When the masses of Paris awoke the next morning, it was to great surprise that an announcement from Le Cirque de la Miraculeuse had been strung across the gates. A sign which had been hung on black ribbon, tied in elegant bows of midnight, declared:

Le Cirque De La Miraculeuse will be closed tonight due to poor weather.

Indignation broke across Paris like a tidal wave; the circus had never closed for weather before. If there was one thing that having the circus in town could guarantee, it was that there would be days in which the sky was an aquamarine sheet, and nights in which the stars glinted like diamonds speckled across the darkness. Poor weather, indeed.

But when the grey skies darkened as time ticked on, and the first spatters of rain began to hit the ground in a soft chorus, the people of Paris made their way indoors - after all, the circus wasn't usually wrong; if it said there was going to be bad weather, then they believed it.

As the severity of the rain began to increase, two girls stood in a doorway, just sheltered from the rain. Alya's arms were wrapped tightly around Marinette, holding her firmly in an embrace meant to carry them through until they were reunited. Marinette had wanted to spend her last day in Paris with her friend, a request Tikki had no problem with. After a brief explanation about why Tikki was closing the shop for the day, and a thought-out lie as to why Marinette was leaving for an unknown length of time, the two girls had spent their limited time ambling around Paris until the looming threat of rain led them into Alya's home.

The afternoon ticked away as the ever-tightening rope of time wound itself around Marinette. Eventually, when the clock struck five, it was time for Marinette to say goodbye to her closest friend. Alya escorted her to the door, stepping outside under the cover of a small canopy. The rainfall echoed in the cavernous silence of unspoken goodbyes. The two girls moved into a hug, tightening their arms around each other. Alya's loose hair tickled Marinette's nose as she held her friend.

"Promise you'll write to me? I want to hear all about London," Alya said, pulling back from Marinette to smile earnestly. Marinette nodded vigorously; Alya had believed her when she said she'd been taken on by a friend of Tikki to work at a boutique in England. The lie had been bitter on her tongue as she forced out the words which cut her final tie to Paris.

"Of course! And once I know my address, you must let me know how you're doing – I'm going to miss you so much…" Marinette's words trailed off, her throat tightening as sadness twisted in her heart. She hugged Alya again, suppressing the ache that only goodbyes can bring. With a deep breath, she stepped back, taking Alya's hands and squeezing them as she blinked back tears.

"I'll miss you too. Now get going – you've got an early morning ahead of you, and Tikki will have my head if you're back late." Alya let go of Marinette's hands and poked her friend's shoulder gently, a sad smile on her face. Marinette nodded, stepping back to release her best friend.

"You're right. I guess… I guess this is goodbye, then," Marinette replied, her voice trembling. Alya tutted, placing her hands on her hips as she looked at her friend sternly.

"It's goodbye for now. Don't you get all emotional on me, Marinette. We're going to see each other soon, and you're going to bring me the latest fashions from London and lots of souvenirs, ok?"

Wiping a hand across her eyes, Marinette nodded. She exhaled shakily, arching one eyebrow at Alya.

"Should have known you were only using me for my souvenir potential," she laughed.

Alya nodded. "Yes, the past few years have all been one long scheme for your eventual leaving so that you could buy me things. You saw right through my plan. Curse you."

"Wow, Alya, that hurts." Marinette rolled her eyes at her friend.

"Good. Now get off my doorstep and go home, the poor driver has been waiting for about five minutes now."

Marinette nodded, the lump in her throat choking back words she desperately wanted to say but didn't know how.

"I love you," was all she could say to her best friend. Alya smiled softly, tucking a strand of Marinette's hair behind her ear.

"I love you, too," Alya replied. Marinette blinked to fight back tears, and lifted her umbrella to shield her from the rain cascading onto the pavement in a symphony of splatters. Alya's butler, who had been standing diligently by the car, his own umbrella the same midnight blue as his uniform, rushed to open the door when she approached. Adjusting her dress carefully as she slid inside, Marinette turned to the window of the car and waved to Alya as the engine sputtered to life.

Alya watched the car until it was out of eyesight, taking her closest friend away to somewhere she couldn't follow. Only when it turned a corner did Alya go back inside, and promptly burst into tears.
***

When the car stopped outside the boutique, Marinette was doing all she could to hold back the hot tears burning in her eyes. Alya's butler opened the car door, offering his hand to Marinette, who took it with gratitude. He held an umbrella above her head as she stood up and extended her own. Marinette took a step forwards, then quickly turned back to face the butler.

"Thank you," she said, smiling kindly at him. "For everything."

"It has been an honour, Mademoiselle Marinette. I wish you the best of luck in London." His thin moustache moved with his smile, and Marinette nodded before walking to the door. Pushing it open, she gave a little wave to the butler, who bowed in response before getting back in the car and driving away.

Marinette moved indoors, shutting the door with one hand as she placed her umbrella in the stand by the door.

