Scene: Jardin des Tuileries. Kagami sits on the bench after her fencing practice, wiping her sweat off. Lila is seen sitting beside her.
Lila: Here. (gives Kagami her water bottle) You need to hydrate more, you know?
Kagami: (grabs the water bottle) Thanks. (Upon opening the bottle and drinking from it, Kagami's phone vibrates an alert.) It's time. I'm sorry. (grabs her bag) I have to go to meet the others.
Lila: You don't have to apologize. It's not your fault that Marinette hates me for no reason. Just go. (Kagami nods and stands up from the bench) I admire you so much, you know? I don't know how you do it. (giggles) I, too, was in love with a boy once. When he didn't want to see me anymore, I was in pain for so long I couldn't get him out of my head. But you managed to turn your love for Adrien into a friendship. You even helped Marinette get closer to him. If it hadn't been for your big heart, none of what's happening today would be happening today. You're so perfect, Kagami. I'm proud to have you as my best friend.
"I'll give Lila one thing: she's good. REALLY good. If I hadn't known from the start, I probably would've been fooled by that, " Marinette noted with a frown towards the lying girl on-screen.
"Before we came here, I would've gushed at her like she's some sort of puppy-dog. But now, she's just creeping me out," Alya said, cringing towards Lila's fake nice act with everyone else murmuring in agreement.
Kagami: (gapes) "Best friend"? Really?
Lila: (nods) Mhm. (Kagami walks away with a smile.)
Scene: Jardin des Tuileries. The gang form two groups to formulate a plan for Adrien and Marinette's date, starting off with Marc's group for Adrien's part.
"More plans from you guys to get these two closer together," Angel pointed out the scene to the teens in the audience as she pointed at the two heroes.
"Um, we really appreciate it, guys, but I think this would put a huge amount of pressure on both Marinette and me," Adrien noted to his friends, in which after some thought, they nodded in agreement.
Marc: Alright! That's it! You both finally know you're in love with each other. Under normal circumstances, that would've been a done deal long ago! (On the other side, Nathaniel's group takes care of Marinette.)
Nathaniel: ...but since you two lovebirds are the most awkwar— I mean, the shyest kids on earth, Marc and I thought you could use a kick in the— a little help! (Marinette opens the manga created by Marc and Nathaniel as the illustrated montage begins.)
Marc: Our plan is to help you live out a magical moment that will make you want to 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!
Nathaniel: The place will be magical!
Marc: Your pod is programmed to stop at the exact moment the sun sets over the city.
Nathaniel: The view will be magical!
Marc: There, pigeons trained by Mr. Ramier will release rose petals to rain all around you.
"OK, I know I came up with crazy plans to get together with Adrien before, but even I think this is a bit over-the-top," Marinette said with a bit of a cringed face towards her friends' plans with Adrien nodding in agreement.
Nathaniel: The moment will be magical! (Their illustrated montage cuts out.)
Adrien: But I'm allergic to pigeons!
Marc: There's no risk since you'll be in a pod! A pod streaming Kitty Section's romantic music LIVE!
Nathaniel: Even the sound will be magical!
Marc: It'll finally be kissy-time!
Nathaniel: MAAAAGIC!
Marc: A camera will allow us to make sure that everything's going according to plan.
Nathaniel: The magic of the kiss!
Marc: And that way, you'll have a photo of your first kiss! And from there…
Marc and Nathaniel: …Tada! Perfect love for life!
Marinette: (closes the manga) 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! Can't I just hold his hand for starters…
Nathaniel: But that's just it! If you kiss, you won't have to tell him anything! Kissing is a miracle cure for all your problems!
Marc: A kiss can wake a princess and bring her back to life!
Nino: (reaches up to Adrien's shoulder, who stands unamused) It makes the birds sing and (twirls behind Adrien) the squirrels dance!
Marc: 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!
Nathaniel: Hence the name: "magic kiss"!
"Are any of you guys also getting a not-so-great feeling that we have no lives, so we keep focusing on those two?" Nathaniel asked with a cringed face as he pointed to the two heroes, in which after some hesitation, most of the teens in the audience reluctantly nodded in agreement.
Marinette: (unamused) I'm not so sure. What are you basing that on?
Marc: Just about every fairy tale, shoujo manga and Hollywood romantic comedy ever!
Adrien: (surprised) Oh? And it works in real life too? Who knew!
Marinette: (to Nathaniel) But what if I need to get out?
Adrien: (to Marc, rubbing the back of his neck) What if… Marinette wants to leave? I wouldn't want her to feel cornered or pressured into anything…
Marc: But that's the whole idea of the magic kiss! You can't escape it. you can't escape destiny!
"Can't escape? Yeah, that saying makes me feel safe and comfortable," Marinette sarcastically remarked to her blushing embarrassed friends.
Marinette (sighs) I don't know... Can't we just wait for things to happen in their own time?
Kagami: If you're waiting for Adrien to do something, then you can be certain nothing will happen.
