Chapter 13:Gamer
Hey everyone! I'm back with a new chapter!
Sorry about the wait—I was working on my other stories and got really into them. I hope you like what I have planned! Also, I want to thank Cloud4012 for helping me with my OC and everything else. Make sure you follow him and Kival737101 as well.
Anyway, sit back, relax, review, and enjoy!
It was a peaceful day in Paris. Leo and Oliver were at their family-owned comic store, Brown Comics, hanging out before school with their Kwamis.
Leo leaned back in his chair, tossing a comic book onto the counter. "You know, I've been thinking. We've been doing this superhero thing for a while now, but no one ever talks about how hard it is to balance everything. School, family, and saving Paris—it's exhausting."
Oliver chuckled as he adjusted the shelves. "Tell me about it. At least we get to hang out here for a bit before all the chaos starts. Speaking of which, are you ready for school? Marinette's probably already planning something big as the new class rep."
Leo grinned. "Yeah, she's got that energy, doesn't she? Hey, Soll," he said, glancing at his Kwami, "what do you think about getting a little more organized? Maybe a secret hero group with actual schedules or something?"
Soll floated out of Leo's pocket, munching on a cookie. "That sounds like a lot of work. Being a hero already takes enough effort! I say we stick to what we're good at—winging it."
Oliver's Kwami, cloud, chimed in. "Winging it is fun, but Soll's got a point. Organization might save us some stress. Plus, I could finally stop reminding you both about the same things over and over."
Leo laughed. "You've got jokes, cloud. But maybe you're right. We'll think about it after school. For now, let's just enjoy the calm before the storm."
Just as he finished speaking, the bell above the shop's door jingled, signaling a customer. Both boys turned to see Nino walking in.
"Hey, guys," Nino said, grinning. "Figured I'd find you here. You ready for class? Rumor has it Chloe's already causing drama about the new club Marinette's planning."
Leo sighed. "Of course she is. Guess we'd better brace ourselves. Let's go."
Grabbing their bags, Leo and Oliver exchanged knowing looks. Another day in Paris was just beginning, and they had a feeling it wouldn't stay peaceful for long.
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!
As the day went on, Oliver and Alya were in the library with their classmates, watching Adrien and Max play a video game when Leo and Marinette walked in.
"Hey, guys, what's going on?" Leo asked.
"Yeah, what's going on?" Marinette echoed, but Alya quickly hushed them so she could record.
"Tryouts for the Paris Ultimate Mecha Strike Tournament," Rose explained. "The school sends the two students with the highest scores."
"Actually, it's mainly tryouts to see who Max's partner will be," Oliver added.
"Why Max?" Marinette asked.
"Because he's unbeatable. He's got the highest APM of anyone," Kim replied.
"APM?" Leo questioned.
"Actions per minute. Max has been practicing all year for this," Kim said. Just then, Adrien managed to beat Max's score.
"And Adrien now holds the new high score!" Ms. Bustier announced, and the class erupted in cheers.
Adrien glanced at Max, who smiled and said, "Excellent work. We're sure to make a killer combo."
"Let me get this straight," Marinette began. "If someone beats Max's high score, they get to team up with Adrien?"
"Impossible!" Kim exclaimed. "Max and Adrien are our school's dream team."
Noticing Marinette's expression, Alya quickly pulled her aside.
"I know what you're thinking," Alya said knowingly.
"Just imagine… teaming up with Adrien," Marinette said dreamily.
"Are you insane, girl? This is about stepping up and representing, not snuggling up and snogging. This is serious business," Alya scolded.
"Seriously, Alya, do you really think I'd go through with it?" Marinette said defensively as Leo approached them.
Leo raised an eyebrow as he approached Marinette and Alya. "What's all this whispering about?"
"Nothing!" Marinette blurted out quickly, her cheeks flushing red.
Alya smirked. "Oh, nothing, huh? Just Marinette daydreaming about teaming up with Adrien for the tournament."
"Daydreaming?" Leo repeated, crossing his arms and giving Marinette a teasing look. "You're seriously considering taking on Max and Adrien? That's pretty bold."
"It's not about that!" Marinette protested, flailing her arms. "I wouldn't even know where to start! Besides, Max and Adrien are practically unbeatable."
"Well, that's true," Leo admitted. "But if anyone could surprise them, it'd probably be you."
Marinette blinked, caught off guard by his words. "You really think so?"
Leo shrugged. "You're creative and resourceful. I mean, if you can balance being class rep and everything else you do, I wouldn't count you out."
Alya grinned. "See? Even Leo believes in you. So why not give it a shot?"
Marinette hesitated, glancing at the screen where Max and Adrien's scores were displayed. The idea of teaming up with Adrien was exciting, but could she actually compete at their level?
"Alright," Marinette said, determination flickering in her eyes. "I'll give it a try... but only for the challenge. Not for... you know."
Alya snorted. "Yeah, sure. Whatever you say."
Leo smiled. "Well, if you need a practice partner, I'm your guy. I'm decent at video games."
"Really? Thanks, Leo!" Marinette said, her confidence growing.
As they rejoined the group, Alya leaned toward Marinette and whispered, "You know this means no more stammering or blushing around Adrien, right?"
Marinette groaned. "You're not helping!"
Meanwhile, Max and Adrien were discussing strategy, oblivious to the new competitor about to step up.
"I think we have our champions," the principal said.
"Wait!" Marinette yelled, getting everyone's attention. "Is it, uh, too late to try out?" She surprised everyone except Leo and Alya.
"Well, the library closes in five minutes, so I guess we have time," the principal said as Marinette sat down.
Adrien shrugged and handed her his controller.
