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Chapter Text

Marcel Dupain-Cheng;

Birthday - July 9, 2003

Age - 14

Gender - Male

Height - 5'10

Skin Color - Pale

Hair Color - Black

Eye Color - Blue

Sexuality - Pan

Marcel's Outfit

More About Him;
- He's more laidback unlike in the show, he's more of a he'll ask questions later then shoot.
- I updated his clothing, you can see it on wattpad. - He has more freckles all over his body.
- He likes to run across rooftops to practice his abilities for when he has to become Beetle.
- He also has two ear piercing one for his miraculous and just a normal piercing.

Chapter Text

Marcel Dupain-Cheng;

"So freaking creepy."

"I mean it'll be enjoyable, it's a game that I love."

"Listen Chloé, I'm not in the mood with you, you're already on my shit list."

Sabine Cheng;

"Are you excited for the new school year?"

"Well? With or without?"

"Make sure to come home safe!"

Tom Dupain;

"He was listening to music."

"Ciao mia bella moglie."

"Rossi....the name sounds familiar."

______
Adrien Agreste;

"Plagg, hurry up!"

"Ew...camembert."

"Hey Marcel."

Chloé Bourgeois;

"Adrikins!"

"I'm not sure that my father would share your point of view."

"What's that old thing?"

_______

Alya Césaire;

"Hey, have you guys seen Marcel anywhere?"

"You done?"

"Here hold this real quick."

Nino Lahiffe;

"Hey dude and dudette."

"Names Nino and you?"

"I mean, dude, do I go up to her and crack her a joke?"

Chapter Text

As the screen started to glow you could see a tall male figure in front of the camera, adjusting it to face him, just as he made the camera face him, he sat down.

"First year of being a superhero of Paris it's going surprisingly smooth for just two kids who magically gets a pair of earring and a ring but who am I to judge, I just hope that it stays the same, but I wanna talk or rant a little, Chats a good partner and all but he's to carefree and keeps getting in reckless situations." The figured sighed.

"But he's kinda annoying, it's just that he like to make jokes right in the middle of battle, I would prefer him to not do so but I can't make someone not do what they love but I would rather liked it if he made jokes to distract the enemy or after the battle but you can't get what you get, but anyway bug out."

Chapter Text

Marcel liked taking care of Manon, really. But sometimes she was so irritating.

He had tried to keep her distracted with a board game, but Manon ultimately thought it was best to go through all of his clothes and fabric he was in the middle of making. She had even managed to ruin some of his pieces.

But he wouldn't get mad. He wouldn't.

"Manon, please . Let's go and try Jenga again! Or Yahtzee! Or Where in the World is Carmen-"

Manon, in the middle of playing with one of Marcel t-shirts, undid the fabric, leaving only half of the work he had already done.

"Sandiego." Marcel groaned.

Marcel picked up a kicking Manon and gave her a doll to play with as he grabbed his phone.

(M.D.C): Alya I need help. I can't keep doing this. She's ruined half of my pieces!

A.C.: Right on it ;)

M.D.C.: What are you going to do?

M.D.C.: ...Alya?

M.D.C.: Alya!

Marcel huffed. Luckily, Manon was finally distracted, playing with her dolls. Marcel stood up and took all his (mostly) ruined pieces.

He looked down at the t-shirt he had been working on.

It was a baby blue henley shirt with soft long sleeves. He had sewn in Marcel D.C. on his left chest in small cursive writing, and the inside of his sleeves had a ladybug print , which was meant to have him turn his sleeve inside out. He had used a a harder fabric then the one that he used for the outside of his henley, a type that, when turned inside out, took a form similar to his cuffs. It was nearly done; it probably would have taken one more week of staying up at ungodly hours, and it would have been finished.

It was nothing crazy, but it had taken a while, especially to sew a whole other fabric on the inside of his shirt.

And now there was only half left of his shirt. He could be set back weeks.

It took him two months to get the fabric for this shirt and to even do this much. He couldn't believe she ruined it.

He quickly shook his head.

'It's not her fault. She's a kid. You broke things as a kid too. Besides.' He thought, suddenly filled with energy, 'I made it once. I can make it again.'

As he collected her things and put them on top of his bed, he heard a knock downstairs. He hurried down to answer it.

Marcel threw open the door, a smug Alya on the other side.

"What did you do?" Marcel asked exasperated.

"Nothing, nothing, we're just going to spend the afternoon at the park!" Alya cheered, kneeling down to get a better look at the little girl that was hiding behind Marcel.

"You ready for a fun day at the park?" Alya asked gently.

Manon looked at her suspiciously. "Who are you? You're not my babysitter."

"She's a friend of mine, My best friend. You can trust her." Marcel reassured.

After a moment of silence, Manon finally gave in, cheering and shouting about the park.

"Alya, I'm not even sure if we can go. I don't think Nadia wanted her outside of the house."

Alya's smug smile came back. "Obviously but I wanted to go out for a bit since Adrien is there and we all can hang out."

Marcel was silent for a second.

"Fine."

Marcel was agitated as Alya carried Manon to the park alongside him.

'What if he spots us? Won't it be weird seeing your two classmates watching you model?, Although it shouldn't be bad, since I just want to check on him, but if he does get suspicious I can say I was taking notes on Gabriel's work. I mean, I plan on doing that anyway.'

Marcel took a deep breath, his hand clutching on his notebook and pen that was filled with design sketches, tutorials, and notes.

On the other hand...

He was eager to see this particular fashion shoot. He knew which line this was. It was Gabriel's Paris: Agreste Apparel line, and from what he'd seen, it was one of his best yet.

Not to mention the clothes Adrien might wear.

He wasn't sure if he'd make it out of the park.

'What if there's a chance I could actually get a close up of some of the clothes! Maybe I can figure out what fabrics they are! Some are obvious, but I can't tell whether that one shirt was cashmere or a different kind of wool.'

He stopped as the entrance to the park loomed over him.

'Now's the time!'

With one shared look between Alya and Marcel, they entered the park.

———————

Adrien felt like his father might be overdoing it, taking up practically the whole park and all.

He had already got a closer look at the clothes he'd be wearing for his shoot, and the makeup artist, as usual, had already demanded him to sit down as she scrambled to put some finishing touches.

He thought he looked exactly the same as before, personally.

Once the lady was done with his makeup, he was rushed to his changing room, his outfits numbered with a changing schedule.

Plagg flew out of his shirt as Adrien yawned. He had been up early with Chinese and piano lessons.

"Aren't you tired of all the busy lessons and modeling?" Plagg asked as he flew towards a small box of camembert cheese.

Adrien decided that instead of smelling bad all the time that during photo shoots he'd keep a box of cheese for Plagg. It was probably one of the most smartest ideas Adrien came up with, if he did say so himself.

"I guess. But it's worth it if I can go to school everyday. Besides, I like playing the piano every now and then." Adrien said as he changed.

Plagg shrugged. "Whatever you say. Although, sleeping in sounds a whole lot better."

"Maybe for you, you lazy cat," Adrien said with a grin, "Now go hide."

Plagg rushed to hide in his box of cheese as the door flew open. Random helpers came in, fixing and tugging at his clothes, making sure everything fit perfectly and was exactly how Gabriel had wanted it.

He looked at the mirror set up opposite him.

Adrien was wearing ripped black skinny jeans that were cut right above his ankles with a black leather belt and a soft cotton white long sleeve t-shirt that had Parisprinted on his right sleeve in a navy cursive. He was also wearing black leather boots that went past his jeans. Finally, he was given a blue jean jacket that had a note next to it that told him to wear it as an over the shoulder.

He had already knew that too- he found modeling was easier when he already knew what to do beforehand.

Adrien could remember his first photoshoot when he was 8. His father hadn't put him in modeling earlier because he didn't feel like he was quite ready for all the overwhelming factors. He had finally decided 8 was good enough.

Adrien sort of wished he could've waited, though.

It was a weird experience being poked and prodded, making sure every item fit just right, making sure he had the right poses, having to spend hours of days on end practicing good technique and poses until he memorized them to the point where he was a professional at doing them without even thinking about it.

It was also hard since before his schedule wasn't all that bad, and suddenly his schedule was filled with chinese lessons and piano, and eventually, when he was old enough to be trusted with a fencing sword, fencing.

But overtime he had grown used to it. It honestly felt weird on days where his schedule wasn't filled to the brim.

The helpers were done fixing his clothes, and he was finally allowed to move again to actually go out and get ready for the shoot.

There were X's on the floor made by tape, things to help him have a good idea of where he should be for posing.

Not that he really needed them.

He had to say, he was quite bored.

He sat down on one of the Xs, which happened to be on the fountain. He rested his head on his fist, his knees slightly bent as he looked around the park. He paid no mind at the snaps he heard, knowing that Vincent had found a good shot and took it before the chance was gone.

He caught Marcel and Alya with a little girl running around the playground. It looked like they were playing tag.

He could tell based off of his classmates faces, though, that that wasn't the case.

After another minute of chasing with Manon giggling and shouting, Marcel finally managed to grab Manon. He heard him talking to her, saying something about a snack and balloon as the two left to a small store next to the park.

"We'll be right back, Marcel!" He heard Alya say as she waved at her friend.

Marcel nodded before sitting down at a shady bench, a notebook and pen in his hand.

He looked at the shoot, his eyes scanning the area as if he was searching for something. He stopped once he saw him, face turning stars as he looked at his outfit in awe.

He smiled, giving him a wave before Vincent told him that "This isn't the right time for Swiss or Chedder in your spaghetti! We need mozzarella!"

He looked at him apologetically as he turned to the camera, doing different poses as Vincent snapped away.

Marcel thought he'd be able to handle seeing the outfits.

He was, decidedly, not.

There was nothing revealing. In fact, he was practically covered up completely with what he was wearing.

But he still managed to make the cloths look so amazing.

A hundred thoughts came to his head as he focused on the clothing he was wearing, picking apart the possible materials and techniques, looking at the stitching (although it was hard from so far away), trying to see just how they had sewn and stitched and put all of his clothes together.

He wrote down some notes and ideas that came to her, writing anything down regardless of how much he liked it or not.

Any idea in a creators head could have a purpose if the creator gave it one.

He quickly glanced towards the area Alya and Manon left too, knowing Manon was his responsibility. He finally caught them buying a ballon with Mireille's face on it from a man.

He had seen the competition for Paris's weathergirl earlier that day.

'Looks she won.' Marcel thought.

Alya came back with a giddy Manon that had an ice cream cone in her hand.

"You finally got her to relax?" Marcel whispered.

"Yep!" Alya whispered back.

Alya glanced at the photoshoot, her brow furrowed as she seemed to be listening in on something.

She stood up from the bench, running in the photoshoot's direction as she yelled behind her "HoldonI'llberightbackbye!"

Marcel just stared after her before turning to Manon, saying, "Guess it's just you and I now, huh?"

However, Manon didn't get to respond, as a girl dressed in different shades of purple with a dark purple dress, white knee-high boots, and a purple umbrella flew over the park, screaming, "Ice!" as she pointed her umbrella at Marcel and Manon, who still had the ballon of Mireille on it.

Marcel, out of reflex, grabbed Manon, hugging her as he jumped off of the bench. He could hear Manon scream into his chest, afraid and breathing rapidly.

He didn't have any time to think. He just knew he needed to transform.

Alya caught his arms, twisting Marcel to face her.

"Are you ok?" She was barely audible. There was nothing but screaming and the sound of footsteps and wind.

"Yeah. Take Manon for me please, You'll get farther than me."

Alya raised a questioning eyebrow. Alya wasn't slow, but she wasn't as fast as Marcel. But there wasn't any time to question him, so she ran off with Manon in her arms, soothing her with comforting whispers as she went.

Marcel, staying for a second to make sure they were safe, ran off in the opposite direction, planning to hide in an alley or whatever he could find.

Only to bump straight into Adrien.

"Ow!" they said simultaneously.

Adrien turned to Marcel, his lips shaping words that didn't get to come out of his mouth. He looked up, seeing Stormy Weather above them, and grabbed Marcel by the arm, running as far as they could.

"Are you ok?" Adrien asked with a huff, his hands on his knees as he took in deep breaths from the long sprint that they had just done.

"Yep," Marcel said, catching his breath, "are you?"

"Yeah...yeah I am."

They were hiding in an alley, hoping Stormy Weather wouldn't go anywhere near them. If she was lucky and looked down, they'd be screwed.

Adrien was internally screaming. He didn't regret saving Marcel. He just wished he had found a way to get him to safety without having to hide with him. He needed to transform.

"Hey, Marcel, you'll stay here, right?"

"Yes, but what do you mean? If your trying to go, it's not safe out."

"There were...some kids! I saw without their parents. I need to go make sure they're ok. Stay here, ok?"

Adrien left before he could respond.

"Tikki! We gotta move, a lot of people could get hurt including my friends." Marcel stated as Tikki flew out of his bag.

"Tikki, spots on."

———————

Luckily, which was surprising for him since he had no luck whatsoever, Stormy Weather wasn't around to give Adrien trouble as he found a bush to hide behind and transform.

"Claws out," he whispered as his transformation came over him.

He ran out of the bush and jumped on a nearby rooftop, scouring the area for Red Beetle.

Who happened to appear right beside him at that very moment.

"Hey pal! Let's go kick the wind out of this special akuma!"

But he wasn't really focusing on him.

"Have you seen Adrien Agreste anywhere? He said he'd be here trying to save any kids or civilians that hadn't been able to run away." Red Beetle said, uneasiness creeping in his voice as he scanned the park for any sign of the model.

"How did you know that?" Chat Noir asked.

'Did he hear Marcel and I talking? Could he have followed me? Saw me transform?'

But he remembered the uneasiness in his eyes as he looked for him, and he decided that, no, there was no way he knew.

Red Beetle blanched for a second at his question before stumbling to answer.

"A civilian named Marcel saw me going over here. He told me Adrien had went over here. He wanted to make sure he was safe."

Chat Noir gave a small smile to that. Marcel was constantly thinking of others.

But then his smile faded.

"Wait, did he go hide? Did you make sure he was ok?" Chat Noir asked, worry now creeping in his voice.

"I mean- I think he did. He ran off towards an alley. I'm sure he's fine."

That didn't satisfy him.

'I can check on him after, make sure he's okay. But first we need to worry about this akuma.'

"But what about Adrien? Did you see him?"

"Y-Yeah! I saw him and took him to an alley to hide. I saw him leave it originally. He should be okay."

Red Beetle visibly relaxed.

He wondered why he cared so much.

'It's Red Beetle. He cares for every civilian. He always makes sure their safe. This is nothing different.'

But...

He had seemed a bit more anxious for him.

"Do... do you know him?-"

He was cut off by a white gloved hand reaching for Red Beetle ears. His partner, out of instinct, grabbed the arm and flipped the person over, putting his foot on the near-thief's chest.

Stormy Weather.

Red Beetle looked over the akuma, and he knew that he was searching for the akuma, trying to end the fight before it even had to start.

But Stormy Weather had other plans.

Before Chat Noir could rush to stop her, Stormy Weather pointed her umbrella up at the sky, shouting, "Tornado!"

Red Beetle, shocked, let go of the amount of pressure he had been putting on Stormy Weather, causing her to be able to lift herself up.

The akuma tried to take advantage of Red Beetle shock, reaching for his earrings.

Chat Noir came running into action, trying to twist her arm holding the umbrella, which he was positive was the akumatized item, but she turned around just in time, throwing a punch at him with more force then he thought... well, that any girl as small as she was could.

He took no mind to his face, knowing the Miraculous Ladybug's would be able to fix any black eye he would probably be getting.

The tornado Stormy Weather has called on had already formed, nearly blowing him and Red Beetle away at the force of it.

Red Beetle finally came back into the fight, his shock ebbing away fast as he tried to swing a punch at Stormy Weather, while Chat Noir kicked her off her feet. Before she could fall, though, she opened her umbrella, flying into the air.

"So it's safe to say she may not be able to fly without her umbrella being open." Red Beetle said as he grabbed his yo-yo.

"Yeah. And it's definitely her akumatized item." Chat Noir said, grabbing his baton, extending it.

Stormy Weather laughed, yelling about how she was the proper weather girl and how from here on out it'd only be winter for Paris.

"You'll never be able to get me now, Red Beetle and Chat Noir!" She said as she flew away.

Without a second thought, Red Beetle and Chat Noir followed, his yo-yo making whoosh noises as he flung it towards chimneys and gargoyles, his baton extending to help him fly through the air.

Only for the force of the tornado to push them off the roof all the way down to the floor.

Red Beetle, thinking quickly, latched his yo-yo onto a pole, stopping his fall.

Chat Noir wasn't as lucky.

He grabbed his baton, trying to extend it enough to save his fall. He took too long, and he fell headfirst into the road.

All Red Beetle could hear was an annoyed groan down below as he chuckled.

Red Beetle held onto the pole with both hands, clutching it tightly as he used his yo-yo to grab Chat Noir before the tornado could get to him.

"Come on, Chat, we need to find the akuma!" Red Beetle shouted over the wind.

Chat Noir grabbed onto the pole, claws digging into the metal like it was jello. "Ok, but where do you think she went? She could be anywhere by now!"

Red Beetle looked over the area, trying to find a clue that would tell them where she went. His eyes brightened as he focused on something in the distance.

"You see that trail of snowflakes in the air? To our left?" Red Beetle called out.

"Yeah! You think that's where she went?"

"Most likely!"

They grabbed onto the pole, getting ready to push off of it onto the next pole, and so forth.

With a short nod towards each other, they let go.

"So, she's at the news station?" Red Beetle asked as he clung onto the door, opening it enough to let him and Chat Noir in.

"It's furry likely." He grinned. Before, he hadn't had as much of a chance to make puns, with them being stuck in that crazy tornado, but now he could go all out.

When the door shut behind them, his vision was tinted with green.

He knew what was happening. Countless nights of patrol and akumas at night meant that his night-vision would come into play eventually.

He could hear Red Beetle slowly walking to what he thought was the stairs, trying to grab at the snowflakes that he also thought were there. Until he stumbled over a cord.

He went to grab him immediately, him groaning, mumbling, "I hate when I can't see where I'm going."

"It's fur-ine, dude. I'll be here to guide you."

He held his hand out for his, waiting as he furrowed his eyebrows, trying to find his arm.

He couldn't help but smile in amusement.

He finally found it, holding onto it as he led him through the room, telling him when to step over something or when he needed to turn a corner.

Over time, they had made it to the roof, a humongous billboard sigh looming over them.

Red Beetle opened his eyes

"The snowflakes end here" he whispered, letting go of his hand and grabbing his baton, getting into a fight stance as he did the same.

They looked around, not realizing that Stormy Weather was right behind them.

She screamed, "Hail!" as she flew done, trying to grab Chat Noir and bring him into the air.

As she put her arm out, ready to grab him, he flipped out of the way, throwing his baton at her, hitting her side.

She screamed in pain, clutching her side.

The hail was starting to come down in bigger chunks, feeling like golf balls when they managed to hit their heads.

Chat Noir ran to get his baton back, Red Beetle following.

The hail was too unbearable. It was slowly getting bigger and bigger.

Chat Noir did the only thing he could think of, grabbing Red Beetle by the wrist and pulling him beside him, grabbing his baton and spinning it, turning it into a shield, blocking the hail.

Red Beetle, taking advantage, yelled, "Lucky Charm!"

A badge saying, Paris's #1 Weather girl! appeared, falling into his hand.

Unlike the other charms, he knew exactly what he had to do without even thinking about it.

He could tell Chat Noir wrists were starting to ache, so he used his yo-yo to cover them, showing him the charm that he had been given.

He stared at it for a second as he lowered his baton, understanding in his eyes as he nodded, knowing what he had to do.

"Stormy Weather!" Red Beetle yelled at the girl over the noise of the tornado and wind.

"I have something for you. You can be Paris's weather girl. You don't need to be akumatized or have special powers to do it either! Do you really want to hurt innocent people? It's all you'd be doing, you know, keeping this up."

The akuma seemed to be trying to ignore what he was saying, but Red Beetle could see Aurore in there, could see her regret.

Cat noir, using Ladybug's speech to hide behind Stormy Weather, whispered "Cataclysm," as a black ball of destruction formed in his hand.

"I'm sorry this happened to you, Aurore. You didn't deserve this. You didn't deserve to be akumatized. I've seen what it can do to people. Someone using your negative emotions against you. But we can fix this, together." Red Beetle smiled gently, Stormy Weather lowering herself to the ground.

Red Beetle held the badge out to her. "Here. To show you're already our weather girl."

Aurore held her hand out, getting ready to grab the badge, not noticing the superhero behind her stalking behind her.

A butterfly came over her eyes, and Aurore vanished, Stormy Weather taking place again.

"No! You don't get to tell me what I can't do! I already am Paris's weather girl!" she screamed, pushing Red Beetle down, her hands gripping his ears.

Only for Chat Noir to jump in and destroy her umbrella.

She gasped as she felt her umbrella break, crumbling into pieces of ruined fabric and metal as the akuma left her.

Chat Noir watched as Red Beetle cleansed the akuma and threw his lucky charm into the air, miraculous ladybugs flying all over Paris, fixing the damage that was done.

Red Beetle smirked, looking up at the sky as the clouds faded into sun.

"Pound it!"

Their miraculouses beeped, signaling that they only had a short amount of time left.

"I'll get her down," Red Beetle said, saluting Chat Noir as he nodded, extending his baton as he ran off home.

Red Beetle looked down at Aurore, ready for the confused look that all their victims always had.

Sure enough, Aurore looked up, confusion in her eyes as she said, "Where am I?"

Red Beetle picked her up, grabbing his yo-yo as he latched it onto a chimney, flying down to the ground, a screaming Aurore clinging on to her.

He smiled.

Red Beetle ran over the rooftops of Paris, looking for a boy with blonde hair and green eyes.

He found the alley he had been in with him. He had hoped he'd be there. He had just called on his miraculous ladybugs. There was no way he got back to his shoot that fast.

"You okay, partner?"

For a split second, he thought that the voice was Adrien.

But as he looked up, Chat Noir appeared instead of Adrien.

"Yeah, just looking for Marcels friend after he asked me to check on him."

"O-oh uhm..." he was rubbing his neck. He knew that was something he did when he was nervous.

"Adrien wanted me to check if Marcel was here! Yeah, that's it."

Red Beetle looked down at the alley, hoping that there was a chance he'd be there.

Their miraculouses beeped.

"I have to go," they said simultaneously.

They turned tail and fled (one quite literally), hiding as they detransformed.

Marcel took a deep breath, making himself relax.

He ran off to the shoot, remembering that he also needed to make sure Alya and Manon were safe.

'After all, he thought, I will get to see more of Gabriel's clothes close up.'

He grinned in excitement and anticipation, running just a bit faster to get to his destination.

Adrien figured Marcel was probably with Alya and Manon at the park. So he ran there.

Besides, if he wasn't there in another five minutes, Vincent would not be happy.

As he entered the park, he realized someone was running next to him in the same direction. He turned, and nearly stopped running as he realized it was Marcel.

Marcel turned, and he did stop running as he took him in.

He stopped, watching him look at his outfit.

It was then that he remembered that he still had his modeling outfit on.

"You like it?" He asked.

Marcel didn't seem to hear him, glancing at his clothes with eyes of what he knew was a designer.

He finally did look down at him, but he didn't say what he thought he would.

"Where were you? I was looking for you. I thought something bad happened."

He frowned. "Chat Noir brought me to safety. I'm okay, See?"

He turned, showing that there were no injuries, not that there would be anyway because of Red Beetle's miraculous ladybug.

"Oh. Okay that's good, I guess. But Red Beetle and Chat Noir are here to save the day. Not us. Please don't do that again. I was worried."

He smiled. He was such a good friend. "Okay. I promise I won't run into danger again."

He softened. "Your clothes." He said with a grin. "They're amazing. I don't know how your father does it. Is that cotton? What's the fur inside your jacket? How did he do that stitch on your shirt?"

He stopped suddenly. "Sorry about, just rambling."

"No! Your not. I like it when you talk about designing. You're so passionate about it."

He smiled.

"I'm pretty sure this is cotton, and I think this fur is fake, though I don't remember the exact material. My father isn't the type to use real furs very often..."

They walked off, talking about Gabriel's clothes and designing techniques, heading towards the shoot.

Marcel smiled. He's going to have a lot of things to write down in his notebook today.

Marcel headed towards Alya and Manon, all the things Adrien told him fresh in his mind as he immediately grabbed his notebook, writing notes and drawing sketches.

He didn't take any mind to Alya leaving again, Manon sitting down next to Marcel, another ice cream in hand.

Until she came back, grabbing his arm and dragging him over to the shoot.

"Hey, what are you doing? I was nearly done with that sketch! We can't leave Manon by herself!"

"It's okay Marc. She'll be with me. But I have some very good news for you."

They walked up towards the cameraman, Adrien posing in front of him. Alya tapped his shoulder, and he turned, about to tell them off, until he saw Marcel.

"So, this is the guy that is going to complete Adriens spaghetti?"

"Huh!?" Marcel exclaimed, taking a step back.

"I'm going to be... what..? Spaghetti?"

He looked towards Adrien, and he saw the same surprised look on his face, but he also seemed... amused.

He wasn't sure if that comforted him or made him freak out even more.

"You're going to model. With Adrien. Now go! Go change!" Alya yelled, pushing him forward as the helpers got Marcel and pushed him towards the makeup studio.

"Wait a minute!"

No one got to hear what he said next as he was whisked away.

Marcel looked at the clothes he was given.

He was in awe. He couldn't believe that he even got to get a close up look at them, let alone wear them.

He was given a olive plaid beret, with a note next to it to leave his hair in a pony tail. He was also given a red t-shirt, Paris written in black cursive writing on his left breast pocket, and black pants with the same olive plaid as accents for the pockets and zippers. Next to it was a black leather belt, white socks, and black leather boots that went up his ankles he also had the same olive plaid as a small handbag.

As he changed, Tikki flew towards a bin full of makeup and accessories, making sure to hide until Marcel could come back.

Everything felt so comfy. It all fit perfectly. He felt like if he did so much as move he would ruin the outfit.

The helpers came rushing in again, fixing any ruffles or issues that only they could see. Once they were done, he was finally able to walk.

He grabbed the door handle that would lead him to the shoot, took a deep breath, and opened the door.

—————

Adrien, to say the least, was quite surprised with the outfit Marcel had on.

He's seen it before, on other models, but it looked like he was made to wear this outfit.

And his hair was up in a ponytail. For all the weeks they've known each other. He had not once seen his hair up. He's not even sure if Alya ever got to see it.

As he came to stand beside him, he whispered, "You look great, Marcel."

He smirked, "Thanks man, so do you." He whispered back

They shared a smile, moving in different areas and trying different poses as Vincent took shot after shot.

Marcel, of course, was practically a natural.

Chapter Text

Nathaniel bravely intervened to stop Stormy Weather from bullying Marcel, and in the process, he found himself holding Marcel in a protective embrace. It was clear to anyone watching that he was smitten, his heart racing as he realized just how much he cared for his friend.

However, not everyone was pleased with the scene unfolding in the classroom. Ms. Mendeleiv's expression darkened as she repeatedly glanced toward the back of the room. Marcel followed her gaze and discovered Nathaniel lost in his own world, sketching instead of paying attention to the lesson. This was not going to end well. With a determined stride, Ms. M marched to Nathaniel's desk, her frustration palpable.

"Nathaniel!" she called out, her voice laced with authority. "What are you drawing?" Nathaniel fumbled for words, his usual confidence slipping away under her piercing gaze. Just as he began to stammer an explanation, Ms. M cut him off. "Is this your idea of contributing to class? This is precisely why you're failing science!" Marcel sighed internally. 'Great, that’s gonna bite us in the ass.'

"Go to the principal's office!" Ms. M commanded, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Reluctantly, Nathaniel gathered his things and made his way to the door. As he stepped down the last stair, he accidentally tripped over Marcel's bag, sending his sketchbook flying from his grasp. It landed open, revealing a drawing of himself as a superhero with Marcel wrapped in a grateful hug, as if he had just been rescued from certain doom.

Chloé, ever the opportunist, seized the sketchbook and snickered at Nathaniel's artwork, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Oh, look at this! Isn't it adorable? You're such a loser." Marcel felt a pang of sympathy for Nathaniel, who was now the target of Chloé's mockery. He stood up, his resolve strengthening, and snatched the sketchbook from her grasp, shooting her a warning look.

"Here," he said, handing the book back to Nathaniel.

Chloé huffed dramatically, her amusement fading as she turned away, clearly annoyed that her fun had been interrupted. The classroom buzzed with a mix of pity for Nathaniel and the shared embarrassment of teenage life.

Nathaniel hurriedly burst through the door and into the hallway, his hair covering his face, as it burned with embarrassment.

(MDC)

In the heart of the city, where shadows danced with the flicker of neon lights, there was a hidden room, shrouded in darkness. It was a sanctuary for those who thrived in the depths of emotion, where the air was thick with creativity and despair. Papillon, an enigmatic being, sat in the center of this room, his eyes gleaming with mischief. As he watched the world beyond, he murmured, "Hmm...artists can be so emotional. I love it."

With a flick of his wrist, a window creaked open, bathing the room in an ethereal blue glow. The light spilled onto him, illuminating the malicious grin that played across his lips. He extended his hand, summoning a delicate butterfly, its wings shimmering with hues of violet and azure. Using his dark energy, he transformed the fragile creature into an Akuma, a harbinger of chaos and despair.

"Fly to him, my little Akuma. Draw him into our dark web!" Papillon commanded, watching as the creature flitted from his hand and out into the night, eager to fulfill its purpose.

(MDC)

Meanwhile, Nathaniel was trudging through the dimly lit hallways of his school, his heart pounding with a mix of rage and humiliation. He had just endured a crushing mock from Chloé, the words echoing in his mind like a cruel melody. "You're such a loser," She had said, stripping away his confidence piece by piece. In a fit of anger, his pencil slipped from his grasp and clattered to the floor.

"Ugh!" he groaned, bending down to retrieve it. But as he picked up the pencil, a strange sensation washed over him. A flicker of purple light caught his eye, and before he could fully comprehend what was happening, the Akuma that had been sent to him phased into the very object he held.

Nathaniel felt an unsettling chill run down his spine as the butterfly hovered closer, its wings shimmering with an otherworldly glow. He shook his head, trying to dispel the alluring whispers that wrapped around his thoughts like a silken thread. 

"Hello, Nathaniel," A voice, smooth and inviting, almost like honey dripping from a spoon.

"W-Who are you?"

"Ah, Nathaniel," Papillon whispered, his tone dripping with feigned warmth and charm, "I'm someone who sees your potential, someone who understands the struggles of an artist like you. I'm here to offer you a glimpse of the power that lies just beyond your reach. You may not know me yet, but I can be your greatest ally—or your worst enemy. The choice is entirely yours." The butterfly's wings fluttered slowly, casting an enchanting glow, drawing Nathaniel in. 

Nathaniel's heart raced in fear. The purple butterfly's malevolent gaze seemed to deepen, sensing the flicker of emotion that had ignited within him. "I—" He stammered, struggling to regain his composure, "I don't want anything from you."

Papillon leaned in closer, casting dark shadows across Nathaniel's face. "But don't you see?" He continued, his voice a silky caress, laced with temptation. "This is not just about power; it's about passion, creativity, and the boy who inspires you. Imagine the art you could create together, the worlds you could bring to life. All I ask in return is your service—a mere exchange for the fulfillment of your deepest desires."

"I can help you get Marcel," Papillon continued, his voice smooth and persuasive, weaving through Nathaniel's thoughts like a silken thread. "Imagine standing side by side with him, creating art that captivates the world. No more feeling invisible or dismissed. With my guidance, you'll gain the recognition and admiration you deserve. Everyone will respect you, Nathaniel—no more rejection, no more doubt. All you have to do is trust me. Together, we can turn your dreams into reality." His gaze locked onto Nathaniel's, his eyes glinting with a mix of promise and something darker, urging him to take the leap into a new world of possibilities.

Nathaniel shook his head, trying to dispel the insidious thoughts creeping into his mind. "I'm not helping you—whatever you're trying to do," he protested, but even as he spoke, the visions of them working side by side, creating masterpieces, began to dance in his imagination. 

Papillon's gaze hardened, his voice dropping to a low, conspiratorial whisper. "You think you can protect him from the world that seeks to crush you both? They'll never understand your art, your bond. But with my power, you can elevate yourselves beyond their reach. You could be untouchable, the envy of everyone who doubted you. All you need to do is retrieve those items for me. And Marcel? He'll be yours to cherish, free from the constraints of mediocrity."

Nathaniel's breath caught in his throat. The thought of being with Marcel, of sharing their dreams and passions without fear, was intoxicating. But the weight of the Papillon words hung heavy in the air, each syllable wrapping around his mind like a vine, tightening with every heartbeat.

"I don't know..." Nathaniel whispered, his resolve beginning to falter. The allure of the butterfly's offer tangled with his deepest desires, and he could feel himself teetering on the edge of a decision that could change everything.

"Choose wisely, Evillustrator," He urged, his voice a blend of sweetness and menace. "You have the chance to break free from your chains and claim the life you were meant to live. Don't let fear hold you back. Together, you and Marcel can create a legacy that will outshine the darkness."

As Nathaniel stared into the depths of Papillon’s gaze, he felt the last remnants of his resistance crumbling. The promise of power, creativity, and the boy he admired beckoned him like a siren's call, and in that moment, he realized he was no longer fighting against the current; he was being drawn into its depths. "What do I have to do?" He finally asked, his voice barely a whisper, surrendering to the seductive pull of Papillon's influence.

Papillon smiled, his voice now a alluring murmur. "There are a couple of items that need retrieving—objects of power hidden away from those who would misuse them. With your skills as Evillustrator, you can bring them back to me. In exchange, I'll give you the strength to break free from the chains of mediocrity. Imagine the art you could create, the legacy you could leave behind."

The world around him shifted, colors swirling and dark shadows weaving together to form a new reality. He could feel the energy coursing through him, each pulse igniting a fire in his soul. Evillustrator was no longer the timid artist who let others dictate his worth; he had become a force to be reckoned with.

The world around him shifted, colors swirling and dark shadows weaving together to form a new reality. He could feel the energy coursing through him, each pulse igniting a fire in his soul. Evillustrator was no longer the timid artist who let others dictate his worth; he had become a force to be reckoned with.

"Good," the Akuma purred, the malicious expression on its face reflecting Nathaniel's newfound confidence.

(MDC)

Madam M paced thoughtfully in front of her class, her voice steady as she delved into the intricacies of particle physics. "The next presentation group consists of Nino, Adrien, and Alya." A wave of relief washed over Nino and Adrien, and they exchanged a triumphant fist bump, grinning ear to ear.

"Lucky," Marcel muttered under his breath to Alya, who merely shrugged in response, her expression unreadable.

"And then we have Sabrina, Chloé, and Marcel," Ms. M continued, her words slicing through the air.

"So unlucky," Alya whispered back, casting a sympathetic glance at Marcel, who groaned quietly at the mention of Chloé.

Chloé's annoyance was palpable as she considered the prospect of working with him. "Uh, Miss? Can't you assign him to another group? Sabrina and I work much better on our own," she complained, her tone dripping with exasperation.

"This is a group presentation, not pairs! Deal with it," Ms. M replied firmly, cutting off Chloé's protests with an air of finality.

"I hate dealing with it," Chloé grumbled, irritation simmering just below the surface, though she knew better than to challenge Madam M.

Desperation crept into Marcel's voice as he turned to Alya. "You wouldn't be willing to trade groups, would you? I really don't want to deal with Chloé."

Alya shook her head resolutely. "And risk facing that twosome terror? No thanks! But I promise to chat about you between particles and physics!"

"Thanks, Alya," Marcel said, relief flooding through him as he fist-bumped her, grateful for her support even in the face of his impending doom.

(MDC)

"Forget it, Sabrina. I don't have time for some silly project. Besides, you have Marcel to help you now," Chloé declared, her eyes glued to her phone as she scrolled through social media.

Sabrina nodded, a hint of disappointment in her voice. "Okay, that's fine, Chloé. We'll manage the work. Don't worry."

Just then, Marcel approached, concern etched on his face. "Hey, everything okay?" he asked, trying to gauge the situation.

"It's fine, Marcel," Chloé replied dismissively, barely glancing up from her screen.

"Well, if that's the case, why not help us with the project?" Marcel suggested, having overheard Chloé's earlier dismissal.

"None of your business, imbecile!" Chloé shot back, her tone sharp and her eyes narrowing at Marcel, who bristled at the insult.

"Actually, it is my business since I'm part of this group, idiota," he retorted, annoyance creeping into his voice. Chloé's expression faltered at the reminder of her responsibility.

"It's okay, Marcel. You and I can handle the research and writing for our project, and then Chloé can present it! That way, it's fair," Sabrina chimed in, her optimism shining through despite the tension. Marcel furrowed his brows in confusion.

"That wouldn't work. I'm pretty sure Ms. M would double-check to see if you both did your parts," he countered.

"Yes! But we've been doing this since eighth grade when I started doing Chloé's homework! We've only gotten stronger since then!" Sabrina grinned brightly, while Chloé smiled smugly beside her.

"Yeah, and if you have a problem with that, you can leave," Chloé added, a mischievous glint in her eye as she beckoned Sabrina with a finger. "Come on, Sabrina."

Marcel shook his head, frustration bubbling to the surface. "Sabrina, Chloé's taking advantage of you. You shouldn't just go along with whatever she says. That's not how friends act." He couldn't help but feel annoyed at Chloé's habitual avoidance of work.

"Ugh, not only am I Sabrina's best friend, I'm her only friend. So she better do what I say, because without me, she has nothing," Chloé declared, her tone dripping with entitlement.

"I'd rather be lonely than be friends with you," Marcel muttered under his breath, but Chloé heard him and responded with a sweet yet condescending smile.

"Whatever. I have more important things to worry about. My hair is a hot mess, and Jean Claude promised to work his magic. Later!" With a dismissive wave, Chloé strutted off, leaving a palpable tension in the air.

After her departure, Sabrina turned to Marcel, eyes wide with admiration. "Marcel, I can't believe you stood up to Chloé like that! It was so amazing!" She enveloped him in a hug, her excitement infectious.

"Amazing?" Marcel mumbled, feeling awkward as he patted her head, unsure of how to respond.

"You're my friend, and I'm really excited to hang out with you! And now I have a best friend who actually helps with the project! We're going to have the absolute best time together! Then we'll tell Ms. Mendeleiev the truth about Chloé! Sounds good?"

"Sounds...great?" Marcel replied, still dazed by the sudden shift in Sabrina's demeanor. She seemed so confident and alive, a stark contrast to her usual shyness.

"Yes! I'll see you in the library, best friend!" Sabrina beamed, her joy radiating as she skipped away, leaving Marcel alone in a whirlwind of confusion.

"...What just happened?" he wondered aloud, his mind racing as he tried to process the unexpected turn of events.

(MDC)

"Ugh! What do you mean, you're not doing my assignment?!" Chloé groaned, her voice echoing in the quiet library. She was in a secluded corner, meticulously doing her nails, and the interruption had clearly irked her.

"Marcel's right! I...I'm not your slave!" Sabrina protested, her voice gaining strength as she stood her ground.

"I never actually said that..." Marcel tried to interject, but his words were lost amidst the girls' escalating argument.

"But Marcel didn't buy a super cute beret at Gabriel's, and I did! Maybe I could lend it to you," Chloé suggested, a sly smile creeping onto her face.

Marcel raised both eyebrows in disbelief. "D-Did you just try to bribe her into staying your friend? With a hat?" He looked bewildered at the absurdity of the conversation unfolding before him.

"...a really, really adorable hat! It would look fantastic on me!" Sabrina exclaimed, her eyes sparkling at the thought.

"No, excuse ME, but you're trying to steal my partner from me with a hat of all things!" Marcel shot back, his irritation palpable.

As Marcel and Chloé continued their back-and-forth, a certain someone in the library couldn't take it anymore.

Evillustrator, sitting quietly in a corner, glared at Chloé, his expression determined. With a flick of his stylus on his tablet, he quickly sketched noodles, which materialized and plopped right onto Chloé's head.

Chloé yelped and shot up from her seat, her hands flying to her hair. "My hair!" she shrieked, watching in horror as a giant hairdryer appeared out of nowhere, chasing her.

Adrien entered the library, looking for a book to help with the assignment, but stopped dead in his tracks as he witnessed Chloé sprinting past him, a massive hairdryer hot on her tail. "What the—?!" he exclaimed, quickly darting into the men's bathroom. "Plagg, claws out!" he called, dazzling neon green light flooded the bathroom as his suit materialized over his clothes and skin. Cat ears sprouted on the top of his head, a tail-like belt cinched around his waist, and a domino mask formed on his face, transforming his eyes into slitted, cat-like pupils glowing with a neon green hue.

"Not the hair!" Chloé wailed, her panic evident as she zigzagged through the aisles, while Marcel simply stood there, mouth agape, watching the chaos unfold.

Marcel sighed and slipped into a shadowy corner of the library to transform. "Tikki, spots on," He muttered tirelessly, as an intense, bright pink light flooded the room as his suit materialized seamlessly over his clothes and skin, his voice taking on a sharp, commanding tone. A yoyo materialized at his waist, while a sleek black domino mask settled over the upper half of his face. His eyes transformed into a striking shade of grey with a subtle hint of silver, complementing his now blue, medium-length mullet hair. With a swift and confident movement,

He dashed out, using his agility to wall-jump and land directly on top of the rampaging hairdryer. "Run and hide!" Red Beetle shouted to Chloé, who was still running and crying about her hair.

"I got wind that you were being blown away by a hairy situation," Chat Noir quipped, landing next to Red Beetle with a smirk.

"Five out of ten for the joke, but less puns, more action!" Red Beetle grunted, focusing on the hairdryer. He wrapped his yo-yo around a nearby pole and yanked it sharply, redirecting the hairdryer's path before leaping off.

Chat smacked the hairdryer with a swift strike, causing it to disintegrate into a burst of sparkles. They both stood up, catching their breath and assessing the scene.

"Well, that guy looks pretty sketchy!" Chat Noir joked, gesturing toward Evillustrator, who was still lurking in the shadows, looking rather pleased with himself.

Red Beetle shook his head, suppressing a smile. "He's definitely not someone you want to underestimate. Let's go after him!"

With that, the two heroes leapt to the second floor, where they spotted Evillustrator drawing another wall in an attempt to escape. They slammed into it, momentarily stunned, but quickly regained their composure.

"Where'd he go?" Chat asked, scanning the area.

"I don't know, but he sure has a way of illustrating his point," Red Beetle replied, frustration creeping into his voice. In silence, Red Beetle shook his head at his own pun, realizing it was just as bad as Chat's previous one. The two exchanged a look, both amused and exasperated, before taking off in pursuit of their elusive foe.

(MDC)

In the luxurious confines of Hotel Chat Noir, Chloé and Red Beetle found themselves huddled in Chloé's room, poring over a series of puzzling clues. Well, at least one of them was trying to, while the other seemed to be more interested in contemplating her fabulousness.

"Looks like this Evillustrator has taken a special interest in you, Chloé. Any idea why that might be?" Red Beetle asked, arching an eyebrow.

Chloé scoffed, tossing her hair back with a dramatic flair. "Nope! Everyone adores me!" She sniffed haughtily, as if the mere suggestion was ludicrous.

"Right, because you're just so irresistibly charming," Red Beetle shot back, his tone dripping with sarcasm as he waved a dismissive hand.

"Exactly! Did you hear that? Red Beetle called me adorable! We must take a picture together!" Chloé squealed, suddenly appearing right behind him, snapping selfies with unrelenting enthusiasm. Red Beetle's expression remained unimpressed, his eyes rolling slightly.

"Let's not make that a habit," he replied, rising from the couch and distancing himself from her selfie frenzy.

"Well, I look fabulous, of course, but your smile is all wonky. One more!" She insisted, shoving her phone in his direction for yet another photo.

"Sorry, I'm just a little camera shy," Red Beetle replied, sarcasm lacing his voice, though he forced a smile for the camera before sidestepping her again.

"Looks like somebody's got a fan!" Chloé chirped, clearly relishing in the attention.

"Great," Red Beetle muttered under his breath, his tone flat.

"So, what's going on? Why the weird vibes? You've got a girl practically worshipping you—admit it, that's pretty awesome!" Chat pressed, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

"It's really not, and it's incredibly ironic," Red Beetle mused silently to himself. Then his gaze fell upon Nathaniel's sketchbook in Chloé's room, and he was surprised to see it untouched. He shook his head in disbelief.

"We need to get out of here," he declared.

"Are you kidding? What if the Evillustrator strikes again?" Chat protested, his voice rising in alarm.

"Fine, you stay here. See ya later," he replied coolly.

"What do you mean, 'later'?" He called after him, confusion written all over his face.

"I mean, you're the one who's supposed to protect her, so you don't need me. I need to figure out a plan!" He waved dismissively as he swung away.

"Red Beetle! Text me! O-KAY?" Chloé shouted after him, racing to the balcony, her voice echoing with a mix of urgency and excitement.

(MDC)

Red Beetle flipped through the trapdoor into his room, landing directly on his bed as his suit slipped off him like a discarded shell. He dropped his bag onto the sofa with a bit more force than he intended.

"Hey!" Tikki exclaimed, bursting out of Marcel's bag and darting toward him, her tiny wings buzzing in a frenzy.

"Sorry, Tikki! It's just that Chloé is driving me insane!" He groaned, irritation bubbling to the surface. Chloé's dismissive attitude toward danger always managed to set him on edge.

"Calm down! Losing your cool isn't going to help!" Tikki shot back, her voice firm but concerned.

"It's tough to stay calm—especially at school," Marcel muttered, but then his eyes widened as a thought struck him. "Oh no! Sabrina! The project!" He quickly checked his phone, his heart sinking at the sight of multiple missed calls from her.

"Uh-oh...Looks like you've got a new BFF!" Tikki teased, but her playful tone shifted to alarm as they both caught sight of the Akuma lurking at the window. Evillustartor was erasing the glass with a wicked grin.

"You! From the library! What are you doing here?" Marcel demanded, a mix of surprise and frustration in his voice.

"I just wanted to see you," Evillustartor replied, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Okay...But what's the deal with attacking Chloé?" Evillustartor got closer, "Because she's cruel and selfish!" Evillustartor shot back, his expression fierce.

Marcel shrugged, unable to dispute that point. "Can't argue with that...so, are you planning on hurting me?"

The Akuma shook his head. "You? No way! You're Marcel! You're handsome, sweet, and...perfect! I could never hurt you!" His words hung in the air, unexpected and disarming.

Marcel blinked, taken aback by the compliment. "That's...very flattering. Uh, thank you?" He stammered, unused to such praise unless it came from family or close friends.

"So, I came by to ask...it's my birthday today, and, uh, would you want to come to my party?" He looked hopeful, his eyes wide.

"Actually, it's not the best time. I have a presentation to finish and...I need to call my friend to meet up..." He trailed off, feeling guilty.

"Oh please, Marcel! It'll just be you and me!" Evillustartor knelt down, sketching him quickly before handing the drawing over.

"Oh! That's...me," he said, examining the artwork, he knew Nathaniel was an artist, but he never actually examined his art before.

"Do you like it?" He asked, a hopeful smile on his face.

"I...love it, so much that I'll definitely come to your party. On one condition."

"Anything for you, Marcel," He replied eagerly.

"You can't hurt Chloé anymore. I don't like violence." His voice was firm, but there was an underlying softness in his tone.

The Akuma nodded, "For you and only you, I promise! Let's meet on the left bank, next to Notre-Dame, at sunset!" He grinned, quickly sketching a jetpack before soaring away into the sky.

Marcel collapsed onto his bed, a mix of emotions swirling in his chest.

Tikki flew out, her expression worried. "What are you thinking, Marcel?"

"I'm thinking Nathaniel has a crush on me, and Evillustartor is going to get a taste of Red Beetle's wrath," He replied with a sly grin.

"Yes, but...how is Red Beetle going to handle this crush when you're going on a date as Marcel?" Tikki questioned, her voice laced with concern.

"Maybe a certain cat needs to crash a party," Marcel chuckled, a plan forming in his mind.

(MDC)

Chloé groaned from her spot on the couch, surrounded by books and crumpled papers, her frustration evident. "Ugh...Sabrina is so selfish! Making me tackle this project all on my own?! My brain feels like it's going to explode. Hey, Chat Noir! Are you any good at particle physics?"

With a sly grin, he replied, "Oh, this cat's got particle physics down to a science."

"Perfect! Sit, kitty! Now, make it sound purrfect for my presentation." She chuckled, pleased with her own pun. "See what I did there? I can be funny, you know!" She tugged on his arm, shoving her project into his hands.

"Yeah, hilarious," He muttered sarcastically, his staff ringing just then. He answered the call, pressing the baton to his ear as he stepped onto the balcony. "You can't just swoop in and then start making cat calls, RB!"

"Right, sorry! That wasn't cool. But you can leave Chloé. I need you to protect this guy instead. His name is Marcel. The Evillustrator is head over heels for him and promised not to harm Chloé as long as Marcel shows up to his birthday party." Red Beetle's voice crackled through the staff.

As Red Beetle laid out the situation, Chloé, frustrated with the lack of progress on her project, yanked on Chat Noir's bell, urging him to help her. He brushed her off, still engaged in his conversation with Red Beetle.

"While he's distracted, I want you to take him down."

"What about you?" Chat Noir asked, momentarily torn.

"I have something very important to attend to. I'll catch up with you later. Can you handle this alone?"

"Ha! Please! It'll be a breeze!" he declared, hanging up and turning back to Chloé. "You're out of danger, so, uh, I'll see you later!" With that, he dashed to the balcony and leaped into the night.

"Later?! What about my presentation?!" Chloé groaned, her annoyance bubbling over. "Great, just great. Now I'm stuck doing this all by myself!"

(MDC)

Back at Marcel's house, just as he was about to step outside, he jumped in surprise. Sabrina was standing there, seemingly waiting for him.

"Oh! Hey, Sabrina, you startled me!" he exclaimed, his heart still racing.

"Sorry... I was just waiting for you. Did you get my messages?" she asked, a hopeful glint in her eyes.

"I did, and I was gonna call you," he replied, trying to sound casual.

"You were? I knew you would! Eventually. So? I did your geography homework!" Sabrina beamed, handing him a neatly stacked pile of papers.

"Hey, I already told you, you didn't have to do that..." Marcel waved his hand dismissively, stepping back.

"Well, since you're my new best friend, it's the least I can do," she insisted, her enthusiasm unwavering.

"Thanks, but I can't."

"Really?" Sabrina pouted, her expression shifting from joy to disappointment.

"Fine, okay, but just this once," Marcel mumbled, his defeated tone betraying his resolve as he reluctantly accepted the homework.

"Great! So, you wanna work on the physics project tonight?" she asked, her excitement palpable.

"Sabrina, I'm really sorry, but I've got something really important that I have to do," he replied, trying to sound as apologetic as possible.

"Something really important? Really? That's fascinating. Oh, you know who else uses that excuse all the time, don't you?" she countered, crossing her arms.

"No?" Marcel asked, genuinely puzzled.

"Chloé! I'm beginning to see how similar you two are! I bet you'd expect me to do all the work like she did, right?"

'Damn, that's a blow to my ego,' Marcel thought, scrambling to reassure her. "Listen, I've never expected you to do my wor—"

"I can't believe I did your geography homework for you..." Sabrina growled, snatching the homework back with a huff as she stormed off.

Marcel stood there, watching her leave in bewilderment. What was going on? It hadn't even been a day, and Sabrina was already on his case about a project due days from now.

Just then, Chat Noir appeared out of nowhere, startling Marcel, who flinched.

"Whoo-hoo! I thought I was going to have to save you from that girl's claws! Get it? Claws?" he joked, striking a pose. "Hey, I haven't even introduced myself. I'm Chat Noir."

"Yeah... I know. I'm Marcel. What are you doing here?" Marcel said, trying to regain his composure.

Chat turned his back to Marcel, flexing his nonexistent muscles with exaggerated flair. "Well, that birthday boy date of yours is bad news. But don't worry—you'll be safe with me."

"That really puts my mind at ease," Marcel replied sarcastically, though Chat either didn't hear it or chose to ignore it.

Leaning in, Chat placed a hand on the door, looking up at Marcel with a mischievous grin. "But I am going to need a little help. Care to assist a superhero?"

Marcel raised an eyebrow and leaned down, getting in Chat's face, causing the superhero to flush slightly at the sudden proximity. "What about Red Beetle? Aren't you a duo?" Marcel remarked, an amused smirk forming on his lips.

"He's busy with something tonight, so... you get to be my Red Beetle tonight," Chat declared, his tone light and playful.

"Me and Chat Noir? Fighting crime together? So cool! What do I do?" Marcel nonchalantly snarked, clearly enjoying the twist of fate.

"Just keep that drawing pencil away from him. I'll take care of the rest." With that, Chat climbed up to the roof and disappeared into the night.

Marcel chuckled, rubbing his jaw as he processed the absurdity of the situation. It seemed that tonight was going to be anything but ordinary.

(MDC)

The night air was crisp, and the Seine shimmered under the rare glow of the moon peeking through the clouds. The Evillustrator stood at the edge of the riverbank, arranging a collection of lanterns that floated gently on the water's surface. Each lantern was adorned with intricate designs, casting delicate patterns of light that danced like fireflies. It was a beautiful scene, one he had painstakingly crafted for the man he adored, Marcel.

But just as he was about to lose himself in the moment, a familiar weight settled on his shoulders. Hawkmoth's voice slithered into his mind, dark and commanding.

"That is a lovely little scene you're setting. But I don't want you to get distracted, boy."

Evillustrator's heart sank. "But I just want Marcel to love me."

"And I want the Miraculous. So get it! Or else." The pressure of Hawkmoth's grip tightened around his wrist, a painful reminder of the stakes at play. The Evillustrator gasped, his fingers going numb. "Okay, I will, I will!" he pleaded, desperation clawing at him. As the pressure lifted, he felt the warmth return to his hand, but the fear lingered.

Just then, Marcel appeared, his face lighting up with a smile that made Evillustrator's heart race. "Happy birthday."

"Marcel!" Evillustrator exclaimed, his voice full of excitement. They began to stroll along the boardwalk, the soft lapping of the Seine accompanying their steps.

"Thank you for accepting my invitation," he said, trying to keep the anxiety from his voice.

"It's no problem. It's quite beautiful here," Marcel replied, his eyes sparkling with wonder.

"You like it? Well hold on, 'cause I'm just getting started." The Evillustrator felt a rush of inspiration and was about to draw when ominous clouds rolled in, obscuring the moonlight.

"Come on, you've gotta be kidding!" he growled in frustration.

"Is there a problem?" Marcel asked, concern etching his features.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to startle you. It's just...I can't draw properly in the dark."

Marcel nodded, the gears in his head turning. "Voila!" Evillustrator beamed as he conjured a glowing moon, illuminating their surroundings. The soft light revealed the wonder in Marcel's eyes as he admired the artwork.

As they boarded a small boat, Evillustrator pulled out his music pad, filling the air with soft melodies that made the moment feel even more magical. Just as they began to drift along the Seine, Marcel's gaze shifted to the rooftops.

Marcel spotted the agile hero leaping gracefully from one building to another.

"You know, you're quite talented. What I don't understand is why you want to use your powers to hurt people," Marcel observed, scooting closer.

"Not everyone, just Chloé. And I'm never doing that again. After all, you were true to your promise, so I'll be true to mine." Evillustrator's resolve strengthened, but before he could elaborate, Chat Noir landed on the boat with a flourish.

"I can...actually draw a little too, I'm not as good as you are, of course," Marcel said with a playful grin, placing a hand on top of Evillustrator's.

"That would be amazing," Evillustrator replied eagerly, but his excitement was cut short when he spotted Chat Noir from the corner of his eye.

"Marcel, give me my pencil back. I need to draw something, now!"

"No thanks, I'm keeping it! Chat Noir! Now!" Marcel signaled, and Chat Noir's staff extended in front of Evillustrator with a swift motion.

"Marcel! You're working with him? I'm so stupid...I actually thought you liked me! But you're really just like Chloé. Teasing me, mocking me, leading me on!" Evillustrator shouted, hurt and anger spilling over.

"Seriously? Why is everybody comparing me to Chloé tonight?!" Marcel grumbled, his expression a mix of frustration and disbelief.

In a moment of panic, Evillustrator kicked Chat Noir's staff, which inadvertently hit Marcel's hand, knocking the pencil away. In a quick reflex, Evillustrator caught it and drew a transparent cube that encased both Chat Noir and Marcel.

"Woah!" Chat Noir exclaimed, his eyes wide.

"And I'm taking back my promise! Chloé's gonna get a little lesson she won't forget!" Evillustrator sneered, erasing a hole in the boat, which began to sink as he jumped away.

"We've been penned in! Literally!" Chat Noir quipped, trying to lighten the mood. Tikki poked her head out of Marcel's bag, prompting him to quickly cover her with his hand to shield her from view.

"Chat Noir, your staff! Move it like this," Marcel instructed, gesturing for him to place the staff against the ceiling of the cube. "And extend it!"

"Great thinking!" Chat Noir replied, his eyes lighting up with enthusiasm.

"Yeah, I'm a genius," Marcel chimed in, a sarcastic grin spreading across his face.

With a swift motion, Chat Noir extended his staff, lifting himself, Marcel, and the cube into the air before landing softly on solid ground.

"Gotta run! A superhero's work is never done. Damsels in distress, ladies in waiting—I've got a lot more saving to do. You can thank me later!" he said, counting off his fingers dramatically before leaping away.

"Me? Thank him?" Marcel scoffed, shaking his head. "He should be thanking me! We'd still be trapped in there if I hadn't come up with the plan to get us out!"

"And now that you're out..." Tikki said, her voice tinged with urgency, "that cat's going to need our help saving Chloé."

(MDC)

Back in Chloé's room, she was putting on a show, her voice quivering as she pretended to cry. "I'm so sorry, miss, but after what happened at the library, I just couldn't focus on my project! It would have been too traumatic! Just look what it did to my hair!" She sniffed dramatically and blew her nose into a tissue. Chloé rolled her eyes, "Oh, please. Who's going to buy that? Even the worst hair dryer couldn't mess me up this badly."

Suddenly, she snapped her attention to the door as it began to rattle ominously.

"Chat Noir? Is that you?" Chloé called out, her heart racing. But instead of her heroic ally, it was Evillustrator who stood there, and panic gripped her.

With a scream, Chloé dove under her bed, trembling with fear.

"Chloé, where are you? Are you hiding? How adorable! Playing hide-and-seek, are we? In the closet?" Evillustrator's voice dripped with mock sweetness as he began erasing her belongings from the closet before turning his gaze to the bed.

Chloé's heart raced as he erased the space where she was hiding.

"I win, Chloé! I found you!" he taunted, his voice echoing with sinister delight.

"Ah! My Chanel dresses! My Todelan heels! You're... you're a monster!" she cried, her voice laced with desperation.

"You enjoy walking all over others, but you can't stand it when they trample you, can you, Chloé? Can you?!" He drew a colossal red shoe that sprang to life, chasing after her.

Screaming, Chloé bolted, the shoe thundering behind her. Just then, Red Beetle appeared, swiftly snapping the heel of the monstrous footwear, causing it to vanish.

"Huh?" Evillustrator growled, furious, as he turned to face Red Beetle.

"Broke your heel! Better watch your ankles," Red Beetle quipped, just as Chat Noir strolled into the room.

"Well, well, look who decided to show up," he said with a smirk.

"No cat dragged me anywhere, Chat Noir. I flew in all on my own," Red Beetle replied, a glint of mischief in his eyes.

"So, what's the big deal?" Chat asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Nothing you need to know about," Red Beetle winked conspiratorially.

"In the comics, this is known as the final showdown. But if you really knew her, you wouldn't be breaking a sweat saving her! She's the real brat!" Evillustrator sneered.

"Oh! That's not true! Everyone adores me!" Chloé interjected, her voice rising in indignation.

With a flourish, Evillustrator drew three boxing gloves and launched them at the trio.

"Look out!" Chat warned, but it was too late; one of the gloves knocked him out as he tried to shield himself. Red Beetle leaped over another glove and used his yo-yo to disintegrate the last one, saving Chloé from its impact.

Evillustrator quickly conjured a wall to shield himself from Red Beetle's counterattack. He then drew a buzzsaw and hurled it at Red Beetle, who narrowly dodged it. The buzzsaw veered off course, heading straight for Chloé, but Chat Noir intercepted it, using his agility to stop it just in time. He split his staff and hurled it at Evillustrator, who dodged one half, but the other broke a lamp, sending shards crashing to the floor.

Red Beetle snapped his fingers, a realization dawning on him. "The light! Chat! He can't draw in the dark!" he shouted.

"Got it!" Chat replied, nodding and moving toward the light switch. "Cataclysm!" he declared, striking the switch, but Evillustrator was quicker, erasing it before Chat could activate his power. Instead, he smashed through the wall, sending debris flying.

"Here you go, kitty," Evillustrator taunted, conjuring a ball and chain that clanked around Chat Noir's ankle. "A little ball and chain to play with."

"Hey!" Chat protested, struggling against the weight.

"Those who get in my way get erased," Evillustrator sneered, erasing a giant hole in the floor. Chat Noir teetered on the edge, desperately hanging on as Red Beetle tried to maintain his balance.

"No, no, no, no, no!" Chat chanted, his miraculous beeping ominously—four minutes left.

"Chat Noir, his Miraculous! Get it! Now!" Hawkmoth commanded Evillustra Evillustrator stepped closer to Chat Noir, a sinister grin spreading across his face. "Before you go, you have something I want."

"Red Beetle! This cat doesn't have nine lives!" Chat Noir shouted, desperation creeping into his voice.

"Lucky Charm!" Red Beetle exclaimed, his voice filled with determination. In an instant, a toy ball appeared in his hands. "A bouncy ball?"

Evillustrator chuckled mockingly, "Just try to stop me with that, little boy!"

As he surveyed the room, an idea sparked. He grinned as he hurled the bouncy ball at the lamps, shattering them and plunging the room into darkness. In the chaos, he threw his yo-yo at Red Beetle, causing him to trip and send his pencil flying into the air. Quick as a flash, Red Beetle leaped, snatching the pencil mid-air and snapping it with a decisive crack, releasing the akuma within.

"Hurry!" Chat Noir shouted, his miraculous beeping urgently as the countdown continued. Just in the nick of time, the ball and chain vanished, and he scrambled out of the gaping hole in the floor.

"No more corrupting from you, akuma. Time to uncorrupt!" Red Beetle declared, capturing the akuma with his yo-yo. "Gotcha." With a burst of energy, he purified the butterfly, sending it free. "Bye-bye, butterfly! Miraculous Ladybug!" he called, tossing his Lucky Charm into the air. A radiant wave of energy erupted, mending the damage and restoring everything to its rightful place.

As the chaos settled, a purple cocoon enveloped Evillustrator, transforming him back into Nathaniel.

"Huh? Where am I?" Nathaniel blinked in confusion, looking around in disbelief.

"Pound it!" Red Beetle exclaimed, raising a fist in triumph, Chat Noir bumped it.

"No! The Miraculous was practically mine!" Papillon protested, frustration boiling over. "And they will be! Once I have them all in my grasp, I shall rule the world!"

(MDC)

Alya continued recording, her camera focused intently on Chloé as she recounted the previous day's chaos. "What happened when Red Beetle and Chat Noir arrived on the scene?" she asked, her voice eager.

"Well, to be perfectly honest, they only made matters worse," Chloé huffed, crossing her arms dramatically. "They came barreling in, smashing things to bits, throwing plastic balls around my room!"

"Plastic balls?" Alya echoed, raising an eyebrow.

Marcel chuckled sheepishly, scratching his head, unsure if he should be amused or concerned.

Sabrina popped up beside him, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "I hope you had a good time last night taking care of that important thing you had to do," she said, a teasing tone in her voice.

Marcel sighed, subtly rolling his eyes. "This again," he muttered under his breath. "Listen, I had something important to do, and I'm sorry, Sabrina, but I can meet you in the library today and finally work on the project with you."

"Too late! Chloé and I are doing the project together," Sabrina declared, a triumphant smile on her face.

"You mean, you're doing the project?" Marcel asked, incredulous.

"Of course! After all she's been through..." Sabrina replied, her tone filled with unwavering loyalty.

"Right... Nice new beret, by the way," Marcel said, trying to change the subject.

"I know, right? Chloé lent it to me. She really is my BFF!" Sabrina beamed, bouncing back to Chloé. "Your geography homework's ready!" she announced cheerfully.

Marcel shook his head, bewildered by the dynamics of Chloé and Sabrina's friendship. He couldn't quite comprehend how someone like Chloé could have a friend like Sabrina, but he didn't dwell on it for long.

Just then, Adrien appeared seemingly out of nowhere, catching Marcel off guard. "Hey!" Adrien greeted, smiling brightly.

"Hey yourself," Marcel replied, his confusion from earlier fading at the sight of his friend.

"I heard about your adventures with Chat Noir yesterday. Were you scared?" Adrien asked, his curiosity evident.

Marcel gave him a quizzical look. "Where'd you hear that from? Only Chloé and the cat hero know," he said, confused about how Adrien could possibly have that information.

Adrien froze for a moment, a nervous chuckle escaping him. "Uh, Chloé told me! You know, because she was in the whole... thing? Anyway, so, what do you think about Chat Noir? Was he awesome?"

Marcel filed that last question away for later and answered Adrien's previous one. "I guess you can call it that."

"So, that's a yes?" Adrien pressed, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

Just then, the bell rang, and Adrien quickly patted Marcel on the arm. "Gotta go! See you later!" he called out as he made his way down the hall.

Marcel blinked in confusion, still processing the conversation. Shaking his head, he decided to push those thoughts aside and headed towards homeroom, ready to tackle the day ahead—whatever that might bring.

Chapter Text

Madam Bustier surveyed her classroom, a satisfied smile illuminating her face. "I'm very pleased with how you all performed on your last assignment. Many of you have truly stepped up, and I genuinely appreciate your hard work." Her enthusiasm was palpable as she shifted her focus to the next task at hand. "Now, let's turn our attention to our upcoming assignment."

As she spoke, her gaze swept across the room, but she quickly noticed the empty desk where Marcel usually sat. A hint of concern creased her brow. "Is Marcel still in the bathroom?" she asked, directing her question toward Alya.

Alya hesitated, her words faltering as she replied, "Um...I-I don't know, Madam."

Madam Bustier nodded, her expression softening. "Alright, class, for tonight, I'd like you all to read chapter three of Breathtaking France: The First Thousand Years. Afterward, please complete the accompanying questionnaire." She handed two packets to Alya with a gentle smile. "Make sure Marcel gets his homework, will you?"

As the final bell rang, signaling the end of class, Alya's mind was already racing with thoughts of her absent friend. She quickly pulled out her phone and dialed Marcel's number, the ringing tone echoing in her ears. But when the voicemail picked up, her heart sank.

"Hey, if you called and I didn't answer, it either means I'm busy or ignoring you—your choice," The familiar voice quipped, dripping with nonchalance.

Alya groaned in frustration, rolling her eyes. "Great, just great," she muttered under her breath. She couldn't help but feel a mix of concern and annoyance. Marcel's typical antics were becoming a regular source of worry, and she hoped he wasn't too caught up in whatever else had drawn him away. She knew she had to find a way to get him back on track.

(MDC)

As the final bell rang, Alya made her way to the bathroom, her heart racing with anticipation. She peered inside, scanning the stalls for any sign of Marcel, but he was nowhere to be found. "Marcel!" she called, her voice echoing off the tiled walls. Silence met her call, and with a sigh of disappointment, she stepped out of the bathroom.

Outside the classroom, Alya's eyes landed on Rose and Juleka, who were chatting animatedly. She approached them, a hopeful smile on her face. "Hey, have you guys seen Marcel anywhere?" she asked, her enthusiasm palpable. But her heart sank when both girls shook their heads in unison, their expressions apologetic.

After thanking them for their time, Alya headed to the locker room, her curiosity piqued. She glanced around, but her attention was suddenly snagged by a flash of color. There, by her locker, was Chloé, rummaging through her belongings. Alya's eyes widened as she caught sight of something unmistakable: a vibrant Red Beetle costume, along with a familiar yo-yo.

"Chloé's Red Beetle?" Alya whispered in shock, her mind racing with questions. The pieces of the puzzle began to fall into place, but uncertainty lingered in the air. What was Chloé up to?

(MDC)

Outside the school, Chloé slipped into her waiting limousine, the door closing with a decisive thud that echoed in Alya's chest. Determined not to lose her, Alya quickened her pace, but as the car pulled away, she knew she had to reach Marcel. Fumbling for her phone, she dialed his number. "Hey, Marcel. Ring me ASAP. We gotta talk," she urged before hanging up, her anxiety mounting.

Just then, she spotted Nino and called out, "Nino, wait!"

He turned, surprise flickering across his face. "Yeah?" he asked as Alya jogged over to him, urgency in her steps.

"Come with me, I need your help!" she exclaimed, grabbing his wrist and pulling him along.

"S—" Nino started, but Alya shushed him, her attention already back on her phone. She tried calling Marcel again, but all she got was his voicemail. "Hey, if you called and I didn't answer, I'm either busy or ignoring you. Your choice."

Frustration bubbled over as she hung up. "I hate it when he goes AWOL! He hasn't answered me all day—where is that boy?!"

Nino raised an eyebrow, a look of surprise on his face. "Seriously? My man Adrien's the exact same way. But I guess you gotta be sly when Mr. Control Freak is your daddy-o."

Just then, Alya's phone buzzed, and she eagerly checked it, only to find it was a news alert. Undeterred, she watched the live coverage unfold. "Once again, Red Beetle and Chat Noir have saved Paris from the clutches of Papillon," The anchor announced, and Alya's heart raced when she spotted Red Beetle's signature yo-yo on the screen.

"Hey! I think I've just sniffed out who the real Red Beetle is. It's Chloé!" Alya whispered to Nino, excitement bubbling in her voice.

Nino burst into laughter, shaking his head in disbelief. "Chloé? Seriously? That's impossible! One, she's a dudette, and two, Red Beetle's a dude. And let's not forget, she's way too self-absorbed to think about anyone but herself, much less save the world. You're crazy, lady! Plus, Red Beetle saved Chloé on their first debut!"

Alya waved off his skepticism. "Pssh, we got magic! She probably used magic on herself!"

Nino shook his head incredulously, a smile playing on his lips. While her theory might sound wild, he knew Chloé well enough to doubt it. "Look, Alya, it could be true, but you know she's never shown a sign of magic in her life."

But Alya was undeterred, her mind racing with possibilities. "I just know there's more to this than meets the eye!" she insisted, determination etched on her face.

(MDC)

Red Beetle soared above the rooftops, executing a flawless somersault and landing on a billboard just outside his home. As he touched down, his transformation timer beeped its last warning, and the vibrant suit began to dissolve.

"Time flies fast when you're saving the world. The day's already over!" Tikki exclaimed, buzzing towards Marcel's outstretched hands, where he offered her a cookie.

"Tell me about it. I missed an entire half day of school," Marcel groaned, already dreading the mountain of homework awaiting him. He flipped off the billboard and rolled onto the next roof, grateful that his house was close by. A few more jumps and he'd be home free.

"Whoever's behind all of this sure is keeping us on our toes!" Tikki added, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Marcel landed discreetly behind a building in an alleyway, stepping out with a sigh. "Seriously, it's getting really annoying," he muttered as he entered his home.

His mother, Sabine, looked up from her chores. "Alya brought your school bag home for you, Marcel."

"Hey, Maman," he replied, a hint of gratitude in his voice.

"You seem so forgetful these days. Maybe you just need some fresh air and extra exercise for that growing brain of yours!" she suggested, a teasing smile on her lips.

"Great idea, Maman. I'll start tomorrow," Marcel agreed, leaning down so she could kiss his forehead.

He climbed the stairs to his room, opened the door, and sat down at his desk, unpacking his homework. But soon enough, he found himself grumbling. "Red Beetle saved Paris from destruction once again, but who's gonna save Marcel from his homework?" He sighed dramatically, resting his head on the desk. Just then, something caught his eye in the corner of the room. "What's this?" he mumbled, picking up a note. "'Call me. I know who the real Red Beetle is?'"

He read it aloud, rolling his eyes. "Great, just what I need—Alya jumping to conclusions again."

"You think she knows?" Tikki asked, hovering above his head.

Marcel shook his head, a wry smile creeping onto his face. "Doubt it. Alya's always leaping to conclusions before she has her facts straight. It's one of her most annoying traits." He knew her well enough to recognize her relentless pursuit of the truth, even if it sometimes led her astray.

"But just in case..." Tikki began.

"No worries, Tikki. I've got this." Marcel reassured her, dialing Alya's number. But after a few rings, his call failed. Frowning in confusion, he tried again, only to be met with the same result. A glance at his phone revealed the culprit: no bars. "Damn, no signal," he sighed, frustration pooling in his chest. 'How convenient,' He thought bitterly as he stood up, he made his way to the balcony, hoping to find a better connection. As he stepped outside, he spotted a man working on a cell tower nearby.

"Sorry, kid! Cell tower maintenance. The whole neighborhood's down. No signal for the next hour!" A neighbor shouted up to him.

"Come on, Marcel. Try again later. Let's head down and finish your homework," Tikki suggested, her tone encouraging, Marcel nodded, shouting his thanks to the neighbor before heading back inside. With homework awaiting him

(MDC)

The next day at L'école, Chloé and Sabrina strode through the school gates, heads held high. As they made their entrance, whispers and glances from other students followed them, especially from Aurore and Mireille, who were watching with a mix of admiration and skepticism.

"Hey there! Hi! You look totally fab! Uh, no, not you. Hey, it's still a month from Halloween, you know?" Chloé called out, her voice dripping with feigned sweetness as she picked her target for mockery.

Nino and Alya, hidden behind a corner, exchanged glances while trying to catch every word. "You need to have your head examined," Nino whispered, shaking his head in disbelief. "If she's a superhero, then I'm the Wizard of Oz."

"I'm telling you, she's Red Beetle!" Alya insisted, her eyes sparkling with determination.

Nino raised an eyebrow, skeptical. "Again, Chloé's a dudette, and Red Beetle is a dude. And if she really is, can you prove it?" He shot Alya a sidelong glance, trying to gauge her conviction.

"Yeah, plus there are heroes out there that could change genders," Alya countered, her tone defiant. "Chloé could be one of them."

"Only problem is, Chloé's never shown a sign of magic, though," Nino replied, crossing his arms. "And I would know; I've known that girl since I was a kid."

Alya waved off his argument, her eyes still fixed on Chloé as she strutted down the hallway. "Nino, you're just not seeing the bigger picture! She could have hidden powers or something."

Nino sighed, frustration creeping in. "Alya, you're jumping to conclusions again. Just because she's acting like a diva doesn't mean she's a superhero. Look at her—she thrives on attention, not heroics."

"But what if she is?" Alya shot back, refusing to back down. "What if she's just good at hiding it? I mean, Red Beetle is always around when trouble strikes, and Chloé just happens to be in the spotlight. It's too coincidental."

Nino rubbed his temples, trying to keep his patience intact. "You know, there's a fine line between a theory and a wild imagination. Chloé's just being her usual self. It doesn't mean she's some secret crime-fighter."

Alya rolled her eyes, undeterred. "I'm just saying, we should keep an eye on her. If there's even a chance she's Red Beetle, we can't ignore it."

Nino took a deep breath, knowing this conversation would likely go in circles. "Fine, but if you keep insisting on this theory, you'd better have some solid evidence soon. Otherwise, you're just chasing shadows."

As they continued to watch Chloé from a distance, Alya's determination only grew stronger. She was convinced there was more to Chloé than met the eye, and she was ready to uncover the truth, no matter how far-fetched it seemed. Meanwhile, Nino could only hope that their friendship—and his sanity—would survive the wild ride ahead.

(MDC)

Marcel and Tikki jolted awake to the sound of an insistent alarm blaring.

"Um...what time is it?" Tikki mumbled, rubbing her eyes.

Marcel fumbled for his phone, squinting at the screen. "Hmm, school starts in... an hour ago?!" he shouted, his voice echoing in the quiet room. With a burst of energy, he leaped out of bed, barely taking the time to change before rushing through his morning routine, all while Tikki fluttered around him, trying to keep up.

(MDC)

At L'école, the atmosphere was buzzing with the usual chatter of students preparing for the day. Inside the locker room, Alya and Nino were huddled together, plotting their next move against Chloé. "Now don't mess up your lines," Alya ordered with a serious tone, her eyes focused on Chloé, who was at her locker applying makeup.

Alya pushed Nino forward and stumbled a bit before walking up to Chloé. "Oh, uh...Red Beetle! Look over there!" Nino pointed behind Chloé, cringing at his own lack of acting skills. He winced, there was a reason he preferred directing over acting.

Chloé glanced over her shoulder, annoyance clouding her face. "What kind of lame joke is this?" SHhe snarked, leaning closer to the mirror to fix her eyeliner.

Nino, trying to maintain his composure, continued, "Uhh, well, that was... Did you see Red Beetle yesterday? Isn't he amazing? I wonder who he really is."

"Up too late DJ-ing, Nino? Obviously you didn't get your beauty sleep," Chloé retorted, rolling her eyes as she finished her makeup.

As Nino distracted Chloé, Alya stealthily took a photo of Chloé's locker, eager to capture any details that could lead to the truth. Unfortunately, her movements did not go unnoticed. Sabrina, standing guard nearby, locked her gaze on Alya, her eyes narrowing in suspicion.

"Chloé! Alya's looking in your locker!" Sabrina shouted, her voice ringing through the locker room.

"That's a lie! I so was not!" Alya protested, reaching to hide her phone, but Kim had already snatched it away. "Hey! Give it back!"

Chloé smirked, her confidence swelling as she saw the photo on Alya's screen. "Who's the little liar now?" she taunted, raising an eyebrow at Alya.

Alya's face flushed with frustration, but she quickly recovered. "You might want to check your locker for more than just makeup, Chloé. You never know what secrets you might be hiding," she shot back, undeterred by Chloé's sass.

Nino, caught in the middle, rubbed the back of his neck nervously. "Uh, maybe we should all just chill? No need for drama before class."

Chloé waved her hand dismissively, still reveling in her small victory. "Drama? Please. I just don't see why you're so obsessed with me. Get a life, Alya."

Alya narrowed her eyes, determined not to let Chloé's words get under her skin. "Just you wait, Chloé. The truth will come out, and when it does, you won't be laughing."

(MDC)

Inside the principal's office, the tension was thick as Chloé and Alya squared off, their voices echoing off the walls.

"She's guilty of invasion of privacy! I have proof!" Chloé declared, arms crossed defiantly.

"What?! Seriously! All I did was take a measly photo!" Alya shot back, her frustration boiling over.

"I'm sorry, Chloé, but there's no school policy on invasion of privacy," Principal. Damocles said, attempting to mediate the escalating conflict.

Chloé huffed, her expression dramatic. "Then... then breaking and entering!" she retorted, as if she had just uncovered a grand conspiracy.

"I didn't break into her locker! It was open!" Alya protested, exasperated by Chloé's antics.

"And nothing was stolen?" Principal. Damocles asked, trying to clarify the situation.

Chloé placed a hand on her chest, feigning a melodramatic expression. "Only my very soul! My locker is my secret garden! He who enters uninvited burglarizes my inner being and steals my life force!" She pretended to wipe away nonexistent tears, clearly enjoying the spectacle.

"Right. An hour of detention for you, Alya," Principal. Damocles said, trying to regain control of the situation.

"Are my ears failing me? Did I hear you're giving one miserable hour of detention to a—a heinous criminal? Sabrina!" Chloé ordered, looking to her friend for backup.

Sabrina, standing by the door, chimed in, "The school rules clearly state that any student guilty of theft should be suspended for one full week."

"Yes, but she's hardly stolen anything," Principal. Damocles countered, trying to keep the situation from spiraling out of control.

"I'm not sure that my father would share your point of view," Chloé mentioned, her tone shifting as she prepared to call her father, her fingers trembling slightly with anticipation.

"Well, now, Chloé, let's not bother your father, I mean, the honorable Mayor, with a minor locker situation," Principal. Damocles said, his voice steady but weary.

Ignoring him completely, Chloé dialed her father's number, her expression a mix of determination and anxiety. He started to sweat under the pressure, Principal. Damocles spoke up again. "What I mean is, you're suspended for a day, Alya."

"What?! That's unfair! I am so gonna protest this on the school blog!" Alya exclaimed, her eyes wide with disbelief.

Principal. Damocles glanced at Chloé, who was now smugly shaking her phone in triumph, and sighed deeply. "The school blog is hereby suspended as well."

Alya's jaw dropped. "You can't be serious! This is absurd!"

Chloé leaned back in her chair, a self-satisfied smirk on her face. "She's no superhero, she's a super bitch!" Alya growled quietly, glaring at Chloé, who was reveling in her temporary victory.

"Enough!" Principal. Damocles said firmly, cutting through the tension. "Alya, you will serve your detention, and Chloé, I suggest you reconsider your approach to this situation. We have rules for a reason."

As the principal's words hung in the air, Chloé rolled her eyes, and Alya clenched her fists, knowing this wasn't over.

(MDC)

In the dimly lit lair of Papillon, the air thrummed with anticipation. His butterfly window, a shimmering portal to the outside world, fluttered open, revealing the bustling streets of Paris. The city was alive with the laughter and chatter of students on their way to Collège Françoise Dupont, unaware of the dark forces at play. Papillon stood tall, his eyes glinting with malice as he surveyed the scene, a wicked smile curling his lips.

"Hmmm...school life. Such a science experiment," He mused, fingers stroking his chin thoughtfully. "A petri dish of cultivating secrets, lies, and betrayal. The thriving vivarium for my evil akumas." With a flick of his wrist, he summoned a delicate butterfly, its wings shimmering with iridescent hues. "Fly away, my little akuma, and corrupt her." As the butterfly took flight, darting toward the unsuspecting Alya. Meanwhile, Marcel was racing through the corridors of the collège, his backpack bouncing wildly against his back. He was late, and the thought of being scolded by his teachers gnawed at him.

Marcel raced through the gates of Collège Françoise Dupont, his heart pounding with urgency. "I'm late, I'm so damn late!" he muttered under his breath, barely catching his breath as he sprinted up the stairs.  Meanwhile, Alya was dashing down the opposite staircase, her expression filled with annoyance as she tried to call Marcel again. "Hey! If you called and I didn't answer, it either means I'm busy or I'm ignoring you, you chose.” The voicemail responded.

But before she could process it, “Hello, Alya…” A voice echoed, smooth and enticing, weaving through the shadows that cloaked the space around her, “I heard through the grapevine that you’re seeking to unmask Red Beetle. I’d like to help you if you agree to help me too.”

Alya’s heart raced as she turned to face the source of the voice. The air crackled with energy, and an ominous purple moth sigil materialized, casting an eerie glow that danced across her skin. A chill ran down her spine, and instinctively, she knew she was in the presence of Papillon—Red Beetle and Chat Noir’s enemy that thrived on temptation and preyed on vulnerabilities.

“I don’t want to unmask him,” Alya replied, her voice firm despite the flutter of apprehension in her chest. “I just want to understand who he is, what drives him. His identity...it’s his choice to keep it hidden.” The voice chuckled softly, a sound that sent shivers through her. “Ah, but isn’t the truth worth pursuing? What if the truth about Red Beetle could change everything you think you know? What if, in uncovering his identity, you could strengthen your bond with him? You could become an invaluable ally, someone he can trust.”

Alya felt a wave of conflict within her. The desire for knowledge tugged at her, a whispering temptation that threatened to drown out her morals. “But why does it matter?” She countered, trying to hold her ground. “His secret is a part of who he is. I respect that.”

“Respect?” The voice took on a more insistent tone, its allure thickening. “But what if the facade he hides behind is a lie? You have the power to uncover the truth, to expose the deception that keeps heroes from being truly understood. Everyone deserves to know the truth, Lady Wifi, even you.”

Alya's heart raced at the thought. The possibility of knowing who Red Beetle really was ignited a thrill within her. She could be more than just an admirer from afar; she could be part of his story, part of the fight for justice. “What do you want from me?” She asked, her resolve beginning to soften.

“Just a small favor,” The voice purred, its tone dripping with allure. “Help me retrieve an artifact that holds great power, and I will grant you the knowledge you seek. Together, we can unveil the truths that lie hidden in the shadows.” Alya’s mind spun with the implications. The temptation was overwhelming, and she felt herself teetering on the edge of a decision that could change everything. “I’ll do it,” she declared, her voice filled with newfound determination. “I want to know the truth. I’ll help you.”

“Excellent,” The voice smiled, satisfaction evident in its tone. “The journey to uncover the secrets of Red Beetle begins now. Let’s make this happen, Lady Wifi.”

With that, the shadows around her deepened, swallowing the light and sound until Alya felt a disorienting silence envelop her. She swayed in place, the world around her blurring into indistinct forms and colors, as if she were trapped in a dream. The weight of fatigue pressed down on her, and she felt herself slipping away, drawn into a void where her thoughts began to dissolve. As she drifted deeper into her consciousness, a transformation began to unfold. Lady Wifi took her place. Alya's essence faded like a whisper in the wind, replaced by a chilling presence that wrapped around her like a shroud. 

With a deep, steadying exhale that resonated with a dark resolve, Lady Wifi emerged from the cocoon of shadows. Her voice, now laced with an eerie, unsettling edge, echoed in the stillness. “I’ll expose the lies of anyone who covers up the truth,” she swore, each word dripping with a sinister promise.

(MDC)

Marcel burst into Madam Bustier's classroom, his eyes scanning the room until they landed on Adrien and Nino. A brow arched in confusion, he made his way behind Nino, tapping him gently on the shoulder. "Where's Alya?" he whispered urgently.

Nino turned, his expression serious. "She's been suspended..."

"What?!" Marcel exclaimed, his voice echoing in the otherwise quiet room.

"Marcel, if you're going to come in late, could you please do it discreetly?" Madam Bustier admonished, her tone a mix of irritation and concern.

"Sorry," Marcel mumbled, his eyes darting from Madam Bustier back to Nino. "What happened to her?"

Nino leaned in closer, lowering his voice. "The short story? She got accused of breaking into Chloé's locker. I mean, Red Beetle's locker..."

"What?!" Marcel shouted again, this time a mix of confusion and alarm flooding his voice.

"That's it, Marcel! Outside!" Madam Bustier commanded, her patience clearly wearing thin. Marcel nodded, grabbing his bag and quickly exiting the classroom.

Once outside, he shook his head in disbelief, and went to the office.

Adrien's eyebrows furrowed, "What are you talking about?" Adrien whispered, leaning towards Nino.

"Exactly what I said, bro. Alya thinks Chloé is Red Beetle! She's gone off the deep end and is definitely jumping to conclusions," Nino replied, his voice low but intense.

Adrien turned to glance at Chloé, who was sitting across the room, a mischievous wink directed at him. He felt a wave of confusion wash over him, and he turned back to his tablet, trying to make sense of it all.

(AA)

"Principal. Damocles, sir?" Marcel called out as he stepped into the principal's office. His voice trailed off as he stumbled back in shock, taking in the sight before him. Mr. Damocles was frozen in place, a pink pause icon hovering ominously in front of him.

Suddenly, the computer screen flickered to life, revealing a familiar face—Lady Wifi.

"I'm Lady Wifi, revealer of the truth!" she announced with a dramatic flourish. "For our first exposé, your principal would like to share a little tidbit with you. So, Mr. Damocles, is it true you wrongly suspended a student named Alya today?"

"Uh...yes, it is," Mr. Damocles admitted, his voice heavy with shame.

"So, you were biased? Unfair? Totally unjust?!" Lady Wifi pressed, her tone accusatory.

"Yes, I was," he confessed, his head hanging low.

Marcel's eyes narrowed as he watched the video, suddenly noticing the phone in Lady Wifi's hand—it had a ladybug charm dangling from it. "Oh shit, it's Alya!" he exclaimed, panic rising in his chest. "Tikki, let's go!"

"You're going to have to fight your best friend!" Tikki warned, her voice laced with concern.

"Nah," Marcel replied, determination flooding his voice. "I'm going to save my best friend."

"Tikki, spots on!" he called out, feeling the familiar rush of energy envelop him. An intense, bright pink light flooded the room, illuminating every corner as his suit materialized seamlessly over his clothes and skin, transforming him in an instant.

His voice took on a sharp, commanding tone that resonated with newfound confidence. A yoyo appeared at his waist, its sleek design glinting under the fluorescent lights, while a stylish black domino mask settled over the upper half of his face, lending an air of mystery to his transformation.

His eyes shimmered, morphing into a striking shade of grey with subtle hints of silver, reflecting the determination coursing through him. The transformation was completed by his hair, which erupted into a vibrant blue mullet that framed his face, standing in stark contrast against the backdrop of the office.

With a swift and confident movement, he adjusted his posture, feeling every bit the hero he was meant to be. Each breath filled him with purpose as he strode purposefully toward the door, every step echoing with resolve.

"For my next scoop, I'll be taking you to meet the girl who's been hiding behind the Red Beetle mask. Stay tuned!" Lady Wifi declared, freezing Mr. Damocles in place as the video abruptly cut off.

In the hallway, chaos erupted as Madam Bustier's voice rang out. "Everyone, for your own safety, go directly home right now! And don't forget to read chapters four and five!"

Students scrambled toward the exit, their chatter a blend of confusion and excitement as they rushed to follow her orders.

(AA)

"If Chloé is Red Beetle like Alya said, then Lady Wifi's gonna head straight for her house!" Adrien exclaimed, urgency tinged with concern in his voice.

"And it also means your partner is your childhood friend," Plagg teased, bursting into laughter as Adrien shot him an annoyed glare.

"Plagg, claws out!" Adrien called out, and in an instant, a dazzling neon green light flooded the bathroom, illuminating every corner as his suit materialized over his clothes and skin. The transformation was swift and exhilarating, wrapping him in a sleek, form-fitting attire that felt like it was designed just for him.

Cat ears sprouted playfully from the top of his head, twitching with energy, while a tail-like belt cinched around his waist, adding a touch of mischief to his already striking appearance.

As the transformation continued, a domino mask seamlessly formed over his face, instantly altering his features and giving him an air of mystery that both excited and empowered him. His eyes glinted with an otherworldly intensity, now transformed into slitted, cat-like pupils that glowed with a vibrant neon green hue. He could feel the power surging within him, a thrilling rush that filled him with confidence and agility.

With a final smirk in the mirror, he felt ready to embrace his feline alter ego. "Time to save the day!" he declared, his voice a confident growl as he burst out of the bathroom, determined to track down Lady Wifi before she could reach Chloé.

(CN&RB)

In the bustling city, Chat Noir could be seen leaping effortlessly from rooftop to rooftop, his heart racing with anticipation as he made his way to the hotel. He landed gracefully on a particularly high building, the wind tousling his hair as he took a moment to survey the area. It was then that he spotted Chloé, dressed as Red Beetle, and his eyes widened in disbelief.

"What? This can't be!" he exclaimed, confusion flooding his thoughts.

"Who's being a sneaky cat now?" Red Beetle whispered playfully behind him, startling Chat, who jumped in surprise.

Chat turned, his eyes darting between the two figures. "Oh, Red Beetle, but—" he started, only to be interrupted.

"Come on, I can't believe you actually thought she was me! First, she's a woman, and second, I'm a guy. And third, I have blue hair, not blonde!" Red Beetle shook his head in exasperation at Chat Noir's assumption. The idea was preposterous; Chloé didn't have the magic to change her gender, after all.

In the background, Chloé was busy playing with her yo-yo, and in her enthusiasm, she managed to get herself tied up in the string.

"Yeah, of course not," Chat conceded, trying to regain his composure.

"And besides, who would believe that she's the original Red Beetle? She's just a girl and a die-hard fan. A copycat," Red Beetle added, crossing his arms with a smirk.

"Right," Chat replied, shaking his head as he tried to process the situation. "I guess it's easy to get confused when we're all wearing masks and magic."

(RB&CN)

Inside Chloé's room, dressed as Red Beetle and entangled in her yo-yo string, Chloé was struggling to free herself when her cell phone rang, she jumped around as she pressed the answer button, "Hello?" she answered, but the moment she noticed the bright pink glow emanating from the screen, she quickly threw the phone aside. Out of it emerged Lady Wifi, her presence commanding and ominous.

"Well, hello there, Red Beetle!" Lady Wifi sneered, her eyes glinting with mischief. Chloé tried to run away, but Lady Wifi raised her hand, freezing Chloé in place.

In the background, Beetle and partners jumped to another building, "Looks like we got Wifi," Red Beetle joked, humor tinged with urgency, as he and Chat Noir dashed toward the hotel.

"Well, well...So my hunch was correct," Lady Wifi announced, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Everyone thinks the girl beneath the Red Beetle costume is a little angel. Think again, people! The real Red Beetle is...Chloé Bourgeois!" she declared, pointing the camera at Chloé, who was still immobilized. Just then, Chat Noir and Red Beetle entered the kitchen, prompting Lady Wifi to look startled.

"Uh..." Chloé stammered, her face flushed with embarrassment.

"But I thought you were Red Beetle!" Lady Wifi exclaimed, her eyes narrowing at Chloé.

"Sorry to bust your news story, but I'm a male and she's a female. Next time, double-check your facts!" Red Beetle shot back, crossing his arms defiantly.

"You'll be sorry," Lady Wifi hissed, furiously tapping on her phone. With a flick of her wrist, she deleted the icons that had been holding Chloé captive, causing her to trip and fall as she regained her mobility.

"Alya?" Chloé asked, confusion mingling with frustration.

"Alya's been disconnected. I'm Lady Wifi. News flash! Red Beetle, let's find out who you really are!" Lady Wifi taunted, firing her icons at Red Beetle and Chat Noir, who nimbly dodged the digital projectiles.

"Follow me!" Red Beetle shouted, leading the way.

"So, what's the plan?" Chat Noir asked, keeping pace with his partner.

"She gets her powers from her phone, so let's lead her to the basement, where there isn't service," Red Beetle explained, a strategic glint in his eye.

"No service, no power. Nice one, partner," Chat Noir replied, impressed.

"We've gotta go lower," Red Beetle said, determination in his voice.

"I've got you now, Red Beetle!" Lady Wifi cackled, her laughter echoing through the hallway.

"Get ready!" Red Beetle warned, prepared for whatever came next.

"So, what do you do when you're not Red Beetle?" Lady Wifi taunted, but Red Beetle ignored her, realizing that she was no longer in sight.

"She went back into the hotel," Red Beetle informed Chat Noir, the urgency in his tone rising.

Noticing lock icons on the doors as they moved through the hall, Chat Noir warned, "She locked all the doors." He paused, continuing their earlier conversation. "And hey, you never know, we might actually know each other in civilian life."

"Could be possible, but no," Red Beetle replied, focusing on the top door that didn't have a lock icon.

"She left this one open," Chat Noir noted.

"I see that. Get ready for an ambush on three. One, two, three!" They both burst through the door leading to the dining room, scanning the area for Lady Wifi, but instead found only phones scattered on the table.

"So much for the ambush," Red Beetle muttered, frustration creeping into his voice.

"It doesn't matter, what's up with all these phones—" he began, but was abruptly interrupted by a bright light emanating from one of the devices. Lady Wifi appeared, firing her icons at them.

"Hey!? I thought it was you she was after!" Chat dodged, while Red Beetle expertly evaded another icon, using his yo-yo to tie up Lady Wifi. But she vanished, only to reappear above another phone, taunting them.

"Ha! You can't get me!"

"Yes, I can," Red Beetle retorted, swinging his yo-yo and breaking the phones around the room as Lady Wifi dashed into the kitchen. Red Beetle leaped after her, but as he entered the kitchen, Lady Wifi quickly locked the door behind her with an icon.

"Oh crap, hold on, Red Beetle!" Chat Noir called out, quickly checking the hotel map on his staff. "Of course! The service elevator!" he exclaimed.

(RB&CN)

In the heart of the kitchen, chaos reigned as Beetle narrowly evaded Lady Wifi's relentless assaults. Just as he prepared to strike, two ominous lock icons materialized, pinning his hands against the wall. A camera icon flickered to life, hovering menacingly in front of him.

"Who is Red Beetle? Is he a superhero or just a super-weirdo? How can we trust someone whose true identity remains a mystery? We have the right to know!" Lady Wifi proclaimed, her voice echoing through the projection that loomed above, her eyes gleaming with determination. With a swift motion, she lunged to remove Red Beetle's mask, but it stubbornly clung to his face. "Why won't it come off?"

"Maybe it's because it's magic?" Red Beetle shrugged nonchalantly, just as the service elevator doors slid open with a mechanical hiss, revealing Chat Noir.

"You're out of minutes, Lady Wifi!" He declared, a smirk playing on his lips.

"Oh, how adorable. Tomcat's come to rescue his partner," She sneered, her confidence unwavering.

"Of course I would!" Chat Noir shot back, indignation lacing his tone. But before he could make a move, Lady Wifi delivered a swift roundhouse kick, sending him crashing into the freezer. The impact caused his ring to fly off, releasing Plagg from his confines, and in a flash, his suit dissolved, leaving Adrien exposed.

"it's freezing in here!" Plagg muttered, his tiny body shivering as he floated in the icy air. "My ring! Where is it? Plagg! I could really use some help here!" Adrien's voice rose in urgency, a mix of frustration and desperation lingering in the air as he scanned the room for his lost power. 

(RB&CN)

"Well, well...what shall I do with the two of you?" Lady Wifi mused, a cunning smile stretching across her face.

"Get him to use his Lucky Charm!" Papilion chimed in, sharp with urgency. "It'll force him to switch back, revealing his identity—and that Miraculous will be mine!"

"If you don't hurry, your partner will be frozen solid!" Lady Wifi cackled, her laughter echoing through the kitchen as she swiftly removed the locks from Red Beetle's wrists. "Good luck with your cat popsicle! I have other news to cover!" With a flick of her wrist, she vanished into thin air, leaving behind only the echo of her taunts.

"Eh?" Red Beetle muttered, bewildered. He glanced around, trying to piece together the chaos that had just unfolded. His mind raced—he needed to act fast. The stakes had never been higher, and with Chat Noir in danger, time was running out.

(RB&CN)

Outside Le Grand Paris, a tense atmosphere hung in the air. The mayor paced anxiously, flanked by two police cars, his eyes scanning the crowd for his daughter. "Come on," he urged, worry etched on his face. Meanwhile, at the hotel entrance, Chloé burst through the doors and ran straight into her father's embrace. After a tight hug, she quickly checked her phone, only to see Lady Wifi's face pop up on the screen, soaring through the sky.

"What's up, peeps! I've got the award-winning news story you've all been waiting for!" Lady Wifi grinned, her excitement palpable as she began her live broadcast.

(CN&RB)

Back in the kitchen, Red Beetle was desperately trying to break down the door to the freezer. "Hang on, Chat! I'm working on it!" he shouted, determination fueling his efforts. In the corner, Adrien shivered, his teeth chattering. "Take your time!" he called out, trying to muster some humor despite the cold.

(RB&CN)

"Don't blink, because Red Beetle is about to drop the bomb on his real identity!" Lady Wifi announced, her voice dripping with anticipation as she broadcasted live.

"Lucky Charm!" Red Beetle shouted, and a box appeared before him. "This better be some lucky box," he muttered, scanning the room before his gaze landed on the microwave. "Of course, the radiation wave!" Without hesitation, he placed the box inside, and as the microwave whirred to life, the lock icon melted away.

"Gotcha," Adrien whispered as he spotted his ring.

"Come on, jam the signal..."

The freezer door swung open, and Chat Noir stumbled out, shivering uncontrollably. Red Beetle was quick to catch him. "You alright, Chat?" he asked, concern etched on his face as his Miraculous beeped urgently.

"You used your Lucky Charm...There's not much time left," Chat replied, his voice strained.

"Exactly!" Lady Wifi exclaimed, eyeing them with a mix of frustration and anticipation.

"Open the kitchen door!" Red Beetle urged.

"We can't, the microwave's busted," He replied, leaning down to whisper a plan to Chat. "Here's what we're going to do..."

"Got it," Chat Noir giggled, an impish grin spreading across his face as he placed a pan over the camera icon, blocking Lady Wifi's view.

"What are they up to?" Lady Wifi mused, puzzled by their antics.

"Don't let my Miraculous get away!" Papillon's voice crackled through the comms, urgency lacing his tone.

"Right!"

"I'll go and jam the Wi-Fi antenna," Chat added, striding toward the service elevator.

"Good luck," Red Beetle called after him.

(CN)

On the rooftops, Lady Wifi soared through the air, her eyes narrowing as she spotted Chat Noir. "There you are!" she shouted, unleashing a barrage of digital projectiles.

"Nice try, but I'm not going to let you cut me off that easily!" Chat replied, dodging her attacks with feline grace as he reached the rooftop of the hotel.

(CN&RB)

"I need you to hurry, Chat," Red Beetle muttered, feeling the urgency in his Miraculous beep again. On the roof, Chat Noir continued to evade Lady Wifi's strikes. He grabbed his staff, swinging it at her, but she nimbly dodged, causing his staff to split into two. As they neared her, she shattered them effortlessly, her focus shifting to Chat as he prepared to destroy the antenna.

"No!" Lady Wifi shouted, hurling an icon at him. But Chat leaped skillfully to avoid it, launching himself at the antenna and disintegrating it in a flash of energy. The icon Lady Wifi had been riding on flickered out, and she plummeted as Red Beetle burst through the kitchen doors.

"I lost the signal!" she exclaimed, panic creeping into her voice.

"Gimme that phone!" Chat leaped toward her, aiming to snatch the device, but Lady Wifi deftly dodged his grab. In the midst of their struggle, Red Beetle swooped in, catching the phone from her grasp.

With a firm grip, he broke the phone in half, and the akuma fluttered out, its dark energy swirling around. "No more corruption from you, akuma. Time to de-corrupt." He caught the akuma with his yo-yo, triumph flashing in his eyes. "Gotcha." With a click, he purified it with the iconic butterfly leaves. "Bye, butterfly. Miraculous Ladybug!" He tossed the Lucky Charm into the air, and it erupted in in explodes of energy turning everything back to normal with Lady Wifi turning back into Alya.

"What?" Alya groaned, rubbing her head as she slowly sat up, confusion written all over her face.

"Pound it!" Red Beetle exclaimed, raising his fist for a celebratory bump.

"Red Beetle! Wow! And Chat Noir! Can I get a quick interview? Just let me grab my phone!" Alya asked excitedly, her eyes darting around as she searched for her phone.

"I gotta go, and so do you. You only got a minute," Chat said urgently, his Miraculous beeping again, signaling that their time was running out.

"So—huh? Where did they go?" Alya muttered, glancing around, puzzled.

As Red Beetle was about to enter a random room, Chat stopped him. "Stay," he suggested firmly as his Miraculous beeped a second time. "I won't tell anyone who you are. Cat's honor." He crossed his heart dramatically.

"Nobody can know who we really are. Not even us," Red Beetle retorted, closing the door behind him. Chat tried to open it, but Red Beetle quickly detransformed, prompting Chat to stop.

"Phew, that was too close for comfort!" Red Beetle sighed, wiping a bead of sweat from his forehead.

"Right? Tell me about it," Tikki said, as Marcel now back in his civilian form, opened the door. Seeing no one behind it, he shrugged and left.

(AA)

Outside the hotel, Adrien walked away, his shoulders slumped in disappointment. "That was the chance to find out who your partner really was! What were you thinking?" Plagg scolded from within Adrien's shirt pocket.

"That's the thing, Plagg. I wasn't thinking. I was following my instincts," Adrien replied, frustration bubbling to the surface.

Plagg sighed, conceding the point. "Just be careful next time."

(AA)

Back at Papillon's lair, he glared out the window, his expression dark. "Your mask will fall one day, Red Beetle, and you'll have no choice but to hand over your precious Miraculous!" he growled, his eyes narrowing as he watched the city below.

(MDC)

Now at home, Marcel stood on the balcony, deep in conversation with Tikki, who was munching on a cookie. "Is that true? You don't care who's behind the mask?" Tikki asked, her voice muffled by the snack.

Marcel nodded, leaning against the railing. "I really don't, even if other heroes out there know each other's secret identities. That's just not my style."

"I got it!" Alya's voice suddenly burst through, and she kicked open the trap door that led to his room.

Marcel yelped, nearly jumping out of his skin as Tikki flew into his hoodie for cover. "Wanna see my new smartphone? It puts my old phone to shame! Just look at these pics!" She brandished her phone, swiping through a gallery of images.

Marcel put a hand to his racing heart, walking over to Alya and raising an eyebrow at the pictures displayed on her screen. "Huh? What's with all those photos of Adrien?"

"Well...with a mask and a costume, don't you think he looks a little bit like Chat Noir?" Alya pointed out, her excitement barely contained as she gestured at the images.

Marcel squinted at the screen, leaning in closer. "Huh? He really does." It reminded him of the time Adrien had asked him about Evillustillator, but he decided to file that thought away for later.

"That's what I thought, but there's no way Adrien could be as slick as Chat Noir."

"Yeah...Anyway, stop taking photos of Adrien without his knowledge. That's an invasion of privacy, doesn't matter if he's a model," Marcel scolded her, plucking Alya's phone from her hand.

"Hey! Give that back!" Alya shouted, reaching up for her phone, which Marcel had raised above his head.

"Nah!"

"Oh, come on, Marcel! What if you drop it? Everyone knows how you're kinda clumsy."

"Still not gonna give it back," Marcel chuckled, leaning away from Alya, who burst into laughter. The tension of the day faded away, leaving behind the comfort of friendship and the thrill of secrets kept.

Chapter Text

In the background of Marcel's computer, the TVI News anchor announced, "It seems that Batman and his robin has once again put Joker back into Ark—" Before the channel abruptly switched to a segment featuring Nadja.

"Welcome to today's News Report!" Nadja exclaimed. "Red Beetle and Chat Noir have once again saved Paris! Jean Duparc was akumatized into a malicious Magician of Misfortune, threatening to make the Eiffel Tower vanish in a puff of smoke." As she spoke, a video played in the corner of the screen, showing Red Beetle and Chat Noir in action. Chat waved cheerfully, flashing a smile, while Red Beetle simply nodded in acknowledgment. The footage then cut to Red Beetle comforting a distressed citizen, his reassuring presence evident even through the screen.

(MDC)

In the bustling streets of Paris, Red Beetle descended into the subway, his suit shimmering before dissolving into his civilian attire as he made his way up the stairs. Suddenly, a soft sneeze broke the stillness, causing him to jump in surprise.

"Hey, you okay?" Marcel asked, zipping open his bag to peek inside. His concern deepened as he noticed Tikki, the little kwami, coughing softly.

Tikki shook her head, her tiny form trembling. "I need you to take me to a doctor," she said nasally, sneezing again.

Marcel raised an eyebrow, skepticism creeping into his voice. "And where am I supposed to find a doctor for kwamis?"

Curling into a small ball, Tikki whispered, "I know a healer. I'll tell you where to go."

Marcel hesitated, glancing around as if the walls might be listening. "And what do I tell him? You're a secret, and he'll get suspicious. I don't want to deal with questions," he said, his voice trailing off.

Tikki sneezed once more, her eyes pleading. "Speaking of questions, there's a certain teacher who's bound to ask. Can you wait until after school for your healer?"

With a reluctant nod, Tikki agreed, though she sneezed again in response.

"Thank you," Marcel replied, relief flooding his voice as he adjusted his backpack,.

(MDC)

Inside Mme. Mendeleiev's classroom, the atmosphere buzzed with anticipation as students listened intently. "Combustion is a high-temperature exothermic redox chemical reaction between a fuel and an oxidant. Usually atmospheric oxygen..." Her voice was abruptly overshadowed by the sound of Rose's phone blaring.

"Today, Prince Ali, heir to the throne of the kingdom of Achu, will do the honors during his official visit to Paris by hosting a toy fundraiser for sick children at the Paris City Children's Hospital." Tears welled up in Rose's eyes as she clutched the tissue Juleka had handed her. "He's just so gorgeous and has a heart of gold," she exclaimed, blowing her nose loudly. "Oh! You know what? I'm going to write him a letter professing my complete adoration and utmost respect!" Rose continued to gush, her excitement palpable.

Suddenly, the classroom door swung open with a loud bang, startling everyone except Mme. Mendeleiev, who merely sighed in exasperation. All eyes turned to the entrance, where Marcel burst in, nearly tripping over his own feet as he made his way toward his desk.

"Gotta be more careful," he muttered to himself, regaining his balance.

"Ah, Marcel. What excuse do you have for us this time? Accidentally locked yourself in the bathroom again?" Mme. Mendeleiev remarked dryly, her gaze fixed on him as he approached his seat next to Alya.

"No, I had to take my dog to the vet. She got sick after eating a chocolate bar she found in the trash—must've smelled like heaven," Marcel replied smoothly, sliding into his chair as Mme. Mendeleiev shook her head, returning to her lecture.

Meanwhile, in the back of the classroom, Rose spritzed perfume onto her letter, the sweet scent wafting through the air and catching the attention of Mme. Mendeleiev, who paused mid-sentence, sniffing the air suspiciously.

"Thank you, Rose, but our classroom doesn't require a refreshing scent," she stated sternly, striding toward Rose's desk.

Chloé couldn't resist chiming in with a cruel laugh, "I thought someone packed a tuna fish sandwich, but it turns out it's just Rose's perfume!"

As Marcel walked past Chloé, he shook his head disapprovingly before sitting down next to Alya. "Ate chocolate?" Alya whispered, raising an eyebrow at him. He simply shook his head, not wanting to delve into the chaos.

Mme. Mendeleiev extended her hand toward Rose. "Furthermore, using your smartphone during school hours is strictly forbidden," she declared, confiscating Rose's phone and perfume. "Take your things and go to the principal's office."

"Okay," Rose mumbled sadly, her shoulders slumped as she gathered her belongings and exited the classroom.

"Watch what happens when you play with flammable substances in a chemistry lab," Mme. Mendeleiev announced, turning to the class. She sprayed Rose's perfume into a glass container that was open at the bottom, then flipped it upright, trapping the scent inside. With a deft motion, she pressed a small button, and a flame flickered to life at the top, producing a small explosion that left some students gasping in surprise.

"Just to ensure you all remember this lesson, I'll be quizzing you tomorrow on lab safety. Again!" Mme. Mendeleiev declared as the school bell rang, signaling the end of class.

(MDC)

Outside Collège Françoise Dupont, Nino stood watching as Adrien rushed to him, his breath coming in quick gasps. Behind them, Marcel and Alya exchanged glances, both amused and slightly exasperated.

"Dude," Nino greeted Adrien, who leaned over, grabbing his knees as he tried to catch his breath.

"You two really are alike," Alya chimed in, crossing her arms. "Neither one of you can make it to school on time. Since he missed chemistry class, it would be sweet if someone could lend him notes so he could get up to speed."

"Correct," Marcel agreed, waiting for Nino and Adrien to settle down. He felt Alya's gaze upon him and glanced down, finding her giving him an unimpressed look. "Oh, you meant for me to give him my notes," he mumbled, eyeing his bag where Tikki was hidden. He shook his head vigorously. "Look, I would love to help Adrien, but I can't—"

"Marc, your fake excuses don't work on me," Alya interrupted, raising an eyebrow.

"Achoo!" Tikki sneezed from inside the bag, her little voice barely audible.

"Huh?" Alya looked around, her expression changing from skepticism to confusion.

"Achoo! I think I'm getting sick," Marcel fake-sneezed, covering his face dramatically.

"Then don't breathe on him!" Alya pointed towards Adrien, who was still catching his breath. Marcel sighed, shaking his head, but he couldn't resist the urge to walk towards Adrien.

"I'm not feeling too good," Tikki remarked, sneezing again, this time sounding a bit more congested.

Marcel approached Adrien slowly, opening his bag to check on Tikki. He frowned as he noticed her looking pale, her normally vibrant red color seeming dull. "You're not? Well then, I'll talk to Adrien another time—" he began, but he was cut off as he stumbled over a backpack that had been carelessly left on the ground, sending Tikki flying out of his bag.

"Whoa! You okay, Marcel? Anything broken?" Adrien exclaimed, quickly catching Marcel by the sleeve of his shirt just as he regained his balance.

"I'm fine, nothing's broken, just tripped," Marcel replied, grateful for Adrien's quick reflexes. He watched as Adrien and Nino walked away, then glanced back at his bag. Panic flooded his chest when he realized Tikki was missing. "Oh shit! Tikki!" he cursed, calling out for her as he scanned the area.

"Marcel..." Tikki called weakly, hearing footsteps nearby. She quickly went still, pretending to be a plush doll.

Unbeknownst to Marcel, Chloé and Sabrina were approaching, with Chloé focused intently on her phone screen. "Sabrina, what's Prince Ali doing today again?" she demanded.

"A toy drive at the Children's Hospital," Sabrina replied, glancing at her tablet. Just then, they both noticed the red object lying on the ground.

Chloé bent down to pick it up. "Hm, what kind of stuffed animal is this? Who left this here?" she mused. Suddenly, her eyes widened. "The prince will never have seen one like this before, and when he lays eyes on me, Prince Ali will focus all on me!" she declared, a wicked grin spreading across her face.

Rose, who had been sitting on the stairs writing her letter, perked up at the mention of Prince Ali. "D-did I hear you say Prince Ali?" she asked, her voice filled with hope as she approached Chloé.

"Not to you," Chloé snarked, rolling her eyes.

"Prince Ali's staying at Chloé's dad's hotel," Sabrina informed Rose, who beamed at the information.

"The only hotel fit for a prince! And I'm going to be the first to meet him. Isn't he lucky?" Rose exclaimed, her excitement palpable.

"Oh, please, could you give him a special letter for me?" Rose pleaded, handing her carefully crafted letter to Chloé.

"No prob," Chloé replied sweetly, her tone dripping with insincerity as she took the letter.

"Oh, that is so amazingly sweet of you to do that for me," Rose said, her eyes shining with gratitude.

"You thought I was serious?" Chloé snickered, her laughter cruel as she ripped the letter into pieces right in front of Rose.

Rose gasped, tears welling in her eyes as she dropped to her knees, scrambling to collect the tattered remnants of her letter. Chloé climbed into her limousine, leaving Rose crying on the ground, utterly heartbroken.

"Tikki!"

"Tikki!" Marcel called out, his voice cutting through the laughter that danced in the air. He turned, his heart sinking as he spotted Tikki held in Chloé's hand. The sleek limousine began to pull away, and panic surged through Marcel.

"Chloé!" he shouted, desperation lacing his tone.

The car came to a halt, and Chloé poked her head out of the window, her expression a mix of annoyance and amusement. "What?" she asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

"You have something of mine," he replied, trying to keep his frustration at bay.

"Not anymore. Finders keepers," Chloé snarked with a smirk, the limousine lurching forward as she withdrew from the conversation, leaving Marcel standing there, a mix of disbelief and anger simmering within him.

"Shit," he cursed under his breath, watching helplessly as the car disappeared down the street, taking Tikki with them.

(MDC)

The sun hung low over the Seine, casting a golden hue on the water's surface, but Rose could only see the shadows of her despair. She sat on a weathered bench, her heart heavy with sorrow. Tears streamed down her cheeks, splattering onto the letter she was attempting to write to Prince Ali. Each droplet seemed to carry a weight of its own, soaking into the paper and blurring her words into a melancholic scribble.

"Why can't you see me?" she whispered, as the last glimmers of daylight faded. The letter she wrote was a mix of confessions and dreams, a hope that somehow, Prince Ali would understand the depth of her feelings. But with every tear that fell, her resolve weakened.

(MDC)

Unbeknownst to her, a pair of eyes watched from a nearby window. Inside his lair, Papillon, the mischievous villain, leaned against the frame, an amused grin spreading across his face. The soft glow of the setting sun illuminated his features, and he couldn't resist the spectacle of heartbreak unfolding before him.

"Ooh, now there's a broken-hearted princess if ever I saw one," He chuckled, his voice laced with sinister delight. "Every rose has its thorns."

As a delicate butterfly fluttered into his lair, Papillon seized the moment. With a wave of his hand, he transformed the butterfly into a shadowy akuma, its wings shimmering with dark magic. "Fly away, my little akuma, and corrupt her," He chucked lowly, sending the creature out into the twilight.

(MDC)

The akuma drifted on the evening breeze, a malevolent whisper in the air. It soon found Rose, whose sadness had made her vulnerable. The akuma aimed straight for her perfume that she had clutched tightly in her trembling hands.

Just as Rose uncapped the bottle to spray her letter, the akuma phased inside, merging with the essence of the fragrance.

In an instant, Rose felt a surge of power and darkness envelop her, wrapping her in a cocoon of seductive energy that pulsed with an intoxicating allure. “Hello there, Rose,” The voice whispered, smooth and alluring, dripping with a tantalizing allure that sent shivers down her spine. “My name is Papillon, and you are Princess Fragrance.” 

The words wrapped around her like a silken thread, weaving an intoxicating spell that both thrilled and unnerved her. There was an uncanny familiarity to the way the voice lured her in, echoing the whispers of her deepest desires. "Your perfume is now your secret weapon. No one will be able to resist it, especially Prince Ali. You want your prince, don’t you? Imagine the two of you together, a perfect pair in a world that bends to your will. In return for your prince, all I need from you in exchange are Red Beetle's and Chat Noir's Miraculous."

Rose’s willpower wavered, her heart fluttering at the thought of Prince Ali. The idea of having him by her side as a best friend, sharing laughter and joy, sent a thrill coursing through her. The prospect of their friendship blossoming into something deeper filled her with warmth, igniting a longing that she could no longer ignore. 

As the cocoon of corruptive energy tightened around her, transforming her heartache into a burning desire for vengeance, the sorrow that had once consumed her twisted into a fierce determination. The darkness whispered sweet nothings in her ear, promising her everything she had ever dreamed of. "I'm coming, my prince!" Princess Fragrance sang, her voice taking on an otherworldly tone that echoed through the air, resonating with seductive power. With a graceful leap from the bench, she felt the transformation take hold.

“Let the world fall at your feet, Princess Fragrance,” Papillon purred, the voice coiling around her like silk. “With each breath you take, you will weave a spell that will ensnare him, and soon, he will be yours. But first, we must gather what we need. Red Beetle and Chat Noir won't know what hit them.”

A wicked smile curled on her lips as she embraced her new identity. The thrill of the hunt surged through her veins, and she felt an exhilarating sense of freedom mixed with a tinge of darkness. “They won’t know what’s coming,” she whispered, her voice dripping with confidence. “I will have my prince, and no one will stand in my way.” With a final flourish, she spread her arms wide, letting the power of Papillon envelop her like a shroud.