Scene: Jardin des Tuileries, inside a ferris wheel pod. The plan for the "magic kiss" ensues, starting off with Kitty Section singing a song.
Rose:
(v.o., from the speaker) One, two, three!
Don't need to skyrocket
Don't need no deep pockets
Be a prince and princess if you need tenderness—
(Nino disrupts the music sequence by going wild but off-key over the electric guitar.)
Nathaniel: (annoyed) Stop— STOP! Nino, have you never touched a guitar before?
Nino: Uh, no, dude. This is my very first time!
Nathaniel: (v.o., from the speaker) Well, then why did you replace Luka?
"Nino, while Luka's gone, you're taking his place in Kitty Section," Angel noted to the teen boy who seemed excited at the idea.
"Well, a bit of an utterly ridiculous choice based on what we just heard!" Chloe joked in which everyone else reluctantly giggled in amusement while Nino blushed and frowned towards the blonde girl in embarrassment.
Nino: Well, it didn't look so hard when he was playing it!
"Well, we're screwing up the plan already," Marc said with a facepalm as he and everybody else saw their arguing during the hero couple's magical moment on-screen.
Marc: (from the other pod) It's no big deal. It's okay. Stay focused!
Alya: (from the other pod) You can do this! (Down the ferris wheel, Mr. Ramier uses his pigeon call to let his pigeons fly according to plan.)
Marc: Kiss in nine, eight, seven…
Adrien and Marinette: (bummed out) Can we get off now?
Kitty Section and Nathaniel: NO!
Marc: Three, two, one… (The ferris wheel stops with Adrien and Marinette's pod at the peak, leaving them frustrated. Both sides of the gang continue to watch the two, crestfallen. As all of them get off their pods, Adrien and Marinette join them at the bottom of the ferris wheel, all of them dissatisfied as the plan fails.) That's okay. We'll find something else.
Marinette: Don't bother. It's not you, it's me. I don't have the magic in me! (Marinette runs away, leaving Adrien in distraught with the gang.)
Scene: Interior, the Agreste mansion, in the living room. Gabriel and Tomoe are having tea.
Gabriel: More tea?
Tomoe: Don't change the subject, Gabriel-san. Why are you so anxious to move up the date of the Diamonds' Ball?
"What's the Diamonds' Ball?" Marinette asked her boyfriend in curiosity as well as the rest of the audience (except for Chloe and Kagami).
"It's a formal ball that my father organizes and hosts every year for all of his rich friends and their children. Me, Chloe, Kagami, and the rest of the kids there are known as "diamonds", precious stones to our parents as we are heirs and heiresses to their businesses and fortunes," Adrien explained with Chloe and Kagami nodding in confirmation, in which everyone else murmured in understanding.
Gabriel: Oh, it's just a... scheduling issue.
Tomoe: Your lies show an unacceptable lack of respect!
Gabriel: I'm not lying!
Tomoe: (grabs Gabriel's left Cataclysmed arm, making him grunt in pain) Your heart beats louder than a Taiko Drum! Why do you want to move up the date?
Gabriel: (painfully breaking free from Tomoe's hold) Because I don't have much time left. (slightly rolls up his sleeve to show his Cataclysmed arm)
Scene: Interior, the Agreste mansion, in the kitchen. Adrien and Kagami are seen behind the Gorilla who is preparing a meal.
Adrien: I've always seen Marinette acting funny in my presence. I thought that was just the way she was. I thought it was sweet. I thought it was just her charm. But now that I know it's because she loves me and she freaks out about telling me, I feel bad. Because it means that this whole time she's been uncomfortable around me, and I haven't done anything to help her.
Kagami: But you didn't know.
Adrien: It doesn't take away from her suffering. I just wish she could feel more at ease when she's with me. Otherwise, one day, it'll be too late and she'll give up.
Kagami: What can I do to help, Adrien?
Adrien: Thanks, but it's not up to you or anyone else to help. I'm the one who's gotta do something. (Tomoe takes a peek at the kitchen to eavesdrop on Adrien and Kagami.) I know everyone wants to see us happy together but it's putting a lot of pressure on us. With or without kissing. The important thing is that we feel good when we're together, right? I'd do anything to make that happen! (rubs the back of his head)
Kagami: Looks like your doubts are finally gone.
Adrien: Yes, Kagami. I'm ready.
Tomoe: (to Gabriel) Made for each other. Just as planned.
Gabriel: Perfection calls for perfection.
"I'm sorry, what did they mean by that?" Adrien asked with a curious frown about his father and Mrs. Tsurugi on-screen as everyone else sported similar frowns in curiosity.
"Well, your father and Mrs. Tsurugi wants you and Kagami back together as a couple. Apparently, a relationship between you two is part of their contractual agreement," Angel explained as she pointed to both Adrien and Kagami.
"Oh, Father!" Adrien moaned with a facepalm, disappointed at his father along with everyone else.
