Adrien had gotten off lucky.

By the time his father found out what happened, he had been able to get most of his wounds cleaned up, so he didn't look as bad as he had when he first stumbled into the bakery.

Of course he was still pretty banged up, the bruises and cuts on his face were easily noticeable. So when Gabriel walked in, it was only the presence of Tom, Sabine, and Nathalie that kept him from tearing his son a new one, instead he had to take a deep breath and listen to his sons side of what happened, once he had done that, he was still angry, but not at Adrien…

…he was angry at the boys who goaded him into fighting.

'what kind of immature, self-entitled little brats use an innocent girl as a way to start a fight." He growled, "If I find out who they are-"

"you won't do anything sir," Nathalie said, "it seems Adrien did enough already."

"Yeah," Nathanael said from his spot on the couch, slowly sitting up as Lila walked in with a cup of water and some pain relievers, "sent the one that started it running with his tail between his legs."

Gabriel glared at Nathanael, then turned to Adrien, "I hope you understand that this means you won't be able to model for a week at least, which means you won't have a paycheck for that long."

"I know…" Adrien mumbled.

"now come, let's get home." Gabriel said, turning around, "thank you for accompanying me to dinner tonight Monsieur Dupain and madam Cheng, I hope we can do it again."

'just give us the date." Sabine said with a smile. Looking at Marinette as she walked over to Adrien and gave him a hug.

"See you in school tomorrow." Marinette said softly, 'no more fights.'

"No promises." Adrien said, hesitantly kissing her on the top of her head before following his father out the door.

"We better go too," Lila said, helping Nathanael up.

"Do you two need a ride?" Tom asked.

Nathanael shook his head, "I live close by and Lila said she'd get her sister to pick her up there."

"alright, but you two stay safe." Tom said, giving Nathanael a pat on the back and almost making him collapse.

"yes sir.' Nathanael wheezed as he and Lila walked down the stairs.

"thanks for your help Lila," Marinette called, "See you tomorrow!"

"see ya Marinette." Lila said with a small smile as she and Nathanael walked out the front door.

Sabine let out a sigh as she looked at her daughter, "how are you feeling Marinette?"

"tired," Marinette said, sitting back down, "today has been…a whirlwind of emotions."

"why don't you go upstairs and sleep," She said with a smile. 'get some rest before it's too late."

Marinette nodded, "night Maman," she said, giving her mother a hug, "night papa, she said, hesitantly walking up to her father.

Tom smiled and ruffled her hair, "goodnight Marinette." He said, kissing her forehead.

Marinette smiled and walked up the stairs, closing her door shut behind her.

"looks like you're doing better." Sabine hummed, walking up to Tom.

"it's still a little awkward." He admitted, wrapping his arms around his wife, 'but I'll get used to it."

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The next day was the most uncomfortable day in Adrien's life.

Word had gotten around about what had happened at the park, and now half the school stared at him in awe as he walked to class, guys would stop him in the hall and congratulate him not only on winning the fight, but 'bagging the bakers daughter."

"Dude, I ain't gonna lie," one guy said, "I been tryin' to take her on a date for like…two years, but she always turned me down, now I guess I know she's with one cool dude."

"Uh…thanks." Adrien said awkwardly as he walked away from the guy, "Sheesh, why do so many people care about the fight?"

"because Jaune was a dick," Nino said, walking next to Adrien with a large grin on his face, "and you took him down!"

"it was a fluke, if you and Nathanael hadn't been there-"

"then you would've whooped all three of them!" Nino said, "just bask in the glory bro, you're like the coolest guy in school! With me right next to ya."

Adrien rolled his eyes but smiled, "I don't care about all that man, I'm just glad I only got away with a stern reprimand and my curfew time being moved to eight."

"that's all you got!" Nino asked in outrage, "I got grounded for three weeks! One for each of the guys we fought! And I got my computer taken away!"

"sounds rough," Adrien said, patting his arm as Nino deflated.

"life just isn't fair is it?"

"Nope," Alya said, appearing by Nino's side and throwing an arm around him in an attempt to comfort him, "but look at the bright side, at least you won the fight."

"you're mocking me, aren't you?"

"little bit."

Adrien laughed as they walked into the classroom.

"look who it is, the great heroes." Kim called as they went to their desks.

