A Series of Ridiculous Reveals

The akuma struck just as the lunch bell rang. It seems not having enough time to finish a test was upsetting enough for Papillon to strike.

Marinette let her classmates race out ahead of her, shutting the classroom door behind them. She squatted below the windows and called for her transformation.

When Ladybug landed in the courtyard below, Chat Noir was already there. He seemed to be enjoying himself, leaping around and taunting the akuma. Ladybug gave a lopsided grin and joined the fight.

It was a hectic battle. The akuma was an overachiever in his daily life and that had carried over to his new form. Unfortunately, he was armed with a blaster. Anything he hit exploded with enough force to knock Ladybug and Chat Noir off their feet, and it was affecting their surroundings.

'We need to wrap this up, Bug,' Chat Noir called, eyeing the upper level warily.

'Right,' she responded. 'Lucky Charm!'

Armed with only her yoyo and a wire coathanger, she and Chat Noir caught the villain and broke his pocket protector.

Just as she was about to catch the escaping akuma, there was a screech of metal as the support pillars on the south side began to collapse. The students huddled under the catwalk screamed and tried to get away. However, in their panic, they stampeded over each other in their primal urge for survival. Many fell or were inadvertently pushed down and trampled by their classmates.

Ladybug rushed toward them, wading through the masses and pushing the ones she could reach toward the exit. She shoved the injured ones into the arms of their friends, ordering them to help. She had just finished clearing the area when the upper level collapsed, sending dust and debris everywhere.

Ladybug sighed, dirty and tired. She bent forward, resting her hands on her knees, when she noticed she still held her Lucky Charm. Ladybug groaned, loud and long, at her own stupidity.

Two other things also occurred to her. Chat Noir was nowhere to be seen and the akuma was long gone.

Ladybug threw her head back, wailing pitifully as she sat heavily in the dust and rubble.

She berated herself severely as she got up again to find Chat Noir.

'Chat?' she called.

Visibility was low with the dust still hanging in the air. Ladybug drew a deep breath and coughed out a weak 'Miraculous Ladybug!'

Finally, she could see Chat Noir. He was crouching in the furthest corner of the courtyard, staring at her and slowly chewing on something with his mouth open.

'What do you have in your mouth?' she asked sternly.

Chat Noir's eyes widened and he made to run away.

'What do you have in your mouth?' Ladybug repeated loudly as she chased him.

It wasn't until after she'd caught Chat Noir, and made him spit up the akuma, that she realised why this had felt so familiar.

'Adrien, ew,' she exclaimed with deep disgust.