"Where are we?" I asked sleepily. I was laying on the floor of a large room. I looked around. Micah was nearby, also asleep...then I remembered.

"Mic! Mic wake up!" I said as I crawled over, then shook him gently.

He blinked his eyes open, then sat up, "Mari? What are you-" He suddenly screamed.

I whirled around, only to find a giant mask looking at us. I punched it, breaking it in half out of surprise.

"Well, that was a pleasant wake-up call..." Micah muttered.

The Lady in Purple suddenly came in, "Good. You two are awake...come in, Fu."

The old man from earlier suddenly walked in.

"Welcome to my home, you will be safe here-"

"I need to go rescue Chat Noir," I interrupted, standing. But the Lady in Purple put a hand on my shoulder, "Wait...there are things that must be explained."

Micah frowned, "Are you sure this if a good idea?"

I looked at them both, "What's going on...Micah, what do you have to do with any of this? And-And with Chloe...what happened to her?"

The Lady in Purple and Micah exchanged a look, then the lady sat down, "Let's begin at the beginning...shall we?"

I sat as well, curious, "Okay..."

"Well...the world you live in, Earth, is part of a galaxy, right? And that galaxy is part of the Universe, right? Everyone knows this...Now, imagine the universe like a tree, but without branches. So the straight trunk is the universe...well, imagine something happening to that trunk...someone slicing a cut into its side, for instance. And from the slice, came an entire branch."

I nodded, understanding so far.

"Well, that branch, is you...well, your version of the universe...So while the 'branch' is growing, and continuing, so is the trunk of the tree... You see...you're technically not supposed to be here. That's where I come in. My name is Lady Universe, or as most people tend to call me, the 'Lady in Purple'. My job is to get your branch of the Universe synced up with the main trunk...But the Universe tries to do that herself a lot of the time...this is why we had to get out of there so fast...What happened to Chloe...it was Chat Noir. He's been akumatized."

"You're saying Chat Noir did that?"

"Yes."

"I...I don't understand. Why did Chloe turn to stone, while we're still okay?"

"I have a theory that Chat Noir's power focuses on the heart...Chloe's heart is made of stone...so she turned to rock."

"But what about us? Shouldn't we be changed in some way? Like, zombified or something?"

"Technically yes..."

"Then how are we okay?"

"Marinette, we're no longer in our version of the Universe...we're in the correct one," Micah explained.

"...Oh...but wait, I still don't understand. What makes this version of the Universe the correct one, or different from ours?"

Lady Universe looked down at her folded hands, then unclenched them. She pulled out a purple phone from her coat pocket and searched something up. It was a picture of Chat Noir...Chat Noir and a girl in a bright red super-suit with black dots and blue hair.

"You are what's different...Marinette, Chloe was never supposed to have the ladybug miraculous...you were."

"Me? That can't be-"

"It is, and something tells us it's Chloe who threw the Universe out of whack."

"Oh...I...you..." My head was spinning out of control. I could barely wrap my head around all this...Then, I asked probably the stupidest question, "W-what was name supposed to be?"

Micah smiled, "You would have been 'Ladybug, superhero of France, Defender of the Innocent, and Fighter of all the Rights'."

"Oh...I...you...Oh," That...that couldn't be right. I was never supposed to be the main superhero. I mean, everyone knows the Ladybug and Cat miraculous are the ones HawkMoth wants...I'm like a sidekick. Helpful, but not really necessary...This whole thing was turning my world upside down.

Through my inner turmoil, Lady Universe smiled, "Marinette, I know it seems like a lot to live up to, but if anyone could do it, it's you. You doubt yourself, you know?"

I couldn't respond.

"Marinette...we need you to be ready for something...when we go back to our version of the Universe, you...you're gonna have to become Ladybug...you're the only one who will be able to defeat Chat Noir...so you're going to have to give Pollen up-"

"Give Pollen up!?! I can't do that! I-I need to become Marigold...Chat Noir won't know me otherwise...he won't-

"Why don't you go take a breath of fresh air, Marinette...just be sure not to run into yourself...or Ladybug for that matter," Lady Universe interrupted, though a little sadly.

I nodded, though hesitantly... I wanted to convince her that I couldn't be Ladybug...Still, a breath of fresh air sounded exactly what I needed.

