Today was a special day at the school. Today was Miss Bustier's birthday and everyone was talking about their gifts to her. Nathaniel planned to give her a picture of her as a superhero, Rose planned to give her a scrapbook and Mylene wanted to give her a braid.
"Let me guess, you just finished your gift," Alya said to Marinette.
"I hope Miss Bustier likes it," Marinette said as she listened to everyone talk about their gifts to the teacher.
"I painted her as a superhero, because she's always here for us," said Nathaniel.
"I'll give her a braid of hair to thank her for her breathing class. It helps me to be less afraid of Akumas," said Mylene.
"I got my inspiration from the exercise she has us do at the beginning of every class," said Rose, remembering the time she complimented Chloe's hair and she responded in kind. If you can call it that. "Isn't it great to start the day by sharing a few kind words with each other?"
Marinette sighed in disappointment. "Compared to those other gifts, mine's gonna be super lame!"
Alya put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "There's no pressure, girl."
"How 'bout you, Marinette? I'm sure you've come up with something awesome, as usual," Adrien said.
"Oh, me? Uh... It's nearly reffing at all. Uh! I mean... It's really nothing at all!" She showed everyone her present, a homemade makeup bag with writing on it. "'If we wish to change the world, we must all learn to love each other.' That's one of the first things Miss Bustier taught us when we first met her at school. I always keep it in mind." While everyone went "Aww!" Chloe slammed her locker. Marinette held up a teal lipstick. "I also added this tube of lip balm — Miss Bustier's favorite color!"
"Come to think of it, Miss Bustier is probably the reason we all get along so awesomely," said Alya.
"Almost everyone," said Rudi as he gestured to Chloe. "Hey, spoiled princess! What did you get her?" Chloe responded with a growl.
"Nothing," said Marinette, folding her arms. "Just like every year since kindergarten."
Sabrina defended her "friend", "It's not her fault, okay? Chloé just doesn't like birthdays! She never remembers them, just like her mom."
Chloe clapped her hands over Sabrina's mouth. "Yeah, well, you don't have to tell 'em my life story, either. Anyway, all that stuff about compliments and love? Ridiculous! Utterly ridiculous!"
Alya leaned in to whisper into Marinette's ear, "This girl's got no heart."
Unfortunately, Chloe heard her and snapped, "Uh, of course I have a heart! Daddy will even buy me a second one, if I want."
Rudi chuckled, "Forget a heart. She's got no soul!"
"So what's your present, Rudi?" asked Kim.
Rudi put a finger to his lips. "It's a surprise."
The bell rang before she could snap at him. The students chattered as they left the locker room. Eyeing Chloé, Marinette put her present in her locker. She slamed her locker door, not noticing that it didn't latch shut. Marinette left, glaring and growling at Chloé. Sabrina attempted to leave but Chloé stopped her.
"We're going to be late for Mrs. Mendeleiev's physics class, Chloé!"
"Hand me my permanent marker, Sabrina," Chloe said as she opened Marinette's locker. "I do have a present for you, Marinette Dupain-Cheng."
Later that day, when the next class started, Miss Bustier was amazed at the huge stack of presents on top of her desk. "Oh! Thank you!"
"Happy birthday, Miss Bustier," the students said.
"It's all so wonderful!" The teacher reached for Marinette's present. When she opened it, she raised an eyebrow. "Marinette, what is this?" She showed Marinette the makeup bag. Its message had been crossed out with black marker and a crude stick figure of Marinette had been drawn on it.
Marinette glared at one person she knew would do this. "I know you did this, Chloé Bourgeois!"
Chloe smirked, clearly not denying it. She didn't even argue with the other kids when they angrily shouted at her. Miss Bustier clapped her hands to get their attention. "Calm down. We don't want to get upset on my birthday, now, do we?" She smiled at the bag. "Well, I think this present is wonderful. It'll be my new cosmetics bag! Then I'll be able to think of both of you every time I use it."
Marinette was outraged. "What? You're not gonna let her get away with this?!"
