Damian stands in the lobby of the hotel watching the French students as Jon walks in the door.
"Have Adrien and Marinette been found?" Superboy asks as he moves to stand beside Damian.
Damian shakes his head and quietly speaks into his comms, "Any eyes on the targets?"
"No sign of them here." Red Robin says from his position on the roof.
"I have eyes on Adrien." Nightwing says, "He's almost back to the hotel, but he seems despondent. His phone is ringing, but he's just letting it go to voicemail."
"No sign of Marinette?" Jon asks, knowing the others can hear him through Damian's comm.
"No," Red Robin says, "Wait, yes! I see Adrien and Marinette returning from opposite directions." He pauses a moment, "They both seem off."
"Off?" Damian growls.
"They look like their hearts have been broken." Nightwing says, "I'm heading to the building opposite of Red Robin to keep an eye on them."
"Shouldn't you return to Gotham now?" Damian asks.
"Red Hood can handle himself for tonight." Red Robin says for Nightwing, "If my theory is correct, we may need all the help we can get."
"What's your theory Babybird?" Nightwing asks.
"Techno-Pirate has never been that powerful. He clearly had some magical enhancements and he was able to slip away from Batman due to Superboy's condition. Ladybug and Cat Noir just happened to show up at the same time as Techno-Pirate getting a magical enhancement. We brought the akuma class here to study them a safe distance away from Hawkmoth. What if Hawkmoth decided to follow them? What if he akumatized Techno-Pirate?" Red Robin says.
"Holy smokes, and B just chased away the only magic user that can effectively fight akumas without significant casualties." Nightwing adds.
"But that doesn't explain why or how Ladybug and Cat Noir were here in the first place." Jon says.
"They're a part of the akuma class." Damian says.
Jon turns to him with wide eyes, "What?"
"They didn't realize the other would be here. That's why they were so disorganized and Ladybug was angry." Damian explains, "They don't know who the other is under the mask."
"And who are they?" Jon asks.
Before Damian or his brothers can answer, they catch sight of Marinette and Adrien outside. They follow the akuma class to the steps of the hotel and into the rain. Tim and DIck were right, Adrien and Marinette look heartbroken as they stand opposite each other in the rain.
A car pulls up beside them and the door opens, a voice calls from a speaker inside, "Adrien, get in the car at once. I shouldn't have ever listened to your friend. This city is much too dangerous."
Damian holds back his scoff at the words, as if Paris isn't dangerous as well. Adrien moves towards the car.
"Dude, no! Stay!" Adrien's fiend, Nino calls out to him.
Adrien pauses at the door and turns to Marinette, "I have to go. I'm sorry, Marinette. You fought so hard for me to be here." He pauses a moment and smiles at her softly, "I wouldn't have minded being stuck here a little longer with a friend like you."
Marinette gasps, but she doesn't respond.
Adrien's face drops, "My father's right. I should have never come to Metropolis." He says before climbing in the car and shutting the door.
Marinette watches as the car leaves.
"What is wrong with you, Marinette?" Her friend Alya yells at her, running to her, "Couldn't you see he was waiting for you to tell him to stay?"
"What?" But I…" Marinette stutters, "He… he made his choice. What did you expect me to do?"
"It doesn't matter what I expected you to do! Who's Adrien to you?" Alya asks, "A friend or more than a friend?" She places her hands on Marinette's shoulders, "There'll never be a better time to be clear with yourself, Marinette. Do you want him to leave or do you want him to stay?"
Marinette's face twists and she pushes away from Alya, running after the already gone car.
"Adrien! Stay!" She yells.
Damian curses as he runs after her, Jon is close behind him, easily catching up. They don't spare a glance at the rest of the akuma class.
"Keep up with her, Robin. I'll stay behind with the akuma class." Red Robin says, "Nightwing is tailing the car Adrien is on."
"Marinette!" Jon calls out to her, but she doesn't stop.
Damian watches as she tries to use her phone before climbing on a discarded bike. Damian curses again as he picks up his pace, Marinette is much faster than he would have guessed. Jon could easily catch up to her, but he's keeping pace with Damian instead.
Marinette turns a corner on the bike and skids in the rain. Jon speeds past Damian and carefully catches Marinette, keeping her from getting hurt.
"Adrien…" She sobs, "I… love you."
