Chapter 10: Horrificator
Hey everyone! I'm back with a new chapter! I wasn't sure about the spin-off since the site started glitching, so I decided to delete it for now until everything is set up. But until then, I hope you guys like this! I also want to thank Cloud4012 for helping me with my OC and everything else. Make sure to follow him and Kival737101 as well. Anyway, sit back, relax, review, and enjoy!
We find ourselves at Marinette's house, where she is reading the letter she found on the porch of her balcony last night.
Marinette sat on her bed, her fingers delicately holding the letter she had found on her balcony the night before. Her cheeks were flushed as she read through the heartfelt words once again, her heart racing with each line.
"Dear Marinette," the letter began, "I've admired you for so long, but I never found the courage to say it aloud. You are kind, talented, and incredibly strong—a light in so many people's lives, including mine. You inspire me to be better every day, even when you don't realize it. Writing this was the hardest thing I've ever done because I'm terrified of how you might react. But I couldn't keep these feelings to myself anymore. I hope this doesn't make things awkward because your friendship means everything to me. You're amazing, Marinette, and I just wanted you to know. Yours, Leo."
Marinette's eyes lingered on the name at the bottom. "Leo?" she whispered, her mind racing. She hadn't expected this, not from him. She thought of their playful banter, his quiet support, and the way he always seemed to appear just when she needed someone. "Why didn't he just tell me?" she murmured.
Tikki floated beside her, her tiny hands clasped in excitement. "Isn't it romantic, Marinette? Leo wrote all of that just for you! He really cares about you."
Marinette smiled softly, folding the letter as she set it on her lap. "It is romantic, but... I don't understand why he didn't say anything. Leo's not usually shy like this. And if he's felt this way for so long, why now?"
Tikki tilted her head thoughtfully. "Maybe he was afraid of how you'd react. Telling someone how you feel isn't easy, even for someone as confident as Leo."
Marinette nodded, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "I get that, but... now I feel like I need to talk to him. I don't want to leave things like this."
"Do you know what you're going to say?" Tikki asked gently.
"I'm not sure," Marinette admitted. "But I owe him an answer, at the very least. Leo deserves that."
As she stood up, she carefully placed the letter in her jewelry box, treating it like the precious treasure it was. Taking a deep breath, she grabbed her purse, where Tikki quickly hid away, and headed out of her room with determination.
"One step at a time," she told herself. "I'll figure it out when I see him."
Miraculous Tales of Fireblaze and Frost Fang Theme Song
In the daytime, I'm Leo
Leo is walking through the city streets in daylight, wearing his casual clothes, blending in like any other normal kid.
Just a normal boy with a normal life
Leo sits in class at school, scribbling in his notebook, and talking to friends.
And In the daytime, I'm Oliver, just a cool kid with an amazing life.
Oliver is shown skating through the streets, grinning confidently.
but There's something about us that no one knows yet because we have a secret!
Leo transforms into Fireblaze, flames swirling around him as he ignites his powers. Oliver transforms into Frost Fang, icy winds swirling around him as snowflakes form.
Another day, I'm back at school,
But the city calls and it's time to rule,
I've got the spark, the flame inside,
When danger strikes, there's no need to hide!
Fireblaze leaps across the rooftops, flames trailing behind him as he runs toward an akumatized villain. Frost Fang joins him, riding a wave of ice, drawing his frost-coated daggers.
Oh-oh-oh, when the cold sets in,
Oh-oh-oh, let the fight begin,
Oh-oh-oh, with ice and snow,
We'll freeze the foe!
Frost Fang casts a powerful ice blast, creating an icy barrier to protect his teammates, then slides across the frozen ground to deliver a swift attack alongside Fireblaze.
Miraculous, we light the sky!
Ready to fight when danger is high!
Miraculous, the fire within!
With power and heart, we'll always win!
Fireblaze swings his swords while Frost Fang sends icicles flying at the villain. Their combined powers create a swirling vortex of fire and ice.
By day we hide, just playing it cool,
But when we fight, we bend the rules,
We'll burn so bright, and freeze the ground,
No villain's safe, when we're around!
Fireblaze summons a glowing sun, while Frost Fang summons a storm of ice. Their attacks combine, sending fire and frost blasting through the villain's defenses.
Oh-oh-oh, the cold is biting strong,
Oh-oh-oh, but with Fireblaze, we can't go wrong!*
Oh-oh-oh, and when we feel the ice,
That's when we strike twice!
Frost Fang and Fireblaze charge alongside Ladybug and Cat Noir. Their teamwork is flawless as they take down the villain with their powers perfectly synchronized.
Miraculous, we light the sky!
Ready to fight when danger is high!
Miraculous, the fire and frost!
With power and heart, we'll never be lost!
Fireblaze lands the final fiery blow, while Frost Fang freezes the villain's weapon. Cat Noir uses his staff to knock the weapon out of the villain's hands, allowing Ladybug to capture the Akuma. The city returns to normal as they fist bump.
There's no stopping us,
With fire and frost combined,
We'll protect the world,
One battle at a time!
Fireblaze and Frost Fang stand on a rooftop at sunrise, looking out over Paris. Ladybug and Cat Noir stand beside them, ready for the next challenge.
Miraculous, we light the way!
Fighting for justice every day!
Miraculous, the flame and frost,
With Ladybug and Cat Noir, we're never lost!
Leo and Oliver de-transform back into their normal selves, smiling at each other as they head to school with their friends.
Miraculous!
In Ms. Bustier's classroom, everyone was busy helping Nino create his short film for a contest, with Adrien and Mylène cast as the main stars.
"Agent Smith, we have to evacuate," Adrien said, his tone serious.
