At the park, the team had spilt in two to talk to Adrien and Marinette on how they can better improve their relationship.
Nathaniel, Zoe, Mylene, Sabrina, Alya, Kagami, Kim, Jacob and Molly with Marinette and Marc, Ivan, Rose, Juleka, Nino, Chloe, Max, Sam, Kara, and Daniel with Adrien.
"Alright. That's it. You both finally in love with each other." Marc said to Adrien. "Under normal circumstances, that would have been done a deal long ago."
"But since you two lovebirds are the most awkward--" Nathaniel continued while talking to Marinette before he corrected himself. "I mean, the shyest kids on earth, Marc and I thought you could use a little kick in the a--" He stopped himself for almost saying the word. "A little help." He corrected while gesturing to the comic he and Marc made for both her and Adrien.
"It's a comic Marc and Nathaniel made for you two to get along." Jacob said.
Marc then continued with Adrien. "Our plan is to help you live out a magical moment that will make you wanna kiss each other without needing to say a word. So we've reserved a pod on the Ferris wheel just for the two of you." He explained.
"The place will be magical." Nathaniel continued. "
Your pod is programmed to stop at the exact moment the sun sets over the city." Marc added.
"The view will be magical." Nathaniel pressed on.
"There, pigeons trained by Mr. Ramier will release rose petals to rain all around you." Marc said.
"The moment will be magical." Nathaniel said again.
"But I'm allergic to pigeons." Adrien reminded them.
"There's no risk since you'll be in the pod." Marc assured him. "A pod streaming Kitty Section's romantic music live!"
"Even the sound will be magical!" Nathaniel repeated.
"It'll finally be kissy time!" Marc declared.
"Magic!" Nathaniel cheered.
"A camera will allow us to make sure that's everything is according to plan!" Marc announced.
"The magic of the kiss!" Nathaniel cheered.
"And that way, you'll have a photo of your first kiss." Marc said. "And from there…"
"Ta-da! Perfect love for life!" Both MArc and Nathaniel exclaimed at the same time.
Marinette blinked in surprise as Molly came next to her, "Did Marc and Nathaniel just plan your future with Adrien for you?" She asked with a small grin.
"They've been doing this for a long time." Marinette asked with a sheepish look. "But I can't kiss him. I mean, of course I want to kiss him, but I haven't even been able to tell him that I love him yet." She explained. "Can't I just hold his hand for starters?"
"But that's just it. If you kiss, you won't have to tell him." Nathaniel pointed out. "Kissing is a miracle cure for all your problems."
"A kiss can wake a princess and bring her back to life!" Marc said to Adrien.
Nino then got next to Adrien. "It makes the birds sing and the squirrels dance." He said as he twirl around.
Marc then came up to Adrien. "So you two just turn off your brains, follow the comic book, kiss each other, and that's it. End of the show. Everything is magically sorted out."
"Hence the name 'Magic Kiss'." Nathaniel said while saying the same thing to Marinette.
"I'm not so sure. What are you basing that on?" Marinette asked.
"Just about every fairy tale, shojo manga, and Hollywood romantic comedy ever." Marc answered for Adrien, who look surprised by that.
Sam rubbed his head, "Uh, isn't this a little, too much?" He asked unsurely.
"And do they work in real life too?" Adrien asked uncertainly. "Who knew?"
"Yeah, that's a little much for romance." Daniel said with a brow.
"But what if I need to get out?" Marinette asked.
"What if Marinette wants to leave?" Adrien asked the same thought while rubbing his neck. "I wouldn't want her to feel cornered or pressured into anything."
"That's the whole idea of the magic kiss." Marc said with a smile. "You can't escape it. You can't escape destiny!"
"Okay, easy there, story teller." Kara said with a brow. "How about cramping your excitement down to four, please?"
"My bad." Marc said sheepishly.
"Oh, I don't know." Marinette said uncertainly. "Can't we just wait for things to happen on their own time?" She asked.
