Crazy Trouble With Love Part 9

by yugiohfan163

The fans have spoken, and thus it has been decided! Let the series continue!

7. Nathaniel and Marc

Crazy trouble with love part 9

Nathaniel and Marc

Series: Miraculous Ladybug and Cat Noir

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It was another day for the students of Ms. Bustier's class. Everyone was either texting each other or taking notes with the teacher going over the current lesson, all the while Marinette herself was trying to keep herself from falling asleep due to yesterday's late night akuma attack, Adrien himself not doing any better himself.

"Dude, you ok?" whispered Nino seeing his best bud looking almost like a zombie with how heavy his eyelids were.

"Oh, you know, last night was... kinda rough..." the model yawned tiredly.

"Wait, since when did you get to that base with Mar-" Nino was cut off by Adrien's hand to his mouth.

"I meant the akumatized villain I f-found out was around my house!" Adrien was quick to correct himself with a mental kick to his butt. Fortunately, his whispering kept Ms. Bustier all the more unaware of his conversation.

"Oh... um, sorry for the implications, though you do seem close." Nino tried to awkwardly apologize himself with a sheepish grin.

"So are you and Alya, and I don't make that type of comment right off the bat." Adrien chastised him.

"Wow, are you grumpy, did that villain really keep you up that badly?" the DJ asked worriedly.

"Ugh, sorry, but... yeah, you could say that was a pain to sleep through." Adrien then let his chin hit his table while attempting to pay attention to the class.

Meanwhile, the blogger turned to the fashion enthusiast. "Marinette, you okay? You've got bags under the bags under your eyes." Alya said as she shook the girl slightly to get her more awake.

"Sorry, so many things happened... Jagged Stone's new album cover, projects for Adrien's dad, Manon needing her babysitter..." and being Ladybug, but she managed to keep that to herself thanks to exhaustion making her head hit the desk.

"Alright, you need a rest." Alya commented.

As that went on, someone chortled at Marinette.

"She's still cute..." Nathaniel said, sketching on his notebook since he was done taking notes. He liked Marinette more as a friend after what happened to him as Evillustrator and some... other events.

"If extremely clumsy." added his partner and writer Marc. The effeminate boy had been fortunate enough to trade places with another student and get in the same class as his partner in comic book development. "Hey, do you think it'd be fun to write a panel with Ladybug being that adorable if dorky? I mean, that could flesh her out a bit more."

Nathaniel hummed, then shook his head. "Heh, that wouldn't be so bad, although I'd feel bad if we made it too obvious it's Marinette we use as inspiration, and I don't want to be mean to Ladybug giving her Marinette's bad luck."

"Well, how about little accidents to overcome, like, hm..." Marc got out his own notepad and started writing with an old pen. "Perhaps getting stuck to a wall with her yoyo but using that to swing and counter. You know, like how Jackie Chan gives himself disadvantages in his movies."

"Sounds great!" Nathaniel exclaimed. "It'd give me a reason to watch his films again!"

Then, Marc blushed as he looked to the side. "I... I do have some of his old ones if you want to check them out." He scribbled away some ideas, but had some awful luck. "Oh no..."

"Oh no indeed." Ms. Bustier said patiently as she stepped in front of the two. "Marc, I know you wanted to be here, but if you and Nathaniel are going to be distracted-"

"Sorry, it was my bad!" Nathaniel defended his friend. "It won't happen again, I promise. It's just that... um..." he looked at the other boy's pen and noticed the problem. "I... uh, was trying to find a pen to lend him. I apologize for being so slow..."

His sheepish, nervous smile couldn't be any more fake, but Ms. Bustier could tell he was going to keep his word. "Fine, but if you need a new one you can ask." She gave them a smile before returning to the lecture.

"You didn't have to lie." Marc told the redhead.

"What are partners for?" Nathaniel asked with a smile, getting Marc's cheeks as pink as his painted lips.

However, just as Ms. Bustier got back to the board, someone entered the room following the principal. And it was a face Marinette didn't expect or want to see, as well as a person who put Adrien on edge after learning of their lying nature. Chloe had reformed, became a decent person... and got into a steamy three-way relationship with Sabrina and Aurore. However, that left the room open for one cunning mean girl to take and balance the universe.

Lila had returned.

"Hi everyone." she greeted with a patented fake smile which made most of the class smile back and accept while Marinette internally let out a groan.

"Hey Lila!"

"Great to see you again."

"Where ya been?"

And the smile she had barely hid some hatred. "Oh, you know, traveling around with my family. Just yesterday I heard of how that awful villain terrorized my friend Ladybug and I just had to be here to lend her a helping ear. Besides, I've heard there's this new contest and I just had to get you guys to compete. After all, it is for a charity that I and many others worked hard to make possible."

"She's plotting something." Marinette said more awake than before.

"You tell me." Tikki whispered inside the girl's purse.

"Oh, Marinette!" Lila beamed and walked to her. "I know you're a great designer, so I know you'd die for a chance to enter this!" she pulled out a flyer which involved comic superheroes posing heroically. "Ta-dah!"

"Is that..." Nathaniel said in starry-eyed awe, which Marc mentally noted as cute.

Lila grinned widely as she answered with a nod. "Yup, the Annual Kirby Superhero Contest! It's coming to France thanks to Ladybug, and I know you guys can do your best to not only get people involved but also get Ladybug herself to attend!"

"Wait, why would she?" Adrien asked, knowing Marinette would ask that and Lila could use it against her.

"Oh..." and he hit the nail on the head. "Well... I... I do know she's busy, but..." and cue the crocodile tears. "As a heroine, she's helped many in need. Why would she pass this up?"

Marinette tensed up as Tikki had an awful hunch. "Does she suspect you're Ladybug?"

"No, but we can't be sure." the heroine said.

"Besides," Lila continued. "I assure you, it's all for a good cause. That's why I signed Marinette up."

"Um, Lila... that is all good, but..." Ms. Bustier started. "I'm afraid you're in the wrong classroom."

"I... beg your pardon?" she asked in shock.

"Forgive me, Ms. Bustier, but I assumed she was still in your class." the principal said, stroking his beard.

"Well, she was, but due to her lack of attendance for her activities, we had her seat vacant for quite a while." the teacher explained calmly, and then motioned to Marc. "I'm afraid Marc's request cannot be denied, and the roster this classroom is already full."

"Excuse me?" Lila started to drop her act, clenching a fist slightly.

Marc looked down, clasping his hands together. "I'm sorry, I can change to my older class if you want..."

"Hey, you don't have to." Nathaniel defended him. "I'm sure Lila can understand. I mean, she's been so nice. What do you say? Can you let Marc remain here? He's been enjoying himself." he asked looking at the girl pleadingly.

Lila felt her eyelid twitch as she forced her smile and waved. "Oh, sure... Sure... It's no problem." She was lying through near-clenched teeth. "I'm a bit sad we have to part, but I'll make sure to see you as much as possible..."

And, finally, Marinette's brain reacted. "Wait, what!? Hold on! You signed me up!?"

"Oh, yes, I thought you'd be delighted to help." Lila said as she waved and left. "After all, you seem quite capable of multitasking, so what's a little competition to get a design recognized by comic book artists around the world compared to all you've done? Of course, if you don't, well, I'll admit I'm sad you couldn't help the charity feed so many hungry kids..."

"I..." Marinette knew Lila was plotting against her, but she was quite competitive. So, clenching a fist which she pumped up, she beamed. "I agree! I'm knocking it out of the park! After all, I've got a good model to help me with some outfits!"

And then, she turned to Adrien, who waved awkwardly at Lila.

"Oh..." said foxy girl said, narrowing her eyes as she willed herself to keep up her grin. "I'm certain you'll do greatly."

Plagg turned to Adrien from his pocket. "Wow, way for your girl to lay her claim on you. Glad Tikki's never been that possessive over me." he whispered with a chuckle.

"Yeah, now I'm envying you for the first time ever." the blond whispered back.

"Mmm, I don't know, I wouldn't mind the attention." smirked the Kwami with Tikki rolling her eyes.

"I heard that you know." she whispered back as Lila left the classroom and scowled while gripping her hands.

"That goody two shoes Marinette might be having Adrien help her, but she'll bomb and make a bigger loser than she already is in front of everyone, then I'll swoop in and console him for her mess up." she smirked while in the class, things resumed while Marinette looked down and let out a sigh.

"Oh man, what did I just say?"

Alya was the first to comfort her. "Hey, chill! Your designs are amazing! You got it in the bag!"

It didn't help, Marinette grabbed handfuls of her hair as she hit her desk with her face. "Easy for you to say, I'm better at regular trendy clothes, not superhero costumes! How does one even work with that!?"

"Well, why not let us give you a hand?" Ms. Bustier said, smiling at the other students. "Helping others by making a hero sounds like fun and a good class activity."

That didn't help much. "But what if I ruin it? I'd be letting you guys down."

"Come on, Marinette!" Juleka said as she walked to her. "You've designed some awesome costumes for the band, you got this!"

Rose nodded cheerfully. "Besides, maybe we can help, too! After being a villain, I've always wondered what I'd be like as a hero!"

"You too?" Kim asked, getting everyone's attention. "Come on, you can't deny that as kids you wanted to be one!"

"Guilty as charged..." Sabrina commented, poking her fingers. "Even Chloe... um..."

Sighing, the former mean girl of the class waved her hand, "Yeah, yeah, I was a big nerd of Ladybug..." she got Sabrina's intense gaze, something she found herself currently unable to say no to after her kinky threesome with her and Aurore. "Alright! I am still one! So, yeah, we can help her. I... kind of owe you that for the aid in the confession, Dupain-Cheng."

"Wait!" Nathaniel said. "Marinette, if you want help, please let me compete against you!"

"Um... dude, did you word that right?" Alix asked, a finger aimed at him. "Or am I missing some grammar lessons?"

Max shook his head as he checked his computer. "Actually, it's an individual competition between artists, but I assume you have a hidden meaning to your claim, Nathaniel."

"Indeed, I do." the artist smiled. "Marinette, I admire your style when it comes to clothing and try to one-up it in the attires I design for characters in my comic. So, why not let me show you some of mine so you and I can compete? Let's help each other and try to better ourselves."

Unfortunately, Chloe had some of her sass still with her. "Wow, Romeo, you're a bit too forward. She's taken."

Most of the class chortled while Nathaniel blushed.

"Um, no! I didn't mean it like that, sorry! I just... I..." he looked down, unable to find words. A hand on his shoulder made him look at Marc's soft smile.

"He and I have seen that competition and want to make our comic known through it." the timid writer admitted. "So... what say you, Marinette? Even if we don't win, at least we could have fun and find ways to improve."

"Guys..." Marinette felt herself tear up a bit. Wiping away the tears, she smiled. "Alright, you're on! I'll make sure we're the best!"

"Just a side note, I'm helping her to win it big." Adrien said with a smirk.

"Then... I'll model against you to aid Nathaniel win it big, too." Marc said as he stood forward, trying to look heroic with his hands on his hips. In the end, he looked even more effeminate due to how he emphasized his curves.

Kim rubbed the back of his neck as he made an observation. "No offense, but I've got the hero build down, you... could use some more weightlifting."