"Oh! And take these..." The Lady in Purple placed the ladybug earrings into my hand.

...

I walked down the streets of Paris, looking at the earrings in my hand. It was funny...everything seemed so normal. Cars whizzed by, people chatted on the street, airplanes flew overhead.

For the first time in two months, I pulled the comb out of my hair...I looked at it fondly. It was white with my trademark 'M' and flowers on it...it had changed the morning after my battle with Princess Perfect. I remember the sense of pride I'd gotten...that the comb had my mark on it...like it really belonged to me.

Suddenly, I came upon a display column. On it was the girl, er, me...Ladybug.

It was a beautiful picture of her jumping, using her magical yoyo.

"Wow...could I really be her?" I asked myself quietly.

"Of course you can, my queen," Came Pollen's small voice.

She sat on my shoulder since no one was really around.

"Thanks, Pollen-"

"Marinette, duck!" Came her urgent voice. I immediately, ducked, putting my arms over my head. A shadow swooped overhead, then another. I looked up, and there she was...Ladybug. But she wasn't alone. Chat Noir was right beside her. They worked in perfect harmony together, jumping from building to building, using each other's weapons and momentum to keep them going.

"They must be out on patrol..." I murmured. Then, I had a thought, "Out on patrol!" And I ran.

...

"Hey, sweetie...funny that, I thought you were upstairs," My mom, er, my other mom, er, my other me's mom, er...ugh, you know what I mean. Anyhow, she said.

I was used to this excuse. The 'I have a lot of homework' patrol excuse.

"Oh ya, I...umm...ya...umm I dropped my scented candle from my balcony, and I came down to go get it...you must have not seen me, hahaha. Crazy right?"

"Umm...if you say so, honey...but, where's the candle?"

"Umm, oh, this pigeon picked it up, and walked off with it! Craziest thing ever. I tried to chase after it, but I mean I have homework and that pigeon seemed to really want that candle so...umm, ya."

Before my mom (Or whatever she was) could respond, I ran up to my, er her, er, the other version of me's room.

As soon as I lifted the trapdoor, I knew me and this version of myself was VERY different.

I came fully into my room and spun around, amazed. My room was covered with Adrien's face.

"I...no...I can't really have a crush on Adrien, could I?" I murmured. It was kinda obvious...hearts were all around, and kisses on some of the pictures...Wow. I, er, other me was .

But then, I thought back to my room at home... covered with pictures of Chat Noir...and the scrapbooks of us together...and all his used coffee cups I saved...and my Chat Noir themed embroidered pillow...and my Chat Noir dolls.

Okay, maybe the other version of me wasn't that obsessed.

I went to the desk and found an entire checklist titled, 'Ways to Tell Adrien I Love Him'.

I found a chart, and pulled it down, revealing a perfectly documented schedule. Adrien's schedule...Now that was genius. I'd have to figure out a way to do that for Chat Noir...

Then, I found something. My (I mean, other me's) phone! I quickly unlocked it (We/I had the same password) and scrolled through it. My home screen was a picture of Adrien. I went to my pictures, and as I started scrolling through, my jaw dropped... For one, I had a million pictures of Adrien, but that wasn't what surprised me. It was a picture of Alya and Nino...eating icecream...together...like, together together. THEY WERE DATING!

I'd never thought about Alya and Nino dating, or being anything more than friends...but looking at this, it looked so perfect. Inspired by a sudden thought, I looked up, 'Agreste internship' but nothing came up...weird... I wasn't Mr. Agreste's intern, and apparently he didn't even have one...I wonder why.

---Important interlude---

"I just thought it might be a good idea, Father since you're always so busy. It might help lighten your burden," Adrien explained.

Mr. Agreste frowned, "I will think about it. Now go practice your piano, Adrien."

"Yes, Father."

As Adrien left, Nathalie gave a thoughtful glance at him, then spoke when he was gone, "Will you do it, sir?"

"Of course not, Nathalie. I have no time. Between my work and miraculous, I am overrun. It's bad enough only being able to sense negative emotions from time to time, but with my mind preoccupied, I miss it altogether," Gabriel Agreste retorted.

"That was my thought, sir...maybe this internship...maybe it could help you. Imagine, if you taught an already talented youth. Someone who could come up with the main designs. Then all you have to do is get them made a published. You could have more time to search for negative emotions, and we could plan the demise of Scarlet Lady, and Chat Noir," Nathalie said thoughtfully.

