Marinette sat in her dimly lit room, her phone screen illuminating her. She contemplated sending a message to Chat Noir, to let him know she was going out. She knew he shouldn't go with her, shouldn't stop resting, and she was worried that if she told him, he'd insist on coming. And after their last conversation, where she overshared--Marinette cringed at the memory--she wasn't sure she was ready to face that. Or him, really.

With a sigh, she began typing out a message. 

Hey Chat, it's Ladybug. Just wanted to check in and see how you're doing. It's been a hectic week, hasn't it?

She hit send and anxiously awaited his response. It didn't take long for a reply to pop up on her screen.

hamsterman32: hayyyyyyy.. im hanging in there but im still pretty banged up... how about you? everything okay on your end?

ladyofthenight: I'm glad to hear you're taking care of yourself.  Take it easy, and I'll catch up with you soon.

With that, she pocketed her phone and quickly dressed into her Ladybug outfit, stuffing a decadent chocolate bar to give to Alya at the end of the night, and staring a bit too long at her mask before popping it off. She'd arranged to meet Alya at a spot in the city's outskirts, far from the bakery--that was her and Chat's spot. She showed up outside a run-down restaurant they went to once for Marinette's 10th birthday, and Alya stood in the shadows, leaning against a small orange Vespa. 

Seeing her friend's look, Alya said, grinning, "18th birthday." Then, her smile fell, and her gaze fell to below Ladybug's feet. "I wish you could have been there."

Ladybug drew her arms up around herself. "Yeah..." Me too. 

Alya stared at her for a few seconds before shaking her head. "Anyway, hop on, Ladybug. I want to show you something."

As they drove to a place Ladybug didn't recognize, Ladybug asked, "Where are we going?"

Alya said that last place Ladybug was expecting. 

"Dunning Hill"

Marinette's heart skipped a beat at the word. It was a part of the city she had been warned about since she was a child, a place where danger lurked at every corner, where crime and evil waited. At least, that's what her parents had said. They had always told her to stay away from it, emphasizing how it was the breeding ground for scary people, ready to attack her at any moment. 

But as they parked the moped in the shadows at the corner of town she'd never been, Marinette realized that maybe they'd been wrong.  Marinette couldn't help but notice the stark contrast between this part of town and where she grew up--let alone the beauty of the palace. Here, the streets were narrow, the buildings ramshackle, and the atmosphere heavy with the weight of despair. People milled about at night, clearly ignoring the Akumas' warnings to stay out of the streets, and their faces etched with the lines of poverty and hunger.

As they walked, Alya began pointing out different locations and sharing stories of the people who lived there. There was an elderly woman who could barely afford to feed herself, a single mother struggling to provide for her children, and a group of young children who should have been asleep but were instead out on the streets.

Marinette absorbed it all, her empathy for these people growing with every passing moment. She realized that while she had been a lot more sheltered than she thought.

Alya noticed Ladybug's expression and placed a hand on her shoulder. "It's a different world down here."

Ladybug nodded, her heart heavy. "It's... hard to look at."

Alya offered a warm smile. "I know it is, but it's also why we're here tonight. To see firsthand what's happening and hopefully make a difference."

As they continued to walk through the disadvantaged neighborhood, Alya introduced Ladybug to various residents. One woman, in particular, stood out to Ladybug.

She was a tall woman with bad posture, skin pale and blonde hair scraggly. Despite the early wrinkles on her face, her smile was wide and kind, emphasized by a yellow and toothy grin. "Alya! Searching for a scoop?"

Alya turned to see the woman approaching on wobbly legs. "Celine! Not today. This is Ladybug, a friend of mine--I'm just showing her the area."

Celine's eyes sparkled with recognition as she extended a hand to Ladybug, speaking with a heavy Northern accent. "Ladybug! Nice to meet ye."

Ladybug shook Celine's hand graciously, feeling humbled by the warm reception. "Thank you, Celine. It's a pleasure to meet you... How did you guys meet?"

Alya beamed at the two of them. "Celine helps organize aid and resources for families who are struggling." Then she leaned in close to Ladybug and said quietly, "She's the one who introduced me to the Akumas." 

Ladybug fought to keep a smile on her face.

Seeing the expression on her friend's face, Alya turned back to Celine. "Ladybug is trying to figure out who's on the, er, worse side, if you know what I mean." 

