Hey all! It's time for a new installment of 'Of Shells and Tails', a set of stories that focus on Miraculous Ladybug's 'beta' couple (even though they are one of the show's only couple) Alya and Nino! And these stories are the Alya and Nino love square.

So, this story is a Rena Rouge and Nino story! And if you want to see what our favorite fox-girl and DJ get up to, read on!

The dull buzzing of an alarm clock roused Alya from her sleep. She worked long hours in the online department of a local newspaper. She'd be there early…she'd be there late…but the paper was a success due to her hard work putting out attention-grabbing headlines.

And now, all she wanted to do was to sleep in. But the news never slowed down. So, she drug herself out of bed, showered and had the first of many cups of coffee. She then made her way to the news center that she worked at.

By all measures, Alya could consider herself successful-a well-paying job, living in one of the nicest apartments in the city…but Alya knew there was one thing she was missing. It hit her when she came home-to a quiet, empty apartment. No one to share meals with…no one to snuggle up with when she watched her favorite movies…no one to make her feel better after a long, stressful day…

Alya quickly swept those thoughts from her mind. She was focused on her career…that was what mattered…especially when most guys didn't view her as a 'catch'. And as she looked over herself, she thought, Who could blame them? I mean, I'm so plain looking…what guy would ever be interested in me?

Unfortunately for Alya, she did have an admirer…one of the editors of the paper-a sleezeball named Carl-was always on the prowl for Alya. And she always turned him down. And this morning-waiting by her desk-was Carl. "Morning, Alya", he said.

Alya simply nodded, not wanting to be rude but also not wanting to be bothered. Carl couldn't take the hint, and continued pressing by saying, "The day just got better when you showed up…"

Alya coughed, and said, "Isn't there anyone else you could bother?"

Carl replied, "Maybe…but there not pretty as you."

Alya replied, "That might help you get into some other lady-blogger's pants, but that won't work with me. Now unless you ant the next words I say to be 'sexual harassment', I suggest you get lost."

Carl laughed, and as he sauntered off to flirt with a blonde, said back, "Your loss, sweetheart."

After another hard day, Alya returned to her apartment-and saw a small white box sitting in front of the door. She wasn't expecting a package, but her interest was piqued. So, she took it inside…

...and when she opened it, she saw a very interesting item inside. It was a necklace with a jewel on it that was shaped like a fox's tail. She marveled at the item's beauty, then decided to try it on. She looked at herself in the mirror and noted how much it changed her appearance. But what happened in the next moments stunned her-she heard a voice…Hello, mistress…

Alya looked around, wondering where the voice came from. The voice said, You cannot see me…unless you choose to…I will appear to you…There was a bright flash-and before Alya was a tiny fox!

Alya yelped in surprise as the creature said, "Please, be at ease. My name is Trixx. I inhabit the jewel that you wear. And with it…you can experience something amazing."

Alya said, "Hi…Trixx. I must be imagining this…"

Trixx replied, "You are not. To prove it, simply say, 'Trixx, let's pounce!' and see the veracity of my words."

Alya said, "Alright, then. Trixx, let's pounce!" With that, there was a bright flash-Trixx returned to the jewel and Alya's body transformed-a orange-brown mask covered her face and a set of vulpine ears appeared on her head. Her body was covered by an orange-brown suit, and a massive tail appeared on the rear. When the light subsided, she looked at her appearance in the mirror. She gasped-she couldn't believe what she saw!

Trixx-now within the jewel-said You have become a fox-powered heroine. You have enhanced strength, agility and the ability to create illusions with the magic flute. But you must use your abilities for the benefit of mankind.

Alya mentally replied, I will, Trixx. Now let's see what I can do! With that, Alya leapt out of her window and explored the city in her new persona. She soon returned home and said, "That was so much fun…"

Trixx said, Alya…I have enjoyed the evening…but you must return to normal. Simply say, 'Trixx, de-transform', and you will return to your regular form.

Alya said, "Alright. Trixx, de-transform!" With another bright flash, Alya saw that she had been returned to her regular clothes. She also noted how late it was. Despite the excitement over the new change, she tried her hardest to fall asleep.

In the morning, she rushed to work. She turned on her feed-and she noted there were a lot of hits concerning the 'fox-girl' that appeared last night. So she created a blog around the 'fox-girl'…with the knowledge that it was really her…

…and one night, Alya was preparing to transform. Trixx said, Mistress, perhaps you should consider an alias…'Fox-Girl' is what everyone calls you, right?

Alya replied, True…but I'm thinking…Rena Rouge? It means 'Red Fox'… Trixx replied, I like it…now, let's hit the city!

After her transformation, Rena hit the city. But tonight, she found herself pulled towards the nightlife. And more specifically, the clubs. And one club had a certain DJ…he called himself DJ-N1N0, and he provided incredible bass-bumping tunes all night. And Rena-hiding in the lights in the top of the club-was entranced. In fact, she was aroused…but DJ N1N0 was in his own world of music and lights. He would never notice someone like me…I'm ordinary as Alya…and I'm just hiding as Rena…

And so, Rena would track DJ-N1N0 from club to club. And always, she'd watch from above. But one night…she watched DJ-N1N0 leave the club. And she saw three guys following behind him. She heard, "Alright, Lahiffe…you know what time it is."

The young man turned and said, "No. What time is it?" Rena then saw the three men pull the DJ into an alley. She heard more shouting, and she saw the DJ collapse to the ground. One of the goons picked the DJ up, and from high above, she saw a metallic glint. Her sense of protectiveness kicked in, and she leapt to the ground.

She said, "Hey! Back up-NOW!" The men turned to see their visitor. The leader said, "Hey, it's that fox girl. Beat it…unless you wanna get skinned…after we finish our business with him…"

Rena said, "What kind of business requires you to deal in an alley-with a knife?"

The leader replied, "The kind that doesn't involve you…" The DJ watched as his three assailants approached the 'fox-girl'. He then saw as she quickly dispatched them. He then looked up as she approached him. She held her hand out, and he took it. She said, "All you alright, sir?"

He replied, "I'm fine. Those goons have been trying to get me for weeks…claim that I owe them 'performance bonuses'…but from what I hear, they've been shaking down a lot of the club DJ's."

Rena said, "Well, I'm glad to have helped you out…"

The DJ said, "It's DJ-N1N0…but my friends call me Nino. I guess…you can too."

She said, "Pleasure to meet you, Nino. I am Rena Rouge…but you can just call me Rena."

Nino said, "Well, Rena…thanks for saving me." Rena said, "Nino…I've been following you…and you might think this is strange…"

Nino replied, "Well, I was saved by a 'fox-girl', so I'm not sure how this could get any stranger…"

Rena didn't reply. She simply leaned into Nino…and pressed her lips to his. Nino closed his eyes and enjoyed the kiss. They separated and Nino said, "Rena…will I ever see you again?"

Rena turned to leave, and said, "Sure…just look in the lights above…Good night, Nino."

Rena then returned to her apartment, where she could still feel her heart racing. From inside the jewel, she heard, Well, mistress…it seems like you made a new friend…

Rena de-transformed, and said, "Rena did. But who knows? Maybe Alya did, as well…" She headed to bed, where the visage of a DJ wearing a red cap and glasses flooded her dreams…

Well, I hope you guys like this Renino! I wanted to do a little bit of writing from Alya's perspective and a little different way of her receiving her Miraculous! And I think having Rena save Nino makes for a nice reversal, don't you?

Anyway, read and comment!