Marc: Marinette? Are you sure about this? 

Marinette: Yes! It's the perfect surprise for Nathaniel!

Marc: (Still unsure) Well...

Marinette: Well what?

Marc: (He sighs before speaking) Nathaniel isn't a fan of big surprises. I don't want him to get upset, you know how sensitive he is.

Marinette: (She picks up a full basket of strawberries) Trust me, Marc! I swear nothing will go wrong this time! (As she says this, a handful of strawberries tumbles on the floor)

Marc: Okay...

Marinette: (Notices Marc's unhappy expression. She turns to him) What's on your mind?

Marc: I love Nathaniel with everything I have. I wasn’t there to see what happened on his last birthday. But the things I heard were...horrible. (He looks downwards) I don't want him to go through that again.

Marinette: I get it, really. (She places her hand on Marc's shoulder) The feeling of wanting to move heaven and earth for the ones you love, it could be overwhelming.

Marc: (He thinks of a compromise) As soon as I see Nath get upset, I'm telling him okay?

Marinette: (She thinks for a while) Okay.

Nathaniel: Hey, Marc! (He hugs him)

Marc: (He reciprocates hug) Oh- Hi, Nath.

Nathaniel: You know what day it is today, right?

Marc: (Trying his best to resist Nathaniel's hopeful face) Uh, it's Wednesday.

Nathaniel: (He shuffles away from him) Yeah...it is. (Nathaniel's face is full of dejection, despite trying to hide it)

Marc: But I have something for you!

Nathaniel: (Looks at him with surprise) Huh?

Marc: (He pulls out a small white box and places it in Nathaniel's hand) Open it, please.

Nathaniel: Ah, okay. (He slowly lifts the lid to see what's inside) A ring? We're not getting married, right?

Marc: (laughs) No! It's just a regular gift. For being a great boyfriend! Totally not birthday related at all...hahaha.

Nathaniel: (gullible as ever) Oh, okay.

Marc: Here, let me put it on for you, my strawberry. (Marc takes the simple gold ring out of the box and slides it on Nathaniel's finger, like a wedding ceremony)

Nathaniel: (He holds his hand to his face, looking at it. He smiles and blushes noticeably) Thank you, Marc.

Marc: (Holds up his own hand to showcase a matching black ring) I even got a matching one, for the both of us!

Nathaniel: Aww! (He pulls Marc's face close and kisses him lightly)

(Ray, Loïc, and Nelson are watching Marc and Nathaniel from afar, looking at the couple with venom.)

Ray: (He scoffs) They're so gross. Who buys a ring on a 'normal' day? A disgustingly cheap one, too.

Loïc: I have no idea how their relationship is still standing.

Nelson: Well, we could change that~ (He turns to Ray and Loïc with an evil smile. Both Ray and Loïc nod in agreement.) Anyways, Nathaniel could do ten times better than that walking rainbow.

Ray: Huh? Who, then?

Nelson: (spluttering) Wha- n-nobody! Let's just go, I can't stand to look at those two together any longer! (He stomps off, away from view)

(Ray and Loïc look at each other, shrug, and follow Nelson.)

Marinette: Have you talked to Nathaniel yet?

Marc: Yeah, I spoke to him. (He rubs the back of his neck guiltily)

Marinette: (Notices) Marc...what did you do...?

Marc: (He sighs, then inhales) Igavehimthegift!!

Marinette: What.

Marc: (Repeats again, slowly) I gave Nathaniel the gift...

Marinette: (Whispers harshly) Why would you do that?!

Marc: He looked so sad when he thought I didn't remember his birthday. I didn't do anything else, promise!

Marinette: (She stares at Marc empathetically) Fine... (Her tune changes to a slightly happier one) How did he find the gift?

Marc: Nath loved it! (He smiles, content with Marinette no longer mad at him) The smile on his face he had... (Marc's mind wanders off, thinking about Nathaniel's adorable face in a bubbly pink background with sparkles. After a while, he snaps back, reminding himself he's talking to Marinette) A-Anyways, will everything be ready for this afternoon?

