My parents looked devastated as I sulked into my kitchen. I was too distracted from what happened earlier to give them much attention.

My mother looked up from the vegetables she was chopping, "Marinette what happened to your hair?" she gasped.

"I dyed it." I mumbled.

My dad looked me up and down, "You could have at least told us something. Hey, what happened Marinette?"

I began to fume, "You want to know what happened? I was supposed to go to Heise Xiehu today with Adrian Agreste but he stood me up! You two have heard how much I've been waiting for a moment like this and it's like he doesn't even care!"

"Heise Xiehu…" My dad repeated, looking over into the other room towards the television, "Is that where…?"

"Yes, an akuma attacked." I said, anticipating my father's next words, "But what does it matter? Everyone knows that Ladybug will show up and take care of everything." I simmered.

My mother opened her arms wide to hug me, "Thank heavens you are alright! If anything happened, I don't know what I'd do."

I pulled away from my mom, "Are you even listening to me? Ladybug made sure everyone was alright. Like she always does. Everyone knew things were going to be fine but Adrian left me there at the restaurant! Tonight must have not been a high priority for him."

"Marinette, you can't act so carelessly." My mom warned, "Akumas are extremely dangerous. Ladybug does the best she can, but please don't worry me by acting as if nothing happened, you could have been hurt!"

The irony of the moment was rich. How could my parents possibly understand how I see the world when they only saw half of the picture? My mom wanted me to stay out of harm's way when I threw myself into danger on a daily basis. Still, it irked me that they wouldn't take my side on an issue I was so emotional over.

"Try not to get too worked up over Adrian. I am sure after a conversation you two will go right where you left things off." My mother offered.

I boiled over, "So it's fine then, right!? That he decided not to show up all because one little pink-haired akuma started walking around shorter than five minutes!?" I made a fist with my hand and hit the table, "It's his fault! How can you not see that!?"

"That's enough." My dad said raising his voice, "Marinette, I don't know what's going on but I don't like it. Your mother and I don't need to know where you are at all times, but sending us a text or two wouldn't hurt. You dyed your hair without even telling us…" my dad let out an exasperated sigh, "I think you should stay here at home for a while."

"What is that supposed to mean?" I asked with more attitude than I should have.

"It means you're grounded for a week." My father said definitively.

My fury sprang to life, I feel like I was ready to scream at the top of my lungs, but instead I only cracked a smirk, "Sure thing dad." I said coldly.

My parents were as surprised at my reaction as I was. Without any other words exchanging between us, I walked up the steps towards my room. I closed the door behind me and collapsed on my bed.

Nevie flew out of my pocket, "A spectacular job with the akuma today Ladybug."

"Are you kidding?" I murmured through my pillow, "I got myself and Chat hurt."

"It took a while to get her figured out." Nevie admitted, "But you remained focused while she did not, that's what separates you from all the other heroes I have seen. You understand that nothing else is more important than stopping Hawkmoth. I can see you're still upset about Adrian but consider how many people could have been hurt without your decisiveness to take care of the situation yourself in such an efficient manner."

I rolled over on my back. I faced my ceiling and spoke openly with Nevie, "I have to admit something to you. Back down there? At the kitchen? It wasn't really Adrian I was mad at. You have to understand I've been obsessed with Adrian for an entire year, and yet when we went out, I didn't feel a thing." I let out a deep sigh, "It was the same during the race, I didn't feel anything towards him. How could that possibly happen? This is Adrian Agreste after all."

I leaned on my side to view a headshot picture of Adrian posted on my wall, "I am supposed to be in love with him, but recently I can't feel anything when I look at him…" I bit my tongue in contemplation of what I was about to ask next. "Nevie, are you doing anything to my mood?"

"Why of course I am dear." Nevie said sweetly, "I am trying to cheer you up! You're a hero Ladybug, you deserve to feel like one!"

"It's going to be hard to be a hero when I am grounded in my room." I said flatly.

"Well, that akuma you fought was certainly powerful. It'll probably be a little while before Hawkmoth chooses to attack again. Even if he does, you could probably slip outside your window and be back before anyone even notices." Nevie hypothesized.

"Yeah, you're probably right." I said conceding.

Nevie patted my forehead, "Now get some rest dear, you have certainly earned it."

I closed my eyes and let my body sink into the mattress below me. I began to drift off and doubts climbed into my mind. I shouldn't have told Adrian to wait for me. If he had gotten hurt from Speed Star, I would never forgive myself, yet I was so insistent. I was selfish. My shoulders relaxed as my irritation towards Adrian began to fade. I made a silent promise to myself to apologize to him as soon as I saw him again.

