Chapter Text
Master Fu sat looking at the Miraculous’ thoughtfully as Wayzz flew over to his shoulder.
“Master? Is something wrong?” Wayzz asked curiously.
“This mess with Volpina has me concerned.” He revealed, “Perhaps we should release another Miraculous to assist Ladybug and Chat Noir…” Wayzz looked at him alarmed.
“Master, are you sure…?” Wayzz inquired, “They seem to be doing alright on their own…”
“I’m not sure yet…But Hawkmoth may be gaining strength…and Ladybug came close to surrendering her miraculous last time. I won’t make my move just yet…but I am definitely pondering it.” Master Fu replied, closing the case again, “Meanwhile, keep on guard…in case…” Wayzz nodded.
“Yes Master.” Wayzz agreed.
Meanwhile…
Marinette walked into school to see Alya grinning wildly, causing Marinette to stop and blink.
“Erm…Alya? Whaaaat are you smiling about?” Marinette wondered.
“You didn’t hear? We’re getting two new exchange students from America today!” Alya exclaimed. Marinette blinked.
“R-Right now?! W-We just got Lila here!” Marinette pointed out.
“Yeah, but she MOVED here from Italy. These two are just staying the rest of this year and all of the next.” Alya replied, “As guests of the school.”
“Alright…Well…why are you so excited about it?” Marinette questioned, raising a brow.
“Duh! We’ve had reports of Ladybug in ancient Egypt, right? Well, it could be possible that she’s been sighted in other countries as well! So, I’m going to see what they know about Ladybug.” Alya replied with determination. Marinette chuckled lightly.
“Of course…I doubt they’ll know too much though.” Marinette commented.
“Maybe not, but it can’t hurt to ask.” Alya replied with a shrug and a smile, “The other difference between them and Lila is that they’ll actually be in our class.”
“Really? Well that’s pretty interesting…” Marinette muttered. Alya chuckled and put a hand on her hip.
“Girl, you’re student rep, shouldn’t you already know this?” Alya commented, Marinette blushing.
“I-It’s not like anyone said anything to me about it! …At least…I don’t think…? OH NO! Do you think they’ll be expecting me to make up a welcoming committee or something?!” Marinette freaked out. Alya chuckled.
“Little late for that. I think the teacher took care of it. Speaking of which, it’s time for class.” Alya told her, “We’d better get up there.” Marinette nodded and left with Alya up to class.
Meanwhile, the two American girls were having trouble finding their way to school.
“I think this should be a…Left?” The brunette guessed, looking around confused.
“You know what? I think we’re lost.” The blonde huffed, crossing her arms.
“I don’t know, it’s hard to tell! Pretty much everything is in French! I didn’t take French! I wanted to, but mom made me take Spanish because it was ‘more useful’.” The brunette retaliated.
“Which begs the question, WHO THOUGHT IT WAS A SMART IDEA TO SEND THE TWO SPANISH SPEAKING GIRLS TO PARIS?!” The blonde cried out. The brunette sighed.
“No use getting upset by poor decision making now.” The brunette muttered, looking at her map again then looking around, “Let’s stop at this bakery and ask for directions.” The blonde sighed and nodded, allowing herself to be led inside.
“Hello! May I help you?” Tom asked with a smile.
“Hi! We are so VERY lost.” The brunette started as the blonde looked at the pastries, “We’re exchange students from America, but we can’t find the school…Francoise Dupont?” Tom smiled wider at this.
“Ah, yes, you’re very close actually. My daughter goes there. In fact, I could probably walk you over if you’d like.” He offered, the brunette lit up.
“Ah! Than-Erm, I mean, Merci!” She thanked, nudging the blonde who was drooling over a small pastry causing her to squeak before muttering a ‘merci’ as well. He took off his apron and yelled back to his wife.
“Sabine? I’m walking these two lost American girls to the school, can you manage?” Tom called.
“Yes dear. Take some snacks to give Marinette for her friends while you’re at it!” She called back. Tom nodded and grabbed a few pastries and put them in a box, smiling.
“I trust you two can give this to her when you get inside?” He requested, the brunette taking the box.
“Yup! You can count on us!” She agreed, Tom smiling as the three left towards the school. Meanwhile, the students were eagerly and confusedly awaiting their new classmates. They were about ten to fifteen minutes late to the first lesson by now, and they were still nowhere to be found.
“You think something happened to them?” Marinette worried.
“Like what? Getting Akumatized?” Alya wondered.
“No, not like that…” Marinette replied.
“Maybe they got lost.” Alix commented.
“W-What if they hurt themselves?” Mylene suggested.
“I’m sure they’ll be alright Mylene…” Ivan comforted.
