Chapter 73: Panther Noir

It's another school day. Luka Couffaine makes sure to gives Luuna things to do inside his guitar case so she won't get bored and explore during the day. Juleka offers Luuna some beef jerky, and the siblings enter Francoise Dupont High School together. Jean Duparc joins up with his best friends, Jakeel Aristide and Pierre Lefevre. However, his mind is elsewhere as he knows he needs to find a secret keeper to fulfill his responsibilities to the B Team. Plus there's the whole "antique akumatized item" part and the "powers surge" thing. He considers both Jakeel and Pierre, but he admits both are pretty irresponsible. Especially Jakeel. But Jean doesn't want to tell his parents; he knows they'll try to stop him. Who does that leave? Does he tell Rose Lavillant, his crush? Who is he kidding? He can't even confess to her, let along reveal a secret like this. Meg Delphinus hangs out with her best friend, Rachel Beauchene. However, Rachel lets some of her closeted tendencies towards sadism slip out—enough that Meg actually expresses concern for Rachel. Meg wonders about Rachel's new hobby in kendo—isn't kendo about honing one's spirit and honor? Why is Rachel getting so blood-thirsty? This causes the two to get into a small argument.

The Agreste limo pulls up, and Marinette Dupin-Cheng is waiting on her toes. She has a letter in a pink envelope in her hands, and she's going to attempt to hand it to Adrien and reveal her feelings. Kagami Tsurugi, however, notices and pulls Marinette aside. Kagami in her usual blunt fashion says that they need to talk, and Kagami tries to discourage Marinette in pursuing Adrien any further. Kagami admits to giving up on him herself. "He's not the person you think he is." Which causes Marinette a moment of fright, wondering what Kagami learned. Kagami elaborates, explaining that Adrien ghosted her multiple times—he didn't even text to say plans had canceled. He even promised multiple times he'd be there; she waited and waited and waited for him. And nothing. He clearly has no problem standing people up and lying about his availability. And he doesn't care how much that hurts them as he keeps doing it. Marinette comments that that really doesn't seem like Adrien at all. Kagami insists it's true. Marinette asks Kagami about the times, and when Kagami answers, Marinette quickly pieces together that Adrien was busy being Cat Noir at the time. Marinette insists then that Adrien never intended to hurt Kagami and that "maybe something came up." Kagami argues that if that was the case, Adrien could have called. Marinette continues to argue on Adrien's behalf, but Kagami cuts her off. "I'm over Adrien. But as a friend, I just wanted to warn you. Because I didn't want you to get hurt." Kagami leaves. And Marinette is really touched by Kagami's assertion that they're friends. But she feels bad that Kagami and Adrien broke up due to his superhero responsibilities. She talks to Tikki and Roarr and Daizzi, and Tikki points out that that means Adrien is open for Marinette. But Marinette says she doesn't want her relationships to hurt her friends. She just can't leave things like this.

Without Marinette or Kagami approaching Adrien when he arrives in school, that gives Lila Rossi the opening she was looking for. She takes him by the elbow and begins to talk like a kind, interested friend. She then, very coyly, brings the conversation to the library and how she was studying there alone the other day. Adrien shows guilt, and he admits to missing Kagami there. Lila acts confused. She was there all afternoon and didn't see Kagami anywhere. "Let me check though, just to make sure." She pulls out her selfies, which have false time stamps, and makes it look as if Kagami also stood Adrien up. Lila insists that maybe Kagami just wasn't all that interested in studying with Adrien. "But if you ever need a real study partner, I'm available." Adrien, however, feels really guilty as he realized Kagami had likely stormed out at that point and is still very angry with him. He realizes he needs to talk with her.

Giselle Winters-Blanchet is back from her vacation with her father, and she and her group of friends (Meera Pugliese and Raissa Deschamps) are cooing at something on Giselle's phone. They attract attention, and soon Alya Cesaire, Yvonne Garnier, and Genevieve Faucher are also looking. Giselle is calling it the "cutest picture of Cat Noir" ever, to which the others laugh and agree. Nathaniel Kurtzberg walks by with Marc Anciel and raises an eyebrow at that. "Cute" and "Cat Noir" don't really belong together. So Nathaniel asks to see too. Giselle hands him her phone, and it's a photograph of a black kitten with one white paw. She explains that it's her newest pet—she and her father found it, abandoned, near her grandma's grave. She wasn't sure if her father would even let her keep it, but he did. So she called it "Cat Noir" or, more often, "Kitty Noir" (as a shout-out to her former crush. As of adopting the cat, Giselle has fully gotten over that crush). Marc laughs behind his hand. Nathaniel, however, comments with how fuzzy the kitten it, along with the white markings, he looks more like a "Black Krrsantan." Giselle accepts her cell phone back and states that if she's going to go for a Star Wars name, she'd rather pick someone from the Knights of the Old Republic. Nathaniel is floored that she understood both his "Black Krrsantan" reference and then replied back with another nerd references with the Knights of the Old Republic. Both of them start comparing more obscure Star Wars lore that they enjoy, losing pretty much everyone else present. Meera Pugliese does comment that her favorite thing about Star Wars are the Klingons.

Within the same morning, Fumikage Tokoyami approaches Tsuyu Asui—and he's quite nervous. He catches her by her locker and quietly greets Froppy the kwami before turning to the matter at hand. He brings up that they decided to be an official couple for a while now. But they haven't actually gone on a d-d-date. So, w-would Tsuyu be interested in…? Tsuyu interrupts him, saying she'd love to. She suggests the Aquarium de Paris, which Fumikage agrees to.

In addition, Lila Rossi is still continuing her plotting. Once again, she forces her schemes onto Lapinna, the cabbit kwami. Lila orders Lapinna to sabotage the drinking fountain, and Lapinna finds she must despite her protests. Lila stops Ivan Bruel from using it, claiming it's broken. As she's talking to Ivan, Mathieu Anciel walks up to use the fountain and gets drenched with water right in his eyes. Lila makes a show of being concerned and helping Mathieu and encouraging him to see the nurse all while lamenting how she had totally previously reported the issue and how dare Principal Damocles not listen to her when she's just concerned about everyone's safety.

