Marinette made sure to arrive to school after Adrien, even though the two had spent the whole morning together. They had come up with a plan to reveal their new relationship status to their classmates. Eventually they had everything planned out (in between countless kisses in the rain, snuggled up under their umbrella). As soon as Marinette crossed the threshold of the classroom though, she knew their plan had been derailed!
She caught one look at Adrien, who was nervously biting on the end of his pen, with Nino talking animatedly next to him. As soon as Adrien saw her his eyes widened, and the pen lid popped out of his mouth. The alarm in his eyes told her to run, but Alya got to her first.
"Marinette! Girl! How did you not tell me!" Alya grabbed her BFF by the shoulders spinning her around. "I was so surprised, but you know, happy for you both too!"
"You are? Uh thanks Alya! I mean how did you...did he say something..?" Marinette tried in vein to catch Adrien's eye.
"I understand why you wanted to keep it all under wraps, but this is just so huge!" Alya gushed, squeezing her friend into a enthusiastic hug.
By now the rest of Marinette's classmates had started to surround her, also contributing congratulations and exchanging curious nods.
"But how did you know?" Marinette whispered urgently to Alya, dispute the stares from the others.
"You haven't seen the picture of you two? Chloe huffed. "It's practically smeared all over the school. This ridiculous photo was taped on my locker this morning!" She thrust a crumpled photo into Marinette's hands, and marched away.
"A photo of us...?!" Marinette wheezed mortified.
It was then that Adrien weaved his way to her side, and added, "a photo from the night of the dance," he hinted with warning. "With you and..."
"Chat Noir!" Marinette turned as white as a sheet, folding open the paper to reveal a photo of Marinette and Chat Noir dancing on her balcony. "But...but...how did they...who took...but Im not!" Marinette sputtered feeling like she was suddenly trapped in sinking sand, and couldn't get her thoughts straight.
Adrien moved close enough to steady her at her elbow amidst the group gathered around her.
"Oh don't tell us it isn't true!" a voice cooed from the back of the room. "That would be so disappointing!" The huddle of friends around Marinette parted to reveal Leila leaning back in her chair, with a self satisfied smirk down at Marinette. "I mean sure you're breaking up the super romance of Paris's sweetheart duo, but all's fair in love and war right?!"
"Leila," Marinette growled. "Everyone already knows how you love to spin your lies, but I didn't know stalking was your thing!"
"Marinette what are you suggesting?!" Leila leaned forward, batting her eyelashes, with the hint of a pout. "You know I wasn't even there that night! i just got back into Paris yesterday!"
"Who knows where or what you've been up to, but I have no doubt you've got something to do with this!" Marinette accused.
"I think the question is what you've been up to and who you've been doing?!" Liela responded with a curve of her lips and her eyes narrowing.
Marinette went bright red, and Adrien glared at Leila, moving his hand to Marinette's back protectively.
"Well someone is violating her privacy," Adrien jumped in.
"Who says those photos are even real anyway?" Nathaniel suggested "Someone's idea of a joke or something."
"I don't hear Marinette denying it," Leila sat back. "How about it? We all know Marinette is always honest and truthful to a fault, aren't you Marinette?!"
"He was there that night..." Marinette said in a tight voice, and then insisted, "but only to thank me for helping him at the dance, when that crazy guy attacked."
"The cat looks pretty thankful!" Kim snickered under is breath, receiving a sharp jab in the ribs from Alex, who shot him a glare. Both Adrien and Marinette's pulse sped.
"What?!" Kim protested, clenching his side and returning the redhead's glare.
"Marinette saved Chat Noir's life that night, of course he'd want to thank her," Rose piped up shrilly.
"If Marinette says that's all it is, that's all it is," Alya defended, rising to her friend's side.
Nino, glanced from Marinette, to Adrien, and adjusted his red cap.
The standoff came to a undecided halt at the arrival of Mrs. Mendeleiev. Hushed whispers were quickly extinguished by their teacher's glares.
Marinette shoved the picture into her purse, where Tiki looked up at her with a worried glance.
As soon as the class was over Marinette couldn't get out of the room fast enough. The bell rang and she swung her backpack over a shoulder and was gone.