He wasn't being mean, and Marc understood, but he still blushed. "I get it, I am a bit... on the skinny side."

"It's fine, Marc can make a good hero, as do you all." Nathaniel said, making the writer smile warmly.

"Alright then, let's pose!" Nino cheered. "Marinette, make sure to get my good side!"

"Nuh-uh, she better use me for endless good sides!" Chloe said, getting a quirked eyebrow from Marinette.

Nonetheless, she smiled at the group. "Well, this will be tough, but... yeah, we can make it work. Thanks, everyone."

Adrien smiled seeing Marinette perk up as they all got to work.

For the rest of class period Marinette and Nathaniel got to work on jotting down images of their classmates who gladly posed as best as they could while tossing in some ideas on what to use for them. Both artists tried their best to go with what they saw and could picture without accidentally taking from the other.

"How's this look?" asked Adrien bending his legs while spreading his arms out to his sides.

"Perfect!" Marinette chirped happily.

"Um... do I... really make this work?" Marc asked shyly as he stood in front of Kim, pantomiming charging at him.

"Yup, like David and Goliath!" Nathaniel replied with a warm grin.

"Hey, what's the big idea!?" Chloe asked as she was hugged from behind by Sabrina, and they blushed as the nerd could push her chest on the blonde's without anyone seeming wiser about it.

Nathaniel got into it. "A hero looks better with friends or loved ones hugging them from behind, don't you think? Like they don't want them to go but danger calls the seeker of justice!"

Marinette giggled out. "Seems Marc and you've had a good time together."

The writer blushed at her words with a timid smile while Nathaniel chuckled sheepishly.

"What can I say? It's fun to put his words into pictures."

Marc blushed a tad hotter. "What can I say? It's fun to see my words come to life with your drawing."

Then it was Nino and Alya's turn. "Getting some practice carrying me for a honeymoon?" the blogger teased.

"Alya..." the DJ blushed brightly.

"Oh, come on, you are hard to tease, let me have this one." She beamed, her smile and his good nature letting him grin and forget any embarrassment.

Nathaniel chortled, growing a blush of his own. Everyone pitched in, Ms. Bustier getting a hoot out of playing a villain while Rose and Juleka played magical girls holding hands in front of evil. Ivan carried Mylene on his shoulders with a reassuring smile for fun pictures of a gentle giant hero. Max and Alix – the newest couple – pretended to be a duo of villains as they faced Adrien and Marc who each played a different hero. A good eye could see Marinette enjoyed drawing Adrien like a different version of Cat Noir with a ninja attire like she saw in Gabriel Agreste's book. Nathaniel got more creative as he pictured Marc as a magical based hero with some of his old Reverser's motif, yet heroic.

"And... I think that's the best I can do..." Marinette held her pictures to her chest as she looked at Nathaniel, who had his held up in one hand.

"Ready...?" the artist asked. "It's to improve, so let's see if we can inspire more from each other."

"Got it!" the girl nodded and the two showed each other their drawings.

"Whoa!" the class let out in awe, marveled at what they did.

A picture of Adrien posing as a black-clad martial artist reminiscent of Bruce Lee from Marinette versus a wizard Marc facing a giant baboon-like Kim with a magical brush and riding a paper plane by Nathaniel. Sabrina and Chloe dressed in skin-tight outfits on Marinette's pic as a couple of spies versus a magical girl and a regular Japanese schoolgirl in Nathaniel's picture. Funnily enough, both had similar magical girl outfits for Rose and Juleka – Rose loving that she was dressed a bit like Reflekta while Juleka was designed after Princess fragrance in both. They also drew Nino as a hero carrying his lady friend out of a plane crash and a fire. The two had different large-golem themes for Ivan with Mylene as a princess. At the end, the two returned to their original ideas for Adrien and Marc and expanded on it.

"I look so sick as a monkey hero king!" Kim cheered.

"Hm, hard to choose which I like more..." Chloe hummed, trying to act a bit condescending like her mother, but she couldn't. "Dang it, now I need daddy to make me clothes like this!"

"The latex looks good, but the skirt..." Sabrina salivated slightly, having ideas to brainstorm with Aurore for their next stay at Chloe's suite.

"I wish my arms were more muscular now." Nino commented.

Alya giggled. "Don't worry, I know you can carry me whenever I'm in trouble."

"Look, Juleka, you're so gorgeous!" Rose told her girlfriend who hummed in delight.

"And you look adorable, babe." The tall goth said smoothly.

"Wow, I didn't think I'd make such a good villainess... now I know what to wear for the next two Halloweens." Their teacher said with a smile.

"Oh Ivan, you look so cool!" Mylene cheered.

"Heh, I wish I was that strong to protect you." The tall rocker fanatic replied.

The only distressed one was Alix. "Hey, I know we were these villains a while ago, but... you could've made me look taller."

"You do look lovely in a catsuit." Max said, then blushed when the skater smirked at him, "Um, uh, let me rephrase that..."

"Well, if I may be so bold... I think I know which picture you put effort into." Marc said as he looked at Marinette's last picture of Adrien as a ninja.

"And I can see which one Nathaniel was passionate about." The girl said as she turned to the two, then saw them look at each other. And then, it clicked when seeing their warm smiles! "Wow, you must be really connected!" she brought them out of their thoughts and made them turn to her, "Sorry... well, I do mean it!"

"You're too kind..." Nathaniel said bashfully.

"What am I missing?" Adrien asked.

"N-Nothing! I'll tell you later!" the girl said with a beaming smile to Marc and Nathaniel. "Let's see if we can add more touches to this for the contest and see each other."

"Very appreciated, Marinette. I can feel the energy flowing through me to win this contest!" Nathaniel grinned, pumping his fists.

Marc turned to them, looking down slightly. "Do you think I really... make a good hero?"

"I wouldn't have drawn you like that if I didn't think that." Nathaniel replied with a soft grin.

It was then that Lila came, beaming as she leaned over Marinette's shoulder to look at the drawings. "Well, I guess it's no surprise which your best pictures are!"

"Gyah, when did you come here!?" the fashion enthusiast yelped.

"Oh, we just had a break at my new class and couldn't wait to see how you were doing... Hm... I can tell you really... enjoyed drawing Adrien." Lila tried hard not to hiss at the last part.

Kim was oblivious. "Yeah, about as much as Nathaniel did with Marc, do you see how cool he looks like a mage? I really wish he kept me as a monkey king fighting him, though..." he frowned at the end, knitting his brows, but only made the artist chortle while Lila noticed the writer's blush when stealing glances at him and the way Nathaniel tried hard and failed not to look at Marc.

"Ah, I see..." Lila said with a false sweet smile. "I hope to see you all again tomorrow at the opening! Toodles!"

"She's so planning something..." Marinette whispered.

"Be careful to keep your drawing locked safely, Marinette." Tikki whispered her advice.

Plagg gulped. "Yo, Adrien, better keep your guard up or your girl could be the target of that Lila's next mad scheme."

"No need to tell me twice, buddy." The model said with a determined nod.

With that class went on as normal with Plagg getting a teasing look on his face. "Hey Adrien, I'll bet Marinette would go nuts if you showed up to her house dressed up like that." he whispered.

"I bet Tikki would like you in one." Adrien joked back.

(At the Agreste Mansion)

At Hawkmoth's secret room, Gabriel turned to his secretary with Shadow Nooroo fuming. "Tell me, Natalie, Nooro, after our visit with that odd... one, I've been pondering on a few hypotheses of what this... Catbug could be." He turned to his Kwami and secretary, the former frowning and the latter humming. "To get such a reaction from Ladybug and Cat Noir there must certainly be something bigger at play. If he mentioned it while they were fighting me, could it be a power greater than expected?"

"It is a possibility, master, although..." Shadow Nooroo growled. "About one thing and one thing only comes to mind... And the same magic which prevents me from speaking your name forbids I say it."

"A deity, god... whatever he was, is exempt from such a rule," Natalie stated. "If anything, there is no trick to his words. And yet Catbug makes it obvious that it's related to both our enemies at the same time... May I be so bold as to state it could be a fusion?"

Shadow Nooroo opened his mouth... and green bubbles came out. "What!? Curse these secrecy rules, I can't even answer or give hints of any kind!"

"Natalie's theory holds water as does your response, Shadow Nooroo," Gabriel replied quite happy with that development. "All we need now is a chance to awaken more clues to this creature. Who knows? Maybe I should be thanking this Yui for-"

Suddenly, a jingle blared in his secret lair as confetti rained around him, complete with party streamers and small fireworks. From the ceiling came a purple cake decorated with a large YOU'RE WELCOME, GABBY-BOY written in black icing. Pictures of Natalie in her most modest lingerie appeared, causing heat to surface on the faces of both adults. Both their right eye twitched as they knew there was a certain all-powerful being laughing his ass off at them. Gabriel calmly brushed the confetti off his shoulder while Shadow Nooroo went to eat the cake.

"Hm, not bad, if a little sweet..." the Kwami mumbled.

"Natalie, I shall leave the cleaning to you as it is a... private matter, I need to get some air." Gabriel turned as his assistant did as told, planning to burn all pictures.

Once down and in the lobby, Gabriel was pleasantly surprised to see his son.

"Hello, father." The boy had some cheer in his step, and yet there was no Marinette.

"What's happened?"

Adrien smiled softly. "Oh, Marinette's entered a comic contest to show off her own superhero designs, and our class joined in to help her model for it."

Gabriel placed a hand on his chin. "The Annual Kirby Superhero Contest, right?"

"You know of it?" Adrien was surprised, to say the least.

"I took inspiration from some of Kirby's own work..." Gabriel admitted with the barest hint of nostalgia behind his glasses. "And I am one of the judges."

"You... what?"

(Moments later, Marinette's room)

"HE WHAT!?" the girl panicked. "Not only do I have to impress others, but your dad as well!? He may like my designs as a fashionista, but as a superhero artist!? This is a catastrophe! A-"

"Mom, I think Auntie Marinette's broken again." a more mature if still young-minded Catbug said, patting her head.

"Sweetie, you'll get used to this if you ever gain a partner." Tikki said, patting her son with an experienced smile.

On Marinette's hands was her phone which showed feedback of a patient Adrien smiling at his girlfriend. "Hey, look at the bright side. Not only do you defeat Lila, but also do so by impressing my dad."

Marinette panicked further., "Or she sabotages everything I do and he kicks me out, denies our relationship and forces you to marry her!"

Plagg snapped his fingers. "Oh, right, she's plotting your downfall. Um, should we check on what she's planning?"

Adrien shook his head, holding his chin. "No need, Marinette's her main target, so all our eyes should be on her and her stuff. Lila may be planning something, so we all have to band together like her personal bodyguards." He blinked. "Should I ask mine for pointers? I mean, I'd just have to get him something from the convention."

"No, wait, Lila could plant a glitter bomb on it and ruin my drawings as well as make him mad!" Marinette slammed her head on her desk, ruffling her hair.

"Is that... hyper... hyper ball-e?" Catbug asked his mother.

"Hyperbole, and... I wish it was," Tikki replied. "Long story short, having your own hero to aid means there's plenty of bad people to deal with. And Lila... well, she's the worst."