Alya pointed at Chloe and said angrily, "That girl is worse than Hawk Moth!"
"At least half the city has gotten Akumatized because of her," said Alix.
The other students agreed with her, growing more angry by the second. Chloe's smug smile didn't leave her face.
Miss Bustier shouted, "Students, please, calm down now! The classroom is not a place for insults and defamation! Marinette, would you come with me, please?"
"Wh-What?"
Miss Bustier took her hand and was about to leave when she turned to Alya. "Alya. I'm relying on you to make sure things don't get out of hand while we're gone."
"Okay, Miss."
Marinette and Miss Bustier left the classroom. In the hallway, Marinette looked up, furious and growling at the unfairness of it all.
The circular window to Hawk Moth's window opened and butterflies swarmed around him. "That feeling of injustice! What could be worse than being punished for someone else's wrongdoings?" He grabbed one of the butterflies and turned it from white to purple before letting it go. "Fly away, my little Akuma, and evilize her!"
Marinette was still feeling angry when Miss Bustier took her out to the hallway. "But Miss Bustier, it's so not fair! It was Chloé, pulling another...Chloé! And...I'm the one who's getting in trouble?!"
Miss Bustier laughed warmly before kneeling on one knee and putting a hand on Marinette's shoulder. "Of course you're not in trouble, don't worry! As the class representative, I want you to set a good example for your classmates. Don't give into feelings of anger. Try to forgive Chloé instead."
Marinette didn't want to forgive that spoiled brat. But, if would make her teacher happy, then... Her fist loosened. The Akuma flew toward her, but upon sensing her anger subside, it flew away.
Hawk Moth's eyes widened upon feeling the lack of anger. "Ugh...! The emotions have weakened! Get closer, Akuma!"
The Akuma flew in a little more closer as the two females talked it out. "I don't get it... Chloé is the meanest person I've ever known."
Miss Bustier stood up and said, "Come on... There are much worse people in Paris right now than Chloé Bourgeois. I'm sure people like Chloé are capable of great things. The problem is, they only think of themselves. They don't understand the meaning of love, and we can't force them to change. But perhaps we can show them by setting a good example. That's why people like you are so important in today's world; because they have a lot of love to give. I'm counting on you."
Marinette thought it over and nodded. "Okay, Miss Bustier."
The Akuma got a little closer and Miss Bustier saw it. "An Akuma!" She blocked Marinette and tried to swat it with the makeup bag. "Shoo! Go away! I won't let you evilize one of my students!"
Hawk Moth sensed the teacher's fear. "There! The mere fear that harm might come to her little protégé! Fly, my little evil one, and Akumatize her!"
Miss Bustier tossed the bag at the Akuma only for the lipstick to fly out and allow the Akuma to absorb itself into it. Miss Bustier instantly felt it try to influence her and she put her hands on head and shook her head violently, trying to fight it. "No! No!"
"Fight it Miss Bustier," cried Marinette. "Think only positive thoughts!"
Just then, Miss Bustier heard a deep baritone voice. "Hello, Miss. I am Hawk Moth."
"NO! I am not going to listen to you! You can't force me to do evil!"
"Who said anything about evil? There's already so much hate in the world. I want to help you unite everyone together with love, at last! Isn't that your greatest wish?"
Marinette grabbed her shoulders. "Miss Bustier, please! Breathe deeply and focus!"
Miss Bustier's body suddenly went slack and her arms fell to her sides. A sinister grin formed on her face. Marinette gasped and took off running. Miss Bustier heard the voice in her head again. "Zombizou, I'm giving you the power to spread love and compassion. Thanks to you, the whole world will be one big embrace! In return, bring me Ladybug and Chat Noir's Miraculous and Big-Head's Mask of Loki!"
Miss Bustier applied the black lipstick as purple smoke enveloped her. "I won't stop until everyone on Earth feels the love!" When the smoke dissipated, she was now wearing a purple and black voodoo dress with hearts and kiss marks on it, skin was green like the dead and her blue hair was tied in a bun with two pins in it. "Starting with...Chloé Bourgeois!"
