. —Pollen replied, her voice sweet as honey but sharp as a sword.

She didn't wait long for them to attack. Pollen also shed her simple disguise and flew around, scattering pollen from her stinger so that in a few seconds large vines with buds opened, releasing a cloud of paralyzing spores. Ziggy screamed, freezing mid-jump. Barkk, more agile, held her breath and lunged toward the cloud. But Pollen was already on top of her, delivering a precise but non-lethal kick to the back of her neck, causing the canine Kwami to fall among a pile of floating scrolls.

Back in the center, Plagg and Sass were pushing each other in a struggle, spinning around to get the upper hand like primordial gods.

— You fight for anarchy, Plagg! —roared Sass, his voice echoing like an avalanche. He wrapped his arms around Plagg's body, wrestling with him— I fight for perfect order! A world without the pain of regret!

— I fight for them! —Plagg twisted, his arms glowing with purple-black energy. He unleashed the claws of dark energy once more and attacked Sass' scaly skin— For their right to make mistakes, to learn, to choose their own errors!

Sass growled in pain, but Plagg didn't stop as he grabbed him by the hood and threw him into the void. Sass slammed into a constellation, the stars disappearing where he hit.

— Your "grand plan" is just manipulation disguised as wisdom, Sass! —roared Plagg, the hole in his chest pulsing with dark light— You are so afraid of chaos, of the unknown, that you prefer a sterile, empty world to risking a single sadness!

Sass straightened up, his hood spread out, the patterns on his chest and hood glowing with a hypnotic light— And you, Plagg, are so in love with chaos that you cannot see the beauty of perfection! You call it sadness, I call it a mistake to be corrected!

Sass' eyes began to glow, the mesmerizing light spreading toward Plagg, promising peace, an end to the struggle, a perfect and silent order. Plagg roared, shaking his head, but even so, his stance wavered. Seeing his beloved falter, Pollen abandoned the fight.

The bee Kwami rose in a quick, bright flash, also transforming into her true/titanic form: a mostly yellow female humanoid wearing a pseudo long dress with an open front, black female insect limbs, three pairs of arms, large bee wings, long fluffy hair surrounding her neck and covering her chest, her antennae extending like pigtails, and thorny vines forming a tiara. Pollen then punched Sass in the chest, sending him flying, but the snake used his claws to stop himself and stabilize himself, the emerald patterns on his chest and hood fading by Pollen's impact. A moment of genuine surprise crossed his reptilian face after feeling his hypnotic power deactivate, but it was soon replaced by his usual calculated calm. He recomposed himself in the void, the large ring of intertwined arrows on his back vibrating with contained power.

— So the bee was also released. —Sass stated, his silky, insidious voice echoing in the space. He observed the two adversaries, his hypnotic gaze analyzing the new variable— I'm not surprised that you two are no longer subject to the same restrictions as the others, given your closeness to him. Always interfering.

— Any battle that affects m'lord is my battle. —Pollen declared, her voice resonating with unwavering loyalty. She stood protectively beside Plagg, her crown of thorny vines seeming to tighten, more defensive. Her multiple arms were ready to deploy their defense or her venom— And you have made a critical error.

Plagg, recovering from the hypnotic trance, looked at his ally. A soft, affectionate growl escaped his chest, the dark cracks inside him throbbing— You took your time, dear. I almost thought you'd leave me to have fun alone.

— Your idea of "fun" involves destroying constellations, mon chatton. —Pollen replied, albeit affectionately— I was just looking for a more tactical opening.

Sass watched the exchange, a hiss of disdain escaping her lips as her four arms remained in a deceptively calm posture. The hypnotic light in her eyes had dimmed, replaced by a cold, calculating gleam. The patterns on her chest and hood pulsed with a slow, rhythmic light, like the heartbeat of a patient predator.

