Marinette disappeared out into the corridor the moment the lights came back on. A lucky escape.

She squinted through the dark, barely making out the ripped pieces of her dress. So much for that...

But there was no time.

"Spots on."

A flash of light covered Marinette as she transformed into Ladybug and immediately sprinted down the corridor towards a back entrance to the ballroom.

Bright beams of light washed the ballroom in a strange aura. People stumbled around, covering their eyes to shield themselves from the sudden brightness. Ladybug stared around in a panic, not seeing the familiar head of blond hair that signified that Adrien was there.

"Where's Ladybug?" A voice boomed. From her position in the doorway, Ladybug could see a girl making her way through the crowd. The flowing gown that she wore was the complete opposite of the one she wore earlier; now with a huge black background and yellow details. Her once-braided hair was now loose around her shoulders, the blonde now incorporating dark purple highlights.

Chloe bent down and picked up Marinette's ripped skirt, examining the pink, then flipping over to see the ladybug spotted side. She seemed to mutter something to herself before tossing the fabric over her shoulder.

"What a surprise to see you here, m'lady."

Ladybug jumped, turning to see a familiar smirk behind her.

"Don't scare me like that." She snapped. "It's about time you showed up."

"What? Don't expect me to be purr-fectly on time." Chat Noir slid up into the space next to her in the doorway.

Ladybug rolled her eyes. "Just assess the situation. You're the one with night vision."

"Ah." Chat's eyes flashed, and he swept the room with his gaze.

"Akuma."

"We still don't know what causes these things," Ladybug whispered, slipping back out into the corridor.

"Does it matter?" Chat hissed. "They want the throne; we have to stop them."

"But what if they don't want the throne?"

Chat tilted his head in confusion.

"We're the protectors, right? Well, you've been here far longer than me but, what if the akumas don't actually want the crown? What if they were possessed, like Megan? We figured that she wasn't herself, but what if she had no evil intention at all?"

Chat's eyes widened. "You might be onto something, m'lady, but perhaps this could wait for later. We need to make sure that no one gets hurt. But I'm sure Chloe wouldn't hurt anyone."

Ladybug snorted. "Yeah, she wouldn't hurt a fly."

Chat winced.

Back in the ballroom, the akuma - Chloe - was making her way across the ballroom. When she passed a stumbling person, she lashed out with his right hand, her bracelet unfurling to create a long whip. The whip hit the person and they fell to the floor, body convulsing with a slick sizzling noise.

"What's she doing?" Ladybug hissed.

"I believe she is knocking everyone out," Chat replied.

"Why would she want everyone out?"

"Ladybug," Chloe purred, turning to look around the room. "Where are you? You can't hide forever."

"She wants you," Chat said. "Well, she'll have to get through me first!" He twirled his baton experimentally, and Ladybug stifled her snort with her hand.

"I'm sure she won't get very far." She rolled her eyes. "We need to get out there."

"Wait," Chat stopped her. "Why does she want you?"

Ladybug rolled her eyes again. "Who cares? We have to stop her from hurting everyone!"

"No, stay here." Chat leapt out of the doorway towards Chloe.

Ladybug sighed, shaking her head. "He actually expects me to stay?"

She hurried further down the corridor.

"Ah, Chat Noir," Chloe smirked, staring the black cat down with her gaze. "What would bring you here on this fine evening?"

"Stop hurting the people," Chat said. "Or else I'll have to take matters into my own paws."

Chloe chuckled. "What's the point in that? I need Ladybug."

Chat quirked an eyebrow, leaning on his baton. "And why do you need my Ladybug?"

Chloe huffed. "You're so thickheaded, lazy cat." She turned.

Chat threw his baton. It struck Chloe in the back, and she froze. Slowly turning, she coiled her whip.

"Don't be so daft, kitty cat." She said. "Haven't you seen? Ladybug stole my Adrien from me! She's not even a part of the Selection!"

"For what, a dance?" Chat seethed. "Miss Bourgeois, perhaps you aren't seeing the full picture."

Chloe scoffed. "I am Queen Bee. One day I shall rule alongside Prince Adrien, and you won't matter."

Chat's tail bristled. "Well, miss Queen Bee, it seems like your ruling has come to an end. Time to escort you and your honey bees back home."

Chloe clenched her fist. "Your puns aren't even that good!" She dived forwards, whip poised.

Chat, now defenceless, skidded to the side, avoiding her attack. He jumped over some people on the floor and scooped his baton up, parrying a slice Chloe had aimed for his arm.

She sprinted after him. "I will have you and this castle!" She yelled.

"Who am I? Adrien?" Chat laughed, leaping up onto the wall.

Chloe slashed up with her whip. It curled around his leg, dragging him down.