Marinette hid in the locker room and let Tikki out of her purse. "I will not let Hawk Moth do this to the best teacher in the world! Tikki, SPOTS ON!" Tikki was sucked into her earrings and in a flash of red and black, she turned into Ladybug.
Zombizou kicked down the door to her classroom and hopped onto the desk before applying her lipstick. Everyone was shocked and silent. Then Rudi said, "Uh, Miss Bustier, what's with the gris-gris look?"
"I am not Miss Bustier, I am Zombizou! I have got some great news for you, students! From now on, everyone's going to hug and kiss and feel the love! Even you, Chloé."
Rudi laughed. "Like that'll ever happen!"
"Oh, no?" Zombizou blew a visible kiss at him and it smacked him right on the cheek.
"What the..."
"Now you, Chloe!" Zombizou reapplied her lipstick and blew a kiss at Chloe, but the girl grabbed Sabrina and used her as a human shield. It landed right on her forehead.
Sabrina tried to wipe it off with no luck. "Oh! What is that thing?"
Zombizou was about to blow another kiss when Ladybug appeared and wrapped her in her yo-yo. "Miss Bustier, stop this!"
"I'm not Miss Bustier anymore!" She pulled on Ladybug's yo-yo, throwing her against the wall. "I am Zombizou!" Zombizou attacked, Ladybug dodged; the students hurried outside of the classroom with Adrien holding the door.
"Everyone, leave!" Adrien shouted.
Zombizou sent Ladybug a kiss; she deflected it with her yo-yo. Adrien shut the door behind him.
The kids ran down to the courtyard when suddenly, Rudi felt strange. He fell flat on his face. "What's happening..."
Put me on! Put me on right now!
Adrien ran up to him. "What's wrong, Rudi?"
"Bathroom. B-Bathroom!" Rudi took off running into the boy's bathroom.
"Fine time to use the toilet!" Chloe shouted.
Rudi stumbled into the bathroom and grabbed onto the sink for support. He looked at himself in the mirror and saw that his eyes were turning pink. "Was passiert mir?" he groaned.
PUT ME ON RIGHT NOW! I can only protect you from Akuma magic when you wear me!
"I'm...I'm on it...show time..." He fumbled in his bag for the Mask and put it on his face. In a flash of green, he turned into Big-Head and screamed, "OH MAN! THAT WAS WAY TOO CLOSE!"
Big-Head kicked down the door and burst into the courtyard. "Alright, Zombizou, time to..." He stopped when he saw the courtyard was empty and it was eerily quiet. He walked into the center and looked around. "Wo sind alle?" he thought out loud.
"Kissy-boo..." That zombie-like moan slowly made him turn around and look up. He saw the students and teachers looking down at him from the railing. Their eyes were glowing pink and they had lustful smiles on their faces. Big-Head gulped nervously and took a step back. As if on cue, the students jumped from the railing and leaped down, puckering their lips. Big-Head yelped and was about to shoot them when a red and black yo-yo pulled him aside and hid him behind a column.
"Ladybug?" Big-Head exclaimed.
"Don't let them kiss you," Ladybug said. "They're under a love spell! If they kiss you, you become one of them!"
Big-Head peaked from their hiding spot to see the kissing zombies shambling around. "So I see. Where is everyone?"
"Dunno. I was about to check the locker room."
They snuck past the zombified staff and students and into the locker room. Weapons at the ready, the quietly walked in. Then suddenly, someone ran up to Ladybug and called out her name. She tossed the person over her shoulder and slammed her into a locker. Ladybug put her hand over her mouth in embarrassment when she saw it was Chloe. "Sorry! Reflex."
"Do it again!" said Big-Head.
"No," said Ladybug, helping Chloe up.
"Ladybug?! Yeah! We're saved!" Alya cheered as she gave Ladybug a hug. The other students came out of the lockers they were hiding in: Nino, Max, Kim, Juleka, Rose and Alix.
"Is everyone okay?" asked Ladybug.
"It looks like it," said Alya.