Adrien was waylaid by students filing through the doorway, but dogged them and tried to follow Marinette. She wasn't in the art room, cafeteria, locker room or courtyard. There was one place he had always retreated to at the school...given, it required "miraculous skills." But sure enough that was exactly where he found Marinette; on the roof of Francoise Dupont.
"Mari, the picture.." Adrien started.
But Marinette just rushed into his arms.
"It's going to be okay," he murmured into her hair. "We're going to figure this out."
"I know we are?" She sighed, burying her head into the shoulder of his shirt, "it's just not going to be easy."
"Come on...a couple of pros like us?! Adrien brushed his hand soothingly through her hair.,"'one little photo isn't going to bring us down.
"No, but it is a warning," Marinette paused looking up at him.
"We knew we might face this...I just hoped that it wouldnt be so soon," Adrien sighed.
"I know," Marinette shifted to lean against his shoulder. " We didnt even get to tell everyonr we were finally together. Now we have to wait!"
"Wait!" Adrien asked startled. "Wouldn't it make sense to tell them now that you're with me? Then they wont accuse you of being a superheros girlfriend!"
"...or theyll quickly put two and two together and realize you are that superhero!" Marinette pointed out.
"Not more secrets again!" Adrien groaned.
"Dont worry! If we act fast we can come up with a plan to throw them off. Do you want to come to my place for lunch? We can come up with a new plan!"
"Sounds puurrfect!" Adrien snuck in a kiss along her jaw, "My Lady always has a plan!" They quickly made their way off the roof. Together they crossed the street toward the bakery.
Suddenly Marinette came to a abrupt halt. "Oh wait! I forgot to check the bulliten board at the front of the school. I almost forgot again! They were supposed to post the Audrey Style Queen internship today!" Marinette looked over her shoulder. "I'll go check quick, and meet you back at my place," she pulled the strap of her backpack over her shoulder.
"Here, I'll go back with you," Adrien offered turning back.
"Actually would you mind heading right over to the bakery? My Parents were kindda hoping you'd stop by for lunch, and we're already running late. I don't want them to worry," Marinette asked.
"Sure!" Adrien smiled, and then his smile wavered. "You Uh...didn't tell your Dad about...you and me did you?" he asked.
"Weeeelllll..." Marinette looked up.
"You did," Adrien's shoulders dropped.
"I thought you liked my parents?!" Marinette shrugged.
"Of course I do! They are the best!" Adrien assured her enthusiastically. "Its just last time I came over on a date-kindda-brunch-thing your Dad went all Waredad, and imprisioned you in a cage of roses"
"Don't worry! That was a while ago. They think the world of you! Plus they don't think you've broken my heart" Marinette patted Adrien's shoulder.
"You confessed your love to me and I did break your heart!" Adrien went pale, and looked at Marinette horrified. "You wanted to see if I actually loved the real you, and all I could see was Ladybug!"
"Woah, just relax okay! It's alright Kitty. I was just as relieved that day when you told me you were still hung up on Ladybug. You were as loyal as ever, and still risked everything to help me as Marinette!"
"You sure your Dad is okay with me and you?" Adrien tugged at his sleeve.
"Remember he doesn't know you're the same cat that broke my little hamster-loving heart!" Marinette batted her eyelashes innocently looking up at him.
Adrien's smile broke across his face, and he playfully nudged Marinette's arm. "Fine, I'll meet you at the bakery, but if you don't come soon I can't guarantee a single croissant will be left in the whole place!"
"As long as you leave a couple cookies for Tiki," she laughed, and quickly kissed his cheek before sprinting back towards the school.
Adrien sighed, watching her go until she rounded the corner out of sight. Even though the day hadn't gone at all to plan, it was still the very best day ever. He knew his Lady, she knew him, and they were crazy about each other! He had always been a hopeful sort, but in his life his luck never seemed to hold. Yet he still felt that no matter what life had left to throw at him, he had Marinette now! All the daydreams of a future filled with love drowned out the misgivings of fate!
Little did he know that in a moment it would be his Lady's luck that would falter.
