30. Volpina

Scene: Agreste mansion. Adrien is spying on his father.

Gabriel: (talking on the phone while looking at a book) Yes, I'm busy. I was right in the middle of something very important. What do you want? (pauses) What?! This is unacceptable! The sample garment doesn't match at all! All you had to do was follow a pattern. Imbeciles! What am I supposed to do? The show is in three days! No, don't use him, he's completely useless. (Gabriel goes to to the painting of his wife, revealing a safe behind it, into which he places the book)

"Dude, why are you spying on your old man?" Nino asked his best friend.

"I was just trying to see what he's doing since he rarely spends time with me," Adrien said sadly and everybody else gave him sad and sorry looks.

Gabriel: Call my assistant, Nathalie. She'll give you some other names.

Adrien: (behind a pillar) He hides stuff behind the painting of Mom?

"That painting of your mom has a safe behind it? As a reporter, I find that very strange and exciting!" Alya noted excitedly making some others giggle in amusement.

Plagg: Ooh! I love dirty secrets (Adrien walks over with Plagg to the painting and opens it) Oh, yes! Go on, go on!

Adrien: I can't do it. My dad wouldn't like me going through his stuff. Besides, I don't even know the code, and my fencing class is about to start.

Plagg: You're such a party pooper. (phases through the safe door and unlocks it)

Adrien: Plagg, no!

"Say, Adrien? You wouldn't mind if I hire Plagg as my part-time spy on my journalist adventures? Like you kwamis said, you can phase through solid objects and can't be filmed or photographed…" Alya said with a mischievous smirk on her face.

"Don't even think about it!" The two heroes and Tikki shouted simultaneously. Meanwhile, Plagg is actually considering it with a smirk while gobbling up his cheese.

Plagg: (muffled) My, my, what have we got here? A book on Tibet, an old flyer from a hotel, a load of junk, come on, where's the good stuff? (knocks the book Gabriel was looking at into Adrien's arms) I've seen this book somewhere before. But who cares? I'm famished! I need Camembert!

After a look into Mr. Agreste's safe, the two kwamis then gave a very loud simultaneous gasp, attracting everybody's attention.

"Plagg, a word!" Tikki said angrily as she dragged her fellow kwami by the ear outside the theater doors.

"What was that all about?" Adrien asked his girlfriend about their kwamis and everybody else is looking at her for an answer as well. Slightly frowning, Marinette shrugged before she and everybody else turned their attention back to the screen.

Adrien: Why is my dad keeping this locked in a safe? (stares at a page with a picture of an ancient Chinese Hawk Moth) Hawk Moth? What's this monster doing in a book about superheroes?

Plagg: Cheese! Didn't you hear me?

"Is that the book you got grounded for, Adrikins?" Chloe asked her childhood friend curiously and Adrien confirmed it with a nod.

"What is that book by the way, dude?" Nino asked and everybody turned their attention to Adrien who just shrugged while Marinette looked nervous. Thankfully for her, no one noticed.

"It's all just pictures of superheroes like Ladybug," Adrien said, still shrugging.

"Then, why is Hawk Moth in there?" Kim asked with a frown.

"I'm guessing Hawk Moth was a superhero before a supervillain back then," Adrien said, still shrugging. Marinette continued to look nervous while the audience let that go for now and turned their attention back to the screen.

(Adrien gasps after hearing approaching footsteps, and hides the book in his school bag and closes the picture just as Nathalie and Adrien's bodyguard enter the room.)

Nathalie: Adrien? You're going to be late. (Adrien's bodyguard grunts.)

Adrien: I was...looking for my homework. Silly me. (chuckles nervously)

Soon, the kwamis returned where Tikki was frowning and Plagg looked sheepish.

"What was that all about?" Marinette asked Tikki.

"Something us four need to talk about tonight," Tikki said quietly, referring to herself, Plagg, Marinette, and Adrien, before turning her attention back to everyone else. "Sorry, everybody. Secret between us." Everybody then just shrugged and turned their attention back to the screen.

Scene: Collège Françoise Dupont. Marinette and Alya are walking up the entrance steps.

Rose: Can you believe Lila knows Prince Ali? She even flew in his private jet with him!

"Question, Rose: you're still in contact with Prince Ali, right?" Marinette asked and the girl in question nodded. "Did you even bother to ask him about Lila?" After that question, Rose begins to realize that she didn't ask Prince Ali about Lila and finally begins to consider that Marinette might be right about her. Meanwhile, Lila begins to internally panic while she is trying to shake loose her restraints.

Chloé: Why did Jagged Stone write a song about Lila when he could've written it about me?

"I'm sorry, what?" Luka asked, confused. "Guys, I know Jagged Stone's discography by heart and I've never heard of a song called "Lila" in my life. Why would he write a song about her anyway?"