“Who cares?” Chloe scoffed, “They’re just some random exchange students, and not even from some interesting exotic place, just AMERICA. Bor-ing.” Alya frowned and considered saying something before the two come in.
“Sorry we’re late, we got lost.” The brunette apologized. The teacher nodded.
“That excuse is fine for now, but in the future try to leave earlier if you think you might lose your way.” Ms. Bustier told them, turning to the class.
“These are our new students from America. I hope you all will help them feel at home here in Paris. Please, introduce yourselves briefly.” The brunette nodded and put on a smile, while the blonde seems less than thrilled.
“Hi there! I’m Molly, Molly Thompson. I’m happy to be here. Also, is there a Marinette in here?” Molly wondered. Marinette blinked as she felt the class’ attention-Including Adrien’s-turn to her. She smiled sheepishly and raised her hand with a blush.
“Um, here.” Marinette told her, Molly beaming with a bright smile and running up to her side, handing over the box of pastries. Marinette looked her over as she did. Her hair was short, choppy, and messy, and her clothes weren’t much better. She wore a baggy T-shirt and a hoodie, sweatpants on her bottoms and gray sneakers without socks. On her face sat a simple pair of black glasses, behind which were green eyes.
“Your dad helped us find our way here, he gave us these to give to you when we got here.” Molly explained, Marinette giving a small smile and a nod as she took them.
“Oh, M-Merci.” Marinette replied. Molly went back by the blonde as attention turned back to her.
“U-Um…My name’s Breyanna.” She stated simply. Marinette studied her quickly as well. She noticed her hair was a lot longer, all of it scooped into a slightly messy ponytail. She was wearing a black tank top and dark jeans as well as brown boots and a dark gray hoodie seemingly brimming with pens. Ms. Bustier nodded.
“Alright then, go sit down.” She told them, turning back to the board as the two went to find a seat. Molly bit her lip as they saw there weren’t two seats together. Breyanna sighed and just sat next to Nathanael, at least back there she could draw in peace. Which, when she looked to her new neighbor, seemed to be his idea as well, noting the open sketchbook in front of him. Molly shrugged and sat next to Ivan in the last available seat, smiling at him brightly. He gave a nervous smile back.
“Well, they seem nice enough.” Alya commented. Marinette nodded in agreement, handing Alya one of the pastries that her dad had sent, looking back as Molly struck up a quiet conversation with Ivan, Ivan’s smile showing his enjoyment of it. Later, around lunch break, Ms. Bustier turned to the class.
“Adrien?” She called, the blond looking up.
“Yes Ms. Bustier?” He wondered.
“During lunch break would you show our new students around?” She requested, Chloe glaring back at the two suddenly as Marinette jolted slightly. She didn’t think Ms. Bustier would pick ADRIEN! Adrien just smiled and gave a nod.
“Sure thing, I don’t have anything scheduled for break today.” He agreed, turning and smiling at the two of them, Molly smiling back as Breyanna ignored them.
“Calm down girl.” Alya comforted as Marinette twitched slightly, “He’s just showing them around.”
“B-But what if they get along really well and he ends up forming a crush on her and then he confesses and she feels the same and they get together, and instead of them breaking up when she has to move back he runs away and goes with her, then he marries her to gain citizenship! I’ll never see him again!” Marinette worried.
“Girl, that will NOT happen. If it makes you feel better we can go with them.” Alya suggested.
“W-Won’t that look suspicious…?” Marinette pointed out. Alya shook her head.
“Nah, it’s natural to be curious right? Besides, you’re the student rep and I’m the deputy remember? So we should obviously want to help out the new students. Plus I have to ask my questions for the Ladyblog anyways.” Alya replied.
“Nino, I’m not entirely sure what I should show them…” Adrien confessed with a small frown.
“It’s cool bro, I’ll come with.” Nino told him, putting a hand on his shoulder, “If you run out of ideas, I’ll step in.” Adrien smiled back.
“Thanks Nino.” Adrien stated as the bell rang. Molly stood as she shook Ivan’s hand.
“Those lyrics are GREAT Ivan! I’m sure she’ll love them. I can already tell we’ll be great seat buddies.” Molly commented, Ivan smiling back.
“Merci. I’m happy to know we’ll be sitting together from now on.” Ivan agreed, waving and going to Mylene so they could walk together. Breyanna silently packed her sketchbook as she and Molly met Adrien at the front.
“Bonjour, it’s nice to meet you both.” Adrien greeted with a slightly nervous smile, Marinette trembling as she tried to work herself up to going over, “I’m Adrien.” Molly shook his hand.
