A/N: I apologize for the delay. I would update more often if I could, but here's the reason of my slow process: Work, personal matters, and Kingdom Hearts 3. As well as writing my own original creation, so there's also that. But I really want to get into this take on the show. The thing is… This idea is meant for a long-term series and I have more than enough ideas to cover seasons 3, 4, and 5. And some surface level concepts to go beyond and I really want to write and explore these ideas with these characters I fell in love with. But I don't know how this will affect my life on the long run. Especially since I have work as well as wanting to create my own thing. So, anyone out there interested in drawing a comic book script, let me know…

Also, for those who haven't figured it out; Mordecai and Rigby are human versions of the two lead characters from "Regular Show." When I bring characters that are not in the show, I tend to use crossover characters as I best define them.

Finally, props who got the Netflix "Castlevania" reference in the previous chapter.

Enjoy the chapter.

Before The Storm

Day has dawned in Paris. Just across the street of the Place de Vosques Park, there's a humble looking apartment complex. At the top floor, one such apartment was inhabited by two young men who appear to be in their early twenties. They were lying on their respective bed until one of them, the taller and paler of the two began to stir and rise from his bed. He rubs his eyes and yawns as he gathers himself for the day.

"Alright Dude, time to get up," he said.

"Hmmm…" the other one still in bed just moaned with a pillow over his head.

"Come on, Rigby," he enticed in a slightly sterner manner.

"Hmmmmaaaa…" Rigby yawned as he too began to rise from his bed. His brown hair was a lot messier than his friends.

"Come on, we still gotta make the appeal for Agreste to give your job back,"

"Truth be told, I just want to talk to Adrien…" Rigby confirmed. Raising from his bed, making his way to the bathroom.

"Yeah, I met him in class the other day. Cool kid," Mordecai said.

"I know right? But at the same time, the poor kid is troubled… I get the feeling something is coming," Rigby said while rubbing his shoulder. "I don't think he's…"

"You really wanna help him, huh?" Mordecai said as he padded Rigby's shoulder.

"What can I say? I got a soft spot for the kid," Rigby confirmed as he got ready. He stopped and got serious for a moment. "It was for the money at first, and to be here in France, but I really wanna help him…"

"I know what you mean," Mordecai affirmed. "Now come on, we got an icebox to pick," Mordecai said.

"Now you're talking! Agreste's going down!"

"You said it!"

"Whoooooooooo!" the two celebrated. The two spinning as they left the bedroom.

Later at the Agreste Manor

Gabriel was looking rather focused on his monitor's screen. He was looking at pictures of Marinette and Ladybug side by side. He had spent hours comparing the two figures, clasping his hands together with fingers intertwined. He squinted for a bit, which was actually the not the first time he's done so now. Throughout the whole day, all he could think about was what he learned from the Timemaster incident and if what he gathered had any real value to his goal.

"The girl who already received many accolades in design, including my own fashion shows for her hat, an album cover, even actual praise from Audrey Bougious who's known for criticizing anything that isn't hers. All before her sixteenth birthday. For such achievements for such a young age could only be the work of the Ladybug miraculous according to its abilities and benefits described in that book," He whispered to himself. He zoomed the image into Marinette's ears, they were indeed decorated by dark spot earrings. Gabriel sighed. "This only supports my theory… Then again this may be another red herring like when I foolishly believed Adrien could ever be Cat Noir," he concluded. With another sigh, he removed his glasses and rubbed the drowsiness out of his eyes. Am I really onto Ladybug? Or am I stalking an innocent bystander? Is this another dead end…?"

Before he could ponder any further, his intercom buzzed as Nathalie spoke.

"Gabriel," Nathalie spoke at a rather casual manner rather than her usual professional tone.

"Yes, Nathalie?" Gabriel replied.