Marinette sprung up to the looming bulliten board which was littered with haphazard announcements, flyers, and events. Up to the left was a meticulously placed goldenrod page with scripted letters across the top spelling out 'Style Queen Designs.' Below was a jumble of text, but all that Marinette could read was one printed name under the title ' junior designer internship': Marinette Dupain-Chang!
Her eyes widened, and she stumbled back into an excited squeal that made roaming students in the courtyard turn and stare. Up behind her ran a boy who had been in a few of her classes that year. He pinned his face to the board, scanning the announcement, as if he was trying to force some other name to somehow appear. When the text stayed rigid with the declaration of the decision made, the boy dropped his head dejectedly. Then he glanced back at Marinette, whose joy dampened at the sight of his crushed hopes.
"Hey Damian, I'm sorry you didn't get a spot too this year. You've got some amazing designs," Marinette tried to comfort him.
"It's fine," Damian ducked his head with his black hair crossing over his eyes. "You're really good, and I'm not surprised they picked you. I had just really hoped...I mean I hoped that..." the boy's voice shook, and his hands stuffed into his pockets,.
"Maybe next time you'll get your chance!" Marinette encouraged.
"This was my chance," Damian's voice lowered, and he stalked away.
Marinette was about to call out to him again, but a phone notification distracted her. It was a confirmation email about the internship from Audrey boudious' most recent assistant setting up details. It was hard to believe that soon high school would be over, and Marinette was already be set on the path of her dream job!
That was when she looked up, and to her horror she witnessed a purple butterfly descend on Damion. "No, no! Not Damian! Not today!" Marinette stumbled over her feet, trying to make it to her fellow designers side.
It was too late though,the young man was already overwhelmed by the butterfly's hold. Before she knew it his mutated form loomed ominously above her.
Everything went dark. Marinette vanished.
Ooo
Adrien had been hauled into the back of the bakery as soon as he walked in. Tom had already given him a couple lessons in the science of making the perfect soufflé, and Sabine was watching with a smile, keeping Adrien stuffed with cookies. Adrien was soaking in alll of the affection from Marinette's parents, but still kept looking back up at the clock.
Sabine followed his gaze. "Did you say Marinette was right behind you?" She asked.
"Yes, she just had to check the announcement board about her internship and then she said we'd meet here," Adrien said with an edge of concern.
"She often is out and about and gets caught up with things at school, but I'll call her phone just to check," Sabine excused herself.
Both Tom and Adrien dropped the tray they held when Sabine returned with a concerned expression. "Marinette is not picking up," she said.
"I will go check the school!" Tim immediately tossed his apron over the bench.
"I will check out by the park!" Adrien offered.
"I will stay here in case she shows up late. I'll call you both if she gets back!" Sabine's called after them.
Adrien had just barely sprinted out the door when the alert of a akuma had his heart pounding furiously against his chest. he had no doubt that if Marinette was missing it absolutely was connected to the appearance of a new akuma. Adrien took one glance at his phone, and he stopped breathing. The video showed the new akuma declaring himself "Deuxieme," (Second)," shouting at the top of the school for Chat Noir to come rescue his "girlfriend!" Adrien wasn't sure if it meant Marinette or Ladybug...but either way he had to get there to safe his Lady.
Ooo
When she came to Marinette found herself in a tight cage, suspended over a channel of mirky green water. She recognized the sewers of Paris from other battles she and Chat Noir had been part of.
"The cat has a soft spot for you doesn't he!" Deuxieme accused from below, "It's only a matter of time before he shows up here to save his little play thing!"
"His what?!" Marinette squeaked.
"Well everyone always thought he only had eyes for Ladybug, but lately her Kitty's eyes have been wandering...your way!" he said smugly. "Today he'll have to make his choice!"
"Make his choice?" Marinette asked confused.
"And you'd better hope you get chosen this time too Marinette Dylan-Chang, or you won't be making your first day at Style Queen after all," he threatened lowly, motioning to the steel trap she was in and then to the waiting water below.
Marinette's eyes widened. "You'd seriously do that over this design internship?! Damian, whatever this new Hawkmoth has offered you, it isn't worth..." she tried to appeal to his reason.
