Adrien

"Kid, you gotta stop banging your head like that. It's going to give me a headache." Adrien turned his head to glare at the kwami sitting on his bed, surrounded by pieces of camembert. "What? It was getting annoying." Adrien sighed and turned his attention back to his computer, Alya's latest post on display. He had just returned from the encounter with Senti-Bug, Hawkmoth, and Mayura. Adrien felt his heart break again as he remembered watching the sentimonster erased from existence. It looked so much like Ladybug; almost succeeding in stealing his miraculous by taking advantage of his feelings for Ladybug. If it wasn't for Ladybug's quick thinking, he would have handed the real Ladybug miraculous to Mayura. Then she had to give up capturing Mayura's miraculous to save him from Hawkmoth.

And the Ladyblog fans wasted no time in shaming him for it. Different opinions had sprouted up that afternoon since Alya posted, the fans taking sides. LadyNoir fans saying Chat Noir needs to wait until Paris is safe from supervillains before he makes a move, claiming he will distract Ladybug in fights and cause Hawkmoth to win in the end. Another group of Ladybug fans said he should be replaced, all of them asking Ladybug to pick them as the new Chat Noir claiming they could do a better job and be a better partner. They must be just people crushing on Ladybug and wanting Chat Noir out of their way. Finally, there was the small group led by Alya, stating anyone could be tricked by the sentimonster. Alya even brought up Heroes' Day and how all of Paris fell for the illusion of Ladybug using Chat Noir's cataclysm on him. Adrien scrolled through the mixed comments, each one telling him in one way or another that he was a failure.

He sighed again. It was still his fault, his failure. It seemed like he couldn't get anything right these days. He couldn't stand up for Marinette, couldn't stand up to his father, couldn't tell the real Ladybug from a fake. And worst of all, she didn't love him, telling him she was in love with someone else in her civilian life. Plagg frowned at his Chosen, abandoning his prized camembert to confront him. He hovered in front of the screen, blocking Adrien's view of the comments. "Kid, you can't keep torturing yourself like this. It was an honest mistake that any of these trolls could make."

Adrien shook his head, "But it wasn't them, Plagg. It was me and I almost gave Hawkmoth my miraculous because of it. Then Ladybug would have been on her own against both Hawkmoth and Mayura, not to mention the sentimonster under their control."

Plagg groaned, he hated seeing his Chosen blame himself for things that weren't his fault. The black cat miraculous commonly brought misfortune to the wielder and they had to take it in stride. Most Chosen had been close to their Ladybugs, the good fortune balanced out the misfortune allowing them to live in peace. But some of his past Chosen had been overwhelmed by it, plunging into darkness. Regrettably, his kitten was yet to realize his Ladybug was literally swooning over him outside the mask.

"Cheer up kid, you can't always be the perfect child. People make mistakes, it's a part of life. I have seen people make mistakes worse than that, willingly. The point is you are not a horrible person, no matter how big of a mistake you make." The kwami turned off all the monitors before facing his Chosen. "Now, you can't do anything to change the past, but what about your current situation? Pigtails is still expelled, what are you going to do about it?" Adrien didn't reply, thinking through the facts.

He was certain that Marinette was innocent. He didn't doubt for a second that Lila framed her. Everyone else was convinced otherwise though. Lila had planted enough false evidence to convince even Alya who completed an investigation trying to prove Marinette's innocence. He couldn't understand why everyone was so convinced that Marinette would be so awful when she had bent over backwards to help everyone in the class, never asking for something in return. Adrien sighed, he had a lot of work to do.

Gabenath

Gabriel glared at Nathalie as she laid the couch coughing, clutching the peacock brooch tightly in his hand. "How could you be so ignorant? After I gave up on a group of akumas because of your failing health! Including the Dupain-Cheng girl that has been eluding my akumas for so long!" Gabriel stopped his ranting and took a deep breath. "One would think you would have the common sense to heed my word and stop. A bloody doctor even came in and told you that you needed to rest." His voice was more reasonable but he still couldn't stop himself from throwing up his hands in exasperation.

