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"Please, Bugaboo!"
I rolled my eyes at him and turned my back on him.
"No, Chat!"
I said and just started doing my route of patrol for the night, not knowing that Chat Noir has followed me.
"Ladybug wait!"
I halted to a stop and sighed deeply. I looked behind him and saw him looking at me with those what he called 'cute cat-eyes'. It's been a while since the 'Miracle Queen' event. All of our allies except 'Marinette' and Adrien got compromised. And this Chat Noir kept blabbering about letting 'Marinette' join, permanently.
"I told you, Chat. It's too risky."
"But LB! You're letting the compromised heroes come back but still temporary! Except for Chloe... Why not let Marinette join?"
"No means no, Chat! And even if I let the others join from time to time, It's still too risky to let Multimouse come back."
I explained. Honestly, I'm losing reasons for not letting Multimouse come back. Because if I do that, I have to work too hard. And I'm too drained to deal with two miraculous.
"Hey LB! Hey, Chat!"
I looked at my side and saw the other two temporary heroes that are on patrol. I smiled at them and nodded.
"What's goin' on, Dudes?" Carapace asked.
"LB won't let a certain someone join the team even though that person is worthy enough to be a hero."
Chat tattled before I answer Carapace's question. I looked at him deadpanned, and just rolled my eyes at him... Again.
"Oooh! I'd like to suggest one! Her name's Marinette Dupain-Cheng, she's kind of our 'Everyday Ladybug'. She'll be a great hero." Rena Rouge said.
It made me scowl and I closed my eyes.
Chat immediately agreed with her and Carapace joined in. I just shook my head and left the area. I finished patrol and then dropped my transformation after landing on my bed.
"They really want you to join, Marinette!" Tikki exclaimed.
"I know that, Tikki. But they just don't know that I'm already in the team, a permanent member!"
This is a disaster. I was hoping that using that illusion it can deflect any suspicions on my civilian life, but no, it had different plans. It gathered Chat Noir's attention.
"But, Marinette! They recognize you as a worthy hero nonetheless!"
I looked at her and just sighed.
"I know, and I am thankful. That even though I am a klutz they still recognize me as a hero. But, I can't keep explaining how Ladybug will leave then Multimouse will appear and vice versa! Unless I use an illusion, but it'll be too draining for me."
"I'm proud of you, Marinette. You might've started this superhero business at an early age, but you're one of a kind bug that I have!"
Tikki cooed and snuggled on my cheek. I chuckled at her cuteness before lightly petting her.
Morning came, and the moment I entered my classroom, I was tackled down by someone.
"Woah! Easy babe, you'll crush her!"
I hear Nino says making everyone laugh as well. Alya got off me and helped me stand up.
"Why are you so excited?"
"No reason!"
Alya said but when she turned around I caught her winking at Nino and hear a few words like 'Ladybug', 'convince, and 'persuade'. And at that moment, I can definitely see the persuading me to let 'me' join the team. I glanced at Tikki and she just silently laughed at my misery. I sat down and minutes later Ms. Bustier entered the room.
During the middle of the lesson, I feel myself slowly getting sleepy. Looks like I stayed up to late last night.
"You okay?" Alya asked.
"Yeah, just kind of sleepy. Slept late last night." I answered.
She just nodded. Soon I fully let my head lay on my desk and fell asleep for a few minutes. Because it got interrupted.
I jolted up when the classroom door busted open and saw an Akuma.
"Where is that liar?!"
The akumatized victim scanned the whole room and soon settled its gaze on the only liar of the room, who is now cowering in fear.
"Lila Rossi! Did you even know what you're lies got me in trouble?!"
"I-I do-don't k-know w-what y-you're saying!"
Suddenly the windows had bars like a prison cell as well as the doors. Everyone ran at the back of the class even the main culprit.
I don't know what overtook me, but I'm guessing it's my heroine instincts and just stood in the front line while the target stays at the back. Great.
"Get back here!"
It took out a fucking— Katana. What the hell?!
Everyone moved out of the way and some are trying to drag the liar away. I ducked beneath Ms. Bustier's desk and took a peek at Tikki, she looks at me worriedly.
I can't transform. I looked around until I saw a steel bar. It looks like a baton. When is that thing here?
