The Miraculous Team pulling on Cat Noir's staff with Ladybug's yo-yo wrapped around it to pull a massive boat that started sinking into the river as Cat Noir talked to Ladybug.
"So…" Ladybug started while tugging on her yo-yo string. "...you're actually totally in love!"
"Ease that pull! Steady as she goes!" Dragold called as they tried to keep the bus from falling again.
"Otterly, absolutely, totally in love!" Cat Noir answered Ladybug with a strain before he gave a smile. "She's so amazing, I could talk about her for hours." He said before he was pulled forward a bit before he pull back. "I mean, I won't. Cause that would put our secret identity at risk."
"It doesn't really matter who she is, what's matter the most is that she loves you back" Ladybug said before she was tug forward again before she pulled back. "So does she?" She asked.
"Hey! None-lovebird, sinking ship about to fall in here! Remember?!" Caspian reminded as they kept pulling. "Might wanna wrap this up!"
"Right, sorry!" Ladybug and Cat Noir both exclaimed as they pulled the boat out.
A little bit later, the heroes were sky diving from the Eiffel Tower. "So you're in love too!?" Cat Noir asked Ladybug.
"So much!" Ladybug answered with a smile. "Well, I can't tell you anything because it would jeopardize my secret identity. But you know what I mean!" She called out as she dive close to Mr. Pigeon, who was akumatized…again.
"Oh brother." Hydrake groaned.
"How many times has this guy gotten Akumatized?" Caprikid questioned.
"From when we last saw him, this is the 73rd time." Cat Noir answered.
Phoenix then did a swoop as she flew pass Ladybug, grabbing the whistle and then tossed it to Ladybug, who then tossed it to Cat Noir.
"What matters isn't what you tell me, it's what you tell him." Cat Noir used his Cataclysm to destroy the whistle as the Megakuma flew out of it. "Did you tell him how you feel?"
Ladybug caught the akuma as they all landed on the ground as she heard what Cat Noir just asked. "Oh, uh?" She then laughs nervously as Mr. Pigeon turned back to normal. "Everything's so natural between us, we don't even need to say anything. Miraculous Ladybug!" She exclaimed while tossing her lucky charm into the air to repair everything while Ladybug gave a sheepish smile at Cat Noir while the others sigh tiredly.
"And then I said, 'Talk about a golden opportunity'!" Dragold recalled as the heroes sat on the rooftops, looking to the sunset.
They all laugh as they find it clever. "That was pretty one, Dragy." Cat Noir said.
"Why thank you." Dragold said with a smirk.
"I'm super happy for you, Milady." Cat Noir said to Ladybug. "Can you believe? I have aa girlfriend, you have a boyfriend, and we can talk about it to the others and us."
"Like real friends." Ladybug said as they all pound their fists.
"It's awesome." They both said.
Carapace then gave a fake cough, "Um, dudes? Aren't ya forgetting something?" He asked as Ladybug and Cat Noir saw the others standing in a circle with their fists up.
Then they remembered, "Oh right!" Ladybug said as she and Cat Noir stood up and joined the circle.
"Pound it!" They all exclaimed, doing their fist-bump.
Cat Noir walked off after seeing his ring was peeping. "Catch you all later." He said, taking off.
"Now this is way more fun to talk about feelings to friends instead of crushing on them." Terrapin commented.
"Yeah, but lately, Monarch hasn't transferred any Miraculous power for us to take back yet," Minotaurox noted.
"Guess after we learned his secret, he decided to play is safe." Caprikid said.
Caspian then smirked, "Or he's still sore that he thought he was using us when we were actually using him and it ended with him getting paint-bombed." He said with a chuckle.
"He has been laying low for a while since then." Dragold added while looking at the city. "But from experience, it's usually just a few smaller weak Akumas than one really big, Miraculous supercharged Megakuma."
"So let's go over the Miraculous powers that we still don't have." Phoenix said while taking out a list of Miraculous they took back from her fan, which they checked off while the others are blank. "Since Monarch is still using each powers without their Miraculous, I made a list of Miraculous we reclaimed for us to know which to take back next."
"So which ones are left?" Purple Tigress asked.
"From this point, the dragon, horse, snake, dog, mouse, fox, and the bee Miraculous are the only ones unchecked." Phoenix answered.
"And the only Kawmi's powers we haven't seen yet are Longg, Sass and Barkk." Terrapin noted.
"Not surprising for the first two," Hydrake commented, "The Dragon and Snake Miraculous are probably some of the most powerful Miraculous."
"But we don't know if Monarch is using Sass or not." Rooster Bold point out. "We could be in some sort of loop and he knows our moves before we could even blink. He could know what we're doing and we won't even know it."
Dragold looked away, "I wouldn't be so sure," He muttered to himself.
"Well, we better turn in." Terrapin spoke as she walking to the edge, "We gotta get ready for school tomorrow."
"Yeah, good call. Let's call it a day, Team." Hydrake said as Phoenix grab him by the waist. "You never know when Monarch is gonna strike again soon or when he'll send akumas out, so we'll need the strength." He said before he took off with Phoenix.
"Yeah, we gotta be ready. You never know when Monarch will turn up again and I hope it's soon, because I'm ready for a rematch." Caspian said as he leapt away.
One by one, the team spread out while Ladybug stood there while in thought while Dragold notice.
"Ladybug, you okay?" Dragold asked.
"Huh? Oh, yeah!" Ladybug quickly said. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just thinking about something."
Dragold gave a brow, knowing that she's lying but doesn't want to put pressure on her. "Well, just remember if you ever need anything, you can always count on friends to pull you out of trouble." He said before jumping away leaving Ladybug with conflicting thoughts.
The next day, the Zodiac team are in science class while they chat to each other. "Wait, Marinette is still having trouble speaking to Adrien?" Daniel asked with a brow.
"Yeah, one minute she's doing just find but just when she's about to hold his hand she shakes and goes as destructive as in Earthquake." Sam explained.
"Well, Marinette is still trying to make her love with Adrien work." Molly spoke. "And at least their hero duties are more stable and not an issue anymore."