"Tell me about it." the two teens and Plagg said in unison.

"Well, a plan is better than no plan..." Catbug said. "I can check on that Lila girl... Perhaps eat her food as a little pre-revenge for her evil deeds."

His cheeky smile got different reactions from his parents.

"That's my boy!" Plagg cheered with a fist-bump.

"Please, don't encourage him." Tikki sighed.

"Aw come on, now he's thinking like me."

"I know, that's the scary part." remarked Tikki bluntly making Plagg pout.

"Or better yet, I will be your own little bodyguard." suggested Adrien with a smile, making Marinette blink. "By that, I mean if I stick close to you, she wouldn't make a move or else she'd be seen and found out instantly."

"Or you just want an excuse to get up close and personal." teased Plagg.

"Hey!" the blond model snapped.

"It's better than no plan or backup." Marinette pointed out. "Besides, Lila wouldn't try anything near you if you don't leave my side."

"Still, what could she possibly do?" Tikki asked.

(At the halls of the Louvre)

Nathaniel was peacefully drawing as he took inspiration from a new exhibit. "Hirohiko Araki, huh? His stuff must be really good if he's got a display here." He commented while checking some of the stuff as he doodled. "It looks so... fabulous." Then he chortled as he approached an exhibit. "What's this? Vento Aureo? Italian for Golden Wind, if I'm right... Heh, Marc could cosplay as the kid with the bandana."

"You really think so?" asked the shy writer.

"Gah, when did you get here!?" the redhead asked in shock, jumping around in surprise.

Something Marinette would forever regret not foreseeing happened, Lila appeared. "I've just wanted to talk to you two." She smiled sweetly like the fox she secretly was, "After all, I did get Marinette and you two into this contest. A great writer and artist ought to be... together." She felt her eye nearly twitch as she restrained some disgust. "Anyway, I see you're a fan of Jojo's Bizarre Adventure already, Nathaniel. Did you know this part had some characters which people considered gay? Or at least pretty close in how they acted towards each other."

"Well, judging by their outfits and designs, I can see why." Nathaniel chortled.

Marc looked down and mumbled. "I kinda like their clothing... and their outfits kinda look like mine. So, what does that say about me...?"

Nathaniel blushed, but Lila acted fast.

"Oh, please, after Ladybug's declaration of her preference?" she gritted her teeth as she forced her smile to remain.

"She does have a point there." the redhead artist told his friend. "I mean, plenty of girls – even Chloe – have gotten out of the closet. It'd be sexist not to let men have fun."

"Really...?" Marc asked, blushing further.

"Um, yeah..." the other boy chortled awkwardly.

"Aw, you two are so adorable!" Lila giggled. "Say, Nathaniel, did you get what I recommended?"

"Oh right!" the redhead then produced a fountain pen which he handed Marc with a smile. "Here."

"For me?" the artist asked shyly, gently taking it and trying not to brush fingers.

"Of course, it's for you. You've helped me a lot, it's the least I can do!" Nathaniel beamed further, "Besides... I..."

"No way!" Lila fake giggled. "Are you two..."

"No!" both replied in unison, blushing before looking away. "I mean... well..."

"Aw, you're too cute!" she giggled more. "Come on, don't be shy. I'm sure you ought to talk about it..."

There was a pause as the two teens didn't know what to say or do while Lila saw the two fidget a little, finding it annoying but amusing in her sadistic mind.

'Oh man, if I stay quiet, does that mean I'll be seen as weird?' wondered Marc glancing at Nathaniel.

The artist coughed and tried to change the subject. "So Lila, what brings you here? You a fan of it too?"

"Oh, I adore Araki's works, I've even got my mom to talk to him a few times and see if he'd like to come to the contest!" she chirped, the cogs in her head turning, "In fact, Marinette and I are working hard to try to get him to come as a judge. Cross your fingers!" Inside her head, she couldn't help but giggle, 'I can only imagine what Hawkmoth will do out of these two when their hopes shatter further. Ah, Marinette, I shall have the sweetest of revenge.'

(At the contest in a large tent in front of the Eiffel Tower)

Marinette looked at the people in costumes and immediately felt despair. "No, nope, I can't do it! I just can't!"

Adrien was there to grab her shoulders and turn her around. "Yes, you can! We're all with you!"

"Besides, Ladybug may even come!" Alya chirped.

"Well, you know Lila promised it, but not Ladybug." Marinette countered. "A superhero would have trouble being-"

"Fear no further, Paris! Ladybug is here!"

"No, here!"

"Hello everyone, here's Ladybug!"

Marinette felt her eye twitch when many girls – and even a man – walked forward dressed as Ladybug, to which Adrien made a small remark.

"So, where's the Cat Noir love?" he asked out loud.

"Hi?" asked Marc... in a really tight Cat Noir outfit.

"Wait, Marc? You look... um..." Adrien started, the lyrics of a certain song crossing his head, 'Dude looks like a lady...'

Indeed, Marc's wide hips and plump behind made Cat Noir look more like Cat Trap. "I thought I'd try this look since, well, he's a nice friend to Ladybug despite her preferences."

"Well, she is lucky." Marinette said with a knowing smile sent Adrien's way, calming him down and getting him to chuckle.

Sabrina, in her own Cat Noir outfit, agreed. "Hee-hee, I know, he's such a nice guy sticking with her and being such good pals after that!"

Aurore hugged her from behind. "Well, we can make this non-canon pairing canon." She pecked her on the lips.

"So, where's Nathaniel?" Marinette asked Marc.

"He's talking to-"

"Father!?" Adrien interrupted Marc's answer when seeing Gabriel walking forward with Natalie, the shocking part was seeing him as Hawkmoth.

"Does it surprise you?" the man asked in his booming villain voice, before lowering it to his flat businessman tone. "Actually, I am fond of supervillains more than superheroes. Ever since I was a kid, I rooted for Skeletor more than that boorish He-Man and cursed Starscream for ruining Megatron's plans."

"Wow, my dad's a fanboy... I certainly didn't expect that." Adrien whispered the first part to himself and then said the last part out loud.

"I was convinced by Natalie to go with the theme." he lied. "This way I can pass without paparazzi buzzing around me." He resisted the urge to smirk. 'And this way I can akumatize anyone dreaming of being an artist faster. Forgive me, son, but your girlfriend shall make the perfect villain.'

"Well I think it looks great Mr. Agreste." spoke up Marinette with a smile while trying to be nice, even though the costume gave her the chills. 'I swear he could pass as the real Hawkmoth, but that's just silly.'

"Hey Natalie, you gonna put on a costume?" asked Adrien.

"Do not worry, I don't need one. I'll just pass off as Gabriel Agreste's secretary looking over his son while he's in important business."

"And not a word of this to anyone else." said Gabriel returning to his Hawkmoth voice.

Marinette and Adrien watched as they walked away with the girl rubbing her arm. "Wow, your dad can really act. I think I got goosebumps from that."

"I just can't believe he is so into it. I figured he's always been that serious."

"He's not the only one." Marinette said, pointing to his bodyguard in full Batman gear with a camera in one hand and a notebook for autographs in the other.

"...in my defense, he doesn't talk much about his personal life, so that you can't pin on me."

"Say Nathaniel, could I ask you something?" asked Lila using her sweetest tone.

"Of course, ask away."

"Do you think I could see your drawings?"

"My drawings?" he looked surprised.

"Yes, I know you worked super hard on them, and waiting for the contest to see them be judged is too long to wait. Pretty please?"

"Just... why the sudden interest?" he asked, unsure of why she was so energetic.

"Oh, I just need to see how you and Marinette did, the suspense is killing me!" Lila lied as she beamed.

"I'm not sure, I wouldn't like for any accident to put them in danger," he stated while holding close his bag.

"Please, you know me, I may be frail, but I will protect them with my life." the girl lied again.

Nathaniel let out a heavy sigh. "I'm... sorry, I want to, but I'd rather save them for Marinette. We did want to share them together before the contest."

Surprisingly, Lila grinned further. "It's no problem, I get how personal one can get with her. She's such a good friend."

"I know! It's hard not to love her..." Nathaniel admitted with a blush as he remembered his past crush on her, "Too bad I lost all interest in her. I'd be lucky with a girl like her."

Having said his piece, he left while Lila's eye twitched. A few moments later at a bathroom stall, she punched the wall so hard the strike made another girl jump on the other side, run off, and let out a yelp. Alone on her own, Lila pulled out a picture of Marinette, glaring daggers into it. Gritting her teeth, she held it close to her face. Hatred oozed off her, burning.

And then, she licked it, "You little slut..." she growled, licking her lips. "Just you wait, I'll shame you, break you, make you crawl to me and beg for me to stop. And then, I'll have my revenge with you eating me out. You'll be my little bitch, you and Ladybug." Before she could get any ideas or more excited, she thought back to her plan, then put the photo away, left the bathroom and looked around. "Okay, I can't mess with the pictures, but I think I know JUST the next best person to use."

"Hey, nice costume. Say..." she started, plotting on ways to get back at Marinette which involved the pigtailed girl suspended in the air with ropes and Lila groping her furiously from behind with both equally naked. "Could I borrow your pen?" Lila asked with a soft smile and her hands clasped, "I've gotta get a couple autographs and I just didn't bring a pen with me."

"Oh, sure, but be careful." Marc said, handing her a familiar item which made her giggle.

"That's so cute, you still have Nathaniel's gift with you!" she chirped.

"Not so loud..." the writer begged embarrassed, "He's a good guy, and I'm sure not interested in... someone like me. I mean, he crushed on Marinette who is actually cute and... well, a girl... I just... gave you my life story." He realized too late what he did and blushed hard.

Lila giggled, "Worry not, I do know how you feel. I'm bi!" Of course, she didn't lie as she fantasized with Ladybug bent over with a fox-tail butt-plug while Lila held a paddle in one hand and Marinette's head to her crotch with the other, face-first and nose-deep into Lila's pelvis.

"Really?" he looked at her in surprise.

"Yup! I just never mentioned it because I know how some people can get. It's wrong when they judge others for liking girls and boys." pouted Lila with a sad expression. "One time I thought I could trust someone to keep it a secret, but they told others and got bullied because of it."

"I'm so sorry to hear that, if there's anything I can do, well... besides this, do tell." Marc genuinely cared as he handed her the pen.

Fox ears could've popped out of Lila's head at how sly and deceiving she was being, "You're such a sweetheart. Perhaps you should try to be this nice to Nathaniel. If he says no, it's his loss." With that, she bid him farewell, leaving Marc conflicted as she plotted her next approach for the revenge she envisioned, "First you as my living sex-toy, Marinette, then Ladybug..."

As for said girl, she and Nathaniel were meeting already.

"Are you ready to show off?" Adrien chortled, "Also, please tell me you used that picture with Marc as a mage. That was cool!"

"Um, shouldn't you be cheering your girlfriend?" the redhead retorted.

"Oh, he's done so and is doing more," said pigtailed girl replied. "Anyway, I do think that one was your best drawing. It makes me nervous about my own work."