The bell rings, and students disperse to their classes. Before Miss Bustier can properly begin her lecture, Madam Gros knocks and requests Adrien Agreste join her for his mental health screening. Miss Bustier agrees, and Adrien leaves.

Inside the counselor's office, Adrien gets comfortable while Madam Gros begins to get information on him about his friends, family, career, grades, and hobbies. Adrien starts in his "golden boy" persona, admitting to working hard, having good grades, and balancing his work as a model with his home life. It's when Madam Gros brings up the well-known state of his parents that Adrien's mask begins to crack. He voices his frustration about not being able to help them and how much it hurts to see his mother there—and yet still just out of reach. He wants to be able to talk to them finally. Madam Gros notices that slip and inquires farther.

This causes Adrien to reveal his rather distant, strained relationship with his father which was exacerbate when his mother vanished. Adrien admits to being closer to his mother all along even though her work as an actress often kept her from home. One example he mentions is how he and his mother would always have a quiet, cozy but elegant birthday dinner together for his birthday every year. But because of her filming schedule, the day seldom landed on his actual birthday. He loved that time with his mother very much—yet now he feels guilty because this year, he had wanted a big party with all his friends and people his own age. But now, his mother is comatose. What he wouldn't give for one more dinner together with her.

When Madam Gros inquires about his friends, Adrien admits he has made more friends in the past year than he has had his entire life (due to being homeschooled/tutored). Yet he often wonders if he can really be himself around them. He's afraid if he relaxes, they'll reject him. But Ladybug said they won't. I trust her. But… He admits to trying to tell a joke on occasion with mixed results. And he certainly never lets his friends see his vulnerable side. Of course, his relationship with his oldest friend, Chloe Bourgeois, is rocky right now what with her being very upset due to her parents' divorce compounded with the fact that he rejected her romantic feelings.

This leads to Dolores Gros asking Adrien about how he feels. Adrien admits that there is someone he likes…but she's turned him down like a hundred times already. Madam Gros rather bluntly tells him to stop trying at that point. Adrien acknowledges her point, but internally he admits that his own heart and feelings just won't give up.

Things lull, so Madam Gros asks Adrien his thoughts on Ladybug and Cat Noir. Adrien sings Ladybug's praises and comments that she and Cat Noir are made for each other. Madam Gros just raises an eyebrow and moves on to asking about Mayura and Hawk Moth. Adrien looks down at his hands, which curl into fists as his sense of justice and injustice ignites. He admits non-stop frustration against Hawk Moth for everything he's done and all the people he's hurt. Adrien further confesses that, even though there's no evidence, he fully believes that Hawk Moth is the sole reason his parents are comatose right now. Everything that goes wrong in Paris is Hawk Moth's fault…and he hates him for it. Madam Gros asks if Adrien is willing to work towards seeing Hawk Moth stopped forever. Adrien agrees and says he's already doing what he can. He wants nothing more than to see the man who hurt his parents punished. (Oh, the irony.)

Madam Gros sees someone bitter and useful, someone who is likely to depend on her as he has no strong adult figure in his life. She turns her back on Adrien and produces the Western Order's miracle box. Adrien's blood runs cold as his eyes grow wide. Plagg lets out an exclamation, and Adrien covers by acting it was him all along. Adrien manages to stammer "it's you…you're the one who…"

Madam Gros calmly explains that she's looking for allies to empower to take down Hawk Moth forever—and she sees Adrien has the right qualities. Adrien's mind is racing even though his body is frozen with a dumbstruck expression. She offers him an armlet from the miracle box if he agrees to work for her. All the while, Adrien realizes that he's looking into the face of Cat Noir's enemy: she is the leader of the Western Order they've been looking for. What did Master Fu say? "Beware the elephant"? He realizes he is in a very dangerous situation because if Madam Gros learns he's Cat Noir, it's all over. He sweats and stammers as he tries to decide what's the best to do. Refuse and get the heck out of Dodge to warn Ladybug? Or pretend to go along with things and spy to turn up more information? Madam Gros is clearly expecting an answer though she also has no idea one of her greatest opponents is right in front of her.

That's when he feels Plagg wiggling inside his pocket. And the one thing he can't do is compromise his identity as Cat Noir. That would hurt everyone: Master Fu, Kamaitachi, Pegasus, Buck, Plume, the B Team—and most importantly of all, Ladybug. So Adrien very politely nudges the armlet back towards Madam Gros. He says he doesn't need to be a hero under her to oppose all the wrong Hawk Moth is doing. He then makes an excuse and edges towards the door.

Madam Gros very saccharinely urges him not to leave in such a hurry. He repeats his excuse. Madam Gros then transforms into Ivory right in front of him, allowing Adrien to see very briefly Ellie the elephant kwami. He's just about to run for it when Ivory hits him with "Oblivion!"

Adrien leaves her office a bit dazed, suspecting nothing at all. He then feels a lump in his pocket and realizes that Plagg was in the process of trying to hand him his cell phone. "Plagg? Why?" Plagg wonders too. He has no idea why he was holding Adrien's phone. Adrien pulls it out and realizes that he or Plagg had been in the middle of typing a message. "Madam Gros is the l—" "Why would I type this?" Adrien wonders. He stares at his phone a little longer, feeling uneasy. But as far as he knows, his appointment was Gros was perfectly normal.

Elsewhere in Paris, a small black kitten with one white paw squeezes its way out of an open window. It makes its way down a nearby fire escape and beings to explore the city. But the city is huge and scary to a small kitten. He's nearly hit by cars and stepped on by people. The smells are unfamiliar, and the noises are too loud. The kitten quickly gets lost and scared. Where is the girl who takes such good care of him and makes sure he never goes hungry like he did when he was a stray? He misses her.

It's lunchtime at Francoise Dupont High School, and social groups meet up. Adrien puts the puzzle of the mysterious message on his cell phone out of his mind and goes to find Kagami. She greets him coldly, and he apologizes profusely again for standing her up. Kagami repeats that it's over as she was seeing things in him that aren't really there. She thought he felt the same way about her as she felt about him; she was wrong. Adrien insists he values her friendship and wants to spend time with her and cares about her and wants to talk with her. Kagami points out that his actions don't align with that. He can apologize all he wants, but what's the point if his actions never change? Kagami walks away. Adrien is clearly hurting. But he's not the only one. Kagami, though putting on a strong and cold front against Adrien, falters when she's alone. She looks at her cell phone—still with only four contacts, one of which is Adrien. Tears leak.

