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Adrien

I was in a dilemma.

When Marinette had told me we were just friends, I felt a pang go through me. Surely they weren't just friends by now?

But I didn't want to lead her on only to break her heart. I wasn't that kind of boy.

Yet day by day my affection for Marinette grew. And every time I fought, I was becoming even more coordinated with Ladybug.

So how the heck was all of this going to work out?

Should I go ahead and ask Marinette out? Or should I just stick to the red lady?

Exasperated I put my head in my hands.

"Enough," I said aloud, "priorities. Keep it together."

"That's probably the most sensible thing you've said all day."

I scowled at my kwami. "Shut up, Plagg."

"Eh, you know it's true."

I lay down on my bed. The last akuma attack was a twin attack. It was as if Hawkmoth knew that we had two extra people helping us now. So how could we become stronger?

"I guess the only think we can do now is just to improve our teamwork," I finally concluded.

Plagg, who could sense my thoughts, nibbled his cheese. "That would be the best way to go. If you guys can work effectively and quickly enough then Hawkmoth won't know what hit him."

"That's probably the longest sentence you've said, ever."

"Oh, shut up."

I chuckled.

"Alright, if Bloom and Sky can test us, there's nothing stopping Ladybug and I from testing them," I said, leaping up from the bed and walking to my desk. "But I don't have magic powers," I said in dismay.

"Are you trying to be thick or are you actually thick?"

"Oh haha, I meant I don't have magic powers like Bloom to concoct such an elaborate obstacle course!" I exclaimed, waving my hands to gesture the course that the fairy had constructed.

"Yes, but you do have an advantage," Plagg hinted.

I folded my arms. "Are you going to tell me or just lead me in circles?"

Plagg sighed. "This is your HOME COURT Adrien! You are familiar," the kwami motioned with its paws, "with this city. They are not."

I could feel my eyes light up. "Genius Plagg! Then what we should do is have a race!"

"A what now?"

"A race! Ladybug and I know the shortcuts around here. If we set up traps maybe here and there, then Sky and Bloom will have to help each other to get to the finish line and beat us! It's perfect!" I hooted.

The cat kwami shrugged. "If you say so." And then he promptly went back to nibbling its cheese.

Dashing, I grabbed a map and sketched out some possible routes. But I knew I couldn't do this alone.

"Plagg transform me!"

Ladybug

"Wow Chat, I don't know what to say," I finally said.

Chat had called me which I found out when Tikki said I should transform, because she felt something. Immediately, I had dashed to his location.

And when he had proposed this race of his, with a map in tow, I was shocked.

He really had changed.

The Chat before was never this serious about planning. He just went along with my plans or my ideas. Now he was really taking the lead. I finally felt that we were a team not just one person being supported by the other. We were both finally supporting each other.

"It's actually a great idea," I clarified, when his face had held confusion.

His face lit up. "Really? Thank god," he sighed in relief.

I laughed and scratched his head. Then I stopped in my tracks, because Chat had stiffened.

"Oh, sorry," I muttered, pulling my hand back. I looked away, feeling heat rise to my cheeks.

Stupid, stupid. What was I thinking? I liked Adrien, I always have! So do I keep getting more and more attached to Chat every freaking time?!

I told myself no, distance yourself from him. But it kept on feeling like there's was this invisible string connecting us together.

Chat took my hand and put it back on his head. I turned sharply, surprised.

"Hey, you can pat my head anytime," he said with a grin, pretending as if he hadn't stiffened the first time. "I'm like an actual cat, see?" he let out a purr as he moved my hand up and down his head so it was as if I was stroking him.

I couldn't help but laugh. "You little faker," I teased, and withdrew my hand.

I stood up. "Well we better set up those traps you drew on your map," I said pointing. "We'll have to call them soon."

"Alright."

We set off in the same direction, but my mind was elsewhere.

Sky

I was lounging at the foot of our tent when Bloom came rushing out.

Now our tent was not an ordinary tent. It seemed normal on the outside, but there were multiple rooms inside, and plenty of food and clothes all magically ready whenever needed. I did complain that Bloom got a bigger room than me but she wouldn't swap.

I felt the pit-pat sound of feet and turned around.

"Sky, we have to leave. I got a call from Ladybug just now."

That's weird. "Another akuma?"

"We would have heard if it was one."

True. Groaning, I sat up. I was just getting comfortable as well. "Alright. Give me a minute to change and we'll leave."

True to my word, I was ready. Just under a minute too. I was pretty impressed with myself.

"Alright, let's go!" I whistled and my hover-bike appeared.

I jumped on and held out a hand that Bloom took. She was already in fairy form.

Together, we wove through the tall buildings.

"Where do we land?" I asked loudly, the wind rattling in my ears.

"Just at the foot of that building, there!" she yelled, pointing downwards. I saw a flash of red and black, and I swerved downwards.

I landed gently at the bottom.

Grinning, I leapt off the bike and did a man-hug with Chat. I shook my hand with Ladybug. Beside me, Bloom hugged them both.

"So what brings us here on such short notice?" I asked.

Chat stepped forward.

"I was thinking about how Hawkmoth is getting stronger," he admitted, "and perceptive. He's sending out two akumas now that you guys have appeared."

I nodded, an indication for him to go on.

"So," he continued, "I think we need to train. Last time, you guys tested us," he said, gesturing towards me and Bloom, "but this time, I took the liberty."

I cocked my head to one side. "Hang on, you're going to test us?"

"It's not a test," Ladybug said, holding her hands up in placating manner, "but rather a race. You see," she explained apologetically, "we do know this area better than you. If both of you could get familiar quickly to the city, it would be a huge advantage. Hawkmoth wouldn't know what hit him."

Bloom looked at me, and I could read her answer in your eyes.

"Of course," I said. "We'll do whatever it takes to help you beat that loser."

Chat smirked and Ladybug giggled. Bloom cracked a smile.

"Great!" Chat clapped his hands. "Follow us."

He used his baton to swing himself up and we followed. I left my bike; it would come when I needed it. We eventually reached a white line.

"This is the start line," Ladybug pointed, "and we have to get to the stadium out of town."

Oh yeah. I remembered on our 'observation' trips, it was where Ladybug and Chat Noir battled the Gamer.

"Okay," Bloom nodded, "let's begin."

"Hold on," Chat said and we paused. "I should warn you, we've left traps."

"Traps?" Bloom echoed.

"Yes. Just to, you know, spice things up."

I glanced at her. This was unexpected.

"Well, we weren't going to make it easy were we?" sneered Chat, and he pounded a fist with Ladybug.

Woah. This was going to be challenging, then. I tried not to look too surprised.

I cracked my knuckles. "All right. Bring it on."