"I'm back!" she called into the shop, striding through the interior towards the staircase. Tikki's head popped out of the doorway.

"Marinette! Just in time," Tikki called, her hair cascading over her shoulder as she shouted to her protégée. "Could you come back here?"

Marinette moved into the back room, where her bags had been stored. Tikki stood, hands behind her back, grinning eagerly at the younger girl. It was a smile which Marinette didn't see often, one which Tikki only used when she had a surprise for Marinette or when something fantastic had happened.

Given the circumstances, Marinette assumed it was the former.

"What's going on?" Marinette asked, peeling her gloves off her hands and placing them on the small table by the door. Tikki smiled, thrusting a small parcel towards her with a smile.

"Happy birthday, Marinette!"

Her protégée took the small package, the creased brown paper tied with a thin piece of string. It was light, so much so that the only indication that Marinette was even holding something was the prick of the paper's folds against her palms as she cupped the gift. Marinette's lips curled into a smile, Tikki's enthusiasm infectious.

"Tikki, my birthday isn't for another eight months-" Marinette began with a laugh before Tikki cut her off.

"And we have no idea where you'll be for it," Tikki said firmly, her brow creasing as she placed her hands on her hips. "I've been planning to give this you for your twentieth birthday for years, and I'll be damned if you don't have it because the circus has taken you to a different part of the world."

Like a cresting wave fading as the sand absorbs it, the brief moment of laughter ebbed from the room.

Marinette moved the gift into one hand, wrapping her free arm around Tikki's waist and pulling her into a hug.

"Thank you," she murmured, perching her head in the crevice of Tikki's neck. Her mentor rubbed small circles softly on her back, her touch a balm to Marinette's turbulent emotions. The reality of her situation was sinking in ever deeper, and she was relishing the time she had left at her home; the fact that she wasn't going to be around for her birthday was just another nail in the coffin of her future.

"You're welcome, Marinette." Tikki's words were as gentle as her touch, and as soon as she stepped back Marinette's body filled with nerves.

"Now," Tikki said, and Marinette could hear the slight tremble in her voice, "Find somewhere to put it, and we'll have dinner before… before we go."

Marinette's eyes moved to the bags stacked against the wall, moved from her bedroom while she was with Alya. She nodded, gripping the parcel in her hand tightly. Tikki noticed the tension in Marinette, taking a step closer to her as she saw the flash of sadness in her protégée's eyes before she pasted on a false smile. Tikki let out a breath, tucking a loose strand of hair behind Marinette's ear.

"It's going to be okay," Tikki said, smiling reassuringly at Marinette. But the younger girl knew Tikki too well; Marinette didn't believe her for a moment.
***

Paris was silent.

The sheets of rain blocked out the sounds of the city, dulling Marinette's surroundings as the world became awash with the opaque clarity of rainfall. Marinette raised her parasol as she stepped out of the car, adjusting the mask tied carefully around her head. She tiptoed around the puddles which grew in size with every passing second, moving towards the closed entrance of the circus.

She was staring at the sign which declared the circus was closed when Tikki stood next to her.

"Are you ready?" the older woman asked, pulling at the cuffs of her marron jacket to straighten them as she angled her matching parasol under her arm to shield herself from the rain.

"As ready as I'll ever be," Marinette said, and Tikki turned back to face the car. She gave the driver a nod, and Marinette's brow furrowed in confusion as he drove away, leaving them on the soaked street.

"Tikki, my bags-"

"He knows where to go." Something about Tikki had changed during the journey to the circus; the woman who had been fighting to keep her voice steady over dinner had been possessed by steel, her posture impeccably straight and her face set in an uninterested stare as her eyes raked over the sign on the circus gates.

Marinette watched as Tikki looked around casually, as if time were nothing but a nuisance. When she confirmed that there was nobody else around, Tikki waved her palm. The door of the gate melted to the ground, black tar mixing with the weak rainwater on the pavement, and, gesturing for Marinette to follow, Tikki walked through the gap where the entrance had been.

As soon as Marinette and Tikki crossed through the gate enclosing the circus, the rain ceased. Marinette looked up, the clouds still a dark blur staining the sky, and lowered her parasol.

"How is this possible?" she murmured, which caused Tikki to laugh, her calm mask breaking momentarily.

"Two nights ago you transformed gems into insects, and you're surprised by someone controlling the weather?" Tikki's curls bounced as she shook her head, falling over her shoulder to trail down her back. "Oh, Marinette."

Marinette gave a "hurumph", raising her chin and increasing her pace, leaving Tikki to walk behind her. The older woman shook her head and clicked her fingers, the molten gate solidifying back into place. The ribbon and card twisted itself back into its position, as if nothing had happened. Tikki caught up to her protégée quickly, linking her arm with Marinette's.