Alya Cesaire and Marinette Dupin-Cheng also meet up to have lunch together. Marinette notices Alya sliding a grape into her pursue for Trixx but doesn't comment. Alya asks Marinette if she gave her most recent letter to Adrien, and Marinette admits she was unable. But then Marinette continues and fills Alya in on what happened between Kagami and Adrien. Marinette remarks that she feels really guilty that Kagami's been hurt through all of this. Alya points out that Marinette has no personal responsibility whatsoever in Adrien choosing to ghost Kagami. Marinette feels guilty still though as she knows Adrien was busy being Cat Noir alongside her—she just can't say as much. (But it really is Adrien's fault as Kagami was able to appear as Ryuko and still make it for their study date. Adrien let it completely slip his mind.) Alya tries to reassure Marinette, saying she understands that Kagami is a new friend. But Marinette isn't responsible for everything. And what does Marinette want to do? Help her rival in love get together with the guy they both want? Marinette insists that isn't the case—she just knows Adrien isn't the kind of person who would intentionally hurt a friend. Alya then questions how Marinette can be so certain that Adrien didn't intentionally ghost Kagami and that Adrien truly had good intentions the entire time. Marinette then devolves into her usual stammers because she can't admit she knows Adrien's very good excuse. Alya suspects something is up and raises an eyebrow, but she doesn't pry any further—after all, she has secrets too. Though she does add, "You know you can talk to me about anything, you're my best friend."

Tristan Fortier and Stella Tenebrae are discussing the physical aspects of boxing and commiserating how their sports (track for Stella) aren't as appreciated as soccer. Viktor Vasiliev finds a quiet corner to work on a wooden, 3D puzzle box by himself. Fumikage Tokoyami finds him and joins him, asking what he's doing. Viktor confesses to really enjoying puzzles like these. It's one of the reasons he loves DnD so much. He admits to having hidden behind puzzles and word searches as a kid due to severe shyness. But now, he does want to open up and make more friends, which he was hoping to do through DnD. He sorta grumbles at how small the club is. Fumikage admits it did work though—they are friends. Felix Graham de Vanily finds a place to be alone, maybe on the roof, and begins flipping through his phone; he's looking up tutors from London and long-distance learning, as well as a photo of him with his parents and their estate in London. It's clear he's homesick, but it's also clear he's making no attempt to integrate in Paris.

Lunchtime ends, and students return to their classes. In Mr. Haprele's class, he assigns a group project and picks out the partners. Raissa Deschamps gets paired with Nicholas Sancoeur, and her constant energy keeps him off guard. However, his usual stoic nature works in her favor as it keeps her focused on the assignment. Giselle works alongside Marc Anciel, and they discuss his sequel—though Marc is cautious not to spoil anything. Giselle asks him how that'll work when he and Nathaniel publish pages as web comic. Marc says that they're going to turn their web comic into a side story, a novella, while the main plot will be in the sequel. But he won't elaborate more as he wants it to be a surprise (including Buck and Plume being reimagined as villains in their comic). Marie Chauveau and Suzette Rault bully the others so that they can be partners. Viktor winds up teamed up with Jakeel Aristide, and they don't mesh well at all.

(Remember, everyone is here: (( photos . app . goo . gl / cgLSrNi71rxfep9e8 )).)

Madam Gros heads to Mr. Haprele's class and requests Giselle Winters-Blanchet attend her mental health screening. Once again, it's the usual questions about grades and hobbies, family and friends. Giselle does well in every subject except math. She has two best friends whom she trusts implicitly. She ice skates at the local rink as a non-school extracurricular, and she's actually considering advancing her lessons to see if she has what it takes to do figure skating. Though she doesn't want that to be her career. She's actually highly torn on her future plans as she'd like to be a veterinarian or a lawyer or a historian. But she does know that any of those will require college, which is why she keeps her grades up as much as she reasonably can.

When Madam Gros brings up her family, Giselle hesitates and then says that had Dolores asked this a week ago, her answer would have been very different. Before, she had thought her father just viewed her as a burden and that no matter how hard she tried, she would never please him. But after the bonding they did over their vacation, she's come to understand him a lot better. They're both hurting, but they're going to work together going forward. He doesn't see her as an inconvenience, he loves her. And Giselle got to process a lot of her own grief for her mother when she saw parallels in her father's life when he, too, lost his mother at a young age. She feels as if a huge weight is off her back. She doesn't have to push and push and push herself to be perfect. She can be herself. And that's enough. Plus, she just adopted the cutest new kitten whom she absolutely loves to pieces. Madam Gros stops her before she pulls out her cell phone and starts showing off pictures.

Madam Gros veers the topic towards Ladybug and Cat Noir, Hawk Moth and Mayura. Giselle sorta blushes and admits Cat Noir was probably her first crush. She's over him, but she does still admire him a whole lot. That's the point Madam Gros puts an X through Giselle's name, though she continues to ask a few more questions to uphold the masquerade. Then she sends Giselle back to class.

Into the afternoon, school ends, and the student body disperses. Fumikage Tokoyami and Tsuyu Asui meet up and head to the aquarium for their first date. Giselle texts Vivica, geeking out a bit over her new kitten and the fact she learned one of her friends is huge into Star Wars like she is. Vivica replies with "No way, I love Star Wars too!" which gets both talking full-on nerd. Adrien Agreste is also texting. He sends a message to Ladybug, asking if she had any luck finding a practice site and if not, he'll scout around that evening to see if he can find an ideal location. He also reminds Ladybug that they had discussed getting together to further translate the grimoire in order to discuss the Western Order's powers and weaknesses. Ladybug doesn't immediately reply as Marinette Dupin-Cheng is chatting with Alya Cesaire. Alya is discussing her Ladyblog and how she's trying to keep all of the new enemies of Ladybug and Cat Noir straight. She wonders who all is aligned with who: Draco, Adamantus, Hawk Moth, Rhino, Queen Scorpion etc. And why did they all appear now? Marinette compliments Alya's dedication, and Alya says that she hopes that her information also helps Ladybug and Cat Noir (in part as she's being more responsible as Rena Rouge). Marinette smiles and says that she's sure Ladybug appreciates Alya's efforts. Alya raises an eyebrow and wonders how Marinette can be so sure. Marinette stammers a bit and then says it's just obvious due to all the work Alya does. On her blog, of course.

