Chapter 44: Mirror Rorrim
It's morning and the weekend. Adrien is in his room, using the chat forum/discord/private server he and Ladybug use to talk to each other anonymously. They are overdue for a talk. Plagg is nearby, munching on cheese and bread, and has mostly recovered his strength from the ordeal with Absolute. He is still, however, unable to tell Adrien about Gabriel being Hawk Moth. But being Plagg and having a plate full of cheese, he's able to roll with it. Tiia, the mantis kwami, is also there. She is daintily drinking fruit juice from a small cup and wondering how Plagg can be such a glutton. Tiia has impeccable etiquette and a small appetite, which is a direct contrast to Plagg.
Using their aliases, Cat Noir and Ladybug are able to fully compare notes about what they know and don't know about Master Fu. They inform each other that he slipped them a note with a riddle, and upon solving them, they each found a miraculous he had hidden. They don't know the significance of the blank paper he left with the miraculous though. When Cat Noir asks Ladybug what happened at the stadium, her answers get evasive and she eventually has to tell him that for her identity's sake, she can say no more. She asks him what happened on his end (she can't even ask how he got his miraculous back, because that would reveal Ladybug knew Cat Noir lost his miraculous, which would reveal she knows he's Adrien). Cat Noir finds himself in a similar position—he can't answer her questions without revealing himself. So instead they turn their questions to wondering about Hawk Moth. Neither of them knows what happened to him after the stadium, and their kwamis are forced to keep their mouths shut. But clearly he was unable to fulfill his goal of getting both the ring and earrings as he's still causing trouble (of course they're missing the entire section with Gabriel being Absolute and Nooroo stealing the miraculous back, and Master Fu has been unable to tell them about female Hawk Moth). Cat Noir wonders if Carapace, Rena Rouge, and the B Team have something to do with it. Ladybug says she doesn't think so, and nothing on their chat server indicates they did. That brings up the question about Carapace and Rena Rouge. How did they get the bracelet and the necklace? Did Master Fu give it to them after Ladybug and Cat Noir had been captured by Mad Hare? Was it the last thing he did before he disappeared? Should they ask for those miraculous back so Cat Noir would hold onto the turtle miraculous and Ladybug would keep the fox necklace until they needed to call upon their allies? But if they agree to allow Honey Bee, Snow Leopard, and the rest of the B Team keep their magical items so long as they act responsible, shouldn't Carapace and Rena Rouge do the same? Haven't they proven themselves? Without Master Fu around and his home trashed as well as the incredible trap Hawk Moth had created...things have clearly changed. So what is the best way for Ladybug and Cat Noir to adapt?
Cat Noir then suggests they check the Team B chat server. He talked to Dauphine and Alpha back in the Evil Empress chapter. He says they told him that Tsukuyomi is back and safe. It sounds as if something big happened. They asked him to log in so they could explain. Ladybug is relieved to know that Tsukuyomi is free. She asks about Froppy and is confirmed the same. However, she can't stay online any longer—but both she and Cat Noir make a mental note to find out what's going on with the B Team.
Ladybug says she has to go and logs out. Marinette Dupin-Cheng sighs and sets her cell phone down. Tikki congratulates her on having a normal conversation with Cat Noir. She hasn't had one since she learned he's Adrien. Tikki asks how Marinette was able to do it. Marinette explains that she's been using the relaxation techniques that adult Alix taught her. She's been visualize herself as strictly a professional superheroine in order to respond appropriately. But, she admits, it'll be harder when they're face to face.
Adrien sets down his cell phone and talks to Plagg. He's happy things are getting back to normal between him and Ladybug. But he still has so many questions about what happened at the stadium after he lost consciousness. Even why he lost consciousness. And what happened to his parents. Plagg's ears droop and he tells Adrien he's unable to answer. Adrien says he blames Hawk Moth. He was held prisoner and likely gassed and put in a coma. His parents were held prisoner by Hawk Moth—the same thing probably happened to them too. He really despises Hawk Moth; there's a spark of anger in his words. Plagg, knowing fully what happened, can only cringe at the wrong conclusion drawn. Adrien admits some of his recent anger stems from his feelings of helplessness. He's mad because he doesn't know how to wake up his mom and dad. Even with the powers he has as Cat Noir, he can't help them. The only thing he can even think of is finding Hawk Moth ASAP; maybe the villain has an antidote that would heal his parents. Once more, Plagg can't say anything helpful because he's bound to keep secrets.
