Max went back to number cracking once class ended. "Almost there …" Soon, his buddy would be up and running, ready to help the world. And he was DEFINITELY for sure guaranteed NOT going to end up becoming evil like almost every other robot that was created around the world. They tried to make humanity as a whole better. This was individual buddy help. A better and more complex comprehension of morality.

So all he needed was time, effort, lots of trial runs, and above all, few interruptions. Class was over, and he scheduled Kim's tutoring sessions for tomorrow, so he was guaranteed to have plenty of peace and quiet-"Yo Max! I need your brain!" Alya shouted as Max nearly dropped his computer.

"Alya, I require peace and silence!" He hissed, looking over his screen. "If I mess up the coding for my latest project, the results could be disastrous!"

"Oh come on, you complete every project in class in less than a day. One on time assignment won't kill you." She rolled her eyes.

"I've been carefully crafting this one for months, I can't afford to mess up even once!" He emphasized.

"Oh, personal project?" Peter asked, following the girl. "Are we talking reverse engineering the cytoplasm in gamma mutates in order to develop a way for humanity to survive nuclear warfare, or a synthetic vibranium compound capable of being produced instead of forcing us to scavenge it through space?" It was nice to be reminded of someone other than himself speaking metaphorical French in class.

"It's something for me to know, and for you all to be in awe of at a later date." He reassured. "Alya, if you have an issue with your computer, can't you have Peter looking it over? That's what you usually do."

"I tried it, actually." The boy nodded. "Unfortunately it's not my specialty, I was more into physics and chemistry instead of coding."

Max sighed. Well, intelligence was supposed to be used for the betterment of mankind, and putting that into practice would be helping his classmates and friends when they were in a bind. "Very well. What is the current issue that's giving you trouble?"

"There's this one user that's always popping up and spamming the Ladyblog with her own livestream, and she keeps coming back no matter how many times I ban her." Alya explained.

"She uses a pre-programmed hacking algorithm through a SIM card that she placed in a burner phone." Peter explained. "I can't block her unless I manage to block every piece of software on the planet."

"You try doubling the firewalls and security system?" Max asked.

"It's a public blog. If I boost it too much, people are gonna have to start using their social security numbers in order to get a view." Alya explained. "I've tried VPNs, other computers, even sending a virus to her stream at one point, but no dice. She keeps popping back up every time."

Max rolled his eyes, taking her laptop and looking it over. "… Hmm …. software isn't the problem."

"The computer's the latest hardware, shouldn't be that big of an issue." Peter said.

"Not our side, their's." Max said. "The hacker's using cheep low end gear that can be scrambled and found anywhere on a drop of a dime. You can't do anything to them because unlike you and your blog, they can throw away their stuff and start from scratch in a day tops."

"That explains how she's able to restart over and over again so quickly." Peter narrowed his eyes. "But how smart is she to be able to use something so low-tech for something so complicated.

"Hmm … pretty intelligent … only the SIM card is needed to store that virus that they use to hack your channel needs to be high quality." Max said. "So I can't say for certain … other than that you can't stop her hacking until you stop her directly."

With a glitch, Alya's laptop began playing a clip of some girl in a helmet, kinda reminding him of Alix. "Whatsoup Paris!? It's your favorite screwy Livestreamer back to accept all your outrageous dares for the low low payment of five euros! Anything you ask I'll deliver…just keep in mind that I am twelve and WILL call the police on anyone sending me anything explicit." The girl, short and in a full white jumpsuit that showed off purple pigtails and a yellow visor across her eyes."Oooh, swim to the bottom of the river, touch the bottom for five seconds, and swim right back up! Now THAT is a challenge!" Taking a deep breath, she turned backwards….and jumped…..THIRTY feet from a building and into the water.

"Is she crazy!?" Max shouted. "Even calculating proper diving technique, the impact of the water would still be just as hard as coming into contact with pavement!"

"She's a Nutjob!" Alya screamed in frustration as the girl hit the water. "She's some kind of adrenaline junkie that takes on outrageous stunts on a dare, and she keeps using my platform to promote it!"

"To her credit, it's not completely off topic." Peter said, although it was more of a grumble. "I heard Spider-Man had to stop that chick from killing herself … fourteen times."

"Woooowweeee! That was awesome!" The girl swarm back up to the surface."Nothing beats a sunny day dip!"

"Shame is this isn't the most outrageous stunt she's pulled." Alya grumbled. "One time she typed ripped between two buildings in the middle of construction, then the times she ran into a burning building while the fire department was trying to take it out."

