Chapter 27: Befana
As Chloé and Sabrina saw their classmates (sans Marinette) stocking up party supplies, the former quickly figured out what they were doing. "Another surprise party for Dupain-Cheng, right?" The Mayor's daughter asked.
"Yeah, but we won't let you ruin it, Chloé." Nino quickly replied.
"Why do you think she'll do it if given an opportunity?" Lila asked in confusion.
"Oh, you wouldn't know it since she mellowed down a few months before you joined us, Lila, but Chloé used to be a bully and Marinette was her favorite target." Ivan explained.
"I tried to tell them you wouldn't do anything but they insisted on keeping you out." Adrien said. "Some of them, at least."
"I'm sorry I joined them but Nino is my boyfriend, Chloé." Alya added.
"It's okay, Alya." Chloé reassured her friend. "You too, Adrien. I don't mind being left out of Marinette Dupain-Cheng's 'surprise' party."
Ms. Bustier overheard that as she entered the classroom at that very moment. "No, kids, nobody here should be excluded." She scolded them. "Let Chloé join the party."
"Yes, Ms. Bustier." The class unenthusiastically said.
"Good." The teacher replied.
"Chloé, why did you use 'air quotes' for Marinette's party?" Lila asked.
"The class has made those parties for her for so long I doubt the fact it's happening again will be a surprise by itself, Lila." Chloé explained. "At most, one or two details might surprise her. The only thing really unexpected will be if a friend or relative of hers she hasn't seen in ages shows up."
Meanwhile, at Fu's massage parlor, he and Wayzz the Turtle Kwami were contemplating their latest triumph. "Chloé's hint about the vault behind the portrait was correct, Master." Wayzz commented.
"Yes, and based on what I look at the Peacock Miraculous, I can understand why Gabriel wouldn't use it, Hawkmoth or not." Master Fu stated.
"I tried to warn Emilie." Duusu sadly said and then suddenly became happy. "Fu! Wayzz! It's good to see you both again!"
"Is that usual behavior for Duusu?" Master Fu asked.
"It could be related to the damage to the Peacock Miraculous, Master." Wayzz suggested.
"Let's check the book." Master Fu said.
Later on, at the place set for Marinette's 'surprise' party, the students were happy as Marinette arrived. "A party? For me?" Marinette asked while pretending to be surprised. Since Chloé noticed nobody seemed to notice Marinette was pretending, she decided to play along as well.
"Chloé?" Marinette asked in shock.
"Ms. Bustier insisted, Dupain-Cheng." Chloé explained. She was afraid her presence at the party would make Marinette vulnerable to akumatization.
As Marinette felt relieved, Adrien approached her. "Congratulations, Marinette." Adrien said and gave her a bracelet.
"It's like the one I gave you when we became a team for the gaming tournament!" Marinette exclaimed.
"Exactly, Marinette." Adrien proudly replied.
"So romantic." Rose giddily said.
The peace was interrupted by someone riding a flying motorcycle followed what two angel-like creatures. "Akuma!" Chloé shouted and everyone ran away.
"Where's Marinette?" The flying biker asked and then noticed Alya. "Where's Marinette?"
"I don't know." Alya answered. "Everyone ran away in different directions."
"I appreciate your honesty." The biker said and turned Alya into another angel-like creature.
Superbug and Catgirl then showed up. "Detransform them, akuma." Superbug demanded.
"Petulant girl." The biker replied. "I am La Befana."
"I thought that was a Christmas character." Catgirl commented.
"Befana, these are Superbug and Catgirl." Hawkmoth told Befana. "The girls whose earrings and ring you agreed to get for me."
"In that case, hand over the Miraculous and, while you're at it, bring me Marinette Dupain-Cheng." La Befana demanded.
"What do you want with her?" Superbug asked.
"To punish her for lying to her grandmother." Befana answered.
'Marinette's grandmother? That explains the Italian folklore name.' Superbug thought but wouldn't say since she couldn't explain knowing Marinette had Italian ancestors. "Which lies did she tell?"
"She pretended to like the gifts her grandmother gave her and then rushed over to a party with her friends." Befana explained.
"Okay, the last part sounded bad but the first one was more like an attempt to spare your feelings." Superbug argued. "Why don't you reject the akuma and talk things over?"
"I made a deal with Hawkmoth and Marinette deserves to be punished." La Befana replied.
