"I'm really sorry, Wayhem, but I've got a casting this afternoon and then a private fencing lesson." Adrien apologized as he was video chatting with his friend. He could see Wayhem's eyes tearing up at turning him down again. He didn't like making his friend feel bad but his hands were tied. "But we'll be able to hang out soon I promise. You're my number one fan after all. My father doesn't really approve of me having friends, I'm not even allowed to have anyone over." He said sadly recalling the number of times that he asked only to be turned away everytime.
"Seriously? You never have friends over? That's harsh. One of these days, I'm gonna come over and change your dad's mind and we'll have a rocking good time. For real!" Wayhem reassured making Adrien chuckle.
"My father doesn't change his mind very easily but I appreciate the thought. Okay, gotta go finish my homework before the shoot. See you, Wayhem."
"Bye, Adrien." Wayhem said as Adrien turned off the call, sighing heavily as he turned his chair towards the window, looking outside towards the clouds. He'd rather be outside with his friends than inside studying all day. however he couldn't get a hold of Nino to chat with, and Mylene was hosting a tree planting which was probably where the rest of his friends were. Even Kagami was unavailable to talk to as she was on a training retreat with her mother. He just sighed to himself heavily, glancing at the photo of his mother for a moment before he decided to study for the rest of the day.
"Why don't you make the most of your father being out of town? Have some friends over and live it up a little. " Plagg suggested as he was reading through this 'Camabert Through the Ages' magazine.
"You know my father has very high expectations of me. I can't go behind his back like that." Adrien reminded as he looked at his Kwami lazily spread out on the bed. "Besides, even if I wanted to live it up a little, my bodyguard's keeping an eye on me and making sure I stay in line."
"Well that's okay, you've got me, and more importantly our endless supply of cheese. That'll make anyone happy!"
A small smile broke out on Adrien face as he watched in amusement as Plagg downed an entire wheel of cheese; a sight that always impressed him everytime he saw it.
Nino and his friends stood outside of the Agrest estate as they had all gathered for one goal in mind. "Okay, remember our objective. To penetrate the impenetrable fortress, aka Adrien's pad. Our main obstacle, Adrien's old man, is headed for Tokyo's fashion week along with Obstacle #2. As for Obstacle #3, we have our own secret weapon to neutralize him. Operation Adrien begins now!"
"Uh... now now?" Ivan inquired tilting his head in confusion.
"Yeah, now now! What is it?!" Nino snapped in annoyance as they had been planning in advance for weeks now, and here was Ivan threatening to unravel their plan.
"Uh, I promised Mylène I'd go help her plant some trees down by the river." Ivan said shyly not wanting to upset his friend or his girlfriend.
"Wait a sec! The street thing's today?" Kim exclaimed.
Maz nodded as he calculated on his watch. "Yes, and the probability of the girls being terribly disappointed if we don't participate is 100%."
Nino pushed his glasses up, already having foreseen this even. "Which is why I already came up with official excuses for each of you. Like you, Kim, have a swimming lesson." Nino explained as he passed everyone their excuses written down on notes.
"Great! I always have my trunks on me." Kim exclaimed as his eyes lit up.
"Dude, you don't actually have a swimming lesson. That's just your excuse." Nino clarified as he rolled his eyes.
"But isn't that lying?" Ivan pointed out. "They're our friends."
"Sorry, but our boy- our Adrien's happiness is at stake here! He's never had a single get together all his poor life, and now our duty to ensure that wrong is righted!" Nino exclaimed trying to motivate them, but could see that they were still hesitant. "...Also it's better if we can keep the get-together small so the plan can go without a hitch, that's why only the guys are invited."
"Where are Nathaniel, Marc, and Marin then?" Ivan asked.
"Nath and Marc are coming later, and Marin said that he was busy today." Max explained.
"He told me he was helping his grandpa bake birthday cake for his mice." Kim said as his friends stared at him in disbelief.
"There's no way that's a thing, but don't you boys worry. I have a fail-safe plan in mind..."Nino remarked as he took out his phone and speed-dialed the best bakery in Paris.
Marin ruffled his hair slightly as he noticed his longer hair in the reflection of a nearby mirror but then snapped to attention as multiple bags of flour were dropped on top of the counter with a bang. He was standing in his grandfather's house wearing a white apron watching on in amazement at how his grandfather- though old- was fully capable enough to easily carry flour bags well weighing far more than him.
"Gramps do we need so much flour for a cupcake?" Marin asked as he watched his grampa walking up a step stool with a small measuring cup in hand as the mice prepared the mixing bowls.
