The next day, the students were in their last class of the day at school as the Zodiac group were in they're class.
Daniel glanced to Kara, "Still hasn't budged has she?" He asked.
Kara shook her head, "That romantic failing with Adrien as Cat Noir really hit her hard. It's like she's given up." She said worriedly.
"I just don't get it, she knows Adrien loves her and she still loves him, so what's stopping her," Sam asked in confusion, "I mean Molly and Jacob proved that superhero identities can't be an issue, no matter how important you are."
Molly nodded, "If it's not her being Ladybug or fear of rejection, then what else could be?" She wondered.
"That she can't let love cloud her emotions since it happened to her many times, like the identity revealing in alternate timelines, losing the Miraculous to Monarch, and the most recently, her almost being akumatized." Jacob listed out.
"Yeah, Marinette sure has a run for her money." Daniel said as he sighs. "But this is destroying her mentally. There must be something else that's stopping Marinette, something that even Tikki or Alya don't even know about."
"But what? She's too depressed and sad to even tell them." Molly pointed out. "I mean, she kept it so deep, not even I could tell or force it out of her. All I could tell is that it happened the year before Hawkmoth appeared." She said.
Daniel thought for a moment, remembering that Marinette told them that she had a really rough time that year and she only had one girl to protect her.
Daniel then had an idea as he snapped his fingers, "I think I know just the person who can explain why Marinette is like this, a person who knows her far longer than even Alya and Tikki." He said to his team.
"Who?" Kara, Sam, Molly and Jacob asked.
After school was done, the Zodiacs walked to same place where they fought Darker Owl and recovered the Pig Miraculous.
"Is this the place?" Molly asked as they stopped in front of the arts and crafts store.
Daniel nodded as he opened the door as they entered the store, to see a girl with a hairstyle that was almost like Marinette's, but much skinner, her bangs more rectangular and she had glasses.
"Socqueline Wang, I presume?" Daniel greeted.
"That's right. And what may I do for you guys?" Socqueline asked with a smile.
"We heard from Marinette that you use to be a close friend of hers," Sam explained as Socqueline nodded, "You see, Marinette's been having some trouble in the romance department."
Socqueline frowned, "Is she?" She asked, sounding like she knew something.
Molly then explained, "You see, there's this really nice boy that Marinette's been in love with for a while now and he has just started to become interested in her, but so far, her heart is having trouble letting him in." She said.
"We know she's not afraid of him rejecting her, and not another little secret she has. All we know is that whatever is stopping her is something that happened to her in the previous School year," Jacob added.
"We don't know what it was, Marinette been keeping from us, even her best friend. So we're hoping, since you were closest to Marinette, that you could tell us what happened exactly." Kara explained.
Socqueline looked down solemnly and sighed, "I was hoping she would recover from this but I guess this is the kind of hurt that never actually gets better." She said solemnly, now feeling worried for her old friend, as she looked to the five "Did you know that Marinette once had a crush on Kim?" She asked.
The five Zodiac all went wide-eyed by that. "Wait, what? Marinette had a crush on Kim?" Jacob asked in surprise. "The guy who wear swimming trunks 24/7 and loves swimming, and been acting like, well, how should I put this, oblivious?"
Socqueline nodded as she told them a story, "It was a 2 weeks before the end of the school year, when Marinette was having a typical bad day, no thanks to that snake Chloe Bourgeois," She growled.
"Not surprising." Sam said with a brow.
"Anyway, Marinette had been crushing on Kim for a while then and decided she would finally tell him by a trip to the pool. I tried to warn her that Kim wasn't as nice a guy as she thought he was but she was confident he was nice," Socqueline continued, "On the bus ride home, I was afraid something bad would happen so I decided to follow Marinette and make sure she was okay."
Molly looked worried, "Did Kim reject her?" She asked.
Socqueline shook her head while frowning, "No, he did something even worse. When Marinette finally confessed, Kim pretended to give her a gift but it was really a box of spiders as a cruel joke. Marinette was so scared she fell from the high point into the water for Chloe to record it all and nearly posted it if I didn't smash her phone. But worst of all, Kim laughed it off like it was a simple joke without even caring how hurt Marinette was."
The Zodiac team were horrified, "Say, what?!" Daniel demanded.
"He did what?!" Kara yelled in shock.
"I can't believe Kim and Chloe would do something like that!" Jacob yelled out in anger.
"I'd expect that from Chloe, but Kim?! There's a new low!" Molly shouted.
"And not to mention, from how high the diving platform is, Marinette could've been killed!" Sam pointed out.
"I know. I wasn't happy about what happened either." Socqueline said solemnly for her old friend. "At that point, Marinette's feelings were so hurt and stopped loving Kim. And since then, she vowed that she would never ever love another boy until she knew everything about him to the tiniest detail."
The Zodiac team now understood Marinette's romance paranoia that runs deeper to even before the Miraculous. "Wow, Marinette has been hurting through love so much. No wonder she's so determined to make sure her lovelife is perfect." Molly said solemnly.
"And why she was desperate to know anything and everything about Adrien. She wanted to make sure he would never play her like Kim did." Kara said in slight shock.
"Yes. Which is why Marinette is pretty much, well, she's a fast researcher." Socqueline said. "It really hurt her then, but I'm surprise she's still having trouble now."
