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[Marinette is asleep, sprawled out on her bed. Her alarm rings and she shoots up.]
"What's that on your stomach?" Max asked, leaning closer to the screen. Alya grabbed the remote from Marinette and quickly paused. Everyone squinted at the tiny pink creature.
"Girl, what is that?" Alya said.
"Um…nothing." Marinette snatched the remote back. "Let's just keep going, okay?"
Marinette: Happy birthday! [slides down the banister and crashes into a mannequin, then twirls back onto screen and collapses into her desk chair.]
"Smooth," Alya commented. Marinette grinned embarrassedly.
Marinette: Happy birthday! [turns on her computer and displays her Adrien wallpaper, sighs contentedly] Happy birthday, Adrien. [makes kissy faces.]
Marinette shrunk into her bean bag, refusing to make eye contact with anyone. Not that she could, since they were all too busy laughing.
Adrien was staring at the screen, silent in shock. He thought Marinette didn't like him! Yet here she was, kissing his picture.
Not only that, she had a kwami flying just behind her.
Oh, please let this be real.
[Scene change to Adrien brushing his teeth]
Plagg: Happy birthday, Adrien!
Adrien: Ugh, Plagg, get that filthy piece of Camembert out of my face!
"Dude, you have one, too?" Nino said.
"And it talks!" Nathaniel added, staring.
"And apparently eats Camembert cheese," Rose said.
Marinette was silent, a million thoughts running through her head. But one stood out, shouting to be heard above all the rest.
That is clearly a kwami.
[Scene change to Dupain-Cheng home.]
Sabine: Marinette, don't forget to clean your room after school today!
Marinette: Mom, it's Friday, and I'm already doing something with Alya!
Sabine: Fine, I'll go ahead and clean it, but don't blame me if I come across any of your private stuff, like your emails, your diary…
"…Or your computer wallpaper," Alix said, smirking.
Marinette groaned. "Shut up."
Marinette: [panicked] Okay! I'll do it, I'll do it!
"Smart mother," Juleka smiled.
Sabine: Have a nice day, sweetie!
Marinette: Happy birthday–I mean, have a nice day!
[Sabine looks confused, then shrugs and sips her tea.]
"Nice slip-up," Kim chuckled. "Is that normal in your house? 'Cause your mom was just like 'whatever'."
Marinette sank deeper into her bean bag. "Shut up…"
[Scene change to Agreste house. Adrien is eating breakfast alone, looking depressed.]
Nathalie: Your schedule, Adrien.
Adrien: Thanks, Nathalie. Hey, uh, my father get back to you about my birthday party?
Nathalie: Well, um…he–doesn't think it'd be a good idea.
Adrien: Course not.
Nathalie: Happy birthday, Adrien.
Muttered 'I'm sorries' were heard throughout the room. Adrien glanced down, ashamed. He didn't want anyone to feel sorry for him. They shouldn't. That was simply his life. It was how he had grown up. He was used to it.
It would never change.
[Scene change to outside Collège Françoise Dupont. Nino is blowing bubbles while talking with Adrien.]
Nino: Dude, seriously? Has your dad always been such a downer? You'd think he'd at least remember what it was like to be young and want to party a little.
"Hey, wait a sec!" Nino grabbed the remote and paused. "I think I remember this…wasn't I the Bubbler?"
Everyone gave various agreements. Nino looked to Marinette. "Can't we skip this? Please?"
Marinette shook her head. "Unfortunately, QuickestSecret won't let us leave until we watch every episode. Sooner or later, we'll have to watch this one."
Nino looked dejected. Marinette sighed. "Think about it this way: If we watch this now, you'll have it over with. You won't have to worry about it later."
"Unlike the rest of us," Ivan said.
"Yeah, we've all gotten akumatized at one point or another, it's no big deal," Alix added.
"Actually…" Alya said slowly. "Not all of us have been akumatized. Marinette and Adrien haven't."
Marinette's eyes widened, as did Adrien's. "Ah, I'm really good at controlling my feelings!" Marinette said hurriedly. "You know me, I, uh, rarely have any negative emotions!"
"Yeah, same here," Adrien nodded.
Alya stared at them suspiciously. "Sure…"
Marinette grinned nervously. "Anyway, let's get back to the show! Hit it, Nino!"
Adrien: No, I'm pretty sure he was a downer back then, too. Well, at least I tried.
Nino: It's your B-day, dude! Insist!
[Scene shifts to show Marinette and Alya hiding and watching.]
"Stalk much?" Chloé jabbed. Everyone ignored her.
Adrien squinted. What's Marinette holding?
Alya: You can do it, you can do it!
Marinette: I can do it, I can do it!
Nino: You know what, I'm gonna have a little convo with your pops.
Adrien: Don't waste your time, he's not going to change his mind.
Marinette: [stands up in the background before ducking back down] I can't do it, I can't do it!
Alya: [facepalms and groans] No you don't, girl. You've been stalling all morning! Now's the time! [pushes Marinette out in front of the boys]
Marinette: [waves awkwardly] Hey.
Adrien: [waves back, unsure] Hey.
"Such a gripping conversation," Alix said dryly.
[Scene shifts to Chloé watching just inside the school.]
"There I am!" Chloé smiled and flipped her hair haughtily, ignoring the sudden groans and sighs that filled the room. "Now the real show can begin!"
Chloé: Wait, am I seeing what I think I'm seeing? Don't tell me it's Adrien's birthday!
[Sabrina checks and nods nervously.]
Chloé: Ugh, do I have to do everything myself? Seriously, what are you good for?
Several people groaned in exasperation. "That's so rude!" Rose gasped. "Sabrina does almost everything for you!"
"And half the time she messes it up. Can you blame me?"
