I barely got a glance at Marinette as she was swept away by a zombie-knight before Crown-Crusher launched at me again.

I took my sword and attempted to block his attack, but Crown-Crusher had put more force in the blow then I'd originally thought, and I went stumbling backward.

"I take it you've never held a sword before. Ha! Foolish peasant! I shall soon dispose of you," Crown-Crusher gloated.

"You can try, but tell me, Prince Crusty Crab or whatever your name is, ever heard of fencing? Because I've been doing that since I was eight!" I lunged forward, attacking quickly. The sword was heavier than my fencing saber, but I got a feel for it pretty fast, adapting to the changed weight and size. I managed to get pretty close to Crown-Crusher.

Where could his Akuma be...the sword? The crown? The boot?! I honestly had no idea...but I thought I knew someone who did.

Somehow, I had to get to Marinette.

Where was Scar? She was normally pretty good when it came to putting the spotlight on her (AKA distractions).

...

"Hurry up Sabrina! Ugh, it's not like Geometry is hard, and you're taking forever!" Chloe complained.

"I'm so so so sorry Chloe! Why don't I take this home to finish there, then I'll bring it over tonight?" Sabrina suggested.

"That won't work. You gotta pick up my dry cleaners at 11:00 pm sharp."

"I can walk here right after that. I don't mind walking in the dark!" Sabrina insisted.

"Ugh, you're so stupid sometimes! If you came over here at midnight, you'd WAKE ME."

"Oh."

"You know what? Just go. You can leave the homework outside my door or something. Just get out. You make my head hurt."

"Oh! Can I brew you some peppermint tea-"

"Get out!"

Sabrina practically flew out of the room.

Tikki floated down from her hiding place beside Chloe, "Chloe, you're so mean to Sabrina. All she ever does is help you, but you always yell at her. It's not very fair to Sabrina," Tikki said.

Chloe rolled her eyes, "Do I look like I care about what's fair?"

Tikki frowned, "No, you don't, but you should. Lady-I mean, Scarlet Lady should be a symbol of justice. A beacon of light to all those around her. You're just a symbol of yourself. A beacon of your own self-pride."

"I honestly don't care."

Chloe clicked on the TV, then sighed, "Great. Another Akuma."

"Chloe, you need to go help Chat Noir..." Tikki said, preparing to fight the same battle she fought every time there was an Akuma. The battle of getting Chloe to transform.

However, Tikki didn't get to say another word.

"Huh! That's Adrien. My Adrikins...and he's being chased! And he's touching that Marinette brat!" Chloe exclaimed in furry, pointing at the TV.

There, it showed the supervillain chasing after Adrien who was half dragging a very clumsy Marinette.

"Tikki spots on!"

...

"That should hold you," I smirked. Crown-Crusher was currently wrapped up in duct tape, unable to call for help from his knights.

"Now, to find Marinette!"

I rushed towards the castle...and found my first problem. A wall.

"Ugh, where is my stick when I need it?" I complained.

So, I had no choice but to scale it.

"What! I've only gone five feet? I'm taller than five feet!" I exclaimed in annoyance. Ugh...this was gonna be harder than it looked.

Panting, I managed to slide over the top of the wall and collapsed onto the walkway.

"I," *pant *pant "Am never" *pant *pant, "Climbing again. Ever."

I finally managed to stand, and look around. There was a stairway to the main floor from the walkway.

Suddenly, two knights emerged. Once they saw me, they drew their swords.

Still panting, I pulled out my own sword.

"Umm...maybe a left? Ugh! I was never any good at corn mazes...not that I've ever done one," I muttered. So far, I'd sprinted through what seemed like half the castle, taken down about twenty zombie-knights, and looked in every room, but so far no Marinette.

"Where are you, Marinette?"

Finally, I gave up on trying to find my way... That was the thing about corn mazes. Sometimes you had to cut through them.

"Cataclysm!" I called out, touching my hand to the wall. A hole immediately formed, and I was able to look outside.

"Still nothing? Ugh!" Then, a flash of silver caught my eye.

I looked out the window again, and there she was. Marinette was staring out a window...a window that happened to belong to the highest room of the tallest tower.

The flash of silver had come from the crown she was wearing.

"Why can't anything ever be easy?" I moaned. I jumped out of the window and ran towards the base of the tower. Marinette was nowhere in sight.

"Ugh...okay, for real. After this, no more climbing."

...

"Still not long enough..." I murmured. I went towards the bed that had been entirely stripped of its sheets and blankets. Now, I tore down the curtains that were around it.

I made a pile of them, then picked up the pieces of my dress that I'd cut off.

I sat on the bed and began working. Using my scissors to cut the fabric, and tested and twisted the fabric, making sure it'd be strong enough to hold my weight. Then I tied it on to my steadily growing chain.

That was going to be my way down. A bunch of random fabric tied together, thrown out an eight-story window and then climbed down by the clumsiest girl in Paris. A totally fool-proof plan.

When I finished, I looked at my rope...It was almost ready...I just needed... I looked up at the ceiling.

There, a sheer pink curtain hung decoratively.

"Perfect..." But then I realized my problem. It was too high for me to reach.

