[In Marinette's room, her TV is displayed the latest news concerning Paris' superheroes.]
Mme. Chamakh: Ladybug and Chat Noir have once again saved Paris.
Marinette: [jumps into her room, detransforms and quickly sits at her desk] And Marinette, she hopes she'll have enough time to finish her secret box.
Tikki: What's this box for, Marinette?
Marinette: I hide my diary in it, I write down all my secrets.
Tikki: Wait. All your secrets? Don't tell me you write everything you do in that diary.
Marinette: Eh, I do, is there a problem? [testing the box.]
Tikki: Well first, imagine if someone reads it and finds out you're Ladybug. And second, imagine if someone reads it and finds out you're Ladybug!
"Well, someone's freaking out," Alya chuckled.
"She can be a ball of nerves under that calm demeanor," Plagg commented, seeming quite satisfied about that fact. Tikki only huffed.
"It's about her identity, what do you want me to do? Smile and wave?"
Marinette: There's no risk, just try.
[Tikki flies into the box and tries to remove the diary, being trapped inside instead.]
Tikki: Hey!
Marinette: This box is unbreakable. [unlocks it, freeing Tikki.]
"And you made it," Adrien added. "Designing, sewing, fighting, I'm guessing baking too… Is there anything you can't do?" He asked the girl to his right, who blushed and sent him an unimpressed look. "No, I mean it, you're amazing!"
He kissed her forehead, making her smile.
"Well, I can't not fall for you," Marinette teased, reveling in his delighted gasp.
"My Lady!"
Mme. Chamakh: Yesterday, it's without surprise that M. Bourgeois has been reelected Mayor of Paris for a 4thmandate.
"Of course he has!" Chloé crossed her arms smugly. "The only way to dethrone him is over his dead body!"
A few people groaned at her words.
"I swear I'm going back to Morocco if I have to deal with him the next election," Nino grumbled, earning a few pats from his girlfriend.
Mme. Chamakh: Here he is with his daughter after the announcement of the results.
Marinette: Look at Chloé. It almost looks like she's the one who just got reelected. [gasps] No, wait! The class delegate election is tomorrow!
Tikki: So what, where's the problem?
Marinette: Chloé decided to run for it. And she doesn't care at all about the other students, all she cares about is her and only her.
Tikki: Well… In that case, you should run for it!
Chloé gasped.
"You were the one who gave her courage to run against me!" She accused the red kwami, outraged. Tikki did nothing but smile proudly.
"That's it," Kim spoke, "half of my allowance will be going to Tikki's cookies from now on."
There were shouts of agreement all around the room, making the kwami turn slightly redder than usual. Marinette giggled.
"Someone's just got a fan base."
Marinette: I'd like to. But don't you think I have enough work? Every day I have to save Paris and do my homework.
Tikki: Yes. But, if you really believe in something, you have to make sure it'll work out! It's better to fail having tried than having done nothing!
Marinette: Maybe…
Tikki: Stop underestimating yourself for a sec, Marinette.
Mme. Chamakh: Against him, Armand D'Argencourt, fencing teacher at the middle school François-Dupont, received an extremely low percentage of votes. So low that, if you look at the elections since 1977, no candidate…
Marinette: [looks at the time and gasps] I'm gonna be late for class! As usual! See, if that's not the proof I'm overwhelmed!
"My purr Lady." Adrien sighed quite dramatically, his arm around her shoulders giving her a gentle squeeze. "And yet here you are, doing a fairly great job."
"With barely four hours of sleep every other night, yes," she deadpanned.
[Marinette takes her stuff and leaves for school, where the class election is being addressed.]
Mme. Bustier: Chloé is proposing her application as the class delegate, Sabrina will be her substitute. Who else wants to run?
[Kim raises his hand, only to be met by twin glares from Chloé and Sabrina.]
Mme. Bustier: Yes. Kim?
Kim: E-Eh… No, nothing…
"Chicken," Alix murmured, making Kim huff.
"And where exactly were you raising your hand?" He challenged.
"I'm not interested in politics." She crossed her arms. "There's a difference."
Kim hummed in response, clearly not believing her response.
Marinette: [enters the room] Eh, I'm sorry! I… I missed the bus and, erm… and I have a cold. [sits down.]
"You live one street away from school." Alya sighed at her best friend, who shushed her.
"The teachers don't need to know that!" Marinette defended, earning a few amused eyerolls.
"Only you, Marinette…" Tikki giggled.
Alya: [whispers] Chloé wants to run, again. She's always been delegate since kindergarden.
"Dude, you are in no place to complain," Nino protested. "You were not actually there to suffer from her tyranny."
Chloé's protests were ignored as Alya responded him with a simple, "Thank God I wasn't."
Marinette: And you, you don't want to run? I'm sure you'd be an awesome delegate!
Alya: Sorry, no. My blog takes all my time.