Marinette: Yup! I got everything right here! (She points to her skull)

Marc: (Confused) Marinette? You know you're pointing to your head, right?

Marinette: Yes! Everything is a concept right now!

Marc: We have six hours before the party and you're shitting on me for not keeping a secret?!

Marinette: (She hushes him) Look, I'm sorry, okay? But out of fairness, I've been busy!

Marc: Oh yeah? Doing what? (He has a cross expression)

Marinette: Uh... (She thinks about her double-life as Ladybug and guardian) Just...busy!!

Marc: (Sarcastic) Yeahhhh, sureee...

Marinette: You-!

(The cousins bicker at each other as they walk to class. They both equally love Nathaniel like family and doesn't want to disappoint him. So they take their valid stress out on one another, lol.)

(Ray, Loïc, and Nelson peer from one of the doors heading to the lockers, after eavesdropping on the cousins.)

Loïc: So, it's the painthead's birthday today? Would be a shame if it was...ruined.

Nelson: Yes, but we have nothing to ruin! According to Marinette, they haven't even started.

Ray: That's true. (He turns to Loïc and Nelson) But who says we can't mess with the birthday brat? I don't think he'd be in the party mood if his day was magically destroyed.

Nelson: But what are we going to do?

Ray: Just follow my lead.

Adrien: (He waves coolly) Hey Nath! Happy Birthday!

Nathaniel: Thanks!- Wait- (He stops in his tracks, then runs to Adrien and jumps on his back)

Adrien: Agh!

Nathaniel: Thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou!

Adrien: For what? (Trying not to fall over with the artist on him. Nathaniel hops off his back to face Adrien.)

Nathaniel: For remembering! You're the...first, other than my parents to remember it's my birthday today. (Nathaniel looks down with a somber smile)

Adrien: Well, I'm glad your parents knew. Too bad I can't relate! Haha! 

Nathaniel: Oh! (He covers his mouth in shock)

Adrien: Too soon?

Nathaniel: (He nods silently)

Adrien: Sorry... (He drags his feet awkwardly)

(There's a small silence between the two. Adrien's humour is drier than his father's corpse.)

Nathaniel: Well...thanks again, Adrien. (He smiles warmly) I really appreciate it.

Adrien: No problem!

(Adrien and Nathaniel depart in opposite directions. By the time Adrien remembered to ask why Marc, his own boyfriend, wasn't aware of his birthday, Nathaniel was gone. Damn.)

Marc: He looks happier than usual.

Marinette: Maybe it's because of the ring you gave him too early.

Marc: We're not doing this again. 

(Marc and Marinette leave Nathaniel to his devices. Wherever they went...)

Nathaniel: (Sees that he ran out of blue paint) Oh! (He stood up and went inside the nearby storage room to look for extra paint)

(Ray, Loïc, and Nelson - The Chopped Trio - sneak inside the art room. Loïc picks up Nathaniel's canvas and strolls out the room.)

Ray: Well, what should we do with this?

Loïc: Destroy it! (While he says this, he attempts to bend the canvas in half)

Nelson: No! (Ray and Loïc look at Nelson oddly) We should...hide it, or somethin'.

Loïc: Ugh!! You're not being fun today!

Ray: You guys are such children! What about this: We paint over it, okay?

Loïc & Nelson: (In unison) Fine.

(Ray ushered Loïc and Nelson back into the art room and rush a plethora of different coloured paint on the canvas, ruining Nathaniel's original painting. Ray signalled to the two to run before Nathaniel comes back.)

(Nathaniel walks into the empty classroom with a bottle of blue paint. He's met with his artwork with various paint splatter.)

Nathaniel: Huh? What the hell happened?! (He observes his spoiled painting, seeing if it can be salvaged. It couldn't.) Who would do this??

(Ziggy flies from his apron pocket.) 

Ziggy: (She gasps) This is devastating! A true crime to art!! When I find the culprit, I'll-!

Nathaniel: Ziggy, it's fine.

Ziggy: No It's not! Whoever did this a real meanie! (She crosses her arms)

Nathaniel: (Nathaniel breathes in and out, remembering his breathing exercise from therapy) There's no harm in starting again. Besides, what's life without unpredictability?

