"... Lady Wifi." Adrien said with a nervous smile.
Thankfully for him, this announcement caused Alya to get distracted from her goal of teasing Adrien and Marinette into an early grave.
"That's me!" Alya said excitedly, before she processed what she said and sank silently into her chair. "That's me." She repeated flatly.
Marinette, now with her cheeks no longer being a fire hazard, sat down and put a hand on Alya's shoulder.
"Will you be alright to watch this, Alya?" She asked concernedly, causing her best friend to turn to her with a conflicted look.
"I'll be fine to watch it, Mari. It's just that… On one hand, no one had any really good up close footage of Lady Wifi, just recordings of the projections, and now I finally get to see just how awesome I looked as an akuma." She sighed, "But also, I have to watch what I did with barely any real idea as to what it was." Alya put her head on her knees. "I know I was probably the one who got the closest to revealing both your identities, but that's really about it." She cocked her head to the side, "Although, I do remember that Puppeteer turned me back into Lady Wifi for a little while, but I didn't really do anything bad then." Alya looked at her best friend again. "Am I making any sense?"
Marinette smiled tenderly and hugged her best friend. "Of course you are, Alya. It makes sense that no one really knew everything you did, because you're the best Akuma reporter there is!" Marinette said, cheering up her friend slightly, "But I can say that you didn't do anything on the level of say, Timebreaker."
Alix stuck her tongue out at that, but Marinette didn't see it, Alya seemed comforted by it though, and nodded at her best friend's words.
"Ready to watch it, Alya?" Marinette asked gently, Alya nodded firmly.
Adrien hit play.
Scene: Collège Françoise Dupont. Miss Bustier teaches the students, while Alya cuts out a picture of Ladybug.
Miss Bustier: I'm very pleased with how you all did on your last assignment. Some of you have really stepped up, and I do appreciate it. Now it's time to move on to our next assignment. (Alya sees Chloé, pointing at Miss Bustier. Miss Bustier looks at Alya.) Is Marinette still in the girls' room?
Alya: Uh, I don't know, miss. (The bell rings.)
Miss Bustier: Tonight I want you all to read chapter three of the breathtaking France, the First Thousand Years. Then, answer this simple questionnaire. (gives two to Alya) See to it that Marinette receives her homework.
Alya, now that she'd calmed down, felt well enough to once again berate herself missing such obvious clues, and thinking for even a moment that Chloe Bourgeois could be Ladybug.
Marinette gave Alya a squeeze on her shoulder, an apologetic look on her face, Alya placed a hand over he best friend's with a smile, shaking her head minutely.
Scene: Outside the classroom. Alya tries to call Marinette, but gets her voicemail instead.
Marinette: (recording) It's Marinette, leave a message. Beep! He he.
Adrien felt a leap in his chest at the sound of Marinette's giggle in her voicemail message. It was the. Most. Adorable. Sound. Ever.
Scene: Bathroom. Alya is searching for Marinette.
Alya: Marinette?
Scene: Outside the classroom. Alya sees Rose and Juleka.
Alya:: Uhh, have you guys seen Marinette anywhere? (Rose and Juleka shake their heads.)
(Alya enters the locker room, where she sees Chloé taking something from her locker. It's a Ladybug costume and yo-yo.)
Alya: (whispering) Chloé's Ladybug?
Marinette made a strangled sound in the back of her throat and turned to Alya.
"I don't know if I should laugh because you thought Chloé was Ladybug, or be insulted because you thought Chloé was Ladybug!" She said incredulously, she gestured towards the screen. "I mean, if she had black hair, maybe, but she hardly ever acts like she's able to think of anyone other than herself!"
Alya shrugged sheepishly, "Looking back, I can see I was wrong, but I was in the zone, girl! You know how I get!" Marinette rolled her eyes fondly and patted her friend on the shoulder.
Chloe, however, was sulking quietly in her chair. This show's constant ragging on her was completely unrealistic! Everyone adored her!
…Right?
Scene: Outside the school. Chloé boards her limousine, Alya follows her.
Alya: Hey, Marinette. Ring me ASAP. We gotta talk. (sees Nino) Nino, wait!
Nino: Yeah?
Alya: Come with me, I need your help!
Nino]: So- (Alya shushes him)
(Alya tries to call Marinette again, but...)
Marinette: (recording) It's Marinette, leave a message. Beep! He he.
Alya: Ughh. I hate when she goes AWOL. She's not calling me back! Where is that girl?!
Marinette looked apologetically at her friend, "I'm sorry Alya. At least now you know why I was gone, right?" She said feebly, shrugging as she did so. Alya smiled as she rolled her eyes.
"Girl, I can hardly be mad at you for saving the world." Marinette smiled and gave her best friend a hug.
Nino: Seriously. My man Adrien's the exact same way. But I guess you gotta be sly when Mr. Control Freak is your daddy-o.
Adrien gave Nino the same look Marinette had just a few moments ago. As he went to apologize, Nino rolled his eyes. "Dude, Alya's right, I can't be angry when you gotta go save the world with Ladybug." Adrien smiled at his friend, and if he hadn't had Marinette and Alya between them, would have offered a fistbump.
(Phone rings)
Nadja: Once again, Ladybug and Cat Noir have saved Paris from the clutches of a menacing villain.