"Lila said Jagged wrote a song for her after she saved his lost kitten from a plane engine on an airport runway," Juleka told her brother, but from the tone of her voice, she is beginning to doubt the girl in question as well. After that bombshell, Luka spit out the drink in shock in response to what his sister just said.

"In case you guys missed the previous episodes we just watched and mixed up your animals, Jagged has a crocodile, not a cat," Luka said, still recovering from the shock.

"The cat was before the crocodile, dude," Nino said, confused.

"First of all, Jagged's deathly allergic to fur ever since he was a kid, so I doubt he ever had a cat. Plus, he's had his crocodile for like fifteen years, so unless Lila here is an adult, it's not possible," Luka explained with a frown and everyone was giving confused stares to Lila who just shook her head vigorously in denial.

"Plus that story sounds so fantastical and unbelievable, even my mother would laugh at the mere mention of it," Kagami commented and both heroes giggled at the comment.

Nino: Lila knows all of the Hollywood directors. She promised she'd mention me to Steven Basielberg himself!

"Yeah, I doubt that!" Chloe snorted alongside the two heroes and some other people who already know about Lila while Nino looked kind of sad.

Marinette: (rushes back to Alya's side) Lila?

Alya: Yeah, she just started at our school! (points to Lila, who's on the second floor of the school with Adrien) She even gave me an exclusive interview for the Ladyblog, 'cause Ladybug saved her life once! Watch! (shows Marinette the video of Lila on her blog)

Marinette: Who is this girl and what is she doing next to the love of my life?!

"And finally, since you all know I'm Ladybug, a few questions, everybody. Care to explain how I would be Lila's close personal friend if I've never met nor heard of her until Alya told me? And Alya, did you even bother to ask me as Ladybug if that was true before posting it on your blog? And everybody around here knows that Lila and I don't get along. Care to venture why that might be? And don't say because I'm jealous of her!" Marinette then slowly asked her questions towards everybody who has ever believed Lila in the first place. After finally some serious consideration, the people widened their eyes in realization.

"Lila has been lying to us the entire time," Alya said quietly in shock but loud enough for everyone to hear.

"FINALLY! ABOUT TIME!" The people who knew about Lila's lies including the kwamis shouted and applauded that the rest finally had come to their senses.

"Wait, you all knew?" Alya asked, pointing to the people who knew.

"Yeah, we're not gullible imbeciles. No offense though," Kagami said. Everyone who has ever believed Lila then began to droop their heads and facepalm themselves in shame especially Alya who prides herself in being a great journalist and Max who prides himself in being the class genius.

"We're so sorry we didn't believe you, girl. It's just that some of us know pretty famous people and had pretty outstanding accomplishments. We didn't think Lila's stories were that far-fetched," Alya apologized to her best friend after swallowing her pride.

"I forgive you guys, more or less. I'm just shocked it took you guys a seriously long time to figure this out," Marinette said and everyone nodded their heads, knowing they can't argue with that.

"Yeah, I mean you all should've figured it out after the napkin thing. It's even more ridiculous than knowing all those celebrities," Angel pointed out in which Marinette giggled after remembering that day, everyone who was there widened their eyes, and the people who weren't were confused.

"What napkin thing?" Adrien asked curiously.

"Care to explain, Marinette?" Angel asked as she pointed to Marinette.

"Glad to. It was lunch time the day she "came back from her trip". Lila PRETENDED to have a sprained wrist, so that everyone else here would serve her lunch for her. It was so obvious as she had no cast or gauze plus she was wearing bracelets on that wrist. Anyway, I threw a balled up napkin to her and she caught it...with her supposed sprained wrist! Then just when she was about to be busted, she started yelping in pain saying that she sacrificed her sprained wrist to save Max from the napkin as she has seen napkins gouging people's eyes out in India," Marinette recounted the story. Adrien, Chloe, Kagami, and Luka looked at each other before they burst into raucous laughter.

"I'm sorry, what?! Napkins gouging people's eyes out?!" Luka asked as he laughed.

"Ridiculous! Utterly ridiculous!" Chloe said as she cuddled her stomach from the laughter.

"I'm inclined to agree with Chloe. That is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard," Kagami said in-between laughs.

"I know. You're joking, Right, m'lady?" Adrien asked Marinette as he continued laughing. He stopped laughing as soon as he saw the serious look on his girlfriend's face as well as the nervous shameful looks on everyone else's. "Wait, you all seriously believed that?!" Adrien asked loudly in shock and the laughter died down. Meanwhile, Max kept hitting himself in the head after that revelation.

"Seriously?! So if Rossi said that she has a pet flying horse kept in her bedroom, you all would believe it too?!" Chloe rhetorically asked her classmates who still looked shameful.

"Welcome to my world!" Marinette said with a "I told you so" look to her friends. Her friends then shared glares towards the lying girl in question who just frowned and pouted.

"OK, we'll discuss Lila further before we all turn in for bed. Now, let's get back to the episode," Angel said as the audience turned their attention back to the screen.