"Winning or losing is not important, Marinette," Nathaniel said. "Thanks to all of you, I've been inspired to do better. And while I admit I want to be victorious, I'm intrigued to see how far I must go to make this comic a great one."

"Gotta respect an artist with such a desire for self-improvement," Adrien commented. "So, where's your partner? I'm sure Marc would like to see it as much if not more than us."

"What makes you say that?" Nathaniel asked embarrassedly as he rubbed the back of his head. "I'm lucky I didn't mess it up after the effort all of you put in. He really tried to help with this and my own stories... Oh no, now I can't lose..."

As the teen fretted, Marinette turned to her boyfriend, "Is this what I'm like when nervous about my own work?"

"Yup, indubitably," Tikki whispered.

"Eh, about fifty percent more neurotic," Plagg added.

"I'd be honest, but you'd break up with me." Adrien joked.

"Hey!" the girl puffed her cheeks while Adrien, Nathaniel and the Kwamis giggled at the reaction.

"Whew, alright, I needed that laugh," the redhead said. "Best of luck..."

Both opened their folders, revealing their drawings. Marinette finished her picture of Adrien while Nathaniel did the same with his picture of Marc. A keen eye could see the effort in the colors of Nathaniel's was better. Although, Marinette's outfit made her piece as eye-catching. It looked like a draw of sorts, and yet the two were happy with the results.

"It's beautiful, you really captured Marc's shy and kind side," Marinette beamed.

"And you make Adrien look quite daring and dashing," the artist replied.

The model chuckled, "C'mon, dude, I'm taken..."

Marinette giggled... and Nathaniel blushed, "Uh, yeah, I wouldn't be interested in guys..."

Adrien lifted an eyebrow, "Are you alright? Was my joke that bad?"

"I mean, I... um... well..." Nathaniel blushed further.

Marinette's comforting hand reached for his arm, "Hey, it's alright. Do you want to talk about it?"

"Uh...I don't know if I should, not here I mean..."

"It's all right, I can tell," Marinette winked at him before leaving.

"It's cool." nodded Adrien with a thumbs up before giving Nathaniel some alone time letting him breathe a sigh of relief.

Passing by costumed people, fans with plenty of bags of merchandise, booths for amateurs to try their best, and other contestants, the teens killed their time. Lila for her part had waited for the perfect chance for her revenge. The judges were finally ready at the table with the school's principal as one of them, dressed in his Owl outfit. There was Hawkmoth/Gabriel beside him, and Jagged Stone along Carla Nightingale and Thomas Atruc on both sides of the only disguised judges. Everyone was excited for the events. Everyone at Marinette's class was on the tips of their toes hoping for the best.

A familiar bald man appeared to get the people cheering as the contestants formed a line, Alec Cataldi waved at the crowd, "Good day to you, Paris! Here we are at the time to see which young artist inspires our judges the most. We have quite the selection of artists, fans and designers! Please, give them a big round of applause, even more to those who decided to come here in such great outfits like Mr. Agreste!"

"Please, I am only doing my part to show my appreciation for good designs," said the man before standing up and lifting his hand. "And those with no soul in their work shall rue the day they crossed me, Hawkmoth, and dared to think lousy art can be accepted!"

Everyone cheered, Adrien blinking, "Wow... he's having fun."

"Your father is a man of few hobbies," Natalie told him.

"It doesn't make it any less scary how he could pass for the real deal," Marinette whispered to herself.

Mr. Damocles was next with a beaming smile and a wave of his cape, "Worry not, children, for I, the Owl, can see real passion in your drawings! Hoot-hoot!"

After his pose, Jagged riffed on his guitar, "Worry not, dudes and dudettes, Jagged Stone's here to see real killer work! And he knows you'll deliver!"

Thomas waved sheepishly, the bearded director feeling overwhelmed, "Um, yeah, I'll give you all the best analysis of your work!"

Clara beamed, "Don't worry, everyone! We know at the end of the day we'll all smile and dance at the effort you've all put here!"

"Alright, it's time!" Alec cheered and thus the contest started. Marinette gulped as one of the other contestants walked forward with his sketchbook over to the judges to give them a look see.

Gabriel looked at the drawings with his usual expression, which just made his costume even more scary looking before shaking his head. "Is this all?"

"Uh...well...I..."

"Huh, not bad." remarked Jagged looking at them next. "Wicked looking dragon, I can dig it."

"Yes, but all of these look nothing short than copy and pasted ideas you'd find from any cliché fantasy role playing game." dismissed Gabriel without being nice. "There's no real imagination or effort."

Alec winced, "Yikes, leave it to Paris' top fashion designer to know how to criticize art. What say you, judges?"

"I must say, even as a fan of the classics, I do wish to see some improvement over the tropes of old," Principal Damocles added with a sad and yet understanding look. "It's nice for that retro vibe I've heard goes these days, but it could use more oomph."

Clara hummed, "I can tell there was effort, but I'm sadly but for the energetic side. However, it's a boy's thing and I can't say no to that!"

Thomas nodded. "Well, I'm not that against it, it has potential if the story backing it up is good enough on its own. The design could help it if it's at least aware enough of the setting."

All other contestants went like that, one after the other. Some were nicer, others had their bias, and Gabriel downright destroyed everyone. Every time it happened Adrien winced while feeling pity for each one while Marinette was sweating nervously.

"Oh man, this won't end well, not at all. Your dad's not holding anything back." she muttered wiping at her forehead.

"Adrien, maybe you should help keep her calm with a big smooch." whispered Plagg with a grin.

Suddenly, Nathaniel got nudged over by Lila, making him nearly stumble and fall, "Good luck!" the vixen girl said with a wave.

The poor artist almost broke into a nervous sweat when the judges looked at him, "And we have Nathaniel next!" Alec cheered as he obliviously ignored the order, "Come on, boy, show us what you got!"

"Oh, well, I..." he swallowed, closed his eyes and opened his sketchbook.

"Now that's a design from my childhood giving extra life!" Mr. Damocles cheered. "Ah, I feel like when I got my first Spider-Man comic!"

Jagged Stone played his guitar for a sick riff, "Now that's killer art! Do you also do covers? Can I get you and Marinette to work together?"

Clara clapped, "It's such a lovely outfit! And there's so much life for a monochrome painted hero... It's so unlike my style yet so lifelike it's working for me!"

Thomas stroked his beard with an appraising nod, "Such detail and heart... Yes, you're not only talented but passionate for a kid so young."

Alec whistled at the praise, "Wow, four judges won over... but what does our hardest hitter say!?"

Everyone turned to Hawkmoth, as Gabriel spoke in his regular voice, "You took a design from something seen before and yet..." he felt slightly hurt of the Reverser design used, but at the same time, "I feel that the touches you added to give it your own personal style made it competent. Even if it's not as original as I would've liked."

"Praise from the big man himself!" Alec cheered, "Your next opponent better bring their A-game!"

"You can do it, Marinette!" Lila smiled sweetly, 'Of course I'll put you down on your way where you deserved to be, under my heel at my beck and call.'

Marinette gulped while Adrien patted her back, 'Breathe Marinette, don't forget to breathe, and don't make a fool of yourself!' After her little pep-talk, she walked over with Nathaniel giving her a good luck smile, and the girl swore she was a statue when she felt every eye there on her.

"It'll be alright." Tikki whispered from the bag.

"You think she'll be alright?" Nino whispered to Alya.

"She might be shaken up now, but all she has to do is show what she's got and things will be smooth sailing."

"T-T-T-These are some of my d-designs." stuttered Marinette while slapping herself in the head before showing the drawings and praying to every god she knew not to mess up.

"Spectacular work as always, Marinette!" Jagged cheered. "But man, that Nathaniel kid did have another oomph to his..."

Mr. Damocles hummed, "Even if the style is a bit too modern for my liking, the piece is quite appealing to the eyes..."

"Oh yeah, you really get the most style points from me!" Clara cheered.

Thomas smiled, "Now that's a good picture, I certainly love how you balance the colors."

Alec beamed to the camera, "Seems this contestant is giving our judges a hard time. What say you, Mr. Agreste?"

"Hm, I can tell who the model for this piece was, and yet something familiar and powerful in it does strike me," the man hummed. "If anything, it's a close call between this and the previous one."

Lila smirked unseen by anyone as her plan worked the way she expected it to, 'And now, for the final step. If little Marc could be a dear to appear soon...'

Alec turned to the audience as the judges left, with Nathaniel and Marinette standing side by side, "It seems our judges really need time to figure out a winner. What say you two? Is the tension for nail-biting or is one of you confident enough to see the trophy in your hands?"

"We did this for fun and to improve, nothing else," Marinette said with a smile.

"Oh, but I thought you wanted to win the big prize!" Lila chimed in.

Adrien and the Kwami couple tensed up at her appearance while Nathaniel grinned, "Well, so do I. Thank you for convincing Marinette to join in, Lila. Otherwise I wouldn't have this much fun!"

Lila beamed, "I bet you are, as is Marinette who I know wants to impress the judges! One of them is her boyfriend's dad! Oh, but I don't think there'd be favoritism given who that is!"

"Wow, what's this piece of drama!?" Alec asked in shock.

"Didn't you know Marinette's dating Adrien Agreste?" the dark-skinned girl replied with faked ignorance. "Oh my, please, do not think that affects Mr. Agreste's opinion! We all know Marinette wants to impress a man of his stature with her skills alone. Right, Marinette?" she turned to the object of her love/hate obsession, loving how she glared and resisting the urge to rub her thighs at the idea of that angry face squished between said meaty thighs.

"You know it," Marinette replied with a confident smirk. "After all, Mr. Agreste had to accept my designs as worthy before letting me date Adrien."

"Wow, she's claiming you hard, man," Plagg told his partner.

"Is that how Tikki got you, then?" the model asked.

"Well..." Plagg chortled nervously as the memory involved his lover's feet and their scent.

"Don't answer that," Adrien said when connecting the dots upon seeing the lecherous smile on his partner's face.

Lila smiled sweetly at Marinette, "Oh, I know you'll win, just wanted to wish you two luck." Having said that she quickly kissed Nathaniel on both cheeks, and then Marinette.

"Wh-" the pigtailed girl exclaimed when Lila pushed her breasts against hers and took time to rub their cheeks together after placing her lips on them.

"See you!" so into feeling Marinette's body was Lila that it was a testament to her skill that she managed to slip a certain item into her pocket.

Marinette blinked with a shudder whereas Adrien noticed the blush and glanced at Lila as she walked away, "She's up to something, alright."

"Don't worry, Adrien, if something happens, we'll be right here." whispered Plagg while Nathaniel turned to Marinette with surprise.

"Good luck Marinette, whoever they pick shouldn't be an issue."

"Agreed, we both tried our best and in the end it'll all be worth it. Honestly just being up here though is a miracle I haven't stumbled on my face." she whispered with a nervous chuckle.

As that happened, the vixen put her plan further in motion.

"Lila, there you are." Marc said once he spotted the girl.

"Oh Marc, I'm so sorry!" she fretted perfectly to sell her act. "I had to lend Marinette your pen! I was just talking to her and she told me she needed it for a quick doodle. After Nathaniel gave it to you, I'm so mortified, but she seemed to really want it."