"Isn't worth it?! Worth it! You took my whole future and you don't even appreciate it!" he shouted, and stomped away down the tunnel. Then he turned back with a cruel smile. "If you need anything while I'm gone, Ladybug is just around the corner...not that she'll be much help to ya...she's all caged up like you!" Then he sped away leaving Marinette wondering exactly who was around the corner.
As soon as he had left her alone Marinette quickly pulled out her miraculous earrings and sunglasses and pushed them towards Tiki, and whispered urgently "Go to Alya! She's got to merge you and Trixx together, so they don't know Ladybug is out of commission. Have her get Kaalki to Max right now!"
"But couldn't Kaalki and I just get you out right now?" Tiki hesitated, juggling the glasses in her tiny arms.
"If I escape now, there is no way they won't figure out my identity!" Marinette whispered with fierce determination. "Our only chance is if they think Ladybug is still out there!"
Tiki nodded, then quickly nuzzled Mirinette's cheek before fazing through the walls of the sewer.
The brief outline of a purple butterfly flashed on the Deuxieme's face. "Keep Ladybug busy out there, so Chat Noir doesn't realize he's down here alone!" the butterfly's weilders voice instructed.
"Not a problem! My creations will keep her on the run!" Deuxieme bragged,
Chat Noir was drawn deeper underground through the sewer tunnels. His foot steps echoed off the hollow sounding, water filled cordoors.
"Chat Noir! Help! Chat Noir I'm over here!" Chat Noir heard up ahead.
"Mi'Lady!" he exclaimed, and rushed forward.
"Chat Noir go back! its a trap!" a identical voice in a different direction called out.
"Mi'lady?" Chat Noir slowed his pace, and crept around the corner.
Suspended above the rushing water, dropping off deeply through a grate were two cages separated by a twist in the tunnels. One held Ladybug, and the other...Marinette!
Chat Noir grabbed out his baton, from his back and he scanned the tunnel Deuxieme emerged a safe distance from the end of Chat's baton.
There was only one spot for me...one chance to change my future !" the akumatized Designer said bitterly...a spot Marinette Dupan-Cheng stole from me!"
"I'm pretty sure she didn't..." Chat Noir started, but was cut off.
"She stole it!" Deuxieme spat, and then smirked at Chat Noir. "And I've heard she may have stolen the spot in your heart too...the one previously reserved for a certain ladybug!"
Chat Noir tried to swallow his fear, and look uneffected by this taunt, but he couldn't help the slight break in his voice. "What did you do?!"
"I just have a choice for you. There is one opening in the great Chat Noirs life! Will it be this gangly hack of a designer Marinette or the radiant bespectacled Ladybug partner of yours?"
"I'm a super hero. What if I just save both of them?" Chat Noir twirled his baton in front of himself.
"Ha! Just want it all don't you!" Deuxieme scoffed. "Well it doesn't work that way! It is first choice or nothing!"
Chat Noir lunged at him, and he fell back dangerously close to toppling into the sewer water. Deuxieme struck back, and exchanged blows with Chat Noir, but couldn't get a hold on him. "Just let the Ladies go, and we can settle this ourselves," Chat Noir said through gritted teeth as he pinned him with his baton to the rough cement wall.
"You let one go, and I'll drop the second!" he pushed back with superhuman strength fuelled by the butterfly's power. Then snarled with a smile. "You have to use your cataclysm to break the bars...but you only have one shot with that super power of yours! Enough stalling! Choose or I'll drop them both!"
"I think I'll drop you first!" Chat Noir commented evenly, and flipped back on his hands, and allowed the momentum to spring his legs up to the designers chest, effectively knocking Deuxieme into the rushing channel of water.
Chat Noir didn't wait any time scaling the wall up to Marrinette. His eyes lit up when he saw her, and he leapt up to the cage.
"Chat," Marinette whispered urgently, not knowing when the akuma victim would return. "You've got to ignore me and go straight for the Ladybug!"
Chay Noir looked at her as if she was crazy, "but you're..."
"You've got to go for that Ladybug. If you don't, they'll know! They can't guess that you have any feelings for Marinette. Your only loyalty.. your only weakness can be Ladybug! Promise me Kitty!" Marinette insisted.
