Chapter Five

"Thank you so much!" Adrien said with a grin as his bodyguard finally let out a sigh, signaling for him to go. He jumped out of the limo, shutting the door a bit harder than he usually would– but he was so excited as he sprinted down the sidewalk and towards the bus next to the school. Miss Bustier was getting on, but paused when he shouted.

"Adrien," she said, raising an eyebrow. "I thought you were going to arrive at the hotel on your own?"

"My bodyguard says I can ride the bus," he said, panting slightly as he came to a stop. "That is okay, right?"

His teacher smiled. "Of course, though next time please let me know ahead of time."

It was his first time ever on a bus as he climbed aboard, the doors shutting as Miss Bustier came on after him. He looked at the row of seats, his classmates having all settled near the back of the bus, already settled and chatting away. He scanned them, but Nino was already sitting next to Max, while Chloe and Sabrina were nowhere in sight, probably already at the hotel waiting for them.

The only two open seats were with Ivan and Marinette– and he sat up a bit straighter as he went over to join them. Marinette was chatting with Alya and Mylene, who were in the row behind them. He waved to Alix and Kim when they looked up, and Nino grinned as he saw him.

"Dude, thought we wouldn't see you until later!"

"Surprised you were allowed on the lowly public transportation," Kim said.

Adrien grinned. "Well, what Father doesn't know won't hurt him." His gaze shifted to Marinette, who was now looking back at him. He nodded to the empty seat next to her. "Is it okay if I sit here?"

"Of course!" She said warmly as she always did, and he sat down in the seat next to her. "Won't your driver tell him where you are though?"

"The Gorilla is the one that let me sneak away," He replied, instinctively reached for a seat belt as he got settled, but of course there was none. Adrien shifted, knowing that his father definitely wouldn't be happy with him being on the bus, but the thought was thrilling all the same.

"'Gorilla'?" Alix questioned, letting out a slight snort at this.

"Oh, um, I actually don't know his real name," Adrien said, rubbing at the back of his neck. "He doesn't really talk, I actually don't think he can, and that's what me and my cousin took to calling him when we were little. I don't think he minds, he hasn't really said otherwise..."

He trailed off, realizing that it didn't make too much sense, but a laugh from Kim and Alix helped him to relax. There were plenty of times where he felt strangely different from his classmates, and having a bodyguard was one of those. Not even Chloe had one, and they did live the most similar lifestyles out of anyone else in their school. It was strange to basically experience culture shock among his own peers, and all he could hope was that no one thought he was bragging.

He shifted, smiling uncertainly. "Well, this is my first field trip ever, so I'm really excited. Still surprised that Father let me go."

"I wouldn't call it much of a field trip," Nino said. "Just extended school, with it being work experience and all."

"Well, all field trips are supposed to be an educational experience in some form," Max commented from next to him, not looking up from the circuit board he was fiddling with.

Adrien jumped slightly as the bus rolled forward, the vehicle both loud and feeling unnaturally unstable as it swayed. He gripped the seat slightly, but no one seemed put-off as they pulled out into the street, just carrying on the conversation as if nothing happened, even as the bus rumbled along.

"Well I prefer 'educational experiences' that feel less educational," Alya said, earning several snickers of laughter. "The museum would be far more interesting than Chloe's hotel."

Alix snorted. "The museum feels the same after some time, trust me."

"Chloe's hotel isn't that bad," Adrien said. "Though it's probably the only reason Father let me go on this trip..."

"Well, we'll be seeing the working class side of things, pretty boy," Alix said, using the nickname she seemed to be fond of. He knew it wasn't an affectionate flirt like when his fans called him pretty or handsome, but Alix's way of saying it didn't seem insulting either, so he just rolled with it.

"That's why I'm excited," he said with a grin. "I never really get to see anything like that before. I hope to be assigned somewhere in the kitchen, working with the chefs sounds like fun."

"Not when the chef is your mom," Alya said. "But knowing Chloe I'm pretty sure I'll get the bottom of the barrel with jobs."

"You can say that again," Marinette said. "Pretty sure I'll be mopping up the bathrooms."

