A quick author's note before we move on ahead: I can't believe we're at Chapter 12 already! A big thank you to those on Fanfiction.net who have favorited, followed and reviewed! I hope to see more of those!

@JaegerIttoki909, this one's for you!

I decided to name Lily's parents after the OCs that Life Among the Dead and I only have a Dark Life sent me for my Pokémon fanfic, The Miraculous Adventure of Tessa and Lunala. For those who have also read that story, I need plot ideas for Chapter 21, and I also need your help voting in the poll on my profile page if you're on Fanfiction.net.

Also, fair warning, this is one of the few chapters where suggestive themes (PG-13 territory) are present. There's nothing mature or explicit, but obviously Marc has pent-up feelings for Lily, and being akumatized can cause someone to do crazy things...

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Ladybug (Ladybug finishing her transformation)

Cat Noir (Cat Noir finishing his transformation)

Crystal Cygne (Crystal Cygne finishing her transformation)

Cottontail (Cottontail finishing her transformation)

We've been preparing (Ladybug, Cat Noir, Crystal Cygne and Cottontail on patrol)

Sharing (Elisa helping Sakura with her Footloose lines)

Training (Luka and Elisa meditating together, holding hands)

Studying A to Z (Elisa raising her hand in class)

Bonding (Elisa and Sakura hugging)

Battling (Cat Noir destroying Captain Hardrock's ship with Cataclysm)

Laughing (Elisa laughing at Nathaniel's drawing of Hawk Moth's defeat)

Gettin' crazy, you and me (Luka kissing Elisa)

'Cause it's coming soon (The window in Hawk Moth's lair opening)

When we all meet our destiny (Luka and Elisa standing under the moonlight in each other's arms)

Under the Parisian moon (Ladybug, Cat Noir, Crystal Cygne and Cottontail stand side by side, now joined by Rena Rouge, Carapace and Queen Bee)

Miraculous!

Lily

"Are you ready to go, sweetheart?" My mother called to me from downstairs.

"Coming, Mom!" I ran downstairs while holding up the skirt of my usual rainbow dress. Both my parents were waiting for me by the front door.

"You sure you have everything, pumpkin?" Dad asked me.

"Dad," I rolled my eyes. "First off, could you please stop calling me that? Second off, yes, I have everything. And by the way, Mia and Melandra invited me to hang out with them after school today."

"Tell Mia and Melandra that your mother and I are fine with that, ok, pump- I mean princess?"

"I will, Dad." I replied, kissing my father on both cheeks and opening the front door. I ran down the front steps.

"Have a good day at school, Lily Pad." Mom called out to me. I stopped to run back and kiss Mom on both her cheeks before heading off.

"I will, Mom!" I called back as I ran to meet Nathaniel, Luka and Sakura in front of Elisa's house.

Elisa

It was a brand new day. I did my usual morning routine and ate breakfast before heading out the door for school. Luka, Nathaniel, Sakura and Lily were waiting for me outside.

Yesterday was quite eventful, you know, with Queen Wasp and everything. Sakura had her arm looped through Nathaniel's, and Luka wrapped his arm around my shoulder.

"Nate, any luck with finding a scriptwriter?" Sakura asked her boyfriend as the five of us walked to school together. Nathaniel had plans for working on a comic book, but needed a scriptwriter to work with.

Nathaniel frowned. "No. I don't want to give up, but if I don't find a scriptwriter by the end of the week, I might have no choice."

Luka offered his own two cents. "Hey, you might get lucky and find one today."

Nathaniel sighed. "I hope that's the case, Luka."

We arrived at school and headed to Ms. Bustier's classroom, parting ways with Lily.

Marinette

The school day had ended. I wasn't ready to go home just yet, because I was searching for someone. Nathaniel had told me about his intentions to make a comic book, and I knew just the right person to be the scriptwriter. I found him sitting under the stairs, writing in his journal.

"Hey, Marc! How's it going? Where is the rest of your class?"

"Oh, hey, Marinette." Marc said nervously. "We're done with classes for today; the others probably went home."

"Perfect timing!" I smiled at that. "Our class has a spare hour, so some of us are heading over to the art room. You should come check it out!"

Marc seemed uncertain. "Sure... Why not?"

I peeked over his shoulder to take a look at his journal. "Maybe you'll finally let me read your writing!"

"Yeah I don't know? Maybe." Marc said hesitantly.

"Awesome! See you later then." I giggled, running upstairs to the art room.

Elisa

I was in the art room, gluing yellow feathers to one of my plain dresses. Aunt Audrey had suggested that idea to me, and I instantly liked it. Nathaniel was showing his drawings to Mr. Monlataing, the art teacher.

"This is a team up of Ladybug, Crystal Cygne and Mightillustrator fighting Queen Wasp together."

"You mean Evillustrator?" Mr. Monlataing corrected.

"He changed his name after Ladybug de-akumatized him and became a superhero." Nathaniel explained.

"Bad guy who comes over to the good side, great idea." Mr. Monlataing seemed satisfied by Nathaniel's idea. "You should make a comic book about that." He suggested.

I looked over to see Marinette working on a hat, Anita Woodard to my left working on a scrapbook, and Lily sewing a white cape. Marinette was smiling at the exchange between Mr. Monlataing and Nathaniel.

There was no Footloose rehearsal today or tomorrow because Mrs. Miller was out sick, and we had a substitute teacher in our drama class.

"Yeah, but I'm only good at drawing stories, not writing them." Nathaniel said sadly.

"Then you should team up with a creative writer."

I saw a boy in a red jacket and rainbow shirt peer through the doorway. If I recall correctly, that's Marc Anciel. Oh, that's right! He's playing Ren's friend Garvin in Footloose!

"Maybe... But, I don't know anyone who's into that."

"Don't worry, Nathaniel." I reassured my classmate. "I'm sure you'll find your scriptwriter today, if not tomorrow."

"Elisa's right." Alix took off her spray mask. "There's gotta be somebody out there just waiting to meet you. Red please!"

Nathaniel tossed the red spray paint can to Alix.

"Marc, you made it!" Marinette got up, ran to Marc and grabbed him by the arm. "Come meet everyone!" She dragged Marc over to Mr. Monlataing and introduced him. "This is Marc, the boy I told you about! The one who's always writing."

"He's in one of my art periods. In fact, he's in the same period as Lily." Mr. Monlataing acknowledged with a smile.

Marc hid a journal he was carrying in his jacket. "Uh... I'm sorry I didn't want to disturb you."

"It's like I told you in class today, Marc. You're never disturbing anyone here. Don't forget that you can come whenever you want outside of class time or after school. Anyone can create what they want, anyway they want. Rose is writing lyrics for a rock band." Mr. Monlataing walked over to Rose and lifted up her headphones. "Rose, I would like you to meet Marc."

"Hey, there!" Rose yelled, raising her fist to the air. "Nice to meet you Marc."