— Critical error? —Sass' voice was a soft, silky hiss that spread effortlessly through the void— Dear Pollen, your sentimentality has always clouded your judgment. Intervening in a fundamental conflict is not a tactical advantage; it is a distraction. Two sources of chaos are still just chaos.

She didn't wait for a response. One pair of her hands moved, creating another complex symbol of toxic green. The other pair clenched into fists, the scales on her arms glowing with latent power.

— You speak of mistakes. Let me show you a calculated result.

The symbol faded away. In its place, a perfect, glowing ring of emerald energy materialized, surrounding Plagg and Pollen. It began to spin, faster and faster, becoming a fiery hoop of impossible geometry. From within the ring, a replica of Plagg's dark energy beam—the one he had fired moments before—emerged, striking him directly.

Plagg roared, deflecting the beam with a sharp hand, the dark energy dissipating against his claws. But the moment it disappeared, the beam reemerged from the ring, identical in every way. And again. And again. A perfect, infinite loop of his own attack, bouncing eternally within the circle, a prison of repetitive violence.

— He's used your power against you! —Pollen shouted, her bee wings fluttering frantically as she dodged the relentless beam.

— It's an imitator! A cheap copy! —Plagg growled, but the strain was evident.

Blocking his own full-power attack in a loop was unsustainable. Each impact shook his arms, the dark cracks in his skin glowing brighter with the strain.

Sass watched, a faint, unsettling smile playing on his serpentine lips— See? Order imposes efficiency. Why waste energy when your own destructive nature can be used to control you?

Pollen's mind raced. She sensed Plagg's growing frustration, a dangerous emotion that Sass would undoubtedly exploit. A direct attack on the Ouroboros ring would probably only be absorbed and reinforced. They had to break the cycle from the outside.

— Plagg, stop! —she commanded, not as a lover, but as a battle companion. Her main arms crossed over her chest, while the other two pairs drew complex patterns in the air.

A huge hexagonal wall of golden energy, shaped like a honeycomb, rose between Plagg and the infinite beam. The next impact resounded with a deafening roar, and the shield held, though it was covered in cracks. As Sass had predicted, the shield would not last.

But it didn't need to. They only needed to buy a second.

While the ring focused on the new and greater threat, Pollen's secondary arms finished their task. It did not aim at the ring, nor at Sass. It aimed at the very essence of the dimension that surrounded them, and Pollen's hands released a stream of bright golden pollen. It spread out in a cloud and settled on the nebulous filaments of astral matter that populated the void: the remains of the constellations that Plagg and Sass had destroyed. Where the pollen fell, the stardust came to life. Thick, thorny vines, glowing with their own light, sprouted at an impossible speed. They did not go toward Sass. Instead, they wove an immense and complex web that spread throughout the entire sector of the void.

Sass frowned, his calm broken by irritation— What is this? Gardening? Are you filling the cosmos with weeds?

He reached out, and a wave of corrosive green energy vaporized a large section of the vine web. But for every vine he destroyed, two more grew in its place, and the pollination effect spread exponentially. Plagg, seeing her plan succeed, let out a triumphant laugh. He stopped blocking the beam, and instead, when the next beam headed his way, he ducked.

The beam of pure destruction passed by him and struck the network of growing vines directly. The result was instantaneous and catastrophic. The magical plant matter, enhanced by Plagg's power, exploded. Not a single explosion, but a chain reaction that ran through the entire network Pollen had created. The space lit up with a series of blinding gold-green detonations. The force of the explosion impacted the ring from the outside. The perfect, orderly loop of energy shuddered, unable to process the chaotic external input. It flickered frantically, the recurring beam wavering and fluctuating like a scratched record, before overloading and fragmenting into millions of emerald shards that vanished into nothingness.

The trap had been broken.

— Now! —Pollen shouted.

