Marinette barely made it to her seat before Alya and the others pounced.
"Ooooh, Mari~!" Alya grinned, wiggling her eyebrows. "So~ how's the new roommate?"
Nino smirked. "Yeah, dude's been hanging around you a lot. You sure there's nothing going on?"
Marinette groaned, burying her face in her hands. "Guys, stop! He's just staying at my place because my parents offered him a room, that's it!"
Adrien chuckled, leaning on his desk. "He does talk about you a lot, though."
Marinette's face heated. "No, he doesn't!"
"Uh-huh." Alya smirked. "Suuuure. You're telling me that the guy who literally spent his entire paycheck on your family isn't into you?"
Marinette flinched. "That's— that's just how he is! He's—he's kind to everyone!"
"Oh yeah?" Alya crossed her arms. "Then why does he look at you like that?"
Marinette blinked. "Like what?"
Alya grinned. "You'll see~!"
Marinette groaned, slamming her head onto her desk.
This was going to be a long day.
During lunch, Marinette sat with Alya, Adrien, and Nino when they noticed a scene unfolding at the other side of the cafeteria.
Gurvinder sat at a table, lazily munching on his food while a bunch of guys gathered around him, snickering.
"Dude, Chloe is pissed at you," Kim cackled.
"Yeah, she's been stomping around all day," Ivan added. "I think she's actually plotting something."
Gurvinder snorted, leaning back in his seat. "Oh no, whatever shall I do? Will she glare at me aggressively? Call me a 'peasant' again? I'm quaking in my boots."
The table erupted in laughter.
"Bro, you mocked her in front of everyone! The whole class is still talking about it!" Nino grinned, nudging Gurvinder's arm.
"Pfft. That was nothing." Gurvinder stretched, completely unfazed. "Honestly, she makes it too easy. All I have to do is repeat what she says in a slightly higher pitch, and bam! Instant tantrum."
"Well, she's definitely not letting this go," Max said, adjusting his glasses. "You did embarrass her, and Chloe never lets anyone get away with that."
Gurvinder grinned, cracking his knuckles. "Let her try. I love a good challenge."
From across the cafeteria, Marinette watched the scene with amusement—and a bit of concern.
"Mari~" Alya smirked, nudging her. "Your boy is asking for trouble."
"He's not my boy!" Marinette whisper-yelled, her face heating up.
Adrien chuckled. "You do seem to be watching him a lot."
Marinette scowled, crossing her arms. "Only because he's going to get himself into so much trouble, and I just know I'll end up dealing with it."
Alya leaned in, grinning. "Mmmhmm~. Keep telling yourself that."
The cafeteria buzzed with chatter and laughter, but it all came to a sudden halt when she walked in.
Chloe Bourgeois.
And she wasn't alone.
Behind her stood three senior students—jacked guys who looked like they spent way too much time in the gym. They towered over everyone as they followed Chloe like her personal bodyguards.
Gurvinder, still casually eating, barely spared her a glance as she stomped toward him, arms crossed, lips curled in a smirk.
"Well, well, well," Chloe sneered. "Look at what we have here—a peasant who doesn't know his place!"
The cafeteria went silent. All eyes were on them now.
Gurvinder raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Oh? You brought backup? What, you finally realized your voice alone isn't scary enough?"
Chloe's eye twitched. "Ugh! You humiliated me, you freak! And now, you're going to pay!" She snapped her fingers. "Bruno, teach him a lesson!"
One of the massive seniors—Bruno—cracked his knuckles and stepped forward, towering over Gurvinder. "Listen here, kid," he growled. "You're gonna get on your knees and apologize to Queen Chloe, or—"
Before he could finish his sentence, Gurvinder moved.
In a blink, he grabbed Bruno's wrist, twisted it behind his back, and locked him in place.
Bruno let out a strangled gasp, his knees buckling. "Ow—what the—?!"
The entire cafeteria gasped.
Gurvinder leaned in, his voice low and calm. "What was that? I should do what?" He tightened his grip slightly, making Bruno hiss in pain.
The other two seniors stepped forward, ready to intervene—
But before they could, Gurvinder smirked at them. "You sure you wanna try?" He flexed his grip slightly, making Bruno groan. "Because I can promise you—he's already reconsidering his life choices right now."
