Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

As much as Marinette and Zoe wanted to, there was no way they were going to their usual coffee shop for their anniversary this year. Rain was falling sideways, and lightning cracked across the sky as they stared moodily out at the darkness.

"It's fine," Tikki tried to cheer them up. "You don't need to go every year. Helen will understand."

Marinette and Zoe nodded, though they had been super excited as they went to bed the night before. They were at the Grand Paris Hotel, and while they were snug inside, they could see that some other people were not so lucky.

"My Queens," Pollen floated up to them. "Why not order take-out from the five-star restaurant in this very building and have a nice meal instead? You can go for coffee tomorrow if the weather permits."

That did sound like a good idea. Zoe headed out to go and get the food while Marinette started to set up the table they had used for their fancy date last October. Still, Zoe could not help but feel this storm was just the beginning of their troubles.

"Why is it always October?" Zoe complained as she got on the elevator. Next year at this time, Marinette will be in college and staying in the dorms. She was going to miss her terribly, even if they were still within travel range as superheroes.

Pollen shrugged as the elevator started up. "I don't know, my Queen. Perhaps it's the threat of winter that makes people and nature itself crazy."

Zoe giggled and pressed a kiss to her Kwami's cheek. "Come on, let's get some food."

*Zoenette-October*

Lila got off the train and stepped into the soaking rain. She did not care. She had fought every step of the way from that prison in Italy back to London and earned enough money for this ticket. She had done things she was not proud of for that money, too. She would make Ladybug and her associates pay for each humiliating hour she had to spend in… employment. Lila was too good for a minimum wage job. She should be a trophy wife, leeching off someone rich, like Adrien. She heard Adrien was preparing to marry that Ice Queen, Kagami, so she could stay in France. Lila was way more deserving of using Adrien for her bankroll than Kagami was. The small bit of Lila that was still sane tried to argue that Kagami was rich too, but she ignored it.

Lila considered for a moment, turning her attention back to Marinette but rejected it. It had been Ladybug and her heroic friends who embarrassed her so badly, after all. She had her first target. Her eyes were locked on a poster of the new Butterfly hero, Fae.

"I'll be taking my Miraculous and Kwami back… mark my words, you slut."

*Zoenette-October*

Zoe opened one of the fancy pans that Alya's mother had packed their dinners into and carefully slid the pasta out onto a plate and passed it with breadsticks to Marinette. Her lover grimaced at the breadsticks, though.

"She calls these breadsticks? I'll need to have a word with Alya. This behavior in her mother is unacceptable."

Zoe laughed as she served herself as well. "I wish I could see Alya give her mother the 'I'm disappointed speech'."

Marinette snorted and had to keep herself from laughing up the drink she had just swigged. Once she was sure she wouldn't have the bubbly liquid coming from her nose, she added. "'I'm not mad Mom, just disappointed.' And you know the twins will be standing behind her, nodding with their arms crossed."

Zoe laid her head down and laughed until she was able to control herself again. Once she had regained herself, she looked up, her blue eyes meeting Marinette's.

"I love so much. Happy second anniversary, my darling."

Marinette got up and came to sit on Zoe's lap. It sent a thrill through the blonde to have her partner so close.

"I love you too, Zoe. Happy anniversary."

They shared a deep and passionate kiss together.

*Zoenette-October*

Suhan looked over at the monk who was looking around, trying to find a means of escape.

"Are you certain she is the one?" He asked the monk.

"The incarnation of the Mage was not in the temple when it fell to the Sentimonster that Fu created." The monk reminded him. "It had been nearly the time to seek out the next Incarnate from his old family line when we were all… put to sleep. Now, a member of that family has not only obtained a Miraculous but also rebuilt them, become a Guardian, and has an affinity for every Kwami she encounters. If she is not the Incarnate, Grand Master, I will stop putting yak milk in my tea."

Suhan knew this was serious. The Order's Lore Master loved Yak Milk Tea more than anything in the world.

"Very well. I will contact Marinette and perform the test. I do hope you are wrong, though. Because if she is the Incarnate, her life is about to get very difficult."

"More than battling a rogue Holder before she was even an adult?" The Lore Master raised an eyebrow.

"Some secrets were kept even from the Lore Master," Suhan revealed, sending the man reeling in shock. "Let us hope nothing comes of this, but her destiny will out one way or the other."

Chapter Text

It had been easy for Lila to swear she would make Fae Butterfly her first target. In reality, though, Lila did not know who any of the heroes were. She regretted not going through the information she had taken from Gabriel more thoroughly while she had it.

She sat in a café, the rain was only slightly lighter than the day before. She needed a starting point to take down the heroes. However, there was not much she could do without even a phone to give her access to the internet. The simple truth was you couldn't turn the citizens of Paris against their heroes with empty words alone. She needed to spread the seeds of doubt around to make a foundation, but that needed to be online. If she could appear to the modern generation online, maybe she could get the heroes cancelled. Perhaps she could accuse them of being bigots. There were many outlets she could explore. She started to wave down the barista, when she noticed the woman looking at her shrewdly. Then Lila noticed something on the wall. A wanted poster of Lila and her various disguises.

Lila got up and ran for the door as the woman was pulling out her phone, probably calling the police. She was around the corner when a squad car rolled up to the café. So, her escape had been noticed, and Paris had been notified of her being at large. That was going to make this much harder.

*Zoenette-October*

Kagami was at the Paris Hotel, where Marinette and Zoe were still hiding from the cold rain that was soaking the city.

"You have to go back to school eventually." Kagami scolded her gently as Marinette took her measurements.

"I know." Marinette finished with her tape. "It's hard on us bug heroines this time of year. Besides, I've pretty much finished all the classes I need to move on to the Design program next year. Thanks to working with the Agreste Label, I'm also in a better place than I have any real right to be."

Kagami scoffed at that. "You have every right to be successful, Marinette. Are you sure about making my wedding Kimono, though? You've never made a Japanese garment before."

Marinette nodded. "I know I passed on making us yukata to wear on our trip to Japan in the spring, but I studied up for this. It's not often that two such important people in my life are getting married."

Adrien and Kagami were moving up their timetable for marriage due to Kagami's mother's crimes as a global terrorist in league with Hawkmoth. Chloe, Sabrina, and Nathalie had done what they could to declare Kagami's independence from her mother, but the French government needed something more binding. Kagami was already eighteen so able to marry but Adrien still had half a year to go. However, as Adrien's legal guardian, Nathalie could allow him to marry Kagami, and she was. They were set to marry in mid-November, not seeing a reason to put it off any longer.

"I still don't understand why you two are waiting until October is done to marry." Marinette quipped as the door opened and Chloe barged in. "I'm with a customer, Chloe. Can it wait?"

Chloe shook her head. "No, but I will say I wouldn't want to marry in October either. Look at how hectic the last two have been. War with Lila, war with Zoe's ridiculous father, and then war with akumatized Alix's from other realities. It's a miracle we have made it over 24 hours without a major incident."

Kagami could not deny the heiress's words. That had indeed been a contributing factor to her and Adrein not marrying in October.

"Besides, October is kind of your and Zoe's thing," Kagami admitted. "Adrien and I would feel we are taking away from your spotlight."

She saw Marinette blushing at that. "Oh, Kagami. Still, I'll have the kimono done before your wedding day. I know how important it is for you to be married in something from your homeland."

"I appreciate this more than you can know, Marinette." Kagami started to say as Rose came in, a headset on.

"No, she does not want roses at her wedding; she wants Lotus flowers!"

Kagami saw Chloe roll her eyes. "Is she fighting with the florist again?" Chloe asked.

