That Saturday morning, Marinette had learned two things about Adrien. One of those things was that he could make anything—even a dirty, flour-covered apron—look good on him. Another thing was that he seriously lacked artistic ability.

"Uh, no offense, but what is that supposed to be?" Marinette asked, standing beside Adrien in front of the kitchen counter. They were both working on decorating cookies with frosting, and Marinette had given him free reign in decorating it however he wanted.

"It's a cat," Adrien responded as if it were obvious.

"If you say so," Marinette muttered with a small smirk.

"Hey, you have no right to judge me on my decorating skills! Unlike you, I haven't been decorating sweets since the time I learned to talk."

Marinette was about to make a retort when the door opened behind them. She turned around and saw that Alya and Nino had arrived, each carrying their overnight bags.

"Hey guys, what's up?" Alya beamed, giving Marinette a hug as she entered the kitchen.

"Not much, Adrien's just showcasing his flawless decorating skills," Marinette laughed, hugging her back.

Nino snickered. "I'd love to see that."

"Stop bullying me about my cookie, Mari!" Adrien pouted, taking off his apron. (Much to Marinette's dismay; he looked very cute in it.)

"Never," she said, sticking her tongue at him.

"You two are sickeningly cute," Alya said, rolling her eyes but smiling nonetheless. Then she set her bag on the countertop, opening it and fumbling around inside to retrieve something. "Guess what I've brought! Ultimate Mecha Strike 4!"

"No way!" Adrien said, his eyes widening in disbelief. "The game doesn't come out for another two weeks!"

Alya looked smug. "You'd be surprised at how well the Ladyblog is doing. I've started branching out on my blog, exploring new topics that interest people apart from our superhero vs supervillain situation. Because of my growing fan base, one of the developers reached out to me and asked me to do a review on the game. Naturally, I agreed."

"Alya, this is fantastic! You're really starting to get the recognition you deserve," Marinette said in awe.

"I guess so," Alya said, blushing slightly. "You know, I'm thinking of starting a Youtube channel too."

"And you'll be famous in no time," Nino said affectionately, looking very proud of her.

"Well, what are we waiting for?" Adrien smiled. "Let's go try it out!"

Marinette hadn't realized how competitive this would get. Her three friends had naturally been intimidated by her since she was Francois Dupont's reigning Mecha Strike champion from last year. She knew that Adrien would be tough competition since he had come in at close second, but had given up his title out of the goodness of his heart for their classmate Max.

"Dodge it, dodge it!" Nino chanted, watching Adrien play in anticipation. "No, fuck—HEAL YOURSELF DAMMIT!"

"I'm trying, but she won't stop attacking!" Adrien said frustratedly. The game had been close at first, but Marinette was pulling ahead. Her strategy was genius, and she smirked at how well it was working. Being Ladybug had its perks, meaning quick-thinking and strategy was something she had practically mastered.

"You're running out of time!" Alya yelled at Adrien, who had traitorously abandoned her support for Marinette after she had mercilessly defeated her a few levels before.

Adrien's character froze, falling to the ground in a heap as the music changed in the game. Marinette's character was celebrating, and a message blaring GAME OVER appeared on the screen.

"You just got wrecked! " Marinette declared, jumping up from her seat and raising her hands in the air.

Adrien just groaned and threw his controller onto the ground. "Congrats, Mari," he admitted with a weak smile. He wrung his right hand, as if it seemed to be in pain. His attempt had been valiant—Marinette would give him that much.

Alya's phone buzzed and beeped loudly. She picked it up and looked at the screen, her eyes widening. "There's an Akuma attack not too far from here. I've gotta go!"

Marinette's mood was suddenly destroyed. She had been having so much fun, too, but of course that happiness was short-lived. She sourly thought of an excuse to explain her impending absence.

"I have to go downstairs and ask my parents about something. It might take a while," she sighed.

"And I have to go get some fresh air. All that playing has my eyes sore," Adrien said.

"You're all just leaving? Hang on, Alya, I'm coming with you," Nino said quickly.

