"Are you sure it's wise to take this many miraculous from the box, Marinette?" Tikki asked, flitting about nervously as Marinette pressed the button to open the miracle box.

"Stop worrying so much, Tikki," Xuppu's tail lashed behind him as he complained, "I think it's a great idea."

"I have to agree with Tikki, young master, what if there's an akuma?" Longg commented.

"If there's an akuma, I'll deal with it," Marinette answered firmly.

"My queen is capable enough to deal with anything," Pollen agreed.

"You aren't even going Pollen!" Roaar complained.

"Hmph, neither are you."

"Neither of you are a part of this conversation," Kalkki sighed, "For the record, I-"
"Kalkki, you have to agree with me!" Xuppu interrupted.

Kalkki's tail lashed, "Just for that I won't."
"Awwww, lameeeee."

"You all deserve the chance to say goodbye to your old holders," Marinette cut in firmly.

"We really do appreciate this Marinette," Wayzz assured her.

"Why do I feel like there's a but in there...?"
"But you should be more cautious about this," Wayzz continued.

"It'll be fine," Xuppu waved them off.

"I'm certainly not complaining," Trixx cut in.

"Of course you're not Trixx!"

"What? It's a good idea!"

"That'ssss enough," Sass interrupted.

"What do you think of this Sass?" Longg asked.

Sass looked like he was thinking for a moment.

"I think it'll be nice to ssssay goodbye to Luka," He said finally.
"Hah! See? Sass approves," Xuppu stuck out his tongue.

Marinette decided to step in before another argument broke out.

"Well, that settles that!"

The kwami all nodded - some more hesitant than others - flying into the dormant miraculous.

"Barkk - you're in charge while we're gone," Sass decided before he too followed the others.

Marinette glanced at Tikki, who gave her a small nod.

"Tikki; spots on!"

⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅

"Maaaxxxxx," Kim whined, flopping dramatically on his bed next to his friend.

"What is it?"

"I'm going to fail this test!! These numbers are like a whole other language!!"

Max sighed, pushing up his glasses.

This was exactly why he was helping Kim study.

But his friend just couldn't seem to get it, no matter how Max explained the concept.

"I believe in you Kim!" Markov stated, his screen showing a smile.

"Aww, thanks little buddy," Kim replied.

He patted the robot's head with a grin on his face.

Max cleared his throat.

"We should really get back to this arithmetical problem," Max pointed out.

"Arim-what?"

"Arithmetic - noun; the mathematics of numbers under the operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division," Markov defined.

"I have no idea what any of that means," Kim replied way too happily.

Max felt a faint smile on his lips, but before he could reply he heard a quiet tap on the window.

"Ladybug?!" Kim shouted upon letting in the spotted heroine, "Is everything okay? Why are you here?"

Ladybug blinked, "I... didn't realize you had company over Kim."
"Oh - yeah! My friends Max and Markov are helping me study," Kim said proudly.

Max shook his head fondly, pushing up his glasses again, "Kim does have a point, what are you doing here Ladybug?"
The spotted heroine shifted a bit on her feet, seeming to debate something.

Markov floated closer, "I'm detecting some heavy worry and sadness coming from you, friend - you can tell us."

She sighed, smiling a bit at Markov, "I suppose I can tell you at the same time, since it won't matter anymore."
"Tell us what at the same time?" Kim asked quietly, for once actually looking concerned.

"Due to the events of miracle queen," Ladybug started, "Your identities as Roi Singe and Pegasus have been compromised-"

"Comprom-what?" Kim interrupted.

"Compromised - noun; made vulnerable - as to attack or misuse - by unauthorized access, revelation, or exposure," Markov explained.

"Yeah," Kim dragged out the word with a shake of his head, "You really aren't helping me little buddy."

"... you're Roi Singe?" Max muttered before Markov could reply.

How could he not see it?
It was so obvious in hindsight - and yet...

He didn't figure it out, he had to be told.

"Of course!" Kim huffed, pausing, "Wait you're Pegasus??"

"It took you that long-"
"That's so cool!!" Kim interrupted, his eyes practically sparkling.

"You say that like you're not a superhero too," Ladybug giggled.
Kim's cheeks turned red, "Well, yeah - but, I mean come on; it's Max! He's amazing at everything."

Max hid his sputter with a cough.

"In... any case," Ladybug moved on with a raised eyebrow, "I'm afraid I can't call upon you for help anymore... It's far too dangerous to allow you to hold the horse and the monkey again now that Hawkmoth and Mayura know your identities as heroes."