"You're suggesting we run, Officer Jones? After it devoured my family, friends, even my beloved dog Sniffles? No! I won't run from it. I will face it, I—" Mylène shrieked in terror, breaking character mid-line.
"Cut!" Nino groaned in frustration.
"Sorry, Mylène," Ivan said, pulling off his monster mask.
"Mylène, this is our tenth take—and it's just the first scene!" Nino said, exasperated.
"Fourteenth, actually, but who's counting?" Alix chimed in, holding up a tally counter.
"You're supposed to be in the special forces! You can't freak out like that," Nino reminded her.
"I know, I know," Mylène said sheepishly. "But that monster mask is just so realistic and scary!"
"It's just big ol' me, Mylène. Nothing to be scared of," Ivan said reassuringly.
"If you ask me, he doesn't even need a mask," Chloé said smugly, earning laughter from Sabrina.
"What a bratty snob," Marinette muttered under her breath.
"Seriously, can't we just kick her out?" Oliver asked, rolling his eyes.
"Okay, everyone focus!" Nino said, clapping his hands. "Ivan, put the mask back on—you're playing the monster. Mylène, you need to stay in character this time."
Ivan slipped the mask back on, but as he did, Mylène started to panic. "I need to sing my happy song—it always makes me feel better. Smelly wolf, smelly wolf, stinky breath and slimy…" she sang nervously, shuffling backward, only to bump into Adrien. She jumped, letting out another frightened squeal.
"And the Oscar for Best Pathetic Scaredy-Cat Afraid of Her Own Shadow goes to Mylène!" Chloé cackled, her voice dripping with mockery.
"Chloé, seriously?" Adrien asked, frowning at her.
"Yeah, so what?" Chloé said dismissively, smirking as Mylène bolted out of the classroom in tears.
"Mylène, wait!" Marinette called after her, but it was too late.
"Is anyone going to go after her?" Oliver asked, looking around.
"Mylène, wait!" Ivan shouted, pulling off his mask and rushing after her.
In the back of the classroom, Leo quietly observed the commotion while working on his laptop. He let out a sigh and muttered under his breath, "And there she goes again."
Nathaniel approached him hesitantly, clutching his sketchpad. "Hey, Leo."
Leo glanced up briefly. "What's up, Nate?"
Nathaniel fidgeted with the edge of his sketchpad, avoiding Leo's gaze. "Uh, yeah. I was just wondering… did you ever, you know, give her the letter?"
Leo raised an eyebrow and leaned back in his chair. "Letter? What letter are we talking about here?"
"You know, the Valentine's Day letter," Nathaniel clarified, his voice lowering slightly. "The one where you were planning to tell her how you really feel."
Leo's eyes widened slightly before he gave a casual shrug and returned his attention to the laptop. "Oh, that letter… yeah."
Nathaniel's curiosity piqued. "So, what did she say?"
Leo sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "She didn't say anything."
Nathaniel frowned in confusion. "Nothing? Maybe it was a mistake dropping that letter off to her?"
"I don't know," Leo admitted, his tone uncertain. "Maybe she didn't feel the same way. Or maybe… maybe it was just dumb of me to even try. I don't know, Nate. The whole thing feels like a mess."
Nathaniel placed a hand on Leo's shoulder, giving him an encouraging smile. "You'll never know unless you ask her directly. Sometimes people need time to process things. Don't give up just yet."
Leo looked at Nathaniel for a moment, his expression softening. "Maybe you're right. I just… I don't want to ruin what we already have."
Nathaniel nodded. "I get it, but being honest is important too. Whatever happens, at least you'll know you tried."
Leo gave him a small, grateful smile. "Thanks, Nate. I'll think about it."
Nathaniel patted his shoulder before heading back to his seat, leaving Leo to mull over his words.
At the bottom of the staircase, Mylène sat on a bench, sobbing quietly when Ivan approached her.
"Hey," Ivan said gently, taking a seat beside her. "Don't listen to them. It's easy to judge when they're not the ones in front of the camera. You're doing awesome." He gave her an encouraging smile. "Come back. I promise to roar quietly this time."
Mylène let out a small laugh despite herself, but her hesitation was clear. Noticing this, Ivan reached into his pocket and pulled out a button.
"Here," he said, handing it to her. "It's from my favorite band, The Zombie Skull Crushers."
"Wow," Mylène said, examining the button with wide eyes before tying it into her bandanna. "Thanks, Ivan." Her smile faded quickly, though, as she looked down at the ground. "But they're right. I can't act to save my life. Excuse me." She stood abruptly and ran off, tears streaming down her face.
Unbeknownst to them, at his lair, Hawk Moth observed the scene through his window.
"A film shoot… So many emotions," he mused, his lips curling into a sinister grin. "Some fake, yet others… oh, so very real."
Hawk Moth held out his hand, and a butterfly landed delicately on his palm. Infusing it with dark energy, he transformed it into an Akuma. "Fly away, my little Akuma, and overpower this young, misunderstood artist. Show her that her emotions are her greatest strength."
The Akuma spread its corrupted wings and took off, soaring through the air and out of the lair, heading straight toward Mylène.
Back in the classroom, everyone was upset with Chloe and needed to come up with another solution.
"Epic, Chloe! Way to go! What do we do now without our lead actress?" Nino asked, clearly frustrated.
"Who needs her? She was lame anyway," Chloe said dismissively, crossing her arms.
"You're the lame one!" Ivan said as he entered the room, his voice full of anger. "Mylène is crying her eyes out in the bathroom because of you!"
"Me?!" Chloe exclaimed, feigning offense.
"Alright, calm down, everyone," Marinette interjected, stepping between them. She leaned toward Ivan and whispered, "Yes, Chloe is super annoying." Straightening up, she added confidently, "But I'm the producer, and I'll do everything I can to fix this before tonight."