Bruno furiously nodded. "Yeah, yeah—I'm good—I'm good, man—"
Gurvinder let go, and Bruno stumbled forward, clutching his arm.
The cafeteria exploded with murmurs.
"Holy crap— did you see that?!"
"*He just—he just took Bruno down like it was nothing!"
"That dude's insane—"
"Dude's built different—"
Chloe sputtered, face red with rage. "Y-You—!"
Gurvinder dusted off his hands, completely unfazed. "You were saying, Chloe?"
Chloe huffed, flipping her hair. "This isn't over!" she shrieked before storming out of the cafeteria, her so-called muscle following behind her—Bruno still rubbing his wrist.
As soon as the doors shut behind her, the entire cafeteria cheered.
"That was AWESOME!"
Nino laughed, clapping Gurvinder's back. "Bro, you really don't know how to stay out of trouble, do you?"
Gurvinder grinned. "Where's the fun in that?"
Marinette, watching from her seat, sighed. This boy was going to be the death of her.
As Bruno staggered out of the cafeteria, he could barely keep his balance, his face flushed with humiliation. His pride had taken a massive hit. The towering, muscular senior, who had once been the undisputed alpha in this school, had just been taken down without even a fight.
He walked through the door, fists clenched, breathing heavily. The crowd in the cafeteria's aftermath had only made it worse—everyone had seen it. Everyone had witnessed how easily Gurvinder had taken him down. His grip on his injured wrist throbbed as if mocking him.
Bruno's mind raced with fury, replaying the scene over and over again. How had he let it happen? He was supposed to be intimidating, a figure of power. Yet in a single move, Gurvinder had made him look like a fool.
"This isn't over," he muttered to himself, voice seething with anger.
He stormed out into the hallway, ignoring the curious stares of a few students who watched him walk by. He was clearly shaken, not only by the pain in his arm but also by the dent in his ego. He couldn't let it go like this.
"I'll make sure you regret this, Gurvinder," he hissed under his breath. "Next time, you won't be so lucky."
As Bruno stormed through the hallways, seething with anger, a dark shadow loomed over him. The air around him seemed to grow colder, heavier, as though something was watching, waiting for his rage to reach its peak. His emotions swirled in a storm of humiliation and fury, making him an easy target.
In the darkness of his mind, a voice called to him—low and sinister.
"Bruno…"
It was the voice of Hawk Moth.
Bruno froze for a moment, a shiver running down his spine. He'd heard of the mysterious figure who had the power to grant others strength in exchange for their souls—but he had never thought he'd be the one approached.
"You feel powerless… humiliated… angry…" Hawk Moth's voice echoed in his ears. "I can give you the power to get your revenge. Power that no one can defy. All I ask in return… is your heart."
Bruno's teeth ground together as his emotions reached their boiling point. He turned to the dark, swirling energy that was now manifesting in front of him.
"Yes," he growled, voice full of bitter rage. "Make me stronger. I'll make that guy pay. I'll make everyone pay."
The dark, purple butterfly fluttered toward him, its wings sparkling with malevolent energy. Without hesitation, the akuma dove straight into his chest, transforming his fury into raw, dangerous power.
When the akuma fully took hold, Bruno's eyes turned black, his muscles bulging even more than before, his body now exuding a terrifying aura of strength. He let out a deep, throaty laugh. "I'll show him… No one humiliates me and gets away with it."
Hawk Moth's voice echoed in his mind again, more satisfied now. "Go, my new akumatized warrior. Show them what true power is."
Bruno—now transformed into Iron Fist—grinned darkly. He wasn't going to stop until he had crushed Gurvinder and anyone who stood in his way. The pain from earlier, the humiliation, all of it would fade once he had his revenge.
"Prepare yourself, Gurvinder," Iron Fist muttered. "This time, you won't be able to stop me."
With a burst of speed, he stormed toward the school gates, ready to wreak havoc.
Marinette quickly ducked behind a corner in the hallway, her heart pounding as her earrings blinked urgently, warning her of an impending akuma attack. She knew what that meant—Ladybug was needed. Without hesitation, she reached into her bag, pulling out her Miraculous and quickly transforming into Ladybug.
In the same instant, Adrien felt his ring vibrate, the familiar blinking signaling an akuma attack. His eyes widened for a split second, before he swiftly made his way to the nearest empty space, transforming into Chat Noir.