(Alya sees Ladybug's yo-yo)
Alya: Hey! I think I've just sniffed out who the real Ladybug is! (whispers to Nino) Chloé.
Nino: (laughs) Chloé? Seriously? She's too self-absorbed to think of anyone but herself, much less save the world. You are cray-cray, lady!
Nino rubbed his arm where Alya had playfully punched him for his onscreen comment. "I was right though, wasn't I?" He said smugly.
Alya looked at him, one eyebrow raised, and her lips taut. Nino sweated, "Not that you actually are crazy of course! No, no, you're totally sane, I swear!" He smiled feebly, and chuckled nervously as Alya continued to give him the same look, only for her to smile at Nino and kiss him on the cheek.
"Good save, Nino."
Chloe continued her sulking, self doubt invading her psyche for the first time in a long time.
Alya: I am so not! You'll see!
Scene: The city. Ladybug is jumping above ceilings. She reaches a billboard and detransforms into Marinette.
The class stared dumbfoundedly at the scene, the show having paused itself, as though it sensed their combined incredulity.
"How did no one see that!?" Alix yelled from her spot next to Kim.
"You had nothing covering you from two angles! Someone should have seen that!" Max shouted.
"That flip was awesome, Marinette!"
Of course Kim had a different reaction.
Marinette giggled at her classmates' reactions, and she felt Tikki lightly shake from her spot on her shoulder, having covered her mouth to suppress her own humor.
Tikki: Time flies fast when you're saving the world. Day's already over!
Marinette: Tell me about it. I missed an entire half day of school AND half day of seeing Adrien!
Alya's lip quirked into a small smirk. "Nice to see you have your priorities in check, Mari."
Marinette 'hmpph'd'
Tikki: Whoever's behind all of this sure is keeping us on our toes!
Marinette: (laughs) You don't have any toes!
(Marinette enters the bakery.)
Sabine: Alya brought your school bag home for you, Marinette.
Marinette: Hey mom...
Sabine: You seem so forgetful these days. Maybe you just need some fresh air and extra exercise for that growing brain of yours!
Marinette: Good idea, mom. I'll start tomorrow. (Sabine kisses her.)
"Yeah, she'll do it while she's kicking my akumatized ass." Alya muttered under her breath.
Marinette patted her friend's shoulder, giving her a soft smile.
Scene: Marinette's room. Marinette does homework.
Marinette: Ladybug saved Paris from destruction once again, but who's gonna save Marinette from her homework? (sees a sticky note) What's this? "Call me. I know who the real Ladybug is"?
Tikki: No way! You think she knows?
Marinette: I doubt it. Alya's always jumping to conclusions before she has facts straight.
Alya stuck her tongue out at her best friend.
Marinette smiled innocently, "It's not like you thought Chloé was Ladybug, or anything…"
Alya rolled her eyes.
Tikki: But just in case...
Marinette: No worries Tikki. I got it covered.
(Marinette tries to call Alya, but there is no signal.)
Marinette: Dang. No signal.
(She goes to the balcony to see if there is any signal.)
Civilian: Sorry, miss. Cell tower maintenance. The whole neighborhood's down. No signal for the next hour!
Tikki: Come on, Marinette. Try again later. Let's head down and finish your homework.
Adrien shook his head, "And I thought I was the one with bad luck!"
Tikki shrugged, "Sometimes even Ladybug's luck runs out."
"Yeah, and it couldn't have picked a worse time." Marinette muttered, looking over at Alya, who seemed to be stuck between excitement at seeing her akumatized form, and also slight terror, at seeing her akumatized form.
Scene: College. Chloé and Sabrina enter the school, and some students are watching her, including Aurore and Mireille.
Chloé: Hey there! Hi! You look totally fab! Uh, no, not you. Hey, it's still a month from Halloween, you know?
Nino: You need to have your head examined. If she's a superhero, then I'm the Wizard of Oz.
Alya: I'm telling you, she's Ladybug!
Nino: Can you prove it?
Nino started to snicker silently, but stopped when Alya slugged him in the shoulder.
Scene: Marinette's room. Marinette and Tikki wake up.
Tikki: Uh... what time is it?
Marinette: Uhh, school starts in... (checks her phone) An hour ago?!
The class laughed softly at Marinette's perpetual tardiness, but Adrien sobers quickly enough as he sees Marinette looking nervously at her best friend. He smiled softly and placed a hand on her shoulder, his smile comforting his Lady more than words ever could.
Scene: Locker room. Alya talks to Nino.
Alya: Now don't mess up your lines. (She pushes Nino to the lockers.)
Nino: (sees Chloé) Oh, uhhh... Ladybug! Look over there!
Chloé: Uhh, what kind of lame joke is this?
Nino: Uhh, well, that was... Did you see Ladybug yesterday? Isn't she amazing? I wonder who she really is.
Chloé: Uhh... up too late DJ-ing, Nino? Obviously you didn't get your beauty sleep.
(Alya takes a photo of Chloé's locker.)
Sabrina: Uh... Chloé! Alya's looking in your locker!
Marinette shot Sabrina a dirty look, this was clearly going to be the straw that broke the camel's back for Alya. Sabrina noticed the look and held her left elbow nervously, stuck between apologizing and sticking to Chloè like she always did.