"I buy in bulk." He grumbled as he began mixing cake four from scratch.
Marin could help but smile a little as he then noticed the one of his grandpa's helpers-Marie- sniffing at his messenger bag to say hello to Tikki. Then his attention was taken away by his phone ringing. HE answered immediately, wiping away his powered hands to see that it was his family landline number.
"Hello?"
["Marin, your father and I need you for a delivery order. I'm so sorry to pull you away from your grandfather."] His mother said on the other end while it sounded like there was a tornado running through the bakery in the background. ["The order is personalized and we're too busy to drop it off."]
["Okay? I'll be right there."] Marin responded feeling some confusion as their store's policy was have orders were to be picked up at the store itself. But he then shrugged it off, thinking that there was a good reason that an exception was made this instance.
"Gramps- mama's asking me for help in the store." Marin said taking off his apron and grabbing his messenger bag. "I'll try to make it back in time for the candles to be blown out." He said as his grandpa grumbled to himself, hardly reacting as Marin gave him a quick hug and walked out of the house. He was grateful that he brought his bike this instance so he could ride back faster.
"We're definitely coming back for cake right?" Tikki asked with expectation as she peeked out of his messenger bag, looking up at him with her precious doe eyes.
He chuckled as he patted his Kwami's head affectionately. "Of course sugarcube. I would never want to deprive you of any sweet."
Adrien's eyes grew lidded as he continued to write reports on history book chapters that hadn't even been covered yet. It was good mental stimulation after hours of playing video games on his own.
Suddenly he heard a knocking on his door just before his bodyguard walked in with Nino, Max, Kim, and Ivan much to his surprise, "What are you guys doing here?
"We're here for the school project.
Adrien tilted his head in confusion. "Project? What project?"
"You know. The project." Nino said, winking as he forced himself to smile as not to arouse suspicion.
Adrien smiled as he caught on. "Oh, that project!" He said as he nodded to his bodyguard who walked away. The moment the door closed his friends suddenly surrounded him in a group hug.
"Project Surprise!" They said in unison as Adrien laughed joyously.
"You've never had any hang-out time at your place, right?"
"We get to have it whenever we want-" Ivan began to say.
"So we've come up with a plan to right this injustice." Max finished as Adrien eyed them gratefully, but then he stepped back as his anxiety rose.
"That's really cool of you all. But if my father found out about this..." He began to say but then noticed his friend's disappointment as they expected to be tossed out after all their hard work. "Uh, but hey! As long as it's not for very long and he never, ever finds out about it..." Adrien added not wanting to see them disappointed.
"Hang out time!" They said in unison as they began to check out Adrien's room Nino walked over to his best friend, resting his hand on his shoulder.
"Ah, one more thing. We've got a few more people popping up later on, but right now why don't we crank up some tunes?" Nino suggested as Adrien smiled eagerly. He guided his friends towards one of his cupboards where he revealed a vast collection of old records that made his heart swell with nostalgia.
"Woah! These can't be your awesome old records, you have no taste in music." Nino said in surprise as he scanned over the vintage records.
"They were my mother's." Adrien said as he pulled out his favorite, handing it over to Nino who placed it in a record player while Max turned up the volume.
"Uh, wait a sec. Is this as loud as it gets?" Nino asked as the music was belted out on the speakers. "Max."
Max adjusted his glasses as he plugged Markov into Adrien's PC. "I just need to hook Markov to the home's electrical panel." He said as the door opened again revealing that Nathaniel and Marc had arrived, greeted by Ivan who gave them a big hug.
Adrien waved to them with a smile just before Max got his attention. "Woah! Your house has an insane power supply, Adrien. It could compete with a nuclear power station."
He wasn't really sure what to make of it, after all his father's house was huge. He shrugged his shoulders. "My father always has known the biggest and the best."
"Cool! Crank it up to overdrive!" Nino insisted as Max started grinning like a manic.
"You sure it's not going to be too loud?" Adrien asked starting to have a bad feeling.
"Are you kidding? This is the way music is supposed to be!" Nino exclaimed happily.
"Be careful now. I've already sent you the address to your phone- but remember no using your phone while riding."
Sabine said, standing outside the side entrance as Marin packed up the multiple boxes of customer cakes and treats on the back of his delivery bike, taking a break for few moments away from the counter. Marin took out his phone as it pinged with a new message now looking at it in confusion as he recognized it.
"This is Adrien's house." Marin pointed out.
"Oh is it? I didn't realize." His mother said but then there was a loud crash heard inside the bakery as his mother quickly kissed his cheek and then quickly ran back inside.