"She must still be traumatized from you-know-what," Kara said.
"That is true, you think she would move past that by now." Jacob noted. "But she does have a habit of being nervous, overdramatic and let's not forget her clumsiness. I think I saw her trip over nothing this morning."
"You know, it's strange that when she's Ladybug, she could balance herself, but she couldn't balance her love life?" Daniel questioned. "I think she's still working things around ever since her fling with Adrien as Cat Noir didn't work out. She is taken the baby steps to form that relationship after many attempts in the past."
"And Adrien seems to do better than her." Jacob commented. "He wanted to make Marinette his girlfriend after finally having eyes on her. Which is saying a lot."
"Hey, maybe we should check on them after school. To see how they're doing." Molly suggested as she brought up her phone, "I heard there's gonna be a concert at the Coffian's boathouse."
"Yeah, maybe this might be the push they need." Sam said with a smile. "Well, for Marinette anyway. Adrien seems ready for it."
"Well, we'll just have to find out. Because uh, to be fair, we wanted them to be together and not just chat or Marinette breaking down." Kara pointed out with a chuckle. "Seriously, if she kept doing that, I think she'd pass crazy town."
"Yeah, we should. We'll take partners, and as usual, girls with Marinette, boys with Adrien." Daniel said with a smile. "And let's see if this works, since they've been pushing more daisies than usual."
"Only one way to find out." Molly said. "Let's hope Monarch doesn't pull one at the event. He has a habit of being a buzzkill for Miraculous."
"Fingers crossed." Jacob told her.
"Toes too." Daniel added as they continued to listen to the lesson.
A little bit later, near the sun down, the Zodiac Team all made it to the house boat as they saw the others lifting some supplies as they enter the houseboat.
"Hey, guys. I hope we weren't late." Daniel spoke up to them.
"Don't worry, you're just in time, we're still setting things up." Luka assured them with a smile.
Molly looked around, "So, who's are star singer tonight?" She asked.
"Uh, we're still choosing." Adrien as he took out a sheet a paper he was working on. "I wrote a song for Marinette, but I don't know. I don't wanna make her uncomfortable." He said, showing Luka and the Zodiacs the song.
"You wrote a song for her? Hey, that's impressive man." Jacob said with a proud smile while punching Adrien's shoulder.
"And it's beautiful. We should play it with the band." Luka suggested.
And then, Rose came between them, having heard what they said. "Adrien, you wrote a song for Marinette?" She asked loudly as everybody heard her as Rose cheered loudly. "Oh! That's so cute!"
"Yes, Rose. It's cute." Molly said with a smile. "And I take it you all wanna help him win her heart?" She asked with a knowing smile.
"You know it." Alya said as they all huddle to Nathaniel, who is drawing something down on his notepad.
Kara looked to Sam, "It won't be as easy as they think, Marinette's past ghost are still haunting her." She whispered.
Sam nodded, "Should we tell them about that prank?" He asked.
"No, we shouldn't spoil the concert and that's Marinette's secret and her right to choose when to tell it, especially swimsuit underpants here." Kara said while gesturing to Kim. "Unless we cause another akumatization and bring back Dark Cupid, no way. Besides, this is something that only Marinette or Kim should say, and you know how the latter idiot is."
"Yeah, good point." Sam said in agreement.
Kara looking worried, "I just hope Marinette hasn't done regretful to anyone in her panic."
Kara then let a small gasp as she looked down and saw Sam holding her hand.
"I'm sure she hasn't." Sam assured her, not looking at her. "She's gotten better, we have to have faith in her, right?"
Kara gave a small sigh with a smile. "Yeah, she certainly does."
"I know just how to play it!" Ivan called out after Nathaniel finished his drawing.
"I'm super excited." Juleka said as they all spread out.
"I'll get some lanterns. It'll be more romantic." Mylene added.
"A dolphin? Where can I get a dolphin?" Kim asked in panic with his hands on his head.
"He does know that there's a dolphin floatie, right?" Jacob asked Molly amusingly.
"This is Kim, he's too bananas short for a monkey brain." Molly joked as the two laughed together. "Which makes sense that the Monkey Miraculous does fit him."
"Of course your the one one who's gonna sing your song!" Rose said as she pushed a stage-frighten Adrien up on stage.
"Heheh, looks like Adrien is about to get more than he bargains for Marinette." Sam joked.
Daniel laughed as he turned and saw Kagami coming aboard, "Ey, Kagami! long time no see!" He greeted with a wave.
"Hey, Daniel. I haven't seen you or the others in a while." Kagami said with a smile.
"Well, we've been kept busy. And your just in time, we need all hands on deck!" Daniel said pushing Kagami towards the others, "Hey guys, look who just came aboard."
"Hey, Kagami." Nino said as he continued to give the others some tasks.
"It's great you're here, Kagami. Can you play the tambourine?" Mylene asked.
"I need her for backup vocals." Nino said next.
"Do you happen to have a dolphin by any chance?" Kim asked.
"Dude, really?" Kara asked with a brow as Kim shrugged.
"Adrien is going to sing a song he wrote for Marinette." Alya said with a smile.
"Oh. Is Marinette coming tonight?" Kagami asked in surprise. "Good, I was worried about her. She's not answering her phone."
"Really, I saw her get your call but she just hung-" Sam tried to say but Alya rushed over and covered his mouth.
"Oh, you know Marinette. When she's super focus on a…" Alya then leaned in close. "Specific problem." She whispered while pointing to Adrien.
"That's good. It is through focus that we can make progress." Kagami said with a small smile.
"When it comes to showing up on time, she still has a lot of progress to make." Alya said as she use her phone to call Marinette, which she answered as it surprised Kagami. "Hello? Marinette, where are you?"
"I'm here!" Marinette's voice called out as they look up and saw her on her scooter. "And I am ready! Super, mega ready!" She called out as she ran to the stairs.
"Well, she's on time for a change," Jacob commented.
Marinette then ran to the house boat. "I've got the greatest idea of all time and-" She then gasped when she saw Kagami writing down something. "Kagami?"
Kagami folded the paper as she turned to Marinetted with a small smile. "Marinette, I have a question for you."
