Author Note: Sorry for the delay. Life has been busy and hectic. The story is not dead. Also, sorry this chapter didn't pan out exactly as planned. Most of it did, but the Hawk Moth part didn't, nor did the fight. So I took it out. Thank you for sticking with me as long as you have.

Chapter 15: Lila, Lila, Pants on Fire

Everything's changing overnight!

You're telling me, "It's just not right!"

Where's the girl you used to know?

She's better than ever! So, come on, let's go!

It's supernatural! (It's what we are!)

Supernatural!

It's understood!

You gotta believe a little change is good!

You gotta believe a little change is … Supernatural!

-Mew Mew Power

The room filled with cheers as the set ended and the musically finally died down. Everyone had a pleased looked on their face. Needless to say, this was one of the best performances to happen on this ship.

"Great job everyone!" Mylene said and she brought down her phone. "It's going straight on all the Kitty Section accounts. I think it'll attract a lot of new listeners."

"I think that's the best we ever sounded," Rose squeezed onto Juleka.

"Yeah, we rock," Juleka muttered.

"Since Adrien and Trent aren't part of the band, it's a special, one-of-a-kind music video," Luka said as he was walking offstage. "I'm sure all of our fans would appreciate it."

"I'm sure if you used Adrien's face, your popularity will skyrocket," Trent placed his accordion on top of a nearby amp. "Although, I'm pretty sure you want to make it on y'all own and not rely on something like that."

"The most important thing is having fun," Luka smiled. "Everything else is secondary."

"Plus, I'm sure my father would come down like a hammer if he saw I was in a band," Adrien took off his mask. "You know all the special features and alerts he has when it comes to me. The moment my name or face appears on the Internet, it gets sent to my father."

"Right," Trent sighed. "I forgot about the kind of person he is."

"The scary kind?" Adrien raised a knowing eyebrow.

"I wouldn't say scary," Trent said, a little hesitant.

"I think the word you're looking for is eccentric," Luka said.

"Passionate," Trent said. "Maybe he is just a big Adrien fan."

"I don't need the image of my father acting like one of my crazed fan in my head," Adrien laughed. He hasn't felt this relaxed or at ease in a while. It was nice.

"There's a fine line between passionate fan and parenting," Luka said, "but in the end they could be considered the same thing."

"True," Trent smirked. "Both are obsessed with Adrien's whereabouts."

"Both have pictures of Adrien not released to the public," Luka said.

"I don't like this game anymore," Adrien pouted. A brief paused filled the air before the room erupted into laughter.

"I'm going to walk Rose home before it gets too late," Juleka said.

"Mylene and I should be going to," Ivan followed.

"I guess that's our cue to leave as well," Adrien said to Trent. "Where are you staying? Perhaps I can give you a ride."

"I'm staying at the Le Grand Paris," Trent said, "since I was hoping to run in Chole."

"Chloe?" Luka blinked. "Seriously?"

"She kinda my favorite hero, which apparently is a thing I shouldn't be saying," Trent shrugged.

"Do you need a ride?" Adrien asked as he pulled out his cellphone. "It is on the way home, so it wouldn't be a problem."

"I can find my own way back," Trent said. "There something I want to talk to Luka about, if he has the time."

"Sure," Luka said. "I'll make sure he gets to his room safely."

"Thanks Luka, I would really appreciate that."

"Just remember what I asked you," Luka placed an arm around Trent. "Give me an answer as soon as possible."

"Sure thing," Adrien smiled.

Saturday. It was Saturday. What a wonderful day Marinette thought as she hummed to herself all morning. Weekends were the best ever since Lila came into her life. She didn't have to deal with the drama of school or her "friends." She didn't have to listen to obvious lies that no one couldn't see though. She didn't even have to see that new boy Trent and the drama he brought with him. Saturday was truly meant for Marinette.

"You seem to be in a good mood this morning Marinette," Sabine commented after helping a customer. "What has your spirits so high?"

"Oh nothing special," Marinette twirled. "I'm just happy to be helping out in the family business."

"You weren't this happy when we wanted you to help out while you were sorting out your school business," Tom chuckled.

"It's different this time papa," she smiled. "Choosing to work and being forced to work are two different things. Plus at that time I wanted to focus on clearing my name, remember?"