Ziggy: Hmph! Well I'll be watching if anyone dares to mess with your masterpiece again! (She then flies into Nathaniel's pocket, her big head sticking out like a gopher. The kwami tried her best to look intimidating, but instead, she looked adorable. She had the appearance of a baby kangaroo hiding in their mother's pouch.)

Nathaniel: Haha, okay. (He changes his canvas into a fresh new one and starts again) ((Positive king))

Ray: I can't wait to see the look on the brat's face! 

Nelson: Chaos is fun, isn't it?

Loïc: Finally! Some action! (He and Nelson held the rope connected to the bucket of paint until they saw Nathaniel in their view.

Ray: Now!

(Loïc and Nelson both let go of the rope, the red paint smacking him on his head, along with the steel bucket.)

Nathaniel: Ah! 

(The other people in the cafeteria - including Marc and Marinette - stopped their chatter and stared at Nathaniel in shock, who was paralyzed with fear and humiliation.)

Nathaniel: (Whispers to himself) Why...Why me?

(Ray, Loïc, and Nelson high-five each other.)

Marc & Marinette: (in unison) Nath! (Both bluenettes ran towards Nathaniel, trying to wipe the paint off him with their bare hands)

Nathaniel: Stop...STOP! (Marc and Marinette immediately take their hands off Nathaniel) I'll... (still lost, processing what happened to him) I'll clean this up myself. (Nathaniel stumbles out the cafeteria, leaving a trail of red paint behind him.)

Ziggy: This is just horrible!

(Nathaniel says silent, before breaking down in tears.)

Ziggy: Oh, Nath.

Nathaniel: Why did this happen to me? First, my own boyfriend doesn't remember my birthday, my art got destroyed, and now I got paint thrown on me!

Ziggy: At least Marc gave you a ring! (She pointed to the ring on Nathaniel's finger, an attempt to make him feel better) 

Nathaniel: ... (He stares at the ring, then begins to cry harder while sliding down the wall) 

Ziggy: Please, Nath! You don't want to get akumatized!

Nathaniel: I don't care!! I should get akumatized! (Nathaniel takes off his hairclip) What am I good for anyway if I'm so forgettable? (He puts his head on his knees)

Ziggy: Don't say that Nathaniel! I'm sure we'll figure out something!

(An akuma flies towards Nathaniel, and penetrates his gold ring. He was submerged in a world of purple. Ziggy gasps in horror. Witnessing the futile scene, Ziggy takes off with the hairclip.)

Chrysalis: Forgive my intrusion. Hello, Nathaniel Kurtzberg. (She teleported next to him and knelt beside him) Happy Birthday. (Nathaniel stayed silent) I believe what occurred today was true injustice. Birthdays aren't your thing I'm guessing?

Nathaniel: ...No.

Chrysalis: Oh, well unlike my tyrannical predecessor, I could give you the power to make sure others leave you alone, while also being able to retaliate against the ones you despise...with your permission, of course. You can be an untouchable force of destruction.

Nathaniel: (Barely audible) Okay.

Chrysalis: And what should I call you?

Nathaniel: Whirlwind.

(Chrysalis closed her hand around Nathaniel, transforming him. Nathaniel grew triple his size, turning into a figure, appearing like a sad, watery, blue human cloud on fire. His eyes were completely glowing white.)

(Whirlwind slowly walked out of the school bathroom, wandering aimlessly.)

(Marinette, Adrien, Alya, and Nino are sitting at the same table, discussing.)

Alya: What happened to Nathaniel was brutal! I hope he's alright.

Nino: Especially on his birthday? Seriously uncool. 

Adrien: I just don't get why this happened to him out of all people. Nobody has a problem with the guy. (Adrien notices Marinette's silence) Hey, Mari, you good?

Marinette: (snaps back into focus) Oh! Yeah, I just don't feel well about this situation at all! Marc left to find Nathaniel but he hasn't come back yet.

Alya: Oh, Marinette...you always think about others before yourself. You gotta give yourself some grace!