Mme. Bustier: Very well, I'll leave you until the end of recess to think about your application.
[During the recess, Marinette goes to each of her friends about the election, starting with Kim.]
Marinette: So, tell us, what did Chloé tell you this time? That she'll never go out with you?
Kim: No, she threatened to say I was scared of spiders…
"After everything I've been through today, I wish I only had a fear of spiders," Adrien commented, to which Marinette agreed.
"You're lucky, Kim. So very lucky."
The boy in question only gave a sheepish smile.
Rose: She said that if I ever ran, I couldn't do any ore scrap booking at the club! And I love scrap booking! Scribbling, cutting and gluing!
Adrien frowned. "That's low, Chloé..."
Alix: Oh yeah, but no, I don't care about being delegate. And you, what's your excuse?
Marinette: Well er… I'm very busy!
"I honestly love how Marinette's thoughts keep appearing in those random illustrations." Juleka smiled, and Rose nodded.
"They're always so cute!"
"And rather ridiculous too," Alya teased, making Marinette pout.
Alya: Doing what? Coming in late or what?
Marinette: No! But… Well, let's say, er, yes, if no one wanted to run, I could do it.
[Back in class.]
Mme. Bustier: Well, are there other candidates who want to run against Chloé and Sabrina?
[Marinette looks at everyone else, pondering her options.]
Mme. Bustier: Fair enough, if Chloé and Sabrina are the only ones to run, it's useless to vote. So Chloé and Sabrina are–
Marinette: I'm a candidate!
Most of the class cheered at the yet-to-be class president onscreen, even though they all knew how that story was going to end.
Marinette smiled at their reaction, blushing when Adrien turned to look at her with pride.
Mme. Bustier: Excellent news, you'll have to do a campaign and write a speech for tomorrow, which will be voting day!
[Later that day, Marinette and Alya are sitting on a bench in the school.]
Alya: So? I'm listening to you, what's your program, what are the ideas you're gonna propose?
Marinette: That I'll propose?! Ah, I didn't think of that yet! Why did I get myself into a mess like this?
"Smooth." Plagg rolled his eyes.
"It was the spur of the moment, okay?!" Marinette defended.
Rose: You're awesome, Marinette! You let your heart talk! I had shivers when you got up!
Marinette: Uh? Oh, er… That's nice…
Rose: If you win, can you ask for comfortable chairs?! We're so badly seated I have a hard time focusing! The best would be pink chairs!
Nino: It'd be so cool if we could listen to jams at the library.
Juleka: Me, actually, let's just say that, you see?
Marinette: Er… Yeah, I see, Juleka…
Rose shook her head in amusement. "She won't understand If you don't say it, Juleka."
Juleka gave her a shy smile.
Alya: [shouts out over their classmates] Hey, Adrien! Marinette can count on your vote?
Adrien: Of course! If I like her program!
Marinette: [smiles dreamily] I better not fail…
"Dude, three words and he would be yours." Nino grinned, his best friends turning their heads to look at him. "'I am Ladybug.'"
Alya laughed. "Three words and he would make a campaign for the whole school and their mothers to vote for her!"
"Three words and he would be asking her in marriage!" Plagg joined them between snickers. Adrien blushed.
"N-Now you're just exaggerating…"
Marinette snorted. "I'll remember that next year." Adrien pouted.
[From afar, Chloé's watching them.]
Chloé: I studied the way my father won each one of his elections. And I fully intend to do the same. I know the secret to win.
Sabrina: You have to have a good program!
Chloé: [laughs] How funny you are! The secret to win in politics, it's to ruin your opponent's reputation.
"Why am I not surprised?" Alya shook her head.
"I wish I could say I was," Adrien agreed with her, sighing. He felt Marinette reach for his free hand on his lap, making him smile.
[Back in Marinette's room, she's writing on her diary again.]
Marinette: More comfortable chairs, the right to listen to music at the library, whatever Juleka tried to tell me… I'm writing down the students' demands. Like that, I'm gonna include them all in my program!
Tikki: I'm so proud of you! I'm sure you'll win, you'll make a great delegate!
Marinette: All the students are counting on me to beat Chloé! Everyone, even Adrien, do you realize?! It's awesome!
"Traitor," Chloé grumbled with a pout, earning a sheepish smile from her childhood friend.
[She hears her phone buzz, putting her diary aside as she picks up.]
Alya: Marinette, battle stations.
Marinette: Why, what's happening?
Alya: Chloé invited the entire classto the city hall for her campaign's launch. [she shows Marinette her surroundings, including Jagged Stone waiting to give them autographs] She even got Jagged Stone to come!
Marinette: No way, seriously, Jagged Stone?! He's my favorite singer, I'm a huge fan of him!
"Well, who's missing the point now, Mademoiselle?!" Alya crossed her arms, and Marinette huffed.