"I bet she's just happy to be away from her school trouble," Sabine smiled. She was happy to see her daughter was in a good mood, but still something nagged at her. Marinette was hiding something from her. Could it involve one of her classmates again?

"Welcome," Sabine greeted automatically when the bells on the door chimed.

"Hi," a familiar voice greeted.

"What are you doing here?" Marinette asked. Tone flat, almost annoyed.

"Well this guide book says that this is the best bakery in Paris. Even some of my friends from Japan who has visited said that it was the best, so I had to come check it out. So to answer your question, I am hoping to exchange local currency for a good and/or service," Trent answered to a pair of rolling eyes.

"Do you know our daughter?" Marinette parent's asked in unison, almost creepily.

"Yes," Trent nervously chuckled. "My name is Trent and I am a visiting transfer student who is in your daughter's class. Marinette and I kind of got off on the wrong foot, completely my fault, so I think she still a little mad at me."

"I'm more upset at the situation, but seeing you reminds me of it," Marinette said. "I should apologize since it is not right for me to take my feelings out on you. I'm just being a little stubborn."

"It's fine Marinette," Trent said. "The situation is beyond my control so I can understand and accept your feelings and actions regarding this."

"It seems like you kids are working this out yourselves," Sabine said, "so how may I help you."

"One of everything," Trent said. "I can't decide what to try, so I am going to try everything."

"It'll take some time, do you mind waiting?" Sabine asked.

"Not at all," Trent said, handing her his card. "If this place is a good as everyone says, it'll be worth the wait."

"Trying to butter up my parents for a freebie?" Marinette asked.

"No. The rumors says that this place is just that good. You wouldn't get it cause you live here and are probably used to their food," Trent said as he tossed Marinette his guidebook.

"Wow," Marinette mouthed as she read.

"Like, your parents' bakery is a must stop place to visit while you are in Paris," Trent said. "According to the guidebook, it ties with the Eiffel Tower for the number one spot."

"It's no wonder we are always busy," Tom chuckled as he did his baker things in the back. "It also explains why we get a lot of international business."

"I bet we would have been just as popular if we opened in New York like we planned when you got offered that internship with Aubrey," Sabine said.

"Probably," Trent nodded as he pulled out his phone. "Uh, Marinette you need to see this."

"See what?" she rushed over to Trent. She let out a small gasp as she read over his shoulder.

REMINDER:
PICNIC IN THE PARK FOR LILA AT NOON
HOSTED BY CLASS REPRESENSATIVE MARINETTE
FOR A SUCCESSFUL SURGERY

"Who sent that?" Marinette asked as she pulled out her phone.

"It's from Alya," Trent answered. "But, it has the FWD before the message so it didn't originate from her. She just passed it along."

"I don't have any messages," Marinette fumbled through her phone. "This has to be…"

"Has to be what?"

"We need to go," Marinette grabbed Trent and started pulling him towards the door.

"But…but my baked good," Trent whined.

"Come back for them later, this is more important!"

"But they won't be as warm or fresh," Trent continued to whine.

"Just come on!"

The weather outside was perfect. The sky was vast and blue, the sun was shining brightly, and a gentle breeze blew. The weather was way too perfect for the scene that the two teen walked upon. Amidst the many tree with green leaves, yellow-green grass, and tall metal fences stood a crowd of angry teens.

"Is the whole class here?" Trent whispered to Marinette.

"Yes, and they don't look very happy," Marinette whispered back.

The two teen slowly walked to the group. Sitting on a green bench was Lila, with Alya holding her hands. Lila looked desponded, was she crying?

"Crocodile tears," Marinette thought to herself.

"Look who decided to show up," Alix crossed her arms. "Late and empty handed."

"I can't believe Lila was right about you," Rose sobbed.

"What's going on?" Marinette asked. She knew something was going on, with Lila at the center, but she had to get to the bottom of it.

"Don't act so innocent," Kim said.

"It is highly illogical for you to have no idea Marinette," Max adjusted his glasses, "after all, this was all your idea."

"Care to inform me?" Trent asked. "I just got a message from Alya to come to the park."

"I would like to know what is going on to," Adrien said as he came running up to the group. "I think I got the same message as Trent."

"Adrien," Marinette gasped.

