ch4: origin 4

Meanwhile, back in the present day in third person...)

Master Fu and Wayzz were thoroughly shocked at the backstory of Marinette's training.

Steel Butterfly also took the liberty to inform them that he was also surprised that Marinette's parents actually took the time to train Marinette to prepare her for her destiny as the current holder of the Ladybug Miraculous.

Oddly enough, they were also thoroughly impressed that Steel Butterfly, Tom and Sabine were thorough enough to prepare Marinette for her destiny.

Just then, Steel Butterfly got a buzzing notification on his latest invention: his Foreknowledge Alert Watch.

His watch informed him that Hawk Moth sent out another Stoneheart akuma, but he had it multiply so as to make Stoneheart clones.

Steel Butterfly leaves to warn Ladybug and Cat Noir discreetly by using messenger butterflies.

One of the messenger butterflies arrives at Marinette's place and flies through the window.

Just as Marinette was gonna shoo the butterfly, it spoke in bright plain English as it said, "Ladybug, I deliver a message from Steel Butterfly."

Completely taken by surprise, Marinette asks, "How did you speak English if you're a butterfly?"

The butterfly answers, "My master, Steel Butterfly, has granted me the ability to speak in English as his messenger boy. Or should I say, messenger butterfly? Heh heh. Anyway, Steel Butterfly brings you an urgent message. Somehow, Hawk Moth has managed to recreate Stoneheart's akuma and sent it to the Eiffel Tower to multiply and transform multiple Parisians into Stoneheart clones. The clones will remain frozen until the original Stoneheart is Akumatized again, and once that happens, the duplicates will serve as his army. We've already informed the mayor and the police, and Officer Roger Raincomprix wanted to bring Ladybug in for, and I quote, 'One of the greatest superhero failures of all time.' But of course, Steel Butterfly didn't like that one bit. So, as part of his many contingency plans, he intimidated Officer Raincomprix into leaving you and Cat Noir alone, unless he wanted his daughter to see him lose his job and rot in jail for threatening teenage superheroes, one of which who has been physically and mentally trained for the job at hand."

Marinette was growing increasingly livid at how Hawk Moth was fighting dirty and how Officer Raincomprix was about to have the Ladybug Miraculous taken away. But thankfully, she was calmed at the explanation of how Officer Raincomprix was intimidated into leaving her, Cat Noir and Steel Butterfly alone unless he wanted to lose his job and rot in jail for threatening a teenager using magic jewelry and one that was physically and mentally trained for the job at hand.

Soon, the butterfly was on its way back to its master.

Marinette was left to her own thoughts and her own devices.

Marinette grumbled in her thoughts, "Hhhhaaaa. How many lives will Hawk Moth corrupt and destroy to achieve whatever megalomaniacal goals he has in mind? I can't risk my Miraculous and Cat Noir's Miraculous falling into Hawk Moth's hands or into the hands of someone twice as worse as him. I hate to admit it, but I have to comply with Steel Butterfly's orders, since he sounds and partially looks like he's older than Adrien and me. And who knows? Maybe I might learn something about Steel Butterfly's leadership position."

(Meanwhile, in Hawk Moth's lair in the present day...)

Hawk Moth monologues as he watches over the entirety of Paris from his window, "Ivan Bruel has a sensitive heart. It won't be long before anger and sadness strike again. Then I'll make his Akuma multiply and create Stoneheart's army. Then we'll see how long you and your new friends will remain hidden, Steel Butterfly, Ladybug and Cat Noir. Once I have your Miraculouses, you will be powerless against me. Everyone will be powerless against me! I will have absolute power! Mwahahahaha!"

As Hawk Moth laughs maniacally, Stoneheart's newly reakumatized akuma lands on the Eiffel Tower and multiples. Then they spread out, indiscriminately transforming anyone they come across into Stoneheart clones.

While watching the news, Sabine states worriedly, "Oh my!"

Marinette asks, "Hmmm?"

Nadia Chamack states while partially reading off the off-screen teleprompter, "Just as Paris is about to celebrate the appearance of our three new superheroes, a new wave of panic is sweeping across the capital as dozens of people are mysteriously transformed into stone monsters. They all look eerily the same as the original Stoneheart, no matter what they looked like before. It's simply unbelievable. These victims transformed into stone beings are frozen stiff, completely still like statues. The police are perplexed as to what will happen to them. Will they come back to life, or will they be frozen in time forever?"