The doorbell rings. Adrien heads downstairs to see who it is and arrives just as his bodyguard is opening the door. Adrien stops completely in his tracks. His eye go wide and his mouth hangs open.
There, standing in the doorway, is his mother.
Adrien calls out "mom!" and runs to her, throwing his arms around her waist. The woman offers a smile and rubs his head but then reveals that she's not his mother—she's his aunt, Amelie Graham de Vanily. Since Emilie and Amelie are identical twins, it's not hard to believe Adrien would make that mistake.
Adrien is a bit bashful and backs off, but still says that it's great to see her. Amelie's son and Adrien's cousin, Felix Graham de Vanily, steps forward. Adrien greets him happily. It's been a long time since they've seen each other, and as children, they got along great. It's also worth noting that while they're cousins, since their mothers are identical twins, Adrien and Felix could pass off as brothers if not twins themselves.
Amelie asks how Adrien is doing. She heard what happened to her sister and brother-in-law and came as soon as she could. She's been worried about Adrien and if he's being cared for with his parents in a coma. Adrien says that he's fine (in the sense he's being cared for), but he admits it's hard (having his parents unconscious with no sign of waking). Amelie hugs him again, as an aunt, and tells him he's being very strong. But now, he's not alone. Amelie's husband passed away around the same time Emilie first vanished. Felix tells Adrien that they know what it's like to go through hard times and not know if your family and loved ones will be okay. Amelie says that she and Felix are going to look after Adrien now.
That's when Nathalie Sancoeur walks in. There's a very clear moment of cold tension between Nathalie and Amelie. Nathalie remembers that Gabriel did not like his sister-in-law, and that disdain has rubbed off on her. However, Nathalie is a very stoic person and betrays no emotion; she continues to speak in a professional manner. She welcomes Amelie into the Agreste home and offers them brunch.
Amelie offers a false smile and accepts. They usher Adrien and Felix into the dining room and have food brought out in short order. Adrien is more than thrilled. He's having a meal in his home with three other people. All he wishes is that his parents were healthy and present.
Nathalie asks Amelie what she's doing at the Agreste manor. If she wants to visit her sister, she should go to the hospital. Amelie explains that she and Felix already visited Emilie and Gabriel (and it's clear by how she says "Gabriel" that Amelie does not like her brother-in-law either.) Now they're here to make sure Adrien is cared for. Nathalie makes a point that Adrien is doing well. Amelie assures her that he will—because she, as his aunt, is now his legal guardian.
Nathalie starts, but she's very good at retaining her composure. She says that's not true. According to Gabriel Agreste's will, Nathalie Sancoeur is to become Adrien's legal guardian if anything should happen to him. Amelie Graham de Vanily argues that according to Emilie Agreste's will, she is the legal guardian. Nathalie counters that Gabriel's will is the most relevant and up-to-date, as he had it changed to adapt to the situation when his wife went missing (because Gabriel couldn't wait to cut all references to Amelie out of the will, and Emilie wouldn't let him. When she was in a coma, he took the opportunity). Since Emile Agreste was legally declared dead and only recently came back and the official status of her being alive hadn't been updated, that leaves Gabriel's will as the one with the higher legal standing and thus Nathalie is in charge. Amelie counters that the revelation that her sister is alive makes her will valid again; plus, Amelie is a blood relative. Gabriel's will was made in the context that he was a widower; Emilie's is made in the context of them being a family. Thus hers is the most valid and Amelie is in charge. The tension is thick enough to cut. Nathalie and Amelie tell Adrien and Felix to go off and play together before they begin to mention lawyers getting involved.
