Ladybug and Chat Noir were talking excitedly as they walked through the portal back into Paris. They could hardly believe that they had already made it through two trials in one weekend. What an incredible experience…and they were just getting started! There was still one more week before they had to return to classes, and they hoped to keep up their momentum. What had them absolutely buzzing was when Ember had revealed their next destination. The Philippines!
It was still morning in Paris, but Ladybug and Chat were exhausted by the extreme version of 'jetlag' they got from jumping in and out of time zones. Chat caught himself halfway through a yawn.
"Get yourself some sleep Kitty! I'll meet you back here tomorrow at 7am!"
"We're not leaving now?" Chat asked, a little disappointed.
Whatever we are in for next, (and if it is anything like we've faced so far) we are going to need all our energy! Plus a friend in London is expecting me over spring break, and I better make an appearance before she thinks I've dropped off the side of the earth," she said dramatically.
Ladybug spun a portal, and was about to step through when Chat called her back. "Wait, Ladybug I…"
"Yes, Chat?!" She asked. She looked back at him with her deep blue eyes, so wide he lost himself in them. Stumbling, he lost his nerve.
"Never mind, I'll see you tomorrow LB!"
"See you soon Kitty," she sung happily and vanished into the portal.
"Plagg claws in," Chat called, letting his transformation fall.
"Uuummmmmmhaaa" Plagg moaned floating to Adrien's shoulder and wheezing melodramatically, "ccchhheeeessseee."
"Well you certainly earned it," Adrien replied, "Let's stop by Fromagers on our way back."
Adrien cringed as Plagg squealed in excitement.
Ladybug stepped out of an alley in central London, near the tube entrance. She ducked back and then said "Tiki, spots off." "Let's go get you some food before we meet up with Alya," Marinette smiled holdinging Tiki in her palms.
"Absolutely," Tiki smiled at Marinette and curled up tiredly into Marinettes purse.
Marinette adjusted the strap of her purse carefully, and nonchalantly sauntered by the tube entrance and quickly found a coffee shop.
Drinking tea at a pedestal table by the window, she quietly stashed some cookies into her purse (which Tiki gratefully gobbled up). IT did not take much time after Marinette texted Alya about her arrival for Alya to find her. Alya excitedly dashed into the coffee shop, and bounded over to Marinette.
"Girl! I was just getting the keys to our hotel..or should I say our very own 'flat' for the week!" Alya announced, jingling her keys excitedly. Then she perched on the seat across from Marinette, and said a bit quieter, "I thought you weren't going to get in till tonight! This is fantastic! Now we have more time to sightsee together before I start my internship…TOMORROW! Can you believe that I…me..Alya Cesare is working for a international news studio for a whole week!"
Alya finally took a breath, so Marinette jumped in, "I've always known you'd get to do this some day! But thanks for letting me tag along!"
"Are you kidding! You being here with me makes it even better! This is going to be an unbelievable week!"
"It sure is," Marinette said, wondering to herself what the next trials might be. Unbelievable was just the word to describe what was in store for her and Chat.
That day Alya had refused Marinettes pleas to go back to their flat for some sleep. Instead she had convinced her to visit the changing of the guard at Buckingham palace. Then they took pictures around Trafalgar Square in red phone boxes, and even went to see Westminster Abby. Finally after tucking into a box of classic British fish and chips, they dragged their selves to their flat.
What Marinette had expected to be a simple hotel room provided by the news studio, turned out to be a gorgeous 2nd story two bedroom apartment. It had tall ceilings, wide windows overlooking the street, and even a little kitchenette. It really felt like their own place. Over the years they had always dreamed of growing up and becoming roommates. Now it was actually happening.
Alya suddenly realized Marinette had not been carrying anything but her purse and a small backpack with her. Is that all you've got for a whole week?" Alya gaspt.
"I ur…ummm…my luggage got lost on the way over,: Marinette quickly made up an excuse. Insdie she kicked herself for not thinking the lack of luggage might raise suspicion in her investigative reporter friend.
But Alya was too excited to notice another one of Marinettes blunders. "I guess that give you an excuse to go shopping tomorrow while I'm at the studio all day," she said, then tossed Marinette a shirt from her suitcase. My sisters and I are always stealing each others clothes. Help yourself if you need anything." Then she busied herself with organizing her new room. "Hey Marinette, did you…" Alya started to ask stepping into Marinettes room, but Alya just smiled, and closed her friend's door. Marinette was already passed out on her bed.
The next morning Marinette work up to Tiki tapping her on the nose. This was typical of most mornings. It was not unusual for Tiki to urge her to get up when she slept in, but this time she woke up in a strange place. It took a moment to register where she was.
"Marinette," Tiki whined urgently, "it is almost 6:30am already!"
With a start Marinette sat up in bed, but there was a knock on her bedroom door. Tiki ducked under the blankets just at Alya poked her head in. "Bye Sleepy head! Enjoy your sightseeing!" she sang smiling ear to ear.
Marinette jumped out of bed (in the process catching her ankle on the sheet, and half rolling onto the floor, before untangling herself, and standing upright). Then she gave Alya a huge hug.
"Careful! Alya giggled, "You make me feel like I need to keep an eye on you!"
"I just wanted to wish you luck on your first day!" Marinette said, and suddenly remembered something and dug around in her purse that was draped over the end of the bed. "Here!" she called triumphantly as she produced a small red pin with black spots. She put it onto Alya's collar. "To wish you luck!" she smiled.
Alya hugged her again. "It's perfect!" she said.
"Common'" Marinette urged. "You don't want to be late!"
"Right! See you tonight!" Alya jumped into action and ran around grabbing her things, and clicking the door shut behind her.
Marinette lost no time in racing around getting ready. She shoveled some leftovers from their night out into her mouth (not a typical breakfast, but there was simply no time). She handed Tiki some cookies she had picked up the day before, and Tiki munched on them from the couch as she watched Marinette buzz around frantically.
Marinette adjusted her hair in the mirror, and put on the miraculous glasses. Summoning both Kaalki and Tiki together she transformed and created a portal to Paris. She had just enough time to pick up Chat Noir for their adventure to the Philippines.