"This is so embarrassing!" Kagami moaned also with a facepalm as Luka tried to comfort her. "What do we do about them?" Kagami then asked as she turned to Adrien.
"I don't know yet, but we have to think of something. We can't let our parents control us like this," Adrien then answered as everyone else enthusiastically murmured in agreement.
Kagami: (to Adrien) What are you doing?
Adrien: (typing on his phone) I'm going to prepare a special picnic, for just the two of us, no friends around, no outside pressure. And I'm inviting Marinette right now. Hopefully she can be herself, (Tomoe and Gabriel gape in shock in the unexpected turn of events.) and finally open her heart and soul to me, free of her fears.
Kagami: You've changed, Adrien.
Adrien: Thanks to you, Kagami.
Kagami: Marinette is a very lucky girl.
Scene: Interior, the Dupain-Cheng's Residence, in Marinette's room. Marinette is seen lying on her bed, head blank. Her phone rings a few seconds later.
Tikki: A message from Adrien!
Marinette: Oh, no! It was just a matter of time— after last night, he's finally figured out how pathetic I really am, and he's calling it quits!
Tikki: Marinette, you have to take things as they are, not the way you think they're going to be. Read the message!
Marinette: (sits up on her bed timidly and grabs her phone to view the message) Oh!
Tikki: So, what does it say?
Marinette: He's inviting me over to his home! Just the two of us! (crawls out and gets off of her bed, then walks round and round to contemplate) What should I wear? How should I greet him? Should I kiss him on the cheek or shake his hand? What if there are awkward silences that need to be filled? (continues to spin around in place) Oh, I'm never gonna have time to prepare any talking points! (plops on her chaise lounge)
Tikki: (with her arms crossed) Marinette…
Marinette: Right, Tikki. No more complicated plans! I have to take things as they are! I'm not going to plan anything! In fact, I'm not even going to change my clothes!
Tikki: But Marinette, you're wearing your pajamas!
Marinette: (stops for a while to check on herself) Well, precisely! If he really loves me, he'll love me in my pajamas too!
"You're actually going out to see Adrien in your pajamas?!" Alya teasingly asked her blushing embarrassed best friend as she and everyone else laughed hard at the thought.
"Don't worry, Marinette. Adrien had a nice idea to not make you embarrassed by that," Angel then said to Marinette to help diminish her embarrassment.
Scene: Interior, the Agreste mansion, in the living room. Gabriel closes the kitchen door to have a discreet conversation with Tomoe.
Tomoe: All of our plans are falling apart! You were supposed to control your son, Gabriel!
Gabriel: And you, your daughter!
Tomoe: My daughter's so perfect she doesn't need me to control her! (points her bokken at Gabriel)
"Control?! I'm starting to think your parents are treating you two like their own personal robots," Luka noted about Mr. Agreste and Mrs. Tsurugi to their kids, in which they and everyone else angrily hummed in agreement.
Gabriel: (pushes away Tomoe's bokken with his finger) Well, it appears she does.
Tomoe: It's not my child who's falling for someone completely wrong for her!
Gabriel: But she seems to be the one encouraging him!
Tomoe: Take control of your son, and she'll have nothing left to encourage. Organize the dance as soon as possible. Don't fail in capturing Ladybug and Cat Noir's Miraculous. It is imperative that this situation be resolved before you... leave!
Scene: Interior, the Agreste mansion, in the kitchen. Gabriel and Tomoe enter the room.
Tomoe: Kagami, we're going. (walks out the kitchen as Kagami follows behind her)
Gabriel: (to Adrien) I didn't know that you and Kagami weren't seeing each other anymore. You were such a... perfect couple. It's a shame.
Adrien: Kagami's perfect, but... not perfect for me.
Gabriel: You underestimate yourself. You and Kagami are... of the same design.
Adrien: I just feel better with Marinette.
Gabriel: You're clinging to Marinette because her mediocrity allows you to shine with less effort. But you're better than that.
Adrien: There's no-one better than Marinette, Dad! If only you knew her! She's generous, funny, creative, brave! Mom told me how you met. You two came from different worlds, but that didn't stop you from loving each other! Why shouldn't it be the same for Marinette and me?
"That true?" Marinette asked her boyfriend curiously as well as everyone else about his parents.
"Yeah, my mom told me a couple years ago. Believe it or not, my father didn't come from a rich background. He only got rich from his fashion designs. She, on the other hand, came from a rich and aristocratic family in England and they didn't exactly approve of my father," Adrien explained about his parents' background much to everyone else's eye-widening fascination.
Gabriel: (starts fidgeting with his ring from behind) Adrien, I'm your father. I know what's best for you better than you do. That is why I'm forbidding you to have any relationship with Marinette Dupain-Cheng. (Adrien frowns at his remark.)
"So we're in a "Romeo-and-Juliet" type situation then?" Adrien asked as he pointed at himself and Marinette. "Great!" Adrien then sarcastically remarked in exasperation after Angel confirmed his question with a nod.