Chat's heart was racing as he approached the scene of the Akuma attack. He was right by the Seine in an area with large crates of shipment placed along the river. He had heard crashing noises come from over here, but he couldn't see the Akuma villain just yet. But that was not his concern—he was looking for Ladybug.

He hid behind a column of crates, looking left and right for a sign of his nemesis. This is it, he thought. Gabriel's deadline was only a week away. He had to give this fight all he had, or else this sleepover with his friends might very well be his last. No longer would he be able to escape his room at night to visit Marinette—his father would take away his ring as well.

"Here, kitty kitty! Don't tell me you're hiding instead of fighting!" A voice called out mockingly.

Chat stepped away from behind the crates, giving Ladybug the most pretentious smirk he could muster. "Hide? From you? My Lady, that would mean I'm afraid of you."

"Well, you should be. After all, I always win," she said smugly.

Genuine anger flared up inside of Chat's chest. He wanted to end this. He wanted to defeat her once and for all, just to know—for once, just this once!—what it felt like to win. She had caused him so much pain, so much humiliation.

He needed to do this. For his mother, for his freedom, and above all, for Marinette. Then, and only then, would the threat of never seeing her again go away. The fear of losing the one girl who gave him hope for his bleak future was far too much.

"I don't think you'll be so lucky this time around," Chat said coldly. "I've held back on you for too long. But not anymore. You see, Ladybug, this time I've got something to fight for. And if I were you, I'd be really, really scared."

Chat glared at Ladybug with an intensity that he didn't know he was capable of. He might have been imagining it, but he could have sworn that a brief moment of fear had flickered across her face.

"I'm not afraid of you. And I never will be," she declared defiantly, her eyes narrowed in hatred. "You're a sore, pathetic loser and you always will be."

Chat knew that the fight had begun. He heard monstrous screeches coming from behind, meaning that the Akuma villain was near. Ladybug gasped as she looked towards it, but Chat had no time to check. He activated his cataclysm and charged towards her, deciding that today was finally the day that he would succeed.

Ladybug was running alongside the Seine, maneuvering around the shipment crates as Chat was chasing after her. She stood little chance against him while his powers were activated, so she needed to find a way for him to waste it on something other than herself.

She made a sharp turn towards her left and ran as fast as she possibly could. Ladybug found a gap between two large crates, just barely big enough for her to squeeze herself into. She leaned against the crate, her chosen hiding place, and clenched her yo-yo tightly in case she needed to defend herself.

Chat was more determined than ever, and Ladybug had to admit, it was terrifying. He had always seemed so casual about taking her miraculous up until this point, which made sense considering that he was being forced to do this. (Something she had made him unwittingly admit to her as Marinette.) But right now, something had changed. He was far more menacing than usual.

"Where are you, Bugaboo?" he purred, edges of malice roughening his voice and the cataclysm hissing and crackling in his hand.

If it weren't for Ladybug's self-preservation, Ladybug would have snorted in disbelief at his growing list of infuriating and belittling pet-names he had created for her.

Ladybug tried to think of a plan, but it was awfully difficult when the only thing she could hear over her pounding heart was the light scrape of Chat Noir's boots padding closer. She bit her tongue and stifled her breathing as Chat passed her hiding spot, wondering how she could stifle her pulse too.

He was too close. She gave an involuntary gasp as he walked past her hiding spot, and that was all it took. Chat doubled back and looked straight at her, his lips curling into a dreadful smile. Ladybug could feel her heart stop in fear.

"Checkmate," he said, and with his touch the two crates that she was wedged in-between were reduced to a pile of ash.

His cataclysm now gone, Chat held her firmly in his grasp. Ladybug could hear the noise of falling crates a distance away, knowing that the Akuma was starting to create havoc. There was little she could do now that Chat was refusing to let go of her.

Chat's fingers dug into her shoulders while she tried to kick and unleash herself. Chat pushed her against a crate while Ladybug was astonished at his newfound strength. Her heart was racing, and for the first time in ages, she was scared. What would Chat do to her this time? He was very angry, and his determination was frightening.

"De-transform this instant," Chat demanded calmly. "Or I swear, I won't show any mercy."

