"Lucky Charm!"

Cat Noir observed as Ladybug summoned her power. A horse saddle adorned with ladybug print fell into her arms. She looked stunning in her special lucky charm suit - her pigtails and hair ribbons were slightly longer, and the suit design was different as well. The area around her neck was red and had a small V-neck. Black dots surrounded by red formed an inverted-color pair of shorts leading up to her waist. Her fists were shiny jet-black, and her deep blue hair complemented her bluebell eyes and red suit.

STOP IT, ADRIEN! You're in love with Marinette! Ladybug is JUST A FRIEND, remember???

"What am I going to do with this?" Ladybug asked, her face scrunched up in wonder.

"A-Achoo!"

Cat Noir sneezed as a pigeon flew above his face and a single feather came loose. The villain told this as an opportunity to try to fire her weapon. Cat Noir, distracted, had accidentally sunk into the ground and his whole body became blurry. The multicolored bullet went straight through his chest.

"Chat?" Ladybug's eyes widened. Cat Noir noticed ice begin to cover her hands and slowly creep up toward her elbows. He willed himself to become solid again.

"It's.. a long story, Bugaboo. Let's just say that you're not the only one with new powers you can't control," He smirked. "Milady! Watch out!"

Cat Noir tackled her to the side to avoid her getting hit by the villain's power. Unfortunately, they collided with a group of people.

As one of the guys stood up and dusted himself off, Adrien couldn't help but notice the striking similarity. It was like looking in a mirror, with only a few minor differences. The boy could easily have passed for Adrien's twin, with the exception of his messier golden-blonde hair and ice-blue eyes, which were different from Adrien's peridot green eyes.

"I'm so sorry," Ladybug said as she helped them up. "Kitty, cover me."

"Always." Cat Noir spun his baton and blocked the villains' rays, shielding Ladybug and the group as she helped them up.

"It's you," Ladybug said, recognizing Sophie from earlier. "What are you doing here?"

"Ummmm..." Sophie stuttered.

"Nevermind. I need to get you guys to safety." Ladybug shoved them into a dark alley, out of sight, and they bumped into a blonde girl with pink streaks in her hair and a beanie.

"Zoe?" Ladybug exclaimed.

"ZOE?" Percy repeated. "From Camp? What are you doing here in Paris? I thought you were going to school in New York."

"It's... a long story," Zoe explained. "I was sent by Chiron to figure out if that Ladybug girl is a half-blood or not."

"Ladybug? A half-blood?" Sophie asked.

"Yes, I'm thinking Athena. Like I said, it's a long story."

"Well, we don't have time for long stories. I have no idea what you meant by half-blood, but we've got a villain to beat," Cat Noir said.

"Will you guys be safe here?" Ladybug asked them. They nodded. The two superheroes ran back into the fight.
________________________________

annabeth

"Alright, Zoe. You better explain the ENTIRE damn story to us RIGHT NOW," Annabeth's intense grey eyes bore into Zoe's blue ones.

"Dam!" Percy snorted. "Sorry, continue." Annabeth ignored him. The word damn isn't that funny.

"Even to them? They aren't half-bloods."

"They already know everything. It's alright. "

"Okay. So, I was looking at a news article and noticed something about REAL SUPERHEROES in Paris. I only ever thought that they were a thing in the movies and comics, but Chiron wasn't surprised. He explained to me that the two superheroes were called Ladybug and Cat Noir, and they had these magic jewels called Miraculous, which gave them superpowers. Unfortunately, their enemy, Monarch, has a Miraculous, too. It is the Miraculous of the butterfly and grants the power of Transmission. He pretty much controls people and turns them into villains. Anyway, Chiron watched some of the video footage of Ladybug and Cat Noir fighting an akumatized villain and had some ideas. He thought that Ladybug could be a half-blood, and sent me here to watch her because my mom lives here in Paris. I think Ladybug is a half-blood daughter of Athena. I—"

She was silenced by a finger on her lips.

"It's the Neverseen!" Sophie whispered, her eyes wide in fear. Zoe had no idea who the Neverseen were, but if Sophie was a friend of Annabeth's, hopefully, that meant that she could trust her.