"I agree, they've already made steady progress on their own," Molly told the others, "Maybe it's best we take it slowly, one small step at a time." She suggested.
"If you're waiting for Adrien to do something, Marinette, then you can be certain nothing will happen." Kagami said.
Both Adrien and Marinette groaned at the idea, but decided to give it a shot while the Zodiac members of each group are having second thoughts.
"Something tells me this plan will be a dud." Daniel said with a shook of his head, having a feeling this plan might not go as they hope.
A little bit later before sun down, the Zodiac group are in a cart behind one where the others are as two pods are between Marinette and Adrien's as they explain the details.
"So Adrien knows about the plan but having second thoughts on it as well?" Molly asked.
"Yeah, and personally, I've always found what Marinette did in the past to be a lot more effective." Jacob commented.
"The simplest plans are often the best," Sam quoted.
"But I take it that neither one will go along with it?" Kara asked with a brow.
"Well, this might be a bit extreme but maybe they might have a shot." Daniel said with a shrug as the four gave him a dull look at him. "Yeah, that ship has sailed, huh?"
Just then, they hear music as they heard the Kitty Section playing while Rose sings, but then they heard rock and roll music guitar playing for a moment before it stops.
"Stop! Stop! Nino, have you never touched a guitar before?" Nathaniel asked through the speaker.
"Uh, no, dude. This is my very first time." Nino explained.
"Well, then why did you replace Luka?" Nathaniel questioned.
"It didn't look so hard when he was playing it." Nino said in defense.
"Yeah, with Luka hiding in the Den, he can't even go out unless he's Viperion." Kara said while shaking her head.
"It's no big deal. It's okay. Stay focused." Marc spoke next.
"You can do this!" Alya encourage.
Then a whistle can be heard as they saw pigeons flying to them while carrying roses.
"Kiss at nine, eight, seven--" Marc counted down.
"Can we get off now?" Both Adrien and Marinette asked at the same time.
"No!" The others all exclaimed while the Zodiac Team flinched.
"Geeze, one slip up and no music and they are still going on with the plan?" Sam asked with a brow.
"They've been trying to get them together for almost a year, it's kinda been a hobby." Molly said with a shrug.
"Three, two…" Marc continued as the Ferris Wheel soon came to a stop.
Daniel then counted his fingers as everyone looked to Marinette and Adrien, "Cue plan failing in three, two, one," He said.
They heard groans from Marinette and Adrien's pod, which made them sighed that the plan didn't work.
"I don't need powers to know that this was a bust." Daniel commented.
Soon after everyone dismounted from the Ferris Wheel with Marinette and Adrien being the last as their friends look at them in sympathy.
"That's okay. We'll find something else." Marc assured.
"Don't bother. It's not you, it's me." Marinette said sadly. "I don't have the magic in me!" She cried out as she ran off.
"Marinette!" Alya called, trying to run after her but Molly stopped her.
"Let her go. She just needs to blow off some steam," Molly said to Alya, knowing that Marinette needs some alone time.
"Though, maybe we should postpone the love story kinda thing for a while. I think she and Adrien both needed some time to think." Jacob commented while pointing to Adrien, who is walking back home with a solemn look, "We gotta remember Adrien doesn't have romantic relationship experience and Marinette's only experience is the bad kind."
"Don't forget how she used to date Luka." Juleka added.
"Yeah, that too. But let's just keep this simple," Daniel said as started describing, "Just throw out all the plans, let them get out there on their own and see what happens, let them figure it out as they go along, just wing it, improvise, go on the fly!" He said, finishing with some karate moves.
"Huh?" The others asked in confusion.
"You know, just plain old simple," Daniel simplified. "If the well planned but complicated approach didn't work than maybe the simple but sweet approach will," He explained.
"Then why did you did those karate moves, dude?" Nino asked with a confuse look.
Daniel gave a shrug and smile, "Eh, saw it in a movie once," He said casually.
Chloe shook her head with a chuckle. "Okay, that is a bit funny," Chloe said as she turned to the others, "But he's got a point, we tried to bring Adrien and Marinette closer with a big plan and it didn't work, so maybe something smaller will work?" She suggested.