Kagami shrugged. "I know flowers are hard to come by this time of year, so I told her I would be alright with whatever she could find. She is insistent that only my favorite will work."

Marinette patted her on the shoulder. "Well, given how close you and Adrien are, I bet you will only be getting married the once. You deserve for it to be special."

Kagami gave her a smile back. "Are you and Zoe already starting on your planning? I know you won't be married until she is 18 in two years, but surely you could start planning."

Marinette laughed. "Maman started planning two years ago when Zoe and I started dating. Papa is also working on our cake. The Kwamis are testing your cake right now."

They looked over at Zoe, who was serving small slices of cake to the tiny gods to try out. "I think I will join them." Kagami decided before giving Marinette a hug. "I cannot express how happy I am that you are doing this for me, Marinette. I could likely order one from home, but it would not be as perfect as something you make for me. It means the world to me that you are supporting my marriage to Adrien, despite how young we are."

Marinette hugged her back. "Well, I expect you to be a bridesmaid when I marry Zoe, even as I'm maid of honor for you."

The girls went over to join the others and partake of the cake. Marinette's phone buzzed.

"I'll be right back." She left the others and walked away, answering the call.

Kagami had just gotten herself a slice and was about to tae her first bite when Marinette made a strange noise and dropped the phone to the floor.

"What's wrong, Mari?" Zoe asked in concern for her partner.

"It's Lila…" Marinette said. "She was spotted in Paris."

Chapter Text

Multiversal Legend

Maria – Formerly Doomed AU Black Cat! Marinette

Zia – Formerly Doomed AU Ladybug! Zoe

Location – Formerly Doomed Zoenette Universe*

Note – for the sake of you readers, I will be narrating Maria and Zia for the other world variants of Marinette and Zoe. They will still be referring to each other properly as Marinette and Zoe. I am sorry if this is confusing. I have done what I can think of to mitigate that confusion.

*Zoenette-October*

Zia wound up her Yo-yo as she landed on the balcony of Maria's home. She had been Scarlet, the Ladybug heroine of Paris, for nearly a year now. She smiled as she released her transformation, and she and Tikki slid from the chilly October air into the warmth of Maria's bedroom. Her girlfriend was waiting with a stack of cookies and cheese for their kwamis as she arrived.

"Hey, Zoe." Maria smiled at her, and Zia rushed in to give her a kiss.

They kissed for a long moment as Tikki and Plagg started in on their snacks. They separated, and Zia could not help but grin stupidly at Maria.

"Hey, Marinette. Any word from the multiverse yet?"

Both had been expecting since the start of October, they would hear some peep from their alternative versions they had met the year prior.

"No, no word yet." She admitted. "But that's probably a good thing, right? Didn't someone say no news is good news?"

Zia shrugged. "I find I am too anxious to wait. I prefer things to drop all at once and deal with it, then let it stew."

Maria nodded and pulled her close. They flopped over onto the chaise. "I understand, my love. How was patrol?"

Zia snuggled into her. "It went well. Rose and Juleka got distracted when Rose saw some girls kissing on the bridge of the Seline."

Maria laughed. "Just proof that Rose seems to be the same in all universes. I recall the Rose from the other Marinette and Zoe's universes being the same."

Zia laughed. "Hope that we can be as epic heroes as those two. Well, shall we warm up, my kitten?"

Maria was already removing her shirt. "I think so, my bug."

*Zoenette-October*

*Location – Zoenette October AU*

Despite the chill of the day, patrols of heroes were combing Paris. As Vesperia landed on a roof next to Ryuko, a voice came through her comm.

"Be careful, everyone. Lila is a master manipulator, which I should not have to explain to anyone here. She is also a master of disguise, even if that is where her genius tapers off. Stay together, stay safe. If she gets a Miraculous and power-up food from someone, we will be in major trouble."

Vesperia really wished Lila had just stayed in prison. The curse of October struck again.

"Vesperia…" Ryuko started, but cut off just as suddenly.

"What's wrong, Uko?" Vesperia asked, using the nickname she and Marinette had started calling Kagami's heroine form.

"You don't know what Ladybug is planning for my bachelorette party, do you?"

Vesperia laughed at the blush to the usually stoic heroine's cheeks.

"I only know a little; my partner is keeping most of it under wraps, even from me and Rena. And what little I do know, I had to swear to secrecy on my Miraculous."

Ryuko nodded at this. She knew that Zoe would never risk Pollen.

"I know she would never have us do anything too weird, it's just the idea of not knowing makes me nervous, is all."

"Well, thank goodness Ladybug is French then. If she were American, like me, there would certainly be exotic dancers in the works."

Ryuko blushed, and Vesperia had to remind herself that the dragon girl was, in fact, Bisexual.

"Well, I'm sure Chat won't mind if they are girls," Ryuko said as she turned her face away to hide her blush. "Shall we continue?"

Vesperia nodded as her sister's voice came over the comm.

"Help needed near the Seline. Someone just tried to grab my Miraculous. Hound stopped her, and we are in pursuit."

"I really hope that is her," Vesperia said. "It would be nice to put an October issue to bed early."

In the coming days, Vesperia would wish they had been spending that month dealing with a hidden Lila.

*Zoenette-October*

Vesperia had just arrived overlooking the Seline when she stopped the girl running from Miss Hound. She closed her eyes and let herself drop, even as Ryuko beside her dissolved into wind.

Veperia turned so she was facing the girl, like a bullet shot to its mark. She saw the target stop, a wall of wind forming and preventing her from leaving the alley. She called out for her power as she got within range and used Remote Stinging to stun Lila in place.

She flipped and landed lightly on her feet as Ryuko reformed in front of them.

"Nice work, girls." Miss Hound caught up with them.

"Anyone think that was too easy?" Fey Butterfly caught up to them, looking a bit worried as her hand rested protectively over the Butterfly.

"What happened?" Veserpia asked as she hugged her sister.

"She was acting like she had tripped over a recycling can and was unable to get up. I approached, thinking she was a normal citizen who had hurt her leg. The moment I was next to her, she tried to grab my Miraculous. Lucky for me, I sensed her changing emotions from pain to greed at that exact moment."

"Nooroo has some useful abilities," Ryuko noted.

"Indeed. Still, it worries me that she was able to get that close. We should get her to the police."

Veserpia was already reaching up to her comm. "Ladybug, this is Vesperia. We got Lila."

Zoenette-October*

The police had put Lila in a holding cell until the Italian government could be contacted to deal with her. The heroes all gathered at the hotel in their civilian forms.

"I don't like having her so close," Nooroo admitted as he snuggled into Marinette's cheek.

Zoe saw Chloe trying not to be jealous. All the kwamis felt safer with Marinette nearby for some reason.

"Don't worry," Marinette patted him and gently guided him back to his holder. "We won't let her touch you."

He nodded. "Can I return to the Miracle Box until this is resolved?"

Marinette nodded her consent. Chloe looked really sad as she handed the brooch over to the Guardian.

"This is only temporary." She assured Chloe as she tucked the brooch away.

"I know. It's just hard to be separated from him after a full year together."

Zoe hugged her. "I know I would feel the same if I were separated from Pollen."

It said a lot about how much Chloe had grown that she did not snark about losing Pollen first.

"Now, we let the wheels of justice run their course." Marinette sighed. "I wish there were more we could do."

Zoenette-October*

Lila lay on the hard bed in her cell. She wanted to howl in rage. However, every police officer in the city had been told in no uncertain terms what would happen if anyone fell for her nonsense. She had been spinning a good sob story, too, before Sabrina's dad had come in and put a stop to it. She had been gagged to prevent her from manipulating anyone.