Both of them, now in their superhero forms, knew time was of the essence. The akuma could be anywhere, and the longer they waited, the more damage it could do.
Ladybug: "Chat, do you sense anything? I'll check the school."
Chat Noir: "Got it, my Lady! I'll keep an eye on the outskirts."
Ladybug rushed through the hallways, her eyes scanning the corridors for any sign of trouble. The air was thick with tension. She had no idea who the akuma was this time, but her gut told her it was someone who was going to be a tough challenge.
Suddenly, she saw a figure in the distance—a massive, muscular person storming towards her, his eyes filled with fury. His presence alone was enough to send chills down her spine.
Ladybug: "Wait… Is that… Bruno?!"
It clicked in her mind. The boy who had been humiliated in front of the whole school. She hadn't seen him this angry before, but now,he looked completely different. His once cocky demeanor was replaced by an overwhelming, monstrous rage.
Chat Noir: "Ladybug! You've found him!"
Ladybug didn't have time to respond. Iron Fist—now fully akumatized—let out a roar of fury and charged towards her, his fists crackling with energy. She quickly dodged the first swing, flipping backwards with catlike agility, just in time to avoid his devastating blow.
Ladybug: "Bruno, you have to stop! This isn't you!"
Iron Fist let out a low, menacing laugh. "You think I'll stop? You humiliated me. Now, I'll make you regret it!"
His powerful fists swung again, this time aimed directly at Ladybug. She nimbly dodged, using her yo-yo to swing up to a higher position, but she could already feel the pressure building. Iron Fist was incredibly strong, and she wasn't sure how much longer she could evade his attacks.
Chat Noir: "Not so fast!"
Chat Noir leaped into the fray, using his agility to land in front of Ladybug just as Iron Fist swung another punch. He managed to catch the strike with his staff, but the force of the blow sent him sliding back several feet.
Chat Noir: "Whoa, this guy's packing a punch!"
Ladybug nodded, her expression serious. "We need to work together. Let's end this fast!"
They both sprang into action, coordinating their moves to outmaneuver Iron Fist. It was clear that this akuma wasn't just about raw strength—it was also about relentless determination. Bruno, or rather Iron Fist, was driven by his anger, and they needed to break through that rage to purify the akuma and save him from Hawk Moth's influence.
Iron Fist's eyes burned with an intense, almost uncontrollable rage as he scanned the area, his fists tightening with each passing second. He wasn't after Ladybug or Chat Noir; his focus was solely on one person—Gurvinder. The humiliation he had faced in front of the whole school, the pain of being belittled by someone he once considered a joke, had pushed him past his breaking point. Now, he wanted to break Gurvinder—the one who had made him feel so small.
Iron Fist: "Where is he?!" His voice was like thunder, echoing through the halls as he searched relentlessly.
Ladybug, now fully aware of his target, realized just how personal this fight was for Iron Fist. His anger wasn't just fueled by being humiliated—it was the kind of rage that only someone who felt abandoned or betrayed could feel. This wasn't just an akuma—they were dealing with someone who felt like they had nothing left to lose.
Ladybug: "Chat, we need to find Gurvinder before he does something he'll regret!"
Chat Noir: "Already on it, my Lady!" Chat Noir darted down a nearby hallway, using his superior speed to cover more ground, but the school was vast. He couldn't help but feel the pressure—Iron Fist's fury was palpable, and they were running out of time.
Meanwhile, Iron Fist continued his rampage, ignoring the destruction around him. He wasn't even aware of Ladybug's presence anymore. His entire focus was on Gurvinder, the person who had humiliated him in front of the entire cafeteria, the one person who had embarrassed him more than anyone else ever could. He would make him pay.
Iron Fist: "Come out, Gurvinder! I'll break you into pieces!" He shouted, his voice shaking with anger as he slammed his fists into the walls, sending cracks spidering across the surface.
Ladybug and Chat Noir exchanged a worried glance. They knew they couldn't let this go on. The anger coursing through Iron Fist was blinding him, and if he found Gurvinder, there would be no stopping him. The stakes had never been higher.
Ladybug: "We have to end this quickly, Chat!" She summoned her yo-yo and launched herself into the air, trying to stay ahead of Iron Fist.
