Author note: Sorry for the late/delayed update. As some of you may know, this story is cross-posted here and on AO3. However, someone stole my story and posted it on Wattpad, claiming it as their own. While I was working on trying to get the story removed, I chose not to update so they wouldn't update the story on Wattpad. Thank you, everyone for your continued support.

Chapter 19: Café Disaffecto

The smell of coffee filled the air. Marinette stirred in bed, waking up from her slumber.

"Coffee?" Marinette rubbed her eyes. "That's unusual. My parents always drink tea."

"Good morning Marinette," a singsong voice called out. The trap door in the floor flipped opened. "I knew you were feeling down, so I made you breakfast in bed."

"Thanks mom," Marinette said as Sabine placed the tray in front of her.

"Dad made you your favorite breakfast," Sabine removed a lid, "and even poured you a cup of our café's famous coffee."

"Our café?" Marinette thought, hesitantly reaching out to grab the cup. She took a sniff. The aroma was good, almost enchanting. She pressed the cup to her lips, taking a sip. A warm feeling spread throughout her body. Marinette always loved the taste of her family's café's coffee.

"You also received a big package downstairs," Sabine said.

"It must be the shirts Trent ordered for the class." Marinette took a bite of food. "I told him he could have them delivered here since we are close to the school."

"I see. Is he going to come and pick it up or help you carry it?" Sabine asked. "It is a big box."

"I…am not sure," Marinette said.

"I need to go back downstairs," Sabine excused herself. "You can leave the dishes in the sink and I will get to them later."

"Thanks mom," Marinette smiled. "Tell dad thanks for me as well."

The flap to Marinette's room closed, and Tikki flew out from her hiding spot. She floated over to Marinette. The girl gestured, offering to share her breakfast. The two ate in silence, with Marinette periodically taking sips of the coffee.

Marinette walked downstairs, noticing that her parent's café was busy as per usual. Sabine was taking orders while Tom was making the pastries and drinks. Sitting on the counter was a decently big cardboard box. The bell on the door rang.

"Good morning Marinette," Kagami greeted. "How are you feeling?"

"I am doing better," Marinette answered. "Thanks again for the other day. But, what are you doing here this early?"

"Good morning Kagami," Sabine handed a cup to the girl, "this for you, on the house."

"Thank you Mrs. Cheng," Kagami said. "Marinette, allow me to walk you to school."

"Are you sure?" Marinette asked. She received only a nod. "I appreciate it. Maybe you can help me carry this box."

"I can carry it for you. I know how clumsy you can be," Kagami offered.

"Hey," Marinette chuckled. She pulled off the box off the counter and handed it to the other girl. "How are you here so early? What did you tell your mom?"

"My mother is busy all day, so I am supposed to have independent study," Kagami answered. "However, she didn't specify where I had to do my independent study."

"Sneaky."

"I figured I'll study at the café near your school just in case you need some support." Kagami looked away as she spoke.

"You girls should take these and be on your way." Sabine handed over two to go cups. "You don't want to be late for school."

"Thanks mom," Marinette took the cups.

"Good morning Marinette," Alya greeted.

Marinette and Kagami barely walked before being ambushed by a girl with red hair holding a coffee cup.

"Good morning Alya," Marinette politely greeted back.

"We need to talk," Alya said as she pointed. "Let me buy you a cup of coffee. Please."

Marinette looked to where the other girl was pointing. It was a mini café at the edge of the room. Did their school always have that café? Marinette wasn't sure.

"Go ahead Marinette. I'll drop this box off in your classroom. I remember where it is." Kagami said. "Go talk with your friend."

"Thank you Kagami," Marinette said.

The two girls walked over to the café area. Per Alya suggestion Marinette grabbed a table as Alya went to grab the coffee. Something was nagging on Marinette's mind, but she couldn't place her finger on it. Alya quickly came back with their coffee. From the moment Marinette took a sip, her body felt warm again.

"First, I want to apologize again," Alya said. "As your best friend, I should have been there for you and believed you right away, and I didn't. I'm really sorry."

"Thank you for saying that," Marinette said.

