Author's note: Thankfully, we were able to (kind of) get back on our regular schedule. We've been developing our Ilvermorny fic and it's been hard balancing both stories but we think we've been doing pretty well. Oh and, thanks for the feedback, everyone! Once again, this akuma was created by Mistress Mysterious.

Summary: Team Miraculous fight Black Widow, a girl akumatized after being embarrassed in front of the mayor of Paris; Team Panthera commence phase one of Operation Save Nooroo.

In the bedroom of a spiffy penthouse, a teenage boy and his leopard kwami sat in bed. Several posters of things like video games, superheroes and giant robots were tacked onto each wall, showcasing his love of all things action.

"One day, I'm gonna be like Lion-O," said Timothée, admiring the Thundercats poster positioned above his headboard.

"My dear boy," said Monsieur Pussycat. "There's something I must inform you apropos—"

"Thundercats, ho!" yelled Timothée, catching Monsieur Pussycat off guard.

"Listen, Timo," demanded the kwami, flying over to Timothee's ear to he whisper something.

"You want us to do what!?" shouted Timothée.

"Keep your voice down," said Monsieur Pussycat. "Remember your manners. It's as though I've taught you nothing."

"You want us to go into Papillon's lair and save Nooroo?" asked Timothée. "We don't even know who Papillon is or where he's hiding."

"That is why we are sending you as a team," said Monsieur Pussycat. "Taag and Kimba are informing the others as we speak."

Timothée sluggishly got up from his bed as he let all of this information sink in. This was a huge step forward in their war against France's supervillain.

"I wish you hadn't told me right before I had to go to school," complained Timothée as his alarm went off.

"Have a great day," said Monsieur Pussycat, earning an eye roll from Timothée.

The mission stayed on Timothée's mind all morning, pretending like everything was normal.

It was a Friday afternoon and all the students were excited for the weekend. Marinette, Adrien, Alya and Nino walked side-by-side on their way out of the school.

"Fridays are always the best, dude," said Nino. "Why can't every day be Friday?"

"Because it wouldn't be special anymore," said Marinette. "Having a Friday only once a week is what makes it worth looking forward to."

"Speaking of the weekend," said Alya. "Does anybody have any plans?"

As all of them thought about what they were going to do, Marinette saw a boy with shaggy hair that was dip-dyed blue-green at the ends come her way.

"Hi, everyone," said Luka. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything."

"Not at all," said Alya with a smirk.

"Great," said Luka. "In that case... Marinette, would you like to attend a debate I'm participating in?"

Marinette blushed, taken aback by such a direct proposal coming from someone as aloof as Luka.

"Debate?" asked Marinette. "I didn't know you were on the debate team. I thought music was your only passion."

"Yeah, it is," admitted Luka. "But I'm also passionate about changing the world. That's what my music is about. Being on the debate team improves my writing for lyrics and helps me learn about important issues."

Marinette took this moment to admire his enthusiasm. Not many boys his age had such sage words.

"So what do you say?" he asked. "It's tomorrow, and I promise it won't take that long. You could even bring your friends."

"Y-Yeah," stammered Marinette. "Of course, I'll go. Do you guys wanna come with?"

"Oh, we're definitely going," said Alya.

"Sorry, guys," said Adrien. "I have a photoshoot all day tomorrow. I won't be able to make it, but you have my support, Luka."

"Thank you, Adrien," said Luka.

Adrien walked off to the side so he could find some privacy. His kwami Plagg zipped by his ear without his even noticing.

"Adrien," said Plagg. "You don't have anything scheduled tomorrow. Why are you lying?"

"Honestly," started Adrien, slightly embarrassed. "I just feel like a debate would be so boring."

"That's not nice," replied the black cat kwami. "You should have just told them the truth."

Adrien's face flushed, feeling guilty over what he had done. This was probably really important to Luka, he thought.