Her face was once again a mask of indifference, but Marinette could feel the tension coursing through Tikki. Her shoulders were ramrod straight, and Tikki's eyes darted around as the air moved through the circus, the older woman guiding them without a thought.

When they reached a particular tent – are those butterflies? Marinette wondered as she squinted at the intricate decoration – Tikki drew to a halt. Marinette tripped as Tikki's footsteps stopped, her arm still linked with her mentor's, causing her to stop unexpectedly. She regained her balance and looked at Tikki, who was staring at the tent.

"Now, Marinette," Tikki began, not looking at the girl next to her, "once you go in, you must follow the instructions given to you. You're on your own from here on out, but I have no doubt that you can win this." She let go of Marinette's arm, spinning to face her. Tikki lifted one hand to Marinette's face and took in the droplets which had spattered on the younger girl's jacket, dark blotches seeping into the plain red material; she couldn't escape the ladybug motif even if she tried.

"I'll see you in a bit, before you leave. But remember, stay distant, and concentrate. You can do this."

She kissed Marinette on the forehead, and the younger girl smiled at her.

"Okay," Marinette said, taking a deep breath before composing her face into one of stoic disinterest. I'll see you in a bit."

She turned away from Tikki and strode towards the tent. Marinette paused, steeling herself before pushing open the tent door and stepping into the unknown.

Tikki watched as Marinette walked through the door of the tent, disappearing as the cloth fell back over the space she'd walked through. Tikki let her face, so carefully calm as she waved to her protégée, fall. Her breath coming out in shaking bursts as she choked back a sob, her hand pressed against her mouth as if she could contain it. Tikki knew that no matter the outcome, this was the moment she was going to lose Marinette.

She'd been on this side of the tent often enough to know. They were never the same after this.

A hand rested on her shoulder, and she turned her head to see Plagg, his sombre expression mirroring her thoughts.

The game was about to begin.
***

Chat Noir had expected many things when he entered the tent.

A stage, perhaps. Maybe some chairs, or a table at the very least. Instead, placed in the centre of the room was a small stand with an envelope propped on top of it. The crisp white paper shone in the darkness of the tent, emblazoned with a cat's paw and a ladybug, stark against their pale paper background.

A desire to open the envelope surged through Chat Noir, the anticipation of what lay ahead creating the urge to act, to do something, anything other than stand around. But Plagg's words rolled through his mind: wait for her.

It was killing him. The past few days had been wrought with tension, and it seemed like everyone entwined in this competition was determined to draw it out for as long as possible. Chat was tempted to open the envelope, just to get the ball rolling. The past decade had been leading to this moment, the beginning of it all, and he wanted to get it over with.

But if there was one person he would listen to, it was Plagg. So Chat Noir waited somewhat patiently for his competitor to arrive, trying not to count the seconds passing.

When he heard the soft murmurs of voices behind the tent, Chat Noir spun around to watch the door. He couldn't make out what they were saying, could barely hear them, but it was enough to know that she was merely a few steps away.

Chat Noir realised he was about to properly meet Ladybug. His nerves, already wrought with anticipation, tensed.

He was staring as she walked through the tent door, the material held above her as she bowed through. She straightened, looking around the room before her eyes landed on Chat Noir. The canvas door dropped behind her, cutting out the light from outside.

The two stared at each other, unsure of how to proceed., until Ladybug took a step forward, eyes flicking around the tent as she took in her surroundings. Her gaze settled on the table in the centre, and she moved towards it tentatively. She stopped by Chat Noir, keeping her face blank as she took hold of the card and scanned it for anything other than the printed symbols.

"I assume this is for us?" She asked, looking at her silent companion.

Chat Noir nodded. "Yes. I was told to wait for you before opening it."

Ladybug gave him a small smile. "Thank you," she replied. Deciding that informality just didn't suit the situation, she turned to Chat Noir and gave a shallow curtsey.

"I'm Ladybug," she said, and looked up to see Chat Noir smiling. She breathed a sigh of relief that he was willing to at least be civil with her; though she was determined to keep her distance, she felt that there was no reason to start on the wrong foot.

They had forever to get on each other's bad sides, after all.

"I know." He grinned. "I saw your performance the other night. I've never seen anything quite so spectacular." Chat Noir bowed in return, darting his hand out to grab hers and pulling it to his lips. "I'm Chat Noir."

Ladybug let out a small laugh as she moved her hand away. "I know. I saw your performance, too." She smiled. "It was wonderful."

"Thank you very much. I'm glad you enjoyed it," he replied. As he drew himself out of his bow, Chat Noir gestured to the envelope.

"Well, Ladybug, what do you say? Shall we start this ridiculously mysterious competition we've been told so little about?"

She nodded, pointing her chin towards the envelope ash she tugged the rims of her gloves up her arms.

"You've been here longer. It's only fair that you open it."