"I am going to find a way to make it up to you and earn your trust back," Alya said. She pulled out her phone. "I spent the rest of the weekend talking to everyone and found out everything Lila has told them. I plan to investigate each and every one of these claims. If you can, would you be willing to help me investigate?"

"I'll need to think about it," Marinette said as she took a sip. "I'm still processing everything that happened last weekend."

"Oh right. The lie detector Akuma," Alya sipped. "Lila disappeared too, which was rather suspicious. Still, I cannot believe how bad the situation had gotten."

"We need to get to class." Marinette stood up. She wasn't ready to talk about this, especially with Alya.

"Oh right! I saw Kagami carrying a rather big box. Do you know what's in it?" Alya asked.

"It should be the Queen Bee shirts Trent ordered for the class," Marinette said. "I didn't actually look inside. I just the logo on the shipping label."

"I am surprised he followed through with that," Alya laughed. "He must really like Queen Bee to arrange a surprise by that."

"I am surprised someone actually likes Chloe," Marinette chuckled as well. "Then again, he hasn't actually met her. If he knew the kind of person she was, he might think differently."

"Didn't he say Americans love a good villain turned hero story?" Alya opened the door to the classroom. "I am really glad we can start talking like normal again."

"Me too," Marinette said. "I missed you. Now as class deputy, you have to help me pass out the shirts."

"Gladly," Alya smiled. "I am curious to see what the design is."

The school bell rang, signally the end of the school day. Trent and Lila didn't show up today. Trent was understandable. Using multiple Miraculous yesterday took him out of commission. As for Lila, no one knew, but everyone just assumed she was embarrassed by what happened on Saturday and didn't want to show her face.

"Marinette, I found you!" a voice called out.

Marinette looked around, but couldn't see who was calling out to her. All she saw were students and staff chatting among themselves, holding a coffee cup just like her.

"Reaper Chop!"

Marinette let out a scream as she dropped her cup. It hit the floor with a loud bang, spilling its contents and creating a loud echo.

"Trent," Marinette gasped. "What are you doing here?"

"Well, I needed to talk with you, Cat Noir, and your guardian, since you did something bad, but it seems we have a situation on our hands that we need to deal with first," Trent answered.

"There is no situation, other than you spilling my coffee," Marinette said.

"I apologize for what I am about to do," Trent said, "but as I said, we have a situation. I do hope you'll be able to forgive me."

Before Marinette had a chance to respond, Trent's hand made contact with her face.

"Ow! What the hell!" Marinette screamed, rubbing her red cheek.

"Sorry, I really am." Trent panicked a little. "I couldn't wait for the effects of the coffee to wear off."

"What is going on here?" Ms. Mendeleiev walked over to the two teens that were causing a commotion.

"Follow my lead," Trent whispered to Marinette. "I'll explain everything soon."

"You better," Marinette whispered.

"Marinette grabbed my coffee and wouldn't give it to me," Trent said. Marinette noticed his face went rather flat and unexpressive. "I figured if I can't have it, no one can."

"I understand," Ms. Mendeleiev said. "You two come with me."

The eccentric science teacher led the two teens to the café cart inside the school. She pushed past the students, waiting in line to get to the counter. She ordered and received two to-go cups and handed them to the two teens.

"Pretend to take a sip, but don't actually consume any," Trent whispered.

Marinette followed the instructions. She had no choice but to trust in Trent right now. She was justifiably angry. But he must have had a good reason.

"That hits the spot," Trent said. "Thank you, Ms. Mendeleiev."

"Yes," Marinette said, copying Trent's tone, "thank you."

"Next time just get more coffee, there is no need to fight over it," Ms. Mendeleiev said before walking away.

"So Trent, care to explain?" Marinette asked the moment their teacher was out of earshot.

"I think there is an Akuma," Trent said.

"You think?" Marinette glared. "You slapped me across the face over a hunch!"

"Well, I know something is going on," Trent said. "I just haven't been in Paris long enough to know if you have non-Akuma villains. Anyway, there something going on involving the coffee. It is nothing too serious at the moment, but it seems whoever drinks the coffee falls into a trancelike state. They go about their normal lives, but they continuously go out of their way to get more coffee and try to get others to drink it."