"I knew she would do something like this," Lila sniffed, holding in her tears. "Why do you hate me Marinette? All I did was try to be your friend. All I did was try to be everyone's friend. Is this because I talked to Adrien? I know you like him, and all I did was talk you up to him."

Tears started streaming down Lila's eyes as all heads turned to face Marinette. Pure rage burned in the sea of eyes.

"Whoa," Trent held up his hands. "Please, let's all calm down. Tell me everything."

"You want us to tell you everything?" Sabrina squeaked up. "I'll tell you everything. Sweet Lila here had a simple outpatient procedure on her throat today. She told Marinette at the beginning of the week and Marinette told her she would arrange with the class a group picnic of easy to eat and swallow food! She's the class representative so of course she the person to go to."

Everyone did a double take. No one has ever seen Sabrina raise her voice. No one has ever raised their voice, other than Chloe, at Marinette. So this was a rare and unusual sight to see.

"This is why I made sure to message everyone," Lila continued to cry. "I thought something like this would happen."

"Betrayal by the pillar of your class? Such intense feelings! Fly away my little akuma and blacken her heart!"

"I don't think this is true!" Trent spoke up. "Marinette and I had plans today to talk designer stuff. I am more than positive if this was the case she wouldn't have made plans with me."

"Yeah, I agree with Trent," Adrien said.

"Marinette!" Sabrina shouted. "We are all tired of your shit! You always act like such a sweet girl and always willing to help out, but in reality it is to hide your true nature!"

"Sabrina," Alya said. "Don't you think that's a little too far?"

"No," Sabrina said. "Chloe was right about her!"

A small black butterfly flapped unnoticed in the park.

"None of this is true!" Marinette tried to defend herself. "It's another one of Lila's lies." Her voice was deflated. She was tired of having this same argument. And again, there was no way to prove this.

"You always talk about Lila being a liar, but somehow you never have proof," Nathaniel spoke up.

"Yet she has proved you were a thief," Sabrina said.

"Only alleged thief," Alya defended. She felt the pressure of Lila's hand increase.

"Yeah, and she allegedly pushed Lila down the stair," Sabrina air quoted.

"Marinette?" Trent raised his eyebrow.

"I didn't," she sighed.

"This is why I tried to warn you when you first transferred in," Lila wiped away some tears. "Only I see the true Marinette."

Sabrina looked like she was about to speak up again, but she paused. Everyone paused. The black butterfly hovered around the group. It landed on Sabrina's glasses, turning it pitch black. No one reacted.

"Pollygraph, I am Hawk Moth. Being betrayed by the lies of the Class Representative you looked up to so much is such a drag. I'll give you the power to expose her lies. All I ask in exchange is the Miraculous."

"Yes Hawk Moth," Sabrina said.

Sabrina was engulfed in a black aura. Everyone in the class gasped, but barely anyone reacted in fear. Akuma have become such a common place, they know Ladybug and Cat Noir will come to save the day. When the aura dissipated a mannequin like woman stood in her place. She was solid white with a moving black line running across her check. Attacked to each finger was a thick, black wing.

"I am Pollygraph!" Pollygraph announced "I am here to expose you for the liar you are Marinette!"

"Fine," Marinette said. "Do what you must!"

"You can't be serious!" Adrien looked concerned. "She is an Akuma. There is no telling what she could do."

"I don't care!" Marinette groaned. "I am so tired of this. If this is the only way for me to clear my name, so be it."

"An Akuma could manipulate the results," Adrien explained. "Please don't do this."

"It's nothing to worry about," Alix said. "Trent here is a super hero. If things go weird, he can step in and handle it."

"What?" Trent gasped. "I am not a super hero."

"A new super hero shows up around the same time as we get a transfer student is not just a coincidence," Kim said.

"French isn't my native language, but I am pretty sure that is the definition of a coincidence," Trent said.

"Just transform and be on standby," Alix instructed.

"I am impartial!" Pollygraph said. "I only care about the truth!"

A long black cord ejected from one of Pollygraph's rings. It swiftly wrapped itself around Marinette's wrist. The moving black line on Pollygraph's chest started moving up and down, mirroring Marinette's heartbeat.

"She is like a living Pollygraph test!" Alya pulled out her phone. "I need to get this for the Lady Blog!"

"Alya don't!" Lila commanded with a raised voice. She quickly placed her hand around her throat as if she is injured. "I don't want you to get hurt."

