Marinette was acting strange. Well, more strange than usually. Alya couldn't quiet understand what happened to her, but her behavior was getting on her nerves. And not just hers. Even since she had called Marinette yesterday after the akuma attack she hadn't seemed to be herself. She had been deconcentrated and hadn't really tried to hold up a conversation. She had appeared to be deep in thoughts so Alya had decided that she would tell her about the akuma in details the next day when she was out of her weird mood. But she wasn't.

No, she was worse. She didn't just seemingly ignored her – not directly, but one-word answers and inhuman noises were little to nothing to make a competent conversation – but also had this weird thing for Adrien. She stared a hole into the poor guy's head.

It would be strange even a few months prior, when her best friend had been still head over heels for him. She had stared at him a lot, even stalked after him sometimes, but those had been dreamy looks with wishful sighs. But after she had discovered that he was in love with another girl she had been deflated and every happiness drained from her face when she had caught sight of him. Of course, not when he could see it. No. Her best friend had given him the brightest smile she could plaster on her face every time he had looked in her way. It had been obviously fake smiles, hiding all the pain she had felt just looking at him, but she could fool him. But not Alya. She could easily see through the act and had given reassuring pats on her back every time he had been out of sight.

Secretly Alya still wanted them to be together someday, but didn't force the subject. She didn't want to bring up something painful to her best friend, let alone give her false hope.

Because she couldn't know who was this mysterious girl that caught Adrien's eyes and stole his heart before Marinette got a chance. If she knew her maybe she could speculate or something, but Adrien refused to tell anything about his secret love excluding she was amazing, and beautiful, and could brighten his day anytime. That could be the truth or just a love-sick boy's blindness for every fault of his love-interest. Alya couldn't know.

Even if Alya was still holding onto Adrienette, Marinette seemed to slowly recover and getting over Adrien. Although it warmed her soul that they were getting along better and better with each day, the thought that all of this improvement was thanks to Marinette giving up on him clenched her heart. But this was Marinette's decision and she wouldn't interfere.

But now it was completely another thing.

Her best friend was intently staring at him with fierce determination in her eyes, her gaze never leaving him for too long. Like a predator looking at its pray. And poor guy felt it. It was really hard not to notice in fact, but even if Marinette at least would have tried to be subtle – what she really didn't – he could still feel the intense eyes on the back of his head. He seemed really uncomfortable about it, sweat drops running down on his face as if he have been sitting in a really warm spot. And he wasn't really wrong.

Marinette was one of the sweetest and kindest girl Alya had ever known, same went for their classmates, the only exception being Chloe, of course. Everybody knew however that under the sweet and friendly demeanor was sleeping a fierce beast of wrath that nobody in their right mind wanted to unleash. Angering Marinette had never been a smart thing, and if her fierce gaze was any indication, he was in trouble and didn't even know why.

Alya could see that he wanted to ask Marinette about it a few times during the day and mustered up all his courage to do so, but quickly lost all of it as soon as their eyes met. He faltered, the determination fell from his face and he fled in lightning speed every time. She couldn't keep in a chuckle the fist and second time, but after the third time and so on she started to truly pity the blond.

What was his sin to receive such a treatment from Marinette anyway?

As her attempts to question her about it led to nothing more than the previously mentioned non-useful responses and the school wasn't suitable for further interrogation, and like that Alya decided to drag Marinette out for ice cream after classes to get her answers.

She had to drag her best friend away from Adrien – for that the blond gave a sigh of relief – but hesitantly she followed Alya. Their favorite place was just a couple of blocks away from school so Alya had to use every opportunity she could get and she attacked Marinette with her questions the moment they were out of sight.

''What the hell was that?" she asked in an annoyed tone.

''What the hell was what?" looked back at her Mari confused.

''Don't play dumb with me! Why were you starring at Adrien like that all day?"

''Oh that…? Did you notice?"

''What?! How the hell wouldn't I notice? You were practically staring a hole into the poor guy!"

''Oh… I didn't want to. I think I was just… distracted?"

''With what? Please Marinette, talk to me!"

''It's really nothing, Alya. It will be alright in a few days. I just need to figure out a few things."

''Are you still in love with him?"

''No! I mean yes! I mean NO!" her best friend became red and groaned into her hands.

''So which one?"

''It doesn't matter right now!"

''And why is that?" the brunette arched an eyebrow at her as her patience was running thin.

''Because I have more urgent matters to think about!" Marinette practically shouted in frustration.

''Like what?" Alya went from confused to absolutely lost. She had no idea at this point what the hell her best friend was talking about.

''Like make him act like himself!"

''Okay Mari, I totally lost you. What are you talking about? Why do you think he is not himself? I didn't notice any change in his behavior. You are the one acting strange."