"The deadline for the Short Film Festival is tomorrow," Max chimed in. "Precisely 26 hours, 15 minutes, and 13 seconds from now."
"Thanks, Max," Oliver said. "But we still have editing and post-production sound to handle."
"Who's going to take Mylène's part?" Adrien asked.
"Me, of course," Chloe said smugly.
"You haven't even read the script," Alya said, rolling her eyes in disbelief.
"Of course, I have! At least the first scene. I even know how it ends—with a kiss between Officer Jones and Agent Smith," Chloe said, walking toward Adrien with a dramatic flourish, causing Marinette to freeze in shock.
"You wrote that?" Marinette asked Alya incredulously.
"No, I didn't!" Alya replied, looking at the script in confusion.
"Uh… I did," Nino admitted sheepishly. "I thought it would move the story along."
"What? You edited my script without telling me?" Alya said, her frustration bubbling over.
"Our script," Nino corrected.
"Who cares who wrote it? We need to film this thing, right?" Chloe interjected impatiently.
"Principal Damocles only gave us until 6 p.m. sharp," Max reminded them.
Grabbing Alya's arm, Marinette pulled her aside. "Chloe and Adrien cannot kiss! No way!" she whispered urgently.
"It doesn't even make sense for their characters!" Alya said before Marinette suddenly lit up with an idea and ran back to the others.
"Wait!" Marinette called out, stopping everyone. "We can't just abandon Mylène. We all agreed she was perfect for the lead female role. I'm going to go find her."
"Same old Marinette, always trying to be the hero," Chloe mocked as she sauntered toward the door. "Good luck finding whatever hole that scaredy-cat crawled into." She smirked and left the room.
Leo, who had been quietly observing the chaos while working on his laptop, overheard Chloe's comment as she left the room. With a sigh, he closed his laptop, stood up, and walked toward Marinette.
"I'll go with you," Leo said, his tone firm.
Marinette turned to him, surprised. "You don't have to, Leo. I can handle this."
"I know you can," Leo replied with a small smirk. "But it's not fair for you to do this alone. Besides, Chloe's attitude is really starting to get on my nerves. Let's go find Mylène."
Meanwhile, in the girls' bathroom, Mylène stared at her reflection in the mirror. "Why are you so scared all the time?" she sobbed, her voice trembling. Suddenly, the Akuma flew into the button Ivan had given her.
"Horrificator, I am Hawk Moth. Up until now, you have felt fear—now, you will create fear. I will make them fear you, and in return, you must do something for me," Hawk Moth said, his voice echoing in her mind.
"Yes, Hawk Moth," Mylène replied with a sinister grin. As she transformed, a pink goo shot out from her hands, splattering across the mirrors in front of her. The transformed Mylène grinned menacingly at her reflection.
Meanwhile, Leo and Marinette were walking toward the girls' bathroom.
"So… did you get my letter?" Leo asked hesitantly, breaking the silence.
Marinette glanced at him, a little surprised. "Yeah, I did," she replied softly.
Leo's hopeful expression faltered for a moment as Marinette continued. "Leo… it was really sweet of you to write that letter, and I'm flattered, but… I can't."
Leo stopped walking, looking down at his feet. "Oh… I see."
"It's not you," Marinette said quickly, guilt tugging at her heart. "You're amazing, really, but… I have feelings for someone else."
Leo managed a small smile, though it didn't reach his eyes. "Adrien, right?"
Marinette's cheeks flushed, and she fiddled nervously with the ends of her hair. "How did you…?"
Leo shrugged. "It's pretty obvious. The way you look at him, the way you talk about him… I get it. Adrien's a good guy." He forced a chuckle. "Can't really compete with that, huh?"
Marinette placed a hand on his arm, her voice gentle. "Leo, you don't have to compete with anyone. You're a great friend, and I hope we can still be that."
Leo nodded, though his heart still stung. "Yeah, of course. Friends. Totally."
As they reached the bathroom, Leo stepped forward as if to enter, but Marinette quickly stopped him.
"Leo, girls' bathroom, remember?" Marinette said, raising an eyebrow.
Leo's face flushed with embarrassment. "Oh! Yeah, right. Ladies first," he said awkwardly, stepping aside as Marinette went inside.
"Mylene? Mylene?" Marinette called out, walking into the bathroom. But the room was eerily silent.
Looking around, Marinette's eyes landed on the mirror, smeared with purple slime. Curiosity overtaking her, she cautiously reached out to touch it.
Before she could, Alya rushed in, nearly out of breath. "Marinette! Did you find Mylene? Because we've got some serious lip action about to go down in the film room!"
Marinette's eyes widened, and without a word, she and Alya turned and hurried back toward the classroom, the unsettling scene in the bathroom momentarily forgotten.
Back in the classroom, Oliver was doing his best to stall for time.
"Listen, Nino, we can't use Chloe—she's a horrible actress," Oliver said.
"Oliver, you're in charge of editing. I'm the director," Nino retorted.
"And Marinette is the producer. She decides who does what," Oliver shot back just as Marinette and Alya walked in.
"Well, unfortunately, Mylene is MIA, and we need to get this done," Nino said, exasperated.
"But Agent Summers doesn't even need a man. She just lost Sniffles," Alya argued.
"Do you want to finish this film or not?" Nino asked pointedly.
"Then let's just make Agent Smith a nurse instead. That makes everything better," Chloe suggested with a smirk.
"And how, exactly, does that help?" Alya asked skeptically.
"I don't know, but I'd look great in a nurse's uniform," Chloe said smugly.
"We are not doing another rewrite," Nino groaned.