Celine's face fell immediately. "Unfortunately, I do. I was there that day, ye know," she said, shaking her head. "Tragic, truly. Too many people died."

This was news to Ladybug. She'd asked how many people had been hurt, but the advisors had told her none... Were they always lying to her?  "How many"

She nodded. "At least 12, but I can't be sure. The numbers were pretty hush-hush."

Alya and Celine chatted for a minute, changing the subject to talk about one of Alya's pieces she was working on at the moment--a piece about the recent ball. 

As Ladybug listened to their conversation, a sense of frustration and helplessness began to gnaw at her. She had witnessed the poverty and suffering in the slums, but she couldn't help but wonder how deeply ingrained these problems were in the city's systems.

She didn't voice her thoughts aloud, but the questions weighed heavily on her mind. Where did they go from here, and how could they address the root causes of the city's problems? The path ahead felt challenging and uncertain, and Ladybug felt herself closing in on herself unsure how she'd be able to help these people.

Ladybug sat with that for a second before she asked, "What were you doing there, if you don't mind me asking?"

Celine's smiled turned bittersweet as she glanced around at the dilapidated surroundings. "Grocery shopping. We do what we can here, but it's an uphill battle..."

Alya grabbed the lady's hand with a gentleness that softened Ladybug. The reporter stated, "We'll get there."

Celine's eyes sparkled with hope. "We will," she said and then looked around at the lively but dim streets. "Hopefully we get support from the kingdom with time, don't you? Probably not--" she leaned in closer to Ladybug "--I was outside of that Princess's interview--she seems like she doesn't know much, does she? A bit dim, hm?" Ladybug grimaced as Alya fought back a laugh. "Anyway," continued Celine," I have got te get back to my duties." She winked at Alya and walked away.

As they walked in the opposite direction, Ladybug turned to Alya. 

"I am curious... It's one of the things I can't stop thinking about... Why did you, out of everyone, write the piece on the pumpkin head? And even after that, I don't understand how you support them? Didn't you just hear her? Twelve people. Twelve. That's too many people, Alya."

Alya gave her a look and shook her head, stating silently that Ladybug just didn't get it. The truth was, she didn't get it. She couldn't see why Alya would team up with a group who hurt--threatened, bombed, attacked--innocent people.

"Alya, it's clear that the people here are suffering, but... but there's a bigger problem at the root of the Akumas. I don't believe they're doing good."

Alya furrowed her brow. "Mari... Ladybug. The Akumas give us a second chance--"

However, her thoughts were abruptly interrupted when she heard raised voices up ahead. She and Alya quickened their pace and turned a corner to find a group of guards harassing a man who looked like he had already suffered enough. The guards were taunting him, their laughter cruel and heartless.

Moving without thinking, Ladybug stepped forward, her voice firm in the way Plagg had taught her when making commands--not that she had much practice using the voice. But here, it came out with fervor. "That's enough. Leave him alone."

The guards turned their attention to her, their expressions shifting from amusement to irritation. One of them was tall and thin, the other a woman who was short and stout. They had on their helmets but didn't cover their faces--Ladybug didn't recognize either of them. The woman sneered, "Who do you think you are, coming here and telling us what to do?"

For the first time, Ladybug wanted to reveal her identity. But, she couldn't. Very few people even still knew about her Ladybug persona (just Alya and maybe Luka's guessed by now) , and it was probably smart that she avoided more people learning about them. could have revealed her identity as the princess, but she chose not to. Instead, she redirected their anger toward herself, hoping to protect the man who was clearly in distress. "I'm just someone who can't stand by and watch you mistreat others. Now, step away."

The short woman sneered at Ladybug, her hand resting firmly on her radio. "You're out of line, whoever you are. This is none of your business."

Ladybug clenched her fists, her resolve unwavering. "You made it my business when you attacked this innocent man"

The man scoffed, his eyes narrowing. "This man is not innocent. He stole that bread," he stated, pointing to the bag the man held in his hands.

"I didn't, I swear!" The old man promise. He was on his knees in defense, as if praying to the gods for support. Ladybug felt a fire of anger swell within her.

"Where is your proof?" she demanded. 

The woman stepped forward, a strong stance. Ladybug, without the mask on, probably would have apologized instantly. But then she looked back at the begging, exhausted man, and she stood straighter against the woman, who now she could see was about her height. The guard demanded, "Who are you? Why are you wearing a mask?"

