Chat Noir

"Bugaboo!"

I see my lady making her way across the rooftops to meet me.

"Hello, Chat." She smiles at me. Although I am dating Marinette, my true love, I cannot help the flutter in my chest whenever she looks at me. Her gaze holds, and my cheeks heat.

"What's our mission today, my lady?" I ask her. She responds quickly.

"There."

I follow her pointed finger to a series of buildings that are on fire.

"Ah," I say. "Let's go!"

We leap across the rooftops towards the small fires. It only takes us a minute or two to get close. Ladybug swings out her magic yo-yo and hurls it at a streetlamp nearest to the fire.

"C'mon, Chat!" she yells at me. I follow her with my stick.

We get to the source of the fires and see a fiery, molten monster standing in the midst of it all.

"I'm guessing that's the akuma?" I state the obvious, and Ladybug laughs.

"Probably," she responds, with a twinkle in her eye.

I spy a locket around the monster's neck. "There!" I say, and point it out to Ladybug. "That's probably where the akuma is, don't you think?"

"Yeah," she responds. "Probably."

We dive right into action. I hurl myself at the molten monster to steal the locket, while Ladybug spins her yo-yo around another pole and leaps on top of it. Unfortunately, my desire to impress Ladybug has gotten me trapped: once again.

The monster grabs me out of midair and holds me in his heated fist. I struggle to escape. Um, rude! Cats don't like heat!

I wrestle the monster, trying to free myself, but all he does is grab a bus and sticks me under it. Luckily, I know what to do now.

Cataclysm!

I touch the bus that has me trapped, and it disintegrates into fine brown dust. I leap to my feet and join the action once again. As I look up, I see that Ladybug is using her Lucky Charm. A large cardboard box falls out of the sky.

What?

Ladybug looks just as confused as I feel. What is she going to do with that?

Luckily, my lady is smarter than I am.

I can see her stringing together what to do as the monster charges.

Charges?!

I leap into action. I hurl my stick between Ladybug and the molten monster, which stops him for some time. Ladybug quickly carries out her plan: I can't tell what she's actually doing because hello? Monster.

Ladybug retrieves the akuma from the monster's locket and (Time to DE-EVILIZE!) de-evilizes it. I walk over to her.

"Pound it!" we chorus simultaneously. My ring beeps.

"Gotta go, m'lady," I tell her.

"Bye, Chat," she says. "See you later."

When she leaves, I detransform. Plagg flies out of my ring.

"Don't you wanna know who she is?" he asks. "Follow her! She'll never know."

Yes. Yes, Plagg, I do want to know who my lady is. But I would never betray her like that. So I walk home, alone, as the model Adrien Agreste, and nothing more.

Author's Note

Hey, Miraculers! I just wanted to say that I am very thankful for all of you. This is, as you may be able to tell, my first experience writing fanfic. If you have any suggestions, plot ideas, or just want to say hi, PLEASE leave a review or comment below!

Today I have a lot of time on my hands. I will probably be able to publish at least two more chapters today. Stay tuned!

"Hello, Ladybug," said Hawkmoth.

"Hawkmoth," I muttered through gritted teeth. "What are you doing here?"

"Taking matters into my own hands," he responded coolly. "Now, give me you miraculous!" he commanded.

"Never."

And that is how this battle among many began.

Hawkmoth summoned an akuma. "Akumatize her!" he yelled. This wasn't a normal akuma, though. The blackish-purple butterfly flew right at me. While it flew, though, something about it shifted. The purple of its wings faded into a deep red. Looking at the akuma, it almost looked like - a ladybug. This made the akuma look even more evil and menacing. I took a step back as Hawkmoth spoke again.

"If this butterfly possesses you," he started, "it will dive deep into your conscience, your memories, your innermost thoughts and desires. It will then locate your greatest weakness and where that weakness lies."

"Adrien," I gasped. I could not let that akuma anywhere near me. I whipped out my yo-yo. I tried to capture and de-evilize the akuma. But this akuma was special. The butterfly simply dodged my attack and continued to assault me. Soon enough, I was tired and coughing hard from being chased by the butterfly. I stopped, for only a second, to take a breather, and…

whoosh.

the akuma flew into my yo-yo.

"No!" I screamed. But I could already feel its intruding presence in my mind, drawing out sensitive memories from my past. Sweet memories, dark memories.

When I got my miraculous.

When Chat almost died ten minutes ago.

When Adrien and I danced.

When Tikki was sick.

Memories of the past flashed through my mind, one on top of the other. I sunk to my knees in despair. "Get it out!" I screamed.

To my left, I saw a tall red beacon rise up from a parking lot nearby. And it wasn't coming from Adrien.

"Alya!" I cried. "Run!"

Alya didn't hear my screaming. She kept tapping away on her Ladyblog, oblivious to the world and the danger surrounding us.

Hawkmoth spotted the beacon.

"Alya Césaire," he murmured. "Bring her to me!"

A massive swarm of akuma rose up from who-knows-where at Hawkmoth's command. They went to retrieve my best friend.

I saw the event register on Alya's face.

I saw terror set in.

I saw the urge to save herself overcome her features.

I saw her turn and run.

And then, something happened that doomed Alya.

Her phone fell out of her pocket.

"Oops!" she exclaimed, in the midst of it all.

She reached down

and grabbed

her phone.

This delay was all the akuma needed.

They swooped down from the sky and took Alya in their wings. Flapping butterflies surrounded Alya's entire body. If my best friend weren't dying, I might have though it was kind of pretty.

Alya screamed again as she (and the akuma) migrated across the plaza and towards Hawkmoth. "Ladybug! Chat Noir! Help me!" Her cry was desperate and pleading, and I felt a pang in my chest about the fact that I couldn't help her.

The akuma dropped her right in front of Hawkmoth.

"Alya," he said in a creepily calm tone, "nice to finally meet you. You, Ladybug's greatest weakness. Tell me, girl, why are you Ladybug's most important, most protected person on the planet?"

"I- I don't know!" she rasped, and tears welled up in her eyes. "I really don't! I swear!"

"It's okay, Alya. I believe you," said Hawkmoth. "You will make quite an interesting captive."

"No!" I shouted again. I hurled myself at Hawkmoth in a final, desperate attempt to save my best friend from certain death.

Hawkmoth snapped his wrist and WHAM! I went flying across the plaza.

"Akuma? Follow me," he commanded. "And Lady Wifi."