"Yes, right. Of course." Marinette said quickly while Kagami just kept a straight look. "A question makes total sense. Just not right now. I have to do something before-" She was cut off as Molly slapped her across the face, "Ow." She said, giving Molly a look.
"Sorry, but someone has to slap you out of it." Molly said with a bored expression as Marinette sighed before turning to Kagami.
"How about I come with you, Marinette." Kagami suggested.
"No! It's something I have to do on my own at this very moo-ment, I mean moment!" Marinette exclaimed as she rushed up into the boat house.
"Moo-ment?" Molly asked with a brow. "What is she, a cow?" She asked.
"No, her sign is the Snake." Kagami commented.
"What makes you say that?" Molly asked.
"Because she has a habit of slithering away under intense situations." Kagami answered.
Molly gave a chuckle. "That is actually pretty true." She said.
Adrien then walk up to Kagami. "It's great to see you here, Kagami. You're in time to hear the song I wrote for Marinette." He said with a smile.
"You've made your feelings clear and you're dealing with them That's good. I'm very proud of you," Kagami said with a smile as Adrien return the gesture.
Jacob looked at Kagami, "So, how are things going with your mom," he asked.
"Well, mother is still working on her business dealings with Gabriel Agreste, and I think she's still trying to get me and Adrien together even when we're not a couple anymore." Kagami answered.
Sam sighed, "Man, no offense Kagam,i but your mom sure doesn't know when to take no for an answer." He said.
"None taken." Kagami said with a shrug. "Even I find it annoying."
"Well, I'll give your mother this, she doesn't know when to quit." Daniel commented.
"Hey, how about we set up the concert and let Marinette be alone." Kara suggested. "From what I can tell, the snake might shed some scales." She joked.
They all laughed and got the concert ready.
A few minutes later, the group got ready while the band is all set up. "Well, things are looking swell." Daniel commented before turning to Molly. "Hey Molly, how about you bring in Lady Panics-a-lot up here and hear Adrien's song?" He suggested with a smirk.
"Sure thing." Molly said with a nod as she enter the houseboat and saw Marinette on the floor with a picture of a cow and Adrien.
"Adrien, I love moo!" Marientte called out while pulling the adrien photo in front of a cow while Molly stared at her strangely. "Adrien, I love moo!" She repeated.
"Uh, Marinette?" Molly asked, which startled Marinette as she quickly stood up.
"Ah, Molly!" Marinette yelled out with a sheepish smile. "How much of that did you see?" She asked with a blush.
"About the whole saying 'I love moo' thing. Which actually, pretty weird, even for you." Molly said with a brow.
Marinette slouched, "I tried practicing saying I love to Adrien but I keep choking up everytime I see his face." She said.
"And yet, you manage to find a loophole with a cow?" Molly asked. "Why didn't you just ask me or the others for advice?"
Marinette frowned, "You all, Tikki and Plagg already risked so much to make sure I could at least be comfortable with Adrien," she said, "I can't ask you to give anymore than that,"
"You were in your room all day trying to say 'I love you' to Adrien but you kept choking and decided to bring in a picture cover up, didn't you?" Molly guessed.
"Pathetic, I know." Marinette said, "That's why I couldn't let you waste your ideas on me."
"Marinette, it's okay to ask for help every now and then." Molly said with a small smile. "Not everything can be done by one person. And knowing you, I know you didn't do things alone."
"Well, yeah. That is true." Marinette said with a smile.
"Just go up there and just tell him." Molly encourage with a smile. "I mean, just say it simply, no plans, nothing fancy, just a simple straight forward 'I love you'.
Marinette look at her picture of Adrien for a moment as she sigh. "Okay, I'll try. But I can't make any promises."
"That's the spirit." Molly said before grabbing Marinette's arm. "Now come on, there's something on deck you should see." She said as she drag Marientte out of the room.
"Wait, what?" Marinette said in surprise before she was drawn on deck.
Once they were outside, Marinette saw the concert set up and saw Kitty Section on stage and Adrien with them. "Wait, what's going on?" Marinette asked in surprise.
Adrien then walk up to the microphone while the yellow lights shine on him while looking a little nervous. "Well, um, Marinette, this song's for you." He said said, which made Marinette surprise by that, "I don't need a grand decoration…" He sang.
"Adrien sings?" Marinette asked in surprise.
"For you, Marinette." Alya whispered.
"Adrien is singing for you. He wrote the song himself." Molly added with a smile.
Marinette turned back to Adrien with a breath taken expression.. "I don't expect words full of emotion." Adrien continued.
"Enmotion." Nino, Max and Zoe sang from the background.
"I don't need us to watch the sunset. Take a walk or a ride on a dolphin." He continued.
"Dolphin!" Nino exclaimed while Kim is holding a dolphin plushie as it made dolphin chirps.
"No I don't expect a thing." Adrien kept singing while Max, Nino and Zoe sang behind him.
"No, I don't expect a thing." They repeated.
"Because through your silence, I can hear your heart is beating. A rhythm fluttering like butterflies."
"Butterflies." Max and Zoe sang while Nino was a high note before Zoe stopped him before he could sing any loudly.
"The melody that no one hears but me. The melody that I know easily." Adrien kept singing while the others notice Marinette's awestruck expression as she watched him sing. "Because my heart beats the same as yours. The melody that simply says I, I love you." He finished as he reach his arms out to her while the light shines on Marinette.
Molly nudged Marinette to say the three words as Marinette realized all attention was on her.. Uh… I…" She started nervously as she closed her eyes and took a breath. "I have to tell him. Now." She said as she tried to find the words. "I… I need to moo! Be right back!" She exclaimed and rushed back into the boat house.
Molly facepalmed herself as she turned to everyone, "Excuse me," she said before dashing after Marinette.
Daniel watched them go while everyone else was surprised by that. "Was it my song?" Adrien asked his friends.
"No, I think she just couldn't find the words, buddy." Daniel said to him.
"Go on." Alya said to them.
"I'll join Molly to talk to Marinette." Kagami said before Alya stopped her.