"I'm Ladybug," Ladybug said. "Not so nice to meet you." 

The second guard, the man, scoffed. "What are you, just some masked vigilante? You look ridiculous... You don't have any authority here."

As the tension escalated, Ladybug's frustration grew. She knew she couldn't reveal her true identity, but she also couldn't let the guards continue their abuse. In a swift, daring move, she reached out and snatched the sword from the taller guard's belt. He yelped in surprise, stumbling backward.

Ladybug: "Now, will you back off, or do you want to see how skilled I am with this?"

The guards exchanged alarmed glances, realizing that they were dealing with someone who would fight back. Ladybug quickly looked at the man, and moved her arms, telling him to leave. He scurried off with his bag of bread in his hands. That was also when she realized they'd gained an audience, and by their expressions, it looked like the guards did, too. They quickly assessed the situation and decided that it was time to call for backup.

As the woman reached for her radio, Ladybug knew she couldn't afford to stay any longer. She needed to disappear before more guards arrived and the situation spiraled further out of control. With a flourish and the sword still in hand, she sprinted away, followed by the taller guard, who made it through the crowd faster than the shorter one--yelling into her radio--could. As she turned a corner, she heard the guards' footsteps behind her. They had chosen to chase her rather than continue their harassment of the vulnerable man who'd hidden himself from them. 

Ladybug sprinted through the narrow alleyways of the slums, the guards in hot pursuit. She felt adrenaline pulsing through her veins as she sprinted, realizing these swords were a lot heavier than she expected. She decided she'd ask Plagg tomorrow if they could start sword training. 

Ladybug, yelling over her shoulder said, "Call for backup, but they won't stop me!"

The chase was on, and Ladybug knew she had to rely on her agility and quick thinking to outmaneuver her pursuers. She darted around corners, leaped over obstacles, and used her training and skills to stay one step ahead. But she quickly grew exhausted; her body was tired, and she knew she couldn't outrun them for long. The guards were determined and relentless, their shouts echoing through the night.

"Stop right there! In the name of the crown, stop!"

Ladybug's heart raced as she continued to evade capture. She couldn't afford to be caught, not when there was still so much work to be done, not when she had seen firsthand the suffering in the neighborhood. As the pursuit continued, she couldn't help but wonder how deep the systemic issues ran in the city, and what it would take to bring about lasting change. Was there any good choice?

Finally, she found a good spot to climb--an open window on the second floor. As fast as she could, she climbed the building, her muscles burning and aching, and she jumped through the window, watching from the shadows as the guards walked away from her. She sat down inside, catching her breath for a long time, before she took stock of where she was. 

The room she sat in was empty except for paint cans, and halfway ripped carpet.  It was far from luxurious. Empty paint cans were scattered about, and the carpet was torn and frayed. 

Sitting there, her mind raced, and her thoughts drifted back to the neighborhood she had just visited.

Her musings were interrupted when something caught her eye. In the far corner of the room, partially hidden in the shadows, sat a small figure. It was a young girl, her tear-stained face reflecting the sadness that seemed to permeate this part of the city.

She peeled back the hat, hoping the hat had been enough protection to avoid injury. The girl's head bobbed to the side, and Marinette pulled her hand away to slippery blood across her fingers.  

It was her. And if this was the girl she'd tried to help when the Akumas attacked... the girl she'd failed to help before she was pulled away. This also meant, this girl's brother was gone now, too. 

Ladybug felt nausea sweep through her. The little girl, dark hair covering her face, just stared at her, no new tears falling, frozen in fear.

Ladybug fought to make her voice as soft as possible. "Hello," she said, unsure of the right thing to say. She knew the girl couldn't recognize her--not as Ladybug, not as Marinette. She'd been passed out when she'd last seen her. Ladybug bent down, holding her hands out in defense, letting the girl know she wasn't in danger. Ladybug slowly approached, her suit rustling softly with each step. She knelt down beside the child, her voice gentle and comforting. "Hey there. Are you okay?"

The girl, initially hesitant, eventually turned her gaze to Ladybug. Her eyes were filled with sorrow, but she didn't respond. 

"Do you live here?" Ladybug asked.

