"Marinnnn!" Tikki complained as Marin turned his head towards his Kwami laying down on his desk. "Aren't they ready yet?" Her partner couldn't help but giggle at his Kwami's insistence, scrolling thought his Instagram feed.
"I'll go check on them." He remarked. Marin walked downstairs as he saw his mother standing in front of the mirror adjusting her favorite hair accessory.
"Well?"
"Huh?" Marin tilted his head in confusion with one hand on the door, stopping just as he heard her voice.
"My hairpin," His mother clarified, "Should I wear it to the restaurant or not?
Marin shrugged his shoulders, "Either way, you'll look perfect, Mom."
Sabine smiled, kissing her son's cheek, "Just like your father." She remarked as Marin shrugged off the compliment heading immediately downstairs.
"Marin! Could you come here please?" He heard his father call to him as he walked into the bakery. His father turned towards him with a worried expression, "Well?"
Marin cocked his head, feeling a hint of Deja vu. "Well, what?"
"My mustache, I groomed it myself for the first time. Is it too short? Should I shave the whole thing off? Maybe it's a little crooked on one–"
Marin shook his head, already putting on his oven mitts to check on the pastries. "You look fine Dad. Uh, except for one thing."
"What?" His father inquired, then noticing as his son glancing towards his waist. Seeing that he was still wearing a baking apron. "Oh!" Immediately he removed it, placing it back on the hook.
"Perfect," Marin remarked as he took out the chocolate croissants, just as his mother came downstairs.
His father smiled at the compliment, planting a kiss on his son's cheek as he still held the tray. "Just like your mother."
"Darling, we're going to be late." He heard his mother say as she led his father towards the front door.
"Of course, of course." He said rapidly, glancing back at Marin who was leaning over the counter, having already set aside the tray and his mitts. "Now don't forget Mrs. Chamack will be coming by to pick up the Eiffel Tower cake in 30 minutes. I'm depending on you, and, if you leave, don't forget to lock the shop. Also, all the emergency numbers are on the fridge, remember not to talk to strangers, and-"
"No problem papa, I won't leave the shop," Marin promised, as his mother had to drag his dad away from the shop, sighing just as the door was closed.
"Wow, married twenty years. Time flies when you're having fun." Tikki remarked as she hovered near the cake, almost devouring it with her eyes.
"And stands still when you're doing homework." He remarked a textbook on the counter. It was just him in the shop until the Najia came by, then he was free." What do you think Tikki, snacks and math?"
But before she could answer, the door opened again.
"Heyo!" Alya called walking into the shop as Tikki hid behind the counter. "Got the banner?"
"Yup." Marin said, "It's just upstairs."
"Classy." Alya remarked, "It sucks you can't get to the race though. We were all going to ice cream afterward. Loser buys."
Marin simply shrugged it off, "I can't leave the shop, my parents are counting on me. But I could stop by if the customer who ordered this cake comes by earlier than expected."
"That's the price of responsibility I guess, at least you get to eat whatever isn't bought."
Marin chuckled, "I'm not that much of a glutton. But you can send recommend everyone come over later and buy, what will be, freshly made chocolate croissants."
"You know me so well." Alya swooned at the mere thought of the light and buttery pastry, as they both giggled at her silliness.
"I'll go grab the banner," Marin said as he could feel Tikki fly into his pocket. "You can help yourself to these, but be careful because they're still hot." He gestured towards the pastries cooling down.
"Thanks, cutie!" Alya called out as Marin ran upstairs to his room. He scanned the room for where he put the banner, searching through his things as he heard a notification from his desktop. "Hm?" For a moment he looked at his feed, seeing that Alix posted a new update. It was her on the way to the race holding a pocket watch in her hand with a broad smile on her face. "Hey Tikki, check this out."
He just had located the banner as Tikki glanced at the photo of Marin's school friend. She widened her eyes as she saw what was in the child's hand. "Marin!" She called out as her friend walked back over, now holding the banner.