"Rigby kicked the door and he's headed your way," Nathalie replied, "He seems furious,"

With that, his office door bursts open as Rigby and his friend walked straight to Gabriel's desk and slammed his fists on it. Gabriel quickly burst out of his chair with his hands making a fist and huff.

"What is the meaning of this?" Gabriel demanded.

"I think you and I have something to discuss, Agreste," Rigby replied, "You do know that what you did was illegal and that I had the right to find a way to stay in Paris and you had no say in how when and when not to leave!" Rigby said Gabriel had to come up with an excuse and fast.

"I realize that I suppose you're going to demand your job back,"

"You're damn right, I am, so how about it? Either this or we take this to trial," Rigby threatened. Gabriel stared at Rigby's eyes attentively, he then took a deep breath and sat back down. He intertwined his fingers and spoke.

"Answer me this, what is it that you're so intent on retaining your position? Is it because Adrien has taken a liking of you?" he asked. "What kind of relationship do you really have with him?" Rigby looked down for a moment in contemplation of Gabriel's question.

"First time I saw him…" Rigby began. He paused for a moment to choose his words carefully. "All I know is that he just needed a friend and a good therapist knows that friendship can go a long way for his upbringing. You don't even have to be a psychologist to know that," he answered.

"Has he ever talked to you about his friends at school?" Gabriel asked.

"Yeah, he keeps talking about his friend Nino, the one you kicked out," Rigby answered, causing Gabriel to flinch. "Oh, and that girl he said that had been crushing over him."

"Oh?" Gabriel muttered. Only then, Mordecai rubbed his chin and butted in.

"Come to think of it, back in our field trip last week, the two were really into some old Chinese scroll they found there," he added.

"You mean in the Chinatown section of Bellville?" Gabriel asked as if about to rise from his desk.

"Yeah, something about making a person by some magic. Like alchemy? Is that the right word?" Mordecai continued, while Gabriel's eyed widened.

"And she asked Adrien to interpret it for her," Gabriel asked.

"That's right, but maybe…"

"Congratulations, Rigby, you're rehired," Gabriel said as he sat back down. They all then stopped talking and stared at him. For a full minute, the three were in complete silence until…

"Wait, what…?"

"You want your job back, you're getting your wish," Gabriel simply said.

Later…

The two were leaving the Agreste manor. The two men were leaving the manor with their eyebrows raised. The two were walking out rather slowly until they reached the park back home and sat on a bench.

"Heh, that was easy," Rigby said, breaking the ice.

"Yeah, a little too easy…" Mordecai agreed. "Like there was no real reason to fire you."

"Yeah, like he had an ulterior motive to fire me," Rigby concluded.

"Do you think he fired you just be a jerk, to troll you?" Mordecai asked. Leading Rigby to raise an eyebrow and rub his chin.

"Nah, I don't think that's his style," Rigby replied.

Meanwhile back at the Agreste Manor…

"These two are onto me," Gabriel said as he stared out the window while the two young men left.

"What is your conclusion, sir?" Nathalie asked while she stood behind him.

"I might as well have found a clue," Gabriel replied with a grin.

"Do you really think this Dupain-Cheng girl is Ladybug? For all we know, her fascination with the scroll may be pure curiosity. Also, Rigby's logic may be just an overactive imagination coming from children's literature."

"I've looked into her file, Nathalie, thanks to our moles, all these honors and achievements, as well as being her class representative, it all began after Ladybug made her first appearance."

"The timing is too perfect," Nathalie added in, putting the pieces together.

"I know it's a long shot but we have to look into it," Gabriel concluded. "It's better than nothing, I've gotten too far to stop now. If there is a slight chance that she's Ladybug, I must look into it and if she is, I will finally gain an advantage."

With that, Gabriel walked back to his office. Nathalie stared back at his where he left. Once the door shut, she looked down for a moment before looking out the window for another moment. With a sigh, she finally muttered to herself…

"The end is nigh…"

TVi News

A smiling Nadja Chamack holds a microphone and stared at the camera as she stands in front of a large building. The entrance is crawling with families of children and parents who all seem overjoyed.

