Author (a.k.a me. ;D): Ladies and gentlemen! (Absolutely not copying Kaitou Kid! XD I mean, who doesn't like him?) We meet again after.... um... Excuse me for a moment. *Turns around.* Hey, what was the line again?

Mr. Director: It's: 'we meet again after a very long time!'

Author: Ah. Yes. *Turns back around and faces audience.* We meet again after, er- after a very long time! Thank you all for waiting. And today, we have two very special guests joining our show tonight: Ladybug and Chat Noir!

*Fan girl scream*

Author: Thank you both for coming today.

Ladybug: No problem. How was your holiday?

Author: I visited my home country, and also went to Beijing. It was certainly miraculous. But I have to admit, I felt really empty, as I had to keep away from updating!

Chat Noir: Beclaws of you, I couldn't come up on this show fur nearly a month!

Ladybug: Chat! No need to be so rude.

Chat Noir: I'm sorry my lady, I was just expressing my furry as I couldn't see you in this clawsome story fur so long!

Ladybug: *groans* Ugh... Not the puns again. I almost wish you didn't have to post another chapter!

Author: S-sorry! I didn't mean to- I mean-

Chat Noir: Come on~ My lady, why the grumpy catitude now?

Ladybug: I swear Chat, when I get my hands on you, I'll-!

Author: *Sweat drops* Well, that's enough of our interview, as we must get going with the story!

Mr. Director: And cut!

Ladybug: *tackles Chat*

Alya: *bursts into the room* Hey! Is it over already? Aw... I really wanted to film the interview... *Looks at Ladybug fighting Chat* He he.... Big scoop... big scoop....

Author: *groans*

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Soul Stealer's eyes were as wide as saucers as Adrien closed his eyes, leaning in closer. A few seconds passed as they stayed like this.

Blushing crimson, Soul Stealer pushed Adrien away, spluttering in shock. Her sky blue eyes held many emotions : confusion, joy, anger... The tears started spilling without her even knowing.

No! Soul Stealer, you must not lose control, the boy is deceiving you! He does not love you, it's a distraction!

Hawk Moth shouted frantically inside her head, as Soul Stealer fell to the ground. Two sides of her mind began to rage war inside her.

Oh my gosh! Adrien kissed me!

Squealed Marinette.

But did he kiss me because he really liked me?

I still can't believe he sent me that text message earlier!

The akuma adverted her thoughts.

But Adrien kissed me!

Marinette fought back.

Does he know I'm ladybug?

I still need to get Chat's miraculous!

I'm so furious, how dare he break my heart!

Adrien Agreste, popular model and son of famous fashion designer Gabriel Agreste KISSED me!

Soul Stealer let out short, heavy gasps as she clenched her fists.

What did she truly want?

Did she want this incredible power forever, so she could do whatever she wanted?

Did she want to keep hurting her family and friends?

Was getting her revenge, on this boy in front of her, so important?

So important that she had to risk everything?

No! It's not worth it. I don't want to hurt everyone around me, just to get revenge. It's silly, Marinette.

It is worth it! Who was there to comfort you anyways? Alya? No, nobody! Why bother to worry about your friends and family? I can keep this power forever, get revenge on Adrien! Easy!

Soul Stealer screamed in confusion as the cold war continued in her mind. Adrien could do nothing but pray that Marinette would fight through the akuma's blinding power. He knew how irresistible the power was. He had been controlled by akumatized villains more than once.

"Please Marinette.... I know you're stronger... please...!" Adrien whispered.

Soul Stealer whipped towards him, eyes shining in pure rage. But the fire died once again as Marinette attempted to break through the akuma's wall of hatred.

Get out of me, you filthy akuma! I've done enough already! Hurting my friends..... my parents...

The image of her parents in pain sent an arrow straight through Soul Stealer's cold heart. It brought another dimension of pain to her, and she screeched in both mental and physical agony.

DON'T LOSE IT! Think of all the power you can have if you just get revenge on this stupid boy and get me the miraculouses! I thought we had a deal Soul Stealer?

"I'm s-sure we did Hawk Moth... I-I'll g-get the miraculouses for yo- Ah!" Soul Stealer's pain filled aquamarine eyes were glassy with tears.

Adrien stood there, absolutely petrified with fear and sympathy for his sweet classmate. She looked so vulnerable...so confused... He wanted to help her in some way, but how?

'Just stay still, Adrien. It's a battle she needs to fight by herself right now...'

Plagg?

'I wonder where her kwami is... I can still sense her! But where is she?'

What? Marinette has a kwami?