Adrien and Felix are a bit speechless, but they do leave the scene and head to Adrien's room. On their way out, they hear Amelie and Nathalie picking at each other. "So where were you when Adrien lost his mother? I was here the whole time, looking after him in Gabriel. What were you doing to care for the family?" "I trusted Adrien to be raised by his father. But with his father sick, it now stands on Adrien's real family to look after him."
In Adrien's room, Felix opens up a little. He says he'd prefer if Adrien just went back to London with them; he doesn't want to stay in Paris, he wants to be back in England. Adrien says he appreciates the thought, but he can't leave for England when his parents are sick. Adrien then asks if Felix means what he thinks he means, and Felix confirms that his mom/Adrien's aunt plans on them staying in Paris, in the Agreste manor, for a while—at least until Emilie has recovered. Felix explains that his mother has really been struggling ever since his dad died, and she thinks the change of scenery would help both of them. Adrien offers his condolences, but Felix shrugs it off. Felix then changes the topic to mayhem they got into as kids and the times they swapped clothing and pretended to be each other. Adrien laughs at the memories.
Nathalie Sancoeur and Amelie Graham de Vanily part was in some brilliant passive-aggressive fu. Nathalie heads into Gabriel Agreste's office. When she is sure she's alone, she begins locking down things, securing the computer, and making sure the entrance to the lair is well hidden. She realizes it'll be hard to shake Amelie Graham de Vanily, so in the meantime, she can't let her or Felix get ahold of any of Gabriel's secrets. Then Nathalie Sancoeur settles down with her tablet and begins to plot—she needs a fool-proof plan to handle Ladybug and Cat Noir as well as Amelie and Felix and the guardian of the miraculous, who knows she's not the original Hawk Moth. She begins studying the miraculous that have appeared. On Team Ladybug: fox, turtle, mantis, snake, ox, mouse, monkey, horse. Based on the grimoire she's seen from Gabriel, Nathalie concludes there's at least a miraculous for every eastern zodiac. But that doesn't include a salamander. Which means Draco and his team have at least a few more miraculous outside of the eastern zodiac. Nathalie realizes she's going to need powerful allies; she doesn't stand a chance alone. She can sense the butterfly's connection to the wolf, lightning bug, bee, snow leopard, and dolphin—plus there's the frog and crow, whose connections have been severed. She knows those items are ancient akumatized items she can use through the brooch. Items that held an akuma long-term… That gets her thinking, and she begins planning.
It's now afternoon, and most of the student body is gathering at the park where the locks of love fence is. This includes just about all of Miss Bustier's class as well as quite a few from Ms. Mendeleiev's and Mr Haprele's—and some older students too. They're hanging out and having fun, but they're also there as a "Cheer Adrien Up" assembly. He's well-liked among the student body, and everyone is aware of the condition of his parents. So Nino Lahiffe rallied everyone to hang out and then send Adrien texts, emails, encouraging voice mails, cheerful videos, and whatnot in order to show their support and help him know he's not alone.
Kagami Tsurugi shows up, and some of the gals in Class A cringe to see "the ice queen," but Marinette Dupin-Cheng greets her like a friend. Juleka Couffaine and Rose Lavillant are helping to set up a potluck/picnic/snack table, and Luka Couffaine is organizing the drinks students bring to share. He smiles at Marinette, causing her to blush. Aurore Beaureal is able to make time; she hangs out with Meg Delphinus and Rachel Beauchene since her best friend, Mireille Caquet, couldn't make it. Yvonne Garnier and Genevieve Faucher are there to cover the event for the school newspaper. They're trying to get their photographer, Etienne Fontaine, to talk pictures of the gathering, but he's really only interested in himself. Monique Imhof and Mathieu Anciel take a moment to go off together and study the locks of love fence, remembering when they secured their own lock there. Le Chien Kim arrives and brings Ondine with him. Ondine greets Alix Kubdel as the two had worked together during Friend Day back during the Ikari Gozen chapter. Alya Cesaire, however, isn't there as she's still grounded. She drops a text to Marinette; she hopes if her test grades come back good, her parents will lighten up. Wayhem drops by; he's thrilled to be included in the chance to cheer Adrien Agreste up.
