Back at the Dupain-Cheng house, Marinette was washing the dishes, dinner was already eaten, and thoroughly enjoyed, while her parents continued to watch the news.

"Oh, my!" Sabine cried out, causing Marinette to turn from her task and to look at the T.V as a new news segment was playing.

"Just as Paris is about to celebrate the appearance of our two new superheroes, Ladybug and Chat Noir, a new wave of panic is sweeping across the capital as dozens of people are mysteriously transforming into stone monsters," Nadja reports as clips of multiple people were transformed into clones of Stoneheart, and were frozen in place. Marinette and her family could only watch in fear as the events happened.

"It's simply unbelievable!" The reporter said, as Marinette panicked and hurriedly raced up the stairs to her room.

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Meanwhile, with Adrien, he was still in his room, sitting in front of the T.V. but this time with more contempt than before, because Plagg was now feasting on his preferred snack.

"Camembert cheese, fantastic. All he eats is camembert, which means I'm going to smell like stinky old cheese," Adrien sighed out, resigned himself to his fate of smelling like stinky cheese for the rest of eternity. But he suddenly had bigger problems, though, when he noticed the news was reporting people being transformed like the other boy was.

"These victims transformed into stone beings are still like statues. Police are perplexed about what will happen to them. Will they come to life, or will they be frozen in time forever?" Nadja said as a picture of the frozen stone beings played on the screen, while both kwami and the boy looked at the screen nervously.

"Plagg, what's going on? I thought we defeated him," Adrien asked, wondering what the heck was going on that caused this catastrophe.

"Did you capture the akuma?" The kwami asked as he turned away from the screen, holding his uneaten cheese.

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"What's capturing the akuma got to do with the other stone beings?" Marinette asked, wondering why capturing the akuma was so important.

"An akuma can multiply. That's why it must be captured. If Ivan's emotions become negative again, then the akuma will turn him back into Stoneheart. He'll control those stone beings and bring them to life to serve as his army!" Tikki explained as she nervously flitted around in front of Marinette's computer.

"So that means... This is all my fault!" Marinette realized, seeing how bad the situation was. This was all her fault! She totally forgot about purifying the akuma.

"I knew it! See, Tikki? I'm not cut out to be a superhero! I'm only gonna keep messing up," The young girl said, ashamed of herself for making the biggest blunder she could have made, which was endangering not just her family, but all of Paris!

"Keep calm. It was your first time. You're going to go back and capture Stone Heart's akuma and do it successfully!" Tikki said as she tried to talk Marinette into seeing that it was just a mistake and that she could fix it, but her plea fell on deaf ears as Marinette turned away from her.

"I can't! I told you, I'm clumsy. I create disasters all the time. I'll only make things worse for me, for everyone. Chat Noir will be better off without me. I'm quitting," Marinette said, not seeing any other way to make things better.

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"So I can't do anything without Ladybug?" Adrien asked, wondering why Ladybug's role in their team was so important.

"Only Ladybug can capture Akumas and repair damage caused by supervillains," Plagg explained, clearing any and all confusion from Adrien's mind.

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Back in Marinette's room, Tikki had just told her the exact same thing, which just made Marinette even more upset.

"If Chat Noir can't capture the akumas then just find another Ladybug," Marinette said as she walked to her vanity, looking into the mirror at her ashamed face, before Tikki flew over to her, causing Marinette to turn and face her.

" I told you I'm not cut out to be Ladybug. I'm sorry, Tikki," She sadly said as she began to remove her earrings, much to Tikki's shock

"No! Don't take the-" Tikki tried to say, but was cut off as Marinette took the last earring out, causing her to disappear from the room

"Tikki?" Marinette questioned, confused to find she was alone and felt even more dejected. With a sigh, she puts the earrings back into the box that she found them in and puts it into her vanity drawer.

"I'm really sorry, Tikki," She said before she fell to her knees in despair and began to softly cry. This was for the best... right?

