Adrien smiled in reassurance as he helped Nino set up his DJ stand at the TV station for the upcoming show. "Thanks for doing this last-minute dude." Nino thanked as he placed his records down. "Marin had to bail last minute."

"No problem, is he okay?" Adrien asked curiously.

Nino nodded. "Yeah, he's just grounded."

"Grounded? Marin?" Adrien asked in surprise. "I thought he was sick for the past week what did he do?"

"Funny story," Nino remarked, leaning against the stand. "He snuck out, and his parents weren't happy at all once they found out. They don't look like it, but they're super protective over him. They almost even homeschooled him once." Nino explained as Adrien nodded in surprise. "But we can still stop by later to drop by some school notes since Alya is babysitting her sisters," Nino said playfully jabbing Adrien's side.

Adrien couldn't hold back his laughter, "Come on, we both know you're just friends with Marin for the cookies." He said as Nino wrapped his arm around his best friend's shoulder.

"Hey- no need to call me out Agreste."

"Welcome back to everyone's #1 live game show: The Challenge! Let's give it up for our awesome contestant, Nino!" Alec announced as Nino entered the screen with a shy smile. "So Nino, you're a student and a DJ. That's pretty awesome! Check out the decks we got for you!"

"Grounded? For what?!" Alya asked in surprise as Marin rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. He had her on webcam as he streamed the show to her live.

"...sneaking out while I was sick"

"What?" Alya tilted her head in confusion. "Why would you do that?"

Because I am a superhero who needs to protect the city.

"Because I wanted to get some ice-cream." Marin bluntly spat out, not thinking about what he was saying. "Please don't look at me like that Alya." He then begged as Alya was clearly judging him some kind of fierce.

"So what's Cookie think of this development?"

"Well at first he was upset, and then he yelled at me when I told him why I was grounded," Marin said averting his gaze.

"And you deserve to be yelled, despite being a cutie pie."

"Aw. You think I'm cute." Marin smiled as the two watched a live steam of the show together.

"So, the challenge the viewers have chosen for you is... To get the mayor of Paris, André Bourgeois, to dance!" The announced, Alec announced as Nino approached his decks.

Adrien's chest swelled with pride as Nino performed for thousands of people and the mayor. Another man, another competitor walked up to him, he held out his hand with a friendly smile but was met with his bodyguard standing between them with a gruff expression. Adrien shot the man an apologetic smile as he backed away slowly, clearly intimidated.

"Victory!" Alex announced. "Challenge conquered by Nino. You moved your head to the beat, Mayor Bourgeois! That counts as dancing!"

"What?!" Mayor Bourgeois snapped, "That's not true! My neck was... itching, that's all."

"Relieving an itch to the beat counts as dancing, too!" Alec said as he placed a hand on Nino's shoulder, "Nino, congratulations. You'll return in one week to meet your next challenge! And now, for our next contestant, welcome Simon Grimault!"

As Nino walked off the stage, giving a high five to Adrien as the two then hugged. "Awesome, dude!" Adrien said as his chest swelled with pride."

For the next round, a hypnotist walked into the stage, the one that Adrien came across earlier holding a pack of cards in his hand.

"Mr. Grimault, you are a hypnotist. You use cards to hypnotize people to get what you want from them!" Alec explained.

"Well, yes, I'm a hypnotist. But, uh, I don't use my skills to get anything." Simon mumbled.

"So, your challenge today, Simon, is to use your talents to bring a very elusive celebrity to this very TV set! Give it up for the king of fashion, Gabriel Agreste!" Alec announced as Adrien couldn't help but feel intimidated by even the image of his father behind a webcam.

"What is this show? I was told this was an interview." His father said sternly, clearly in a bad mood already, which didn't

"Dude, your dad!" Nino pointed out, as Adrien flashed him a forced smile, even though he was clearly worried for Simon.

"Do your thing, Grimault, let's see if you can bring Mr. Agreste here with your hypnotic persuasion!" Alec said as he left the stage.

