Marinette awoke to the sound of a tiny voice calling her name. She groaned and opened her eyes. Floating in front of her was Tikki.

"Rise and shine, Marinette!" she exclaimed excitedly.

Marinette checked out the window; it was still very dark outside. "It's practically night out," she complained groggily.

"It's only 4 a.m.," Tikki dismissed casually.

Marinette sat up and yawned. "But I don't go into work until 9 a.m."

"Which is why I woke you up extra early!"

"Right," Marinette replied slowly. Her eyes drifted close. "Just... five more... minutes." She slowly fell back onto her bed.

"Marinette," Tikki mumbled. When there was no response, Tikki groaned and flew right up next to her ear. "MARINETTE!"

Her eyes immediately opened and she sat up as straight as a nail. "I'm up!" she shouted.

"Let's go," Tikki pushed, tugging on Marinette's shirt. the

"Okay, okay," Marinette said, getting to her feet.

"Get a nice breakfast because we're training!" Tikki announced with a smile.

*

"Just focus on the loaf of bread," Tikki said. The two were currently training in the yard behind Marinette's cottage.

"This is my only loaf of bread!" Ladybug exclaimed. "What if I ruin it?"

"We've been practicing for 3 hours, you can do this!"

Ladybug nodded and then narrowed her eyes at the loaf of bread. She then chucked her yoyo at it. It ricocheted off the ground and nearly hit Ladybug. She yelped in surprise.

"Focus! You can do this!"

"Okay." Ladybug slowly breathed in and gripped her yoyo confidently. She exhaled and focused on the loaf. Just a simple flick of the wrist and the yoyo should go where she wants it to go. Focus.

Ladybug brought back her arm and quickly flicked her yoyo at the loaf of bread. It successfully wrapped around it. "Yes!" she exclaimed. She pulled back her elbow and brought the loaf over to her.

"Good job!" Tikki cheered. "Now try something heavier. Like that rock."

"Okay," Ladybug nodded, locating the small grey rock. She threw her yoyo at the rock, the string wrapped around it, and she brought her elbow back, tugging the rock along as well.

"Well done," Tikki said. "Looks like you've got it down. Now you just need to know how to use your yoyo to move quickly from place to place. And to spin it so fast it becomes a shield."

"Right," Ladybug sighed.

*

Nine o'clock quickly came and Marinette had to end her training for the day. She tied on her apron as she smiled at Tikki.

"Thanks for teaching me one of the ways of using my yoyo," Marinette laughed.

"No problem," Tikki nodded. "We'll learn the next way tomorrow. You're a quick learner! No wonder you were chosen as the next Ladybug."

"I guess it was my destiny to be a superhero," Marinette said. She glanced outside. "We'd better get going."

Tikki jumped into Marinette's apron pocket and she stormed out of the door.

When she arrived at the pub, it was nearly empty. Thank goodness. She checked in and then went into the back kitchen. Alya was chattering excitedly to Mylene.

"What's going on?" Marinette asked curiously.

Alya turned around and squealed. "Guess what? Rumor has it that the King is on a trip to a neighboring kingdom and he will be gone for a week!"

"Really?" Marinette asked, her eyes widening. Alya nodded and the two jumped up in down in cheer.

"For a whole WEEK we'll be free from the King!" Alya exclaimed.

"But I'm sure he'll still have guards checking up on the village," Marinette mumbled sadly.

"True. But who cares! At least HE is gone!"

Marinette smiled. "You're right."

"We need to celebrate," Alya said quickly. "The pub will host it, too. Tonight!"

"That sounds great!" Marinette replied happily. But with the King gone, does that mean the Prince left too? She desperately wanted to see Prince Adrien again.

"I can't wait! I'll spread the news," Mylene replied. She left the kitchen.

Alya tilted her head at Marinette. "Hey, you seem kinda sad. What's up?"

Marinette looked up at her friend. "Oh, nothing."

"Come on, you know I won't take that as an answer anymore," Alya said, crossing her arms.

Marinette sighed. She knew she'd have to tell Alya someday.

"Fine. I... MAY sorta have a crush on the Prince," Marinette mumbled sheepishly.

Alya gasped. "No way."

"Way," Marinette replied with a nod.

"But why HIM? He is the son of a ruthless and demented King!"

"I know!" Marinette exclaimed. She twirled a piece of hair with her finger and a nostalgic smile crept up on her lips. "But he's different. He's sweet and genuine and-"

"You don't even know the guy," Alya said. "For all we know he's putting on an act."

"It's not an act."

"And how do you know that?"

Marinette sighed. "I just do."

Alya sat down on a chair and raised an eyebrow. "Okay, so let's just assume Prince Adrien is how you describe him to be. If he's so sweet and genuine, why would he allow his father to abuse his subjects?"

Marinette shrugged. "Maybe he doesn't know what Gabriel has done. Heck, we've never even seen the Prince step foot into our village until just recently. Plus, even if he did know, it's not like he could do anything to stop it."

Nino then barged into the kitchen excitedly. "Is it true? The King is gone?"

"Yep!" Marinette responded enthusiastically, desperately trying to get herself out of her current situation.

Alya narrowed her eyes at Marinette. "This talk isn't over, girl."

Marinette over exaggerated a smile and then followed Nino out the door. "Okay, bye!"

She sighed in relief as she exited the pub with Nino. He clapped his hands together excitedly. "I need to go tell Max," the boy announced before running off.

Tikki peeked her head out of Marinette's apron pocket. "He's gone! Which means we can train with ease and eventually bring justice to the Kingdom!"

"Yeah," Marinette nodded slowly. She smiled at her friend. "And now we have a party to get ready for."