Marinette growled inwardly. You careless, self-centered, thoughtless little…
[Chloé walks out to where Marinette is stuttering. She yawns boredly.]
Marinette: I…uh…I wanted to, um, gift you make! I mean, gift you a give I made! I mean–
Chloé: [shoves Marinette aside] Out of the way!
Max winced, along with several others. "Ouch."
Chloé: Happy birthday, Adrien! [throws herself at him and kisses his cheek]
Adrien: [clearly uncomfortable] Yeah, thanks, Chlo.
Marinette: [on the ground] Dummy. [Alya facepalms]
"Alya, you look so done!" Nino commented with a laugh.
Alya smacked his arm. "I was!"
Chloé: Did you get the gift I sent you?
Adrien: Uh…no.
Chloé: What?! Oh, those delivery guys! I bet it was too heavy so they had to go back and get another guy to help. Those slackers! [turns back to Adrien] I'll make sure they get it to you by tonight. [kisses his cheek and leaves, humming]
"Hypocrite," Juleka muttered. The others whole-heartedly agreed, ignoring Chloé's shrieks.
[Nino lightly punches Adrien, chuckling. Alya looks out then ducks back down to Marinette.]
Alya: Get back there! Don't be a pushover!…Literally!
Marinette: [groans]
[Scene change to Sabrina.]
Sabrina: What did you get him?
Chloé: I didn't. You did, and it better be amazing, and it better not be light!
Sabrina: [nods nervously]
"Why do you listen to her?!" Marinette looked to Sabrina. "She practically commanded youto find a gift, she didn't even say please!"
"Besides," Myléne jumped in, "if she's Adrien's childhood friend, then why doesn't she get him a gift instead of ordering you to?"
Everyone nodded in an agreement. Chloé hmphed. "Excuse me, but she has a name, and she would like you all to keep your noses out of her friendships!"
Sabrina stayed quiet, preferring not to look at anyone.
[Scene change back to Marinette and Alya.]
Alya: [lightly nudges Marinette] Come on, you can do it!
[Marinette stands up when Adrien's limo arrives.]
Adrien: Gotta go. Photoshoot… [leaves]
Marinette: Why can't I just mean what I say?
Alya: Uh, say what you mean?
Marinette: Exactly.
Nino: Looks like I've got some business to take care of with Adrien's old man! [straightens hat and leaves]
[Transition]
"Whoa!" Alya snatched the remote and paused right on the Ladybug symbol. "That is so cool!"
"So, if there's a Ladybug transition, does that mean there's a Chat Noir transition, too?" Kim looked curious.
Alix shrugged. "Dunno, but that is pretty wicked."
[Outside the Agreste mansion.]
Marinette: This mailbox won't budge!
Alya: Ring the doorbell!
Marinette: Are you kidding, what if Adrien answers the [Alya presses the button anyway] AAH!
[A camera pops out of the wall and stops in front of Marinette.]
Nathalie: Yes?
Marinette: Um, hi, I'm in Adrien's class and I, uhh… [shows the present] Did I already say that, um… [smiles awkwardly]
Several people laughed. Marinette was typically known to be shy and clumsy, yet firm and confident when she was needed to be, but watching her stutter and nervously ramble? That was too funny.
Marinette sighed. Please let this not continue through the series…
Nathalie: Put it in the box. [the mail slot opens]
Marinette: [puts gift in the box, which slams shut] Thank you…[camera retracts and Marinette turns to Alya] I hope he likes it!
"Nice dance," Nathaniel grinned. Marinette sighed.
"I was nervous…"
Alya: You signed the note, right?
[Marinette widens her eyes in remembrance.]
Alya: Girl, girl, girl…
Marinette: [throws head back and groans]
A few giggles floated through the room. Classic Marinette…
Adrien, on the other hand, was trying to think. Marinette had clearly delivered the gift, so why didn't he get it?
[Scene change to Nathalie going back to her desk. The intercom rings.]
Gabriel: Who was that, Nathalie?
Nathalie: A friend of Adrien's. She was delivering a gift for his birthday.
Gabriel: Did you remember to buy him a present from me?
Nathalie: Uh, but…you didn't ask me to.
Gabriel: Of course I did!
Nathalie: Yes, Mr. Agreste! I–I'll take care of it!
"What is it with the rich people ordering others to buy gifts when they're perfectly capable of doing it themselves?" Max muttered.
Gabriel: Good. [intercom blinks out]
[Nathalie panics, then remembers the gift beside her and grabs it with a sigh of relief.]
Adrien stared at the screen before turning to Marinette. "Please tell me she didn't."
Marinette stayed silent, choosing to gaze at the floor.
[The doorbell rings again. Nathalie collects herself and activates the camera.]
Nathalie: Yes?
Nino: Uh…hi…
[Scene change to the Agreste foyer.]
Nathalie: He'll be here in a minute.
[Nino nervously fidgets with the bubble wand.]
Gabriel: Adrien's not home yet.
Nino: Uh, I-I was coming to see you, du–SIR!
"Nice save," Alya smirked at her boyfriend.
Nino sighed. "It's a habit…"
Gabriel: [raises eyebrow] Me?
Nino: Yeah, that's right! Look, I know you don't want Adrien to have a party, but it's his birthday, dude–I MEAN, sir! It's all he wants!
Gabriel: No, that's final.
Nino: That's messed up! [Adrien enters silently behind him] He never screws up in class, he always does whatever you tell him: Photoshoots, fencing, Chinese, piano…
And so far, I've only needed two of those skills, Adrien thought.
Adrien: [lays a hand on Nino's shoulder] Nino, you're here?
Nino: Anything for my best bud! [turns back to Gabriel] Show some awesomeness, du–I MEAN, sir! Please?