Marc blinked, but sighed. "It's alright, I mean, Nathaniel wants to compete with Marinette when both are at their best, he's possibly-"

"WHAT!?" Everyone heard a sound of horror echo through and found Nathaniel holding his drawing... covered in ink.

Lila had to resist the urge to giggle. 'And now, to find the pen I "lent" Marinette...'

"W-What happened to my drawing?!" cried out Nathaniel with wide eyes while Marc ran over.

"Nathaniel, what's wrong?"

"My drawing! There's ink all over it!" he showed Marc the mess, which caught the writer off guard. "I swear it wasn't like this, I just flipped to it and it was already like this!"

"Let's all..." Marinette started, but then there was a clicking sound as a familiar pen fell down... broken.

"Is that... my pen?" Marc asked in shock. "It's missing the ink... Marinette, did you..."

"What's going on?" the girl asked in confusion and worry.

"Oh crud, how did Lila do it!?" Adrien asked in shock.

Plagg cursed, scratching his head. "Dang it, we shouldn't have let her anywhere near Marinette in a ten-mile radius!"

Marc walked over and picked the broken pen up with shock, and then turned to Marinette with hurt. "Marinette, how could you?"

"What? N-No no wait! I didn't do anything!" she held her hands up.

"Then why was my pen in your pocket?!"

Meanwhile, in the judges' makeshift meeting room inside a tent...

"Huh!?" Hawkmoth tensed.

"Yo, what's the problem, dude?" Jagged asked mid-strumming.

"I... must go to the toilet, it may take a while with this costume on." the fashion designer lied, running quickly off to a stall. Once inside, he pulled out a bottle with a butterfly inside. "Good thing I always come prepared." He opened it and let one out before, held his hand and let it flutter down to imbue it with darkness. "Fly away, my little akuma, and evilize he whose precious gift has been sullied by being used to besmirch an artist's very own creation and said artist."

The butterfly took off fluttering towards the source of negativity, meanwhile, Adrien was trying to step in between Marinette and Marc.

"Look, you know Marinette, and she's not the kind to go and do something like mess up Nathaniel's drawing."

"Don't lie, Lila gave you this pen, and you broke it! Why!?" the writer cried in outrage while the artist was devastated.

"Lila!?" Marinette and Adrien echoed, connecting the dots easily. Marinette snapped, "If anyone's to blame, it's got to be that little-"

Suddenly, they heard sad hiccups, "No… How could I have been so blind? I opened myself more to… someone else…" Nathaniel growled, glaring at a trail of ink which slowly led him to the real culprit, "I put all my soul into this, and… love… And you, you knew…" he and Marc turned to Lila, at last seeing the bigger picture. "Who else knew of the pen? Who could make it so… perfect!?"

Marc saw red, "I…I trusted you!"

Lila saw herself cornered and tried to think of a quick lie, "Wait, oh no, I may have been acting on a weird condition of mine and-"

"Quiet!" the two yelled, Marc clutching his broken pen, Nathaniel putting his hand on his to reassure him with his words and that action, "I wanted a villain for a comic. I see now what true evil to use as inspiration. Only that like in comics, you'll face justice!"

It was then that the akuma fused with the pen, everyone gasping as Hawkmoth's symbol appeared over the faces of writer and artist, "Mangaka, I am giving you two one body and mind to make your actions as well as your bonds unbreakable. You shall paint a world of justice and bring it to life. In return, I ask for Ladybug and Cat Noir's Miraculous."

"We are the painter of landscapes and writer of life, Hawkmoth." Marc and Nathaniel said as one, their bodies fusing into a single being. For her part, Lila ran off, cursing while the audience also escaped. Marinette and Adrien also got away from the chaos, trying to find an empty stall. As they did, they had to discuss the morality of their next actions.

"Are we seriously saving Lila of all people!?" Plagg asked.

"It sucks, but we're heroes for a reason, aren't we?" Adrien sighed.

"I hope this teaches her a lesson," Marinette said.

"After all that's happened, she better," Tikki added.

Once in a stall, both changed to their alteregos, stepping out as the same time as someone else… "What in the world?" Hawkmoth asked, looking at the two heroes. "Adrien, why are you in such a costume? And is that your girlfriend?"

"Oh, we just wanted to join in on the fun, father!" Adrien quickly lied, "I mean, we make convincing a Ladybug and Cat Noir, don't we?"

"Sorry, Mr. Agreste, we did want to join the others but couldn't change in time so we took your pause to… um, get into character," Marinette smiled awkwardly at the end.

"Hm, very well, just know there's a villain around. I don't want you hurt, so look for Natalie at once," Hawkmoth said and patted his son's shoulder, running off to find a better hiding spot. "Those are really good if not downright incredible disguises. I almost believed them to be the real deal."

After he left, the heroes sighed in relief, Adrien voicing his and Marinette's thoughts, "Boy was that scary, I thought he was the real deal."

"We have scarier and weirder things to deal with, like… saving Lila," Ladybug sighed at the end, not liking the idea of saving such a thorn in her ass.

"Yikes, just hearing that makes it sound unreal." remarked Cat Noir before the two turned at the new villain.

Mangaka held a giant fountain pen in his right hand. It was taller than him and dripping with ink. And he also looked like he was flat, as in literally two-dimensional like he was made of paper. He wore a black scarf around his neck with numerous pencils strapped to his waist by a blue sash and loose white pants. He had on black gloves while his hair was spiky and flared up in a mixture of red and black. His face was the perfect mixture of feminine and masculine. And with a wave of his pen, holding it like a spear and brandishing like one, he shot out a wave of ink. "Go, capture that treacherous harpy to bring her to justice!" Mangaka roared in a mixture of Marc and Nathaniel's voice.

Splotches of ink came to life, limbs shooting out and taking form. Arms, legs and torsos put together, creating a bizarre and quite disturbing centipede. It was as if headless bodies were stitched together, and a serious lack of head made the heroes shudder. However, the worst part was to see its head. It was Lila's with modifications the artist and writer saw fitting after seeing her real self. Tusks like a boar's, horns like an actual devil's, and a forked tongue of the snake she was. And the abomination charged through, letting its creator leap up onto its back.

At his lair, having taken a quick ride thanks to Natalie, Hawkmoth was more than proud of his latest creation. "Finally, a perfect fusion! Not once did I think such art could be brought to life!"

Cat Noir and Ladybug gasped as the monster let out a shrieking roar with Mangaka brandishing his ink spear at them, "Oh great, as if Mayura wasn't bad enough, we got a guy who's like her with limitless monsters." The blond complained, then readied his staff as Ladybug spun her yoyo, "So… Any chances we can talk this out?"

"First, we shall make that snake-tongued deceiver pay, then your Miraculous shall rest in Hawkmoth's hands!" Mangaka declared, slamming the butt of his spear on the ink monster's head.

"Wow, Nathaniel's art and Marc's dialogue, we can deal with it…" Cat Noir joked.

"Don't jinx it!" Ladybug snapped.

"How could-" Cat Noir started, but Mangaka swung his brush, hitting none other than Kim.

"Whoa, what's with this stuff!?" the boy asked, then groaned… "Ugh, my head…"

Mangaka pulled out a pencil from his sash, whispering into it, "Kim, you are an unstoppable warrior whose family was taken by Ladybug and Cat Noir's actions! Achieve your revenge!" he nailed the pencil right into Kim's neck, the boy grunting as the ink swirled around him. Soon, the boy was turned black and white like a manga drawing with a white karate-gi and black hakama pants. With a stomp of wooden sandals, a loud battle cry befitting Bruce Lee, and murder in his eyes, the warrior turned to the heroes.

"I had to open my big mouth…" Cat Noir grunted.

"Kim, wait!" cried Ladybug as she ducked a swipe with Cat blocking a strike.

"You two will pay! My family shall rest easy when I have slain you for what you did, foul demons!" he yelled out in a dramatic tone that would make most actors proud, then produced out a katana from thin air as he lunged and almost cleaved Ladybug down the middle had she not jumped back.

"Looks like he's just been getting a new role in life. Time to give our critiques, Ladybug." spoke Cat spinning his staff and ran, the pole and sword clashing together.

However, Mangaka gave chase. "Lila, where are you!? It's time you face justice for your lies!"

Lila had run out of the convention, hiding in an alleyway with her breath ragged, "Tsk, figures Marinette would make matters difficult. That... little bitch..." and yet, she still wanted to pin her against a wall to shove her tongue into her tonsils. "I better hide and run off, think up a new lie to get them after Ladybug if I'm lucky."

"Or you could come with me," said none other than Natalie, stepping out in her alterego. "If you want to live, that is."

"Aren't you Gabriel Agreste's assistant?" Lila asked, unsure of what was going on, "Why are you helping me?"

"Because I can sense you have potential which may benefit us both," Mayura told the girl, holding her fan to her face. "You both love and hate the sources of your misfortune. I can channel that energy, but Hawkmoth himself could use your obsession for good."

Smirking nastily, Lila didn't think twice, "If it means Ladybug and Marinette can be my slaves, so be it..."

"Excellent." Mayura plucked a feather from the fan and held it. "Go my beautiful Amok and bring my creation to life." before closing her hand as the feather turned blue and blew it at Lila, who held up a photo of Marinette before the feather went inside it as blue and black darkness started to rise up from it.

'Time to show that bitch Ladybug her place.' thought Lila.

Back at the convention, everyone was watching, recording or running away from the fight as Kim's sword clashed against Cat's staff. It looked like an intense fight to the death as both flipped, backflipped, dashed, side-stepped and danced around the other. Marinette for her part was trying to find an opening against Mangaka's art, but his centipede monster was ready. As soon as she swung her yoyo, it swatted it aside with its body like a whip or an animal using its tail to get rid of flies. She caught it only to meet a stern glare from Mangaka.

"For Hawkmoth, we shall obtain your Miraculous, but vengeance is first." Stabbing the tip of his spear on the monster's head, the centipede Lila let out a roar as it sprouted draconic wings from its sides and flapped them once to take flight, "My warriors, come to me!" he declared as he took out several more pens.

"Oh no, not again!" Ladybug fretted.

"You tell me!" Cat Noir exclaimed as he finally got Kim in a deadlock with his staff keeping the blade inches from his face. With a heavy side-kick, he shoved the brainwashed swordsman away, "Please no more like Kim, one samurai is bad enough."

"Fine then, repetition is bad..." Mangaka quipped and looked at his targets. He threw five pens, nailing his classmates, "Max, you're a space engineer trapped in a deadly outbreak and Ladybug and Cat Noir turned into infected monsters. Alix, you're a carefree bounty hunter and the biggest thrill is the highest reward, Ladybug and Cat Noir. Chloe, you are the princess of a far-off land and the only way to save your kingdom is to take down your nemesis-"

"Let me guess, us," Ladybug said with a blank expression, knowing what would happen.

Suddenly, Max sported a space suit without a helmet, carried a large pistol-like tool and had a massive backpack with similarly tools which were as or if not far deadlier. Alix sported a skintight outfit and her skates, held dual pistols and had a cocky smirk. Chloe sported a regal white dress with a breastplate, armored gauntlets and boots, and a claymore which blade was the size of her body.