"This is Nadja Chamack, reporting live at the Paris City Children's Hospital, merely one of the many spots of where out of the blue has been a miraculous spike in patient recoveries even those who were once believed to be beyond saving. For those who don't know; ever since the Timemaster incident triggered an apparently more powerful version of Ladybug's power of healing. While we don't know the full details, it seems like Ladybug's healing aura swept all over Paris. People from hospitals are healing all over town, money and resources for charity are at an all-time high. As we see behind me, every single patient that had been hospitalized have miraculously healed and leaving the hospital to be taken home by their parents. It is all thanks to the aforementioned aura."

The screen cuts to the aura blast that swept all over Paris, causing everything to be cleansed and repaired and thousands of white butterflies spreading all over.

"Ladybug's power had a much bigger impact than it had ever before."

The screen then has cut to footage from cat Noir's fight against Timemaster.

"We know very little of what had really caused this phenomenon. The only actual clue we have is this footage with Cat Noir facing off against the aforementioned villain. Adding to the mystery is that Ladybug is nowhere to be seen in this footage."

The screen cuts back to Nadja in the Hospital.

"Our investigators are still looking into what had happened on that day, but it seems that the effects have made wonders to the citizens all over Pa—"

Nadja was cut off as she pressed her ear with her hand.

"Yes? Yes…?"

She regained her composure and looked back at the camera.

"We just received reports of another unexpected mass collision. This time is a cruise ship pile up under the Pont de Bir-Hakeim. Apparently, the waves have raised to an unprecedented high as the boats were forcefully carried over to the bridge from as far as 200 kilometers away, all piling up under the Bir-Hakeim bridge. While Ladybug and Cat Noir, are doing everything in their power to maintain order, chaos is leaking out, and… WHOA!"

An even bigger cruise boat comes in flying, crashing in the bridge. The two halves of the bridge fall into the water causing the electricity to spread in the water. Anyone falling in that water is lethal.

"For those who don't know, for these last few days, we've had a series of apparently random incidents. Such as a collapse of one of the towers of the Notre Dame cathedral without explanation the day after the Timemaster incident. Then was a power blackout in the Paris international airport only a few hours later, causing planes to lose control and almost crashing, if not for the efforts of volunteers. Some casualties were even inevitable if not for Ladybug and Cat Noir, as Ladybug's lucky charm got them out of jams more than once. Wait wha-"

Nadia stammered again when she spotted Alya very close to ground zero, holding up her cell phone.

"What the… is this girl out of her mind!"

Pont de Bir-Hakeim

Alya had been having a field day… or week with her Ladyblog as she tried to capture as much as she could as random freak accidents and collisions of great scale have been occurring at a massive scale.

"This is pure madness I tell you!" Alya yelled at her phone. "And I though Hawkmoth was the biggest threat in Paris but it seems so many of these big crashes will be the death of Ladybug and Cat Noir!" she said right before capturing them with her screen panting as they saved as many people as they could. "Speaking of which…"

"LUCKY CHARM!" Ladybug shouts as her yoyo span above her, turning into an unrealistically large inflating raft falling over them. That thing was big enough to carry the entire

"Look out!" Cat Noir shouted as he pushed Ladybug out of harm's way, with the raft landed hard of the port's pavement. He then looked back at the giant raft. "Lucky charm, as if! That thing is big enough to crush every bone in your body!"

"Finally, something we can use…Except, that thing was supposed to hit the water!" Ladybug yelled in frustration as she kicked it. "Ow! For something with just air inside, it sure it's hard!" She yelled as she held her foot.

"Ladybug!" Cat Noir said, "I know you're frustrated, I am too, but you gotta keep your cool," he prompted while grabbing her shoulders. The two breathed together as they calmed down. With citizens screaming snapping them back to reality, Cat Noir took action; "Come on, help me push this."