The others glanced at each other, knowing they couldn't say anything involving Ladybug so they decided to stretch the truth, "Well, let's just say that her love for Adrien made her make a doozy of mistake and lost something very precious. I guess the shock from that just, reopened the stitches so to speak." Daniel explained.
"Oh, poor Marinette. I wish I was there for her." Socqueline said while looking at her desk as she looked at them, "Just please tell me this boy she loves isn't another Kim." She pleaded.
The five smiled, "I think you could say, he's the exact opposite." Kara told her.
"And don't worry, he's only problem is being too nice." Jacob joked with a smile. "I know him. And he's nothing like Kim. Heck, I think Kim is only one of a kind."
Socqueline looked relieved, "Oh thank goodness. Please, if this boy really is as nice as you say he is, help Marinette realize she can't let him go."
"We'll try. But if you know Marinette as much as we do, it's gonna be a challenge." Daniel stated.
"She is a stubborn one." Socqueline joked with a slight chuckle. "Just help her through it."
"We will, thanks Socqueline." Daniel said as they left the store with the information they needed.
A little later, they were sitting at a restaurant table outside, still reeling from what they learned. "I'm still in shock, I would have never imagined Marinette went through something so horrible." Molly said while sipping her smoothie to try and process what she learned.
"And no surprise Chloe would have a hand in it but Kim," Sam said, glaring down at his biscuit, "The dude has a short attention span to make a cruel joke like that and carry on like he did nothing wrong. I don't see how he was worthy of having a Miraculous." He said bitterly.
"I'm still feeling sorry for how Marinette was crushed in the worst way possible. And it was before the Miraculous came." Kara noted.
"Not to mention that Chloe really doesn't even care if she was killed, and that's saying a lot." Jacob added.
Daniel got his head down with his eyes closed, trying to process what he learn from Marinette's old friend. "All this time, we thought Marinette was being overdramatic with love, but as it turns out, it runs even deeper than before Adrien came. And she's been in worser times since the Miraculous came that she can't even take the time to just find her happiness."
"And now, because of what happened with Glaciator and Cat Noir, she's just given up," Molly said sadly, "She doesn't want anyone to be hurt ever again."
"What do we do?" Sam asked somberly.
"Not much. So far, Marinette can't even believe in love as a normal girl or feel like she can have love as a superhero, and it's already starting to effect Adrien too. They can't protect Paris in this state."
Daniel then had an idea, "I have a plan, but it's not gonna be easy," He said as the others turned to him, "What if they didn't need to be Ladybug and Cat Noir for a while and just be Adrien Agreste and Marinette Dupain-Cheng?"
The others looked at Daniel in shock, "Your not suggesting?" Sam started.
"Yes. Adrien and Marinette need a break from being heroes. They need to be without their miraculous until they feel ready," Daniel said seriously.
"Dude, that's like giving up their Miraculous." Jacob said in shock. "And incase you forgotten Monarch is still-"
"We'll find temporary holders for Plagg and Tikki, until Adrien and Marinette are ready to protect Paris again," Daniel explained, "Would any of you be alright with them fighting an Akuma while they're like this?"
The four all look at each other, feeling uncertain that if this was a right idea, but for Marinette and Adrien to be happy, they have to risk it. "Okay, Daniel. You got us there. Because under their emotional state, they're not in any conditions to be heroes at the moment." Kara said.
"Maybe a break from that life is what they need," Sam said, "So we temporarily take their miraculous, find some stand ins to help us protect Paris and once Marinette and Adrien are in a better state of mind and heart, Ladybug and Cat Noir return, agreed?"
"Agreed." They all nodded before Daniel spoke up.
"Okay, since most of the others know who we are, Molly, Kara, you two go talk to Marinette while the rest of us talk to Adrien." Daniel instructed as the two girls nodded. "But try and not reveal their identities, in the state that they're that's the last thing they need to know,"
"Gotcha, good luck boys." Molly said as she and Kara left for Marinette's house while the boys headed for the Agreste Manor.
At the Agreste Manor, the boys entered the room, after explaining to Gabriel that Adrien needed some comfort, and entered his room and saw that it was pretty dark, noticing that Adrien was lying on his bed while feeling quite depressed.
"Adrien?" Jacob asked, never seen Adrien this depressed since his mother disappeared.
Adrien slowly turned on his back, "I just, don't know what to do. I can't love Marinette as Cat Noir and she doesn't even want to look at Adrien anymore, she's hurting and I can't do anything to help her." He said hopelessly.
The boys look at each other in sympathy, seeing that this has gotten worse than they thought as they walk up to him. "Well, we were talking and, we might know how you can talk to Marinette without worrying about Paris but I'm afraid you won't like it." Daniel said.
Adrien sat up, and looked at them solemnly. "At this point, I'll take anything." He said.
Daniel sighed and held out his hand, "You have to give up your Miraculous for a while, until you feel your heart won't get in the way." He said solemnly.
"What?!" Adrien asked in shock as he held his ring.
"Don't worry, it's only for a while. Look man, you can't be in love with Marinette without making her more comfortable around you, and you can't have the time to do that while you're jumping around the city in leather." Sam told Adrien.