"Please tell me she's not doing this just to be close to you-know-who," Oliver whispered to Alya, who merely sighed, signaling yes. Oliver facepalmed.
"There's no way she can do it," Kim said.
"Unless that person has a particular motivation," Alya said, taking out her phone to record.
"Yeah, she's got this," Leo said confidently.
Max walked over to face her. "The rules are elementary: you battle each other's robot—"
"And every time you win, you loot the player and gain XP, which upgrades your mech. I'm not a newbie," Marinette said, thinking back to all the times she played against her dad and won.
"Sounds like you know enough. Let's see if it's enough to beat me," Max said.
Up above on the staircase, Sabrina and Chloé were watching from a distance.
"Ugh, seriously? How can someone sit in front of a screen for so long?" Chloé asked.
"Totally," Sabrina agreed before both girls pulled out their phones.
As the match started, everyone watched in shock as Marinette wiped the floor with Max, winning the match easily.
"What? She beat him?" Kim asked, stunned.
"Beat him? She pulverized him," Alya said, as the room erupted in cheers.
"Yes!" Leo said, happy for her.
"Wow, Marinette, where'd you learn to play like that?" Oliver asked, clearly impressed.
Max walked over, looking downcast. "I accept this defeat and relinquish my position. Congratulations, Marinette and Adrien," he said before standing up to leave.
"Max, wait," Adrien called out.
"Look, I'm fine. I lost fair and square. If you don't mind, I'd like some solitude," Max said, leaving the library.
"So Adrien and Marinette will represent our school at the Ultimate Mecha Strike 3 Tournament," Principal Damocles announced.
"Well, I guess I'll be coming over to your place to practice, partner. See you later," Adrien said, leaving.
"See… ya," Marinette said dreamily as Leo, Oliver, and Alya walked over.
"Uh, hate to break this to you, but you have to win this thing now," Oliver said.
"You're representing the school, not just hanging out with Adrien," Alya said.
"Adrien…" Marinette sighed, ignoring them.
"Oh, brother," Alya groaned.
"This is just sad," Oliver agreed as they walked away, leaving Leo with Marinette.
"Um, I can come over and help you. Like I said, I'm good at video games," Leo said, blushing slightly.
Marinette snapped out of her dreamy state at Leo's offer, blinking a few times before giving him a warm smile.
"Really? You'd do that?" she asked.
"Of course," Leo said, scratching the back of his head nervously. "I mean, it's a big deal, right? Representing the school and all. Plus… I think it'd be fun to team up and practice together."
Marinette's cheeks turned slightly pink. "That would actually be great. I could use all the help I can get. Adrien's counting on me, and I don't want to mess this up."
Leo smiled, a little relieved she didn't seem to notice his nerves. "No problem. I've got a few tricks I can show you. We'll make sure you're ready to take on anyone at that tournament."
"Thanks, Leo," Marinette said genuinely.
As the two started walking out of the library together, Alya and Oliver watched from a distance.
"Well, would you look at that?" Alya said, nudging Oliver.
"Yeah, looks like Marinette found herself a backup gamer coach," Oliver replied with a smirk.
"Backup? More like someone who might actually keep her focused," Alya teased.
Meanwhile, as Marinette and Leo walked out of the school, Tikki peeked out of Marinette's bag.
"That was really nice of you to offer, Leo," Tikki said in a quiet voice only Marinette and Leo could hear.
"Yeah, well, it's what friends are for," Leo said, trying to keep his tone casual.
"Right, friends," Tikki said with a knowing smile before retreating back into the bag.
"So, your place or mine for practice?" Leo asked.
"Uh… my place, I guess. I just have to make sure my parents are cool with it," Marinette said.
"Cool. Let me know when to come over," Leo said, giving her a thumbs-up.
Marinette smiled as they parted ways, already feeling a bit more confident about the tournament with Leo's help.
Outside Max was walking away from the school in anger.
"This is a travesty, a complete travesty." Max said.
At his unknown location Hawk Moth sees the whole thing.
"A competition. I know you like that my little Akumas. Where there's a winner, there's a loser." Hawk Moth said opening his hand and letting dark energy surround a butterfly turning it into an Akuma. "Fly away my little Akuma and evilise him." Hawk Moth said as the Akuma flew out the window.
"I should be the one going. I worked so hard for it. This is inconceivable." Max said as the Akuma flew into his glasses.
"Gamer, I am Hawk Moth. I will help you win the tournament of your life. But in return you must help me achieve my high score." Hawk Moth said telepathically.
"Absolutely, Hawk Moth. Game on! Now they'll see who's the greatest gamer in Paris!" Max said as dark energy surrounding him giving him a black full body suit and green glasses in the form of a butterfly. Gamer laughs as a dark pyramid surrounds him.
Walking back to her house, Marinette felt like a million bucks.
"Training with Adrien… Adrien!" Marinette said excitedly as Tikki popped out of her bag.
"There are other ways to spend time with Adrien, you know," Tikki said gently.
"What do you mean?" Marinette asked, her excitement momentarily dampened.
"You know how much Max wanted to be in the tournament. Kim said he had been training all year," Tikki reminded her.
Marinette's face fell. "You're right. All I could think about was Adrien," she admitted. Then, suddenly, her eyes widened in realization. "Adrien's coming to my house. Adrien is coming… to my house! This is a disaster! I have to clean my room!"
Panicking, Marinette dashed to her room, only to freeze in horror when she saw the walls and surfaces adorned with pictures of Adrien.
"This is what I was trying to tell you," Tikki said with a sigh.
"This… is not… happening!" Marinette panicked, running around her room like a whirlwind.
