Chapter 84: Labyrinth

It's morning, and Marinette Dupain-Cheng is still awake after having attempted to translate the grimoire all night in order to find a cure for Plagg, who was struck down by one of Angelica's arrows (not that Marinette knows the last part). Plagg is in her care, entrusted to her by Cat Noir, who now can't transform as he doesn't even have his ring—he slipped it to her. What's worse, Cat Noir believes that the attack on Plagg was due to himself being compromised, and he has distanced himself from Ladybug and their allies (all except Carapace).

Tikki urges Marinette to get some rest; she can't help anyone as Ladybug or Marinette if she's sick and/or exhausted herself. But Marinette says she's worried about both Plagg (who is still unconscious) and Cat Noir; she has to do everything she can to help them. She says she's taking the day off of school as this is far more important. Tikki tries to talk her out of it, saying that Marinette's life is every bit as important as Ladybug's—and that includes her grades. She says that Marinette deserves to have a normal, happy life after all the risks she takes for everyone. Marinette points out she's not going to be focusing on what Miss Bustier says anyway, so she might as well stay home and translate the grimoire for a cure for Plagg. "I know Master Fu used acupuncture to cure you, Tikki…"

Sabine Cheng pokes her head into Marinette's room, and Tikki dashes to hide. Plagg is still asleep on the little bed Marinette made, so he looks like a toy and Sabine doesn't think twice. Sabine tells Marinette she needs to hurry; she's running late. Marinette tells her mom she doesn't feel well and wants to stay home. Sabine is convinced after one look at Marinette's sleep-deprived face. She calls Principal Damocles and allows Marinette to have a sick day. Marinette thanks her. Sabine tells her that she needs to get in bed and rest; she doesn't leave until Marinette is tucked in. Marinette fakes falling asleep, but as soon as her mother leaves the room, she gets up and picks up the digital grimoire again.

That same morning, Adrien Agreste is really dragging. With Plagg gone, he hasn't been this alone in a while. Felix Graham de Vanily notices but doesn't really say anything. Nicholas Sancoeur notices and asks if Adrien is okay, and Adrien insists he is. Even his bodyguard looks concerned, but being non-verbal, he doesn't say anything although his body language is clearly that of compassion.

At Francoise Dupont High School, students are arriving for the day. Jean Duparc is in somewhat of a daze as he heads to his locker; he can't believe he joined Adamantus. But it's where I belong, isn't it? However, he feels guilty about leaving the B Team and still feels lost and scared about the true nature of his powers and his turquoise glove. I really had some type of innate ability all along? He's so out of it that he doesn't even respond when Rose Lavillant, his crush, walks by. Rose meets up with Juleka Couffaine, who comes with her brother, Luka. Luka leaves to find Marinette, having not heard she's sick that day. Lila Rossi is rather gleeful at her successful testing of her powers the previous night; however, she is still stumped as to why Duality didn't work on Adamantus. She considers reporting everything to Madam Gros—or rather, negotiating her information for leadership of the Western Order's next mission or something—but doing that would require she confess that she was using her powers without permission, something Madam Gros had expressly ordered her against. Lila decides to sit on the information for now until a more advantageous time.

Chloe Bourgeois heads about her morning routine without acknowledging any of her classmates; she's pretty much friendless now. However, she's on her spiffy new cell phone, talking to her dad. While she is still mad and hurt over his divorce, she did realize she needed to suck up to him so that he kept buying her spiffy new things, like a cell phone. This selfishness on her part does become a stepping stone to a genuine reconciliation with her father. Nicholas Sancoeur remembers that they all know Chloe is Queen Scorpion. He failed to take her cell phone and learn more about her sponsor in the past…but now that she has a new phone, he could try again. After all, since the spyders report Chloe has no abnormal contact with the Western Order, they must be talking through their phones. Once Nicholas has that information, his aunt can directly go after the heart of the Western Order. But, being a senti monster, he won't act unless Nathalie orders it.

Adrien and Nino meet up, and Nino asks how Adrien is doing. Adrien tells Nino to keep it on the down-low as he's not certain if he's being watched or not. After all, someone was able to attack Plagg somehow. They act like everything is normal, but Adrien explains his concerns for Plagg and that Ladybug has his ring. He's also worried sick about "the master" and frustrated that he's powerless to help. Nino supports him the best he can and listens; he's optimistic enough that everything will work out. After all, Cat Noir has been through worse. Adrien has to agree to that. Nino then suggests that if Adrien is frustrated and stressed out, maybe he should talk to Madam Gros. As a school counselor, that's what she's there for. Adrien, however, hesitates. He remembers the mysterious message he was in the middle of typing during his mental health screening: "Madam Gros is the l—" He has no memory of even typing it and has no idea what it was supposed to mean. But it makes him uneasy enough that he decides not to confide in Gros.

Tristan Fortier meets up with his girlfriend, Rachel Beauchene, who is humming to herself. They flirt a bit, and he moves to take her hand, only to nearly cut himself on her garnet nails. Tristan wonders why she keeps wearing them. Don't they get in the way of holding a pencil or a wooden kendo sword? Rachel rather coldly says she likes them and has no intention of taking them off. Meg Delphinus, Rachel's best friend, notices her tone and wonders if Rachel is okay—she usually doesn't speak like that. And it's not like Meg to speak up in defense of Rachel's boyfriend at all. Rachel huffs and lets the matter drop. From inside Meg's purse, Swanna looks between Tristan and Rachel, also worried and confused for reasons she can't quite place.

Mireille Caquet and Aurore Beaureal arrive later. Aurore notices that Mireille isn't acting like herself. Mireille says she needs some time alone and heads off, leaving her friend concerned. However, Aurore has a lot on her mind. She's worried about Chip Bluestone leaving the B Team. She's worried about the people who are still trapped inside of Hypnos. She's worried about "the master" since she now knows who he is and that he's been abducted by the Western Order. She sends a text to Alpha, expressing her concerns about both Chip and the people trapped in Hypnos. She hopes that the B Team can do something to save them all, fast.

Luka Couffaine, only half a hallway away, gets the message. He's also very concerned about them. However, he points out that their usual meeting place in the graveyard has been compromised. It's not safe anymore. Until they can find a new place to meet, they can't properly plan and practice any rescue missions. Which, of course, to complete they need to know where in Paris their rescuees even are. As Alpha, he sends a message to the entire B Team, asking if they have any ideas for a new practice ground.

On the second floor, Tsuyu Asui checks her phone when it alerts her to the message. She shows it to her boyfriend, Fumikage Tokoyami, and asks what he thinks. Like the others, Fumikage also wants to rescue the people who are in peril. But they both acknowledge that they need somewhere safe for themselves first of all. Tsuyu then remembers such a place—a place that has history with their new miraculous. "Remember, Bunnyx showed it to us."

Speaking of Bunnyx, Alix Kubdel and Stella Tenebrae arrive at school, having skated/jogged there together. Stella is a bit groggy, having been out late as Ebony Nicht. Alix not only notices—but due to her time in the Burrow, she knows exactly what has happened. She's worried about her friend, but she knows she can't say anything without harming the future. Instead, she discreetly asks if Stella is okay. Stella insists she is. Alix tells her that if anything is bothering her, she's always open to listen. Stella starts to get waspish at this point, saying things like "yes mother." Alix tells her there's no need for that, which causes Stella to get all the more sarcastic—in no small thanks to her amethyst ear cuffs. The two actually start arguing quite loudly.

During the same morning, Sabrina Raincomprix meets up with Yvonne Garnier and Genevieve Faucher. Yvonne gives them CDs of her newest zen nature sounds mixes. Genevieve laughs as she doesn't have a CD player any more. Yvonne also laughs, but she says it's the best way she can hand out samples of her work. Sabrina is surprised how comfortable and relaxed she feels around her new friends. Negative thoughts begin to creep; "something could go wrong again." However, Sabrina uses the focusing techniques Madam Gros of all people taught her, and she reframes her thoughts to be happy in the moment and enjoy the people she's with.

Giselle Winters-Blanchet heads to the school library first. Once alone and in a quiet place, she pulls out the letters she discovered in her mother's hidden desk drawer. She flips through them, organizing them by date, and begins to read. She learns that her mother was in contact with someone in Canada for a long while after she came to France. But classes begin before she can glean more information.

Guy Nigels hangs up a Wrangler Online post in his locker. Cameran Tyler is checking the stats of his favorite baseball team before he has to stash his phone. Le Chien Kim is quickly calling Ondine as they usually do to make sure they got to their respective schools safely. Max Kante is reviewing the upcoming test material with the help from Markov. Raissa Deschamps approaches Nicholas Sancoeur and invites him to lunch with her and her friends, which include Meera Pugliese and Giselle Winters-Blanchet. Etienne Fontaine nearly chokes out Mylene Haprele as he's wearing an overpowering cologne to review on his blog. And Viktor Vasiliev sends out a reminder to Fumikage Tokoyami, Tsuyu Asui, Marc Anciel, Nathaniel Kurtzberg, Giselle Winters-Blanchet, and Vivica NeedsALastName about that afternoon's Session 0 for their Star Wars campaign.

(The whole class is here: (( photos . app . goo . gl / cgLSrNi71rxfep9e8 )).)