Adrien looked at his ring as Plagg floated next to him, "Kid, I've thinking about this and if there's one thing I hate more than sweetness, it's seeing you hurting." He said sadly, "Marinette needs Adrien Agreste more than Paris needs Cat Noir, and until you've told Marinette all your mushy feelings, we'll see each other again."
Adrien look at his ring, his Kwami and his friends as he gave a sigh. "You're right. I guess I need a break from being Cat Noir for a while." He said sadly as he looked at Plagg, "I'm sorry Plagg," he said.
"No Adrien, I'm sorry for not doing something about this sooner." Plagg said with a sad frown.
Adrien then took off his ring and Plagg flew inside it. He then gave the ring to Daniel. "Remember, this is only temporary. Think of it as a vacation." Daniel said with a smile. "So you can focus all your attention on Marinette while you're temporary off duty."
"And don't worry, we'll find a stand in for you," Sam assured Adrien.
Adrien then looked up, "Listen, if Nino or the others tell you anything," He started before Jacob raised his hand
"Gotcha, everyone except Marinette, Chloe and Lila will know who is Cat Noir," he assured as the three boys walked out of the room.
Adrien watched them go as he gave a sad smile. "They're right. Plagg will be back. They're good friends." He said while wiping his tears away and then turned to his bag which he grabbed and then headed out with towards Marinette's place.
Around the time, Molly and Kara entered the bakery as they went up to Marinette's room, which is pretty dark.
"I said to leave!" Marinette cried, which made the two girls flinch as they enter and saw Marinette on her bed.
"Marinette, it's us." Molly spoke gently, which made Marinette lifted her head a bit and saw the two girls. "We came to talk to you." She said.
Marinette just frowned and flopped down, "There's nothing to talk about. I don't love Adrien and I don't love Cat Noir. All love does is bring pain and-" She ranted before Kara spoke.
"Marinette," she started, "After school, we visited Socqueline, we talked about your last school year, Chloe's bullying…found out about Kim," She said as Marinette seemed to curl in tighter.
Molly looked at Marinette sadly, "We're so sorry," she said to their friend. "It must've been terrible for you at that time."
"More than you can imagine." Marinette weeped. "And even at this point, love is a terrible thing. I broke up with Luka, I couldn't tell Adrien, and I couldn't love Cat Noir. I just can't figure out this whole love thing, not with Ladybug always being in the way." She muttered.
"Well, we may have a way to make it easier for you to love Adrien and for you to have a chance with it. You're not gonna like it, but it could work." Kara said to her.
"Why is that?" Marinette asked as she turned to them.
"Marinette, we think you need a break from being Ladybug for a while." Molly honestly said.
"What?" Marinette asked, not sure if she feels okay with this.
"Girl, you're time as both Ladybug and Marinette is getting in the way of your personal life so much it's threatening to rip you in half." Kara spoke. "And you're love life as well, so, we discuss that you should stand down as Ladybug for a while."
"Now, we're not saying to give up as Ladybug completely, just until you feel like you've got a better grip of your feelings." Molly explained. "We know you have a duty as a Guardian and Ladybug, but there are also times when heroes know when to stand down for a while."
Marinette was uncertain as she felt her earrings before Tikki came up to her. "Marinette, I don't like this either, but I don't want you feeling you can't have love because of me. I want you to be happy, and not locked in your room forever." She said sadly. "Maybe their idea will work, and after that we'll be together again. I know it."
Marinette looked at Tikki for a moment as tears fell before she held her kwami and nuzzled her, "I love you Tikki," Marinette said tearfully.
"I love you too, Marinette." Tikki whimpered.
The two girls look at the two as Marinette took off her earrings and Tikki went into them as she drop the earrings over her bed, which Molly manage to catch.
"Take them to Alya, she filled in for me once, she can do it again," Marinette said solemnly.
"Will do." Molly nodded before giving one last look to Marinette. "Don't worry, Marinette, you'll see Tikki again. You just need some time off duty and finally feel comfortable with Adrien."
"I hope you two are right." Marinette said. "And, I want you to know that apart from Adrien, Chloe and Lila, the others…" She trailed off.
"You want them to know who you are, right?" Molly guessed.
"Yes. I did. Since we're giving every Miraculous back to the holders they were chosen, and that most already found who I was, I can't force Rose, Juleka and Alya to hide it from the rest." Marinette said solemnly, "I trust them not to say anything."
"We understand, Don't worry, this will work." Kara assured as they walk out of the room. "Just give it a shot, we got you covered." She finished before the door closed.
Marinette sat on her bed while feeling her now bare ears, "Back to being Marinette, just a normal girl, with a normal life," She said softly as she looked at the photos she dumped in the trash and climbed down to take them, "Maybe they're right, maybe this is what I need," she said, pulling put some photos and bringing one photo close to her chest. "The chance to finally be with the person my heart is telling me." She added while holding the photo, which is a picture of Adrien.
Later that day, the Zodiacs team all in the building while Daniel is holding the Cat Miraculous while Molly is holding the Ladybug Miraculous as they hid them in their pockets so that no other students see them.
"Let's hope your idea works, Daniel. Because if not, then all this will be for nothing." Sam said.
"Me too, part 2 of my plan is to help get Adrien and Marinette know when to get back into the game, but it's risky." Daniel said, "We tell the Temporary holders not to remove their Alliance Rings," He said.
