I am fully aware that Libby is kinda stealing the show here. She is, for all intents and purposes, the main character.
"What is there that's fun to do in this town?" Libby asked.
"Honestly, I spend a lot of time between home and school." Marinette answered.
"Well my town's boring too. Another thing we have in common."
"No, there's lots to do. I just have a lot on my plate."
The friends were now relaxing in Trocadéro Gardens. Marinette, Libby and Rose were close together, while Nino, Alya and Adrien made up the other trio.
"Anybody want some juice?" Rose offered.
"No." Marinette answered.
"Yes." Libby said. Rose skipped off to the nearest food and drink stand.
"Geez, Marinette, cheer up a little."
"I know.'
Libby put her arm over Marinette's shoulder. Rose returned with juice for all three.
"S-sorry Marinette. I didn't want you to feel left out."
"I appreciate it Rose."
"To friends." Libby toasted. "Past, present and future."
Nino spotted them toasting. Libby lifted her cup towards him, and he nodded.
"Mmmm, apple juice. You must know me well."
Rose giggled and put her head on Libby's shoulder. Marinette pulled her scrapbook out of her purse.
"Time for inspiration?" Rose asked.
"Yeah, might as well make this trip somewhat productive." Marinette answered. She leafed through the pages, looking for a blank one.
"Whoa, can I look at some of those?" Libby asked. Marinette slowed her page turning.
"Ladybug-inspired ball gown. Feathered cocktail dress. This derby hat is great. Damn girl, you've got a great eye for fashion."
"Thanks. Adrien actually got to model the hat a while back. It was amazing."
"He seems friendly. I'd expect someone like him to be stuck up."
"Oh, he's very nice!" Rose said. Libby took pictures of the Eiffel Tower.
"Libby, could you possibly model for me if I make anything good?" Marinette asked.
"Sure!" Libby responded enthusiastically.
"No guarantees."
Libby stretched her legs, and enjoyed the cool breeze.
"I like your hairclip." Rose admired. "You like ladybugs?"
"Love 'em." Libby replied.
"You know about Ladybug, right?"
"We've met. Chat Noir too."
Rose smiled.
"Think I'm gonna give the legs a workout." Libby stood up. "Either of you wanna come with?"
"Busy." Marinette didn't look up.
"I'll stay and watch." Rose answered.
"Aww, making me all lonely and what not." Libby faked a pout.
"Oh gosh, no Libby, I'll come!"
"Rose, I was joking. If you're gonna be friends with me, you gotta expect that kinda thing. Later, gators!"
Libby jogged past the other trio.
"Gotta stay in top shape if I'm gonna be Ladybugging more."
Libby saw what appeared to be a couple arguing. She shifted left towards them.
"Something wrong?" She asked.
"Beat it, kid." The man said. "Now I told you to stop calling him!"
"But I'm not!" The woman yelled. The man slapped her so hard she fell to the ground.
"Alright chief, you crossed my line." Libby put up her fists. A nearby cop had seen the man hit his wife.
"Sir, please step away from..." He got cut off when the man swung at Libby.
"Now you've made me mad kid!" He bellowed. Libby caught his fist and twisted it.
"What the hell?"
Libby grabbed his arm and twisted it around his back. She then kicked his foot out and he landed on her leg.
"How is a tiny person like you so strong?" The man asked in disbelief.
"I've been training for years." Libby answered. She saw Adrien coming to apparently help. Marinette was also trailing him.
"Wow miss, maybe we could use you on the police force." The cop whistled.
"Did you take him down?" Adrien asked.
"Yessir." She leaned down to the woman. "You alright?"
"I landed h-hard on my arm..."
"Adrien, call an ambulance. Officer, if you could clean up after me."
The cop handcuffed the man, and went to retrieve his squad car.
"Let me help you up." Libby said. She grabbed the woman's hands and pulled her to her feet.
"Thank you so much..."
"Libby."
"I'm Evaline." The woman introduced herself. "You probably saved my life."
"Happy to help." Libby smiled. Evaline pulled out her wallet and unclipped it.
"Oh no, goodness Evaline. That was a public service, free of charge."