"Calm down, Marinette! You still have time. He won't show up right now," Tikki tried to reassure her.
As if on cue, the doorbell rang.
Marinette froze. "No! No, no, no! This can't be happening!"
"Marinette! Someone's here to see you!" her mom called up.
"C-Coming!" Marinette shouted, her voice cracking with panic. She and Tikki scrambled to grab all the Adrien photos, stuffing them in drawers, under her mattress, and anywhere they could think of.
Meanwhile, downstairs, Leo was casually chatting with her parents.
"Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Dupain-Cheng. Marinette said I could come over to help her practice for the tournament," Leo explained.
"That's so thoughtful of you," Sabine said warmly. "She's been talking about it nonstop."
"She'll be down in a moment," Tom added with a grin. "Let me get you some snacks while you wait."
"Thank you," Leo said, glancing toward the staircase as he heard a loud thump.
"Everything okay up there?" he called out, smirking slightly.
"Y-Yeah! Be right there!" Marinette yelled back, her voice muffled as she shoved the last photo under her bed.
Tikki shook her head. "You'll be fine, Marinette. Just breathe."
"Easy for you to say," Marinette muttered, quickly fixing her hair and heading downstairs with an awkward smile.
Marinette descended the stairs, trying her best to appear calm, but the flush on her cheeks betrayed her nerves.
"Hey, Leo," she said, her voice slightly higher than usual.
Leo smiled warmly. "Hey, Marinette. Ready to get some practice in? I brought a few tips that might help us win this tournament."
"Y-Yeah! Practice. Totally ready," Marinette stammered, fidgeting with the hem of her shirt.
Tom appeared from the kitchen, carrying a tray of snacks. "Here you go, kids. Fuel up before your big gaming session!"
"Thanks, Mr. Dupain," Leo said, grabbing a cookie and giving Marinette an encouraging look. "You okay? You seem a little... frazzled."
"Frazzled? Me? No way!" Marinette said quickly, waving her hands. "Just, uh, excited! Adrien's coming over too, you know."
Leo raised an eyebrow, a knowing grin creeping onto his face. "Ah, I see. Adrien's presence tends to do that to you."
Marinette's cheeks turned bright red. "What? No! I mean—he's just my partner for the tournament. That's it!"
Tikki peeked out from her bag, rolling her eyes. "Subtle as ever, Marinette," she whispered.
Leo chuckled, grabbing his bag. "Relax, Marinette. You're gonna do great. Now, let's get set up before Adrien gets here. You want to be ready to impress, right?"
Marinette nodded frantically. "Right! Let's head up to my room!"
As they made their way upstairs, Marinette's mom called after them. "Have fun, you two! And remember to keep the volume down."
Once in her room, Leo looked around, his gaze briefly flickering to the edges of a few hidden Adrien photos sticking out from under the bed. He smirked but decided not to comment.
"So, what's the plan?" Leo asked, setting his bag down.
"Plan? Oh, uh, right! Gaming plan!" Marinette said, fumbling with her controller. "Let's start with some basic strategies. I'm sure Adrien will appreciate a good warm-up when he gets here."
Leo leaned against the desk, watching her fumble with a fond smile. "You know, you've got this, Marinette. Adrien or no Adrien, you're an awesome gamer."
Marinette glanced at him, her nerves settling just a bit. "Thanks, Leo. That means a lot."
Before they could begin, the doorbell rang again, making Marinette jump.
"Guess who's here," Leo teased with a grin.
Marinette froze. "Oh no! Tikki, help me!" she whispered in panic.
Leo laughed. "Relax, I'll go let him in. You stay here and... fix whatever's left to fix."
As he headed downstairs, Marinette slumped onto her bed, groaning. "Why is this so hard?"
Tikki flew up beside her. "Because you like him. But don't worry—you'll do just fine."
Marinette nodded, taking a deep breath. "Okay. Time to impress Adrien… and not completely embarrass myself."
Roaming through the streets of Paris Gamer's little pyramid had everyone looking.
"Gamer, it's time to take this to the next level and show everyone who's the best." Hawk Moth said telepathically.
"No time like the present." Gamer grins as his pyramid fires green blasts blasting civilians and turning them into green orbs.
Back in Marinette's room, a small silence lingered as the game loaded on the screen. Adrien sat across from her, both of them holding their controllers, trying to act casual. Leo leaned against Marinette's desk, quietly observing, his own controller resting in his hands.
As Marinette and Adrien both reached for the same controller, their hands brushed for a brief moment.
"Uh, sorry. No, you go," they said at the same time, pulling back awkwardly before settling on their respective controllers.
Leo smirked, his sharp eyes catching every nervous glance Marinette threw Adrien's way. "You two are like a walking rom-com," he muttered under his breath, but just loud enough for Marinette to shoot him a glare.
Adrien chuckled, not quite catching what Leo had said. "Your parents seem really nice," Adrien said.
"Yeah, they are," Marinette replied, her voice faltering as she spotted Tikki floating behind Adrien, holding up a framed picture of him. Marinette let out a tiny shriek and lunged for it, slamming the photo facedown on her desk. She gave an exaggerated, awkward laugh and sat back down, fidgeting with her controller.
"Sometimes what?" Adrien asked, tilting his head curiously.
Leo raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by the situation. "Yeah, Marinette, sometimes what?" he teased, drawing out the words just enough to make Marinette's cheeks flush deeper.
Before she could answer, Tom entered with a plate of fresh croissants, the scent wafting through the room.
"Hey, you guys, I brought you a snack in case you got hungry!" Tom announced cheerfully.
"Not now, Papa, we're training!" Marinette said hurriedly, her voice a little too loud.
