Another bland week passed without anything to make incident of. Nathanael was, albeit a little thankful for the respite, bored and lonely. Of course he spent time with Rose and Juleka, the later of the two who kept nagging him about the dance, but his relationship with Marinette had fallen into a pit. Their friendship was in a stilted and awkward phase and both were unsure of when or how they could contact each other, or if they even should.

Nathanael fell asleep most nights staring at Marinette's number on his phone and daring his hands to be brave enough to send her a message. Ladybug would linger across the road from his room, looking into his window and not sure what she was hoping to see.

Their partnership in school had ended with their project, and they now had less of a reason to be together. When they passed in halls of classrooms they would smile or wave, but they both assumed it to be safer if they kept their budding friendship a secret. Who knew what danger they could be in.

Anyway, Nathanael was less interested in being party to Marinette's adoration of Adrien. Seeing her room was already too much. Luckily for Nathanael, Adrien continued to look the other way from Marinette. Marinette on the other hand, bless her sweet heart, was too enamored, or too oblivious, to pick up on the crush Adrien had on Ladybug.

Nathanael had tried to steer as clear of Adrien as possible, even more than he did before. It wasn't that he disliked the blond, as a matter of fact he had always thought of Adrien as a very kind and thoughtful person. Lately, however, in light of Nathanael's adventures with Ladybug, Adrien had been keeping a closer eye on him. It seemed that every time Nathanael cast a glance at Adrien, he was already boring a small hole into the side of his head. It wasn't a cruel attention, but a very curious one. Nathanael just prayed that no one else caught on. He didn't need any attention, just in case it brought harm to Marinette. Still it seemed that he keep his crush mostly to himself. Juleka must have good connections to get the information she did.

It was Saturday and Nathanael had slept in late. He awoke to warm sunlight on his face, and shambled down stairs and discovered that he was home alone. It wasn't too shocking, since Saturday was shopping day. Still brushing sleep from his eyes, he grabbed a quick breakfast and returned to his room to contemplate his day.

His phone had no new messages or notifications to speak up, and all was quiet on the social media front. There was some homework to be done, but an art assignment that would probably be the top priority for the day. It was simple enough. He just needed to go to the museum to sketch and journal about the pieces that inspired him the most. Overall it would be a very relaxing day. Before he left he grabbed his pocket journal and his art class sketch pad.

A sunny midday had settled by the time he had reached the museum, and the sunny skies gave the day a pleasant feel. People bustled about to and fro around him, shopping and sightseeing. There were even some street performers out playing music or dancing for the tourists and fellow Parisians. Nathanael even tossed a few dollars into a particularly talented saxophone players hat before he entered the museum.

The museum was equally bustling with life as people admired the art. It wasn't the Louvre, but the works here were equally stunning and even included some interesting modernist art and installments. While that of course did appeal to him, he felt this project would be much simpler if he focused on portraits and landscapes. Grabbing a brochure, he headed into the depths of the building.

That's how he found himself about an hour later, admiring a portrait of victory. He'd passed by it at first and had come back again, the picture stirring something in him. He had already done a few small drawings and journal writings. He was rereading the passage in the brochure about the artist when he felt a sensation creep up his leg.

It was by no means unfamiliar, but it was certainly unwelcome. He looked down at his legs wondering if, maybe, he was just imagining something. A darkness was spreading fast up his legs and he dropped his brochure in a mix of fear and surprise as the darkness spread up his torso. The colors of his clothing changed into that of the Evilillustrator, and the feeling of dark emotions overtook him.

He could tell, with his last few moments of conscious thought, that his was not his. Whatever was happening to him didn't come from any natural emotion inside of him. Just as before new thoughts flooded his mind, but they didn't belong to Hawkmoth. Somewhere, somewhere deep down and far away he was there, but the dominate voice was that of... Almost.. A little girl.

Forgive me, Marinette, he thought as the darkness reached the top of him, his transformation complete. He had forgotten about the assignment and the art. His being was filled with rage, injustice and hurt. It was like looking far away and he was disconnected from everything. All he knew was that he was needed.

"I'm gonna get your Miraculous!" Cried the Puppeteer.

"Not so fast," said Ladybug with a fake bravado.

Things were looking grim for the spot clad heroine. Her partner had been transformed into a puppet and it was two against one. Ladybug thought that she could take them down, and as she swung up behind them on a support beam she noticed the wand that Manon was holding. The Akuma had to be in there. This might be easier than she thought.

She landed hard, and whipped out her yo-yo prepared to swing the wand right out of the little girl's hand. Of course she shouldn't have expected it to be so easy, and in the process Chat Noir was thrown in the way of her weapon and thrown backward.

"Sorry," she said in a loud whisper as her partner skidded back on the floor.

