Chapter 51: Guiltrip
It's morning before school (and the characters are probably coming off of a weekend by now). Marinette Dupin-Cheng has a few moments of downtime, so she's in her room, transformed into Ladybug, and trying to translate and read the grimoire from Master Fu's tablet. She's making a small amount of headway, but it's a very arduous process. Daizzi says she wishes she could help, but kwamis are forbidden from even looking at the tome. Ladybug's testing her progress by attempting to recreate the potion she knows the best, the water transformation potion, but she winds up making Jell-o instead. She knows some of the ingredients from her time talking with Master Fu. She believes if she can figure out the other ingredients, she'll have a key to deciphering the whole text. Then, maybe I can figure out where Hawk Moth is hiding! If not…I should be at least able to break Alpha's team's connection to him!
Ladybug remembers her conversation with them from the prior night. The entire B Team was initially in denial about her proclamation that Hawk Moth, or rather the butterfly miraculous, was connected to the items they've been using for months. It took a bit of convincing on her part, but eventually Alpha believed her—and he led the rest to do so too. However, none of the B Team wants to give up being superheroes. Then Froppy asked about her and Tsukuyomi; they have kwamis now. Does that mean the butterfly miraculous is behind the creation of kwamis? Can Hawk Moth still control them even with kwamis? Ladybug admits that she has seen miraculous users akumatized before but that kwamis themselves cannot be akumatized or controlled by the butterfly in any way. She encourages the B Team to lay low while she gathers information. She acknowledges that this will be hard, but she needs them to trust her and her allies with the safety of Paris until Hawk Moth's control over the miraculous without kwamis is broken. The B Team does not like this idea, and Ladybug wonders if they'll follow her advice. She suspects they won't, so her best bet is to learn how to read the grimoire and find if there's a way to free them for good. Before Hawk Moth takes control of them, like he did on Heroes' Day!
Sabine Dupin-Cheng yells at Marinette that she's going to be late for school if she doesn't leave now. This snaps Ladybug out of her thoughts, and she rushes around her room to get her things. She almost runs out of her bedroom door as-is; Daizzi stops her at the last moment and reminds her to transform back. Ladybug sheepishly does so, and as Marinette she nearly falls down the stairs in her attempt to hurry to school. Sabine tries to stop her as she's running out the door, but Marinette utters a hastily "love you mom, see you after school, bye!" Sabine shrugs and says "she'll realize eventually."
Marinette arrives at school, winded. The first people she runs into are Adrien Agreste, Felix Graham de Vanily, and Nicholas Sancoeur, all being dropped off by the gorilla. Marinette greets them all, trying not to melt when Adrien smiles. Felix, however, hides a laugh behind his hand. Nicholas, very politely and very emotionlessly, points out to Marinette that her shirt is on backward. Marinette freaks out about making such a mistake in front of Adrien. She makes a jumbled excuse as she bolts for the bathroom to correct the issue.
Everyone else is also arriving. Marinette races by Alya Cesaire with a "talk to you soon" on her way to the restroom. Alya just shakes her head. Nino Lahiffe greets Adrien and Felix, but Felix again blows them off in favor of doing his own thing. Felix is charismatic enough with the other students, but it's also clear he's aloof and not letting anyone get close to him either. Gilles Chastain greets him as well as he heads to Nicholas (since Gilles was assigned to show Nicholas around the school and the two have a budding friendship). Felix completely ignores Gilles. Suzette Rault greets Marie Chauveau and starts on the usual subject of cringe-worthy yaoi romance. However, Marie is distracted (trying to hide Pann the Capricorn kwami from her best friend), and we see their close friendship fray a little. Cameran Tyler, Ivan Bruel, Le Chien Kim, Guy Nigels, and Tristan Fortier are all joking around and having a good time, throwing a miniature soccer ball between themselves as they head to their lockers. Their loud fun attracts the attention of Ms. Mendeleiev, who gives them a cold glare, confiscates the soccer ball, and causes them to somber up. Yvonne Garnier heads over to Sabrina Raincomprix, which surprises Sabrina a whole lot as she's not used to anyone but Chloe even noticing her. Yvonne offers Sabrina a new headband, saying it'll look great with Sabrina's new outfit. Sabrina accepts. Barkk compliments her, and Sabrina quickly hushes the kwami. Yvonne wonders where the seemingly disembodied voice came from, but Sabrina denies hearing any such voice. Yvonne tells Sabrina to keep the headband; Yvonne and Genevieve are crazy into accessories, they own hundreds and have plenty to spare.