"Don't worry! We have Boom Barrier here to protect us," Alya said with confidence. "Plus Ladybug and Cat Noir will come sooner or later as well."

"Right," Lila withdrew.

"Henshin!" Trent shouted as he punched the air and struck a pose. "Rowddy! Let's dash!" he added with a slight whisper. It a flash of bright, burnt orange light Trent became Boom Barrier.

"First, I'll ask a question to establish a baseline," Pollygraph said. "What's your name?"

"Marinette Dupain-Cheng," Marinette answered.

The line on Pollygraph's chest wildly danced and then turned green.

"Truth!" Pollygraph announced in a more robotic voice.

"Of course she wouldn't like about her name," Lila said. "No one lies about that."

"You might," Marinette said under hear breath.

"Shouldn't you put on of those chords on Lila?" Alya asked as she turned her phone to Lila. "I mean she seems to be the source of Marinette's frustration."

"That's right," Marinette said. "Doesn't the expression say it takes two people to lie?"

Within a moment a black vine shot out of Pollygraph and connected to Lila. A second line appeared on Pollygraph's chest, this time it was Lila's heartbeat. The line was a bit more agitated than Marinette's.

"What's your name?"

"Lila Rossi," Lila answered. She shot a dirty look to Alya.

"Truth," Pollygraph robotically answered. "Now that the base has been established, it's time to get to the truth."

"Be careful you two," Boom Barrier said. "She is still an akuma. Adrien was right to be worried."

"Everyone here is safe until Ladybug and Cat Noir show up," Pollygraph chuckled. "First Marinette, do you hate Lila?"

"No," Marinette said flatly.

TRUTH

"Do you have Marinette, Lila?"

"Yes," Lila answered.

TRUTH

The class's jaws drop at the honest answer from Lila. She hated Marinette, but why? She said she was only trying to be Marinette's friend. Although, no one could blame her due to the behavior Marinette has shown. Or at least now, it is only alleged.

"Why do you hate Lila?"

"I think she is a liar!" Marinette answered.

TRUTH

"Why do you hate Marinette?"

"She is not as she seems," Lila answered. From the sound of her voice it seems that she wasn't sure how to answer.

FALSE

"You hate Marinette but won't give the reason why," Pollygraph said, "why is that?"

"That is the reason," Lila defended, "your powers must be wrong."

FALSE

"Could Marinette be right?" Pollygraph mused. "Could you really be a liar Lila?"

"I am not a liar!" Lila said.

FALSE

"This could really work in my favor," Marinette thought to herself. "This Akuma might actually help me prove Lila is a liar. But how will I get out of this to bring Ladybug into this?"

"Alright Lila, keep this up," Adrien secretly cheered. "This way Lila can do herself in and clear Marinette's name."

"We will come back to you. Marinette, why do you think Lila is a liar?"

"I don't think she is a liar," Marinette said. "I know she is."

TRUTH

"How do you know?"

"I can't answer that," Marinette looked away.

FALSE

"You can answer it, but you won't. Why is that?"

"I don't want to say," Marinette said.

"Come on Marinette!" Alya coaxed. "You wanted to prove Lila is a liar, this is your chance!"

"Yeah Marinette!" most of the class shouted.

"You always say she is lying," Alix said, "and you have our attention."

"I can't," Marinette sighed. "It affects someone else in our class too."

"What?" the class gasped. There more to this.

"Girl," Alya said. "What are you hiding?"

"You can tell us Marinette," Adrien said. "This is the only way."

"So you know I am a liar, but won't tell the class how?" Lila said. "How else are you going to clear your name?"

"Do you guy really want to hear?" Marinette asked.

"YES!" the class responded.

"Adrien," Marinette looked into his green eyes, "please don't think differently of me."

"What happened?" Adrien asked.

All eyes were on Marinette now.

"It started the day Lila arrived to our school. She had everyone's attention and I do admit I was a little jealous that she had the attention of a certain someone in particular," Marinette started.

TRUTH

"Adrien had brought a book about superheroes to school that day, and Lila said she had something serious to tell Adrien later at the park, this park. She couldn't tell him there in the library because it was a secret," Marinette continued.