Nathalie shrugged, not at all apologetic, as she coughed again. "I did what I had to, Gabriel. I want to help you get the miraculous; bring Emelie back."

Gabriel scowled, "I've warned you that the cost of being Mayura and Catalyst was too high and you didn't listen. I am not willing to pay the price by losing you to that damaged miraculous like I lost Emelie."

"What choice do we have?" she coughed out. "We need to do everything we can to get those miraculous. No matter the cost. That is my choice to make."

"And it was a stupid and foolish decision to make. I choose to not let you risk your life needlessly ever again!" Gabriel growled, frustrated with her ignorance. "We can't afford to self-sacrifice or expose ourselves. Ladybug and Chat Noir almost captured you and the peacock, exposing your identity and potentially leading them straight to me. All hope of bringing Emelie back would have been lost. Both of us would have been sent to prison. Adrien would then learn the truth about everything that has been going on, including the lies about his mother's disappearance." Nathalie twitched with guilt at the mention of Adrien. seeing the boy mourn his mother's supposed death already haunted her every day. Gabriel shook his head again, murmuring, "You will never be called to assist me again, or even see this miraculous again. No one will use it again as long as I live."

Nathalie coughed again, looking him in the eye as she pleaded, "Please Gabriel, let me keep helping you. The Rossi girl can set it all up again and get even more people this time. The Dupain-Cheng girl will be under our control. We can bring back Emelie." Her eyes supplicated as she begged in a raspy voice, "Please give me another chance."

Gabriel shook his head and rubbed his eyes with his free hand. He couldn't bear to look at her as she coughed and he turned his back to her. "No, Nathalie, I can't risk your safety any more than I already have. I never should have let you wield that broken miraculous in the first place." He strode to the door, finally turning back to look at her to declare firmly, "You are worth too much to sacrifice on this crusade. I will find another way. From now on, you will go back to ensuring Adrien is kept out of danger whenever I akumatize someone and organize my schedule to keep me from suspicion." He opened the door without another word and left Nathalie alone with her guilt. She failed him again and now he won't let her help him. A tear rolled down her cheek as she laid there wondering if she will ever redeem herself in his eyes and be allowed to help him in his crusade again.

Gabriel sat down at the computer in his office and opened his 'Personal Projects' folder. Inside were several files: 'Category four akumas', 'Failures', 'Currently Known Miraculous', and lastly 'Dupain-Cheng'. Marinette had drawn his attention ever since her emotions attracted his akuma and she successfully evaded it, twice. Gabriel could taste the power her akuma form would wield, the first category five akuma ever. When she was finally akumatized today, her name was revealed to him: Princess Justice. Her powers were greater then every other akuma in that room put together. The power combined with the girl's natural brilliance, evidenced by her design skills and problem-solving abilities, would make her the perfect akuma; the one to finally bring him the miraculous he desired.

But before he could make another run at evilizing her, he had a deal to honor.

Adrien

He was still wondering what to do to help Marinette when Nathalie knocked on his door to tell him he had to be ready to leave for a photoshoot in ten minutes. Adrien sighed, naturally his father would keep him busy when he was trying to help his friends. Plagg gave a sympathetic purr as he sat on his kitten's shoulder. "Let's be honest kid, at least you won't be locked up inside all day. Now you can go out for some fresh air and maybe that can help you figure out a way to help your girlfriend." Adrien didn't challenge the kwami, silently nodding his head in agreement. Plagg wasn't wrong, he realized. The fresh air would be nice and would improve his mood. Finding a way to help Marinette would be a welcome relief to his conscience.

What did Plagg call her? He froze, too late Adrien realized his slip up as Plagg cackled, "You didn't deny it! You have a crush on Marinette! You have a crush on Marinette!" the kwami chanted as he zipped around Adrien's head.

"I don't have a crush on her, Plagg. She's just a fri…"

"Finish that sentence and I will claw your tongue." Plagg glared at his Chosen as he continued, "You do realize that girl is head over heels for you, right?"

Adrien shook his head, in denial. "She can't be, she's dating Luka. She even invited him to go skating with us."