"Tell me you wouldn't get excited in my place!"
Marinette: [groans] Like all the other students…!
Alya: Exactly! She's trying to buy the students with autographs!
Marinette: That's not fair play, she's gonna hear from me! I'm coming right away! [leaves, forgetting her secret box open.]
[Outside, Sabrina waits for her to leave before going inside.]
Sabine: Hello!
Sabrina: Hello, ma'am! Marinette forgot to give me my geometry book back and, right now, I really need it!
Sabine: Marinette just left… I have clients, I need to stay here but you can go look in her room.
Sabrina: No problem! Thanks!
Marinette gaped at the screen, barely believing what she just saw, while Chloé and Sabrina snickered.
"You nearly got ruined by your own mother, hm, Marinette?" The blonde sent her a smirk, making the class president grunt.
"I'm having a serious talk with both my parents when I get back home…"
[Back in school, Adrien's in the middle of a fencing lesson with none other than his teacher. Outside, Mme. Chamakh and a camera man are spying on them just as M. D'Argencourt wins with a trick.]
Adrien: You're in shape today, M. D'Argencourt. It was a nice riposte!
M. D'Argencourt: Yes, undeniably. [returns Adrien's sword] And it's normal, this is the secret attack of my ancestor, the Chevalier Noir.
Adrien: The Chevalier Noir?
M. D'Argencourt: Centuries ago, the Chevalier Noir conquered Paris and ruled over it with an iron fist. Until the unfortunate day where he was overthrown by a commoner. Who used his gold to buy the lower class of Paris' loyalty.
"I am betting that guy is Chloé's ancestor," Alix deadpanned.
"This is a bet I'm not even taking part on," Kim spoke. "I'd lose for sure."
Chloé rolled her eyes. Well, the guy had brains, she wouldn't be surprised if that turned out to be true.
M. D'Argencourt:To think that flag of my glorious ancestor used to float above this city.
[Unnoticed to him, the reporters approached, filming everything.]
Mme. Chamakh: Is this for this reason you ran, M. D'Argencourt, to avenge your ancestor?
M. D'Argencourt: By the iron, who dares trouble my class?!
"By the iron?" Max asked out loud. "Who says that?"
"My fencing teacher," Adrien replied, a hint of amusement in his voice.
Mme. Chamakh: Nadja Chamakh, if you want info, I have that on the go! What are your comments on your, quote, "crushing defeat"?
Fred: [shouting at them offscreen] Hey, you there! How did you get into the school?!
"Through the door…?" Alix raised her eyebrow. "That was very open and unguarded, by the way."
Mylène shook her head. "He was probably rehearsing his next show..."
Mme. Chamack: Er– I think we're gonna have to head back! [quickly pulling her camera man out of the school.]
M. D'Argencourt: The class is done forthwith.
[As he leaves, Papillon opens his window.]
Papillon: The loser of an election… will make a perfect candidate to help me with the realization of my plans. [darkens a butterfly, sending it off] Fly away, evil Akuma. And take control of this miserable loser!
"Dude, rude!" Adrien huffed, to which Marinette rolled her eyes.
"The guy's been saying a bunch of shit ever since the day started – some of which made you lose your temper, by the way –, and only now you're calling him rude?"
He let her go to cross his arms stubbornly. "Well, I think M. D'Argencourt is cool, and that was uncalled for." Marinette shook her head in amusement.
[The teacher is leaving the school when Nadja intercepts him again.]
Mme. Chamakh: M. D'Argencourt, it is said, I cite, quote unquote, that you're a medieval fossil and that you're stubborn and completely outdated! What is your answer to this?
The class gaped.
"You know what? I second that rude! To Mme. Chamakh this time!" Marinette exclaimed.
"Got the words right out of my mouth, my Lady!" Adrien frowned at the screen, undignified.
"That was completely uncalled for," Rose huffed.
"Alya." Nino turned to his girlfriend. "Please tell me you won't be like that."
"What?! No way, I may be bad, but that's awful!" Alya defended. "I'd like to think I have more tact than that!"
M. D'Argencourt: Palsembleu… [walks away, being followed by them] Here you come again with your scurrilous questions! You are to cease bothering me, immediately!
[He bumps into a few posters of André Bourgeois, cutting them in pieces with his sword. While he is catching his breath, Papillon's dark butterfly possesses his sword.]
Papillon: Chevalier Noir. I'm going to offer you powers and, in return, you'll have to seize Ladybug and Chat Noir's Miraculous.
M. D'Argencourt: When the banner ornamented by my ancestors' proud blazon floats once again on the city hall's roof, then I'll honor my debt to you!
Mme. Chamakh: [raises her stunned coworker's camera again] E-Eh… Comments to make your sudden transformation into…?
"Run," Marinette ordered the reporters on screen, as if they were going to obey.
Chevalier Noir: [raises sword] Chevalier Noir! The liege of Paris!