Chat Noir: "Agreed. Let's trap him!"
Iron Fist, though, was faster and stronger than they expected. His punches were like freight trains, and even as Ladybug dodged and Chat Noir deflected, it was clear they were both at a disadvantage. Iron Fist wasn't thinking, wasn't calculating. He was purely driven by anger, and that made him unpredictable.
They couldn't afford to let him get to Gurvinder. But where was he? Ladybug scanned the area again, her mind racing.
Ladybug: "I think I know where he might be. Let's move!"
Chat Noir nodded, and the two heroes bolted off in the direction Ladybug had spotted. If they were right, Gurvinder was still at the bakery, unaware of the chaos unfolding around him. And if they didn't get to him first, Iron Fist would tear through everything in his path to find him.
Gurvinder had been at the bakery that afternoon because Tom had to leave for a quick errand, and Sabine had asked him to help with some last-minute orders. It wasn't uncommon for him to fill in for Tom when things got busy, and it was one of the few times he truly felt like he could contribute to the family that had taken him in. The bakery had been calm—just the hum of the ovens and the soft clinking of cups—as he and Sabine worked together to get everything ready for the afternoon rush.
But that peace was shattered in an instant.
Suddenly, they heard the loud crash of something heavy smashing into the front of the bakery. The entire building shook as if the earth itself was trembling. Sabine froze in shock, her eyes widening in disbelief. And then, from the shattered doorframe, Iron Grip stormed in, his fists clenched in fury, his eyes burning with pure hatred.
Gurvinder barely had time to react. Iron Grip lunged toward him, swinging his fists with the force of a wrecking ball. Gurvinder sidestepped the first blow, his instincts kicking in, but he didn't have much room to maneuver. The bakery was small, and Iron Grip's rage-filled strength was overwhelming.
Before he could escape, Sabine stepped in between them, trying to protect Gurvinder.
"Sabine, no!" Gurvinder shouted, but it was too late.
Iron Grip swung again, and this time, the punch was headed straight for Sabine. Without thinking, Gurvinder shoved her out of the way, taking the full brunt of the hit. The impact of the punch sent him flying back into the counter, knocking several trays of pastries to the ground with a loud crash. He landed with a grunt, his vision spinning, but he barely registered the pain.
Sabine gasped, her hands flying to her mouth in horror. "Gurvinder!" she cried, rushing to his side.
Gurvinder struggled to push himself up, but before he could do anything, he heard a familiar voice—a scream of rage—pierce the air.
It was Ladybug.
She appeared like a blur, her eyes burning with fury as she locked her gaze on Iron Grip. Her heart was racing, but it wasn't the battle or the akuma she was thinking of—it was her mother, her family. The sight of Gurvinder taking that hit for Sabine, the man who had never once complained or shirked away from his responsibilities, was too much for her to bear.
Ladybug didn't think—she reacted.
With a cry of anger and pain, she charged forward, her fists flying, landing blow after blow on Iron Grip's chest and face. Every punch seemed fueled by all the emotion she had been holding in—the fear, the pain, the helplessness. The punches were wild, relentless, raw with emotion. She screamed with each hit, not holding back, not caring whether she hurt him or not. She wasn't Ladybug at that moment—she was just a girl who was watching her family get hurt again and again, and she couldn't stop it.
Iron Grip stumbled back, caught off guard by her strength, but he wasn't going down easily. He swung back at her, his fists moving like sledgehammers, but Ladybug was faster. She dodged his attacks, delivering another brutal blow to his stomach.
She didn't care how tired she was or that Iron Grip was more powerful. All she could think about was the pain in Gurvinder's eyes as he shielded Sabine, and the anger that built up in her as she realized how much he had been hiding from everyone.
Her fists found their mark again and again—until suddenly, a strong pair of arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her back with surprising strength.
Chat Noir.
"Ladybug, stop!" he shouted over the noise. "You're going too far! You need to stop!"
Ladybug struggled against him, her chest heaving, tears streaming down her face. She could still see Gurvinder, barely conscious on the floor, blood trickling down his side where Iron Grip's blow had landed.
"Let me go, Chat!" she screamed, her voice broken. "He's hurt! He's going to die—he's done so much for us, and now look at him! Look what's happening!"
