Adrien was part of a fencing team. He was one of the best on his team. They were in the middle of taking some new recruits on his team and was able to land a point on his opponent.

"And that's point." Adrien said as they both gave a respective end to their match. "Anyone left?"

"That would be me." Adrien looked and saw his next opponent was wearing red.

"Okay. Let's see what you can do." Adrien said. Both of them took their stances and fenced against each other. This one was highly skilled. Whoever it was, was as highly skilled as Adrien was. In the end, the one in red was able to land a point. "Wow. You're really skilled." He took off his helmet to show his face. "My name's Adrien. Who are you?" His opponent took off the mask and Adrien was surprised to see it was a girl.

"My name is Kagami Tsurugi. Fencing is part of my family heritage. I've heard about you, Adrien. How you are the best on this team. That is why I'm glad to have you as my opponent. Now let us continue."

"Oh… Okay." Adrien said as he could see that Kagami just wanted to get right to it as the two of them continued their match.

….

Downtown

People were just going on with their regular business. It seemed like a normal one, but they were one. A steel figure was walking on the top of a roof. She wasn't alone either. Mayura was with her as well.

"Are you ready, Riposte?" Mayura asked.

"I am. I shall bring honor to the name of Hawk Moth." Riposte said as she raised her blade.

"Bring out as much destruction as you can. It will bring out the rangers and you will surely have your challenge." Mayura said.

"As you wish!" Riposte said. She jumped down and sliced a car in half. Riposte was causing havoc as she ripped through the city. "Step forward, rangers! I wish to have a worthy opponent!"

"I might not be a ranger, but I am more than able to give you a challenge." Riposte turned around and was met with Sol Knight as he drew out his sword.

"Very well." Riposte said as she held out her blade and the two of them began their duel.

…

Adrien

Adrien continued his match against Kagami and it seemed like an even match.

"Nice match. I'm just going to get some water." Adrien said and Kagami allowed him to go. Adrien got his water from his bag, but his morpher was alerting him of trouble. Adrien put his fencing stuff away and was running for it.

"Where are you going?" Kagami asked.

"Sorry. I have an emergency to deal with, but my bodyguard wouldn't let me go." Adrien said as he snuck out through the back and Kagami thought that was a little strange.

…

Riposte

Riposte and Sol Knight continued their little match against each other. Sol Knight swung his sword at her, but Riposte jump over him and avoided his attack.

"Feast on my blade!" Riposte said. She moved with great speed as she thrusted her sword against him, but Sol Knight was doing his best to hold off against the attack. Riposte gave it one last thrust and Sol Knight was pushed back.

"Stop right there!" Riposte turned and saw all five rangers arrived.

"Rangers… Perfect." Riposte said. "You might be more of a challenge than this knight. Let's see what you can really do."

"You want a fight? You got one." Adrien said.

"Excellent! Begin!" Riposte said as she went on the attack. She used her blade against them and did some serious damage on all of them. "How disappointing. Isn't there anyone that can give me a challenge?"

"How about me!" Adrien said as he got back up. "Light of Miracles, Activate!" Adrien powered himself up and used his sword against her. The two of them kept clashing swords against each other. Adrien used his fencing skills to help. "On guard! Touche! Halaporte!" He was able to get past her blade and slashed against her.

"Okay, you made that last one up." Nino said as they regrouped.

"Not bad, but let's see you how handle this!" Riposte said as she thrusted her blade around and released powerful shockwaves that knocked all of them down and caused a series of explosions.

"Stop!" Sol Knight said as he went to attack her. He wasn't the only one as the rangers came at her as well. Riposte jumped up and over the rangers.

"Hold it!" Adrien said as he quickly turned around to face her. He swung his sword at her, but Riposte blocked it.

"You're skilled, Black Ranger. I'll be looking forward to challenging you again!" Riposte said. She pushed his sword aside and slashed against him to knock him down. "The next time we meet, I hope it will be one-on-one." With that, she made her retreat and the other rangers helped him.

"Adrien, you're not hurt, are you?" Marinette said.

"I'm fine." Adrien said.

"That warrior is highly skilled." Sol Knight said. "She has the marksmanship of a true swordsman. She will be a difficult one to beat."

"I'm a little surprised to see you here." Alya said.

"Sol Knight, you were fighting her before us. What can you tell us about her?" Francis asked.

"All I can say is that she's skilled." Sol Knight said and walked away. "You just stay out of my way. I will defeat evil."

"Sol Knight, wait!" Marinette said and he stopped. "I think we could work together. You just have to stop putting people in danger. There are some things more important than a mission."

"Nothing is more important to a knight than completing his mission." Sol Knight said and just kept walking.

"What's with him?" Luka said.

"He just has a lot to learn." Francis said as the rangers powered down. When they did, Adrien spotted the car of his bodyguard.

"Oh no. I need to go. I have a feeling I'm in a lot of trouble." Adrien said as he walked over to the car and awaited punishment.

"You think he's going to be okay?" Marinette asked.

"Against that monster when it comes back, sure. Against his father, not a chance." Alya said.