They all thought for a moment, realizing that both Chloe and Daniel are right since Marinette and Adrien are just getting closer, they're thinking too big. "They're right. Maybe we should let them work things out on their own." Ivan said.
"Yeah, Marinette's complicated planning didn't work the first time so why would it be any different," Alya said as she gave an understanding look for not realizing that their plan wouldn't work like how Marinette did.
"Let's give them some time and let them work things out on their own. They'll find the magic of romance eventually." Jacob said before turning to Kagami. "Hey, Kagami, you and Adrien used to date, maybe he could use some advise?" He suggested.
Kagami nodded and turned to the others, "I'll see if I can get Adrien on the right path," She told them, "Once she's comfortable, hopefully Marinette can get to the 'I love you'." She said as she left the group.
After Kagami was gone Molly smirked, "I know we should give them their privacy when that happens but," She then raised her hands, "Who here wants to see it?" She asked immediately.
"Me!" They all exclaimed with their hands raised as well.
"But uh, maybe we should look from a distance." Daniel quickly suggested. "They might see us if we're close. So let's stick to hiding behind walls or beams."
"Yeah, because if they see us watching them, that would be awkward." Sam said with a cringe.
"So let's just keep quiet and watch, because I do not want miss the first kiss." Alya said.
"Well, maybe tomorrow Marinette and Adrien will try again. So let's just stay out of their way and watch." Kara suggested.
"We'll take each houses, half of team watch Marinette while the other watch Adrien." Daniel instructed. "Stay quiet and stay out of sight. We'll keep in touch and watch the love go on."
"Right!" The group said in agreement, knowing that if Adrien and Marinette were going to get closer, they had to do on their own.
The next day, the Zodiac Team are in their Miraculous forms were patrolling the city, keeping their eyes out for any Akumas, "Anything?" Dragold asked, as he looked out across the city.
"I don't see any Pigeon mans or giant babies, so that's a positive." Caspian said.
"Let's hope that Monarch won't spoil anything today." Phoenix said in concern. "Because with how Adrien and Marinette were feeling yesterday, it really made them feel, um, a little down."
"Well hopefully Kagami can give Adrien a push in the right direction." Hydrake said.
"Well, they might have gotten over it by now. And maybe Tikki talked Marinette out of it." Terrapin said.
They then heard shouting coming from the park and looked down to see Socqueline grabbing Alya by the collar of the shirt while Juleka and Mylene tried to pull the dark haired girl off, "Whoa, what's going on down there?" Dragold said in surprise.
"Looks like a cat fight." Caspian said as they watched Socqueline harshly flinging Alya away and shrugging off Juleka and Mylene off before storming away, "We should probably check on the girls first." He suggested.
"Yeah, good call." Hydrake said as they could see Socqueline was in a bad mood right now.
They jump down to the girls as Rose helped Alya up, "Girls, what happened? Why were you and Socqueline fighting?" Phoenix asked as Alya held her arm.
"Well, apparently, Marinette's Protective-sister-figure found out about Marinette's relationship situation, our plan yesterday and how uncomfortable she was," Alya said while feeling ashamed. "And let's just say she didn't approve of our methods." She added.
"Well, she had known Marinette far longer than any of us had," Caspian pointed out. "And from what she told us about their history, she's really defensive about Marinette being hurt." He added.
"We tried to explain to her, but she wouldn't listen." Rose said with tears coming out from her eyes. "She was so angry at us for making Marinette feel so pressured."
"And what you saw, that was just her going easy on us." Juleka said while comforting Rose.
The Zodiac team looked at each other in concern, "Well, we know you had good intentions, but maybe next time you want to help a friend, you should listen to what they want,"
"Yeah, we should really listen more." Mylene said while looking down.
Dragold then spoke. "Maybe checking up on how Marinette and Adrien are doing will lighten the mood." He suggested. "We just finished patrolling and the city seems pretty quiet."