"That explains why my mom fed me coffee first thing when I woke up," Marinette said. Her eyes widened. "She said it was our family's café special blend. We don't own a café. There shouldn't be a coffee stand at school. Something is most defiantly going on. How did you figure it out?"

"When I woke up at the hotel earlier this afternoon, everyone was trying to give me coffee," Trent said. "I don't drink coffee, it makes me nauseous."

"Did you meet up with Cat Noir?" Marinette asked.

"No, I came to the school first," Trent sighed. "Besides, Cat Noir's civilian identity isn't someone one can reach easily."

"What?" Marinette gasped.

"Forget I said anything," Trent said in a small panic. "At this point, it's better to assume he's been compromised."

"This looks like a job for Ladybug!"

"This looks like a job to not draw attention to ourselves. If Ladybug appears, it might trigger something."

"Where do you suggest we look?"

"The Eiffel Tower?" Trent shrugged. "Everything goes down there."

"That's as good of a place as any to start the search," Marinette said.

The two teens left the school, trying not to draw attention to themselves. There were coffee carts scattered along the streets, each with a decently long que of its own. Marinette wondered how she didn't notice this on the way to school this morning.

"Attention ladies and gentlemen!"

"Where is that voice coming from?" Trent asked.

"From that TV screen right there," Marinette pointed. "If she is broadcasting, she must be at the TV station."

"Clearly I should never be in charge," Trent said with a small chuckle.

"I am Café Bene! By now most of you lovelies have tasted my coffee. If you want more, just listen to what I have to say."

"Trent look around," Marinette said. "Everyone is mindlessly staring at the TV eerily quiet like."

"Bring me Ladybug and Cat Noir!" Cafe Bene snapped her fingers.

The eyes of most, if not all, Parisians widen then narrowed. The irises turned golden. They started shuffling around, similar to that of mindless zombies.

"It's time for Ladybug!" Marinette said.

"Wait!" Trent said.

"Tikki, spots on!"

In a flash of pink light, Ladybug appeared. In a split second, all golden eyes landed on the girl. Before Trent even had a moment to blink, Ladybug threw her Yo-Yo, grabbed him by the waist, and sent them sailing through the Paris sky.

"That was scary," Trent said as the two landed on a rooftop. "I never want to do that again without wearing my suit."

"It's not so bad," Ladybug said. "The people I help and save don't seem to mind it."

"Must be the adrenaline," Trent chuckled. "Where are we?"

"We are on the roof of the TV station." Ladybug pulled out her Yo-Yo. "I'm going to give Cat Noir a call, and then we can go in."

"We better take care of this fast." Trent leaned over the edge of the roof. "A lot of these coffee drinkers are converging on this building. I've seen a few movies that start out this way."

"No answer, but I left a message," Ladybug said dismissively.

"You know I am always at your beck and call, M'lady," Cat Noir said, landing on the roof.

"Hey Cat Noir!" Trent greeted. "Just a heads up after all this is done I need to talk to you, Ladybug, and the guardian. And on that note, Rowddy, let's dash!"

"Are we in trouble?" Cat Noir asked with a small smirk.

"Yes," Boom Barrier nodded. "Ladybug did something bad."

"Let's not focus on that right now," Ladybug chuckled, trying to move on from the topic.

"I'm sure whatever M'lady did, couldn't have been that bad." Cat Noir said.

"We'll see," Boom Barrier shrugged. "Lead the way Ladybug."

"I am surprised that you young heroes were able to avoid my coffee," Café Bene said. Her back was facing towards the door the three heroes emerged from. "Then again, maybe the taste is a little mature for your taste buds."

Café Bene was a solid brown color in the shape of a woman. She was flowing in place. Was she made of coffee?

"Maybe your brew is just that bad," Ladybug said.

"I'll give you youngsters a chance to surrender, because I know there is no way I will be defeated."

"Defeat this!" Cat Noir branded his staff.

Café Bene didn't even flinch.

"Cat's staff just went through her body?" Ladybug gasped.

"She's not solid," Boom Barrier gasped as well. "how can we fight her?"