"Everyone, calm down!" Marinette interjected. "This movie is a team effort. Chloe, your nurse idea is… perfect."
"Of course it is—it's mine," Chloe said, beaming.
"But, Chloe, you don't have a uniform," Marinette added, feigning concern.
Chloe gasped dramatically. "Exactly why it doesn't make sense!" Alya snapped in frustration.
"Chloe, why don't you take your assistant down to the nurse's office and try some on?" Marinette suggested sweetly.
"Kim, Max—come with me. You've just been promoted to wardrobe assistant and bodyguard," Chloe said, much to their dismay.
"You only said that to get rid of her, didn't you?" Leo asked, grinning.
"Duh," Marinette said with a smirk, and the two fist-bumped.
"Nice going, Miss Producer. Now we have no lead," Nino groaned.
"We'll use Mylene. We just need to find her," Marinette said confidently.
"We don't have time, remember?" Nino reminded her, throwing up his hands.
Alya suddenly got an idea. "Marinette can do it!"
"What? But I'm the producer!" Marinette exclaimed, completely shocked.
"Come on, don't you want to?" Alya whispered, tilting her head toward Adrien.
"Not like this," Marinette muttered, her cheeks flushing.
Meanwhile, as Chloe, Sabrina, Max, and Kim made their way to the nurse's office, Chloe wouldn't stop bragging, oblivious to what was lurking in the shadows.
"I knew my idea was genius. Even that dimwit Marinette liked it," Chloe said smugly as she reached for the door. Suddenly, she paused. "Wait a minute… Marinette never likes my ideas. I think you've all been duped! You two handle the uniform, just in case," Chloe commanded, dragging Sabrina with her as she marched back to the classroom.
Left behind, Max and Kim exchanged uneasy glances.
"Hey, did you hear something?" Kim asked nervously.
"No… why?" Max replied.
Before either of them could react, a towering, dark figure loomed behind them, and their terrified screams echoed through the hallway.
In class, Marinette and Adrien were getting ready for their scene, with Oliver and Alya seated in the front row, watching eagerly.
"Oh man, this has turned into the best movie ever," Alya said with a wide grin.
"You really are a scriptwriter," Oliver smirked, nudging her playfully.
Meanwhile, Leo and Nathaniel were talking quietly in the back.
"So, did you talk to Marinette?" Nathaniel asked curiously.
"Yeah, but she just wants to be… friends," Leo admitted, trying to hide the disappointment in his voice.
Nathaniel frowned slightly, sensing Leo's mood. "I'm sorry, man. That's tough."
Leo shrugged, leaning back in his chair. "It's fine, really. I mean, I kind of knew she liked Adrien. It's written all over her face when she's around him."
Nathaniel nodded thoughtfully. "Yeah, I guess you're right. But hey, just because it didn't work out doesn't mean you won't find someone else. You're a good guy, Leo. You deserve someone who sees that."
Leo gave a small smile, appreciating the support. "Thanks, Nathaniel. It's not the end of the world. I'll be okay."
At the front of the room, Alya leaned closer to Oliver, whispering, "Do you think Marinette will actually go through with it? She looks like she's about to faint."
Oliver chuckled softly, keeping his voice low. "If she doesn't trip over her own feet, I'll call it a win."
Marinette, overhearing the comment, shot them a quick glare before turning back to Adrien. "Okay, let's just… start the scene," she said, her voice shaky but determined.
Adrien gave her an encouraging smile. "You've got this, Marinette. Just pretend it's not me standing here."
Marinette's face flushed, and she stammered, "R-right! Not Adrien… just a scene partner. Totally."
In the back, Leo watched the interaction and sighed. Nathaniel patted him on the shoulder. "Hey, come on. Let's focus on making this movie great. Who knows? Maybe someone else will catch your eye during all this."
Leo chuckled lightly. "Yeah, maybe."
"Horrificator, take 16," Alix announced.
"Action!" Nino called.
"I'm not scared of that monster, Officer Jones," Marinette said with determination.
Adrien leaned in for the kiss when suddenly Chloe burst through the door.
"Cut! I knew it!" Chloe exclaimed.
"Oh, come on!" Nino groaned, echoed by Oliver and Alya.
"So close," Alya sighed.
"I really hate that girl," Oliver mumbled under his breath.
"Well played, Marinette," Chloe sneered. "Going on about teamwork, and then stabbing me in the back. Your stupid movie won't make it into the film festival without me because my daddy is one of the judges!"
Before anyone could respond, a piercing scream echoed from down the hall.
"What was that?" Adrien asked, his expression shifting to concern.
"If this is another plot to get rid of me, you can forget it, because—" Chloe started, but another scream cut her off.
"I definitely heard that," Marinette said, glancing toward the door. "We better check it out."
The group quickly left the room, Nino trailing behind with his camera already recording.
As they moved down the hallway, they spotted a trail of pink goo on the floor. Among the goo was Kim's armband.
"I saw this same pink goo in the bathroom," Marinette gasped, a chill running down her spine.
Leo bent down to pick up the armband. "This belongs to Kim," he said gravely.
"They've vanished," Nathaniel said, his voice laced with panic.
"Or they're playing some sick joke," Alya suggested, trying to sound skeptical but failing to hide her worry.
"We should tell Principal Damocles what's going on," Marinette said. Then she turned to Nino. "And stop filming."
"No way! This is just getting good," Nino replied with a grin, clearly unfazed.
Marinette leaned closer to Leo and whispered, "I guess it's time to bring in the alter ego."
Leo gave her a reassuring nod. "It's going to be okay," he said quietly as he took out his PDA. He glanced over at Oliver, who gave him a knowing look.
As they tried to sneak away, Nino's voice stopped them in their tracks. "Hey, where are you guys going?"