"Still having to save yourself," Alya commented.
"Shut up…"
[Gabriel narrows his eyes.]
Adrien: [realizes] Forget it, Nino. Really, it's fine.
Gabriel: Listen, young man. I decide what's best for my son. In fact, I've just decided you're a bad influence and you're not welcome in my house ever again! Leave now!
The class flinched under Mr. Agreste's tone and expression. They all knew Adrien's father was overprotective, but did he really have to be that strict?
Adrien turned to his best friend. But before he could speak, Nino beat him to the punch.
"Dude, it's not your fault. You don't have to apologize for what your dad did."
Adrien smiled weakly. "Even so, I'm still sorry."
"I know. That's the kind of person you are." Nino grinned.
Marinette couldn't help smiling at the two bros. "Everyone ready to go?" she called.
Adrien nodded and leaned back on his bean bag. Nino gave her a thumbs up.
She rewound a few seconds and pressed play.
Adrien: Father! He was just trying to do something cool for me!
[Gabriel leaves.]
Nathalie: Goodbye.
[Nino leaves angrily. Adrien catches up with him and stops him at the door.]
Adrien: Nino, wait! I'm sorry, my father, he's…pretty stubborn. It's just best to stay out of his way.
Nino: It's not fair, Adrien! Harsh! Uncool! [leaves]
Adrien: [sad] Thanks anyway, Nino.
"Yeah, thanks," Adrien said, turning to Nino again. "You tried to stand up to my father. I don't know that many people who could do that."
Nino grinned. "No prob, bro. Anytime."
[Scene change to the park. Nino sits back on a bench and starts blowing bubbles.]
Child: But Daddy, please!
Child's Father: No, it's not playtime, you've got your chores to do!
Nino: [scoffs angrily] Adults ruin everything, all the time!
[Scene change to Hawkmoth's lair. The window opens.]
"Who…is that?" Max leaned forward, pushing his glasses up his nose.
"Hawkmoth," Adrien and Marinette muttered, leaning forward as well.
Alya looked at the two suspiciously. They were hiding something. And she thought she knew just what it was.
Hawkmoth: Desperate to help his friend, but feeling powerless…how frustrating. It won't be long until frustration turns to anger! [turns butterfly into akuma.]
Marinette narrowed her eyes. So that's how he did it.
Hawkmoth: Fly away, my little akuma, and evilize him!
[Scene change back to Nino. The akuma flies into his bubble tube.]
Hawkmoth: Hawkmoth is my name, and Bubbler is now yours. I will help you with these horrid adults, and all you have to do in return is help me get something from Ladybug and Chat Noir.
"Hold up!" Alix said. "So, I'm assuming the floating earrings and ring are the miraculous. Question: Why are they floating like that?"
"It's a T.V. show," Max answered. "They're probably just taking liberties."
"Hmph. Weird liberties."
Nino: Yes, Hawkmoth.
[Mist covers Nino. Scene change to rooftop. A red and blue blur zooms over and lands hard.]
Bubbler: No more adults means total freedom! This is so sweet!
"Wh–WHY DO I LOOK LIKE A BATH TOY?!" Nino yelled, gesturing to the screen. "WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK, HAWKMOTH!?" Everyone was howling with laughter, Alya, Adrien and Marinette practically doubling over.
Nino sat back, arms crossed with a pissed-off expression. "If I ever meet Hawkmoth, he and I will have words."
Bubbler: [takes out bubble wand] Off the hook! [flies off while creating bubbles, trapping the adults]
Hawkmoth: Perfect.
[Scene change to Marinette eating lunch at home, pushing peas into a heart.]
Marinette: Adrien must have gotten his gift by now…
Sabine: What's that you said?
Marinette: Uh, I can't wait to get back to school this afternoon! [smiles nervously]
"You don't need your mom to clean your room to find your secrets, Marinette," Alya grinned. "You blab them out without even knowing!"
Marinette smiled weakly amongst the scattered laughter. She remembered what came next.
[Sabine giggles, a bubble behind her. It captures her and takes her away.]
Marinette: Mom! Mom! [notices Tom] Dad? Dad!
Tikki: [comes out of hiding] Your parents! Hawkmoth must have released another akuma!
"There it is again!" Myléne pointed, the others gasping in recognition. "It also talks?"
Marinette stayed quiet.
Marinette: I have to find his newest villain ASAP! Tikki, spots on!
[Transformation from Marinette to Ladybug.]
The episode suddenly paused on the image of Ladybug, her symbol shining bright and proud behind her. Marinette looked for the remote, only to see that Adrien had it. The room was dead silent.
Adrien slowly turned to her. Marinette gulped nervously.
"You're…Ladybug?" His voice was soft and tentative, maybe even a little hopeful.
Marinette shakily nodded.
Adrien stared at her for a moment, then suddenly leaned over and enveloped her in a warm hug. The class gasped, several awing with Rose and Alya being the loudest. Chloé screeched indignantly from her place on the far right, everyone ignoring her.
"Mon minou?" Marinette murmured into his ear, trying to ignore the sudden heat in her face and neck. "Is that you?"
Adrien nodded against her hair. "It's me, M'Lady. It's me."
They stayed like that for another second, then parted. Marinette gazed at Adrien, matching him with the silly, flirty, pun-loving cat she had known for so long.
"Ahem!" Alya coughed, and the two jumped. "Not that I don't find this cute, but Marinette, would you mind if I asked you about a million questions? Starting with how the hell did you get to be Ladybug?"
And with that, the room erupted.
"MARINETTE'S LADYBUG!"
"I DON'T BELIEVE IT! OUR MARINETTE?!"
"WHAT WAS THAT BUG THING?!"
