"Hanging out with your parents today was a great idea, Bugaboo!" Chat commented as he and Ladybug flew over the Paris rooftops on patrol. "Who knew your dad had a thing for puns! I think we're a purrfectmatch." Ladybug threw him an irritated smile. "I'm yeastkidding!"

The duo continued to fly across Paris until they reached the Eiffel Tower. There, they stood and looked out over the city; the City of Lights lived up to its name, twinkling in the night. Chat Noir hugged Ladybug from behind.

"I'm glad you're my partner, Marinette." He whispered. "I wouldn't want to share this with anyone else."

Ladybug turned to face him, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Ditto. Just remember what I told you about calling me 'Marinette' on patrol."

"Yes mam."

Just as the two were about to kiss, Ladybug's yoyo began buzzing. They pulled apart, groaning. Then, they looked at the yoyo. Who else had the number to Ladybug's magical object?

"Hello?" she asked tentatively. Her eyes went wide. "Master Fu? Wha- Right now?" Chat raised his eyebrows quizzically. Ladybug shrugged, still in the dark herself. "Yes. We're just at the Tower. We'll be there soon."

"What's all the commotion? Master Fu's never called us like this before."

"I don't know. He just said to meet him at his dojo. It was urgent."

Chat Noir smiled and grabbed her hand. "Well then, there's no time to waste!" He cat-a-pulted off the Eiffel Tower towards the next line of rooftops, Ladybug following closely behind."

xXx

I hope everything's okay with Master Fu. It's rare for Hawkmoth to akumatize someone this late… Ladybug's thoughts ran rampant as she and Chat landed on the roof of Master Fu's Chinese Medicine practice. They entered through the skylight, as they normally did when they met with the master.

They found him sitting on the floor of the main room, facing away from the door toward the shadows.

"Master Fu? Are you alright?" Ladybug felt like something was off.

"Reveal yourself." At first, the heroes believed he was speaking to them. Then, a figure emerged from the shadows. A very familiar figure…

"VOLPINA!" Ladybug gasped. She and Chat Noir immediately assumed defensive positions in front of Master Fu, ready to protect him.

"Lila! What are you doing here?" Chat growled. "How did you become akumatized again?" He lowered his baton slightly. "Did Hawkmoth upgrade your costume?" Ladybug nudged him in the ribs.

"Focus Chat!"

"Lila? Nonono! It's not what you think!" The girl shook her hands vigorously. "I'm not an akuma victim! I was given the REAL fox necklace. Ask him!" She pointed to the man behind them. The two glanced at Master Fu, but the looks on their faces remained doubtful.

"They will never believe you, my dear, unless you show them who you really are." Master Fu stroked his chin calmly.

The woman looked concerned. "I thought a hero never Reveals their identity? That's why Chat Noir and Ladybug still don't know who each other are, right?" The two heroes glanced at one another, a guilty look creeping up their faces. "And why would they trust me after knowing who I am?"

Master Fu shut his eyes. "All will be revealed in time." The figure nodded and took a deep breath. "Trixx, Detransform." A bright light began at her feet, working its way up her body. Both heroes gasped aloud. Ladybug's voice was barely above a whisper.

"Alya?"

xXx

"Alya? Why do you have a Miraculous?" Chat Noir had a better grasp on his words at the moment as compared to Ladybug. No sound came from her as she stared at her best friend. "Master, no offense to Alya, but why have you given her a Miraculous?"

"Very similar to the reasons I gave you your Miraculous, Adrien." All eyes snapped to the boy.

"ADRIEN?" Alya almost couldn't breathe. Her gaze turned to the spotted heroine. "If Chat Noir is Adrien, then that means…"

Ladybug sighed. "Tikki, Spots Off."

"Ladybug…" Chat hissed; glitter and light swirled around his girlfriend.

"It doesn't matter anymore, Adrien." Marinette grumbled as Tikki shot into her purse to search for a cookie; and to escape the drama about to unfold. Chat glared at Master Fu for a moment before releasing his own transformation.

Alya backed away, her eyes wide. "I knew it…" Her voice barely above a whisper. Marinette moved towards her best friend, trying to explain.

"Later Marinette. I have brought you all here for a purpose." Master Fu moved to the phonograph and entered the code. The three teens stood nearby, Alya keeping her distance from the couple. The device opened to reveal the Miracle Box. The top most level contained divided sections for seven Miraculouses: the Cat, the Ladybug, the Turtle, the Fox, the Bee, the Butterfly, and the Peacock. All of them were now empty. He stroked the side of the box.

"It has been quiet as of late. Hawkmoth has akumatized fewer victims, crime is down, and Paris is at peace. We have let our guard down, my children. Your kwamis may not have mentioned it, but they feel restless. They feel something… big…looming on the horizon, biding time.

"I believe a malevolent spirit has taken possession of Dessu's Peacock Miraculous and that he or she is now in league with Hawkmoth." Gasps and stifled cries echoed off the wood paneling. "His desire for the wish granted by the combined powers of the Cat ring and Ladybug earrings could spell disaster for Paris, the world even. This cannot happen." Master Fu glided purposefully to the center of the room and sat on the padded platform. He gestured that the others should join him.

"I have recruited new allies to assist you with this new evil. One is Alya Césaire, the new holder of Trixx and her Fox Miraculous. The other, the holder of Pollen and her Bee Miraculous, has been summoned; however, she needs to be trained. Pollen will see to it that she becomes a true hero, like the rest of you. Once she is ready, she will make herself known to you. Do not push her before then." A kind mist clouded the master's eyes. "You may see her out and about in the city. If the need arises, you may help her; but this is a journey that she needs to undertake. Let her take it in her own time."

Master Fu stood and motioned to the door. "It is late. You should all be getting home. Or at least talk of what has transpired here tonight." He turned, clearly dismissing the team. No one spoke as they crossed the threshold. Only Adrien turned back as he shut the door softly.

What have we done?

I'll say that this chapter has evolved the most since this story's initial conception more than a year ago.

From here on out, I don't know where this tale will lead. Let's find out together, shall we? :)

Til next time, STAY CREATIVE!