"Oh, well, maybe you want some tips—Dad style!" Tom said, striking an exaggerated pose that caused Leo to stifle a laugh.
"Not now!" Marinette said again, shooing him out as he left, though not without a small pout.
Leo grinned at Adrien. "You should've taken him up on that offer. Tom's 'dad style' tips are legendary. He could probably win the tournament for us," he joked.
Adrien laughed. "I'll keep that in mind."
Marinette groaned, covering her face with her hands. "Sometimes… they can be a little nosey."
Leo leaned back in his chair, tossing a croissant into his mouth. "Yeah, nosey—but adorable. You gotta admit, Marinette, your parents are pretty cool."
Adrien nodded, smiling. "I think it's sweet. They really care about you."
Marinette peeked through her fingers, her heart melting a little at Adrien's words, though she shot Leo a warning look when he wiggled his eyebrows at her.
"Okay, enough distractions!" Marinette declared, straightening up and gripping her controller. "We're here to practice, so let's do this!"
Leo chuckled, settling into his chair. "Alright, let's see what you've got, lovebirds."
"Leo!" Marinette hissed, her face now as red as her suit.
Adrien blinked, confused. "Lovebirds?"
Marinette threw a pillow at Leo's head. "Ignore him! Start the match!"
Back outside, Gamer was blasting everything in sight.
"Excellent! I'll be at level two in no time," Gamer said, zapping two cars and absorbing all the people inside them. "I am unstoppable!" he laughed as the pyramid-like mech suddenly grew two large legs and rose up, transforming into a massive arch-shaped robot.
"Perfect," Gamer said as his newly leveled-up fighter continued to zap civilians.
From a distance, Oliver was crossing the street when he noticed Gamer's robot wreaking havoc, zapping people and causing chaos. Acting quickly, he ducked into an alley and opened his jacket to let Cloud out.
"Talk about going big," Oliver muttered.
"We've got quite a gap to close if we're going after that," Cloud said, peering up at the giant mech.
"Well, we better get moving. Cloud, Fang's out!" Oliver said as his bracelet began to glow, transforming him.
The camera zoomed in on Oliver's glowing bracelet, which suddenly burst with icy blue energy.
First, the transformation focused on his feet: Icy trails formed sleek, white-and-blue boots frosted over with silver accents. The camera panned upward as the cold energy raced along his legs, forming a tight-fitting bodysuit shimmering with icy patterns and subtle wolf-like designs that glowed faintly in the frosty air.
Next, his hands transformed: Frost energy spiraled down from his bracelet, forming white gloves with icy blue patterns running along his forearms. Mist condensed into a silver dagger in his right hand, its blade etched with a gleaming wolf motif. He gripped the weapon confidently as frost swirled around him.
Then the camera shifted to his face: A frosty mist shaped itself into a sharp silver mask covering his eyes, its edges resembling frozen wolf fur. His eyes glowed intensely with an icy blue hue, filled with determination. Frosty winds blew as silver wolf ears materialized atop his head, twitching slightly as they caught the breeze.
Finally, the camera zoomed out: Frost trailed along his back as a wolf-like tail formed from icy mist, snapping into place with a final burst of cold air. The transformation completed as Frost Fang landed gracefully, the mist dissipating around him in a swirl of icy wind.
He spun his dagger with ease, smirking confidently. Crouching low in a wolf-like pose, his tail and ears twitched as a cold breeze swirled around him.
"Alright," Frost Fang muttered to himself, gripping his dagger tightly. "I'm going to need backup."
He took out his phone, quickly typing a message to Leo.
Back at Marinette's, she, Adrien, and Leo were just finishing up a game.
"Wow, we won again. Thanks to you," Adrien said, grinning at Marinette.
"Yeah... yes, we did," Marinette replied, nervously avoiding his gaze.
"We? That was practically all you. You're amazing, Marinette. I guess you wouldn't even need me. I'm so lame compared to you," Adrien sighed, looking down.
"What? No! It's not that you're good. I'm the one who's not... I mean, I'm just lucky," Marinette stammered, clearly flustered.
Leo, who had been quietly watching the exchange, chuckled. "Don't sell yourself short, Marinette. Adrien might be great, but you're pretty awesome too."
Just then, Marinette's dad, Tom, walked into the room, holding a plate of freshly baked cookies. "Who wants cookies fresh from the oven?" he asked, his usual cheer evident.
Adrien smiled at the offer, but Marinette immediately shook her head. "We're working," she said, quickly closing the door after him.
Leo raised an eyebrow. "You're working... at a game?" he teased, grinning at her.
Marinette blushed but quickly shrugged it off. "Yeah, something like that," she said before looking at Adrien. "Hey, Adrien, come here, I've got a little secret." She reached into her pocket and pulled out a small keychain. "This is why I win."
Adrien gave her a skeptical look. "Are you messing with me?"
"Give it a try," Marinette said, grinning playfully.
As Adrien reached for the keychain, Marinette's mom, Sabine, suddenly popped her head in with a bright smile. "How about a delicious salmon and spinach pie? You can tell me what you think!" she offered eagerly.
Adrien smiled at the thought of the pie. "Wow, that sounds amazing! But, uh, we're in the middle of something," he said politely, glancing at Marinette.
"You know, Marinette, it's fine if you want to take a snack break," Adrien suggested with a smile.
Before Marinette could respond, Leo's phone buzzed. He pulled it out of his pocket and quickly read the message that flashed across the screen:
"Big trouble downtown. Need backup NOW."
Leo's face immediately became serious, and he quickly tucked the phone back into his pocket. "Sorry, guys, but I've gotta take off," he said, standing up.