Plagg was already moving. Freed from the loop, he channeled his fury into speed, his six wings beating rapidly. He didn't aim for Sass' body. He aimed for the large double-arrow ring floating behind him, his three pairs of arms transforming into monstrous, jagged claws of dark energy. Sass' eyes widened in amazement. He tried to stop time and reposition himself, but the last echoes of the chain explosion still reverberated in the dimension, disrupting the precise energy needed. It was a fraction of a second too late. Plagg's claws struck the sacred ring. A sound like a thousand broken mirrors echoed across the cosmos. A web of black cracks spread across the surface of the ring.

Sass screamed, a heart-wrenching cry of pain, completely unlike his usual calm tone. He staggered back as if he had been struck, the patterns on his body flickering erratically. He did not retreat. Instead, his pain transformed into pure, uncontrollable rage. His hood spread to its fullest extent, creating a terrifying silhouette against the nebulous background.

— You can break the symbol, but not the concept! —the snake roared, his voice harsh and heart-wrenching— You cannot win! Because I already know how this ends!

One of his hands glowed with the familiar green light: the power of Second Chance. He was about to turn back time, to before Pollen intervened, to the moment when Plagg was under his control.

But Plagg was ready— Not this time! —the circular hole in Plagg's chest pulsed violently and unleashed a surge of energy. It struck Sass's marked hand just as the temporal power activated. The green light did not fade; it went haywire. Instead of turning back time, the energy rebounded off Sass himself.

Sass gasped, his body tensing as he felt his own power turn against him. For a terrifying moment, he was trapped in an endless loop of his own consciousness, reliving the impact and pain of his ring's fracture over and over again. It lasted only an instant before he broke free, but it left him disoriented and vulnerable as he returned to his small Kwami form.

It was the opportunity they needed.

Pollen stepped forward, his stinger glowing with a dangerous golden light— Your reign ends now—

But before he could do anything, out of nowhere, the two titans were encapsulated by green spheres composed of hexagons that caught them off guard.

— What—? Wayzz! —Plagg reacted, his surprise turning to anger as he turned to the turtle Kwami.

— You don't know how disappointed you're making me feel, Plagg. —Wayzz said as he floated closer, looking the titanic black cat in the eyes— You drove Ladybug's partner away, you kept information you shouldn't have, like the potions, Pollen encouraged your actions, and now it turns out you're not under the protection of the Order.

Plagg lets out a rumbling growl while Pollen narrows her eyes and mutters, “Ignorant reptile,” and Sass hides her victorious smile. Just as Plagg is about to use one of his powers to destroy the shield, Wayzz speaks again.

— And before you decide to run away, let me inform you that there's an Akuma on the loose now. —that statement surprised the black cat and bee Kwamis, with the latter worrying about Chloé— So what? Will you take responsibility as a Kwami, or will you just leave and abandon people behind like you did before? —Wayzz asks with a firm, accusatory voice and gaze.

Plagg growls again, this time more forcefully, clenching his fists before lowering his head and returning to his small Kwami form, but without hiding his two tails, the shiny circular crack on his chest, and the third eye on his forehead. Pollen follows suit, also shrinking to her small form and no longer wearing the simple disguise she once had when she was restricted. Wayzz nods before removing the shields and allowing them to leave, along with an apologetic glance at Tikki, who just shrugs regretfully before also leaving.

The air in Chloé Bourgeois' new apartment in Le Marais was filled with a comforting silence. Adrien Agreste stared thoughtfully at the blank television screen, and Juleka Couffaine absentmindedly played an invisible bass guitar on her lap.

— Do you think they have little disco balls the size of a kwami? —Adrien pondered, breaking the silence.

Juleka's lips curved into a strange little smile— Rena Rouge's Kwami would probably project one. —she moved, her long purple-streaked hair falling over one eye. Inside her head, Jeflekta's stronger, more confident voice added— It would demand a laser light show and a mosh pit.

Chloé scoffed, but without her usual acid bite— Please. Pollen would insist on a string quartet and canapés. Plagg would just try to eat the canapés, the quartet, and the box itself. Despite her rant, she couldn't take her eyes off Adrien.