"Run!" She tried again.
[The akuma blasts them to make them knee, transforming them into knights.]
Marinette groaned in frustration. "Will people ever learn?!"
Beside her, Adrien patted her back. "That was a quite some time ago, my Lady, they were still new to this," he reassured her. "Although… Unfurtunately, no, I don't think people will ever learn."
She sighed.
Chevalier Noir: From now on, you are my knights! Soon enough, you will be so numerous that nothing will stop my army! We will walk to the city hall to overthrow Bourgeois, the usurper!
"Hey!" Chloé protested, glaring at the akuma onscreen. "Careful of what you call my papa!"
[Right outside of school, Adrien's watching everything unfold.]
Plagg: Cuckoo, the valiant knight.
Adrien: [runs inside] Quick, we need to go! Plagg, transform me!
[Outside, the akuma approaches Gorilla, who was waiting for Adrien outside.]
Chevalier Noir: Sacrebleu! What a build! He will be of great hel in our quest. [transforms him into a knight] By the iron!
[He starts turning everyone he finds into knights, all of them chanting "By the iron" with him.]
Chevalier Noir: Knights! Let us make war!
Chat Noir: [jumps in front of the army, making them stop] The people have spoken, you lost the elections, D'Argencourt!
Chevalier Noir: It matters little to me that the rabble expresses itself! D'Argencourt lost, but not the Chevalier Noir! En garde!
[The two of them charge against each other, Chat using his staff as a sword as they battle. Meanwhile, Sabrina enters Marinette's room.]
"Aw, man!" Kim whined. "I thought we were going to see a super cool sword duel scene!"
"I know, right?" Adrien sighed dramatically, not really minding the change. "And I'm so sharp at fencing too, what a waste of my talents…"
He grinned when he felt a cushion hit his face directly from his right.
"I swear to God, Adrien…"
Sabrina: Chloé? [looks into her phone] Erm, here, so um, what do I do exactly?
Chloé: Go through her room, Sabrina, and find something compromising.
[She does as Chloé says, looking around and filming everything for her to see.]
Sabrina: A wool ball? Can that be compromising? Or a screwdriver?
Chloé: Of course not, fly brain! What I want is an embarrassing picture of her, where you see her wearing something uncool! Just search!
"Because a bad dress totally equals being a bad leader, clearly." Marinette rolled her eyes.
Chloé scoffed. "I'll have you know that image is everything."
Sabrina: [gasps] And a diary? What do you say?
Chloé: There, see what you can do? I just have to coach you and maybe we can make something out of you.
[Sabrina reaches for the diary, her handing getting stuck on the box as soon as she barely even touches it. She screams, letting her phone fall to try and get it out.]
Chloé: Sabrina? Sabrina!
[As Sabrina struggles with the box, Marinette reaches the city hall, arriving just in time of the Mayor's speech.]
M. Bourgeois: I'm happy to welcome you… For the launch of my darling daughter's campaign! And I'd much like to thank the international star, Jagged Stone, who came to support her!
[The rock star begrudgingly high fives her, making everyone go nuts.]
Chloé: If you vote for me, you'll have invitations to Jagged's next concert!
"Meanwhile, I'm only hoping that she will not ever try to follow her father's steps in the future," Nino murmured.
"Agreed." Alya nodded next to him. "We're all done for if she does."
[Alya grabs two of the autographed CD's on the table, before coming face to face with a displeased Marinette.]
Marinette: Ah. Got your autograph?
Alya: Shh! [drags her to the corner] Yesssss, I got you one too! Sorry, I couldn't help myself…
Marinette: [reaches for it, before crossing her arms] No! I'm not interested at all! [conspicuously wraps an arm around Alya] But if you vote for me, maybe I'll forgive you…
Alya: [nods with a chuckle.]
"Hey!" Chloé protested. "That's not how it works!"
Alya and Marinette grinned.
"Well, I never said I'd vote for you in the first place," the blogger teased. "Best friends always come first, you know?"
"You see this girl?" Marinette wrapped an arm around Alya, who did the same to her. "She'd help me hide a body if I ever need to. Not that I will, of course."
They heard their boyfriends chuckle.
"Friendship at its finest, dude."
[Away from the city hall, Chat's still fighting Chevalier Noir, now on a bridge. The akuma uses the same trick he did in class, managing to send the hero's staff flying.]
Chat: [cornered] That's crazy, how did that get me?!
"Because you're gullible," Marinette said matter-of-factly. "I think we've already discussed that."
Adrien gasped in mock outrage. "Why must you always hurt me so?!"
She rolled her eyes, booping his nose.
Chevalier Noir: Seize him!
[The knights run towards Chat, who simply jumps off the bridge to escape.]
Chevalier Noir: Let's not lose time. The city hall awaits!
[The army leaves, unaware of the hero still hiding right under them.]