Max furrowed his eyebrows, processing this new information.

He... wouldn't be able to be Pegasus anymore?

He supposed that made sense.

If Hawkmoth knew their identities, then what was stopping him from using that against Ladybug?
Or using his friends and family against him if he were to use the horse again.

"... I understand," Max was the first to speak.

"I do too," Kim sighed, shoulders slumping, "Man, this sucks - I only got to be Roi Singe once... but I get it - I don't want to put Ondine and all of my friends in danger because I wanted to be a hero."

Ladybug nodded, almost sadly, as she opened her yo-yo.

"I do have one more thing for you," Ladybug continued, pulling out two familiar boxes out of the glowing pink void.

"We get to say goodbye...?" Kim asked, a couple tears pooling in the corners of his eyes.

Ladybug smiled as Kim opened the box and a familiar light flew around him almost excitedly.
"Nitwit!" The monkey shouted excitedly.

"I told you Xuppu," Kim seemed to say that deliberately, "My name is Kim."

"I know!"

Kim gasped dramatically, though there was a note of sadness in his eyes, "We only have a few minutes to say goodbye, and this is how you treat me? The betrayal!"

Xuppu stuck his tongue out, blowing a raspberry.

Max opened his own box with a faint smile - seeing Kalkki appear in front of him.

"Max Kanté, it is so good to see you again," Kalkki greeted.
"You too Kalkki," Max returned, pushing up his glasses once again.

"Aw, your plush is all stuck up... lame," Kim whined.

"Excuse you, I am not a plush," Kalkki sniffed, "I am a kwami."

"Kwami..." Kim repeated thoughtfully.

"Did I not tell you that?" Xuppu cut in with a smirk, "Oops~"

Kalkki huffed, "How you can stand to be so forgetful is beyond me."
"Ouch," Xuppu complained dramatically, tail lashing behind him, "But I know you love me Kalk~"
"I don't."

Xuppu just pouted.

"Guys, can we please focus?" Ladybug interrupted.

She tried to appear stern, but her growing amused smile gave her away.

"Oh, right - saying goodbye and all that - I can do that!" Xuppu cheered.

"Xuppu-" Kalkki started, but was interrupted by said kwami crying dramatically.

"I know I've only known you for five minutes, nitwit, but it feels like I've known you my entire life!!" He fake sobbed, "Oh, this wretched day!"

Kim snorted before bursting into a fit of giggles.

"There we go," Xuppu said proudly, "I was getting tired of seeing that sad smile of yours."

Even Max had to smile at that.

"I'm going to miss you little buddy," Kim sighed, though his smile was more genuine than it had been before.

Xuppu's smile fell a bit, pressing against Kim's cheek, "Keep smiling for me, okay Kim? Laughter is the best medicine after all~"

And with that, Xuppu dived back into the head piece.

"I suppose I should be going as well," Kalkki noted stiffly, "Ladybug has a lot of heroes to talk to tonight."
Max nodded, "It was nice working with you Kalkki."

"It was my pleasure to serve such a glorious holder," Kalkki bid with a firm nod.

Max felt a few tears prick his eyes at those words, but he quickly pushed them back.

"I'll miss you..." He whispered.

And he'll miss being a hero too - helping those in need.

But he knew it was for the best...

"... I'll miss you too," Kalkki admitted quietly, hesitating a bit before seeming to make up her mind.

She pressed against his cheek in a quick hug, but pulled away to dive back into her miraculous just as quickly.

Max smiled sadly as he handed the now closed box back to Ladybug.

But Kim hesitated.

"Can you do me one last favor, Ladybug?" Kim asked, holding onto the box tightly.

Ladybug raised an eyebrow, "What is it?"
"If you ever need another holder for the monkey..." Kim took a deep breath, gaze resolute, "Make sure they're a good one, yeah?"

Ladybug smiled at that, "I will, you have my word."

Kim nodded, handing her back the box.

It was obvious he was trying to take Xuppu's words to heart, as he was smiling even though his eyes were wet with tears.

"I'll see you both around," Ladybug bid once the two miraculous were secure in her yo-yo.

She made her way to the open window.

"Keep being awesome Ladybug," Kim said genuinely.

She gave a small salute, and then she was gone.

Swinging through the night, no doubt to the other temporary holders.

"Are you going to be okay?" Max asked, turning back to Kim.

"Yeah... yeah, I will be," Kim replied with a nod.

"Good, I-"

Max blinked, quickly turning his head to look at the wall.

He could've sworn he saw something - an eye?

Was it watching them?