The two made their effort to move the gigantic raft, but it was heavier than they thought. Alya, who was watching from afar was still recording. She could see the struggle of her heroes and she noticed the people still stranded on the blacked-out cruise boats and the water was electrified, making it too dangerous to leave the boat themselves even in lifeboats. Not to mention those who were stuck in the tangled boat that were stuck under the bridge rubble. Alya switched her phone to selfie mode and kept recording.

"Look, I know I'm not a superhero, but when push comes to shove, a citizen can help out," Alya tuned off her phone and put it in her pocket. She dashed towards the struggling heroes and she herself began to push the raft.

"Alya?" Ladybug blurted out.

"You think I'm just gonna sit by and twirl my thumbs?"

"I wish we could bring you the Fox Miraculous right now," Ladybug added.

"Fox miraculous? Wait, you're Rena Rouge?" Cat Noir asked, wide-eyed."

"Not the time, Cat Noir!" Ladybug shouted as she pushed.

"Oh, right!" Cat Noir affirmed. The three pushed but in minutes, but they only moved the massive raft a few inches with the other end barely getting into the water. "Alright, it seems that it's not affected by the electricity in the water."

"It's hopeless! We can't move this thing!" Alya shouted. Just then, police officers stepped in to help push the inflatable raft.

"You got guts, kid," the officer said, "And here I thought you were just here for the clicks, you may be a superhero like your idols here," he concluded. Alya just gave a knowing grin at that.

"Come on, Rigby! We gotta help out!" They heard another voice as tow new yet now familiar faces stepped in to help.

"Mordecai?" Ladybug blurted.

"Rigby?" Cat Noir muttered.

"You guys know them?" Alya asked.

"Less talky, more pushy!" Rigby shouted as they all pushed.

Other officers began gathering around to help. More and more civilians gathered to push the surprisingly heavy inflated raft. The raft began to move quickly enough to get it to the water on time. Remembering that there're still people trapped under the cruise boats under the bridge, Ladybug took note of it and decided she was needed as well.

"Cat Noir, I still have to help the people under the rubble, I'll leave things here up to you," Ladybug affirmed.

"Go for it, My Lady," Cat Noir consented.

With that, Ladybug jumped off to the rubble. With her enhanced strength, she lifted the pieces of rubble as quickly as she could.

"Oh, thank you, Ladybug," the helpless citizen said as he accepted her hand. She then began to carry him to safety. She made a long trip from the rubble to safety.

When she finally reached the pavement, she saw that the raft was in the water she saw that the raft was ready to move towards the rubble, near enough to help those citizens. The citizens who helped out are all waving at her, letting her know that is all ready, among them, Alya was giving her the thumbs up. She then dropped the citizen on his feet on the pavement.

"Go, get out of here," she commanded. She turned again and saw Cat Noir in the rubble, lifting off the pieces of the collapsed bridge. She swung on in to join him. "How are things going, Cat Noir?" she asked. As if on cue, the destroyed boats that are keeping the citizens alive cracked, causing them to panic.

"We gotta get them to the raft, stat!"

"I can carry two at the time, but we really have to be careful with these trips," Ladybug pondered.

"NO TIME!" Cat Noir yelled as he grabbed a woman by the hand and threw her towards the river, landing safely on the raft.

"Are you crazy?" Ladybug scolded. "She could've hit the water!"

"It's the fastest way!" Cat Noir retorted as he threw another citizen to the raft, bouncing safely there as well. "Unless you got a better idea, we gotta get these people to safety!" He concluded while throwing another citizen to safety. Ladybug looked back and forth…

"Damn," Ladybug muttered as she did the same. Once there were more than a few in the raft safely, she got as near the raft as she could. "Everyone, please ensure that no one falls off the raft!" With that, she knew it was going to be a long day.

Once they got the people out of the rubble, they could finally focus on the electrified bridge without endangering the people. Cat Noir could finally destroy the power connection to the bridge with his cataclysm to stop the electric current on the water. Thus, making it safer for the people to row to safety.