"WERE YOU ALWAYS LADYBUG?!"
"HOW CAN MARITRASH BE LADYBUG?!"
"HEY!" The room quickly fell quiet again. Adrien was up on his feet, glaring down at Chloé, his chest heaving. "Don't you dare call her that again! Do you hear me? She has saved you more times than I can count, and she does not deserve your bullying! So leave her the hell alone!"
Chloé nodded timidly, not expecting her childhood friend to stand up to her so boldly. Adrien thumped back down on his bean bag and huffed, arms crossed.
Marinette placed her hand on his shoulder. "You didn't have to do that."
"Yeah, but I wanted to." Adrien seemed to melt under her touch, growing calmer.
Marinette smiled softly. "Thank you."
Alya coughed again. "Marinette?"
Marinette turned to her best friend. "Alya, can we just watch the rest of the episode? I promise I'll try and answer your questions afterwards."
Alya narrowed her eyes. "Fine, but I'm holding you to that."
Marinette chuckled, picking up the remote. "I'm sure you will."
[Scene change to Bubbler.]
Bubbler: And now, party-time!
[Scene change to Ladybug running out of the bakery. She looks up to see Bubbler broadcasting through bubbles.]
Bubbler: Hey, hey, hey! Today's your lucky day, little dudes! The adults are taking the day off, so make the most of it! No chores, no homework, no more nagging, just fun fun fun fun! This is the Bubbler's gift to you!
[Ladybug moves to nearby kids.]
Ladybug: Don't worry, your parents will come back. I'll see to it. [turns to nearby teenager] You take care of them in the meantime. [She leaves while they cheer her on]
Adrien smiled. She's so amazing…with and without the mask.
[Transition and scene change to the Agreste house. Adrien just finished eating lunch]
Adrien: Wow. That was a birthday lunch break to remember. Yay…
[Walks out to the foyer with his bag and glances around.]
Adrien: Nathalie? Father?
[Shrugs depressedly without an answer, and walks out.]
Marinette frowned and turned to Adrien. Before she could speak, he cut her off. "Don't apologize. Please."
She stared at him for a moment, then gave a small nod and covered his hand with hers. Smiling softly, he turned his hand over to grip it tightly, ignoring the knowing nudge Nino gave him.
[As Adrien shuts the doors, cheering and a chorus of 'happy birthday!' surprises him.]
Bubbler: Hey hey hey, birthday boy! Guess what? Daddy's gone, while the cat's away, the mice will play!
Adrien: Nino?!
Marinette squeezed Adrien's hand. "So, you could recognize Nino in that get-up, but you had to have someone kidnap you and force you to watch a show about us to know who I am?" she murmured playfully.
"I could say the very same about you," he whispered back.
"Touché."
Bubbler: The Bubbler's brought all your homies together for one single sole purpose–to CE-LE-BRATE!
[Everyone cheers again. Bubbler does a backflip off his bubble to land on the stage.]
Bubbler: Let's get this party started!
[More cheering. Bubbler puts on some music and everyone starts dancing.]
"That's sweet," Rose commented, glancing over at the DJ. "You got akumatized, but all you did with it was give Adrien a birthday party."
Nino laughed. "I probably could have done it without capturing all the adults, but hey, at least Adrien's dad didn't try to bust us!"
Adrien grinned. "Thanks again, Nino. Or should I be thanking the bath toy on screen?"
Nino scowled at him. "I so wish I had a pillow to whack you with."
[Adrien quickly runs back into the house.]
Bubbler: Come on, everybody! I brought you here to party! So dance, or else you'll join the adults up in the sky. [laughs as bubble fireworks shoot up overhead]
Nino winced. "I'm sorry, everyone," he called out. "I–"
"Don't sweat it," Kim interrupted.
"Yeah!" Ivan jumped in. "Like Alix said earlier, we've all been akumatized at one point–excluding Marinette and Adrien."
"It's nothing to be sorry for," Juleka murmured quietly. "You couldn't help it."
Nino gave a small smile. "Thanks, guys."
Hawkmoth: It won't be long before Ladybug and Chat Noir show up to meet their doom. [laughs]
Alix rolled her eyes. "That's such a generic villain laugh," she said.
[Scene change to Adrien's room. He shuts the door. Plagg peeks up over his shoulder.]
"Pause!" Alya suddenly yelled, making Marinette jump. She scrambled for the remote and paused.
"Give it here, girl," Alya took the remote and rewound a couple seconds, walking up to the screen. She stopped on the frame where Adrien was gripping his ring hand. "Chat's miraculous is a ring, right? A ring that looks almost exactly like–" she pointed to the screen. "That one?" Everyone nodded. Alya let it play for a moment before Plagg made his appearance. "And Marinette's bug…thing, looked a lot like Adrien's cat thing, right?" Everyone confirmed again. "And Adrien has never been akumatized–just like Marinette, i.e. Ladybug, right?" Alya waited by the screen, eyes wide.
Chloé understood first. She shrieked, startling everyone. "ADRIEN IS CHAT NOIR?!"
Alya gestured to her dramatically. "Thank you!"
Adrien grinned. "And you didn't even need to see the transformation. Smart, Alya."
Alya smiled victoriously, going back to her orange bean bag. "I just can't believe I didn't figure it out sooner."
There was a moment of silence while everyone processed the information.
Adrien awkwardly cleared his throat. "So…ah…"
The room erupted once again.
"ADRIEN'S CHAT NOIR!"
"I DON'T BELIEVE IT! OUR ADRIEN!?"
"SERIOUSLY, WHAT ARE THOSE THINGS?!"
"WERE YOU ALWAYS CHAT NOIR?!"
"HOW CAN MY ADRIKINS BE THAT STUPID CAT?!"