"What about Adrien?" asked Nino. "He still hasn't come out of his locker!"
Everyone went to Adrien's locker and opened the door. "Adrien?" asked Ladybug.
Adrien made a lustful grin. "Kissy-boo!"
"KISSY FACE!" screamed Big-Head and punched him square in the nose. Adrien let out a cry before the locker slammed in his face.
"Big-Head!" exclaimed Rose.
"Sorry. Reflex."
"Oh, man," said Alya. He must've gotten kissed on the stairs when he was saving Chloé."
The group suddenly heard banging outside the locker room door. Their eyes widened; the kissing zombies found them! Quickly, Big-Head barricaded the door with a bench, a canoe, a safe and chains.
"We have to get to the roof," said Ladybug.
"I'm on it." Big-Head pulled a grappling hook from his pocket, lassoed the entire group with his arm, then fired the hook to the roof, pulling everyone up.
Adrien peeked his head out the locker before coming back in. "Ugh," he groaned. His nose was bleeding pretty bad. "I think he broke my nose."
"Serves you right," said Plagg. "That was all just a ploy to try and get a kiss out of Ladybug."
"Come on, don't be ridiculous. How else will we work under the radar? Plagg, CLAWS OUT!" Plagg was sucked into the ring and in a flash of black and green, Adrien turned into Chat Noir. He came out of the locker just as a zombie's fist punched through the barricade. "Sorry, guys, no autographs this time!" He jumped out the window just as the door crashed open.
On the rooftop, the students gathered around Ladybug to watch the news footage from her yo-yo. "Yet again, it seems citizens of Paris are in great danger. Since this morning, a strange disease is spreading," reported Nadja.
"Hey guys," said Chat Noir, appearing from out of nowhere. "I'm all for our French greetings, but let's hold off on the kisses for now, huh?"
"I'm glad you're here, Chat Noir. Check this out," Ladybug showed him the yo-yo. On it was footage of Parisians being attacked by kissing zombies.
Nadja continued, "Hordes of kissing zombies are spreading throughout Paris! Let's go over to our Mayor, Mr. Bourgeois, live from City Hall."
The footage cut to City Hall where the Mayor was speaking to a crowd of people with Walter by his side. The Mayor said, "We advise all Parisians to remain inside at this time."
Suddenly, Officer Roger appeared out of nowhere and shouted, "Kissy-poo!" Before he could kiss the mayor, Walter punched him the face and sent him flying into the camera. All that was shown after that was static.
The footage cut back to Nadja's studio. "Mr. Mayor? Mr. Mayor?"
Chloe was shocked and she grabbed the yo-yo from Ladybug. "Daddy! Daddy?" Ladybug snatched it back.
Nadja then saw a kiss flying toward her and she tried to swat it away. "It looks like we're having a slight technical issue..." It hit her in the cheek and she slumped into her chair with a stupid grin. Then Zombizou walked by her side before speaking to the camera. "I may not have gotten your father, Chloé, but I'll still hunt you down! Show yourself! Then, Ladybug and Chat Noir and Big-Head? I'm coming for you. Mwah!" She blew a kiss at the camera, leaving a kiss mark on the screen. "Unless, of course, my sweethearts get hold of you first; because very soon, the whole city will be hot on your heels!" Ladybug shut off the news feed.
Alix marched over to Chloe and jabbed a finger in her chest. "This is all your fault, Chloe! As usual!"
Chloe backed off from her, almost falling off the roof's edge.
"I don't see why we give Zombizou what she wants," growled Alya.
"Yeah! Good idea," agreed Kim.
"Is it my fault if I'm better than all of you?" Chloe scoffed.
"Yes."
"No one asked you, Big-Head!"
Ladybug blocked the kids from tossing the spoiled brat off the roof. "Sorry to disappoint you guys, but Chloé doesn't deserve to get hit any more than you." Chloé crossed her arms, smirking. "And we need her as bait to lure Zombizou when the time is right."
Chloe stopped smirking. "Uh...thanks?"
Big-Head smiled wickedly at her. "Oh, I'm going to like this."