"Dudes, what's all the commotion?" Nino asked. He, Alya and Rose had come to see what was happening, and quickly put it together. Evaline shuffled off, and Libby looked at her friends.
"Any which way, back to what I was doing."
"Can I actually follow you?" Rose asked.
"If you can keep up." Libby answered. "I have a pretty rigorous pace."
"Okay..."
"I'll keep it slower for you."
"So you're a transfer?"
"Yep. From the Great White North of Canada."
"What brought you to Paris?" Rose asked.
"Uh, well, my parents thought I needed a change of scenery, and my grandfather said Paris is beautiful year round, so..." Libby felt bad lying to Rose.
"Do you miss your friends?"
"Oh heavens yes. My bestie Irka, Matriel and Mistral, who are twins. My best guy friend Edison confessed his love to me shortly before I left."
"I'd like to meet your friends someday, if that's alright."
"Sure, eventually."
Back home in Canada, Libby's friends were worried sick about her.
"Still no answer." Matriel said. "I've been calling her all day."
"It's already been more than 2 days." Irka noted. Libby's parents didn't know she was Ladybug, and Irka and the twins would have to tell them sooner or later if she didn't return.
"She was Ladybug when you saw her last, right?" Mistral asked.
"Correct." Irka answered. "Said she needed to 'check something out' just south of town."
"Probably got abducted by those damn aliens." Matriel shook her fist.
"Libby would likely call you a nut if she were here."
"I would welcome that."
"The authorities are looking for her, though. They'll find her."
"They had better..."
Back in Paris, Libby felt her spine shiver.
"Hey Rose, could I be alone?" Libby said, a tear forming in her eye.
"Oh my, did I upset you?" The blonde girl asked, quickly pulling out a handkerchief.
"No Rose, just a little homesick. Come here, you!"
Libby hugged Rose tightly. Her phone rang, and it was Marinette.
"Yeah? A what? Where? Okay, but not sure why you're telling me..."
"What is it Libby?"
"Hostage situation at the Louvre." Libby replied. "Come on."
The Canadian girl lead Rose back to the rest of the group.
"I need to get over there!" Alya exclaimed. "Our three heroes may show up."
"Me too." Adrien said somewhat nervously.
"Hmm?" Marinette also asked. "Libby, let's go!"
"I'll come too." Alya ran after them, leaving Nino and Rose by themselves.
"Heyyyy." Nino did a finger-gun point, and Rose facepalmed. Libby, Marinette, Adrien and Alya all hid behind a wall near the Eiffel Tower.
"Uhhh, hehe." Marinette giggled.
"What are you guys doing back here?" Adrien asked confusedly. "Isn't the Louvre the other way?"
"What about you?" Alya placed her hands on her hips.
"No, it's no trouble." Libby said, waving her hand for the other girls to follow her. Adrien scanned his field of vision.
"That was really strange."
"You're telling me."
"Go time, Plagg!"
"Wait!" Plagg exclaimed.
"What?" Adrien asked impatiently.
"Just a couple more bites."
"Make it quick..."
"Ahhhm nom nom, mmm, how I love thee, Camembert!"
"Now are you all set?"
"You know it Adrien!" Plagg winked.
"Plagg, Claws Out!" Adrien yelled. Plagg warped into his ring, and he ran two fingers across his eyes to create his mask. He then touched his head, and his ears formed. Adrien's Black Cat suit materialized around him, and his tail burst out with great relish, and just for a little bit of show, he swatted his paws in the air.
"And we're off!"
Libby, Marinette and Alya didn't see Chat Noir leave, and were quite surprised upon returning to the Tower and not finding Adrien.
"Awww. Ready?" Marinette asked.
"10-4." Libby replied.
"Tikki, Spots On!"
"Ash, ready!"
Alya was awed by the simultaneous transformations, although Libby's was much shorter.
"Maybe I'll do a flashy dance next time. Alya, hop on!"
Libby released her Wingpack, and Marinette hooked onto the Tower, looped around it and set off towards the Louvre.
"I imagine we'll be seeing Flirt Noir again?" Libby asked.
"Well yeah." Marinette replied. "He's part of the team."
"I shouldn't complain. My teammate Velocity back home is kinda rude. I think I prefer him."