As she did so the door was thrust open and three new bodies walked in. Ladybug only glanced at them, keeping her eyes on the wand. Still 3 extra foes wasn't going to be an easy target. There were more variables here than she was planning for.

"Five against one, that's not very fair," she remarked as her eyes scanned them.

She caught sight of one figure that made her heart catch in her throat. Of course Alya was there, she'd seen her first hand as she changed into Lady Wifi on the bus earlier, and considering she did have a RogerCop doll it wasn't too surprising to see him there either. But it was Nathanael, or rather the Evilillustrator who made her stomach turn. Now she was down not only a partner, but her sidekick was turned full on evil. This might be more than even she could handle.

"The Ladybug doll!" Said the Puppeteer. "Get it!"

Ladybug braced herself for what might come and watched as Evilillustrator made a new phone so Lady Wifi could be back in action. She looked at the doll before holding it out to them, in a taunting manor. She shook the doll back and forth.

"Is this what you want? Come and get it," she growled and shot her yo-yo up back into the beams. She slid under RogerCop and behind him. On some crates was thing of wrapping tape and she picked it up before dashing away and out of the doors. She crashed up some stairs, never a fun exorcise and out yet another set of red doors and onto the roof. She dashed behind a light, catching her breath and waiting for the gaggle of baddies.

"First I've got to take care of them, then Puppeteer," she muttered, clutching the doll of herself. Various mummers of "where did she go?" floating around behind her. She peered around the spotlight to look at them before tilting the machinery downward and on, the light flooding her attackers.

She made her first path to Nathanael, she had to make sure that he was safe and out of the way. She'd have a lot of explaining to do when he came to, but she bound his hands together with the tape, and for extra measure bound him to RogerCop. Both were powerful enemies, but not so useful without their hands.

Making sure that her sidekick was safe and sound she headed next for Lady Wifi and Chat Noir. She jumped out of the way of Chat Noir's staff, landing on it and hurtling it out onto the streets below. She landed on the edge of the roof and collected the doll in her hand.

"If you want this doll so bad, go and get it," she said and reared back to pitch the doll as hard as she could. It rocketed across the street and nestled itself squarely in the Eiffel Tower. The two attackers sneered at her, their eyes casting quickly across the street.

"I'm faster than you," taunted Lady Wifi as she cast a symbol from her phone that she leaped aboard. "You're gonna lose, Ladybug."

With her distraction underway, she fled out the door and back down the stairs, into the studio room she was in just before. She burst in a promise or a threat spilling from her mouth, and dying on her lips as she noticed that the room was completely empty. Anxiety bubbling in her chest she looked around for the Puppeteer.

"Where is she?" Ladybug wondered anxiously before charging out of the room.

She found the Puppeteer in the front lobby just as Lady Wifi was handing her doll over. Manon cheered at her victory, an obnoxious laugh echoing from her. Marinette wondered how this experience would effect the little girl as she strode out in front of them.

"Drop that doll, Manon," she said with force.

"I'm not Manon, I'm Puppeteer!" She said evilly and sent Lady Wifi against her. Ladybug dodged the various symbols thrown her way before jumping behind something large, maybe a speaker? She made a calculated risk before deciding it was now or never.

"Lucky Charm!" She announced and tossed her yo-yo into the air. The resulting charm she received was a power strip, decked out in usual fashion red and black. Ladybug's eyebrows shot up in curiosity and a new panic. How in the world was she going to use this?

She turned around and noticed glumly that all her foes were back again, even Nathanael. Ladybug examined her enemies, taking note of Wifi's phone, Chat Noir's boot, RogerCop's arm guards and Evilillustrator's arms. She hoped beyond hope Nathanael would forgive her.

Her cover was removed, no doubt by Nathanael, and an onslaught of weapons shot her way. She made a quip, her bravado rising in her chest with this new plan in her mind. She jumped and swung, dodging the onslaught of attacks coming her way.

Chat Noir jumped at her, and missed, and she shot back a yo-yo to catch his leg. Using the momentum she swung him forward so that he crashed into Lady Wifi. She knocked one of RogerCop's blows into Evilillustrator's chest and startled him. Ladybug hardly had time to think as she charged into him, grabbing him and flipping him over onto the ground. She gave him a small and apologetic glance before moving on to the next step that might owe a bigger apology.

She swung herself around to knock both RogerCop and Evilillustrator forward into Lady Wifi and Chat Noir. Lady Wifi shot a pausing ray at Evilillustrator who froze upside down in midair. Ladybug looked at him, his face was almost cute. She shook her head and ignored that thought as she shot forward to catch Lady Wifi, and using her own momentum to shoot a pausing ray at Puppeteer just before becoming a puppet herself.

She walked over casually, enjoying the frozen scene before her, grabbed the wand and snapped in half on her knee. In mere moments she had DeAkumatized Manon and restored the lot to their former selves.

