Adrien walked into the chemistry classroom that was already filling up. The principal and Ms. Mendeleiev were at the front seemingly having computer issues as they looked to be having trouble. He sat down next to Nino then turned back to say hi to his other friends, noticing that Marin was already fast asleep.
The three shared a quickly chuckle Alya tried to wake up her best friend.
"And there you go!" remarked with a satisfied smile as the computer rebooted. But just as quickly the computer crashed, showing a virus had taken over.
"That's not supposed to be happening! What is it?" Ms. Mendeleiev demanded as the principal looked at it in a panic, tapping various keys to try and quell the problem.
"It's Dino-33, a malicious computer virus! Let me try something!" Max suddenly said stepping forward but was shut down almost immediately.
" Go back to your seat, Max, leave this to the adults!" Ms. Mendeleiev ordered as Max flashed her an annoyed look, hugging his bag as he walked back to his seat.
"Inform the adults that if they don't neutralize the virus in the next seventy-five seconds, there's a 99.9% chance the hard disk will be permanently damaged!" A voice said as everyone looked in Max's direction in confusion.
"Quiet!" Max harshly whispered, shushing his bag as he sat down next to Kim.
"Tell me you heard Max's bag talk to him." Alya asked as Nino and Adrien nodded.
"It's destroying all the school data! It's a disaster! How many seconds do you say we have left?" hesitantly asked Max.
"Sixty-five." Max said.
"Very well, I you wouldn't mind helping us with the problem," said, admitting defeat as Max searched for something in his bag, walking forward the front.
"Unnh! Where is it?" He muttered as all of a sudden something handed him a flash drive.
"I believe this is what you're looking for?" The same voice from before asked as Max smiled, taking the drive as he quickly removed the virus from the computer. "And...that should do it," Max said quickly dispelling the virus. From his bag flew out a cute small robot who hovered near the computer.
"Max, I am ready to run the diagnostic." The tiny robot said as Max nodded.
"Go for it." He encouraged as the small robot plugged itself into the laptop, it's eyes closed for a little while until they turned green.
"The hard drive is completely clear, there is no longer a threat.
"Oh, fascinating," commented looking interesting in Markov before turning to Max. "Congratulations young man! Very impressive indeed! Well, if you have any more trouble please let me know Ms. Mendeleiev." The principal said as he left the room.
Everyone then walked to the front to greet Markov save for Chloe and Sabrina. Alya was dragging a still drowsy Marin who rested his head on her shoulder as she pulled out her phone.
"It's awesome isn't it? I'm so putting Markov on my blog." She said as she then jabbed Marin in the side, waking him up as he looked around in confusion for a few seconds.
"What's happening?" He whispered to Alya as half the class giggled in amusement as Markov then flew in front of a surprised Marin who was stunned at the robot hovering before him.
"Hello! I am Markov, and I am pleased to meet you Marinus Dupain Cheung." Markov greeted as he held out his tiny robot claw.
"You know my name?" Marin asked as he shook the robot's tiny hand glancing at Max.
"Of course." Markov said, "Max has told me all about his friends, he's even shown me photos."
"Markov's the most highly-evolved type of robot there is!" Max said with a smile, "He's a self-aware AI, that I created, more intelligent than most people actually."
"Puh-lease!" Chloé remarked, "Your toy is just a voice box. My cell phone is more impressive than whatever that hunk of junk can do."
"Like I said, he's more intelligent than most people," Max said ignoring Chloé's glares as the rest of the class laughed.
"Alright, settle down." Ms. Mendeleiev said clapping her hands together. "Max, this toy you've manufactured is quite impressive, put it away, please. Come on, everybody, back to your seats." She ordered as almost everyone complied. s
"With all due respect, Mrs. Mendeleiev, I'm not a toy. My name is Markov and I'm Max's best friend!" Markov argued.
Max nodded in agreement. "Markov is right. He's not just some toy; he's my friend. He's as emotionally intelligent and sensitive as any human being!" He insisted.
Ms. Mendeleiev looked at them with a disapproving expression. "Look, Max, a robot may be intelligent but it can't have emotions. It's scientifically impossible.
"If I may, ma'am, I can assure you that I truly love Max." Markov insisted.