Alix hangs up her cell phone from talking with her father. He wants to treat her to a nice dinner this coming Friday, "just like he had for her birthday." Alix realizes that he'll expect to see the family's heirloom pocket watch he entrusted her with. The same pocket watch that turned out to be the future rabbit miraculous and returned to its rightful place with her future self way back in the Cheshire chapter. Alix is worried as she knows she can't tell her father the truth as it would spoil her secret identity ("and I haven't even earned it yet!"), but she knows she also can't lie about the pocket watch and claim to have misplaced it or anything as he would be super disappointed in her and it would break his trust in her. And trust is important (once again, the theme of trust comes up in the story). However, Alix also remembers what her future self told her. "You'll receive your miraculous before your father realizes it's missing." This brings Alix hope—and makes her a bit excited too. Does that mean I'm going to get to become a superheroine before Friday?! She recalls that her adult self told her that Ladybug chose her because she "can keep a secret." Alix vows to live up to that—to be the kind of person Ladybug can trust. She'll prove she's worthy by keeping secrets; not a word about anything or anyone will leave her lips. Secret identities, things told to her in confidence, things she happens to learn on her own—if those aren't meant to be shared, she promises she'll never share them. Her friend Stella Tenebrae asks Alix what's on her mind, but Alix denies anything and in turn asks Stella about her track practice. Okay, I kept one secret! Great start! thinks Alix.
All class casts can be found here: (( photos . app . goo . gl / cgLSrNi71rxfep9e8 ))
Per the usual with the Phase Three story arc, Madam Gros continues her mental health screenings. She's a bit frustrated that she's gone through so many students and only found Pierre Lefevre, Chloe Bourgeois, and Marie Chauveau worthy of being her pawns. "Teenagers are dumb, emotional, and easy to manipulate! Why aren't there more insecure, weak-willed children running around this school?!" She calls Jakeel Aristide out of class to see if he'll be any better all while using her position in the school as pretense.
Jakeel is the resident prankster, and Madam Gros starts the session by pointing out he's frequently in trouble. Jakeel shrugs it off, saying "I was just having fun." She asks him about his grades and his feelings towards school in general, and she notes he was once akumatized into Mr. Laughter. Jakeel admits he feels school is a waste of time; they shouldn't be required to attend after elementary school and should focus on learning a trade instead. He wants to learn how to get into the sailing industry in order to work on a ship and see the world—or be a stand-up comedian, but he knows that becoming a celebrity is a highly competitive field. Nothing he learns in school helps prepare him for either. Madam Gros presses him farther about his "problems with authority," but Jakeel brushes it off and jokes about her concerns. He considers himself normal and that his attitude is how most teenagers his age feel.
Madam Gros steers the conversation towards akumatization and Hawk Moth, and Jakeel response is that "Hawk Moth really needs to lighten up and get himself a girlfriend." The counselor asks Jakeel about Ladybug and Cat Noir, and he views both as great heroes. Madam Gros thanks him and lets him return back to class. She notes that his rebellion against authority could be useful—but that his personality is just too annoying to consider making him a pawn.
