Chloe is growing less and less fond of Ladybug and Chat Noir Pollen did something questionable last chapter. Adrien stole a book from his dad and asked Pollen to brew him some transformation potions. Marinette lost an election to Chloe and Tikki is trying to get her to change. Hawk Moth is getting more and more mad every time Queen Bee gets in his way.

Originally, this was going to be the trail of Pollen, but then I remember that episode feed directly into the Collector so plans were changed.

Chapter Text

Marinette smiled to herself as she felt the crisp autumn breeze against her checks. For once in her life, she wasn’t running late for school.

“Somebody’s in a good mood,” Tikki said from inside her purse.

Marinette pulled out her phone pretending to talk to someone, the last thing she needed was for people to think she talked to herself. “Well, why shouldn’t I be? I’m not going to be late for school and we’ve got that book from Lila,” Marinette said.

“Well those are good reasons to be happy, but we both know what’s got you in such a good mood,” she said.

“Tikki, it’s not like that. Adrien just wants to meet Ladybug after school today. He wants to thank her for saving the city all the time,” Marinette said.

Tikki smiled, giving her a knowing look. “Sure, that may be why he wants to meet Ladybug, but that’s not why you want to. It seems like my advice paid off.”

Marinette smiled. “Yeah, you were right; if I want good things to happen. I have to start fighting for what I want.”

“So for right now, you’re aiming for a conversation with Adrien?” she asked.

“Yeah, hopefully, once we start talking to each other he’ll start to like me for me and not just as Ladybug,” she said.

“Wel-

Whatever Tikki was about to say was cut off when Marinette’s phone rang. Marinette frowned as she read the text on her phone.

Dear Miss Dupain-Cheng,

I humbly request the presence of Tikki. We must discuss matters of great importance, so that we may resolve conflict before one arises. Please allow her to leave your side while you are eating lunch.

Thank you: Pollen

“It looks like you’re going to be busy today,” Marinette said.

Tikki didn’t respond. Whatever joy she had was drained out of her at the mention of her fellow kwami.



Adrien scowled at the text and put his phone back into his pocket. “It looks like Pollen wants to speak with you,” he said, pushing himself further back into his seat.

“This isn’t good,” Plagg said.

“Why? You two seemed to be okay yesterday,” he said.

“Things are really complicated between us,” he said.

“Is it because she’s your ex?” he asked. Adrien shouldn’t have been surprised that Plagg dated, but the thought of his kwami actually being in a relationship weirded him out.

“No, it’s because of who she is,” he said. Plagg sighed as he fell onto Adrien’s lap. “Pollen is a good person, she just has high standards. When she sees something she doesn’t like, she changes it without waiting for permission or asking how other people feel about it.”

“That’s why you broke up. Because she wanted you to change,” he said.

“Adrien, that’s not important, right now. I told you she’s the kwami of stillness. She waits and watches for her time to strike. She’ll wait and manipulate you into getting her way. If Pollen is making a move, it’s either to get us to act the way she wants or it’s to reveal her master plan,” he said.

“So we have to be on our guard?” he asked.

“I’ll tell you when I get back from whatever scheme she’s planning,” he said.

“I guess that means it’s up to me to fix my problem while you deal with Pollen,” he said.

“I know this is super important, but do you really have to do this? ” Chloe asked, as she emptied out her locker onto a borrowed chair.

“My Queen, it can’t be helped, this is the only place we can meet and discuss our problems. If we don’t do this now things could get out of hand,” she said.

“I know, but this seems a bit extreme,” she said eyeing the box with disgust. “This cheese is going to stink up my locker for the whole year.”

“Yes, but camembert is Plagg’s favourite, and starting off with a peace offering will hopefully make things less tense,” she said.

“This doesn’t make any sense, he's the cat kwami, why does he like cheese? Shouldn’t that be the mouse kwami’s thing? At Least the ladybug kwami likes cookies,” she said, placing the box of food in her now empty locker.

“My Queen, just because we look like those animals don’t mean we share all the same traits,” she said.

“Yeah, well have fun. Oh, and if you need some backup text me and come and yell at those idiots,” she said.