"What?!" They all exclaimed in shock.
"Dan, the rings will lead Monarch right to them! And then he'll snatch Tikki and Plagg right from under us!" Jacob stated
"Exactly. If Marinette and Adrien found out those are in danger, it'll give them the jump start they need to be heroes again, and by then Marinette's heart will be on Adrien and Cat Noir will have one less thing to worry about as Adrien." Daniel explained as he look at the Miraculous. "I know it's dangerous and we risk giving Monarch what he wants, but Adrien and Marinette are already hurting, and their the only ones who can stop him."
"But are you sure it's a good call?" Molly asked with a uncertain look.
"I don't know. But if we don't do anything, Marinette and Adrien's lives will be crushed even more and they'll be back to square one." Daniel pointed out. "Look, let's discuss this to the others before we do anything. We still need to find someone to fill in for Cat Noir and Ladybug before we can proceed." He reminded them.
"Well, Marinette told me to go with Alya for the Ladybug Miraculous. She done it before so she's perfect." Molly said.
"But for Cat Noir, that's gonna be a tough one." Sam said, "It has to be someone who Adrien would trust, Nino?"
"No, too obvious," Jacob said. "He and Alya are already a couple, and it might make Adrien and Marinette more crushed since, well, you know."
"Good point. What about Luka?" Sam suggested.
"No, Luka is more of an observer like with the Snake Miraculous, destroying things isn't his thing." Kara noted.
"Well, we gotta find a holder for Plagg soon, none of the other boys fit the description, Mylene isn't one for destruction and I don't trust Lila as far as I can throw her, so who does that leave?" Molly questioned.
Daniel thought for a moment while thinking who can be the best temporary user for the Cat Miraculous before his eyes widen with an idea. "How about a certain blonde girl?" He asked.
"Wait, we're giving it to Chloe?!" Sam questioned in shock. "I know you said she's changing but isn't it a little too soon to give her a Miraculous again, especially the Miraculous of Destruction?"
"I wasn't talking about Chloe." Daniel said with a brow, which made the others surprise. "I was talking about the other blond girl, her sister." He explained.
"Oohhh, Zoe." They all said in realization.
"Yeah. Zoe is nice and very determined. And she doesn't have a Miraculous since Monarch took Pollen." Daniel stated. "And Chloe did tell me once Zoe needed a confidence boost, so entrusting her with Plagg would be killing two birds with one stones."
"You know, he does have a point. Zoe is better suited for the Cat Miraculous," Kara said before frowning, "Of course that means we'll have to explain her and the others how we got these Miraculouses in the first place."
"Those two have done so much for them, both with and without the masks, I know they'd jump at the chance to help them back." Molly told her, "And they already gave us the okay to tell them."
"As long as Chloe and Lila aren't around them, we can spill." Sam said. "Though, I think we should give them the idea so Adrien and Marinette can say it themselves when the time comes."
"Sounds good." Daniel said as he grab the earrings from Molly as he look around and notice the art classroom is crowded. "We don't have any classes and looks like the others are in the art room, probably discussing a way to bring Adrien and Marinette together." He noted.
"Well, time to face the music," Kara declared.
They all walked up the stairs and to the art room door as they opened it, noticing the entire group, except for Chloe, Sabrina, and Lila, in the room.
"Marinette is in love with Adrien," Marc said, pointing to a picture of Marinette.
"And Adrien is in love with Marinette." Nathaniel added while pointing to the picture of Adrien.
"So then what's the problem? I mean, it doesn't get any simpler than that." Mylene said as Ivan, Marc, Juleka, Rose, Alya and Nathaniel looked at each other, already having a good idea what the problem was.
Just then, Alya's ring started ringing as she walked up to a corner and answer it.
Daniel cleared his throat, "We may have an idea." He said, which got the group attention while Alya is still on her ring.
"Yo, Daniel, guys, you dudes are just in time." Nino said with a smile.
"So do you know why Adrien and Marinette can't get together?" Zoe asked.
The Zodiac group looked at each other as they fidgeted nervously, "It's complicated, let's just say it's for Marinette to explain." Molly said.
"And same goes for Adrien." Jacob said while scratching his head. "But, there's another reason we were allow to reveal to you."
"Well, we're all ears." Zoe said as the group, except for those with Miraculous, all listen carefully while the rest gave worried looks, already having an idea what it was.
Daniel ruffled his hair, not sure how to say but he did have something else, "Before we show you, you have to promise Marinette and Adrien won't hear the other's secret from any of you, they need to reveal to each other on their own." He told them.
"If it that's serious, then we promise dude." Nino said while the others nodded while those with Miraculous felt unsure.
"Daniel, are you sure?" Ivan asked uncertainly.
"I'm afraid we have no choice, Ivan." Daniel said as he sighed and reached into his pocket as Molly did the same, "The reason Adrien and Marinette have a hard time of being together is…"
"…because of these." He finished as he revealed the Miraculous of the cat and Molly showed the Miraculous of the ladybug to the group.
"Earrings and ring?" Max asked while tilting his glasses. "I calculate that these items couldn't have gotten in between their relationship." He calculated.
"They're not just any ring and earrings, Max." Kara spoke seriously. "These are the Miraculous of the Cat and Ladybug." She revealed.