They vanish.

I sit on the ground in utter disbelief. What had just happened?

Master Fu and a limping Chat returned to my side. "What happened?" he asked gently.

"Alya," I whisper, my voice raw.

My kitty sinks to sit with me.

"What was she to you?" he asked softly.

"A friend."

Marinette

The next day at school, I have to learn to cope without Alya.

"She's probably just sick," insists Nino. "It is flu season."

Adrien, on the other hand, looks just as depressed as I feel.

"You okay?" I ask.

"I… just feel like Alya isn't okay. Maybe it isn't just a cold," Adrien admits.

My blood turns cold.

"Why?" I ask casually, my insides churning. What does Adrien know?

"I can't say. I just have…this feeling," he tells me.

I give Adrien a comfort hug.

"I'm sure she's fine," I assure him. "And if she isn't, well, I'm sure Chat Noir and I-erm, Ladybug- will be close behind."

Marinette

"I'm Nadia Chamack, and this is your news!"

I turn off the TV.

My phone buzzes with a text message. I glance over and scan it. It's Adrien.

Hey! I respond. He writes back quickly: Wanna come to get pizza with Nino and me tonight? Nathalie is letting me get normal person food for once! Ugh. I'd love to get pizza - I really would – but what if someone is akumatized? Then what? I don't know if I'm free. We'll talk after school. I hit send.

{later}

No one has been akumatized yet, and school is over. I might as well go with them.

"Hey, Adrien!" I chirp. "I can come today!"

"Great, Marinette," he says, and flashes me his model's smile.

"ADRIKINSSSSS!"

Oh, no.

Chloé comes bounding across the plaza that we are meeting on.

"Can I come? Of course I can! Thank you, Adrikins!" she screams.

Well. I guess Chloé is coming with us.

Together, we walk over to the nearby Round Table. Chloé hangs on Adrien's arm the entire walk. Doesn't she know he's taken? The nerve! Adrien gently shrugs Chloé off as he walks closer to me. He grabs my hand.

"So what plans almost got in the way of this?" he asks me.

"Erm…" I can't answer. "Um…"

"It's okay," Adrien says, "a girl can have secrets. You don't have to tell me."

I breathe a sigh of relief.

Finally, we reach the pizza places.

"Wahoo!" Nino exclaims. "We're finally here!"

"Nino, we've been walking for five minutes."

"Whatever," Nino retorts with a grin.

I'm glad Nino's happy. Who knows, maybe he's finally getting over Alya's disappearance! But even if he isn't, an hour of happy with his friends will do anyone good- especially him.

We order our pizzas and sit down at the nearest table. Just as our food arrives…

"An akuma holder has been spotted on 14th and A Street!" Nadia Chamack exclaims to the camera. "All commoners advised to stay where they are: unless it's a dance studio. Those of you at dance, move now. Everyone advised to stay calm. Ladybug and Chat Noir, we need you!"

"I have to go to the bathroom," Adrien and I say simultaneously. Nino laughs.

"Whatever you say, bro," he says, and waves us off. I do feel bad for leaving him with Chloé- wait, where's Chloé? Nino's sitting by himself, on his phone, eating all of our pizzas.

Whatever.

I duck into the girls' bathroom. "Tikki! Spots on!"

I hop out the window with ease, only to find Chat standing right there. "Are you stalking me, kitty?" I say with a giggle in my tone.

"I can't stalk you without knowing who's under that mask," he reminds me.

"You know where the akuma is?" he asks.

"Fourteenth and A."

"Let's go!"

"Oh, and I'm supposed to be in a bathroom at a pizza place," I tell him, "so let's make this quick."

He stops and stares at me. He gives me a strange, uncomfortable look. "Okay," he finally says.

"Hey, guys! Wait up!"

Ew. Queen Bee has arrived.

Queen Bee is so obnoxious: almost as bad as Chloé (almost). She's always prattling about how she's the best and better than you (you being Chat and me). But, nevertheless, she does some good work (sometimes).

Bee flies up to us. "You left without me," she pouts.

"How could we know where to meet you?" Chat asks. "We don't even know who you are!"

"You don't know who I am? I'll tell you, ignorant idiots! I'm – " Her kwami cuts her off. "Bee, we've gone over this! You can't tell anyone who you are!" Pollen exclaims.

"Ugh," says Bee. "Fine."

{later}

Twenty minutes later, we have captured and de-evilized the akuma. The Parisian who was akumatized is safely back in her home. And all of Paris is going to forget about this in less than a day.

Bee flies off without saying goodbye, leaving Chat and me alone. Typical.

"Who are you, under that mask?" Chat asks quietly.

"Chat…you know we can't talk about this," I respond.

"Not like that," he amends. "I mean, who are you? What do you like doing?"

"Sewing, designing, saving the world…you know, typical stuff," I say, laughing at the last part.

"Cool," Chat says, and we sit on the rooftop in silence.

Then something unexpected happens.

Chat puts his arm around my shoulders, in a friendly way that feels like more. I lean into him and smile.

A low rumble emerges from his throat.

"You silly kitty."

"That's me."

We sit there for a while, not quite romantic, nor friendly either.

And you know what?

I'm okay with that.

Adrien

Another day, another akuma to fight.

I wake up, stretch, and proceed to get out of bed. Plagg flies out of my ring.

"Breakfast?" he asks expectantly.

I ring for some Camembert cheese for Plagg. As the kitchen processes my request, I grab an outfit to wear to school: my typical black shirt, white sweater, and jeans. I admire myself in the mirror. Black really is my color.

Once Plagg is fed and happy, I'm ready to go to school. I grab my schoolbag and leave without saying bye to anyone. Why would I? They wouldn't care. I hop in a cab, which drops me off in front of school. I throw the cabbie a twenty-dollar bill, even though my route was only $9.26. "Thanks!" I call as I rush into the schoolyard.

When I arrive, I see Nino and Marinette, my two best friends, talking. I walk over to them. "Hi, guys," I say cheerily.

"Hey, Adrien," Marinette says, and gives me a good-morning hug.

"Hi, Adrien," Nino responds. "Long time no see."

"Oh, yeah," I say with a laugh, "long time since yesterday."

Marinette smiles at the two of us. Her smile is beautiful. Her eyes are pretty, but maybe I just think that because they look like Ladybug's. Actually, Marinette looks a lot like Ladybug. That's funny. My two favorite people in the world look like twins.