Chat: The city hall? [grins] Go ahead guys, I'll catch up with you.
[Back at the city hall, Sabrina runs directly to Chloé, out of breath.]
Chloé: Where were you?! I hope you have her diary!
Sabrina: Yes I do! More or less… [shows her the box.]
Chloé: EH? [turns her away from everyone else] What's this thing?!
Sabrina: I wanted to take her diary and suddenly, this box closed itself on my hand…
Chloé: Wait, and I'm supposed to believe you, is that it? [sighs] You're a real drag.
"Turns out it was the truth." Chloé frowned. "Damn Marinette and her weird shit."
"I think you mean clever." Adrien grinned. "Imagine what would have happened if her secret got out."
"Even Chloé would vote for her, that's what." Alya grinned, making the blonde girl gasp.
"I would not!"
Her response was a series of disbelieving hums.
Marinette: [talking to the rest of the class] Hey, but don't you feel like you're being bribed? It's not with concert seats we're going to solve the class' problems!
Nathaniel: Okay, but what's your program, Marinette?
Marinette: Well, er… I was thinking that… Actually, adding cushions might be more realistic than buying chairs! [whispers to Rose] Your cushion could be spangled pink!
Rose: [squeals.]
Marinette: And I'll see that we can listen to music in the library! With headphones, of course.
"Real promising, my Lady," Adrien chuckled.
"At least I was trying!" Marinette pouted. "It's not like I could just come up with something better than Jagged Stone's concert tickets right out of the blue!"
"Which was exactly what you did in the end, Marinette," Tikki stated smugly.
Chloé: It's amazing, you could almost think you're listening to a delegate… Too bad you don't have a chance to win. I need to talk to you. [drags her to where Sabrina is hidden.]
Marinette: [gasps] My diary! How did you get it?!
Chloé: If you don't withdraw your candidature, all your secrets will be revealed, dear Marinette.
Marinette: How dare y– I mean… What secrets?
"As smooth as a sandpaper, that one." Chloé rolled her eyes. "Everybody has secrets."
"Mm, true." Marinette grinned, resting her chin on her hand in the smuggest way possible. "But not everyone is trying to hide their secret identity. Which, by the way, sometimes I still wish I could have seen your faces if you found out that day."
The blonde huffed. "I would have learned that you are a fraud."
"I… would have asked for an autograph," Sabrina admitted quietly, making Chloé shriek in betrayal while Marinette laughed.
Chloé: We're going to know quickly. As soon as I open your box with an electric saw.
[Suddenly, everyone hears the sound of trumpets outside. The mayor opens the doors ever so slightly, and soon everyone is peeking on what is going on.]
Knight: Hark, hark! The Chevalier Noir will speak! Listen to him! Or you will be thrown in the Bastille!
Chevalier Noir: Much soon, my standard will float on this land! Bourgeois! Arrant knave! Leave this very minute and come make war!
M. Bourgeois: What did he say?
Alya: Well, Basically… fight me, hick.
"Beautiful translation, Alya," Adrien chuckled, and the blogger grinned.
"I try my best."
M. Bourgeois: Go make an appointment with my secretary! [closes the doors.]
Chevalier Noir: [laughs] Kneel before the Chevalier Noir, or you shall taste my sword!
Knights: [advance] By the iron! By the iron! By the iron!
[Chat Noir jumps down from the rooftops, throwing his staff on the knights and managing to knock quite a few of them.]
"Okay but…. DUDE THAT WAS GREAT!" Nino bounced on his seat. "Holy crap, how do you do that stuff?!"
Adrien puffed his chest proudly. "Oh, I don't know… I guess I was just born to be a hero," he replied, mocking superiority.
Marinette hit him with another cushion. "Tone it down, chaton." He pouted.
Chevalier Noir: Seize him!
Chat: Well, aren't these tin cans dangerous?
[He keeps fighting, mostly managing to defeat them, until a bunch of knights jumped on him.]
Marinette: [watches from the window] Ouch, that's gotta hurt…
Chat: [almost immediately knocks them over] I'm ready, we can start fighting!
"Ooor not," Alya snickered. "He seems pretty fine to me."
Marinette shook her head fondly. "Show-off."
Adrien huffed. "You say that, but you love me."
"I never denied that."
Chevalier Noir: By the iron! [attacks Chat, and the two start battling again.]
[Inside, Jagged Stone finally finishes his last autograph, before noticing the noise coming from outside.]
Jagged: Well, well, it looks like my fans're here! No problem, I'm gonna give 'em what they're lookin' for! [grabs his guitar and goes outside to sing.]
Marinette stared at the screen in disbelief.
"Jagged, what the actual fuck?!" She screeched.
"Isn't he from United States?" Nino asked her. "The dude probably knows nothing about akumas."