Marinette silently grumbles as she realizes Steel Butterfly was right.

As Marinette went to sleep, she started to pray to God for a sign that wielding the Ladybug Miraculous will be beneficial in the long run or if it won't be.

The next day, at the TVi studios, Nadia Chamack is reporting the latest morning news.

Nadia states, "The stone beings are scattered all over Paris, and for the time being, they are showing no signs of movement." A variety of pictures is shown as the Stoneheart clones remain frozen stiff like statues, waiting for the primary Stoneheart to be reakumatized so they can awaken. Nadia continues, "Police have cordoned off the area."

Mayor Andre Bourgeois announces, "We won't stop until all of us and our heroes to get these people back to their normal selves, but for now, we're not making much headway."

Nadia finishes, "Paris is relying on our guardian angels, Ladybug, Cat Noir and Steel Butterfly, to save us all. Our lives depend on them."

Meanwhile, in the Dupain-Cheng apartment above their bakery, Marinette is standing next to her father, watching the news report on the TV while her father washes the dishes with Tikki's help.

Tom turns around and puts his arm around Marinette's shoulder as he says, "Listen, honey, I know how upsetting it is knowing that Hawk Moth is not gonna stop until he gets what he wants, but don't worry; we've got you and your new teammates looking out for Paris. And the best way to help you guys is to show you guys that we're not scared, because we trust you." Tom raises a fist and scrunches his face with confidence and faith.

Marinette asks sadly, "But what if we fail?" She looks down in shame.

Tom replies, "Then I'd come and save you." He holds a piece of long bread as a sword and finishes for dramatic emphasis, "Super Baker to the rescue!"

Marinette and Tikki giggle at Tom's antics. Marinette reaches up to peck her father on the cheek. She states, "Thanks, Super Dad!"

Marinette runs up to her room and grabs her purse. Pausing for a moment to look at her reflection in her vanity mirror, Marinette notices something odd. Upon looking closer, Marinette has just noticed she gained slightly bigger muscles and a developing six-pack. She pokes herself in the chest, unintentionally tickling herself. Deciding to never do that again, Marinette asks Tikki, "Will we meet Steel Butterfly soon enough?"

Tikki replies cheerfully, "I believe so. Until then, we will have to be patient. When the time is right, we will fight back at Stoneheart, his clones, and whatever Hawk Moth throws at us today and in the future."

Marinette exits the bakery and she takes off for school at best pace, having fifteen minutes before school starts.

(Steel Butterfly's voice-over POV as he writes in his Rorschach-inspired journal...)

Steel Butterfly's journal.

September 4th, 2014.

First journal entry today.

Now, we're getting prepared for the second Stoneheart incident.

And right now, I'm in a bad mood. Why is that, you ask? It's simple.

My meeting with Officer Roger Raincomprix earlier this morning left a bad taste in my mouth.

I'm not kidding, I'm dead serious.

He believes that it's his duty to bring Hawk Moth's Akumatized villains to justice despite my lectures on how the Butterfly Miraculous in Hawk Moth's possession works and despite my lectures on how the Akumatized villains behave regardless of whether or not they succeed in their petty goals. In addition to my lectures about how Hawk Moth can easily control his villains if they are starting to rethink their choices and if they refuse to carry out his orders.

Roger has no idea how much Akumatized supervillains were outside of his jurisdiction.

I told him that, and he had the audacity to scoff in my face.

And he also had the audacity to brush off my lectures as well.

I had no choice but to violently remind him that I have the jurisdiction and the authority to decide whether or not the Parisian Police Department should get involved in my team's war with Hawk Moth.

Roger wasn't willing to cooperate at first, but then I had to pull out a trump card: his daughter Sabrina having to watch her father lose his job and rot in prison for threatening a teenage superhero with magic earrings and for interfering with magical terrorist-creating-supervillain business. Especially since the teenage girl in question who wishes to remain anonymous for obvious reasons has previously been training for seven years especially for this kind of mission.

To say that Roger was more cooperative after that was a big understatement.

But what surprised me was that Roger was more fit and athletic than his primary timeline counterpart, who happened to be a fat ass.

Eh, no matter. At least this is one of the few and many changes I'm willing to welcome with open arms.