Pollen smiled at her ward. “Thank you, my Queen, but someone may find it odd if you are seen yelling in your locker. I’m sure I can handle my fellow kwami; this isn’t the first time the three of us have been in conflict with one another.”

Chloe nodded, closing the door on her partner. She sighed, turning to the large pile of clothes. “Well, looks like you’re going in backup locker 6.”

Plagg phased through the ceiling into the dust-covered vent.

“This was a terrible place to meet,” Tikki said.

“Well it’s not like we had much of a choice on where we meet, Pollen’s expecting us any minute now,” he said in a hushed voice.

“We need a game plan. Pollen’s got something up her sleeve, and we have to figure out what it is,” Tikki said.

“It’s either to get us to back off and let her keep Chloe as her partner, or it’s to manipulate us into doing whatever she wants us to do,” Plagg said.

“Nothing’s changed, Chloe hasn’t improved, and Ladybug won’t fight without Chat Noir,” she said.

“So that means she wants to get us to do something,” Plagg said bitterly. Tikki tried to comfort him, but he simply moved aside. “We should get going. We don’t want to keep Pollen waiting,” he said.

“Okay, just remember to stay on your toes,” Tikki said.

Chloe frowned as she and Sabrina made their way over to Adrien’s table in the cafeteria. Much to her displeasure he was once again sitting next to Nino, Dupain-Cheng, and Ayla. “Adrikins, I know we promised to spend more time at school together, but this isn’t what I had in mind,” Chloe said, forcing herself in between Marinette and Adrien.

“Thanks for coming guys. I have a big problem and I need you all to help. Yesterday, I took a book from my dad’s office and brought it to school. Unfortunately, I lost it. When I went home last night he asked what I did with the book. I lied and told him that I left it in school. If I don't get that book back he’s going to pull me out of school,” Adrien said.

“Don’t worry, Adrikins, I’ll find that book for you, no problem,” Chloe said.

“Yeah, dude, we’re totally here for you,” Nino piped in.

“Thanks, you guys. I think we should pair up and search the school. Nino and I’ll search the classes we have together. Chloe and Sabrina, you guys search the roof, janitor's office, and the principal's office.”

“Wait, why do I have to search the janitor's office? That place has got to be gross,” Chloe asked.

Adrein sighed. “Chloe, all those places are places students aren’t allowed to go. If anyone can get in there and look for the book it’s you. Anyway, Ayla and Marinette, can guys search the library and lost and found. The book we’re looking for is an old leather-bound book filled with ancient superheroes written in an unknown language. Good luck, and thanks again for helping,” he said before they all departed.

Tikki and Plagg phased through the roof of Chloe’s locker, descending into the dark chamber. The only light came from the slits in the locker door and the light from Pollen’s phone.

“Hello my friends, I hope this wasn’t too much of an inconvenience for you,” she said. “Since we will be meeting for lunch, I took the liberty of preparing a small meal for you.”

Tikki frowned, eyeing the other kwami with suspicion. “Thanks, but I think we should focus on work first and eat later.”

“Very well, but I just wanted us to talk first. It’s been so long since we’ve gotten out of that horrible box. I thought it we could talk as friends,” she said, as Plagg helped himself to the camembert.

Pollen flew down to Plagg and helped herself to one of the honey tarts she had. Pollen looked up at Tikki. “Won’t you come and join us?” Pollen asked before she began to eat.

Of course, you’d use Plagg’s gluttony against us.

Tikki didn’t respond: she just flew down next to them and helped herself to a caramel chocolate chip cookie. “We can talk while we eat.”

“Fair enough, I’ve gathered you all here try and resolve our partners' grievances with one another,” she said.

“Oh, and here I thought we were going to discuss the other Miraculous,” Plagg said, narrowing his eyes.

Pollen was self-aware enough to blush at the comment. “I presume you aren’t referring to Fluff also being out of the box.”

“I sensed his presence,” Plagg said.

“I had to take precautions in case our meeting didn’t go as planned,” she said.

“Is that how you justify handing Trixx over to her?” he said. “You of above anyone else should know the dangers of giving a Miraculous to a girl like her.”

Pollen glared at him. “Looking past my previous mistakes, Trixx agreed to help me,” she said.