"I'd agree with you if the first thing he didn't do when he arrived was to be targeted by an akuma, to then get turn into one some time later." Adrien sighed.
"When are people going to learn?!" Marinette groaned, falling limp against her beanbag. "I swear the next person to do some shit like this will have their ass kicked!"
Alya snickered. "I can't wait to see that."
[Jagged notices the fight and keeps staring, until the akuma notices him.]
Chevalier Noir: Well, look, a troubadour.
Jagged: Hey, guys, I know you're fans of me, but it's no reason to fight!
Chevalier Noir: Are you the usurper's champion?
Jagged: I'm what?
[The akuma turns him into a knight like the others, while the students watch from the hall.]
Chloé: Oh no!
Ivan: They're crazy, these guys…
Marinette: The doors, quick!
Chloé: The doors, quick!
Marinette: Shut up, Chloé.
Chloé: Shut up, Chloé– Oops.
Chloé grumbled as the whole class roared with laughter.
"That was perfect!" Ivan managed between snickers.
"Aw, I wish I had recorded that!" Alya lamented. "I'd never let Chloé live it down if I had!"
"You'd never let her live it down? I won't let her live it down! Recorded or not!" Alix grinned.
"Pests." The blonde huffed.
Chevalier Noir: On your knees before the Chevalier Noir's standart! Surrender or perish!
[The students quickly close the door.]
Rose: Chloé, what do we do? As delegate, what do you recommend?!
Chloé: I remind you I'm not delegate yet but if I'm elected, I'll answer you. Tomorrow.
Rose: But we won't be able to wait until tomorrow!
Chloé: In that case, there's a problem. Better ask someone else!
"Really?" Adrien sighed. "There's an army of knights outside and all you can think of is the election?"
"Well, I'm sorry if I'm not Ladybug!" Chloé defended, to which the heroine grinned.
"Are you admitting that I'm a great hero?"
"No!"
Marinette: [hides upstairs] Tikki, we need to talk!
Tikki: What do you intend to do?
Marinette: Chat Noir needs Ladybug but… The students also need me!
Tikki: Trust your instinct.
"That's… helpful." Juleka raised an eyebrow. Tikki shrugged.
"Marinette is a born leader. She just needs a push to remember that once in a while."
[She runs back downstairs.]
Marinette: Kim, Ivan, block the doors. And also take care of the windows! Come on, chop chop!
[The two of them nod before doing as she says.]
Marinette: Nino, Juleka, Rose, Mylène and Alya, follow me!
Alya: Bravo, Marinette! [turns to Chloé] There, that's the behavior of a future delegate!
Chloé: Yeah, well, alright, actually that's exactly what I was gonna say! Sabrina, Ivan, Kim, go close the doors! [hides again.]
The room was filled with skeptical hums at her statement.
"Sure you were, Chloé." Alya shook her head.
[Outside, the knights are slamming the door to break in, while the students are blocking the door with different objects from the inside.]
Marinette: Block all the entrances!
Nino: I hope nothing happened to Chat Noir…
Marinette: It's becoming too dangerous… Monsieur, we need to go quickly.
[The mayor nods and motions for everyone to follow him.]
"That moment when you're badass enough to order the mayor around." Nino raised his eyebrows, impressed. Marinette sent him a small smirk while Adrien grinned proudly.
"That's my Lady for you, man."
Marinette: I'm coming in a few minutes, the time to check all the windows are closed! [turns to Tikki as soon as they're gone] All good, we can go. Tikki, transform me!
[Outside, Chat is being cornered against the wall of the city hall.]
Chat: Come on, easy on it, tin cans…
[Suddenly, Ladybug's yoyo falls in front of him, pulling him up as soon as he takes hold of the string.]
Ladybug: I'm really sorry, I had a bit of work inside!
Chat: Oh, you know, I was doing alright alone. But it's always nice to see you!
"Dude, what the heck is that pose?" Nino snickered.
"It's him being a dork and trying to look cool," Marinette answered for her partner, who made a noise in protest.
Chevalier Noir: Pillar formation!
[The knights start climbing one another to get to the top of the building, quickly being pushed back down by both heroes.]
Chat: Strike!
Chevalier Noir: Blasted astray acrobats.
[He walks over to a few cars, turning them into catapults. Soon, they start lauching themselves up to the roof, while the heroes watch in confusion.]
Chat: Why are they going to the roof? [sees a knight slam against the wall near them] I mean, the ones that manage.
Ladybug: It's for the flag!
Chevalier Noir: [launches himself directly to the flag, cutting it down] Once my standart replaces this oriflamme, my victory shall be total!
[The heroes climb to the roof after them.]
Ladybug: The Akuma must be in his sword!
Chat: What are we gonna do to catch it?
Ladybug: We need to join him up there! [throws her yoyo directly to Chevalier Noir's arm, climbing up to him. She tries to attack him, but is tossed to a lower level instead] Chat Noir! Don't let him put his flag!