She was staring intently at a group of figures wearing black hoods with eye insignias embroidered on their sleeves. Sophie didn't release her breath until they were out of sight.

"I don't have a good feeling about this." Dex looked at Sophie nervously.

"Me neither, Dex." They both shuddered. The Neverseen in Paris brought back too many bad memories.

"So... if I'm to trust these new friends of yours, can I at least know if they're mortal or not?" Zoe asked Annabeth and Percy.

"It's... complicated," Annabeth whispered back. "They aren't human, but not half-bloods, either. Or anything from Greek mythology, really. They're elves."

Annabeth explained everything that Sophie had told her, from Sophie's specialized powers, to normal ones, to their indefinite lifespans. Zoe's eyes widened more and more in disbelief as Annabeth continued. Before Zoe could say anything, they were distracted by a blur of black and gold-blonde flying past them. They watched Cat Noir get up, dazed a bit but alright, as he rejoined Ladybug in the fight with the villain.

_______________________________

cat noir

"Cataclysm!"

Cat Noir called up his power, the power of destruction. The villain was thrown back as Ladybug slid underneath her legs and attached the saddle, pulling it downwards and knocking the villain over. Its akumatized object was incinerated as it met Cat Noir's right hand. A purple-and-black butterfly flew out of the ashes. Ladybug captured it with her magic yo-yo.

"No more evil-doing for you, little Akuma."

Ladybug pressed the top of her yo-yo and the butterfly flew out, now white.

"Bye-bye little butterfly!"

She threw her lucky charm into the air.

"Miraculous Ladybug!"

Sparkly red ladybugs swept across the streets and fixed the damage done by the Akuma, bringing everything back to normal.

"Pound it!" Their hands met in a fist bump.

"Bye, Kitty," Ladybug told Cat Noir as she was about to swing away.

" 'Till we meet again, Milady." Cat Noir bowed and held her hand to kiss.

All of a sudden, an unknown force shoved them apart. Ladybug was surrounded by a neon wall of light.

"Chat!" She cried.

Ladybug pounded her fists against the glowing forcefield that encased her. But to her dismay, her force was returned to her, throwing her back. On the other side of the forcefield, Cat Noir was miserable. He had never felt so powerless before, except maybe when he was forced to move to London and was separated from Marinette.

He felt helpless, unable to do anything to help his partner. No, she was more than a partner. She was his friend. And he would do anything to save her. Not to mention his not-so-former crush. As Ladybug continued to struggle against the barrier, she noticed Cat Noir resting his hand on the forcefield in rest. She could see the pain and worry etched on his face. Without a word, she rested her hand on his from the other side.

"Milady," Cat Noir whispered.

"Hello, Ladybug. We've been waiting for you."

One of the hooded figures stepped into the light and pulled back her hood to reveal cruel, ice-blue eyes and a gaunt, emotionless face. Her blonde hair was wrapped around in a messy bun.

Ladybug straightened her stance in defiance.

"Who are you? What do you want with me?"

"Don't worry," the woman told her in mock kindness, "I don't want to hurt you. I just want to —"

"Everyone put your hands on your ears! Please try to resist." Keefe told them. Sophie's eyes widened and she quickly put her hands over her head. They all did the same, but the Neverseen weren't ready.

"Keefe?" the woman asked in surprise.

"STOP!" Keefe screamed, his voice full of anger. All of the Neverseen froze right where they were, as if time had been stopped, but only for them. The forcefield collapsed, and Ladybug threw herself into Cat Noir's arms. She was near tears.

"I thought I'd lost you," he whispered, his eyes wet as well.

Sophie looked at her elf friends and they nodded.

"I'm going to need you to come with me. All of you. Meet me at Lumenaria," She told Keefe. He nodded.

Sophie looked up at the half-bloods and superheroes.

"Come with me," She repeated. She took their arms. "I don't have time to explain. Just come with me, guys. Concentrate on yourself, and nothing else." She told them as she pulled her crystal out and deflected the light into a beam. She led them into the light.

________________________________
 
As Sophie pulled Cat Noir into the light, he felt a warm, tingling sensation shoot through his body. He stifled a laugh. Despite his best efforts to concentrate on his thoughts as Sophie had told him, he couldn't help but feel like his body had melted into goo, held together only by a blanket of warmth.

