Master Fu paced in front of the small wooden table. "So the time has finally come, hasn't it..." he muttered to himself. 

His eyes were glazed over, lost in thought, as he scanned everything in his room, from the large healing bed in the center of the room to his dressers along the far wall.

The four friends exchanged glances before Adrien took a step toward the wise man. "Um, Master Fu? What do we do now?"

Master Fu stopped his pacing and turned around to face the group.

His eyes slid over to Nino and Alya. "I'm assuming that the two of you know the secret because of your presence here. Am I correct?"

Alya nodded. "Y-Yes sir."

Master Fu nodded once before he turned his attention on Adrien and Marinette. "When does your father return, Adrien, from his trip?"

"Today, master, but I'm not sure when exactly. It could have been early this morning or late tonight."

"I see. Well, when he does arrive, you two will need to take his Miraculous before he can akumitize another person." He started to pace in front of the small table again. "If he akumitizes someone before you are able retrieve his Miraculous and free Nooroo, you will then need to deal with the new villain first. You two need to protect the city  from any danger before you can take on Hawk Moth."

The Marinette and Adrien nodded, the same determination shining in both of their eyes.

Just as Marinette was about to speak, the building shuddered and rocked beneath their feet. Cars on the street started to wail, their emergency lights flashing from the earthquake. A loud, haunting laugh echoed through the streets of Paris. As the four friends raced to the window to look at what was causing the commotion, Master Fu clicked on the small tv in the room, changing the channel to the local news.

"It appears that another Parisian has succumbed to the influence of Hawk Moth," the newswoman stated. "He screams and bounds down the streets, roaring for a man with the name of Félix Martin. The akumitized victim claims to be the Baker. Here is the most recent footage of the villain, filmed by a student's phone."

The newswoman gestured to the screen behind her and a large man filled the tv screen. He wore a white apron and a bright green shirt. His skin was a bright shade of gold and his black hair and green eyes were striking against his light skin. His groomed mustache turned up into curves at the corners of his mouth. He grinned wickedly.

The Baker bounded a top a parked car and waved his wooden spoon through the air above his head. He scanned the crowd of frightened people and roared, "I am the Baker! I demand to know where the man Félix Martin resides. He has stolen something of mine and I want it back. He believes he can take whatever is precious to me and my family and get away with it. Well, no longer will I let that go. He will hand over what was taken from me! Oh, and since I have your attention, I also demand to know where Ladybug and Cat Noir are. I want their Miraculous!"

Marinette slolwy turned away from the window upon hearing the Akuma's voice and instantly recognized her father's face on the tv, though his appearance had greatly changed. Her hand flew to her mouth.

Adrien looked from the tv to Marinette, understanding her shock. "That's your father, isn't it?"

Marinette simply nodded, no words able to leave her mouth.

Nino, standing off to the side, shifted his weight to his other foot. "Well, I guess fighting Hawk Moth before he akumitizes someone else is out the window."

Knowing Alya was about to strike him on the arm, Nino ducked away from her. She huffed when she swung at the air, missing her target, but she didn't try to hit him again.

Master Fu slowly nodded, almost like he had been expecting someone to become akumitized. "Well, now you two need to de-evilize the Akuma before you can face Hawk Moth."

Another large earthquake rocked the building. Master Fu's plants, books, and belongings, that were scattered throughout the room, shuddered. But Marinette wasn't shaking because of the earthquakes.

"But...that means I'll have to fight my father!" she whispered incredulously to herself. 

She looked at Master Fu, pleading for him to say no with her eyes. She wanted him to tell her that she wouldn't and didn't have to fight her dad. She couldn't stand the thought of battling him. However, in the back of her mind, she wondered what had caused her father to become upset. What had happened that she had not been aware of?

Adrien looked down at the floor and subtly cleared his throat.

Marinette turned to face him and realization suddenly dawned on her. Adrien also had to battle his father, except his dad was the cause of all the Akumas that had been let loose on the city. Her father had been a product of Mr. Agreste's desire to retrieve her and Adrien's Miraculous. Adrien's father was the true, evil mastermind that she and Adrien had truly been battling the entire time.