"Shhh. It's okay, Marinette." Jon says, trying to soothe her.
She startles at his voice and looks around, seeing Damian there too.
"I… I'm sorry." She says.
"Hey, you have nothing to be sorry for." Jon says.
Damian sighs and crouches down in front of them, "Marinette, you should get back to the hotel."
She looks at him with tears in her eyes and shakes her head, "I… I can't…" She burries her head in Jon's neck, taking as much comfort from him as she can.
"We have a situation." Batman says over the comms.
"What is it?" Nightwing asks.
"Techno-Pirate is baiting himself. He's been enhanced again." Batman informs them.
"An akuma?" Red Robin asks.
"And a miraculous." Batman says.
"A miraculous?" Nightwing asks, "But I thought the only two missing were the ones Hawkmoth and Mayura have."
"Nightwing, contact Wonder Woman. Have her make contact with the guardian. Superman, Red Tornado, and I are going to take the bait. See what he can do." Batman says.
"Be careful, B." Nightwing says.
Batman only grunts in response.
Damian takes out his phone and pulls up the news, watching the scene live. He crouches near Marinette and Jon and holds his phone out to where they can all see.
Marinette peeks from her spot in Jon's arms, tears still in her eyes. Jon gasps and Damian grits his teeth as Techno-Pirate hits all of the heroes with whatever his power is.
"Superman, you're afraid of your own power. Of losing control over them. I release you from your fear!" Techno-Pirate says.
Superman gasps, "All the things I haven't tried!" Superman exclaims like a child finally getting his way.
"No!" Jon yells as the news shows Superman flying into the air and blowing away buildings.
"Batman, your morality keeps you from bringing justice more swiftly than you wish? I release you from your code of ethics!" Techno-Pirate says.
"Why should I show more leniency than the people who show none?" Batman asks before grappling away.
Red Robin winces over the comms, "We have to get to B, now."
"No." Nightwing says, "He won't be himself and we have no way of helping him. We need to focus on stopping Techno-Pirate. Damian, you have to get Ladybug to transform, Wonder Woman says it's the only way."
"Tt." Damian responds.
Jon looks at Damian and then back at Marinette, his eyes widen when he finally puts the pieces together.
"Red Tornado, your desire to be human prevents you from reaching your full capacity, I release you from your humanity." Techno-Pirate says.
Red Tornado is instantly flying away to do god knows what to the world. Suddenly, the video on Damian's phone changes to one of Hawkmoth.
"Ladybug, Cat Noir, I'm in Metropolis too!" Hawkmoth says, "If you don't want the party to be ruined, your only option is to hand your Miraculous over to me."
"Damian, get her to transform, now!" Red Robin yells. "B is on his way back to Gotham, we both know exactly who he's going after! He'll never come back from it if he kills any of his rogues."
"Damn it." Damian growls.
"I called Hood, he'll try to cut him off and distract him while we deal with Techno-Pirate." Nightwing says, "Adrien has gotten on a private jet. I'll follow after B and help Hood."
Damian turns back to Jon and Marinette.
"Marinette, we need Ladybug." He says.
Marinette's eyes widen, "I-I'm sorry. I-I-I can't help you. I don't know her."
Jon sighs, "Marinette, please. We need your help. You're the only one that can reverse the damage done by akumas." He gives her a small smile, "We can't defeat Hawkmoth without the girl that can fix everything. You brought me back, Ladybug, you can handle this."
"I…" She pauses, "I don't know if I can do this…." She opens her fist and reveals a black ring with a green paw-print on it, "I can't imagine being Ladybug without… him."
Jon puts his hand over hers, "I believe I can fix this."
Marinette looks at him with wide eyes, "Y-you know who he is?"
Damian sighs, catching Marinette's attention, "We figured it out the same way we figured out yours."
"Y-you did?" Marinette asks.
"Batman arranged this entire trip to study your class. To see why Hawkmoth and the akumas seemed to be so attracted to you. We knew that you and Adrien had never been akumatized. Originally, we planned to focus on the rest of the class, but after the party, it was clear that you and Adrien knew the most about the heroes, the akumas, and Hawkmoth." Jon explains, "And then you went missing after the museum. Everyone but the two of you were accounted for. Your identity didn't click until I saw you in the rain with Adrien. Until you ran off and fell off your bike. I caught you by moving inhumanly fast, and you had no reaction to it. You had no reaction to me mentioning Batman. Because you already know our identities from when we were on the rooftop after fighting Techno-Pirate."