Suddenly, a strange glow lit up the city lights across the window. A fine, sparkling dust, like playground sand caught in a ray of sunlight, began to drift through the Parisian night.

— What's that? —Adrien asked, standing up and walking toward the window.

Juleka felt a twinge of unease— It looks... weird. Almost like...

Before she could finish, the dust began to seep through the window frame, defying the laws of physics. It swirled around the room, silent and insidious. The air grew heavy, thick with the smell of ozone and forgotten dreams.

For Adrien, the walls of his room seemed to dissolve into a gray mist. The silhouettes of Juleka and Chloé wavered, their voices fading into a meaningless echo. Then they disappeared. He was alone. Not just in the room, but in a vast, silent, white void. He screamed, but the sound was absorbed without a trace. This was it. The persistent fear that dwelled in the heart of his gilded cage, brought to life: absolute, complete, silent loneliness. Panic seized him, cold and absolute.

On the deck chair, Juleka's world writhed on the creaking deck of the Liberty. The air smelled of salt and rust. Before her stood a version of Anarka, her expression full of contempt.

— Look at you. —the pirate woman sneered, pointing to Juleka's trendy band T-shirt, which had suddenly appeared— A rock ‘n’ roll princess. You sold your freedom for a magazine cover. Now you're his daughter, not mine. —the woman turned away, the ship already moving away from a ghostly shore— I don't keep anchors, Juleka. Especially not shiny, famous ones.

Juleka reached out, a silent scream caught in her throat as her mother abandoned her to the empty, churning sea of her newfound fame.

Chloé's vision was the most visceral. The immaculate white of Adrien's room was replaced by damp, crumbling stone. The air was cold and smelled of mold. There, in the center of the basement, was Adrien. He was tied to a wooden chair, a gag muffling his panicked screams. And kneeling before him, stroking his hair with a terribly delicate hand, was Marinette Dupain-Cheng.

— Don't worry, Adrikins. —whispered this nightmarish Marinette in a sickly sweet voice— No one will bother you again. Not Chloé, not Juleka. It will just be us. Forever.

The raw, primal fury that coursed through Chloé was so powerful that it almost shattered the illusion. It wasn't just fear; it was a premonition. This was the dark, obsessive heart that, according to her, hid beneath Dupain-Cheng's clumsy facade.

The glittering dust receded and the three of them returned to reality, gasping for breath.

— Did you... did you see that? —whispered Adrien, his face pale and his hands trembling.

— My mom... —murmured Juleka, hugging herself tightly.

Chloé was already on her feet, her blue eyes shining with a cold flame— We have to get out of here. Now. This whole city is a trap. —she knew what it was. An akuma. One that turned their deepest fears into weapons. And they were powerless.

They fled into the chaotic streets of Paris. It was a nightmare. People were screaming at ghosts only they could see, running from giant spiders, falling endlessly from ghostly skyscrapers, or being scolded by the disappointed specters of their parents.

— We have to stick together! —Adrien shouted above the cacophony.

But in a sudden surge of panicked citizens, a wave of bodies separated them. Chloé was pushed into a side alley, losing sight of Adrien and Juleka in the screaming crowd. Cursing, she leaned against a brick wall to catch her breath, her heart pounding in her ribs, remembering the disgusting image of Marinette in that basement.

Meanwhile, Marinette Dupain-Cheng was running. She wasn't running toward the problem; she was running away from her own hell. Behind her, a twisted caricature of Adrien Agreste staggered through the streets. His limbs were too long, his smile stretched into a black thread-stitched rictus, and his voice was a distorted recording.

— Marinette, my love! Why run? —he crooned, his head hanging from a boneless neck— I finally realize! My heart doesn't belong to you! It belongs to the radiant Chloé! The artistic Juleka! They are my sun and my moon! You are just... a friend!