Alya looked concerned though, "But, Socqueline…" She started.
Caspain waved her off, "Ah don't worry, with how Socqueline is, I'm sure she'll cool down eventually." He assured.
"She is Marinette's old friend, so she might understand you wer just trying to help," Phoenix added before something landed behind them, "Whoa!" She yelled as they were blasted off their feet and rolled across the ground, "Oh, what was that?" She asked, rubbing her head.
"Me," A familiar voice answered as the group looked up and saw what looked like Socqueline with pale white skin, black hair, with a ninja mask and shinobi Gi made from folded paper and painted in black and red, "The protector of Marinette Dupain-Chang!" Socqueline declared as she assumed a combat stance.
"Wait, Socqueline?" Terrapin asked as they all look at her in shock before turning to Phoenix. "You didn't account for the akumatization factor there, did you, Phoenix?" She questioned with a brow.
Phoenix gave a sheepish chuckle. "Okay, I guess I didn't account for that." She said embarrassedly.
"Not Socqueline, Shinorigami! And I am here to protect Marinette from all pain, including those who have no regard for her feelings!" She said as she brought out some paper throwing stars and threw them at the group.
"Watch out!" Dragold called as he, his team, Rose and Juleka jumped out of the way in time but Alya and Mylene weren't so lucky.
They throwing stars hit the both of them as they each got trapped in a red-version of Shellter bubbles.
"Girls!" Rose exclaimed in shock.
Shinorigami caught her stars and nodded, "That's two. Now, to find the rest and get Marinette away from that rich kid." She said before disappeared in a puff of smoke.
"Okay, this is a new kind of ninja villain." Hydrake said as they turned to their frozen friends. "And it looks like Monarch gave her the power of Protection."
"Are they okay?" Juleka asked in concern.
"Hopefully, yes." Phoenix said, "But if Shinorigami is trying to protect Marinette,"
The others gasped, "Oh no, Adrien's endanger!" Hydrake exclaimed at turned to Rose and Juleka, "Girls, time to transform!"
"Marinette and Adrien might need our help!" Dragold added as the two girls nodded and their Kawmis came out.
"Roarr, Strips on!" Juleka called out.
"Daizzi, Rejoice!" Rose declared as she and Juleka transformed into Pigella and Purple Tigress.
The seven heroes then rushed out as they made their way to the Agreste Manor as Daniel called through his sword. "To any Miraculous holders near by, we have an akuma alert! Marinette and Adrien are in danger, we need to get the Agreste Manor fast!" He said before he and the others leapt off to make sure Marinette and Adrien were okay.
With Kagami, she had just finished practicing in the park when she saw Carapace, Viperion and Pegasus running by, "Viperion?" Kagami said as Viperion stopped next to her.
"Kagami, we just got a call from Dragold, there's an Akuma heading for Agreste Manor!" Viperion explained as he started running again.
Kagami then remembered, "Marinette, Adrien," She said in worry before Longg appeared.
"You picked an unfortunate time to leave early, Kagami." Longg said to her.
"Well, we better get moving!" Kagami said as she hid behind a tree. "Longg, Bring the Storm!" She called out, transforming into Ryuko as she jumped out from her hiding place and joined the three heroes.
They were then joined by the Zodiac team, Purple Tigress, and Pigella, "Nice of you to join us." Caspian said to them.
"We better hurry to the Agreste Manor! Adrien and Marinette are there, and strangely, Marinette is in her pajamas." Ryuko said with a slight chuckle.
"Actually that's not so strange at this point." Terrapin said with a shrug.
"Yeah, this wouldn't be the first time." Purple Tigress added, having seen Marinette walking in public in her pajamas many times.
"That is true." Pigella said with a smile.
"Okay, talk about it later, let's just save our friends!" Dragold exclaimed to them.
"What about the others?" Carapace asked.
"I think Shinorigami already got them," Hydrake said, thinking Shinorigami already shelltered and Venomed the rest of their team before they could transform, "Looks like it's just us this time."