Of course, since the purpose of meeting is for Adrien, that means that Chloe Bourgeois and Lila Rossi decide to participate. Sabrina Raincomprix is following behind Chloe, but Chloe is largely ignoring her in favor of Adrien-themed activities. At times, she actively discourages Sabrina from participating so Sabrina doesn't show Chloe up. Lila gathers her own crowd, saying she's so worried about Adrien's family and she's pleading with the elite doctors she knows to do anything and everything they can. Marinette rolls her eyes, but Pierre Lefevre believes every word. He pulls his best friend, Jean Duparc, into the conversation. But Jean would rather talk to Rose.
Nino asks Marinette and Tsuyu Asui for a hand to help organize things, so both girls get to work setting up a selfie-station, planning a time for videos to be filled, directing people to the food tables, and the like. Marinette is happy for the work to keep her mind off of things, and Tsuyu's budding abilities as an organizer prove very useful. (Remember, the class photos are here: (( photos . app . goo . gl / cgLSrNi71rxfep9e8 ))(remember to remove spaces)).
Everyone is having fun. However, it's only a matter of time until someone mentions Honey Bee's appearance. When Chloe hears this, she freaks out and screams "that's my miraculous!" Max Kante wonders how Chloe can be sure that the miraculous Honey Bee used is the same miraculous that Queen Bee used. Chloe Bourgeois talks down to Max, stating that while he'll never know what it's like because he's not a superhero, she knows exactly what it's like—and that's her miraculous. (Of course, Chloe doesn't realize the irony since Max is Pegasus).
Sabrina chimes in, thinking she'd be able to calm Chloe down. She reminds Chloe that she (Chloe) handed her miraculous over to Ladybug when Hawk Moth targeted her family. That does nothing to help Chloe's anger.
Aurore Beaureal happens to overhear the conversation. It's hard not to; Chloe is screaming. She feels the bee comb on her head. Does this really belong to Chloe? Aurore only knows she found it in her purse and that Ladybug said she could keep it because it's likely Ladybug's master put it there. So who does it belong to? Aurore likes it; she doesn't want to give it up. But if it really is Chloe's, then proper thing to do would be to return it.
However, Chloe continues to rage. "I bet that tramp stole it from Ladybug! Ladybug was supposed to protect it and she didn't! I want my miraculous back!" She also makes threats about what she'd do to Honey Bee if she ever finds her. Sabrina tries to remind Chloe how Hawk Moth knows who she is and targeted her mother and father, but Chloe isn't being reasonable. She turns her anger on Sabrina, calling Sabrina "stupid" and that she should "go whimper like a dog elsewhere to someone who cares." The hurt is apparent on Sabrina's face. That's when other students, including Nino, step in to break things up and escort Chloe away to get a drink and calm down. Marinette asks Sabrina if she's okay; Sabrina lies.
Aurore's reservations melt. While she's not sure about who properly owns the bee miraculous, she knows she does not want to give it to Chloe if Chloe is going to insult people, hurt her friends, and make threats.
With Chloe's drama subsided, everyone resumes making things to cheer up Adrien. Tsuyu Asui passes around a tablet so that everyone can record a video message for him. Lila Rossi snags it first, taking it from Kagami Tsurugi's hands. This earns Lila a very cold glare, but she ignores it. One by one and group by group, the teens compile their emails and messages.
Back at the Agreste manor, Adrien and Felix have gone through many of the things in Adrien's room, including foosball and basketball. (Plagg and Tiia are laying low, hiding, as long as Felix is around.) Since both are pretty sweaty, they opt for a shower. However, Felix doesn't have any clothing, so Adrien lets him borrow some. Adrien lets Felix shower first, and Felix emerges looking like Adrien's identical twin. They laugh, then Adrien heads into the bathroom.