"I sincerely doubt anyone could possess such talent and skill to start with as little teaching as I am willing to give. Then to publish their work...it could possibly ruin me-"

"That's why you hold a contest. Interview people. If you find no one, then it was a giant waste of time, and you can blame me...but if it works..."

"HawkMoth will have more time to become stronger than ever," Gabriel said, smiling grimly.

---Back to the story---

I put my/her/our phone down and looked around the room again...If I were me (Which I am) where would I put my most prized possession...aha!

I reached unto my rolling chair where a small box was taped. The box had a small lock on it, but I smiled...apparently, me and other me both had problems with people stealing our diaries. I knew this because after Alya got into my diary, I made this exact box...and I knew the password.

"C-H-A-T-N-O-I-R," I spelled out...but it didn't open.

"Oh...umm...GAH!" I 'gah'ed in frustration, "Come on Mari...THINK...think...Why did I pick the name Chat Noir? Okay, that's easy...he's my password for everything...but why...why...why...oh! Because he's the one thing constantly on my mind...and why is he constantly on you mind-I GOT IT!" I shouted, then recoiled, realizing how loud I'd been.

"A-D-R-I-E-N," I typed it. The box clicked open. I smiled. Leave it to me to use any excuse to spell my crush's name. I pulled out the diary in it. I turned through it, looking for the name...aha! Ladybug.

Dear Diary,

Today, the most amazing thing happened...well, it actually happened yesterday technically...I became a superhero. I was afraid to write about this before...I mean, me a superhero? The only thing I'm super at is being a clutz...

The entree went on to explain how I, er, other me (This other version of the universe thinking is gonna be the death of me) became Ladybug...I looked sadly at the end of it.

And now, my amazing partner and I are gonna protect Paris! It's a lot of responsibility, but I think I can do it. Until next time, dear diary.

That would have been me... I flipped to another entree,

Dear Diary,

Chat Noir's being a pain again. I couldn't have asked for a better partner, but he gets on my last nerve! Today, we were fighting an Akuma, when suddenly, he pulls out a rose from his pocket and tries to put it in my hair, WHILE WE'RE FIGHTING AN AKUMA! He's a shameless flirt with the worst puns in the world...still, I love him. He's like a brother to me...or, like a cousin...you know, he kinda reminds me of Micah...but then again, I haven't seen Micah in years...That's all for now.

Dear Diary,

WHY WHY WHY AM I THE WAY I AM??? Why can't I be a normal person instead of a total dorkasaurus!!!!!! Today, I was walking with Alya and Nino, when I tripped over MY OWN EVIL SHOES and fell, RIGHT INTO ADRIEN! He caught me, of course, being the perfect, amazing, handsome, kind, compassionate, sweet, loving, strong, wondrous person he is, but think what could have happened! I could have given him a concussion, which would have sent him to the hospital, and then when he finally got out, he'd hate me, and his dad would sue me, but since I'm practically broke, I'd have to go to prison, and then I'd never get to ask Adrien on a date, never sit next to him at the movies, never get married to him and have three kids, and a beautiful hamster named-

"No mom...I didn't just go upstairs...candle? What are you talking about? Remember, I told you I was going to the library?" Oh no...I knew that voice...it was my voice.

The other me was here!

I snapped the diary shut, threw it in the box, relocked it, retaped it, put my/her phone back on the desk, pulled up the chart than I ran onto the balcony.

Suddenly, the trap door opened. Peeking from my hiding place on the balcony, I watched as Marinette walked into the room. Suddenly, a tiny creature was beside her.

"Pretty boring patrol today, right Tikki?" Marinette asked the creature.

"Yes, but a boring patrol is a good patrol. I mean, it's not like we want supervillains running around the city, right?"

Marinette giggled, "You're right Tikki..." Then she sighed, "Alya was begging me again for that interview...I feel so bad, saying no to her...of course, she doesn't know it's me saying no to her, she thinks it's Ladybug... but still..."

"Marinette, you're doing the right thing. Afterall, superpowers should never be used for your own personal fame. A superhero should be a symbol of hope for everyone, not a symbol of how amazing she is...though I do understand people wanting to know more about you..."