Meanwhile, Marin looked back at the text curiously, but then figured that perhaps his friend was taking advantage of the fact that his father was out of town for his business trip
Adrien wasn't certain as to when exactly, but what started as a small get-together quickly turned into a full-blown party, complete with confetti and crocodile on the piano. He stood near the door next to Nino smiling happily as he saw everyone having the time of their lives; a far cry from the tranquil silence that his father always cultivated within their home. "Is hang-out time always like this?"
"No, but it should be." Nino said, ruffling Adrien's hair as he went to get another drink.
Adrien smiled at his friend as he walked in the other direction, accidentally bumping someone and reflexively helping them. "Excuse me-" He said, but then froze, his smile fading, as he saw the familiar face of Master Fu who was standing on a cooler. "Master Fu?!" Adrien exclaimed as the Master cleared his voice.
"Ah- Adrien, it appears that I have gotten lost from- where I am supposed to be." The Master remarked darting his eyes the other way as he clearly knew he was doing something he wasn't supposed to.
"Does Ladybug know you're here?" Adrien couldn't help but ask as he knew how close the two were and knowing his partner- would probably be upset that the Guardian of the Miraculous would be out at a party of all places.
"A-ahem, I am a grown adult, I am fully capable of taking care of myself." Master Fu said but then almost fell over again as he was standing on a cooler- this time being caught by Kim who was passing by.
"Woah, that was close!" Kim said as he prevented the old man from falling over.
"Thank you Young Man." Master Fu said graciously.
"No problem." Kim remarked as another song began and went dancing within the crowd, leaving Adrien with the master who now looked even more guilty.
"I realize how this looks-" Master Fu said, stepping off of the cooler. "But I can assure you that everything is under control."
Adrien ruffled the back of his head nervously. "Are you sure about that? More importantly, should you even be here? What about the danger of Hawkmoth and protecting the Miracle Box?"
"The Miracle Box never leaves my sight." Master Fu said, patting the cooler he was previously standing on. "As for Hawkmoth- I can't be expected to be concerned about him all hours of the day, otherwise I wouldn't be able to live a little. Besides, what Ladybug doesn't know won't hurt him."
"I guess so." Adrien said listening to the Master's reasoning. "Still, are you that-"
"Adrien! Come on dude!" Nino prompted as he slung his arm around his best friend's shoulder prompting him to join back in the party. Adrien felt uncertainty bubble in the pits of his stomach as he looked back at the Master who nodded in encouragement. Adrien took a deep breath as he shook away any feelings of compulsive responsibility, after all it was a party- probably the only party he'd have in his father's house and walked off with his friend for once wanting to enjoy himself.
"Your body language is like second nature to me, I can read your dance steps and see all your moves in advance!" Party Crasher exclaimed as he shot his disco beams towards Ladybug who was narrowly evading them, only saved by his natural agility as he hid behind a statue to catch his breath. One second he was biking towards Adrien's house, the next he felt the worst headache of his life and saw Party Crasher materializing.
Ladybug gritted his teeth as he quickly took out his yo-yo, quickly pressing the black cat icon again and grimacing as it went to voice mail once again. "Chat where the heck are you?!" Ladybug exclaimed as he felt the presence of the Akuma approaching once again. He looked around for anything, and quickly felt the blood drain from his face as he spotted the desserts that he had brought, still well shaped in their clean white boxes that had his family's logo on it.
He hated to even think about doing something so criminal to the deserts that his father had so lovingly baked with his two hands...
Adrien danced along with his friends and the rest of the crowd, taking a second to appreciate how this was the first party he experienced that wasn't interrupted by an Akumatized villain popping in-
"So, Adrien? Too busy for your number one fan?" Someone exclaimed from atop the window in his room overlooking the party. "Well, now you'll never forget to invite the Party Crasher to one of your parties again!"
There was a brief silence, but then everyone erupted into laughter as there was a weird-looking dude in a pink afro shouting at them. However, the threat became real as the villain blasted his computer system, making it disappear in an instant and causing everyone to panic. Adrien's eyes darted around as he spotted Master Fu grabbing his cooler, he could feel his body tense up as he knew that he couldn't let the villain catch Master Fu but then was cut off as Party Crasher pointed one of his disco balls at him, prepared to strike but then the villain was taken off guard by a pie being thrown at him from behind.
"HEY! What's the big-" Party Crasher exclaimed but as he turned around aggravated her was met with Ladybug kicking a cake onto his face and the using the villain as a prop to jump off, landing before Adrien while facing the enemy. "Cheap shot!" The Villain exclaimed as he
"Get down!" Ladybug exclaimed as he pushed Adrien behind cover behind the sofa while he dove towards the fallen foosball table while Party crasher tried to remove the frosting from his face.