But as for Marinette, our resident Ladybug, I... I couldn't believe that for seven years, she had been thoroughly trained for the day she would receive the Ladybug Miraculous, which was just yesterday.

I was shocked beyond belief.

When I peered into Marinette's memories as she slept that night, I could see that Sabine was telling me the truth when she said that she and her husband would teach Marinette how to fight, how to stay on the move during a fight and pretty much everything else that came with the responsibility by usage of the Ladybug Miraculous.

She told me on the day we met – specifically after I explained everything that was supposed to happen in regards to her daughter's future – that she and Tom would handle Marinette's training and preparations for when she would receive the Ladybug Miraculous from Master Fu.

Walking into the nearest McDonald's, I bought water, and I bought myself two Bacon, Egg and Cheese McGriddles, three Bacon, Egg and Cheese Biscuits, two orders of hot cakes that are basically McDonald's pancakes, two Egg McMuffins, four Hash Browns, a fruit and maple oatmeal, and one Sausage McMuffin.

I ate my McDonald's breakfast and I made sure to clean up after I was finished.

Normally, I hated junk food, but I decided to treat myself today.

After I was finished with my breakfast, I made my way back to Master Fu's massage parlor and got myself prepared for the second Stoneheart attack.

I hope I'm not too late.

(Meanwhile, in the Agreste Mansion...)

Nathalie is waiting for Adrien in the dining room.

Nathalie asks herself aloud, "Hmm, what's he doing?" The clock chimes once. Nathalie looks for Adrien in his room, only to find it empty. Nathalie calls out calmly, "Adrien?"

Near the staircase and entrance of the mansion, Nathalie and Gustav stand side-by-side. Gabriel stands above them on part of the stairway, and he is not happy.

Gabriel asks, "You didn't see him leave? If anything has happened to my son, you'll be held responsible!"

In the streets of Paris, Adrien is running to the school and away from his mansion.

Plagg remarks, "You're so desperate to escape your father's clutches, aren't you?"

Adrien replies, "You got that right, Plagg. I've had enough of being shut up at home by my dad. I want to meet people and make friends! I wanna go to a normal school like everyone else!"

Plagg states, "Well, if you ask me, I believe that children should have the opportunity to explore things about the part of the world they live in."

Adrien offers a smile to his kwami as he flies into Adrien's pocket.

(Meanwhile, at Francoise Dupont, Alya and Marinette are having a discussion about the Ladyblog.)

Alya states while handing her phone to Marinette, "The Ladyblog, bringing to you all the latest news about the coolest superhero in all of Paris, Ladybug! How awesome is that?!" She takes back her phone after Marinette finishes looking at the new Ladyblog. Alya finishes, "Check out the number of views I got since I posted the video!"

Marinette asks Alya a question that her parents and Tikki asked her last night that kept her awake for half an hour, "Alya. If you knew who Ladybug was, would you do the right thing and help protect her identity by any means necessary, even if she won't tell you whatsoever?"

Alya looks at her new best friend with a confused look, before understanding what she meant, albeit in the exact same way that Marinette predicted. Then, Alya answered, "Of course I would, Marinette! After all, even though my goals as a reporter are simple, that doesn't change the fact that my extensive knowledge of superheroes has made me realize even Ladybug and Cat Noir's identities are extremely important. And I would've been in serious trouble if I ever posted the heroes' identities on my blog, as well. So, long answer short, yes, I would certainly do the right thing and help Ladybug hide her identity by any means necessary."

Marinette looks at Alya with a curious look, trying to discern if she's lying, until Marinette hears Alya's voice in her head say, "I don't know what Marinette's afraid of. Surely, if she could read my mind, she would know for sure that I'm not lying. Besides, as far as even Chloe Bourgeois knows, I hate liars."

Marinette whispers to herself as low as possible to prevent Alya from hearing, "(Softly) I hate liars, too."

Next, Marinette asks Alya, "But seriously, why do you trust Ladybug so much? She wasn't informed by Steel Butterfly in time about Hawk Moth's contingency plan, even if Steel Butterfly had some sort of foreknowledge..."

Alya responds confidently, "It wasn't Steel Butterfly's fault if he forgot. Besides, Ladybug, Cat Noir, Steel Butterfly and whatever crew they have will handle the stone beings when the time is right."