The bell rings for classes to start. Miss Bustier checks attendance and notes that Marinette is home sick. Alya Cesaire murmurs concern for her friend. She goes on to audio record Miss Bustier's lecture (as she usually does) so that she can forward it to Marinette so her best friend can keep up with her schoolwork. While Miss Bustier is getting things settled, Nino Lahiffe turns around and asks Alya is she knows why Marinette is sick. Alya shakes her head. Adrien Agreste watches the two interact. He's still feeling lost without his miraculous, and it feels weird depending on Nino as Carapace and Ladybug to watch his back while he's helpless and Plagg is injured.

His brain starts mulling over that. Nino is the very first person I chose to give a miraculous to because he's my best friend and I trust him completely. He glances at Alya, knowing that she's Rena Rouge from way back on Heroes' Day. Rena Rouge is the very first person Ladybug ever picked. She must trust Rena a lot. Adrien recalls how Queen Scorpion Dissolved Ladybug's purse and how the pencil from that purse looked so very similar to a pencil Marinette Dupain-Cheng loaned Nino. I thought Ladybug picked Alya because of the Ladyblog and because her sisters were in danger. But…But…What if…What if there's more. What if Ladybug also picked her best friend first? Adrien also knows Ladybug basically pulled an all-nighter trying to help Plagg. And now Marinette is home sick… He drops his head onto his desk, trying to make the thoughts stop. He knows he shouldn't be trying to figure out Ladybug's identity. If she has to stop being Ladybug because of him—he could never live with the guilt! But all the clues are starting to fall into place, and he can't turn his brain off from piecing them together.

His head!thud!desk stops the class as it's so loud. Miss Bustier asks if he's okay, and half of the class is staring as that's a rather unlikely thing for Adrien to do. Adrien looks up, somewhat embarrassed. Then he draws on his personality as Cat Noir and totally plays it off as a joke, complete with pun. Much to his surprise, the whole class laughs with exception of Chloe, who turns her nose in the air. Even Lila laughs, though she hams it up a bit too much in an attempt to suck up to Adrien. Adrien is left a little bit speechless by his peers' approval. But then his mouth breaks into a genuine smile. Miss Bustier calls their attention and resumes teaching.

The school day is fairly normal for Francoise Dupont High School. Which is actually surprising, given the sheer number of miraculous, kwamis, and other magical items there now. It's elsewhere in Paris that trouble starts brewing.

One tourist gets hopelessly lost around the city streets. Which, in a city like Paris, I am sure happens fairly often. He doesn't speak or read any French and is thus unable to navigate on his own. He tries asking people for help, but they all rather rudely blow him off or deliberately give him misinformation, resulting in him getting even further lost. He goes to pull out his phone to call for help/look up an online translator, only to find his cell phone, passport, and wallet have been swiped by pickpockets. To top it all off, he gets pooped on by a pigeon, barked at by a dog, and it begins to rain. Basically, anything and everything that could go wrong does go wrong for him, leaving him in an abjectly miserable state.

And it's this misery that Nathalie Sancoeur picks up on. With Amelie Graham de Vanily busy running her family's business, Nathalie is able to head into Hawk Moth's lair and transforms. She sends out her akuma and talks to the man, speaking to him in whatever language is his native language. Nathalie herself is fluent in several languages, after all. As Hawk Moth, she promises this unnamed man the ability to reshape Paris to mirror what its done to him. He can entrap its rude citizens for all time if he wants. All "he" ("she," but spoken through a synthesizer) wants in return are the miraculous. The man agrees and is immediately akumatized into Labyrinth. As Labyrinth, he wastes absolutely no time into twisting Paris into his namesake, turning everything into a maze and trapping everyone inside, scattering them every which way.

This, of course, results in Francoise Dupont High School getting caught in things and the extended cast scattered within the labyrinth's corridors. Other places are struck too, including the Dupain-Cheng Bakery, city hall, the stadium, the ice rink, pretty much every major landmark, the locks-of-love fence, and other key locations. Even the Agreste manor is surrounded, but Hawk Moth ensures that it is left otherwise untouched and sunk deep in the ground, out of reach of the events that are about to unfold.

Adrien and Nino are fortunately kept together when the shifting city stops. They wonder what the heck is going on before theorizing that this is a very powerful akuma. They exchange a look, and Nino transforms since he can. Meanwhile, Adrien pulls out his cell phone to call for help and find out how his family is doing. However, with all of Paris being a literal maze now, cell reception is spotty at the very best. Adrien can't get through to anyone where he's at. Adrien voices his frustration at being unable to contact Ladybug or any of their allies to coordinate with this situation; after all, judging from the architecture, this situation is going to be huge. Carapace points out that their only real option is to start walking and hope they come across someone. Adrien points out that he could just Cataclysm the whole thing if he had his miraculous. But with him depowered and Carapace largely unable to leap, all they really can do is start walking.

Chloe Bourgeois winds up alone when the dust settles. She pulls out her spiffy cell phone to use as a mirror to make sure her hair is okay, which is when she also notices she has no signal. Figuring that's a good enough excuse to feed Madam Gros/Ivory, Chloe calls Barbarra and immediately transforms in Queen Scorpion. As Queen Scorpion, she immediately uses "Dissolve" on the nearest wall. Now, since this is a magic-made construct, Dissolve is highly effective against it. However, due to the sheer magnitude of the labyrinth, she's only able to demolish one wall, leading her into another corridor with no real clue about which direction she should head. Scorpion huffs and attempts to leap over the wall, only to have the walls rise higher and higher and higher as she ascends. Unable to go over, Scorpion pouts and follows the path to the right.

Luka Couffaine is also isolated. Like the others, he begins by pulling out his cell phone to send out an akuma alert and then contact his allies on the B Team to organize their efforts in finding the akuma and helping civilians. However, like the others, he has no reception. Luka grumbles in frustration as he tries to figure out the best way to help those closest to him. Sass and Luuna both appear. Together, they assess the situation with the general conclusion is that this is so big, Ladybug and Cat Noir are already actively fighting against it. The thing is, with the network out, Luka has no idea if they need Viperion's help or not. He also has no idea the status of the B Team, where his pack is, and if they're safe. So now Luka knows he has to choose: Sass or Luuna. Viperion or Alpha. He has to guess at which is needed most as he has no idea how to fusion transform. Both look at him hopefully, as there is some rivalry for his attention between Luuna and Sass. Luka steels his will, apologizes to Sass, and then transforms into Alpha. He races down the corridor at full speed.

Nathaniel Kurtzberg comes to at a dead-end. Like the others, he immediately concludes that this is likely an akuma incident and that he has no cell coverage. With him are Orikko and Lucciola. And like Luka, Nathaniel realizes he has to make a choice about which he should transform into (as he doesn't know fusion transformation either): Nom de Plume or Firefly. Both kwamis urge him to choose the power best suited for the situation. Nathaniel apologizes to Orikko and transforms into Firefly and raises his arm to activate "Beacon." But then he hesitates. If he summons Alpha or Snow Leopard or Tsukuyomi or anyone else from the B Team—or even Ladybug or Cat Noir…if they aren't transformed and Beacon works, he might find out their secret identities. And he respects them all too much for that. So Firefly considers his options and then activates "Beacon," calling Marc Anciel to him.

Marc is a bit bewildered by the sudden teleportation but is overall relieved to see someone he recognizes. They compare notes, and then Firefly encourages Marc to transform as they're going to need all the help they can get. Marc is wary; he hasn't gotten word from Ladybug or Cat Noir that they need Buck, and he did make them a promise not to use his powers without their permission. Firefly argues that this qualifies as an emergency, so Marc relents and calls upon Ziggy to transform into Buck.

As Buck, he is also quick to use his power, "Shepherd." This conjured a dozen one-hit white sheep and a single black sheep. Buck sends the white sheep down the various hallways in order to help them navigate through the place and find other people. The black sheep will attack indiscriminately one time, which is why Buck keeps it close. He can't have it attack a random civilian. (The white sheep provide a one-time shield, so it'd be fine if they run into innocents—they might actually protect them.)

Speaking of fusion transformations…there is one other ally among the heroes who does know how to combine her miraculous' powers. And that's Kagami Tsurugi. Once she realizes she's alone in a massive maze, she takes a moment to ensure she's not being spied upon. Then she declares "Tiia! Longg! Unify!" This transforms her into Ryutsume. She uses the power of the dragon to transform into wind and takes off down the corridors, trying to join up with other people. In this form, she's able to slip through gaps in the bricks as a breeze.

Not all people are isolated. Sabrina Raincomprix, Yvonne Garnier, and Genevieve Faucher are all together when the movement stops. Yvonne and Genevieve are rather scared, wondering where they are and if they're going to be trapped forever. Sabrina is a bit more confident; it helps that Barkk is in her purse. However, she realizes she can't transform in front of them. So instead, Sabrina tries to rally their morale, and all three girls start traversing the maze in an attempt to find the exit.

Max Kante, Markov, and Le Chien Kim also wind up close together. Markov can still function without an internet connection, so Max has him scan for any type of data he can. Markov is able to make a small map of the immediate area but nothing more. Le Chien Kim suggests that Max just "Voyage" them all out. Max points out that judging from the building names warped along the wall, this encompasses all of Paris. Unless he "Voyages" them into the middle of the air, they'll just be swapping one part of the maze for another. He then suggests that Kim just use "Uproar" to disrupt the whole labyrinth. Kim argues that Uproar works unpredictably; it might cause a collapse. And Uproar would only work if he hits the person responsible for this; it won't work if he just throws a rubber ducky at any wall. Max tells Markov to keep trying to connect to other people's devices through a local intranet. Until then, it's probably safest if they both transform and start walking. So they do transform into Pegasus and King Monkey. King Monkey expresses the desire to find Ondine/Dauphine immediately, but they have no idea where she was transported to. Markov admits he doesn't understand a word of the conversation and doesn't even see that either teenager transformed. Pegasus tells him to keep a low profile as Markov's presence would give away Max's identity.