"MIRACULOUS LADYBUG!" The raft had to be deflated for Ladybug to throw in the air for the miraculous cure to take effect, thus once again repairing all damages.

"Cooooooool…," Mordecai and Rigby said in a trance as they witness the process of falling pieces lifting up and stick back into place.

"I know, right?" Alya said with a grin, recording the whole thing with her phone. Everything was in check; the people were safe and everyone waved at the two heroes.

"Pound it!" they shouted as they bumped fist. These few seconds were a real spectacle to the people as the silhouettes bumped fists with the sunset behind them. After a few moments of observing them. Their respective miraculous beeped, signaling their imminent return to civilian form. Ladybug waved back at the crowd before heading off. But before she could do so, she's stopped by Cat Noir when she grabbed her by the shoulder.

"Could you meet me tonight in the tower?" He asked. She nodded.

"Sure," and with that, she swung out with her yoyo.

Back with TVi

It seems like Ladybug and Cat Noir had once again pulled through. However, these freak accidents have become considerably more frequent since the Timemaster incident, which leads to the enhanced miraculous ladybug spell, which had led to these miraculous recoveries in the hospitals I myself had reported earlier today. Without any Akuma victims involved, it is natural to assume that Hawk Moth wasn't behind the incidents. Is there some sort of entity that we may not be aware of? All I can say for sure is that Ladybug and Cat Noir will fight tooth and nail to protect us the best way they can. Only time will tell what's in store for our heroes… This is Nadja Chamack, signing out.

Marinette's bedroom

Ladybug came down from the trapdoor into her room. Right then and there, she transformed back and Tikki fell into her hands, exhausted. She was panting like crazy, earning a very concerned look from Marinette.

"Tikki… We can't go on like this…," Marinette said offering a cookie.

"I know," Tikki agreed, accepting the cookie.

"That was the tenth time in three days that I had to use the miraculous ladybug cure," Marinette pondered. "Is this what you referred to? The dangers of using the cure without me?"

"It's all about balance, Marinette. That's why I needed Cat Noir's cataclysm when I used the cure," Tikki confirmed.

"Tikki, I'm worried… I know you've been around before the European continent was even a thing but… Kwami's can die of exhaustion too, right?"

"We were created by alchemy and magic which is how we are bound to our miraculous," Tikki began, "But we're living creatures too. We may not age, but we may still die from illness or getting killed."

"Alchemy? You mean like the scroll we saw with Adrien the other day?"

"No, that scroll discusses the creation of human beings to become soldiers and possibly miraculous holders," Tikki replied, "But to create a kwami and a miraculous is considerably rarer and taboo at this time, the writings of such have long been faded into obscurity. To my knowledge, there was not a new miraculous created for centuries. Even I'm in the dark over how to do it."

"Something, that's been bothering me too, Tikki… Do kwami's go to heaven?"

"Huh?"

"I mean, if a human being can be created by alchemy and if kwami's were created by alchemy, doesn't a soul has been put into question?" Marinette questioned. Tikki opened her mouth but nothing came out, as if she was struggling to speak.

"I… I…"

And for once, Tikki was at a loss for words.

Meanwhile, at the Agreste Manor

Plagg was once again munching on a camembert cheese, while Adrien was watching the news. There were constant recaps of the random incidents over the past few days. The same had been said more and more as the incidents are piling up.

"Is this what Tikki was talking about…?" Adrien muttered. With a sigh, he turned off the TV. "How are you holding up, Plagg?" he asked.

"I can tell you one thing, it's been literally centuries since we had to use so many cataclysms in such little time," Plagg replied, swallowing up his last piece of camembert.

"Hope you get bright, 'cause we're meeting Ladybug in a bit," He answered.

"Are you going to share Ladybug that you're faking your death?"