Libby flew ahead of Marinette, leaving her well behind. She spotted the Louvre approaching in the distance.
"Alright Libby, new city, same objective."
Marinette ran horizontally along a building's side, and Libby showed off by flying upside down above her. Marinette reached her hand up, and they high-fived.
"Alya, you filming?" Libby asked.
"This is great material!" Alya responded.
"Mind if I do a corkscrew?"
"Don't forget where we're going..." Marinette said sternly.
"Marinette, seriously, no need to worry." Libby reassured her. "Just having a little fun before we work. It's good."
"Alright, but any shenanigans won't be tolerated."
Libby did a corkscrew loop, and Alya held onto her phone as tightly as she could.
"Yeeeehah!" Libby exclaimed.
"There's Chat Noir, waiting on that roof." Marinette pointed.
"See, got my fun out, and now it's go time."
"Hmmm."
"Ah, good timing, mon filles." Chat said. "You've probably already heard what's happening?"
"We have." Marinette replied. A plethora of police cars and news media formed a semicircle around the front of the Louvre. Both Ladybugs drew their yo-yos and swung into action. Chat spun his staff like a helicopter and glided down.
"This is getting out of hand." The police chief remarked. "Now there are two of them!"
"Yeah, she couldn't hack it anymore." Libby stifled a laugh.
"Hey!" Marinette exclaimed.
"Kidding Honeybunch."
"Wait, are you two flirting with each other?" Chat pointed at each Ladybug. "I can live with this..."
"Shut up, Chat Noir!"
"A man is holding two young children hostage in the Italian Sculptures wing. He has at least one gun, possibly two and some form of blade, according to reports. He's taking shelter behind one of the displays, and we have a small squadron blocking his way."
"We'll take care of it. After you, M'ladies."
The Ladybugs entered the building, followed closely by Chat and Alya.
"Lead the way!" Libby exclaimed. "Alya, try to keep a safe distance from us when we get there."
The four ran through the eerily empty historical building.
"You think it's an Akuma, or just a guy having a really bad day?" Chat asked.
"Either way, we need to be vigilant." Libby added. "Jimmy's got a gun."
Marinette and Chat had no response, and so pressed on.
"Okay, right!" Marinette yelled, and so they swung that direction.
"Well it shouldn't be hard to guess where he is." Libby noted.
"Ladybug, Chat Noir...Ladybug?" A GIGN member asked in surprise.
"Twinsies!"
"And me too." Alya added.
"Sir, please release the children and come out unarmed!"
"Not gonna happen, officer!"
"Any of you three good at negotiations?"
"Oh please, I negotiate with my yo-yo!" Libby and Marinette said in perfect unison. They then pointed at each other and said "ohhhh!"
"Ladies, with all due respect, this is serio-"
*BANG!*
*PING!*
"Good thing one of us is paying attention." Chat winked and twirled his staff.
"Ladybug." Marinette said. "It's like I'm addressing myself...weird. Anyway, you're probably the most versatile out of us. Think you can work out a course of action?"
Libby whipped her yo-yo above them, blew a kiss and swung out of sight.
"Who was that aimed at?" Chat asked.
"Why, jealous, Catboy?" Marinette smirked.
"I think she likes you more..."
"I know she likes me more."
Libby was now hanging out above the scene.
"Gotta make sure those kids aren't hurt." She said to herself. "Darts may be too risky. Kinda wish I had a bigger arsenal."
"You can do this, Libby." Ash encouraged.
"I have an idea, though it's taking a chance."
"If you believe it'll work, then you should do it."
"I should've told them my plan..."
Libby clutched her yo-yo, and teleported back to ground level. The man fired two more shots, both of which missed.
"Whoa." Chat said.
"Listen up." Libby kept her voice low. "I need you two to flank me. We'll charge him, with me in the middle, and then I'll do a vanishing act."
"Why didn't you just appear behind him?" Marinette wondered.
"I need his attention to be on what's in front of him. If you guys don't dig this, I'm open to suggestions."
"I think it makes sense." Chat nodded. Marinette looked at them both, and also nodded. Libby got the GIGN's attention and explained their plan.