Alya: Lila's got the most incredible life, and now she's going here. She's totally awesome!

Marinette: (daydreaming) What?! Don't say that! This is super bad, what if Adrien totally falls for her?! I've never flown in a private jet; nobody's ever written a song about me; and I don't know a single person in Hollywood! Adrien will forget I even exist! (Lila guides Adrien along by the hand)

"Did you see the look on my face earlier, m'lady? I was obviously uncomfortable by her flirting. So, there is no reason for you to be jealous of Lila," Adrien said for his girlfriend's peace of mind.

"I know that now. I didn't exactly know it then," Marinette admitted sheepishly and Adrien kissed her on the cheek.

Marinette: (gasping) Where are they going? Alya, we've got to stop them!

Alya: You need to chill out, Marinette. My Ladyblog has the highest number of hits ever after that Lila interview! (walks away)

"Sorry about that girl," Alya quietly said to her best friend as she still looked down in shame.

Marinette: What's going on? I mean has this Lila girl hypnotized everyone or something?

Tikki: You wouldn't be a little jealous, Marinette?

Marinette: Huh! Me, jealous? No way! (runs after Lila and Adrien)

Scene: Collège Françoise Dupont library. Marinette sees Adrien sitting at a table alone. Marinette hides behind a nearby bookshelf.

Marinette: Where is she? (Adrien takes the book from his dad's safe out of his bag, and Tikki gasps and leaves Marinette's purse.)

Tikki: Marinette, Adrien's book! I need to get a closer look at it.

Marinette: Why are you so concerned about his book? Hide, Tikki! (Tikki flies over to a bookcase right next to Adrien.)

"Why are you so interested and invested into that book, Tikki?" Kagami asked the kwami curiously and everybody looked at the kwami, curious as well.

"You all will see later on," Angel answered on Tikki's behalf. Everyone else nodded in agreement and turned their attention back to the screen.

Lila: Now we can get going on our history homework. It's so much more fun doing it together, don't you think? (notices Adrien's book and grabs it from under the other book he was using to hide it) What's that?

"Well, if it isn't Little Miss Nosy Liar at work?" Chloe sneered towards Lila.

Adrien: Uh nothing! Just stories about superheroes.

Lila: (puts her hand on top of Adrien's) I love superheroes!

Marinette: (gasps from behind the bookcase) It's already too late! (bumps into a book cart, pushing it by accident. Tikki watches Lila as she flips through the book turning to the page on Ladybug)

Lila: Ladybug!

Adrien: (sighing) She's amazing.

"Did you see the look on her face, Marinette? She obviously dislikes you even before that incident in the park," Tikki pointed out.

"What incident?" Alya asked curiously.

"You all will see. I don't regret what I did but I'm still somewhat ashamed of it," Marinette answered.

Lila: A girl doesn't need to wear a costume to be amazing, you know. (scoots her seat closer to Adrien)

"Well, for once, Lila is right, m'lady. You're amazing as both Ladybug and Marinette," Adrien said, smiling over to his girlfriend who blushed. Everyone else murmured in agreement except for Lila who just silently growled.

Adrien: Uh, I don't know—I mean, I—

Lila: So you've got a little soft spot for the bug, huh?

Adrien: Me? Oh, no! Not at all! (The book cart moves closer to them, but is unnoticed.)

"OK, Lila is uncomfortably close to Adrikins here," Chloe said, frowning at Lila's advances towards her childhood friend and former crush.

"Thank you! I seemed to be the only one who notices," Marinette said, frowning alongside her.

"Well, they're not wrong. I was really uncomfortable," Adrien said with everybody else giving him sorry looks.

Uncomfortable around me?! How dare you! Lila silently growled towards Adrien.

Lila: You know I actually happen to be very close friends with Ladybug. (Adrien and Marinette both gasp.)

"No, she isn't," Marinette said in deadpan manner.

Adrien: Really?!

Lila: We can chat about it if you want. Not here though. Why don't we meet at the park after school and I'll tell you everything. (Marinette accidentally slams the cart into the wall, causing Adrien and Lila to stand up in surprise. Marinette has hidden under their table.)

"Whoa, Marinette! You move fast!" Alix said, impressed at her good friend as well as everybody else except for an annoyed and angry Lila.

Adrien: (gets an alert from his phone) I gotta go! I've got a lesson in 58 seconds. (Lila causes Adrien to drop his bag on the floor)

Lila: So, the park? (pushes the superhero book on the floor away from Adrien's bag with her foot)

"YOU stole my father's book, Lila?! You know my father almost pulled me out of school for that!" Adrien shouted angrily towards Lila and everyone else was also looking at her in disgust while Lila just frowned and pouted.

Adrien: Uh sure! (runs out)

Lila: (picks up the book) A vixen superheroine? Hmm, interesting... (leaves the library)

Tikki: Marinette!