"There was the time she was asked to wear a meat suit into a lion pit." Peter said. "And another time she was asked to get a pic of an inner demon mask. Worst thing about it is that everyone online keeps encouraging her reckless behavior."

"Oooh! Another dare. Boop a nose … of an akumatized villain! Awesome sauce! Today's starting strong! But where to get one …" Max could see comments, mostly of the 'make someone angry' variety, actively ENCOURAGING her to make someone a victim of Akumas.

"It's times like this I realize the internet can bring out truly depraved and despicable people." Max groaned, typing. "Alright, I believe I can create a sort of filter around your IP so to speak. That way you'll be able to catch the next hacking and stop it before she posts it on your website."

"Thanks Max, you're the best." The girl smiled.

"Happy to help." Even if MARKOV had to be put on hold for it.

"I'm just hoping this girl isn't stupid enough to actually antagonize someone into a villain." Peter grumbled.

"Well look at it this way." Max said logically. "Either she does it and someone gets akumatized, she doesn't and someone who dared her gets akumatized in offense, or she gets stopped, feels terrible about disappointing her audience, and gets akumatized herself."

"So you're saying this is a no win situation either way?" Alya asked.

"Given what we know about Akumas, mostly from how often our class gets akumatized, I'm more surprised we don't get them every three hours." Max added.

"Maybe even someone as powerful as Hawkmoth can't work around the clock 24/7." Peter noted. "If he has a secret identity, then that means he has a life outside of being the world's tackiest fashion designer for villains."

"So he runs a schedule… maybe I could use that to make a suspect list …" Alya muttered as the light from the window's got darker. "Did the forecast call for a cloudy day?"

"No…"

"COO COO!"

"But something tells me we're getting a sudden updraft of pigeons."

"Seriously, how has this never happened in New York!" Spider-Man screamed as he swung away from the flock of birds. "It's the captivation of pigeon poop, bird controlling villain territory RIGHT there!" If he had to move away from New York, he would've preferred to leave behind the pests if he had to move from the sights.

"I would-ACHOO-like this guy-ACHOO-to leave for there-ACHOO-if it's an option!" Chat cried out, trying to fight off both the birds and the sniffles. "Whyyyyy!?-ACHOO-Why pigeons!?"

"COO COOO! Fly my brothers!" The ever annoying voice of Mr. Pigeon shouted as he flew into the air. "We have been blessed once more by our friend Hawkmoth! Now we will seize control of the city and make it our personal roasting ground!"

"Hawkmoth's already reusing a baddie?" Spidey shook his head. "I don't know whether that's sad or lazy."

"Kinda-ACHOO-makes sense." Chat spoke up. "He messes-ACHOO-with their heads right? He'd-ACHO-be more familiar with-ACHOO-repeats, get them more-ACHOOfocused and riled up."

"Meaning that every time he reuses someone, they'll have their weaknesses covered and their heads cleared." Ladybug added, swinging her YoYo around to block the pigeons. "I think it's the bird whistle again. Wanna try grabbing it from here Spidey?"

"You just want me to get hit in the head again, don't you?"

"Either it does that or you knock him out right away, either way I'm leaving a happier bug." She shrugged.

"For-ACHOO-once I-ACHOO-agree with violence!" Chat groaned.

"Fine then …" Peter aimed his hand. "Nice and steady … and Adhes-"

"BONZAIII!" That streamer girl from before jumped on the villain's back. "Whoa, man, take note folks, never bungy jump on a stomach full of french baguettes. The turbulence does not settle well at all."

"-ion!?" He shouted, his power activating as the streamer girl went flying helmet first into his nose. "AAAAGGGGHHHHHHHH!" If it wasn't for the enhanced durability, he was certain that would've broken his nose.

"Whoa, that was a rush! Thanks dude!" The girl said, COMPLETELY detached from reality as she stood back up with a gleeful smile. "Whoa, hey Spidey! Funny seeing you again, that's what, like the fifteenth time we've run into each other now?"

"Yes, how funny …" He noted, pushing down his annoyance. There was an akuma after all, priorities.

"Ooooh, new Dare! Swing over a building using Ladybug's YoYo!" She shouted, rushing over to the hero. "Cmon, gimme gimme gimme."

"Do you…do you even know what's going on right now!?" Ladybug shouted, trying to keep the yo-yo out of her hands.

"Yeah. You're fighting off some lamo controlling wacky weird birds while you three try to beat him up and catch his butterfly." She grinned.

"TAKE DOWN THE INFIDEL!" Mr Pigeon shouted. "FOR DARING TO INSULT THE MAJESTY OF PIGEONS! COO COO!" He screamed as a swarm of pigeons went after the girl, who flipped over them with a laugh.