She lay there, crying. She was not even sure if the tears were real or a display for the police. As she was about to drift off to sleep, a glow appeared in her cell.

"Caught already? This simply won't do. What are you willing to do to escape, Lila?"

Lila felt the gag slip free of her mouth as she looked up at a female figure in a robe, a staff in her hand.

"Anything."

A/N: Another day down. What is Lila going to do next? What else is in store for the cuties? And who is interfering with our story? Find out in the future! Also, hope you enjoyed the quick visit to Zia and Maria. See you tomorrow.

Chapter Text

Zoe sat on the sofa of her room at the Grand Paris hotel. Marinette had been pacing the length of the room for a few hours now

"What's wrong, love?" Zoe asked her.

"It's nothing…" Marinette started before sighing and sat down next to her partner.

Zoe looked over at her in concern. She reached up and guided Marinette's head to rest on her lap pillow.

"Tell me what's wrong," Zoe told her as she started to run her fingers through Marinette's hair.

"It's just that Lila lost too easily. She just gave up and let us capture her. But this is October."

Zoe knew she meant. It seemed like this month was a hotbed of drama for the couple and their friends.

"Maybe there won't be any more problems," Zoe said without really believing it. "Maybe the universe is telling us we did such a good job last year that it's giving us a free pass this year."

Marinette laughed, Tikki and Pollen joining in. Zoe had to laugh out loud.

"Since we aren't that lucky, what do you plan to do?"

Marinette shook her head. "We need to let the judicial system work itself out. That is what separates heroes from Vigilantes. We need to trust that the law will do their jobs and keep Lila in her cell until she can be sent back to Italy."

Zoe nodded. "What about calling our President as well? Get permission to act if Lila gets out. She is a terrorist, after all. I'm sure you will get the authorization you need."

Marinette blinked. "I completely forgot the mayor set us up with that connection last year. You're a genius, my love."

Zoe turned her head and pointed to her cheek. "I accept payment in the form of kisses."

Marinette leaned up and pressed a kiss to her partner's cheek before rushing off to transform and call the President.

"Should we tell the Guardian that Chat and Ryuko stand ready to pounce on Lila should she escape, my queen?" Pollen asked.

"Not right now." Zoe patted her on the head. "She has enough to worry about at the moment."

*Zoenette-October*

Lile held a vial in her hands, a gift from the mysterious woman. All she had to do was drink it and she would be free again. She heard the sound of policemen, including Sabrina's father, talking down the hallway.

"The Italians are here for her," Roger said. "We are to hand her over to them without a fuss."

"Why would we fuss about handing her over to their authorities?" Another officer asked.

Roger blanched. "These are not the authorities. It seems as if Lila has embarrassed the Country for the last time, or something like that. The embassy is asking we cooperate with handing her over to the men that came for her?"

One officer, a woman, laughed. "What did they send the mob?"

Officer Roger did not laugh. "It seems as if Lila used their resources, promising to pay them back when she got her hands on Adrien's fortune."

Lila's blood went cold. She vaguely recalled making a deal with some shady men in an alley. But she was sure they had bought her fake identity, which she had created for them. She took the vial and drank, realizing if she didn't, she would be in a shallow grave before lunch.

She dropped the vial as a massive bout of pain racked her body. She screamed.

*Zoenette-Ocotber*

The woman smiled as the Police station was torn to pieces.

"Did you know, there is a fountain in the multiverse. If you are pure of heart, drinking from it will give you the power to achieve your dreams?" She asked a very confused Chat Noir and Ryuko, who were staring at the ruins. "Not that you two can see or hear me." She added.

A nine-tailed fox came out of the ruins, roaring at the sky.

"If you drink from it when you are not pure of heart, you will be irreversibly changed into a monster that matches your personality." The woman grinned. "A Yoko, a Nine-tailed fox and spinner of lies and illusions."

The beast opened its maw and spat acid onto a Police car, and it started to dissolve.

"Oh, that was unexpected. Perhaps because she was a liar whose words were acidic to all around her? Interesting effect. I wouldn't do that if I were you."

She said that last part to Chat Noir and Ryuko, who still couldn't hear her. They dived from the roof and went to battle with the beast.

*Zoenette-October*

As they entered the fight, Chat Noir slid open his baton. However, he was getting no signal to make an outgoing call."

"She's jamming my phone." He called over to Ryuko.

"Mine too," Ryuko confirmed as she slid the panel on her sword closed. "What do we do?"

"Try to stop it…" He started to say, but the beast turned and roared at them before releasing a torrent of acid.

Chat Noir did not have time to move, but thankfully, his fiancée still had her wits. She grabbed him and jumped them both outside the deadly cone.

"This is bad." He remarked. "Ryu, go and get the others. I'll hold it off and let the Police escape."

She looked like she wanted to argue, but he knew she saw the logic in his request.

All she said was "Be Safe," before she turned to wind and dispersed to get Ladybug.

"Now, beast." He said to the Yoko. "Let's dance."

The creature spread its tail, and balls of acid appeared above each. The balls fired off, coming for Chat from all directions. He used his pole to shoot himself skyward, avoiding the globes that hit each other. He then retracted his pole before extending it again to slam the beast in the chest.

It roared in agony as it fell back. Then it released another cone of acid, which he barely dodged. It coated a building, at it started to hiss as it ate into the surface. The people inside, looking down at the battle, started to scream.

He disengaged from the battle and went to try to help them. He got three steps when the fox appeared before him and whirled, slamming him with all nine of its tails at once. He flew into the air, and it opened its mouth. His mind pictured Marinette smiling as the acid spread forth.

"Marinette, Kagami… don't cry." He said as the deluge washed over him.

Chapter Text

Zoe woke up on Marinette's shoulder. This would be cuter if they had not passed out in the waiting room of the hospital. She blinked her eyes, trying to fully regain consciousness as Nathalie approached them, two cups of coffee in hand.

"I see Marinette hasn't woken yet." Nathalie handed one of the steaming beverages to Zoe, who gratefully took it and sipped.

"She was out later looking for the monster that did this to Adrien." She replied. "I had to threaten to sting her to get her to come here and rest. Kagami too."

Nathalie nodded in understanding. "The police called. That fox monster is likely Lila; it seems she trashed her cell before the police station as a whole."

Zoe grimaced. "How did she get like that?"

"It wasn't us," Chloe confirmed as she stepped into the waiting room, setting several patients gossiping. "Everyone, we need a moment alone, please. I have arranged for free refreshment in the cafeteria for everyone. Much better than the fare available here, I might add."

One of the nurses glared at her, and she glared right back. "I swear, the Jello was screaming when I was in there, setting things up." Chloe remarked as the tired guests left the waiting room. "I can confirm I did not Kamikotize or Akumatize Lila. Whatever this transformation is, it's not a Miraculous we have."

Marinette opened her eyes. "It's not a miraculous at all. Nowhere is there a miraculous that turns a human girl into a massive acid-breathing fox demon. Right Tikki?"

Tikki shook her head as she floated from Marinette's bag. "You could make a senti-being in that combination, I think, and if someone really wanted to be a fox demon, that would be possible. Acid powers, I'm unsure. Then again, the members of the Japanese Miracle Box have some weird powers even I don't understand, and I created every Kwami. We should contact Su-Han and make sure everything is accounted for, just in case."

