Marinette tried to appear calmer than she felt. Her insides practically danced the conga as she looked around the fashion show. She couldn't believe she was here! Not only that, but she had a backstage pass thanks to Adrien's father. All the best designers—many that she had studied in school and admired for as long as she could remember—were here. Gabriel Agreste had brought them all together to celebrate the twenty-fifth anniversary of the founding of his company. Gazing around, Marinette watched as the designers prepared their models for the show. She wanted to squeal, but she had to at least pretend not to fangirl all over the place.

"So?" Adrien asked, elbowing her playfully. "Is this everything you hoped for?"

Laughing lightly, Marinette nodded. "Definitely! I'm so glad that your dad got me this pass!"

"Me too. I like seeing you this happy," Adrien nodded, sliding his hand into hers and giving it a gentle tug. "Come on, let me introduce you around."

Adrien guided her through the crowd, introducing her to some of the most famous designers in the world, including Jessica Stone, the wife of Jagged Stone.

"You are so darling!" Jessica drawled in her American accent. "You must be the girl who designed those awesome Eiffel Tower sunglasses for Jag."

Marinette felt her jaw drop as she nodded. "How did you know?"

"Jagged told me all about you," Jessica smiled, her tone turning teasing. "In fact, I was a little jealous when I first met him. We met because I was designing his wardrobe and he talked about you a lot."

Blushing, Marinette mumbled her thanks. They talked for a few more minutes before being interrupted by a loud, "Adrikiiiiiiins!"

Turning, Marinette saw a blonde blur launch herself at Adrien. She tried not to roll her eyes as Chloe practically wrapped herself around Adrien. Biting back a smile as Adrien tried to pry her off, Marinette greeted her.

"Hi, Chloe."

Chloe turned her gaze to Marinette, as though just now realizing they had an audience.

"Oh, look who it is! My favorite person, Marinette Dupain-Cheng," she said sarcastically, narrowing her eyes at Marinette. "I don't know if you know, but this is a fashion show. I can't believe someone let you in here, there must be a mistake."

Marinette raised her eyebrows. Same old Chloe.

"Actually, Chloe," Adrien grimaced. "My father let her in here."

He gestured to Marinette's pass that hung from a lanyard around her neck. "What are you doing here anyway?"

"Oh, I'm modeling for Gizella Poirier. She needed a last minute substitute and as you know, she's friends with Daddy, so naturally, she thought of me first."

"It's too bad she didn't think of you to begin with," Marinette said, keeping her face deliberately blank. "That would have saved her the trouble of finding a substitute."

Chloe mouthed wordlessly as Marinette swept past her toward Adrien with her head high. She deserved what she got. A second later, she heard Adrien snort as though he was trying to hold back a laugh the whole time.

"That was awesome," he grinned. "Sorry about Chloe. She clearly hasn't grown up since high school."

Marinette giggled. "It's okay. It was fun to see her again...until she opened her mouth."

Laughing together, Adrien guided her over to where his father stood. But Marinette's laugh died as she saw Alyssa approaching them.

"Hello, babe," she greeted Adrien with a kiss, just passionate enough that Marinette had to look away in embarrassment. Why had Alyssa just called Adrien babe? Hadn't they broken up?

"I've been looking everywhere for you. Your father wants us at the pre-show party with all the models and designers."

What had she been thinking? Adrien had never said they were exclusive, he'd never even really said they were dating. She looked down at her shoes, the scene was getting more and more awkward by the second.

"I'm gonna...I'm gonna go," she said softly, backing away. Her cheeks were hot with embarrassment. She should never have assumed...

"Oh, wait, wait, Mari," Adrien stopped her with an outstretched hand. His brow furrowed and Marinette couldn't tell what he was thinking. "Don't go. Just, come to the party. You know Alyssa, and..."

"Yes, come out for a drink," Alyssa purred, putting her hand possessively on Adrien's chest.

"I would. I'd love to. I just, um, I'm going to go find my seat," Marinette excused herself. "I'll see you later."

Shoulders slumped, Marinette made her way through the crowds, feeling utterly alone. She found her seat in the reserved section, a little annoyed that Adrien's name was on the seat next to hers. She had been so dumb. So completely...

"Marinette!" Adrien called breathlessly, catching up to her in three quick strides. He had clearly run through the crowd to find her. She waited, wishing the floor would open up and swallow her.

"I'm sorry about that."

Marinette shrugged. "There's nothing to be sorry for. She's your girlfriend."

"No," Adrien grimaced, taking her hand in his and gazing earnestly into her eyes. "She's not my girlfriend."

Marinette's breath hitched in her throat as Adrien's gaze flicked to her lips. He opened his mouth to say something else but at that moment as a rumble filled the room, causing both of them to look up. Marinette's stomach lurched as she recognized the same pitch black clouds she had seen at the Eiffel Tower gathering around the stage, purple lighting crawling across them.

"Oh, no," she murmured as the clouds turned into a swarm of black and purple butterflies, surrounding the form of a person.

"Hawk Moth," Adrien growled through gritted teeth.

But Marinette just kept staring, something was different. When the butterflies cleared, she saw exactly what it was. This wasn't the old Hawk Moth. This was a woman. She wore a silvery mask and a black cape. Her hair was covered by a hood but a glowing pendant at her throat shone brightly in the darkness.

"Where are Chat Noir and Ladybug?" the woman called. "I think it's time we meet."

"I have to go," Marinette and Adrien said at exactly the same moment, running in opposite directions. Marinette assumed that Adrien would be checking on his father since he had been so badly injured in the last Hawk Moth attack. She didn't hesitate as she opened her purse and Tikki zoomed out.

"Spots on!" Marinette cried, glancing back the way she had come as she transformed. Her stomach churned as she remembered what Master Fu had said about the ancient artifact making Hawk Moth's power stronger. It must be the necklace she wore. With a sick feeling, she remembered the last time she and Chat had gone up against Hawk Moth. If this woman's powers were so much stronger, this encounter would be infinitely worse than the last. They had to get everyone out of here.

Using her yo-yo, Marinette swung herself over the crowds and onto the stage. Below her, she heard Chloe's voice and looked down.

"Ladybug! Remember me? I'm your biggest fan!"

Marinette tried not to roll her eyes as she landed lightly in front of Hawk Moth.

"I heard you were looking for me."

The female Hawk Moth smirked. "What? I only get half of the dynamic duo? How disappointing."

"If you think that's true, you've cat another thing coming," a deep voice said from just above Marinette. She looked up just as Chat Noir launched himself at Lady Hawk Moth, knocking her to the ground.

"Get the people to the exits," he barked the order at Marinette. "I'll hold her off."

Marinette nodded, starting to shepherd people in the direction of the doorways. She turned back to see Chat Noir grappling with Lady Hawk Moth.

"Chat!" she called over the heads of the people as they made their way to the exits. His eyes caught hers and for a brief moment, her heart thumped traitorously in her chest. He was definitely handsome... She shook her head. Now was not the time to be thinking that.

"Be careful!"

Chat shot her a grin that made her heart flop again. "I always am, m'lady."