"Spaghetti!" The photographer called out as the class before them had their class photo taken.
Meanwhile, their class was spread out into smaller friend groups until it was time to take the photo. Adrien something Nino said while Marin looked on, then immediately turned his head away, not wanting to get caught staring. But he could never escape Alya's sly smile as she caught him red-handed, sitting on the stair behind him.
"I know that smile." She remarked as Marin's face immediately reddened with embarrassment. "It's definitely the opposite of the "Please-don't-take-my-photo" expression of panic."
"I'm just not photo-genic why is that so hard for you to understand?" Marin explained as Alya wrapped her arms around him, resting her head on his shoulder.
"Because you are literally too cute, and too handsome not to be immortalized." She remarked, then lowering her tone. "What if we get a photo of you and Adrien standing in the same row together? That would be a great photo." She remarked.
"At least you guys are going to be in the photo." Juleka remarked from behind them, standing next to Rose.
"Juleka, I'm telling you, you're not jinxed! This time it's gonna work out, I can feel it, right here!"
Alya looked down at Marin. "What's this about being jinxed?"
"Oh, Juleka thinks that she's jinxed to only take bad photos," Marin said.
Juleka sighed heavily. "Ever since I was little, every time someone takes a photo of me, something always goes very wrong," she said, but Rose then hugged her waist.
"You're wrong Juleka, you'll see!" Rose said reassuringly.
"Well being jinxed can be pretty powerful stuff-" Marin started to say but he then stopped talking as he recited glares from Alya and Rose as Juleka sighed heavily. "- which is why- we'll do everything we can to make sure it goes right this time. Prepare for the best photo you've ever taken!" Marin said covering up his previous negativity, just in time for the class photo.
" Ok, time to flash your pearly whites, guys! You kids take a seat in the front bench." The photographer said as he pointed to Max, Alix, Rose, Sabrina, and Mylène. "Quickly please, I've got sixteen other classes to shoot."
"Look, Adrien, they're upfront in the baby seats! Go on rugrats, don't forget to take your thumbs out of your mouths!" Chloé Laughed as Adrien looked visibly uncomfortable, rolling his eyes at his childhood friend.
Vincent scanned the crowd of students. "Well, next row! Hmmm...You, you, you and you go stand on the rear bench, please." He said pointing to Nathaniel, Alya, and Chloé and Nino. Stunning Chloé for a moment.
"Wait just one minute! I'm supposed to be in the middle row, right next to Adrien. Preferably the center. Look, we're the same size!" She said, trying to compare heights, but Adrien very clearly towered over her.
"Nah, go stand in the back row, behind the rest." The photographer shrugged
"How dare you, put me behind the rest? Do you know who my father is?!"
"Is he a photographer?
Chloé looked taken aback. "NO! He's-"
"Bummer, I could really use an assistant. Now hurry up and take your place, or I'll put you up front with the babies!" He threatened as Chloé growled at the photographer.
"The rest of you boys, go stand in the middle row." Vincent directed as he smiled in satisfaction. "Perfect! You guys are awesome! Now stop squirming and let's get this photo shot!"
Marin stood a the end of a row next to Adrien near the center. It took all of his will not to smile from ear to ear but noticed that Juleka was still standing by. "Uh, excuse me sir, you forgot Juleka." He spoke up pointing to her.
"Huh? Ah sorry, my bad! Go stand in the middle row, next to that one." He said pointing to Adrien. Marin smiled towards her as she stood at the center of the photograph in between himself and Nino. But the photographer hesitated.
"No, this isn't right! Something's not working here!"
"Uhh, course it's not working! I'm in the wrong spot!" Chloé snapped at she tried pushing Juleka aside, but she wasn't' budging.
"You, move over there will you? Lets see... ah perfect!"Vincent said rearranging the entire class so that now Juleka was standing at the end, while Marin was in the center next to Adrien.
Marin placed his hand on Juleka's shoulder, "You can take my place," he whispered, stepping aside so she could pass him.
"But-" she tried to say, but he shook his head.
"No one's gonna care." He reassured as she then stood between him and Adrien in the center of the photo. But he was proved to be wrong as Chole then yelled out.