"Oh my gosh," she said as she placed her hand on Adrien's arm. "I'm so sorry, Adrien. I didn't mean to-"

"It's alright. I know what you meant." Adrien gazed down into her apologetic and nervous blue eyes. He let out a small, humorless chuckle. "Guess there's a club for having your father terrorize the city, isn't there?"

Nino rocked on the balls of his feet and clasped his hands behind him, fully aware of the now awkward atmosphere in the room. Because he desperately wanted a change of subject, he said, "But how are you guys going to de-akumitize the Baker and still have the energy to take on Hawk Moth?"

Master Fu glanced at the boy from the corner of his eye, once again stroking his beard, contemplating.

Adrien's eyes slightly widened in understanding. "Nino's got a point. Not that I don't have complete confidence in our ability to save your father, Marinette, but...how are we going to quickly restore our energy in order to fight Hawk Moth?"

Marinette slowly nodded. "Yeah. Plagg and Tikki," she gestured toward the two Kwamis floating in the corner of the room, "would need time to recover after we use our powers. We wouldn't be able to battle Hawk Moth the same day we fight the Baker. We had barely managed to fight the Invisible One and Antibug on the same day. How can we do this? Master Fu?"

The two teens turned back to face the old master to see that he was staring intently at Alya and Nino. Alya shifted her weight from foot to foot, uncomfortable under his scrutinizing gaze. Nino looked at everything else in the room besides the elder, his hands unconsciously rubbing his wrists.

Master Fu pursed his lips and walked toward Alya and Nino, ignoring Marinette's question.

He stood in front of them for a moment, both teens meeting his eyes before he leaned back and crossed his arms, a small smile appearing on his lips.

"I see," he said.

"You see what?" Nino whispered, glancing over his shoulder, trying to see if there was something behind him that he seemed to be clueless about.

Master Fu didn't answer and instead turned back to face Marinette and Adrien. "Might I have a word with your friends alone? We have something very important to discuss."

The blond and his girlfriend exchanged shocked glances before they eventually nodded and left the room, Plagg and Tikki following them out.

Once the door shut behind them, Master Fu spun around to face the two teens left in the room, startling Alya with his speed.

She stumbled back a step and Nino instinctively held out his hand to catch her and softly push her back up.

Master Fu's smile grew. 

He asked Alya, "What would you do for your friends? How far would you go in order to protect them?"

Alya raise an eyebrow, skeptical of the mysterious man, but answered him nonetheless. " I would do anything for them. Whenever and wherever they need me, I'll be there," she said in a voice that surprised her in its strength and steadiness.

Master Fu nodded. "I heard that you and Nino assisted Cat Noir in saving Marinette from an Akuma, disregarding the fact that you both lack superpowers. Is this true?"

The two nodded. 

"Yes sir," Alya answered. "Marinette is like a sister to me and, like I said before, I would do anything to help her."

Nino nodded again. "Same thing for me and Adrien. When my bro's in trouble, you can count on me to be there and bail him out jail or help him break in." After a moment, Nino quickly added, "Figuratively speaking, of course."

"Of course," Master Fu echoed. He gazed at the two a moment longer before he turned on his heel and walked toward his dresser behind the wooden table. He stopped in front of an old record player and unlocked a secret compartment. He entered a combination code on a small panel and the antique began to transform.

Alya and Nino inched closer, curious as to what the elder was doing.

A  wooden box with red cravings in an old, lost language appeared from inside the antique and the master carefully opened the lid. He gestured for Alya to come closer.

She stepped forward, glancing worriedly at Nino.

Nino smiled encouragingly, hoping his own nerves didn't show.

Master Fu grinned. "Alya, even though we've only just met, I can already see that you have a brave and kind heart. You are very courageous, compassionate, and loyal to your friends. You also have a strong mindset and won't be easily fooled, though at times you may be a little stubborn."

Nino snorted, and Alya shot him a glare over her shoulder.