(MDC)

Outside Le Grand Paris, Marcel approached the doorman with a sense of urgency. "Hi, I'm in Chloé Bourgeois's class, and I really need to see her."

The doorman raised an eyebrow, blocking Marcel's path. "Are you a friend of hers?"

Marcel shook his head. "A friend? Not exactly. We're just classmates, that's all."

"If you're not a friend, then I can't let you in."

Frustrated, Marcel sighed. "Fine, yes—I'm a friend of Chloé's."

The doorman smirked. "Aha! Chloé doesn't have any friends."

"What the hell?" Marcel muttered, irritation bubbling up. As he turned to leave, he noticed a motorcycle helmet and a discarded pizza box next to a garbage bag. An idea sparked in his mind. He picked up the helmet and slid it on, then grabbed the pizza box and marched back to the doorman. "Hey, I've got a pizza for Chloé Bourgeois," he declared, holding up the box triumphantly.

The doorman hesitated. "Hmm, it's usually sushi."

Marcel watched as the doorman pondered the situation, then finally stepped aside. "Top floor, imperial suite."

"Thanks!" Marcel replied, relief flooding through him. Disguised in the helmet, he stepped into the elevator and waited for it to ascend.

Meanwhile, on the top floor, Chloé was rehearsing her lines as she awaited another elevator. "Here's a gift for the sick children, Prince. Oh, it's nothing, really—stop flattering me." She giggled to herself, shaking her head. "No, that won't work. Let's try again." She practiced, adjusting her tone. "There. That's better." Just as she stepped into one elevator, Marcel exited another.

"Chloé, wait!" he called, sprinting toward her.

Hearing her name, Chloé glanced up, her eyes landing on the pizza box in his hand. She quickly pressed the button to close the elevator doors. "Pizza? Ugh, don't bring that peasant food anywhere near me!"

"Wait! It has truffles and caviar on it!" Marcel shouted, but the doors shut just before he reached them. He muttered under his breath, "For a spoiled ass like you," his irritation growing as he jogged toward the stairs.

(MDC)

Outside the hotel, Princess Fragrance approached the doorman with an air of confidence. "I've come to see Prince Ali."

The doorman rolled his eyes, clearly exasperated. "Ugh, what is going on today? Do you have an appointment with the Prince?"

"No need for an appointment; I'm his princess!" she declared, a playful smile on her lips.

"And I'm Bruce Wayne's brother," the doorman replied sarcastically, trying to dismiss her. "Listen, kid—"

"That's no way to speak to a princess," she interrupted, pulling out her perfume cannon and giving him a spritz.

Instantly, the doorman's demeanor changed. "At your service, Princess Fragrance," he sang, kneeling down in a mock display of fealty.

"Much better," she chimed, a satisfied grin spreading across her face as she walked past him into the hotel. "Now, where's my wonderful Prince Charming? We can't keep him waiting!"

With a flick of her wrist, she tossed her shimmering hair back, ready to charm her way to Prince Ali.

(MDC)

Inside the grand dining hall where Prince Ali's press conference was set to take place, the atmosphere buzzed with excitement. The Mayor, beaming with pride, addressed the audience. "In honor of your presence here in Paris, Your Highness, I've taken it upon myself to organize a lavish fireworks display on the Seine River. They will be launched from this barge."

Prince Ali perked up at the announcement and rushed to the window to catch a glimpse of the preparations outside. "Oh, thank you! Or how do we say in your slang? Totally awesome!"

The Prince's guardian interjected, checking her tablet. "We shall have to see if it fits into the Prince's busy schedule. His Highness has many responsibilities and very little time for festivities."

Just then, Chloé cleared her throat, prompting the Mayor to quickly introduce her. "Ah! Prince Ali, allow me to introduce my own princess, Chloé."

"Hello, Prince!" Chloé declared, presenting a special stuffed toy to him. "I brought you this for the sick children." She handed him Tikki, her plush companion.

Prince Ali blinked at the little creature, gently cradling it in his hand. "I've never seen one like this before. This is so very kind of you."

Chloé giggled, a playful glint in her eyes. "You're flattering me. It is kind of me, though, isn't it?"

Slightly puzzled, Prince Ali replied, "Why, yes. I just said that. Did you not hear me?"

Chloé laughed nervously, her left eye twitching slightly as the press continued to snap pictures. Meanwhile, Marcel had managed to sneak in through the back of the room. As the Prince tucked Tikki into his shirt pocket, Chloé posed for a picture with him.

"Nadja Chamack here! Don't be bemused; it's just the news!" Nadja announced, her microphone in hand. "Prince Ali, do you have anything to say about your official Parisian visit?"

"I'm very happy to be here," the Prince answered, just as the elevator bell chimed and Princess Fragrance appeared, gliding gracefully into the crowd.

With a mischievous smile, Princess Fragrance aimed her perfume gun at Chloé and fired, causing everyone's noses to scrunch up as they instinctively covered their faces.

"Prince Ali, where is...that smell coming from?!" Nadja exclaimed, wrinkling her nose. "It smells like rotten fish!"

Leaning away from the source of the odor, Nadja, Prince Ali, and the Mayor turned their gazes toward Chloé, who was also sniffing herself.

"What? That's not me!" Chloé protested, then paused, her eyes widening in realization. "It— it is me! Ew!"

As perfume sprayed behind the paparazzi, all eyes turned to them, confused.

"At your service, Princess Fragrance!" the paparazzi sang, bowing down to the Akuma that had entered the room.

Alarmed, Prince Ali stuttered, "Who—who are you?"

"I'm Princess Fragrance, and I've come just for you! In just a spritz, you'll be mine, Prince Ali!" The Akuma sang cheerfully.

"Right, because that's totally not creepy," Marcel muttered, cringing. In a quick move, he slammed the button on his synthesizer, launching a burst of confetti that filled the air and obscured the Akuma's vision.

(MDC)

In Adrien's room at the Agreste mansion, the atmosphere was tense as he watched the chaotic broadcast unfold on TV. The scene of Princess Fragrance causing mayhem at the press conference had him on high alert. "What or who is that? Plagg?" Adrien called out, his eyes glued to the screen.

Plagg, lounging comfortably on a pile of Adrien's clothes, barely looked up from his camembert. "I'm still chewing!" he mumbled, a piece of cheese lodged in his cheek.

Adrien leaned over his trash can, frustration bubbling up. "Plagg, let's go! There's trouble in Paris!"

Plagg waved a dismissive hand, clearly not interested.

"Plagg, claws out!" Adrien commanded with urgency. With a startled yelp, Plagg zipped into the ring, and in an instant, a wave of neon green light flooded the room. Adrien's suit materialized over his clothes and skin, the transformation smooth and exhilarating. Cat ears sprouted atop his head, twitching as he adjusted to his new form. A tail-like belt cinched around his waist, adding to his feline appearance, while a sleek domino mask formed over his eyes, transforming them into glowing, slitted cat-like pupils. "Alright, time to save the day!" Chat Noir declared, his voice filled with determination. He flexed his fingers, feeling the familiar power surging through his body. With a quick glance in the mirror, he admired his transformation—his signature look was complete, and he was ready to face whatever chaos awaited him in Paris. Opening one of his window, he leaped out.

(MDC)

Inside the Le Grand Paris, chaos reigned as Prince Ali, his chaperone, André, and Chloé fled to the stairwell, desperate to escape the clutches of Princess Fragrance.

"Quickly, Prince! This way!" André urged, leading the group down the stairs. They hurried, but the mayor had left the door ajar, allowing Marcel and Princess Fragrance to follow closely behind.

André dashed into a random room, urging everyone inside just as the Akuma entered the hallway. "We'll be safe in here. It's a reinforced door," he reassured, lightly tapping the sturdy surface.

"So much chaos! How is anyone supposed to stick to a schedule around here?" Prince Ali's guardian exclaimed, backing away from Chloé, who still bore the scent of rotten fish.

"What is that?" Chloé pointed at the pink gas seeping under the door. "Get back!" André commanded, eyes wide as he realized the danger. Princess Fragrance was spraying her perfume beneath the door, her melodic voice echoing ominously, "My prince, my prince, smell the fragrance of my eternal love!"

Suddenly, the fog began to dissipate, revealing Marcel wielding a vacuum cleaner. "Seriously, who are you?!" Princess Fragrance shouted, her frustration boiling over. She fired her perfume cannon like a rocket, using the vacuum cord to pull herself closer, cutting the power to Marcel's machinery. "Looks like you're powerless now, superhero!" she taunted, aiming her cannon directly at him.

Peeking through the door, André caught a glimpse of the unfolding situation. "There's two of them now! Run!" he yelled. At his command, the group bolted from the room.

"You can't escape my perfume, La la la la la la!" Princess Fragrance sang, releasing another wave of her potent fog.

André swung the stairwell door open, allowing everyone to rush inside first. He hesitated, knowing he had to buy them time, and sacrificed himself to the enveloping mist. Meanwhile, Marcel had found refuge in the hotel kitchen, curling up out of sight.

"Get them," Princess Fragrance commanded, her voice dripping with malice.

"At your service, Princess Fragrance," the mayor sang, bounding up the stairs with a fervor that was unsettling.

In the kitchen, Marcel peeked out and spotted Prince Ali, his guardian, and Chloé back in the dining hall. "He's under the spell! Shut the door!" Chloé commanded her butler, pointing at her father, who bore a smile that was anything but reassuring.

"But he's your father!" the guardian protested, aghast.

"Who's been brainwashed! Shut it now!" Chloé insisted.

Jean, the butler, complied, pushing the mayor back with a broom and shutting the door firmly. However, the perfume fog was creeping in from the adjacent elevator, and everyone—except Jean, who had been exposed—pushed away in panic.

"At your service, Princess Fragrance!" Jean sang, his voice eerily cheerful as he approached the entranced prince.

"Come into my arms, my sweet prince!" Princess Fragrance cooed, her eyes fixed on Prince Ali.

Suddenly, a voice broke through the tension. "Pee-ew! Can we get a little fresh air in here?" Chat, perched on the windowsill, leaped into action, brandishing his staff.

"No one will take my prince away!" Princess Fragrance shrieked, unleashing her perfume bombs at him. Cat Noir deftly blocked each attack, then extended his staff, effortlessly picking her up and flinging her into the kitchen, where Marcel narrowly dodged her impact.

"Oh shit," Marcel whispered, vaulting out of the way just in time.

Chat quickly extended his staff from the window to the outside of Le Grand Paris, causing startled Parisians below to yelp as the end of the staff hit the ground. "Emergency evacuation, everybody down!" he announced.

Prince Ali's guardian shook her head, alarmed. "It's much too dangerous for the prince!"

Looking around, Chat noticed three mixing bowls on a nearby cart. "You're right," he said, a playful grin forming. "Safety first!" He placed a bowl on Prince Ali's head, eliciting a smile from the young prince.

With a swift motion, Chat slid down the staff, followed closely by Chloé, Prince Ali, and his guardian, who also donned a mixing bowl. As they all landed outside, Princess Fragrance looked out the window, spotting them climbing into the guardian's car.

"My prince!" she shrieked, launching herself after them with a wild determination.

Marcel peered out the window of the Le Grand Paris, concern etched on his face as he whispered, "Tikki, please be okay."

(MDC)

Inside Prince Ali's guardian's car, chaos unfolded as they sped away from the hotel, narrowly escaping Princess Fragrance. The guardian maneuvered the car skillfully, drifting around corners to evade their pursuer while simultaneously trying to distance herself from Chloé's overpowering stench.

"Can we open the windows? This fish smell is even too much for a cat," Chat groaned, his face scrunching in disgust.

With a determined nod, the guardian rolled down the windows, allowing fresh air to flood inside. Both Chat Noir and Prince Ali inhaled deeply, relief washing over them, while Chloé frowned, her arms wrapped tightly around herself as if trying to shield herself from the world.

Suddenly, a loud sneeze erupted from Prince Ali's jacket pocket. Startled, he looked down to see Tikki, the tiny plush doll, nestled there, unmoving.

"We have precisely nine minutes to get to the hospital. The prince is on a very strict schedule," Prince Ali's guardian stated, her tone firm and unyielding.

"What? No way we can go to the hospital now! We have to get Prince Ali out of Paris ASAP!" Chat countered, urgency lacing his voice.

Just then, a thud echoed from above, drawing everyone's attention. "My prince! Fancy seeing you here, what a stroke of luck!" Princess Fragrance exclaimed, her voice dripping with sweetened malice.

"The windows!" Chat shouted, his eyes wide with alarm. The guardian swiftly closed all the windows, but Princess Fragrance was quicker; she used her powers to prevent the sunroof from sealing shut.

"My prince, I'll take you to the Pont des Arts, and there, we'll seal our love!" Princess Fragrance cooed, her voice laced with a sinister charm as she unleashed a cloud of her intoxicating perfume into the car.

Prince Ali jerked as the mist enveloped them, his instincts screaming for him to escape. In the confusion, Tikki tumbled out of Prince Ali's pocket and landed on the floor of the car, her small form unmoving.

(MDC)

Papillon grinned maliciously, his eyes glinting with triumph as he watched the chaos unfold. "Chat Noir is down! It won't be long before Red Beetle shows up too and meets his doom!" he cackled, relishing the thought of his enemies falling one by one.

(MDC)

Meanwhile, on the bustling streets of Paris, Marcel rode a motorcycle he had "borrowed" from a nearby parking lot. With the helmet securely on his head, he expertly drifted through traffic, navigating the chaos that erupted around him. As he pulled up to a clearing, the destruction around him became evident—cars overturned, debris scattered, and the faint scent of Princess Fragrance's perfume hung in the air.

Marcel jumped off the motorcycle, tossing the helmet aside as he sprinted toward a vehicle he recognized as belonging to Prince Ali's guardian. "Tikki?" he called out, his heart racing with worry. He peered inside, desperately scanning for any sign of her. "Tikki?"

His eyes finally landed on her small form crumpled on the floor. "Tikki! There you are! I was worried!" Marcel whispered, kneeling beside her and gently picking her up into his hand.

Opening her eyes slowly, Tikki looked up at him, her voice weak. "Marcel..."

"You've gotten worse! We need to get you help!" he insisted, his voice trembling with urgency.

Tikki coughed softly, the strength sapping from her tiny body. "We don't have time. You have to transform. I'll be okay..."

"No, Tikki! We need to get you to the healer now," Marcel protested, cradling her in his hands as he glanced around, searching for any signs of danger.

(MDC)

At Fu's massage shop, Marcel anxiously watched as Master Wang Fu concentrated on healing Tikki. The air was thick with anticipation as the master struck a large gong, the sound reverberating soothingly through the room. Marcel could hardly tear his gaze away from Tikki, worry etched on his face.

"Is she going to be okay?" he asked, his voice laced with concern.

"One who is burning with impatience can never eat hot porridge," Master Fu replied cryptically, his focus unwavering.

"Right, but what does that have to do with eating?" Marcel retorted, his impatience bubbling beneath the surface.

"Silence, please. Reading energies," Master Fu instructed, placing both hands gently in front of Tikki, who lay still and fragile.

"What type of cat did you say?" Master Fu inquired, his brow furrowing slightly.

"Cat, she's a rare cat—furs red, and still tiny," Marcel explained as he tried to maintain a straight face despite the gravity of the situation.

"Mm-hmm. Unusual," Master Fu muttered playfully as he picked up the gong once more.

"Very," Marcel agreed, his heart racing as he watched the master work.

With a final resounding bang, Wang Fu set the gong down and looked back at Marcel. "We are finished. Your cat's health has been restored."

Marcel's heart soared as he looked down at Tikki. To his relief, her eyes fluttered open, and she seemed much better. With a burst of energy, Tikki flew into Marcel's hands, her vibrant form alive with newfound strength.

"Thank you, you've been a great help, sir," Marcel bowed, about to make his exit when he paused, curiosity getting the better of him. "How did you do that?"

"Ancient Chinese secret," Master Fu replied with a knowing smile as Marcel closed the shop's door. Wang Fu added with a twinkle in his eye, "Just like yours."

(MDC)

At the Seine riverbank, Marcel set Tikki down on a nearby bench, feeling a mix of relief and gratitude. He looked at her earnestly. "Tikki, I'm so glad you're doing better. You were so sick, and...well, I don't know what I'd do without you."

Tikki giggled, her spirit clearly lifted. "You wouldn't be Red Beetle for one."

Marcel chuckled, shaking his head. "I know, but I mean it; Tikki, you're more than just my kwami to me."

"I know," She said, her tiny voice warm and reassuring. Then, her eyes widened. "Oh, the Pont des Arts bridge! That's where they're headed! I overheard it in the car. Hurry, there's no time to lose!"

"Alright then, Tikki! Spots on!" Marcel declared. Bright pink light flooded the room as Marcel's suit materialized seamlessly over his clothes and skin, the transformation bringing with it an electrifying rush of energy. His voice shifted, taking on a sharp, commanding tone that resonated with newfound confidence. A yoyo materialized at his waist, its sleek design glinting in the light, a sleek black domino mask settled over the upper half of his face, adding an air of mystery and intensity. His eyes transformed into a striking shade of grey, flecked with a subtle hint of silver that reflected his determination. The vibrant blue of his medium-length mullet hair completed the look, giving him a dynamic and heroic appearance.

(MDC)

At Pont des Arts, tension filled the air as Princess Fragrance marched confidently toward Prince Ali, held up in a mock wedding embrace by André Bourgeois. The atmosphere was almost festive, but a darkness loomed over the gathering. Chat Noir and Chloé stood guard beside Prince Ali, prepared for any disturbances.

"I can't wait for us to be together, forever!" Princess Fragrance exclaimed, grasping Prince Ali's hands as if sealing their fate. "Servants, love padlock, please!"

Chat Noir opened a decorative box, revealing a shimmering padlock that exuded the sweet aroma of Princess Fragrance's signature scent. "This will lock your love forever, my prince!" he sang, trying to keep the mood light despite the unease he felt.

Just as the ceremony seemed to reach its peak, a yo-yo zipped through the air, knocking the padlock from the akumatized villain's hand and sending it tumbling into the Seine below.

"My padlock!" Princess Fragrance gasped, her expression shifting to one of rage. "You're ruining everything!"

Landing on a nearby lamp post with effortless grace, Red Beetle couldn't help but mock, "Not so fast, my royal pain in the ass!"

"You! You are ruining everything! So now I'll ruin you!" Princess Fragrance declared, her voice dripping with venom as she aimed her cannon at Red Beetle. A blast erupted from the weapon, hitting him squarely in the chest. He slumped down on the bridge, feigning defeat, but as he turned his head slightly, it became evident he had a clothespin pinching his nose.

"Nice try!" he called out with a smirk, his confidence unshaken.

Back in his lair, Papillon watched the scene unfold with malevolent delight. "Use Chat Noir to get Red Beetle's Miraculous!" he commanded, his tone sharp and demanding.

"Servants, attack! And take his earrings!" Princess Fragrance ordered, her voice echoing across the bridge.

As chaos erupted, Red Beetle found himself dodging attacks from Prince Ali's guardian, the Mayor, Chloé, and Chat Noir, who seemed more interested in taking him down than helping. In a moment of distraction, Princess Fragrance seized Prince Ali, cackling as she pulled him away, leaving the others to grapple with Red Beetle.

With agility, Red Beetle flipped Chat Noir over his shoulder, swiftly throwing his yo-yo out to trip both the Mayor and Prince Ali's guardian, sending them crashing to the ground. He then backflipped, narrowly avoiding a strike from Chat Noir.

"Snap out of it, Chat! It's me, your partner!" Red Beetle shouted, trying to reach through the haze of the akuma's influence.

"Give me your Miraculous!" Chat Noir sang, his voice almost robotic as he charged forward.

Shaking his head, Red Beetle sighed, rolling his eyes at the situation. The two heroes charged at each other, and in a swift move, Chat Noir swung his baton. Red Beetle ducked just in time, countering with a drop kick that sent Chat Noir stumbling backward.

"Come on, Chat! We need to work together!" Red Beetle urged, readying himself for the next move, hoping to break through the enchantment that had taken hold of his partner.

(MDC)

Meanwhile, atop the rooftop pool of Le Grand Paris, Princess Fragrance and Prince Ali basked in the enchanting atmosphere.

"Why bother with a padlock to secure our love when I can cast a spell over all of Paris and make it our kingdom?" Princess Fragrance purred, her eyes gleaming with mischief as she began to spray a magical mist into the sky, enveloping it in a giant cloud of perfume.

(MDC)

Just then, Red Beetle, narrowly escaping Chat Noir's grasp, glanced upward. "I need to do something about that before it all blows up in my face," he mused, recalling the lesson from Madame M. "Oh yeah, Mme. Mendeleiev—who would've thought?"

Spotting a boat filled with fireworks, the same one André had mentioned to Prince Ali earlier, he quickly shifted his focus back to Chat Noir, ducking just in time to evade a swing from him. With a swift motion, he tossed his yo-yo around a nearby lamp post. "Come on, try to hit me!" he taunted, as Chat Noir swung his baton toward him. Red Beetle spun around the lamppost, dodging the attack with ease. "You missed!" he chuckled, just as Chat Noir extended his staff and caught him mid-twist.

"Thanks!" Red Beetle exclaimed, as he landed on the boat. Gripping the baton tightly, he pulled with all his strength, lifting Chat Noir high before pressing the button that shrank the baton. Chat yelped as he plummeted onto the boat. "Nice of you to drop in," Red Beetle quipped.

"Give me your Miraculous! Cataclysm!" Chat Noir shouted, charging at Red Beetle. But just as he was about to unleash his power, Red Beetle twirled and tripped him, sending the Cataclysm energy crashing into the fireworks control panel instead, igniting a dazzling display in the night sky. Seizing the moment, Red Beetle grabbed Chat Noir's tail and hurled him into the Seine River before swinging back up to the rooftop of Le Grand Paris.

(MDC)

On the rooftop, Princess Fragrance's eyes widened as the fireworks burst through the thick perfume cloud, illuminating the night. "This city isn't for us! Too many people want to interfere! Let's escape to a faraway place, my prince! Very far!"

Above them, Red Beetle landed gracefully. "Leaving so soon? But we've only just begun!" he called out, a grin on his face.

"You! You're ruining everything! Now I'll ruin you!" Princess Fragrance hissed, her voice laced with fury.

"Lucky Charm!" Red Beetle shouted, and to his surprise, a balloon appeared in his hand. "A balloon? What am I supposed to do with this?" he muttered, scanning his surroundings for a plan. Dodging the perfume bullets she shot at him, he leaped down, snatching a tube while remaining agile.

"You can't escape, Red Beetle! It's over!" Princess Fragrance declared, her confidence unwavering.

With quick ingenuity, Red Beetle stuffed the balloon into the tube to create a makeshift dart. He hurled it at Princess Fragrance, aiming to suppress her perfume cannon. The balloon burst upon impact, trapping the fragrant mist inside. Seizing his yo-yo, he swung it with precision, grabbing the cannon and smashing it to the ground, releasing the akuma trapped within. "No more possessions for you, akuma. Time to purify!" he declared, snatching the fleeing akuma from the air.

"Gotcha!" he exclaimed triumphantly, transforming the dark creature into a delicate butterfly. "Bye, butterfly. Miraculous Ladybug!" With a flourish, Red Beetle tossed his Lucky Charm into the air, unleashing a burst of energy that washed over Paris, returning everyone to normal.

(MDC)

At the Seine riverbank, Chat Noir was licking himself dry, trying to shake off the river's chill. Suddenly, he blinked, confusion washing over him. "What the—what am I doing in here?"

(MDC)

Meanwhile, at the Pont des Arts, André Bourgeois and Prince Ali's guardian were just regaining their senses. "Ah, the schedule is a complete disaster! We're going to be late for everything! Where's the prince?” The guardian lamented, before she did a double take, “Wait a minute, where am I?"

(MDC)

Back on the rooftop of Le Grand Paris, both Prince Ali and Princess Fragrance transformed back into their true selves, their memories of the chaotic events slipping away like water through their fingers.

"Huh?" Prince Ali murmured, glancing around in bewilderment.

"How did I get here?" Rose asked, her eyes wide as she took stock of her surroundings. "Prince Ali?" she squealed, rushing toward him and wrapping her arms around his left arm, her laughter bubbling over with joy.

Red Beetle stood nearby, watching the scene unfold with a grimace. "So freaking creepy," he muttered under his breath. "Doesn't matter; I'll leave you to chat with your number one fan. Bug out!" he called out, his voice carrying a mix of humor and exasperation as he took off to give Rose and Prince Ali some privacy.

"You know how you always help sick children around the world? I just want you to know that you're the kindest person I've ever met!" Rose gushed, her eyes sparkling with admiration.

"Really?" Prince Ali replied, a hint of surprise in his voice.

Just then, Chloé burst onto the scene. "Prince Ali! You're safe!" she exclaimed, shoving Rose aside. "Aren't you glad I'm safe too? So, shall we continue where we left off?"

Prince Ali shook his head. "Oh, no thank you. I have a special event at the hospital for children, with Miss Rose," he said, stepping toward her.

Rose gasped with excitement, her heart racing at the prospect of joining him.

"Let's go quickly before my guardian locates me," Prince Ali whispered urgently, and together, they hurried away, leaving Chloé behind.

"Bye, Chloé!" Rose called, waving enthusiastically as she and Prince Ali made their escape.

Chloé watched them leave, her frustration boiling over into an angry growl. "Ugh, how infuriating!" She grumbled, stomping back to her room.

Chapter Text

Inside Collège Françoise Dupont: The Bustier Homeroom: Madame Bustier stood at the front of the classroom, a warm smile lighting up her face as she introduced the day's lesson on the word "romance." With Valentine's Day in full swing, she began, "The word 'romance' originates from the French vernacular, originally referring to a narrative in verse. It traces back to the Latin 'romanicus,' which means 'of the Roman style.' Can anyone tell me why this evolution is significant?"

Rose, ever the romantic, sprang to her feet, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "Because only true love can conquer hate!" she declared, swooning dramatically before collapsing into Juleka's arms, who fanned her with a hand, suppressing a laugh.

Madame Bustier blinked at Rose's naive optimism but chose to embrace it. "Well, I suppose you have a point, Rose."

Max rolled his eyes, standing up with a skeptical shake of his head. "Technically, this reasoning appears in about 87% of fairy tales and—"

"Thank you, Max, that's enough," Madame Bustier interjected, appreciating his analytical mind while not wanting to crush Rose's spirit.

Marcel glanced over Adrien's shoulders, intrigued to see him scribbling something on a piece of paper.

Madame Bustier turned her gaze to Adrien, her tone light but firm. "Adrien, I hope what you're working on relates to my lesson."

"Sure, because true love is real and this totally connects to real life," Marcel muttered sarcastically under his breath.

Approaching Adrien, Madame Bustier asked, "Can you summarize what I just said?"

Adrien looked up, his mind still partially on his letter. "Anthropologist Charles Lindholm defined love as 'an intense attraction that involves the idealization of the other within an erotic context, with the expectation of enduring into the future.' Romance is a feeling of love and attraction that people cherish and wish to nurture."

"Very good, Adrien!" Madame Bustier beamed. "Now, everyone, don't forget to finish your assignments on the history of romance! And Happy Valentine's Day, students!" She began gathering her belongings as the students rushed out of the room.

Marcel turned to Alya. "Hey, go ahead. I'll meet you outside."

"Mhm," Alya hummed, exiting the classroom.

From behind Adrien, Marcel raised an eyebrow, watching as Adrien crumpled his letter in frustration and tossed it into the trash can.

"Hi, Adrien, could you sign this, please?" Chloé asked sweetly, gesturing towards a poster at the front of the room.

Sighing, Adrien replied, "Come on, you know I hate signing autographs, Chloé."

"Oh, this isn't what you think. It's a petition against cruelty to hamsters! Have you seen the awful sweaters they're forced to wear? It's appalling!"

Reluctantly, Adrien signed the poster and left the classroom. Chloé hugged it tightly while Sabrina smiled, both girls unaware of Marcel digging through the trash can, retrieving the crumpled letter.

"Well, well, Marcel! Looking for something to eat?" Chloé teased, but he ignored her.

"Maybe he's searching for better clothes!" They both laughed, walking off without a second thought.

Marcel sighed, shaking his head. "What goes through their minds?"

"Don't give them the time of day; they don't deserve it," Tikki, his little magical companion, advised.

"I already know that," Marcel replied, unfolding the letter he had salvaged. He read aloud: 'We were all destined to come together as one, Share a common goal that surely needs to be done. Having this strong bond that is second to none. Isn't even halfway, but I know we already won.'

"Whoa, now that's a love poem," Marcel remarked, intrigued. "Who could he be talking about?" Marcel pondered.

Tikki hummed quietly before answering, "I don't know."

"Well, whoever this person is, they better be grateful for having a best friend who loves them," Marcel said, smirking.

"Also, what do you think he means by 'We were all destined to come together as one?'"

Tikki sighed lightly. "This is poetry. He's trying to express his love for you in a friendly way, not romantically."

Chuckling, Marcel replied, "Well, this person better treat Adrien right." With that, he left the classroom, heading toward the stairs, his mind still buzzing with the possibilities of love and friendship.

(MDC)

As the sun cast a warm glow over Collège Françoise Dupont, students buzzed with excitement and anticipation for Valentine's Day. Outside, laughter and chatter filled the air as Marcel and Alya strolled together, Marcel clutching the crumpled letter he had salvaged earlier.

"Did you see Madame Bustier and Gisele? They look adorable together!" Marcel said, waving enthusiastically at the couple as they revved the engine of Gisele's motorcycle. The sight of them brought a smile to his face, and he felt a spark of hope in the air.

"Totally! They're such a cute couple," Alya agreed, her eyes sparkling with admiration. She tugged Marcel along just as Kim and Max approached, deep in conversation about Kim's plans for the day.

"Operation Valentine's Day is commencing! According to my extensive research and cross-referencing of online shopping sites, this particular jewel..." Max declared dramatically, revealing a heart-shaped box hidden behind his back. "...was ranked highest in popularity!"

"Wow, Max, you really went all out!" Alya exclaimed, her voice rising in excitement.

Kim grinned widely as he took the box from Max. "Thanks, buddy! This is perfect! I better hit a home run with this one. Love is like baseball, right? You gotta have a strategy or you'll strike out."

Marcel chuckled, rolling his eyes at the metaphor. Just then, Alya's enthusiasm piqued as she snatched Marcel's arm, pulling him into the conversation. "But if you aim right, you'll hit it out of the ballpark! Score!"

"Oh yes, Alya, lovely metaphor," Max said, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Meta-who?" Kim asked, his expression a mix of confusion and amusement. Alya leaned in closer to inspect the gem inside the box. "Ooh! Sparkly! Is that for moi?" she exclaimed, eyes wide with feigned innocence.

Marcel raised an eyebrow, puzzled by Alya's sudden interest. 'The hell?' he thought, feeling a sense of déjà vu as Alya seemed to adopt Chloé's dramatic flair.

Max, ever the realist, blocked the gem with his hand. "Negative, Alya. The recipient of this gem has already been determined. It's—"

"Shh! Keep it on the down-low!" Kim interjected, quickly covering Max's mouth.

Alya's eyes gleamed with excitement as she pulled out her phone. "News! Kim's got a major crush!" She snapped a picture, her smile wide as she leaned closer. "Who's the lucky lady?"

Marcel pushed Alya's arm down, trying to help Kim maintain some semblance of secrecy. "It's quite beautiful, Kim. She's gonna be happy, whoever she is," he said, offering support while Alya giggled.

Kim rubbed the back of his head, a nervous smile on his face. "Technically, she's still gotta accept it..." Kim gasped and grabbed Max's arm. "What if she says 'no'?" Panic creeping into his voice.

Alya looked worried too, but Marcel quickly reassured him. "If she does, then that's her loss. Don't hold back, Kim. Go for it."

"Operation Valentine's Day is underway!" Kim cheered, a newfound determination in his eyes as he high-fived Max.

"Alright, here's the plan," Max said, pulling out a map. "Her route is highlighted here in yellow, yours in red. If you run at ten miles per hour, you'll gain a four-and-a-half-minute advance on her. Halt and wait here, facing northwest—the third most romantic spot in Paris."

Alya gave a thumbs-up behind Max, her voice ringing with encouragement. "Go, go, go!"

With a grateful smile, Kim sprinted off, determination etched on his face as he set his plan into motion.

As the excitement faded, Alya turned her attention to Adrien, who had just entered his car. "I know someone who's good at dishing out advice but who can't take some himself." Alya said as she pointed to Adrien who had enter his car.

"Sure, it's time I told him, he's like a little brother to me."

"Really?" Alya's eyes widened in surprise, her mind racing with possibilities. "I thought you meant something else...?"

"Yeah, well, Adrien reminds me of one of my cousins back in Shanghai," Marcel replied, shrugging nonchalantly. "I'll just tell him I love him in a brotherly way."

Alya gaped at him, momentarily speechless. "Yeah! That's...sweet!" she finally managed, a smirk forming on her lips.

"Operation Valentine's Day!" they both declared in unison, performing a quick handshake before heading off in their separate directions.

(MDC)

Chloé stood with her arms crossed, a smug smile plastered on her face as she reveled in the attention and jealousy she was inciting among the surrounding girls. Sabrina stood beside her, rolling her eyes at the display. The poster of Adrien had become a focal point, drawing in a small crowd of admirers, all swooning over the charming image of their crush.

"He's so cute!" one girl squealed, her voice high-pitched and giddy as she pointed at the poster.

"Keep dreaming all you want, girls, but the boy is mine," Chloé snarked, her tone dripping with condescension. She tossed her hair over her shoulder, fully aware of the effect her words had on the envious crowd.

Sabrina, ever the loyal sidekick, nodded in agreement. She carefully unrolled the poster to give the girls a better view, revealing Adrien's signature at the bottom. Chloé leaned in, a triumphant glint in her eyes.

Aurore, one of the girls in the group, read the inscription aloud, "To Chloé, the most awesome girl in the world and the love of my life. Signed, Adrien."

The instant the words registered, a collective gasp echoed from the group, followed by an eruption of tears. Some girls buried their faces in their hands, while others looked on in disbelief, their dreams shattered.

"That's right, he's mine," Chloé mocked, her voice dripping with satisfaction. She practically preened under the attention, her confidence soaring as she watched the other girls crumble.

The sight of their tears only fueled her delight. "Maybe you should have tried harder, girls!" she taunted, a smirk playing on her lips.

As the sobs grew louder, a few girls exchanged furious glances before sneering at Chloé and storming off, unable to bear the humiliation. "Such a brat," one of them muttered as she walked away, her pride wounded.

Sabrina watched them leave, a mix of concern and exasperation on her face. "Chloé, do you really have to be so mean?" she asked, glancing at the remaining girls who were still fanning their tears.

Chloé shrugged, unfazed. "They'll get over it. Besides, it's not my fault they can't handle the truth. Adrien and I are basically destined for each other!" She flipped her hair again, fully embracing her role as the queen bee of the school.

Sabrina sighed, knowing that this was just another day in Chloé's world of drama and chaos. "I just hope you don't end up pushing him away," she cautioned, but Chloé waved her off, too wrapped up in her own bravado to care.

"Please, Adrien knows I'm the best! I'm not worried," she replied confidently, her gaze fixed on the poster as if it were a trophy. For Chloé, the world was her stage, and she was determined to be the star, no matter how many hearts she broke along the way.

(MDC)

Marcel sat at his desk, the faint light from his lamp illuminating the chaotic array of papers and sketches scattered around him. He had been staring at a blank page for what felt like an eternity, struggling to find the right words to convey his feelings for Adrien. "Dear Adrien, dear Adrien... dear Adrien..." he mumbled, frustration building with every repetition. "Yeesh, I didn't think it would be this hard."

He leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his hair, when a voice broke through his thoughts. "Well, that's because you have to think with your heart and not your mind."

Marcel turned to see Alya leaning against the door frame, arms crossed and a mischievous grin plastered on her face. He glanced at the crumpled piece of paper in his hand, a mix of determination and exasperation on his face. "I suppose you're right, but how do you even start a letter like this?"

"Like this!" Alya exclaimed, sliding into the room with a flourish. She held up a bright yellow heart-shaped card, the color vibrant against the muted tones of Marcel's room. "Check it out!"

"Thank you, Alya," Marcel said, taking the card from her hands. He turned it over, admiring the smooth surface and the cheerful design. With a newfound sense of purpose, he grabbed his pen and began to write his poem, the words flowing more easily now with Alya watching intently.

A few minutes passed in silence, the only sound being the soft scratching of Marcel's pen against the paper. Finally, he leaned back, a satisfied smile creeping onto his face. "Finished."

"Don't forget to sign it!" Alya reminded him, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Just as Marcel was about to write his name, a ladybug fluttered into the room, its bright red shell catching the light as it danced through the air. It landed gracefully on the card, causing Marcel to pause.

"This is a good omen! Ladybugs are good luck, especially in the cherishing department!" Alya exclaimed, clapping her hands together.

"Hmmm?" Marcel raised an eyebrow, intrigued but skeptical.

"Yeah, you of all people should know about ladybugs," Alya teased, a playful smirk on her face.

"What makes you say that?" he asked, feigning innocence.

"Well, in ancient times, the ladybug has been a symbol of love, guiding hearts on the path to devotion. It was on my blog this week. You read it, didn't you?" Alya's enthusiasm was infectious.

"I did, just forgot," Marcel mumbled, turning back to his computer, a hint of embarrassment creeping into his cheeks. He sighed, feeling the weight of expectations pressing down on him. "I just hope I can express what I really feel without it sounding weird."

"You'll do great!" Alya encouraged, her voice filled with warmth. "Just be yourself. Adrien will appreciate your honesty."

Marcel nodded, feeling a surge of confidence from his friend's support. He watched the ladybug for a moment, its tiny form a symbol of hope. "Okay, I'll give it another shot," he said, determination lighting up his expression.

(MDC)

In the spacious confines of the Agreste mansion, Adrien sat on the edge of his bed, a notebook open in front of him, the pages filled with scribbles and crossed-out lines. Plagg lounged nearby, lazily munching on a piece of camembert, his eyes gleaming with mischief.

"So you love him, big deal," Plagg said, his tone dripping with nonchalance. "You don't even know who he really is!"

Adrien sighed, a mix of frustration and longing swirling within him. "You don't know anything about love..." he murmured, trying to brush off Plagg's words.

"Uh, pretty sure I do," Plagg shot back, licking his paw before grabbing another piece of cheese. "Oh sure I do! I love Cheddar, I love Swiss, and I love Camembert." He grinned, a glint of mischief in his eyes.

Adrien couldn't help but chuckle at Plagg's antics, even as his heart ached with the weight of unexpressed feelings. Standing up, he moved toward the window, resting his arm and head against the cool glass. The view of Paris spread out before him, beautiful yet distant, much like his feelings for the mysterious Red Beetle.

Mockingly, Plagg adopted a sad tone, "Aww, the poor boy's frustrated because he can't finish the poem for his masked partner?"

"I don't need a poem when I can tell him to his face, 'I love you,'" Adrien replied, his voice more resolute now. The thought of directly expressing his feelings filled him with a mix of courage and vulnerability.

"Bleh, gross. You're making me lose my appetite," Plagg retorted, feigning disgust. He tossed a piece of camembert in the air and caught it deftly in his mouth, his smirk returning. "Almost."

Adrien shook his head, a smile breaking through his earlier somberness. "You're impossible, you know that?"

"Yeah, but you love me for it," Plagg quipped, eyeing the remaining cheese with a playful glint. "Look, just admit it. You're all mopey because you're head over heels for Red Beetle, and it's driving you nuts that you can't figure out how to say it."

"Maybe I am," Adrien admitted quietly, staring out at the city. "But it's not just that. I want to be honest with him, but I'm scared of what it might mean...and what happens if he doesn't feel the same way."

"Ah, the classic fear of rejection," Plagg said, rolling his eyes. "You're not going to know unless you try. Besides, you're Adrien Agreste! You've faced down countless akumas and villains. You can't let a little thing like love intimidate you!"

Adrien straightened, taking a deep breath. "You're right. I've faced challenges before. This is just another one, right?"

"Exactly!" Plagg exclaimed, tossing another piece of cheese into the air and catching it again. "Now go write that poem or whatever. Or just go find him and tell him how you feel. You've got this!"

With newfound determination, Adrien turned back to his desk, ready to pour his heart onto the page or confront Red Beetle directly. Either way, he knew he had to take the leap. After all, love was worth the risk, wasn't it?

(MDC)

On the scenic Pont des Arts, the air was crisp, and the sounds of Paris filled the atmosphere as Kim leaned against the fence, anxiously waiting. He fiddled with the brooch in his hand, its glimmer reflecting the sunlight, while his thoughts raced. He wanted this moment to be special—he had planned it meticulously.

Suddenly, he heard Chloé's unmistakable voice ringing out, and he perked up, trying to gather his courage. "And that's right, in a 24 karat gold frame. Deliver it to Le Grand Paris Hotel and bill it to Daddykins, uh, I mean, Mr. Bourgeois," she ordered, her tone dripping with entitlement.

As she finished her call, Chloé noticed Kim standing there, his nervousness evident. "What are you doing here?" she asked, arching an eyebrow.

Kim's heart raced, and he stuttered, "I-I..."

Chloé smirked and mockingly stuttered back, "You-You..."

Clearing his throat and trying to shake off the embarrassment, Kim knelt down in a nearby puddle, the water splashing slightly as he did so. "Will you be my Valentine?" he asked, presenting his brooch with a hopeful smile.

Just then, a passing cyclist whizzed by, splashing water all over Kim's face. The cold droplets shocked him, but he tried to maintain his composure, only for a nearby chip bag to blow against him, sticking to his cheek.

"Don't move!" Chloé commanded, her eyes gleaming with mischief as she pulled out her phone.

Kim froze, unable to process the humiliation as Chloé snapped a photo, capturing the moment in all its awkward glory. "Wait till everyone gets a load of this," she laughed, already picturing the reactions. "No offense, Kim, but my heart's saved for someone more magnificent than you."

As she began to walk away, she turned back over her shoulder, a smirk on her lips. "And don't start crying; it's just karma, after all. Funny, isn't it?"

Kim felt the heat of embarrassment creeping up his neck as he dropped the brooch, the symbolic gesture now feeling heavier than ever. He yanked the chip bag off his face, frustration bubbling within him, and his eyes began to water—not just from the humiliation, but from the stinging reminders of rejection.

He watched as Chloé walked away, her laughter echoing in his ears, and he fought to hold back the tears. He thought about how he had built up the courage to express his feelings, only to be met with her usual cruelty.

(MDC)

Inside Papillon's lair, the air buzzed with a tense energy, thick with the anticipation of chaos. The room was dimly lit, adorned with twisted vines and shimmering, ominous butterflies that fluttered against the dark walls. Papillon, cloaked in shadows, reveled in the impending pandemonium of Valentine's Day. His eyes glinted with malevolence as he glanced at the window, the faint sounds of the city below drifting through the cracks.

"Ah, Valentine's Day, the day of love and the day of fools," he mused, his voice a silky whisper. "So many delusions, so much disappointment. My lovely akumas, you are going to have such a field day." With deft fingers, he transformed a delicate butterfly into a swirling mass of purple and black, charging it with his dark magic. "Fly away, my little akuma, and corrupt him!"

The akuma zipped through the open window, darting into the bustling streets of Paris, where the scent of freshly baked pastries mingled with the laughter of lovers. Below, Kim sat hunched on a bench, tears streaming down his face as he watched couples beam at one another, sharing what felt like an unbearable joy. The akuma found its target, slipping into Kim's brooch and igniting a dark transformation.

The air crackled as Kim's sorrow twisted into fury, his tears no longer a sign of heartbreak but a catalyst for vengeance. "Dark Cupid, I am Papillon," A whisper, his voice now laced with a sinister edge that thrummed with dark promise. "I can give you the power to shoot your arrows, to pierce love and impale friendship. Don't you want revenge against Chloé Bourgeois? She rejected you without a second thought, even after you poured your heart into that beautiful jewel you gave her. How could she betray you so cruelly?"

Kim felt the tendrils of sadness morph into a burning anger, and in that moment of temptation, he found himself nodding in agreement. Yes, he wanted revenge. Chloé had wronged him without cause; he had done nothing but show her kindness. The darkness whispered promises of retribution, intoxicating him with the thrill of power. "I accept," He swore, his voice firm, resonating with a newfound intensity.

"All you need to do is seize the Miraculouses from Red Beetle and Chat Noir," Papillon urged, his tone dripping with manipulation, promising untold power. "They are the keys to your victory, my dear Dark Cupid. With them, you will unleash a wave of heartbreak that will echo through the city, and Chloé will know the pain she inflicted upon you."

The words wrapped around Kim like a seductive whisper, each syllable igniting the flames of his anger. "No love affair or friendship will escape my fury! No one will ever love again!" He snarled, a twisted smile spreading across his face as he felt the surge of power coursing through him, intoxicating him with the promise of chaos.

With a swirl of purple goo cocooning him, Kim felt his transformation take hold. He became Dark Cupid—a harbinger of heartbreak, adorned with dark wings and a menacing bow that shimmered with ominous energy. He took to the air, his new form a malevolent silhouette against the vibrant sky, a stark contrast to the joyous celebrations below.

"Look at them, so blissfully unaware," Papillon cooed, the voice wrapping around him like a dark embrace. "Just waiting for you to unleash your power." He chuckled softly. 

“Time for a little fun!" Dark Cupid's eyes gleamed with wicked delight as he spotted several civilians engrossed in their Valentine's Day festivities, their laughter ringing out like chimes of innocence.

With a cackle that echoed through the air, he unleashed a flurry of arrows, each one imbued with the essence of despair. They shot through the crowd, striking their marks with deadly precision. Each arrow turned laughter into screams, joy into despair. One man, struck by an arrow, felt his lips turn black, a grotesque transformation that sent him fleeing into the shadows, his heart shattering.

"Feel the power coursing through you, my dear Dark Cupid," Papillon purred, the voice a seductive siren call. "Let the chaos unfold. With every heartbreak you create, you draw closer to your ultimate revenge. No one can escape the darkness you wield. Let it consume you, and together, we will show them the true meaning of love lost.“

"Ugh, stupid flowers!" One civilian shouted, smashing a bouquet to the ground in a fit of anger. The petals scattered like broken hearts, a fitting tribute to Papillon's malevolent design.

Another couple, caught in the chaos, stood frozen as their love was twisted into rage. "Get off me!" The woman shouted, pushing her partner away. Their bond, once vibrant and full of promise, shattered like glass.

Dark Cupid reveled in the devastation, each shot echoing with the laughter of Papillon in the background. "Perfect," Papillon crowed, his glee palpable. "It won't be long before Red Beetle and Chat Noir show up to meet their doom!"

(MDC)

At Tom & Sabine Boulangerie Patisserie, Marcel and Alya strolled into the kitchen, their chatter filling the air. Tom approached them with a warm smile, extending two candy apples. "Candy apples, anyone?" he offered.

"Thanks, Papa!" Marcel said, gratefully taking one as he and Alya made their way out of the bakery.

Their destination was The Place des Vosges, where Adrien lived. "Come on, Marcel! You have to do it before you chicken out!" Alya urged, her excitement palpable. Marcel nodded, appreciating her encouragement, and casually slipped the letter into the mailbox.

"Yeah!" Alya cheered, her enthusiasm infectious.

"There we go," Marcel said, giving Alya a high-five just as their phones rang in unison. They glanced at their screens and saw a message from Chloé.

Startled, they exchanged glances. "Chloé? Since when does she text us?" Alya exclaimed as they opened the chat, revealing a picture of Kim.

Outraged, Alya couldn't help but vent, "What a witch!"

"I wouldn't exactly call her a witch," Marcel mused thoughtfully. "Damn, and I was the one who told Kim to go for it! Had I known it was Chloé, I would've warned him against it."

"I had no idea Chloé was the one he liked! How did he even pick her?" Alya asked, disbelief etched on her face.

Marcel shrugged. "I can see why he might be attracted to her, but let's be real—Chloé has a shit personality."

Alya shot him a sideways glance. "You can see why? I can't! Chloé doesn't...." Her words trailed off as she noticed something in the sky. "What on earth is that?!" she shouted, pointing upward.

Dark Cupid glanced down, his gaze landing on the candy apple in Alya's hand. "All hearts must be destroyed!" he declared, shooting arrows at the candy apples and Alya, causing her lips to turn an ominous black.

"Alya?" Marcel called, concern creeping into his voice.

In a panic, Alya stuck the candy apples onto Marcel's hoodie.

He looked at her, deadpan. "Seriously?"

"You're not my BFF; you're a joke! Adrien's going to laugh his head off at your pathetic poetry!" Alya cackled as she dashed away.

"What..." Confusion washed over Marcel's face as he turned toward Dark Cupid. "What did he do to her?" He examined Dark Cupid's brooch and recognized it as Kim's pin. "Looks like he's been akumatized." Frustrated, he yanked the candy apples off his hoodie. "This is so annoying."

With determination, he sprinted toward a nearby alley from the house surrounding the Agreste mansion. "Tikki, spots on!" he declared, his voice filled with resolve as he prepared for action. An intense, bright pink light flooded the alleyway, enveloping him in a dazzling glow as his suit materialized seamlessly over his clothes and skin. His voice shifted, taking on a sharp, commanding tone that resonated with authority. At his waist, a yoyo appeared, its sleek design hinting at both agility and precision. A stylish black domino mask settled over the upper half of his face, adding an air of mystery to his presence. As the transformation completed, his eyes gleamed, shifting into a striking shade of grey with a subtle hint of silver, perfectly complementing his now vibrant blue, medium-length mullet hair. He stood tall, radiating confidence and ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

(RB)

Red Beetle darted across the rooftops of Paris, the evening sun casting long shadows against the ancient stone buildings. The air was alive with energy, the sound of bustling streets below barely audible as he leaped from one rooftop to the next. He was on the hunt, the Akuma flying just ahead of him, a dark silhouette against the azure sky.

With each vault, his heart raced, adrenaline pumping through his veins. He was agile, his body moving like a well-oiled machine, a blend of strength and grace. The rooftops of Paris were his playground, and he navigated the intricate architecture with ease, scaling walls and vaulting over chimneys as if the city was designed for him alone.

"Not so fast!" Red Beetle shouted, his voice echoing off the walls as he spotted the Akuma ahead, its dark wings flapping wildly. The creature was a menace, a manifestation of despair, and it was spreading chaos in the streets below. Red Beetle had to catch it before it could unleash its powers on the unsuspecting citizens.

He lunged forward, pushing off the edge of one roof, twisting in mid-air to land on another with a graceful roll. The Akuma darted left, and he followed, his legs propelling him forward as he leaped again, barely missing a rooftop gargoyle. The chase was exhilarating, every leap a chance to prove himself, every landing a testament to his training.

As he approached a narrow alleyway between two buildings, Red Beetle spotted an opportunity. He crouched low, gathered his strength, and with a powerful kick, launched himself into the air. The world seemed to slow as he soared, reaching the apex of his jump before beginning his descent. He landed with a soft thud, rolling to absorb the impact, and sprang back to his feet, eyes locked on the Akuma.

The Akuma was growing frantic, its dark wings flapping erratically as it veered toward the edge of a roof. Red Beetle's instincts kicked in, and he pushed harder. With every muscle in his body working in perfect harmony, he climbed higher, leaping from one rooftop to another, closing the distance between them.

(RB)

Outside Le Grand Paris, chaos was brewing as Chloé berated the delivery team for Adrien's portrait. "Ugh! I never ordered 18-karat gold! Those tones will clash with my 24-karat toilet! How could you be so clueless?!"

Perched atop a nearby rooftop, Dark Cupid observed Chloé's tirade with growing irritation. Finally, fed up with her complaints, he drew his bow and aimed an arrow at her heart. Just as he released it, Red Beetle swooped in, slapping the Akuma in the head. The arrow missed its target, embedding itself in the ground beside Chloé and her friend Sabrina.

"Red Beetle!" Chloé shouted, her frustration momentarily redirected.

"You need to stop this madness!" Red Beetle replied, ready for a fight.

"I am Dark Cupid! I will never relent! If I can't have love, then no one will!"

Red Beetle sighed, "I don't know why I thought reasoning would work, but here we are. Look, I get it. Chloé humiliated you, but that doesn't give you the right to unleash chaos on all of Paris!"

"Oh, but it does! I won't rest until every heart is shattered. Say goodbye to your loved ones! From now on, you will loathe them!" Dark Cupid proclaimed, his voice dripping with malice as he unleashed a flurry of arrows at Red Beetle. With quick reflexes, Red Beetle dodged the projectiles using his yo-yo, vaulting himself onto a roof gutter.

"Bring me Red Beetle's Miraculous, or I will strip you of your powers!" Papillon threatened, his eyes glinting with vindictive glee.

Chat Noir swung into action, balancing on his baton with a playful flick of his faux tail. "Falling off, buddy," he quipped as he pulled Red Beetle closer. "We need to talk."

"Whatever it is, it'll have to wait. Dark Cupid is—"

"Shh!" Chat interrupted, urgency in his tone. "I promised myself I'd tell you as soon as I saw you. Red Beetle, I—I..." His words were cut short as he noticed an arrow sailing toward them. "Look out!" He spun them both around, but the arrow struck him instead.

"Chat, are you okay?" Red Beetle asked, concern flooding his voice.

With a grimace, Chat Noir felt his lips darken. "Red Beetle, I—I...detest you!"

"What the—snap out of it, man!" Red Beetle exclaimed, trying to shake him from his stupor.

But Chat tightened his grip, pulling Red Beetle close. "You're nothing, Red Beetle! You mean nothing to me! I hate you!"

Desperation surged within Red Beetle. He stomped on Chat Noir's foot, breaking the hold. With a swift motion, he launched himself into the air, grappling his yo-yo onto a nearby street lamp, then rolling into the safety of Le Grand Paris.

"Red Beetle, finally! Where have you been?" Chloé grumbled, her annoyance palpable.

(RB)

On the walls of Le Grand Paris, Chat Noir clung to his staff, poised and ready for action. With a swift motion, he retracted the staff and secured it on his back, scaling the wall with agility until he found himself face to face with the sinister figure of Dark Cupid.

"Offer to help him in exchange for Red Beetle's Miraculous," Papillon commanded, his voice dripping with malice.

Dark Cupid turned his gaze to Chat Noir, a sly grin spreading across his face. "I can help you eliminate Red Beetle, but you must promise me his Miraculous in return." He extended his hand, a tempting offer glimmering in his eyes.

"Of course," Chat Noir cackled, a mix of excitement and deception in his tone as he grasped the hand offered to him.

"Excellent! Once I possess Red Beetle's Miraculous, taking yours will be child's play!" Papillon's voice rose in a triumphant crescendo, reveling in the power that lay ahead.

As the night thickened around them, an unsettling alliance began to form, each hero and villain driven by ambition and ambition alone.

(RB)

Inside Le Grand Paris, Chloé and Sabrina were huddled with Red Beetle, anxiety etched across their faces. "You've got to get out of here," Red Beetle urged, gesturing toward the exit. "Your classmate Kim has turned into Dark Cupid, and I don't know what he'll do if he finds you here."

"Me? Why would he have a vendetta against me?" Chloé scoffed, crossing her arms defiantly.

"Who doesn't?" Red Beetle murmured under his breath, annoyance beginning to show on his face.

Chloé seized Red Beetle's arm, her eyes gleaming with self-importance. "Duh! It's because of this!" She pointed at a poster of Adrien that adorned the wall. "That's Adrien, the super hot guy in my class. And he's rich too! He's totally into me, of course." In the background, Sabrina's eyes widened in panic.

"Wha—" Sabrina gasped, her finger trembling as she pointed at the poster of Adrien. "It's alive!" she shrieked.

Suddenly, the poster began to shimmer and shift, and out from behind it stepped Dark Cupid, his bow drawn and arrows poised. He unleashed a volley of arrows toward them, but Red Beetle quickly swung his yo-yo, deflecting the projectiles with expert precision. With a swift motion, he grappled Chloé and pulled her towards the street just as her shriek pierced the air.

"Daddy!" Chloé wailed, her voice echoing in the chaos.

"Run, Chloé, run!" Red Beetle urged, twirling her onto her feet.

Chloé sprinted ahead, Sabrina trailing closely behind. Just as Red Beetle prepared to follow, he was intercepted by Chat Noir, who dropped down from above, landing with a thud.

"Well, well, if it isn't Red Beetle," Chat Noir sneered, blocking his path.

"Get out of the way, I'm not fighting you, Chat Noir," Red Beetle replied, his voice firm but weary.

"Ugh, that friendliness is revolting. You are definitely not my friend!" Chat Noir shot back, his expression hardening.

With a sudden leap, Chat Noir swung his staff at Red Beetle, who dodged the attack and jumped onto the weapon, using it as leverage to grapple onto a nearby rooftop. Chat Noir pursued, vaulting after him. Red Beetle turned mid-run and latched onto Chat Noir's staff, yanking him forward.

"Why do you hate me? Why are you after me?!" Red Beetle shouted, frustration bubbling over.

"Because hate conquers all!" Chat Noir retorted, eyes blazing.

"Hate to burst your bubble, but that isn't real life!" Red Beetle shot back, his mind racing as he struggled against Chat Noir's grasp.

"You're just buying time! Fight!" Chat Noir demanded, his voice steady yet impatient.

"I'll do better than that," Red Beetle replied, a glint of mischief in his eye.

"Huh?"

"Come on, kitty kitty, I just want to show you something." With that, Red Beetle charged at Chat Noir and threw a punch.

Chat Noir dodged, recoiling. "Get back, you savage!" he yelled, turning on his heel and sprinting away from him.

"Here, kitty kitty kitty! You said you wanted to fight!" Red Beetle called out, determination fueling his pursuit. The chase was on, and the night was far from over.

(RB)

Chloé sprinted down the bustling street, her heart pounding as she desperately tried to escape Dark Cupid.

"Ha! You can't outrun me, Chloé!" he called out, laughter echoing behind her.

Focused on putting distance between herself and her pursuer, she didn't see the flower stand ahead. In a split second, she tripped, crashing down beside startled civilians.

"Help!" she cried, panic rising in her voice.

The onlookers glanced up, their faces pale as they caught sight of Dark Cupid. In an instant, they scattered, screams filling the air.

"Happy Valentine's Day, Chloé! It's time for you to get what you deserve!" Dark Cupid taunted, a sinister grin plastered across his face.

Chloé groaned, her frustration boiling over. "My hair! There's nothing worse than a bad hair day! First, Red Beetle ruins my new jacket, and now you've messed up my hair! Just go ahead and change me already! This day can't get any worse..." she lamented, her shoulders slumping in defeat.

Dark Cupid lowered his bow, a mocking look in his eyes. "I don't need to waste an arrow on you. Your heart is so dark and shriveled that there's no room for love," he sneered before taking to the sky, his laughter trailing behind him.

"Ugh! How dare you talk to me like that?" Chloé grumbled, pushing herself off the ground and turning to where he had vanished. But as she did, she collided with Sabrina, tumbling down onto her backside.

"Huh? Why are you just standing there? Help me up!" Chloé demanded, annoyance creeping into her voice.

Sabrina remained motionless, her head tilted up as she revealed her lips—now a stark black.

With a smirk, she pulled out her phone. "Ha! You think I'd help someone as stuck-up as you?" she taunted, snapping an embarrassing picture of Chloé. "Wait till everyone sees this!" Sabrina cackled as she dashed away, leaving Chloé fuming.

"Ughhh..." Chloé groaned, her day spiraling further into chaos.

(RB)

On the edge of a rooftop, Chat Noir was in full retreat, pursued relentlessly by Red Beetle. With a sudden rush of adrenaline, he leaped off the building, but Red Beetle was quick on his feet. He launched his yo-yo, wrapping it around Chat Noir's legs and sending him crashing to the ground. As Chat Noir dropped his staff, Red Beetle expertly tied him to a lamppost and swung himself up to perch atop it, waiting for his moment.

Just then, an arrow whizzed through the air, aimed at Red Beetle. He deftly deflected it with a flick of his wrist. Freed from the lamppost thanks to Dark Cupid's intervention, Chat Noir quickly retrieved his staff and tucked it back into his suit. He joined forces with Dark Cupid, who was smirking as Red Beetle ducked behind a tree.

"How are you going to fight both of us now, bug eyes?" Chat Noir taunted, fist-bumping Dark Cupid. "Cataclysm!"

"I've often wondered what would happen if I used my Cataclysm on someone," Dark Cupid mused, a sinister glimmer in his eye.

Red Beetle, feeling the tension rise, thought, ‘Because that's not disturbing at all.' He called for his Lucky Charm, and a candy apple materialized in his hand. "What the hell am I supposed to do with this?" he muttered, exasperated.

Peeking over the edge of a nearby building, Red Beetle scanned the area, his vision locking onto the fountain, Chat Noir's glove, and Dark Cupid's brooch. Gathering his courage, he sprang from his hiding place. "Hey! I've got a Valentine's gift for you!"

As Chat Noir and Dark Cupid braced themselves for an attack, Red Beetle launched into the air, evading Dark Cupid's arrows with agile flips, deflecting them with his yo-yo. Just as Chat Noir prepared to unleash his Cataclysm, Red Beetle executed a split, narrowly avoiding the strike. Seizing his chance, Red Beetle grabbed Chat Noir by his belt and flung him away, hurling the candy apple at Dark Cupid's head. Dark Cupid swatted it aside, his frustration mounting.

"Looks like you've gotten yourself into a sticky situation!" Red Beetle quipped, a grin on his face.

Dark Cupid, now annoyed, tried to shoot an arrow, only to find his hand stuck to the bow. "Red Beetle!" he hissed, glaring at him.

"And now, for the pussy-cat!" Chat Noir shouted, scrambling to his feet as he lunged for Red Beetle, tackling the spotted hero, sitting on top of him.

"Chat Noir, get his Miraculous!" Dark Cupid commanded, and without hesitation, Chat Noir obeyed, heading toward the fountain to wash his hands of the chaos.

"With pleasure! Finally, I'll find out who you are, Red Beetle! Your little secret will be out of the bag!" Chat Noir declared, still perched on Red Beetle.

But before he could uncover Red Beetle's identity, Red Beetle swiftly grabbed Chat Noir's shoulders, planting his feet on Chat Noir's stomach and kicking him high into the air.

"Huh?" Chat Noir blinked in surprise as he soared upward.

As he fell, Red Beetle caught his legs, slinging him over his shoulder and launching him toward Dark Cupid. Chat Noir screamed as his hand landed squarely on Dark Cupid's brooch.

"No!" Dark Cupid shouted in horror.

With determination, Red Beetle approached them, kneeling to seize the brooch. "Awww, you shouldn't have..." he said mockingly. He stomped on the pin, releasing the akuma trapped within. "No more possessions from you, little akuma. Time to purify." He caught the akuma with his yo-yo. "Got you!"

As he released the purified butterfly into the air, he called out, "Bye, little butterfly. Miraculous Ladybug!" He tossed the Lucky Charm high, its energy swirling around them and restoring everything back to normal, the chaos dissipating like a dream.

(RB)

Alya sat at her desk, staring at the picture of her and Marcel, her scissors poised dangerously close to the photo. Just as she was about to cut it in half, she froze. "What the heck am I doing?" she muttered to herself, shaking her head as if to clear the chaotic thoughts swirling inside it. A moment of clarity washed over her, and she placed the scissors down, unsure of her next move.

(RB)

Meanwhile, Chloé was in the throes of her own drama. "What the heck are you doing?!" she shrieked, her eyes wide in disbelief as she spotted Sabrina furiously scribbling over Adrien's portrait. Sabrina paused, glancing at the ruined artwork, her mouth agape.

"I have no idea!" Sabrina exclaimed, horror dawning on her as they both stared at the now defaced poster of Adrien. They threw their hands into the air, crying out in despair over their artistic disaster.

(RB)

Back on the streets, Kim was trying to piece together what had just happened. "Huh?" he muttered, looking around in confusion. Just moments ago, he had been caught up in the battle, and now everything felt surreal.

As he processed the chaos, Chat Noir and Red Beetle exchanged a quick fist bump, the camaraderie evident between them, though Chat had no clue about the whirlwind of events that had transpired. "Pound it!" he declared, grinning.

"Gotta go!" Red Beetle replied, swinging his yo-yo with a flourish, ready to take off.

"Wait, Red Beetle! I gotta tell you something!" Chat Noir called out, his voice rising above the bustling sounds of the city.

"Look, if this is about me throwing you..." Red Beetle began, but Chat Noir quickly interjected.

"Throwing me? No, I just wanted to say—" he was cut off as his miraculous began beeping insistently.

"Looks like we'll talk some other time," Red Beetle said with a shrug, already preparing to leave.

"Ah, okay," Chat Noir replied with a hint of disappointment.

Without another word, both heroes dashed off in opposite directions. Red Beetle latched his yo-yo onto a nearby pole, swinging away with agility, while Chat Noir leapt onto a building, his silhouette blending into the sky as he vanished from sight.

(RB)

"Blast that damn Beetle!" Papillon cursed, his voice echoing in the dimly lit room filled with maps and plans of Paris. He was seething, his frustration boiling over from yet another failed scheme. The arrival of Red Beetle had thrown a wrench into his carefully laid plans, and he couldn't shake the irritation he felt toward the young hero. He had to come up with a new strategy, one that would finally rid him of these pesky heroes once and for all.

(MDC)

Meanwhile, at the picturesque Place des Vosges, the postman arrived, his bag filled with letters and packages. He opened the mailbox, revealing a jumble of envelopes.

"Hey, there's your chance to get your card back!" Alya exclaimed, nudging Marcel, who was standing nearby, after the two had met up after the Akuma fiasco.

"Huh, who said I was grabbing the card back?" Marcel replied, raising an eyebrow in confusion.

"But I thought you were going to get the card back?" Alya pressed, her excitement bubbling over.

Marcel shrugged, a slight smile creeping onto his face. "I mean, I was thinking about it, but now I'm not so sure..."

(MDC)

In the comfort of Adrien's room, Plagg flew around, his mischievous spirit alive as usual. "Can you believe all the horrible, thoughtless things you said to Red Beetle?" he snickered, munching on a piece of Camembert cheese.

"You think it's funny, huh?" Adrien mumbled, feeling a mix of embarrassment and guilt wash over him. He had been a bit too harsh during their last encounter, and now it weighed on him, even if he was brainwashed.

Plagg, undeterred, hovered over the pile of cards on Adrien's desk. "What's the big deal? You've got so many cards from all these lady fans of yours! Take your pick!" He picked up a big yellow heart card and tossed it at Adrien, who was lying face down on his bed.

As Adrien opened the card, he was taken aback. "Whoa, hold up! Someone answered my poem? But I threw it away!" He read aloud, his eyes widening as he absorbed the words: "'Love can really save people, and I'm not talking about romantic love, I'm talking about platonic, wholesome, unselfish love that demands nothing in return other than that person's salty happiness, and well-being. Love for the sake of love. I think this kind of love is wonderful.'"

"Aww, well, anyone who writes as sickeningly sweet as you must be your soulmate," Plagg teased, a grin on his tiny face.

Adrien sighed, looking at the card with a frown. "It isn't signed..." Just then, a ladybug flew in and landed on the card. Adrien's eyes followed it as it fluttered away. "Could it have come from Red Beetle?"

"Ugh," Plagg gagged, rolling his eyes playfully. "Please don't go on another wild chase because of a bug."

(MDC)

In the cozy chaos of Marcel's room, he scratched his head, trying to recall whether he had signed his letter. "What do you mean, you don't remember? Did you sign the card or not?" Alya pressed, her hands on her hips, half-amused and half-exasperated.

"I don't really know! The ladybug came along while I was writing, then you were yapping about your blog, and then..." Marcel trailed off, his mind racing.

Laughing, Alya couldn't contain herself. "I don't believe you! The boy didn't even sign it! I love you and all, but sometimes you seriously bug me out! You know that, right?"

As Alya continued to laugh, Marcel just shrugged, a playful grin on his face. Outside, a ladybug flew past the window, a small reminder of the unexpected connections and possibilities that fluttered in and out of their lives.

A/N — the one Marcel read was from Merum.
And the one Adrien read was from Michael Bliss.

Chapter Text

"You only have one day to work on your fashion piece, and it must be your own design. In ten hours, none other than the talented fashion designer Gabriel Agreste, the father of our very own student Adrien Agreste, will be here." Principal. Damocles stated, holding up a hand to the Agreste heir in the room. "In fact, Adrien will model the winning design in his next photoshoot," Principal Damocles informed the class.

"How interesting," Marcel muttered. Chloé, at her desk, looked at Marcel and gave him a thumbs down, making Marcel squint at her in confusion.

(MDC)

Inside the dimly lit lair, shadows danced across the walls, cast by the flickering light of sun shining through the window around the room. Papillon, the master of corruptive magic and manipulation, stood in the middle of his 'evil lair' paced around the room, cloaked in his signature black suit adorned with butterfly motifs, he muttered to himself, his voice dripping with malice.

"The time has come for us to find our next victim, my wicked little akumas," He whispered, a sinister grin spreading across his face. "And to prey upon Red Beetle and Chat Noir. Their Miraculouses must be mine!"

As if summoned by his words, the window creaked open, a gust of wind swirling through the room, carrying with it the faint echoes of Parisian life outside—laughter, music, the distant sound of sirens. Papillon turned to face the open window, his eyes narrowing as he took in the blue sky, a canvas splattered with clouds. He could feel the energy of the city thrumming beneath him, a vibrant pulse that called to his dark intentions.

He continued pacing the room. "I need a heart full of despair, a soul willing to surrender to the darkness." His mind whirred with possibilities, plotting and scheming, as the akumas floated around him like lost souls. Each one was a manifestation of negativity, waiting for a spark to ignite their wicked desires.

(MDC)

Sitting on the steps of Trocadéro, Marcel felt the weight of his creative block pressing down on him. He had been at it for hours, sketching and erasing, each attempt more frustrating than the last. Tikki, his small, cheerful kwami, flitted around him, her encouragement a gentle reminder that inspiration could come when least expected.

"Jeez, it's hard to be creative under pressure, especially something that I rarely make," Marcel muttered, rubbing his tired eyes. The picturesque view of the Eiffel Tower loomed behind him, but it felt distant, as if even the iconic landmark could not spark his imagination.

"Marcel, you save the world under pressure. I think designing a hat should be a piece of cake!" Tikki reassured him, her bright eyes sparkling with optimism.

He chuckled, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. "Hm, a cake derby hat. Stylish and tasty." They both laughed, the sound a sweet balm to his frustrations. Yet, as he resumed sketching, the blank page still stared back at him, defying his efforts.

Just then, a man sat down on a nearby bench, flapping his arms like a bird, drawing Marcel's attention away from his sketches. He was an eccentric figure, dressed in a mismatched ensemble that seemed to reflect his whimsical nature. He reached into a brown paper bag and blew a bird call that resonated through the air. Almost instantly, a flock of pigeons descended upon him, their coos filling the space with life.

Marcel couldn't help but smile at the sight, but his amusement was short-lived. One of the pigeons, confused and flapping its wings, came straight at him. With a quick reflex, he ducked, narrowly avoiding a collision.

"Well, happy day, happy day! Splendid is the afternoon day. Ah, Edgar, you fancy one. Fantastic, dazzling performance!" The man exclaimed joyfully, tossing crumbs for the pigeons as they flocked around him.

However, the serenity was shattered by the arrival of a police officer, who approached with a stern expression that spoke of authority and annoyance.

"Scram, you winged rats! How many times do you need to be told, Monsieur. Ramier? No! FEEDING! The pigeons! It's strictly forbidden. If everyone feeds them, they'll leave their waste everywhere!" the officer barked, his voice echoing in the park.

"But who's going to feed my poor pigeons?" Monsieur. Ramier mumbled sadly, his whimsical demeanor faltering as he looked down at the ground, defeated.

"All the park keepers know about you, Monsieur. Ramier. You're banned from every park in Paris. Leave now or I'll call the authorities. Oh, wait. I'm the authorities. GET OUT!" the officer yelled, his frustration palpable.

Marcel watched as Monsieur. Ramier walked away, his head bowed in sorrow, the joy of feeding his feathered friends snuffed out by the officer's harsh reprimand. "Damn, didn't have to yell. I feel sorry for him," Marcel said, shaking his head.

"What a unique character! He was like a human bird. All he needed was a feather jacket to complete the look," Tikki giggled, her lightheartedness contrasting with the scene unfolding before them.

"A feather jacket, hmm. Nice thinking, Tikki." The idea sparked something in Marcel's mind, igniting a flicker of inspiration that had eluded him until now. He grabbed his sketchpad and began to draw again, the image of the feather jacket taking shape.

His pencil danced across the page, conjuring a whimsical design that melded the absurdity of Monsieur Ramier's antics with a chic, avant-garde flair. He envisioned a jacket that resembled a peacock, vibrant and colorful, feathers cascading down like a waterfall of hues. With each stroke, Marcel felt his creativity surge, the lines flowing effortlessly as he lost himself in the process.

As he sketched, he imagined how this jacket could transform the man who wore it—turning a simple bird feeder into a flamboyant character that would not just feed the pigeons, but celebrate them. The idea made him chuckle, and he couldn't help but imagine Monsieur Ramier strutting through the parks of Paris, a living embodiment of joy and whimsy, feathers catching the sunlight.

(MDC)

At the banks of the Seine, Monsieur. Ramier sat on a weathered bench, a tinge of nostalgia in his gaze as he fiddled with the whistle hanging from his neck. The gentle lapping of the river against the shore harmonized with the distant laughter of passersby, but his heart felt heavy.

He looked around, his eyes scanning the flock of pigeons that usually flocked to him, eager for crumbs of bread. Yet today, they seemed to avoid his presence, pecking at the ground a few feet away, indifferent to his attempts to coax them closer. It was a strange sensation, this disconnect; he couldn't quite understand why the birds, once so eager to partake in his offerings, were now shying away.

He raised the whistle to his lips, the familiar metal cool against his skin, but paused. Would a simple note disturb the peace of the moment? Instead, he let the whistle hang, contemplating the nuances of his relationship with these creatures. Had he unknowingly crossed some invisible line, or was it simply a day when the world felt different?

Sighing, he leaned back against the bench, watching the river flow by, wondering if perhaps it was not the pigeons who had changed, but himself.

(MDC)

The sun hung low in the Parisian sky, casting a warm glow over the Jardin des Tuileries. It was a tranquil day, filled with the laughter of children and the soft cooing of pigeons flitting about in search of crumbs. Yet, hidden among the beauty, shadows lingered, and evil had begun to weave its insidious threads.

Monsieur Ramier, the park's beloved caretaker, was known for his gentle nature and deep affection for the park's winged inhabitants. Every morning, he would arrive with a bag full of seeds, ready to feed the pigeons and ensure their well-being. But on this day, as he admired the playful birds, a dark presence loomed above.

From the shadows, Papillon watched with a sly smile, his eyes glinting with mischief. "Poor Monsieur. Ramier," he murmured to himself, his voice dripping with mock sympathy. "Such a sweet soul, so easily manipulated. What a delicious opportunity for my akuma."

With deft fingers, Papillon captured a delicate butterfly, its wings shimmering in the sunlight. He concentrated, channeling his dark energy into the creature until it transformed into a swirling mass of purple goo—the akuma. "Fly away, my little akuma, and corrupt him!" he commanded, releasing it into the air.

(MDC)

The akuma, a malevolent spirit now, darted toward Monsieur Ramier, who remained blissfully unaware of the danger that approached. It slipped through the air, merging with the soft, melodic notes of Monsieur Ramier's bird call, amplifying his feelings of injustice and bitterness.

"Mr. Pigeon," A voice hissed, its voice a sinister whisper. "I'm Papillon. Neither this police officer nor any other of the park keepers should stop you from taking care of your friends. What would Paris be without pigeons? What would pigeons be without you?"

Monsieur. Ramier chuckled, the sound a mix of amusement and confusion. The akuma's words ignited a spark of rebellion within him, feeding on the unfair treatment he sometimes felt from those around him. The purple goo enveloped him, cocooning him in darkness. In a flash, he transformed into Mr. Pigeon, his body becoming sleek and feathery, his arms flapping wildly at his sides.

As Mr. Pigeon, he strutted about, his demeanor now filled with newfound confidence and arrogance. He let out a series of exaggerated coos, drawing the attention of the other pigeons, who looked at him in surprise. The park, once a safe haven, began to feel the shift in energy as Mr. Pigeon took flight, flapping his wings and making a beeline for the park gates.

"Freedom!" he cawed, reveling in the chaos he could now unleash. "I will show them who truly rules the skies of Paris!"

Papillon watched from a distance, a satisfied grin plastered across his face. "Let the chaos begin," he whispered, knowing that with Mr. Pigeon unleashed, the park—and the city—would soon be engulfed in turmoil.

(MDC)

Chloé lurked in the shadows, her keen eyes fixed on Marcel as he meticulously sketched his hat design, the pencil gliding across the paper with an artist's grace. A mischievous grin crept onto her face as she signaled to Sabrina, who eagerly readied her phone, anticipating the perfect moment to capture Marcel's creativity. With a stealthy maneuver, she crept closer, the soft click of the camera's shutter barely disturbing the quiet intimacy of the moment.

"Finally finished," Marcel sighed, lifting the drawing to admire his work, a look of satisfaction lighting up his features. Sabrina, ever the devoted friend, seized the opportunity, snapping another photo just in time to immortalize his proud expression.

"Now that's a jacket!" Tikki piped up, poking her head out of Marcel's bag, her tiny voice filled with genuine admiration. Marcel smiled at Tikki, affectionately rubbing the top of her head, the warmth of friendship enveloping them. "Thanks, Tikki."

Sabrina turned to Chloé, her excitement bubbling over as she showcased the picture of Marcel's design on her phone. "Look! Isn't it amazing? We're so exceptional!"

But Chloé's expression soured at the word 'we,'and she snatched the phone from Sabrina's hands with a swift flick of her wrist. "We?"

A flicker of hurt crossed Sabrina's face, her enthusiasm dimming as she stammered, "Oh, right, sorry! I meant you're exceptional, Chloé. When are we—uh, you—going to make the hat?"

Chloé scoffed, her perfectly manicured nails gleaming in the light, a symbol of her privilege and disdain. "And ruin these nails? Of course not. Daddy will pay someone to do it." With that final proclamation, she strode away with an air of superiority, leaving Sabrina trailing behind her, the lingering excitement in the air now tinged with disappointment but not extinguished.

(MDC)

Marcel sat at his desk, the late afternoon sunlight streaming through the window, illuminating the vibrant colors of the fabric strewn about his workspace. He was in the final stages of crafting his hat, his mind buzzing with ideas on how to make it truly stand out. As he adjusted the brim, a nagging feeling crept in—the hat needed something more, an accessory to elevate it from ordinary to extraordinary. He leaned back in his chair, glancing around the room for inspiration.

Just then, Tikki poked her head out of Marcel's bag, a cookie crumbs dusting her tiny cheeks. "What are you looking for?" she asked, her voice cheerful despite the slight crunching sound as she chewed.

Marcel sighed, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "The feathers," he groaned. "Which I forgot to pick up for the jacket earlier." He leaned forward, peering under the desk in hopes of spotting the colorful plumes he had stashed away. The thought of abandoning his project for a quick trip to the craft store made him wince, but he knew that without the right finishing touch, the jacket would never feel complete.

"You still have time to grab the feathers, so why not go now?" Tikki said, her voice muffled by the cookie she was munching on.

Marcel shot her a glance, his expression a mix of exasperation and affection. With a careful yet impatient motion, he tucked her into his bag, adjusting the opening so she'd be snug but comfortable. He quickly snatched a pair of gloves from his desk, his heart racing with anticipation.

With a hurried shout of goodbye to his parents, who were too absorbed in their own activities to notice his frantic departure, he sprinted through the hallway and down the stairs. The Trocadero was calling to him—a vibrant hub of inspiration and creativity. He could almost feel the electric energy of the space pulling him in, igniting his imagination with every step he took.

He had a singular goal in mind: to collect feathers from the pigeons at the Trocadéro. As he sprinted down the cobblestone streets, he maneuvered around startled pedestrians and ducked under awnings, his heart racing with excitement. The Trocadéro was a favorite spot of his, not just for the stunning views of the Eiffel Tower but also for the abundance of pigeons that seemed to congregate there.

He arrived at the plaza, breathing heavily but exhilarated. The sounds of the city waking up surrounded him—laughter, chatter, and the distant clinking of café cups. Marcel quickly spotted a flock of pigeons pecking at crumbs left behind by early risers.

With practiced precision, he approached the birds, knowing they would scatter at the slightest movement. He crouched low, watching their behavior, waiting for the right moment. When a few pigeons took off in flight, he seized the opportunity and sprinted towards the remaining ones, leaping onto a nearby bench to gain a better vantage point.

As he landed, he reached out and carefully plucked a few shimmering feathers that had fallen to the ground. They were a mix of iridescent grays and whites, each one unique. These feathers would be perfect for the art project he had been planning—a beautiful collage that captured the essence of Paris.

With his small stash of feathers in hand, he glanced around, eager to collect more. Marcel darted through the plaza, leaping from one surface to another, moving with the fluidity of water as he navigated the park's pathways. He found a small group of pigeons resting on the edge of a fountain and approached them carefully.

In a swift motion, he jumped onto the fountain's ledge, startling the birds into flight. As they took off, a few feathers drifted down like confetti. Marcel reached up, catching a couple in mid-air before they touched the ground. With each new feather, his excitement grew.

Just then, he noticed a particularly striking pigeon perched on a nearby statue. It had an unusual blend of colors—deep black and purples shimmering in the sunlight. Marcel grinned, knowing that if he could get close enough, he might secure a feather from that beauty.

He crouched low, skirting around the base of the statue. With a quick burst of speed, he leapt onto the pedestal, startling the pigeon. It flapped its wings and took off, but a single feather floated down, landing softly at his feet.

"Here we go!" Marcel exclaimed, picking up the feather and holding it aloft like a trophy.

Feeling accomplished, he took a moment to catch his breath and admire the collection he had gathered. Each feather was a small piece of the city, a reminder of the life that thrived in its corners.

With a smile on his face, Marcel decided it was time to head back home. He made one last leap off the fountain and began to retrace his steps, feeling the pulse of the city around him. The world was alive, and he couldn't wait to transform these feathers into something beautiful—just like the city that inspired him.

As he left the Trocadéro behind, the Eiffel Tower glimmered in the morning light, a perfect backdrop to the adventures that awaited him in the heart of Paris.

As Marcel knelt down to pick up the vibrant feathers scattered across the market stall, his heart raced with excitement. He quickly gathered them, envisioning how they'd transform his hat into something truly special. Just as he turned to leave, however, he collided with a tall figure, the solid presence startling him.

"Uh, sorry, sir!" Marcel exclaimed, glancing up to see that it was the same officer he had encountered earlier. The officer looked down at him, eyebrows raised, but the surprise quickly faded into a bemused smile as he stepped aside. Marcel without wasting another moment, took off again, the feathers clutched tightly in his hand.

But as the officer resumed his patrol, a sudden rustle in the air caught his attention. In an instant, a huge flock of pigeons swooped down from above, their wings flapping furiously. The startled officer let out a startled cry, flailing his arms as the birds descended, cooing and flapping around him like a chaotic tornado of feathers.

(MDC)

As Marcel got on his seat on the bus, he was jolted into confusion when he realized the vehicle wasn't moving. He glanced around, noticing the other passengers were just as bewildered. Pushing his way to the front, he leaned toward the bus driver. "What's going on?" he asked, a hint of urgency creeping into his voice.

"Sorry folks, we have a situation here," the driver replied, his tone steady but tinged with frustration. Marcel squinted out the window and saw the cause of the hold-up: a swarm of pigeons had descended upon the street, blocking traffic and causing chaos. The sight was utterly bizarre.

"You'll need to get off the bus now," the driver announced, and Marcel felt a mix of annoyance and curiosity as he disembarked, the peculiar behavior of the birds lingering in his mind.

"Uh, this is weird," he mumbled to himself, stepping onto the sidewalk. He noticed a crowd gathered nearby, their attention fixed on a large television screen. Intrigued, he jogged over to see what all the commotion was about.

On the screen, the familiar face of news reporter Nadja filled the frame. "Pigeons have taken over Paris," she announced gravely. "This is just one of the many alarming situations giving authorities cause for major concern." She touched her earpiece, her expression shifting to one of urgency. "Yes, I've just been told that someone named 'Mr. Pigeon' is making an announcement."

Marcel's heart raced as the screen cut to a figure—a man with exaggerated pigeon features, cooing into a microphone. "Oh, dreary day, poor Parisians! The Akuma made pigeon noises," he declared dramatically, "Apologies for disturbing you, but Paris now belongs to the pigeons!" With a flamboyant flap of his arms, he cooed again, sending the gathered crowd into a frenzy of confusion and disbelief.

Feeling a sense of urgency, Marcel turned and hurried down to the nearest subway station. The sight of the pigeons still causing havoc outside fueled his annoyance. "Time to go," he muttered to himself as he dashed toward the restroom, knowing he needed to transform quickly but also feeling uneasy about doing so in such a public place.

"Tikki, spots on!" He shouted, an intense, bright pink light flooded the bathroom as Marcel's suit materialized seamlessly over his clothes and skin. He felt the familiar surge of power coursing through him, his voice taking on a sharp, commanding tone that echoed off the tiled walls. At his waist, a yoyo appeared, perfectly balanced and ready for action, while a sleek black domino mask settled over the upper half of his face, enhancing his newfound persona.

His eyes transformed into a striking shade of grey with a subtle hint of silver, giving him an otherworldly air that matched the confidence swelling within him. The vibrant blue of his medium-length mullet hair added an extra flair, a bold statement that he was ready to take on whatever awaited him outside. Straightening his posture, he marched toward the door. The chaos of the pigeon takeover loomed just beyond.

(MDC)

Above the bustling city of Paris, Red Beetle felt a rush of energy as he sprinted across the rooftops, his body propelled forward with fearless intent. The wind whipped through his hair as he leaped over obstacles, jumped across wide gaps, and flipped through the air with grace and speed. Each movement was fluid, instinctual—a dance of agility that filled him with joy. In these moments, he felt invincible, as if the city was his playground and he could conquer anything.

But that exhilaration came to an abrupt halt when he landed on a ledge and gazed up at the sky, eyes widening in disbelief. An airplane made entirely of pigeons soared overhead, the birds flapping their wings in perfect synchrony. "That's so...disturbing," He muttered, a shiver running down his spine as the sheer number of birds flocking together sent his skin crawling.

Just then, Chat Noir landed gracefully next to him, sneezing as he did. "Birds of a feather, flock together," he quipped, but another sneeze interrupted his playful tone. "I'm allergic to feathers," he added, shaking his head as he tried to clear the itchy sensation in his nose.

"That's helpful," Red Beetle deadpanned, raising an eyebrow as he wondered if their suits could even shield them from allergies—especially given how much Chat was sneezing.

"Tell me about it," Chat grumbled, stifling a cough that threatened to erupt into another sneeze. "These birds are only part of the problem. The park keepers in Paris are vanishing without a trace."

"We need to find them, now," Red Beetle reacted, a sense of urgency creeping into his voice.

"Where are we gonna find them?" Chat asked, glancing around as if the answer might materialize from the chaos of the streets below.

"I don't know where we can find them, but I do know he can find us," Red Beetle smirked, a glimmer of resolution in his eyes. His mind raced with possibilities as he considered their options. "If Mr. Pigeon thinks he can take over the city, he's going to have to deal with us first."

With that, Red Beetle launched himself off the ledge, his body soaring into the air as he began to plan their next move. Chat Noir followed closely, adjusting his stance as they navigated through the maze of rooftops

(RB&CN)

At Place des Vosges, the sun shone brightly over the picturesque square, but Red Beetle's patience was wearing thin. He watched from behind a nearby tree, his heart racing with the urgency of their mission. Meanwhile, Chat Noir had donned a park ranger hat, completely absorbed in his role, pretending to be a park ranger.

With a lighthearted spirit, Chat began to whistle, twirling around and even breaking into an impromptu moonwalk, his movements carefree and exaggerated. He waved his arms as if directing nonexistent park visitors, completely oblivious to the tension surrounding them.

"What the heck are you doing? Stop it and act normal!" Red Beetle hissed, his voice laced with panic as he peered around the tree, half-expecting a flock of pigeons to swoop down and carry them away.

"What do you mean? I am acting normal," Chat replied, his tone playful as he continued his little performance, oblivious to the growing frustration of his partner. "Just blending in with the—"

A nearby pigeon observed the spectacle and fluttered away, its tiny heart racing as it took flight. The bird had seen enough to become a messenger, flying straight to Mr. Pigeon to report the strange antics of the so-called park ranger.

(RB&CN)

With a proud tone, Mr. Pigeon addressed his feathered friend, "Red Beetle and Chat Noir? You've truly outdone yourselves, buddy-boy. Pigeons will always reign supreme! All hail the power of the pigeons!" With that proclamation, Mr. Pigeon leaped off the ledge, and his loyal flock swooped beneath him, forming a sturdy platform to carry him gracefully into the sky.

(RB&CN)

Chat Noir was still dancing on the rooftop, a habit born from boredom, while Red Beetle whistled quietly, waiting for their Akuma adversary to make an appearance.

"Where is he? He should've been here by now," Beetle muttered, scanning the skies. Just then, a swarm of pigeons swooped in, causing Chat to sneeze uncontrollably. In a shocking turn of events, the pigeons formed a massive ball and, with a surprising burst of speed, whisked Chat away before Beetle could react.

"What the—?" Startled by the sudden abduction, Beetle launched himself after them with a powerful leap, swinging through the air in pursuit. The pigeons carried Chat to the roof of the Le Grand Paris hotel, where they dropped him unceremoniously.

"Ugh, not again!" Chat sneezed again as he landed awkwardly. The pigeons circled him, and Beetle landed on the railing with a determined look.

"Where's that bird-brain Mr. Pigeon?" he called out.

"Somewhere..." Chat replied, rubbing his eyes. Just then, Mr. Pigeon emerged, lifted by a cloud of feathers that formed a platform beneath him.

"Ah, my little friends," he said, his voice dripping with malice. "If you want to give Paris back to the pigeons, first you must rid the city of these two pests." With a commanding coo, Mr. Pigeon signaled his flock, and they surrounded Beetle and Chat, forming an impenetrable barrier.

"Call me crazy, but I feel like birdseed all of a sudden," Beetle murmured, eyeing the feathered foes that were closing in.

"Got any bright ideas, bug?" Chat asked, his frustration mounting.

"You're the cat! Don't you eat these things for breakfast?" Beetle shot back incredulously, glancing at the gigantic cage that had descended around them. "How the hell can they do this? Are they affected by the Akuma too?" He noted the strange behavior but decided to shelve that thought for now.

"Turpy day! I'm so ruthless!" the Akuma cooed with delight. "Excellent! Now, hand over your Miraculous!"

"Your Miraculous! Give them to me or face the wrath of my feathered friends!" Mr. Pigeon demanded, sounding his bird call. The pigeons began to bang on the cage, some even turning around to display their...less savory side. "On the count of three, my beloved pigeons will commence fire! You can still save yourselves by surrendering your Miraculous. One, two..."

"Chat, the bars!" Beetle pointed urgently at the iron bars holding them captive.

"Cataclysm!" Chat roared, unleashing his power with a deafening crack. The bars disintegrated in a shower of sparks, causing Mr. Pigeon to stumble back in shock.

"Looks like the pigeon's really a chicken," Beetle taunted as they advanced toward their foe.

"Me? I'm not flying away! I'm just killing two birds with one stone!" Mr. Pigeon squawked defiantly, leaping off the edge of the roof. His flock caught him mid-air, carrying him away from the confrontation.

"Merry Christmas!" he called, his voice fading as a group of pigeons dove toward Beetle and Chat. The duo dashed inside, slamming the door just in time to block the onslaught. They heard the thudding of wings against the door as the pigeons tried to get in.

"I'm not done with you yet!" Mr. Pigeon's laughter echoed outside as his flock flew off, leaving Beetle and Chat in a momentary reprieve.

Breathing heavily, they sprinted down the stairs, the alarm from Chat's ring blaring loudly in the silence. Abruptly, Chat stopped on one of the floors, glancing at his ring with growing panic. "I've gotta get out of here before my identity's revealed!"

Beetle raised an eyebrow, his amusement evident. ‘Curious, usually he wants to share his identity,’ he mused. "Yeah, you wouldn't want to let the cat out of the bag, would you?" he called out, jogging down the stairs.

"Ha ha, very funny," Chat deadpanned, following closely behind.

When they reached the first floor, they found a large crowd gathered at the entrance. The Mayor stood at the forefront, his face clouded with worry. "Red Beetle, Chat Noir! I'm in danger of losing money if my guests leave Paris! You're going to get rid of those pigeons, aren't you?"

Chat felt his nerves fraying at the edges. "Of course we are, but before we do I have an urgent need."

The urgency hung thick in the air, a palpable tension that made the Mayor's palms sweat as he shifted uncomfortably on his feet. "An urgent need? I see, head to the royal suite," Came the clipped response, the voice laced with disdain. "There's paper in there, but perhaps you would prefer...a litter tray?"

Just as Chat opened his mouth to protest, he caught sight of Red Beetle, who merely shrugged, his expression a blend of bemusement and indifference, as if this were all part of a bizarre, twisted game. "Uh...? Oh right, no need for litter. But, um, could I have some Camembert?" The request slipped out, awkward and out of place, but the hunger for something rich and creamy felt more pressing than the absurdity of the moment. The Mayor's eyes darted around the room, expecting a snicker or a frown, yet the blood-red walls seemed to absorb his confusion.

(RB&CN)

In the opulent confines of a royal suite, Chat Noir found himself being led by Butler Jean, the epitome of professionalism. "'Scuse me, sorry," Chat muttered, slamming the door in the butler's face with a sense of urgency. "Emergency!" he exclaimed to himself, letting out a frustrated sigh before his ears perked up at a familiar knock.

He swung the door open again.

"How do you like your Camembert?" the butler inquired, his tone unwavering despite the abrupt dismissal moments before. "Runny!" Chat snapped before slamming the door once more.

Another knock followed, and he opened the door yet again. This time, the butler stood patiently, a pristine silver plate in hand. With a flourish, he presented the delicacy. "Unpasteurized Camembert, matured for two years," he announced, his pride evident.

"Thanks!" Chat said, his eyes gleaming with delight. But just as quickly as he received the cheese, he slammed the door again. In that instant, his transformation flickered away, and he reverted to Adrien, the weight of his responsibilities settling back onto his shoulders.

Plagg spiraled out of the ring, landing dramatically on the lavish bed with a theatrical groan. "Oh, the exhaustion! My poor aching body—I can't move a muscle!"

Adrien raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk tugging at his lips as he approached Plagg, lifting the cloth from the plate to reveal the creamy Camembert.

Plagg's eyes widened, gleaming with hunger. "Ah, my gooeyness!" he exclaimed, practically diving into the cheese with unrestrained enthusiasm.

"Eat up, buddy," Adrien urged, a sense of urgency creeping into his voice. "Red Beetle needs our help."

As Plagg devoured the cheese, Adrien's mind raced with thoughts of his friend in peril, the camaraderie of heroes igniting a fire within him. They needed to be ready.

(RB&CN)

Stepping out of the elevator at the Le Grand Paris Hotel, Red Beetle took a moment to survey the dining hall, its expansive glass windows offering a breathtaking view of the city below.

"Good, I can get a much better perspective from up here," the hero mused, edging closer to the window. As he peered out, he noticed a flock of pigeons flying in a coordinated direction. "Odd. Better follow them," he decided, intrigued by the unusual sight.

Just then, a faint ding echoed through the hall, pulling his attention back. He turned to see Chat Noir stepping out of the elevator, a playful grin lighting up his face as he held the door open.

"Ready when you are, RB," The black cat called, his enthusiasm infectious.

"Let's go," Red Beetle responded.

(RB&CN)

At the Grand Palais, Red Beetle and Chat Noir trailed a flurry of pigeons that fluttered towards a shadowy building. Peering through a grimy window, they spotted a horrifying sight: a large cage filled with park keepers, their faces twisted in fear, abducted at the hands of Mr. Pigeon. Chat grimaced, a sneeze brewing, but Beetle quickly covered his nose. "My pigeon radar is on high alert," he whispered, scanning the scene.

"It looks like Mr. Pigeon has left the park keepers unattended," Beetle noted, eyeing the cage.

"Let's set the cat among the pigeons," Chat suggested with a grin, but Beetle shook his head, his instincts kicking in.

"Wait a minute, it's too easy," he replied. "I have a plan."

Just then, a pigeon flitted into the building, landing softly on hidden Akuma's outstretched hand. "Perfect timing, hootie ho! We're ready to greet them, aren't we? They're going to fall right into my trap. It won't be long before you get your Miraculous, friend." The Akuma eyes gleamed with a manic excitement as he gently petted the pigeon, a faint moth sigil appearing over his face.

"I can't wait, my dear Pigeon," Papillon murmured, a hint of madness in his tone.

On the roof, Red Beetle and Chat crouched low, peering over the ledge. "If we can destroy that bird call, we'll be able to capture the akuma," Red said, pointing to the window. "Okay, you open the window. I'll grab him and yank him up onto the roof, then you snag his bird call from him."

"Let's go, early bird gets the worm!" Chat declared, pushing open the skylight. But a gust of feathers caught him off guard, triggering a loud sneeze that startled his partner. In a flurry, he threw his yo-yo—only to miss.

Both the users had wide eye, with a dry tone, Red muttered, "So much for the element of surprise." They leaped inside, landing in front of the Akuma just as he deftly evaded their grasp, leaping backward and letting the swarm of pigeons catch him like a feathered shield.

Rolling their eyes, the duo pursued, running after him. They stopped a few feet away as Mr. Pigeon began to sound his bird call, summoning a swirling mass of birds that hovered ominously at his sides, they formed as a boxing glove on each hand.

"Deedly-dee dee, come closer, I have a bone to peck with you," He taunted, his eyes wild with excitement.

"I'd be honored," Chat shot back, rushing toward him just as Mr. Pigeon unleashed a punch. Red Beetle leapt to the sides while Chat was caught mid-sneeze, Chat collided with the metal bars, crumpling to the ground in a daze

"Get us out of here, Red Beetle!" the trapped park keepers shouted, their voices filled with urgency. Beetle was distracted by the rangers and was punched I. The face, throwing him back onto the cage just like his partner was.

Me. Pigeon chuckled gleefully and slowly walked towards them. "Lucky Charm!" Red called, summoning his power. A coin appeared in his hand, but confusion washed over him. "What the hell am I supposed to do with a coin?" He furrowed his brows, scanning the room before spotting a beam overhead and a vending machine across the way. A sly smirk crept onto his face.

"You can't buy yourself out of here!" Mr. Pigeon sneered, launching a sphere of pigeons at them.

Red Beetle sprinted toward him, sliding beneath the villain and deftly tying his yo-yo around Mr. Pigeon's left ankle. With a powerful leap, he soared up to the beam and swung down, creating a makeshift pulley. He dashed to the vending machine, inserting the coin and retrieving a bag of popcorn.

"Chat!" He yelled, tossing the bag into the air.

"Understood!" Chat replied, throwing his staff at the airborne bag, which burst open, sending popcorn raining down.

"Snack time, pigeons!" Red Beetle laughed as the birds descended upon the scattered kernels, distracted.

"No!" Mr. Pigeon cried, his eyes widening in horror as Red yanked him upward by the ankle, the bird call tumbling from his grasp and hitting the floor.

"My bird call! No!"

"Chat, grab it!" Beetle shouted, but in his haste, Chat sneezed again, sending the bird call flying upwards.

Red raced after it, dropping Mr. Pigeon, who also lunged for the fallen item. As Chat Noir recovered, he dove toward the call as well. All three scrambled for it, their hands colliding in a chaotic scramble.

With all of their hands on it, Red Beetle used Chat's hand to crush the bird call, shattering it in an explosion of magical energy.

"Yes!"

Chat Noir winced as he gingerly examined his injured hand, his fingers throbbing where he had collided with the remnants of the bird call. The pain was sharp, but it was nothing compared to the relief washing over him as he witnessed the akuma fluttering out of the shattered device, its dark energy dissipating into the air.

"No more corrupting for you, akuma. Time to de-evilize!" Red Beetle declared triumphantly as he captured the akuma in a small, glowing orb. "Gotcha! Bye, little butterfly—Miraculous Ladybug!"

He tossed the coin high into the air, and it exploded in a brilliant flash of energy that cascaded down around them like confetti. The remnants of the bird call began to glow, healing before their eyes, while the chaotic sounds of the park transformed back into the peaceful chirps of normal pigeons.

As the final remnants of darkness faded, the figure of Mr. Pigeon shimmered and transformed back into Xavier Ramier, the park keeper. He shook his head, confusion etched across his features. "Huh? What happened? Where am I?"

"Pound it!"

(RB&CN)

The air crackled with tension as Papillon emerged from the shadows, his presence darkening the joyous aftermath of the battle. His eyes gleamed with malice as he fixed his gaze on Red Beetle and Chat Noir, the remnants of his latest defeat still lingering in the air.

"Wretched pigeons, wretched Beetle. I'll destroy every one of you!" Papillon growled, clenching his fist, the rage boiling beneath the surface.

(MDC)

Marcel jumped onto his chair and slid down to his desk, adrenaline pumping through his veins. “There’s no time to lose! I have less than an hour!” he exclaimed, glancing at the countdown timer on his phone, which read sixty-two minutes and ticking down.

With fortitude etched on his face, he grabbed his materials and got to work. His fingers flew over the fabric and tools, each movement precise and practiced. The chaos of the classroom faded into the background as he focused on his task, the world around him a mere blur.

(MDC)

At Collège Françoise Dupont, the atmosphere buzzed with excitement as students prepared to showcase their hat designs. Alya was anxiously scanning the crowd, looking for Marcel. “Where is that boy?” she muttered to herself, tapping her foot impatiently.

Just then, a woman with a red streak in her hair approached Monsieur Damocles, the principal. “Hello, Monsieur Damocles. I am Nathalie, Mr. Agreste's executive assistant.”

“Hello, miss. Pardon me, but where is Monsieur. Agreste?” Damocles stuttered, his confidence wavering under Nathalie’s cold gaze.

With a slight smirk, Nathalie held up a tablet displaying a message from Adrien’s father. “I’m here.”

“Oh, uh, hello, Mr. Agreste! Welcome to our school,” Principal. Damocles managed to gather his composure.

“Adrien, take Nathalie around,” his father ordered curtly.

Chloé perked up, spotting Adrien. “Ah, there’s Gabriel! He’s coming this way.” Monsieur Damocles, Nathalie, and Adrien approached the display where Juleka and Rose were showcasing their hats.

“As you’ll see, Monsieur. Agreste, our students have poured their hearts and souls into their projects,” Principal. Damocles announced proudly. Just then, Marcel rushed in, carrying a box and nearly tripping over his own feet as he made his way to Alya.

“Where have you been?! Did you get your jacket?” Alya questioned, her voice a mixture of relief and impatience.

“Yep, here—” Marcel replied, lifting the lid of the box. Alya’s eyes widened in awe, but then her expression darkened.

“What’s wrong?” Marcel asked, sensing her shift in mood.

“But—it's the same as Chloé’s,” Alya pointed out, her eyes narrowing at the display.

“What?!” Marcel whispered-shouted, spinning around to see Chloé and Sabrina’s jacket on display.

The judges approached Chloé’s hat, and she confidently introduced herself. “Uh, hi Mr. Agreste. I’m Chloé Bourgeois. You know my father, André Bourgeois, the mayor?”

Marcel felt a swell of frustration. “That thieving little…” he muttered under his breath.

“Do you want me to take care of it?” Alya offered, ready to confront Chloé and defend Marcel’s work.

“I can handle it,” Marcel assured her, a small smirk gracing his face. Together, they watched as the judges approached his leather jacket.

Monsieur. Agreste examined the jacket closely, raising an eyebrow. “Hm, turn the tablet back to Ms. Bourgeois’ hat,” he instructed Nathalie, who complied without question. He looked back at Chloé. “Is this a joke?”

“Unfair! Marcel completely ripped off my design. How scandalous. How could you sink so low?” Chloé scoffed, feigning indignation.

“I apologize for the situation, Monsieur Agreste, but I can prove that this leather jacket is MY original design,” Marcel declared confidently.

Monsieur. Agreste hummed thoughtfully. “Go ahead.”

“Seriously? Every single detail on this jacket was meticulously crafted by hand—from the intricate embroidery to the carefully woven band and even the stitching on the brim.” Marcel’s voice was steady, his pride evident as Chloé’s expression shifted to disbelief. “And to top it off, there’s a hidden design element that only I, the true designer, know about—my signature.” With a flourish, he turned the jacket inside out, revealing his name proudly displayed.

Chloé, taken aback, unconsciously stepped backward and knocked over her stand. The crash drew the attention of everyone in the room, and when they looked down, they saw Marcel’s signature prominently displayed.

Embarrassed and red-faced, Chloé bolted from the room, leaving a stunned silence in her wake.

“Very exquisite creation, you definitely have the laboring hands of a hat maker, Mister…” Monsieur Agreste began.

“Marcel,” Adrien chimed in, stepping forward and placing a reassuring hand on Marcel’s shoulder.

“Congratulations on your demonstration, Mister Marcel. You’re the winner.”

Marcel bowed, overwhelmed with gratitude. “Thank you, sir.”

“Adrien will wear your leather jacket in our next advertising campaign,” Monsieur Agreste added, a hint of approval in his tone.

“Awesome job, Marcel!” Adrien exclaimed, pulling the leather jacket over his shoulders. But as he did, he suddenly sneezed, “A-achoo!” He wiped his nose with his hand, looking slightly sheepish. “Uh—sorry, I’m allergic to feathers.”

Marcel couldn't help but grimace as he watched Adrien wipe his hand on his nose. The moment felt comically awkward, and he raised an eyebrow, trying to mask his reaction. “Bless you,” he said with a half-smirk, trying to lighten the mood despite his distaste.

Adrien sneezed again, this time waving a hand dismissively. “Thanks,” he replied, a bit embarrassed. The awkwardness hung in the air for a moment, but it was quickly broken by the laughter of their classmates, who had witnessed the exchange.

Chapter Text

Madam Bustier's class was having a work experience day, and Kim was excitedly putting on his bellboy hat.

"Thanks to the generosity of Mr. Bourgeois, we're able to have our work experience field trip today at the Grand Paris luxury hotel! Each of you will get hands-on experience with one of the many jobs here," Mme. Bustier announced with a smile. However, her expression quickly shifted as she noticed Alix and Ivan engaged in a playful pillow fight at the back of the room.

Sighing, she added, "And remember, you'll be graded on your effort, which will affect whether you pass or fail the class."

Sabrina and the hotel worker giggled as Alix and Ivan abruptly stopped, exchanging sheepish glances.

(MDC)

Down in the main hall, Mme. Bustier noticed that Alya and Marcel weren't working, "Do you have Marcel and Alya on your list, Monsieur. Bourgeois?"

"It doesn't look like it." Monsieur. Bourgeois responded, after he skimmed through the pages.

Leaning close to Marcel, Alya whispered, "I bet I know who helped Daddy make the assignment."

"What a surprise." He sarcastically whispered back.

"It must be an oversight." The Mayor stated.

Chloé perked up, "Daddy!" Chloé sang as she gave him an assignment.

"Thank you, sweetie. Oh yes! Alya, you're going to be sorting trash at the main dumpster. "

Alya gasped, not believing what she heard.

"And, Marcel will be..." He was interrupted when the Hotel door swung opened and coming in was Jagged Stone, Fang, his companion, and Penny Rolling, his secretary.

"Wow!" Chloé gasped, her attention immediately diverted by the famous celebrity.

Marcel looked behind after hearing Chloé gasp, and his eyes widened, "Isn't that..."

"Excuse me, but this is a luxury hotel, not a..." The Mayor interrupted by Fang growling at him, causing him to step back a bit in fright. Chloé speed walked to her father, "Daddy!" Chloé called before whispering to him, "That's Jagged Stone, the rockstar. He's sold millions of albums, he's very famous and is very, very rich."

The Mayor perked at hearing rich and famous, "Monsieur. Stone, welcome to the Grand Paris Hotel! I am Mayor Bourgeois, the owner of this luxury establishment, in fact, the most luxurious in all of Paris. How might we serve you?"

"How'd you think? I didn't just come here to admire your lobby." Jagged said with a sarcastic tone.

"Jagged would like to check into your most luxurious suite." Penny announced, looking up from her tablet.

"And Fang better get a real bathtub, not a tiny water hole like the one in that hotel across the street." Jagged requested.

"We have everything you need, Ms. Fang. Even a state-of-the-art entertainment center!" The Mayor said as Penny chuckled.

"Fang's me crocodile." Jagged revealed pointing at Fang.

Chloé couldn't help but interject, her voice brimming with excitement. "Did you hear that, Daddy? Jagged Stone, the rockstar, is staying at our hotel! This is going to be the most talked-about event in all of Paris!"

The Mayor's face lit up at the thought of the hotel's newfound fame and the potential business it would bring. "Indeed, Chloé! Having someone as famous and wealthy as Mr. Stone choose our hotel is a great honor. We will do everything in our power to ensure a memorable and luxurious stay for him."

Jagged Stone smirked, clearly amused by the Mayor's enthusiasm. "I expect nothing short of the best, Mayor Bourgeois. After all, I didn't come here just to admire your lobby. I came for the ultimate luxury experience."

The Mayor nodded eagerly, eager to please. "Of course, Monsieur. Stone. We have the most luxurious suite available, complete with all the amenities befitting a rockstar of your stature. And rest assured, Fang will have a bathtub befitting his needs, without any tiny water holes."

Penny Rolling, Jagged's secretary, couldn't help but chuckle at the exchange. "Fang will appreciate the thoughtfulness, Mayor Bourgeois. And we wouldn't want his scales to dry out, would we?"

Jagged Stone nodded in agreement, pointing at Fang proudly. "That's right, Fang is me crocodile, and he deserves the best. No bubble baths for him, though. Crocodiles don't appreciate that."

The Mayor, slightly flustered, quickly adjusted his approach. "Understood, Mr. Stone. We will make sure to provide the most suitable bathing arrangements for Fang, ensuring his comfort is prioritized."

As the three were talking about his stay here at the hotel, Fang suddenly spotted Vincent Aza entering the hotel. Marcel and Alya noticed as well, and Fang moved towards Vincent, causing the man to yelp in surprise. Once Jagged and Penny saw him, they sighed, their tones aggravated. "Oh, no. Not him again."

Vincent brightened up with a smile, "Remember me, Mr. Stone? Vincent Aza! Just one photo to show everyone in the world that we're best buds! Come on, please! I'm your biggest fan!"

From the word history, Marcel could deduce that the man was clearly a stalker that Monsieur. Stone didn't like. "I know. You've been to my last 36 shows. But we are not friends."

"Jagged! One more photo! Just one!" He shouted, with a fervor that set off alarm bells in Marcel's eyes, he seemed like those stalkers that didn't understand boundaries.

Fang growled, baring his teeth as he stepped protectively in front of Jagged. Penny, clearly fed up with Vincent's antics, stepped forward. "That's enough! You've been asked to leave, Vincent. Don't make me call security again."

Vincent's face fell, his hopeful expression replaced by frustration. "But I just want to show everyone I'm still his biggest fan! Come on, Jagged, just one photo!"

"Yeah, one photo," Jagged echoed, but his tone had shifted. There was an edge of annoyance in his voice that suggested he had reached his limit. "I appreciate the love, man, but boundaries, alright?"

"Boundaries?" Vincent scoffed, shaking his head. "I've been following you for years! You can't just ignore a fan! We're best friends!"

"Not even close," Jagged replied, crossing his arms, his patience wearing thin.

Penny stepped in again, her voice firm." Vincent, this is your last warning. Leave now, or I will have you escorted out."

Vincent ignored her and continued to take pictures of Jagged, who was evidently irritated. Though Penny had intervened and seized the camera. "Didn't you hear Monsieur. Stone? Didn't you get the message?" She sternly asked. Penny quickly called for security to remove Vincent from the hotel, shouting "No photos!" Vincent was then thrown outside by the security guards, where Penny proceeded to hurl his camera. (un)Fortunately, he was able to grab it before it could smash against ground.

"Good reflexes. Now don't let me see you near Jagged again. Or next time, you won't get your camera back." Penny hissed as she turned around and went back in the hotel leaving Vincent to seethe in anger.

(MDC)

Inside Papillon's lair, shadows danced along the walls, flickering like the whispers of lost hopes trapped within the darkness. The windows creaked open, allowing a chilling breeze to weave through the room, carrying with it the scent of decay and despair. He stood there, a figure cloaked in malevolence, his voice resonating with a solemnity that sent shivers down the spine. "I can feel the anger and frustration growing," He intoned, each word dripping with a sinister promise. "I will make a perfect father for my akumas. It won't be long now." As he meticulously corrupted the delicate butterfly, its vibrant colors dulling into shades of despair, Papillon's eyes gleamed with twisted satisfaction. "Fly away, my little akuma, and bring corruption!" He commanded, the very air thickening with dark energy. In that moment, the once-pure creature was reborn into a harbinger of chaos, destined to spread the darkness that Papillon so fervently craved, and the world outside would tremble in the wake of his twisted progeny.

(MDC)

In the dimly lit streets, Vincent Aza trudged along, his heart heavy with disappointment. The camera he cradled against his chest felt like a lifeline, a connection to the world he longed to capture but had momentarily lost. Every click of the shutter echoed his frustration, a stark reminder of the elusive shot that had slipped through his fingers. But as he walked, a sinister presence emerged from the shadows. The akuma, a swirling mass of darkness and despair, phased into his camera, corrupting his very essence with its venomous touch.

"Pixelator," A voice slithered through the air, smooth yet chilling. "I am Papillon. I'm offering you the power to capture your hero's smile forever. But in return, you'll need to do some capturing for me as well."

The words wrapped around Vincent's mind, intoxicating him with promises of greatness and recognition. The thrill of possibility danced in his thoughts, urging him to consider the path laid before him. 

"He just keeps ignoring me," Vincent muttered, fiddling with his camera, a blank look settling on his face. Yet, deep down, a newfound hunger began to stir within him. The idea of freezing Jagged's smile in time filled him with a fervent longing. Without Penny by Jagged's side, the opportunity to keep that radiant expression forever felt tantalizingly close.

The gooey tendrils of corruption coiled around him, reshaping his very essence. In that pivotal moment, Vincent transformed, shedding his old self to embrace the dark mantle of Pixelator. 

(MDC)

Back at Le Grand Paris, the atmosphere buzzed with excitement and anticipation as Jagged Stone and his loyal sidekick Fang stepped into the elevator, their presence commanding attention. Just as Monsieur Bourgeois was about to extend a warm greeting, he was interrupted by the keen voice of Mme. Bustier, who approached with an air of urgency. "Monsieur Bourgeois, you haven't told Marcel what job he'll be doing," She reminded him, her eyes sharp with concern.

Monsieur Bourgeois adjusted his spectacles and quickly rifled through a list. "Ah, yes. Of course, Marcel. Gopher. I've got a job for you already, Marcel." He offered a nod of approval, his tone wavering between authority and expectation.

Alya, standing nearby with a curious expression, raised an eyebrow and inquired, "Gopher? What's that?"

Marcel, ever the nonchalant teen, explained with a blank face, "It means running errands."

"Exactly," the Mayor affirmed, his voice booming with confidence. "Since you understand the task, you will immediately go to Mr. Stone and do whatever he requires." With that, Marcel felt apprehension wash over him. The weight of responsibility rested on his shoulders, knowing that his actions could influence the outcome of this meeting with the enigmatic rock star. He took a deep breath, ready to embrace whatever challenges awaited him, determined to make a mark in the bustling world of Le Grand Paris.

(MDC)

Inside the lavish suite, adorned with vibrant colors and shimmering decor, Jagged Stone lounged casually, playful moments shared with his loyal pet, Fang. The air was filled with an easy camaraderie, laughter echoing off the walls as Fang nibbled on a toy. Suddenly, the atmosphere shifted as Penny, Jagged's ever-efficient personal assistant, stepped forward with a note pad in hand. "Monsieur Stone will need a new pair of shades for tonight's gig," she stated, her voice crisp and authoritative. "We're looking for something with a red, white, and blue motif, and two large Eiffel Towers on them. Could you arrange for that?"

Monsieur Bourgeois, ever eager to please, beamed at the request. "Absolutely! Marcel here is our go-to guy. He'll make sure it's taken care of." He placed a reassuring hand on Marcel's shoulder, his confidence radiating in a way that both comforted and pressured the young man.

Marcel sighed softly, "On it," He replied, steeling himself for the task ahead. As he stepped away from the group, the bustling city outside awaited, and he was ready to dive into the whirlwind of errands to deliver exactly what Jagged Stone needed to shine on stage that night.

(MDC)

At a bustling stand near the iconic silhouette of the Eiffel Tower, Marcel fished out some coins and paid for a pair of shades that sparkled under the afternoon sun. The eyewear was adorned with two miniature Eiffel Towers, a whimsical touch that made him chuckle. "These should do the trick," he said, a blend of humor and seriousness lacing his voice as he held up the shades for Tikki to see.

"You know these aren't even close to what Monsieur Stone wants," Tikki pointed out, her voice tinged with playful admonishment as she fluttered beside him, her tiny wings glinting in the light.

"I know," Marcel replied, a hint of sheepishness in his tone as he shrugged his shoulders. "But what else has red and white on it, and two little Eiffel Towers?" He glanced around, searching for inspiration in the vibrant market stalls surrounding them.

"Just saying, it's better in the long run to do it right the first time," Tikki said with a knowing smile, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

Just then, as they continued their discussion, a woman and her daughter strolled by, their eyes drawn to the playful exchange. The little girl giggled, pointing at Tikki, who, in a moment of whimsy, decided to play along. "Meow," Tikki mewed, pretending to be a cat, her cheeks puffing out as she feigned feline charm. The mother chuckled, bemused by the sight.

(MDC)

Jagged Stone's eyes narrowed as he spotted the shades Marcel had brought. His expression shifted from curiosity to irritation as he realized they weren't what he had envisioned. "Where are the Eiffel Towers?" he demanded, his voice sharp.

"Here," Marcel replied, pointing to the tiny Eiffel Towers perched on the top of the shades, trying to maintain a hint of optimism.

Jagged squinted at the glasses, his frustration mounting. "This is a joke, right? What are you doing, trying to ruin my career?" The rock star's tone was incredulous, and Marcel could feel the weight of his disappointment.

"Monsieur Stone, the glasses you want don't exist," Marcel tried to explain, though he could tell Jagged wasn't interested in hearing excuses.