That choice was starting to get harder and harder to make.
Alya: Uhh... that's a lie! I so was not!
(Kim steals Alya's phone.)
Kim winced and looked away from the screen, scratching his cheek nervously. He really didn't need to be reminded of his stupidity, Alix snickered quietly next to him, causing him to blush lightly, but not lightly enough to be hidden by the low lighting.
Alya: Hey! Give it back!
Chloé: (sees the photo) Who's the little liar now?
Scene: Mr. Damocles' office.
Chloé: She's guilty of invasion of privacy! I have proof!
The entire class, sans Sabrina and Chloé of course, rolled their eyes in unison at how she was blowing this all out of proportion. Max was calculating how long it would take for her to threaten to call the Mayor.
Alya: What?! Seriously! All I did was take a measly photo!
Mr. Damocles: I'm sorry, Chloé. But there's no school policy on invasion of privacy.
Chloé: Then... then breaking and entering!
Alya: I didn't break into her locker! It was open!
Mr. Damocles: And nothing was stolen?
Chloé: Only my very soul! My locker is my secret garden! He who enters uninvited burglarizes my inner being and steals my life force! (cries)
The class let out an almost collective groan, one that even Sabrina had to work to stifle.
Chloé 'hmmph'd', but it didn't have as much heat in it as usual.
Looking back, it was perhaps a little overboard.
Mr. Damocles: Right. An hour of detention for you, Alya.
Chloé: Are my ears failing me? Did I hear you're giving one miserable hour of detention to a... a heinous criminal? Sabrina!
Sabrina: The school rules clearly state that any student guilty of theft should be suspended for one full week.
Mr. Damocles: Yes, but she's hardly stole anything.
Chloé: I'm not sure that my father would share your point of view. (prepares to call her father)
Mr. Damocles: Uhhh, well, now, Chloé, let's not bother your father, I mean, the honorable Mayor with a minor locker situation…
Marinette scowled at the screen. "Our illustrious Headmaster everyone! Intimidated by a teenage girl." She noticed Alya looking shiftier than she had the whole episode, which prompted Marinette to place a hand on her shoulder.
"Hey, it'll be alright Alya. It wasn't your fault, okay?" Marinette soothed. Alya nodded shakily.
"It wouldn't be so bad if my best friend wasn't the one I was trying to unmask, that makes it so much worse!" She moaned quietly.
Marinette smiled at her, "Relax! There's no way you could have known it was me, Alya, so just relax, okay?" Alya returned the smile, though it was a little strained.
(Chloé starts calling her father.)
Max scratched his head, "I expected that she would threaten Mr. Damocles far faster than she actually did." He looked down at his calculator, a pensive frown on his face.
Mr. Damocles: Ehhh... what I mean is, you're suspended for a week, Alya.
Alya: What?! That is so unfair! I am so gonna protest this on the school blog!
Mr. Damocles: (looks at Chloé, sighs) The school blog is hereby suspended as well.
Alya: (looks at Chloé angrily) She's no superhero, she's super-psycho!
Chloé drew herself up in righteous indignation, but for some reason couldn't bring herself to really shout anything for now, she settled for pursing her lips and turning her head to the side, whipping her ponytail around in the opposite direction of Sabrina for once.
Scene: Hawk Moth's lair.
Hawk Moth: Ahhh... School life. Such a science experiment. A petri dish of cultivating secrets, lies and betrayal, the thriving vivarium for my evil akumas. (turns a butterfly into an akuma) Fly away, my little akuma, and evilize her!
Marinette for once felt her natural optimism fall away at the sight of Hawk Moth akumatizing her best friend, it left a pit of anger in her stomach that she couldn't help but nurture.
Sure, she got angry whenever someone got akumatized, but the only thing worse than akumatizing Alya that she could think of was akumatizing her parents or Adrien!
Just as she was about to let this anger be known to the world though, she felt a hand on her shoulder, and saw Adrien smiling sympathetically at her, he nodded over to Alya, who was looking worse for wear now that she was being akumatized, her natural brashness giving way to her fear of the situation.
Marinette looked back over at Adrien, and smiled, before leaning over to Alya and placing an arm around her shoulder in comfort. "It's alright Alya, Lady Wifi lost, she might have gotten close to defeating us, but nobody can defeat your favorite superheroes, right Alya?" Alya snorted, a smirk coming to her face at Marinette's words, and she couldn't help but be buoyed by her best friend's optimism.
"You're right girl, nobody beats Ladybug and Cat Noir!"
Scene: Collège Françoise Dupont. Marinette runs to the front door.
Marinette: I'm late, I'm late, I'm so, so late!
Rose giggled at Marinette's choice of words. "She sounds like the White Rabbit!" She whispered to Juleka.
Juleka gave a small smile and chuckle as well at the thought.
(As Marinette runs upstairs, Alya walks downstairs, running away from the school. She tries to call Marinette.)
"So much for my Ladybug luck." Marinette muttered sadly. "I'm sorry Alya, I shouldn't have slept through my alarm like that! If I'd actually gotten to school on time you wouldn't have been akumatized! I'm really, really, really sorry!" Marinette hugged her friend tightly around the neck. Alya patted her back comfortingly.
