\\Adrien P.O.V.\\

/The day of/

The only thing anyone talked about in the classroom was Chat and his faceoff with the akuma. I did everything I could not to start yelling at my friends spewing lies about Marinette. Some were making theories that maybe she was the akuma. Others said that the akuma took Marinette and she would never be seen again. I tapped my fingers on my desk and sighed. Know one even remembered Chloe. It's like she vanished from existence.

"Adrien! Wake up man," Nino was staring at me," You have been down in the dumps lately."

"Nino, do you remember Chloe?"

"Who?"

"Chloe? The annoying blond girl who always made fun of Marinette?" I shook my head. How does he not remember her? "You really don't know?"

"I think you are losing your mind man. There's never been a Chloe in this class. Maybe you just imagined her."

"Ayla?" I moved on to her.

"Hm?"

"Do you know a Chloe from this class?"

"No. Maybe you're thinking of someone else." She turned back to her notes.

No. How is this possible? Marinette must have done this. She must've erased Chloe from everyone. No one would even care about her anymore. Marinette, no, Ladybug needs to stop. I'm the only one that can save her.

"Adrien, you're blanking out again." Nino waved his hand in front of my face.

"I think he's dead," Ayla added on. I turned abruptly in their direction. They both jumped.

"I'm leaving. Nino, could you take notes for me? Ayla, remember that Marinette needs you to fight this. You need to remember Chloe. You need to fight this akuma. Ladybug, Chat, and Marinette all need you to remember. They need you to save them." By the end, I was standing up and giving the class an emotional speech. By the response of blank stares, no one really understood what I was saying. "I need to go." I turned and ran. Marinette needed me.

\\Marinette P.O.V.\\

I didn't mean for it to be like this. Why did I get akumatized? What is this helping? Everyone is just more misera-

No. Lady scarabée. You are the light. Everyone loves you. Everything you've done has been beneficial in some way.

But everyone is miserable. I wanted them to feel the pain and stress that I felt.

Yes, I know.

BUt EvEryone JusT HatEs Me eVEn MoRe. I'm not achieving anything!

NO! YOU ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE. Don't crack that easily! THat's what they want.

A searing pain shot in my head. I clutched it, slowly sinking to the floor. I was crying and laughing at the same just fun laughs, insane laughs.

"Lady...Marinette." Oh, he's finally here.

"Chat," I evilly grinned and he flinched,"so you came."

"Marinette, I'm here to save you."

"Oh how cute. You think you can save me." I started pacing around him. "How do you even know who I am?"

"Well, you just confirmed that you are Marinette."

"Shut up, Chat," I said with a small smile on my face.

Why was I doing this? I'm Ladybug. I need to fight with Chat, not against him. I fell to the floor, gripping my hair.

"Chat," I gasped,"help me." He kneeled down with concern in his eyes.

"Marinette," he replied softly,"fight it. You know this isn't you."

"I know," I gave him a soft smile.

"What did Hawkmoth akumatize?"

"Wha," I fell to the floor once more,"what do you mean?"

"You know. Ayla had her phone and Lila had the Volpina necklace. I need to know so I can destroy it and you can go back to normal."

Of course. I need to help Chat.

NO! How dare you give up this power! You have a privilege and you're giving it up just like that. You should be thankful.

No! You're wrong. This is wrong. Everyone thinks it's wrong. It's time to stop.

I grasped my gloved hands together. Chat held out his hand, awaiting me to give it to him.

"Chat. Promise me that you won't tell anyone about this. Not another living soul!"

"Of course. I just want you back." I smiled at his words.

"Thank you." Before I could reach him, the akuma took control once more. I shot straight up. "Chat Noir! Never try to save me. I'm invincible." I stuffed my hand back in my pocket.

\\Adrien P.O.V.\\

She looked like death. Chloe's description wasn't even half of how horrible she looked.

I was so close! I almost could've saved her. This akuma didn't want to just let go.

I tried to walk closer but she growled and stepped back. I watched as she took two knitting needles from her back pocket. She maniacally knitted and two blood red monsters appeared out of thin air. She smirked as I looked up in horror. They seemed to be made out of yarn. Their eyes were buttons with sharp teeth and claws.

"Marinette," I took a step backward," think of what you're doing. Is this really you?"

"Yes, Chat. This is my true form. I'm more powerful than ever."

I looked at her with disappointment.

"I know you're better than this. You know too."

She didn't respond. The two monster charged straight in my direction. Her expression flickered. I barely had enough time to grab my staff. I flew to the neighboring roof to escape. The monsters galloped towards me.

Why did Marinette have to be Ladybug? I would've really appreciated her help right now.

I swung my staff at the monster on the right. It was firmer than I thought it was. The yarn was almost like human skin. I swung harder, pretending I was a baseball player. I only made a small dent. The other grabbed me. Its claws dug into my shoulder.

"Chat. I really don't want to end you here. If you just give me your miraculous, I'll let you go free."

"Never! Marinette, the Lady I know is in there. Fight it! You hear me!"

"No!" her face contorted," Chat help me! It so hard." She fell into my arms. The yarn monsters dissolved into piles.

"Just give me the akuma." Her hands were shaking and she was crying heavily.

"Alright, Chat. Just give me your hand. I'm scared."

"Ok, Marinette."She grasped my hand and smiled at me.

"Thank you for giving me all that I need." With that, Marinette took my ring from finger. I gasped loudly and stared at her with betrayal. "Did you think I was so weak? Your words do nothin-" She gaped at me. "No, it can't be."

I could feel my regular clothes back on. My hand felt light, like part of my soul was ripped away.

"I'm sorry you had to find out this way Marinette."