Marinette: I know. I gotta talk to Adrien before he meets up with Lila in the park. He needs to know that she's a total thief.

Tikki: No! You can't say anything to Adrien yet. I need a chance to check out the book first. If it's the one I think it is we have to get our hands on it!

Marinette: I don't get it? Exactly why would we need it?

Tikki: I'll explain to you once I know for sure. Please, we mustn't let Lila out of our sight!

Scene: Streets of Paris. Marinette is watching a clip of Lila from the Ladyblog.

Lila: (in the video) Ladybug and me, we're like this! (crosses her fingers together)

Marinette: Liar!

"And I'm clearly ashamed of myself for posting that!" Alya added quickly in shame.

Tikki: There! She's coming out! (Lila exits a jewelry store.)

Scene: The Place des Vosges. Marinette hides behind a tree. Lila is sitting on a bench.

Tikki: We're too far away. (Marinette uses the zoom on her phone to get a closer look at Lila, who is putting on a necklace with a fox tail charm. Lila pulls out the book, but then quickly hides it when Adrien approaches)

"Is that a fake Fox Miraculous?!" Alya asked angrily as she's the only one known for holding that Miraculous as Rena Rouge. The two heroes nodded in confirmation and everyone remained disgusted at Lila.

Lila: Oh hi!

Marinette: (sees Adrien) Oh no! He's already here!

Adrien: Hey! (Lila throws the book in the trash behind her)

"It's bad enough you stole it, but you dumped it in the trash too?!" Adrien asked angrily towards Lila who still frowned and pouted.

Marinette: She dumped the book in the trash bin! What a brat!

Tikki: I'll get it–

Marinette: No Tikki!

Tikki: I have to get that book! You take care of Adrien. (flies to the trash canister)

Marinette: Tikki! (runs after her hiding behind the trash canister. Tikki struggles to get the book out of the trash.)

Adrien: So you do know Ladybug, for real?

Tikki: (carrying the book) This is the book Marinette! (Marinette grabs the book)

Lila: Not only did Ladybug save my life, we've become very close friends because we have something very special in common- it's what I wanted to tell you about. I'm the descendant of a vixen superheroine myself, Volpina.

Adrien: Volpina?

Marinette: Volpina?

Adrien: Wait a minute! I think I read about her in my book.

Lila: (stopping him from grabbing the book) Of course she's in your book. She's one of the most important superheroes. More powerful and more celebrated than Ladybug. (Marinette is angered by the comment) Between you and me Ladybug doesn't even make the top ten. (Marinette bites down on the book) My grandma gave me this necklace.

"Oh, yeah! Some close personal friend! Trash talking about me behind my back!" Marinette ranted sarcastically and everyone became even more angry towards Lila.

"Volpina is more powerful and celebrated than Ladybug?! What delusional power trip are you on, Rossi?!" Chloe asked loudly in an angry manner.

Tikki: Wow she's good. Really good (Marinette runs just out of the park)

Marinette: You've got your book. I can't lose Adrien. Time to transform!

[Transformation Sequence]

Marinette: Tikki, spots on! Yeah! (Marinette transforms into Ladybug.)

"Here it comes. The incident Tikki mentioned," Marinette said nervously and everyone became intrigued to see it. "But before you see it, just so you know, I do kind of feel bad about it. Well, partly."

Feel partly bad about it?! I doubt that! Lila silently shouted towards her enemy.

Adrien: (holding Lila's necklace) Are you telling me this is a Miraculous?! (Ladybug lands in front of them)

Ladybug: (sarcastically) Well hey Lila! How's it going? Long time no see. I saw your interview on the Ladyblog, awesome job. (puts her foot on the bench between Lila and Adrien, and leans closer to Lila) Oh sure! I remember our instant connection when I saved your life and we've been really good friends ever since! Practically BFF's! Uh actually, when did I save your life again, Lila? I don't recall. Oh yes! Of course, now I remember. Never! And we're not friends either! (to Adrien) Miss Show-Off here was trying to impress you and everyone around her.

Adrien: (to Lila, who is crying) So I guess you aren't the descendant of a superhero either?

Ladybug: She's more like a super liar.

Lila: How dare you?!

Adrien: Wait! Lila! (Lila runs away) Hey, what was that all about? Uh, I mean, weren't you kinda harsh with her?

"Yeah, that was pretty harsh of you to say, Marinette," Miss Bustier sternly but softly reprimanded her superhero student who just looked sheepish.

"She might've been kinda harsh, Miss Bustier. But honestly, Lie-la over here is not exactly a blameless victim. She needed a reality check to see what the lies she had told would do to her. So, you can say that Marinette did the right thing in calling her out. But she just did it in a wrong way," Adrien said, defending his girlfriend from any further criticism about what she did. After some thought, everyone else agreed with that statement except for you-know-who.