"What?!" The whole group that doesn't have Miraculous all exclaimed in shock while the others flinched from their outburst.
"Yes, and I think you can guess who was wearing them this the whole time." Sam said to them.
It too them a moment to process on what they just learned before they gasped again. "Wait a minute, are you saying Cat Noir and Ladybug…" Nino trailed off in shock.
Daniel nodded, "We think it's better that you hear it from them but you're definitely thinking right," he said.
"Wow, I calculated that it 100% a perfect match and the comparisons and conveniences of when Adrien and Marinette disappeared make sense now!" Max exclaimed.
"No way. So it was our friends who…" Mylene trailed off, shocked by what they just learned.
"No, way." Zoe breathed.
"But here's the kicker, they don't know each other identities." Molly spoke up. "So I think you can guess why they're struggling so much."
"And truthly, we already did." Marc said as he, Nathaniel, Alya, Ivan, Rose and Juleka all walked up while feeling a bit awkward.
"What, you guys know about this?" Kim asked in shock.
"For a while now." Ivan answered.
"We learn of their identities by accident when we have to transform back during Safari hunting us." Rose explained while rubbing her arm while Juleka place hand on her shoulder.
"They planned on telling you once we got your Miraculouses back but, I guess that's not the case anymore." Juleka said to them.
"Wait, Alya, did you have the fox Miraculous back?" Nino questioned.
"No, Nino. I still don't have Trixx. But Marinette told me a while ago." Alya said before turning to the Zodiac Team, "So, seeing how you have their Miraculous, I'm guessing things have gotten worse?"
"Actually, yeah. But it was our idea for them to give them to us." Daniel said, which got their attention.
"What are you talking about?" Marc asked.
Daniel looked to them, "I have a plan to help those two get a better grip on their civilian and hero lives, but it's very risky, so we'll need all of you to help to make sure it works." He told them.
"Well, we are the Resistance and the Miraculous Team, even those who don't have a Miraculous." Alya said, gesturing to the group. "So, what's your plan?"
"We're gonna make it so Monarch can get the Ladybug and Black Cat Miraculous." Daniel said bluntly.
"What?!" They all exclaimed before Daniel raised his hands.
"Now, I know you all think I'm crazy," Daniel started.
"That's putting it nicely!" Alya retorted.
"But, this is for their own good! We're not gonna let Monarch take the Miraculous, but we can't keep Marinette and Adrien depressed when stopping Akumas." Daniel continued. "Their hearts were already hurting when this love square of theirs was reversed."
"Reversed? What are you…" Nino asked before Sam spoke.
"When they first got their Miraculous, Adrien loves Ladybug who is Marinette and now he loves just Marinette, but then Marinette loved Cat Noir after moving on from Adrien even though Cat Noir is Adrien." Sam explained with a dull look. "Their feelings are thrown into such a tailspin they can't even go on a simple date."
They all look at them with wide-eye that it hit them. "Okay, this just got from bad to worse." Mylene said.
"And we're afraid that if this keeps up, they'll have to give up their Miraculous, for good." Jacob added, "Or worse, they might actually get Akumatized."
"Then what can we do?" Rose asked in great concern.
"Well, we came up with a plan that involves Alya and Zoe temporary acting as Ladybug and Cat Noir," Molly said.
"Wait, you're giving me the Cat Miraculous?" Zoe asked in surprise.
"You're best suited than the others to use the Black Cat, Zoe. You do have the potential to be a hero and you always wanted a confident boost." Kara said with a smile, which cause Zoe to smile back in return.
"And then, we want you two to keep your alliance rings on, even when you transform." Sam continued. "That way, during the next Akuma attack, Monarch will be able to track you, that's the easy part."
"But then he will know who we are and he will take the Miraculous from us." Alya pointed out. "What's that gotta help Marinette and Adrien?"
"If they found out their Kwamis and friends were in danger that would give them more then enough reason to spring into action," Kara explained, "Once Monarch takes the bait and he has Tikki and Plagg, we all jump and keep him busy until Marinette and Adrien arrive and help us out."
"So that not only will they be able to get their hero confidence back up, but they can also be a couple they were always meant to be." Nino finished as he smiled.
"Exactly!" Daniel declared, "It's risky gambit, but it might be the only way to get those two back on track." He said before looking at their faces. "Look, if any of you don't want to be part of this, it's okay to speak your mind, but Ladybug and Cat Noir have done so much for each of us, it's time we repay them for it."
The all look at each other in thought, knowing that if this plan to help Marinette and Adrien failed, they will lose the Ladybug and Black Cat Miraculous to Monarch, and they will all lose, but if they don't try, something terrible could happen to them.
Alya then spoke. "If it finally get Marinette's heart on the right track, I'll do anything." She declared as Molly gave her the earrings.
"Our friends helped us, so we must return the favor." Zoe said as she walked up to Daniel. "I'm willing to take the risk to make them happy." She said.
Daniel then look at the others, seeing them gave determined smiles as he smiled at them. "You're all heroes, with or without the masks." He said as he gave the cat ring to Zoe as she and Alya put them on.
As Tikki and Plagg appeared, Molly leaned close to them, "We'll ask you two again, are you absolutely sure you want to go through with this?" She asked.
"If it makes our holders get the cheese more stinky and delicious, we're willing to take the risk." Plagg said in determination.