Kagami came into the room right then, looking like she had not slept at all. "Adrien's condition is stable. He looks completely unharmed, thanks to Plagg. Even a direct cone of acid is not as deadly as cataclysm, and as the Black Chat holder, he is highly resistant to that power. They think his brain shut itself off to avoid feeling the massive pain the acid would bring. But brain activity is strong, he will be awake soon they told me."

Zoe saw Marinette get up and hug Kagami close. "He'll be fine. He's a tough one, that Tom Chat."

Kagami nodded and embraced Marinette. "When I get my hands on Lila…"

Zoe came over and hugged them both. "We will make sure you get that chance, Kagami."

She smiled at Zoe, such a rare gift to be blessed with. "Thank you. Thank you both for being here for us."

Felix came out, followed by his mother. "Adrien is awake." He smirked. "It's a miracle what the Peacock holder can do for a Senti-being like us."

They all rushed towards his hospital room.

Zoenette-October*

Lila lay curled up in her new form. She could not see much in the dim light of the old warehouse she had taken refuge in. She had her own mind at the moment, but she could feel the beast trying to take over again. Every moment she resisted, it seemed to grow stronger. She would let it take control soon.

She lay her head back and released a howl of frustration at her situation. This howl was not just a physical sound, though. It echoed out into the world of magic itself.

Zoenette-October*

Su-Han felt the vibrations of the roar as he enjoyed his bratwurst and October Ale in a pub in Germany. He finished his food before getting up.

"Are you leaving Oktoberfest so early?" The barkeep asked him as he got up.

"Sorry, friend. Duty calls, I'm afraid. Keep the change from the money I gave you."

He was off and on his way towards Paris a few moments later.

"Can't even stop for lunch without something shaking the magical world to its core." He muttered as he ran and jumped from rooftop to rooftop.

He picked up the pace, though. He had heard a noise like this before. He only stopped when a white portal appeared before him.

"Master Su-han, we need to talk," Bunnyx said.

Zoenette-October*

"So, what happened?" Adrien asked in confusion as he looked around the hospital. "Is it alright for me to be here, given I'm a sentibeing?"

"It's fine," Marinette assured him. "You were made to be a real human, so you have all the normal stuff a human does."

They then explained to him about the fight.

"Strange, I can't recall anything after telling Kagami to find you, Marinette." He confirmed. "Could be the trauma, maybe?"

Kagami smacked him on the shoulder. "Likely. A face full of acid from a giant fox monster would be considered traumatic even in Japan."

Zoe sighed. "What's worse, that thing could be Lila. But how would she change into such a thing, we have no idea."

"I do," Plagg remarked as he floated out from behind Adrien's pillow, holding both Adrien's amok and miraculous. "Tikki, I'm sorry to say I've been keeping a secret from you. But I need permission from the Celestial Guardian to speak about it. He personally forbade me from mentioning this truth to anyone, even another Guardian. The issue is, if my theory is right, Lila is just the start. Marinette, we need to send a guard to a certain location and make sure no one enters. I cannot explain more right now. Just make sure the guards understand they are not to go in under any situation."

Tikki was fuming. "Plagg…"

He shook his head. "This time, I wasn't being lazy. This… thing… doesn't exist in our world, at least not fully. However, if you knew about it, it would have to manifest completely, as you are the Kwami of Creation. So, Su-Han decided to keep it between us two."

Zoe had to admit that made a kind of sense. But what was that dangerous such secrecy was required?

"No use being angry now." Marinette decided. "I'll contact Su-Han and see what I can learn from him. In the meantime, Zoe, can you contact Max and Luka and ask them to take the first guard at the location Plagg tells you?"

"What about me, Marinette?" Adrien asked and went to sit up, but Kagmai pushed him back into bed.

"Oh no, you are resting." She told him. "Felix might have healed you, but there might be side effects. We will handle this."

Adrien sighed. "Zoe, take my miraculous and unify with Pollen. You have unlimited powers too, and I trust you will use them if needed on this new version of Lila."

"You can count on me." Zoe took the Miraculous from Plagg and set off on her assignment.

Zoenette-October*

"So you want me to hold off telling Marinette about being the Incarnate?" Su-han asked as he sat on the roof of a building. Alix and Fluff sat beside him, enjoying a bratwurst each.

"Yes, they have enough to worry about right now, and I want them to enjoy this last year before university. Their time together is going to be far more precious next year."

Su-Han nodded. "Part of growing up is learning to co-exist despite your obligations. Incarnate or not, Marinette will need to learn this lesson. However, there is no harm in waiting another year. I will respect your wishes as Time Guardian."

Alix set her snack down and bowed to him. "Thank you, Master. I have to get back to work. Someone is messing with our reality."

*Zoenette-October*

The cloaked figure went to the largest jail in the city and added the fountain's waters to the water supplies there.

"There we go. That should keep the heroes busy for a while." She laughed as she vanished.

Chapter Text

Vespikitty and Ladybug swung through the streets of Paris. There had not been a sign of Lila since the day prior.

"How many places can a giant, monstrous fox hide?" Vespikitty asked her partner.

"I don't know." She admitted. "Let's go back to the hotel for now. Luka, Juleka, and Rose will be going on shift about now."

The two picked their way across the city and landed on the roof. Once they were sure the coast was clear, they released their transformations and headed down into the bedroom. Zoe handed Plagg some cheese, but the small cat kwami seemed too nervous to eat.

"Plagg, are you alright?" Marinette asked him in concern. Zoe smiled over at her partner.

"Well, I'll be better once you know everything." He admitted and ate his cheese. "What is taking Master Su-han so long…"

Zoe didn't want to admit it, but it was strange they had not heard from the more experienced guardian yet.

"I've tried calling him, but he isn't picking up." Marinette looked at her phone and then showed her that she had no new messages or missed calls.

"Maybe he lost his phone?" Tikki suggested. "Technology is so new to him after all."

That seemed like a possible scenario. Zoe went over and hugged Marinette close, and she felt her partner melt into her arms. Zoe guided them down to her sofa, where she sat and lay Marinette's head in her lap.

"Everything is going to be fine, my love," Zoe assured her. "We will find a way through this, we always do."

Marinette sighed. "I know, but usually we have a plan or some knowledge of what we are facing. If there was a way to stop this transformed Lila, I would really like to know it."

Plagg shook his head. "All I can tell you it is not tied to a Miraculous. So, no Miraculous cure can undo it."

"So, what happens to Lila?" Zoe asked.

Plagg just shook his head. "Sorry,"

"No, stop apologizing," Marinette told him. "I'm sure Master Su-Han had a good reason for this. At least, I want to think he did."

Zoe ran her hands through her lover's hair. She hoped for her partner's sake that that was the case.

"Marinette, you haven't slept much since Adrien was attacked. Let's try to get a nap." Zoe instructed.

Marinette blushed slightly. "My sweet honeybee, are you trying to seduce me into healthier sleeping habits?"

"If that is what it takes…"

They were interrupted by an explosion. Zoe aimed her phone and used the remote app to turn on the news.

An image of a ruined prison with all manner of monsters pouring out of it appeared on the screen.

"Oh…" Plagg looked terrified. Zoe wondered how the personification of the end of life could be terrified. "That is exactly what we were trying to prevent!"

Zoenette-October*

Luka looked down as the wave of various creatures poured from the prison, its ruined walls unable to contain them any longer. He had set a time anchor before leaving the house an hour ago; thanks to his newly gained adult powers, he could go back and warn the others. But was it possible to stop such a massive wave of monsters.

"Go back, twinie." Purple Tigress urged him. "Maybe this can be averted."

He looked over at his twin, who was holding a sobbing Pigella to her side.