"Superhero book?" Adrien scratched his chin. "Oh my father's book of inspirations! That book went missing and I almost wasn't allowed to come back to school until it mysteriously reappeared."

"Girl," Alya shook her head. "What did you do?"

"What had happened was," Marinette said, "I saw Lila take Adrien's book and put it in her bag. Before I had a chance to confront her or tell Adrien, they were both gone. Since I overheard that they were meeting at the park I decided to go there. Confront Lila or tell Adrien. Those were the plans depending on who I encountered first. By the time I got to the park, I was too late. I saw Lila throw Adrien's book in the trash before she told Adrien that she was the descendent of a superhero."

"Are you the descendent of a superhero?" Pollygraph asked Lila.

"No," Lila looked down.

TRUTH

"Before I got a chance to do anything else Ladybug came," Marinette said.

"I remember that," Lila said. "Ladybug showed up out of the blue and called me a liar."

TRUTH

"So, you saw Ladybug call Lila a liar and since that moment you didn't trust her?" Alya raised her eyebrow. "That can't be the whole story."

"It can't be," Adrien said. "Marinette said it involved my father's book, and it hasn't been brought up yet."

"Wait Lila!" Boom Barrier said. "Is that why you hate Ladybug? She called you out in front of Adrien."

"Lila doesn't hate Ladybug," Alya said, "They're practically best friends."

"Conflicting information," Pollygraph had a hint happiness in the tone of her voice, "I must ask. Lila do you hate Ladybug?"

"No," Lila quickly answered.

FALSE

"Yes," Lila sighed. "She embarrassed me in front of Adrien. You only have one shot with a guy like him, and she ruined mine."

TRUTH

"So you lied about being friends with Ladybug?" Alya asked. "You gave me an exclusive interview for my blog. I always strive for the truth when it comes to my journalistic pursuits."

"I really am sorry Alya," Lila looked to her friend with a sad look on her face.

FALSE

"You're not sorry?" Alya gasped. "Wait, did you even have surgery today?"

"No," Lila sighed. "It was just a regular doctor's appointment."

TRUTH

"Marinette," Alix said. "I think I speak for all of us when we say we're sorry."

"Please continue your story," Adrien requested.

"Right," Marinette nodded. A small smile appeared on her face. "I picked the book up out of the trash and planned to return it to the next day to Adrien. When I got to the school, I couldn't find him. That is when I ran into Nino."

"Ah, right," Nino bobbed his head. "You were in a panic looking for Adrien and that is when I told you his old man wouldn't let him come back to school due to some missing book."

"Does that mean," Adrien gasped.

"So after school I went to Adrien's house and returned the book to his father. I told him I took it from Adrien because I know his father was a famous fashion designer. As a fellow designer, I was hoping to get some inspiration and ideas from the book. I begged Adrien's dad to let Adrien come back to school and not to tell Adrien about the book."

TRUTH

"So the reason why I was able to come back to school was because of you?" Adrien asked.

"So that's why you wouldn't tell people how you knew Lila was liar," Alya said. "If you came clean, Adrien would have found out about all of that."

"I didn't want him to feel indebted or anything like that to me," Marinette said.

"You know, most of us would have believed you if you just said you heard Ladybug call Lila a liar," Alix shook her head.

"Alya might not have," Rose said. "She would probably seek out Ladybug to confirm the fact."

"Wow Marinette," Adrien placed a hand on Marinette shoulder, "you really are a great friend."

"What do you have to say to that Lila?" Adrien asked. "Where is Lila?"

"She's gone, but how?" Boom Barrier55 asked as he twirled his visor in his hand.

"My wire looks cut," Pollygraph gasped. "That sly girl!"

"Adrien," Trent whispered, "used this chance."

"Right," Adrien nodded and ran off as discreetly as he could.

"Well you got the truth, let Marinette go!" Alya commanded.

"No way!" Pollygrah said. "She is my bait for Ladybug and Cat Noir!"

"What am I, a background character?" Boom Barrier asked, feeling slighted.

"You're useless," Pollygraph said.

Boom Barrier launched himself at the Akuma. He had to make sure to attack her but not harm Marinette. Pollygraph quickly countered with vines, blocking his attack, then wrapping him, stopping him in his tracks.

"You seem to be in quite the bind BB," a voice called out.

"Oh Cat Noir please," Trent chuckled, "not in front of Marinette."