Every word was a dagger. This grotesque puppet, born of her deepest insecurities, pursued her, proclaiming his love for her two greatest rivals. It was absurd, it was terrifying, and it was cornering her. She ducked into an alleyway, panting, pressing herself against the cold brick. It was all Lepidopterus's fault. Without Tikki, she was just... Marinette. Scared, jealous, and powerless.

A figure appeared at the entrance of the alley, silhouetted against a streetlight. Marinette's heart skipped a beat.

It was Chloé Bourgeois. Her face was a mask of cold fury, her eyes scanning the shadows like a predator. She seemed frantic, but terrifyingly focused.

— Dupain-Cheng. —Chloé growled, her voice dangerously low.

Marinette's mind was racing. Chloé couldn't see her like this, panicked and weak. She was supposed to be the heroine. She needed a distraction, something to throw her off balance, to allow her to regain control. Her gaze darted around, her panicked mind clinging to the only secret she suspected Chloé had. It was a bluff, a desperate and stupid bluff.

— Chloé! —Marinette said, forcing a bravado she didn't feel— What are you doing here? You should be more careful. Someone could try to... steal it. —she placed special emphasis on the word— Like that Bee Miraculous you took. Ladybug contacted me one night and made it very clear that you shouldn't keep it.

It was wrong to say it. Totally and catastrophically wrong.

The frenzied energy in Chloé's eyes faded, replaced by an infinitely more terrifying arctic calm. She took a slow, deliberate step forward; the sound of her shoes echoed in the narrow alleyway.

— The Bee Miraculous... —Chloé repeated in a threatening, silky voice— Is that what this is about? Hiding behind your little red and black ghost? You want to talk about theft, Marinette?

Chloé closed the distance between them until she was inches from Marinette's face. The intensity of her gaze made Marinette's blood run cold. This wasn't the smug rival from high school. This was a completely different person.

— My nightmare, Dupain-Cheng, the one that this Akuma so kindly brought to life for me, was you. You, in a basement, with Adrien tied to a chair. You, with that sick, obsessive look I see every time you stare at his back in class.

Marinette shuddered as if she had been struck— I don't know what you're talking about!

— Oh, I think I do. —Chloé hissed, lowering her voice to a whisper deeper than any scream. The distorted voice of the nightmare Adrien faded into the background, replaced by a very real and immediate terror— You think you're so clever, playing the heroine. But I see you. I know what you are. You're not a hero. You're a stalker. A lunatic with a scrapbook and a god complex.

Marinette's face paled. How could she know?

— So this is what's going to happen. —Chloé continued, staring intently at Marinette. She was no longer just Chloé. She was Anti-Bug, driven by a righteous and protective fury— You will pray that this akuma is defeated. You will pray that Adrien is safe. —she leaned closer, her warm breath against Marinette's ear— If I find a single scratch that you're responsible for, tonight or any other night, I will destroy you. I won't just expose you as Ladybug. That's too simple. I will systematically dismantle your entire life. I will show everyone your room. Your creepy photos. Your deranged schedule. I'll make sure everyone, including Adrien, sees you not as a hero, but as the pathetic, obsessive monster you really are. They'll be horrified by you. They'll be afraid of you. And when you have nothing left, when everyone you claim to protect has turned their backs on you in disgust... I'll take care of you myself. And then no Lucky Charm will save you.

She turned away, a grim, satisfied smile on her lips as she saw the pure, unadulterated terror in Marinette's eyes. Adrien's nightmare of shuffling down the street was a joke compared to this. This was real. This was a promise.

Chloé didn't look at her once more. She turned on her heels and walked out of the alley with a determined stride, phone already in hand, dialing.

— Adrien? Where are you? Stay put. I'm on my way.

Marinette was left alone, trembling in the alleyway. The fear of her nightmare had vanished, replaced by the chilling certainty of Chloé's threat. It wasn't a nightmare. It was a promise. For the first time, Marinette Dupain-Cheng felt real fear, not of a supervillain, but of the girl she had underestimated for so long.