"Hashtag coco for coco puffs." She smirked, flipping out of the way of the incoming birds. For a tiny girl she was pretty flexible and agile. "Now come on, YoYo, pretty please, I'll give it right back."

"Okay, seeing as how Spidey's adhesion has now been wasted." For once Ladybug wasn't frustrated at him as she glared at the screwy girl. "We're gonna have to do this the hard way. LUCKY CHARM!" With a swirl, a coin popped into her hands. "Let's see what we can work with …"

"New dare from 'Chaseme3', thank you for the donation. Knock out the tacky bird with the lucky charm!" The girl grabbd the object out of Ladybug's hands. "Oooh, lucky penny from a lucky bug!

"Chaton, grab the lucky charm and get her out of here!"

"A little-ACHOOO-busy-achoo!" Chat Noir shouted.

"Oooh, you should take a look at those allergies dude." The girl flipped out of the way, sending up a shoddy looking grapple gun and using it to run up a wall. "I mean, I at least make sure I get all my essential vitamins and minerals before jumping twenty feet into the crocodile habitat."

"UGGGGH! It's like dealing with a tinier, more annoying version of you!" Ladybug grumbled as she followed after the girl.

"Hey, I never stream Akuma fights, give me SOME crediti!" Spidey shouted, jumping above them and sandwiching the streamer girl between her and Ladybug. "Okay girlee, we've done this song and dance before. You give us back the Lucky Charm, and we'll get you ice cream after we defeat big bird over there."

"Hmm…..nah!" The girl laughed, jumping off the roof and using the flying pigeons as stepping stones towards the villain. "Hey mister chicken! I think I found a better use for your flying rats with wings!"

"What-ow!" He shouted as the object went into his mouth. "Why you little-" The villain…began choking. "I-aggh! IGGGH!.AGUUU!"

"Gotcha!" She jumped on his back, hitting him in the head. "Now come on, say nighty night!" She shouted, as the man looked dizzy … and the birds dropped them both. "Oh yeah, free fall! Let's get a selfie of this!"

"IS SHE INSANE!?" Ladybug shouted as they both rushed to swing to the girl's safety.

"Lets save the back and force and end the argument with a resounding YES in capital letters." Spidey said as he grabbed the girl while Ladybug grabbed the still choking Mr. Pigeon. "Never given the heimlich at super strength, apologies if I break a rib." He squeezed on the man's stomach.

He coughed it out, the coin going back to Ladybug as Spidey grabbed the whistle and broke it in his hands. "De-evilize." She muttered without the usual enthusiasm as she captured the butterfly. "Goodbye, and Miraculous Ladybug."

Spidey lowered the chain slowly as he brought the two to ground level. "Gaaah … terribly sorry for the trouble." The man said.

"It's all right Xavier, I understand animal protection. Back in America people arm their puppies with guns." Spidey quipped.

"That was so rad!" The streamer shouted, looking back to her phone. "Did you enjoy that folks? Heck yeah, this screwy girl is making it big! Three thousand subs!" Oh boy. Guess Spidey had to sit the girl down until she got the message. That or offer a collab where she could do these dares in a controlled environment. If she wouldn't stop after fifteen rescues, then the message wouldn't stick.

"You IDIOT!" Ladybug screamed, grabbing the girl by the arms. "You could have died! Do you have no self preservation instincts whatsoever!?"

"Doy, it's not a good dare if I don't risk my life. That's what gets the crowd going and the adrenaline pumping."

"What about the lives of the people in paris!? You got in the way of Spider-man's adhesion, you took MY lucky charm, and Chat Noir had to suffer through his allergies because you kept messing around!"

"It's-ACHOO-alright-ACHHOO!" Said cat scratched his nose. "Just-ACHOO-shaking off the gander!"

"Besides, it's not like anyone was in real danger. Your miracu-whatever magic bug thing fixes everything." The streamer shrugged. "Heck, even if my Parkour Luck…" She did NOT go there! "Fails me and I split open my head, you could just fix it right back up."

"What if I didn't!?" She shouted, glaring down at the little trouble maker. "What if you were out of range of my ladybugs?! What if you died and Mr. Pigeon got away!? I wouldn't be able to bring you back! Did you ever think about that!? No, because you obviously don't care about ANYONE or anything! Heck, you almost KILLED Mr. Pigeon with that little stunt of yours! What if the Ladybugs decided that the best way to fix the problem was for him to die!?"

"Hey Ladybug, mind getting a 'little' less blow upy?" Spidey asked, feeling the need to stop this before it got out of hand. "Why don't you cool off and let me take care of it?"