[Chat destroyes their pillar formation again, though he's still unable to stop the flag from arriving to the top, being held down by a few knights.]
Chevalier Noir: Peasant, you do not impress me. By the iron of my sword! I hereby declare that every inhabitant of this land is now my serf!
[He sticks the pole of his flag on the roof, creating a huge, black cloud that grows over the whole city of Paris.]
Chevalier Noir: Kneel before your liege!
The students watch as the magic starts transforming everyone from the very border of the city and slowly reaches the city hall, not one person managing to escape the black wall narrowing on them.
"That's… actually terrifying," Kim spoke, seeming uncomfortable with the sight – like most of the other teenagers.
Marinette shuddered. "That was too much of a close call for my liking." Adrien agreed with a nod.
Chevalier Noir: [laughs, poiting at Ladybug with his sword] Soon, you too, blasted woodlouse, you shall join my army's ranks!
Chat Noir: [forces himself free of the knights] In your dreams! En garde! [attacks the akuma.]
All the shippers – which, really, included almost everyone in the class – cheered.
"You go, Adrien!" Alya beamed from her seat.
"It was for Ladybug, you saw that?! Oh my God, you guys are too cute!" Rose bounced on her beanbag, and Adrien grinned.
"Anyone who wants my Lady will have to get through me first."
Marinette rolled her eyes. "Such a protective kitten."
Papillon: Soon enough, Ladybug and Chat Nor will have to face their fates.
"Dude, why are you so obsessed with us defeating you?" Adrien deadpanned, making Marinette snicker.
"Sometimes I think that guy must love us in secret."
[Meanwhile, Chat and Chevalier are in the middle of a fight, when the hero notices the magic coming closer.]
Chat: Us too, we're gonna end up as knights!
Ladybug: [notices the wall too] Lucky Charm! [looks at the ladybug toy in her hands] Al-right, okay… [looks around] Let's hope he's ticklish.
"… Really?" Alya looked at her best friend in disbelief. "You are going to win a fight with tickles?"
Marinette shrugged. "I've had weirder plans."
Adrien shook his head in amusement. "I beg to differ."
[The akuma stops in the middle of battle in hopes to trick Chat Noir again.]
Chat: [smirks] Not this time.
[He holds his staff with both hands as he attacks, not allowing the akuma to throw his weapon away again.
Ladybug, being cornered, jumps away from the knights and gets closer to the Chevalier Noir, throwing the toy directly into his armpit. He lets go of his sword, which Chat catches and throws to his Lady, who breaks it.]
"You make that look so easy," Adrien commented.
"Which is a good reminder to never get to her bad side." Max pushed his glasses up his nose. "She broke that sword like someone breaks a glass bottle. Do you know how resistant a sword like that is? That shouldn't be even possible for a human being!"
"Chloé should better watch out," Alya sing-songed, watching the blonde in question considerably pale.
Ladybug: [opens her yoyo] You've done enough harm, little akuma! I'm freeing you from evil! [catches the butterfly, releasing it already cleansed] Bye-bye, little butterfly. [throws the toy skywards] Miraculous Ladybug!
Ladybug and Chat Noir: [fistbump] Good job!
Chat: [notices his ring beeping] It's time for me to go, I'm awaited. [leaves]
[From his lair, Papillon watches bitterly.]
Papillon: Our duel isn't over, dear Ladybug. But I know that at the end of the dispatch, I'll hit the bulls eye!
[Ladybug jumps back into the hall, instantly detransforming.]
Tikki: Bravo, Marinette! You showed you could be Ladybug while also being class delegate!
Marinette: It wasn't easy but I'm glad I did it! If I hadn't tried, I'd have never known I was capable of it!
[She runs back downstairs, where everyone else is opening the doors again.]
Chloé: [notices Marinette] Where were you? I bet you were hiding, right?
Marinette: You're super funny, Chloé. I… got… transformed into a knight!
Adrien: [comes running from the same way Marinette did] Yes, me too! It was a real nightmare!
Marinette stared at the screen.
"How did I FALL FOR THAT?" She cried. "You even came from the exact fucking place– Oh my GOD!"
The class laughed.
"The same way I fell for it," Adrien replied. "We were rather dense."
"Rather?" Plagg snickered.
"Ah, it's so good to see Marinette freaking out like this too." Alya grinned. "It's so… refreshing."
The heroine wasted no time in cushioning her.
Marinette: Now that all that is over, I want you to give me back what belongs to me!
[That catches the attention of their classmates, who gather around them.]
Chloé: Errrr, I don't see what you're talking about at all!
Sabrina: [runs to Marinette] Oh yes, please, take it back!
[Marinette quickly unlocks the box, freeing Sabrina's hand.]
Sabrina: Thank you!
Alya: [filming everything] Chloé? A comment to make?