I looked around the room for something I could stand on...but my best option was the bed, and even then I wouldn't be tall enough.

Suddenly, I heard someone breathing heavily...right outside my window.

I cautiously went towards it, when a metal glove suddenly gripped my window frame.

I took another step closer, then, a face appeared.

Startled, I screamed, which scared the tower-climber. Chat Noir. He let go and began to fall backward.

I reached forward and grabbed ahold of his bell, keeping him from falling backward. Then, I pulled him in through the window.

"Chat Noir! Chat Noir! Are you okay?" I asked, hovering over where he lay.

He was panting hard, and couldn't respond.

I ran to grab him a glass of water.

He sat up to drink it, and managed to squeeze out a "Thank you."

Finally, when his breathing calmed, I asked, "Chat Noir, What are you doing here?"

"Rescuing you...kinda."

"Oh...th-thank you," I blushed. I had not been expecting that.

"Whew...climbing that tower was...well, it was rough," Chat admitted, but then he seemed to blush, "I mean, normally it would be easy...Being a superhero and all I'm pretty strong...but I swear, this armor weighs nearly a hundred pounds...so...ya, but because I'm so strong I was able to climb the tower...but ya, it was still rough."

Then he looked around the room, then at me. It was probably a funny scene I'd created. The bottom of my dress torn up, my room missing almost all signs of fabric... "But it looks like you were having a rougher time in here."

I shrugged, "I was working on my escape plan."

Chat smiled, "Well, we might need it...I haven't really figured out how to get down yet."

I smiled too, "Come on, I need your help."

...

"Almost...almost...got it!" I exclaimed in triumph. I was standing on Chat Noir's shoulders, reaching for the fabric above.

Chat Noir let me slip down from his shoulder, and he caught me perfectly.

I quickly tested out the strength of the fabric, then began cutting it up and tying it to my makeshift ladder.

When I was done, Chat Noir took it from me, and began tying it to the bed, "You ready to jump?" He asked.

I hesitated, watching as he threw the chain out the window.

But then, he offered me his hand, smiling, "Don't worry, I'll be right ahead of you. If you fall, I'll catch you."

I looked up at his smiling green eyes, and nodded, taking his hand.

Suddenly, there was a loud competition at the door, "Prince Crown-Crusher, have you come to see the Princess?"

"Yes, I have reason to believe she may be in danger. Open the door, quickly," Came the voice of Crown-Crusher.

"Of course," The zombie knight replied. I frowned as I heard the jingling of keys.

Chat Noir, still holding my hand, ran towards the door (Pulling me with him), and pried a chair under it, then whispered, "Hurry, Marinette."

He ran back towards the window (Once again pulling me along) and grabbed the chain.

"Why isn't it opening?" Crown-Crusher asked, sternly.

"I do not know, my liege...she must have blocked it."

"Well, open it! Chat Noir, I know you're in there!" Crown-Crusher yelled.

"Ready Marinette?" Chat Noir asked.

I looked down, and suddenly, my vision went all dizzy, "I can't...I'm too afraid. Go on without me. I can try to find him Akuma when he comes in...he won't suspect me...hopefully," I murmured the last part.

"No way! I'm not leaving you to the mercy of that-"

A large smash against the door. They were trying to breakthrough!

"Alright...no time to argue. Climb on my back," He said, kneeling down.

"I-" Another smash, "Okay," I climbed onto his back, putting my arms securely around his neck, trying to ignore how close I was to him.

"Don't let go."

Chat Noir grabbed the chain and began to climb out the window. Then the door smashed open, "CHAT NOIR!" Crown-Crusher raged.

Then, Chat Noir slid down the chain, landing softly on the ground below.

I hung on tightly as he ran from the castle.

...

"Wait there...I just need to feed my kwami," I said, ducking around a corner in an alleyway.

After we'd gotten out of the castle area, we made a run for it, trying to get to safety. But my time was running out, so I had to detransform.

Once again, Adrien, I fished out a piece of cheese for Plagg as Marinette asked, "Chat Noir, what is a kwami?"

"Oh. Umm, they're magical creatures that give me the power to transform. Without my kwami, I'd just be boring old me."

"For some reason, I doubt you're boring as your civilian self. You probably have millions of girls crowding you all day, begging to be your girlfriend," Marinette joked...well, I think she was joking.

But even if she wasn't joking, she wasn't exactly wrong. I did have a lot of mail...I'd gotten everything from shy love letters to marriage proposals.

I shook my head, getting back to business, "So, I'm guessing you might know where Crown-Crusher's Akuma is, right?" I asked, even though I already knew the answer.

"I think so...I...this is all my fault. Crown-Crusher is really a boy who goes to school, and I think he might kinda like me...it's a long story, but in the end, he thought I liked him too, tried to kiss me, I basically screamed at him, and I really hurt his feelings. But before he tried to kiss me and stuff, he told me he was 'my Prince' and he even had a crown...I think the Akuma is in the crown," Marinette explained.

I nodded, trying to bite down the surge of jealousy I felt towards Logan, "Okay. Crown. Got it. Plagg claws out!" I ordered. Immediately, I was Chat Noir again...and wearing my suit!

