My heart bumps around in my chest as we landed with a hard thump in a pile of leaves. Thank goodness we were in our suits when we fell, or the results could have turned out much, much differently.

"Okay, let's catch our breath for a second," Ladybug says, and even she looks pale. "How did Corvus get those birds to copy your parents voices?" Ladybug asks softly. A hard lump grows in my throat. "Crows are smart, love, and if they can hear a recording, they'd be able to mimic them no problem. It...it just took me off guard, that's all." Ladybug sighs. "We need to make a plan to get back into the castle."

"Sounds good, but maybe we should find a hiding spot so we're not out in the open." We both have jelly legs as we stand and start walking into the trees, but gradually our heart rates return to normal.

"How about we….Ooof!" Ladybug trips over something in the leaves, landing hard on her stomach. She sits up and groans, and I immediately kneel down to check on her. "Are you alright, love?" I gently rest my hand on her stomach as she gasps for air. "Just had the wind knocked out of me, that's all."

"There's something in the leaf pile," I tell her, digging through the leaves and my knuckles brush against a something hard and flat. Ladybug rests while I search and uncover, finding a wooden door with a handle buried in the leaves.

Ladybug and I look at each other. "What is a hidden wooden door panel doing out here in the middle of the forest?" she asks. I flash her a grin and wink. "Only one way to find out, My Lady." I give the handle a tug and with a loud creak it opens. A set of stairs going downwards is visible until the darkness swallows where it leads. "Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go!" I start to take a step forward, but Ladybug grabs my tail. "Whoa, easy, Kitty. Haven't you heard the term look before you leap?" "Yeah, from you." Ladybug shifts in the leaves. "What if its another trap?" "I think we're safe. The leaves haven't been distributed for quite some time, and if we do get stuck we'll use the Horse Miraculous."

Ladybug raises an eyebrow. "Is that your Scouts logic talking? Or is it my Kitty?" "What if its a bit of both?" I take both of her hands. "Come on, its you and me." "Okay. But hold my hand, and do not let go." I chuckle quietly. "Yes, dear." "When this is all over, that will become a common occurrence."

The stairs are a bit rickety and both Ladybug and I turn on our bug phone and baton flashlight before I close the panel door. Ladybug gives a squeak of fright. "Courage, love. And remember, I have my night-vision." "Oh, yeah," she whispers. "Forgot about that."

The air continually grows more and more musty, further proof its been quite some time since anyone's been down here.

We reach the bottom of the stairs, and Ladybug gives a slight tug on my hand. "Cat, look." We shine our lights to the wall, and we see that bricks line the walls. Then I get a theory. "I think this is a secret passage into the castle," I whisper. "But why is out in the forest?" Ladybug asks. "That I'm not sure. My theory is it was dug over hundreds of years, maybe used for awhile, and then abandoned." "Yeah, I don't remember crows liking the underground."

We head off towards the right as the passageway is wider, as to the left narrows to probably a dead end. Its actually kinda spooky down here, under the earth with no sound expect our breath and heartbeats.

We come to other door, and I pause my hand on the handle. "Be ready for anything," I whisper. On the other side is not what we expected, rather no humans or crows are present, just rows upon rows of dresses and clothes, plus two little stalls sit at the end of the wall.

One of the dresses shimmers in the dim light, catching my attention and sparking a memory. "I've seen this dress before," I tell Ladybug and she looks up at me. "Claws In." I dig out my phone, and pull out a hunk of cheese for Plagg, scrolling through photos marked under "Clothes." Then I gasp. "M'lady, look."

She peers at the screen. "What am I supposed to be looking at?" "I was curious a few weeks after Corvus and his cronies moved in, so I headed up to their floor to introduce myself. I remember seeing this dress on one of the racks, but one of the aides told me it was a reject. Guess they all ended up here."

"If no one we're down here, and these are rejects," Ladybug says, slowly. "Do you think they'd mind if we put on a fashion show?" "The world is our oyster, so let's go for it."

The tension eases a bit as we giggle, selecting an outfit. Ladybug is done first and heads to the small stall. I select a suit and hat, then head to my own stall.

With my modeling days, it takes just mere minutes for me to dress, and I wait for Ladybug to emerge. "Adrien, can you give me an entrance?" she asks, her voice muffled by the door. "Introducing the beautiful and talented Ladybug!"

The door opens and my breath catches in my throat. She has selected a red tank top with fringe and beads that just falls short of her belly button and a long flowing black skirt, keeping with her "ladybug" colors.

She struts down the length of the room, bursting into giggles as she reaches the end, then turns. "Sorry," she chirps. "I know your supposed to be serious at events, but I feel like a strutting peacock!" "Here, I'll show you how its done."

Down here with no pressure from cameras or fans, its easy to be confident. Ladybug claps as I head over to her, a smile upon her lips.

"Nicely done. I must admit, I was slightly jealous of you when I was younger. Remember that fashion show when I made you that hat?" I tilt up her chin so I can look at her. "Sure I do, but why were you jealous?" "Because at times I wondered what it would be look to model your own designs and show them off with confidence which I struggled with. Even as Ladybug at times, I would get jealous of your playfulness and worry-free attitude. I should say I'm sorry." "That surprises me, because your the most confident girl I know. Even without your mask on." Ladybug takes a deep breath. "I'm working on it, Adrien."

I brush my nose against hers. "There is something your perfect at though," I whisper. "Oh, and what is that?" she breathes. "Kisses." Like a spark, my body warms at her touch, and I place my hand at her waist as she tangles her fingers into my hair. "More, please," I long for her touch, her warmth, her love.

When the haze clears, Ladybug gives a little jump. "Adrien! I just had the most fantastic idea! With the right outfits, we can sneak back into the castle!" I laugh, leaning forward for another kiss. "Right, and we certainly have plenty to choose from."

It was fun to be fashion icons for the afternoon, and now to time to masquerade.