He had a feeling that without the warmth surrounding his cells, he wouldn't have been able to hold on. Suddenly, the warmth dissipated, and he felt Ladybug's hand slip away from his. He hadn't been sure he could trust the blonde girl, but he had enough to let her take him away. If she was with the guy who had freed Ladybug, he would have no problem trusting her.

He opened his eyes after emerging from the light. He looked down and noticed he was still transformed.

I should have transformed back by now,  he thought.

He then remembered that Ladybug and he were upgraded and now don't need to de-transform. He was disappointed. He would have seen who Ladybug was already otherwise.

Shut up, Adrien, he scolded himself.

Their identities were kept a secret for a reason, he told himself, just like Ladybug had a thousand times before. It was just as upsetting, though. He was dying to know who was behind Ladybug's mask.

He raised his eyes to a breathtaking sight. His eyes widened as he took it all in, and found himself standing at the edge of a glassy river, its blue surface reflecting the towering trees on its banks. The trees spread their wide, emerald leaves into the puffy white clouds above. Across the river, a row of crystal castles glittered in the sunlight, each one more magnificent than the last. He couldn't help but let his jaw drop at the sight.

To his right, a golden path led into a sprawling city. The elaborate domed buildings were like nothing he had ever seen before, seemingly built from bricks made of precious jewels. Each structure was a different color, making the whole city look like a rainbow come to life. Surrounding the lush valley were majestic, snow-capped mountains, adding to the stunning scenery. The cool air was crisp and clean, not at all hurting his throat like the human-polluted air could sometimes.

"Milady?" Cat Noir looked around for Ladybug.

"I'm right here, Chat." She walked up to him. "Wow, it's beautiful, Sophie."

"I know," Sophie replied. "I was in awe when I first came here."

"It's amazing! Wow, the architecture here is so unique! Where are we, exactly?" Annabeth remarked.

"This place is called Eternalia. You might've heard of Shangri La. This is what the legend originated from." Sophie answered.

"What? NO WAY."

Keefe appeared with the rest of the elves a few minutes later.

"Sophie, are you okay?"

"Of course, thanks Keefe." Sophie pulled him into a hug. They both blushed and walked in separate directions, flustered.

"How are you guys seriously not dating yet?" Marella asked.

"You guys DO seem like you're made for each other," Annabeth pointed out. Sophie felt her face get hot. She didn't deny that it was true. She didn't deny that she wanted it, either.

"I think I should bring all of you guys to Elwin. Let's meet again at Splendor Plains."

They light-leaped to Splendor Plains, Elwin's estate.

"We've done the light thing twice. What were we doing, exactly?"

"Oh, we just leaped on a beam of light," Sophie told Annabeth casually.

"That's... impossible. Have you even HEARD of the theory of relativity?"

"I used to think that, too. But it's true. It's going to be hard for you to go back to the human world after this. Pretty much everything that you've ever learned in Physics is a lie."

"Excuse me? No. Freaking. Way. I'm going to college now, for the gods' sake. And NOW you tell me that all I've ever learned about Physics is wrong?"

Sophie shrugged. Keefe and the rest of the people appeared in the grassy field.

"Alright, it's time to visit the doctor."

They all groaned.

"Do we REALLY have to go to the doctor's? I'm healthy, I promise." Cat Noir said, raising his right hand in a sort of pledge or salute.

"You'll just be getting a simple detox." Sophie rolled her eyes.

"All Elwin does is feed you a bunch of vials of stuff that taste like candy. You'll be fine." Keefe whispered to Cat Noir.

"Then you're right. I'll be fine." They walked through the glass doors and went up the stairs also made of glass until they got to Elwin's room.

"Elwin?" Sophie called out. "We've brought visitors."

Zoe, Percy, Annabeth, Ladybug, and Cat Noir stepped forward.

"An interesting five. None of them are fully human, I see."

"Wait — what about Ladybug and I? Aren't we fully human?" Cat Noir asked.