Likewise, Juleka Couffaine and Rose Lavillant are also tossed together by the shifting terrain. Juleka is sorta shaken from the event, and Rose instantly worries if everyone, especially the patients in the hospitals, are okay. Both independently ponder if they should transform or not. Rose, however, wonders how showing a person his or her greatest desire would help in the situation while Juleka feels torn about her promise to Ladybug. However, they both find a private moment to talk to Roarr and Daizzi respectively and discreetly send their kwamis through the walls to scout out the situation without the best friend learning the truth.

Alix Kubdel and Stella Tenebrae find each other fairly quickly. Things are cold and awkward between them due to their feud early in the day. It compounds the issue that neither can transform in front of the other. Alix cannot turn into Bunnyx without revealing her identity—and while she already knows Stella is Ebony Nicht because of her Burrow, she cannot reveal to Stella she knows this. And with Stella being unaware, she's unable to transform herself and risk her own identity. They both attempt to justify things as their own abilities aren't the best for a living labyrinth (Burrow and Minutes to Midnight). So they're forced to use their civilian skills and attempt teamwork to navigate their way out.

Ivan Bruel finds himself alone when the shifting maze stops. Like many of the others, he checks his cell phone reception and then tries verbally calling to see if anyone can hear him. He gets no reply. Seeing that their alone, Stompp appears. They talk a bit, and Ivan asks Stompp for advice—what should he do? Stompp reminds Ivan that he swore to serve the greater good. So what will help people in this situation the most? Ivan agrees and decides to transform into Blue Ox. As Blue Ox, he immediately uses "Gigantification" in order to tower over the labyrinth to find people and help carry them to safety. However, this is a living labyrinth. As he enlarges himself, the maze contorts around him, closing in at the top and creating unbreakable walls. Blue Ox finds himself nearly crushed amid the brick walls as he grows bigger. He's forced to revert to his normal size.

Mylene Haprele is also alone, and she's initially terrified. She has to take a couple of minutes to psyche herself up with Mullo's encouragement. This includes singing "Smelly Wolf" a couple of times together. Once she feels more confident and realizes all communications are down, Mylene transforms into Minimouse. She uses "Multitude" to split herself up and then head in as many different directions as possible to find her allies.

Alya Cesaire finds herself in a similar situation. She figures that if this isn't an akuma attack, it's likely to be some other enemy. She also is the only one who knows who Ladybug is. She immediately goes for her phone to call Marinette. After all, as far as Alya knows, Marinette is home sick and may not know there's a crisis…though it would be hard to miss at this point. They need Ladybug. Though Alya is wary—again, as far as she knows, Marinette is genuinely sick. And a sick Ladybug could become easy prey for Hawk Moth or Draco's clan. However, like everyone else, Alya learns that cell reception is gone. With no other options, she transforms into Rena Rouge and leaps in the direction she best guesses is the Dupain-Cheng bakery. Of course, the walls prevent her from going over them, forcing her to take the long way around. And she races as fast as she can.

This just leaves Marinette as the last activate member of the Eastern Order. She was in the middle of translating the grimoire to help Plagg when her whole bedroom was swept away. Much to her panic, she even lose track of Plagg though fortunately she still has Cat Noir's miraculous on her person. However, she refuses to wear it due to Master Fu's warning about using the Ladybug and Black Cat at the same time. Like the others, Marinette realizes that this is a crisis that needs Ladybug and that all communication is knocked out.

"Tikki, Spots O…!" Before she can finish her transformation phrase, her parents come around the corner. They're both obviously anxious about the situation but incredibly relieved to see Marinette (whom they also think is sick and not just sleep deprived) is okay. Tikki quickly hides as Tom and Sabine hug their daughter. They then insist that they sit tight as a family while they wait for Ladybug and Cat Noir to solve the problem. Marinette can only sweat as she tries to fumble with an excuse to sneak off and leave to transform, but her sweating only convinces them all the more that she's genuinely sick and feverish and should sit tight.

Aurore Beaureal is unconscious when her best friend, Mireille Caquet, comes to nearby. Mireille checks on Aurore to make sure she's physically okay—but then she decides not to wake her up. After all, Mireille does have a secret—she's actually Selkie-shi, the sapphire fur seal, one of the birthstone wielders. And as Selkie-shi, she has a massive advantage over a labyrinth. So she invokes her own emotions and transforms. She makes sure Aurore is comfortable, and then she uses "Shore Surf" to phase through the walls.

Within a minute or two, Aurore wakes up alone. She's alarmed and a bit scared. However, she opens her purse to let Pollen out. And Pollen is speechless, as she just saw everything with Selkie-shi. She desperately tries to tell Aurore, but nothing but bubbles comes out of her mouth. After all, in this continuity, Pollen is new to the world. While she instinctively know she shouldn't blab secret identities, she hasn't run into the limitation if she tried. Aurore is also confused why Pollen is suddenly spitting bubbles. Pollen tries first to explain verbally and then through pantomime and then gives up when it's clear Aurore doesn't understand. Aurore comforts Pollen and then decides that they need to get out of this situation—especially before any spyders start nosing around and seeing the kwami. Pollen does agree to this and encourages Aurore to transform.

However, Aurore is a bit torn as she promised not to use her powers unless there's no other option. Pollen points out that they are all cut off from the entire rest of Paris and can contact no one; it qualifies as an emergency. Aurore also reminds Pollen that she really should only be acting when he secret keepers know what she's doing—and she has no way of calling her family. She's worried sick about them too, especially her brother, who is only in elementary school. Pollen reminds her that her secret keepers might be in danger right now. That does convince Aurore, and she transforms into Honey Bee. Like the others, she tries to go over the maze only to be forced to navigate through it.

Like several others, Tsuyu Asui and Fumikage Tokoyami are actually shoved together when the shifting stops. They initially make sure each other are okay before attempting to check in on the Team B Discord server only to realize they can't. Fumikage does a quick visual sweep for spyders while Tsuyu calls out their classmates' names. Once they realize they're isolated, they decide to transform into Froppy and Tsukuyomi and hurry deeper into the labyrinth to see where they can help.

Giselle Winters-Blanchet doesn't come to alone. Her best friends, Meera Pugliese and Raissa Deschamps, are also with her. Meera uses the labyrinth as evidence to support her rather eccentric conspiracy theories while Raissa grumbles about how they can't have a normal life any more without someone or another disrupting it. Her bad attitude is very much unlike her, and it causes Giselle a lot of concern. However, Meera doesn't seem to notice or think anything weird of it. Raissa's ruby armlet and Meera's aquamarine hair clasp glimmer.

Giselle calls for Chill and is grateful when the kwami shows he's been safely by her side the entire time. Raissa is happy to see him too and huggles him, cheering up. Meera once again attempts to capture Chill for her paranormal collection, but he simply evades her. Giselle hesitates to transform as she did make a promise to only use her powers in an emergency. Meera points out that this is an emergency although Raissa makes a remark that Giselle would be better off if she didn't work as closely with Ladybug and Cat Noir.

They walk and talk at the same time, but the conversation is dropped when they trigger one of the many traps within the labyrinth; darts shoot out of all the walls, including the ceiling and floor. Giselle immediately transforms at that point and uses the ice she creates as Snow Leopard to shield her friends.

That just leaves Ondine on the B Team, who is alone in a dead end. She makes the same discoveries about lack of communication and ponders if she should transform or not. As Dauphine, it is notably harder to walk on land than swim in the water, so Ondine decides to hold off on transforming. She's really worried about her boyfriend, Le Chien Kim, but she at least now knows he has Xuppu with him to keep him safe. Ondine talks to Finn the dolphin kwami, and together they decide which way to go. Both remain on alert, ready to transform within a moment's notice.

Of course, the heroes aren't the only one in the labyrinth. The whole Western Order got pulled in too. Lila Rossi is rather thrilled by this as it's an opportunity for her to continue to play both sides. She doesn't even bother looking for spyders before she transforms; she should be glad there were none. Lapinna protests as she knows Lila's plan, but Lila doesn't give two figs about what her kwami thinks. As Mink, she immediately activates Duality and captures her own reflection as she detransforms, doing the trick with the mirror to create a doppleganger of herself. Now with two Lilas, Lila's dark side transforms back into Mink while her light side is instructed to play the part of the heroine. They head in different directions.

Marc Anciel's brother, Mathieu Anciel, is fortunate enough to find his girlfriend, Monique Imhof, after a short bit of searching. They hug each other in relief and then try to figure out what's going on. Mathieu attempts to call Madam Gros in order to get permission for both of them to transform—of course, he can't get through. Monique concludes that this isn't likely the work of Madam Gros/Ivory…which means they're likely all in danger. Mathieu agrees, and they both decide to transform. Mathieu transforms into Ramson the Aries, and Monique transforms into Zephyria the Witch the Aquarius. Their first escape attempt involves Zephyria flying as high as she can on her broom. Like other people who tried the same thing, it doesn't work. Ramson then uses his "Charge" to turn himself into a fiery battering ram. This takes out one of the wall, and the couple travels through.