Scene: Inside the Tsurugi car. An icy conversation ensues between Kagami and Tomoe.
Kagami: I know I've disappointed you, Mother. But much to my regret, love cannot be controlled.
Tomoe: Don't try to convince me that you don't love him anymore.
Kagami: He loves Marinette, and Marinette is my friend. Some knots can't be undone.
Tomoe: When the knot cannot be undone, the samurai cuts right through it. (Kagami looks down, frustrated.)
"In case you all haven't caught that, you Kagami still have lingering feelings for Adrien. Lila sensed that and used it to easily manipulate you into thinking badly of Marinette," Angel explained the situation in which the audience nodded in understanding though worried. Kagami, however, looked down in embarrassment upon that revelation.
Scene: Interior, the Agreste mansion, in Adrien's room. Adrien is seen holding his phone, about to write a text message to Marinette.
Plagg: You're not going to let your father tell you what to do, are you?
Adrien: What do you want me to do, Plagg? He's my father... (proceeds to send his message to Marinette)
Scene: Place des Vosges. Marinette stops walking as her phone rings with a new message.
Marinette: (brings out her phone from her pouch) "I'm sorry. You can't come. I can't talk to you."
Tikki: Are you gonna be okay?
Marinette: It's probably because his father wouldn't allow it again. That's okay, we'll see each other some other time. Nothing to worry about at all. You have to take things as they are, don't you? (She begins to walk back to her home as Tikki giggles at her remark.)
Scene: Interior, the Agreste mansion, in Nathalie's room. Nathalie is seen on her computer while Adrien sits beside her, looking lost in thought.
Adrien: (sighs heavily) Father forbids to have any relationship with Marinette. But how am I supposed to do that when we're in the same class? (Nathalie is taken aback after knowing what his father told him to do. Thinking of ways to make him happy, she looks at the ring that Gabriel entrusted to her and clenches her fists.)
Nathalie: Adrien, listen to me. When it comes to your love life, you're free to decide whatever you want to do. Don't let anyone else tell you how to act. Not now, not ever.
Adrien: You're right, Nathalie. I don't know what came over me. (brings out his phone again, opening it to message Marinette once more)
"Wow! That lady can be cool when she wants to be!" Nino noted about Nathalie in which everyone else murmured in shocked agreement.
"Let's just say that Nathalie is now thinking about your happiness, Adrien. Even if it goes against your father's wishes. It is what your mother asked of her," Angel said about Nathalie towards Adrien who beamed that Nathalie's been listening to his mother's wishes.
Scene: Interior, The Dupain-Cheng's Residence, in Marinette's room. Just as Marinette is about to enter her room through her trapdoor, her phone rings again.
Marinette: (checks on her phone and gasps) He's available again! See? He's acting completely random— he's perfect for me! And you're right: it doesn't change a thing whether I worry or not! So why worry? Come on, let's go.
Tikki: Since we're back home, why don't you get changed before we leave again?
Marinette: No way, Tikki! What if it breaks the magic of the moment? You start putting on socks and the next thing you know, you're making foolish plans all over again. I've decided that I'll be in my pajamas, so pajamas it is! (goes down the stairs and Tikki follows her)
Scene: Exterior, the Agreste mansion, outside the gate. Just as before Marinette taps on the intercom, the gate automatically opens before her eyes and sees Adrien peeking at the main door, signaling her to come in.
Scene: Interior, the Agreste mansion, in the foyer. As the two enter the mansion, Adrien hushes down Marinette so no one could catch him sneaking her in. They make a run to the kitchen to get the wicker basket from Gorilla.
Adrien: (after grabbing the wicker basket from Gorilla) Thank you. (Gorilla goes in the other direction to check if anyone saw them sneaking. Just before Adrien could open the door, he notices Marinette wearing her pajamas, which caused Marinette to become quite embarrassed.) I, uh, forgot something. (gives Marinette the basket) Don't go anywhere. (He runs to the door, leaving Marinette in the kitchen, puzzled. He comes back a few seconds later, changed into his pajamas as well...) It's better this way. (...to which Marinette smiles.)
"Now it's a pajama date between you two!" Angel excitedly said to the two heroes who gave each other blushing smiles.
"Awwwwww!" Everyone else in the audience gushed towards the moment between the two heroes on-screen.
Scene: Exterior, the Agreste mansion, in the courtyard. Adrien opens the door for Marinette, showing her the picnic area he prepared. She gasps in awe upon seeing it.
Marinette: (leaning on the stone fence) Wow! (The two of them sit on the picnic blanket. Marinette wonders what the picnic basket is for.) Adrien, what's in there?
Adrien: Take a look! (opens the basket revealing two game controllers, a game console and a whole lot of video games)
Marinette: (wide-eyed) Wooooow!
Adrien: Ah, maybe you would rather watch a movie...? (Marinette suddenly throws one of the game controllers at him with a smug smile.)
Marinette: You're kidding, right?