"As you know, I have chosen Marinette and Adrien to be the next Ladybug and Cat Noir, the protectors of Paris. However, new threats have surfaced that the two can't battle on their own. They need another super companion."

Alya's breath hitched in her throat, her heart hoping against hope that he meant that she would receive her very own...

Master Fu grabbed a smaller box from inside the first container. As he held it up, Alya noticed that the box had the same carvings as the first.

He handed her the box and Alya looked down at what she knew would change her life forever.

She looked to Nino, wondering if everything that was happening was all just a dream. If it was a dream, she didn't want to wake up.

He eagerly nodded for her to open the box.

She took a deep breath and opened the lid. A bright, orange light blared from the small box and Alya shielded her eyes with her other hand.

In an instant, the light was gone and in its place was a small, orange, fox Kwami, yawning as if it had been asleep for quite some time.

"Alya, I have chosen you to be the new Volpina," said Master Fu.

The little fox opened her eyes and looked at the brunette. She smirked. "You're a lot prettier than the last girl," she said.

Alya placed her hand on her hip and looked down at the orange Kwami. "Well, it's nice to meet you too. And thanks for the compliment."

The little fox nodded in approval. "Yep, I can already tell that I like you. I'm Trixie, by the way."

The brunette laughed. "I'm Alya."

Master Fu smiled, pleased that the two had gotten along rather quickly. "Now, Alya, Trixie, like her name, is very mischievous and tends to get into a bit of trouble so you'll need to keep your eye on her."

Alya nodded. "Let me guess, you're as sly as a fox?"

Trixie bobbed her head and zipped around Alya. "The one and only Kwami who is!"

 Alya noticed that something else was still left in the box. Resting neatly on a small velvet pillow was a necklace with one charm: a fox's tail curved into a fish hook's shape.

She held the necklace up in her hand and Nino stepped forward. "I can help put it on, if you'd like," he offered.

Alya nodded and handed him the necklace. She turned around and lifted her hair away from her neck.

Nino softly brushed away the few strands of hair that had fallen out of Alya's hold across her neck. Goosebumps rose along Alya's skin from his touch and she silently prayed he hadn't noticed.

Nino unclasped the necklace and slid it around her neck. He redid the clasp and stepped away from the brunette.

Alya let her hair fall back down in its usual unruly waves and saw Trixie staring at her, a smug smile on her tiny face.

"Oooh, I see what's going on here," she said and ducked out of Alya's hand, giggling as she zipped away.

Alya rolled her eyes and turned back to face the old master. She saw his eyes, crinkling with happiness, stare back at her and she had to wonder, why? Why her? Wasn't Volpina...evil?

"Um, master? Not that I'm not grateful that you chose me to be the new Volpina, it's just...I thought that Volpina was just the name of akumitized Lila." 

Master Fu nodded, almost like he was expecting her question. "Yes. I know what you're thinking and I want you to see this." 

The elder walked back over to his dresser and opened a drawer. He reached in a pulled out a large, worn book that had old pages sticking out on all sides. He set the book down on the table and started to flip through it.

Alya and Nino sat down on the other side while Trixie hovered near Alya's shoulder. 

Master Fu's fingers flipped through the pages until he found the section he was searching for. He pointed down at the page and Alya saw a fox super heroine in an attacking stance, ready to face whatever evil came her way. 

She glanced up at the master and found him already looking at her. "You see? Volpina was already a superhero before the girl transformed into the 'evil' version." Master Fu held up his hands and put air quotes around evil. "The real Volpina, the Miraculous Volpina, is a kind, cunning, and courageous super heroine that I believe you are next to become." 

Alya's eyes widened. 

The master leaned forward. "You're friends need you Alya. The question is: are you ready to help?"

Alya slowly started to nod before she stood up, determined to be the best hero she could be. "Yes, I am." 

Master Fu nodded once, pleased that she accepted her new role. His eyes slid over to the boy sitting at the table, his hands rubbing his wrists, unsure of what he was supposed to do. The master sighed. What he had to do next was going to be hard for him.

