Lovebug's mind was swamped with information, but her akuma powers categorized it instantly. She got Chat Noir's memories as fragments of images and sounds, but her powered mind put everything together.
A controlling father.
Constant work.
Fan mail.
Modeling.
A new school.
An old man, fallen in the street.
New friends.
A snarky cat.
A nervous classmate.
A resistant bug.
A strong, beautiful bug.
Lovebug knew what it all meant, but deep down, some part of her knew not to mention it. She returned to her own mind and giggled.
Chat knew something was off when Lovebug opened her eyes and laughed.
"What just happened?" he asked.
"Your mind is full of secrets. It's okay, Hawkmoth can't see what I saw. I can't say anything, but I need to find a way to remember if you defeat me. Speaking of which," Lovebug looked around for a moment, "where is your superhero partner? At her speed, she could have come from anywhere in the city by now. Maybe she's tied up?" Lovebug smirked and released her yo-yo, dropping Chat Noir on the floor of the school.
"Nah. She'll come through. She's never missed an akuma fight." Lovebug could see the doubt in his eyes. "At least the area is clear!" She looked around and noticed that although all the doors were open, every classroom was empty.
"If no one else is here, then I should go find others! They will all be happy on this day of love!" Lovebug flew up and out of the school, leaving Chat to hope that Ladybug would show up soon.
"Ladybug, where are you?" he said, seemingly to himself.
"She's not coming," replied a small voice from behind the lonely hero. He turned around and saw a small, red-and-black creature floating behind him. "I didn't want you to find out like this, but that's her." The creature looked like she regretted something.
"That's not Ladybug, it's Marinette. She was akumatized because I-someone rejected her," Chat replied.
"Adrien, that is Marinette. She's Ladybug. I would have helped her... but I'll have to help you now. I'm Tikki, her kwami," she explained.
"But can you purify the akuma?" he asked.
"Yes, but it will take a lot more energy than while I have her transformed. Ladybug's magic comes through me. This will come from me. We need to get to her now. Do you have any pockets?" Tikki asked. Chat looked around at his suit, but didn't find any pockets.
"You can hang on to my tail. You're light enough it won't matter." He held up the end of the belt and Tikki tied it around herself. As soon as she was secure, he jumped off with the help of his baton.