"I told you, I don't make people-" Simon was about to say before he was interrupted.

"Hilarious," Gabriel grumbled. "This is a waste of my time." He only said as the image of him disappeared.

"Huh?" Alec questioned as he was stunned by this turn of events.

Adrien sighed, "That's my dad, all right." he said as Nino placed a hand on his shoulder, grinning at him with reassurance.

"Tough luck, looks like Mr. Agreste has turned on your challenge. Game over!" Alec announced as Simon looked to him in dismay.

"But... that's not fair! I didn't even get time to-" He pleaded before he was guided off the stage by security and then thrown out of the studio.

Adrien watched as Simon walked away, feeling sympathy as he knew that feeling all too well. He hesitated for a moment as he tried to walk after him, but was caught by his bodyguard who shook his head.

"Don't worry about him dude," Nino said. "These guys should've realized there's no making your dad bend to anyone's will. Uh, no offense."

"No, you're right." Adrien agreed.

Suddenly, the doors opened behind them as a newly akumatized villain stepped out.

"Simon says, the show isn't over!" The man said as he walked forward towards the camera. Adrien's bodyguard tried to stop up from getting any closer but the Simon Says only smiled. "Simon says, pause!" He then threw a card at the guard, who froze at contact. Simon Says then walked to the stage, smiling brightly as Nino then grabbed Adrien's hand.

"We gotta get outta here!" He said as Adrien nodded, the two spitting up as everyone was stunned.

"Gabriel Agreste turned down my challenge and he will pay for it! By midnight tonight, he will entertain us in this very TV studio. Gabriel Agrete, Simon says, I'm coming to get you!"

Adrien's eyes widened slightly just before the door closed. "Dad?" If this villain was after this father, then there was no way he could let him leave the studio.

He ran towards the bathroom where he opened his shirt. "Plagg." He called out as his Kwami appeared.

"Simon Says seems little touchy to me." He remarked.

"Yeah, well it tends to happen when you come across my dad." Adrien said. "Plagg, claws out!"

Chat Noir hid among the scaffolding atop the studio, spotting Nino hiding among the equipment. Chat Noir held a finger to his lips, signally for Nino to remain quiet as he looked over at Simon Says. He had to be careful proceeding forward, one wrong move and he'd could be on the receiving end of Simon Says's commands...

"GIMMIE THOSE CARDS!"

Chat Noir pinned Simon Says to the ground, about to reach other the deck when the villain smirked, scattering all the cards on the ground. The hero scrambled to gather all of the cards, not seeing Simon Says throw two cards towards his previously frozen bodyguard.

"My gorilla will take care of you. Simon says.. knock him out!" He called out.

Chat Noir turned back to see his bodyguard for a moment just before he was slammed out into the hall. He took out his staff, spinning it as he had to face down a literal brick wall.

"I may not always land on my feet, but I always bounce back!" He tried to deflect his bodyguard's attacks, but it wasn't doing much against the heightened strength of his bodyguard due to Simon Says's spell. He grabbed Chat Noir's staff, flinging it aside.

Chat Noir smirked, holding up his dukes. "Better watch out. My sensei taught me that-" His bodyguard grabbed him, squeezing him tightly as Chat Noir rasped out his words, "size doesn't matter!" He struggled to escape. Spotting the elevator open nearby. "Oh, hey there Ladybug." He said as his bodyguard was distracted for a moment, using those precious moments to escape, then kicked him into the elevator.

"Cataclysm!" Chat Noir called out, trapping his bodyguard in the elevator as he just narrowly escaped being crushed. "I quit karate." He sighed in relief as he heard a set of footsteps from behind. He jumped off the wall, picking up his staff as he was ready to defend himself against any enemy. Unintentionally putting threatening his partner with his weapon, and Nino who was standing behind him.

"Nice seeing you too, Chat Noir." Ladybug said moving the staff out of his face.