"But first, I'm just going to check on everyone," said Ladybug slyly as she crossed over to everyone who had been Akumatized. She didn't have very long before she would transform back, but she needed to make sure that Nathanael was alright. Luckily he stood far away from the group.

"Mari... Ladyubg?" He said, holding his head. "Where I am? What happened?"

"I'm about to change," she whispered to him. "Can you hang out for 10 minutes? I'll explain everything."

"Sure?" He said, checking his pockets, his journal and sketch pad safe and sound.

No one seemed to notice their brief interaction, save Chat Noir. However, he couldn't hang around and accost him. He was now every late for a meeting with his designer, and he knew that punishment would be taken if he didn't hurry.

Marinette took a few minutes longer than she said she would, because she got a call from Alya. She had almost forgotten! They were going to see a movie. She answered the phone and her friend's voice came across, sounding tired and confused.

"Hey, girl," she said weakly.

"Alya! Are you okay, what happened?" Said Marinette, playing dumb, although hoping her friend was okay.

"Yeah, yeah I'm okay. I'm not sure what happened, but is it okay if I skip the movie? I have a wicked head ache."

After a few minutes of promising and repromising Alya that it was fine that they were going to miss the movie, and assuring her that it was more important for her to go home and rest, she was finally able to return to Nathanael. He now sat alone in the lobby, minus a few staff milling about here and there buzzing with the news.

"Can I walk you home?" She offered, holding out her hand.

Nathanael took it as she shakily pulled him to his feet. Even in the small daze he was in, he was still awed at her strength and he fought to repress the blush that threatened to stain his cheeks. She smiled at him in a new way, a kind of guilty way he didn't understand until a short time later.

They stopped in the park, grabbing ice cream and finding a bench to sit on. They had kept quiet about the events for the walk to the park, but now that they were alone Marinette felt safe enough to confide in him. She had a hard time looking at anything other than her strawberry ice cream.

"I'm so sorry," she said for, what Nathanael had to assume, was at least the 30th time.

"Marinette," he said stopping on to lick the pistachio ice cream that was starting to melt down his hand, "it's okay. Honestly."

"I know I just feel bad, because you didn't even know what was going on," she said sheepishly.

"Exactly. I'm just so glad it wasn't me this time," he said with a laugh.

"Yeah, it was Manon entirely. She was just so mad I wouldn't let her win with my dolls, or have my dolls that she took them," said Marinette with a laugh.

"I'm still amused that you have a doll of me," said Nathanael with a sly glance and small blush. This time it was Marinette's turn to turn as pink as her ice cream.

"Well last time you came over you made me think about it, and I really like the design of the Evilillustrator's costume, and I'm hoping to have the full set," she said quickly as it slowly began to devolve into gibberish. Nathanael chuckled and continued to eat his ice cream.

"I'm sorry," said Marinette finally.

"If you say that one more time, Marinette, you'll be in trouble," said Nathanael casting her a side glance.

"Oh really?" Said Marinette raising an eyebrow. "What will you do?"

"Say it again and find out," he said with a shrug.

"I'm sorry," she said. He gave her a look that said, I warned you and thrust his hand out so that his ice cream touched her nose, leaving a little bit of the cold dessert on her face.

Marinette was startled by this, and looked to her nose and to him with her eyes wide and smile threatening her lips. She burst out laughing and he did too, offering her a napkin. As she whipped the ice cream off, Nathanael had stopped laughing with a pained wince.

"Are you okay?" She said suddenly.

"Yeah, just a headache," he said, patting his head gingerly.

"Come on, let's get you home," she said with a smile. They both got up and Marinette gave him a smirk.

"But first," she said slyly. She reached out her ice cream and touched his nose with it and they devolved into a fit of laughter again.

By the time he had gotten home, his headache was a dull but constant throbbing in his skull. Marinette promised she would be back in a few hours on her patrol to make sure that he was okay. He crawled upstairs, ignoring his mother's offer for dinner and changed into a pair of pajamas.

After taking some medicine for his head he climbed on top of his bed and fell asleep almost immediately. He didn't miss the feeling of being Akumatized and the emotions and fatigue it left behind. Every inch of him was tired and he dreamed of Marinette and ice cream.

He slept for a few hours before a soft rapping on his window woke him. He jumped up with a start, and looked at the window. From the dim light he could make out Ladybug's face smiling at him, sleepily and clumsily he clambered out of bed and opened the window.

"Hello, Marinette," he said, rubbing his eyes.

"Hi, Nathanael," she said brightly as she watched him climb onto the roof with her. They sat and looked out across the city.

"Hi," he said with a yawn.

"Did I wake you?" She said with a small laugh.

"I'm always asleep," he said with a tired sigh, his eyes still blurry.

"I just wanted to make sure you're okay. Do you feel better? How's your head."