"Are you okay Max?" Kim asked, eyebrows furrowing in concern.

"Yes, just a trick of the imagination," Max waved him off.

Yeah.

That's what it was.

⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅

Nino had his headphones on as he worked at his computer, editing a mix for a new beat he was working on. He needed to do something to keep productive, something to keep his mind from wandering. Even after two days, he still was shaken from the Miracle Queen fight.

Not that he remembered anything about it...

He remembered being stung by a bee, and then... nothing.

He woke up back in Alya's dining room; exactly where he had been.

But he knew something happened.

But what...?

There was a tapping at his window that startled him out of his thoughts. Nino pulled back one of his headphones as he spun around, worry spiking.

Seeing who was at his window, Nino calmed down.

It was just Ladybug.

He took off his headphones and placed them on his desk before opening Ladybug to let her in.

"Sup Ladydude? Do you need Carapace?" He asked, not that he had heard any akuma alarm from his phone.

Ladybug simply shook her head sadly at him.

"I'm afraid not," She said, and Nino felt himself slump slightly.

She took her yoyo off her waist and opened it, pulling a very familiar box from the white void within.

"Nino, due to the events of Miracle Queen, your identity as Carapace has been compromised, and... and I can no longer call upon any of the past holders without putting them in danger..." Ladybug explained sadly, "I didn't want you to find out you were benched by seeing a new turtle if the need ever arises for one."

He could already feel tears pricking in his eyes.

"And... I wanted to give you the chance to say goodbye to Wayzz," She said quietly as Nino took and opened the box, letting the kwami free with a burst of light.

"Thank you," Nino said, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand.

Nino held the miraculous in a death grip, but didn't dare put it on - he lost the right to.

Wayzz looked just as sad as he did as the little god floated over.

"I'm sorry our partnership was cut short, master."

"What did I say about calling me master dude? Nino's fine - especially since this is the last we'll meet," Nino cut Wayzz off.

"Apologies ma - Nino... I just want to say I found our limited time enjoyable together and hope whoever the guardian picks next to wield me is half as nice as you."

Nino let out a soft huff at that, "Thank you little dude - you helped me become a kick ass hero. I'm happy to have gotten this chance."

Even if it was just because of how many times he threw himself at Anansi to save his friends.

With his free hand he initiated his little handshake with Wayzz, a bittersweet smile tugging across his lips. He wanted to transform, to run across the parisian rooftops one more time, but he knew that he would betray Ladybug's trust if he did.

So, sadly, he put the miraculous back in its box and took a deep breath.

"Goodbye Wayzz."

"Goodbye Nino."

With that he clicked the box shut and handed it back to Ladybug.

"Thanks Dudette."

"Of course Nino - it was the least I could do," She said as she put the box back into her yoyo. She turned to leave, her business here done and she undoubtedly had a full schedule ahead of her.

"Uh! Wait!" Nino shouted suddenly, "Can I ask a question real quick?"

Ladybug stopped, looking over her shoulder and gesturing for him to continue.

"What if Hawkmoth targets my family?" He asked, needing to know if he dragged them into the line of fire.

"He shouldn't - I plan to make it public knowledge that all the former holders are to never be called on again, I won't let him." Ladybug said, voice quiet, but filled with dedication.

Nino couldn't help but be soothed by her words.

"Thank you Ladybug - good luck."

Ladybug quirked a small smile at him.

"I'm made of luck," She said, finishing the departure out his window and using her yoyo to zip away.

Nino sighed as he closed his window, following Ladybug with his eyes until she was out of sight.

Everything would be fine.

Right...?

⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅

Luka was playing guitar on the Liberty, his mother and Juleka were already fast asleep. The young man knew that as long as he was quiet, he wouldn't wake his family up.

As he played, Luka couldn't help but think of Marinette - his melody as he liked to call her.

He'd seen, and heard, very little of her for the past two days - ever since Heart Hunter - and he really missed her...

He didn't have any memories of what happened during the attack...

He remembered comforting Marinette a few meters from her home, and then suddenly...

Bees everywhere. He remembered shielding Marinette from one, and then...

Nothing.

It was completely black.

He had subsequently awakened right where he'd been before - with no Marinette in sight.

He really hoped he hadn't hurt Marinette at all...

Or anyone else.

The young musician stopped playing, standing up with intent to go to sleep - but a young girl in a red suit with black spots sitting on the roof of the boat stopped him in his tracks.

Ladybug.

She looked... sad.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt you, it was really beautiful," Ladybug whispered, jumping down and landing in front of him quietly.

