Chapter 1: Boom Barrier

The bight full moon shown brilliantly in the sky, casting a warm, soft light on all the buildings of Paris, giving a false sense of peace to the residents. The Eiffel Tower was lit up in multiple colors, probably celebrating something important that was going on earlier in the day. With a slight breeze, a silhouette quickly passed in front of the moon. A beat passed. Two more silhouettes danced passed the moon.

"Cat Noir!" a girl's voice called out. "We can't catch up with him!"

"What do you suggest Ladybug?" the boy asked.

The two silhouettes landed in front of the tower. Basked in the light of the moon, a girl in a skin-tight red jumpsuit with black polka-dots, and boy in a skin-tight black leather suit with cat ears, the two super heroes were revealed.

"We can split up and route him to the other one," ladybug suggested. She mused, trying hard to come up with a plan. "It's been a while since we last dealt with an akuma that was this fast."

"What about laying a trap, causing them to trip?" Cat Noir offered. "Though we don't know what route he will take, so we might have to lay multiple."

"Still, it is so fast it could see us laying the traps and avoid them," Ladybug said.

This wasn't good. They have never had this much trouble before dealing with an akuma before, but at least they still had their super powers handy.

"Maybe we should call on one of our allies?" Cat Noir said. "It might be a risk but Queen Bee would be super helpful right now. Even Rena Rouge would come in handy."

"We can't use Queen Bee. Chloe's identity is well known and she is under surveillance by both Hawk Moth and Mayura. As for Rena, I don't know if I can really trust her right now."

"There is a lot to un-package there M'lady. I think we should talk about it sometime in the future. Until then, let's focus on this akuma."

"Right," Ladybug nodded. "Lucky charm!" She tossed her yo-yo in the air. In a flash of light, the yo-yo changed into a larger object and dropped down into Ladybug's hands.

"A cinder block?" Cat Noir scoffed. "How are we supposed to use this?"

"I am not sure," she said. "I can't see or think of anything right now. Plus I just noticed the akuma is gone."

"Maybe I can be of assistance," a voice called out. "If you can tell me what an akuma is."

Cat Noir and Ladybug's eyes turned to the direction of the voice. Walking up, they saw a young man in a skin-tight suit. Was he a superhero like them? As he walked closer, they could make out the appearance of the man. His suit was a dark navy blue color, however, around the arms and legs the suit gradient to a burnt orange color in the style of gloves and boots. His hair was styled in faux hawk, which was electric blue in color, which matched the visor that covered his eyes like a mask.

"Who are you?" Ladybug asked.

"Friend or Foe?" Cat Noir asked.

"To ask for someone's name, it's best to introduce yourself first," the stranger said. A smirk on his face told them he was teasing, at least a little.

"Right," they sighed.

"I am Ladybug," the girl in the red suit introduced, "and this is my partner Cat Noir. We are the superheroes and protectors of Paris. Who are you?"

"That is a good question," he hummed. "I haven't really come up with a name yet since this power is temporary."

"Temporary?" Chat Noir asked.

"Yes," the stranger nodded. "I was given my Miraculous to carry out a certain mission. Oh! I know! Call me Boom Barrier! My power is based on speed."

Bleep! Bleep!

A sound caught the attention of the three heroes.

"Oh right," Cat Noir snapped to attention. "You used your Lucky Charm. We need to find that akuma fast!"

"What is an akuma?" Boom Barrier asked.

"Long story short," Ladybug answered, "a civilian turned super villain. The one we are looking for right now is called Cheetahress."

"Does she look like her name?"

"Yeah, a cheetah girl." Cat Noir answered.

"Cool, I can bring her here lickily split," he winked.

"You can?" Ladybug gasped. "I came up with the perfect plan! Chat I need your belt, Boom bring her here!"

"Bring her here, please." Boom narrowed his eyes.

"Bring her here, please." Ladybug put her hands together. This caused Boom Barrier to smile.

"See you guys in the blink of an eye," Boom Barrier crouched down. "Brilliance!" He was surrounded by a shining blue light and disappeared.

Within a blip, Boom Barrier appeared above the two heroes holding a human-like figure in his hand. How long did time go by? A second?

"Special delivery," Boom Barrier shouted as he dropped the cheetah girl.

"Thanks," Ladybug tossed the belt and wrapped it around the villain's ankle. With a loud thud, the villain hit the ground. It quickly got up and tried to run. Tried and failed. It was weighed down by the polka-dotted cinder block. She reached out and grabbed the broach. "Catch Kitty!"

"Cataclysm!" Cat Noir shouted! A black aura surrounded his ring hand. He caught the broach and it instantly turned an ash black color. With a light squeeze it disintegrated into dust. A black butterfly emerged and began to frantically fly away.