Everyone fell silent, staring at Chloé. She scoffed. "What?"
The class gradually turned to Marinette. She hadn't made a sound, but the look of pure fury on her face was enough.
She slowly unfolded her legs and stood up. Moving over to Chloé, she bent down until she was face to face with the trembling girl. "Don't you ever," Marinette whispered, voice shaking, "call him stupid again." She straightened, still giving Chloé the death-stare. "If you do, I will know. And it won't be pretty for you."
Chloé was once again speechless as she nodded, terrified. Marinette held her gaze for a moment longer, then abruptly turned on her heel and walked back to her bean bag. She flopped back on it, letting out a long sigh.
Adrien stared at her. "You didn't–"
"I wanted to," she cut him off.
Adrien smiled. "Alright, then. Thank you." He placed an arm around her shoulders and drew her close.
Marinette quickly turned red. "U-Um, Alya, can you–"
"I'm on it, girl."
Plagg: What's your problem? Relax! You're getting the party you've always wanted!
Adrien: But Nino's been akumatized! I've gotta help him!
Plagg: You may never get this chance again! C'mon! Let's have a little fun while your father's away! Then we'll save Nino, trap his akuma, and all will be good!
Adrien: Okay…you're right. This might be the first day in my life that I actually get to do what I want for once!
"PLAGG!" A tiny voice shouted. Marinette's bag suddenly opened and Tikki flew out. "I can't believe you!"
Plagg zoomed out from inside Adrien's jacket. "Nice to see you too, Tikki."
The class gaped at the two kwamis. Tikki and Plagg, however, ignored them for the time being.
"You convinced your holder to put off fighting an akuma for his own wants!" Tikki yelled.
"Well, excuse me for wanting Adrien to be happy, even if for a short while," Plagg replied nonchalantly, floating down to Adrien's shoulder.
Tikki glared, landing on top of Marinette's head. "That and you didn't want to transform."
Plagg grinned. "That was purely a bonus."
Alya couldn't contain her enthusiasm any longer. "You're both so cute!" she squealed. "So, you little guys help Marinette and Adrien become Ladybug and Chat Noir?"
Tikki turned to Alya, calming quickly. "Yes! My name is Tikki, the ladybug kwami!"
Plagg waved a hand lazily. "Plagg. Cat kwami. Do you have cheese? Preferably Camembert?"
Alya blinked, taken aback. "Um…no."
"Then you're of no interest to me."
Alya blinked again, then turned to Adrien. "Is he normally like that?"
Adrien grinned. "Yeah. You get used to it."
Marinette giggled as she rewound a few seconds.
[Transition and scene change. Ladybug is running along a rooftop. Stops and sees the bubble fireworks.]
Ladybug: It's you and me, Bubbler!
[Scene change to the Agreste house. Adrien is dancing. He moves over to Rose.]
Adrien: Hey, nice party, I guess, since it's my first one?
Nino chuckled. "Dude, you started off okay, then you just had to elaborate. That was awkward to watch."
[Rose gives a weak smile and thumbs-up, then goes back to dancing. Adrien stops and glances around, realizing that something is off.]
Adrien winced. That day hadn't exactly been full of good choices for him. "Sorry," he said to Rose.
Rose smiled. "It was your first chance for a party; moreover, it was your first chance to do something you wanted. You couldn't help it. It's okay."
Adrien smiled faintly, then leaned back on his black bean bag to watch the rest.
[Chloé flapped her hand at Sabrina, who went up to the Bubbler.]
Sabrina: I'm requesting a slow dance?
Bubbler: It's a bit early for that, isn't it?
Chloé: [pushes Sabrina aside] It's for Adrien! His first slow dance, hmmmm? [bats eyes]
Bubbler: Oohh, you know it, girl!
"You betrayed me!" Marinette fake-glared at Nino.
Nino put his hands up, laughing slightly. "Sorry?"
[Bubbler puts on a slow song. People pair up and start to dance. Chloé walks up to Adrien.]
Adrien: Is it me, or does everyone seem a bit weird?
Chloé: [grabs Adrien's hand] Forget about them, let's go dance! Come on! [pulls him away with her]
"Chloé, in all seriousness," Alya began, turning to the blonde girl. "You were kidnapped by an akuma and forced to dance at a party or be trapped in a bubble high over Paris. Instead of trying to figure out a way to escape like the rest of us, you tried to get together with Adrien?"
"Yeah, so?" Chloé flipped her ponytail, nearly smacking Sabrina in the face. "You can't blame a girl for trying!"
Alya stared at the smirking girl before throwing up her hands. "I give up. You're impossible."
[Ladybug enters the scene. She sees Bubbler changing out his music discs, everyone dancing, and especially Chloé trying to kiss Adrien.]
Ladybug: [gasps] There is no way this is happening. LUCKY CHARM!
"Ha!" Plagg crowed, pointing to the screen. "You say my holder was selfish; what about yours? She used her Lucky Charm to suit her own needs!"
"Well, at least she was transformed and ready before she got sidetracked!" Tikki retorted.
"Said holder is right here and can hear everything," Marinette muttered.
[A record falls into Ladybug's hands.]
Ladybug: A record? [looks around using Ladybug vision]
Adrien sat forward. "Whoa…"
Marinette giggled. "It doesn't actually work like that. It's more like I get a tingle whenever I see certain objects, then I know what to do. They're just taking liberties again."
Adrien looked at her. "Still amazing."
Marinette blushed.
[Ladybug throws the record and it bounces off the roof before turning the volume up and landing neatly in the turntable. New music begins to play and Adrien and Chloé notice the change. Adrien hastily moves away from her.]
Bubbler: Dude! Who just hijacked my mix?