"Only if it's absolutely necessary, after all, it might compromise my identity," Adrien deducted.

"Touché," Plagg conceded.

"Part of me doesn't want to do this. After all, I don't know for sure if Father is actually Hawk Moth," Adrien pondered. "I have to know for sure if he is. If he isn't, I'll do what I must to make amends…" He trailed off.

"And if he is…?" Plagg asked. Adrien hesitated.

"That's why I'm doing this," He replied. He then noticed the blue shades of the final stages of the sunset before going completely dark. "It's almost time to meet."

"Ready to go anytime."

"Plagg, Claws Out!"

Later in the Eiffel Tower…

Ladybug landed on top of the tower, only to find Cat Noir already waiting for her there. She couldn't help but roll her eyes with a smirk at the silhouette of her partner as it only paved way for his usual shtick.

"Cat Noir," Ladybug greeted.

"Hey, Little Lady. How're you're holding up?" Cat Noir asked approaching her as he span his staff before leaning on it.

"My kwami is tired up because of what's been happening, but right now, she's well enough to transform," she answered, trying to sound nonchalant. But Cat just looked down with a sigh as he scratched the back of his head.

"I kind of got us in some sort of jam, huh?"

"Don't say that… I know what you had to do, I understand and I'm the one who's sorry I wasn't there for you," She gently said, placing her hand on his shoulder. Cat smiled at her before turning towards the city horizon. Ladybug joined him in the Parisian night view in silence. After a few minutes of savoring the view, Cat broke the ice.

"Have you been wondering why I tend to dive first, my lady?"

"Huh?"

"Whenever a villain pops up, I always attack first, this may seem reckless but have you figure out the real reason I do that?" he elaborated, turning to her. For a second, Ladybug was about to playfully counter him with a sassy remark, but given the seriousness of Cat's tone, she thought a little harder than that. "It was to protect you…" he concluded.

"I haven't given much thought of it, to be honest…"

"Well, I think what happened with Timemaster proved my point."

"What do you mean?"

"Ladybug, you and I both know that you're the only one who can purify an Akuma once it's freed," Cat Noir stated. "Look, I know when to stop and think. I have friends at school who are too quick to jump to conclusions. I try to play the diplomat and keep the peace as best as I can but… even I tend to mess up once in a while…"

"Cat, I…"

"They need you more than they need me…"

"That's not true!" Ladybug countered nearing him, raising her voice.

"Are you certain? We're doing everything we can, and until Master Fu can free all the other miraculous, we can't always ask Rena Rouge and the others for help," Cat Noir revealed. "With our kwamis exhausted, I don't know how can we keep this up…" He paused for a moment, he turned his view towards the city and continued; "Timemaster got to you and you couldn't help. Look where it got us… I mean, remember Style Queen?" he asked.

"Yes?"

"So, you remember that I couldn't join you? Yet everything worked out. But what happened when you couldn't help?"

"You're overthinking it, Cat Noir," she countered. "Heck, I wouldn't have even won if it wasn't for Plagg. I too made my share of mistakes, believe it or not, I was the cause of some of these people being akumatized. Remember Volpina? That was me! Heck, believe it ir not, I too was targeted by Hawk Moth to be Akumatized, so I too tend to let my emotions get the best of me," Cat Noir closed his eyes and breathed deeply. Ladybug moved in closer and hugged him. "I need you," she said. Cat's eyed widened and stared at her.

"S-Say that one more time…" Cat inquired. Ladybug then rested her head on his shoulder.

"I need you. After all, you still defeated Timemaster and even though you couldn't balance the cure, all those terminally ill people you cured. Many were dying in those hospitals and you saved them. I couldn't have been prouder, Cat." She assured him. Cat scoffed playfully and chuckled.

"Yeah, I totally forgot about these sick people," Cat Noir said, his voice became more spirited. "Thanks, My Lady."

"Anytime, Kitty."