At lunch, the main girls of Miss Bustier's class are all eating together: Marinette, Alya, Mylene, Alix, Rose, and Juleka. Chloe has her own personal table and makes it a point that "daddy made sure my meal is catered." Lila leaves for lunch, lying about having a meal with the ambassador of Andorra. Sabrina starts off eating alone. Marinette notes this, and a few of the other girls comment about the obvious rift between Chloe and Sabrina. Marinette wonders if they should invite Sabrina to join them. Alix and Mylene voice their surprise, reminding her that Sabrina did do some pretty horrible things. Marinette argues that that was mostly from Chloe's influence and says they should be better than that. She points out Sabrina is their classmate, after all. Alya considers this but is uncertain; Rose is all for giving Sabrina a chance, and Juleka mumbles but her body language implies she's against the idea. However, before they can act, Yvonne Garnier and Genevieve Faucher sit down with Sabrina, so the situation resolves itself.
The main six girls fall into a fun conversation over lunch, laughing and talking together. However, halfway through, Rose Lavillant suddenly gets up. Marinette asks what's wrong, and Rose explains "Miss Heady" has returned. Juleka pales while the others have no idea what she's talking about. Rose explains she likes to give nicknames to things, and that Miss Heady means a headache. She says she's going to go to the nurse to take care of it. Marinette offers to walk with her, but Juleka Couffaine says she'll go instead. The two of them leave.
The bell rings to end lunch, so everyone leaves the cafeteria and heads to their lockers and classrooms. Alix Kubdel notes that Rose and Juleka haven't returned. Alya points out that Miss Bustier won't hold it against them for going to the nurse's office. Marinette and Mylene still voice some concerns, and Alix volunteers to make a quick run to see how Rose and Juleka are doing while the rest head to class. "There's no need for us all to be late." The girls agree and part company.
Alix enters the nurse's office and happens to overhear Rose, Juleka, and the nurse talking before she can let them know she's there. Alix hears that Rose has a chronic illness that flared up really bad when she was a child. She's had it under control for years now, but it's the type of condition that could return at any time. Migraines are one of the possible symptoms of it returning, so Rose knows any time she gets a headache, she has to immediately go to the nurse or doctor so they can treat it and see if it's the illness returning before it gets really bad. Some of the other symptoms include dizziness, split vision, and vertigo. (I wish the canon told us what her actual illness was so I could represent it properly.) Rose's family knows, Juleka knows, the nurse knows, as does the teachers and Principal Damocles. But no one else in the school knows, and Rose wants to keep it that way so she isn't treated any differently. Juleka is still incredibly worried even though the nurse confirmed that it's just a normal headache. Rose tries to cheer her up, and they head back to class.
As they're leaving the nurse's office, they run into Alix and realize she overheard everything. Rose is a bit uncomfortable about her secret being out, but she adapts quickly and approaches the situation with optimism. It's Juleka who is much more uncertain and insists that Alix not tell anyone, at all, under any circumstances. Alix promises, reminding herself that she's going to grow into an adult who "knows how to keep her lips shut" and that that's the kind of person she wants to be right now. They all return to class together.
That afternoon, Madam Gros calls Gilles Chastain into her office. He's a bit nervous, as he's never been in a situation like this before. The counselor does her best to put him at easy and begins with the usual questions about his grades, family, and feelings. Gilles explains his family runs a flower shop, and he's often expected to work there after school. With some prodding from Madam Gros, Gilles reveals that his family plans for him to take over the flower shop—or, if one of his two siblings takes it over, he's to open a new branch elsewhere in France. Madam Gros asks him if he's bitter about his family deciding his life for him. Gilles shrugs. He doesn't mind working in the flower shop; he enjoys putting his chemistry knowledge to work in developing fertilizers and environmentally safe pesticides. He's just self-conscious about what other people might think about a man working with flowers.
His family is fairly grounded; they have the normal fights, but there's no lingering animosity there. He keeps his grades up, and he has the best chemistry scores of anyone in the class. He wants to go to college in the north of France. He figures it's the best time for him to see places outside of Paris as well as learn about agriculture. Beyond that, Gilles has the normal hobbies of playing video games, skimming forums, hanging out with his friends (he wants to invite Nicholas to join them one time), playing soccer casually, and watching movies. He wishes he had a girlfriend and is slowly saving up for his own car when he's old enough.