"What's up?" He asked as his Kwami pointed to Alix's new watch.
"I have to see that!" She insisted much to his confusion.
"Why?"
"It's important! Can you please go to the race?" She requested, widening her giant blue eyes pleadingly.
"I'll try to go later if the delivery gets picked up, promise. What's this about?"
Tikki looked back at the image, uncertain for a moment, "A Kwami's intuition."
Marin hummed for a moment, before walking back downstairs to his best friend in the middle of eating with a jubilant look on her face.
"These are amazing, you sure you're not some kinda magician? A prince of baking maybe?" She asked as Marin handed over the banner.
"Nah, just the son of the best bakers in Paris." He said as he saw her out of the shop, the two of them standing at the entrance for a moment.
"Lemme know if you end up coming over." She said.
"I will." He said, waving goodbye as Alya ran to catch the bus, shoving the rest of her pastry into her mouth.
Adrien watched as his bodyguard parked nearby, then ran towards where the race was being held in The Trocadéro. He waved to Nino, standing right next to him as everyone else chatted amongst themselves. Finally, Alya arrived, out of breath, holding up the banner for the race with a smile. Everyone complimented it as Alya handed it over to him and Nino to hold up, as she was recording the entire race. "This looks really good." He said.
"Thanks, courtesy of Marin." She remarked then taking out her phone.
"Where is he?" Nino asked.
"Had to watch his parents shop today. But maybe he'll swing by later on."
"Isn't his phone still broken, how's he gonna find out where we are?" Adrien asked curiously.
"His family's bakery has a landline, I can just call that," Alya said as the Max walked out to start the race, announcing the stakes. Kim wouldn't be able to make any more bets, or Alix had to give up her skates. Only Max was really on Kim's side, but even he wanted his friend to stop with the bets.
"On your marks, get set..."
"Hold up!" Alix called out as Kim fell forward much to everyone's amusement.
"Forfeiting already?" Kim mocked, but Alix ignored him, handing over something to Alya.
"Hold on to this for me, will you, Alya? I don't wanna drop it during the race."
Alya took a double-take between the watch and her friend. "Wait, hold on, I can't! I gotta..."
"Guard it with your life. It's a family heirloom!" Alix called out as she got back into position for the race to begin.
Alya then passed it off to him, "Adrien could you take this? I gotta record the race for my blog."
"Sure?" Adrien reluctantly agreed just as the race started.
"On your marks, get set... GO!" Max called out and Alix and Kim start racing while everyone cheered on. They watched in awe as the two fastest kids practically flew past them on the first lap.
"Adrikins, whatcha got there? Some super old case or something?" Chloé questioned as she closed in far too close for comfort as he was holding up the sign. She took it from his hand, observing it more closely.
"Careful, it's Alix's!" He warned but his childhood friend ignored him.
Chloé smirked at him, "If it's Alix's, it's probably worthless."
"Last lap!" Max called out as the cheering became louder.
Adrien couldn't help but frown, "That's not very nice Chloé, that watch is really important to her." He said but could see that Chloé ignored him. He watched as she pressed down on it, gasping as it suddenly started to glow. He gasped as Chloé tossed the watch, watching as it fell on the track. Time seemed to slow down as Alix ran it over, cheering as she won the race. It crushed him to see her expression as her eyes fell on the broken watch.
"I call a rematch! That false start back there threw me off! Uh..." Kim demanded but trailed away as Alix fell to her knees, picking up what remained of her watch.
Alix didn't lift her head as she asked with an accusing tone "How did this happen?"
Alya exchanged a glance with Nino as she spoke up, "Uh, well I had to videotape the race so I gave it to Adrien but then, then Chloé snatched it from him and dropped it and, uh, then you skated over it...sorry."
Alix's eyes welled with tears as she snapped at her friends. "My old man gave me this for my birthday! This watch is totally a family heirloom!"