Chat Noir held on tighter, his voice softer now, filled with concern. "I know, I know, but you can't do this. Not like this. He needs you, not… this rage." He gently pulled her away, guiding her to the side, out of Iron Grip's immediate reach.
Iron Grip was still recovering, his anger only escalating as he wiped blood from his lip, but the fight had shifted. With Ladybug distracted, Chat Noir lunged at him, using his agility to his advantage, and together they began to work in unison, weakening Iron Grip's hold over the battle.
As the fight raged on, Ladybug's heart ached for Gurvinder, who had risked so much for people who never truly understood him. For the first time in weeks, the weight of everything he'd been carrying felt unbearable, and now, watching him bleed out from that hit, it seemed even more unjust.
But as the battle continued, the pain in her heart slowly shifted to determination. She wasn't going to let Iron Grip hurt him—or anyone—any longer.
And she'd make sure of it.
Ladybug stood over the fallen Iron Grip, her chest still heaving from the intense fight. Her fists were clenched so tightly that her nails dug into her palms, but she didn't care. Her vision blurred for a second, a mix of exhaustion and emotion crashing over her. She had never lost control like that before—not in battle, not against an akuma. But this time… this time, it was different.
With one final breath, she summoned her Lucky Charm—a simple spool of thread. Her mind worked quickly, weaving together a strategy to trap and disarm Iron Grip. With Chat Noir's help, they wrapped the thread around his wrists and pulled, forcing him to drop his guard. Ladybug landed one last hit to his shoulder, sending him tumbling to the ground in defeat.
Now. She didn't waste a second.
"No more evil-doing for you, little akuma." Her voice was steady, but there was an undeniable edge to it. She extended her yo-yo, catching the fluttering black butterfly in its string. "Time to de-evilise!"
In a flash of red energy, the akuma was purified. The dark aura surrounding Bruno disappeared, leaving him unconscious on the bakery floor. Ladybug wasted no time in tossing the spool of thread into the air.
"Miraculous Ladybug!"
A wave of glowing pink light erupted over the city, fixing everything in its path. The bakery's shattered entrance pieced itself back together, the broken furniture and shattered glass restored as if nothing had happened. The magic swept over Gurvinder, healing the bruises and injuries from the devastating hit he had taken.
But it couldn't erase the weight in Ladybug's heart.
She watched as Gurvinder's unconscious body relaxed, the pain leaving his face, but the image of him shielding Sabine, the way he had flinched under Tom's raised hand, the scars she had seen on his back—all of it still burned in her mind.
She clenched her jaw and turned away. She couldn't look at him anymore.
Without another word, she shot her yo-yo toward the rooftops and swung away.
But she wasn't fast enough.
"Ladybug! Wait!"
Chat Noir was right behind her, chasing after her as she moved through the city. She pushed herself harder, trying to put distance between them, but he was persistent.
She knew why.
He had seen it too. The way she fought. The way she lost control. The way she had let her emotions dictate her punches, not strategy.
And she wasn't ready to face that.
So she ran.
soon enough chat caught up to her and grabbed onto her arm.
Ladybug yanked her arm away, but Chat Noir held firm. His grip wasn't forceful, but it was steady—just like his voice when he spoke.
"Ladybug, stop." His emerald eyes searched hers, filled with concern. "What happened back there?"
She looked away, her jaw tightening. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"You do know." Chat's voice was softer now. "You were fighting like—like you wanted to hurt him. Not just stop him."
Ladybug swallowed hard. Her hands were still shaking. "That akuma almost killed someone, Chat. Two people. He could have died." Her voice cracked as she turned to face him, her eyes glistening. "Gurvinder could have died, Chat. That— lady could have died!"
Chat's expression softened, but he didn't let go of her arm. "But they didn't." He took a deep breath. "Because you saved them. Like you always do."
Ladybug turned away again, but he wasn't done.
"You're a hero, Ladybug." His voice was steady, reassuring. "People look up to you. Not because you can throw the hardest punches, but because you never let your emotions control you. Because you do what's right." He paused, his grip loosening. "What happened today—it wasn't like you."
Ladybug squeezed her eyes shut.
She knew he was right.
She had lost control.
It wasn't just about the akuma—it was about everything. The way Gurvinder never complained, never fought back, never asked for help. The way he smiled even when he was hurting. The way he hid everything behind jokes and late-night training. And tonight, when she saw him take that hit, something inside her snapped.