"I'll make it up to everyone some other time," said Adrien. "In the meantime, why don't we go get something to eat?"

"I thought you'd never ask," said Plagg.

The following day, Marinette was anxious for what would happen later. Luka kind of asked her out on a date but also kind of didn't.

The saturday morning air was breezy so all those gathered outside the debate building wore light coats. The debate was held in a big brown room, a very imposing structure. It was still pretty empty, though, since Marinette and her friends had gotten there early. As Marinette walked into this room, Luka beckoned her over to the stage.

"Marinette," called Luka. "I'm so glad you made it."

"Oh, you know," said Marinette coyly. "I would never miss something for a friend."

"And here's my competition," said Luka. "Marinette, I would like you to meet Mélanie."

Mélanie had blue eyes and jet black hair fashioned in a waterfall braid. Her style was unique—she wore a white blouse, black tights under a purple skirt and beige Victorian boots. She shook Marinette's hand.

"Hi, Marinette," said Mélanie. "It's so nice to meet you."

"It's nice to meet you, too," said Marinette as her eyes fell upon a brooch resting just beneath the left side of her collar. "That's so pretty. What is it?"

The brooch was in the shape of a shield. It had one color on each quadrant: gold, silver, bronze and violet. In the center of all these colors lay the word "Nice" in a swirly calligraphic script.

"Oh, this?" said Mélanie. "It's a family heirloom. My family is from Nice, but we've moved all over France after this was made. It doesn't make much sense anymore, but it's always great to remember my roots."

"That's beautiful," said Marinette. "Well, good luck on your debate."

"Yes, the debate," said Mélanie. "It's very exciting because the mayor is going to be here to watch over our debate. I want to become a politician in the future so this means a lot to me."

"It's almost time for us to start," said Luka. "Remember: no holding back."

"You got it," said Mélanie.

They firmly shook hands and walked back to their respective podiums. Marinette got down from the stage, sitting beside Alya. The judges gave the competitors their debate topic: Should schools make uniforms mandatory?

"School uniforms should never even be considered," argued Luka. "They promote conformity, stifle creativity, and are simply a ploy to take even more money from students. It is preposterous for anyone to think otherwise."

"You make a compelling argument," started Mélanie nervously. "But I have to disagree with you."

Mélanie looked out into the crowd and saw the mayor, André Bourgeois. Her hands shook uncontrollably and she gulped. She got her nerves under control and turned back to Luka, determined to win this debate. That was, until she heard someone shout from the audience.

"You can do it, honey!" said the man's voice. "I believe in you!"

Mélanie turned to where the voice was coming from and it was none other than her father. She had to restrain herself from facepalming.

"Dad," she whispered through gritted teeth like a ventriloquist. "Stop shouting. You're embarrassing me."

"What was that, honey?" shouted her dad. "Let me get closer. I think I can help you on this."

To make it out of the seats, her father awkwardly stepped on people's toes to get to the aisle. He then sauntered towards the steps leading up to the stage.

"No, Dad!" warned Mélanie, but it was already too late. "Stop!"

Mélanie's father tripped and grabbed onto her podium, bringing both of them down. He tried to get back on his feet but tripped again and this time brought Luka's podium down with him. The shock of this event made Luka back up into a flag pole that fell and caught onto the stage curtain, ripping it from the ceiling. Attached onto the curtain was a banner that read "Collége Fraçoise Dupont" and it came down draping Luka and Mélanie.

Raucous laughter filled the auditorium after this bizarre display. Mélanie lifted the banner off of herself and looked into the audience. She saw that even the mayor was chuckling. His daughter Chloé was cackling while recording the whole thing on her phone. Mélanie felt hot tears well up in her eyes and she ran away crying.

"Mélanie, wait!" called her father after her. "I didn't mean to!"

The morning sunlight lit up Papillon's lair as his window opened up, basking his lithe body in a blinding glow.