(Author's note: Adrien is an idiot in this scene..)

I look down at my phone: 7:32. Three minutes until Chloé comes rushing out of her car to me screaming-

"ADRIKINS!"

Well. I guess she's early today.

"Hi, Chloé," I say, embarrassed like I am every day. I shrug her off my shoulders. "A little space?"

"There's no space between my heart and yours," she croons. I feel sick, and I groan. Marinette comes up behind her.

"Except me," she says. "But you know that, right?"

"Know what?" Chloé deflects Marinette's meaning.

"That Adrien and I are dating?" Marinette rolls her eyes.

"Oh, haha," Chloé fakely laughs, "that won't last long, sweetie."

"Back off my girlfriend," I say angrily.

Chloé shrugs, obviously disappointed, and walks away.

"Sorry about that," I say apologetically. "Chloé gets…"

"It's okay," says Marinette. "I know."

She gives me one brief kiss on the cheek, and walks off to class.

After school, I walk to my locker and grab my bag. Someone walks up behind me, which surprises me.

"Miss me?" says Queen Bee.

"Um…" I say, confused. "What are you doing here, Bee?"

"Oh, sorry. Forgot that I was still in costume. Pollen, wings in," she says coolly.

"No!" I turn around and shield my eyes. We can't know each other's identities! "Bee, don't do that again!"

"Adrikins, listen to me!" she snaps. Chloé?!

Without thinking I turn around.

Yep.

Chloé.

"Chloé!" I yelp. "You're Queen Bee?!"

"Uh-huh," she says. "Aren't I just amazing? So much better than that stupid cat or flighty bug."

Excuse me? Did she just call me a 'stupid cat?'

"Bee! Chloé…whatever you are…you can't just fly around revealing your identity like that! You're lucky no one else is around!"

There is no one else around…riiiight?

I hear a sound not unlike a pterodactyl screech coming from my left. Oh, great. I turn towards the sound and see Chloé's best friend, Sabrina, leaning on a locker and staring at Chloé.

"How much did you see?" I ask gently, not wanting to scare her away. The poor girl already looks freaked out enough.

"A-a-all of it!" she exclaims, and goes back to staring at Chloé.

"Sabrina!" Chloe yells. "What did I tell you about trying to hang out with me when Adrien is around?"

"To pretend like we aren't friends," Sabrina whispers. "But, Chloé…"

"Pollen, wings out. I don't have time for this," Bee says, and flies away.

Sabrina collapses in tears. "I- thought we were friends!" she cries. "Or, at least, good enough friends so that she would tell me when she got a MIRACULOUS!" Sabrina, too, runs away, and I am left standing in the midst of it all, not quite knowing what to do. If I follow Bee, I can confront her and make sure that no one else will find out what she said. But if I don't follow Sabrina, I have no doubt that she will get akumatized. Even though she's already been akumatized, Hawkmoth will have no trouble akumatizing her as long as her feelings are strong enough.

Suddenly, I know what to do.

"Plagg, claws out!"

"Plagg, claws out!"

I quickly carry out my plan.

"Ladybug?" I ask into my phone. "It's me, Chat. This is urgent. Call me back when you get this. I need to find Bee. We have to talk. I'll be busy fighting an akuma near the school. Love ya. Bye."

I send the voicemail and proceed to follow the sound of chaos. All bets say that those noises are coming from an akumatized Sabrina.

I whip out my stick and vault myself over the buildings between Sabrina and I.

Sabrina has transformed completely and she looks just like Queen Bee, except her colors are reversed.

"Sabrina!" I yell. "Stop, now!"

"My name isn't Sabrina anymore, kitty," she screams. "I am Wasp!" With that, she conjures up a swarm of bees.

"Rude!" I say. "Cat's don't like bees!"

I dash and dodge out of the way of the offending swarm. These bees really do make it difficult to get closer to Wasp, I think. And since there were many bees, I can't use my Cataclysm. The death of one in many won't make much of a difference. What I really need is Ladybug. Maybe her Lucky Charm will produce a bug net, or something to disable the bees with.

As I evade the bees, I call her again. "I could really use my Bugaboo right about now…"

"Looking for someone?"

I jolt up and turn around. "Ladybug!"

"Hi, Chat. Now, what sticky situation has my kitty gotten himself into this time?"

"Bees," I shudder. Ladybug understands.

"Lucky Charm!"

Sure enough, a butterfly net falls out of the sky.

"For once," I say, "I know what your Lucky Charm is for."

Ladybug attaches the handle of the net to her yo-yo. She twirls the yo-yo once, twice, three times, before hurling it at the attacking bees. My Lady catches every single one on her first try.

"Skills," I say, laughing. But the battle isn't over yet. It's time to go for the prize: Wasp.

"Ready, m'lady?" I ask.

"Always."

Together, we dive at Wasp. "There!" I spot the akuma in her comb, exactly where Bee's is. As I distract Wasp, Ladybug whirls around and grabs the comb. She easily snaps it in half. "Time to de-evilize!"

After Ladybug is done releasing the akuma, I fill her in on everything that happened today.

"Ladybug…" I say. "I know who Bee is."

"Yeah," she laughs. "She's Queen Bee, our helper, except she never shows up. Yes, Chat, I know who Bee is too."

"No, no, no, m'lady, you don't understand," I correct her. "I know her true identity."

She emits a low whistle.

"How?"

"She told me."

"Told you? Seriously? No fanfare, nothing?"

"Nope. She just said, 'I'm Queen Bee, idiot.'"

Well, that wasn't exactly what happened. But I couldn't tell Ladybug exactly what went down because she could figure out my identity because of it. Besides, that was basically what Bee was implying.

"Who?" Ladybug sounds curious.

I tell her. "Chloe, the mayor's daughter."

"I've had my suspicions ever since the day we met, but…" She stops midsentence. "I always could tell that their personalities were similar, but I never actually thought…"

She pauses.

"Wait, how did that girl get a miraculous?" she asks. "I know her, and she is the most despicable person I've ever met."

"I know her too, m'lady," I say. "I don't understand it either."

"Whatever," she laughs. Eventually, I start laughing too.

Beep! Beep!

My ring beeps at me, and I see that Ladybug's earrings are running low too.

"Plagg needs some cheese," I say. "Gotta go! Cat out."

I hurdle over buildings and trees with my stick until I am home, where I supply Plagg with some Camembert as I read the news.