Solomon the gorilla winds up being a bit late due to traffic—as does the Bourgeois limo. Which means Felix Graham de Vanily and Chloe Bourgeois both wind up waiting very impatiently for their rides. Chloe acknowledges Felix as Adrien's cousin, and Felix remarks that Chloe visits a few chapters back. They both strike up a conversation which is more about them mutually complaining about things in their lives and sulking. Nino Lahiffe joins up with the members of Kitty Section as they want to use his skills on the soundboard for a gig they landed at a local music night at a café. Everyone is pretty excited. Jean Duparc attempts to work up the nerve to talk to Rose Lavillant—but seeing her around so many of her friends causes him to freeze up. Le Chien Kim checks his phone for messages. He finally got word from Ondine. She slipped him a text from a friend's phone while she was at school. She says she's fine but still under tight watch from her parents—as in, still mega-grounded. But she's thinking about him a lot and wishes the best for him and "their new little friend."

Even though he can't see her, he's still thrilled to get a message and shows Max Kante. Max wonders about the "little friend" part. Kim realizes he might have let too much slip and then tries to backpedal in a way that convinces no one. Max is pretty good at reading Kim, and he reminds Kim that he already knows that Kim and Ondine are both Dauphin/e. Kim relents and takes Max (and Markov) aside where no one else can hear them. Kim then fully explains about the power surges that happens to the miraculous without kwamis and how it just happened to Ondine, resulting in her ongoing punishment. Max wonders why such a thing would happen. Kim tells Max not to shout—and then pulls out Finn, who had been hiding in his backpack. "You have a kwami?!" Kim explains the power surge results in the birth of a new kwami. At which point they both hear a small voice exclaim "there's a new kwami?!" Kim is confused, and Max coughs awkwardly. He figures he might as well come clean. He produces Kaalki, who had been hiding in his eye glass case. Kim is thrilled to meet Kaalki, though Kaalki is repulsed by his fashion sense. Max explains that Cat Noir trusted him with the horse miraculous permanently. That leads them to discussing how they're "on call" and chat with their teammates on Discord.

Meanwhile, a lost little kitten with one white paw has managed to catch the scent of his girl. He follows it to Francoise Dupont High School where he sneaks up the steps and prowls around inside, looking for his mistress. He walks under the feet of several groups of friends. This includes Gilles Chastain, who is talking with Nicholas Sancoeur, and Meg Delphinus, who is being hit on by an upperclassman who won't take "no" for an answer. The kitten is so focused on the trail that he doesn't realize Marie Chauveau and Suzette Rault are there until he bumps into the latter's legs. Marie is utterly disgusted at a "stray" being in the school and whines that she's allergic to filthy beasts like that (which may or may not even be true). The kitten tries to flee, but Suzette grabs it by the scruff of its neck—something to never do to older cats—and promises to get rid of it for Marie.

Suzette carries the terrified kitten at arm's length. She quickly finds a maintenance closet; turning the door knob reveals it's unlocked. She throws the kitten inside and shuts the door soundly so it can't get out. The kitten paws at the door and meows sadly, but Suzette sashays away.

His distress is enough for Nathalie to pick up on through the butterfly brooch. Now both Hawk Moths tend to avoid animals due to their unpredictability. But then Nathalie remembers how Ivory's allies were all searching in the catacombs. They're working together and increasing in number. She needs to find where they're located. Now, if Gabriel Agreste was still active as Hawk Moth, he would just turn his akuma victims loose on the city, causing as much chaos as they could, to try to flush his enemies out. But Nathalie operates with far more precision. An idea forms on how she can not only pinpoint Ivory—but also how she can tail Ladybug's allies and the treacherous B Team. She transforms not into Hawk Moth but into Peacock Moth and sends her akuma.

The school is almost empty at this point. Marinette Dupin-Cheng has finished her newest fashion sketches in the art room—she wanted to update Kitty Section's designs for their upcoming performance. She tucks her sketchbook into her backpack, says good-bye to the art teacher, and walks into the hallway. She halfway towards the lockers when she notices the akuma wiggle its way in through a window. Marinette jumps in surprise and then bolts after it, determined to stop it before it can infect anyone.

The akuma, of course, is oblivious to its pursuer and follows its course. It turns into the locker hall and flutters right behind Alya Cesaire's back; she doesn't even see it. But Alya does hear the sound of rapidly approaching footsteps, and the following conversation bit happens while neither girl has a clear line of sight of each other (so neither is 100% certain the other's identity). During this, the akuma wiggles into the maintenance closet.

Marinette: Where did that akuma go?

Alya: Akuma?!

Marinette: Alya?

Alya: …Marinette?

There's a sudden demolition as the cinderblock walls all but explode outward, raining down concrete and rebar and ceiling across the entire locker hall. Marinette doesn't hesitate; she immediate transforms into Ladybug and swings her yo-yo in the direction she heard her classmate's voice. She yanks Alya out of the way just at a huge piece of the ceiling dropped where Alya had been standing. The yo-yo yank does cut off Alya's breath, as she had been in the middle of uttering her own transformation when this happened. Marinette was just quicker.

Ladybug and Alya tumble into the courtyard, covered in white dust and small fragments from the broken room. Ladybug asks Alya if she's okay. Alya nods and accepts Ladybug's hand to stand up. She then wonders how Ladybug happened to be here. Ladybug only stammers a bit before saying that she was following an Akuma Alert. Alya raises an eyebrow—her phone didn't notify her of any akumas in the area. And I could have sworn I heard Marinette say "where did that akuma go?" Alya's eyes go wide, and Ladybug sweats. But then Alya spins to the demolition and panics, worried that her friend or any of her classmates are trapped inside. Ladybug says she didn't see anyone else. Alya transforms into Rena Rouge and leaps into the debris, just to be sure.

