Marinette hissed as she hit the ground, blinking in surprise. She had expected the fall to hurt a lot worse and as far as she knew, her insides weren't splattered all over the streets of Paris and-
Wait, she wasn't dead?
The girl looked down at herself, immediately noticing that she wasn't wearing her Ladybug costume anymore. Her Miraculous must've ran out. She checked herself for anything out of place, and, besides all the injuries Hawk Moth caused and the stinging pain in her butt from falling on it; nothing seemed out of place. But that was just impossible, she knew that there was a possibility that Chat could have nine lives but that didn't mean she-
Chat!
Marinette jumped up and looked around, calling her partner's name over and over, sighing in relief when she heard his weak voice calling back; not caring that she was risking her secret identity as she ran towards the sound.
Both of them had nearly died, a secret identity was the least of her problems.
In her haste, she nearly forgot to check on Tikki. So, while she was running, she opened her clutch bag to check on the little Kwami inside. Her fast heartbeat slowing down a bit when she spotted Tikki smiling up at her, seemingly unharmed.
Marinette found Chat behind a dumpster in an alley, close to the one she landed in. He looked just as horrible as before, which, in this situation, was a good thing. As she walked over to him and pulled him up, she did a quick check; two eyes, two ears, two cat ears, two legs, two arms, ten claws. Everything seemed fine.
...Except for the fact that he was staring at her with nothing but surprise in his eyes.
He was so surprised, he didn't even react to her hugging him.
Marinette pulled back and frowned, wondering if maybe something was wrong with him after all. "Chat? Chat!" She snapped her fingers in front of his face, a look of annoyance on hers.
"Marinette?" He breathed, and suddenly, the girl understood why he was acting so weird.
She stepped back and smiled a little sheepishly. "Uhm...yeah...about that-"
His Miraculous beeped and he paled. "Don't freak out!"
"Freak out? Chat, what-"
"It's just, whenever I'm around you you act all weird and we really don't need that right now and-" his rambling got cut off as a bright light surrounded him and Chat Noir slowly disappeared.
Marinette was still confused by his behavior as he changed back, she didn't understand a thing of what he was saying. It was all a jumbled mess of words that just didn't make sense at all, kinda like how she acted whenever she was around-
"Adrien?!"
He rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "Hey?"
The girl closed her eyes and rubbed her temples, already feeling a headache coming on. Who knows, maybe she did get hit on the way down?
Meanwhile, Adrien had no idea what to say. All this time, he had been trying to figure out who Ladybug was, only to find out that she was the sweet girl in his class. Ladybug had been sitting behind him all this time and he didn't even know! But then again, he had always thought that his Princess and his Lady had been strikingly similar. The only thing that kept him from suspecting anything was the way she acted around him as Adrien.
Ladybug on the other hand seemed completely fine when she had met him, showing not even a hint of discomfort.
"Can we just-" Marinette sighed and opened her eyes. "Can we just forget about this for now and focus on where we are?" At the moment, she wasn't really ready (or in the mood) for these kind of things. Stopping Hawk Moth was at the top of her priority list at the moment.
"Definitely in Paris," Adrien nodded his head towards the Eiffel Tower nearby, wincing at the sharp sting of pain that shot through him.
"Oddly at night," Marinette added, frowning. She was sure it was daytime when they fought Hawk Moth.
"Marinette!" A tiny voice hissed and the girl jumped in surprise. She quickly opened her bag and frowned at Tikki.
"Tikki!" She scolded. "You should be resting!"
The cute little Kwami flew out of the clutch, obviously putting much effort into flying and nearly dropping to the ground multiple times. Marinette quickly cupped her hands, allowing the Kwami to land there. "I know," she breathed softly. "But something isn't right, my senses-"
"Your senses are wrong." Plagg muttered, flying out of Adrien's jacket and landing on his shoulder so he wouldn't use up too much energy. "I don't feel anything."
"Shut up, Plagg!" Tikki hissed, glaring at him. "Focus!"
Adrien and Marinette glanced at each other in confusion. "I take it, you two know each other?" The boy asked.
Tikki rolled her eyes. "Yes and he's annoying!"
"Eh, you're just paranoid," Plagg countered, lazily leaning against Adrien's neck.
Tikki sighed and closed her eyes. "Please, Plagg, just focus!" She pleaded.
Plagg sighed and rolled his eyes, he was exhausted from the fight earlier and really didn't feel like wasting any more of his energy on something as stupid as sensing their location. But he had been working with Tikki for many centuries now, and if there was one thing he knew; it was that he shouldn't mess with her. Especially when she was agitated.