“Pleasure to meet you.” She responded, Adrien turning to Breyanna who looked up and then away with a muttered greeting, Adrien blinking confused.
“…Did I say something?” Adrien laughed nervously. Molly shook her head.
“No, Brey’s just a little shy with new people. She’ll warm up to ya eventually. Probably.” Molly explained as Brey frowned at her slightly.
“Oh, well my friend Nino’s going to come with us, you mind?” Adrien wondered as Nino waved. Molly shook her head with a small smile.
“Not at all! The more the merrier.” She told him. Alya got fed up with waiting for Marinette to move on her own so she grabbed her hand and dragged her along.
“Mind if we tag along then? After all it’s good for a student rep and the deputy to help with stuff like this, and I have a few questions for you guys for a blog I run.” Alya stated, Marinette smiling and laughing nervously as she rubbed the back of her neck.
“Y-Yeah…I-If you want, y-y’know…” Marinette stuttered. Molly smiled brightly.
“Sounds great! Happy to have ya.” She agreed, Adrien also smiling.
“That sounds like a great idea! Marinette and Alya can probably think of all sorts of good places to show you that we can’t.” Adrien reasoned. Marinette blushed as her smile grew wider.
“Th-thanks, we thought s-so too.” She replied, then turning to Molly and Brey again. “S-Since I’m student rep.”
“And I’m Alya, deputy and runner of the Ladyblog and School blog.” Alya introduced. Molly grinned.
“Neat. This is a great welcoming party, huh Brey?” Molly prodded, nudging her friend to try and get her to interact with them. Brey nodded slightly, still mostly silent.
“Let’s get going then dudes!” Nino announced, putting an arm around Adrien and another around Alya as they started walking, just going around the school first.
“So, Molly, have you ever heard of the superheroine Ladybug?” Alya started eagerly, beginning to record her. Molly blinked, looking from the camera to Alya and back.
“Ladybug? Hmm…Nope, doesn’t ring a bell…” Molly admitted turning to Brey for ideas who shook her head, then turning back to Alya, “Yeah, we’ve got no clue.”
“Really? Nothing? Drats, that’s disappointing.” Alya sighed, turning the recording off.
“Why, who is she?” Molly wondered.
“She’s the superheroine of Paris, saving the day along with Chat Noir.” Nino commented, Marinette and Adrien both looking away and trying to act natural.
“Wow, a superheroine?! That sounds awesome!” Molly exclaimed happily, Alya smiling and nodding eagerly, pulling up some pics on her phone.
“Yeah! They’re both really cool, that’s why I run the Ladyblog to sharer info on Ladybug and Chat Noir.” Alya told her, Molly looking with great interest as Brey looked as well.
“…They look pretty cool.” Brey commented, Molly nodding eagerly in agreement.
“Yeah, I-” Molly started before being cut off by the sound of an angry Chloe.
“What do you MEAN you weren’t able to get me the Ladybug figure?!” She yelled at a younger student, the boy flinching, “Your father owns the company!”
“Y-Yes, but the doll isn’t even finished yet…The only one in existence is the prototype and I can’t just-”
“Ugh, I knew you’d be useless, and you can just FORGET about my daddy endorsing your petty little shop. In fact, you’ll be lucky if it isn’t CONDEMNED!” Chloe snapped, lightly pushing the boy.
“HEY!” Molly yelled as the boy ran off crying, “Leave the poor kid alone!” Chloe frowned and turned to her.
“Excuse me? Listen little-miss-America, you don’t even know who I am, so why don’t you just-“ Chloe started.
“I don’t HAVE to know who you are, picking on someone-especially a younger kid-like that isn’t cool no matter what the country!” Molly snapped back. A couple of kids from the class where still around finishing up some things, watching as Molly glared Chloe down.
“Listen, my daddy is the MAYOR, so unless you and your little friend want to be deported, I suggest you stay out of my way.” Chloe growled, “Little miss sweatpants.” Chloe regained her smirk and flipped her hair as she walked away, Molly snarling as Breyanna quickly grabbed her and held her back.
“OH LET ME AT HER! I’LL KNOCK THOSE PRETTY LITTLE TEETH OUT!” She hissed angrily.
“Come on, don’t let it get to you. Sweatpants are your favorite thing and I’m PRETTY surer mayor’s can’t deport people.” Brey comforted.
“Yeah, don’t let Chloe get to you. She’ll get what’s coming to her one day.” Alya assured, Marinette nodding as she looked after the kid who ran off.
“I hope that kid’s alright…”
Meanwhile, the boy was hiding in a corner, crying as he took out the action figure his dad had made of him for him, hugging it close.
“I’m so sorry dad…” He sniffled.