Ladybug caught his breath for a second as he realized that he was sitting next to Master Fu holding his cooler.
"Master Fu!? What are you doing here?!" Ladybug asked in a mix of shock, surprise, and mild disappointment.
"A-hem, who is this Master Fu you speak of? I'm DJ-"
"That's not going to fool me a second time!" Ladybug restored as another one of Party Crasher's blasts narrowly missed them. "Master we'll talk about this later- but I have a plan. Lucky Charm!" He exclaimed, throwing his yo-yo up and a ladybug printed toy banana fell into his hands.
"...Okay- I have another plan." Ladybug remarked as a plan quickly came to mind as he faced his master.
Adrien tensed up as he realized that he was trapped between a wall and a villain as his grand piano disappeared in one of Party Crasher's blasts and he was in the villain's sights.
"It's time you get what you des-" Party Crasher was about to say just as Ladybug used his yo-yo to bind the villain's arms together, and then kicking him aside.
"Leave. Now!" Ladybug ordered as he tried to use his yo-yo to block Party Crasher's attacks, but ended up getting his yo-yo blasted instead.
"Ha! You're Tangoing for one Ladybug-Hey!" Party Crasher remarked as he had successfully disarmed the hero but then squawked as he evaded the books being thrown at him.
"I don't dance." Ladybug responded as he held Party Crasher's attention towards himself. Adrien quickly realized that his partner was giving him and Master Fu the cover needed to escape and didn't want to waste the chance as he headed towards the door. Master Fu had the same idea in mind as they were almost out of the room but without cover.
"Watch out!" Adrien heard as he turned around to see Ladybug blocking an attack but then disappearing as Party Crash laughed victoriously.
"NO!" Adrien exclaimed reflexively, fully willing to take on a villain toe to toe but was dragged into the bathroom by Master Fu, who locked the door behind them "Plagg! Claws out!" Chat Noir immediately grabbed his staff ready to jump back into the room but Master Fu drew his attention by pulling on his belt.
"Calm down Chat Noir." The Master urged. "You cannot allow your judgment to be clouded."
"I can't get him back by standing here!" Chat Noir pointed out as every part of him was screaming at him to save his partner. His ears had flattened as he felt a momentary pang of guilt recalling how it was his fault that his partner was taken out, also recalling his time as Aspeik and the numerous time he had failed in the past. "I'm supposed to be Chat Noir aren't I? I'm supposed to be out there saving him!"
"And we will but you're not going to be able to do this alone. You must keep a calm head otherwise-"
"Here Kitty Kitty!" Chat Noir's ears perked up as he overheard Party Crasher speaking from a distance away. "If I could take out Ladybug so easily, I bet I could defeat you even faster!"
Chat Noir only saw white as his temper bubbled to the surface, he willfully ignored the Master's orders as he ran out of the bathroom to charge at the villain while the Master shouted after him.
"Well, this is an issue." Master Fu remarked, watching as Chat Noir jumping after the villain while he held in his hand the Miraculous that Ladybug had picked earlier. The plan was to have Chat Noir choose a wielder worthy of it, however, it appeared that would not be possible at this time.
The Master looked down at the box wondering what he should do but then noticed that there was a familiar snorkel sticking out of the bathtub.
"Ha, do you really thing that you can defeat me cat?!" Party Crasher yelled at the hero who took cover atop the statue. He gripped his staff, about to activate his power when the statue disappeared, causing him to fall to the ground with a grunt. He landed on his feet but looked up to Party Crasher pointed a disco ball at him.
"Say Goodbye Chat Noir-" Party Crasher said mockingly just before he was hit by a stick that sent him flying. Chat Noir turned his head to see a new hero jumping to his rescue, wearing a monkey-like costume with a huge grin on his face.
"Seems like you forgot to send King Monkey's invitation." The new hero said as he helped Chat Noir to his feet.
"STOP THROWING THINGS AT ME!" Party Crasher yelled angrily as he aimed his disco balls, shooting them as the two split up in different directions.
"Do you have a plan?" Chat Noir called out.
"Just one! Eat this- Uproar!" King Monkey exclaimed as a squeaky banana toy appeared in his hands, throwing it at Party Crasher who stared at him in disbelief. Chat Noir jumped down next to King Monkey who was laughing hysterically at the scene as Chat Noir looked on in confusion.
