Ladybug swooped in from the sky, landing behind a tree. Surrounded by her minions, Serpentina was standing between a circle of trees with her eyes closed. It looked as if she was meditating.

The superheroine narrowed her eyes, scanning the crowd for Adrien. She didn't see him among the minions. That was a bit of a relief since she knew he wouldn't get caught in the crossfire.

Ladybug just needed to find the akumatized item and all of this would be over, she hoped. She never really dealt with an akuma that had broke free from Hawkmoth.

It was perfect. Ladybug could sneak up on Serpentina and subdue her, and then find her akumatized iten and this would all be over. But with Serpentina's eyes closed, it seemed too perfect to sneak up on her. Like she knew Ladybug was there and was bait--

Instantly, Serpentina's eyes snapped open, glowing ominously, and she pointed her finger at Ladybug from behind the tree.

"Gotcha!" she grinned.

Ladybug sprang into action, jumping out of the way just before a servant wrapped their arms around her from behind.

"Foolish pest," Serpentina cackled. "I think you're forgetting I have the same abilities of a snake."

Ladybug landed beside Serpentina, reaching for her yoyo. "Oh really? Then how about you show me how fast you slither, snakey!"

The superheroine launched her yoyo towards the spyre on a building and soared from the akuma. She landed on the grass in front of Chloe Bourgeousie's hotel, far from Serpentina's servants. Come on, follow me! Ladybug thought desperately.

And just as expected, a few minutes later, Serpentina slithered to Ladybug's location, grinning. "That was a mistake. Stupid bug. Snakes are keen hunters."

"Oh really? Because you aren't as smart as one." She threw her yoyo at Serpentina, the string wrapping tightly around the akuma. Ladybug yanked the yoyo towards herself, effectively forcing Serpentina on the ground.

"You were so caught up in showing off you left your servants, your only protection," Ladybug whispered with a smirk, pressing her knee on her back to keep her down. "Now, where is Adrien?"

"There's no point in making demands," Serpentina replied smoothly, despite the immense amount of pressure on her back. "He's already mine."

"I don't care. I want to make sure he's okay," Ladybug pushed.

"Fine, if you let me go I'll show you."

Ladybug laughed. "Yeah right. As if I would ever do that." She pulled on the string tighter. "Now talk."

This time, Serpentina shifted uncomfortably, making a grunt noise. "Okay, okay," she breathed. "I'll tell you. But at least loosen this string a tiny bit."

Ladybug obeyed and loosened her grip on the string, listening intently. "Where is he?"

"MY PRINCE!" Serpentina screamed, her shrewd voice echoing throughout the air.

Birds flew from trees that shook. Ladybug felt an ominous wind pass through the air and shivered. Wary, she lifted her head and looked around for him. She didn't like how the air around her grew cold and desolate...

Adrien emerged, walking slowly towards the two. His eyes were a glowing pink, just like the servant Ladybug had seen earlier...

She stood strong, trying not to break down at the sight of a possessed Adrien. But it was hard.

He walked calmly over towards Serpentina and stood beside her, waiting for demands.

"My prince," Serpentina whispered, leaning down to kiss his cheek. "Show the bug how much you love me."

Adrien nodded and replied, "Of course." He sounded completely normal besides his voice being slightly monotone and empty.

"Adrien," Ladybug said quietly. "Snap out of it. I know you're in there."

"No one gives me orders besides my queen," Adrien answered back, squaring up with Ladybug. His glowing pink eyes burned bright into her soul.

"I don't want to fight you," Ladybug sighed, backing away. "Please let me end this."

Serpentina hissed in annoyance. "Adrien! Bring me her earrings!"

And just like that, he sprang into action, clawing for her earrings. Ladybug dodged to the left, grabbing her yoyo.

Adrien snarled at her, his hands curling into fists. "Give me them. Now. I must serve my queen."

"Never. This isnt you!" Ladybug yelled, swinging her yoyo. "Dont make me fight you, Adrien. You're a good person."

"You dont even know me," Adrien shot back. "You're just a stuck up, self-absorbed superhero. No respect for any authority."

Ladybug felt her heart sting a little, but she brushed it off. This isnt him. It's just the curse.

"I really hate you. You're a joke!"

Ladybug blocked out all of his words. She couldn't deny the pain those words brought her, especially coming from his mouth.

Adrien pounced again, this time catching Ladybug off guard and landing right on top of her. She struggled, but to no avail. He pinned her arms down until she couldn't move at all.