"Well, we better hurry, because if Adrien is the target, he might not have the chance to transform." Pegasus stated.
They eventually reached Agreste Manor and saw a red Shellter orb just outside the gates, "I think she's here." Caspian said.
"What gave you a clue?" Terrapin asked with a brow.
"Ryuko, where did you last seen Marinette and Adrien?" Phoenix asked.
"They were at the back of the Manor," Ryuko said as they jumped over the Manor and saw Adrien standing protective infront of Marinette while Shinorigami had an Origami sword ready.
"Stay away from Marinette, fashion boy!" Shinorigami ordered as she aimed her sword at them.
Marinette recognized her voice, "Wait, Socqueline?" She said in surprise.
"You know her?" Adrien asked in surprise.
"She's old friend from last school year, she was always protecting me from being bullied or hurt by Chloe." Marinette explained as she looked at her old friend. "But, why are you doing this?"
"I'm doing this for your own protection, Marinette! I'm going to make sure you are never uncomfortable or heartbroken anymore. But ridding you of anyone that will hurt you!" Shinorigami stated as she charged and swung her sword as Adrien and Marinette dodged her but were seperated.
Marinette got up and saw Shinorigami standing over Adrien with her sword ready, "Socqueline, stop please! This isn't you!" Marinette yelled out pleadingly as she rushed to her old friend. "You'd never hurt anyone!"
"Stay out of this Marinette, this is for your own good!" Shinorigami yelled, pushing Marinette aside. "And don't call me that, my name is Shinorigami now!" She added as she was about to
trap Adrien, but Carapace threw his shield at her on her head. "Ugh! What?!" She questioned as she turned and saw the heroes.
"Sorry, but no one uses Shellter better than me." Carapace said while wagging his finger as they jumped down and he helped Adrien up, "You okay, dude?" He asked.
"I'm fine." Adrien said to him as he ran up to Marinette. "Marinette, are you okay?" He asked.
"I'm alright." Marinette assured as she turned to her friends, "Please, this isn't Socqueline's fault. She just wants to protect me!" She pleaded.
Phoenix held her shoulders, "We know, this Monarch's doing." She assured the girl, "Just get to cover until Cat Noir and Ladybug show up," She advised, gesturing to the inside.
Marinette nodded before turning to Adrien. "We need to hide." She said.
"Come on, this way." Adrien said as he grab Marinette hand's and ran into the Manor.
"Oh no you don't!" Shinorigami yelled as she was about to jump through Adrien's window, but Ryuko stood in her way and she leapt back, "Move! this is not your battle, this is between me and the Agrest boy!" She told the Heroine with her sword out.
"When you threaten others, I make it my battle." Ryuko said as she drew her dragon sword, twirling around and aimed it at Shinorigami. "Let's see how good your swordsmanship is."
Monarch's mask then appeared over Shinorigami's eyes, "Do you see? They care nothing for the safety of one girl, they only desire to protect those who are in danger, even when they don't deserve it." Monarch told her.
Shinorigami gave a smirk. "A challenge? Well, if you won't let me protect Marinette, I'll be happy to fight my way through to keep her safe!" She declared while twirling her sword.
Ryuko gave a challenge stance as the other heroes stood beside her. "But can you handle all of us?" Dragold questioned seriously.
Shinorigami then smirked as she brought out origami people and through them down and they turned into paper copies of herself, "Then what do you say we even the odds." She suggested as her paper copies raised their swords.
The heroes all look shocked by this as they step back a bit. "Okay, did not see that coming." Caspian commented as Shinorigami raised her swords and charged at them.
Inside his room, Adrien pushed Marinette into his bathroom, "Stay here, I'm gonna go find Ladybug and Cat Noir." He told her.
Marinette nodded as Adrien closed the door ran out of the bedroom to find a place to transform, where Marinette wouldn't hear him.
In the bathroom, Tikki came out from Marinette's purse. "Socqueline was always there to save me, it's time I returned the favor," Marinette said with a determined look, "It's like she always said, you gotta know when to step in, that's the only way things will get done."