"Do I look like I care? Just get me those sunglasses!" Jagged pressed, his impatience palpable.

Feeling the heat of the moment, Marcel retreated from the room, muttering under his breath, "Great." The weight of failure clung to him as he walked away.

"That's what I've been trying to tell you! Just do it right the first time!" Tikki piped up, her voice a mix of encouragement and frustration.

"Right, except where am I gonna find any Eiffel Tower glasses?" He shot back, exasperated.

"Those sunglasses exist somewhere! Get creative! Make some!" Tikki urged, her enthusiasm shining through.

"Of course!" Marcel exclaimed, his spirit reignited as he sprinted toward the elevator, determination fueling his every step. As he rushed past the lobby, Chloé spotted him. "Failed as a gopher already? Not surprised. Don't let the door hit you on the way out!" She mocked, her laughter ringing in his ears. In response, Marcel flipped her off as he darted into the elevator, annoyance coursing through him.

Exiting the elevator, Marcel burst out of the hotel just as Pixelator, the akuma-empowered version of Vincent Aza, entered. The atmosphere was thick with tension as Marcel rushed past, unaware of the chaos about to unfold.

A hotel worker and Kim approached Pixelator. "Excuse me, sir, can we help you?" They asked, but before they could react, Pixelator turned to face them. "Look into the lens..." He commanded, his voice smooth and sinister. As they complied, Pixelator zeroed in on them, digitizing their forms in an instant.

"Photo finish," He declared, a wicked grin spreading across his face as their figures dissolved into pixels.

In the back, Chloé's eyes widened as she spotted Pixelator. "Oh, look what the cat dragged in. Let me handle this, Adrien. Watch and learn," She said, her tone dripping with arrogance as she strutted toward him. "Excuse me..." Chloè snapped her fingers in front of his face, "Excuse me! You can't be a guest at this hotel! My father only allows those that can afford it here. Like me."

"Well then, I am Pixelator. Your number one fan," he replied, his gaze locked onto her.

"Moi? Oh, my, you're flattering me. Keep going," Chloé said, basking in the attention.

"A photo of you, sweet miss..." Pixelator said, raising his camera to capture her likeness.

"Chloé, of course," She introduced herself, a smirk on her face.

Just then, Adrien narrowed his eyes, sensing something amiss. "Look out, Chloé!" He warned, sprinting toward her in a desperate bid to protect her.

"Look into the lens, miss!" Pixelator hissed, his voice almost hypnotic. In a split second, Adrien pushed Chloé out of the way, but both of them were caught in Pixelator's beam and zapped away.

"What the..." Adrien exclaimed as the world around them shifted.

He blinked to find himself in a stark white room, the starkness contrasting sharply with the vibrant hotel. "What just happened?" he asked, bewildered.

"I think we've been like... digitized or something," Chloé replied, glancing around in confusion.

"What do you mean, digitized?" Adrien asked, his heart racing.

"I don't really know, but I don't think it's a good thing," she admitted, her bravado faltering.

"Well, I can fix this. Leave it to me," Chloé reassured, pulling out her phone to call her father. But her confidence deflated quickly when the call went unanswered.

"Daddy?...Daddy??...DADDY?!" she yelled, panic creeping into her voice as they stood in their strange digital prison, the reality of their situation settling in.

(MDC)

In the cozy confines of Marcel's room at the Dupain-Cheng house, a flurry of activity unfolded as he rummaged through drawers and scattered papers in a frantic search. "Where did I put them!" he muttered, frustration bubbling over. Just as he was about to give up, his eyes landed on a dusty old pair of shades sitting on his desk, a surge of excitement coursing through him. "Found them!" he expressed triumphantly.

He held the shades up, examining them closely. "But they're pink," Tikki pointed out, her tone laced with both concern and curiosity as she hovered nearby.

"Yeah, but they won't be when I'm done with them," Marcel replied with a mischievous grin. "This is either gonna be the most amazing pair or the ugliest pair of shades in shades history. Mme. Bustier is grading me on effort, right?" He winked at Tikki, his confidence restored as he set to work.

"Don't worry, I'm sure Jagged Stone will love them!" Tikki assured, trying to quell her own doubts as Marcel deftly removed the lenses from the shades, his mind racing with ideas.

"Or hate them," he countered playfully. He grabbed a can of spray paint and various decorative elements from his supplies, envisioning a design that would meet Jagged's flamboyant style while also being uniquely his own.

As he worked, he envisioned the shades transformed into a bold statement piece, splattered with vibrant colors of red, white, and blue, and perhaps even some glitter to catch the light. He mixed and matched materials, his creativity flowing freely as he immersed himself in the project.

"Just think," Tikki encouraged, "this could be the piece that impresses him and turns everything around!"

With each stroke and embellishment, Marcel felt a mix of excitement and trepidation. He had a lot riding. "Okay, let's make some magic happen." He mumbled, resolution flooding his voice as he continued to work on the transformation, the clock ticking down to the big night.

(MDC)

As Adrien and Chloé floated in the endless expanse of the blank space, the surreal nature of their predicament began to weigh heavily on them. Chloé's frustration bubbled over as she paced in circles, her arms crossed tightly. "Ugh! I still can't get through to Daddy! How can there be no cell reception here? Ridiculous!" Her voice echoed in the void, and the silence that followed only amplified her annoyance.

"It just goes on forever. No doors, no walls, no nothing..." Adrien replied, glancing around in vain for any sign of an exit. His own unease was palpable, but he tried to maintain a sense of optimism.

"You mean we're stuck here? Just...just the two of us?" Chloé's voice rose slightly, her irritation creeping into her words. The reality of their situation began to sink in, and she could feel the weight of confinement pressing down on her.

"Uh, no. There's gotta be a way out somewhere," Adrien reassured her, though he wasn't entirely convinced himself. He felt Chloé slump against him, her frustration palpable. "I hope," he added, a hint of uncertainty coloring his tone.

Chloé groaned dramatically, her shoulders slumping further. But instead of letting the mood linger, Adrien couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity of it all. Here they were, trapped in a digital limbo, and yet, somehow, a part of him found humor in the situation. "I mean, at least we can't get any worse than this, right?" he said with a light-hearted grin.

Chloé shot him an incredulous look, her annoyance momentarily forgotten. "You're not seriously trying to make the best of this, are you?" she asked, a reluctant smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.

"Why not? We could be in a much worse place," he replied, his smile widening. "Besides, it's not every day you get digitized and stuck in a blank space with your number one fan, right?" He added, teasingly.

"Ugh, you're impossible," She muttered exasperated, rolling her eyes

(MDC)

Marcel strode into Le Grand Paris, he made his way directly to the elevator to reach Jagged Stone's floor and present his newly designed sunglasses. The clanking of the elevator doors felt like a countdown to destiny as he pressed the button for the rock star's suite.

Meanwhile, in a dimly lit hallway, Pixelator prowled through the hotel, his digital powers enabling him to slip seamlessly between rooms. He suddenly paused as he glanced inside one of the random rooms, his mechanical eyes locking onto the figure of Alec Cataldi sitting on the couch, engrossed in his phone.

"Jagged Stone?" Pixelator called out, his voice smooth yet unsettling.

Alec furrowed his brows, looking up in confusion. "What?" he replied, startled.

Pixelator pushed the door open wider, a sinister smile creeping across his face. "Look into the lens." His voice dripped with an eerie calm as he aimed his camera-like device at Alec.

(MDC)

Marcel stood nervously outside the door, clutching the newly decorated shades in his hands. "I'll give them to Monsieur Stone," he said to Penny, his excitement barely contained.

"Can't you give them to him now?" he asked, tilting his head in confusion at her reluctance.

Penny offered a weak smile, trying to maintain a sense of calm. "He's...resting."

In the bathroom, however, Jagged Stone was anything but restful. He knelt beside the tub, giggling as he gently scrubbed his beloved crocodile, Fang. "Now who likes having his belly scratched? Daddy's little Fang!" The crocodile yipped happily, splashing water everywhere, oblivious to the world outside.

Marcel nodded, trying to be understanding. "Okay... no problem, just trying to do the job right the second time," he said, forcing a smile as he began to step away from the door.

"Got it," Penny replied, her voice softening as she noticed Marcel's resolution.

"Thank you..." Marcel mumbled, his heart still racing with anticipation of Jagged's reaction to the shades. He turned to leave when a sharp knock echoed through the hallway—Pixelator had arrived.

"Hope Monsieur Stone likes them," Marcel said under his breath, hoping the shades would impress the rock star.

"Hard work always pays off," he added, trying to lift his spirits.

Just then, Penny opened the door to see Pixelator standing there, his figure cloaked in mystery. "Who are you?" she asked, her brows knitting together in confusion.

Without hesitation, Pixelator leaned in closer, his mechanical voice dripping with malice, "Look into the lens!" He hissed.

Before Penny could react, he zapped her with a surge of digital energy, her shocked expression frozen in place as the light enveloped her.

Hearing the commotion from down the hall, Marcel's instincts kicked in. He looked up, his heart pounding as he spotted Pixelator's menacing silhouette just beyond the door. Panic surged through him. "What in the world?" he muttered.

Without thinking twice, he bolted for the elevator, pushing him to escape the scene. "Another day, huh," he sighed, shaking his head.The elevator doors slid shut, leaving him with nothing but the sound of his racing heartbeat.

He sighed. "Tikki, spots on!" Marcel commanded, and in an instant, a vibrant pink light flooded the small space of the elevator. The energy crackled around him as his transformation took place. The fabric of his suit materialized seamlessly over his clothes, hugging his form perfectly. His voice shifted, gaining an edge of authority as he felt the familiar rush of power coursing through him.

With a sharp snap, a yo-yo appeared at his waist, its surface gleaming with determination. A sleek black domino mask settled over the upper half of his face, obscuring his identity but enhancing his focus. His eyes transformed into a striking shade of grey, flecked with a subtle hint of silver that sparkled with resolve. The final touch was his blue, medium-length mullet hair, which now seemed to defy gravity, adding to the boldness of his heroic persona.

Leaning against the elevator wall, he took a moment to gather himself, his heart racing with adrenaline as he waited for the doors to open. He could feel the tension in the air, the urgency of the situation pressing down on him. When the elevator dinged, he straightened up, holding his head high, a fierce glare etched onto his face.

(RB)

Inside the dimly lit confines of Jagged Stone's room, Pixelator broke in, his eyes gleaming with mischief. He spotted Jagged sprawled on the couch alongside his crocodile companion, Fang. "Hey there! Time for your photoshoot!" he exclaimed, a sinister grin spreading across his face.

Jagged flinched, scrambling backward in alarm. "How did you get in here? I don't know anything about a photo! Fang, attack!" he shouted, panic gripping him. Instead, Fang merely rolled over, panting playfully, oblivious to the chaos.

"See you later, alligator," Pixelator chuckled, his camera flashing as he zapped Fang inside the lens. The crocodile vanished with a soft pop, leaving Jagged in a state of disbelief.

"What? Fang? Fang!" Jagged shouted, his voice tinged with desperation. He whipped his head around, searching for his alligator before turning his attention back to the intruder. "Who are you?"

"I'm Pixelator, your biggest fan, Mr. Stone. May I call you Jagged?"

"No!" Jagged yelled, his voice rising in indignation. He crawled backward as Pixelator advanced, until he found himself cornered against the wall, the Akuma looming ominously before him.

"I want to immortalize you, Jagged! I'll be your one and only fan! You will belong to me for eternity! Now, look into the lens." Pixelator knelt, aiming his camera at Jagged, ready to zap him. But before he could, a sudden zipping sound filled the air, and Jagged was snatched away from Pixelator's grasp, the Akuma crashing to the floor.

Pixelator scrambled to his feet, fury igniting within him as he glared at his assailant. "So, you're Red Beetle. I've heard nothing but pathetic things about you," he mocked, eyes narrowing as he observed the hero twirling his yo-yo with practiced ease.

"Look into the lens!" Pixelator bellowed, zapping at Jagged again. Red Beetle's eyes widened, and he quickly dodged to the left, pulling Jagged behind the cover of a wall.

The Akuma unleashed blasts of energy toward Red Beetle, who leaped to the ceiling, clinging to it momentarily before being forced to let go. He rolled to the ground, narrowly avoiding another shot, then darted to the left, seizing a vase. He hurled it at Pixelator, who sidestepped the projectile with a smirk.

Amid the chaos, Jagged crawled under a table, heart racing as he watched the fight unfold. Pixelator continued to barrage Red Beetle with energy blasts, each shot echoing ominously in the room. Red Beetle sprinted up a wall, preparing to retaliate with his yo-yo, but the Akuma's aim was true, striking Red Beetle's right arm.

Red Beetle gasped, shock flooding his features. He ducked behind a luggage carrier, pushing against it as Pixelator advanced. In a stroke of luck, the carrier collapsed atop the Akuma, granting Red Beetle a precious moment to assess his injury. He waved his right arm in front of him, only to realize with horror that his left hand passed right through it. Ignoring the unsettling sensation, he grabbed his yo-yo and Jagged, and made a daring leap off the balcony.

"Ugh! Where did they go?" Pixelator growled, frustration mounting.

"If you want Jagged, you must find Red Beetle," Papillon instructed, his voice echoing with authority.

"I don't have time to deal with this Red Beetle!" Pixelator snapped, irritation boiling over.

"Yes, you do. Plenty of time," Papillon countered, swiftly paralyzing Pixelator's legs, freezing him in place.

The Akuma winced in pain, "Okay, okay! Just tell me what to do!"

Papillon released his grip. "I command an excellent photograph of Red Beetle with his miraculous. I want those powers! So listen very carefully..." His voice dripped with dark intent, weaving a web of ambition and menace that promised chaos ahead.

(RB)

Inside Directeur Damocles' office at Collège Françoise Dupont, Jagged Stone paced anxiously, desperate to leave. He had no idea what was happening, but he knew one thing for sure: he had a performance that night. "I can't stay here. I'm performing tonight!"

"Don't worry, you'll get to do your gig," Red Beetle assured him, his tone calm but firm.

"Huh?" Jagged furrowed his brow, confusion written across his face.

"While I deal with this guy, Pixelator, I need you to stay put somewhere no one would think to look for you."

Jagged hesitated. "Hmm. Red Beetle, is this safe? This is a school."

"It is, and trust me—Pixelator would never imagine his idol would actually want a day out at school."

Principal. Damocles hummed thoughtfully, his eyes closed, pondering the situation.

"You heard me," Red Beetle deadpanned, his patience waning.

"This is ridiculous! I don't have time for this. First, I get practically hijacked by a crazed fan, then I get attacked by some super weirdo, and now..."

"Wait. What do you know about this crazed fan?" Red Beetle interrupted, his interest piqued.

Jagged's expression darkened. "He's come to every one of my shows this year. He's sent me stacks of letters, gone through my trash, and followed my mother to her weekly bingo night!"

Red Beetle grimaced, the implications sinking in. "Dude, that's a stalker, and that's seriously creepy."

Jagged shrugged dismissively. "Uh, not really. It's just a bunch of elderly ladies getting together for some fun."

Red Beetle, sensing the urgency of the situation, grabbed his yo-yo and transformed it into a phone to look up Vincent's number. He struggled to type with his arm digitized, finally resorting to using his nose and chin. "Vincent... Aza." He muttered to himself as he searched online. "Got his address."

Without another word, Red Beetle leaped out the window, determination etched on his face.

"Wait! You're just gonna leave me here?" Jagged shouted, bewildered.

"Hm?" Principal. Damocles glanced at him.

Jagged quickly backtracked his words, trying to mask his concern. "I mean, isn't school awesome?" he offered weakly, hoping to lighten the mood as the hero disappeared into the distance.

(RB)

In the endless void where Chloé and Adrien found themselves, the monotony began to wear on them. Chloé, her impatience bubbling over, called out, "Daddy! Daddy!" Her voice echoed into the emptiness, seemingly swallowed whole.

Adrien leaned against a wall, whispering to Plagg, "Plagg, I gotta find some way to transform."

"Come on, what's the rush?" Plagg replied nonchalantly, barely lifting his head from the comfortable spot he had found. Adrien shot him an irritated look. "Fine. If you insist, at least find me some cheese," Plagg muttered, exasperated.

With a quiet groan, Adrien turned and walked toward Chloé, who was still fidgeting with anxiety. "I'm gonna see if there's a way out down there," he said, gesturing to the dark expanse ahead. "Don't go anywhere. It could be dangerous."

"Dangerous?" Chloé echoed, her voice tinged with apprehension.

"Are you scared?" Adrien teased, a playful smirk on his face.

"Scared? Moi? As if! No way!" Chloé shot back defiantly, puffing out her chest.

With a chuckle, Adrien sprinted off, leaving Chloé behind for a moment. But just as he was about to round a corner, he heard a sudden scream. He whipped around to see Chloé leaping toward him, her eyes wide with terror. She landed squarely on his head, her arms wrapping around his forehead for balance.

"What's wrong?" Adrien asked, bewildered, glancing up at her.

"Look!" Chloé pointed frantically, her finger trembling.

Adrien followed her gaze to see Fang, Jagged Stone's pet crocodile, slinking through the shadows. The sight of the large reptile sent a jolt of fear through him. "Fang!" he exclaimed, his heart racing. "What's he doing here?"

Chloé clung tighter to Adrien, her voice barely above a whisper. "He's going to eat us!"

"No, he's not! He's just...lost, I guess," Adrien tried to reassure her, though his own heart was pounding.

(RB)

The bustling atmosphere of the Champs-Élysées was alive with tourists, shoppers, and street performers, each creating a vibrant tapestry of Parisian life. But amidst the cheerful chaos, a dark figure emerged: Pixelator, his eyes glinting with a manic intensity.

"Ah, the Champs-Élysées. Perfect. May the photoshoot begin!" He exclaimed, a twisted grin spreading across his face. With a flick of his wrist, he activated his powers, zapping unsuspecting pedestrians left and right, transforming them into pixelated versions of themselves.

Screams erupted as people became disoriented, their bodies morphing into digital fragments, their cries lost in the digital distortion. The once-bustling avenue turned into a scene of chaos and confusion.

Pixelator laughed maniacally, reveling in the chaos he had created. "Look at them! They're nothing but pixels now!" His attention was suddenly drawn to a young man standing a few feet away, camera in hand, trying to capture the bizarre spectacle.

"Amateur," Pixelator scoffed, his voice dripping with disdain. He zapped the photographer with a burst of energy, turning him into a pixelated version of himself as well, the camera clattering to the ground.

"Now, where is Jagged Stone?" he muttered, scanning the area with narrowed eyes. He needed his idol to complete his twisted masterpiece, and he would stop at nothing to find him.

(RB)

In Vincent Aza's dimly lit room, Red Beetle surveyed the walls plastered with photos of Jagged Stone, his heart sinking. "The creep-o meter just skyrocketed," he muttered under his breath, taking in the obsessive display. But then he froze, his eyes narrowing on a series of pictures that looked all too familiar.

"What?" He squinted, recognizing Chloé and Adrien in one of the snapshots. Chloé was mid-scream, her expression a mix of fear and surprise.

"Red Beetle?" came a voice, snapping him out of his thoughts.

"How'd you two get in there?" he asked, bewildered.

"Red Beetle! Remember me? Your biggest fan?" Chloé pleaded, her voice frantic. She was clinging to Adrien's shoulder, who chuckled softly despite the situation. "Chloé, it's just a crocodile," he mumbled, trying to lighten the mood.

"Over here, Red Beetle!" Théo called from another corner of the room, his face a mask of worry. "Help... Red Beetle!"

"What happened to you?" Red Beetle asked, rushing over to them.

"It's terrible!" Théo exclaimed, his eyes wide with panic. "This man, he...took a photo of us, and we ended up trapped in here!"

"While we were just simply strolling the Champs-Élysées!" Mireille chimed in, her voice trembling.

Red Beetle's expression hardened as he processed their words. Pixelator's obsession was worse than he thought. "Alright, I understand," he said, his tone firm. "Hopefully, Chat Noir's out there and can help us."

He quickly made his way to the window, glancing back at the group. "Stay calm. I'll figure this out. Just hold tight!" With that, he leaped out of the window, the wind rushing past him as he soared into the open air,

(RB)

The chaos on the Champs-Élysées was palpable as Pixelator continued to unleash his powers, zapping unsuspecting pedestrians with wild abandon. Each zap turned them into pixelated versions of themselves, creating a surreal, digital nightmare in the heart of Paris.

Amidst the frenzy, Pixelator's attention was suddenly drawn to a familiar figure cautiously approaching him: Nadja Chamack, the intrepid reporter known for her bold interviews. She stood there, microphone trembling in her hand, a nervous but determined look on her face.

"Excuse me, sir? Sir?" Nadja called out, her voice steady despite the chaos surrounding them. "Care for an interview with the reporter who spreads the villains' voice?"

Pixelator's eyes lit up with a devious glint, his grin widening as he processed her words. "An interview, you say?" he mused, his tone dripping with mockery. "How delightful! I've been waiting for someone to chronicle my masterpiece."

(RB)

Inside Mr. Damocles' office, the atmosphere was thick with tension as they watched the live broadcast of Pixelator's chaotic takeover. Jagged Stone sat on the edge of his seat, his brow furrowed with concern. The screen displayed Pixelator's manic laughter as he declared his intentions.

"I will continue my photoshoot until Jagged Stone turns up here in the flesh!" Pixelator proclaimed, his voice dripping with malice. "Where are you, Jagged? Your biggest fan awaits you! All I want is one photo! Otherwise, soon, the people of Paris will be nothing but memories."

As he finished his speech, he zapped Nadja and the cameraman, their forms pixelating in an instant, leaving Jagged Stone with a sinking feeling in his gut.

"This is terrible!" Mr. Damocles exclaimed, his eyes wide with disbelief as he turned to Jagged. "You can't just go out there! It's far too dangerous!"

Jagged's expression hardened as he stood up, determination coursing through him. "I've got to do what Pixelator says!" he insisted, his voice unwavering.

"Surely, you can't be serious!" Damocles replied, incredulous. "It's dangerous out there! You could get hurt, or worse!"

"Who cares about danger?" Jagged shot back, his passion igniting. "Jagged Stone can turn down a television appearance! Just imagine how rock and roll it would look to show up and face my biggest fan! I have to do this—it's the only way to save those people!"

(RB)

The scene on the Champs-Élysées was chaotic, with police trying to manage the situation as Pixelator continued his rampage. Roger Raincomprix, determined to intervene, stepped forward, but Pixelator quickly zapped him, sending him into the pixelated void of his white room. Roger landed awkwardly on a lamppost, disoriented but unharmed.

"Got an itchy trigger finger, eh?" Red Beetle taunted, his voice ringing with bravado as he watched the chaos unfold.

"I was expecting you, Red Beetle," Pixelator replied menacingly, his eyes narrowing as he began to fire at the agile hero.

Red Beetle expertly dodged the blasts, sprinting and vaulting across the walls, using his agility to outmaneuver Pixelator. He leaped and twirled around a pole, searching for a place to hide, and eventually ducked behind a nearby car. But Pixelator's keen eyes spotted him almost instantly.

"Look into the lens!" the Akuma shouted as he jumped onto the car, preparing to zap Red Beetle.

Just in time, Red Beetle slid under the vehicle, feeling the energy blast whiz overhead. He scrambled to his feet, glancing around for a way to escape. Spotting a lamppost, he tried to grapple it and swing himself up, but Pixelator anticipated his move and zapped the lamppost, causing Red Beetle to tumble to the ground.

As he backed away, a bold idea sparked in his mind. "I have a proposition to make!" he called out hastily, halting Pixelator in his tracks. The Akuma hesitated, lowering his weapon to listen. "If you free those innocent people, I'll organize a photoshoot with Jagged Stone!"

A purple hawk sigil flickered onto Pixelator's face as he considered the offer. "No! Don't listen to him! He's trying to trick you!" shouted a voice from the depths of the chaos.

"Why should I believe you, Red Beetle?" Pixelator challenged, suspicion etched across his features.

"Because you have no choice. I'm the only one who knows where Jagged is," Red Beetle pressed, his tone urgent.

Pixelator's eyes narrowed as he mulled over the suggestion. "How about I free half of them now and the other half after the photoshoot? Deal?"

"It's a deal," Red Beetle replied, relief flooding through him. Pixelator pressed the button on his head, and the device hummed to life. One by one, the pixelated forms of the trapped victims began to return to reality.

(AA)

Including Chloé and Adrien, who found themselves reappearing in a hotel lobby.

"Dudes! You just scared me!" Nino exclaimed, nearly falling out of his seat as he looked up from his math book.

"Fill in for me, will you, Nino!" Adrien called out as he dashed outside, urgency in his voice.

"What do you think I've been doing this whole time?!" Nino shouted back, bewildered by the sudden turn of events.

(AA)

Meanwhile, in another room, Fang appeared, startling Sabrina, who was already on edge. She screamed at the sight of the creature before fainting, hitting the floor with a soft thud.

As Red Beetle watched the people around him start to reappear, he knew they had little time before Pixelator could change his mind. He had to get Jagged Stone involved, and fast. The stakes were higher than ever, and the clock was ticking.

(RB)

On The streets, Adrien hid under a billboard. "If you want my opinion, I think someone's been akumatized." Plagg mentioned, Adrien gave Plagg a look. "But where's the akuma?"

With a flash of vibrant energy, Adrien transformed into Chat Noir, the familiar words "Plagg, claws out!" echoing in the confined space of the elevator. The dazzling neon green light enveloped him, and in an instant, his civilian clothes were replaced by his sleek black suit. Cat ears sprouted atop his head, a tail-like belt cinched around his waist, and a domino mask covered his eyes, completing the transformation. His pupils shifted to slitted, cat-like shapes, glowing with an electric green hue, reflecting his excitement and mischief.

With a mischievous grin, Chat leaped up, his claws digging into the building walls as he effortlessly began to scale the structure. He climbed with the agility of a feline, moving silently as he made his way to the roof. Once he reached the top, he paused for a moment to catch his breath, scanning the area for any signs of Red Beetle, Pixelator, or the innocent people caught in the chaos.

Chat spotted a nearby rooftop and, with a powerful push, leaped across the gap, landing gracefully on all fours. His heart raced as he felt the adrenaline rush through him; he was ready to confront the Akuma and save the day.

As he raced across the rooftop, he could hear the distant sounds of panic and confusion from the streets below. He knew he had to act quickly. He had to find his counterpart and do whatever it took to stop Pixelator.

With each leap and bound, Chat trusted his instincts, his senses heightened.

(RB&CN)

As the tension in the air thickened, Pixelator's impatience grew. "I've kept my part of the deal, Red Beetle! Now bring me Jagged Stone!" His voice dripped with menace, and he scanned the area, his glasses glinting ominously.

Red Beetle, however, had a plan. He quickly glanced behind Pixelator and caught sight of Cat Noir stealthily approaching. "Pixelator, I know your akuma's inside your glasses!" he called out, both to inform Cat Noir and to buy some time.

"Stop wasting time!" Pixelator snapped, his irritation evident. Just as Chat was about to take off the headpiece off the Akuma, a civilian spotted him.

"Chat Noir!" the civilian cheered loudly, drawing Pixelator's attention.

In a flash, the Akuma whirled around and pushed Chat to the ground, grabbing him by the feet and attempting to throw him away like a rag doll. Chat landed roughly beside Red Beetle, who deadpanned, "Thanks for dropping in."

"Not very handy, I see," Chat quipped, noticing the digital hand that Red Beetle arm was.

"What about our deal?" Red Beetle was reminded of tbe Akuma as he glanced back at Pixelator, who was now looking agitated.

"I told you he would betray you. Capture them already! I want their Miraculous!" Papillon's voice echoed in Pixelator's mind, prompting him to start zapping at the heroes. But they were quick on their feet, dodging the energy blasts.

"Together!" Red Beetle shouted, throwing his yo-yo at Pixelator. The Akuma rolled down to evade the attack, but it threw off Red Beetle's aim.

Chat, seizing the moment, crawled up a nearby lamppost and leapt into the air, staff poised to strike Pixelator. But just as he was about to land the blow, Pixelator zapped him, causing him to shout, "Oh! Not again..."

"When the cat's away, the mice will play. Ready to become immortalized?" Pixelator taunted, pointing his lens at Red Beetle.

"Can't wait to live it up," Red Beetle replied coldly, darting across the street while dodging Pixelator's zaps. However, he tripped, his leg digitized in the chaos as the Akuma got a lucky shot, and he fell onto the street.

Rolling to a stop in front of a car, Red Beetle groaned, realizing his foot had been zapped away. Pixelator approached him slowly, a sinister grin on his face. "Look into the lens!" he commanded, preparing to zap him.

But just then, Jagged Stone burst onto the scene. "Hey there, Pixelator! I've heard you wanted my photo!" he called out, his voice booming with confidence.

"It's about time you got here, Stone!" Pixelator hissed, momentarily distracted.

"Get out of here, Monsieur Stone!" Red Beetle shouted, hopping on one leg in an attempt to follow, but he tripped, grumbling in frustration.

Jagged stepped forward, "It's me you wanted all this time, right? Well, here I am. In the flesh." He struck a pose, completely oblivious to the danger around him.

Pixelator pointed his lens at Jagged. "Look into the lens..." he commanded.

Jagged struck several poses, "Wait, wrong side. This isn't my best angle." He continued posing, oblivious to the urgency. "No, no, wait. The lighting's all wrong. Does my nose look shorter this way? Oh, I know, this is better."

"Ugh... Hurry up already!" Pixelator growled, losing patience.

"Lucky Charm." Red Beetle whispered, and a powder compact appeared in his hand. "A powder compact?"

"Alright, I think I'm ready!" Jagged announced, posing dramatically on his knees with a rock-and-roll hand sign, eyes closed.

"No more moving! Look into the lens!" Pixelator shouted, frustration spilling over.

"Don't do it, Monsieur Stone!" Red Beetle warned, but Jagged was too caught up in his moment.

(CN)

"Cataclysm!" Chat roared, his voice powerful as he touched the ground. A crack spread out, freeing him and the civilians that were still trapped in Pixelator's photos.

(CN)

"Come on, open your eyes," Pixelator whispered, focusing on Jagged.

As Red Beetle saw Chat's staff glowing within his vision and he had an idea. "Batter up!" He shouted, throwing the powder compact toward Chat. With perfect timing, Chat swung his staff, sending the compact flying back towards Pixelator.

The compact reflected Pixelator's beam, hitting him instead of Jagged. Causing the Akuma to look around wildly.

(RB&CN)

Inside Papillon's lair, the atmosphere was charged with anger and frustration. The dim sun  flickered ominously, casting shadows on the walls. Papillon's his fists clenched, "Next time, I assure you it won't be a photo finish!" he growled, the intensity of his voice resonating through the room. "I won't stop, Red Beetle! I'll destroy you!" The words dripped with venom, fueled by his failure to capture the young hero and the humiliation of being outsmarted.

(RB&CN)

Back in the streets of Paris, the chaos left by Pixelator began to fade as Red Beetle stepped forward, determination shining in his eyes. "Miraculous Ladybug!" he called out, tossing the Lucky Charm into the air. A brilliant flash of magic enveloped the area, restoring everything to its original state.

With a swift motion, Red Beetle stepped on Pixelator's visor, freeing the akuma trapped inside. "No more corrupting for you, little akuma. Time to purify!" he declared confidently, expertly catching the akuma in his yo-yo. "Gotcha!"

He released the akuma, watching as it transformed into a delicate, normal butterfly. "Bye, butterfly!" he said with a triumphant smile, feeling the weight of the moment lift.

As the magic took effect, Pixelator was reverted back to his true self: Vincent. He blinked, confusion washing over his face. "Huh? What happened? Where am I?" he asked, glancing around in disbelief, trying to piece together what had just occurred.

"Pound it!" Chat exclaimed, extending his fist towards Red Beetle. The two heroes bumped fists with enthusiasm, sharing a moment of relief.

(RB)

Mme. Bustier smiled brightly at Monsieur. Bourgeois, her appreciation evident. "Thank you so much for organizing this unforgettable work experience day, Monsieur. Bourgeois. We are all incredibly grateful," she said, her voice warm and sincere.

Monsieur Bourgeois beamed with pride at the compliment but quickly added, "Oh, and I almost forgot. Jagged Stone is having a concert tonight, so I'm giving tickets to the students who demonstrated the most effort today."

As he handed out the tickets, excitement buzzed through the group. He presented tickets to Marcel, Alya, Adrien, and Nino, each of them beaming with joy. But as he reached for Chloé, he hesitated and then passed her over, leaving her empty-handed.

Chloé's expression shifted from anticipation to anger in an instant. "Ridiculous! Absolutely ridiculous," she muttered, shooting him an icy glare that could freeze fire. She crossed her arms defiantly, clearly displeased by the oversight.

"Come on, Chloé. It's not the end of the world," Alya said none to gently. "There will be other concerts."

"Other concerts?" Chloé scoffed, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Jagged Stone is the biggest rock star in the world! This was my chance to go!" She huffed, her frustration palpable.

Monsieur. Bourgeois, sensing the shift in the mood, adjusted his tie and cleared his throat. "Chloé, perhaps next time you can show a bit more enthusiasm and teamwork. It's not just about effort; it's about how you treat others, too."

Chloé rolled her eyes but said nothing, her anger simmering just beneath the surface as she watched her classmates celebrate. She couldn't help but feel left out, even if she wouldn't admit it out loud.

(MDC)

At Jagged Stone's concert, the energy in the air was electric. Jagged stepped toward the mic with a playful smile, his signature style radiating charisma. "Good evening, Paris!" he greeted, and the crowd erupted into cheers, their excitement echoing through the venue.

Adrien turned to Marcel, his eyes wide with exhilaration. "It's my first live concert, ever! This is incredible!" he exclaimed, barely able to contain his enthusiasm as he soaked in the atmosphere.

Marcel nodded in agreement, his face lit up with a smile. "It's pretty cool," he replied, but his expression shifted momentarily as he thought about the sacrifices made by the heroes. 'Though that just proves your father is an asshole,' he silently added, a hint of frustration creeping into his thoughts.

Jagged then raised his guitar, the crowd falling into an eager hush as he prepared for his next performance. "I'd like to dedicate this song to the guys who saved my life," he announced, his voice ringing clear with sincerity. "This one's for you, Red Beetle and Chat Noir!"

The crowd gasped in surprise, and Adrien's heart raced. He looked at Marcel, eyes wide with disbelief. "Did he just say Red Beetle and Chat Noir?" he whispered, his excitement mixing with a sense of pride.

Jagged began to play, the chords ringing out with an infectious energy. The song was a tribute to the heroes of Paris, the lyrics celebrating bravery, friendship, and the power of standing up for what's right. The crowd sang along, the atmosphere vibrant with unity and joy.

Chapter Text

On the balcony, Marcel was engrossed in one of his beloved Sherlock Holmes novels when a sudden commotion jolted him from his reading. He rose from his seat, curiosity piqued, and glanced toward the gathering crowd below. "What's going on?" he wondered aloud. Then he spotted the statues shrouded in cloth behind a man at the center of the gathering. "Ah, right. The unveiling is happening in just a few minutes," he realized, turning toward the trapdoor leading to his loft.

"Time to transform, Tikki," he instructed, an edge of exasperation in his voice.

Tikki zipped up to him, her tiny wings fluttering with excitement. "You're sure excited for this ceremony," she teased, a playful glint in her eyes.

Marcel raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. "Excited? I wouldn't exactly call it that," he retorted, the hint of snark evident in his tone. "I just want to get it over with. Let's move. Chat might already be there, and I'm not in the mood to drag this out."

Tikki hovered closer, her expression shifting to one of mischief. "Oh, so that's why it's so important to you," she said, a sly smile spreading across her face.

Surprised by her tone and the look in her eyes, Marcel shot her a questioning glance. "Because of Chat? Well, sort of," he admitted, his voice softening. "But it's more than that. I can't let the people of Paris down—and Alya's going to be filming the whole thing. Spots on." He mumbled tiredly, his voice laced with exhaustion. An intense, vibrant pink light flooded the room, and in an instant, his suit materialized effortlessly over his clothes and skin, wrapping him in a second skin of sleek fabric. His voice shifted, taking on a commanding tone that belied his fatigue. A yoyo appeared at his waist, formidable persona, while a sleek black domino mask settled over the upper half of his face, concealing his identity and adding an air of mystery.

As the transformation completed, his eyes shimmered into a striking shade of grey, flecked with hints of silver, perfectly complementing his now blue, medium-length mullet that framed his face with a rebellious flair. With a weary yet determined movement, he adjusted his posture, shaking off the remnants of fatigue. He strode purposefully toward the balcony door, each step infused with a newfound resolve.

(RB&CN)

"Excuse me, Chat Noir, but Red Beetle isn't here," a man said, nervously glancing at the black cat who was playfully waving at the crowd.

Turning toward him with a playful smirk, Chat Noir replied, "Don't worry about it! I'm sure he'll show up any minute now." He shifted his position, kneeling where he sat, and added with a mischievous glint in his eyes, "Besides, I'm the one in charge for now, you know?"

The man anxiously fished a crumpled piece of paper from his pocket. "It's just that I wanted to ask him to autograph this photo," he explained, his voice tinged with excitement. He smoothed the newspaper clipping he had cut out, showcasing the hero in action. "He's amazing, brave, and smart. The way he always saves everyone..."

"Perhaps the ceremony should commence," the mayor interjected, shielding his eyes from the bright sun as he surveyed the crowd. He turned to the two with a reassuring smile. "It might bring him here faster."

The man shook his head, holding out a hand as if to pause the moment. "Please, just one more minute, Mayor Bourgeois. I know he's going to come—I can feel it," he said, a hopeful smile lighting up his face. The anticipation hung in the air, electrifying the atmosphere as they all awaited the arrival of the hero they admired.

(RB&CN)

Red Beetle twirled gracefully through the air before landing on the covered statue's pedestal. Cameras flashed, and the crowd erupted in cheers, their excitement palpable. He waved back, though he felt a twinge of discomfort with all the attention. Looking around, he couldn't shake the feeling of boredom creeping in.

"H-hi, Red Beetle."

He turned to the nervous voice and found a man with a shaky smile. "Oh, you're... Theo, right? The artist? I can't wait to see these sculptures; I'm sure they're amazing."

Theo blushed, his cheeks turning a bright shade of crimson. "Thank you, Red Beetle! I'm so honored that you're here! I just wanted to ask you—" His words were cut off as Red Beetle turned to his partner.

Red Beetle cocked a hip, glancing down at Chat Noir. "Hey, Chat. I didn't see you there."

"Nah, I was just saying hi to a couple of my fans. Besides, why would I ever miss seeing my beautiful face in bronze? No way! I'd never let the people of Paris down like that." Chat winked, his charm effortlessly winning over the crowd.

Red Beetle chuckled, shaking his head. Just then, Mayor Bourgeois stepped up to address the audience, prompting Red Beetle to sit down a little to avoid blocking the view.

"Ladies and gentlemen, it is only proper that we pay homage to those who keep us safe from evil: Red Beetle and Chat Noir!"

With a flourish, the sheet was pulled away, revealing a stunning bronze statue that took Red Beetle's breath away. The statue captured him mid-flight, his metal counterpart looking as though he truly was soaring through the air, even his yo-yo seemingly floating alongside him. Chat's likeness was right there next to him, perfectly sculpted.

"It's pretty cool," Red Beetle said, marveling at the intricate details of the statue.

"Yep. Sure is," Chat agreed, flashing a grin. "Awesome job, man." He and Theo shared a fist bump before Chat leapt toward the crowd. "I have time for a couple of questions!" His gaze landed on Alya. "Hey, I heard you run the best blog in town. Want an exclusive?"

Red Beetle smiled, finding it endearing to watch Alya practically vibrate with excitement as Chat cheerfully answered her questions.

He then turned his attention back to Theo and slowly descended to the ground. "The statue's absolutely alluring, Theo. I can't thank you enough."

"Well, maybe you could if I could get an autograph?" Theo asked shyly, holding out a photo of Red Beetle swinging through the city skyline.

"Of course." Red Beetle carefully took the photo, signed it with a flourish, and handed it back. He contemplated making his exit—after all, there was no rest for the homework-swamped hero—but Theo began speaking quickly, his words tumbling out in a rush.

"Thank you! I'm so happy you liked the statue. I just wanted to tell you, I admire you so much. You're so passionate and brave... I feel like we have a lot in common. I put everything I had into your statue." Theo gazed up at him with wide, smitten eyes and a soft little smile.

Red Beetle felt his eye widened slightly, shifting uncomfortably but maintaining a composed demeanor for the onlookers. "I'm flattered, Theo. Truly. But there can't be anything between us. I have to keep my secret identity safe."

"And you're in love with Chat." It wasn't a question, but rather a bold statement.

Red Beetle shook his head firmly. "I'm not in love with my partner." Theo sighed, doubt flickering in his eyes, but Red Beetle pressed on. "I'm very fond of Chat, but we're strictly professional."

"Even though he's flirting with other girls?" Theo asked, a hint of challenge in his tone.

Red Beetle raised an eyebrow and turned his head to see what Théo was talking about. Chat and Alya were still in the middle of their interview, even as the crowd began to thin out. Alya had that classic "gotcha" expression on her face, and Chat responded with a playful, over-the-top bow. That didn't seem like flirting to him; it was just Chat being Chat, using humor to redirect the press.

"Listen," Red Beetle said, placing a hand on Théo's shoulder, "that isn't my problem. Chat is my partner and vitally important to keeping Paris safe. He's kind and selfless, and he deserves the sculpture you made just as much as I do. I'm sorry, Théo. You seem sweet and are really talented, but it's just not possible. I hope you understand."

Théo nodded slowly, his gaze dropping to the ground as he turned away, leaving without meeting Red Beetle's eyes. Red Beetle felt sort of bad for hurting his feelings, but what could he do? Plus, he couldn't shake the feeling that Théo was a bit too old for him, making the whole situation feel a little strange, especially since their miraculous powers hid their true ages.

"Whoa, he doesn't look happy," Chat said, suddenly appearing right next to Red Beetle, startling him. "What were you two talking about?"

"I think he likes me. You know, likes me likes me. And I had to turn him down. I feel sort of bad," Red Beetle admitted, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly.

Chat wrapped an arm around his shoulder, pulling Red Beetle down to his height. "Hey, don't worry about it. It's a celebrity crush; he'll get over it. I've seen it a thousand times. Besides, between you and me, he's a little too old for you."

A wave of comfort washed over Red Beetle. "Oh yeah? How do you know how old I am?"

Chat put his other hand on his hip, a teasing smile playing on his lips. "Well, I have a feeling you and I are about the same age, Beetle, and he's definitely too old for me."

Red Beetle laughed, feeling the tension from earlier dissipate. He slipped out from Chat's arm, feeling lighter. "Thank you, Chat. My friend's probably looking for me, so I should go."

"Until next time," Chat said with his signature bow, his playful demeanor brightening the mood even further.

With a flick of his wrist, Chat took out his staff and pole-vaulted over the rooftops, disappearing from sight in a flash of black. Red Beetle watched him go, a small grin lingering on his face before he took off in the opposite direction.

(CN?)

Chat Noir strolled through the Louvre, a lollipop stick hanging casually from his mouth as he ambled down the majestic hallway filled with priceless works of art. Civilians surrounded him, their eyes wide with awe and excitement. Phones emerged from pockets and bags, capturing the moment as they filmed the charming hero.

He approached the famous Mona Lisa, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "Don't mind me, just stealing this painting," he announced playfully, lifting his hands to grasp the frame. "Go about your business!"

The crowd erupted in a mixture of gasps and laughter, enjoying the theatrics. But before he could make his grand exit, a guard stepped forward, eyes narrowed. "Hey!" he shouted, rushing over as the alarm blared to life, its shrill tone echoing through the gallery.

Chat frowned, his playful demeanor shifting as the guard placed a hand on his shoulder. In one swift motion, he grabbed the guard's wrist, performing a fluid twist that sent the man sprawling backward. The guard slid across the polished floor, his expression a mix of shock and disbelief.

The civilians gasped collectively, some shrinking back in fear, while others pulled their phones tighter, eager to catch every moment of the unfolding chaos. "I gotta get this on camera!" One voice called out.

(AA)

The Agreste heir leaned back in his plush seat, staring out the tinted window of his car, boredom weighing heavily on him. The city of Paris zipped by in a blur, but nothing could hold his attention—until the screen in front of him flickered to life, catching his interest.

"And in some astonishing news, there's been a spectacular theft at the Louvre," the news anchor announced, her voice crisp and urgent. Adrien turned to the screen, leaning forward as the volume went up. "The amateur video shows, without a shadow of a doubt, that the thief is none other than the famous hero, Chat Noir."

As the report transitioned, the screen displayed shaky footage of Chat Noir in all his mischievous glory. "This painting is the cat's meow!" He joked, grinning widely with the Mona Lisa in his hands, his playful demeanor contrasting sharply with the panic erupting among the civilians around him as he ran away.

Adrien's eyes widened in disbelief. "The 'cat's meow'?" he echoed.

The car came to a sudden stop, and without a second thought, Adrien flung open the door, slamming it shut as he sprinted up the steps of the school. "Not only is that person a fake," he muttered to himself, "he's a terrible jokester!" His mind raced, wondering how on earth Chat Noir thought that pulling off a stunt like that would be funny or wise.

He dashed inside, weaving through the bustling hallways and searching for his missing phone. Meanwhile, outside, Chat leaped from the building and landed gracefully on the ground, his eyes set on the Louvre in the distance. With sleek black car behind him. He took off, sprinting towards the iconic museum, his cat-like agility allowing him to navigate the streets with ease.

"Thanks, now for the weather."

(MDC)

Back home, Marcel settled into his favorite reading corner, the book he had been engrossed in waiting patiently on the table beside him. Just as he was about to dive back into the pages, his phone rang, illuminating the room with a bright FaceTime call from Alya. Sighing, he reluctantly put his book down and answered the call. "Hey. I thought you'd be over here showing me all the footage from the unveiling ceremony. Where are you?"

"The Louvre! I'm waiting for new deets on the Chat Noir robbery," Alya replied, a wide grin stretching across her face.

"Somebody robbed Chat Noir?" Marcel asked, bewildered by the news.

"No, girl! Didn't you hear? Chat Noir stole the Mona Lisa in broad daylight!" Alya exclaimed, her excitement palpable.

Marcel stared at her in disbelief. "What? No way, Chat Noir wouldn't do something like that."

"Yeah, I couldn't believe it either! I interviewed him just an hour ago! Red Beetle is sure to show up, so I'm gonna be here a while, sorry, man."

"Don't worry about it. Is there any actual proof of this 'robbery'?" Marcel asked, his curiosity piqued.

"The video's all over the web. I'm shocked you haven't seen it yet," Alya replied, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.

"I'll go watch it now. Let me know what you find," he said, trying to stay calm despite the whirlwind of thoughts racing through his mind.

"See you later!" Alya said before the line went dead.

Marcel stood up, his heart pounding. "This has to be a fake. I don't buy that Chat Noir's a thief for a second." He glanced around his room, his eyes landing on Tikki, who was quietly observing him from her spot on the shelf while eating a cookie.

"Tikki, spots on!" he declared, a sense of urgency propelling him into action. In an instant, an intense, bright pink light flooded the room, illuminating every corner as his suit materialized seamlessly over his clothes and skin. His voice took on a sharp, commanding tone, echoing with authority. A yoyo appeared at his waist, its polished surface gleaming in the light, while a sleek black domino mask settled over the upper half of his face.

His eyes transformed into a striking shade of grey with a subtle hint of silver, reflecting a newfound determination. The blue of his medium-length mullet hair seemed to shimmer in the light as he adjusted his posture, exuding confidence and purpose.

With urgency surging through him, he strode purposefully towards the balcony door, each step resonating with the weight of his mission. He pushed the door open and stepped out onto the balcony, the cool air hitting his face as he surveyed the city below. The Eiffel Tower loomed in the distance, but his focus was on the Louvre, where chaos was already unfolding.

He could see civilians scurrying about, phones raised, capturing the spectacle of Chat Noir's antics. A part of him felt a mix of admiration and frustration; this wasn't the way heroes were supposed to act. But now wasn't the time to dwell on that.

He took a deep breath, centering himself, and prepared to leap into action. With one last glance at the chaos below, he leaped off the balcony, his heart racing as he soared through the air. He landed gracefully on a nearby rooftop, the wind whipping through his hair as he focused his gaze on the Louvre. Red Beetle sprinted through the streets of Paris, he navigated the city with agility and speed. He swung from lampposts and vaulted over low walls, using parkour to his advantage as he made his way toward the Louvre. The bright lights of the museum loomed ahead, illuminating the chaos that had erupted around it.

He could already see the crowds gathering, phones out and capturing every moment of the spectacle. The alarm blared in the distance, creating a sense of urgency that spurred him on. As he approached the Louvre, he spotted the iconic glass pyramid, now surrounded by a flurry of activity. Police cars were pulling up, and security guards were trying to restore order among the panicking civilians. Red Beetle knew he had to act quickly to help diffuse the situation. With one final leap, he landed on a nearby roof, taking a moment to survey the scene below and spotted the Mayor.

Red Beetle landed softly next to Mayor Bourgeois, hoping he could talk some sense into him. "Mr. Mayor, there has to be some mistake. I know Chat Noir; he's a superhero, not a thief."

"Kitty's in the slammer, Red Beetle," A police officer interjected, sauntering up with a pleased look on his face. It was the officer he recognized as Sabrina's dad, and his expression was less than reassuring.

"But—" Red Beetle started, but he was cut off by a large, pudgy hand thrust in his face.

"Now, now, let the experts handle this. We've got the situation under control," the officer insisted, dismissing him.

"Obviously you don't, because you've imprisoned the wrong cat," Red Beetle mumbled sarcastically, frustration bubbling within him.

Just then, the cop's radio blared to life: "Chat Noir's getting away!"

Without wasting another moment, Red Beetle sprinted inside the Louvre and down the stairs, spotting at least a dozen cops sprawled across the floor, looking bewildered.

The officer came huffing and puffing behind him. "Great, he's gone. If he's so innocent, then why is he running away?" the cop grumbled, wiping sweat from his brow.

Beetle shot him a glare. "Wouldn't you run if you were wrongly imprisoned? I'm telling you, there's a copycat out there somewhere."

The policeman, however, wasn't paying attention anymore, giving instructions into his radio. Exasperated, Red Beetle felt his yo-yo vibrate at his hip. If Chat was calling him, hopefully that meant he'd gotten away. He slinked off to a deserted corner to answer it.

"Chat, do you know what's going on?" he asked urgently.

"Hey, RB! So, I've been framed..." Chat quipped, his tone light despite the gravity of the situation.

"Is now really the time for art jokes? The police are trying to arrest you."

"Which is all kinds of messed up. Just because I'm a cat doesn't mean I'm a cat burglar."

Red sighed, "I know you're innocent, Chat, but we need to find out what's really going on. I'm thinking someone got akumatized."

"Yeah, and I think I know who." Chat held up a partially chewed lollipop stick in front of the camera, Look familiar?"

"Ew, no, should it?" Red Beetle cringed back, the image making him recoil.

"It's the same—" Chat started, but loud sirens drowned him out from his end. Red Beetle looked upward, panic rising in him. "Cops are on my tail! I'll get back to you!" The call cut out abruptly.

Red Beetle followed the sounds of sirens and the police helicopter as far as he could but eventually came to a dead end. Five cop cars were jammed at a metro entrance, the officers scurrying around. He looked around but couldn't see Chat anywhere. He hoped his partner hadn't detransformed and called for help. Thankfully, his concern was alleviated when Chat's voice came through again.

"Red Beetle, I'm at Théo Barbeau's workshop."

"What? Why?" Beetle asked, still trying to catch his breath.

"He was chewing on that lollipop stick found at the Louvre, and it's the same one Copycat had in the video. What I don't get is why he got akumatized after the mayor himself unveiled his statue today."

Red Beetle groaned, piecing together the implications. "I think I have an idea. Send me the address."

"Gotcha. Meet me here; I'm going in." Chat hung up before Red Beetle could respond.

"Chat, no, wait for me!" He groaned, he checked the location Chat had sent him and swung in that direction  

(MDC&CN)

In Théo's studio, Chat Noir stepped inside, immediately noticing a box adorned with a note that read, "Cat's in the bag?" Before he could process it, the box burst open, and in an instant, he found himself ensnared in chains. Panic surged through him as he assessed his situation, determination igniting his resolve. "Cataclysm!" he shouted, ready to unleash his power. But just as he prepared to break free, the Copycat appeared, placing a square object in front of Chat's hand. The moment was wasted; his Cataclysm fizzled out against the object instead of the chains.

Frustration bubbled within him as he attempted to kick at the Copycat, "I don't get what Red Beetle sees in you. A fool who falls into my trap so easily." His foot fell short, and in a moment of desperation, he felt around for his staff, only to spot it in the Copycat's hands.

"Looking for this? Which one should I choose? My staff or yours?" The Copycat's grin widened, just as Chat's real staff began to ring.

"Red Beetle, hurry up! I've caught the impostor at Théo Barbot's workshop!" the fake Chat declared, answering the call.

"I'll be there in thirty seconds," Red Beetle's voice crackled through.

Chat's heart raced. "Don't come here, Red Beetle! It's a trap!" But the warning came too late; the Copycat ended the call with a smirk.

"Too late, Cat. Red Beetle's on his way, just as I planned," the Copycat gloated.

"He won't be fooled. He knows me too well," Chat retorted, his resolve unshaken.

"I know you well too," the Copycat sneered, gesturing to his akumatized photo. "And from now on, he'll love me, not you!" He pointed the staff threateningly at Chat's face.

Chat narrowed his eyes. "Love me?...You're right! He loves me! That's why he'll see through your disguise!"

"Copycat, stop this small talk and get me Chat Noir's Miraculous!" Papillon's voice boomed through the air. Copycat's grin widened as he knocked Chat Noir to the ground, straddling him and reaching for his ring. Just then, Red Beetle twirled in the room and landed in a crouch nearby.

"Huh?"

There you are," the Copycat said, his expression softening as he looked at the hero.

Red Beetle stood, advancing toward the two. "Chat—wow, he really does look like you."

"That's because I am me!" Chat protested.

"Where's his akuma?" Red Beetle asked, his focus sharpening.

"Inside his ring, of course. Grab it," the Copycat replied, still smirking. Papillon laughed from the shadows. "Red Beetle doing all the work for us. What sweet irony."

Chat's ring beeped ominously. "He even has the same abilities as you."

"Simply amazing, isn't it?" Copycat taunted.

Red Beetle raised an eyebrow. Chat doesn't talk like a young adult.

"If you don't believe I'm the real Chat Noir, just ask him about our relationship," Chat suggested, flashing a wink at Red Beetle.

"Hmm..." Red Beetle mused, sizing up the Copycat.

"Have I ever lied to you, RB?" Chat asked, his smile genuine. Red Beetle nodded, understanding dawning on him. He leaned closer to the fake Chat with a sly grin. "I hope you didn't tell him about us."

"What...?"

"That we're...you know, we made a promise? Hmm?" Red Beetle smirked, leaning so close to the Copycat that their noses almost touched.

"Uh, yes! Of course!" Copycat stammered.

"Dumbass," Red Beetle muttered, leaping back. "We never made a promise. Copycat!"

Breaking character, the Copycat shouted, "I love you, Red Beetle! I'm way better than this mangy alley cat!" He grabbed Chat by the shoulders, desperation in his voice.

"Right, but liars are morons. Chat may annoy me to hell, but he's never lied to me."

"Thanks for the compliment. I think," Chat Noir quipped, pushing his feet against Copycat and kicking him away.

The Copycat grunted, rolling to his feet. "Do it now! Take their Miraculous!" Papillon commanded from the shadows. "If I can't have you, then nobody will! Cataclysm!" Copycat shouted, raising his staff.

Red Beetle called out, "Lucky Charm!" Only to be met with the absurdity of his choice: "A spoon? What am I supposed to do with this?"

Just as Copycat prepared to unleash his Cataclysm, Red Beetle slid in front of Chat, holding the chains aloft. With a swift motion, the chains disintegrated, freeing Chat, who wasted no time in delivering a punch to the Copycat's smug face.

"Excellent job, RB!" Chat exclaimed, adrenaline coursing through him. "Where's his akuma?" Red Beetle asked, eyes scanning the scene for any sign of the dark magic.

"Inside his pocket—the photo," Chat replied, his miraculous beeping urgently. "Let's make it snappy!"

Copycat laughed maliciously, his confidence unshaken. "You're going to change back before I do," he taunted, a smirk plastered across his face.

Chat rushed at Copycat, intent on landing a decisive blow with a drop kick. But Copycat was quick, dodging the attack and effortlessly throwing Chat over his shoulder.

"Ugh!" Chat grunted as he hit the ground.

Red Beetle saw his partner in trouble and leaped into action, throwing his yo-yo in an attempt to grapple the akuma. However, Copycat deftly deflected the yo-yo with a flick of his wrist, causing Red Beetle to spin mid-air. Using the momentum, he executed a drop kick that landed solidly against Copycat, the impact sending the fake hero stumbling backward.

Copycat quickly regained his balance and blocked Red Beetle's next kick, retaliating with a swift strike aimed at Red Beetle's leg. But Red Beetle was ready; he jumped up and used Copycat as a launching pad, propelling himself high into the air. Copycat nearly lost his footing, but Red Beetle landed gracefully on a nearby pillar, glancing back with a determined glare. "He's pretty good," he muttered, sizing up his opponent.

Meanwhile, Chat, undeterred by his earlier setback, charged at Copycat again. This time, he aimed for a low sweep to knock the akuma off balance. But Copycat anticipated the move, blocking Chat's foot with his staff and then countering with a powerful kick that sent Chat reeling.

"Don't need to rub it in!" Chat shouted as he rolled backwards, trying to regain his footing after Copycat's powerful kick.

With a smug grin, Copycat boasted, "I told you I was better than him, huh?" He straightened up, ready to taunt some more, but before he could continue, Red Beetle sprang into action.

With precision and timing, Red Beetle threw the staff he had just grappled away from Copycat, sending it flying toward the real Chat Noir. "Yeah, but I'm better than both of you!" he shouted, his confidence radiating as he executed the throw.

Chat caught the staff in mid-air, a spark of determination igniting within him. "Thanks, RB! Now let's finish this!" He twirled the staff expertly, channeling his focus into the movement.

As Chat Noir and Copycat clashed in a fierce sword fight, the air crackled with energy. The sound of their staffs colliding echoed through the warehouse, each strike reverberating against the walls. They exchanged calculated blows, each one testing the other's skill and reflexes.

In a moment of synchronized agility, they both lunged at each other, and in the chaos, their staffs slipped from their hands, clattering to the ground. Without missing a beat, they transitioned into a full-on fistfight, the intensity of the battle escalating as they engaged in rapid-fire punches and evasive maneuvers.

Chat threw a quick left hook, which Copycat narrowly avoided, countering with a swift kick aimed at Chat's midsection. Chat managed to pivot just in time, the kick grazing him but not landing fully. He retaliated with a right cross that connected with Copycat's jaw, sending the akuma stumbling back.

"Not bad, kitty!" Copycat sneered, wiping his mouth. "But I'm just getting started!"

With renewed vigor, Copycat charged forward, throwing a flurry of punches. Chat ducked and weaved, blocking and countering as they exchanged blows like a high-stakes dance. Each hit landed with a satisfying thud, echoing their determination.

With Red Beetle's yo-yo securely around Copycat's wrist, the tension in the air shifted. Chat Noir, momentarily caught off guard by the revelation, exchanged a glance with Red Beetle, who was now firmly in control of the situation.

"Hey, it's me!" Chat yelped indignantly.

Copycat sneered, his eyes glinting with defiance. "He's lying! I'm the real one!"

Red Beetle groaned, frustration boiling over. "Now you're both annoying me to pieces! Show me your ring. How many pads do you have left?"

Chat Noir's ring beeped first, the light flashing to reveal a single pad left. He smirked, feeling the pressure of the fight but also the thrill of being on the edge. Copycat, on the other hand, hesitated before his ring displayed three pads disappearing at once.

"Interesting," Red Beetle muttered, his eyes narrowing. "Looks like you're not so invincible after all, Copycat."

With a swift motion, Red Beetle released the yo-yo from around Chat Noir's wrist, allowing his partner to regain full mobility. "Chat Noir, scratch attack!" he ordered, his voice ringing with enthusiasm.

"Gladly! I love a good cat fight!" Chat grinned, his playful demeanor returning as he crouched low, ready to pounce.

With a powerful leap, Chat Noir launched himself at Copycat, claws extended, ready to strike. The akuma, realizing his predicament, tried to dodge, but Chat was quicker, landing on top of him and pushing him to ground.

The two immediately transitioned into a fistfight, rolling on the ground as they struggled for dominance. Chat threw a quick jab to Copycat's ribs, but the akuma countered with a swift uppercut that grazed Chat's chin, causing him to momentarily lose his balance.

"Is that all you've got?" Copycat taunted, his eyes blazing with determination.

"Not even close!" Chat shot back, recovering quickly and delivering a powerful hook that connected with Copycat's jaw. The blow sent Copycat reeling, but he quickly recovered, pushing himself back up and launching a flurry of punches in retaliation.

The two exchanged blows, each one landing with a satisfying thud. Chat ducked under a punch and countered with a swift knee to Copycat's stomach, making the akuma grunt in surprise. Taking advantage of the moment, Chat followed up with a series of quick jabs, forcing Copycat to block and retreat.

"Come on, Copycat! You're supposed to be my shadow!" Chat teased, sweat dripping down his brow as he pressed the attack. "You should be able to anticipate my moves!"

"Shut up!" Copycat growled, frustration fueling his aggression. He feinted to the left, then swung a hard right hook aimed at Chat's temple. Chat barely dodged, the punch grazing his ear as he stepped back.

As the battle raged on between Chat Noir and Copycat, Red Beetle's eyes darted around the warehouse, searching for anything that could give them an advantage. His gaze landed on Chat's staff, his yo-yo, and a spoon lying on the ground nearby. An idea sparked in his mind.

"Time to go akuma fishing!" he declared, quickly piecing together a makeshift fishing rod using the items he found. With a grin, he swung the rod expertly, ready to intervene.

At that moment, Copycat lunged at Chat Noir, who anticipated the move and let himself slump to the ground. However, he quickly used his feet to hold Copycat in mid-air, suspending him and preventing the attack. Chat grunted, using the moment to unzip the pocket that held the crucial photo.

Red Beetle seized the opportunity, swinging his makeshift rod with precise aim. The fishing line wrapped around Copycat, lifting him off the ground and toward the ceiling. "Gotcha!" Red Beetle shouted, a triumphant smile spreading across his face.

With Copycat immobilized, Red pulled out the photo of himself. He ripped the photo in half. "No more corrupting for you, akuma. Time to purify!" He declared, with a final burst of energy, he shouted, "Miraculous Ladybug!" The photo disintegrated into shimmering light, enveloping the akuma and transforming him back into a butterfly before dissipating into the air. As the light faded, Copycat reappeared as Théo, falling gently into Chat Noir's arms.

As Chat Noir approached Red Beetle, a playful grin spread across his face. "Papillon's got a sick sense of humor. Poor guy was jealous because he thought you and I were in love."

Red Beetle chuckled, shaking his head. "That'll never happen."

With a friendly shoulder bump, Chat teased, "Don't worry, RB, I straightened it all out with him." Just then, his ring beeped, signaling urgency with one flashing paw pad left.

"Gotta go, I'm about to transform back," he called over his shoulder, already starting to sprint away.

Red Beetle knelt beside Théo, concern etched on his face. "Are you okay?" he asked, ensuring that Théo was on stable ground after the chaos.

"I'm fine. I'm so sorry, Red Beetle," Théo replied, his voice filled with regret.

"Don't worry about it. Everyone gets jealous. Just run as fast as you can next time you see a black butterfly, okay?" Red Beetle advised, offering a reassuring smile. Internally, though, he couldn't quite grasp why Théo would feel jealousy, especially since they barely knew each other.

"Promise," Théo said, determination in his voice.

Beetle nodded, satisfied with Théo's commitment. With a flick of his wrist, he sent his yo-yo soaring towards a nearby building. It latched on securely, and with a tight tug, he was flung into the air, swinging gracefully as he made his way home.

(MDC)

Back in Marcel's room, the atmosphere was relaxed as he chatted with Alya, who was scrolling through her phone. The faint sounds of the bustling school outside drifted in through the open window.

"Hey, do you know where Adrien is?" Marcel asked, a hint of concern in his voice. "I found his phone in our locker room."

Alya looked up from her screen, her eyebrows raising in surprise. "Yeah, Marc, he's at the school with Nino. They're probably hanging out at the gym or something. You know how those two are."

Marcel sighed, relief washing over him. "Good, I was worried something happened to him. He can be so forgetful sometimes."

"Tell me about it!" Alya laughed, shaking her head. "Remember that time he left his backpack at school? Or when he forgot his lines for the movie?"

Marcel chuckled at the memory. "Yeah, he definitely has his moments. But he's a good guy. I just hope he doesn't get into any trouble."

Alya nodded, her expression turning serious. "With all the akuma attacks lately, it's always a little nerve-wracking. But I'm sure he's fine. Nino's with him, and you know how protective he is."

"True," Marcel replied, feeling a bit more at ease.

(MDC)

At college, Adrien was deep in conversation with Nino, his brow furrowed in frustration. "Maybe you dropped it somewhere," Nino said, scratching the back of his head.

"Yeah, but if you did, then whoever found it must have picked it up in the boys' locker room. I was checking my voicemail in there during fencing practice," Adrien explained, a hint of worry creeping into his voice.

"Do it now!" Alya suddenly rushed in, pushing Marcel gently toward Adrien and Nino, her eyes sparkling with urgency.

Marcel approached from behind and tapped Adrien on the shoulder.

"Huh?" Adrien turned around, surprised to see Marcel. "Oh hey, Marcel, do you need something?"

Marcel shook his head. "I didn't need anything, just to tell you I found your phone in the locker room. It was on the ground." He held out Adrien's phone, a sense of relief washing over him as he returned it.

"Thanks!" Adrien exclaimed, a grateful smile breaking across his face as he accepted the phone. "I really appreciate it!"

Nino clapped Adrien on the back, a playful grin on his face. "Dude, you need some time off. Hey, I know! Let's go to the movies tonight."

Before Adrien could respond, Alya chimed in from Marcel's side, her enthusiasm infectious. "Hey, dudes, mind if a few friends tag along?"

"Not at all!" Nino replied, nodding eagerly.

Adrien looked between his friends, a smile growing wider. "That sounds awesome! I could definitely use a break after all the fencing practice and schoolwork."

A/N {so, Chapters been edited, and I watched this episode, and wow, Marinette and Adrien are perfect for each other. Like at the reveal, Adrien really lied in this man's face and said they were together, seriously, Adrien and Marinette are the same. Also this episode is the shortest I’ve watched}.

Chapter Text

On the bed, Marcel lay soundly asleep, blissfully unaware of the world around him. That is until the shrill sound of his phone alarm cut through the peaceful silence. Groggy and reluctant to face the day, he grumbled and buried his face deeper into his pillow, pulling the blanket snugly over his head. "Tikki, turn it off," he mumbled, his voice muffled and filled with irritation. The comfort of sleep was far more appealing than the responsibilities awaiting him.

(AA)

Meanwhile, in Adrien's bathroom, the sound of running water mingled with the rhythmic brushing of his teeth. Just then, Plagg zipped into the room, a burst of energy and mischief. "Happy birthday, Adrien!" he exclaimed, holding up a piece of Camembert adorned with a bright red bow.

Adrien squinted at the cheese, his nose wrinkling in disgust as the pungent smell hit him. "Ugh, Plagg! Get that filthy piece of Camembert out of my face!" he shouted, instinctively plugging his nose with one hand while trying to keep his toothbrush steady with the other.

Unfazed, Plagg rolled his eyes and took a hearty bite of the cheese. "Mmm," he said, savoring the flavor, completely oblivious to Adrien's horror. The little kwami was clearly enjoying his own version of a birthday celebration, even if it meant torturing his chosen in the process.

(MDC)

Inside Tom & Sabine Boulangerie Patisserie, Marcel made his way downstairs, a carefully wrapped gift cradled in his hands. The comforting aroma of freshly baked pastries wafted through the air, and in the kitchen, his mother, Sabine, was savoring a quiet moment with a cup of tea.

As Marcel entered the kitchen, Sabine looked up and smiled. "Marcel, don't forget to clean your room after school today," she reminded him gently.

"I know, Maman, I'll take care of it when I get home," he replied, his tone lovingly as he walked over to plant a quick kiss on her cheek. With that, he turned towards the door. But just as he was about to step outside, his mother called after him.

"Have a nice day, sweetie!"

"You too, Maman!" Marcel shouted back, the warmth of their exchange lingering in the air as he closed the door behind him.

Sabine smiled to herself, taking a sip of her tea. 'Just like your grandmother,' she thought fondly, it was moments like these that filled her heart with joy.

(AA)

At the Agreste Mansion, Adrien sat alone at the large dining table, his plate untouched as he stared blankly into space, a feeling of dejection hanging over him. The lavish surroundings felt cold and uninviting, amplifying his sense of loneliness. Just then, Nathalie walked in and handed him a tablet, her expression professional yet sympathetic. "Your schedule, Adrien," she said, though internally, she felt dismay over Gabriel's decision to deny Adrien a birthday party.

Adrien accepted the tablet with a faint smile. "Thanks, Nathalie." As she turned to leave, he hesitated and called out to her. "Hey, um, did my father get back to you about my birthday party?" His tone was hopeful, a glimmer of anticipation in his eyes.

Nathalie paused in her tracks, an unspoken weight in the air. She sighed softly, too quiet for Adrien to catch. "Well, he doesn't think it would be a good idea," she replied, her voice carrying a hint of bitterness that contrasted sharply with the cheerful atmosphere one might expect on a birthday.

Adrien fell silent, nodding his head in resignation as the weight of her words settled around him. "Happy birthday, Adrien," Nathalie whispered softly as she turned and left the dining room, her heart aching for the boy who deserved so much more than this empty celebration.

(MDC)

Outside DuPont, the atmosphere buzzed with the chatter of students making their way up the stairs to the entrance. At the bottom of the steps, Adrien and Nino stood deep in conversation, while Alya and Marcel lingered nearby, glancing occasionally in their direction. Inside the school, Chloé and Sabrina observed the scene, their expressions a mix of curiosity and disdain.

As Nino ceased blowing bubbles from his gum, he turned to Adrien with a serious expression. "Dude, seriously? Has your dad always been like this? You'd think he'd at least remember what it's like to be young and want to have some fun."

Adrien sighed heavily, the weight of his father's strictness pressing down on him. "No, I'm pretty sure he was a downer back then too. Guess I tried." His disappointment was palpable, the hope for a celebration dimming.

Nino, ever the supportive friend, wrapped Adrien in an encouraging hug. "It's your birthday, dude! Insist!" he exclaimed cheerfully, trying to lift Adrien's spirits.

Meanwhile, Marcel and Alya were engaged in their own exchange. Alya was doing her best to encourage Marcel to give his gift to Adrien, her tone serious yet tinged with annoyance. "You can do it!" she urged, pushing him slightly.

Marcel shot her a look that conveyed his feelings perfectly; he was not shy, but he simply preferred to keep to himself unless he knew someone well.

Back with Nino and Adrien, Nino was resolute. "You know what? I'm gonna have a little convo with your pops." Adrien shook his head, a mixture of frustration and resignation on his face. "Don't waste your time. He's not gonna change his mind."

Marcel, overhearing their conversation, shook his head in understanding. He could sense the importance of the discussion, but Alya wasn't having any of it. In a flurry of determination, she facepalmed and rushed out, playfully pushing Marcel towards Adrien.

Marcel yelped as he stumbled forward, stopping just in front of Adrien. "Hey," he greeted, a nervous smile creeping onto his face as he instinctively hid his gift behind his back, unsure of how to present it.

Surprised by Marcel's sudden appearance, Adrien spoke shyly, "Hey." His heart raced a little, unsure of how to react to the unexpected attention.

Chloé, observing from indoors, did a double take as she noticed the commotion outside. "Wait! Am I seeing what I think I'm seeing? Don't tell me it's Adrien's birthday?!" Her voice carried a mix of disbelief and annoyance as she took in the scene.

Sabrina, checking her tablet for confirmation, looked surprised and smiled sheepishly, realizing she had forgotten as well.

Chloé groaned and facepalmed in frustration. "Ugh, do I have to do everything myself? Seriously, what are you good for?" she snarked at Sabrina before striding toward the door, determination in her steps.

Meanwhile, Marcel, trying to gather his courage, casually brought his gift forward. "I wanted to give you a gift I've mad—"

Chloé yawned dramatically while Marcel was speaking, clearly unimpressed. Without hesitation, she shoved him aside, her playful nature coming to the forefront. "Out of the way." Then, putting on a saccharine smile, she leaned in and hugged Adrien tightly, planting a quick kiss on his cheek. "Happy Birthday, Adrien!" she wished sweetly, her tone shifting from irritation to faux affection.

Once again taken by surprise, Adrien blinked, momentarily at a loss for words. "Yeah, thanks, Chlo," he managed to reply, a faint blush creeping onto his cheeks. The unexpected attention left him feeling flustered, but there was a warmth in the moment, even amidst the chaos.

Over with Marcel, who didn't budge from the slight push, he stepped back to make it seem like Chloé's shove had affected him, prompting Alya to facepalm in disbelief.

"Did you get the gift I sent you?" Chloé asked as she casually held onto Adrien's shoulder, her tone almost playful.

"Uh, no," Adrien replied, a bit confused.

Chloé feigned annoyance and let go of his shoulders. "What? Oh, those delivery guys! I bet it was too heavy, so they had to go back and get another guy to help—those slackers!" she added, rolling her eyes dramatically. Wrapping her arms around Adrien's shoulders again, she continued, "I'll make sure they get it to you by tonight, anyway. Bye, Adrien!" With that, she planted a quick kiss on his cheek, her mood seemingly lightened as she walked away, humming a happy tune to herself.

Nino chuckled and playfully punched Adrien's arm, eliciting a sheepish grin from him. "Looks like you're popular today, huh?"

Meanwhile, Alya leaned closer to Marcel, still hidden from view. "Get back there! Don't be a pushover, literally!" she urged, trying to instill some confidence in him.

Marcel grunted at her words, giving an annoyed hum in response. "Mmm." His expression showed he was not impressed, making Alya look frustrated.

Back inside the school, Chloé and Sabrina were in a different conversation. Sabrina hesitantly asked, "What did you get him?"

Now with her cheerful mood disrupted, Chloé shot back, "I didn't! You did!" She pointed a finger at Sabrina, her voice turning serious. "And it better be amazing, and it better not be late!"

Sabrina cowered slightly, nodding in agreement. "Mhm."

Chloé huffed in annoyance before leaving the room, her footsteps echoing in her wake. Sabrina quickly tapped on her tablet, her expression anxious as she hurried to follow Chloé, the urgency palpable in the air.

Back with Alya and Marcel, Alya was still fervently urging Marcel to give his gift. "C'mon, you can do it!" she insisted, her eyes sparkling with encouragement.

Marcel's annoyance lingered as he remained stubborn. "Hm," he muttered, a mix of frustration and determination brewing within him. He glanced over at Adrien, who was still basking in the warmth of Chloé's attention.

As a sleek black car pulled up and came to a stop at the sidewalk near Nino and Adrien, Adrien turned to Nino, his expression shifting from cheerful to slightly anxious. "Gotta go. Photoshoot," he said, the weight of his responsibilities evident in his tone. He climbed into the luxurious limo, looking back at Nino for a moment before signaling the driver to leave.

Nino watched the car pull away, a determined look crossing his face. "Looks like I've got some business to take care of with Adrien's old man," he muttered to himself, a spark of resolve igniting in him. He couldn't let Adrien's birthday pass without doing something about it; he knew his friend deserved to be celebrated.

Taking a deep breath, Nino set off toward the direction of the Agreste Mansion, his mind racing with thoughts of how he could convince Gabriel to change his mind about the birthday party. He was ready to stand up for his friend, no matter what it took.

(MDC)

On lunch break, Marcel and Alya stood outside the Agreste Mansion, the grand architecture towering over them. Marcel was fiddling with the mailbox, his frustration evident. "The mailbox isn't budging," he told Alya, giving a shrug as he pulled at the door.

Alya rolled her eyes, glancing at the sleek intercom system next to the gate. "The doorbell," she informed him, pointing at the button.

"Oh...right," Marcel mumbled to himself as Alya pressed the doorbell. Moments later, a hidden compartment on the wall opened, revealing a camera that focused on them.

"Yes?" a feminine voice asked, the camera's lens peering curiously at the pair.

"Hello, Madam! I'm in Adrien's class, and I wanted to give him a gift," Marcel explained, smiling politely as he held up the wrapped present for the camera to see.

"Put it in the box," the voice requested, and the mailbox opened to receive their offering.

Marcel carefully placed the gift inside, feeling a mix of excitement and anxiety. "Thank you, Madam," he called out, watching as the camera retreated back into the wall and the compartment closed.

"Hmmm, hope he likes it."

"You signed the note, right?"Marcel shrugged at her question, looking a bit sheepish.

"Ah, Marc, Marc, Marc," Alya clicked her tongue, shaking her head in mock disappointment. "You had one job!"

"It's whatever," Marcel replied with a casual shrug as they turned away from the mansion, the weight of the moment lifting slightly.

(MDC)

At the Agreste Mansion, Nathalie entered her office, holding Marcel's gift in her hands. She placed it on her desk before sinking into her chair, feeling the weight of the day pressing down on her. Just as she settled in, the intercom crackled to life with her boss's voice.

"Who was that, Nathalie?" Gabriel Agreste asked, his tone clipped and formal.

"A friend of Adrien's," she replied, trying to keep her irritation in check. "He was delivering a gift for his birthday."

There was a brief pause, and then Gabriel's voice came through again, more demanding. "Did you remember to buy him a present from me?"

Annoyed by the question, Nathalie snarked back, "Thought you wouldn't give him a gift, considering you won't let him have a party. He turned fifteen, Gabriel."

There was silence on the other end, as Gabriel seemed to ignore her comment entirely. "Find a gift for Adrien," he ordered instead, his tone leaving no room for debate.

Nathalie sighed, rubbing her temples in frustration. "Of course, sir. Is there anything else you may want?" she asked sarcastically, her tone laced with exasperation.

Gabriel didn't respond, the connection cutting off abruptly. Nathalie glanced around her desk, her annoyance simmering. She picked up Marcel's gift, a slight frown on her face as she mentally apologized for what she was about to do. She grabbed a sticky note and wrote a quick message, implying that it was from Gabriel, and placed it on the gift.

Just then, the doorbell rang, pulling her back to the present. She composed herself, smoothing her expression. "Yes?" she called out, trying to sound professional.

On the camera outside, Nino appeared, looking a bit nervous but determined. "Uh, hi," he greeted her, his voice wavering slightly.

Nathalie studied him through the screen, her mind racing with the implications of his visit. "What can I do for you?" she asked, curious yet cautious about what he might want.

(AA)

Inside the Agreste Mansion, Nino and Nathalie stood in the foyer, the atmosphere tense with anticipation. "He'll be here in a minute," Nathalie assured him, trying to keep the mood light despite the gravity of the situation.

Moments later, Gabriel Agreste entered the room, his expression stern and unyielding. "Adrien's not home yet," he stated matter-of-factly, as if preemptively dismissing the conversation.

"Uh, I was coming to see you, du—sir," Nino stammered, gathering his courage.

"Me?" Gabriel raised an eyebrow, clearly taken aback by the confrontation.

"Yeah, that's right. Look, I know you don't want Adrien to have a party, but it's his birthday, dude—I mean, sir. It's all he wants," Nino explained, his voice firm but respectful.

Gabriel raised his palms, cutting Nino off. "No. That's final."

"That's messed up," Nino retorted, frustration bubbling over. Just then, Adrien entered the room, unnoticed by the adults, and his eyes widened in surprise at the sight of Nino.

"Nino? You're here," Adrien said, approaching his friend with a warm smile and placing a hand on his shoulder.

Nino turned to Adrien, a grin breaking through his earlier tension. "Anything for my best bud." He pivoted back to Gabriel, pleading, "Show some awesomeness, du—I mean, sir, please."

Monsieur Agreste's expression darkened, fury igniting in his gaze. "Forget it, Nino. Really, it's fine."

"Listen, young man. I decide what's best for my son. In fact, I've just decided that you're a bad influence, and you're not welcome in my house ever again. Leave now!" Gabriel's voice was cold and final.

Nathalie shook her head in disappointment, her heart heavy as she witnessed Gabriel dismissing Adrien's birthday plans so callously.

"Father, he was just trying to do something nice for me!" Adrien protested, but Gabriel turned on his heel and walked away, leaving the tension thick in the air.

Nathalie stepped forward, her expression softening toward Adrien. "Goodbye," she said quietly as Nino left, the weight of the situation hanging heavily around them.

Outside, Nino caught up with Adrien, grabbing his shoulder. "Nino, wait! I'm sorry. My father...he's always been like that since my mother disappeared. It's just best to stay out of his way," Adrien said, his voice tinged with sadness.

Nino's expression shifted to one of anger and concern for his friend. "It's not fair, Adrien. Harsh, uncool," he told him, crossing his arms defiantly. He turned away, his frustration boiling over as he walked off, leaving Adrien standing alone, devastated.

"Thanks anyway, Nino," Adrien whispered, his heart aching as he turned back toward the mansion. Nathalie watched him go, her eyes filled with sadness.

(MDC)

At the Place des Vosges, the sun filtered through the trees, casting dappled shadows on the cobblestone paths. Nino sat on a bench, still fuming over the confrontation at the Agreste Mansion. In an attempt to distract himself, he pulled out a bubble wand and began blowing bubbles, watching them float away, but his frustration lingered.

Nearby, a child was pleading with his father. "But, Daddy, please!" the little boy cried, tugging at his father's hand.

"No, it's not playtime. You've got your chores to do," the father replied sternly, prompting the child to complain loudly, his disappointment palpable.

Nino watched the interaction unfold, his anger boiling over. "Ugh. Adults ruin everything all the time," he muttered to himself, shaking his head in disbelief. It was a familiar feeling—seeing adults impose their rules and responsibilities on kids, stifling their joy and spontaneity.

As a bubble floated past him, catching the sunlight, Nino couldn't help but think about how unfair it was for Adrien. He felt a surge of protectiveness for his friend, wishing he could do something to help. With a deep breath, he decided he wouldn't let the situation go just yet. He had to find a way to make Adrien's birthday special, even if it meant going against Gabriel Agreste's wishes.

(MDC)

Inside Papillon's lair, the atmosphere was thick with the tension of impending chaos. His window screen opened to reveal the twinkling lights of Paris below, a city bustling with life and, unbeknownst to its inhabitants, on the brink of turmoil.

"Desperate to help his friend, but feeling powerless. How frustrating!" Papillon cackled, his voice dripping with malice. "It won't be long before frustration turns to anger!"

He watched with gleeful anticipation as the butterfly he held in his hand transformed before his eyes. Dark particles flowed into the delicate creature, infusing it with a sinister energy that warped its once vibrant colors into a shadowy hue. It was now an akuma, a harbinger of despair ready to spread its contagion.

"Fly away, my little akuma, and corrupt him!" Papillon commanded, flicking his wrist toward the open window. The akuma took flight, darting out into the Parisian night, its wings glinting ominously as it vanished into the shadows. It soared through the city, the akuma seeking out its target.

(MDC)

At the Place des Vosges, the air was filled with the soft sound of laughter and the gentle pop of bubbles as Nino continued to blow them, oblivious to the brewing storm. The soft light of the evening sun illuminated the scene, casting a warm glow over the square. But that tranquility was about to be shattered.

The akuma, a dark flicker against the backdrop of the setting sun, flew swiftly towards Nino. In an instant, it was absorbed into his bubble wand, and a malevolent energy surged through him. Nino looked up, and his once bright eyes now glinted with a sinister light. A glowing pink butterfly symbol appeared on his face, marking him as Papillon's latest pawn.

"Papillon is my name, and Bubbler is now yours," the villain's voice echoed in Nino's mind, resonating with dark promises. "I will help you with these horrid adults, and all you have to do in return is help me get something from Red Beetle and Chat Noir."

"Yes, Papillon!" Nino hissed, his voice laced with newfound authority and malevolence. He stood up, and as he did, a cloud of purple-black smoke erupted from the bubble wand, enveloping his body and transforming him into the Bubbler.

Cut to a nearby rooftop, where the newly formed Bubbler crouched, his bubble sword gleaming menacingly in the fading light. "No more adults means total freedom! This is SOOO sweet! Off the hook!" he cheered, fueled by the thrill of the chaos he was about to unleash. With a leap, he took to the skies, leaving behind trails of shimmering purple bubbles.

The bubbles danced in the air, seemingly innocent at first, but Bubbler knew their true purpose. One by one, the bubbles began to capture unsuspecting adults, ensnaring them within their gelatinous prisons. As they turned a sickly green, they lifted off the ground, carrying their helpless captives away while the citizens screamed in terror.

"Help!" a woman cried out as she was trapped within a bubble, her pleas echoing through the streets. "Look out!" a man warned, but it was too late. The sound of panic filled the air, mingling with the cries of children who watched in horror as their parents were taken away.

From his lair, Papillon observed the chaos unfolding in the streets of Paris with a twisted sense of satisfaction. "Perfect," he hummed, a wicked smile spreading across his face.

(MDC)

Inside the Dupain-Cheng household, the warm aroma of lunch filled the air, blending with the laughter and chatter of family life. Marcel sat at the dining table, absentmindedly pushing his food around on his plate, lost in thought.

"Hopefully, Alya will stop with all the shit she keeps saying to me, saying I'm too much of a pushover," Marcel mumbled to himself, frustration evident in his voice. Just then, his mother, Sabine, opened the window to let in a refreshing breeze.

"Hearing that mumble, Sabine turned to her son with a curious smile. "What's that you said?"

"Nothing really, just thinking about Alya," Marcel replied nonchalantly, his attention still on his food.

But as he spoke, a dark shadow flitted past the window. Without warning, a purple bubble burst through the opening, enveloping Sabine in its gelatinous grip. She gasped, her eyes widening in shock as the bubble lifted her off the ground.

"Maman! MAMAN!" Marcel shouted, leaping to his feet in a panic. He rushed toward the window, his heart racing as he spotted his father, Tom, also trapped within a bubble floating helplessly in the air.

"Papa? PAPA!" Marcel cried out, desperation flooding his voice. The sight of his parents being taken away fueled a surge of anger within him.

Suddenly, Tikki, the small, magical kwami of creation, zoomed into the room, her tiny wings fluttering with worry. "Your parents! Papillon must've released another akuma," she exclaimed, her voice tinged with urgency.

"Yeah, and that means I've got to find his newest victim now," Marcel growled, determination hardening his features. He took a step toward the window, "Tikki, spots on!" Marcel called out, the familiar phrase rolling off his tongue with urgency. As he jumped out of the window, his transformation began. A flash of light enveloped him, and his casual clothes morphed into the sleek, vibrant suit of a hero, adorned with spots and a mask that concealed his identity.

He landed harshly on the sidewalk with a crack, the impact sending a ripple through the pavement. The sharp jolt reminded him of the stakes at hand—his parents were in danger, and every second counted.

As he straightened up, he quickly scanned his surroundings, his heart racing. His eyes landed on the rooftops, where he spotted the source of the chaos: the Bubbler, perched and gleefully watching the pandemonium unfold below. Purple bubbles floated through the air, capturing adults and whisking them away, while the cries of frightened children echoed in the streets.

On a rooftop overlooking the chaotic scene below, Bubbler reveled in the pandemonium he had unleashed. "And now, party time!" he cheered, his voice echoing across the city as he watched children run wild, their laughter mingling with cries of panic from the adults trapped in his bubbles.

From the skies, purple bubbles floated up, each one shimmering with a hypnotic glow. They began to broadcast a message, Bubbler's voice booming out for everyone to hear. "Today is your lucky day, little dudes! The adults have taken the day off, so make the most of it. No chores, no homework, no more nagging—just fun, fun, fun, fun! This is The Bubbler's gift to you!"

As the younger kids cheered, caught up in the moment, Red Beetle sprinted through the streets, determined to restore order. He spotted a group of children huddled together, their eyes wide with confusion and fear. He quickly ran over to a teenager who was trying to comfort a couple of younger kids, his presence bringing a sense of hope to the situation.

Crouching down to their level, Red Beetle spoke softly, "Hey, don't worry. Your parents will come back. I'll see to it." His reassuring tone was met with a mix of relief and lingering concern from the kids.

Standing up, he turned to the teenager. "I'm trusting you to take care of them in the meantime. Keep them together and safe while I deal with this." With a firm nod, the teenager accepted the responsibility.

Without wasting another moment, Red Beetle dashed off, his eyes scanning the rooftops for any sign of Bubbler. He knew he had to act fast; the longer Bubbler was allowed to run rampant, the more chaos would ensue, and the harder it would be to bring back the adults.

(AA)

At the Agreste Mansion, the opulent dining room felt unusually quiet as Adrien sat alone, finishing his birthday lunch. The lavish spread was a stark contrast to the solitude he felt, and after pushing his plate away, he stood up and sighed. "Wow, that was a birthday lunch break to remember. Yay," he said sarcastically, the words hanging in the air like a bitter reminder of his loneliness.

As Adrien walked into the foyer, the silence enveloped him. "Nathalie? Father?" he called out, but only the echo of his voice answered back. Shrugging sadly, he decided to step outside, hoping to find a glimmer of celebration among his classmates.

What he found instead was a wild scene—a crowd of his classmates gathered outside, their voices ringing with excitement. "Woo! Happy birthday!" they cheered, their enthusiasm palpable.

But standing above them, atop a massive purple bubble, was Bubbler. "Hey, hey, hey, birthday boy! Guess what? Daddy's gone! While the cat's away, the mice will play!" Bubbler's voice boomed, dripping with mischief.

Adrien squinted, trying to make sense of the surreal moment, and then it hit him. "Nino?!" he shouted, baffled by the transformation of his friend into this chaotic villain.

"The Bubbler's brought all yo homies together for one single-sole purpose, to ce-le-brate!" Bubbler proclaimed, his voice echoing like a warped DJ.

"YEAH!" the teenagers around him cheered, their excitement resonating with the beats that began to thump from the DJ booth Bubbler had landed in.

"Let's get this party started!" Bubbler shouted, and the music blared to life, filling the air with dance tracks that seemed to compel the crowd to move. Adrien stood frozen, surprise written all over his face as he watched his classmates dance, caught up in the moment. But it didn't feel right; something was off.

Realizing he needed to regroup, Adrien turned and rushed back into the mansion, his heart racing. Inside, he felt a mixture of confusion and urgency. "What is happening?" he muttered to himself.

Outside, Bubbler's voice rang out again, trying to rally the crowd. "Come on, everybody! I brought you here to party!" But as he observed the teenagers, he noticed their expressions were somber, a stark contrast to the raucous atmosphere Bubbler was trying to create. "So dance, or you'll join the adults up in the sky!" he cackled, and the threat hung heavily in the air as fireworks erupted in the sky, lighting it up with bursts of color.

From his lair, Papillon watched the scene unfold, a malicious grin spreading across his face. "It won't be long before Red Beetle and Chat Noir show up to meet their end!" he cackled, reveling in the chaos he had orchestrated. The trap was set, and he was ready to enjoy the downfall of the heroes he despised.

(AA)

In Adrien's room, the atmosphere was a mix of urgency and confusion. He stood by his desk, his gaze fixed on the ring on his finger, contemplating the weight of responsibility it carried. Just then, Plagg climbed up onto his shoulder, his tiny body settling comfortably as he laid on top of Adrien's tousled hair.

"What's your problem? Relax! You're getting the party you've always wanted," Plagg said, his tone nonchalant as he adjusted himself to a more comfortable position.

Adrien shook his head, a frown deepening on his face. "But Nino's been akumatized! I've gotta help him!" The thought of his friend transformed into a villain weighed heavily on his conscience, pulling him in the direction of action.

Plagg rolled his eyes, playfully nudging Adrien's ear. "You may never get this chance again! C'mon, let's have a little fun while your father's away! Then we'll save Nino, trap his akuma, and all will be good." The kwami's carefree attitude was infectious, but Adrien wrestled with his sense of duty.

After a moment of internal debate, Adrien relented, a small smile breaking through his initial concern. "Okay, you're right. This might be the first day in my life that I actually get to do what I want for once."

With newfound determination, he felt a spark of excitement mixed with apprehension. He was still committed to helping Nino, but perhaps there was a way to enjoy his birthday too.

"Let's do this, Plagg," he said, feeling the thrill of possibility. "But we have to keep an eye out for any signs of trouble. I won't let my friend down."

"Now you're talking!" Plagg cheered, bouncing slightly on Adrien's shoulder. "Let's get down there and show them how a real party is thrown!"

Adrien took a deep breath, readying himself for the celebration below. He knew he couldn't ignore the looming threat of Bubbler, but for just a moment, he wanted to embrace the joy of being a teenager, to feel the exhilaration of being free, even if just for his birthday. With that thought, he dashed out of his room, ready to join the festivities while keeping a watchful eye on his friend and the chaos around him.

(RB)

Somewhere on a rooftop, Red Beetle sprinted through the maze of buildings, the vibrant bursts of fireworks illuminating the night sky above him. "It's you and me, Bubbler," he mumbled under his breath, determination fueling his every step. He could hear the distant sounds of laughter and music, a stark contrast to the urgency of his mission.

As he reached the edge of a rooftop, he launched himself into a roll, smoothly landing on the next building. He quickly regained his footing, scanning the area for any sign of the chaotic party. The vibrant purple bubbles floated nearby, a sign of Bubbler's influence, and he knew he had to act fast.

With his senses heightened, Red Beetle focused on the source of the commotion. There, in the distance, he spotted Bubbler atop a DJ booth, orchestrating the party while keeping a watchful eye on the crowd below. The villain's laughter echoed in the air, mingling with the cheers of the teenagers caught in the spell of the celebration.

(AA)

At the Agreste Mansion, the atmosphere was charged with frenetic energy, yet an undercurrent of unease rippled through the crowd. Adrien was caught up in the excitement, cheering as he danced, "Yeah!" He made his way over to Rose, who had a conflicted expression despite the music. "Hey, nice party, I guess, since it's my first one," he said, trying to lift her spirits.

Rose managed a smile and gave him two thumbs up, but her somber demeanor returned almost immediately. Adrien turned to survey the crowd and noticed that many of his classmates were dancing but wore grim expressions. The contrast between the upbeat music and the muted faces unsettled him.

Meanwhile, Chloé was plotting something near the DJ booth, motioning to Sabrina with a mischievous glint in her eye. "Do something!" she urged, her tone demanding. Frightened, Sabrina hesitantly looked up at Bubbler. "I'm requesting a slow dance," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"It's a bit early for that, isn't it?" Bubbler replied, raising an eyebrow.

Chloé, sensing an opportunity, shoved Sabrina aside and put on an innocent face. "It's for Adrien. His first slow dance. Mm?" she suggested sweetly, trying to manipulate the situation to her advantage.

Bubbler's face brightened at the mention of Adrien. "OH! You know it, girl," he exclaimed, and with a flick of his wrist, the music shifted to a slow dance track. People paired up, but their expressions remained grim, casting a shadow over what was supposed to be a joyful moment. Chloé approached Adrien, who was still trying to make sense of the strange atmosphere.

"Is it me, or does everyone seem a bit weird?" he asked, looking around, concern etched on his face.

"Forget about it, let's go dance! C'mon!" Chloé insisted, grabbing his hand and pulling him onto the dance floor.

On a nearby balcony, Red Beetle landed silently, his eyes narrowing as he observed Bubbler changing the record. He spotted Chloé leaning in close to Adrien, attempting to kiss him while Adrien looked visibly uncomfortable. "Yeesh, Chloé, can't you tell he looks uncomfortable?" Red Beetle whispered to himself, rolling his eyes.

“Lucky Charming!” He whispered, revealing a record. "A record?" he mused, scanning the DJ mixer and noticing an empty slot. An idea sparked in his mind. He quickly glanced around, then spotted a ledge on the building across the street.

With a chuckle, Red Beetle threw the record, which bounced off the ledge and landed perfectly on the DJ booth, hitting the volume modifier and cranking the music back up to a lively dance track. The crowd broke from their pairs, their spirits lifting as they began to dance freely again. Adrien took advantage of the moment to move away from Chloé, clearly relieved.

Bubbler, realizing what had just happened, shouted angrily, "Dude! Who just hijacked my mix?"

"Yours truly," Red Beetle said quietly, feeling the adrenaline rush through him. He knew he had to act fast. "Better get out here quickly before I change back to civilian form." With a swift movement, he jumped off the balcony, landing in a crouch outside the mansion. "Spots off," he whispered, and his suit transformed back into civilian clothes as Tikki emerged from his earrings, landing gracefully on his hand.

"Marcel!" Tikki exclaimed, her tone a mix of relief and urgency.

"It was an emergency," he replied, shrugging off the concern.

"But there wasn't any emergency? You know what happens once you use your Lucky Charm. You only have minutes before..."

"I turn back, I know," he interrupted, determination in his voice. "But I figured, The Bubbler, he's not going anywhere. We have time to get you some food to get your energy back up." Marcel promised, adjusting his bag to make room for Tikki as he entered the party.

He headed straight for the food table, grabbing cookies and stuffing them into his bag for Tikki. "I've got to find a place where I can transform again," he whispered, scanning the room for a suitable hiding spot.

Just then, Alya emerged from the crowd, startling Marcel. "Where have you been, Marc? I was so scared something had happened to you," she said, her concern evident.

"I'm sure Red Beetle and Chat Noir will show up in a minute to save us all. They never fail us! Meanwhile, come with me, I've got something for you," she offered, extending her hand.

"Yeah, that's gonna have to be on hold. Something I've got to do first," Marcel said, glancing over at Alya, who was eager to continue their conversation.

"Yeah, that's gonna have to be on hold. Something I've got to do first," Marcel replied, his urgency palpable.

"It's about Adrien," Alya pressed.

Tikki, sensing the rising tension, quickly urged, "Marcel, we need to hurry! The Bubbler!"

"Understood," Marcel whispered back to Tikki, realizing the gravity of the situation. "And the reason why you brought him up, he's not important right now, okay? So sorry, Alya, but I gotta go—maybe some other time."

With that, he bolted out of the entrance, adrenaline pumping as he searched for a hiding place where he could transform into his alter ego and prepare to face the Akuma.

"Fine," Alya grumbled, crossing her arms in frustration as she watched him leave. With a sigh she walked away.

(AA)

Back at the party, the atmosphere was filled with laughter and music, but Ivan stood off to the side, his arms crossed and a scowl on his face. He wasn't in the mood to dance or join in on the festivities, feeling out of place among the cheerful crowd.

Suddenly, he was jolted from his thoughts by a familiar voice. "Hey, you. Why aren't you having fun?" The Bubbler approached him, a mischievous glint in his eye.

"None of your business," Ivan grumbled, momentarily forgetting that he was speaking to an Akuma. The air around them shifted, a dark energy swirling as the Bubbler's presence loomed larger.

"Then I'm going to make it my business," the Bubbler chuckled, pulling out his bubble sword, the blade shimmering with a menacing glow.

(MDC)

Marcel crouched in the shadows of an alley, scanning the bustling street when he spotted Ivan trapped inside a large green bubble, floating helplessly. "I thought he was only targeting adults!" he exclaimed, his heart sinking at the sight. "Tikki, spots on!"

In an instant, his transformation took place. The familiar rush of energy coursed through him as his suit formed over his clothes, the vibrant colors of his hero persona igniting with determination.

With a swift motion, Marcel grappled onto a nearby chimney and launched himself onto the rooftop, his agile movements allowing him to navigate the cityscape with ease. From this vantage point, he could see the party below, the music and laughter continuing unaware of the danger lurking just outside.

(AA)

Back at the party, the energy was palpable as Adrien stood atop the DJ booth, microphone in hand, a bright smile on his face. "Hey, Paris, how you doing?" he called out, raising the mic in excitement, but to his dismay, the crowd remained eerily silent. Behind him, The Bubbler sneered, brandishing his bubble sword menacingly,causing the partygoers to flinch back in fear. To Adrien's surprise, the crowd erupted into reluctant cheers, driven by terror rather than excitement.

Realizing the dire situation, Adrien jumped off the stand, his instincts kicking in as he spotted Red Beetle on the rooftop. "Red Beetle?" he called out, hope flickering in his chest.

Red Beetle, focused and resolute, threw his yo-yo with precision. It smacked against the power strip, unplugging everything in an instant. "Sorry, Bubbler, the party's over," he declared, his tone firm.

"Why you gotta be like that?" The Bubbler growled, clearly annoyed.

"You made all the adults disappear, that's why," Red Beetle shot back, eyes narrowing. "And now you're imprisoning anyone who isn't having fun."

With the crowd scattering in panic, Adrien slipped back into his home, heart racing as he searched for a way to help. The last thing he wanted was for his birthday party to turn into a disaster.

"Get ready, Bubbler!" Red Beetle shouted, deflecting two bubbles shot in his direction. The bubbles popped harmlessly against the rooftop, and the crowd was in full retreat, seeking safety from the chaos.

"You're not gonna bust up my party!" Bubbler growled, his frustration mounting as he prepared to attack again.

(AA)

"I think I've been a complete idiot," Adrien groaned to himself, the weight of the situation settling in. He realized that while he had been trying to enjoy his birthday, he had inadvertently put his friends in danger.

"Plagg, claws out!" he called, and in a flash of green light, his transformation into Chat Noir was complete. The familiar black suit wrapped around him, his cat ears perked up and tail flicking with renewed energy.

With a confident grin, he leaped out of his home, landing gracefully amidst the chaos of the party. He could see Red Beetle engaging with The Bubbler, deflecting bubbles and trying to keep the crowd safe.

(RB&CN)

Red Beetle and Bubbler continued their intense battle, with Red Beetle throwing his yo-yo at one of The Bubbler's bubbles. However, it just bounced back toward him. As the yo-yo spiraled back, Chat Noir leaped into action, batting the yo-yo with his staff, sending it soaring into the air. "Looks like I made it just in time," he called out with a confident smirk.

"I had it under control," Red Beetle replied, but as the yo-yo fell back down, it landed comically on Chat Noir's head. "But thanks."

Meanwhile, in the shadows, Papillon's voice crackled through the air. "Get the Miraculouses. I want those powers, NOW!" he demanded, his frustration palpable.

The Bubbler nodded, his expression playful yet sinister. He threw a stream of small red bubbles toward Red Beetle and Chat Noir. The two heroes quickly spun their weapons to deflect the bubbles, the Bubbler snapped his fingers. Suddenly, the bubbles transformed, turning green and circling around them.

"Uh-oh," Red Beetle muttered as some of the bubbles stuck to them, and within moments, they were both captured in one giant bubble. Red and Chat struggled against the confines, while The Bubbler laughed maniacally. "Better give me your Miraculouses before you run out of air."

"How about no," Chat Noir shot back defiantly, straining against the bubble's hold.

"Total party poopers, just like adults," The Bubbler accused, a wicked gleam in his eye.

"Kids need adults," Red Beetle countered, determination in his voice.

"False! Kids need freedom, fun, let loose and live it up. Adults are controlling and bossy!" The Bubbler retorted, his tone filled with rebellious fervor.

"But some adults keep children safe and protected. They care for their kids; they love them!" Red Beetle argued back, trying to make The Bubbler see reason.

Chat Noir turned away from the conversation, muttering under his breath, "Most adults do anyhow." Red Beetle narrowed his eyes in response.

Turning his attention back to The Bubbler, Chat Noir said, "You have to bring the adults back!"

"Nope, never. Know what? Since you care so much about these adults, why don't you go float with them for a while?" The Bubbler sneered, charging at them with a gleeful yell. He kicked the bubble high into the sky, sending Red Beetle and Chat Noir tumbling as the teenagers below gasped in fear.

From the shadows, Papillon watched the chaos unfold, his frustration boiling over. "What do you think you're doing, Bubbler?! You're supposed to seize their Miraculouses!" he growled, tightening his fists in anger.

The Bubbler shrugged, unbothered by his master's reprimand, his focus solely on the thrill of the moment. The heroes were trapped, and he reveled in the chaos he was causing.

(RB&CN)

Up in the sky, Red Beetle and Chat Noir were suspended inside the giant bubble, desperately trying to find a way out. "Use your Cataclysm!" Red Beetle urged, his voice tinged with urgency.

"Couldn't you have said that five hundred feet ago?" Chat Noir snarked back, glancing nervously at the ground approaching fast beneath them.

"We can't stay stuck in this bubble together forever!" Red Beetle insisted, his tone more serious now.

Chat Noir, ever the jokester, giggled and wiggled his eyebrows, attempting to lighten the mood. "Well, it's not like we've been on a romantic date or anything!" he quipped, making Red Beetle chuckle despite the situation.

"Alright, alright! Cataclysm!" Chat Noir declared, laying his palm against the bubble. A surge of power flowed through him, and in an instant, the bubble burst with a loud pop, sending them tumbling through the air.

"Should we see if you land on your feet this time?!" Red Beetle snarked as they plummeted towards the ground, glancing at Chat with a teasing grin.

"No, thanks!" Chat Noir screamed as they continued to plummet.

"Your staff, there!" Red Beetle shouted, pointing frantically at the Eiffel Tower, his voice cutting through the adrenaline-fueled chaos.

Chat Noir quickly assessed the situation, his eyes locking onto his baton. "Got it!" he exclaimed, aiming carefully as he hurled his staff toward the tower. It struck with a satisfying thunk, embedding itself firmly into the metal structure.

"Hang on!" Red Beetle warned, grabbing Chat Noir's hand just as the momentum of their fall began to swing them. He threw his yo-yo at the staff, the grappling mechanism catching securely. With a swift pull, they swung around several times before finally landing safely on a nearby platform of the Eiffel Tower.

"Good thing cats aren't afraid of heights," Chat Noir quipped as he regained his footing, dusting himself off with a triumphant smirk.

"We've got to get to his bubble sword; that's got to be where the akuma is," Red Beetle concluded, scanning the area for The Bubbler.

Chat's miraculous suddenly beeped, a reminder of the urgency of their mission. "And better hurry," he told Red Beetle, glancing over the edge to see The Bubbler still wreaking havoc below, gloating over the chaos he'd created.

(RB&CN)

At the front of the Agreste Mansion, The Bubbler was desperately trying to rally the party back to life, his voice echoing as he shouted, "Where is everybody? Get out here and party!"

"Sorry to burst your bubble," Came a confident voice from the top of the gate.

"Red Beetle!" Alya cheered, and the other teens quickly joined in, their cheers echoing in support of their hero.

Red Beetle felt a surge of annoyance as he thought, 'Why haven't they left yet?' He stood tall and declared, "No one wants to party with you anymore, Bubbler."

"What's wrong with all you guys!? Why you gotta be such haters!?" The Bubbler grunted, his frustration mounting. In a fit of anger, he drew his bubble sword and encased several teens in bubbles, lifting them off the ground. "Outer space is the next stop for your precious peeps, and they're never coming back!" he taunted, leaping from roof to roof.

With Red and Chat hot on his heels, The Bubbler made a beeline for the Eiffel Tower. As they climbed the structure, Bubbler hurled explosive bubbles at them. Chat's ring beeped urgently, signaling that he was nearing the end of his transformation. "I'm gonna switch back soon, hurry!" he warned.

"Lucky Charm!" Red Beetle called out, and to his surprise, a large wrench appeared in his hand.

"Your...plumbing skill is gonna help us out?" Chat said, bewildered.

Red Beetle shrugged, glancing back at Bubbler, who continued to bombard them with explosive bubbles. "Could use a little work! Is that all you got?" Chat taunted, jumping deftly atop a beam to evade the attacks.

Red Beetle's eyes scanned the area until they landed on a vent pipe. The screw connecting it to the tower caught his attention. "I see!" he exclaimed, dashing toward the pipe. He quickly loosened the screw, causing the pipe to detach and fly upwards toward Chat.

"Chat, cover me!" Red Beetle shouted. Understanding the plan, Chat leaped down, catching the pipe mid-air. "Go on!" he urged as he used it to deflect Bubbler's incoming bubbles.

With renewed determination, The Bubbler raised his bubble sword once more, ready to attack. But Red Beetle seized the moment, throwing his yo-yo to snatch the sword from Bubbler's grasp. With a swift motion, he broke the sword in half with his knees, sending the akuma flying out of the shattered weapon.

"Get out of there, you nasty bug. No more corrupting from you, little akuma!" Red Beetle shouted, opening his yo-yo as it glowed with purifying energy. "Time to purify!" He captured the akuma inside, and with a triumphant grin, he opened the yo-yo again, releasing the purified akuma. "Bye butterfly, Miraculous Ladybug!"

With a flick of his wrist, he threw the wrench high into the sky. The Miraculous cleansing energy radiated outwards, enveloping the area and returning every adult to safety. The Bubbler fell to his knees, the black smoke surrounding him as his transformation faded, revealing Nino.

"Who? Dude," Nino said, dazed and confused.

Red Beetle and Chat Noir exchanged triumphant smiles before bumping fists. "Pound it!" they said in unison, celebrating their victory as the crowd erupted into cheers around them. The party may have been interrupted, but their spirits were high, and they had saved the day once again.

(AA)

"You can't run forever, Red Beetle! And when I catch you, I will crush you! I will DESTROY YOU BOTH!" Papillon spat, his voice laced with venom as he slammed the window shut, the sound reverberating ominously through the dimly lit lair. Shadows danced along the walls, flickering like the remnants of his rage. The tension in the room thickened, a palpable reminder of the stakes at hand. Outside, the city hummed with life, blissfully unaware of the impending storm brewing within the confines of Papillon's lair.

(AA)

Inside Nathalie Sancoeur's office, the intercom crackled to life. "Nathalie? Did my son like his gift?" came Gabriel Agreste's voice, smooth yet laced with an undertone of expectation.

"Actually, I was going to check," Nathalie replied, her tone professional but tinged with a hint of fatigue.

"Hmmm, good," Gabriel responded.

Sighing softly, Nathalie glanced around the room, her gaze landing on the neatly wrapped gift sitting on her desk—Marcel's birthday present. She picked it up, ensuring it was secure in her hands, and made her way to the dining room where she found Adrien enjoying a meal.

"Adrien," she called gently, drawing his attention. "A birthday present, from your father."

Adrien's eyes widened in surprise, a mix of excitement and uncertainty crossing his face. "Thank you," he said sincerely, accepting the gift she handed to him. "I mean, please say thank you to my father for me."

Nathalie nodded, a small smile breaking through her usually stoic demeanor. She watched as Adrien carefully unwrapped the gift, his fingers trembling slightly with anticipation.

(MDC)

Outside the school, Chloé's voice echoed in frustration as she screamed at Sabrina, "What do you mean not for a week?!"

Sabrina cowered, her eyes wide with worry. "There were no adults yesterday to deliver it," she explained, her voice barely above a whisper.

"So what? Ridiculous, utterly ridiculous!" Chloé groaned, her temper flaring as she stormed past Sabrina and into the school, the latter trailing behind her with a look of resignation.

Alya turned to Marcel, a smirk playing on her lips. "Ha! Serves Chloé right," she laughed, but Marcel simply shrugged. He figured at least Chloé wanted to give Adrien a gift, unlike a certain someone who kept urging him to do the same.

Just then, Adrien stepped out of his limousine, wearing a stylish scarf that caught everyone's attention. "Hey, girls!" he greeted cheerfully.

Marcel turned to Alya, pointing out, "Looks like he's wearing my scarf."

Adrien approached Nino, greeting him with a friendly, "Hey, dude."

"Yo, nice scarf, Adrien. Off the chain!" Alya called out, a grin on her face.

"Yeah, can you believe my dad got this for me?" Adrien revealed, a look of genuine surprise on his face. Marcel raised both eyebrows, surprised himself. "He's awesome! He's been giving me the same lame pen for three years in a row."

"Wow, I guess anyone can change. Adults can be cool when you least expect it," Alya mused.

"Speaking of adults, I know my father said you were a bad influence, but—" Adrien started, a hint of uncertainty in his voice.

"We're good, Adrien, don't sweat it. We're buds. Always and forever," Nino reassured him, putting a friendly arm around his shoulder as he led him up the stairs.

Alya leaned closer to Marcel and said, "You gotta tell him you were the one who knitted the scarf."

Marcel remained unbothered. "Nah, let him be; he seems happy about his dad. I don't want to spoil it for him."

"Marc, you're amazing, you know that, right? And someday people will figure it out too. Promise," Alya said with genuine admiration as the bell rang, signaling the start of the school day.

——————
𝗦𝗼𝗿𝗿𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜 𝘁𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝘁𝗼𝗼 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗴𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘂𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱, 𝗜 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗱𝗶𝗱𝗻'𝘁 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗽𝘆 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘀𝗵𝗲 𝗸𝗲𝗽𝘁 𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗶𝗸𝗸𝗶 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗮𝗺𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗷𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗮 𝗯𝗼𝘆 𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱.

Chapter Text

Marcel lounged lazily in his desk chair, spinning slowly as he watched The Challengers, the game show that Nino had told him about. "Welcome back to everyone's #1 live game show: The Challenge! Let's give it up for our awesome contestant, Nino!" Alec cheered as Nino stepped onto the stage, a mix of excitement and nerves radiating off him. Alec turned to Nino, who was fidgeting with his hat, and grinned. "So, Nino, you're a student and a DJ? That's pretty awesome! Come check out the decks we've got for you!"

"Marcel!" A voice jolted him from his thoughts, and he glanced up to see Tikki, a confused look in her eyes. "Please come down, we need to talk!" The teen raised an eyebrow, catching her shrug as she nibbled on one of the macaroons his father had made.

With a reluctant sigh, Marcel pushed himself up from his chair, stuffing his phone into his pocket. Tikki darted and nestled herself inside his baggy shirt near his neck, her tiny presence a comforting weight against his skin. He walked down the stairs.

(MDC)

Down in the living room, Marcel stood in front of his parents, his back to the TV, confusion etched across his face. They sat on the couch, papers in hand, ready to deliver the news. "Grounded? Why am I grounded?" he asked, bewildered.

His father sighed, holding up the paper as if it were a trophy of shame. "Let's jog your memory, Marcel," he began, raising a finger. "Monday morning, absent from P.E..."

'Saving a helicopter,' Marcel thought, but instead, he said, "I was in study hall."

"Friday evening, absent from science class," his father continued, adding another finger to the tally.

'Must've been when I rescued a kitten stuck in a tree even though the firefighters could've been called,' Marcel concluded, answering, "I was at P.E."

Tom raised an eyebrow, his frustration palpable. "And absent from almost all day of school, you're never where you're supposed to be, Marcel!" Tom placed the paper down on the coffee table, and sighed, "The only way we can keep track of you is by keeping you here, grounded."

"I understand that, but I was invited, and Nino is my friend," Marcel protested, motioning towards the TV, where Alec's voice rang out. "So, the challenge the viewers have chosen for you is...to get the Maire of Paris, André Bourgeois, to dance! Thank you for agreeing to play with us today, sir. What are Nino's chances tonight?"

From the screen, André scoffed, "Zero. I despise dancing. The last time I set foot on a dance floor, Madonna was in kindergarten."

"We know Nino's your friend. But until your unexcused absences come to an end, that's the way it's going to be," Marcel's father said, crossing his arms, his tone firm.

Marcel frowned, a sigh escaping his lips. "I understand." He turned and trudged up the stairs to his room, flopping onto his bed as Tikki flew out of his baggy shirt. "Can you blame them? How are they supposed to know that you're missing class to save the world?" she asked, perching on his desk.

"I knew being grounded came with the territory of having a secret identity; it's still just annoying," Marcel muttered, his voice softened against the pillow.

"It is, but hey, if Nino wins, you're not grounded next week, and you can see him at the show!" Tikki reminded him, her eyes sparkling with encouragement.

"Yeah, that's true," Marcel mumbled as he pushed himself up, moving to his chair. He powered on his computer, turning on TVi to watch Nino.

(MDC)

Shadows danced across the walls, flickering in the dim light cast by a the sunlight shining through the window. The air was thick with an unsettling mix of anticipation and malevolence. Papillon, a figure cloaked in darkness, murmured to himself, his voice a low, melodic whisper that echoed through the cavernous space.

"The Challenge. What an interesting concept," He mused, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the cane clutched in his hand. "A TV show with such potential, harnessing the raw energy of negative emotions..." He hummed, his mind raced, conjuring images of chaos and conflict, the kind that wrapped viewers in a cocoon of tension and excitement. "The destructive mayhem we could cause..."

(MDC)

Marcel collapsed onto his bed, feeling a twinge of annoyance as he spoke to Alya on the phone. "I can't believe even you think that," Marcel muttered, frustrated by the assumption that he was a hero, despite the fact that he was.

"Sorry, but I kind of see where your dad's coming from, Marcel. You're always late, disappearing without a trace. It's like you're leading..." Alya paused, placing a hand on her chin and giving Marcel a pointed look through the screen, "A double life."

Marcel blinked in disbelief and shook his head. "Alya, how could I possibly lead a double life?" Marcel asked, knowing that he was too exhausted or unmotivated to attempt anything if he wasn't Red Beetle.

"Well...."

(AA)

"Just wait right here, please," the staff member instructed as he led a man in a pink formal coat next to Adrien and his bodyguard.

Adrien glanced at the newcomer, curiosity piqued. He waved at the man, who took the chance to extend his hand for a shake. However, Adrien's bodyguard immediately stepped in front of him, shielding him with an instinctual protectiveness. Startled by his bodyguard's actions, Adrien gently pushed him back. "No! It's okay!" he insisted, trying to assure both the man and his bodyguard.

Meanwhile, Nino continued his music sample, and Alec's sharp eyes caught sight of the mayor, who was bobbing his head to the beat. "Victory! Challenge conquered by Nino! You moved your head to the beat, Mayor Bourgeois! That counts as dancing!" Alec proclaimed, excitement bubbling in his voice.

The mayor, André Bourgeois, tried to deny it, scratching his neck in awkwardness. "What?! That's not true! My neck was...itching, that's all," he stammered, flustered.

"Relieving an itch to the beat counts as dancing, too!" Alec shot back with a grin. "Nino, congratulations! You'll return in one week to meet your next challenge!" Turning to the onlookers, he added, "And now, for our next contestant, welcome Simon Grimault!"

As Simon was led to the stage, Adrien cheered, "Awesome, dude!" and fist-bumped Nino, who had just come back from his moment in the spotlight.

"M. Grimault, you are a hypnotist. You use cards to hypnotize people to get what you want from them!" Alec announced, his tone a mix of enthusiasm and mischief.