"Seriously?!My spot is unacceptable, and little Miss cyclops gets to stand in the center?!" Chloé said as she tried to stand in front of her, but Juleka shot her an annoyed expression.
"Leave her alone Chloe." Marin tried to defend, but she ignored him.
"Ms. Bourgeois, behave yourself!" The teacher called out, quelling Chloe for at least a little while.
"Say spaghetti!"
"Spaghetti!"
As the photographer went to click the photo but realized that the camera was out of battery. "Ah, wait one moment please, I have to go and fetch another battery. Nobody move!" Everyone sighed, wanting this to be over already.
"Excuse me," Juleka remarked as she walked past Marin towards the teacher. He didn't hear what she said but walked off towards the other end of the school. However he did notice Sabrina following after her, making him uneasy as Chloé was smiling evilly.
"I want you to flash your best smiles! Because it's the last time we are doing this! Ready, say Spaghetti!" Vincent said setting up the camera once more as Chloé all of a sudden jumped in the center, knocking over Marin while hugging Adrien's arm tightly, "Perfect, Thanks kids!" He said as the lunch bell rang.
Kim helped Marin up as he immediately called out to the photographer. "Wait! Please sir, we have to redo the photo!"
"Why's that?" Principal Damocles asked, suddenly speaking up.
"Because Juleka's not in it! Tall with the purple streaks?" Marin explained.
"Didn't she go to the bathroom-" Adrien recalled as Chloé cut in.
"Uh, Mr. Damocles, aren't we meant to be heading off to lunch? And aren't you paying the photographer by the hour?"
"Why yes! No time to retake, class move along, now!" The principal ordered as Marin glanced towards Sabrina just evaded his gaze.
"Rose." Marin called out as the smaller girl came over, "Could you check and see if Juleka's still in the restroom?"
She simply nodded as he followed her towards the locker room, waiting outside as he heard something being moved. The next thing he knew Juleka was running out of the restroom crying her eyes out as Rose tried to follow. The two managed to catch her just as she was about to leave campus.
"Juleka!" Marin called out, grasping her hand. "What happened?"
His friend pulled her hand back, her eyes red, "I told you didn't I, I'm jinxed! Why should I expect it to be any different? Nobody ever hears me. Or sees me. I'm invisible. Even in photos!" She remarked running off-campus as he and Rose looked on in concern.
"What do we do?"
Marin hummed for a moment. "We already tried convincing her..."
"She really does have the class photo jinx, we have to do something for her." Rose remarked, her eyes lighting up with determination.
"To be fair, I think she was, jerked, more than anything. But you're right. If we can't convince her, then we'll have to show her." He said as they walked back into the school.
"We can ask the photographer," Rose suggested.
"The school pictures are permenant...but I think I have an idea," Marin remarked. "Think you could bring Jukela to the park after school today? And the entire class?"
"No problem!" Rose reassured as Marin ran towards the second floor of the building.
As Adrien walked out of the restroom he overheard screams within the courtyard, slowly opening the door he saw a new villain blasting other students, making them into reflections of her.
"Chloé Bourgeois?! Where is Chloé Bourgeois?!" She demanded as Adrien ran back into the bathroom stalls. He opened his shirt, as Plagg flew out.
"Is it time for my close up?" He asked.
"No chance of that, Plagg, Claws out!"
"Here it is," Marin remarked opening a locker within the art classroom. Just had just placed the item in his bag as he overheard screams from outside. Looking through the window he saw that there was a new villain blasting students, making them into reflections of herself.
"Juleka?!" Marin gasped as he recognized the bracelet on the copies, the same one that Juleka always had on her wrist. He narrowed his eyes as he noticed that the entire form was changed. Nothing that his classmates were previously wearing could be retrieved after the transformation. He thought for a moment as he then opened his messenger bag. "Tikki." He called out as the red Kwami hovered before him, who then grew worried as Marin began to remove his earrings.
"What are you doing?" Tikki asked as Marin nuzzled her with the back of his hand.
"I'm asking you to trust me, my little sugar cube."
Tikki nodded, giving her consent as Marin then removed his earrings. His precious friend disappearing in the process as he placed the earrings in a small box sitting nearby, all inside of a tote bag that was used to hold art supplies.
"It's blocked!" Chat Noir remarked as he tried to remove the barricades preventing the students from leaving.