“It’s still dangerous,” he said.

“When I looked back at the situation, I realized it wouldn’t have been as bad had Hawk Moth not been involved. If the girl had Trixx, he would have been able to free himself as soon as he deemed her unworthy.

“You still gave Trixx to a girl who can’t be trusted,” he said.

“She’s a fifteen-year-old girl, not a psychopath. I’m sure Trixx can handle Lila Rossi.”

Adrien and Nino rushed through the halls, running from classroom to classroom, searching for his lost book.

“Dude, slow down. We’ll find that book,” Nino said, trying to keep pace with his friend.

“Nino, we’ve already searched every class I take, and we still haven’t found the book. If we don’t get that book back I’m dead!” Adrien said. “I stole that book from my dad. Even if I find that book he might still pull me out of school.”

“If the book was so important, why did you take it?” Nino asked.

“I didn’t mean to. I was curious about what my dad was hiding. I was going to return it, but Nathalie came into the room so I stuffed it into my bag. It’s just I’m tired of being jerked by people.”

Nino put his hand on his shoulder and said, “Don’t worry. We’ll get that book back. Where was the last place you saw it?”

“I was in the library, talking to Lila, but I had to leave for fencing,” he said.

Crap, Lila! I have to talk to her about Volpina.

“Great, this totally helps narrow it down. You had the book at five o’clock yesterday. We should check the gym and ask Mr. D’argencourt about the book.”

“So, are you going to tell me what’s upsetting you or not?” Ayla asked as the two girls walked through the library.

“Whaaa. There’s nothing going on. I’m just really worried about Adrien,” Marinette said.

“Sure, that’s why you look like you killed someone. Marinette, I have eyes you know. Ever since Adrien mentioned the book you looked really guilty,” she said.

“I don’t know anything about the book,” she said, unwilling to look her friend in the eye.

Ayla frowned, looking at her friend. “Marinette, please tell me you didn’t let your crush on Adrien get the better of you. Please tell me you didn't take the book?”

Marinette looked at her friend. Without Tikki to confide in Marinette found it harder to keep her secrets. She hadn’t realized how much she used her kwami as a sounding board and secret keeper.

“I didn’t take the book, Lila did. She took the book from Adrien and threw it into the trash. I just took it from the trash,” she whispered.

“Why would Lila take it from Adrien? And why do you have it?” she asked.

“I don’t know, but I can’t give the book back,” she said.

“What do you mean you can’t give it back? Marinette, if you don’t give the book back Adrien’s going to be pulled out of school,” she said.

“I can’t give back the book because I promised to give the book to Ladybug,” she said.

“Ladybug? Why does she need the book?” she asked.

“I told Ladybug about the book and she thinks it might be their first lead on Hawk Moth,” she said.

“Well, what are you going to do if you give the book to Ladybug? She could take down Hawk Moth, but if you don’t give the book to Adrien his dad’s going to pull him out of school.”

“I don’t know.”

Chloe and Sabrina walked through the halls while Chloe ate her sandwich.

“Um, Chloe? Shouldn’t you be a little bit more worried? What if Adrien’s dad pulls him out of school?” Sabrina asked.

“Psh, relax. Everything is going to be okay,” Chloe said.

“How can you be so sure about this? I mean what if we can’t get his dad’s book back?”

Chloe laughed until she nearly choked on her sandwich. “I’ll handle this.”

“Chloe, what did you do?” she asked, eyeing her friend.

“I didn’t do a thing. I just know who made that book,” she said, returning to her sandwich. “Worst-case scenario we give Mr. Agreste a new one.”

“Wait, you know who made that book?” she asked.

Chloe smiled and began to speak in a haughty tone. “Sabrina, think for a second. Who do you think could have written that book? It’s a book written in an unknown language, about kwami, and it has notes about their powers and how to upgrade them. There’s only one person I know who would do something like that. Pollen obviously made the book. I bet she made copies and has them stashed all over the place.”

“Oh, I guess that means we have nothing to worry about then,” Sabrina said, sounding disappointed.

“Yep, I’ll sit by doing nothing and swoop in and save the day,” she said.