Hawkmoth’s window opened as he sensed the boy’s negativity.
“Ah, the fear of letting down a father. Is there anything worse?” Hawkmoth muttered as he took the butterfly and infused it with evil energy, “Fly my little Akuma and darken his heart.” The akuma flew off, soon reaching the boy and penetrating his figure, the boy looking up.
“Toymaker, I am Hawkmoth. With these powers you can make one of a kind playthings out of those who stand in your way. All you have to do is fetch me a few accessories.” Hawkmoth told him. A smile grew on his face.
“Yes Hawkmoth.” He agreed as the black consumed him, making him look like a wooden toy soldier, setting the figure in a shirt pocket. Meanwhile, they had managed to calm Molly down and had gone to Marinette’s to grab something to eat quickly, the bakers more than happy to make extra for their daughter’s lovely friends. They had just left the bakery when someone on the street corner got hit with a beam, turning the person into a doll on the ground.
“Chloe!” Toymaker cried, Molly and Brey blinking alarmed, gaping at him as Marinette and Adrien frowned, each running quickly in opposite directions as Alya brought out her phone and started to record.
“This’ll be great footage for the Ladyblog!” She chirped, Toymaker turning to her and raising his gun.
“Later Alya!” Nino insisted as he pulled her out of the way, the beam hitting a car and turning it into a windup toy.
“Run!” Molly exclaimed as she grabbed Brey’s arm as well, dragging her along as the four ran off, Toymaker shooting after them.
“Tell me where Chloe is!” He demanded.
“If I knew I would…” Molly muttered.
“MOLLY!” Brey chastised slightly. Marinette crouched behind a sign for cover as they kept running.
“I’ll bet it’s that boy that ran off crying…” Marinette commented to Tikki, “Come on! Tikki, spots on!” She quickly transformed into Ladybug and swung off to find him.
“Come on Plagg, claws out!” Adrien announced, ducking into an Alley as he transformed as well into Chat Noir. He jumped up to the rooftops to look for Toymaker as Alya ducked behind a structure, pulling Nino with her as she watched Toymaker, video taping still. Unfortunately, Molly and Brey didn’t notice this and kept running, Molly starting to tire as well as Brey.
“Come on, we can make it, we just have to-OH COME ON!” Molly exclaimed as they found themselves back at the school, Brey glaring at her a little bit.
“Next time I lead.” She stated simply. The two yelped as the Toymaker arrived, turning to run before an annoyed voice stated:
“What is going ON here?” Looking over to see Chloe who was luckily much more interesting to Toymaker than the two of them.
“Chloe. You wanted a doll so badly? Have fun becoming one!” Toymaker declared, aiming as she screamed before a yo-yo pulled her out of the way, the blast instead hitting a nearby home and turning it into a doll house. Brey and Molly turned to see where the Yo-Yo had come from to see Ladybug, pulling Chloe out of the way.
“Sorry Toymaker, but playtime’s over.” Ladybug quipped smoothly. Molly and Brey were in awe as the Toymaker growled.
“Ladybug…” He muttered.
“This is your chance! Seize her miraculous!” Hawkmoth hissed.
“Yes Hawkmoth.” He agreed, aiming at Ladybug as she jumped off, dragging Chloe with her. Toymaker reaimed when-
“Hey, got any cat toys?” Chat Noir teased as Toymaker whirled his aim to him, blasting as Chat dodged repeatedly.
“Molly, Brey, over here!” Alya whispered as Molly turned, seeing Alya and Nino who’d followed the fight behind a small wall as she ran over, Brey following.
“I’m guessing that was Ladybug?” Molly wondered.
“Yup.” Nino sighed, watching as Alya intensely taped it, only sticking around to pull her out of the way if things got dangerous again. Sometimes she was too stubborn…
“And that’s Chat Noir?” Brey questioned.
“Yeah.” Alya whispered back. Molly watched as Chat got pushed away by Ladybug, the two rolling away.
“WHERE’S CHLOE?!” He demanded again.
“Somewhere safe.” Ladybug replied, “I think the Akuma’s in his toy gun.”
“Got it.” Chat agreed, the two running off.
“Huh?” Molly wondered.
“Akuma’s possess people using an item, then turn them evil!” Alya explained.
“…Okay then…” She muttered, turning back to the action.
“Cataclysm!” Chat announced, touching the gun as the metal rusted and the wood rotted, Toymaker dropping the remains of the gun and yelling in frustration.
“No Akuma…If it wasn’t in there, then what…?” Ladybug puzzled. Chat looked to his ring.