"No, I'll go." Alya said as she rushed into the house boat. "I know her like the back of my hand." She exclaimed.
Kagami then took out the paper and wrote it down again and Nino pushed Adrien from the microphone. "Mic check, one-two, one-two!" He exclaimed.
Inside the house boat, Alya entered the room as she saw Molly literally trying to drag Marinette out of the room, "You don't need the moo!" Molly said as she pulled on Marinette by the legs.
"I do need the moo! I need the cow!" Marinette cried out dramatically as she scraped her nails against the floor.
"Uh, what are you two doing?" Alya asked as she felt strange by this scene.
"Marinette is trying to use the cow to tell Adrien she loves him!" Molly said as she kept pulling on the baker girl, "Even though she doesn't need it!"
"I have the 'I love', but not the 'moo'! I do need it!" Marinette cried out.
"You know, this is a new level of crazy for this girl." Molly commented to Alya while still trying to drag Marinette away.
"I know. It's as Chloe would say, it's ridiculous." Marinette said, as she gives up and Molly let her go, seeing that she gave up. "I'm utterly ridiculous." She flopped to the floor.
"Marinette, you're not ridiculous. You're just feeling the pressure." Molly said as she and Alya kneeled down towards her.
"She's right girl you just gotta be you. Like anyone who's about to profess their feelings of love to someone else." Alya added.
"No, it's more than that, girls." Marinettte said. "Something's wrong with me! I know! It's because I'm Ladybug. That's it! I'm petrified at the thought of doing something careless and losing the Miraculous again because I won't be focused on my mission. Besides, I'd be lying to Adrien the whole time-" She was cut off when she was slapped to the face again by Molly. "Ow." She said while rubbing her cheeks. "Okay, that's getting old."
"Sorry, but you were rambling on again, Marinette." Molly said with a smile.
"And right now, there's no mission or lies going on. It's just you, Marinette. Adrien who loves you and a beautiful song." Alya said, not knowing that Kagami was behind her and Molly.
Marinette panicked and pointed behind her, "Oh no, your not dodging it this Marinette Dupain-Cheng." Molly said firmly, "You being Ladybug has nothing to do with this!"
"We won't accept your excuses anymore!" Alya added firmly before Marinette pointed behind them, which made them realizes what she was saying as they realized they weren't alone.
"Oh crud." Molly muttered.
"We really need to shut our mouths, don't we?" Alya asked nervously.
"And I said the you-know-what out loud, didn't I?" Molly asked sheepishly.
They all slowly turned to Kagami, while seeing her staring at Marinette in shock, "M-Marinette?" She asked in shock.
"Ka-Kagami! H-How much of that did you hear?" Marinette asked nervously.
"About most of your rambling, and the part where Molly said that you're Ladybug." Kagami answered while still with wide eyes. "Are you?"
"W-What?! No! Hah! Me, Marinette, Ladybug?! Ha!" Marinette laughed crazily while flinging her arms with a nervous smile. "That's a good one, Kagami. Molly was just joking, there's no way that I'm-"
"Yes, she is," Molly answered honestly.
"Molly!" Marinette hissed through her teeth.
"Sorry, but it has to be said, she already knows." Molly said.
Kagami looked in wide eyes before she recompose herself and check off something on her paper. "I understand." She said as she walked out the house boat.
"Well, she took it well." Alya commented in surprise.
Molly then turned back to Marinette. "Hey, Kagami is you're friend, and basically everyone on this boat knows. And also, Ladybug isn't the one stopping you from telling Adrien how you feel, you are." She pointed out.
"Oh, really? Really?" Marinette challenged as she stood up. "How do you know that something terrible isn't happening in Paris? Someone in danger, someone getting akumatized without anyone anyone realizing it!" She rambled on while Alya and Molly got up. "By just being here, I'm failing my mission. Girls, cover for me." She said as she went to the window.
"Now hold on there girl. You can't just-" Molly tried to say but was too late.
"Tikki, spots on!" Marinette called out as she transform into Ladybug and swing out the window as the two girls watched her go.
They both sigh as they watch her go. "From where we're standing, your mission seems to be avoiding Adrien." Alya said with a frown.
Molly sigh as she shook her head. "I'll go get her. Nan Fang, Fire it up!" She exclaimed, transforming into Phoenix as she flew out the window and followed after Marinette. "Marinette, get your black spotted butt back here!" She exclaimed.
Ladybug jumped through the rooftops before she saw Phoenix flying over and landed in front of her.
"Hold it right there, LB, just because you go Ladybug, doesn't mean you should avoid your problems." Phoenix said firmly with her arms crossed. "You're only making things more difficult for yourself."
Ladybug sigh for a moment as she slumped her shoulders. "You're right. I only transform into Ladybug to escape Adrien. I'm the worst girlfriend/Heroine in the history of girlfriend/heroines! Now Adrien will never want to keep loving me, we'll never get married, have kids, buy a pet hamster and-" She was cut off as Phoenix slapped her in the face, "Again! Really?!"
"You keep rambling, and slapping you seemed to work everytime," Phoenix said with her arms crossed. "Also, you really need to face them instead of avoiding the problems, Marinette. Because I'm gonna have to break it to you because I'm the only one who can." She said as she got close to Marinette and slugged her over her shoulder and was about to whisper in her, but it wasn't a whisper. "THIS IS TOTALLY INSANE!" She yelled out.
Ladybug cringed back from the loud yell as she flung back to a wall while rubbing her ears. "Okay, Alya did that to me once, so I guess I deserved that." She said.
"Marinette, you gotta know when to face your fears head on and tell the truth other than finding ways to avoid it." Phoenix spoke up calmly. "Adrien sang you the most beautiful song I ever heard and the only thing you could say is moo?"
"Trust me, even I know it's lame." Ladybug said with her shoulders slugged. "The song Adrien sang to me is beautiful, it really touched me, but I just don't know why I couldn't just say it." She said.
Phoenix then gave sympathetic expression. "It's not the duty of Ladybug or Monarch keeping you from telling him, it may be you who's afraid that your heart will crushed in the worst way."