Meg Delphinus, who has recently accepted the Virgo miraculous and become Angelica, also transforms and attempts to fly free. Failing that and connecting to anyone with her cellphone, she lands and considers her other options. Her special ability is "Sniper," which allows her perfect accuracy of any one target in the city. Angelica takes a deep breath and draws her bow. "I wish to strike down the one responsible for this maze." She aims her arrow…but the power she felt when she targeted Plagg isn't there. After all, there is a limitation to Sniper—the target has to be in a place where moonlight could possibly shine upon it, and it only works at night. Which means her target is hidden from all windows and doors, and that it's daytime, even though they're all inside. Angelica sighs. Unable to fly, unable to snipe, she winds up walking forward with no clear destination in mind.

Elsewhere, Nicolette Lacroix is carefully roaming the corridors, frequently calling the names of her best friend (Monique Imhof) or the guy she likes (Etienne Fontaine). However, she runs into the American exchange student, Cameran Tyler, and his best friend, Guy Nigels, instead. It's awkward as Cameran formerly had a crush on Nicolette and even confessed to her, but she turned him down in favor of the narcissist Etienne. Guy wonders where their other best friend, Tristan Fortier, is. Cameran points out their whole class is missing, teacher included, so their best bet is to set out to find them.

They turn a corner only to nearly fall into a spiked pit when the road gives out beneath their feet. Guy is only just barely able to see something suspicious about the bricks and call out to them, allowing the other two to be close to the ledge as they start to fall. Guy is on safe, solid ground while Nicolette and Cameran are hanging on for dear life. Now, Nicolette is also June the Cancer wielder. She realizes she could transform and use her augmented abilities to save herself and Cameran. But in doing so, she'd reveal her own identity and risk leading them to Madam Gros. Etienne's identity as Reef might also fall under scrutiny. So Nicolette does her best to hang. Fortunately, her kwami Trapper is with her. Trapper the crab darts up to some ornamental burlap hanging overhead and uses his claws to snip it down. Guy doesn't see Trapper, but he does see the burlap fall. He grabs it and uses it as a rope to pull both Cameran and Nicolette to safety.

They thank him and then debate the wisdom about remaining seated where they are, where they know it's safe, and allowing Ladybug and Cat Noir to save the day. However, Nicolette doesn't like this idea due to being an ally of the Western Order. Cameran complains about waiting on the heroes because he's been brainwashed and is unknowingly All-Star Rex, one of the birthstone wielders, with female Hawk Moth warping his personality against the heroes. But then he pauses as memories of the Ebony Nicht chapter surface. Was it a dream? A nightmare? He recalls being surrounded by empowered people, people whose faces he can't remember, and desperately trying to protest his innocence, saying he was brainwashed. He had a bat in hand… No, it had to be a dream. Then why did it seem so real? He feels uneasy as a result, and that makes him agree with Nicolette that it's not safe to linger. He needs to move. He needs to figure things out. Guy attempts to appeal to logic and safety, but they override him. All three press onward into the labyrinth.

Speaking of Reef, Etienne Fontaine is utterly disgusted with the fact he's stuck in a labyrinth. He sees the brick walls as "dirty," and the fact he'll have to walk an unknown amount of time as "disgusting." After all, he might sweat or mess up his hair! He travels until he finds a clear reflecting pool. And then he stops to admire himself. And he doesn't intend on leaving. Bubbles and Betta, the Pisces koi kwami, try to dissuade him, but he doesn't listen to them.

At the same time, Pierre Lefevre, who is Sir Silver Hart the Libra wielder but currently not transformed, is able to track down his best friend, Jean Duparc. Together they come across Jakeel Aristide, who is good friends with Jean as well although he and Pierre do not get along. Pierre expresses great concern about Lila Rossi, whom he likes and believes despite all her lies. Jean is worried about Rose Lavillant, but he doesn't say as much because he wonders if he even deserves her after his fiasco with the B Team and then siding with Adamantus. Jakeel doesn't have any active crushes, and knowing that his friends are safe, he defaults to laughter. He is a known prankster, but that is rooted in his desire to cheer people up—so he does what he can to get the others smiling again. And it works—and his friends both really needed a good, long laugh.

Now, unknown to both Jakeel and Jean, they're on the same team. Jakeel has been brainwashed into being Ruddiger, the peridot raccoon. And Jean is Chip Bluestone, the turquoise squirrel, who does realize he has a superhero alias but was used to betray the B Team. He joined Adamantus, thinking it's where he belongs, but he still has guilt over his whole superhero persona. Which is why he chooses not to transform. Jakeel doesn't transform either as he is unaware that he can. To top it all off, with Pierre serving the Western Order, he can't transform either without revealing his identity as Sir Silver Hart. Dee, his deer kwami, is hidden in his pocket. During a moment when Jakeel is distracting Jean, Pierre urges Dee to scout ahead for dangers and other people. Dee agrees but also states he won't go too far as Pierre needs him to transform if things get worse.

Elsewhere, the other set of resident bitches, Marie Chauveau and Suzette Rault, wind up together. Things start out well between them; they are best friends after all. They start walking, mutually complaining about not being able to access Instagram and gushing over updates in their favorite yaoi mangas. But the first trap they accidentally trigger sweeps them away in a torrent of water, and they barely make it to the walkway safely. Marie starts to begrudge Suzette a little. After all, if Suzette wasn't there, Marie could transform into Shark Regina the Capricorn and easily and gracefully swim to safety. It doesn't help that Suzette swings the topic to complaining about magic wielders and blaming them for everything going wrong in Paris. After all, Suzette has never yet been akumatized and never been entrusted with any magical item. We know from the future that she becomes Miraculous Thief who is then finally akumatized into Cheshire. However, the biggest motivation for Suzette joining a life of crime is that she was never entrusted with any magic and that she's jealous of those who have it. The roots of that jealousy manifest now, which do serve to alienate her from Marie. The two start bickering, which is something highly unlikely given the fact they usually get along great.

The last active member of the Western zodiac users is Felix Graham de Vanily, who has the Leo miraculous. He is incredibly disgruntled to find himself in the middle of a maze with his cell phone unresponsive. Leeroy, the lion kwami, tries to encourage him, but Felix is having none of it. Just then, Felix hears a voice. It takes him a moment to recognize it as his mother's. Felix goes through his pockets and finds a white feather—one of Odette's feathers. His mother, Amelie Graham de Vanily, has transformed into Odette and is using the crane's ability of "Communication" to talk with him through the feather. Odette does let off a subtle sarcasm in that her feathers can still be used to talk even though cell phones are dead. After all, Felix did basically mock the ability of the crane when Odette debuted.

Once they stop needling each other, Odette and Felix compare notes and try to figure out where they are in relationship to each other. Odette confirms that even the Agreste manor was affected, and she's ultimately worried about what's going to happen to her comatose sister in this situation (her brother-in-law not so much). Of course, the fact Felix is in the maze confirms that Francoise Dupont High School is also affected. Odette asks if Felix knows where Adrien is, but Felix has no idea. She also reveals she's in contact with Madam Gros/Ivory through her feathers. Odette relays to Felix that because of this and the interference from Labyrinth, Madam Gros/Ivory cannot contact any of her allies apart from them and Tarantula (who also kept a feather).

Since Odette can't actually see Felix, he makes a dismissive "blah blah blah" gesture with his hands and asks his mother to get to the point. Odette, on behalf of Ivory, gives Felix permission to transform, to seek out any enemy miraculous users, and to defeat them. This labyrinth can become their ambush as well.

Felix basically says that he doesn't need her permission to use his powers (despite the fact he kinda does) and transforms into Pride. He also attempts to leap over the walls only to be repelled. Pride takes his frustrations out by scratching furiously at the walls; however, since his special ability is not related to destruction, he's unable to break through. He finally resigns and starts sulking through the labyrinth.

That just leaves the birthstone wielders. And they have a massive advantage in that Labyrinth is an akumatized victim, thus female Hawk Moth is able to manipulate the corridors and traps to her team's advantage. In addition, while she knocked out communication across Paris, she still has her multi-party, long-range telepathy among her wielders. Hawk Moth links them all up, speaking to Nicholas Sancoeur first.

Now, Nicholas had a general idea what was happening as it happened, so he's much calmer than the rest of the teens. He checks to make sure Dapple is safe in his pocket—Dapple being the senti monster created to protect Nicholas from the Western Order's wards—and then transforms into Adamantus. Hawk Moth tells Adamantus he doesn't have to worry about the wards. She made sure those were all swept away during Labyrinth's first outlash. However, she cautions him that if Ladybug does her "Miraculous Ladybug," the wards will return. Hawk Moth tells Adamantus where he can convene with his allies. Because of the nature of the akumatized victim, Labyrinth himself doesn't have many personalized defenses. So Adamantus will have to protect Labyrinth in a way that doesn't look like he's working for Hawk Moth (of course, neither of them realize that both Team Ivory and Team Ladybug have figured out that secret).

Selkie-shi the sapphire fur seal is already active, swimming through the walls and floors as if she were in the ocean. Ebony Nicht the amethyst bat cannot slip away from Alix Kubdel to transform. Likewise, Chip Bluestone and Ruddiger cannot easily get away from each other as well as Pierre Lefevre. All-Star Rex is similarly surrounded by friends. So female Hawk Moth begins to manipulate their situations. She coaches Labyrinth, who manipulates his walls and traps to deliberately isolate Stella Tenebrae, Jean Duparc, Jakeel Aristide, and Cameran Tyler.