I cringed. "Eh, a little too loud, Rose."

Mr. Monlataing gestured to Alix. "Alix is our expert at street art."

Alix proved her point by flipping a spray can in the air and catching it.

"Anita here is putting a scrapbook together."

Anita smiled and waved.

"And Nathaniel -"

"He likes to draw people in skinny suits."

At Alix's remark, Nathaniel threw a crumpled paper ball at her, and she laughed.

"Welcome, Marc." Nathaniel greeted. "As you'll find out, the good thing about this place is you can say whatever you want and no one will judge you, or only in good fun."

I listened to the conversation as I continued to work on the dress.

"I... I saw your drawings on the school website, but they're nothing compared to the real thing. The movement, the expressions, the attitudes. There all so -"

"Thanks... That's nice."

I looked up to see that Marc had stepped back, embarrassed by what he had said. "Sorry... But it's true, I-I've never seen drawings so-"

"So messed up."

I turned my head to see my godsister standing in the doorway with Sabrina.

"All he ever draws anymore is Ladybug, ever since she de-akumatized him. As if Ladybug could care less about a guy like him."

She laughed, and Nathaniel went red with anger, starting to pack away his drawings. Luckily, Mr. Monlataing stopped him.

"I've already told you, Chloé, if you have an art project you want to work on, you're quite welcome here. Otherwise-"

"Of course I've got a project." Chloé interrupted Mr. Monlataing, doing a spin into the art room and striking a pose. Sabrina was preparing to show us something. "A unique masterpiece that will revolutionize the art world. Nothing you commoners would have come up with."

"Let me guess..." Alix spoke up. I looked at her, surprised to see her copying Chloé's pose. "Another collage of selfies?"

Everyone laughed, except for myself, Mr. Monlataing, Chloé and Sabrina. Anita laughed so hard, she fell out of her chair.

"What?!" Chloé exclaimed as she and Sabrina hid what they were about to show us. "No! That's ridiculous! Utterly... Ridiculous! You don't deserve my art anyway."

With that, Chloé left the art room, pushing Sabrina with her.

"Well Alix, if Chloé really did have an art project, it's too bad we didn't give her a chance to tell us about it, is it?"

Alix sighed and put her mask back on, continuing her street art. "Whatever."

"By the way Marc, you've shown up at the perfect time. Marinette told us that you're always writing and Nathaniel is looking for a script writer."

At Mr. Monlataing's words, Nathaniel flashed Marc a smile.

Marc widened his eyes and jumbled over his words. "Uh? Me? A script writer? Oh, no. I don't write that kind of stuff, I mean I don't write anything interesting honestly. Sorry. Gotta go. Thanks for everything!" He then bolted out of the classroom.

"No Marc!" Marinette got up to chase after him.

"He's very shy, just as much as Lily." I explained to Nathaniel.

Roughly ten minutes passed before Marinette came back.

"Could you come with me, Lily? I need your help with something."

When Marinette and Lily left the art room, Sakura approached my table.

"Elisa, just what are Marinette and Lily up to?"

I shrugged. "Beats me."

Lily

Marinette had filled me in on the plan to get Marc and Nathaniel to work together and make a comic book. I was totally on board with it. He had dropped his journal in the hallway, and we were on our way to return it.

We found Marc frantically searching his locker for something. He shut the locker door and saw us standing there.

"Looking for this?" Marinette held out Marc's journal.

"Oh." Marc sighed in relief, grabbing the journal and holding it to his chest. He gasped in fear. "Did you read it?"

Marinette held her hands up with a smile. "Oh, no!"

I gave her the 'I know you're lying' look.

Seeing my facial expression, Marinette slumped with a sigh.

"Yeah... sorry. It was too tempting."

"Oh, how embarrassing." Marc turned his back to us. "So, so lame."

"No, it's not!" Marinette insisted. "You should turn it into a comic book. Why don't you team up with Nathaniel?"

"Uhh," Marc turned slightly so he could see us out of the corner of his eye. "I'm sure he won't like it."

Marinette and I walked closer to Marc and stood on either side of him.

"You should have him read it before you jump to conclusions."

"Y-yeah." I stammered. "That way he'll frown, I mean smile and say 'I don't like it'. No! I mean, he'll say 'I like it'!"

"But what if he doesn't like it?" Marc buried his face in his journal. "I'll be so embarrassed. I'll have to change schools so I'll never run into him again."

My eyes widened in fear at the thought of Marc leaving the school.

"Ohhh, and that means I'll have to switch schools out of shame!" I groaned dramatically.

"Now you're both being silly." Marinette pressed. "Look, he draws Ladybug all the time and you write stories about her. Oh, I've got an idea; we'll have him read it without telling him who wrote it. If he like's it, it's a win-win. If he doesn't, we just won't say anything. Do you agree to this, Lily?"

"Uh... Yeah, if you're sure about this..." I answered hesitantly.

"Do you think it'll work?" Marc asked.

"Trust me on this." Marinette held out her hand.

Elisa

I had glued the last feather onto the dress when I heard Nathaniel and Marinette talking. When Nathaniel left the room, Marinette pulled Sakura and I aside, explaining what was going on. She and Lily hatched a plan to get Marc and Nathaniel to work together on a comic book, and Phase Two was getting started. Thankfully the glue dried pretty quickly, so I took the finished dress with me.

The five of us hid behind a staircase across the courtyard, spying on Nathaniel. He was sitting on the stairs across the area with a bright smile on his face. Lily was wearing her now finished white cape, hoping to show it to Mia Monarrez and Melandra.

"Do you think he likes it?" Marc asked.

"I'd certainly say so." Lily shrugged.

"Look at his face! Of course, he does." Marinette said with a smile.

"It's rude to spy on people." Said a familiar voice from behind us. We turned around to see a smirking Adrien standing only a few feet from us.

"Yeah, says Mister-I-hide-behind-Marinette's-locker-and-wait-for-her." I smirked back.

"Eh..." Marinette's confidence immediately went out the window. "No! It's not what you think at all! It's just that... it's gonna be... eh... Nathaniel's birthday soon and, ehm, Marc, Lily and I wanted... to give him a disguise... I mean, surprise!"

We all smiled to play along. Adrien didn't seem to buy it, though.

"Cool." Wait, did he just wink at Marinette?! "Very typical of you, Marinette. Well, if you need any help with that, let me know." He then walked off.

"Sure won't!" Marinette said with an 'I can' gesture. Realizing what she said, she corrected herself with a higher pitched voice. "Sure will!" She then slumped with a groan.

"You're just as shy as we are, aren't you?" Marc asked, gesturing to Lily.

"Just do as I say, not as I do, okay?" Marinette asked matter-of-factly.

Sakura

Elisa had gone back to her place with Luka to rehearse their duet in Footloose, Lily was hanging out with Mia and Melandra, and I was heading to the Place des Vosges with Nathaniel.