Adrien fell silent as the conversation shifted over to Chloe, not really sure of what he was supposed to say. Listening to his friends talk about the person who was basically his sister this way was something he did not enjoy in the slightest, yet he couldn't come up with much of a defense either, so instead he found himself in an awkward silence as those around him talked, looking down at his hands as the bus carried them towards the hotel, swaying and sputtering like it was about to break down any moment.

Marinette and Alya had been right about their jobs when they arrived at the hotel– Marinette being assigned to gopher and Alya to sorting the trash. They merely rolled their eyes, but didn't complain much more than that, their various classmates being led away by hotel staff to the jobs they would be learning about for the day.

Adrien did end up being assigned to be a chef, Chloe smiling at him proudly as he was led away by Marlena Cesaire towards the kitchens, but he couldn't manage more than his model smile in return.


"This is bad, this is bad, this bad– claws in– this is horrible, I'm dead, this is it– I'm doomed!"

Plagg rubbed at his eye with a paw as he came flying out of the ring. "Why are we in your room?"

"Because I can't panic out on the streets," she said, pointing towards the window. "The Jagged Stone wants me to find him some sunglasses, and there's absolutely nothing in the entire city that matches what he needs!"

Her kwami grinned. "Keep shouting like that and your mom will be up here wondering why you aren't on your field trip."

She glared at him, but knew the kwami was right. The last thing she needed right now was not to only be found skipping school, but have her mother questioning how she had gotten up to her room without anyone seeing her. She flopped down in her chaise, looking at the miserable pair of sunglasses she had found, featuring a pair of tiny Eiffel Towers in the corner– not the big stunning pair Jagged Stone had wanted.

"Gah! This is all Chloe's fault!" She grumbled, slamming her head down onto the desk.

She hadn't had the highest hopes for the field trip when she had learned it would be at Chloe's father's hotel, and sure enough she and Alya had been assigned the more unpleasant jobs for their 'job experience', it being gopher and trash duty respectively. That of course had all changed when none other than Jagged Stone had come waltzing into the hotel, signature crocodile by his side, wanting a room.

And it had been amazing, seeing him in person. Watching Fang himself wander about the room, seeing the creepy paparazzi dude be literally thrown out– and best of all she had been assigned to be the 'gopher' for him. She got to talk and help a true rock legend.

Except for she couldn't find what he needed.

"I don't get what's so amazing about this rock-dude," Plagg said. "He seemed pretty dull to me."

"Dull?" She asked, turning to face the kwami. "Jagged Stone is one of the best singers out there– he's my favorite after Clara Nightingale! His songs are amazing– you've heard me listen to his albums before, you know his stuff."

"If you mean that unholy screeching you call music," Plagg said, yawning. "Then yeah, I've heard plenty of it."

"Oh, like you have a better taste in music."

Plagg's fur puffed up. "As a matter of fact I do. Beethoven, Bach, Haydn– now they created some good music. Beautiful, no unnecessary words, just the harmony filling the air."

Marinette raised an eyebrow. "Didn't peg you as a classical-lover."

"Much better than what you humans listen to now," Plagg said. "'Sides, why are you even worrying about finding the right glasses for this guy? Why not make some yourself?"

"Huh?"

He rolled his eyes. "Oh come on, don't play dumb, I've seen all the stuff you've made." He waved a paw over towards her sewing machine and her scattered designs. "You've got a talent for that sort of thing, so why not put it to use? Make the sunglasses he wants."

Marinette's eyes widened, and her stomach twisted. "I... I dunno Plagg..."

"Didn't you say you wanted to be a designer?" He said, crossing his paws. "What's the point if you don't get anything out there?"

"But this is Jagged Stone," she said. "I'm sure he doesn't want something I just threw together at the last second."

"Yeah, you're right," the kwami said with a yawn. "Why would he want that? Just give him those other glasses you found, I'm sure he'll be so happy with that."

She looked down at the glasses she had bought, knowing they were nothing like what the rock star had requested. He would hate them, she didn't even have to show him to know it. She couldn't hand these over to one of her idols, that was the last impression she wanted to give.