"No more evil doing for you little akuma!" Ladybug swiped her yo-yo.

"Time to de-evilize!" Ladybug tossed.

Gotcha!" She cheered as the yo-yo grabbed the butterfly.

The cheetah girl was wrapped in a black aura but it slowly dissipated revealing a woman in a business suit who wore a look of confusion on her face.

"Bye bye little butterfly," Ladybug pressed a button on her yo-yo. A pure white butterfly popped out and fluttered out of sight.

'What did I just witness?" Boom Barrier wondered.

"Miraculous Ladybug!" Ladybug tossed the cinder block into the air. It exploded in a flash of red light. Swarms of ladybugs flew around Paris repairing and restoring all the damage that had been done.

"Pound it!" Ladybug and Chat Noir celebrated with a fist bump.

Bleep! Bleep! Bleep!

"I should bug out before I change back," Ladybug said with a sense of urgency.

"Come on Bugaboo," Cat Noir said, "you can trust your identity to me."

"Sorry Kitty, you know we can't risk it."

"Ladybug! Cat Noir!" Boom Barrier called out as he rushed to their side. "Can you explain to me what is going on?"

"I would love to," Ladybug pointed to her earrings. "But I am about to change back. Next time, I promise."

"Sure," Boom Barrier nodded. "Next time we three meet, we will have to have a serious talk. I need to tell you why I am here."

"I gotta jet too," Cat Noir looked at his ring. "Meet us at the Eiffel Tower tomorrow evening!"

With a quick wave goodbye, the two heroes departed in opposite directions.

"Tomorrow will be too late," Boom Barrier sighed. "Rowddy let's roost!" A blue light flashed and a small bird like creature emerged.

"Shouldn't you have tried harder to talk to them my liege?" Rowddy asked.

"Yeah, but it seems like I wasn't aware of the situation as a whole. Did you recognize those butterflies?"

"They do seem familiar, but you know that I am kept separate from the Miracle Box, just like a few of my fellow kwami."

"Yes I remember the history lesson. At least parts of it. Gramps did kind of rush me when he forced this responsibility on me."

"Don't worry. I am here to help you remember and to fill in the blanks."

"Thanks Rowddy," Boom Barrier smiled. "Still, several Miraculous are active and in circulation. This requires further investigation."

The sound of an annoying bell filled the air causing a girl with blue-black hair to suddenly sit up.

"Good morning Marinette," a red creature with black spots glided by the girl.

"Good morning Tikki," she greeted back.

Marinette stretched with a very loud yawn. She was still a little tired from the previous night. Her work as Ladybug has kept her up later and later. The villains seem to be increasing in both number and power. Suddenly a new hero popped up last night saying they need to have a serious talk, things are starting to get crazy.

Then a frown appeared on Marinette's face. Today was Monday, start of a new week. This means she would have to go back to school. Back to that classroom. Back to the room full of people who turned their backs on her. Back to her supposed best friend.

It was strange. Marinette has known a lot of these kids for years, taken time to learn about them and develop a bond of trust. Then Lila comes in, says a few sweet words, and sudden she's the bad guy.

"I recognize that look Marinette," Tikki said. "You're thinking about school and Lila again, aren't you?"

"Yes Tikki," she sighed. "I can't help it. Lila is getting worse with her lies and it is getting tougher for me to ignore her. I know Adrien says it is just enough that the two of us know, but I don't think that is enough anymore."

"You should try talking to your parents about this Marinette," Tikki said.

She did like seeing Marinette like this. Sure, Tikki had other charges, other Ladybugs before, but they were nothing like Marinette. Marinette had this spark, this fire, this uninhibited joy for creation. Sewing, baking, drawing, designing, etc., whatever it was that Marinette was involved in, Tikki was always excited to share and it filled her heart.

Lately, it seemed that fire has dimmed, but not been fully extinguished. There was nothing Tikki could do to help out, other than offering words of support or give a reassuring touch from within her handbag. After witnessing everything Lila has put her Marinette through, she felt the need to do something. She may be an ageless immortal being, but that doesn't mean she always has to take the high road as she so often does.

"I don't want them to worry," Matinette responded. "They are already busy running the bakery, and I don't want them to be poisoned by Lila if I can avoid it."

"Is there anyone else you can talk to? Ayla perhaps?"

"No. I tried talking to Ayla, but instead of listening she scolded be about being jealous of Lila trying to get close to Adrien."

"Maybe Cat Noir."

"I thought about that," she sighed. "I don't want to reveal too much about my civilian identity to him."

"What about talking to him as Marinette? You guys have talked on the balcony every now and again."

"I didn't consider that option."

"If all else fails, remember that I am here for you," Tikki reassured. "We can come up with something together too."

"Thanks Tikki," Marinette's face showed a small smile, "I know I can always count on you."