Ladybug look away while rubbing her arm. "I, I guess it must be that. Even after all this time, I'm still the same worried and clumsy girl who's afraid to even accept love again. I couldn't even say 'I love you' to Adrien. Let alone even face love again." She said sadly.
Phoenix eyes soften. "Marinette, closing yourself off from feelings, won't help anybody. Not even to yourself. I mean, granted you're as unpredictable and nervous as you usually be, but you can't let the past haunt you. Adrien is not like Kim." She stated.
"I know, but what if it happens again, what if I get hurt again, what if it will destroy me." Ladybug said while covering her eyes.
Phoenix then held her shoulder, "Then we'll be there to put you back together again." She said with a smile.
Ladybug gave a small smile at Phoenix as she gave her a friendly hug, which surprised her as she hugged back. "You're a great friend, Molly." She said.
"That what being friends is about, Marinette." Phoenix said as the two stood that way for a moment since Marinette needed the support.
At the house boat, Daniel and the three Zodiacs heard from Alya that Molly went after Marinette since she transformed to avoid Adrien as Kagami ran off, which they notice and so does Adrien as they all rushed out.
"What's wrong with Kagami?" Daniel asked as they saw her run out in tears as they tried to followed her before she dropped the paper as she was out of sight.
"Wow, that girl can move," Sam commented.
"But she was crying, I wonder what's wrong." Kara said in concern, having seen tears coming out of Kagami when she ran off.
They all nodded and rushed to her car, but found she wasn't in it. "Where'd she go?"" Jacob wondered.
Adrien then saw a piece of paper as he picked it up and read it. "'She doesn't pick up the phone when you call her. She uses a secret language with her other friends that you don't understand. Cow'? Hmm?" He hummed.
The others gave weirded out expressions, "Cow? What cow?" Sam asked.
"I don't know, but looks like it's a friendship test. Which is a weird one." Jacob commented.
"Well, we'll ask her when we find her, come on, she's must've went this way." Daniel suggested as they all rushed further, but as they ran, the people then started screaming as they skid to a stop. "What the heck?" He said slowly as they saw a giant made of clouds stand up in the shape of Kagami.
"I think we found Kagami." Kara commented.
"She's a giant cloud creature?" Sam questioned with a brow. "Why would Monarch do that? Is she suppose to make things a little cloudy?"
Daniel focused and narrowed his eyes, "No, it's something else, I can sense she has a Miraculous power," He said as his eyes widen, "The Dragon!" He gasped.
"Wait, Monarch gave her old Miraculous powers to her?" Adrien asked in surprise. "Oh boy, this might be bad. We gotta save her. Plagg, Claws out." He said.
"Huanglong, Heavens Ascend!"
"Baihu, Earth Rise!"
"Quinlong, Wind Rage!"
"Xuan Wu, Water flow!"
They all transformed as they all entered their Miraculous forms and followed the giant cloud Kagami.
Phoenix and Ladybug saw Kagami and Ladybug realized that her actions deeply hurt Kagami, "How could I be so stupid! I was so wrapped up in my problems I didn't think Kagami had any!" Ladybug exclaimed.
"Worry about that later, Ladybug. We gotta save her and get the Miraculous that Monarch gave her back!" Phoenix said as she flew through the air while Ladybug followed her.
They then watched Kagami from a rooftop to see her setting on the canal as the helicopter circled around her. "Well, Kagami doesn't seem to be attacking anyone. She seemed to be in deep thought." Phoenix noted.
Just then, the rest of the Zodiac team and Cat Noir came up behind them. "Hey, girls. We think this list we found belongs to her." Cat Noir said while giving it to Ladybug.
Ladybug read the list and realized her suspicions were correct, "Oh no, someone insensitive, blind and oblivious broke her heart when all she wanted was a friend to listen to her." She said in guilt.
"It's this friendship test that's absurd. Whoever wrote it must've wanted to make Kagami sad and upset." Dragold said seriously.
"Someone who's good at deception and wanted to break any connection to this friend," Caspian said.
Phoenix and Ladybug already knew who would do that, "Lila," They growled.
"She must've wrote this down to get Kagami to be sad and break her ties to that friend!" Phoenix exclaimed angrily.
"And that monster Monarch took advantage of it." Cat Noir growled.
"And worst, he charged her up with the power of the Dragon." Terrapin added.
"Monarch gave Kagami her Dragon Miraculous powers?" Phoenix asked in surprise, "Well that explains the cloudy body."
"We have to de-akumatize her and get Longg back!" Dragold exclaimed as they all stood up and Kagami stood up as well. "Charge at her!" He ordered.
The heroes then charge at Kagami, but they literally went right through her since she's made of cloud as they all hit the water, except for Phoenix since she flew up.
"Did you guys forgot that Kagami is literally made of cloud?" Phoenix asked them from above with a brow.
Caspian spat out some water, "Yeah, we might need a different approach." He said.
"One thing, how are we gonna de-akumatize her or extract the Miraculous if we can't touch her?" Cat Noir asked.
"Maybe get her attention through a megaphone?" Hydrake suggested with a shrug.
After getting out of the water and drying off, they found a megaphone as Ladybug spoke through it as they are in front of town hall.
"I'm sure your friend didn't mean to hurt your feelings." Ladybug called out. "She was probably so focused on other problems that she didn't see yours. But that doesn't mean she doesn't consider you her friend. Because she want to be worthy of your friendship, she didn't dare tell you all of her problems."
Kagami kept going while in her state, she could hear or see anybody in paris as she kept walking. "The city is so quiet. It never looked so beautiful." She thought.
"K-Kagami." A voice said in her head, which made her stop in surprise. "K-Kagami, can you hear me?"
"Who's there?" Kagami asked as she look around, hearing nothing as it stopped, she was confuse before she passed through the town hall.
The heroes all cringed when Kagami walked pass them. "She can't hear us?" Cat Noir asked in shock.
"And she can't see us either." Ladybug added.
"Monarch must've made her unable to see, hear or feel anything, which is why she's so quiet," Dragold said as he clenched his fist. "Just when you think he couldn't stoop any lower. It's gonna be really hard to get through to her if she doesn't even know we're here."