"What? What's going on?" Marinette asked, concern in her voice.
"Something urgent came up," Leo replied quickly. "I'll catch up with you two later. You can hold down the fort while I handle this, right?"
Marinette nodded, though a worried look crossed her face. "Of course, Leo. Be careful!"
As Leo headed toward the door, he quickly excused himself. "I'll be back soon. Stay safe," he called, before stepping out and quickly finding a quiet alley.
He pulled out his phone again, his fingers flying over the screen. "Oliver, I'm on my way. Just give me a sec," he texted.
Soll flew out of Leo's pocket, his small form fluttering around as he spoke. "So, what do you think the bad guy's up to today?"
I don't know. Whatever Hawk Moth has planned, it's not good. Soll, flame on!"," Leo said as his necklace began to glow.
The camera zooms in on the fiery glow of Leo's necklace as flames burst out, swirling around him.
First, the camera 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. The camera lingers on his hands as the fire shapes itself into twin black-and-red gauntlets, glowing faintly with heat.
Next, the shot 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, and his hair catches fire for a moment before settling into an ember-like shine.
The flames 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, which radiates heat like a living flame. The flames rise and shape into a sleek red cape that flickers and flows like fire in the wind, trailing behind him dramatically.
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 back in on his hands as two swirling flames materialize at his sides, taking shape into his twin swords, curved and glowing like phoenix feathers. He grasps them as the flames die down, revealing the swords' intricate, flame-etched details.
With a burst of fiery sparks, Fireblaze spins the swords effortlessly in his hands and strikes a heroic pose, twin swords crossed behind him as his cape billows with heat, the air around him shimmering with the glow of fire.
"Let's go!" Fireblaze shouted, his voice filled with determination as he rushed toward the chaos downtown, flames trailing behind him.
Back at Marinette's, Adrien and Marinette exchanged a quick glance.
"Do you think everything's okay?" Marinette asked, still feeling uneasy about Leo's sudden departure.
"I hope so," Adrien said, but his voice was full of concern.
In the park, Adrien and Marinette were sitting on a bench, eating the snacks Marinette's parents made.
"I'm sorry about that. I can't get anything done with them around," Marinette said.
"It's okay, Marinette. Your dad makes great pies," Adrien said with a smile.
"Yeah… so, shall we go back?" Marinette asked.
"Let's see if this works," Adrien said, taking out her good luck charm. Suddenly, they heard screaming and looked to see Gamer blasting multiple civilians and absorbing them.
"Is this some kind of publicity stunt for the tournament?" Marinette asked as Gamer looked in her direction.
"Well, well, Marinette, let's see who's victorious this time," Gamer grinned.
"I don't think we should find out," Adrien said, just as Gamer fired a beam that destroyed the bench they were sitting on.
Grabbing Marinette's hand, the two of them ran away until Gamer fired another beam, separating them.
"Looks like this is the end, Marinette!" Gamer said.
"How does he know my name? Max!" Marinette gasped, realizing who it was before running off.
"I guess he wanted that spot in the tournament after all," Marinette said.
Back in the park, Adrien let out Plagg. "Time to transform. Plagg, claws out!" Adrien declared as his ring began to glow, signaling his transformation.
Closing his eyes, Adrien raised his ringed hand into the air. Plagg rolled his eyes and groaned in annoyance before his small body morphed into black magical energy. The energy swirled around and flew into the Cat Miraculous, activating it. The ring glowed brightly, transforming into its full power mode, now black with a vivid green paw print on it.
Adrien waved his ringed hand in front of his face as a sleek black mask appeared, covering his eyes. He opened his emerald eyes, now cat-like with green sclerae and dark green irises, and smirked. His natural blonde hair grew longer and wilder, falling untamed over his head and partially covering his newly formed, realistic black cat ears.
He let out a joyful laugh as he held out his arms, and a wave of magical green energy washed over him. His usual attire transformed into a textured, black skintight bodysuit with a golden bell around his neck attached to a zipper, black gloves tipped with clawed fingertips, a small silver staff strapped to his back, and sleek black combat boots.
Adrien bent down slightly, grunting as a burst of green energy materialized a long belt-like tail around his waist. Straightening up, he grinned confidently, slashing the air a couple of times before striking a heroic, cat-like pose. With a cocky grin, the transformed Adrien, now Cat Noir, turned to the unseen audience with a playful glint in his eyes.
Meanwhile, as Marinette ran from Gamer, suddenly a sword flew in and chopped a piece off one of the large legs.
"What the?" they both said.
Looking over, they saw Fireblaze and Frost Fang charging in with weapons.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Let me fix that." Frost Fang threw his dagger, destroying a piece of the other leg.
"Yeah, we're bad," Fireblaze said as he jumped into the air, raising his two swords and connecting them together into a staff. He twirled it and blasted a fire tornado at Gamer before landing next to Frost Fang.
"Fireblaze! Frost Fang!" Gamer yelled in anger when Cat Noir's staff swung in and hit Gamer in the head.
"Hey, guys, think this game has multiplayer?" Cat Noir smirked.
"Cat Noir, get the civilians to safety!" Fireblaze shouted.
"We can stall him for now," Frost Fang said, running toward Gamer.
"Right!" Sprinting forward, Cat Noir scooped up Marinette and took her to the top of the Le Grand Paris Hotel.
"I heard you ticked off the final boss," Cat Noir said.
"Well, it doesn't give him extra points hurting innocent people," Marinette replied as Cat Noir was about to help Fireblaze and Frost Fang.
"Cat Noir, wait! I left my friend Adrien in the park! We have to go back!"