"Hey girl, it wasn't your fault I got akumatized! It was Chloe being a spoiled little brat and accusing me of something stupid." She said, running her hand through Marinette's hair soothingly. "Don't you worry girl, I don't blame you one bit."
Marinette pulled out of the hug and made a half hearted smile at her best friend. "It doesn't mean I don't blame myself, though."
Marinette: (from phone) It's Marinette, leave a message. Beep! He he!
(The akuma phases into her cell phone, evilizing her.)
Hawk Moth: Lady Wifi, I heard through the grapevine that you're seeking to unmask Ladybug... I'd like to help you if you agree to help me too.
Alya: I'll expose the lies of anyone who covers up the truth! Sign me up! (turns into Lady Wifi)
Marinette shot up in alarm as she turned, despite knowing it was happening, she couldn't help the reaction.
Without thinking, she grabbed her friend again, muttering apologies into her neck as she hugged her.
Alya rolled her eyes. "It's fine girl, remember? It's Chloe's fault, not yours."
Chloé felt multiple eyes burning through her, she looked away, a rotten feeling pooling in her gut.
Scene: Miss Bustier's classroom. Marinette enters, and sees Adrien and Nino.
Marinette: (taps Nino on the shoulder and whispers) Where is she?
Nino: She's been suspended...
Marinette: What?!
Miss Bustier: Marinette, if you're going to come late, would you please do it discretely?
Marinette: Sorry... (whispers to Nino) What happened to her?
Nino: The short story? Accused of breaking into Chloé's locker. I mean, Ladybug's locker...
Marinette: What!?
The class snickered at Marinette's reaction, it was even funnier knowing that she was Ladybug. Marinette blushed slightly at the class' amusement.
Miss Bustier: That's it, Marinette! Go to the principal's office!
Adrien: What are you talking about?
Nino: Exactly what I said, bro. Alya says Chloé is Ladybug! She is crazy!
(Adrien sees Chloé; she winks.)
Marinette shot Adrien a look of betrayal, he shrugged sheepishly. "Sorry?"
Marinette rolled her eyes at him, her smile all the proof he needed that his Lady was joking with him.
Marinette: Mr. Damocles? (opens the door) Sir? (She sees that Mr. Damocles is frozen, and a pink stop icon is in front of him.) Huh?!
(The computer screen lights up, revealing Lady Wifi.)
Lady Wifi: I'm Lady Wifi, revealer of the truth! For our first exposé, your principal would like to share a little tidbit with you. So, Mr. Damocles, is it true you wrongly suspended a student named Alya today?
Mr. Damocles: Uh... yes, it is.
Lady Wifi: So, you were biased? Unfair? Totally unjust?!
Mr. Damocles: Yes, I was.
Alya let out a strangled mix of a laugh and a squeak as she saw her true akumatized form, not just the footage of herself under Puppeteer. She finally managed to speak as her 'interview' with Mr. Damocles ended. "Even Akumatized I'm still a reporter first!" She said with a light giggle, this didn't seem so bad for now, perhaps she'd just overreacted a little?
Marinette: Oh, no! Alya! Tikki, time to transform!
Tikki: You're going to have to fight your best friend!
Marinette: Nope! I'm gonna have to save my best friend!
Alya jumped across her seat to tackle hug Marinette into Adrien's lap, "Girl, you are the best!" Marinette giggled as she returned the hug, a smile on her face.
"Please, I'd do anything for my friends Alya, I'm sure you'd do the same in my place."
Adrien laughed at the two's interaction, "Not that I'm complaining, but are you two gonna get off my lap anytime soon?" He asked amusedly, Alya and Marinette looked seriously at each other before they both looked back up at him.
"Nope." They said simultaneously popping the 'p' before turning their heads towards the screen, Marinette blindly grabbing the remote from where it hit the floor.
[ Transformation Sequence ]
Marinette: Tikki, spots on! Yeah! (Marinette transforms into Ladybug)
Lady Wifi: For my next scoop, I'll be taking you to meet the girl who's been hiding behind the Ladybug mask! (puts a pink stop icon on Mr. Damocles, freezing him) Stay connected! (turns the screen off)
Miss Bustier: Everyone, for your own safety, go directly home right now! And don't forget to read chapters four and five! (The students run out.)
Kim groaned quietly, "Even during an akuma attack, Miss Bustier gives us homework, you'd think she'd let us off the hook, but noooo." Alix rolled her eyes at her new boyfriend (was it too early to call him that?), reaching up to slap his chest.
"Please, if homework was cancelled every time there was an akuma attack, we'd never learn anything!" Max said, his tone offended.
"Exactly!" Kim said triumphantly.
Alix slapped him again.
Scene: Bathroom.
Adrien: If Chloé is Ladybug like Alya said, then Lady Wifi's gonna head straight for her house!
Plagg: (teasing) And it also means you must have a crush on Chloé! (laughs; Adrien grunts in protest)
Everyone waited for Chloé's inevitable remark, but there was only silence.
Sabrina placed a hand on Chloé's arm, her body language oozing concern, "Are you okay, Chloé?" She asked softly, Chloé let out a small sigh before she spoke quietly.