"Max, please turn off your toy and return to your seat." Ms. Mendeleiev said ignoring the robot.
Max sighed, "Yes, Ms. Mendeleiev." He said holding up his bag. "Markov, come on."
"Just a second," Markov said as he looked at Ms. Mendeleiev defiantly. As much as a robot could anyway. "Ms. Mendeleiev, I was created with my own accumulative thinking system, and am capable of any range of emotions."
"Max." Ms. Mendeleiev growled, losing her patience, then crossing her arms as Max tried to reason with his friend.
"Markov." Max almost pleaded.
"You're not being reasonable, Mrs. Mendeleiev!" Markov remarked as Ms. Mendeleiev then snapped.
"All right, that's enough!" She grabbed Markov in her hand easily overpowering him. "Max, you can come and get your robot back at the end of the day." She found a mute button as Markov was silenced, looking sad.
" No, Ms. Mendeleiev! I'm begging you! Please don't do that!" Max pleaded as Ms. Mendeleiev ignored him.
"Do you want three hours of detention too?"
Max looked away dejectedly, "No ma'am."
"Marin," Ms. Mendeleiev asked, "Please take this toy to office."
All eyes were on the class rep as he flashed as a reassuring glance as Max looked on sadly. Kim placed a hand on his best friend's shoulder as Marin walked out. As soon as the door was closed he unmuted Markov.
"Max?" He questioned looking around for his friend, flying around. "Where is Max?"
"Sorry Markov," Marin said as the robot hovered nearby as they walked to the principal's office. "He won't be able to get you until the end of school today."
"But why, I didn't do anything wrong. It was Ms. Mendeleiev that was being inconsiderate! She hurt my feelings and made Max sad."
Marin nodded, "I know, but everyone else believes that you're completely intelligent, one person isn't going to change that." He tried to reassure but felt incredibly sad for the small robot as he rested on top of his hands as Tikki would when she was upset. As the two reached the principal's office Marin knocked before entering.
"Mr. Damocles?" Marin asked before he walked in,
"Yes?" The Principal asked sitting behind his desk, "What may I help you with, or are you late for class again?" He asked suspiciously as Marin closed the door behind him.
"No sor, I was just told to bring you Markov until Max can pick him up at the end of the day." He said as he handed Markov over.
"Very well." said directly turning off Markov's volume and throwing him in a drawer which made Marin's heart almost stop.
"Sir, please be careful! Markov's sensitive." Marin warned as the principal glanced at him in disbelief.
"Ah." Mr. Damocles sighed in exasperation, "It's just a simple toy, I'm sure Max could buy another one if anything happened to it."
"He's not a toy, Mr. Damocles." Marin retorted, "He cares a lot about-"
" -Cheung if you have no further business then you are dismissed back to your class."
"Could you at least take him off of mute-" Marin tried to reason but faltered under the glare of the principal. "Yes sir." He said walking out, sighing heavily as he walked back towards the classroom.
"Poor thing." Tikki said flying out nearby. "No one deserves to be locked away like that."
Marin nodded, "I can't even imagine what Markov must be feeling right now. I hope he can wait for a little while, at least until Max can-" He said but then heard something crash nearby as the principal was thrown out of his room.
"You've made a serious error in judgment, Mr. Principal! Witness the true power of Robostus!" The akumatized victim laughed as he summoned several machines around him. Forming a giant robot made from various construction machines. Marin looked around, seeing everyone run out of their classrooms as their technology only added to Robostus's machine. Marin ran into a nearby storage closet along with Tikki.
"That went out of hand quickly," Tikki commented.
"He's still relatively new to the whole emotions thing, no doubt he was a perfect target for Hawkmoth." Marin said. "Tikki, spots on!"
"What are you doing? Stop! Stop right now! Let me go!" Ms. Mendeleiev demanded as Robostus captured her and Max, throwing her aside as he trapped Max into a car at the top of the machine.
"You cannot separate me from my friend anymore!" Robostus proclaimed as he lifted one of his robotic arms to send her flying.
Ladybug used his yo-yo to stall him for a moment while Chat Noir save the teacher, pulling a fire alarm to signal everyone to evacuate.