Marinette grabbed the sunglasses, and pushed herself over towards her workspace. "You know, my best work is better than handing him something with no effort." She muttered. "If those sunglasses don't exist, then I'll just make them myself. Even if he doesn't like them, I tried."

Plagg grinned smugly, before flying up to her loft to sunbathe, happy to get in a nap that wasn't in her purse.

So of course he couldn't help but groan once the akuma alert started going off.


"Look into the camera," Pixelator said in that silky voice, raising his hand towards the camera attached to his head, a creepy grin spreading across his face.

Why had an akuma had to show up today? She was on limited time as it was– but now Crimson was about to be flashed out of existence with this akuma's camera. Lady Noire prepared to leap towards him, not sure exactly how she would be able to stop him, when Crimson suddenly stepped forward before the akuma could do a thing.

"You want a picture with me looking like this?" Crimson asked in disbelief. "Um, no way. I know how your camera works– you only get one shot, and if you're going to take me it's going to be a perfect one."

Pixelator and Lady Noire looked equally as startled at this.

Crimson pulled Lady in close, running a hand through his hair. "How do I look, Lady? Please don't tell me I'm sweaty from fighting, that won't do for a photo at all."

"Um–" Pixelator began, raising a hand, but he was cut off.

"This was your idea," Crimson snapped at him– literally snapping his fingers at him. "You wanted pictures of celebrities? Well if superheroes count then I'm going to make mine look good." He shoved Lady back. "Shoo, you're messing up the light, get behind the photographer, don't you know a thing about photoshoots?"

Lady had no idea what Crimson's plan was, but it was more than what she had. She had already seen Pixelator zap more than enough people away with his camera, including his original target, Jagged Stone. Why Monarch had to decide to akumatize the paparazzi, she had no idea, but it had not been a fun fight so far. She slowly withdrew from Pixelator's line of sight, his focus completely on Crimson Beetle– who was now leaning up against the side of the building with dramatic poses.

It was something she might have usually laughed at with the silliness of it all, so she had no idea what to make of the fact that her partner actually looked good while doing it.

"No, no, this is too cliche," Crimson muttered, running a hand through his hair again. "Doesn't look natural, and my suit is totally clashing with this brick red– we need a better location."

"Um," Pixelator began again, and a purple mask appeared over his face.

"No way," Crimson said, snapping his fingers again– why was her partner reminding her of Chloe of all people? "You're the photographer here, not that butterfly wannabe, I'm not listening to what she wants– this is about you! Where should I stand, Pixelator? Which angle would give us the best lighting for your camera?"

The hero flashed his partner a meaningful look at the last word, and she nodded in response.

"Um," Pixelator said for the third time. "Maybe over by the fountain instead...? Yes, you can sit on the edge, the water will make for a good background." The purple mask appeared around his face once more, and the akuma scowled. "I know what I'm doing, Monarch. Come on now, Crimson Beetle."

Lady Noire moved silently behind Pixelator as he waved for Crimson to sit on the fountain– who lounged across it like he was going to be on the cover of the magazine. Lady felt her cheeks burning, because why on earth was he dedicating himself so much to this ridiculous act? And how was this even working on the akuma?

Not like she had time to waste, slowly creeping closer to Pixelator, who had yet to take his picture– because every time Crimson posed himself the hero would immediately declare that it wasn't good enough. He'd take out his yoyo, but then the next second decided it was too much. Lady knew he could only stall the akuma for so long, so she reached her hand to the camera on the side of his face– which almost definitely held the akuma butterfly, but even if it somehow didn't, destroying it would still leave him defenseless. Still she pulled back slightly, claws curling, looking at the ring gleaming on her hand.

Summoning an out of control Cataclysm on a building or sign was one thing, but for her to summon one now, one that would be so close to a human– she didn't even want to imagine what would happen. Her eyes slid over towards Crimson– who was currently using the water from the fountain to smooth down his hair, who gave her an urgent glance as Pixelator grew impatient, the hero's eyes flickering from her to the camera. Her ringed hand closed into a fist, and she knew that she couldn't call the Cataclysm.