"If it goes awry, we'll give you cover fire."
"Appreciate it. Okay, on my mark."
"A tense moment here, Ladybloggers!" Alya narrated.
Chat and Marinette readied themselves.
"This is perfect." The man said to himself. "They're too scared to..."
"NOW!" Libby cried. She flashed towards the statue the man was behind, yo-yo twirling at a tremendous speed. Marinette was doing the same and Chat had his arm pointed forward like a football player.
"Son of a-" The man panicked, and began firing wildly at them, but all his shots were redirected.
"Perfect." Libby grinned, held onto her yo-yo, and vanished in a flash. The man heard a thunderous noise behind him, and two darts whizzed past his face.
"Surprise, motherfu-"
*BANG!*
Libby ducked to avoid the bullet.
"Ah ah ah. Didn't your mother ever teach you any manners?"
"S-stay back!"
"How about no?" Libby said flatly. She fired the yo-yo, knocking the gun clean out of his hand.
"You can't run or hide. Anywhere you go, The Ladybug will find you."
She wound up for another throw, but then saw the terrified faces of the kids.
"Ah, damn it. Okay, on your feet, scumbag. Come on, snap to it!"
The man stood, and Libby wrapped her yo-yo around him.
"We're clear, officers!" She called. A few GIGN members rushed behind the statue.
"And new Ladybug finishes the job!" Alya celebrated.
"Thank you, Ladybug!" The kids cried. Marinette immediately recognized one of them.
"Manon?"
"Ladybug!" The girl yelled. "Wait, is one of you an imposter?"
"No." Marinette laughed. "I just have a new friend."
"Manon, what happened?" Alya asked.
"My mommy left me with a babysitter, and he brought me here cause I asked to. And then he, he got super angry about something. It was scary."
"Are you alright though?" Marinette asked.
"Yep!"
Marinette scooped up Manon and spun her around, the girl spreading her arms like an airplane.
"That seemed too easy." Libby remarked.
"No Akuma to deal with." Chat said. "Wouldn't complain."
"Hey Manon, wanna really fly?"
"Aww, you're stealing my thunder." Marinette grumbled. She handed Manon over to Libby.
"Now listen Manon." The brown haired girl began. "I don't want you to start thinking that I'm cooler than the other Ladybug. We're equal in my book, despite being able to do some things she can't."
"Like what?"
"Ladybug, if you could..."
...
"Wingpack!"
Manon felt a rush as they ascended nearly to the ceiling, stopped, and darted towards the exit. Marinette waited a moment, and decided to run back instead of latching onto anything. Chat did one or two pole-vaults before Marinette told him to stop. Libby touched down in front of the Louvre and delicately placed Manon back onto solid ground.
"Ladybug, Ladybug, over here!" A newswoman said. "Nadja Chamack, TVi, and I...Is that my daughter?"
"Mommy!" Manon exclaimed.
"What on earth?! I had a sitter for her and..."
"He was holding her and a little boy hostage." Libby explained. "No clue why."
"I'm indebted to you, um, second Ladybug." Nadja hugged her daughter tightly and began tearing up. "Anyway with the recent rash of attacks by the villainous Hawkmoth, have you been called in to assist Ladybug and Chat Noir?"
"I, uh, guess you could say that."
"Where'd you come from?"
"Look, Mrs. Chamack, I hate to be rude, but I've had a bad day and am exhausted. I'm not gonna make a habit out of bailing on interviews. Later!"
A few members of the news media had spilled into the Louvre, and Mayor Bourgeois was with Chloè among the throng.
"I don't understand why you had to bring me along daddy." Chloè moaned. "I mean really, if I wanted to go to the Louvre, I'd wait until a class field trip or somet-Ladybug!"
"Wait, you're not Ladybug..."
"Actually Chloè, yes she is." Marinette groaned internally. Chloè immediately moved towards her, phone in hand.
"I totally need a picture to remember this moment." Chloè smiled, pulling Marinette into a very reluctant selfie.
"You didn't smile again! I thought of all people, you'd be happy to see your biggest fan."
"Not really..."