"Oh, sorry. I thought you were Simon Says." Chat Noir said, trying not to blush at the memory of what he said last time they met.

"We need to get out of here, that Simon guy is gathering a whole army together dudes!" Nino said in a panic.

"He's looking for Gabriel Agreste." Chat Noir informed as his ring started to beep. "We better get to him faster then they can!"

"Chat Noir, I think you have more pressing concerns." Ladybug said pointing to his ring. "Besides, Nino has a friend here that we need to find."

Chat Noir's eyes widened, "Uh... Forget it! He's probably hypnotized."

Nino looked between the two heroes with worried eyes, "But...he's my buddy!"

"You heard him, "Ladybug gestured towards Nino, "he's his buddy." Ladybug said as though that ended the discussion. "I'll take one last look around for Nino's friend, then we'll meet up at the Agreste house."

Chat Noir smiled for a moment, at the attention his alter ego was getting, then backtracked. "Uh...maybe you're right. Maybe he's hiding. I'll leave you to look for him!" He said then running towards the fire escape. As soon as ran down the first flight of stairs he detransformed, catching a weakened Plagg in his hands. Out of his pocket he took out a piece of cheese, and almost immediately Plagg dug into it. Adrien smiled softly, placing his Kwami into his shirt pocket, "Thanks for your help." He said gratefully as he moved to the first-floor entrance.

"Adrien!" Nino called out as he spotted his best friend immediately hugging him "Dude, you okay?" He asked in concern.

"I'm fine," Adrien reassured, then he glanced towards Ladybug who averted his glance, crossing his arms as he was on guard. "...Hello." Adrien said timidly.

"I'm going to take you and Nino home. Your father is a target for Simon Says." Ladybug informed as he guided the two out of the building.

"What? Why?" Adrien asked, even though he knew the answers.

"I'll explain on the way," Ladybug said, "Chat Noir will meet us there."

Adrien ran into the house first, closely followed by Ladybug and Nino who walked in. "Nathalie, where's my father? He's in danger!" He exclaimed as Natalie placed a hand before him, gesturing for him to calm down.

"He knows already," Natalie informed as Gabriel Agreste stood atop the stairs, his hands folded behind him.

"Good evening, Ladybug." Adrien's father greeted.

"Father, you've gotta get outta here. The hypnotist Simon Says is coming after you!" Adrien pleaded.

Gabriel scoffed. "And have my actions be dictated by a clown? Certainly not."

Adrien twitched slightly, wondering if his father was referring to the Akumatized villain, or him. Either way, it probably wouldn't have made a difference. "But father, he's dangerous! Who knows what he'll do?"

Gabriel retained his stern expression. "Go to your room now. You've had enough excitement for today. Nathalie, make sure they stay there." He ordered as the two boys exchanged a glance, following Natalie to Adrien's room. " I apologize for my son, Ladybug. He's like his mother, overly dramatic."

"He's right, you know."Ladybug remarked. "Simon Says is a real threat. Are you certain you don't want to listen to your son?" the hero asked, narrowing his eyes as Gabriel smirked.

"What could possibly happen with you here to protect me?" He said, placing a hand on the heroes' shoulder, while Ladybug was aware where his eyes lingered towards.

"You sure your old man isn't some robot or something?" Nino asked as he walked with Adrien to his room.

Adrien sighed, looking back at him with a smile. "When my father's concerned I'm never sure of anything." He said opening the door as the entered his room.

Nino's eyes widened, looking at the large room around them filled with a child's dream. "Hoho! Dude! I've seen stadiums tinier than your room!" He exclaimed in excitement.

Adrien smiled at his best friend as he immediately walked into the bathroom. "Make yourself at home. I'm gonna take a shower."

Nino glanced at him. "What? Now?!

Adrien shrugged his shoulders. "What can I say? It's the model in me!" He explained, shitting the door behind him before sighing. "Why doesn't my father ever listen to me?" He asked as Plagg flew out.