"Chillout roller girl, it's just a watch," Chloé remarked, more worried about the state of her nails than the person crying before her.
Alix glared at Chloé as she skated away angrily.
"Alix, wait!" Adrien called out, running after her. "Maybe we could fix it?" He offered.
"Like how, huh? Go back in time and change the future? This watch was One of a kind! It can't be fixed!" Alix skated away faster so he couldn't catch up. He was the last one who held the watch, so he felt bad. Not noticing the Akuma that flew by until it was too late, his eyes widened as his friend turned around, a new enemy.
"Alix?" Adrien questioned, taking a step back.
"The name's Chronogirl now. And I'm gonna go back in time and save my watch, using all you punks to do it!"
"Run!" Adrien called out to his friend as he narrowly evaded this new villainess's touch. Escaping from view as he could hear his friends screams. Plagg flew out of his shirt, hovering before him.
"So, is the race over?"
"Save the small talk, we have to save my friends. Plagg, claws out!"
"Have a nice day Ms. Chamack!" Marin remarked closing the door behind her as she smiled in satisfaction. "I think I can catch the end of the race if I go now." He said as Tikki flew out.
"How? It's almost halfway across the city."
"I think I have an idea, Marin remarked placing a few cookies inside of his messenger bag,"Tikki, Spots on!"
Crossing the city was easy. Watching as a new villain took out his friends? Hard on the eyes. He walked towards Kim who was transparent, seeing his other classmates looking terrified as all of them were fading.
"Don't let her touch you!" Chat Noir yelled out as Ladybug swiftly avoided the new villain. But soon realized that he wasn't the target. Hearing Alya scream from behind. As soon as Chronogirl touched her, Alya was frozen in place, staring to fade away just like their other classmates. The new villain cackled as their roller skates
"Well, she wastes no time, does she?" Ladybug kept his eyes trained on the villainess as Chat Noir walked up next to him. "Alix Kubdel's watch broke so she's stealing the life energy of everyone she touches to try and get it back." He explained.
"We need to stop her, fast." Ladybug informed as he took out his yo-yo.
"Just what I was thinking." Chat noir remarked as he ran ahead. Trying to hit her with his staff, but she easily jumped over it.
Ladybug spotted her next target, Ivan, using his yo-yo to try and stop it, wrapping it around her waist. What he didn't expect was for Chronogirl to have enhanced strength. She grabbed the wire, pulling Ladybug towards her as he tripped due to the force. Time seemed to slow down as Chronogirl was already reaching down towards him.
But what came next shook him to his core.
Just as Chronogirl was about to steal his energy, Cat Noir quickly embraced him, effectively sacrificing himself so that he wouldn't get caught. Ladybug was stunned as he saw his friend was already fading away, unable to speak.
Chronogirl stared at her watch in amazement, "Oh, wow, six minutes in one go! Must have been those nine lives. Gotta go! The past is waiting."
Ladybug snapped back to his thoughts but was too late as Chronogirl disappeared before his very eyes into a place he couldn't reach.
Adrien watched as his bodyguard parked nearby, then ran towards where the race was being held in The Trocadéro. He waved to Nino, standing right next to him as everyone else chatted amongst themselves. Finally, Alya arrived, out of breath, holding up the banner for the race with a smile. Everyone complimented it as Alya handed it over to him and Nino to hold up, as she was recording the entire race. "This looks really good." He said.
"Thanks, courtesy of Marin." She remarked then taking out her phone.
"Where is he?" Nino asked.
"Had to watch his parents shop today. But maybe he'll swing by later on."
"Isn't his phone still broken, how's he gonna find out where we are?"
"His family's bakery has a landline, I can just call that," Alya said as the Max walked out to start the race, announcing the stakes. Kim wouldn't be able to make any more bets, or Alix had to give up her skates. Only Max was really on Kim's side, but even he wanted his friend to stop with the bets.