The girl stared back. Ladybug realized she maybe didn't speak French, the way the boy only spoke Mandarin. She racked her brain, looking for the right words in Mandarin, but she wished once again that her mother had taught her more. Instead, Ladybug chose to speak a language everyone knew. 

Ladybug sat down softly next to the girl, leaving an open path for the girl to escape if she wanted to--but she didn't move. They both faced the window, the moonlight--no, it was a new moon tonight, so that had to be a streetlamp--streaming in and lighting up the dust particles in the near empty room. She sat there, and then she reached out a hand to the little girl, laying it gently on the ground between them. Her palm was open, her fingers soft, a gentle invitation. Ladybug doubted she'd take it, but she hoped it was enough for her to know she was there to listen. 

"I'm sorry, you know," she said, regret filling her voice quicker than she meant it to. "For your brother. I tried to help, and I tried to help you. It wasn't enough, obviously, but maybe in another life, it could have been."

Still, the girl remained silent, her gaze fixed on Ladybug. The room was cold and drafty, but Ladybug's presence seemed to offer some comfort.

After a while, Ladybug reached into her pocket and pulled out the small, wrapped piece of chocolate. She extended it toward the girl with a warm smile. "Here, take this. It's not much, but it might make you feel a little better."

The girl hesitated for a moment before accepting the chocolate, her eyes lighting up with a hint of gratitude. She unwrapped it slowly and took a small bite, savoring the sweetness. As they sat there together, Ladybug couldn't help but reflect on the stark contrast between her life as the Princess, who sat around and did nothing, and the harsh reality faced by those in this neighborhood... She knew she couldn't change everything overnight, but she was determined to do whatever she could to make a difference.

Minutes turned into an hour as Ladybug and the girl shared the silence of their own thoughts. Ladybug made a promise to herself that she would return, not just with Chat Noir but with more help, resources, and hope for the people in this forgotten part of the city. Maybe they'd stop putting the Akumas on a pedestal, especially after everything they'd done.

Ladybug realized that it was getting late, and she needed to return to the castle. She stood up, her heart heavy with the knowledge of the suffering she'd witnessed. She offered a reassuring smile to the girl. "I have to go for now, but I'll be back, with my friend Chat Noir. You're not alone, okay?"

The girl nodded faintly, her expression showing a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness that surrounded her. Ladybug's eyebrows raised. Maybe she had understood everything. 

With that, Ladybug made a mental note of the street she was on—Evergreen Street—and silently slipped away. She made her way back to the main part of town, the walk taking her about an hour. At the very least, she'd run towards the castle in her escape from the guards. Exhausted but resolute, Ladybug pushed herself to keep moving.

As she neared the heart of the city, she spotted Alya on her moped, unknowingly passing by Ladybug, who was hidden in the shadows. Ladybug's curiosity was piqued, and she decided to follow Alya, despite knowing that she was already physically drained. Where was Alya going, and--she checked her phone in her pocket--why hadn't she called her?

Alya didn't get too far, and Ladybug was grateful for that stroke of luck. She observed from the shadows as Alya sneaked around, eventually making her way to Gabriel Agreste's mansion. Ladybug's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. Why would Alya be here?

Unable to resist her curiosity, Ladybug decided to follow Alya inside the mansion, despite the toll it would take on her tired body. She moved silently, as Alya entered a room on the first floor, quickly leaving with a piece of jewelry in her hand, a vibrant orange accessory that seemed out of place.

This only deepened the mystery. Why was Alya stealing jewelry from Gabriel Agreste's mansion, and why this particular piece? Ladybug's mind raced with questions, but she knew she couldn't follow Alya any further when she got on her motorcycle and drove away. Gabriel Agreste--she knew--was an Akuma, but with his jewelry, he was obviously on the bad side, the side that left behind messages after serious attacks. And Alya... 

Alya?

Feeling both physically and mentally drained, Ladybug made her way back to the castle. Her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, from the poverty to the little girl to Alya's possible betrayal. Something big was happening, and Ladybug was worried it was right around the corner. 

As she entered her room, she couldn't shake the feeling of impending change. She knew that her identity as Ladybug was a well-kept secret, known to only a select few. Alya was one of those few who knew, but Marinette couldn't fathom why her friend would be involved in something so suspicious, and she regretted letting Alya know. Why did she do that? She hadn't even given it a second thought.