So he just shut his eyes and focused, frowning when he realized that damn it, she was right, again.
When he opened his eyes, Tikki had her tiny little arms crossed and a smug look on her face. "What did I say?"
"Shut up," he grumbled, moving to hide in Adrien's jacket again.
Tikki rolled her eyes and let out a breath of air before focusing back on the two teens. "As I was saying before I was rudely interrupted!" She raised her voice at the last part, smirking when Plagg muttered something underneath his breath. "We are in Paris, but not...well, not our Paris."
Marinette frowned. "Tikki, you're not making any sense."
"Does she ever?" Plagg muttered, yelping when Adrien rolled his eyes in annoyance and zipped his jacket closed.
"I'm keeping it closed until you behave," he said, ignoring the cat Kwami's protests.
Tikki sighed. "I know I'm not, I...I can't explain it. I can sense two of you, Marinette," her eyes snapped to Adrien. "Same goes for you."
"Like that time we time traveled?" Marinette asked.
The Kwami shook her head. "No, we aren't in the past or in the future. I...don't know, another dimension maybe? Ugh, this is messing with my head!"
"You're not the only one," Adrien commented, confusion shining in his green eyes.
He jumped as Plagg started to struggle frantically, trying his best to get out and mumbling inaudible things. "Plagg?"
The cat Kwami just struggled harder, until Adrien finally unzipped his jacket and let him out. "Plagg, what are you-"
Plagg didn't even pay Adrien any attention, he zipped straight past him and towards Tikki; grabbing her hand and dragging her into Marinette's clutch with him. He used his other hand to cover her mouth, he just knew she'd start yelling if he didn't.
"Hide!" He hissed at Marinette and Adrien.
The two teens only knew what was going on when it was too late.
"Oh! What do we have here?"
Marinette turned, stumbling back in surprise when she saw the person behind her. She stumbled into Adrien, quickly apologizing when he hissed in pain because of his injuries.
Lady WiFi stood there, red eyes glowing as she grinned at them.
"Alya?"
Lady WiFi looked a bit surprised when she saw the two. "Marinette? Adrien? But...that isn't possible..." Her eyes narrowed and she aimed her phone at them. "Who are you?"
Out of pure instinct, Adrien tugged on Marinette's arm, pushing her behind him and ignoring the glare she shot him. "Alya, relax." He spoke, voice gentle.
She rolled her eyes. "Ugh, you're seriously using that on me again?" She frowned. "Wait, no, you're not Adrien!" She clutched her head. "Ugh, this is confusing, forget it," her eyes flashed. "I'll just destroy you."
"No you won't!"
A girl jumped in front of them, blocking Lady WiFi's view of them.
The girl had her honey blonde hair pulled back in a ponytail and creamy skin, a yellow crown on top of her head. She wore a yellow suit with a puffy skirt that had yellow and black stripes; like a bee. She wore yellow heels and a yellow mask similar to Ladybug's. She had a pair of fake- much like Chat's ears -wings and yellow gloves.
Lady WiFi raised an eyebrow. "Come on, Queen B, you seriously think you can beat me?" She taunted.
"Have done so before!" She shot back.
"Yeah, but that was with-"
A shadow zipped past her. "Me, perhaps?" It purred, its voice having a slight Italian accent.
Lady WiFi turned, cursing when she saw the figure casually leaning against the wall, eyes focused on her gloved nails, a silver flute in her other hand. "Volpina, of course."
Volpina wore a bodysuit similar to Chat's, her color scheme existing of burned orange, white and black. The part of her costume that covered her hands to her elbow was black, the rest of her costume being burned orange except for the part in the middle; which was white. Around her waist was a loose piece of fabric, looking much like a fox's tail with black outlines. She had fake fox ears (again, like Chat's) and straight black hair, the ends of her hair followed her color scheme; burned orange and white and was tied up, creating a bulge and looking like a fox tail. Her mask was the same kind of orange, only with black outlines. Her skin was dark, much like Alya's.
Queen B stuck her tongue out childishly at the villain and waved at Volpina, the fox-themed hero rolled her eyes but still shot a smile back as she pushed herself off the wall. She coolly walked towards the bee-themed hero, having the nerve to run her hand through Lady WiFi's hair and wink as she passed her.
Lady WiFi's red eyes flashed dangerously and aimed her phone at them, not hesitating to throw locks at them. Volpina dodged them easily, moving with elegance, like a fox.