"you guys heard about it too?" Adrien groaned.

"duh," Alix said, leaning back in her chair, "Ivan and Mylene caught us up to speed, nice fighting their lover boy."

Adrien felt his ears burn as he looked back at Nathanael, who had just walked in.

"another hero joins our presence!" Kim cried dramatically.

"The vanquisher of evil," Alix said, pretending to faint against Kim before both burst out laughing.

"I fought one guy and almost got my ass kicked," Nathanael said, sitting down and pulling out his sketch book, "what a hero."

"that's not how I remember it, I remember you sucker punching one guy, then getting jumped from behind by another and still managing to fight." Ivan said.

"From what I remember, I was just trying not to get more jacked up then I already was." Nathanael said dryly.

"whatever man, point is, you jumped into a fight to help the model and the DJ, respect man." Kim said, holding his hand up for a high five, Nathanael looked at him for a couple of seconds, before reaching up and high fiving him.

"yeah!" Kim exclaimed, pumping his fist in the air, "God I'm so excited now! Nathanael's all grown up!"

"Kim shut up and sit down!" Alix snapped, "sheesh, you're acting like a kid."

"whatever, you're acting like a kid.'

Nathanael rolled his eyes looking at Adrien, "You feeling alright today Adrien?" he asked.

"sore and tired." Adrien said, "and yourself?"

'just about the same." Nathanael said, starting to sketch, "where's Marinette?"

"she's taking a mental health day." Alya said, "her mother said that yesterday was a pretty hectic day for her."

Adrien looked down, feeling guilty, "and I just added to the pile didn't I?"

Alya patted his shoulder, "she was having a lot of emotional crap going on before you got your pretty face kicked in."

"yeah, pregnancy does not help with emotions." Kim said, then covered his mouth while Alix glared at him.

"I told you that was a secret!" she hissed, punching his arm.

"you told Kim!" Alya exclaimed, "of all people you could tell, you told Kim!"

"he said he could keep a secret!" Alix snapped, "obviously not."

"come on! I thought most everyone knew Marinette was pregnant."

"Marinette's Pregnant?" Max asked walking in, Ivan groaned and slapped his forehead.

"good job Kim." Alix grumbled.

"hey, we were all gonna find out sooner or later." Kim grumbled, "and Yes Max, Marinette's pregnant, you're going to be an uncle…I'm gonna be an uncle!" Kim jumped up, "guy's! I'm gonna be an uncle!"

"no, you're going to be an annoying friend that Marinette tries to keep away from her child." Alix said, flicking his forehead.'

"oh screw you, Marinette loves me." Kim said smugly, groaning when Alix hit him in the stomach.

"she'd love you more if you could keep a secret!" Alix snapped.

"what secret?" Chloe asked, walking in, instantly everyone went quiet, Chloe narrowed her eyes and looked around, "what's going on?"

"mind your business," Alya said pointedly, narrowing her eyes, "or did you forget what we talked about yesterday?"

Chloe narrowed her eyes at Alya and walked to her seat, sitting down with a huff.

Lila walked in right after, looking around the room, "why's everyone so tense?" he asked, walking towards her seat next to Nathanael.

"just some drama, like usual." Nathanael said.

"Where's the popcorn when you need it?" she asked, making Nathanael smile slightly, she started to sit down, but stopped when she felt her phone vibrate, she pulled it out and sighed when she saw the caller ID, "I'll be right back." She said, gently touching his shoulder as she walked by, making Nathanael shiver slightly, looking at her walk out with a confused expression. Unaware that Alya had watched everything.

"I'll be right back babe." Alya said, standing and walking out of the room, looking around, smirking slightly when she saw Lila walk into an empty classroom, she quickly followed and stopped the door from closing, peering in as Lila answered her phone.

"hey sis, what's wrong?" Lila asked, Alya strained to here but couldn't hear what was being said on the other line.

"well what's her temperature?" she asked, "no, shouldn't need to take her to the hospital, just give her some…of course she's crying she's sick and has the flu…put her on the phone…" suddenly Lila's demeanor changed, "Mio piccolo angelo, what's the matter?" she asked quietly, her voice taking on a loving tone, "are you feeling sick honey? I'm sorry, I promise when I get home we'll sit in the foyer and watch movies all afternoon, but until then I need you to be a good little girl for Zia Scarlet…yes that includes taking the icky medicine, and when I get home I'll make you chicken soup and we'll watch Frozen…yes I promise, okay? Okay, I love you Mia Dolce Bambina, put Zia Scarlet on the phone."