Madam Gros thanks him for his time and dismisses him back to class. She crosses out his name too as he's too good natured.
The school day ends, and the students begin to disperse to their clubs and homes. Lila Rossi brags about her mother taking her to a formal dinner that her work at the embassy is hosting. Some people roll their eyes, but Lila insists it's true. And it's a down-to-Earth enough lie that a few people believe her, including Suzette Rault (who is gullible), Monique Imhof (who wanted to give Lila the benefit of the doubt), and Pierre Lefevre (who as a crush on Lila). Meg Delphinus and Rachel Beauchene decide to pick up a pizza on their way to a study group with Tristan Fortier, Guy Nigels, and Cameran Tyler. Etienne Fontaine is slicking back his hair, using one of several mirrors in his locker. Kagami Tsurugi makes it a point of finding Adrien Agreste and walking to fencing practice with him. Kagami notices Marinette watching and shrugs while all Marinette can do is fluster at them.
Alix Kubdel and Rose Lavillant are walking to the art classroom. Rose wants to spend some time composing music for Kitty Section while Alix needs to catch up on a still life assignment. They're walking and having a normal conversation when all of a sudden, Rose just stops. Alix asks her what's wrong, but Rose insists it's nothing. Alix starts about Rose having to be careful, but Rose reminds her that she doesn't want to be treated differently. Rose tries to walk forward but collapses. Vertigo. She's dizzy and disoriented. Alix immediately realizes this is a serious situation and pulls out her cell phone to call for help. Unfortunately, the area of the school they're at is in a dead zone.
There's no one else around, so Alix quickly analyzes her choices. She can run for help and leave Rose alone on the ground. She can try to wait it out (as they did with "Miss Heady" earlier in the day) alongside Rose and pretend that everything is normal. Or she can try to help Rose walk to where there's a teacher. Any of the options has varying levels of risk of other students seeing Rose in her condition. Alix feels internally torn about her promise to keep this a secret and getting Rose help. However, she quickly makes up her mind. Alix does not want to leave Rose in this state on the floor, and she's unwilling to leave Rose as-is in case the situation escalates quickly. So Alix does her best to heft Rose up and help her walk to the nearest classroom—which is the art room.
Inside, there's the art teacher (who knows what's going on with Rose and immediately calls for an ambulance). But there's also Marinette Dupin-Cheng, who is working alongside Alya Cesaire, Nicolette Lacroix, Giselle Winters-Blanche, Marc Anciel, and Nathaniel Kurtzberg. They all instantly realize something is wrong with Rose and begin to ask questions. Alix refuses to elaborate.
Rose's condition does not improve, and the ambulance arrives and takes her to the hospital. An ambulance arriving at a school is not exactly discreet, so anyone else lingering sees Rose being taken. This includes Adrien Agreste, Kagami Tsurugi, Le Chien Kim, Max Kante, Mylene Haprele, Stella Tenebrae, Viktor Vasilieve, Fumikage Tokoyami, and Tsuyu Asui. Rumors start really fast, and it's actually the art teacher who offers a brief explanation to keep things from going too out of hand. "Rose had a medical condition. Don't worry; the professionals have it under control. I'm not at will to explain anything more about her private medical history."
Marinette, Alya, and the rest of Rose's friends are very worried about her. They gather together to try to figure out what's going on and video chat with those not present to keep them in the loop. Most of Miss Bustier's class eventually winds up in on the conversation except for Chloe and Lila (Sabrina even sends a brief "get well soon" text.) They all decide to visit the hospital together the cheer Rose up. "After all, she's always so bright and optimistic and cheerful to us, it's time for us to return the favor." Adrien really likes this idea as he remembers how much the visits meant to him when he was in the hospital (back at the beginning of Phase Three). Alix tries to discourage them. She lets it slip that Rose just wants to be treated like normal and doesn't want to be fussed over. But she's overruled and the whole group gets on the bus to the hospital.