"You sound so pissed," Alix laughed. "Weird coming from a bath toy."
"Shut up!"
Ladybug: Yours truly! [her earrings beep] Better bug out quick before I change back to normal! [runs and lands outside the Agreste mansion] Spots off! [detransforms back to Marinette.]
"Aw," Alya moaned. "We don't get a sequence for detransforming?"
Marinette grinned. "'Fraid not."
[Tikki appears and falls into Marinette's hands.]
Tikki: Marinette!
Marinette: It was an emergency!
Tikki: Yeah, if by emergency you mean jealousy.
"BURN!" Kim yelled. "You just got called out, Marinette!"
Everyone laughed. Adrien smirked at her. "I wouldn't say it was an emergency. More like a cat-astrophe!"
Marinette frowned at him. "This is just the first of many, many puns, isn't it?"
"Yup."
Marinette stared at him, then slumped against her bean bag. "I want a new cat."
"Hey!"
Tikki: You know what happens once you use your Lucky Charm, you only have minutes before–
Marinette: I turn back, I know. But I figured, the Bubbler, he's not going anywhere. We have time to get you some food to get your energy back up. Then we'll get right back out there. I promise.
"Let me guess, you eat chocolate chip cookies, right?" Alya smirked at Marinette's and Tikki's equally astonished faces.
"H-How did you–"
"Just watch, girl."
[Marinette heads into the party and notices several plates of chocolate chip cookies on the snack table. She runs over and starts packing them into her purse.]
Marinette gazed at the screen, eyes wide. "I...wasn't being too inconspicuous, was I?"
"Nope!"
Marinette: I've gotta find a place where I can transform, fast!
Alya: Where have you been, girl?! I was so scared something had happened to you!
Marinette: [returns Alya's hug] Me, too!
Alya: I'm sure Ladybug and Chat Noir will show up in a minute to save us all. They've never failed us.
Alya groaned. "I was hugging Ladybug while saying that Ladybug was coming. I am an idiot."
Marinette grinned. "Thanks for the moral boost. Good thing you gave it to me and not chaton over there. His ego does not need to get any bigger."
Adrien pouted. "I do not have a big ego!"
Alya: Meanwhile, come with me. I've got something for you.
Marinette: Uh…there's something I've got to do first.
Alya: It's about Adrien…
Marinette: [blinks] Okay…
Myléne smirked. "Didn't take much for you to abandon your duty, huh?"
Marinette slouched into her bean bag. "Shut up."
Tikki: Marinette! The Bubbler!
Marinette: Okay, okay, in a sec! [runs after Alya.]
[Scene change to inside the Agreste house. Alya pokes her head into Gabriel's office, followed by Marinette's.]
Alya: Look! Now you can sign your gift!
Marinette: Yes!
Adrien turned to Alya in confusion. "Quick question: How exactly did you know that was there?"
Alya grinned weakly, her eyes darting. "Um…intuition?"
[Scene change back to the courtyard. Ivan is leaning against the wall as Bubbler approaches.]
Bubbler: Hey, you! Why aren't you having fun?
Ivan: None of your business.
Bubbler: Then I'm gonna make it my business. [takes out weapon.]
Nino winced. "Yeesh, I was kind of a jerk. Sorry, Ivan."
The burly boy smiled. "No problem. Like we've said before, it's not your fault."
[Scene change back to Marinette and Alya.]
Marinette: [writing on a Post-It] 'Love, Marinette.' There! [tucks it into the strings of the gift and kisses it.]
Adrien turned toward Marinette with a smirk. "Can I have some love, Bugaboo?" He leaned in, but Marinette pushed him back by the nose, her cheeks warming.
"Later, kitty."
Tikki: [pops out of the purse] Right. We're good. Spots on, Marinette!
Marinette: I can't do it now, Alya's here!
Alya: [pokes her head in the door] What'd you say?
Marinette: Go ahead! I'll meet you in the yard.
Alya facepalmed. "How and why did I buy that?"
Marinette giggled. "I have a feeling you'll be saying that a lot."
"Ah, jeez…"
Marinette: [sighs in relief, then notices Ivan floating past the window] No! You were right, Tikki, I never should've waited this long!
[Scene change to the courtyard. Adrien is onstage.]
Adrien: Hey, Paris, how you doin'!
[The crowd mumbles, but picks up once Bubbler grasps his weapon. Adrien cheers, then notices Ladybug.]
Adrien: Ladybug?
Ladybug: [throws yoyo and knocks out the power to the speakers] Sorry, Bubbler, but the party's over!
Bubbler: Why you gotta be like that?!
Ladybug: You made all the adults disappear, that's why. And now you're imprisoning anyone who isn't having fun!
[Close-up on Adrien and Chloé, the latter hugging the former. Adrien brushes her off and runs away.]
"Again, Chloé, why at a time like that?" Alya said exasperatedly.
"Don't judge me!"
Bubbler: You will not bust up my party!
[Bubbler goes on the attack, while Ladybug defends and pops the bubbles. People begin to scatter.]
[Scene change to Adrien's bathroom.]
"Nice moves, Plagg," Kim chuckled.
"Thanks!"
Adrien: I think I've been a complete idiot. Plagg, claws out!
[Transformation from Adrien to Chat Noir.]
The class oohed, awed by the new transformation sequence. Adrien shyly smiled, secretly proud.
Marinette saw the grin. "We are pretty cool, aren't we?"
"We certainly are meow-velous, M'Lady."
Marinette sighed. "Of course, you had to fit a pun in there."
Adrien simply smiled.
[Scene change back to the fight. Ladybug's yoyo is deflected and about to hit her, but Chat Noir jumps in and smacks it away.]
Chat: Looks like I made it just in time!
