Akuma Matata!

After three short years the akumas are back. Though yet to be confirmed by our city's saviours 'Ladybug and Chat Noir', we are almost certain that the attack on the city once again came from someone wielding the butterfly Miraculous.

The beautiful woman known as Äte, was seen to be sucking the souls from men, claiming herself to be a Honey who had been miss treated on one of her recent traps. As most people are aware, the Honey Trap industry has come under scrutiny over the past couple of weeks after a couple of high profile traps had gone wrong. Äte was the goddess of mischief, delusion, ruin, and blind folly, rash action and reckless impulse who led men down the path of ruin. She also led both gods and men to rash and inconsiderate actions and to suffering. Até also refers to an action performed by a hero that leads to their death or downfall, told by Greek Mythology (1).

Äte, herself, was a beautiful indication of what the Honey's represent, pulling men in towards her before removing their souls and creating her own mini army.

Though the magical Ladybug's did swirl around Paris, the men returning to their bodies seemed to need additional medical attention we never saw back during the original akuma attacks. Each 'slave' complained of breathing issues, along with migraines which seem to be an on going issue. There was also a lack of white butterflies flying around the area where the akuma was rumoured to be stationed.

Sources have said:

'Ladybug and Chat Noir looked argumentative and emotional once escaping the new villian, my hope I had in the heroes has really declined. It seems the heroes are losing their abilities to protect Paris from these future frets. Though [Chat Noir] attempted to calm his partner down, it seemed Ladybug was more interested in pushing him away. Keeping the distance between the two. I'm quite worried for our cities' safety, if the heroes can't pull themselves back together.'

Many people have been questioning our heroes recently and it is making us wonder if Paris is most certainly losing that loving feeling?

In other news, Kagami Tsurugi, 26, has been seen at the Louvre this morning helping to position her pieces ready for her exhibition starting tomorrow.

The evening gala will be pulling in not only some of Paris' older talent but also many of Tsurugi's famed friends including Olympians Alix Kubdel, 24, and Lê Chiến Kim 24, A-List actor Adrien Agreste, 24, reporter Alya Cesaire, 24, and musician Luka Couffaine, 25. It seems thanks to Tsurugi's contacts this will be the most famed event Paris has seen since Adrien Agreste's wedding three years ago.

Though Adrien will be attending we have been given confirmation that his wife will not be attending alongside him. No news has been reported just yet, however Vivica Agreste will be doing a personal interview with 'Mode Mania' later today.

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(1) Information from the trusted and valuable resource, Wikipedia.

•••••

Years of knowing Nino meant two things. First, Adrien knew the hat removal meant an imminent freak out, and second, he knew Nino's telltale signs of collapsing, both of which happened within the one minute of Alya announcing her big news with zero warning.

"Now, what the fuck are we going to do?" Marinette growled, kicking the trash can laying on the floor of Luka's room. Adrien was sure would have kicked it over if it hadn't already been on the floor and spewing out its guts. How could someone so zen live in such a cesspit.

Adrien watched as Marinette turned on her pregnant friend. "You just couldn't fucking wait could you?"

"Oh, well isn't that just the fact coming from the girl who fucked the guy who fucked her over within, what was it? A month of hating the bastard." Alya turned her attention to him, softening her eyebrows, "no offence."

"None taken," he replied sarcastically, crossing his arms over his chest. "Now girls, as much as I love a good cat fight, what the hell are we doing about him?"

He directed attention to the ground where Nino was laying unattractively like a corpse outline. Alya stepped forward poking a finger into Adrien's chest.

"Listen, buddy, as happy as I am that Marinette is finally getting laid..."

"Hey," the superheroine said, "I'm right here!"

"Marinette, shush! I need to say this to this fucker! As happy as I am that she's getting laid, don't think you're fucking forgiven for what you did. I still dislike you, Agreste."