"I'm fine Sabrina, I was just thinking." Sabrina looked surprised at Chloé's tone, but nodded softly before she turned back to the screen.
[Transformation Sequence]
Adrien: Plagg, claws out! (Adrien transforms into Cat Noir)
Scene: The city. Cat Noir runs in the ceiling and sees the hotel. He takes his staff and sees Chloé dressed as Ladybug
Cat Noir: What? This can't be!
Ladybug: Who's being a sneaky kitty now?
Cat Noir: Oh, Ladybug. But-
Ladybug: Come on, you don't actually believe she's the real Ladybug.
Cat Noir: Yeah, of course not.
Ladybug: And besides, who would believe that she's the original Ladybug? She's obviously just a die-hard fan. A copycat?
Cat Noir: Right.
Marinette snorted softly, "Oh Kitten, what am I going to do with you?" She asked affectionately from her place in his lap, shaking her head lightly against Alya's chin.
Adrien was glad Marinette was where she was, because that meant she couldn't see his blush. "Can't blame a cat for looking for his owner, right?" He asked, his regular charm slightly dampened by his nervousness.
He could just barely hear Marinette giggle again as they turned their attention back to the episode.
Scene: Chloé's room. Chloé dressed as Ladybug, is trying to untie herself, when her cell phone rings.
Chloé: (answers the phone) Hello? (The phone starts to emit a bright pink glow, she throws it, and Lady Wifi appears.)
Lady Wifi: Well, hello there, Ladybug! (Chloé tries to run away, but Lady Wifi puts a pink pause icon on Chloé, stopping her)
Ladybug: We got Wifi! (She and Cat Noir head to the hotel.)
Alix and Alya groaned, Adrien laughed, and Marinette smiled lightly at her opening line.
"And I'm the one known for puns, why again?" Adrien asked jokingly, Marinette scooted just far enough from under Alya to stick her tongue out at him. A mischievous smirk made its way across Adrien's face as he leaned down as far as he could without dumping the two girls out of his lap.
"Careful there, My Lady, wouldn't want a Cat to catch that, now would we?" He winked at her, savouring the blush across her cheeks and smiling in triumph.
Lady Wifi: (puts a camera icon above Chloé) Well, well... So my hunch was correctamundo. (from screens)Everyone thinks the girl beneath the Ladybug costume is a little angel. Think again, people! The real Ladybug is... Chloé Bourgeois, everyone!
Alya facepalmed and looked down at Marinette. "How was Akumatized me so stupid, girl? Everyone knows Ladybug has black hair, not blonde!" She groaned quietly, "I think this might be the most embarrassing part of the entire episode!" She let out a groan.
Marinette giggled lightly, "It didn't help that you already thought that she was Ladybug… for some reason." She replied lightly, a small giggle escaping her lips as Alya lightly bumped her head with her chin.
"I had my reasons girl, for all I knew, her hair color and style changed whenever she transformed, or she was wearing a wig." Alya smirked, "I never would have expected Ladybug to wear the exact same style every day of her life." Marinette rolled her eyes and smiled.
"It helps that no one thinks that clumsy Marinette could possibly do half the things Ladybug can."
Alya smiled, "You're just a regular Clark Kent, aren't you, Mari?"
(The real Ladybug and Cat Noir enter the hotel.)
Lady Wifi: Who are you?
Cat Noir: Uhhh...
Lady Wifi: (looks at Chloé) But I thought you were Ladybug!
Cat Noir: Sorry to bust your news story. Next time, double-check your facts.
"Oh please, like you didn't believe the same thing as she did, bro!" Nino said teasingly, Adrien shrugged and smiled lightly.
Lady Wifi: You'll be sorry. (She uses her cellphone to delete the pink icons, releasing Chloé. Chloé trips and falls.)
Ladybug: Alya?
Lady Wifi: Alya's been disconnected. I'm Lady Wifi. News flash! Ladybug, let's find out who you really are!
Ladybug: Follow me!
Cat Noir: So what's the plan?
Ladybug: She gets her powers from her phone, so let's lead her to the basement, where there is no service!
Max frowned lightly in contemplation, "One would think that the Grand Paris would have service no matter where they are in the building, how curious that there is no signal in the basement."
Kim smirked, "I bet it's it's only because Chloè wouldn't be caught dead in a basement, even if it was the basement of her Dad's hotel." Max nodded seriously, looking down at his calculator while fixing his glasses.
"Regardless of your joking, Kim, I predict that you're most likely correct."
Chloè steamed quietly in her chair, offended, but too bogged down by the disgusting feeling in her gut to yell at him like she normally would.
Cat Noir: No service, no power. Nice one, my lady!
Ladybug: We've gotta go lower!
Lady Wifi: (laughs) I've got you now, Ladybug!
Ladybug: Get ready!
Cat Noir: So, what do you do when you're not Ladybug?
"Is that really the best time for personal questions, bro?" Nino asked, an eyebrow raised at his best friend. Adrien shrugged, completely unapologetic.
"When else would I have the chance to ask?" He asked, "We hardly ever saw each other outside of battle then, Ladybug hadn't scheduled patrols yet."
Ladybug: (looks shocked, then recovers) Can't you see we're a little bit busy right now? (She sees that Lady Wifi is no longer above them.) She's gone back into the hotel!