"Then you know what to do Marinette!" Tikki said with a smile.
"Tikki, spots on!" Marinette called out as she transform into Ladybug and ran out the bathroom.
With Adrien, he ran into the closet downstairs as Plagg flew out. "Talk about a damper on the first date." Plagg commented, "And here I thought it was Marinette's father you had to watch out for,"
"Well, looks like Marinette had more than one protective person on her side." Adrien said before he gave a determined expression. "If this Socqueline really is that important to Marinette, Then I gotta help her! Plagg, claws out!" He called out, transforming into Cat Noir as he ran out.
Outside the Manor, the heroes were clashing out with the Shinorigami copies while the original was clashing swords with Ryuko.
"Wow, these things are good!" Carapace exclaimed while blocking a sword with his shield before he was kicked to the gut and was flung back. "Ugh! Really good!"
"Just keep your distance for a bit! We don't want to get trapped by her attacks!" Phoenix exclaimed as she flew up, dodging an swipe before she flew around.
"Easy for you to say!" Caspian exclaimed while blocking the swords. "I really hate the villains who are good at hand to hand combat, it makes it impossible to land a hit!"
Viperion ducked and sidestepped out of the way of his copy's attacks as he and Purple Tigress stood back to back, "I'd suggest we could just figure out where the akuma is, this would be a whole lot easier!" Purple Tigress said as she blocked a strike.
"Well, maybe it's in her sword, or maybe her throwing stars! Right?" Hydrake asked before he got headbutted, arms pulled down with a scream before he was kicked back. "Pigella, Purple
Tigress, any ideas?" He groaned, since the two heroes were with Socqueline before she was akumatize.
"Well, she was carrying her supply bag! The one that holds all her paper, pencils and other things!" Pigella said as she ducked under some stars.
"Then the bag must be where the Akuma is!" Ryuko said as she clashed with Shinorigami, seeing the bag around her waist where she pullout her weapons, "If you truly care about Marinette's safety then come to your senses and hand over the bag!"
"And take away my only means of protecting her!? Never!" Shinorigami yelled as she clashed blades with Ryuko before they got into a standstill. "All I wanted was for Marinette to be safe, to be able to stand for herself!" She said as she twisted her sword and flicked Ryuko's out of her hand and pointed it at the heroine, "But I should've realized that Marinette always needed me!" She said, about to plunge her sword right Ryuko.
Until a silver staff, struck it first, knocking it away as Cat Noir landed in front her, "Is this a girl thing or can anyone join in?" Cat Noir asked with a smirk.
"About time you show up." Ryuko said with a small smirk.
"You, I'd stay out of this if I were you! All I'm looking for is Marinette!" Shinorigami called out.
"Yeah, that's where I come and stop you." Cat Noir said with a smirk before he and her clashed blades. "And I thought her father was protective, but you take the cake!" He joked.
"Well, unlike him, I just want for Marinette not to feel hurt!" Shinorigami yelled out as Dragold jump beside them.
"Do you really call this trapping people in red bubbles not hurting her?" Dragold asked while pointing a thumb at the trapped bodyguard.
"Whatever it takes to protect her from feeling crushed, Marinette only needs me!" Shinorigami yelled as she pushed Cat Noir back and charge at Dragold as they clashed blades.
"Geeze, if you're Marinette's old friend, wouldn't you care about what she wanted!?" Dragold exclaimed while blocking her strikes.
"Marinette is a fragile girl, I was the only one who could stand up for her when she needed it!" Shinorigami exclaimed. "I shouldn't have left her alone in that school of monsters, I should've held back a grade to protect her!"
Then before she could strike again a Yo-yo grabbed her sword and pulled it away as Ladybug jumped from a window. "This isn't what your friend wanted!" She called out.
"Good to see you here, Milady." Cat Noir said as Ladybug landed next to them.
"Yeah, sorry. Had to take the scenic route." Ladybug quipped.