"Yeah, well, I dislike myself too! Happy now!" Adrien replied, bending down to check on a very still Nino. This was the first time the four had properly been together since Marinette's 21st. Even though there's been fleeting passes and parties, this was solely the core four, and what a mess they had become.

"Adrien, don't-" Marinette went to comfort her boyfriend, but Alya stepped in the way.

"I don't know if this is the hormones, or me actually finally coming to my senses, but Marinette, why him?"

"There's a whole lot neither of us understood, Alya," Marinette started to explain. Only for her friend to hold up her hands.

"I honestly thought you'd get this, whatever this was, out of your system and come back ready to give-" Alya looked at Adrien and Nino then back to Marinette before whispering her next words "you-know-who, a chance."

"I didn't know you had a thing for Voldemort, Princess."

Alya turned her gaze onto him and he couldn't help the slight recoil in shock. Now he understood why they said never piss off a pregnant lady.

"Shut the fuck up, Agreste!"

He took his hand to his mouth and zipped it across, before 'locking it' and throwing away the key. Marinette tried hard to control her laughter by disguising it with coughs and turning away from her friend.

"I saw you two earlier, when you were..." Alya looked at Adrien again and he had to admit, it was quite the hilarity to watch Alya stumble over her words. "When you both went to visit Notre Dame."

Adrien couldn't help but snort. There was something quite humorous about all this, and he couldn't help but wish he'd asked Plagg to film it; maybe when the others arrived he could get their reactions.

"If you must know," Marinette began, "I have given you-know-who a chance, and if you want deets, like you usually do, he's fucking dynamite in bed."

"Awwww, why, thank you, M'Lady, I'm honoured." Adrien said, only for Alya to turn and glare at him once more.

"I thought I told you to..." she froze, her eyes scanning over his body as if giving him a MRI scan. He was tempted to ask her if she could see any broken bones or muscle deficiencies. "What did you just say?"

He smiled slyly at her, one eyebrow raising as he watched it sink in.

"You fucking bastard!" Alya stepped forward, an arm pulling back only for Marinette to intervene and grab hold of her wrist.

"Alya, he did what he had to do?" she said, her eyes locking onto his warning him to keep his mouth shut or he was going to regret it.

"What was that? Have his cake and eat it? Flirting with you whilst fucking Malibu Barbie?"

"Vivica isn't blonde," he said without thinking, Marinette once again throwing him a stare. If he kept this up he was quite sure he'd be the one tied to the bed tonight. Though, that would be more a reward than punishment.

"Ok, you need to calm down." Marinette said, grabbing hold of Alya's arm and leading her into the main living area, Adrien scooped Nino up in his arms to bring him with them.

"Come on damsel," he said to his sleeping friend, holding him like a bride and carrying him to the sofa.

•••••

Marinette shouldn't have been shocked by her friend's reaction, after all apart from Adrien and her parents, Alya was fiercely loyal and protective and she loved her friend for that reason, but right now she needed to shut up and let Marinette speak.

"Calm down? Are you kidding me? The two people I've looked up to almost half my life are fucking morons! I don't understand!"

Marinette sat her friend down, before taking the seat beside her grabbing and placing their hands together.

"Alya, I know this seems weird, and strange and as though I've lost my goddamn mind, but I promise it will all make sense. And I want you to know I love you, Alya Cesaire but right now we have other issues. Bigger issues." Noise was heard above as footsteps pounded on the deck. "I know I've asked you this so many times in the past, but right now I need you to trust me, and him, as much as you always have. Can you do it? Please, Al, for me?"

She watched her friend look between her and Adrien, before giving a quick glance to Nino still flat out on the sofa. Alya closed her eyes and Marinette knew she was dropping her defences.

"Fine," her friend said.

Marinette wrapped her in a hug, whispered words of thanks in her friend's ear.

"M'Lady, it's showtime." Adrien said, as the voices grew closer and closer.