"Politics is not for the weak," said Papillon, clasping a butterfly in his hands. "Public humiliation is a bitter pill to swallow and it's especially bitter when it comes from those you trust the most."

He sent the butterfly out the window as it flapped towards the debate building.

"Go my little akuma," said Papillon. "Teach this girl that embarrassment doesn't have to end in tears."

Mélanie's brooch was tainted by the butterfly. She heard a dominating voice in her head.

"Black Widow," said Papillon. "I am Papillon. I can help you get the respect from your constituents that you deserve. Now, go get Ladybug and Chat Noir's Miraculouses!"

"At your service Papillon," said Black Widow.

"Are you all right?" asked Luka as he was helping Mélanie's father up to his feet.

"I'm always so embarrassing," said Mélanie's father. "I only ever want to help, but it always goes sour."

"It's all right, Monsieur Lilydale," said Luka. "You just need to learn how to tone it down. I'm sure Mélanie appreciates how much you care about her. I bet she's coming back right now to tell you just that."

At that moment, a girl in a black bodysuit with a red symbol that looked like a blocky 8 ran screaming into the auditorium. She was wielding a red and black bazooka. It was Mélanie akumatized into Black Widow.

"Now, no one will embarrass me ever again!" shouted Black Widow.

She shot her bazooka into the audience and out came a spider-web that bound people tightly, making them unable to move. Among those caught in the web were Nino, Chloé and Mayor Bourgeois.

"Ew," exclaimed Chloé. "If this web rips any part of my outfit, you're going to pay for it!"

"Don't worry, Chloé," said Mayor Bourgeois. "Daddy will buy you an even better outfit."

Alya tried her best to pull Nino out of the web but it was no use—the web was just too strong.

"Forget about me," said Nino. "Just help everyone else. I'll be fine."

"Everyone!" said Alya to the panicking crowd. "Go to the exits. Hurry!"

Luka and Marinette helped Alya direct the civilians outside. Marinette personally escorted Monsieur Lilydale.

"Guys," said Marinette to Luka and Alya. "We have to get him to safety. It's him that Mélanie is after."

"I'll take him," said Luka. "Do you think you can walk?"

"I think I hurt myself when I fell," said Monsieur Lilydale. "I might slow you down."

"That doesn't matter," said Luka. "We just have to get out of here. Marinette, Alya—run to safety."

Black Widow scanned the room, noticing that Luka was taking her father to safety.

"No!" shouted Black Widow. "You can't escape my wrath!"

Black Widow chased after her father as he was led outside by Luka. Alya ran to the restrooms to hide in one of the stalls. She let Trixx out of her shirt pocket.

"Hey, Trixx," said Alya. "We're in deep trouble. Transforme-moi!"

"I'm already on it," said the little fox, as he was sucked into her necklace.

Outside, Luka was helping Monsieur Lilydale run away, who was hindered by his limp.

Black Widow followed her father's trail. Rena Rouge jumped in front of her, blocking her from the path.

"Black Widow," called Rena Rouge. "You're going down."

Adrien saw this happening from the food truck he was at, dumping the crepe he was eating into a trash can. He ran behind a building and let Plagg out of his pocket.

"Plagg," said Adrien. "There's an akuma. You know the drill."

"Don't I even get a little camembert?" pleaded Plagg.

"Luckily for you," said Adrien. "I brought some with me."

Adrien pulled a tin wedge out of his pocket and opened it to reveal the stinky cheese. Plagg took it and swallowed it whole.

"Plagg," commanded Adrien. "Transforme-moi!"

"Aw," said Plagg as he got sucked into Adrien's ring. "But I wanted to savor my meal!"

As Ladybug and Rena Rouge dodged a web that was shot at them, Chat Noir jumped to be beside them.

"Chat Noir," said Ladybug. "Nice of you to join us."

"You know how crazy traffic can get," said Chat Noir. "I take it that the other cats couldn't make it?"