“You did what? Pollen, Ladybug and the Guardian want you to return to the box and now that you’ve given Lila a Miraculous I’m going to have to tell Ladybug about it,” Tikki said.

“It will be fine: Trixx can free himself, and if worse comes to worst, my Queen and I can defeat her,” Pollen said.

Plagg sighed and glared at her. “It’s not Ladybug I’m worried about. Pollen, did you even consider Fu’s feelings in all this? He’s already lost so many Miraculouses he must be going off the wall looking for you?”

“You both may be my elders, but that doesn’t give either of you the right to control me. Hawk Moth needs to be defeated and Miss Rossi can help,” she said. “I left the box so I could help retrieve Nooroo. This girl will be a major asset in ending this conflict,” she fired back.

“Pollen, don’t try and hide what you’re doing. I was there when you were talking to Chloe about needing help. You took Trixx because he’s the only kwami that can take you down- that Fu has,” he said.

“No, I did it because I saw a girl who hates herself and lies about everything she is because she thinks she isn’t good enough. I haven’t changed. I’m still trying to help broken people,” Pollen said.

Tikki sighed glaring at her fellow Kwami. “Or you did it to show how much better Chloe is than Lila, but either way it doesn’t matter what your motives are. We’re not playing your games, Pollen.”

“All of this arguing is avoiding one simple fact. Miss Rossi has a Miraculous now. If either of you tries to forcibly take away her Miraculous she’ll get akumatized. And if she does get akumatized even all three of us working together would be incapable of stopping Trixx.”

Both kwamis glared at Pollen as she went back to her eating. “Oh, and one final thing, I’ve done what Mr. Agreste asked and I’ve made the transformation potions.”

“Wait what potions?” Tikki asked.

Chloe’s phone rang as the police spotted a supervillain attacking the city. Chloe looked at Sabrina who was checking the same alert on her phone. They gave each other a curt nod as Chloe rushed toward the exit and began texting Pollen.

Meet me on the roof. It’s time to kick butt.

Queen Bee flew across the streets of Paris towards the Louvre. When she arrived, the police had already sectioned off the art gallery. Sabrina’s father was coordinating the officers around him. Chloe smiled as she flipped and landed dramatically onto a police car. She turned to Sabrina’s father and gave him a friendly smile. “Queen Bee, reporting for duty, sir.”

Mr. Raincomprix looked at her for a moment before he started to glare at her. “I know who you are.”

Chloe’s smiled faltered. Of course, if her father hated Queen Bee because of her vigilantism, the chief of police probably was the one to put that idea in his head. “What are we dealing with here?”

He glared at her before saying, “I am containing this scene until Ladybug and Chat Noir get here, and you are going to leave while it’s still your choice.”

“Sir, I’m just trying to help, and if you don’t tell what I’m dealing with I will just go into the Louvre without your help,” she said.

“You expect us to help you after you caused the entire city’s crime rate to spike? Because of your actions, you caused criminals to flee from the worst parts of the city and set up shop all over. Now half the force is working overtime to contain this mess. We’re understaffed, overworked, and criminal behavior is totally unpredictable. The only reason I haven’t put you in cuffs right now is that you’re just some kid.”

It might not have come from her own father, but hearing Sabrina’s dad say such cruel things hurt a lot more than it should. Without saying a word, Chloe leapt from the police car and ran into the building.

Queen Bee spotted the villain as he absorbed a painting into his book. He was wearing a tackey black and white spandex suit with a stupid red visor. Whoever Hawk Moth was, he obviously didn’t have a sense of style.

His book can absorb anything it touches. One hit and I’m done.

Queen Bee got into a boxing stance and charged at the villain throwing a few jabs at him, but every time she would try and hit him he’d simply shield himself with the book.

“I don’t know what you’ve done, but Hawk Moth seems to have a vendetta against you. I can hear his voice yelling out to beat you and take your Miraculous,” he said.

“Oh, that might be because I’ve beaten like six of his bad guys single-handedly,” she said.