…..

Adrien

"Adrien, I'm very disappointed in you." Gabriel said as he was lecturing his son at home. "You left in the middle of fencing practice?"

"I'm sorry. My friends needed help and I had to go." Adrien said.

"I'm starting to think those friends are really no good." Gabriel said. "You've been acting out because of them."

"Father, please don't blame them because it was my choice." Adrien said. "They just needed my help and it was nothing bad or anything like that. I'll make up for lost time and work twice as hard."

"I was actually hoping you say something like that." Gabriel said. "I have spoken to someone I have done business with before. Her daughter is a brilliant fencer. Her name is Kagami."

"Kagami?! I actually just met her. She was trying out for the fencing team." Adrien said.

"So you know her. Good." Gabriel said. "You are to meet her at the park and if I hear you leave in the middle of practice for any reason, you will be in great trouble. Now gather your fencing gear and get going."

"Yes, Father." Adrien said as he hurried to get his stuff. When Adrien left, Natalie stepped forward.

"What are you trying to do?" Natalie questioned.

"Riposte told me what happened." Gabriel said. "She thinks Adrien will be a challenge since he's the only one that injured her. I gave her explicit orders not to harm him. Just wear him down until he demorphs and take his morpher from him. This way, the other rangers can't interfere. You make sure that it stays that way."

"Of course, but I still think it would be easier if we just take his morpher ourselves and we'll have his miraculous power." Natalie said.

"I can't do that. He never takes it off." Gabriel said. "If we do that, he'll get suspicious. I can't have any suspicion drawn to me. I don't want to take even the slightest chance of my plans ruined."

"As you wish, sir." Natalie said. Gabriel wants to protect the bond with his son, but is also trying to get what he desires at the same time. Not easy when you're the bad guy.

…..

Rangers' Base

"That monster is a powerful swordsman." Francis said. "If it weren't for Adrien's fencing skills, we could have been in trouble."

"No doubt. How are we going to handle this one?" Nino said.

"Master Fu, what do you think?" Marinette asked.

"This monster could be a real challenge." Fu said. "It also looks like this one is looking for someone to give her a challenge."

"A challenge?" Alya questioned.

"Some warriors wish to seek a challenge." Fu said. "They want to test their abilities against an opponent that is able to push them to their limits. They do it because they want to know how stronger they can get and how strong they already are."

"So how do we beat her?" Luka asked.

"We keep our guard up." Francis said. "She's skilled and that weapon of hers is powerful. We really need to be careful when we face this one."

…

Adrien

Adrien went to the park and Kagami was there and waiting for him. His bodyguard was also there to make sure he wouldn't run off again.

"There you are." Kagami said as she faced him. "That was quite disrespectful to your team and to myself for you to leave the way you do."

"I'm sorry." Adrien said.

"I do not care for apologies or for excuses." Kagami said. "If you are aiming to be a great fencer, you must challenge your abilities and skills."

"Great fencer? I'm not aiming for that. I like fencing, but I don't know if I want to base my life around it." Adrien said.

"I suppose that's where we differ. Let us begin." Kagami said. Both of them took their positions and began practicing their fencing skills. As they were practicing, Riposte was near.

"So Black Ranger is practicing. Not all the practice in the world will save him from my wrath." Riposte said. Adrien and Kagami kept going at each other, but Adrien was also trying to talk.

"So you say that this is where we differ?" Adrien said. "Are you planning to be a famous fencer or something?"

"Fencing is a high honor in my family. We aim to be the best." Kagami said. "My mother wants me to follow in the footsteps of her and my grandfather. I shall. That is why I practice all the time."

"Really?" Adrien said. "So when do you have time for your friends?"

"I don't have any." Kagami said.

"What?!" Adrien said as he put an end to all this fencing. "You don't have friends."

"My mother doesn't want me to have distractions. She wants me to focus on my skills, hone them, and advance them." Kagami said.

"That's…That's awful, not having friends. It sounds like your mother is strict." Adrien said. "More strict than my father is with me. I wasn't allowed to leave the house for a long time because of him."

"Really?" Kagami said. The two of them kept talking and found they had a lot in common. His bodyguard just stayed put, but he did hear something hit his car. They heard him yell and Adrien and Kagami saw Riposte was back. Riposte charged right at the two of them.

"Look out!" Adrien said as he pushed Kagami out of the way. Riposte swung her sword at him, but he ducked down. He tried attacking her but she tossed him back.

"Stop!" Kagami said as she was braved enough to face her, but Riposte cut she cut clean through her practice sword and kicked Kagami back.

"Come here." Riposte said as she grabbed Kagami.

"Kagami!" Adrien called as he raced to help her, but Riposte kicked him back.

"If you want to see her unharmed, come and face for that challenge." Riposte said as she disappeared with Kagami. Adrien has been challenged and he'll have to take it.

…

The Rangers

All of them tried to figure out what to do about Riposte as they all hanged around their base. Suddenly, the alarm went off. Fu pulled out the computer and saw there was trouble.