"Uh, don't worry, he's fine. I bet Fireblaze or Frost Fang managed to get him to safety. You just stay here. Now, arch-leap and do a barrel roll!" Cat Noir said, jumping into the air.
"He's always so over the top," Marinette muttered as Tikki came out.
"If ever there was a game to win, it's this one," Tikki said.
"Tikki, spots on!" Marinette declared as her earrings glowed and she transformed.
Her earrings gleamed brightly as she brushed back her medium-length black hair with blue highlights. Tikki giggled before transforming into red magical energy and inhabiting one of Marinette's earrings, which now sported five black spots in a quincunx pattern.
Marinette raised her arms, waving her hands in front of her face. A red mask with five asymmetrical black spots appeared, darkening the waterlines of her eyes. Grinning with determination, she thrust her hand outward, releasing a wave of magical red energy that washed over her body, replacing her regular attire with a skintight red jumpsuit covered in black spots. The jumpsuit had a black collar, giving her a sleek and heroic look.
Closing her eyes, Marinette untied her pigtails, letting her long black hair with blue reflections cascade down. A burst of magical energy radiated around her waist, and a red yo-yo materialized, wrapping itself neatly around her by its red string. Opening her eyes, Ladybug winked playfully at an unseen audience before performing an elegant, twirling dance. She ended the transformation sequence by firmly stomping the ground, flipping her hair as it magically tied itself back into twin buns secured by red ribbons, resembling ladybug antennae.
With a confident smirk, Ladybug sprang into action, ready to save the day.
Running across the rooftops, Cat Noir spotted Fireblaze and Frost Fang doing their best to dodge all the attacks and keep Gamer's attention away from the civilians.
Looking near the school, Cat Noir saw a group of civilians near a bus.
Thinking quickly, he swung in and grabbed Frost Fang, pulling him out of Gamer's range.
"Thanks, man, but what about Fireblaze?" Frost Fang said, breathing heavily.
"Oh, crap baskets," Cat Noir muttered, about to jump in, but Fireblaze cupped his hands together into a familiar stance.
"Please tell me it's not what I think he's about to do," Frost Fang said, knowing his cousin, remembering back to when Nathaniel and Leo used to watch anime together.
"Oh my God, this is going to be good," Cat Noir said.
As Fireblaze cupped his hands, a fiery aura began to surround him. His eyes glowed brightly, determination radiating from every fiber of his being. The air around him crackled with intense heat.
"Get ready, Gamer," Fireblaze muttered, his voice steady and confident.
Frost Fang's eyes widened. "No way... He's really doing it!"
"Yup," Cat Noir said, eyes gleaming with excitement, "I think he's about to unleash the most epic move ever."
With his hands firmly clasped together, Fireblaze began to focus, gathering a massive surge of fiery energy. His body shook with the intensity of the flames swirling around him, the heat rising into the air like a living entity.
"You're not gonna get away with this, Gamer!" Fireblaze shouted as the flames swirled around his hands, growing in size and power. A fiery, golden orb began to form, growing larger with each passing second, the power within it threatening to explode at any moment.
Gamer, noticing the rising intensity, snarled. "You're not the only one with power!"
With a furious roar, Gamer launched another beam of energy directly toward Fireblaze, attempting to break his concentration. But Fireblaze was prepared. He thrust his hands forward, unleashing a massive, fiery blast.
"KAMEHAMEHA!" Fireblaze yelled as the golden energy beam erupted from his hands, crashing into Gamer's blast with a violent explosion.
The two forces collided in mid-air, sending shockwaves throughout the area. Fireblaze's Kamehameha surged forward, pushing through the blast like a tidal wave of fire, enveloping Gamer's energy in a vortex of intense heat. The flames spiraled and twisted, creating a whirlwind of fiery destruction.
Gamer struggled to maintain control, his own blast flickering as the power of Fireblaze's attack overwhelmed it. He tried to step back, but the flames encroached on him, pushing him toward the ground.
"Not so tough now, are you?" Fireblaze shouted, his voice filled with resolve.
With one final push, the Kamehameha intensified, blasting Gamer off his feet and sending him tumbling through the air before crashing into a nearby building. The explosion of fire and energy left a large crater in the ground, and the air shimmered with the aftershock.
For a moment, there was silence. Then, the sound of rubble falling echoed through the area as Gamer struggled to get back up, his body scorched but still alive.
"What the hell?!" Frost Fang said, shocked.
"Okay, that was awesome, but we need to help Fireblaze, so follow me!" Cat Noir said, leading him toward the civilians. "Get out of here as fast as you can!"
"He's right, it's not safe for you!" Frost Fang said as Fireblaze ran over to them.
"God, that took a lot out of me," Fireblaze said, breathing heavily.
"Yeah, no kidding. That was awesome!" Cat Noir said.
"Hey, guys, look!" Frost Fang said as Gamer approached.
"Oh, goddamn it. Come on, I thought he would stay down. Whatever..." Fireblaze taunted. "Hey, you worthless tin can, how about round 2?"
Looking toward the three heroes, Gamer grinned.
"Hate to tell you guys this, but your system's about to crash!" Gamer said, when Ladybug looped her yo-yo around a light post and Gamer's legs.
"The only thing about to crash is you!" Ladybug said, pulling with all her might and making the giant robot fall to the ground.
"He turned into a real robot from Ultimate Mecha Strike!" Cat Noir said as he, Fireblaze, and Frost Fang ran over.
"I know. And it's nearly level 3. Level 4 is the highest," Ladybug said.
"Wait, you know that game?" Cat Noir asked.
"Of course," she said.
"Wow, never pegged you for a gamer, Ladybug," Fireblaze said.