"Invitations to the Annual Parisians Honors Ball extended to Ladybug and Chat Noir, the saviors of our city," reports Nadia Chamack.

The Honors Ball?

Me?

Easiest RSVP ever.

Chat Noir

"May I have this dance?" I ask her as the lights dim.

I take her hand as a slow dance begins.

And that's when the roof comes crashing down on us.

{Two hours earlier}

I RSVP yes to the Annual Parisian Honors Ball. Of course I did! I'm one of the main attractions! My Lady and I, along with others that are ultimately less awesome than I am, are going to be honored tonight for everything we've done for Paris. The Honors Ball is going to be in an old castle south of the Eiffel Tower. Some people have been there for days setting up. There's people up there prepping thousands of balloons, hanging hundreds of streamers, cooking countless meals for guests. There's the chefs, the caterers, the planners, the hosts, the reporters: and they're all here for me.

Well, me and a couple other people.

But mostly me.

Anyways, I'm super excited. There's sure to be dancing for me and my Lady, and lots of cheese for Plagg. He'll be thrilled.

I previously ordered a nice suit, and had it tailored (by Ladybug, who is apparently a great fashion designer!), trimmed, and sewed on. Now it looks like my Chat Noir clothes, except fancier and formal. I know she's making a dress for herself, and I can't wait to see it. She's going to look amazing.

I pull on my suit and check myself out in the mirror. I look fantabulous (as always) in my new attire. Just wait until I show Ladybug! She's a genius with a sewing machine. Almost as good as Marinette!

It's finally time to leave. I would use a limo (either my father's limo or an ordered one), but I have to keep my identity secret. So it's off to the rooftops for Chat Noir today! I grab my stick and catapult myself onto the roofs of Paris.

About half an hour of vaulting and jumping later, I have arrived at the old castle. It's beautiful. Every year, the castle is spruced up for this celebration. It's tall and ominous, except it isn't. The decorators and designers have done a brilliant job converting this age-old castle into something out of a dream.

All for mwah.

As I arrive at the gates, I see that the paparazzi has already arrived. And so has my Lady. She's standing near the cameras in a glittering gown that makes me feel underdressed.

"You look amazing," I tell her.

"Thanks, Chat," she says. "That suit really suits you."

We crack up.

"Pun intended."

We waltz through the front gates and into the ballroom, and I am hit with another wave of 'feeling underdressed'. This really is a formal event! There's ladies in ball gowns, men in top hats and tuxes. It honestly looks like something from the 1700s.

When the crowd sees us, they applaud. Cameras flash, and I am blinded by all the white light exploding around me. Ladybug squeezes my arm as we fight through the crowds to the Seats of Honor: a row of medieval-looking chairs lined up neatly. They all have signs above them: Ladybug, Chat Noir, Mayor Bourgeois, Gabriel Agreste.

Father?!

I act cool and calm as I greet the rest of the honored guests, although I start sweating when I come to Father's chair.

"Hello, Mr. Agreste," I say carefully. I look for any flash of recognition in his eyes upon seeing me- there. Something changes in my father's expression. Something new is present: hatred?

Why would Gabriel Agreste hate Chat Noir?

He gives the same look to Ladybug as he shakes her hand.

Oh, no. Does my father have me figured out?

After that stressful encounter, Ladybug and I head over to the buffet table. Obviously, this is why I came. There are stacks and stacks of platters and plates lined up in neat rows. And, at the end of the table, there is a sign: Chat Noir. Under the sign I see Camembert cheese. Ah, Plagg will be absolutely thrilled when he sees this! I wonder who organized this. I'll have to thank them.

"Time for dancing!" A large man announces with a microphone. A slow dance song starts up.

Yes! Dancing!

I fight my way through the crowd and back towards my Lady.

"May I have this dance?" I ask as the lights dim.

I take her hand as a slow dance begins.

And that's when the roof comes crashing down on us.

Screams echo from my fellow partygoers. Out of the corner of my eye, I see my Lady run off somewhere she can transform. Since we are in party clothes, we technically aren't in our 'official' Ladybug and Chat Noir attire. Our identities were still pretty well disguised, though.

I dart around an abandoned corner. The roof here hasn't fallen yet. "Plagg, claws out!" I say, and my kwami obliges.

When I get back out into the commotion, I see that Ladybug is already at work chaperoning people to safety. I do the same.

"Come on, come on, come ON, people, hurry it up, let's go. There's a door at two o'clock, go out there. Keep your arms over your neck and head."

This was my repeating chant that I would say over and over in the next couple minutes. I herded masses of people outside. "C'mon, guys!"

Once everyone is safe, I hop up onto the roof, where I find Ladybug waiting for me.

"Took ya long enough," she teases.

"Sorry, I was too busy saving lives."

"Speaking of saving lives, what or who do you think caused that?" she asks. I'd been wondering the same thing, and started to tell her this when-

"I did."

My head jolts up to the source of the voice.

"Queen Bee?!" I exclaim.

"Why- why would you do that?" Ladybug asks with disgust in her voice.

"A certain Bee wasn't invited to this party," pouts Bee. "So I decided that I'd rather no one enjoy the festivities than everyone except me."

"Bee!" I yell. "You could've killed people!" I am utterly horrified. Sure, Ladybug and I knew that Bee wasn't… the most moral person. But I never thought she'd sink to this level…

"That's disgusting," Ladybug accuses. And she's right.

"You put aside these behaviors when you got your miraculous," I say quietly. "And now, you've gone back on that agreement. You don't deserve Pollen! You never did!" My voice rises to a yell.

"I agree," says a clear voice.

"Master Fu!" stutters Bee. "I didn't know you were coming tonight!"

"Oh, I wasn't," answers Master Fu in that obnoxiously zen voice he has. "I'm here for you. I'm sorry, Bee, but…" he pauses, "Pollen, wings down."

"No!" screeches Bee as she begins her detransformation. "You can't do this!"

"Actually, I can," Master Fu responds. "As the Guardian of the Miraculous, I am permitted to go to drastic measures to keep the world safe from corrupt miraculous holders like you."

"I'm not corrupt!" Chloé screams, even as Pollen, pouting, grabs the comb that houses Chloé's miraculous. Pollen brings the comb to Master Fu and flies into it.

"Goodbye, Chloé," she says, and goes dormant inside the comb.

"NO!" Chloé hollers again.
"Ah, you are being quite a problem right now," Master Fu says. "Ladybug, Chat Noir, hold her down, please."