He nuzzled his Kwami's have before putting up his guard. "Plagg, claws out!"

Ladybug glanced at the array of modeling photo's on Gabriel's wall within his office, holding his composure as he folded his hands behind his back.

"Isn't he flawless?" Gabriel asked.

Ladybug glanced at him, not responding.

"Adrien, my son." Gabriel clarified as he stood next to Ladybug. "He's the image of perfection, don't you think?"

Ladybug averted his gaze, looking out to the windows instead. "I don't believe I'm qualified to comment."

"You are an idol for Paris are you not? Perhaps you

Gabriel smirked, I've never noticed your earrings before. They really are quite unique. May I?" Gabriel asked, already holding out his hand to touch them as Ladybug then took a step back.

"Forgive me Mister Agreste, but I'm sure you can understand the need to protect something important." Ladybug remarked curtly.

"Of course." Gabriel nodded as Ladybug's yo-yo beeped.

"Excuse me." Ladybug nodded as he took the call, noticing Gabriel's glare as he placed the call on speaker. "Chat Noir, where were you?"

"I-I was..." Chat Noir stammered, sounding stressed, "keeping Simon Says at bay! But I couldn't keep him away. He's coming. He's got company!" Chat Noir said as he then jumped through the window. "Close off all exits! They're coming from another direction! Do as I say! Engage the self-defense system, we need total lockdown!"

Gabriel nodded, shutting down the entire house behind steel walls. "How do you know about the system?"

"Uh... In a house like this... it's a given!" Chat Noir stuttered, with an embarrassed smile.

Gabriel gained his composure. "They won't get in. This house is built like a fortress."

"Announcer: Emergency power on." The defense system announced as the house was suddenly swarmed with people.

"There are too many of them." Chat Noir informed as he placed a hand on his staff.

Ladybug narrowed his eyes for a moment. "I need to secure get Adrien and Nino." he said.

Gabriel pressed a button before his desktop that opened a hidden compartment. "Here, Nathalie. Pick the controls in case you need to unlock an exit. She's coming with you." He said.

Chat Noir grabbed the other remote. "I'll reinforce the outer defenses. Go hide in the atrium. It's not safe in here."

"No one tells me what to do. Not even a superhero." Gabriel bluntly said.

Chat Noir then grew annoyed, "You're in as much danger as everyone else. So stop pretending you're above us all and do what I tell you to!" He demanded as Gabriel's eyes widened in surprise.

"Quite a temper. You remind me of someone." He remarked as Chat Noir stood on the window sill.

He glanced at the portrait of his mother for a moment before climbing up on the ceiling.

Ladybug and Nathalie entered Adrien's room.

"Ladybug! What's going down?" Nino asked walking up to the hero.

"We need to move to safer ground. Where is Adrien?" Ladybug asked.

"Taking a shower." Nino informed, pointing to where the restroom was.

"Now?" Ladybug asked, dumbfounded. But also a little impressed that Adrien felt secure enough to be vulnerable while his house was about to be overrun.

Nino shrugged his shoulders, "It's the model in him."

Ladybug sighed, looking towards Natalie. "Leave the remote control with me and take Nino to the atrium. I'll take care of Adrien." He requested as Natalie guided Nino out of the room. Ladybug knocked on the door, overhearing "Mister Agreste? Hello?!"

He didn't respond, and reflexively Ladybug's mind to the worst possible place. "Excuse me." Ladybug opened the door, noticing the steam as he then heard Adrien's voice.

"Yeah?" He questioned, and Ladybug immediately shut the door with a scarlet red face. "We need to leave. Cut your shower short." He ordered, slapping his cheeks to try and shock away the embarrassment.

"Uh, Can I put on my clothes first?" He heard Adrien ask.

