Adrien was sure something was wrong with him the moment he woke up the next morning. He has never felt this lethargic before. True, the battle last night was one of the hardest they had, but the weariness felt after each battle can be easily remedied with either food or a goodnight's sleep. But not this one. Add to that the two swollen pinpricks on his neck that he received during the battle. He was sure that it was only temporary and will go away after Ladybug called upon the Miraculous Ladybug. But here it was, still lingering on his neck. It does not hurt as much as last night but still, it is peculiar.

An impatient voice brought him out of his thoughts. "Aaaadrien! What's taking you so long?"

The blonde teen-aged sighed and pulled in his white button-down shirt. He stepped out of his bathroom and walked toward the sofa where his kwami partner has been lazing on...and dramatizing. "Oof...my poor tummy. Where's my precious camembert? Making me suffer like this, you're so cruel, Adrien."

Adrien rolled his eyes and placed his hands on his hips. "Really, Plagg? You just woke up. It's not like you will die immediately for the first few minutes of hunger."

Plagg roused from his position and flew in front of Adrien. "Kid, you just don't know the wonder of my beloved camembert. I am telling you, once you do, your taste buds will never find another." He crossed his tiny arms and frowned at his human partner. "Anyway kid, you're looking paler than usual. Still tired from last night?"

"Kinda?" Adrien placed a hand on his neck wound and winced upon contact. "Though the wound that Nyx gave me still hurts."

Plagg glanced at his charge's neck. His expression indiscernible though, Adrien was sure he saw a fleeting hint of alarm from his eyes. "It's...probably nothing." He sounded uncertain. "Though I should probably pay Master Fu a visit."

Adrien was not liking his kwami's tone. "Why? Is it really nothing?"

Plagg shook his head. "Kid, just an advice, stay in once the moon's up. It would be probably better if Chat Noir take all nights off."

"And let Ladybug alone to patrol?" Adrien asked in shock. The idea was simply incredulous for him. "No can do, Plagg. What if an akuma was unleashed during the night? Or those who attack holders and destroy their Miraculouses appear? I can't leave Ladybug to fend off herself. We're a team!"

"It's for the best." Plagg assured him. "For now," He turned and flew toward the glass windows. "I have a few calls to make. I will see you later. Try not to get yourself killed while I am away, Adrien." With that, he phased through the closed windows and toward the city. He briefly glanced at Adrien, eyes narrowing in irritation. That crazy bat lady! Throwing that curse to Adrien, is this her way of getting revenge? I need to warn them and find a way to restrain Adrien...fast. He must not be allowed to roam free or we're doomed!

Marinette was thankful there was no akuma attack that morning. She needed a break from her tardy streak. She didn't want to disappoint her parents and get grounded again. Living double lives was no piece of cake especially when you're running round the clock 24/7. Slowing down her pace, she walked toward their usual hangout spot at the school's courtyard. Alya was leaning against the newel post of the right stairs, all engrossed with what probably her new post in the Ladyblog. This assumption was confirmed as soon as Marinette stepped beside her best friend.

"Girl, you gotta look at this!" Alya excitedly started as she held up the screen of her phone to her. The spotted background of the website didn't go amiss to Marinette. On the screen was a picture, taken during nighttime, with a caption and followed by about three to five paragraphs. The picture was of yesterday night's battle, covering all three of them locked in a battle. "Ladybug and Chat Noir victorious against a wanted Miraculous villain!" She quoted, grinning wide. "Last night was a thrilling battle against another wanted Miraculous villain, Nyx, the holder of the Miraculous Bat choker. The villain had almost taken down Ladybug and Chat Noir but our favorite heroes outsmarted their opponent, turning the tides of battle to their favor. In the end, Nyx was successfully apprehended and the Bat Miraculous was turned over to the right hands."

"Wow! That's great." Marinette said, trying to sound grateful as possible. She has done this too many times yet, she haven't gotten used to it. "Paris will be a whole lot safer now without another wanted villain around."

"I know right?" Alya beamed. "Having two major super villains is already more than what Paris deserves. Honestly, we haven't made any significant step in uncovering the identities of Hawkmoth and Mayura. It would help Ladybug and Chat Noir a lot if we do."

"Yeah..." Marinette agreed. Sadly, that was true. It would really help both of them in knowing their true motives and as well, plan ahead and stop them once and for all. Unfortunately, the one person who knows the identity of any current Miraculous holder refused to even drop a hint. Suzaku, the current Phoenix Miraculous holder and their client last night, is not someone to be easily swayed no matter how much pleading (her) or charming (Chat Noir) they did. Even Master Fu has no luck on getting any helpful bit from the unrelenting Coordinator.

"Anyway,"Alya said. "I'm planning to go superhero hunting after class. You're coming with me, right?"

"That," Marinette laughed nervously. She felt a small skittish movement from her purse. Here we go again. "S-Sorry, I already have plans this afternoon. I got to ummm...finish a dress! Yeah, a dress. For Marge." Marinette felt ashamed lying to Alya over and over again. Not that she have no choice but, she have to protect Alya and everyone else important to her. She wouldn't be able to forgive herself if something untoward happened to them because of her. But every lie has a grain of truth, and this is one of them. She really need to finish that dress after many delays these past weeks.

"Oh? Is she back?"

Marinette's smile dropped. "No...she isn't even sure when she will be able to return. But Aunt Marissa will come by to pick up the dress next week. Marge has a major conference coming up after publishing a new bestseller."

"I haven't read her new book but I already bought it." Alya said. "Though I'm already sure it will be another great book."

"She's a genius." Marinette nodded to herself. "Sometimes, I find myself envying her."

"Awwww. Not everyone's a genius like her." Alya patted her on the shoulder. "But even geniuses can't sew wonderful things like you do."

"I suppose." Marinette chuckled. "You know, there was that one time she tried sewing a small rip on one of her sleeves. She couldn't barely hold the needle steady while trying to run the thread through its eye. Don't ask me how her actual sewing went. I have to rescue her shirt before the worse happens."

"Really?" Alya laughed. "No wonder she was adamant in helping us in finishing the costumes for that one play we did."

The bell rang. The students milling around began to move toward their respective classrooms.

"She tried, though."Marinette said as the two best friends walked side-by-side. "She's still trying to learn, but I doubt she will be sewing anything soon."

Alya nudged her. "At least, she got an incredibly talented cousin like you."

"And I got the most awesome best friend of all!"

"Marinette, you flatterer!"

The two laughed heartily as they climbed toward their classroom.

Meanwhile in Tokyo, Japan...

A loud sneeze caught the attention of a woman. Marissa Dupain looked up from her laptop and to her daughter who was lounging by the sofa with a pile of papers stacked on her lap.

"Did you catch a cold, Margaery?"

The teen wiped her nose with her sleeve. "No, Mom."She sniffed. Annoyance visible on her face. "Someone's just talking things about me."

"Huh…" Marissa let her gaze linger a bit longer on her daughter before returning to the screen. "Take some vitamins just to be sure. You have a big event to attend tomorrow. You can't afford to be sick now."

"I will."She nodded, and softer. "Later." She turned back to the papers on her lap, though her mind went to somewhere else. Marinette… Her left eye twitched. What in the world are you talking about me?