IV. Inspiration comes from anywhere.

Days were passing by, and still Marinette had no definite idea on what to make. Every time she looked at the clock, she felt more and more pressure because she only had two weeks exactly to deliver her entry since the day she learned about it. She had to come up with an idea quick, it was already Wednesday and her deadline was on Friday's afternoon of the next week. It was more troublesome when counting Hawk Moth's inspirations for akumas that week, which, like Anthill, lasted longer than usual to defeat.

Like a barber who got insulted by Chloé and her father, of all people, when she distracted him and cut off more hair of Mayor Bourgeois than he was supposed to. They had to use shaving cream to defeat him after he had already turned Chloé almost bald, which Ladybug found hilarious after seeing Chloé when she, reluctantly, showed up at school and then Cat Noir when he was caught and almost shaved bald. There is also the occasion a film director, when a hard-to-convince critic panned his "biggest-film-in-life" so bad, he started trapping everyone on movies and suffer from being part of the cast no-one wants to. How Ladybug defeated him with a cowbell still baffles many.

Even at her secret place for inspiration in Trocadéro, she hasn't decided on a final design. That doesn't mean she has nothing, in fact she has the general idea on what it could look like, but she feels it's missing something.

"Girl, this is the most serious block you've ever had!" said Alya, "What have you been doing this whole time you were supposed to be doing the dress! You have less time with every passing second!"

"I already know that," answered Marinette, "I've tried my best with this idea but it never seems right! I want to die…"

"Don't say that, girl; think of Ladybug for example, she never gives up!"

"I don't see where you're going, Alya. I haven't given up yet but this dress continues to dodge me."

"I never said you gave up. What I wanted to say is that Ladybug comes with out-of-the-box ideas to solve situations! Remember Filmmaker?"

"Yeah, I still don't know how a cowbell could stop a crazed film director."

"What about when Jagged Stone became akumatized? Ladybug used- "

"-Hairspray in order to blind him, I believe I have this! I have to go to my secret place! Thanks, Alya!"

"You thank me later, Marinette. Now go onto finishing that design!"

Upon realizing on Alya's words about Ladybug, it finally came to her. She headed towards Trocadéro and started sketching her design.

"Wow! Looks like you have found your inspiration at last, Marinette!" exclaimed Tikki when she saw the young woman with a decided glare off her eyes.

"Yes, Alya helped me figure out. Let me ask you this, Tikki. What has been constant on my life that has exploited my creativity?"

"Hmm… I don't know…"

"IT'S LADYBUG!" yelled Marinette, "you and Ladybug have made me use my creativity to greater extents; ever since I met you I feel it flowing inside me when transformed. If I use Ladybug as inspiration, then…"

She couldn't finish her statement. She wanted to look at her sketch for a second…

"Marinette, what happened?" asked Tikki concerned, "are you all right?"

"I did it…," whispered the girl.

"What?"

"I did it, Tikki. I DID IT! I FINALLY DID IT! BOOYAH! NOW I HAVE TO…!" Marinette turned around and saw about 20 people looking at her for her sudden euphoric state. She could only look ashamed with a small giggle. She quietly left the place and headed towards the drapes store to get the materials needed to make her design come true.

She ran past everyone, she never saw Adrien and Nino were coming her way until she crashed with them.

"Ow… What was that?" asked Nino on the floor, "could you please look where you're going, dude?"

"Marinette?!" said both young men at the same time.

"Oops… sorry Nino, sorry Adrien…" she said, when the girl figured she was in front of Adrien she started to get a little nervous.

"It's Ok, Marinette," answered Adrien, "I only want to know why you were running that fast."

"Well… Uh… I… had to go get… Uh… materials for you! NO! Not for you, for your father! No, I mean your father's dress… no contest, your father's contest… I have to get going bye, Adrien!" she said while returning to her mission.

"Dude, if didn't knew chicks I'd say she has the big one on you!" said Nino to Adrien's disbelief face.

"What are you talking about?" asked Adrien.

"Bro, I mean I think she likes you!"

"What? I don't think Marinette likes me that way!"

"Chill out! I know her; remember I also liked Marinette at some point. Additionally, Alya told me…"

"Told you what? What do you and Alya know that I don't?"

"Well… Uhh…"

"What is it Nino?"

"Forget about that! Besides, trust me on that. I only want the best for my best bud! Hey, how about a movie later today? There is this one about- "

"Thanks, Nino. But I'll have to say no, I have a photo shoot today, so I can't make it, sorry."

"It's Ok; if you can't come I still can go with Alya as I had already planned."

"Wait, you were going with Alya from the beginning? Are you sure she wasn't going to get mad if you brought me along to your date with your girlfriend?"

"I'm sure she wouldn't!"

"Now that we mention her again, what is it that you and Alya hide me?"

"No, nothing dude, I swear!"

"Are you sure? You don't…" Adrien couldn't finish his line because he received a text from Nathalie. "Ok, Nathalie is already waiting for me, I have to go. But don't think this secret think with Alya is over!"

"I don't have a secret with Alya, Dude!"

Adrien headed to the park, where Nathalie and the Gorilla were waiting for him. He was halfway to the park when she stumbled across Alya.

"Hi, Adrien! Have you seen Nino? We are going to the movies!" said Alya to Adrien.

"Hello, Alya, he is waiting for you right over there!" answered Adrien.

"Fine, thanks!"

"Oh, Alya, Nino mentioned something weird about Marinette liking someone, do you know what he meant? He said you told him."

"I don't know what he's talking about!"

"Sure? Don't you talk with Nino about who she likes?"

"Of course not! We rarely mention our best friends. I mean we don't think of talking about you or Marinette, or most anyone for that matter."

"Oh, ok, see you!"

As Adrien separated from Alya, Plagg had to ask.

"What was all that about?"

"Nothing, I guess," answered Adrien in all honesty, but still he wasn't convinced.

Alya, on the other hand, was more determined to find Nino.

"Hey there, Alya! I was about to-" Nino couldn't finish.

"Tell Adrien about Marinette liking him! He is suspicious about it!" angrily the girl told to Nino, "I swear, if that jeopardizes my friend's relationship with Adrien you…" she didn't finish her sentence. Nino was already scared and did not want to know what the end of that sentence was.

"I said nothing," he said anguished. "I mentioned something, but…" he didn't finish his sentence. The face drawn in Alya, as well as a subtle growl from her mouth were enough to intimidate him and make him tattle. "Ok! I did mention it, but it was because she was nervous and babbled! I didn't mean to! When I realized the screw up I played fool!"

Alya kept looking down on him. She was still angry but didn't want to miss the movie either. "Ok. If you want to make me happy again, you will have to pay up for my ticket and my popcorn." Said the girl when she was heading towards the theater.

"I was already going to that! I told you last night when I invited you, remember?"