Hey guys! TheUltimateFanGirl7 here, bringing you another chapter in How Did We Even Get Ourselves into This Mess! I have to say, I was truly shocked with how many people have read this story so far. I really wasn't expecting so many. True, in some people's mind it isn't much, but to me it is a lot and I am so thankful for everyone who has been taking the time to read, and hopefully enjoy, my story.

Chow for now, TheUltimateFanGirl7.

Unfortunately, I don't own any part of Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir, nor will I ever (most likely)

After school, Marinette raced home. She didn't even stop to say good bye to Alya, who was leaving tomorrow for Germany with her family, where she would be staying for a few days. Marinette wondered what was in the box. Was it even important? What if this was some sort of elaborate trap set for her by Hawkmoth in another twisted attempt to get her miraculous? Marinette ran straight to her room when she got home. She pulled the mysterious box from her bag and began studying it as she sat on her chaise. Tikki flew out from Marinette's purse.

"What do you think it is?" She asked her chosen.

"I have no idea. Marinette responded with a huff. "Do you think it's safe to open?"

"I'm not sure. Probably, but you should be cautious either way. There's something off about that box, but I can't quite seem to put my finger on it."

Marinette laughed. "You don't even have fingers Tikki!"

"I know!" The kwami responded with a giggle.

Sobering, Marinette returned to studying the box. She noticed something written along the base of the box: AWIKM. Marinette traced the letters with her finger.

"I wonder what this means." She mused quietly to herself. She put it into the combination lock, but it didn't work.

"A-W-I-K-M." She said aloud. "AWIKM."

"It almost kinda sounds like akuma." Tikki said. "Try that maybe?"

Marinette tried putting AKUMA into the lock, but that didn't work either. She stared at the letters and chewed on the inside of her cheek. A sudden thought occurred to her.

"Tikki? Marinette asked. "How do you spell kwami?"

Tikki's eyes widened at the question. "You don't really think kwami is the answer, do you? It couldn't be. No one knows about kwamis unless they have one or did in the past."

"I'm not sure Tikki." Marinette responded with a sigh.

"K-W-A-M-I."

Marinette put KWAMI in the lock.

"There's no way this is going to work! Sure, the letters are right, but there's just no way that kwami is the answer!" She thought. As she put in the final letter, the lock clicked and the lid popped open. Marinette exchanged a worried glance with Tikki, before carefully opening the lid. Inside sat a leather-bound notebook. Nothing else. Marinette carefully pulled the notebook from the box. Content when nothing jumped out at her or exploded, she opened to the first page.

"If you are reading this, then you found a way to open the box. Either you got lucky, or you cheated, or you know something you shouldn't. Or, you are or have been a miraculous holder. If you are not Ladybug, put this down now or forever live in fear!"

Marinette stared in shock at what she had just read. Whoever had written the journal and sealed it away clearly knew about kwamis and just as clearly only wanted her, Marinette (or technically Ladybug) to see what was written in the journal. Maybe this was some elaborate prank set up by Cat Noir, but she didn't think so. He couldn't risk accidently telling the world about kwamis, and she doubted Hawkmoth would try something so complicated to get her miraculous. Marinette turned the page, only to find that the rest of the notebook to be sealed off by some sort of device. There was some sort of keypad and a small screen with a blinking cursor. Above it was one word: YOU. Marinette decided that the word was probably supposed to be a clue. Marinette tried typing in YOU, not really expecting it to work, but wanting to make sure. She wasn't surprised when nothing happened. Then she tried LADYBUG. That didn't work, so she tried SUPERHERO and when that failed as well she even tried HERO. She tried everything she could think of to go with the clue, but nothing worked. Finally, in frustration, she typed in her own name: MARINETTE DUPAIN-CHENG. She didn't expect it to work, how could the author of the journal know her name? Of course, they did know about kwamis, so it was possible. She was surprised when the device gave a happy "Ding!", and popped off with a satisfying click, leaving the rest of the pages to be freely enjoyed. Marinette was shocked, but she turned the page anyway and began to read.

"Dear Marinette,

Sorry, about all of this. Really, I am. I'm sure you are very confused right now. I know I definitely would be. I'm also sorry about the extra security, but I had to be sure it was you. I couldn't let anyone find out your identity, now could I? You are probably wondering how I know your identity, and how I know about kwamis. I know these things the same way I know that your kwami's name is Tikki. She's red, with black spots (because, duh, ladybug!?) including one on each cheek, more or less, and one in the middle of her forehead (more or less). She has blue eyes and is very kind. She also enjoys chocolate chip cookies. I also know Cat Noir's identity, however I will not at any point write it in this book because if you don't know it already, then I will let you decide when to find out. Revealing your identity is a big decision that has no going back and you must decide when you are ready and in your own time. I also know Cat Noir's kwami is named Plagg, has green eyes, is black, is extremely annoying to his holder, likes getting in trouble, and loves shiny things and more importantly, camembert cheese – feel free to verify these facts with Tikki, I'm not entirely sure if she would know, but she might. My source, right now, is not important. Should we ever meet perhaps I will share it with you.

On to more important matters. My name is Megan Bauman. I'm a sophomore at my local high school. I live in the state of Iowa in the US and have lived here my entire life. Seven months ago, my life took a turn for the worst and changed drastically. If you are reading this, then chances are that my prediction is right. If it is, then for seven months now, I have been an akuma.

Whenever I feel negative emotions, I transform. My skin and hair drain of color and become a ghostly, blue-gray. I become transparent. I float above the ground and I can pass through solid objects. I have this jar that, when opened, sucks people's voices from them and contains the voices inside itself. The only good thing I've discovered is that once my mission is complete and no one but me can speak in my town and all the surrounding area, my akuma goes dormant. I de-transform and everyone's voices are returned to them until the next time when I jus steal them back."

Marinette re-read that first section four times before slowly looking up at Tikki in shock. Tikki was equally shocked, having read it herself over Marinette's shoulder, at what was written. Who was this person that was so spot on (pun NOT intended) with their information about kwamis? And how did they know Ladybug's identity? Then Tikki realized something. The author said they weren't positive, but they thought they may have been akumatized. For seven months now. Over half a year. What's more they made it sound like they weren't sure Ladybug and Cat Noir were real. And they lived in the middle of the United States. That should have been way too far away for Hawkmoth to be able to sense and akumatize.

"Tikki?" Marinette whispered. "What does this mean?"

Tikki focused on Marinette's eyes. They were wide and fearful, and looked to be on the verge on crying.

"I don't know, Marinette. "The little kwami responded dejectedly. "I honestly don't know."