Marinette asks, "But what if Ladybug's not really cut out to be a superhero, even though everyone thinks she is?"

Alya inquires in response, "What are you talking about, girl? Oh, wait. I know what this is about." Marinette gets flustered and scared about what Alya might say. But then, to her relief, Alya states, "You're scared of the whole thing. But don't worry, I've seen Ladybug with my own two eyes, girl! Ladybug is a true superheroine! She's going to protect us all! I believe in her, and if I were to know her identity at her deathbed, I would've wanted my final words to be this: 'Thank you, Ladybug. For everything.'"

As Marinette and Alya walk towards the inside of the school, the two girls notice a group of students gathered around Ivan. As Marinette and Alya got closer, the two girls realized they were talking to Ivan about the Stoneheart incident yesterday.

One of the students, Alix Kubdel, asked Ivan in a concerned manner, "So, you really don't remember anything?"

Ivan shakes his head no to signify his answer.

A slightly muscular and slim girl with dreadlocks in her hair avoids eye contact with Ivan as she proceeds to the locker room with the intention of using the girls' bathroom, thus revealing that the girl is Mylene Haprele.

Another of the girls, Juleka Couffaine, said to Ivan, "You were totally going ballistic, Ivan. It was so cool!"

Kim, fully recovered from his first near-death experience, explained to Ivan, "Yeah, and I will say this, it was intense, dude. You were seriously out to crush me, dude!"

Ivan said apologetically, "Oh, I'm sorry... I wasn't myself..."

Just then, one of the math teachers came up and said, "You're not at fault, Ivan. Whoever did this will get what's coming to them, one way or another."

Just as Chloe was about to say something along the lines of "Once a monster, always a monster," a look at Alya's eyes glowing orange and red signified to Chloe that she better practice what she preaches, or else the consequences will be severe and DEADLY.

In short, Chloe came up to Ivan and hugged him as much as she could muster, much to the surprise of everyone in the school.

Ivan eventually hugged Chloe back.

Meanwhile, in Hawk Moth's lair, Hawk Moth was fuming about how Ivan's positive emotions were negating his negative emotions. Especially because Chloe was amplifying Ivan's positive emotions a notch. But he was not giving up just yet. He knows that Ivan will become negative once again. And when he does, Stoneheart and his army will get him the chance to make Ladybug and Cat Noir surrender their Miraculouses. And if this so-called Steel Butterfly is coerced into surrendering as well, that'll be Hawk Moth's bonus. Thus showing that starting now in his quest to revive his wife, Gabriel Agreste is starting to become more and more power-hungry and will not hesitate to obtain more powers, regardless of whether or not it's part of his goals.

Meanwhile, outside the school, Adrien runs up the steps to the front door. Exiting his bodyguard's car once again, Nathalie tries to stop Adrien yet again.

Nathalie protests, "Adrien! Don't do this! Your father will be furious!"

Adrien replies with a lion snarl, "You're too late!"

He runs inside as Nathalie sighs disappointedly.

Inside the school, Alya was talking to Chloe. Alya asked Chloe, "How'd you know how to comfort an Akuma victim without having to say anything?"

Chloe answered truthfully, "I may not have the experience to comfort someone in a situation involving some sort of magic-abusing terrorist. But I used to be experienced in comforting upset young kids at my age in the past, especially a childhood friend of mine who had bad nightmares from time to time. But thankfully enough, some big butterfly man in colorful Shredder-looking battle armor taught me how to comfort an Akuma victim. The experience is well worth it, even if I have little experience in such an endeavor."

Alya took in this information as she watched Marinette signal her that Chloe was indeed telling the truth.

Alya then asks, "Did this butterfly man in Shredder-looking colorful battle armor have a name?"

Chloe replies with two words: "Steel Butterfly."

Just then, Adrien came up to Chloe, as they had been childhood friends, even before Chloe recently became a heart of gold in the first stages of her own character development. Even if Adrien didn't know about the pseudo-Penance Stare experience Chloe went through yesterday.

Adrien's first words were, "Hey, Chloe!"

Chloe whipped around and said in response, "Adrien! You came!"

As the two childhood friends hugged each other, other students rushed towards him and shouted in recognition.

Outside the school, Nathalie gets back into the car, and says to Gustav, "I'll handle it." Then the car drives off.