Simon seemed a bit flustered by the introduction. "Well, yes, I'm a hypnotist, but, uh, I don't use my skills to get anything," he denied, pulling out a wad of cards nervously.

"So, your challenge today, Simon, is to use your talents to bring a very elusive celebrity to this very TV set! Give it up for the king of fashion, Gabriel Agreste!"

The big screen flickered to life, revealing Gabriel looking around with a puzzled expression before he spoke. "What is this show? I was told this was an interview."

"Dude, your dad!" Nino exclaimed, placing a hand on Adrien's shoulder, eyes wide.

"Do your thing, Grimault! Let's see if you can bring Mr. Agreste here with your hypnotic persuasion!" Alec encouraged, his voice full of anticipation.

"I told you, I don't make people—" Simon began, but he was interrupted by the audience's laughter.

"Ha! A shy hypnotist! How funny is that, Gabriel?" Alec teased.

"Hilarious. Your show is pathetic, and so is your contestant. Control me? Never," Gabriel's voice came through cold and dismissive, ending the transmission abruptly.

"Huh?" Alec faltered, taken aback.

Adrien sighed, feeling a mix of embarrassment and disappointment. "That's father, all right," He muttered under his breath.

"Looks like Mr. Agreste has turned down your challenge. Game over!" Alec announced, disappointment edging his voice as a staff member approached Simon to lead him off the stage.

"But...that's not fair! I didn't even get time to..." Simon protested, frustration creeping into his tone as he was ushered away.

The door behind him closed with a definitive thud, and he turned around, exhaling heavily. In that moment of distraction, his hands inadvertently let go of the cards he had been clutching tightly. They fluttered to the ground like fallen leaves, each one a testament to the control he had lost in that moment.

(AA)

"Yes, humiliation and anger—these are the potent forces that can reshape a loser into a formidable winner," He declared, a sly smile creeping across his lips. With deliberate slowness, he extended his hand, inviting the delicate butterfly to alight upon his palm. As it settled there, he enveloped it with a dark, swirling energy, watching intently as the creature absorbed the corrupting essence, transforming it into a powerful akuma. 

"Fly away now, my little akuma," he whispered, his voice dripping with persuasion, "and unleash your corrupting influence upon him. Show him the depth of his failures, let the sting of humiliation fuel his rage. For in that fury lies the spark of transformation. Let him feel the weight of his inadequacies; let the bitterness of his past drive him to rise. With each flap of your wings, infuse him with the poison of despair, and yet, let him see the glimmer of winning just out of reach. Remind him that only through this darkness can he emerge into the light. So go forth, my little harbinger of change, and twist his heart with the power of your corruption. Make him a puppet of his own fury, and in doing so, craft a champion from the ashes of his shame."

(AA)

Simon carefully bent down to pick up the scattered cards, his hands trembling with sorrow. The atmosphere around him felt heavy, charged with an energy he couldn't quite place. As he reached for the final card, an eerie chill washed over him, wrapping around his spine like icy fingers. Unbeknownst to him, the Akuma had stealthily phased inside the last card he dropped, lying in wait with an insidious patience, ready for the opportune moment to strike.

As Simon's fingertips brushed against the card, a chilling voice sliced through the silence, resonating with a haunting, otherworldly echo. "I am Papillon. You are now Simon Says. I will elevate you to the pinnacle of hypnotic mastery, a power beyond your wildest dreams. But in return, you must owe me a favor when the time is ripe. So, tell me, do we have a deal, Simon Says?"

Caught off guard, Simon faltered, his heart racing as a tempest of conflicting emotions surged within him—fear mingled with an intoxicating allure. The promise of unimaginable power beckoned, whispering sweetly in his ear, wrapping around his mind like a silken thread. It was an invitation he could hardly resist, a choice that felt both terrifying and exhilarating.

As the shadows danced around him, the intoxicating thrill of possibility ignited a fire within. The vision of wielding power, of bending the will of others, surged through his veins like a potent elixir. Finally, overwhelmed by the seductive pull of ambition, he surrendered to the darkness, his voice barely a whisper, "Simon says yes."

In that moment, a pact was sealed—a binding agreement cloaked in the shadows of manipulation and desire, setting Simon on a path he could scarcely comprehend. The weight of his decision hung in the air, a promise of power intertwined with the chains of obligation. In that instant, corruptive smoke engulfed his entire body, swirling around him like a storm of shadows. It twisted and contorted him, reshaping his very essence. When the smoke cleared, Simon emerged as Simon Says, a being cloaked in darkness, his eyes gleaming with a newfound intensity and malice. He felt the rush of power coursing through him, intoxicating and heady, filling him with an insatiable hunger for control.

"Excellent," Papillon purred, a satisfied tone lacing the words. "With my guidance, you will bend others to your will, and together, we will spread chaos in ways they cannot even imagine. You are mine now, Simon Says, and the world will soon kneel before your hypnotic prowess."

As Simon stood, the weight of his transformation settled over him like a shroud. He could feel Papillon's presence pulsating within him, a dark energy fueling his confidence. Pivoting around, he pushed the door open and strode inside, a wicked grin spreading across his face. "Simon says the show is not over!"

"What on earth?!" Alec shouted, his voice laced with disbelief as he stumbled backward, eyes wide with shock.

With a gleam in his eye, Simon Says grabbed a card from his deck. "Silence! Simons says..." He paused, relishing the moment, "You're lame! As lame as a duck!" He hurled a card emblazoned with a cartoon duck at Alec. The moment it hit him, an irresistible compulsion took over. Alec began to quack and waddle around the room, his bewildered laughter mingling with his new quacking sounds.

Just then, Adrien's bodyguard, a massive figure, stepped in front of Adrien and Nino, rushing toward Simon Says with protective instincts kicking in but Simon was quicker.

"Simon says stop!" He exclaimed, throwing a card with a pause sign. The moment it made contact, the bodyguard froze mid-stride, confusion flickering in his eyes.

"Simon says you are a gorilla!" Simon Says laughed, tossing a card featuring a gorilla at him. The transformation was instantaneous. The bodyguard began to mimic a gorilla, beating his chest and letting out deep, guttural roars.

Adrien and Nino exchanged startled glances, the reality of their situation weighing heavily on them. Adrien's instincts kicked in, and he knew he had to act fast. "We need to get out of here!" he urged Nino. In a burst of adrenaline, Adrien bolted for the door, intent on finding a safe place to transform.

(MDC&AA)

Meanwhile, back with Marcel, he was still on the phone with Alya, blissfully unaware of the chaos unfolding elsewhere. Tikki, however, was on high alert, her eyes darting toward the screen. "Marcel, look!" she whispered urgently.

Marcel turned to see the ominous figure of the akuma on the screen, his heart sinking. "I gotta go, Alys," He said, his voice tinged with urgency. "There's something...weird going on." Marcel told her, looking at the copycat riddler on the screen.

"Have a good one! I'll get back to my babysitting!" Alya replied cheerfully, oblivious to the danger.

As Marcel hung up, he leaned closer to Tikki, frustration bubbling up. "Tikki, I'm grounded! I can't go anywhere!"

"We don't have a choice!" Tikki insisted, urgency in her tone. "You have to transform! We just need to be extra careful! Use that pillow under your sheets." She pointed at the pillows on the bed.

Marcel nodded, he got up from his chair and walked to his bed, quickly stuffing the pillow under the covers to give the illusion that he was sleeping.

"Lookin' good," Tikki approved, her eyes brightening with hope. With a deep breath, Marcel walked up to his balcony, glancing back to ensure no one was watching. "Tikki, spots on," He whispered, careful not to alert his parents.

In an instant, Red Beetle emerged from his house's roof, springing into movement as he swung his way toward the Studio.

(RB&CN)

Simon Says stood in the center of the studio, his presence commanding and chaotic as he addressed the cameras, broadcasting his sinister ultimatum to the entire city. "Gabriel Agreste turned down my challenge," He declared, his voice dripping with malice. "And he will pay for it! By midnight tonight, he will entertain us in this very TV studio. Gabriel, I'm coming to get you!" The words hung in the air, charged with tension and foreboding.

Unbeknownst to Simon, above him, Chat Noir was clinging to the ceiling, his heart racing as he listened in on the broadcast. Shock coursed through him like electricity when he heard the name of his father uttered so carelessly. "Father?" he whispered to himself, disbelief etched across his face.

The weight of Simon's words sank in, and Chat Noir's mind raced with worry. What did Simon mean by 'entertain us?' Was his father in danger? He couldn't let Simon's twisted games endanger Gabriel, no matter how complicated their relationship had become.

Chat Noir carefully made his way along the beams above, trying to formulate a plan. He needed to get to his father before Simon's midnight deadline, but how? If he revealed himself too soon, he risked exposing his identity and putting Gabriel in even more danger.

(RB&CN)

Contemplative in his dimly lit lair, Papillon let out a low, thoughtful hum, his mind racing with possibilities. The shadows curled around him like tendrils, each flickering light revealing the twisted smile that played across his lips. "It's risky," He mused aloud, his voice laced with a blend of intrigue and malice, "but it's given me an idea."

He leaned back with his cane in hand, fingers steepled beneath his chin as he considered the implications of his latest scheme. The thrill of chaos danced in the air, and he could almost taste the sweet anticipation of what was to come. "Good luck, Simon Says," He murmured, a chilling edge to his tone, as he sent his thoughts spiraling into the depths of his plan.

(CN)

Looking around, Chat Noir spotted Nino hiding behind a nearby pillar. Their eyes met, and Nino quickly shushed him, a look of urgency etched on his face. Sensing the tension, Chat Noir sprang into action, leaping onto Simon Says with a playful grin. "Chat says zip it and gimme those cards!" He declared, his voice ringing with confidence.

The Akuma, caught off guard, instinctively threw the cards away from him in a panic. Chat quickly leaped off Simon and lunged for the scattered cards, his agility on full display. "My gorilla will take care of you!" Simon shouted defiantly. "Simon says... knock him out!"

With a flick of his wrist, Simon hurled a card toward the hulking Gorilla. The massive man charged at Chat Noir with a ferocious roar, delivering a powerful punch that sent Chat flying out the doorway.

The door burst open, slamming against the wall as Chat Noir crashed into it, the impact rattling his bones. Dazed but not defeated, he pushed himself up from the ground, a wry smile forming on his lips. "I may not always land on my feet, but I always bounce back!" he joked, shaking off the cobwebs as he crouched low, ready for the next attack.

Dodging a swift punch from the Gorilla, Chat flipped gracefully, landing on his feet with a finesse that showcased his training. He quickly gathered the cards that had been scattered across the floor, his mind racing with possibilities. "I could use an army," Simon mused aloud as he got back on his feet, a calculating glint in his eye and Simon walked toward the elevator

(CN&RB)

A crowd of people stood impatiently waiting for the elevator doors to slide open. When they finally did, Simon Says stepped out, a wicked grin plastered across his face. "Simon says...you're all soldiers!" he declared, his voice echoing with authority.

The moment the crowd heard his words, panic surged through them. Screams erupted as they scattered in all directions, desperate to escape the influence of the Akuma. But Simon was prepared; he flicked his wrist, sending out cards that bore a soldier icon. "Simon says search all over Paris, my army, and find Gabriel Agreste!" he commanded, his eyes glinting with malicious glee as his newly formed army began to move.

Meanwhile, inside the studio, Chat was locked in a fierce struggle with the Gorilla. He jumped at the hulking figure, aiming to slam his staff down onto him. But the Gorilla's strength was overwhelming; he caught the staff forcing Chat to leap back, narrowly avoiding the counterattack.

"Better watch out. My sensei taught me that—" Chat started to say, but his words were abruptly cut off as the Gorilla seized him, lifting him off the ground and beginning to squeeze him tightly. "Size doesn't matter!" Chat squeaked out, his voice strained as he struggled against the crushing grip.

Meanwhile Red Beetle burst through the door, kicking it open with a determined stance, only to find the studio eerily empty. "Red Beetle!" Nino whispered-shouted, his voice barely breaking through the chaos. RB perked up at the sound of his alter ego and rushed over to Nino, his expression shifting from confusion to concern. "You okay?"

"I'm fine, but my boy Adrien's still here somewhere!" Nino replied, anxiety lacing his words.

"Don't worry, I'll find him," Red Beetle assured Nino, giving his shoulder a reassuring pat. He could feel the urgency in Nino's tone, and his resolve solidified. "We need to move quickly before Simon's army spreads too far."

(CN&RB)

Back with Chat Noir, pressed against the wall by the Gorilla's overwhelming strength, he groaned, "I quit karate." Just as he felt the weight of passing out from the squeezing closing in, the elevator beeped, and the doors slid open. A lady stepped out, her eyes widening in shock as she took in the scene before her. "Oh, hey there, Red Beetle!" Chat exclaimed in a panic.

The Gorilla, tricked by his words into thinking Red Beetle had arrived, turned his head to look. In that split second, Chat Noir seized his opportunity. Planting his feet firmly on the Gorilla's massive chest, he kicked off with all his might, propelling himself free just as the Gorilla slammed into the wall.

Enraged, the Gorilla began swinging wild punches toward Chat Noir, but the agile hero danced out of the way, dodging each strike with fluid grace. As the last punch came flying in, Chat caught the Gorilla's fist and, using his momentum, hurled him inside the elevator. "Enough already! Cataclysm!" Chat shouted, channeling his power as he made the elevator malfunction. With a screech of metal, the elevator began its rapid descent, the Gorilla's screams echoing as it plunged downward.

Chat Noir performed a backflip to land gracefully on his feet, quickly picking up his staff and spinning it defensively, but then he froze at the sight of Red Beetle and Nino entering the fray.

RB glared at Chat Noir, not flinching as the staff hovered close to his eyes. "Nice seeing you too, Chat," he said sharply, his tone reflecting his irritation.

Chat pulled his staff away, a sheepish grin forming. "Oh, sorry! I thought you were Simon Says."

"I spotted him, he's got a whole army together." Red Beetle warned, haste in his voice.

"Yeah, and he's looking for Gabriel Agreste. We better get to him faster than they can!" Chat informed them, his Miraculous beeping as the warning of his imminent transformation loomed.

"Chat, you're about to change back," RB reminded him, concern etched on his face. "I'll take one last look around for Nino's friend."

"Uh...forget it. He's probably hypnotized," Chat said dismissively.

"But he's my buddy!" Nino protested, his eyes wide with worry.

"Uh...you're right. Maybe he's hiding. I'll leave you to look for him," Chat replied, moving toward the door nearby. "Let's meet up at Gabriel Agreste's place later on." With that, he closed the door behind him, muttering to himself, "Finding Adrien will be a piece of cake!"

"Plagg, hide," Adrien whispered, and his kwami darted inside his jacket just as he spotted Red Beetle and Nino in another hallway. "Nino!"

"Adrien!" Nino jogged over, relief flooding his expression as he hugged his friend. "Dude, you okay?"

"I'm fine," Adrien assured him, scratching his head nervously. He glanced at Red Beetle, offering a timid greeting. "...Hello?"

"You sure you're okay?" RB asked, concern evident in his gaze.

"I'm fine, really," Adrien reassured again, but then he remembered the urgency of the situation. "But we've got to get to my house now! My father's in danger!"

"Let's go! Chat will meet us there," RB said, taking the lead as they hurried away.

(AA)

At the Agreste mansion, Adrien burst through the front door, urgency propelling him forward. "Nathalie, where's my father? He's in danger!" he called out, his heart racing as Nino and Red Beetle followed closely behind.

"He knows already," Nathalie replied calmly, standing at the doorway. Just then, Gabriel appeared at the top of the grand staircase, his presence commanding as he greeted them. "Good evening, Red Beetle."

"Father, you've gotta get outta here! The Akuma Simon Says is coming after you!" Adrien insisted, his voice rising as he watched his father slowly descend the stairs.

"What? And be dictated by a madman? Certainly not," Gabriel replied dismissively, closing his eyes as if to block out Adrien's urgent warnings.

"But Father, he's dangerous! Who knows what he'll do?" Adrien protested, desperation creeping into his tone.

"Head up to your room now. You've had enough excitement for today," Gabriel ordered, his voice firm. He then turned to Nathalie, "Nathalie, make sure they stay there."

Nathalie nodded and led Nino and Adrien up the stairs, leaving Gabriel standing resolutely at the bottom.

Gabriel then turned to Red Beetle, who stood protectively before him. "I have to apologize for my son, Red Beetle. He's like his mother. Way too overly dramatic."

"Your son is right, you know. Simon Says is a threat. You're in danger," Red Beetle warned, his expression serious.

"What could possibly happen with you here to protect me?" Gabriel smirked, placing a hand on Red Beetle's shoulder in a gesture that was intended to be reassuring but only raised eyebrows.

Red Beetle side-eyed the hand on his shoulder, confused by Gabriel's dismissive attitude.

(AA)

"You sure your old man isn't some kind of robot or something?" Nino asked, incredulous at Gabriel's nonchalance.

"When my father's concerned, I'm never sure of anything," Adrien replied bitterly as they entered his room.

"Hoho! Dude! I've seen stadiums tinier than your room!" Nino exclaimed, eyes wide with awe as he took in the lavish space while Adrien walked toward the bathroom door.

"Make yourself at home. I'm gonna take a shower," Adrien said without looking back.

"Now?" Nino replied, eyebrows raised.

"What can I say? It's the model in me!" Adrien joked, flashing a quick grin before entering the bathroom. Once inside, he turned to Plagg, who was lounging on the counter. "Why doesn't my father ever listen to me?" Adrien groaned, frustration bubbling to the surface.

He pulled out a piece of camembert cheese for Plagg, knowing his kwami needed to recharge. As Plagg devoured the cheese, Adrien grabbed a towel from the cabinet.

"Camembert, the love of my life!" Plagg exclaimed in his raspy voice, licking his lips as he finished. "Plagg, claws out!" In an instant, Adrien felt the familiar rush of transformation wash over him. Cat ears sprouted atop his head, twitching as they adjusted. A tail-like belt cinched around his waist, completing his feline look. The sleek domino mask formed over his eyes, transforming them into glowing, slitted pupils. Chat Noir opened his bathroom window and climbed out, flipping onto the roof with grace.

(CN&RB)

Red Beetle gazed around the opulent office, his eyes landing on the many photographs adorning the walls—each one showcasing Adrien in various modeling poses. He raised an eyebrow, contemplating the disparity between Gabriel's adoration for his son and the neglect that seemed to seep through their interactions. 'He clearly loves his son yet he neglects him so heavily,' RB thought to himself.

"Isn't he flawless?" Gabriel's voice broke through his reverie as he stood beside Red Beetle, pride radiating from him.

Startled by the question, Red Beetle stammered, "Huh, Flaw-what?"

"Adrien, my son. He's the image of perfection, don't you think?" Gabriel continued, a glimmer of pride shining in his eyes.

"I mean, I don't know him very well, but he seems..." Red Beetle trailed off, trying to find the right words.

Gabriel wasn't listening. He noted the unique earrings adorning Red Beetle's ears, his curiosity piqued. "I've never noticed your earrings before. They really are quite unique. May I?" Gabriel asked, reaching out toward them.

But just as Gabriel's fingers were inches from touching the earrings, Red Beetle's yo-yo rang out, breaking the moment.

Jolting back from Gabriel, Red Beetle excused himself to answer his yo-yo. "Chat, where are you?" he asked, tension creeping into his voice as Nathalie quietly entered the room and stood behind Gabriel, her expression unreadable.

"I...I am...keeping Simon Says at bay!" Chat Noir replied, his voice strained.

"And? Chat?" Red Beetle pressed, sensing urgency.

Looking down at the security feed, Chat Noir's eyes widened. He spotted the hypnotized individuals gathered at the mansion's gate. "I couldn't keep him away. He's coming, and he's got company." He quickly hung up the call and entered the room through a window, his expression serious. "Close off all exits! They're coming from another direction! Do as I say!" Chat urged, swiftly closing the window behind him.

"Engage the self-defense system! We need total lockdown!" he commanded, his voice firm.

Gabriel listened intently as he walked over to his desk, activating the defense system.

"Lockdown engaged," the mansion announced mechanically as metal walls began to close off every entry point.

"How do you know so much about the system?" Gabriel inquired, looking at Chat with a raised brow, standing behind his desk as the tension in the room escalated.

"Uh...In a house like this...it's a given!" Chat sputtered out, giving a half-hearted shrug, though the seriousness of the situation weighed heavily on him.

Gabriel's demeanor shifted slightly, a hint of self respect creeping into his expression. "They won't get in. This house is built like a fortress," he assured them, glancing at the camera screen that displayed various angles around the mansion.

Red Beetle exchanged a glance with Chat.

(CN&RB)

"Simon says, destroy!" Simon Says commanded, his voice dripping with malice. The hypnotized individuals, their eyes glazed and devoid of free will, charged at the gate like a wave of mindless fury. They hurled themselves against the metal barrier, crashing into it over and over again, driven by Simon's hypnotic influence.

The sound of bodies colliding with the gate echoed through the mansion, reverberating in the halls like thunder. Red Beetle and Chat Noir exchanged worried glances as the metal began to buckle under the relentless onslaught.

With each impact, the gate groaned, metal straining against the force of the attackers. "We need to do something." Red Beetle shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos. "If they keep this up, they'll breach the gate!"

Gabriel, still standing behind his desk, tightened his grip on the edge, his face paling as he watched the scene unfold on the security feed. "Nathalie, what's the status of the defense systems?"

"The external defenses are holding, but they won't last long if they keep this up," she replied, her voice steady despite the tension in the air.

What she said didn't matter as the gate broke down and they all charged inside the mansion.

(CN&RB)

Inside Gabriel's office, the lights flickered back on as the AI announced, "Emergency power on." The atmosphere was charged with tension, the urgency of the situation palpable.

"There are too many of them. Your defense system has failed!" Chat shouted at Gabriel, pointing toward the camera feed that displayed the chaos unfolding outside.

Gabriel's expression hardened for a moment before he realized the gravity of the situation. "If that's true, then Adrien and Nino! I've got to go get them!" Red Beetle exclaimed, dashing toward the door where Nathalie stood ready.

"Here, Nathalie, pick the controls in case you need to unlock an exit," Gabriel instructed, opening a secret compartment next to her, revealing a series of buttons and switches. "She's coming with you," he added, his tone brokering no argument as Red Beetle nodded, determination etched on his face.

"I'll reinforce the outer defenses. Go hide in the atrium. It's not safe in here," Chat ordered, his voice firm as he sprinted toward another remote in the compartment, ready to assist.

"No one tells me what to do. Not even a super," Gabriel retorted, his pride flaring at being ordered around in his own home. Chat glared at him, frustration mixing with urgency.

"You're in danger, like everyone else! So stop pretending you're above us all, just do what I tell you to!" Chat yelled, the words spilling out in a moment of raw emotion. Shock washed over Gabriel's face, and even Chat was taken aback by his own outburst.

A moment passed, the tension thick in the air, until Gabriel's expression softened. He looked at Chat with a hint of warmth. "Quite a temper. You remind me of someone," he said, a soft smile playing on his lips.

Chat's eyes flickered with a mixture of sadness and confusion, recognizing the underlying pain in Gabriel's words. But he didn't have time to dwell on it. Understanding the urgency of the moment, he turned away, exiting the room quickly, unaware of the way Gabriel's gaze lingered on a photo of his missing wife, a bittersweet reminder of the family he once had.

(CN&RB)

Outside the mansion, the army of hypnotized individuals swarmed like a relentless tide, climbing the walls and battering against the gates. Simon Says stood at the forefront, cackling with glee as he watched the chaos unfold. His eyes glinted with a manic excitement, the power of his control evident in the way the mindless throngs obeyed his every command.

"I don't think that's a good idea, Simon Says,"

"But, Gabriel is here!" Simon responded, his voice dripping with arrogance. He relished the thought of confronting the man who didn't even let him have a chance.

"Yes, but don't forget our deal," Papilion pressed. "I feel Red Beetle and Chat Noir nearby. Once you've got them in front of you, you'll be able to honor our agreement. Just take their jewels—the Miraculouses."

Simon's expression shifted, a glint of realization sparking in his eyes. "It's as good as done," he said, a sinister grin spreading across his face. "Simon says we'll defeat them!"

With a wave of his hand, he directed the army forward, the hypnotized individuals redoubling their efforts

(AA)

Red Beetle and Nathalie burst into Adrien's room, startling Nino, who was lounging on the edge of the bed with an earbud in one ear. He shot up, blinking in surprise.

"Red Beetle! What's going down?" Nino asked, pulling the earbud from his ear as Red Beetle jogged towards him.

"We need to move to safer ground. Where's Adrien?" Red Beetle asked urgently.

"Taking a shower," Nino replied dryly, gesturing toward the bathroom door.

"Now?" Red Beetle's tone was filled with disbelief.

"It's the model in him," Nino said with a half-shrug, the sarcasm evident in his voice.

Red Beetle glanced back at Nathalie, who stood watch at the doorway. He turned his attention back to the bathroom. "Take Nino to the atrium. I'll take care of Adrien. Leave the remote control with me," he instructed Nathalie. She nodded and handed him the remote before ushering Nino out.

Red Beetle knocked on the bathroom door. "Adrien!"

Chat, who had just stepped into the shower, heard the commotion and turned the water on to cover the noise. As Red Beetle peeked inside, he was greeted by a splash of steam and an unexpected sight. "Oh!" he exclaimed, quickly closing his eyes.

"Yeah?" Adrien called from behind the shower curtain, a hint of confusion in his voice.

Assuming Adrien was naked, Red Beetle quickly responded, "I-It's dangerous, we need to leave."

"Can I put on my clothes first?" Adrien's voice was muffled, but Red Beetle could sense the urgency.

"Yeah," Red Beetle said, closing the bathroom door to give him privacy.

A sigh of relief escaped Adrien with his heart racing from almost being caught.

(CN)

Meanwhile, inside Gabriel's atelier, Nathalie and Nino jogged in, the tension palpable in the air. Gabriel stood at his desk, a deep frown etched on his face.

"Where's my son?" Gabriel demanded, his voice steely.

"He'll be here. He's with Red Beetle," Nino assured him, adjusting his cap nervously.

"Mmm," Gabriel hummed, anxiety creeping into his demeanor as he glanced toward the door.

(CN&RB)

Back in Adrien's room, Red Beetle was scanning the room when his eyes landed on a picture of Mrs. Agreste displayed on the computer. The beauty of the young woman in the photo struck him.

'She's very beautiful,' Red Beetle thought, momentarily distracted by the image.

Just then, Adrien emerged from the bathroom, a towel wrapped around his neck, and noticed Red Beetle's gaze lingering on the photo. "My mother on her 17th birthday. She was pretty, huh?" he said, a hint of pride in his voice.

"You have your mother's eyes," Red Beetle told him, Adrien gave him a look of surprise, he was about to respond, when the door to the room burst open. The army of hypnotized individuals poured in, their eyes blank and intent on destruction.

Pushing Adrien back into the bathroom, Red Beetle ordered, "Stay here!" He quickly closed the door, the sound of bodies crashing against the walls echoing in the room.

"Gotta help him!" Adrien exclaimed, adrenaline coursing through him. He stood up and called out, "Plagg, claws out!"

"Oh, not again!" Plagg groaned as he was sucked into the ring, transforming Adrien.

(CN&RB)

As the chaos unfolded in Gabriel's atelier, Gabriel watched in dismay as the security cameras flickered off one by one. "Are they coming?" he asked, his voice edged with worry.

Nathalie strained to keep the door locked, but the hypnotized army, led by Simon Says, crashed through with a force that sent her stumbling back. "Gotcha," Simon Says whispered, a malevolent grin on his face as his minions grabbed Gabriel, holding him firmly in place. Nathalie quickly ducked behind a desk, trying to remain out of sight.

Meanwhile, Chat leapt over a fence onto the roof, spotting the wave of hypnotized individuals below. "Hey, over here!" he taunted, trying to draw their attention. The army surged after him, their blank eyes fixed on their target.

In Adrien's room, Red Beetle was dodging the attackers, weaving left and right. He burst through the door, expertly flipping onto a railing and then out the door, slamming it shut with a swift kick. He kicked a civilian down gently and slid down the staircase railing, racing toward Gabriel's office.

But when he reached the office, he was met with an unsettling sight: the room was empty, paintings knocked over, the security terminal completely abandoned. Just then, Chat appeared at the window, his expression mirroring Red Beetle's frustration. "Well, that's just great," he said, slumping against the frame.

(CN&RB)

At the TVi Studio, Simon Says was basking in the chaos he had created. "Welcome to another exciting hour of 'The Challenge'! Good evening again from Simon Says. Viewers, I've kept my promise. Here's Gabriel!" He gestured dramatically as Gorilla brought Gabriel onto the stage.

"Simon says...you are a butterfly!" Simon commanded, throwing a butterfly card at Gabriel.

Gabriel, under Simon's control, began flapping his arms and jumping around like a butterfly. "Flap flap, flutter flutter, flutter flutter, flap flap!" he chanted, his voice devoid of any will.

Back in Adrien's room, Red Beetle turned to Chat Noir, horror etched on his face as he saw the spectacle on the TV. "We've gotta save Monsieur Agreste!"

"Tomorrow, Butterfly, you will be no more," Simon growled menacingly, a sinister grin stretching across his face as he watched Gabriel's antics on the screen.

"The akuma's gotta be in one of those cards," Chat said, his brows furrowing as he tried to think.

"But which one? There are so many of 'em," Red Beetle replied, frustration creeping into his voice, he charged up a kick and slammed the door open, startling Simon Says, who met them with a smirk.

"Red Beetle, Chat Noir, you can save him by giving me your Miraculouses. Do the right thing..." Simon taunted.

"Uh-huh, Lucky Charm!" Red Beetle shouted, and a regular yo-yo dropped into his hand.

"A regular yo-yo? But you've got a magical one!" Chat exclaimed, his eyes wide in disbelief.

"I'll figure it out later," Red Beetle replied, determination igniting in his chest.

"Simon says...your yo-yo is useless!" Simon commanded, throwing a card at the yo-yo, causing it to fall limply to the floor as the 'unbreakable' cord snapped. "Simon says...your stick is..."

Before Simon could finish, Chat Noir slammed his staff against Simon's hand, knocking the card out of his grasp. "Useless? I don't think so. I'm not gonna let you get a word in edgewise!" Chat taunted, leaping at Simon while deftly dodging the remaining cards.

Red Beetle dropped to the floor, ripping up the cards one by one. "Simon says..."

Taunting him, Chat interrupted, "Na-na-na-na," trying to drown out Simon's commands.

"It doesn't matter whether you can hear me or not!" Simon shouted, his voice rising in fury. "All that is important is what Simon says! Simon says remove your Miraculous and give it to me!"

In a flurry of movement, Simon threw all his cards at them, but Chat evaded the cards with agility, rolling Red Beetle and himself away from danger.

They slid to the floor, with Chat landing on top of Red Beetle. A moment of awkwardness passed between them, and Red Beetle shot him an exasperated look. Chat chuckled nervously, just as Red Beetle gently pushed him off.

Behind Simon, Gabriel continued to flap his arms, chanting, "Flap, flutter, flutter, flap..." as he jumped around like a butterfly.

Grinning, Simon turned to Gabriel. "Simon says...take off like an airplane!" He commanded, As Simon threw a card emblazoned with an airplane logo, Gabriel was instantly ensnared in its magic. He began to flap his arms and run around the room, making enthusiastic airplane noises. "Vroom! Vroom! Look at me fly!" he exclaimed, his laughter echoing off the walls as he raced toward the door.

"He's headed for the roof! We have to stop him!" Chat Noir shouted, sprinting toward the exit. But Red Beetle grabbed onto Chat's faux tail, pulling him back with urgency.

"Wait! This is our last chance to capture the akuma, and I can't do it alone! If we can free Simon Says, we'll free Monsieur Agreste too!" Red Beetle insisted, his eyes wide.

With a reluctant sigh, Chat nodded, realizing the gravity of the situation. "You're right. Let's not waste another minute."

Simon cackled, his confidence palpable. "And how will you defeat me without your precious yo-yo?" he taunted, brandishing the remaining cards with a gleeful flourish.

(CN&RB)

"Simon says... it's over!" Simon Says growled, hurling a flurry of pure black cards at them. Chat Noir swiftly batted them away with his staff, his eyes locked on the villain as he advanced.

"Follow my lead," Red Beetle whispered, charging toward Simon with Chat hot on his heels.

"Simon says..." The akuma began, but Red Beetle intercepted him, knocking the card out of his hand with a swift movement of his yo-yo. With a powerful kick, he sent Simon sprawling backward. Red Beetle then kneeled down, using his yo-yo as a launchpad for Chat.

"Cataclysm!" Chat shouted, soaring into the air. He focused his energy, and with a swipe of his hand, disintegrated the remaining cards that threatened them. As he landed, he quickly handed the deck to Red Beetle, who tossed the cards onto the ground. The akuma erupted from the cards, swirling into the air.

"That's not possible! I made your yo-yo useless!" Simon exclaimed, panic evident in his voice.

"This one, yes," Red Beetle replied, raising his real yo-yo triumphantly, "But not this one." He held up the Lucky Charm yo-yo, its energy shimmering brightly. "Miraculous Ladybug!" He threw it into the air, and a wave of energy erupted, freeing the hypnotized people just in time to catch Gabriel as he was about to jump off the tower.

Gabriel gulped and took a hesitant step back. Red Beetle felt the power of his restored yo-yo surge through him. "My yo-yo!" he grinned.

He turned to the escaping akuma. "No more corrupting for you, little akuma. Time to purify!" With a swift flick of his wrist, he caught the akuma in his yo-yo. "Gotcha." As he purified it, the butterfly fluttered free, and he called out, "Bye, butterfly."

Simon knelt down, transforming back into the original Simon, looking bewildered.

"Pound it!" Red Beetle and Chat Noir fist-bumped, adrenaline still coursing through them as they rushed to the roof where Gabriel stood, teetering near the edge.

"I'm afraid your flight's been canceled, sir," Chat joked, trying to lighten the mood as they approached him.

"You," Gabriel said, his expression hardening.

"Prefer Red Beetle? Can't say I blame you," Chat retorted playfully, slinging an arm around Red Beetle's shoulder. He leaned down slightly, their miraculous beeping in unison.

"Chat, your ring! You better get out of here!" Red Beetle warned, urgency creeping into his voice.

"Like a cat on a hot tin roof. See you again soon, Monsieur. Agreste." Chat extended his hand, shaking Gabriel's firmly. Gabriel glanced down at his own ring, then back up at Chat.

Chat turned to his partner, "And you, my good sir." With a respectful bow, Chat turned and dashed away, leaving Gabriel and Red Beetle on the rooftop.

Red Beetle then jumped off the roof, his yo-yo latching onto a nearby rooftop.

Gabriel narrowed his eyes, a thoughtful hum escaping his lips. "Hmm..."

(AA)

Back in Adrien's room, he stood before his windows engrossed in the pictures of his mother displayed on his phone. Plagg lounged comfortably on his shirt, both of them gazing out the window as the sun dipped below the horizon.

Suddenly, the door creaked open, and Plagg quickly ducked into the safety of Adrien's button-down shirt. Gabriel stepped inside, his gaze intense as he scrutinized Adrien. Their eyes met, and without a word, Gabriel leaned down and enveloped his son in a tight hug. Adrien was caught off guard, momentarily frozen before he slowly returned the embrace, feeling the warmth of his father's presence.

As Gabriel pulled back, he noticed the ring adorning Adrien's finger. "I've never noticed your ring before," he remarked, a hint of surprise in his voice.

"Is that really the only thing you've never noticed about me?" Adrien mumbled, crossing his arms defensively and turning slightly away, a mix of frustration and hurt flickering in his eyes.

Gabriel's expression softened, the weight of unspoken words hanging between them. "I'm glad everything worked out for the best," he said, his tone laced with sincerity. With that, he turned and left the room, the door clicking softly behind him.

As soon as Gabriel was gone, Plagg reemerged from Adrien's shirt, his eyes wide with concern. "You okay, kid?" he asked, tilting his head slightly.

"I don't know, Plagg. Father's been like this ever since Mother disappeared," Adrien admitted, his voice heavy with sorrow. A deep sadness settled over him, and he turned his gaze back to the photos, the memories of happier times flooding his mind. "It's like he's a ghost of the man he used to be."

Plagg floated closer, his tiny form radiating empathy. "You know, sometimes people just don't know how to deal with loss. It's not easy for anyone, especially him. But you can't carry that weight alone, Adrien. You've got friends who care about you."

Adrien nodded slowly, appreciating Plagg's words but feeling the ache in his heart. "I just wish things could go back to the way they were."

"Maybe they can, in time," Plagg said gently. "But for now, you need to focus on yourself too. You've got a lot of people who love you, and who want to help."

Taking a deep breath, Adrien finally managed a small smile. "Thanks, Plagg. I guess I'll try to remember that." He picked up his phone again, scrolling through the pictures, hoping to find comfort in the memories and the love that still surrounded him, even in these tough times.

(MDC)

Two days later, the buzz of excitement filled the air as the challenge was back on after the last akuma attack. "Welcome back to everyone's number one game show, The Challenge! Last week, our cool DJ friend Nino won the challenge. So, let's welcome him back again! Come on out, DJ Nino!" Alec announced, his voice booming as Nino walked onto the stage, greeted by an enthusiastic crowd.

"Looks like you weren't absent or late all week! Excellent news, Marcel. You can go join your friends on the set," Tom announced, a proud smile on his face.

"Thanks, Papa," Marcel replied, grabbing a cup of water before heading toward the door.

On the TV, Alec continued, "So we've upped the challenge for you tonight, Nino. You're going to have to get two celebrities dancing instead of one! However, this time, you can choose your opponents."

Nino's eyes sparkled with determination. "Oh, I've got this one in the bag. I'm gonna pick two buds I know won't let me down—Red Beetle and Chat Noir!"

Marcel groaned a bit, clearly not in the mood for the excitement. "I'm gonna take a nap. I don't wanna be late for school tomorrow and mess up that perfect school record. Tell me what happens," He said as he rushed out, kissing his mother and father on the cheek as he dashed up the stairs.

"Sure!" Tom called after him.

"Of course, honey," Sabine added, a hint of amusement in her voice.

"Sometimes I just can't figure that boy out," Tom remarked, chuckling softly.

"Oh, give him a break. You know there's nothing more demanding than going to school!" Sabine said, hugging Tom affectionately.

Meanwhile, Red Beetle swung onto the roof, the wind whipping through his hair as he made his way toward the studio where Nino awaited.

Chapter Text

Marcel walked down the stairs that lead to the living room and saw his mother helping his father getting ready, so he sat on one of the couches nearby.

Sabine gestured for her husband to bend down, and as he did, she smoothed down his upturned collar, twirled the solitary curl on his forehead to give it more definition, and planted a tender kiss on his lips. Afterward, she gently patted his cheek before he straightened back up.

Tom gazed down at his wife with an overwhelming display of affection in his eyes, leaving Marcel in a state of admiration. This heartfelt moment made Marcel aspire to emulate such love in his own future relationships.

Despite not wanting to disrupt the tender moment, Marcel knew they had to leave for school to prepare for today's presentation. "Are you ready, papa?"

Sabine carefully straightened Tom's shirt, adjusting the collar with a gentle touch and a warm smile. "As much as I'll ever be," Tom answered, his eyes twinkling with pride. Tom leaned in to give Sabine a tender kiss on the lips, followed by a sweet peck on her cheek. With a quick glance at Marcel, Tom reached for his cooking book bag and slung it over his shoulder.

Marcel, standing nearby, leaned in to kiss his mother's cheek as well before turning to join Tom. Sabine walked behind them as they made their way to the door. With a graceful motion, she opened the door, allowing Tom and Marcel to step out. "Happy Career Day, Wǒ qīn'ài de (my darlings)," Sabine called after them as they descended the stairs.

"Have a good day Ài (love)!" Tom waved back, his voice filled with affection as he watched Marcel follow behind him. "Love you too, Maman," Marcel called out as they continued down the stairs, the scent of freshly baked goods wafting from the nearby bakery.

(MDC)

Tom started describing his work routine, "My day starts at four am every morning because the bakery opens at seven. While some may think that the life of a baker is routine, involving the same pastries, rolls, and cakes, it's actually different every day. One day, someone might request a cake in the shape of the Eiffel Tower, and the next day you might..."

Meanwhile, Nino was recording the presentation on his phone. He glanced at Marcel, winked, and Marcel subtly shook his head while returning the wink to his friend.

Outside the classroom, Adrien quickly dialed his father's number. He anxiously waited as the phone rang, hoping for his father to answer. However, his hopes were dashed when he heard the familiar but unwelcome recorded message. "You've reached the voicemail of Gabriel Agreste's office. Please leave a message." The cold, distant tone of Gabriel's voice reverberated through the empty hallway, leaving Adrien feeling dejected as he leaned against the wall.

Adrien's voice quivered as he spoke, "Hi father, it's me. It's Parent's Career Day at school, remember? I was really hoping that you were going to show up. Call me back...please." Subtle tears welled up in Adrien's eyes as he struggled to keep his emotions in check.

Plagg hoverd up to Adrien's face, careful to stay hidden from view. "You okay kid?" Plagg inquired, concern evident on his tiny features.

Adrien blinked back his tears, his brow creased, and he cleared his throat. "Yeah, I'm fine. Same old, same old," Adrien brushed off, averting his gaze. He then reentered the classroom where his peers were gathered, clapping as Tom finished his presentation.

Adrien took a seat next to Nino, who shot him a concerned glance. When Adrien caught sight of Nino's expression, he shook his head. Nino sighed and moved closer to his friend, draping an arm around Adrien's shoulders to offer comfort.

"Marcel will come around and pass out some croissants baked fresh this morning."

"Thank you, Monsieur. Dupain," Mme. Bustier expressed gratefully to Tom Dupain. She then directed her attention to her students and announced, "Now, let's welcome Alya's mother, the esteemed head chef at the Grand Paris Hotel, which is under the ownership of our mayor, Maire(Mayor). Bourgeois." As she spoke, Alya and her mother descended the stairs and made their way towards the professeure's(teacher's) desk.

Marcel ascended the stairs to join his classmates and deliver the pastry. As he approached Adrien to offer him a croissant, he hesitated upon noticing the pained expression on Adrien's face. It was clear that Gabriel Agreste, once again, prioritized his business over his son. Understanding Adrien's need for space, Marcel decided to step back and allowed Nino to carry on with what he was doing.

He then turned to Chloé and Sabrina, where Chloé opened a case with a golden bracelet modeled inside, "It's beautiful!" Sabrina gasped as she looked at the bracelet with awe, Sabrina grabbed the bracelet and tried to put it on her wrist.

Chloé's eyes widened in surprise as she lightly smacked Sabrina's hand, astonished by Sabrina's audacity in trying to snatch something that didn't belong to her. "Look, don't touch!" Chloé sarcastically told her as she quickly grabbed it back.

"Chloé, please put that away. It could fall into the wrong hands," Maire. Bourgeois urged. Chloé carefully stowed the bracelet back inside its box as Marcel set a croissant on the desk. "I wonder how many croissants your dad would have to sell to buy you one of these. Who am I kidding? He'd have to sell the entire store!" Chloé remarked sarcastically as Marcel walked away from the table. "Seriously, you're such an culo(ass)," Marcel muttered, passing a croissant to Mylene.

Chloé gasped, "I am not! You're the culo." Chloé retorted, and she and Marcel locked eyes for a few seconds before turning away from each other angrily.

Plagg perked up and peeked his head out, exclaiming, "Is that Camembert?" Filled with hope, he flew over to Chloé's bag and entered inside. "Huh? Oh, that's not Camembert, but it is very shiny. I like shiny," Plagg hummed excitedly.

"Unfortunately, I have no dishes to share. But maybe Monsieur. Bourgeois will invite you all to the hotel and treat you to lunch!" Alya's mother Marlena said just as she gave her boss a pointed look.

Students started applauding, although Officier. Roger was laughing while clapping.

Plagg carefully balanced the bracelet on his head, amusing himself with its playful weight. Suddenly, the bracelet slipped from the bag and tumbled to the ground. At the same moment, Marcel, who was descending after distributing croissants to his classmates, accidentally tripped over some books and the fallen bag. As Marcel struggled to regain his footing, he felt his foot slip on something and with a yelp, he tumbled backward, landing on his back harshly.

Chloé let out an exasperated groan, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Geez, is there ever a day when you're not tripping over something?" She snarked as she glanced down at Marcel, who winced as he rubbed his back before slowly getting up to clean up the croissants that had fallen to the floor.

Mme. Bustier dismissed the whole thing, when she saw Chloé pick up her stuff and Marcel cleaning up the crossiants. "Next on the list is Sabrina's father, a policeman. Officier. Roger!" Mme. Bustier said while the students around clapped, when both Roger and Sabrina stood behind the teachers Desk.

"I have proudly served as a police officer for 15 years, and throughout my career, I have held onto the unwavering belief that every citizen is innocent until proven guilty. This principle forms the foundation of our justice system and is essential for ensuring fairness and upholding the rights of every individual." Officier. Roger proudly told the class, his hands behind his back.

Chloé, still in the process of tidying up her bag, suddenly gasped and exclaimed, "My bracelet! It's disappeared! I'm sure I had it just a moment ago." She then turned to face Marcel, who was standing up with a plate of unedible croissants, and accused him, "You! You took it!" pointing directly at him.

"What? What on earth are you talking about?" Marcel grumbled, shooting Chloé a menacing glare.

Chloé got in Marcels face, who leaned back and scowled, "You unpurposedly tripped on my bag so you could steal my bracelet!" Chloé acussed before turning to Roger, "You're a policeman! Arrest him!" Chloé demanded glaring at Marcel, who looked back irritated.

Tom's face contorted with anger as he exclaimed, "My son is not a thief!"

Roger blew his whistle and raised a hand, "Hold on a minute, manquer(miss). Bourgeois, we don't accuse without proof! Now, everyone, please calm down. Perhaps you simply misplaced your bracelet."

Chloé gasped, "Are you calling me a liar?! Daddy!" she called out.

Andre looked surprised by his daughter's demand, but still turned to Officer Roger, "I demand that you search this boy!"

Chloé scoffed, turning her nose up in the air at Marcel, who bit down on his tongue to swallow the insult he had in mind.

"Please, everybody!" Mme. Bustier pleaded as she stood there, her voice filled with urgency and concern for the escalating situation.

Andre walked over to Roger, his face a mix of frustration and determination. "Need I remind you that as mayor of this city, I am your superior!" Maire. Bourgeoise said, his tone laced with authority as he sort of abused his power as Mayor to search for his daughter's missing bracelet, his eyes narrowing with a hint of desperation.

"But sir, it's against the law! I can't just go on a word, I need a -." Officier. Roger protested, his voice firm and unwavering, reflecting his dedication to upholding the law and seeking justice.

"All right. Then you're no longer a police officer!" Maire. Bourgeoise's voice boomed with finality, the weight of his decision palpable in the air.

"Maire, you can't be serious! Over a missing bracelet?" Roger's disbelief was evident in his tone, his eyes widening in shock at the severity of the consequence.

"This is my daughter's bracelet we're talking about! You're incompetent and you're fired! Get out!" The Maire's voice echoed through the room, his pointed finger emphasizing the dismissal as Roger stood there, crestfallen and disheartened.

"Oh..." Roger murmured, his shoulders slumping as he looked dismayed, the weight of the situation settling heavily on him as he reluctantly left the room.

"Hmph! Let's call Red Beetle! I'm sure he'll actually do something!" Chloé snarked, her voice filled with disdain and frustration as Marcel turned to her and sighed, his expression reflecting a mix of weariness and exasperation at her attitude.

(MDC)

In the dimly lit lair of Papillon, shadows flickered ominously as he contemplated the turmoil of parent-child relationships, his voice dripping with disdain. "Parent-child relationships can be so complicated. And the perfect breeding ground for stress. When there's no more law and order, there's only chaos left," Hs declared, his eyes glinting with malice. As he delicately captured a butterfly, he infused it with dark energy, watching with a twisted smile as it writhed and transformed into an akuma, a sinister creature of his own making. "Fly away, my evil akuma, and take control of this Officier." He commanded, releasing it into the night. The akuma took to the air, a harbinger of dread, its wings pulsing with a malevolent glow, ready to spread chaos and darkness, seeking its unsuspecting target in the city below. The air thickened with an unsettling tension as Papillon reveled in the impending havoc, his laughter echoing like a haunting melody through the shadows.

(MDC)

On the street, Roger got in his police car, and huffed angrily. "He expects me to break the law? That's just..criminal!" Roger ranged as akuma flew phased through his car and phased into his whistle, Roger stopped moving immediately and his face became blank as a purple sigil appread on his face.

He looked around the room he was suddenly in, the air thick with an oppressive darkness that seemed to swallow any trace of light. Only one figure stood before him, shrouded in shadows, exuding an aura of malevolence. Papillon leaned in, his voice a whisper laced with sinister charm. "Rogercop, I am Papillon. This city has failed you, and it needs a true ruthless righter of wrongs—someone who can help restore justice. That is where you come in."

Roger shook his head, instinctively trying to lean back, but found himself rooted in place, as if bound by invisible chains. Desperation clawed at him as he attempted to move, but his limbs felt as though they were encased in glue, rendered immobile. A dark, seductive temptation lingered in Papillon's words, wrapping around his mind like a serpent. "Yes sir." Roger declared, his voice echoing with an unsettling tone as dark energy enveloped him and his car, transforming them into instruments of chaos.

"Red Beetle and Chat Noir must be destroyed if you want to attain ultimate retribution!" Papillon intoned, his eyes gleaming with wicked delight. "You will seize Red Beetle's and Chat's Miraculouses for me! Do we have an agreement?"

Rogercop exited his car, the transformation coursing through him, his resolve hardening like steel. "Affirmative. Chat Noir and Red Beetle will be powerless against me, and justice will prevail in the streets of Paris." His voice resonated with a chilling certainty, the darkness surrounding him pulsating in response to his newfound purpose.

(MDC)

Monsieur. Dupain and the Mayor were having a discussion. "Don't even think about getting near my son or his bag!" Monsieur. Dupain nearly shouted as he pointed a finger at the Mayor face, with Chloé clinging on to her father.

Andre nearly gasped when the finger was thrust in his face, "Do you know who I am?"

Mme. Bustier let out an exasperated sigh, she wasn't payed enough for her to be a mediator between fathers. "Gentlemen, please! This is a school, think of the children! The bracelet must be around here somewhere."

"It probably fell out of her bag when I tripped over it," Marcel suggested with a shrug.

"If I were her bracelet, I'd be trying to get as far away as possible from that crazy brat," Alya whispered to Marcel, who grunted in agreement. After looking around, Marcel noticed that Nino had been filming the entire time. "Hey, Nino's been filming everything, we can see what actually happened."

Nino started playing the video, and as Monsieur Dupain spoke, "Marcel will come around and pass out some croissants bak–," Nino fast-forwarded to the part where Sabrina had the bracelet.

"See, I'm not even near the bracelet, plus I wasn't even holding it, but Sabrina was," Marcel pointed out, and all eyes turned to Sabrina, whose eyes widened.

Chloé shook her head, vehemently denying that Sabrina would ever steal. "As if! There’s no way she would do that!" she insisted, but Sabrina's eyes widened in protest. "Yes! But I gave it back straight after!" She exclaimed, her voice rising in defense.

With a mischievous grin, Marcel leaned forward, "Chloé, why don't you take a look in your friend's bag?"

"Are you saying I'm a thief?!" Sabrina shot back, her indignation flaring.

Marcel dropped his grin, sighing. "No. Chloé's the one calling people thieves without any proof. I'm just going by what's on the video."

Frustrated, Sabrina turned on her heel and accidentally knocked Nathaniel's sketchbook to the ground. The pages fluttered open, revealing a detailed drawing of the bracelet.

Nathaniel quickly bent down to retrieve his sketches, but when he noticed the eyes of the group fixed on him, he sighed in resignation. "Yes, I did sketch the bracelet, but I didn't do anything else!" he assured them, his voice tinged with exasperation. The tension in the air thickened as everyone awaited Chloé's next move.

(MDC)

On a street beside the school, Mme. Mendeleiev tossed a piece of paper into the trash, but it bounced off and landed on the ground. It caught the attention of the Akuma, who swooped down to pick it up and flew toward her, dropping it at her feet. "Huh?" she exclaimed, confused.

"You're under arrest!" he declared, his voice booming with authority.

"What? Whatever for?" she replied, bewildered.

"You threw litter on a public sidewalk, jaywalked, and crossed the red light," Rogercop stated, his tone unwavering.

"Well, I suppose I did, but you can't arrest me for that," Mme. Mendeleiev admitted, a hint of disbelief in her voice. "Who are you anyway? You don't look like a policeman!"

Unfazed by her words, the akuma shot the  handcuffs onto her wrists. "I sentence you to trash duty." With a sharp blow of his whistle, the cuffs activated, compelling Mme. Mendeleiev to start cleaning up the litter around her, her body forced where her hands moved, and she automatically stuffed the trash into the trashcan.

"Next mission: Seeking justice on Mayor Bourgeois," Rogercop stated, he marched toward the school, leaving behind the scene of forced cleanup.

(AA)

"Give me the tape! I'll have it analyzed by professionals!" André ordered Nino, his voice sharp with authority.

Nino leaned all the way back, clutching his phone tightly. "No way! It's my phone!" he protested, his eyes darting around the room as if searching for an escape.

"Who do you think you're dealing with? I am the Maire of this city!" André shouted, his face flushed with frustration.

Marcel hummed, watching the scene unfold. Sure, there were moments when André acted like the Maire, but when Chloé called for her daddy, all bets were off. He was always rushing to his little princess's needs, and while Marcel admired that to an extent, the Maire went about it all the wrong way.

Plagg grunted quietly, trying to dislodge the bracelet stuck on his head, rolling between Adrien's feet in a desperate attempt to break out.

The Maire turned to Mme. Bustier, his impatience palpable. "Where's the school principal? I want to see the principal!" he demanded, his tone full of no argument.

Feeling something nudge his foot, Adrien looked down to see Plagg rolling in between his shoes. His eyes widened as he noticed the bracelet and quickly grabbed Plagg, stashing him in his button-up jacket before jolting out of his seat.

Adrien moved, carefully navigating around the desk before slipping out of the classroom without making a sound. However, his escape did not go unnoticed by Nino, Marcel, and Chloé. Their eyes followed Adrien's every move, and in that moment, they became aware of each other's presence. A glance was exchanged between them, with Chloé emitting a disapproving snort at Marcel and Marcel reacting to Chloé with a dismissive eye roll. Nino, caught in the middle, looked back and forth between the two with a groan of exasperation.

(AA)

Now outside the class, Plagg flew up, his tiny form buzzing with energy. "I won't bother you with the story. It's a long, boring—"

Furious, Adrien interrupted him, "Oh yes, you will explain it, and fast! You realize we have a big problem, don't you?" His frustration was palpable as he recalled finding Plagg rolling between his feet with the missing bracelet.

"If by big you are referring to my rock-hard abs, well, thanks for noticing!" Plagg retorted, a cheeky grin on his face.

Adrien opened his mouth to argue, but the sound of robotic footsteps interrupted him. He peered over the rails and saw Rogercop stomping his way inside. "Now we have a bigger problem," He exclaimed quietly, panic rising in his chest.

A staff member down below saw the imposing figure and shouted, "Hey! You can't just walk in here!" He pushed a broom straight into the akuma's face, trying to halt him.

"I can go wherever I want, whenever I want. I am the law," Rogercop declared, his voice booming with authority.

"Well, I'm the authority around here—"

The akuma aimed at him, causing the staff member to freeze in place. "You are guilty of obstructing the path of justice!” He barked. With a brisk motion, he shot cuffs at the staff member. "I sentence you to run around."

Adrien sighed angrily and sat down with Plagg in hand, feeling helpless.

When Rogercop blew his whistle, it sent the staff member running uncontrollably out of the room. "Wait! I can't control my arm! What are you—?" the staff member shouted in alarm.

"What do you mean I can't transform?" Adrien muttered quietly, irritation creeping into his tone.

"If you transform, the bracelet will get absorbed with me and damage your powers." Plagg warned, his expression serious as he hovered in front of Adrien.

Adrien let out a deep sigh. Dealing with the Akuma today was the last thing he wanted to do, and to make things worse, Plagg was flying around, toying with a bracelet that didn't belong to him. It was definitely not Adrien's day. With a heavy heart, he stood up and hurried towards the locker room, Plagg safely hidden in his hands.

(AA)

Papillon cackled from his lair, the sound echoing off the shadowy walls like the chilling laughter of a madman. "It won't be long before Red Beetle and Chat Noir show up to meet their end!" He sneered, his voice dripping with malevolence. The dim light danced across his face, revealing a twisted grin that spoke of dark intentions and wicked plans. The air crackled with anticipation, thick with the promise of chaos and destruction. He could almost feel the pulse of the city, unaware of the storm brewing in the depths of his lair. Soon, the heroes would come, and when they did, they would find themselves ensnared in a web of despair from which there would be no escape. The thrill of their impending doom sent shivers of delight coursing through him, as he prepared to unleash his wicked machinations upon the unsuspecting world.

(MDC)

Marcel and his classmates were still embroiled in the discussion about Chloé's missing bracelet. "Listen, I tripped on the bag, but that doesn't mean I took the bracelet," Marcel insisted.

"Just because I sketched it doesn't mean I swiped her bracelet!" Nathaniel added defensively.

Marcel nodded, "And I never said you did, but Chloé here is accusing everyone."

Chloé marched up to Marcel, jabbing a finger into his chest. "Fine! Since you're a suspect, you'll have no problem letting me search your bag!" she declared.

Marcel pushed her finger away. "I have no problem with that, as long as you stop accusing us."

"No one's digging through my bag!" Nathaniel protested, his voice rising as he shot Marcel an annoyed look.

"Marcel, let the adults handle this," his father said, placing a reassuring hand on his son's shoulder.

Marcel crossed his arms over his chest with a grunt. "I would, Papa, but she called me a thief. I'm just defending myself."

"I know that, but it's making it worse," Tom gently reminded his son.

"I'm Chloé's BFF! I wouldn't steal from her!" Sabrina chimed in, standing firmly by Chloé, who nodded with a smile in agreement.

In the back of the room, Max stood up, speaking up for the first time. "What about Adrien? He was in at least four and a half seconds of that video!"

"And we haven't seen him since!" Kim added, also standing up, his eyes darting around the room.

"It's most likely Adrien, as Kim stated," Marcel agreed, recalling how he and two others had seen Adrien rush out of the room.

"What! Adrikins wouldn't steal from me! If anything, it would be all of you!" Chloé shot back, vehemently denying the possibility that Adrien could be involved and redirecting her accusations toward her peers.

"Are you accusing us?!" one of the classmates shouted, frustration bubbling over.

"I want an attorney!" another cried.

"We should speak to the parents too!" someone else added, their voice rising above the chaos.

While the arguments erupted, they were completely unaware of the akuma entering the classroom. It wasn't until the akuma spoke that they all fell silent. "Where is the Maire?" Rogercop demanded.

"Dad?!" Sabrina exclaimed in surprise, her eyes widening as she recognized the figure before them.

"And he got akumatized," Marcel groaned quietly to himself, feeling drained from the earlier confrontation with Chloé. He really did not want to fight today.

Mme. Bustier stepped forward to address Rogercop, her voice calm despite the tension. "Hello, may I help you?" she asked.

"Where is the Maire?" he repeated, his tone unyielding.

"I think he already left, sir!" she replied, trying to keep things under control.

Taking advantage of the distraction, Marcel quietly slipped out of the room, hoping to avoid anyone as his peers and the adults remained focused on the akuma.

"Are you lying?" Rogercop shot back, his eyes narrowing.

"Yes. I mean, no!" Mme. Bustier stammered, clearly flustered.

"If no one speaks up, I'll put you all under arrest!" Rogercop threatened, his gaze shifting to Chloé. "Where is your father?"

Chloé crossed her arms defiantly and shrugged. "I don't know!" she answered, her tone dismissive.

Just then, everyone could hear the Mayor yelling at the Principal from a distance, filling the air with tension and urgency. Dismissing the people in the room, Rogercop's heavy footsteps thudded throughout the space as he exited, heading towards the principal's office, leaving the students and staff in a state of confusion and fear.

(MDC)

"Mr. Principal, I demand that you find who stole my daughter's bracelet ASAP! Or your job is on the line, sir...!"

Marcel grimaced from where he was hiding in the males bathroom that he made sure was completely empty, he didn't understand why Chloé's father insist on firing people when the only people he could were those that worked for him and worked for the police. Honestly, how Chloé managed to get away with it surprised him, although to be honest, the only reason he knows was because he had asked his mother, he shook his head and turned to the miniature goddess, "Tikki, I don't think any one of us took it."

"I know, but right now, we gotta find the akuma."

Marcel nodded and spoke the words, "Tikki, spots on." Marcel whispered to not alert the akuma, As an intense, bright pink light flooded the bathroom, the air crackled with energy as his suit materialized seamlessly over his clothes and skin. The fabric of the suit shimmered with a metallic sheen, and intricate patterns seemed to flow across its surface like liquid light. At his waist, a yoyo materialized, adorned with ornate engravings that seemed to glow softly. A sleek black domino mask settled over the upper half of his face, its edges sharp and defined. His eyes underwent a mesmerizing transformation, his bluish sliver eyes turning into a striking shade of grey with a subtle hint of silver. His once striking black hair was now a vibrant blue, cascading down in a medium-length mullet.

(AA)

Inside the locker room, Adrien struggled to remove the bracelet from Plagg's head, the little black kwami clutching tightly to a pole with his tail. Adrien pulled with all his might, but his efforts only resulted in both of them stumbling and slamming against the wall behind them.

"I-I thought it was a Camembert box! But then it shined, and I like shiny things! Just ask anyone! Anyone can make a mistake!" Plagg exclaimed, a mixture of embarrassment and guilt in his voice.

Adrien brought Plagg closer to his face, confusion etched on his features. "You're always thinking with your stomach! Wait..." he said, his expression shifting as he had an idea. He took out a piece of camembert from his bag and sprinkled some pepper on it. "A bit of pepper..."

Gently, he held the camembert in front of Plagg. The kwami sniffed the cheese, his little limbs stretching out in an eager attempt to reach it. Just as Plagg was about to grab it, he sneezed, and to Adrien's relief, he flew off the bracelet, freeing himself.

"Gesundheit!" Adrien joked with a grin, relieved that they had finally resolved the situation. Now, they could focus on dealing with the chaos outside. "Plagg, claws out!" The male locker room was suddenly flooded with a dazzling neon green light as his suit materialized over his clothes and skin. The fabric of the suit seemed to form from thin air, wrapping around him seamlessly. Cat ears sprouted on the top of his head, their fur soft to the touch and twitching with an alertness. A tail-like belt cinched around his waist, swishing gently as if it had a mind of its own. The domino mask formed on his face, molding perfectly to his features and transforming his eyes into slitted, cat-like pupils glowing with a mesmerizing neon green hue, giving off an otherworldly gleam.

(RB&CN)

Inside the principal's office, Maire. Bourgeois was visibly agitated as he demanded that Principal. Damocles find his daughter's missing bracelet. "I'm warning you! If you don't find my daughter's bracelet by this evening, I'll cut off all your city funds for the school. Understood?"

"But sir, how am I supposed to—" The principal began, but his words were cut off as Rogercop barged into the office, knocking down the door.

Maire. Bourgeois glared at the akuma. "Hasn't anyone taught you to knock before entering?"

"Justice doesn't need an invitation. Maire, you're under arrest for abuse of power," Rogercop replied, his voice cold and authoritative.

Offended, the Maire gasped. "Look who's talking!"

Just as Rogercop was about to place handcuffs on the Maire, Red Beetle suddenly emerged, launching his yo-yo and latching it onto Rogercop's wrist. With a powerful tug, Red Beetle halted Rogercop in his tracks.

The akuma turned to face the red hero. "Red Beetle. Paris has a new righter of wrong." He then dismissed Red Beetle, stating, "Your services are no longer required," before shooting cuffs at the hero.

Red Beetle executed several backflips to dodge Rogercop's lasers. "Can't let you go around accusing everyone of any little wrongdoing," he retorted. Rogercop pointed his cuffs at Red Beetle, who executed a backflip to dodge one laser, then jumped off the walls and floor to evade the next. He vaulted over the rails, narrowly escaping capture.

Red Beetle was forced to run around, sliding and backflipping through the courtyard. He managed to escape when Rogercop paused to spot the staff from earlier, who were still running in panic.

Noticing Maire. Bourgeois attempting to escape, Rogercop followed him, intent on capturing the Maire. Red Beetle, seeing Rogercop leave from his hiding spot, grappled onto him with his yo-yo, trying to pull the robocop back. However, the akuma was too heavy, and Red Beetle found himself being pulled along, forcing him to dislodge his yo-yo and fall flat on his face.

Rogercop caught a glimpse of Maire. Bourgeois entering his car and quickly fired at him. However, Chat Noir appeared just in time, stomping on Rogercop's arm. The misfire resulted in the laser hitting the car instead.

The akuma turned his attention to Chat, who was crouched and ready for action. "You are disturbing justice, Chat Noir. You are going to pay for this," Rogercop threatened, aiming both of his hands at him.

Chat grinned, one hand hidden behind his back. "You can add bodily harm to the charges!" he taunted. As Rogercop fired, Chat dodged low to the ground, mimicking a cat. He sprang onto Rogercop, attempting to whack him, but the akuma was quick, grabbing his staff and throwing Chat into the nearby trash cans.

From where he had just regained his footing, Red Beetle called out, "Listen! You're a good cop! Don't let the corrupted person who gave you these powers make a vile cop out of you!"

The Akuma stopped, but continued on as a hawk sigil suddenly appeared on Rogercop's face, intensifying his resolve. "Don't listen to that liar! Take their Miraculouses! Their powers belong to me!" Papillon commanded.

"Justice must prevail in the streets of Paris." Rogercop declared as he continued firing lasers at Red Beetle, who deftly dodged them once more. Red Beetle slid down the railing, launching himself at Rogercop in an attempt to reach him. However, Rogercop caught him mid-air and swung him into the school's courtyard.

"The Maire must pay for getting rid of his best police officier," Rogercop proclaimed.

"Monsieur. Rogercop! I've got a serious problem!" Chloé exclaimed as she stormed towards him.

"Come with me and we'll talk about it," the akuma ordered.

"Okay!" Chloé replied eagerly, seemingly unfazed.

As Chat Noir rubbed his head and opened his eyes, he noticed Chloé climbing into Rogercop's car. "Chloé, no!" he shouted, alarmed.

Rogercop was driving when he felt a thud on the roof. Looking in his rearview mirror, he spotted Chat and activated the car's aerial mode.

Meanwhile, Red Beetle launched himself into the air with his yo-yo, landing on the car. "Hey there," he said, trying to maintain his balance as the car began to spin.

"So! I know that Marcel is the one who stole my bracelet. He must be arrested!" Chloé informed Rogercop, still oblivious to the fact that the person she was speaking to was an akuma and not one of the super cops her father often talked about at work.

Spotting the heroes in his side mirror still clinging to his vehicle, Rogercop slammed on the brakes, causing Chat to fall off. Fortunately, Red Beetle was quick to react and caught him just in time. Noticing this, Rogercop activated the Auto Pilot feature. "Auto Pilot engaged," The car now navigating itself.

"Hello? Are you listening to me?" Chloé asked, still oblivious to the danger.

"Thanks for the lasso, lassie," Chat said, bowing toward Red Beetle in gratitude. But just as they were catching their breath, Rogercop climbed onto the top of his car, looking down at them.

"Hey! Where are you going? Who's going to drive this car?" Chloé shouted.

"Did I ever thank you for the lift?" Chat snarked, his voice playful even amidst the chaos. With a shared glance, both Chat and Beetle launched themselves at Rogercop, their movements synchronized in the heat of battle.

Chat swiftly drew his baton and swung it at the Akuma, but the akuma retaliated, delivering a powerful punch to Chat's stomach that sent him staggering back. Beetle, not deterred, swung his yo-yo at the Akuma's face. However, the Akuma simply turned, dodging the attack with ease.

Seizing the moment, Chat leaped onto the Akuma, but as Rogercop pivoted, Chat miscalculated and missed, barely catching himself on the hood of a nearby car. Beetle followed up with a punch aimed at the Akuma, but his fist only met the cold surface of the metallic armor, producing a dull thud.

Peeved with their attempts, the Akuma stomped on the car, causing it to spin wildly. Beetle and Chat had to quickly run on the roof, desperately trying to maintain their balance while the Akuma effortlessly clung to the top, a blank look plastered across his face.

"Where'd you get those shoes? I could use a pair like that!" Chat joked, trying to lighten the mood, but the Akuma just stretched out his arms, his expression turning sinister. As Chat was smaller and lighter than Beetle, the Akuma's attack caught Beetle off guard, sending him tumbling off the roof while Chat barely managed to stay on.

"Red!" Chat shouted, his heart racing.

"Grab on to me!" Beetle shouted, shooting his yo-yo towards Chat. Chat missed the yo-yo as he was picked up by the akuma, forcing Chat to watch as his counterpart fell down to the city bellow.

Chat angrily turned to Rogercop, his voice laced with frustration. "What have you done?!"

"Snatch his Miraculous! His ring!" Papillon ordered, and Rogercop lunged forward, yanking on Chat's wrist while reaching for his ring with his other hand. In a split second of desperation, Chat kicked his baton into the exhaust pipe of the car, resulting in a small explosion that forced Rogercop to lose his grip on him.

As Chat plummeted, he tried to reach for his baton. "Nice day for a swim!" he muttered dryly, just as he grabbed it.

Chat plunged downward through the air, desperately trying to figure out how to save himself. The miraculous suit had its limits, and as he got closer to the ground, fear gripped him, causing him to close his eyes in anticipation of impact. But just before he could hit the ground, Red Beetle grappled onto him and caught him.

"Well, hey. Am I glad to see you," Chat exclaimed, hanging upside down from a lamppost while Red Beetle leaned casually against it, a small grin on his face.

His counterpart returned the smile, and Beetle rolled his eyes fondly. "You're welcome," he replied, releasing Chat, who flipped gracefully to his feet.

"Sure thing. But I'll take the credit for that," Chat said, pointing at the falling car with a mischievous glint in his eye.

(RB&CN)

Climbing into his car, Rogercop's computer chimed in with an update. "Maire's limousine. Located." With a committed look, he glanced at his map and flew toward the Maire's location.

Meanwhile, Beetle and Chat vaulted over a series of rooftops, their movements fluid and precise as they navigated through the urban landscape of Paris. They landed softly on the edges of buildings, using their momentum to propel themselves forward.

As they approached the Eiffel Tower, they spotted the iconic structure rising majestically against the night sky. With a final burst of speed, they launched themselves onto the railings surrounding the tower, landing with a synchronized thud.

Beetle sprang into action, leaping from the railing to grab hold of the first beam, pulling himself up with ease. Chat followed closely behind, his agility allowing him to navigate the structure with incredible speed.

"There's no point running after him anyway. He's way out of our reach now," Beetle pointed out, catching his breath.

"Well, if it's the Maire he wants..." Chat started, piecing together the implications.

"He'll be heading straight for City Hall," Beetle finished.

"Do I sense a plan?" Chat asked, a spark of excitement lighting up his eyes.

Red Beetle smirked, his mind already racing with possibilities.

(RB&CN)

At City Hall, Rogercop stopped his car and pointed his hand at the door, activating a red laser that cut a hole in the entrance. Inside, Mayor Bourgeois was on the phone, urging, "Call up all available police forces, ASAP! That's an order!" But his attention was quickly drawn to the commotion as screams erupted nearby.

Flying into the City Hall, Rogercop parked his car and stepped out, his presence exuding menace. "Bourgeois, I'm taking over. Relinquish your powers."

"Never!" The Maire shot back defiantly.

The Akuma fired handcuffs at him, causing Bourgeois to flinch. "These handcuffs won't change my mind," he insisted, but Rogercop had a different plan.

"Then maybe this will." With a sharp whistle, Chloé emerged from the car, holding identical cuffs. She hesitated, reevaluating her need to report her missing bracelet to Rogercop now that she understood he was akumatized.

"Don't you dare put a finger on my little girl!" Bourgeois shouted, fear creeping into his voice.

"So much for your powers! Ha! Ha! Ha!" Rogercop cackled robotically, reveling in his newfound dominance.

(RB&CN)

A TV screen flickered to life, and the Maire made an urgent announcement. "Paris has a new superpower. His name is Rogercop. I hereby relinquish all authority to Rogercop. All citizens are ordered to answer to him."

Meanwhile, Beetle and Chat landed among a cluster of police officers. The atmosphere turned tense as the announcement echoed in their ears. "Red Beetle and Chat Noir are now outlaws. They must be hunted down and taken into custody immediately."

The police officers, now on high alert, lunged at the two heroes. Red Beetle reacted quickly, using one officer as a launching pad, while Chat Noir expertly threw another aside. In unison, they launched themselves away from the grasp of the law

(RB&CN)

On top of City Hall, Beetle and Chat lay low, the night sky enveloping them as they strategized their next move.

"So now we're the nation's most wanted felons?" Chat said, incredulity lacing his voice.

"Think about that at another time," Beetle replied, his brow furrowed in frustration. He too was baffled at how quickly the police had turned against them.

"But! You can't accuse someone without proof! We should go and defend ourselves in the Court of Law!" Chat insisted, pacing slightly despite their precarious situation.

"Do that some other time. Not while Rogercop's the Chief of Justice," Beetle said firmly, trying to keep his partner focused on the immediate threat.

Chat sighed, exasperated. "How many times have we saved Paris?" he grumbled, feeling the weight of their circumstances.

"We're still saving Paris..”

(RB&CN)

Chat appeared on top of a building and twirled himself around on his staff, catching the attention of the officers below. Now on the ground, he tapped danced, his movements light and playful.

He stopped in place, baton in hand, and exclaimed, "Something about Paris just makes you wanna dance."

From a nearby screen, Rogercop's voice boomed, "You won't be dancing after I'm through with you. Arrest him!" The akuma commanded.

"Does that mean you won't be joining me?" Chat grinned, his ears twitching with excitement. He leaped into the air just as the officers charged, dodging them effortlessly as they collided with one another.

Meanwhile, Red Beetle was crouched low, stealthily entering the Mayor's office. He noticed Chloé, and putting a finger to his lips, he shushed her.

Chloé nodded with a smile and whispered, "Go, Red Beetle, go!" Unfortunately, her whisper was loud enough for Rogercop to overhear.

The akuma turned and caught a glimpse of Red Beetle, who sighed and stood up, moving closer.

"Red Beetle, it is time for justice to prevail," Rogercop declared, firing lasers at him. But Beetle quickly deflected the blasts with his yo-yo.

"Seems you have justice and revenge all mixed up, Rogercop. Lucky Charm!" he called out, and a pair of oven mitts appeared in his hand. "Oven mitts? What am I supposed to do with this?"

Just as Rogercop fired again, Red Beetle flipped over the lasers, sliding on the floor and using a nearby table as cover to block the incoming fire.

"Fabulous....so wretchedly fabulous!" Papillon laughed gleefully from the shadows.

Outside City Hall, Chat finished off the last of the officers, tossing them onto the pile of their comrades. "Okay, show's over. Sorry, no encore tonight." He bowed dramatically before sprinting into the City Hall, distracting Rogercop just as Red Beetle flipped in from the side to join him.

Rogercop blew his whistle, barking orders at Chloé and her father, "Get Red Beetle and Chat Noir!" The cuffs reacted to his command, prompting Chloé and the Mayor to charge at the two heroes. But Red Beetle quickly scooped Chloé over his shoulder while Chat picked up her father, and together, they threw them out of the room gently and slammed the door behind them.

Rogercop unleashed a barrage of lasers at them as they scrambled to find cover behind a large round table.

"Stop shooting like an idiot, Rogercop! You're supposed to seize their Miraculouses!"

"The akuma's gotta be in his whistle. We've gotta get it," Red Beetle informed his partner,  scanning the room for an opportunity.

"How?" Chat asked, panting slightly.

Suddenly, Rogercop leaped onto the table they were hiding beneath, aiming directly at them. He shot the cuffs, but the two heroes swiftly dodged. Chat ran on all fours while Beetle jumped off the table, both of them darting away to hide behind a nearby desk.

"When you're ready, my good sir," Chat said, the desk shaking from the continuous barrage of lasers.

As Red Beetle looked around, he noticed the oven mitt in his hand and Rogercop's belt nearby. Grabbing the belt, he whispered to Chat, "Okay, I have an idea, but I still need something like...a ring."

Just then, Rogercop punched a hole in the desk, startling Chat and forcing them to run again as the akuma's arm got stuck momentarily. Red Beetle grabbed an oven mitt nearby and took cover again with Chat beside him.

"Where am I gonna get a ring from?" Red Beetle asked, sounding frustrated.

Chat perked up, a lightbulb moment hitting him. He reached into his pocket and pulled out Chloé's bracelet flinging it toward a pot across the room.

The bracelet rolled and stopped, and Chat pretended to notice it, grabbing Red Beetle's attention. "Red Beetle, over there!"

Looking to the spot Chat was pointing at, Red Beetle squinted. "Chloé's bracelet." He grinned, "Just what I need." He threw his yo-yo and pulled the bracelet towards him. After catching it out of the air, he turned to Chat. "Distract the akuma as long as you can."

"Whenever you're ready. Cataclysm!" Chat called out.

He jumped out of their hiding place, sliding across the floor, his hand gliding on the surface as he demolished the ground beneath the akuma. The rot expanded, and the akuma fell through the floor. However, just as Chat was about to escape, a cuff caught him to a railing.

Meanwhile, Red Beetle leaped onto the table and twirled in the air to dodge the cuffs aimed at him. He slammed the two mitts from the belt onto Rogercop's hands, effectively covering them. Using his yo-yo, he tied the hands together, then secured it to a nearby railing before seizing the akuma's whistle.

"Got it!" Red Beetle grinned, stomping on the whistle and releasing the akuma.

"No!" Rogercop shouted in desperation.

"No more corrupting for you, akuma. Time to de-corrupt!" Red Beetle declared as he caught the akuma with his yo-yo. "Got it!" He released the purified butterfly. "Bye, little butterfly. Miraculous Ladybug!" He threw the Lucky Charm into the air, and the energy flowed through the room, reverting everything back to normal. Rogercop transformed back into Monsieur. Roger.

Monsieur. Roger looked around in confusion. "Uh...what am I doing up here?"

"Pound it!" Chat chuckled, adding, "Or as Rogercop would say, 'Justice has prevailed in the streets of Paris!'" Just then, his miraculous beeped. "I'd stick around, but then you'd see me without my mask." He saluted.

"See ya," Red Beetle replied. He looked down and noticed Chloé's handbag. With a mischievous smile, he reached down and placed her bracelet back into her bag.

(RB&CN)

Papillon growled, "You may have eluded me this time, Red Beetle, but one of these days, I'll be ruling the world! And you and Chat Noir won't be a part of it!" Frustration bubbled within him; he couldn't understand why his akumas kept getting beaten by mere children and were failing him.

(RB)

Back at City Hall, Roger spotted Chloé's bag and returned it to her. "I think this belongs to you, miss."

"My bag!" Chloé exclaimed, rummaging through it. "My bracelet! But... how?"

"Roger! You found the bracelet?" Chloé's father asked.

"Actually, it turns out it was in Chloé's bag all along! Must've fallen into a side pocket when that boy tripped over it."

Red Beetle chuckled quietly at the exchange.

"Well, Roger, I do apologize for being so accusatory and firing you for no good reason," Chloé said.

"I think Officier. Roger has proven his excellence to you, Maire. You'd be wrong not to keep him."

Andre nodded cheerfully, "Of course, Red Beetle! You're absolutely right. And actually, it's Lieutenant. Roger now."

"Thank you, Maire. I'm proud to be on the force, and I vow to uphold my firm belief that every citizen is innocent until proven guilty."

As Red Beetle's miraculous beeped again, he quietly exited City Hall.

André turned to his daughter, a small frown on his face. "Very good. A valuable lesson learned. Right, Chloé?"

Chloé grimaced, "Yes, Daddy." She sighed as she examined the bracelet, reflecting on the day's events.

Red Beetle climbed to the top of the city hall, taking a moment to survey the sprawling cityscape of Paris. He swung his yo-yo and launched himself into the air, soaring gracefully through the sky. The wind rushed past him as he navigated the rooftops, making his way home.

A/N; It is wild that Chloé automatically accused Marinette like that, and how would she even get the chance to steal it when Marinette was clearly disoriented by the fall. She could have simply had her father search everyone instead of just only Marinette, sheesh, Chloé's a bitch.

Chapter Text

Marcel groaned, pulling a pillow over his ear to cover the alarm beeping in the background. He continued to ignore the alarm and placed his other pillow on top of his head, feeling himself drifting back to sleep when the beeping died down.

He shot up when the second alarm started screaming for him to wake up. In frustration, he grabbed his phone and stuffed it beneath all his pillows to muffle the sound. He growled; while the second alarm did its job, it didn't mean he had to like being jolted from sleep by the screaming of his phone.

As he blearily looked around, he spotted a red dot moving slowly. He reached out a hand and let Tikki flop onto it. They both felt tired from the akuma attack last night and had barely gotten any sleep since that akuma decided to have the power to keep people awake. Normally, Marcel would have appreciated it for other things, but at the moment, he wasn't exactly grateful.

Marcel and Tikki yawned at the same time, and he stumbled out of bed, heading toward his bathroom to brush his teeth. Tikki flew up, nuzzled herself in his hair, and fell into a nap. After brushing his teeth, Marcel grabbed the rag on his counter, wet it, and wiped his face clean from sleep. He set it down and picked up another rag to wipe his hands from the water and soap.

Done, Marcel then exited his bathroom and jumped down from his platform gently. He was careful not to wake Tikki from her nap. Rising from his crouch, he scratched his bare chest and headed toward his project area, where he picked up his sketchbook, covered with fabric. He flipped through it until he landed on his recent project.

He checked the time and noticed that it was two in the afternoon. He had forgotten that school had ended a while ago and that he had flopped onto his bed as soon as he entered his home. He still had quite a bit of time before meeting Alya, so he set out to continue working on his project.

(AA)

Adrien lay on his back, the familiar texture of the ceiling tiles blurring into a haze as his mind drifted into a semi-conscious state. The rhythmic sound of Plagg's snoring was a constant backdrop, a reminder of the little black cat's presence and the chaotic adventures they often shared. Despite his fatigue, Adrien felt the weight of boredom pressing on him, heavy as a blanket.

Time trickled by slowly, with only the distant sounds of Paris filtering through his window—cars honking, voices mingling, and the clatter of everyday life. He couldn't shake the feeling of restlessness, the anticipation of the tournament lingering at the edge of his mind. His gaze drifted away from the ceiling, but no thoughts were coherent enough to latch onto. 

With a sigh, he turned his head back to the ceiling, his eyelids growing heavy. As he surrendered to sleep, he felt a flicker of excitement and apprehension about the tournament, followed by a wave of tranquility that came with the promise of rest. Before long, he succumbed to slumber, the snoring of his partner lulling him deeper into dreams, where the mundane faded into the extraordinary once more.

(MDC)

Tikki, now wide awake from her brief power nap, hovered near Marcel's head, cookie in hand. She stared at him, her expression lighting up as she broke the silence. "Hey Marcel," she called his name absentmindedly.

Marcel, focused on his drawing, hummed in reply. His concentration remained on the intricate design taking shape on his sketchbook. Tikki took a bite of her cookie, crumbs dusting her cheeks. "Weren't you meeting Alya after school this afternoon to research your term paper?" she asked casually.

Marcel continued to draw, the rhythm of his movements steady until Tikki's question registered. He looked up, realizing the time as he glanced at his phone. Panic washed over his face. "Oh shit, I'm late!" He exclaimed, a surge of urgency propelling him into action.

In a flurry, Marcel threw his sketchbook down on his desk, grasped Tikki gently, and carefully placed her inside his bag, ensuring she was snug and secure. The mirror nearby showed the outfit he was wearing today. A black tank top hugged his frame snugly, showcasing the subtle definition in his arms. Pairs of silver rings adorned his fingers, catching the light with every movement. The white belt contrasted sharply against the deep black of his cargo pants, which hung comfortably yet stylishly from his hips. Sturdy combat boots grounded his look, laced tightly for both aesthetics and practicality. Today, he had opted to let his hair fall freely, cascading down to his shoulder blades, framing his face in a slightly disheveled manner. 

This was a departure from his usual style—an embrace of the punk aesthetic he had been curious about. He dashed downstairs, calling out his goodbyes to his parents without slowing his pace. The door swung open with a creak, and he bolted out of the house, racing toward the school just a few blocks away.

(MDC)

Marcel ran up the stairs and rushed into the courtyard of the school, almost heading straight to his classroom. However, he was distracted by a noise emanating from the library. He paused, a look of confusion crossing his face.

"What's that noise?" Tikki asked, peeking out from the bag.

Marcel shrugged. "I have no idea, but please get back inside." He answered, walking toward the library door. As he entered, he rounded the corner and was greeted by the sight of his peers engaged in a heated game of Ultimate Mecha Strike III.

He noticed Alya recording the match and approached her just in time to hear Kim mutter, "Come on, Max."

"What's going on?" Marcel whispered, only to be quickly shushed by Alya.

Nearby, Rose overheard the question and replied, "Try-outs for the Paris Ultimate Mecha Strike III Tournament! This school sends the two students with the highest scores!" Then she glanced at Marcel's outfit. "Ooh, nice outfit! Looks really great on you," she complimented.

Marcel felt a rush of warmth to his cheeks. Despite his confidence and the compliments he received, they never focused on his clothing, prompting him to brush his hand through his hair and mumble a thank you.

Kim approached the pair, saying, "Actually, the tryouts allow you to team up with Max for the Tournament."

"Why Max?" Marcel inquired.

"Because he's unbeatable! He's a total powerhouse! He has the highest APM of anyone!"

"APM?"

"Actions per minute. This tournament is his entire life! He's been working hard all year to improve."

On the screen, Adrien's robot, NAD03, unleashed a special attack on Max's robot, MX-01, resulting in its defeat, and Adrien emerged victorious.

"Adrien is now in the lead," Mme. Bustier announced as she updated the scoreboard.

"What happened, Max?" Kim asked from the sidelines. Adrien smiled and fist-bumped the air before turning to Max, noticing his exhale.

Max hummed, "SpecMax hummed, "Spectacular job! We're going to make an amazing combo," He said, raising his hand for a high five.

Adrien eagerly reciprocated with a high five as their classmates cheered in the background.

"Okay, let me get this straight," Marcel said, turning to Kim with curiosity. "If anyone beats Max's or Adrien's score, they'll get to team up with either and win the tournament?"

Kim shrugged with a smile. "No one can beat Max—or rather, Max and Adrien. They're our school's dream team!"

"I believe we have identified our two champions for the "I believe we have identified our two champions for the Paris tournament," Alya stated. She pressed the button on her phone to stop the recording and put it away, only to realize that Marcel had disappeared. Looking around, she saw him approaching the principal and sighed.

"Excuse me," Marcel addressed the principal. "Is it too late to try out?" he inquired, gesturing towards the game.

"The library will be closing in five minutes, but..."

She muttered, "Oh, boy...", Alya shook her head.

A slight hum emanated from Marcel's head and he walked over to the bean bag and sat down as Adrien handed him the joypad. Max was then handed the second joystick by Adrien after he jumped up and handed it to him.

"Thank you." Marcel replied in a low voice.

"Is he serious about this? There's no way!" Kim protested.

"Unless the player was bored." A sigh escaped Alya's chest, over the fact that she knew exactly the kind of person Marcel was, and when he got bored, he would just do anything he felt like doing.

"The rules are elementary, You battle each other's robots with your own and..." Max said as he tried to explain the rules.

"I know how to play, but thank you Max."

"Of course."

On the second floor, Chloé and Sabrina "Seriously? How could anyone spend so much time staring at a screen?" Chloé scoffed, her gaze focused on her phone.

"I know, as if." Sabrina agreed and texted.

Marcel chose LB-03, the ladybug robot, instead of MX-01, ignoring the irony of what Chloé and Sabrina said. 

"Come on, Max, you can do it!" Kim applauded, pumping his fist in the air.

As the game progressed, they could see that Marcel was winning, and soon, Marcel defeated Max within a minute, stunning everyone in the library. "I win, nice game, Max." Marcel announced, and he put his hand out for a handshake. 

Kim's jaw was on the floor. "Wha! I can't believe it! He...he beat him?" Kim said, shocked by who won.

"Beat him? He pulverized him!" Alya retorted. 

"The king's been knocked off his throne!" Rose was shocked. 

Max took the hand and shook it. He took a deep breath and exhaled, "I accept this defeat. I relinquish my position at the tournament." Max said, getting up from his seat and walking towards the exit. 

"Congratulations, Marcel, and Adrien." The Principal announced. 

Marcel watched with half-lidded eyes; he sort of felt bad that Max gave up the spot since he mainly just wanted to fight against someone; he was just bored. 

Adrien put a hand on Max's shoulder that was shrugged off. "Max, wait!" Adrien called out, eyebrows furrowed and eyes filled with concern. 

"Oh, Max..." Kim looked concerned, and while he wanted to go after Max, he knew that Max would want to be left alone. 

 Max paused his steps. "Look. I'm fine; I lost fair and square. But if you don't mind, I'd like a little solitude." Max muttered as he left the library. 

"So, Marcel Dupain-Cheng and Adrien Agreste will represent Françoise Dupont High School at the Paris Ultimate Mecha Strike III Tournament; good luck to both of you." The principal announced it to everyone in the library.

Adrien turned to Marcel and Alya and opened his mouth, "Well, I guess I'll be coming over to practice partner; see you later." Adrien announced, walking to the exit to leave.

"Bye." Marcel muttered, his mind somewhere else. 

Alya turned to Marcel. "Now you gotta win M, and you're going to be representing the school." She kept looking into his eyes and didn't notice the outfit change. 

Marcel shrugged, and while he loved playing combat games, he didn't want to be in a tournament; that was for people who played the game too much, in his opinion. "I mean, it'll be enjoyable; it's a game that I love."

"Right." Alya facepalmed, then she did a double-take on Marcel's outfit, then she waggled her eyebrows, "So...punk am I right?"

Marcel shook his head at Alya, "Sure Als, punk."

The words caught everyone's attention as the Bustier and Damocles left the room, and soon everyone was complimenting Marcel's outfit. 

Chloé merely glanced at him over and continued scrolling on her phone when while Sabrina didn't care for the outfit. Although she raised an eyebrow at Chloé's ears that were red. 

Kim and Alix even complimented his biceps which were growing muscles, with the both of them now competing with each other with arm wrestling. 

Everyone's eyes rolled when Alix and Kim started again. 

Adrien's eyes widen at Marcel's outfit, he didn't know that Marcel could dress like that since he was used to Marcel only wearing khaki pants, a white shirt with white shoes. It was a nice look on Marcel. 

Marcel's face was almost red from the comments, he was flattered by the comments but he was accustomed to them, the only compliments he was used to, were with his ex.

(MDC)

Meanwhile down the streets of Paris, after Max left the school in a hurry, Max stormed along with frustration evident in every stride. "This is a travesty, an unequivocal travesty!" he ranted, his voice carrying a mix of anger and disbelief.

(MDC)

A window swung open, flooding the dim room with a stark beam of light that danced across Papillon's unsettling grin, illuminating the darkness that clung to his figure like a shroud. "A competition," he pronounced, his voice oozing with sinister delight, "And I know how much you crave that, my little wicked akumas. Remember, where there's a winner, there's always a hapless loser to savor the taste of despair." Each word dripped with a tantalizing promise, wrapping around the air like tendrils of smoke, ensnaring those who lingered in his presence. 

The atmosphere thickened with anticipation, a palpable tension that slithered through the air, as a delicate butterfly emerged from the shadows. It was not merely an insect; it was a creature of dark energy, twisting and contorting until it morphed into an akuma, embodying the very essence of chaos. Papillon watched with a glint of delight in his eyes, relishing the transformation.

With a voice that purred like a predator, he commanded, "Fly away, my little akuma, and spread your malevolence!" The akuma responded instantly, launching itself from the window like a shadow given life, its dark mission echoing in the night. "Seek out the child," Papillon went on, his tone dripping with venomous influence, "And weave your chaos into his life. Show him the true meaning of despair. Let him feel the thrill of losing everything he holds dear."

As the akuma soared into the night, Papillon's laughter filled the room, a chilling symphony of manipulation and malice. He leaned back, savoring the unfolding drama, knowing that every moment brought Max one step closer to the abyss, and he reveled in the power he wielded over fate itself.

(MDC)

Lost in a tempest of regrets, Max roamed the deserted streets, each step echoing the emptiness of his missed chance at the tournament. "I should've been there, the chosen one! All that hard work...wasted! Unthinkable!" The bitterness in his voice cut through the stillness of the night, a raw wound that refused to heal.

In a heartbeat, the akuma slithered into his glasses, a shadowy whisper that curled around his thoughts like smoke. As silence enveloped him, a hawk sigil ignited on his face, glowing with an unsettling, neon light that pulsed with dark energy. "Gamer, I am Papillon," a voice echoed within his mind, haunting yet enticing. "I offer you victory in the tournament of your life. But remember, every game has its price."

Max felt the dark tendrils of energy wrapping around him, a paradox of suffocation and allure. They whispered sweetly, feeding on his simmering anger, amplifying his desire for revenge. "Indeed, Papillon," he declared, a chilling resolve infusing his words. "Let the games begin! Let's uncover who truly reigns as the supreme gamer of Paris!" His voice dripped with dangerous malice, igniting a fire within him that he had long suppressed.

"You feel it, don't you?" Papillon purred, his voice slithering through Max's mind like silk. "The bitterness of your defeat, the sting of betrayal. Marcel took what was rightfully yours, basking in the glory that should have been yours. But what if I told you that you could have your revenge, not just against Marcel, but against everyone who doubted you?"

Max's heart raced at the prospect, his anger morphing into a tangible force, ready to be unleashed. "What do I need to do?" he asked, his voice thick with anticipation.

"Simple," Papillon murmured, his tone smooth and persuasive. "You must retrieve the miraculous from Red Beetle and Chat Noir. They hold the power you seek, the keys to your ascendancy. With their miraculous in your grasp, you will not only avenge your defeat but also claim your rightful place as the ultimate champion."

The thought of confronting those heroes sent a thrill through Max. "And how do I do that?" he pressed, eager for the next step.

Papillon chuckled softly, darkly. "I will guide you. Together, we will orchestrate a plan. Lure them into a trap, create a distraction that will leave them vulnerable. Once you have what you need, you will rise above them, and Marcel will tremble at your newfound power."

The Akuma felt exhilaration at the vision Papillon painted—a future where he stood triumphant over his rivals. The intoxicating blend of anger and ambition clouded his judgment, as he fully embraced the darkness that had taken root within him. "Let's do it," he vowed, his voice steady, echoing with an unsettling promise. "I will take back what's mine!"

(MDC)

Marcel let out a sigh. "Time to prep Adrien for the game," he muttered, pausing as a car whizzed past.

"Shouldn't Max be your gaming partner?" Tikki's head popped out the bag, her gentle voice raising a valid point.

Marcel hummed in contemplation, stepping forward as the pedestrian light beckoned him. "I know how badly Max wanted that tournament," Tikki's words resonated with him, nudging at his conscience. "Kim mentioned his dedication to training all year."

"Ah, right," Marcel admitted sheepishly, scratching his head in annoyance. "I got sidetracked. And now with Adrien on the way, my room needs a serious makeover," he groaned, recalling the chaotic state it was left in during his last project

(MDC)

Marcel busied himself with tidying up the fabrics strewn across the floor, while Tikki meticulously gathered the scattered needles. As Marcel neatly rolled up the fabrics and returned them to their designated spots, he expressed his gratitude, "Thanks, Tikki."

Tikki giggled with nod, but then she flew into her hiding spot that Marcel had made her when she heard Sabine's voice. 

"Marcel! There's someone here to see you!"

"On my way!" Marcel responded promptly. After a final check of his room to ensure everything was in order, he descended the stairs to find Adrien conversing with his father.

"Marcel and I have made it to the finals of the Paris Ultimate Mecha Strike III Tournament," Adrien announced proudly.

"Well, he's learned from the best, right, Sabine, Booyah!" his father exclaimed, striking a pose with a broad grin.

"I didn't know about this tournament," Marcel's mother interjected.

"We only selected our partners today," Adrien clarified.

"You two as partners? That's unexpected," Sabine remarked, standing beside Tom.

Once his parents finished their conversation, Marcel invited Adrien, "Come on up." He guided Adrien to his room, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

"Um, nice to meet you," Adrien told them politely as he passed by them and ascended the stairs, with Marcel following closely behind.

Sabine raised an eyebrow and emitted a thoughtful hum, prompting a quizzical glance from Tom.

(MDC&AA)

In the heart of Paris, The akuma's ominous ship materialized, a harbinger of chaos. "Gamer, the time has come to ascend to the next level and assert your dominance!" Papillon's command echoed through the streets.

"Let the games begin!" Gamer's compliance was swift, his ship unleashing a barrage of destruction upon the unsuspecting civilians. Their terrified cries filled the air as they were ensnared by the ship, absorbed into its dark depths, all while the akuma reveled in malevolent joy.

Panic gripped the people as they scattered, their futile attempts to escape met with ruthless precision as the Akuma's relentless assault struck them down one by one, the akuma cackled gleefully. 

(MDC&AA)

As the game loaded, Marcel and Adrien waited for the action to commence. When the battle began, Marcel reached for a controller, offering the other to Adrien, and together they engaged in combat against an opposing team.

The silence between them lingered uncomfortably until Adrien broke it, "Your parents seem really nice."

Marcel hesitated briefly before responding, "Yeah, I love that about them, but that's the thing, they can be a bit..."

Just then, Tom emerged from below, interrupting the gaming session. "Everything going smoothly? I thought you might want something to drink..."

Pausing the game, Marcel swiveled in his chair to address his father. "Thanks, Papa, you can just leave it there," he said, gesturing towards a nearby stand.

Tom ascended the stairs with a plate of cookies in hand, offering his assistance. "Maybe I could give you a few pointers, dad style."

Marcel pondered for a moment, then shook his head. "No, thanks, Papa," he declined, prompting a nod of understanding from Tom before he retreated below deck.

Returning to the game, Marcel remarked, "Sometimes my parents can be a bit...too enthusiastic," As they triumphed over another team.

(MDC&AA)

In the chaos-ridden streets of Paris, the akuma's menacing ship continued its relentless absorption of innocent civilians, inciting panic and terror among the populace. The air was filled with screams and cries as people frantically tried to escape the clutches of the malevolent entity.

"I shall ascend to level 2 swiftly! My unrivaled skills will prevail!" The akuma's declaration rang out, oozing gleeful malice, a chilling contrast to the terrified tones surrounding him. With each absorbed civilian and vehicle, his confidence seemed to grow exponentially, fueling his sinister delight.

"I am invincible!" The akuma's cackle reverberated through the chaos as his ship transformed into a towering two-legged robot, a symbol of his escalating power. "Marvelous!" he mused, his voice a blend of gleeful malice and unbridled terror as the robot continued its insatiable absorption of civilians, each soul adding to its malevolent strength.

(MDC&AA)

As Marcel calmly pressed the buttons, Adrien's more enthusiastic approach paused when Marcel emerged victorious. With a smile, Adrien turned to Marcel, "Wow! Another win thanks to you!"

"Yeah," Marcel responded, setting the controller down and relieving the tension in his hands and neck with a series of pops and grunts.

"You were incredible out there, Marcel. I almost feel redundant next to you." Adrien leaned back in his chair, avoiding Marcel's gaze. "I'm probably not much help..."

Marcel, taken aback by Adrien's self-doubt, thought to himself, 'What's with the unnecessary self-pity? Probably because of the kid's unaware of some basics due to his father.' Before he could speak, Marcel shook his head at the Agreste Heir. "You're good too, Adrien. Remember, you even beat Max. That's no small feat," Marcel reassured him with a slight smile.

Adrien looked at Marcel in surprise, ready to respond, when the trapdoor creaked open once again. "Anyone up for cookies? Fresh out of the oven!" Tom's voice called out, offering the treats on a tray.

"I think Adrien would like some. I'm not too hungry right now," Marcel said, noting Adrien's eager expression as Tom placed the cookies between them.

"Thank you, Monsieur. Dupain," Adrien mumbled gratefully, taking a cookie.

Tom smiled warmly at the boy. "You're welcome, son. Just let me know if you need anything else," He said before retreating.

As Adrien savored the cookies, Marcel turned to his phone, engrossed in a game of Flow. Suddenly, he paused the game, tilted his head, and looked over at Adrien. "Actually, you know what? I've got a little secret," he said, opening his drawer to retrieve a bracelet. He showcased the charm to Adrien, proudly declaring, "This is why I win."

Adrien raised an eyebrow and cocked his head, resting his fingertips on his face. "Are you messing with me?"

Marcel nudged him playfully and handed him the bracelet. "Try playing a match with it after you're done eating," He said with a lopsided grin.

Adrien took the lucky charm, and a few minutes later, and Marcel could hear Adrien's stomach still gurgling and the kid blushed, Marcel set his phone aside and turned to the Agreste Heir. "Since you've devoured all the cookies," He started, "How about we head out for a meal?" Marcel suggested.

Adrien nodded, wiping away the crumbs with a grin.

(MDC&AA)

Midway through enjoying Marcel's mom's homemade meal, Marcel inquired, "Do you want to continue practicing or take a break?"

"Stay," Adrien mumbled between bites of pie. "Your mom makes amazing pie!"

Marcel, puzzled by the comment, responded, "Of course she does, she's a baker."

Before Adrien could elaborate, the akuma's menacing robot materialized out of nowhere, unleashing chaos by attacking and absorbing the terrified civilians, silencing their screams.

Marcel's gaze shifted towards the unfolding horror, his expression darkening. "This better not be some twisted publicity stunt for the tournament," He muttered in disbelief.

"Well, well, Marcel. Let's settle this," the akuma growled angrily as his robot powered up for a confrontation.

"Not a chance this is staged," Adrien retorted, bristling with irritation as the robot unleashed a laser beam towards them.

"Watch out!" Adrien's urgent shout prompted both of them to scramble off the bench, with Adrien grabbing hold of Marcel and diving for safety. "We need to get out of here!" Adrien insisted, swiftly rising to his feet as Marcel followed suit, their hands clasped as Adrien led the way to escape.

As they fled, the akuma continued to fire at them, the last shot narrowly missing and causing them to be separated. Adrien stumbled back from the near-hit, prompting him to sprint away.

Meanwhile, Marcel sprinted ahead, the akuma's shots closing in on him. Glancing back, he failed to notice the akuma looming directly in front of him, abruptly halting his escape.

"Game over, Marcel!" The akuma's menacing voice boomed from within his robot.

"Max?" Marcel muttered in confusion, eyeing the towering robot before him. Dodging to the left, he resumed his frantic run. "Seems like he really wanted that tournament spot," Marcel thought to himself.

(AA)

Meanwhile, Adrien concealed himself to undergo his transformation. Swiftly opening his jacket, he released Plagg, commanding, "Plagg, claws out!" A burst of neon green energy illuminated the dark alleyway. Cat-like ears emerged atop his head, their twitching indicating readiness. A tail-shaped belt encircled his waist, finalizing his feline appearance. The sleek domino mask materialized over his eyes, transforming them into luminous, slitted pupils.

Fully transformed, Chat dug his claws into the walls, scaling them with remarkable agility and speed. Upon reaching the rooftop, he paused briefly, scanning the cityscape below. He leaped into action, dashing on all fours with unparalleled precision towards the origin of the akuma's threat.

(MDC)

As Marcel sprinted away from the Gamer's menacing robot, his focus solely on evading the laser shots, an unexpected log caused him to trip. "Who leaves a log here!" Marcel grumbled, just as the robot prepared to unleash a laser towards him. Out of nowhere, Chat's staff intercepted the attack, thwarting the imminent danger.

"Game over!" The akuma taunted Marcel, believing he had the upper hand.

"Not quite! Ready for a challenger?" Chat proclaimed, leaping down from a building and landing gracefully on all fours.

"Hey, here!" Marcel called out, frantically waving his arms to catch Chat's attention. Swiftly responding, Chat somersaulted in the air to evade an incoming laser, landing in a protective crouch in front of Marcel. Scooping him up, Chat swiftly carried Marcel away from the danger, skillfully dodging the relentless laser assaults.

Bounding across rooftops with Marcel over his shoulder, Chat maneuvered with agile leaps and bounds. "Heard the Video Game Champion defeated the final boss," Chat remarked casually.

Upon reaching a hotel roof, Marcel expressed his gratitude, "Thanks, I suppose," as Chat set him down and swiftly returned to confront the akuma.

Marcel, now more alert, stood up. "Chat, my friend Adrien was left behind. Is he safe?" He inquired, concern evident in his voice.

Pausing briefly, Chat reassured him, "He'll be fine. Stay here, you're safe. Just don't worry." With a dramatic flourish, Chat issued commands, "Arch, leap and do a barrel roll!" executing the acrobatic move flawlessly.

"Always the showman," Marcel remarked with a roll of his eyes, as Tikki emerged.

"If there's a time for action, it's now," Tikki urged, poised for action. "Let's go!"

Marcel chuckled, "Tikki spots on." The pink light flooded the roof, the atmosphere hums with anticipation. The material wrapped around him seamlessly, each thread pulsing with a metallic sheen that dances like liquid light. The suit's intricate patterns seem to come alive, shifting and flowing across its surface in a mesmerizing display. At his side, a yoyo materializes, its surface adorned with ornate engravings that emit a soft, ethereal glow. In the midst of this transformation, a sleek black domino mask descends over the upper half of his face, its edges sharp and defined, adding an air of mystery to his appearance. His eyes, once a striking bluish-silver, undergo a captivating change, transforming into a striking shade of grey with a hint of silver, reflecting his newfound power and resolve, his once jet-black hair is now a vibrant shade of blue, flowing in a medium-length mullet that adds to his enigmatic allure.

(CN&RB)

In the chaotic streets, Chat Noir pursued the akuma's malevolent robot, his senses on high alert as he observed the robot's menacing gaze fixate on a bus packed with unsuspecting passengers. Reacting swiftly, Chat vaulted over obstacles, glided down a roof, and landed atop the bus, urgently rapping on the driver's window. "Leave now! Flee as far as possible!" He commanded, a sense of impending dread in his voice. Hastily assisting the passengers off the bus, Chat's urgency spurred them to scatter in fear.

Meanwhile, the Akuma's focus shifted from the fleeing civilians to Chat's daring call from atop the bus. "Hey, metallic monstrosity! Come and face me!" Chat's challenge echoed ominously through the tense air.

"My calculations predict your imminent downfall!" The akuma taunted, as Red Beetle skillfully ensnared the robot's legs with his yo-yo, causing it to tip over and fall. Red Beetle's heavy sigh filled the eerie silence as he subdued the robot.

Bounding over the fallen mechanical giant, Chat joined Red Beetle, acknowledging the formidable foe. "A life-sized robot from Ultimate Mecha Strike," Chat noted, excitement creeping down his spine.

Red Beetle's tone turned strict. "Approaching level 3. Level 4, the pinnacle of power."

Chat, unsettled, inquired about the game, to which Red Beetle's eerie grin revealed his familiarity. "Indeed," he responded cryptically.

Within the robot, the akuma spied the bus, triggering a sinister evolution as it absorbed the vehicle, its form contorting into a more ominous shape.

Gazing up at the transformed menace, Chat's voice quivered, "Our predicament just escalated significantly."

"Level 3!" the akuma gloated, "If you crave ultimate power as the world's most formidable robot, you shall seize the Miraculouses of Red Beetle and Chat Noir. Only then shall the game meet its chilling end," Papillon's eerie command echoed with a foreboding sense of finality. "To reign supreme, we must possess your Miraculouses," The akuma snarled, launching a menacing attack at Chat and Red Beetle, who narrowly evaded the onslaught before seeking refuge on a nearby rooftop, a sense of foreboding looming over them.

"We need to expel the akuma before Paris succumbs to destruction!" Red Beetle's urgent plea pierced the eerie atmosphere as they raced on, a foreboding billboard about the tournament looming ominously in the distance.

"The stadium!" They both spoke one's mind, vaulting over a rooftop and leaping to another roof, heading towards the stadium.

(RB&CN)

As Red Beetle and Chat Noir bounded into the stadium, a sense of anticipation hung in the air. Surveying the surroundings, Red Beetle's sharp instincts detected the absence of the akuma. "Stay vigilant," he murmured, just as the akuma's colossal robot ominously descended behind them.

With a malevolent laugh, the akuma's robot lunged to crush them, but the agile duo evaded its attempts, provoking a barrage of laser fire.

"Unleash your Cataclysm Power on the robot! It might be our key to outsmarting it!" Red Beetle's strategic advice spurred Chat into action. "With pleasure. Chat declared, "Cataclysm!" Dark energy surged around him as he launched himself at the robot, obliterating it in a burst of power.

The akuma's anguished cry pierced the air as he plummeted to the ground, defeated.

"Excellent work."

"Chat Noir Style! Victory!" Chat exulted, as a red orb materialized between them.

"Look at the look of our win!" Chat marveled.

"The system's crashed, akuma."

"Forget the rules. I have one last level up my sleeve!" The akuma taunted, adjusting his glasses to summon a more advanced robot. "Respawn!"

"Ah, not the respawn glitch again," Chat groaned, his spirits momentarily dampened.

"Did you see? The akuma's controlling it from inside his glasses," Red Beetle observed, initiating a transformation that manifested a formidable red and black robot with them at the helm.

As the Miraculous timer ticked down, Chat whispered, "I have limited time left."

Red Beetle took charge, leaping into action within the robot. "I'll pilot, you handle the firepower!"

"Why should you pilot?" Chat challenged,

Before they could settle the dispute, the akuma's assault struck their robot, sending it flying, tumbling the two within their robot. "Alright, you pilot, I'll fire," Chat nervously chuckled, the adrenaline of the battle fueling their determination.

As the akuma closed in on them, Red Beetle's sharp warning rang out, "Watch out! It's coming for us again."

The akuma's relentless robot rained down blow after blow on their own, prompting a swift seat swap between Red Beetle and Chat Noir. With a deft press of a button, Red Beetle unleashed a powerful boost to their robot's arm, sending a decisive punch that decapitated the akuma's robot.

Roaring in frustration, the akuma raced to retrieve the severed head, only to be met with the sight of Red Beetle and Chat Noir's robot poised in a battle stance.

"Round two, Gamer," Red Beetle muttered, brimming with determination.

In response, Gamer activated a barrage of missiles aimed directly at them.

"Shield, Chat!" Red Beetle commanded.

"Understood. Shield up!" Chat declared, activating the robot's protective forcefield, deflecting the incoming missiles. "Cat Saber!" Chat called out, transforming the robot's tail into a deadly saber.

With synchronized precision, Red Beetle and Chat Noir's robot charged at Gamer's robot, aiming to strike a decisive blow. However, the akuma's robot leaped into the air, initiating a devastating attack with the Gamer-Drill.

"Gamer-Drill!" the akuma bellowed, hurtling the spinning drill towards them. Red Beetle and Chat Noir's robot braced for impact, their shield absorbing the brunt of the assault.

The formidable display of power shattered their shield, leaving them vulnerable. "This akuma is formidable. Our shield is down!" Red Beetle grimly acknowledged, shifting tactics. "We'll have to make do without it." Activating a new feature, Red Beetle unleashed a volley of Beetle Bombs from the robot's shoulder, targeting the akuma.

"Laser Wall!" Gamer countered, conjuring a protective barrier that obliterated the bombs before they could strike.

Undeterred, Red Beetle initiated the Beetle Helix, launching two shields towards the akuma's robot. The akuma's robot swiftly blocked the attack. "Bullet!" Red Beetle commanded, directing the robot's arm to fire at the akuma's robot, only for it to evade and disassemble, dodging the assault effortlessly.

"Eat Thunder!" Chat exclaimed, as the robot's cat ears discharged a bolt of lightning at the akuma's robot, only to have it deflected by a counter-thunder move.

"He's anticipating every move!" Red Beetle observed, a sense of urgency creeping in. "Look out, Red Beetle!" Chat's warning came just in time as the akuma closed in, launching a fiery attack with Gamer Fire.

"Today, victory shall be mine!" The akuma proclaimed triumphantly, unleashing a powerful beam at their robot, sending it hurtling into the energy blast. Undaunted, Red Beetle and Chat Noir's robot surged forward, channeling a potent energy ball. "Catouken!" Chat roared, releasing the energy in a fierce strike against their formidable adversary.

'What even is my life.' Red Beetle's exasperation was palpable as their robot collided with the akuma's, only to witness the akuma's resilient robot disintegrate and reform, standing defiantly.

"I am the ultimate player in this game!" Gamer's boast echoed through the arena once more.

Frustration mounting, Red Beetle contemplated their next move. "How do we defeat him if we can't even keep up with his tactics?"

"We need to charge at him and disrupt the system, Tatsu-Beetle!" Red Beetle's command spurred their robot into action, delivering a powerful spinning kick to the akuma's robot.

"Catouken!" Chat unleashed a surge of energy towards the akuma, aiming to weaken his defenses.

"Gamer Crusher!" The akuma retaliated with a devastating spin attack, but Red Beetle and Chat Noir's robot evaded the maneuver.

"Catouken!" Chat struck once more, toppling the akuma to the ground.

As the two robots engaged in a fierce exchange reminiscent of a Mortal Kombat showdown, landing blows and kicks with precision, they reached a tense stalemate, each locked in a fierce grip.

"We need to infiltrate his cockpit," Red Beetle strategized, preparing to make a risky move. "Go for it. I trust you to lead the way," Chat affirmed, relinquishing control. "You take charge, Chat. I'll be back," Red Beetle declared, scaling towards the entrance with a determined resolve.

"Back? Where are you going?" Chat's confusion was evident as Red Beetle exited the cockpit, leaving them face-to-face with the akuma.

"It's just you and me now, akuma!" Red Beetle declared, "Lucky Charm!" Red Beetle exclaimed, revealing an unexpected item. "Spray paint? Arts and crafts?"

Surveying the battlefield, Red Beetle identified the vulnerable points on the akuma's robot – the left arm and eye. With a swift and daring move, Red Beetle leaped and navigated the robot, spray painting the eye amidst the akuma's protests.

Enraged, the akuma growled, vowing retaliation. Climbing out of the eye, the akuma sought Red Beetle, only to be met with a surprising act of defiance. Red Beetle removed the akuma's glasses and declared, "Game over," tearing them in half. "Your corruption ends now, akuma. Time for purification!" Red Beetle captured the akuma with their yo-yo, initiating the purification process.

"Gotcha," Red Beetle affirmed, releasing the purified butterfly with a solemn farewell. "Farewell, butterfly. Miraculous Ladybug!" Red Beetle tossed the lucky charm, initiating a wave of energy that restored balance and reverted Gamer back to Max, bringing the epic battle to a decisive and triumphant conclusion.

"What am I doing here?"

"Pound it!"

(RB&CN)

"Such pitiful insolence! The moment you challenge me is the moment you seal your fate! This battle is not yet over..."

(MDC&AA)

Marcel contemplated the situation, feeling torn about the tournament. Alya's words echoed in his mind as he stood up, wavering on his decision to withdraw.

"Yeah, I feel a bit guilty about taking this from Max," Marcel confided to Alya, preparing to step towards Max.

However, Alya's reassurance halted his movement. "You're making the right call. It's a rare opportunity to play a game you love with such rewards," she pointed out, causing Marcel to shrug before heading towards Max.

Interrupting their conversation, Nino's arrival added to the pressure. "Guys, come on, they're waiting for you," he urged, prompting Marcel to make a definitive choice.

Insisting on his decision, Marcel handed the controller back to Max, expressing his sincerity. "You should be playing tonight, Max. It's your tournament, your moment," he affirmed, acknowledging the significance of the event to Max.

Adrien's unexpected support further solidified Marcel's resolve. "Win the tournament with him," Adrien encouraged, passing the controller back to Marcel and affirming his belief in Marcel's abilities.

Encouraged by his friends' faith in him, Marcel's demeanor shifted. "Alright," he conceded, accepting the controller and joining Max at the gate, ready to compete and showcase their skills as their classmates cheered them on.

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Chapter Text

Marcel and Alya stepped into the sunlit courtyard, leaving behind the clamor of the bustling lunchroom. The golden rays warmed their faces as Alya, brimming with excitement, animatedly shared her thoughts about the Justice League. Marcel trailed behind her, casually flipping through a fashion magazine, his expression a mix of bemusement and amusement.

"...and then Batman outsmarted the Joker! Again! Seriously, how does he do it? At this point, why not just put him away for good?" Alya exclaimed, her hands gesturing wildly as she spoke.

They settled onto the steps, and Marcel looked up from his magazine, a smirk forming on his lips. "Right?" he replied with a hint of sarcasm. "But you've got to admit, Batman's not the type to kill. He respects life—even if it means dragging the Joker back to Arkham over and over. Still, I have to say, his obsession with keeping the Joker alive is a bit boring."

Alya playfully nudged him, rolling her eyes in mock disapproval. "You're so harsh! But come on, Batman is brilliant! He can keep up with demigods in the Justice League!"

Marcel leaned back against the stairs, his tone shifting slightly as he shrugged. "I guess. But if we're talking about demigods, Wonder Woman? Now she's the real deal. Strength, intelligence, and she rocks that tiara like no one else."

Alya's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm at the change in topic. "Exactly! She's not just a warrior; she's a diplomat too. How can you not respect that?" she replied, nodding eagerly, her passion for the character evident in her voice.

"For sure. Wonder Woman isn't just about brute strength; she emphasizes making peace too. That's definitely a lesson Batman could learn," Marcel muttered, cringing at the excessive prices in the magazine.

Alya leaned forward, her expression turning serious. "Exactly! She embodies justice in such an inspiring way. It's not just about fighting; it's about protecting what's right and uplifting others."

Marcel looked at her, a slight grin spreading across his face. "You should totally write a blog about that. 'Alya's Guide to Superheroes: Why Wonder Woman is Better Than Batman.'" He chuckled, flipping through another page of the magazine, inadvertently landing on a striking photo from Adrien's latest photoshoot.

Alya's eyes widened with excitement as she quickly pulled out her phone, her movements so swift they could rival the Flash. "I just might do that! And don't worry, I'll be sure to include a chapter featuring your commentary," she said, laughing.

Marcel chuckled again, leaning back against the steps. He then turned his attention back to the fashion magazine, the lively conversation about the Justice League lingering in the air, blending with the warm glow of the sun in the courtyard.