Marinette: Yeah, maybe I shou-

(Horrified screams from the students brought the group's attention to the window leading to the classrooms. They peer out the window to see a tall cloudy Nathaniel make his way out the school. He turned his head to the scared students. They ducked in fear. Whirlwind's eyes focused primarily on Adrien. Whirlwind made the choice of reaching his cloudy hand through the cafeteria walls and grabs Adrien like a doll.)

Adrien: Ahhhh!!

Nino: Adrien!

(A purple butterfly mask covers Whirlwind's face.)

Chrysalis: May I ask why you grabbed this boy? Did he wrong you?

Whirlwind: The opposite, actually. He was one of the few who remembered my birthday.

(Marinette heard this, causing her to feel guilty.)

Chrysalis: Very well, then. (The mask disappears)

(Whirlwind freely stomps outside the school, scaring strangers into their cars and houses.)

Marinette: This is bad! Really bad!

Tikki: (whispering to herself inside Marinette's bag) Bad indeed, looks like Chat Noir won't be in action.. (Tikki rustles around in Marinette's bag, signalling the need of Ladybug. Marinette feels this.)

Marinette: I, uh...gotta tell Natalie that Adrien is under attack! (Before anyone could protest, she bolted out the cafeteria, finding the nearest closet)

Marinette: How could I let this happen?! I need to fix this ASAP! Tikki, Spots On! (Transforms into Ladybug)

Ladybug: Seriously?! Where could they be?

(Adrien had felt Ladybug's signal in his ring)

Adrien: (Talking to himself) This is not a good time!

Plagg: (Squished inside Adrien’s pocket) You and me both, buddy.

Adrien: Hey, uh, Nathaniel?

Whirlwind: It's Whirlwind.

Adrien: Uhm, Whirlwind? Can you put me down, please? I'm sure we can talk about this!

Whirlwind: (Looks down at Adrien) There's nothing to talk about. (Turns red and spiky) I DONT WANT TO TALK.

Adrien: (Scared) Ah! Okay, okay! Please don’t hurt me!

Whirlwind: (Turns back to soft blue) Hurt you? I'm disheartened you think that. (Tears roll down Whirlwind's face, creating huge droplets of water to the people below)

Adrien: Oh, I didn't mean to hurt your feelings! Please don't cry! (Adrien urges Whirlwind to calm down so he won’t flood the streets of Paris with his tears) You don't have to lose hope!

Whirlwind: (Turns yellow) Hope? I'm...jealous of your optimism, Adrien. But I only feel despair now. You would too if you lived my life.

Adrien: But what about the people you love? What about Marc?

Whirlwind: (He thinks for a second) STOP. Please.

(Ladybug is watching Adrien and Whirlwind interact with each other. She decides to call Rooster Bold and Chat Noir again, but to no avail.)

Ladybug: Ugh! (In frustration, she sends a signal to Carapace instead)

(After an amount of time, Carapace made it to the scene, landing beside Ladybug.)

Carapace: What's up?

Ladybug: I'm gonna need your help. Could you use your shield to trap Whirlwind for me?

Carapace: Without a doubt, dudette! Shelter! (The turtle uses his power to create a dome around Whirlwind)

(Both Ladybug and Carapace witnessed Whirlwind turn red in fury. Uh oh. Whirlwind transformed himself into a tornado, escaping Carapace's shield. In the moment, the akuma left Adrien behind, leaving him to freefall.)

Adrien: Aaaaaah!!

Ladybug & Carapace: (In unison) Adrien!! (Both heroes jump in their air, catching Adrien on either side. All three land safely.)

Adrien: (Pretending to be a frightened civilian) Ladybug! Carapace! Thank you so much!

Ladybug: No problem! Do you know what Whirlwind wanted with you?

Adrien: No, I don't. To be honest, I think he was just lonely.

Ladybug: Lonely? (She looks at her yoyo, thinking of calling Rooster Bold again) There's something seriously wrong.

Carapace: But what?

Ladybug: That's the thing, I don't know! Rooster Bold hasn't been answering. Neither has Chat Noir...

Adrien: (Realizes) Oh! I should, uh, get going now! (Shouts rapidly while running away from view) Thanksforthehelp!!