Marinette's thoughts were interrupted when she heard a soft rustling in her room. Her heart skipped a beat as she turned toward the source of the sound. There, standing in the shadows, was Chat Noir.

His green eyes widened as he stared at her.

"Chat Noir," Ladybug said breathlessly at the same time that Chat Noir exclaimed, "Ladybug?!"

Ladybug couldn't help but ask, "What are you doing here?"

He produced a crumpled piece of paper and stammered, "I came for... this? What are YOU—oh, oh." His gaze settled on her forehead, where a small red scar from one of their early adventures was still visible. "I should have known after... I should have guessed. Marinette is Ladybug. That's weird."

Marinette's frustration grew as she asked, "Why in the world would you think it's appropriate to come in here in the middle of the night? At 2 in the morning? And how did you even get in here?"

Chat Noir flashed a mischievous grin. "I have meow ways."

Ladybug couldn't shake away her shock enough to roll her eyes. "That's not funny. I'm so confused right now—why are you here?"

Chat Noir's green eyes bore into hers as he continued to press, his curiosity and confusion evident. "But you have guards, a whole army to protect you. You're the princess; you shouldn't have to put yourself in danger--you shouldn't put yourself in danger."

Ladybug  sighed, running a hand through her hair as she struggled to put her feelings into words. "I know I have guards, but I can't just hide behind them. I want to be more than just a figurehead. I want to make a difference in the lives of the people in this city..."

Chat Noir nodded slowly, seeming to understand her motivations better now, as he looked around the room. "I see."

They were silent for a minute before Ladybug asked, "It's not fair I'm the only one outed. So, who is behind your mask?" 

He started to speak, his lips curving into a smile, but then his expression shifted into uncertainty as he glanced down at his left arm. Ladybug patiently anticipated his response, but instead, he shook his head, casting a shadow of tension in the room. She couldn't fathom why he was keeping something from her, and the silence hung heavily between them. Marinette's eyebrows furrowed as she studied his masked face, searching for any hint or clue about his true identity. She waited, hoping he would change his mind and trust her with his secret, but he only shook his head.

After a moment, he finally gave in to the weight of the unspoken words. "Your... highness, I was in the health... room..." He paused, as if grappling with the right way to convey his discovery. Then, he produced a folded piece of paper from his pocket and held it out to her. "Marinette—Princess, you can't trust your nurse."

Her eyes widened with surprise as she rushed over to him, her fingers eager to snatch the paper from his hand. "Mr. Corteau?" Her voice trembled with concern as she unfolded the note.

Ladybug's eyes widened as she took the paper from him. The message was short but suspicious, without a signature:

About the princess...

Next time, go deeper. 

Confusion and concern washed over her as she read the words aloud. "Mr. Corteau... Why would he say something like this? Where did you get this?"

"In the nurse's room. I was going to the castle library, but stopped at the nurse's station, looking for some medicine to help relieve my pain... And I found this in his drawer."

"So you were meddling.""

Chat grinned. "Always, My Lady." 

Marinette's mind raced with possibilities, and she knew they had stumbled onto something that could have far-reaching consequences for the kingdom. "We need to be discreet," she said, her determination shining in her eyes. "I'll keep an eye on Mr. Corteau and try to gather more information without raising suspicion. In the meantime, you should stay away. You could get caught here, and the guards are very aware of you."

He nodded in agreement. "Yes, Your Highness." But his wink let her know she was teasing.

Ladybug sighed, her exhaustion overwhelming her. She looked at the clock, the hand moving slower than she felt it should. She sat on the edge of her bed, feeling her muscles tearing her down. 

"Chat, as much as I want to continue this conversation, and as important as I know that it is, I need some sleep." 

"Oh!" he stepped back, smiling sheepishly. "Of course. Have a good night, My Lady." 

But as Chat Noir prepared to leave her room, he turned back to her with a quiet, ominous question. "It was Duval, who hurt you. Wasn't it?"

Marinette was taken aback by his intuition. "What?" she asked, shocked he had guessed so quickly. "How?"

He grinned, a sinister look with the moon's light from the hallway glowing behind him like a dark halo. "So it is. Have a good night, My Lady."

With that, he closed the door, leaving behind a small click followed by light footsteps as he departed, leaving Ladybug with more questions than she'd had upon entering.