He raised an eyebrow. "that's very thoughtful of you," Chat Noir said, reaching over to pluck the envelope off the table. Tearing it open with just his index finger, he pulled out a crisp white card. Words were written in a cursive script, matching the sign tied to the gates of the circus.

Chat Noir read the curled letters out to Ladybug:

"Welcome to Le Cirque de la Miraculeuse.

The two of you are about to begin something which you have been preparing for all your lives. Please follow Aurore so that the competition may start.

I look forward to meeting you soon.

Papillion."

Chat Noir finished reading the card, his lip curling slightly as his brow furrowed.

There was a pause.

"Well, that was anti-climactic," Chat Noir stated, flipping the card to check there was no writing on the other side.

"Who's Aurore?" Ladybug asked, frowning at her companion. Chat Noir shrugged in response, squinting as he moved the card closer to his face. Ladybug rolled her eyes and plucked the crisp card out his fingers.

"That can't be it," she murmured, glancing at the words on the card before looking back at her competitor.

"I promise it is." Chat Noir folded his arms as he watched Ladybug frown at the card, amusement pulling his lips into a small smile as she practically pouted. Ladybug tutted, glaring whilst pressing the card between her gloved fingertips.

"Alright then," she said, "We just need to find this Aurore woman-"

"I'm right here."

Both Chat Noir and Ladybug spun at the new voice; they hadn't noticed any light from the door, and Ladybug's eyes narrowed as she took in the woman in front of them.

She was hidden in the shadows, the weak light from the gap in the tent roof just missing her figure. Aurore took a step forward into the light, and Ladybug looked over the newcomer as Chat Noir blinked in confusion.

The purple dress she wore fell just above her ankles, a scandalous piece of attire for anywhere other than the circus. The violet sleeves which puffed by her shoulders seemed to melt into her white gloves, the colour fading into the ice-white of her covered hands.

Her make up matched her outfit, a purple mask painted across her eyes and nose, with pale purple lips to match. Her hair was paper white, streaked with the deep purple of her dress, and rolled down her back in pigtails longer than Ladybug's, sailing into the small of her back.

Ladybug and Chat Noir unconsciously took a step closer to one another, allying themselves against this newcomer. She wore dignity as if it were a dress, emanating a grace which Ladybug had been taught since a young age as if it were as natural as breathing. Aurore placed a violet umbrella in front of her, the tip poking into the floor of the tent, and leant forwards, smiling politely.

"I'm Aurore, curator of Le Cirque de la Miraculeuse's weather and assistant to Papillion. If the two of you would follow me, we can get you started."

She swept out of the tent like a whirlwind; one minute she was in front of the pair of bemused competitors, and the next the tent's door was flapping shut.

Ladybug and Chat Noir looked at each other, matching expressions of confusion on their faces. Chat Noir shrugged, bowing as he extended one hand to the door.

"Ladies first," he said. Ladybug rolled her eyes.

"How chivalrous of you," she replied before walking out of the tent. She looked around to see if Tikki had stayed, but couldn't see her mentor anywhere. The tent door fell back into place behind her, and she began to follow Aurore, who was still visible, though far in front of Ladybug.

She felt Chat Noir's presence as his longer strides caught up to her. He slowed his steps so he was in time with her, but the pair walked in silence as they took in their surroundings, keeping one eye on the woman ahead of them.

When Aurore stopped, it took Ladybug and Chat Noir a good few seconds to catch up. She spun to face them, letting the duo take in what she was standing in front of before speaking.

Two white tents were sitting side by side, slightly away from the main area of the circus. In front of them was another table, an exact replica of the one in the tent. A note was waiting, propped up by a metal stand which had been twisted into the shape of a butterfly at the front, the card elevated between the wings of the insect's metallic form.

Aurore gestured towards the note.

"Your instructions are there. I'll leave you to it."

With that, the woman walked away into the maze of tents. Ladybug's mouth dropped open as Aurore disappeared.

"What is it with all this skulduggery?" she said, exasperated. Chat Noir's eyes widened as she turned to face him, her skirt twisting elegantly in the windless night. He shrugged, raising his palms upwards as he did so.

"I know as much as you do. I think that's the whole point of all the mystery," he said. He scratched the back of his head with one hand as he grinned at Ladybug, who didn't look amused by the comment. "How about we open the envelope and find out? I did the last one, so I guess it's your turn."

Ladybug pushed her mask, which had loosened over the course of the evening, back onto the bridge of her nose. With deft fingers she spun the ribbon holding it in place into a tighter knot, and smiled at Chat Noir.

"Fair is fair, after all," she agreed, picking up the envelope and ripping it open.

A card exactly like the one in the tent was pulled out of the stark white envelope, black ink trailing along in an elegant script.

"They are yours to design. Once you are done, the competition will begin," Ladybug read.

"They don't like going into detail, do they?" Chat Noir said, rolling his eyes as Ladybug placed the card back on the small table. Ladybug didn't respond, instead looking at one of the tents, inspecting it as she would a roll of material.