"No cute romantic comedies or slice of life manga from you, I guess," Cat Noir quipped with an uneasy smile.

"I won't let you infect anyone else!" cried Max opening fire on the two who dodged while Alix opened fire and skated at them.

"Out of the way! Their heads are gonna fetch a huge ass paycheck for me!"

"I shall not let you two be a threat to my land any further, have at you!" cried Chloe running at Ladybug, and swung the huge sword towards her head.

"We need to retreat!" Ladybug told Cat Noir, who gave a nod and extended his staff to leap away, his girlfriend following closely with her yoyo helping her swing over Paris.

"Now's the time to get more firepower!" Cat Noir told her, obviously hinting at what she was thinking.

"Master Fu is a bit far from us, and we can't let Lila get hurt... Wow, it's really weird saying that out loud," Ladybug commented, her boyfriend nodding deep in thought.

"I'll keep them busy and-" Cat Noir started, but Ladybug shook her head.

"We need to de-transform, not to mention Mangaka has a LOT of potential soldiers who are after us. What could we..." she looked down at the escaping convention-goers, all panicking and screaming, "...Oh no... I just had the worst, most evil idea..."

"Desperate times call for desperate needs, besides, even my father couldn't figure out I was the real deal." Cat Noir interjected.

With a gulp, the two landed down and blended with the crowd, who yelled louder when seeing the giant centipede and the army of manga characters, "Where are they!?" the akumatized fusion growled, "Bring me our enemies, claim the happy ending to your story!" he pointed his spear forward and his brainwashed classmates did as told.

However, "Hey, hands off!" a female Cat Noir yelled.

"Dude, watch the hair!" a red-haired Ladybug complained.

Hawkmoth grew mad. "How infuriating, it's like finding a needle in a haystack! Grr, Mangaka, don't bother with them, they'll surely come to you once you find your target and make an example of her. Force them to go to you and don't fall for this trap!"

"And it shall be so, Hawkmoth," Mangaka replied with a dead tone and turned to his minions. "Enough tomfoolery, bring me Lila to make her repent for her sins!"

They all cried out in unison and spread out while said girl was hiding in the girl's bathroom trying to stay quiet, 'I can't believe he'd draw up something THAT ugly. Ladybug and Cat Noir better end up beaten soon. The sooner I don't have to see that eyesore, the better.' she frowned while crossing her arms. 'I wouldn't mind seeing Ladybug get tied up and helpless. Whatever he draws might end up with tentacles. The real slimy and grab happy kind.' She licked her lips at the idea of the heroine tied up, imagining her in various poses due to the tendrils before they tore her suit up, exposing her in front of hundreds while crying out in distress.

Her own plan was already waiting, "Is it now a good time, mistress?" asked a perfect clone of Marinette, a Sentimonster.

"Not yet, my pet," Lila said and held her close, feeling up malleable breasts with one hand and rubbing the copy's taut ass with the other. "Once they're close enough, we may run."

"Ah... I'll keep you safe, m-mistress..." the clone moaned as Lila gave her a hickey.

"Oh trust me, you better, or I'll have to punish you." Lila whispered before nibbling on her earlobe, making the Sentimonster gasp and shiver.

"Y-Yes m-mistress."

"You better, because you know what happens to naughty girls who don't do their job." whispered Lila while trailing a hand closer to the clone's private spot making her nod quickly. "Good girl. Now, once that sexy slut of Ladybug leaves, you know what to do..."

"As y-you command, mistress..."

Back with Marinette and Adrien, they had managed to hide behind one of the booths without anyone seeing them.

Plagg was panting, "Oh man, that dude is serious, and his artwork is crazy to fight."

"You tell me, it's like facing Hawkmoth 2.0!" Marinette exclaimed as she handed Tikki a macaroon.

"Alright, how do we beat this guy? We couldn't even use the Lucky Charm," Adrien said after pulling out some cheese for his Kwami.

"I'm thinking..." Marinette held her chin. "So far, our friends are akumatized, plus Chloe."

"Ouch, no need for that remark," Adrien replied. "However, those pens of his are our real trouble. Making new enemies with all the powers he wants is nuts..."

"And if we bring reinforcements, they could get turned too, but we could really use a helping hand." Marinette nodded to herself. "It's time to pay Master Fu a visit."

"Alright, you do that and I'll keep an eye out for Lila." Adrien said, then sighed. "It's not like it makes me happy to say that."

"I know, but we can't let her get harmed, even if she's twisted like a pretzel." Marinette reluctantly followed the hero motto.

"Always gotta protect people, don't we?" Plagg asked with a dejected sigh.

As the group parted ways, a certain tiny Kwami floated over the mindless crowd.

"So, this is what mom and dad deal with on a regular basis?" Catbug was in those near-adult years where one wanted to experiment with danger and have a blast. Fortunately, he was careful to keep an eye on the action, "Big bad is quite flat, rides a creepy thing, and has an army... Huh, mom didn't exaggerate when saying villains by that Nooroo are attention-getters." Flying down, he sniffed the air. "Ugh, what's that rancid smell?"

Plugging his nose with his tiny hands, Catbug looked at Mangaka, then narrowed his eyes at the pen-spear.

"Bring me Lila at once! Leave no stone unturned!" yelled the fusion with fire in his eyes and a slam of his spear on the head of the monster.

Everyone ran off as Kim, Max, Alix, and Chloe tore down every stall, table and booth they found in their way to find the girl, who finally revealed herself, "Oh no, what shall I do!?" cried Lila as she cowered in fear, or so it seemed, "Someone, anybody, please help me!"

"Crying won't save you from your-" Mangaka roared, only to get a shoe to the face.

Revealing a relieved smile, Lila turned to her savior, hidden behind the form of none other than her Sentimonster... as Ladybug, "You came, Ladybug!"

Everyone watched in shock as the heroine returned in her full form, "Don't worry, Lila, I'll protect you!" the fake Ladybug beamed.

Adrien fought against his disbelief, "What's going on!? Did Marinette get cloned!?"

"No, I smell Sentimonster all over that fake!" Plagg growled, "Did Mayura team up with Lila of all people?"

"No time to lose, then!" Adrien said, ready to change, but there was a second problem.

"Everyone, listen up, the Cat Noir and Ladybug you saw were fake!" the fake Ladybug snarled, then glared at Mangaka as she wrapped her arm around Lila. "Not bad, Hawkmoth, you had fakes to drive out the one who I really care about... but you are not hurting my girlfriend!"

"WHAT!?" everyone, even Mangaka, exclaimed in shock.

Hawkmoth for his part laughed in his lair beside Mayura, "Lying to Paris like this whether for pettiness or attention is quite delightful! Truly, Miss Rossi knows how to make a spectacle!"

Mayura hummed in laughter at her side, "I gave her my best Sentimonster to date, and with her love and hatred for both that Marinette and Ladybug it won't break easily."

Hawkmoth chortled deeply, "Once the real one arrives, she will have trouble telling the world the truth without making herself known, and with the double near Lila, it's a perfect trap. Not only do I have Mangaka as my greatest creation yet, but an ace up my sleeve in this fake Ladybug! All these endless possibilities make me feel like a child yet again!"

For her part, Lila did her best to hug the fake Ladybug, "Oh, Ladybug... I'm so sorry! I... I wish I had known you really felt that way for me! I did something stupid because of that girl I also like!" she smirked as she hid her face between Ladybug's chest, talking loud enough for Mangaka to listen to her lies.

Fake-Ladybug patted her mistress' head, "I know, you sabotaged these two boys to make Marinette win, but love shouldn't be forced or earned like that. Now I know."

Adrien slapped his face, "Marinette won't be happy since her lie about her sexuality could be blown..."

"Forget mad, she'll get an aneurism!" Plagg exclaimed. "We need to stop this madness before it gets crazier!"

Meanwhile, over at his home, Master Fu was doing some deep breath exercises and had been at it all morning.

"Master, are you almost done? I feel like you've been doing those more than you should."

"It's not easy being nearly two-hundred years old," he joked with a small smile and held up a small item. "I've been channeling my energy to make this. I hope it'll do what may be a true miracle."

"A new Miraculous..." Marinette breathed out and held up a simple pair of rings colored a simple silvery color with one distinct feature, "Why are these two rings joined together?" Indeed, they were locked with a small chain which meant both rings had to be worn in different fingers.

"I fear it's the nature of its Kwami, one who is the link between his parents." Master Fu said with Wayzz floating up beside him.

"Catbug's near the villain, you better find him soon," the turtle Kwami warned her.

Tikki fumed, which looked utterly adorable. "Oh, that little rascal, his dad and I'll have a word with him!"

"We'll have more than that soon." Marinette said and took the ring. "The most powerful Kwami's son... This could be too much for anyone."

"I know whoever you choose will make a great hero, Marinette," the master said with a smile.

"I sure hope-"

"Breaking news!" Master Fu's radio interrupted her. "We break your scheduled relaxing music for a last minute report. Ladybug and Cat Noir are facing a new villain, and in doing so it appears she had accepted love from said villain's target."

Through all the multiverses, everyone could feel the shock, "I DID WHAT!?"

In his own realm, Yui rubbed his chin, "Dammit, I shouldn't have left that dimension so soon..."

(Back with Cat Noir)

"Lila, what are you doing!?" he asked upon ducking under fire from Max and Alix, gripping the girl by her shoulders to held her escape her pursuers with the fake Ladybug nearby. "Over here!" a quick turn later, and they leapt down into the subway, hidden from anyone as the Parisians had emptied the streets after the akuma alarm rang off.

"We should be safe for now, but first Cat Noir, let go of my girlfriend," said the fake heroine.

"Can it, I know you're nothing but a faker," he nearly snapped but kept his volume down. "Once the real Ladybug arrives-"

"Mine will be gone and make it look like nothing was wrong," Lila said with a sinister smile, hugging her Sentimonster. "You see, I can do more with this pet of mine." She nibbled her ear and the Sentimonster turned into Marinette in a flourish of blue feathers. "Surprised?"

"Marinette!?" Cat Noir asked, then stood on his metaphorical toes. 'Crap, does she know...?'

Lila explained herself, "I hate Ladybug as much as I do Marinette..." she growled, gripping the fake's chin harshly, making her hiss. Just as quickly, Lila's glare changed to a loving expression, "And yet with such hate, I want them. I can't help it. I hate them so much I fell for them and desire them to be my pets..."

Seeing her kiss Marinette deep in the mouth brought shivers up Cat Noir's spine, 'I am so relieved and disturbed at the same time! So, she doesn't know they're the same person. Good! But, she's dementedly into a girl I love. What did Marinette and I do to deserve this!?'

As he panicked, the sound of a sword cutting through asphalt made them look up to Chloe, "For my kingdom!" she hopped down and cleaved the air, forcing the trio to split with Lila and the fake Marinette running off and Cat Noir left alone with the fantasy princess, "I shall protect my subjects, but, most importantly, my two lovely wives!"

"Too bad Sabrina and Aurore just missed this odd declaration of love," Cat Noir quipped as he dodged wide swings.