In spite of her paralyzing fear, Ladybug gave him a hollow, mocking laugh. "It's not like you're capable of mercy in the first place," she said.

He grabbed her once more and pushed her violently against the crate. Ladybug was shocked at the pain she felt in her head, which he had so forcefully hit against the hard surface. This was escalating quickly, and Ladybug was running out of ideas. The Akuma was probably getting out of control by now and she needed to act fast.

"Don't test my limits. We'll both regret it," he said darkly. Ladybug stared into his eyes. They were so green, and so familiar. If only they weren't reflecting how much he wanted to possibly kill her. (He was right, after all. Right now, Ladybug had no idea how far Chat was willing to go when it came to hurting her.)

Except, out of nowhere, something whacked Chat on the back of his head. Unconscious, Chat fell to the ground while Ladybug stared in shock at the person responsible. She would never have guessed that it would be her best friend.

"Go deal with the Akuma, Ladybug! We'll take care of Chat," Alya said, a crowbar in her hand with Nino standing in awe at her side. He gaped at Ladybug for a moment and then at the collapsed form of Chat Noir right at his feet.

"I can't thank you enough," Ladybug said earnestly, wanting to hug her friend right then. However, she had little time. She ran off towards the Akuma villain, Chat Noir now safely out of her way.

As Chat opened his eyes, he felt like his head was pounding. The light was blinding and he was in pain, mostly at the back of his head. He sat up and was shocked to see Alya and Nino standing around him.

"Shit, he's awake!" Nino said, holding a crowbar in his hand as he was poised to use it again

"Don't knock him out yet," Alya said, glaring at Chat. "I have questions." She had her phone out, apparently recording this whole ordeal. Chat panicked as he realized that he had already used his cataclysm and did not have that much time left until he de-transformed.

"So, Chat Noir, what are your motives? What is your true identity?" Alya demanded.

Chat just groaned in pain, turning onto his side as he ignored Alya's question. Nino stiffened in panic at his movement.

"Answer me, you menace!" she repeated.

"It's none of your business," Chat snapped. "As if I'd actually tell you." Oh, the irony of his two friends ambushing him…

Alya took the crowbar from Nino and jabbed it into Chat's stomach. "We'll see about that. If my estimates are correct, I'd say you have about twenty minutes until you have to de-transform. Then I'll find out who you are, expose you to the world, and have you locked up in no time!" she looked gleeful at the prospect while Chat just felt sick.

"That will never happen," Chat said defiantly. He pushed the crowbar off of him and tried to get up, but Alya and Nino were blocking him.

"If you don't let me go, I will snap both of your necks," Chat threatened calmly. He was lying, of course, since had absolutely no intention of hurting his friends. But a little fear never hurt anyone.

Before they could react, the sound of crates crashing to the ground filled the air. Chat could see Ladybug running towards them, the Akuma villain following close behind. The villain looked like a mix between a tree and a woman. She had branches growing out of her head and branches for arms. Roots trailed behind her as she chased after Ladybug. Realizing that everyone was distracted, Chat got up quickly to try and escape. He decided to wait until Ladybug defeated the Akuma, then ambush her when she least expected it. By then she would be running out of time before she de-transformed, and he would be ready.

He was running alongside the river when the Akuma villain whacked him with a large, heavy branch. The sheer force of the attack was enough to send him flying into the Seine with a loud splash.

Panic suddenly arose as he landed underwater, the coldness engulfing him quickly. The fall weather was cold enough, but the water itself was freezing. It didn't take long for Chat to remember that he couldn't swim.

He was sinking.

His claws tore at the water a he fought for his life, thrashing and flailing to stay afloat. Water poured into his nose and his mouth, choking him while he was already struggling for air. His limbs struggled helplessly as the water kept pushing him down.

Somehow he managed to get his head above water just for a moment, long enough to call out for help. "Lady—!" he managed to sputter out, but he knew it was useless. A pink light engulfed the sky, signaling the defeat of the Akuma.

His muscles were beginning to get sore from thrashing. Chat couldn't tell if she had heard him or even seen his predicament. And even if she did, why would she help him? If anything, him drowning would only make her life easier.