However, she comes in close contact with a massive black paw that sends her sprawling. Amid the swirling dust is a gigantic panther with one white paw. It's easily three stories high and very, very angry. Dust and drywall covers its back, giving it a whitish look. However, the panther shakes itself off, revealing it is indeed midnight-colored.

Rena Rouge picks herself up and remarks that they found their akuma victim. She dubs it "Panther Noir"—as she recognizes enough of its physical traits to identify it as Giselle Winters-Blanchet's newest cat, Cat Noir—nicknamed Kitty Noir. Ladybug urges Rena Rouge to help her lure it away from the school and all populated areas while they try to find the akumatized item as well as wait for the real Cat Noir to arrive. Of course, a massive kaiju-panther isn't hard to miss, and Akuma Alerts do start rolling in (including one from Principal Damocles).

This is about the same time that Giselle Winters-Blanchet arrives home. She's surprised to find their apartment in disarray with her father on his knees, looking under all the furniture. Giselle asks what's going on. Leon Blanchet looks both sad and distressed as he admits he cannot find their new kitten anywhere. Giselle throws her backpack aside and immediately begins to help him in the search.

Meanwhile, Ladybug and Rena Rouge have successfully lured Panther Noir into the park where there's no buildings to destroy. Cat Noir lands beside them a moment later and remarks about how their newest opponent is him on a really, really bad day. Both superheroes are just glad to have him around as they need to help—Panther Noir is strong and fast and to top it off, has a ridiculously high jump and very sharp teeth. Cat Noir moves in to distract the akuma kitten—and it works pretty well as Panther Noir is enthralled by Cat Noir's bell on his collar. This gives Ladybug a free moment, and she logs into the Discord servers to ask for help. She's surprised to see she already has a message from Alpha; the B Team decided to send in Tsukuyomi, and he's already on his way. Ladybug types a quick "thanks" and swaps over to her own server. She then sends a request out to Blue Ox, as they'll need his size to deal with Panther Noir. When she logs out, a shadow passes by overhead as Tsukuyomi lands next to Rena Rouge.

Peacock Moth sees Tsukuyomi land as well, using Panther Noir's eyes. Things are going according to plan. While the heroes are distracted, she plucks numerous feathers off of her fan and charges them with negative energy. She then blows, scattering them to the winds of Paris.

With the heroes, Ladybug strings up her yo-yo all around several trees as a make-shift net. Tsukuyomi reinforces it and completes the weaving with his shadows. Ladybug then urges Cat Noir and Rena Rouge to lure Panther Noir into the trap. Once it's ensnared, it'll be easier to look for the akumatized item. Cat Noir and Rena Rouge agree and taunt Panther Noir before racing into the web. Tsukuyomi creates a gap for them to bolt through and then closes it up. It seems as if it's going to work until Panther Noir merely leaps over the entire set-up and nearly crushes both Cat Noir and Rena Rouge when he does. Ladybug and Tsukuyomi respectively pull them out of the way just in time.

Bored with playing with his little superhero toys, Panther Noir turns his attention to other things in the park. He begins to bat at the swings like they're giant cat toys. However, when the heroes use that moment to attack him, he turns on them, claws extended.

During all this, the B Team is chatting in their server. They realize that this is the work of Hawk Moth, which means Hawk Moth is transformed and active. Alpha sends Firefly and Froppy out to see if they can find out where Hawk Moth is operating from. Both agree and log out. Chip Bluestone and Honey Bee wish them luck, still unable to act themselves.

At the same time, Giselle checks her cell phone due to it blaring the Akuma Alert. Her eyes go wide when she sees Panther Noir. Namely, one civilian uploaded a photo of Panther Noir's distinctive white paw. Giselle instantly realizes that the newest akuma victim is her Cat Noir. She drops everything and races to her room where she hid her mother's bracelet.

Elsewhere with Peacock Moth, her feathers land across the city on various innocuous objects. Each one turns into a senti monster, taking on the same form. And that form is of a spider about the size of an adult human's palm, including the very long, hair legs. But instead of having an insectoid abdomen, these senti monsters each possess a single eyeball in that location. Peacock Moth urges them to hone in on the heroes and anyone else who is transformed, such as the B Team or Ivory's underlings. And then spy on them and report to her what they find. This mirrors Alpha's actions. While Alpha and his pack are trying to discover who she is and where she works from, Peacock Moth is trying to unearth the same about them with her "spyder" senti monsters. She actually comments to herself that she's surprised it took her so long to come up with such a great idea.

Speaking of Ivory and the Western Order, Chloe Bourgeois is on her cell phone, demanding that Madam Gros let her get involved to fight against Ladybug. She knows if she gets involved of her own accord, she'll lose her Scorio miraculous. But she wants to fight! So, in typical Chloe fashion, she attempts to boss around Madam Gros and use her connections to get her way. Madam Gros replies with a simple "stay put" and then proceeds to ignore Chloe's ensuing temper tantrum. Furthermore, Chloe isn't the only one who wants in. Lila Rossi, seeing that Rena Rouge is active, much more tactfully reminds Madam Gros about her (Gros's) promise that Lila get the fox miraculous. Madam Gros also tells Lila to "stay put," which only earns her Lila's simmering ire. Lila beings to plan on what she can do so she isn't under Gros's thumb…

Back against Panther Noir, there's a massive thud, thud, thud as Blue Ox arrives on the scene. Ladybug welcomes him, and Cat Noir asks if Blue Ox can hold down Panther Noir to allow them to get close. Blue Ox insists it's no problem and begins to grapple with the oversized kitty. He gets a grip on him and drives the panther's shoulder into the ground, giving Ladybug, Cat Noir, and Rena Rouge a chance to search him. Tsukuyomi stretches out his Abyssal Black Body to further bind Panther Noir in place. This means that Tsukuyomi and Blue Ox are already both on their countdowns.