Jon stands, helping Marinette to stand with him, "Let me get Cat Noir back for you."
"A-Adrien?" She asks softly.
Jon smiles, "Yes, let me get Adrien back for you."
Marinette nods, allowing Jon to take the ring from her hand. He's gone in a flash and Marinette turns to Damian.
Damian sighs, removing the bag he had thankfully taken with him, "Let's go over there to change." He points to a nearby alley. "Superboy will hear us and meet us there once he gets your cat."
Marinette nods, following him.
Damian slips behind the dumpster, ensuring there are no cameras or any other form of surveillance nearby, and changes into his uniform.
"Spots on." Marinette says from her spot on the other side of the dumpster.
A pink light takes over the alley and Damian scowls. He hates magic almost as much as his father. Once ready, Robin steps out from behind the dumpster and comes face to face with Ladybug.
He's silent for a moment before he finally speaks, "Should you notify the guardian?"
Ladybug hesitates before shaking her head, "The guardian already knows."
"What do you mean?" Robin asks.
Ladybug sighs, pulling out her yo-yo and removing a pair of glasses.
A small creature flies out of the glasses and smiles at her, "Oh! Guardian. Are you going to use my miraculous?"
Ladybug smiles at the horse-like creature, "I am, Kaalki, I thing we'll need your power tonight." She turns to Robin and smiles sadly, "The guardian before me sacrificed his memories and his role to allow Cat Noir and I to fight Hawkmoth another day. He gave up the guardianship to me."
"Have you reported this to the Justice League?" Robin asks.
Ladybug gives him a small smile, "I assumed that Wonder Woman did, but she clearly kept it to herself." She sighs, "I'm not sure what Batman would have done if he knew I wasn't just Ladybug, but the guardian too."
She slips the glasses on and transforms once again. Her suit changes to add white and tan to various parts of her suit. Making her front almost completely white and her hair lengthens into a single long ponytail with white on the bottom,
She smiles at him confidently, "You can call me Pegabug now."
He raises an eyebrow, "Do you always change your name when you wear another miraculous?"
Pegabug chuckles, "I'm technically a different hero when I do, so yes, I always change my name."
"That's idiotic." Robin deadpans.
Pegabug giggles, "It's fun, and it allows me to have multiple superhero identities. I don't always have to wear the Ladybug miraculous. I can wear another and be a lesser known hero."
"Have you done that before?" Robin asks.
Pegabug smiles, "I did once to save Ladybug and Cat Noir's kwamis. I also did it to keep my secret identity safe. I haven't done it since I've been the guardian, but it is nice to know that I have the option."
Robin is about to ask another question, but is interrupted by the sound of Superboy and Cat Noir landing behind him. Pegabug wastes no time running into Cat Noir's arms.
"Don't ever do that to me again!" She sobs.
Cat Noir holds her close and Damian feels a pang go through his heart. No. Hell no. I am not getting a crush on a girl that is nearly in love with someone else. He thinks, looking at Jon and seeing a sad, but peaceful, expression on his face as well. Great. Not Jon too.
"I'm sorry." Cat Noir says to Pegabug, "I was so afraid to disappoint you that I didn't dare tell you the truth. I was so stupid."
Pegabug holds him tighter, "I'm sorry I didn't ask you to stay." She whispers, "I tried to follow you, to ask you to stay, but your car let before I could."
"Milady?" Cat Noir tries.
Pegabug holds him tighter, "Don't leave me again, kitty. In or out of the suit, I couldn't handle it."
Cat Noir tightens his hold on her in return before they separate to look into each other's eyes, "I will never leave you again, princess. I promise."
Pegabug gives him a thankful smile before they finally return their attention to Robin and Superboy just as Hawkmoth speaks through the news on Robin's phone.
"Ladybug, Cat Noir, if this rocket were to take off because of you, a world war would be declared! Unless you give me your Miraculous, of course" Hawkmoth says, "You have five minutes."
"He's just trying to bait you." Superboy says.
Ladybug nods, "I know, so the first thing we need to do is seize the miraculous from Techno-Pirate. That way, we'll be able to break the spell and free the adult heroes and in turn they'll help us de-akumatize him!"