Fortunately for her, Viktor Vasiliev is already alone. Once he found out what was going on, he decided to wait in one spot until the whole ordeal is over. That is, until he hears Adamantus talking with him telepathically. Adamantus tells him that they're rallying together against this "injustice" as well as against the "showboating" of Ladybug and Cat Noir. And they need his help. Viktor doesn't hesitate. He invokes his emotions and transforms into Tenrec, the citrine hedgehog. The wall nearest him opens into an arch and lets his pass, no strings attached.

Rachel Beauchene hears a similar message. She checks to make sure she's alone and then transforms into Ursa the garnet bear without any hesitation. She laughs viciously at the power surging through her and races down the corridors.

However, she as she streaks around a corner, she runs into her boyfriend, Tristan Fortier. She screeches to a halt, surprised to see him. And to be honest, she didn't want to see him, not now, as things are tense between them due to her personality being corrupted by the garnet nails. It's fortunate that Tristan doesn't recognize her as Ursa. He recoils immediately, clearly terrified of what he sees as villain in front of him. Ursa insists she's not a bad guy. Tristan isn't convinced and raises his fists, boxer style, to defend himself since he's cornered in. Ursa, of course, doesn't want to fight her boyfriend. She knows she could just race around him and go on her way to Adamantus. But she also doesn't want to leave him alone in this labyrinth. After all, Rachel's true personality is still inside; she's just being swayed (not fully controlled) by Hawk Moth.

Ursa takes a deep breath and stands down. She takes a more defensive, open posture and shrinks the claws on her gauntlet as much as she physically can. She then, in a much more rational voice, repeats that she's not a bad guy. Tristan notices her physical posture and mimics it although his hands are still raised like a boxer. Ursa tells him she wants to help him get out of here. Tristan wonders why he should believe her when she's an enemy of Ladybug and Cat Noir. Ursa grumbles in frustration and states it's a long story, but she's sincere in wanting to help him. Who else can? They're trapped right now. Tristan relents at her logic and agrees to her help.

The walls do open for Ursa, and Tristan follows closely. However, they don't get very far. Only a couple of rows over, they run right into Blue Ox, who is also quite lost. He recognizes Ursa as an enemy immediately, and she recognizes him as one of hers. To make the issue worse, from where Blue Ox is standing, it genuinely looks as if Ursa is kidnapping Tristan Fortier. Blue Ox, being Ivan Bruel, at least knows of Tristan as they go to the same school. Blue Ox demands that Ursa lets him go and charges her. Ursa nudges Tristan out of the way, tells him to run, and then bares her claws at Blue Ox. Tristan is instantly worried about Ursa because of what seems like an unprovoked attack against her. It'd be even worse if Tristan knew Ursa was his girlfriend. Ursa meets Blue Ox's tackle with one her own; they fall through an open wall, which seals itself up before Tristan can follow. This leaves him very confused and questioning the Eastern Order wielders.

There's one other member of the birthstones who is alone: Wayhem. He's overwhelmed by everything that's going on as usually his school isn't the site of these incidents. He wanders a bit, bewildered, until he hears Adamantus asking for his help. Wayhem smiles, his energy revitalized, and transforms into Golden Scarabug. Like the rest of the birthstone wielders, the labyrinth gives way to him, and he quickly finds himself united with Adamantus, Tenrec, and Selkie-shi.

Of course, that's not the extent of current miraculous (or other magical items) wielders. Madam Gros/Ivory's strongest allies were also pulled into this. However, the Western Order is thoroughly prepared and has numerous spells protecting them. One such location defended by powerful spells is the apartment Ivory and the others operate out of. That apartment alone is untouched by the labyrinth—which would make it look very suspicious if Hawk Moth or Ladybug had any eyes turned in that direction. The inside is untouched, which means Master Fu is still imprisoned and has still sunk himself deep in a meditative trance to avoid revealing any of the Eastern Order's secrets.

Brynne and Zenon Theroux are able to retreat inside at the first sign Labyrinth had been akumatized, so they're safe. They're able to contact Madam Gros/Ivory though a landline phone, which works as their apartment was untouched by female Hawk Moth and Labyrinth. Ivory tells them both to transform and then to stay put. She needs them to guard Master Fu. After all, the untouched apartment sticks out like a sore thumb, and they need to keep their hostage. Zenon transforms into Draco and complains about being benched. He'd rather be out there, fighting against Ladybug and the Eastern Order that caused their father to disappear. Brynne tells him to chill (as a pun on his fire-based powers). She doesn't transform herself, not just yet. Instead, she focuses her phenomenal chef skills on cooking dinner for everyone. "After all, we haven't heard from Uncle Gerald yet. If he is out there fighting as Tarantula, he's going to be hungry when he gets off work." Draco doesn't like that idea at all and heads out, against orders.

Dr. Gerald Theroux was on duty in the Agreste manor, watching over Gabriel and Emilie when the whole city shifted. He braces himself during the shaking and then immediately tries to figure out what went wrong. What is interesting is that in his case, the room Gabriel and Emilie are in is now isolated with no way in and no way out. It, however, looks cozy if not a bit like a cemetery with ivy draped around the ceiling and the couple in bed-like coffins. Otherwise, they seem well protected. This is, of course, intentional on Nathalie's part. Dr. Theroux does notice that the room appears to be so safe it's secure, but he has no idea himself if this is intentional or just a side effect of the labyrinth. He attempts to break out under his civilian alias, but it's futile. He considers transforming, but Tarantula's powers aren't very useful in this situation. He realizes it might also give away his identity. So Dr. Theroux decides to sit tight. After all, he does take his job seriously and does want to see his patients get well—and given the circumstances, he literally is the only one right now who can care for them.

During all this (ho-boy are there too many characters in this story), the cast is moving within the labyrinth, triggering traps and having narrow escapes. Those without superpowers are often caught. This includes Miss Bustier, Mr. Haprele, Ms. Mendeleiev, Principal Damocles, Roger Raincomprix, Hugo Caquet, Jagged Stone and his crew (including Vivica and Penny), Theo Barbot, Miranda Edgarov (who flips her lid), and Nora Cesaire (who puts up one heck of a fight).

Back with the group that considers of Nicolette Lacroix (June), Cameran Tyler (All-Star Rex), and Guy Nigels (no superpowered form), they're huddled together, walking single-file, down an incredibly narrow hallway. Guy is in front as he has a good eye for traps. Their progress is slow, but it's all they know to do. None of them are inclined to play the damsel/dude in distress. Cameran does go out of his way to make sure Nicolette is safe. He might be over his crush, but he's still a decent person. In doing so, he moves in front of her. The floor Guy had passed safely over drops out into a trap door, taking Cameran with it. His friends cry out his name, but he's gone. The door closes itself up before they can consider following. This leaves Guy and Nicolette alone, with Nicolette realizing she needs to up her game and help. She just needs to get away from Guy, then she can transform.

Of course, the trap was custom made by female Hawk Moth to get Cameran alone. He's free will is subverted, and he's transformed into All-Star Rex before he even gets to the bottom of the shaft. There, it's an easy walk for him to join up with Adamantus and the others. (Double ho-boy, is this going to be my longest chapter yet.)

Likewise, Stella Tenebrae finds herself throw with a rotating wall, spinning her around and around. Alix Kubdel calls her name and tries to help, but Stella is sent tumbling down another path—another vertical path. She topples heels over head and then focuses enough to transform. With her hooked staff in hand, she latches onto the wall and rights herself, now facing the world as Ebony Nicht the amethyst bat. Alix, of course, has a good idea about what happened. And she knows now is not the time for Bunnyx, so she's forced to sit on her hands in agony while the events play out around her.

That just leaves Jean Duparc/Chip Bluestone and Jakeel Aristide/Ruddiger who are with Pierre Lefevre/Sir Silver Hart. Pierre is spouting about how it's "their mission as knights to rescue those in distress"—which actually is common for Pierre…at least, it's common enough for him to go on about his sense of justice. It's also clear Pierre is mentally playing out his fantasy of finding and saving Lila Rossi and her finally returning his affections. Jean and Jakeel exchange a look as they know that's a lost cause.

They get caught up in their conversation that they don't notice the plant seed pods overhead. That is, they don't notice the pods until one snaps up Jakeel Aristide right in front of them. For they're not pods at all but massive venus flytrap-like plants. Jean and Pierre immediately race to rescue Jakeel, but it's pretty much a one-sided fight. They're both quickly caught too.

This, of course, forces Jean Duparc to intentionally transform into Chip Bluestone. He uses his Escape ability to break free. Once out, he immediately looks around to help his friends. However, he's no longer in the same location. He's in a wide room with lots of pillars. Chip calls out for anyone and gets an echo. Then he hears footsteps as someone approaches. That person steps into the light, revealed to be Ruddiger the peridot raccoon. This is, of course, because Hawk Moth subverted his will, forced Jakeel to transform, and then released him. Ruddiger greets Chip as an ally and declares Adamantus is waiting for them. Chip repeats that he wants to save his friends. Ruddiger suggests that they look for his friends while they walk, and Ruddiger promises to lend his aid in freeing them if they do find them. He says they'll have better success helping civilians if the birthstone wielders are united. Chip agrees to these terms and the leave the wide room with Chip all but running as he searches for Jakeel and Pierre, not realizing Jakeel is with him.