Panther Noir claws at the dirt and struggles and writhes to get free of Blue Ox. At length, it's able to get a claw free and slashes at Blue Ox's eyes. Blue Ox recoils, which allows Panther Noir to shake off the other heroes and escape. Rather than continue the fight, Panther Noir flees from them and into the city, causing both Ladybug and Cat Noir to go "oh crap!" because of the closeness of the buildings and sheer number of civilians. Ladybug activates her Lucky Charm to help out—though she yet again isn't immediately certain how to use it.

Rena Rouge comments that it seems as if Panther Noir is scared and confused. Cat Noir wonders how Rena Rouge can see that when it's a big kaiju. Rena shrugs and comments that she can see it in the akuma victim's eyes. Ladybug realizes that Pigella would be perfect right now as she could show Panther Noir exactly what he wants to see to calm him down. But Rose refused to take the pig miraculous full time, and there simply isn't enough time to hunt Rose down with Panther Noir loose in the city proper (as Marinette has no idea where Rose is right at this moment).

The heroes all leap after Panther Noir with Tsukuyomi taking to the skies and Blue Ox taking care he doesn't collide with anything himself. What the heroes don't see is half a dozen spyder senti monsters noting their location—and then following after them. The spyders skitter up drain pipes and fire escapes. Then, to further their pursuit of the heroes, they sprout wings and fly after them. Because nightmarish spiders with hairy legs and eyeball torsos aren't bad enough—no, they have to be even worse and have the ability to fly too.

Blue Ox takes a side street and cuts Panther Noir off. The overgrown kitten turns to flee from him when Ladybug and Cat Noir block that route. So Panther Noir leaps over a restaurant to escape them, only to find that Tsukuyomi has stretched shadows that way to block off the road. He turns around in the final direction, only to discover a brick wall has manifested, trapping him in. (Now, the wall is just an illusion from Rena Rouge, but Panther Noir can't discern that.) Ladybug nods at Cat Noir, and they both move in.

Firefly and Froppy watch the fight from the distance, trying not to get caught up in it themselves. They are trying to move discreetly so that Hawk Moth doesn't realize they're looking for him (actually a her). Firefly is in the air, and Froppy is using the rooftops. It's Firefly who notices the skittering black shape first and asks Froppy to investigate it. She manages to capture it with her tongue. Firefly lands, and they study it together as the spyder tries to wiggle from Froppy's grip. Both are mildly disgusted by it but realize they have a duty not to let it go. Firefly takes a picture of it with his wrist-mounted spring/cell phone and uploads it into the Team B chat server, wondering if anyone present has any idea what it is. Alpha, Dauphin, Chip, and Honey Bee are all stumped, but Alpha says it cannot possibly be good. Chip proposes that Froppy and Firefly take it with them to study, but Honey Bee argues that that isn't safe because they don't know what it does or where it came from. Dauphin goes on a tangent about insectoid brain snatchers that the rest largely ignore.

At the same time, Peacock Moth realizes that one of her spyders has been compromised. She's about to snap her fingers to dissolve it, but she realizes that that will cause them to definitely realize it's an amok. And not only that, but that she can see and hear what they're saying. She decides to wait and see how this plays out.

Back at the fight, Panther Noir is getting desperate. After all, deep inside, Panther Noir really is just a lot kitten. It crashes into the side of a bank and digs its claws into the street as it tries to flee from the heroes. Blue Ox is slowed down when he gets tripped over a traffic light, and both he and Tsukuyomi are getting low on their counters. Ladybug is still visually searching for some use for her Lucky Charm but has yet to get an idea. Cat Noir realizes that Panther Noir is aiming to cross a bridge, heading into an even more densely packed part of the city. Realizing how Ladybug can always make things right (and fully believing in his crush), Cat Noir Cataclysm's the bridge to cut Panther Noir off. Rena Rouge and Tsukuyomi move in behind the kaiju-panther.

That's when they all hear someone shout, "Stop, please! Don't hurt him!" Snow Leopard skates onto the scene.

Everyone is surprised to see Snow Leopard join them, and Tsukuyomi dryly remarks that she shouldn't be here; it's too dangerous for her. Snow Leopard apologizes and insists she had to come. "That's my kitten!" Cat Noir wonders how she can be so sure. Rena Rouge then mentally connects the dots as she does know Snow Leopard's true identity. She remembers seeing Giselle's photo of Kitty Noir earlier that day and notices Panther Noir sports the same white paw. Rena Rouge says she believes Snow—and that Snow is probably their best chance at calming down Panther Noir so they can find and break the akumatized item.

Ladybug then realizes what her Lucky Charm should be used for (maybe it's a large jingle bell or some such). Ladybug tosses it to Snow Leopard and tells Snow Leopard to tie it to the end of her ribbon dancer's stick (Snow's weapon). Snow does so. Then she and Ladybug head to face down Panther Noir while the rest wait on Ladybug's signal.

Snow Leopard then stares down Panther Noir. The akuma victim approaches her menacingly, but Snow holds out her hand for the giant cat to sniff. When he does, he seems to relax. However, his akumatization kicks back in and he lets out a mighty roar. Snow keeps talking to him softly, saying he must be scared. But don't worry. She's here. Want to play? She begins waving the dingle ball on a stick in front of him. Panther Noir can't resist; he begins to play. Snow continues to coo at him. Ladybug signals, and the heroes move in. Rena Rouge and Cat Noir land right on Panther Noir's back, but the akuma victim is too enthralled with Snow and the dingle ball to notice. Cat Noir breaks the collar, but the akuma isn't there. He then wonders where on Earth the akuma could be. They're dealing with a cat—it's not like he has pockets. Rena Rouge suggests they fan out.

Meanwhile, Firefly and Froppy are still baffled at what the spyder is and what they should do with it. Froppy comments it'd be really nice if they could ask Ladybug, or at least someone on her team, for advice. Maybe the miraculous users know what this weird insect is. Firefly then realizes that he could actually log into the A Team's Discord as Plume and ask around. But in doing so, it would reveal that Firefly and Nom de Plume are the same person. This causes him to hesitate.