Back at the Molyneux penthouse, the TV was set to the news. Seline and Timothée were watching as Ladybug, Chat Noir and Rena Rouge were impressively fighting Black Widow.

"It looks like they've got it covered," said Seline. "That means we can go through with our own plan."

"Do my ears deceive me?" said Timothée. "Are you actually trusting Ladybug with saving the day?"

"Well, you know," said Seline, flustered. "She's proven to me that she won't always mess things up. Also, she's got Chat Noir and Rena Rouge helping her, so it'll be even harder for her to mess up."

Gérard came back with three pints of Serendipity ice cream with three different flavors—Birthday Cake for Timothée, Frrrozen Hot Chocolate for Seline, and Forbidden Broadway Sundae for Gérard himself. He sat down on the couch between his brother and cousin.

"Alright, let's get back to business," said Gérard, emphasizing each word with his spoon. "We've got to think about where this kwami could be. Any ideas?"

"Not a single one," snarked Seline as she ate a spoonful of her ice cream.

"Actually, I can think of one," said Timothée reluctantly. "But it's going to be way out of left field, so be open-minded."

"You're scaring me, Timothée," said Gérard.

Timothée let out a deep sigh as he prepared himself to relay these mysterious findings.

"Oh, it's scary alright," he replied. "I think Papillon might be living in… the Agreste mansion."

Seline and Gérard rose to their feet in shock. Although Timothée anticipated this reaction, he was still nervous about how to navigate through it.

"The Agreste mansion?" said Seline. "As in, like, the one Adrien lives in? You know, the kid who happens to be Chat Noir? That Agreste mansion?"

"I know it sounds crazy," said Timothée defensively.

"It doesn't just sound crazy," said Gérard as he fanned himself. "It is crazy! Robin Antin didn't prepare me for this."

Timothée got up from the couch, pacing to and fro as he became absorbed in his thoughts.

"I'm not going to mince words," he said. "I've spent the most time at his house out of the three of us and I've noticed some strange things. For example, their house is huge. Huge enough to hide big secrets like a lost Miraculous or even a secret lair."

"But that doesn't—" said Seline.

"Let me finish," interrupted Timothée. "I've also found butterfly insignias all over the house. I think whoever helped design the building is obsessed with them and is therefore Papillon. Lastly, Adrien and his father are extremely distant, almost like they're enemies. I believe they are exactly that, Chat Noir and Papillon. I'm convinced of this."

The Agreste mansion was a Parisien castle dwarfing the surrounding homes. Tigresse Blanche, Léopard and Lion climbed through an open window in Adrien's room. Tigresse Blanche opened the door and looked out into the hall. On the first floor was Nathalie, a slender bespectacled woman with dark hair tied in a bun, making the rounds.

Tigresse Blanche moved first, slinking through the second floor with ease. Lion was stepping rather clumsily and Léopard tapped Tigresse Blanche on the shoulder.

"One of us is heavy-footed," said Léopard, getting a glare from Lion. "Use that black magic thingy of yours, Seline."

"That's a good idea," whispered Tigresse Blanche. "Magie noire."

Tigresse Blanche plunged her hand into the black orb that formed in front of her and pinched the inside from above. This created a similar black orb around the three that reduced the gravity inside, lifting them a few inches off the ground. They ran without fear of making any sound, getting to their destination much more quickly.

They arrived in the Agreste atelier. They started looking all over the place for any hint of Papillon's whereabouts. Tigresse Blanche pulled back the gold woman painting and found a vault protected by a code.

"Hey, guys," said Tigresse Blanche. "Look at this. There must be something in it."

"Like money?" hoped Léopard.

"Or the butterfly miraculous," suggested Lion.

"We could find out," said Tigresse Blanche. "If we knew how to open it. Let me try something."

Tigresse Blanche tapped on the vault on different spots, looking for a weak point. The sound of the vault reverberated, occasionally sounding hollow or dense depending on where she tapped.