"So many people are going to get hurt…" Pigella wailed.

"Not if I can help it, Ella." He assured his future sister-in-law. "See you girls next loop."

He took his hand to the bracelet. "Second Chance!"

Zoenette-October*

He was back on the Liberty, where he set the anchor. A white portal opened before him.

"Viperion, call Ladybug and Vespikitty and tell them I'm picking them up. This is going to take more than just a loop to undo."

He nodded and opened his harp and removed an earpiece. "Viperion to Ladybug. Come in, Ladybug."

"Ladybug here, everything alright, Viperion?" The voice of their leader came back. "Did you have to loop back?"

"Yes. Something big happened. I'll explain soon. Bunnyx is coming to get you and Vespikitty with the Burrow."

"Roger that, we'll stand by."

He removed his hand from the earpiece and followed the heroine of time into her lair.

Bunnyx was already looking for a portal to where Marinette and Zoe would be waiting for them.

"Someone is messing with my timeline!" Alix huffed. "When I find who is doing it, they will wish they had never been born!"

"So, this wave of monsters was not part of the plan?" He asked her.

"No! I was already in the Burrow looking for clues when you reset the timeline. Thank you for that. I found out that in twenty minutes from when you set your anchor, it was shower time for the prison where the change happened. Around ten minutes after the shower time ended, the inmates started changing one-by-one."

"So, whatever it is must be in the water." Marinette mused. "How does the prison water system work?"

"Given the number of inmates, the water is drawn into a tank and heated separately from the rest of the water supply. Which means that only that source should be tainted."

"Alright, here is the plan…" Ladybug started.

Vespkitty smiled. Her Lady always came up with the best of plans.

Zoenette-October*

Zoe used a space power-up and flew up towards the tank that held the water supply. It was five minutes until shower time started at the prison. She flew along the bottom, her hand grazing the tank.

"Cataclysm!" She injected her power into the tank and sped up as much as she could, getting clear of the deluge of water.

The water burst from the tank, all of it flowing from the bottom and out into the city. Or it would have, if Alix had not created a burrow directly below where the water was flowing from.

Vespikitty watched until the last drops had flooded out and into the portal before heading in herself. She found Ladybug and Bunnyx coming back in. They had left the Burrow before executing the plan.

"Where did you send the corrupted water?" Zoe asked her.

"I dropped it into a volcano several thousand years ago." She smiled. "No worries. I made sure that no ill effects would be felt first. The water evaporated before it even touched the lava's surface. The water vapor rained down but nothing changed from it, so I have to assume the magical property was destroyed when it changed from liquid to gas."

She sighed and leaned against Ladybug. "Well, one crisis averted. How do we prevent something like this from happening again?"

Bunnyx gave her friends a wicked grin. "Oh, leave that to me. Ladybug, can I borrow the Rooster?"

She nodded. 'Fine, tell Marc I said you could borrow it. Just don't make me regret this, gremlin."

Zoe laughed at her lover's false stern look and kissed her cheek. "Come on, let's go home."

Ladybug nodded. The two of them left the Burrow from right after they had left. They then made a beeline for the hotel. There, they found a collapsed Su-han on the floor.

"Oh dear, I hope he's alright." Vespikitty gasped as Ladybug rushed to him.

"Just asleep. He looks like he has lost some weight he couldn't afford to loss. Let's take him to the room next door. It's still empty, right?"

"Yeah, just mind his head."

They carried the Celestial Guardian to a bed and tucked him in before returning to their own room and releasing their transformations.

"I really hope he has some answers for us tomorrow." Marinette mused as she laid her head on Zoe's lap.

Zoe almost purred as she ran her fingers through Marinette's raven colored hair.

"I hope so too, my love."

Chapter Text

Kagami and Adrien sat on a sofa in Chloe's room at the Grand Paris Hotel. Adrien had been released only an hour before. Kagami had gotten a text message to assemble at noon for a meeting today. Looks like the entire French Miraculous Team was skipping school again. If she found out who was behind this madness, she would personally punish them.

She was fussing over Adrien, who seemed to be enjoying the attention. She often worried if he was getting enough affection from her. She wondered if Adrien's in universes where Marinette was straight or bisexual ever had to worry about not having enough physical displays of love from their partner.

She was pulled out of this thought with a bop to her nose. "I know what you are thinking." He teased. "Stop it. It won't help to dwell on other Adriens and Marinettes. We live here, where Marinette is happily dating Zoe."

She sighed. "I know you're correct, but my brain does not want to accept it."

He pulled her in and held her head to his chest. "I love you, Kagami. Yes, perhaps Marinette and I are soul mates. But that doesn't have to be romantic. We are happy as siblings, I assure you."

She knew he was coping. She knew because her own heart ached for Marinette's romantic affection.

"I am sure there are universes out there where Marinette and Kagami are in a lesbian relationship." He assured her. "Maybe even universes where the three of us work out something together. But I would not trade one of them for the life I have here with you."

She gave him one of her rare smiles, and they kissed as the door opened.

"Oh, good, Adrien is all better." Chloe beamed as she bounced back into her room.

Kagami could not help but notice that Sabrina seemed a little unsteady on her feet. She looked at Adrien, who seemed to notice as well. Chloe had a very happy aura about her.

"Well, we were summoned. What did you want to talk about before the meeting, Chlo?"

Zoenette-Octboer*

Zoe was nervous as the heroes and heroines of Pars started filing into the room. Master Su-Han had woken hours ago but insisted on only telling his story once. She knew Marinette also just wanted to get this over with. Tikki was not pleased that she and the other Kwami had been banished to another room where they could not hear.

Soon, all the heroes were gathered and looking at the Master.

"Thank you all for coming," Su-han started.

Alix giggled. "Phrasing." She said, and everyone started to laugh.

Master Su-han looked at Marinett,e who stifled her own giggles.

"It's a joke from an American show that Alix likes to watch. Please ignore her, Grand Master."

He nodded and coughed to clear his throat. "Well, as you all know, Lila Rossi has lost her humanity. What you do not know is how. Mind, I do not know how she got access to the dangerous substance that was used. There exists between multiverses a fountain. This fountain has the power to give one pure of heart the power to make their wildest dreams a reality. It does this by granting the drinker a superpower or ability."

Adrien raised his hand. "If the pure of heart get a power, what happens to someone the fountain deems to not be pure of heart?"

"You've seen it," Su-han advised him. "When someone the fountain does not accept drinks the water, they become a monster. Over the course of a week, they will lose more and more control until they become a rampaging beast that can only be put down. There is no known cure or reversion method at this time. Even the Rooster could not make a power that would allow this to be undone."

There was silence in the group. Kim broke it. "So, if Lila isn't attacking right now…"

Su-Han nodded. "She likely still has control of her mind, at least somewhat. I suspect that it will fade in a couple of days if it hasn't already. We will have to destroy her unless some alternative way can be found before she causes too much damage to Paris."

Zoe saw the conflict on her lover's face. Marinette did not want to make the call to kill someone, but she was the Guardian of Paris. Its fate was firmly in her hands.

"I can attest that the acid she spits is too powerful to contain her," Adrien added.

Rose stood up. "What about the poison being the cure? Could more water from the same fountain undo its curse?"

Su-Han rubbed his chin. "I admit, we did not try that. We were worried that it would make the drinker even more powerful. We could try it now, using the Snake to make a time anchor in case it doesn't work. But if it should fail, you must be ready to do what needs to be done."

Kagami rose. "I'll take the sin onto myself." She looked directly at Marinette. "That way, you don't have to make the call. Adrien and I will swap Miraculous temporarily, and if it is needed, I will personally deliver the Cataclysm."