"Will you two quit flirting and help me get free?" Marinette called out.

"We are live on the scene with two heroes facing off with the Akuma known as Pollygraph. After shocking revelations the scene had turn into a battle," Alya reported as she recorded. "Where is Ladybug?"

"Cataclysm!" Cat Noir summoned his power. With a quick thrust he incinerated the vines freeing both Marinette and Boom Barrier.

"Use this as a chance," Boom Barrier whispered to Marinette.

"How show he handle her?" Cat Noir asked as his ring blipped.

"The Akuma is in her glasses," Boom Barrier said. "It's a piece of cake with my power."

"Without Ladybug here, we can't catch it or purify it," Cat Noir said, "so don't cut the cake just yet."

"You guy can't make a move without little ol' me?" Ladybug arrived on the scene.

"We can," Boom Barrier said.

"But it's more fun with you around," Cat Noir added.

"That," Boom Barrier smirked, "and you're the only one who can do the clean up."

"Go Ladybug! Go Cat Noir!" the class cheered for the heroes.

"Let's do this quick," Ladybug said. "Lucky charm!"

Ladybug's yo-yo turned into a recorder.

"Brilliance!" Boom Barrier disappeared in a flash of lighting. He reappeared next to the Akuma. With a swift kick he knocked the glasses off the face. Ladybug caught them and then snapped them in half. The butterfly flew out.

"No more evil doing for you little one! Time to de-evilize! Gotcha!"

"We sure handle that fast," Cat Noir pointed out.

"It's almost as if someone didn't plan out how to fight a lie detector," Boom Battier rolled his eyes.

"What?" Cat Noir asked.

"Nothing," Boom Barrier smiled. "I think since she accomplished her goal, there was no reason for her to really put up a fight, other than to listen to Hawk Moth's orders."

"Miraculous Ladybug!" Ladybug threw the recorder in the air. The swarm of Ladybugs appeared and disappeared just as quickly as they came. There was no damage to repair.

"Pound it!" The three heroes fist bumped.

"Great seeing you two," Cat Noir said, "but I have to bounce. Got to prepare for a date."

"A date?" Ladybug asked. "A real date, or are you trying to make me jealous again?"

"Not this time Bugaboo," Cat Noir winked. "I have a real date."

"Oh," Ladybug had a gasp escape.

"Are you jealous?" Boom Barrier asked with a wicked smile.

"No!" Ladybug pushed Boom Barrier. "Shut up!"

"Cat out!" Cat Noir laughed as he left.

"Be jealous later," Boom Barrier said. "Someone has to clean up the mess Lila made. Who better than the class rep.?"

Some time later in an undisclosed time and place, but still the same day.

"Why did you have to step in?" a girl asked, in a stern and disappointed voice. "I had a plan and you just had to go and ruin it."

"Sorry about that Lila," a male voice said, "but I am not actually sorry. I have a plan in motion and couldn't have you ruin it."

"A plan?"

"Yes, now that you have been discredited, I can let you in on it," the male voice chuckled. "Even if you tell anyone no one would believe you."

"Tell me more Trent," Lila said. "It better be worth it."

"Remember what I told you on my first day of school?" Trent asked.

"You mean the sweet nothings that you whispered to me?" Lila smirked.

"Sure," Trent shrugged. "I've been watching for a while and discovered that you hate Ladybug."

"And you came to me saying that you need my help in ending her career," Lila said.

"Not the words I used," Trent said. "I said I am here to test Ladybug and could use your help."

"I am willing to help out," Lila flipped her hair, "you didn't need to make sure I was discredited."

"I couldn't take any chances," Trent sighed. "My mission is of the up most secret."

"So what is your mission, and how can I help?"

"It's very simple," Trent said. "Pretty soon in the near future I will be lending you a Miraculous, for a one time use only."

"What do you want me to do with that?" Lila said.

"That's up to you," Trent smiled. "Use it fight Ladybug, use it to cause chaos, or whatever else you can think of. I am testing Ladybug and Cat Noir, so all the responsibilities and consequences fall on them and me. You are free to do whatever your heart desires."

"That would be perfect," Lila grinned.

"I'll be in touch very soon," Trent waved and walked off.

"I got some news I need to share," Lila pulled out her phone the moment she knew Trent was out of ear shot.