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Meanwhile, in Arcadia, Jim and Toby were just coming into their school, parking their bikes on the bike racks, when Jim's phone started vibrating in his bag.

"Yo, Jimbo, your phone is going berserk. You might want to check it," Toby said, just before Jim takes his bag off of his back, and sets it on the seat of his bike before taking out his phone. Once it was in his hand, he unlocked it and saw that it was vibrating for a reason.

"Looks like the Paris News just updated. We might know what's happened now," Jim said, excitement filling his voice. Last night, they had watched the older stories about when Stoneheart just appeared, but nothing about how or why Marinette was involved. So when they saw that they updated the feed, it brought excitement to the two boys.

"Well, what are you waiting for? Start the video!" Toby said; seeing as they had time before the bell rang for the first period; as Jim put his bag back on his back, and they walked away from the racks to sit on a bench to watch the videos. As soon as they sat down, they started the first of the new videos.

(Time skip)

"So that's why Marinette was dressed like that," Jim remarked as he leaned onto the wall behind the bench he and Toby were on, shock filling his mind.

"You mean Ladybug," Toby said in the same tone, copying Jim as he leaned against the same wall.

"It's official, she's way cooler than us. She's a freaking superhero, with a partner! AWESOMESAUCE!" Toby continues in a hushed voice, trying to keep their unanswered promise to Marinette.

"That was not up for debate at all. I still can't believe that there are now more of those stone beings. Something tells me that wasn't supposed to happen," Jim said, turning his head to speak to Toby.

"We definitely need to ask Marinette about that in the video call at lunch. As well as more information about her new role. I mean come on, your sister is a FREAKING superhero," Toby exclaimed, just before the bell rings, causing both of them to look up in surprise.

"You said it Tobes, but first we have classes to attend," Jim said before putting his phone back in his bag, as the two of them stood up and went to class.

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Meanwhile in Paris Hawkmoth was standing in his lair, right in front of the large window while the butterflies fluttered around him, as he relished in the chaos that was happening.

"Ivan has a sensitive heart. It won't be long before anger and sadness strike again, and he and the Stonebeings will come to life," The villain monologues as the original akuma flutters into the lair, and phases through the gem on the top of Hawkmoth's cane and becomes safely encased in the top of the cane.

"Then we'll see how long you remain hidden, Ladybug and Chat Noir. Once I have your Miraculous, you will be powerless against me. Everyone will be powerless against me! I will have absolute power!" Hawkmoth proclaimed before he evilly cackled as the large window closed, leaving the mad man in darkness.

(Time skip)

Later that night, Marinette had gotten ready for bed but was sitting in her desk chair in front of her computer. She then opens up the computer app version of the video chat app and just as the clock turns 9:00, she clicks on Jim's contact, dialing him up. Marinette didn't have to wait long when Jim answered, with Toby with him.

"Hey, guys. Looks like I have some explaining to do, huh?" Marinette said while Jim and Toby smirked at her with raised eyebrows.

"You think?" The two boys said, much to Marinette's fondness.

"Okay, lay it on me. Ask me what you want to know," Marinette said as she stretched out her arms towards the computer screen, gesturing for them to ask. They immediately took the invitation and began to ask questions.

"How did you become a superhero? Can I become one too? How did a butterfly transform Ivan into a supervillain? Who is Chat Noir? Are you two dating now? What's with the multiple stone beings? How was your first day of school? Was Chloé in your class again? Any new students? And if so, are they girls or guys?"Toby rapidly asked, much to Marinette's confusion, and unable to answer his questions.

"Whoa Tobes, slow down. One question at a time. We have plenty of time to ask," Jim said, much to Marinette's relief as they went to sit in the courtyard of the school, next to the bike racks.

"Thanks, Jim. One, my day was good for the most part, two, me and Chat are not dating, three, I don't know who he is, and four, do you mind if I answer those questions in a different order? That way I can tell you how my day went, and answer the questions at the same time?" Marinette asked, seeing only one way she could tell the boys how her day was while answering their; or more so Toby's; questions.