Felix flops onto Adrien's sofa and grumbles. His chipper demeanor is gone, replaced by one much sourer. He does not want to be in France; he doesn't want to be dealing with any of this. That's when Adrien's phone begins to ring. Felix picks it up and frowns. He begins to go through all of the messages that the student body is sending. No one in his class sent him messages when his father died. A bitter smile stretches across his face as he gets an idea.
Everyone is having fun at the party/picnic when the main tablet they're sharing buzzes. Nino Lahiffe realizes it's Adrien Agreste's number. He tells everyone to be quiet, then he plays the video message for everyone to see. They're all expecting Adrien to be cheered up and touched by the surprise.
Instead, the message from Adrien is calloused. He calls them out for looking down on him and pitying him about his parents. He accuses them of fueling their own egos and lacking sensitivity for what he's going through. A hurt!surprised hush falls over everyone. Marinette flat-out refuses to believe that's Adrien and says as much. Yvonne Garnier, however, asks how it could be anyone else? That's his face and voice.
The speaker is, of course, Felix—but no one knows that his identical cousin is in town. Even Chloe, who's known Adrien since they were little, doesn't know anything about Felix Graham de Vanily.
In Hawk Moth's lair, Nathalie Sancoeur senses the massive spike in negative emotions. The final pieces of her plan falls into place, and she perks up. She ordered Nooroo to her side and transforms into female Hawk Moth; she sends an akuma to the park.
An argument breaks out among the students. Some are really upset and call Adrien ungrateful. Some are being hard on themselves and taking the blame. Yet others are insisting that it has to be a mistake; this includes Marinette, Kagami, and Chloe. Lila is playing up the wounded gazelle, sniffling about how hurt she is after she poured her heart out to Adrien, vying for attention.
The akuma flutters overhead. Ondine is the one who notices and points it out. People start panicking. Chloe Bourgeois tells them all off—the more upset you get, the easier you are to akumatized. But that does little to calm everyone. Many try to flee; it's chaotic and dangerous.
Yvonne Garnier and her best friend, Genevieve Faucher, trip over the photography equipment as they try to escape. They're sprawled across a mirror, which the akuma lands on. They're akumatized together, transforming into Mirror Rorrim. Mirror Rorrim still has two distinct but identical looking bodies surrounded by a reflective substance. This allows them to reflect energy and light attacks. They can also travel through mirrors, instantly swap places with each other, turn other surfaces reflective, and fire off their own laser-based attacks using mirrors. The latter two prove to be a dangerous combination. They can really use ricochet, turning various surfaces into mirrors and then reflecting beams of light off of them. The more surfaces, the more angles they can attack from, the harder they are to predict.
Etienne Fontaine gets singed pretty badly when he stops to admire himself in one of the mirrors they created. Mirror Rorrim take practice shots on the people who remain. Then they decide to have their revenge—on Adrien Agreste. Several people send the Akuma Alert, and everyone's app buzzes.
Marinette Dupin-Cheng ducks out of sight and transforms into Ladybug. Nino Lahiffe, realizing this is an emergency and his best friend is in danger, also transforms into Carapace and hurries as fast as he can after Mirror Rorrim. Luka Couffaine, Ondine, Le Chien Kim, Tsuyu Asui, and Aurore Beaureal are all present. While Aurore as Honey Bee has yet to join the chat server or fully grasp her powers, everyone else has no problem pulling out their cell phones and coordinating a back-up plan for Ladybug. None of them realize just how close they all are to each other.
In her lair, female Hawk Moth realizes it's a risk to not only have them target Adrien Agreste but also to have them come to the Agreste manor to do so. But if she pulls this off, she'll further drive suspicion away from Gabriel. She just has to keep an eye on things. She does not want Gabriel's son to get injured. If anything happens to Adrien, Gabriel would never forgive her—and she'd never forgive herself. (Now, if Felix or Amelie got caught in things…)
Adrien comes out of the shower in time to catch the end of what Felix did. He snatches his phone back and demands answers. Felix says he didn't do anything Adrien himself wouldn't do. They're like brothers, after all. Adrien is angry. He insists he'd never treat his friends like that.