Meanwhile, Marinette went to the locker room, and she sees Ivan sitting on the ground, successfully attempting to meditate with his headphones playing some calming music.

Marinette states, "You know, you should tell Mylene how you feel about her."

Ivan trails off as he nervously replies, "I... don't know what you're talking about."

Marinette states in response, "Come on, I saw the way you looked at her." Ivan looks down again with a scowl. Marinette continues, "No! No negative emotions, Ivan. You're only gonna get yourself Akumatized again. Besides, what I meant is to be positive. I'm sure Mylene has feelings for you, too. Go talk to her."

Ivan replies, "I'm no good with words, anyway."

Marinette says, "But... who needs words? You could draw her a picture, send her flowers..."

Ivan finishes, "I could... write her a song?"

Marinette replies, "That's a great idea! What girl wouldn't want a love song written especially for her? Go for it, Ivan. Stay positive and make sure to practice your singing voice so you can try not to sing too loud. You might scare Mylene away if you sing too loud and shrilly."

Ivan states, "I'll try." He then runs off excited.

Marinette made her way back to Ms. Bustier's classroom.

In Hawk Moth's lair, Hawk Moth snarls, "Negative emotions... They're fading! Ughhhh..."

As Adrien and Chloe made their way to Ms. Bustier's classroom, several students had their autographs signed by Adrien, even though he hates signing autographs.

In Ms. Bustier's classroom, Chloe showed Adrien his new seat next to the bench Marinette and Alya were sharing yesterday.

Chloe said with a bubbly voice, "Trust me, Adrien. You're gonna love Marinette and Alya!"

Adrien froze as he asked Chloe, "Wait. Did you say '"Marinette,'" as in Marinette Dupain-Cheng?"

Chloe gazed at Adrien suspiciously, wondering how her first childhood friend could've known her former enemy.

This caused several other students in the room to look at Adrien with widened eyes and gaping mouths, something that Adrien wasn't gonna be comfortable with for as long as he can remember.

Chloe answered, and with her own question, "Yes. Do you actually know her?"

Adrien answered shyly, "Yeah, I might've ran into her yesterday while she was at the Louvre after the Stoneheart incident, attempting to find new ideas for her next fashion designing project. Although, I believe my father will like her, as she wants to be a fashion designer, like Dad."

Thankfully, it wasn't a total lie, as yesterday, Ladybug was indeed looking for new inspiration for her latest design while the city was taking a breather before the Stoneheart clones came to be. Cat Noir was so impressed with how Marinette's fashion designs looked that he taught her some tips on how to recognize anything wrong with the design and stitching patterns, due to his years of modeling for his father's fashion brand and studying fashion design part-time.

Just then, Nino Lahiffe came up to the two and said, "You must be Adrien Agreste. I'll have you know, dude, any friend of Marinette is a friend of mine. Name's Nino Lahiffe."

After introductions were made, Adrien spotted Chloe, Sabrina and the rest of the students cleaning every desk with disinfecting sprays and disinfecting wipes.

Adrien asked Chloe, "Chloe, are you and the others sure you have to clean the desks? Shouldn't that be left for the janitor?"

Chloe answered truthfully, "Adrien, you may not realize it, but these days, even our teacher, Ms. Bustier, turned out to be big germaphobes over the years. That's mostly because the previous janitors were mentally challenged to the point where they don't clean the classrooms thoroughly enough. And besides, even Ms. Bustier wants to help prevent the spread of germs and any rodent or cockroach infestations. After all, you don't want to see Marinette getting a stomach bug that causes her to get dehydrated for three days, do you?"

As much as Adrien hated to admit it, Chloe was right.

The very thought of seeing his new friend and his crime-fighting partner very ill caused Adrien to visibly shudder.

As Marinette and Alya were walking into Ms. Bustier's classroom, Marinette whisper asked Alya, "(Softly) Would you willingly take an opportunity to get turned into the Ghost Punisher again if you were granted the opportunity?"

Alya whisper answered, "(Softly) Totally! I'm not scared of anyone!"

Soon as the two girls entered the classroom, Marinette spotted Adrien literally disinfecting her desk.

Marinette asks Adrien, causing him to look at her, "Excuse me. Why are you disinfecting my desk?"

Adrien answers, "To make sure you don't contract any germs."

Then, something in both Marinette and Adrien's minds clicked.

