Exchange Student

by MajorBrony95

Not long after Atem is put to rest, Serenity is selected to be an exchange student at Marinette and Adrien's school in Paris. Upon arriving, she learns that Marinette is secretly Ladybug and together, the two of them learn something incredible about Serenity. Something Hawk Moth will stop at nothing to acquire along with the Miraculous.

5. Chapter 5

It was a gorgeous sunny day in Paris and at the Dupain-Cheng Bakery, the youngest of the family was currently situated in her room, folding clothes on her bed as her houseguest, Serenity Wheeler, sat cross-legged on said bed and watched. She was quite impressed. Marinette was actually managing to easily fold her clothes without even looking at them.

"How exactly do you do that?" Serenity asked as she watched her friend fold another shirt without even looking and then place it on top of a pile on the bed. "Fold clothes without even having to look at them?"

"Years of patience and practice, Serenity," Marinette said proudly. "I've memorized all the clothes I own down to the last dimension, believe it or not."

"Seriously!?" Serenity asked, shocked.

Marinette nodded as she grabbed another piece of clothing out of the basket on the bed.

"Yep. Being a designer, you sometimes have to think of things you have seen before. It's thankfully not too much of a problem for me."

Serenity smirked. "Now if only you could remember how to talk to Adrien like that." She laughed as her friend opened her eyes to give the auburn-haired girl a glare.

It had been about four weeks since Serenity had arrived in Paris and about four days since she and Marinette had started working with Adrien in fencing and defense. True to the stories about him, Adrien was a wonderful teacher; calm, patient, willing to answer questions even if they were repeated. Serenity was definitely getting the hang of using a sword. Marinette was also doing well, but she was lagging a bit behind. Mainly because she couldn't help but space out while watching Adrien move gracefully while using his own sword. Apparently being in such often close proximity with the object of one's affections causes any pertinent information one already knows to take a one way trip to the paper shredder of one's mind. And frankly, Serenity wouldn't be surprised if Marinette's was overflowing.

But either way, they were doing well. Not just at fencing, but discovering about Serenity's powers. With Master Fu's help, they were able to learn more about Serenity's summoning of Monsters without actually having to be in trouble to call them out.

"Go on Serenity! Give it a try."

It was two weeks after Serenity had arrived in Paris and discovered that she apparently was able to summon real Duel Monsters to aid her in battle. For the past few days, she had been working with Master Fu and Marinette as well as additional help from Tikki and Wayyz. Now it was time to put it to the test.

"I don't know. What if it doesn't work?" Serenity asked

"Serenity, you have been working on this for a while now. Focusing on sending your heart out and trusting in your Monsters to aid you and not letting pride get the better of you as you did the first time you attempted this. We must know if you are able to do this while consciously willing your monsters into existence as well as doing so without using your Duel Disk as you did recently. You cannot always carry it with you." Fu explained.

"Besides," Wayyz added, "you managed it before with Red-Eyes Black Dragon WITHOUT the Duel Disk. By learning how to do this, this could help you hone your skills at a moment's notice faster."

Serenity then looked at the card in her hand. It was Goddess with the Third Eye, the very monster that had been her Deck Master in the Virtual World.

She let out a sigh. Then a hand placed on her shoulder and she looked behind to see Marinette smiling at her.

"You can do it, Serenity. Just give it your best shot."

Serenity then nodded after a few seconds. She then took a deep breath, closed her eyes and concentrated on the card in her hands.

"Goddess with the Third Eye, I call upon you in hopes that when the time comes, you will aid me in my time of need. Come forth to this world."

After a few moments, nothing happened. Then, in a shimmer of light, a woman in a green tunic appeared in front of them. What was stranger about her though was the fact she had small wings on her head and, of course, a third eye resting in the middle of her forehead.

"Incredible!" breathed Marinette.

"So great," Wayyz cheered.

Fu also nodded with a smile.

Serenity then smiled at the monster in front of her. "It's been a while. I haven't seen you since the Virtual World. Though in this case, you're real."

The goddess nodded, and then vanished.

"Well done, Serenity!" cheered Tikki as she hugged her cheek. "You're well on your way to better understanding your power!"

Speaking of Tikki, said God of Creation was now zooming around the room at top speed as if on a sugar high.

"Marinette!" she exclaimed, a practically antenna to antenna smile splitting her face. "This is quite a special day for you!"

Serenity also smiled and nodded. She also knew what day this was, having been told by Marinette herself.

Said blunette meanwhile was continuing to fold clothes, folding a green shirt in the process as she spoke. "Yes, Tikki! It sure is," she said as she put the perfectly folded shirt on top of the pile. She then opened her eyes and looked at her phone with a frown. "Hm, still no call..." she murmured. She then picked up the phone and stood up, walking to the stairs to her rooftop balcony hideout. Serenity and Tikki followed with the Kwami following closer.

Serenity looked at Marinette in confusion as the bluenette leaned over the railing, her phone stretched out as if trying to get a signal.

"You know," Tikki said, performing a small loop-de-loop, "there's a ritual we Kwamis perform on a day like this."

However Marinette seemed too distracted to really be listening. "Oh, really? That's nice," she said in a far off voice as she stood on a tiptoe on one foot and shielded her eyes to look out over the city.

Tikki then looked at Marinette for a second then got a sly smile on her face. "But I don't know if you humans would like it," she said in a fake distressed tone. "I wonder if you guys even GIVE each other PRESENTS on your birthday."

At that, Marinette stopped her search out at the city and gasped at her little friend with wide bluebell eyes. "Oh! Really, Tikki? You got me a birthday present!?" she asked excitedly, hands clasped under her chin as she bounced slightly with an adorable anxious smile on her face that caused Serenity to chuckle.

Indeed, it was Marinette's birthday today. The French girl was turning fourteen. Serenity was very happy she could be here for her friend's birthday. Marinette had spoken about it the last couple of days and seemed very excited by it.

Serenity then turned to Tikki and asked, "You got Marinette a gift, TIkki?" If that was true, she was interested in knowing what kind of gifts creatures who were akin to gods gave on days like today.

Tikki meanwhile looked quite proud of herself as she answered their questions with a smug smile on her face. "Of course. It's a Kwami specialty, you know," she said, rubbing her non-existent finger nails on her chest.

"Oh, that's so awesome!" Marinette cheered. "What is it?"

"I'm interested too," Serenity said, joining Marinette as the two kneeled down to Tikki's level, both looking expectant.

Tikki then zoomed up to them and began doing a small dance in the air while humming, twisting and twirling as she did. Marinette and Serenity looked at each other confusedly before looking up as Tikki did one more rapid spin in the air. Then, she did something VERY unexpected; she SPAT something into a surprised Marinette's open hands. It appeared to be some sort of pink glowing… spit.

'O-kay,' Serenity thought, giving the odd glob a look of pure disgust, practically sweatdropping at the sight. 'This is both disgusting and weird. I expected some sort of glowing gift, but NOTHING like THIS.'

Tikki however seemed overjoyed with herself. "Miraculous birthday, Marinette!" she cheered, even as she unknowingly had some small strands of spittle hanging from her mouth that dripped as she spoke.

Marinette however looked just as shocked and disgusted as Serenity felt, her eyes wide and staring at the liquid in her hands as she just sat there, groaning at what had happened.

Tikki then seemed to catch onto the girl's expressions and her face and tone became crestfallen. "Oh no! You don't like it, do you?" she asked sadly as her antenna drooped.

Upon realizing she'd obviously hurt her Kwami's feelings, Marinette quickly morphed her face into a slightly strained smile. "No! I-I mean, yes! Yes, I love it! It's amazing, Tikki!"

"Yeah!" Serenity agreed, though she still looked a bit confused and grossed out. "It's a great… uhhh, what is it?"

Tikki then became happy again as something then happened to the thing in Marinette's hands. Any residual spittle seemed to fade away until something else was left in her hand. Serenity and Marinette both looked at it. It was shaped like the light swirl from the Yin and Yang symbol, being red and having a circular hole in the center of its round side. "A Kwagatama!" Tikki exclaimed proudly. "It's a great symbol of friendship among us Kwamis." She then seemed to get a faraway look in her eyes as she began speaking again. "We take a hair from our Miraculous holder and join it to the hairs of all the former Miraculous holders. And with them we grow a magic resin for a few months and-" She then stopped as her antenna drooped and she got a very sad look on her face, her eyes looking like they were filling with tears. Serenity noticed this and looked to her side to see what she was looking at. Marinette was staring at her phone, which she had set on the table when she sat down, not listening to a word Tikki was saying. The Kwami then spoke up in a disappointed tone. "I know you don't wanna tell me because you don't want to hurt my feelings but it's obvious you don't like it."

At that, Marinette was broken out of her concentration at the phone to hear Tikki's words and looked shocked and saddened, obviously realizing how she'd acted.

Serenity also added in a slight upset tone, "Mari, you're being very rude! I get the way it was given wasn't the most… hygienic, but it was a really sweet gesture."

Marinette then looked at her friend and down at her gift, then back to Serenity. "You're right. I shouldn't have acted like that." She then turned to Tikki with a guilty look. "I'm sorry, Tikki! I-I really love your gift," she insisted as she gave a small bow in apology. "It's just that… well," she then picked up her phone as she stood up, Serenity following. "Alya should already have called me by now."

"Why would she?" Serenity asked. "To wish you a happy birthday?"

"Kinda," Marinette said with a slight smile. "We're supposed to be taking her little sisters to the dentist at four o'clock today." She added air quotes to "dentist" and ended her sentence with a wink as though there was something that she knew that they didn't.

Apparently, Tikki hadn't caught on as she looked puzzled. "Do you humans always celebrate your birthday by going to the dentist?" she asked, tapping her chin in thought.

"Yeah. I don't quite follow either." Serenity said, scratching her head.

Marinette then laughed. "No, no. You see guys, it's a secret code we have! We came up with it last year during my last birthday and we decided to keep it going this year. The others actually throwing me a surprise birthday party!" she cheered excitedly.

Serenity then understood. Apparently Alya told Marinette that the others were working on the party through their code words.

Tikki however still looked confused. "But how can it be a surprise if you know about it already?"

Marinette then tried explaining to the tiny god. "See, Tikki, the thing about surprises is you KNOW about it, but PRETEND you DON'T so you won't spoil it for the PEOPLE who are organizing it!"

Serenity then nodded. "I guess that does make a bit of sense."

"Exactly!" Marinette cheered.

Tikki however still seemed hopelessly lost. "What about the dentist?"

"It's a fake-out!" Marinette explained with slight excitement, making gestures in order to try and explain yet again. "See, Alya's gonna pretend to take me to the dentist, but she'll REALLY be taking me to my surprise party!"

Tikki seemed to get it, but still seemed a bit concerned. "But what if you're wrong?"

Marinette seemed confident though.

"Impossible!" she declared. "All the signs are there, Tikki. See, a few days ago, while I was getting my saber to practice with Adrien, Juleka totally jumped when I caught her holding a bicycle pump. She was stammering so hard as if to come up with an excuse."

The group then came down from the roof as they continued to discuss the possibilities.

"Perhaps Juleka has a bicycle!" Tikki exclaimed.

"Tikki, if that were the case," Serenity stated, "I sincerely doubt someone with a bike would keep one in their locker. Possible, but unlikely.

"Exactly, Tikki!" Marinette said, turning to face the little bug god. "Obviously, she was planning to use the pump to blow up balloons! A surprise birthday party always has balloons!"

"Okay, perhaps," TIkki stated, "but that's still not enough proof to convince me." She said this as she crossed her arms and quirking a nonexistent eyebrow.

Marinette narrowed her eyes playfully as she sat down on her bed, crossing her legs. "Okay. How about THIS? Also, yesterday, I caught Nino on a bench listening to my favorite song through his headphones!"

"Wait, how were you able to hear through the headphones?" Serenity asked.

Marinette blushed a bit, "Well, I MAY have lifted them up slightly to listen."

Serenity laughed at that as Marinette bobbed her head slightly, most likely hearing the song in her head.

"Perhaps it's HIS favorite song, too!" Tikki proclaimed.

Marinette however popped out of her earworm thoughts to shake her head furiously. "Are you kidding!? He hates it! He's stated it as much before. He would have absolutely NO real reason to listen to it unless... He's making a playlist for my surprise party!" She then crossed her arms and smiled triumphantly. "Elementary," she stated.

"I hate to admit it, Tikki, but she seems to have you beat," Serenity said to her.

Tikki however merely gave the two skeptical looks and Marinette sighed.

"Okay, fine. If you don't believe me, then riddle me this; why was Alya having a secret convo with Adrien, huh? Or why, when they spotted me, he loudly said, 'Uh, uh... yes, Alya! I know a very good dentist and here's his number,' and then handed her a piece of paper?"

"Okay, that does sound pretty forced," Serenity said nodding.

"Right," Marinette said. "Which means... He's going to be there!" She said this last part throwing her hands up in the air giddily.

Though of course TIKKI had to cut in with her two cents. "OR… it just means Alya is taking her sisters to see Adrien's dentist!"

Serenity face palmed at that as Marinette groaned, collapsing onto her back off her bed. She then looked up at the tiny red being. "Fine, you know what, my little doubting Kwami? There's one no-fail way to find out if there's a surprise party in the making!"

"Which is?" Serenity questioned.

Marinette sat up on her bed, and then stood up. "Follow me and I'll show you," she said slyly.

---

Downstairs, Marinette, Serenity and Tikki were in the apartment, right outside the door leading to Tom & Sabine's Boulangerie Patisserie Bakery.

Marinette then turned to look at Tikki and Serenity, the former hiding in the latter's long hair.

"Watch their faces," she whispered. She then briskly opened the door, a fairly calm look on her face. "Hi Mom! Hi Dad! Say, I've got a question. Do you know if Alya is planning anything for my birthday today? Like, maybe, a surprise party?"

Serenity and TIkki (from her hiding spot) peeked into the bakery and their eyes widened slightly. Marinette's parents were frozen in place, right in the middle of decorating a large pink cake with strawberries. Upon seeing who it was at the door, Tom and Sabine gaped before they immediately sprang into action. Tom, fumbling with the cake a tad, actually tossed it in the garbage bin and proceeded to sit on the lid with his legs crossed. Sabine meanwhile leaned on the counter, trying to seem casual.