"I think I've found the weak spot," said Tigresse Blanche. "But if I open it, I'll break it."

"So, now what?" asked Lion.

"I want to use Magie noire, again," said Tigresse Blanche. "But I've already used it. I have to transform back, then feed Taag, and transform again."

"But that will take too long!" said Léopard.

"Do you have any other ideas?" said Tigresse Blanche.

Back at the fight with Black Widow, our heroes parried with the akuma as best they could.

"She's too fast," said Chat Noir. "And too… spidery."

"We've got to think," said Ladybug. "Lucky charm!"

Ladybug hurled her yo-yo into the air, turning it into a red plastic cup with black polka-dots.

"A plastic cup?" said Ladybug. "What am I supposed to do with this?"

"It's a little early to make a toast to our victory," said Chat Noir.

"I know just what to do with it," said Ladybug as she punched a hole through the bottom. "But I'm going to need Rena Rouge for this."

"That was quick," said Chat Noir. "Hey, wait up!"

Ladybug explained her plan to Rena Rouge and she accepted.

"I get it," said Rena Rouge. "Mirage!"

Ladybug's plastic cup with a hole in it transformed into a megaphone and a large crowd was conjured out of thin air.

"I declare that every school in France must ban school uniforms!" said Ladybug to a roaring crowd. "They are a travesty to all students!"

Black Widow saw how much attention Ladybug's "horrible" ideas were getting and couldn't let this stand.

"You're wrong," argued Black Widow, lowering her bazooka and forgetting to fight. "School uniforms would help students focus on studies instead of fashion!"

"Cataclysme!" said Chat Noir while Black Widow was distracted.

He sneaked up from behind her and swiped her brooch, shattering it into ashes. Black Widow turned back into Mélanie. She saw the remains of her brooch laying in a pile on the ground.

"No!" shouted Mélanie. "It's been in my family for generations. My mother will be devastated."

"Don't worry, Mélanie," said Ladybug as she set her sights on the butterfly flying out of it. "It won't stay broken for long."

Ladybug captured the butterfly with her yo-yo, purifying it.

"Je t'ai eu!" declared Ladybug. "Bye-bye, petit papillon. Miraculous Ladybug!"

Ladybug's healing essence washed over Paris, making the large crowd disappear, freeing the debate building of its webs, and repairing Mélanie's precious brooch.

Mélanie got up from the floor with her brooch in her hands.

"What happened to me?" said Mélanie. "All I remember is defending school uniforms. I don't even like them. I just researched it because that was my stance on the debate."

"You were akumatized," said Ladybug. "You were embarrassed by your father and became upset because of it."

"Oh, that," said Mélanie, remembering the whole debacle from the debate stage. "Yeah, my dad has a tendency to embarrass me. I know he doesn't mean to but that doesn't stop it from being embarrassing."

"Come on," said Ladybug. "I'll take you back. Do you guys wanna come with?"

"It's okay," said Rena Rouge. "I have somewhere to be."

"So do I," said Chat Noir. "Good luck."

All three heroes went their separate ways. Rena Rouge returned to the debate building and transformed out of sight. Ladybug swung to the same building and let Mélanie down. She swung away and transformed out of sight as well. They both went to the front door entrance, accidentally bumping into each other.

"Ow!" said Alya. "Oh, Marinette! What are you doing out here?"

"Uh," said Marinette nervously. "the same thing you're doing! I thought I would be safer if I left, but it I saw that Ladybug, Chat Noir and Rena Rouge saved the day again."

"Yeah, that's right," said Alya just as nervously as Marinette. "I did just that. Great minds think alike, I guess."

They entered the building with Mélanie as she was meeting up with her father, hugging him.

"I'm so sorry, honey," said Monsieur Lilydale. "Ever since your mother left, I've had trouble with these kinds of things. Sometimes I feel like I'm in over my head."