"My father will hear about this!" she insists.

"I think not," Master Fu says cryptically.

He begins chanting in a foreign language. His eyes glow green.

"M-Master F-Fu?" Chloé asks, quaking under her restraints.

Master Fu throws his hands into precise rotations. Chloé goes limp.

"There," he says. "It's like Queen Bee never existed. All of Paris has forgotten."

"But what about us?" Ladybug asks, obviously shaken from everything we just witnessed.

"I cannot manipulate the minds of miraculous holders as I can normal citizens," he explains. "That is a different, darker magic. That is for another time."

Master Fu

I finger the necklace, then pick it up. I've just the girl in mind. I grab my sunglasses and wooden crutch and start down towards the school.

Lila

Shoot!

I'm running late for my second day of school! It's called 'first impressions!' Which of I have made NONE. Wonderful.

I'm running down the block, with my backpack in hand, when I trip over something. I tumble and roll, trying to regain my balance. Finally, I am able to stand, and I look back at what made me stumble. There's a short, old man lying on the sidewalk reaching for his crutch, which I must've tripped on.

I'm really running late. If I keep on running to school, I won't be that late.

I make a decision.

I take a few steps back and turn around.

"Here," I say, handing the crutch to the old man.

"Thank you, thank you!" he exclaims. He stands, waves to me, and walks away.

Nice man, I think.

I keep running to school. Somehow, by some miracle, I'm not late.

{after school}

Unfortunately, when school is over, I must return home. And I really don't want to come home. When you live in a two-bedroom apartment with three sisters, four brothers, a dog, and a single mom, it really isn't fun to hang at home. My sisters and I share a room, my brothers and the dog share a room, and my mom sleeps on the couch- if she's sleeping. My mom works at a diner in the daytime and has a night shift as a nurse.

I take the elevator today, because I took the stairs yesterday. We live on the fifteenth floor. Once I reach my apartment, I unlock the door and step inside.

"Hey, Abby, Dan, Ally, Kaitlyn, Mathew, Luke, Kaden!" I say as I close the door behind me. I'm the oldest child, and there's a big age gap between me and the second oldest: the twins (Ally and Abby), who are nine. Then there's Mathew, who's six, Dan and Kaitlyn, who are four, Kaden, who's three, and Kaden, who's one. Typically, Ally, Abby, and Mathew are at school, but they're all sick with a fever. That's also why the typical chaos that greets me when I come home isn't present today.

"Lila!" Kaitlyn runs over to hug me.

"Hi, Kaitlyn," I smile. "How are you feeling?"

"Better!"

"Good."

Dodging little siblings, I walk through our shabby little apartment and into my room. I sit on my cot, but realize there's something hard under me. Confused, I stand up, to find a little, red and black box sitting on my bed.

I open the box and find…

A white and orange necklace.

Just like the Volpina necklace of last year.

Tears spring to my eyes. Is this some kind of cruel joke? I get that what I did was wrong!

But what happens next blows me off my feet-literally.

An orange, large-eared bug-type-thing flies out of the necklace.

"Hi!" it says.

I only scream.

"LILA?" I hear Ally yell. "ARE YOU OKAY?"

"Yeah, guys, I'm fine!"

"OKAY."

"Who-what the hell are you?!"

"I'm Trixx!" the bug exclaims.

"Again, WHAT ARE YOU?"

"I'm a kwami," Trixx says.

"And what is that supposed to mean?" I ask, raising an eyebrow.

"Have you ever heard of a miraculous?" Trixx asks.

"Um…no?" I respond. I'm still slightly shaking from Trixx's arrival.

{after a bit of explanation}

"So, you want me to be Volpina again?" I ask, after Trixx's explanation of kwamis and miraculouses.

"Yes," Trixx responds.

"But…Ladybug and Chat Noir won't trust me again!" I exclaim.

"You'll just have to earn their trust," Trixx tells me. "But now, it's time to transform, Lila."

"What if my siblings hear?"

"Good point. Tell them…tell them that you're meeting up with friends."

"Okay…"

I walk back into the main room.

"Hey guys, I need to go…um…hang out with friends. Ally, Abby, you're in charge, okay?"

Mathew runs up to me.

"Why can't I be in charge?" he pouts.

"Okay, fine. Ally, Abby, Mathew, you're in charge! Now, I gotta go!"

I run out the door, down the hall, and down the stairs.

"Trixx, what do I say again?" I ask, once I'm safely in my 'place'. I go here when I need some peace and quiet.

"Trixx, transform me!" Trixx says.

"Okay…Trixx, transform me!" I yell.

Orange and white light swirls around me and wind blows my hair. I whoop in excitement as my costume starts forming. Just as the transformation is finishing, a lightweight flute staff lands in my left hand.

The lights fade and I am left standing under my willow tree, my safe place, as a hero of lies that was once a lie itself. (A/N oml I love that sentence it's so poetic lol) I examine my new form carefully, checking out every aspect of myself. It's the exact same as the fake appearance I tinkered for myself last year.

Now, the hard part.

Time to say hi to my old friends, Ladybug and Chat Noir.

Lila

{before Heartbreaker}

I open the pictures that Chloé sent me of Adrien and Marinette holding hands, kissing, walking together. She's been planning her revenge for a while, I think. Then I take out the pictures of Ayden and his girlfriend. Listen, I know this sounds bad. But really, it's just payback for her taking Adrien away from me!

I upload the pictures onto my laptop.

Loading. Please wait.

I fidget.

Loading. Please wait.

I stare at my screen, willing the download bar along.

Loading. Please wait.

I smack my laptop.

Download complete.

Well. I guess that…worked?

I open my photo editing app on the computer. And from there, it's just drag and drop. I'm an exceptional editor, and within an hour I have three convincing pictures of Marinette and Gabe in a romantic relationship. I smirk as I place the pictures in the envelope. On the back I write, You're welcome. XOXO, Lila.

I seal the envelope, address it, and leave to send it on its way. On the way to the post office, I remember that Adrien has his own mail slot.

Perfect.

I head over to the Agrestes' and open the mailbox. A flicker of doubt crosses my mind, but I ignore it. Superheroes are not weak when it comes to carrying out justice.

I drop the envelope in.

Marinette

"Adrien, I don't like this," I tell my ex, Adrien Agreste. Today he walked into the schoolyard with who seems to be his new girlfriend, Lila. Lila, of all people. I may be salty about the breakup and the fake pictures, but I still want the best for Adrien. And Lila is not the best in any sense.