"No!" he said intensely staring at her with clenched fists.
"What?!" Marinette said in surprise, then stared at him through the bars. "Chat! We don't have time for this! You've got to go!"
"No! There is no way I'm leaving you!" he argued determinedly with his voice rising.
"Shhh, if they find you with me it really will be all over!" she insisted. Then she reached out to touch his cheek through the bars, and her voice softened. "It's okay Kitty. Pegasus is on his way! We just have to throw them off our trail."
Chat Noir stared back at her in anguish. The last thing he wanted to do was leave her, but he trusted her. She was right if he went straight for her now there could be no denying the rumours and the butterfly would keep sending akumas for Marinette to draw him out. Choosing an imitation Ladybug over her, when she was in danger made his stomach turn. Yet not saving her right in this moment, might mean keeping her safe in the long run.
"I'll see you on the other side," he whispered kissing her hand. Then Chat Noir quickly turned his face away, with his knuckles clenched tight around his baton. He swung himself instead around the dividing wall to the opposite cage that held the girl in the red and black spotted suit.
"Ladybug," Chat Noir forced a grin, and channeled all his modelling experience dealing with obnoxious fans. In a bold voice as sweet as he could muster, he added, "I've come to save you my sweet Lady! I was so worried about you!"
"Oh Chat Noir! You came! I thought you were going to choose that Marinette girl over me!" the false Ladybug exclaimed, batting her eyelashes at him.
It looked like Ladybug in nearly every way...except for the eyes. They were blue, but not a true blue...Chat Noir guessed something kind of contacts disguising the true iris' or something.
At that moment Deuxieme crawled from the silt-filled slimy water, and stood hunched over glowering at the cat, daring him to make a choice.
"Oh my darling bug, you know there is only room for one Lady In my life!" Chat Noir declared. "Cataclysm" he called, and the cage dissolved, releasing the girl, who dropped into Chat Noir's arms.
There was something about this Ladybug's touch that made Chat Noir shudder. Yet true to the plan he held her in his arms and propelled them both up to the surface, without giving himself (or Marinette) away with a second glance backward.
"Poor Marinette," the mask flashed across the face of the akumatized designer. Seems you weren't so precious to your cat after all! I should have known you weren't worth the trouble!"
Marinette's cage released in that moment, sending her plummeting to the water below. Just in the nick of time Max as Pegasus opened a portal with Kaalki and vanished again with Marinette in tow.
The akuma victom howled In frustration, but the butterfly weilder didn't bother waste anymore time with him. The akuma abandoned him in the sewers, and a dazed disowned Damien scrambled to his feet wondering how he had got there.
Up on street level the fake ladybug linked her arms around the back of Chat Noir's neck, and whispered, "I always knew you loved me!", and started to pull her face up to his.
Chat Noir ducked under her hold though, and instead spun round to give her a hasity salute.
"I'm sorry?" I hate to run, but I'm out of time my sweet," Chat Noir lied smoothly.
"What if we didn't need to keep our identities a secret?!" the Ladybug whined with a strangely familiar tone.
"Oh you're such a tease Ladybug!" Chat Noir exclaimed with a smile and a wink. "I've waited years for that? But you've finally convinced me how dangerous that would be!"
Chat Noir blew her a kiss, and catapulted himself off the side of the building and disappeared over the next buildings. The fake ladybug stomped her foot, glareing over the rooftop.
A figure in a purple cloak and hood, stepped out and walked up beside the ladybug.
"Nice try," a feminine voice commented, "with more time, you might have had him."
"I've got infinite time," the Ladybug's voice changed, to a lower drone. "He is the one on borrowed time!" Then the ladybug turned to the figure next to her. "Did you find what you were looking for!"
"It turned out to be nothing," the cloaked figure dismissed. "Not that I didn't enjoy your little game anyway," she added with a silky snicker.
The fake ladybug dissolved and morphed instead into a handsome tall young man with wavy blond hair and cool grey eyes. "Even if it wasn't the crack in the cats armour we were hoping for, you still want to move forward with our plan?"
"Of course," the cloaked figure responded sweetly. "This is only the beginning!"