"We want them to be happy, not be apart and alone." Tikki said, willing to go through with the plan. "We'll do whatever it takes to get them back to normal."
Daniel nodded, "Good, then all have to do is wait for the next…" He was cut off when stomping sounds can be heard as the entire room shook. "Huh, that's convenient." He commented in surprise.
They all rushed out the school and saw an akumatize villain, the size of Gorzilla but looks like a a DJ man with a gold items on him while the head is covered in the Shellter power. "Clout!" He exclaimed as his hand shot out like a ball in chain, which hit the building as the fist was retracted back.
The other gasped, "He's using Shellter and Clout?!" Sam asked in shock.
"But how can that be?! We already took back the Tiger Miraculous?!" Jacob called out while gesturing to Juleka. "And Juleka isn't Akumatized!"
"Could Monarch have given that Akuma the power to use Miraculous power he had?" Alya wondered.
"Not exactly, a Miraculous can't copy other Miraculous powers." Daniel said in thought. "He must have found another way to use their powers even without the actual Miraculous."
"Yeah, but did you catch those Clouts? They didn't seem as powerful as the Miraculous's Clout." Juleka said, since she knows her power.
"We'll discuss it later, right now, we have a bad guy to face and plan to spring. It's time to transform!" Daniel declared as they all scattered to transform in different spots and avoid suspicion, "Huánglóng, Heaven's Ascend!" He called.
"Báihǔ, Earth Rise!"
"Nán Fāng, Fire it up!"
"Qīnglóng, Wind Rage!"
"Xuan Wu, Water's Flow!"
"Daizzi, Rejoice!"
"Orikko, Sunrise!"
"Stomp, Make Way!"
"Ziggy, Bleat it!"
"Roarr, Stripes on!"
"Tikki, Spots on!"
"Plagg, Claws Out!"
They all transformed into their Miraculous forms, jumped out of the school and after the Akuma.
The heroes ran through the rooftop with Dragold leading the charge as they landed on on the rooftop with a news copter behind them as they landed, while Scarabella and Zoe losing their balances as they regained them.
Dragold turned to them with an amusing look. "Out of practice for not having a Miraculous in so long?" He teased.
"Sorry, Foxy trickery is more my thing," Alya said.
"And this cat doesn't always land on her feet." Zoe added sheepishly.
Caspian bumped her, "Just stick with us Kitty Noir." Caspian named her.
"Us cats gotta stick together," Purple Tigress added, which made Kitty Noir smile.
"I am Kiku!" The akumatized villain called out once it saw the heroes, which made them all jump out of the way when he use Clout on the roof they were on.
They all landed on the ground as they saw Kiku using his powers again. "Scatter!" Dragold exclaimed as they all split up before they were hit.
"Looks like introductions are in order." Rooster Bold joked.
"Yeah." Kitty Noir nodded while turning to Kiku. "Why don't we start by calming down… Kipoo?" She joked with a smirk, which made the others smile in amusement.
"You, Caprikid and Pigella distract him, the cats and I will strike him from behind!" Dragold ordered to Sacrabella.
"Understood!" Scarabella said with her yo-yo out.
"Everyone else, get the people to safety!" Dragold finished, which made the rest of the heroes nodded and rushed out to get the people out of harms way.
The two teams then rush at different directions while Scarabella's team all charge as Scarabell through her yo-yo, which got Kiku's arm, but he turned toss her to a building, Caprikid and Pigella all charge at him, but Kiku punched them back to another building.
Just then, Dragold's team all jump into the air with their weapons out. "Purple Tigress, try and show this Clout showoff how it's really done!" Dragold suggested.
Purple Tigress nodded as she raised her fist, "Clo-" She started.
"Voyage!" Kiku called as he suddenly portaled away and appeared behind them and use his cout at them.
But before he could hit them, Scarabella's yo-yo caught all four of them and got them up to her and her team.
"Nice save." Dragold said as he landed next to Scarabella as she caught Kitty Noir, Caspian landed beside Caprikid and Pigella caught Purple Tigress.
"No problem. That why we're a team. We can help each other." Scarabella said as they all smiled.
"So Kiku not only has Shellter and Clout, but he can use Voyage too." Caprikid noted. "That's impossible to use multiple powers at once!" He stated.
"Not unless Monarch somehow made it work." Dragold said seriously.
"But maybe we should pay attention to the most obvious one," Kitty Noir pointed to the Shellter around his head, "Why would he keep the shield around his head?"
"Unless to protect the Akumatized object, which makes sense why he's using Shelleter only on his head!" Dragold exclaimed while turning to Kitty Noir. "Kitty Noir, you are brilliant!" He exclaimed.
"Thanks!" Kitty Noir said with a smile before they all fell into a portal, which startled them before they were all hit by his Clout, which knocked them all back to the ground.
"If this gonna work, I suggest we do it now!" Phoenix called out as she and the others returned, "Got the people out of the way, now to deal with the bear in the room."
"The akuma is in the his head gear behind the shield! If we get that, we stop him!" Scarabella called out.
"Don't make Kiku angry!" Kiku roared before he threw his Clout infuse hands in the air, which made the other heroes doge it as they at charge at Kiku.
"Kitty Noir, destroy that shield!" Terrapin called out.