"I think we make them our own," she said, and turned to Chat Noir with an eager smile. "I think we make them match the circus!"

Chat Noir gave a small smile, tilting his head at Ladybug. "I think that's easier for some people than others," he said, and Ladybug could hear the quiet anxiousness in his words. She moved back to him, placing one hand on his arm. Why she was comforting the man who would soon be her opponent, she didn't know, but she wasn't one to ignore someone's distress.

"I'm sure you'll do fine. Just let the design flow from your mind!"

Chat Noir raised his eyebrows, and Ladybug noticed that his eyes were such a familiar shade of green…

"I guess I don't have a choice but to try," he sighed, and Ladybug wrinkled her nose.

"Well, yes. That too. Let's get on with it, then."

And then she turned, pigtails brushing her shoulders as she focused entirely on the tent in front of her.

Chat Noir watched in awe as the red from Ladybug's dress seeped out into the ground, washing over the grass like a river of blood. It swirled towards the tent, soaking the canvas in its bright hue when it reached the tip. The colour bled upwards, dying the fabric as Ladybug's dress faded into a crystal white. When the top of the tent had become the same shade as the edges of the canvas, Ladybug moved next to it.

Placing one hand on the canvas, the red material paled somewhat as the colour flowed back into her dress. When the tips of her sleeves were no longer white, Ladybug took a step back, observing her work.

It was too plain for the circus; of that she was sure. Ladybug tapped her chin as she thought, before an idea popped into her mind. With a click of her fingers, black dots sprouted on the material, growing in size until they burst from the canvas, black glass spotting the tent. She clicked her fingers, and tiny lights blinked on, creating dark shadows which eclipsed the plain red tent, small black moons on the crimson tent.

She turned to look at Chat Noir, who had used the same technique as Ladybug; pressing one of his gloves on the white material, Ladybug saw the ebony wash into the tent, seeping out of the glove. The tent was dyed in the midnight shades of black, and she nodded in appreciation at Chat Noir when he stepped away, his glove still white.

Chat Noir frowned as he looked at the glove, comparing it to his other one. He let out a sigh.

"I never could get the hang of material manipulation," he said. "Oh, well. I'll have to buy a new pair." Chat Noir let out a huff of disappointment as he observed his tent.

"It's simple, but it does the job. What did you decide to- oh come on!" He said, blinking in admiration as he turned to look at Ladybug's tent. Ladybug let out a small giggle, covering her mouth with her hand.

"So you like it, then?" She asked. Chat let out a laugh.

"I mean, it doesn't exactly fit the colour scheme," Chat replied drily, gesturing to their black and white surroundings. Ladybug shrugged.

"Maybe the circus should consider adding more colours, then," she replied. "We were told to design the tents, and we did. If they wanted them to match, they really should have been more specific."

Chat Noir opened his mouth before shutting it promptly, eyebrows furrowing. "I mean, you're not wrong," he said, folding his arms and tilting his head to observe the bright canvas. "But I'm sure the colour scheme was implied. You have to admit, it stands out a bit."

"Says the man whose tent is entirely black."

"What's wrong with the black?" Chat Noir asked. Ladybug crinkled her nose at him, causing Chat Noir to bite back a chuckle.

"It's so… plain. The rest of the circus has designs, has… something. Your tent sticks out from sheer simplicity!"

Chat Noir raised an eyebrow. "True. But it's still less ostentatious than yours."

Ladybug eyed him, suspicion in her eyes.

"Aren't you meant to be competing against me? Shouldn't you be taking any advantage you can get, considering we don't even know how this thing is judged?" she asked, earning her a shrug from her companion.

"We haven't started the game yet. We may as well begin on an even playing field."

Ladybug gave a "hmmm" of consideration before her lips quirked upwards. She shook her head, and in the blink of an eye the bright material had darkened into a scarlet hue, black bulbs sprouting from the dark spots, illuminating the canvas with black light. Ladybug smirked as she arched her neck, watching him for his reaction to the change. Chat Noir nodded appreciatively.

"You've got skills," he remarked. Ladybug bit back a smile.

"Thank you. So do you, Chat Noir."

He shook his head. "Not like that; your manipulation is incred-"

"Are you quite finished?"

Aurore's voice surprised them both, and they spun to face the woman leaning on her umbrella, one hand raised to her eyes as she inspected her glove for speckles of dirt.

"You tell us," Ladybug said, her words a challenge. Aurore raised an eyebrow before walking over to the newly designed tents.

She surveyed them fully, eyebrows raised as she took in Ladybug's scarlet canvas. Her eyes flicked to Ladybug, who was standing straight as she met Aurore's gaze, almost daring her to comment. Aurore smirked before waving a hand towards the tent.

"Make the bulbs bigger. The red will be acceptable if it is covered more."

