So so so so so sorry about the late update! I had a gig all weekend, was busy all week and then I was at family's yesterday. I'll try to get another chapter up this weekend to make up for it.

This chapter is the big one - the first akuma they have to face. I hope you enjoy!

To the guest reviewer Lazuli - thanks for reviewing, and enjoy this chapter!

Disclaimer: I do not own Miraculous Ladybug, otherwise me and my roommate would not be stuck waiting for the next episode.

Chapter 3: Stoneheart, Part 1

Marinette opened her eyes to find herself in the library at her school.

Study hall, she remembered. Right now, Ivan would be at the principles office, being akumatised. Next to her, Alya was talking about something on her phone.

Marinette found it odd to think that earlier that day, the two of them had met for the first time - and that she hadn't even met Char Noir or Adrien yet.

Marinette shook the thoughts out of her head. That wasn't important. What was important was stopping Stoneheart.

"You okay girl?" Alya asked.

"Yeah," Marinette replied. "I just have to go to the bathroom. I'll be right back."

Marinette was only a couple steps away from the table when the whole school shook.

Here we go...

Adrien opened his eyes to a disappointed look on his father's face.

This conversation again? He thought. He had forgotten what else had happened while Ivan was akumatised, and found himself caught off guard. Adrien did his best to replay the conversation as he remembered it, darting to his room the second he was free. If he remembered correctly, Stoneheart should be arriving in the nearby streets soon...

His room shook, nearly knocking Adrien off his feet as he looked for the little black box he knew was in his room.

"None of Hawkmoth's victims in the past were capable of mind-reading," Tikki continued as Marinette finished securing her earrings back in her ears. "In fact, I've never seen the moth brooch capable of giving mind-reading as a secondary power. I wouldn't worry about it."

"That's good to know," Marinette replied. "Anyways, we should be heading to the stadium-"

"Wait!" Tikki exclaimed. "Don't you want to come up with a plan?"

"I'd rather make sure we get Kim out of harm's way first," Marinette replied, but the comment still sent the gears in her mind turning. The first time they had defeated Stoneheart, they had done so by having him catch the wetsuit, then forcing his hand open. But that required a lucky charm...

"Do you think using my power is safe?" Marinette questioned.

"That I cannot say," Tikki replied. "There's a chance this is all a vision - in which case, it would be safe. But in case it isn't, I wouldn't use the lucky charm until absolutely necessary."

"And if I can't use my lucky charm," Marinette added. "Then I should see if I can find something here that could help us. But what would Stoneheart want to catch besides me?"

"So don't use your cataclysm unless absolutely necessary," Plagg finished.

"Right," Adrien said. "We didn't need it the first time anyways."

"And don't get injured," Plagg added. "We don't know whether Ladybug's cure will work here."

"That might prove to be more difficult," Adrien admitted. "Anything else?"

"If you find cheese, take some," Plagg replied.

Adrien rolled his eyes. "Of course. Plagg - claws out!"

Ladybug landed on the top of the stadium just as a building collapsed on the skyline.

"Oops," she mumbled. "Forgot about that."

Below her, gym class was still going on. Ladybug picked Kim out easily from the crowd, and, judging from the time, had a couple of minutes to get him to safety. But how? Ladybug didn't have the same authority now as she did in the future.

"Have a plan, my lady?" Chat Noir landed easily besides Ladybug, a trademark smile on his lips.

Ladybug nodded and showed him her makeshift lucky charm. "Remember Pharoah? I'm thinking the same trick might work on Stoneheart."

"Get him to open his hand," Chat Noir realized. "And without you using your lucky charm. Think it will work?"

"I hope so," Ladybug replied. "He should be here soon. I'll get Kim to safety - maybe back to his school. Can you cover for me?"

"Don't I always?" Chat Noir questioned. The ground shook again.

"I need to be going," Ladybug stated. "See you in a minute." "Can't wait," Chat Noir replied, giving her a mock salute as Ladybug zipped down to the gym class.

"Listen to me," she stated. "I know you don't know who I am, but you're all in danger, and you need to go home now." The students scattered as the gym teacher tried to calm the class down.

"Kim, I need to get you to safety. Grab on." Ladybug offered Kim a hand, and with great hesitation, Kim took it. Using her other hand, she wound up her your and tossed it to the nearest building.

"What are you- ah!" Kim asked as they zipped off. With practiced ease she definitely didn't have the first time around, Ladybug easily found the school and dropped Kim off in the courtyard.

"Stay here," Ladybug commanded. "You should be safe."

"What's going on?" Kim asked. "Who are you?"

"The boy you teased earlier has been akumatised - that is, turned into a super villain," Ladybug explained. "And I'm here to stop him."

"Who, Ivan?" Kim asked. "But he wouldn't hurt a fly."

"Normally, no," Ladybug agreed. "But he's not completely in control right now. I know it's hard to believe, but soon this will make sense. You just have to trust me."

"You still haven't told me your name," Kim pointed out.

"Ladybug. My name is Ladybug, and I have this situation completely under control."

Chat Noir winced as he was thrown back again.

So much for not getting injured, he thought as he stood up. He didn't remember Stoneheart being this hard to beat, but The Unclocker's words still ran through his mind. This time, luck isn't on your side. Chat Noir grimaced and picked his baton off the ground. Ladybug would be back soon, and with her plan, Stoneheart would (hopefully) be defeated quickly.

She just had to get here first.

Oh, and big shout-out to my roommie for joining this fandom with me!