"Povas," Ladybug gave him a pleading look, "you're with the new girl. Chat Noir, we need to save Mireille before those two get too acquainted."

"I'm all for this plan," Queen Bee leaned against Povas' chest as he cocked an eyebrow, "we're bound to work perfectly."

"…You know birds eat bugs, right?"

She rubbed the bottom of his chin with her index finger. "Not this bugaboo, silly."

Ladybug winced at the use of Chat's nickname for her. "Just make sure your eyes are on your target, Sensor."

The thief chuckled as Crystille backed away. "Don't tell me you're getting nervous, Crystille?"

"I have my own target to collect first. Weaken them while I find Theo, and I shall return to your side for the final war."

"…You're in theatre, aren't you?"

"You aren't going anywhere!" Chat Noir ran after her as she flew off in the direction Theo had run. Before the others could react Sensor slid in front of him, tripped him and kneed him to the ground. He placed his hands over his cat ears.

"Now you hear me, now you don't!"

Ping!

"Chat Noir!" Ladybug ran over as Sensor flipped off him. She helped him to his feet. "You're been having a rough day, huh?"

He blinked a few times before starting to yell. "What? I didn't hear you! I didn't hear anything! This feels really, really strange!"

She grabbed his hand and glanced back at the others. "We'll go after Crystille. Finish this guy, Povas…and Queen." She guided him down the bridge.

"Where are we going, m'lady? I hope I'm not yelling!"

Queen Bee watched them leave, disappointed. "Wait a minute, I was supposed to show you how powerful I am! I can't do that if we're separated! Povas, can you take this guy alone?"

"I really think we should stay-"

She wrapped her arms around his neck in a hug and gave his cheek a peck. "You're wonderful!" She let go and flew off after them, leaving him and Sensor alone. The thief scratched the back of his head. "Once again it's just you and I. I'm starting to think its destiny."

Well, Master Fu, if this is your plan, Povas groaned, then your wisdom is clearly going over my head.


Theo found his way back to the park by the school pacing back and forth in front of the fountain. Eventually Alya, sitting on the bench and working on her phone, came over to him. "You look a bit stressed there."

"I've made a huge mistake," he told her as he sat down, "and because of it, I've put not only Mireille, but the rest of Paris, in danger."

"What do you mean?"

"She asked me where I had really gotten her new crystal pendant, and…I didn't tell her. I couldn't!"

"And why not?"

"I know just how she'd react…M-Mireille!"

Crystille flew into the park, scaring away mothers and their children. "At last, Theo, I will finally learn the truth."

"Hold up now, there was an akuma attack and I didn't know about it?!" Alya turned her camera on and held the phone up. "This I gotta see!"

"Mireille, don't do this," Theo stood and walked over to her, "I'll tell you, though I should have told you sooner. The pendant? I…I didn't tell you where I'd gotten it, because if I had, I knew you would get mad."

Ladybug and Chat Noir ran into the park as Crystille's expression wavered. "…Tell me the truth, Theo."

He approached her and gently placed his hand on her cheek. "I did make the necklace, but it took longer than I had told you…It took me over two months to make it, because I'm a terrible blacksmith. I made the silver metal wrapped around it, but I was so embarrassed about how long it took…it seems stupid now, huh?"

Crystille seemed to melt in his gaze. "…Oh, Theo…"

Alya continued to film as Ladybug made an "aw" sound. Chat looked form her to Alya to Crystille. "…What am I missing?!"

"You will fight and bring me the miraculous!"

HawkMoth took control of Crystille, forcing her to shove Theo into Alya and send them splashing into the fountain. She turned to the lucky duo and brandished her sword. "The miraculous will be mine!"

Chat Noir looked around, confused. "This has been such a weird day! I feel like I should cataclysm something!"

There's no point, Ladybug realized as Crystille got her yo-yo ready, even if Cat Noir destroys her sword, I doubt it'll stop her. She might just create another one, and then he'd have to leave to transform!

"Don't worry, Queen Bee is here to save the day!"

"What?" Ladybug looked to the sky as Queen Bee hovered over her. "Hey, you were supposed to be with Povas!"

"You guys clearly need my guidance and power!" She pulled out a golden honeycomb from her satchel, which sprouted a small handle for her. She pointed it at Crystille, smirking. "Don't you know, Crystille? You mess with the bee, and you mess with its sting!"

Long black darts shot out of the honeycomb holes at Crystille. She put her shield up to deflect them to the ground. "Your sting is nothing more than an irritation!"

Queen Bee flew around her, darts continuing to fly. In a split second she cut them short, and a long sticky whip grew out from the middle hole. She whipped it down, grabbed the sword Crystille wasn't using, and swung it back up into her hand. "Now, Chat, a cataclysm would be great!"

Ladybug had to agree, Queen Bee did have skill. She nudged Chat and pointed to his claws, then to the sword. She tossed her yo-yo into the sky as he raised his hands.

"LUCKY CHARM!

"CATACLYSM!"

Crystille tried to fly up but Queen Bee bombarded her with more darts, forcing her to hide under her shield. Chat's claws filled with dark energy, and Ladybug let her charm drop into her hands. "…?"

"Uh," Chat yelled, "what are we supposed to do…with a mirror?"

I had to add wings to Queen Bee's outfit. It didn't feel right not letting her fly around, even though she's probably not going to have them in the actual show. Oh, well, I'm glad that I was able to include Mireille and Theo in this story as a couple, because I find them WAY too cute not to have. Besides, I needed an akuma, and Theo had already been taken, so why not the weather girl? Is that still a thing with her?

Until the next chapter!