Marcel raised an eyebrow at the headline on the page, "Leo, Your Heart's Gonna Roar." He read aloud, flipping the page to reveal Adrien dominating both sides. On the left, Adrien sported a mischievous smirk, his eyebrow raised playfully. The right page showcased him in a dark red shirt paired with a nearly black open hoodie and black pants. He stood with his hands in his pockets, his face expressionless and eyes closed, exuding an air of cool detachment. "Didn't think he could pull off that kind of look," Marcel mumbled, glancing at Alya, who hummed in agreement.

As they admired the magazine, across the courtyard, Nino watched them with a grin, but his moment of observation was interrupted when Adrien sneaked up behind him. "FYI, Alya's never going to fall in love with a statue," Adrien teased, causing Nino to yelp and stumble back in shock.

Nino quickly pulled Adrien around the corner, out of sight from Alya and Marcel. "Shh! You know I'm no good with the ladies, especially her! What do I do? Crack a joke? Shoot her a compliment? Invite her to the zoo? Play it serious?" Nino rambled, nervously adjusting his hat.

Adrien chuckled and wrapped an arm around Nino's shoulders. "You're way overthinking this. 'Invite her to the zoo'? Are you serious?"

Nino pulled his hat down to hide his eyes. "Well, they have this really cool new exhibit there," Nino mumbled weakly.

"Listen, just be yourself, man," Adrien advised, shifting slightly as Nino shrugged off his arm. "That's easy for you to say, Mr. Front-of-the-Cover Teen Model Weekly! I'm not that cool," Nino mumbled, a hint of frustration in his voice.

Adrien laughed. "You're cool too, dude, trust me. If you weren't, you wouldn't be my best bud. Just invite her to the zoo. She'll say 'yes,' I promise." He thumped his chest for emphasis.

Feeling a flicker of confidence, Nino approached Alya and Marcel, but just as he reached them, panic set in and he bolted back to Adrien.

Marcel tilted his head, confusion etched on his face, before shaking it off and turning back to Alya.

Meanwhile, Nino crouched down, holding his head in his hands. "What if I act like a moronosaurus? What if she disses me or thinks I'm lame?"

Adrien pulled him up, stopping the spiral of panic. "Don't worry, I've got your back," he reassured his friend with a supportive smile.

(AA)

The school bell rang, signaling the end of the day, and Adrien and Nino rushed out of the building, eager to find a quiet spot where they could talk freely.

Breathless, Nino leaned against the wall, his heart racing. "Dude, I swear, every time I see Alya, it's like my heart does this crazy flip! It's like...like I'm in one of those cheesy movies!"

Adrien stood beside him, grinning as he nudged Nino with his shoulder to ease his nerves. "You mean the ones where the main character overthinks everything and misses every chance?" he teased, a playful gleam in his eyes.

Nino rolled his eyes, a dreamy smile spreading across his face as he sighed. "Yeah, but it's different! She's amazing, Adrien! The way she talks about her passions, her laughter...it just makes me feel all warm inside!"

Leaning closer, Adrien's expression shifted to one of seriousness and encouragement. "So, what are you waiting for?"

Nino bit his lip, anxiety creeping into his expression as he fiddled with his hat. "What if she doesn't feel the same way? What if I make a total fool of myself? I mean, I nearly did earlier," he muttered nervously.

Adrien shook his head, determination shining in his eyes. "But what if she does like you? You'll never know if you don't take a chance. Trust me, it's better to try than to keep wondering."

Nino glanced down, contemplating Adrien's words. Just then, the sound of laughter approached, and they both turned to see Alya and Marcel emerging from the school, Alya chatting cheerfully about something.

Quickly, Adrien and Nino ducked behind a nearby banister, trying to remain unnoticed as Alya and Marcel walked past. Alya's animated voice filled the air, her excitement infectious, but the two boys couldn't quite catch what she was saying.

Nino's heart raced as he peeked out from their hiding spot, watching Alya with wide eyes. "There she is," he whispered, his voice barely above a breath. "She's so... incredible."

Adrien chuckled and signaled to Nino, and they stepped out of their hiding spot, ready to face the moment.

At the same time, Marcel and Alya were leisurely strolling down the stairs, Marcel raising an eyebrow at her with a teasing grin. "Wait, so you like Nino?" he asked, chuckling.

Alya looked flustered but nodded, her cheeks hot.

Marcel's lips curled into a small grin. He was surprised; after being friends with Nino for so long, he'd seen a few crushes come and go, but Nino had always been hesitant to accept them. He believed in genuine connections and never wanted to force something that wouldn't work. But given the signs Nino was showing now, Marcel thought, "Wow, I never thought I'd see the day when someone was interested in Nino."

Alya raised an eyebrow, confused. "What do yo—" she started to ask but cut herself off when she bumped into Nino. The moment she saw him, her heart raced, and she felt her face heat up.

Marcel chuckled beside her, both of them observing the two boys. Alya noticed Nino fidgeting nervously in front of her, a smile creeping onto her face despite the blush she hoped was hidden.

"Looks like Nino's about to have a heart attack. What's going on over here?" Alya teased, and Marcel glanced at her before catching Adrien's eye. The Agreste heir smiled to himself, a playful glint in his eyes, and suddenly excused himself, grabbing Marcel by the shoulder.

"I want to ask you something," he whispered. Marcel looked confused but nodded, allowing Adrien to lead him away from Nino and Alya.

"What is it?" Marcel asked once they were out of earshot.

Adrien stopped near the stairs, turning to Marcel with a serious look. "I need help getting Nino with Alya."

Marcel's face broke into a grin, shaking his head in disbelief. "Would you look at that? Seems they've both fallen for each other without realizing it!"

Adrien paused, a thoughtful expression crossing his face before a grin appeared. "Wanna help me get them together?" he asked excitedly.

Marcel nodded enthusiastically, his eyes sparkling with mischief as he glanced back at Alya and Nino, who were still standing awkwardly, waiting for their friends.

"Why not! This is going to be epic."

Adrien playfully nudged Marcel's arm. "Okay, let's go back before they freeze just standing there," he joked. As they walked back toward Alya and Nino, Marcel couldn't resist teasing Adrien.

"So, are you going to make a grand speech or just wing it?"

Adrien smirked, a plan forming in his mind. "A little bit of both. Just follow my lead."

They returned to Nino and Alya, who looked up, surprise evident on their faces. Alya smirked, a glint in her eyes. "What took you so long? Planning a heist?"

Nino, still a bit flustered, shifted on his feet, trying to play it cool. "Yeah, what's up?" he asked nervously.

Adrien stood beside Nino, putting an arm around his shoulder. "Well... how about we all check out the... zoo today? Word is they've got a new—" he snapped his fingers in front of Nino.

"Uh, they—they got a new panther," Nino stuttered out, a nervous smile on his face.

Alya's face lit up. "Awesome idea! I love animals!"

Beside her, Marcel shook his head, amused by the ridiculousness of the situation.

"Cool, say, after school, four o'clock?" Adrien asked, looking at Nino. "Nino, sound good?"

Nino nodded, still too nervous to speak, and Adrien continued, "Cool, four o'clock then."

"Four!" Marcel chimed in, and Adrien nodded, pulling Nino with him as they started to walk away.

"Yeah..." Alya sighed wistfully, watching them leave.

"Uh, Earth to Alya? You do realize the guy you're completely crazy about is hanging out with us, right?" Marcel teased, making Alya panic.

"Yeah... Huh, wait, what?! No, not like this! Not here, not today! I haven't washed my hair! Help me, M! I can't do this alone!" Alya nearly shouted, gripping Marcel's arm tightly, who patted her back reassuringly.

"Relax, Alya. You've got this! Just be yourself, and remember, you gotta look good!" He encouraged her, fighting back a laugh at her flustered state.

(AA&MDC)

At the Seine riverbank, Nino and Adrien were enjoying a moment of calm on a bench. Nino leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees, his expression a mix of curiosity and frustration. "How did you do that, dude?" he asked, clearly seeking advice.

Adrien, relaxed against the back of the bench with an orange soda in hand, smiled. "Like I said, 'Just be yourself.'"

Nino let out a sigh. "Right, sure. If I could be yourself; myself doesn't work that way." He felt disheartened, recognizing that he wasn't like Marcel, who seemed to effortlessly handle everything, or even like Adrien, his best friend. Nino was gradually overcoming his self-doubt, but it was still a work in progress.

Taking a sip from his can, Adrien chuckled. "You're being ridiculous. Of course, you can! Just think about it; when you're alone with Alya at the zoo later on..." He tossed his empty soda can into a nearby trash bin without even looking, his aim impeccable.

Nino's eyes widened with admiration as he watched the can land perfectly in the garbage. "Whoa, what do you mean alone with Alya? Oh no, dude, you're coming with me! You can't leave me alone by myself, uh-uh."

With a soft laugh, Adrien shook his head. "No prob, Nino. What're friends for?" He extended his fist for a fist-bump, and Nino met it with enthusiasm.

"Thanks, man. I just don't want to mess this up," Nino admitted, feeling slightly more at ease knowing Adrien had his back.

Adrien gave him a reassuring smile. "You won't. Just be yourself, and remember, Alya will like you for who you are."

Nino nodded, determination and a bit of nervous excitement bubbling within him as they continued to chat about their plans for the day.

(MDC&AA)

At the zoo, Alya stood with her speaker in her left ear, listening intently as Marcel's voice crackled through. "One, two, one, two, testing. D'you read me, Als?"

"I can hear you. But I still don't think I can go through with this," Alya whispered, her nerves bubbling as she scanned the area for Nino.

"Of course you can," Marcel reassured her from his hidden spot behind two trees. He believed that if Alya and Nino both liked each other, their date would go smoothly.

"Okay, okay, I got this," Alya told herself, steeling her resolve as she looked around for Nino on the bench.

Confused about the situation, Tikki chimed in, "Shouldn't you help her find him?" She was still getting used to human affection, having seen her past chosen ones navigate love in various ways, sometimes even after already being married.

Marcel shot her a little grin. "I am, Tikki, just in a different way, you know? Out of sight."

As Alya turned to her right, she spotted two of her classmates, Kim and Max, approaching. Max waved enthusiastically while Kim saluted her. "Hey Alya!"

Alya turned fully to face them. "Hey, you two! What're you boys doing here?"

"We heard the new panther is here, and I wanna see who's got the bigger guns!" Kim boasted, striking a few exaggerated poses and flexing his arms.

Max chimed in, "Do you want to come with us?"

Marcel, keeping an eye on Nino, noticed him walking from the entrance. "Alya, target at ten o'clock!" he whispered urgently.

Alya, hearing Marcel's cue, politely declined. "Sorry, Max, but no thanks. I'm waiting for someone." Max nodded, understanding, while Kim waved goodbye as they walked away.

"Right, see ya later," Alya called out, her attention shifting back to the entrance. Nino was walking in, waving and smiling nervously as he approached her.

"Hey, Nino," Alya greeted, trying to maintain her composure.

"...Hey Alya," Nino replied, equally nervous.

"So, seems both our friends aren't here," Alya observed, and Nino nodded in agreement.

From behind the bushes, Adrien popped up and tapped on his earpiece. "Ask her if she wants to sit down."

Nino inhaled shakily. "Di-Did you wanna si-sit down?" he stuttered, his nerves palpable.

Alya's face lit up. "Oh yeah, come on!" She took hold of Nino's hand and led him back to a nearby bench.

Plagg popped out of Adrien's hair, unable to contain his excitement. "Ah, this trip is turning out to be a lot more interesting than I thought! Turn up the volume!" Adrien sighed lightly, trying to shush him.

"So, uh, what do you wanna do?" Nino asked, fidgeting with his hat as he tried to mask his anxiety.

"Dunno, why don't we find something to do that both of us can agree on?" Alya suggested, facing him with an encouraging smile.

"Yeah, yeah, I can do that, just give me a second," Nino replied, turning away slightly to tap on his earpiece. "What do I do?" he whispered to Adrien, looking for guidance.

"Ask her if she wants to check out the animals."

"Okay," Nino sighed, gathering his courage. He turned back to Alya and asked, "Wanna...check out the animals?" His voice was hopeful, a glimmer of excitement shining through his nerves.

Alya nodded enthusiastically. "Oh, definitely! What animals did you want to see?"

"I'll let you pick," Nino replied, feeling a bit more at ease as they began to explore the zoo together.

(AA&MDC)

"Look what Papa's brought you—only the finest meat for my baby," A zookeeper cooed as he placed a hefty bowl of meat down for the panther to eat.

Kim paused mid-step, finally spotting the panther he'd been eager to see. "Whoa! Look at the size of that piece of meat it's chowing down on!" he exclaimed, eyes wide with excitement as he leaned closer to the enclosure.

Max, always the voice of reason, chimed in, "That's a typical diet for a feline species that needs the strength to run at speeds of over 60 miles per hour."

Kim looked disappointed. "60 miles per hour? Is that all? I thought panthers were much faster than that! I bet I could beat it in a race," he smirked, puffing out his chest.

The zookeeper raised an eyebrow, clearly bemused. "Impossible! No human could ever compete with my panther."

"Oh, really? What place did your cat come in at the County Athletics Tournament? Because I came in first place," Kim bragged, crossing his arms smugly.

"You can't possibly compare yourself to my panther, kiddo!" the zookeeper retorted, his patience wearing thin.

Kim shrugged, undeterred. "No need to. I'm the better-looking one," he quipped, eliciting a low growl from the panther, which seemed agitated by the commotion.

"Hey, kitty, kitty! How about a little race with me, huh? Last one's a rotten egg!" Kim taunted, leaning closer to the glass.

Max, ever the pragmatist, dug into his pocket and pulled out his calculator. "Let's see...at a six feet-per-second wind behind you and 45 degrees to the northeast...I don't think you'd be a rotten egg; you'd be lunch," he informed Kim, shaking his head.

"Your friend's right, kiddo. Now please leave. She needs peace and quiet while she eats, and you're stressing her out," the zookeeper insisted, annoyance creeping into his voice.

"Aww, stressed out, are we, Miss Panthie?" Kim mocked in a baby voice, turning back to the zookeeper. "You're talking about a wild animal, dude."

The panther, clearly agitated by the incessant taunts, roared in response, her powerful voice echoing through the enclosure.

"Leave now! Or I'll have you kicked out of the zoo immediately!" the zookeeper warned, pointing sternly toward the exit.

"Come on, Max, let's leave that poor widdle kitty alone with its angwy babysitter!" Kim laughed mockingly as he turned to leave, with Max shaking his head in disbelief, but following his friend nonetheless.

The panther growled lowly, her eyes locked on the departing boys, while the zookeeper glared at them, ensuring they didn't look back. As they walked away, the zookeeper returned his attention to the panther, hoping to restore some calm to her feeding time.

(MDC&AA)

A dim light flickered, casting eerie shadows around Papillon. A palpable sense of malevolence buzzed in the air as he held out his palm, where a shimmering butterfly hovered delicately. "Unleashing the animal in each of us, I like that idea," Papillon smirked, his eyes glinting with malice. The butterfly fluttered gracefully into his outstretched hand, where dark energy swirled ominously within it. With a flick of his wrist, the once-innocent butterfly morphed into a sinister akuma, its wings now shimmering with a menacing aura.

"Go ahead, my dark akuma," he commanded, his voice dripping with amusement. "Fly off and take control of that zookeeper! Show him the power of despair and rage that lies within him. Let him become the embodiment of his darkest instincts!"

As the akuma took flight, Papillon's voice lowered to a whisper, laced with venom. "Make him feel the weight of his failures, the pain of his inadequacies. Transform his love for the animals into something twisted and cruel. With every flap of your wings, feed his anger and amplify his frustrations. Let him unleash chaos upon the world!"

The akuma soared into the horizon, fueled by Papillon's dark intentions. He watched with a wicked grin, knowing that the zookeeper would soon become a puppet to his malevolent desires. "Yes, let the animal within him take control. Let the hunt begin!"

With that, Papillon reveled in the thought of the destruction that would follow, a malevolent glint in his eyes. As the Akuma darted through the air, Papillon could almost taste the sweet anticipation of turmoil that would soon erupt. The animals would be roused, the visitors would panic, and he would stand back, a puppet master enjoying the spectacle of his dark creation. Today, he would unleash the wild within, and Paris would watch in horror as the animalistic side of humanity was awakened.

(AA&MDC)

Alya and Nino had settled at a picnic table, poring over the map as they plotted their day, while Marcel and Adrien had dispersed, still hiding from each other.

"Did you want to eat first or check out the animals?" Nino asked, glancing up from the map.

Alya pondered for a moment before responding, "Let's look at the animals first. Walking around and checking them out could make us lose energy, and then we'll be too hungry to enjoy it."

"Good point! So, what animals do you want to see?" Nino inquired, rising from the table with Alya.

Alya smiled, "How about we start with the ones we already know, and then move on to our favorites? Mine are foxes."

"Foxes, huh?" Nino replied, intrigued. "I've always liked loggerhead sea turtles," he revealed, a hint of enthusiasm in his voice.

The two friends set off, chatting animatedly about their favorite animals, with Marcel and Adrien stealthily trailing behind them, hoping to avoid detection.

(AA&MDC)

Meanwhile, in the shadows, the Akuma glided silently, seeking its target. It found the zookeeper standing near the jaguar enclosure, a look of despair etched on his face. Hovering nearby, the Akuma phased into his bracelet, sending an involuntary shiver through him.

A hawk sigil glowed ominously on his forehead as a dark voice echoed in his mind. "Animan, my name is Papillon. I offer you power—the power to seek retribution against that insolent boy who dared to mock your beloved jaguar."

The zookeeper's eyes widened, confusion and anger warring within him. "Retribution? What do you want from me?" he stammered, his voice trembling.

The sigil pulsed menacingly, dark energy swirling around him, filling him with urgency. "In exchange, I want the Ladybug and Cat Miraculous. Together, we can make them pay for their arrogance." Papillon ignored the zookeeper's protests, continuing to weave his persuasive web.

Clenching his jaw, the zookeeper wrestled with the temptation. "I won't let anger control me. I protect the animals, not destroy them!"

But the corrupting energy intensified, wrapping around him like suffocating vines. His resolve began to waver as the darkness seeped deeper into his mind.

"You've watched that boy mock your panther for too long. Don't you want to show him the true power of Animan? Embrace your strength!" Papillon urged, his voice dripping with temptation.

Momentarily overwhelmed, the zookeeper felt his defenses crumble as the dark energy surged through him, igniting a fierce desire for vengeance.

His voice quavered, surrendering to the temptation, "Yes...Papillon. I accept your offer." In an instant, he transformed, his body morphing into Animan—a sleek, powerful panther, eyes glowing with ominous light, teeth bared in a menacing snarl.

(AA&MDC)

Meanwhile, Kim was playfully taunting a nearby animal, his laughter echoing through the enclosure, while Max stood beside him, a look of exasperation on his face. "Kim, come on! You need to stop! You're going to get us kicked out, and seriously, you're annoying me with your taunts—especially when you're messing with animals that could actually eat you!" Max warned, glancing nervously at the creatures around them.

Unbeknownst to the two boys, the animal-based Akuma lurked in the shadows, its presence growing closer as it sensed Kim's reckless bravado. Suddenly, the Akuma growled, a low, menacing sound that sent chills down Kim and Max's spines. They jumped back, eyes wide with surprise.

"Hey, kiddo! Still up for a little race!” The Akuma shouted, "Go ahead, I'll give you a head start!" With that, Kim and Max scrambled, turning to run away from the group of animals that had suddenly become more alert.

The panther that Kim had been mocking earlier prowled forward, her instincts kicking in as she sensed the tension in the air. But just as she prepared to leap, the Akuma intervened, halting her in her tracks. "He's mine," it growled, an echo of dark authority fueling its intent.

With a swift motion, the Akuma launched itself into action, racing towards Kim with a predatory grace. A chilling thrill ran through the air as it pursued him, its dark energy swirling around, ready to fulfill its sinister mission. Kim and Max continued to run.

(AA&MDC)

Back with Nino and Alya, their conversation was abruptly interrupted as they spotted Kim and Max sprinting towards them. "He's coming!" Kim yelled, panic lacing his voice.

"Get outta here!" Max shouted, urgency driving his words.

Alya and Nino exchanged worried glances as they watched Kim and Max dash past them, followed closely by a majestic panther, its powerful form cutting through the air with incredible speed. A herd of other animals surged behind the panther, their instincts triggered by the commotion.

"We better ditch this place!" Nino exclaimed, grabbing Alya's hand and pulling her away from the chaos, adrenaline surging through them as they ran to escape.

Nearby, Marcel peered out from his hiding spot, his heart racing. With a resigned sigh, he dashed towards the bathroom, seeking refuge from the impending chaos. Meanwhile, Adrien slipped behind the tall trees nearby, using the foliage as cover.

"Will there ever be a day when we won't have to fight an Akuma?" Marcel muttered to himself, glancing anxiously at Tikki, who floated beside him. Tikki shrugged her tiny shoulders, her expression mirroring Marcel's concern.

"Anyways, Tikki, spot on," Marcel whispered, steeling himself. As the atmosphere crackled with anticipation, the transformation began. Material wrapped around him seamlessly, each thread pulsing with a metallic sheen that shimmered like liquid light. The intricate patterns on his suit came alive, shifting and flowing across its surface in a mesmerizing display.

At his side, a yoyo materialized, its surface adorned with ornate engravings that glowed softly, casting an ethereal light. As he transformed, a sleek black domino mask descended over the upper half of his face, its edges sharp and defined, adding an air of mystery to his appearance.

His eyes, once a striking bluish-silver, underwent a captivating change, transforming into a rich shade of grey with hints of silver, reflecting his newfound power and resolve. His jet-black hair morphed into a vibrant shade of blue, flowing in a medium-length mullet that enhanced his enigmatic allure.

(RB&?)

"We've gotta do something," Adrien whispered urgently to Plagg, who was slumped down on Adrien's head, his excitement from earlier completely deflated.

"Yeah, yeah, I know," Plagg sighed, his voice laced with reluctance.

"Plagg, claws out!" Adrien shouted, In an instant, a bright green light exploded around the area where he was hiding, illuminating the shadows and casting a vibrant glow across the trees. As the light enveloped him, Adrien's transformation began. His hair became shaggy and wild, the golden strands shimmering with an otherworldly radiance. Cat-like ears sprouted atop his head, twitching eagerly, signaling his readiness for action. A tail-shaped belt encircled his waist, bursting free and completing his feline appearance.

The sleek domino mask materialized over his eyes, seamlessly blending into his features and transforming his gaze into luminous, slitted pupils that sparkled with intensity. With each pulse of energy, he felt the power of the cat coursing through him, sharpening his senses and heightening his reflexes.

(RB&CN)

Kim was still sprinting away from the panther, adrenaline surging through his veins. Just as he thought he might escape, the Akuma prowled forward, blocking his path and towering before him.

Kim slid to a stop, stumbling as he faced the looming figure. The talking panther slowly crept towards him, a sinister smirk on its feline face. "You lost, kiddo. What do you think of panthers now?" The Akuma growled, a menacing glint in its eyes.

Backing away, Kim instinctively raised his hands in defense. "Th-That...panthers are the best?" he stuttered, scrambling backward in a desperate attempt to escape.

Before the situation could escalate, Red Beetle landed protectively in front of Kim, closely followed by Chat Noir. "What do you think about black cats?" Chat quipped, trying to lighten the mood despite the tension.

"I think I'm higher on the food chain," the Akuma snarled, a moth-like creature forming on its face, enhancing its terrifying presence.

"Animan, take their Miraculous and bring them to me!" Papillon ordered, his voice tinged with desperation as he commanded his Akuma.

Red Beetle glanced back at Kim, urgency etched on his features. "If you value your life, get out of here, now!" he shouted, taking a defensive stance.

Kim yelped and bolted, but the Akuma quickly snarled and lunged after him, catching both heroes off guard. With quick reflexes, Red Beetle grappled the Akuma with his yo-yo, wrapping it securely around the creature's midsection and halting it in its tracks as the Akuma slammed onto the concrete below.

"Chat, his bracelet! The Akuma must be inside the charm!" Red Beetle whispered urgently to Chat, who nodded in agreement.

"You hold him, I'll grab the bracelet," Chat replied, determination flashing in his eyes.

Just as they prepared to approach the restrained Akuma, it issued a growl, releasing a command to the animals surrounding them. "Attack!"

Chat grimaced with a yelp, instinctively bolting away. Red Beetle sighed, releasing his yo-yo and pivoting to catch up with his partner.

"We need to put them all back in their pens!" Chat shouted as they fled, the sounds of growling and roaring echoing behind them.

"Oh, really? I'm sure they'll do it without putting up a fight!" Red Beetle shot back sarcastically, glancing over his shoulder at the pursuing animals.

As they ran, they spotted Nino and Alya sprinting away from a gorilla that was hot on their heels.

"I'll catch up with you later!" Red Beetle shouted to Chat, who nodded as his partner veered towards Nino and Alya.

In a stroke of luck, Red Beetle noticed a tranquilizer lying conveniently on the ground. He slid, snatched it up, and quickly got back on his feet, gaining ground on the gorilla. With a powerful leap, he jumped onto the gorilla's back, aiming for precision. With all the gentleness he could muster, he jabbed the tranquilizer into the gorilla's neck.

Flipping off the now-dazed gorilla, he quickly caught up with Nino and Alya, grabbing them by their shirts and throwing them over to an abandoned animal pen.

"Hey!" both of them yelped as Red Beetle dropped them inside. "What the...?!"

"Stay here and you'll be safe," he instructed firmly, locking the pen behind them. Without another word, he leapt into the air, determined to find Chat and tackle the chaos unfolding.

"...Looks like we're locked up," Nino said, trying to regain his balance.

Alya let out a groan, frustration evident in her voice. "I did not sign up to be locked in some random animal pen!" She paced back and forth.

(CN&RB)

Meanwhile, Chat Noir was still on the run, desperately evading the throngs of animals chasing him. He leaped onto a sturdy tree branch, spinning around in an attempt to shake off a particularly persistent giraffe that was trying to nibble at him. Not far away, the Spotted Miraculous user landed gracefully atop an animal pen, surveying the chaotic scene below.

"There are too many of them!" he exclaimed, frustration creeping into his voice. Chat groaned, leaning back to avoid another attempted bite.

With a jump, Chat landed on top of the pen where Red Beetle was regrouping. "Well, what are we gonna do then?!" he shouted, urgency evident in his tone.

Red Beetle, trying to maintain his composure despite the chaos, replied, "Back to Plan A. If we can destroy his bracelet, I can capture the Akuma, and everything will go back to normal." He mused, neutrality creeping into his voice. "Like this doesn't happen almost every day."

"Sounds like a good idea!" Chat nodded, his resolve strengthening. Together, they began racing towards the area where Red Beetle had hastily dropped his yo-yo while fleeing from the animals.

"How'd he break out..." Red Beetle muttered, squatting down to pick up his yo-yo, his mind racing with questions.

"I don't know, but we better find Kim... I mean, that boy, before he does," Chat nervously laughed, rubbing the back of his head as he stumbled over his words.

Confused by Chat's stuttering, Red Beetle quickly grappled his yo-yo to a nearby chimney and launched himself away from the zoo. Chat extended his staff, propelling himself in the same direction.

As they landed on a rooftop, Chat caught sight of something out of the corner of his eye—Kim was backing away from the advancing Akuma.

"Over there!" Chat shouted, pointing at the bridge. Red Beetle followed his gaze and saw the Akuma, Animan, closing in on Kim.

"It's down to just the two of us, kiddo," The Akuma snarled, stalking towards Kim. The young boy stumbled backward, tripping over his own feet and landing hard on his back. "And then there was one!" the Akuma roared, pouncing toward Kim.

In a split second, Red Beetle reacted, grappling the Akuma's hind legs and pulling him back just in time. He held strong, using his yo-yo to keep the Akuma restrained while Chat landed beside Kim.

"Quick, go hide in the first building you come to," Chat whispered urgently, gently pulling Kim to his feet and nudging him toward safety. Discreetly, he placed a tracker on Kim's back as the boy sprinted away.

"You'll never get me!" the Akuma growled furiously, transforming into an eagle and soaring into the sky.

"Now we know how he got away earlier," Red Beetle sighed, watching Animan take flight. "Looks like we have a Beast Boy copycat on our hands." He muttered, turning to Chat, asking, "Where's the boy with the red hoodie?"

Chat opened his staff, revealing a tracking device that pinpointed Kim's location. "Good job kitty," Red Beetle praised, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. Without wasting a moment, he and Chat took off toward Kim's location, ready to regroup and confront the chaos once more.

(RB&CN)

At a closing bakery, Kim burst through the door, panting heavily. "Help!" he shouted, collapsing to his knees, utterly exhausted from his frantic escape.

Tom and Sabine rushed to his side. "It's okay, son. Come this way. Easy does it," Tom whispered reassuringly as he lifted Kim to his feet and guided him inside, while Sabine quickly closed the door behind them.

On the rooftop, Chat Noir peered down, relieved. "He's safe inside this building. Panthers can't open doors, so he should be secure for now."

"True, but what if he morphs into a smaller animal? Like a mouse or something?" Red Beetle pointed out thoughtfully, settling onto the railings.

"Right, but we have an advantage; we know exactly where to find his prey," Chat replied, scanning the street for any signs of danger.

"The Akuma will sniff him out sooner or later, but this gives us a little time to devise our next move," Red Beetle said, resting his chin on his hand, deep in thought.

As they strategized, Chat noticed a man struggling to fix his car. Suddenly, the civilian spotted a bear nearby and screamed, bolting away in fear. "We have to stop the Akuma before Paris turns into a jungle," Chat urged, urgency in his voice.

"Follow me," Red Beetle signaled, leaping off the roof with Chat gracefully flipping down beside him. They both entered the bakery, where Red Beetle addressed one of the adults. "Hello, ma'am."

"Oh, you're...you're Red Beetle!" the woman gasped, momentarily starstruck. Despite the urgency of the situation, her calm demeanor reassured him.

Just then, the TV in the corner blared to life with a breaking news alert. "We interrupt this broadcast with a special report: animals are invading Paris, and the police are working diligently to contain the situation. For your safety, please stay indoors and remain calm. Mayor Bourgeois will address the—" The reporter's voice was abruptly cut off as Sabine switched the TV off.

Red Beetle knelt in front of Kim, a reassuring smile on his face. "You'll be safe here," he said. Then, pointing to his wristband, he asked, "Can I borrow this?"

"Uh...Sure," Kim replied, confusion evident as he handed over the wristband.

As Chat scanned the bakery, he noticed a photo of Marcel smiling alongside his parents. Red Beetle approached him, causing Chat to jump slightly. "Come on, Chat," Red Beetle urged, patting Chat's shoulder before turning back to his parents and Kim. "Make sure you lock all the doors and windows."

"We'll take care of everything. You won't be in danger," Chat assured them firmly, his confidence bolstering their spirits.

"Thank you, sir, for all your help," Red Beetle muttered over his shoulder as he prepared to leave.

"You're welcome, Red Beetle," Tom replied, holding Sabine close, both visibly worried yet grateful.

With a decisive nod, Red Beetle opened the door and rushed back out, Chat at his side. He placed the wristband on a railing, with a small grin. "And voilà! Now, we wait."

(RB&CN)

Peeking cautiously through the door, Chat observed the chaos unfolding around him. The animals were rampaging, wreaking havoc and causing mayhem. Suddenly, Red Beetle sprayed him with air freshener.

"Whoa! What's that stuff?" Chat yelped, turning to face Red Beetle, bewildered. “It's air freshener. It'll mask our scent so he won't be able to track us," Red Beetle explained matter-of-factly.

"Thanks," Chat replied, sniffing himself. "I've always wanted to smell like...ocean summer breeze?" He questioned, slightly confused, before spotting a small box nearby. "Couldn't we trap him in something like this?" Chat suggested, picking up the box.

Red Beetle raised an eyebrow. "Did you forget he can transform into different animals?" he retorted, glancing outside to see the animals still on a rampage.

"Right...what about that bus?" Chat asked, noticing a random bus parked outside. Red Beetle nodded in agreement with Chat's idea.

Suddenly, Chat's ears perked up at the sound of flapping. "He's coming," Chat whispered, dropping to the floor and pulling Red Beetle down with him.

Outside, Animan chirped and flew under a bridge, headed straight for the bakery, drawn by Kim's scent.

Meanwhile, Red Beetle and Chat remained hidden behind the door. "Seems like it's working. He's sniffing out Kim," Red Beetle whispered. He then noticed Chat had sniffed him curiously. Not amused, Red Beetle sighed and stood up. "Follow me," he ordered.

As Animan approached the bakery, he transformed into a ladybug to slip through the keyhole, just as Chat managed to trap him inside the box.

"A ladybug? Clever choice," Red Beetle smirked, but the moment was short-lived as the box began to shake. Both Chat and Red Beetle yelped in surprise when the Akuma transformed into a panther, forcing them to dash out of the bakery with the Akuma hot on their heels.

Chat sprinted on all fours, exclaiming, "Couldn't he choose a slower animal?!" Red Beetle leaped into the bus with Chat following closely behind. They both ducked down in the back just as the Akuma leaped inside.

As Animan searched for them, they exchanged knowing glances and sprang towards the front of the bus. Chat used his staff to hold the Akuma back while Red Beetle frantically searched for the door button. "Where's the button for the doors?!" he yelled, pressing all the buttons in vain, only to realize there was no key in the ignition. "Of course, nothing works! There's no key!" he complained, drawing Chat's attention away from the Akuma.

In that moment, the Akuma transformed into a bear, catching Chat off guard. He thrust his staff into the Akuma's face, but the creature ignored the attack and knocked Chat down, causing him to drop his staff, which rolled to Red Beetle's feet.

A purple neon sigil appeared on the Akuma's face. "Take his Miraculous...the ring! The ring!" Papillon urged in a panic, as the Akuma growled menacingly at Chat. Red Beetle skillfully kicked the staff towards Chat, who caught it and struck the Akuma, pushing it back.

As Chat regained his footing, Red Beetle used his yo-yo to tie up the Akuma, but to their shock, the Akuma transformed back into a ladybug. Chat threw his staff like a spear, but the Akuma dodged effortlessly, causing it to bounce back to him after hitting the back of the bus.

The Akuma transformed into a panther again, appearing exhausted.

"All these transformations must be wearing him out, unlike Beast Boy," Red Beetle noted quietly, a hint of admiration in his voice.

"Then let him tire himself out. It'll make capturing his Akuma easier. Cataclysm!" Chat declared, sliding his hand across the dashboard to activate his ability, causing the bus's buttons to malfunction. As the doors opened, Red Beetle and Chat bolted out, leaving the Akuma trapped inside as the bus ceased its malfunction.

"It's not exactly a cage, but...it'll do," Red Beetle quipped, watching as the Akuma transformed into a bear once more.

"I don't think he can bear to listen to that noise," Chat replied with a grin.

"You being around is too much to bear. Now we wait," Red Beetle shot back with a smirk, both watching as the Akuma shifted into a ladybug and then into a gorilla.

"Ready to free the Akuma?" Chat asked, keeping his eyes trained on the creature as it continued to exhaust itself, transforming back into a gorilla. The two heroes then watched in shock as the bus shook violently, and they jolted back as the top of the bus burst open with a loud crash.

"Hey! Since when do extinct animals count?" Chat exclaimed, eyes wide.

"The T-Rex might have disappeared a long time ago, but technically it's still an animal," Red Beetle retorted, both of them instinctively backing away from the rampaging Akuma.

"Well, I know some other animals that will soon be extinct...the cat and the beetle!" Chat yelped as he and Red Beetle sprinted away from the Akuma, narrowly avoiding its massive claws. They quickly ducked behind a parked car just as Animan crashed into a nearby building, debris flying everywhere.

"Lucky Charm!" Red Beetle called out, and a car jack materialized in his hand. "Huh? A car jack?" he mused, inspecting the object.

"Too bad Animan doesn't have any flat tires," Chat quipped, trying to lighten the mood.

"Look how small his front arms are," Red Beetle pointed out, fastening the car jack to his hip with a determined look.

"So it won't be great at basketball. What are you getting at?" Chat asked, raising an eyebrow.

Red Beetle sighed, formulating a plan. "You climb on top of him where he can't swipe at you. While you're distracting him, I'll floor him."

"Sounds like a solid plan. I can be very distracting," Chat smirked confidently. Red Beetle shot him a deadpan look, thinking to himself, 'Yeah, an annoying distraction that I'm fond of,' just as the Akuma crushed the car they had been hiding behind.

Chat yelped as he and Red Beetle dashed away, the Akuma hot on their heels. With a burst of speed, Chat leaped onto Animan's head, but the creature shook him off violently. Realizing what was happening, Red Beetle quickly grappled his yo-yo onto the Akuma's feet, pulling it off balance and causing it to crash.

Chat leaped to the side as Red Beetle landed beside him, both of them catching their breath. "Well, that was unexpected! We didn't even need to use the car jack. What does that mean for us?" Chat wondered aloud.

"Well, I guess that only means we rock as a team," Chat replied, walking over to retrieve the bracelet that had fallen from the Akuma during the commotion.

"Wait!" Red Beetle suddenly shouted, yanking Chat back just in time to avoid a vicious bite from the Akuma. With a spark of inspiration, Red Beetle perked up, an idea forming in his head. "I know what to do! Stay here," he instructed, darting towards the Akuma without hesitation.

"What're you doing?!" Chat called out, panic rising in his voice as he watched Red Beetle launch himself toward Animan.

"Got an idea!" Red Beetle yelled back, just as he landed inside the Akuma's gaping maw, right on its tongue. To Chat's horror, it looked like Red Beetle had been swallowed whole.

Chat's heart raced, and he felt a sickening churn in his stomach. He stood frozen, his ears drooping in disbelief. "You're gonna pay for this!" He shouted, his face twisted with a mix of anger and fear as adrenaline surged through him. He prepared to charge headlong into the creature, ready to confront the monstrous beast that had just swallowed his partner.

But just then, Chat heard the ominous sound of metal creaking. Confused, he turned back to the Akuma, his heart pounding in his chest. What was happening?

Suddenly, the Akuma's mouth began to move again, and he watched in bewilderment as it opened wide. To his astonishment, Red Beetle reemerged, mouth open wide, gripping the car jack with both hands.

Chat's initial rage melted into a mix of confusion and disbelief. He blinked rapidly, trying to process the sight before him. "Wait, what? You weren't actually—"

"I wasn't going to let him eat me!" Red Beetle interrupted, a crowing glint in his eyes as he pulled the car jack from his mouth. "I just needed to distract him long enough to use this!"

Chat stared, flabbergasted, his mind racing to comprehend the absurdity of the situation. The horror of the moment shifted into bewilderment. "You could've given me a heads up! I thought I just lost you forever!"

Red Beetle shrugged nonchalantly, a cheeky grin spreading across his face. "But where's the fun in that?" Stepping out of the cavernous mouth of the Akuma, Red Beetle quickly snatched the shimmering bracelet from the creature's grasp. He smashed it in his hands, feeling a rush of satisfaction as the Akuma was expelled, spiraling away into nothingness. "No more corrupting for you, Akuma! Time to purify," he declared boldly.

As the butterfly of the Akuma began to flutter away, Red Beetle deftly caught it mid-air. "Got it," he said, his heart racing with relief. He released the now-purified butterfly, watching it soar back into the sky. "Bye, little butterfly. Miraculous Ladybug," he called out, throwing the Lucky Charm into the air. The energy radiated around them, washing over the scene and turning everything back to normal. The chaos melted away, and the Akuma transformed back into the bewildered zookeeper.

"Pound it?" Red Beetle asked, turning back to Chat, only to be met with an unexpected embrace as Chat leaped in for a hug.

"RB! That was a wild ride," Chat whispered, his voice filled with a mix of exhilaration and relief. But just as the moment settled, Chat's miraculous beeped urgently. Nervous, he jumped, "Whoops! Better take my whiskers and run!" he exclaimed, pulling away with a grin before leaping onto a nearby roof, darting away on all fours.

Red Beetle shook his head, a smile creeping onto his face. "See ya," he mused, feeling a warm sense of camaraderie wash over him. But as he turned his attention back to the zookeeper, his expression shifted to one of concern.

"Oh! What happened to me?" the zookeeper groaned, holding his head in confusion, dazed and disoriented.

Red Beetle rushed over, worry etched on his face. "Everything's okay, but you should get back to the zoo and check on your animals," he urged, a sense of urgency in his voice. He could only imagine the chaos that might have unfolded in the zoo during the Akuma's rampage.

As the zookeeper slowly regained his composure, Red Beetle felt a wave of ease wash over him. They had saved the day once more, but there was still work to be done."Let's get you back there," He told him, ready to accompany him and make sure everything was alright.

(RB&CN)

Papillon groaned, his voice trembling with a mixture of anger and frustration. "You ruined everything! Red Beetle, you and your little pet!" he roared, his fists clenching tightly at his sides, eyes blazing with fury. "This is not how it was supposed to end! I had it all meticulously planned out!"

He took a deep breath, attempting to reign in his seething emotions, but his efforts were in vain. The frustration bubbled over, spilling into his words like a boiling pot about to overflow. "But mark my words, one day it will be me at the top of the food chain! And you'll be nothing but a footnote in my story!" His eyes narrowed.

(MDC)

Landing on top of the bakery, Marcel quickly flicked off the Red Beetle suit and let out a groan as he flopped face-first onto his bed. Just as he began to relax, his phone rang, jolting him upright. "Oh sh—I forgot all about Alya! She's gonna be furious!"

"And imagine if she knew you're the same Red Beetle who locked her up in a cage with Nino!" Tikki chimed in mischievously.

"Yeah, and she'd probably actually hunt me down and kill me. Guess I'll take 'pissed,' huh?" Marcel muttered, rolling his eyes as he answered the phone. "Listen, Alys, I'm so sorry Adrien and I ditched you both. I probably should've told you what we were doing...like, you know, match making you and Nino," he rambled, making his way downstairs.

As he walked down into the bakery, he spotted Alya standing there, and he chuckled sheepishly. Just then, Nino rounded the corner, nonchalantly handing Alya a box of cookies.

"Thanks, Nino!" Alya exclaimed, her face lighting up.

"Do you want one, Marcel?" Nino asked, grinning.

"Ah...no thanks. I'm good," Marcel quickly denied, glancing over at Alya, "What's going on here?" he whispered conspiratorially.

"Red Beetle locked us in the same cage all afternoon, and It turned out to be the best thing that ever happened! I was finally able to be bold and talk to Alya without just stuttering like a fool!" Nino declared, puffing out his chest proudly.

"Oh, really?" Marcel raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise.

"Yeah!" Nino nodded enthusiastically.

Marcel hummed, "Good for you," Marcel said, trying to suppress a laugh.

"Yeah, and after chilling with Alya that whole time..." Nino trailed off, a dreamy look in his eyes. Just then, Alya jumped in, "Yeah, well...we don't have to give him all the deets, do we?"

"Oh, yeah, my bad," Nino said, grinning sheepishly and scratching the back of his head like a guilty puppy.

Alya leaned in closer to Marcel, a mischievous glint in her eye. "The funniest part was that Nino was totally coached by Adrien at the zoo!"

Marcel smirked, feigning innocence as he hummed, "I know."

Their eyes widened in disbelief. "You did?!" They exclaimed, voices filled with shock.

Marcel raised an eyebrow, clearly enjoying their reaction. "Of course I did. I'm always in the know," he said, trying to sound nonchalant.

Alya shot him a deadpan look, crossing her arms. "Of course you did."

Marcel couldn't help but chuckle, "What can I say? I'm a man of many talents...and secrets!" He winked, prompting Alya to roll her eyes dramatically while Nino laughed, shaking his head at their banter.

—————————————————————————
A/N - Sorry I took too long, didn't want to write this episode cause of how creepy Marinette was when I rewatched it.

Chapter Text

After ensuring the civilian was safe and receiving a nod from Chat, Red Beetle swung his yo-yo around a rooftop, allowing it to pull him through the air. He deftly navigated the rooftops, leaping and flipping with remarkable agility. With one last glance back, he launched himself into the sky, soaring gracefully through the air.

Red Beetle raced across the skyline, executing acrobatic flips and whirls. He landed gracefully on a ledge, gazing up at the bright sky with a small smile. ‘It's strange,’ he thought. ‘Every choice, every action leads us down a path—some brighter than others. I used to believe it was all about victory and saving the victims. But now...it feels like a never-ending cycle of fighting shadows.’

He frowned, watching the clouds glide by, narrowing his eyes. ‘Papillion thinks he can toy with lives as if they were mere playthings. But he doesn’t understand—there’s always a price to pay for corrupted magic. Papillion will answer for his actions. With Chat, we’ll bring him to justice and put him behind bars where he belongs.’

Red Beetle took a deep breath, executed a windmill flip, and backflipped into the air with a graceful twirl. He landed on a nearby roof and sprinted across it, he ran towards an obstacle, jumpped forward, and placed both hands on it while tucking his knees towards his chest. He propelled his body over the obstacle while maintaining momentum, landing on the other side, he slid under a bar and let himself fall before swinging onto his roof.

Red Beetle approached his trapdoor, landing softly inside with a gentle thud. As he stepped in, he muttered, “Spots off,” and watched as his suit began to melt away, revealing his regular clothes beneath.

“Home sweet home...” Marcel sighed contentedly, glancing at Tikki as she flew off to grab a cookie. He observed the last remnants of the suit dissolve, finally leaving him in his everyday attire. The news played in the background on his computer as he moved toward his chair to finish the device he had been building.

“Red Beetle and Chat Noir have saved Paris yet again,” the reporter announced. Marcel glanced at the screen and noticed Nadja's familiar presence delivering the news.

Marcel snorted in frustration. “And yet again, I hope I’ll finally have enough time to complete my box.” He grunted, annoyed not at the victim who was essentially possessed, but at the interruption itself. Grabbing a screwdriver, he continued building his device as Tikki flew overhead, munching on a cookie.

“What’s the magic box for, Marcel?” Tikki asked, landing atop his head.

“To lock up my journal and all the other things that include my secrets,” Marcel replied, tweaking the device, which was nearly finished.

“Every little secret? You mean you write everything down in that thing?” Tikki inquired, peering over his shoulder.

“Some things—only the stuff I need to remember...Why?” Marcel answered, repeatedly opening and closing the contraption to test if it would work.

“Well, for one, what if someone finds out you’re Red Beetle? And two, what if someone finds out you’re Red Beetle?!” Tikki exclaimed as Marcel slid his journal into the box.

Marcel closed the contraption with a grin. “One, I didn’t write that down; I’m not an idiot. And two, that’s not going to happen. Try it, Tikki.” He gestured toward the device, a glint in his eye.

Tikki narrowed her eyes, wary of his look but still flew inside the box, attempting to lift the diary—only to get locked in instead. “Hey!” she shouted, her voice muffled through the box.

Marcel opened a drawer next to him and retrieved the key he had crafted for the trap box. “Good, it works.” He unlocked the contraption, freeing Tikki, though he wondered why she hadn’t just phased through.

Turning back to his computer, he heard the reporter begin speaking again. “Yesterday, Monsieur Bourgeois was re-elected as Maire of Paris for the fourth consecutive term. Here we see Monsieur. Bourgeois with his daughter.” On the screen, both the Maire and Chloé waved enthusiastically. “This reminds me of the class representative elections tomorrow,” Marcel groaned, standing up from his chair.

“What’s so bad about that?” Tikki asked as Marcel paced back and forth.

Marcel plopped back into his chair, the force causing it to shift slightly. “Chloé’s running for class rep. While I understand she might be doing this to see what it’s like to be mayor, she really just cares about herself and wouldn’t help anyone,” he muttered, tilting his head. “Except maybe Sabrina,” he added thoughtfully.

Tikki hummed, considering his words before perking up. “Well then, maybe you should run!” she suggested.

Marcel shook his head. “I would, but don’t you think I have enough to do with my duties as Red Beetle and all my schoolwork?”

“Yes, but if you truly believe in something, you have to try and make it work. It’s better to fail trying than not to have tried at all!”

Marcel looked skeptical but nodded slowly.

“Don’t underestimate yourself, Marcel!”

Once more, Marcel turned his attention to the computer, where Nadja continued. “Armand D'Argencourt, one of Bourgeois's opponents and a fencing instructor at Françoise Dupont High School, was pummeled in the polls. In fact, D'Argencourt acquired the least number of votes in Paris history.” The screen displayed the Maire and his fencing teacher, the latter running away from reporters.

As Nadja continued discussing the election, Marcel glanced at the clock on his computer and grumbled, “When will I ever stop being late for school?” He placed his contraption inside his desk, turned off the computer, and grabbed his backpack, rushing out of the room with Tikki zipping inside the bag on his chest.

(MDC)

“Chloé is running for the class representative position, and Sabrina will be her deputy,” Mme. Bustier informed her students. She paused before asking, “Do we have any other candidates?”

Kim grinned and raised his hand, but quickly lowered it when Chloé and Sabrina shot him glares, making him frown.

“Yes, Kim?” Mme. Bustier prompted.

“Er…n-nothing,” He stammered, his confidence wavering.

Just then, Marcel burst through the door, urgency written all over his face. “Sorry, no excuse this time,” He told Mme. Bustier breathlessly as he rushed to his seat. He turned to Alya and leaned in close. “What’s going on?”

Alya hid behind her tablet and whispered, “Chloé’s running again. She’s been class rep since—what? Last year?”

“Actually, it's been four years,” Marcel corrected. “But you only joined last year. If it bothers you so much, why don’t you run for the position?”

Alya shook her head vehemently. “No can do. My blog is a full-time job!”

Marcel furrowed his brows. 'How is that full time? You literally chase after akumas and somehow film the battles from wherever you are.' He shook his head and shrugged. Truthfully, he didn’t care if Alya didn’t want to be class rep; anyone would be better than Chloé. Yet, somehow, almost everyone seemed intimidated by her.

“Alright, I’ll give all of you until the end of lunch to decide if you’d like to be a candidate,” Mme. Bustier announced as the students began to rise and leave the room.

(MDC)

On the basketball court, Chloé was berating Kim before she strode over to other classmates to discuss the election. Marcel frowned and approached Kim, who turned to him with a resigned look. “So, what did Chloé say to you this time? Did she offer to go on a date with you?”

Kim shook his head vigorously. “No, she threatened to tell everyone I’m afraid of spiders.”

Marcel raised an eyebrow in surprise. “Huh?” He scratched his head, trying to process that revelation. Kim was afraid of spiders but not roaches? Shaking his head in disbelief, Marcel moved on to the others Chloé had blackmailed.

“She told me that if I ran for the election, I’d get kicked out of the scrapbooking club! You know how much I love all those stickers, colorful scraps of paper, and gluing!” Rose nearly shouted, her eyes sparkling as she rambled with excitement.

Marcel hummed at her comment. “That’s a pretty reasonable reason not to run,” he mumbled.

“I couldn’t care less about being a candidate,” Alix shrugged, her expression nonchalant. She then turned her attention to Marcel. “And what’s your excuse?” she asked, already aware that he preferred to avoid trivial matters.

“To be honest, I don’t really care about all that either, and I’m kind of busy,” Marcel replied, thinking about all the responsibilities he had to juggle every day.

Suddenly, Alya spoke up, startling Marcel so much that he jumped. “With what? Oversleeping?” she teased, a playful grin on her face. Marcel coughed slightly, a blush creeping onto his cheeks.

“No, but listen,” he said, regaining his composure, “if there’s really no one willing to run, I guess I could step up.”

(MDC)

Mme. Bustier was addressing the class about the election. “So, are there any new candidates who would like to run against Chloé and Sabrina?”

Marcel scanned the room, glancing at Kim and Rose. Rose squeaked nervously behind her book, while Kim looked away with a huff, clearly uninterested.

Marcel let out a sharp huff of frustration.

“Given that Chloé and Sabrina are the only candidates, there’s really no point in voting,” Mme. Bustier continued, her tone indicating the inevitability of the situation. Chloé and Sabrina exchanged satisfied smiles as they prepared to claim their titles.

With a quiet groan, Marcel raised his hand. “I’ll run.”

The class erupted in excitement, all eyes on him except for Chloé and Sabrina, who looked less than pleased. Mme. Bustier appeared surprised but quickly composed herself, nodding enthusiastically. “Wonderful! You’ll need to develop your campaign and have a speech ready by tomorrow. We’ll have the vote then.”

With that, she instructed everyone to take out their history books and continue with their assignment, the buzz of anticipation lingering in the air around Marcel.

(MDC)

After the bell rang, the courtyard buzzed with chatter about Marcel’s decision to run for class representative. He sat on a bench, leaning back while Alya perched on the backrest, her legs swinging playfully. “So, let’s hear the scoop on your campaign! How are you going to represent?” Alya asked, her enthusiasm infectious.

Marcel raised an eyebrow. “Represent? I honestly have no idea,” he replied bluntly.

Just then, Rose, Juleka, and Nino joined them, brimming with excitement. “Way to go, Marcel! You spoke from the heart—it was truly authentic!” Rose giggled.

“Huh? Uh…right,” Marcel said, feeling a bit sheepish.

“When you win, can we get more comfortable chairs? These are so hard, I can barely concentrate in class!” Rose exclaimed, her eyes lighting up. “Maybe pink ones!”

“It’d be primo if we could listen to our beats while we study in the library,” Nino added, his enthusiasm matching Rose's.

“Uh, you know…I don’t— you know,” Juleka stumbled over her words, shrugging her shoulders. But Marcel could already guess what she wanted.

“Sure, Juleka,” he chuckled, and she responded with a small, appreciative smile.

Alya scanned the courtyard and spotted Adrien walking down the stairs. “Adrien!” she called out, catching his attention as he continued his descent. “Marcel can count on your vote, right?”

“Sure, depending on his speech,” Adrien replied casually as he made his way to the locker room.

Marcel groaned quietly, feeling the weight of the expectations. “Another one,” he muttered, resting his head on Alya’s thigh, already feeling tired. “Fine, I’ll get started on the campaign.”

Alya nodded, gently patting his head in encouragement.

From a distance, Chloé and Sabrina watched the scene unfold. “I’ve seen how my daddy wins every election, and I’m going to follow in his footsteps. I know just how to win!” Chloé declared confidently.

“By having the best campaign?” Sabrina asked innocently, tilting her head.

Chloé laughed dismissively. “Ha! Whatever! The secret to winning in politics is ruining your opponent’s reputation! And uncovering their digital footprint!”

(MDC)

Marcel sat in his room, musing over his campaign notes. “I don’t know about the softer chairs, but I’ll add them to the list, along with music in the library and Juleka’s horror movies…” he muttered, jotting down the requests in his journal. “Now that I’ve got everyone’s issues noted, I can finally start on my speech.”

Just then, Tikki flew onto his head “I’m proud of you! I’m sure you’re going to win. You’ll make an awesome class rep!”

Marcel sighed, resting his head on his desk. “I don’t get why everyone is relying on me to keep Chloé from winning,” he grumbled. His phone vibrated on the desk, breaking his train of thought. He picked it up and saw Alya calling.

“Marc, battle’s on,” she said without preamble.

“What? What’s going on?” he asked, intrigued.

“Chloé’s throwing a campaign launch party at City Hall and she’s got Jagged Stone coming, too!”

“Seriously? Jagged Stone? She knows I worked for him once, right?” Marcel couldn’t hide his annoyance. ‘She’s seriously bribing everyone just to win,’ He thought.

“Exactly! She’s trying to buy student votes with autographs!” Alya informed him.

“Alright then, I’ll meet you there.” Marcel hung up, quickly putting his journal inside his backpack before rushing out of the house, ignoring the open box by the door.

Around the corner, Sabrina observed as Marcel dashed out of the bakery, phone in hand, and headed inside. “I’m going in, Chloé,” she announced quietly, then approached Marcel’s mother.

“Hello!” Sabrina greeted with a bright smile, hiding her phone behind her back.

Marcel's mother looked up, her face lighting up. “Hi there! Marcel borrowed my math book for our geometry homework, but I need it back.”

Sabrina nodded, maintaining her cheerful demeanor. “Marcel’s not here, uh…” Sabine glanced at her husband, who was busy cooking a fresh batch of pastries. She bit her lip, contemplating the situation. When a customer waved to her, she made a quick decision. “I’ve got customers to attend to, but feel free to go upstairs and grab it from his room if you don’t mind.”

“Thanks! I’d be glad to!” Sabrina replied, her smile widening as she walked behind the counter toward the door.

(AA)

Back at college, Adrien was deep into his fencing class, focused and determined. Unbeknownst to him, Nadja Chamack was watching from a hidden corner, her cameraman discreetly filming the session. Monsieur D'Argencourt, their instructor, had left himself open, prompting Adrien to rush in for an attack. However, M. D'Argencourt deftly deflected Adrien's blade and struck back, defeating him with a swift maneuver.

Landing flat on his back, Adrien sat up and opened his guard, a wide grin on his face. “Wow, M. D'Argencourt! I’ve never seen you on fire like this! That was some attack!”

M. D’Argencourt lowered his guard and picked up Adrien's blade, handing it back to him. “It ought to be. This particular maneuver was developed by my ancestor, Darkblade.”

“Darkblade?” Adrien asked, intrigued.

M. D'Argencourt nodded, a glimmer of pride in his eyes. “In the days of yore, Darkblade conquered Paris and ruled with an iron fist. His reign ended when a wealthy Frenchman used his dirty gold to buy the loyalties of the common people. To think that not so long ago, my ancestor's flag waved proudly above Paris…”

As they spoke, Nadja and her cameraman crept closer, the lens capturing every moment. “Is that what you ran for in the election, Mr. D'Argencourt? To seek revenge on behalf of your ancestors?” she interrupted, a sly smile on her face.

Annoyed by her sudden intrusion, D'Argencourt turned to her, his brow furrowing. “Le iarann(By Iron)! Who doth we have here?”

Nadja straightened, turning to her cameraman. “Nadja Chamack. Don’t be bemused; it’s just the news! Do you have anything to say about your so-called landslide defeat?” she asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

Before D'Argencourt could respond, a security guard approached, a stern look on his face. “Hey, you! Excuse me! How did you get into the school?”

Nadja’s eyes widened. “....I think it's time to get back to the studio!” she shouted as she and her cameraman bolted from the scene, the staff in hot pursuit.

“Get back here!” the guard called out, but they were already out of sight.

“Here endeth the lesson,” M. D'Argencourt said with a hint of resentment before heading off to his office.

Adrien scratched his head, bewildered by the unexpected interruption.

(AA)

The dimly lit room is filled with shadows dancing along the walls. Papillon, a tall figure hidden, stood in front of an open window, the sunlight casting an eerie glow on his face in the dark. He held out a hand, the buttefly flying into his hand, with a single touch, it became a corrupted butterfly, its wings pulsating with dark energy.

Papillon sneered, his eyes glinting with spitefulness, “Look at you—a mere shadow of what your ancestor once aspired to be. The people turned their backs, didn't they? They chose someone else, someone they thought was better. But they don't see the potential within you...my potential.”

He released the butterfly, watching it flutter into the evening, its path guided by his dark influence. “Imagine it: the power to rise again, to claim what is rightfully yours. All it takes is a little...persuasion. You’ve tasted defeat, but what if I told you that you could turn that shame into strength? Go forth, my wicked akuma. Seize this broken soul and bend him to my will!”

(AA)

Outside the school, as M. D'Argencourt emerged, he was once again confronted by Nadja Chamack. With a determined glint in her eye, she called out, “M. D'Argencourt, it has been said, and I quote, ‘that you’re stuck in the dark ages like a stubborn old rusted battle-axe.’ What do you have to say to that?”

M. D’Argencourt frowned, irritation evident on his face as he faced the persistent reporter. “Poisonous wretch! Darest thou approach me with such venomous questions? Be gone now, pestilent pain in the neck!” he ranted, his voice rising with indignation.

Ignoring his outburst, Nadja followed closely behind, her cameraman capturing every moment. M. D'Argencourt stormed off, his frustration palpable. As he turned a corner, he suddenly collided with a large poster featuring Mayor Bourgeoise, his image smiling down at the world.

Furious, M. D'Argencourt glared at the poster, his anger boiling over. Without a second thought, he tore it to pieces, the sound of ripping paper echoing in the air. Just as he finished his destructive display, a dark shadow descended, and an Akuma swooped down, flying straight into his saber.

D’Argencourt stopped in his tracks with a neon purple hawk sigil appearing onto his face, while Nadja and her cameraman stood there in fear, Papillon lowered his voice and made his tone enticing, “Darkblade...In return for the powers I’m granting you, all I ask is that you capture the Ladybug and Cat Miraculous for me.”

D’Argencourt eyes narrowed, weighing the offer. He stepped back, conflicted. “And what makes you think I would serve your interests, Papillon? My loyalty lies with my ancestors...not with a shadowy figure like you.”

Papillon whispered into his mind, his voice persuasive, almost hypnotic, “Ah, but think of it, my noble friend. When the flag bearing the emblem of your ancestors once again flutters atop City Hall, the power you will wield...the respect you will command.”

D'Argencourt’s resolve startted to crumble, his ambition flickering to life. And his voice trembled with desire, “When that flag once again graces the skies of our city...then to thee, I shall indeed be indebted!” As he spoke, a swirling, corruptive energy began to envelop him, transforming him into Darkblade. His demeanor changed, confidence while Papilion watched with satisfaction, a sinister smile creeping across his face.

Seeing the Akuma hovering ominously before her, Nadja felt a wave of nervousness wash over her. “A-anything y-you’d like to say about your t-the.” she stuttered, taking a step back alongside her cameraman.

“Darkblade! The lord of Paris!” The Akuma declared, his voice booming with authority. With a swift motion, he used his sword to envelop Nadja and her cameraman in dark energy, transforming them into his knights. “Thou shalt become my knights! Soon, my army shall be immense and unstoppable!” he proclaimed, his eyes glinting with ambition.

With a flick of his sword, he effortlessly sliced a nearby billboard in half, sending debris flying. “We shall take City Hall by storm and reclaim the throne from Bourgeois the usurper!” he shouted, his laughter echoing through the air.

Meanwhile, just outside the school, Adrien and Plagg were about to approach his bodyguard when they witnessed the chaos unfold. “Whoa, that's some medieval madness!” Plagg quipped, his raspy voice filled with humor.

“Come on, Plagg! We need to get inside!” Adrien urged, his heart racing as he rushed back towards the school. He darted into the men’s bathroom, determination etched on his face. “Time to transform,” He announced, the familiar excitement building within him.

“Plagg, claws out!” he declared, as Plagg groaned in response.

(CN)

Meanwhile, outside with Adrien's bodyguard, the Akuma approached with a sinister smile. “Zounds! What a great beast to join our conquest!” he exclaimed, raising his sword and turning the bodyguard into a knight of his dark army. All around, civilians were caught in a trance, zapped by a red beam that shot into their eyes, causing them to chant “Le iarann!” as they too were transformed into knights, swelling the ranks of the Akuma’s minions.

From a nearby rooftop, Chat observed the chaos below, his heart pounding at the sight of the Akuma turning innocent citizens into his soldiers. With a determined leap, he sprang off the roof, ready to confront the threat.

“Let us to battle, knights! Le iarann! (By Iron)!” The Akuma shouted, rallying his newly formed army.

Chat landed gracefully in front of the gathering knights, his eyes narrowing at the Akuma. “The people had their say, and they chose Bourgeois over you, D'Argencourt!” he declared, his voice steady and uncompromising.

“Thy peoples matter not to me! D'Argencourt was defeated, not Darkblade! En garde!” the Akuma roared, drawing his sword and charging at Chat.

(MDC)

Inside Marcel's room, Sabrina entered with a determined look on her face, ready to find something that would embarrass him into submission. “Chloé, I made it in. So, what am I looking for?” she asked, scanning the cluttered space.

“Anything! As long as it’s totally embarrassing,” Chloé replied, her voice laced with mischief.

As Sabrina rummaged through various items, her eyes landed on a hat Marcel had crafted, perched on a mannequin. “Wait, I had one just like this! How about… a ball of yarn? Or a screwdriver?” she suggested, her enthusiasm bubbling.

“‘Course not, idiota! A disgusting photo of him or some really tacky piece of clothing! Dig around a bit!” Chloé shouted, exasperated.

Sabrina continued her search, flipping through old photos of Marcel. Then, her gaze fell upon a box where he kept his personal items. “...How about his diary?” she proposed, a sly grin spreading across her face.

Chloé smirked, clearly impressed. “Wow! You can actually accomplish something when you put your mind to it!”

As Sabrina grabbed the journal, the box unexpectedly snapped shut around her wrist, causing her to yelp in surprise. She struggled to free herself, her phone slipping from her grasp and clattering to the floor.

“Sabrina? Sabrina?!” Chloé called out, her voice rising with concern at the sound of Sabrina’s yelp.

(MDC)

At City Hall, Marcel arrived and turned to his left, noticing that the campaign launch party for Chloé was just beginning.

“I’m pleased to welcome you all to the official launch of Chloé’s electoral campaign. And a special thank-you to world-famous pop star Jagged Stone for endorsing her,” Maire. Bourgeois announced, placing a hand on his daughter’s shoulder. Chloé smirked at her classmates, who buzzed with excitement.

Chloé beamed as she addressed the crowd, “And when you vote for me, you’ll get free tickets to Jagged’s next concert!” Her words elicited a wave of enthusiastic murmurs from the teens around her.

In the crowd, Alya stood proudly holding an autographed CD. Spotting her, Marcel hummed in her direction, raising an eyebrow. “You got an autograph?” he asked, a mix of curiosity and affection in his voice.

“Uh…yeah, got you one too. Sorry, couldn’t help myself,” Alya replied, her cheeks flushing slightly, her skin heating up.

“It’s fine! Not like I blame you; I would’ve done the same,” Marcel chuckled. “Still voting for me?”

Alya nodded, a playful grin spreading across her face. “Of course! You know I’ve got your back.”

(CN)

On the Lock Bridge, Chat Noir and the Akuma were locked in a fierce battle. The Akuma executed the same feint-and-strike maneuver he had used on Adrien before, sending Chat's staff flying from his grasp. “Seriously? How did I not see that coming?” Chat grumbled, backing up slowly as he tried to regain his composure.

“Take him!” The Akuma commanded his knights, who charged at Chat with wild abandon. In a swift motion, Chat flipped off the bridge, landing skillfully beneath it to evade the onslaught.

“Nary a minute to be wasted! City Hall awaits us!” The Akuma declared to his minions, his voice filled with determination.

Chat peeked out from his hiding spot with a confident grin. “City Hall, huh? You go first. I’ll catch up with you,” he teased, plotting his next move.

(MDC)

Back at City Hall, Jagged Stone was still engrossed in signing autographs when Sabrina hurried over to Chloé, who was waiting impatiently.

Chloé raised an eyebrow, a hint of irritation in her voice. “What took you so long? You’d better have gotten his diary.”

Sabrina took a deep breath, panting as she tried to catch her breath. “I did! Sorta…” She trailed off, lifting her wrist to reveal a locked box that had snapped shut around it. Chloé gasped and quickly turned Sabrina away from their classmates. “What is that?”

“When I grabbed the diary, this crazy box just clipped down around my wrist!” Sabrina explained, her eyes wide with disbelief.

“And I’m supposed to believe you? Ugh… Why do I even bother?” Chloé facepalmed, then redirected her attention to Marcel, who was chatting with his classmates.

“You do realize you’re all being bribed, right? Concert tickets are nice, but they won’t solve any real problems,” Marcel stated, his tone serious.

“So what’s your campaign then, Marcel?” Nathaniel asked, gesturing toward him.

Marcel shook his head and held out his hand. “Cushions would realistically be better than buying chairs. Chairs are expensive,” he muttered, the last part barely audible. He turned to Rose. “Your cushion could be pink,” he suggested, then faced Nino. “And I’ll see what I can do about having music in the library. Through headphones, of course,” he added with a smile.

Chloé scoffed, a sarcastic smile on her face. “Remarkable. You actually sound like a class rep. Too bad you don’t have a chance of winning.” She leaned in closer, putting a hand on Marcel’s shoulder and whispering in his ear, “A word?” Marcel rolled his eyes but nodded reluctantly.

Chloé pulled him behind a pillar where Sabrina was hiding. Marcel shot a dark glare at Sabrina when he noticed she had his journal. “What the hell is wrong with you?” he spat angrily.

“If you don’t drop out of the race, all your secrets will be revealed,” Chloé warned, her expression serious.

“Why would I put my secrets in my journal when people like you would steal it, huh?” Marcel snapped, glaring down at her.

“People like me? There’s no one like me! Besides, you could’ve written anything in that journal of yours. We’ll find out when I get a chainsaw in my hands,” Chloé retorted defiantly.

Marcel clenched his jaw, his frustration boiling over. “Yeah, there is no one like you, a spiteful, hatef—” He was abruptly interrupted by the sound of trumpets playing a fanfare outside. “We’ll talk about this later,” he gritted out, while Chloé merely scoffed.

Everyone turned toward the door as Mayor Bourgeois poked his head out, looking apprehensive.

“O-ye, o-ye! Darkblade shall speak now! Listen or be imprisoned!” a knight bellowed as the Akuma stomped toward City Hall.

“Henceforth, my flag shall fly over thy kingdom! Bourgeois, pathetic knave, come hither and do battle!” the Akuma demanded, brandishing his sword threateningly.

“What did he say?” Mayor Bourgeois asked the kids who were watching, confusion etched on his face.

“Basically, he’s gonna beat you up,” Alya informed him, causing the mayor to blanch. “...Ask my secretary for an appointment!” Mayor Bourgeois shouted as he quickly closed the door behind him.

The Akuma chuckled darkly. “Bow down to Darkblade, or feel the wrath of mine sword!”

“Le iarann (By Iron)! Le iarann (By Iron)!” the knights chanted as they charged toward City Hall. Meanwhile, Chat Noir appeared, leaping from rooftop to rooftop, and hurled his staff at some of the knights, knocking them down.

“Take him!” the Akuma ordered, and his knights rushed at Chat. He blocked a hit, quipping, “Guys, do you only know heavy metal?” As the knight in front of him swung again, Chat skillfully blocked and flipped in the air, landing on the knight’s axe before kicking him back, causing the knight to crash into a wall.

Marcel grimaced as he watched Chat take on the knights. “Ouch,” he muttered, but couldn’t help but grin as Chat broke free with his staff. “That was a nice warm-up!”

"Le iarann(By Iron)!" The Akuma brandished his sword, the blade glinting ominously, he thrusted his sword at Chat who sidestepped, narrowly avoiding the swing of The Akuma's sword. He countered with a quick thrust, but the Akuma parried the hit, “You’ll have to do better than that, akuma!”

They circled each other, swords clashing, the sound echoing” You think you can stop me feline, with my allies!” The Akuma leaped forward, launching a flurry of strikes. Chat deftly blocked each hit, sweat beading on his brow. “Allies? More like a crumbling facade! Your darkness can’t compete with the light of camaraderie!”

The Akuma paused, momentarily taken aback by Chat’s words. He narrowed his eyes beneath his mask, anger boiling beneath the surface. “Camaraderie! It’s a weakness! I will show you true power!” He snarled.

With renewed ferocity, The Akuma attacked, but Chat‘s agility keeps him out of reach. He leapt onto a nearby lamppost, gaining the high ground. “True power? Or just desperation?” He playfully asked him. The Akuma, frustrated, slashed upwards, but Chat flipped over him, landing gracefully behind.

“You think you can taunt me?”

Chat grinned, “Just trying to lighten the mood!”

(CN)

Jagged paused mid-signature, his attention caught by the distant sounds of raucous fans. “Wait, do I hear the sounds of crazed fans? I can totally get them under control!” he declared, rushing out of the building with his guitar in hand. He began to play a lively tune, singing off-key, until he abruptly stopped as he caught sight of The Akuma and Chat Noir locked in combat.

He watched as Chat darted away, knights hot on his heels.

“Behold, a minstrel!” The Akuma announced, standing proudly beside Jagged.

Jagged, still grinning, held out a hand. “Guys, guys, I know you love me, but there’s no reason to fight over it.”

The Akuma turned to him, raising his sword ominously. “Are you the usurper’s champion?”

“Say what?” Jagged replied, utterly confused, just before The Akuma transformed him into a knight.

Chloé gasped from her hiding spot behind the door. “What are we gonna do?” Ivan asked, his eyes wide with fear, as the transformed Jagged Stone stood tall.

“Get the doors!” Marcel barked out.

“Get the doors!” Chloé echoed, pointing a finger in the air.

Marcel shot her a glare. “Shut up, Chloé!”

“Shut up, Chloé! Oh…” she mumbled, realizing her echoing wasn’t helping.

“Kneel before thy flag of Darkblade! Bow down before mine eyes!” The Akuma thundered, advancing toward the open doors. The group backed up quickly, hastily locking the doors behind them.

Chloé ducked behind the desk, with Rose quickly following. “Chloé, what should we do? What would a class rep do?!” Rose leaned in, her voice frantic.

Peeking her head up, Chloé responded, “Well, if indeed you vote for me, I’ll provide you with an answer. Tomorrow!”

“But we can’t wait until tomorrow!” Rose exclaimed, exasperated.

“Then you’re out of luck. You’ll have to ask someone else!” Chloé shot back before ducking under the desk again. Marcel glared at her in annoyance before dashing upstairs. “Tikki, we need to talk!”

“What are you going to do?” Tikki asked, floating beside Marcel.

“Chat needs Red Beetle, but I also have to help the others,” Marcel muttered, pacing back and forth in thought.

“Trust your instincts,” Tikki advised.

Meanwhile, outside, the knights were relentlessly battering the door with their battle axes, terrifying the kids inside. Marcel returned downstairs just in time to see the chaos.

“Kim, Ivan!” Marcel called out, and the two turned to him. “Lock the doors! Make sure all the windows are closed too!” They nodded and hurried to secure the entrances.

“Nino, Juleka, Rose, Mylène, and Alya, with me!” Marcel directed.

“Good job, Marc! Now there’s a future class representative in the making,” Alya encouraged.

“Well, I was going to say the exact same thing. Sabrina, Ivan, Kim, go lock the doors!” Chloé called out from beneath the desk.

Outside, the knights continued their futile attempts to break down the door, using themselves as battering rams.

“We have to barricade the entrance!” Marcel shouted, as he and Alya grabbed a billboard to fortify the door, while others joined in.

“I hope they haven’t gone too medieval on Chat,” Marcel worried aloud, he then turned to Maire. Bourgeois. “It’s time to retreat! Sir, we have to get out of here.”

“This way!” Maire. Bourgeois led the way to a safety room while Marcel stayed behind. “I’ll catch up with you guys! I’ll make sure all the windows are closed first!” he shouted, opening his bag to let Tikki out. “This should be safe now.”

“Tikki, spots on!”

(CN&RB)

Outside City Hall, Chat Noir found himself surrounded by knights, each one pointing their weapons menacingly in his direction.

"Back off, you tin cans!" he shouted defiantly.

"Chat Noir, up here!" Red Beetle called out, tossing his yo-yo for Chat to grab. With a swift maneuver, Red Beetle yanked him inside, causing Chat to land upside down with his legs folded. "Sorry I was late, Chat. I was busy doing damage control inside."

"I was managing just fine by myself, you know," Chat replied with a grin. "But it's always nice to see you."

"Come, formation!" The Akuma ordered, and the knights quickly formed a staircase, climbing up to launch themselves at the heroes. However, Red Beetle was ready; he came around the corner and kicked the knights off, while Chat pushed them away with his staff.

"Strike!" Chat quipped, as he and Red Beetle slipped back inside through the window.

"Cursèd, colorful acrobats!" The Akuma growled, his patience wearing thin. He turned his attention to the cars parked nearby, transforming them into catapults, which the knights began to use to launch themselves into City Hall.

"Pull!" one knight shouted, and the others prepared for the launch.

"Why are they going on the roof?" Chat asked, just as a knight slammed ungracefully against the wall beside him. "Well, at least some of them," he muttered.

"The flag!" Red Beetle exclaimed, spotting the Akuma's goal.

"Tally ho!" The Akuma shouted triumphantly as a knight launched him onto the roof with a catapult. "Once these stripes are supplanted by mine coat of arms, I shalt reign supreme!" he cackled while slicing the flag down and tossing it to the ground.

Red Beetle and Chat vaulted onto a section of the roof. "The Akuma must be in his sword!" Red Beetle concluded.

"How are we gonna get a hold of it?" Chat asked, brows furrowed in concern.

"By getting me close to him," Red Beetle replied, determination in his voice. He threw his yo-yo onto Darkblade's arm and flung himself upward, attempting to grab the sword. However, the Akuma swung his sword, forcing Red Beetle to twirl over it and crash painfully against the roof, landing amidst the other knights.

Rubbing the back of his head, Red Beetle groaned. "Chat, don't let him get his banner!"

Chat quickly knocked down the human ladder of knights attempting to raise the banner, but they were relentless. Soon, he was dogpiled by the knights, struggling to break free.

"Villains! Thou impress me not!" The Akuma bellowed, raising his sword high. "By the blade of darkness, I hereby declare all peoples of this kingdom are henceforth mine!" He triumphantly placed his flag atop the roof, causing a dark portal to cover the sky. "Bow to King Darkblade!"

A swirling void of energy began to close in around City Hall, and civilians transformed into knights, joining the chaos. Darkblade cackled with delight as he leaped down, aiming his sword at Red Beetle. "Soon thou shalt join my army, you venomous insect!"

Chat managed to knock down the knights holding him, standing tall as he faced the Akuma. "Not so fast! En garde!" he declared, ready to fight.

As Chat battled the Akuma, Red Beetle was engaged in fending off the newly transformed knights with his yo-yo, determined to protect his partner.

“It won't be long before Red Beetle and Chat Noir eventually meet their doom!” Papillon cackled from the shadows, watching the unfolding chaos through the Akuma's eyes, relishing in the impending disaster.

(CN&RB)

Chat Noir lunged at the Akuma, but the villain swiftly kicked him back, forcing Chat to brace himself against the assault. On his knees, he glanced down in horror, witnessing the civilians around them being transformed into knights. "We're about to wind up as knights too!" he exclaimed, panic creeping into his voice.

As the black energy spread, students turned into knights, their eyes devoid of recognition. "Le iarann (By Iron)!" they shouted in unison, their voices echoing ominously across the roof.

"Lucky Charm!" Red Beetle called out, and to his surprise, a toy beetle materialized in his hand. He stared at it, confusion etched across his face. "...Okay." He quickly scanned the area and his eyes lit up as he spotted the City Hall's roof edge and the Akuma’s vulnerable underarm. "Here's hoping the Akuma's ticklish."

Meanwhile, the Akuma lunged at Chat once more. With a deft maneuver, Chat deflected the attack, but he could see the Akuma was trying to pull the same feint he had used earlier. "Not this time," he smirked, gathering his strength before lunging again. He aimed for the Akuma's legs with his staff, but the villain was quick, deflecting the strike effortlessly.

While they exchanged blows, Red Beetle wound up the toy beetle and, with a burst of agility, flung himself toward the Akuma. With a swift motion, he threw the toy beetle directly at the Akuma's underarms. To his delight, the Akuma erupted into laughter, momentarily distracted as he tossed his sword away in a fit of giggles.

Seizing the opportunity, Chat caught the flying sword and immediately hurled it back to Red Beetle. With precision, Red Beetle slammed the sword down onto the edge of the roof, causing a shockwave that depleted the ominous black sky and dissipated the dark energy surrounding them. The Akuma was sent hurtling from the sword, his form twisting in the air.

"No more corrupting from you, Akuma," Red Beetle mumbled under his breath, determination coursing through him as he opened his yo-yo. "Time to purify." With a flick of his wrist, he launched the yo-yo at the rogue butterfly, ensnaring it. "Gotcha!"

“Bye butterfly, Miraculous Ladybug!" Red Beetle called out as he released the now-purified Akuma, the bright energy swirling around it before it vanished into the sky. The magical wave reverted everything back to normal, the knights transforming back into civilians, including M. D'Argencourt. "Huh?" he muttered, bewildered by the sudden return to reality.

"Mission accomplished!" Chat proclaimed, a triumphant grin plastered on his face. Red Beetle held up his fist, and they both bumped it together in celebration, "Pound it!"

Without hesitation, Chat scooped up M. D’Argencourt and slung him over his shoulder. “Gotta take off, see ya!" he called out to Red Beetle, who nodded in understanding as they both prepared to leave the scene

(RB&CN)

Papillon stood with his fists clenched, eyes burning with fury. “You think you can defy me, Red Beetle? You are merely a pesky insect in my grand design!”

He paced back and forth, the tension in the air thickening as he muttered to himself. “Every blow you land only fuels my determination! I thrive on your resistance! When I emerge victorious, the world will kneel before me!” He stopped and stared intensely into the darkness, imagining his triumph. “And you, my dear beetle, will be nothing but a faded memory, a whisper of defeat in the winds of my conquest!” He declared with a smirk.

(MDC)

Red Beetle burst through the window with his suit cascading off him like melting nanotechnology. Tikki, glowing with excitement, floated nearby, a gleam in her eye. “Great job, Marcel! You’ve proven that you can be both Red Beetle and a student leader at the same time!”

“Yeah…” Marcel trailed off, still catching his breath as Tikki zipped back into her bag. He descended the stairs, only to find his classmates dismantling the remnants of their event—posters were being pulled down, and chairs stacked haphazardly.

As he stepped onto the ground floor, Chloé, ever the provocateur, spotted him. “So where were you? Safely hiding under a rock?” she poked fun at, a smirk plastered on her face.

‘So annoying,’ Marcel thought, suppressing an eye roll. “Very funny, Chloé. I almost forgot to laugh. I got transformed into a knight, you know,” He answered, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

Just then, Adrien dashed down the stairs, stopping at the bottom with a flourish. “So was I! What a knightmare!” he quipped, dashing past them. Marcel couldn’t help but huff a small laugh at his friend’s pun. He turned back to Chloé, his expression turning serious. “Now that this is all over, I want my personal item back,” he said, his voice low and intense as he glared at her.

The surrounding students leaned in, murmuring amongst themselves. “I really have no idea what you’re talking about! I—” Chloé stammered, but her denial was cut short as Sabrina pushed through the crowd, holding out the contraption that had Marcel’s journal trapped inside. “Yes! Please take it off!” Sabrina exclaimed, and Marcel pulled Sabrina up the stairs as he fished his key from his pocket. With a click, he unlocked the contraption, freeing Sabrina’s hand.

“Thank you!” Sabrina cheered, her eyes bright with excitement as she sprinted off to join the others.

“Got an explanation, Chloé?” Marcel pressed, crossing his arms.

“I told you, I never took his journal! I’m offended that you’re accusing me!” Chloé snapped, her voice rising defensively.

“If that’s true, then how did you even know my journal was in here?” Marcel pointed out, his brow furrowing in suspicion.

“Oh, well, uh…” Chloé stuttered, her confidence wavering. She quickly grabbed Sabrina’s arm, trying to deflect the blame. “Sabrina told me! It was all her idea!”

“So uncool!” Nino muttered loudly enough for everyone to hear, his expression one of disapproval.

“At least now we know nobody will be voting for Chloé. You’re gonna be our new representative!” Alya chimed in, placing a supportive hand on Marcel’s shoulder.

“...Not so fast, Alya,” Marcel interjected, feeling the weight of the moment.

Chloé laughed, a mocking sound. “See? He’s undependable! He’s already throwing in the towel!”

Marcel groaned, rolling his eyes at her antics. “Actually, I’m not. I want to be voted in fairly, not because you don’t want to vote for Chloé. I’m not going to make promises I can’t keep, and I can’t guarantee you’ll get everything you want. But I am resourceful, I know how to prioritize, and I’m a good listener. Representing all of you is something I truly believe in. So… vote for Marcel, for class representative.” His passionate speech ignited a wave of cheers and applause from his classmates, ‘Well, there’s your speech,’ he thought, feeling a rush of adrenaline.

Chloé, noticing Sabrina clapping enthusiastically, threw her hands up in disbelief. “What are you doing? Are you out of your mind?! Ugh, what are you even good for?!” she grumbled, storming away, with a puzzled Sabrina trailing behind her

(MDC)

The next day, Marcel rose early, the morning light filtering through his window. He gently placed Tikki inside his bag, careful not to disturb her slumber. After exchanging goodbyes with his parents, who wished him a great day at school, he stepped outside

As he made his way to school, Marcel spotted his friends gathered nearby. Their expressions were a mix of irritation and annoyance as they animatedly discussed Chloé’s latest antics. He could sense the tension in the air and approached them cautiously.

“So, we’re all here about Chloé’s little scheme?” Marcel asked, raising an eyebrow. The three of them nodded, and he let out an exasperated groan. “It’s like she thrives on drama.”

Alix sighed, crossing her arms. Though she wasn’t as easily affected—Chloé knew better than to target her directly—she couldn’t ignore the chaos her friend was creating. “Crazy. She used to be better than this. What the hell is her problem? Why is she acting this way again?” Alix asked, her frustration bubbling to the surface. She had stopped paying attention to Chloé the moment she had insulted Marcel without an ounce of remorse.

“She wouldn’t do this type of stuff before…” Juleka mumbled quietly, her brow furrowed in thought. Her mind raced with the possibilities of what could have driven Chloé to steal Marcel’s journal alongside Sabrina.

Nino looked disappointed, shaking his head. “I just don’t get it. Why change for the worse?” he muttered, his expression a mixture of confusion and concern.

The four of them fell silent, each lost in their thoughts about Chloé’s scheme. Just then, Marcel’s gaze sharpened as he spotted Chloé and Sabrina across the hall, sharing an easy laugh that felt like a punch to his gut.

“Yeah, and I want answers,” He declared, his voice rising with irritation. Without waiting for a response, Marcel strode over, bitterness fueling his steps. Alix, Juleka, and Nino exchanged worried looks, knowing that Marcel was about to confront Chloé. They sighed as they headed to their homeroom class.

Marcel reached Chloé and Sabrina, determination coursing through him. He snatched Chloé by the wrist, pulling her away while forcing Sabrina aside with more force than necessary. Chloé gasped in shock. “M-Dupain-Cheng! What are you doing?!”

Marcel looked back at her, irritation barely concealed. “We need to talk. Now.” That was all he offered as they continued walking, his grip firm.

Chloé stumbled slightly, confusion crossing her features as they moved further away from the bustling hallway.

Marcel swung open the door to an empty classroom, the dim light filtering through dusty blinds casting long shadows on the floor. He pulled Chloé inside, the door slamming shut behind them, echoing in the silence of the room.

With tension thick in the air, Marcel released her wrist, but not without a lingering grip. “You think this is a joke, Chloé? Stealing my journal? Seriously?”

Chloé stood with her arms crossed defensively, her gaze fixed on the floor, cold and unresponsive. “I didn’t take it; Sabrina did,” she retorted, her voice lacking conviction.

Marcel stepped closer, frustration bubbling over. “Don’t lie! It was right there in my house. And you knew it was mine because you had your little obedient puppy do it for you!”

Chloé shifted uncomfortably, avoiding eye contact. Her silence screamed louder than any words could, igniting Marcel’s annoyance even further.

Running a hand through his hair in exasperation, he sighed. “Why are you acting like this? We used to be friends! What happened to you?”

Finally, Chloé looked up, her expression cold as ice, irritation simmering just beneath the surface. “People change, Dupain-Cheng. Deal with it.”

Marcel scoffed, his tone sharp. “Change? This is just...rude. You’re being a total bitch for no reason.”

Chloé flinched slightly at his choice of words but quickly regained her composure, her irritation morphing into a mask of indifference. “Maybe I’m just tired of your drama,” she deadpanned, her voice devoid of warmth.

“It's not drama!” Marcel shot back, his voice rising with the heat of his frustration. “You used to be someone I could count on. Now? You’re just... this.” He gestured wildly, disappointment etched across his features.

Chloé raised an eyebrow, a mocking hum escaping her lips. “Maybe you should’ve thought about that before you trusted me.”

The weight of her words hit Marcel like a punch to the gut. He shook his head, stepping back, a sense of apathy creeping in. “Whatever. I got my journal back anyway. Just...forget it.” He muttered, turning to leave, frustration radiating off him.

Chloé watched him go, her expression unreadable, but Marcel could have sworn he saw a flicker of something in her eyes as he exited the room.

As he stepped into the hallway, the bell rang, jolting Chloé out of her thoughts. She shook her head, trying to dispel the lingering emotions swirling within her. With a deep breath, she headed to class, Sabrina trailing behind her.

“Chloé! Wait up!” Sabrina called, her voice breaking through the haze of Chloé’s mind. As they walked, Chloé forced herself to focus, pushing aside the confrontation with Marcel. But a part of her couldn't shake the feeling that something had changed.

(MDC)

"By majority vote, Marcel is the new class representative, and Alya will be his deputy," Mme. Bustier announced to the classroom. The room erupted in applause, students cheering and clapping for Marcel and Alya. Everyone joined in the celebration, except for Chloé and Sabrina. Chloé seemed disinterested, her gaze fixed elsewhere, while Sabrina cast a concerned look in her direction.

Marcel leaned toward Alya, a wide smile on his face. “You'll be able to do your blog and be deputy. We can do anything if we put our minds to it.”

"I'm with you, M,” Alya grinned back, her eyes sparkling. “We’re going to make this the best year ever!”

As the applause faded, Marcel glanced around the classroom, taking in the supportive faces of his classmates. A mix of pride and nervousness washed over him; However, he couldn’t ignore the lingering tension with Chloé, which hung heavy in the air like a cloud.

Alya noticed Marcel’s distraction. “Hey, don’t let Chloé get to you. This is your moment! Focus on what we can achieve together.”

Marcel nodded, trying to shake off his concerns. “You’re right. Let’s make this year count.”

Chapter Text

In the background, the sound of a faint groan echoed, a stark contrast to the lively atmosphere surrounding the scene. "Don't blink now, 'cause we are live from Paris!" Alya exclaimed, her voice vibrant and full of energy. "Yo peeps, it's your girl Alya here, bringing you the one and only Beetleblog, where the buzz is always electric!"

With a bright smile, she scanned the bustling streets of Paris, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she took in the sights and sounds, though she looked confused when she heard a loud buzzing above her. "What is that?"

A helicopter whirred overhead, the sound slicing through the air as it trailed a vibrant Red Beetle, dangling playfully from a harness. Just then, a thud resonated in the background, something tumbling down to the ground. "Red Beetle in action!" Alya called out, her excitement palpable. "Hang on, 'cause we're going for a ride!"

With an eager sprint, she dashed toward the object that had fallen, her curiosity piqued. As she bent down to pick it up, her eyes widened in astonishment. "What you have here is no ordinary book—it's a tenth-grade history textbook!" Alya exclaimed, holding it up to the camera. "And I should know, 'cause I've got this very same book sitting on my shelf at home. Could our very own Red Beetle be a high school student in real life?"

Marcel groaned, sinking deeper into his chair, his frustration evident. "How?" he whined, his voice tinged with disbelief. "Just how could this happen?" Despair hung in the air as he buried his face in his hands, grappling with the chaos of the situation.

Tikki, ever the voice of reason, zipped over to settle gently on the desk beside him. "What's done is done; we can't change the past," she said soothingly. "We can only move forward. Remember, Alya cannot find out who you really are. You know how relentless she can be with her blog, which is totally dedicated to Red Beetle."

Marcel sighed heavily. "And how are we gonna do that? As you just pointed out, she's persistent."

Tikki offered a reassuring smile. "It will all work out, trust me. Everyone has a past they can learn from." With that, she fluttered over to the keyboard, her tiny fingers dancing across the keys until a page filled with images of Egyptian Pharaohs appeared on the screen. "This'll show you why."

Marcel leaned closer, squinting at the screen. "An exhibition at the Louvre? On Pharaoh Tutankhamun? What does that have to do with my book and Alya?"

"You need to persuade Alya to join you at the exhibit and make sure she brings the book," Tikki instructed, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "You'll tell her you found out something important about Red Beetle."

Skepticism creased Marcel's brow as he raised an eyebrow at her suggestion. "But at the Louvre?"

Tikki grinned, her enthusiasm infectious. "You'll see!"

"Yeah, but I don't know how I'm going to convince Alya to go to an Egyptian exhibit, let alone persuade her that I'm not Red Beetle," Marcel grumbled, annoyance creeping into his tone as he thought of Alya's relentless nature.

"Trust me, she'll be interested, and so will you. Promise," Tikki replied, her confidence a beacon of hope amid Marcel's uncertainty.

(MDC)

Alya and Marcel stepped off the bus, the excitement palpable as they crossed the sidewalk towards the majestic Louvre. "Can you believe it?" Alya exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with determination. "All I gotta do is find out who this history book belongs to, and BAM! I'll figure out Red Beetle's civilian identity! I'm so on this one!" She punctuated her statement with a triumphant fist bump.

Marcel grimaced, skepticism etched on his face. "You really think you can figure out who Red Beetle is from a textbook that every high school student owns?" he questioned as they descended the stairs to the entrance.

Alya paused mid-step, a grin spreading across her face as she grabbed Marcel by the shoulders. "Yep! Our school is the only one that uses that book! HA!" she laughed, releasing him and continuing down the stairs. "So, all I gotta do is find out which tenth grader lost their history book last week. There are forty-three students, not counting myself—"

Marcel interjected, jogging up beside her. "Forty-two, not counting you or me."

Alya stopped again, elbowing Marcel lightly in the stomach, causing him to grunt in surprise. "Yesterday, someone didn't have their textbook in class!"

Rubbing his gut, Marcel frowned. "I left it at home; didn't check my backpack," he muttered, his voice low due to the slight discomfort.

Alya chuckled, not noticing his glare. "Just messing with you, Marcel! Of course, I'll only drop you from my investigation when you bring your history book back to class!" she teased, and Marcel quickened his pace to catch up with her.

Suddenly, someone rushed past them, a folder full of papers in hand. The impact caused Marcel to trip slightly, sending the folder flying. Among the scattered papers, a medallion rolled out, and the man dove down to catch it. Relief washed over him as he exclaimed, "It's not broken!" before hurriedly gathering the rest of the papers.

Alya, slightly annoyed, piped up, "Uh, I'm okay too, thanks for asking."

Turning to face her, the man stood up with a friendly smile. "I'm sorry! Hey, you're in the same grade as Alix, right?" he asked. "I'm her older brother, Jalil Kubdel. So, you're into Tutankhamun too?" He introduced himself as he glanced up and spotted his father approaching down the stairs. "Dad!" Jalil called out, brushing past Alya and running to greet his father.

"Uh, weird," Alya mumbled, turning back to Marcel. "So, again, Marc, why are we here? This exhibit's got something to do with Red Beetle? For real?" She moved to inspect an object nearby, her curiosity piqued.

Marcel hesitated, glancing subtly into his bag for Tikki's guidance. She sighed, pointing at a nearby Egyptian Papyrus. Nodding in understanding, Marcel replied, "It's over there." He took Alya's hand, leading her towards the papyrus. As they stood before it, Marcel searched for any significant detail, while Alya appeared bored, her eyes wandering around the exhibit.

(AA)

Adrien leaned back in his chair, his eyes wide as he replayed the video. "Hang on, 'cause we're going for a ride. What you got here is no ordinary book; it's a tenth-grade history book. And I should know, 'cause I've got this very same book. Could our very own Red Beetle be a high school student in real life?"

Adrien paused the video, processing the information. "That's crazy! What are the odds that we have the same textbook? Maybe we even go to the same school!" His mind raced with possibilities, excitement bubbling within him.

"Don't you think you know him then?" Plagg interjected, his mouth full of cheese. "Why bother yourself with people when you could be enjoying this?" He gestured towards the delectable camembert.

Adrien shrugged, his expression thoughtful. "For one, people smell about a thousand times better than that cheese. And they're much better-looking," he replied dryly, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of his lips.

Plagg shrugged nonchalantly, unfazed. "Suit yourself, your loss." He returned to his cheese, savoring each bite.

Adrien grimaced, rolling his eyes. "My only loss is my appetite," he grumbled, turning back to his computer screen. He couldn't shake the thought of the potential connection to Red Beetle. Who was he really? And did he actually attend the same school? The mystery stirred in his mind.

(MDC)

"Come on, just tell me what it is already!" Alya exclaimed, her patience wearing thin as she skimmed through the same lines of text repeatedly. The excitement that had initially fueled her curiosity was quickly fading.

"But then it wouldn't be a surprise, would it?" Marcel replied playfully, turning his body slightly to obscure Tikki from view. He shifted the bag that contained Tikki, transforming it into a replica of the Egyptian Papyrus, which drew curious glances.

In the background, Jalil and his father approached the Papyrus with purpose. "I'm telling you, father, it's all right there in the hieroglyphics," Jalil insisted, stopping beside Marcel and nudging him aside. "Excuse me, Marcel," he said, his eyes locked onto the ancient script. "Look, the figure holding the scepter is Tutankhamun, the first. And right across from him is Nefertiti, his beloved princess. There are exactly one hundred mummies alongside them. She passed away years before him, and the sun god Ra took her as his goddess."

His father, raising an eyebrow, replied, "Yes, I know all that. I'm the director of this exhibition, remember?"

"Then you also know that Tutankhamun sought to bring his princess back to life by offering the sun god a new wife. This fresco seems to depict the ritual he devised." Jalil removed his glasses, waving them over the scripture as if the movement could somehow reveal more secrets. "Nobody has ever fully deciphered these hieroglyphics, but I believe I have! It contains a magic chant that must be recited to complete the ritual! I am certain of it!" Jalil proclaimed, re-adjusting his glasses and shoving his folder into his father's face in his excitement.

Marcel leaned closer to Alya, lowering his voice conspiratorially. "He kinda reminds me of someone with wild theories... you," he teased, a playful smirk on his face.

Alya grinned back, rolling her eyes. "You might think my theories about Red Beetle are outlandish, but just wait, Marc. I'll prove you wrong," she asserted, a spark of determination in her eyes.

Jalil's father, exasperated, pushed the folder away from his face and sighed deeply. "Jalil, these types of frescoes are almost always just illustrations of legends. They call it a legend for a reason," he stated firmly as he began to walk away, clearly weary of the conversation.

Unwilling to let it go, Jalil dashed after him, grabbing his father's arm to halt his progress. "That's what everyone believes! But I know it's real. I can show you!" Jalil exclaimed, his voice filled with vibrant enthusiasm.

"Really? And how exactly do you plan to demonstrate that?" Jalil's father asked, narrowing his eyes skeptically, his patience teetering.

Without hesitation, Jalil moved toward a ceremonial staff displayed nearby. "I just need to get my hands on Tutankhamun's scepter and recite the spell!" he declared, reaching out for the scepter, his excitement palpable.

Jalil's father quickly intervened, grabbing his arm with a firm grip. "Are you serious? Don't even think about touching that scepter. If you do, I risk losing this entire building. It's a priceless historical artifact, not a toy!" he exclaimed, pulling Jalil away from the scepter and turning to continue on his way.

"Come on, Dad! What if Tutankhamun really discovered how to bring people back to life?" Jalil insisted, trailing after him, his voice filled with hope.

Jalil's father halted, turning to face his son with a stern expression. "Listen, Jalil! That's enough! Get your head out of the past and focus on the present!" he proclaimed, his voice echoing with finality as he resumed his stride.

As Jalil sighed in defeat, gathering the papers he had dropped, Alya and Marcel exchanged glances, wincing at the intensity of the moment

(MDC)

The atmosphere was thick with intrigue as he began to monologue, his voice smooth and enticing. "Ah, there's truly nothing wrong with living out a fantasy, is there? In fact, it's the very essence of what makes life vibrant and thrilling. Especially when I hold the power to turn those fantasies into reality."

He extended his hand, and a delicate butterfly floated gracefully into his grasp. With an enigmatic smile, he poured dark energy into the creature, transforming it into an akuma. "Now, my beautiful creation, fly away and do my bidding. Seek out that young man, and let him taste the sweetness of corruption."

Papillon's tone turned cogent, laced with charm. "Imagine the possibilities awaiting him. He's just a step away from embracing his true potential, and all it takes is a little nudge in the right direction. With your help, he will discover the power hidden within him—power that he has long denied. Make him believe that darkness can be his ally, and together, they can reshape the world into something magnificent."

His eyes glinted with ambition as the akuma took flight, carrying with it the seeds of manipulation. "Go forth and weave your magic, my little emissary. Show him that freedom lies not in conformity, but in embracing the chaos that comes with power."

With a final flourish, Papillon watched the akuma vanish into the shadows, confident that soon, his carefully laid plan would unfold, leading to the creation of a new ally bound by darkness.

(MDC)

Marcel and Alya were deep in thought, trying to decode the significance of the intricate symbols before them. Marcel hummed softly, hoping to spark Alya's interest, but he noticed her growing boredom as she stifled a yawn. With a sigh, she pulled out a history book from her bag, about to flip through the pages.

Catching sight of the book, Marcel's eyes widened in alarm. "Put that down!" he exclaimed, his voice rising in urgency as he quickly pushed the book back into her bag. "I've got something incredible to reveal about Red Beetle! You won't want to miss this!"

His nervous chuckle danced in the air as he turned Alya back toward the wall, eager to redirect her attention. The thrill of what he had discovered bubbled beneath the surface, and he could hardly contain his excitement.

"'Bout time," Alya replied, her tone teasing yet assertive. She pointed a finger at him, her brows raised in mock seriousness. "This better be blog-worthy, Marcel."

Marcel flashed a nervous smile, feeling the weight of her expectations. "Trust me, it's going to blow your mind!" he assured her, his heart racing.

(MDC)

Outside the Louvre, Jalil sat on a bench, his heart heavy with disappointment. His mind raced with thoughts of his father's dismissal, the weight of skepticism pressing down on him. Suddenly, a dark silhouette glided through the air—the akuma—before it slipped into his amulet. In an instant, a dark purple light enveloped his face, casting an eerie glow around him.

"Pharaoh, I am Papillon," a voice echoed within the amulet, smooth and commanding. "I have endowed you with the magical power of the ancient gods. But such gifts come at a price. You must do me a favor in return for this incredible boon."

Jalil's eyes widened, a mix of curiosity and ambition igniting within him. "My precious Nefertiti will come back to life!" he declared with fervor, his voice unwavering and resolute. Dark, corruptive energy began to swirl around him, transforming him into a figure of majesty and power—Pharaoh.

Papillon's voice dripped with persuasion, his tone almost intoxicating. "Yes, young Pharaoh, that is your greatest wish. With my power, you can prove everyone wrong, even your father. Imagine the glory you will achieve! The world will remember you as the one who brought back the legendary Nefertiti. Together, we can rewrite history."

Jalil's heart raced at the thought. The desire to validate his theories and regain his father's respect surged within him. "I'll do it!" he proclaimed, his voice resonating with newfound confidence. "I'll bring her back!"

"Excellent," Papillon purred, a sinister satisfaction lacing his words. "With your eagerness and my power, nothing will stand in your way. Embrace the darkness, and let it guide you to your destiny. Soon, Nefertiti will walk the earth again, and you will be her savior."

Consumed by ambition and the allure of the promise, Jalil felt the last remnants of doubt slip away. As the dark energy enveloped him, he was ready to embark on a journey that would change everything—his destiny intertwined with the whims of Papillon.

(MDC)

Marcel squinted at the symbols, frustration etched on his face. He was determined to figure out what Tikki wanted to reveal, but the intricate designs were elusive.

Alya sighed dramatically, the weight of the symbols pressing heavily on her eyelids. "This thing's making my eyes hurt," she muttered, removing her glasses to rub her eyes vigorously. After a moment, she slid her glasses back on, her irritation palpable. She reached into her bag for the history book, but Marcel was quick to notice.

"Look closely! It is in there," he insisted, his voice tinged with urgency. He nervously scratched the back of his head, just as a staff nearby blew its whistle, cutting through the tension.

"Hey, you!" the staff shouted, causing Marcel to whip around. His eyes widened as he spotted the akuma transforming, its form morphing into that of an Ibis.

"What the—?" Marcel gasped, but before he could react, the akuma unleashed a flurry of golden orbs. They flew like projectiles, targeting the unsuspecting staff and civilians, their panic echoing throughout the room. One of the orbs shot directly at Alya and Marcel.

In a split second, Marcel dropped to the ground, yanking Alya down with him just in time. "Get down!" he hissed as the orb zipped overhead, narrowly missing them.

Peeking cautiously from behind the stand, Alya's expression shifted from fear to exhilaration. A mischievous grin spread across her face as she pulled out her smartphone, ready to record the chaos. "This is gonna be epic!" she declared, standing up, but Marcel quickly grabbed her arm, trying to pull her back down.

"Alya, hide!" he shouted, urgency bleeding into his voice.

Ignoring him, Alya slid to another stand, pointing her phone directly at the akuma. The Ibis-formed creature barked, "Get out of here, faster!" as the golden orbs continued to rain down, sending civilians scrambling and staff members diving for cover.

Marcel's heart raced as he saw the akuma begin to stalk toward his hiding place. Panic surged through him, and he quickly slid over to another stand, adrenaline propelling him forward. As the akuma turned its attention away, Marcel seized the moment to dart out of the room, sprinting around the corner to find safety.

"There's never gonna be a peaceful day, is there, Tikki?" he grumbled under his breath, frustration bubbling within him. "Tikki, spots on!" he whispered urgently. In an instant, a bright red light enveloped him.

(MDC)

Alya crawled stealthily alongside the stand, her heart racing with excitement as she whispered into her phone. "OMG, coming to you live, Beetleblog viewers! I'm at the scene even before Red Beetle or Chat Noir! This is insane!" Her voice, a mix of awe and exhilaration, echoed in the chaos as the camera panned to capture the akuma wreaking havoc.

Meanwhile, Adrien and Plagg were glued to the screen, watching Alya's live stream unfold. Adrien's jaw dropped, eyes wide with shock as he took in the scene. "What the—?" he murmured, disbelief washing over him.

"Wow! I love the face changes! You could use that one!" Plagg quipped, his playful tone cutting through Adrien's shock.

Adrien narrowed his eyes, his determination igniting. "Plagg, claws out!" he chanted, and in an instant, a bright green light enveloped him.

(MDC)

The akuma loomed ominously, levitating the scepter and papyrus as the museum went into lockdown mode. Red Beetle, agile and quick-thinking, slid beneath the closing gate, landing in a crouch just behind the akuma. He could feel the tension in the air as he eyed the villain.

"You know that's considered stealing," he quipped, standing tall and brandishing his yo-yo with a confident flick of his wrist.

The akuma turned sharply, a snarl twisting its features. "Actually, I'm taking back what rightfully belongs to me," it growled with an air of authority, eyes blazing with malice.

Red Beetle smirked, spinning his yo-yo playfully. "Maybe if you were the real Pharaoh, which you clearly aren't!"

Amidst the chaos, Alya's voice rang out, capturing the moment perfectly. "Look at Red Beetle go! If I'm dreaming, don't wake me up!" Her eyes widened with excitement as she caught Red Beetle's signal to run. "Red Beetle waved at me! No way!"

With quick reflexes, Red Beetle hurled his yo-yo at the akuma, but the villain snatched it mid-air, yanking him forward. In a flash, Red Beetle twirled, attempting a swift kick, but the akuma dodged with ease, swinging him around and tossing him against the wall. He landed with a groan, sliding down in a daze.

The akuma chuckled darkly, its voice dripping with menace. "Sekhmet, give me your strength!" As if invoking ancient power, its face morphed into that of a lion, and it approached the gate, bending the bars with brute force just as Chat Noir appeared.

Chat stood confidently, his baton resting on his shoulder. "How nice of you to hold the door open for me!" he quipped, launching himself into the fray. But in a shocking twist, the akuma seized him by the face and hurled him into an open coffin, with it slamming shut, locking him inside the coffin eliciting winces from both Alya and Red Beetle.

"Enjoy your coffin!" the akuma cackled, relishing in its victory as Alya dashed behind another stand. Red Beetle rushed towards the coffin, straining to lift it while Alya continued to broadcast the unfolding drama. "This is hecka crazy! Keep your eyes peeled!"

Suddenly, footsteps echoed nearby, and Alya looked up to see the akuma towering over her. "Hiya!" she exclaimed nervously, forcing a grin. The akuma grasped her chin, its grip firm and unyielding. "Your face, fate has placed you on my path. Come with me!" It slung her over its shoulder, striding towards the exit.

"Hey! Hands off the threads! I can walk myself!" Alya shouted, thrashing in an attempt to break free.

Red Beetle's eye twitched in frustration. "Seriously?!" He groaned, facepalming at the scene. He turned back to the coffin, grunting as he finally pried it open, freeing Chat Noir. "Are you okay?" he asked quickly before sprinting after the akuma. "Let her go!"

Suddenly, the akuma unleashed a barrage of bubbles that knocked Red Beetle off balance, causing him to slide with Chat colliding into his partner.

"Hiding behind an innocent bystander! You're weak, Pharaoh!" Chat shouted defiantly, but the akuma merely chuckled, "I'm way more powerful than you are," and continued its retreat.

Feeling a mix of anxiety and determination, Alya called out, "A-And don't forget! All the latest behind-the-scenes are on my blog!" She winked at the spotted hero, her spirit unyielding.

Chat, momentarily taken aback, huffed, "That Alya is one brave chick."

Red Beetle smiled despite the chaos. "If by brave you mean bossy, feisty, and bold? Yup, that's her!" He shook his head, glancing back at Chat. "Come on, we need to get out of here."

Chat nodded, his expression serious. "Cataclysm!" he shouted, channeling the power of his miraculous as he touched the bars, disintegrating them. Now free, both heroes dashed out, determination fueling their steps. "How are we going to find them?" Chat asked, pausing to catch his breath.

Red Beetle pulled out his yo-yo and opened it. "Alya's live-streaming, remember?" He activated the livestream she had started, and the screen sprang to life.

Alya's face beamed from the video. "Hi, everyone! Alya here, liveblogging from the shoulder of the terrifying villain! Huge scoop to come, stay tuned!"

Both Chat Noir and Red Beetle stared blankly at the screen, bewildered by Alya's audacious antics. "What is she thinking?" Chat muttered, shaking his head in disbelief. Just then, his miraculous beeped urgently, catching his attention.

"...You go ahead," he said, glancing at Red Beetle. "I'll join you as soon as my miraculous is charged up again."

"Take your time," Red Beetle replied, determination etched on his face. "It's going to take both of us to defeat him." With that, Red Beetle sprinted off, his mind racing with strategies, while Chat quickly ducked into the nearest bathroom to recharge.

(RB)

The akuma hurled Alya to the ground, her landing jarring but not enough to deter her spirit. Around them, chaos reigned; some civilians were petrified, rooted to the spot by the golden orbs the akuma had unleashed, while others scrambled to safety. A father scooped up his son, dashing away from the unfolding madness, panic etched on his face.

"Hey!" Alya yelped as she landed on her bottom, quickly regaining her composure. She couldn't let this moment slip away.

"On to the next phase," the akuma muttered, a sinister gleam in its eyes. "Anubis, bring me mummies!" With a dramatic flourish, the akuma's face morphed into that of a jackal, beams of light shooting from its eyes. The rays struck the civilians, transforming them into mummies that began shambling towards their master, their expressions frozen in time. "Soon, we'll be together again, my Nefertiti! My long-lost love!" the akuma declared, his voice echoing with a twisted longing as the mummies advanced, their bandages fluttering like ghostly shrouds.

Alya, sensing the gravity of the situation, looked around but then a grin crept onto her face. From her vantage point on the ground, she had an idea. "This is gonna be one major scoop!" she cheered, standing up with renewed vigor. She tapped the akuma lightly on the shoulder, her phone aimed directly at him. "Uh, excuse me, Pharaoh, but, uh, what exactly is going on?" Her tone was casual, almost teasing, as she pointed the camera at the akuma, ready to capture every moment.

The akuma turned to her, surprise flickering across its features. "I'm going to carry out the secret spell to bring Nefertiti back!" it proclaimed, its voice filled with fervor and desperation.

Alya hummed thoughtfully, her mind racing. "Gotcha! You're talking about the spell on the papyrus, right?" She gestured toward the ancient scroll and scepter, her curiosity piqued, and her tone playful.

"Correct! The one hundred mummies and the offering!" The akuma's excitement was palpable, its focus now entirely on the task at hand.

"Offering? What offering?" Alya queried, her tone light but probing, keen to dig deeper into the akuma's plan.

The akuma leaned down, its eyes narrowing as it gripped Alya's chin with surprising gentleness. "To persuade the sun god Ra to give me my sweet princess, I must give him something in return. A pure soul!" The intensity in its voice sent a shiver down Alya's spine.

"Dude, that's hard to come by," Alya smirked, her mind racing to think of a way to spin this into a story, even as danger loomed closer.

The akuma's gaze sharpened, and it unfolded the papyrus, revealing an elaborate painting of the long-lost princess. "But I've already found her! You look so much like her!" it exclaimed, a manic glint in its eye as it showed Alya the image.

"Say what?!" Alya whispered, her eyes widening in shock as the realization struck her. The resemblance was uncanny, and the gravity of her situation suddenly sank in.

The akuma cackled, a chilling sound that echoed through the museum, as it reveled in its twisted fate. Alya's heart raced.

(RB)

Red Beetle cursed under his breath, having overheard the akuma's ominous declaration. He was watching from his yo-yo, a sense of urgency flooding his veins. Without a second thought, he darted into the room where the akuma had left the time-slowing orbs behind. The room was filled with an eerie glow, and as he maneuvered around the orbs, he felt a sudden tug at his side—one of the orbs had caught him.

"Seriously?!" he grumbled as he found himself encased in a shimmering bubble. The world around him moved at a normal pace, but he was trapped in slow motion, every movement feeling like a monumental effort. He glanced toward the exit.

As he pounded on the bubble, frustration mounting, he heard Alya's voice crackle through his communicator. "Red Beetle, this is Alya! I just found out I'm the sacrificial offering to the sun god! Please hurry!" Her urgency was palpable, and it cut through the chaos like a knife.

"Damn the bubble!" Red Beetle grumbled, gritting his teeth. He braced himself, pushing his feet down with all his might. The bubble began to inch forward, but to anyone watching, it appeared as if he was moving in slow motion, a comical sight in the midst of the dire situation.

(AA)

Adrien was scrolling through his phone, trying to keep up with the latest updates on the akuma situation while Plagg sat beside him, devouring a wheel of camembert. The pungent aroma wafted through the air, and Adrien couldn't help but wrinkle his nose.

"Oh, do you seriously think this mumbo-jumbo with the sun and mummy stuff is gonna work?" Plagg asked, his mouth full of cheese. He paused to burp loudly, the sound echoing in the quiet room.

Adrien coughed, the unexpected stench of the cheese hitting him like a wall. "You have no respect! Your batteries are charged up enough!" he grunted, trying to wave away the smell.

Plagg simply shrugged, a cheeky grin on his face. "What can I say? A hero's gotta eat!"

With a disgusted expression, Adrien decided it was time to take action. "Plagg, claws out!" he called, and in an instant, a bright green light enveloped him

(RB&CN)

Chat Noir arrived just in time, spotting Red Beetle trapped in the shimmering bubble. Without hesitation, he whipped out his baton and struck the orb with precision, bursting it open.

"Whoa!" Red Beetle yelped as he stumbled forward, only to be caught by Chat's steady grip on his shoulders. "Thanks for waiting around for me!" Chat quipped, a playful grin spreading across his face.

Red Beetle sighed in relief but managed a smile in return. "No problem, but we've gotta find the hidden akuma and free it before he sacrifices that girl!" With urgency fueling their movements, the two heroes dashed up the stairs.

As they reached the front door, they paused, taking in the sight before them. Rows of mummies stood motionless, their bandaged forms creating an eerie tableau. "I don't see her or the akuma," Red Beetle whispered, scanning the area carefully.

"Neither do I," Chat replied, his eyes narrowing as he tried to assess the situation. "We need to be cautious. The akuma could be lurking nearby, waiting for the right moment to strike."

Chat and his partner exited the building, stepping into the warm air that surrounded them. They headed toward the rooftop. Chat, with his agile form, dug his claws into the rough brick walls, expertly finding footholds as he climbed. Beside him, Red Beetle showcased his acrobatic prowess, seamlessly parkouring up the structure with a series of fluid movements.

Chat Noir's eyes darted around the chaotic scene until they landed on the akuma, who was holding Alya tightly while she struggled to break free. "Over there!" Chat pointed, urgency in his voice.

Alya grunted, her frustration palpable as she flailed against her captor. Suddenly, she caught sight of the figures illustrated on the papyrus. "Whoa, back up! Who are those god dudes with the black spots and lion heads? There, on your papyrus!" she exclaimed, directing her phone's camera toward them with curiosity.

The akuma glared at her, a sinister smile creeping across his face. "Red Beetle, Bes, and Chat Noir—my sworn enemies! My nemeses may have thwarted my plans 5000 years ago, but they will not stop Nefertiti from coming back to me this time!" he growled, crumpling the papyrus in his hands, anger radiating from him.

"Did you say...Red Beetle and Chat Noir 5000 years ago?!" Alya shouted, her eyes wide with disbelief.

Perched on the roof, Red Beetle and Chat watched the live stream, surprise etched on their faces. "Everyone does have a past they can learn from," Red Beetle mumbled, glancing at Chat, who was scratching his head in confusion.

"Well, you don't look a day over 3000," Chat chuckled, a playful grin spreading across his face.

"You know how we immortal people are," Red Beetle teased back, a lightness in his tone despite the gravity of the situation below.

Back on the ground, the akuma began the ritual, his voice rising in intensity. "Oh, sacred Ra, god of the sun," he chanted, throwing Alya to the ground as the mummies closed in around her. "I, Pharaoh, offer to thee a pure soul! The sacrifice for the return of Nefertiti!" The Louvre pyramid began to glow, a brilliant light shooting up into the sky as darkness spread from it. "I bow to you and present this gift with my mummies! In company, we pray for the safe return of Princess Nefertiti! Awaken, Nefertiti! Awaken! Awaken, Nefertiti! Awaken!" The akuma's voice boomed, echoing through the air, and the mummies around began to chant in unison, their voices a haunting melody: "Awaken, Nefertiti...Awaken..."

As the mummies moved closer to Alya, she called out desperately, "Red Beetle!"

On the roof, Red Beetle turned to Chat, urgency filling his voice. "We've got to save her before he completes the ritual, or Alya will be lost to us forever!"

"What should we do?" Chat asked, concern evident in his tone.

Red Beetle stood up. "Hold back the mummies while I take on the akuma," he instructed, his eyes focused on the task ahead.

Chat sighed, scratching his head. "Why do I have to deal with these mummies while you get to slip around back?"

Red Beetle met his gaze with a blank expression. "Because I'm the only one who can capture his akuma," he replied matter-of-factly, then added with a sly smile, "And because you're the bravest of the two of us."