Ladybug sighed, "Just hurry." Something else caught his attention on Adrien's desk. He admired the desktop of Adrien and his mother hugging each other. He couldn't help but feel pained at how happy Adrien looked, his expression brighter than he'd ever seen before. Emilie Agreste, a mystery in her own right, a well-known actress, wife to the fashion world's most well-known contributor, and above all; a woman who clearly loved her family. Well, that was all he heard of her second-hand.

"That's my mother." Adrien said walking up next to him with a towel around his shoulders.

"Emilie Agreste." Ladybug remarked as he already knew.

"Are you a fan?" Adrien asked with sudden interest his eyes lighting up at her mention. It made Ladybugs heart ache, thinking about how much Adrien must miss her.

Ladybug nodded, "I only know her work, and of how she was a delight to be around." He said slightly glancing towards Adrien who hung his head, but even so still smiled.

"Yeah, that was the kind of person she was. Always a hard worker, always smiling, never letting anyone feel sad on her account..." He murmured in melancholy, as though he were remembering memories long past.

"Forgive me if I'm out of line," Ladybug suddenly said as Adrien snapped to attention. "I never met her, but if she was anything like you," He said placing a hand on Adrien's shoulder. A soft, sincere smile drew on the hero's face. "then she probably was an amazing person."

For a moment, Adrien was mesmerized, strangely feeling a warm, familiar feeling in his chest. "Yeah...she was."

Suddenly, the windows started to bang as Simon Says's army swarmed over the house. Ladybug narrowed his eyes, quickly shoving Adrien into the bathroom as he fell over. "Stay here." He ordered, closing the door behind him.

Plagg then flew out when they were along. "Oh my! What was that all about? Sweet love?"

Adrien blushed furiously for a moment before shaking his head. "He can't do this alone." He said, then stood up. "Plagg, claws out!" He said as Plagg tried to fly away.

"Oh, not again!"

"Welcome to another exciting hour of "The Challenge"! Good evening again from Simon Says. Viewers, I've kept my promise. Here's Gabriel Agreste!"Simon Says announced as he entered the house with his army of minions, having already captured Gabriel.

Simon Says pulled a card out of his deck. "Simon says... you are a butterfly!-" He said, but before he could complete the spell, his deck was knocked away, by a pole.

"Sorry, but the show's over!" Chat Noir remarked as he sent Simon Says flying across the room, his minions then turned their attention towards Chat Noir who smirked in amusement.

"Chat Noir, you can save him by giving me your Miraculouses. Do the right thing..." Simons Says said, picking himself up. He took out his deck to get another card but was taken off guard but a loud sound.

"OW- WHAT THE F-" Simon Says snapped as his deck of cards was taken from his hand and thrown to Chat Noir.

"Cataclysm!" Chat Noir exclaimed, activating his power and destroying the deck, releasing the Akuma. He glanced at Ladybug who has a ladybug printed bullhorn in his hand.

"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. The house was now empty, save for Simon who was looking around in confusion. Ladybug handed his deck back, guiding him to the front door of the house.

"Don't be deterred by this one set back, you have a lot of promise." Ladybug said.

"Yeah, don't worry about back there, all things considered, you got off easy." Chat Noir remarked as Simon nodded, thanking the two as he left the house. The two heroes then glanced at each other victoriously, bumping their fists together as Chat Noir's ring started to beep.

"I'm afraid your kidnapping's been canceled, sir." Chat Noir commented as Gabriel walked up to the two of them at the entrance.

"Pardon?" Gabriel asked, narrowing his eyes in displeasure, but then relaxed his shoulder. "I...appreciate your service today." He rasped out, holding out his hand towards Ladybug.

"Prefer my partner? Can't say I blame you." Chat Noir remarked, accepting Gabriel's gesture, shaking his hand, but noticed as his father was looking at his ring with curious intent.

"Uh, Gotta spit" Chat Noir took a step back, "Ladybug, always a pleasure." bowing slightly as he used his staff to scale the roof of the house. Disappearing from sight.