Carapace: Maybe your Lucky Charm will tell you where Rooster Bold and Chat Noir are!

Ladybug: It's possible, but we have no idea where Whirlwind went! Who knows where he is- AGH!

(The ground shook visibly, causing Ladybug and Carapace to look up and see an angry Whirlwind rampage across Paris.)

Ladybug: Lucky Charm! (She receives a few bottles of paint with a familiar logo)

Carapace: So?

Ladybug: (Stares at the item) Hm...I got it! But I need you to minimize Whirlwind's damage.

Carapace: Sure thing!

(Ladybug uses her yoyo to leave the scene.)

(Ladybug notices the closet to be half-open. She walks inside and finds Marc unconscious on the floor.)

Ladybug: Marc?! What happened?? (She shakes Marc awake)

(Marc groans. Orikko and Ziggy fly from behind him.)

Ziggy: Ladybug! We're so glad you're here! Nathaniel got akumatized!

Ladybug: I know that. But what happened to Marc?

Orikko: Well if you ask me, it's all Ziggy's fault!

Ziggy: My fault?? But you- (Both kwamis argue over each other)

Ladybug: Okay, okay! What happened?

Ziggy: When I saw Nathaniel get akumatized, I brought the hairclips to Marc, for safe keeping!

Orikko: But I wanted Marc to combine both miraculouses! 

Ladybug: Why?

Orikko: Because it would be cool! 

Ziggy: Oh it was "cool" alright. When Marc unified our miraculouses, he was fine at first, until it became too powerful for him...then he fainted!

Ladybug: How could you guys let him do this?

Orikko: I-I thought Marc would be able to endure the power of Passion and Pretension at the same time! I mean, this is the same boy who charged towards an akuma for his boyfriend for crying out loud!

Ladybug: Marc tends to make a lot of risks...

(Marc groans as he regains consciousness, slowly making his way off the floor.)

Marc: Wha...ow! My head! That was the worst idea, Orikko.

Ladybug: Ah, Marc! You're awake. I need you immediately. (She grabs Marc's wrist and drags him to the window, ready to jump)

Marc: Don't you need Rooster Bold?

Ladybug: No, I need Marc.

(Carapace uses his shield just before Whirlwind could destroy a building, causing the akuma to turn his attention to Carapace and chases him down.)

Carapace: GAH! (Carapace runs for his life) H-Hey man! Maybe we negotiate something!

Chat Noir: Cataclysm! (He slaps his hand on the concrete ground, causing Whirlwind to fall halfway through the floor)

Carapace: Thanks Chat!

Chat Noir: No problem!

(Whirlwind transforms into a tornado again, and escapes the hole. Now, twisting and charging at Chat Noir in his airy form. The cat makes a terrified sound before running away with Carapace. Before Whirlwind could reach him, Ladybug stands in between the heroes and the akuma.)

Ladybug: Stop!

Whirlwind: (Still a tornado) WHY. (He leans forward)

Ladybug: Could you tell me why you're doing this? So I can understand?

(Whirlwind thinks.)

Chrysalis: She's manipulating you. Don't you remember the last time you let your guard down when you were first akumatized? Do you really want to fall into the same trap again?

Whirlwind: No, I don't. But there's nothing to take from me this time. I have nothing to lose. (He converts back into his human form and offers his big hand for Ladybug to step on. Whirlwind lifts her up so they can see eye to eye with one another.)

Ladybug: So...?

Whirlwind: I...I feel horrible.

Ladybug: What about? 

Whirlwind: Of my pent-up rage. People who care about me act like they have to walk on eggshells so I won't snap. And the people who aren't fond of me, find satisfaction seeing me at my angriest. It's my birthday, but I feel more invisible than I usually do.

Ladybug: Oh...Well, happy birthday! And I can assure you that you're not invisible.

Whirlwind: Of course you would say that. Everyone needs Ladybug. Nobody needs me.

Marc: I need you!

(Whirlwind and Ladybug turn to Marc below.)

Whirlwind: ...Marc?

Marc: Yes! I'm here! Turns out a huge cloudy version of my partner is easy to find!