Adrien's eyebrows sky-rocketed up.

'What? Um... no... I was talking about L-ladybug! Yes... I can sense her kwami, but she's nowhere to be seen! Ahahaha!' Plagg sweat dropped as he internally groaned. He was giving the boy another hint! Well... he knew how oblivious Adrien could be, so...

Wait... you mean Marinette is Ladybug? Ha Ha... Plagg... you're joking right...?

'Yeah!' Plagg grabbed the chance quickly, 'I was just joking. I wonder where Ladybug is though. She needs to purify the akuma when it gets out.'

Adrien felt a very weird feeling at the bottom of his heart. But he brushed it off.

No way... If my classmate was Ladybug, I would have notice right? (Stupid, stupid Adrien! Mein gott, why?)

The bloodcurdling scream of Soul Stealer brought him back to reality.

"M-marinette..."

She was now writhing on the floor, crystal tears slipping down her pale face.

"Get... get out akuma.." she whispered weakly.

Marinette?

"Ha! Never!" The akuma took over again.

Please...

Panting, Soul Stealer lay on the cold marble of the Bourgeois' mansion. She stared blankly at the ceiling above.

(This time it's in Marinette's pov.)

At this rate... I don't think I'll ever win over this akuma. Uh... this is too tiring... I-I should give up now... This is hopeless. I deserve to die after all I did to my friends, my family.

"Marinette! You can fight this! I believe in you!" Adrien encouraged.

Adrien?

"You're one of the most bravest, and kindest girl I've met in my life. You're an awesome classmate too! Please, I know you can fight through this." the boy continued.

I-I am?

(Soul Stealer) Stupid! Stop lying in my face. I know you're just saying that to get the akum-

(Marinette, now. Sorry if this is confusing XD) Be quiet!

"I'm not just saying this to get the akuma out," Adrien admitted, as if reading her mind, "I really mean every single word I'm saying right now. So please, come back Marinette!"

He's right. I'm stronger than this. This isn't the Marinette I know. Giving up so easily. Besides, my friends and family need me. The whole city does! I'm Ladybug, I can beat this villain easily.

Soul Stealer! I command you to get a grip and get me Chat Noir and Ladybug's miraculouses! Hawk Moth boomed.

Adrien's eyes widened as Soul Stealer smirked.

Is she going to attack me again or..? He thought.

But he was wrong. She just continued to lay on the floor, mumbling.

"He he... Hawk Moth, so you want the miraculouses so badly?" Soul Stealer murmured.

GET THEM FOR ME! Or I will control you entirely!

"Well you know what?!" Soul Stealer blurted as she stood up, "I'M NOT GETTING THEM FOR YOU!"

What?

"You heard me, you can't use the akuma's power to control me anymore. I don't want to get revenge on Adrien!"

Adrien gasped in relief as he stared as the sweet, kind Marinette he knew began to show again.

"Now get out! Get out, you filthy akuma!" she shrieked.

Oh? Is this how it's going to be? Well then, you don't leave me a choice, do you?

"Ha! Hawk Moth, that's not really going to work you know! You can't-!"

Marinette was cut off short as her body began to move against her own will.

"Marinette!" Adrien shouted.

Now, Soul Stealer? Are you going to get the miraculouses for me?

Her eyes glazed over in fear.

"W-what?"

Are you getting me the miraculouses, OR NOT?

Hawk Moth's voice sent chills down Marinette's spine.

"I-if I don't? What are you going to do?" she cautiously asked.

Well, your friend here is going to suffer.

Marinette gasped when she realized he meant Adrien.

"That's not fair!" she protested.

Oh, but it is. Get me the miraculouses, or else he dies. After all, you're about to break a deal we made.

"Y-you cheater! You fraud!" she yelled.

Marinette knew there was only one way out of this. She had to make a choice.

Would she give the life of her friend and crush to protect Paris and Tikki? Or would she risk the danger of her home to save Adrien?

After glancing at Adrien, she closed her eyes, deep in thought.

She opened them again. They were filled with confidence.

"Okay. I made my choice."

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OMG! I can't believe I ended the long awaited chapter with a cliffhanger! Please don't kill me! XD I missed you guys sooooooooo much! I wanted to update through my entire trip, but sadly, I couldn't! Thank you all for the 12.2k views! I love you guys ~ you make me so happy! :DDDD 

I want to give a shout out to tikkiplaggmiraculous. She's my best friend, and sadly, she's leaving tomorrow! ;( I won't get to see her at school anymore, soo... She's also a fan of ML! Please read her book, and follow her! <3

Love all of you guys ~ 

Bai bai