"Seriously?" Party Crasher asked as he was about to blast the two heroes but was met with his vision becoming distorted. "W-What's happening?!" He asked in confusion as he was swatting at images that weren't there.
"Sorry. I just love disrupting others' powers!" King Monkey informed as both he and Chat Noir destroyed the disco balls on Party Crasher's hands causing them to explode and re-materialize everything that was previously vaporized.
"No!" Party Crasher exclaimed in disbelief as he rematerialized his weapons but was once again hit by a yo-yo to the back of his head, falling to the ground and knocking away his glasses which fell into Ladybug's hands as he threw it towards his partner.
"Chat Noir!"
"Cataclysm!" Chat Noir exclaimed as he caught the glasses in his hands, releasing the Akuma.
"No more mischief from you little Akuma. Time to purify!" Ladybug said as he swung his yo-yo towards the possessed Akuma, capturing it in one motion. Then opening it once more, watching the newly purified Akuma fly away. "Bye-bye, little butterfly. Miraculous Ladybug!" Ladybug called out, throwing up the lucky charm as everything turned back to normal.
Wayhem turned back to normal, looking around in confusion as King Monkey helped him, by explaining what happened.
"Nice work." Ladybug complimented to Chat Noir whose ears flattened guiltily. "The plan went a bit sideways- but good thing that you adapted." He said holding out a fist.
"UH- right..." Chat Noir said looking away for a second before taking out his staff. "Oh- my Miraculous is beeping gotta go!"
Ladybug looked on in confusion still holding out his first as he was left hanging. It was basically unheard of for Chat Noir to run away from a victory bro-fist. But then snapped out of it as a new hero took his place.
"Pound it!" He exclaimed with a bright smile.
"Good work Kim."
"Wow thanks Ladybug-AH, I mean who's Kim?! I'm King Monkey!" He said just as his Miraculous beeped for the final time and he transformed back just as Ladybug caught Xuppu in his hands. They stood there for a few moments as Ladybug gave the small Kwami a cookie as Kim exclaimed.
"OH- Where did King Monkey disappeared to?!"
Adrien sighed heavily as he sat outside his house on a bench. It was close enough that he didn't have to be watched by his bodyguard, who was indulging himself on pastries from the Dupain-Cheng family bakery which Marin had dropped off after the party had abruptly ended after the Akuma attack. But even after cleaning up and making things right with Wayhem he still didn't feel right.
"Soda pop?"
"Sure, thanks-" Adrien said as he recoiled back in surprise as he saw Master Fu sitting next to him nonchalantly. "M-Master Fu?!" He asked as Plagg popped his head out of his shirt.
"Good evening." Master Fu said as Adrien hung his head guiltily.
"I'm...sorry for disobeying you earlier," Adrien said apologetically, ruffling the back of his head.
"Why are you sorry?" The Master inquired.
"B-Because I... I lost my cool, and because of that Hawkmoth would have gotten both of the Miraculous. I know- I shouldn't be so emotional..." Adrien said as he expected to be scolded- his father would have- but instead, Master Fu simply hummed to himself.
"Are you apologizing because you feel like you failed your partner, or you failed yourself?"
"Huh?" Adrien turned his head towards the Master who was admiring the sunset. "I guess...my partner. He complimented me earlier, he thought I was capable enough to defeat this villain and in the end, I just ran away because I didn't want to tell him the truth. I didn't want him to think less of me." Adrien admitted. "Was he mad?" Adrien asked.
"Why would he be mad at something that he doesn't know about?" Master Fu asked as Adrien looked at him in surprise.
"Because you two tell each other everything?" Adrien inquired. "Why wouldn't you tell him?"
Master Fu turned to him, smiling in encouragement. "There is nothing to apologize for when you care about another person wholeheartedly. True- there is a lesson to be learned when it comes to remaining grounded, but skills such as that are learned over time and experience. Besides-" He said with a twinkle of mischievousness. " What Ladybug doesn't know won't hurt him."
Adrien couldn't help but chuckle a little at the Master words feeling a sense of ease as he opened his soda and was immediately sprayed with fizz.
"Oh- I guess they were a little shaken up." The Master said, laughing at his prank as Adrien could only laugh along with him.
"Ah-CHOO!" Marin sneezed as Tikki looked up from her mini cake that he had brought back while eating on his desk.
"You're not getting sick are you?" Tikki asked in concern as she hovered over his head, using her tiny Kwami hands to check his temperature.
"No-no I feel fine." Marin reassured. "I just have a feeling that someone's talking about me behind my back is all." He ponded to himself as Tikki sat atop his head.