"Check it! Cat Noir is gonna save us!" One of the students called out as Chat Noir then turned to see who he thought was the original holding her bracelet towards him. Just as she was about to blast him, her arm was suddenly grabbed and they both turned in both shock and surprise when Marin was the one who stopped her.
"Juleka you have to stop this!" Marin pleaded, but his grip was reversed as he wasn't anticipating her strength.
"I'm not the Juleka nobody notices anymore! Now, I'm the unmistakable Reflekta!" She remarked with a smile.
"NO!" Chat Noir called out as Marin was blasted point-blank into a reflection and then kicked to side by the villainess.
Chat Noir growled as he held his arm towards the air. "Cataclysm!" He called out, activating his power. Just ask he was about to touch the bracelet, he was blasted with her ray, tripping over his own feet as he could hear her laugh at him.
"Much better! I hate cats!" The villain laughed as Chat Noir gasped in shock.
"My ring, my Miraculous, it's gone!" She then turned her attention towards the growing crowd. "Where is Chloé Bourgeois!?" She demanded, jumping onto the stairs and then to the second floor where Chloé was running for her life.
Chat Noir tripped atop the staircase as he tried to scale it, but didn't account for the newly added weight of his heels. He was helped to his feet by one of the reflections.
"Ladybug!" Reflekta called out, "Soon, like everyone else you will look just like me! But first, I'll take your Miraculous as a trophy!" She remarked, then jumping onto the rooftops.
Chat Noir grimaced as he felt powerless. "My powers might be gone but I can't just stand by and do nothing!" He said as he then heard the reflection who helped him up sigh, still holding his hand.
"Haven't you learned anything, Kitty cat?" He asked, winking playfully.
" Ladybug?" Chat Noir asked in shock, his eyes widening as his partner had gotten himself into the same situation as he. He allowed his partner to guide him towards the empty art room. Locking the door behind them as he then immediately began searching the room for something.
"Why are you here? And how did you end up like that?" Chat Noir asked still stunned.
"I believe the same answer applies to both questions." Ladybug responded, taking out a tote bag.
"But how are we supposed to fight Reflekta like this? Without our Miraculous?"
Ladybug sighed, "I'm guessing you didn't take special notice to Reflekta's powers? The ability to mold others into her own reflection, down to the wedged heels." Ladybug said as Chat Noir looked down at his shoes. "I made a backup plan just in case I couldn't get her bracelet." Ladybug then took out a small box from the bag. Opening it up, he revealed his own Miraculous still in one piece.
Chat Noir looked at him in awe as he then put on the earrings, summoning a red orb of light that materialized into a familiar small red Kwami. She glanced towards Chat Noir in confusion.
"Chat Noir, this is my Kwami, Tikki." Ladybug introduced as the confusion cleared from Tikki's eyes.
"I'm pleased to make your acquaintance." The small Kwami said, giggling as Chat Noir nuzzled her face as he would Plagg.
"Mine's not nearly this cute." He admitted half-jokingly. "So what's the plan?" He asked.
"A game of cat and mouse." Ladybug simply explained. "Your favorite."
Chat Noir couldn't help but smile as Ladybug looked towards his Kwami.
"Tikki, spots on!"
Ladybug carried Chat Noir across the city towards the TV station as he carefully landed, placing his partner on his feet.
"Ugh- stupid shoes!" Chat Noir hissed as he almost tripped once more. So Ladybug gave him his hand to help balance as the two walked into the TV station together. "How can women wear these?" He asked under his breath.
"Try putting more weight on your toes rather than your heels." Ladybug recommended as they both entered the elevator of the abandoned building, everyone had evacuated due to the Akuma attack.
"How would you know that?" Chat Noir asked curiously but sighed heavily as Ladybug shrugged his shoulders.
"See? This is why we need to communicate more. How am I suppose to get to know you better if you keep avoiding personal topics?" Chat Noir asked half-joking.
"Believe me, it's not really a, distinguished story." Ladybug said as he helped Chat Noir walk out of the elevator on their floor.
"I'd really enjoy the silly ones. I'll tell you one if you tell me yours." He prompted, at least getting a small smile out of his partner before he said.
"You know why we can't do that."