We came across Marc sitting on the fountain, but Nathaniel didn't know it yet.

"Ladybug?" Nathaniel asked with a smile.

Marc turned around, revealing himself to not be Ladybug.

"What?!" Nathaniel widened his eyes. "You're not Ladybug!"

"Of course I'm not." Marc pulled down his hoodie. "It's me, Marc. Didn't Marinette and Lily tell you?"

"Marinette? Lily?" Nathaniel looked up at Marinette's balcony and saw her filming us with her phone.

Wow, looks like Operation: Comic Book just backfired.

"You were trying to make a fool of me, weren't you?" Nathaniel pointed accusingly in Marinette's direction. "Do you think it's funny to toy with my feelings?"

"No, not at all! I-" Marc stammered. "I I just want.. to make.. a comic book, if you want to, that is."

"A comic book? Us?! Together?! Never!"

Much to my shock, and Marc's, Nathan ripped the journal and threw it down! He walked off fuming.

I was appalled by what Nathan had just done. You don't go ripping people's belongings like that!

I patted Marc on the shoulder. "I'll talk some sense into him." I then stormed off after him. "Nathaniel! You get back here and apologize right now!"

Marinette

"Oh, no!" I gasped in dismay. I ran down to comfort him. However, I was too late by the time I reached the Place des Vosges. Instead of Marc, there was a black and white person on a color matching hoverboard. Mr. Ramier, who had previously been akumatized into Mr. Pigeon (several times), was sitting on a bench, feeding the pigeons.

"Marc? What happened?"

"I'm not Marc anymore." He said. This was obviously Marc, but his voice has deepened considerably. I gasped in fear. Oh, no! He was akumatized!

He flew around on his hoverboard before stopping to float above me. "I am Reverser! And you, Marinette, the one who caused all this! You think you're the super helpful girl who's loved by everyone? Well, from now on, everyone will hate you!" He formed a paper plane in his hand and threw it at me. "Reversion!"

I ducked, and the paper plane hit Mr. Ramier instead. The pigeons flew away from him, and he ran after them, pleading for them to come back.

"But I don't get it!" I tried to reason with him. "We really were trying to help you!"

"LIAR!" Reverser prepared to throw another paper plane at me. "You and Lily told Nathaniel I was someone else!"

Thankfully, he was stopped by someone blowing a whistle. He turned and saw Officer Roger staring him down.

"Hey, you! What is this thing?" He pointed at the hoverboard. "Vehicle registration, please."

"You're all about law and order? Well we're all done with that! Reversion!"

While Reverser was busy with Officer Roger, I got up and ran somewhere to hide.

Officer Roger was laughing and pumping his taser. "Do whatever you want with that paper plane of yours. I've got other plans!" He then ran off somewhere.

Reverser then turned around, but I was gone. He couldn't find me, not where I was hiding.

Seeing my absence, Reverser flew off in another direction, yelling "MARINEEETTTE!"

From my hiding place behind a nearby wall, I turned to my kwami. "Where did Operation: Comic Book go wrong? We'd better find out. Tikki, spots on!" I transformed and went to engage Reverser. I wrapped my yo-yo around his arm and pleaded for him to make the right choice and give up, but he refused.

"You talk a lot, Ladybug, but what will you do without your powers? Reversion!" He threw multiple paper airplanes at me, but I skillfully dodged them all.

"You can't stay still, can you? Well let's go for a ride, then!" He then flew off, dragging me through the streets with him.

Hopefully, Cat Noir and the others will show up soon...

Elisa

I was in my room with Luka. We were practicing 'Almost Paradise', the duet Ren and Ariel sing in the show. At that moment, I got a sinking feeling in my stomach.

"Elisa, what's wrong?" Luka put his hands on my shoulders.

"I think someone's been akumatized. Lily might be in danger. I have to transform."

Suuiren flew out of her little bed and over to me.

"Be careful, babe." Luka pecked me on the lips.

"I will, love. I'm guessing all the meditating I've done and when we did it together really made a difference. Suuiren, shake your feathers!"

I transformed into Crystal Cygne and went to search for my teammates. I immediately found Cottontail, who insisted we go find Lily.

Adrien

I was in the Gorilla's car, stuck in a traffic jam. I was watching the news to try and pass the time, but I was still bored.

"As Mayor Bourgeois will later talk about his new Space Dumpster program," Nadja Chamack said on the news. "Protesters gathered under the slogan 'Space is No Dump' and are walking towards City Hall, causing traffic jams in the center of the city!"

Something out of the corner caught my eye. I looked out the window to see a laughing Officer Roger with duffel bags of money on his shoulders, pumping his taser in the air. "In the name of the law: do whatever you want!" He then ran off to who-knows-where.

"The bank! He robbed the bank!" A random man yelled.

I then heard screaming. I looked up to see Ladybug being dragged through the air on a black and white being riding a hoverboard. He must have been akumatized!

I opened the car door and turned to the Gorilla, having come up with a great excuse.

"I forgot my fencing gloves. Since traffic's so bad, I'll go get them and catch up with you on foot!"

I ran behind a wall and let Plagg out of my jacket.

"Plagg, claws out!"

I transformed into Cat Noir and went off to find my Bugaboo. I hope she's all right...

Lily

"Lily, you've gotta see this!" Melandra pulled on my arm, dragging me along. "Officer Roger is not his normal self, and there are others acting strange as well!"

"That's likely rubbish." Mia rolled her eyes. "I'm sure there's nothing to worry..." She stopped when she saw pigeons flying away from Xavier Ramier and Officer Roger pumping his taser and running off with duffel bags of money he took from the bank. What was going on?!

"...about."

I gasped, and Melandra covered her mouth in shock. Why were they acting different?

"Ok..." Mia said, changing her demeanor. "On second thought, we should probably worry just a little bit..."

I then saw two dots on the horizon, getting closer and closer at top speed.

"Wait... Crystal Cygne? Cottontail?"

"Lily! Guys!" I recognized the voice as Cottontail's.

They appeared to be struggling to catch their breath. It seems what they had to tell us was extremely urgent. Crystal Cygne was in the air, and she was pulling Cottontail by the hand.

It wasn't long before Crystal Cygne became so exhausted, she could not keep herself in the air anymore. She landed on top of Cottontail, and both superheroines crashed to the ground.

Melandra, Mia and I immediately ran to where they had fallen.

The two got to their feet and started spewing out insults at each other.

"This is all your fault! Had you not insisted on us heading over here as fast as we could go, we wouldn't be so tired!"

"Uh, hello, puff ball? How exactly is this my fault?"

"Ladies! Ladies!" I shoved the two apart before they could hit each other. "If there's anyone to blame for all this chaos, it's Hawk Moth. Now, why are you two in such a panic?"

