Yeah, autocorrect didn't like this chapter. Oh well.

Disclaimer: same as always.

Chapter 26: Horrificator, Part 1

When the winds died down, Marinette was mid-step with all her weight on her bad ankle. So, naturally, she ended up crashing into the wall.

"Are you okay?" Tikki asked, peeking out of Marinette's bag.

Marinette nodded. "That was just an awkward position to be in suddenly. And you know how clumsy I am."

Marinette looked around. She was only a couple yards from the classroom, but no one was around and her ankle was easier to deal with transformed.

"I think I should transform here," Marinette figured. "If I remember correctly, I just said I was going to find Mylene. When they realize she's been akumatized, they'll think she's already taken me."

"And this way you can find Mylene before she starts taking your classmates," Tikki added.

Marinette nodded. "Exactly. Tikki - spots on."

"We've already lost one lead," Nino complained. "You're not allowed to leave too."

"I'll be right back," Adrien replied. "I just need to use the restroom."

"Dude."

"Come on, Adrikins," Chloé chirped, leaning onto Adrien's shoulder. "You can wait until we've shot this scene, can't you? For me?"

"Seriously, guys-" Adrien took a step towards the door, but Chloé tightened her grip and pulled him towards her.

"We have to film this, dude," Nino said. "And tonight. You're not running off on me this time."

"But I-"

"Will finish the scene." Nino walked closer to Adrien and pointed his phone at him. "Right, dude?"

Adrien sighed. "Fine. But let's get this out of the way quickly."

Though if memory served, Adrien would be stuck in the classroom for a while. Nino, Alya, and Chloe bickered as Juleka brushed up on Adrien's makeup. Rose handed him a drink, which was maybe the best thing to happen to him in a while.

And then, of course, Chloé snatched it out of his hand.

Adrien was about to try to signal to Rose for more food - he was starved - when Ladybug dropped onto the hallway in front of the classroom.

"Ladybug!" Both Alya and Chloe squealed.

Nino raised his phone's camera. "Sweet!"

Ladybug opened the door, definitely limping worse than before. "Your classmate has been akumatized. I need to get you out of here."

"Ladybug, I have a friend who went to check on Mylene," Alya said. "Marinette. Did you see her?"

Ladybug took a shaky breath. "Marinette? I didn't see her. She must have been taken already."

Alya gasped.

"Don't worry." Ladybug put a comforting hand on Alta's shoulder. "She'll be fine. I promise."

"What kind of villain could Mylene even be?" Chloe questioned. "She's such a scaredy-cat."

"Don't say that!" Ivan replied. "The only reason this has happened is because of you!"

Chloe scoffed. "Whatever."

"Mylene's transformed into Horrificator," Ladybug said. "She feeds off of fear, so I need everyone to stay calm."

"I'm always calm," Chloe replied, putting her hand over her chest. "You can count on me, Ladybug."

The rest of the class nodded.

"What do you need us to do?" Adrien asked.

Ladybug took a deep breath. "Well, uh - stick together, mostly. No running off on your own." She shot a pointed look towards Chloe. "And do exactly as I say. Is that clear?" The class nodded. "Good. Let's get you out of here. Horrificator's blocking the entrances, so I'll take you out over the roofs."

Ladybug opened the classroom door and ushered everyone out. Adrien used the distraction to grab one of Rose's snacks without anyone noticing and hid it in his jacket.

"Cheese," Plagg groaned.

"Shush," Adrien replied, and followed the rest of the class out into the hallway. Ladybug wrapped her yo-yo around something on the roof, and tugged to prove that it was safe.

"Alright," Ladybug said. "You-" she pointed at Max, "you-" Sabrina, "and you-" and Rose, "come with me. The rest of you stay here until I come back. Alya's in charge."

Alya grinned. "Did you hear that? Ladybug put me in charge."

Ladybug gestured for Sabrina to climb on her back, and then for Rose to grab on around Sabrina. She grabbed Max with her left hand, and readied herself to swing away.

"But what about me?" Chloe whined.

"I'll be back," Ladybug replied, and off she went.

Adrien watched her go, and then began sneaking off in the other direction.

"Ladybug said stay here," Alya said, reaching through the crowd of students to grab Adrien's shirt. "So you're staying here. And don't say you need to use the restroom - we don't have time for that."

Adrien sighed. "I was just-"

"Nope," Alya replied. "You're staying here. We're all staying here until Ladybug comes back."

Adrien looked around, trying to find a way out. He had to help Ladybug somehow, but if he couldn't leave...

He considered transforming right then, but he quickly shook the thought out of his head. He wasn't that desperate yet.

"What is that?" Chloe screamed, hiding behind Adrien. She pointed up at the roof, where Horrificator was beginning to coat the school with goo.

"Cool," Juleka said. Nino raised his camera.

"She's trying to trap us in," Kim observed. "We'll be doomed!"

"Ladybug will be back," Alya replied. "She'll handle this."

"Just stay calm," Adrien added. "Remember, Horrificator works off of fear. Everyone needs to take a breath."

"Exactly." Ladybug landed on the railing, and recalled her yo-yo. "Adrien and Alya know what they are talking about."

Alya squealed at the compliment.

Ladybug looked up at the sky, which was slowly being covered by goo. "I don't have time to take anymore of you out. We'll have to find someplace here for you to hide."

She looked back up at the sky, and Adrien couldn't help but feel a little guilty. He knew she was waiting for Chat Noir - for him - and was worried that once the goo covered the entire school, she would be left alone.

Adrien knew he would have to sneak off as soon as possible. As capable as Ladybug was, he didn't want her fighting alone. But for now, he would have to do his best to help as his civilian self.

Horrificator roared and landed on the other side of the hallway. Adrien's classmates screamed - with the exception of Juleka and Nino - and Horrificator grew.

Nino raised his camera up and Alya smacked his hand back down.

"Back!" Ladybug ordered, gesturing with her left arm for the students to back up.

"Down the stairs," Adrien called, grabbing the classmate closest to him - which, of course, was Chloe - and pushing her towards the stairs. The rest of the class followed.

Nino went last, and, as stated in the laws of the universe, he grabbed Adrien as he ran, forcing Adrien to escape with the rest of the class.

As Adrien did his best to lead his classmates to safety, he could see Ladybug begin to face off Horrificator out of the corner of his eye.

Adrien is definitely having some bad luck.