And that's when Mirror Rorrim busts in.
Felix freaks out. He's never seen anyone akumatized up close. Adrien Agreste tells his cousin to run; he'll deal with this.
Mirror Rorrim stops short. They're surprised to see two Adriens. Ladybug lands on the window ledge just as Felix insists Adrien is Adrien and he's just the cousin, and Adrien accepts that he's the real one and tries to divert attention from his cousin. Ladybug cheers internally. I knew it! There's no way Adrien would lash out at his friends.
Mirror Rorrim targets the real Adrien. Ladybug jumps in front of the light blast and shields him with her yo-yo spinning quickly. She orders both Adrien and Felix to leave while she deals with Mirror Rorrim. When Adrien smiles as Ladybug defends him, Ladybug barely keeps her composure. The breathing techniques adult Alix taught her are barely enough.
In her moment of distraction, Mirror Rorrim gets off two shots, one from each direction, catching Ladybug in a pincher attack. Adrien is about to leap in to protect her when Carapace arrives, shielding them both with Shelter Shock. Ladybug emphasizes to Adrien that he needs to leave. He does with a nod. Felix flees the manor while Adrien ducks into one of the many rooms to change into Cat Noir.
He returns to the fight just as Mirror Rorrim slips around Ladybug and Carapace and into the main hall. They look around for the target of their revenge: Adrien Agreste. They catch sight of Felix Graham de Vanily fleeing and again assume he's Adrien, so they take off after him. Cat Noir leaps in to block them, Ladybug and Carapace quickly fill Cat Noir in, including pointing out what they think is the akumatized item. However, with the ability to travel through mirrors and change places, they're having a hard time getting close to the akumatized victim. Ladybug activates her Lucky Charm, whatever that may be.
All three pursue, and Cat Noir pulls ahead to get Felix out of the way. Ladybug and Carapace slow down Mirror Rorrim, allowing Felix to escape. Cat Noir returns to the battle. However, Mirror Rorrim keeps teleporting out of the way and escaping, making them difficult to peg down.
During one time, Mirror Rorrim gains distances and reappears on the roof. They stop—and then Hawk Moth speaks. It's a male voice, as female Hawk Moth is still using her tablet as a voice modulator. Hawk Moth declares a direct challenge not only to Ladybug and Cat Noir but also to Draco and all of his allies. Hawk Moth declares that all the miraculous in Paris will belong to him. And if Draco's team wants to infringe on his turf, they'll see just how powerful the butterfly can be. Ladybug and Cat Noir attempt to take advantage of the monologue, but rebounded mirror lasers keep them at bay. A lot of the street is now covered in mirrors and reflective surfaces.
Their reactions confirm to female Hawk Moth that they still have not been told by the guardian of the miraculous that "he" is really a "she." But what does it mean? Have they maybe lost contact with the guardian? Why? How? Can she use that to her advantage?
Cat Noir winds up timing his Cataclysm and destroys a mirror just before Mirror Rorrim can enter it. They collide with the wall, allowing Ladybug to steal and break the akumatized item. Carapace tells him that that's seven years bad luck, but Cat Noir says he has all the good luck he needs with Ladybug by his side. Ladybug freezes in mid world-healing wave at his words, and it takes a moment for her to continue throwing her Lucky Charm into the air. Yvonne and Genevieve are freed, and Ladybug, Cat Noir, and Carapace have a three-way Pound It.
They exit the scene. Carapace detransforms as he used his technique the earliest. He says he knows how things go—he takes off the bracelet and offers it back to Ladybug and Cat Noir. The golden duo exchange a look. Things are different now with Master Fu missing, the miraculous box in an unknown state, and the individual miraculous being slipped to them through riddles. They make their choice. They tell Nino Lahiffe to keep the bracelet and take care of Wayzz for the time being. When they need him, they'll call. Until then, he is not to use his powers. Nino is absolutely thrilled and promises he'll follow their rules. Wayzz then speaks up, asking about "the master." Ladybug and Cat Noir tell him they don't know where the master is, but they know he's at least well enough to be leaving riddles. Wayzz accepts that for now and heads off with Nino.