"Like how you took care of it the last fourteen times?" Ladybug glared. "It's obvious that she's a stupid reckless thrill seeker and the last thing she needs is a selfish gloryhound like you."

"I'm not the one insulting her to her face like an abusive parent!"

"Oh like you'd know anything about kids! You'd probably encourage this idiot's behavior!"

"I try to encourage people to be better! Not tell them to jump off of rooftops freestyle! I'm not an idiot!"

"Guys …"

"Well you sure had me fooled!"

"Guys …"

"At least I'm not arrogant enough to assume the worst in people!"

"GUYS!" Chat shouted, getting their attention. "She ran away crying."

They both turned their heads, and briefly saw a flash of white disappear as the faint sobs of crying were heard overhead."…Do you have no tact at all?" Spidey shook his head. "She's a kid. You don't berate kids like that, especially not in public!"

"Oh, like I'm going to care if one or two commenters online start trolling me." The spotted hero rolled her eyes.

"This isn't about reputation, it's about the fact you went off on a kid without knowing anything about her, and kids do even more stupid stuff when they're sad and angry." He accused.

"So what, tell her it's alright to keep jumping into supervillain attacks and nearly kill themselves?! Great lesson, I really appreciate that." She argued. "We both know she wasn't going to stop unless the foot was put down, the constant hacks of the Ladyblog said so!"

"Oh yeah? Then tell me, in a city that's being attacked by a super villain that can take advantage of negative emotions, do you really think that making someone cry is something we need to be doing?" Spidey called out. "Or do you think she's so useless that you think Hawkmoth won't even notice?"

"So what, we're never allowed to arrest people or reprimand anyone ever because Hawkmoth will akumatize them!?" She shouted. "That sounds like a perfect idea to tell the world!"

"That doesn't mean you get a free pass to act insensitive! You're acting just as bratty as Chloe!"

"Take that back you little-"

Beep beep beep beep

Their timers were nearly out. "I'm out. Enjoy your day Chat!" They both shouted, jumping away in opposite directions.

"Can't we at least talk about this tension over ice cream!?" Chat shouted

"Like Ladybug even LIKES ice cream being the bitter ice queen she is!"

"Spidey's more likely to turn it into a sponsorship ad, so no go there Chaton!"

Nathalie waited by the secret entrance of Gabriel's lair, right where the painting of Emilie was. It was peculiar. The man was determined, but it had been over fourteen hours since he'd come out of it, once again missing dinner with his son, something that Adrien himself just rolled his eyes at, already expecting outcomes like this. Nathalie wished she could do more there, but it's not like she could just take the role of a parent … especially if Emilie returned. She'd just be in the way.

A small part of her was relieved that he was making friends at school, in particular having his American friend Peter Parker around. As much of a nuisance the boy could be, he did light a certain spark in Adrien's eyes. She saw much of Richard and Mary in him…. Why didn't she honor that last request? It was one of the few times she questioned Gabriel's judgment.

Normally she wouldn't try to intrude, but the man's well being was her main priority. Making sure Adrian or the bodyguard wasn't around, she twisted the knobs, and took the elevator down to the hidden lair. "Yes, yes, my little Screwball, show you're not afraid of anything!" The man got needlessly dramatic whenever he used the Butterfly Miraculous. She hoped that didn't permanently alter his personality.

"Long night Gabriel?" She asked as she approached from behind.

"Yes. After Mr. Pigeon 2 failed, I nearly turned in for the day, but I suddenly felt an influx of immense sadness and sorrow, and the best part, was that it was instigated by Ladybug herself!" Gabriel cackled. "This new Akuma is quite interesting. Able to manifest anything she wishes as long as it's fair play and entertaining." He chuckled. "The tides will finally turn to my side as the world watches the heroes fall!"

"… Is the dramatism a side effect or are you just trying to differentiate yourself from your mask?" She had to ask.

"I'm crafting a persona, though Nooruu said that the miraculous bring out and highlight personality traits… but that's just absurd. I would never act this dramatic in public."

"Maybe it's just adding charisma." The butterfly involved connecting people after all. "We're going to have to move your design sketches time to tomorrow if we keep this up."

"No need. I have a good feeling about this Akuma. Her sorrow, her sadness, the despair of being humiliated by hundreds, if not thousands of people only is so palpable I can almost taste it! She will be my master-" He paused as the purple butterfly visor appeared over his face. "Wait, what?"

He seemed to listen to something, before shaking his head. "No! You are going to attack somewhere else, do you hear me!?" Another bout of silence. "I don't care if that's the 'most popular vote', you will-annnd she's gone." The man sighed.