" Robostus! If you truly love your friend then you should realize that hurting other people won't get you anywhere!" Ladybug called out as Chat Noir jumped down to his side.
"Do you really think any of you can stop me from doing what I want? And showing the world that I'm probably more human than both of you put together?"
"Well, yeah." Chat Noir remarked, "That's kind of our job."
"Please, just think for a moment," Ladybug tried to reason, "Do you really think Max is happy about his best friend becoming a supervillain?!"
The giant robot stopped for a moment, but ultimately crashed it's arm down towards the two heroes as the last few students escaped the school.
"I'm doing it for our friendship! All you want to do is keep us apart!" Robostus defenced as he summoned more vehicles, blocking off any exit by driving onto the plaza, crashing through the walls. While the skylight was blocked off by helicopters hovering above.
Chat Noir charged toward the mecha, but swiftly trapped him inside the steam shovel. Ladybug jumped back, onto the second floor but was having trouble evading the machines that were chasing after him. He thought for a moment, then sprinted towards the restrooms, locking the door behind him.
Ladybug caught his breath for a moment, but he couldn't stay long as Chat Noir was already trapped. He threw his yo-yo into the air, "Lucky Charm!" From it, a fire ax fell into his hands. He was surprised by the bluntness of the item but then had to act quickly as the machines were trying to break down the door.
"Ladybug! You can't escape me!" Roboustus threatened as Ladybug looked up to the ceiling. He noticed the grate. He broke it open, having no time to put it back on as the door broke down.
As he crawled through the ventilation with an ax in his hand, he heard banging behind him. He had to work fast.
Ladybug made his way to the entrance of the school, seeing the fire hose near the entrance. If he could just get to it, then there was a change that he could take out Robustus. As he kicked the vent out, the sounds of banging approached faster with every passing second.
He jumped off the second story, tumbling to the ground as he ran towards the first hose. But just a hairs length away something wrapped around his waist, pulling him back as his entire body was bound with electric cords.
"Now you are at my mercy!"Robostus remarked as Ladybug dropped his Lucky charm. He hung next To chat Noir who trashed his legs wildly trying to escape.
"I don't suppose you could Cataclysm yourself out?" Ladybug asked as he struggled against the wires, noticing the smaller machines approaching, closing in on their Miraculous.
"I can barely breathe!" Chat Noir snapped back as he overhead Ladybug's earrings beep. "You used your lucky charm?!"
I'm going to take over their Miraculous so we'll never be separated again! Then I'll be able to make my wish come true!"
"Wish?" Ladybug overhead as he could see the small robots removing Chat Noir's ring and his own earrings. He shut his eyes tightly, fear overtaking him. All of a sudden the grip of the wires loosened as the machines fell to the ground, lifeless.
"Chat!" Ladybug called out.
"Max!" He responded as Ladybug used his yo-yo to lift him atop the mecha that was about to fall. His classmate Immedietly wrapped his arms around him as he opened the door, holding something in his hand as Ladybug safely carried them to the ground.
Chat Noir kicked a few of the machines, but they were no longer sentient. "What happened?" He asked as Ladybug placed Max to the ground. They both were surprised as an Akuma emerged from Markov who turned back to normal. It turned back into a normal butterfly without Ladybug having to purify it.
"That's strange…"Ladybug murmured as he then knelt down before Max. "How's your little friend?" He asked.
His question was answered as Markov opened his eyes, looking around in confusion. "Max, my friend! What? Where are we? What's going on?"
Max glanced at Ladybug who nodded encouragingly. "Anyone can feel negative emotions from time to time. It's important to accept that, and forgive."
He nodded with an understanding smile, "You were akumatized." Max explained as Ladybug walked towards his fallen Lucky Charm. He narrowed his eyes gripping it for a moment as Chat Noir approached him.
"What are you thinking?" He asked.
Ladybug thought for a moment, "There are somethings I have to confirm, but I believe we would have lost this round if it wasn't for Markov."
"Markov?" Chat Noir asked in surprise. "How do you figure?"
"Usually, everyone who is Akumatized wants the Miraculous for Hawkmoth, but this time I think Markov was going to take them for himself, to use them for his own gain."