On their side, Lila and the fake Marinette ran out of the subway with the foxy girl smirking, "That should be enough playtime for now, pet. We can mess with Ladybug more once it's all said and done." With a flick of her wrist, the Sentimonster nodded and morphed back into the picture, which Lila delightfully kissed, "Tonight, though, you and I shall have some fun."

A loud crash signaled Mangaka's arrival, riding the centipede, "Lila Rossi, you shall atone for your sins with your life!"

Crying falsely, Lila sobbed into her hands, "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry! I just didn't think... I really, really liked Marinette and still do, even if my heart also belongs to Ladybug! Please, don't hurt Ladybug or Marinette, I beg you!" she whimpered and curled into a ball, smirking as she knew how Hawkmoth worked.

"Mangaka, I suggest you wait for the finale, Ladybug should be on her way," said the villain with a smirk.

"Very well, vengeance is a dish best served cold," Mangaka said and held up one of his pens. "Lila Rossi, you are a deceiving witch! You shall use that talent to aid us trap Ladybug!"

"I knew you'd say that," Lila said with a smirk and held up her Sentimonster's picture. A quick clash later, and everyone saw Marinette in a witch outfit complete with a large black robe and a horned helmet, "My pet, use your new powers to protect me!"

"At once, mistress!" the fake Marinette said and waved her hand, sending fireballs at Mangaka.

"How dare you!" Mangaka roared and swung his brush, the fireballs dispelling with a wave of ink.

"You gave her power, but her will's mine alone to control regardless of what power Hawkmoth gave you," Lila smirked.

Mangaka grew madder. "Go my force! Stop the lying harlot and her witch!"

"Your head's gonna make me rich!" called Alix as she fired at the two girls.

Suddenly, the fake Marinette waving her wand again and forming an invisible wall that bounced them away, "No one will touch my mistress!"

"I'll have to sanitize the area." Max pulled out what looked like a fire hose connected to his pack and blasted out steam which hit the wall, but Chloe ran around the side and pulled her sword back.

"Off with your head, villain!" she proclaimed before swinging, making the fake Marinette wave her wand before a portal opened. Chloe fell down with a yelp as she crashed on top of Max while Lila gave the fake a glance at her rear, not feeling scared or nervous anymore.

"Was this your plan all along!?" Mangaka snarled.

"I wish, but I do know how to improvise." Lila mocked him with a smirk.

Growling furiously, the fusion brought up his spear. "Enough!" slamming the tip down, all his puppets let out a shriek before globs of ink flew from their bodies and to himself. "I won't let you mock me!"

All around them the students returned to normal, groaning as they held their heads.

"What hit me?" Kim asked, then yelled upon seeing the villain. "Oh crap, run!" he was quick to grab Max along Alix, both held their nerdy friend to get him running.

"Hey, don't forget me!" Chloe cried.

"Ugh, if we must..." Alix grunted, helping up the blonde along the other three. Then, she turned to Lila. "I would run if I were you!"

"No, allow me to show you what a witch she is!" Mangaka snarled and the ink centipede slammed down its tail to block their path. "After her, my guardian!"

"Ladybug will come save me!" Lila told the villain as she held the picture where her Sentimonster lived in to protect her lie further.

"Liars like you should never say such a thing!" Mangaka roared furiously. "Loving someone means more than words! Your actions are as empty and void of emotion as all your tales!"

Uncharacteristically, Lila snapped back. "I do love Ladybug, you overgrown ink stain! She is mine and I've placed my claim on her for all to see that!"

"I so need to talk to Ladybug about this." Cat Noir sweat-dropped.

"No need..." said the heroine with a deadpan tone.

"When did you get here!?" the masked cat hero asked in shock, whirling around to see her panting.

"I just saw everything, in the news, hearing people ask me if I was dating Lila Rossi." the girl looked pale as a sheet. "If this doesn't allow Hawkmoth to akumatize me, nothing will. Ugh, and I just can't tell all of Paris I'm not a lesbian or they'd get insanely mad..."

"We can worry about that later, right now we gotta take out the akuma. Any help from Master Fu?"

"Yeah, and it's a real treat." she replied holding out the two rings, making Cat look surprise and then at her with a chuckle.

"I don't think now is the time to ask me that, but maybe in a few years I'd say yeah."

"N-Not that!" she sputtered with a red face. "It's a new Miraculous!"

"Wait, a new one? How's that possible?"

"Master Fur made it, and apparently it's for….you can kinda already guess who."

"It's Catbug, isn't it?"

"Right on the nose."

"If Plagg was out here he'd probably be acting like a soccer dad."

"And Tikki going on about what not to do." smiled Ladybug before turning serious. "But for now, we need to find him or it won't work."

"And just who is gonna wear them?"

"Considering he's made from the powers of creation and destruction, it can only go to someone who won't abuse the power or who can handle it." she replied, slowly looking from the rings to Cat, who looked like he noticed and smiled. "Which only leaves…"

"The two of us. Guess we'll be doing this one together like always." he remarked while slipping one of them on his open ring finger while Ladybug tried to do the same.

She looked hesitant, but not due to fear or unease, 'Is it really meant for two people? I mean, I wouldn't really MIND having something like this for me and Adrien, b-b-but people are definitely gonna get the wrong idea! Not to mention, who knows what could happen if we try to use it at once.'

"Tell you what m'lady, I'll go find Catbug and get him away from Mangaka while you think it over, sound fair?"

"Yes." she said with relief after slipping off the ring. "And we better make it quick!" she said upon seeing Mangaka move with Lila caught in one of his centipede monster's many arms…

However, the wait didn't take long. "Wait! On his back, at his belt! Is that..." Cat Noir gaped, but he knew what he was seeing. "When did Catbug get so close to him!?"

"Oh, he's in so much trouble, and not just from his parents tearing into him." Ladybug's maternal instincts kicked in right into overdrive as her Kwami could feel what was happening.

"Allow me." Cat started running to the villain.

Lila cried out and tried hitting at the arms of the centipede monster to let her go, to no avail as her captor glared at her, "And now you will suffer." spoke Mangaka with a cruel smirk as he raised his pen up with Lila's eyes going wide, only for them to turn confused and lost, which the villain noticed. "What? I'm about to end you, and you look like you don't know where you are?"

"Uh...is that something you made?" she asked pointing up as best as she could.

"What are you-" he turned and was cut off to see something small on his pen, scurrying across it.

"This! This is what I was smelling! Oh geez, it reeks!" spoke Catbug trying to cover his nose, and not realizing he just got spotted.

"Hey, get off!" spoke Mangaka as he tried shaking the Kwami off, who yelped and rolled off him.

The childish creature would've fallen to the ground if his wings didn't stop him in time. "Alright, time to go!"

Hawkmoth's eyes widened like dinner plates. "A Kwami!? But how!? Where did this one come from?! And whose Kwami is it?!"

Mayura observed from the sidelines just as shocked. "Hawkmoth, do you recall what that deity said? Do you think he referred to that one?"

"Could it be possible…?" Hawkmoth asked, then smirked evilly. "Ladybug, you may not love Cat Noir, but that didn't stop you from allowing your Kwami and his to bare fruit with their love!" with a new goal in mind, he stopped his villain. "Mangaka, chase after that Kwami! Bring him to me! If you fail to capture it, Ladybug could use it to stop you!"

"Understood." Mangaka said. He created a cage for Lila with a thrust of his pen. "You'll remain in here until it's time for you to face justice!"

Lila growled, grabbing the bars. "Hey, let me gol!" Unluckily for her, the villain left her. "Didn't we have a deal?"

Mayura approached her, smiling softly. "Consider it amusement and a test for you, Miss Rossi." She told the girl coolly. "If you desire revenge as much as love, seeing if you can survive as well as adapt to challenges proves you're worthy of serving us. Why, that Sentimonster of yours is proof of that."

"You planned this?" Lila asked, eyes narrowed. "Why?"

"I know what a woman in love can do for what she most desires..." the woman said cryptically. "I took great pleasure in seeing the lengths you went to in order to claim it. Hawkmoth showed just as much interest as I did… However, if you wish to keep this servant of yours, you shall do as you are told."

Lila gritted her teeth and felt anger at being played, but kept a cool facade and nodded slowly, "Fine."

Mayura smirked, turning to the chaos the girl caused. "Excellent."

"Get back here!" yelled Mangaka as he made his monster turn and lunge at Catbug, who yelped and flew out of the way, as pale as a Kwami could be.

"Sorry, I don't taste good, bye!" he shrieked, buzzing off as the monster followed after.

"You won't get aw-" Mangaka was cut off, again, by Cat Noir jumping up in his line of vision, landing on top of the monster with a smirk.

"Sorry, but I'm afraid you and I still have some unfinished business. Maybe talk over your latest work because to me, it could really use some tweaking."

"Everyone's a critic when it comes to true art!" he yelled before he tried thrusting his pen out, but Cat managed to dodge it, while holding on as the monster kept Catbug in its sight.

"Help! Someone! I don't wanna be eaten, I prefer being the eater!"

"Hey you!" Cat Noir said, some of Plagg's own anger sipping out. "Chew on this!" he said as he threw his baton into the monster's maw, the extending pole forcing the centipede's mouth open.

"Thank goodness!" Catbug sighed in relief. "Uncle, am I glad to see you!"

"You won't be as happy when your auntie and mom get a chance to chew you out." Cat told him before snatching the little creature, running off. "Ladybug, I got him!" he used his free hand to do his signature attack. "Cataclysm!"

"Lucky Charm!" the heroine called out, receiving a bottle of oil for her troubles. "Alright, oil, oil is a good thing, but how do I even use it!?" looking at the ink dripping from the pen and then at the bottle, she smiled. "Alright, this should be fun!"

Pouring all the oil over herself, a glistening Ladybug ran forward just as Mangaka shot a wave of his ink towards Cat Noir. However, not only did Ladybug intercept it, the ink dripped down her body! To the shock of many save those savvy in art, they knew how troublesome working with oil could be, Ladybug smiled smugly as the ink had no effect on her. She was quick to get under the centipede's head and, with a small smile of pleasure, kicked it under the chin with enough force to make it look up and shake off Mangaka!

"Got you right where we wanted you!" Cat Noir smirked. "Enjoy your bath!" he slammed his hand under the floor, opening the streets and letting the monster fall into the sewers! The waters dissolved its body quickly, and as it let out a roar, Mangaka growled at seeing his work disappear.

"You shall pay for that!" he snapped, twirling his spear. "You haven't seen what I can really do!"

"Neither do you!" Ladybug said, holding the rings. "Ready?"

"With you? Always." Cat smiled and slipped his own on his finger.

"Then repeat after me," she said, slightly nervous as she looked at the chain linking both rings together. "Catbug… Unify!"

"Catbug, unify!" he let out.

Both rings glowing purple with said Kwami going wide eyed. He yelped as he got sucked into the chain. A bright light erupted when Cat Noir and Ladybug found themselves getting pulled towards the other.

"Woah!" Ladybug let out before both heroes touched, their bodies tingling and glowing bright enough power to the point where anyone who saw had to cover their eyes, including Mangaka and Hawkmoth through the villain's eyes.

"What's going on?!" the heroes' arch nemesis asked.

"I don't know!" the villain tried to look as the light took the shape of a glowing purple orb.