With that, Red Beetle made his move, leaping from the roof and swinging into action. Chat Noir watched him go, contemplating the situation. "Sure," he muttered to himself, shaking his head as he prepared to confront the mummies.

"Awaken, Nefertiti, Awaken...Awaken, Nefertiti, Awaken..." The mummies chanted in eerie unison, steadily advancing with Alya in their grip, inching closer to the glowing pyramid.

"Hey there, you bunch of bandages!" Chat Noir called out from atop a lamppost, his playful grin illuminating the tense atmosphere. "What do you say we wrap this up?" His eyes sparkled with mischief, a playful challenge hanging in the air.

"Chat Noir!" Alya exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement and relief at the sight of her friend.

"Seize him!" the akuma commanded, a wave of urgency in his tone as the mummies shifted their focus toward Chat.

With a swift leap, Chat jumped onto another lamppost, teasingly taunting the mummies. "Is that really as fast as you can go?" he jested, effortlessly springing from one lamppost to the next, each jump a display of his agility and confidence.

"Wait, this looks...like a trap!" the akuma suddenly realized, his eyes darting around until they landed on Red Beetle, who was strategically positioned on a nearby roof.

With a quick flick of his wrist, Red Beetle deployed his yo-yo, grappling onto a building and swinging down toward Alya. "Hold on!" he called out, and Alya reached out, their fingers meeting as he swung her away to safety, her grin infectious as she enjoyed the thrill of the moment.

"Horus, give me your wings!" the akuma shouted, his form morphing into that of an eagle, feathers shimmering as he took to the air with an unsettling grace.

Red Beetle landed softly on another rooftop, setting Alya down, who continued recording the unfolding drama. "Peeps, you just witnessed another insane feat from Red Beetle! Thanks for saving my butt!" she exclaimed, her enthusiasm undeterred by the chaos surrounding them.

Red Beetle glanced at her, a hint of surprise on his face. "You're welcome. But it's not over yet. Not until—" he began, only to be cut off by Alya.

"Not until Red Beetle destroys the pendant containing the akuma and turns everything back to normal! I pay attention," she interjected, a determined nod accompanying her words.

"The pendant! Good eye," Red Beetle told her, his focus sharpening as he scanned the area.

But just then, Alya's expression twisted into a mask of alarm as she spotted the akuma hurtling through the air, the large Akuma towards him. "Look out!" she screamed, her voice slicing through the chaos like a knife, urgency lacing every syllable.

Beetle whirled around, adrenaline surging as he caught sight of the akuma barreling toward him, its eyes glinting with malice. Before he could react, the Akuma struck with a brutal force, sending him hurtling off the roof. The ground rushed up to meet him, a dizzying blur of colors and sounds.

In a split second, Red Beetle's instincts kicked in. He released his yo-yo, the weapon spinning into action. The cord stretched taut as he swung it with all his might, catching the edge of a nearby ledge just in time. He swung through the air, narrowly avoiding a crash landing, his heart pounding like a war drum.

With a fierce resolve, he landed on the ground, rolling to absorb the impact. Dust and debris erupted around him as he came to his feet, eyes blazing with focus. The akuma circled back, its malevolent laughter echoing in the air.

"Way to go, Red Beetle!" Alya cheered, her encouragement ringing in his ears. But the moment was fleeting, as the akuma landed behind her with a menacing glare, snatching her phone and hurling it off the roof.

"No!" Alya gasped, below, the spotted hero extended his arm just in time to catch the phone before it hit the ground, his reflexes sharp and precise.

Floating above them with Alya securely in his grasp, the akuma taunted, "You're not going to win this time, Red Beetle!"

"Help me!" Alya cried out, her voice tinged with desperation as she struggled against the akuma's hold.

Crush that insect!" The akuma commanded, its voice a chilling hiss that sent shivers down Red Beetle's spine. The mummies surged forward, their tattered wrappings fluttering ominously as they closed in on him. Their grip was shockingly strong, fingers like iron vice grips clamping down on his arms and legs, pinning him to the ground.

Red Beetle struggled against their hold, muscles straining as he fought to break free. The mummies loomed over him, their hollow eyes glinting with a sinister light, and he could feel the heat of their breath as they leaned in closer. He watched helplessly as the akuma soared toward the beam of light, his heart racing when the akuma threw Alya towards it, her body being carried upward by the powerful surge.

Meanwhile, Chat was engaged in a dance of agility, flipping over a mummy that attempted to grab him and kicking another away with finesse. Suddenly, a dark shadow loomed above him. "What the-!” Chat yelped, eyes widening in disbelief as he realized the mummies were hurling a car in his direction, its metal frame glinting ominously in the light.

Red Beetle's instincts were razor-sharp as he faced the mummies with unyielding resolve. In a swift, decisive motion, he delivered a deft kick to one mummy's face, the akumatized civilian staggering back in shock. Without missing a beat, he followed up with a powerful headbutt, the impact sending the creature reeling away, its bandaged limbs flailing. As the third mummy closed in, Red Beetle expertly swung his yo-yo, the weapon arcing through the air and colliding with its companions, creating a small moment of space around him.

As he regained his footing, his gaze swept across the chaotic scene, and his heart dropped when he spotted Chat Noir in imminent danger. The akuma's minions had orchestrated a sinister plan, and a car was hurtling straight toward him like a projectile of doom. Red Beetle's eyes narrowed, the urgency of the moment sharpening his focus into a laser beam.

He acted without hesitation. His yo-yo shot out like a grappling hook, wrapping around Chat's ankle in a split second. In one fluid motion, he yanked with all his might, pulling Chat out of harm's way just as the car crashed to the ground where he had stood moments before. The thud reverberated through the air.

"Thanks, Red!" Chat exclaimed, grateful for the timely rescue as he regained his footing, his voice a mix of gratitude and exhilaration as he landed unsteadily on his feet.

"Chat! This way!" Red Beetle called out, his voice cutting through the chaos as he sprinted toward a nearby bus. Without hesitation, Chat Noir slid under the bus just as the mummies began their advance. He expertly positioned his baton beneath the vehicle, a calculated move to hinder their progress.

As the mummies shuffled inside the bus, Red Beetle made a swift exit through a different door, the sound of the bus doors closing echoing ominously behind him. With a grunt, Chat turned the bus onto its side, effectively sealing the mummies inside, their groans muffled as they struggled against their entrapment.

Red Beetle turned to face the akuma, urgency etched across his features. "We have to save Alya before she reaches the circle of darkness," he stated, glancing at Chat, who nodded in agreement. Without wasting another moment, they surged forward, racing toward the looming figure of the akuma.

You will not stop me from bringing Nefertiti back! I'll finish you off!" the akuma bellowed, his voice reverberating through the air like thunder, dripping with malice. With a flick of his wrist, he unleashed beams of crackling energy, bright and lethal, aimed directly at Red Beetle and Chat.

Both heroes moved in perfect sync, their trust in each other evident as they leaped gracefully over the beams of destruction or slid beneath them, narrowly escaping the searing rays that scorched the ground where they had just stood. The air crackled with danger, and the chaos around them intensified with each passing second.

Seizing a fleeting opportunity, Red Beetle hurled his yo-yo at the akuma with all his might, aiming to ensnare him in a binding grip. The yo-yo sailed through the air, wrapping around the akuma's form with a satisfying thud. But the creature was far from finished. With a fierce snarl, he flared his arms and took to the skies, defying the yo-yo's hold.

"Horus, give me your wings!" the akuma cried out, suddenly soaring high into the air, leaving Red Beetle momentarily stunned. But Red Beetle wasn't about to let go. Clinging to the yo-yo, he propelled himself forward, muscles straining as he climbed onto the akuma's back. The wind whipped around him, a whirlwind of chaos as he fought to maintain his grip.

His fingers searched frantically for the pendant that held the key to breaking the akuma's hold, feeling the pulse of dark energy radiating from it. Below, the streets seemed a distant memory, the ground receding as he faced the embodiment of despair. With a fierce resolve, he dug his fingers into the akuma's back, grappling for control as they soared perilously high.

The akuma twisted and bucked, trying to dislodge him, but Red Beetle held tight. With a shout, he unleashed a powerful swing of his yo-yo, sending it crashing against the akuma's head. The blow reverberated through the air, and for a moment, the creature faltered, its flight destabilizing.

In a bold maneuver, Red Beetle managed to seize the pendant, feeling the surge of dark energy pulsing through it. He let it drop, his heart racing with the knowledge that it was crucial to their mission. "Chat! The pendant! That's where the akuma is!" he shouted, urgency lacing his voice as he prepared to leap off the akuma's back.

Red Beetle dove toward the ground, his body slicing through the air. At the same moment, Chat launched himself from the Louvre, both heroes descending with purpose, their eyes fixed on the pendant glinting in the sunlight below.

Red Beetle swung himself down gracefully, landing with a thud that shook the ground beneath him, while Chat touched down nearby, their strides quickening as they raced toward the pendant. Hope surged through them—a chance to end the akuma's reign of terror was within reach.

But just as they drew near, their hopes were dashed. The akuma landed squarely on the pendant, his powerful figure blocking their path

"Sekhmet, give me your strength!" the akuma commanded, clapping his hands together with a force that resonated through the air. The resulting sonic wave rippled outward, a violent shockwave that sent both Red Beetle and Chat sprawling backward, the impact knocking the wind from their lungs and leaving them gasping for breath.

As they struggled to regain their composure, the mummies surged forward, their tattered wrappings fluttering like dark banners in the chaos. The sheer number of them was overwhelming, converging like a relentless tide intent on pinning the heroes down. Red Beetle felt their cold, desiccated hands grasping at him, pulling him away from the pendant, while Chat fought to shake off the disorientation that lingered in his mind.

With gritted teeth, Red Beetle pushed himself back to his feet, his muscles burning, stubbornness flooding his veins. "Chat! We need to—" he began, but his words were drowned out by the cacophony of the mummies closing in.

The akuma stepped back, a wicked grin spreading across his face as he held the pendant tightly in his fingers, its dark power pulsating ominously. "It's over," he proclaimed, his voice a taunt that echoed through the chaos. The mummies shifted closer, their hollow eyes fixed on the heroes, creating a wall of menacing figures that blocked any escape.

Alya's voice pierced through the thickening darkness as she edged closer to the ominous circle, her voice tinged with desperation. "RB, save me!" she cried, the fear evident in her tone.

With fervent resolve, Red Beetle raised his voice to the heavens, "Oh, Ra, god of the sun, accept this humble offering and return the princess to me!"

The two heroes fought against the akumatized civilians, their strength tested as Chat spun his baton with a graceful flourish, keeping the mummies at bay with precise strikes and agile dodges. Each clash rang out like a battle cry, but the mummies were relentless, their numbers overwhelming.

"That's our last hope!?" Chat exclaimed, his eyes wide in disbelief.

Red Beetle peered into the charm's box, his gaze landing on a pair of shimmering earrings. A grin broke across his face. "This offering isn't good enough for Nefertiti," he declared, a hint of mischief in his tone.

"Hey! Thanks a lot!" Alya retorted, crossing her arms defensively, her expression a blend of irritation and hurt at the spotted hero's comment.

The Akuma, undeterred, focused solely on Red Beetle. "Too late, Red Beetle! The ritual has begun!"

Red Beetle's heart raced as he shouted, "Set Alya free and sacrifice me instead! Wouldn't that be the sweetest revenge? 5000 years later! After all, I'm the one who kept Nefertiti from you all these years!" His words hung in the air, drawing the Akuma's attention.

"It's true that you make a much more precious offering than this mortal," the Akuma mused, extending a hand in a twisted gesture of camaraderie. With a resigned sigh, Red Beetle grasped the offered hand. "Horus, give me wings!" he commanded, and the Akuma lifted him into the air, bringing Alya along for the ride, placing her precariously nearby.

Alya slid down the Louvre, landing gracefully on her feet. "Excuse you, but I make excellent sacrificing material!" she huffed, arms crossed defiantly.

"Take his Miraculous! The earrings!" Papillon shouted, urgency flooding his voice.

"You win, Pharaoh..." Red Beetle feigned compliance, pretending to remove his earrings and handing them over to the Akuma. But in a clever twist, he snatched his pendant back. "You want my Miraculous? Go get it!" With a swift motion, he hurled the fake earrings to the ground, a distraction that sent the Akuma diving after them.

"Get them!" Papillon ordered, frustration evident in his tone. The Akuma slid to a stop, snatching the fake earrings, only to be met with a sudden realization as they began to beep ominously.

The Akuma's gaze shifted sharply back to Red Beetle, anger simmering in its narrowed eyes. "A toy? You tricked me!" it growled, fury twisting its features.

Seizing the moment, Red Beetle struck the pendant with a powerful punch, shattering it and releasing the Akuma from its corrupted grasp. He slid down the pyramid with agility, landing firmly on the ground as the dark beam dissipated. "No corrupting for you, Akuma! Time to purify!" he proclaimed, capturing the Akuma in a swirl of light. "Bye, little butterfly. Miraculous Ladybug!" He sent the Lucky Charm soaring into the air, a brilliant explosion of energy enveloping the scene, restoring order as the corruptive energy fled Jalil's body.

"What happened?" Jalil murmured, confusion etched on his face as he cradled his head.

Red Beetle swung over to Alya, returning her phone with a flourish. Chat Noir landed behind him, a triumphant grin on his face. "Thanks, Red Beetle! But, uh, I still gotta ask; how old are you two, really?" Alya inquired, curiosity bright in her eyes.

They both froze, the question hanging in the air. Red Beetle quickly straightened his posture, a playful smile spreading across his face. "Much older than a high school student, that's for sure!" he replied with a playful salute before swinging away into the night.

Chat chuckled, leaping onto a rooftop, his silhouette disappearing into the shadows.

(AA)

With a burst of energy, Chat Noir executed a series of breathtaking parkour moves, his lithe form effortlessly gliding across the rooftops of Paris. The city sprawled beneath him, a vibrant tapestry of lights and shadows, as he navigated the landscape with all the grace of a dancer. Each leap and twist was a testament to his agility, a skill honed through countless nights of adventure. Finally, he spotted his open window—a familiar portal to his sanctuary. With one last powerful jump, he soared through the air, landing expertly inside his room. The cool breeze followed him in, wrapping around him like a welcoming embrace, as if celebrating his arrival.

Chat let out a sigh of relief, the weight of the evening's escapades lifting off his shoulders as he landed safely. "Claws off," he grunted, cracking his back to relieve the knots that had formed during the battle. The familiar surroundings of his room instantly soothed him, a comforting reminder of his dual life.

His gaze shifted to Plagg, who had flown in behind him, promptly landing atop Adrien's head. A piece of camembert was already clutched in his tiny paws, and the sight made Adrien smile despite the whirlwind of thoughts swirling in his mind. "So, Plagg, is it true? Is Red Beetle really 5,000 years old?" he asked, his curiosity piqued by the evening's events.

Plagg rolled his eyes with an exaggerated flair, crossing his tiny arms in a playful scoff. He gulped down the cheese in one swift motion, causing Adrien to shudder slightly at the voraciousness of his kwami. "Pfft! Only gods and goddesses live that long, kitten. You know that," he replied, his voice filled with casual confidence, as if the matter were settled.

Adrien frowned, feeling a mix of confusion and intrigue. "But the scroll showed evidence of him living that long," he insisted, a hint of disbelief creeping into his tone. The images and stories from the scroll had left a lasting impression, and he couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to Red Beetle than met the eye.

Plagg smirked, a glint of mischief dancing in his eyes. "Trust me, he's not ancient. Just...a little experienced," he said knowingly, already aware of the combat prowess that Red Beetle had displayed during the Akuma attacks. The way Red Beetle moved, the confidence he exuded—it all spoke of someone who had some experience in fighting, but not necessarily someone who had lived for millennia.

Adrien began to pace back and forth, deep in thought, his mind racing with possibilities. The idea of Red Beetle's legacy fascinated him, but it also raised questions about his own role as a hero. Suddenly, he stopped, an idea igniting in his eyes. "But he's chosen, right? Like you chose me?"

"Well, technically, yes. But I've had others before you, you know," Plagg replied, a hint of fondness creeping into his voice as he recalled the myriad of heroes that had come before. Each partnership had its own story, its own mischief, and while Adrien was undeniably special to him, he knew that the bond between kwami and hero was rich with history.

Adrien's eyes widened in surprise, a mix of shock and curiosity flooding through him. "Wait, what? Others?"

Plagg chuckled, his tone light and teasing. "Oh, come on! You think I only pick one? I'm not that picky, but you're my favorite, kitten." The warmth in his voice was unmistakable, a genuine affection shining through. It was a comfort to Adrien, knowing that he had carved out a special place in Plagg's heart amidst the countless others who had worn the miraculous before him.

Adrien felt his heart swell at the words, a smile spreading across his face. "Really? I mean, I thought I was special..." he said, his voice tinged with a mixture of awe and joy. The connection they shared was profound, and the fact that Plagg held him in such regard made him feel valued in a way that transcended mere heroism.

Plagg gave a soft, affectionate chuckle. "And you are! Just the newest in a long line of mischief-makers," he replied with a wink, delighting in the bond they shared. The notion that he was part of something larger, a legacy of camaraderie and adventure, filled Adrien with a sense of belonging.

Adrien looked thoughtful, a swirl of admiration and confusion creeping into his mind. "There are so many things I don't understand," he sighed, the weight of his responsibilities pressing down on him. The journey ahead seemed daunting, and the complexities of being a hero were ever-present.

Plagg purred softly, his voice soothing. "You'll learn everything soon, eventually," he assured, his words a promise of companionship and guidance through the challenges ahead. It was a gentle reminder that he wouldn't be navigating this path alone; Plagg would be by his side, offering wisdom wrapped in playful banter.

With a nod, Adrien accepted the truth in Plagg's words, a newfound resolve settling within him. He turned to tackle the rest of his homework—the assignments that had been interrupted by the chaos of the evening. As he organized his materials, he felt a warmth in his heart, knowing that he had an ally in Plagg, a friend who would always be there to guide him.

(MDC)

Alya strode back inside the Louvre, the echoes of her adventurous evening still buzzing in her mind. The magnificent art and history that surrounded her felt like a stark contrast to the chaos she had just experienced. Scanning the room, her gaze caught sight of Marcel, who was jogging toward her, concern etched across his features.

"Where have you been?" She asked, a mix of relief and curiosity in her voice as she seized his shoulders, grounding herself in the moment.

"Gotten mummified," Marcel mumbled jokingly, the hint of a smile creeping onto his face even as he tried to look serious.

Alya shuddered, her imagination racing at the thought. "Hope you weren't one of the ones trying to swap me for Nefertiti! That would be creepy!"

Marcel's eyes widened, and he feigned shock. "What?! You were almost sacrificed?"

Alya rolled her eyes, but her heart raced at the memory. "If it hadn't been for you, I'd never have discovered that Red Beetle is at least 5,000 years old! Can you believe it?"

"Hey! What are friends for?" Marcel replied with a grin, starting to head out of the room as Alya grabbed her bag, still processing the evening's revelations.

She rushed to catch up to him, her brow furrowed in thought. "But I still don't get it, though. What was he doing with that tenth-grade history textbook?"

Marcel shrugged, a playful glimmer in his eyes. "Probably had to find out what's been going on for the past 50 centuries. I mean, can you imagine? That's a lot of history to catch up on!"

"Yeah, you're probably right," Alya conceded, her mind racing with the implications. "It's tough staying in the loop when you're dealing with ancient heroes and time-traveling mysteries." She dug into her bag, her fingers searching for the textbook that had been so crucial to their adventure.

"Hey! Red Beetle's textbook! It's gone!" she exclaimed, her voice rising in disbelief as she frantically rummaged through her belongings.

Marcel chuckled to himself, unable to suppress his laughter at her dismay. "Looks like he might've needed it more than you did," he teased, watching as Alya slumped in frustration, her expression a mix of disbelief and exasperation

(MDC)

The bustling sounds of students filled the air as Marcel approached Alya, who was animatedly discussing her latest discovery about Red Beetle and Chat Noir with Nino. Her enthusiasm was infectious, and while Marcel admired her passion, he also knew that her excitement was veering into reckless territory.

"Alya, can we talk for a sec?" he interjected, trying to catch her attention.

Nino glanced between the two, sensing the shift in mood. He quickly excused himself, sensing that the conversation might take a serious turn. "Yeah, I'll catch you guys later," he said, eager to avoid the impending discussion.

Alya turned to face Marcel, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm but carrying a hint of defiance. "Sure! What's up? You're looking a bit serious," she teased, pausing for effect, "A bit more than usual, at least." She grinned, but Marcel could see the underlying excitement still bubbling within her.

He sighed, gathering his thoughts and choosing his words carefully. "Look, I know you're excited about revealing who Red Beetle really is, but...have you thought about the consequences?" His voice was steady, but concern lingered in his tone.

Alya crossed her arms, her expression shifting from joy to annoyance. "Aw, c'mon! Everyone deserves to know! He's out there risking his life for us!" Her passion was noticeable, and the fire in her eyes spoke of her strong sense of justice.

Marcel nodded in agreement, understanding her sentiment. "And I get that. But think about it—if people know his identity, it could put him in danger. It could put all of everyone in danger." The weight of his words hung in the air, each syllable laced with urgency.

Alya hesitated, contemplating his words. "You really think it's that serious?" she asked quietly, her voice softer now, as if the reality of the situation was starting to sink in.

Marcel met her gaze with an earnest expression, wanting to convey the gravity of the issue. "Yes. It's not just about the truth; it's about protecting those we care about. Sometimes, keeping a secret is the safer option." He hoped she could see that the truth could often come with unforeseen risks.

Slowly, Alya uncrossed her arms, her thoughtful look replacing her earlier defiance. "I guess I didn't think about it that way..." The realization echoed in her voice, a hint of concern creeping in as she processed the potential ramifications.

Marcel let out a sigh of relief, grateful that she was beginning to understand. "Listen, Alya, I know you mean well, but let's keep the identity thing on the down low." His tone was gentle but firm, emphasizing the importance of discretion.

Alya nodded, a hint of a smile returning to her face. "Okay, I'll tone it down. Just for you, M." Her willingness to compromise brought warmth to his heart, and he felt appreciation swell within him for her understanding.

"Thanks, Als. I really appreciate it." Marcel smiled back, feeling the weight of the conversation lift. It was moments like this that reminded him of their strong friendship—a bond built on mutual respect and care for one another.

However, just because she was keeping it down didn't mean she was going to stop speculating about Red Beetle and Chat Noir. "But, seriously, think about it," Alya continued, her eyes lighting up again, her excitement reigniting. "What could it mean for Beetle to be 5,000 years old? What kind of experiences does he have? And Chat Noir, with all his powers, he must have some crazy stories too!" Her enthusiasm was palpable as they walked to homeroom, her mind racing with possibilities.

Marcel couldn’t help but chuckle at her infectious energy. "I guess we’ll just have to wait and see."

(MDC)

Papillon paced back and forth, the shadows cast by flickering lights dancing ominously around him. His voice echoed with a sinister edge as he began his monologue, a familiar ritual he indulged in whenever his plans went awry.

"You might have gotten away this time, but I assure you, Red Beetle," he sneered, clenching his fists, "Someday, wherever you are, I will have your Miraculous! And when I do, you'll be nothing! Nothing at all!"

His anger and frustration simmered beneath the surface, boiling over with each word. The failure to capture Red Beetle's and his partner miraculouses's gnawed at him, a relentless reminder of his shortcomings. Papillon's mind raced with thoughts of revenge, each scenario more elaborate than the last.

"Do you think you can hide forever?" he continued, his voice dripping with contempt. "You may have evaded me this time, but you're just a pawn in my game. I will find you, and when I do, you will regret ever crossing me!"

He slammed his fist against the wall, the impact reverberating through the lair. The flickering lights flickered more erratically, reflecting the turmoil within him.

"Your little victories mean nothing! I will uncover your secrets, expose your weaknesses! Soon, you will be at my mercy!"

Papillon took a deep breath, trying to rein in his anger, but the frustration was palpable. He turned his back to the room, staring out into the darkness, plotting his next move. "I will not be defeated again. I will rise, stronger and more cunning than before. And Red Beetle...you will fall."

(MDC)

"I don't get it," Marcel said, furrowing his brow in confusion. "I know I'm not 5,000 years old, so...who exactly was that Red Beetle in the papyrus?"

Tikki, the kwami of creation, smiled knowingly. "Kwamis like me and superheroes like you have always existed!"

Marcel raised an eyebrow. "Well, I know that, but that wasn't you in the papyrus either?"

Tikki tilted her head, her eyes glimmering with mischief. "What do you think?"

"You don't look 5,000 years old," he replied, a hint of skepticism in his tone.

"Well, I'm not! I'm older than that! I'm the kwami who's watched over every single Red Beetle or Ladybug since the very beginning!"

Marcel's brow furrowed deeper. "Ladybugs?" he muttered, a mix of confusion and curiosity swirling in his mind. He shook the thought away. "You must have known much less lazy Red Beetle or... Ladybug than me, right?"

"Every Red Beetle or Ladybug is different," Tikki explained, her voice gentle yet firm.

"That's what I thought," Marcel said, nodding in agreement.

"Marcel, you are different, but different as in surprising, unpredictable, and endearing. And very talented. You learn fast."

"Really?" he asked, his eyes widening with genuine surprise.

"Yes," Tikki confirmed, her smile radiating warmth.

Marcel reached out to give Tikki an affectionate rub on her head, a gesture that made her giggle. "You better get to sleep. Remember, you have that history test tomorrow!"

"Right! Good thing it's on Ancient Egypt," Marcel murmured, his curiosity piqued. "But first, let's talk about the previous holders; you don’t just mention something like that without expecting me to want to know more. Are you willing to tell me about the previous miraculous holders? I want to know who they were."

Tikki's face lit up with a warm smile, her enthusiasm infectious. "Of course, Marcel! Let me tell you about Khepri first. He was one of my favorites, alongside a few others who left a significant mark in history."

Marcel nodded eagerly, his eyes glinting with anticipation. He was ready to absorb every word, every detail Tikki had to offer.

"Khepri is an ancient Egyptian god who symbolizes the morning sun, creation, and the renewal of life," Tikki began, her voice filled with reverence.

"A god of the sun? Like Ra? What makes him so special?" Marcel asked, genuinely intrigued.

Tikki shook her head playfully, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Yes and no. Khepri is associated with the movement of the sun across the sky. It's said he pushes the sun like a scarab beetle nudges a ball of dung. Isn't that a fascinating image?"

Marcel scrunched his nose at the vivid imagery but found himself captivated by the story. "That’s definitely a unique way to describe it. Did he have any other interesting traits?"

Tikki hummed thoughtfully, her expression shifting to one of deep admiration. "Yes! Khepri is also known for changing his genders at times, which represents the fluidity of life and creation. He embodies the idea that life is ever-evolving, just like the sun that rises and sets each but he also is known for his serious demeanor; he took his responsibilities quite literally. He truly loved his job, embracing the weight of the sun's journey and the essential role he played in creation. Khepri's seriousness reflects the profound respect he held for life and the cycles of nature."

Marcel raised an eyebrow, clearly fascinated. "Huh. So technically, he could be a ladybug and a Red Beetle at the same time," he mused aloud, the wheels of his imagination turning. "What about Bes? I've heard that name before, several times actually." He recalled all the times Alix would ramble about Egyptian gods and goddesses, and Bes was definitely a recurring mention.

Tikki’s expression softened, filled with fondness as she spoke. "Ah, Bes! He's a minor Egyptian god, but his importance cannot be overstated. While he shares a serious side, he balances it with a light-hearted spirit. Bes serves as a protector, entertainer, and warrior. "

Marcel leaned back, absorbing the information. "Right, didn't he stand guard during childbirth? That’s really powerful."

Tikki nodded, her eyes sparkling with pride. "Hhm! He was always there to fight off any malevolent forces that might try to harm those in need of protection. While he took his responsibilities seriously, he also sought to bring laughter and comfort to those around him. He reflected a nurturing spirit, ensuring that joy and life flourish amidst challenges."

Marcel looked thoughtful as he admired the strength of the gods. The realization that gods and goddesses were once previous holders of the miraculous filled him with wonder. After a moment of reflection, he scratched his head, a hint of insecurity creeping in. "I hope I live up to their legacy."

Tikki smiled warmly, her gentle nudge reassuring him. "I know you do, Marcel. You carry their legacy in your heart, and that in itself is a powerful testament to who you are."

Marcel nodded, a mix of gratitude and warmth swelling within him. "Thanks, Tikki. I'll do my best to honor that legacy and make you proud."

(AA)

Adrien lay sprawled on his bed, flipping through a book about Egyptian gods. The pages were filled with fascinating illustrations and stories that captured his imagination. Plagg floated lazily in the air, munching on a piece of camembert, clearly enjoying the moment.

"Hey, Plagg! Who was the lion-headed god the Akuma mentioned?" Adrien asked, looking up from his book with curiosity.

Plagg spun in the air, a playful glint in his eye as he began to reminisce. "One of my favorite chosen—ever heard of Maahes?"

Adrien's eyes widened in intrigue. "Maahes," he mumbled, trying to remember where he had heard the name before. Suddenly, it clicked. "The Egyptian god?"

Plagg nodded, clearly reveling in the attention. "Yep! He was associated with war, protection, and weather. Quite the resume, if you ask me."

Adrien hummed, processing the information. "So, he was like... a protector?"

Plagg floated upside down, hands behind his head, still chewing. "He was known for his knives and lotuses. Quite the combo, huh? He didn't just protect; he punished those who broke divine law or messed with family."

"That's intense. It must have been a huge responsibility," Adrien reacted, his mind racing with the implications.

Plagg shrugged, unfazed, as he finished his cheese. "Eh, you get used to it. Just another day in the life of a miraculous holder."

Adrien chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief. "I guess I have a lot to live up to then."

Plagg winked, floating back to his lazy position. "Just remember, it's not all about the power. It's about keeping it fun... and having a good snack handy."

Adrien rolled his eyes but couldn't help smiling. "Thanks, Plagg. I'll keep that in mind." He turned his attention back to the book, but after a moment of fidgeting, he couldn't resist asking, "What else can you tell me about Maahes? What was he like?"

Plagg grinned, floating in a circle. He already knew Adrien was going to be curious. Contemplating his next words while munching on another piece of cheese, he began, "Well, for starters, he was a fierce warrior. You didn't want to mess with him. He had this ferocious lion head—imagine that, a god with the power of a lion at his command!"

Adrien's eyes widened in awe. "A lion head? I can almost picture it. But what about the lotuses? How did they fit in?"

Plagg's expression shifted to one of mischief. "Ah, those were his symbols of purity and rebirth. Maahes would often use them to cleanse the land of evil. It's like saying, 'You've messed up, but here's your chance to make things right.'"

Adrien nodded, feeling inspired. "So he was not just a protector but also a guide for redemption. That's pretty deep."

Plagg floated closer, his tone turning a bit more serious. "Yeah. He understood the balance of life—punishment and forgiveness. It's what made him one of the greatest holders of the miraculous."

Plagg's fondness for Maahes began to show as he continued, "He wasn’t just a fierce warrior; he was also a remarkable leader of his clan. Maahes commanded respect not with fear, but through his unwavering sense of justice and fairness. He had a professional air about him, always ensuring that those under his care felt safe and valued. When battles were fought, he led from the front, embodying the spirit of his lion head—strong, courageous, and unwavering."

Adrien listened intently, captivated by the vivid imagery. "It sounds like he really cared about his people."

"Absolutely," Plagg confirmed, a warm smile on his face. "He believed that a true leader should guide with compassion. Maahes would often sit with his clan, sharing stories and lessons, reinforcing the idea that strength is not just about power but also about unity and understanding. He fostered bonds among his warriors, ensuring that they not only fought together but also stood together as a family."

Adrien looked wistful, admiring the legacy. "Wow, I can see why you'd want to work with someone like that."

Plagg shrugged, a sly grin returning. "What can I say? I have a thing for fierce protectors."

Adrien chuckled, feeling more connected to the history of the miraculous holders. "Thanks for sharing, Plagg. I feel like I have a better understanding of what it means to be a holder now."

Plagg gave a playful salute, ready for another snack. "Anytime, kitten! Now, how about you go find me some more of that delicious camembert? You know, the kind that makes me feel like a true god among cheese!"

Adrien laughed, shaking his head. "Alright, alright! Just give me a minute to finish up here."

—————————————————————————
2022: A/N - Sorry I didn't update, was busy with a few things, i made an adjustment to where there were both male and female ladybugs on this episode.
—————————————————————————
2024: A/N, redid the adjustment and added a another Egypt Chat.

Khepri; Khepri is an ancient Egyptian god who represents the morning sun, creation, and the renewal of life(Khepri is associated with the movement of the sun across the sky, and is thought to push the sun across the sky like a scarab beetle pushes a ball of dung. He is also a god of rebirth and plays an important role in the Egyptian Book of the Dead)

Bes; Bes was a minor Egyptian god who was a protector, entertainer, and warrior(Bes was a protector of homes, children, and pregnant women. He was also associated with fertility, war, and merriment. Bes was believed to stand guard during childbirth, ready to fight off any malevolent forces)

Maahes; A deity associated with war, protection, and weather. He was also associated with knives, lotuses, and devouring captives(Maahes was the protector of the innocent and was sent to punish those who broke divine law or unjustly transgressed against family).

Chapter Text

Marcel let out a slow, tired groan as he pushed himself up from the couch where he had dozed off. Stretching, he stood tall with a deep, languid yawn, absentmindedly scratching at his bare chest, his fingers gliding over his skin as he shook off the remnants of sleep. Shuffling toward the bathroom, he rubbed his eyes and squinted at his reflection in the mirror. The morning light cast a soft glow, illuminating the faint outlines of his abdominal muscles and the muscular curves of his biceps. 'All the fighting I've been doing is turning into quite the workout,' he mused, assessing his body with a blend of pride and fatigue.

He shook his head, quickly used the bathroom, and washed his hands and face, refreshing himself from the sleep he had.

He exited out of the bathroom, buckling the belt to his pants and snatching his shirt from his bed, and put on his shirt, he strolled towards the stairs that led to the living-room downstairs, turning around the corner, Marcel saw his mother, who spotted him from the mirror from where she was putting on a flower in her hair.

His eyes widened in surprise when he caught sight of his mother in her Qipao, a stunning garment adorned with intricate floral patterns that cascaded gracefully to her knees. The fabric shimmered gently under the soft lighting, accentuating her elegance. To complete her look, she delicately pinned a single, vividly persian lily to her ear, its petals enhancing the warmth of her smile and adding an odd touch of charm to her appearance.

"Well? With or without?" Sabine asked, turning to him, taking the flower out of her hair. Marcel froze and gave a one armed shrug. "...With?" Marcel hesitantly answered, standing by the entrance of the hallway.

"You're sure it's not better without?" Sabine asked, messing with the flower in the mirror.

Marcel stepped quietly behind her, placing his head on top of his mother shoulder's, his expression radiating admiration. "Either way, you look perfect, Māmā," He said, his voice sincere and warm. Sabine turned to face him, her eyes sparkling with joy.

Sabine patted her son's cheek with a smile, "You know? It's not every day you celebrate your twentieth wedding anniversary," She sang cheerfully, her voice melodic with excitement.

In the backroom, the atmosphere was charged with anticipation as Tom called for Marcel. "Marcel! Could you spare a minute, please?" His father urged, his tone nervous. Marcel quickly jogged down the stairs into the kitchen, where his father stood, a commanding presence in his deep crimson suit. The rich fabric hugged his frame perfectly, and the crisp black formal shirt underneath emphasized his strong build, creating a striking contrast that made him look particularly dashing tonight.

"Well?" Tom prompted, a glint of curiosity in his eye as he awaited Marcel's response, a sense of occasion lingering in the air around them.

"Well, what?" Marcel replied, brows furrowing slightly, unsure of what his father wanted to discuss. The jubilance of his mother's earlier comments faded as he focused on the moment with his father, the atmosphere shifting to one of importance.

"My mustache," He said, nervously pointing to the neatly trimmed bristles that adorned his upper lip. "I groomed it carefully this morning. Is it too short? Should I just shave the whole thing off? Maybe it's a bit crooked on one side—"

Marcel quickly interjected, stopping his father's anxious rambling. "You look perfect, Papa, except for one thing." He gestured toward the faded, flour-dusted apron that hung loosely around his waist.

"Uh?" His father blinked in surprise as he glanced down at the apron, his eyes widening in realization. "Thanks, bud." With a sheepish grin, he hurriedly dashed upstairs to their room, leaving Marcel chuckling softly behind him.

"No problem, Papa!" Marcel called after him, his laughter echoing in the cozy kitchen.

(MDC)

Later, Marcel hurriedly nudged his father toward the door, a sense of urgency in his voice. "You're going to be late!"

Tom paused, turning to Marcel with a serious expression. "Now, don't forget about Madame. Chamack will be arriving to pick up the Eiffel Tower cake in just 30 minutes. I'm counting on you." He pointed towards the beautifully decorated cake displayed temptingly on the kitchen counter.

"I've got it, Papa, you can trust me." Marcel flashed a confident thumbs-up and gently closed the door behind his father, a smile lingering on his face.

Tom turned to his wife, a warm gleam in his eyes. "Ciao, mia bella moglie(Hello my beautiful wife)," He greeted affectionately, taking her hand and planting a soft kiss on its back. Sabina's face lit up with a radiant smile, and together they strolled toward their restaurant reservation, their hands intertwined.

In the quiet aftermath of his parents' departure, Marcel beamed contentedly. He hummed a tune as he made his way toward his room, where he found Tikki hovering nearby the desk. "Wow, twenty years of marriage. That's quite an achievement, huh, Tikki?" He mused.

"Time flies when you're having fun," Tikki chirped, her voice light and cheerful.

Marcel picked up his textbook and sighed. "And stands still when you're buried in homework." With a annoyed roll of his eyes, he watched Tikki giggle, the sound echoing through the room, a reminder of the joy amidst the tasks at hand.

(MDC)

At Le Grand Paris, with its elegant decor and bustling atmosphere, Alix's parents had settled into their cozy table, the aroma of freshly baked bread lingering in the air when her father, noticed a familiar face across the room. He raised a hand and waved enthusiastically.

Alix's gaze followed his, and she instantly recognized the waving figure. "That's Marcel's parents!" she exclaimed, her excitement flickering in her eyes. "You remember—he had that resting glare that could scare anyone in our childhood?"

"Indeed, I recall," Her father replied, a hint of nostalgia in his voice. "And let's not forget, his family bakes the finest bread in all of Paris. You also had a knack for getting into trouble alongside him." He lowered his voice as he added the last part, casting a brief glance at Alix's outfit and raising an eyebrow in disapproval. "Couldn't you have put in a bit more effort to look nice?"

Alix wrinkled her nose, a playful defiance in her expression. "What do you mean? I took off my cap!" She gestured to the vibrant cap resting on the table, its color a stark contrast against the muted tones of the restaurant.

Her father leaned forward, resting his arms on the table as he spoke earnestly. "But darling, today is a special day." He cradled his head in his hands, his manner infused with a sense of gravity.

"Well, it's just a birthday," Alix shrugged, her tone light.

Her father clicked his tongue, feigning disappointment. "No, Alix, this isn't just any birthday. This is a milestone." He reached into his jacket pocket, and with a flourish, produced a gleaming watch. "This family heirloom was crafted by one of our ancestors many, many years ago. It's been passed down through generations on their 15th birthday, and today, it's your turn to receive it." He slid the precious object across the table, the watch catching the light and twinkling like a star.

Alix's eyes widened in awe as she picked it up. "It's really beautiful, Dad. But I already have a watch, synced to my smartphone." She raised her wrist to display her modern gadget, its sleek design a stark contrast to the vintage piece.

"Sometimes, my dear, there's more to heirlooms than meets the eye," He said mysteriously. With a gentle tap on the watch, it sprang open, revealing a mesmerizing scene of a figure holding a clock, glowing with an ethereal light.

Alix gasped, captivated by the watch's magic.

Her father closed the watch with a gentle click. "Of course, I'd understand if you'd prefer a new pair of rollerblades instead," he added with a chuckle, trying to lighten the mood.

But Alix, now enthralled, reached for the watch with eager hands. "No, Dad! I'm absolutely thrilled to have it. It's incredible, thank you so much!" Her joy bubbled over just as her phone rang, interrupting the moment.

"Are your friends waiting for you?" her father asked, a knowing smile on his face.

"Yeah, but I really don't want to bail on you," Alix replied, her voice filled with sincerity.

"No, no, go ahead," He encouraged, his tone warm and understanding.

With a bright smile, Alix grabbed her cap as she stood up, her heart light. "Now, promise me you'll take good care of it!" her father called after her

Alix nodded enthusiastically, her grin wide and filled with gratitude as she left, the watch snugly held in her hand, a symbol of legacy and love.

(MDC)

Back at the charming Tom & Sabine Boulangerie Patisserie, nestled in the heart of the bustling neighborhood, Marcel sat in his cozy room, surrounded by the sweet aroma of freshly baked pastries. He was heavily focused on his homework, muttering to himself, "Come on, Marcel! You can do this! Just remember the formula—think, Marcel, think!"

With a hint of sarcasm lacing his voice, he replied, "I might be able to concentrate if you weren't distracting me so much with your incessant encouragement." A weary sigh escaped his lips, exasperated but playful.

Tikki, a small, mischievous creature buzzing with energy, giggled in response, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

"Are you messing with me, Tikki? Seriously?" Marcel raised an eyebrow, a half-grin tugging at the corners of his mouth.

Tikki wore a bright smile.

Just then, a sharp ring sliced through the air, jolting Marcel from his thoughts. He shot a look at Tikki before picking up his phone, narrowing his gaze at her as he answered. "Hey Alya. What's going on?" Marcel greeted, already bracing himself for the conversation he knew was coming. "Yeah, the bet between Alix and Kim? No, I didn't forget. I've already whipped up a banner for it. They'll just have to wait—weighing the responsibilities of the bakery, you know? Madame. Chamack will be here in twenty minutes."

He paused, listening intently to Alya's response, the phone pressed tightly against his ear. "Alright, fine, but as soon as the race is over, I'm delivering Madame. Chamack her cake."

As he hung up, Tikki zoomed up to his face, her expression filled with concern. "Marcel, you realize there's no way you're making it to Trocadéro in five minutes? It's way too far!" she exclaimed, worry creeping into her voice.

"I know that, Tikki," Marcel replied, slightly annoyed by Alya's relentless pressure. "That's why I'm swinging there instead of running."

(MDC)

Marcel flipped over the building, and landed softly on the ground, and as a bright flash illuminated the scene, he strolled down the stairs. Spotting the eager group ahead, he approached Rose, handing her the vibrant banner that marked their celebration. She unfurled it with a gasp of delight. "Oh, it's beautiful!" she squealed, her eyes sparkling with admiration.

"Impressive, Marcel!" Adrien exclaimed, giving a thumbs-up as Marcel simply sighed, a hint of humility in his demeanor as he meandered over to Alya.

"You all picked the wrong side to cheer for; it looks like Alix isn't even showing up! Probably too chicken to race someone as extreme as me," Kim boasted, flexing his muscles with a cocky grin.

"Spoke too soon, Kim!" Alix's voice rang out as she made her entrance, her confidence radiating. The crowd erupted in cheers, excluding only Marcel, Chloé, and Sabrina. Marcel offered a polite clap, while Alix rolled her eyes playfully. "Your ridiculous bets are over. I'm going to leave you in the dust, meathead!" she declared.

Kim laughed, a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. "You're no match for me; my neck is bigger than your thigh!" he retorted, oblivious to the insult in his own words.

Alya leaned in towards Marcel, stifling her laughter. "Is that a good thing?" she whispered, her eyes bright with mischief. Marcel merely shrugged, too amused to respond to the absurdity of the exchange.

Max stepped in to defuse the growing tension, pushing Kim and Alix apart. "Alright, let's review the official rules!" he announced. "Two laps around the fountains; approximately 500 yards. The first over the line is declared the victor! If Kim wins, Alix will relinquish her rollerblades to him. If Alix triumphs, Kim will be prohibited from making dares for the rest of the school year."

"We're done with those stupid dares!" Juleka piped up, her voice firm despite its quietness.

"Uh-huh, that's right!" Ivan chimed in, his body language signaling his agreement.

"No more dares!" Nathaniel shouted, his voice carrying over the crowd. Though his message was valid, the volume was unnecessary, drawing curious gazes from those nearby.

Max raised his arms, the anticipation crackling in the air. "On your marks, get set..." As Alix and Kim took their positions, the tension was palpable.

"Hold up!" Alix suddenly called out, raising an arm with urgency. She inadvertently made Kim stumble, prompting a hearty laugh from everyone around.

"Are you forfeiting already?" Kim teased, unable to hide his grin.

Alix rolled over to Alya, a glint in her eye as she passed her a precious watch, a gift from her father. "Hold this for me, will you, Alya? I don't want it to get lost during the race."

"But—" Alya began, a mix of protest and worry in her tone.

"Guard it with your life; it's a family heirloom!" Alix insisted, rolling back to her starting position beside Kim.

Thinking quickly, Alya glanced between the delicate watch and her phone. She made a decision, thrusting the watch into Marcel's hands. "Marcel, will you hold this? I need to record the race for my blog!" she said, her eyes pleading. Marcel shot her an incredulous look but ultimately nodded, gripping the watch tightly.

"On your marks..." Max called out, as anticipation hung over everyone like a thick fog.

"Get set...GO!" Max shouted, and the race began in a blur of energy and motion. Alix raced forward on her rollerblades while Kim sprinted alongside her, each competitor pushing their limits with every stride. The spectators erupted with cheers, their excitement infectious. Marcel, deep in thought, pulled out his phone to check the time, his brows furrowed as Alix and Kim crossed the halfway point.

"Last lap!" Max announced, his voice clear above the clamor.

Marcel stole another glance at the watch in his hand. At that moment, Chloé, suspicious and curious, leaned over him, causing him to grunt in annoyance as her weight pressed against him.

"Whatcha got there? Some super old case or something?" Chloé quipped, snatching the watch from his palm before he could respond.

"Chloé, give that back, now! It's not mine; it belongs to Alix!" Marcel demanded, irritation evident in his tone.

"If it's Alix's, it's probably something stupid," Chloé scoffed, holding the watch as if it were a peculiar object she'd never seen before.

Marcel sighed, exasperated. "Listen, Chloé, I'm really not in the mood. You're already on my shit list."

Chloé shrugged, unconcerned, and in a moment of careless curiosity, she tapped the watch. It flickered to life with an unexpected glow, causing her to jump and lose her grip. The watch slid across the ground, straight into the path of Alix, who was skating full speed ahead.

Marcel, Adrien, and Chloé shared a look of horror as Alix sped past, oblivious to the fate of her watch. Alix turned to gloat only suddenly halt, her eyes going wide with shock as she spotted the watch on the ground.

"No!" she cried out, her joy swiftly turning to despair. Kneeling down, she picked up her watch, examining the damage with disbelief. The anticipation of victory vanished as she turned her gaze toward Alya. "Did you do this?!" Alix demanded, her voice thick with emotion.

Alya laughed nervously, wringing her hands. "I had...to videotape the race, so I gave it to Marcel first, but then Chloé snatched it from him and dropped it, and then you rolled over it..." Her laughter faded as she realized the gravity of the situation.

Alix stood, tears brimming in her eyes. "My dad gave me this for my birthday! This watch is a family heirloom!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling with frustration.

Chloé crossed her arms defiantly, scowling at Marcel and Adrien, who shot her glares filled with disappointment. Sure, she meant to tease Alix, but her careless actions had taken a turn she hadn't anticipated. "It glowed! What kind of watch glows?" she retorted, uncharacteristically defensive.

"We didn't mean any harm, Alix, unlike Chloé, who snatched it from me," Marcel interjected, frustration edging into his voice as he glared at Chloé.

"I had nothing to do with this!" Chloé insisted, her head held high in defiance.

"You're all to blame!" Alix shouted, skating away angrily, her disappointment echoing in the silence that followed.

Marcel sighed heavily, glancing at the shattered remains of the watch, his heart heavy with turmoil. Biting his lip as an internal conflict brewed, he called after her, "Alix, wait!" and dashed after her, seeking to make amends.

(MDC)

In the dim light of a room, shadows danced across the ground, weaving in and out of the fading rays as a window opened. A figure stood alone, his features obscured by the creeping darkness, yet his eyes glowed with a fierce intensity. "Such disappointment, frustration, and negativity," He mused aloud, a sly smile creeping onto his lips. "Oh, how they fill my heart with exhilaration."

As he spoke, a delicate butterfly fluttered nearby, its iridescent wings catching the last rays of light. He reached out, his fingers brushing its fragile form, and with a flick of his wrist, he transformed the butterfly into an Akuma, a manifestation of despair, its wings now a deep, unsettling black adorned with patterns that seemed to writhe and pulse with a life of their own. "Fly away, my little Akuma," He whispered, his voice dripping with sweet influence, "And spread your influence. Find her, and let her despair engulf her like a thick fog."

As the the Akumatook flight, he watched with satisfaction, envisioning the chaos it would sow in her heart. "Corruption is so much more enticing than mere despair," he chuckled softly to himself. "Once she embraces the darkness, she will become a vessel of manipulation, her pain a tool to draw others into her web. Together, they'll spread the very negativity to give my miraculouses."

(MDC)

At the Le Grand Paris, Nadja had called them after she had knocked on the bakery's door, and when answered, she had called Tom.

Tom's phone rang, causing him to pick it up and see who it was. "It's Madame. Chamack." Tom told Sabine when she gave him a questioning look, he answered the phone with a quick greeting. "Hello?"

"Hi, I'm in front of the bakery." Nadja told him.

"Yes, I..."

"But it's closed! And I really need that cake right now Tom!"

"I know you need your cake right away. Uh, my son's home, he must be upstairs. I'll phone his immediately." Tom hanged up with Nadja and started calling Marcel.

(MDC)

Marcel followed closely behind Alix. She gripped her broken watch tightly, its once-vibrant band now limp and the face shattered, fragments glinting like fallen stars.

"Maybe we could fix it?" Marcel suggested, a hopeful lilt in his voice, despite the palpable tension in the air.

Alix scoffed, shaking her head vehemently. "This watch was sick! One of a kind! It can't be fixed!" Her voice was sharp, laced with frustration as she glanced down at the remnants of the timepiece, a token of memories and moments lost.

"Well, there has to be a way to get it back to the way it was," he persisted, hands shoved deep into his pockets in a bid to quell his own rising exasperation.

"Like how, Marcel? Go back in time and change the future?" An exasperated gleam ignited in her eyes as she shot him a glare, her skates cutting sharply across the pavement. "When you figure out how to do that, let me know!" With that, Alix angrily pushed off, skating away with a determined speed, her silhouette blending into the Parisian evening.

Marcel's phone buzzed in his pocket, the screen lighting up to reveal a call from his father. "Of course it's Papa," he muttered to himself, irritation bubbling under the surface. It felt like a cosmic joke, as if the universe was conspiring to make sure nothing was going his way. With a resigned sigh, he answered the call, just as an Akuma whizzed past him, its dark form slicing through the vibrant scene of the Trocadéro. "Hey, Papa..." he began, bracing himself for the conversation ahead.

The Akuma in question flew over to Alix and phased inside her skates, possessing her. A neon purple sigil appeared on her face, as shadows deepened, coiling around her like a whisper of something ancient and powerful. "Timbreaker," A voice echoed, smooth and enticing. "I am Papillon. I have come to offer you a gift."

Mentally startled, Alix looked up to find a figure, ethereal and shimmering, standing before her. The air crackled with corruptive energy that swirled, weaving around her like a dark cocoon. "What do you want?" She asked, her heart racing, a mix of anger and dread flooding her senses.

"I am granting you the power to retaliate against those who have wronged you. More than that, I can offer you the chance to go back in time—to restore the future you so desperately desire. But, as with all gifts, there is a price."

Alix felt the energy wrap tighter around her, a seductive embrace that promised strength and vengeance. "What do you want from me?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, drawn in by the gravity of the offer.

"When the time is right, you will do me a favor," Papillon replied, the corners of their mouth curling into a knowing smile. "What I ask will not be burdensome, but it will require your commitment. In return, you will possess the power to rewrite your story, to reclaim the watch stolen from you, and to ensure that those who caused you pain will face the consequences of their actions."

The dark energy surged, enveloping Alix in a whirlwind of possibility. She felt her heart racing, a mix of fear and exhilaration. "You got it, Papillon," she declared.

In the background, Marcel remained on the phone with his father, his voice a quiet murmur amidst the chaos. "Madam, Chamack is outside, waiting to take her cake," he relayed, barely registering the words as his eyes darted around.

Suddenly, an Akuma skated past him like a dark shadow, and Marcel flinched as a gust of bone-chilling wind whipped through the air. He turned his gaze and caught sight of the figure gliding unnaturally fast, an unsettling grimace forming on his lips. "Papa, that...might have to wait. Alix is kinda sad right and I'm trying to help her," He urged, the urgency in his tone palpable.

Deciding to be somewhat truthful for a change, Marcel hung up the call and sprinted after the Akuma. He made a silent promise to his father not to reveal this to his mother; she had a knack for taking matters into her own hands, and the last thing he wanted was for her to step in and come help. Thankfully, his father was the type to understand that sometimes Marcel needed, allowing Marcel to take the necessary step into danger without being burdened by worry.

(MDC)

Tom stared at his phone in disbelief, the screen illuminated with a message that seemed impossible to comprehend. He shook his head as if trying to dispel the shocking news. "He was listening to and talking to Alix," he muttered, his voice a mix of confusion and concern.

A nervous smile crept onto his face as he turned to Sabine, whose warm smile met him with a flicker of reassurance. Yet, she couldn't help but arch an eyebrow at his anxious expression; it was a curious contrast to the occasion they were celebrating. But for now, she decided to set aside her questions and concentrate on the joy of their anniversary

(MDC)

The Akuma glided menacingly toward the group of students, their eyes wide with shock. Tension filled the air, and gasps echoed through the courtyard. "Run!" Adrien shouted, fear coursing through him as he bolted in the opposite direction. Rose and Nathaniel dropped the banner they had been holding, their panic propelling them to flee.

Kim sprinted desperately, but the creature was faster, catching up to him in an instant. Witha speedy touch, the Akuma froze him in place, a look of terror filling his eyes as he became a statue of fear.

Marcel arrived just in time to see Kim begin to fade away. He skidded to a halt, his heart racing. "Alix! What're you doing?!" He shouted, panic lacing his voice.

"The name's Timebreaker now!" The Akuma shouted, her voice dripping with malice. "And I'm gonna go back in time to save my watch, using all you punks to do it!"

Marcel's eyes widened in horror. "Go back in time? What did you do to Kim? Why is he fading?!"

The Akuma smirked, reveling in the chaos. "I needed his energy. Besides, the dude was a pain with all those bets. He deserves to disappear forever. And so do you!" With that, she charged at Marcel.

Marcel instinctively leaped aside just in time, rolling to avoid the touch. He scrambled to his feet and dashed toward the stairs, heart pounding in his chest.
As he reached the bottom of the stairs, he spotted the discarded banner lying nearby. Without a second thought, he grabbed it and hurled it toward the Akuma, the fabric flying through the air like a makeshift weapon. The banner smacked into her face, causing her to trip and fall, tangled in the colorful material.

He ducked behind a nearby building, hoping to catch his breath. Heart racing, he peeked around the corner to see the Akuma struggling to her feet, throwing the banner aside with an exasperated groan.

"Marcel!" he heard Tikki whisper from his bag, her voice urgent. "We need to transform now!"

"Tikki, spots on!" A brilliant light enveloped him, and he felt the power surge within as he transformed.

Meanwhile, the Akuma skated away, frustrated by her failed ambush. Just as she was about to give up the search for Marcel, a flash of red caught her eye. Red Beetle leaped onto a railing, his yo-yo spinning in his hand. "Time out, Akuma!" he shouted, throwing the yo-yo at her feet, tripping her once more.

The Akuma rolled to the ground, stopping a few feet away from Rose. "Please, help me up! I messed up, please!" the Akuma pleaded desperately, her voice tinged with panic as she looked at Rose, who had emerged from her hiding spot, fear etched across her face, and ran from the Akuma.

The Akuma cursed, "Thinking of yourself for once, huh Ross?!"

"Don't!" Red Beetle shouted, but it was too late. The Akuma lunged, taking hold of Rose's arm with a vice-like grip.

"Let her go!" Red Beetle yelled, twirling over the railing and landing heavily on the concrete, cracking it beneath him. He charged after them, anger written all over his face.

The Akuma absorbed Rose's energy, her body beginning to fade as she gasped in horror. "Poor Rose!" the Akuma taunted, glancing at the time meter on her arm. "One minute left!" With a wicked laugh, she skated away, eager to find more victims.

"I've got to destroy the Akuma before everyone disappears for good—or worse, before she time travels!" Beetle muttered, scanning the area frantically. "Where on Earth is that cat?" Frustrated, he swung into action, darting after the Akuma.

Hidden behind a tree, Adrien watched the chaos unfold, his heart racing. He knew he had to act now. He opened his jacket to reveal Plagg. "Time to transform!" he whispered urgently.

"Plagg, claws out!" Adrien called, a vibrant green light engulfing him as he transformed.

(RB&CN)

Mylène sprinted through the chaos, her heart racing as she desperately tried to escape the relentless pursuit of the Akuma. But in her frantic flight, she lost focus, tripping over her own foot and crashing to the ground. Before she could recover, the Akuma loomed over her, absorbing her energy in a flash, leaving Mylène to fade away.

Red Beetle landed with a thud in the area next Mylène had just been, his eyes narrowing as he spotted the Akuma. He needed a plan, and fast. "How am I supposed to fight her without getting touched?" he muttered under his breath, clenching his fists.

"One and a half minutes left, Red Beetle! You won't be able to stop me where I'm going!" The Akuma taunted, her voice dripping with malice.

Chat leaped into the fray, extending his staff toward the Akuma with a mischievous grin, and tapped her on the shoulder. "Let me guess. We're all playing a game of tag and you're it?" He asked, his tone playful.

"Exactly!" The Akuma shot forward, her speed threatening to overwhelm him.

"Don't let her touch you!" Red Beetle shouted, just as Chat jumped over her, narrowly avoiding her grasp. "Missed me! Just a second too late," he taunted, rolling away with agility.

The Akuma skidded to a stop, her attention shifting as she heard a beep. Spying Alya trying to escape from the sidelines, she hissed, "You!" The Akuma laughed maniacally as she skated toward her, absorbing Alya's energy in an instant.

Red Beetle clenched his teeth in frustration, his mind racing. 'Fuck' he thought, taking a deep breath.

"She's not wasting any time, is she?"

Red shot him a dark look and Chat winced, understanding that it wasn't the time for jokes. "Well, the more people she freezes, the more minutes she gets to travel back in time. Those kids frozen in time...They're goners if we don't release the Akuma!"

Ivan, sensing the danger, ducked behind a bush that barely concealed him. But the Akuma spotted him instantly, leaping forward. Red reacted swiftly, grappling the Akuma and yanking her away from Ivan. "Keep your hands to yourself!" he shouted, but the Akuma snickered, using her momentum to pull Red closer.

"Now! Timebreaker! Grab his Miraculous! His earrings!" Papillon commanded through their connection, urgency lacing her voice.

The Akuma leaned down, reaching for Red Beetle, but in a twist of fate, she miscalculated. Chat leaped in at the last moment, taking the hit instead of Red Beetle. "No!" Red Beetle shouted angrily, watching Chat fade before his eyes.

Taking a deep breath, Red Beetle fought to keep his composure. 'I swear I'm gonna—' His thoughts trailed off as he glared at the Akuma, who was now watching him with a sickening amusement. Her eyes flicked to her time meter. "Oh, wow! Six minutes in one go! Must have been those nine lives. Gotta go! The past is waiting," The Akuma maliciously mocked, a cruel smile crossing her face as a sigil of a moth appeared on her.

"Timebreaker! The Miraculous! Take Chat Noir's ring before he vanishes!" Papillon urged, desperation creeping into her tone.

The Akuma grunted, turning her attention back to the fading Chat. "Huh..."

Beetle squared his shoulders, getting into a fighting stance as the Akuma prepared to charge him. He watched her glide forward, calculating his next move. Just as she lunged, Red pivoted, clasping her wrist and effortlessly throwing her over his shoulder harshly with a grunt.

Papillon growled in frustration. "Chill out, Moth. I have a sick plan!" The Akuma reassured as she skated away, but Red wasn't about to let her escape.

"Where the hell do you think you're going?!" Red Beetle shouted, grappling onto the Akuma as she attempted to flee. The two of them spiraled into a dazzling explosion of light, their combined energies erupting in a brilliant display as they hurtled through the air, locked in a fierce struggle.

(RB)

The Akuma skidded to a halt, its sudden stop jarring enough to send Red Beetle sprawling across the ground, his face scraping against the rough surface as he slid.

Groaning, Red Beetle rubbed the ache on his face and blinked as he took in his surroundings. "What...just happened?" he muttered, struggling to process the surrealness of the moment. Rising to his feet, he peered over the railing, his eyes widening at the chaotic scene below. The crowd was alive with cheers and excitement. "Oh, we've gone back in time," he mumbled in disbelief, each word barely scraping the surface of reality.

As he looked down, he caught sight of Chloé leaning over his past self, who grunted in annoyance as she pressed her weight against him. "Whatcha got there? Some ancient relic or something?" Chloé teased, her fingers snatching the watch from his past self's grasp, prompting an irritable glare from Marcel who loomed nearby, arms crossed with barely contained exasperation.

"Chloé, give that back, now! It's not mine; it belongs to Alix," Marcel interjected sternly, his voice heavy with impatience.

"If it's Alix's, it's probably something stupid," she retorted with that trademark sass, holding the watch as if it were an alien artifact.

Marcel let out a frustrated sigh, the tension palpable in the air. "Listen, Chloé, I'm really not in the mood. You're already on my shit list," he warned, his eyes narrowing.

Suddenly, the Akuma's growl echoed through the chaos, "My watch!" It sprang into action, leaping down from its perch, a whirlwind of dark energy and rage.

"Chloé, give the watch back!" Beetle shouted, desperation creeping into his voice as he hoped to catch their attention. Chloé, Marcel, and Adrien turned abruptly, surprised.

The Akuma landed behind them with a heavy thud, causing Chloé to stumble back in shock. In her startled movement, the watch slipped from her fingers, falling to the ground and shattering into a thousand tiny fragments.

"No!" The Akuma howled, its fury boiling over as it turned accusingly toward Red Beetle, who stood helplessly. "Red Beetle! This time it's your fault!" she accused, her voice laced with venom. He threw his hands up in surrender, frustration boiling within him. "I need more energy! I've got to go further back in time!"

Past!Alix, having heard the commotion, caught sight of her broken watch. Her eyes narrowed dangerously as she glared at Red Beetle, the anger brimming in her expression. "Red Beetle...! It's all his fault!" she fumed.

Past!Marcel's brow furrowed in confusion, his mind racing. 'Why am I getting blamed for something I didn't even do?' he thought, bewildered by the absurdity of the situation.

(RB)

Papillon was taken aback to discover two Akumas standing before him, just as he was about to began. "Is this really happening? Am I witnessing double vision in my future? Or perhaps I should say, double the villainy?" A butterfly flitted into his palm, and he clenched his fist, channeling corruptive energy that transformed the delicate creature into an Akuma. "Soar away, my wicked Akuma, and entwine yourself with this tormented soul!" A sinister smile twisted Papillon's lips as the Akuma darted toward past!Alix.

(RB)

Red Beetle's voice thundered through the air, urgency lacing his words as he warned everyone on the scene. "Everyone, get out of here! Don't let her touch you!" Panic rippled through the crowd, and one by one they fled, leaving only Alix behind. She remained kneeled beside her shattered watch, tears streaming down her cheeks, oblivious to the chaos surrounding her.

Hidden behind the gnarled trunk of a sturdy tree, Adrien turned to Plagg, a determined glint in his eyes. "It's time to transform," he declared, though Plagg groaned in reluctant protest, grumbling about the unexpected antics of the day.

Red Beetle prepared to leap from his perch, but before he could spring into action, a familiar figure approached. "Who're you?" Marcel asked, his brow furrowed with skepticism as he examined Red Beetle closely.

"Listen to me, past me," Red Beetle replied urgently, frustration creeping into his tone. "I don't have time to explain everything right now, but I'm you from just a few minutes in the future." Marcel circled him, suspicion etched on his face, disbelief evident in his body language. Red Beetle sighed, impatience bubbling beneath the surface.

From the depths of a small bag, Past Tikki poked her head out. "He's right! I can feel it! He is you from the future!" Her voice was sincere, yet the situation felt absurd.

"Huh...weird," Marcel mumbled, still unconvinced.

"Listen. I know it sounds unbelievable, but you need to trust me. Papa's gonna call you—well, in two minutes! He won't be happy because Madam Chamack is already waiting for you outside the bakery door," Red Beetle urged, urgency rising in his tone as he conveyed the importance of the cake.

"The cake...but didn't I have ti—" Marcel's thoughts were interrupted.

"Time? That's what I thought too. Madam Chamack will arrive early. Just go now! Take care of the cake—I can handle this alone," Red Beetle insisted, desperation edging his voice. Nodding in understanding, Past!Marcel darted toward the bakery, muttering under his breath, "How did I get myself into this crazy situation?"

With a heavy sigh, Beetle watched him go, feeling the weight of responsibility settle on his shoulders. Below him, two Akumas confronted each other, their dark forms pulsing with malevolent energy.

Suddenly, the familiar sound of Chat landing behind him startled Red Beetle, and he turned sharply to face his ally. "Chat, there's no time to explain! We need to capture the Akuma's Akuma! Your life depends on it!"

"Which life? I've got nine," Chat quipped, scratching his head in a baffled mix of humor and confusion.

Red Beetle's eyes widened in anger, but his expression quickly turned serious. "I'm not joking! The Akuma is hidden in her rollerblades; we have to release it!" The urgency in his voice resonated with Chat, whose eyes widened in realization. Nodding resolutely, he sprang off the roof, landing deftly beside his partner as they positioned themselves behind the two ominous Akumas.

"Am I seeing double all of a sudden?" Chat asked, bewildered, glancing between the two identical dark figures.

"Another thing I don't have time to explain!" Red Beetle shot back, urgency driving his words.

The Future!Akuma spoke, its voice a chilling whisper. "The energy from these two will be enough for both of us to travel further back in time!"

The Past!Akuma grinned maliciously, "Heh, I want my watch back! Let's do it!"

"Whatever you do, don't let either of them touch you!" Red Beetle warned, his tone grave.

"Get the Miraculouses!" Papillon ordered through their shared connection, the tension thickening as the stakes rose higher.

Chat rushed at the Past!Akuma. His staff swung through the air, but she ducked low, her reflexes sharp. In a split second, she retaliated with a punch aimed at his midsection. He dodged, with every swing of Chat's staff, Past!Akuma danced around him, her movements fluid and unpredictable. Red Beetle was engaged in a similar battle, dodging the relentless attacks of Future!Akuma. He weaved to the right just in time to avoid a powerful punch, then countered with a kick aimed at her head. She evaded.

Back to Chat, he swung his staff again, finally landing a hit that knocked Past!Akuma back. She rolled but quickly regained her footing, launching herself at him with the intent to touch him. However, he was watchful; holding his staff sideways, she grasped it in desperation. Without missing a beat, he kicked her off, sending her crashing onto her back.

Meanwhile, Red Beetle seized the opportunity during the distraction, flipping the Future!Akuma onto her back next to her past self.

Both Akumas stood upright, mirroring each other's postures with a sense of synchronized anger. "If we were faster, those bozos would be no match for us," the Past!Akuma declared, her tone laced with frustration as she cast a glance back at their pursuers.

The Future!Akuma nodded, her expression resolute. "Then let's stock up on more energy first," she replied, her voice steady with confidence.

Both Akumas glided gracefully across the ice, their movements fluid and deliberate, while Beetle and Chat raced after them, their footsteps echoing in the crisp air. As they skated, the Akumas absorbed the civilians energy around them, drawing strength from the very essence of their surroundings

(MDC)

At the bakery, Madam Chamack saw Marcel running towards her. "Oh, hold on. Here he comes now. It's fine, thanks."

"It's all good," Tom said to his wife, who sighed in relief.

(MDC)

Marcel lingered behind the wooden door of the bakery, the sweet aroma of fresh pastries wafting around him. "I'm really sorry for the wait," he called out, his voice tinged with genuine regret as he addressed Madame. Chamack. She merely smiled, her patience evident, before turning away with the beautifully wrapped cake nestled securely in her hands.

As the door clicked shut, a wave of relief washed over Marcel, his shoulders relaxing slightly.

Just then, Tikki peeked her head around the corner, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Mission accomplished," she chimed, her tone light and playful.

"Yeah, but now it's time for another mission," Marcel murmured, anticipation threading through his words, as a brilliant light enveloped him

(RB)

Both Akumas tore through the streets on their rollerblades, their laughter echoing ominously as they skated with reckless abandon. Beetle and Chat chased after them, adrenaline coursing through their veins.

The Past!Akuma suddenly came to a screeching halt, sending a spray of gravel into the air. "Enough playing around! Let's go all out on Red Beetle and Chat Noir!"

The Future!Akuma skidded to a stop beside him, eyes blazing. "Once we drain the energy from those two, we'll have the power to go back in time and claim what's rightfully ours!"

"And get our watch!" they shouted in unison, racing toward Chat and Beetle, who were bracing themselves for a fight.

"I thought we were chasing them!" Chat shouted, bewildered, just as a yo-yo appeared from nowhere, tripping both Akumas and sending them crashing to the ground.

Past!Red Beetle landed on the rubble with a confident grin. "Need a hand, or are you just going to let them roll all over you?"

Red Beetle gave a thumbs up, while Chat looked back and forth, struggling to grasp the situation of facing two Red Beetles.

"They're insane on those blades," Past!Red Beetle remarked, eyeing the Akumas who were scrambling to their feet.

"And they're even more annoying on the ground," Red added, readying himself for a confrontation.

"How about we take them off the ground?" Past!Red Beetle suggested, a wicked smile spreading across his face.

Chat clasped his hands together, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Two Red Beetles? I'm in heaven!" He chuckled, eliciting exasperated sighs from both Beetles.

The Future!Akuma glared, frustration boiling over. "Change of plans! We need to go back in time before they can stop us!"

"I'm in," Past!Akuma agreed, and both of them surged forward, skating away like a whirlwind.

"Don't fail me this time!" Papillon's voice crackled through their connection, dripping with irritation.

"They're planning another time jump!" Both Beetle's shouted in unison, their voices echoing through the chaos.

"Lucky Charm!" They exclaimed, and suddenly, a bicycle lock and a traffic cone appeared in their hands.

"Any ideas?" They asked each other, eyes narrowing in concentration.

"While you two figure it out, I'll create a diversion!" Chat declared, charging after the Akuma.

Future!Red Beetle glanced around quickly before spotting an ice cream sign. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" he asked, a playful smirk creeping onto his face.

"Absolutely!" Red Beetle answered, mirroring the grin as they sprinted off toward the sign.

Chat, meanwhile, leaped behind a massive pillar and channeled his power. "Cataclysm!" He shouted, the pillar crumbling under his influence, sending debris flying.

The Akumas looked up, realizing too late what was happening. "Look out!" Future!Akuma yelled as they swerved to avoid the falling rubble, but it was too late. They spotted one of the Red Beetles and reached for him, claws outstretched, ready to strike.

Future!Akuma snickered, "Let's freeze him in his tracks!"

But Red Beetle was ready. He executed a flawless split, locking the bicycle lock around their legs, while Past!Red Beetle expertly placed the ice cream sign on the traffic cone, creating a makeshift ramp.

Future!Akuma's eyes widened in panic. "We're going too fast! We can't stop!" Both Akumas tried their hardest to move, but they launched off the ramp, flying through the air like ragdolls.

"Now!" Future!Red Beetle shouted, both he and Past!Red Beetle grappled their yo-yos, expertly yanking the skates off the Akumas as they fell. They both landed in a tangled heap, limbs sprawled everywhere.

"Time to end this!" They shouted in unison as they broke the skates at the knees, ensuring the Akumas wouldn't be skating anywhere for a while. "No more corruption for you, Akuma. Time to purify!" They both caught the Akumas, channeling their powers to cleanse them of the dark magic.

"Bye, butterfly! Miraculous Ladybug!" they exclaimed as they tossed their Lucky Charms into the air, the magical energy swirling around them, returning reality to its rightful state and restoring the watch.

"Pound it!" both Red Beetles exclaimed, their fists colliding as the energy enveloped them, merging them back into one. The Akumas transformed back into Alix, who blinked in confusion.

"Huh?" Alix muttered, As Red approached Alix, he knelt down with a smile. "Here, I believe this belongs to you?" He extended his hand, presenting her watch with a flourish.

Alix's eyes widened in surprise. "Oh wow! You fixed it? How did you manage that? Thank you so much! I can't believe I let someone else take care of it; that was totally my mistake."

Red chuckled softly, shaking his head. "You know, responsibility is a big deal. I can speak from experience on that one."

"Yeah, you're absolutely right," Alix replied, nodding earnestly. "I promise I'll be more cautious next time. I really appreciate you looking out for me, Red."

With a grateful smile, she gave him a friendly nudge before rolling away on her skates. Just then, Chat landed gracefully beside him, a teasing smirk on his face. "I was just getting used to having two Red Beetles around. This is going to be a bit of an adjustment," he quipped, crossing his arms and leaning against Red.

"Enjoy it while it lasts." Red shot back with a wink. "You might have to get used to no Red Beetles at all. I've got to make my exit before I change back." With that, he swung away.

(RB)

Shadows danced ominously on the walls as he paced back and forth, his fists clenched tightly at his sides. The air crackled with his frustration. "Those insufferable pests! Red Beetle and Chat Noir slipped through my fingers again!" he growled, his voice rising with each word.

He halted abruptly, whirling to face a wall adorned with images of his foes. "Do they think they can elude me forever? I swear, one day—whether it be in the past, present, or future—I will make them pay for their arrogance!" His eyes blazed with fury as he slammed his palm against the wall, causing a nearby object to tremble.

"They've embarrassed me for the last time!" Papillon continued, his voice dripping with venom. "Each time they thwart my plans, it only fuels my rage! They don't understand the power of the Miraculouses—they think they can toy with me, but I will show them their folly!"

His laughter echoed through the lair, but it lacked the usual confidence. Instead, it was tinged with desperation. "I will have their Miraculouses! I will unlock their true potential and become UNSTOPPABLE!" he bellowed, his face contorted in a grimace of anger and disappointment.

With a furious gesture, he swept his arm across the table, sending papers and tools scattering to the floor. "Those fools think they can just run off into the night without facing the consequences! I will hunt them down! I will make them regret crossing paths with me!"

His breath quickened, and he leaned forward, eyes narrowed in fierce intensity. "No more delays, no more failures! I will devise a plan so cunning, so insidious, that they won't even see it coming! They will rue the day they dared to defy me!"

With a final, echoing laugh that resonated with madness, Papillon turned back to his workbench, his mind racing with dark thoughts of revenge.

(MDC)

As the warm aroma of freshly baked bread wafted through the air, Marcel's parents returned from their anniversary dinner, a sense of joy evident in their smiles. "So, did you have a nice anniversary?" Marcel inquired eagerly, his eyes bright with curiosity.

"We sure did. Although, truth be told, it was a close call," his mother replied, a hint of laughter in her voice.

"Huh? Right, Madame. Chamack," Marcel mumbled, his expression shifting to mimic confusion. "I'm sorry for keeping her waiting," He added, turning to the bakery counter.

"Next time, try to wait for the customers right here in the bakery instead of holed up in your room, blasting your loud music!" His mother chided gently, a playful frown creasing her brow.

"Got it, I won't screw up next time," Marcel replied, a sheepish grin tugging at the corners of his mouth.

"Good, because your māmā's right; there's only one Marcel, and we're counting on him," Tom chimed in, giving Marcel a friendly wink that filled him with a sense of pride.

Marcel ambled over to his parents, enveloping them in a warm embrace, feeling the comfort of their love wash over him. After a moment, he made his way upstairs to tackle the homework that had been so abruptly interrupted. The day's events lingered in his mind, but he chose to push them aside, knowing he would likely have to stay up late, fighting off the impending nightmares.

Chapter Text

Marcel proudly held up the eerie masks before Alya and Nino with a prideful sniff, shielding it from the curious gazes of their classmates. "So?"

As the grotesque imagery of the mask was thrust into their face, both Nino and Alya instinctively recoiled, their faces reflecting a mix of horror and curiosity, "....Why?" Nino stammered, an uneasy shiver running down his spine at the mask's unsettling features.

"Why not?" Came the simultaneous reply from Alya and Marcel, their voices infused with playful defiance.

Nino grimaced, unable to pull his eyes away from the mask's ghastly visage. "It'll do, but stop looking so smug about it," he muttered, shaking his head at his friend's satisfaction.

Marcel sniffed, his chest puffing out with pride. He was, indeed, quite pleased with himself; he had outdone his own expectations with this creation.

(MDC)

"Agent Smith, it's far too perilous! We have to evacuate immediately!" Officer Jones's voice trembled with urgency, eyes wide with fear.

"Are you suggesting we flee, Officer Jones? After it consumed my family, my closest friends, and even my cherished dog, Sniffles? Never! I refuse to cower any longer!" Agent Smith's voice brimmed with defiance, but her fierce determination faltered as her gaze drifted off-screen. The flicker of terror danced in her eyes, morphing her bravado into sheer dread as she caught sight of Ivan, looming ominously over her in the menacing mask. With a scream that echoed through the room, her bravado shattered.

"Cut!" Nino's voice sliced through the tension, his frustration palpable as he ran a hand down his face in exasperation.

Mylène, trembling, had hidden herself beneath the desk, her heart racing.

"Sorry, Mylène," Ivan apologized softly, lifting the mask, his expression shifting from intimidating to concerned.

"Mylène! That's like, the tenth take, and we're only on the first scene!" Nino exclaimed, annoyance etched across his features, the weight of the production pressing down on him.

Alix raised the Clap Board, a frown playing on her lips. "Fourteenth actually, but who's counting?" she quipped, her tone monotone.

Nino groaned, his frustration bubbling over.

Mylène cautiously poked her head out from behind the desk, her eyes filled with remorse. "I'm sorry! I promise I'll do better on the next take," She said, her voice barely above a whisper as she glanced around. Adrien was getting his makeup done by Juleka while Nino sighed, the tension thick in the air.

"Anyone want some tea?" Rose offered, her gentle demeanor a soothing balm amidst the chaos. Some classmates politely declined.

"You're playing a hero from the special forces! You're not supposed to get all freaked out!" Nino nearly shouted, scratching his head in disbelief, his exasperation spilling over.

"I know, but...that monster mask he's wearing is so...realistic and scary!" Mylène whimpered, retreating behind the desk again as Ivan held up the mask, its grotesque features looming in her mind.

Marcel smirked, a devilish glint dancing in his eyes, as he watched the scene unfold. Alya raised an eyebrow at him, a silent question hanging between them. Mirroring her gesture, he shrugged in a playful manner, pride swelling within him as he thought of the intricate masks he had crafted—more than mere creations, they were embodiment of terror.

The first mask, an upside-down face, was a chilling embodiment of anguish. Its charred upper half bore the scars of unimaginable torment, while the lack of eyes created a void that seemed to absorb hope itself. The jagged teeth below glistened ominously, and the extra mouth twisted grotesquely around the original set, its silent scream amplifying the horror. It was a ghastly reminder of pain, a creature forever trapped between life and death, caught in a state of endless agony.

The second mask was a nightmarish creation, sharp teeth encircling the face, forming a mocking grin that sent chills down the spine. The empty voids where eyes should be only intensified its menacing presence. This mask stood as a testament to primal instincts, a representation of the lurking monster within the shadows. Marcel's pride in crafting these masks was underscored by a deep understanding of the horror genre, a reflection of the countless horror films he had devoured alongside Juleka.

Ivan smiled warmly to comfort Mylène. "Just big ol' me, Mylène. Nothing to be scared of!" he said, his voice gentle, as he tried to dispel the tension.

Chloé scoffed loudly, her laughter ringing through the air like nails on a chalkboard. "You ask me, he doesn't even need a mask!" she mocked, her tone laced with cruelty, and Sabrina joined in, sharing her laughter. Though she secretly admitted that Marcel had outdone himself with the mask, if that thing were real, it would disturb her deeply. But she wouldn't dare admit that to anyone.

Ivan rolled his eyes but kept his smile, trying to reassure Mylène.

"How irritating," Marcel muttered under his breath, frustration simmering just beneath the surface. Alya nodded in agreement, her eyes narrowing at Chloé's antics.

Nino sighed heavily as he cracked his neck, frustration etched in every line of his face. "Ivan, put the mask back on! You're playing the monster!" He ordered, turning to Mylène. "And Mylène, we need you to stay in character!"

With a resigned sigh, Ivan slid the monster mask back on, his demeanor shifting to match the character he was portraying. He waved at Mylène, who gasped, instinctively clasping her hands together. "I need to sing my happy song; it always makes me feel better," she muttered to herself, taking a deep breath. "Smelly wolf, smelly wolf, stinky breath and slimy—"

In her distraction, Mylène walked backward, only to bump into Adrien, causing her to shriek in surprise.

Chloé stood up, a mocking grin plastered on her face. "And the Oscar for best pathetic scaredy-cat afraid of its own shadow goes to...Mylène!" she cackled, her laughter echoing through the room.

Marcel shot her an incredulous look while Adrien frowned disapprovingly. "Chloé, seriously?" he said, his voice a mix of disappointment and disbelief.

"Yeah, so what?" Chloé crossed her arms, unapologetic, her laughter still ringing in the air.

Mylène, overwhelmed, ran out of the room, tears streaming down her cheeks. Marcel immediately followed her, calling out, "Mylène!" Before he turned back to his peers, frustration boiling over. "Anyone gonna go after her?" he demanded, exasperated that everyone was just standing there.

Ivan, sensing the urgency, tossed aside his mask and took off after Mylène. "Mylène, wait!" he called, his voice filled with concern, hoping to comfort her in her moment of distress.

(AA)

Outside the classroom, Ivan descended the stairs, his heart heavy with concern as he spotted Mylène sitting alone on a bench, her knees drawn tightly to her chest, sobs wracking her small frame. The sight tugged at his heartstrings, and he approached cautiously, determined to lift her spirits. "...Don't listen to Chloé," he said softly, kneeling beside her bench. "It's easy to judge when they're not in front of the camera. You're doing awesome, really. Just come back! I promise I'll roar more quietly," He added, offering her a gentle smile, hoping to ease her pain.

Mylène looked up at him, her eyes glistening with tears, and for a moment, a small smile flickered across her face. But just as quickly, her gaze fell back to the ground, and the frown returned, overshadowing her brief moment of joy.

Reaching into his pocket, Ivan pulled out a black skull pin, its intricate design reflecting the light. "Here. It's from my favorite band, the Zombie Skull Crushers," he said, extending it toward her.

"Wow..." Mylène gasped, her eyes widening in surprise as she took the pin from him. Ivan scratched his head sheepishly, a hint of pride swelling within him at her reaction as she carefully attached it to her bandanna.

"Uh, that's...really sweet of you, Ivan, but..." Her voice trembled slightly, the weight of her insecurities pressing down on her. "Chloé's right. I can't act to save my life...excuse me."

Before he could respond, Mylène sprang to her feet, tears streaming down her cheeks, and dashed toward the bathroom, her sobs echoing in the empty hallway.

Ivan's heart sank as he watched her go, a pang of helplessness gripping him. He cursed under his breath, feeling frustrated not only with Chloé but also with himself for not being able to do more.

(MDC)

"A film shoot...a stage for manufactured tears and fleeting joy. How utterly pathetic. To think these fragile actors believe their fabricated emotions hold any weight. But l...I see the raw, exposed nerves beneath the facade. I see the true despair. A delicate butterfly, a symbol of fleeting beauty...a perfect vessel for my art." The butterfly, now writhing in his palm, pulsed with a sickly, violet light, its wings tearing and reforming into a viscous, swirling cloud. "Fly, my akuma. Feast upon the raw, unguarded emotion. Turn their shallow performance into a symphony of real pain."

(AA)

Back in the classroom, tensions ran high as Nino paced angrily, his frustration directed squarely at Chloé. "Epic, Chloé! Just epic! What are we supposed to do now without our leading actress?" His voice was thick with disbelief.

Chloé shrugged nonchalantly, unfazed. "Who needs her, anyway? She was totally lame!" Her dismissive tone only fueled Nino's anger.

Just then, Ivan burst into the classroom, his face flushed with urgency. "You're so annoying!" he shouted, the words bursting from him like a dam breaking. "Mylène is crying her eyes out in the bathroom thanks to you!"

Marcel's eyes darted back and forth, annoyance painting his features as he watched the escalating argument.

"Me, annoying?" Chloé scoffed, crossing her arms defensively.

Tired of the bickering, Marcel raised his hands in a gesture of peace, stepping in front of Ivan. "Hey, everyone chill out! You're right, Ivan—Chloé is annoying," Marcel nodded, earning a scornful eye roll from her. "But fighting isn't gonna bring Mylène back. I'm the producer, and I'll do all I can to finish filming tonight."

Max, ever the pragmatist, hummed as he tapped on his phone. "The deadline for the Parisian Student Short Film Festival is tomorrow evening, precisely 26 hours, 15 minutes, and 14 seconds from now," He calculated, his monotone voice contrasting sharply with the tension in the room.

"Thank you, Max!" Marcel gritted out, trying to keep his focus. He pulled out his clipboard. "We still have editing, post-sound, soundtrack..."

"And who's gonna take Mylène's part?" Adrien piped up, concern etched on his face.

"Um, me of course!" Chloé declared, confidence oozing from her.

Alya thrust the script into Chloé's face. "You haven't even read the script!"

Chloé casually walked over to Adrien's desk, perching herself on it as she leaned in. "Of course I have! The first scene, anyway. I can even tell you that it ends with a kiss between Agent Smith and Officer Jones!"

"Who wrote that?" Marcel asked, disgusted. He had little patience for romance in films unless it was executed well—preferably with a solid subplot.

"Hold up!" Alya flipped through the script, her eyes narrowing. "I didn't write that!"

Nino sheepishly scratched his head, a nervous smile creeping onto his face. "Uh...I wrote it. It was just a little tweak. You know, to move the story forward."

Alya's eyes widened with disbelief as she marched toward him. "What! You edited my script without even telling me? That's low!" she growled, frustration evident in her voice.

"Wait a minute! You mean our script!" Nino protested, flipping through the pages, his frown deepening as Alya scowled at him.

Adrien sighed, trying to defuse the situation, while Chloé merely looked to the side, uninterested.

"Juice?" Rose asked brightly, offering a cup to Adrien.

"Thanks, Rose," he said, reaching for the cup just as Chloé threw her arms up, nearly causing him to spill it. "Oh, who cares who wrote what? We've got to film this thing, right?" Chloé snatched the cup from his hand and drank it herself, leaving Adrien to sigh softly in exasperation.

"She's right," Nino admitted reluctantly. "Principal. Damocles is only allowing us to use the school until 6 p.m. sharp, which leaves us 9 hours, 12 minutes, and 12 seconds." Max chimed in once again, his voice steady and precise. And Max continued counting down, "11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6..." the atmosphere remained tense. Alya and Nino were still glaring at each other when Marcel grabbed her by the shoulders, pulling her to the side. "Are we sure we want to add the kissing?" he asked, concern creasing his brow.

Alya flipped through the script, her expression serious. "It makes no sense story-wise anyway. The main character's emotional journey..."

"Hold on," Marcel interrupted, raising a hand as he walked over to Nino. "We can't let Mylène just leave like that. We all chose her for the leading female role. She needs our support. I'm gonna go find her and bring her back." Resolution filled his voice as he headed toward the door.

Chloé's voice piped up, laced with mockery. "Always trying to save the day, aren't you, Marcel? Good luck finding the filthy hole that scaredy-cat's hiding in!" Her smirk was sharp, a taunt that cut through the air.

Marcel growled in frustration but left the room without looking back, his want to help Mylène outweighing Chloé's jabs.

(MDC)

In the dimly lit women's bathroom, the atmosphere shifted as the akuma infiltrated the school, locking onto Mylène. Overwhelmed by her insecurities, she whispered to herself, "Why are you always so intimidated and scared?"

Then, the sinister presence revealed itself as it phased into her pin. "Horrificator, I am Papillon. Until now, you have only known fear, but from this moment forward, you will unleash it upon others. They need to experience the darkness you've felt, and in return, you shall fulfill my desires."

Mylène's expression twisted into a malevolent grin, the shadows swirling around her as dark energy consumed her. "Yes, Papillon," she responded, her voice dripping with new-found menace. The transformation was swift; she morphed into a true monster, hurling goo at the mirror as she reveled in her newfound power.

Meanwhile, the akuma stealthily climbed to the ceiling, sensing footsteps approaching. "Mylène? Mylène?" Marcel's voice echoed through the bathroom, relief washing over him at the thought of being back at school after hours. He stepped cautiously inside, his gaze catching the glistening goo smeared across the mirror. Unbeknownst to him, the akuma had already vanished, slipping out of sight as he moved closer.

Just then, Alya burst in, anxiety on her face. "Marcel! Did you find Mylène?"

Marcel shook his head, confusion furrowing his brow.

"Well, you better come ASAP, producer! There's some serious lip puckering about to go down!" Alya exclaimed, urgency in her voice as she and Marcel exited the bathroom, completely unaware of the chaos about to be unleashed.

(AA)

"Time to revel in chaos, Horrificator. Shatter their illusions, dismantle their fragile reality. Thrive on the destruction, and let their world crumble before you!" Papillon's eyes gleamed with a predatory light.

(MDC)

Back in the classroom, the atmosphere was fraught with tension as the students prepared to resume filming. The market slater clicked, and Alix's exasperated voice pierced the air. "Horrificator, take 15."

"Action!" Nino shouted, determination lacing his voice.

"I'm not scared of that Horrificator thingy, Officer Whatever-your-name-is, now kiss me!" Chloé declared, throwing the script aside and leaning toward Adrien, who instinctively leaned back, a look of discomfort crossing his face.

Just then, Marcel swung open the door. "Cut!" he shouted, his voice cutting through the awkward moment.

Nino stormed over, his frustration boiling over. "Marcel! What gives? We're in the middle of a shoot, and I'm the director, FYI. I say cut; no one else. Comprende?"

"And I'm the producer," Marcel shot back, his tone firm. "Mylène was supposed to be the star of this movie."

Nino shrugged, throwing his hands up in exasperation. "We're out of time, and from what I can see, Mylène is MIA. Let's take it from the top, people." He leaned against his desk, clearly annoyed.

"Here we go again..." Adrien sighed, yelping slightly when Juleka approached to touch up his makeup, her movements precise.

"This is beat! Agent Smith does not need a man in her life right now! Sniffles just got munched on, remember?" Alya shouted, waving her script emphatically.

"Do you want to finish this film or not?" Nino asked, phone in hand, urgency creeping into his voice.

"Then let's just make Agent Smith a nurse instead! That'll fix everything," Chloé suggested with a smirk.

"Um, I'm sorry. How, exactly?" Nino replied, skepticism dripping from his words.

"I don't know, but I'm sure I'd look amazing in a uniform," Chloé insisted, her confidence unwavering.

Marcel snorted at her audacity but quickly suppressed it with a cough when everyone's gaze turned to him.

"Oh, come on! We're not gonna rewrite this script again!" Nino groaned, his head dropping in defeat.

"I'm not putting my name on those credits!" Alya declared defiantly.

"Nobody cares about you anyway!" Chloé muttered dismissively.

"What?!" Alya shouted, stepping closer to Chloé, her anger visible.

Marcel shook his head, exasperated. "Everyone calm down! This movie's a team effort." He turned to Chloé with a sweet smile. "Your nurse idea sounds perfect, Chloé."

"Of course it's a perfect idea, because it's mine!" Chloé beamed, a hint of pride in her voice.

Marcel adopted a concerned expression. "But, Chloé, you don't have a uniform." He blinked innocently as if the thought had just occurred to him.

Chloé gasped, the realization dawning on her.

"Right! Which is why that idea wasn't believable in the first place," Alya added, throwing her hands up in frustration.

Marcel took a gentle hold of Chloé's shoulder and guided her toward the door. "I think you and your assistant should go down to the nurse's office and try out some uniforms."

Chloé hummed thoughtfully before snapping her fingers. "Kim, Max, come with me! You've just been promoted to wardrobe and bodyguard!" she declared, her excitement infectious. Max sighed, clearly not thrilled, while Kim wore a perplexed expression. After Chloé gathered Sabrina, Kim, and Max, they exited the room.

Nino visibly groaned, turning to Marcel with a scowl. "Nice going, Mister Producer! Now we have no lead again!"

"Sure, but now we've just gotten rid of Chloé," Marcel replied, a hint of satisfaction in his voice.

"And now what?" Nino asked, throwing his arms up in frustration.

"We go find Mylène; she's here somewhere." Marcel pointed toward the door behind him.

"I told you, tick-tock, there's no time! We need a lead now!" Nino insisted, urgency rising in his tone.

"Marcel can do it!" Alya chimed in cheerfully, grabbing Marcel by the shoulders and startling him. He choked slightly, his eyes wide with disbelief.

"Huh? Would that even be okay? Would the judges be fine with that? And would Adrien be okay with that?" Marcel stammered, glancing at Adrien for support.

Alya turned around and whispered, "Don't know, but you know we gotta get this done."

Marcel sighed deeply, feeling the weight of the responsibility settle on his shoulders. "Fine," he relented, his heart racing at the thought of stepping into the spotlight. "I'll do it."

(AA)

Outside the classroom and onto the court, Chloé strutted confidently, a grin plastered across her face. "A nurse's uniform. How brilliant am I! Even that idiot, Marcel, liked the idea," she declared, reveling in her moment of self-praise. Her confidence, however, was oblivious to the dark presence lurking above them—the akuma, silently following their every move.

(MDC)

Back in the classroom, Alya and Marcel sat at a table, a sense of urgency hanging in the air. "This is only a favor," Marcel muttered, his head resting heavily on the desk. "As soon as Mylène comes back, she'll have her old role back."

"Course she will, chill out," Alya replied, her smile reassuring. But Marcel couldn't shake the anxiety pooling in his stomach, his thoughts racing.

(AA)

Meanwhile, outside, Chloé was about to open the door when she suddenly hesitated, an unsettling thought creeping into her mind. "Hey, wait a minute! Marcel never likes my ideas," she said, turning to Max and Kim with a glint in her eyes. "I think you've all been duped! You guys take care of the nurse uniform thing, just in case." With that, she ordered them to stay behind while she and Sabrina made their way back to the classroom.

Kim glanced around, a sense of foreboding settling over him. "Did you hear something?" he asked, looking down at Max.

Max shook his head, confusion etched on his face. "No, what?"

Just then, a gooey sound echoed behind them, and the akuma emerged from the shadows, its grotesque form reflected in a nearby mirror. The sight sent them both screaming, panic coursing through their veins.

(MDC)

Back in the classroom, Marcel watched as Adrien was getting his makeup done again by Juleka, his focus shifting between his friend and the chaotic situation outside.

Marcel sighed, glancing down at Adrien, who opened his eyes and looked up curiously. "What's that?" he asked, sensing Marcel's unease.

"Nothing, Adrien," Marcel replied, shaking his head, trying to shake off the feeling that something was very wrong.

"Don't worry, you'll do fine," Adrien reassured him, grabbing Marcel by the arms, his smile warm and encouraging.

"Ready to roll? Camera!" Nino called out, his voice cutting through the tension.

"Horrificator, take 16..." Alix announced monotonously as she clicked the clapboard.

"Action!" Nino shouted, the energy in the room shifting back to focus.

"I'm not scared of that monster, Officer Jones," Marcel recited, pausing slightly before leaning down. Adrien leaned up to meet him for the kiss, but just then, Chloé burst through the doors.

"Cut!" Chloé shouted, her voice sharp and startling, causing Adrien to jump back while Marcel remained frozen in position.

Nino groaned angrily, frustration boiling over. "What did I say about other people saying cut?!"

"Well played, Marcel! All that speech about working together, then you stab me right in the back!" Chloé leaned in, her face inches from Marcel's, who grimaced and instinctively leaned back. "I didn't even want to kiss him," he mumbled under his breath, but Chloé didn't hear him, continuing her tirade. "Well, your stupid little movie won't make it into the festival if I'm not in it, because my daddy is one of the judges!"

Before she could elaborate, a chorus of screams erupted from outside.

"Did you guys hear that?" Adrien asked, his eyes wide, and Marcel nodded, feeling a chill run down his spine.

Marcel brushed past Chloé's shoulder, who opened her mouth to protest again. "If this is another one of your silly ploys to get me out of the way, you can forget it! Besides, I—" Chloé was interrupted by more screams echoing through the halls.

Marcel narrowed his eyes, peering through the window. "I definitely heard that." Without a moment's hesitation, he walked out of the room, his peers instinctively following him, their curiosity piqued.

"A fruity snack for the road?" Rose called out, offering snacks to everyone left in the room, but her words were drowned out by the urgency of the moment as the group rushed out to investigate the source of the noise.

(AA)

Downstairs, chaos reigned as students rushed to find out what was happening. Nino, determined to document everything, filmed Marcel, who was inspecting a strange pink goo smeared across the floor.

"Hey! Anybody here? Kim! Max! Where are you guys?" Adrien called out, his voice echoing through the empty corridors, with Chloé trailing closely behind him.

Nino approached Marcel, who was crouched down, examining the goo. "I saw the same pink goo when I was looking for Mylène in the bathroom," Marcel said, picking up a small armband that had been abandoned nearby.

Adrien's eyes widened in recognition. "That's Kim's!" he exclaimed, concern etching his features.

Nathaniel, feeling the panic rise, started to hyperventilate. "They vanished!" he shouted, his voice trembling.

"Or they're playing a sick joke on us," Alya said, crossing her arms skeptically. Knowing Kim, she figured it was entirely possible he was just trying to pull a prank.

"We should go to Principal Damocles' office and tell him what's going on," Marcel suggested, turning to Nino as he noticed the camera still rolling. "Nino, stop filming."

Nino grinned, shaking his head defiantly. "Not a chance! This is just getting good!" He was clearly relishing the drama unfolding around them.

Marcel sighed, a sense of dread creeping in. "I'm betting it's another akuma," he mumbled under his breath, his mind racing with the implications.

At the back of the group, Adrien tried to sneak away unnoticed, only to be caught by Nino. "Yo, Adrien! Where are you going?" Nino called out, eyebrow raised.

Adrien quickly thought on his feet, forcing a smile. "I left Officer Jones' jacket back there! Should probably wear it in all the scenes," he said, chuckling sheepishly.

Nino nodded, satisfied, and headed upstairs with the others following closely behind. Above them, the akuma snarled and jumped, spreading goo throughout the school, the ominous sound sending shivers down their spines.

(MDC)

Back inside their classroom, Adrien hurried in and kicked off one of his shoes. "Time to transform, Plagg." He fished the kwami out of his pocket, watching as Plagg fluttered out.

"What are you doing?" Plagg asked, eyeing Adrien with a mix of confusion and annoyance.

Adrien held up his shoe, bringing it close to Plagg's face. "So they'll think I've disappeared too!" he explained, a mischievous glint in his eye.

Plagg grimaced, wrinkling his nose. "And you say I stink of Camembert!" he protested, clearly disgusted by the smell.

Adrien shot him a glare. "Plagg, claws out!" he commanded, determination set in his voice.

(AA)

Meanwhile, back with the group, Alya had opened Principal. Damocles' office door, peeking inside. "Principal. Damocles? Sir?" she called, her voice hesitant as she scanned the empty room.

Rose gasped, panic rising in her chest. "Even Principal. Damocles is nowhere to be found!" she exclaimed, her eyes wide with fear.

As everyone entered the room, Marcel placed his phone down on the ground and took off toward the library, urgency propelling him forward. "Time to transform," he muttered, his heart racing. "Tikki, spots on!" he called, summoning his transformation.

(RB)

Back upstairs in the Principal's room, a palpable tension filled the air as Nino scanned the room, his brow furrowing in concern. "Anyone seen Agent Smith? I-I mean, Marcel." As the realization hit him, a sense of urgency surged through the group, and they rushed out, leaving the unsettling pink goo encircling the window unnoticed.

Alya and Chloé were the first to burst through the door, with Sabrina trailing behind, her eyes wide with uncertainty. Alya's heart raced as she spotted something on the floor. "This is Marcel's phone," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, as she pocketed the device, a sinking feeling settling in her stomach.

They sprinted to the railings, gasping at the sight of the pink goo now enveloping the top of the school like a grotesque shroud. "Quick, check the windows!" Chloé barked, her voice laced with panic as she struggled to pry one open, only to find it stubbornly locked.

"Crazy," Juleka muttered, her voice trembling as she peered out the window, dread washing over her.

"We're trapped! I'm going to call Daddy!" Chloé exclaimed, her voice rising in panic as she fumbled with her phone, dialing frantically.

Nino raised an eyebrow, a hint of skepticism creeping into his tone. "Dudette, you know cellphones never work in horror movies." Ivan pulled out his phone, eyes darting across the screen. "No bars," he reported, his face paling.

Nathaniel's breath quickened, panic creeping in. "No coverage!"

"Told you so! Boo-yah!" Nino exclaimed, a mix of excitement and disbelief lighting up his face, oblivious to the gravity of the situation.

Just then, Beetle landed behind them, his presence both reassuring and commanding. "Is everything okay?" he asked, his expression serious as Nino's grin widened further.

"Red Beetle in my movie? This is legit!" Nino exclaimed, his phone poised to capture the moment, just as Alya stepped in front of him, "And in my Beetleblog!" She cheered.

Red Beetle shook his head, a sense of urgency in his eyes. "We've got to calmly evacuate the building, alright?" He glanced back as gasps erupted from the group when Chat Noir appeared at the doorway. "Easier said than done, RB," he replied, his tone both light and serious.

"Double legit!" Nino cheered, his excitement momentarily distracting from the fear that gripped them all.

"I tried to cut through the goo, but it's no good, totally indestructible. Looks like we're trapped inside the school for now. Just stay put and try to relax, guys," Chat said, his voice steady but with an underlying tension. He turned to Red Beetle, urgency returning. "Shall we take a stroll, RB?"

"Exactly," Red Beetle replied, resolve hardening in his voice. "And we better find this akuma first, and the prisoners."

Nino edged closer, his phone still recording. "Don't mind me, finding the missing peeps and solving this crazy mystery with Chat Noir and Red Beetle...this movie's gonna be so swank!" he cheered, though a flicker of anxiety danced in his eyes.

Red Beetle sighed, a hint of exasperation in his demeanor as he grabbed Nino by the arm. "Stay together, right behind us. That means you too, Spielberg," he instructed, his tone firm yet protective.

(CN)

In the suffocating darkness of the school cellar, Max felt a shiver of dread crawl up his spine as the akuma loomed over him, its presence suffocating. He adjusted his glasses, a flicker of hope extinguished as he locked eyes with the creature. Terror gripped him, sending a wave of despair coursing through his veins, feeding the akuma's monstrous form.

Papillon's voice slithered through the shadows, a chilling whisper that echoed in Max's mind. "Absorb their fear, Horrificator...feed on it! It will give you strength, and soon enough, you will be giving me strength too!" The words dripped with malevolence as the akuma spat goo at Max, wrapping him in a cocoon of despair, sealing his fate in darkness

(CN)

In the school courtyard, the atmosphere was thick with tension as Beetle and Chat Noir navigated the sinister trail of goo, their hearts racing with urgency. Behind them, the students followed closely, fear etched on their faces. Beetle glanced back and noticed Chloé had stopped, a defiant look in her eyes. "We're way better off on our own than sticking with the others. Why would we stay with the group when we could just hide out on our own!"

Frustration bubbled within Beetle, but he shook his head. If Chloé found a safe room, then so be it. He focused on the goo, leading the way into a nearby classroom. Once inside, he spotted a shoe lying on the ground and tapped Chat's shoulder, signaling to the shoe.

Chat's eyes widened as recognition flashed across his face. "Anyone recognize this shoe?"

"That's Adrien's shoe!" Someone exclaimed, a sense of dread washing over the group.

Beetle knelt down beside the shoe, confusion knitting his brow. "Weird, there isn't slime here," he mumbled, glancing around to find the same lack of goo near his phone.

"Y-Yes, there is!" Nathaniel stammered, his voice rising in panic as he poked at some slime on the teacher's desk. Suddenly, a tail shot out from under the desk, grabbing him and causing the others to scream as the akuma burst forth, snatching Nathaniel into its clutches.

"Everybody run!" Beetle ordered, urgency lacing his voice.

The classroom erupted in chaos as the students scrambled for the door, but Juleka stood frozen, captivated by the akuma's terrifying presence.

"Awesome," she murmured, her eyes wide in awe, even as the akuma roared at her. "So awesome..." A grin spread across her face, oblivious to the danger.

The akuma, momentarily taken aback by her fascination slightly shrunk, and began to growl and spat goo in her direction. Beetle acted swiftly, grabbing her just in time to pull her away from the impending attack.

"Ew! What's your name, Drool-lator?" Chat quipped, spinning his baton to deflect the goo that shot towards him. "Cats aren't afraid of slimy toads like you!" He dodged another glob, kicking off the wall and using his baton to block the goo while Beetle grabbed Nino by the shoulder, urgency in his voice. "We better hurry and find out where that akuma's hiding!"

"I don't see anything but miles of slime!" Chat exclaimed as he and Beetle leaped from the classroom just in time to avoid another gooey onslaught. They landed in the courtyard, hearts pounding.

The akuma followed, landing with a heavy thud as it attempted to trap them. Beetle and Chat rolled away just in the nick of time, both sliding into a crouch as they prepared for the next move.

"Help! Help!" Nathaniel cried, swinging helplessly upside down from the akuma's tail. Nino's eyes went wide as he aimed his phone down at the courtyard, capturing the chaos unfolding before him, the fear palpable in the air.

"Fear! It's fear that gives the akuma strength!" Beetle shouted, understanding igniting within him as he stood up and spun his weapon, ready for action.

The akuma spat goo again, but Chat leaped out of harm's way, while Beetle charged forward, spinning his weapon and sliding under the akuma, using his yo-yo to tie its foot to a pillar. Behind the akuma, Chat leaped, but the creature retaliated, spitting more goo and sending him crashing into a railing, leaving him stuck.

The akuma, enraged, grabbed Beetle's wire and spun him around, slamming him against the basketball hoop, trapping him in sticky goo. As it turned toward the other students, their fear only made the akuma grow larger and more menacing. It prowled closer, leaning ominously over Ivan before licking him with her tongue, while its tail snatched Alix.

"Oh no! It's taking Nate and Alix!" Rose gasped, horror etched on her face.

The akuma growled, and in a frenzy of panic, Nathaniel called out for help as he dangled helplessly as the akuma entered a room and spat goo behind her at the door. "The more scared people are of the akuma, the more powerful it gets! If we defeat fear, we defeat the akuma!" Beetle shouted, informing his partner on the other side,

"Okay, but first we gotta get out of this sticky situation quickly before it dries," Chat replied, urgency in his voice.

Chat extended his staff toward the basketball court where Beetle was trapped, causing him to yelp and glare as the hoop beneath him cracked, freeing him from the goo's clutches.

Beetle landed with a thud, grappling his yo-yo onto the railing and freeing Chat from the sticky mess. With a shared look, they bolted back into the classroom where the akuma had retreated.

Beetle pushed against the door, but it wouldn't budge. Frustration bubbled inside him as he turned to Chat. "Did you notice how the akuma left Ivan alone?"

"Yeah, what's that all about?" Chat replied, his curiosity piqued.

"I think the akuma is Mylène," Beetle theorized, a frown forming on his face.

As the other students caught up to them, Alya's voice broke through the chaos. "Where are Sabrina and Chloé?"

"They went to hide in a classroom. We'll get them later," Beetle assured, his mind racing.

(RB)

In a dimly lit science classroom, Sabrina was desperately barricading the door with a locker, her breath coming in quick bursts as adrenaline surged through her veins. Chloé, perched on a desk, was oblivious to the chaos, casually filling her nails. "It's a good thing I come up with brilliant ideas like this. No one's getting through that barricade," She said confidently, her tone dismissive of the danger lurking outside.

Sabrina pushed another locker against the door, her heart racing as she sensed something ominous. Suddenly, a tail shot through the room, snatching her up with a swift, vicious motion. "We can just relax and let Chat Noir and Red Beetle do all the hard work!" Chloé said, before she heard Sabrina yelp, panic flooding her voice. Chloé finally turned, her eyes widening in horror as the akuma roared at her.

Outside, the sound of Chloé's scream echoed through the hallways. Chat and Beetle exchanged alarmed glances before sprinting toward the source of the chaos, the students trailing behind them, fear propelling their legs. Chat burst through the classroom door, the barricade of lockers crashing to the floor with a deafening thud.

"We're late!" he exclaimed, urgency creeping into his voice.

Beetle knelt by the goo that marked the akuma's path. "We may be, but we can track the akuma," He said to his partner, and Chat nodded.

They dashed out of the classroom and raced downstairs, following the sinister trail of goo that led to a workshop. Nino, filled with a reckless thrill, giggled. "I'm so amped!" he cheered, but the looks of disbelief from his peers quickly silenced him.

"Turn your amp down to about four, will ya?" Someone shot back.

"My bad..." Nino sheepishly adjusted his hat, but the tension in the air was palpable as they entered the cellar. They sprinted down the hallway, spotting grotesque goo shaped like eggs on the ceiling and ground, a grim reminder of the danger that lurked nearby.

Through the connection, Papillon's voice slithered into their minds. "Their fear will make you powerful enough to defeat Red Beetle and Chat Noir! Now, bring their Miraculouses to me!" he commanded, the akuma peering around the corner like a predator ready to pounce.

"Anybody in here?" Beetle called out, his voice steady despite the chaos.

"Red Beetle, it's me, Chloé Bourgeois!" Came Chloé's voice, tinged with a mix of impatience and fear.

"We'll get you out of there," Beetle assured, hardening his resolve.

"Well, hurry it up already!" Chloé demanded, her bravado faltering as she returned to her nails, trying to maintain her composure in the face of danger.

"Is everyone here? Principal. Damocles? Alix? Nathaniel? Adrien?" Beetle called out as he moved through the room, relief flooding him as the named people confirmed their status.

Chat swiftly concealed himself behind an egg-shaped goo, raising his voice with a high pitch. "Yeah, yeah, I'm fine! What about Marcel?"

"Yeah, we've got everyone!" Beetle responded, his frustration growing as he tried to pry open an egg-shaped goo that resisted his efforts. "They aren't budging!"

"Get us out!" One of the trapped students shouted, their voice laced with panic.

"Just try and calm down! We'll find a way to get you out of there!" Beetle urged, but the tension in the room was thickening, fear morphing into a palpable force.

Suddenly, the akuma appeared on the ceiling, its menacing form looming as it spat goo at the group standing by the doorway. The sticky substance splattered behind them, sealing their escape. Nino grinned widely, aiming his phone at the akuma, uncaring of the danger.

That same akuma landed in front of Beetle, causing him to stumble back. "That's fucking creepy," he cursed under his breath, eyes wide.

Chat reacted instinctively, throwing a hardened glob of goo at the akuma. A triumphant grin spread across his face when the akuma turned to face him, but his confidence faltered as the akuma spat goo in retaliation, the projectile narrowly missing him.

The akuma lunged toward Chat, and Beetle seized the opportunity. "Lucky Charm!" he called out, a pole dropping into his hands. "A pole?" He frowned, frustration creeping in. But then he spotted a desktop cluttered with smaller poles. A flicker of inspiration ignited in him as he grappled the desktop toward himself while the akuma pursued Chat, spitting goo with deadly intent.

"Enough is enough! Cataclysm!" Chat roared, leaping onto the railing on the second floor. He slid his hand along the bars, trapping the akuma in a makeshift cell, the impact echoing ominously.

Meanwhile, Red Beetle examined the poles, the realization hitting him like a bolt of lightning. He laughed, "Thank you, Spider-Man 3!" With newfound resolve, he charged toward the makeshift cell, the metal poles spinning in his hands. He leaped forward, banging on the bars, the sound reverberating through the room like a battle cry. The akuma flinched back, its monstrous features twisting in fury.

Chat took notice and quickly drew his baton, joining Beetle in the assault against the akuma. They pounded on the makeshift cell, striking the akuma whenever it attempted to escape, their strikes fueled by adrenaline and the desire to protect their friends.

The akuma roared in frustration, but the sound morphed into a desperate whimper as it began to shrink under their relentless assault. Panic surged within it as it backed away from the students, its monstrous form dwindling until it spotted Ivan.

In a shocking twist, it leaped into Ivan's arms, and he gasped, "That's the same button I gave to Mylène!"

"That's where the akuma is!" Beetle realized, lunging forward to grab the button. He crushed it in his hand, releasing the akuma from its hold.

Without hesitation, Beetle launched his yo-yo at the akuma, catching it before it could escape. "Gotcha!" he exclaimed triumphantly, sliding his finger down the yo-yo to release the purified butterfly into the air. He tossed the pole high into the sky, where it exploded in a burst of energy, a wave of light washing over the school, erasing the goo and restoring normalcy.

As the chaos subsided, Mylène returned to her regular size, and Ivan gently set her down, emotions swirling between relief and joy.

"Pound it!" both Red and Chat fist-bumped.

"Awesome!" Nino exclaimed, turning his phone to capture the moment as Ivan and Mylène shared a kiss, a tender moment amidst the chaos. Red let out a sigh, a mix of exasperation and amusement playing across his features as he watched the scene unfold, the weight of the battle slowly lifting from their shoulders.

(CN)

"You don't scare me, Red Beetle!" Papillon shouted, his voice echoing with palpable fury. "I know I'll obliterate you in the end! Someday, somehow, you will be nothing but a shattered memory! Your pathetic attempts at heroism are mere distractions, and I will relish every moment as I watch you crumble! You think you can stand in my way? I will destroy you!"

The venom in his words dripped with annoyance, as if Red Beetle's very existence was a personal affront to him. Each declaration was laced with a seething rage that threatened to boil over, highlighting his obsession with power and vengeance. Papillon's eyes blazed with fury, fueled by an insatiable desire to make Red Beetle feel the weight of his own impending doom.

(MDC)

"Well, Monsieur Bourgeois? What do you think? Off the hook, right?" Nino beamed, his eyes sparkling with pride.

The Mayor adjusted his tie, his expression a mask of barely concealed disdain. "Off the hook? More like... off the rails. The monster was, shall we say, theatrically challenged. And the romantic subplot? Utterly pedestrian. Frankly, l've seen more convincing performances in a kindergarten puppet show." He waved a dismissive hand, turning back to his paperwork.

(AA)

Nino threw his hands up in exasperation. "He said the monster was 'theatrically challenged'! Like we filmed a community theater production of 'Attack of the Cardboard Cutouts'! And the kiss? He called it 'pedestrian'! Pedestrian! We practically invented a new genre of romantic-kaiju cinema!"

"Hey, chill, Nino. Every legendary director gets their start with a critical flop," Adrien said, patting Nino's shoulder.

"Yea, even if that final kiss wasn't quite what we thought it would be," Alya added, trying to suppress a grin.

Marcel shook his head with a chuckle as patted Nino's back.

A/N - Don't tell me you wouldn't cringe after hearing the lyrics, they were childish, they're freaking teenagers going to be in highschool in three years, the Akuma class is freaking naive.

Second A/N; Decided to give Mylenè a reason to be scared. Credit to the artist: baroquegothik

The mask/oufit

Chapter Text

This week was a nice week for both Adrien and Marcel, there wasn't an Akuma this week, which they were both thankful since they finally had some time to themselves, with Marcel babysitting his favorite kid, and while Manon was a handful she was just energetic, and Adrien was able to hand out with Nino after school and after he was done with photo shoots.

Right now though, as said in the last paragraph, Marcel was babysitting Manon again in his room, and was playing with the dolls Manon has asked, Marcel tried to deny but she brought out her puppy dog eyes so here they were, playing with the Red Beetle and Chat Noir dolls Marcel had made.

Marcel cleared his throat and started mimicking Chat Noir's voice. "Here I am, RB!" Marcel waved the Chat Noir doll towards the Red Beetle doll, as Marcel put on his Red Beetle voice, "Glad to see you, Chat." The doll greeted doll Chat Noir.

"Of course you are! I'm the cat's meow!” Marcel joked before he chuckled.

"He shouldn't say that!" The girl shouted.

Marcel raised an eyebrow and looked at Manon who was frowning. "No?" He asked.

Manon shook her head.

Marcel gave a bemused smile before clearing his throat and putting on his Red Beetle voice again. "This is no time to be goofing around, Chat Noir! We gotta capture the akumas before they–." Marcel paused and looked down at Manon, "Actually, what do the akumas want?" He asked.

Manon looked down the akuma dolls and pushed them up. "Uh....we wanna win!"

"Yeah, but win what?" Marcel asked, looking at Manon who shrugged, "I don't know, what do they usually want?" The girl asked.

Marcel sat the dolls down and pointed at each dolls. "It depends, Lady Wifi wanted to reveal Red Beetle's true identity and Evillustrator wanted to get revenge on a girl for making fun of his art, then there was Rogercop, but the bad Papillon, who makes them bad, wants to take Red Beetle and Chat Noir's jewels from them, their miraculouse's." Marcel explained.

"And what would happen if he did get them?" Manon asked.

Marcel leaned down to Manon eye sight, "The bad guys...would win!" He dramatically whispered.

"I know! I know what the bad guys want! We want the Miraculous!" Manon nearly shouted in excitement and stood up with the dolls in hand. "Then we'll win! Forever and ever! I'm gonna get your Miraculous, Red Beetle and Chat Noir! You-you goody two-shoeses! You'll be super-duper sorry!" Manon said before she pounced on Marcel who leaned back and grinned. "You won't get our Miraculouses!"

"Oh yeah?" Manon jumped on Marcel and they started fighting with the dolls and in the end, the Red Beetle and Chat Noir dolls won.

"Looks like Red Beetle and Chat Noir won again."

"No fair! You always win!" Manon shouted as she grabbed the akuma dolls before she pouted and started crying.

Marcel sighed before smiling slightly and sat beside Manon. "Red Beetle and Chat Noir always win, and the bad guys always lose."

Manon stood up with a pouty face. "But you never let me play with Red Beetle and Chat Noir!"

Marcel bit his lip before he sighed quietly. "Of course you can play with Red Beetle and Chat Noir! I'll even let you borrow one of them if you want." Marcel offered as he handed Manon the Red Beetle doll.