"Are you sure, Kagami?" Marinette asked her. "It's my responsibility."

Kagami shook her head. "No, it's not. If it were a matter of curing her or capturing her, then it would be up to you. Killing her, well, that's something that no one should be forced to do. My mother… well, she prepared me for a chance I might have to end a life. And I don't see what I need to do as murder. I see it as freeing Lila from a fate worse than death."

Still, Zoe herself felt how bitter this would be in Rose's plan if the water failed.

"If we cure her, I will send her to the Vampire dimension," Alix added. "She is too dangerous to be kept here. Let Vampire Queens Marinette and Zoe keep another Lila as a pet, and we will be rid of her."

"We need to have a conversation about your main go-to punishment being feeding people to our vampire variants." Marinette quipped, though it had little edge given the seriousness of the conversation. "Master, why was the fountain not destroyed?"

Su-Han shook his head. "We were concerned that more would be created, or the water would splash over other universes and cause unforeseen harm to other universes. I didn't have it in me to make that call."

Marinette smiled at him. "I would have paused, too. Alix, have you discovered who is playing with our timeline?"

Alix shrugged. "I think so, but they are a slippery little eel. I'll catch them yet, Marinette, but even with the Burrow it might not be quick."

"Understood. If you need it, take someone with you for help."

Alix reached over and grabbed Luka's arm. "My fellow hero of time will help me. I've been meaning to ask him about his new girlfriend."

Everyone looked at Luka who blushed. "We've have had one date; that's hardly her being my girlfriend." He protested.

"Well, you'd better talk to her about it soon," Julka said firmly. "I want my twin to be happy like me and Rose."

"I'm glad you found someone, Luka." Marinette gave him a smile.

The musician rubbed the back of his neck. "Thanks, Marinette. Perhaps it wasn't love at first sight, but I have noticed her tune getting more in synch with mine. I asked if she wanted to spend more time together after one of our more recent jam sessions, and she said a very happy yes."

"Well, good work, you snake." Zoe nudged him in the side. "When are you bringing her home to meet the family?"

It was clear the family she meant was his heroic team and not his real family, who all knew her already.

"Soon, once I prepare her for the level of crazy we have going on here." He promised.

Alix pulled him into a Burrow, and they were gone.

"Think he will be alright?" Rose asked the others.

"Nope," Kim said gravely. "We should pour one out to him."

They all nodded, as grave as Kim before separating for their own homes.

Marinette came and wrapped Zoe in a hug. "I hate this waiting."

She chuckled and rubbed patterns on her back. "I know, my sweet. I can think of a way to relieve your boredom, though."

She blinked at her partner before getting a grin. "Let's go!"

The two of them made a beeline for Zoe's bedroom.

Chapter Text

Zoe was not surprised when Marinette declared the next day a day off for them. They were still at the hotel, a nice central location where the heroes could come and go from on their patrols for Lila in her bestial form. Luka and Alix were also working around the clock, pun intended. If the heroes of time couldn't find this person in one closed time loop, something was very wrong.

Still, Zoe allowed herself to be dragged by her partner into the kitchen of the hotel.

"We're making cookies." Marinette declared, Tikki and Pollen floating down with little chef's hats on. "For our friends and all the kwamis. I was thinking a coffee/hot chocolate bar with cookies for all would not be amiss right now."

Zoe grinned as she put on a yellow and black apron to match her miraculous. "I seem to recall one of our very first weekends together was spent in old clothes making macrons." She teased her partner.

Marinette blushed. "Those shorts… You looked so good in them. You still look good in them."

Zoe had worn those shorts around the hotel this summer, when the heat would get to them, and they had to ration the air conditioning.

"Alright, let's get started!" Tikki started to push Marinette towards the big mixing bowl.

"You just want to eat the cookies, Tikki." Zoe giggled as she and Pollen went to the sink to wash up. "Do Kwami's get germs on them?" She asked Pollen as the bee took a quick shower in the hot water from the tap.

"No, but better safe than sorry, my queen." Pollen bowed as Zoe took a towel and dried her off. "It would not do for any of our group to fall ill."

Zoe shuddered; she recalled the stories Marinette had told her about Tikki's illness. Then there was what happened with Dusuu. No one had realized just how sick the small bird had been until Nooroo had been saved.

Something hit the side of her head, and Zoe looked down to find a chef's hat on the ground next to her.

Marinette was winking as she pulled on her own. "Come on now, no hairs in the cookies. I might not mind finding your blonde hairs all over the place, but I'm sure everyone else will mind them in their food."

Zoe sighed as she scooped up the hat and donned it. "Let's get to work."

Zoenette-October*

Chloe and Sabrina stood in the hall, watching Zoe and Marinette work to prepare treats for the team.

"It's good to see them taking some time for themselves." Sabrina smiled at the sight. "It's only been a week, but Marinette was starting to look very stressed out."

Chloe nodded her agreement. "October sure isn't pulling its punches this year. And next year, Marinette will be at the University studying design. They spent so much of their time together, I worry it's going to break them to be so apart for a year."

Sabrina put a hand on her shoulder. "No, I don't think it will. We've seen those two overcome some terrible odds, Chloe. I think if anyone can go the distance when parted for so long, it's them."

Chloe turned and looked into the bright eyes of her lover. "And what about us, Brina?"

Sabrina stepped in, her lips moving to Chloe's ear. "We don't have to be parted at all, my love."

They came together and shared a passionate kiss. They had to leave in a hurry when an annoyed Marinette called out.

"Oi, we're trying to have a couple moment here, take your making out to your bedroom, Chloe!"

Chloe grabbed Sabrina's hand, and they ran off giggling for Chloe's room and the privacy of their bed.

Zoenette-October*

Zoe couldn't stop giggling as Marinette threw up her hands in surrender, as the giggling lesbians retreated. "Useless lesbians, always causing a scene."

Zoe kissed her cheek. "If those two are useless lesbians, what does that make us, I wonder?"

"Oh, we're useless lesbians too," Marinette assured her. "It's just different when 'we' do it."

Zoe laughed hard as she tossed a small chunk of dough at her partner. "Come on, let's get these cookies in the oven."

They made batches of cookies colored for each hero and kwami. Marinette and Tikki started to whip up some icing for the cookies to mark which belonged to which hero. Zoe and Pollen started to lay out the treats and set up the drinks for the other heroes who would be coming back soon. She felt a pair of arms wrap around her from behind, and Marinette snuggled into her back.

"I love you so much, Zoe. Thank you for today."

Zoe placed her hands on top of Marinette's, which were resting on her stomach. "Any time, my love."

Zoenette-October*

The mastermind behind Lila's transformation was seething. The heroes had undone her plan to turn Paris into a wonderful, twisted display. Now, she had the time-related heroes trying to track her. If she couldn't change dimensions on a whim, she might have been in trouble. She sat on the edge of a ruined building, the world quiet and surrounded by water. She could hear Chat Blanc in the distance singing for his missing lady.

"Well, time to cut my losses." She took out pen and paper and scrawled a note before dropping it into the Zoenette October Universe. "Either Lila will succeed, or the heroes will. Time to move my attention to other matters."

She took her staff and vanished, off to twist the threads of fate elsewhere. At least, for now.

Zoenette-October*

As midnight approached, Lila felt the last fumes of herself begin to fade. She longed to feed on the souls of humans, and she could not resist that sweet temptation any longer. Oh, tomorrow she would feed!