When Crystal Cygne and Cottontail finished explaining, I was both worried and scared. According to what they had told me, Marc had thought Nathaniel, Marinette and I made a fool out of him! He had been akumatized into a villain on a hoverboard known as Reverser. Apparently, he lived up to his name, which explained why Officer Roger was not his normal self.

I'm sure Elisa ushered everyone to safety, Sakura was off yelling at Nathaniel, and Marinette had found a hiding place, but I was not out of the woods yet.

"Luckily, I have a secret weapon." Cottontail raised a wish card to the sky. A wormhole opened up, and a familiar looking bat swooped down in front of us. I never thought I would actually see this creature! It was Lunala, the Legendary Pokémon!

"A Pokémon?" I narrowed my eyes. "I thought they weren't real things!"

Crystal Cygne giggled. "Cottontail is full of surprises."

My face lit up in realization. "Lunala could help me get to safety!"

"And if Reverser gets either myself or Cottontail, the other will accompany you and Lunala." Crystal Cygne reassured me.

"Well, what are we waiting for?" Cottontail shrugged. "Better sooner than later."

I nodded. The three of us took off running, Lunala flying beside us. Melandra and Mia left to go into hiding.

When we reached the Seine, we gasped at what we saw. Ladybug was clumsy, and Cat Noir was a coward!

"Ladybug! Cat Noir!" I cried out.

"Reverser must have hit them." Crystal Cygne concluded.

"Protect Lily for us." Ladybug smiled sadly.

Cottontail nodded. "We will. Come on! We have no time to lose!"

The three of us took off once more. It took us twenty seconds to get to the nearest alleyway.

"Cottontail, keep lookout."

Cottontail was only in the air for four seconds before she came back down. From the look on her face, what she was about to say did not sound good.

"He's onto us."

I started to panic, but Crystal Cygne patted my shoulder. I climbed onto the Moone Pokémon with hope in my eyes.

"Ready, Lunala?"

Lunala looked at me and chirped. We were the first to take off into the air.

Five seconds later, Crystal Cygne was behind us. Cottontail took off, and we were flying through the streets of Paris.

"Look out!" Cottontail cried. "He's on our tail!"

"Crystal, why don't you hold him off? Hurry, Lunala! Hurry!"

While Crystal Cygne held Reverser off, Cottontail stayed with me and Lunala.

Thirteen seconds into our gangway, Cottontail stopped and gasped. "Crystal! She didn't last!"

I was ready to panic when Cottontail urged us forward.

"Hey, Lily, I just got what is probably one of the best ideas ever!"

"What is it?" I asked. I was afraid, but hopeful that Cottontail's idea would get me out of this jam.

"There's a big wall over there, and if Reverser finds us, I'll distract him. You'll wait for my signal, and when I give it to you, Lunala will bring you to safety. I'm positive you'll be safe then."

"Cottontail, are you sure you know what you're doing?"

"I don't know if it'll hold Reverser off for long. But it's worth a shot. You guys hide behind that wall. I have something in mind should he find us."

Lunala and I ducked behind the wall Cottontail pointed out. As I predicted, we didn't last, and Reverser cornered us.

"Cottontail, where are you hiding Nathaniel, Marinette and Lily?" He demanded.

Oh my God. This is Marc, but his voice really deepened! No, Lily! What are you thinking?! He's been akumatized, and you should be scared!

"I don't know what you're talking about." Cottontail said sassily.

"Yes, you do!" Reverser growled. "I saw you with Lily!"

"Let me think... Go!"

With that, Lunala and I sped off. Reverser started after us, but Cottontail distracted him. I looked back at her with a smile.

Only seven seconds passed before I got this feeling of dread. Lunala stopped, having likely sensed it too. Not even Cottontail held him off for long...

I took a deep breath. "Lunala, this isn't the time to be a worry wart. Let's keep moving forward."

Lunala took off again, and I had these thoughts course through my mind. Reverser turned Ladybug into a klutz, and Cat Noir into a coward. What did Crystal Cygne and Cottontail become?

Half a minute later, Lunala and I arrived at what I hoped would be my safe spot: an alley with a brick wall.

"Please don't leave me, Lunala... I still need you."

Lunala suddenly spoke, which I did not expect her to do.

Lily, I wish I could stay with you longer, but I can only stay for so long.

I sighed. "I understand, Lunala."

With that, the Legendary Pokémon opened a wormhole and disappeared into it.

I was now alone. I was a bit nervous too.

Turning to face the brick wall, I silently prayed, hoping Ladybug and the gang would be ok.

I didn't notice anyone sneaking up on me until I turned around and was too late.

"I found you, Lily!" Reverser pinned me to the wall.

Oh, no. Lunala must have given me away when she went back into the Ultra Wormhole.

I was cornered. Trapped. The cat had caught the mouse.

I was paralyzed with fear, not of him, but how he had allowed Hawk Moth to corrupt him.

He leaned in close to me and growled,

"I have you now, Lily. You cannot escape me."

That deep voice! Dammit!

I was so scared, but why were my mind and body telling me otherwise?! Why did I shiver when he spoke?!

"Snap out of it! This isn't the Marc I know."

"It's Reverser now." He corrected. "And this is the new me."

"What do you want with me?"

Reverser took a step back from me, and he held out his hand. "Lily, come with me. We'll take Ladybug, Cat Noir and their gang's Miraculous, I'll reverse Nathaniel into making a comic book with me, and then we'll be together."

What?! I didn't have the will to do that. I was overwhelmed by this point. I had to run away!

Not wanting to waste another second, I turned tail and made a run for it.

"Like I said, you can't escape me, Lily! Reversion!"

I was too late. His paper plane struck me in the back, and I tripped over my feet, falling to the ground.

I suddenly felt different. All the fear and worry were gone.

"Lily?" Reverser flew to my side on his glider before hopping down to the ground.

I looked up into his concerned black and white eyes. He held out his hand to me again. This time, I took it. He got back onto his glider and helped me onto it.

He squeezed my hand before pulling me against his strong body.

I tensed up, taken aback. I did not expect that!

After a few seconds, I relaxed, gently hugging him in return. I wanted this to last forever. Somehow, I felt safe in his arms.

We then sat down to cuddle on his glider, and I brought my head down to rest on his chest.

I listened to his calm breathing, yet I noticed... his heart was beating really fast... for me?!

Damn you, Lily! I cursed myself. How could you have been such an idiot?!

As I gave myself a good scolding, Reverser's voice snapped me back to reality.

"Lily. My Lily."

I smiled to myself. He called me his! Hold on...

He stood up and helped me to my feet before wrapping a strong arm around my waist and pulling me tightly against him.

He titled my chin up so I stared into his eyes. What was he doing?!

I gasped as he leaned in towards me. I closed my eyes, and then his soft black and white lips caressed my ruby red ones.

Everything shattered. The passion hit with full force. It felt like an atomic bomb going off. I temporarily went blank before kissing him in return. The arm he had around my waist tightened, and I wrapped an arm around his neck, placing my hand on his chest.

