28. The Puppeteer

Scene: Marinette's room. Marinette and Manon are playing with Marinette's Ladybug and Cat Noir dolls.

Marinette: (as Puppet Cat Noir) Here I am, m'lady! (as Puppet Ladybug) Glad to see you, Cat Noir! (as Puppet Cat Noir) Of course you are! I'm the cat's meow! (she meows and then giggles)

"Very accurate imitation of Cat Noir, Marinette," Kagami said, laughing along with everybody else while Adrien blushed in embarrassment.

Manon: He shouldn't say that!

"See, kitty? Even a five-year old girl knows better than you!" Marinette said giggling and everybody else laughed along in agreement while Adrien playfully pouted.

Marinette: No? (Manon frowns and shakes her head. As Puppet Ladybug) This is no time to be goofing around, Cat Noir! We gotta capture the baddies' akumas before they– (Pauses and looks at Manon) Actually, what do the baddies want?

Manon: Uh...we wanna win!

Marinette: Yeah, but win what?

Manon: I don't know. What do they usually want?

Marinette: Depends. Lady WiFi wanted to reveal Ladybug's true identity and Evillustrator wanted to get revenge on a girl for making fun of him! Then there was Rogercop. But the evil Hawk Moth, who makes them bad, wants to take Ladybug's and Cat Noir's jewels from them! Their Miraculouses!

Manon: And what would happen if he did get them?

"What would happen if Hawk Moth did get your Miraculouses? He sure wasn't clear on his intentions," Tom asked his daughter and his daughter's boyfriend with the audience looking towards the two heroes, curious as well.

"We don't exactly know what he wants with them. The only thing we know is with our Miraculouses combined, he would achieve ultimate power. In other words, he can make any wish come true. And it doesn't matter whether the wish is good or bad, there's an ultimate price to pay in return, so that the universe stays in balance. So, we can't let Hawk Moth or anyone else use those Miraculouses for that purpose," Marinette explained with everyone else nodding in understanding and Alya took notes for a news story she could write once the war is over.

Marinette: The bad guys…would win!

Manon: I know! I know what the bad guys want! We want the Miraculous! Then we'll win! Forever and ever! I'm gonna get your Miraculous, Ladybug and Cat Noir! You-you goody two-shoeses! You'll be super duper sorry!

Marinette: You won't get our Miraculouses!

Manon: Oh yeah? (The dolls fight, and Marinette's dolls win)

Marinette: Yay! Ladybug and Cat Noir have won again!

Manon: No fair!! You always win!! (starts crying)

Marinette: Ladybug and Cat Noir always win, and the bad guys always lose.

"Yeah, we'd be doomed if that happened!" Alix pointed out and everyone else murmured in agreement.

Manon: But you never let me play with Ladybug and Cat Noir!!

Marinette: Oh, don't cry! Of course you can play with Ladybug and Cat Noir! I'll even let you borrow one of them if you want. (Nadja comes up on the stairs.)

Nadja: I'm back Manon, have you been a good girl?

"Is that Nadja Chamack, the newswoman?" Lila asked.

"Yeah, Manon is her daughter," Marinette said, genuinely surprised that Lila didn't know.

"Nadja and I've been friends since our university years. We're in fact Manon's godparents. Which is why Marinette is her regular babysitter," Sabine explained, getting impressed looks from everyone else except for Lila of course.

Another celebrity connection?! You've gotta be kidding me! Lila once again ranted in her head in jealousy.

Manon: Mommy!! Marinette didn't let me win!! (Manon hugs her mother and cries even more.) She didn't play fair and square!!

Nadja: Oh Manon, you can't always expect to win!

Manon: Yes I can! Ladybug and Cat Noir always win!

"Wow! Little kids are so annoying!" Kim said in exasperation at Manon's behavior and most other teens murmured in agreement.

Nadja: Well, you're right there! But they're superheroes!

Marinette: You'll win next time, Manon!

Nadja: Alright, now give the doll back to Marinette.

Manon: NO!!! I wanna keep it!!!

Marinette: She can if she wants, I told her she could borrow it.

Nadja: And that's sweet of you Marinette, but Manon already has so many toys at home. I wouldn't even know where to put it.

Manon: NO! (Ladybug doll's arm breaks off.) Huh?