At the hospital, Juleka is shocked to see her entire class show up. Alix explains what happened. (Juleka wasn't present. She had already gone home for the day. When she heard Rose was in the hospital, she immediately went there without realizing Rose had been taken in front of an ambulance in front of half of everyone). Juleka doesn't like this at all, and she repeats that Rose just wants to be treated like Rose, nothing else. The entire class promises as a nurse takes them up to Rose's room to visit.
Rose has an IV to stabilize her condition, but she's otherwise fine. She's a bit surprised and nervous to see everyone, but she puts on a brave, bright front and greets them. Despite everyone's promise to treat her normally, they all begin treating Rose as if she's a glass slipper or a princess (which needs to have a couple more references to Cinderella). Juleka tries to get everyone to knock it off, but she's soft-spoken and not heard. When Rose sneezes, they all freak out. This actually gets Rose mad, which is incredibly rare for her, and she asks them all to leave.
However, it's Juleka who leaves first, very upset, as she blames herself for everyone knowing Rose's secret and treating Rose the way they did. Rose calls out for Juleka to stop, but Juleka doesn't. Rose can't follow with the IV, so Alix offers to follow. Marinette agrees to help. Adrien apologies to Rose for upsetting her and disrespecting her wishes. He leads the other classmates in leaving.
Alix and Marinette search the public areas of the hospital for Juleka. Alix tells Marinette that Juleka shouldn't be angry with herself. It's Alix's choice to get Rose to the art teacher; it was Alix's fault that everyone learned about Rose's illness. Marinette says that Juleka is the one Alix needs to tell that to.
Juleka found a private corner and is crying because she's so upset that Rose was upset. This is enough to send a signal to Hawk Moth. Nathalie Sancoeur transforms and sends an akuma.
Juleka is akumatized into Guiltrip, who looks like one of the lost souls from Soul (in a deviation from canon, because canon really has seen Refleckta enough). Guiltrip is a large, humanoid shape blob of black sand who mumbles words of depression. Anyone touched by Guiltrip's sand will have his or her feelings of guilt surface until he or she is overwhelmed and turned into a mini-Guiltrip/lost soul. The mini-lost souls also have a similar but weaker power compared to Guiltrip, meaning that remorse can spread like a virus among Parisians.
Alix and Marinette see Guiltrip lumber by and hide in a doorway. They both realize what happened by the guilty mumbling coming from the akuma victim. Marinette tells Alix that they should hide while they wait for Ladybug and Cat Noir to show up. Alix agrees, and they duck into a supply closet. Except Marinette allows Alix to enter first and then closes the door. She makes up an excuse about "splitting up, it's safer that way" and then runs off to transform into Ladybug.
Guiltrip begins targeting anyone who comes close—nurses, doctors, other visitors. She quickly catches up with the whole class, who freak out when they see her and scatter. Ivan Bruel tries to hold Guiltrip off so the others can escape. He doesn't last long, but he lasts long enough that the other classmates can flee or hide or send out an akuma alert—or, in Adrien's case, find a place to transform. The hospital PA starts calmly announcing "this is an akuma alert, please evacuate in an orderly fashion. If you are unable to evacuate, please lock your door and wait for the all-clear signal."
The A Team (which is Team Ladybug, active members with their miraculous currently include Rena Rouge, Carapace, Hachiko, and Kamaitachi) all get the akuma alert on their phones. Internally, they all have the same debate—is it time for them to enter the fight and help Ladybug and Cat Noir? Alya and Nino are together, still in the hospital from visiting Rose. They exchange a look as they know what the other is thinking. But then they decide the best use of their time at the moment is helping those who are less able bodied evacuate the hospital and get away from Guiltrip. Sabrina Raincomprix did not visit the hospital, and she realizes she's too far away to be of immediate aid as Hachiko—though she does voice her concerns to Barkk. Kagami is right at the hospital as she followed Adrien there. She decides she should jump in as Kamaitachi. She hurries for a place to hide to transform; however, she runs right into a hallway filled with mini-Guiltrips (some of which are her classmates). She does a great job at dodging them, but she's eventually struck and overcome with guilt herself: the negative feelings towards her complex relationship with her mother and her own guilt about competing with her only friend (Marinette) over the guy she likes (Adrien). Kagami is also transformed into a lost soul.