"Cataclysm!" Chat cried, destroying the whip. But it had already taken effect on him. He fell back, suddenly drained. What?

Chloe pulled her new whip back, smirking. She went in for the kill, arm drawn back...

Suddenly, a yo-yo string was wrapped around her waist.

"Ladybug..." Chat groaned.

The red and black clad superhero lifted Chloe into the air from her position on one of the high windowsills.

"Let me go!" Chloe screamed, kicking and fighting.

"Not so fast," Ladybug said, jumping down from her perch. Chloe dropped too, landing on the floor in a heap. She groaned as Ladybug stood over her.

"Don't take my Adrien," She hissed.

"Now, where's the akuma?" Ladybug wondered.

"In your face." Chloe rolled away, the yo-yo string still wrapped around her. In a sudden burst of speed, she pulled free, and lunged at Ladybug.

"Oh dear," Ladybug sighed as Chloe barreled into her.

"You'll never have him!" Chloe yelled. They rolled into the feet of some of the other people still standing, watching the fight in shock.

Ladybug's eyes raked the black and yellow blur she was wrestling with. Where could it be? There were too many options; the necklace, headband, bracelets...

Hold on.

While the other three remaining bracelets were black, there was one that was a bright yellow.

Ladybug grabbed for it, tugging it off Chloe's wrist.

"Bingo!" She cried.

"No!" Chloe exclaimed.

Ladybug rolled out from beneath Chloe, the other girl lying sprawled out on the floor in a heap.

The bracelet broke easily in her hands. It wasn't strong and sturdy like the others, more so made of a lighter, more plastic-like material.

A purple butterfly fluttered out of the bracelet.

"Time to de-evilise! Bye-bye, little butterfly." Ladybug said, capturing the butterfly in her yo-yo. "Miraculous Ladybug!" She tossed her yo-yo up in the air, and immediately the people on the floor groaned, rising out of their unconscious state. Chat Noir staggered over to Ladybug.

"Nice one, m'lady." He said.

The ballroom now restored, Ladybug gave Chat Noir a pat on the back. "Good job, kitty."

"Hey, where's Prince Adrien?" A voice spoke up.

Ladybug's eyes widened. She hadn't been paying attention to the prince. She glanced around the room frantically.

"I saw him leave when the akuma came!" Chat said. Ladybug eyed his frantic expression. "He's probably in a safe room." He turned to Ladybug. "Come, m'lady. We must talk."

He took her hand and pulled her from the room.

••• 

They sat on the rooftop of one of the smaller turrets, feet dangling over the edge as they perched on the sloped surface.

"They must be controlled by something... somebody. But who could it be?" Ladybug said.

"It could be anyone." Chat agreed.

"But why?" Ladybug stared out over the city.

"Perhaps they want the throne."

"But what's the point in possessing people if they don't even help you achieve your goal? Assuming that they want the crown..."

"To cause fear? I don't know." Chat shrugged. "Maybe we'll never know."

Ladybug looked down at where her feet were dangling. "I think it has something to do with the Selection." She said. "Something is going to change; something big."

Chat seemed to be in thought for a moment. "You're right," he said. They both looked at each other at the same time. "Something needs to change, and I propose we start by sharing our identities."

Ladybug's eyes widened. "Chat..." She said, her tone laced with hesitation.

He took her hand. She stared at where hers rested in his. "My lady, I want to know who you are."

Ladybug pulled her hand free. "I don't want to tell you, not yet."

She looked away from Chat's heartbroken expression. "I will respect your wish." He said. He took her hand again, kissing it, before dropping it back into her lap. "But whenever you're ready..." he paused. "I will reveal myself to you."

Ladybug stood up. "Things will change from now." She said.

"I think so too."

Chat watched her swing away with a sad smile. He dropped back down into the gardens. The stars twinkled above him as he detransformed with a bright flash of green light.

"I'll finish this for you, my lady," Adrien promised to the night.

The moon winked in response.

END OF PART 1

•

And... to absolutely no one's surprise, Chat Noir is revealed as Prince Adrien.

Imagine if I had've made him someone else, hehe. You guys would've been so confused. Who would it have been? Hmm, probably Felix but he hasn't been introduced into the story yet so there wouldn't be any point.

Now that part 1 is over, we can move onto part 2 of this book: Lady of Lies! Don't worry, it won't be a separate story, but I can tell you that this book will be split into three different sections and you have just completed the first. The next section will continue with the Selection but part 3 I'm not so sure, as after reading through some of my original notes, I've realised that I have four different ideas for it but I', currently tossing between continuing the Selection or making it... something else that you guys will pick up on later in the next part. Don't worry, Marinette and Adrien (along with Ladybug and Chat Noir) will be in it!

- your author ;)