Manon grinned as her mother came up the stairs. "I'm back, Manon, have you been a good girl?"

"Mommy!" Manon excitedly shouted before she pointed at Marcel who raised an eyebrow at her. "Marcel didn't let me win!" Manon complained as she hugged her mother legs and started crying again. "He didn't play fair and square!"

Marcel raised both eyebrows and snorted, as Nadja leaned down and patted Manon on the head. "Oh, Manon, you can't always expect to win."

Manon gave her mother a glare. "Yes, I can! Red Beetle and Chat Noir always win!" She protested.

"Well, you're right there! But they're superheroes!" Nadja pointed out as Marcel stood up from his spot. "You'll win next time, Manon." Marcel reassured.

Nadja gently grabbed out of Manon's hand who didn't notice the doll was being taking out of her hands. "Alright, now let's give the doll back to Marcel."

"NO! I wanna keep it!" Manon protested as she snatched the doll out of her mother's hand.

Marcel once again raised his eyebrows in surprise as he walked over to Nadja. "She can if she wants, I told her she could borrow it."

Nadja smiled as she shook her head. "And that's sweet of you, Marcel, but Manon already has so many toys at home, I wouldn't even know where to put it." Nadja said as she reached to grab the doll out of Manon's hand, only Manon had gripped it too hard and the Red Beetle doll arm broke off.

Marcel grimaced slightly. 'I feel bad for the doll version of me.' He mused as Manon gasped when she saw the missing arm.

"Look what you've done, Manon, give me the doll." Nadja said and Manon pouted and gave the doll back to Nadja

Nadja turned to Marcel. "I'm sorry, Marcel." Nadja apologized as she handed him the broken doll.

Marcel grabbed the offered doll and scratched his head with one of his hand. "it's nothing, I can sew it up again, It's no problem." Marcel reassured.

Najda sighed in relief as she put a hand on her chest, "Oh, thank goodness!" Nadja grabbed Manon's hand. "Come on, Manon, we're leaving. Say goodbye."

Manon ripped her hand out her mother's hand angrily. "I...want...that...DOLL!" Manon shouted.

"No, you can play with it here next time you come." Nadja said gently and pick up her daughter. "Come on, Manon, be a good girl and say goodbye." Manon put her head in her mother's neck and started crying as Nadja walked downstair.

"Goodbye." Manon whispered sulkily.

Nadja sat Manon down in front of Sabine when her phone started ringing.

Nadja grabbed her phone out of her purse and answered it. "Hi, Alec. Huh? Didn't I leave it for you on my desk at the station?"

Manon walked back to the stairs and Nadja turned her towards her daughter with an eyebrow raised. "Uh, I left my bag up there, mommy!"

"Go quickly and get it!" Nadja said before she turned back to her phone. "It's not there, huh?"

While Manon was walking up the stairs, Marcel had opened his box of DIY supplies and grabbed one of the threads for the doll.

Tikki appeared behind Marcel and giggled. "I think our heroes are in need of a little TLC!" Tikki said making Marcel chuckle slightly before they heard Manon coming back up. "Manon, what are you-."

"I left my bag here!" Manon said as she grabbed her backpack and grabbed her wand, Manon turned to Marcel. "Can I have Red Beetle?" Manon asked.

Marcel sighed. "You heard what your mom said Manon."

"She wouldn't know if I hide it!" Manon whispered.

"Sorry, but I have to sew the doll up."

"Pretty please?" Manon dragged on with puppy dog eyes.

Marcel winced. "Not the puppy dog eyes!"  Marcel grumbled as Manon continued the pitiful stare.

Marcel sighed, "Okay, you can borrow Lady Wifi."

"Can I have the Ladybug doll?"

Downstairs Nadja wondered what was taking Manon so long and told Alec to hold on. "Hurry up Manon! We have to stop by the station!"

Manon pushed the Lady Wifi doll into her bag. "Coming, mommy!" Manon waved Marcel goodbye.

As soon as Manon left, Tikki flew next to Marcel. "Wow, she sure had you wrapped around her little finger!"

"What!? No she didn-." Marcel groaned as he spun in chair. "You know Tikki, I can't say no to thos-."

"Puppy dog eyes?" Tikki 'asked' fluttering her eyes. "Just be glad none of Akuma's have them! You'd be rendered powerless."

Marcel sighed.

/MDC\

After arriving at the TVi studio, Nadja had set Manon at the couch where she could watch her and walked over to Alec who was waiting for her.

Over with Manon, she was playing with the Lady Wifi doll and a Red Beetle magazine. "Here I am, baddie! Haha! I've saved Paris again!" Manon said as she made whooshing sound as she made the dolls pretend fight. Lady Wifi lost and the Red Beetle doll was triumphant.

"No! No fair! You always win!" The Lady Wifi doll angrily shouted as Manon jumped on a couch.

Back with Nadja, she was speaking with Alec. "I'm sorry, Alec. I thought I gave it to you. It must be in the studio."

"No sweat!"

Nadja smiled before she turned to the receptionist, "Can you just keep an eye on Manon for me, please? I won't be long..."Nadja asked as she looked over at Manon who was playing with the Lady Wifi doll.

"Where are you hiding... Red Beetle?!" She growled before she gasped when the Lady Wifi doll was grabbed out of her hand.

"Wha...? This is one of Marcel dolls. You took it after I specifically told you not to!"

"But, Marcel wanted me to have it!"

"You disobeyed me. I told you the dolls were to stay at her house. You won't be needing these anymore." Nadja put the doll in her purse.

"NO! Mommy, please don't!" Manon pleaded as she stomped her foot on the couch.

Nadja sighed, "I'm not happy about this, wait for me here." Nadja said as she walked away.

Manon huffed and crossed her arms as she sat back down.

Nadja and Alec go in the elevator and Nadja looked back at Manon with smile before the elevator closed.

Manon stood up and grabbed her wand out of her backpack. "I didn't steal that doll! I want that DOLL!" Manon shouted as she waved her wand around.

/MDC\

Inside of Papillon's lair, his window started opening, and he sighed. "Ah, what could be more pure than an innocent child's emotions? Especially anger. I love it!" Papillon purred as a butterfly flew into his hand and he covered the butterfly with corruptive energy. "Fly away, my evil akuma, and commiserate with this frustrated child!" Papillon cackled as the Akuma flew out his window.

\MDC/

Over with Marcel, he and Alya were rushing done at the subway to wait for the train. As they were waiting, Marcel unlocked his phone and started scrolling.
"The movie starts in thirty minutes. Or, we could buy your book first and go to the next showing."

"Either way." Alya shrugged before she gasped, "Marcel, nine 'o' clock!" She whispered as she looked to her left.

Marcel made a confused face as he continued scrolled on his phone. "No, there's no nine 'o' clock showing."

"Not that nine 'o' clock! This nine 'o' clock!" Alya whispered as she turned Marcel's face to his left as the train arrived where Adrien was waiting till the door opened and he walked inside.

"What about him?" Marcel asked as he looked at Alya.

"Come on!" Alya ushered as she dragged Marcel into the train where Adrien stepped into, making Marcel look at her like she lost her mind as they both bumped into a passenger and his belongings.

"Sorry." Marcel apologized as he grabbed Alya by the arm and stood her up as she was rubbing her head.

/MDC\

Back at the TVi studio, a fluttering sound was heard as the akuma flew inside the studio where Manon was.

As Manon was sobbing into the couch, the Akuma flew into her toy wand. And her face glowed with with a moth sigil and her face was glowing with malice.

"Puppeteer, Papillon, from now on, you can control anyone!"

"Even Red Beetle and Chat Noir?"

"Yes...as long as you possess their dolls."

"And I can win?"

"Yes, you will be able to win! But, in return, you have to get something for me!"

"Give you their Miraculouses! I know!" Manon said as dark energy covered her.

"What a smart little girl you are."

As soon as the energy finished covering Manon, she turned into Puppeteer, and floated to the receptionist that was working at the front desk. "Wanna play a game?" Puppeteer asked as the receptionist gasped in her and ran away screaming for help.

Puppeteer walked inside an elevator and waited for it to bring her to the floor her mother was on. "I've got to get Red Beetle and Chat Noir's dolls I want those DOLLS!"

Puppeteer walked out the elevator and floated inside a room with the Lady Wifi doll poking out of a purse.

Inside of the room, Nadja was muttering to herself as she searched through the arch file. "I'm sure I left it in here. Ugh. Where is it?! Ah. Here it is."

Puppeteer grabbed the Lady Wifi doll from the purse and hid when Nadja found the file, "Sorry, Alec. Here's the file you need." Nadja grabbed her purse and rushed to Alec as Puppeteer chuckled wickedly.

/MDC\

Back at the Subway with Marcel and Alya, Marcel was glaring at Alya. "Why are we following him again? Oh wait, you saw him and decided to follow him, what in the hell could make you want to follow him, I wanted to watch the damn movie but no, you want to follow the boy." Marcel ranted as he paced back in forth in the small area he had.

Alya laughed making Marcel give her a flat look. "You done?" Alya asked as behind them Adrien had waved at Marcel, who didn't seem to notice so Alya gave an awkward smile and waved back.

"He's waving!" Alya whispered to Marcel who groaned quietly, before he gave a wave back and started muttering about how people were annoying since all he wanted to do was sit back and watch a movie.

\MDC\/

Now back at the station with Puppeteer,
"Okay, Lady Wifi, come to life!" Puppeteer shouted as she pointed her wand at the doll and it glowed.

/MDC\

Back at the subway with Marcel, Adrien and Alya, they watched blue light cover Alya as Alya herself panicked. "What— what's going on!?" Blue light finished covering her and she turned into Lady Wifi.

"Alya?" Marcel stepped back when he noticed that she was Lady Wifi again.

Adrien looked shocked on the other side of the door.

"Marcel! Give me those Red Beetle and Chat Noir dolls!" Lady Wifi demanded.

Marcel looked confused, "Lady Wifi?"

"No!" Lady Wifi stomped her foot, "I'm Puppeteer! And I want those dolls now!" She demanded screaming like a child.

"Puppeteer? The dolls? I don't-I don't have them, Why do you want them, Puppeteer exactly."

"Because, you said I could have them! Then Mommy said "no!" So give 'em to me now! Or you'll be super duper sorry!"

Marcel eyes widened as he realized who the Akuma was. "Manon!" He whispered as the train stopped its track.

"I want Red Beetle and Chat Noir's Miraculouses, to win! Forever and EVER!!" Puppeteer declared as 'Lady WiFi' threw a speed pad down and stepped on it and flew away.

Marcel quickly ran out the train after 'Lady Wifi' while behind Marcel, Adrien ran towards the train conductor.

"Excuse me sir, there's a uh cat loose on the train!"

"What? Thanks kiddo!" The train conductor ran out as Adrien walked inside the train just as Plagg came out his shirt.

"Cat?!" Plagg drawled annoyed.

"Plagg! We have to transform!"

"Just when we'd shaken off your bodyguard." Plagg's ears drooped as he mumbled disappointed.

"Plagg, claws out!"

"What about the movie? And the buttery popcorn?" Plagg yelped as he got sucked in the ring, and a bright green flash covered Adrien.

/MDC\

"Tikki, I have to find a place to transform." Marcel mumbled, before he felt a hand on his shoulder.

Marcel jumped back with his fist ups before he noticed it was Chat Noir who looked shocked.

Marcel forced his body to relax as Chat shook his head and asked him a question, "Hey, that was Lady Wifi. Did she say anything to you?"

"I'm not exactly sure, her voice belonged to a kid I babysit, it's as if she was controlling my friend, Alya from a distance."

"And what was this talk about dolls?"

Marcel sighed as he shrugged, "I've made some doll she could play when I babysit her."

"Okay, where do you live?"

'I got a feeling I'm gonna regret telling him this.' Marcel sighed, "12 Rue Gotlib."

"I'll take care of it!" Chat reassured as he ran off.

Marcel ran off to the side on the tracks as Tikki flew beside him. "I don't like the idea of Chat Noir rummaging around my room." 

"Just say the words."

"Tikki, Spots on." Bright pink light flashed from where Marcel was hiding.

After his suit finished covering him, he immediately ran out the station and began swinging towards the bakery to meet Chat Noir.

He vaulted over a roof, and slid down the side of a curved roof and landed on the balcony of the bakery, and noticed he was first and saw Chat jumped on lamppost to lamppost.

"Hey Chat, up here!" Red Beetle called out as Chat launched himself onto the roof by Red Beetle.

Now that Chat was by him, they both climbed inside the room through the balcony window. "Puppeteer! Such a shame, it's really not nice to steal from your babysitter." Red Beetle tsked as he wagged his finger.

"Breaking and entering are grounds for a serious time-out." Chat added.

"Soon I'll get your Miraculouses, you goody two-shoeses!"

"There's only one good two-shoes around here and I'm not him!"

Red Beetle glanced at Chat from where he was and shook his head.

"Freeze!" 'Lady Wifi' threw a pause button at Chat but he batted the pause sigil away and it landed on a family picture.

Red Beetle spun his yo-yo to bat away the sigils, "Remember how we defeated Lady Wifi the first time?"

"Take out the wi-fi signal! Gotcha!" Chat climbed up to the top.

Red Beetle threw his yo-yo at 'Lady Wifi's' bag, causing the bag to tilt with the Chat Noir and Red Beetle doll falling out, his yo-yo grabbed the Red Beetle doll but just as the doll landed on his hand, 'Lady Wifi' threw a pause sigil at him.

'Lady Wifi' grabbed the other dolls and put them in her bag while Papillon praised her. "Nice move, Puppeteer, good girl! Now, take his Miraculous!"

'Lady Wifi' walked over to Red Beetle while on the rooftop, Chat called for his cataclysm and destroyed it just as 'Lady Wifi' touched the earrings.

As soon Red Beetle was unpaused, Red Beetle flipped 'Lady Wifi' over him, with her phone flying out her hand, and Red Beetle catching it.

"Looks like you've just lost your signal, Wifi!" Red Beetle placed the phone down after breaking it so 'Lady Wifi' wouldn't be able to use it.

"I want those dolls, Lady Wifi!" Puppeteer ordered, and 'Lady Wifi' delivered as she threw a couch at Red Beetle who let his body fall to avoid the couch thrown at him.

'Lady Wifi' took the chance to jumped out the balcony window so when Red Beetle stood up, he didn't see her, so he jumped out the window and landed in front of the bakery's door.

"Did you capture her akuma?" Chat asked as soon as he landed beside her.

"She wouldn't have one." Red Beetle replied, Chat eyes widened. "How's that possible?"

"She's controlled by Puppeteer, She would have the akuma."

"Right, Lady Wifi's nothing but a puppet!"
Chat said, before his ears drooped, "Please tell me you got the Chat Noir doll!"

"Sorry, only this one."

"We'd better find her fast before she takes care of the other dolls! And me!" Chat mumbled before his ring beeped.

"Go, You're about to transform back."

"Don't let her make me a puppet! You know I like to be in command!"

"You mean second-in-command. Call me when you're back in business." Red Beetle started calling Nadja on his yo-yo.

|RB|

In the hallway of the News Station, Nadja and Alec were walking to the front desk when her phone rang. "Yes? What? Red Beetle!?"

"Where are you?" Red Beetle asked from the other side of the phone.

"At the TV station."

"Is your daughter with you?"

"Yes! She's playing downstairs! Why? Is everything okay?"

"Yes, just don't move. I'll be right there!" Red Beetle ordered and jumped off the roof and swung his way to the News Station.

/RB\

At the TV studio, in a room where Puppeteer was, 'Lady Wifi' kneeled down in front of Puppeteer with the dolls in the bag.

"I'm gonna use these dolls to beat Red Beetle fair and square!"

/RB\

On the streets, Adrien was hiding behind a pole while Plagg was eating, annoyed, he opened his jacket to look at Plagg. L

"What? I'm savoring my cheese!"

"Would you mind savoring it a little faster? Plagg, claws out!" Adrien called out, Plagg tried flying away but was sucked in and dropped his cheese.

/RB\

Back at the TVi studio, Red Beetle was inside lobby, looking through the cameras and found Puppeteer in one of the rooms.

"She's still here in the building! I need you all outside."

"No! I want to find my daughter!" Nadja protested as she went to go but Red Beetle grabbed her hand from leaving.

"I'll bring your daughter back, Madame. Chamack. It'll help me more to know you're safe." Red Beetle reassured as he gave her a small grin to comfort her.

/RB\

Inside the room with Puppeteer, she brought up the Evillustartor, "Evillustrator! Come to life!" Puppeteer ordered.

At the Louvre, with Nathaniel, he yelped when he noticed a blue surround him and he turned Evillustrator.

"Rogercop! Come to life!" On a street corner, officer Roger was doing police work when he transforms into Rogercop in front of a mom and son who were walking down the street.

Red Beetle lurked behind a corner looking at the door where Puppeteer was when his yo-yo started ringing.

As soon as he answered the yo-yo, Chat asked him a question. "Have you located her?"

"Inside the KIDZ+ TV building." Red Beetle answered.

"Got it!" Chat hanged, so Ref Beetle waited for him while he there, he stood behind the door, putting his ear against it, when Chat tapped him on the shoulder and Red Beetle grabbed his hand and pushed him on the ground with his arm stretched out.

"I'm okay, not a puppet yet, but I'd love to find the akuma before that changes."

Red Beetle sighed "Sorry." He apologized before he and Chat walked backwards and he started counting down. "On three, One...two...three!" On the final number, they both bursted through the door, just as the Chat Noir doll was brought up in the air.

"Chat Noir! Come to Life!"

Chat eyes widened and he leaped in the air trying to grab the doll version of him, only he was too late and Puppeteer had control of him.

"Shit." Red Beetle muttered.

"Use Chat Noir to seize Red Beetle's doll! When you control that one, you'll have won everything, and Red Beetle will be defeated!"

"Gimme that Red Beetle doll! I'm gonna get your Miraculous!" Puppeteer and Chat Noir demanded in sync.

"Uh...about no." Red Beetle grappled his yo-yo to the spotlight and swung upside down in the air, looking for the Akumatized object. He noticed the wand in her hand and smirked. 'There's the Akuma.' Red Beetle landed on his feet and aimed his yo-yo at the wand to which Puppeteer noticed.

"Stop him!" Puppeteer demanded and Chat Noir jumped in front of the yo-yo which caused him and his doll counterpart to get thrown back.

"Sorry man!" Red Beetle whispered before Evillustrator and Rogercop stepped inside the room. "One against five!?"

"This is the moment I've been waiting for. Your time is up Red Beetle! You're doomed!" Papillon grinned from where he was hiding in.

"The Red Beetle doll, get it!" Puppeteer demanded to the Akuma and hero.

Evillustrator drew a phone for Lady Wifi, who caught the phone. "Thanks Evillustrator! Now the doll!" 'Lady Wifi' rushed at Red Beetle while Rogercop merely aimed.

"Ugh." Red Beetle aimed his yo-yo at the foot 'Lady Wifi' causing her to stop only for it bounce and grappled on the spotlight and he slid under Rogercop to grab the tape behind him.

As soon as he grabbed the tape, he ran out the door.

"The doll! He got away with it! Get him!" Puppeteer ordered, making everyone rush after him on the stairs, they all rushed to the roof but Red Beetle wasn't in sight.

"Where'd he go!?"

'First I gotta get rid of them, then Puppeteer.'

Behind a light, he turned the light on them and turned it on, blinding Evillustrator and Rogercop, seeing that they were blinded, he jumped over the light and taped Evillustrator and Rogercop together.

Chat glared at Red Beetle and extended his baton towards Red Beetle who backflipped several times and landed on the baton, RB kicked the baton down and jumped on the roof after he kicked it down causing Chat to get thrown off the building.

"If you want this doll so badly, go and get it!" Red Beetle said throwing the doll with his full strength, causing it to land on the Eiffel Tower where a little girl saw it landed.

"I'm faster than you! You're gonna lose, Red Beetle!" 'Lady Wifi' childishly bragged as she speed towards the Eiffel Tower where a girl picked up the doll. "Gimme that doll! It's mine!" 'Lady Wifi' screeched causing the girl to cry and let go of the doll.

"I'm gonna get you Red Beetle!" Puppeteer declared holding the Chat Noir doll.

"You'll be super duper sorry!" Chat finished on top of his baton.

Red Beetle bursted through the room where he thought Puppeteer was in.

"Now that you're alone—huh!? Where is she!?”

He groaned and ran back out the room searching for her.

Meanwhile in the lobby, 'Lady Wifi' handed Puppeteer the Red Beetle doll.

"Now I'm the winner!" Puppeteer laughed with the doll in hand.

"Drop that doll, Manon!" Red Beetle ordered.

"I'm not Manon, I'm Puppeteer!" She silently ordered 'Lady Wifi' to attack Red Beetle.

'Lady Wifi' threw pause sigils at Red Beetle who dodged and ran behind a wall.

"Lucky Charm!" The lucky charm landed in his hand. "A power strip?"

"You've lost, Red Beetle!"

As Red Beetle thought of ways to figure out to defeat them, Evillustrator erased the wall he was hiding behind. "There may be four of you but I'm twice as dangerous." Red Beetle smirked, spinning his yo-yo and the power trio in the same speed.

Red Beetle rushed towards the controlled civilians and one hero, he dodged, batted jumped away from their attacks, Chat jumped in the air to strike Red Beetle but, Red Beetle slid under him, grappling his foot and flinging him into 'Lady Wifi'.

Rogercop shot at him with his red and blue handcuffs so he aimed his yo-yo at Evillustrator so the red and blue handcuffs would land on him, and after it did, he flung Evillustrator towards the downed Lady Wifi and Chat Noir, rushing towards Rogercop and flinging him as well.

Lady Wifi yelped and paused Evillustrator and Rogercop when they were flying at her.

Watching the whole thing, Puppeteer brought the Red Beetle doll in the air. "Red Beetle, come to lif-." She quite paused when Lady Wifi accidentally threw a sigil at her.

After it became silent, Red Beetle allowed a grin to come to his face and started whistling as he strode towards Puppeteer's wand.

Yoinking the wand out of her frozen hand, he broke the wand over his knee, the Akuma flying out.

"No more corrupting from you, little akuma, time to de-corrupt!" He snatched the akuma with his yo-yo, and released the akuma, after her purified it. "Miraculous Ladybug!" He threw his lucky charm in the air, the energy turning everyone back to their selves and Manon came back.

Chat walked over to Red Beetle shaking his head. "What happened?"

"You were a puppet!"

"Good."

/RB\

Papillon clenched his fist, "No! This cannot be happening!" He grunted angrily, with his window closing.

\RB/

Nadja ran inside the lobby room and sighed in relief. "Manon!" Manon heard her and ran towards her.

"Thank you Red Beetle! Thank you." Nadja whispered holding onto Manon, who was waving at him.

"It's time I bug out." Red Beetle grinned as he waved back at Manon.

/MDC\

"I'm sorry about what happened last time, Madam. Chamack. I shouldn't have given her the doll after you told her no."

"Manon can be pretty persuasive sometimes."

"Yeah, with her..."

"Puppy dog eyes? Yes, I know. See you later then. Kiss, Manon!"

Manon ran towards her mother and gave her a kiss on her cheek. "Bye mommy!"

"See you later, Madam. Chamack!"

"Buh-bye!"

"I wanna play with Red Beetle and Chat Noir!"

"I have a better idea. Why don't we go to the zoo today?"

"But I wanna play with the dolls! Pretty please!"

Marcel sighed, "Don't even try it, Manon."

Manon giggled when her pout didn't work.  "I love the zoo!" Manon grabbed her bag. "I'm ready!" Manon announced, pulling Marcel's hand.

AH - 𝚂𝚘𝚛𝚛𝚢 𝙸 𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚎𝚗'𝚝 𝚞𝚙𝚍𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚍, 𝚖𝚢 𝚙𝚑𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚑𝚊𝚍 𝚋𝚎𝚎𝚗 𝚊𝚌𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚞𝚙 𝚕𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚕𝚢, 𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝙸 𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚊 𝚚𝚞𝚎𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗, 𝚠𝚑𝚢 𝚍𝚘 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚔 𝙰𝚕𝚢𝚊 𝚒𝚜 𝚜𝚘 𝚘𝚋𝚜𝚎𝚜𝚜𝚎𝚍 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚐𝚎𝚝𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝙼𝚊𝚛𝚌𝚎𝚕 𝚝𝚘 𝚖𝚎𝚎𝚝 𝙰𝚍𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚗 𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚏𝚒𝚌 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚠𝚑𝚢 𝚍𝚘 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚔 𝙰𝚕𝚢𝚊 𝚒𝚜 𝚜𝚘 𝚘𝚋𝚜𝚎𝚜𝚜𝚎𝚍 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚐𝚎𝚝𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝙼𝚊𝚛𝚒𝚗𝚎𝚝𝚝𝚎 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝙰𝚍𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚗 𝚝𝚘𝚐𝚎𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛, 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚍𝚘𝚗'𝚝 𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚊𝚗𝚜𝚠𝚎𝚛, 𝙸'𝚖 𝚓𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝚊𝚜𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚐.

Another Author Note - 𝙸 𝚓𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝚗𝚘𝚝𝚒𝚌𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚜𝚞𝚋𝚠𝚊𝚢 𝚜𝚌𝚎𝚗𝚎, 𝙼𝚊𝚛𝚒𝚗𝚎𝚝𝚝𝚎 𝚕𝚒𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚢 𝚓𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝚊𝚍𝚖𝚒𝚝𝚝𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚜𝚑𝚎 𝚠𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚏𝚘𝚕𝚕𝚘𝚠 𝚑𝚒𝚖 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚗 𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚗𝚎𝚡𝚝 𝚕𝚒𝚗𝚎 𝚜𝚑𝚎 𝚜𝚊𝚒𝚍 𝚜𝚑𝚎 𝚠𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍𝚗'𝚝 𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚕𝚔. 𝙻𝚒𝚔𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝'𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚜𝚊𝚖𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐, 𝚢𝚘𝚞'𝚛𝚎 𝚕𝚒𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚢 𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚕𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚙𝚘𝚘𝚛 𝚋𝚘𝚢 𝚠𝚑𝚘'𝚜 𝚞𝚗𝚊𝚠𝚊𝚛𝚎, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝙰𝚕𝚢𝚊 𝚒𝚜 𝚓𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚘𝚠𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚒𝚝, 𝚠𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚍𝚊 𝚜𝚑𝚒𝚝 𝚍𝚘 𝚠𝚛𝚒𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚔 𝚘𝚏?!

Also another author note - 𝙸'𝚕𝚕 𝚝𝚛𝚢 𝚝𝚘 𝚠𝚛𝚒𝚝𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚗𝚎𝚡𝚝 𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝙸 𝚓𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝚐𝚘𝚝 𝚜𝚒𝚌𝚔 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚊 𝚋𝚊𝚍 𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚊𝚌𝚑𝚎.

Chapter Text

Leaping over a roof, Red Beetle slid on another and vaulted over the last roof, he silently landed on top of his home and destransformed as soon he walked inside his room, with Tikki flying beside him. "That was a close save." Marcel mumbled, plopping on his chair.

"What you did for Alya today was very cool, Marcel!" Tikki exclaimed happily.

Marcel spun on his chair to face Tikki and shrugged, "You think? I would've done more, but-." Marcel was cut off when Sabine called his name from downstairs.

"Marcel! Alya's here!" Sabine announced downstairs, while Alya just waved it off.

"Don't worry, Ms. Dupain-Cheng, I'll just head up." Alya said walking towards the stairs.

Marcel raised an eyebrow looking at Tikki. "She didn't exactly wait very long to tell me the big news." Marcel mumbled before he heard his trap door squeak, letting him know that Alya was coming in. Marcel tuned to Tikki. "Hide Tikki." Marcel hurried, letting Tikki hid in his desk drawer that was filled with stuff for the kwamii whenever she needed to hide.

Alya burst through the trap door with excitement, "Marc! You will not believe what just happened to me!" Alya exclaimed, pulling Marcel up from his chair towards the balcony.

"So Red Beetle had just saved a bunch of workers from a Akuma! There were like a gazillion reporters waiting to interview him and...that's when it happened!" Alya rushed out while grabbing her phone out of her pocket, and showing Marcel the video.

Marcel pressed unpause on the phone and it played the video of himself bringing a child back to his mother. After he was done bringing the child to his parents, Red Beetle got bombard by reporters only for Red Beetle to ignore them all as Red Beetle walked up to Alya instead and greeted her. "Hey! Aren't you Alya, the girl who writes the blog about me, the beetle blog?" Red Beetle 'asked' watching Alya stammer.

"Uh....yeah!" Alya stammered out.

"It's awesome, keep it up!" Red Beetle praised before his miraculous beeped which Alya noticed and informed him.

"Your earrings!"

"Thanks." He muttered, walking off to grapple his yo-yo onto a roof, "Better get going, bug out!" He shouted from afar when he grappled himself away from the reporters.

The video paused itself and Marcel looked up from the phone and saw Alya beaming. "that was super..." Marcel hesitated to say.

"Cool, right? Red Beetle knows me! My blog! He thinks it's awesome! Awesome! Awesome!" Alya squealed loudly making both the pigeon and Marcel to wince.

"Yeah, that's...awesome." Marcel nodded with a small smile.

Alya opened the trapdoor to Marcel's room. "Lemme go grab my laptop!" Alya said, walking down the stairs.

Tikki flew when Alya left and Marcel hummed. "I think it made her a little too happy." He muttered, rubbing his ears from the discomfort that Alya's squealing made.

"Can I see the video?" Tikki asked, Marcel shrugged and nodded, he grabbed the phone out his pockets but somehow it slipped out his hands over the railing, but luckily his reflexes kicked in and he grabbed it before it fell on the sidewalk.

When he caught the phone, his fingers had brushed on the delete button and when he tried to play the video, he pressed the yes button to delete the video.

"Video deleted?" Tikki gasped.

Marcel groaned, "Damn it." He mumbled.

"At least you didn't drop it!" Tikki tried to reassure.

Marcel groaned, "That's not the point!"

"It's not the end of the world. I'm sure Alya will understand, she is your best friend!"

"I know, I just...hope she doesn't get angry at me for this." He mumbled before he jumped when Alya came through the trapdoor.

"Who are you talking to?" Alya asked, looking at Marcel with confusion.

Marcel quickly scanned the small area and noticed a pigeon by Alya, "To a pigeon!" Marcel lied, pointing at the pigeon near Alya. "Say hello to Alya, Jacques!" Marcel said with a small grin hoping the grin looked convincing.

Alya looked at Marcel with a hint of concern before she looked at the pigeon and waved at the pigeon. "Say 'bye bye' Jacques. And come down! You've got visitors!" Alya said, going back downstairs.

Marcel climbed down the stairs and spotted his mother, his classmate and her father in his room.

"What did you say the name of the play is, Monsieur. Haprèle?" His mother asked with a smile.

Monsieur. Haprèle opened his mouth. "Well, it's-." Before he got cut off by his daughter Mylène. "It's called 'The Mime's Extraordinary Adventures', starring the most talented, amazingly awesome actor and mime!" Mylène boasted proudly.

"Come on, now." Monsieur. Haprèle sheepishly chuckled as he Mylène proudly showed him off. "My father! Give it up for Fred Haprèle!"

Alya and Sabine applauded Fred while Marcel gave a small and quiet clap.

Fred bowed and smiled at Mylène. "Thank you very much, thank you, Mylène." Fred thanked them.

"Well, congratulations, you must make your daughter very proud!" Sabine said with smile with Alya and Marcel behind her.

Fred put an arm around his daughter as if to hug her. "Now all I need is my hat to complete my costume." Fred said, prompting Marcel to grab the completed hat off his desk.

Marcel gave the hat to Fred who grinned. "Thank you, Marcel, saving me at the last minute." Fred thanked before he started miming a box and mimed that he opened the box, with Marcel staring in slight fascination.

Fred put the hat on, and winked with a smile.

"Ha! I don't think Mylène was exaggerating at all!" Sabine said, clasping her hands.

"Why, thank you!"

"I fixed the tear in it. I also sewed the pocket on the inside, just like you asked."

"You've done a perfect job. Thanks to you, I'll have my good luck charm right here next to me at all times. A photo of my beloved daughter." Fred said, putting the photo in the pocket in the hat.

Mylène smiled and hugged her father. "Aw, dad." She mumbled against his jacket just as his phone rang.

Fred grabbed his phone and turned for privacy and greeted the person on the other side of the phone but was interrupted. "Hello, Sa-."

"Fred, where are you!" The women shouted, causing Fred to wince.

"I had to pick up my hat!" Fred said. The women on the other side shouted again causing Fred to wince again. "I need you here now!"

"It's not an excuse! I know the bus is leaving in less than a half hour, I'll be there!" Fred said, hanging up, he sighed and turned back to the people in the room. closes the call, "That was Sarah, the place director, she's very nervous about the premiere, she's ready to blow a fuse! So I better get going, see you tonight at the Eiffel Tower, everyone!" Fred said, waving goodbye as he left the room.

"We can't wait!" Alya said, as Mylène waved goodbye.

/MDC\

On the streets, two adults stood outside by a bus, one red headed and the orbiter with small hat. "So, what's his excuse this time?" The man with the small hat asked, annoyance written in his tone.

The red headed woman look at him over her shoulder. "He had to pick up his hat from a repair shop, at least that's what he said."

"Well, he's a very convincing actor."

"Actually, he is a great actor. But he's always making excuses for why he's late, why he's–."

The man interrupted the woman. "Falls asleep in the middle of rehearsal? Why he has to leave early? Why he's missing parts of his costume? Come on, Sarah! When are you gonna wake up and smell the coffee? But it's up to you if you wanna make the show suffer."

"Look, you're his understudy. Just be ready to take his place in case something happens, okay?"

"I won't let you down, Sarah." The man said, placing a hand on his chest with a smile.

"Thanks." Sarah said, walking away.

As Sarah walked away, the man started chuckling.

/MDC\

Back at Marcel's home, him and the girls were downstairs drinking tea. Mylène put the mug down. "Thanks, Marcel, but I gotta go, I wanna swing by my house to change before the show." Mylène said, grabbing her purse just as Alya's phone rang.

Alya perked up, "Hey, that's my ringtone!"

Marcel grabbed the phone, his finger accidentally pressing the red button as he held it up.

"Gimme!" Alya said, Marcel complied, handing Alya her phone.

Alya opened her phone and check the contacts. "That was my mom. I'll call her back later." Alya turned to Mylène, "Hey, Mylène, you wanna see the most amazerrific video?”

Marcel slightly panicked, but his voice didn't give him away. "Maybe you shouldn't Alya, she shouldn't be late for her dad's premiere remember?"

"Yeah, Marcel's right. I gotta get going." Mylène said, making Marcel sigh of relief only to groan silently at Alya's sentence.
"Okay, I'll walk out with you and show it to you on the way." Alya said, getting up and walking to the door, only to stop when Marcel grabbed her elbow. "Wait!" Marcel nearly shouted, Marcel lead Alya into the kitchen, leaving Mylène at the front door waiting confused on what was going on.

Marcel didn't want to be nice and all and decided to just rip it all off and be blunt. "I accidentally erased your Red Beetle video on your phone." Marcel bluntly said, watching Alya'a reaction, but all she did was shrug and say okay. "That's it? No scolding or whatever?" Marcel asked, confused on her delayed reaction.

Alya shook her head. "Chillax, Marc. If there's anyone on this earth who knows about your legendary clumsiness, it's me, your best friend!" Alya said with a laugh, "Besides, I uploaded the video on to my Beetleblog before I showed it to you." She added, causing Marcel to sigh in relief, "Oh, well thats good news." He mumbled.

Alya grinned, "I thank you for telling upfront and not being dishonest, I although I shouldn't be surprised."

Marcel shrugged the thanks off, "It's common sense to just be upfront about it and not lie." Marcel mumbled.

Alya nodded, "Was that all cause me walking Mylène and all." Alya said, pointing a thumb at the front door, Marcel nodded and let Alya leave.

"Bye." Marcel said, with furrowed eyebrows.

"Bye!" Both Alya and Mylène said, leaving out the door.

/MDC\

On the sidewalk, Fred was hurrying to board the bus, along the way, his phone was ringing and he picked it up. "Don't worry Sarah. I'm early. I'm just around the corner."

"No, this is Chris, Sarah asked me to call you with a last-minute location change. The bus is picking us up in 10 minutes, in front of the Louvre Pyramid." Chris said, looking at his fingernails.

"Really? That's on the other side of town!"

"Yes, but It's closer to the Eiffel Tower."

"Well, okay. Uh, luckily, I'll just make it on time. Thanks for letting me know, friend."

"Sure, we'll see you there!" Chris said, cackling when he hung up the phone.

Meanwhile, as Alya and Mylène walked off the end of the sidewalk, Alya pointed to the right, "I'm off this way."

"All right, see you later." Mylène said, about to walk off when Alya said something.

"I'll show you the video some other time, or you can check the Beetleblog." Alya said, waving at Mylène and walking home as Mylène waved goodbye.

/MDC\

Back to Marcel inside his room, Tikki was praising Marcel for telling Alya straight away and not lying to her.

"Most people wouldn't tell the truth! But you did, and I am very proud of that." Tikki said. Marcel shrugged, "As I said before, it's just common sense to do so, it's not like I would take her phone and tried to recreate the entire video and then accidentally dropping her phone in the trash and then making it smell after trying to recreate it multiple times." Marcel ranted, his imagination going wild.

Tikki looked at Marcel with concern, "That was very specific."

Marcel nodded, "It really was, wasn't it?" He mumbled, before he stood up. "Let's go on patrol Tikki, you never know when they'll be an Akuma."

"Tikki, spots on." Marcel said, a bright light covering his entire room.

/MDC\

"We have to get to the Eiffel Tower for dress rehearsal, If you wait any longer, you'll be jeopardizing the entire production." Chris said, standing in front of the bus waiting for Sarah to come inside.

Sarah sighed and nodded, and walked inside the bus as she spoke, "You're right, Chris, let's get going, you'll be taking Fred's place tonight."

"I definitely won't let you down." Chris said with a small smile, which the smile turned into a smirk after Sarah left to go sit on a seat.

/MDC\

In front of the Louvre, Fred looked around confused since he didn't see a bus anywhere. "Where are they?" Fred asked himself, before he ran over to a stranger that was holding a sign with his face as a mime. "Excuse me, have you seen a bus with the poster for The Mime's Extraordinary Adventures on it, have you?" Fred asked the stranger, unfortunately the stranger shook his head.

/MDC\

In the bus, with Sarah and Chris, Sarah's phone rang, causing her to look at it and notice that it was Fred.

Chris peeked over the seat after hearing the phone ring. "He's got some nerve, calling now? I wouldn't give him the time of day if I were you." Chris said with a frown, pointedly looking away.

As soon as Sarah picked up the phone, Chris sat back as Fred's voice came through the phone.

"Sarah, where are you?" Fred asked.

Sarah frowned, "We waited for you, but you never came."

"But I'm on time! In front of the pyramid." Fred protested.

"What are you talking about? Why would we be meeting there?"

"I don't know! I-I thought the meeting place had changed!" Fred nearly shouted, confusion in his tone.

"Fred, I don't want to hear any of your excuses." Sarah said, putting a stop to what Fred said.

"But, Chris said..." Fred began to say before he got interrupted.

"I don't care. It's not just this excuse, it's...every excuse." Sarah said, as Chris in the background hummed in agreement. "It's always an excuse, well, enough is enough, Chris will be the lead tonight at the premiere, at least I can count on him." Sarah said, making Fred gasp in shock as Chris smirked form behind the seat, as Sarah hanged up with an angry groan.

\MDC/

Inside Papillon's lair, his window opened up. "Hmm." Papillon hummed. "An actor who misses his own premiere. Now that's a tragedy." He held out his and a butterfly flew into his hand and covered it with corrupted energy. "Go, my akuma, let's hand this actor the role of a lifetime!" Papillon chuckled from his pun, the Akuma flying out the window.

/MDC\

At The Louvre, Red Beetle landed on top of a roof, at area where he met Alya.

Deciding to take a break from patrolling, he jumped down with a silent thud, as grey cat meowed from beside him.

Red Beetle looked down at the cat with a smile, he picked the cat up and started rubbing it head. 'Well it seems I found a break.' He thought as he continued petting the cat.

Meanwhile, Fred had sat down on a bench and was holding Mylène picture that was in his hat, upset from the sudden scolding he got from Sarah, as the Akuma fluttered in the background.

Fred sighed, "What did I do? You're going to be so disappointed at me, Mylène." Fred mumbled, just as the Akuma phased inside the picture of Mylène.

A hawk sigil appeared on Freds face, a sign that Papillon had a hold of his mind. "Mime, my name is Papillon, I'm giving you the power to make whatever you gesture come to life, destroy this premiere performance! You may be a mime, but they can't silence you! However, in return, you must bring me back Red Beetle's and Chat Noir's Miraculouses. So, shall we get on with the show?" Papillon asked with a smile.

Fred smirked as corrupted energy cocooned him into a Mime.

Mime put on his hat and looked up. When he saw the poster for the shows, he mimed a sword and cut them apart, after he finished cutting the posters, he mimed putting the sword away.

As civilians panicked, he mimed a baseball and waited for the police to get close and batted the police car away from him, catching Red Beetle attention who sighed and put the cat down, and Red Beetle threw his yo-yo to catch the car.

After he caught the car with yo-yo, the car fell down with a loud thud, and Beetle approached the car as the policeman fell out the car holding his stomach.

Red Beetle kneeled down by the fallen policeman and asked if he was okay, after he received a thumbs up, both him and the policeman looked at the Akuma though the policeman ran away holding his stomach.

Red Beetle squinted his eyes and looked closely at the Akuma's hat. 'It looks like Mylène's father's hat, Mr. Haprèle?' Red Beetle looked on confused, since he though that Mylène father was at his show. "Why can't I ever have a free day?" Red Beetle muttered annoyed on having another day taken from him. As he muttered, Mime had mimicked a bow an arrow, the mimed arrow hitting the the police car behind him.

Red Beetle dodged the mimed arrows that he couldn't see but could feel, luckily for him he could see dents on where the arrows hit their marks.

/RB\

On the streets in a car, Nathalie was talking with Adrien's father on the phone. "Yes, sir. Understood, sir, I'm.." Nathalie hesitated slightly as she glanced at Adrien. "Sure he'll understand, sir." Nathalie said before hanging up.

Adrien sighed as he looked away. My dad's flaking, isn't he? Let me guess, something came up?"

"Yes, but he has reserved the best seats in the house for you, Adrien, front row." Nathalie said. Adrien just sighed and looked away with a disappointed expression. 'You don't have to make excuses for him Nathalie.' Adrien thought,
"As usual, the best money can buy." He mumbled before Gorille made a gasping sound and stepped on the brakes causing everyone in the car to lurch forward as Red Beetle landed beside the car protecting them.

"Get out of the car and find a place to hide, I'll cover you." Red Beetle ordered glancing at group of three, looking back at Mime, he shot a mimed arrow at them, luckily it missed as Red Beetle proceeded to protect the three running away.

Adrien waited for the two adults to get ahead and ran down an alley to hide, Adrien looked back at Red Beetle only to see him blocking the Akuma's arrows. "We gotta transform now, Plagg." Adrien said, after he opened his jacket.

"I thought I was gonna be a spectator, not a performer, what about the show?" Plagg complained while asking.

"No time." Adrien said, before calling the magic words. "Plagg, claws out!"

/RB\

As Adrien's suit was forming on his body., the Mime was still shooting arrows at Red Beetle, but he was still blocking them, annoyed by the arrows, Red Beetle threw his yo-yo at Mimes hand, knocking the invisible bow out of his hand.

Indifferent by the attack, the Akuma mimed an invisible box, and kneeled down in front of it, grunting from the weight as he brought the unknown weapon to his shoulders

Red Beetle looked on confused as the Akuma seemed to be adjusting the unknown weapon, after he was down adjusting the unknown weapon, he shot it towards Red Beetle whose eyes widen when he heard the boom from the weapon.

Red Beetle dived to the side as the car behind him exploded from the rocket? Red Beetle looked at the Akuma with a blank face. "You just tried to kill me!" Red Beetle shouted at the unconcerned Akuma, who was now miming a whip and threw the whip at Red Beetle whose arms were now at his sides.

Red Beetle wiggled his arms to get free from the whip as a hawk sigil glowed on The Mimes face, signifying that Papillon was talking to him. "Grab his Miraculous, the earrings! Now!" He ordered.

The Mime headed the order and started to pull Red Beetle towards him who was using his feet to stop, though he leaned down to the floor as Mime was reaching for his miraculous.

Still trying to grab the miraculous, Chat extended his staff at the Akuma who was now pushed away.

"Keep those hands to yourself, clown!" Chat taunted, before he turned to his partner and smiled. "It's okay, I've got this." Chat said before he started rushing towards the Akuma who raised an eyebrow, but instead of just standing there, the Akuma mimed a cell.

RB shook his head with a smirk. "My pleasure, Chat Noir." RB said, putting a hand on his waist.

Just as Chat was about to reach the Akuma, he hit an invisible door and rolled onto his back with a groan. The Akuma knocked on the cell, the invisible object making a metal noise. RB ran towards the Akuma who just locked the cell.

Chat stood up from the ground and started pulling the bars like RB was. "Apparently, not seeing is believing." Red Beetle mumbled sarcastically. The Akuma took his hat off and bowed, and walked away.

"We can't let him go like that!" Chat grumbled and started stomping away from the cell.

Red Beetle raised his eyebrows at Chat but his attention was turned to the Akuma as a car sounded, RB nearly fell to the ground as soon as a new object was mimed and watched the Akuma get into an invisible car.

Hearing a grunt, RB turned to watch as Chat charged up and tried to ram the invisible door but instead only fell to the ground. "There, I did it." Chat cheerfully said.

Red Beetle groaned, "I wish you did, while you were busy walking away, he started miming a car, and the bars disappeared." Red Beetle finished, throwing his yo-yo and slinging himself away to find the Akuma.

"Hey! Wait!" Chat scrambled up to follow his partner.

/RB\

Above the streets Red Beetle was swinging towards the Akuma while Chat was jumping on building to buildings, looking for the Akuma, both saw the floating Akuma zooming by, and dropped down. Landing on his invisible car.

Feeling a thump, the Akuma looked up and saw Red Beetle and his partner. "Nice ride, but if I were you, I would have at least made it a convertible." Chat said with a smile as he shrugged.

The Akuma only accelerated the car, causing both the masked hero's to hold onto the car. Red Beetle noticed a bus with Mylène's father poster with his face. "He's one of the actors from the theater troupe, and he's after that bus!" Red Beetle informed Chat while Mime looked angry and turned to the left and jumped out the car, rolling to the ground. "Where is he going?" RB mumbled to himself before he jumped inside the moving invisible vehicle.

"We gotta stop this thing!"

"Slam down on the brake!"

"What brake!?" Red Beetle shouted hysterically before seeing and woman and her child crossing the street and trusted his instincts and stepped on the brakes while turning the car to the left,

"Not bad, for driving an invisible car, Course, they'll never believe us if we tell them we just saved their lives." Chat said, as civilians started to surround the masked hero's.

Red Beetle looked to side to see the Akuma miming a helmet and another vehicle and watched as he drove off.

Both the masked hero's groaned when they hit the ground.

"We gotta catch up with the bus before he does!"

"Good thing you have a friend in high places, hold on!" Chat said with a smug smile, using his staff to elevate himself and RB up to the sky.

"I could have done this on my own."

"But we're the cat-and-bug team, remember?"

"Yeah whatever, now drop us off over there." Red Beetle said, pointing

"Get ready." Chat leaned forward causing his staff to lean his way. The both fell before grunting when they landed on top for the bus, causing the people inside the gasp. "Where could the akumatimzed object be?"

"Inside his hat."

"How'd you know that?"

"I have hidden talents." Red Beetle smirked, before he dropped it when he heard a engine accelerating.

RB threw his yo-yo onto to lamppost, making a net to stop Mime, but unfortunately, Mime dived between a hole from the makeshift net, and landed on a car and started leaping towards them.

The Mime landed behind them and mimed a sword the sound making a clinking sound. "Distract him." Red Beetle ordered.

Chat nodded. "Gotcha." Chat leaped off the bus making a cat noise, distracting him a Chat jumped on cars and landed back on the bus and tried to strike the Akuma but The Mime blocked it with his sword.

Now distracted, Red Beetle quickly ran to the Akuma and grabbed his hat only The Mime pushed it back onto his head, The Mime tried to his RB only for the mask hero to block it with his spinning yo-yo, behind The Mime, Chat smacked his staff against The Mimes feet causing him to trip, though the Akuma grabbed onto the roof of the bus.

The Mime slammed on a bus window, causing Chris, who sitting next to the window to gasp.

"Fred?" Chris mumbled, confused and terrified.

A hawk sigil glowed on The Mimes face signifying that once again, Papillon was talking to him. "The Miraculous, grab his earring!" The Mime reached up and grabbed RB's arm, startling him enough to make him trip, making Chat grabbed RB's legs.

Red Beetle looked back at Chat, "His hat! Grab his hat!" He shouted,

Chat eyes widen, "Look out!" He warned, causing Red Beetle to look up and roll to the side, dodging at hit that dented the bus.

The Mime fell onto a car who hit the brakes, but continued driving, The Mime mimicked a chainsaw and cut through the roof of the car, terrifying the civilian who started whimpering.

The Mime landed in the car and pointed straight at the bus, making it know to the civilian to catch up at the bus, the civilian whimpered but did so.

"We got to get the passengers to safety!"

"Can I lend a helping paw?"

"Yeah, cover me!"

"Hurry up, RB!"

Red Beetle knocked on the bus door, causing the bus driver to open the door, letting Red Beetle to enter the bus. "Stop the bus!" RB ordered as Sarah came over.

"Red Beetle, what's happening?" She asked, RB sighed, "One of your actors has been akumatized, and for some reason, he's seemed to heading in for your troupe."

"Fred?"

Meanwhile, the Mime was catching up to the bus, and stood on the passenger seat, mimicking a bow and arrow, shooting arrows at Chat Noir, but he blocked them with his staff, unfortunately, one of the arrows landed a hit on the wheel of the bus, making it out of control.

The bus driver tried to stop it by turning left, but only seemed to put more people in danger, thankfully, Chat stopped the bus in time, by extending his staff and throwing it in front of the bus as the staff extended to hit two lamppost near each other, though doing so caused Chat to get thrown off the bus.

Inside the bus, everyone had been either lurched forward or was on the floors except for Red Beetle who had a grip on a railing to keep himself upright. "Stay inside and don't panic, we'll get this under control." Red Beetle reassured.

Chris desperate to stay alive, started to talk. "Red Beetle, I know why he's after us. I took his role from him. But he can perform instead of me! I don't care anymore! Please, just keep us all safe." Chris said, alarming Sarah who turned to him.

"What do you mean you took his role from him? He lost it!" Sarah demanded to know, confused on what Fred was saying.

Chris peeked over a seat. "Not exactly. There's something I have to tell you."

Meanwhile, the Mime had reached the bus and found Chat Noir, he leaped off the bus jumped up for strike him, Chat flipping out he way, as Red Beetle ran out he bus, He and Chat started fighting, with Chat dodging and blocking the hits as The Mime was relentless with the hits, Chat punched The Mime in the face, throwing him back slightly, The Mime threw a strike over Chat's head as he had leaned down while Red Beetle was running towards the two.

The Mime had enough and slammed Chat onto the ground while Red Beetle reached them and has to stop otherwise he would've been stabbed in the stomach from the mimed sword.

A hawk sigil glowed on The Mime face, "His Miraculous is within your reach! I want his ring!" The Mime reached down with one hand and pulled his sword away to grab the ring from Chats hand.

As The Mime was about to take the ring from Chat, Red Beetle's yo-yo was grappled on his arm, stopping him from taking the ring.

The Mime let himself get pulled by RB and tried to slice Red Beetle, only for RB to dodge backwards, mimicking a bomb, he threw it at Red Beetle and Chat, causing them to land on their back.

Both sat up with a pained groan. "He sure brings a whole new meaning to silent but deadly." Chat punned, after he caught his breath.

Red Beetle groaned, and called for his lucky charm, a shoebox in his hand.

"A shoebox? Great. There better be some explosive boots in there or something."

As The Mime and Chat rushed at each other, RB looked around for objects to use in the fight. 'It's quite obvious on what we need to do.' Red Beelte mused. "We have to make him furious enough to lose control!" Red Beetle shouted.

Chat kicked The Mime away from to take a breather. "You don't think he's angry enough?" Chat asked.

Red Beetle cut up a hole inside the shoe box. "Chat, you're good at annoying people, do your thing!" He said, running towards the bus.

"Hey!...That is true." Chat smirked, rushing back at The Mime.

Red Beetle grabbed Sarah's glasses. "Gotta borrow these." He threw over his shoulder, grabbed a Mime poster. "A watch, a magnifying glass, some light..." Red Beetle walked over to the bus light and used it as a projector. "Voila! A homemade projector, hey, Mime! Nice poster, don't you think?" Red Beetle taunted with a smirk, halting the fight between Chat and The Mime.

The Mime looked up at the Eiffel Tower with Anger.

Angry of the poser, The Mime jumped high in the sky, mimicking a sword, he slashed the Eiffel Tower into pieces, now realizing what he had done, The Mime backed up and mimed a shield to stop it.

Red Beetle sighed in relief. 'A risky choice I made.' "Remember, he can only mime one thing at a time."

"So he's cornered. Good thinking, RB." Chat praised as he extended his staff to grab The Mimes hat. "Yoink!" The Mime groaned, straining to hold the fallen Eiffel Tower.

Chat handed Red Beetle the hat who took it and ripped the photo in the hat in half while Chat looked at the hat in confusion.

Akuma now released, Red Beetle opened his yo-yo and threw the yo-yo at the akuma. "No more corruption from you, akuma, time to uncorrupt." Catching the akuma, he purified it and released it into the sky. "Bye butterfly, Miraculous Ladybug!" Throwing the lucky charm into the air, the energy returned everything to it's natural states, with the corruptive energy leaving Fred body.

"What happened? How did I...get here?" Fred mumbled, and looked up when Chat and Red Beetle fist bumped. "Pound it!"

Sarah walked over to friend and leaned down. "I'm sorry I didn't believe you, Fred." Sarah apologized, with Chris behind her

"I'm sorry too, I was so desperate to perform that I lied to you about where we were meeting up." Chris mumbled, with Sarah and Fred getting up, Sarah looked disappointed in Chris while Fred seemed to forgive him. "Yes, we'll be talking about that." Sarah said, making Chris lower his head in shame.

Red Beetle's miraculous beeped, letting him know that he needed to leave. "Better get going."

"Such a shame, I could have been your platonic date in the play tonight."

"Thanks, but I have other plans." Red Beetle mumbled, swinging away.

\RB/

"The show's not over yet, Red Beetle. You just wait. There's still a last act to come when you least expect it."

/MDC\

At the Eiffel Tower, The Mime show was about to start, Marcel took his seat beside Alya and sat down.

Marcel looked up when he heard Adrien,
"Hey, you're here too, cool, thought I was gonna end up sitting by myself." Adrien said, as he sat down beside Marcel, Marcel nodded and looked at the show as it was now starting.

/MDC\

After the show, Marcel was walking besides Alya. "So, I kinda got a surprise for you." Marcel said with a smile.

Surprised, Alya smiled and shook her head. "You know I love surprises."

"Okay, you see that theater over there? There's something inside for you, on the stage." Marcel said, pointing at the theater ahead of them.

/RB\

Inside the theater, Alya walked in.

Getting ready, Red Beetle deepened his voice slightly. "Hello! Alya, right?" Red Beetle asked with a smile as Alya gasped.

"Last time I saw you, I was in a hurry, but I've got a bit more time now if you want to interview me for your Beetleblog."

"Seriously? Do I? Do I?!" Alya exclaimed as she ran up the stairs with excitement.

Red Beetle sat down and raised a leg over his knee. "Have a seat."

Alya sat down. 'You don't know me, but FYI, this is like the biggest moment of my life!" Alya exclaimed again as she grabbed her phone and started recording.

Red Beetle chuckled with a smile.

/MDC\

Outside the theater, Marcel ran down the streets and slid in front of the theater, waiting for Alya.

Tikki flew out of Marcel's bag. "Alya's lucky to have you as a friend too, you know!"

Tikki flew bag into the bag when Alya exited the theater, a huge smile on her face, as she walked towards Marcel.

"Well?"

"Only after I put it on my blog! There's no way I'm gonna lose this video!" Alya said with a laugh, Marcel looked offended but he started laughing too.

A/N; Sorry I haven't updated the past months, I somehow got more ideas for Fics to write, and had four exams to do, found two tumors in me, but luckily they're not cancerous, but I do have surgery soon, but I've been extremely busy to the point I've only had time to make some adjustments and edit the books I have been looking to update. (I've always wondered why Marinette didn't just tell Alya straight away, but then I remember she didn't have much friends because they were afraid of being bullied if they were to befriend Marinette.)

Chapter Text

At Le Grand Paris, music could be heard playing in a building, and inside the building, it was Jagged Stone performing a song on his guitar for Bob Roth and Penny.

Sliding across the floor, Jagged struck a pose. "My Miraculous!" Jagged sang, hitting the last note on his guitar as Bob crossed his arms while Penny clapped

Jagged stood up and handed his guitar to Penny and turned to Bob. "So, what do you think of the first single of my next album? Can you feel it, Bob? Isn't it killer?" Jagged asked, putting a hand on Bob's shoulder.

"Not bad, Jagged, not bad. But if you want to be making something killer, let's talk about this duet with Mr. XY," Bob said, showcasing XY's album.

Jagged frowned. "No way. He's not a rocker, he's a baby! I bet he doesn't even shave yet."

"Well, this 'baby' just pushed you out of the number one sales spot."

"And? Doesn't make him a true musician like me, Penny thinks everything I'm doing's rock star material, Penny thinks I'm killer."

"Penny might be your agent, but I'm your real boss. Listen." Bob said, making Jagged glare at him with a frown. "Bottom line is that Bob Roth Records cannot afford to be number two in sales, or rep a number two rock star. Get real, Jagged! you're going to have to modernize your music and change the way you look. Get a whole new style!" Bob said, turning his back to Jagged and Penny.

"You want to talk about real? I'm a genuine rock 'n' roller, Bob, not some pop star in diapers. I'm a real artist. Real talent! Even my hair is real. And that's what people love about me." Jagged said, turning to Fang. "Isn't that right, Fang? Yeah."

Jagged turned back to Bob. "And the artwork you came up with for my album is a waste of my time! Seriously, Bob, what is this trash? It looks like a perfume ad!"

Bob walked up to Jagged, pointing a finger at his chest, "And that's what people want these days!"

"Well, I don't. My album covers are raw to the bone, exuding the smell of sweat and leather!"

"You do know, don't you, that if your next album doesn't rate #1 on the charts, it'll be the last one you ever do with Bob Roth records."

"I'd rather put out nothing at all than sing some pathetic duet with a baby-faced nobody."

Penny put a hand on Bob's arm. "Bob, Jagged, and I had an idea. Its concept is modern, but it also respects Jagged's own...rugged style."

Jagged took off the glasses and showed them to Bob, "The schoolboy who made these glasses has some real talent. He gets my style. He's going to design the cover of my new album." Jagged said with a grin.

"A schoolboy?" Bob murmured confusedly as Penny pointed at Bob.

"See? That's just it. He's the same age as the target audience." Penny grabbed a piece of paper and held it out to Bob. "Here's his address."

Bob crossed his arms and groaned making Fang growl at him, causing Bob to jump and grab the paper, and head towards the door. "Okay! But just think about that duet with Mr. XY."

"Find that boy, Bob!" Jagged shouted after him.

MDC

A the Tom & Sabine Boulangerie Patisserie. Bob was speaking with Marcel in front of his parents.

"So, are you interested?" Bob asked.

"Uh...wait, wait, wait. Let me get this straight. You want me to design the album cover for Jagged Stone?"

"That's right! Requested by Jagged Stone himself." Bob said, pulling out an XY album. "I brought a few visuals so you can get a sense of what we're going for."

Marcel grabbed the album design and furrowed his brows, "This doesn't seem like Jagged Stone material. More like a perfume ad." Marcel said slowly, looking at Bob while in the background, his father placed a tray on a counter and his mother was watching both Marcel and Bob.

Bob leaned in Marcel's face who leaned back with a subtle look of cringe when Bob placed a hand on his shoulder. "This is the direction of his new image. More modern, current!"

Marcel raised a skeptical eyebrow at him. "...Really? I was thinking more along the lines of–."

Bob interrupted Marcel stopping what he was going to say. "Don't think! This is what is selling these days."

"....Sure," Marcel said hesitantly, as his parents watched.

"And one last thing, Marcel. We're in a hurry! We need your proposal by the end of the day. You up to it?"

Marcel looked at his parents, who nodded reassuringly, and turned back to Bob with a shrug. "Yeah, okay."

Bob walked towards the door and left. "See you later, then!"

Tom smiled at Marcel, My son, famous album cover designer, you're going to kill it! Marcel style. Boo-yah!" Tom said as he and Marcel high-fived, bringing him and Sabine in a hug.

MDC

Upstairs in his room, Marcel was drawing Jagged's album cover on her tablet while listening to XY's music, as Tikki watched.

Marcel groaned and covered his ears and stopped the music, "Why would Jagged Stone want to change his style? XY's music is so cold and lifeless, mundane, and annoying, the total opposite of Jagged's, and what I'm doing here is not my style either."

"So why are you doing it, then?"

"Because that's what I was asked to do."

"Maybe you should follow your gut feeling," Tikki said.

Marcel looked away with a glare that formed on his face. "I would, but we both heard what Mr. Roth said, this is apparently what's selling these days," Marcel said with a scoff

"Yeah, but Jagged Stone wanted you because of your style!"

Marcel sighed, annoyed at Bob Roth's order, knowing that this wasn't what Jagged wanted.

Tikki giggled, thinking that Marcel was pressured, "Marcel, superhero of France, fighter of all the rights, can't deal with the pressure?"

Marcel grunted and went back to finishing the album as well as unfortunately continuing XY's music.

MDC

At the Le Grand Paris, Marcel had handed Jagged's Album to him with Jagged looking at it with disgust and holding it by the corner.

Jagged looked at the design and back at Marcel. "What happened to the raw, impulsive artistry that made this?" Jagged asked, dropping the album in disappointment.

Marcel scratched his head, "About that, Mr. Roth told me-."

Bob interrupted Marcel who glared at him. "Marcel's young, Jag! He represents our target audience. He's come up with a modern concept that's exactly what you need."

Jagged crossed his arms unconvinced that Marcel did it because he wanted to. "Doesn't it look a lot like the cover of that YZ guy? Marcel, don't listen to Bob. Could you do another one? You know, Jagged style?"

"Yeah, sure." Marcel nodded and cringed when Bob placed his on Marcel's shoulder with Bob glaring at Jagged.

"You're my guy, Marcel. Remember raw, impulsive artistry. I think we're all done here, Bob."

Bob put his shoulder around Marcel who leaned away from him with a look of promise that he might punch him. "No! We are not!" Fang growled, making Bob jump back and let go of Marcel in the process, scared of the reptile.

Penny grabbed Marcel's shoulder, leading him away, "Come with me, Marcel. Don't worry! Just do your best, okay?"

"We aren't–." Bob tried to protest but Fang snarled at him much to his chagrin.

MDC

Still in Le Grand Paris, On his tablet, Jagged was watching Nadja Chamack in her interview with XY.

In the interview, XY was talking to Nadja."Why am I number one? Simple. It's not about music, it's about technology. This computer is programmed to produce music and lyrics people will like. It's guaranteed success." XY said, taking a sip of his drink.

Jagged put his hand on his face, grumbling in annoyance, and glared at the tablet.

In the interview, "You knocked Jagged Stone off the #1 spot. What do you think of him?" Nadja asked.

XY threw his drink aside, "Bleah! Jagged Stone, the hero of rock 'n' roll? Try 'Ragged Stone' That guy's old school, a has-been. His guitar solo is so ten minutes ago."

Jagged hands shook with rage as he spoke. "Me? Old-school? A has-been?!"

"He's had his career, but it's over now. He'll never be number one, not while XY is here."

Jagged spoke, furious with the way he was speaking about him. "Why, you little perfume ad!"

"My music is killer."

Jagged groaned, frustrated, "He's stealing my catchphrases!"

"Tonight, Mr. XY will be giving a very special one-time concert from the top of the Eiffel Tower, to celebrate his album's success, and thank his awesome fans," Nadja said, the screen showing a crowd of XY's fans screaming as XY stood with his bodyguard in the back.

"Hey Ragged, if you wanna know what today's music sounds like, come to my concert." Jagged clawed the tablet in fury. "I'll reserve you a front-row seat, old man, you know—in case your hearing's going."

Infuriated, Jagged shook with table with unbridled rage. "He can't talk about me like that! This guy's an insult to rock and me!" Jagged broke the glass on his tablet in fury, destroying it, he tossed it to Fang who chewed it whole before going back to sleep, picking up his guitar, Jagged began to angrily play his guitar.

MDC

Inside Papillon's lair, where he sensed Jagged Stone's frustration.

As his window opened, he monologued, "I feel a disharmonious soul, an angry discord, ideal prey for my corruptive Akuma. A butterfly flew into his awaiting hand, turning the butterfly into an Akuma, and send it out. "Go find that Jagged Stone, and rock his world!"

MDC

Back at the Le Grand Paris, Jagged was still playing his guitar with anger, with the Akuma flew into the hotel, Fang spotted and tried to eat but it phased through the reptile and melted inside Jagged's guitar.

Jagged's eyes face turned red with a purple sigil around his face. "Guitar Villain, I am Papillon, I'm giving you and your vicious crocodile the power to show the whole world that you are the number one rocker! Just make sure you get me Red Beetle and Chat Noir's Miraculous in return."

Jagged grinned, "Yeah! Let's rock!" He growled, as energy formed around him and his reptile's body.

MDC

Marcel was walking outside while observing the cover of XY's album.

Hey Marcel!" Adrien called out, when Marcel didn't look up, Adrien tried again. "Hey, hi!"

Marcel looked to his left and saw Adrien and greeted him back. "Hey, "what's going on?"

"Well, uh..."

Chloé ran out the hotel doors, and pushed Marcel aside, only he didn't budge and hugged Adrien, "Hi, Adrikins! There you are, amazing has got a surprise for you! She knows you're a fan of Jagged Stones.

"Uh, I am," Adrien said, confused about Chloé speaking in the third person.

"So, you get a private meeting with your favorite star. He's staying right here in Daddy's hotel! Is Chloé the best, or is Chloé the best?" Chloé bragged, grabbing Adrien's arm and bringing him inside the hotel.

Marcel turned to Tikki with annoyance, "Did you hear that?"

Tikki looked back at Marcel with the same annoyed look, "Chloé speaking in the third person? Annoying!"

Marcel grunted in agreement and walked to his right, heading home, signaling Tikki to get back inside the bag.

MDC

Inside Le Grand Paris, Chloé and Adrien were waiting for the elevator, "You and I both like the same kind of music. Isn't that awesome?"

"I...thought you liked Mr. XY."

"Of course I do! Don't you?"

"Not really, no."

"Uh... well, neither do I. See? We have the same great taste!"

Off to the side, Bob was having an interview about his plan for Jagged Stone and XY.

"A duet with Mr. XY would show everyone that Jagged Stone-." Bob was interrupted by a roar from Fang, who is revealed to have been transformed into a dragon)

"From now on, you can call him Guitar Villain. He'll never do a duet with Mr. XY! Soon, there won't even be a Mr. XY! Rockin' Riff, baby!" Guitar Villain said, firing purple energy from his guitar at Bob and the interviewer, causing them to start dancing, "Soon, there'll be nothing but Guitar Villain fans, the one and only rocker on Earth."

Papillon spoke from his lair, "Such symphony to my ears. It won't be long before Red Beetle and Chat Noir show up to meet their doom."

"Hurry, Adrien, get me out of here!" Chloé said, just as the elevator dinged, so Adrien picked Chloé up by the shoulders and put her inside the elevator with the door closing, Adrien quickly hid behind a convenient giant flowerpot.

Guitar Villain and reptile turned Dragon and headed towards the door, leaving. "Yeah! Guitar Villain! Wooh!"

As soon as the two left, Adrien called out the magic words, "Plagg, claws out!"
Adrien shouted as a green light formed around his body.

MDC

Outside Fang flew out of the hotel, past the doorman and Guitar Villain grinned at the chaos his dragon caused.

"Rockin' Riff, baby!" Guitar Villain shot the doorman with purple energy, causing him to start dancing and proceeds to do the same with several cars, pigeons, and people, including Xavier Ramier.

"Rockin' Riff, baby!"

"Standing on Fontaine du Palmier, Chat crossed his arms. "Hey, Jagged! C'mon! Why don't you try to rock my world?"

"The name's Guitar Villain, pussycat. Awesome Solo!"

Guitar Villain fired off orange energy at Cat Noir, who jumped off the fountain as the energy knocked it down, as Jagged shot off more energy, Chat Noir dodged them, with Fang showering him with flame, causing Chat to scramble away though Fang showered him with fire again, Jagged shot off the energy, with Chat slamming into a building him.

"Awesome Solo!" Guitar Villain shouted, spamming his guitar over and over again, slamming him to the wall several times.

"Welcome to my fan club, baby!"

Hearing a giant thud and seeing a purple dragon, "You saw that right?" Marcel asked as Tikki flew out of the bag.

"If you see a dragon, then yes I do."

Marcel sighed, he was hoping it was a figment of his imagination, "One day, one day I won't have to fight Akumas." Marcel grumbled running towards an alley.

Tikki, spots on." Marcel said bright pink light cover his body.

Chat Noir was hit by a car thrown by one of Guitar Villain's blasts and slammed into a pole, and Fang tried to shower him in flames with Red Beetle fanning the flame away with his yo-yo him.

"You okay?"

"Good to see you, RB." Chat groaned, knowing his back was gonna be sore tomorrow.

Fang was circling overhead, preparing to attack again.

Red Beetle grappled Chat's ankle and threw him at Fang, with Chat extending his baton in Fang's mouth, pinning it open.

Fang closed his mouth and the stick popped out of his mouth, clutching to a wall, Chat launched off the wall and caught his baton, but unfortunately for him, he slammed into a traffic light with a groan.

Red Beetle jogged towards Chat with muffled laughing, finding the way Chat slammed into the traffic light hilarious.

Standing on Fang's back, GVillain shouted at them. "You're wasting my time. I've got a concert to get to!" He said, flying off.

"Come on, we gotta follow them." Red Beetle, jumping onto a roof with Chat.

"His power comes from playing his guitar. We've got to keep him from performing."

"Well, I won't let you do this solo." Chat said, rubbing his face, feeling the slam from the traffic light.

RB

At the Eiffel Tower, Guitar Villain jumped off Fang and landed on a railing while walking toward XY who was practicing for his concert.

"You're an insult to the music world, XY!" Guitar Villian landed in front of XY and punch XY, only to find out that it was a hologram.

"A hologram?!" Guitar Villain looked over to see Théo as the actual person playing the music, Théo whimpered and tried to hide, but Guitar Villain grabs him and held him up by the wrist.

"Where's the real XY?"

"He's not here yet! The concert's not until tonight! I-I'm just setting up the special effects, dude!"

Guitar Villain threw him onto the floor "Awesome Solo!" Guitar Villain shouted, orange energy destroying the equipment, GVillain turned back to Théo rage in his tone. "Where's Mr. XY? Answer me!"

"On TV! He's at the TV station!" Théo squeaked out, scrambling backward, as Chat and Red Beetle silently landed behind Théo.

"Rockin' Riff, baby!" Guitar Villain tried to shoot Théo with purple energy, but Red Beetle grappled Théo away at the last minute.

"You again?! To the TV studios, Fang!" Guitar Villain said, jumping off the tower and landing on Fang, with the dragon flying towards the TV station.

Both Red Beetle and Chat jumped on the railing, looking at the flying dragon that was heading towards the station.

"He's gonna get there before us."

Red Beetle pulled out his yo-yo. "And we better make sure he doesn't find whatever he's looking for."

XY

At the TVi studio, inside the shooting studio, XY was being interviewed by Alec Cataldi when Nadja Chamack got a call from Red Beetle. "KidZ+ TV. How may I help you?"

The cameraman rushed over to give Alec a warning, making Alec stand up. "Mr. XY...um, we have to leave the studio immediately!" Alec said, ushering him out of the chair.

"What the hell man?" XY said, annoyed and unbothered by whatever was going on.

Alec leaned towards XY to whisper to him. "We just got a call from Red Beetle. You're not safe here." Signaling to the cameraman. "Hit the credits!"

RB

Inside the TVi studio lobby, GVillain stepped inside the studio, the screen behind the receptionist was showing the recording room with the credits rolling.

Guitar Villain leaned towards the frightened receptionist, "Where's that studio?!"

"On the third floor!" The receptionist squeaked as she ducked down in fear.

Guitar Villain grunted and walked towards the elevator and rode it to the third floor, he kicked the door open and growled when he didn't see anyone there.

"Awesome solo!" Guitar Villain shouted, shooting orange energy to destroy the set.

MDC

Outside the TVi studio entrance, Alec was escorting XY out of the studio. "Everything's gonna be fine. I'm sure it's just a precaution." Alec reassured as Red Beetle and Chat landed in front of them.

Red Beetle walked over to XY and grabbed him by the elbow. "We need to get you out of here." Red Beetle said, as XY shrugged off Red Beetle's hand and put them in his front pocket.

"So what is this Guitar Villain going to do? Blow me away with his evil guitar solo?" XY said sarcastically, wiggling his fingers.

"What else do you think, he's just gonna let you go free?" Red Beetle mumbled sarcastically to himself.

"Once we catch Guitar Villain, we'll get you to the Eiffel Tower, just in time for your live performance."

XY scoffed, "Who even cares? My roadies can just project my image on stage. Live concerts are so ten minutes ago-." XY suddenly snatched up in Fang's mouth, with Guitar Villain chuckling gleefully as Fang flew towards the Eiffel Tower.

RB

At the Eiffel Tower. Fang puts XY down with the latter cowers in fear,

"Good job, Fang!" Guitar Villain praised the dragon and turned to XY, "I found you at last, XY! Ready for the show?"

"Dude, are you Ragged Stone?"

"Was Jagged Stone. Now I'm Guitar Villain! Ha ha, don't worry, you're not gonna become one of my fans. You don't deserve it. I've got something special in store for you. Something with a little rock 'n' roll!" Guitar Villain, grabbing XY with XY loudly protesting

RB

In another area, on a Parisian rooftop, Red Beetle pulled himself on top of a roof with Chat jumping beside him.

"Back to square one."

"I get the feeling well in for quite a concert, you ready?"

"To rockin' riff, baby!" Chat shouted, as he and Red Beetle jumped on the roof another and ran across the roof towards the Eiffel Tower.

RB

The Eiffel Tower at night, Fang circled the Eiffel Tower while Guitar Villain was playing his guitar.

Below the tower, Red Beetle and Chat Noir were climbing up the tower while all the brainwashed civilians were all cheering in the crowd.

"Hello, Paris!" Guitar Villain greeted with a shout as he leaped down on a plank to reveal that he had XY tied up and was walking towards him with XY walking backward. "You said your music is the only killer music around? Is that right?"

"I-I d-didn't mean it! Listen, Mr., um, Guitar, w-we can um do the duet your style!" XY stuttered around his words as he reached the end of the plank, XY looked down and screamed.

Guitar Villain was riding on Fang's head, he appeared behind XY and touched the plank, making XY quiver and whimper as Guitar Villain did a malicious laugh.

"Too late!" Guitar Villain leaped on the plank right in front of him, "I'm going to show you what killer music sounds like!"

XY continued to whimper, "ULTIMATE SOLO!" Guitar Villain shouted as he summoned green sound-waves, causing everything around him to shake

Scared that he was going to fall, XY began to plead, "Stop it! Please!" As the plank started to bounce on the end of the plank as a result of the sound waves.

Below, the crowd all fell to the ground by the shake while Red Beetle and Chat Noir immediately held onto the tower from the sound wave.

Red Beetle looked up from where he was and groaned. "XY's going to fall!"

"Talk about being between a rock and a hard place!"

Chat Noir held onto Red Beetle as he uses his yo-yo as a grappling hook to pull themselves up with noticing, they both gasped when Fang arrived and snapped the string, causing both of them to fall. "Of course that what's you do!" Red Beetle angrily shouted as Chat Noir used his staff to prevent his fall, while Red Beetle continued to fall with him using his yo-yo to grapple onto Fang's mouth when he flew back around him, carrying himself behind the dragon.

Red Beetle pulled himself on top of Fang's head, "Easy, nice, dragon." Red Beetle mumbled as Fang shook his head, "Enough, already, we have a stuck cat to rescue!"

Fang flew in the direction of the black cat while Chat pressed the button the shorten the baton and land on the dragon.

Fang circled the Eiffel Tower,
Chat Noir chuckled, "Wow! The bug mastered the dragon!"

Red Beetle made Fang fly toward Guitar Villain and XY.

"So how did you like the concert? You still think your music is the only killer music out there?"

"No! Please, don't!" XY looked down when he heard cracks and whimpered when he saw it forming around it.

"Awesome Solo!-."

"Not happening!" Red Beetle shouted, interrupting Guitar Villain from finishing his phrase.

Looked up to see Fang charging toward him, "My dragon!" He shouted, leaping out of the way.

"Red Beetle, Chat Noir, hurry!" XY pleaded, terrified that he wasn't going to make it.

Red Beetle turned Fang around, raising an eyebrow at XY, "Where's that bravado he had?" Red Beetle mumbled.

"Nice job."

Guitar Villain stood up with a laugh, "You're too late! Nothing can stop Guitar Villain! Rockin' Riff, baby!" He said, firing purple energy toward the duo,

Red Beetle forced Fang to dodge the purple energy, and turned to Chat "The Akuma's in his guitar!"

"How do we get to that?"

"Let's go backstage."

Red Beetle continued to make Fang dodge the purple energy before making him go under the top platform of the Eiffel Tower.)

Guitar Villain looked down, confused about where they went. "Where did they go?"

Underneath, the duo climbed back up, while Fang was stuck in the Eiffel Tower.

Guitar Villain leaped in front of XY on the plank, with a smirk. "Too bad for them, they're going to miss the final song!"

"SOLO!" Guitar Villain sang, summoning the green sound waves again, making XY whimper again, "Oh, are you scared? Or is it too awesome for you?"

Red Beetle and Chat Noir land on top of a railing silently, as XY pleaded with Akuma. "Please, Mr. Guitar Villain!"

"Lucky Charm." Red Beetle whispered, a can of extreme hold hairspray, "Extreme Fixing Gel?"

"You're planning on doing his hair

Red Beetle squinted his eyes and noticed his hair that he kept shaking when he used his abilities with the Akuma laughing.

"Actually, yes! Go get him, Chat!"

Chat leaped up and head towards Guitar Villain with a grunt. "Maybe you haven't heard it properly." Guitar Villain said, hearing screaming, and looked back behind and saw Chat twirling his baton while he was in the air, causing him to use his Guitar to block off the hit that was aimed at him now distracted, Red Beetle climbed up higher on the tower.

"Cataclysm!" Chat shouted just as Guitar Villain shouted a phrase that shot orange energy towards Chat, using his cataclysm, he was able to hold it on before the ability left and got pinned on the wall with Guitar Villain spamming the orange energy again.

Red Beetle glared at the Akuma and leaped behind Guitar Villain as he was shaking his hair and sprayed it with his hair stiff on his face, preventing him from being able to play his guitar.

"I can't see! Where are my fans?"

Red Beetle was about to grab the guitar, but XY stopped him.

Shouting with pure terror in his voice, "Hey, don't forget about me! Please, help!" XY pleaded with a scream as the plank broke.

Red Beetle grappled his yo-yo onto XY saving him and having him land on top of the guitar, breaking it with the Akuma flying out of the guitar.

"Music's over, Akuma! Time to de-corrupt!" Red Beetle shouted, snatching the Akuma and purifying it, "Bye, Butterfly. Miraculous Ladybug!" Red Beetle threw the lucky charm into the air, restoring everything to normal, including teleporting Fang back to the Le Grand Hotel and Guitar Villain turned back to himself.

"Pound it!" Red Beetle and Chat said, fist bumping

"What's he doing here?" XY

"He came to tell you that perhaps you underestimate his music."

XY pointed at Jagged, "This guy's crazy!"

Jagged stood up and dusted his pants, "Thank you."

Chat walked towards Jagged with a marker and an album, "How about an autograph, Jagged?" Jagged wrote his name, causing Cat Noir to giggle.

"Which reminds me, I still have work to do! Bug out!" Red Beetle said, jumping off the tower.

"Huh?" Both Jagged and Chat murmured.

RB

At Papillon's, he dropped to his knees with an angry groan. "Don't do your victory dance just yet, because one day, I'll play you my favorite music: the anthem of your defeat, Red Beetle and Chat Noir!"

MDC

Inside Marcel's room, Marcel was redrawing Jagged's style album cover on his tablet while listening to Jagged Stone's guitar solo.

"Done!" Marcel nearly shouted, showcasing the art to Tikki.

"Jagged Stone will love it!"

Marcel grunted in agreement and stood up to stretch his back with a satisfying crack.

At the Le Grand Hotel in Jagged's room, Marcel presented his second design to Jagged Stone in front of Bob and Penny.

Jagged grinned, "Oh, yeah. This is it! You did it, man! I can almost smell the leather and sweat just radiating off this design!"

Marcel chuckled, "You are smelling it. I concocted a special scent sticker for your album."

"I want it. I got to have it. It's authentic. It's original. It's...so Jagged." Jagged whispered, hugging the design album.

"No, you can't! It's not what the public!–."

Jagged interrupted Bob, "Fine, then I'm outta here! I'm sure another record company will be perfectly happy with the #2 chart topper."

Bob grunted in defeat, and when Marcel handed him the design, he snatched it and grunted again as he walked away.

Marcel reached into the elevator while remaining calm, but when he got in the elevator, he did a fist pump,

Tikki poked her head out of the bag, "I'm so proud of you, Marcel!" Tikki praised, making Marcel chuckle.

In a TVi News report, the image of the album cover appears on the screen next to Nadja Chamack. "In today's headlines, Jagged Stone's new album hit the charts at #1, hitting XY off his throne." The image changes to a 'Metal Lourd' magazine cover with a depiction of Marcel and Jagged Stone together. "Welcome back, king of rock 'n' roll!"

MDC

Inside Collège Françoise Dupont, Marcel and Alya are hanging out near the stairs, looking through magazines, when Adrien walked up towards Marcel.

"Um... hey there, Marcel." Adrien greeted as Marcel leaned against the stairs. "So, actually I'm a huge fan of Jagged Stone and I saw you designed his new album cover."

"I did." Marcel chuckled, "Crazy, huh?"

"I... wanted to ask if... I could get it... autographed?" Adrien asked, holding up the album and marker.

"Sure, I'll ask him." Marcel agreed and grabbed Adrien's marker and album cover.

Adrien scratched his head, eyes wide, "Ah, no. Um, I meant you." Adrien mumbled, pointing at Marcel.

Marcel looked around noticing that everyone is watching him, nodded, and signed his name on the album.

"If you wouldn't mind." Adrien mumbled as Marcel gave the marker and album cover back to him, "Awesome! Thanks, Marcel!" Adrien shouted with a happy tone.

Meanwhile, Chloé was biting on the 'Metal Lourd' magazine jealously while Sabrina was fanning her with the same magazine.

"Marc, did I just imagine it, or did you just sign an autograph for Adrien?" Alya asked, with a teasing tone.

Marcel glanced at her from the tone but nodded with a slight grin, "Huh, it was giving a little brother a toy to make him happy." Marcel mumbled.

Chapter Text

A/N; just a warning, this is either short or long, I have no idea.

Inside Collège Françoise Dupont court, Madmam. Bustier's class was waiting for the class to take pictures on the stairs.

"Alright, everybody look at the camera." The photographer said with a laugh. "they're perfect! Say spaghetti!"

"Spaghetti!" Ms. Mendeleiev's class said, on the stairs, Adrien laughed at something Nino said,

Marcel look at Juleka when he noticed that she looked downtrodden, "At least you're going to be in the photo."

Rose shook her head, "No, Juleka, I'm telling you, you're not jinxed! This time it's gonna work out, I can feel it, right here!"

"Wait, Juleka, you still believe that?" Marcel said, looking up at her from where she was standing.

Juleka looked away with a frown and sighed when she noticed that Alya looked confused. "Ever since I was little, every time someone takes a photo of me, something always goes very wrong, only two pictures went right," Juleka said, although she had muttered the last sentence.

"You're wrong Juleka, you'll see!" Rose said forcefully.

Marcel stood up and looked at Juleka with a slight smile, "It's been a while since it last happened hasn't it, don't worry, I'll make sure you're in it like I always do." Marcel reassured, making Juleka smile.

"Thank you, kids, you've been wonderful."

The photographer said, straightening all his equipment for Madam. Bustier's class. "Ok, time to flash your pearly whites, guys! You kids take a seat on the front bench."

He gestured for Max, Alix, Rose, and Mylène, "Quickly please, I've got sixteen other classes to shoot." Those that were gestured sat down on the bench.

"Look Sabrina, they're up front in the baby seats! Go on rugrats, don't forget to take your thumbs out of your mouths!" From behind Chloé, Marcel grunted at her with annoyance.

"Well, next row! Hmmm...You, you, you, and you go stand on the rear bench, please. He pointed to Nathaniel, Alya, Sabrina, and Chloé, those that were gestured sat behind those on the bench.

"Wait just one minute! I'm supposed to be in the middle row, right next to Adrien. Preferably the center. Look, we're the same size!" Chloé said, waving her hand above her and Adrien's hands.

"Nah, go stand in the back row, behind the rest."

"How dare you, put me behind the rest? Do you know who my father is?"

"Is he a photographer?"

Chloé gasped as if she was offended, "NO! He's-."

"Bummer, I could use an assistant. Now hurry up and take your place, or I'll put you upfront with the babies!"

Chloé groaned and walked off.

"The rest of you boys, go stand in the middle row."

"It's no big deal Chloé! As long as we're all in the same photo, right?" Adrien cheerfully said as he, Nino, Kim, and Marcel stood in the middle.

"Perfect! You guys are awesome! Now stop squirming and let's get this photo shot!" On to the side, Juleka looked at the mirror on her wrist.

Marcel looked around, noticing that Juleka wasn't with the. "Excuse me, sir, you forgot Juleka," Marcel informed the photographer.

"Huh?" The photographer looked to his right and saw her standing there. "Ah sorry, my bad! Go stand in the middle row, next to that black-haired boy." The photographer said, with Juleka standing beside Marcel.

"And you're gonna be right next to me, all eyes will be on you, no more jinxed class photos."

"No, this isn't right! Something's not working here!"

"Uhh, of course, it's not working! I'm in the wrong spot!"

The photographer moved to Ivan, "You, move over there, will you? Let's see..." The photographer said, trying to find a good spot for Ivan.

"Excuse me, but do we have a problem?"

The photographer sighed "It doesn't matter where I put him, it throws the whole picture out of whack!"

"My spot is unacceptable!" Chloé tried to push Marcel out of the way but Marcel didn't budge and pushed her back.

"Ms. Bourgeois, behave yourself!" Madam. Bustier said, ordering the girl to stand still.

"This isn't gym class, you know Chlo!"

"You, over here, you here, and you here."Everyone changed their spot, "There, perfect!"

"Uh, no! It isn't! It's not perfect at all! I'm not next to Adrien!" Both Adrien and Marcel sighed.

"Please Chloé, we still have sixteen classes to photograph! Go ahead, Vincent." Monsieur. Damocles said.

"Say spaghetti!" Vincent said.

"Spaghetti!" Vincent pressed the button in the camera but it was on low battery.

"Oh, I don't believe this! I'm sorry, I have to go and fetch another battery. Nobody move!" Vincent said, leaving the court while Juleka looked away sadly.

"Can I go to the bathroom?" Juleka whispered.

"Yes Juleka, but hurry!" Madam. Bustier allowed.

Monsieur. Damocles look at Madam. Bustier. "Madam. Bustier! He said nobody is to move!"

"It's an emergency, sir!" Monsieur. Damocles sighed angrily.

Chloé looked away from the scene and sighed, unfortunately for her, Sabrina took that as a sign to make sure Juleka didn't come back, so Sabrina asked to go to the bathroom, "Ms. Bustier, I need to go too!"

Sabrina dropped down and walked off to the bathroom following Juleka.

Juleka went inside the bathroom, followed by Sabrina, and went into the stall that became blocked off by a wooden chair.

Juleka gasped and tried to get out but the chair was in the way.

When Marcel noticed Sabrina leaving, he looked at Chloé but saw that she looked to be ignoring the whole thing and sighed, Marcel, relaxed his body and crawled under the bench the classmates were under, and walked off to the girl's bathroom.

Walking into the girl's locker room, Marcel noticed Sabrina leaving the bathroom and ducked behind the lockers, hearing her footsteps leave, Marcel walked inside the girl's bathroom hearing Juleka starting to have a panic attack.

Marcel glared at the chair at the door and kicked it out of the way and opened the door, where Juleka's breath started to fasten.

It burned, Juleka's chest burned, and coughs got worse, and- Since when were cheeks wet? Why was she crying? She surely would choke to death now! With the amount of tears running down her cheeks, clogging up her nose and her throat and she couldn't breathe-.

"Juleka! Juleka! Look at me. Look at me, I'm here.", Marcel called, it sounded so far away, but he was in front of her kneeling on the ground, with a concerned expression on his face. "Breathe steadily, 3...2....1..."

The girl tried to do as told, but she failed- again and again. After what felt like an eternity, she finally stopped feeling like she was fighting for her life. Marcel looked at her worriedly and put a hand on her forehead.

"You okay?" Marcel asked, and she shook her head, so Marcel nodded and grabbed her shoulder, and picked her up so he could set her down on the sink so could fix her face from the tears.

Marcel grabbed a paper towel and put it under the faucet and wiped off the tears and grabbed a dry paper towel and wipe off the water from her face. After he was done, he stood in front of her with his arms open and she crashed into him with her arms tight around him.

Marcel rubbed her head, knowing she liked it when she was feeling down, Marcel sighed, "You okay enough to do the photo?" Marcel mumbled, asking her if she was okay with doing it.

Juleka nodded and let go of Marcel and signed that she wanted him to walk her back and Marcel nodded, letting her go first so he could walk behind her.

Juleka sniffed and walked out of the bathroom with Marcel just behind her, they both walked to the court just as Vincent came back, with Sabrina looking like she had been scolded.

Juleka stood by Adrien with Marcel standing beside her, Vincent nodded as he put the battery inside the camera.

"Say spaghetti!" Vincent said, with the class saying spaghetti, and Vincent grinned and took the photo. "Thank you, kids, you've been...eh," Vincent said, with the kids leaving the court to finish school.

Marcel had nodded to Alya with Juleka telling Rose that she had to leave, Juleka looked back at Marcel and was relieved to see he was still there.

Alya had left and Rose did too since she noticed that something was wrong with Juleka, while Juleka was reassuring her that she was fine, Marcel was calling his mom to ask if he and Juleka could leave for the day, luckily she noticed the tone he had and said yes, so she had called the school and let them know that she was taking Juleka and Marcel out for the day for an emergency.

Marcel already his had bag since he was using a crossbody bag that was big enough for his school stuff and had Juleka wait outside their class so he could grab her backpack, as he grabbed her backpack he passed Sabrina and glared at her with slight hate in his eyes, although when he shifted his eyes to Chloé, the glare turned disapprovingly.

Out of the class, he grabbed Juleka's hand and interlocked them while grabbing his phone with his other hand to let Juleka's brother know that Juleka was spending the day with him, getting an affirmation text back, he put his phone back in his pocket and walked inside his home since they were only across the street.

Marcel greeted his parents and let Juleka up first to inform his parents of what happened. No longer hearing Juleka's footsteps, Marcel turned to his parents.

Marcel sighed, "Found her stuck inside a stall in the girl's bathroom, and had a panic attack, I calmed her down and offered her to spend the day with me to make her feel better since it's been a while since we had those." Sabine and Tom nodded and went back to work so Marcel headed upstairs to see that Juleka was on his couch lying down, Marcel took his shoes off and placed them near Juleka's, and checked in on her, noticing that she was asleep, Marcel plopped down on his other couch and tuned the tv on with his remote, he put Netflix on and put on a horror movie that was on his list.

MDC

Two hours later, Marcel noticed Juleka was moving and saw her sit from her position on the couch and the blanket dropped to her lap, Juleka yawned and stretched her back. Juleka waved at Marcel after rubbing her eyes, and Marcel waved back shortly.

"You feel better?" Marcel whispered, lowering the volume to be background noise as Juleka nodded, "what're you watching." Juleka signed, noticing the dead body in the corner in the movie.

"Chucky, about to watch the third movie, wanna watch it with me?" Marcel asked, looking at Juleka, who nodded and laid back down on the couch and clutched the blanket closer as Marcel put on Child's Play 3.

The whole day, they watched horror movies since they were a comfort to Juleka. Tom and Sabine had fed them to make sure they didn't starve.

Upstairs his bed

His desk under the bed platform

His couch downstairs from his bed

A/N; don't worry, I'm almost down with the other chapters, I just wanted to get these out. Also on Wattpad, I showed what his room looks like.

Chapter Text

"Marcel, its time to get up! Your alarm stopped going off ten minutes ago!" Marcel heard his Māmā yell from the kitchen.

"Coming." Marcel mumbled sleepily, Marcel got out of bed and ran his fingers in his hair in an attempt to untangle it a bit before getting dressed, he grunted, annoyed at having to get up at such an ungodly hour.

After climbing down to the lower level of his bedroom, he opened up his closet to see what clothing he was going to wear this school year. Grabbing the pair of clothes, he threw on a long white shirt and a pair of tan khaki sweatpants and a pair of white sneakers.

After he was dressed, he climbed back up to the level his bed was on so he could brush his hair  and put a couple of his hair ties on his wrist in case he felt like his hair was starting to get annoying at any point in the day.

Marcel walked down the stairs leading to the kitchen. "Morning." He greeted, walking into the kitchen.

"Good morning, Marcel. Did you sleep well last night last night, or did you end up staying up all night finishing one of your projects again?" He heard his Papa ask as he sat down on one of the stools by the kitchen counter.

"I might have had a better sleep last night if I hadn't gotten woken up early." Marcel grumbled as he poured some milk into his bowl of frosted flakes cereal.

"Are you excited for the new school year?" Marcel's Māmā asked.

"Kind of, but knowing my luck, Chloé will probably end up being in the same classes as me again." Marcel continued grumbled, placing the milk down.

"If so, that's four years in a row. Is that really possible?" Sabine asked.

"Anything's possible when Chloe's involved, lucky me, it's like she lives to bother me."

"Oh don't say that. There's always a chance for you two to be placed in different classes. I'm sure everything will turn out fine." Sabine said as Marcel placed the milk jug back onto the table, only he place it down at the edge of the table and it spilled all over the floor.

"Doesn't look like a very good start to me." Marcel mumbled, helping his Māmā clean up the mess he'd made, somewhat glad that none of it had gotten on his clothes.

Marcel looked over to his father and noticed the macaroons he made. "Hey Papa, those look great." Marcel complimented, looking at the macarons his Papa had made for his class as part of a tradition they had for the beginning of every school year.

"I'm glad you like them, little man" Tom thanked him as he ruffled his hair.

"Papa, you know you're the best." Marcel told his father, getting up to wrap his arms around his dad's neck, making his dad drop the macaron box out of surprise, only to catch it with his foot.

"We're the best, thanks to your design idea!" Tom said, showing off the bakery logo on the underside of the lid.

"It was kind of them to manage that." Marcel said, seeing how the symbol would either blend in with the lid or appear a golden color depending on how the light hit it.

"I'll see you and Māmā after school!" Marcel said, grabbing the box after his dad closed it up and rushed out the door.

Once out the door, Marcel looked upon in shock after spotting an elderly man struggling to reach his cain in the middle of the road. Looking around quickly, he realized two things.

One. He was the only person to notice the man, with everyone else too busy staring at their phones. And two, there was a car speeding right in the old man direction, with how fast it was going, the chances of it stopping in time were slim to none.

Before he even realized that he'd done it, Marcel dropped his macaron box, ran towards the man and helped him up after picking up his cane and dragged him to the side of the road he'd appeared to have been going before he fell. The same side of the street that he'd dropped his macarons on.

"Thank you young man. Oh, what a disaster." The elder thanked him before noticing his macaroons.

"It's alright. I'm anything but a stranger to disasters." Marcel said, bending down to quickly pick up as many of the macarons as he could before people ended up stepping on them all.

"Would you like one?" Marcel asked, holding the box out to the man seeing that he would still have plenty of macarons left for his new class.

"Thank you." He said, grabbing one. "Mmmh. Pistachio."

"Sorry if I seem like I'm advertising, but if you want more, my parents own the bakery, right on the corner. My papa's the one that made them." Marcel said, pointing towards his parent's bakery.

"I'll make sure to keep that in mind." He said, as Marcel heard the school bell go off.

"Ugh, I'm gonna be late." Marcel groaned, running across the street.

"How is it that I live right across the street, yet I'm always late to school?!" Marcel asked himself, running up the steps and into the school entrance.

"Marcel Dupain-Cheng." He heard an oh, so familiar voice say.

"I knew it." Marcel muttered as he heard the teacher, who according to the name on the board was Miss Bustier, ask Nino if he could sit in the front of the class.

"That's my seat." Chloe told Marcel, placing a hand on the table.

"Chloe, I've always sat in this spot in the class. You of all people know this." Marcel said annoyed.

"Not anymore! New school and new year, so that means new seats!" Marcel heard Sabrina, the glasses wearing red head that always followed Chloe around, say as she sat in the empty spot next to Marcel and started pushing him out of his spot with her feet.

"Why don't you just go down there and sit next to that new girl instead? A friend of mine is starting in this school this year and I'm saving this spot for him." Chloe said, swiping Marcel stuff off the table before pointing at the spot in front of where Marcel had previously been sitting.

"This is my seat, so that's going to be his seat. Get it?"

"Any friend of yours is probably gonna be a little shit like you too." Marcel muttered to himself, bending down to pick up his books and folders.

"Hey! Who died and made you Queen of Seating?"

"Oh, look, Sabrina. It appears as if we've got ourselves a do-gooder in our class this year!" Chloe said, laughing. "What are you gonna do? Shoot laser beams at me out of those glasses of yours?"

"Wouldn't you like to know?" The brown and red haired new girl said, glaring at them before bending down to help Marcel pick up his stuff.

"Come on, dude." The brown-red haired girl said, dragging Marcel to where she was sitting.

"Sorry." Marcel called to the teacher when he stumbled slightly, dropping and breaking all of but two macarons.

"Chillax, dude! It's not that big of a deal." The new girl said, helping Marcel quickly pick up the macarons.

"Chloe doesn't really bother me, I just go along with what she says, but why did you stand up for me in that way?" Marcel questioned sitting down as the teacher checked to make sure all of the students found a place to sit.

"You mean the way Majestia does it." The red head said, unlocking her phone.

"She says that the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for the good people to do nothing." The red head said, showing Marcel the image of a blonde, female comic book character she had for her phone's background. "That girl over there is rude and people like us are good, so we shouldn't let her get away with it."

"Well, that's easier said than done. She loves making me annoyed and her father's been the mayor for as long as I can remember."

"She makes your life miserable because you let her do that, dude! You just need to find your confidence! Who cares if her dad is the mayor?"

"I have confidence, I just don't care about all that stuff, but, apparently everybody else does." Marcel said, watching as the last two macarons slid around in the open box as he moved it.

"I'm Marcel." He introduced himself, taking one of the two macarons and handing them to the red head.

"Well, it's nice to meet you, Marcel. I'm Alya." The new girl, Alya, said, taking the offered macaroon.

MDC

"Adrien, please! Reconsider this! You know what your father wants for you!" Adrien heard Nathalie yell out the window of the car as he ran towards the high school.

"This is what It's my life, so I'm going to start taking more control over it!" Adrien yelled as he stopped in front of the school, noticing that an elderly man had fallen and was reaching for his cane.

Adrien looked between the school doors and the man, trying to decide between helping the man with his cain or walking through the school doors and gaining a bit of freedom from his father, before making up his mind.

"Right now, all I want is to go to school like everyone else instead of spending all day at home. I don't see what's so wrong about that." Adrien said, helping the man up.

"Please don't tell my father about me trying to do this." Adrien begged, looking up to see that Nathalie was standing in front of the school steps, blocking him from walking inside before going to sit in the back seat of the car.

MDC

"Kim!" Marcel heard Ivan, who he'd known since fifth grade, yell, distracting him and forcing him to peel his eyes away from his sketchbook that he was drawing on.

"What on Earth is going on?!" Madam. Bustier ask as the bell rang, marking the end of homeroom.

"It's Kim! I'm gonna get you for saying that!" Kim said, raising his hand back in a fist and punching Kim in the eye.

"You, principal's office! Now!" Miss Bustier nearly shouted, pointing towards Ivan and the classroom door. "Kim? Are you okay?" Madam. Bustier asked. Kim nodded and sat back down while Ivan pushed his stuff in his backpack.

Ivan stomped down the stairs and slammed the door open, making Madam. Bustier sigh before she turned back to the rest of her students. "Now that problem is handled for now, if you have gym, Mr. D'Argencourt is expecting you in the courtyard by the school entrance. For everyone else, head to the library. The entrance is by the bathrooms on the first floor. It shouldn't be too hard to find." Madam. Bustier said as the students started putting their stuff away for the next class. Marcel looked out the window to see a blond teen climb into the car before it drove away.

MDC

Marcel began to walk over to the library only to jump in shock when everything around him shook. Curious as to what was going on, he looked at the muted TV that was playing the news in the school's library. On the TV there was a giant stone creature running around Paris.

Alya appeared out of no where. "Come on!" Alya shouted, grabbing Marcels hand and pulling him towards the library's exit to get them out of the school.

"I'm going to stay here for a bit before heading home. I don't live far from here." Marcel said, taking his hand out of Alya's grasp.

"Dude, you really need a confidence boost." Alya said, thinking he was scared but in reality he didn't want to be near the creature, when she saw the look on Marcel's face.

"KIM!" They heard the stone creature scream.

"Alya, that was Ivan's voice!"

"Who's Ivan again?" Alya asked confused on who Marcel was talking about.

"The guy Madam. Bustier sent to see Principle Damocles earlier." Marcel said, running to the window.

"Oh crap!" Alya cursed, looking out the window. "He's been turned into a supervillain! GPS, check. Battery, check. Sorry about this man, but I've got to go!"

"What are you doing?!" Marcel asked out of confusion, seeing how Alya was running towards the library door again.

"If there's a supervillain, then a superhero is bound to show up eventually! I was born too late to catch any footage of the previous group, so there's no way I'm missing this!" Alya said, pausing just long enough to tell Marcel that before leaving the room.

'Freaking crazy.' Marcel thought as he shook his in disbelief before he looked back at the TV screen, and saw Ivan-Turned-Stone-Monster pick up a car and throw it at the camera, making Marcel wince when the footage cut out. He decided to wait a few more minutes before running home to his family's bakery across the street.

MDC

"Who was the first president of the fifth French Republic?" Adrien heard Nathalie ask.

"Everyone thinks it was De Gaulle, but it was actually Rene Coty before the first elections." He said in a bored tone, resting his cheek on his hand, having been all but forced to memorize that answer over a year ago and being asked it once every month since.

"Very good, Adrien." Nathalie praised as Adrien heard the dinning room door open up. Looking over to the dining room entrance, Adrien's eyes widened in shock for a couple of seconds out of shock of seeing his father, this was the first time he'd seen his father out of his office since his mother disappeared a few months ago.

"Give me a moment with my son, will you, Nathalie?" He heard his father ask.

"Very well, sir." Nathalie said before leaving the room and shutting the door behind her.

"You are not to go to school. The outside world is too dangerous for you. I've already told you this countless times. Your mother spent a lot of her time out there and look what happened. She's gone." Gabriel told Adrien. Adrien couldn't help but imagine that flames would be bursting out of his father's eyes if this were like any of the anime's he's watched based off of how angry his father sounded at him.

"But father-!"

"No, I'm talking right now. I want you right here where I can keep an eye on you. Everything you could ever want is right here within these walls. I will not stand having you out there!"

"It's not that dangerous, Father, and I don't have everything I want here. I want to go to a normal school and make friends like everyone else my age."

"Don't you talk to me like that. You are not like everyone else, you are my son! Because of what you did, you will be spending the rest of the day locked in your room and I'll be sure to have Simon stand guard out front your door." Adrien heard his father say before walking out the dining room.

Adrien picked up his history book off the table and throwing it towards the other end of the table as hard as he could.

"Adrien, your father wants you to -" "Go to my room. I know." Adrien said to Nathalie before running towards his room and slamming the door shut. Alone, he slid down to the floor while his back was pressed against the wall and didn't try to fight it as his anger turned to sadness and made him cry.

"What on Earth?" Adrien asked, standing up to walk towards his window after hearing loud thumping from outside. Wiping the tears off his face, he looked out the window and saw a giant stone creature.

"Ready? Fire!" He heard one of the cops yell. Adrien's eyes widened in shock as the police's shots just made the thing grow bigger. Looking around, Adrien quickly found the remote for his TV and changed the channel to the news.

"I'm asking all Parisians to stay inside until this situation is under control." He saw Chloe's dad say before the feed switched back to the news station.

"As amazing as it seems, it's just been officially confirmed that Paris is, in fact, being attacked by a supervillain for the first time in over ten years. The police have been struggling to keep the situation under control with the stone creature absorbing all of their attacks."

"What's that doing here?" Adrien asked himself, noticing a small, black, hexagonal shaped box with bright green lettering. Curious about what was inside, he picked it up and opened it.

MDC

"I dislike first days back at school, there's always something chaotic happening." Marcel said, after hearing what Nadja Chamack, his mom's friend and mother of the girl he often babysat, say before turning back to the lunch he'd brought up from the kitchen.

"What is this?" Marcel asked himself, seeing a black, hexagonal shaped box with pink lettering. Not recognizing the box, he opened it up thinking that it might have been something from one of his parents.

MDC

Adrien dropped the box and covered his eyes out of shock of seeing a bright green ball, the same green as the lettering, float out of the box.

After the light dimmed down, he uncovered his eyes and saw a black cat-like creature not much bigger than the size of his hand yawn and stretch its limbs much like the cat it resembled.

"Are you like the Genie In The Lamp?" Adrien asked, remembering the Disney movie him and his mother would often watch together before her disappearance.

"Nope! However, I have met him once. So what if he grants three wishes? Big deal, I'm way better company than him!" The cat-like being said, startling Adrien. Sure, he'd technically asked if it, or him based off of the voice, if he was like the Genie, but that didn't mean he was expecting an answer.

"I'm Plagg. Nice to meet you! Oooh, what's this?!" Adrien heard the cat being, Plagg, say before flying off towards the foozeball table and tried to chew off the head of one of the plastic men.

"Wait, get back here!" Adrien said, jumping over his couch and cringing at the loud crash he made thanks to miscalculating the jump, hoping that Simon wouldn't be able to hear anything that was going on inside.

"What's this? Can you eat it?" Adrien heard Plagg say. Looking towards the direction of the voice, he saw that the cat being was now trying to eat the control stick to one of his video games.

"Don't do that!" Adrien said, standing up and running towards Plagg.

"Bummer, you can't. What about this?!" Plagg said, flying off in another direction just in time to avoid Adrien grabbing him. Giving up on chasing the being, Adrien sat down on the floor, using the game Plagg had just tried to eat as a back rest, and decided to just wait until the being was finished trying to eat everything. He'd realize sooner or later that there was nothing edible in the room.

MDC

Marcel bolted up in surprise, stepping back on the computer chair after seeing a ball of light the same color as the lettering on the lid of the box fly up from inside after he opened it.

"What the hell is that." Marcel mumbled, leaning back in his chair as far as he could while a red creature with a black dot on its forehead appear.

"Everything will be okay, you just need me to explain." Marcel heard the creature say, in a high pitched, feminine voice, making him even more weary.

"Oh and it talks!" Marcel wearily exclaimed, walking around it.

"Listen, Marcel! I know everything may seem a bit strange to you...." the creature said before pausing. "You don't seem scared?" The creature asked, surprised written in her tone.

"When you have meta's and superhero's you don't get surprised by anything but I want to know what are you and how do you know my name?" Marcel demanded.

"My name's Tikki and I'm a Kwami, now may I please explain what you need to know?"

"Right...No." Marcel denied before he shot towards his trap door. "Māmā! Papa!" Marcel called out, reaching for the latch of his trap door.

"No, no, no!" Tikki said, flying to Marcel and floating in front of his face. "I'm your friend, Marcel! You're the only one who's able to stop Stoneheart!"

"Stoneheart?" Marcel wearily asked, stepping back from the 'Kwami'.

"That's what the stone being you've probably seen is calling himself. He's one of the creations of the Butterfly Miraculous's current user who, unfortunately, seemed to have fallen in the wrong hands yet again. Now, if you'll pay attention, I'll explain to you how to stop the Butterfly's Champion."

"Listen, Tikki...right." Marcel asked, and continued when the 'kwami' nodded. "This is some sort of mistake. The only superpower I could have is procrastinating ... couldn't you have chosen Alya, she would know what to do, She's a new friend of mine, She loves superheroes, so she'd definitely be up for the job, You should go see her about it instead."

"No! Bad idea! Who knows what could happen if the Ladybug Miraculous were to fall into the hands of someone not meant to wear it! You're the chosen one, so you're the only one who would be able to use it without a problem! The only other person who would be able to wear the Ladybug Miraculous is the chosen bearer of the Black Cat Miraculous, and the same goes for you with theirs!"

Marcel sighed and nodded. "Alright, then what am I supposed to do?" Marcel asked, after realizing that he appeared to not have a choice.

MDC

"I still don't know what you're doing here." Adrien said, watching Plagg tear up a roll of his toilet paper.

"Look kid, I'm a Kwami. I grant the power of destruction to whoever wears the Miraculous I'm bonded to. Understand?"

"Uh-uh." Adrien shook his head.

"Well, can't say I didn't try. Now, do you have anything to eat around here? I'm starving!"

'This has got to be some sort of joke. Dad maybe?' Adrien thought. 'Wait, no. It couldn't be! He has no sense of humor!'

"Oh, I almost forgot! No one can ever know I exist, not even your parents!"

"My mom's missing, probably dead even, and my dad probably forgets I even exist most the time unless I do something that he disproves of, so why would I tell him? You have nothing to worry about." Adrien told the Kwami.

"Kid, I'm sorry. I had no clue." Adrien heard Plagg say as look of shock and sadness, pity maybe, crossed over his face.

"Well, things will be getting better for you after this, if I have anything to say about it!"

"What do you mean?"

"I don't just grant you the power of destruction. I can also give you the ability to turn into a superhero. Or villain, depending on what your intentions are, but please don't do that. The Miraculous weren't intended for evil and I still get nightmares about that time someone decided to use me for evil reasons."

"You can make me a superhero?" Adrien asked, making a mental note to see if it was safe to ask Plagg about some other time.

"Yep!"

"But I'm stuck here! I'm not allowed outside the property unless my father allows it, not to mention how I'm not allowed to even go to a regular school! What good is a superhero if their own house is a prison to them?"

"Nothing. That's why I said things are going to be changing for the better! Something tells me you and your partner will get along great. Most ladybug and ladybugs do. If you're willing for there to be a change, just put on the ring and say 'Claws Out'! That's how you transform. You should find the ring in the box."

"Got it." Adrien said, putting the ring on. "Plagg, Claws Out!"

"Wait! I didn't explain everything you need to know yet!"

"Woah!" Adrien said, excitedly, as he felt a strong wind and saw the same green light from earlier cover his body.

MDC

"So, all I have to do is break the object where the demon is hiding?" Marcel asked, putting on the red earrings with five black dots, watching in the mirror as they changed to match the same color as his hair.

"It's called an Akuma, not a demon. You need to capture and purify it otherwise the situation will get worse than it already is."

"Akuma and demon mean the same thing, the only difference is what language you use. Other than that, I got it, Capture it, and what's that charm thing again?"

"Your Lucky Charm. It's one of your superpowers! Only use it when you feel like you absolutely need to. After you use it, you'll only have five minutes before you change back. Also, seeing as how these Akumas are just butterflies, the bad guy is using to control and give powers to angry and upset people, it's not a demon."

"This is still surprising Tikki, this stuff doesn't exist, I don't think I'll be able to pull this off." Marcel said, sitting down on his computer chair.

"You can do it, Marcel! I believe in you, so now all you need to do is start believing in yourself too!" Tikki said. "All you need to do in order to transform is say 'Spots On'."

"Spots on?" Marcel asked Tikki, making sure he heard correctly.

"Tikki, what's going on?" Marcel asked confused as the same pink light he saw earlier surrounded him as he felt what seemed like a strong wind blowing around him.

"How does this thing come off?" Marcel asked, trying to find the edge to his gloves and boots, or even a zipper somewhere.

"Tikki, if you can hear me, I would like my normal clothes back., I'm not going anywhere unless I have them back."

Hearing someone talking, Marcel turned to the computer on his desk. "Stoneheart is heading towards the Montparnasse tower. The monster seems to be unstoppable!" The news reporter said.

Looking closely, Marcel could see someone riding a bike after the Akuma. "Damn Alya was serious!" Marcel cursed, seeing Alya chasing Stoneheart on a bike.

"Marcel, did you get home alright?" Marcel heard his mom say.

"Yes, Maman! I have my door locked though, I'm working on something for you and Papa's anniversary!" Marcel said, realizing that he would actually end up having to start working on something for their wedding anniversary, while quietly locking his door so there would be at least some truth to what he was saying.

"Alright, dear. I'll leave you to it!" Marcel let out a sigh of relief as he climbed up to his bedroom's balcony.

"Okay, so I have special powers now. And this yoyo that's supposed to act as my weapon?" Marcel muttered to himself, swinging it around before accidentally letting go.

"Really?" Marcel confusingly watched as it flew out and got itself wrapped around the head of a gargoyle. He pulled the end that was still in his hands in hopes that it would come loose, only to shout in surprise as he suddenly went flying off.

??

"I think I'm finally getting the hang of this." Adrien said as he walked across his baton that he'd extended between two buildings. Hearing someone above him screaming at him to move he looked up to see some dark haired guy in a red and black suit come flying towards him.

"Well, it sure was nice of you to drop in on me." Adrien joked, looking at the guy he was currently trapped hanging upside down with, due to the both of them being wrapped up in some sort of wire.

"Ow." They said as the two of them ended up falling on their heads.

"Sorry man, didn't mean for this to happen." He said, helping him up.

"It's alright. I bet you're the partner my Kwami told me about." He said, noticing the pattern of his suit, remembering how Plagg mentioned his partner being a ladybug.

"I'm... Chat Noir. Yeah. Chat Noir. And you are?" Chat Noir, according to what he'd just told his new partner, asked, rubbing where he hit his head, hopping that a knot wouldn't form. That would be a hard thing to explain away to his father. Well, more-so whoever was the first to notice and then his father later on.

"I'm...ugh!...." He heard the red and black clad guy groan as he loosened the wire they'd gotten trapped in, which was apparently part of a yoyo, from his baton then hit him on the head, in the same spot he'd landed on.

"Sorry about that, I'm kinda a walking disaster that tends to mess stuff up a lot, which is why I find it very ironic that I got the ladybug."

"No need to worry about it. I'm still learning the ropes too." He said before the two of them heard a bunch of rumbling. They looked over to where the sound was coming from, only to see the Montparnasse Tower fall down.

"Where are you going?" Chat Noir heard his partner ask after he made his way back up to the roof he was on earlier.

"To save Paris! That's what we're supposed to do, remember?" Chat said. Noticing the hesitant look on his face, he climbed back down.

"I can tell you're agitated, but look on the bright side. At least you're not doing this alone, right?"

"Yeah. That would be really bad. I... I'll follow you to where the Akuma is, but don't be surprised if I suddenly leave."

"Alright, but when you say Akuma, what did you mean by that exactly?" He asked, gaining a confused look from him.

??

"Well, it sure was nice of you to drop in on me." He heard a boy say in a joking tone. Opening his eyes, he met the face of a boy with blond hair and emerald green cat-like eyes. He ended up letting go of the handle part of his yoyo, both out of shock from seeing cat eyes on a person, who appeared to be a boy around his age, and from wanting to get untangled from the yoyo's string.

'Wire would probably be a bit more accurate.' Marcel thought as he apologized for getting the two of them wrapped up, along with making him hit his head.

"It's alright. You're right probably the partner my Kwami told me about." He heard his partner say.

'Tikki never mentioned me having a partner.' Marcel thought, a bit relieved that he wouldn't have to stop Ivan, well Stoneheart to be more accurate according to what Tikki said about the Champions alone.

"I'm... Chat Noir. Yeah. Chat Noir. And you are?" He heard him ask as he started to get his yoyo, and what he guessed was his baton, down.

"I'm....ugh!" He grunted, tugging as hard as he could, while hoping that he wouldn't go flying off like last time.

"...Whoops." He said as he freed the yoyo, only for it to land hard on his head. "I'm kinda a walking disaster that tends to mess stuff up a lot, which is why I find it very ironic that I got the ladybug."

"No need to worry about it. I'm still learning the ropes too." He heard him say. Based off of the tone of his voice when he said it, Marcel knew that he was telling the truth.

Noticing that he'd quickly made his way up to a roof, Marcel asked him where he was going. When he reminded him of how they were supposed to be saving Paris, the whole reason why they were given the Miraculouses in the first place, he felt alarmed. Based off of how he was currently walking over towards him, Marcel had to guess that it showed too.

"I can tell you're agitated, but look on the bright side. At least you're not doing this alone, right?" He heard Chat Noir ask. The reminder that he wouldn't be alone like he'd previously thought was reassuring and made him feel a bit better about what they had to do.

"Yeah. That would be really bad. I... I'll follow you to where the Akuma is, but don't be surprised if I suddenly leave." Marcel warned his partner, still feeling alarmed about the whole idea of saving the city they called home.

"Alright, but when you say Akuma, what do you mean by that exactly?" He heard Chat Noir ask.

'What else did his Kwami forget to explain?' He sighed, swinging after him.

??

"KIM! So who's the wuss now?!" The two of them heard as soon as they reached the stadium, after following the trail of destruction Stoneheart caused while heading there.

"Hey, it's not very nice to pick on people who are smaller than you!"

"I guess you're talking about yourself!" Marcel heard after making it to the top of the stadium. Taking one look at Stoneheart, he froze. He knew that every hit he took only made him bigger, but he wasn't really expecting him to be almost two or three times the size of when he first spotted him on the TV in the school's library.