Nadja: Look what you've done, Manon! Give it to me. I'm sorry, Marinette.

Marinette: Oh, it's nothing, I can sew it up again! It's no problem, really.

"You made those dolls, Marinette?" Rose asked, not aware of that fact.

"Yeah. I made them for the little kids I babysit like Manon to play with. My sewing skills doesn't stop at clothes, you know," Marinette said proudly, getting impressed looks from everybody else except for Lila who's just annoyed.

Nadja: Oh, thank goodness! Come on Manon, we're leaving. Say goodbye.

Manon: I…want…that…DOLL!!!

Nadja: No. You can play with it here, next time you come! Come on Manon, be a good girl and say goodbye. (Manon cries on her shoulder.)

Manon: (Whispers softly) Goodbye.

Nadja: (Answers the phone) Hi Alec. Huh? Didn't I leave it for you on my desk at the station? (Manon runs back to the stairs.)

Manon: Uh. I left my bag up there mommy!

Nadja: Go quickly and get it! (To Alec) It's not there, huh? (Marinette opens her box of her DIY accessories. Tikki appears.)

Tikki: I think our heroes are in need of a little TLC! (Manon is back up)

"Boy do we! But Hawk Moth won't let that happen, would he?" Adrien commented and everyone chuckled in agreement.

Marinette: Manon! What are you-

Manon: I left my bag here! (gets Marinette's backpack, opens it, gets the wand and looks at the Ladybug doll) Can I have Ladybug?

Marinette: You heard what your mom said.

Manon: She wouldn't know if I hide it!

Marinette: Sorry, but I have to sew her up!

Manon: Pretty pleeeeease??

Marinette: Oh please, please not the baby doll eyes! (Marinette looks at Tikki who shakes her head) Ugh. Okay, you can borrow Lady Wifi.

Manon: Can I have the Ladybug doll?

Nadja: Hold on Alec. Hurry up Manon! We have to stop by the station!

Manon: Coming, mommy! (She waves goodbye)

Tikki: Wow, she sure had you wrapped around her little finger!

Marinette: What!? No she didn- ugh. You know Tikki, I can't say no to those-

Tikki: Baby doll eyes? Just be glad none of Ladybug's baddies have them! You'd be rendered powerless!

"TRUE THAT!" The audience yelled out in agreement of that comment.

Scene: TVi studio. Manon plays with the Lady Wifi doll and a Ladybug magazine.

Manon: (With Ladybug magazine) Here I am, baddie! Haha! I've saved Paris again! (With Lady WiFi doll) No! No fair! You always win!

Nadja: I'm sorry, Alec. I thought I gave it to you. It must be in the studio.

Alec: No sweat!

Nadja: (to receptionist) Can you just keep an eye on Manon for me, please? I won't be long. (Looks over at Manon)

Manon: (With Lady WiFi doll) Where are you hiding…Ladybug?!

Nadja: (Takes doll) This is one of Marinette's dolls! You took it after I specifically told you not to!

Manon: But, Marinette wanted me to have it!

"I wouldn't say I wanted her to have it. It's just she used her…," Marinette started to excuse herself.

"Baby doll eyes!" The teens finished that sentence for her while laughing and Marinette blushed in embarrassment.

Nadja: You disobeyed me. I told you the dolls were to stay at her house! You won't be needing these anymore.

Manon: NO! Mommy, please don't!

Nadja: I'm not happy about this. Wait for me here. (Nadja walks away as Manon stands alone as she is frustrated as she sits back down. Nadja and Alec go in the elevator as the elevator closes. Manon has the wand.)

Manon: I didn't steal that doll! I want that DOLL!!!

"Wow! That's some tantrum," Marc noted about Manon and everyone else nodded in agreement.

Scene: Hawk Moth's lair.

Hawk Moth: (His window opens) Ah, what could be more pure than an innocent child's emotions? Especially anger. I love it! Fly away, evil akuma, and commiserate with this frustrated child! (He turns a butterfly into an akuma, and sends it out.)

"He's sick. He's a sick man to akumatize a little kid!" Marinette said in disgust towards Hawk Moth and everybody else murmured loudly in agreement, also in disgust except for Lila who's just indifferent.