Cat Noir: (sees that pink lock icons have been put on all the doors) She locked all the doors! Hey, you realize we might actually know each other in normal life.
"No, really? How completely shocking that would be." Marinette deadpanned from Adrien's lap.
Ladybug: Doubt it. It's locked!
(They reach the top door.)
Cat Noir: She's left this one open.
Ladybug: Get ready for an ambush on 3. 1, 2, 3!
(They burst through the door to the dining room, only to find that Lady Wifi is nowhere to be found. Phones are on all the tables.)
Cat Noir: Ahhh... So much for the ambush.
Ladybug: Follow me. Where is she hiding? And what's up with all these phones?
(A pink light comes out from a phone, and Lady Wifi appears. She attacks them.)
Cat Noir: How now, brown cow? I thought it was you she was after!
Alya sat back up and raised an intimidating eyebrow at Adrien. "Did you just call me a cow?" She asked in a completely emotionless tone. Adrien sweated as he waved his hands in front of him.
"No! It's an expression Alya, I hadn't even thought of that, I swear!" He said desperately, looking first at Nino, who waved his hands as though warding him off, then down at Marinette, who had rolled over on her back now that Alya was off of her.
"Don't look at me, Kitty." Marinette said with a smirk, "She's my best friend, I side with her."
"Traitor…" Adrien whimpered before turning back at a now smirking Alya, who immediately broke into laughter as soon as he turned back to her.
"Relax, Adrien! I was just pulling your leg!" She said, settling back into her beanbag as the rest of the class snickered at Adrien, who was now sinking back into his seat in relief.
"Not cool Alya, not cool." Adrien muttered as the episode resumed.
(Ladybug ties Lady Wifi with her yo-yo, but she disappears, re-appearing above one phone after another.)
Lady Wifi: Ha! You can't get me!
Ladybug: Yes I can. (She breaks all the phones with her yo-yo. Lady Wifi runs into the kitchen. When Ladybug follows her in, Lady Wifi locks the door behind her.)
Cat Noir: No, no, no... Hold on in there, Ladybug! (He checks the hotel map in his staff.) Of course! The service elevator!
(Back in the kitchen, Ladybug dodges Lady Wifi's attacks until her hands get pinned to the wall by two lock icons. Lady Wifi puts a camera icon in front of her.)
The class gasped in horror, Alya's only outmatched by Rose's. "I was so close!" Alya bemoaned, her head shaking in annoyance. "How the heck did you get out of that one?!"
Marinette smiled, rolling her eyes, "Just keep watching, and you'll find out."
Lady Wifi: (from a projection in the sky) Who is Ladybug? Is she a superhero or a super-weirdo? How can we trust the girl when we have no idea who she really is? We have the right to know! (tries to remove Ladybug's mask, but it won't come off) Why doesn't it come off?
Alya facepalmed, "Akumatized me was an idiot." she said into her hand. "How the hell did I not just grab your Miraculous? It was right there!"
Marinette smiled, sitting up to pat her friend's shoulder. "Personally, I'm glad you didnt, otherwise we wouldn't be having this conversation now, would we?" Alya snorted.
"Girl, I'm glad I didnt too, but dang was I stupid!"
Ladybug: Uhhh... because it's magic?
Max muttered angrily under his breath, "That is not a valid excuse!"
(The service elevator door opens, and Cat Noir comes through.)
Cat Noir: You're out of minutes, Lady Wifi!
Lady Wifi: Oh, how romantic. Tomcat's come to save his love bug.
Ladybug: I am not his love bug!
Adrien put an arm around Marinette's shoulder, "Oh, I'm sure that's changed now, hasn't it, Bugaboo?" He said flirtatiously, Marinette fought back her blush to look up at Adrien with a smirk.
"I'm not sure yet, let's see what happens, huh?" She said teasingly, Adrien placed a hand over his heart.
"Oh My Lady, you wound me so!" He gasped dramatically.
Chloè rolled her eyes, "You two are disgusting." She muttered under her breath.
Cat Noir: We'll come back to that later.
(Lady Wifi attacks him, knocking him into the freezer room. His ring comes off, turning into Plagg, and Cat Noir turns into Adrien.)
(Plagg shivers.)
Adrien; My ring!
Marinette turned towards Adrien with wide eyes, "You didn't tell me that happened!" Adrien smiled at her calmly.
"I was fine Marinette, just watch."
Plagg: Ooh... so chilly in here.
Adrien: Where is it? I could use a little help!
Tikki gave Plagg a dirty look, "You could have helped him, you know." Plagg turned his head away from her.
"You weren't there, Sugarcube! It was so cold, I could hardly move!" He moaned over dramatically.
Tikki rolled her eyes, "If you had helped your Holder, then it would have been over quicker, and you both could have been warm."
Lady Wifi: Well, well... what am I gonna do with both of you?
Hawk Moth: Get her to use her Lucky Charm! It'll force her to switch back, and her identity will be revealed, and her Miraculous will be mine.
Marinette tilted her head, confused. "Wait… but he knows we just have to take off our Miraculous to reveal what our identity is, why is he making it so complicated, and giving me a chance to escape?" She said, it had confused her then, but she was too relieved to really question it.