The A Team aren't the only ones attuned to the situation. The B Team (Alpha, Firefly, Dauphin and Dauphine, Snow Leopard, Honey Bee, Froppy, and Tsukuyomi) are also paying attention and logged into their chat server to coordinate their efforts. Dauphine admits she lost contact with Dauphin and is afraid he's already fallen victim to the akumatized villain (she's right, as Kim was at the hospital and got caught up in things). Honey Bee brings up the concerns they all have about Hawk Moth controlling their magical items. Is it really safe for any of them to continue to transform? Tsukuyomi and Froppy offer to go in; they believe their kwamis will keep them safe from Hawk Moth (which they actually will, but they have no confirmation of that yet). Alpha reminds them that this is why they all agreed to have secret keepers. If something goes wrong, their secret keepers can get help. This makes Honey Bee and Snow Leopard shrink, as neither of them have secret keepers yet. Snow Leopard has absolutely no idea who she should trust as she "doesn't want to be a burden" on anyone. Dauphine points out to Alpha that none of their secret keepers could stand a chance against them with evil super powers, and that it would be bad for Ladybug and Cat Noir if they had to deal with both an akuma victim and a "red" superhero gone bad. (Of course, this is only possible if Hawk Moth gets a power up, such as through Catalyst, but with Gabriel in a coma and Nathalie acting alone, she could only akumatize one person at a time (with a recovery period in between) or turn some of the remaining five miraculous without kwamis red. But The B Team has no way of knowing this.) Dauphine adds that according to their own self-imposed rules, she couldn't act anyway as her secret keeper (Dauphin/Kim) is MIA. Firefly argues that it's been months since Hawk Moth took control of them on Heroes' Day. He hasn't tried since. Something must have changed, and that they shouldn't be afraid to help those in need. Alpha steps in as leader and calms down the argument. He says that they'll keep an eye on the situation and reminds them that they have another rule—only get involved if Ladybug and Cat Noir need help. If they don't need help, then the B Team can focus their efforts on breaking their connection to Hawk Moth. They agree to this, and Froppy and Tsukuyomi offer to transform and use this time to find Hawk Moth's lair, as they had planned prior. Alpha and the others agree to this, so Froppy and Tsukuyomi transform and take off. They meet up and begin scouring Paris for Hawk Moth's lair.
Ladybug and Cat Noir also meet up at the hospital and quickly analyze the situation and Guiltrip's abilities. She has long-range strikes as she can manipulate the sand in her arms to become whips, and anyone struck becomes like her. Ladybug explains the situation, saying that the victim this time was formerly Refleckta and that she is feeling guilty over a misunderstanding. Cat Noir makes a joke about "cheering her up," which Ladybug dismisses and turns her back to him. When he can't see her face, Ladybug twitches in a very Marinette-way.
They're hidden around a corner, and when Guiltrip lumbers by, they ambush her. Ladybug tries to tie Guiltrip up with her yo-yo, but Guiltrip, being made of sand, allows it to pass through her body. The same thing happens with Cat Noir's baton. The attacks only infuriate Guiltrip, who lashes out against them and forces them back. It's difficult for all three to fight in the narrow hallways of the hospital, so Ladybug and Cat Noir coordinate and lure Guiltrip onto the roof.