She did the right thing?! Going against me in any way possible is NEVER the right thing, you stupid pretty boy! Lila ranted angrily in her head.

Ladybug: I...I don't put up with lies, especially when they're about me. (yo-yos away)

Adrien: (confused) What is with you, Ladybug?

Scene: Roof. Ladybug lands abruptly.

Ladybug: I may have gone a bit overboard there, but at least I'm not dealing with her anymore. (grasps her yo-yo and leaves)

"See? Even I admit I went a bit overboard," Marinette pointed out and everyone nodded in agreement. "And for that, I'm sorry again, Lila."

Apology still not accepted, you nosy twit! Lila silently growled.

Scene: Streets of Paris. Lila stops in front of a poster of Ladybug.

Lila: My chances with Adrien, gone! I hate you, Ladybug! (throws her bag at the poster)

"You want a real chance with Adrikins here?! BE REAL!" Chloe yelled towards Lila who growled back at her.

Scene: Hawk Moth's Lair.

Hawk Moth: (his window opens) Ah...jealousy, deceit, and the desire to be a superhero. This young lady is my perfect prey. (turns butterfly into akuma) Fly, my evil little one, and akumatize her!

Scene: Streets of Paris. Lila is kneeling down on the sidewalk.

(The akuma lands on Lila's fox tail necklace.)

Hawk Moth: (from his lair) Volpina, I am Hawk Moth. I'm giving you the power of illusion, from now on, your lies will come to life. Gain Ladybug and Cat Noir's trust and convince them you're a real superhero, then betray them and bring me their Miraculous.

Lila: It would be my pleasure, Hawk Moth. (transforms into Volpina and uses her new power to change the poster of Ladybug into one of Volpina and Adrien)

"Now that's a poster I never want to see again in my life," Adrien said, wincing in disgust at the illusion poster Volpina just created. Everybody, especially the girls who ever had a crush on him (Marinette, Chloe, and Kagami) murmured in agreement.

Scene: Paris. A meteor appears in the sky, hurtling down toward the city. Adrien is just getting home, and upon seeing the meteor, runs to his room.

[Transformation Sequence]

Adrien: Plagg, claws out! (Adrien transforms into Cat Noir.)

Scene: Paris. Ladybug just arrives home when she also sees the meteor.

Ladybug: Code Red! (Ladybug yo-yos towards the meteor, but is surprised by Volpina, who flies under the meteor and catches it before it hits the Louvre pyramid. She hurls it back into the sky, where it vanishes as it hits a pigeon. Volpina flies down onto a building, but is revealed to be an illusion when the real Volpina swats her away. Volpina then addresses the Parisians below.)

Volpina: I am Volpina, the only superhero Paris needs! (Citizens chant her name)

"Wow! She "saved the city from the meteor" and already she develops a big fat ego!" Chloe said in disgust and Lila just silently growled at her again.

Ladybug: (standing on a nearby roof) Volpina?

Cat Noir: (lands next to Ladybug) Looks like we have a new partner.

"Some girl just lied to you about being a descendant of Volpina minutes before and suddenly, the superhero just appeared out of nowhere?" Kagami asked Adrien rhetorically and the boy just blushed in embarrassment.

Ladybug: Don't you think it's weird, this superhero just appearing out of nowhere.

"At least Marinette is thinking clearly," Luka said and everyone (except for Lila of course) nodded in agreement, even Adrien who still blushed in embarrassment.

Cat Noir: Well, at least she got the job done. If she hadn't been here—

Ladybug: (defensively) I could have easily stopped that meteorite myself.

Cat Noir: Hey! Relax! I'm just saying she seems seriously awesome. (Volpina lands in front of them)

Volpina: Hey guys! Glad you dropped in, I need a hand. Come on! (Volpina flies off with Ladybug and Cat Noir following behind her. They all land on a nearby roof.)

Cat Noir: I can't believe it! It's Hawk Moth in the flesh! (Hawk Moth's figure is on a roof across from them)

Ladybug: He never shows up! Something big is going on. Really big!

"At least I was suspicious about it," Marinette teased her boyfriend who still blushed in embarrassment.

Volpina: We can take him down, but it's gonna take all three of us. We better make the most of our individual talents.

Cat Noir: You can count on us.

Volpina: Very nice to meet you by the way Cat Noir! Cool outfit.

Cat Noir: (Scratching the back of his head) Why thanks! You too, Volpina. (Ladybug gags)

"I'm with Ladybug on that one! BLEH!" Chloe said as she pretended to gag in response.

Ladybug: First the meteorite, now Hawk Moth appearing both on the same day. Don't you think that's a little bit unusual?

Volpina: Why would you say that?

Ladybug: (annoyed) I was asking Cat Noir.

Cat Noir: I'm finding you unusual today, my lady. Everything okay?

Ladybug: I'm fine, just fine. (to Volpina) Say Volpina, what's your Miraculous?