Chapter Text

Vesperia wished the warm and cozy day she had shared with her lover just yesterday would return. She was crouched on a roof, the sky gray and rain drizzling down on her head. Sure, she didn't feel the chill of the air in her hero form, but she felt the cold inside anyways.

Lila had attacked the city again just after two in the morning. The heroes had all turned out to try and stop her, other than Alix. Luka was creating and maintaining time loops, but given it was now eleven, things must not have been going too badly.

"Let's review what we learned." Ladybug sighed as she landed beside Vesperia. "My lucky charm doesn't seem to work properly. It's not becoming anything I can see as useful to take her down."

That is what worried the heroine of action more than anything else. Ladybug's lucky charm had never let any of the heroes of creation down. If it wasn't working here, something was very wrong.

"Ryuko hit it with her enhanced strength with her sword and didn't even nick her. Given she can cut down a tree with a wooden training sword in her base form, you would think that would have finished it." Chat Noir supplied as he landed near the girls.

Vesperia took a good look at Chat, and while he was still looking a little pale, he seemed back to normal otherwise. That was the magic of being a sentibeing, she guessed.

"What's Argos doing?" Ladybug asked him.

"He's working with Nathalie to try and figure out a solution using the Peacock." Ryuko confirmed as she landed beside her lover.

Chat smiled at her before he spoke up. "But they did want to stress they both feel like only my power is going to stop her."

Vesperia sighed. This is what they had hoped to avoid. However, she had expected it since her Venom had failed to immobilize the rampaging fox monster.

Ladybug sighed and held her hand out to Chat Noir. "Let me take this sin onto myself. I can't ask you to take someone's life, Kitty."

Chat Noir shook his head. "Just because you're the Guardian doesn't mean that burden has to be yours. Besides, Ryuko has already offered."

Vesperia looked at the dragon heroine. "Lila tried to poison me against Marinette once," Ryuko explained. "Her words have always been acidic and deadly. Her form just now matches her evil personality. She might be a victim of that water, but she cannot be saved now. I don't mind doing this, so you don't have to, Ladybug."

"Is there really no other way?" Vesperia asked, looking at the others, Surely there must be something we can do."

"We could send her to another dimension," Bunnyx suggested as she stepped out of the Burrow. "One of the doomed ones she can't return from. Perhaps one of the ones with Chat Blanc or Kitty Blanc?"

"No, I know the one," Ladybug said grimly. "The one where Lady Noire gives in to despair after Gabriel's wish."

Vesperia grimaced. She and Marinette had watched that scenario play out from the Burrow. Her heart had ached for that Marinette, whose Adrien had been unmade before Gabriel's death. It had been cruel and heartbreaking to watch.

"Are we ready to send her there?" Ryuko asked.

"We need a little preparation time. I'll go borrow the Horse and Rooster to set up the portal." Bunnyx explained. "Once the time is right, I'll drop it under her and suck her in. It's very important that we all stay away from the portal. Got it?"

They nodded and separated as a blast of acid struck the rooftop they were on.

"Purple Tigress, give us some time to breathe," Ladybug commanded.

The tiger heroine came out of hiding and punched forward at the monster. "Clout!"

The creature screamed as it was sent flying back through two buildings. The power itself might not have harmed it, but it flying through those solid objects would keep her down for a few minutes. This was not the first time today that this tactic had been deployed. Vesepria was very glad that like Luka, Juleka had come into her full powers over the last year. They could not afford to be recharging right now.

The monster that was Lila roared and hurled a chunk of rock at the heroes. Vesperia's arm flicked out. "Remote stinging!"

The rock froze in midair. The Purple Tigress jumped behind it and hit it with all her strength right as Vesperia released the immobilization. The rock flew back and slammed Lila in the maw.

"Good shot, Tigress!" Vesperia praised.

"Nice timing on the Venom, Vesperia!"

"Minotaurox, keep her busy," Ladybug called over the mic.

"With pleasure, Ladybug."

Minotaurox came out of hiding and activated Resistance as he did. Lila tried to breathe acid all over hi,m but he just shook it off and slammed his mallet into her side and sent her flying again. Vesperia had to once again admire the pure strength of the bull.

Then there was a crackling of energy and everyone else backed away as a bolt of living lightning slammed into the monster, frying it. Ryuko bounced off a power box and slammed into her again and again as Minotaurox, immune to the demon's power, kept bashing her.

"I think it's working," Ladybug sighed. "We just need to wait until Bunnyx does her thing."

As she said this, Fae Butterfly and Miss Hound appeared on a rooftop nearby.

"I cannot stand my city being harmed by acid," Fae grumbled. Her miraculous had changed Chloe's normal voice to be ethereal and flirty, the very definition of a fairy. She released her Kimiko, who floated over to Ladybug. "I offer you enhanced powers to conquer any foe and not just Miraculous-created ones. Do you accept this power, Ladybug?"

"I do, Fae." Ladybug responded, and she was covered in light purple light.

When the light settled, Ladybug was mostly the same as before, except her spots were lavender instead of black and her eyes were the same shade as her spots.

Ladybug tossed her lucky charm, and this time she got a large chain, which she used to wrap up the muzzle of the monster and forced it down to the ground.

"Are we ready to finish this?" Ladybug asked.

A red portal opened beneath the fox monster, and everyone leaped clear as the beast was dragged into another world. Vesperia watched her partner pull the chain free and throw it, the ladybugs erasing the damage caused by Lila's monstrous form. But then she looked back at Lila.

Lila was slowly crawling her way out of the portal, one inch at a time. Vesperia didn't stop to think about what she was doing as she ran forward.

"Zoe, no!" Ladybug screamed out, but it was too late.

Vesperia jumped and kicked Lila in the muzzle, sending her falling into the portal. Except she was too close. The portal grabbed her and sucked her in with Lila. She was trapped in a doomed reality. As she fell, something small struck her hand. She grabbed on and held tight as she traveled to another dimension.

Zoenette-October*

She landed away from the monster, thankfully. She looked around at the ruined city and the lifeless ash statues left in the wake of Blanc Bug's rampage. Then she felt something small clutched in her hand. She opened and saw the key to her salvation. The ladybug miraculous lay in the palm of her hand. She knew what she had to do. She had to find Blanc Bug and de-evilize her and change the world back from being doomed. Then she could return home. Vesepria jumped away, praying to Pollen that Blanc Bug found Lila first.

Chapter Text

Chloe watched from the door to Zoe's room as Marinette finally passed out from exhaustion. She had brought the heroine home after Vesperia had vanished with the monstrous Lila into a Doomed universe. She shuddered as she recalled the moments following that battle.

Zoenette-October*

"ZOE NO!" Ladybug had screamed as Vesperia had vanished into the portal.

She had yanked off her earrings and hurled them through, just making it before the portal closed behind the heroine of action. Then Marinette, their leader and their rock, fell to her knees and keened like a wounded animal.

"Hey, calm down, Marinette," Chloe had said. She was struggling to contain the desire to join the designer in her despair for her sister. "That's why you threw her the earrings. She'll be back soon."

Marinette had nodded but had gone quiet. "Can you take me home, Fae?" Marinette struggled out the words. "I…"

To Chloe's surprise, it was Sabrina who scooped up Marinette. "I know what you need right now. Come on."

Miss Hound leaped off the rooftops and towards the Grand Paris with Marinette in her arms.

Zoenette-October*

Chloe heard bare feet padding up behind her and turned to see Sabrina in her nightgown. She turned to smile at her lover.

"You were right. Marinette needed Zoe's scent surrounding her."