Serpentina walked over with her hands behind her back, smirking. "Excellent job, my Prince. You have done well."

Adrien's iron grip on Ladybug's wrists did not loosen one bit. His glowing eyes stared into nothingness and he remained silent.

"Time to retrieve my reward," Serpentina whispered, kneeling down. She admired the Ladybug earrings, reaching for them.

"Adrien, please, let me go! You dont know what bad things could happen if she gets ahold of my miraculous!" Ladybug screamed helplessly, shifting uncomfortably under his weight. "Wake up, please!"

But Adrien did not come through or respond. He continued pinning her down.

Serpentina removed one earring and the transformation began to peel away.

Ladybug squeezed her eyes shut. This was it. Serpentina was about to find out her secret identity and her family and friends were going to be put in danger.

WHACK!

The sound of metal smacked Serpentina in the head, causing her to fly backwards. The earring fell to the ground with a clink.

Adrien looked up, but before processing anything, he got whacked in the head as well. He fell off of Ladybug, unconscious.

Ladybug quickly scrambled to hide herself and find the earring but it was too late. Her transformation had already peeled half way off.

She looked up to identify who her rescuer was.

And it was none other than Chloe Bourgeois.

The blonde's mouth hung open, staring incredulously at the superhero. Half of her body was in the suit and the other was in Marinette's regular, every day clothes.

Oh no.

Chloe pointed at Marinette shakily.

"Y-you're?" Chloe stuttered, her index finger shaking. "Ma-"

Ladybug quickly got to her feet and pressed her hand on top of Chloe's mouth and gave her a death stare. Knowing that Serpentina was most likely still conscious, she quietly found her earring and secured it in place.

"Don't tell. Anybody," Ladybug said as her transformation restored itself.

"B-but," Chloe murmured, her entire body shaking.

"I'll explain later," Ladybug whispered, glancing at the unconscious Adrien. "Can you help me with him?"

Chloe held up her hands, grabbing her head in shock. "I can't even stand right now, what makes you think I can carry a person?"

"Please?" Ladybug pushed, knowing that she was running out of time.

"Fine," Chloe huffed, bending over to grab Adrien's legs. "But you are giving me the full story when we bring him back with us."

Just as they were about to leave, Chloe glanced back at Serpentina. "Oh, what about her?"

"We'll come back to her when we have a better game plan."

*

Marinette sat beside the unconscious Adrien who was resting on her bed. His head was all bandaged up.

"I still cant believe you knocked him out with a baking pan," Marinette mumbled, wincing at the memory of the nasty bruise on Adrien's forehead.

Chloe sat on the edge of the bed beside Adrien, filing her nails. "Well. I heard you scream and knew you were in trouble, so I did what I had to do."

Marinette softly rubbed his cheek, feeling guilty for all he has went through because of her. "I'm sorry," she whispered to him.

"So, back to being Ladybug," Chloe said, "How?"

"What do you mean, how?"

"Did you rub a magic lamp or something? How did you get these powers? And why didnt you ever tell me, your good old friend?"

"First of all, no. Second of all, it's complicated. And third, you kinda hated my guts not too long ago."

"Touché," Chloe said slowly, narrowing her eyes.

"Done with your questions?" Marinette asked impatiently.

"I guess. For now," Chloe mumbled.

Suddenly, Adrien began to stir. Marinette placed her hand on top of his, kissing his forehead. "I have to leave. But I'll be back," she whispered.

Marinette sprang to her feet, climbing up the ladder to her balcony.

"Where are you going?!" Chloe asked.

"I need to stop Serpentina. Now that I know Adrien is safe and out of danger, I can deal with her," Marinette nodded confidently.

"Okay. But what about-"

"Watch over him and keep him safe," Marinette said. "I trust you, Chloe."

The blonde blinked, stunned. It warmed her heart that Ladybug, no, Marinette put so much faith into her, especially after how Chloe had treated her in the past.

Chloe smiled, straightening her back. "Got it, you can count on me," she said, saluting her.

Marinette glanced over at Adrien once again, who shifted in the bed. He was going to wake any second now. "Thank you. I'll be back soon."

And with that, she hopped up onto the balcony and locked the door. Standing tall, she overlooked Paris in search of Serpentina.

Tikki flew out in front of Marinette's face, confused. "Why didn't you stay to see Adrien wake up?"

"Because," Marinette smiled, her eyes welling with happy tears. "I might have never willed myself to leave him again."