Then I remember that it was one of the props for the upcoming roleplaying! I sneakily grabbed it while looking at the commotion behind who is still trying to avoid the katana of the Akuma.
There are two steel bars here, I can make it work. I've held two yo-yo's before and use them in battle. Just had to channel some of Chat Noir's energy of using a baton.
I removed my purse.
"Tikki, always be aware okay?"
"Just grab the akumatized object then try to go out since you can't purify it out in the open, it'll attract some attention. I'll hide away but I'll be near you."
I nodded and gripped tightly at the bars. It's not too heavy but can be hard enough to knock some sense into someone's head.
I stood up and braced myself. I'll need an excuse after this.
While dodging the Akuma's attack I had a glance at Marinette who's moving the teacher's desk. And my eyes focused on what she's holding. What the—
I glanced at Nino who's eyes are widened while looking at Marinette and Alya is now filming! I can't transform!
"Hey! Pick someone your own size!" Marinette yelled making all of us look at her.
She was easily twisting the bars in her hands while looking dead straight at the Akuma. My eyes widened when the Akuma shifted its attention to her and started attacking her.
I'm ashamed. So ashamed.
Here's Chat Noir who can't transform and just stared at my friend who's dodging the attacks.
The class was just still as a statue as the Akuma battles her. Marinette's effortless moves on dodging it and successfully discarding the Akuma's weapon. Soon the bars on the main door dissolved. Marinette kept moving and trying to tackle the Akuma down.
Then she grabbed the katana and looked at the door. She charged at the Akuma who put all their force in pushing Marinette back which succeeded to do so making all of us gasped. The Akuma tried to charge at Marinette who's now outside of the classroom until it halted to a stop and flopped down. Dark Purple goo covered the Akuma and revealed a young teenage girl who's now looking around her. and a swarm of ladybugs moving around.
Marinette walked inside clutching a fencing sword. She offered a hand.
"You okay?"
"I-I think so. T-thank you." The girl said before taking the sword and bowed to her. She apologized to us who are still frozen and left the room. Marinette looked at us and stopped. Then she grabbed her purse— which I didn't notice she took off of her, the ran out of the room.
"What happened?"
Alya asked. I'd like to ask that as well.
'What the fuck did just happen?!'
Meanwhile, during that fight, there are two kwamis who are observing the view from above.
"You know, she'll make an awesome kitten!" Plagg said who is astonished at how the girl moved flawlessly while using two steel bars.
"I have the best holder! While you have an oblivious boy!" Tikki said then laughed.
Plagg just grunted remembering how his holder is gushing with love when it comes to Ladybug but says 'just a friend' to Ladybug's civilian form.
"Come on! I've been trying to transfer a few of my powers so she can purify it and clean the mess." Tikki gushed.
True to the Ladybug kwami, once the girl got thrown out, it hid from the Akuma's view and broke the object before capturing the Akuma in her hands. When she opened it, a white butterfly fluttered away, then at the snap of the girl's fingers, a swarm of Ladybugs exploded.
"Isn't she amazing?!" Tikki exclaimed.
"Yeah, yeah." Plagg said.
A small smile on his face looking at Marinette.
'She can be both a ladybug and a black cat. Nice!'
Plagg thought before swallowing a wedge of Camembert. He then saw Adrien walking out in a daze after Marinette ran out, making Tikki follow her. He peeked back at the room that was still in shock and followed Adrien to his locker.
"You know, she can be a black cat."
Adrien looked at Plagg with a slightly opened mouth. "What happened?"
"Your Princess kicked some ass, without you or Ladybug."
"Don't be bemused, it's just the news! An Akuma busted its way on one of Collège Françoise Dupont's classrooms, neither Chat Noir nor Ladybug fought it, instead, a student named Marinette Dupain-Cheng faced it and successfully won the battle. Soon a swarm of butterflies surrounded the city indicating that Ladybug has done her cleansing magic. Where were Chat Noir and Ladybug during this? An what can you say about the class's 'Everyday Ladybug'?"
I turned off my computer monitor and groaned.
"Oh, Tikki! How am I gonna get out of this mess?!"
"Don't beat yourself, Marinette. You won against an Akuma without powers!"
I didn't even notice Alya filming! And because of this, the heroes will certainly push me to let 'myself' join the team. This is a disaster!
"Come on, Marinette! You'll be late for patrol!"