With Kagami, she look around as she saw the spot where her mother and her did some sparing. "How many times have I come here with Mother? She warned me that friendship could be a source of disappointment. But I didn't listen to her." She thought.
"Kagami. That's not true. Friendship isn't a disappointment." The voice said again, which made Kagami more surprise.
"Who are you? Why are you speaking to me? I thought I shouldn't be able to hear?" Kagami questioned before a helicopter saw a helicopter flying close to her as she waved it away.
The heroes saw this when they ran up to Kagami. "She ignores us but not the helicopter?" Cat Noir asked before Kagami got annoyed and her cloud form turned black and struck it with electricity.
"Still wish we were ignored?" Caspian asked sarcastically.
"Actually, I'm glad we're ignored." Cat Noir as Caspian jumped up.
"Tiger Gripper!" Caspian called out as he manage to catch the helicopter with his bare claws as Kagami turned white again and continue on as Caspian lowered the helicopter gently on the ground. "Whoo, that was heavy." He said.
"Thank you, Caspian." The pilot said as he and his crew exit the helicopter.
Terrapin then had an idea. "I think I know how we can get through to Kagami." She said with an idea.
A little bit later, they began to move the cars while Cat Noir called out from the ferris wheel. "A little bit to the right! Yeah, that makes the square. There, perfect!" He said.
Phoenix flew in, "She's coming! Get ready!" She called out.
Kagami just stood there. "Now that there are no friends left to yearn for, I can finally enjoy some peace." She thought.
"Kagami, no. This power, your power, it is meant to bring people together not push them away. You must to reject the akuma." The voice said.
"Who are you? I feel like I know you before." Kagami thought. "What are you doing in my head?"
"You know me when you were known as Ryuko." The voice called as as red, hazy silhouette of a serpentine-like creature floated around her.
Kagami gasped as she remember her superhero name when Ladybug intrusted her with the Miraculous of the Dragon, and knew only one other being who knew her. "L-Longg?" She asked hopefully.
But before Kagami could think any further, a car was through pass her head, which made her gasped and turned as more cars are being thrown at her as she turned black.
"She can't ignore us now!" Ladybug said with a smile.
Kagami look around before she saw the cars formations into a chinese word she can read. "'Kanji'? Talk. I don't want to talk. I want silence!" She exclaimed as lightning and hurricane formed around as the heroes and the cars were blowing away from the wind as they held onto the poles.
"She can complain about her friend, but she's not exactly the best communicator either!" Cat Noir exclaimed.
"So what? Everyone has trouble communicating from one time or another." Ladybug stated as they all wacked the cars away. "Sometimes, you try to tell things to people, and never works out."
"But that doesn't mean that you should be made fun of for it!" Phoenix called out as she fought against the wind.
Kagami then got the Monarch symbol over her. "The Miraculous heroes will never leave you alone. They'll never stop trying to de-akumatize you. Destroy them or you'll never have peace!" Monarch ordered.
"If this is what it takes!" Kagami called out.
"Kagami, no! Do not listen to him! Calm your mind! your friends wish to help you!" Longg pleaded from in her head as the red silhouette floated next to her. "Please, just clear your mind. Why don't we simply talk? Just you and I, please? I merely want to know what's causing you so much pain." He pleaded.
Kagami heard Longg's words as she knew that there's something that she has to say and not keep it in as she took a deep breath. "Okay, Longg, we'll talk. But not here." She thought and she calmed down as the storm and wind died down, which made the heroes surprise by this.
"She calmed down." Hydrake said in surprise.
"But how?" Ladybug asked in wonder as Kagami walked away.
Dragold concentrated and felt there was another presence other than Monarch linked to Kagami, it felt similar to Haunglong but not the same and realized it could only be one thing, "It's Longg, he's communicating with Kagami somehow." Dragold told the others.
"Wait, Longg is in her head?" Cat Noir asked in shock. "How is that possible? I thought when Monarch transfers Miraculous powers, the Kwamis aren't able to communicate." He pointed out as they watch Kagami walked away.
"Longg is the Dragon Kwami, and dragons are not your average creatures" Dragold explained, "Longg might be capable of things the other Kawmis aren't,"
"It's true, Longg is a special case." Ladybug said in agreement. "But I don't know if he can talk Kagami out of the akumatization."
"Then we gotta help him get through to her!" Terrapin declared. "Ladybug, is there anything in your Lucky Charm to find a way to communicate to Kagami?"
"Only one way to find out. Lucky Charm!" Ladybug exclaimed, tossing her yo-yo in the air before a box of ironing beads fell and she caught it. "Ironing beads?"
"What are we going to do with these? Do the laundry?" Caspian sarcastically asked.
Ladybug then thought as she visioned a flat iron, painting and crafts supplies, and the stadium. "Guys, I'll get the rest of the team but I need you all to go shopping." She said to them.
"Say what?" Hydrake asked.
After Ladybug explain to them, they all nodded in understanding as they brought out their notebooks and wrote down the supplies she needed.
With Kagami, she sat on the school while listening to Longg in her head. "Longg, I know I said that I wanted silence, but it's so good to hear your voice." She thought.
"I know Kagami. And I'm sorry you feel hurt. But you must have faith in your friends. They would never abandon you," Longg said as around her was the red dragon was around her. "Just as I would never abandon you."
"I just don't know anymore, Longg. And to think, this school is where it all began. I thought they'd accept me as their friend, but I didn't measure up." Kagami said as she visioned her first time at school when she met Adrien and the others. "I'm not sure if I'm cut out for it. But in this form, I'm free from turmoil of my sadness over them, I can finally achieve the calm and perfection I so longed for." She said as her body began to evaporate as the clouds began to fade.
"Wait, no! Kagami, this isn't the way!" Longg pleaded as he flew close to her. "In this form, you're fade away into nothing. You can't just give up on friendship, it doesn't bring you down, but rises you up. Please, Kagami, you have to…" He was cut off when he strained and fell a bit.
"Longg?" Kagami asked in concern as she held the dragon in her hands. "What's happening? What's wrong?"