Rose heard a noise and looked over the roof. She gasped to see the zombies climbing up the walls. "They're coming!"
"We've gotta evacuate!" said Ladybug. She pointed to a bus down below. "Over there! Chat Noir, do you know how to drive?"
"You should know the answer to that, M'Lady. I can do anything."
Big-Head stopped them. "Hold it. I'll do the driving." He held up a driver's license. "I am a certified driver!"
Chat Noir looked at it. "This is a library card. And it's expired."
"And your point is?" The zombies were getting closer. "No time! Go, go, go!" He grabbed the students and heroes and tossed them off the roof. They all screamed as they crashed onto the bus' roof. Big-Head jumped down onto the bus and opened the emergency hatch. "What are you waiting for? A green light? Get in!"
Everyone hopped in just as the zombies started to rock the bus, chanting "Kissy-boo! Kissy-boo! Kissy-boo!"
"Everyone okay?" Ladybug asked.
"Wait," Rose exclaimed. "Where's Chloe?!"
Everyone looked out to see Chloe on top of a car, surrounded by more zombies. She did not look happy. "Hello?! Who's gonna come and save me?"
Chat Noir hopped out of the bus and waved his hands wildly. "Yoo-hoo! Kissy-kissy-kissy!" This got the zombies' attention and they started chasing after him.
And then poor, naïve Rose exited the bus and ran out. "We can't leave her behind!" She ran up to Chloe, who hopped down to the ground and let out a cry of pain. "Now I've twisted my ankle because you weren't fast enough!"
They suddenly heard more zombies approaching. They screamed and Rose held Chloe tight. Max and Kim decided to be brave and ran outside. "Oi! Over here," they shouted. "We want kisses!"
Ladybug tried to save them but she was too late. "No!"
Kim gave her a smile as they closed in on him. "You take care of Chloé. Besides, you'll save all of us, like you always do, right?"
"Your chances of saving us is one hundred percent," said Max.
"Yeah. That's a promise," said Ladybug.
Before the two boys could get "devoured by the horde" there cam a RATATATATATATATA! The zombies fell to the ground and there stood Big-Head, holding a machine gun. "Get your butts back on this bus before I change my mind!"
"You killed them!" Ladybug exclaimed.
"Relax, they're rubber bullets. They don't kill. But they will make you hurt for a loooong time."
Kim carried Chloe and Rose over his shoulders and ran into the bus with Max tailing him. Meanwhile, Chat Noir ran around, still getting the zombies chasing him. "Na-na-na-na-nah! Kissy-kissy-kissy!" He hopped into the bus and slammed the emergency hatch close. "Hurry up; we gotta go now."
"On it," Big-Head said, putting on a driver's cap. He hot wired the ignition and the engine rumbled. "Everyone buckle up!"
Ladybug cried out, "Wait, there are no seat -" Big-Head floored the bus and everyone fell to the floor. "-BEEEEEELLLLTS!"
The bus zoomed down the streets, mowing down zombies in the process. Ladybug groaned as she grabbed onto one of the chairs for support. "Stop that! They're just under a spell! They don't mean us harm," she shouted.
A zombie smacked onto the windshield. "Kiss-boo," he groaned. Big-Head turned on the windshield wipers and he fell off. "Tell that guy that!"
The bus hit a speed bump and Ladybug fell onto her back and slid right into Chat Noir. "Aw, you're falling for me," he teased.
"Ugh!" Ladybug slapped him and pulled herself up.
"So what's our next stop," Big-Head called out. "These kissy freaks are going to break in any moment!"
"To the Eiffel Tower," said Ladybug. "There'll be less zombies up there, and fewer places for all of Zombizou's disciples to run to."
"Less places for us to hide, too," pointed out Chat Noir.
"But it's the only way if we want Zombizou to turn up in perso—"
A scream made everyone turn around. In the back of the bus, Rose had Juleka pinned to the floor and kissing her full on the lips. Then she slowly looked up at the others, her eyes glowing pink. "Kissou..." she moaned. Alix, Kim and Max grabbed her only to be kissed as well. The zombified kids slowly rose from the ground and groaned, "Kissy-boo..."