"You can't!" Café Bene laughed.

A stream of liquid shot out at the heroes, but they dodged in time.

"Don't let any of her get in your mouth! Otherwise you'll fall under her hypnotism!" Ladybug warned.

The three heroes scattered, but this didn't deter Café Bene. She grew in size, as if she was filling the available space. Within a second, giant waves of coffees started rushing in all directions. The heroes rushed to get to higher ground.

"Not the kind of beach trip I would want to take with you, M'Lady," Cat Noir said.

"She must have a weakness," Ladybug mused. "We have to find where the akuma item is."

"You know," Boom Barrier said, "if we were in an anime she would be a water elemental."

"You might be on to something." Ladybug scratched her chin. "Kitty! You and BB unleash a barrage of attacks on her. I'll keep my eyes out for something we can exploit."

"I don't have a weapon," Boom Barrier said, "but I guess I can do that."

"You'll be fine. I got your back." Cat Noir winked. "Let's go!"

"Does Ladybug usually send us to our death?" Boom Barrier chuckled.

"You get used to it," Cat Noir said as he jumped down.

Cat Noir and Boom Barrier relentlessly attacked Café Bene. Directed attacks to the body were absorbed, and the heroes were reflected and rejected with streams of coffee. Severed body parts were quickly replaced. Her liquid was limitless. She was even able to separate her body and control each segment without any issues.

"Fall back!" Ladybug called out.

Without a moment of hesitation, the two boys withdrew from the battle.

"Running away?" Café Bene laughed. "It'll be easier to surrender. There is nowhere here you can hide."

"Tell me you have good news, M'Lady," Cat Noir said. His chest was rapidly moving up and down.

"Maybe," she said. "I noticed that there was a point of her body that all liquid returned to. No matter how much she pours and floods, it all returns to one place."

"Oh, I think I saw something like a key chain in a little red sphere while we were attacking," Boom Barrier said.

"That must be where the Akuma is hiding," Ladybug snapped. "Boom Barrier! If Cat Noir and I can separate her body enough, do you think you can use your power to quickly snatch it?"

"That'll be a no from me dawg," Boom Barrier sighed. "I see where you are coming from, but there are several problems with that plan. Remember, a few days ago when y'all piggy-backed off my power?"

"Right. We were touching you," Cat Noir said. "Does that mean the moment you touch her, she will be able to use your power?"

"Yes," Boom Barrier looked away. "One of the downsides to my speed is that whoever is touching or being touched by me has access to it."

"Well, that one issue we can probably work around," Ladybug said. "Although you said there were several problems."

"They all stem from that same issue, basically. It normally not too much of an issue, but her body is made of liquid. If there is even a residual drop of her left on me, she will have my speed. She'll take the Miraculous and it'll be game over."

"Come out little kids, you can't hide forever."

"Well then, we only have one option left." Ladybug clutched her yo-yo. "Lucky Charm!"

A ladybug themed item appeared in the air and fell into Ladybug's hands.

"What is that?" Cat Noir asked.

"I am not sure." Ladybug looked the item over.

"It's a honey dipper. You of all people should know what that is, Ladybug," Boom Barrier said matter-of-factly.

"How do you know what a honey dipper is?" Cat Noir narrowed his eyes.

"A popular cereal mascot uses it in America," Trent said in a low voice.

"I know what to do! You two find somewhere to hide and make sure to avoid drinking the coffee," Ladybug said before leaving.

"Does she leave mid-battle a lot?" Boom Barrier asked.

"Yeah," Cat Noir nodded. "Sometimes it's me. You know why we leave, don't you?"

"I do, but I didn't think it was so often."

"Let's hideout on the roof for a bit," Cat Noir smiled.

A few minutes later, Ladybug arrived on the roof of the TV studio. Cat Noir and Boom Barrier were standing around, just waiting. They were able to escape the area without Café Bene noticed. Maybe she did, but knew they were coming back but allowed it.

"Boom Barrier, I need you to de-transform and take off your Miraculous," Ladybug said.

"Sure," Boom Barrier raised an eyebrow.