They continue to fight, trying to find where the akuma is hiding, but it's hard because Guiltrip is made of sand (much like how Cat Noir and Carapace struggled against Style Queen). However, it does seem as if the golden duo have the upper hand. Ladybug uses her Lucky Charm to point her in the right direction but can't find out how it's to be used yet. In one swift moment, Guiltrip corners Cat Noir and sends a tendril to strike him. Ladybug reacts out of sheer instinct and throws herself in the way, getting struck herself. All of her guilt rises to the surface: how much she has to lie to her parents, how she wasn't able to protect Master Fu because she was captured by Hawk Moth, how many secrets she has from her friends, how she feels she isn't good enough for the guy she likes and how guilty she feels about wanting to confess to him when his family is in critical condition and he's overwhelmed, and even how she's keeping a huge secret from him. She turns grey, and sand starts to cover her body.
Cat Noir is floored that Ladybug would leap in to shield him with her own body. Usually it's the other way around. He grabs her hand and pulls her away to safety, leaping a couple roofs away to get out of range of Guiltrip. He cradles her, confessing his feelings for her against and saying he always admired her confidence and determination, her ability to come up with solutions no matter how dire the situation, and her bravery in facing akuma victims, and her kindness in helping them and all of Paris. He pleads with her not to give into the guilt. Ladybug says "you're wrong. I'm not confident. I can't even tell the boy I like how I feel…" And she hints to Cat Noir that even if she could, it's an inappropriate time to do so because the boy she likes is dealing with a personal crisis. Cat Noir argues with her, begging her not to give up on herself. "Find the hope, I know you can!" Hope…optimism. That gives Ladybug an idea, and she realizes what her Lucky Charm is pointing to. She struggles to her feet and asks Cat Noir to help her back to the hospital. Cat Noir obliges. The whole time, Ladybug struggles against succumbing to Guiltrip's powers.
They get to the floor Ladybug wants when they run into orderlies, doctors, nurses, and even other patients who have all been turned into mini-Guiltrips. Cat Noir offers to hold them off while Ladybug does what she needs to do. Ladybug is worried about Cat Noir considering how many opponents there are. Cat Noir insists he won't lose. "Just knowing you care about me enough to risk yourself is all the strength I need, milady." Despite the fact that Cat Noir is very worried about Ladybug and her current state, he's pretty elated that she cares that much about him. Ladybug urges him not to be reckless and then bolts down the hallway and around the corner and out of sight, sand flaking off of her skin.
Meanwhile, Froppy and Tsukuyomi are still searching for any sign of Hawk Moth and where he might be using his powers from.
Ladybug finds Rose Lavillant's room and knocks on the door (since Rose locked it to protect herself from the akuma, as directed to by the PA). Ladybug explains who she is, and Rose opens the door. She's surprised to see Ladybug is grey. Ladybug tells her there's no time to explain about that. She quickly fills Rose in that Juleka, her best friend, has been the one akumatized and that they need someone optimistic and hopeful to save her. That's when Ladybug produces the pig miraculous and offers it to Rose. Rose accepts it to save Juleka and meets Daizzi. Rose coos over how cute and pink Daizzi is, and Daizzi replies with equal energy.
Ladybug guides Rose through transforming, and Rose changes into the superheroine Pigella, who represents Jubilation. Her weapon is a tambourine. Rose thanks Ladybug for the opportunity and voices her determination to help her friend. She shakes her tambourine, which has the power to promote happiness and dispel darkness, which clears up Ladybug's gloom. Ladybug thanks her and they both race to Cat Noir's aid.
Cat Noir is about to be overwhelmed as they arrived. With Pigella's help, they're able to drive back and immobilize the mini-Guiltrips. Once they have a moment to breathe, Pigella introduces herself to Cat Noir, and he welcomes her aid.
The trio find Guiltrip herself back in the hospital, seeking out more victims. Hawk Moth is guiding her towards the heroes in order to claim their miraculous. Pigella calls out to Guiltrip, encouraging her not to give into the darkness. She tells Guiltrip that "if I had a friend like you, someone who cared so much, I would be so happy. You don't need to feel bad for wanting the best for your friend!" Pigella doesn't reveal she actually is that friend, Rose Lavillant. Guiltrip hesitates, but it's not enough to break through to her.