I pulled out my stick and kissed it, "Oh, I missed you!"

I heard Marinette giggle, "Are you talking to your stick?"

I suddenly flushed with embarrassment, "Maybe?"

Marinette giggled again, "I think it's cute."

I flushed, even more, then Marinette said, "COOL! I meant cool...you know, it's cool you love your tool...I mean, if you love it, it means you must be pretty good with it, right? Ya, I bet you razzle-dazzle em' all with your stick!"

...

AHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Razzle. Dazzle. Em'. I AM NOT SANE. And when did I turn southern!?! UGH! I'M DEAD. DEAD. DEAD. DEAD. Chat Noir probably thinks I'm such a-

...

I laughed, "Razzle Dazzle em'? I like that, Marinette! You always know how to make people feel like they're not complete idiots!" Then I realized what I'd just said, "I mean, not that you're acting like an idiot so it makes other people feel less like idiots because you're not an idiot at all! I mean, you're so smart and clever and cute-COOL! I meant cool! And ya, you're awesome, not an idiot at all. I'm the idiot. But you still make me feel better, and everyone else! Well, not that I know at least, because it's not as if I know you in real life or anything, I'm just guessing entirely based on the past!"

Wow. Ten points to Adrien Agreste for stupidity.

Before Marinette could say anything, I quickly began to run back towards the Akuma, "Umm, thanks for your help! Bye!"

...

And just like that, he was gone. I felt my cheeks to find them hot, just like I knew they'd be. Then, I screamed, jumping up and down with happiness! "He thinks I'm not an idiot!"

Then, I stopped, "Get ahold of yourself, Marinette... Do you hear what you're saying?...and you're talking to yourself. Great."

I found myself at a stopping point...should I go after Chat Noir and watch the battle, or go home?

Going home was the smart thing to do...but what if Chat Noir needed help?

Head or Heart? Eh, who am I kidding? Whenever it came to Chat Noir, it was always my heart in the lead.

I ran back towards the castle, being sure to stay out of sight.

Scarlet Lady had arrived, and she was launching attack after attack on Crown-Crusher all the while yelling, "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH MY ADRINKINS YOU EVIL NOBODY?!?"

Chat Noir was helping her, trying for Crown-Crusher's crown. The crown was silver with red stones in it, matching Crown-Crusher's assemble. Suddenly, I remembered something...the crown Logan had shown me had been made entirely out of tinfoil.

I quickly took off my own crown. It was solid silver. As soon as the crown came off my head, I was back in my normal clothes.

"Oh no..." I whispered.

I looked up just as Chat Noir used his cataclysm on Crown-Crusher's crown. It turned to black dust, but there was no Akuma.

"What on-" Chat Noir began, but was cut off by Crown-Crusher slicing him with his sword.

"NO!" I screamed.

Crown-Crusher looked up to see me at the same time as Chat Noir, "RUN!" Chat Noir yelled.

But I didn't run. I couldn't run.

I threw the crown to the ground as Crown-Crusher screamed, "NO!" I stopped on the crown. It snapped, and a black butterfly flew out, "Scarlet Lady! Over here!"

Scarlet Lady smiled, "Time for me to save the day! Again!"

...

"I'm so sorry Logan...I should have explained the entire thing from the start...it was unfair to you," I apologized.

Logan nodded, but he was smirking, "Oh Marinette, you don't need to apologize...I know the truth. And since you're playing hard to get, I guess I'll just have to try harder. But don't worry. I won't give up, Prince-"

I turned dead cold and serious, "Never. Ever. Call me Princess again."

Logan looked scared for a moment, but quickly brushed it aside, "Whatever you say, "Marinette."

Then he walked away, shooting me a wink.

I turned around to see a smiling Adrien giving me a thumbs up. I smiled back...but there was still one more person I needed to apologize to...and to trust.

...

"I understand Marinette. It's okay...We're buds, right? Friends till the end!" Nino exclaimed, holding up his hand.

I nodded, smiling and returning his high five, "Thanks, Nino. You're one of my closest friends, and I would never want to lose you...and now that you know about Chat Noir..." I blushed.

Nino shrugged, 'It's all good...Actually, it's better than good..." Then, he whispered in my ear.

I pulled back, my eyes wide, "No way!"

Nino nodded, blushing.

I smiled, "Guess we both really do have secrets to hide."

He laughed, "Ya...thanks Marinette...for listening and stuff..."

"Of course...thank you for...well, for being you."

...

Alya looked out the large school window as Marinette and Adrien walked out of school together, "All has fallen into place, Nino. MY SHIP SHALL SAIL! Mwahahahaha!"

"Alya. Stop evil laughing," Nino sighed.

Alya stopped, but still looked on like the true mad matchmaker she was, "Did you get it?"

"You know it," Nino said, tossing Alya his phone. Alya clicked on his most recent video. It was of Marinette crying, and Adrien there comforting her, "Perfect. I told you my plan would work. They always do!"

"Whatever you say, Als."

"Come on, let's go get ice cream," Alya said, breaking the character of a geniously mad matchmaker.

"Okay."

"Oh, you're paying by the way."

"Alya!"