"Video games?! Really, Adrikins?!" Chloe asked her childhood friend in exasperation about playing video games for a romantic date.
"Hey! It works for me!" Marinette said in her boyfriend's defense with everyone else murmuring in agreement.
Scene: Interior, the Agreste mansion, in Gabriel's atelier. Gabriel scowls as he overhears the noise from outside the mansion, scowling even more upon learning that Adrien still invited Marinette over to their house after being told not to.
Gabriel: (upon realization) Nathalie...! (He barges into Nathalie's room to confront her.) You gave Adrien a counter-order?!
Nathalie: The power you have over Adrien doesn't mean you could go that far! (Gabriel gazes upon the ring he entrusted to Nathalie.)
Gabriel: You... were right, Nathalie. (forcibly smiles but shifts to a scowl as he walks out the room)
Scene: Canal Saint-Martin. Kagami and Lila are sitting beside each other on a bench.
Kagami: My mother would like me to get closer to Adrien, and I think I've fallen in love with him again. But... I don't want to cause them any hurt. They're my friends, and they're obviously meant to be together. I feel so weak for being a victim of my own feelings…
Lila: (suddenly hugs Kagami) It must be so hard! But just know that I'll always be here for you. (sneaks in to send a message through her Alliance behind Kagami) Oh! I'm sorry, someone tried to call me. I have to call them back. (She walks to hide behind a tree and her Alliance rings.) Mr. Agreste, I was just about to call you.
Gabriel: (on call) You were supposed to be keeping an eye out on my son, most importantly, protecting him from toxic people like this Marinette Dupain-Cheng!
Lila: Things are already in motion, sir. I believe you know Kagami Tsurugi? (looks at Kagami over her shoulder) This young lady needs to be perfect so badly that she sees any emotion she might be feeling as weakness. And it's devastating every time. So much so that she's already fallen prey to Monarch more than once!
Gabriel: (gasps) What does this have to do with me?
Lila: Kagami is in love with your son. This whole story with Marinette and Adrien is breaking her heart. Monarch will probably turn her into a supervillain soon. If Marinette and Adrien learn that their love was hurting their friend, it would poison their relationship in the end. What a sad situation, don't you think?
"Is it just me or does Lila seem to know a lot more than she's letting on? It's like she's signaling my father to akumatize Kagami!" Adrien asked, now more suspicious about Lila with everyone else humming in agreement after some deep thought.
"I might as well tell you this now. Lila does know now that Mr. Agreste is Monarch, but it won't be confirmed until a couple more episodes," Angel answered in which everyone else began to fear and internally panic at the thought at what Lila would do with that information.
Gabriel: (on-call) All that's left to do is... wait, then?
Lila: Exactly. Just wait. (sneers. Lila returns to Kagami who is seen melancholically holding the little handmade picture frame that Marinette gave her with their picture together as a symbol of their friendship.) I'm sorry, that was my mother. She couldn't remember where she put her— (sees Kagami looking at Marinette's gift to her) Oh...! I wish I didn't have to tell you this, but I can't stand to see you suffer like this anymore! You can't attach so much importance to your friendship with Marinette! She doesn't feel the same way. (Kagami gasps in disbelief.) I know this because I've been through such similar pain myself.
Kagami: (suspicious) What are you talking about...? Marinette isn't like that! She's the nicest girl I know! She's always trying to help others!
Lila: That's what she got me to believe, too, at first... until I finally opened my eyes. If you look closely, it's not Marinette helping everyone else; it's everyone helping Marinette. (Kagami gasps once again, starting to feel betrayed.) She pretends to be weak in order to take advantage of all of you! As a result, you all feel like you have to help her! Poor Adrien... Since you two are no longer a couple, he's got no one to protect him. He, too, has fallen into her clutches without realizing it. (Scene flashbacks to when Kagami was with Adrien in the kitchen back in his home, and so she starts to become manipulated by Lila's lies.) Don't you think it's weird that Marinette only ever stutters, faceplants, acts all uncomfortable in front of Adrien? That's because from the beginning, she's set her eyes on him. With people as perfect as you and Adrien, things are bound to work. You're the ones who should be together. You're the ones who belong together. (With Lila successfully spurting every single misinformation to brainwash Kagami, Kagami feels betrayed.)
Kagami: There's no way... I... I need to talk to Marinette...!
Lila: Don't waste your time. Manipulators like her always manage to lie their way out of trouble. And of course, Adrien would stand up for her. Toxic people like that are dangerous, and you just need to get as far away from them as possible, as soon as you can. I know it's terrible, but there's nothing else we can do… (Kagami seethes with anger.)
"Would you all think less of me if I say that I now have the urge to choke and strangle that girl?!" Marinette asked everyone else, growling loudly in anger towards Lila on-screen. Everyone else just shook their heads no, feeling the same way as she does.
"You're better than I am, m'lady. The next time I see her, I'd probably want to transform into Cat Noir and Cataclysm her in the heart…which I seriously doubt she has at this point," Adrien said, also growling in anger towards Lila on-screen.
