I do not own Miraculous Ladybug

Hawkmoth was defeated. His identity was revealed. Everyone knew Gabriel Aggreste was Hawkmoth. However, they didn't catch Mayura. The war was not over. At least Mayura was easier to defeat. The fact that she gets so weak makes it difficult for her. There is one thing everyone wants to know. Who is mayura?

It was late at night. Ladybug and Cat Noir just finished another battle. Cat Noir was off his game. Ladybug was confused. Hawkmoth was defeated, shouldn't he be happy? Tonight, before she could confront him, he runs off. Ladybug decided to leave it. She was exhausted.

Cat Noir hopped through his window. He untransformed. He let out a groan before flopping down on his bed. He was depressed. His father was in jail for… well… many things. He was Hawkmoth. Adrien felt betrayed. His father betrayed him! He was angry, sad, happy, tired. He didn't know what to do with himself. Ladybug was wondering about him. He was acting weird to her because she didn't know who he was behind the mask. Plag looked at him with a sad expression.

" Poor kid."

Tikki flew out of the pouch right before Marinette threw it. She sighed with relief. Marinette smiled at her apologetically. She knew it would have hurt if she hadn't exited the pouch.

" I'm sorry, Tikki. I just don't get it. Cat Noir has been acting so differently. He's been so focused on the mission. I haven't heard a pun in almost one whole month! Hawkmoth must have been related to him. That's the only explanation I can think of."

" But that would mean Adrien is Cat Noir," Tikki stated.

" True. It's not Natalie or Felix or Adrien's aunt. That leaves Adrien. I mean it does make sense. He's always late like me. He's always running away when there is something important… like me. He's always making excuses for why he is late… also like me."

" Mari…"

" But!" Marinette yelled.

Tikki jumped.

" Adrien can't possibly be Cat Noir. He's way hotter and charming than Cat Noir is," Marinette finished.

" If you say so," Tikki said. " That theory is canceled?"

" Yep. Adrien is Cat Noir. He, he. That's funny. Pft, yeah right!" Marinette chuckled sheepishly.

The two of them both let out some clearly fake giggles. Marinette gave Tikki a kiss goodnight. She hoped tomorrow would be better. After all, Adrien was depressed. It was his father, Hawk Moth. If only there was something she could do to help him.

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!

Marinette's shot open. She fell out of bed. She got up and began looking for her shook her head and smiled. It was right on the top of the covers. Marinette failed to see that, so Tikki turned off the alarm on her phone. Marinette stopped running around like a crazy person. Tikki just laughed at her. Marinette glared playfully at her before getting ready for school. Today was Monday, officially one month from Hawkmoth's defeat. Yay…? Marinette didn't even eat breakfast.

" Uh, dear? Come back! What about breakfast!" Sabine called after her.

" I'll be fine!" Marinette hollered.

" You sure?"

No reply. She was gone. Sabine sighed.

" Nothing new," she muttered.

Marinette ran all the way to school. Alya was waiting for her. Marinette skidded in front of her. She panted.

" I'm here! I'm here!" she stated.

" Great. Now, c'mon, you'll never believe the big news!" Alya remarked.

" Oh, no," Marinette dramatically sighed.

" Oh, yes!"

Alya wrapped her arms around her bestie's neck. Marinette allowed her to lead her to the lockers. She noticed Adrien was drowsy. He slowly did everything. Marinette didn't think he could get any slower.

" Go talk to him, girl," Alya whispered.

" What! No way! I mean, he probably needs some alone time," Marinette refused.

" He had a month of alone time. Now go!"

Alya shoved her. Marinette yelped. She rammed right into Adrien. They both went falling to the ground. They both gasped in shock. Their lips connected. Marinette felt the urge to keep kissing him. However, she got off of him and chuckled embarrassingly and nervously.

" I- I- you see- I was- s- sorry," Marinette stuttered.

Adrien failed to even smile at her. Miranett's cheeks turned red with embarrassment. She wanted to run away and hide. However, her hero/ Marinette instincts kicked in. She pulled Adrien up with one yank. Adrien's eyes widened at the strength she had.

" So, uh- h-how are y-ou? I mean, obviously, you're not good. I mean, your father turned out to be a villain- oops, I said too much. Ha, ha! Oh, look at the time, gotta go!" Marinette rambled.

She scurried off. Adrien watched her confusingly. She kept slipping. She smiled nervously at him before disappearing. Adrien rubbed the back of his neck.

" That was weird," he remarked.

When Marinette got to class, everyone was murmuring. She and Alya sat down. Adrien arrived next. Nino waved at him. Adrien gave a weak wave back.

" Still not feeling well, eh, buddy?"

" I'm fine, Nino. I promise, I'll be fine," Adrien mumbled.

Despite Alya being right next to her, Marinette leaned forward and tapped Nino on the shoulder. Nino turned around.