"And I didn't know you watched so much anime. Nice Kamehameha, by the way," Ladybug said, making Fireblaze blush in embarrassment.
"Thanks. Um, my friend got me into anime. Well, more anime," Fireblaze said.
"Anyway, guys, we need to focus," Frost Fang said, pointing out the control part of the robot. Gamer noticed the bus nearby, smirked, and hit the button, firing a beam that gave him enough XP to level up.
The four heroes looked in shock as the robot became more human-like, now with arms, legs, a head, and a chest.
"Oh boy, this is not good," Fireblaze said.
"You can say that again. Our problem just got a whole lot bigger," Cat Noir said.
"Looks like our problem just got much worse," Frost Fang said.
"Level 3," Gamer grinned.
"If you want to be the most powerful robot, you must capture Ladybug's, Cat Noir's, Fireblaze's, and Frost Fang's Miraculouses. Then, it really will be game over," Hawk Moth said, showing him images.
"Those Miraculouses are mine!" Gamer said, reaching down to grab them, but the four heroes jumped out of the way.
Firing multiple beams at them, the heroes jumped onto the roofs and ran.
"We have to get him out of here before he destroys all of Paris!" Ladybug said when they all saw a poster for the Ultimate Mecha Strike Tournament.
"The stadium!" All four heroes smiled, getting the same idea.
Racing to the stadium, the four heroes jumped in to find it completely empty.
"Now, where's Clunky?" Ladybug asked, looking around, just as Gamer and his robot landed behind them with a thundering crash.
Grabbing their weapons, the heroes hurled Ladybug's yo-yo, Cat Noir's staff, and Fireblaze's sword at the robot's head, but the attacks merely bounced off, leaving no damage.
Gamer fired a beam at them, forcing the group to scatter.
"Cat Noir, use your Cataclysm! Maybe that'll help!" Ladybug shouted.
"You got it. Cataclysm!" Cat Noir's ring glowed as dark energy surrounded his hand.
Charging forward, Cat Noir slammed his hand into the robot, disintegrating it instantly and sending Gamer tumbling to the ground.
"Nice job, kitty," Frost Fang said with a smirk.
"Yeah, way to go, Tomcat," Fireblaze added, but before they could celebrate further, two glowing spheres appeared where the robot had been—one red and black, the other orange and blue.
"Whoa, talk about some serious loot," Cat Noir said, eyeing the spheres.
"System crash, Gamer!" Ladybug said, confident the battle was over.
But Gamer grinned wickedly. "You forgot the rules. I saved my last level." He touched his glasses, and suddenly, his robot reappeared before them, fully restored. "Re-spawn!"
"Oh, come on!" Frost Fang snapped.
"I call hacking!" Fireblaze exclaimed.
"Not the old spawn point glitch again," Cat Noir groaned.
"Did you see that?" Ladybug said. "The Akuma must be in his glasses!"
"Then let's fight him on even ground," Fireblaze said as he touched the orange-and-blue sphere. Ladybug followed suit, grabbing the red-and-black sphere.
In an instant, two giant robots materialized. One was a sleek, cat-like robot with Ladybug patterns adorning its armor. The second was a fierce, wolf-like robot equipped with a massive sword strapped to its back, twin daggers at its sides, and vibrant orange phoenix wings.
"We've leveled up too!" Ladybug declared, climbing into the cat robot.
"We better hurry. I don't have much time left," Cat Noir said, glancing nervously at his beeping ring.
As Fireblaze and Frost Fang jumped into the wolf robot, Ladybug and Cat Noir entered the other.
"Good thing Alya introduced me to this game," Frost Fang said, taking the controls.
"Let's hope you can keep up," Fireblaze said as he activated his side of the cockpit.
Inside the cat robot, Ladybug and Cat Noir struggled for control.
"I'll man it, you shoot," Cat Noir said.
"Why do you get to man it?" Ladybug countered.
"Want to flip for it?" Cat Noir teased.
Moments later, as Cat Noir clumsily piloted, the robot stumbled awkwardly before Gamer's robot landed a solid punch, knocking them to the ground.
"Okay, you can man it," Cat Noir conceded, rubbing his head.
"Look out, guys!" Fireblaze shouted as Gamer's robot charged, delivering a flurry of heavy punches to their robots.
The stadium trembled as Gamer's robot continued its assault, raining punches down on both the cat robot and the wolf robot. Sparks flew from the impact, and the heroes inside struggled to regain their footing.
"Fireblaze! Frost Fang! Let's take him together!" Ladybug shouted over the comms.
"Got it!" Fireblaze responded. "Frost Fang, ready to try out some special moves?"
"Born ready!" Frost Fang grinned, gripping the controls tightly.
"Phoenix Wing Barrage!" Fireblaze yelled, activating the wolf robot's wings. The fiery orange feathers ignited, launching dozens of blazing projectiles toward Gamer's robot. Each one exploded on impact, forcing the enemy to step back.
"Nice! Let's turn up the heat!" Frost Fang added. "Howling Blade Slash!" He pulled the sword from the wolf robot's back, and with a mighty swing, sent a crescent-shaped energy wave flying toward Gamer's chest.
The attack struck, creating a loud explosion, but Gamer's robot emerged from the smoke, barely scratched.
"Looks like we're up, Cat Noir!" Ladybug said, adjusting her controls.
"You ready for this?" Cat Noir smirked. "Time to unleash our own moves. Pouncing Paw Strike!"
The cat robot leaped high into the air, its claws glowing with red energy. It descended rapidly, slamming its paws into Gamer's robot with a thunderous crash, leaving deep claw marks across its chest.