Ladybug: I had it under control. [yoyo falls on Chat's head before bouncing back into her hand] But thanks!
The class laughed at the exchange. "Girl, why are you so cruel to him?" Alya chuckled.
Marinette shrugged, grinning. "I can't control how my yoyo falls."
"I'm pretty sure you can," Adrien muttered, rubbing the top of his head.
Hawkmoth: Get their miraculouses! I want those powers! Now!
[Bubbler creates a lot of bubbles and sends them toward the heroes. They manage to deflect them, but with a snap of the Bubbler's fingers, they turn into a hurricane, surrounding Ladybug and Chat Noir. They begin sticking to their suits.]
"You're like an actual house cat!" Rose giggled, watching Chat Noir try to shake off the bubbles.
[Bubbler laughs as the bubbles come together to form one giant bubble, trapping Ladybug and Chat Noir.]
Bubbler: Give me your miraculouses before you run out of air!
Ladybug: Dream on, Bubbler!
Bubbler: Total party-poopers! Just like adults!
Ladybug: Kids need adults!
Bubbler: False! Kids need freedom, fun! Let loose and live it up! Adults are controlling and bossy!
Ladybug: But adults keep children safe and protected! They care for their kids, they love them!
Chat: [under his breath] Most adults do, anyhow. You must bring the adults back!
Adrien frowned, then felt Marinette squeeze his hand reassuringly. He gave a faint smile, squeezing back.
Bubbler: Nope! Never! Know what? Since you care about these adults so much, why don't you go float with them for a while?
[Bubbler dashes over and hits the bubble high into the air. The crowd gasps.]
Hawkmoth: What do you think you're doing, Bubbler? You're supposed to seize their miraculouses!
"Someone's pissed," Juleka smirked.
[Inside the bubble, Ladybug and Chat Noir are trying to break free.]
Ladybug: Use your Cataclysm!
Chat: Couldn't you have said that five hundred feet ago?
Ladybug: We can't stay stuck in this bubble together forever!
[Both realize the implications of her words. Ladybug facepalms while Chat Noir wiggles his eyebrows suggestively.]
"Did you just refuse Adrien's flirting?" Alya chuckled. "Girl, if this continues…"
Marinette groaned. "He has the worst timing. What am I supposed to do, flirt back while trying to round up an akuma?"
Alya stopped and considered. "Fair point. I'm still gonna make a list, though."
"Alya!"
Chat: CATACLYSM!
[He pops the bubble and they begin falling.]
Ladybug: Should we see if you land on your feet this time?
Chat: No thanks!
"Your timing isn't the best either, M'Lady," Adrien pointed out with a smirk.
Marinette rolled her eyes.
Ladybug: Your stick! [points to the Eiffel Tower] There!
Chat: Got it! [throws staff toward the Tower where it slams into the metal]
Ladybug: [grabs Chat Noir's wrist] Hang on!
[She throws her yoyo to the Tower, where it wraps around the staff. They swing and land on the pavement safely.]
Max gaped at the screen. "That–That right there should not have worked! The staff shouldn't have been able to penetrate the solid metal, and regardless, the change in velocity and the amount of G's on that swing should have killed you!"
Adrien smiled sheepishly. "Max, we're superheroes."
Max scowled and crossed his arms. "Still."
Chat: Good thing cats aren't afraid of heights!
Ladybug: [tosses staff to him] We've got to get to his bubble sword, that's gotta be where the akuma is!
Chat: [hears his ring beep] We better hurry!
[They leave. Scene change back to the Agreste mansion.]
Bubbler: Where is everybody? Get out here and party!
Ladybug: [from above] Sorry to burst your bubble!
Alya: Ladybug!
[Everyone starts chanting 'Ladybug'.]
Marinette gave a smug smile. "The song of my people."
"Where are my people?" Adrien pouted.
"Right here," Marinette grinned. "CHAT NOIR! CHAT NOIR! CHAT NOIR!" Before long, everyone had joined in, even Chloé and Sabrina.
Adrien laughed. "Thanks, guys."
Ladybug: No one wants to party with you anymore, Bubbler!
Bubbler: What's wrong with all you guys? Why you gotta be such haters! [traps them all in bubbles and sends them up.]
Ladybug and Chat Noir: Nooo!
Bubbler: Outer space is the next stop for your precious peeps, and they're never coming back!
[Bubbler runs to the Eiffel Tower with Ladybug and Chat Noir following. Chat Noir's ring beeps.]
Chat: I'm gonna switch back soon! Hurry!
Ladybug: LUCKY CHARM!
[A wrench falls into her hands.]
"So first it gives you a record," Nathaniel said slowly. "And now it gives you a wrench. Does it ever give you an item that just makes sense immediately?"
Tikki shook her tiny head. "Even I don't understand the Luck Charm. When Ladybug calls for it, I sort of get an image in my mind's eye, then I send it out into the real world."
Everyone murmured thoughtfully, intrigued by this new piece of information.
Chat: Your plumbing skill is going to help us out?
[Ladybug shrugs confusedly. Bubbler starts attacking again and Chat Noir moves to a beam above them.]
Chat: Could use a little work! Is that all you've got?
Ladybug: [uses Ladybug vision] Got it! [unscrews a pipe and it flaps around emitting smoke] Chat Noir, cover me!
Chat: [grabs the pipe] Go on! [blasts bubbles away]
[Bubbler raises his sword. Ladybug sees her chance and nabs it with her yoyo.]
"Woo!" Alya cheers. "That's my badass best friend right there! My BA-BFF!"
Marinette turned a light pink. "Alya, please…"
Ladybug: [breaks sword] Get out of here, you nasty bug! [opens yoyo] No more evil doing for you, little akuma! Time to de evilize! [catches akuma and cleanses it] Got'cha! Bye bye, little butterfly! [throws wrench upwards] MIRACULOUS LADYBUG!