Scene: Subway. Alya and Marinette rush down the station to catch the train.

Marinette: The movie starts in thirty minutes. Or, we could buy your book first and go to the next showing.

Alya: Either way, girl. (gasps) Marinette, nine 'o' clock!

Marinette: No, there's no nine 'o' clock showing.

Alya: Not that nine 'o' clock! This nine 'o' clock! (Train arrives and Adrien stays waiting till doors open.)

Marinette: Adrien!

"Oh no!" Alix said, laughing along with everyone else while Marinette blushed heavily.

Alya: Come on! (She drags Marinette and jumps into the train.)

Marinette: (Bumps into a passenger on the train) Sorry.

Scene: TVi studio. The akuma flies and infects Manon's wand.

Hawk Moth: Puppeteer, I'm Hawk Moth. From now on, you can control anyone!

Manon: Even Ladybug and Cat Noir?

Hawk Moth: Yes…as long as you possess their dolls.

Manon: And I can win?

Hawk Moth: Yes, you will be able to win! But, in return, you have to get something for me!

Manon: Give you their Miraculouses! I know!(transforms into the Puppeteer)

Hawk Moth: What a smart little girl you are! (A receptionist is working at the front desk when the Puppeteer floats up)

"Wow! She sure looks so freaky like that," Luka noted about Manon's akumatization and everyone else winced in agreement.

Puppeteer: Wanna play a game?

Receptionist: Heeelp!

Puppeteer: I've got to get Ladybug and Cat Noir's dolls! I…want…those…DOLLS!!!! (Walks into the studio and finds the Lady WiFi doll.)

Nadja: I'm sure I left it in here. Ugh. Where is it?! Ah. Here it is. (Puppeteer takes the Lady WiFi doll from Nadja Chamack's purse) Sorry, Alec. Here's the file you need. (Puppeteer chuckles wickedly)

Scene: Subway.

Marinette: I wonder what station he's getting off at. Oh—maybe he's going to the same movie! Oh! How cool would that be!? But wait! But then, he might think we're following him! Like stalkers! What? Me, a stalker? HAH! Although, I would follow him. You know, of course I wouldn't really stalk him! Oh...who am I kidding?!

"And here's another animated episode of My BFF's Wacko Thoughts About Her Crush!" Alya mockingly announced, laughing hard with everybody else except for Marinette who just sunk into her seat.

Alya: Haha! Who are you talking to? (Adrien waves at Alya.) He's waving!

Marinette: Oh no! Now what are we gonna do?

"Wave back?!" The teens yelled out while laughing at Marinette.

Alya: Wave back! (Springs out Marinette's arm to wave.)

"That explains why you were acting so weird!" Adrien said as he laughed at his blushing girlfriend along with everyone else.

Scene: Station.

Puppeteer: Okay, Lady WiFi, come to life!

Scene: Subway.

Alya: (turns back into Lady WiFi) What— what's going on!?

"Did I just seriously just turn back into Lady WiFi?" Alya asked, unaware of what happened to her that day.

"Lady WiFi as a five-year old girl," Marinette answered, giggling at the memory. After hearing that, the rest of the audience glued their eyes to the screen, interested.

Marinette: Alya!

Lady WiFi: Marinette! Give me those Ladybug and Cat Noir dolls!

Marinette: Lady WiFi?

Lady WiFi: No! I'm Puppeteer! And I…want…those…dolls…NOW!!

Everyone in the audience burst into raucous laughter at the sight of Lady WiFi acting like a five-year old. Meanwhile, Alya sunk into her seat, blushing in embarrassment and disbelief.

Marinette: Puppeteer? The dolls? I don't-I don't have them. They're at home! Why…Why do you want them, Puppeteer?

"I was so confused about what's happening!" Marinette said, giggling.

"Your best friend turned back into her old akuma form out of nowhere and started acting like a five-year old? You have every right to be confused," Adrien pointed out and everybody chuckled in agreement.

Lady WiFi: Because, you said I could have them! Then Mommy said "no!" So give 'em to me now! Or you'll be super duper sorry!

"Ugh! Will this never end?!" Alya asked in exasperation as everybody else continued to laugh at her.

"Yeah! Just wait until I captured the akuma," Marinette jokingly answered and everybody else laughed harder in agreement.