I woke up to see that most of my sheets had ended up on the floor. I had tossed and turned all night but I still felt well rested. I began getting dressed to start my first day of being grounded.

I sat in my desk chair and stared into a black computer screen. Before I had the chance to even turn it on, there was a ring at the door. My head swiveled around to see that it was five in the morning.

There was only one person who would come to my house at five AM.

I ran to the front door, relieved that the ringing didn't wake my parents. I turned the door knob to reveal the wrinkled face of Master Fu standing on my doorstep.

"Good morning Marinette, we have a lot to discuss." He hummed.

I stepped outside and quickly closed the door behind me. I spoke in a hushed voice, "Master Fu!? Do you have any idea what time it is? If my parents saw you, it's not like I can just roll my eyes and say you're the Guardian of the Miraculouses."

"I understand Marinette, but I thought you wanted to say hello as soon as possible."

Master Fu did not move a muscle, after she was prompted, Tikki flew out from behind Master Fu, "Marinette! I missed you so much!" Tikki flew towards me to hug me in her tiny red and black arms, "Hey, what happened to your hair?" she asked in her high pitch voice.

My eyes lit up in Tikki's embrace, "I've missed you too." I said, shaken.

"I wanted to ask about your new look too." Master Fu said tensely, "Marinette, where is the kwami of envy?"

I pulled away from Tikki and turned to face Master Fu, "Kwami of envy? I am not sure if I know one." I said dumbfounded.

"The black ladybug." Master Fu's eyes narrowed as he watched the subtleties of my reaction, "The kwami of envy takes on a familiar form and uses its power to take away the magic of all those around her. Do you know where she is Marinette?"

My heart rate quickened. Nevie wasn't the kwami of inspiration, she blatantly lied to me, not only about her powers but also her identity. I could feel her shifting in my pocket. There was a chance that she was getting ready to run away. I looked up to Master Fu. If I revealed Nevie to him, it would be goodbye. I believed what Master Fu was saying, but was he aware that Nevie could stop three villains in a week? I wasn't comfortable with the idea of giving up the only one I could depend on for the last week without consoling with her first.

"She comes and goes." I finally said, "I don't know where she is, but she always shows up when there is an akuma attack."

Master Fu peered at me, "Do you have any idea where she may be?"

"I don't." I lied, "I am sorry Master Fu."

"The jealous are troublesome to others, but a torment to themselves Marinette." Master Fu spoke as if he were reading a poem, "She is duplicitous in the way she works."

I started to feel annoyed. Master Fu had faith in Chat Noir to protect Paris by himself but couldn't trust me to handle Nevie. "I am sure it won't be an issue." I asserted, "Aren't you going to tell me where you were though Master Fu? It's been an entire week and Chat nor I have heard anything from you, what if something happened?"

"Marinette!" Tikki interrupted, "Master Fu did the best he could!"

Master Fu did not flinch from my direct question, "Do not anxiously hope for what is not yet to come; do not vainly regret what is already past Marinette. Tikki wasn't just sick, she was attacked and the only way I could properly heal her is to visit Mount Wutai."

"Attacked? Attacked by who?" I wondered.

"I think you and I both know the answer to that Marinette." Fu said calmly. "I also came to let you know that I talked to Chat Noir before coming here. He'd also like to speak with you."

I began to build up a wall of excuses, "He's probably mad at me, right? Well I told Queen Bee to take care of him! And its own fault he fell off that roof, he was being careless! I was also very busy yesterday so-!"

Master Fu raised a hand and I stopped my ranting, "Chat Noir didn't sound troubled in the slightest. I believe he wanted to check up on you actually."

Tikki raised one of her eyebrows at me. Maybe I didn't need to do any explaining to Chat Noir, but Tikki seemed very skeptical that I was the same person I was before she left.

"I'll go see him soon then." I replied.

"Take care of yourself Marinette." Master Fu said sincerely, "And make sure you do not speak to the kwami of envy again. If you see her, come see me."

I nodded, "You got it Master Fu."

The master bowed his head and began to walk back towards the street. I re-entered my home and scurried into my room. I slammed the door behind me and locked it behind me. I moved over to my windows to close my blinds as well. Tikki noticed my peculiar behavior.

"Marinette? What are you doing?"

"I am sorry Tikki, this isn't a proper reunion for you and I but I have things I need to figure out." I reached into my pocket and grabbed Nevie out.