"Exactly my thoughts, Tikki."

"Marinette! Can you come down here for a minute?"

"Sure mom! I'm coming," Then, Marinette ran down the trapdoor.

This was my chance.

"Pollen, Buzz-"

"Wait!" Came a sudden shout. The red creature, Tikki was before me, "I...you..oh no..." I'd been caught.

"Marinette...well, Marinette 2.0...or whatever you want to be called...you can't transform with the Bee miraculous. If people see you, it can alter this version of the universe, and cause another...haven't you seen the trouble on your side?" Tikki asked.

I nodded.

"You need to sneak down...I can help..." Tikki said, confidently.

Five minutes later, I was wearing a hoodie, and running down the stairs at breakneck speed. Tikki had Marinette (the other one) occupied in a different room, so I could sneak out the back.

I just reached the bottom of the stairs, when my (or, the other Marinette's mom) said, "Where are you going, Marinette? And why are you dressed so strangely? It's not at all cold outside."

"Oh, umm...I'm going to the library. I have a research paper I need to complete," I lied, feeling guilty.

"But, weren't you just at the library?"

I tried to play it off cool, "What? Mom, I haven't been to the library for days! You must be getting all mixed up...are you feeling okay?"

Mom looked confused, "I...But you just said-"

"Sabine! I need your help here...this cake is about to-" There was a large crash.

"Stay here...I'll be right back, Marinette," Mom ordered, and went into the bakery.

Saying a silent apology, I burst out the door, and onto the street. I didn't stop running until I got to the old man's house.

...

"Alright, I'm back Mari-..." Sabine looked around, then found the door slightly ajar. She looked out and saw Marinette running for her life from the bakery.

Just as Sabine was about to call after her, a voice called, "Hey mom, can I spend the night at Alya's?"

Sabine looked up to see...Marinette(?) walking down the stairs...she wasn't wearing a hoodie. Sabine looked outside again...but no hoodie-wearing bluenettes were running through the streets of Paris.

"I...you...we..." Sabine sighed, "Sure, honey. You can spend the night," Then she murmured to herself, "Maybe I need some time away from the hot ovens...I think they're messing with my brain. I'm seeing two Marinettes!" Then Sabine chuckled to herself, "Two Marinettes...Oh, Sabine..."

...

I walked into the old man's house and gasped in surprise. There in front of me was a new superhero.

He wore a skin-tight bodysuit (Like we all did) that stopped at his collar bones. His suit was a brownish-orange with white feet, and a white stripe that started at his neck and went down to his stomach. His brown hair looked like it'd just been through a tornado, and he had two floppy ears sticking out of it. A fluffy tail the same color and shape of his hair wagged in the back, and a circular disk was on his back...it kinda looked like a frisbee. His mask was more like a bank robber's bandana you see in those old western movies. It came up above his nose, and just below his eyes. It went from the brownish orange to a pure white down his nose, and around his mouth. Even with its strange appearance, the mask was the same material as the super suit. (It's basically Aspik's mask in reverse)

"Who are you?" I asked, astonished.

The hero shrugged, "Your favorite cousin?"

"Micah?" I asked, astonished.

He smiled.

"You...what...how...I..."

"Eh, I've always been kinda a dog person...I was thinking of calling myself, 'Woof'....like people would say, 'Oh look! There's the" Micah changed his voice to be very ominous, "Woof."

I stared in shock for a moment, then I burst out laughing.

Micah looked offended, "Excuse you!"

"Micah! That is the worst superhero name I've ever heard! And I'm Chat Noir's sidekick! You should hear the nicknames he comes up with...came up with," I corrected, remembering that Chat Noir...tha-that Chat Noir was gone. All that was left was Cassé Chat

Micah came and gave me a hug, "We'll get him back Coeur Brisée..."

I looked surprised at the nickname, and felt tears pricking my eyes...it was true.

I wiped my eyes, "Ya, I know...but back to your name...I refuse to let you call yourself 'Woof'," I said, trying to change the subject.

"Hmmm... what about K9?"

"Canine? That's pretty good-"

"No. Like, actually a 'K' and a '9'. K9...eh, eh?" Micah asked, raising his eyebrows.

"And you've ruined it...but, it is slightly better than Woof, so I guess you can keep it."

"Are you two ready?" Lady Universe asked, walking into the room.