"Monarch. He's, using, me, Kagami." Longg strained as he manage to look at Kagami's face. "When he transfer my powers into you, I've been trying to use my strength to reach out to you, Kagami. But my energy has weaken my strength. I don't know how much I have left to stay in touch." He explained while he started panting.
"Oh, Longg. I shouldn't have used your powers like that. I'm so sorry." Kagami apologized as she held her Dragon close.
"No, I can still save us," Longg said as the red dragon flew away, "Follow me." He called.
Kagami looked at the retreating spirit longingly before she stood up and followed the dragon towards the stadium.
Phoenix saw her and soared down, "Kagami is coming this way! Is everything ready?" She asked.
"We're in position bird girl. Is Cat Noir guiding Kagami to us?" Hydrake asked.
"Uh, no. Kagami is willingly heading to the stadium." Phoenix answered, "Something else is guiding her."
"Longg?" Ladybug guessed.
Phoenix squinted, "I don't know but if it is Longg, he must be trying to help us save Kagami. He must know of our plan." She guessed.
"Then get back here and let's make sure it works!" Dragold ordered.
Phoenix nodded and soared down to the stadium as she landed with the others heroes.
Kagami followed Longg as they made it to the stadium. "Why are we here, Longg? I don't understand." She said in wonder.
"To show you that you are not alone, Kagami. Look down and you will see the truth…" Longg said before he went silent and the red dragon faded away.
"Longg? Longg?! Please don't leave me!" Kagami pleaded as she no longer hear her Kwami, feeling so alone, she listen to Longg's words as she look down to see some boards.
"OKy, now!" Dragold yelled as they raised their boards as one by one, the others all flipped their boards to show a picture of Kagami in the shape of heart.
Kagami was surprise by what she is seeing. "They did this all for me?" She asked while feeling touch before Monarch's mask appeared over her eyes.
"Don't look. The heroes are trying to trick you." Monarch called out.
"People came here for me?" Kagami kept going as she felt joy swelling in her.
"They only did this to distract you from your true purpose!" Monarch lied.
"Longg was right. I don't want to be alone anymore." Kagami said. "These people, I want to see them." She said as she gave a smile. "I want to see them! And I want to see Longg again!" She exclaimed.
Dragold notice that Longg managed to get Kagami through as he drew a message on the ground. Kagami saw the message say, 'Bring me in close and I'll get the Miraculous out of you.' With a golden dragon symbol on it.
"Please, bring Longg back, Dragold! I want my friends back!" Kagami exclaimed as she use her wind power to bring Dragold as he gently floated towards her.
"I promised we'd save your friend someday, Kagami. And that time is now." Dragold said as he then took his extraction stance as he raised his arm. "Miraculous Extraction!" He exclaimed, shotting towards Kagami.
Kagami felt red energy escaping her as she didn't try to resist it one bit, as she accepted with a tearful smile. "You're coming home, Longg." She said as her Monarch mask started flickering.
In his lair, Monarch felt the power of the Dragon drawn out of him, even more painfully as Kagami gave herself freely to it, "Impossible!" He yelled out in pain as his ring for the Miraculous of the Dragon flickered.
In Longg's cage, he felt himself shining bright, seeing that he is now free as he gave a smile. "Kagami, I'm coming," He said as he and his Miraculous disappeared and Monarch fell to his knees.
With Kagami and the others, the red energy flew out of Kagami as she panted a bit, while the choker of the Dragon Miraculous and Longg flew out and landed in Dragold's hands.
Kagami felt that she no longer had the power of the dragon, which meant Longg was free and she rejected the Akuma, transforming her back to normal as she started falling from a high distance.
"Kagami!" Phoenix called out as she quickly flew up to Kagami and caught her as she landed next to Dragold as the other heroes came up to them while the crowd cheered for them.
Kagami gave the heroes a smile. "You all deserve this applause." She said to them. "Thank you for saving me."
"Us? Kagami, listen harder." Hydrake said, gesturing to the crowd below.
"Kagami! Kagami!" The others in the stadium all cheered.
Kagami looked down stunned before Ladybug walked up to her. "You rejected the Megakuma all on your own. Kagami Tsurugi, you deserve every bit of that applause." She said .
"And I believe this belongs to you." Dragold said as he was about to give the Dragon Miraculous and Longg to her before he reeled back. "But first, can you take off that Alliance ring? Monarch doesn't know your identity anymore, so let's not help him remember, huh?" He suggested.
Kagami looked at her Alliance ring, her mother's creation that she gave her that Monarch been able to track others and almost expose the heroes' identities. Kagami gave a determined expression as she took off her Alliance ring and tossed it away into the far end of the stadium.
Dragold nodded with a smile. "We have a feeling that this little guy was in your head in that state. To help remind you that you always have friends." He said as he gently gave Kagami the choker and Longg. "He's earned a nice long rest."
"Longg?" Kagami asked the Kwami in her hands with concern.
Longg then opened his eyes while clutching his stomach with one arm as he gave a smile. "Hello, Kagami. It is good to see you again." He said with slight exhaustion and joy.
Kagami gave teary eyes as she smiled and held Longg closely. "Thank you, Longg. For not giving up on me." She weeped.
"I would always be there for you, Kagami." Longg said as he reached his arms held her chest.
The heroes all smiled at the two reunion as Phoenix walked up to Kagami and held out some snacks she saved. "Here, Kagami. Longg's probably starving after what he's been through." She said.
"Thank you." Kagami said as she accepted the snacks and Longg ate them respectfully.
"Miraculous Ladybug!" Ladybug exclaimed as she toss her Lucky Charm up and restored the damage and brought out a magical charm that is white clear with a cloud in it. "Kagami, I am giving you this magical charm as a symbol of mine and everyone's friendship." She said as Kagami smile.
"And now that you're a Miraculous Holder again, we'll fill you in on the details you don't already know." Dragold said as Kagami nodded.
The Heroes came in together as Ladybug turned to Kagami, "Care to join us?" She asked her as Kagami smiled and joined the circle.
"Pound it!" The heroes declared, putting their fists together.