Alya's eyes widened as she looked up the words the girl in front of her had said.

"she should be more cooperative now sis," Lila said with a sigh, a small smile on her lips, "if you need anything else just text…no I can't leave, you know I can't miss any days anymore, I promise I'll make it up to you...Addio sorella." Lila hung up and sighed, turning around and almost jumping when she saw Alya standing at the door.

"So…your sister had a baby recently huh?" Alya asked.

"how much did you hear?" Lila asked.

"enough.' Alya said, "enough to know that you're sister isn't the one who has a kid."

Lila tried to think quickly, trying to come up with something that could cover up the facts that had come out, but before she could speak, smoke started filing the room, "what the-" Lila started as the door slammed shut behind Alya.

"what's going on!?" Alya exclaimed as the smoke got thicker.

"I don't know! We-*cough*-we have to-*cough**cough*" Lila wheezed as she fell to the ground.

"Lila!" Alya choked out, looking around blearily as the smoke continued to pour in, she grabbed a nearby stool and staggered to the window, swinging it as hard as she could into the glass, it cracked and spider webbed, but didn't break, "come on!" she coughed, swinging again, the window buckled, but didn't give, Alya fell to her knee's, the stool falling to the ground beside her, "damn…it…' she groaned as she passed out.

The smoke suddenly thinned, condensing into the corner of the room, shaping itself into a thin teenager in a trench coat and blue jeans, no shoes on his feet, a lit cigarette in his mouth, "bout time they passed out." He said, walking towards the two unconscious girls, "couldn't hold my breath for much longer."

"good thing you're a chain smoker." Another voice snickered as the door opened and a leather-clad teen with long blonde hair walked in, a twelve-inch curved knife in his hand, "now, let's play."

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Nino looked at the door in concern as Mme. Bustier went over the notes. "you know, Alya left quite some time ago…I'm a little worried."

"I'm sure she's fine." Adrien said with a smile.

"yeah…maybe…" Nino muttered, pulling his phone out when it started vibrating, he looked at the screen and almost dropped it.

"what's wrong?" Adrien asked.

Nino shakily showed Adrien his phone, and Adrien swore as he saw a picture of Alya tied to a metal beam, her limp head being held up by a pale hand with a caption that read 'is this yours?'

"who the hell would do this?" Adrien asked. His fists clenched.

"I don't know…but I'm gonna find them, and when I do-" he stopped as something crashed to the ground behind them, they both turned around and saw Nathanael storming out the back exit, his things scattered across the floor.

"Mr. Kurtzburg!" Mme. Bustier shouted as he walked out, "where are you going!?"

"think that has any connection with Alya?" Adrien asked.

"I think so." Nino said as the two jumped up and followed him, "Nathanael! Wait up!" he ran out and almost instantly stopped when he got punched in the face.

"where you think you're going Lover Boy?" the knife wielding teen asked with a lazy grin.

Adrien clenched his fist, the guy in front of him screamed Akuma, but he couldn't do anything, not as Adrien.

"out of my way." Nino growled, slowly getting up, Ivan and Kim quickly stood up and backed Nino up.

"I will momentarily." He said, strutting in, looking at everyone, "just wanted to make sure my message got delivered to you."

'your message? You have Alya!? Where is she you son of a-" Nino struggled against Ivan and Kim as they held him back.

He grinned, "good, use that fire, because you're gonna need it, I formally challenge you to a fight, the winner gets to keep Ms. Alya Cesaire,"

"she's not a prize you jackass!" Alix snapped at him, flinching slightly as the point of his knife almost nicked her nose.

"not to me," he said, looking at Nino, "so, what do you say Nino?"

"and what happens to the loser?" Adrien asked before Nino could say anything, glaring at the Akuma.

The Akuma grinned, showing him the knife, "what do you think?"

'Now wait just a minute!" Mme. Bustier exclaimed, finally stomping over to the Akuma, "I will not sit idly by while you threaten my students!"