"On your marks, get set..."
"Hold up!" Alix called out as Kim fell forward much to everyone's amusement.
"Forfeiting already?" Kim mocked, but Alix ignored him, handing over something to Alya.
"Hold on to this for me, will you, Alya? I don't wanna drop it during the race."
Alya took a double-take between the watch and her friend. "Wait, hold on, I can't! I gotta..."
"Guard it with your life. It's a family heirloom!" Alix called out as she got back into position for the race to begin.
Alya then passed it off to him, "Adrien could you take this? I gotta record the race for my blog."
"Sure?" Adrien reluctantly agreed just as the race started.
"On your marks, get set... GO!" MAx called out and Alix and Kim start racing while everyone cheered on. They watched in awe as the two fastest kids practically flew past them on the first lap.
"Adrikins, whatcha got there? Some super old case or something?" Chloé questioned as she closed in far too close for comfort as he was holding up the sign. She took it from his hand, observing it more closely.
"Careful, it's Alix's!" He warned but his childhood friend ignored him.
Chloé smirked at him, "If it's Alix's, it's probably worthless."
"Last lap!" Max called out as the cheering became louder.
Adrien couldn't help but frown, "That's not very nice Chloé , that watch is really important to her." He said but could see that Chloé ignored him.
"My watch!" A voice from behind called out. Everyone turned to see a new villain, jumping towards them, enraged. Reflexively, Adrien stepped in front of Chloé who dropped the watch, shattering it as everyone scattered.
Ladybug, fell to his knees for a moment, resting his head on his partner's fading figure. He had no plan, no idea what to do. He couldn't even use his lucky charm as he hadn't activated it yet. With his only ally taken out, the enemy time traveling there was nothing else he felt he could do.
He felt utterly worthless.
But he suddenly slapped his face. No longer feeling sorry, now replacing all his negativity with determination. He was Ladybug, Paris's superhero alongside Chat Noir. There had to be a solution, there was always a solution. He wasn't alone after all, even if Chat Noir was...
He quickly shook away the darker thoughts, it didn't matter, he still had Tikki.
"Tikki, Spots o-"
Suddenly, he heard something from behind, turning to see a white glowing portal. It wasn't the method that Chronogirl used to travel, so this had to be something else. Standing before his fading partner, Ladybug narrowed his eyes, uncertain at what would appear next.
He certainly did not expect a woman to step out, clearly who was chosen by the miraculous. Her hair was a bright red, and she donned a white and blue themed outfit complete with rabbit ears and a fluffy tail. It shocked him to see another user, and an adult no less.
"'Sup, mini-bug."
Mini-bug?
Ladybug began swinging his yo-yo, distrustful of the person before him.
"Calm down, I'm not here to fight, all I want to do is help you out." She said with a reassuring smile on her face. "I'm Bunnyx, a hero from the future." She introduced but her smile soon faded as she could see that she wasn't swaying the young hero's defensive view. She thought for a moment as though she were remembering something and spoke up again. "Don't you want to save your partner?"
Ladybug wavered, glancing back to the spot where his partner once stood. Dropping his guard and glancing towards the person before him, vulnerable, but willing to listen. She walked forward, placing her hand on his shoulder. "I'm going to help you out, but you'll need to trust me mini-bug."
He took a deep breath before nodding, it wasn't as though he had other options. Allowing Bunnyx to wrap his scarf over his eyes so he couldn't see anything. The only thing he felt was her hand taking his hand, guiding him through what he assumed as her portal.
Bunnyx drew her hand away, placing them on his shoulders as she spoke behind him. "All you have to do is run forward and save your friends."
"Why are you doing this?"
"Because that's what future you asked me to do, plus, I kinda owe you big time." She said simply, whispering something in his ear that made him turn his head towards her in surprise. But she already began pushing him forward gently so he'd know where to run, but he stopped for a moment. Ladybug hesitated, wanting to ask her more things, but ultimately did as he was told, sprinting forward blindly until the wind hit his face.