"That's a lot of questions. I'm okay, mom."

"Don't sass me," said Marinette with a laugh. "I can go if you want."

"Stay a little longer," he said, reaching out for her hand. He found it and gave a small squeeze. "Just a little longer."

"O-okay," she said, feeling the warmth of his hand threw her costume. He acted much more forward when he was tired.

"Would you like a cup of tea?" He offered.

"Honestly I'd love one. I can't make it like you can. But I'm afraid you'd spill boiling water on yourself. How about next Sunday?"

"Sure," he said with a smile.

They sat quietly for a long time, his hand still on hers. They both had forgotten it was there, a small source of warmth among the dark night. It was only until Marinette moved that Nathanael, who had since woken up a bit more, pulled his hand away. He tucked into his lap, blushing.

"Could I ask you a favor?" Asked Nathanael, his courage growing.

"Shoot," said Ladbug.

"And you can say no, and I don't want to back you into any corners," he added quickly.

"Just say it," she said rolling her eyes.

"Well I don't know if you know it, but Juleka has got a pretty big crush on Rose."

"That's so cute!"

"I know. But she's too scared to ask her out. She made a deal with me that she would ask Rose to the dance, if you'd come with me?"

"Sure!" Said Marinette.

"Really?" Asked Nathanael, not believing his ears.

"I'd love to help them out," she said.

"It doesn't have to be a date," said Nathanael quickly, realizing that her acceptance was more for Juleka than him.

"Oh," said Marinette. "I mean, sure. No date. Just friends?"

"Yeah. Friends."

They sat in an awkward silence for a little longer.

"I'm still going to wear a dress," said Marinette defiantly. "And I don't care how cheesy it, would you want to wear a matching tie or shirt?"

"Sidekick's got to look the part," he said nudging her with his shoulder. "You're the designer. Whatever you want, you're already helping me."

"Then it's a date," she said automatically. "Or, friend date?"

"Friend date," said Nathanael, a blush spreading vibrantly on his cheeks. Ladybug looked up at the moon a gave a brief shiver.

"I should probably get going," she said standing up.

"Okay, Marinette," he said softly. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight, Nathanael," she said with a smile before vanishing into the night.

Nathanael watched after her for a long time, long after her form was gone from the night. He wrapped his arms around his legs and rested his chin against his knees, his mind and heart racing. He had a date with Marinette. She had even gone out of her way to add date to it. They'd wear matching outfits. Maybe she would even let him dance with her.

"You're awfully friendly with Ladybug," came a voice from behind him. Nathanael jumped so hard he nearly fell off the roof. He turned to see Chat Noir leaning against the building, his face darkened by the shadows.

"You'd be surprised how often I get that," said Nathanael tiredly.

"Maybe I wouldn't be," laughed Chat Noir. "You feeling better?"

"That's what Ladybug asked me too. Yeah, I'm fine. It's nice to know that so many superheroes around here care about the well-being of their citizens," said Nathanael in what he hoped was a friendly tone.

"You know, I keep hearing about you and her," said Chat Noir, gazing out into the city, almost ignoring what Nathanael had just said.

"Rumors are dangerous, Chat Noir," said Nathanael.

"So are assumptions. I guess that's why I came to ask some questions, just to set me straight."

"Ask away, I guess?"

"Do you know Ladybug's identity?"

This question floored Nathanael. He thought he had been careful to not reveal to that anyone, let alone Chat Noir who he had zero interaction with. Though he figured it would give Chat Noir a reason to visit him, he was Ladybug's partner and he had to make sure her identity was safe too. That was pretty noble of him. Nathanael almost felt bad for lying, but Ladybug had told him that not even Chat Noir knew, and he wasn't about to hand that information out.

"I think the only one here who knows is you, Chat Noir," he lied, hoping to come off dumb. A bitter laugh punctured the night.

"Even I don't know that," he said.

"Anything else?" Asked Nathanael.

"I guess not," said Chat Noir, almost sadly. He crouched down and looked Nathanael in the eyes, his green eyes behind the mask piercing him.

"Whatever your connection to her is, I'm her partner. I'm here to keep her safe. If you do anything to harm her, I'll be after you. I'm asking, maybe as a friend, maybe as an enemy, that you keep her safe," he said, concern in his voice.

"I'll do my best," said Nathanael as he gazed into those eyes. Why were they so familiar?

"And I'll stay out of your hair. Goodnight," he said, lengthening his staff. Nathanael caught the cold glint of his ring and watched as Chat Noir stalked off into the night. Something in the way he walked...

Then it hit him like a train. Chat Noir's true identity. There was no way. Nathanael got up quickly and rushed inside. He paced and paced, the facts running through his mind as the clock ticked on. But there was no other option.

Adrien Agreste was Chat Noir.