"On it!" Kitty Noir nodded as she jump forward. "Cataclysm!" She brought out her power, but as soon as she touch the shield, they were all shock that her Cataclysm did no damage as it was canceled out before Kiku head butted her away.
"Hey, that's my power!" Minotaurox called out in shock.
"Resistance! It's immune to our power!" Caspian griped, realizing it wouldn't be that easy.
"How could Monarch still use these powers since we took the other Miraculous back!?" Rooster Bold exclaimed.
"Don't know, but he's still gonna lose!" Purple Tigress exclaimed.
"First Shellter, Clout, Voyage, and now Resistance! Are there any more surprise?!" Hydrake asked before Kiku slammed his fists together and changed into three smaller Kikus, "He can use Multitude too?!"
"Just how many powers can Monarch can transfer?!" Pigella asked worriedly.
"No idea, but to destroy his headgear, we have to destroy the shield." Scarabella spoke.
"Which will be tough since Kitty Noir already used her Cataclysm." Caspian stated.
"And since he's invulnerable…" Kitty Noir said next.
"We can't destroy the shield." Minotaurox finished.
"We've already gotten the Ox Miraculous back, so Monarch must be using reserve energy," Dragold guessed, "I use my power to cancel the Resistance out and then extract the Turtle Miraculous's power from him."
"Then we can get to the Akuma!" Scarabella Finished.
"But I need him distracted to get close and extract that Miraculous." Dragold stated. "If I do it while he's looking at me, he'll smash me."
"Then consider us your distraction." Rooster Bold said with smile.
Dragold nodded, "I'll get into position, you guys just make sure he stays in one spot." He said before leaping off.
"Then we better give him a hand. Lucky charm!" Scarabella exclaimed, throwing her yo-yo up as it created some big parachute.
"Looks like we're gonna land our feet after all." Kitty Noir joked.
"That's right. And here's the plan to help the others." Scarabella said to her.
The other heroes then got out in the open as Kitty Noir walked out. "Oh, no, you're so scary, Kiku!" She called out before she held the parachute and used the staff to get away.
"Aha!" Kiku and his clone called out. "She's afraid of Kiku! Chicken!" He yelled out.
"Scaredy Cat is what I call!" Caspian said as he Purple Tigress stepped out with Scarabella, "Just goes to show you should never send a kitten a tiger's hunt, am I right, PT?" He asked Purple Tigress.
"Why of course." Purple Tigress said with a teasing smirk. "Forget about that her, she's not worth it, try us on for size!"
"Unless Cookie thinks he can't handle two tigers and one bug?" Scarabella taunted with her arms crossed.
"Not Cookie! Me, Kiku!" Kiku and his clones exclaimed.
"Yeah, right, it's just you and us now. I mean, us and the three of you." Sacarabella said a little confusedly.
"Problem with Multitude, I don't who we're supposed to talk to, Kiku, Kiku or Kiku." Purple Tigress mocked.
"I'm looking at Kiku," Caspian said with a smirk to the girls, "He's not as ugly as Kiku." he said as the girls laughed at the Kiku growled from the taunts.
"Kiku wanna hit the heroes!" The three Kiku exclaimed as they all charge their Clout fist at them, which Purple Tigress stood in front.
"Clout!" Purple Tigress raised her fist and charge up purple energy and punch at the three fists at the middle, which both Clout powered hands clashed with each other, which is blinding the group before they each canceled each other out as the three Kikus were pushed back while Purple Tigress fell to her knees in exhausted. "Whoa. That was wild." She breathed out.
"My turn, Tiger Dasher!" Caspian legs glowed as he then charge at one of the Kikus on the right while facing him. "Hey, giant DJ, is that all you got!?" He taunted.
"Kiku will crush the white cat!" Kiku yelled as he threw his fist down.
"Tiger Gripper!" Caspian yelled out as he caught the hand, and then he punch him back in the air, which made Kiku collide with a clone, "Come on!" He called before dodging another fist.
The three continued to distract the Kikus as the other heroes got their trap ready, while Dragold was on the rooftop as he watched his teammates distract Kiku and his clones, wanting to help them, but needed to stick to plan as he pulled out a sword and spoke through the communicator.
"Kitty Noir, are you and the others in position?" Dragold asked through his sword.
"Just about. Let's give Monarch a good show." Kitty Noir said as Dragold saw Phoenix and Rooster Bold holding the parachute in the air above one of the Kikus' heads as Kitty Noir rose up on her staff with a fire hose as it filled the parachute with blue paint.
Dragold then got ready to jump as the Kiku they are aiming as Scarabella, Caspian and Purple Tigress, "Wait for it, wait for it." Dragold told himself.
Kitty Noir then use her claws to cut the line of the chute as it fell into the middle Kiku's head. "Now!" Kitty Noir called.
Dragold then jumped and landed on Kiku's shield, "Dominate!" He called canceling the Resistance and then leapt back and did the extraction movements, "Miraculous Extraction!" He called with his arms directed at Kiku.
The Kiku in the middle groaned as green energy then started leaving him as the Monarch light mask appeared over his eyes while the other clones are feeling the same thing.
In Monarch's lair, he clutched his head again as he screamed in pain. "Ah! I can't stand this!" He groaned in pain while the ring of the Turtle Miraculous started flickering while Wayzz's cage glowed brightly.