Tikki flew over to her Holder and landed on her shoulder, patting her cheek. "I'm not sure Marinette, maybe Hawk Moth went with this method to savor his victory?" She shrugged and smiled sheepishly, "He is arrogant enough to think making you detransform is a much better way to win than simply taking your Miraculous."
Marinette smiled at her kwami, "I think you're right Tikki, that does sound like Hawk Moth."
Lady Wifi: If you don't get him outta there fast, your crush will be slush. Ha ha ha! (She removes the locks from Ladybug's hands.) Good luck with your cat popsicle! I have other news to cover! (She disappears.)
Ladybug: Huh?
Scene: Outside Le Grand Paris. The mayor and two police cars are there.
Mr. Bourgeois: Come on...
(Chloé exits the hotel and hugs her father. She checks her phone, but Lady Wifi comes out from it and flies into the sky. She begins broadcasting herself.)
Lady Wifi: What's up, peeps! Listen everyone! I present you with the award-winning news story you've all been waiting for!
(In the kitchen, Ladybug is trying to break down the door to the freezer room.)
Ladybug: I'll get you out of there, Cat Noir!
Adrien: Take your time!
Marinette rolled her eyes, "Now it makes sense, I thought you were just being sarcastic."
Adrien gave her a faux hurt look, "My Lady, do you really think I would ever be sarcastic with you?" Marinette gave him a deadpan look, one eyebrow raised archly. Adrien shrugged, "Okay, so maybe I can be."
Marinette rolled her eyes.
Lady Wifi: (broadcasting) Don't blink, 'cause Ladybug's about to drop the bomb on her real identity!
Ladybug: Lucky Charm! (a box appears) This better be some lucky box... Of course, the microwaves! (she puts the box in the microwave, and uses it to melt the lock icon.)
Adrien: (finds his ring) Gotcha! Gotcha!
Ladybug: Come on, micro-thingies, jam this signal…
Max raised an eyebrow, "Micro-thingies? Really, Marinette?" Marinette shrugged sheepishly.
"I was panicking Max, those weren't exactly the best circumstances for remembering the proper terminology."
(The door opens, and a frozen Cat Noir falls in Ladybug's arms.)
Ladybug: You okay, Cat Noir? (her miraculous beeps)
Cat Noir; You used your Lucky Charm...there's not much time left.
'Lady Wifi:' Exactly!
Cat Noir: Open the kitchen door!
Ladybug: We can't, microwave's busted. (whispers to Cat Noir) Here's what to do, listen to me...
Cat Noir: Got it.
(Cat Noir puts a pan over top of the camera icon, blocking Lady Wifi's screen.)
Lady Wifi: What is she up to?
Hawk moth: Don't let my Miraculous get away!
Marinette looked at the screen angrily, "Your Miraculous?" She held Tikki close to her in a warm, possessive embrace. "You're never getting Tikki from me, Hawk Moth!"
Adrien put a hand on her shoulder, "I won't let him even get close, Marinette." He said, his tone as fierce and determined as hers.
Tikki rubbed her head against Marinette's hand, "I know you won't Marinette, Adrien." She smiled at Adrien, "You two are getting better by the day, we'll be rid of Hawk Moth long before he can capture our Miraculous."
Lady Wifi: Right!
Cat Noir: (gets in the service elevator) I'll go and jam the Wifi antenna.
Ladybug: Good luck!
(Lady Wifi runs to the ceiling, while Cat Noir dodges her attacks. He reaches the top floor of the hotel)
Cat Noir: (sees the Wifi antenna) Here you are! Cataclysm!
Lady Wifi: Nice idea, kitty cat, but I'm not gonna let you cut me off so easily! (starts firing pink pause symbols at him)
Ladybug: (Her Miraculous beeps again) Hurry, Cat Noir…
Alya turned towards Marinette, "Girl, you were in a kitchen, why didn't you just detransform and grab some cookies or something?"
Marinette shrugged, "I wasn't sure there were any, and I didnt want that pot to fall off the camera and show me rummaging through the cupboards, that and my Lucky Charm wouldn't go to waste, since I can't fix everything until the Akuma is purified."
(Lady Wifi keeps attacking Cat Noir, but he dodges her. He uses his staff to attack her, but she dodges. The staff splits into two, but she destroys them. She sees Cat Noir is about to destroy the antenna.)
Lady Wifi: Nooooo!
(Cat Noir destroys the antenna, and Lady Wifi falls off. The pink symbols disappear, and Ladybug exits the kitchen.)
Lady Wifi: Lost the signal!
Cat Noir: Gimme that phone!
(Cat Noir tries to take the phone away from her, but she dodges. Cat Noir finds himself defenseless, but Ladybug appears and takes the phone away from her)
Alya whooped in glee watching the fight scene, "Girl, I was so badass!" She said happily, "Why did no one tell me I was so awesome?!"
Marinette rolled her eyes fondly.
Ladybug: (breaks the phone, releasing its akuma) No more evildoing for you, little akuma. Time to de-evilize! (catches the akuma with her yo-yo) Gotcha! (releases it, and turns it into a normal butterfly) Bye bye, little butterfly. Miraculous Ladybug! (Throws the Lucky Charm into the air, and it explodes into a blast of energy. It turns everything back to normal, and Lady Wifi turns back into Alya.)