A few weeks later…

Mordecai and Rigby were running around with their phone up recording what they witness. They reach the Merry-go-round where they finally caught a glimpse of the heroes jumping around against what appears to be another Cat Noir.

"Holy crap, Rigby, are you getting this?"

"A Cat Noir impostor? Dude this is so out there!"

"Dude, I think they're heading towards the tower!" Mordecai shouted as they made a break

"Dude, I feel like that kid from 'Chronicle!'" Rigby chided. Running behind Mordecai.

"LUCKY CHARM!" Ladybug's voice is heard from the distance while emitting a red radiance from the source. Once they reach the commotion, they witness Ladybug and the Cat Noir impostor landing nearby a seafood stand and then witnessed the Cat Noir phony turn into an…

"Oyster?"

"What?"

They then witness Ladybug open the oyster and use her cure to once again repair the damages caused by the incident. The two heroes would greet the victim. The two stared at had what just transpired, after a few moments they then stared at each other for another moment before finally jump in amazement.

"Whoa-ho-ho hoa! Did you get that?" Mordecai asked in his own excitement. "We actually recorded actual superheroes in action!" he said shadow boxing.

"Oh yeah, never mind the fact that the Ladyblog had recorded her powers like a million times," Rigby replied.

"Hey, you know what they say… Nothing beats the real thing!" Mordecai replied while Rigby reviewed the footage. His face went from excitement to confusion.

"Ehhh… Wait a minute…" he said while moving around the touch screen.

"Hmm? What is it?" Mordecai asked.

"That kid didn't seem to be too grateful…" Rigby replied as Mordecai began to look closer.

"Hey that's Lila Russo," Mordecai pointed out.

"You know her?"

"I heard about her. According to Ms. Bustier, everyone seemed to take a liking to her. Except for Marinette who she had less than favorable opinions about her. Which is weird since she always seemed so pure," Mordecai chronicled.

"Are you going to teach that class again?"

"You bet, Ms. Bustier did say the class wanted me back so she hired me as her assistant," Mordecai replied.

"You know it's really been a while since we actually have villain since the whole Timemaster thing," Rigby raid while scratching the back of his head.

"Yeah but all those random accidents and crashes and all that jazz have been keeping them busy. Speaking of which, it's actually been a while since we got those freak accidents. Maybe the whole thing blew over," Mordecai concluded.

As if on cue, a street light was falling on top of the two. Rigby quickly took note.

"Look out!" he shouted pushing Mordecai out of the way while he let himself fall backward with the momentum as the pole landed between them. Then, out of the blue, the ground began to crack rather violently as if the earth was splitting open. The cracking went out of their sight up until where they heard glass breaking and screaming.

"Spoke too soon," Mordecai said.

Agreste Manor… Adrien's Room…

"*sigh* What am I going to do with her?" Adrien asked himself as he typed in his laptop. Plagg emerged from behind.

"Are you still frowning about that girl?"

"Lila hasn't let go of her grudge… I know her well…"

"Do you think she's in cahoots with Hawk Moth?" Plagg asked.

"I don't want to believe it but she was akumatized so many times, don't think that was pure coincidence," Adrien concluded.

"When it rains, it pours," Plagg added, chowing down his last piece of camembert.

"You seem awfully calm about this, Plagg," Adrien said, staring at Plagg while raising an eyebrow.

"I told you before, you're not the first Cat Noir to find himself in these sticky situations," Plagg pointed out.

"Maybe, I'll ask you someday…"

"Still, Adrien, if you're really going to leave it all behind, you have to do it quickly," Plagg added.

"Master Fu has already made the necessary preparations, including my new bank account, but..." he then looked down and sighed. "I… I really don't want to do this, Plagg."

"That's the burden of a superhero, you have to make tough calls," Plagg said. Adrien the silently went to his window. He slightly rested his head and arm on the glass as he stared out the window.

"I wonder…"

A/N: Things will pick up at the next chapter, I promise you.