"Stay out of my way, Ladybug, you and your team shouldn't be here! I'm only after the Agreste boy to protect Marinette!" Shinorigami exclaimed while she threw her throwing stars at them, which they manage to block.
"Please tell me there's a way to get the Akuma. It's in her bag, we gotta destroy it in one go!" Hydrake exclaimed.
"I might but we need more room, follow me!" Ladybug said before jumping away as the others followed.
"Get back here!" Shinorigami exclaimed as she and her duplicates jump after them outside the mansion as they chased them into the streets.
"You better call in that lucky charm of yours, because we could surely use it now!" Pegasus exclaimed as they stopped an intersection.
"On it. Lucky charm!" Ladybug exclaimed, tossing her yo-yo into the air and it turned into a bottle of olive oil. "Olive Oil?" She asked.
"What are we suppose to do with that? Have a cook off?" Caspian asked sarcastically.
They all dodge out of the way when Shinorigami threw her throwing stars at them. "Give me your Miraculous and once Monarch is done with them I'll use them to keep Marinette safe foever!" She ordered. "I know her better than any of you, and Marinette only needs me to protect her!" She then made copies of herself as each heroes clashed while Ladybug stood there while looking at the olive oil bottle.
Ladybug look at the bottle, then at Cat Noir and Ryuko, then at the bag. "How about a well-oiled baseball game." She suggested with a smirk as she threw the bottle at Shinorigami, who is clashing with Cat Noir.
Shinorigami saw the bottle as she slice it, but it made the oil spill all around her, covering her in oil. "Hey. She ruined our fun." Cat Noir joked.
Shinorigami then saw the oil caused her weapons to become soggy and they sagged, "No!" She exclaimed as she reached for her bag but the slipped from the oil spill at her feet, "Whoa!"
"Cat Noir, get the bag, Ryuko, keep her at still!" Ladybug exclaimed.
"On it!" They both said as Ryuko manage to tackle Shinorigami and held her in place.
"Sorry, but battle ends now!" Ryuko said a she put her sword to Shinorigami's throat.
"Cataclysm!" Cat Noir exclaimed as he touch the bag, completely destroying it as the Megakuma flew out of it and the copies all vanish.
"No more evil-doing for you, Megakuma." Ladybug she twirl her yo-yo around. "Time to de-evilize!" She exclaimed, catching the megakuma in her yo-yo. "Gotcha. Bye-bye little butterfly." She said as the butterfly flew away. "Miraculous ladybug!" She tossed the broken bottle away.
The magical ladybugs then restored the damage that was cause during the fight and free the trapped victims Shinorigami has struck before she transformed back into Soqueline as she stood up disoriented before Ladybug opened up her yo-yo and took out a magical charm with Shinorigami color schemes.
"Soqueline, this is a magical charm that will remind you that sometimes what we want isn't always what those we care about want," She said handing Socqueline the charm.
Socqueline looked at the charm ashamed, "I, just wanted to be there for Marinette," She said solemnly.
"And I'm sure she's honored to someone like you always looking out for her," Ladybug said with a smile and held Socqueline's arm. "But she wouldn't want you to push everyone away when she needs more people to support her, not less," She said.
Socqueline gave a solemn smile. "I guess I was away from Marinette for so long, I forgotten the words I told her before I left, where we have to stand up when it counts. Because it's the right thing to do. And I so afraid that she would still be hurt, that I never considered she was already so much stronger."
Ryuko walked up to her, "Trust me, I've seen for myself," She said before looking at Ladybug, "She's the bravest, strongest, and most amazing girl, who can now face whatever is thrown at her, and she has all the support she needs when it gets too hard," She added, which made Ladybug smiled at her.
Socqueline look at them as she gave a smile. "Looks like Marinette was right, she really does have amazing friends to help her. I guess I was to angry and worried for her to realize that." She said.
Ladybug smiled, "Sometimes you gotta learn to step back, that's the only way others can stand on their own," she said as Socqueline smiled and nodded.