"Nino? Might I speak to you for a moment?" he asked.

Nino looked away from Alya and glanced at the elder. "Uh, s-sure." He stood up and walked around the table to face Master Fu.

The master sadly smiled. "Young boy, I'm getting too old for all of this," he started. "I need to retire from all this superhero stuff and move back to my home where I belong." He raised an eyebrow. "Do you understand?"

Nino looked down at the old man and rubbed the back of his neck, thoroughly confused as to what the master was getting at. "Um, not really, dude- I mean sir."

Master Fu held put his hands in front of him. "I'm 186, Nino. I'm old, really old. I've seen a lot and accomplished a lot, but alas, my time to protect civilians has come to an end. In fact, that's the reason why I gave your friends their own Miraculous. The world needs Ladybug and Cat Noir. And now it needs Volpina and...you." 

As the master spoke, his hand undid his bracelet on his right. He held it in the palm of his hand and gazed down at it. Nino saw joy, sadness, and determination shine in his eyes. After a moment, Nino finally realized what was happening. The master was giving Nino his Miraculous!

Nino held up his hands and took a step back. "Master Fu, I-I can't-"

Before Nino could finish his sentence, Master Fu's head whipped up and met the boy's eyes, anger now also pooling in the master's eyes. "Now, young one, you have to take it. I need someone whom I know can accept the responsibility of being the next Jade Turtle. I can no longer accomplish the task, so I need you to carry on the job for me."

Nino saw the master's anger deflate and eventually, the elder sighed. "This is really hard for me to do. I have to say goodbye to a dear friend of mine, but...I know that you'll be able to care for him as well or maybe even better than I did." 

At the sound of his master speaking of him, Wayzz flew across the room from his little quarters to his master. He looked from his master, to the unworn bracelet, and at last to Nino. Once his gaze settled on Nino, the green Kwami softly smiled. 

Wayzz placed a small hand on his master's shoulder and Master Fu looked over at his Kwami.

"Now Wayzz...he's a bit of a rule follower." Though Master Fu was speaking to Nino, his gaze never left Wayzz. "He is always patient, listens to whatever you have to say, and always gives the best advice. However, he needs someone who knows how to have fun, and joke around from time to time to match his stern personality. Wayzz is a great companion to have and I know..." Master Fu met Nino's eyes. "I know that you two will make a good team."

The elder smiled and stepped toward Nino. He held out the bracelet Miraculous. "Nino," he said, "do you accept the role of becoming the next Jade Turtle?"

Nino glanced at Alya from the corner of his eye and saw her smile encouragingly. He saw her Miraculous shine from the sun's light on her chest. He smiled at the thought of the two of them being partners, fighting crime and saving the day. 

He wanted to be her hero.