Ladybug says that they'll have to pass their decision on to Rena Rouge and volunteers for it. Cat Noir agrees and says he'll clean up on scene with getting Yvonne, Genevieve, and Felix back where they came from. They part ways. Ladybug lets out a breath when Cat Noir leaves. Pretending her heart isn't going wild in her chest every time he smiles is proving to be very difficult.
She heads over to Alya Cesaire's apartment on her way home. Alya is surprised to see Ladybug knocking on her bedroom window, and Ladybug is surprised to see Alya diligently doing homework. Alya asks if Ladybug is here for the fox necklace. Ladybug tells her she isn't; she's here to tell Alya that she has been entrusted with the fox necklace and with Trixx long-term. Alya is so thrilled she hugs Ladybug, which elicits a genuine smile. Ladybug says Alya has deserved it; she's proven herself. But she's not to transform unless she is contacted. Alya agrees. Ladybug then comments about the homework. Alya admits she's grounded. She snuck out during the stadium kidnappings to help and her parents caught her. She's now doing everything she can to rebuild their trust.
Ladybug commends her on the efforts. She then asks how Alya got the necklace in the first place. Alya admits she learned who Master Fu was by watching her video footage during the Magnum Rex chapter. But she insists she told no one and did all she could to make sure no one else found out, not even Carapace. However, during the Mad Hare incident, Alya realized she couldn't stand by and do nothing. So she went to Master Fu and begged him to let her use the fox miraculous. She tells Ladybug she had every intention of returning it; she tried to, but Master Fu's home had been broken into. She didn't know what else to do, so she's been guarding it since. Ladybug tells Alya she made the right choice. Alya asks if Master Fu is all right. Ladybug says that she hopes so. Alya's mom calls. Ladybug bows out before Alya gets in trouble again.
Ladybug returns home and transforms back into Marinette Dupin-Cheng. (She probably had to feed Tikki between the battle and going to Alya's.) She sinks down into her chair and looks at the items on her desk: Master Fu's tablet, the blank page, the dog miraculous, Barkk who is playing with her slipper, and her own computer. The tablet…the making of potions…Blank page! Marinette suddenly gets an idea. "It's lemon juice!"
Both Tikki and Barkk have no idea what she means. Marinette says she realized that Master Fu's blank page is actually a hidden message written in lemon juice! All she needs is some heat to reveal it. Barkk and Tikki raise an eyebrow each. Marinette grabs her clothing iron and runs it over the blank page. Sure enough, words reveal themselves.
Master Fu's message informs her that he feels as if he's being tracked. It's that reason, he is remaining hidden and not contacting anyone. It's just too dangerous. He can't risk leading enemies to Ladybug or Cat Noir. It's also why he's entrusting them with the miraculous. Even if he's compromised, Ladybug and Cat Noir can keep the kwamis safe. He assures Ladybug that he's in good health, but he can tell her no more. The rest of the page is a second riddle Ladybug is to solve. (He wrote this note before he had the vision of female Hawk Moth, hence why there is no mention of her.)
Marinette is greatly relieved to know Master Fu is okay. It's one huge burden of stress off of her—though she is worried about this enemy that's tracking him. She decides to send a message to Cat Noir so he can solve his blank letter too.
Cat Noir answers immediately and is glad to hear from Ladybug. He calls her a genius for solving the invisible ink message and says he'll reveal his as soon as he can. Marinette tries not to fluster at his compliments. "Remember, he's talking about Ladybug, not you." Cat Noir then reminds her that they need to follow up with Tsukuyomi. Marinette can't believe she nearly forgot, but to be fair, a lot has happened over the past week.
They both log in to the Team B chat server at the same time. All of Team B is talking about different practice drills they can try and such. Ladybug asks about what happened and how Tsukuyomi was able to break out of the cocoon that trapped him. Froppy says it's a long story, so she asks Cat Noir and Ladybug to get comfortable as she and Tsukuyomi explain how they both fell victim to their powers surging and how that ultimately resulted in the birth of their kwamis.