"Yeah, but it's nice to dream a little, Bugaboo." Chat Noir said flirtatiously as they entered the studio. Already seeing a camera set up.
" People of Paris! Reflekta is not invincible! You can help, all you have to do is put on a disguise! Then I'll be able to spot the real Reflekta and bring her down! Remember, put on a disguise! I'm relying on you all!"
"And cut!" Chat Noir said as Ladybug stepped off the stage. "Got it, but isn't your plan a bit complicated?"
Ladybug looked at him as Chat Noir caught on. "Right, patience. Can I assume that I am the key to one of your famous, marvelous plans?" He asked.
Since you don't have your night vision, it'll be a little more tricky. But doable. All I need to be is bait." He said handing him the yo-yo. "On my signal, we'll wrap up this problem."
"...I like my jokes better."
About an hour in, Reflekta walked in as Ladybug stood in the center of the studio. His head lowered as his eyes were closed, holding his lucky charm behind his back. Chat Noir looked on in confusion as Ladybug didn't send a signal, yet Reflekta was standing right there.
He tensed Reflekta ran towards him, but Ladybug easily disarmed him, almost too easily as he broke the bracelet under his foot. No Akuma flew out, as Ladybug kept his eyes trained on the door. Chat Noir watched as the real Reflekta walked into the studio.
"What gave me away?" She asked, holding up her bracelet.
"You can't not hear two pairs of heels in halls like these." He responded pulling out Lucky charm, a camera with ladybug print., "Say Spaghetti." winking as Chat Noir recognized his cue, blinding Reflekta for a moment as Chat Noir threw Ladybug's yo-yo, wrapping it around her as she then fell to the ground.
"My Lady." Chat Noir called out as he tossed the bracelet towards him, then smashed it under his foot as the Akuma flew out. Then tossing him his yo-yo as Juleka turned back to normal.
"No more mischief from you little Akuma. 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 fly away. "Bye-bye, little butterfly. Miraculous Ladybug!" Ladybug called out, throwing up the lucky charm as everything turned back to normal.
"I was getting used to the heels, but those things should be illegal." Chat Noir remarked as he turned back to normal, along with the other reflection that turned out to be the Mayor.
"Where am I?" Juleka asked Ladybug helped his friend to her feet.
"Could you take this girl back to her school please, Mayor Bourgeois?"
"Yes, of course, Ladybug." He said as Ladybug earring began to beep.
"Thank you sir." He nodded, then quickly pounded fists with Chat Noir as he ran past. Feeling his partner's smile in his chest as a smile drew onto his lips.
Marin placed the battery in the camera as Alya called out to him.
"We all good over there?" Alya asked as the rest of the class gathered around the bench.
"Yup." Marin smiled, holding up a digital camera he borrowed from the school. As all his classmates gathered together, save for Chloé and Sabrina who both refused the invitation. Marin couldn't help but smile as Juleka was fiercely blushing under all the attention she was receiving. "Okay ready? Say, Juleka!" He giggled as she saw Juleka blush even further as everyone played along.
They spent the entire evening taking photos with Marin manning the camera the entire time. He sat on the bench sitting between Rose and Juleka who were jubilant with the results.
"The photo curse is broken!" Rose proclaimed happily as she hugged her friend.
Juleka nodded, resting her head on his other shoulder. "Thank you, Marin."
"This photo shoot was a good idea," Marin froze as Adrien stood before them, feeling his face heating up. "You know I've been around cameras a while, maybe I should take one of you?"
"Uh-" Marin was about to name hundreds of reasons why he couldn't, wouldn't, and shouldn't but faltered as Adrien took out his phone while Juleka and Rose made room for him.
"I did promise a while ago that we'd take a few photos together," Adrien said with a smile that could only match the sun's radiance. Which made Marin plant his face in his hands as he sincerely hoped that his ears weren't red.
"I was kind of hoping that you forgot…" He said lifting his head, now noticing Adrien sitting next to him.
"Do you not want to?" Adrien asked now concerned.
"No no!" Marin immediately said, holding up the camera to hide his flushed face. "I want to…" He admitted as Adrien's smile came back in full force, scooting closer and resting his arm over his shoulders, holding his phone up in selfie mode. Secretly engraving this precious memory in his mind forever, at least until he could ask for the photo.