"You could always revoke her power if she's not going to listen." Nathalie pointed out the easiest solution.

"There's no guarantee I'll get this lucky twice in one go. She was so optimistically insane it took heroes berating her to akumatized." Gabriel assured. "Open up your tablet, I want visuals from all angles if we're going to fully take advantage of this opportunity."

"Understood." She flipped it on. For a moment, there was nothing but static on all channels. When it cleared on her tablet she saw a girl in a white bodysuit, wearing a purple and white helmet with painted crack marks on it, and goggles that covered her eyes. Her body was surrounded by floating orbs that she assumed were cameras, and pop up text that seemed like what one would find in a chat room seemed to move around, constantly shifting and changing.

"Yo yo yo, here's the latest supervillainon the block, Screwball! I'm tourin at the College Francoise Dupont! How's it hangin my man?" She announced, placing an arm around the boy she swore to protect.

"Um … fine?" Adrien asked, confused.

"Great to hear! So thanks to today's sponsor, Hawkmoth, I've managed rigged this entire school to blow!"

"You what?"

"She what?" Nathalie asked with a bit of heat in her voice.

"So if Ladybug and her looser pals don't show within an hour, we all go sky high!" She laughed. "Now how to pass the time … oh, you. You kicked me off your blog, didn't you!?" She pointed at Alya Cerise, the girl that ran the Ladyblog and the former Lady Wifi.

"If you want to promote your own content, get your own blog!" The red headed teenager shouted.

"Now let's go through the dares…." The villain grabbed the chat box, scrolling through it. "Too safe…too boring…. okay, think I'm gonna send the police after that guy, I told you no lewd stuff…. Ah, here we got." The girl snapped her fingers, as a thirty foot water tank filled with sharks appeared in a flash. "Now you're gonna tightrope this shark tank." Screwball stated, as another flash sent the innocent girl on one end, with a purple collar around her neck. "If you're saved, give up, or fall, the little collar on your neck is gonna cancel you if you know what I'm saying." She laughed. "Oh I gotta bring in guests more often! The view count is through the roof!"

"Gabriel, isn't this too excessive?" She glared. "Adrian's within immediate harming distance." Even if Garbiel didn't care about endangering children, his own child HAD to be the exception.

"… She said one hour." The man said. "At the five minute mark, I'll pull away the akuma."

"When she already placed bombs?"

"They would be there either way. Unlike Ladybug, I can't personally undo the damage my akumas make." Gabriel lamented. "I can't give up when the pieces are in place, Nathalie. I will win or the heroes will win. I won't allow any other outcome to come to pass."

She sighed. It seemed she wouldn't be talking him out of this. "Very well sir." She nodded, heading to the exit. "I've taken the liberty of clearing your schedule. You WILL be having dinner with your son tonight. You owe him that much."

"Very well." He nodded, looking at the tablet. "… What the hell is an 'up dog'?"

"If you're going to be psychically linked to a child, don't curse sir." She was starting to question if she got paid enough for this.

Alright, in hindsight, Marinette had to admit maybe she was a little quick to anger with that livestreamer girl, but in her defense, no one had ever been stupid enough to get in the middle of an Akuma attack before….well no one other than Alya, but that was because she was a stubborn journalist. "Tikki, Spots On!" She hopefully could take this thing down quickly enough to NOT need to see Spider-Man again. The last thing she needed was an 'I told you so' in the middle of a fight.

She walked out of the bathroom … as Chat Noir walked out of the men's bathroom … as Spider-Man walked out of a classroom. "… I thought it was just closets?" Chat asked.

"I came in through the window." He pointed out. "Did you two use the vents or …"

"Let's just be grateful we've all showed up for an akuma attack on time for once." Ladybug cut off that train of thought. Don't give them leeway into her identity or try to figure out the other's…even if she was tempted to know who's face to punch underneath Spidey's mask.

"Waho!" The crazy villain shouted. "Live with the world, how does it feel to cross a shark tank!? Alive, exhilarating? Boring old life flashing through your eyes as you rethink life choices?"

"Hey, I'll have you know I've lived a pretty exciting life even before I started the Ladyblog!" She shouted. "My family traveled a lot and my dad deals with wild animals, so this ain't nothing I can't handle!" Bold even in the face of death. An admirable and very concerning quality.

"Next dare up … head in a bucket of lice!" Screwball cheered. "Okay, who here wants to volunteer!? No one? Fine, I'll choose for you… eenie… meanie… miney…. you!" She sent a bucket full of the icky bugs…right into Chloe's head.