Nino nodded. "Yes. I accept."

~~~

The four teenagers ran quickly to where the Baker was terrorizing the people. Alya was still struggling to accept the fact that she was now a superhero. She was Volpina. She glanced over her shoulder and saw Nino right on her heels. 

He had also changed in the thirty minutes since they had received their own Miraculous. He looked stronger, more determined, and willing to fight against all those that stood for evil. He looked brave.

Alya looked in front of her and saw Marinette and Adrien sprinting ahead of her, hand in hand as they ran headlong into danger. They had done this every day for about a year now, as Ladybug and Cat Noir.

To say that the two were surprised when they found out Alya was the new Volpina and Nino was the new Jade Turtle, would be an understatement. They had been shocked, overjoyed, and a little skeptical all at once. They were surprised by the suddenness of it all, happy that their friends could fight evil alongside of them, and a little worried as to how Nino and Alya would preform in combat, since they had never truly fought an akumitized person before. 

Nonetheless, Marinette and Adrien had accepted the new roles of their friends and the four teenagers and Master Fu had devised a plan on what would be the best course of action. The group was gong to split up. 

Marinette was the only one who could de-evilize the Akuma so she would have to face the Baker before she could take on Hawk Moth, but she couldn't fight the Akuma on her own. So, Alya and Marinette would battle the Baker while Nino and Adrien went to stop Hawk Moth from evilize-ing someone else. Once Marinette's father was saved, the two would join Nino and Adrien in battling Hawk Moth and put a stop to him once and for all. 

To say Alya was nervous, would also be understatement; she was terrified. Though all her life she wished to be a super heroine, when a Miraculous had been handed to her, she hadn't known what to do. Trixie had given her a rundown on all that her powers included (which, Alya had found out, were a little different from the akumitized Lila's version). But Alya was still worried. Would she be able to battle the Baker and save Marinette's father?

Alya would need to because though Marinette was used to battling evil, it had never been her father. Alya could only imagine how hard it must be for her best friend, to know that Marinette had to fight her dad. But then, so did Adrien. Adrien and Nino were going to battle Hawk Moth, which just happened to be Garbiel Agreste.

As to why Mr. Agreste wanted to use his Miraculous for evil to grant his greatest wish, Alya didn't know. She wasn't she would ever understand Mr. Agreste's reasons for why he stole Nooroo in the first place, but-

Another large earthquake shook the ground and the four friends stopped abruptly. Adrien hugged Marinette to his chest as he tried to steady her, and Alya reached out and grabbed Nino's wrist before he fell off the curb and into oncoming traffic. 

Once the shaking stopped, the four continued down the street until they rounded the corner and saw the Baker, roaring and swiping his wooden spoon through the air. He stood atop a police car in front of Paris' capital building and hurled loaves of bread down at the retreating Parisians below. He conjured more pastries from thin air and flung them at the police force. While dodging the Baker's attacks, the police were desperately trying to subdue the villain from behind their barricade. 

The Baker's laugh boomed through the streets, as his eyes scanned over the crowd, most likely searching for Félix Martin as he had previously stated. 

The four friends stopped in their tracks at the sight of him and exchanged glances. This was where they would have to split up. Adrien pulled Marinette to him and kissed her like it would be his last time. When he pulled away, he whispered something in her ear that caused Marinette to pull him back to her. 

Looking away from their obviously emotional and intimate goodbye, Alya saw Nino slowly walking toward her. He had a small smile on his face, uncertainty pooling in his eyes as he rubbed the back of his neck. 

He stopped in front of her and Alya looked up at his face, wondering what he was going to say, if he had anything to say at all. 

After a moment, all the uncertainty left Nino's eyes as he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her toward him. "Just in case," he said as he closed the distance between them and pressed his lips against hers.

Alya was too stunned to move for a moment, before she closed her eyes and returned his kiss. 

Too soon, Nino pulled away. Alya's eyes fluttered open as he pressed a final kiss to her forehead. 

"See you soon?" he asked, a smile twitching at the corners of his mouth.

Alya could only nod as he turned away from her and walked over to where Adrien was standing a few feet away. The two exchanged silent nods before they sprinted away and around the corner, off to battle Hawk Moth.

Trixie floated up and sat on Alya's shoulder, a smirk on her face. "Oh, I definitely see what's going on here," she said.

Alya swatted her away and Marinette came to a stop next to Alya. She glanced at her best friend. "You ready?" she asked.

Alya looked out over the scared crowd of trapped Parisians. She glanced at the roaring Baker. She turned back to her friend and grinned. "I was born ready."

Marinette smiled. "Okay then. Tikki! Spots on!"

Alya winked at Trixie. "Trixie, fox pounce!"

A bright light emanated from Alya's necklace and encompassed her. Trixie flew into her Miraculous and Alya felt a surge of power flow over her. She felt invincible as her normal, everyday clothes disappeared and a fox suit perfectly tailored to her body formed. Her hearing became a hundred times clearer as tall, fox ears sprouted from her head. A tail flailed out behind her and Alya clasped a long, orange staff in her hand. 

When the light disappeared, Volpina opened her eyes to see Marinette as Ladybug standing next to her, a giant smile on her face. 

"You look good as a fox," she said.

Volpina grinned and swiped her staff around her back before she clasped it in her right hand. She noticed that it had holes cut into it, like Trixie had said. It was meant to be used to play music with, except illusions she created were real. The images and objects Volpina could create were tangible and able to used to win the battle. She couldn't, however, form clones of herself or anyone else. That was the limit to her power that Lila hadn't had.

Before Volpina could say anything, though, the Baker leaped off his perch when he glimpsed at the two super heroines standing in the hidden alleyway off to the side of dispersing crowd. 

He grinned wickedly. "Ladybug, it's about time you showed up. But who is this? Where is your pet cat? Did you replace him with this one?"

Ladybug ground her teeth together, and it was Volpina that spoke. "Chat Noir is busy at the moment, but don't worry. We'll still defeat you, even without his help."

The Baker's grin morphed into a scowl. "Well, then, have some pie!" He swiped his giant spoon toward them and a large piece of apple pie hurled toward the two heroines. 

Ladybug swung out her yo-yo and cut the pie down the middle. The two slices flew past the teens and smashed into the sides of the alley. 

Ladybug and Volpina nodded once to each other before they charged after the Baker.