Adrien was quick to respond. "I left Officer Jones' jacket in the classroom. I figured I'd wear it in all the scenes."
"Uh, yeah," Oliver added, improvising. "I want to get some more footage of the bathroom for the movie."
"And I need to make sure Oliver knows how to work that camera," Leo chimed in awkwardly.
The trio headed off in separate directions. Outside, a large pink creature perched on the school's roof, spreading its goo across the building.
In the classroom, Adrien let out Plagg, who immediately floated over, looking unimpressed.
"What are you doing?" Plagg asked, watching as Adrien removed one of his shoes.
"So they think I've disappeared too," Adrien replied, tossing the shoe onto the floor.
Plagg sniffed the air and wrinkled his nose. "And you say I stink of camembert," he muttered.
Adrien ignored him, his expression focused. "Plagg, claws out!"
The ring on his finger glowed as Adrien transformed into Cat Noir, ready to face whatever danger awaited them.
In another room, Oliver released Cloud from his bracelet.
"About time this happened. You guys really stink at acting," Cloud remarked, crossing his arms.
"Yeah, it's a good thing Nino is sticking to directing," Oliver shrugged as he took off his jacket and placed it on the ground. "Honestly, only Adrien seems to have a future in front of the camera."
He straightened, his expression determined. "At least this way, they'll think I disappeared." He glanced at Cloud with a smirk. "Cloud, fangs out!"
Oliver's bracelet began to glow, radiating icy blue energy that pulsed through the room.
The camera zoomed in on Oliver's glowing bracelet as frost energy burst forth, wrapping around him in swirling icy mist.
First, the camera focused on his feet. Frost energy condensed into sleek white-and-blue boots, frosted over with silver accents and leaving icy trails with every movement. The camera panned upward as the energy raced along his legs, forming a fitted white-and-blue bodysuit shimmering with frosty patterns and subtle wolf-like designs etched into the fabric.
Next, the camera zoomed in on his hands. Frost spiraled down from the bracelet, forming sleek white gloves adorned with intricate icy blue designs. The mist gathered in his right hand, solidifying into a silver dagger etched with a glowing wolf motif. He gripped it firmly as the frost intensified.
The camera then shifted to his face. A frosty mist coalesced into a sharp silver mask that framed his eyes, the edges shaped like frozen wolf fur. His eyes glowed an intense ice-blue, filled with focus and determination. As the transformation continued, silver wolf ears formed atop his head, twitching slightly as they caught the breeze.
The camera zoomed out to reveal frost trailing up his back. In a flash of icy mist, a wolf-like tail materialized, swaying lightly behind him. The transformation reached its climax as the mist dissipated in a final burst of cold wind.
Frost Fang landed gracefully, spinning his silver dagger with ease. He crouched low in a wolf-like pose, his glowing eyes sharp and his icy aura swirling around him. His tail flicked, and his wolf ears twitched, completing his fierce, frosty transformation.
Meanwhile, in another room, Leo reached into his jacket pocket and let out Soll.
"Sorry about Marinette," Soll said softly, tilting his head sympathetically.
"It's fine, bud," Leo replied with a small smile. "Me and her? We can just be friends. And... I'm okay with that, I guess."
Soll gave him a reassuring nod, resting on Leo's shoulder as the boy's gaze turned thoughtful. "You guess? Doesn't sound like you're totally okay with it."
Leo sighed, leaning against the desk. "I mean... Marinette's amazing. She's smart, talented, and she can make anyone feel like they matter. But if she only sees me as a friend, I can't change that."
"True," Soll said, floating in front of Leo. "But that doesn't mean you can't still be close to her. You're a great guy, Leo. She'll see that. Just... give it time."
Leo gave a faint chuckle. "You sound like you've been through this before, Soll."
"Let's just say I've seen my fair share of awkward humans trying to figure out their feelings," Soll replied, smirking. "You're handling it better than most."
Leo couldn't help but laugh. "Thanks, Soll. I guess being turned into a bird superhero helps keep things in perspective."
"Exactly," Soll said with a playful flick of his tail. "Now, let's focus on the pink goo situation, shall we? There's a giant creature out there, and it's definitely not going to solve itself."
Leo stood, his determination rekindled. "Right. Fireblaze's got a job to do." His necklace began to glow, intensifying as he prepared to transform. "Soll, flame on!"
The camera zooms in on the fiery glow of Leo's necklace as flames burst out, swirling around him.
First, the shot focuses on his hands. Fiery sparks ignite at his fingertips, forming sleek black gloves as flames travel up his arms. Red and orange streaks shimmer like living embers, shaping into twin black-and-red gauntlets that glow faintly with heat.
Next, the camera zooms in on his face. A trail of flame swirls across his eyes, forming a smooth black mask with thin fiery accents. His eyes flare with a vibrant orange glow as his hair catches fire briefly, settling into an ember-like shine.
The flames then cascade down his body in one fluid motion, melting away his normal clothes and replacing them with a form-fitting red suit. Golden and orange flame-like patterns dance across his chest, forming the symbol of a phoenix, radiating heat like a living flame. A sleek red cape of fire trails behind him, flickering and flowing like fire in the wind.
The transformation flows to his legs and feet, where the fire creates sleek, flame-patterned boots that leave glowing embers in their wake. His entire suit gleams with heat, a mixture of deep reds, oranges, and flickering gold, giving off a warm, fiery aura.
As the final touch, the camera zooms in on his hands again as two swirling flames materialize at his sides, taking shape into twin swords. Curved and glowing like phoenix feathers, the swords' intricate flame-etched details shimmer as the fire subsides.