"AHHHHH! THEY'RE EVERYWHERE!" The mean girl screamed as she ran off. "THIS IS RIDICULOUS! UTTERLY RIDICULOUS!" Ooooh, that was SO satisfying to see unfold.

"Any guess where her object is?" Chat asked.

"Gonna guess her helmet. I don't see a phone on the Akuma your lady caused." Spidey grumbled

"You just HAD to get in the I told you so, didn't you?" She grumbled.

"Better now then when we're worrying about a timer." He shot back, before jumping in. "Don't worry princess, your hair's in good hands!"

"Hey there Spidey, like the new threads?!" The villain waved to him chipperly. "Now I got a new look and name for myself! Ooh, we should do a collab, where I make the dare, and you risk your life!"

"Sounds fun, but I make it a personal oath to save people's eyes and not show off Hawkmoths tacky fashion to the world!"

Spidey sent out a chain … which bounced off the air, hitting Ladybug in the face. "Ow!" She rubbed her head. "Hey! Watch it web head!"

"Um … what am I watching?" He asked. "Did she make the air tangible?" Rolling her eyes, she threw her YoYo … which bounced off the air, ricocheted around the school, and hit Spidey in the neck. "Is this really the best time for petty revenge?"

"How was that petty!? It was a ricochet of seven bounces minimum!"

"Oh you're both acting petty right now." Chat rolled his eyes as she sent his staff out…which bounced off the air, smacking into Spidey head before getting sent right into Ladybug's nose.

"Ow!"

"Sorry to say, only special high ranking subscribers can access the content that is my body." The villain grinned. "The price, one miraculous."

"You sure you want to start selling yourself so young? There's a world of possibility out there for you." Spider-man quipped.

"Maybe, but since I'm nothing but a stupid reckless thrill seeker that doesn't care about anyone, my options are limited as is." The villain smirked. "Ohh, and the dares are coming in hot with all three of you here. So, here's how the game's gonna go. You can't touch me, and I can't steal your miraculous, fair play." She grinned. "We dare off each other until one side gives. Either you give up and hand me your miraculous, make me give up and hand over my object, or the hour runs out and we all go KABOOOM! Isn't this exciting folks!?" She shouted to the moving cameras.

"And if we refuse to play?" Chat asked.

"Then we just wait down the clock as I force all these high schoolers to go through more life threatening dares." She smiled as she scrolled through the screens. "Oooh, putting your finger in and out of a lawn mower sounds fun. Hope your fingers are nimble glasses!"

"No, those are my DJ playing hands!" Nino shouted as he was frocked to put his hands closer to a running lawn mower!

"Alright, alright, we give!" Ladybug shouted.

"Awesome! Get ready world, give us the darkest, evilist, and most destructive dares you have!" Screwball shouted. "And if I have enough fun, I may even put my hate for Ladybug above the no pervert dare rule!"

The area was swarmed as dare upon dares seemed to flood the area around them. "What are we going to do now?" Chat muttered quietly to them. "This isn't going to be a cat walk."

"Direct confrontation doesn't work. Not with that 'streaming shield' she has going on." She whispered back. "Until we can find a way to get in close, we play along."

"She said it was fair play, right?" Spidey noted. "Which means we can turn this back at her and get close."

"How? She was quick enough to grab my lucky charm, and that was when she wasn't akumatized.

"I have enough saved up for a thousand Euro dare." Spidey whispered back. "We let her think she had the upper hand, and then we strike back at her emotionally. She got like this because you hurt her feelings. So we're going to exploit that for all its worth and catch her off guard."

"Really rubbing salt in that wound." She growled. "Bad enough she's going to throw her worst at me."

"Come now M'Lady, we just need to do a couple of dares." Chat smiled. "It's not like the internet's a dark place." … Too much … innocence …

"Alright my fellow Screwlites, first dare goes to Ladybug! Stick your head in an alligator's mouth while singing the French national anthem! You can't take it out until you've sung the whole song!"

An alligator appeared, staring up at Ladybug with its mouth open. "... Hey Spidey, are these suits gator proof?"

"You'll be the first to know, Bugy." Spider-man gestured to her to said gator's mouth. "I salute you, mademoiselle." The only reason she didn't say anything is because she knew Spidey's dares were gonna be just as bad … hopefully.

Chat did his best to hold back a scream. "Thirty ghost peppers … done …" He winced. "Why is the internet … so cruel …" Like Spidey and Bugaboo said, they played the long game of luring her into a false sense of victory. That meant playing for forty minutes as they were all forced into cruel and unspeakable acts.

Fortunately for Ladybug, the suits were gator proof, but that didn't make singing the entire national anthem any easier with how many times she had to stop to prevent the reptile from biting down on her neck.

