Hello again squad, would like to note a few things before we fully commence:

1) Our favourite four are now like 17/18, because of ~the passage of time~, so although the prologue was actually set before the epilogue of ATR, we're now in the fuuuuuuuture.

2) Read the Miraculous Comics, they're quite cool.

3) People who actually follow all my stories will have heard this before, but once again my knight in shining cotton (probably) Comixandco has my thanks for her advice and ideas.

The rest you can figure out for yourselves.

~BH

Change

Years had passed since Adrien and Marinette had officially started their relationship. Akuma battles came and went, years of school slipped away from them and the two of them, alongside their best friends Alya and Nino, were fast approaching the end of their high school days.

Luckily, most of them had forged their desired career paths at an early age. Ever since his first gig at that Saturday night disco, Nino had only advanced. Although he'd experienced a few bumps on the road, with unreceptive audiences affecting his confidence and some rejection letters due to his young age, the overwhelming success he'd had to counteract the obstacles he faced made him focused on making a future out of his raw talent. He'd appeared on game shows and the radio, and he hoped that he could open his own club one day. He believed his music could make people happy, and he wanted to see how far he could go with it.

Alya, his long-time girlfriend, supported him every step of the way. She supported him at his gigs, helped spread the word when he was performing and told him to pull himself together when he was doubting his obvious skill. Always a journalist through and through, she had still continued to update the ever popular Ladyblog, but she knew that she had been hitting dead ends for months now. She would always love Ladybug, but as she matured she wondered whether it was worth seeking out her identity, and would it be worth it? What she didn't realise was that her passion for superheroes shone through her online persona, and people were hooked not only because Ladybug was so mysterious, but because she had nothing but respect for the heroes she wrote about. One could see that Alya was the only one who got true attention from Chat Noir and Ladybug, and readers were envious of the fact that the saviours of Paris talked to her like a friend.

Alya was also a part time superhero herself, not that anyone knew that. She wielded the Fox miraculous when requested by Ladybug, and she often wondered what made Ladybug choose her when she dedicated her life to finding out more about her heavily guarded life.

Ladybug herself, or Marinette, was continuing to pursue her dream in fashion and design. Not only was she still fighting Akumas and commissioning outfits for her friends, but she was also starting to take commissions from the public after Alya helped her to set up a website online, digitalising her portfolio. She dreamed that one day Gabriel Agreste would notice her, or more realistically start taking on interns, but in the meantime, she figured having experience would only help her. That combined with school kept her busy, but she was keen to find a job as soon as possible so her parents wouldn't start considering that she should take over the bakery. She loved her parents and her lifestyle, but she knew deep in her heart that she wouldn't truly be satisfied, and life as a full-on baker would give her no time to pursue fashion. Sabine and Tom would support her regardless, but they had a glimmer of hope that their business could become a legacy.

Adrien had no such legacies or a clear path in mind. As someone who had a childhood of strict schedules and intense modelling shoots, he had never had the time to consider what he truly wanted to do. Modelling was just something he did as a favour for his father, and he knew he wouldn't have to do that forever. On the other hand thinking about freedom fully freaked him out as it was something he had never truly known. Maybe he would go to University? Take a gap year and discover himself? Become a full-time pianist? Elope? He had no idea.

He had some security in Chat Noir, as being a superhero was a job he seemed to think would never have a retirement age. Although nothing emotionally impactful had happened since Lila was akumatised for the second time, he couldn't help but feel like a storm was coming. Maybe he needed a new hobby to occupy him.

In the meantime, they were all still learning Maths. The teacher was droning about algebra at the front of the class while Nino snored next to him. Adrien made a note to give his friend his notes later. He turned around when the teacher wasn't looking and smiled fondly at Marinette, who was doodling in the margin and not paying attention. He made a note to give her his notes too. She caught his eye and he chuckled as a faint blush danced across her cheeks, despite being in a steady relationship with him for two years. He noticed Alya was on her phone again next to her, and concluded that he might as well just take a picture of his notes and post them on their group chat, as none of his friends seemed to be as attentive as him.

Just as he turned back around, he heard a gasp from behind him.

"Is someone not paying attention, Alya Cesaire?" The teacher glared at her as the blogger lowered her phone, looking slightly sheepish. Unsatisfied, the teacher beckoned her to the front, phone included.