"Spotted Shield!" Ladybug added, deploying a large, glowing shield from the cat robot's back to block an incoming laser beam. The shield absorbed the energy before redirecting it back toward Gamer's robot.
Gamer laughed maniacally as he pressed a series of buttons. "You think that's all I've got? Time to show you Level 3 Power Surge!"
His robot's hands glowed with a dark purple light before slamming them into the ground, sending shockwaves rippling through the stadium. The heroes' robots stumbled as the floor beneath them cracked and buckled.
"This guy just doesn't know when to quit!" Frost Fang growled.
"Then let's end this in style!" Fireblaze declared.
"Ladybug, we need to work together!" Fireblaze said.
"Agreed! Let's go for a synchronized attack!" she replied.
"Phoenix Sky Blade!" Fireblaze and Frost Fang called out together. The wolf robot's sword began to glow with intense orange flames as its wings spread wide, lifting it into the air. The robot flew high before diving down, slashing at Gamer's robot with fiery precision.
"Cat's Cradle Bind!" Ladybug and Cat Noir shouted. The cat robot fired out glowing red wires from its claws, wrapping them around Gamer's robot's arms and legs, pinning it in place.
Gamer struggled against the bindings, but Ladybug smirked. "Now it's time to finish this! Cat Noir, let's go!"
"Lucky Paw Strike!" Ladybug called out, activating the final move.
The cat robot's claws began to glow, combining the energy of both Miraculouses. With a swift and powerful slash, the cat robot tore through Gamer's chest armor, exposing the cockpit.
"Fireblaze, now!" Ladybug shouted.
"On it! Blazing Howl Finale!" Fireblaze roared.
The wolf robot jumped back, sheathing its sword before taking a deep breath. Its chest glowed brightly as it unleashed a massive wave of fiery energy in the shape of a howling wolf, slamming directly into Gamer's robot.
Gamer's cockpit erupted with sparks, and his glasses shattered, releasing the Akuma.
"Now, Ladybug!" Cat Noir called out.
Game over, Gamer." Ladybug said breaking the glasses and releasing the Akuma. "Game over for you too Akuma. Time to de-evilise!" Ladybug throws her yoyo capturing the Akuma and turning it into a buttefly. "Bye-bye little butterfly." Grabbing her Yoyo she throws it into the air. "Miraculous Ladybug!"
All the civilians and vehicles Gamer destroyed are restored, the robots disappear, and Max turns back to normal.
"What happened? Max asks looking around.
"Pound it." The four heroes said fist bumping.
"Game over," Fireblaze said with a smirk, hopping out of the wolf robot.
Ladybug smiled as she joined him. "Great teamwork, everyone."
Cat Noir leaned on his staff, grinning. "I have to admit, those moves were pretty paw-some."
"Don't push it," Frost Fang said with a chuckle, nudging him playfully.
At his unknown location Hawk Moth was angry.
"Such insolence! The moment you challenged me was the moment you sealed your fate! This battle is not yet over." Hawk Moth vowed as his window closed.
At the stadium, excitement buzzed through the air as the crowd eagerly awaited the next match.
"Alright, the score to beat is 245,000!" the announcer declared, his voice booming over the loudspeakers. The students from Francis Dupont High School stood on the sidelines, their nerves and anticipation palpable.
"Marinette, you can't be serious!" Oliver said, crossing his arms in disbelief.
"After all this, you want to drop out?" Alya added, staring at Marinette with wide eyes.
Marinette hesitated, glancing toward Max, who stood quietly nearby. "But I just feel bad for Max. It… it wouldn't be right."
Oliver let out a sigh but softened his tone. "Well, Marinette, I think you're doing the right thing. Sometimes doing what's fair is more important than winning."
"But she's giving up a huge chance to hang out with Adrien!" Alya protested, pointing out the obvious.
Marinette didn't respond. Instead, she walked over to Max, determination etched on her face.
"Max… I've thought about this a lot and…"
Before she could finish, the announcer's voice interrupted. "And next up, Francis Dupont High School!"
Max looked up, confused. Marinette turned back to him with a small smile. "And I think you should be playing tonight, Max."
"What?" Max asked, completely surprised.
"Don't get me wrong—I love gaming," Marinette explained, her voice steady. "But it's not my heart and soul. This is your tournament, Max. I don't want to take that away from you."
"Dudes, make up your mind. They're waiting for you!" Nino said, walking over, hands shoved into his pockets.
"I insist," Marinette said, holding out the controller to Max.
Max hesitated but finally took it, his hands trembling. "How can I ever thank you?"
Before Marinette could reply, Adrien walked up, smiling. "By winning the tournament—with her," he said, nodding toward Marinette.
Marinette's cheeks flushed as Adrien continued, "You're way better than me. You belong on the team. Win it for the school. I know you can do it."
Oliver and Alya both groaned, simultaneously slapping their foreheads.
"Seriously?" Oliver muttered.
"Really, dude?" Alya chimed in, shaking her head.
Leo, who had been quietly observing the situation, finally stepped in. "Alright, let's stop with the drama and focus," he said, his voice firm but encouraging. "Max, you're taking the lead, but Marinette, you've got skills too. So, both of you—get out there and crush it."
Marinette blinked at him, momentarily startled by his no-nonsense tone, but nodded. "Right. Let's do this."
"Come on, you guys. Everyone's waiting," Nino added, motioning for them to hurry.
Max smiled, holding the controller tightly. "Let's show them who's gold!"
With renewed determination, Marinette and Max walked toward the stage, ready to take on the challenge.
Leo leaned back, arms crossed, and smirked. "Told you they'd pull it together. Now, let's see if they can actually win this thing."