“Oh, Hawk Moth hates you, but it’s not because you're a threat to his plans; he hates you because you don’t belong,” he said. “This entire war is about him seizing Ladybug and Chat Noir’s Miraculouses. You’re some nobody who has no part in this battle that you’re forcing yourself into. Luckily for him, the Collector will end your troublesome interference in his mission.”

“To be fair, I’ve been forcing myself into other people’s business for years, Hawky just needs to get over himself,” she said dodging another attack.

The two continued to battle with neither making any headway.

I can’t keep this up forever. I need to do something.

Queen Bee leaned back to dodge a hit from his book. While his book was above her, Queen Bee grabbed the cover of the book and yanked it free of the Collector’s grasp.

“Ha, let’s see how well you fight without this,” she said, waving the book in his face. Queen Bee grabbed the thread of her spinning top and wrapped it around the books cover, sealing it shut.

The two began to fight again, but it seemed like without the book the Collector was actually better. His punches were fast and well placed. One attack quickly lead into a vicious chain of attacks. The Collector didn’t stop pummeling her until he delivered a punch directly to her face.

Chloe tried to get back up, but the spinning in her head wouldn’t stop. It was hard to tell what hurt worse, the Collector’s punch or Volpina’s flute. Chloe felt her Miraculous heat up as she got back up to her feet.

Before the two could begin to fight again, the Collector was lassoed into a wall.

“Didn’t anyone teach you that’s not how you're supposed to treat a lady?” Ladybug said.

“Aw, I wanted to say the catchy one-liner this time, bugaboo,” Chat said.

Great, these two Idiots.

“Ladybug and Chat Noir, what a wonderful surprise seeing you two here,” he said. The Collector got to his feet and raised his hand. In an instant, the book he was using flew off the ground and into his hands.

“Watch out, that book that he’s got lets him capture things,” Queen Bee said.

“What’s the plan, m’lady?” he asked.

“The plan’s simple, all we need to do...”

“Is to sit back and let Queen Bee handle this,” Chloe said.

Ladybug scowled at the other girl. “We’re not sitting back while you fight this guy.”

“It’s not like I haven’t beaten bad guys in the past without you two,” she said.

“Queenie, we let you fight Volpina on your own because you really wanted to. This is different though, we need to start working as a team,” he said.

Chloe ran towards the Collector, ready to finish the fight. This time their battle was very different as the two other heroes forced the Collector to leap off of the walls to attack them. Every time Chloe tried to throw a punch, Chat Noir or Ladybug would get in her way.

“Watch out!” she yelled as she avoided crashing into Ladybug. “Will you two stop getting in my way? I can handle this on my own.”

Chat watched as the two girls kept almost hitting one another. The Collector was playing with them. He wasn’t attacking them; he was trying to get them mad at each other. He was trying to get them to make a mistake. Adrien thought of what Plagg might say in this situation.

If these two keep fighting they’re going to get themselves tossed into the book. Adrien, you need to take the lead; neither girl is going to start working together.

Chat leapt in front of both girls and swung his staff at them.

“Hey, what the heck, Alleycat?”

“Chat?”

“Listen up, both of you stay back and try and attack while I keep him busy,” he said.

“If I wasn’t going to let Ladybug get in my way do you really think I’ll let you?” she said.

Chat glared at her, forcing the other girl to stop. “You two are going to get hurt if you two keep this up. Your teamwork sucks, your weapons aren’t good in close-quarters fighting, and all it’s doing is making you two mad. Sooner or later the Collector is going to get both of you if this keeps up. You two need to calm down and let me handle this.”

Chat pulled out his other baton and began to battle the villain. His baton kept the Collector at bay and let him avoid losing one of his weapons. Every time the Collector tried to collect his baton he collapsed it with a press of the button.

Adrien began to smile as they began a weird fencing match. A lot of the fighting consisted of the two of them feinting and parrying the other’s attack. As much fun as he was having, he knew he couldn’t keep this up forever.

The others tried by getting in his blindspot but he’d simply use their attacks to create some distance with him. Whoever the Collector is, he’s a master of reading people. Every time they’d reengage Chat would always be the one on the defensive.

“You can’t keep this up forever, boy,” he said.

“Don’t underestimate me. I’ve taken down plenty of villains on my own,” Chat said.