Tikki gasped, "Marinette! It's the black ladybug! We must go find Master Fu right now! He couldn't have gotten far!"

Nevie couldn't keep up her proper etiquette with this much pressure on her, "Please, Ladybug! It's not as you think!"

"You lied to me Nevie." I said coldly. "I wanted to trust you too."

"What are you doing Marinette!?" squeaked Tikki, "She's evil, we have to get rid of her!"

Nevie's voice was shaky, "All that I've done… I've done it for you Ladybug! If I told you that I was the kwami of envy you wouldn't have used me and three villains would be running rampant across the city! I had to do anything I could to change your mind. The old man from before only knows me from what he's read in books, you're the only one who knows the real me!"

I pinched the bridge of my nose. The rational part of my mind agreed with Tikki, I always had a feeling that Nevie was trouble and hearing Master Fu talk so strongly against her only validated that perspective. There was a contrary doubt gnawing at me in the corner of my mind. If Nevie was truly the things that Master Fu that she was, she had many opportunities to betray me but she never did. Nevie was a shady character, she peeked under my mask without my knowledge after all, but the Nevie I came to know over the last week didn't match up with how Master Fu described her.

"So, you're the kwami of envy, what does that mean exactly? You stole Tikki's look?"

Nevie began to explain, "I just wished I was like you Ladybug, I wanted to help you, envy is the same thing as inspiration really…"

"It isn't the same at all!" Tikki burst out, "You were the one that attacked me and now you're here trying to replace me!"

It was a big accusation, but Tikki could be right. I realized that it was worthwhile to test Tikki's hypothesis.

"Tikki is right." I turned on the black ladybug, "You were the one who hurt her. Why did you do it? Did you do it to take Tikki's place like she said?"

Nevie clasped her hands together, "I did no such thing my dear, you have to believe me!"

"How could I possibly believe you Nevie? You lied to me every chance you got. Why don't you just admit it already?"

"Please Ladybug, I am telling you the truth!"

My interrogation raged on for another several minutes, but Nevie refused to crack. Tikki became sick at the exact same time that Nevie showed up, but a correlation does not equal causation. I had pressed Nevie hard and she showed me that she was innocent.

"Alright. I believe you." I finally caved.

Tikki fell into a panic, "Wait Ladybug, how can you say that? Master Fu told you that you can't trust her! She's dangerous!"

"It's alright Tikki, you've missed out on a lot." I said, sitting down on my bed, "Nevie has helped me out with a lot lately. I just can't believe that she's some wicked villain on the inside."

"Thank you, Ladybug." Nevie chirped.

"Marinette! I can't believe this! What happened to you? You've never doubted Master Fu before!" Tikki exclaimed.

"I guess I started back when he left Paris without telling anyone. Tikki, you wouldn't be able to imagine what would have happened if I didn't have Nevie to let me transform. Master Fu would have come back to a Paris rampant with supervillains. I really think Nevie just wants to help."

"That makes sense and all but, Marinette something is so obviously wrong here! You have to at least realize that much!" Tikki pleaded.

She's selfish.

I didn't know how could I make Tikki understand how I felt. No one had even tried to get to know Nevie until she came to me. Even if she had a troubled history, she could defeat akumas better than any other kwami. Was allowing her to help truly a bad thing?

I wanted to diffuse the arguments. "Tikki, please don't be angry. Spend some more time around Nevie and I am sure she'll show you what she's truly like."

"No." Tikki defiantly stated, "Marinette, Master Fu was the one who chose you to become a superhero in the first place. How can you trust Nevie's word over his?" Tikki ducked her head under the window blinds, "If you won't stop Nevie, I'll find someone who will." She threatened.

"That's enough Tikki, please, why don't you just give her-?"

Tikki had already flew out the window. It was dangerous for her to fly around on her own and risk exposing the existence of kwamis to the rest of the world.

"Ladybug?" Nevie asked from behind me, "Are you alright Ladybug? I am so sorry I have caused you so much trouble…"

"It's fine Nevie." I said simply, "If Tikki doesn't have enough faith in me to make my own choices then that's fine. We've been doing a great job fighting supervillains on our own. We can wait a little longer until Tikki changes her mind."

"I promise I will do my best to keep Paris safe."

I smiled, "I know you will Nevie. Now what do you say we suit up? Master Fu said that Chat Noir wanted to talk about something."

"It would be my pleasure Ladybug." Underneath her words, Nevie spoke with a subtle trace of triumph.