The heroes smiled at the two, knowing that it was Marinette talking to Socqueline, not Ladybug, before Cat Noir and her Miraculous started beeping. "Looks like you two should get going before you change back." Dragold told the two.
"So let's make this quick." Cat Noir said as they brought their fists in.
"Pound it!" The heroes declared as they fistbumped and then jumped away.
As Ladybug leapt back to Agreste Manor to detransform, her eyes noticed Cat Noir jumping through a window and into the manor, "Cat Noir? What's he doing here?" She asked in confusion.
Ladybug then jumped through the window to Adrien's room and then entered the bathroom, "Spots Off." She said as she turned back into Marinette and handed Tikki a macaron, "Why would Cat Noir come here of all places to detransform?" Marinette asked her Kwami.
"Oh, uh, I'm sure he had his reasons," Tikki said nervously as she ate her macaron.
"Tikki, Cat Noir showed up just a few seconds after Adrien hid me in the bathroom." Marinette noted, "How could he get here so fast?"
"Uh, well, you know your power ups, and Cat Noir is a cat, so he's pretty quick on his feet." Tikki pointed out.
Marinette rubbed her chin, "No, even he isn't that fast." She said suspiciously, "Could he have transformed here? But the only one her-"
"Marinette! Are you okay in there?" Adrien called out, which startled Marinette as she fell to the floor.
"Uh, yeah, Adrien! I'm fine" Marinette called out as Tikki hid in one of her Pigtails. "Is it safe to come out?" She asked.
"It is," Adrien answered as he opened the door and walked in, "Wanna get back to our fun?" He said, offering his hand to her with a smile.
Marinette squinted as if she had seen this before until her eyes widened and in place of Adrien was a hero in black leather and slitted green eyes. "N-no. I-it, it can't be." She whispered to herself.
"What? What's wrong?" Adrien asked in concern.
Marinette shook her head before she smiled and took Adrien's hand as he stood her back up, "Nothing it's just," Marinette started before she smiled sweetly, "You remind me of the best partner a girl could ask for."
Adrien was surprised by what she said. "Wait, really? A pa-" He cut himself off as he gasped silently, remembering how Ladybug said something similar to him as Cat Noir as he look at Marinette, and then in her place was a red and black spotted Heroine before it changed back to her. "No, way," He breathed out.
"You okay, Adrien?" Marinette asked in concern.
Adrien shook his head and smiled at her, "Nothing, except, you really are our everyday Ladybug, Marinette." He said as Marinette smiled and hugged him.
"You know I'll always be there to help you." Marinette said as Adrien hugged her back as the two stood there for a a good while.
Outside, the others look out from the rooftops while watching over them with smiles. "Looks like Shinorigami did them a favor." Carapace said with a smile.
"That's so cute." Pigella squealed. "Alix owes me a unicorn when she gets back." She joked with a chuckle.
"They really did need the push to work things out on their own." Terrapin said with a smile.
"And looks like there starting to clue in," Caspian said as he turned to Dragold, "Should we tell them?" He asked.
Dragold shook his head, "Let's let them figure it out on their own. It's best if we let the reveal happen once they're ready." He said.
"He's right. They'll be ready to tell when they decide." Phoenix said with a warm smile. "And until then, at least they can be comfortable together."
"But Marinette still has to say 'I love you' to him to return the feeling." Hydrake said with a smirk while nudging Phoenix. "And you should know, right?" He teased.
Phoenix gave a slight sheepish chuckle. "Y-Yeah. I guess I do." She said.
"Baby steps my friends, baby steps." Ryuko said with a smile as they watched Adrien and Marinette walked back outside.
Luka then gestured to them to leave, "Let's let them have their privacy, we still have a city to protect." He suggested
"Yeah, after what happened today, let's make sure we stay focuse." Dragold said as he stood up. "So let's see if can't find any leads where Monarch is and figure out when we'll get the last four Miraculous back." He suggested.
The others nodded and then scattered across, leaving Adrien and Marinette, closer than ever and now had an idea of who their partner is. While also knowing that it's only a matter of time until they confess more then one just love.