"Uh, oh, hello sweetie, Serenity!" Tom stammered. "Uh... Party? Uh, what party? Uh, which Alya, again?" he continued, scratching his face embarrassedly.

A strawberry hit Tom in the head, courtesy of Sabine

"You're overdoing it," she whispered aside to her husband. "We're talking about her best friend!"

Tom seemed to think for a second before exclaiming, "Alya! Of course, Alya! We haven't seen her in years!" He ended with a laugh that couldn't be more nervous if he tried.

Sabine simply looked at her large husband in disbelief before shaking her head and sighing in exasperation.

Marinette simply smiled widely and closed the door, allowing her to speak to Serenity and Tikki, who flew out of Serenity's hair. "See, Tikki? Parents always know when there's a surprise party in the works. They very rarely can keep a secret THAT big without letting it slip somehow."

"Maybe you're correct after all," Tikki said, finally seeming to concede defeat.

Serenity giggled a bit. "It was pretty funny watching them try to keep the secret, especially with your dad tossing the cake in the trash and sitting on it." The others joined in the giggling before Serenity stopped and got a concerned look on her face.

"What's wrong, Serenity," Tikki asked, noticing the look. Marinette also shared her concern.

Yeah, what's up?" she asked.

"Well…" Serenity said, "I'm just wondering why if all our other friends were told about this and allowed to help, why wasn't I?"

Marinette looked at her for a minute before blinking, realizing Serenity was right; she HAD seemed to be left out of the party planning.

'Well, um, maybe," Marinette muttered, trying to think of an explanation before alighting on a seeming one. "Oh, I know! Because you're my roommate, Alya was worried you'd let the secret out too soon! SO she didn't tell you just in case!"

Serenity however, upon hearing that, seemed to look even down.

"Oh, I understand," she said gloomily.

Marinette, upon seeing her friend so down over not being included, then hurriedly tried to cheer her up.

"H-hey! Don't worry about it! They just don't know you too well is all. They don't exactly know if you could keep a secret that well yet. After all, you are new to the group." She flung an arm around her friend as the girl in question seemed to brighten a bit.

"I guess you're right, Mari," Serenity said with a smile.

"Of course I am!" she exclaimed as she noogied a fist into Serenity's arm, making her laugh which made Tikki and Marinette laugh too.

At that moment, the doorbell rang, causing Marinette to smile widely.

"And now, girls" she said to the two, "on the other side of this door…" she added a graceful ballerina twirl as she moved to the door knob. "Check out who's coming to get me!" She leaned on the knob as she triumphantly smiled with Tikki once again hiding in Serenity's hair just in case. One could almost hear triumphant music in the background. "Just in time for the party! It's-" Marinette opened the door… and immediately, her face froze before falling slightly; again with the music, one could imagine it trailing off comically.

On the other side was not the girl Marinette had assumed, but someone else entirely. The woman sported glasses with tan rims and long gold earrings with green circular tops. She was wearing a black leather jacket with an upward collar and silver flat studs on the shoulders. Underneath, there was a black shirt that included a prism design, with light entering on one side of a sphere and a ray of colors coming out of the other side. She had black fingerless driving gloves with holes around the knuckles and on the back of her palm, a watch with a red strap on her right arm. There were various bracelets on her left wrist: a gray studded bracelet, a gold band, and black band, and a rounded red band. She also wore red jeans, a black belt, and black shoes. On her left arm was also a red motorcycle helmet, which matched the red motorcycle behind her.

Serenity wasn't quite sure who this woman could be, but apparently Marinette did as she uttered one word in confusion and shock:

"Grandma!?"

Serenity stared at the woman for a few seconds, and then turned to Marinette. "GRANDMA!?" she asked in shock.

Upon apparently hearing Serenity's outburst, the two bakers of the house popped out of the kitchen and stuck their heads out the corner of the door, apparently shocked as well if the tones of "Mom?" from Tom and "Gina?" from Sabine were any indication.

Serenity then looked at the larger of the two, quirking an eyebrow. "THAT'S YOUR mother!?" she asked him, causing Tom to simply shrug.

Marinette meanwhile laughed in delight and ran over to hug her grandmother.

The woman, "Gina" apparently, lifted her sunglasses up revealing dark green eyes. She then spoke surprisingly with a lilting Italian accent, gazing down at Marinette in shock. "Marinetta! You're so tall for your age!" She pulled back a bit to get a look at her granddaughter, and then walked into the bakery, Marinette hanging on her right arm eagerly. "Did you get my letter from Patagonia?" Gina asked.

"Yes," Marinette stated as she walked in with her grandma into the bakery, Tom and Sabine following and watching on with a smile. "And the ones from Australia, Bali, and Estonia, too!" She then whispered in awe, "Did you really get chased by a bear there?!"

Gina then let out a loud laugh at the question before immediately calming down and waving a hand flippantly. "Yes. But we wound up good friends in the end." Marinette then hugged her grandma's arm happily.

All the while, Serenity stood in the background, still in the apartment hall, not wanting to spoil the moment between the family. She was also still in a slight state of shock. She still could barely believe that THIS woman was Tom's mother and Marinette's grandmother. She looked NOTHING like the grandmas she'd met before and she certainly didn't seem like she'd be the mother to someone like Tom. However, it seemed to be true.

"Why don't you go and say hello?" Tikki whispered.

"I don't to be rude," Serenity whispered back.

Meanwhile, Tom leaned in to whisper to his mother as well. "Mom. It's her birthday, remember?"

Gina however glowered at her son. "Why do you think I'm here?" she asked incredulously. She then walked over to the counter, placed her motorcycle helmet down, and, with a slight twirl, pulled out a package to hand to Marinette "Happy birthday, my fairy!" she cheered as Marinette eagerly accepted the gift. "My Inuit friend knitted it especially for your tenth birthday!"

That caused Serenity to be surprised. She honestly thought Mari was TEN? She had mentioned traveling extensively a bit, but was she really that forgetful?

Tom seemed to confirm it though as he leaned in to whisper, "Uh, she's fourteen."

Gina only confirmed it more by seemingly visibly startled. "My! How time flies!" she stated.

Marinette finally opened the package to reveal a shirt. It was very nice with an owl design and what looked like beautiful yellow and red feathers. There was only one problem; it was obviously MUCH too small for her. It looked like it would fit a doll rather than a girl.

Marinette gave a small squeak of surprise and a rather forced smile. Serenity also put a hand over her mouth to stifle any snickers at the tiny shirt. She knew it was a nice gesture, but it WAS somewhat funny.

Gina, seeming a tad embarrassed, waved her hand. "That's okay. I'll ask my friend to make another one." She then reached out for the shirt, but Marinette quickly pulled it to her chest.

"No! No!" she said hastily. "It's awesome! I can make this work. It's perfect, Grandma. Thank you."

Gina smiled at that, then her eyes trailed behind and she spotted the only non-family member in the room.

"Well, well! Now who's this? Tom, don't tell me you and Sabine had another child while I was gone and never told me!" Gina exclaimed, embarrassing Tom as Sabine chuckled at his expression.

Marinette, finally realizing she'd left her friend alone, quickly raced forward to grab Serenity by the arm, Tikki zooming out to hide behind the door.

"Oh no, Grandma! This is my friend, Serenity Wheeler. She's an exchange student from Japan who's staying with us for a while." Marinette said, putting an arm around Serenity and presenting her.

"I-it's nice to meet you," Serenity said, giving a small bow in greeting.

"Japan! Land of the Rising Sun!" Gina exclaimed. "Oh, I visited there in my younger years before I met Tom's father! The cherry blossoms, the architecture, the sushi, the sumo wrestlers! Oh, such a beautiful and fascinating country. I also met a friend there, believe it or not." She then got a sly look. "He was quite the looker. We got to be VERY close and I dare say that he very well could've almost been Tom's father if things had continued going the way they were headed."

"MOM!" cried Tom, embarrassed.

"Is that true?" Marinette asked, apparently surprised by this news.

"Si. Of course, at that time, I was even more of a free spirit than now. I wasn't quite ready to settle and neither was he. He had a job as an archeologist of all things. So we drifted apart a tad and only AFTER I met Tom's father did we reconnect. We've written a few times over the years."

"Wow! That's incredible!" Marinette said. "What does he do now?"

"Oh, nothing much. Just runs a little game shop in a city. He's content with his life."

Serenity gaped at that news. A former archeologist? Who runs a GAME SHOP!? She couldn't possibly mean…

Before she could finish her thoughts or ask, Gina's voice interrupted. "Well, enough about me and the past! Let me take a look at your friend, Marinetta!"

She then leaned in to look at Serenity, giving her a once over which made her a tiny bit uncomfortable.

"Oh my! Bellissima! Such a pretty face! And your name. Serenità! It just screams of your beauty, my dear!"

"Oh, um, uh, th-thank you," Serenity said, feeling very flattered and a tad embarrassed.

"Ah, I'm certain you get many young gentlemen callers, no?" Gina chuckled.

"Not if my older brother has anything to say about it," Serenity stated drily, rolling her eyes.

Gina let out a laugh at that. She then frowned and looked at her again.

Oh, but mamma mia, she's so skinny! Many boys like a good slim figure, but not a rail!" She then turned and fixed her son with a glare. "Tom, you run a bakery for Pete's sake! Have you been feeding this girl enough!?"

"Mom, honestly," groaned Tom. It was rather amusing to watch the larger man be berated by his fairly smaller mother. This brought Serenity and Marinette to giggles and even Sabine tried to stifle a laugh.

Once Serenity calmed down a bit, she smiled at Gina. "I can assure you, Mrs. Dupain, your son and daughter-in-law have been treating me very well. And Marinette's been a wonderful friend.

Gina smiled at that, but waved a hand and scoffed. "Please, none of that 'Mrs. Dupain' stuff. Ugh, makes me sound old. To you, Serenità, it's Gina. Or Nona if you want."

Serenity was surprised that this woman would be so laid back and accepting of her that she would allow her that luxury. Nonetheless, she smiled gratefully. "Thank you, Mrs. Dupa- I mean, Nona."

"Oh, if only I'd known you'd be here. I could've gotten you a gift as well." Gina said. She then smiled at Marinette. "And speaking of gifts, I have something else for you, my fairy."

Marinette smiled excitedly. "Another gift?"

"That's right," Gina said happily as she rummaged in her helmet. "Your Nona has also brought you your favorite candy~!" She then placed a tin in Marinette's hand. According to the label, it was apparently called "Befana" and had a picture of some sort of witch on it.

"Oh!" Marinette exclaimed, looked shocked at the tin for a moment but then merely stared at it with another uncertain smile on her face, giving an uneasy chuckle.

While Serenity noticed Marinette's look, Gina seemed oblivious as she beamed. "You still love them, right?" she asked with a big smile on her face.

Marinette simply nodded while nervously answering, "Yes, yes of course..."

Suddenly, Gina plunked her helmet on to Marinette's head, causing her and Serenity to look at it oddly.

"And that's not all, my fairy!" she cheered, clasping her hands happily. "We'll have a wonderful day, you and I! Just like the last time!" She then grabbed Marinette and began to drag her back to the apartment. On the way, she passed the shirt into her mother's hands, Sabine being a bit surprised. "We'll go to the merry-go-round and to the zoo, then-!"

Tom then apparently decided it was time to intervene. "Uh, mom?" he called out, sounding a bit unsure. "Can I have a word, mom? Uh, just the two of us."

Gina however didn't seem too happy at this as she turned to glower at him once again. "What, Tom?" she asked. "That I don't know my Marinetta anymore because I'm always travelling?"

Meanwhile, Marinette and Serenity merely watched the exchange between parent and child nervously.

Tom seemed to get his mother was upset and tried to placate her. "No, mom!" He then tried to whisper something to her. "It's just-"

Gina then interrupted again, this time adopting a tragic dramatic pose with the back of her hand pressed against her forehead. "You think she doesn't want to spend time with her Nona, is that it?" she said in a faux sorrowful tone. She then raised an eye not at all inconspicuously as she looked at Marinette, obviously to see if what she was doing was working.

Marinette quickly spoke up. "No! No, of course I want to spend time with you!" she exclaimed. She then pulled her phone out and looked at it. "Uh, besides, it's not four o'clock yet," she added with a smile.

Gina let out a sigh before giving a smug triumphantly at Tom. "There. You see?" she said in an "I told you so" tone. She then exclaimed dramatically with a raised arm, "Come on, let's go, Marinetta! We're going to have a ball!" She then started pulling Marinette along, and then stopped. "Wait a minuta, I have a BRILLIANT idea!" she exclaimed. She then ran over and placed her hands on Serenity's shoulders, a wide smile on her face. "Serenità! Why don't you come with us? It would be WONDERFUL to get to know one of my granddaughter's friends." She then turned to Marinette in the hall. "That is, if it's alright with YOU, my fairy. I know I said it would be just you and I, but-"

Marinette smiled and enthusiastically nodded. "Certainly! If Serenity wants, I'd be more than happy to let her come along."

Serenity then gave a smile of her own. "I'd love to!" she exclaimed. From what Gina said, it sounded like the day would be fun. Plus Marinette might need a bit of help getting to the party once it did occur.

"Excellent!" Gina cheered. "Come girls! I have extra helmets in my bike's trunk and the seat should be big enough for both of you!" She then dragged the two giggling girls out of the house, Serenity waving good-bye to Tom and Sabine as they left, who reciprocated with smiles.

---

All day long, Serenity, Marinette and Gina went around Paris and had lots of fun, just like Gina said they would. First, they went to a merry-go-round, which Serenity hadn't been on since she was a little girl and hadn't much since she and her mother had left her father and Joey. Since then, she had never found the time to think of revisiting one. She had a lot of fun riding the horse and feeling a small tickle in her stomach as she rode it up and down.

They then went to the zoo, again someplace Serenity hadn't been to in a while. She and her family had never really gone to many places like that, her father thinking it was a waste of money he could spend on booze and the like. It was only after she and Joey started hanging out more that she managed to see things like that, but even now, it was as enjoyable as the first time. She saw so many animals like majestic lions, hilarious monkeys (one of which she actually thought looked a lot like Joey, strangely), adorable otters and penguins, and even a gigantic giraffe.