"Let's get this party started." she replied. Both calling on their transformations at the exact moment Nino opened his eyes.

The guy began to scream, loudly and rather high pitched.

"Geez, Nino! It's like you've never seen a dashing and strapping hero before." Adrien dropped Nino a wink only for the guy's eyes to roll back once more and his lids firmly closing shut.

"Why did you do that dumbass?" Ladybug said, standing up and making her way over to her partner.

"I saw the opportunity and took it."

"I can't believe it's true." Alya's voice pulled them both over to face her, her eyes wide in shock and disbelief.

Ladybug watched as Chat Noir walked over to Alya and crouched down in front of her, taking both her hands in his. His kind, caring attitude on full display and making her heart soar with love for him. As much as he could be an idiot, he was her idiot and a wonderful one at that.

She crossed her arms, her hip moving to one side as she watched her boyfriend with her best friend. Talking so smooth and soft; being compassionate and understanding even though she was ready to castrate him.

"I understand how you're feeling; I understand you're angry with me and upset, what I did was unacceptable."

Ladybug went to step forward, Chat shooting an arm out to tell her to stay back, his eyes remaining on Alya and his other hand still holding her hand tightly.

"But you've got to understand everything I did was for Marinette's protection. She's my world, Alya, and even when everything was against us, I was still hoping she would forgive me and take me back, and she has. There's a lot to talk about when the others arrive, and I only want to say it once so I'm asking you to patiently wait for me to explain and give me the benefit of the doubt. I love her with my heart and soul, and I have done for 10 years; I'm going to be with her Alya. Whether you give us your blessing or not, we're going to be together."

"Quite a speech there, Agreste." Alya said, her eyes filling with emotion. Marinette could feel her own reflecting the feelings and multiplying them by a thousand.

The door suddenly opened, the room filling with old friends who each halted in their tracks as they entered the room, looking between Chat Noir and Alya, Ladybug and a passed out Nino.

"Ok, I'm glad I'm missing out on the new Marvel movie for this." Kim said, making his way towards Nino and tapping the guy on the cheek in an attempt to wake him up. Ladybug was sure if a marker was near, Nino would be sporting a moustache and beard.

Each ex-hero entered the room, Kagami and Fei bringing up the rear with Aeon and Jess. The four received curious looks, after all it had been quite a few years since New York, and no one apart from her and Adrien, and of course, Kagami knew Fei, plus she'd flown off the radar in the past years.

"Adrien!" Nino shot up from his lying position on the sofa, panting out short sharp breaths as he regained consciousness.

"Naa, dude. James Bond ain't here, it's just us ordinary looking folk." Kim said, patting Nino on the head; the DJ's eyes darting around the room taking everyone in.

"Thank you all for coming," Ladybug said, Chat Noir coming to stand beside her, the two looking the everyday duo they always had been, and always will be. "Before we begin we just need to-"

The door flung open, interrupting Ladybug in her welcome speech and drawing all attention to the newcomer.

"What the fuck!" Alya's words rang around the room as Ladybug strode to the doorway, a woman on a mission and punched Félix square in the nose.

•••••

Ok, so maybe Chat Noir had forgotten to warn Ladybug that Félix was coming; and maybe, Félix could have been a little inconspicuous with his arrival, but still seeing his cousin writhing around on the floor in pain was quite the sight.

"Bloody hell! Ladybug! I've got a photoshoot next week." They were currently back in Luka's room as Félix pinched his nose in an attempt to stop the blood pouring out of him. Chat Noir couldn't help but smirk at his cousin, he deserved it, and finally the two met face to face again, this time with Ladybug being the one in control.

"Do I look like I fucking care Félix? You're a piece of shit, do you know that?"

He turned his head to Chat Noir, the cat hero shrugging in response. He couldn't actually deny it, not when his girlfriend was speaking so factual.

"Why did you invite him?" Ladybug turned her attention to Chat Noir, her face steely and fists clenched. He was quite sure the next punch would be coming his way.