While they're talking, Ladybug and Cat Noir sneak attack to find the akuma. However, they still have no luck. Ladybug theorizes that the akumatized item has been turned to sand too. They need to restore it to purify it—and soon, Ladybug is running out of time. Pigella understands and uses her ability: Present. This produces an image of what the target (Guiltrip) most wants to see. And what Juleka most wants to see right now is Rose, happy and healthy at school, having a normal day with their classmates, laughing together without anyone treating Rose differently. (And for Chloe and Lila to not be there.)
(I would love to see more canon uses for Present's ability. It seems as if it just creates visions that can lift a person's spirits to break akumatization or other similar emotional traps. But could it also create a physical object if that's what the person wished for and work in tandem with Ladybug's Lucky Charm? Could it be used as a distraction?)
This touches Juleka's heart, and Guiltrip shrinks and condenses back into the girl, though she too is still grey. Cat Noir leaps in and Cataclysms her akumatized item, freeing the akuma, which Ladybug promptly purifies. She does her world healing wave, and all three Pound It.
Pigella helps Juleka to her feet and tells Juleka not to despair because everything she did, she did out of kindness. Pigella says she's sure that her friend wants her to be happy too. Juleka accepts this, and all three heroes leave.
Cat Noir stops a moment to talk to Ladybug, trying to get a read on her feelings about why she jumped in front of Guiltrip to shield him. Ladybug can barely hold herself together, so she stammers an excuse that she's about out of time and needs to talk to Pigella, so she "bugs out," leaving Cat Noir wondering…Is Ladybug starting to like-like me?
Elsewhere in the city, the akuma alert is rescinded, giving Tsukuyomi and Froppy no further leads. They report back to the B Team about the areas in Paris they've eliminated as potential hiding places for Hawk Moth, but they're ultimately no closer to his lair than when they've begun.
Ladybug and Pigella head back to Rose's hospital room, and Pigella turns back into Rose. Rose shows deep gratitude to Ladybug for allowing her to help her friend. She takes off the pig anklet and hands it back to Ladybug. Ladybug hesitates, wondering if Rose should keep it in case they need Pigella again. After all, Rena Rouge and Carapace are both keeping their miraculous, and Ladybug even let Sabrina Raincomprix of all people keep the dog collar because Sabrina needed a friend in Barkk.
Rose puts the anklet in Ladybug's hand and closes her fingers around it. "Thank you again for the chance. But I don't want to keep secrets from my best friend and family. So it's best if you hold onto this." Rose realizes being a superheroine means lying to a lot of people, and she doesn't want to do that. She says good-bye to Daizzi as she enjoying meeting the pig kwami. Ladybug is very touched by Rose's maturity and wisdom at the situation and respects her choice. She does tell Rose to remain optimistic, as she can't promise that this is "forever good-bye" between Rose and Daizzi. Rose smiles, and Ladybug leaps out of the window.
Ladybug swings onto the roof just as her transformation breaks back into Marinette. Elsewhere in the hospital, all of the staff and patients and visitors are getting themselves re-oriented and back where they belong. Marinette slips among the crowd and meets up with her classmates again, include Adrien, who all want to make sure both Juleka and Rose are okay. They find Juleka in Rose's room, and Juleka apologizes for causing trouble for everyone. Without Chloe or Lila present, everyone else finds it easy to forgive her. They tell her not to feel bad about it—after all, they've all been akumatized before too. Ivan Bruel steps forward and apologizes to Rose for treating her differently. Alix seconds that. The others follow suit. They all re-double this promise not to treat Rose like she's a glass slipper. And this time, they intend to keep that promise.
To be continued in Chapter 52: Clock Maker…
A note from the author: This is one of the very few chapters I completely redesigned the concept of after reveals in season four. Simply due to me strongly disliking my original concepts, especially when compared to canon.