" What's up, dudutte?" he asked.

" Hi, Nino," Marinette greeted.

Adrien turned around to face her. At the same time, he saw everybody murmuring. He raised an eyebrow. Marinette put a hand on the end of her lip and leaned into Nino's ear.

" What's everybody talking about?" she inquired.

" Yeah, it seems rather… interesting," Adrien added.

" Ladybug just revealed who she is," Nino told them.

" WHAT!" Marinette and Adrien screamed.

Everyone's eyes fell on them. Adrien waved sheepishly. He began apologizing. He knew people wondered if he knew Hawkmoth was Gabrielle Aggreste. Adrien froze at the mention of his father. He lost his mother. Now, it was like he lost his father too. It wasn't fair!

" Yeah, Lila is Ladybug," Alya announced.

" WHAT!"

" Yeah, apparently, she can disguise herself to look different so no one will recognize her," Nino said.

" How do you know she's not lying?" Marinette asked.

" Because Alya posted a video of her," Nino answered.

" Did she untransform in front of the camera?"

" No, she says her power doesn't let her transform or untransform in front of people," Nino answered.

" Weird and sus," Marinette noted.

" Oh, chill, girl. Magic comes with downsides too," Alya rejoindered. She gasped. " Sorry, didn't mean it to come out harsh."

" Humph!"

Marinette folded her arms and scowled. Lila came into the room. Everyone began whispering. Marinette growled. Alya felt more anger in her than normal.

" C'mon, girl. Why not believe her?"

" Hey, guys and gals! Sorry, I'm late. Had to take care of some hero stuff," Lila lied.

Marinette's face was red. Not from embarrassment, but from anger. She was so hot that Alya didn't have to touch her to feel the heat. Something was wrong. It wasn't just because she didn't believe Lila. It was more. Alya didn't know how she knew that, but she did.

" It's okay, Lila, Marinette's late all the time and she doesn't have hero stuff to do," Miss. Bustier said.

Everyone giggled at the comment. Marinette's head banged on the table. She was burning up. She didn't even know this was possible. Tikki could feel the heat too. Something was wrong. This shouldn't be possible.

" Sorry, Marinette, that was rude of me," Miss. Bustier apologized.

" HOW CAN YOU BELIEVE SHE IS LADYBUG!?"

" HUH!' Everyone gasped.

" So rude."

" I can't believe she would talk to Ladybug like that."

" She's just jealous, that's all."

" Turns out Dupain- chang isn't as nice as she likes to act."

Marinette felt the sting of their words. Lila was smiling viciously at her. Alya felt like she was going to die. Enough was enough.

" Marinette, Principal's office, now!" Miss. Bustier demanded.

Marinette fist banged on the desk. It left a dent. Marinette winced a little. She received mockful laughter.

" That's what she gets."

" Maybe next time she won't snap at a superhero."

" What's she still doing here?"

" Marinette, go."

Marinette ran out of the classroom. Alya went after her, even when Miss. Bustier calls after her. Marinette was sweating. Why was she so hot? She looked to Tikki for answers. Tikki just shrugged.

Meanwhile, Mayura was feasting on Marinette's anger. She never felt such anger from someone before. It was… beautiful. It would make the victim all the more powerful. She sent an amok to amortize Marinette.

Alya found Marinette in the bathroom. She snuck closer to the stall her bestie was in. Marinette didn't appear to know she was eavesdropping. Instead, she was muttering and mumbling to herself.

" Can't believe they would believe Lila. Isn't it weird how she can't transform in front of them? I bet if we sent her to go transform and come back as Ladybug, she couldn't do it."

Tikki could sense Alya there. She stayed quiet. She knew that's what Marinette wanted, anyway. But of course, someone had to open their mouth.

" Marinette, are you okay?" Alya inquired.

" Yes, I'm fine," Marinette answered. " Stupid people. They're so mean. I know Lila isn't Ladybug."

" And how's that, girl?" Alya questioned.

Then, she noticed an amok. She banged on the stall door. Marinette yelped in surprise.

" Mari, there's an amok. You need to calm down. Breathe, girl, breathe."

The amok got closer and closer to Marinette's earrings. Sweat dripped off of Alya's face. She couldn't see what was going on, but the amok was most likely close.

" MARI!"

Then, the amok left. Alya sighed with relief. Marinette opened the stall door. She was more calm. Her face was pale again.

" You look much better now. No offense."

Alya yelped when she touched Marinette. Marinette felt it too. She was as cold as ice. Alya shivered.

" Girl, something's not right with you. Is there anything I should know?"

Suddenly, tikki flew out of Marinette's pouch. Alya's mouth fell wide open. Marinette gasped in surprise.

" So that's how you know Lila isn't Ladybug. That's why you were so angry. You're Ladybug!" Alya exclaimed.