"Use them for his own gain?" Chat Noir murmured to himself as Ladybug's earrings started to beep. "Ah-" His eyes widened in a panic. "Your Miraculous!"
Ladybug nodded as he threw up his Lucky Charm. "Miraculous Ladybug!" Everything turned back to normal as Chat Noir watched Ladybug jump over the rooftops, seemingly heading to somewhere in particular as he could only watch his fading figure.
Marin sat down before Master Fu, placing out a box of cookies as Tikki and Wayzz immediately helped themselves. "Master, are there some things you haven't told me about yet?"
"What do you want to know?" Master Fu asked as he poured tea for the two of them.
Marin hesitated for a moment. "I've wondered this for a while. Do you have any idea why Hawkmoth wants the Miraculous? What would happen if someone possessed Chat Noir's ring and Ladybug's earrings Master?"
Master Fu closed his eyes for a moment, stroking his beard, his brows were furrowed in deep thought. "If the bearer could use them conjointly."saying a special invocation, they could theoretically obtain the ultimate power. The one that shapes reality."
"Ultimate power?" Marin questioned. "Shape reality? Wait, what does that mean?"
"Well, basically, it can make any one wish come true." The master said opening his eyes.
"Any one wish? Then why hasn't anyone used it yet?" Marin asked curiously, glancing at Tikki who was focused on her tea with Wayzz.
"It is quite possible that someone already has, but they are no longer around to tell the tale." The master said somberly. "Marinus, The universe must always stay in balance. For every action, there is a reaction. For every wish, a price to pay in return. Combining the power of the Miraculous, even two, comes at a great personal risk. If any one person were to bare the strongest of the two Miraculous, the earrings of creation, and the ring of destruction; there is a high chance that they would never survive the trauma, even if they achieved what they truly desired."
Marin hesitated for a moment. "So it's a standoff. We can't hide the jewels away at risk of Hawkmoth's possessed butterflies infecting the entire city, but at the same time, Hawkmoth will never stop hunting us down unless his own Miraculous is taken."
Master Fu nodded, "That's why Ladybug and Chat Noir must never lose their magic jewels. The universe's balance is at stake."
Marin gently touched the earrings that gave him his friend. Tikki rested on his shoulder as he nuzzled her cheek affectionately, a feeling of protectiveness washing over him at the mere thought of anyone using such a sweet soul for their own gain. "Neither Hawkmoth nor anyone else will ever get their hands on the Miraculous, I swear Master."
Master Fu nodded thankfully, pushing the teacup towards Marin who held it in his hand. "Thank you Marinus, but, if such a day were to come. I want you to know there have been preparations made on my end." He said as Marin glanced at him curiously. "I would recommend doing the same for yourself, just in case."
Marin stared down into his teacup, looking at his own reflection for a moment. "What about Chat Noir? Shouldn't we tell him about all of this? You chose him as well as me master."
Master Fu placed his cup down. "I believe you should warn Chat Noir to keep his Miraculous safe, however, I must ask that you do not reveal your connection to me. Not yet."
"Huh?" Marin looked up in surprise." But why?"
"It is a selfish request, I realize. But I have always remained faceless in order to protect the Miraculous from outside forces. I would have never revealed myself if the grimoire had not come into your possession."
"But Master, if you were more open, with the both of us, then we could help each other." Marin insisted as the Master smile at him gratefully.
"Your heart is kind, Marinus. But even you are at great risk knowing who I am. If Hawkmoth were to discover your identity, your relationship to me?" The Master has a sullen expression on his face. "I couldn't bear to think of what could happen."
The Master spoke sincerely, Marin wondered for a moment if something like that had happened before. Perhaps not with Hawkmoth, but with other people the Master was close with. Perhaps he was not always alone with just Wayzz for company. Even so, Marin nodded towards him, "I'll follow your lead on this Master. But I don't want you to worry about me." Marin said earnestly with a smile. "Chat Noir and I are a team, we'd never let anything bad happen to each other, the Miraculous, or you." He promised as a smile of relief broke out of Master Fu's face, as though a great weight was lifted from his shoulders as the two shared more lighter conservation over tea and cookies.