"Go, Rangers. Trouble." Fu said. All of them understood and got moving. All of them ran down the streets and were hurrying to get to the trouble. However, Mayura and some akumas showed and got in there way.

"Going somewhere, rangers?" Mayura questioned.

"Mayura!" Francis said.

"You're not going anywhere, rangers." Mayura said. "What's about to happen is between Riposte and Adrien."

"Get out of our way!" Francis said as the other five rangers fought their way through them.

….

Adrien

Adrien hurried and chased after Riposte to save Kagami. Adrien followed them into a construction site and saw that Riposte was still holding on to Kagami.

"Let her go!" Adrien said.

"I'm glad you made it." Riposte said.

"Unhand me!" Kagami said as she tried to get free. "What is this about in the first place?"

"Simple. He is going to give me the challenge I am looking for." Riposte said. "Now, come on! Let us begin!" Adrien saw that there was no other choice and that he is going to have to trust Kagami as he held out his morpher.

"Miraculous Power!" Adrien morphed with him activating the Light of Miracles and Kagami was amazed with what she just witnessed. "Let's go!" Adrien charged right at her. Riposte pushed Kagami aside and the two started their duel as they clashed their blades against each other. Riposte jumped on some pipes with Adrien following and continued to match her power.

….

The Rangers

Francis and the other rangers were doing their best to get through Mayura and the akumas. Mayura was trying to keep the rangers where they were.

"You're not going anywhere." Mayura said.

"That's what you think!" Marinette said as she tried to force her way through, but Mayura beat her back.

"We need to get through. Adrien might need our help." Nino said.

"I know, but Mayura won't let us through easily." Francis said. Forcing their way through was there only chance. Suddenly, Sol Knight arrived and joined in the fight.

"Sol Knight? What are you doing here?" Mayura questioned.

"I go where I must to vanquish evil." Sol Knight said as he took down all that stand in his way.

"Now's our chance." Francis said as they moved away from the fight and let Sol Knight handle this.

"Stop!" Mayura said as she tried to go after them, but Sol Knight stopped her from going anywhere.

"I don't think so." Sol Knight said as he began to fight her. That left the rangers in the clear to help Adrien.

…..

Adrien

Adrien was faced with a real challenge. He rolled through a fence and as he tried to get up, Riposte came at him again and slashed against him multiple times. Riposte grabbed a hold of him and tossed him away.

"Is that really all you got? I'm disappointed." Riposte said. "I thought you would be more of a challenge."

"I'm just getting started." Adrien said as he was able to stand back up. "I can take anything you throw at me."

"Let's find out!" Riposte said as she went at him against. She thrusted her blade forward, but Adrien deflected it and slashed against Riposte. He slashed against Riposte a couple more times and gave one more powerful slash that caused her to roll against the ground.

"How's that?" Adrien said. "I think I know what your problem is. You're dull and boring for not having much fun in your life. You're just too serious."

"You dare mock me?" Riposte said.

"Think about it. If you obsess over something like finding a challenge, you'll miss out on some of the fun in your life." Adrien said.

"Joke's on you. Destroying you will be fun!" Riposte said as she charged right at him again.

"One other problem with that is you won't have friends to back you up." Adrien said. That was went something was tossed at Riposte and hit her legs to cause her to trip. "Nice, Luka."

"No problem." Luka said as he showed his morphed self with the other rangers powered up.

"Are you okay, Adrien?" Marinette asked.

"I'm fine, but I think it's time we ended this." Adrien said. The other rangers agreed as Riposte stood back up and the five rangers charged.

"Miracle Slash!" Adrien said as all five of them charged and moved at great speed as each one of them slashed against Riposte. Riposte couldn't fight back and too the full power and was soon destroyed. "She wanted a challenge? No one is a challenge for us."

"You can say that again." Nino said. Adrien was glad it was over. Adrien spotted Kagami still around and went to make sure she was okay.

"You hurt?" Adrien asked.

"No. Thank you." Kagami said as she was amazed with what she saw.

…

Mayura

Mayura kept fighting Sol Knight and Sol Knight proved to be a challenge to her. She used her fan to fight him back, but he deflected her attack and kicked her back.

"Had enough?" Sol Knight said.

"For now." Mayura said as she made her escape. They may have lost this time, but Hawk Moth and Mayura aren't done with them yet.

…

Adrien

Adrien took Kagami back to the park. She was impressed with what she saw and promised that she wouldn't tell anyone about it.

"It certainly was impressive with how you handled the monster." Kagami said. "Your skills with a sword are quite remarkable."

"Thanks." Adrien said as they grabbed their fencing gear. "You know, I could still use some practice. The next battle could be different. What do you say?"

"Of course. I did see some flaws in your technique." Kagami said.

"Hey. After this, you want to grab some ice cream or something with my friends?" Adrien said. "Challenging yourself is great and everything, but you do want to have some fun in your life, don't you?"

"Fun?" Kagami said as she never thought about that before. "I'm in." The two of them continued training and became good friends in the process. Adrien might not be as disciplined as Kagami, but that's because he has a balance of work and pleasure in his life. He's a true swordsman in his own right.