My frustration boiled over, but I kept it buried beneath the surface. After everything I'd planned, after all the careful moves I'd made, Marinette still didn't trust me. What was I, another Cat Noir? That comparison stung more than I wanted to admit.
I glanced down at the Miraculous on my wrist. The little screen blinked 2:43 time slipping away faster than I liked.
With a quick twist, I was already back, catching Ladybug's surprised glanceas I vanished. This was my chance. I was back in the fight.
Ladybug and Cat Noir were already retreating, making their usual graceful exit from the fight. 'Looks like it's my turn now,' I thought, heart pounding, adrenaline sharpening every sense.
I leapt into the fray and called out to Stormy Weather again, baiting her, trying to rile her up into unleashing that massive attack. But my focus wasn't all there, my mind was tangled in a mess of doubt.
How did it come to this? How did my plan loose control? More importantly, why can't she trust me?
Ladybug swooped in again, breaking Stormy Weather's umbrella like it was nothing. Landing beside Cat Noir bathed by the approaching sunlight like some cover of an upcoming movie, she looked over at me that familiar, searching look. The same question, wordless but loud:
"Hand over your Miraculous
I swallowed hard. This was it. I had to somehow convince her.
"Wait, Ladybug. Please, just let me keep this," I said, voice steady but a noticeable stutter appeared. "I've always wanted to protect the people I love. With this... I can."
Her eyes narrowed.
And she prepared gave me the same warning about Hawk Moth, the danger, the responsibility. She wasn't about to hand it over lightly.
Again.
Ladybug and Cat Noir started to pull back again, but I wasn't done. Not yet. I wasn't sure how to keep the Miraculous without everything falling apart.
As I pulled into the fight I started configuring plans.' I can't just run. That would destroy everything I've worked for.'
I thought back to Chloe, Queen Bee had managed to keep hers after helping defeat Style Queen. Could that be the key? No, it couldn't be that wouldn't make any sense.
I shouted the same phrase again at stormy weather, trying to pull Ladybug and Cat Noir back into the fight. But I wasnt very interest in the fight skill contemplating, As I was my eyes drifted away from the battle and landed on Alya, phone raised, recording from the litteral volcanic battlefield.
I'd called her here to show the world the new hero alongside Ladybug and Cat Noir. But now, her role felt pointless.
Ladybug caught the Akuma again and restored Paris to normal. My mind flashed to the video I'd watched on the fight between Queen Bee and Ladybug against Style Queen. They fought her.. then Ladybug de-evilized the Akuma…Then Chloe-
Wait. That's it!
Ladybug started walking toward me, but it was too late.
I called out loud, "Second Chance!"
The world bent before me, swallowing me in a blinding white light.
---
I was back on the battlefield, perched atop the tallest building with a smirk I couldn't hide. Stormy Weather was glaring at me, ready to strike after my taunting.
Ladybug and Cat Noir stepped in, stopping her massive attack and broke her umbrella once more.
Without hesitation, I crouched in a blur, racing across rooftops at lightning speed.
Seeing her in the distance I leapt off the final building landing with a marvel pose and standing to see a camera staring back at me.
Finally, I landed right in front of Alya just as she was about to turn off it off.
"L— I mean, what's your hero name?" she asked, trying to sound casual.
I smiled. "It's okay. You don't have to pretend. Sorry for calling you out here with all this going on."
"It's fine. You didn't know this would happen."
Her grin turned cheeky as she raised the camera again. "Since your here can I get an interview for the Ladyblog? Dont worry Ill delete your name and face."
My smile grew "sure good right ahead, you can come up with there hero name"
She began her countdown the camera point directly at me.
I glanced down at the clock on my wrist —
1:41. They'd been fighting Stormy Weather for nearly three minutes before id even recieved my Miraculous. Time was running out, and there was no way Marinette would come to claim it.
A small smile tugged at my lips as Alya began the interview
"Now," I thought, "I finally have real power."