However, while she was having the time of her life, she noticed Marinette being distracted by her phone quite a bit, obviously waiting for her call from Alya. Also, she noticed that anytime she saw her eating one of the candies Gina had gotten for her, she either spat it out back into the wrapper or got rid of it. At the zoo, she even managed to sneak it to the giraffe once Gina was distracted by the elephants. Thankfully, she wasn't caught by the zookeepers either.

By the end of the outing, they were sitting on the Pont des Arts Bridge. Gina had gone over to an ice cream vendor to get them some frozen delights as Marinette and Serenity sat on a bench and waited.

Gina waved at them as she conversed with the vendor, whom she apparently knew, and the two waved back. Marinette then looked at her phone again. The time showed 16:06, which in military time was 4:06 p.m.

"It's four o'clock," she sighed. She and Serenity then looked at Tikki, who had followed along and hidden in Marinette's shirt. "Maybe you were right, Tikki. I jumped to conclusions and there really is no surprise party." She sounded very distressed by this. She then spat out another candy into the wrapper and puts it in the tin with a few others she had done the same thing to.

"Okay, why do you keep doing that?" Serenity asked, putting her hands on her hips. "I mean, come on. It can't be THAT bad."

Marinette simply looked at her drily. "Wanna bet?" she asked, picking up a piece she hadn't touched yet. "Try it and see if you're still singing the same tune."

Serenity looked at the candy and then shrugged before taking it unwrapping it and popping it into her mouth. After a couple seconds of moving the candy around, she suddenly got a funny look and then her face paled a bit. She then quickly picked up the wrapper and spat it out before handing it back to Marinette who put it back in the tin.

"BLECH!" she cried. "They have the NERVE to call that CANDY!?" It had been the WORST thing she'd ever put into her mouth. It felt like she would have to bleach her mouth to get the taste out. "Did that used to REALLY be your favorite, Marinette?"

"Yeah… when I was about four or five," Marinette confessed. "Honestly, I'm not sure WHAT my younger self was thinking at the time."

Tikki then piped up. "How come you don't just tell your grandmother you don't like this candy anymore?"

"Yeah. I'm sure she would understand," Serenity added.

Marinette then looked over to Gina who was laughing as the ice cream man performed tricks with preparing their treats. "I don't want to hurt her feelings," she explained sadly. "We don't get to see each other very often."

Serenity nodding a bit in understanding. "Well like I said, I'm sure she would understand it you only-"

Suddenly, Marinette's phone on her lap rang and Marinette yelped in surprise. The phone flew into the air, but luckily Serenity caught it and with a smile, handed it to Marinette who quickly answered.

"Alya!" she exclaimed happily.

---

In the Place des Vosges Park, Alya was standing among their many friends. Behind her, Kim, Nathaniel, and Juleka were attempting to blow up balloons with the bike pump Marinette had mentioned. Also behind her were tables set up as Nino placed all kinds of food on them.

"Hey, Mari," Alya said. "Sorry, I'm running late. Can you meet me at the park? We'll, uh-

Suddenly, a loud "BANG" erupted behind her. She turned around to see Kim sitting on his back, Nathaniel and Juleka looking a tad surprised but not too fazed. It didn't take an expert to figure out Kim had probably pumped a balloon too fast and exploded it.

Alya then hurriedly continued what she was saying, lest the others get suspicious. "-jam straight from there to the, uh, dentist!"

---

Back on the bridge, Marinette's face lit up. "Yes, uh, yes! Awesome! 'To the dentist!' Totally!" She giggled at that. "I'll be right there!" She hung up and turned Serenity as Tikki flew into her shirt. "I was right, Rennie! There IS a party after all! C'mon!" She stood up humming to herself and grabbed Serenity's hand and turned only to find Gina standing there behind them with three ice creams in hand, one in her left and two in her right. She looked very surprised.

"Oh!" Marinette exclaimed. It seemed in her excitement, she'd forgotten about Gina. "Uh- I'm so sorry, Grandma. Serenity and I have to go to the dentist with my friend, Alya-"

Gina looked surprised at that, as well as seeming a tad upset. "Surely you're not going to the dentist on your birthday?" she asked. "I still have to take you two to see the trains at Gare de Lyon Station!"

"Really!?" Serenity exclaimed excitedly. In the time she had been here, she had yet to see the trains and was excited to finally get the chance. However, upon seeing Marinette's face, Serenity stopped herself. "Oh, right, um…"

"Might I ask why BOTH of you need to go?" Gina asked.

Marinette then launched into a large ramble complete with usual hand motions for a "MaRantnette," as her friends had confided in her that they called it. "Well, you see, it's because Alya actually has sisters-"

"Twin sisters," Serenity interjected.

"Right! And well, because there are two of them, Alya needs my help and she figured in case they get REALLY bad, Serenity might be able to help and-"

"Mari," Serenity stated. Marinette looked at Gina and could tell she was a bit confused by what her granddaughter was saying.

The bluenette sighed. "You're right Serenity. What am I saying?"

Serenity then turned to Gina. "You see, Mari's friends are throwing her a surprise birthday party and, well, the 'going to the dentist' thing is sort of a code to say that things are being set up and we can go down."

"Yeah," Marinette said with a nod. "Listen, Grandma. I really did have a fun time today, but I was supposed to meet Alya at four and-"

Gina however interrupted her in a somewhat despondent tone, though she tried to maintain a smile. "No, no. I get it, my fairy. Don't worry about me. You and Serenità run along now and go meet your friend.

Marinette then looked at her in an unsure way. "Are you sure? Cuz I'm SURE I could call Alya back and say we'll be a little late and if I explain, I'm sure she'd-"

Gina however nodded. "Go on. Both of you. I'll hold on to all of this. We'll catch up with each other later."

Marinette then threw her arms around Gina's wait and abruptly hugged her tightly. "Oh, thank you so much!" She then turned and she ran off. "You really are the best grandma in the world!"

Serenity then turned to Gina and bowed to her with a smile. "Thanks so much for allowing me to come with you guys. I really do appreciate it and I had a lot of fun."

Gina smiled at her. "My pleasure, Serenità. Now you better catch up with Marinetta."

Serenity then realized she was right and immediately stood up. "Oh! Right!" And with that she turned and chased after Marinette…

… leaving Gina all alone on the bridge, holding the ice creams.

---

Later on, at the bakery, Tom was humming to himself as he put the candles on the new cake he and Sabine had made. Suddenly, his wife burst in, frantic.

"Tom," she cried. "That's the motorcycle! They're coming back! Marinette can't see the cake!"

Sure enough, the sound of his mother's chosen transportation's engine could be heard. Sabine then left to try and stall them. In the meantime, Tom picked up the cake and proceeded to whimper in panic, frantically bouncing on his feet and looking for a place to hide it. In the end, he ended up stuffing it in the garbage can… again.

Sabine then looked into the entrance hall and was surprised to see only her mother-in-law there and not her daughter. "Uh, Gina, where're Marinette and Serenity?"

Upon hearing that, Tom from behind her gasped upon realizing that they had panicked over nothing.

However, Gina's next words shocked both of the bakers. "Tom was right," she said in a melancholy tone. "She's too old now to spend time with her Nona..."

"What? No, no!" Sabine said, trying to ease the obviously brokenhearted grandmother. "Tom never said that! He just meant that-"

Gina however turned to her with a sad smile. "That's sweet of you, Sabine, truly. But it's not a big deal. That's just life, you know?" She then turned and walked slowly up the stairs. "I'll be up in the apartment if you need me."

Sabine sadly watched as Gina left and then walked back into the bakery. "Oh dear. Tom, I think you should go and speak to your mother. She seems really u-" Before she could finish however, she noticed her husband staring gloomily over the trash can. She then saw the cake in the garbage. "Oh no!" she exclaimed.

"I know!" Tom groaned. "And it's almost time for the party!"

Sabine then took a deep breath and turned to Tom. "Okay, okay. I can help you. We can manage. And after we're done, we'll take Gina to the party with us and I'm sure she'll have a great time and see that this is all a big misunderstanding!"

She and Tom then raised their fists up and bumped knuckles, ironically very much like a similar duo.

---

Later at the Place des Vosges, Alya and Serenity were leading a blindfolded Marinette who was holding her hands out in front of her to her surprise party. However, for the sake of her friends, she continued to play dumb.

"Alya, where are you taking me?" she questioned with a laugh.

"You'll see~," Alya said, sending a sly wink at Serenity, who responded in kind.

As soon as they reached the park center, Alya pulled off the blindfold.

"SURPRISE!"

Marinette's face turned into a huge smile upon seeing the layout and all the hard work her friends had gone through for her. There were balloons, streamers, tables with food and drinks, a stage with a DJ booth and sound system, and above the stage, a banner saying, "Bon Anneversaire, Marinette!" Though Marinette knew about the party, she was still amazed at the amount of work they'd put into it.

She was also impressed by the number of people there who had come out to celebrate. Not only were all her friends from school there (Max, Kim, Mylène, Ivan, Nathaniel, Juleka, Rose, Alix and of course, Nino already standing at the booth), there were many others. There were Alya's parents Otis and Marlena, Mylène's father Fred, and Manon Chamack, an adorable yet extremely rambunctious little girl she babysat for sometimes.

What really delighted her though was the fact that she was right: there was Adrien smiling and waving to her. Her already energetic and overjoyed face lit up more when she saw him.

"Happy birthday, Marinette," Alya said, giving her friend a hug which was gleefully returned.

"Well, now that the birthday girl is here, folks, let's get this party started!" Nino cheered as he started up the music.

"Wow, Alya," Marinette said quietly to her. "I knew the others were throwing me a party, but I still can't believe how much work went into this."

"What can I say, girl? To everyone here, you're deserving of something this great," Alya said, receiving another hug from the bluenette who squealed in happiness. Alya then turned to Serenity who was watching with a large smile of her own. "Oh, and good job, Serenity. She was none the wiser."

Marinette's eyes then widened at the statement. "Wait. What?"

Just then, Alya was called over by Rose to join in the fun and she left, leaving Marinette and Serenity alone. Marinette then turned to her roommate and quirked an eyebrow with her arms akimbo. "Now, just what did she mean by THAT little tidbit, Miss Wheeler?" she asked.

In response, Serenity simply shrugged and gave a sheepish smile. "Surprise," she stated.

"You mean to say," Marinette stated, barely believing what she'd just learned, "that you KNEW about this whole thing? And that whole thing about you not knowing was just a fake-out, same as what Alya and I were doing!?"

Serenity nodded. "Yep. Alya called me up a few days ago while you were out. She asked me to help in sort of keeping you a bit more in the dark about the party so things would go well." She smirked. "I've got a bit of experience in keeping secrets and the like, trust me." She thought back to the time when she and Mai had played that prank on Joey where he still thought Mai had been trapped in the Shadow Realm even after she'd woken up. Even then, she'd kept a straight face through the whole thing until Mai had broken down and laughed and showed her friends she was alright.

Marinette shook her head. "Man, I should have realized something was up."

Serenity's smile then fell a tad. "You're not upset I kept this a secret from you, are you?" she asked worriedly. Marinette had told her she didn't like liars and she was afraid that this would be interpreted as such. Her suspicions seemed to be confirmed when Marinette's eyes narrowed and her frown deepened. However, her expression immediately changed to a happy, joyful expression.

"It's alright," she said. "You were playing your part. Just like the others were. I can't fault you for that." She then nodded approvingly. "Besides, I have to commend you on your acting skills. You had me AND Tikki fooled." The little Kwami then poked her head out slightly and nodded. Marinette then opened her arms and enveloped Serenity in a hug. She then leaned forward and whispered, "And I was right to trust you with my secret."

Hearing that made Serenity's heart feel warm and happy inside.

"Happy birthday, Mari," she said.

"Hey you two!" called out Alya. "You gonna stand there, or are you gonna party?"

Serenity turned to Marinette. "Well, you heard the girl! LET'S PARTY!" With that, she grabbed a laughing Marinette and dragged her into the throng of other well-wishers and guests.

---

Meanwhile, in Marinette's bedroom, Gina was sitting on her granddaughter's bed. She was feeling more miserable than she'd ever felt. She knew that eventually this day would come when her sweet fairy would be too old for the things they used to do together, but when it hit, it still didn't come any easier. Despite her globetrotting and exuberant ways, Gina knew nobody lived forever. She knew was growing old and that eventually, she'd have to hang up her helmet and jacket, which, in her mind, meant she wouldn't have too much time left with her family. Ever since she and her husband had separated due to irreconcilable differences, she had loved spending time with her son and daughter-in-law. And when Marinette was born, she was even MORE happy. But now it seemed like they were growing further apart. She had completely misinterpreted her own granddaughter's age, for God's sake! She had hoped today would be a wonderful day with Marinette, and her sweet friend tagging along was an added bonus. It was like having TWO granddaughters almost.

Now, it seemed Marinette was too busy for spending time like she used to. Gina picked up the tin of Befana sweets she had given Marinette, as she had left them with the helmets when she'd left to see her friend. She then looked to the tiny shirt sitting on the pile of folded clothes that she'd foolishly given her fairy… no, not her fairy anymore. She had seen how Marinette had grown into a beautiful and bright young lady. She would no doubt soon begin dating a boy (the lucky fellow) and eventually maybe marry him and have a family of her own, same as Tom and Sabine. There was no need for a doddering grandma in Marinette's life anymore.

Gina sighed sadly at the shirt, and then decided to help herself to the candies. After all, they were Marinette's favorites. Maybe they'd help her recall the good times. Unfortunately, as she opened the case and reached for one, she felt something odd. She looked down and her eyes widened. There in the tin were numerous candies that she'd THOUGHT Marinette had eaten, but apparently merely spat them out back into the wrappers when she wasn't looking. Gina felt her heart break. Marinette didn't even like the candies she'd given her. She had apparently changed in that regard too. With her heart breaking and tears nearly leaking from her eyes, Gina put the lid back on the tin.