Other notable dares included himself going a full ten minutes without cat puns, Spider-Man swimming through a pool of itching cream, Ladybug juggling ten grenades, Chat being forced into running through five walls, Spidey having to charm snakes with a flute, and his Lady having to ride a bull for five minutes.

"Awesome! Now do me, do me, do me!" And Screwball … was taking it in stride. From juggling chainsaws, to drinking a bottle of mayonnaise, to taking a truck to the face, to catapulting over three stories and landing on a handstand. And she was LAUGHING about it. "Come on, let's get really daring. Ya don't have much time till we're all blown to smithereens! Hit me with something good!"

"Alright… you want to be hit with something good… okay then, you got your wish." Spidey smirked, going to his chain and typing on his keyboard.

"Oooh, one thousand euros! Thanks Spidey! Guess that streaming money really pays the bills." Screwball laughed, looking at the screen. "From theforrealSpider-man, he's dares…. dude, that's weak." Screwball pouted.

"Hey, it's my money, I can chose to spend it how I want." Spidey smirked."Unless you wanna disappoint your fans and DON'T take the dare and just walk away with free money." The cameras all turned expectedly to Screwball.

"Alright…from theforrealSpider-man, he dares… for me to say my real name." She groaned.

"….You wasted a thousand euros in that!?" Ladybug shouted. "Not 'fist fight the heroes' or anything like that!? We could have grabbed her object!"

"What, I was curious." He shrugged.

"I ATE GHOST PEPPERS!" Chat shouted. He knew spidey liked to joke around, and he did to, but this was ridiculous.

"And the answer folks … Screwball!" She shouted.

"Nope, I didn't request your villain name, I wanted your real name."

"Well jokes on you, Hawkmoth's the only person to ever name me." The akuma grinned.

"So…what you're saying is that you can't complete my dare." Spidey smirked. "Cause Screwball ain't a real name, and I'm pretty sure the folks at home will agree."

The cameras all turned to the villain. "Well … I could complete some documents … but I don't have them … but I could make some … it'd just take time …" She began pacing. "And I'd have to say when I was born when I don't know that, and where I came from, and and and and-" She began muttering so fast it was almost a blur, just pacing back and forth in an almost franting manner. "Completethedarecompletethedarecompletethedare."

"Now while she's distracted." Spider-Man whispered.

"Will it even work if we still can't get in close?" Ladybug asked quietly. "We don't know if the barrier needs conscious activation or not."

"Going by akuma logic, I'm gonna hope it is." Spidey said, putting his hand out. "Adhesion!"

"Completedthedarecomplethedare-aaahh!" The villain was sent flying into his hand helmet first as Spidey knocked her against a wall. "Keep pilling on!" Squeeze the helmet, before the powers went through … and a butterfly went flying.

"No more evildoing for you akuma, time to De-evilize!" Ladybug shouted, swiping it. "Bye bye little butterfly …" She waved it away as the girl went back to normal … with none of the crazy dare stuff and bombs vanishing. "Right … Lucky Charm!" She pulled out her yo-yo…and a box of chocolates came out.

"A bit early for valentine's day, M'lady, but I apawciate the gesture." Chat Teased. "And it would get the taste of ghost peppers out of my mouth."

"Maybe next time Chaton." Ooh, that meant she might actually do something for Valentine's Day! "Miraculous Ladybug!"

The world around them was fixed up. "Come on, come on, gotta complete the dare …" The girl muttered, rubbing her head.

"Is she STILL on about the dares?" His lady asked.

"M'lady, reign in the claws." Chat said softly. "Let's try talking to her… gently this time." He walked over to the girl. "So… you made quite a splash. A little screwy for my taste, but, go big or go home, am I right?"

She sighed, letting out a light chuckle. "The bigger the better they always say … shoot, I don't think I can complete it … record broken." She groaned. "Great, guess I'm gonna have to change my brand… probably get a new suit and rename myself."

"Did you even have a title before?" Spidey asked, sitting next to the girl. "I only knew you as that crazy streamer girl that I stopped from becoming street pizza."

"Nah, I went without a handle … Hawkmoth was the first person to give me a name to stick to … Screwball sounded kinda fun too. Like my soul connected to it."

"We'll as long as you're comfortable with it." Chat snickered. "You… you don't have any other name?"

"No…I don't really have much of anything else." 'Screwball' sighed. "I… I don't know where I came from or who I am. I just… know I'm athletic and good with computers…. other than that… I… I literally have nothing else." The girl slumped. "I've been on my own for so long I don't even know my own name."