Chat gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "I get it," he said softly. "I really do. But you can't carry all of this alone."
Ladybug took a shaky breath. "Then what am I supposed to do?"
Chat offered a small smile. "You talk to him."
Ladybug blinked. "What?"
"You care about him, don't you?" Chat tilted his head. "So stop spying, stop keeping your distance, and talk to him. Ask him what's going on."
Ladybug hesitated.
Could she really do that?
Could she really face him and ask?
After a long pause, she sighed. "...I don't know if I'm ready."
Chat grinned playfully. "You're Ladybug. You're always ready."
She rolled her eyes but couldn't help the small, tired smile that formed.
"Fine," she muttered. "I'll talk to him."
Chat let go of her arm and stepped back. "Good. And no more rage-fueled fights, okay?"
Ladybug gave him a dry look. "No promises."
Chat laughed as she shot her yo-yo forward, heading toward home. But deep down, she knew—this wasn't over.
Now, she had to face Gurvinder.
Marinette stood at the entrance of the bakery, her fingers still curled around the doorknob as she stared at Gurvinder.
He was standing behind the counter, wiping his hands on a towel, his usual grin plastered across his face.
"Oh, look who's back," he said, flashing her a cheeky smile. "Mademoiselle Owner—did you miss me while I was gone?"
Marinette's stomach twisted. Just hours ago, she had watched him take a brutal hit, shielding her mother with his body. She had seen him crumple to the ground, had felt the rage burn through her as she fought Iron Grip. And now—
He was acting like nothing had happened.
She crossed her arms. "Are you serious right now?"
Gurvinder blinked. "Uh… yes? Unless you're asking about my humor, in which case—"
"Gurvinder!" she snapped, stepping closer. "You almost died today!"
He shrugged. "I'm fine now."
She felt her jaw clench. "You were not fine! You got hit, hard! And don't even try to tell me it didn't hurt, because I saw you drop to the ground."
Gurvinder rubbed the back of his neck, his grin faltering for a second before it was back in place. "Eh, I've had worse."
Marinette's hands balled into fists. "That's not the point!"
He tilted his head, giving her a lazy smirk. "Then what is, Mari-cons?"
Marinette exhaled sharply. "Why do you always do this?"
"Do what?"
"Act like nothing ever bothers you! Like none of this matters!"
Gurvinder blinked again, the smirk slipping just a fraction. "Because it doesn't," he said lightly. "I mean, look around! Bakery's fine, everyone's fine. I'm fine."
"You're not fine," Marinette shot back. "You just refuse to admit it."
Silence stretched between them for a moment.
Then, Gurvinder let out a small chuckle. "You worry too much."
Marinette opened her mouth to argue, but then Tom walked in, his presence filling the room.
"Gurvinder," he called, his voice softer than earlier. "Come here, son."
Gurvinder turned, and Marinette noticed the slight hesitation in his step before he walked over. Tom placed a hand on his shoulder—this time gently.
"I was too harsh earlier," Tom admitted. "You did a good thing today, protecting Sabine. I was just worried about the bakery, but that doesn't mean I don't appreciate you."
Gurvinder's posture stiffened for just a second before he forced another easy smile. "Eh, don't worry about it. Bosses are supposed to yell at their workers. It's in the contract, right?"
Tom chuckled, shaking his head. "You're more than just a worker here, son."
Gurvinder's fingers twitched against his towel, but his smile didn't waver.
"Now, get some rest," Tom continued. "You've been working too hard lately."
Gurvinder gave a playful salute. "Aye aye, Captain."
Tom patted his shoulder once more before heading upstairs.
Marinette stayed where she was, watching as Gurvinder turned back toward her.
She expected another joke, another witty remark.
Instead, he just looked at her for a moment.
Then, with a small smirk, he said, "Hey… don't worry about me too much, alright?"
Marinette frowned. "I will worry. You can't stop me."
He sighed dramatically. "Of course. Should've known I couldn't win against Marinette Dupain-Cheng."
And with that, he walked past her toward the stairs.
Marinette stood frozen in place, watching him go.
He always made it so easy to let things go. To brush things off, to pretend it was fine.
But Marinette knew now.
It wasn't fine.
And she would get to the bottom of it.