"Did you come up with a plan, M'Lady?" Cat Noir looked at Ladybug than to Boom Barrier. "I think I follow."

"Rowddy! Let's roost!" Boom Barrier said. In a flash of light, a teenage boy appeared on the roof. "Stay close and out of sight, Rowddy."

"Yes, my liege," Rowddy bowed.

"Trent Nocturne." Ladybug extended her hand. When she unclenched her fist, a small wooden box was revealed. "Here is the Bee Miraculous, which grants the power of subjugation. You will use it for the greater good."

Trent took the box and opened. A ball of light shot out and danced around him for a few seconds before stopping in front of him. In another burst, a bee-like creature emerged.
"I am Pollen. I am at your service, my king." Pollen bowed.

"Once the job is complete, you will return your Miraculous to me," Ladybug continued. "I know I can trust you Trent."

"Isn't this Chole's power?" Trent felt around his head for the best place to place the comb.

"You say Queen Bee is your favorite hero. Why not use this as an opportunity to get to understand her better?" Cat Noir suggested.

"I wasn't complaining," Trent said with a smirk.

"All you have to do is say buzz on," Pollen said.

"Pollen! Buzz on!"

In a flash of golden light, a new hero appeared. The costume was mostly black with accents of yellow in the form of hexagons scattered across the body. His chest and abs were exposed in a teasing way considering the zipper was zipped all the way down to just above the belt.

"This outfit is nice, but I can do without all the blond highlights," the new hero said.

"You should zip up, it's cold," Ladybug said, but her face did have a hint of red.

"Fine." he stuck out his tongue.

"Well, Chloe was Queen Bee, so would that make you King Bee?" Cat Noir asked.

"King Bee sounds good," Ladybug nodded.

"No, that's stupid." he crossed his arms. "Call me Drone. That's the name for a male bee."

"Drone doesn't sound all that heroic." Cat Noir shook his head.

"Isn't a male bee's purpose just to make with the queen and die after?" Ladybug asked.

"Yes," Drone smiled. "That's the dream!"

"Yeah it is!" Cat Noir laughed as he high-fived.

"Ugh! Boys bond over the weirdest things," Ladybug sighed. "Let's make this quick. Lucky Charm!"

"It's a colander," Drone said.

"Yes," Ladybug said. "Follow my lead!"

"Venom!" Drone's spinning top weapon engorged and pulsed.

"You think that little needle is enough to scare me?" Café Bene manically laughed. "I'll teach you not to mess with me!"

A stream of coffee shot out towards Drone. With a simple side step, he avoided the attack. He tapped the stream with his stinger, causing a good portion of the coffee to stay in place. The remainder returned to her body.

"Now it should scare you," Drone laughed, matching the tone of Café Bene from moments ago. "Unlike the other two heroes, I can keep using my power."

Drone launched himself at Café Bene, shanking each and every patch of coffee he came across. Café Bene looked on in fear as she slowly kept losing parts of her body. She turned from the bee-themed hero and started to run away, or in this case, fly away in a stream of coffee.

"Keep up the pressure and your venom!" Cat Noir shouted as he appeared, running alongside Drone. "I'll steer her towards Ladybug."

"Right," Drone said.

Drone continued his pursuit, and with some gentling nudging from Cat Noir, Café Bene continued on the projected route.

"Now!" Cat Noir shouted.

Ladybug appeared from behind a pole colander brandished. With a mighty swing, Café Bene poured through the holes. Clink! Ladybug's eyes widened. She slammed the colander down.

"Your turn, Kitty!" Ladybug slid the Lucky Charm to Cat Noir.

"No!" Café Bene cried out. She quickly regained composure and launched herself at the black cat hero.

"Cataclysm!" Cat Noir summoned his power. With a simple kick, the colander was knocked away. He quickly grabbed the keychain with his empowered hand. It turned rustic brown and cracked. A black butterfly popped out and started to flutter away.

"Time to De-evilize! Gotcha! Bye-bye little butterfly. Miraculous Ladybug!"

"Pound it!" The three heroes celebrated.

"You two need to charge up," Drone said. "Don't forget we need to have a talk, guardian included."