"Batman has made it to Gotham." Nightwing says over the comms.
Robin growls, "We have to do it quick, Batman is in Gotham, he's not going to stop until he's killed his rogues."
"We can't get anywhere near Techno-Pirate," Jon says.
"Nothing's impossible for Ladybug, er, Pegabug." Cat Noir says confidently.
"The horse miraculous will allow us to teleport anywhere we need to be, but taking the miraculous from him without him noticing will be the hard part." Pegabug explains.
"I can get it." Robin says, leaving no room for debate.
Pegabug gives him a wide smile, "Perfect, all we need now is my lucky charm!" She calls and a red batarang with black polka dots lands in her hand.
She gives it an odd look before placing it on her waist and nodding at the others.
"Robin, is Red Robin still in Metropolis?" Pegabug asks.
Robin nods, "He's keeping an eye on your classmates."
"Tell him to meet us in Centennial Park. Our classmates will be fine inside the hotel. Hawkmoth isn't after them." Pegabug instructs, "Techno-Pirate looks like he's on top of Superman's statue."
Robin nods, "Red Robin, this is Robin, meet us in Centennial Park. Ladybug, Pegabug, has a plan for getting the heroes back on our side."
"Can do." Tim responds, "I'll meet you there."
Robin nods to Pegabug, "He'll be there."
Pegabug smiles, "Good," she looks at Superboy, "Superboy, can you distract Superman?" She points up to the moon and Robin scowls as he sees it moving closer to the Earth ever so subtly.
Superboy widens his eyes at the sight and nods, "I'll see what I can do. Good luck." He tells them before flying off.
Pegabug takes a deep breathe, lets it out, and then calls, "Voyage!"
A portal opens in front of them and Pegabug, Cat Noir, and Robe quietly sneak through.
Robin quickly flips on top of Techno-Pirate, snatching the miraculous from around his neck, kicking him off the statue, and landing on top of Superman's statue's head.
"Put it on!" Pegabug calls, jumping off the statue and wrapping her yo-yo around Techno-Pirate.
Cat Noir follows behind her, hitting the villain with his staff. Red Robin is soon in the fight, throwing projectiles at Techno-Pirate and hitting him with his staff.
Robin stares dumbly at the talon necklace in his hand before he finally places it around his neck with a scowl. An eagle swami flies from the necklace and smiles aa beaky smile at him.
"Hello, fledgling!" It says. "All you have to say is, 'Liiri, Wings of Liberty!'"
Robin scowls, but calls, "Liiri, Wings of Liberty."
His body moves of its own accord, transforming him into a magical hero. His boots turn yellow, his cape morphs into his shirt, creating a feather-like brown tunic with white accents in front. His mask turns white and elongates into a yellow beak, matching his boots.
Damian scowls at the ridiculous outfit, but settles into a meditative pose and instinctively says the words needed, "Cool down!"
He can feel the kwami's power leaving the heroes, Superman, Red Tornado, and his father, Batman. He sighs in relief before joining the battle, still wearing the miraculous and taking advantage of the enhancements it gives. The outfit is stupid, but the enhancements are useful.
"Ladybug, Cat Noir! This be your last chance to give me your Miraculous!" Techno-Pirate yells.
"Never!" They say together.
Techno-Pirate launches the rocket into the sky and the Parisian heroes gasp. Damian jumps straight back into fighting Techno-Pirate, fully relying on Superman and Superboy to stop the rocket. Red Robin does the same. Pegabug and Cat Noir follow their lead, fighting techno-pirate with everything they have.
Suddenly, Batman, Nightwing, and Red Hood jump into the battle. Easily restraining the villain in one of Batman's grapples, allowing Cat Noir to use his cataclysm to destroy the akumatized object.
Robin gives his family a look as he crosses his arms, "How did you get here from Gotham so fast?"
Red Hood bursts out laughing as Nightwing stifles a laugh. Batman shakes his head. Pegabug is able to capture the akuma in the time that it takes for Nightwing to finally answer Robin.
"We lured him away from Gotham and into Metropolis. We thought that you guys may need the assistance, Baby bat." Nightwing giggles again, "Or should I cal you Eagle now?"
Damian scowls, crossing his arms, "I don't see how this is funny."