Volpina: My necklace.

Ladybug: What power does it give you?

Volpina: The power of flight and super strength. (Hawk Moth disappears) He's getting away! (they all chase after him until he stops again) Ladybug, go to his left, Cat Noir, you take the right and I'll come from behind.

Ladybug: No! I...I take the right, Cat Noir goes from behind and you... take the left.

Volpina: (laughing) Fine. Makes no difference to me.

Ladybug: Good. (Volpina flies off)

Cat Noir: Can you chill out a little? She's one of us. (Cat Noir jumps off. Ladybug scoffs before heading towards Hawk Moth)

Scene: Rooftop. Volpina's illusion lands on a roof where the real Volpina waits.

Volpina: (Watches Cat Noir running on rooftops) He's running right into my trap. (Meanwhile, Cat Noir thinks he has Hawk Moth, but he has vanished again)

Cat Noir: Where did he go? (Hawk Moth appears on a different roof) I'll take him! (Cat Noir continues to chase after the vanishing Hawk Moth. Back to Volpina who goes after Ladybug)

Volpina: Good! Now for the other one.

Scene: Ladybug is running after Hawk Moth and lands on an empty roof.

Ladybug: Where did he go? (Her foot catches in one of Volpina's traps and when she tries to move, bombs aim at her. Volpina appears.)

Volpina: I wouldn't move an inch if I were you. (Ladybug gasps) Don't worry Ladybug, I don't wanna be your friend. At least now you won't be able to say we don't know each other. (laughs)

Ladybug: Lila?

Volpina: You will call me Volpina!

Ladybug: You're not a superhero. You're another one of Hawk Moth's akumatized victims!

Volpina: Everyone thinks I'm a superhero, including Cat Noir. So you won't be able to call me a liar anymore 'cause everyone will think you're the liar. (Hawk Moth speaks to Volpina)

Hawk Moth: Take Ladybug's Miraculous. Her earrings, now!

Volpina: (To Ladybug) Before I get rid of you, you are going to give me your Miraculous..

Ladybug: Never!

Volpina: Do you really think you've got a choice, Ladybug? You'll give me your Miraculous or the building goes down! (points to a nearby building)

Ladybug: You wouldn't do that! (Volpina blows into her flute and sends the building down) Stop! (reaches for her earrings. The crumbling building hits a pigeon and then vanishes, showing that it was never falling)

"Well, that was close! I should thank the pigeons for that!" Marinette said giggling at Volpina's illusions being shattered by pigeons. Everyone else chuckled in agreement except for Lila who just silently growled.

Ladybug: It's an illusion! Just like the meteorite! Just like Hawk Moth! That's your power Volpina, isn't it?! Illusion, lies. Of course! (Ladybug throws her yo-yo at all the bombs and Volpina and everything vanishes)

Ladybug: Of course! (She phones Cat Noir) Is Volpina with you, Cat Noir?

Cat Noir: (Through phone) No! And I can't find Hawk Moth either.

Ladybug: Forget it. He was never there in the first place.

Cat Noir: What do you mean? But we saw him.

Ladybug: (On Cat Noir's staff) That's Volpina's power. She creates illusions. The Hawk Moth we saw wasn't real.

Cat Noir: What are you trying to say?

Ladybug: She's not a real superhero. She was akumatized by Hawk Moth!

Cat Noir: I don't get it? Why did he do it?

Ladybug: I think it's partly my fault. I ruined her chances with a guy she likes.

Cat Noir: Lila?

Ladybug: I'm sure she's going to his house. I'll send you the address. Meet me there!

Cat Noir: You got it! (He hangs up) I think I know the way already.

Scene: Adrien's room. Cat Noir arrives and detransforms.

Plagg: Wouldn't Cat Noir be more useful in this situation?

Adrien: If Volpina's got a thing for me, I can make her see sense without Cat Noir. Maybe then she'll listen.

"You honestly thought that would work?" Nathaniel asked Adrien curiously as he and everyone else is skeptical about that plan as well.

"Wouldn't hurt to try!" Adrien said, defending himself.

Plagg: You really think you can take down Volpina without your super powers? Without me?

Adrien: (sees Volpina) Hide Plagg, she's coming! (Plagg goes in his jacket)

Volpina: Adrien!

Adrien: Hey! Who are you?

Volpina: Do you remember this necklace? I didn't know how to tell you the truth, but at least this way you can see for yourself that I'm not lying. I am a superhero.

Adrien: Lila!

Volpina: You can call me Volpina. I'm sorry about the scene in the park earlier today. Ladybug's jealous because she's not as powerful as me.

Ladybug: (hanging outside of Adrien's window) You'll see Ladybug isn't just a figment of your imagination, Volpina. (Ladybug calls Cat Noir, but he doesn't answer)

Ladybug: What is he doing? No time to hang around and wait any longer. (Ladybug swings into Adrien's room)

Volpina: See what I mean! She's jealous of me, of you, of us, but this time you aren't going to ruin our date Ladybug.