Marinette: (gasps in realization) Manon!

Lady WiFi: I want Ladybug and Cat Noir's Miraculouses, to win! Forever and EVER!!

Marinette: (Marinette runs after Lady WiFi.) Manon! This isn't a game!

Adrien: Excuse me sir, there's a...uh...cat loose on the train!

Train Manager: What? Thanks kiddo! (he runs off as Plagg comes out)

Plagg: (annoyed) Cat?!

Adrien: Plagg! We have to transform!

Plagg: (disappointed) Just when we'd shaken off your bodyguard.

[Transformation Sequence]

Adrien: Plagg, claws out!

Plagg: What about the movie? And the buttery popcorn? (Adrien transforms into Cat Noir)

Marinette: Tikki, I have to find a place to transform. (feels a hand on her back)

Cat Noir: Hey, that was Lady WiFi. Did that villain say anything to you?

Marinette: Uh, I'm not sure, but her voice belonged to a little girl I babysit. It's as if she was controlling my friend, Alya—I mean, Lady WiFi—from a distance. This is so weird.

Cat Noir: And what was this talk about dolls?

Marinette: I've got some dolls she likes to play with.

Cat Noir: Your dolls? Okay, where do you live?

Marinette: 12 Rue Gotlib.

Cat Noir: I'll take care of it! (Runs off.)

Marinette: I don't like the idea of Cat Noir rummaging around my room.

"You don't trust me, m'lady?" Adrien teased his girlfriend with a smirk on his face.

"What girl wants a guy rummaging around her room?" Marinette rhetorically asked and the rest of the girls murmured and giggled in agreement.

Tikki: Just say the words.

[Transformation Sequence]

Marinette: Tikki, Spots on! Ha! (Marinette transforms into Ladybug. Ladybug swings to the bakery to meet Cat Noir.)

Ladybug: Hey kitty, up here! (to Lady WiFi) Puppeteer! Such a shame, it's really not nice to steal from your babysitter.

Cat Noir: Breaking and entering are grounds for a serious time-out.

Puppeteer: Soon I'll get your Miraculouses, you goody two-shoeses!

Cat Noir: There's only one goody two-shoes around here and I'm not her!

Lady WiFi: Freeze! (Hits Adrien's poster and Ladybug panics and blushes.) Remember how we defeated Lady Wifi the first time?

"You missed your poster on her wall, Adrikins!" Chloe said, laughing at her childhood friend, along with some others.

Cat Noir: Take out the wi-fi signal! Gotcha! (Cat Noir climbs up to the top. Ladybug grabs her Ladybug doll but Lady Wifi pauses her. She walks over to her.)

Hawk Moth: Nice move, Puppeteer, good girl! Now—take her Miraculous! (Cat Noir uses Cataclysm. Lady WiFi goes to get Ladybug's Miraculous but the pause button disappears. Ladybug grabs Lady WiFi's phone.)

"Whew! That was a close one. Thanks, kitty," Marinette said as she sighed in relief and kissed Adrien on the cheek.

Ladybug: Looks like you've just lost your signal, WiFi! (Smashes phone, but no akuma comes out) Where's the akuma?

Puppeteer: I want those dolls. Lady WiFi! (Lady WiFi throws a couch at Ladybug and disappears)

Cat Noir: Did you capture her akuma?

Ladybug: She didn't have one!

Cat Noir: How's that possible?

Ladybug: She's controlled by Puppeteer! She must have the akuma!

Cat Noir: Why, Lady WiFi's nothing but a puppet! Please tell me you got the Cat Noir doll!

Ladybug: Sorry, only this one. (Shows the Ladybug doll)

"Kinda unfair, don't you think, m'lady?" Adrien teasingly asked his girlfriend who shrugged sheepishly in response.

Cat Noir: We'd better find her fast before she takes care of the other dolls! And me! (His Miraculous beeps)

Ladybug: Cat Noir, your ring! You're about to transform back!

Cat Noir: Don't let her make me a puppet! You know I like to be in command!

Ladybug: You mean second in command. Call me when you're back in business. (Calls Nadja on her yo-yo)

Nadja: Yes? What? Ladybug!?

"Wow, dudes! Imagine getting a call from Ladybug!" Nino pointed out, amazed and everybody murmured in agreement, similarly amazed.