“Oh, please. You’re Ladybugs’ sidekick a sad lost little kitten that she took pity on,” he said.

The two were split apart by Ladybug’s yo-yo. “Don’t listen to a word he says, Chat.”

The boy laughed. “If you're going to try and get in my head you might want to try harder. I love being Chat Noir. I love being a hero. And I love helping Ladybug. If you think me playing second fiddle bothers me you don’t know a thing about me.”

Chat broke one of his batons into two and began to fight the villain. This time he juggled his weapons as they fought. The first baton was absorbed by the book; the second knocked the book out of his hands, disarming them both, and the third was used to knock the villain back.

Queen Bee didn’t need to be told what to do, once the book was out of his hands she leapt at it and ripped it to shreds.

A purple butterfly flew from its pages, getting a few feet off the ground before Ladybug’s yo-yo caught and purified it.

Chat’s smile faded on his face as he rushed past his partner towards the former villain. “Mr. Agreste, are you all right?” he asked, kneeling down in front of his father.

“Y-yes, yes, I’m just a bit woozy,” he said, as Chat Noir helped him to his feet. “Thank you all for helping me.”

Ladybug grimaced as she approached Adrien’s father. “Excuse me, Mr. Agreste, but how did you get akumatized?”

He looked down with a bit of shame and regret. “I was mad at my son for losing a book that I got from my wife.”

Chat smiled at him. “I’m sorry your son did that, but he really does care for you. On my way here, I saw him in the crowd.”

Chat Noir exited the Louvre and ran towards an alley before he transformed back into his civilian identity. As he arrived at the museum he saw his father giving a statement to the police. Adrien rushed to his father giving him a hug. “I’m so glad you’re alright. I came down here when I saw you were akumatized,” he said.

Before his father could respond, he scowled ever so slightly as they heard. “Mr. Agreste, Mr. Agreste, I came when I heard you were in trouble,” Chloe said as she gave the man a hug. “Thank goodness you're alright.”

Gabriel coughed as he removed the girl from his personal space. “Thank you for your concern, but I’m perfectly fine. As for being in trouble, shouldn’t you two be in school?”

“School? How could we think about school when you got taken over by a supervillain!” she said. “You know how much you and Mrs. Agreste mean to me.”

“Yes, while this may be the case. I will have Nathalie take you back to school.”

Chloe slammed the rooftop door shut, as her kwami flew from her bag.

“I take it you had an eventful day today, my Queen,” she said.

“Yeah, I need you to give me another copy of that book you made,” Chloe said.

Pollen grimaced at the mention of the book. “My Queen, I only ever made one copy of the book.”

Chloe scrunched up her face. “Then I need you to make another. Adrien lost the book and without it, he’s going to get kicked out of school.”

“I-I can’t. Chloe, there is a reason I wanted that book out of my sight as quickly as possible. That book brings back painful memories,” she said, turning away from her ward.

“Pollen, whatever’s going on needs to be put on hold. Adrien will get pulled out of school if I don’t give him the book!”

“I can’t! My Queen, that book brings back painful memories. If I try to recreate that book I will be akumatized. I didn’t make the book willingly; I was forced to,” Pollen screamed.

Chloe stepped back hearing her kwami yell at her. “That book you created was for the evil Miraculous bearer? The one that caused you to freak out when Darkblade tried to mind control us?”

Pollen nodded before she flew into Chloe’s school bag.

Before Chloe could respond Pollen interrupted her, “We’ve got training to do.”

Adrien walked out of the gym towards his home. The orange hues of the afternoon sky tinted the world in a warm haze as the cold autumn air left him feeling small and hollow.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. A smile graced his face as he saw a photo of he and his friends eating lunch together. A part of him wanted to call his friends and say goodbye, but he couldn’t do that. He doubted he could get through a single call before he started to cry. He couldn’t make his friends worry about him.

Adrien wondered what would become of his life without school. He shuddered, remembering how things had been before he went to school. He would spend his days with tutors, whom if he were lucky, would try and spice the material up. His only companionship would once again be Chloe when she would come over.

If he were lucky he would be able to keep his phone. Nino would still be able to recommend songs for him to listen to. Ayla would be willing to talk heroes with him. And Marinette might still be able to make him laugh.