With a burst of fiery sparks, Fireblaze spins the swords effortlessly in his hands and strikes a heroic pose. Twin swords crossed behind him, his cape billows with heat, and the air around him shimmers with the glow of fire.
"Mr. Damocles? Sir?" Alya knocked as they walked into his office, only to find he was missing too. As they stepped inside, they noticed pink slime everywhere. Marinette dropped her phone and bolted toward the library.
"Time to transform," Marinette said as Tikki emerged from her bag. "Tikki, spots on!" she commanded. Her earrings glowed, and in a flash of light, she transformed into Ladybug.
Back in the office, Nino glanced around and noticed Marinette was gone. "Hey, where's Agent Smith—I mean, Marinette?" he asked.
Rushing back outside, Alya spotted Marinette's phone lying on the ground and gasped. "Oh no, this is Marinette's phone!"
They looked around and saw pink slime covering the windows and spreading across the roof.
"Quick, check the windows!" Chloe said, her voice trembling with fear.
"Crazy," Juleka muttered, impressed by the bizarre sight.
"We're trapped. I'm calling Daddy," Chloe announced, pulling out her phone.
"Dude, phones don't work in horror movies," Nino pointed out, and as everyone tried their phones, they realized none were working.
"Is everyone okay?" They all turned to see Ladybug leaping into the room.
"Ladybug in my movie! This is legit," Nino said, grinning ear to ear.
"And perfect for my Ladyblog!" Alya added, holding up her phone to record.
"We have to get everyone out of here, quickly," Ladybug said.
"Easier said than done," a voice called from the door. Everyone turned to see Cat Noir, Fireblaze, and Frost Fang entering the room.
"Triple legit!" Nino said, his excitement growing.
"We tried getting rid of the goo, but it won't budge," Fireblaze explained.
"Yeah, this goo's as hard as a rock," Frost Fang added.
"So, looks like we're stuck here for a while," Cat Noir said casually. "Care to take a stroll?" he joked as the four heroes moved toward the corner.
"It doesn't take a genius to figure out what's going on here," Frost Fang said, examining the slime.
"Hawk Moth has akumatized another student," Cat Noir concluded.
"And the only way to get everyone out is to find the Akuma and capture it," Ladybug said.
"Exactly. I love it when you read my mind," Cat Noir replied with a smirk.
"We'd better locate the Akuma and free its prisoners," Fireblaze said.
"Bingo! The bird nails it," Cat Noir quipped as Nino walked over.
"Oh, don't mind me. Just solving a mystery with Ladybug, Cat Noir, Fireblaze, and Frost Fang," Nino said nonchalantly.
"Alright, folks, let's keep moving," Frost Fang said, taking the lead.
"Yeah, let's move in an orderly fashion, like back in kindergarten—line up, everybody!" Fireblaze joked.
"You too, Spielberg," Ladybug said, grabbing Nino by the arm.
Running down the hallway, Alya spotted something by a bench. "Oh no, please no," she muttered, walking over and picking up Oliver's jacket. "Whatever it was... it got Oliver," Alya gasped.
"Don't worry, we'll find him and everyone else," Ladybug reassured her as they continued down the hall.
"Ugh, why are we even doing this?" Chloe asked, rolling her eyes. "We'd be much better off hiding on our own." She and Sabrina turned and headed in another direction.
Entering a nearby classroom, they noticed a shoe lying on the ground.
"Anyone know whose shoe that is?" Cat Noir asked.
"That's Adrien's shoe!" Nino exclaimed.
"But there's no slime here," Ladybug observed.
"Yes, there is—right here," Nathaniel pointed out, gesturing toward a desk. Suddenly, a large pink monster lifted the desk and hurled it across the room before grabbing Nathaniel with its tail and letting out a deafening roar.
"Hey, get off him!" Fireblaze shouted, quickly drawing his sword and charging at the monster. The creature swiftly swatted him aside with its massive hand, sending him flying into a wall.
"Fireblaze!" Frost Fang called out, running over to help him up. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, but that thing got Nate," Fireblaze groaned.
"I know, but please, don't just charge in like that!" Frost Fang scolded.
"Everybody run!" Ladybug shouted, ushering the group toward the exit.
"Awesome," Juleka said, mesmerized by the monster as it roared directly in her face. "So awesome," she added with a grin, causing the monster to shrink slightly.
As it tried to spit slime at her, Ladybug yanked her out of the way just in time.
"Ew, what's your name? Drool-ator?" Cat Noir quipped.
Horrificator fired more slime, but Cat Noir, Fireblaze, and Frost Fang deflected it with their weapons.
"Didn't anyone ever tell you: say it, don't spray it?" Frost Fang joked while leading Nino away.
"Yeah, this is even more disgusting than the time Cat Noir kept sneezing when we fought Mr. Pigeon," Fireblaze added.
"How many times do I have to say I'm sorry? I'm allergic to feathers!" Cat Noir snapped.
"Guys, focus!" Frost Fang interjected, exasperated.
"Sorry," Cat Noir and Fireblaze mumbled.
"Where's the Akuma?" Ladybug asked, scanning the room.
"I don't know; all I see is slime," Cat Noir replied.
The heroes leaped down to the ground floor for more space to fight, with Horrificator hot on their heels. The monster roared, still holding Nathaniel tightly in its tail.
From their hiding spot, the students cowered in fear as Horrificator glanced their way, causing it to grow even larger.
"Fear—it's fear that gives it strength!" Ladybug realized.
As Horrificator spat slime at them, Cat Noir, Fireblaze, and Frost Fang dodged while Ladybug used her yo-yo to deflect the attack. Sliding under the creature, Ladybug tied her yo-yo around its arm.
"Now!" she shouted.