Superbug than approached her partner. "Try to find Marinette and learn whatever we can about her grandmother." She whispered to Catgirl.
"Where's she going?" Befana asked upon seeing Catgirl leave.
"None of your business, Befana." Superbug replied.
"Naughty girl, you deserve to be turned into coal." La Befana stated and tried to shoot Superbug but the superheroine dodged.
Meanwhile, Catgirl went to the Eiffel Tower to get a better view and try to spot Marinette when somebody else called her. "Catgirl!"
"Adrien Agreste?" Catgirl asked. "Have you seen the birthday girl? The akuma seems to be her grandmother and..."
"What?" Marinette asked in shock, revealing herself.
"Marinette Dupain-Cheng!" Catgirl explained. "Your grandmother was upset over the lies you told her and how you ditched her."
"Oh, no!" Marinette exclaimed in horror. "It's all my fault!"
"Don't blame yourself, Marinette." Catgirl comforted the civilian. "Just tell me what could distract her."
"I have a plan." Marinette replied with a tone that made Adrien and Catgirl worried.
Back with Superbug, she was twirling her yo-yo to keep Befana's shots from hitting her when Catgirl returned with Marinette. "What?" Superbug asked in shock.
"Grandma, I didn't want to hurt your feelings." Marinette pleaded. "And my friends were planning a surprise party for me."
'I knew she knew.' Superbug triumphantly thought and then remembered what was at stake. "Lucky Charm!" She shouted and received what looked like a glue gun. "A-ha!" She exclaimed and aimed at Befana's ammo box, rendering the villain unable to recharge her weapon.
"You tricked me!" Befana furiously said while pointing at Marinette and Catgirl took advantage of that distraction to smash the ammo box with her staff, detransforming Befana back into Marinette's grandmother. "Nonna Gina!" Marinette exclaimed.
Meanwhile, Superbug caught and purified the akuma. "Miraculous Ladybug!" She shouted and tossed the lucky harm into the air, undoing all damages caused by La Befana.
"Quello che è successo?" A confused Gina asked in Italian and then remembered she was in France. "What happened?"
"I'll tell you later, Nonna, but now I have a birthday to celebrate." Marinette replied while the superheroines left. "Wanna join us?"
Marinette then led her grandmother to the place where they were having the party and then noticed everyone returned as well. Even Chloé. "We saw the magic butterflies and realized Superbug defeated the akuma." The Mayor's daughter explained.
"Akuma?" Gina asked in confusion.
"Yeah." Kim replied like she was stupid for asking. "Which country are you from?"
"Kim." Marinette hissed.
"Italy." Gina answered.
"Quindi devi essere la nonna di Marinette." Lila commented. "IO sono Lila Rossi. Piacere di conoscerla, signora."
"Yes, Lila Rossi." Gina replied. "I am Marinette's grandmother and it's nice to meet you as well. I can tell from how well you speak my language that you're Italian like me but please let's speak French out of consideration for the others here."
"Agreed." Lila said.
Marinette's parents showed up with a cake and everyone celebrated. Gina Dupain was more focused on getting to know her granddaughter's boyfriend. "So, you do fencing?" She asked.
"Yes, Ma'am." Adrien politely answered.
"And very polite as well." Gina commented in approval.
"I'm glad Gina likes Adrien." Sabine commented to her husband.
"I wish she liked me." Tom grumbled.
'I thought I was the only one here with mother issues.' Chloé thought but decided not to say anything out of fear it'd cause more harm than good.
Meanwhile, back at Fu's massage parlor, Master Fu finished reading the instructions to fix the Peacock Miraculous. "I can get everything I need for it albeit it might take some time to get the gold." He commented.
"And money, Master." Wayzz replied. "Perhaps we could ask for Chloé's help."
"I already asked much from her by expecting her to fight akumas, Wayzz." Master Fu replied.
End Chapter
Author's Note: I've skipped "Prime Queen" because Superbug and Catgirl already gave Nadja an interview before; and "Despair Bear" because Chloé wouldn't do anything she'd feel the need to hold a party to redeem herself in Adrien's eyes.
Author's Note 2: Italian translations provided by google.
Author's Note 3: Writing this chapter made me wonder: had the heroes in canon recovered the Peacock Miraculous while it was still damaged, would Master Fu ask for Adrien's help acquiring the needed gold to repair it?