Adrien watched at the Villain was about to make contact with him, but at the last second, she was pulled back. Thrown to the side as Ladybug landed before him atop the staircase, standing tall with an unnatural dark expression in his eyes.
"Everyone, get out of here! Don't let her touch you!" He yelled out as Adrien was too late to stop Alix from getting possessed by the Akuma. Chloé had already run away, so he did the same. Standing behind a tree as Plagg flew out.
"Look like trouble, can't we go home and have some cheese?" He asked but was met with Adrien's amused expression.
"And miss all the fun? Plagg, claws out!" He transformed, jumping onto the battlefield with a smile as he stood next to Ladybug who had successfully evaded both Chronogirls, using their speed against them while evading their touch, though, he looked more aggressive than usual.
"Correct me if I'm wrong, but it looked like you go off on the wrong side of the bed, bugaboo."
"Don't let her touch you." Ladybug remarked.
"Agreed, that right is only reserved for you."
"Chat Noir, I've taken you out once before, I'll do it again!" The older Chronogirl remarked as she stood next to her younger counterpart.
"Huh?" Chat Noir questioned, but was distracted by Ladybug grabbing his waist, pulling them both to the higher ground atop the stairs so they could buy some time.
"Lucky charm!" Ladybug threw up his yo-yo, and from the charm fell a bicycle lock. Immediately he looked around, noticing that both Chronogirls were gathering energy, gaining speed, and saw where they were headed.
"Chat Noir, can you take out that pillar?" He asked while his partner nodded with a smirk heading towards the target. "Cataclysm!" He took out the historical landmark, preventing the Chronogirls from passing. They turned around, smirking deviously as they saw Ladybug standing before them with his eyes closed, holding his charm.
"If we take out Ladybug, then we'll have enough energy to save out watch!" One of the Chronogirls said as they raced towards him with their arms reaching outward. At the last moment, Ladybug flipped backward, locking the two Chronogirls together, and removing their skates, but after he grabbed the hand of the younger one. Using her power to take out her elder counterpart. He broke the skates, watching as two Akuma's fluttered away from them.
"No more mischief from you little Akumas. Time to purify!" Ladybug said as he swung his yo-yo towards the possessed Akuma, capturing it in one motion. Then opening it once more, watching the newly purified Akuma's fly away. "Bye-bye, little butterflies."
The younger Alex returned to normal as her elder, evil counterpart still stood, faded. "Huh?
"I think this is yours?" Ladybug asked as he handed back Alix's watch, still broken.
Her eyes welled up with tears as she held it close to her heart. "My old man's gonna be so disappointed in me. He just gave this to me today and I broke it just like that."
Ladybug placed his hand on her shoulder, his gaze softening. "Responsibility isn't something to be taken lightly." He remarked, handing the broken watch back to Alix. "But you don't always have to bear it alone." He leaned forward, lowering his tone as he informed her of the same thing Bunnyx told him. Alix pulled back in surprise, nodding in confusion as Ladybug unlocked her.
He sighed heavily as Chat Noir walked up to him with a smile, holding up his fist, expecting his partner to return the gesture. But instead what received was a Ladybug wrapping his arms around his torso resting his head on his shoulder.
Chat Noir couldn't even enjoy the embrace as he was far too confused. "Uh, my Lady? I was kinda joking about what I said earlier but-"
"I'm sorry."
Chat Noir's eyes widened as Ladybug stepped back, dawning an incredibly sad look on his face. He gripped his Lucky charm for a moment, taking one last look at his partner, alive and well as he then threw it into the air.
"Miraculous Ladybug!"
"Ahh- hold on a second!" Chat Noir remarked, arm stretched outward, hoping for an explanation but was only further confused by his partner disappearing before his eyes due to the effects of his power. Essentially leaving him alone with the happy faces of everyone who returned, and no longer having to deal with two Alix's.