Ladybug: Where are you?

Nadja: At the TV station.

Ladybug: Is your daughter with you?

Nadja: Yes! She's playing downstairs! Why? Is everything okay, Ladybug?

Ladybug: Yes! Just don't move. I'll be right there!

Scene: TV studio.

Puppeteer: I'm gonna use these dolls to beat Ladybug fair and square!

Scene: Behind a pole. Plagg is eating cheese.

Plagg: What? I'm savoring my cheese!

Adrien: Would you mind savoring it a little faster?

[Transformation Sequence]

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

Scene: TVi studio lobby.

Ladybug: She's still here in the building! We need you all outside!

Nadja: NO! I want to find my daughter!

Ladybug: I'll bring your daughter back, Mrs Chamack. It'll help me more to know you're safe.

Scene: TV studio.

Puppeteer: Evillustrator! Come to life! (At the Louvre, Nathaniel transforms into Evillustrator) Rogercop! Come to life! (On a street corner, officer Roger transforms into Rogercop. Ladybug answers a call on her yo-yo in the studio.)

"Well, that certainly explains how I got from the Louvre to the TV studio when the whole thing was over," Nathaniel said as he watched himself turn back into the Evillustrator.

Cat Noir: Have you located her?

Ladybug: Inside the KIDZ TV building!

Cat Noir: Got it! (Cat Noir taps her on the shoulder and Ladybug wrenches his arms.) I'm OK, not a puppet yet! But I'd love to find the akuma before that changes.

Ladybug: (Giggles nervously): Sorry! On three! One...two...three! (Bursts through the door.)

Puppeteer: Cat Noir! Come to Life!

Cat Noir: No! (Cat Noir becomes controlled by the Puppeteer)

"Too late!" Alya said exasperated as well as everyone else.

"Now it's five people against Ladybug by herself. According to my calculations, the odds are not looking good for you, Marinette," Max said.

"Well, I sure beat those odds!" Marinette said proudly and the audience suddenly became intrigued on how.

How?! There's no way! Lila thought in angry shock.

Ladybug: Cat Noir! No!

Hawk Moth: Use Cat Noir to seize Ladybug's doll! When you control that one, you'll have won everything, and Ladybug will be defeated!

"Or she could take MY Miraculous here and there!" Adrien pointed out and after a moment, everyone else laughed in realization.

"What an idiot!" Marinette said loudly while laughing and everyone laughed harder in agreement except for Lila of course.

Puppeteer and Cat Noir: Gimme that Ladybug doll! I'm gonna get your Miraculous!

Ladybug: Not so fast, rugrat! (Aims her yo-yo at the Puppeteer's wand, but Puppeteer blocks it with Cat Noir) Sorry, Cat Noir! One against five!? That's not very fair and square!

Hawk Moth: This is the moment I've been waiting for. Your time is up Ladybug! You're doomed!

Puppeteer: The Ladybug doll, get it! (Evillustrator draws a phone for Lady Wifi.)

Lady WiFi: Thanks, Evillustrator! Now the doll!

Ladybug: Is this what you want? Say pretty please! (Grabs tape and runs out the door.)

Puppeteer: The doll! She got away with it! Get her! (The villains all run to the roof.) Where'd she go!?

Ladybug: First I gotta get rid of them, then Puppeteer! (Ladybug shines a light on the villains, then wraps Evillustrator and Rogercop in tape. Cat Noir hits Ladybug with his baton, but she uses it to throw him off the building.) If you want this doll so badly, come and get it! (Throws the doll to the top of the Eiffel Tower)

Lady WiFi: I'm faster than you! You're gonna lose, Ladybug! (A girl picks up the doll but Lady WiFi grabs it from her.) Gimme that doll! It's mine! (the girl cries)

"In retrospect, that wasn't the smartest idea in the world. Lady WiFi sure got that doll faster than I expected," Marinette said, cringing.

"Well, at least you won anyway," Adrien pointed out to cheer her up.

Puppeteer: I'm gonna get you Ladybug!

Cat Noir: You'll be super duper sorry! (Ladybug bursts into the TV studio.)

"Great! Now I sound like a five-year old," Adrien said, annoyed, while everybody else chuckled in amusement.