Queen B simply jumped out of the way when needed, going so fast it almost looked like she was flying like a bee.
Volpina landed on the ground, her legs outstretched and one hand on the ground for extra support. So similar to how Chat had done before but at the same time so different. When Chat moved it was quick, carefree and graceful. When Volpina moved it was elegant, thought out and agile.
She looked back at Queen B and winked. "Honeybee, you know what to do, don't you?"
Queen B grinned and rushed past Lady WiFi, not worrying about getting caught; Volpina was there if she needed any help.
Lady WiFi turned and shot a pause button at Queen B, smirking when it hit the bee-themed hero and she stopped dead in her tracks.
"Oh no, you don't," Volpina brought her flute to her lips and closed her eyes. She allowed her fingers to move on their own as she blew in the instrument, seemingly completely lost in her music as she played a soft and calming tune. It was ironic, really, the events that followed were anything but calming.
Small bursts of fire circled Lady WiFi, the flames slowly closing in on the villain the longer Volpina kept playing. She looked up at the villain and raised an eyebrow, dark brown eyes twinkling. The message was clear, let Queen B go or get burned.
Lady WiFi growled in annoyance and pulled the pause button back, lunging at Volpina shortly after and knocking the flute out of her hands; not noticing Queen B climbing up and taking out the electricity cables nearby, effectively shutting down the WiFi.
When she was done, she simply sneaked up behind Lady WiFi while she was distracted by Volpina and pulled out her small bee-shaped gun; shooting a dart in the villain's back and immediately knocking her out.
She just smiled innocently as Marinette and Adrien stared at her in surprise.
Volpina casually stepped over Lady WiFi's unconscious body. "Come on, let's go."
"Wait! What about Alya?!" Marinette hissed, pushing away from Adrien and glancing at her best friend in concern.
Volpina rolled her eyes and stepped closer to the girl, tilting her chin up with her finger and bringing her face a bit closer. "That isn't your friend Alya...not in this world, at least."
"This world?" Marinette muttered, pulling back.
"Volpina!" Queen B hissed. "You weren't supposed to say that!"
Volpina shrugged. "I'll be at your place, find me when you're done," she jumped onto a dumpster before jumping onto the roof and running away.
Queen B sighed and smiled at the two. "Sorry about that, she's nice once you get to know her."
"Does she stay out of people's personal space when you get to know her?" Marinette muttered, more to herself.
Adrien sighed. "Thanks, for the help."
"No problem!" Queen B smiled. "We were the ones that brought you here so it's only fair that we come get you and explain everything!"
Marinette blinked. "Wait, you brought us here?"
"Well...not us exactly, our Kwami's did." The blonde looked down at Lady WiFi, her light blue eyes unsure. "We really shouldn't be having this conversation here, the walls have ears and it won't be long before they get here."
"Who?" Adrien asked, deciding that he could ask about the Kwami's later.
Queen B shook her head frantically. "No! I said nothing! We really should go!"
"What about Alya?" Marinette crouched down next to the unconscious girl, nothing but worry in her eyes. "I'm not leaving her!"
Queen B sighed and gently placed a hand on Marinette's shoulder, hastily removing it when she flinched from her injuries. "I'm sorry! But like Volpina said, this isn't the Alya you know."
"That isn't right! She's just Akumanized! We can-"
"Marinette, she isn't Akumanized."
Marinette blinked. "What?"
"Please, come with me?" Queen B pleaded.
"I don't think that'd be very smart," Adrien spoke up, green eyes focused on Marinette and hoping she'd get the message.
She did and her eyes narrowed. "He's right, we can't just trust random strangers. Even if you saved our lives...twice."
The bee-themed hero smiled. "But that's just it! If I'm right- and I hope I am or else this'll be awkward -we aren't strangers! Look!" She stepped back, pausing when she realized something. "Volpina will probably kill me for this but it's the only way to get you to trust me so...oh well!"
Marinette got up from the ground and stood next to Adrien, raising an eyebrow at the girl.
"Did she really just say all that in one breath?" He whispered to her.
She nodded, wondering the same thing.
"Buzz off*!" She said and seconds later, a bright light covered her. When it faded, a familiar blonde girl stood there, waving a bit awkwardly.
"Salut!" Chloé Bourgeois greeted.
*Yes, I know that was lame. But Ladybug has Spots on/off and Chat has Claws out/off and I just had to think of something for Queen B...? (Ugh, I have a feeling Volpina's is going to be worse)