Alya: What?
Ladybug and Cat Noir: Pound it!
Alya: Ladybug! Wow! And Cat Noir! Can I get a quick interview? Just let me grab my phone!
Cat Noir: (his Miraculous beeps) Uhh... gotta go. You've only got a minute.
Alya: So- oh, no! Where did they go?
(Ladybug is about to enter a room, but Cat Noir stops her.)
Cat Noir: Stay! (his Miraculous beeps) I won't tell anyone who you are. Cat's honor.
Ladybug: Nobody must know who we really are. Not even us. (She closes the door. Cat Noir tries to open it, but Ladybug detransforms.)
Rose let loose a squee at how cute she thought the scene was.
"Aww, Adrien, she was right there! Why didn't you look?"Alya said disappointedly.
Adrien smiled softly, "I would never betray my Lady like that, no matter what."
Marinette felt a blush on her face from the sheer sincerity, this boy was going to kill her one day. "And I wouldn't do it to you either, Mon chaton."
Tikki: Phew, that was too close for comfort!
Marinette: Tell me about it. (opens the door, seeing nobody outside)
(Adrien leaves the hotel.)
Plagg: That was the chance to find out who the love of your life really is! What were you thinking?
Adrien: That's the thing, Plagg. I wasn't thinking. I was following my heart.
Rose squealed even harder, Plagg gagged theatrically from Adrien's hair.
Hawk Moth: Your mask will fall one day, Ladybug. You'll have no choice then but to hand over your precious Miraculous!
Marinette rolled her eyes, "If my identity was revealed, I would be holding onto my Miraculous even harder than before so I could protect my family and friends from you, Hawk Moth." She said plainly, Adrien nodded in agreement beside her.
Scene: Dupain-Cheng House. Marinette is in the balcony with Tikki.
Tikki: Is that true? You're gonna tell him? Is that what your heart's saying?
Marinette: Sometimes your heart tells you one thing, but a great superhero always listens to her head.
Alya: Got it!
Alya gaped, "How did I not hear her?!" She asked incredulously, "Tikki was right there! You didn't even have 'Maurice the Pigeon' to use as an excuse that time!" She pouted at the screen as Marinette giggled.
Tikki flew over to Alya and patted her forehead, "Oh Alya, it wasn't your fault, us Kwamis are very good at hiding, when you have millenia of experience, it comes naturally."
"Doesn't mean I like it though.." Alya said through her pout, Tikki giggled and sat on her shoulder, Marinette smiled at the two of them.
Marinette: Waaahhh!
Alya: Wanna see my new smartphone? It puts my old phone to shame! Just look at these pics!
Marinette: Huh? What's with all these photos of Adrien?
Marinette looked at Alya, "Why did you have all those photos of him anyways?" She asked curiously, Alya rolled her eyes.
"I wanted to test out my new phone's camera, and who better than our class' resident model?" Adrien rubbed the back of his neck.
"It was nothing Alya, it was definitely more fun than any of my father's photoshoots."
Alya: Well... with a mask and a costume, don't you think he looks a little bit like Cat Noir?
Adrien's eyes widened, "That was too close for comfort. Like, holy crap Alya." He said nervously, his voice shaking slightly.
Alya facepalmed, "I literally had it. It was right in front of me!" She said frustratedly, Tikki giggled.
Marinette: Are you out of your mind? He's tons more legit than Cat Noir!
Adrien held his hand over his heart, "Oh Ladybug, you wound me so!" He wiped a fake tear from his eye, "How could you be so cruel to your poor kitty?" He gave her kitten eyes and Marinette rolled her eyes with a blush.
"Tone it down, kitten, you're both pretty great."
Alya: Hey! I happened to think that Cat Noir is pretty slick.
Adrien smiled widely, "Thank you Alya, at least someone appreciates my good looks." Alya rolled her eyes.
Marinette: Anyway, stop taking photos of Adrien. Well, unless you give them to me, afterwards. (snatches Alya's phone)
Alya: Give it back! (runs after Marinette)
Marinette: Nope!
Alya: Oh, come on, Marinette! What if you drop it? Everyone knows how clumsy you are!
(Both laugh.)
THE END
Adrien hit stop on the remote, standing up to stretch lightly as Plagg flew out of his hair to join Tikki on Alya's shoulder. "That was fun, certainly wasn't as bad as you thought it would be, huh Alya?" He asked with a smile.
Alya shook her head, "It was awesome! I didn't know I was that badass! Why did no one tell me how badass I was?" She asked humorously.
Marinette smiled at her best friend before looking around the room and grabbing the remote when she saw everyone was only taking quick breaks to go to the bathroom.
"Alright, settle down everyone! The next episode is…"
A/N: Okay, I know it's been a while, and I'm sorry about that, my inspiration just sort of dried up, and I've been busy as well. I can't promise you a regular update, but I can promise I will update it. Now that I've seen the second half of season 2, my muse is ready to go!
I do regret getting Kim and Alix together now though… I still ship it, but Ondine is so fucking adorable.
Anyways, we'll have more shipping soon enough, I'm just trying to decide when to get them together, Dark Cupid is just too obvious, but I don't want to rush it either, I guess you'll find out soon enough, huh?