"Oh, yeah! She's sooo jealous of a fake superhero!" Marinette sarcastically ranted and everyone laughed hard in agreement except for Lila who was boiling with rage.

Adrien: Mm excuse me, but it wasn't really quite a date, per say. (Volpina turns to him angrily) I mean- what I meant was it could've become one right? No need to get bent out of shape!

"I still stand by what I said. It wasn't a date," Adrien clarified to everyone, especially Lila.

It was a date! Whether you say so or not! Lila ranted angrily in her head.

Ladybug: (to Adrien) Excuse us, but I need to have a chat with super liar. (to Volpina) You! Stop thinking your illusions are reality! (Adrien runs into the bathroom, and shuts the door.)

Plagg: So, was I right or was I right?

Adrien: Come on Plagg, Claws Out! (Meanwhile Ladybug and Volpina are fighting in Adrien's room.)

Cat Noir: (has landed in the open window) Sorry I'm late. I had some trouble... (jumps into the room) ...finding the place. (Volpina uses her flute to make a bunch of other Volpinas to hide in. Ladybug swats them away.)

"Sure you had trouble finding your own house, kitty," Marinette teased her boyfriend and everyone chuckled along with her except for Lila.

Cat Noir: Illusions! (At that moment, Volpina is seen outside, leaping away with a captive "Adrien".)

Ladybug: Cat Noir! She's taken Adrien!

Cat Noir: That's an illusion, too!

Ladybug: How are you so sure?

Cat Noir: Uh...my..um...feline sixth sense. It's legendary! Oh… (Ladybug goes over to the bathroom and finds it empty.)

"Well, now I know how you knew that," Marinette said, finally realizing what just happened.

"Well, it's not like I can tell you that. You're the one who insisted about our identities being kept secret," Adrien pointed out and Marinette nodded sheepishly.

Ladybug: Really? You don't say! Adrien's gone! (leaps out the window)

Cat Noir: I'm not even gonna try to get out of this.

"Smart move, dude," Nino said, chuckling along with everyone else.

Scene: Eiffel Tower. Volpina is dangling "Adrien" from a high brace. Volpina laughs evilly as Cat Noir and Ladybug climb up the tower.

Volpina: Give me your Miraculous now or I will!

Ladybug: I thought you loved him!

"I wouldn't exactly call it love if she's trying to kill me even if it was an illusion itself," Adrien pointed out and everyone nodded in agreement.

Volpina: Not as much as seeing you two defeated! (to "Adrien") No hard feelings, right?

"Yeah! Very hard feelings!" Adrien said loudly and angrily towards Lila who just gave a non-caring glare at him.

Cat Noir: You're bluffing. It's another illusion.

Volpina: You wanna bet on that? (releases one finger at a time on her grip on "Adrien")

Ladybug: (screams) NO! (reaches for her earrings)

"Well, at least this proves you love me so much that you're willing to sacrifice your Miraculous for me. You shouldn't do that, but I really love that you would do so," Adrien said sweetly to his girlfriend then kissed her on the cheek. Everybody else gushed at the sight except for Lila who just silently growled.

Cat Noir: Don't do it, Ladybug! (throws his baton at Volpina and "Adrien")

Ladybug: No! (The illusion of Adrien vanishes, and Volpina along with it. She spots the real Volpina) There she is! (They all climb to the top of the tower and Volpina plays her flute to create more illusions of herself.)

Ladybug: Lucky Charm! (A chocolate popsicle appears) Huh? (she opens it and the bright inner wrapper makes her squint) I've got an idea to take down Volpina!

"With a chocolate popsicle?" Sabrina asked curiously.

"Not the popsicle actually. You'll see," Marinette said, pointing to the screen.

She took me down with a chocolate popsicle?! I certainly don't remember that! Lila silently ranted in anger and humiliation.

Cat Noir: With a chocolate popsicle?

Ladybug: Trust me. Get ready.

Cat Noir: Cataclysm! (Ladybug uses the shiny wrapper to blind the real Volpina, and Cat Noir uses Cataclysm to make a cage around her with the tower's metal.)

"Oh, you used the shiny wrapper to blind her. Brilliant, Marinette," Kagami complimented her superhero friend and everyone followed suit except for Lila who just growled at the sight of her defeat on-screen.

Ladybug: Trapped! Like a fox! (grabs Volpina's necklace) Your days are over, akuma! (breaks the necklace, releasing the akuma) Time to de-evilize! (captures the akuma in her yo-yo) Gotcha! (releases the white butterfly) Bye, bye little butterfly. (throws the ice cream in the air) Miraculous Ladybug! (The Miraculous cure puts everything back to normal, including Lila) Lila?

Lila: Ladybug?

Ladybug: I... totally overreacted and... never should've spoken to you like that. I'm sorry.