"Unfortunately Ladybug I believe you actually need me." Félix pulled her attention back onto him.

"Don't call me that!" she hissed, her finger pointing right at his face. Chat couldn't stop the huff of laughter that came out of him from watching his cousin so scared.

"What shall I call you then? A pest?" As Ladybug launched forward, hands prepared for Félix's neck, Chat stepped forward and wrapped an arm around her waist pulling her back away from his cousin.

"You're a prick!" she spat out.

"You say that like no one's ever told me before?" He crossed one arm over his chest as the other remained on his nose.

"LB, calm down. Please. Unfortunately we do need him."

She stilled her battle for freedom, collapsing in her boyfriend's arms, as he changed his grip from one of restriction to one of reassurance and support. She turned in his arms and nuzzled into his neck, his arms tightening around her, and one hand going up to stroke her head.

"I hate when you're right," she sighed, turning to look at Félix. "One wrong move and I'm going to kick your ass."

"I wouldn't expect anything else," he said, holding up one hand, the other still controlling the nosebleed.

"So what do you know? How did you know about the necklace?" Chat Noir said, separating himself from his Lady and moving closer to Félix.

He sighed, and looked down. It was the most defeated Chat Noir had ever seen him, and for Félix to look like that...well... something must have happened.

"She kept touching the necklace, and it just seemed familiar and then I realised why."

"Nathalie," Chat Noir answered, Félix nodding in response.

"She was messing with it the exact way Mayura used to control her sentibeings. It just rang in the back of my head, so I decided to try it. Low and behold, I got lucky."

"Why were you sleeping with her in the first place?" Ladybug asked, her stance strong and authoritative, not at all understanding of his cousin's reasons.

"Because she's fit as fuck and he didn't want her, Marinette."

Ladybug raised her arm, complete with fist and set to launch into his face only for Adrien to grab hold and stop her.

"Woah, woah, woah." Chat once again wrapped Ladybug up and moved her away from knocking Félix flat out. The anger pulsating through her at that very moment would probably have killed him. "Calm down."

"Every fucker knows my identity, Chat!"

"And in about a minute's time we're going to walk out there and show the others. It's going to be okay, I promise."

He gazed down into her eyes, begging her to believe him, that he was there to protect her 24/7. They stood face to face, a battle of wits whilst he could see her head calculating the statistics of each event, a true Ladybug look if he'd ever seen one.

"Fine, but I mean it Félix, I'm not playing games with you this time. I'm fucking fed up of it all."

She stormed out of the room, Chat Noir remaining with Félix. "I second what she said," he said, "one foot in the wrong direction and I'm going to frazzle your ass."

"Yeah, yeah," Félix agreed standing up, "I get it. I'm not stupid enough to go against you a second time."

They made their way out of Luka's room, only for the whole of the lounge area to stop talking and stare. Chat Noir looked around and suddenly noticed Ladybug was no longer in her suit, instead Marinette was standing proudly in the centre of the room.

"Your turn, kitty cat."

•••••

When Ladybug walked back into the room the atmosphere was unbelievably thick. Whatever conversation was going on stopped abruptly as she stepped into the room, all eyes focusing on her.

"Before we begin, there's something I want to do." Standing in front of them she called off her transformation and just like that Ladybug became Marinette, each and every face displaying their own reaction to the news as silence swept through the boat.

"Well," Max coughed, "that was unexpected."

The sudden influx of voices took over the room, question after question firing out from her friends as she had no idea where to start. Luckily, she didn't have to; her saviour once again had entered the room.

She turned to look at Chat Noir and smiled. "Your turn, kitty cat."

She could see him physically gulp as he moved forwards to meet her, his hands clenching by his side and his eyes firmly locked on hers.

She watched him take a deep breath knowing this was either going to go bad, or exceptionally bad; from Alya's reaction the second was more likely. Yes, he'd remained friends with the guys, and Juleka, but the others...well...Mylene, at one point, had his face on a dart board.