It hovered before it began to shrink and form limbs and a head, making the villain lower his pen and watch as details started to come out. The figure standing there was shown to be wearing a purple body tight suit with several belts wrapped around the arms and legs like they were stripes. There was a scarf wrapped around the neck which resembled see-through wings on the back, it went down to the back of their feet. They had elongated nails on their hands with a domino mask of the same purple color with very long wild blond hair that went down their back with what looked like a pair of antennae on the forehead mask.

"This is beyond weird… You said it. WHOA!" the new hero said in their own voice, a mixture of a female's and a male's. The androgynous body made it harder to determine the gender. "Alright, one step at a time..."

Inside the fusion's very soul, the three Kwami were reunited.

"You're in so much trouble, young man," Tikki growled, hands on her hips.

"Sugarcube, let's save it after we kick butt with, um… what do we call them?" her husband asked with a confused look.

"Hey, I'm the newbie here, don't look at me!" their son exclaimed. "I didn't expect to end up someplace with my own parents, or even end up in my own miraculous! Oh man is this cool!"

"Keep it together there, son, right now we leave it up to Adrien and Marinette. Or whoever they've become now." remarked Plagg while looking around the soul. "Huh, I wonder if it's a boy or girl…"

Outside, the new hero looked themselves over with wide eyes while feeling up the legs, arms, body, and looked torn between elated, shocked, confused, literally every emotion. "Ok… this is freaky… but in a good AND bad way."

"Becoming one like that won't save you two." spoke up Mangaka snapping out of his stupor.

"Hang on, just give me a sec. Er, I mean us a sec. No wait, is it just me? Gah! This is so confusing! Calm down! How can I!? Well, this is the weirdest thing that has happened to us yet! Yeah… we should expect more."

As the hero had a banter with themselves, the villain grew a lot madder, "Enough!" Mangaka grabbed three pens. "New hero, I dub you a slave of mine!"

"Whoa!" the hero fusion exclaimed, bringing up their weapon. Much to the villain's shock, it was a hammer which looked exactly like one of those squeaky toy ones which are oversized yet fun to use by children. "Please work!"

A loud bang echoed out as the hammer sent the pens flying off into orbit!

Hawkmoth nearly went mute, his entire face rigid at the sight. "What power!"

"Wait, creation… and destruction..." the hero slapped their head in realization. The handle of the hammer resembled Cat Noir's pole with a black paintjob and green highlights, the double-sided head was a bright red with red dots, "Bringing out our Kwamis' greatest potential, this is not just a Miraculous, it's practically a link between all Miraculous! Now that explains why the rings have a chain linking them… Wow, that symbolism is kinda silly."

"Urgh, stop talking to yourself!" Mangaka snarled, spinning his spear. "Parisians, listen to me! As your king I command you loyal soldiers to fight off these enemies!"

Launching the pens to the sky, he also created an ink tower for him to stand up as civilians were turned into knights, samurais, vikings, and many other types of warrior to face the new hero. His army was also comprised of familiar faces. Chloe was back with her giant sword, Max held up a flamethrower, Alix had a sassy smirk while taking aim, and Kim spun around his sword with the dexterity of a Kung-Fu master.

"Again, really?" the hero asked. However, they held their hammer like it was a baseball bat. "Ok, bring it!"

"Go, my army, and bring down… Miracle Maker!"

"Alright, remind me to thank them for giving us such a cool name!" the newly dubbed hero told themselves, then sighed. "You just couldn't resist the quip, could you? Guilty as charged!"

The hero jumped back to avoid the sword from Kim and sent him flying back into a few civilians from a powerful swing of their hammer. Then, they started to duck, spin and weave around other Parisians aiming for them, trying not to cause too much bodily harm as they made it behind a stand, ducking fire from Alix who was heading right for them.

"Turning into one hero just means one huge bounty for me!"

"I think you mean one nasty headache." Miracle Maker joked, pulling back to use the hammer to send a stand of comics flying, and right at the redhead.

Akix tried to swerve out of the way, only to yelp when she found herself decked in the cheek by the hero with a mighty kick. Her head spun around as Miracle Maker turned and stopped Kim's stab with an upward swing of their mallet. The warrior yelped in shock for the brief moment he'd been given previous to getting hit on the chest with the hammer. Such strike sent him rolling back to crash against the other convention goers, knocking them down like bowling pins.

"My honor..." Kim grunted on the pile of unconscious Parisians.

"For my kingdom and loves!" Chloe shouted as she cleaved through the air.

"Let's see what this weapon really does." Miracle Maker held up their hammer over their head to bring it down against the floor. "Cataclysm!"

Instead of the usual corrosive power making everything vanish, the ground shot up! Debris flew at the swordswoman and knocked her out while the remaining pieces of concrete nailed all of the warriors behind her. An entire battalion was out cold from the ridiculous shockwave which either knocked them ass over kettle or sent pieces of concrete to their bodies.

"Sorry, this is for your own good!" Max exclaimed as he modified his flamethrower, launching the mother of all fireballs at the heroes.

"Please work!" Miracle Maker once again slammed the ground. "Lucky Charm!"

All debris flew upwards, rebuilding itself… and changing forms! Max was stunned when a pillar formed from all the concrete and asphalt the fusion sent flying. It created a sturdy structure that dispelled his shot. And Miracle Maker wasn't done. They used the chance to run up the new piece of architecture they created and jumped from its top, baring their teeth with their hammer up. Max could only grit his teeth in horror before it was nights out with an echoing bonk.

"Impossible, impossible, impossible, impossible, COMPLETELY IMPOSSIBLE!" Hawkmoth was frothing at the mouth at the sight of such power. "How!? Why!? What is happening!?" he cried out in sheer disbelief.

"Mangaka, you may think you're powerful because of your hatred," Miracle Maker said with a grin on their face, a rather cheeky one. "However, bonds are more than powerful when you want to be with someone and protect them. Regardless of your flaws, you two made beautiful work, a task no one should mock. And I'm getting you back so you can appreciate it!"

"Useless, useless, absolutely useless!" Mangaka screamed in fury. "Come to me, my dragon!" a wave of ink formed a serpentine Chinese dragon which roared at the hero.

"Alright, how about we see what we can really do together?" Miracle Maker asked themselves. "I was hoping you'd say that."

Inside them, Tikki watched herself glow. "This power, this warmth and desire to protect."

Plagg was also shining. "I feel the righteous fury to hold close what is dearest to me."

Catbug gasped as he was engulfed in light. "So, this is what makes a hero… Heh, it's cool!"

As the dragon flew at them, the hero readied their hammer. "Miraculous… Cataclysm!" with a mighty swing, the dragon was sent to splatter all over the streets and buildings! The force of the impact created a sonic boom which shook the windows and made some crack! And all Mangaka could do was yell in shock and disbelief as his body was sent sky-high, right before he crashed into an unconscious heap, his pen-spear breaking upon falling.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" screamed Hawkmoth, falling to his knees as he clutched his head.

"Alright, Catbug, separate." Miracle Maker said, returning to being the two heroes. Both of whom stumbled and looked dazed while Ladybug rubbed her head.

"Oooh, that...was…..woah." she said while holding the rings in her hand.

"You said it." Cat held his head as his eyes spun around. "I feel like my head just went on a spin cycle and stopped."

"Wow! Let's go again! Let's go again!" cheered Catbug in between them.

"How about we don't and say we did?" suggested Ladybug who noticed the akuma fluttering up from the spear, making her pull out her yoyo and start spinning it around. "Time to de-evilize!"

She swung it out and caught the corrupted butterfly, pulling it to her hand with a smile before opening it up and watched as the purified insect fluttered into the sky. "Bye bye little butterfly." she closed her weapon up while the pillar they had formed together glowed red before it split apart into various streaks that flew around the area, repairing up any and all damage while anyone changed were reverted back to normal, Mangaka included.

The fusion turned back into Nathaniel and Marc, both still unconscious and with their hands on the fountain pen they cherished.

"You know, they do look like a cute couple." Cat said.

"How'd you…?" Ladybug asked, surprised.

"I think I kinda got some parts of you in me… Like sharing memories, think-"

"Pacific Rim?" she asked, then blinked. "Wow, creepy, I didn't see that movie."

"Well, you should… and we probably should be careful with how much we use that thing… I'd want my first time to see a girl, um… as she is to be presented to her one true love, to be done in a very special situation."

Ladybug blushed, then groaned. "Yeah, I wouldn't want to see you… like that… Well..." blushing hotter, she hated how the idea stuck to her, but then groaned,."Sorry, gotta keep the act."

"Yeah, there was no way this wouldn't be awkward." he grunted.

Hawkmoth stared at everything, furious, "You may be a maker of miracles, Ladybug, but I am a creator of nightmares! The next one shall be the perfect one, an endless dream of terror!"

(The next day at school)

"You two sure look happy despite the contest being cancelled." Marinette told Marc and Nathaniel.

Both boys blushed as they smiled.

"We did talk on why we were so mad at Lila, then learned of how she was bullied and how she tried to get Ladybug's affection." Marc said.

Marinette's mood was immediately ruined. "You don't say..." she said through clenched teeth.

"We decided to let bygones be bygones, water under the bridge, you know?" Nathaniel added. "I do have to thank her for helping us, even if she didn't intend to in the first place."

"Besides, yesterday was to prove ourselves, and we did!" Marc cheered and hugged Nathaniel's arm, getting a smile from him.

"Oh my god, you two..." Marinette giggled as that helped her mood.

"I guess we had to stop being the last single pair in our classroom." Nathaniel joked awkwardly. "Our parents took it well thanks to them liking Ladybug and accepting her sexuality."

"So we also owe her some thanks there." Marc said.

After the new happy couple left, Marinette sighed in mental exhaustion, Adrien walking up to her with a knowing look.

"So, that's why you didn't clarify Lila's lie."

"Trust me, I was more than tempted, but when the time comes to unmask her, we'll have to be careful." Marinette said, crossing her arms with a frown. Then, she thought more about it. "Thinking on how twisted she is… I can't help but pity her. What brings someone to be that crooked?"

"We may not know, but hey, we got a new way to fight back against worse than her." Adrien said with a smile, then looked pensive. "Speaking of which, what happened to the little rascal?"

"He's so grounded that coffee will be envious of him, courtesy of Tikki." Marinette answered.

"Wow, that last fight helped you get into puns, I see." Adrien quipped, then chortled. "I think you made me fall in love with you all over again."

"Oh no..." Marinette sighed, but she still smiled, which her boyfriend noticed.

As for Catbug…

"Ugh, come on Wayzz, how much coffee does an almost two-hundred-year-old man need!?" he asked as he spun the crank of an old coffee grinder.

"Do you want me to call your mother?" asked the turtle Kwami.

"No thanks, more coffee coming right up!" the child said, flying faster to grind more beans.

Master Fu looked at the rings, stroking his beard. "Such great power from such a little one. I do wonder… Should love bloom again, what could another set of Miraculous holders do?"

"Let's not tempt fate, master, especially when it might bring you know who back." remarked Wayzz, making both Kwami and user shiver.

"Fair point. I best get some biscuits ready for the coffee."