Refusing to look away, Ladybug increased the size of the black bulbs scattered across the scarlet by a marginal amount. Chat noir openly gaped at her, looking between the accessories on the tent which she'd manipulated with ease.

A look at the ever-so-slightly adapted tent seemed to be all Aurore needed. She smiled at the two of them, and Chat Noir held back a sigh of relief as she nodded in approval. Her purple dress was darkened by the lights of Ladybug's tent, the shades blurring together as her face was highlighted in the darkness. The purple of her dress blurred as the black light melted the colour until only the very front of it remained the same shade of violet.

The make-up painted elegantly on her face was striking as her lilac lips twisted upwards.

"Now, it's time to start the game. You have your Miraculous?"

Both Chat Noir and Ladybug nodded; Chat raised his hand to show Aurore the ring on his finger, whilst Ladybug tucked the loose strands of hair behind her ears to display her earrings. Aurore gave a slight smile in return before pointing at them with her umbrella.

"Take them off," she said, her voice stone. Ladybug and Chat Noir glanced at each other. Ladybug shrugged, slipping her earrings off carefully whilst Chat tugged off the ring. Aurore motioned for them to come closer, her gloved finger crooking as she smirked.

"Give them to each other, and put them back on the other person," Aurore instructed. "You," she snapped, pointing at Chat with her umbrella, "take the gloves off, too."

Chat Noir complied, frowning as he pulled his black gloves off. The night was cold, and the sharp chill snapped at his bared hands as he shoved the gloves into the pocket which hid in the lining of his jacket.

He turned to Ladybug, who was holding out her earrings towards him, the small red dots bright in her black-gloved hands. Chat dropped his silver ring into her open palm before carefully picking up the earrings and placing them in his own waiting hand. His eyes flicked to Aurore, who pulled her unopened umbrella up over her shoulder, balancing it on her sleeve as she gripped the handle, her other hand on her hip.

"Good. Now, Ladybug – put the ring on him."

Ladybug frowned at the order.

"Why? What will that do?" She asked. Aurore smiled sweetly.

"So many questions for a girl with no choice. Put the ring on him. It's time for the competition to start, Ladybug." There was a threat in her voice, and Ladybug swallowed back a retort. She wanted to protest, to refuse; but Tikki had warned her that once the Miraculous had chosen her, she was bound – to refuse would be to accept defeat, something which Tikki had been so emphatic about avoiding.

So Ladybug took Chat Noir's empty hand which had borne the ring, and slipped it on him. In an instant the silver had darkened, black seeping through the ring as Ladybug's eyes widened in alarm.

Chat Noir yelped, and Ladybug dropped his hand in fear. Green light spread from the ring, covering the ground in an eerie glowas a cat's paw appeared in the centre, four circles over the paw which shone like a beacon. Chat Noir looked at it, the green of his eyes brightened by the glow, and turned to face Aurore. Fear and concern lined his face as Ladybug watched the light spread into the horizon.

"What was that?" Chat Noir hissed, rubbing the finger where the ring sat. Aurore raised an eyebrow before looking at Ladybug.

"Your turn," she said, motioning for Chat Noir to return the gesture. He glanced at Ladybug, his mask unable to hide the frown forming on his brow. He looked as if he were about to protest when Aurore lifted her umbrella, and lightning crashed into it, colouring the monochrome circus in dazzling light for a split second. Aurore smiled all the while, her gaze never wandering from Chat Noir's. His face seemed to tighten as he gripped the earrings in a fist, ignoring the pricks of their stems on his skin.

Chat Noir looked back at Ladybug, who was still staring at the green light as if she could force it back into the ring with her glare alone. He placed one hand on her shoulder, causing her to look up at him. Her fists were clenched as she nodded once to indicate her consent, tilting one of her ears towards him. Chat Noir brushed back a strand of hair which had fallen back over her ear.

"It… it hurts, there's this shooting pain, but it won't last long. I'm sorry."

Ladybug gave him a small smile of reassurance. "It isn't your fault."

He took a deep breath, and carefully slid one of the red spots through her ear, pinning the back of it delicately. He met her eyes, gauging them for any pain, and she blinked.

"It doesn't hurt at all," she whispered, and Chat's eyebrows rose up as he gave her a half smile.

"Lucky for some," he said drily, pushing the other earring through more confidently. Everything seemed to be going fine, until he pressed the back of the earring on.

It was like a fire spread through the circus; a heat seemed to snake across the grounds, red light curling over the tents as Ladybug bit back a scream. Her ears were burning, silver pain streaking through them as Chat Noir pinned the second one. He stepped back abruptly, looking at her with concern as a whimper escaped her.

"Are you alright?" he asked, and Ladybug nodded. The warmth of the magic dissipated in an instant, leaving the cool air of Autumn to brush over the circus once more.

"Yes," she replied, her voice shaky. "I'm - that hurt," she said, glaring at Aurore. The other woman merely shrugged.