Red Hood cackles and Batman smirks at his kids. Red Robin joins them with a smile as Robin finally calls off the transformation and is back in his familiar gear.
Superboy chooses that moment to land beside them, "Aww, did I miss you being a magical girl?"
Robin scowls and his brothers laugh even harder.
"Miraculous Ladybug!" He hears Ladybug call as she tosses the batarang into the air.
He walks up to her, confused as to why she didn't use it, "Do you often not have to use your lucky charm?"
Ladybug, who removed the horse miraculous finally, gives him a smile, "Sometimes my lucky charm helps me come up with a plan instead of being used. In this case, it told me I needed you to wear the miraculous."
He raises a brow, "A polka dot batarang told you I needed to wear a miraculous?"
Ladybug shrugs, "Basically."
Robin shakes his head and returns the miraculous to Ladybug. She smiles at him as she takes it.
"You know, you would make a great miraculous holder." Ladybug tells him.
Robin scrunches his nose, "Thanks, but no thanks. I've had enough magic for one day."
Ladybug chuckles, "I thought you would say that."
She opens her yo-yo and places the miraculous inside. Superboy and Cat Noir join them.
"You know," Superboy says, "I'm going to miss working with you both."
"Me too." Cat Noir adds, "This trip has opened my eyes to the world outside of Paris and my father's demands."
Ladybug smiles at them, "When we finally defeat Hawkmoth, you two will always be welcome in Paris." She pulls out her yo-yo and opens it like a phone, "And if you ever want to meet up," she sends a message to their phones, "just shoot me a message and we will use Kaalki to come to you."
Superboy chuckles, "And you are both always welcome in Metropolis."
"And Gotham." Robin gruffly adds.
"Baby bat!" Nightwing calls, "You made friends!"
"Tt." Robin scowls.
Nightwing places his arms around Robin and Superboy, "Sorry to interrupt, but the Justice League would like to officially meet the Parisian heroes."
He gestures to Superman and Batman behind him. Red Tornado had left with Techno-Pirate.
Ladybug and Cat Noir nod nervously and follow Nightwing to Batman and Superman. The rest of the Batfamily hang around them as well.
"Ladybug, Cat Noir." Superman says, "We owe you an apology."
Ladybug's eyes widen, "N-no, we were the ones that—"
Superman shakes his head, "I let the fear of losing my son cloud my judgment. What happened was not your fault. It was the villains fault. You did everything you could, and you brought Superboy back."
Batman grunts, "You have proven that the guardian was right when he chose you."
Nightwing chuckles, nudging Ladybug lightly, "That's B's way of apologizing."
Batman scowls and Ladybug chuckles, "Thank you, Batman, Superman." She says.
"We would like for the two of you to meet the rest of the founding members of the league." Superman says. "We will keep our promise to remain out of Paris while Hawkmoth is active, but it would be wise for you two to meet the other heroes of the world."
Cat Noir rubs the back of his neck, "Uh, well. I'm supposed to be on a plane back to Paris right now."
"I can take care of that." Red Robin says, "Your father would probably love another project with Wayne Enterprises, we'll just explain that your plane got delayed due to the battle in Metropolis and that we were interested in collaborating with the two of you."
Cat Noir smiles wide, "O-oh! I um.. Wow. Yeah, I guess your identities didn't click until just now. Wow." He says.
Ladybug chuckles, "You didn't realize on the rooftop when Superman said Superboy's name?"
Cat Noir shrugs sheepishly, "I caught Superboy's identity, but I didn't connect him to the Batfamily until now.
Red Hood groans from his spot, "And I have no idea who either of you are, so can we move along? One of us should really get back to Gotham."
Red Robin nods, "I'll go. I had a pretty easy night compared to the rest of you."
"Tt." Robin says, "You sat on a rooftop most of the night."
"Exactly demon, Hood and Nightwing spent most of the night keeping Batman from going against his own rules, and you spent the entire night helping Ladybug and Cat Noir. I'll get to Gotham. You guys can head to the Watchtower and introduce our little croissants to the league." Red Robin says, before giving a big yawn, "I'll pick up some coffee first."
Red Hood scoffs at him, "I'll go with replacement. Make sure he doesn't fall asleep on patrol."
The two vigilantes leave together with a two fingered salute from Red Hood.