This was not how I imagined my first kiss to go, but who cares? He's akumatized, but this is still Marc! Wait, I'm starting to realize something... Has he been in love with me this whole time?! If it's true, I guess Hawk Moth akumatizing him gave him the confidence to confess to me.

"Marc, uh, Reverser, do you... love me?"

"Yes, Lily. More than anything."

A smile blossomed on my face. My suspicions were confirmed!

I lowered my head in shame, my smile faltering.

"How could I have been so blind? How could I have..."

He tilted my head up and silenced me with a kiss.

"No more of that, Lily."

"At least we're together now." I glanced into his eyes with pure emotion in mine.

Marc/Reverser

Lily. She's mine. I finally have her in my arms.

I saw the fear in her eyes, but it took one of my paper planes to get rid of that fear.

It was no use for her to resist. I knew my voice got a reaction out of her.

Yes, Lily was involved in Marinette and Nathaniel's plan, but I bear no ill will towards her, unlike the other two.

I stroked her hair and breathed in her scent of the flowers that were her namesake.

Just so much as holding her made me happy.

Then I felt confident enough to kiss her. And I enjoyed every bit of it.

I love everything about Lily. Her light purple hair, her sweet angelic voice, her shining blue eyes, her refusal to resort to violence...

My heart pounded faster when Lily asked if I loved her.

I told her I did, more than anything.

That brought a smile to her beautiful face.

However, that smile disappeared, and she blamed herself for being apparently oblivious. I grabbed her chin and kissed her to stop her rambling.

"No more of that, Lily." I insisted.

"At least we're together now." She spoke with her lovely voice. The smile had returned to her face, and I could see the emotion in her zircon eyes.

All that's left to do is reverse Marinette and Nathaniel, have Nathaniel make a comic book with me, and then take the team's Miraculous.

However, if there's one thing I will not put up with, it would be Ladybug and her gang trying to take Lily away from me.

Lily

"We're taking off, Lily. We need to cause mayhem so we can lure Marinette and Nathaniel out of hiding. Then we'll go after Ladybug and her friends. When they're vulnerable, I'll snatch their Miraculous."

"What if I fall?"

Reverser tightened his grip on me. "I've got you, Lily. You won't fall."

With that, we took off into the sky.

"Where are we going?"

"The Bourgeois Hotel." Reverser replied. "I think it's time we pay Chloé a visit."

We soared above the hotel to find Chloé laying on a lounge chair and Sabrina filing her nails.

"Tell me where Nathaniel and Marinette are!" Reverser demanded.

Sabrina looked up at us in fear, and Chloé waved us off.

"Can't you see we're busy?"

"You're definitely the meanest person alive, treating Sabrina like a slave!" He let go of me for a few seconds to throw two paper airplanes: one at Sabrina and another at Chloé. "Reversion!"

With that, their places were switched. Sabrina, now in the lounge chair, snapped her fingers. "Chloé, I want some juice made from fresh strawberries, but pick out all of the seeds first."

"Yes, Sabrina! Coming right up, Sabrina!" Chloé rushed off to get juice for Sabrina. Both Reverser and I laughed at the outcome before taking off again. I have to admit, she needed that.

We came upon Mayor Bourgeois talking about his new space dumpster program, and how storing the trash in space dumpsters has made Paris the cleanest city in the world. There were protesters present, and they were not happy about it.

As we flew down, I could hear the protesters chanting "Space is no dump!" over and over. Among the crowd, I could see Ivan and Mylène. Ivan was booing the Mayor, and Mylène was holding a sign.

The protesters stopped chanting when they noticed our presence. Mayor Bourgeois also noticed us.

Reverser smirked at the whole display. "Paris, the cleanest city? We'll see about that!" He threw a paper airplane at Mayor Bourgeois. "Reversion!"

Mayor Bourgeois turned around to address the crowd before doing something on his tablet. "I'm going to order our satellites to release all the dumpsters back down toward Paris, making our city the biggest trash heap the world has ever known."

Ok, maybe that's a bit harsh. I'm afraid of what could happen. Was he endangering many innocent people?!

Reverser laughed evilly, and I clutched onto him in fear. The protesters panicked and ran off. Only Ivan and Mylène remained, looking up at us in terror.

Marinette

We took a cab to Françoise Dupont High School. After Crystal Cygne and Cottontail came to us, we learned Reverser had hit them. Crystal Cygne was now mean, and Cottontail was extremely shy. She couldn't talk either. That only meant one thing: Reverser got a hold of Lily.

I'm praying that Alya and Nino went somewhere safe...

Cat Noir was the first to exit. He was wearing a shock blanket.

"Whoa, you drive like a maniac!" Cat Noir pointed at the cab driver.

"Yeah, why don't you take driving lessons!" Crystal Cygne spat. She was the second to get out.

I exited the cab next, grabbing Cottontail by the hand. "Sorry about that." I apologized to the driver. "They're not quite themselves right now."

Letting go of Cottontail's hand, I closed the door, but got my yo-yo string stuck. I fell against the taxi and opened the door again to retrieve the yo-yo, almost falling in the process. I then took a step forward, tripping over my yo-yo cord. I groaned in frustration.

When we reached the top of the stairs, I bumped into Cat Noir, who had a look of confusion on his face. He was looking in the direction of the art room.

"I hate art and music!" Mr. Monlataing yelled, throwing down paintings and pieces of paper. "Let's destroy it all!" He ran off down the hallway, along with Rose and Juleka, who threw down her guitar.

I held onto the railing. "Reverser got here first!"

"No duh!" Crystal Cygne snapped. "He rides a flippin' hoverboard!"

I looked down at some of the papers on the floor. Among them were Nathaniel's sketches! I noticed the Louvre in those papers. I picked one up to take a closer look at it.

"Look! The Louvre is in almost every single one of Nathaniel's drawings."

"Does this mean we have to take another cab?" Cat Noir asked in a shaky voice. Crystal Cygne and I glared at him, while Cottontail facepalmed.

Alix

I skated through a section of the museum, talking with Nathaniel, who was sulking on a bench. He seemed down in the dumps. After a bit of prodding, I got him to tell me what had happened.

"Maybe you should've given him a chance to explain." I suggested.

Nathaniel didn't seem to care at this juncture. "What's the point? He wanted to tease me. Like everybody else."

I stopped skating to stand in front of him. "It can't possibly be because of Marinette. It's not like her to make fun of other people."

"Hmm," Nathaniel contemplated. "Do you think I jumped the gun a bit?"

"Nathaniel!" We turned to see Ladybug and her allies in the entranceway. "We need you, it's an emergenc- whaa!" She tripped over pretty much nothing and fell on top of her teammates. "Ugh... This is getting tiring."

We helped Ladybug and the others up before she pulled out her yo-yo and showed us a live news broadcast from Nadja Chamack.