Adrien’s thoughts drifted to Plagg. Would he still be Chat Noir? If his father kept a closer eye on him he doubted he could actually be a hero. All the hope he’d been gathering washed away with that thought. If he couldn’t be Chat Noir.

The thought broke him releasing a flood of emotions. Tears streamed down face. He felt like he was being choked as he gasped for air.

“Adrien, are you alright?”

Ladybug stood there as if she had been summoned by his despair, with a worried expression etched on her face. Adrien rushed at her, pulling her into a tight embrace.

“I’m so sorry. I-I can’t see you anymore. He’s, he’s going to take me away,” he said.

“Adrien, breathe, everything’s going to be alright,” she said, pulling him to a nearby bench.

Adrien tried to rip himself free from her grasp. “N-no, I screwed up. I lost a gift my mom gave to my dad, and without it, he’s going to pull me out of school.”

“I know. That’s why I’m here. Lila Rossi stole that book from you. I managed to pull it from the trash bin she tossed it into. I came here to return it,” she said.

Adrien looked up at her. The sun cast a halo of light around her as she smiled, handing him the book. Adrien hugged her as new tears came. “Thank you, thank you, thank you,” he said.

Ladybug blushed as she hugged him. A part of her wanted to end the hug, but she remembered Tikki’s words: she had to start fighting for what she wanted. Marinette wrapped her arms around him, tightening their embrace. “Adrien, I’d do anything for you.”

The boy blushed as he began to dry his tears. “I guess I should get this to my dad,” he said.

“W-would you mind if I walked with you?” she asked.

“Of course, I mean we did plan on hanging out today,” he said, as the two walked along the road. Adrien reached out for Ladybug’s hand. Ever since his mom had left he had been relying on the thought of her memory to keep him warm, but here with Ladybug’s hand in his, he didn’t need a memory to keep him warm.

1 hour ago

Marinette paced back and forth in the girl's washroom.

“Calm down, Marinette, everything will be fine,” Tikki said.

“Tikki, I can’t calm down. Adrien went home without the book! When his dad finds out that he doesn’t have it he’s going to be so mad,” she said.

“Well what are you planning on doing?” she asked.

Marinette looked sick to her stomach. “If I keep the book Adrien is going to spend the rest of his life trapped in his house, but if I give him the book we might lose our biggest clue to finding Hawk Moth. Adrien doesn’t deserve to be looked up because I took his book, but is it fair for me to put all of Paris at risk, so he can go to school?”

Tikki nodded and said, “So what’s it going to be? Your duty to Paris or your duty to your friendship?”

Marinette grimaced as if the decision was causing her physical pain and quickly said, “Adrien, I can’t do that to him.”

Tikki smiled and patted her partner on the shoulder. “I’m glad you chose that. I know of a few people who would put the needs of the many before the needs of the few. When they do so, they tend to lose sight of the individual cost. Stopping Hawk Moth is important, but you can’t lose sight of why you’re fighting him.”

Marinette smiled. “I guess all that’s left to do is to get the book back from Master Fu. It’s a shame we won’t be able to learn those spells.”

“Oh that spellbook isn’t important anymore,” she said.



Adrien sat in his room as Plagg drank the last potion. “Ready?”

Plagg glared at him with a look worse for wear. “Yeah, I just wished these things didn’t taste like feet sweat and chalk, but then again Polly was never much of a chef.”

He transformed again, this time into a Chat Noir with ice skates then quickly transformed back to his normal self. “Wow, that seems really harsh. She did go out of her way to make these potions. I know she’s your ex, but you could try to treat her more nicely. I mean because of her Ladybug returned the book to me.”

“Adrien, you wouldn’t understand.”

“Try. What’s so hard about your relationship?”

“It’s hard to be in a relationship when you’re questioning the feelings you have for someone are your feelings or if you’re being manipulated into feeling them.”

In a small room in an apartment building on the east end of Paris, a girl sat in the dark watching her necklace intently. She flicked the thing to try and muster some sort of reaction, but nothing happened.

“Come on out Trixx, you can’t stay in there forever,” she said.



