October 8thwas rainy and cold, but Zoe and Marinette were at school instead of snugly wrapped up in one of their rooms. Between the attack and everything that happened over the weekend, they had not gone to school much in the last two weeks. Thanks to the setup of Mayor Bustier, they would be fine, but both needed to put their noses to the grindstone for the new couple of days. Marinette was in the art room, working on a bodice when Chloe approached her.
"Marinette, I got a strange call this morning."
She looked up from her project and saw the scowl on the heiress' face. "What's wrong?"
"I got a call from Mayor Bustier. She asked if I still could contact Ladybug."
"Wonder what she needs." Marinette pondered. "Adrien had suggested we give her a direct line to us. Her and the President of France."
"Well, she said the request wasn't from her but the President of France themselves. She sounded upset, so you might want to go meet her."
Marinette sighed. "I'll tell the Principal…"
Chloe shook her head. "Already cleared it with him. He thinks you and Zoe are coming clothing shopping with me to place my lost belongings. If anyone asks, that is where you will be. Brina has promised to swear to it."
Marinette giggled," hopefully not going to be needed but thank you for thinking ahead Chloe."
Chloe patted her on the shoulder and departed. Marinette entered the hall where Zoe was waiting.
"Ready to go, love?" Zoe asked.
Marinette kissed her on the cheek. "Bet. Let's go. Tikki, spots on!"
"Pollen, buzz on!"
*Zoenette-October*
Mayor Bustier was pacing around, looking nervous at her phone when the two heroines landed outside the window. She hurried over tolet them in.
"Thank you for coming on such short notice, ladies. I know you are busy with hunting down the twins that attacked the Hotel. I'm very thankful no one was harmed in the blast."
Ladybug sighed. "As is Chloe and Andre. Chloe had previously not allowed guests anywhere near her room, including the floors below it, so no one else was near the blast. Andre had not gotten around to renting any of those rooms out yet."
The Mayor nodded. "Yes, though we have the police looking for them with the descriptions Chloe gave us. I am confused as to why you heroes are hunting the Twins as well."
"Well, even if they had not attacked a major Parisan staple," Vesperia said, a slight tremor to her voice. "Chloe might no longer be a Miraculous Holder but we offer her and hers the same protection any member of the French Miraculous Team enjoys. If you attack one of ours, we are going to catch you and see justice is served."
Ladybug nodded, kissing the other heroine on the cheek. "Well said, babe. If we catch them first, we will hand them over to the authorities."
Caline sighed in relief. "Thank you. Honestly, we are unsure how they are avoiding our notice. We have new state of the art cameras from Tomoe Industries but they cannot pick up the twins. Don't worry, I made sure the locations you designated are camera free for your transformation needs."
Ladybug smiled "Thank you. But I believe you called us here for a reason?"
"Yes, the President of France themselves put in this request. A ship flying French colors was spotted in American waters not long ago. After the incident with Hawkmoth threatening to start World War 3 on American soil, our President has been very busy trying to ensure no damage to our relationship with America. The President office is officially asking for members of the French Miraculous Team to investigate the ship and see what it is doing in their waters."
Ladybug nodded. "It could be a counter measure Hawkmoth planted in case he needed to escape America and only recently drifted in from international waters. Alright, I'll send some people to investigate as soon as I can."
"Thank you, Ladybug. With everything going in, we need to be mindful of borders and boundaries, so having French heroes check out the anomaly will save both sides a legal nightmare and we don't know if it's a threat or not."
Vesperia smiled. "Don't worry, Madam Mayor. We'll get to the bottom of it."
Caline reached out and patted both of their shoulders. "thank you. Now, I hate to commission you and then run you out, but I got documents that aren't going to read themselves. You would be surprised how much paperwork Chloe did not read in her short term as Mayor."
Vesperia laughed. "I think I can imagine. Shall we capture her for some community service helping you go through them?"
Caline laughed. "No, the President was very clear that Chloe's pardon was only valid if she never set foot in the offices of any Parsian government office unless duly elected to the post. they don't want her getting ideas about their desk."
The heroines laughed before they took their leave. Caline sat down at her desk and looked at a picture of her wife and son before grabbing a paper and settling into read.
Zoenette-October*
Ladybug and Vespeira landed in Marinette's bedroom and dropped their transformations. They did not feel cold while suited up, but it was like the residual chill of the day had gotten into their very souls.
"I'm going to get a hot drink, want one?" She kissed Marinette on the side of the head as her partner pulled out her phone.
"Sure, love, thank you. I'm going to text the others and see who is free to check out the ship tomorrow. Want to get this done quickly, since it's from the president."
"You might try Mylene and Nathaniel," Zoe winked as she headed for the trap door. "I recall them complaining early that they have nothing to do tomorrow."
The grin Marinette flashed her made bees and ladybugs dance in her belly. "What would I do without you?"
Zoe laughed. "Honestly, be kissing Adrien."
Marinette made a face. "Eww, a boy? I prefer my girlfriend."
Zoe made a heart with her hands before going down to fetch them some hot chocolate from the kitchen below.
*Zoenette-October*
Zade and Zara sat on the bed, looking at the canister that held the film their sister had made. Soon, they would use it to get Zoe back on side.
Zara shuddered, thinking of the bad men that had grabbed her before her father had intervened. They had been promised a girl, and they would get one. It did not matter if it was Chloe, Zoe, or Zara. One way or the other, Zoe or Chloe or even both would be in a world of terror. Zara leaned against her twin, hoping that they would succeed so it would not be her who was taken.
A/N: Things begin to spice up a little. See you tomorrow with the mission to the ship featuring Caprikid and Polymouse!