They each realized almost immediately that the person looking at them is their crime-fighting partner.

Marinette realized she was looking at Adrien Agreste, who's secretly her partner, Cat Noir. At the same time, Adrien realized he was looking at Marinette Dupain-Cheng, who's secretly his partner, Ladybug.

Ten seconds of silence later, Marinette and Adrien hugged each other like they didn't see each other in a long time.

This left the students and even an entering Ms. Bustier with widened eyes and gaping mouths.

(Meanwhile, in the locker room, at the door to the girls' bathroom...)

Mylene Haprele, one of the more fit girls in the school, was rushing out of the girls' bathroom because she was gonna be late due to her being in the bathroom for an extended period of time because of indigestion.

Mylene was stating fretfully, "Oh, no. I'm gonna be late."

Unbeknownst to Mylene, Ivan was waiting outside to ask her if it's okay for him to walk her to the class.

Soon as Mylene saw Ivan, Mylene exclaims, "Gah! Ivan, don't startle me like that."

Ivan says sheepishly, "Sorry."

Mylene looked at Ivan and asked him, "Ivan, what are you doing here?"

Ivan replies, "I wanted to know if it's okay with you for me to walk you to class."

Mylene states in response, "Ivan, its okay. I'm aware that you love me."

Ivan asked confusedly, "How did you know?"

Mylene replies, "In addition to teaching me on the fine arts of being an actor, my father also taught me how to read someone's facial expressions to determine their thoughts and motives. So, yes, you can walk me to class."

Pushing aside the explanation for now, Ivan walked with Mylene to Ms. Bustier's classroom. Soon enough, Ivan started singing his love song, being careful not to be too loud and shrilly.

Mylene pecks Ivan on the cheek.

(Meanwhile, in Hawk Moth's lair...)

Hawk Moth was still fuming over how Ivan is still not experiencing negative emotions.

Hawk Moth was closer to losing his temper.

But instead of taking his anger out on anything, he decided to wait until Ivan actually experiences negative emotions.

And then, his patience paid off as he detects negative emotions Ivan was secretly holding in.

Hawk Moth deduced that the reason was because one of the older students, Megan Weissman, teased Ivan over whether or not Ivan and Mylene were gonna turn into stone monsters right about now.

As it just so happens from what Hawk Moth could garner, Megan was in Ms. Bustier's class not only as a student, but also as an assistant student counter.

Hawk Moth says darkly and excitedly, "Yes. This is what I've been waiting for. You know the way to the school, my evil Akuma. Track down your prey! Fly away and Akumatize Ivan once again!"

The original akuma held in Hawk Moth's cane exits it and flies out the window.

Hawk Moth is guffawing evilly, completely unaware that Steel Butterfly and their crew had already warned the police and their allies in advance about the situation. Anonymously, of course.

At the same time, Steel Butterfly chose to give Officer Raincomprix a little warning. Steel Butterfly warned Officer Raincomprix that if he says anything negative and rude to Ladybug and Cat Noir for any reason, especially if it involves Raincomprix saying "I have a new plan, unlike you! Move aside and let the pros do their thing. You've already failed once," then Steel Butterfly won't hesitate to imprison Roger and send him to Hell for the next forty-five years. Steel Butterfly backed up his claims by opening a hole to Hell by utilizing his energized butterflies. Thus, this showed how serious Steel Butterfly really was.

Suffice to say, this got Officer Raincomprix a little nervous, as he didn't know that Ladybug and Cat Noir succeeded the first time around, with years of physical and mental training.

(Meanwhile, back at Francoise Dupont...)

The Akuma infects Ivan's paper of song lyrics, and the telepathic connection between Stoneheart and Hawk Moth is reestablished.

Hawk Moth's disembodied voice says, "This is your second chance, Stoneheart. And this time, you have extra help. No one will stop you from capturing the love of your life. And no one will ever tease you again. Just remember, I'll need something in return."

Soon, Ivan is once again covered in the all too familiar dark purple magic ether, and Stoneheart emerges once again. Stoneheart opens his eyes, causing all of his clones to come back to life across the city.

Mylene saw what was happening and decided to flee, knowing that Stoneheart would've tried to take her hostage.

Outside, Mylene was thankful that she had years of exercise and sports training to help her shed much weight. However, before she could get far enough, Steel Butterfly and his crew came to her.