"I hope you realize, you should've listened to your son earlier." Ladybug commented, crossing his arms. He wasn't expecting Gabriel to dawn a smile of amusement.

"If I didn't then that there would've been no telling where Simon would have ended up"He informed as Ladybug narrowed his eyes. "I believe the word you're looking for is, thank you."

"Even so," Ladybug said taking out his yo-yo. "I hope you realize you're very fortunate." He remarked before jumping onto the rooftops, feeling Gabriel's gaze on his back.

Adrien looked out his window with his phone in hand. Looking at the pictures of his mother as Plagg sat on his shoulder, looking at him in concern, then swiftly disappeared as he heard the door open. Adrien turned around in surprise as his father walked in. He panicked for a moment, he didn't know if he did anything wrong if he did it was probably by accident, then again-

"Father-" Adrien flinched slightly as his father was hugging him. As soon as the surprise faded, Adrien leaned into the gesture, smiling as for a moment he felt at ease.

As his father pulled back he narrowed his eyes at his ring, holding his hand to observe it closer. " I've never noticed your ring before."

Adrien's ease was then promptly replaced with annoyance, "Is that the only thing you've never noticed about me?"

Gabriel glanced away, returning to his former stoic persona. "I'm glad everything worked out for the best." He commented then walked out of the room, leaving his son alone. Adrien glanced down at his Miraculous rubbing it as he could feel Plagg uncharacteristically nuzzling his cheek. A smile broke out as he returned the gesture.

"Thanks Plagg."

The next day Adrien watched as Marin helped Nino set up his equipment, the two had some tension between them as Nino lectured Marin, but it soon broke as Marin laughed him off. Nodding his head in appreciation, as the two then hugged, cementing forgiveness. Then Marin quickly jumped off the stage as Alec approached his friend.

"Welcome back to everyone's #1 game show, The Challenge! Last week, our cool DJ friend Nino won the challenge. So, let's welcome him back again!" He announced placing his hand on Nino's shoulder who shyly waved to the cameras.

"Hey." Adrien greeted as Marin stood nearby. "So...Nino, huh?" Adrien said trying to start a conversation.

"Yeah, I think he could win this round." Marin simply said as he gripped his messenger bag.

There was a silence between them before Adrien handed Marin a blue folder from his bag. "This, uh, these are the notes from last class, there's a quiz coming up, so I thought you might..."

Marin's eyes widened as he took the folder. "Wow thanks, everyone else was really evasive about letting me borrow them." He said looking through the papers.

Adrien grimaced as he could see Nino and Alya's influence a mile away, but retained his smile. "Hey, so maybe we all could-"

"So we upped the challenge for you tonight, Nino. You're gonna have to get two celebrities dancing instead of one! However, this time, you can choose your opponents." Alec announced.

"Oh, I've got this one in the bag. I'm gonna pick two buds I know won't let me down." Nino announced with a bright smile, "Ladybug and Chat Noir!"

Both Adrien and Marin snapped to attention, staring at their friend in shock as then exchanged a glance.

"I uh, have to use the restroom!" Adrien quickly said as his bodyguard nodded at him.

"Yeah, I uh, have to find...a thing!" Marin rambled as the two ran in different directions.

In the restroom, Adrien opened his shirt to release Plagg with a smile on his face. "Time to shake a leg little buddy," Adrien remarked as Plagg smiled.

"Good, I've been meaning to show off my moves." He said then started dancing in the air as Adrien couldn't help but laugh.

"Plagg, claws out!"

While in a storage closet, Tikki flew out of Marin's messenger back. He hung his head in embarrassment, "Nino, the things I do for you." He sighed heavily as Tikki giggled happily.

"Tikki, spots on." He groaned.

Notes:

- Gabe is not a good dad, that is my personal belief that is shared by many people. He gives his son anxiety

-Idk if I can write Adrien being more in love than he already is, because he's fallen pretty hard

-Marin can't dance, at all, but he'd do almost anything for his friends

-Next time. Lila arrives :3