Speaking of Pierre Lefevre, he's also captured by the giant venus flytraps. He struggles and thrashes and then starts calling for Dee. It's fortunate for him that Dee didn't go too far to scout ahead. Dee fazes through the pod and sees that Pierre is really trapped. Pierre declares "Prance, Dee!" and transforms into Sir Silver Hart. However, he is still bound. Sir Silver Hart ultimately has to use his "Polarity" on the trap. He magnetizes the bottom "jaw" north and the top "jaw" south so that they're opposites and repel each other, letting him out. Once free, Sir Silver Hart realizes he's alone; he immediately sets out to find his friends.

During all this, Marie Chauveau and Suzette Rault are still bickering. It ends when they storm away from each other in a huff. Suzette is the first to regret this—she does consider Marie to be her best friend, after all. However, when she retraces her steps, she realizes that not only has the maze shifted again, but Marie has gone off somewhere and is likely lost and alone. This makes Suzette feel guilty. However, Marie could care less. The moment she was alone and regained her senses, she transformed into Shark Regina and headed off to do her own thing.

Meanwhile, Ursa is still fighting against Blue Ox. She has been unable to meet up with the rest of the birthstone users as a result, and he has his hands full trying to deal with her. In part because she's just that vicious and aggressive and in part because he can't use his special ability due to the narrow confines of the corridors. He attempted once already; he knows. Though he did transform back into Ivan, feed Stompp, and transform into Blue Ox again so he's not currently on his countdown.

It really does look like Ursa has the upper hand as she corners Blue Ox. But then, for seeming no reason at all, she trips. This gives Blue Ox a moment to pin her. He looks around and sees a small Minimouse on the floor. A few other Minimouses rejoin, creating one Minimouse who is about toddler height. She asks Blue Ox if he's okay, and he affirms he is. He thanks her and then suggests Minimouse search Ursa for her magical item while he holds her down. It's what Ladybug and Cat Noir would want them to do, right? For double irony, Minimouse and Blue Ox don't yet realize their civilian identities are dating.

Minimouse is obviously terrified of Ursa, which doesn't help as Ursa is snarling loudly. Nonethless, Minimouse rallies her courage and approaches Ursa. She starts to search Ursa's head for earrings when Ursa gets enough leverage to activate her own special ability: Metallurgy. She yanks out the intricate metal trimwork of the maze and uses it to create a barbed wire whip, which flies through the air at her command and drives Blue Ox and Minimouse back. This gives Ursa time to get to her feet and face them properly.

Of course, encountering enemies isn't the only danger in the labyrinth. As seen previously, there are numerous traps everywhere. And as Yvonne Garnier, Genevieve Faucher, and Sabrina Raincomprix try to find their way out, they encounter one such trap. The ceiling is lowering to crush them, and the door that boasts escape is on the opposite end of the corridor. All three are sprinting as fast as they can to make it in time, but soon they have to run while ducking…and then crawling. It looks as if they won't make it. Yvonne and Genevieve are absolutely terrified, and to be honest, Sabrina is pretty scared too. However, she realizes that they're not going to make it, but there is something she can do.

She only hesitates for a moment. "I'm not going to lose any more friends! Barkk, Roll Over!" She transforms right in front of them, stands up, and catches the lowering ceiling with her augmented strength. That alone is enough to drop her to her knees. As Hachiko, she's really, really struggling with keeping the ceiling over their heads. She urges them all to run.

Of course, Yvonne and Genevieve are shocked that their new friend is a superheroine. It takes a couple more times of Hachiko demanding that they run before they shuffle to safety. Genevieve then thinks on her feet and finds a post. With Yvonne's help, she yanks it out of the ground; they use it to prop open the ceiling. Hachiko races out and just clears it as the post snaps on her heel. Hachiko thanks them.

Yvonne and Genevieve bombard her with questions (they aren't 66% of the school's newspaper staff for nothing), and Hachiko answers some but begs them not to tell anyone. She was trusted with the dog miraculous by Ladybug herself to help "a friend," and it's become one of the few outlets she has to actual talk to people (she's been getting along great with Ryutsume). Hachiko admits that after Chloe abandoned her, she thought she'd be truly alone—but then Yvonne and Genevieve opened their friendship circle to her…and the last thing she wanted to see was them get hurt. She sorta hints that maybe she shouldn't continue to be Hachiko any more now that she's been found out (though Chloe also knows her identity). Yvonne and Genevieve fully promise to not tell anyone. They owe her for saving their lives, and they do think it's cool she's a superheroine. Then Yvonne asks, "but who is Barkk?"

During all this, Marinette Dupain-Cheng is still trying to get away from her parents in order to transform into Ladybug. However, given the situation, they're in overprotective mode and don't let her out of their sight. They don't even fall for it when Tikki creates a distraction. By now, Marinette is getting pretty panicky.

Pegasus and King Monkey are still traveling together. Pegasus has recharged since his last use of Voyage, and King Monkey is encouraging him to use it again. Pegasus tells him that he needs to be prudent in using his special ability as there's no telling if he'll be able to recharge the next time. His caution pays off when they come across Pride around the next corner. And Pride, being Felix, is in one heck of a bad mood. He doesn't hesitate in drawing his Rapier. Pegasus and King Monkey respond in kind by drawing their own weapons.

Meanwhile, Ryutsume is still slipping through the labyrinth in her wind dragon form. That's when she notices Lila Rossi, looking every bit as suspicious as she turns around corners. Ryutsume reforms and orders Lila to stop. Lila pivots and points, telling Ryutsume to look out behind her. Ryutsume says she's not going to fall for Lila's lies and demands to know what Lila is doing. Turns out, this was a double trick on Lila's part as Mink is able to blindside Ryutsume. The dragon/mantis wielder goes sprawling.

Lila, being only her light-side, makes a show of running to Ryutsume to see if she's okay. Ryutsume tells Lila to get out of there as it is dangerous and there's no reason for her to be around. Mink poises for a second attack, and Ryutsume raises her own weapon. However, Mink doesn't lunge to attack. "Duality!" She catches Ryutsume's reflection and splits her into her light side and dark side—and in this case, it actually breaks Ryutsume down into dark-side Kamaitachi and light-side Ryuko. Mink is genuinely surprised this happened as she has had very little experience with fusion transformations.

Kamaitachi declares "Speed Strike" while Mink is processing it all. However, her attack is intercepted by Ryuko. Kamaitachi demands to know why Ryuko turned on her. Ryuko demands the same—"why are you the one attacking us?!" Kamaitachi points out that Mink is one of their enemies and is a known wielder of the Western Order. Ryuko, being the light side, argues back that that still doesn't justify attacking anyone without warning when there are other ways—such as negotiating or subduing her. Kamaitachi remarks about how disappointed their/her mother would be to hear that. After all, Tomoe knows all about when to strike and how hard. This does succeed at pissing off the light side of Kagami, and the two begin fighting, much to Mink's endless amusement.

During all this, Honey Bee comes across a white sheep. She's initially wary, but the sheep looks as if it wants her to follow. Since Honey Bee has been alone up until this point, she cautiously does. The sheep leads her back to Firefly and Buck. Firefly and Honey Bee are glad to see each other, as fellow members of the B Team, and Firefly introduces her to Buck as a "wielder under Ladybug" whom he "happened" to meet in the labyrinth. Buck explains it was his sheep, one of a dozen he sent out to try to navigate the place and find allies. The black sheep is still by his side. Honey Bee thanks him.

Unfortunately, things don't all work out so well. Both Shark Regina and Sir Silver Hart had also encountered a white sheep and followed them back to the source. They arrive at the alcove at the same time, inadvertently, with Honey Bee and Buck and Firefly caught in a pincher between them. Shark Regina gets a bit snarky about having to work with Sir Silver Hart again, but all five wielders rally for a fight.

Elsewhere, Juleka Couffaine and Rose Lavillant are still walking, trying to find help or an exit. Juleka is worried because if Rose has a relapse, they're SOL. Rose tells her not to be concerned; she feels fine. On the sly, both of them have sent their kwamis ahead to scout out, with the kwamis discreetly reporting back to guide them on the safest paths.

However, safety is not guaranteed, and the girls trigger a trap neither kwami foresaw. Not only does a giant boulder start rolling towards them as if to crush them, but also lasers activate, making the hallway potentially lethal as they attempt to flee. But both girls do put a very good attempt at running even though neither is an athlete. They have to duck and jump over the hot laser beams with the rock bearing down on them.

It occurs to both of them at roughly the same time that they're not going to make it. Juleka tries to mumble something to Rose, but Rose (ever the optimist) tells her not to give up. Juleka takes a deep breath and shouts "PAINT MY STRIPES, ROARR!" the same time Rose finishes her sentence, "Don't give up—Rejoice, Daizzi!" Both transform.

Juleka, now Tigress, immediately pivots and confronts the boulder head-on. She pulls her whip back and smashes to rock with all her strength. As if coordinated, Rose, now Pigella, throws her tambourine much like a Frisbee and shatters all of the lasers' lens, stopping them. The girls are a bit winded and high on adrenaline, but they're happy they're safe. Tigress looks at Pigella, and Pigella looks at Tigress.

"You're Tigress?"

"You're Pigella?"

They speak at the same time. And the answer is obvious enough. With the stress gone and replaced by safety, both girls break into laughter. They wind up laughing so hard they both have to sit down. They laugh and laugh and laugh.

