I'm all for snoozing as long as I'm able, but this morning, M'lady and I have important decisions to make. Last night, we set up to meet at the fountain in the garden before most of the student body is awake.

My feet make a crunching sound on the gravel, and I find Ladybug already there, lost in thought as she stares at her reflection in the water. Dark circles ring around her eyes, and I know this isn't a time for a joke.

Before I can speak though, she looks up, seeing me. "Cat?" All it takes is that word one word, my name for me to open my arms and her to crawl into them. "I have a feeling your not thinking about the decision we have to make this morning, are you?" Ladybug shakes her head, her lip wobbling. "My love, what's going on in your thoughts?" "I...I dropped out of school, Adrien. I just have so much to think about current and future. And I don't know what path to take. I know how hard you helped me to get in, and I'm sorry. Please don't be mad at me."

"I'm not mad, love. I only wish to know your heart's desire." Ladybug stares at me, bluebell eyes serious. "Defeat Scorpius, get married and have a family." "That's a tall order for a little bug. Let's tackle one thing at a time, all right? After all, we have all the time in the world."

Ladybug flushes, flicking my bell to hear its golden tones. "Time enough for a kiss?" I don't answer with words, but a kiss, hoping to satisfy her cravings. But we do need to talk about today. "I'd love to kiss you till the moon is blue, but we have work to do," I grin, catching a chaste kiss to her neck. She laughs. "Silly kitty, did you mean to rhyme?"

I give her a wink.

"I think the answer is crystal clear,

Hydra and Lyra will be the one we choose,

for they want to help us defeat our foe."

The morning bell rings and I sigh, standing up and holding out a hand to Ladybug. "Let's do this."

Crumb has other announcements before ours, and Ladybug squeezes my arm tightly, then motions for me to lean forward as she whispers in my ear. "I never realizes how much Crumb talks. He makes you look quiet, or when you did your silent meows."

I can feel a laugh in my belly and I have to squeeze her arm hard, trying not to laugh, but a small meow escapes my lips, and Ladybug loses it. Crumb flashes us a glance, and we go rigid. Great.

"And now, welcome to the stage, the Whispering Duo, Ladybug and Cat Noir!" Crumb calls. I grin at him as we step up to the mic and address the crowd. "Just be to clear, we weren't whispering sweet nothings during that!" "Cat!" Ladybug hisses, pushing me gently aside.

"We wish we could take all of you on our journey to Scorpius, but alas, we can only choose two. And they are….Hydra and Lyra!"

The room bursts into applause and I scan the room, finding their happy faces. But just after I do, I find Ivy, sitting alone with a hurt expression. "M'lady, I think…" I don't get to finish my thought though as Crumb once again walks over, clapping himself. "Excellent choice, you two. Now, its a tradition at school for a Goodbye Meal before heading out on your journey. Any requests?" "Spaghetti and tiramisu!" Ladybug answers. "It is done! Everyone go to breakfast, then head off to class or if your chosen, pack!"

The day passes quickly, as we pack for the long and dangerous journey ahead. Hydra picks up a small looking guitar like thing, and I ask about it. "Its called a lute, and every journey, serious or not needs music."

At dinner, there's a special table set just for me and Ladybug, and to our surprise, as we dig into our mound of spaghetti, we each grab an end of the same noodle. Ladybug's eyes lock on mine before our lips lock.

"My Lady, didn't they do this on Lady and the Tramp?" Ladybug giggles. "Yeah, but it was just the two of them and there was a guy with an accordion." "So," I lean forward, lowering my voice. "Do think I'm a Tramp?" she splutters, blushing wildly. "Ah," I lean back again, having my answer. "The cat really does have your tongue, hm?"

Just then, Lyra rushes up. "Sorry to interrupt, but you have to help Ivy! She's out in the garden eating berry after berry from the wintergreen bush!" Ladybug stands and places a hand on Lyra's shoulder. "Calm down, Lyra. Wouldn't the berries eventually run out?"

Lyra shakes her head. "That's the strange part, Ladybug. The berries...once you pluck one other pops back out in its place."

Ladybug and I look at each other. "Scorpius!" we say together. We finish our meal quickly and head towards the gardens. "Ladybug, Lyra, wait." they turn as we start to descend into the garden. "Let me talk to her first. I'll let you know if I need you." Ladybug nods. "Okay, Kitty. Good luck."

I find Ivy eating from bush, eating berry after berry. "Ivy, you need to stop before you make yourself sick," I sit down next to her, finding her lips are already stained a dark color from the berry juice.

"Eating makes me feel better. Besides, if didn't pick me you must not think I'm special!"

Icicle's words come back to me and I realize I am encountering another one of the Seven Sins under akumatization. Only this time its Gluttony, and I if I can't free Ivy soon, she could become very ill.

"Ivy, you know that's not true. Eating won't change our answer, but that doesn't mean our friendship has changed. I only didn't pick you, because you have your own special mission here." Ivy blinks, looking up at me. Not eating berries, just listening.

"You have the gift of leadership, and we can't let that go unnoticed. While we're away, you need to keep the spirits up of the students here. And you are perfect for that job, Ivy. Now, where is the akuma hiding?"

Ivy points to the bush and I cataclysm the plant, and she slumps forward, groaning. "Come on, you've eaten enough berries. I'll get you to the nurse."

Before I send her, Ivy looks up at me. "Be strong, Cat Noir. Keep Ladybug safe on your mission, but remember the power of love….." her words died away as she groans a puddle splashing at my feet.

Clean up is the order of the day, until Crumb finds us when its time to leave.