That's when the spyder tries to scuttle away by using its wings to help it wiggle and squirm in Froppy's grip. She's so surprised that she drops it upside down. The spyder hits the pavement before it can right itself and vanishes into dust. Froppy apologizes repeatedly—it's her fault that their lead, whatever it might have shaped up to be, was destroyed. Firefly tells her not to apologize and then points—a dark feather floats free from where the spyder was. "A senti monster!" Both Froppy and Firefly quickly get onto their Discord, sending out a massive warning to everyone (including Ladybug and Cat Noir), that they're likely being spied on by at least one spider-like senti monster. And given where Firefly and Froppy found this one, there's likely to be more.

However, the main characters still have their hands full. Tsukuyomi and Blue Ox brace outside Panther Noir's line of sight, just in case the kaiju-akuma turns on them. Ladybug helps Snow with the distraction. It's Rena Rouge who notices one piece of fur is unusual on Panther Noir's back. She and Cat Noir yank it free, which causes Panther Noir to freak out, howl, and lash with his claws. Cat Noir lands on a nearby roof and snaps the hair in half, freeing the akuma. Ladybug races to purify it, and Snow runs in to give her overgrown kitten a hug with no regards for the danger.

"Bye-bye, little butterfly." Panther Noir reverts back to Kitty Noir just as Snow Leopard reaches him, dropping into her arms as a small, cute little kitten. Ladybug does her "Miraculous Ladybug," which has its work cut out for it due to all the collateral damage. Blue Ox shrinks back to his normal size, and the whole group of them "Pound It!"

That's when Ladybug and Cat Noir realize that it's not their miraculous beeping. It's their weapons/cell phones. Both pull up their messages from the B Team, warning them about the spyders. Ladybug and Cat Noir discreetly look around and do spot several of the spies. They motion for a group huddle, and then explain to their allies what the B Team learned and the fact that they are surrounded. Rena Rouge sticks her head up and comments that she sees no spyders. Cat Noir follows her eyes. "They were right here."

You see, Peacock Moth isn't stupid. When the first spyder vanished from her senses, she realized her senti monsters were likely compromised. The heroes huddling confirmed this, so she had her spyders withdraw. Or at least appear to do so. But they didn't—because Peacock Moth had made her spyder senti monsters with one more ability: invisibility. Thus the spyders are right where Ladybug and Cat Noir spotted them. Just invisible.

Ladybug warily glances at the skyline and suggests they all evacuate, taking extreme care ("be careful," yay) not to be followed. Her allies agree, and they part ways. Blue Ox and Tsukuyomi peel out first before they transform back. Blue Ox takes a detour down the subway, through the bathroom there, and transfers trains twice just to ensure he has no tail. Tsukuyomi takes to the skies, too high to be followed, even by flying spyders, and lands quietly on the Eiffel Tower where he blends in with the tourists. He then logs into the Team B Discord and relays what happened with further encouragement that the others act with extreme caution so as not to be followed.

I should say—everyone goes to depart except Snow Leopard. She stands there, still holding her kitty. Rena Rouge notices this and calls to her. They have to go. But Snow Leopard doesn't reply. Rena Rouge calls again, which prompts Ladybug and Cat Noir to stop their retreat.

Kitty Noir jumps down from Snow's arms and meows sadly. Rena Rouge approaches her, but before she can touch Snow's shoulder, a frigid blast of arctic wind surges from around Snow, driving the fox wielder back. Snow's feet lift off the ground as she curls up, tucked into a shell of solid ice. Ladybug and Cat Noir hurry to her side.

Elsewhere in Paris, Peacock Moth's eyes go wide. "I can no longer sense the snow leopard!" That just leaves the bee. How does this keep happening?! She scans for Honey Bee's presence. She knows she's out of time with how much she can use them as her own agents. However, Honey Bee is not wearing her comb, so Peacock Moth cannot subjugate her will. She gnashes her teeth together as it looks as if her influence over the whole B Team is a wash. But at least I still have Chip and my other agents. Since she directly made the birthstone items Chip and the others are using, Peacock Moth has a small amount of influence over them—even if they aren't wearing their items. A small enough influence that she can nudge them into putting their items back on so she can fully control them. But there are still items in her briefcase without wielders. I must find people I can use!

At the same time, Rena Rouge insists she didn't do anything, and Ladybug replies that she knows Rena didn't do anything. This is supposed to happen. Well, it sorta is supposed to happen, but they didn't plan on it. Rena Rouge wonders what Ladybug is talking about. Cat Noir points out that none of them have any time left. They need to take Snow and her cat and bail, without being followed, so they can recharge their kwamis and explain. Rena Rouge agrees to this and picks up Kitty Noir. Cat Noir nudges Snow's shell along. He does learn from his mistake with Alpha, and he searches around for Snow's secret keepers. However, since Snow bolted for Panther Noir on her own, her secret keepers are nowhere to be found. They all take three different routes to ensure they're not being followed before meeting at the Notre Dame bell tower, where they presume they're going to have relative privacy.

Once they scout around to ensure there's no spyders, Ladybug and Cat Noir fill Rena Rouge on everything the B Team has to endure with their powers surging and kwamis being born. This, of course, floors Rena Rouge as she had no idea such a thing was even possible—let alone the allies she'd worked alongside having to shoulder such a burden. Ladybug then begins to ponder what they're going to do with Snow. She takes it upon herself to notify the B Team, and Alpha is shocked that Snow is now trapped into a cocoon. Tsukuyomi is also surprised as he was just with her. Dauphin comments how sudden it had happened; he was in the same situation when Alpha curled up. Ladybug replies both verbally and in text that things aren't as hopeless this time, not compared with Alpha or Dauphine. Because she, Ladybug, actually knows Snow's secret identity. Rena Rouge remarks that she does too. Cat Noir is surprised at this, but Ladybug already knew that Rena Rouge and Snow Leopard knew each other. However, in trying to cover for that, Ladybug blurts out, "it's not like you go to the same school or anything," trying to deny the connection between Rena Rouge and Snow Leopard for their sakes. Rena Rouge raises an eyebrow at this—Ladybug also knows who they are, which means Ladybug would have to know that they do, indeed, go to the same school.