Chloè stepped back, a clear sign of emotional distress on her face. Libby and Chat remained silent, watching the whole scene unfold. Chloè's tear ducts looked fit to burst at the next hint of detestment from the person she most looked up to.
"But Ladybug! I adore you more than anyone!"
"Even yourself?" Marinette asked, the coldness palpable in her tone. That was the straw which broke her, and Chloè rushed headlong towards her father. Marinette had only a plain expression, not at all matching her insipid manner. Finally Libby had enough.
"Ladybug, a word." She said with about as much ice in her voice as Marinette had seconds earlier. The first Ladybug didn't look at all to be in a chatting mood.
"Look, I don't like the girl either, but that was inexcusable."
Chat Noir stepped in between them, drawing further ire from Marinette.
"Sorry if it's not my place, Bugaboo, but I gotta side with your understudy on this one." He chimed in. "Ladybug is a friend to the people. Either that or the rules changed overnight."
"Thanks Chat, but I got it from here." Libby cracked a smile and motioned him away. "Marinette, all I'm asking is you treat her kindly as Ladybug. I'll continue to combat her as Libby when she's being, you know, herself, and you're welcome to do the same, but crushing her spirit...is that worth being on your conscience?"
Marinette pondered, and then let out the longest, loudest sigh imaginable.
"Fine..."
"Now go take a nice picture with her!"
"Yes Ma'am..." Marinette sulked.
"And when you're done, give her a big hug..."
"WHAT?!"
"This is rich. M'Ladybug the Sequel is laying it down." Chat chuckled heartily. Marinette found her way over to Chloè.
"*Sigh* I apologize Chloè." Marinette grunted. "Want another picture?"
"*Sniff* Okay."
Chloè wiped away the residual tears, and readied herself for another selfie. Marinette glanced over to the others, who both had thumbs up. Marinette looked back to the camera, and gave a pleasant smile. When it was done, she caught Chloè off-guard with a hug.
"L-Ladybug..." She said quietly.
"Things will be different Chloè, starting now. You have my promise. Ladybug's Honor."
Chloè pulled her closer, and the Mayor looked on proudly. Marinette actually felt a lot better now. Libby and Chat strolled up to her.
"Thank you." Libby mouthed.
"Nice job, Ladybug." Chat added. Chloè looked to have a sudden realization.
"I have two other people to admire now!"
She prayed that Libby would be more receptive. The second Ladybug instantly wrapped her arms around Chloè, spun her once and rubbed her back.
"Hehe." Chloè giggled. She was very genuinely happy today. Alya finally caught up to the heroic trio, and found Libby still firmly holding Chloè.
"Uhhhh, how long have they been doing that?" She blinked.
"40 seconds by my count." Chat was beyond amused.
"*Ahem* Oookay Chloè, don't want us to be stuck like this!" Libby exclaimed. Chloè looked down at her hands, fiddled with them for a moment, and then formed the heart symbol with them.
"Am I...doing this right?" She asked.
"Perfectly." Libby smiled, returning the sign.
"At this rate, they'll be kissing next time they see each other." Marinette laughed a little. The various reporters swarmed around the heroes.
"Ladybug, wait!" Chloè exclaimed. "Could you, um, please, uh..."
"Yes?" Libby asked.
"I'm trying to be polite here!"
Libby laughed a little.
"I know my daddy brought me in a limo, but could you possibly, um, carry me back home?"
"Chloè dearest, Ladybug has been working hard, and I don't think..." the Mayor got cut off.
"Hop on board!" Libby exclaimed. After they left, Marinette and Chat lingered.
"I bet she's terrifying when she's angry..." Chat trailed off.
"Haven't seen it yet." Marinette said. "Guess we're done here."
"Alright then, Buggy, it's time for a cat nap!"
"Wait, hold that thought. What's that?"
Chat followed Marinette's pointing finger, and was shocked to see a human with wings, breathing fire and flying down towards them.
"Ah, here's the daily Akuma." Chat said.
"They're not every day..." Marinette corrected him. The mass of mostly French humanity caught sight of the airborne behemoth, and scattered. He landed with authority before Marinette and Chat.
"Hello, hot stuff." Chat greeted him.
"My name is Chinese Dragon. Prepare to perish in my unquenchable flames!"