''You don't understand." Marinette sighed and became sad suddenly.

''Then make me."

''I can't."

''Try it!"

''I said I can't!"

''And why can't you?!" they were shouting at each other at this point, both their faces red from anger.

''I can't tell you every secret I have!" Marinette covered her mouth with her hands the moment she said this and realized her mistake. Alya stared at her wide-eyed and somewhat hurt. After a long pause the bluenette tried to speak.

''Alya, I didn't mean-''

''What kind of secrets are you keeping from me Marinette?" she asked, voice flat.

''I…" she tried to utter out a reply but didn't know what to say. She couldn't say that she was in fact Ladybug.

''You?" Alya asked slowly waiting for her answer. They were looking into each other's eyes, Alya's angry ones into Marinette's guilty ones. After a few seconds the latter let out a defeated sigh and turned away.

''Sorry Alya, I can't tell you."

''Then we are not friends!" Alya was about to cry from anger and sadness, but suddenly a powerful explosion shook the entire street. Both of them turned their heads in the direction of a building in fire, from where people were running out, screaming in fear.

''Another akuma?" the brunette asked and was turning back to Marinette when she realized she was no longer there and saw her running off in the opposite direction. She shook her head at her scaredy cat friend and ran straight to the building in flames with her phone out.

Not moments later both Ladybug and Chat Noir showed up and was searching for the akuma, but couldn't find it. The firefighters arrived as well and waved to the two superheroes to come down. As Alya made her way through the crowd she could her the man in the firefighter uniform informed the duo that this was probably an accident and not an akuma attack and asked them to stay out of this with a worried expression.

''Even if you are superheroes, you are still kids. We are powerless against akuma attacks, so we have to rely on you, but this is not one of them, so I would be happy if you would sit this out. If something happens to you two you wouldn't be able to fix it this time Ladybug." he gave them a pleading look, and Chat Noir turned to her, waiting for her answer. The brunette could see that Chat was worried as well, looking helplessly at his lady.

''Sorry, but as a hero of Paris, I can't just leave people in danger like that when I have the ability to help." She said in a tone that wouldn't take no for an answer. The two males sighed and all of them turned in the fire's direction.

''A gas container exploded on the first floor and left damaged the entire left side as well as the floors above them. People got caught in the upper floors and the fire-extinguishing system was under construction yesterday so we have to turn it on manually, but the basement where the valve located is now blocked by debris so we have to find another way."

''Leave it to us!" she said then turned to her partner ''Chat, you need to help people escape, especially on the upper floors where the firefighters can't enter."

''Why? Shouldn't I be the one who makes a way to the basement?" he was confused.

''No. You shouldn't use your Cataclysm at the base, it could level the entire building to the ground if you use it carelessly on an unstable point."

''Then upper floors, got it!" and he took off into the air with his staff.

''And you?" asked the firefighter.

''I will try to reach the valve and turn on the fire-extinguishing system." she said and after the man nodded she ran off as well, Alya following her inside without her notice.

Inside the building she lost sight of the hero but was still filming. She was running around, looking for Ladybug, but all that she found were fire, smoke and screams. Her stomach clenched into a tight knot and she stopped filming, lowering her phone. She should get out of here, she knew, and she could still hear where the firefighters were, so she knew where the exit was, but as she was about to leave her eyes caught sight of something red.

Ladybug was running a few meters from her and got around the corner, disappearing from her sight. She immediately followed her but stopped once pink light erupted from the hallway. Alya tentatively got closer as a high pitched voice hit her ears.

''Marinette, what are you doing?! Hurry up and transform again, you can't remain here without the suit's protection!" the voice was worried and pleading.

''I can't Tikki. This leads to nothing. I can't get through the debris to activate the fire-extinguishing system, but you can. You can go through the walls and somehow turn the valve. We have no other choice." The other voice was calm and collected and a chill ran down the brunette spine, because it was also frighteningly familiar. As she glanced around the corner she caught sight of a red floating bug-like thing and for her utmost horror her best friend.

''Then hurry and escape, you are not safe here!" the little thing flew up and down around her, hurrying her in the way of the exit, but the girl stopped her.

''I can't escape when people are still inside, waiting for help."

''Marinette, if you get hurt I wouldn't be able to fix it this time, it isn't working without cleansing an akuma, and without your magical suit you are vulnerable!" the red thing exclaimed.

''I know."

''Then why?"

''You are the one always saying Tikki: with or without the mask I am still a hero of Paris. And as one I have to save people when I have the opportunity and ability to do so."

''Marinette, please…!" she was begging to her, but Marinette shook her head.