"But I haven't read the email properly yet, it's important!" She insisted, reluctantly sliding out of her seat.

"I don't care. Emails can wait, my class cannot. You can pick up your phone at the end of the class." Marinette shrugged at her friend, trying to hide a giggle. It wasn't like they weren't being unreasonable but Alya was constantly on her phone and this was the first time in a long time that she got caught. Adrien tried to resist turning around a second time to gauge Marinette's reaction, but he could help but notice Alya wasn't too upset about surrendering her phone. He wondered what was in the email.

When the class ended some time later, Alya almost dashed to the front to retrieve her mobile. Muttering, the teacher waved her away and she joined Marinette, Adrien and Nino with nothing but glee.

She didn't say anything at first, taking the time to read through the email properly, not quite believing what she was seeing.

"Are you going to tell us what disrupted the whole class or not then?" Nino asked her impatiently, watching his girlfriend's eyes continue to widen.

"I've been given a job opportunity. I've been personally scouted!" Alya almost shouted, trying to contain her excitement. She handed the phone to Marinette for her to read. Adrien, with his arm around her, leaned over to read, his breath tickling her ear. Nino took position over Marinette's other shoulder, a little disheartened that she'd given the phone to her first. He reasoned that this would be all that he'd be hearing about for weeks.

Alya Cesaire,

I am writing to give you a once in a lifetime opportunity. I have recently discovered your Ladyblog, one of the most respected superhero news sources in France. I commend your talent for informing citizens while also using your journalism skills to delve deeper into the lives of Ladybug and Chat Noir. It fascinates me how you have such a good working relationship with the superheroes despite us journalists essentially prying into their lives, and it is remarkable that you have achieved so much at such a young age.

Since my success as a freelance journalist, I have learned that it is important to strike while the iron is hot, so I am offering you a job here researching our own superheroes. Yes, Chat Noir and Ladybug aren't the only super-humans in the world!

I understand that you are still in school, so you could either finish your final term here, or start in the Summer. Please do not hesitate to ask me any questions, and I look forward to hopefully working with you here in America!

Yours sincerely,

Iris Ripley

Superhero Correspondent

New York City,

New York

"This is amazing!" Marinette beamed, almost dropping the phone as she practically leaped over to hug her friend. Alya took the phone safely out of her hands and grinned, hugging her back.

"Congratulations Alya! Your hard work has paid off, they scouted you and everything!" Adrien added, hugging her when Marinette eventually let go. Nino was surprisingly quiet.

"It's in America." Nino said quietly, trying not to kill her dreams but also not entirely hiding his feelings. "What will happen to us?"

"You can come with me!" Alya insisted, not seeing the underlying issue. "You can make music anywhere, right?"

Eyeing Marinette and Adrien warily, he sighed.

"It's not that simple, I can't just drop everything. I already have connections here, I need the money, I thought we were going to start our next chapter together." He said guiltily, cringing at the hurt on her face.

"I've supported you through everything." Alya almost hissed, also eyeing Marinette and Adrien who were watching anxiously. "Can't you see this is an opportunity for me to do something I'm passionate about? Besides, I won't be there forever, I can't abandon Ladybug and Chat Noir-"

Marinette's eyes widened, fully aware of Alya's semi-superhero status.

"- I mean, my blog is important to me, it's my baby! I was thinking of expanding it and making merchandise and making a documentary and all sorts." Alya looked at Nino, seeking reassurance, but he still didn't seem convinced.

"I'm not sure Alya, it's so far away... what if you never come back?"

Alya sighed, almost on the verge of tears. Before Nino could say anything else, Marinette left Adrien's side and steered Alya away, knowing this was conversation was far from over.

"I don't understand why he's so upset!" Alya said for the sixth time that afternoon, many hours later. Marinette looked at her with pity. Alya was one of the most selfless people she knew, and although she knew she would miss her friend with all of her heart, she also knew this was an opportunity she couldn't miss. It was almost as if the job was written for her.

"It's a big change," Marinette said wisely. "It's going to be a big deal for him. He knows how independent you are, so he probably thinks you're going to leave him behind- and I know you wouldn't do that!" She added, seeing her start to protest. "He probably had a plan in his head as to how your lives were going to pan out and now this has thrown a spanner in the works. He'll get over it. Besides, we'll all come and visit, right?"

Alya gave Marinette a watery smile.

"Of course."