Plagg had never looked at me like he did the very instant I transformed into Ladybug. His jaw hit the floor so hard it made a clanking sound. I thought he very well might faint from the shock.

"You're Ladybug…? But….. No! No way! How…. How is this possible?! I don't believe it! You can't be! I woulda known; I shoulda known! How can you be Ladybug?!" His little voice was very, very fractured. "Now you know how I felt when I discovered that Adrien was Cat Noir," I chimed back. "That's totally different! You and Adrien aren't supposed to know each other's secret identities. But why didn't you ever tell me? It would have been ok if you told me you're Ladybug." "Excuse me?! May I remind you that it was YOU who said that Cat Noir's secret identity had to kept hidden at all costs from everyone! You don't think Tikki said the exact same thing to me about my secret identity? Why would it be ok for me to tell you?" "I'm a kwami! It's different for us!" His tiny black hand pounded on his chest. I rolled my eyes. "Would have been nice if you told me that nine years ago!"

Plagg immediately stared out into space for a good, long minute, taking his time to process everything he'd just witnessed. "So…. You've really been Ladybug this whole time? You and Cat Noir….. dated each other while also fighting evil alongside each other?" "Heh, you make us sound like a superhero power couple," I chuckled. The kwami still looked floored. "Ten years… We've known you for ten years, and had no idea….." "It's the same for me, Plagg. I only recently learned Cat Noir's civilian identity. But like you said: the disguising magic is strong. Cat Noir- and you- never suspected that I'm Ladybug," no one ever has, come to think of it.

He considered this, bringing his hand up to his chin in a contemplative manner. "So, when Cat Noir kissed Ladybug that one time…. That was you?! Is that why you never got jealous of Ladybug?!" "Heh, correct. But to be fair, I have no memory of that kiss either. If it wasn't for Ayla's picture, I never would have known that it happened." Plagg's arms flew up into the air. "It all makes sense! How did I not see it before? That's why you were always "conveniently" going off somewhere to hide whenever Cat Noir and Ladybug, er you, fought villains. Ah man, I've been so blind," his shook his head grieved. "Just think of it as Adrien and I doing a good job at keeping our hero identities a secret. Now come on! We gotta find Style Queen and rescue Adrien!"

Plagg was able to keep up with me as I hopped from rooftop to rooftop. Without any idea of where Chloe's mom went off to, and no visible sign of her, I was heading in the general direction of downtown. It was weird going into battle with a kwami; it had always been Cat Noir and me, never Plagg and me like this. One thing I did know was that kwamis were powerful; more powerful than either of us in a transformed state like this. He could, and would, be of some use to me fighting Style Queen, I'm sure.

I bridged a pretty far jump with Plagg right beside me. His head peered over my way. "She said she's looking for Adrien's dad. Maybe she's headed to your house right about now?" "Does she know where we live?" I inquired back. It wasn't a bad idea, but I don't think Mr. Agreste would be forthcoming with private information like that. Plagg didn't appear confident, confirming what I already suspected. "That's ok! We'll find her. Just keep an eye out for anything gold and shiny."

Plagg stopped mid-air. "Marinette! Uh, I mean, Ladybug! Look!" He pointed toward the Eiffel Tower. It was a bit too far to tell for sure, but there was definitely something glittering near the top. I gave the kwami a confused glance. "The Eiffel Tower? Why would she go there?" "I don't know. Maybe she likes the way it sparkles in the sunlight or something." "Haha, very funny. Come on! Let's check it out."

Turns out Plagg was right! I have no idea why, but Style Queen was in fact standing in the centre of the tower just now. Motioning for Cat Noir's kwami to stay out of sight- for the moment- I didn't hesitate to leap down right in front of her. No playing around with her; Adrien's wellbeing was on the line…

And that was a dangerous line she crossed.

Her golden head blinked at me like I was some sort of nuisance instead of a real threat. "What an atrocious suit. That bug look is so last year," her hand rose up to her forehead like my outfit was physically hurting her. My hands curled into enraged clenched fists, already done with her nonsense. "Ok listen, cause I'm only going to say this once: turn Adrien Agreste back to normal," I hissed with more venom than I've used in quite a while. My callous tone did grab her attention, causing her to smirk mockingly. "Is that a threat?" "You're damn right it is. Do it, NOW!" "Ooooooooh, it IS a threat! And here I thought that Paris's little buggy superhero would be much nicer than that. You want him back, little bug? Too bad! I'd check that bratty attitude of yours if I were you; you're never going to get anywhere in life with a combo of that horrible attitude and tacky apparel!"

Pointing her staff at me, she of course fired, trying to turn me into a gold statue. I charged her full on, only to bounce off her like she was literally made of gold. She laughed humoured by this misfire on my part. "You're a couple sizes too small to beat me, Ladybug," she chortled, trying once again to turn me into gold. My yoyo could only hold off her blast for so long before it too pushed me back.

I landed on the floor of the tower's upper level with a bang; my yoyo falling down beside me. In truth, I wanted Adrien back- of course I did- but Cat Noir really was the stronger of our duo. I could change everything to normal once we found and destroyed the miraculous, but I had no chance in hell of breaking solid gold with my own two hands. I needed my boyfriend and my partner! I needed Cat Noir!

Stepping toward me, giving me a swift kick in the ribcage while I was still down. "I'm going to squash you like the nasty bug you are! Haha!" Uh oh, I'm in trouble! Think, Marinette; think! Yet another menacing step my way. "You're no match for a style queen, my poor Ladybug. Soon you'll be nothing but a bad memory, like shoulder pads!" Her glowing stick was aimed at me again.

"Stay away from the Ladybug!" Cat Noir's kwami flew down between us, actually spreading out his small arms at his sides protectively- like that would do anything. "Plagg!" I know I motioned for him to hide but right now I was sure glad he was here. Style Queen, on the other hand…. "My, my, what do we have here? A talking rat?" "Meow, style faux-pas! Cataclysm!" Wait a minute. If kwamis' are stronger than us but still use the same powers, and Plagg's is the power of destruction, then doesn't that mean that after he uses his power he'll….! My hand shot out towards him. "Plagg, wait!"

Too late. The Eiffel Tower was all but destroyed, crumbling to rubble. Same with the bridges and all the nearby buildings. Style Queen had enough sense to leave, and so did I. Plagg, who was now panting and looking very tired, collapsed in my hand once I reached out to grab him. "Marinette…." He gasped weakly. "We've gotta get outta here!" Running as fast as I could, I held onto the kwami as I kept jumping and doing my best to avoid falling debris. It wasn't until we were at least twenty blocks away did I stop to take a breath, still grasping Plagg in my hand. When I looked down to check if he was alright, he gazed back up at me with wary, ravenous eyes. "Let me guess. You can't use your power again until you have something to eat?" "Heh, well I could use a little snack," he cooed. I shook my head. "Alright. At least it'll give Tikki a chance to recharge too." Then I did a quick glance around to make sure no one was watching.

"Tikki! Spots off!"