---

In Hawk Moth's secret lair, the villain himself opened his window as the butterflies around him took to the air. Hawk Moth himself took in a deep breath. He could feel it; that delicious scent of misery and loneliness.

"What could be more powerful than a family member, a grandmother no less, being deserted by her own granddaughter?"

He chuckled wickedly. "Perfect fodder for disappointment and misunderstanding!" Also, the last two Akuma he'd used before had been children, immature and more focused on their petty problems and desires than actually wanting to do what they were told. Perhaps an older one was needed now. Hopefully this way, he'd get the Miraculous and the Wheeler girl.

A butterfly landed in his open hand and was filled with evil energy before taking wing.

"Fly away, my little Akuma, and evilize her ailing heart!"

The Akuma flew out the window and out over Paris.

---

Back in Marinette's bedroom, Gina was sitting on the bed, still saddened by the revelation that Marinette had been lying to her and humoring her all day about the candy and possibly many other things. As her back was turned and her eyes closed, she didn't see the Akuma flying in through Marinette's open window and landing on the candy tin.

At once, Gina heard a voice in her mind, one that was almost hypnotic. In Marinette's letters to her and through international news, she had heard about things like this. A man named Hawk Moth who possessed people by giving them powers and forcing them to do his bidding.

Befana, the voice stated. Gina recognized the name as the name of the candies she'd given Marinette as well the name of an old Italian folk figure who was similar to Santa Claus. I am Hawk Moth. You have been abandoned; cast aside and lied to by those you loved as family. But fear not! I'm restoring your matriarchal power as grandmother! You will now be able to use these candies to reward the deserving and punish the ungrateful and deceitful! As for my payment for this, you will bring me the Miraculous of those pesky little kids, Ladybug and Cat Noir, as well as a naughty child who needs a good punishing- which I will personally take care of.

Images then flashed through Gina's mind. Red and black spotted earrings. A silver ring. And… Serenità! This man wanted her to hunt down her granddaughter's sweet friend! She knew she had to ignore him, get him out of her head and out of his control! But in the recesses of her mind, her anger of being abandoned by Marinetta and Serenità seemed to grow to unfathomable levels beyond her control. Soon, a smirk appeared on her face.

"You're right, Hawk Moth," Gina said in a voice not quite her own. "The time has come to teach them all a lesson!"

At that, black miasma appeared from the box in her hands, surrounding her and transforming her, any attempt to break free gone.

---

Down in the bakery, Tom and Sabine were just putting the finishing touches on decorating the third (and hopefully, last) cake with sprinkles and strawberries. The petite Sabine was seated on Tom's massive shoulder to reach the top as she put the last of fourteen candles on top.

"Tada!" Sabine cheered as her husband chuckled triumphantly.

Tom put Sabine down and she patted his chest. "Good job, partner! We'd better get going! The party awaits us!" She adjusted her chiomsang as Tom picked up the cake. The two then headed out before Tom remembered something important.

"Oh, wait!" he said. "We've gotta tell Mom."

But before any of them could do anything, SOMETHING drove right through the bakery door. Upon realizing what was happening, the baker couple took a good look at who- and WHAT- was in front of them.

The woman in front of them had bright red eyes, pale green skin, and long, brushed-back red hair with two white streaks. She wore a black mask with red edges on the sides of the face. Her outfit was a black short-sleeved bodysuit with jagged pink edges to the arm and leg sleeves and a large jagged pink-tipped collar above a regular black collar. She also sported a pink and black bow resembling a wrapped candy on the chest. She wore black fingerless driving gloves that revealed long fingernails painted with red nail polish, spiked black cuffs, black shoes, and two thin black belts around her hips. One belt had a circular red-orange pouch attached to it, and it has a black symbol on it based on the bow.

And her appearance wasn't even the craziest part of her! She was actually flying on a MOTORCYLE painted black and red with a green zigzag.

She looked familiar, but they dare not think what they were thinking. However, when she spoke in a harsh tone with an Italian accent, that was when their worst fear was confirmed.

"Naughty son! Don't tell your mama what to do!"

It was true! They should have realized this would have happened with Gina's mental and emotional state! Tom's mother had been turned into a villain by that horrible man, Hawk Moth!

"Mom! Wait, I-!" Tom started to say as the duo backed away from the afflicted woman. However, he slipped on a rolling pin, causing to fall flat on his back and the third cake to fly… and land in the garbage yet again!

Upon seeing that, Tom groaned, "Oh, come ON!" However, his now evil mother's laughter brought him back to his front, where she stood in front of him. "Mom, hold on-!"

"Not 'mama' anymore, Tom! I am now Befana!" she declared.

Tom gulped. He remembered his mother telling him stories of La Befana as a boy. She was an old witch of Italian folklore who acted like Santa Claus in a way as she gave candy to good children on Christmas and coal to the bad. Now, it seemed his mother had become the TRUE Befana!

Said woman was now waving something at him. It seemed to be a black gun-like object with a dark gray horn-like barrel, a jagged red stripe around the barrel, a blue rectangle on each side, and a semi-cube end of the handle with colorful black and white objects inside. "Do you know what naughty boys get?" she asked as she spun the cylinder of her gun. It turned pitch black and she then aimed it straight at Tom. Before he could do anything, a purple blast from the gun hit him and, rather than killing him, he began to suddenly turn into black rock. Within minutes, he was encased in it and the last thing he heard his mother say was, "Coal!"

Befana then turned to a terrified Sabine, who was cornered by the register. "You have nothing to fear, my fairy," she said in a calming tone. She flicked her wrist to rotate the cylinder of her gun to a now snow white color. "You've always been good to me." She then fired at Sabine, and a yellowish light blasted out and hit her. When the light cleared, Sabine now stood as an angel-like fairy with a white mask and wings on her back.

Befana grinned wickedly as she walked over to her motorcycle. "So, now tell me. Marinetta isn't at the dentist, is she?"

Sabine then spoke up in a monotone voice of one being controlled. "No, mistress."

Befana then revved up her engine. "Then take me to her! And Serenità too!"

---

In the park, the party was still going at full swing. The group had gathered around Marinette to give her presents. So far she had gotten quite a few wonderful gifts, including a book on Gabriel Agreste's fashions from Mylène.

Now it was Serenity's turn.

"Here you go, Mari," she said with a smile, holding out a package to her.

Marinette took it from her with a reciprocated smile before tearing off the wrapping paper. When she opened the box, she and the others gasped.

"Oh, wow!" Alix said.

"Very nice," Max complimented.

"This is awesome!" Kim said, impressed as well.

Inside the box was a Kaiba Corp Duel Disk and about two dozen or so packs of Duel Monsters cards.

"Wow, Serenity! This is amazing. I may not know too much about Duel Monsters as some, but it'll be nice knowing that I have some of the things others have for it. I'm sure that with your help, I'll be great. Thank you," Marinette said. She placed the package down and gave Serenity a big hug.

"It's no problem at all, Marinette. Happy birthday," Serenity said.

Then, who should walk up next to present his gift, but Adrien.

"Happy birthday, Marinette," he said as he held out a small white and blue box.

For a moment, everything turned pink and bubbly. Everything seemed to fade away until only her, the boy of her dreams and the gift he'd given her in her hands remained. Marinette simply stared, open-mouthed, at the present, a small squeak escaping her throat. Suddenly, Alya's hand reached over and closed her mouth.

"Open it, Marinette," Alya whispered to which Serenity agreed with an enthusiastic nod.

Marinette only gave a strained smile and giggle, but before she could open Adrien's gift, a strange voice erupted, startling everyone. Oddly enough, it sounded like "La Donna è Mobile," an Italian song.

" La Befana comes at night, on her shaky broom in flight. She gives out candy, to those who're dandy.

Everyone looked up in shock to see two strange sights; a woman flying and wearing a white mask and another green woman with red hair that was the one singing flying around on a motorcycle! She then hopped off her motorcycle and walked towards Marinette.

This was obviously an Akuma, and there was only one person Serenity knew who spoke with an Italian accent. "Uh-oh," she murmured.

Marinette apparently realized it too as she exclaimed, "Grandma!?"

The woman who was once Gina Dupan sneered at her. "You left me standing on that bridge, Marinetta. All alone with ice creams melting in my hands. Were your friends REALLY that more important than spending time with your dear, old Nona?"

---

As the woman who was apparently Marinette's grandmother spoke and everyone began to run for cover, Adrien ran off to do what he knew he had to do.

---

Marinette was shocked and guilty upon hearing her grandmother speak like this. She had known that her grandma probably hadn't been happy to be left, but she had no idea she'd felt like that. "No, I- I said that if you wanted, I could have told Alya that I would be late! I would have never left you alone had I known that you'd feel like this! Honest!"

Alya and Serenity moved in front of her. "I'm sure she's telling the truth, ma'am," Alya said.

"Yeah. We never would have done anything to really hurt you," Serenity added, trying to appease to the kindly woman she hoped still resided inside.

However, it didn't seem to be working. "Honest? Ha! You speak of honesty, Marenetta, Serenità? What about all of those candies you were pretending to be eating?" she asked Marinette.

Marinette looked down guiltily. "I'm so sorry, grandma. It's just that… I didn't want to upset you by telling you I didn't like them anymore."

The Akuma however sneered at her statement. "I'm not your grandma anymore. From now on, I am only Befana! And I'm going to punish you for abandoning me and all those lies!" She then tried to shoot Marinette, but Marinette quickly ducked. Unfortunately, Mylène was right behind her and got hit instead, suddenly turning into a coal statue.

"No!" Marinette cried.

"Mylène!" Fred and Ivan cried.

Serenity would have said something, but the minute she saw what was happening with Mylène changing into stone, something flashed in her mind.

A battle in the Virtual World against the Robotic Knight.

Beating Nezbitt, but losing Tristan.

Watching as both she and her brother turned to stone statues, the rock slowly creeping up their bodies.

Suddenly, Befana turned on Serenity. "I should turn YOU to coal too! You lied about not knowing about all this to Marinetta, si? Naughty, naughty. Plus, even after I let you come with us, you abandoned me as well!"

All Serenity could do was stand there, lost in her memories.

Befana pointed her gun at Serenity and was about to fire before Hawk Moth spoke to her.

One moment, Befana. The Wheeler girl is far more of use to me… unstoney. So, if you would not mind?

Befana then nodded, understanding. "Very well. I will not be turning you to coal after all, Serenità. Hawk Moth wants you unscathed for his plans."

Upon hearing that, Serenity quickly backed away as Befana advanced. Suddenly, a large figure slammed into the Akuma, knocking her away. It was Otis Césaire.

"You're not touching either of those kids!" he declared.

Befana glowered at him furiously. "How DARE you be rude to your elders, young man!?" With that, she trained her gun at him and fired, turning him to coal too.

"Dad/Honey!" Alya and Marlena cried in horror.

---

As this was going on, Adrien was hiding behind a tree. He quickly let Plagg out of his outer shirt.

"Aww! We didn't even get in on the buffet!" the gluttonous little god moaned.

"Party's over, my friend! It's time to send this party crasher packing!" Adrien declared. "Plagg! Claws out!"

The familiar change occurred and where Adrien once stood, Cat Noir now did, claws flexed and ready.

---

Marinette quickly stood and grabbed Serenity's hand. "C'mon, Rennie! We have to go!" she cried. The two and Alya tried to race away, but before Marinette and Serenity could get out, the white fairy flew in front of them. There was something familiar about this fairy. It looked like…

"Mom!?" Marinette exclaimed.

However, Befana interrupted her train of thought. "You know, it's rude to leave while Befana's still speaking to you. Besides, I intended to turn you in to coal anyway, Marinetta." She then aimed her gun at the bluenette. However, before she could do anything, her gun's aim was knocked away by a long staff. She looked over and, sure enough, Cat Noir was crouched on one of the speakers, his usual cocky grin on his face.

"Hey!" he snarked. "I never knew grandmas could be so nasty!" He twirled his staff in his claws.

Befana grinned. "You would look wonderful in white, my pretty kitty." She rotated the cylinder of her gun again, this time to white, and fired at Cat Noir, who dodges easily, but barely.

Cat Noir simply gave a smug smile. "Eh, not convinced," he said with a shrug. "I'm much more into black- makes my eyes stand out, don't you think?" He made a mask design with his fingers to enunciate, and then quickly dodged more blasts from Befana's gun, using his acrobatic skill to nimbly move from a wall to a rooftop.

A frustrated Befana turned to the fairy Sabine. "Take care of this pesky pussycat!"

The fairy Sabine then flew up to get Cat Noir, who quickly jumped to dodge her.

"Hey!" he protested. "I thought fairies were supposed to be nice!" Unfortunately, at that moment, Sabine managed to tackle him and they went into the treetops

Meanwhile, Marinette and Serenity were running away as Befana fired coal shots at them.

"Come on! She needs ME unscathed!" Serenity said as she led her friend away.

"You're not getting away unpunished, Marinetta!" Befana shouted. Suddenly, Marinette tripped and dropped Adrien's present, which was then turned to coal, much to her shock and horror. "You don't deserve all these presents, you spoiled little brat! Now, for what you really deserve." With that, she aimed her gun at Marinette and fired. The girls braced themselves. However, all that came out was air. The gun was no doubt empty. Befana rattled her gun and heard that, sure enough, she was dry. She then opened the top and poured candies into the nozzle of the gun.

"Don't worry," she muttered. "You'll get what's coming to you!"

---

As she was distracted, Marinette and Serenity quickly crawled quickly under a table. Underneath, Tikki floated anxiously.

"This isn't how I envisioned my birthday party!" Mariette whispered miserably.

"No kidding," Serenity agreed. "Most kids get clowns or magicians for their birthday. You get an Akuma!"

"You need to transform, Marinette!" Tikki stated frantically.

Suddenly a shot rang out and the table around them suddenly turned into coal.

Serenity looked around at the black and suddenly began hyperventilating.

"No. NO!" she cried. "NOT AGAIN!" She hurriedly scurried out from under the table.

Mariette and Tikki didn't have time to question their friend's reaction as they joined her.

The trio then hid behind one of the stage speakers as Befana advanced on them.

"Do you lie ONLY to me?" she asked.