"Well, at least you apologized. So, you girls are good, right?" Rose asked, hopeful for that case.

"Yeah, you'd think!" Marinette said, pointing to the screen.

Lila: Forget it, Ladybug; you were right. We'll never be friends. (picks up her necklace and walks away)

Cat Noir: Ouch…

"Oh, well. Now that I know what she's really like, I have no interest in being her friend anyway," Marinette said and everybody nodded in agreement.

Same here, you stupid goody two-shoes! Lila responded silently in anger.

Scene: Hawk Moth's lair

Hawk Moth: She's still angry. You're not done with Volpina yet, Ladybug. You haven't seen the last of her.

Scene: Eiffel Tower. Ladybug and Cat Noir are still there.

Ladybug: There's one problem we still have to solve. Where's Adrien?

Cat Noir: Uh...everything's been put back to normal, right? So he must be safely back at home.

Ladybug: I should check to make sure!

Cat Noir: Uh... No, don't worry about it! I'll go! You're about to change back. (Ladybug's earrings beep)

Ladybug: So are you. (Cat Noir's ring beeps) No arguing. I'll take care of it. (jumps off the tower)

Cat Noir: Ugh! That stubbornness... It's so...so... (fondly) ...irresistible. (leaps off to follow Ladybug)

"Oh, for the love of Pete! You two are so hopeless for each other!" Alix groaned in annoyance and everyone else followed suit.

Scene: Adrien's room. Ladybug enters through the open window; meanwhile, Cat Noir lands in the bathroom. Ladybug walks, then runs over to the bathroom door.

Ladybug: Adrien? (Cat Noir is in a panic) Are you there? (slides open the bathroom door) Can I come in? (Cat Noir turns on the shower)

Ladybug: (hears the shower, quickly slides the door shut again, and jumps back) This is...Ladybug. Is everything okay?

"Again with the shower, kitty?!" Marinette said as she punched her boyfriend's arm again as everyone once again burst into raucous laughter.

"It was the only way to prevent you from discovering my secret identity per your request," Adrien said, defending himself as he rubbed his arm and everyone couldn't help but agree with that defense.

Cat Noir: Uh...yeah, yeah. I had to grab a shower after all this excitement. (leans with his ear up to the door)

Ladybug: Uh...oh...yeah...sure. I'm sorry. I'll be off then, huh.

Cat Noir: Thank you! (They both lean their heads against either side of the door, mirroring each other. Ladybug yo-yos out through the window. Cat Noir opens the door and walks out, sadly staring out the window.)

Scene: Marinette's roof. She sits perusing the superhero book.

Marinette: (to Tikki) This book could've been my connection to Adrien without my Ladybug mask for once, but I get that I'm not gonna be returning it to him.

Tikki: I'm really sorry Marinette, but its information is invaluable.

Marinette: Information? But it's all written in code.

Tikki: I know someone who's been looking for this for a long time. He knows how to decipher the codes.

Marinette: So what exactly is so special about this book?

Tikki: It contains all the secrets of the Miraculous powers. It's sacred and extremely dangerous in the wrong hands. He needs it back.

"So, that's why that book is so important!" Alya said, sensing an exciting scoop.

Marinette: I don't get it, Tikki. Just tell me what's going on. Please, who is he?

Tikki: The Great Guardian. And I think the time has come for you to finally meet him.

"Let me guess. It's the old dude who gave you guys the Miraculouses," Nino said, finally figuring it out.

"Ding ding ding! Nino is a winner!" Marinette jokingly confirmed it in which Nino beamed with pride.

Scene: Adrien's room. Adrien is looking through his bag.

Adrien: Did you take my father's book, Plagg?

Plagg: (mouth stuffed with cheese) Of course not!

Adrien: If he finds out it's missing, I'll have something worse than Hawk Moth to deal with.

"Why couldn't you have looked into the book further when we took it, Plagg? That way, I could've met the Guardian sooner!" Adrien ranted angrily to his kwami who looked sheepish.

"I was hungry for cheese!" Plagg said, defending himself. Both Adrien and Tikki groaned in annoyance while the others laughed hard in amusement.

Scene: Master Fu's massage shop. Marinette knocks on the door.

(Marinette and Tikki enter the room.)

Master Fu: Hello, Ladybug. (The door closes behind Marinette on its own.)

"And that concludes season 1 of the show. Now that you all know part of the truth about Lila. It's time that we confront her about every lie she's ever told and everything she's done ever since she came into your lives," Angel said as she snapped her fingers. "I gave her voice back, but the restraints are still intact. Not only that, I magically made her tell the truth through the remainder of her stay here, so she can't lie until you guys get back…"

Author's Note: This is to be continued. The next chapter will have Angel interrogating Lila about her lies and misdeeds. Therefore, the real Lila will finally be revealed and unleashed. It might take some time since I've been working a lot these days. Stay tuned!