"Go ahead," Jim said as they got out their lunches; which were chicken sandwiches, with macaroni and cheese, with an apple, all made that morning by Chef Jimbo; while Marinette began to tell her story.

"Okay, I'll start from this morning..." Marinette said, as she started telling them about her day, starting with her first day of school, meeting Alya and having been placed in the same class as Chloé again. She also told them about Stone Heart's appearance, and in turn her being chosen as Ladybug, with the adorable kwami that came with the job. But when she told them about meeting her partner, Chat Noir, the boys were more than happy to begin teasing her about it.

"Are you sure you don't have a crush? Your cheeks say otherwise," Jim slyly asked, while Marinette's eyes widened in shock.

"WHAT, NO! I crashed into him, and got tangled in my yo-yo with him as we hung upside down from his baton since he was walking along it like a tightrope!" Marinette said, trying to defend herself, while Toby and Jim just smiled slyly at her.

"Yeah right. Anyway, after we got untangled, and he introduced himself, we headed into the battle. And Alya got the whole thing on video, which is how you guys know what happened, the job was done, and that's it," Marinette said, with a slight tone of nervousness in her voice, while Jim and Toby were now confused.

"Hold on. If you finished the job and saved Ivan, why are there people who turned into stone beings?" Toby asked, much to Marinette's disappointment.

"I was hoping you wouldn't ask. But to sum it up, if the akuma isn't captured and purified, it can multiply and infect multiple people, and if the person the akuma originally akumatized feels negative emotions again, they can be re-akumatized, with an army of clones at their command," Marinette admitted, looking down at the floor in shame, while Jim and Toby were still confused.

"But you captured the akuma... right?" Jim asked, hoping that things weren't like he thought they were. But his fears were proved correct when Marinette looked back at them with tears in her eyes.

"Marinette, what happened?" Toby asked, catching onto what Jim was thinking.

"Tikki didn't explain why the akuma needed to be captured, and I forgot to purify the akuma, which is how this has happened. This is all my fault. Which is why I'm going to give the earrings to Alya tomorrow," Marinette said, much to Jim and Toby's shock.

"What! But you were amazing. Sure you messed up, but that doesn't mean you have to quit!" Toby said, trying to get Marinette to see how great she was. But unfortunately, she had such low self-esteem, that it was almost impossible to get her to see what other people saw in her.

"Toby is right. You can't just take the easy way out. That's not what a hero does. Even when they make mistakes, they do everything in their power to fix them, not just give up," Jim said, which cheers his sister up a bit. But there was still one little thing that he needed to say.

"Have you told Aunt Sabine and Dad?" The boy asked, making Marinette wince and scratch the back of her neck.

"Um... no. One of the things that I went over with Tikki, is that nobody could know I'm Ladybug. I only told you guys because of... you know," Marinette admitted, making Jim and Toby's eyes widen in shock.

"Seriously? You are fighting monsters, and God knows what else... and the tiny creature that empowered you with the abilities needed to defeat them, told you that nobody can know?" Toby exclaimed incredulously.

"Tobes... have you not read any comics? It's the norm for superheroes to keep their identity a secret," Marinette remarked, with a neutral face, making Jim snicker a bit at the comeback.

"She's got you there, Tobes. But he does have a point, Marinette. You're only 13. You need to tell Dad, and Aunt Sabine," Jim said, quickly forgoing his amusement, and becoming serious.

"Even if I was going to continue being Ladybug, I can't tell Mom and Dad. It would put them in danger. Not to mention Dad is incredibly overprotective. He'd never allow me to go and fight the akuma," Marinette explained.

"You don't even know who sent the akuma, or what they want! They could end up killing you," Jim worried, making Marinette roll her eyes at him.

"Again, I'm going to give the Miraculous to Alya. I won't be in danger after that," Marinette reminded. But it did little to persuade Jim.