"Thank you," Luka returned, "Is everything okay?"

There was a short silence, Ladybug clearly thinking about what to say, so Luka sat back down on the crate he was on before. Placing his guitar next to him as he patiently waited for her response.

"No..." Ladybug admitted eventually, "I... I can't give you the snake miraculous anymore."

Luka's eyes widened at her words.

He opened his mouth but no words came out as it sunk in.

"Why?"

The simple question slipped out.

"Hawkmoth knows your identity - Miracle Queen... she outed all the temporary heroes to both Hawkmoth and Mayura... trusting you with a miraculous has become too dangerous."

Seeing his confusion, Ladybug quickly explained what happened that day.

"I see..." Luka mumbled, "I just hope I didn't hurt you or anyone else..."

"No! No you didn't - don't worry about it, you weren't in control of your actions."

Another short silence.

"Can I ask you a little favour?" Luka asked.

"What is it?"

"I'd like to say goodbye to Sass."

At those words a smile appeared on the young heroine's face.

She opened her yoyo to take out a familiar box, handing it to Luka.

He opened it immediately, a small ball of light shooting out from it and revealing the little kwami.

"Good evening," Sass greeted, tail flicking behind him, "It'sss good to sssssee you one lasssst time."

Luka nodded, smiling up at the small god, "It was really nice to meet you."

"It'ssss been a pleassssssure," Sass agreed.

The kwami flew closer, pressing up against Luka's cheek - probably the equivalent of a hug for such small creatures.

When Sass and Luka separated, the kwami disappeared with a small smile; leaving the two alone once again.

"I'm sure I'll see you around," Ladybug said, swinging her yoyo and throwing it at the skyline. She was about to tug on the string, but Luka stopped her by grabbing her wrist lightly.

He waited until she turned to face him before speaking, letting go of her wrist as he did so. "Ladybug, I just want you to know that if you ever need me again, I'll be there - I promise." Ladybug smiled, "I know, I've never doubted it."

She then gave a hard tug on her yoyo, leaving Luka to smile fondly after her.

⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅

Alya was writing a new article on the Ladyblog about Lila's relationship with Ladybug.

Her apartment was empty tonight, her mother was working nights, her father had been called to the zoo for an emergency, Nora had gone to Marseille for her sports competition and the twins were having a slumber party at a friend's house. Alya was alone at home and finally having a little quiet stimulated her creativity.

A noise at her window had disturbed Alya, when she turned back she saw Ladybug.

Alya had hurried to go and open it to her, the presence of Ladybug could only mean one thing, an akuma had appeared and her idol needed Rena Rouge.

"Good evening Alya," Ladybug said upon entering with a little smile on her face.

"What's happening? Is Hawkmoth back?"

"No, there's no akuma - I've... I've come to discuss something with you."

Alya couldn't believe it, she felt like her heart was going to explode; the important thing could only be the fact that Alya finally got her miraculous permanently.

It was normal, after all, she had been the first real heroine - it was only logical the miraculous be entrusted to her full-time now.

"I'm sorry, Alya, but I've come to tell you I'll never be able to entrust the fox miraculous to you again."

Alya froze at this announcement.

Ladybug had to be joking...

Right...?

But when she looked at Ladybug's face she saw only a sad expression, there was no trace of humor in her features.

"Why?" The question slipped out, "Wasn't I a good hero...?"

"You were a great fox," Ladybug assured, "But that has nothing to do with it - your identity has been compromised, Hawkmoth and Mayura know who you are and can use that against you."

"Wait a minute!" Alya cried out, "If they know who I am it's only because of this bitch Chloé! If she hadn't been here, I wouldn't have-"

"Stop," Ladybug raised a hand and unlike Alya, she didn't raise her voice, "What Ms. Bourgeois did is unforgivable, but insulting her won't change what happened."

Alya was livid - it wasn't her fault Chloé revealed her identity, she shouldn't be the one punished for this!

"Ladybug, please," Alya begged.

"I'm sorry," Her voice was barely a whisper, "Your identity has been compromised, so Rena Rouge must disappear - there are no other alternatives, I've only come to tell you and let you say goodbye to Trixx."

Ladybug grabbed her yoyo from around her waist and opened it to pull out a familiar red and black box containing the fox miraculous - the same one Alya had so proudly worn only a few weeks earlier, fighting by Ladybug's side.

Ladybug opened the box without saying a word, letting Trixx appear alongside her in a small ball of light.

"Trixx, please say something! Tell Ladybug this is a bad idea!" Alya begged.