Big-Head slammed on the brakes and Rose, Juleka, Kim and Max were sent flying out of the windshield. "Well, would you look at that, we're here," Big-Head said, pointing out the window. "Last stop, Eiffel Tower!"
Meanwhile, Zombizou sat on the roof of a nearby building, watching the group leave the bus and head for the Eiffel Tower. Hawk Moth's voice spoke in her head, "Don't forget our agreement, Zombizou."
"No one can escape my kiss! Right, Walter?" She patted Walter's head, taking note of the kiss mark on his cheek. His face remained blank and emotionless.
"Stay together and follow me," Chat Noir said as he carried Chloe in his arms bridal style into the Eiffel Tower. The others followed after him. The zombies tried to get in, but Big-Head put a vending machine in the way. Alya frantically pushed the button to call the elevator frantically. "Faster! Faster!"
BOOM!
The vending machine suddenly exploded and Walter walked in. Everyone screamed in horror, especially at the sight of the kiss mark on his scarred cheek.
"Not Walter too!" Big-Head screamed. He hid behind Ladybug. "Protect me!"
The elevator opened and Alya shrieked a startled shriek when two zombies popped out and pinned her to the ground. "NO!" Nino ran to her side, but it was too late. One of the zombies planted a kiss on her.
"There's nothing we can do for her," said Chat Noir. "Hurry, Bugaboo!" he said as he carried Chloe into the elevator with Big-Head following him.
"He's right," said Alya. She turned to the concerned Ladybug. "Just go, and save us all."
Ladybug ran, but stopped when she realized someone wasn't following her. "Nino!" But Nino smiled, tipped his hat and stayed by Alya's side. "Nino, no!" Big-Head's hand stretched out and pulled Ladybug in just as the elevator's door closed and it began to ascend to the top. Ladybug exhaled sadly.
"It doesn't matter that we're the only ones left, Bugaboo, since you'll fix it all in the end anyway," said Chat Noir.
"Only the best remain." Chat Noir was SO tempted to drop Chloe on her butt for saying that.
Nino held Alya close as her eyes began to glow pink. "This isn't the first time we've been in trouble together."
"Kissou," Alya said and planted a wet one on his lips.
The elevator opened the remaining survivors ran out. "Straight ahead. Gustave Eiffel's office!"
The kids went to the observation deck and gasped when they saw Walter. He charged right at them; Chat Noir tossed Chloe into Ladybug's arms. "RUN!" POW! Chat Noir was knocked out cold after taking a single punch to the stomach.
"Chat Noir!"
"We gotta go, now!" Big-Head grabbed Ladybug by the arm and hurried her along. Suddenly, Walter grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and slammed him to the ground. "Is that all you got?" Walter crushed him into a ball and bounced him up and down before throwing him across Paris and possibly half of France.
Ladybug ran into Gustave Eiffel's office and slammed the door. "It's down to you and me," she said. No response. "Chloe?" She found Chloe hiding under a desk.
"At least I won't get in your way now," she said, afraid. "Good luck!"
They suddenly heard Zombizou laugh. "Hand over Chloé and your Miraculous, Ladybug. Then I might just let you witness the final triumph of love!"
Hawk Moth laughed maniacally. "Victory has never been so close!"
"LUCKY CHARM!" Ladybug twirled her yo-yo in the air and its magic created... "Makeup remover? How are you going to save my life with that?" Chloe asked.
With her Lucky Vision, Ladybug highlighted the scarf worn on the figure of Gustave Eiffel, when the Vision was interrupted by a giant hairy hand. Ladybug screamed and whacked Walter's hand with her yo-yo. Chloe cried, "It's all my fault! I'm sorry!"
"Awesome. But...now's not exactly a good time."
Suddenly, a zombified Chat Noir jumped through the hole Walter made and puckered his lips. "Kissou!" Chloe blocked him and took the bullet instead, so to speak. "Save us all, Ladybug."