Sabrina blushed. "I knew what I would need if my favorite of the sisters vanished. Zoe and Marinette have become very codependent since they started dating. They don't like to be parted for more than a few hours at most. I figured Zoe's bed was the best place for her."

Chloe nodded. "You guessed right. But you could say the same about us, too. It was annoying last year, when you had to spend entire weeks taking care of your dad instead of being with me every night."

Sabrina smiled at her. "I know. Again, that was why I understood exactly what she needed. Do you really think Zoe will return soon?"

Chloe gave a small smile. "I do. Now, let's go and comfort our future sister-in-law. Zoe's a big girl, she'll…"

Chloe did not finish that sentence before tears started to leak down her face. She had tried to keep a lid on it for Marinette's sake but Kwamis, she missed her sister already.

"Chloe…" Came Marinette's voice from the bed.

She turned to see Marinette offering her a hug, and she rushed to accept it. The two girls who loved Zoe more than anything screamed at the unfairness of it all as they clung to each other.

Zoenette-October*

Luka sent a text message he had been building up to for a while. He got a response at once and headed out into the early Parisian air. It was a surprisingly warm morning, despite being nearly mid-October. He arrived at the bridge to find Vivica waiting there.

"Sorry to make you wait so long." He apologized.

She turned to smile at him. "I know I said there was no time limit on my offer, but what took you so long to accept?"

He shrugged as he looked out at the dark water. "I guess I was still processing the fact the girl I was ready to give my heart to was a lesbian. It shook my judgment, you know? I wasn't sure if the moment was right when you first gave me your invitation. But something happened last night that made me realize how fast life can throw you a curveball. I don't want any regrets. So, here I am."

Vivica reached out and took his hand in hers. "Alright. No regrets it is. I'm looking forward to making more than just music with you, Luka."

He smiled, and they leaned in and shared a soft kiss. It wasn't perfect, sure, but it was perfect for now. They headed off together towards the Liberty.

Zoenette-October*

Bugperia dodged a cataclysmic blast from Blanc Bug. The akumatized heroine screamed in anger as she fired another blast, but missed again.

"I need to focus." Bugperia panted. "Find her akumatized object."

Easier said than done. This was Marinette who was akumatized, after all. Marinette, who was far too clever and tactically minded to keep her object to hand for easy destruction if she didn't want to be saved.

Zoenette-October*

When she had first arrived, she had hidden as Bug Blanc fought the monstrous Lila. The white lady had taken far too much pleasure in destroying the monster that was Lila Rossi. Oddly enough, from the cracks of the monster's body, the real Lila fall free. She had not recalled that being in Su-han's explanation.

She didn't have time to ponder it, though. She jumped out and used her top and yo-yo at the same time to stop Bug Blanc from finishing the unconscious girl.

"Sorry, Lady Noire, but I cannot let you do it." Bugperia had told her.

"I'm Bug Blanc, not Lady Noire."

Those cold blue eyes looked deeply into her soul. She longed for the warmth of her lover's bluebell eyes in that moment.

"Doesn't matter that you're akumatized. You're still Marinette under that mask. I will bring you back to yourself and save this dying world."

"How can I ever be happy again?" Bug Blanc roared. She attacked Bugperia with her staff.

Bugperia, having sparred with Chat Noir so many times, dodged on instinct and stuck back at the heroine with her Yo-yo. She could end the fight if she could get off a venom, but she had to keep Bug Blanc from destroying her gear at all costs.

"Want to tell me what happened?" Bugperia asked as there was a pause in the fighting. She had seen sanity return to Bug Blanc's eyes.

"Adrien sacrificed himself to bring his father's mind back from his insanity." Bug Blanc declared, making Bugperia wince. "He made the wish to bring Adrien back, but it didn't work. Then… I was akumatized."

Bugperia sighed. "Lila had the Butterfly after Gabriel in our universe. I suspect it was the same here. She saw a chance and took it and made you her pawn of destruction. I guess she didn't realize how deep your despair would be."

They had stood there, just looking at each other. Finally, Bug Blanc spoke.

"Just go home, Zoe Lee. Back to your world, where I am sure everything is better."

Zoe shook her head. "I can't. Your universe is doomed, Marinette. I need to purify you and undo the damage you've done. Once that is completed, I can go back home again."

After their multiverse trip last year, Zoe had gotten better at spotting the universe's anchor. It was obvious that in this universe, that was Marinette. That was why this universe was doomed. Not because the anchor being was dead, but because Marinette was out of control.

"It's not that simple." Bug Blanc shook her head. "I cannot control the rage when it comes. I'm having a moment of clarity that will not last. Once that is up, I will try and kill you again."

"I know," Bugperia reached out and stroked the akumatized heronie's face, who was shedding a single tear. "But I owe it to my Marinette, to try."

"I didn't see where the Akuma went." She admitted.

"I figured. Still, it had to be something you are holding or wearing. Cataclysm your staff and Yo-yo."

Perhaps Bug Blanc would have done it. Zoe would never know. The next moment, those blue eyes went cold again.

Bugperia had jumped clear and went to hide from the sudden onslaught of blasts.

Zoenette-October*

"If I could just stun her…" Bugperia held up her Yo-yo and whispered, "Lucky Charm."

She had avoided doing this up to now so she wouldn't cause Bug Blanc to explicitly target the magical tool. If that went, so too did any chance for either of them.

The magical ladybug provided her with a mirror. It was an ornate hand mirror made from silver, like the noble ladies of old would have used. She looked into the mask of her unified form. "I see. I need to show her what she has become. But will it stop her long enough to sting her?"

She wasn't sure if the ploy would work, but she had to try. She set the mirror up where she was hiding and slipped away.

Zoenette-October*

Bug Blanc came around the corner and spotted the mirror, propped up to display her face.

"I see what you're doing, Zoe." She called out. "Trying to get me districted so you can attack me while I'm off guard. That's not going to work."

She fired off a cataclysm and destroyed the mirror. Then, she felt a prick in her shoulder, and for Bug Blanc, the world froze.

Zoenette-October*

Bugperia came out of her hiding place, her remote stinger changing back to her top.

"Glad I didn't show my hand sooner." She admitted. "Had you known I could sting at range, I never would have seen you again."

She started stripping Bug Blanc, an activity she usually relished with Marinette, and smashing things.

Finally, she took the small earpiece from the heroine's ear and crushed it, and a butterfly came out. She summoned a new Lucky Charm, this one a tub of lipstick. She hoped this meant she would be kissing Marinette soon.

"There you are." She snagged it with her Yo-yo and purified it. She then tossed the charm high into the air, and the destroyed world began to repair itself.

She looked up as Lady Noire came out from under the bugs. "Wait, Zoe…" She called.

"Sorry, got my own Princess to return to." Bugperia waved. "I'm sorry about Adrien."

Bug Noire sighed. "Thank you. I'll never forget this, Zoe from another world."

Bugperia gave her a thumbs up before the magical ladybugs whisked her away, back to her own universe.

Zoenette-October*

She landed on the rooftop where the portal had been, Lila lying unconscious nearby. She scooped up the villain and carried her back to prison. The moment she was safely in Officer Roger's custody, Bugperia was off across the rooftops once more, making a beeline for the hotel.

She came in through the window to see Marinette and Chloe, crying together while Sabrina stroked their hair soothingly.

"Hey, I'm home…" Bugperia called but was knocked over a moment later by Marinette, who threw herself at the heroine and locked their lips together.

Chloe was laughing hysterically from the bed. "What an entrance, sis. Welcome home."

Bugperia was too busy kissing Marinette to say much of anything. It was good to be home.