As the flame began to spread across Phoenix's tunic, Alpha Wolf sat motionless beside his partner. He was silent, watching as the fire grew. His eyes were filled with pain.

Another soft beep pulled Ladybug's attention. She only had one spot left.

"I-I have to go." She whispered to them, "I'm going to transform back soon."

"Me too." Chat answered, glancing at the two pads that were blinking on his ring.

When neither of them made an effort to move, Alpha looked up at them with a soft, sad smile.

"It's alright, kids. Go home. She's going to be okay."

An aggravated growl turned their heads shattering the peaceful moment. Dorn had woken up and was surrounded by Alpha's wolf pack.

"What are you going to do with him?" Chat asked, his voice shaking slightly.

Alpha sighed as he stood and turned to the man. "I would love to let the pack shred him to pieces and devour his limbs." He said darkly, "But that wouldn't be right. Phoenix and I will turn him in to the police. They'll take him back to Berlin to face trial, and once convicted he will be put away in the smallest, darkest cell they can find."

Ladybug heard a soft whisper in her head, Tikki was nearly exhausted.

"Will we see you again?" She asked as she forced herself to take a step towards the door.

"You will." He answered, turning his eyes away from his enemy.

"Tomorrow, when the last of daylight has faded. Wait for us, and we'll come."

With that, Ladybug and Chat Noir tore themselves away. Their hearts were heavy, but hope had returned to them.

—-

The two hero's sat side-by-side as the sunset bathed them in warm, orange hues. It had been a slow day for both of them. All day, they had been anxious to reach this moment. They were ready to know if Phoenix had woken up, and if so, what state she was in.

"I was talking to my kwami about Alpha Wolf yesterday- before everything went down." Chat Noir began. "He said Alpha Wolf might have something to do with these things called 'Soul Stones.'"

Ladybug shifted so she could see Chat better. "Soul Stones?" She asked curiously, "Did he say what they were?" Chat chuckled lightly at the memory of Plagg's vague description of them, "All he knew was that they granted magic abilities, and that Master Fu didn't like talking about them." Ladybug was quiet for a moment, thinking to herself. "When I spoke to Master Fu the other day, he seemed a bit concerned when I told him what was going on. He didn't want us getting involved. If it does have to do with these Soul Stones, why wouldn't he tell us? If they were dangerous, you'd think he'd want us to be prepared."
Chat sent her a mischievous smile, "I thought the same, m'lady. It's quite the pawzle."

Ladybug shook her head and sent him a mischievous smile of her own. "Maybe one day we'll get to the Soul of the matter." She countered, taking pleasure at the look of surprise that crossed her partner's face. "Aww, Bugaboo made a pun." Chat prodded slyly. "Purrrhaps there's still hope for us after all." "I wouldn't bet on it." Ladybug answered, sassily. Chat let the conversation fall.

"Thank you, by the way, Ladybug." Chat said after a quiet moment had passed. "For punning with you?" Ladybug teased, sending him a disbelieving glance. "No-Well yes- but that's not what I was talking about." "Then what is it, kitty?"

Chat sighed in contentment as Ladybug leaned against him. "For staying with me last night. You could have left, but you didn't." Ladybug sighed as the memory of the moment came back to her. "I couldn't have left you." She said at length. "I would never have forgiven myself if I had left, and then have something happen to you."

"It was pretty crazy last night, wasn't it?" Chat said with a smile, "I guess I hadn't thought about how different it was gonna be, when we first got there." He continued, "I mean, we fight akumas all the time, and we don't hesitate. But there were times last night- like when Phoenix was throwing those guys off the walkway or when Alpha Wolf would stab someone- that it was hard to stomach. I think the fact that they were people, not victims in a silly costume with crazy powers- i think that made it feel different. When we hit them, they bruised. The people Alpha Wolf stabbed bled and Phoenix was dealing out third degree burns. It was a completely different kind of fight. And when it was over, the evidence remained. There was no pretending it didn't happen."

Ladybug was surprised to hear such a sentiment from her partner, but she had to agree. The images had haunted her all day. She replayed a few of the memories over again. The sights and sounds were still fresh in her mind. "Do you think w-we'll ever be like that?" She asked Chat, hating the fearful shake in her voice. "I mean, they didn't hesitate. They didn't cringe at the screaming or hesitate when they caused injury. Even when I was up on the walkway and those men had me knocked down, I didn't want to hurt them. I hesitated. But Phoenix didn't. After we defeat Hawkmoth, I don't know what we'll do. I don't know if we'll still do this, but if we do, I don't want to do it that way. Without feeling, without thinking; it's to much. I don't think I have that in me."

Chat Noir fixed Ladybug with sincere smile, "We are different from them. Maybe not better, but different. We will have to do things our own way as time goes on. Whatever that looks like, we'll do it together."

As the sun dipped below the horizon and its final glimmers began to fade, Ladybug and Chat Noir heard two soft sets of footsteps approach them. They turned, and there was Alpha Wolf and Phoenix smiling pleasantly.

"I'm glad to see you waited for us." Alpha said as the younger heroes rose from their seats at the building's edge. Their eyes fell on Phoenix. She looked well, like it had never even happened.

"How are you feeling?" Ladybug asked as they approached. "Tired," Phoenix admitted with a smile, "but good. I am thankful to be here." She squeezed Alpha's hand as if passing him a silent signal. He squeezed hers back with a nod.

"You must have questions." Phoenix said, reading their faces easily. Her tone was light and encouraging, nothing like the fierce and dangerous tone she had used the night before.