Cat Noir and Fireblaze leaped down to attack, but Horrificator spewed slime at them, sticking them both to the railings. Turning back to Ladybug, the monster grabbed her yo-yo, swung her around, and threw her into a basketball hoop before hitting her with a glob of slime.
Frost Fang saw an opening and charged, but Horrificator struck him, sending him crashing into a weight set.
The monster then turned toward the students. Growing even larger as they screamed in fear, it loomed over Ivan. Instead of attacking him, it licked him and then grabbed Alix, adding her to its tail alongside Nathaniel before lumbering out of the room.
"It's taken Nathaniel and Alix!" Rose panicked.
"The more people fear it, the more powerful it gets. We need to defeat the fear to stop it," Ladybug explained.
"But first, we need to get out of this sticky situation before it dries," Cat Noir said, extending his staff to destroy the basketball hoop and free Ladybug.
In return, she wrapped her yo-yo around Cat Noir's staff and Fireblaze's sword, pulling them both free.
"Hey, I'm okay too, you know. What about the injured wolf?" Frost Fang said, getting up.
"Yeah, sorry," Fireblaze said sheepishly.
"Okay, but anyway, why did that monster leave Ivan alone?" Frost Fang asked.
Ladybug gasped. "I think... that monster is Mylène!"
"Where are Sabrina and Chloe?" Alya asked as she, Nino, Ivan, Rose, and Juleka ran over.
"We'll find them—if we can find a way out," Ladybug replied, just as they heard screaming from the science room.
"Think I found them," Fireblaze said as they rushed toward the sound, only to discover that Chloe and Sabrina had already been taken.
"We're too late," Cat Noir said grimly.
"But look! We can track the monster," Ladybug said, pointing to the trail of slime on the floor.
"I am so amped!" Nino said excitedly.
"Well, turn it down, would you?" Cat Noir quipped.
"Sorry," Nino muttered as the group followed the trail to a cellar filled with pods of slime, each containing one of the missing students.
"Use their fear, and with it, you can become more powerful than Ladybug, Cat Noir, Fireblaze, or Frost Fang. Now, bring me their Miraculouses!" Hawk Moth commanded telepathically as Horrificator moved toward the heroes.
"Anybody in here?" Ladybug called out.
"Ladybug, it's me, Chloe Bourgeois!" Chloe shouted from inside a pod.
"We'll get you out of there," Ladybug assured her.
"Well, hurry up already!" Chloe snapped.
"Is everyone else here? Mr. Damocles?" Frost Fang called out.
"Present," Mr. Damocles replied.
"Alix? Nathaniel?" Fireblaze asked.
"Yes," they both responded.
"Good, they're safe," Fireblaze muttered to himself.
"Adrien? Adrien?" Ladybug called out, her voice tinged with worry.
Thinking quickly, Cat Noir hid behind a pod. "Yeah, I'm here too," he said, causing Ladybug to sigh in relief.
"What about Marinette?"
"Yep, everyone's here," Ladybug confirmed.
"Wait, where's Oliver?" Alya asked.
"Uh, I got him—he's here too," Frost Fang said, thinking on his feet.
"Yeah, but then where is he? He's gotta be worried," Alya said, frowning.
"Uh, yeah, I got him, but I think he's sleeping right now," Fireblaze added hastily, trying to cover for him. Frost Fang gave him a thumbs-up in support.
The four of them struggled to free the prisoners, but nothing worked. Suddenly, Horrificator spat out more slime, blocking their escape.
Jumping down from the railing, Horrificator landed in front of Ladybug.
"Okay, now this is getting scary," she said as Cat Noir, Fireblaze, and Frost Fang picked up small pieces of hardened slime and threw them at Horrificator.
"Lucky Charm!" Ladybug called, tossing her yoyo into the air. From it, guitar strings appeared.
"Guitar strings? Are you kidding me? Alright, let's see... guitar, music... Mylene's song!" Ladybug realized.
Looking around, she spotted a cart filled with various items. Using her yoyo, she pulled it over to her.
On the other side of the room, Horrificator was chasing Cat Noir, Fireblaze, and Frost Fang.
"Alright, this is getting really old," Cat Noir said.
"Time to trap this thing," Fireblaze said as Cat Noir and Frost Fang nodded in agreement.
"Solar Flare Burst!" Fireblaze shouted as his necklace glowed. A small sun formed in his hands, and he unleashed it—a blinding flash of light exploding in front of Horrificator, momentarily blinding it.
"Frostbite!" Frost Fang's bracelet glowed as he took a deep breath and released an icy blast, freezing Horrificator and pushing it back toward the railing.
"Cataclysm!" Cat Noir shouted as his ring glowed with black energy. Swiping at several poles, they came crashing down, trapping Horrificator and preventing it from moving.
Handing them trash can lids, cones, a box, and a dustpan, Ladybug looped the guitar strings around a broom.
"Okay, we're all going to sing," she said.
"Sing? That's your plan?" Cat Noir asked skeptically.
"The only way to face fear is to get through it. You all know Smelly Wolf, right?" Ladybug asked.
"Seriously? That song?" Frost Fang said as Fireblaze tried to hold back his laughter.
"If you're going to laugh, just do it," Frost Fang added, rolling his eyes.
"Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!" Fireblaze burst out laughing.
"Are you done now?" Frost Fang asked, glaring at him.
"Yeah, I'm good," Fireblaze said with a big grin on his face.
"Care to join us?" Ladybug asked, holding up trash can lids. "Alright, 1, 2, 3, 4."
The group began to sing:
Smelly wolf, smelly wolf, trapped in a stinky hut,
Smelly wolf, smelly wolf, I'm gonna kick your…
Smelly wolf, smelly wolf, stinky breath and slimy drool,
Smelly wolf, smelly wolf, you're just a silly…
As they sang, Horrificator shrank down to the size of a little dog.