"Marinette, you need to let go." Adrien has never agreed with me over Lila's status as a good or bad girl.

"Adrien…I just want the best for yo-"

"Marinette, stop. You go back to your fling with Gabe, and leave me alone to hang with Lila." I give up on turning him back.

"Fine. Fine," I say as I walk away. What happened to the loving, trusting relationship of a month ago? Adrien doesn't believe me when I claim to have NOTHING to do with the pictures. It's kind of infuriating.

Adrien

Marinette is still denying the fact that she is dating Gabe. I kind of wish that she would just own up to it so we could start the forgiveness process. Marinette's a good person; I don't want to be on her bad side, that's for sure. I want to stay friends with her. But as of late she's been really sour.

After our fight, I'm left with a feeling of bitterness. In a moment of pure instinct, I grab Lila's hand as I stroll into our classroom to spite Marinette. If she's going to play hard to get, so am I.

{after school}

"Plagg, claws out!" I transform into Chat Noir for my third meetup with Ladybug. Last week, we decided that we weren't going to go out. But we still hang out a lot. One of the only pluses of breaking up with Marinette is that I'm free to hang out with my Lady. I have a lot more time to myself, so I meet with Ladybug weekly. She says that she recently split from her long-term boyfriend too.

Lately, there haven't been many akumatized Parisians. Maybe Hawkmoth's on vacation or something.

"Adrien? What are you doing?" Nathalie calls from the hall. She knows not to come into my room without my permission.

I freak out. "Ch-changing?" I stutter, trying to keep her from entering my room where I am in Chat Noir costume. Now that Nathalie's outside my room, I can't leave, even through the window. What if she calls to me and I'm not in my room? My dad would freak.

I curl up on my couch with my computer. My cat, Spots, settles on my lap. I stroke Spots as I scroll down the feed of the Ladyblog. This quiet calm continues until I hear Nathalie's heels click, click, click away. I gently shove Spots off my lap. She hisses and strikes me with her claws.

"Spots!" I exclaim. "You okay?" She bats at my hand. I roll my eyes and leap out the window.

I eventually show up to my date with Ladybug five minutes later. She glances at me as I hop up onto the highest level of the Eiffel Tower. This is our normal spot for dates now. When I arrive, I notice that she looks angry.

"I'm sorry that I'm late," I say regretfully. "I couldn't leave."
"It's fine, Chat. I'm not mad at you."

"Who are you mad at? I'll fight them." I mean it.

"That's sweet, but I'm fine. It's just my ex." I sigh. Her ex-boyfriend has been causing her a lot of issues lately. Whoever he is, he must be a real jerk.

"What did he do this time?"

"I shouldn't have to burden you with this cra-"

"It's fine, Ladybug. Rant your heart out."

"He just…he used to be this smart, caring guy, and now he has this new girlfriend, but she's so fake and he deserves so much more, but he refuses to admit that she's horrible and a big liar," she admits. Tears spring to her eyes. She collapses into my arms. Surprised by the burst of emotion, I put my arm around her.

"Hey. It's okay. It sounds like this guy - what's his name?"

"Um…I probably shouldn't tell you…"

"Right. Identity stuff. Anyway, it sounds like you've done your best to tell him about your issues with this girl-"

"I have!"

"Yeah. If this girl is as bad as you say, he'll see that soon enough. Play hard to get; mess with him a bit, if you want. Just…stay true to yourself, and he'll come running back. You're amazing, Ladybug. He'll see reason soon enough," I tell her. She nods.

"But it's my other identity-"

"Which must be just as awesome as this one," I insist.

"Thanks, Chat." She wipes the tears from her cheeks and hugs me tightly. I squeeze her shoulder.

"No problem."

{that night}

I'm lying on the couch, as Adrien this time. I can't fall asleep because of what Ladybug said. Her words play repeatedly in my mind.

"He just…he used to be this smart, caring guy, and now he has this new girlfriend, but she's so fake and he deserves so much more, but he refuses to admit that she's horrible and a big liar…"

Is this how Marinette feels about me? I hope not. I don't want to be a jerk to Marinette like Ladybug's ex is to her.

But I can shake the nagging feeling that this is, in fact, how Mari feels. I'll try to talk to her tomorrow.

Marinette

I replay Chat's words to myself. He was so convinced that I could overcome this…it makes me smile, despite all this. I won't flounder over Adrien anymore. I won't play hard to get, but I won't worship him either. With this conviction, I sink back onto my pillow.

Adrien

"Heya, Adrien!" Plagg exclaims as he flies out of his matchbook bed.

"Good morning, Plagg," I respond blearily. I rub my eyes, trying to remember today's schedule. I do this every morning: plan out every minute of the day. Then, I can have inspiration to get out of bed if there's something fun to d-

Wait.

Today, I'm going to try to talk to Marinette about Ayden and the pictures.

Not really a great motive, but…I know I have to do it.

After showering and getting dressed, I'm ready for school. Plagg rests on my shoulder, eating Camembert. "Whuz thuh plahn fo today, Adien?" Plagg asks through a mouthful of cheese. At first, I dodge the subject, not wanting to talk about Mari to anyone – anyone but Ladybug. I reprimand Plagg for speaking with his mouth full. But then I break.

"I have to talk to Marinette," I say with my head down. Plagg knows all about my conflicts with Marinette, and he can tell that I'm dreading this interaction.

"Oooooooooooh?" he teases. I smack him gently, not hard enough to cause damage to the tiny kwami.

"Shut up, Plagg." Plagg's face loses its usual childishness.

"I'll be right here for you if you need me to step in, Adrien."

"Plagg, I swear…you can't give away my identity!"

"Adrien," he puts his hand on his chest, "if I have to get involved in this, it will be of no drawback to you."

"Okay…" I say, still unsure about Plagg's idea. I'll make sure that he DOESN'T need to intervene.

{in the schoolyard, before school}

I take a deep breath. In, out. In, out. I broaden my shoulders and lift my head. Feigning confidence, I strut into the schoolyard. Fake it 'til you make it, right? I walk up to Marinette, the warmth of Plagg in my jacket pocket reassuring me.

"Hey, Marinette," I say nervously. Plagg pats my hand. I take my hands out of my pockets.

Marinette turns away.

"Mari?"

"Hello, Adrien." She turns to face me. Her voice is high.