Marinette and Serenity turned to look and see where the other resident superhero was. "Cat Noir!" Marinette cried out.

Unfortunately, Cat was still trying to fend off the fairy Sabine. He turned to speak upon hearing her call. "Stay put, I'll be right there!" This however turned out to be something of a mistake as Sabine tackled him again. He then called out uncertainly, "Uh… soon!"

'Oh great,' Serenity groaned in her mind as she attempted to catch her breath. Suddenly, their hiding spot turned to coal.

"Or do you also lie to your parents and your friends, too!?"

The two girls frantically climbed on stage and tried to escape only for Befana to follow.

'Well, she's SORTA right,' Serenity thought offhandedly, thinking about her friend's secret life as Ladybug.

Suddenly, they scooted back only to be trapped by the other speaker.

---

Watching all this happening hiding behind a bush, Alya and the others watched as their friends were attacked by this crazy Akuma who apparently was Marinette's grandmother. Alya knew that the woman was no doubt not in her right mind at the moment, but she couldn't sit idly by and let her friends be attacked like this. Turning to the others, she stated, "We gotta help Marinette and Serenity!"

"Alya, are you sure?" Marlena asked. Fred also looked uncertain as he glanced at the statue of his daughter.

"We have to, Mom!" Alya stated. "We need to give Cat Noir and/or Ladybug the chance to get over here."

The other kids all agreed. Marinette was their friend and though they hadn't known Serenity long, they all liked her and didn't want her in danger either. Not only that, but from what they heard, for some reason or another, she wanted to kidnap Serenity for Hawk Moth. Whatever for didn't matter.

They had to keep them safe until the heroes could come.

---

Befana had the two trapped. Serenity didn't quite know what to do. She knew that she could use her cards like she practiced, but was unsure if it was a good idea or not. They were in a public setting and more people could see her use her abilities which she was supposed to keep secret.

"The time has come to teach you a lesson," sneered Befana. "But don't worry, Serenità. As I said, Hawk Moth needs you for his plans.

"You can tell Hawk Moth to go jump in the Siene!" Serenity shouted.

Befana chuckled. "Very well. You can tell him that in person." She then leveled the gun. "But first… Marinetta.

Suddenly, a plate spun past her face, missing her by inches. She also barely dodged another one. The group then all turned to see Alya throwing plates from a table like discuses.

"Marinette is not a liar!" she shouted as she continued to throw plates. "And I don't know what you want Serenity for, but if you want her, you're gonna have to go through us!"

Befana glowered at her as she continued to dodge plates. "Someone has to teach you table manners!" she snarled. She then fired a shot

It all happened practically in slow motion. The blast hit the plate. The plate turned to coal and encased Alya's hand. Before long, Alya had turned into a coal statue, almost like one of the ones of Olympic discus throwers in Greece.

"Alya!" Marinette cried.

Serenity stared shocked and she began to hyperventilate.

"No. No, no, no, no…" she whimpered.

"Serenity," Marinette said, putting a hand on her shoulder to try and calm her down.

As this was happening, Kim tried to jump Befana and grab her gun, but was quickly turned to coal himself, frozen in mid-leap.

"No, Kim!" Marinette cried.

Befana glowered and turned outward. She then saw all of the classmates as well as Marlena, Fred and Manon standing at the ready to do what they had to do.

"That's what you get for trying to stand in my way, you bunch of ill-mannered kids!" Befana shouted. She then turned to the two parents in the bunch. "And you're never too old to be punished, so don't YOU two tempt me either!" The grown-ups only glowered back spitefully. Mind controlled or not, this woman had harmed their loved ones and was going down.

Rose then chose to speak up. "Please don't hurt Marinette and Serenity! They're only two of the nicest people in the world!"

Befana glared at her. "That's very disrespectful, to speak up without permission!" Then she got a pensive look on her face as she scratched her chin. "But then again, it's quite noble of you to stick up for your friends. Okay." She then set her gun from black to white. "I shall make you… a fairy!" Before anyone could do anything, she turned Rose into another white, angel-like fairy. The others looked on in horror as their friend was turned into a minion of this witch woman. "You are going to help me discipline your friend and bring Serenità to Hawk Moth!" she laughed.

Thankfully, she was distracted enough to allow the girls the chance to get down behind the stage.

Mariette looked at Serenity. The girl's green eyes were wide with a fright she'd never seen before. This girl had stood up to other Akuma before. Why was this one so different?

"Marinette! We need to get Serenity out of here! She's not looking good!" TIkki stated

Marinette nodded. "Right. Tikki! Sp-"

Suddenly behind her, Sabine fell into the trees and Cat Noir immediately dropped down in front of her.

"Sorry I kept you ladies waiting," he said with a wink. Then he saw and frowned. "Oh man she's not looking too great."

Marinette nodded. "Befana's after her for Hawk Moth. We need to find a better hiding place than this."

Cat Noir nodded. "Grab on tight to me." As the girls grabbed Cat, he lifted the two away with his staff.

Unfortunately, Befana saw them. "Marinetta and Serenità are getting away with the kitty! Catch them!"

The fairies of Sabine and Rose then turned to follow the order, but were suddenly caught up in birthday banners held by Marinette's remaining friends, Marlena, Fred, and even little Manon.

Juleka frowned at the struggling fairies that were her best friend and friend's mother. "Sorry about this, Rose, Mrs. Cheng. We know you guys aren't really in your right minds right now, so we can't let you touch Marinette and Serenity." She said it in a low voice, but it showed she didn't want to do this.

"She's right, Befana!" Max agreed. "We won't let you hurt either of them!"

Befana glared spitefully at them. "Is THAT how you speak to your elders? How rude!" She leveled her gun and fired it at the others. Within seconds, all of them into coal and the fairies were freed. "Maybe THIS way, you'll learn to keep quiet," said the villain as she hopped on her motorcycle and flew away, leaving a park filled with coal statues.

---

On the rooftops, Cat Noir was now running with Marinette in his arms and Serenity on his back, arms around his neck. Despite the extra weight, he didn't have too much trouble carrying them as they headed to the Eiffel Tower

"You know, you two must be pretty cool girls if all your friends are willing to protect you guys like that, he stated with a smile. Marinette couldn't help but blush at the compliment and Serenity smiled.

"Thanks," she said.

Cat then looked down at Marinette. "So, why IS your grandma flipping out anyway? I mean, did you accidentally call her an old woman or something?"

Marinette then looked down sadly. "Actually, I think she wanted me to spend more time with her. And Serenity and I kinda DID leave her on the pier to come to the party."

"Though she said she was okay with it," Serenity added.

Cat got a thoughtful look on his face. "Sometimes people say things they don't really mean in order to make the people they care about happy. This might be the case." He certainly knew that was sometimes the case with him and his father or even vice versa in rare occasions. Marinette and Serenity both looked saddened by this, but Cat smiled at them. "Hey don't worry. Once all this is done, I'm sure you guys will be able to work things out."

Soon, they arrived at the Eiffel Tower. Cat then extended his staff to lift them to a Tower viewing deck. He then set Marinette down as Serenity got off his back.

Cat Noir turned to Serenity. "So, are YOU okay. You didn't look so great back there."

Serenity then looked down. "I'm fine. Just some… bad memories," she said softly.

Cat could tell she was lying, but didn't want to push. He then turned to Marinette and gave an encouraging smile. "Don't worry. I promise to get your real grandma back safe. You two just stay here, 'kay?" He bounded to the railing and hops up on it. He then stopped and looked looking back at Marinette. "Oh, I almost forgot; Happy birthday, anyway."

Marinette responded with a smile of her own. "Thank you, Cat Noir," she said.

Cat Noir then left, hoping that His Lady would come soon to aid him. Though he couldn't help but wonder why Serenity had looked so upset and scared back with Befana.

---

After Cat left, Marinette let Tikki out of her jacket and then turned to Serenity.

"He has a point, Serenity. Why did you act like that when my grandma turned all those people into stone?"

Serenity looked at Marinette and a far-away look came to her eyes. "Like I told Cat Noir, her actions brought up a few bad memories."

"Does it have anything to do with your brother and his friends like Yugi Muto?" Marinette asked.

Serenity nodded. "Yes, but I'll explain later. Right now, you need to focus on the matter at hand."

Marinette's expression then became hard. "You're right. It's time to save my Nona!"

"All set, Marinette!" Tikki exclaimed.

Marinette then turned to the Kwami. "Tikki, spots on!"

Marinette then transformed into her spotted alter ego. Once she was finished, she turned to her friend. "Serenity, I'm asking you to stay here this time, okay? Don't go doing any Monster summoning stuff unless you absolutely HAVE to."

Serenity nodded as Marinette flicked her yo-yo into the air and swung across Paris after Cat Noir.

As she did this, Serenity leaned against the railing of the Eiffel Tower, looking out at the city. Inside her, her stomach churned with anger and embarrassment, her hands tightening around the railing.

How could she have let her fears get the better of her like that? It had been so long ago. Yet when she saw Befana turn so many of her friends into coal- into STONE- the memories of the Virtual World just came back to her like a hurricane. She still remembered the feeling of turning to stone from the legs up, reaching out for Joey as he too was turned right before her sight was darkened. Next thing she knew, she was once again awake and she was attempting to escape the world before Gozaburo deleted them from existence.

As said, she'd all but forgotten about it, but today they came back and caused her to seize up and freak out like a baby. She was so embarrassed and ashamed. How could she possibly be an heir to such great power as hers if she was so afraid like that?

I feel like such a fool, she thought. Why can't I be like Yugi or Joey? They haven't let their fears get the better of them.

Suddenly, she perked up as remembered something she and Joey had talked about a while back when Joey was telling her about some of his adventures with Yugi.

---

"An' DAT is how I beat dat loser Bonz in ordah tah get the last few chips I needed ta get inta da finals," Joey said proudly.

"Wow Joey! That's amazing!" Serenity said, eyes gleaming. "It must have been really scary going into that cave and facing off against all those zombies and monsters Bonz had."

"Ah, well. It wasn' DAT scary," Joey said sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head. However, Serenity quirked an eyebrow at him and her brother wilted a little. "Okay, okay. SO maybe it WAS a little spooky. But hey, you were worth it, sis." He then smiled at her as she gave a smile back.

"Joey," she then said, "You've gone up against monsters, psychos, criminals, and even the embodiment of darkness itself. And you hardly ever bat an eye. How do you manage to stay so calm during all that? I was freaking out in my duel with Tristan and Duke in the Virtual World."

Joey then sighed. "Ta tell da truth, I was always pretty terrified, Serenity. I mean I know I act all fearless an' stuff, but trust me; on da inside, I'm always freakin' out! Heck, a couple years ago, I thought the scariest thing in the world was tryin' ta get thru da day without gettin' a beatin' by my loser of an old man." His face darkened at that, but quickly changed to a smile as he looked at Serenity.

"But ya know, I actually asked Yug dat same question a while back. Even wit da Pharaoh by his side, he's gotta face all sortsa crazy stuff and I figure he's gotta be scared stiff. And he's shown a couplea times he's able ta be scared."

He chuckled then. "Like dis one time, when we were in da Millennium Puzzle, we were attacked by ZOMBIE MUMMIES!" He made a droopy face and moaned with his arms outstretched, causing Serenity to giggle at his goofy impression. He then dropped it as he started up again.

"Yeah, he was freakin' out big time. And I'll admit me an' Tristan were terrified too. But when I asked Yugi about it, ya know what he said?

Serenity shook her head.

"He said, 'Joey, my grandpa once told me dat da bravest person in the world isn't the person who has no fear, but da person who's willing to face many fears despite bein' scared.' Ya see, Serenity, it's okay ta be scared, but ya can't let yer fears take control of ya. Especially not when people need ya. Like I overcame my fears fer you in Duelist Kingdom. Dat's da important thing."

---

Serenity then stood up straighter. Joey and Yugi were right. She couldn't let these fears get the best of her. She then pulled out two card from her pocket- Goddess with the Third Eye and Red-Eyes Black Dragon.

I realize I have to be brave. It's just like I told Kenta before. You have to be brave. She then thought back to Ladybug and Cat Noir. And with these two by my side as well as so many others, even if they're not here, I'll always come out on top.

Suddenly, she heard a roar of a motor and saw an object speeding toward the Tower. Serenity gasped. She knew it had to be Befana. Quickly, Serenity ran behind a trash can and crouched down. She took some deep breaths as she knew what the witch was most likely after. She only hoped Ladybug and Cat Noir could get here in time.

---

Meanwhile, things were getting pretty crazy on the streets of Paris. Befana was continuing to turn anyone whom she saw as troublemakers into coal statues such as a young boy who accidentally littered, a little boy teasing a little girl, and a man who was irritably honking his car horn. She also turned those who did good deeds into fairy minions, such as a man who aided a woman and her baby across the road and a firefighter who'd saved a little girl's cat. The newly turned fairies soon joined her as she started into her song again.

" La Befana comes at night, on her shaky broom in flight. She gives out candy to those who are dandy. " She then added a new verse. " And only gives out coal, to brats who have no soul. "

Suddenly, a long metal pole appeared in front of her. With a gasp, Befana attempted to move, but was too late. With a "CLANG," the witch slammed into the pole and was knocked off her bike. As she plummeted to the ground- her fairies close behind to catch her- she passed by Cat Noir, who was the one behind the staff. He retracted it as he then broke into his own rendition of the melodious line she hadn't been able to sing due to being interrupted.

" Cat Noir comes unexpectedly, to… " He then stopped. "Uh, um. Dang it! How do you make that rhyme?"

As the fairies lifted a very peeved looking Befana up in their arms and placed her on an adjacent rooftop. Ladybug appeared spinning her yo-yo. She landed beside him and actually finished his song with a verse of her own. " Fight evil with his lady! "

Cat Noir was astonished. Not only was Ladybug beautiful, smart and talented, she was ALSO a great singer! Was there NOTHING this girl couldn't do? Still, he knew he had to focus so he merely said, "Of course! Not bad, Bugaboo!" to which she smiled at the compliment.

---

As this was occurring, Hawk Moth smiled wickedly.

Ladybug has joined the party at last! Bring me the Miraculous, Befana! He said eagerly.