“I dunno…but we should find out soon!” He replied, noticing one of the paw pads disappearing. Toymaker walked to a tree and pressed his hands to it as it carved itself into a new gun, Toymaker taking aim as Ladybug was scooped into Chat’s arms as he ran with her, Ladybug crying it wasn’t necessary to carry her as they dodged the blasts. Molly peered at him then noticed the discolored action figure that looked a lot like the boy she had been defending earlier. That’s when it clicked.
“Ladybug! Chat Noir!” She cried, standing up to be noticed, “The figure! In his pocket!” The two looked to her then to the Toymaker, noticing it as he turned and aimed, going to shoot.
“Not on my watch!” Ladybug yelled, hitting the gun with her Yo-yo and making him hit the light post which turned into a Lego piece before he turned again, growling, “Lucky Charm!” Ladybug’s yo-yo span up and a slingshot fell own as she caught it, “A slingshot?”
“Great, we can toss pebbles at him till he gives.” Chat teased, the two dodging another blast.
“Hang on a second…” She muttered, looking around. Her Ladybug vision highlighted the gun barrel, the doll, then the pens in the hiding Brey’s pocket, then to the red and black polka-dot slingshot, Ladybug nodding.
“Got it.” She determined, “Br-I mean, miss! With the blond hair! Throw me some pens!” Brey looked shocked for a second, watching as the two continued to dodge the blasts before nodding and grabbing a fistful of pens, throwing them to Ladybug who easily caught them, putting one in the slingshot and lining up the shot, firing. It lodged in the barrel of the toy gun, growling and looking at the weapon angrily.
“Chat Noir! Get the figure!” She commanded, Chat jumping up and on his shoulder, stealing the doll from his pocket and throwing it to her. She smiled and smashed it, purifying the Akuma as always and watching the boy turn back.
“Pound it!” The two exclaimed, fist bumping as Ladybug handed back the now intact figure.
“It’ll be alright.” She assured him as Chat retrieved the pens and gave them to Brey.
“Wow, you two were awesome!” Molly chirped happily. Chat gave a small chuckle and a wink.
“Thanks, I think so~” Chat purred out, then looking to his ring with a start as it beeped, smiling and kissing Ladybug’s hand as she rolled her eyes and took it away.
“I’m sorry to have to leave so soon my lady~” Chat Noir hummed with a wink, “But I’m sure we’ll meet again soon~”
“Unfortunately, I think you’re right.” Ladybug agreed, the two running off as Molly had a wide smile, Alya gushing about the awesome footage to Nino.
“Molly? Molly?” Brey called to her, trying to get her attention.
“Brey?”
“Yeah?”
“I ship it.”
“Oh no, not THIS again…” Brey groaned, facepalming.
Meanwhile, with Hawkmoth…
“You two may have won this time…but I’m looking towards our next little playdate…” He muttered, the window closing. Later on, the group all managed to meet back up.
“Heh, guess that was probably a rotten way to end your first day…” Adrien commented, rubbing the back of his neck.
“Are you kidding? That was AWESOME!” Molly cheered, “There was a real life hero-villain fight and we had front row seats!” Brey smiled and nodded.
“Yeah! And I got to help! It was so COOL!” Brey agreed, the other four smiling.
“Well I’m glad you two enjoyed it so much.” Marinette stated, Adrien looking over his shoulder as his fancy car pulled up.
“There’s my ride, I’ll see you guys later okay?” Adrien told them, waving and putting a hand on Marinette’s shoulder briefly as he walked past, getting in as the door was held open for him as Marinette looked after longingly.
“…What’s with the fancy car and big guy?” Brey asked, seeing Molly was too focused on something else to ask herself.
“Oh, his old man is Gabriel Agreste, famous fashion designer. He has to model clothes for him all the time.” Nino explained as Alya noticed the look on Marinette’s face and tried to calm her. Molly’s eyes narrowed and she pulled Brey over.
“Brey.”
“Yeah?”
“I think…Marinette might like Adrien.” Molly whispered. Brey raised an eyebrow.
“You do not know either of them well enough to determine that.” Brey countered.
“I don’t care, I ship it.”
“DAMMIT MOLLY THAT’S TWO TODAY ALONE!!!”
“Three if you count Ivan and Mylene, though that’s already canon. And I don’t care, they’re perfect~”
“What am I gonna do with you…?”
Tikki smiled happily in Marinette’s purse, flying out as soon as they got back to Marinette’s room.
“This is so exciting Marinette! You made two new friends today!” Tikki chirped.
“I don’t know about that…” Marinette replied, “We’ve only just met after all…But Adrien was so sweet today~” Tikki chuckled.
“Oh Marinette…you can have such a one track mind sometimes!” Tikki teased.