Mylene asked fearfully, "Are you here to help return Ivan to normal?"

Steel Butterfly answers, "That's part of the reason why I'm here. Some associates of mine wish to see the man responsible for Ivan's two Akumatizations being thrown in jail. But don't worry. I have a plan. But we're gonna need your help."

Meanwhile, in Ms. Bustier's classroom, Ms. Bustier is checking her student attendance.

Ms. Bustier asks, "Agreste, Adrien?"

Nino quietly reminds Adrien, "You say 'present' to signify that you're here."

Adrien replies to Ms. Bustier, "Uh, present!"

All the other students start laughing. Even Ms. Bustier seems to think Adrien answering the roll call attendance was a little funny.

Ms. Bustier calls for the next student on the attendance sheet, "Bourgeois, Chloe?"

Chloe answers, "Present."

Ms. Bustier calls for the next name on the sheet, "Bruel, Ivan?"

Suddenly, the reakumatized Stoneheart breaks down the door, and enters while saying mockingly, "Present! Megan?"

Chaos erupted, indirectly causing Marinette and Adrien to run out the classroom, specifically for the purpose of giving the two heroes time to transform.

Not noticing the absence of anyone in the room, Stoneheart grabs Megan in his right hand.

Shirley shouts in pain from Stoneheart's grip, "Let go of me, Ivan!"

Stoneheart replies darkly, "I'm not Ivan anymore. I'm Stoneheart."

Megan asks Stoneheart in fear despite subconsciously knowing the answer, "Why are you doing this?"

Stoneheart answers, "So as to make sure you never tease me about being a rock monster again. What was it some people with a zero villain tolerance attitude used to say? Oh, yeah: '"Once a villain, always a villain!"' Well, I'm making that phrase a lot more literal!"

Chloe calls her father on her phone and says hurriedly, "Daddy, the monster is back! Steel Butterfly's warning is already happening as we speak!"

Stoneheart grabs Chloe with his left hand, thankful he doesn't have an Akumatized object to hold in his hands at all times.

Stoneheart starts looking around for Mylene, but deduces that she must be close by. Stoneheart takes the two girls with him as he breaks a wall and jumps out of the school.

Megan shouts, "Put us down, Ivan!"

Alya calls out to Marinette, "Come on! Let's follow him!"

Marinette retorts, "And risk getting squashed underfoot? Hell no! I'd rather hide long enough to wait for the crisis to be over."

Alya replies pesterly, "Girl, you're gonna miss Ladybug in action!"

Marinette says in response, "Whoever Steel Butterfly is, he'll give me a nice front row seat to see Ladybug in action."

Alya replies back, "If you say so!"

Alya sprints out of the school, making sure to take her bag with her.

Marinette comes up to Ms. Bustier and states, "Don't worry, Ms. Bustier; I'll make sure to do any assignments due tomorrow just in case the school undergoes extensive repairs."

Marinette sprints towards the girls' bathroom to transform.

(Meanwhile, in the locker room, at Adrien's open locker...)

Adrien complains out loud, "My first day of school and I don't even make it past roll call."

Plagg remarks seriously, "On a slight downside, you'll be given homework and your father will be checking on you through Nathalie to make sure you're doing your assignments."

Adrien states in response, "We'll worry about that later. Plagg, Claws Out!"

Meanwhile, outside the school, Stoneheart is still holding Megan and Chloe captive.

Chloe snarls dangerously, "You have no idea who you're dealing with. My daddy, the mayor, will bring in the police, the army, maybe even the entire cavalry!"

Cat Noir, after analyzing his strategy, swoops in, takes Chloe out of Stoneheart's hand, and flies out of Stoneheart's attack range.

Cat Noir inquires Chloe sarcastically and rhetorically, "And what part of the 'cavalry' doesn't involve superheroes?"

Chloe, knowing a rhetorical question when she sees one, dared not to answer.

Stoneheart roars out and shouts with Cat Noir and Chloe still in earshot, "Ugh! You wanted the cavalry?! Well, here it is!" Soon, Cat Noir's extra-sensory ability to detect every form of danger in all directions, no matter the distance, ringed in his human and cat ears, causing him to steer his flight upwards.

This causes the Stoneheart clones to smash into each other without getting bigger or stronger.