Cat Noir remarks that that is helpful, oblivious to this faux pas. After all, if Rena Rouge and Ladybug know who Snow is—maybe they can find her secret keeper, who can keep Snow safe over the next couple of days. Rena Rouge admits she's not entirely sure who Snow picked. Ladybug comments that she recalls Snow messaging in the Team B Discord, saying that she picked her two best friends to be her secret keeper. Rena Rouge perks at that—she does know who Snow Leopard's two IRL best friends are. Ladybug points out that there's only one more problem—what do they tell Snow's family? Because clearly playing the "I'm sleeping over at a friend's house" doesn't work, as proven by Dauphine.

Rena Rouge ponders everything and recaps. "So we need somewhere to keep Snow safe until her kwami is born. And we need somehow to keep her family from worrying." Cat Noir replies that that just about sums it up. Rena Rouge then replies that she could help with the latter. Since she knows who Snow is, she can find where Snow lives. And then, boom, Mirage. It'll be a bit of a juggle between her life and covering for Snow, but she could do it if she's careful ("careful" again). Rena Rouge also knows Snow/Giselle has a small family, making this all the more feasible, but she can't say that much. Ladybug thinks it's a great idea and thanks Rena Rouge for her help. Cat Noir decides to defer to their judgment, but that still leaves what to do with Snow in the meantime. "I guess we find one of her secret keepers then?" Rena Rouge immediately rejects "one" secret keeper (Meera Pugliese) due to her…spacey nature. Which does leave "the other secret keeper" (Raissa Deschamps). Rena Rouge then wonders if Snow ever even told her secret keepers that this was likely to happen; are they prepared? Ladybug checks the chat log on the Team B Discord and then asks Alpha and the others directly. Alpha replies that Snow never gave any indication of filling her best friends in on this yet. "To be fair, we all thought she'd have more time. She wasn't supposed to be using her magical item now."

Rena Rouge strokes Kitty Noir and admits she can't take Snow to her apartment—her little siblings are too nosy. Cat Noir responds that that doesn't leave many choices: either Snow's more reliable secret keeper…or the same person they entrusted Alpha to when he was trapped. Rena Rouge wonders who this is. Ladybug simplifies it to "a good friend of the master," as she also knows Rena Rouge knows Master Fu's identity. Cat Noir comments that he can't really offer more insight since he doesn't know Snow or her secret keepers. So Ladybug and Rena Rouge walk away a couple of steps and have a whispered conversation where Rena Rouge reveals that she suspects Snow Leopard's secret keepers are Meera Pugliese and Raissa Deschamps. Ladybug flinches as she knows Meera would have a hard time adapting to this, and she's not certain how well Raissa could keep things hidden within her family. Rena Rouge notices the flinch and wonders if Ladybug knows Meera or Raissa—Ladybug denies it. Ladybug states that the reason the B Team has secret keepers is because of scenarios like this. But she just feels "the master's friend" (Marianne Lenoir) is more reliable. Rena Rouge then asks, "so who do we trust?" And the word trust resonates with Ladybug as it's all but become an entire story-reaching theme.

"Snow trusts her friends. And we trust Snow. We'll take her to Raissa," declares Ladybug. Rena Rouge nods and says she'll help—she can cover for Snow Leopard at her home. And make sure Kitty Noir gets where he needs to be too. They agree, turn around, and fill Cat Noir in on their decision. He offers to help them, but Ladybug reminds him that they're going to Snow's apartment and her best friend's apartment—which means finding out someone's identity. Cat Noir realizes that this is a problem and politely bows out, but he does wish them the best.

The three separate. As they do so, Rena Rouge hesitates. It looks as if she's going to ask Ladybug something, but then decides against it. Ladybug texts Alpha and the B Team as she hauls Snow Leopard towards Raissa's apartment. Alpha admits he's still worried about his packmate, but he is honored that both Ladybug and Rena Rouge are helping her. He expresses hope that Rena Rouge will be able to protect Snow from Dauphine's fate.

Ladybug locates Raissa Deschamps' apartment and waits until Raissa is alone in her room. She then knocks on the window, causing Raissa to jump out of her skin. She's baffled as to why the biggest superheroine in all of Paris is there but lets her in anyway. Ladybug enters Raissa's room with the giant floating ice cube. Raissa is even more confused. So Ladybug explains everything. Raissa can't help but shout "what do you mean Gi—Snow is trapped inside an ice cocoon?!" which causes her to lie to keep her parents from investigating the reason for her outburst. Ladybug remarks that she didn't think Snow had had time to explain this to Raissa—but now Snow…no, Giselle, needs her help. Can Raissa look after—? Raissa agrees before Ladybug even completes the question—after all, Giselle did tell her this could happen. She and Meera promised to help. Raissa then wonders how they'll handle Giselle's father? Ladybug explains that Rena Rouge is covering there. Raissa expresses surprise that Ladybug and Rena Rouge both know Giselle is Snow Leopard. Ladybug explains that Giselle trusted her to determine the source of power for her mother's bracelet…and that Rena Rouge learned on accident but has been trustworthy. Raissa understands and doesn't pry farther. She just asks if Giselle will be okay and how long she'll be trapped. Ladybug explains the history of the other B members cocooning and that it'll take a couple of days (some of which Raissa already knew from Giselle). Once Raissa has asked all her questions and Ladybug has completely filled her in, Ladybug departs, leaving Raissa to guard Snow Leopard.

At the same time, at the Winters-Blanchet apartment, Rena Rouge lands and casts a Mirage to make her look like Giselle. She then enters, holding Kitty Noir. Leon hugs her tightly; he was worried when she just ran off like that. Rena Rouge, as Giselle, explains that she figured out where her Cat Noir had to be hiding and raced out to get him. She's sorry for worrying her father. Leon buys the lie and suggests they dig into the ice cream to celebrate Cat Noir's return. Rena Rouge comments that she's pretty tired, so she just wants to do her homework and go to sleep. Leon accepts this, and Rena Rouge finds Giselle's room and locks the door where she transforms back into Alya Cesaire. She feeds Trixx and tells the kwami to be prepared—they're going to be in for a busy couple of days. She then pulls up her own cell phone and stares at it a moment. She types a message to Marinette. "You know you can tell me anything, right?" She hesitates another moment…and then she sends it.

To be continued in Chapter 74: Inverse…