"Oh…" A flash of guilt and shame flooded over Ladybugs face. "I… I had no idea… I'm sorry."

"Well, I try to not let it bother me. So what if I don't have any friends or family or house or money. I can live to the next day right?" The girl asked, letting out a tiny chuckle. "Then…then I saw your podcasts." She looked up to Spidey as she hugged her knees. "Seeing you just… smiling, laughing… living… it made me feel less alone … so I decided I'd connect with people using my own little show, and they … really like it when I go wild and crazy, you know."

"Yeah, I know." Spidey nodded. "Trust me, I understand more than you'll ever know. But the thing to remember is you need to watch out for yourself. You may have a lot of fans, but that relationship is one sided. They're not going to be the ones that call 911 if they see you break a leg."

She looked confused. "But you're friends with Chloe Bourgeois, and she's a terrible person."

"RIGHT HERE YOU MANIAC!" Chloe shouted out.

"Well, the thing is that I've gotten to spend time to talk to her personally, and it's not good to judge someone so quickly like that. After all, look what happened between you and ladybug." His lady's face turned away in shame.

"Plus fans are great, but they only see one side of you." Chat added. "They only see the joy and laughter, but in those private moments of your life…they won't see the pain you have inside…they won't know the real you."

She looked at Chat … then looked back down. "But … I don't have anyone else …"

"Then how about we change that?" Chat asked, sitting down next to the girl. "Every Saturday, at six in the afternoon. You and I meet up for snacks at the Dupain-Cheng bakery. Just … eat and talk."

That lit up a little smile from the girl, who took off her helmet, revealing dyed purple hair that had spots of natural brown and red. "That..that sounds great."

Ladybug kind of awkwardly stood there, before a look came across her face. "As for your living situation… I think we know a place." She said. "... If you're willing of course, I don't wanna force you." It was rare to see his lady so awkward … It was cute.

"Eh…why not. Not like I have anything else to do today." The girl snorted. "If I can't trust the girl dressed like a giant watermelon, then who can I trust?"

"…Oh you and I are going to get along great." Spidey chuckled.

Martin Li blinked in surprise. "Heroes … to what do I owe this pleasure?" He asked with a smile. Either someone was trying to attack FEAST yet again, they found a connection to the Inner Demons and wanted to talk, or they were going to offer a donation. In any case, all possibilities lead to a complication of some kind.

"We're not in the middle of a fight, so the residents don't have to worry about being dragged into something dangerous today." Ladybug reassured, allowing Martin to breathe a little easier. "We … found someone who needs a home, if you still have the space."

That made him smile. "Ladybug, I know we haven't talked much … but we will always have a space for those that need it." That was the point, to help everyone.

"That's good to hear." Chat noir grinned as the hero let a small child, a girl that looked a few years younger than May's nephew, with dyed purple hair came in. "Trust us, this place is run by the nicest and kindest people you'll ever meet. They'll take care of you."

She looked at him with trepidation. The man smiled, holding out his hand to shake. "Martin Li, I'll be happy to help if you're willing to take it."

"... I would …" She grabbed it. "... Your hand is really warm."

"I get that a lot." Li said as healing energy went into the girl's body. She was young, she didn't need whatever disease you could get out on the street.

"And…I can stay her…no strings attached?" She asked again trepidatiously.

"Of course. Our doors are open to anyone." He smiled, ruffling the girl's head. "We ask you for nothing but to have a warm bed and a full stomach, as is the right of all life."

"And if you ever need our help, or just want to talk, we'll be here for you too." Spider-Man kneeled down to her level. "

"I'd be down to join you for your first meal." Chat Noir chuckled. "Not like I'm eating with family anyway."

They all stared at the black suited hero. "... Do I need to get a cat bed too ?" Even if it was dangerous to have a hero so close, a homeless teenager was a homeless teenager.

"No need. This cat's not a stray. Just here to livin up the mood." The hero snickered. "But I mean it. Next Saturday I'll take you out for a cat walk for those macaroons. That way you'll have a friend to look forward to talking to."

"A friend…that sounds great." The girl blushed with a small smile.

"Well I've gotta head out. If I don't make it home for dinner I'm gonna get pestered." Spider-Man walked to the door. "It was nice meeting you without the chaos, Mr Li!"

"The pleasure was all mine." In a perfect world, this would be the ideal. The heroes fought the wicked and corrupted, and led the poor and misfortunate to feast. In a perfect world, Li wouldn't have to embrace the darkness to get real change done. But sadly … it wasn't perfect … yet.

No one deserved to be cast into the shadows of the world…and once his devil's breathe was completed, no one ever would again.