"Only because you invited Kagami and asked her for help. What do you think she was going to do? Sit there and watch you and that crazy fencer girl as her heart broke?" Plagg retorted. "Do I need to remind you about the 'prank' you played on her at the wax museum? She professed her love for you thinking you were a statue and even tried to kiss you. Does that light any bulbs in your head or are you that dim?"

"She said that she was just kidding," Adrien tried to reason.

"Yep, and you somehow believed that," Plagg shook his head at his gullible kitten.

"Well, then I should just ask Marinette for the truth about her feelings then?" Adrien inquired helplessly.

Plagg hesitated before asking, "If she tells you she has a crush on you, how will you react?"

"I don't know," Adrien confessed. He never had a close friend like Marinette confess like that. And if she truly has feelings for him? He wasn't sure what he would do. He sighed, "I love Ladybug, but I don't want to hurt Marinette."

"Then maybe wait until you know for sure what you will do," Plagg advised. That way you won't fumble this too badly and Tikki won't kill me, the kwami thought. Adrien nodded woodenly, frowning as he continued to get ready. Whether or nor Marinette had romantic feelings for him, she still deserved to be proven innocent.

Nathalie was waiting at the front door, tapping her foot impatiently as she analyzed something on her tablet. She didn't glance up once at him, simply ordering, "Let's go, your father wants you to be there on time." Those were the last words she spoke to him, remaining silent and focused on her work the entire trip to the shoot. She sat in the car seat while Adrien stepped out of the car, thanking the Gorilla who just nodded and grunted in reply.

Vincent greeted him with a wide smile, "Adrienno! So good to see you!" Adrien smiled, the Italien photographer's enthusiasm never failed to cheer up his mood, making the shoots more bearable. "I am so excited! Your first shoot with a female partner! I am so thrilled for you to meet her! She has been all around the world, knows all the celebrities personally, and is Italien just like me!"

Adrien barely opened his mouth to ask about who it would be when he immediately shut it. Lila turned and flashed her fake smile, "Hi Adrien!"

Vincent beamed wider as Adrien did his best not to scowl. "I'll leave you two to chat for a moment while I get the camera and lighting set up!" The energetic photographer walked away from the two of them, leaving Adrien alone with Lie-la.

Lila smiled at him, her green eyes scrutinizing him like a fox observes her prey. "So terrible what happened to Marinette earlier!"

Adrien rolled his eyes at her, sitting in the chair next to her. It was taking Adrien every bit of his self-control not to make a scene and refuse to shoot with her. He stared out at the La Seine as he growled out, "Save it, Lila. I know that you set Marinette up and you are going to set things right by telling everyone she is innocent."

Lila scoffed, "And sacrifice all my work for a dumb girl who doesn't know how to fall in line? I warned her that I would take everything away from her and she didn't listen. Why would I do that?."

"Because we are friends, aren't we?" Nothing in his tone was friendly as Lila eyed him cautiously. "Just make up a bigger lie, one where Marinette is innocent so she will be allowed to return to school again."

Lila frowned. Nathalie stepped in, interrupting Lila as she opened her mouth to retort, telling him "Adrien, you are scheduled for a photoshoot in Berlin. It will last from tomorrow to next Sunday. You leave tonight, so once you get home you are to pack up your bags." Adrien felt like he got kicked in the gut. Not only would he be alone for three days, but he would have to leave Marinette alone to solve the Lila problem. But before Adrien could say anything, she strode off, back to the car.,

Lila quickly wiped the smirk off her face before Adrien turned his head back around. "I will do what you ask Adrien." Adrien looked over at her in surprise, Lila shrugging as she gave him her fake smile. "What? We are friends and Marinette is your friend." Adrien narrowed his eyes at her, then turned to stare at the La Seine.

The photoshoot was one of the worst experiences of his life. Having never shot with a female partner, Adrien didn't know what to expect. Lila would listen to the photographer, but every time she was told to pose close to him she would touch him when he didn't want to be touched. She would place her hand on his chest splaying her fingers over his heart and wrap her arm around him possessively. It made him feel uncomfortable and the photographer would call out, "Adrien, you have warm spaghetti, not cold spaghetti! Let's see that radiant smile that lights up everyone's day!" Adrien struggled to put on his model smile, doing his best to hurry through the shoot.