However, Befana didn't seem willing. She merely smiled and shook a finger.

"You didn't say the magic word~!" she said in a sing-song voice.

At that, Hawk Moth was taken aback. No Akuma had dared speak to him like that. Perhaps it HADN'T been a good idea to select an older Akuma after all. Still, she was his best bet right now. So clearing his throat and hunching his shoulders, he spoke in a tone that obviously said that it was hurting to do this.

"... Please?"

---

Befana then smiled at the answer.

"Much better, Hawk Moth!" She then turned to Ladybug and Cat Noir, who had been watching the scene and had guessed what had occurred. As a result, they were attempting not to snicker at the thought of their hated foe actually saying "please" for his minion. Befana then pointed to Cat. "You little thief! Where have you hidden Serenità and Marinetta?!" she demanded

Cat Noir merely pretended to think for a second before shrugging and saying, "Gee-a (a/n, pronounced "Jay-a), I forgetta!" in a way that mimicked Befana's accent.

Ladybug couldn't hold back a giggle at that, but quickly got serious. "Watch out, Cat, or you'll be getting a time out of your own."

Befana of course wasn't amused by the quip. She angrily pointed to the heroes and ironically ordered, "Take care of these little villains!"

Her fairies then begin attacking and dive-bombing Ladybug and Cat Noir, who dodged them repeatedly as they didn't want to unnecessarily cause harm to brainwashed citizens (two of which, unknown to either of the other, were both of theirs school friend and Ladybug's own mother.)

As the heroes dodged the fairies, Befana murmured to herself an old riddle. "Now, what does the villainous cat burglar do when he feels threatened?" As she looked around, she spotted the Eiffel Tower. It was then she was reminded of the answer to the riddle. "He climbs!" Befana then ran across the rooftops before jumping onto her motorcycle that had floated up from where it had landed. She headed for the Eiffel Tower with her fairies abandoning the fight to follow.

Cat Noir then saw where she was headed and made a face that looked like he was going to be sick.

"We can't let her get to the Eiffel Tower!"

Ladybug knew why he was worried but played dumb. "And why not? Ooh!" She let out a cry as a fairy zoomed at her as it followed Befana. Thankfully, she managed to duck.

"Because that's where I hid her granddaughter and Serenity!" Cat cried. He then raced after Befana with Ladybug close behind.

"Don't worry. I'm sure they're alright," Ladybug tried to reassure him. Inside however, she was a bit worried as well.

---

Befana soon landed on the Tower's deck. She got off her bike and pulled out her gun. Spinning it to black, the witch began walking around.

"Where are you Marinetta, Serenità~? There is no use hiding. I'll find you soon enough."

Behind her hiding place, Serenity tried to calm herself. She attempted to keep her breathing quiet and to be as silent as could be. Especially when she heard Befana's heels clicking right by her.

Just stay calm. Remember, you're brave. You're brave.

The heels stopped.

Please just go on, please just go on, please just go on.

After a few seconds of hearing nothing, Serenity heard the clicking of heels start up again and begin to get softer as Befana seemed to walk further away. She let out a soft sigh of relief, believing she now had a chance to get away to a safer location.

Suddenly, a "click" sounded and Serenity's heart stopped for a second. Immediately, Serenity leapt out of the way as a blast sounded and her hiding place instantly turned to coal before crumbling. She then looked up and her eyes widened. Befana stood in front of her with her gun lowered and a smirk on her face.

"Gotcha," she said as she again fired. Serenity again jumped back and began running in a weaving pattern as Befana fired numerous shots. Thankfully Serenity was too quick, but she didn't know how long her luck would last.

Unfortunately, that soon came to pass as she screeched to a halt at one of the railings of the tower. She immediately pinwheeled her arms in a desperate attempt to avoid going over the edge. She then clutched the railing and caught her breath. However, turning around, she saw she was no safer than she would have been if she'd gone over! Befana stalked towards her, her gun prepped.

"Just give up, Serenità. There is no escape. While my fairies deal with that pesky twosome, you're free to be taken to Hawk Moth. But I'll tell you what. You tell me where Marinetta is, and I MAY just spare you from a fate as a fairy. After all, wouldn't you rather go willingly than as a slave?"

"No way! I'll never tell you where Marinette is!" Serenity shouted. She spoke in a brave tone, but her hands shook slightly.

Befana saw this and laughed. "Please! You think yourself brave? HAHA! Look at you shaking like a frightened pup! You are nothing more than a coward and afraid! Afraid of me!"

Serenity's hands then clenched into fists as she tried to calm herself. However it proved more difficult than she thought. She began breathing heavily as she closed her eyes and prepared for the inevitable.

Then, once again, Joey's words filled her head.

The bravest person in the world isn't the person who has no fear, but the person who's willing to face many fears despite being scared.

Serenity then opened her green eyes and they appeared to have a fire within them now, the shaking of her hands stopping. It was such an abrupt change even Befana looked shocked.

"You're right," Serenity stated in a much stronger voice. "I AM scared of you and the power you wield. But someone once told me that the bravest person in the world isn't the person who has NO fear, but the person who's willing to face MANY fears DESPITE being scared. I may still fear you, Befana, but I'm NOT afraid to fight you!"

Befana stared at her for a second before laughing again. "Is that so, Serenità? And how exactly can you do that all by yourself?"

That's when Serenity smirked at HER. "I may SEEM alone, but sometimes, friends and aid are in places you'd NEVER expect!" She then pulled a card from her pocket. "And now let me introduce one of them to you! I summon Goddess with the Third Eye!"

Watch out, Befana! Hawk Moth said. She's using the powers I told you about earlier!

Instantly, a flash occurred which caused Befana to cover her eyes and take a step back. When she put her arm down, she was shocked to see the Goddess with the Third Eye floating there and glaring with all three eyes.

"Incredibile," murmured Befana. She then smiled wickedly. "Perhaps I will turn your Monster into a fairy instead! Imagine a creature like that under my control!" She then trained her gun on the Goddess as the barrel switched to white. She then fired, but was shocked to see the Goddess raise her staff and simply create a barrier around herself and Serenity. The blasts bounced harmlessly off.

"Nice try," Serenity said, "but it'll take more than that."

Befana's smile turned into a sneer. "Fine! How about I turn it into coal then!?" She then changed the barrel to black and fired about three shots.

The Goddess then raised her staff again and blasted fireballs, incinerating the purple blasts.

"No!" Befana cried. "It cannot be!"

"You ain't seen nothing yet," Serenity said. She then turned to her Monster. "Goddess, don't hurt her, but show her what you can do."

The Goddess nodded and then raised her staff. Fireballs once again sprang from it and landed in front of Befana. Befana leapt back and raced for her bike. Jumping in she revved up the engine and took to the sky.

"You're Goddess may be strong, Serenità, but even she can't be fast enough to catch up to me in the air!" she cackled.

Serenity hated to admit it, but Befana was right. The Goddess wasn't fast enough… but there WAS another.

I haven't tried this before, but there's a first time for everything. Serenity thought.

She then concentrated and took out another card. "Who said the Goddess was the ONLY Monster I had? Rise! Red-EyesBlack Dragon!"

Another flash and the giant lizard appeared with a roar.

Befana stared in shock. "Hawk Moth! You never told me she could summon due mostri!"

I didn't know either! Hawk Moth stated, sounding just as shocked. Perhaps her strength has grown since last time.

Serenity then leapt onto Red-Eyes' back. "Red-Eyes, let's go!" she commanded.

The dragon let out a roar and flew into the air, the Goddess following.

Befana screamed and flew away with the dragon hot on her heels. Suddenly, she felt a thump behind her. She turned around and saw Cat Noir sitting behind her. He smiled and waved.

"Hi! Traffic's murder. Can I hitch a ride?" he quipped. He then attempted to grab the bike handlebars. "The girls are actually THIS way."

"Pets are not allowed on board!" Befana shouted. She then spun the bike and unseated Cat Noir. The hero cried out as he fell. Suddenly, he was caught by Serenity flying in on Red-Eyes.

"Hey there," she said with a smile. Cat looked up at her and then gawked at what he was on.

"Woah! I'm actually riding the Red-Eyes Black Dragon! This is so cool!" He cried almost geeking out. He then saw the Goddess floating nearby. "Wait a minute. You summoned TWO Monsters!? Haven't you only summoned just one before?"

"I figured it was worth a shot." Serenity said, shrugging.

"But you've only JUST started using your powers, right? Who knows how long you can keep this up!" Cat stated, sounding worried.

"Excuse me!" A voice then made them look and see Befana scowling. "It's rude to ignore someone, you know! Perhaps I should turn you all to coal to remind you of that, including that pesky Goddess and reptile!" Suddenly, something swooped in, kicking Befana's motorcycle and sending it into a spin like a top. Ladybug then landed nearby on the tower.

"Nice entrance, L.B.," Cat said.

"Thanks, I- WOAH!" Ladybug started to say before she caught sight of the Dragon and Goddess. "Serenity! You… you actually summoned TWO Monsters!? HOW!? What if it's too much!?"

"We'll just have to see. My brother and his friends have summoned many Monsters before." Serenity said.

"But on their, what, THIRD major try?" Ladybug asked, still unsure.

Just then, Befana got control of her bike and righted herself, her fairies surrounding her.

"You miserable pest! I'll get you for that!" She then turned to the fairies. "Take care of the kitty, as well as the girl, her lizard and three-eyed friend, my fairies. I'LL punish this polka-dot brat!"

The fairies then began to try and attack Cat Noir and Serenity. However, Cat was too speedy for them to touch as he jumped around the tower like an acrobat.

Meanwhile, Serenity knew that she couldn't hurt the fairies since they weren't in control of themselves.

"Red-Eyes, Goddess! Keep them away, but don't hurt them!" Serenity ordered. The Goddess nodded and the dragon rumbled an answer. The Goddess then created the protective shield spell from before to block the fairies. Red-Eyes meanwhile roared and flapped his wings, sending massive gusts of wind and blowing away the fairies, who were struggling to right themselves due to the gales.

All the while, Befana was pursuing Ladybug up the side of the Tower, firing a volley of coal shots at her which Ladybug dodged like a pro, eventually swinging into the tower. When the shots missed due to the height however, they started to fall thanks to gravity. And they began to fall on Befana! The witch gasped as she dodged the falling shots which fell to the ground below.

Ladybug saw this and found it curious. "Hmm…"

Befana then attempted to fire at Ladybug, but she was all out of ammo again.

"Pessima stupida caramella. Non posso nemmeno… " Befana muttered as she grabbed her bag to refill the gun.

Cat Noir and Serenity then landed next to Ladybug

"You okay?" asked Serenity.

"I'm fine, but I saw something that could help us! I saw Befana dodging her own candies. Even she can't touch them!"

Cat Noir then watched Befana refill. Suddenly, he came to a realization. "The candy bag! The akuma must be in there!"

Ladybug's face brightened. "Of course! So we just destroy it and get the Akuma!"

"But how?" Serenity asked.

"Simple. Lucky Charm!" Ladybug activated her power and in a red flash, something red and black polka-dotted landed in her arms. It was… a TUBA!? Surprisingly, it was quite light despite its size.

The three gave the brass instrument perplexed looks as did the Goddess and even Red-Eyes made a confused growl and cocked his head.

"That power has a weird sense of humor," Serenity always drily.

"You didn't tell me you played the tuba." Cat joked.

Ladybug shook her head. "I don't, but it looks like I'm gonna have to learn."

"So how are we-" Serenity asked before suddenly she groaned and clutched her head. All at once, the Monsters vanished and she fell to the ground.

"SERENITY!" cried the heroes as Cat leapt in and caught her.

"What happened?" He asked Serenity, who now seemed very tired and slightly drained.

"I… I guess I didn't have the strength or willpower to keep those guys here for long. That was only about four or five minutes," Serenity said wearily.

Ladybug looked very worried. "Well, we'd better get you out of here before-"

Suddenly, coal shots fired at them. Befana had reloaded and was back in action! They hit the ground under their feet, making it crumble under their weight. They all fell to a lower level. Cat quickly shielded Serenity as they landed. As they looked up, Befana landed off her motorcycle and her fairies surrounded the three.

"You all have been very naughty," the witch said. "I'm going to have to take your toys away from you. And YOU'RE coming with me." She stated this last line to Serenity.

Ladybug then knew she had to do something and figure out how to get the Akuma out of the bag to purify it before her time was up. She looked over her shoulder at her Lucky Charm which had fallen all the way to the base of the tower. Suddenly, her Lucky Charm vision alighted on elevator doors, an underground fire hydrant, and the tuba. She now had an idea of what to do. She just hoped it would work.

"Okay. You win, Befana," she said to the witch, much to Serenity and Cat's shocks. "However, what about your granddaughter? Didn't you say you wanted to get her too?"

Befana then gasped. "Mamma mia! You're right! In all this craziness, I forgot about Marinette!" She then turned to Cat. "You! Your partner has surrendered to me. Tell me where Marinetta is!"

Cat looked out the corner of his eye at L.B., who then winked at him and Serenity. He and the two then realized what was going on.

"Right. Okay, so I DID lie. I'm sorry. Your granddaughter IS here. I just hid her."

"He's right," Serenity agreed. "I saw him."

Ladybug then turned and gave a disarming smile. "Never too late to tell the truth, right?"

Befana however simply glared. "I don't believe any of you."

"I'll take you to her myself," Cat said, standing up with his hands raised to shoulder height.

Befana looked at him for a second before turning to the fairies. "Keep an eye on the ladybug and the girl. I'll be right back."

She then walked behind Cat with her gun pointed at his back as he led them to a gift shop nearby. However, the moment she was out of earshot, Ladybug turned to Serenity with a chuckle before standing up and using her yo-yo to pull a fire hose towards her. Serenity (having since gotten some of her strength back) then stood behind Ladybug as the spotted heroine spun the hose in her hand like her yo-yo.

"Sorry guys," Ladybug said. "But I've gotta put you all in time out!" With that, she swung the hose.

---

In the shop, Cat Noir apprehensively walked over to a closet. He had chosen it on random, but he prayed to God that Marinette wasn't actually in there and he'd chosen her hiding spot by mistake.