Chloé: It's really nonsense, I never stole her diary! I'm scandalized you could accuse me!
Marinette: Funny, how did you know my diary was inside?
[The class gasps.]
Chloé: Uh, wel… It's Sabrina who told me! All of that was her idea!
Nino: That's straight up not cool!
"Such a great best friend," Nino agreed with himself onscreen.
Chloé: Well, I think no one will vote for Chloé now. You're our new delegate!
Marinette: Not so fast, Alya.
Chloé: Ha! Look! She already changed her mind! We can't count on her!
Marinette: That's not true! I'd like an election on healthy bases. I don't want to be elected because you don't want Chloé, but because you want me! I don't want to make any promises I won't hold. And I may not manage to do everything you ask me… But I'm resourceful and I keep my word! I know how to listen, and work doesn't scare me! Being the delegate is a task in which I believe. And the most important thing, I believe in my capacities. So, for the delegate elections, vote for Marinette.
The class cheered once more along with their past selves, a few of them whistling.
"I approve of Marinette as president every year." Mylène smiled. "She's the best!"
"It's refreshing to hear that speech again," Alya agreed as she applauded her best friend, who currently tried to hide the biggest of the smiles behind her hands.
Had she really said all that?
[The next day, Mme. Bustier is announcing the results of the election.]
Mme. Bustier: Elected with the majority of votes, Marinette is your new delegate! And Alya will be her substitute!
Marinette: [whispers] No worries, you'll have time to run your blog and to be the substitute, with some will, nothing can resist us!
Alya: You have all my trust!
"So," Nathaniel spoke playfully, "ever thought of giving up designing for politics, Marinette?"
"You could dethrone the Bourgeois again!" Alix grinned.
"I'd vote for her," Juleka spoke with a smile, earning many cries of agreement.
"What? No." Marinette dismissed them with her hand. "It's one thing to take care of a class, and another entirely to take care of a city… Or even a country…"
"I bet you could do it," Tikki giggled. "My ladybugs have always been important role models in their times, one way or another."
"And my black cats have always been there to help them!" Plagg agreed with pride.
Marinette shook her head with a smile. "I will leave the politics for the politicians. I'd rather keep working on my designs, thanks."
"Aaaw, that's such a pity, my Lady!" Adrien sighed in mock disappointment. "And here I was, imagining you giving other amazing speeches while I stood beside you as First Gentleman."
She whipped her head to look at him, her eyebrows shooting up.
"'First Gentleman'?"
"Well, unless you'd rather call me First Lady, but I think that could be rather confusing… my Lady." He shrugged playfully, while she kept staring. "What?"
"Agreste," Alya smirked over Marinette's shoulder, "is that your way of asking my best friend in marriage? Because I will say, that's quite bold of you."
"In front of the whole class, nonetheless," Nino joined, enjoying how his best friend slowly became about the same color as Ladybug's suit when he realized the implications of his own words.
Trust Adrien to be so engrossed in his fantasies that he'd let something like that slip.
"I didn't– I meant as a partner! I'm Chat Noir, I stand by her to the very end, right?!" The blonde stuttered his protest, earning a few snickers from his classmates.
Not like he could escape from that. To be First Gentleman, one must be married to the president.
Damn.
"Still sounds like marriage to me," his best friend sing-songed, earning a groan from the poor cat.
"Hey, Nino." Alya nudged him. "I bet five bucks that he will do some shit like this for his proposal."
"Oh, you're on!"
"Count me in!" Kim joined, being followed by a few of the other teens.
Marinette squeaked, beyond red at this point. "W-We are fifteen!"
"True." Alya shrugged. "Which means that in a few years everyone will be owing me money."
"You wish!" Ivan shouted while Mylène giggled.
Adrien sighed from his seat, his red face buried in his hands.
Why was that his life?
"C-Can we just move on to the next episode, please…?" He pleaded. That would be good. Another episode was safer – off marriage topics that they really should not be discussing for at least another five or six years!
"R-Right! Another e-episode! Cool!" Marinette reached for the remote, desperately going to the next one on the list so they could move on. "Le Mime," she read out loud, turning to Mylène. "That's, M. Haprèle."
The small girl nodded. "That day was not one of the best for him… But hey, it was fine in the end."
"And it was a mess for me." Alya grinned. "Ladies and gentlemen, I believe we will now see Ladybug's second robbery."
The class "OH'ed", suddenly much more interested than before. Marinette huffed.
"What's with you guys and loving me stealing phones? … Which I don't do."
"It's funny." Adrien grinned, leaving the previous subject aside completely. "I knew you could go to the extremes sometimes, but that is another level entirely. I want to see it!"
"Put it on!" Alya demanded dramatically. "Show the world how you made your best just another victim of your heists!"
Marinette rolled her eyes, sighing. "You could give Adrien a run for his money sometimes…" she murmured as she started the new episode.