Ladybug and Cat Noir are absolutely blown away by the fact that now Froppy and Tsukuyomi have kwamis. There's a lot of talk on that subject matter. Marinette/Ladybug asks Tikki if this is true—if this was how she was given a physical form. Tikki admits she doesn't remember. Her earliest memory as a kwami (and not a spiritual force of creation) is opening her eyes in front of the great ancient sage. Marinette wonders if this could really be how kwamis were given forms. She wishes she could ask Master Fu. On the sly, in their own chat server, Ladybug and Cat Noir share their surprise and questions with each other, as well as the truthfulness of what Froppy and Tsukuyomi are saying. It doesn't seem as if they're lying, and all of the B Team is in agreement that they saw Froppy the kwami and Dark Shadow. Cat Noir tells Ladybug that Plagg doesn't remember how he came to be given a physical form either.
(But remember, the butterfly is a symbol of change and metamorphosis. In this case, the butterfly akuma was the caterpillar stage. The elemental powers were the chrysalis stage. And the new kwami was the butterfly stage. It's the ultimate use of the butterfly miraculous and its ability to empower. Of course, this isn't 100% how the great ancient sage gave the kwamis their physical forms as using the butterfly miraculous requires Nooroo to already exist; plus we know Tikki was the first created.)
Ladybug and Cat Noir say they want to meet Froppy the kwami and Dark Shadow. Froppy replies that it would have to be in a way that protects their identities. Tsukuyomi, however, dryly notes that they already know his. He'll take the risk (if it means protecting Froppy). He invites Ladybug and Cat Noir to come to his home at sunset the next day. The golden duo agree. Cat Noir calls it a date, and Ladybug has to momentarily stop typing as she's flustered.
As the conversation tapers off, a new alert pops up: Honey Bee has joined the chat…
Everyone welcomes Honey Bee to the B Team server, and she says she's surprised to see Ladybug and Cat Noir too. Honey Bee admits her own insecurities but wants to learn how to use the powers she's been entrusted with. However, she points out that the comb she now possesses belonged to Chloe Bourgeois. Does she have a right to use it?
Ladybug interrupts. Chloe gave up the bee comb, no strings attached. Ladybug gave the comb to their master for protection. If he gave it to Honey Bee, that's because he trusts her to protect it. (As Ladybug realizes by Master Fu giving her the dog miraculous and Cat Noir the mantis, he is entrusting people to care for the items.) It's hers now, as is the responsibility. Honey Bee thanks her.
They talk about miraculous and powers for a bit before the B Team works out a date and time for the next time they'll practices together. They invite Honey Bee to join them. Snow says she'll be there as well.
By now, it's getting late. However, Adrien Agreste hears something downstairs. He says his goodbyes to the chat and heads to the lobby.
Nathalie Sancoeur is there, holding a small suitcase. She's talking to Amelie Graham de Vanily. Felix is watching from the stairs. Adrien asks what's going on, but Felix just shrugs. So Adrien goes down the steps. He asks Nathalie if she's leaving; there's sadness in his eyes.
Nathalie says she is—but only for the week. She just got a call. Her older brother was in a very serious car accident in Italy. They don't know if he's going to make it. She has to go. Amelie, very saccrinely, says she's sorry to see Nathalie go. Nathalie says that while she's gone, Amelie has to look after Adrien and make sure he gets to school and his lessons. Amelie says she will. Felix grumbles as this means there's no way they're heading back to London any time soon.
Nathalie emotionlessly accepts this and heads out. Amelie is happy to see her go. Adrien waves, wishing Nathalie the best for her family. He knows what it's like to lose a loved one. He also comments that he didn't realize Nathalie had a brother.
The truth is—she doesn't. She circles back to Hawk Moth's lair and sets herself up to hide out for a week and create what she needs for the next stages of her plan. She will get all of the miraculous in Paris, and she will save Gabriel Agreste. After that, nothing else matters. A deep cough rattles her whole body.
To be continued in Chapter 45: Truthsayer…