"Here you go Alix." Marin said as he handed back his friend's watch in front of his family's shop just as the sun was setting. A few hours had passed since she stopped by, asking if he knew anyone to help fix her watch. Her face lit up as she opened it, revealing a hologram of a woman.
"Sweet! How did you fix it?" She asked holding the watch tightly.
Marin immediately grew nervous, rubbing the back of his neck, "Passed it off to my friend, she's good with stuff like this." He hoped she wouldn't question him further on how the watch was fixed. "Yeah, how did it break in the first place?"
"I wasn't taking my responsibility seriously enough. Never should have given it to someone else to look after. It was totally my bad." Alix said pocketing the item. "Anyways, thanks again so much, you and Ladybug pretty much saved my life! I'd be dead if he didn't recommend I bring it to you." She gave him a quick hug, one that he returned as she left the shop with a huge smile on her face. Just as she left his parents walked in, also smiling brightly.
"Huh? Hey! So, did you have a nice anniversary? Marin asked as his parents walked through the door with happy smiles, holding hands.
"We sure did. Although it was a close call, we almost missed our reservation." His father chuckled as his mother walked towards him.
"Everything went smoothly right?" His mother asked as his father quickly checked on him. Making sure he wasn't injured or had a fever or anything else that would diminish his health.
To which Marin nodded, used to his father's actions. "Yup, just a normal afternoon."
His mother smiled turning back towards his father with a knowing look, "See, you were worried over nothing."
His father chuckled, "I always want to make sure my boy is alright." as he passed by, he ruffled Marin's hair. Both of his parents went upstairs, probably to take a nap as they always did after large meals. As soon as they were gone, Marin groaned heavily as Tikki flew out with a worried expression.
He glanced towards his Kwami with a worried look, "You remembered everything too, right?" He asked, recalled how he and Tikki were swarmed with magic Ladybugs with a whole new set of memories about a day they apparently had. One containing a possible new ally and a massive failure on his part.
Tikki nodded, "You can't fix your problems with Time travel, most of the time it'll just make things worse."
Marin thought for a moment, resting his head on the counter, eyes lidded as his heart hurt as he replayed the day's events through his head. "Maybe, but not this time..." Only diverting his attention as Tikki hovered before him.
"Can I have a chocolate croissant now?" She asked.
Marin chuckled, affectionately petting her cheek as he grabbed a fresh one for her. "Hey, how did you fix that watch so fast anyway? Earlier you took an interest in it as well." He pointed out, placing the pastry on the counter so she could eat.
Tikki froze for a moment just as she was about to bite into the pastry. "I...though it looked familiar. But it just looked to be a very similar replica."
Marin hummed for a moment, "I wonder why would you take interest in a pocket watch though?"
The Kwami nervously giggled to herself just before taking a large bite of the savory pastry. "Let's say, only time will tell."
Notes:
- more story changes, yay or nay?
-I changed it from Timebreaker to Chronogirl, because french, and also because I kept getting it confused with Timetagger.
-In my story, Akumatized villains all have enhanced strength on top of their possessed abilities.
- Originally, I was going to place Fu instead of Bunnyx to help Ladybug time travel, but that got too complicated. Maybe I'll try to squeeze him into an earlier chapter, but we'll have to wait and see.
-Adrien/Chat Noir had a lower part this episode, but he got a hug, so, maybe that balances it out? (idk, ya'll're gettin' more of him next episode)
- If it wasn't clear Bunnyx told Ladybug to tell Alix to see Marin if she wanted to get her watch fixed. (Something that she remembers being told from her childhood)
-This version of Bunnyx takes place before she goes on the mission with Timetagger as well as before Chat Blanc.
- Ladybug's memories overlapped with Marin's, so the latter remembers exactly what happened to the other ladybug.