"Whoa, it worked," Cat Noir said, impressed.
Looking around, the now tiny Horrificator ran into Ivan's arms. Ivan noticed something. "That's the same button I gave Mylene," he said.
"That's where the Akuma is!" Ladybug exclaimed. Reaching for it, she broke the button, releasing the Akuma.
"No more evil-doing for you, little Akuma. Time to de-evilize!" Ladybug said, throwing her yoyo to catch the Akuma and turning it back into a butterfly.
"Bye-bye, little butterfly. Miraculous Ladybug!" she declared, throwing the guitar strings into the air. Instantly, all the slime vanished, freeing the captives and turning Mylene back to normal.
"Pound it," the four heroes said, fist-bumping.
At his hidden lair, Hawk Moth was furious.
"You don't scare me, Ladybug! Someday, somehow, I will destroy you!" he vowed.
At the mayor's office, Nino was showing him the final version of the movie, which ended with Ivan and Mylene kissing. However, when Nino came out to Adrien, Marinette, Leo, Oliver, Alya, and Mr. Damocles, he was not happy.
"He said the monster was a horrible replica—no joke!" Nino said, frustrated.
"Hey, that's how all directors start out," Adrien said, trying to reassure him.
"Besides, the movie was awesome, and we know it," Oliver added.
"Even if the kiss at the end wasn't what we expected," Alya teased.
"Yeah, but it was a miraculous ending," Leo said with a grin.
Marinette giggled. The movie wasn't what they had planned, but it was interesting, that's for sure.
As the last rays of sunlight faded, Leo and Marinette descended the mayor's office steps together. The streets were quiet now, their earlier chatter replaced by a peaceful stillness. Marinette adjusted the bag on her shoulder, her thoughts swirling as she glanced at Leo. Something about the way he walked beside her—steadily, unassuming—made her feel safe.
"Leo," she began softly, breaking the silence.
He turned his head, his green eyes curious. "Yeah?"
She hesitated, then smiled gently. "Thanks for walking with me."
"Anytime," he replied with a grin, shoving his hands into his pockets. "You know I've got your back."
As they reached the bottom of the steps, a light drizzle began to fall. Marinette instinctively held out her hand, catching a few raindrops. "Oh no. Rain," she murmured, tilting her head up. The sky darkened quickly, the drizzle turning into a steady downpour.
"We're gonna get soaked," Leo said with a laugh, shrugging off his jacket. "Here." He held it over Marinette's head, shielding her from the rain.
"Leo, you'll get wet!" she protested, stepping closer under the makeshift umbrella. "You'll catch a cold."
"I'm tougher than I look," he teased. "And besides, heroes don't let their friends get drenched."
Marinette laughed, and for a moment, they simply stood there, rain dripping off the edges of Leo's jacket. A quiet warmth settled between them, the kind that wasn't rushed or forced. Just... natural.
But then Marinette took a step, her foot slipping on the wet cobblestone. She gasped as she lost her balance, but before she could fall, Leo's arms were around her, steadying her.
"Whoa, I've got you," he said softly, pulling her upright.
Marinette looked up at him, her breath catching. Their faces were only inches apart, rain streaming down their cheeks. His Brown eyes met hers, and for a moment, the world around them seemed to blur, leaving only the two of them standing there in the rain.
"Leo," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the sound of raindrops. Her heart raced as she searched his gaze, seeing something there she hadn't noticed before—a vulnerability, a quiet longing that made her chest ache.
Leo's grip on her tightened slightly, his mind racing. Soll's words echoed faintly in the back of his thoughts:
"You're a great guy, Leo. She'll see that. Just… give it time."
He wanted to tell her how he felt, to pour his heart out right then and there, but he stopped himself. Marinette's happiness came first, even if it wasn't with him.
"I'm okay," Marinette said finally, breaking the moment. Her cheeks flushed as she stepped back, her hand lingering on his arm. "Thanks for catching me. Again."
"You're welcome," he said, his voice steady, though his heart felt heavy. "That's kind of my thing, isn't it? Always catching you."
She smiled at that, the warmth in her expression easing the ache in his chest. "I guess it is."
The rain continued to fall, but neither of them seemed to notice anymore. Marinette shifted her weight, glancing at him shyly. "Leo… you're a really good friend. I hope you know that."
"Yeah," he said quietly, forcing a smile. "I know."
Marinette felt a pang of guilt she couldn't quite explain. "You mean a lot to me. I don't want to lose what we have."
"You won't," Leo promised, his voice gentle. "I'll always be here for you, Marinette. No matter what."
Her heart swelled at his words, and for a moment, she wondered if she had underestimated how much he truly meant to her. But then, like a whisper in the back of her mind, thoughts of Adrien surfaced. Confusion crept in, muddling her emotions.
Leo took a small step back, letting the space between them grow. "Come on," he said, his tone lighter now. "Let's get out of this rain before we both look like drowned rats."
Marinette nodded, following him as they walked down the cobblestone street, his jacket still shielding her from the rain. As they walked in silence, she couldn't help but glance at him out of the corner of her eye.
He's always there for me, she thought, her chest tightening. Why do I feel so... unsure?
Meanwhile, Leo kept his gaze forward, his jaw set as he replayed Soll's words in his mind. He knew where Marinette's heart lay—for now, at least—and he'd help her find her way to Adrien if that's what she wanted. But deep down, he couldn't stop the flicker of hope that one day, she might see him differently.
For now, he would wait.
The rain fell harder, but neither of them noticed the chill. All they could feel was the warmth of each other's presence, lingering like the promise of something just out of reach.