Ladybug: Now that you're alone, I'm gonna-- huh!? Where is she!? (Runs back up. In the studio lobby, Lady Wifi hands Puppeteer the doll.)

Puppeteer: Now I'm the winner! Haha!

Ladybug: Drop that doll, Manon!

Puppeteer: I'm not Manon, I'm Puppeteer! (Uses Lady WiFi to attack Ladybug with pause symbols, but she dodges)

Ladybug: Lucky Charm! (A power strip appears.) A power strip?

"A power strip?" Most of the audience asked in curiosity in which Marinette pointed to the screen, indicating that they keep watching.

Puppeteer: You've lost, Ladybug!

Ladybug: (Notices Lady WiFi's phone, one of Cat Noir's boots and Rogercop's and the Evillustrator's arms. The Evillustrator erases the wall in front of her.) There may be four of you but I'm twice as dangerous! (Ladybug flings Cat Noir onto Lady WiFi and hits the others. Puppeteer lifts the Ladybug doll to change her. Lady WiFi pauses Evillustrator and Rogercop as Ladybug throws them at her.)

Puppeteer: Ladybug, come to lif- (Lady WiFi accidentally pauses Puppeteer. Ladybug grins and whistles and strides over to get the wand. Breaks it.)

"NO WAY!!" Everyone in the audience except for Marinette yelled out in amazement as they looked at the girl with wide eyes and open mouths. Meanwhile, Marinette blushed in response.

"THAT'S A STATISTICAL IMPROBABILITY!" Max shouted in shock.

"THAT WAS AWESOME!" Most of the audience yelled out, still amazed.

BUT, THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE! UGH! I HATE YOU! Lila ranted in her head in hidden angry shock.

Ladybug: No more evildoing for you, little akuma. Time to de-evilize! (catches the akuma with her yo-yo) Gotcha! (releases the akuma, turning it into a normal butterfly.) Bye bye, little butterfly. Miraculous Ladybug! (Throws the Lucky Charm into the air and fixes everything. Evillustrator is turned back into Nathaniel, Rogercop is turned back into Roger, Lady WiFi is turned back into Alya and The Puppeteer is turned back into Manon.)

Cat Noir: What happened?

Ladybug: You were a puppet! But don't worry, you didn't do anything foolish!

Cat Noir: Good. And Ladybug, FYI, you can pull my heartstrings any day! (Winks)

Ladybug: Hahaha! I think you were better when you sounded like a five-year old girl!

"TRUE THAT!" The teens yelled out and laughed in amusement.

Hawk Moth: No! This cannot be happening!

Nadja: Manon! (Manon sees her and hugs her) Thank you Ladybug! Thank you.

Ladybug: It's time I bug out.

Scene: Marinette's room.

Marinette: I'm sorry about what happened last time, Mrs. Chamack. I shouldn't have given her the doll after you told her no.

Nadja: Manon can be pretty persuasive sometimes.

Marinette: Yeah, with her...

Nadja: Baby doll eyes? Yes, I know. See you later then. Kiss, Manon!

"I'm so lucky Nadja understood about her daughter's baby doll eyes and I didn't get in trouble for giving her that Lady WiFi doll," Marinette said and everyone agreed except for Lila who just scowled.

Manon: (Gives her mother a kiss) Bye, mommy!

Marinette: See you later, Mrs. Chamack!

Nadja: Buh-bye!

Manon: I wanna play with Ladybug and Cat Noir!

Marinette: (looks at the dolls) I have a better idea. Why don't we go to the zoo today?

"After that whole experience, I was really getting sick of those dolls which is why I suggested the zoo," Marinette explained and everybody else nodded in understanding.

Manon: But I wanna play with the dolls! Pretty please!

Marinette: Don't even try it, Manon.

Manon: (Giggles) I love the zoo! I'm ready! (They run off.)

"At least you were able to control her that time, girl," Alya said. "So, what's next?"

"The next episode is Antibug which was Chloe's first akuma form," Angel answered as she looked over to Chloe who looked intrigued. "Though I would call it Vanisher and Antibug because it starts with Sabrina's akumatization as Vanisher." After a moment, the audience nodded in agreement, remembering that day. "Anyway, onto the episode!"