Nino: Uh…who…dude…
"That defeated wail, though," Alix chuckled. "Top-notch wailing, right there."
Ladybug and Chat Noir: Pound it!
Hawkmoth: You can't run forever, Ladybug. And when I catch you, I will crush you. I will destroy you both! [window closes]
"Fat chance, Hawkmoth," Adrien said, leaning back in his bean bag. "You've been trying for, what, over a year now?"
"Yeah, and look where we are!" Marinette added. "Still beating your ass!"
The class laughed. "I will get your miraculouses!" Alya imitated in a deep tone. "They are mine! Nothing will stop me!"
"One akuma later," Nino said in a SpongeBob-like voice, barely able to speak for laughing.
"Nooo! I have been defeated! How?! Why?! I will beat you both someday…" Alya was wheezing at this point, unable to continue.
Marinette was the first to somewhat calm herself and grab the remote to hit play.
[Scene change to Nathalie typing on her computer.]
Gabriel: Nathalie? Did my son like his gift?
Nathalie: Uh…actually…
"Oh, yeah," Adrien said, sobering up and turning to Marinette. "If you wrote your name on the gift, then how did Nathalie claim it as my father's?"
"I'm actually wondering that myself," Marinette said, sitting up and watching closely.
Nathalie: Um…I was going to check right away, sir!
Gabriel: Good. [blinks out]
[Nathalie panics, then remembers the gift and grabs it. She notices the Post-It, but throws it away.]
"No…" Marinette gaped. "She actually fucking did that?"
"Apparently!" Adrien was equally shocked. "That is so rude! When we get back home, I'm going to talk to her about it."
[Nathalie runs to the dining room, composing herself before she walks in.]
Nathalie: [holds out gift to Adrien] A birthday present. From your father.
"Liar," Adrien muttered. "Wait, so why didn't you tell me it was from you at school?"
Marinette blushed. "Just watch."
Adrien: [takes gift, amazed] Thank you! I mean, please say thank you to my father for me!
[Nathalie merely nods and leaves. Adrien begins to open the gift. Transition and scene change to Collège Françoise Dupont.]
Chloé: What do you mean, not for a week!?
Sabrina: [scared] There were no adults yesterday to deliver it!
Chloé: So what? Ridiculous! Utterly ridiculous! [stomps into school, Sabrina following]
Alya: [laughs] Serves Chloé right!
"Hey!"
Adrien: Hey, girls! [steps out of limo wearing scarf]
Marinette: Hey, that's my scarf! He's wearing my scarf!
Adrien: [fist bumps Nino] Hey, dude!
Alya: [yells to Adrien] Yo, nice scarf, Adrien! Off the chain!
"I like how you're just awkwardly waving behind Alya," Kim said to Marinette, who blushed.
"I didn't know what to say!"
Adrien: Yeah, can you believe my dad got this for me? [Marinette stops waving] It's so awesome! He's given me the same lame pen for three years in a row!
Nino: [shrugs] Wow, I guess anyone can change. Adults can be cool when you least expect it!
Adrien: Speaking of adults, I know my father said you were a bad influence, but–
Nino: We're good, Adrien! Don't sweat it! We're buds! Always and forever!
"Aw," Rose cooed. "The unbreakable bond between best friends!"
Alya: [to Marinette] You gotta tell him you were the one who knitted the scarf!
Marinette: But he seems so happy about his dad! I don't want to spoil it for him.
Alya: Aw, Marinette! [hugs her] You're amazing, girl, you know that, right? And someday, Adrien will figure it out, too. Promise.
[Episode ends.]
Adrien gaped at the screen. "M'Lady…you sacrificed your gift for my happiness?"
"Um…yes?" Marinette was nervous. "Are you mad?"
He turned and gave her another hug, burying his face into her shoulder. "If anything, I'm mad at Nathalie, not you. Alya's right, you are amazing."
Marinette was sure she would combust. She didn't know how she wasn't in pieces already. "Uh, y-yeah, amazing thankings you. I mean you thanks! I mean–"
"And she's back," Alya quipped dryly. "Adrien, let the poor girl go so she can thank you properly."
"No, I got the message," came Adrien's muffled voice. "I'm quite comfortable here, thank you very much."
"Not me!" Plagg squeezed out of the embrace and shook himself off. "Screw this, I'm going to check out the kitchen." He flew off.
Tikki sighed, rising from Marinette's head. "I'll go make sure he doesn't eat all the cheese." She left after the black kwami.
"We should probably get up," Ivan said, standing and stretching. "I need to use the bathroom, anyway."
Everyone murmured their consent and slowly rose, stretching all the way. Adrien reluctantly let go of Marinette and stood up, with her following, nearly falling over.
"So how do we figure out the bathrooms?" Alix said, switching her gaze from one door to the other.
Marinette thought. "QuickestSecret said we could divide them however we wanted. How about the left is the girls, the right is the boys, and whoever doesn't fit into either category just uses what they're comfortable with?"
The class agreed. But before any of them even touched the doors, they changed.
The door on the left suddenly turned a deep red, with a small, black silhouette of Ladybug just above their heads. The door on the right became black, with a green silhouette of Chat Noir. Boys and girls.
"Okay!" Kim backed away, hands up, glancing from one door to the other. "That is freaky!"
"It's cool is what it is!" Alya examined the Ladybug door excitedly. "I want one!"
"And while you're wanting one, I'll have several!" Chloé sashayed to the girls door. "Daddy can certainly afford to pay someone to make me doors like this. Jealous?"
Everyone just groaned exasperatedly and headed into the bathrooms.