"Remember. No funny business, capisce?" Befana said. She then shook her gun in a "get on with it" gesture.

Cat then steeled himself. He opened the door... and sighed in relief on seeing Marinette wasn't inside.

Befana however was NOT pleased. "What is the meaning of this?! She isn't here!"

Cat simply smiled and shrugged. "I guess I'm a compulsive liar?" he said in a questioning tone

Befana merely growled in frustration. She raised her gun to turn him to coal. Suddenly, the sound of gears were heard. Befana raced outside and looked at the elevator that was going down. She smirked. "There you are! Nice try, Marinetta, but you won't get away that easily! Hahaha!" She then jumped over the glass guard wall onto her motorbike as she zoomed to the base of the tower where the elevator was going. Meanwhile, Ladybug, Cat Noir and Serenity appeared at the guard wall, looking down. Befana had been so distracted she'd not noticed the two girls.

Ladybug turned to her partner and saw him looking around, obviously for Marinette. She decided to abate her comrade's worries. "Don't worry, Cat Noir. Marinette's safe."

"Yeah," Serenity said. "We helped her get out while you were busy with Befana."

Cat then smiled. "Oh good." He then looked confused. "But wait. If that's the case, then what's in the elevator?"

Serenity smirked. "You'll see."

"Right. Now come on, Kitty," Ladybug said as Cat then lifted Serenity into his arms and the group jumped and swung down to the base of the tower.

---

At Eiffel Tower Base, Befana hopped off her motorbike, spinning around like a ballerina and readied her weapon for when the doors opened.

"I'm waiting for you, Marinetta~!" she sang with a wicked smile on her ruby lips. However, when the doors opened, she was shocked to find not Marinette… but her fairies tied up inside the elevator with the hose! "What!?"

Ladybug and Cat Noir then landed behind her. Serenity quickly jumped from Cat's arms to give the hero room to work.

Ladybug then threw her yo-yo to the Lucky Charm tuba, looping it around it to pull it closer. "Cat Noir! The fire hydrant!" she called out.

"My pleasure!" The feline hero said. He then raised his right fist and channeled his power.

"Cataclysm!"

He then used his left hand to pull the cover off the fire hydrant and pressed down on the hydrant, causing it to be destroyed and a fountain of water to appear.

Befana turned around with a noise of surprise just in time to see Ladybug slam the tuba down on the torrent of water. The action caused a jet of it to spew out the mouthpiece and straight fat Befana, who tried to block it with her gun and turn it to coal. However, while it worked, it worked TOO well. The shot affected the water, the tuba, and Befana herself! Ladybug quickly let go of the tuba as it was encased in coal.

"Noooo!" Befana cried before being silenced.

Ladybug, Cat and Serenity looked on. While Serenity felt a bit bad to do that to Marinette's grandma, she knew that once the spotted heroine used her Miraculous Ladybug, all the damage would be fixed. Ladybug then giggled with joy that the plan worked and Cat smiled and nodded his head approvingly. Serenity then raced over and grabbed the candy box. She tossed it to Ladybug who broke it in half. "No more evildoing for you, little Akuma!" she declared as the corrupted butterfly flew out. "Time to de-evilize!" She then captured the Akuma in her yo-yo. "Gotcha!" With a press of the button at the top of her yo-yo, she released the now purified Akuma. "Bye-bye, little butterfly," Ladybug said with a wave, glad that another innocent lepidopteran was saved from Hawk Moth's influence. She then threw the still coalified tuba into the air.

"Miraculous Ladybug!

The Miraculous Ladybug swarm then undid all the damage, first turning the fairies back into who they were originally, then turning the partygoers back to normal, fixing up the damaged Eiffel Tower, fixing the candy tin, and finally, uncoalifying Befana back to her normal self before she slumped wearily and turned back into Gina who looked around in shock and surprise.

Ladybug and Cat Noir then smiled. "Pound it!" they cheered, doing their signature fist bump.

"Wh… What in the world happened?" Gina asked. She then started to fall over, but Serenity quickly caught her.

"It's okay, Nona. You're safe now. Ladybug and Cat Noir fixed you."

"They did?" GIna asked, looking to the heroes who were now aiding the former fairies, including Sabine and Rose. It was then Gina's eyes widened. "Oh goodness! What did I do!? That horrible man! I heard his voice in my head and… Oh, what Marinetta must think of me!" She then turned to Serenity, her eyes almost shining with tears. "And you, Serenità! I'm so sorry! I tried to get him out, but-!"

"It's okay," Serenity assured her softly with a smile that seemed to put Gina at ease if just a tad.

Sabine then came running toward her. "Gina! I'm so glad you're alright!" she said as she hugged her.

"Oh Sabine!" Gina cried as she hugged her daughter in law. "I'm so sorry for what I did to you and Tom!" The tears began to flow freely now.

"It's alright. Thanks to Ladybug, everything's fixed now, so there's no need to worry or be upset anymore." Sabine said.

The teens present all then smiled at the scene.

"AWWW! Isn't that sweet?" Rose cooed.

"Sure is," Serenity nodded.

Suddenly a chirp was heard as was a second. Ladybug and Cat's eyes widened upon realizing what it meant.

"Oh gosh! We have to get going!"

"Right!"

Serenity then spoke up. "Say Ladybug. Do you think you could drop me off at the bakery? I want to check up on Marinette and her dad before getting back to the party. That's where we sent her after helping her escape." She then gave a small wink to Ladybug who smiled.

Sabine gasped. "Oh goodness! The party! Gina, we completely forgot to tell you about what was going on!" She then turned to Rose. "Rose dear, come on. I'm sure everyone is worried."

"Okay, Mrs. Cheng," Rose said.

Sabine then turned to Serenity. "When you get home, Serenity, could you tell Marinette and Tom we'll meet them at the party in the park?"

"Sure thing," Serenity said.

"In that case, I'd better take Serenity to the bakery and then leave before my Miraculous wears off," Ladybug said. She then wrapped an arm around Serenity who held on tight. Ladybug then turned and smiled at the group. "Bug Out!" she said as she extended her yo-yo and swung away.

Cat Noir smiled and then a beep knocked him out of his thoughts. "OH! I should probably go too. Need to get back to the party so no one else is suspicious. Cat-ch ya later!" He then extended his staff and pole vaulted away. "Hey. Hey, that's good. Maybe I'll keep that one. Won't Milady be surprised I have my own cat-chphrase now," he chuckled.

---

In Hawk Moth's lair, said villain was stewing in fury. Yet ANOTHER plan destroyed by those annoying heroes and the Wheeler girl to boot! What she had done had been especially interesting. He had had no idea she had been able to do that with her abilities. He had only seen her do ONE Monster! Even so, it seemed she wasn't able to keep it up for very long before becoming exhausted. But now, upon seeing it, he now knew that perhaps she was an even bigger threat than the heroes. "Ladybug, Cat Noir…" he growled. "You've escaped punishment yet again! I won't sugarcoat the truth; next time, I WILL destroy you and have your Miraculous! And as for you, little miss Wheeler, now that I have seen what you are truly capable of, I WILL have your power for my own! Just you all wait…"

The window closed, leaving the villain in darkness.

---

Serenity and Ladybug soon landed on the roof of the bakery just as the Miraculous beeped the final time and the last spot vanished. Immediately, Tikki flew out and landed in Marinette's hand, utterly exhausted.

"Don't worry, Tikki. We'll get you back to your old self again soon," Marinette said.

"Yeah. But first we have to check up on your dad," Serenity reminded.

"Right." Marinette then went down the ladder to her room and then went to her bed, grabbing a bag of cookies by the nightstand. She placed Tikki on it and opened the bag. "Here Tikki. Get your strength back. Serenity and I will see how Papa's doing."

Tikki's face then lit up and she zoomed into the bag, which then shook around as various sounds of eating came from within. The two girls looked at each other awkwardly before leaving, but not before hearing a slightly high pitched belch that caused them to giggle.

Once they were downstairs, they raced to the bakery and opened the door. There sitting on the floor was an obviously groggy Tom Dupain.

"Papa!" Marinette cried as she ran over and hugged him.

"Marinette? Serenity? What happened? The last thing I remember was your grandmother coming in on a…" He trailed off as his eyes widened and he stood up fast, nearly knocking his daughter off him. "Oh no! Mom! She was Akumatized! She was so upset since she didn't know anything about the party and-"

"It's alright, Tom," Serenity assured him. "Ladybug and Cat Noir fixed everything. Your mom's back to normal and everything's worked out."

Tom sighed in relief. "Oh good." Then he looked behind him and saw the cake still in the trash. "Oh NOT good!"

"So I was right, huh? The cake was for the party right?" Marinette asked.

Tom nodded sadly. "Yes, but now it's ruined, just like the other cakes. I'm so sorry Marinette."

Marinette however leaned up on tiptoe to kiss him on the cheek, which caused him to smile. "It's alright, Papa," Marinette said kindly. I'm sure you could make a fantastic new cake as easy as pie." She then winced inwardly. Cat must have been rubbing off on her more than she thought.

"You know what? You're right!" Tom declared. He then grabbed his cellphone. "I'll just text your mom and tell her we'll be a bit late coming to the party and we'll be bringing something great!"

"That's awesome!" Serenity exclaimed.

"Yeah!" Marinette agreed. Then a thought crossed her mind. "You know, I'm going to do something too. You get to work on the cake, Papa. We'll be upstairs. Call us once you're done, okay?"

"Sure, sure," Tom said, already distracted as he set to work on the new cake.

The girls then chuckled as they raced back upstairs. Upon opening the door, they saw Tikki sitting atop the bag, looking pleased as could be, if perhaps a tad chubbier.

"I trust you're all better now?" Marinette asked with a smile.

"Indeed," Tikki chirped before giving a hiccup. "Ugh. I'm turning into Plagg," she grumbled.

Serenity giggled at that, since Tikki had mentioned that Cat's Kwami Plagg was QUITE the glutton when it came to cheeses.

"We'll, Papa's making a new cake downstairs, so we'll be doing something up here. Now where is it?" Marinette looked around and finally saw what she was looking for. The too small shirt Gina had given her.

"What are you gonna do with that?" Serenity asked.

"You'll see," Marinette said as she walked over to her drawers and grabbed a few odds and ends including a sewing needle and thread. She then sat down on the bed and began working on the shirt.

After a few moments of silence, Marinette then paused in her sewing and turned to Serenity. "You know, you never did say exactly what was up back there with Befana."

Serenity then frowned as she looked down at her shoes. "Oh yeah. That."

Marinette and Tikki frowned as well. "Rennie, you don't have to tell us if you don't want to..."

"No, no it's alright," Serenity said, she then sighed and looked at them. "See, remember how I told you a few years ago how my friends and I were sent into a virtual world and had to fight against Seto Kaiba's insane and evil stepfather?

"Yeah," Marinette nodded. "Honestly if I didn't go through all I did as Ladybug, I probably would have thought you'd gone nuts. No offense."

Serenity shrugged. "Honestly, I probably would think the same thing. Anyway, there was something I didn't tell you about that time. Apparently a long while ago, Kaiba's stepfather had another son."

"There was another Kaiba!?" asked Marinette shocked.

"Yes. Noah was his name. He died before the brothers were adopted and then Gozaburo Kaiba had an insane idea to upload his mind to a virtual world. Eventually though he forgot about Noah and over time, the boy became isolated and alone and went insane. Later on, Noah attempted to take a body from the real world and become real himself to take over Kaiba Corp like he was supposed to."

"Mon dieu," Marinette whispered in shock.

"It gets more horrible," Serenity said, shivering a little. "Noah battled Yugi in a duel and Noah had the advantage. And with each attack, he… he…" Serenity could almost not bear to utter the words.

"It's okay, Serenity. Just take a breath and tell us when you can," Tikki said softly.

Serenity nodded. She took a few deep breaths and finally spoke. "He… He turned all of us to stone one by one. Tristan, Duke, Tea, Kaiba and Mokuba, and eventually… me and Joey."

"Oh Serenity," whispered Marinette as she set her sewing stuff down and leaned in to hug her as the green eyed girl sniffed and wiped tears from her eyes. Tikki also landed on her shoulder and wiped a year away.

Eventually, Serenity calmed down and began speaking again. "It was horrible and while I never told Joey, I had nightmares for weeks. I'd gotten over it after a while, but when I saw Befana and her turning everyone to coal…"

"The memories returned, right?" Marinette asked kindly.

Serenity nodded sadly. "I felt so silly for being frightened by things from a long while ago."

Marinette then took Serenity's hands and gripped them as she gave a small glare. "Serenity, don't you say that! It's completely natural to be scared of something like that. I know I'd probably be the same way."

"She's right," Tikki agreed.

Serenity sniffed and smiled at them. "Thanks guys. And actually, I managed to face my fears by thinking of something my brother mentioned to me a while back. The bravest person isn't the person with no fears, but someone who has many fears, but still faces them."

Tikki and Marinette stared at her for a bit. "Wow," Marinette finally said. "The guy who danced a chicken dance said something THAT deep?"

Serenity chuckled. "Actually, it was from Yugi, who'd heard it from his grandpa."

Marinette also chuckled at that. "THAT explains it." She then went back to her sewing for a bit back to Serenity. "While we're on the topic of you facing Befana, I think we should discuss the elephant in the room."

Serenity quirked an eyebrow. "Huh?"

"I think she's talking about how you managed to summon TWO Monsters, Serenity!" Tikki exclaimed.

"Oh yeah, that," Serenity said.

"Yeah. THAT," Marinette said a bit sternly. "What were you thinking? You've only been able to summon ONE Monster. That's what we've been working on for the last few weeks!"

"I'm sorry. It's like I said before, I figured it would be best to have a bit of extra help."

"But still!" Marinette cried before sighing. "Serenity, you're lucky that it worked as long as it did, but when the power wore off, you were all but exhausted. It's a great power to have in a pinch, but you can't use it too much. At least not until you've learned how to do it for possibly longer than five minutes."

"Perhaps we can add it to your training with Master Fu," Tikki piped up.

Serenity nodded. "You may be right. I won't use that again until I know how to use it better."