"I'm no better than you two. The fact that she's trying to akumatize me and have me turn against you two, I'd gladly disembowel her with my sword," Kagami then said as she seethed in anger towards Lila on-screen as well. "Too far?" Kagami then asked as soon as most of the audience looked at her with mild fear and disgust.
"Not for me," Marinette quietly said to herself.
Scene: Monarch's lair. The lair window opens.
Monarch: Lila Rossi was right. Kagami's emotions are powerful! Luckily, I have just the recipe to reconcile her! (creates a megakuma)
Scene: Canal Saint-Martin. Lila is "trying" to keep Kagami from getting mad after what she told her. A portal opens behind them and the megakuma emerges from it.
Lila: No, Kagami, no! You mustn't let yourself get so upset. Not you. You're too... (sneers upon noticing the megakuma) perfect. (The megakuma effortlessly breaks the barrier created by the magical charm and enters the handmade picture frame that Kagami's holding.)
"She is definitely a dead girl!" Alya then loudly said in anger towards Lila for purposely letting an akuma take control of one of their friends on-screen. Everyone else murmured in agreement, also angry at the lying girl on-screen.
Monarch: Riposte Prime, I am Monarch. To help you take revenge, I am giving you back your powers! But this time, to help you cut through the veil of lies, I am also giving you an extra weapon... Wayzz, (Wayzz's pod hovers toward Monarch...) your power is now mine! (...and absorbs his power.) Transfer! (transmits the power of Protection to Kagami's Alliance ring) I am entrusting you with the essence of the Miraculous of Protection. What good is a sword without a shield?
Kagami: It's time to unmask Marinette Dupain-Cheng! (succumbs to the akumatization and transforms into Riposte Prime)
Wayzz whimpered in fear upon seeing his superpower once again being used for evil with Nino trying to comfort him.
Scene: Exterior, the Agreste mansion, in the courtyard. Adrien and Marinette are lying on the picnic blanket, staring at the clouds.
Marinette: What do you see in that one? (points at one of the clouds)
Adrien: A horse! (He points at one of the clouds, too.) How about that one? (In Marinette's point of view, the cloud that Adrien pointed out shows in the shape of both of them kissing, which makes her cheeks flush. In a few seconds, she timidly moves her hand to touch Adrien's. To his surprise, he blushes at the touch and smiles, proceeding to completely grab hold of Marinette's hand. They continue to gaze at the clouds, hands never letting go of each other. Meanwhile, Gabriel goes back to the atelier and spies between Adrien and Marinette by the window, unyielding. Back in the courtyard, Adrien and Marinette turn to look at each other.) Are you sure you're ready?
Marinette: Yes. (The two now face each other, forehead to forehead, preparing for a kiss. Gabriel, by his office window, hisses in anger upon seeing them, but grins upon seeing his akumatized villain arrive off-screen.)
Adrien: I've never admired the clouds in my pajamas with anyone before...is it always this amazing?
"This is sooooo beautiful! It's like you two are in a romantic movie!" Rose gushed at the sweet moment between the two heroes with everyone else gushing in agreement.
Marinette: Adrien, I…
Riposte Prime: How convenient! (Marinette and Adrien see her standing on top of the courtyard walls) All that awkwardness, all that hesitation that made you so charming... The moment you get what you want, they disappear?
"Leave it to Lila and my father to ruin something amazing and beautiful!" Adrien said in anger and exasperation with everyone else humming in agreement, similarly angry and exasperated as well.
Adrien and Marinette: Kagami?
Riposte Prime: No, I am Riposte Prime! (leaps down to attack them with her sword as Marinette and Adrien are able to evade it) Adrien! Move away from that liar right now!
Adrien: Kagami, we've talked about this! Marinette's finally less afraid now! (Gabriel watches everything that's happening from his window and walks away shortly.)
Riposte Prime: You pathetic, naïve fool! You were too weak to take the initiative when it came to loving me, but now you're ready and willing! Would you have gone this far if it weren't for her little act? (Gorilla ambushes Riposte Prime from behind only to get touched by her sword and imprisoned inside an indestructible sphere.) Another chump who tried to protect Marinette and is now paying the price! (Riposte Prime gets a glimpse of Adrien running to take Marinette inside the mansion and keep her safe.)
"Once you Kagami touches someone with her sword, they're trapped in the Turtle's shield," Angel pointed out Riposte Prime's new powers on-screen as everyone else nodded in understanding.
Scene: Interior, the Agreste mansion, in Adrien's room. Adrien brings Marinette in and locks his door.
Adrien: (points at the bathroom) Hide there, I'll get help!
Riposte Prime: (breaks in the room through the window) Too late!
Marinette: Kagami, what's happened to you? There has to be some misunderstanding. If I hurt you without realizing it, tell me! I'll do anything to make it up to you!