Adrien Agreste and Carapace are also still wandering. Since Adrien doesn't have his ring, he's doing what he can. He's often checking his cell phone, trying to get a signal to get a message out. Adrien mentions he hopes that Ladybug is okay. He has no way of knowing where she is or if she's fighting the antagonist alone. Carapace tries to get him to relax.

And it works until they trigger a trap themselves. The floor gives out, leaving them suspended on a tiny island surrounded by lava. The lava doesn't seem to be rising; it's just there to hold them prisoner—which is dangerous enough due to the heat and fumes. Carapace is instantly protective of his not transformed friend. He suggests he use Shelter Shock to form a barrier around them, and that they stay inside the barrier and race across the lava.

Adrien shakes his head; he's skeptical that that'll work. Instead, he tells Carapace to transform back while he digs in his pocket. Carapace looks at Adrien as if he's crazy, but he trusts his friend enough not to question. He transforms back into Nino. Adrien hands Nino a piece of red cheese and tells him to feed it to Wayzz. He apologizes for the fact that it's gooey cheese; it just happens to be Plagg's favorite food. Nino feeds Wayzz and then transforms, giving Carapace fire protection and flame theming. This time, his outfit is more like a tortoise than a turtle, and the shell resembles a molten meteor.

Empowered to handle the lava, Carapace wades into the middle of it. He then creates a Shelter Shock strong enough to go all the way to the bottom, pushing the lava aside. This allows Adrien to hurry across on hot but non-melted land.

Alpha is still isolated in the labyrinth, trying to find his allies as Sass flies along beside him. Sass suddenly darts into hiding, and Alpha wonders why. That's answered when Queen Scorpion comes around the corner, also thoroughly lost. However, when she sees Alpha, she tilts her head back and laughs. Alpha doesn't understand her reaction, and Scorpion explains that Alpha's miraculous is the #2 miraculous she wants for herself. After all, its empowerment and ability to give a teenager a second use of a different miraculous's special ability is a very good skill to have.

Queen Scorpion poises to attack, and Alpha moves to defend. He declares he's not going to let her get close to Luuna. Scorpion looks at him, confused, no idea who Luuna is. Alpha almost lets it slip but keeps his mouth closed at the last minute to hide the fact that the antique akumatized items are now actual miraculous. They fight.

Ondine is still traveling, untransformed, while talking to Finn the dolphin kwami. They happen to pass by Etienne Fontaine, who is engrossed in his own reflection by a quiet pool of water. Ondine merely rolls her eyes and continues on her way.

Elsewhere, things are rather quiet for the birthstone users as they've gathered without any opponents following; it was easy since Hawk Moth controls Labyrinth and thus the whole maze. Adamantus was already there, waiting for everyone. However, their peace doesn't last when not only Draco but also Ramson and Zephyria the Witch happen to converge on them. Draco had a rather easy time traveling as he was able to get over most traps by clinging to the walls. Ramson broke through several walls on his own with his "Charge," and Zephyria proved to be adept at navigating.

The birthstone users consist of Adamantus, Ruddiger, All-Star Rex, Tenrec, Selkie-shi, and Golden Scarabug. Chip Bluestone and Ebony Nicht had yet to arrive, and Ursa is stuck in combat against Blue Ox. Still, this puts it at six birthstone users against three Western Zodiacs. Yet despite those odds, Draco is cocky and confident they can handle them. Draco makes his point by charging their apparent leader, Adamantus, with his long torch used as a bludgeon. Adamantus leaps from the flames, and Tenrec steps in to defend him. Tenrec rolls his D20 and random chance gives him a knife. It's very sharp but it doesn't have much range. He uses it to try to drive back Draco.

However, Zephyria the Witch keeps the birthstone users off balance by creating a whirlwind with her broom. Ramson backs her up, charging Ruddiger and All-Star Rex on his skateboard. With those two being mind-controlled, their reflexes are slowed and they're sent sprawling. Selkie-shi attempts to blindside Draco with her Shore Surf, but he's too hot for her to approach. Golden Scarabug is barely able to yank Selkie-shi out of danger with his flail in time.

Back with Rena Rouge, she is still racing through the labyrinth, trying to find Marinette whom she has reason to believe is physically ill. She largely has to trust her instincts to navigate, attempting to judge her route by the twisted road signs and building labels that got warped into the labyrinth. This includes racing passed several traps, closing right on her heels. She leaves several scratches in the walls as she goes.

At length, she finally hears voices. Rena Rouge slows to a walk and finds the alcove where the Dupain-Cheng family has safely tucked themselves. Seeing Marinette inside, Rena Rouge immediately creates a "Mirage" so it looks as if Marinette is still there. Rena Rouge then catches Marinette's eye beneath the illusion. Marinette crawls away and thanks Rena Rouge once she's out of her parents' hearing range.

Rena Rouge tells her not to mention it, and Marinette is one again relieved she has her best friend to watch her back. Marinette then transforms into Ladybug. Rena directs Ladybug which way not to go as she already marked passages that didn't have an akuma victim, antagonist, or ally. Ladybug thanks her and says it's time for them both to go. Rena Rouge shakes her head; someone needs to stay and watch over the Mirage. After all, if Tom or Sabine touch it, it'll break. And since Paris needs Ladybug, it's up to Rena Rouge to stay hidden here. Ladybug will have to go on alone. Ladybug doesn't like this, but she understands what Rena Rouge means. She thanks her friend again and bolts into the labyrinth.

By now, fights are breaking out across the labyrinth as various orders run into each other. Blue Ox is still up against Ursa, who has been attempting to pin him down by using Metallurgy to create giant staples. Blue Ox, however, is able to plow through those. He attempts to grapple with her, but her nails make that extremely difficult. Minimouse is doing all she can to aid Blue Ox, but Ursa is incredibly vicious. This forces Minimouse to pull all her little selves from the labyrinth and remerge back to her normal height. She's able to trip Ursa with her jump rope, and Blue Ox moves to subdue her.

Things are going even worse for King Monkey and Pegasus as they face down Pride, the Leo. Even though it's two on one, Pride is able to keep them at bay with his rapier and unarmed martial arts. He hasn't even used his special ability (Invulnerability) yet. But King Monkey and Pegasus can both see he's a huge threat. So King Monkey uses his Uproar in an attempt to throw Pride into disarray. However, the Leo proves to be too nimble. He dodges the rubber whoopee cushion King Monkey throws, catches it on the edge of his sword, and flings it at Pegasus. This knocks Pegasus for a loop, making it so not only can he no longer open a Voyage portal, but he can't even aim his horseshoe. While King Monkey is emotionally unbalanced for accidentally hitting his friend, Pride sees his opening to lay the monkey flat on his back.

Lila Rossi, Mink's "as light as it gets" side, has run off on her own, making a show of helping civilians to boost her own reputation. She's actually only putting minimal effort in her rescue attempts because she hates work, but she likes the glory that comes with it.

Light side Ryuko is also still facing down not only Mink but also Kamaitachi, her own dark side thanks to Mink's Duality. Kamaitachi and Ryuko are arguing over what would be the proper procedure to take Mink down. Ryuko feels Mink should be reasoned with and talked down. Kamaitachi is in favor of beating down both of them as she feels Ryuko is being too weak. They're so busy with each other that they're not even paying attention to the Gemini cabbit. Mink, of course, is loving the feud between the same person's own halves. But then she realizes…There's two miraculous here. One for Kamaitachi and one for Ryuko. They're not split in half, which usually prevents Mink from just creating a doppleganger and then stealing the miraculous from the clone. It means that one person has two miraculous. Mink orders them to give her their miraculous, figuring at least one half of Ryutsume would be loyal to her.

Mink turns out to be wrong. This only gets both Ryuko and Kamaitachi to turn against her. After all, there is no part of the highly responsible Kagami who would turn either of her miraculous over to Mink even if part of her did feel some empathy for the Gemini. Mink winds up having to deflect attacks from both a set of twin scythes and a katana. However, that doesn't last long either as Ryuko and Kamaitachi start needling each other. The scene quickly devolves into a three-way fight.

Another intense fight is happening with Buck and Honey Bee and Firefly against Shark Regina and Sir Silver Hart. Shark Regina and Sir Silver Hart spend a lot of time bickering as their personalities are overall incompatible. However, they do wind up working well together due to practice in the past. Honey Bee attempts to use Venom on Shark Regina, but the Capricorn is just too evasive. Sir Silver Hart proves skilled enough to shake off both Firefly's light blasts and Buck's shepherd hook with his expandable gavel. Now, both Firefly and Sir Silver Hart are on their timers, which ups the pressure for the battle while their allies try to cover for them.

During it all, Buck does his best to keep his one black sheep out of the line of fire. But since the sheep are rather simple and indiscriminate, it's only a matter of time until Shark Regina accidentally strikes the black sheep instead of Buck. Due to the close quarters of the labyrinth, the resulting explosion leaves them all unconscious.

Perhaps the most intense battle going on at this time is the one where Queen Scorpion faces off against Alpha. Since Scorpion has Chloe's stubbornness, she is not letting up. She badly wants the wolf miraculous to empower her own Scorpio miraculous and then target Honey Bee's bee comb. Queen Scorpion has always been rather reckless with her acidic chain, and if it weren't for the fast that Alpha is abnormally fast, he would have been dissolved ages ago. As it is, he's evading most of her blows, but parts of his outfit are showing signs of corrosion. He is definitely hurting. However, he presses on through sheer determination, using his spear to keep Queen Scorpion at bay.