"If you won't tell Aunt Sabine and Dad, then I will. Even if you won't be involved after tomorrow, you are still involved on the account of Stone Heart," Jim threatened, making Marinette's eyes widen in shock.

"You wouldn't dare!!" Mariente said with narrowed eyes.

"He will," Toby piped in, knowing just how protective Jim was of Marinette. He was exactly the same.

"If you do, I'll tell Dad and Aunt Barbara about the 'Fire Extinguisher' Incident," Marinette said, making Jim's eyes widen in shock.

"NO! Anything but that!!" Jim pleaded, knowing she would make good on the threat. To put it simply, Jim had meant to play a prank on Marinette, but their parents were the ones to be on the receiving end.

"Fine, I'll keep quiet," The boy sighed out, annoyed that Marinette had that leverage on him.

"Thank you," Marientte said, grateful he saw things her way... eventually.

"Even then, you were amazing on the footage Alya had recorded. Are you sure you really want to give up the Miraculous?" Toby asked, making Marinette sigh.

"I have to, Toby. I'm clearly not cut out for the job. First day and I am the reason why thousands of innocent people were turned into a sleeping army," Marinette griped.

"Oh come on, sis. We've all made mistakes. Granted, this is a dosey, but that doesn't mean you give up when things get tough. That's not the Marinette we know," Jim said, knowing Marinette needed to hear this.

"He's right. Despite what Nino has told us about how you present yourself to your class, you are not that girl at your core," Toby continued, seeing the tactic Jim was going with.

"You might seem like a pushover, but you are strong willed, powerful, kind, cheerful, and a force of nature that can't be stopped. You've never let a failure get you so down before, why start now?" Jim asked.

"Because actual lives are at stake. I'm just a kid, I don't know what I'm doing! Today was a perfect example," Marientte argued, knowing what the two boys were doing.

"You were born for this, Marinette. Don't let this one mistake get you down!" Jim encouraged. But it only backfired.

"I am not going to be selfish and continue being Ladybug when there are so many others worthier than me!" Marinette shouts out, tears starting to leak from her eyes.

"This is my choice, boys. Let me do what I know is right!" The designer said, much more calmly as she wiped her tears.

"Okay," The two boys relented, knowing that the only way for her to change her mind now... was if she saw what her choices had caused.

"So... onto a less depressing topic... Do you think there are more Miraculous out there? If so, can I get one?" Toby asked, much to the sibling's fondness and a roll of their eyes.

"Trust me, Toby, if either you or Jim are in town, and I find out there are more Miraculous out there, you guys are my first choice to help. Promise," Marinette said, to both Jim and Toby's excitement.

"AWESOMESAUCE!" Toby shouts out in happiness, causing Marinette to smile at his antics. But before she could answer, the bell for the next class rang, just as Toby was about to bite into his apple.

"Aw, man. I didn't even finish my lunch," Toby complained as he got ready to go to class, while Jim did the same.

"Got to go Mari. Remember what we said. Don't give up," Jim said as he and Toby stood up from their spot, and started walking to class.

"I'll think about it. Bye, you guys," Marinette said, while Toby leaned over Jim and waved at her through the screen.

"Bye Mari," Both boys said as she hung up. Once she did and Jim put his phone away, Toby nervously glanced at Jim.

"Do you think she'll do it? Give the Miraculous to Alya, I mean," Toby asked Jim as they neared their algebra class.

"I don't know. It's all up to her. Let's just hope she makes the right decision," Jim said as they entered the classroom.

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Meanwhile, in Paris, Marinette pushed herself away from the computer and let her chair settle before looking back at her vanity drawer in contemplation.

"Am I doing the right thing?" Marinette asked herself, as she slowly rose from her seat and walked towards the drawer. But before she could touch it, her doubts prevented her from doing so. With that, she turned away from the vanity and climbed up her ladder to her loft bed. Once she was under the covers, she started to try falling asleep, anxious for the coming day.