"Where are you, partner?!" He heard Chat Noir call out to him after he hit Stoneheart with his baton, only succeeding in making him grow a bit bigger.

"What are you waiting for? The world is watching you!" He heard a familiar voice say. Looking in the direction it came from, he saw Alya recording with her phone. Seeing Stoneheart throw Chat Noir, he quickly calculated where he might end up landing. The result? Not good. A broken water pipe that was torn out of the ground and, if he did land on it, would probably end up impaling him.

Knowing that he would probably be unlikely able to save himself with how fast he was flying, he swung down and caught him.

"Animal cruelty? How shameful!" He told Stoneheart with a voice of determination, while on the inside he was freaking out.

"Sorry about how long it took for me to join the fight, Chat Noir." He said as they landed back on the ground.

"It's alright, Red Wonder. Duck!" Chat yelled, knocking the both of them over as Stoneheart threw a chunk of the stadium's seating at them.

"Red Wonder?" Marcel asked as they stood back up.

"You know, like Robin the Boy Wonder? I would have said Spotted Wonder, but that sounded weird in my head."

"Yeah, it probably should have stayed there." He agreed.

"Now, let's turn this pile of boulders into a pile of gravel!"

"Wait!" Marcel said, grabbing the part of his belt that appeared to be acting as a tail. "If you haven't noticed by now? He only gets bigger and stronger with each hit, we'll have to try something different."

"Different how?

"Hmmm..." He hummed, looking over at where Stoneheart was trying to figure out where Kim had gone. "I have no clue."

"What about our powers? Apparently I have the power to destroy everything I touch. I just need to figure out how."

"You need to figure out how? Didn't your Kwami tell you anything?" Marcel asked him, while mentally berating at himself for not realizing that his Kwami probably hadn't said much after finding out the cat themed hero didn't even know what an Akuma was.

"Only what my powers were, that I would have a partner, and how to transform. I sort of got excited about my new freedom that and transformed before he had a chance to tell me anything else."

'I guess it's up to me then.' Marcel thought, while making a note to ask Chat Noir later about what exactly he'd meant by 'new freedom'. 'If anything, this feels more like a burden than freedom to me.' He thought, calling out for his Lucky Charm.

"Since you apparently don't know this, I feel it's necessary to point out that now we only have five minutes until I change back, so we better get this over with." He told his partner, looking at the red and black object he caught.

'What the hell am I supposed to do with a scuba suit?' He thought, holding it up.

"Cool superpower. And how do we stop him exactly?"

"My Kwami told me that we have to break the object wherever the Akuma's hiding." He said.

"Well, he's made entirely out of stone. I don't see any objects on him. Unless it's disguised as one of the stones?" Chat Noir suggested, looking at his partner as 'Red Wonder' observed Stoneheart.

"Chat Noir, look at his right hand, No matter what he does, he doesn't open it, Not even with what I can remember from any of the news footage I saw, It's like the Russian Dolls, The object isn't on him, it's hidden inside."

"So what's your plan then?" Chat asked.

"I got it!" Marcel exclaimed after looking around for a bit.

Walking over to the water hose that the stadium kept in case there was ever a fire, he grabbed the end of it and made sure it stayed secure inside the swim suit before tying the other four openings shut.

"Could you do me a favor?" He asked Alya, who was standing next to the hose tap.

"Sure! What do you need?"

"When I say so, could you turn the hose on for me?"

"Sounds easy enough. I don't see why not!"

"Chat Noir, do you trust me?" He asked, while turning towards his partner.

"We may have only met today, but so far I haven't seen any reasons why I shouldn't. Why?" Chat Noir asked, only to find himself getting fastball specialed towards Stoneheart.

"This guy is crazy!" He yelled as he went flying towards the Akumatized villain.

"Be ready." Marcel told Alya, before running towards Stoneheart and challenging him to catch him after jumping up in the air.

"Camera girl, the tap!" He yelled after Stoneheart grabbed him, saying 'camera girl' instead of Alya's name so he wouldn't risk getting questioned about how he knew her name later on.

'This guy is awesome. He's crazy awesome!" Chat Noir exclaimed in his head, watching as his partner stomped on what appeared to be a jagged rock, only for it to turn into a crumpled paper ball after a black and purple butterfly flew out of it.

"Oof." Chat grunted, after landing on his back as what looked like a black and purple light passed over the Akumatized person, turning them back to their normal self. At least, as far as any of them could see that is.

"You were incredible, mister... uh... Bug. You did it!" Chat Noir said as he heard the previously Akumatized person ask how he'd gotten there.

"We did it, partner." Marcel said, holding up his fist for a fist bump.

"Pound it!" They both said at the same time. They both gave each other a shocked look before laughing.

"You can leave now if you feel like it. Or you could stay here and help me cheer him up." Marcel said, gesturing towards Ivan.

"I'm actually thinking of roaming the city while transformed for a bit. I should still have plenty of time until anyone notices me missing." Chat Noir said. "Something tells me that he won't be the last Akuma victim, so I guess I'll see you next time?"

"Guess so." Marcel said, watching as his new partner took off.

Marcel walked over to Ivan and picked up the note. "Ivan, you don't even you have the guts to tell Mylene you love her, you coward." Marcel read off the paper the butterfly had previously been inhabiting.

"Kim wrote it. He's always making fun of me." He heard Ivan say. He knew, due to a tendency to observe his other classmates when he wasn't drawing new designs, that he liked Mylene. He didn't blame him for getting Akumatized like that.

"You know, you shouldn't get bent out of shape over stuff like that. There's no shame in telling someone how you feel. If you just get too nervous to tell her, then I guess you could try writing it down instead? Everyone gets nervous around their crush at some point, Ivan." He said, kneeling down and taking one of his hands in what he hoped was a comforting way.

"How did you know my name?" He asked.

"It was on the note." He replied.

"Amazing, uncanny, spectacular! Are you and Chat Noir going to be the beginning of Paris's new superhero team? Are you and Chat Noir related to any of the previous heroes? If not, have you at least met any of them?" Marinette heard Alya ask, holding up her phone with the camera pointed at him.

"Um... I really hope that this situation doesn't get as serious as it has with the past heroes and villains that had cause our duo to expand, but I guess Chat Noir and myself will be protecting Paris like the former heroes. Also, I can't say for sure if I am related to or have met any of the previous heroes. It is an entertaining idea thought."

"I've got plenty more questions to ask you, like for starters, what's your name?" Alya asked.

"Um, maybe you could ask me them some other time. I have to get going." Marcel said, hearing his earrings beep their first warning.

"And you can call me Red Beetle!" He called out, swinging away.

RB

"Thanks to this amateur footage, the people of Paris now know the identities of the city's newest heroes"

"Hey Tikki I managed to do it, even if I did have help." Marcel chuckled.

"You see? I told you you were up to it!" Tikki said, happily spinning around Marcel as Mc
Marcel heard his parents call him down to dinner. On his way down however, he couldn't help but feel as if there was something he had forgotten to do. 'Probably nothing.' Marcel shrugged off.

MDC

"I am pleased to announce that we will be organizing a huge celebration in honor of the new heroes of Paris, Red Beetle and Chat Noir, and all the heroes of the past!" Adrien heard Andre Bourgeois say. Thinking back to the other heroes, Adrien realized that their names weren't really that creative. At the same time though, the names always seemed to match their personalities to some extent, so he figured their names might be good enough.

"Ew, What is this?" He heard Plagg ask after lifting up the cover of t a tray Adrien had the cook his father hired for him had brought in.

"Are you kidding me? Javier worked really hard on all of that!" Adrien said, looking at the food laid out in front of him and the Kwami.

"If you expect me to get my energy back after the transformation, then I'll need something a bit more... delicate!" Plagg told him, covering the food back up.

"Alright, fine. What do you want?" Adrien asked, picking his phone up and selecting Javier's name in his contacts.

MDC

"Camembert cheese. That's just great. The only thing he said he likes is Camembert, which means that I'll have to smell like stinky, old cheese all the time." Adrien groaned, watching as Plagg shoved a whole slice of the cheese into his mouth.

"These victims transformed into the Stoneheart copies are still like statues. The police are trying to figure out if there's any way to change them back or, at the very least, move them to a safer location where they're at less risk of being hit by cars. Will these poor souls come back to life or are they doomed to be frozen in time forever?"

"Plagg, what's going on? I thought we defeated him!" Adrien asked, feeling somewhat bad for the frozen people.

"Did you and Red Beetle capture the Akuma? If not, that's what happened." Plagg responded around a mouthful of Camembert.

"What does that have to do with the new stone beings?" He asked.

"An Akuma multiplies if it's not purified by Red Beetle. Knowing his Kwami, Red Beetle probably forgot due to having everything explained at once. So, just as a heads up, you'll have to defeat an army of Stonehearts the next time the original gets Akumatized."

"Well, that's just great." Adrien said with his face buried in a couch cushion.

MDC

"Damn it! I knew I forgot something." Marcel groaned into his pillow.

"You'll get another chance, Marcel! Out of all the other people I've seen bear my Miraculous, you want to know how many of them never forgot anything? None. Forgetting something is something every human does." Tikki said, hugging Marcel cheek after she moved to lay on his side.

"Seriously? All of them forgot something?"

"Yes and compared to some mistakes, what happened due to you forgetting to purify the Akuma is like a crumb compared to that cake I saw your parents working on downstairs."

"Wow. I find it hard to believe that anyone could have messed up that badly."

"You have no idea." Tikki said, a sad look on her face as she thought back to the most recent time someone had used Plagg for malicious reasons and how that whole city was now at the bottom of the Atlantic ocean.

Chapter Text

"Police have officially started gathering together all the stone beings and are placing them in an unknown location. There's still no sign of any changes with any of them turning back to normal."

"We won't stop until we find a way to change them back to their normal selves. Until that time comes however, we're not making very much progress."

"Paris is relying on our newest heroes, Red Beetle and Chat Noir, to save us all. Our lives depend on them."

MDC

"I know how upsetting and scary this may seem, but don't worry, sweetheart. We've got two new superheroes looking out for Paris! The best way we, as civilians, can help them is to show them we're not scared because we trust them." Marcel heard his father say as he helped him clean the dishes. Their dishwasher broke a few weeks ago and they still had yet to replace it.

"And if Red Beetle fails or doesn't show up at all because of forgetting what ever it was he forgot to do last time?" Marcel asked.

"Well then I'd come and save you, of course! Super baker to the rescue!" Tom said, making his son laugh as he held up a loaf of bread and started swinging it around as if he were fighting off invisible opponents.

Thanks, Super pops." Marcel mumbled, hugging him for having making him feel better.

MDC

"You're a strange kid. Who would want to go to school when you could stay at home all day?" Plagg asked Adrien, who had hidden him in the hood of his jacket.

"You don't get it Plagg? I've been at home all day my entire life and I'm sick of it! I want to meet new people and have more friends other than the Chloe and the ones I've met online." Adrien said, turning a corner.

"You want to know what I think is strange?" He asked the Kwami, stopping to catch his breath. "The fact that all you eat is that disgusting, rotten smelling, Camembert cheese and now I'll have to smell like it all the time. That is what I find strange."

"All magic comes at a price, so if you want to be able to turn into a superhero then the price you'll have to pay is smelling like my food of choice."

MDC

"Look at this site I just created! I'm calling it the Beetleblog!" Alya said, shoving her phone in Marcel's face. "Take a look at how many views I've gotten already!"

"Why do you trust him so much? All of these stone beings..."

"He'll save them! Besides, if it is somehow his fault for them multiplying like I've heard some haters say, everyone makes mistakes every once in a while! If not, then we wouldn't be human." Alya said as the two started heading up the steps.

Marcel hummed, 'You sure are optimistic.' Marcel mused, as he and Alya started walking towards their classroom. "Okay, but what if he doesn't feel as if he's ready to be a hero even thought everyone else thinks he is?"

"What are you talking about, dude?" Alya asked, pausing in the middle of the stairway. "Oh, I get it!"

"What are you talking about?" Marcel asked, a bit worried. Didn't help that Alya standing a couple steps above him made her intimidating despite him being taller.

"You're scared, aren't you? Don't be! I've seen the duo with my own two eyes! Red Beetle and Chat Noir are true superheroes. That's why I believe they're going to protect us. I know that not everyone will, but I know for a fact that I believe in them with my whole heart." Alya said before continuing to walk up the steps.

'Whats so special about heroes though, she even gave me a speech.' Marcel thought, following after his friend.

"Have you ever dreamt of being a superhero?" Marcel asked out of interest.

"Are you kidding me? Who wouldn't!" Alya exclaimed.

'If it weren't for what Tikki said, with it being dangerous for anyone other than Chat Noir wearing the Red Beetle earrings, I might try to give them to her instead. Then again, she doesn't really seem like a Red Beetle to me. If anything, she'd probably be a good fit for the Fox.' He concluded as they neared the classroom, remembering how Vixen, the most recent hero to bear the Fox Miraculous and the other Foxes before her acted. People were even recently discovering evidence that Robin Hood, a famous bandit from medieval England, was real and owned the Fox Miraculous at some point.

"So, you don't remember anything?" Marcel heard Alix ask just as him and Alya walked into their classroom.

"You were going totally ballistic. It was mega cool." He heard Juleka say, looking at where everyone in the class had crowded, he could see that they had cornered Ivan. Probably to question him about what happened yesterday.

"I was seriously scared that you were going to crush me. Not cool, dude!"

"Sorry about that, Kim. I wasn't myself."

"Yeah, well I bet you deserved getting chased by him like that, with whatever it was you said to Ivan on that note yesterday!" He heard Alya say to Kim.

"Oh please! Once a monster, always a monster!" Marcel heard Chloe say as he took a quick look outside the classroom window, looking towards the entrance.

"Don't let the door hit you on your way out!" He heard Chloe call, making him turn around in time to see Ivan run out the door.

Deciding that his classmate was more important than knowing who that blond boy from yesterday was, he jogged after him.

MDC

"Adrien, don't do this again! Your father will be furious! You remember how he acted yesterday!" He heard Nathalie call after him.

"Then just tell him that you got here too late. Please!" Adrien pleaded.

"I'm sorry, but I can't. If I do and he finds out that I lied for you, I could loose my job, so get in the car."

Adrien looked at the expression on her face and figured that she was telling the truth. He actually liked having her around because she reminded him of a time when his mother was still there. Because of that, he didn't want to risk any chance that he might never be able to see her again, so he got in. He watched as the school disappeared from the review window, knowing that this time might actually be the last time he saw the building again.

MDC

"You know, you should try telling Mylene how you feel." Marcel said, after noticing Ivan sitting on a bench in the park across from the school.

"I have no clue what you're talking about."

"I noticed the way you look at her. It's kinda sweet that you like her." He said, sitting down next to him, worried when he spotted the butterfly from yesterday. "Something tells me that she might have feelings for you too. Why don't you try to talk to her?"

"I can't. I'm no good with making my thoughts come out of my mouth the right way." He said.

"Words are overrated anyway. Who needs them when you could write or draw to show how you feel?" Marcel said, holding back a sigh of relief when he saw the butterfly start to fly away as Ivan's face lit up with hope.

"I like writing songs. Do you think she would like it if I wrote one for her?" Ivan asked.

"I don't see why not, you should try it, it could work." He said, watching as Ivan took off, excited to get started on the song.

"That was a close one." Marcel sighed in relief., standing up to head back to class.

MDC

"Oh no, I'm going to be late!" Mylène worriedly rushed around, when she noticed the time on her phone.

"Mylène!" She heard someone say as she felt a tap on her shoulder.

"Gah!" She squealed, turning around in a jump.

"Oh, Ivan! You scared me!" Mylène said, seeing the taller teen.

"I made a song for you. Would you like to hear it?" He asked, shocking Mylène. She knew that he liked music and how he would, on occasion, make songs himself, but she never expected him to make one for her. She found it rather touching in a way.

"Um, alright." She said.

He pulled out his phone and started playing loud, rough music that he'd recorded as he sang, though he more liked screamed, the lyrics. It terrified her to the point of running off.

MDC

"Bourgeois, Chloe?" Marcel heard Miss. Bustier say, calling attendance as he drew a design he had in mind for a new outfit.

"Present!"

"Bruel, Ivan?" He heard, making him look around.

'Oh shit.' Marcel grumbled, seeing how Mylène seemed upset and how Ivan wasn't there.

"Bruel, Ivan?" Miss. Bustier said again.

"PRESENT!" He heard as the doorway to the classroom broke.

'While I lost sleep for it, I'm glad Tikki made me memorize what I had to do with the Akumas and Lucky Charm last night.' Marcel mused, seeing how Ivan had gotten turned into Stoneheart again.

"Mylène?!" He roared, looking around the room.

"Ivan, put me down! You're scaring me!" Mylène begged, staring to tear up after Ivan found her and picked her up.

"I'm not Ivan anymore! I'm Stoneheart now!"

"Why are you doing this?" Marcel heard Mylène ask as he was thinking of locations to escape to transform.

"So the two of us can be together forever!" He said as Chloe started whining to her dad about Stoneheart's return

"Shut up." Stoneheart snarled, his voice echoed enough to make Chloe's phone go flying agains a wall before picking her up.

"I demand you put me down this instant! My daddy's the mayor! Do you have any idea what he could do to you and your family?!" Marcel heard Chloe shriek as Stoneheart busted through the classroom window.

"Come on, Marc! Let's follow them!" Alya said, dragging Marcel towards the exit.

"You go ahead. I'm going to try to find somewhere to hide." Marcel said, pulling himself out of Alya's surprisingly strong grasp.

"But then you'll miss Red Beetle in action!"

"You'll be able to keep up with the heroes easier without me. I'll just slow you down." Marcel said, holding up Alya's bag for her to take it.

"Whatever you say, Marc!" Alya said, putting her bag's strap over her shoulder before taking off after Stoneheart. Marcel waited a couple of minutes after Alya left before beginning his own chase after Stoneheart as well.

MDC

Nathalie had, yet again, told Gabriel about Adrien sneaking off to go to school. This time, Gabriel didn't hold back his anger quite as well as he had last time and ended blowing up at him more than usual and had sent him to his room without food.

Plagg watched as Adrien took his anger out on a fencing dummy by hitting it as hard as he could. Plagg cringed, noticing how hard Adrien was hitting the dummy, If it were allowed, he would use Cataclysm on Adrien's father.

Hearing something loud outside, Plagg flew over to the window and looked out. Looking over at Adrien's current state, Plagg had never been more glad for an Akuma than he was at the moment.

"Hey, Kid! How about you leave that dummy alone and take your anger out on an Akuma instead. Stoneheart's back!" Plagg told Adrien.

Needless to say, Adrien transformed right after that, hoping to get his mind off of what happened.

MDC

"You have no idea who you're dealing with! My father, the Mayor, will call in the whole calvary once he hears that you've taken me!" Chat Noir heard Chloe say.

"And let's not forget about the superheroes!" He said, hitting Stoneheart's back as hard as he could with his baton.

"I forgot about that." Chat Noir said, seeing how Stoneheart grew bigger thanks to his hit.

"More like Super-incompetent you mean!"

'Now that hurts.' He thought, hearing what Chloe said.

"You wanted the calvary? Well here it is!" Stoneheart said, as Chat Noir felt what was almost like an earthquake. Looking around, he realized that the cause of the feeling was because of him getting surrounded by the Stoneheart copies.

"Seize him!" The real Stoneheart said.

"Watch out!" He heard a girl with multi-colored dreadlocks warn him before all his sight went black, due to being grabbed by one of the copies.

"Ivan, where are we going?!" He heard the girl with the dreadlocks say.

'So, that's his real name!' Chat noir thought, struggling to get free. 'I hate being trapped.'

"We're going to deliver a message at the Eiffel Tower, then a bunch of pretty black butterflies will bring us together forever." Stoneheart said.

"Ugh. All this lovey-dovey stuff is making me sick!"

"Don't worry, little monster. I'll be taking care of you too."

"If you can hear me, Red Beetle, I could really use your help right about now!" Chat Noir called out, starting to feel claustrophobic.

MDC

"If you can hear me, Red Beetle, I could really use your help right about now!" Marcel heard Chat Noir say as he rounded a street corner, only to freeze in shock at how many Stoneheart copies there were. There were way many than what the news led him to believe.

"Let go, rockhead!" He heard Chat Noir say, still trapped inside one of the Stoneheart's grasps as another one threw a car towards a building. Following where the car went, Marcel felt as if his heart tried to leap out of his chest with fear, noticing that Alya had gotten trapped underneath.

"Marcel? Are you okay?" Tikki asked, peaking out from Marcel bag.

"Sorry, Tikki. I'm fine, just terrified that I mess up worse than last time." He said ducking behind the building in a way that Alya wouldn't notice him if she managed to get free by herself.

"You still remember what to do with the Akuma and Lucky Charm, right?" Tikki asked, seeing Marcel nod his head in confirmation.

"Well, as long as you remember to do that, then you shouldn't have a problem. I believe in you Marcel!" Tikki said, trying to encourage the teen.

"Okay, then. Tikki, spots on!" Marinette said, causing the same light and wind to surround his like it had yesterday, something he didn't think he'd ever get use to.

"You can't stay here. It's too dangerous." Red Beetle said, helping Alya out from underneath the car. Seeing something metal on the ground, Red Beetle looked at it and realized that it was his partner's baton.

"Chat Noir! Extend it!" Red Beetle said, tossing the baton into his hand while tossing his yoyo so the wire wound wrap around a streetlight pole and Chat Noir's legs in a way that would, hopefully, stop him from hitting the ground too hard.

"Sorry I took too long. Again." He said.

"Red Beetle, have I ever told you how you turn my world upside down?" Chat Noir joked to Red Beetle as he was hanging upside down from the pole.

"Oh, you think you're quite the jokester, aren't you? Here's a tip. You should try to work on your comedic timing some more, 'cause right now is really not the best time to be joking around." He said, pulling him off the ground after lowering him from the pole.

"Chat, what happened?" Red Beetle asked, noticing the look in his eyes.

"Huh? nothing. Just got a little angry, that's all. Now, aren't we going to take care of them?" Chat Noir asked, hoping that he wouldn't say anything more about it.

"Trying to take them down one by one is useless. If we're going to stop them, our best bet would be going straight to the source of the problem." Red Beetle said, pointing to a TV store where they were showing news feed of the original Stoneheart climbing up the Eiffel Tower.

'If he doesn't want to talk about it, then I won't pry. Otherwise, I might scare him away. Doesn't mean I'm not worried about him though. When I first saw him yesterday, it looked like he'd been crying. And now there's a furious look in his eyes. Somehow, I seriously doubt that's a coincidence.' Red Beetle concluded, heading towards the Eiffel Tower.

RB

"I demand my daughter's safe return!" They heard the mayor say into a megaphone to Stoneheart.

"You want her? You're welcome to her!" Stoneheart said, throwing Chloe towards them.

'She may be a brat, but I'm not about to let her die.' Red Beetle thought, as he swung down to catch Chloe.

"I didn't promise." Chloe mumbled loud enough for Red Beetle to hear as Red Beetle put her down, confusing the spotted boy.

"We're clear to attack!" Red Beetle heard a cop he recognized as Sabrina's father say.

"Wait, don't! If you attack then it will only make things worse!" Red Beetle warned them.

"I have a new plan, unlike you. You've already messed up once already. I'm not about to risk having things get worse for us like last time you and your partner tried to help." He said.

"Ah, He's kinda right, you know." He said, hearing as Chat Noir landed next to her. "If I had just remembered to capture the Akuma, then none of this would have happened. I already knew I wasn't the right one for the job, but my Kwami kept insisting that I am and I guess that a part of me wanted to believe that there was a chance I could help out instead of making things worse for once."

"Hey, don't you listen to what that cop has to say. I don't think I would be able to imagine anyone else as my partner other than you. Besides the way I see it, if it weren't for you, then she'd no longer be here. Without us, they won't be able to make it and we'll prove it to them. Trust me on this, okay?" Chat Noir said, pulling Red Beetle into a side hug in an attempt to cheer him up.

"Right." Red Beetle said, pulling away from the hug as Stoneheart started coughing.

"Ivan!" They heard Mylene call out as Stoneheart fell onto his back as a hoard of black and purple butterflies flew out of his mouth, forming the shape of someone's face.

"People of Paris. Listen carefully. I am Hawkmoth. Red Beetle, Chat Noir, hand over your Miraculouses to me. You've caused enough damage to this city and its people already!"

"Nice try, Hawkmoth, but we know who the real villain is!" Chat Noir said, mock clapping. "If it weren't for your doing, then Stoneheart wouldn't exist and we wouldn't have had to show up in the first place!"

"It doesn't matter how long it takes, we'll find you, and you will have to hand your Miraculous over to us!" Red Beetle finished, opening up his yoyo and capturing the butterflies that formed Hawkmoth's face.

"Let me make this promise clear to all of you! No matter who tries to harm you, Chat Noir and I will be there to keep you safe for as long as we're able to!" Red Beetle called out from the Eiffel Tower platform that Stoneheart and Mylene, who had gotten free from Stoneheart's grasp and was currently checking to make sure that he was okay, were on.

"Woah." Chat Noir said as he watched in awe, watching as hundreds or even thousands of pure white butterflies flew out of Red Beetles yoyo.

"Okay, Hawkmoth. You'll never take Mylène away from me!" Red Beetle heard Stoneheart say. Turning around, he saw him grab Mylene after standing back up.

"Help me!" Mylene said as Stoneheart started climbing up towards the very top of the Eiffel Tower.

"We're surrounded. What are we supposed to do now?" Chat Noir asked as the two of them got surrounded by the Stoneheart copies.

"By using our powers. Your Kwami told you what to do this time, correct?" Red Beetle asked.

"Yeah. You want me to call it out now?" Chat Noir asked.

"Not yet. I'll let you know when." Red Beetle said before calling for his Lucky Charm.

"A parachute? I think I know what to do." Red Beetle said, looking up at how high Stoneheart had climbed with Mylene.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, thanks to last time, we know where his Akuma is hiding. In an object inside the same hand he's been holding Mylene in." He said, putting the parachute on his back in a way similar to a backpack.

"That's going to help us how?" Chat Noir asked.

"He's in love with her, which is pretty obvious based off of some of the stuff he's been saying about not wanting to be separated from her, and something tells me that she might feel the same way. So all we need to do is bring them closer together, They like each other, even if they don't know it yet." Red Beetle said before starting his climb up.

"I'm still not entirely sure what you have planned, but I'm going to trust whatever it is you have in mind. Something tells me this is how it's going to end up being from now on." Chat Noir said following after Red Beetle.

"Help! I'm scared of heights!" Mylène called out, seeing the duo climbing up after her and Stoneheart.

"Don't worry, everything's going to be alright!"Red Beetle called up.

"How exactly are you planning on getting them closer than they already are?" Chat Noir asked.

"Again, by using our powers. On my signal. Get ready." Red Beetle said, placing his feet securely against the platform and throwing his yoyo so it was wrapped around Stoneheart's hand and the back of his neck in a way that would pull his hand, and Mylene, closer to his face once he pulled. Hopefully, it would end up with Stoneheart and Mylène kissing, making Stoneheart's hand open up enough to drop the object..

"Chat, the paper! Hit it back up here!" Red Beetle announced, seeing that his plan to get Stoneheart to let go of the Akumatized object had worked.

"Batter up!" He said, using his baton to hit the paper ball up like a baseball and bat.

"Home run!" He said, catching it and tearing it, glad that this paper hadn't had stone surrounding it like the last time.

"Time to de-corrupt." He said, opening up his yoyo.

"Oh, crap!" He said, seeing how Stoneheart had turned back into Ivan and now him and Mylène were falling.

"Chat, your power! Now! You grab Ivan, I'll grab Mylène!" He suggested, quickly catching the butterfly before jumping off the tower. As he was falling, he saw how Chat Noir had used his power, Cataclysm, to rust his baton stuck to the Eiffel Tower and caught Ivan.

"I got you! Hold on tight." Red Beetle said, catching Mylene and opening up the parachute, right as his earrings beeped their first warning.

"Good bye little butterfly." Red Beetle said, releasing the now pure-white butterfly from his yoyo before wrapping up the parachute. Looking up, he saw how Chat Noir and Ivan were still stuck on the pole, so he threw his yoyo up so it wrapped itself around the rusted baton.

"Think the two of you could slide down?" He called up, watching in relief as they both safely slid down the yoyo wire.

"Miraculous Ladybug!" He called out, tossing the parachute up into the air.

"Woah. Red Beetle, are you seeing this?" Chat Noir said, seeing all the glowing, semitransparent ladybugs flying around fixing all the damage that was done in both the fights.

"Yeah. It's amazing."

"It's miraculous!" They spoke at the same time, before laughing at themselves.

"Whew that was a workout." Red Beetle said, pumping his fist out.

"Well, we did." Chat Noir said, accepting the fist bump.

"I think there's something the two of you need to talk about." Red Beetle said, turning towards Ivan and Mylene.

"Oh, um...I..." Ivan said, struggling to think of what to say.

"Maybe it would help if you read this instead?" He suggested after quickly skimming over what was written over it.

"Mylène, you are my oxygen, you are the most beautiful of school girls. You are stronger than an oak, even when others put you down. Would you like to be my queen? Answer me, my Mylène and I promise that you won't be sorry." Mylène read off the paper.

"Oh, wow. Do you really feel that way about me?" She asked, looking up at Ivan, seeing how he nodded his head yes, looking terrified about how she would react.

"What you wrote is really beautiful, it's just a shame that I wasn't able to understand it when you screamed...Um, I mean when you sang them earlier." She said.

"It scared you, didn't it. Is that why you ran out like you did?" He asked, feeling terrible when she nodded yes.

"I'm sorry, Mylène. I promise I'll try not to scare you like that again."

"Those two are made for each other, aren't they?" Red Beetle asked, seeing as how Mylène and Ivan hugged.

"Sort of like how us two were made to be each other's partners, right?" Chat Noir asked.

"Something like that. Now I don't know about you, but we should probably get going." Red Beetle said as his second warning went off. "I'll be seeing you next time, Chat."

"Can't wait, My friend." He said, watching as he swing off before heading home himself, glad that his baton was back in it's spot at his back, no longer rusted to the tower.

MDC

"By the time I made it to the Eiffel Tower, it was all over!"

"Don't worry, Alya. Something tells me that you'll get your scoop eventually." Marcel said, is his eyes drifting to the silver car parked out front of the school.

'That looks like the same car that drove that boy off two days ago. Maybe he's allowed to come here now?' Marcel mused.

"Oh! I know what my next target should be! Red Beetle: An exclusive interview! Or even better! Finding out who's really behind that mask!" Marcel heard Alya say.

'Yeah, good luck with that one!' Marcel thought, remembering how Tikki said that the chances of someone finding out his and Chat Noir's identity was slim to none unless they were to transform in front of someone.

'However, the interview doesn't really seem like a bad idea.' Marcel thought, following his friend into the school.

MDC

"You disobeyed me, Adrien. Take a good look at that school."

"Yes, Father." He said, taking a glance at the school.

"You will never, and I mean never, go there..."

"Father, no!" Adrien said, turning to face the screen built into the back of the passenger seat that his father was current being shown on.

"Don't cut me off! I wasn't finished." He said, confusing Adrien.

"You will never go back there again unless your bodyguard drives you. You start there in two weeks. Nathalie is already working on adjusting your schedule for when you do start."

"Thank you, Father. Thank you, Nathalie!" Adrien said as the video call with his father ended. He turned around to look out the back window of the car. Unlike the last two times, this time he was happy, knowing that he would be able to start there soon.

MDC

"Alya, wait." Marcel said, seeing how Alya was moving to sit in the same seats as yesterday. "Come on."

"I see what you're doing, Marc." Alya said, moving to sit next to Marcel, who had reclaimed his regular seat.

"Excuse me! You're in the wrong seat. Go on, get lost!" Chloe said, pointing towards the seat the two were sitting in yesterday and the day before.

"Chloe the seats don't really matter, just go sit down plus this has always been my seat, so please sit down and leave me alone like you've always done." Marcel said, not in the mood to deal with Chloe.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Chloe asked, offended.

"What it means is that I'm done putting up with your shit, Chloe. I've gotten tired of it, so go on, Chloe, sit down." Marcel said getting up and looking down at the blonde while pointing to the seats he and Alya had sat in for the past two days.

"Good job!" Alya laughed, as the other students either snickered at the fact that, for the first time that any of them had seen, someone had finally stood up to Chloe.

"Yeah well, I'm just about tired of Chloe."

Chapter Text

Inside a hotel, the workers could hear objects being thrown and hitting the walls or floor, the workers wondered what it was and went to check it out until they realized it was the Mayor's daughter's room and left the problem alone.

As the workers left the area, the mayor's daughter was currently digging through her closet for something to wear to brag about at school and mock those who didn't have it.

After finding nothing, she started to grumble, "This is rubbish! I don't have a thing to wear!" She grabbed a pink dress and threw it out, "Too pink!" She picked up a pair of red heels, "Those are so last season!" She threw those out too, she picked up a pair of brown heel ankle boots in her right hand while holding a pair of white heels in her left, "These don't cost nearly as much." She said, tossing the boot away. "And these are never in season! I hate all of them!" She complained after throwing away a the pair of white heels, she felt annoyed at the lack of good quality clothes and shoes.

Chloé left her closet with a grumble and was muttering to herself, when something shattered in another area, "Hmm?" Chloé looked up from where she was and looked around. "Is someone there? Anybody?"

Confused and slightly unnerved, Chloé slowly walked to her bathroom and peeked inside when all of a sudden, a cosmetic bottle was thrown at her which caused her to yelp and fall on her backside as more of her bottle was thrown out of her bathroom.

Whatever the thing was, moved to her bed and pushed all her plushies off Chloé's bed. It then ran towards Chloé's closet and picked up the shoes she thrown out her closet and ran to the balcony with a cackle.

Chloé scrambled up and ran after the floating shoes, "Hey, wait!" The unseeable thing tossed her red heels from her balcony, landing near a gate, just as Chloé tried to grab them. "Come back, heels! It's not true, I love you!"

MDC

At Françoise Dupont, inside the classroom of Madam. Bustier's homeroom, the entire class were working on their tablet while Chloé was leaning on her hand, looking to be falling asleep as her eyes started closing with her stylus falling out of her hand and onto the floor with a clatter. 

As Madam. Mendeleiev walked past the front desk, Marcel cracked his head left and right, releasing the pressure from his neck, and as he was doing so, he noticed Chloé falling asleep, and poked at Alya, who turned her head at Marcel questionably. "Look at Chloé," Marcel quietly said, seeing Alya turn her head in Chloé direction.

"That girl is a total wreck," Alya whispered when Chloé shot up straight from nearly hitting her head on the table.

"Probably missing Sabrina," Marcel grumbled, still irked with the girl after she locked Juleka in the bathroom, either knowing or not knowing she had claustrophobia three days ago.

Alya put a hand on her chin, brows furrowing, "Sabrina has been absent since yesterday, huh?" Alya muttered making Madam. Mendeleiev shushed them as she was passing by, Marcel mumbled an apology while Alya grinned sheepishly, when suddenly, Chloé's yelped as her hair was pulled. 

Madam. Mendeleiev stepped over to Chloé with a sigh, "What is it, Chloé?" She asked with her eyebrows raised.

"Someone pulled my hair!" Chloé whined, making Madam. Mendeleiev looked at Mylène who looked startled from behind Chloé. 

Mylène put her hands up, "I didn't do it, Ms. M." Mylène protested, seeing as how she isn’t brave enough to face a fake mask, she didn’t seem the type to pull on someone’s hair. 

Chloé stood up, knowing it wasn't Mylène who did, since the girl was too much of a coward to do so. "It wasn't her, it's-it was some invisible mystical being, like a leprechaun. Or a unicorn without the horn." Chloé blurted out, making the entire class bar Marcel and Adrien laugh at her with Madam. Mendeleiev frowning. 

"Quiet, everyone! Eyes on your papers!" She barked at her students, and they did, though they were still snickering. 

The invisible presence then grabbed at Chloé's purse, trying to take it off her, making Chloé try to pull it away from it. "Oh, it's happening again," Chloé whined, then yelped when the invisible thing let go, causing her to fall on her seat.

"Chloé, sit down!"

"I can't!" Chloé told her, as the invisible person smacked her repeatedly with the purse, "My purse is beating me up!" Adrien glared at the scene while Marcel sighed with a frown, both knowing it was an Akuma but couldn't do anything about it yet since they couldn’t exactly transform in front everyone. 

Chloé ran to the corner of the classroom screaming with the Akuma following her, the invisible person picked up Juleka's pen who looked at it with wide eyes, and threw it at Chloé, while the Akuma was it, it threw more objects at her making her run down the steps while screaming.

"Chloé, we don't run in the classroom! Get back to your seat!" Madam. Mendeleiev ordered, with her arms crossed, Marcel looked at his teacher with such a look, he was surprised no one commented on it. 

With a pout, Chloé grabbed her shoulders and hunched down walking to her seat, when her sunglasses were taken. She started fighting them, only she was slammed into her homeroom teacher's desk, and after slamming Chloé into the desk, the Akuma grabbed Chloé hair and started tugging on it.

Madam. Mendeleiev walked behind Chloé with a frown, "Compose yourself, Miss Bourgeois." She said, her students laughing in the background, Madam. Mendeleiev wondered what Chloé was doing but dismissed it. 

Marcel raised his eyebrows at his peers and teacher, wondering how they were not noticing the movement made around Chloé and why his peers were laughing as he found nothing hilarious about the scene in front of him.

The class laughed as Chloé fled from the room while waving her arms around her to protect herself with the invisible Akuma following her by bumping into Adrien and moving his and Nino's tablets. 

With a glare and frown still in place, Marcel tapped his bag signaling to Tikki that an Akuma was here. While Adrien grabbed his backpack with his hand raised.  

"Miss, I have to go to the restroom!” Adrien shouted, rushing out of the class, "Thank you!” Adrien told her, slamming the door behind him. 

Marcel stood up abruptly saying he needed to use it too and left the room with the entire class questioning the scene. 

MDC

in the library, Marcel let Tikki out of the bag after he locked the door that lead to the library. "Somebody seems to have it in for Chloé," Tikki said, flying out the bag. 

Marcel nodded with her, "The hard part is gonna be finding out who doesn't." Marcel whined, knowing that this was a usual occurrence, the Akuma going after Chloé.

Marcel was thinking who the Akuma could be when his phone beeped. 

MDC

The class', including Ms. Mendeleiev's, phone dinged too, much to their confusion as they murmured and opened their phones. 

MDC

In the boys' bathroom, Adrien was skimming through his phone, a set of pictures depicting what has been happening to Chloé.

"Something really strange is going on, time to transform," Adrien said after putting his phone back into his pocket.

MDC

"Tikki, spots on," Marcel cited, a bright pink light surrounding the room as his suit bled onto his skin.

RB

In front of the Le Grand Paris, Mayor André Bourgeois was giving a press conference due to the pictures that had spread out like wildfire, "Damaging my daughter's reputation is the same as soiling the reputation of the Mayor of Paris, which is me, and an attack on Chloé is an attack on Paris." As soon as André finished his speech, Red Beetle and Chat dropped down behind him. 

"We'll find the culprit, Monsieur. Bourgeois. You have my word." Chat said with a grin with Red Beetle nodding by him. 

RB

Inside the building, André and the two animal-themed heroes were behind him as André was calling for his daughter. "Chloé, my darling. We got special guests for you." André said with a smile. 

Chloé appeared behind one of her couches and tackled Red Beetle into a hug. "Red Beetle! I knew you'd come to save me! You know, considering what good friends we are!" Chloé declared as Red Beetle patted her arm with a grimace as he leaned away from her grip. 

As Chloé was busy taking pictures of Red Beetle who tried to smile but it didn't work and was coming out as a grimace, Chat opened the door to Chloé's closet to investigate with André behind him.

"I have to put out an emergency call to all the biggest designers. Can you imagine? My daughter wearing department-store clothing? How humiliating."

Red Beetle sighed out of annoyance and dropped down to his feet with Chloé following him still taking pictures of him like she was a paparazzi. 

Red Beetle then turned on Chloé's TV, and saw four sections of the screen show various areas in the hotel where the invisible presence could be hidden, "Have you had any run-ins with anyone lately?" Red Beetle asked, trying to get information from Chloé. 

"I never have run-ins with anyone. Everybody loves me." Chloé declared while Red Beetle leaned down and grabbed a picture of Sabrina and Chloé.

"Really? Not even with your closest friend?" Red Beetle asked with a skeptical tone as he handed her the picture.

Chloé puffed out a breath, "Sabrina?" Chloé mumbled with a scowl, and dropped the photo with a giggle, "Impossible. She adores me, I'm her idol!"

Red Beetle sighed before he turned to André, "Your daughter should be safe here with the doors and windows locked. This Akuma may be invisible, but it can't go through walls."

Chloé tackled Red Beetle into a hug again, "I'm sure you'll make my life perfect again! Just like it was before!" Chloé squealed before a quiet gasp escaped her when Red Beetle picked Chloé up by the shoulders and dropped her back down while taking a few steps back to leave the room. Red Beetle pulled Chat with him by his arm with a sigh as they both left the room to inside the elevator.

"Is something up? You seem..." Chat trailed off when Red Beetle sighed, leaning against the wall.

"She's hiding something." Red Beetle whispered, pressing a button to go to the first floor where he knew Chloe's butler was.

When the elevator opened, Beetle and Chat stepped out and Beetle walked towards the bulter with Chat following confused but trusting his partner. 

RB stopped in front of the butler where he was cleaning. "Whatever you tell us won't go any farther than this room." Red Beetle told the butler. 

"Mademoiselle did have a run-in with someone." The butler said, after checking to see if anyone was around.

"Miss Chloé and her friend Sabrina likes to impersonate Red Beetle and Chat Noir and I sometimes play along with them but Mademoiselle does argue with her friend Sabrina at times and it was a big argument that day, something about her locking someone in the bathroom?"

The butler Jean had said with a confused tone making Red Beetle tense a bit, he signaled the man to continue and Jean nodded, "Apparently Mademoiselle's friend mistakenly thought she had told her to do so but she didn't, and so she pretend she didn't know Sabrina at all, she even went as far as to say Mademoiselle's friend didn't exist."

Red Beetle sighed and thanked the butler, and walked away with Chat still following him, confused on Red Beetle's thought process. 

"This invisible person is Sabrina." Red Beetle said with a small sneer. "Who's been akumatized by Papillon." 

Chloé who was watching them through a camera in her room, plopped on her chair. 

"Impossible! She's too weak to do something so bold, especially to me. You're wrong!" Chloé denied, crossing her arms.

RB

At the Le Grand Paris hotel foyer, Red Beetle had to Chat Noir. "It's not going to be easy to find someone we can't see."

"So we'll just have to wait for her to find us. And we do have an advantage, hopefully, she doesn't know we're onto her." Red Beetle said as he and Chat left the area.

A rose was lifted up and then Vanisher's face lit up with the Papillon symbol on her face. "And now I do, Red Beetle."

"It's time to fulfill our agreement, Vanisher. Chat Noir and Red Beetle are at your mercy. Take their Miraculouses and bring them back to me." 

"They'll never see me coming, Papillon." She cooed, the symbol faded away and she dropped the flower. 

Chat's ear twitched and he looked back to see a rose on the ground. "Huh."

Red Beetle turned to his partner, "The flower, it's–." Chat paused as he noticed Red Beetle's hair shifting as if someone was trying to steal something. "Look out Beetle!" Chat warned him, trusting his partner, Beetle punched the air behind him as Chat moved into position with his baton out.

Meanwhile, in Chloé's room, she was watching both the hero's in her lobby. “If it really is you Sabrina, then I want to be the one to take you down," Chloé said, watching the two or three from her tv, she walked over to her closet and took out her Red Beetle costume out that was hidden by a compartment. "You didn't get my costume, the invisible one. Now you'll have to face me."

Back in the foyer, Vanisher was throwing vases at Red Beetle and Chat, who deflected them with their weapons. Beetle dodged a chair aimed at his head. 

"Lucky Charm!" Red Beetle called out, as a glitter container landed in his hand, "How handy."

Both heroes flinched when they heard Chloé. “Looking for me, Sabrina? I'm right here, come on!" Chloé stated, from the top of the stairs, causing both heroes and Akuma to look at her. 

"Seriously?!” Red Beetle shouted, "You need to leave!" Beetle warned her. “Now!”

Chloé walked down the stairs talking. "If you stop this ridiculousness right now, I might let you be my BFF again." Vanisher picked up a book, aiming it at Chloé who was unaware as she kept talking. 

"You've got no friends left, Chloé. And you'll never have any, EVER again." Vanisher growled as she threw the book at her, Red Beetle tackled Chloé out of the way, and rolled so his back landed on the ground with Chloé on top of him as Chat deflected books she threw their way. 

Red Beetle got up and picked Chloé up, finding a place for Chloé to hide in, while Chat tried to fight and find the Akuma. “I'll make sure of it.”

"You don't scare me! Everybody loves me."

Red Beetle sighed, "This isn't a game, Chloé." Vanisher ran behind Red Beetle and tackled him, holding his arms to his side, and restraining him.

"It's over, Red Beetle!"

"Not yet, it isn't!" Red Beetle uncapped the bottle and kicked it over his head, the glitter raining down on the Akuma as Red Beetle freed himself.

Red Beetle rolled himself away while Vanisher flipped back. Red Beetle stood there, watching her. 

"Just because you can see me, doesn't mean you'll defeat me!" Chat Noir stepped in front of Vanisher, while Red Beetle took Chloé aside, who had been behind the Akuma, and hid her behind a pillar with a counter beside it. 

"Look who's come to the rescue."

"Stay here! Don't move!" He warned, jumping over the counter. 

"Hey! This concerns me too, you know!" Chloé shouted at him. 

"We need to grab her bag and capture the Akuma," Beetle told his partner, as Chloé walked around the pillar. "Wait, Red Beetle! I don't think that's where the Akuma is." Chloé shouted, spinning her yo-yo but it flew out of her hand and smacked the top of the Akuma's head.

Vanisher turned her head towards Chloé with a grin. "So, you wanna fight, after all, Chloé?"

"Can you handle this, Chat?" 

"With pleasure." Chat rushed to Vanisher and jumped on the back of the Akuma, restraining her, while Red Beetle picked Chloé up and dropped her off at the elevator, although a little harsher than he meant to.

As he was about to leave, "Wait! The Akuma has to be in the designer pin I bought her. She's wearing it on her sweater." Chloé told him, "Such an unfortunate ugly sweater. It was a gift from me." Chloé mumbled, looking away.

"Listen Chloé, I thank you and all, but I need you to stay away!" Red told her with a sharp tone, pressing the elevator button, and letting the door close.

Chloé slumped back and rolled her eyes, annoyed at how she was being treated by her favorite hero.

Beetle sighed, spotting Chat getting thrown and landing on his back. Vanisher jumped after him and tried to kick him in the face, although Chat leaped out of the way. Vanisher struck Chat's face with a vase and slammed it onto his face.

Vanisher spotted Red Beetle and ran up at him, tackling him, letting Red see the pin shining brightly on her shirt, Beetle spun them around and pinned Vanisher onto the door of the elevator hard enough for the pin to fall to the ground. Seeing the pin, he stomped on it, with the Akuma flying out. 

Chloé who was watching from her room, humphed. "I knew it!"

"No more corruption from you Akuma!" Red Beetle caught the Akuma that was flying away, and the Akuma became purified, flying out the yo-yo. "Bye, little butterfly. Miraculous Ladybug!" Red Beetle threw the Lucky Charm in the air, the energy turning everything back to the way it was.

RB

"Inconceivable! I was so close!" Papillon groaned angrily as his window closed. Papillon, muttered to himself angrily, annoyed at how easy his Akuma was defeated. 

RB

Sabrina groaned, looking around confusingly, "What happened? What am I doing here?" Sabrina muttered, holding her head. Sabrina looked down, "Oh no! It's the brooch Chloé gave me!" Sabrina grabbed the pin Chloé gave her. 

Chat turned to his partner with a frown, "You were kind of rude there you know? She was only trying to help." Chat told him, a little upset at the way his partner was treating his childhood friend. 

Beetle sighed, "One, because she kept putting us and herself in danger, two, she wasn't listening to me, I get that she wanted to help, but I don't need help from people who don't tell the full story, sure she wanted right her mistake and all, but she doesn't have a miraculous." Red Beetle calmly answered, moving to Sabrina to help her up, even if he didn't want to, yes he going to hold this grudge against her until he felt like it. 

Chloé gasped, "You're calling me a liar?! How dare you?! I was your hugest fan, but not anymore! You don't deserve my devotion!" Chloé threw her remote to the ground, with the channel changing to the news channel.

Nadja stood in front of the camera talking. "Coming to you live from the hotel where Red Beetle and Chat Noir have just defeated Vanisher." Nadja looked over her shoulder and noticed they were exiting the hotel. "Here they are now."

As soon as Red Beetle and Chat left came out along with Sabrina, the reporters crowded the two, calling their names.

Red Beetle looked at the camera with emotionless while Chat grinned at them. Chat gently elbowed him and Red Beetle sighed, "Chat and I, we’re partners, not a team." Red Beetle told them and stepped back, letting Chat do all the talking. 

"I'm through with you, Red Beetle!" Chloé exclaimed, anger in her eyes, which sounded confusing if you thought something different when she shouted that. 

RB

Back to Papillon, he was surprised to find someone growing a negative emotion so soon after his last failed attempt. His window opened and he grinned, "A betrayed Red Beetle worshiper? Just what I need to swiftly recover from the defeat of Vanisher. This is perfect." A butterfly flew into his opened hand and he clasped his hands together, dark energy turning the butterfly into an Akuma, "Fly away, my Akuma, and corrupt her!" 

RB

Inside Chloé's room, she had taken off the Red Beetle mask and was stomping on it as sadness was creeping up on her and she stopped. Tears started flowing out of her eyes and she collapsed on the floor,  bringing her knees to her face, sobbing, not noticing the Akuma as it flew into one of her earrings,

Abruptly she stopped crying while tears were still falling out,  "Antibug, I am Papillon, that rascal Red Beetle has let you down, I want his downfall too. So, shall we defeat him together?" Papillon grinned. 

"You can count on me Papillon! There will only be one hero in Paris," Dark energy surrounded Chloé as she stood up, "Me! Antibug!" She declared, wiping the tears off her face.

Outside the hotel, Chat was still talking to the reporters, telling them interesting facts while his partner stood off to the side, not wanting to interact with them.

AntiBug blew a kiss to the duo on the screen, "Your time is up, Red Beetle." She turned the TV off with a smirk. 

RB

Outside of Le Grand Paris. Reporters were still swarming Red Beetle and Chat, even though Red wanted to get out, a beeping noise rang out on Red's miraculous, warning him he was about to detransform, and started backing away from the reporters. 

"I gotta go. Bug out!" Red Beetle told his partner, swinging his yo-yo to leave, "Thank you Red Beetle." Nadja said with a smile, Beetle smiled back and looked back at his yo-yo when he noticed someone cackling on top of the building.

"If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have defeated Vanisher. And now, I'm going to defeat you!"

"Chloé?" One said in surprise while the other said it with a groan.

"Wrong, I am Antibug!" The Akuma exclaimed as she dropped down onto the concrete with a thud.

Flipping back, Red Beetle leaned next to Chat, "We've got an emergency here. I'm about to change back." He whispered.

Chat moved in front of him, taking his baton out, pushing his partner back, "Go ahead, I can take care of her." He reassured him, staring at Antibug.

Antibug scoffed, "Look at that, he's nothing without Chat Noir." Antibug mocked, her skin itching when Red Beetle merely glanced at her.

Red Beetle rolled his eyes and ran down the streets so he could safely get Tikki's energy levels back up. 

Chat's baton hit the floor with a loud clang, "Looks like it's just you and me now Antibug."

Antibug started twirling her yo-yo with a smirk. "I love a good catfight!" She taunted, throwing her yo-yo at Chat who leaped into the sky and landed on the hotel balcony, with Anitbug following him. 

RB/MDC

Red Beetle ran down the street and noticed an alley and vaulted over a car, and landed the shadows, just as the timer ran out. Tikki flew out of the ring, energy depleted, and Marcel caught her in his hand, the other searching for food to give Tikki. 

Marcel cursed, "I don't have any food for you Tikki." Marcel made known, wanting to smack himself for not grabbing extras for Tikki.

"Don't worry Marcel, you'll find something." 

Marcel nodded and put Tikki on his shoulder, his left hand hovering in front of her in case she fell, and grabbed his phone, checking the news with the new Akuma and Chat. 

"It seems that Red Beetle has disappeared. How is Chat Noir going to get out of this on his own?" Nadja reported from Marcel's phone. 

Marcel raised a hand to his face, feeling annoyed at himself and confused about how Chloé became akumatized, he thought that Papillon was only able to akumatize once. 

"We'll have to find you something to eat at the hotel." Marcel placed Tikki inside the bag and climbed up to the roof and headed towards the hotel, Marcel had been practicing parkour in civilian form and it was clear to see as he crossed the roof to the hotel. His movements were precise, his jumps were calculated, and his flips were acrobatic. He moved quickly, yet gracefully, and it seemed as though he was almost floating. His movements were so fluid, so smooth, and so stealthy that it was almost as though he had become invisible. He eventually reached the lower ground and landed perfectly and safely on the sidewalk.

He inched inside the hotel with the chops in front of the hotel and walked inside. Quickly he ran towards the kitchen where he knew the sweets were and burst through the doors, he gently grabbed Tikki and handed her a cookie. 

A few seconds later, Marcel burst through the hotel roofs door, and below on Chloé's balcony and spotted Chat had his arms and his hands and his feet tied up to his staff and dangling on the edge, stopped by Antibug giggling while she was standing on top of the other end of the staff, letting the baton wiggle. 

"Aren't you tired of playing second fiddle to Red Beetle?"

"And aren't you tired of copying Red Beetle?!" Chat snarked. 

"Keep it up Antibug, Chat Noir is the perfect bait!"

"Team up with me, Chat Noir!" Antibug demanded. 

"No thanks! Not with a fake like you, Beetle and I are a team. Let's hope he shows up soon." Chat mumbled. 

Antibug growled and started wiggling the baton faster, making Chat move up and down, making him whimper.

"I know you can hear me Beetle-brat, wherever you are. You're going to have to choose. If you want to keep Chat Noir alive, you'll have to give me your Miraculous. And if you refuse, well then take a good look at Chat Noir, because this will be the last you'll ever see of him." Antibug stepped off the baton and leaned down, grabbing the baton, and shaking him faster. "I'm going to count to ten! One...!"

"Uh...could you make that 20?" Chat whimpered. 

"Two...!"

"I need more time! Go save Chat Noir, Marcel!" Tikki urged, trying to eat as fast as she could. 

"Can't do that without the suit!" Marcel whispered, wondering how he was gonna be able to fight a super powered heiress without his magic suit. 

“You‘re Red Beetle, with or without the costume!"

"I think I'd know if I was able to..."

"Three....!"

"I'm giving you advice, now take it!"

Marcel nodded, whipping his phone out, "Got something!" He typed something on his phone. 

"Four...!"

"Chat and I, we're partners, not a team." Red Beetle said, his voice coming from the hotel. 

Antibug turned her head back, "Red Beetle...?" She dragged Chat back and placed a couch on top of the baton, went off to find Red Beetle, Chat sighed with relief that Antibug wasn't standing on his baton anymore while Marcel jumped down on the balcony silently and pushed the couch out of the way and dragged Chat back and untied the roped on his feet. 

Meanwhile, Antibug was searching for Red Beetle, she jumped on another balcony and found a phone with a pause button and unpaused the video.

"Chat Noir and I, we're partness, not a team." Red Beetle said from the phone, "So, you think you're so smart, huh? Show yourself, bug-face!" Antibug leaped down on Chloé's balcony, twirling her yo-yo. 

She growled when she noticed a missing Chat, and spun when she saw where the baton was heading to, the baton sliding back into Chat's hands. "Ready for round two?" 

Chat leaped at Antibug but she dodged and jumped onto the roof, the two of them fighting. 

Marcel peeked out from his hiding place, "I'm good to go, Marcel." Tikki said, alerting Marcel. 

"Tikki, spots on!" Marcel cited, a bright blight covering his body as his suit materialized over his clothes and skin. 

"Bad kitty! Come here to get your leash back."

Chat pointed his baton at Antibug, "Sorry, but I don't take any orders from a mere copycat." Chat snarked, blocking off hits from Antibug's yoyo. 

Antibug jumped at Chat and threw her yoyo at him, Chat getting ready to block when Red Beetle's yoyo deflected the yoyo himself. "Nice yo-yo, mine's better!" Beetle retorted. 

"What kept you?" 

Red Beetle landed beside his partner, "I'm thinking the akuma's in the yo-yo." He whispered. 

"I'm thinking it's in her earrings."

"Why?" 

"She was already wearing them when she was akumatized, and her yo-yo was destroyed."

Red Beetle raised an eyebrow, humming, "Pretty observant, for a cat." Red Beetle teased, Chat's ear twitched while Red Beetle turned his back to face Antibug when both the heroes notice a yo-yo almost smacking their faces.  

Antibug pulled the pool cover with her yo-yo and rushed at Red Beetle who tried to drop kick her only to miss when Antibug leaped over him, she threw her yo-yo at him trying to hit him but Red Beetle kipped up from the ground, his yo-yo blocking Antibug's yo-yo, the two went at it, neither hitting the other with their yo-yo. 

Chat stood in the middle, watching the both match each other. Antibug stopped with a growl. 

"Lucky Charm!"

"Anti-Charm!"

The both called out.

With Red Beetle, "A bag of marbles? What the hell am I supposed to do with this?" He muttered. 

Antibug cackled as a large sword fell into her hand, "What? You're going to defeat me with marbles? Child's play."

Red Beetle looked around and his vision pinging Chat and the bag of marbles. 

"That's your downfall, you're always so quick to judge." He sprinted over to Cat Noir, as Antibug charged at him with the sword, "Over to you!"

"Got it!" He slid on the ground, throwing the bag of marbles to Chat and he broke the bag, hitting it with his baton, and it spilled on the pool cover, tripping Antibug, who was running at him and she dropped her sword, "I'll take that." He caught the sword with his baton, and threw it with all his might, the sword hitting the Eiffel Tower, scaring two pigeons, that flew away in fright. 

"See? You're nothing without your Chat!" Antibug taunted. 

Red Beetle walked up to Chat and placed an arm on his head, "Chat and I are partners. If you take me on, you take Chat on too. It's not my problem if you don't have any friends." He and Chat Noir grinned at each other. Then his earrings beeped, as well as Antibug's too.  

"Take his Miraculous before it's too late!" Papillon ordered, feeling desperate. 

"Cataclysm!" Chat shouted, his cataclysm crackling on his hand, Chat slammed his hand on the pool cover, cracking the pool cover, with Antibug falling into it, leaving her trapped.

Red Beegle jumped over her and took the earring out of her ears, landing on the earring and the Akuma flew out.

"No more corruption from you Akuma" Ted Beetle snagged the Akuma out of the air, purifying the Akuma, and released it, "Bye, little butterfly. Miraculous Ladybug!"  

The energy reverted everything to the way it was, even returning Chloé's shoes that were thrown out. 

"What am I doing here?" Chloé muttered to herself after the corruptive energy left her body. 

"Pound it!" Both Chat and Beetle fist-bumped. 

"Red Beetle?" Chloé said, confusion littering her voice. 

Red Beetle rubbed the back of his head, and sighed, "I would like to apologize, I was a little more harsh on you than I meant to be." 

"Oh, huh. In that case, I might reconsider." Chloé smiled coyly, walking to him. 

"R-Reconsider what?" Red Beetle stuttered, wondering where the sudden attitude came from. 

"I might just have to stay your most devoted fan after all!" She squealed, hugging his arm tightly. 

Beetle's eyes widened, "Oh, yeah. Uh...thanks? I suppose. In that case, let me offer you some advice. You should work things out with your friend Sabrina." Red Beetle growled out the last bit. 

Chloé hummed, "Well since it's coming from Red Beetle."

"Thanks Chat." 

" 'Course, We're a team, aren't we?" 

Red Beetle gently took his arm away from Chloé and gave him a wink, "Bug out!" Beetle shouted, jumping off the patio and swinging away with his yo-yo. 

MDC

At, Collège Françoise Dupont, Madam. In Bustier's classroom, Chloé walked into the classroom.

Alya turned to Marcel, "Hey, here's Antibug." Chloé sat down in her seat, crossed her arms, then, Sabrina walked in, "And Vanisher? Huh, now all we need is Red Beetle and Chat Noir." Marcel grunted, not comfortable with the Akuma names, if it was the other way around, Alya would get angry. 

Sabrina stood next to her seat, looking at the ground sadly. 

Chloé glanced at Sabrina with one eye, "Well? What are you doing? Sit down." Sabrina gasped happily and sat down, Chloé let a small smile creep up. 

"Did you see that? Chloé smiled nicely! I think she's happy to have Sabrina back." Alya muttered to Marcel who glanced at both Chloé and Sabrina, 

"Weirdly enough, I get the feeling is mutual." 

Sabrina took out her tablet, and Chloé slid another brooch in front of her. "And put it on your sweater, it'll make it less horrible." Sabrina pinned onto her sweater happily with a smile, "Oh, thank you Chloé!"

Chloé looked away, "Yeah, yeah. You can show me your gratitude later, class is starting." Chloé smiled again, though it was hidden. 

Marcel smiled a little and Alya put her fist up, Marcel meeting the fist. 

RB

Bonus scene

Marcel sighed, he felt that he had been a bit sharp with Chloé earlier when he and Chat had been fighting Vanisher. He knew that she had wanted to help fix her problems but, all it was doing was putting her in danger, so he kept trying to put her somewhere safe.

Chloé had always been like that, wanting to help fix her problems, sometimes she'll accept the help, but most of the time, she didn't accept the help, but that's what Chloé was like, he still didn't know what made Chloé become what she is nowadays. 

Marcel sighed again, waking up Tikki who had been sleeping beside Marcel on the pillow, Tikki groggily rubbed her eyes and squinted at Marcel. 

"Marcel? Why're you still up." Tikki whispered, Marcel looked at Tikki, 

Marcel asked her if he could vent about his past. "Chloé doesn't know how to treat people properly," he told Tikki. "It's not her fault though, well is it, but it's because of her mother. She never taught her right from wrong, or even how to be kind." He sighed, wishing things could be different for her.

Chloé had been raised mostly by her father, he had tried but he wasn't there physically, always choosing to just give her stuff in his absence, She had grown up with a lack of understanding of how to treat people, and Marcel could see that it was holding her back in life. He wished he could somehow help her, but he knew that the only way to truly make a difference in her life was to be there and show her what it truly meant to care for and respect other people.

A/N - So I know it's been like months, but I have a reason as to why it took me so long to get my chapters out. One; I had to study for my ACT's. Two; My family and I moved so, we had to pack up, clean the house, transfer our dogs, stuff that you do when moving. Three; the entire thing has been stressful, so I should be able to post when I actually get the chance and not just get peoples hopes up, I don't know, but I should be as I won't be so stressful. Thank you for reading. And four; finals had come up.

Another thing, I’ve been busy with others fics and writing the scenes as well as writing out the plots in multiple fics, I seriously have been getting ideas and writing them out and been editing and fixing some scenes in Red Beetle and been figuring out what to do in some episodes in Red Beetle, so again I apologize that I haven’t updated in such a long time.

Chapter Text

Marcel paced anxiously, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts as he prepared to see his uncle after three long years. Every step between the living room and kitchen felt restless, his anxiety bubbling beneath the surface. He double-checked everything, ensuring the house was immaculate, while his reflection in the mirror revealed uncertainty. After a brief debate over his outfit, he dashed upstairs to change for the fifth time.

"Okay," he whispered to himself, taking a deep breath. "Okay, Uncle Wang is coming!" The excitement in his voice bubbled over. "Wèishéme wǒ zhème jǐnzhāng?(Why am I so nervous?) He's the best, you know? Not like Zǔfù (Grandfather), who's so strict! Grandfather is always saying, 'No helping your uncles or Āyímen (Aunties) until your chores are done, and no playing with Bao unless your homework is finished!' Sure, Shūshu (Uncle) Wang can be a bit firm, but he's nothing like that! He actually lets Bao and me play together."

As he hurriedly changed outfits, Marcel's excitement spilled over. "And Uncle Wang is just awesome! He knows how to make me laugh, even when everyone else is serious and stern. He really gets me, you know? Even better than Shūshu Shin—ugh, he can be so cold! He won't even let Bao play unless she's finished everything! What if Uncle Wang thinks I'm Hái bùgòu hǎo? (not good enough?)" He paused, shaking his head as if to clear his thoughts. "No, wait, focus! This is Uncle Wang we're talking about! He's my favorite, and he'll be here any minute! Tikki! Do you think he'll like it?"

Marcel's words tumbled out in a nervous but excited rush as he struggled to put on his fancy shoes while balancing on one foot. Today, he sported a sleek black Zhongshan casual formal suit, perfectly complemented by a black and gold watch on his wrist. As he descended the stairs, he snatched a vibrant bouquet of flowers from the coffee table, their bright colors a striking contrast against his outfit.

He glanced over at Tikki, noticing her bewildered expression, and paused, a mixture of anticipation and anxiety swirling within him. "What do you think? Will he like the flowers?" he asked, his voice a blend of eagerness and hope.

Tikki watched her chosen with a mix of amusement and bewilderment, noting his unusual display of nerves. Marcel, who was typically so nonchalant, was now practically vibrating with anxiety. It was hard to believe that so many years had passed since he last saw his uncle—aside from that brief visit the previous summer—and the disconcerting news about Bridgette's ex only added to the tension. For a moment, it felt like he was actually embodying the teenager he was meant to be.

As these thoughts swirled in her mind, Tikki's nonexistent eyebrow furrowed. She couldn't help but feel a twinge of sadness at the sight of children being thrust into such a battle. Usually, her chosen were eighteen or older; they had more experience, more resilience.

Just then, Marcel caught her gaze, his eyes wide and hopeful. She couldn't resist the urge to reassure him. "I think your uncle will love them, Marcel," she said gently, flying over to nuzzle his cheek. "They're beautiful, and they smell fantastic," she added with a wink.

Marcel, still fussing over every detail, seemed momentarily calmed by her words. Despite knowing they were heading into a competition, his perfectionist tendencies were in full swing, a trait undoubtedly inherited from his meticulous chef uncle and mother. Tikki couldn't help but feel a mix of affection and concern as she watched him, he reminded her so much of Hippolyta whenever she was excited about family, and both having to fight battles so early in life.

The doorbell suddenly rang, causing Marcel to jump in surprise. "That must be him! Hide, Tikki," Marcel instructed, his heart racing as he hurriedly put on his black coat, remembering the news said today would be slightly windy. With a special pocket sewn inside for Tikki. Tikki zoomed inside the pocket where a cooking was waiting for her.

Marcel, in his rush, vaulted over the couch instead of walking around, strode to the door and took a deep breath. He relaxed a bit and opened the door. Marcel felt a sense of ease as he greeted his uncle at the door, extremely eager and nervous to see his uncle again.

"Nǐ hǎo(Hello)." Wang Cheng, Marcel's uncle greeted him with a small bow.

"Shūshu nǐ hǎo, wǒmen yǐjīng yǒu yīduàn shíjiān méiyǒu jiànmiànle(Hello Uncle, its been awhile since we last seen each other)" Marcel greeted his uncle with a respectful bow, a mix of nerves and excitement evident in his demeanor as he offered a bouquet of flowers. His smile was hesitant, awaiting his uncle's response with bated breath.

His uncle accepted the flowers with a smile, taking a moment to appreciate their fragrance. A satisfied hum escaped him as he nodded in approval, meeting Marcel's eyes. Marcel couldn't help but exhale a sigh of relief, his tension melting away at his uncle's positive reaction.

"Nǐ yuànyì dài wǒ qù jiàn wǒ shēng zhí de zhízi ma?(Would you like to lead me to the contest nephew?)" Wang asked, Marcel gave his uncle a nod and locked his door and turned to lead his uncle to the hotel.

(MDC)

As the two headed towards the hotel, Marcel  initiated a small conversation with his uncle. "Hǎojiǔ méi láile shūshu, bǎo hái hǎo ma?(It's been awhile since you've been here uncle, how's Bao?)"

"Yīrújìwǎng de èzuòjù, zài zuìhòu yīgè shāngle tā de xīn zhīhòu, tā zhǎodàole yīgè hǎo nánhái, (Causing mischief as always, she found a good boy after the last one broke her heart.)" Wang responded, and gave his nephew a teasing smile. "Nǐ de zhōngwén shuō dé gèng hǎole (You've gotten better at Chinese.)"

Marcel glanced at his uncle and felt a pang of anger at hearing about cousin's ex again. The-Ex-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named had ghosted his cousin for no reason, not even a call or a text, it made him want to give the boy a piece of his mind. Marcel just shook his head, there was a reason why he never approved of him. "Xièxiè shūshu, guānyú nǐ, nǐ xuéguò fǎyǔ ma?(Thank you uncle, and about you, have you learned some French?)" Marcel asked curiously, while he knew his uncle could understand the language, he didn't know if his uncle started speaking it.

"Oh, my French very bad. Not like your Chinese." Wang teased, ruffling his nephew hair.

Marcel chuckled, and the two continued chatting on their way to the competition/promotion.

(MDC)

At the hotel, a judge and his cameramen were present. "Ever since our prestigious 'World's Greatest Chef' contest began, culinary masters from all corners of the world have been dazzling us with their exquisite creations!" Alec enthusiastically informed his audience, the cameras capturing the entrance of Wang Cheng and Marcel Dupain Cheng.

Mayor Bourgeois approached Wang, extending his hand with a firm grip. "Cheng Shifu, Huānyíng lái dào bālí (Welcome to Paris), it is my greatest pleasure and honor to welcome you to our grand finale. Here, you will have the opportunity to compete against the talented chefs who have showcased their skills thus far." Andre gave a respectful bow and flashed a warm smile at Wang. In return, Wang Cheng smiled warmly as he shook hands with André. After the brief exchange of pleasantries, André excused himself and headed back indoors.

Marcel wasn't exactly shocked that Andre knew Mandarin, recalling that the Bourgeois family were a bit ambitious when it came to languages.

Wang and Marcel proceeded into Le Grand Paris, where Alec was broadcasting live. "Only one chef will be crowned the coveted title of 'World's Greatest Chef.' Their winning dish will become the esteemed Mayor's Special on the menu of Le Grand Paris!" The cameraman focused on Wang and his nephew, asking with a tone of respect and anticipation, "Cheng Shifu, could you share with us the dish you will be presenting to our esteemed panel today?"

Wang glanced at his nephew, seeking assistance to understand the words being spoken since Alec has said the words a bit to fast for him to understand. However, before he could even ask, Marcel was already translating for him. "Nín jiāng tígōng de càiyáo(The dish you will be offering)," Marcel repeated to his uncle. Wang nodded in comprehension and replied carefully, "My dish is the Celestial Soup."

"Wow! I've heard so much about your legendary Celestial Soup. Today, we finally get to taste it!" Alec exclaimed to his viewers, his excitement evident in his smile.

"Shūshu yào wǒ gēn nǐ yīqǐ qù ma?(Do you want me to come with you Uncle?)" Marcel inquired.

Wang shook his head with a smile. "No, thank you, Marcel. Me cooking needs no words." Wang politely declined, allowing Alec to guide him to the kitchen.

Marcel watched as his uncle left, and after standing for a few minutes, he took out his phone to jot down the fabric he needed to buy for his commission. As he was listing the items and their prices, he switched his app and continued his comparison of Papillon with the rich figures he know lived in Paris, he already had scratched out the main adults that surrounded him or that had been previously akumatized. Only unknown to him, there were a pair of eyes on him as he continued his list.

The eyes continued looking at him with such intensity that Marcel broke out into a cold sweat and looked around, when he didn't see anyone he shrugged but kept his guard up and finally put four known figures that were able to be Papillon, but he was startled by a sudden voice.

"Oh, you must be that nephew of the chef?" The woman said, as she invaded Marcel's personal space. Marcel frowned, as the woman leaned closer, her bright red hair cascading over her shoulders like a fiery waterfall. "My question is, does your uncle really think he can win the contest with a mere broth? Soup's aren't even a main dish! Shouldn't he know how to make sushi like everyone else? Or is he a lazy muzayaf(fake)?" Her eyes glinted with a strange intensity that made him feel trapped, as if she were a predator sizing up her prey. He could smell the heavy scent of her perfume mingling with the aroma of the bustling kitchen behind him, a mix that was far too overwhelming.

"Yes, I'm his nephew," Marcel replied, forcing a polite smile despite the unease creeping up his spine. Marcel glanced down at the woman, annoyed, he raised an eyebrow slowly. "Japan's main dish is sushi, but my uncle and I are Chinese," Marcel corrected her, giving her a pointed look at her crossing his space. However, she just smiled back at him with a strange glint in her eyes. "And besides, he's not like 'everyone else'—my uncle is one of the best chefs in Shanghai. His soup is legendary," Marcel stated with a drawl, looking down at her with a sneer in his voice. "Hell it is back in Shanghai, plus my uncle's broth is a family recipe. It's more than just soup—it's a tradition." Marcel sarcastically smiled at her.

The woman seemed unimpressed. "Tradition? Pfft. That won't win him any points in this contest. People come here for innovation, for excitement. Broth? It's a snooze fest! Why doesn't he just pack up and go home?"

Marcel's patience wore thin. "Maybe you should try it before passing judgment. It's not all about flash and trends; sometimes, it's about depth and flavor. And my uncle knows how to bring that out."

The woman laughed, a sharp sound that grated on his nerves. "Oh, sweetie, you're cute when you're passionate. But let's be real—no one wins cooking contests with just a bowl of broth. It's like trying to win a race with a bicycle in a car competition. And frankly, I think he's a too much of a muzayaf(fake) to keep up with the rest of us." She leaned in even closer, her finger tracing the outline of his arm in a way that felt both unsettling and invasive. "But you know I could help him. Show him a thing or two about what it really takes to win."

Marcel's skin crawled at her touch, and he stepped back again, creating a space between them. "I don't think he needs your help, Madame. He's been doing this for years, and he knows what he's doing. What's your deal, anyway? Why are you so interested in my uncle's cooking?"

Her eyes sparkled, but there was a shadow of something darker lurking beneath the surface. "Oh, honey, it's not just about the cooking. You see, I have a...taste for talent, and your uncle's broth has piqued my interest. And you, dear fata wasim(handsome boy), are quite the distraction."

"Look, I don't know what you think you're trying to do, but I'm not interested. You're being very disrespectful, not just to my uncle, but to the entire culinary community."

The woman's expression shifted, a flicker of annoyance crossing her face. "Disrespectful? I'm just being honest. But if you want to defend your uncle's lackluster dish, that's your choice. Just remember, this is a competition. Survival of the fittest, darling."

With that, she stepped back, her demeanor shifting from aggressive to flirtatious in a heartbeat. "But who knows, maybe I could teach you a thing or two about cooking as well. You're not half bad yourself, fata wasim. You could use a bit of...refinement."

Marcel's stomach turned at the thought. "No, thanks," he said firmly, crossing his arms. "I think I'll leave the cooking to my uncle. He's the real talent here."

The woman pouted, but there was a glimmer of mischief in her eyes. "Suit yourself. But remember, if you ever want to learn how to win hearts—and contests—just let me know." She said, grabbing his hands.

"Oh, really?" he countered coolly, snatching his hand away from her almost immediately.

"Didn't you know? I'm on the jury. Your uncle won't be getting my vote, that's for sure," the woman chuckled, a hint of amusement in her voice, until she faltered, her laughter fading as Marcel's lack of reaction registered.

Marcel fixed her with an unimpressed stare. "Right," he drawled, the word dripping with sarcasm. "Well, he doesn't exactly need your vote to win. There are other judges with much better taste than yours," he stated slowly, almost patronizingly. Displeasure prickled at the back of his neck as she reached out again, her attempt to belittle his uncle only fueling his irritation. He couldn't fathom why she persisted, especially considering his Great Uncle's reputation as a culinary genius, serving celebrities eager to sample his famed soup and determine if he truly deserved the title of 'World's Greatest Chef.'

The woman huffed indignantly, spinning on her heel. "How annoying!" she spat, storming off toward the stairs. "You've made a grave mistake by angering Cozbi Ducard," she called over her shoulder, her voice seething with irritation.

Marcel raised an eyebrow and called after her, "At least he's not a fake." Her anger seemed to escalate, her footsteps echoing louder as she stomped away. Ignoring her outburst, Marcel let out a frustrated sigh and refocused on his phone.

"It's her again," Adrien groaned, catching Marcel off guard; he hadn't realized the Agreste heir had entered the room.

Marcel's eyebrows furrowed in confusion at Adrien's remark. "What do you mean by 'her again'?" he asked, looking at Adrien, puzzled by his behavior.

Adrien sighed heavily and explained, "Her name is Cozbi Ducard. She's new to high society, always seeking connections due to her father, Henri Ducard. Even Monsieur Ducard doesn't approve of her, especially with his other daughters excelling in the wealthy circles. She enjoys flirting with me and anyone with significant wealth," Adrien added, his face contorting in disgust at the thought of the woman. "That's probably why she's been giving you those looks and flirting with you, considering your family's bakery wealth," he concluded with a shudder.

Marcel recoiled at the revelation. "If she's new here, what exactly is her purpose for being around?" He asked, his tone reflecting annoyance, and disbelief.

"Most likely looking for rich opportunities if anything considering Alec is here."

Marcel hummed in acknowledgment, his curiosity piqued. "So, what brings you here?" He asked, genuinely intrigued by Adrien's unexpected presence. "I don't recall seeing you as part of the judging panel."

Adrien chuckled softly. "Oh, I'm not here to judge. I'm just filling in for Chloé, who decided to sit this one out due to her aversion to liquid-"

"Ah, right. I completely forgot about her dislike for liquid-y meals unless she's sick. So she must have sent you in her place," Marcel interjected, recalling Chloé's particular eating habits, which elicited a nod of agreement from Adrien.

As an awkward silence settled between them, they both decided to join the others upstairs, the tension palpable in the air as they walked side by side since they were heading the same way.

(MDC)

In the hotel kitchen, Wang diligently prepared his ingredients for the soup, skillfully slicing the potatoes, vegetables, and cabbage. As he focused on his cooking, Cozbi suddenly appeared by the doorway.

With a loud bang, Cozbi swung the doors open and cheerfully announced, "Mr. Cheng, your nephew is waiting for you outside." She flashed a smile at Wang before he left the kitchen to attend to his nephew.

As Wang stepped out, Cozbi couldn't resist a sly comment, "Let's see if the other judges appreciate your uncle's soup now, fata wasim. He's not even worth the trouble." She added a splash of salt, raw pepper, lemon juice, and a few other incompatible flavors to the pot, Cozbi stirred the mixture before closing the lid.

Returning to the door just as Wang reentered, "My nephew wasn't there–." Cozbi bluntly interjected dismissively, she cut him off with, "No speak Japanese. See ya," Before striding away.

Confused by Cozbi's behavior, Wang furrowed his brow briefly but shook his head and decided to focus on his work.

(MDC)

Inside the dining hall of 'The World's Greatest Chef', the cameras continued to roll. "As usual, our esteemed panel of judges consists of André Bourgeois, the mayor of Paris and owner of this luxurious hotel; the charismatic rockstar Jagged Stone and his ferocious companion Fang; the flamboyant influencer Cozbi Ducard; and last but not least, the talented head chef of this establishment, Marlena Césaire, along with yours truly!" Alec proudly announced as the logo of 'The World's Greatest Chef' flashed on screen. "It's time to determine the destiny of Cheng Shifu's renowned Celestial Soup. Let's dive in!"

The entire panel, except for Cozbi, eagerly tasted the soup. Almost immediately, their expressions soured.

Alec couldn't hide his shock as he spat out the soup. "What on earth IS this!?" he exclaimed, his nose wrinkling in disbelief.

Wang, Adrien, and Marcel watched in astonishment, particularly Wang, who was taken aback by the judges' reactions.

"I'm afraid this soup may not meet our guests' expectations. I'll give it a 3 out of 10," The mayor remarked politely, though a hint of discomfort lingered in his voice as he held up a three-star plate somehow keeping his composure even though he wanted to throw up.

"Considering its lack of appeal, I'll have to abstain from scoring, but it's a solid zero from me!" Cozbi added with a smirk, presenting an empty plate.

Jagged grimaced and sneered, "Ech! Tastes like a Zombeats member! I'm giving it a negative zero," he declared, holding up a blank plate.

Marlena tried to maintain her composure, though it was clear she was struggling. "I'm sorry, but this is simply inedible. I rate it 1 out of 10," she said politely, displaying a one-star plate.

Wang stood there, clearly confused and at a loss for words. "I...I..." he stammered.

Marcel glanced at his uncle with a worried expression, while Adrien looked at Marcel, his eyes filled with worry.

Approaching Cozbi's soup, Wang hesitantly took a taste. Instantly, his eyes widened and he spat it out in disgust, a grimace forming on his face. "This can't be right. I never used these ingredients. It's a mistake. Someone has sabotaged the soup!"

Marlena and Jagged Stone exchanged concerned glances, while Cozbi sported a subtle smug smile, looking pleased with herself.

"Cheng Shifu, I regret to inform you that I must give you a zero as well, lowering your score to 0.8 out of 10—the lowest score thus far. Regrettably, Celestial Soup will not be featured on the hotel's menu this year, and you will not be crowned 'World's Greatest Chef,'" the judge announced solemnly.

Marcel furrowed his brow, perplexed by his uncle's unexpected defeat. As Cozbi rose from her seat and shot him a sly smile, Marcel's suspicions grew. He watched her walk away, a sense of unease settling in.

"I have a feeling that woman is involved in this," Marcel muttered to himself, unknowingly ignoring Adrien standing beside him.

Rubbing the back of his head, Adrien spoke up, "I think you might be onto something." However, Marcel was too absorbed in his thoughts to hear him.

Hastening to catch up with his departing uncle, Marcel reassured him, "Uncle, it wasn't your fault. I mean earlier, that wom-."

Wang interrupted his nephew, and shook his head, Wang muttered with a heavy heart, "The shame lies with Celestial Soup. I never attain title of 'World's Greatest Chef.'"

Watching his uncle exit the room, Marcel scratched his head, deep in contemplation.

Adrien joined Marcel, acknowledging the loss, "We both know losing face in China is a significant blow. Let's wait for him downstairs," he suggested.

With a shrug and a sigh, Marcel made his way down to the lobby with the heir next to him.

(MDC)

Wang stood in the kitchen, his eyes distant and stressed as he stared down at the soup pot in front of him. He had worked hard to make this soup, yet somehow it had turned out bad, leaving him feeling worried and defeated. He had put so much effort into creating something delicious, yet here he was, standing over the pot with a feeling of despair. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself, but he was still filled with worry. How had he gone wrong? He just wanted this soup to be good, legendary in fact. But, it seemed like he had failed.

(MDC)

A grand window swung open as Papillon began his customary monologue, "Today, a great artist has been unjustly treated. I can sense it. I can hear the cries of his heart yearning for retribution." He spoke with a false mournful tone.

Extending his palm, he beckoned, and a butterfly gracefully alighted upon it. "Go forth, my little akuma, and sow the seeds of corruption! Triumph has never been so sweet!" With a gleeful grin, Papillon cackled as the Akuma soared out through the open window.

(MDC)

Back in the kitchen with Wang, he scrutinized his soup, searching for the source of the mishap. His gaze wandered around the counter until it landed on a bottle of raw lemon juice and the scattered raw ingredients.

Wang's nostrils flared with anger, "Marcel was right. It was Kěwù de xíngwéi(hateful act)by that women who barged in kitchen! No respect for Cheng Shifu!" Wang growled as the Akuma dove into his crimson chef hat.

"Ah, Kung Food, I am Papillon," Papillon murmured, his voice smooth and inviting, like a silky broth simmering to perfection.

Wang, caught off guard, turned, looking around wildly in the room he was suddenly in. "Who are you? What do you want?"

Papillon stepped closer, his gaze piercing yet inviting. "Your exquisite soup casts a mesmerizing charm on the soul, forging loyal disciples. Those who dare to defy you shall meet their downfall," he seduced Wang with a honeyed tone, weaving a spell of persuasion that seeped into Wang's very essence.

Wang's heart raced with both intrigue and unease. He had always believed that cooking was about passion and dedication, but Papillon's words ignited a darker flame within him—a hunger for supremacy that he had never acknowledged. "What do you suggest?" he asked cautiously, the lure of power wrapping around him like a warm broth.

"I will help you prove yourself as the greatest chef," Papillon promised, his voice dripping with temptation. "Embrace your true potential. Channel the energy around you, transform your spirit. Let the world know the name Kung Food."

A swirling vortex of energy enveloped Wang, igniting his very being with a fierce, malevolent power. The transformation was instantaneous. Wang felt the surge of dark energy coursing through him, reshaping him from within. He could feel his senses sharpening, the flavors of the world becoming more vibrant, more intoxicating. Yes, he would be Kung Food, a name that would echo in the halls of culinary greatness.

"I will prove as greatest chef in the world!" The Akuma roared, his voice echoing with newfound authority, as he embraced the darkness that Papillon had awakened within him. No longer just Wang, he had become something more, something formidable—a culinary demon with the ambition to conquer.

(MDC)

During the filming segment, Alec suddenly doubled over in pain, clutching his stomach as a wave of discomfort washed over him. Groaning audibly, he knelt down and grimaced, trying to cope with the intense sensation.

Jagged, clearly in agony, expressed his discomfort, "My guts are killing me," before thudding his head against the table in frustration.

Mayor Bourgeois, his face contorted with with a grimace, held onto his stomach and managed to croak out, "I'm feeling quite unwell," while covering his mouth in distress.

Amidst the uneasy atmosphere, a sinister cackle echoed through the room just before the Akuma materialized on the table. With a malicious grin, it declared, "You have consumed my soup, and now you shall serve me!" Those who had partaken in the judgment of Celestial Soup found their eyes glowing orange as they obediently rose to their feet under the Akuma's control.

Alec bowed deeply, his voice distorted and echoing with an unsettling tone. "At your command, master."

Kung Food, his eyes glinting with malice, pointed ominously at Cozbi, who was obliviously engrossed in a phone call. "Grab her!" he commanded, and the possessed celebrities, now twisted shadows of their former selves, crept toward Cozbi, their growls reverberating through the air.

Cozbi was mid-sentence when she suddenly felt the weight of danger behind her. "Hello, Master Henri? I was hoping you might consider allowing me to sta—" Her voice caught in her throat as the menacing growls reached her ears. Startled, she stepped back, her heart racing. "Wait, please! Stay calm. I am Cozbi Ducard, daughter of a renowned figure who can fulfill your every desire! Hello?" Her words trembled, desperation creeping in as she sought to de-escalate the situation.

In her frantic attempt to retreat, Cozbi accidentally collided with the imposing figure of Mayor Bourgeois, who grasped her by the shoulders, his grip firm and unyielding.

"Kung Food will make new soup called Rénlèi (human) Soup!" The Akuma cackled, his laughter echoing with the sinister presence of Papillon lurking within his mind.

Cozbi struggled to free herself from the mayor's grasp, panic rising in her chest. "But I don't want to die!" she cried out, her voice rising in pitch as she looked around for an escape.

(MDC)

A cameraman dashed out of the building from the lobby, urgently shouting for everyone to evacuate. "Get out! Hurry! Escape while you still can!"

Two boys and two staff members stood perplexed as they witnessed the man's frantic exit, waving his camera erratically.

Both boys were taken aback when an Akuma emerged from a projector, declaring, "It's impolite to leave table without permission. Seal all exits!"

Adrien stepped back in astonishment, while Marcel grew increasingly concerned, particularly since the Akuma resembled his uncle.

Meanwhile, on the rooftop, Kung Food's henchmen poured vats of caramel down the sides of the hotel.

Adrien rushed towards the door, attempting to push it open to no avail. Upon seeing the orange liquid seeping from under the floor, he knelt down and cautiously dipped his finger into it.

Marcel observed as Adrien inspected the liquid, asking, "What is that?" Adrien sniffed and remarked, "Caramel?" Intrigued, he tasted it, savoring the sweet and salty flavor. Marcel watched in disbelief at Adrien's bold move, realizing they were trapped inside due to the dense substance.

After a moment of awkward silence, since Marcel was just looking at Adrien in complete disbelief. Marcel diverted his attention, expressing concern about his uncle's whereabouts. Adrien, scratching his head, reassured him, "Don't worry, I'll find him."

"Thanks. I'll...try to find a way out," Marcel mumbled, trailing off as he moved away, when the Akuma's voice boomed from the projector once more.

"You shall taste Kung Food's soup. Everyone will serve me, and Kung Food shall be hailed as the 'World's Greatest Chef'!" The Akuma chuckled menacingly.

Marcel sighed, feeling overwhelmed by the escalating situation. He hurried off to search for a hidden room, "This was supposed to be a good day." Marcel groaned and ran off to find a hidden room.

(MDC)

The Akuma watched as his one of his Henchmen added ingredients in the pool while the other stirred it with Cozbi hanging over it. Cozbi looked worried.

(MDC)

Marcel stormed into the room, forcefully kicking the door closed behind him as he let out a frustrated groan. "What on earth did that woman do to my Uncle's soup?" he demanded, his voice dripping with anger and concern.

"She must have played a part in akumatizing him," Tikki observed, remembering the woman's smug demeanor.

"But why? Just because I refused to give in to her taunts and flirts," Marcel grumbled, his frustration evident. "It doesn't matter right now. Tikki, spots on!" he commanded, an intense, bright pink light flooded the room as his suit materialized seamlessly over his clothes and skin, his voice taking on a sharp, commanding tone. A yoyo materialized at his waist, while a sleek black domino mask settled over the upper half of his face. His eyes transformed into a striking shade of grey with a subtle hint of silver, complementing his now blue, medium-length mullet hair. With a swift and confident movement, he adjusted his posture and strode purposefully towards the door.

(AA)

Adrien pressed the button to disable the elevator camera and casually opened his jacket. "C'mon, Plagg, we need to rescue Marcel's uncle," Adrien exclaimed as his kwami, Plagg, emerged from his jacket. "Did you manage to snag a small piece of Camembert during all that cooking chaos?" Plagg inquired with a hopeful tone.

Adrien chuckled softly and replied, "Cheese can wait until after the main course."

"Plagg, claws out!" Adrien commanded, A dazzling neon green light flooded the elevator as his suit materialized over his clothes and skin. Cat ears sprouted on the top of his head, a tail-like belt cinched around his waist, and a domino mask formed on his face, transforming his eyes into slitted, cat-like pupils glowing with a neon green hue. With a mischievous grin, he leaped up, and dug his claws onto the elevator surface. He pried open the hatch and gracefully climbed out on top to the shaft. Moving silently, he made his way to another elevator, opening the shaft and landed in the elevator and forced open the door.

(RB&CN)

Chat leaped over the stairs and landed at the same time his partner and leader did, they both stood up and looked at each other confused.

"Chat?" Red Beetle said confused on how his partner was here.

"Red!" Chat cheered, he elbowed Red in the side with a grin, "I don't know about you Red, but I'm a bit hungry." Chat joked.

For once, his counterpart decided to join the joke, "Let's go eat then. Shall we?" He smirked. They boded and ran towards the elevators.

Unbeknownst to them, an eye was watching, hidden in the shadows of the dense underbrush nearby.

(RB&CN)

"Who are those two?" the Akuma asked, his voice low and gravelly as he pointed at the image projected before him, flickering with ominous light.

A neon purple sigil glowed on his forehead, illuminating his sinister features. "They have something I want, and they've come to stop you from completing your soup. You must add them to your recipe," Papillon whispered slyly, his tone smooth and conspiratorial.

"Surprise ingredients? Hah! Delicious!" The Akuma grinned, his eyes gleaming with malevolence. He turned sharply, pointing an accusatory finger at Jagged. "You! Capture them!" he commanded.

With blank eyes that betrayed no emotion, Jagged bowed deeply. "Yes, Master," he replied, his voice monotone and devoid of any resolve. He then sprinted off into the shadows, his form melding seamlessly with the darkness.

Kung Food closed his eyes, envisioning the grotesque concoction he was about to create. "Brat Soup even more powerful with superhero flavor," he mused to himself, a twisted smile creeping across his face as he looked up at the woman tied up nearby.

"I am so not eating your soup!" she protested, her voice a mixture of defiance and fear.

The Akuma leaned closer, his grin widening to a disturbing extent. "Foolish girl. You are not eating soup; you ARE soup!"

Her eyes widened in horror, and she began to thrash wildly against her bonds. "Someone help! Let me down!"

"Don't worry, you will be let down soon enough!" the Akuma cackled, reveling in the chaos that was about to unfold. The sound echoed ominously through the balcony, a prelude to the twisted fate that awaited his captives.

(RB&CN)

Back in the lobby, Chat Noir kept pressing the elevator button, frustration mounting as nothing seemed to happen. "Ugh! It's jammed!" he exclaimed, shaking his head in annoyance.

Before Red Beetle could respond, a voice boomed from the shadows. "Chat Noir, Red Beetle! You soon have privilege to be ingredients in Kung Food's soup. But first — you taste special of the day!"

The two heroes spun around, startled by the sudden proclamation. They barely had time to react before the elevator doors creaked open with a mechanical whirr.

"Seafood appetizers," Jagged Stone announced with a blank smirk, a large fish draped over his shoulder as if it were a trophy.

"Jagged Stone?" Red Beetle exclaimed, recognizing the transformed villain.

Chat scratched the back of his head, attempting to lighten the mood. "Seafood? This scampi happening. Let's see if you can carry a tuna!" He taunted, his eyes glinting with mischief.

"Look out!" Red Beetle shouted as Chat's ears twitched, and they both jumped back just in time to dodge the squid that Jagged swung at them with surprising force.

"That's not very 'rock and roll' of you, Jagged Stone," Chat quipped, trying to keep the banter going, even as the danger loomed closer.

Jagged glared at him, his eyes glowing an eerie neon orange. "Rock is one thing, soup is another. When I'm done with you, you'll be nothing but minced meat!"

Fueled by the Akuma's powers, Jagged leaped into the air, swinging his sword down toward the two miraculous users. They both dodged, narrowly escaping as the blade cracked the ground beneath them. Jagged stood up, relentless, swinging again at Chat.

Chat dodged multiple times, his agility allowing him to evade the assault until he executed a perfect flip away, landing on his knees and sliding to a stop. He unclipped his staff.

With a nod exchanged between them, they both rushed at Jagged. Chat leaped into the air, aiming his sword at Jagged, who blocked the attack with the squid. Distracted by the maneuver, Jagged didn't notice Red Beetle sliding under his legs, attaching his yo-yo to one of Jagged's feet.

Red Beetle stood up, signaling to Chat that he had him contained. Seizing the opportunity, Chat stepped back, allowing Red Beetle to take the lead.

With a swift motion, Red Beetle twirled and threw Jagged into a random closet, the man stumbling inside. Without missing a beat, Chat slammed the door shut, and Red Beetle slid into a nearby chair, locking the door behind him. "Good job," Chat said, offering a fist bump to his counterpart who bumped the fist.

"Let me out of here! Come on, then!" Jagged's frustrated voice boomed from within the closet, pounding on the door.

Ignoring him, the two heroes raced toward the stairs, adrenaline pumping as they prepared to face whatever awaited them next.

(RB&CN)

The Akuma examined his bubbling concoction, the vibrant, roiling liquid simmering in a large cauldron. The Ducard woman dangled precariously above it, her feet lifted high to avoid the searing heat. "The soup is going to be Kung Food's masterpiece!" He declared, an unsettling gleam in his eye.

"Do you have to tie me up above this foul-smelling liquid?" she retorted, her voice dripping with indignation. "My hair is going to stink of grease!"

The Akuma growled in frustration, glaring up at her. "Soup not greasy at all! Kung Food soup very well-balanced!" He cackled maliciously, the sound echoing ominously off the walls of the dimly lit chamber.

Suddenly, a beep interrupted their exchange. The Akuma turned, his attention drawn to the eye displaying a live feed of Jagged locked inside the closet, furiously pounding on the door.

"Bad sous chef," he muttered with a scowl. His gaze shifted to the screen as he saw the beetle and cat enter an elevator in the background. A flicker of irritation crossed his face. "Useless!" He spat, before his eyes landed on Mayor Bourgeois, who was standing nearby, a look of confusion on his face.

"You!" the Akuma pointed sharply at the mayor, his voice a low growl. "Do justice!"

The mayor snapped to attention, saluting with exaggerated enthusiasm. "Yes, Master!" he replied, determination in his eyes as he turned and sprinted away, ready to carry out the Akuma's orders.

(RB&CN)

Chat Noir leaned casually against the elevator wall, a playful smirk on his face. "RB, come on. It's just you and me together. We could go places." He didn't realize how his words might come across, a hint of flirtation unwittingly slipping into his tone.

Red Beetle raised an eyebrow, a teasing glint in his eye. "Uh, yeah. Like up." He chuckled, his playful humor lighting up the tense atmosphere.

"Exactly! We've got nowhere to go but up!" Chat teased, beaming, but their lighthearted moment was abruptly cut short when the elevator suddenly shook, sending them both tumbling to the ground.

"You spoke too soon," Red Beetle mumbled, pushing himself up and brushing off his suit.

Chat, undeterred, began mashing the buttons in a futile attempt to get the elevator moving again. "I think the electricity between us short-circuited the elevator," he joked, trying to keep the mood light.

"More like us getting ourselves into a sticky situation," Red Beetle teased back, just as the elevator doors creaked open, revealing Mayor Bourgeois standing there, swinging a giant string of smoked sausages with surprising flexibility and agility.

"Royal hotpot with its giant string of smoked sausages!" the mayor shouted, his eyes gleaming with determination.

"Looks like a food fight is coming our way," Red Beetle remarked, slightly impressed despite the absurdity of the situation.

The two heroes raised their fists, ready for battle. "I prefer my sausages with mashed potatoes," Chat snarked, adding a touch of humor to their impending conflict.

They all rushed towards each other, the mayor expertly wrapping the sausages around their ankles, sending Chat and Red Beetle flying into a nearby suite, where they landed unceremoniously on a plush couch.

"Welcome to the world-famous Suite 36 of this hotel," the mayor hissed, stepping inside with a preying grin.

He charged at them, swinging the sausages at Chat first. Chat leaned back to dodge, but the mayor quickly redirected his attack, connecting with Red Beetle instead. The impact sent Chat rolling away, while Red Beetle flipped backward to avoid being hit again, only to get smacked by the swinging sausages as well.

Chat rolled back to soften his landing, while Red Beetle planted his hands and feet against the wall, mimicking a certain vigilante before rolling to the floor with a graceful thud.

Drawing his staff, Chat was momentarily caught off guard when the mayor managed to attach the edible nunchuck to his wrist, pulling him forward with surprising force.

"Time to pick up the bill, Kung Food. Grab Cat Noir's Miraculous. His ring. Bring it to me! Do it now!" Papillon commanded, his voice dripping with authority.

Red Beetle, ever the opportunist, spotted the chandelier hanging above them. "You've got the wrong superhero, Bourgeois! I bet you don't know how to do this." He taunted, twirling his yo-yo around his body with flair.

Mayor Bourgeois grinned, a blank look in his eyes as he attempted to mimic Red Beetle's move. But as he pulled down on his edible nunchuck, the weapon got caught in the chandelier, sending him yelping as he stumbled backward, his weapon trapping him in an awkward position.

Red Beetle couldn't help but chuckle at the sight.

The two heroes leaned over the flailing mayor, Chat grinning widely. "Nice work, Red. Shall we go and find the head chef?" He pointed at the hole in the ceiling.

(RB&CN)

The Akuma grumbled under his breath, his irritation palpable as his eye twitched. "Pea-brain! Useless too! My recipe not perfect without those two!" he barked, his voice rising in pitch with frustration. He pointed an accusing finger at Marlene and Alec, who stood nearby, a mix of fear and determination etched on their faces. "Capture them, and don't mess up, or you'll end up in soup too!"

Marlena and Alec exchanged glances, nodding vigorously. "Yes, master," they replied in unison before sprinting off, the urgency of their mission clear.

As they dashed away, the Ducard woman seized the moment, trying to stall the Akuma. "My makeup is ruined! Do you know how long it took this morning?" she exclaimed, her voice laced with exasperation.

The Akuma waved a dismissive hand, clearly unimpressed by her plight. "It won't be a problem soon," he crowed, a sinister grin spreading across his face. "Once I have my perfect Kung Food soup, no one will care about your little beauty routine!"

He turned back to his bubbling soup, the air around him thick with the scent of spices and something more ominous. The Ducard woman could only watch in horror as he began to stir the soup, muttering ingredients under his breath, the chaotic energy in the room building with each passing second.

(RB&CN)

Both Red Beetle and Chat Noir balanced precariously atop Chat's extended staff, the duo inching closer to their destination. "We're almost there," Red muttered, his eyes scanning the chaotic scene before them.

"Great. All this fighting has made me hungry!" Chat replied, a grin spreading across his face despite the tension.

Their lighthearted banter was abruptly interrupted by the Akuma's voice echoing through the air. "Kung Food is generous! No need to choose between cheese and dessert; you get both!" The Akuma flashed a coy smile, his tone dripping with mischief.

Just then, the elevator doors slid open with a beep, revealing Alec, who stood grinning blankly as if he were a news anchor. "Watch the spectacular demonstration of the famous thousand flying cakes!" He announced, his enthusiasm oddly unsettling.

Before they could react, Marlene leaped into the air with enhanced intensity, launching sharpened candy canes at them like arrows.

The two heroes responded quickly, executing backflips to evade the onslaught. Red landed deftly on a nearby table, deflecting the candy canes with his yo-yo while Chat spun his staff to block the incoming projectiles.

"Oh ho! Our guests seem to have a few tricks up their sleeves, but how will they fare against the blinding stinging cheese bombs?" Alec chimed in, his voice filled with an unsettling cheerfulness as he shot a roll of cheese their way.

Red dodged by flipping to the side while Chat swung his staff at the cheese, creating a cloud of dairy that obscured his vision.

"Ow, he's right. The cheese really does sting your eyes," Chat grumbled, quickly covering his eyes with a hand.

Taking advantage of the distraction, The air crackled with intensity as Marlene shot another barrage of candy canes at Chat, her aim precise and her grit unwavering. The festive projectiles whizzed through the air. But Red, ever the agile fighter, weaved effortlessly between them, his reflexes honed from countless encounters.

As he closed the distance, Red aimed a swift kick at Marlene, hoping to catch her off guard. She anticipated the move, her instincts kicking in as she crossed her arms in a defensive stance. The impact of his kick met her forearms with a solid thud, but she absorbed the force, using it to pivot into a counterattack.

Marlene retaliated, launching a powerful punch that Red narrowly dodged. The two fighters were locked in a rapid exchange, a dance of strength and agility that captivated anyone watching. Red utilized his speed, darting around her, delivering quick jabs and kicks, while Marlene relied on her impressive strength, blocking and countering with a series of powerful strikes.

The room echoed with the sounds of their combat—the thud of feet hitting the ground, the whoosh of limbs cutting through the air, and the occasional grunt of exertion. Marlene's powerful punches were met with swift evasion from Red, who was determined to stay one step ahead.

Marlene's punch cut through the air as she aimed for Red, but he was ready. With a quick leap, he used her body as a springboard, launching himself across the room in a graceful arc. He landed skillfully on his feet, but before he could catch his breath, Marlene retaliated with a barrage of candy canes, each one hurtling toward him like a volley of missiles. The festive projectiles whistled through the air, glinting in the light, and Red's instincts kicked in as he assessed his dwindling dodging space.

Thinking quickly, he planted his feet firmly on the ground, his mind racing. He pushed off the wall beside him, propelling himself sideways just as the first candy cane zipped past him. The force of the push sent him into a roll, narrowly avoiding the next few sharp candies that whizzed by.

As Chat squinted against the cloud of stinky cheese that was burning his eyes, he could hear the unmistakable sound of Alec preparing to launch his next attack. The pungent odor of stinky cheese wafted through the air, and Chat instinctively knew he had to act quickly. Relying solely on his keen sense of hearing, he honed in on the sound of the gooey projectiles slicing through the air. He weaved left, narrowly avoiding a splat of cheese that would have left him a sticky mess. Then he dodged right, feeling the breeze of another near miss. Each movement was a calculated risk.

In a moment of inspiration, he blurredly spotted the ceiling above him, which had just enough strength to support his weight. With a powerful leap, he soared into the air, sinking his claws into the material and pulling himself up.

The room erupted into chaos as Red collided with Alec, the two of them momentarily tangled in a brief scuffle. Alec's neon glowing eyes narrowed in irritation as he glared down at Red. "Hey!" he shouted, his voice filled with indignation, but Red simply flashed a sheepish grin, his mischievous nature shining through even in the heat of battle.

Before Alec could respond, Red sprang into action, leaping into the air to evade another onslaught of candy canes that Marlena had sent soaring his way. The sugary projectiles missed him entirely, instead striking Alec squarely in the chest. Caught off guard, Alec stumbled backward, his finger still pressing down on the trigger of the cheese launcher.

The unintended consequence of their chaotic clash was immediate. The cheese roll, which had been primed to launch at Chat, instead rolled directly toward Marlene, who was still recovering from her own skirmish with Red. She barely had time to react before the gooey projectile reached her, coming to a sudden stop just inches away.

With a loud pop, the cheese exploded in a cloud of stinky goo, splattering all over Marlene's face. The foul-smelling substance instantly stung her eyes, causing her to let out a surprised yelp as she stumbled back, wiping furiously at her face. "Ugh! What the—?" She exclaimed, her voice muffled by the cheesy mess.

Chat, still perched on the ceiling, couldn't help but chuckle at the turn of events. "Looks like someone found the stinky surprise!" He called down, reveling in the moment of chaos.

Both heroes landed gracefully on the ground after releasing their grip on the ceiling. Chat clapped his hands together, a determined glint in his eyes. "I think it's about time we got to the second course," he declared confidently as he clipped his staff back onto his back. They both headed toward the elevator.

(RB&CN)

The Akuma sighed contentedly, a sinister grin spreading across his face. "Temperature's just right. Time to add the main ingredient!"

The Ducard woman's eyes widened in horror as she lowered in the bubbling pot. "Oh, no, no, no, no!" In a swift motion, a staff sliced through the rope binding her, leaving her suspended in the air for a heartbeat before Red Beetle leaped up and caught her. "You! What took you so long!? Just wait until I tell everyone—" Her voice was abruptly cut off as Red Beetle, 'misjudging' his grip, accidentally dropped her.

"Oops," He replied with a hint of sarcasm, a smirk dancing on his lips.

"My Brat Soup will be so flavored," the Akuma sneered, his eyes sparkling with malicious delight.

Red turned to his uncle, determination etched on his face. "You can stop this, Cheng Shifu."

"I am not Cheng Shifu," the Akuma retorted, puffing out his chest with an exaggerated flair. "I am Kung Food — the Greatest Chef in the World! And nobody will stop me from finishing Brat Soup!" With a dramatic flourish, he brandished dual batons, their handles gleaming menacingly in the light.

"Get back, lady!" Red shouted, urging the Ducard woman to flee. She took off, and he and Chat charged forward, their focus locked on the Akuma.

"I'll take care of you myself!" The Akuma declared, his voice a low growl.

What followed was a chaotic symphony of motion and sound, the air crackling with tension as the combatants clashed. Chat launched himself into the fray, his agility on full display as he swung his staff, aiming for the Akuma with precision. But the Akuma was ready, blocking the strike with a swift flick of his batons, his eyes glinting with malevolence as he shifted his attention to Red Beetle.

"Move!" Red shouted, positioning himself protectively between the Akuma and Chat. With a quick, decisive motion, he planted his foot firmly on the Akuma's baton, halting its advance. The two faced off, the air thick with anticipation. They sized each other up, each aware that the next move could tip the balance in this high-stakes battle.

The Akuma sneered, confident in his abilities. He swung his baton again, but Red was quick. He dodged to the side, then retaliated with a sharp kick aimed at the Akuma's midsection.

The Akuma stumbled back but quickly regained his footing, retaliating with a flurry of strikes. Red moved like a dancer, slipping left and right, his feet barely touching the ground as he evaded each blow. Chat, meanwhile, circled around, waiting for an opening to strike.

With a sudden burst of energy, Red sprang into action, launching himself into a backflip just as the Akuma swung wildly. The move was precise, and in one fluid motion, he caught the Akuma's baton mid-air as it swung past him. With a determined twist of his wrist, he hurled the weapon off the balcony, watching it disappear into the depths below.

But the victory was short-lived. The Akuma's eyes narrowed, and he reached into his bag, pulling out another weapon.

The Akuma charged at Chat Noir, his eyes blazing with intensity as he swung his staff with precision, aiming to land a decisive blow. Chat met the attack head-on, their staffs clashing in a flurry of strikes.

Both fighters moved with agility, dodging and blocking as they sought an advantage. Chat his instincts sharpen as he anticipated the Akuma's next move. The tension between them built, each strike growing more intense as they pushed each other to their limits.

"Chat! The Akuma must be his chef's hat! Try to grab it!" Red shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos. He darted around the periphery, looking for an opening, just as the Akuma launched another aggressive swing, Chat noticed an opening—a moment where the Akuma had overextended himself. Chat shifted his weight and executed a powerful kick, connecting with the Akuma's staff.

The impact reverberated through the air, and with a satisfying crack, the Akuma's staff splintered, sending pieces flying. Stunned, the Akuma stumbled back, his expression full of anger.

The Akuma dug into his bag, his fingers closing around a handful of chili powder. With a sinister grin, he blew it into Chat's eyes. "Ow! It burns!" Chat yelped, stumbling back, his vision blurred.

The Akuma cackled with delight. "Like it spicy?" he taunted, relishing in Chat's discomfort.

"Lucky Charm!" Red Beetle shouted, and a check dispenser materialized in his hands. He stared at it in confusion. "A...check?"

"And I think it's gonna be a steep one," Chat quipped, his voice strained, eyes half-lidded from the sting of the chili powder.

The Akuma snarled, his anger bubbling over as he unsheathed a gigantic pizza sword, its absurdity only adding to the tension. "You think you can beat me with piece of paper!?" he mocked, brandishing his ridiculous weapon.

Chat shot back with a grin, "You're one to talk, Kung Food. You've been trying to defeat us with sausages and cheese! Without any luck, I might add." He winked, his bravado a shield against the chaos.

The Akuma's face darkened, and he swung the sword at them. In a split second, Red leaped into action while Chat held the sword in place with his staff, allowing Red to run along the blade, charging directly at the Akuma.

But the Akuma anticipated the move, swinging his sword upward with a fierce motion that sent Red flying. "Woah!" The beetle shouted as he soared through the air, landing hard on the ground. He groaned and shook his head, disoriented.

Once again, Chat and the Akuma clashed in a furious sword fight, with the Beetle having to duck and weave under the swings of the oversized blade. In the midst of the frantic battle, Red Beetle activated his vision, and the boiling soup began to glow as did his lucky charm.

Understanding the plan, he rolled the check dispenser and dipped the paper check into the soup. He ripped the check cleanly and charged at the Akuma.

At that moment, the Akuma kicked Chat, sending him tumbling to the ground. He raised his sword high, but Red Beetle was quicker, using the paper check like a yo-yo to ensnare the Akuma's weapon. "Chat, all his weapons come from his bag! Destroy it!"

"Got it! Cataclysm!" Chat shouted, channeling his energy as he sprinted toward the Akuma's bag. He ran his hands over it, he then pivoted, delivering a powerful punch that knocked the Akuma off balance, still trapped in Red Beetle's grasp.

With determination, Red Beetle strode forward and seized the chef hat from the Akuma, ripping it free and releasing the villain's hold on the battle. "Your days are over, little Akuma!" he declared, opening his yo-yo wide. "Time to purify! See you another time. Miraculous Ladybug!" With a flourish, Red Beetle tossed his Lucky Charm into the air, unleashing a brilliant burst of energy that radiated over Paris, returning everyone to normal.

Wang gasped as he looked around, disoriented but relieved. His gaze landed on the two miraculous users standing before him. Red Beetle offered him his red chef hat with a warm smile.

(RB&CN)

"This evil dinner was almost perfect," Papillon muttered, his voice a low growl. "Revenge is a dish that is best served cold, so watch yourself — I'll be ready to strike again!" His latest attempt to secure both the Miraculous had ended in failure, and the bitter taste of defeat lingered in his mouth like overcooked asparagus. The had slipped through his fingers.

(MDC)

Inside the Le Grand Paris kitchen, the air was filled with the fragrant aroma of simmering ingredients as Wang Cheng expertly prepared a new batch of Celestial Soup. Fresh ingredients surrounded him, and Marcel entered, balancing a colorful bouquet of flowers in his hands.

"Do you want some help making the Celestial Soup, Uncle?" Marcel offered, his eyes bright with enthusiasm.

"With pleasure, Zhízi (nephew)," Wang replied, accepting the bouquet with a warm smile. He admired the flowers for a moment before setting them aside to focus on the cooking process.

As they began chopping vegetables and stirring the pot, Adrien strolled in, a teasing grin on his face. "Cooking needs no words," he chuckled, glancing at the duo.

The Ducard woman came across the man plus teenagers in the room, "Seriously? Still making soup?" She said, a hint of irritation creeping into her voice. "You think the jury is going to approve of this?" Adrien's annoyance peaked as he noticed the woman who had entered unnoticed until now. The Ducard woman, her presence imposing, caught Adrien off guard. "Didn't André kick you off the jury?" He shot back, glaring at her with a mix of distrust and defiance.

"No, he didn't! I...I...resigned," she stammered, stepping back as if the force of Adrien's words pushed her away.

"I think Cheng Shifu and Marinette have got this covered. Why don't we let the real jury decide?" Adrien said dismissively, waving a hand at her as if to brush off the entire conversation.

The woman's face twisted into a snarl, her frustration boiling over. With an exasperated huff, she whirled around and stomped her feet in a dramatic show of displeasure.

Adrien scratched his head, incredulous. "Did she just...snarl at me?" he muttered, glancing at Marcel, who only shrugged in response. The Dupain-Cheng had seen plenty of oddities in the kitchen, but this was a new level of bizarre.

Wang chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Welcome to world of culinary art, where emotions run high and soup is serious business."

"Seriously, though, Uncle, how can you keep making soup when it's clear some people just don't appreciate it?" Marcel asked, trying to lighten the mood.

"Because, my nephew, soup is not only about ingredients. It is about love and effort that goes into it," Wang replied, stirring the pot with a steady hand.

(MDC)

The studio buzzed with excitement as the show reached its finale. The announcer's voice rang out, "And now, the moment we've all been waiting for! Cheng Shifu's delicious Celestial Soup has received the highest marks overall, making you the final winner!"

Marcel and Adrien exchanged proud smiles, their applause echoing through the studio as they celebrated Wang's success.

"Ah, and it will soon be the Mayor's Special on the restaurant menu of my prestigious hotel!" the mayor proclaimed, savoring another mouthful of the exquisite soup, his expression one of sheer delight.

Jagged, the rock star judge, leaned back in his seat with a broad grin. "Rock n' Roll! I can't wait to get home and write a song about soup!" His enthusiasm was infectious, and he glanced over at Marlene, who was thoroughly enjoying the dish, nodding in agreement with every sip.

Wang bowed deeply to the judges, his heart swelling with pride. "Thank you, but no longer Celestial Soup. Now it shall be called: The M Special."

Marcel blinked in surprise, his eyes wide. He pointed to himself and exclaimed, "Huh? Xièxiè shūshu (Thank you, Uncle)!" His voice was filled with joy, recognizing the honor bestowed upon him.

"You're welcome," Wang replied, a warm smile spreading across his face as he ruffled Marcel's hair affectionately.

Alec, the show's host, stood up and made his way over to Wang. "Come over here and stand alongside your uncle, the 'World's Greatest Chef'!" he called out, gesturing for Marcel to join them.

The camera zoomed in as Wang and Marcel embraced, capturing the heartfelt moment of victory and pride. The audience erupted into applause, and the screen filled with messages of congratulations from viewers, celebrating not just the culinary triumph but the bond shared between uncle and nephew.

(MDC)

As Marcel waved goodbye to Adrien, the excitement from the day's competition still buzzed in his veins. The promotion had gone better than he'd expected, and now he was looking forward to a relaxing dinner with his family. He and his Uncle Wang strolled back to the house, the late afternoon sun casting long shadows on the pavement.

Once inside, the familiar aroma of Szechuan spices filled the air, reminding Marcel of countless family dinners. He quickly joined his mother and Uncle Wang in the kitchen, rolling up his sleeves to help with the preparation. Together, they sliced tender strips of beef and tossed them in a sizzling wok, the sound of the ingredients hitting the hot oil sending a satisfying hiss through the air.

"Make sure to add just the right amount of chili paste," Uncle Wang instructed, grinning as he expertly handled the spices. "You want it to have a kick, but not so much that it overpowers the dish."

Marcel nodded, his enthusiasm evident. Cooking with his family was one of his favorite parts of the day. He loved the way they worked together, joking and laughing as they created something delicious.

Meanwhile, his father was in the corner of the kitchen, focused on baking candied lemon slices. The sweet and tangy scent wafted over, mixing wonderfully with the savory notes of the beef. "These will be perfect for dessert," his father said, a satisfied smile on his face as he pulled the tray out of the oven. "And don't forget, I'm also making the peanut butter fudge cookies!"

Once dinner was ready, they gathered around the table, plates piled high with steaming Szechuan Beef and fragrant rice. Conversations flowed easily, laughter mingling with the clinking of utensils. Marcel felt a warmth in his chest as he watched his family enjoy the meal.

After dinner, they moved to the living room, where the game console awaited. Mortal Kombat was their go-to entertainment, and tonight was no different. Marcel and Uncle Wang teamed up against his father, and the competition was fierce, while his mother simply watched as she rather liked to read than play video games.

"Get ready to lose!" Marcel taunted, selecting his character with confidence.

"Not if I have anything to say about it!" His father shot back, a competitive gleam in his eye.

The room filled with shouts and laughter as they battled it out, each victory celebrated and each defeat met with good-natured ribbing. Marcel and Uncle Wang emerged victorious, their shared laughter echoing throughout the house.

As the night wound down, Marcel felt a sense of contentment wash over him. The chaos of the day faded away, replaced by the comforting rhythm of family life. Uncle Wang would be leaving in the morning to head back to Shanghai, and Marcel knew he would miss him.

After saying goodnight to his family, Marcel settled into bed, the events of the day replaying in his mind. As he drifted off to sleep, he felt grateful that his uncle was here.