Stoneheart growls in frustration and vents out loud, "The heroes can fly! That's not fair! No matter." Stoneheart continues walking to his destination, the Eiffel Tower, with Megan still in one hand.

Megan asks Stoneheart while being careful with name addressing, "Stoneheart! Where are we going?"

Stoneheart answers, "To the Eiffel Tower to deliver a message. Then, Mylene and I will be brought together forever by a pretty black butterfly."

Megan decides to stay quiet, knowing that if it comes down to it, she'll face the consequences for her actions in the afterlife with dignity. Humbled and humiliated enough to possibly ask for God to give her a second chance through rebirth in the past.

Stoneheart notices Megan's silenceness and decides not to comment on it.

Meanwhile, Alya is running to the Eiffel Tower, all the while taking the time to assess her strengths and weaknesses.

As Alya was going over her recently-discovered strengths and weaknesses, she managed to learn from a little colorful butterfly that the heroes were on their way and that the confrontation with Hawk Moth was upon them. Albeit the butterfly decided to leave out the detail of Hawk Moth's terrorist identity so that Hawk Moth can introduce himself when the time is right.

Cat Noir calls out, "If you can hear me, Ladybug, I could use a little help!"

Alya whispers to herself, "(Softly) What's she waiting for?"

Meanwhile, Ladybug watches from a high perch. She sees one of the stone beings knock over a car. Ladybug sees the car about to hit Alya. Suddenly, Alya lets out a scream that turns into a demonic roar as she becomes the Ghost Punisher again.

As soon as she gets trapped, Ghost Punisher's demon flames cause the car to melt into a pile of goo.

Cat Noir is amazed as he hovers in the air via his winged jetpack.

Cat Noir and Ghost Punisher fly up to where Ladybug is.

Ladybug asks, "How did you become the Ghost Punisher in the first place?"

Ghost Punisher replies in her demonic voice, "I was granted my powers by Steel Butterfly. He also granted me my powers to forcefully give Chloe a reality check about the consequences of her actions."

Ladybug hummed as Cat Noir stated seriously, "Well, at least Chloe doesn't need to worry about anyone ostracizing her because of her previous actions or past friendships."

Ladybug remarked, "Your seriousness is astounding. But it could use a few notches taken out."

Ladybug and Ghost Punisher start flying, Ghost Punisher utilizing her new flaming metal bat wings to fly.

Cat Noir follows them and asks while gesturing to the Stoneheart clones, "Hey, aren't we gonna take care of them?"

Ladybug opens her yoyo and uses it like a phone to see the news footage of the original Stoneheart being taken from a news helicopter.

Ladybug replies, "No. If we wanna save them all, then we go to the source. That one!"

Ladybug looks ahead at the original Stoneheart at the Eiffel Tower as the three heroes make their way to the famous monument.

As the heroes are continue to their destination, Stoneheart stands on the Eiffel Tower, with the police surrounding him.

Andre Bourgeois speaks to Stoneheart through a megaphone, "I demand my employee's safe return!"

Megan shouts, "Mr. Mayor!"

Stoneheart replies darkly, "You know what? You're welcome to have her back! Huh!" Stoneheart throws Megan towards the ground.

Megan silently prays for anyone to save her, along with the genuine promise to never tease anyone again and to be nicer when it comes to rubbing people the right way, with and without humor. Just moments before Megan hits the ground, Ladybug's yoyo catches her.

Soon as Ladybug sets Megan on the ground as gently as possible, Ghost Punisher says to Megan, "Your prayer has been heard. Now, practice what you preach if you wish not to be murdered by any more Akumatized villains."

Megan shivers before nodding.

Just as Roger Raincomprix was about to disregard Steel Butterfly's warning from earlier and from yesterday, a glance at Ghost Punisher's eye sockets glowing a combination of orange and red, as well as a demonic growl coming from her bare skeletal mouth was all that Ghost Punisher needed to remind Raincomprix to shut his mouth and to make sure he knows about what happens to anyone who chooses to ignore Steel Butterfly's warnings. Especially since his powers list also includes the powers and abilities of even angels and demons and that he could use them, with his butterflies and without them.

Soon enough, Roger Raincomprix was ordered by Mayor Bourgeois to stand down, much to Raincomprix's displeasure.

Cat Noir, on the other hand, could've sworn he heard Ghost Punisher quietly laughing maniacally.