"It's been confirmed, ten thousand tons of garbage have just been released from space and are about to rain down on Paris. Unless Mayor Bourgeois cancels the process, the city will soon be under a mountain of trash. The man behind the chaos: Supervillain Reverser has given an ultimatum."

We had learned that Reverser was an akumatized Marc. Not only did he cause Mayor Bourgeois to send the trash back down, he also took our friend Lily. I'm guessing he desires her, or has romantic feelings for her that he was initially too scared to reveal. Or both...

Reverser appeared on the live feed, hovering near the Eiffel Tower. "Ladybug! Cat Noir! I command you, Crystal Cygne and Cottontail to deliver Nathaniel and Marinette to me, right now! I also demand that you hand over your Miraculous!"

Ladybug closed her yo-yo, ending the live feed. "We have to try and talk to him. And we're gonna need you, Nathaniel!"

Judging by Ladybug's clumsiness, Cat Noir's cowardice, Crystal Cygne's Chloé-like behavior and Cottontail's shyness/inability to speak, it seems Reverser hit them and inverted their personalities/characteristics.

"What about Marinette?" Cat Noir asked.

"We won't have time to save Marinette's skins." Crystal Cygne said in a Chloé-esque tone of voice.

"Crystal Cygne's right. Reverser will have to settle for just Nathaniel."

"I'm coming with you." I said adamantly.

I've known Nathaniel for a long time. There's no way I'm leaving him behind. I won't take no for an answer.

"No way! It's too dangerous."

Cat Noir smiled sheepishly. "Actually, I'll just stay here too, so I don't get in the way..."

Cottontail held up her hands in an 'I surrender' manner.

I smirked, getting a funny idea. I leaned into Cat Noir's ear and said, "Boo!"

Cat Noir screamed and jumped into Ladybug's arms. The two fell over, and Ladybug growled in annoyance.

I held out my hand. "It looks to me like you're going to need a helping hand."

Cat Noir seemed to agree. "You can never get too much help."

'True, true.' Cottontail wrote on the mini chalkboard she had with her.

I helped Ladybug to her feet. "Nathaniel is my friend. I'm not dropping him."

Normal POV

Annaleise Robinson was in the kitchen doing the dishes when she heard her husband, Birhan, yell in frustration. She ran out into the living room to see Birhan standing in front of the TV, fuming.

"Bir! What's wrong?"

"I'll tell you what's wrong! One of Hawk Moth's lackeys has run off to who-knows-where with our daughter! Go! Get me anything! Get me a water gun!"

Mr. Robinson:

Kids!

I don't know what's wrong with these kids today.

Kids!

Who can understand anything they say?

Kids

They are disobedient, disrespectful oafs!

Noisy, crazy, sloppy, lazy loafers!

And while we're on the subject

Kids!

You can talk and talk till your face is blue.

Kids!

But they still do just what they want to do!

Why can't they be like we were?

Perfect in every way?

What's the matter with kids today?!

Annaleise shrugged.

Mr. and Mrs. Robinson:

Kids!

Birhan ran into the kitchen to look for a bottle of gin, but Annaleise stopped him.

"It just isn't like Lily to get herself into such a heap of trouble!" Birhan smacked his forehead.

Mr. and Mrs. Robinson:

Kids!

Birhan ran into the living room, Annaleise chasing after him once again.

"Why don't they put 'em in the Army earlier? Say about 11?"

Mr. and Mrs. Robinson:

Kids!

Yet again, Birhan went to the kitchen to look for gin, but Annaleise stopped him once again.

Birhan turned to his wife, disgruntled.

"I didn't even know what puberty was till I was almost past it!"

Mr. and Mrs. Robinson:

Laughing, singing, dancing grinning morons!

And while we're on the subject

Kids!

They are just impossible to control!

Kids!

With their awful clothes and their rock and roll!

Why can't they dance like we did?

Mr. Robinson:

What's wrong with Sammy Kaye?

Mr. and Mrs. Robinson:

What's the matter with kids today?

Annaleise put a hand on her husband's shoulder. "Bir, I know you want what's best for our daughter. I want what's best for Lily too. However, no one is perfect."

Birhan sighed. "Yeah, you're right, Anne. But still, Lily's getting an earful from me."

"Now hold on a minute. What if Lily was affected by the akuma's powers? She wouldn't have done anything weird otherwise."

Birhan sighed a second time. "Now that I think of it, Anne, you're right on that one too."

"And you're right, too. It really isn't like Lily to get herself involved in dangerous situations."

Birhan wrapped an arm around Annaleise. "Let's hope Ladybug and the others bring our girl home."

Lily

The sun was starting to set, turning the sky a light purple color. I was standing on top of the Eiffel Tower, gazing out at the city.

Reverser came up from behind me and held me, running his hands down my arms. I leaned back into his embrace, tucking my head into his neck. The blush on my face darkened, and I felt like my whole being was on fire.

"You didn't have to do that, you know. Reversing Mayor Bourgeois into sending the space dumpsters down here." I spoke softly.

"It was the best plan I could come up with to lure Ladybug and her gang here."

"I know." I let out a sigh of content when his arms encircled my waist. "But what did they have against space dumpsters anyway? I'm not saying it isn't bad. I'm saying it's a totally ludicrous idea! I mean, they were repeatedly chanting 'space is no dump'. I even recognized a few people: Ivan, Mylène..."

"Just stand with me, my love. Right here in my arms." Reverser cooed in my ear. "Think nothing of that nonsense."

I shivered, letting my eyes flutter closed. That deep and slightly distorted voice would be the death of me...

"Lily..." He deeply whispered, half-singing my name.

I shuddered further. This was complete and utter torture!

But there was something else bugging me. Why did Reverser bring Mayor Bourgeois all the way up here? Was he still fiddling with his tablet? And just how many space dumpsters are there?!

"Do you still have your hoverboard with you?"

"It's right next to the Mayor." He replied, placing a soft kiss on my neck.

My mind was growing hazy, and I could barely think right. Did he even realize what he was doing to me?!

His lips curled into a smirk against my neck. Seems like he did know, and he very much enjoyed doing this.

I figured Ladybug and her team were on their way. Once they got here, I knew exactly what Reverser was going to do: go after their Miraculous.

"Um... They'll be here soon. Ladybug and the others..."

Reverser scoffed and briefly let go of me, only to turn me to face him and pull me into a passionate kiss.

"They won't stand a chance, my sweet. As long as they don't pull a..."

"Charlie Brown? Kinda like how in that old cartoon, Lucy says she's going to let Charlie kick the football, but she pulls it away and he falls flat on his back?" I smirked to myself when I remembered that show.

"As long as they don't pull a trick like that."

He pulled me closer for another kiss, and I smiled against his lips.

Alix

I hitched a ride in a taxi with the Miraculous Four, and we were taken to the Eiffel Tower. Reverser was flying around the Tower, and there were police cars nearby.