Ladybug jumped through the hole to escape only to be grabbed by the hair by Walter. "Yaaah!" she screamed.
Zombizou laughed maniacally as she approached her. "You're all alone, Ladybug. Accept my love, and give me your Miraculous!"
"This is not true love!"
Zombizou smirked she applied the lipstick. "It's still love." She puckered her lips and was about to kiss Ladybug when... POW! Zombizou fell to the ground, her cheek sore and red. She looked up to see Walter. He wiped off the kiss mark with his hand and was soaking his hand in the makeup remover, which he used on her lips. "What?! But how?!" She reapplied the lipstick, lunged for Walter and wrapped her arms and legs around him. "This time, I'll make sure you're under my spell!" She planted her lips on his and her eyes widened suddenly. "Wh...What is this?" She let go of Walter and backed away from him as he wiped the kiss off.
"Zombizou?" Ladybug questioned, confused.
"No..." Zombizou put her hands to her head, dropping the lipstick. "I...I don't...stop it!" Her eyes were becoming frantic. "What's happening to me?!" She screamed and fell to her knees. "I feel! I feel! EMPTY! STOP IT!"
Quickly Ladybug snapped the lipstick and freed the Akuma. "No more evil-doing for you, little akuma. Time to de-evilize!" She captured the Akuma and purified it. "Gotcha! Bye bye, little butterfly." Then she tossed the makeup remover into the air and shouted, "Miraculous Ladybug!" It exploded into a wave of black and red spots that repaired all the damage, turned all the zombies back to normal and Zombizou back into Miss Bustier.
"Ladybug?! Chat Noir? What on earth—?" She gasped. "The Akuma overtook me, oh no, I...I let my negative emotions get the upper hand, how terrible! ...I'm terrible."
Ladybug helped her up. "That's not true! It wasn't your fault. Hawk Moth is the one to blame."
"But I hurt a lot of people..."
Chloe came out of hiding and approached her teacher with a look of shame. "No... I did... I forgot your birthday, once again. And when I saw everyone had prepared a gift for you, I totally lost it. Because I, too, would've liked to offer you something. I'm sorry, Miss Bustier."
Miss Bustier hugged her. "Thank you, Chloé. Those words are the best possible gift you could ever give me."
"Huh?... Uh, yeah. Okay then, we're all good."
Walter turned and left, taking the elevator down. Miss Bustier shuddered as she watched him go. "I understand now."
"Understand what?" asked Chat Noir.
"Why Walter is who he is," Miss Bustier said with a hint of trepidation. "Why Walter is immune to Akuma magic. There's nothing in him! Hollowness! Empty cruelty!"
Ladybug and Chat Noir looked back at the elevator Walter took with a hint of fear.
Hawk Moth swore as the circular window closed. "Ladybug, Chat Noir, Big-Head! If Zombizou is right...if love does always conquer...then someday, my most cherished wish will come true for sure!"
Alya was not happy when she returned to school and was confronted by Alya. "Me? You want me to apologize to the entire class? Ridiculous! They should be thanking me for saving everybody."
"I happen to have several accounts of what went down, including my own, and they don't exactly match your version."
Marinette interrupted her and spoke nicely to Chloe. "I heard you helped Ladybug and saved Miss Bustier! Awesome! There really is a heart beating in there after all. Sorry I said there wasn't. And thanks!"
Chloé and Sabrina looked at her, surprised, then at each other. Chloé shrugged. Marinette and Alya took their seats. "Marinette? Girl, are you still Zombizoufied, or what?" That's the story Marinette told Alya to explain her disappearance.
"I've realized Chloé has a heart, too. She just doesn't know how to use it. Hopefully, she'll learn if we continue setting a positive example." To prove her point, Marinette pointed to Chloe, who was quickly putting a present of her own on the pile of gifts. Alya was shocked, but she smiled at Marinette.
Miss Bustier entered the room. "'Morning, everyone!"
"'Morning, Miss Bustier!"
"Glad to see you all! As usual, we'll start the day by giving a nice compliment to your neighbor."