At the biggest fight, it's still six birthstone wielders (Adamantus, Tenrec, All-Star Rex, Ruddiger, Golden Scarabug, and Selkie-shi) against Draco and Zephyria the Witch and Ramson. The latter two's inexperience is definitely showing as they haven't had their miraculous for very long. However, Draco fights as well as two, using both armed and unarmed combat (he has been trained in all the techniques of the Western Order, after all). Since they get into a tight spot, this forces Zephyria to use her special ability: "Return." She targets Adamantus, figuring he is the biggest threat. However, much to his surprise, Tenrec willingly takes the blow. As he gets pulled into a whirlwind, Adamantus demands to know why. Tenrec states simply that it's because they're friends. The citrine hedgehog is then returned to where he came from—in this case, it's the twisted corridor that is comprised of his family's apartment. Tenrec is bewildered and attempts to navigate back. But even with Labyrinth/female Hawk Moth helping him, he is quite far away.

It's at the moment that Tenrec vanishes that Chip Bluestone arrives on the scene. He, too, is touched that Tenrec would risk himself for Adamantus; he's amazed by the loyalty. It reminds him of his friends on the B Team. But…But…it was dangerous for me to be with them. I'm a birthstone wielder. This is where I belong… He's missing a lot of evidence about the true nature of the birthstone team, and that's intentional on female Hawk Moth's part as she's blinding his personality to it. Nonetheless, deep down, he feels lost and misplaced.

Draco then notices Chip's arrival and grumbles about how they just got rid of one, and now there's another to worry about! Draco orders Ramson and Zephyria (both on their counters) to hold off all the birthstone users while Draco makes it a priority of taking Adamantus down. Ramson and Zephyria exchange a wary look but decide to do their best.

Meanwhile, Ladybug is racing through the labyrinth, swinging over pitfalls and embedded spears with her yo-yo. She actually has a fairly decent time navigating the maze due to her affinity for good luck. When she passes civilians, she briefly directs them away from the dangers. She's going so fast that she doesn't even see Carapace and Adrien Agreste until she collided with Adrien, resulting in a reactionary scream. Carapace helps them both to their feet. Ladybug mentions she's glad they're both okay and winds up looking everywhere except at Adrien lest she give it away that she knows he's Cat Noir and that she knows why he's not transformed at the moment. Both mention that they're glad to see her, and Carapace asks if she knows what's going on. Ladybug theorizes it's an akuma victim and asks Carapace for his help. But then she goes tongue-tied around Adrien. Just like Marinette.

Adrien, realizing he needs to continue playing the part of a civilian, thanks Carapace for helping him and offers to go off and hide. Both Carapace and Ladybug inwardly wince at this, but they have no choice but to let him go. As he leaves, Ladybug finally calls his name. Adrien turns around, and she wishes him to "be careful" (yet again).

Elsewhere, Nicolette Lacroix is finally able to sneak away from Guy Nigels. Once he is out of sight, she immediately transforms into June the Cancer crab wielder and sprints down the corridor. Snow Leopard continues to do her best to guide her friends, Raissa Deschamps and Meera Pugliese, to safety. She freezes over most of the traps. It's actually not that unlike Hachiko, who is with Yvonne Garnier and Genevieve Faucher. However, there is some tension within Snow Leopard's group that sparks from the items both Raissa and Meera are carrying. Hachiko's group is laughing and joking and explaining what kwamis are as they're thrilled to be alongside an empowered friend.

The sounds of fighting attracts attention. Ladybug and Carapace hear this and sprint in that direction. They come across the fight between Team Draco and Team Adamantus. Carapace leaps in with his shield to defend someone he sees who is being attacked by Ramson. It isn't until Golden Scarabug looks up that Carapace realizes he might have just defended an enemy. Draco and Adamantus themselves are still going at it. This arrival does work in favor of Ramson and Zephyria the Witch as it forces All-Star Rex and Ruddiger to turn their attention from them towards the Eastern Order.

Carapace actually offers to hold them all off by himself in order to let Ladybug move on to find the akuma victim. Ladybug refuses to have any of that. Things sway a moment later when June enters the scene, also having heard the fight. Draco smiles broadly as not only is this one more ally for the Western Order—but June's Sever ability is pretty ridiculously overpowered. It cements Ladybug's resolve not to leave Carapace alone. Draco orders June to immediately use her ability—Sever the friendship relationships between either the Eastern Order allies or the birthstones allies, he doesn't care. Either would weaken his enemies. June, however, hesitates as she doesn't want to actively hurt people. Draco gets a bit snappish with her, and June raises her shears.

And half a second later, she finds herself frozen up to her elbows as Snow Leopard skates onto the scene. (Raissa and Meera take cover, heading away from the fight.) Snow Leopard immediately notices that there's no one else on the B Team, and she briefly worries about them. Carapace and Ladybug both welcome her as an ally while Draco sets to melting her ice. Selkie-shi also proves she can Shore Surf through Snow's ice. Golden Scarabug also reacts quickly. He tells Carapace he'll spare him in return for shielding him, but the same isn't true about his friends. Scarabug activates Bejeweled in an attempt to turn Ladybug herself into gold. Snow sends ice that way, resulting in a solid gold ice rink. Ramson uses this to increase his momentum, and just when it looks like he's going to run over Ruddiger, Hachiko arrives on the scene. She diverts him by kicking her ball and knocking him off of his skateboard. (Yvonne and Genevieve have also retreated to safety.) Hachiko waves at everyone.

Things really get chaotic at this point as Carapace/Ladybug/Hachiko/Snow Leopard take on Adamantus/Selkie-shi/Golden Scarabug/Ruddiger/All-Star Rex take on Draco/Zephyria/Ramson/June. Chip Bluestone gets stuck at this point as his heart fully recognizes Snow Leopard as an ally; she pleads with him, insisting that the B Team swore to do what they can to help him with his magical item. Adamantus fires back, luring Chip to his side. This pretty much makes Chip useless in the fight as all he does is defend himself. That's when Ebony Nicht swoops in and scolds him for his indecisiveness as she targets Hachiko. Then Froppy and Tsukuyomi sweep in to join the fight.

Carapace (also still in his fire form thanks to Adrien, which does him good against Draco) maneuvers his way to Ladybug and insists she has to go find the akuma victim and end this. It's the only way. Ladybug hesitates regardless; it's clear she's feeling a lack of confidence without her usual partner. Carapace reminds her of all the people depending on her, and Ladybug envisions her family, her civilian friends, their superhero forms, the B Team, and her extended allies in people like Master Fu and Marianne Lenoir. Ladybug thanks him and bolts forward. Carapace covers her escape with his shield.

Ladybug makes it through a pair of suspicious-looking doors at the far end of the hallway. She enters a large, round chamber with an obviously human figure floating in a blue orb in the middle. Ladybug carefully approaches, but her first step causes poisoned spears to shoot out beneath her feet. She leaps backward and then evaluates her setting better. This chamber is loaded with traps. So Ladybug uses her Lucky Charm. Whatever item she gets, she uses it to create one heck of a Rube Goldberg device that disables all the traps, allowing her an easy walk to the trapped akuma victim.

The akuma victim doesn't really remove or respond otherwise. After all, Labyrinth himself, all of his abilities, are tied into the creation of the maze itself. He has no other offense or defense. So once Ladybug conquered the whole labyrinth, it really was only a matter of walking up, breaking Labyrinth's akumatized item, and purifying the akuma. She throws her Lucky Charm into the air, and the entire maze dissolves.

Everywhere, regardless of where they are or who they're fighting, if they're captured or lost or running, are swept away, dumped around Paris. Most of them are sent back where they started; however, the majority of the empowered individuals are tossed random places alone. A few who are together do an awkward "Pound It." Ladybug herself is left on the roof of her home while Rena Rouge is inside the bakery, making an excuse to Tom and Sabine about why she's there. Rena Rouge escapes out the window while Ladybug transforms back into herself and runs downstairs as Marinette to make sure her parents are okay.

Adrien Agreste is returned to the outside of his family's home. He knows Ladybug won, and he smiles at that. However, he still feels insecure. He heads inside, flops on his bed, and opens his text messages. He starts to type but then hesitates. He recalls seeing Ladybug go off with Carapace, and he knows she has gotten and will continue to get a lot of help from their allies in both the Eastern wielders and the B Team. Now, he doesn't even have Plagg to help him anymore. Does…does Ladybug even need me?

Adrien swallows and sends his text to her. "I hope you're okay, milday. You did well; I'm so impressed. I'm sorry I couldn't help. Do…do I just cause trouble for you?"

He rolls over on his bed, expecting the worst—and expecting it to take a long while for Ladybug to answer. However, his phone buzzes almost immediately. "NO WAY!" She follows it up with "you're my irreplaceable partner, Kitty. I couldn't do this without you by my side." Adrien smiles, his concerns dissolving. After a few minutes, he replies, asking if Plagg is all right.

Ladybug answers that Plagg is still unconscious, but she's working on translating the page about kwamis and their acupuncture points and meridians, remembering that that's how Master Fu cured Tikki. She sends a couple of hanzi to him, which Adrien is able to translate into French back to her. Ladybug promises she's going to do all she can to help Plagg (even if it means going a second night in a row without sleep). She not only wants Plagg healthy, but she wants Cat Noir back. Paris needs him. She needs him.

To be continued in Chapter 85: Oxforte…