Where was Lily, though?

"You're a public health hazard!" Cat Noir scolded the driver.

"But I never even went over 15 miles an hour." The taxi driver insisted.

"That's strange," I looked up at the sky, seeing strange flashes. "The stars are out early."

"Those are not stars!" Ladybug said. "The trash is entering the atmosphere. In just a few minutes, it'll be like having a meteor shower, except with dumpsters instead."

Hearing whimpering from next to us, we looked to see Cat Noir shivering like he was cold.

"Would you knock it off?!" Crystal Cygne snapped. "I have never seen a bigger coward in my life than you, pussy cat!"

"Don't listen to her, Cat Noir." Ladybug put her hand on Cat Noir's shoulder. "She doesn't really mean that horrible stuff she's saying. But please don't be scared. We can do this."

"You're right, m'lady." Cat Noir lowered his hood. "Our powers may be all screwed up, but we still make a great team."

D'awwww! That's so sweet!

"Lucky Charm!" Ladybug threw her yo-yo in the air. A big bamboo roll materialized out of thin air and bounced off of her head before she caught it in her hands. "A bamboo-roll?"

I wonder what she's going to do with that...

"Alix, can you get me one of those traffic cones?" Ladybug pointed to three nearby orange cones.

I ran to get the cone and brought it to Ladybug. She raised it to her mouth and used it as a megaphone to get Reverser's attention.

"Reverser! We're over here! I've got a deal for you. I'm gonna hand Cat Noir over to you now! In exchange, you'll reverse Mayor Bourgeois to order the dumpsters back out into space! Only then will I give my Miraculous and Nathaniel."

Reverser narrowed his eyes. "I'll only reverse the mayor back if I have Cat Noir and Nathaniel. Then I'll reverse Nathaniel, and he'll have no choice but to make a comic book with me."

Ladybug sighed. "Ok!" She shouted into the traffic cone.

Reverser smirked in satisfaction.

Nathaniel

I was so worried. Just what exactly was Reverser going to do to me? And where's Lily?!

"M'lady, I'm too scared." Cat Noir complained as we walked into the Eiffel Tower's elevator.

"And I don't wanna be reversed."

"You have to trust me." Ladybug handed me her yo-yo. "This is gonna work."

The doors closed and the elevator started to ascend. Ladybug had already relayed her plan to me. I was making a kite out of Cat Noir's blanket and the Lucky Charm bamboo roll. When I was finished, I tied Cat Noir to the kite, blindfolded him with his belt and put the yo-yo in his mouth. The elevator stopped and the doors opened.

"Go, Cat Noir!"

As Cat Noir ran blindly off the edge, I noticed Mayor Bourgeois and a familiar girl in a white cape.

"Lily!"

She turned in my direction and smiled. "Nathaniel!"

I ran to hug Lily, and she gently hugged me back.

"Thank goodness you're all right."

"Nathaniel, of course I'm ok. Did you seriously think I'd get myself hurt?"

"To be honest with you, I did think that." I admitted.

At that moment, the Miraculous Cure spread through the city, and I knew Marc was back to normal.

"Huh?" Lily asked. "What am I doing here?"

It then hit me. She had been reversed.

"It's a long story. Let's go get Mayor Bourgeois."

Alix

Ladybug had captured and purified the akuma, and Cat Noir was back on the ground with Marc. Everyone and everything were back to normal.

Mayor Bourgeois and Nathaniel exited the elevator, and they had Lily with them! Thank goodness she's ok!

"My, my. I guess that space dumpster thing was a bad idea after all." Mayor Bourgeois remarked.

Marc and Nathaniel made eye contact, but looked away from each other in shame.

"Thank you, Miraculous Four. You really keep this city clean."

Crystal Cygne nodded. "Anytime, Mayor Bourgeois."

"It's our duty as superheroes." Cottontail added.

Ladybug turned to our downtrodden art classmates. "Marc and Nathaniel? By now you realize there was a big misunderstanding, but if you give each other a chance, I'm sure you'll find out how well you can work together."

Nathaniel offered his hand to Marc. He smiled and shook Nathaniel's hand.

"A bit like the four of us, m'lady." Cat Noir remarked.

"Pound it." The Miraculous Four did their signature four-way fist bump. Crystal Cygne and Cottontail then left.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Lily looking as if she'd collapse to the ground any minute.

I cried out Lily's name, and Cat Noir sprung into action, catching the lilac purplenette in his arms before she could hit the ground.

Ladybug gasped. "She's exhausted! Cat Noir, would you take her home to her parents for me?"

"With pleasure, Bugaboo." Cat Noir winked. Ladybug growled in response.

Normal POV

Birhan was pacing around the kitchen and Annaleise was silently praying, when there was a knock at the door. Annaleise rushed to open it, and there stood Cat Noir with a semi-conscious Lily in his arms.

"Lily!" Annaleise shrieked, taking her daughter and hugging her tightly. "Oh, my baby! Lily June, you're ok. Thank you so much, Cat Noir."

Birhan heard his wife yell and rushed to see what the commotion was about. He beamed upon seeing that his daughter was home safe and unharmed.

While Annaleise was fussing over Lily, Birhan smiled gratefully at the black cat superhero.

"Thank you, Cat Noir, for bringing our daughter home safe."

Cat Noir bowed like a gentleman. "You're welcome, Mr. and Mrs. Robinson. Just make sure you get her upstairs and into bed. She seems a bit out of it."

"We will." Birhan replied before shutting the door.

Once upstairs, Birhan and Annaleise helped their daughter into her bed.

"Lily, do you remember anything, sweetheart?"

"Not really." Lily muttered. "All I remember is running away with Cottontail and Crystal Cygne, and then everything else seems hazy."

Annaleise held Lily's hand. "Your father and I will allow you to eat your dinner in your room tonight. After that, it's early bedtime for you. You might not remember a whole lot, but you've been through quite a bit today."

Birhan left the room to get Lily's dinner. After her father was out of earshot, Lily spoke again.

"Mom...?"

"Yes, Lily?"

"Is Dad angry with me?"

Annaleise sighed. "Your father was a bit frustrated earlier. I know you wouldn't have done anything stupid by yourself, and I did explain it. Just remember that your father loves you very much, and he doesn't seem ready to accept that you're growing up."

"Is that why he's overprotective?"

"Yes, darling." Annaleise replied. "I remember when I started dating your father 27 years ago, my own father was just as overprotective. Just try and understand where he's coming from, ok?"

Lily nodded. "Ok."

Annaleise kissed her daughter's forehead. "I love you, Lily Pad."

"Love you too, Mom."

?

As I sat down on my bed, I pulled out my diary and wrote my next entry.

Dear Diary:

Mummy and Daddy dropped a huge bombshell on me. In two weeks, I'll be starting at a high school in Paris, France! Don't get me wrong, I'm very excited to make new friends. What I'm worried about is that people will laugh at me and not want to be friends with me simply because of my heritage. I just wish I could befriend someone who understands me.