''I have to go now Tikki. Go and activate the system. Please." the last word was just as pleading as the little one's. They looked deep into each other's eyes, then the red thing zipped to the girl's cheek, hugging it as strong as she could with her little paws.

''Please, be okay Marinette. Please!" she nuzzled her little cheek to the girl's.

''I will try." she gave her a warm smile, then they parted. The little thing flew through the floor and Marinette turned to ran when she suddenly locked eyes with Alya. The mortification was obvious on her face as her eyes widened in horror. There was silent for a moment before the brunette spoke up.

''Marinette…? What are you doing here? I thought you ran off in the opposite direction." she said nervously. She simply couldn't proceed with what was happening right at the moment. Like the flood caught her and she couldn't swim to the surface. Yelling could be heard echoing in the smoke-filled the hallway - it came from the firefighters - before a tremor ran through the walls. Marinette's bluebell eyes hardened.

''You have to get out of here!" she said, no, ordered Alya. Her brunette best friend just stood there, with a terrified expression and a cringe smile on her face as her brain slowly caught on what was happening, but still couldn't accept it.

''WE have to get out of here!'' she said, grabbing the bluenette's wrist ''Come on!" she tried to drag Marinette with herself but the girl pulled her hand out of her grip.

''Alya." she said calmly but firmly ''You have to get out alone. Please hurry outside." her gaze was demanding and pleading at the same time. Alya looked straight into those eyes and she couldn't deny the truth any longer. Her eyes… her best friend's eyes, her hard and confident gaze were just like Ladybug's with every power and vigor they held. A shiver went across her body and she found herself trembling.

''No… You have to come with me!" she grabbed her wrist again, but she pulled her hand out just like before. ''Please!"

''I see two other standing there!" the shout from a firefighter came no more than a few meters away from them.

''I have to go!" said Marinette as she pushed Alya into the firefighter's arms who caught her, then passed swiftly by them as she grabbed the crowbar from the man and ran off.

''Marinette!" she yelled after her, but she didn't stop.

''What a crazy girl!" said the man looking after the running girl as he tried the drag Alya with him out of the building.

The brunette sobbed helplessly. Her best friend, her sweet, kind, shy, innocent best friend was still inside the burning building. When they finally were out, the man passed her to a police officer who brought her behind the cordon after checking if she had any injuries.

Suddenly many people came out of the building led by firefighters. She watched with her breath caught in her throat as civilians one after another exited, waiting for her best friend to appear. But she never came.

''How did you get them out of that closed office? I thought one of the exits were blocked by debris and the other was closed and out of reach." asked one man in uniform.

''We tried to get through the debris in vain, but then this girl appeared out of the blue, slid under the debris with her small frame and with her crowbar pried open the deformed door and freed the people inside. She then yelled to us to push the hose under the debris so they can put out the fire that was blocking their way. We did as she said and they successfully got themselves to another escape route and got out with a little help."

''And were is this famous girl? I want to see this crazy brave one for sure." smiled the other man.

''Before we could force her outside she ran off again, because she heard a child's crying from somewhere. I didn't hear it though, but you know, young ones have sharper senses."

''I hope she is okay. It'll be horrible if something happened our little hero." the two men turned to the burning building with worry, then suddenly, the fire-extinguishing system came to live and most of the fire was put out. Everybody cheered and Alya let out a sigh of relief. However, their joy was too early as firefighters were running out of the building in the next moment.

''Everybody retreat! More gas containers are in overheating, they can explode in any moment!"

Everybody started to scream and run as fast as they could. Alya wanted to stay there or run inside to get her best friend out but the crowd carried her away further and further until they were at safe distance. Some people like her tried to get back to the scene, crying out for their loved ones still inside. A woman cried out louder than the others as she caught sight of her daughter.

''Lily!" she shouted and everybody looked back to saw a petite little girl in the arms of an also petite teenage girl escaping from the building.

''Marinette!" cried out Alya for her, and they locked eyes. In the exact moment the building exploded.

Time slowed down for them. The fire, the debris, the blast… everything were in slow motion. The horror on Marinette's face as she realized what was about to happen, the mortification in her eyes that turned into a desperate determination as she clenched the girl protectively to her chest.

The explosion's blast reached them in the next millisecond, sending them to the ground with immerse power, flying debris crashing to the bluenette's body.

The building crumbled, dust filling the air, then everything went silent.

''Marinette!" Alya cried out helplessly and tried to free herself from the crowd and run to her friend, but people held her down. She fought against them, kicking and hitting, even trying to bite some, but as it got through her that her attempts were in vain, she eventually sank to the ground tears streaming down her face. ''Marinette…" She sobbed and sobbed crawling on the ground even as the dust cleared and paramedics marched in for survivors, and could only think about the things she had said and never got the chance to take back.

Then we are not friends!