Afterward, Lila attempted to latch onto his arm asking him, "Adrien, why don't we hang out and see a movie or something." Failing to keep hold of him, she lunged again to try and grab his arm.

Adrien sidestepped around her, walking backward to the waiting car. Gorilla had already started the car and had Nathalie stepped out to call him over. "Sorry, Lila, but I have a trip to pack for." Without another word, he turned his back to her and speed walked to his car before she could say more. Nathalie simply nodded at him before giving him a list of things he would be required to bring along with him. Her words fell on deaf ears, she had already given him a copy of the list and he was not in a mood to listen to her instructions. It was the same song and dance each time: be polite, mature and respectable for you are the face of the company. Adrien had the lecture memorized better than anything else.

When he got dropped off, he found his father waiting for him in the front foyer standing at the top of the staircase as always. Gabriel glared down at him and issued his order in a firm voice, "Adrien, I expect you to pack immediately and be ready within half an hour. Nathalie and your bodyguard will company you. Nathalie will keep you on schedule while he will ensure your safety.

"Father, I can't go to Berlin for three days. I have school and my friend needs my help to…"

"You will go where I tell you to!" Gabriel snapped. "Your friend will have to deal with their problems on their own and you can catch up on your homework when you get back. Now go pack!" Without another word, Gabriel strode back to his office, his final words still echoing in the foyer. Feeling helpless and defeated, Adrien bowed his head in despair and headed to his room. Nathalie simply walked to her room and retrieved the travel bag she kept ready. Hopefully, Gabriel would change his mind about letting her help him in his crusade again.

Marinette

The Friday morning after the showdown with the villains, Marinette still felt sick from watching Senti-Bug get taken out by Mayura. She sat in the kitchen of the bakery, picking at her toast. Her father let her briefly talk to Alya yesterday, but it was no help at all. Alya only seemed to be more convinced Marinette had committed the crimes, even asking Marinette to admit that she was just jealous because Lila was hanging out with Adrien and to apologize to Lila. 'Then Lila will give her a second chance and everyone could be friends.' Alya's words had nauseated Marinette. She tried to convince Alya that Lila was lying and she was innocent. This only angered the blogger; lashing out at Marinette by stating she should make a decision not influenced by her crush on Adrien before hanging up. Tom came to the storage room and found Marinette crying, her phone set aside. He hugged her, asking her to tell him what really happened.

Marinette told him everything, from the moment Lila first joined the school to when Alya hung up on her. Tom sent her upstairs and told Sabine the whole story when she returned from her delivery. Calling the school, they learned that they had reconsidered and are only suspending Marinette for three days; she could return on the following Tuesday. They were still suspicious of Lila but let Marinette have her phone back. Sabine had left for the school, intent on investigating Lila herself.

Tom came up to the kitchen, free now that the morning rush had come and gone. "Hey dear!" Marinette mumbled out a reply still staring at her toast. Tom opened his mouth to try and cheer her up, but the image on the TV caught his attention. "Isn't that the Rossi girl? With Adrien?" Marinette's head snapped up as Tom unmuted the TV.

"And we have received photos from the recent Gabriel shoot, which included Gabriel Agreste's new muse Lila Rossi alongside Adrien Agreste. According to our sources, rumors are Ms. Rossi will be taking a full-time position modeling for the Gabriel brand." The newscaster's voice faded out as Marinette stared at the pictures. Something was off, different from the other Gabriel brand photos. Adrien was smiling, but his model smile was strained. It was the hidden message in his eyes that clenched her heart: there was pain and fear in his eyes. Clearly, he was uncomfortable, but wouldn't they make sure he was okay with everything before shooting? Did no one else notice?

Tom noticed Marinette's eyes narrowing at the photos and turned off the TV. "Sweetheart, why don't you give me a hand in the bakery?" Marinette nodded and followed him down into the bakery, but her mind never left the image of an uncomfortable Adrien.