"Congratulations," Aurore said, "you've now begun the game." Her stoic face slid into a grin. "I look forward to watching you compete. You may go find your mentors to say goodbye before we leave."

With that, Aurore walked away, leaving two shaken figures in the beginning of a new life neither understood.

"What just happened?" Chat Noir asked, scratching the back of his head as he watched Aurore disappear through the tents. Ladybug gingerly touched her earrings, a slight burning still coursing through them.

"I think… I think we were just bound to the game," she replied, looking at the black ring which shone in the midnight. "Do I have anything on my earrings?"

Chat Noir leaned down to observe her as she turned her head, arching it so her earrings were visible to him.

"Yes – there are five black spots, four on the edge of the earrings and one in the centre." He straightened up, and let out a soft laugh. "Looks like our stage names were chosen for a reason."

Ladybug smoothed the front of her skirt before gesturing at Chat Noir's outfit.

"Apparently so. No wonder your outfit is so well thought out."

Chat Noir tilted his head to the side, folding his arms as his eyes narrowed.

"And what does that mean?"

Ladybug giggled, pointing to the cat ears in his hair. "It's not a bad thing, it's just that you're very in character. You have a tail, for goodness sakes!"

Chat Noir grabbed said tail, spinning it in a circle as he waggled his eyebrows at Ladybug.

"Well, of course. There's no point in it if you don't dedicate yourself, is there?" He winked. Ladybug shook her head, taking a step back from him. She silently berated herself; it was too easy to be casual with him, and one of the few pieces of advice she had been given for this competition was to stay away. She straightened her posture, and her face became a mask of cool indifference, one which she'd learned from observing Tikki with particularly rude customers.

Chat Noir noticed the change in her demeanour instantly. His eyes glanced over her new formality, and he raised an eyebrow as he felt her trying to build a silent wall between them.

"Have you been told to keep your distance, too?" Chat asked. Ladybug's determination fell away, and she nodded in response.

"Yes. It's all been a bit cloak and dagger, hasn't it? I mean, it's just a competition. One of us wins, one doesn't. I still don't understand what's going on, or why this whole thing is so… clandestine," Ladybug said, brushing her bangs out of her face as her shoulders sagged.

"Me neither. It seems a shame to be at odds when you seem so charming," Chat Noir grinned, and Ladybug raised an eyebrow.

"Sadly, that is the nature of competition," she replied, tugging the edges of her gloves which had begun to wrinkle, sliding down her arms throughout the night.

"Pity," Chat Noir murmured, and Ladybug's eyes shot up. He smiled at her, hands falling onto his hips as he looked around their surroundings. "Still," he continued, "I see no reason for us not to be at least civil to one another, even if we must 'keep our distance' – after all, we'll be side by side for the foreseeable future." Chat tilted his head towards the newly designed tents, and Ladybug followed his gaze, fighting back a small smile.

"Well, you do make a very good point," she mused, one finger lifting to her chin. "Distance doesn't mean being ill-acquainted."

Chat's grin grew even wider, and he stooped into a low bow.

"In that case, it would be my pleasure to escort you back to our mentors, if my Lady wishes." Chat Noir winked at Ladybug, who covered her mouth with her hand as she let out a soft giggle.

"'My Lady?' That doesn't sound particularly distant," she smirked, her pigtails bouncing as she shook her head. Chat Noir shrugged, still tilted in a bow.

"I never said I was going to be good at keeping my distance," he said, looking into Ladybug's sky blue eyes, which seemed to sparkle even in the dullness of the clouded night.

"Well, I'll make sure to keep mine then." There was no venom in her words, but Chat Noir could tell she wasn't quite joking. He straightened up, offering her his arm.

"Whatever you wish. But we still have to find our mentors, and I have a feeling they'll be together. So we may as well be, too."

Ladybug let out a huff of amusement, taking the proffered arm. Chat Noir's jacket was a simple design, elegant in its lack of adornments, and Ladybug admired the beautiful simplicity of it. Linking her elbow with his, the pair began to walk through the circus, taking in the variety of tents. Ladybug was sure that Chat Noir had also been here before, but there was something different about the circus when it was empty. The magic of it was different, less condensed.

There was still magic, even without performers; somehow the tents seemed alive, their canvases each a piece of art in its own right. The twisting, delicate patterns on each one were more intricate than Ladybug could take in with a glimpse, and part of her was thrilled that she would be able to view them all at a more leisurely pace another day.

She tried to focus on that, rather than the burning in her earlobes.

As they turned the corner of a tent, looking out for their mentors, Ladybug tried to break the silence. It wasn't awkward by any means – and that was the problem. She felt strangely comfortable with this man she'd known for such a brief period of time, and Ladybug knew that falling into the sensation of comfort would mean that distance would become impossible. And although she was questioning Tikki's instructions, she didn't want to go against one of the few things she'd been told about this mysterious competition quite so quickly.