"You'll see." Elwin smiled. "I'm going to need you two to detransform. The magic is interfering with my light," Elwin told them as he created a sphere of purple light.

"Detransform?" Ladybug asked in disbelief.

"You want us to reveal our secret identities to a bunch of strangers?"

"Oh, they're not secret, Marinette."

Ladybug's pupils dilated. "W-what did you just call me?" Cat Noir saw her glance at Sophie. Sophie put both of her hands up.

I didn't say anything to him. Sophie's voice filled Ladybug's head.

"M-marinette?" Cat Noir stumbled back, his eyes wide in shock."Do you know my identity, too?"

"Yes, Adrien."

Ladybug/Marinette stared at Cat Noir/Adrien in dismay.

"What's your last name, Adrien, since we're all exposed now."

"Agreste."

"Haha!" She laughed incredulously. "Good one. Now, seriously, who are you?"

Cat Noir felt something in his chest. But Cat Noir was his true self. He didn't want her to think Adrien was better just because he was perfect.

Elwin answered for him. "He actually IS Adrien Agreste, Ms. Dupain-Cheng." Before she could respond, Marinette crumpled to the floor and would have hit her head if Cat Noir/Adrien hadn't caught her. Cat Noir gently placed Ladybug onto the nearest bed.

"Well, then. I guess there's no point in staying transformed. Plagg, claws in." He held his hand out as a small dark creature landed in his cupped hands. He pulled out a piece of camembert cheese and placed it next to him. Plagg devoured it at once.

"So..." Plagg smirked. "The cat's out of the bag, huh?"

"Will she be okay?" Adrien asked Elwin, ignoring his kwami.

"She's alright. She's just in shock."

Adrien shook her gently. Ladybug began to stir and opened her eyes. She looked up at Adrien and fell back onto the bed. Adrien helped her sit up.

"Are... you okay, Marinette?"

"So... it's true? Everyone knows now?"

"I think I'm the only one who didn't already know until now."

"Tikki, spots off. " Tikki fell into her hands, exhausted. Marinette handed her a pink and white polka-dot macaron.

"So, it's really you?" Adrien asked Marinette.

"Are you... disappointed?" Marinette looked away in shame.

"Disappointed? Are you kidding? I just found out that my girlfriend and best friend in the entire world are the same person! This is the best day of my life, Marinette!"

He pulled her into a hug, and they both blushed.

"I still can't believe you're Cat Noir."

"Why?"

"You act so different as Cat Noir. You've got a flirty, cat-pun-loving superhero vs. a perfect, innocent model. Is it really that easy to believe that you're the same person?"

"I guess not." He kissed Marinette on the cheek. "But I'll always be both, whether you like it or not."

Marinette giggled.

"So will I."

Marinette must have been pretty tired, since the second after, she fell back asleep.
________________________________
annabeth/percy

Annabeth downed several brightly colored elixirs. They melted in her mouth, each tasting like different types of candy. Elwin kept switching between the colors of the light. He was constantly changing it from orange to purple to green.

"All good!" Elwin told her after what felt like at least six hours.

"Okay, Percy. You can come in now!" Annabeth said. Elwin had made a rule that Percy couldn't see Annabeth until after the detox was finished.

"So... how do I look?"

Percy's jaw dropped in shock. He tried to hide his red cheeks but failed.

As Annabeth walked towards Percy, he couldn't help but stare at her in awe. Her beauty was breathtaking. Her wavy golden-blonde hair cascaded down her back, glistening in the sunlight. Her skin was radiant and smooth, with a healthy glow that made her look like she was lit from within. Her eyes were bright silver, full of life and energy.

Percy was completely mesmerized by her appearance. He couldn't find the words to express how stunning she looked. It was like nothing he had ever seen before, even better than when she had gotten that incredible makeover at Circe's island. Every detail of her appearance was perfect, even with her plain t-shirt and jean shorts. Words couldn't describe how beautiful she looked. He just stood there, speechless.

"That means you look amazing," Marella smirked. "And you do, Annabeth. You look beautiful."

"Thanks, Marella. I'm trying to force it out of the mouth of my mute boyfriend at the moment."

Percy went up to her, picked up her hands, and held her close.