"Marinette, I wanted to talk to you about Ayden and the photos, but I don't know if I should."

"That's good. Go with your instinct, right?" She frowns and turns her back on me. Wow, someone's salty. I don't want to continue, but Ladybug's words from last night spur me on.

"Marinette…I want to talk about Lila."

This catches her attention. Mari spins to face me, her face angry. "What about her?"

"I want you to know that we aren't dating." There. I've said it. Now we'll make up and go back to being friends.

"Why should I care?" She laughs bitterly.

"Well…I know you didn't want me to date her…"

"Adrien, I didn't want you around her. I didn't want your honest, perfect personality to be corrupted by her lies. The distinction between you two as friends or as lovers makes no difference to me. Now, if this little chat is over, I have places to be."

Well. That went well.

All too late, I feel that Plagg is no longer in my pocket. Uh-oh.

Suddenly, a blob of black falls out of the sky and lands between Marinette and me. Plagg?! Marinette stops walking away. She glances at the black kwami, then at me. I feign innocence.

"What is that?" I ask rhetorically. I doubt that Mari will be able to answer. But I do see a flash of recognition in her eyes before she leans down to pick Plagg up. Plagg is squirming and faking pain. At least, I hope he's faking.

"Ta-take m-me to Chat N-noir," he begs. I stifle a laugh. Plagg's faked suffering isn't very convincing. Although, Marinette looks fairly persuaded by Plagg's lies.

"Chat Noir? As in, the superhero?"

Plagg nods his tiny head. "Yes."

Mari looks up at me. To my surprise, she doesn't ask what this is, or why he needs Chat Noir. She doesn't even look puzzled. Instead, her face reflects worry, almost like she knows what Plagg is and why he's essential to Chat Noir.

How does Marinette know what a kwami is?

Whatever. Question for another time.

Marinette speaks again. "I found one of these on the street before. I know where to take him. Follow me."

I don't know which part of Marinette's dialogue I should concentrate on: the fact that she's seen a kwami before, the fact that she knows where to take one, or the fact that, even after our fight, she's taking me with her to help Plagg.

Good job, buddy. I owe my kwami some Camembert later.

"You coming?" she asks. Her face has lost much of the rigid anger that was present after our quarrel five minutes ago.

"Yeah." I hop on the back of her bicycle. Déjà vu hits me: we did this all the time before our breakup. Just us, on her bike, riding through Paris. I don't typically allow myself to indulge in memories such as these; this is an exception. She throws on her helmet, tosses me mine, and we're off.

To my shock, Marinette stops at none other than Master Fu's house. I give her a strange look. Mari just keeps surprising me today. She shrugs off my glance.

Cradling Plagg in her hands, she hurries into the house. I follow.

"Ah, Marinette," he says. "Good to see you, L-"

Then he sees me.

"-ittle one," he finishes, looking flustered. Marinette bows, and presents him with Plagg.

"He's sick," she declares. Master Fu nods, then discreetly winks at me. He places his hand over Plagg and mumbles something.

"There. All better," he announces. "Now, I know this little guy's owner. Can you leave him with me?" he asks Marinette. She nods, and he winks at her this time. Weird.

"Thank you, Marinette. You may leave." Mari bows again, then walks toward the door.

"Adrien, do yo-"

"I'm fine. You can leave."

"Okay. Thanks for coming with me." And then she smiles at me. She actually smiles at me! I grin back. Hopefully, after today, we are on better terms.

"Yeah, of course."

Marinette leaves and bikes home. I watch her until she's out of sight. Master Fu fixes me with a suggestive grin.

"What was that all about, Chat Noir?"

"Ask Plagg," I mumble. Plagg comes flying up, chipper as ever.

"You're welcome, Adrien," he says in his raspy voice.

"Thanks, Plagg."

Marinette

I'm running. Sprinting, actually. My stamina is limitless. I wonder how that is possible, but only for a second. It probably doesn't matter.

As my feet pound across the pavement, I pick up speed. Speed is good. The wind tickles my cheeks, but it doesn't hurt. It blows my hair up and ruffles it.

I look left and see a world flying by. I cannot identify where I am, but who cares? Adrenaline is coursing through my veins. I am fast. I am a superhuman right in this moment.

I glance to my right. Adrien is there, running with me. He flashes me a smile. I grin back. My feet feel even lighter now, now that I'm with him. The sound of his paces echoes mine.

We run like this for years. Decades. Millennia. It feels like forever.

But then I see a rock. About shin-length tall: the perfect size to trip on. I tug on Adrien's sleeve as I get out of the way. I utter his name once, trying to get him to move. But he doesn't. There is an eerily calm expression written on his face.

I watch him stumble, trip, fall, and cease movement.

"ADRIEN!" I holler. I try to turn back, try to help him. Save him. But my feet won't stop. They just pound, pound, pound against the ground. I'm sweating now, and crying too. Whatever peace I had before has stopped. My legs feel like iron; they're no longer light and easy, but heavy and hard to lift. Dread fills me.

Suddenly, a storm rolls in. It infiltrates the once clear skies. Lightning strikes; thunder claps.

A familiar voice calls to me.

"Marinette! Marinette!"

"Marinette! Marinette!" I gasp awake. It was just a dream. My mother is calling me to GET UP, because I am running fairly late. In a trance, I change and devour breakfast. After running all night, I am starving. One word echoes in my mind, over and over.

Adrien.

Adrien.

ADRIEN!

That dream makes me reflect on all of our past interactions. Angry texting; heated conversations; the silent treatment. I decide that I need to make up with him, but how? How do you repair a hole that you made in someone else?

An idea hits me. I grab my phone and punch in a contact.

"Ayden? It's me. I need your help."

Ayden must hear the desperation in my voice, because he answers, "I'll be right over." My eyes well up. Even though I lashed out at him a while back, he's still willing to be there for me. I lower my head in shame, realizing just how stupid I've been.

Ayden arrives in about ten minutes. I greet him, at the door, simply by wrapping my arms around him in a hug.

"I'm sorry," I whisper. He looks confused but accepts the hug and the apology.

We go upstairs to my room to talk. I plop down in my desk chair and open a new text document on my computer.

"I need you to talk to Adrien for me," I tell him. He gives me a weird look.

"I'm sorry, Marinette: I'm happy to be made up with you and all, but why are you asking ME to talk to your ex-boyfriend?

"He doesn't believe me about the pictures," I explain. "But if we both claim innocence…I don't know. I feel like it would give me a better chance at getting over this."