"Ladybug's right - your safety comes first," Trixx shook his head, "You were a good fox, but this is for the best."

Alya felt betrayed for the second time in ten minutes.

This...

This couldn't be happening...

Ladybug turned to nod at Trixx, who flew closer to her.

"Wait! Can we make a deal?" Alya was desperate now, "The next time an akuma appears, you can give me the fox miraculous so I can face it alone - and when I win, you're gonna have to admit I'm indisposable!"

"No," Ladybug answered, without even taking a second of reflection.

"But why? You were the one who came to me when you needed my help - you can't take away my miraculous like this for something that's not even my fault!"

It took a second for Alya to realize what she said.

Ladybug made two steps towards Alya, she was so close that the girl could feel the warmth of her breath.

Intimidated Alya backed away - her back hitting her wall.

"Are you done?" Her tone was icy, "Let me tell you a couple things, Ms Césaire; first of all, it's not your miraculous, it's not your property and you don't own it... kwami have thoughts and feelings like any human being, you can't own them - and secondly, I'm taking away the miraculous for you and your own families safety, I've told you this multiple times and my answer isn't going to change."

Alya tried to see compassion in Ladybug's eyes but saw nothing but disappointment; Trixx reflected the same.

Ladybug sighed and put the necklace away after Trixx pronounced a barely audible farewell, then turned her back on the young journalist.

"Goodbye, Ms Césaire."

At those words, Ladybug jumped out the window; leaving Alya alone once again.

⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅

Kagami had been finishing an essay due for her history class, her window left open since the cool night air helped Kagami focus.

Sure, the essay wasn't due for another week, but Kagami was of the mind to get it done as soon as she could so that she may reread, review, and revise her work until it was up to perfection.

"Kagami," A voice called out from her window and the fencer spun around, relaxing when she saw it was Ladybug waiting outside her window.

"Ladybug, please come in - what is it that you need from me?" Kagami asked the heroine.

A thrill ran through her at the thought of once more becoming Ryuko and working beside Ladybug.

It was highly unlikely though, seeing as what happened with Heart Hunter seemed to be a one time thing.

The spotted heroine's expression shifted into that of sorrow, as she seemed to weigh what to say in her mind.

"I..." Ladybug cleared her throat, "I'm sorry to say, but with the events of Miracle Queen I am benching all temporary heroes... this will be the final time you will hold the dragon miraculous."

"The events of Miracle Queen?" Kagami echoed.

"I know your identity as Ryuko has already been outed," Ladybug admitted, "But with this recent akuma everyone's identities have been made known to Hawkmoth and Mayura."
Kagami's eyes widened.

This was...

Troubling news.

"I wanted to give you a chance to say goodbye to Longg and prepare yourself to potentially see a new dragon holder," Ladybug continued Kagami, handing her the familiar black and red box.

Kagami accepted the box, but she didn't open it.

She had prepared herself for this possibility.

Kagami had outed herself immediately on her very first outing with the miraculous after all, and had not heeded Ladybug's orders.

She knew the rules.

"Kagami?" Ladybug questioned.

"I trust your judgement Ladybug," Kagami bowed slightly.

Ladybug smiled as Kagami opened the box.

She watched as Longg formed in front of her face, giving her a smile.

"Kagami-san - an honor as always," The dragon-like kwami greeted her.

"Longg-sama," Kagami greeted, "Thank you for your help and partnership - it was an honor to be your holder."

The crushing weight of it all was finally setting in as she looked at the small god before her.

"It was an honor to work with you too Kagami-san, I know you will do amazing things in the future... I am proud to have witnessed your beginnings," Longg told her.

Kagami blinked a few times, refusing to shed any tears.

"May your next holder be more patient than I was on our first outing... goodbye Long-sama." Kagami said with a bow to Longg.

"May the winds of fortune always guide you.... goodbye Kagami-san," Long replied, bowing back.

Kagami slowly clicked the box shut and Longg was no more.

She handed the box back to Ladybug who only gave her a sad smile.

"Thank you Ladybug, it was an honor to fight beside you; may you find more trustable holders in your future," Kagami said to the spotted heroine, "And... thank you for letting me say goodbye."

"The honor was mine," Ladybug's smile widened.

She climbed out of the window and Kagami watched her leave, moving the window back to its previously half closed state.

Only once Ladybug was gone from view did Kagami attempt to go back to her essay, but not before a flash of white and purple caught her vision.

"Who's there?" Kagami demanded, turning around to survey her room.

... nothing was out of the ordinary.

But it couldn't just be a trick of her imagination, could it?