"You do look beautiful, Annabeth. Seriously." He told her as he walked away.
________________________________
marinette

Marinette had been avoiding Adrien. Not because she didn't want to be with him. But because she didn't know what to do. Now that she knew he was Cat Noir, everything was different. 

"H-hey, Marinette!" Adrien nervously walked up to her.

"Oh, hi Adrien." She turned away, her cheeks bright red.

He was still her boyfriend, but it just felt so complicated, now. They had literally had a relationship with her as Marinette and him as Cat Noir for a little while! She needed to get over it, and fast. She wanted to be with him. She just didn't know how to anymore.

"Do you need a little help?" Biana asked as Marinette watched Adrien walk away.

"With what?"

"Adrien. It's obvious that something is going on with you two."

Marinette looked at the ground.

"Yeah, I just... can't believe he's Cat Noir. I'd be lying if I said it wasn't the reason we're being so awkward right now."

"Just talk to him about it, Mari. I'm sure it changed how he saw you, too." Biana told her.

"I– can't, Biana. It's not that simple. I can't just talk to him." Marinette said.

"You can when he's Cat Noir. Why would Adrien be different?" Biana asked.

"It just is. They're like two different people."

"Just be yourself, Mari. I'm sure he loves you for who you are. Just be honest with him."
Marinette sighed.

"You're not gonna let me out of this one, are you?"

"You're GOING to talk to him, Marinette. Go! "

She shoved Marinette from the back, and Marinette crashed into Adrien.

"Sorry," Marinette told him. "Um, can we talk?"

Adrien's eyebrows scrunched up.

"S-sure, Marinette."

He sat down on the nearest bed and gestured for her to do the same. Marinette sank her into the soft mattress. She hadn't realized how tired she was until she sat down.

"So.." Marinette started.

"So...?" Adrien continued.

"So... I feel like things have changed between us."

Adrien sighed. "Me too, Marinette." He scooted a little closer to her and rested his hand on hers.

"I just found out that the two girls I would give my life for are the same girl. I don't know why I'm not rejoicing right now."

"Me, too. My boyfriend and partner are the same two people. I don't know why I'm acting like this, but I am. I guess... maybe... I'm afraid that things will change now." She told him.

"Things ARE different. But change is a good thing. Speaking of change, maybe we should talk about our new powers."

"What is there to say?"

"Well, first of all, you have ice powers, and I heard Sophie say that that's an elf ability."

"Oh, yeah, and you can go through stuff," she giggled, staring at his legs that had sunk through the mattress without him knowing. He blushed and squinted his eyes, and suddenly his legs were solid again.

"Also an elf power." Sophie stepped in. "It's called Phasing. If you can do it, you are called a Phaser."

"Plus, Elwin was saying that neither of us were 'fully human.' Adrien, are we elves?" Her eyes widened at the realization.

"That would make sense, since you guys both have Elvin powers," Sophie replied. "I'll look into it for you guys, okay?" Marinette nodded, but she felt twisted up inside. Did that mean that her parents weren't hers at all?

"Are you okay?" Adrien asked Marinette.

"Ummmm... yeah.. totesally. I mean... totally. Why do you ask?"

"You've got frost on your hands."

"Whatttt?" Marinette said. "I don't. What are you talking about?" She struggled to withdraw the growing ice on her fingertips. She let out an awkward laugh, and then breathed out, her eyes suddenly serious.

"But actually, I'm scared about where my parents fit into all of this, and how they might not even be my parents at all."

Adrien paled. Marinette guessed he hadn't thought about it like that. She noticed his legs blur up and sink once again into the mattress. Now it was Marinette's turn to comfort him.

"Hey," Marinette's voice was soft as she whispered, "It's okay. Just know that you're not alone in this, alright? I'll always be there for you." Adrien wiped his tears with his sleeve and made his legs solid again.

"Thanks, Milady."

"Marinette!" Elwin shouted from across the room, "It's time for your detox." Marinette sighed and walked over to him. That's when she noticed Annabeth. She didn't know what to say. Annabeth was already beautiful before, but the detox seemed to amplify and enhance her features.

"Don't worry, Marinette," Annabeth assured her. "It doesn't hurt."