She gave herself one moment of hesitation, before springing forward to knock Pixelator to the ground. It wasn't a guaranteed victory, losing her element of surprise. The akuma struggled under her, trying to break free from her grasp. She grabbed a fistful of purple hair, reminding herself that Crimson could heal him– and slammed the man's head down onto the road.

The camera shattered instantly from the force, Pixelator letting out a gasp, but his akumatized form could take such a blow. From the shattered remains came the black butterfly that would mean the end of this fight, and as he lay pinned below her, dark energy seeped away from Pixelator as he turned back.

She sneered when she saw it was the creepy stalker that had followed Jagged into the hotel.

"Wh-what?" He gasped, looking around in confusion as Crimson's yoyo snapped up the corrupted butterfly.

"You were akumatized," Lady said simply, pushing herself away from Vincent as he scrambled back. Normally she would show a bit more compassion to those freed from Monarch's influence, but this guy just creeped her out. "It's over now, so yeah."

"Miraculous Ladybug!" Crimson cried, throwing up the magazine Lucky Charm he had gotten earlier in the fight– perhaps that was what had given him an idea for his plan. "Lady Noire–"

"Got to go, sorry," she said, pulling out her baton. She didn't know what Crimson wanted to talk about, but while she may have not been on a timer like him, she was still short on time.

In the crowd of people watching the battle she saw Alya, recording the fight on her phone. She didn't blame her friend for abandoning the trash duty she had been signed up for– in Alya's eyes an akuma battle was always more interesting.

Crimson called out to her once more, but she vaulted away without a word.


"Here you are, M. Stone!" Marinette called as she entered his room. Her stomach was twisting itself up into knots, but she only allowed her face to show confidence as she entered. "Will these sunglasses work for what you requested?"

Jagged, Penny, and Fang all looked towards her. She swallowed, holding out the bag she had put the glasses in, and Jagged pulled them out with narrowed eyes. He looked down at the sunglasses, whose tall frames extended up in the shape of the Eiffel Tower, the colors of the French flag spread across it. He looked over it for a second, face expressionless, and in that moment she wanted to melt into the ground and vanish.

"These are perfect!" Jagged said, beaming as he held them up. "Look at them, Penny– they're exactly what I wanted. The show will be perfect tonight!"

Marinette let out a shuddering breath of relief– he liked them– he actually liked them! She had made something, and Jagged Stone approved. Penny smiled as Jagged slipped on the glasses, waltzing over to the mirror to look at himself.

"Thank you," Penny said, turning to Marinette, looking very relieved. "No offense, but I had my doubts when I saw you were just a kid here for the day and I thought I'd have to do some last minute errands... how much do we owe you?"

"Huh?" Marinette asked, blinking.

"How much did the glasses cost?" Penny clarified. "As a gopher you may be expected to run errands, but that doesn't mean we don't cover the expense."

"Oh..." She shifted uncertainly. "Um, actually, I made them myself, so I dunno if they..."

Jagged whipped around. "You made these awesome shades yourself? That's amazing!"

"You made them?" Penny repeated.

"Y-yeah," Marinette said, swallowing. "I looked around the city, but I couldn't find anything close to what M. Stone wanted and I didn't want to return empty handed... and I like designing and stuff, so I just figured I'd make what he wanted instead?"

"Can we hire her, Penny?" Jagged asked. "She made me exactly what I wanted– that's better than like half of the other people we work with."

"She's a student, Jagged," Penny said. "We just can't randomly hire her."

"Well, we still have to pay her, this was a commission, wasn't it?" Jagged turned towards her once more. "How much do you charge for your work?"

Marinettte felt dizzy. Jagged Stone liked her glasses. Jagged Stone wanted to pay her for her work. Jagged Stone was basically trying to buy some of her work. Her words came out in a jumbled mess as they often did when she was overwhelmed.

"I, er– um, well– I j-just made real quick them, I dunno if it's really w-worth anything," she said swiftly. "They're probably the sturdiest not, a lot of didn't time have, yeah?"