"I doubt our mentors will be too happy to see us like this," she said casually, keeping her eyes on where they were walking.

"Mine certainly won't be," Chat replied. "Although he's softer than he appears; I doubt he'll start screaming at us immediately."

"I met him after my performance. He seems nice," Ladybug said.

"Sadly, I didn't have the pleasure of meeting your mistress after my show, my Lady."

A sly grin curled on Ladybug's lips as her eyes glanced to Chat.

"No, you did not," she replied. "You'll just have to wait a little bit longer."

"I can hardly contain my excitement."

Ladybug wasn't sure if he was joking, but she let out a huff of amusement at his dry tone nonetheless. They wove through the tents in an amicable silence, halting now and again when they realised they had passed a tent before. Unlike their mentors, they weren't as sure of their way around Le Cirque de la Miraculeuse, and it took them a few attempts to find the right path.

Ladybug realised it first. She saw two figures, one familiar, one less so, waiting by the tent they'd vacated earlier. She smiled when she saw Tikki and Plagg, and nudged her companion, who was looking up at the clouds which slipped over the circus like a dream.

"Look, there they are. Tikki!" Ladybug called, a gloved hand raised in greeting as she spotted the duo by one of the tents. She released Chat Noir's arm and began to walk a step faster, moving across the ground as gracefully as if she were floating.

Chat Noir saw the woman standing next to Plagg, and froze.

Oh no.

His eyes snapped from Tikki to Ladybug, who was now walking in front of him, her pigtails brushing against her shoulders with every step - those very familiar pigtails which he'd only ever seen one other girl in Paris wear, in a tiny shop he had never been meant to go in…

And suddenly Chat Noir understood exactly why Plagg had told him to shop exclusively at Chloé Bourgeois' boutique.

Chat Noir hadn't believed his mentor when Plagg had told him that bad luck would be entwined with his life when the Miraculous had chosen him. He was much more amicable to the idea now.

A chorus of oh no oh no oh no oh no rang through his mind as he saw Ladybug – no, Marinette, it had to be – curtsey to Plagg before Tikki placed a hand on the girl's shoulder. Words that Chat couldn't hear through the buzzing realisations flying through his mind were exchanged

"Plagg, why is your apprentice looking at me like he's seen a ghost?" Tikki asked, raising an eyebrow at the boy in question. Plagg looked over at Chat, concern lining his face. He shrugged, creating a façade of nonchalance which nobody quite believed.

"No idea."

Walking towards Chat Noir with a swift stride, Plagg slid an arm around him to turn him away from the two women watching them in confusion.

"What's wrong?" Plagg murmured, apprehension in his eyes. "And don't say 'nothing', the last time you looked this shocked was when Nathalie revealed that Papa Noël isn't real."

Chat Noir shook his head, trying to look anywhere but the people around him; because if he was right, and he was almost certain that he was, then the decade of warnings – don't get too close, Adrien, in this competition it's every man for himself – was about to become irrelevant.

"Adrien?" Plagg whispered, worry lacing his voice

"I'm sorry," Chat Noir said, his eyes wide as he looked at his mentor. "I'm so sorry."

"Why? Adrien, talk to me," Plagg urged.

Chat Noir let out a dry laugh, one hand moving to run through his hair as he shook his head. He looked to the ground, squeezing his eyes shut, as if that could make everything better.

"I've made a mistake, Plagg. I – I'm sorry."

He met Plagg's gaze briefly before looking over to Ladybug – Marinette. He was far enough away that he couldn't see the blue eyes under her sparkling mask, but he could tell that she was watching him.

Before Plagg could protest, Chat Noir took off his mask.
**

The world seemed to stop. The background noise from Paris itself, a mixture of rainfall and life ebbing into the surroundings of the circus, ceased to exist to Marinette. Because Adrien Agreste was standing in front of her, and she was hit with the realisation that he was her competition.

She had fallen for someone she wasn't meant to have met, someone she had been told in no uncertain terms to stay away from.

Before anyone could speak, could blink, Tikki was striding over to the two men, flaming hair trailing behind her as she swiftly moved towards them.

"What is this?" Tikki hissed, her elegant face twisting into a look of pure anger. "What the hell do you think you're playing at, Plagg? They weren't supposed to meet!"

Adrien gulped, eyes widening as his suspicions were confirmed.

Plagg's hands shot up in defence as he stepped in front of Adrien, creating a barrier between him and Tikki.

"I have about as much idea of what's going on as you do, Tikki. In fact, by the looks of it you know more than I do, so could one of you please explain how you know Adrien when he was emphatically told not to go anywhere near your shop?" Plagg said defensively, turning his head to look at the boy in question.

Adrien blinked as everyone's attention focused on him, one of his hands squeezing his forearm nervously.

"Well," he began, "funny story, that…"