"Good," Marinette said, nodding before going back to her project. "Because I'm only fourteen, you know. If you keep this up, I'm liable to get hair the color of my grandma's by the time I'm FIFTEEN!"

The three shared a small laugh at that. Afterwards, the group stayed in the room until Marinette finished her project. By that time, it had gotten dark and it was getting late.

"Finished!" Marinette exclaimed, turning to Serenity to show her what she'd been working in for so long.

Serenity's eyes widened in surprise before a smile stretched across her face. "Mariette! That's AMAZING!"

"She's right! It is!" Tikki piped up.

"I sure hope so," Marinette said. "I'm hoping one person in particular will be impressed."

"I can guess who," Serenity said.

Suddenly, Tom's voice called up. "Marinette! Serenity! I've finished and the cake's in the truck! Let's get this show on the road!"

"Coming Dad!" called Mariette as she and Serenity ran for the stairs with Tikki flying into Marinette's purse. As they got near Marinette paused and then turned to her mirror table and grabbed something before heading to follow Serenity.

---

Marinette's party was soon back in full swing. Once she and Marinette arrived, everyone swarmed them to ask if they were alright. Thankfully they were able to convince them they were and they even checked on Sabine and Rose who were thankfully well and none worse for wear after their enslavement.

Finally, things calmed down and Nino was playing his music and the guests were all having a good time. Marinette and Serenity were looking through the crowd until they finally spotted who they were looking for.

Gina was currently standing at the ice cream cart from earlier, talking with its vendor.

"So, how about you, André?" they heard her say in a slight flirtatious time. "Do YOU have anyone in particular to share your ice cream with these days?"

The man, André, chuckled. "Well, actually, I have yet to find the perfect blend of flavours."

"Oh, such a shame," Gina said, though she didn't sound too sorry.

"Grandma!" cried Marinette as she ran up hugging her grandmother tightly from behind.

"Oh, my sweetie!" said Gina as she reciprocated the embrace. She then leaned back and saw Serenity. "Serenità! Oh, I'm so glad to see you as well!" She then gestured for Serenity to come join them. Serenity looked surprised but smiled when Marinette nodded. Serenity then came over and wrapped her arms around them, feeling warmth in her chest with this action.

The embrace then broke. Gina then looked down surprised at Marinette's bag and pointed. "My goodness! What did you do with that tee shirt?"

Indeed Marinette had the tee shirt on her, just not in the way it would be normally worn. Rather, it had been turned into a new version of her purse Marinette usually wore with a new clasp and strap attached. The owl design proudly sat on the flap.

Marinette smiled at Gina while proudly holding it up. "I fixed it up, Grandma. I've been sewing a lot ever since the last time you came to visit."

"It's true," agreed Serenity. "She's really good at it too."

Gina stared at Marinette for a bit before smiling and wiping a tear from her eye. "Oh. You're so grown up, Marinette." Serenity and Marinette were then surprised as Gina had actually called Marinette by her real name. "You know what?" she continued, "I've decided. There'll be no more merry-go-rounds or zoos. For your next birthday, I'll take you on one of my trips!" She raised a finger in the air to punctuate this statement.

Marinette and Serenity looked at her in surprise before smiling again and Marinette gave her another hug. "Thank you, Grandma! But you know, it doesn't matter where you take me. With you, it's always unforgettable."

Gina smiled down at her granddaughter and then turned to Serenity. "And Serenity? You are more than welcome to join us!"

Serenity was also shocked Gina had called HER by her real name too. "R-really?" she asked.

"Of course you'd be," Marinette said.

Serenity then ran forward and hugged Gina, to which she reciprocated. "Thank you! Thank you! I'd love to!" She then smiled at Gina. "Actually, I wouldn't mind... if you're still in town tomorrow… I'd love to still go see the trains. If you're okay with it."

"Marvelous!" Gina cried.

"That's right. You told me you wanted to see them and we didn't this afternoon," Marinette stated. "That would be great."

"Awesome!" Serenity cheered.

Suddenly, the crowd began to part and the trio saw why. Walking up and carrying the enormous cake were Tom and Sabine. Everyone then began to sing the famous "Happy Birthday" tune, Serenity and Gina soon joining along.

"Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday, dear Marinette! Happy birthday to you!"

Ivan and Kim then lifted Marinette up under her arms to reach the top of the tall cake. On top were fourteen more candles.

"Make a wish, Mari," Serenity called. Marinette then clasped her hands and then blew out the candles. The boys then set her gently on the ground as the people around them clapped.

"Brava," a voice behind Marinette spoke. She turned and there was Adrien, his present from before in his hands with an awkward smile. "I know it's a little late in the day, but you never did get a chance to open this with all that was going on. Plus it got turned coal before."

Marinette got a huge smile on her face that threatened to split it. With delight, she opened it and was surprised to see what was in it, as was Serenity.

It appeared to be a bracelet made of red string, which was tied in a loop at one end for when the bracelet was't tied to a wrist. The bracelet also had nine beads: a parallelogram-shaped dark yellow one, a coin-shaped bead of the same color, a parallelogram-shaped teal bead, a bird-shaped dark yellow one, a short, cylinder-shaped dark blue bead, another parallelogram-shaped teal bead, a spherical blue bead, a tiny, light blue bead, and a bell-shaped dark yellow bead that hangs off of the end on a metal loop. This was probably meant to go through the loop on the other end to wear.

Adrien gave a smile to Marinette. "I always carry the lucky charm you gave me with me wherever I go," he said, pulling said charm out of his pocket. Serenity looked at it and found it to be quite nice. Like the other, it was made with red string, which was bent into a loop on one side when the bracelet was't tied onto a wrist. This one had eight beads: a light blue one, a large one, a small yellow one, a small black one, a square green bead engraved with a four-leaf clover as the main one, a sky-blue, a tiny red, and a second large pink bead slightly smaller than the first. "I think it works pretty well," he continued, "so... I figured it was my turn to make one for you."

Serenity nearly squealed at how adorable this was. Mark's crush was actually giving her JEWELRY! And he'd even made it himself! Talk about a romantic gesture!

Marinette seemed to think so because she stammered in a somewhat love-struck voice, "You're so wonderful... Oh, uh- it's wonderful, what a charm! Uh... luck charm! I-I'll wear the charm um, with luck! Basically, um... thank you."

Serenity giggled at that, thinking it was equally adorable. Apparently though she wasn't the only one who . In the background, Marinette's parents and Gina were watching with Sabine giggling and Tom saying, "Aww…" Gina of course was smirking at the sight.

"Does she…?" she whispered to Serenity.

"Oh yeah," Serenity whispered back.

After that, Nino began playing music again and people started dancing and having a wonderful time. Tom even grabbed Sabine and Gina grabbed André and they pulled their respective partners onto the dance floor.

While this was going on, Marinette was with Serenity and Tikki in the trees nearby. Serenity sat on a bench, leaning back as she looked at Marinette sat on the other end, gazing at the bracelet Adrien gave her.

Do you realize," Marinette said in a dreamy tone, "that he made it specially for me, with his own hands?" She then sighed blissfully. "Adrien…"

"Still think he might not LIIIIIKE you now?" giggled Serenity, throwing up her hands and calling back Marinette's small "MaRANTnette" a while back, to which the bluenette rolled her eyes with a smile.

Tikki however didn't seem as thrilled. "Yeah, well, it's kind of a weird gift if you ask me." Serenity figured she was obviously still miffed about that morning with HER present not being too well received.

Marinette then playfully spoke with a smirk. "Heh, no weirder than yours, Tikki." She added a wink at that.

Tikki let out a gasp, obviously offended. She then crossed her stubby arms, turned her back and let out an indignant "humph!" However, she looked back at her Chosen when Marinette then reached into her shirt and held out the Kwagatama, now on a necklace around her neck.

"But that doesn't mean they're not BOTH precious to me," Marinette said with a warm smile.

"Wow! When did you do that?" Serenity asked.

"I grabbed a chain on the way out and fit it as we were leaving. You must have just not seen me," Marinette explained.

Tikki was now ecstatic. "So you really DID like the gift, then!" she cheered happily.

Marinette giggled as she tucked the kwagatama back down her shirt. "Of course I did. The most important thing about a present, Tikki, is the person who's giving it."

"So true," smiled Serenity as she leaned in and gave Marinette a hug. "Happy birthday, Mariette."

Neither of them knew that at that moment in another grove a little ways away, Adrien is standing under the trees as well, looking at the charm Marinette gave him and smiling at it fondly.

A/N:

We'll, there you have it. Consider this a Thanksgiving and early Christmas gift from me to you all.

First of all, to all my loyal readers who have been waiting for-frickin-EVER for this, I want to say thank you all for your patience and support. My life hasn't been easy for writing right now. I currently have two part-time jobs (one in the morning, one at night) that hardly leave me with any writing time, which really sucks. Plus, we have some family health difficulties we're dealing with right now. Not only that, I decided a bit ago to give up my RWBY/Arkham Asylum crossover story for adoption. Thankfully, I managed to find an author who asked last year if he could take it on if I was giving it up. I need to send him the original chapters so he can correct and tweak them as he sees fit. I will stay on as a creative consultant though, so I'll still have a role. Hopefully we'll see it begin next year possibly. So yeah, there's all that.

Life's also been crazy for many other people as you know. As far as I'm concerned, 2020 can go to a lake and drown for all I care 😫: COVID, wildfires, COVID, racial inequality and violence, COVID, shitty politics, COVID, and did I mention COVID!? 😆 Seriously though, I know many have had a difficult, trying and possibly sorrowful year and some of you may have lost someone you knew, know someone who survived, or even survived yourself (I know a few people like that.) But we all have to just have hope and faith. Things are starting to look up a little bit. While cases are rising, deaths are still down, we have a bit more info on the virus, new treatments and things are being made, and best of all, by next month we may have a viable vaccine or more! Plus, the crack-down on COVID is planning to be far more stringent and harder than it certainly was this year. Hopefully with the new plans in place as well as the vaccines, we can nip this in the bud! Remember: social distance as much as possible, wear a mask or facial covering whenever you're out in public, and get flu shots and possibly the new vaccine once it's supposedly available for all in April (PLEASE get vaccinations! Forget the lousy stuff online or what you've heard about shots not working or dumb! More data shows they actually help more than hinder! Though maybe wait a couple months to see if this thing works and there's no major news of bad stuff.) Doing all these things will definitely help us get through this hell sooner. As I said, we just gotta have hope and faith and hopefully by this time next year, things will have abated and we'll be close to the end and into a better time.

Second, I know you guys aren't going to probably like this, but it may be a bit before you see another chapter of this. As of now, I stressed myself out working on this, which WASN'T fun believe me (and it may get harder with all the new Miraculous stuff supposedly planned.) Plus, I'm working on QUITE a few other stories including:

- A reboot of the story "Elements of Sleepy Hollow," a Legend of Korra/Sleepy Hollow movie crossover I adopted a good while back and REALLY want to get a move on with

- A crossover between Danny Phantom, Justice League Unlimited and Young Justice, inspired by "Ben 10: Unlimited" by The Incredible Muffin" and "Sandman Unlimited" by WafflesTheApprentice

-A possible adoption/reboot of the cancelled Danny Phantom/My Hero Academia fic "Haunted Halls" (once I get permission from the author)

- A possible Ben 10/Legend of Korra crossover, inspired by "The Legend of Korra: The Next Airbender" by Stone-Man85, "The Little Pony Legend" by MaggiesHeartLove, and "The Ultimate Legend" by TerrorKing10

- MAYBE a "Human In [Blank]" story or two featuring Talespin, Thundercats (2011), and the obscure Wild West C.O.W.-Boys of Moo Messa, the former two inspired by "My tailspin in Talespin" by DreamerAndReader, and "The Jewel of Omens" by PurpleTurtle21.

- A crossover between Rise of the Guardians and Harry Potter, inspired by the deleted fanfiction, "A Touch of Frost", with a possible spin-off based on the "Fantastic Beasts" franchise (depending on where it all goes, ya know)

- A maybe crossover between Korra and the TMNT (2012)

- A continuation/real finale fic for TMNT (2012) which will be like a Season 6

- A crossover fic of Superman and Avatar: the Last Airbender, inspired by "Avatar: The Last Kryptonian" by MegaBob452

- A possible crossover between Spider-Man and Miraculous Ladybug inspired by "The Miraculous Spider" by Spidey108 (btw, if anyone has ANY ideas about how to possibly do these last two, I'm all ears. I may feature some ideas from them, but I don't want to copy too many since that would essentially be stealing.)

- And finally, a RWBY Dragonslayer (Yang and Jaune) AU fic featuring a soldier and Atlesian raised Jaune Arc trained under General Ironwood, mostly inspired by "The Heat" by wildstraydog and ever so slightly by "White Knight" by MahinaFable. I will be writing this one with help from That Guy Smoking a Pipe.

As well as a very, very, VERY special personal project I am extremely eager to get started on which, for personal and professional reasons, I won't be publishing, but will be showing certain people via Google Docs.

Not only that, I'm ALSO helping beta the fics "My Ultimate Academia" by Shocknawe 425 and "It's Superman!" by JuggsGotYa. As well as helping Moheart7 (on DeviantArt) with co-writing a story he's hoping will be published.

FINALLY, I am helping my sister with writing and editing her own fics she's writing (an Alex Rider/Star Wars: the Clone Wars crossover in particular) and will be helping her to make her own page to post them on.

So yeah. FRICKload of plans 😅.

So basically, for the rest of this year (and a tad bit of next), this fic will be going on hiatus. Not to worry though. I am planning to update a new chapter possibly bi-monthly (or tri-monthly if need be), but who knows? Could come sooner. So I will not be giving up on this just yet. Of course, we don't know what the future holds (with Miraculous OR with my own life), so we'll just have to cross that bridge when we come to it.

Again thank you all SOOOOOOOOOOOO much for your continued reading and supporting me through this difficult and crappy year. Just remember to wear a mask, social distance, take care of yourselves, get flu shots and vaccinations as often or soon as you can, and have hope and faith.

Have a happy, safe and healthy Thanksgiving, Christmas and 2021, everybody.

P.S. The thing with the fears is inspired from a Xiaolin Showdown episode, "Dreamscape"where the monks face their worst fears.