~~~

"So, what's you're plan?" Nino asked as he and Adrien stood in front of the giant self-portrait of Adrien and his father.

Adrien's eyes slid over to Nino. "I thought you had the plan," he said, his voice devoid of all emotion.

"What?" Nino shouted, exasperated. "My plan was to follow your plan!"

Adrien simply shrugged. "Then I guess there's no plan." 

The blond reached out his hand and the portrait slid open to reveal the large metal door and the security code lock. He nodded to Plagg and the black Kwami disappeared through the door. A second later, the door swung open and the two friends could hear someone chuckling from inside. 

Adrien all too well recognized the voice.

Before he could take a step though, Nino put a hand on his shoulder and halted the boy in his tracks. "Look, dude, I know that this situation is seriously messed up, but...we have to have a plan. We can't just barge in and-"

Adrien glanced at his friend and saw his worry.

He sighed. "At least we have the element of surprise." He shrugged off Nino's hand and looked over at Plagg. 

"Plagg. Claws out!"

Nino huffed and turned to face Wayzz. He wanted to talk to Adrien more, but he didn't know what to say. And he got the feeling that the guy didn't want to talk anymore. 

His Kwami shrugged, also unsure of what to say.

So Nino said the only thing he could. "Wayzz! Shell on!"

A bright green light surrounded Nino as he punched his right hand into the air. Wayzz flew into the bracelet Miraculous and a wave of power rushed over Nino. His clothes faded away to ones that fit the hero Jade Turtle. A dark green hood shrouded his eyes and a mask plastered itself on his face. In his hand, a shield in the shape of a turtle shell formed.

When the light disappeared, Nino looked and saw his friend transformed as Cat Noir, his belt tail flicking ever so slightly behind him. Cat's arms were crossed but a smile tugged at the corners of his lips. 

"Ninja Turtle, huh?" He grinned.

Nino rolled his eyes, but was happy that Cat's mind was off of his father, even just for a moment.

"And a teenager too?" Cat continued.

Nino sighed, but smiled. He turned to face the door and both his and Cat's smiles vanished. The two exchanged glances before Cat Noir entered the stairway with Jade Turtle following closely behind him.

When they reached the top, the two heroes spotted Hawk Moth standing in the center of the room, a purple butterfly glowing on his face.

"Forget about the fox Miraculous!" he shouted to the all but empty room. "I want Ladybug's! Take it from her now, before she's conscious again! I want her and Cat Noir's Miraculous and I'll do anything to retrieve them, Baker. Anything. And don't you forget it."

Anger flared inside of Cat as he thought of his lady hurt and his father...his father being the one who caused her harm. 

He stepped into the room and cleared his throat. 

Hawk Moth spun around, the glowing butterfly on his face fading when he saw Cat Noir and Jade Turtle standing in his doorway. His shock was as clear as day on his face, having not expected his son and his son's friend to confront him while he dealt with his Akuma.

Cat raised his staff and prepared to attack. "Hello, father."