I sighed then transformed. My Yo-yo beeped and saw that Chat Noir left a message.
'Collège Françoise Dupont rooftop meet you there, Bugaboo!'
I groaned before carefully going out of my trapdoor and made my way to my school's rooftop. Where I saw almost all the heroes I picked. Except for Chloé, who's not here... I don't know why.
"Why are you all here?" I asked.
Only Chat Noir, Rena Rouge, Carapace and me, are transformed the rest are in their civilian form. Soon Rena Rouge and Carapace dropped theirs. I couldn't even stop them from doing that but their identities are already compromised so... whatever.
"LB, you must have seen the news right?" Alya asked.
"Yes. And No. Still No."
"But LB!" Everyone suddenly said.
"There's almost 95% that Marinette is a suitable hero! I'll vouch for her."
"She may be clumsy but she's a full package."
Everyone said their own piece about making me let 'Marinette' join.
"Why do you have a problem with Marinette Joining the team, Milady?"
Chat asked making me froze.
"Just... because. And there's already a pack of miraculous that are activated. So no."
They just looked at me. I sighed and turned my back.
"Are you jealous?"
I looked back and gaped at them.
"Me? Jealous?"
"Yeah? Marinette is cool, but you're still cool LB, nothing will change that."
I stared at them. Soon I was shocked when Chat Noir dropped his transformation.
"Chat, what are you doing?!"
When I saw the green light, I immediately looked away. I heard some who gasped and Nino laughing.
"Come on, Milady. Almost everyone knows each other's identity. And please let Marinette join!"
The others agreed. And now I'm looking at a black cat kwami looking at me so smug.
"What."
"Come on, bug. It's time to face your kingdom..." Plagg said while having a smug grin on his face.
Indicating that Chat's nickname for 'Marinette' is connected to the word kingdom.
"If you don't smack your holder and make him transform back, I'll shove you back to the Miracle box."
"It'll be fine LB. Don't you think it's time? You're the Guardian now! You make the rules!"
I looked at the kwami deadly but this little shit isn't taking it seriously.
"You're not afraid of me. Maybe she can knock some sense to you."
"But you have to de-transform, LB." Plagg said and grinned again. I stared at him.
"It'll be fine, Ladybug. We're all in this together." I hear Nino say.
"Fine. After this, no one will mention Marinette joining and no interviews. Got it?"
"I'm fine with the 'no interviews' but give Marinette a chance LB." I heard Alya answer.
And this little shit keeps grinning at me and shoving that smelly cheese in my face.
"Because she already is." I answered and stared at the little shit with its widening grin.
"Huh?" I hear them all ask. I sighed so deep as if all the air inside me got out of my lungs.
"Spots off."
They all hear, and all their jaws were wide opened. Literally.
"Plagg."
Adrien saw his kwami freeze and then flew away, while a red kwami follows him, leaving the girl beneath Ladybug's mask.
"You're telling me, that Ladybug has been sitting beside me?!"
Marinette still didn't face them.
"This is why I can't input Multimouse! You're going to drain me."
She said before finally turning and shocked to see Adrien Agreste in front of her. Marinette closed her eyes.
"Don't tell me. You're Chat Noir?"
"Yeah... is that bad?"
"I can say you both created a love square." They hear Max— Pegasus says.
They all look at him.
"Marinette has a crush on Adrien, but Adrien has a crush on Ladybug. And since Marinette is Ladybug, Ladybug has a crush on Adrien, Chat Noir is Adrien resulting in Chat Noir has a crush on Ladybug. Figure out the rest."
"So this is why you won't let me see Multimouse again, huh Buginette?"
Marinette saw a Chat Noir smirk on Adrien Agreste's face.
"Stop. Even if I have a crush on you, you're still a dork."
"And an oblivious idiot."
They both look at the kwami next to Marinette.
"Plagg!"
"What it's true! Didn't notice that both leave when there's an Akuma, same hairstyle, and don't get me started on how he gushes about his 'princess' while still calling her 'just a friend'."
Plagg said and then got hit by Tikki, leaving a blushing Adrien and Marinette.
"It's true!"
They all laughed at how the black-cat kwami cried while getting hits from the ladybug kwami. Adrien leaned slightly on Marinette.
"See, everything will be okay. You and Me Against the world?"
Marinette looked at him and smiled.
"Always, Kitty."