Riposte Prime: You're good. You almost had me fooled again! (strikes to attack Marinette, only to be blocked by Adrien with his saber)
Adrien: Run, Marinette! (Marinette exits the room. Adrien and Riposte Prime begin parrying with their sabers until she disarms and corners him.)
Riposte Prime: (pointing her sword at Adrien) Stay here, my sweet Adrien. I'm going to take care of Marinette and stop her from hurting everyone else around her! (touches Adrien with her sword and confines him inside the indestructible sphere, freeing Gorilla in the courtyard) And then, we can finally be happy again. You and me.
"And once you Kagami trapped someone new in the Turtle's shield, the previous person trapped is set free," Angel explained Riposte Prime's new powers further as everyone else once again nodded in understanding.
Adrien: No! (Riposte Prime jumps out of the window and begins her hunt for Marinette.)
Scene: Place du Châtelet. Riposte Prime prevents Marinette from escaping.
Riposte Prime: Marinette, you really are a great actress!
Marinette: Kagami, listen!
Riposte Prime: Never again! (touches Marinette with her sword and captures her in a sphere, setting Adrien free in his room)
Adrien: We gotta bring Kagami to her senses! Plagg. claws out! (transforms into Cat Noir. Back at the Place du Châtelet, Riposte Prime taps the sphere with her sword, securing Marinette inside.)
Riposte Prime: In here, your little puppy eyes won't fool anyone anymore!
Tikki: (to Marinette) Turn into Ladybug! Maybe your Lucky Charm will help you get out of this prison!
Marinette: Then, everyone will know that Marinette is Ladybug! I'm stuck!
Cat Noir: Kagami! (Riposte Prime and Marinette turn to look at Cat Noir.)
Marinette: (gasps) Cat Noir!
Cat Noir: Kagami, we've been on the same side before. You used the Miraculous of the Dragon as Ryuko. Trust me... put the sword down.
Riposte Prime: Don't try to manipulate me! (begins parrying with Cat Noir)
Marinette: Oh, kitty, I know you can't hear me, but do what you usually do: Cataclysm before you think and it'll be perfect! Please, please, please, pretty-please! (Riposte Prime and Cat Noir continue on their parry until he bounces over her and reaches the sphere where Marinette is kept captive.)
Cat Noir: Cataclysm! (disintegrates the sphere, setting Marinette free)
Marinette: Thank you, Cat Noir! I was so scared!
Cat Noir: Get to safety!
Riposte Prime: (enraged) NO! (Cat Noir and Riposte Prime continue their sword parry as Marinette takes this an advantage to hide and transform under a bridge.)
Marinette: Tikki, spots on! (She transforms into Ladybug)
[Superpower Sequence]
Ladybug: Lucky Charm! (receives a bottle of olive oil) Olive oil? (Back at the Place du Châtelet, Ladybug wraps her yo-yo around Riposte Prime's arm, stopping her to strike another blow.) Hi, kitty cat!
Cat Noir M'lady! Just in time! (Riposte Prime pulls Ladybug down from the statue.)
Riposte Prime: There's no honor in defending a liar!
Cat Noir: We already saved that girl before. She can't be what you say she is!
Ladybug: Cat Noir is right. You're mistaken!
Riposte Prime: You can't pretend to know someone you just crossed paths with! I know her better than you do! (Ladybug uses her vision to come up with a plan in de-akumatizing Riposte Prime, as she looks at the bottle of olive oil she's holding, at Cat Noir and Riposte Prime's saber.)
Ladybug: How about a well-oiled baseball game? (She throws the bottle of olive oil at Riposte Prime, causing her to slice it in half and spilling the olive oil on herself.)
"OK, how's covering me with olive oil going to help?" Kagami asked, a bit disgusted at the image of her being covered by olive oil on-screen.
"Well, olive oil is slippery, so…" Angel started which made the audience start thinking about the solution in their heads.
"The sword will easily slip out of her hands and she'll be disarmed!" Marinette said once she got the idea in which Angel confirmed it with a nod, and then everyone else murmured in understanding.
Cat Noir: Hey! She ruined our fun! (Now in an advantage, Cat Noir rushes at Riposte Prime to continue the battle and hooks the saber off her hand as it is coated in oil. He tosses this in the air for Ladybug to break it and free the megakuma.)
Ladybug: No more evil-doing for you, megakuma! (opens her yo-yo) Time to de-evilize! (captures and purifies the megakuma) Gotcha! (opens her yo-yo to free the purified butterfly) Bye-bye, little butterfly! Miraculous Ladybug! (tosses the bottle of olive oil in the air and clears all the damages caused by Riposte Prime As the magical ladybugs reorganize everything, Riposte Prime reverts back to Kagami. Ladybug opens her yo-yo once again to give Kagami a brand new magical charm.) Kagami. Take this magical cha—
Kagami: (lets go of Ladybug's hand) It won't solve my problems. (Ladybug frowns and looks at the charm on her hand.)