Elisa

After school four days later, I saw that Marc and Nathaniel were showing their finished comic to Mr. Monlataing. Anita and the other art students were also given a copy.

"Next, they team up with the Mightillustrator and de-akumatized Reverser. Then he joins the team."

"Wow, great job, boys!" Mr. Monlataing praised my friends.

"Heh, thanks." Nathaniel said, obviously flustered at the praise.

"None of this would've happened without you, Marinette." Marc smiled at my pigtailed classmate.

Marinette smiled back. "I'm so relieved you're not mad at me, guys."

"In fact, we've dedicated our first issue to you." Nathaniel held up the comic and pointed to the picture of Ladybug on the cover next to the Mightillustrator. Marinette gasped and looked at the last page.

"To Marinette, who would make a super superhero..." Nathaniel began.

"If she wasn't such a klutz!" He said with Marc.

At that, we all burst into laughter. What they said was funny, but also very true.

Lily

Since today's Footloose rehearsal was during the school day, we didn't have to stay behind. My parents wanted me home in the next half hour, and I was in the park with Sakura and Elisa.

"Hey, Elisa, can you and Sakura walk to my house with me? I'd like that very much."

"Anything for our good friend." Elisa beamed.

The three of us put our hands in the center and chanted together, raising our hands to the sky on the last word:

"Once the Flower Trio, always the Flower Trio! Pow! Straight to the sun!"

We laughed and prepared to leave, only for Marc to run up to us.

"Lily, can I talk to you? I can't keep this in any longer."

"Of course, Marc. But don't be too long, ok, or else my parents might worry."

Marc sighed. "Lily, there's been something I've wanted to get off my chest, but I never got the opportunity. I wanted to say this to you."

What was it he wanted to tell me?

"Lily, I've had feelings for this girl, but I've never had the guts to tell her how I feel. That is, until recently."

"Who is this girl?"

Marc slowly reached out and touched my cheek. "It's... It's you, Lily."

I was astonished. Here, I thought Marc wouldn't like a girl, let alone me. And up until recently, I had thought I wouldn't like a boy, let alone Marc. I remember seeing him looking at Nathaniel the way I used to look at Sakura... But then again, Nathaniel and Sakura are dating one another, so neither of those would-be relationships could have worked.

Suddenly, I remembered when he was Reverser. His deep voice... His dark embrace... His lips against mine... His confession of love to me... The memories were returning to me at hurricane force.

I'm surprised I'm remembering these things. I had been affected by one of those paper airplanes! Most people wouldn't remember things they did when affected by an akuma's superpower.

I leaned into his touch, placing my hand over his.

He then leaned into my ear and said in his Reverser voice, "Don't leave me, Lily."

I shuddered at the sudden change in his voice. What? He's never been this bold before, except when he was akumatized. Not to mention him pulling off that voice again?! Ok, that does it. It's official. He confessed his love for me, and now it's time to confess to him in return.

"Oh, Marc, no! Especially after all that transpired four days ago? I will never leave you! From the bottom of my soul, I promise you."

I then sang to him, as Elisa and Sakura slowly came over to join us. I stared into his eyes, sincerity in mine.

Lily:

One boy

One special boy

One boy to go with,

To talk with and walk with

Lily and Sakura:

One boy

That's the way it should be.

Sakura:

That's the way it should be.

Lily and Elisa:

One boy

One certain boy

One boy to laugh with,

To joke with, have Coke with

Lily, Elisa and Sakura:

One boy.

Not two or three.

I nodded, letting him take my hands in his.

Lily:

One day you find out

This is what life is all about.

You need someone who

Is living just for you.

I gently pulled on Marc's arms, guiding them around my waist. He held onto me like I was going to run away again. In return, I gently snaked my arms around his neck.

Lily, Elisa and Sakura:

One boy

One steady boy

One boy to be with

Forever and ever

One boy.

That's the way it should be!

That's the way it should be!

That's the way it should be!

Marc pulled me in for a real and genuine kiss.

When we separated, we linked arms and left the park together, followed by Elisa and Sakura.

Normal POV

Unbeknownst to Marc and the Flower Trio, Marinette had been watching the whole thing. She was very happy for Marc and Lily, but her heart ached. She longed for Adrien to love her the way Luka, Nathaniel and Marc loved Elisa, Sakura and Lily.

Marinette:

When will he find out

This is what life is all about?

Will he ever see

I need him

And he needs me?

One guy

One special guy

One guy to live for,

To care for, be there for

One guy!

That's the way it should be.

That's the way it should be.

Marinette sat down on the bench and wept.

Lily

I was on cloud nine. Marc loved me, and I loved him! I guess some good things can happen with a bad guy like Hawk Moth on the loose.

Suddenly, Marc stopped walking.

"Marc, is something wrong?"

"Lily, please..." Marc tightened his grip around my waist. "Don't run away again. I don't think I could bear it."

"Marc," I looked up into his emerald eyes. "I already told you. I'm in love with only one boy: you."

"Then make this one commitment to me."

I stared at him intently.

"Lily," Marc pulled a sparkling red pin from his pocket. "Will you wear my pin?"

I was touched. Another romantic gesture; how sweet.

"Of course I will."

Smiling in relief, Marc pinned the pin onto my dress. He then pulled me in for another passion filled kiss.

"The next thing you know, people will start talking." I said when we separated.

"It's what we do these days."

Marc and I laughed together before he walked me home.

Elisa

On my way home, I got a text from Valerie, asking me to meet her at the entrance of Paradise Shores Hospital.

I texted a response before sending a message to my parents.

The walk to the hospital was only fifteen minutes, and I instantly recognized Valerie when I was her.

"Are you going to tell me what happened to Lulu?"

Valerie nodded. "In just a little bit."

We entered the hospital, and walked up to the receptionist desk.

"I'm here to visit my cousin, Lulu Hendricks." Valerie said to the receptionist.

"Floor 8, Room 817."

"Thanks."

Valerie and I took the elevator to the 8th floor and found Room 817. When we entered, what I saw shocked me.

A girl with honey colored hair was lying unconscious on the bed, hooked up to an IV and several machines. The arm that the IV was in had several Lichtenberg burn marks, which disappeared into the sleeve of her hospital gown.

"That's your cousin? What happened to her?"

"She was struck by lightning, and she's been in a coma ever since she had been brought here."

"How long is she going to be like this?" I asked.

Valerie shook her head. "I don't know. I'm not sure how the recovery process will be like, either. I've read stories about lightning strike survivors that lose their memory, have to have an arm or leg amputated, or even have personality changes. I'm worried that something along those lines will happen to Lulu."

I put a comforting hand on Valerie's shoulder. "Your family has already been through enough with the epileptic seizure that killed Riley. I'm hoping for your sake and Lulu's that she makes it out ok."