"True," Jagged mused, as if she had made perfect sense. "But these will last for at least tonight. How about this, then? You make me another pair where you aren't on a short time limit, and I'll pay you for those. Penny, give her our contact info. And for now I'll give you and the rest of your classmates tickets for my gig tonight– how does that sound?"

Marinette stared up at him.

"Jagged, I think you broke the poor girl."

"What, I'm just showing my appreciation for these awesome shades."

"A large majority of your fans are made up of this age group, I think they're going to be the appreciative ones."

Jagged nodded his head. "That's perfect, the more fans at my concert the better! Much better than 'fans' that like to stalk my mother..."

Marinette shuddered, not wanting to remember that stalker-akuma she had had to deal with today. Instead she looked up at Jagged Stone. "Thank you so much, Jagged, today has been amazing!"

"Thank you for your awesome work, Mari," Jagged replied. "Come on, Fang, we need to get ready for the show."

Penny pulled a business card from her pocket. "Here are the details to reach me. Please send me an email with your name, and we'll be in contact soon about the glasses." She held up the card as she reached for it. "And remember, this is for business means only– you are not to hand out this information to anyone else, is that clear?"

"I understand, ma'am," she said, taking the card from her like it was pure gold.

"I will get the promised concert tickets to your teacher," Penny promised. "But if you'll excuse me, and I need to go assist Jagged."

"Of course, thank you for everything, ma'am."

She headed out into the hall, not wanting to overstay her welcome. There was a huge smile plastered over her face as she exited, still not fully registering everything that had happened. Marinette leaned up against the wall, before tucking the business card away for safety.

"Did that really just happen?" She whispered.

"Unfortunately," Plagg groaned. "We really have to sit through a whole concert of this dude?"

"Jagged Stone commissioned me. Best. Day. Ever."


"This next song is dedicated to Paris' two heroes who saved me and my dear Fang today– Crimson Beetle and Lady Noire!"

A cheer rose out from the audience as the music began, a heavy bass shaking the whole concert hall. Tikki bopped her head in time with the beat, resting up on one of the many metal piles and rafting that ran along the ceiling. She was nestled above one of the bright lights aimed down at the stage where Jagged Stone was playing. It was strange to be able to be stretched out with so many people in one room, but up here she was practically invisible– or so she thought.

"Fancy seeing you here, Sugar Cube," a voice said from behind her– and the kwami sat straight up.

"Plagg?" She said in disbelief, barely able to make out her fellow kwami's dark form– his green eyes glowing. "What are you doing here?"

"My holder came to the concert," he said with a shrug. "Decided to have a look around, can't imagine my surprise when I saw you up here." He was grinning, the cat zipping in close. "Then again this so-called-singer is supposed to be a big hit or something? I'm guessing you're loving this, aren't you?"

"What can I say?" Tikki said with a shrug. "I love what humans have created with their music, it's beautiful."

"It sounds like claws on a chalkboard."

Tikki giggled. "Get over here, Stinky Sock," she said. The Black Cat let out a purr, diving down onto the little metal beam she was on, curling up against her. The two kwamis snuggled together, the loud music vibrating up through the metal. "I know it hasn't been that long, but I've missed you."

"I've missed you too," Plagg whispered, nuzzling her as more purrs rumbled out from him.

"How's your new holder?" She asked after a moment.

"...You've seen her in action. She's doing her job."

"How is she treating you?"

"She gives me cheese."

"Is she nice?"

"Meh, aren't most humans 'nice' at this age?" Plagg asked, ears going back. "How about yours? What's he like?"

Tikki frowned at him, but allowed the topic to change. "He's very sweet. In fact this is his first concert ever, so I'm glad he's able to have a little bit of fun with all the responsibility he has."

"'Pick them young', ain't that the Guardian's motto," Plagg mumbled. "Remember the good old days when it wasn't all what the Guardians decided?"

"Master did pick a good human for you, didn't he?"

Plagg let out a laugh. "Oh, he picked a good holder for Destruction alright. She won't be abusing her powers– she doesn't even like to use them!"

"Plagg–"

"Let's just enjoy the concert, Sugar Cube," Plagg muttered, burying his face into her chest. "Who knows when it will be the next time we get to see each other."