"Help!" he shouted out once more, coughing and sputtering, starting to feel the water burn his chest. He had momentarily floated towards the surface just when she turned to look at him. Alya and Nino had seen him too.

Chat's ring began to beep. At this point, screw his identity. Screw his father, screw his plan, all he wanted was simply to live. He wanted to breathe again, to savor the air in his lungs just once more…

His limbs had given up. Chat had exhausted all of his energy, and he fell further below the surface. He was falling slowly, feeling heavier with every second. His vision blurred as he sunk lower into the abyss, clinging to the minuscule hope that Ladybug, despite all odds, might save him from death.

His lungs felt like they were filled acid. His body desperately demanded air, but he knew there would be no relief. Panic turned into calm as his eyes drooped to a close.

In what seemed to be his last moments, Adrien wondered if anyone would care about his death. Ladybug would find out who he really was, and so would his friends. How would they react once Chat Noir's body became that of Adrien Agreste's? Would his father care that his pawn was dead? Would his mother ever find out that her only son had drowned in a complex plot to bring her back? And what about his wonderful, sweet Marinette?

He would never know.

Ladybug hadn't thought twice when she saw Chat Noir flailing in the water. At first she was confused, wondering why he hadn't swum to shore yet. Then it dawned on her—he was drowning!

Fueled by adrenaline and even a bit of fear, she ran towards the river and jumped in, swimming towards her nemesis in order to save him from a watery, painful death. There was nothing else on her mind other than the clear objective of saving Chat.

She swum towards him, ignoring the coldness that surrounded her. Chat was already underwater, sinking slowly after his body had already given up and he was most likely unconscious. She held her breath and went underwater, grabbing hold of his arm. After securing him onto herself, she swum towards the surface and towards the shore.

Ladybug placed him onto the shore, panickedly realizing that his eyes were closed and he was completely still. She reached towards his neck and checked for a pulse, and she was alarmed to feel that there wasn't one. She tried not to panic, telling herself that there was still hope.

"Crap…" Ladybug muttered, trying to remember how to do CPR. She had learned it in class a year ago, but she was struggling to remember. Chat's life depended on it.

Ladybug placed the palm of her left hand onto the center of his chest, then placed her right hand over her left. She pushed straight down, compressing his chest to a steady rhythm. She waited desperately for any sign of movement, but there was none.

While continuing the compressions, it occurred to Ladybug that it wasn't working. Not knowing what else she could possibly do, she realized that the only option left was to perform a mouth-to-mouth.

In any other circumstance, she would have been disgusted. But this was no time for her to be a child—Ladybug bent down and tilted Chat's chin upwards. She plugged his nose and covered his mouth with her own, breathing deeply and noticing his chest rise. She breathed into his mouth once more. Miraculously, his eyes fluttered open.

Ladybug quickly separated from him as he began to cough, sitting up. Chat continued to cough, and the water that was blocking his airway came out his mouth.

Chat suddenly looked at her, his eyes wide in disbelief.

"Ladybug…" he said weakly, his voice hoarse. "You...saved me…"

Ladybug didn't respond. Now that he okay, she wasn't sure what to say. "Well, I couldn't just let you die," she reasoned, biting her lip.

"But you could have…" he said, shamefully averting his eyes from her face. "You should have…"

"Unlike you, I'm a superhero. It's my job to save people," she answered curtly, getting up.

His ring was beeping. Chat glanced at it in panic, then at Ladybug. She had never seen him so vulnerable before, or with so much humility.

Chat got on his feet slowly, faltering a little as he did. He was soaked from head to toe, as was she. He sniffled slightly before gazing into her eyes with sincerity.

"I can't possibly thank you enough," Chat said weakly. "Thank you…"

"Consider us even," Ladybug said. She meant it.

"Even?" he questioned. "I've caused you nothing but pain…"

"Don't worry about it," Ladybug said, turning away. Now she didn't feel indebted towards Chat for saving her in that alleyway all those weeks ago. He had saved her life, and she had saved his.

Chat stared for another moment. Neither of them had anything else to say. Ladybug wasn't facing him, but she could hear his footsteps running away.