"then stand if you prefer it," he said, "because it's gonna happen."

"if you think you can come into my classroom and just start-" she stopped as the man whirled around on her, plunging the knife into her stomach.

"Mme. Bustier!" Adrien exclaimed running towards her as the guy pulled the knife out and she collapsed, Adrien caught her before she hit the ground, several others running down towards her.

"you have until ten to decide, if anyone else comes other then you and tomato head, your girls are dead." He said, turning around to walk away.

"who are you!" Kim snapped, his fists clenched.

He looked back "I'm Scorn," he said, walking out.

"someone call an ambulance!" Adrien shouted, trying to stop the bleeding.

Juleka quickly pulled her phone out, making the call while Chloe slowly stood up and looked down at Madam Bustier.

"Chloe go sit back down," Adrien commanded, still trying to stop the bleeding,

"s-s-she's going to be alright…right?"

"Chloe go sit back down." Adrien said, his voice gentler this time, "we'll…we'll take care of Mme. Bustier."

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Adrien watched as the ambulance sped away, their lights and sirens on as they took Mme. Bustier to the hospital, everyone stood around, speaking in hushed whispers, Nathanael sat quietly on the steps, they had found him on the stairs, wheezing and gasping for breath, from what they could get out of him, he had been cornered by another akuma; who had been given the same challenge as Nino, as well as the same warning.

Adrien slowly turned around, "Guy's," he said loudly, making everyone look over, "head home, nothing left for most of us to do."

"we ain't leaving Nino and Nathanael to face these akuma alone!" Kim said, clenching his fists, Ivan nodded, cracking his knuckles.

Adrien fixed them with a glare, making Kim wilt slightly, "go, you heard the Akuma, if anyone else comes…"

"you expect us to just sit back!? Those guy's will kill them!" Kim exclaimed.

"they won't." Adrien said strongly, "I have a plan, now go."

Kim took a couple steps back, then nodded, walking away with Alix and Max. Ivan just gave them one last, anger filled look before Mylene pulled him away.

Adrien waited until they left before half sitting/half falling onto the steps, his hands shaking slightly.

"you alright bro?" Nino asked worriedly.

Adrien gave a dry chuckle, "I'm supposed to ask you that." He said shakily.

"well you were the one who had to hold Mme. Bustier together while the paramedics…" Nino shook his head and sat down heavily beside her, "so, what's the plan?"

Adrien looked up, "Plagg…come on out."

'what?" nino asked in confusion while Nathanael looked up.

"Just give it a minute," Adrien said, "Plagg, come on, jig is up."

"you sure kid?" Plagg sked, flying out, making Nino stumble back, nathanael's eyes widened slightly as the small cat.

'I'm sure." Adrien said, "Nino can't fight this akuma unless he has the help of a miraculous."

"I can't bond with him or the tomato head, sure you could give them the ring, but they aren't my chosen,…which means…" Plagg flew up to Nino's stunned face, "you two need to get your own miraculous."

Nino gulped, then looked at Adrien, "did…that cat just talk…and fly? "

Adrien sighed, "this is gonna be a long day…you keeping up Nathanael."

he nodded slightly, standing up, "so…where do we get our own miraculous?" he asked Plagg.

"listen carefully."

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Scorn walked into an old apartment building, twirling his knife lazily in his hand, "the girls secured?"

"yes," a disembodied voice said as smoke started to collect right next to him, solidifying into a man, "they're tied up on the third floor."

"good, we have until ten to get ready for the fight,"

"you really think they're gonna show?"

"No Smoke, I don't, but they'll get Chat Noir and Lady brat to come fight for them." he grinned as he dragged the knife against the wall, cutting easily through the stone and wood, "and then we take what we need for hawkmoth and take out those sons of bitches."

Smoke nodded slightly, "what about the teacher? Was it really necessary to harm her like you did?"

"she annoyed me." he drawled, "so I shut her up."

"you're lucky she's not dead." Smoke muttered, "If she had died-"

"-if she had died," he said sharply, interrupting him, "nothing would've happened, we're like gods now, stronger, faster and more efficient than anyone else, including those two so-called superheroes." He started walking away, "get things ready, fight starts soon."

Smoke watched him leave, "I'm beginning to think this wasn't worth it." He muttered before turning into smoke once more.