"What are you?" Chat blurted suddenly. His cheeks reddened when his words reached his ears, and he quickly mended his question with: "I mean- how do you get your powers?"

Alpha Wolf cast Phoenix a quick glance, and she nodded. Alpha then unsheathed his dagger and held it in Ladybug and Chat Noir's view. A smooth black stone rested securely on the hilt. At the same time, Phoenix rolled over her wrist and showed them a glossy red stone which was held by a thin gold chain.

"Soul Stones." Chat whispered in a strange tone. "Yes." Alpha answered in slight surprise. "You know of them?" "Just the name. No one seemed to want to tell us any more than that." Chat admitted.

"Well, Miraculous holders have not always gotten along well with the bearers of the Soul Stones." Alpha said with a smile, "You see, while Soul Stones are not quite as ancient as the Miraculous you wear, their history is written rather close to them. They were forged as weapons to be used against fowl men, whereas your miraculous were made for the preservation of peace. That subtle difference has caused the two to have a strained relationship across the centuries." Ladybug and Chat nodded, and Alpha continued. "They work simply enough. The stones have a certain... rhythm to them. When a person's soul matches the rhythm of the stone, they become bonded to it. It then looks inside you, and creates a reflection of what it finds when you call upon its power."

"So..." Chat began in an odd tone, "You have the soul of a wolf."

Ladybug groaned at his comment, whereas Alpha Wolf laughed heartily. "That is a reasonable conclusion, Chat Noir."

Phoenix patted her laughing partner's shoulder. "He's quite the wild animal, sleeps outside and everything." She smirked at Alpha playfully, and his grin turned mischievous. "Well, if that were true, than you would be sleeping outside too, and we all know that doesn't happen."

"Wait, you know each other's identities?" Chat asked, suddenly.
"Yes, we do." Phoenix answered, "He's my husband."

Chat Noir glanced at Ladybug with an 'I told you so' sort of glance, and Ladybug began to scramble. She feared the argument Chat could make with their example. "But doesn't it put you in danger knowing?" She asked desperately, dearly hoping the answer they gave would be yes.

Phoenix and Alpha Wolf were quiet for a moment as they thought about their answer.

"No." Alpha Wolf answered after a time. "But it does make things hard from time to time, especially when we're in the middle of a fight or making a strategy. There's a fine balance between care and trust that has to be maintained. As her husband I want her safe, but as her partner I have to trust that she is capable of keeping herself safe. We've never been captured, but if we were we'd have to trust each other not to make reckless decisions, and that's harder when you're emotionally involved. "

"On top of that, sometimes we have to ask one another to make hard calls. You witnessed one last night." Phoenix added, "I made the decision to take the blast of the bomb upon myself, which puts pressure on him. Lighting your partner on fire and knowing its for the best is hard already. Lighting the one you love on fire is even worse."

She squeezed Alpha's hand again, and he sighed in response.

"I guess that would be difficult." Chat Noir admitted with effort, glancing at Ladybug as he spoke. "But doesn't it make you stronger... knowing?"

Alpha Wolf looked Chat Noir hard in the eyes, his gaze soft and steady. "The decision of whether or not to reveal your identities has to be taken case by case. Phoenix and I fight gang bosses, madmen, murderers, and suicide bombers. You and Ladybug fight a very different type of enemy. If it puts you in more danger knowing who one another are, then it should be left alone until after the war is won. But if it is minimal in risk, then I don't see harm in it. It is a decision that only you and your partner can make."

Chat Noir stayed silent at that.

"I'm afraid it's about time to say goodbye." Phoenix sighed, glancing up at the sky above her. "Their taking Dorn back to Berlin tonight, and Alpha and I are going to make sure he doesn't escape on the way."

Ladybug smiled as she shook Phoenix's hand. "I can't imagine anyone better for the job. Paris is lucky to have the two of you."

Alpha Wolf patted Chat's shoulder and smiled. "I'm leaving Tyron here as a communication line incase either of us ever need the other's help. He's one of my wolves. I know cats and dogs don't always get along, but he shouldn't cause you any trouble."
Chat smiled, "Well, I think you and I are proof that old cliches aren't always true, but I promise to behave as long as he does."

With that, Ladybug and Chat Noir said goodbye to Phoenix and Alpha Wolf. Very soon, far sooner than they liked, they were alone again.

"You know, they were pretty cool." Chat stated rather randomly. "They were, weren't they?" Ladybug agreed, "But I think we could give them a run for they're money. Race you to the Eiffel Tower?" Chat smiled a wide grin and grabbed his staff. Without a word, he vaulted off, laughing at his lady's shouts of cheating as she started after him.

—

When Marinette de-transformed later that night, her phone began ringing immediately. With a sigh, Marinette picked it up and answered the incoming phone call with a yawn. "Heeey Girl!" Alya's voice rang through clearly, "I've called you like a million times since last night! Why didn't you answer? Did your date with Luka go that well, or that badly?" Marinette blinked dumbly a few times before answering. Had it really been just yesterday that she had hung out with Luka?

"I-it was great!" She answered, her voice probably a little too chipper. "I-I mean it wasn't really a 'date,' but it was a lot of fun! We went to the park and I sketched while he played his guitar. We just kinda talked and hung out." "Pshh, yeah right." Alya teased, "Come on, girl! I know there's more too it then that!"

Marinette blushed a deep crimson. "No! I-he how did? Ughhhh." Alya's laughter resounded through the room as Marinette stuttered nonsensical phrases. It was going to be a long night.

The end

A.N.—

Thank you to everyone who made it all the way to the end. Please let me know what you thought!