Ayden looks at me for a long moment.

"Fine. But…what do I say? I don't even know the guy, and I doubt he thinks of me in very high regard."

I gesture to the document projected on the screen.

"I'll write up a quick script for you." My fingers start flying across the keyboard; I've always been a fast typer. Ayden stares at me.

"This really means a lot to you, doesn't it," Ayden says softly. I meet his penetrating gaze.

"Yeah. It does." Ayden nods.

"Script it all out for me and I'll be fine."

And I do. Five minutes later, I've written a fairly concise script mentioning everything I need. Ayden dials Adrien's number on his phone, and Adrien picks up immediately. Ayden turns the conversation on speaker and holds a finger to his lips, telling me to be quiet. I nod mutely.

"I don't want what you're selling," Adrien says. I almost laugh, but clamp a hand over my mouth just in time. Ayden gives me a warning look. I smile apologetically.

"Hey, man. It's Ayden," Ayden says nervously into the phone.

"Ayden, as in Marinette Ayden?" he asks dubiously. I have to stifle a laugh again. Marinette Ayden; that's his new contact ID. I whip out my phone and open Contacts, as Ayden keeps talking.

"Yeah. I guess you could call me that, even though we aren't dating." Ayden's ad-libbing now. I guess many years of the performing arts has done him good.

"Explain the pictures." Adrien's voice has gone from confused to cold. Plus, he sounds sick.

"Look, Adrien, I don't know what you think-"

"I don't know what I think either! Finding pictures of my girlfriend cheating on me and having her deny it? That's not very clear, Ayden!"

"Adrien. I am sincerely sorry about the pictures. I must tell you, though, that I had nothing to do with them. Those never happened. I have a girlfriend, Adrien. And Mari has – had a boyfriend." Ayden covers for his mistake quickly.

"Why should I believe you? Bets are that she's in the room!" Adrien yells. I make a worried face; this isn't going to plan.

But then…

My window opens.

"Because I did."

Volpina steps through the open window. Her voice is choked with tears, and regret laces her expression. She doesn't look well.

I don't know what to think, honestly. I'm a tad bit worried about how Lila got in my house so easily, but more so about her confession.

"Lila?" Adrien asks over the phone. "Is that you?" The poor boy sounds so bewildered. I put him on Face Time.

At first, he's angry. "So Marinette did tell you to say all that!" But then he sees Lila.

"What are you doing there?"

A tear falls from the corner of Lila's eye. "I think you should come here," she says.

Adrien

"Okay. I'm coming." I hang up and get ready to go over to Marinette's. Sure, I am very, very confused, but I'm going anyway.

Ten minutes later, I arrive at my ex's house. I wave hello to her parents and trudge upstairs, worried about what I will find.

I was right to be worried. Marinette has a deathly still stare on her face, focused at Lila, who is crying. And Ayden is just there, standing awkwardly. Upon arrival in the room, I gesture to the other boy.
"He can go." Ayden nods and starts walking away, but Marinette stops him.

"Adrien, Ayden was sucked up into this too, remember?" I grudgingly decide to let him stay. Ayden backpedals and goes back to standing next to Marinette.

"Lila, tell Adrien what you just told me." Marinette's voice is dangerously low. I've only heard this tone once before: and it can't mean anything good for Lila.

Another tear treks down Lila's cheek.

"I-I'm sorry!" she bursts. Marinette shakes her head.

"Tell. Adrien."

All of a sudden, I have a strong urge to leave. Whatever drama is going down right now is serious, and I don't want to be right in the middle. Marinette is turning pink. Lila's still sobbing.

"Adrien- I'm so, so, sorry-"

"For what?" I interrupt. Marinette gestures for me to be quiet and her to go on.

"I photo shopped the pictures," she says quietly. I look from her, to Mari, to Ayden. Ayden nods grimly.

"She did," he confirms. "Marinette and I were never together."

"Is this true?" I say coldly. My chest tightens with dread; maybe Marinette was telling the truth all along. Maybe my assumptions, which were idiotic and biased in the first place, were never right. Marinette had been trying to tell me that the pictures were fake…but I never believed her. I silently curse my stupidity and shallow-mindedness.

In response to my question, Lila silently nods, sorrow painted on her sunken face. I realize that the girl looks horrible, like she's been experiencing anxiety and guilt and regret for days. Serves her right.

I examine Marinette next. Sure, she looks angry, but I still see the girl I know under that veneer. Her eyes are filled with sadness. Taking a breath, for this is still very awkward and very abnormal after the past few weeks, I walk up to Lila and put my hand on her shoulder.

"Please leave," I tell her, trying to restrain my emotions for as long as possible. Lila nods and transforms, then leaves out Mari's window in her fox form. Ayden looks at me, then Mari, then nods to me, hugs Mari goodbye, and exits her room.

And now it's just Marinette and me.

The air is weighed down with nerves and sentiment. My eyes meet Marinette's, who utters two words.

"I'm sorry," she says, her eyes filling with tears. It's true that it's not her fault, what happened. I'm probably more responsible than she is, actually, because of my reaction.

"No, Marinette, I am," I murmur, stepping to her and enveloping her in a hug. "It's okay," I say. "It's over, Everything's okay."

She stands in the warmth of my arms for a while, then turns to the window.

"What's that?" she asks, pointing at a flare traveling quickly across Paris' sky. "An akuma?"

I nod, impressed. I'll have to get out of here as fast as possible.

I make a buzzing sound, concealing my mouth with my hand. I probably look really stupid right about now, but I need to fulfill my Chat Noir duties, even if I make a total fool of myself in front of the girl that I'm trying to win back the graces of. "Hm?" I ask rhetorically, glancing at my phone's screen. "Oh! It's my mom," I say, holding up the device. I realize my mistake almost immediately, but it's far too late to change my cover story.

"Adrien?" Marinette asks, staring at me with great confusion in her eyes. "Your mom is gone," she says. "How could she have called you?"

Shoot.

"Mari?" I say. "I promise I'll explain later, but I really have to go." I meet her eyes again, and she nods slightly.

"Okay," she responds, trust in her eyes. This is my Marinette – always the first to believe a guy, to give someone benefit of the doubt.

"Thank you so much," I exclaim gratefully, grasping her shoulders tightly in gratitude. And with that, I sprint out of the house, determined to find whoever – or whatever – is terrorizing Paris this time.