"Before I do this," he said, Marinette moving to hold his hand, he looked as though he could do with the additional support. "I want you all to know, what happened three years ago was not what it seemed, that everything I have done has been a means to protect Marinette and the Miraculous."

The room was slowly building up tension wise, each one of their friends staring intently at the two heroes in front of them. Marinette squeezed his hand. It was now or never.

She felt his deep breath leave him, his hand holding onto hers for dear life.

"Claws in."

The room was shocked into silence as Chat Noir was finally revealed to be Adrien Agreste.

"No fucking way!" Kim was first to speak, collapsing down on the sofa from his position standing, only to misjudge it and land on Max's lap.

Voice's shouted over each other as they begged for Adrien to answer question after question, each one having their own thoughts and theories, and other things they wanted to get off their chest to him. Her own heart clenched, the sheer ferociousness of their anger towards him making her heart bleed. He hadn't done anything right, he'd actually done everything right.

"Just shut up!" she shouted. One after one her friends stopped and looked at her. "Just shut up and listen to him. This is better than we ever expected."

"She's right you know," Félix said, her glare turning and boring into him. "What? I'm on your side this time!"

"The only side you're ever on, Félix, is your own." Alya said, placing a hand up to the others to stop them from saying anything else. "We need to hear him out, then we can decide whether to forgive him."

The room went silent as Adrien stood centre stage, all eyes on him. As he began to explain what had happened three years ago, Marinette couldn't help but look over at Félix. Adrien was right, they needed him. He knew about the peacock and he was smart enough to know the signs, something neither of them were lucky enough to have experience of.

She turned her attention, glaring out the window and looking at the sun hitting its midday point, striking the Seine with its rays, the reflection almost blinding as it rebounded off the water. The waves were moving slowly, there must have been a boat going past to create such a ricochet of perfection. The main point sending shock, after shock, after shock. The ripples stretch and fading until they become one with the water...blending in seamlessly.

Blending.

Ripples.

Catalyst.

Effect.

She shot up, walking towards the water, ignoring the eyes following her as Adrien told his story. A child standing on the side of the river was throwing stones in. Each causing a ripple of rings from its central point.

'Your father figured out pigtails' identity and then by attacking her heart, he weakened her as much as possible. If he had any idea that you were Chat Noir he probably thought he hit the big time, ripping the two of you apart.'

Plagg's words from a day ago came back as the first circle of water left the impact point of the stone. The child threw another.

'Well, it's a shame how trust can break you apart.'

Another stone.

'The feather of the siren controls men.'

The ripples grew out further...

'He likes the Ladybug type.'

...Until they had blended into the water seamlessly, just how these little details had blended into her life.

Flashes upon flashes of memories began to trip and fall over each other as they surfaced. The three years of her life playing back like a black and white movie.

The text messages, the wedding day, the battle, Dominic, Frankie, Vivica, Peyton.

Shit!

"It's not me they want, but they need my downfall to get it," Marinette said, her eyes still locked on the distance, the stones still vibrating out into the water from their impacts. All it took was one hit for the effect to grow and grow, eventually hiding itself in plain sight amongst the rest of the water.

"And 'it' is?" Alya asked, her eyebrows scrunched together. Marinette could feel the gaze on her but her eyes were locked. Too afraid to move. Too afraid to blink.

"Him." She slowly turned and looked over at Adrien, his eyes boring back into her own demanding answers.

"But they've already taken down Adrien and—" Luka began, only to be stopped by Marinette turning her attention to him abruptly.

"No," she said, stopping him forcefully. "No," she said again, this time a little softer. "It's not Adrien that they want."

"Then who is it?" Myléne asked, all eyes turning to Adrien and Marinette could tell he'd pieced it together too.

"It's Chat Noir. They want the power of destruction."