(Marc's optimism was contagious. Whirlwind put Ladybug down and lifted Marc up in his palm.)

Whirlwind: What are you doing here?

Marc: Because I care, Nath.

Whirlwind: You don't find me insufferable?

Marc: Why would I ever do that?

Whirlwind: My emotions! I'm difficult, unpredictable, and too much for you!

Marc: Nathaniel, you will never be 'too much' for me.

Whirlwind: Even when I'm at my angriest? 

Marc: (He delicately strokes Whirlwind's cheek) Still a no, Strawberry. Still gonna love 'ya.

Whirlwind: But why?

Marc: Because that's what love is! I'm not leavin' you, babe, even if you try to scare me off.

Whirlwind: (Transforms into a light grey colour) Hm, I like the sound of that. (Huge tears ran down Whirlwind's face, drenching Marc in the process)

Marc: Hey!

Whirlwind: Sorry. (He giggles)

(Whirlwind looks at his left hand, where the ring is. He sets Marc down on the ground and takes his ring off. He pushes it towards Marc with a smile.)

Ladybug: Who knew such an angry akuma contained so much hurt? 

Chat Noir: I guess all it takes is a little reassurance.

(Ladybug smiles at Chat Noir before using her yo-yo to break the ring. An ultrakuma flew from it.)

Ladybug: No more evil-doing from you, ultrakuma. Time to de-evilize! (captures ultrakuma and purifies it) Gotcha! Bye-bye, little butterfly.

(Whirlwind detransforms into Nathaniel.)

Nathaniel: What happened?

Marc: You were akumatized.

Nathaniel: Oh...again?

Marc: Yeah. But you're okay now! We still have time left to celebrate your birthday!

Nathaniel: (A despondent expression covers his face) It's already nighttime.

Marc: I have an idea.

Nathaniel: What?

Marc: It's allll in here. (He points to his skull)

Nathaniel: Uh, you're pointing at your brain.

Marc: I know, haha! First, I need to find a shop that's open at this time. (He rubs the back of his neck)

Nathaniel: Oh Marc. (He smiles endearingly and hugs him)

Ladybug & Chat Noir & Carapace: Pound it!

(Nathaniel stares at his hairclip solemnly.)

Ziggy: Why aren't you putting it on?

Nathaniel: I don't know...I was akumatized. Do I even deserve to be a superhero now?

Ziggy: Even the best people slip up every now and then! Don't give yourself such a hard time.

Nathaniel: ...Maybe you're right. (He places his hairclip on the nightstand) But I think it's safer if I don't wear it for a while.

Ziggy: Aw, okay! (She hugs Nathaniel's cheek)

Marc: (Holding a cupcake with a singular candle, while singing in broken Hebrew) Today is birthday, today is birthday, today is birthday for Nathaniel, a happy holiday for him, and a blooming wreath for him, today is birthday for Nathaniel!

Nathaniel: (laughs) Oh my God.

Marc: How was it?

Nathaniel: Your translation is terrible! (He says, still laughing)

Marc: Hey! It took a lot of guts to ask your parents how to sing that!

Nathaniel: Regardless, I loved it. Thank you.

Marc: Your welcome. Now, make a wish! It's 2 minutes before midnight.

Nathaniel: (Closes his eyes before blowing on the lit candle) 

Marc: (Makes a celebratory sound) So, what did you wish for?

Nathaniel: It's not gonna come true if I tell you!

Marc: (laughs) You're right.

Nathaniel: Hey, Ziggy? Orikko? Would you guys like this cupcake? 

Orikko: Yay!

Ziggy: Thank you Nathaniel! (Ziggy and Orikko take the cupcake and fly to a different section of Nathaniel’s room)

Marc: Happy Birthday, Strawberry. (He gazes at him lovingly)

Nathaniel: Thank you, Marc.

(As they kiss, the timer on Nathaniel's nightstand showcases 00:00am.)

Cerise: Nathaniel. You may have had help from your partner, but there will be a time where he can't aid you when you spiral. Your powers won't protect you any longer...Caprikid and Rooster Bold.