"It's okay, dad," said Mélanie. "I know you do everything because you care about me, but you really need to tone it down. I'm not a little kid anymore. I'll be just fine."

Mayor Bourgeois approached Mélanie and her father.

"That was quite a show you made," joked Mayor Bourgeois.

"I'm really sorry," said Mélanie, turning red. "I let my emotions get the best of me. Maybe I'm not cut out to be a politician."

"On the contrary," said Mayor Bourgeois. "There isn't a single politician in the world that hasn't faced public humiliation at some point in their careers. I myself was turned into a supervillain once. All that matters is how you handle the embarrassment. I see a bright future in you."

Mélanie was relieved and felt like her prospects were no longer dim.

"You've won this round," said Papillon. "But one of these days, Ladybug, I will get your Miraculous!"

Papillon turned back into Gabriel Agreste, licking his wounds after another defeat.

In the Agreste atelier, Seline had transformed out of Tigresse Blanche to let Taag rest. When they heard the platform raising Gabriel Agreste to their floor, they nearly jumped out of their skin. Seline quietly slammed the painting back over the vault and ran with her cousins, who transformed out of their superhero forms as well, out of the room.

When Gabriel stepped off the platform, he heard strange footsteps coming from the other side of the door. He rounded the corner, and before him stood Seline, Gérard and Timothée in their civilian forms smiling awkwardly.

"Who are you three?" said Gabriel with his distinct, cold voice. "And what are you doing here?"

"I'm Timothée, remember?" said Timothée as he began sweating. "I'm one of Adrien's friends."

"That's right," said Gabriel. "I do remember you being here on occasion. But I don't remember either of you two."

"I'm his cousin," said Seline.

"And I'm his brother," said Gérard.

"And we're here because," started Timothée, thinking of an excuse on the spot.

"Because Adrien asked us to look for his textbook for him," added Seline. "And it's right here."

Seline plopped a large textbook onto Timothée's hands. Timothée was almost brought down by its heft. He gave Seline a questioning look, wondering where she had gotten it from, but she simply shrugged. Her sneaky nature gave her a tendency to steal things, even if it was something she didn't want.

"Why did he send all three of you?" asked Gabriel.

"Adrien didn't know where the book was," explained Gérard, taking his turn to come up with an excuse. "So we thought it would be a good idea to bring as many helping hands to find it more quickly. Also, we thought we could help each other if we got lost because we get lost easily, which explains why we're here instead of the exit."

"So, if this all checks out," said Timothée, wishing for this to end. "We'll be on our way."

Gabriel narrowed his eyes at the young kids, but he decided not to probe any further.

"Yes, it all checks out," answered Gabriel. "You may leave now."

The three of them sighed and tried to get out of the mansion as quickly as possible without looking guilty.

Chat Noir turned back into Adrien and returned home. He was greeted by his father standing at the top of the grand staircase.

"Adrien," said Gabriel as he descended the steps. "It's good to see that you're back."

"Thank you, father," said Adrien, suspicious of his father's concern. "How was your day?"

"It was busy as usual," said Gabriel. "But there was one oddity that happened today. I found three unusual children in this house. They were Timothée and two others whose names I can't recall. Can you tell me why they were here?"

Adrien got a text at that moment and checked to see who it was. It was Timothée, who had written: "We were at your house to get your textbook for you. Just trust me on this, I'll tell you everything later." Adrien put his phone away, looking back up at his father.

"The other two were Seline and Gérard," said Adrien. "I asked them to get me my textbook. I like to get my homework out of the way as quickly as possible."

"Really?" said Gabriel. "And how did they get through the front gate?"

"I gave them the key," said Adrien. "Listen, are we done with all the questions? I'm really exhausted and I would like to rest."

"Yes," said Gabriel. "On one condition—you are not to invite friends over without getting my express permission first. Is that understood?"

"Yes, sir," answered Adrien. "It won't happen again."