A little later, Marinette finished explaining all that happened, involving her as Ladybug, her struggles with her relationship with Adrien.
"And that's why I've been acting like that to you." Marinette finished. "Thank you for not mentioning I was Ladybug,"
"I'm still surprise that you're Ladybug, but it all make sense and it was your right to speak it," Kagami said with a smile. "Though next time your in doubt, just pick up your phone."
"I'm sorry, I was afraid I was going to disappoint you." Marinette apologized.
"What? No." Kagami said to her. "I'm the one who was afraid of disappointing you. I've always had this feeling that I need to be the perfect person, but I don't know how to be a perfect person. And when I lost Longg, I thought I lost the only friend I left. I don't know how to behave around other people, so I never feel good enough." She explained.
"Huh? What? But that's exactly how I feel with Adrien." Marinette said in surprise. "Alya and Molly tried to tell me the same thing. I really should listen to my friends more." She then realize something. "Wait! That's my problem. I don't know why, but I don't feel good enough I can't talk to Adrien! Kagami, thank you!" She exclaimed as she hugged Kagami, who was surprise by that.
"Thanks to you, I've just realized something super important." Marinette said as Kagami gave a smile.
"Does that mean I've been a good friend?" Kagami asked.
"The best of friends." Marinette said.
"Isn't Alya your best friend?" Kagami asked again.
"Kagami. You're just as much my best friend as Alya." Marinette said with a smile. "The love you have for your friends isn't divided, it's multiplied." She said.
"And she's not the only one," The girls turned and saw Daniel and the other Miraculous holder, current and former, all standing together, "You don't have to be alone anymore Kagami, you're one of us now." Daniel said with a smile as they all brought out their phones. "You can call us whenever you want." He added as he clicked on his phone.
Kagami looked at her phone as she saw all of their phone numbers appearing in her contact list as she gave a tearful smile as she was glad to have friends like them.
A little bit later, Kagami was in the car as she rode home with Longg on her shoulder. "It's good to have you back, Longg. I've missed you." She said happily.
"I've missed you too, Kagami." Longg said with a smile. "But tell me, who was that convinced that young Marinette was not your friend?" He asked in concern.
Kagami frowned as she remembered, "Lila Rossi," She answered, remembering what Marinette warned about her and how she wanted to turn everyone she cared about against her. "I shouldn't have listened to that lying she-akuma."
"Then perhaps you should make it clear you won't be deceived a second time," Longg advised.
Kagami nodded as she brought out her phone and started calling Lila. "Hello?" Lila asked.
"Lila, I just wanna be clear, Marinette is not some manipulator, she doesn't lie or control people as puppets." Kagami said in a firm tone.
"Kagami, what ever you talking about?" Lila asked innocently.
"I'm saying that you will not use me again. We're done, Lila. I don't wanna see you or your face ever again," she said before lowering tone, "And if you even so much as try to turn anyone else Marinette cares for against her, there is nowhere you can run or hide that I won't find you." Kagami threatened in a serious tone as she hung up and then gave her Kawmi a warm smile and held him close.
In Lila's room, she look at her Alliance ring in shock, hearing Kagami's words really chill her to the bone as she glared and looked at her planning board on her bed before she screamed, grabbed it and tossed it away in rage.
"I'm losing grip. Kagami is no longer an asset to my plans." Lila growled as she took heavy breathes. "Clearly, Marinette and her friends are smarter than I gave them credit for, if I don't find a way to turn the tide, all of this will be for nothing." She said while looking at the night sky through her windows, seeing that her plan is crumbling faster than she thought.
At Gabriel's place, he was on his designer screen before Tomoe barged in with her sparing staff and slammed on Garbriel's injuried arm, which made him cringe in pain.
"You've sent a Megakuma into my daughters ring! You endanger her!" Tomoe yelled as she put pressure on Gabriel's arm. "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't rip you apart!" She demanded.
"Tsurgi-san, calm down." Gabriel said softly as he worked through the pain. "I didn't intend for things to get so extreme, but all I did was make sure she didn't feel pain or see the faces of those who hurt her. And she is unharmed. I swear to you, I will never dare Akumatize her again." He said.
Tomoe calmed herself as she loosen her sparing sword a bit. "If you don't honor your contract, Gabriel, I will make your dream disappear, just like you tried to do with mine. You may have kept her out of harms way, but don't ever forget again that you owe me everything." She reminded him.
Gabriel look at his broken screen and hand, knowing that he must watch where he steps from now on, especially to Tomoe since she's as skilled as he is and wouldn't dare cross her, with or without a Miraculous.
Tomoe then removed her staff fully and exited the room. Gabriel clenched his hand as his Alliance ring brought up a hologram of his mysterious partner.
"Dear oh dear Gabriel, you just can't stop making mistakes with children, can you?" The man mocked in amusement.
Gabriel growled in frustration, "Did you call just to mock me?" He asked.
"No, I call to inform you I am greatly disappointed that in less than a month you've already lost half of your payment," the man retorted.
"I'm doing the best I can. Dragold and his team are far more formidable than they appeared." Gabriel said in defense. "I've tried to keep low on Akumatizing people and not give them Miraculous powers, but with so many heroes returning, I have to chance them."
"And yet all those chances ended in failure," the man pointed out, "My faith in your ability to use the gifts I've given effectively is waning Agreste, how disappointing," He added.
"Wait, I promised you the Miraculous and you will have them, I swear! I just need more time!" Gabriel said frantically, knowing what direction this conversation was going.
"Unfortunately time is bad for business, my friend. It seems I will let you go back to using your standard Akumas." He said cruelly, tapping his fingers. "I'll have someone come and collect the Alliance Miraculous tomorrow, so have them ready by then,"
Gabriel gasped in fear, "No wait! I-I have a plan to get them back!" He said quickly, "Project: Perfect Alliance! If it works I promise you will have all the Miraculous delivered to your doorstep!"
The man thought for a moment. "I am listening." He said, which made Gabriel smiled as he explained his plan, knowing that this will give him more time, since time is not on his side, but it is enough to reclaim the Miraculous.