Wayzz gave a smile from what was happening to him. "I am now free from slavery." He said as he and his miraculous disappeared as the turtle ring depowered.
Back with the other heroes, the Kikus all groaned before their shields all shattered and a ball of green light shot and into Dragold's hands as he landed on his feet and turned to Scarbella, "Scarabella, destroy the headset now!" He exclaimed.
"On it!" Scarabell nodded as she threw her yo-yo at the middle Kiku as it wrapped around the headset and destroyed it as the Megakuma flew away and she opened her yo-yo and twirl it around. "No more evildoing for you, Megakuma. Time to devilize!" She yelled before she caught the Akuma, "Gotcha! Bye-Bye Butterfly." She said letting the Butterfly go.
The three Kikus then faded and merge back into one as he transformed back to normal. The heroes stood in front of the man as Nora showed up. "Geeze Cookie, you went Bananas again!" Nora said.
"Huh? Hey, come on. I didn't do anything." Kouki said before turning to the heroes, "Did I?"
"You were Akumatized." Pigella explained.
"And pretty angry, too." Scarabella added.
Dragold then saw his hands, "What the-?! Five Alliance rings?!" He sputtered in shock, "No wonder Monarch was able to give so many powers! He put one power in each ring!" He exclaimed.
"That was her fault." Kouki said in defense while accusing Nora. "She made a fool out of me."
"Oh yeah?" Nora questioned as he got next to Kouki. "Well, better be respectful when you talk to me then." She growled before the two turned away from each other and crossed their arms.
"Maybe you two should try and keep your emotions in check when you're communicating." Scarabella suggested as the two look at each other and gave small smiles.
Dragold then look at his hand and saw the Turtle bracelet Miraculous and Wayzz in his hands as Scarabella came up to him. "Wayzz, are you okay?" Scarabella asked in concern.
"I am alright. Just tired and starving is all." Wayzz assured her while his stomach growled.
"I better get you to your holder. He's gonna be so…" Scarabella was about to take Wayzz and his Miraculous before Dragold stopped her, his eyes gesturing to her pointer finger, "Oh right, the plan." She whispered, remembering they're plan was to lure Monarch in but they couldn't risk him learning Carapace's identity all over again.
"I'll take him to his holder. Just remember this was the easy part." Dragold whispered to her that they still had to get to the risky part of the plan.
Scarabella nodded as she watch Dragold leapt towards the School where Nino was before she toss the parachute in the air. "Miraculous Scarabella!" She exclaimed as the magical ladybugs all flew around and restore the damage Kiku did as the heroes turned to each other.
"Pound it!" They all exclaimed while also getting a serious look.
"Now, all we have to do is wait and see if Monarch took the bait." Caspian whispered to them.
"Then comes the really ugly part." Rooster Bold said.
"And let's cross our fingers this helps Marinette and Adrien. Because if not, then we're in the fight of our lives." Phoenix said as they all hoped their risk would pay off.
At the school, Nino and the others were waiting at the school, hoping that the others were okay and hope the plan worked while Nino tapped his foot impatiently and anxiously. "If I was Carapace, I would've shown that overgrown bear what a Shellter looks like." He groaned.
"Be patient, I'm sure Alya and the others are okay," Mylene told Nino.
Nino sighed as he looked to the door just as Daniel walked in, "Well, did the plan work?" Nino asked.
"Since Alya and Zoe were wearing their Alliance rings, Monarch must be on the trail." Daniel said before he raised his hand. "We don't know when he'll show, but when he does, I think this might help us." He said, offering Nino a miracle box.
Nino beamed and took it as he removed his Alliance ring, "Goodbye Alliance, hello Carapace!" He exclaimed happily and opened the box.
It showed the Turtle Miraculous as a green sphere circled Nino, who gave a big smile as the sphere revealed Wayzz. "Dude!" They both exclaimed as they did their secret handshake.
"Wayzz, my man, good to see you again buddy!" Nino exclaimed before he saw Wayzz floating down before he caught him. "Whoa, dude, you look pooped." He noted.
"Indeed and rather hungry too." Wayzz said with a small smile while clutching his growling stomach.
"Don't worry, dude. I got some food right here." Nino said as he brought out some snacks he kept from his pocket and offer them to Wayzz.
Daniel smiled as the other heroes, already detransformed arrived, "So, that make seven Kawmis rescued." Rose said with a smile.
"And only eight more to go." Sam said before counting, "Monarch still has the Miraculous of the mouse, the dragon, the snake, the horse, the dog, the monkey, the fox, the bee and of course, his own Miraculous of the Butterfly."
"And if our plan works, we'll be one step closer to getting them back too." Daniel declared as he bore a serious expression, "Now, let's just hope that next time we see Monarch, we'll be ready."
The whole group nodded as they now had one great concern: To see if their plan to use Monarch to help Marinette and Adrien find their inner strength would work.
In Monarch's lair, he transformed back into Gabriel as he look at his alliance ring as a.i. Version of Emilie appeared. "Warning threshold exceeded. Data beyond normal human capabilities have been recorded on two Alliances." It informed.
Gabriel gave an evil smirk at this news. "Sometimes change is good." He said and gave an evil laugh, thinking he finally had the heroes trapped not realizing, it was the other way round.