Ladybug: Uh— Cat Noir! I— I... have an urgent appointment. I'll leave it to you then! Thanks! Bug out! (gives Cat Noir the magical charm and swings away)
Cat Noir: Well, uh, bye then! (reaches to give Kagami the magical charm but still refuses to accept it, making him frown as well)
Marinette: Kagami! (runs towards them) Kagami! (Kagami scoffs at Marinette, to her shock.)
Cat Noir: Uh, well... I'll leave you to it, then. (gives the charm to Marinette and vaults away)
Marinette: What happened to you, Kagami?
Kagami: Please forgive me, Marinette. Even though you lied to and manipulated me, that did not give me the right to attack you like I did.
Marinette: Huh? Why do you think I would do that all of a sudden? I thought we were friends?
Kagami: Lila... opened my eyes.
Marinette: (gasps) Lila... (her face shifts into disbelief) Look, I don't know what she told you, but…
Kagami: She warned me that you'd always manipulate your way out with lies.
Adrien: Then, maybe you'll listen to me. Marinette's not a liar nor a manipulator. (walks towards them) She's brave, generous. She listens to others. Unlike Lila, her actions prove it every day. And that's why I love her. I'm sure deep down, you can feel it, too. (Kagami begins to cry. Adrien and Marinette take her in for an embrace.)
Kagami: I'm sorry. I let my emotions get the better of me again and cloud my judgment. I'm so weak. Please forgive me.
Marinette: Don't try to push your emotions away. Look them in the eye. Acknowledge them. Figure out what they're trying to tell you, (places the magical charm in Kagami's hand) and turn them into energy to move forward. That's real strength. Love yourself the way you are…
Adrien: ...Just like we love you the way you are. (Kagami turns to look at them again and sinks to her knees, breaking down in tears.)
Kagami: I love you both! (Marinette and Adrien take her in for another embrace.) I truly wish you two being in love wasn't so painful to me, but it is.
Marinette: We're sorry.
Kagami: (sobbing) It's not your fault…
Most of the audience (including Kagami herself) began tearing up in sympathy towards the Japanese girl. The audience is also horrified at the thought of being in her place of getting akumatized and hurting Marinette because of the words of one girl like Lila.
Scene: Exterior, the Agreste mansion, in the courtyard. Adrien and Marinette are lying again on the picnic blanket. This time, with crestfallen faces.
Adrien: Want to try again?
Marinette: I... I'm going to head home. You're not mad, right?
Adrien: I understand. It's alright. We have all the time in the world. (Marinette stands up from the blanket and makes her way out of the mansion, to which Gabriel grins as his plan to separate her and Adrien worked yet again.)
"Uggggh!" Everyone in the audience groaned in annoyance that another romantic moment between the two is ruined on-screen.
"Yeah, the whole thing with Kagami kinda ruined the mood for you two," Angel pointed out to the two heroes.
"I apologize. I cannot believe that I apparently let Lila take advantage of my feelings and manipulate me against the true devotion you two truly have for each other," Kagami said to the two heroes as she looked down in shame.
"It's not your fault, Kagami," Alya said with everyone else (including the two heroes) murmuring in agreement. "Almost all of us let ourselves get fooled by that girl!"
Gabriel: The worm is in the fruit. It's only a matter of time before their relationship becomes spoiled.
Lila: (on-call) Why don't you find another partner for your son so you can control him better?
"If she's talking about herself, she's obviously deluded," Adrien said in disgust at the thought of being with Lila with everyone else angrily humming in agreement.
Gabriel: I'll think about it. (ends the call and looks ahead considerately)
Epilogue: Jardin des Tuileries. Lila frowns at Gabriel ending the call, but changes her attitude upon seeing Kagami walking towards her.
Lila: Oh, Kagami! I was so scared for you! All because of that horrible Mari–
Kagami: Quiet. I'm going to try to tell you how I feel as best I can. I don't know why you think these things about Marinette. I think you're wrong about her. I love Marinette. But I love you, too. I'll still be your friend if your friendship is genuine. But you won't use me against her. I am NOT a puppet.
Lila: Of course, I'm being genuine with you. I'm sorry if I ever led you to believe that I was trying to turn you against Marinette. That was never my intention. I just wanted to share my feelings with an open heart... with my best friend! (gives Kagami a hug, to which Kagami smiles, not knowing her true intentions)
"Maybe we each should get a bottle of disinfectant spray for ourselves in case that evil witch tries to hug us," Alya suggested as she angrily glared at Lila on-screen. Everyone else murmured in agreement as they shivered at the thought of being touched by Lila.
"OK, everyone, the next episode is called Adoration which refers to the Dog Miraculous," Angel announced the next episode before turning to Sabrina. "Sabrina, you're re-akumatized back into Vanisher, but instead of attacking Chloe like last time, you're helping her…and Lila."
"What is that loser trying to make me and Sabrina do now?!" Chloe asked in disgust as Sabrina gasped in fear of being Vanisher again.
"Long story short: frame Marinette as a thief," Angel answered before playing the episode while her audience shared looks of worry and concern.