There was a golden flash. I looked around, confused...then I saw her. Marinette leaped from a building in her super suit, no fear. Her top whirled out and latched onto the lamppost in front of me.

She landed on her feet, and hurried forward, "Micah! Are you alright?"

My eyes widened...Pollen didn't tell her about keeping her identity a secret (not that I had been eavesdropping or anything)...Marinette wound her top around the car and began pulling. Soon I was free.

"I...umm...wow...who are you?" I asked, hoping she'd take the hint that she wasn't supposed to tell me her secret identity.

She didn't, "Mic, it's me...Marinette."

I pretended to be surprised, "M-Marinette...?"

She nodded, "Micah, it's the craziest thing. This bug came into my room and started talking. A giant talking bug Micah! And-and then the bug said her name was Pollen, and that she was a kwami, and then-"

"Marinette...this is all amazing, but Paris...it...it's being destroyed by the supervillain!" I said.

"Oh! Right...I..." Marinette turned around. I saw the hesitation flash in her eyes...oh no. She wasn't gonna do it...or so I thought.

Marinette suddenly clenched her fists and turned around, "Please be safe Micah-"

"Wait! Mari...you...I...you don't have to do this," I suddenly realized how much I thought she'd back down...and now that she was actually going to do it...I found I didn't want her to go and put herself in danger.

"No, I do have to do this. Don't you hear the screams, Micah?"

I actually didn't hear them, but I wasn't surprised. According to Master Fu, superheroes had advanced abilities. Super hearing included.

"Okay...but Marinette, don't let anyone else know your secret identity. Think of what Chat Noir does...You think his real name is Chat Noir? No. He hides his identity...you'll have to come up with a name...but go now! We'll talk later, okay?" I said.

"Of course, Micah...now get out of here!"

So then my cousin brought out her top and headed towards the Eiffel Tower where Chat Noir was trapped. Watching her go, I realized I was smiling. My cousin was fantastic.

...

"SCAR! ANYONE? HELP! I'M TRAPPED!" I called for what must have been the hundredth time. Then, I sat down defeated, and put my head in my hands, "Wow...some superhero who can't even get himself out of a hole...I must be the worst Chat Noir in history!" I murmured.

"I don't think so...I think you are very good at what you do, Chat Noir. It's not your fault you don't have anyone to help you," Came a voice. I looked up.

The yellow and black superhero from earlier was looking down at me.

"You!"

She smiled, "Yes...me. Need a hand, kitty cat?" She took out her magic top, and threw it somewhere I couldn't see. Then, she slowly lowered herself down.

I was suddenly very embarrassed, "I...You...oh...umm, thank you. I...I'm sorry. I was kinda a jerk to you earlier...I...I don't have an excuse. I guess I'm feeling kinda humbled, you saving me and all, and this being like your first day. Wow...you're pretty incredible."

The girl snorted, "If you can call throwing a magic top, and lowering myself into a hole incredible...I mean, you're Chat Noir. The famed superhero of Paris! You save dozens of people on a regular schedule...I'm in awe of you!" I grabbed onto the line of her yoyo, and she began to lift us up.

When we were out, smiled, "Thank you...now you should go find a safe place-"

"No."

I stopped and turned around, "I....umm...no?"

The girl took a step forward, "I am not sitting this out. Chat Noir, you...you've kinda been a lousy superhero lately. But here's the thing, it's not your fault. You have the laziest partner in the world, and you take your job so seriously, you're always patrolling alone. I'm not the only one who's noticed the dark circles under your eyes. Chat, you need to take care of yourself...and for that, you need help. That's why I'm here, but if you just push me away, you're not just hurting yourself. You're hurting Paris and everyone in it."

"I...I...Wow. You're right...I really have been a pretty lousy superhero lately," I said in realization.

"Yup...now, are you ready to fix that?" the girl asked.

I looked into her big bluebell eyes...and I nodded.

...

Using my top, I jumped from building to building, Chat Noir at my side. We were heading towards the commotion. When we got there, we found ourselves just outside the Louvre. It was surrounded by maybe thirty police officers.

I recognized Sabrina's father, Officer Rogers, in front of where the police force, shouting through his megaphone at the Akuma.

Princess Perfect stood at the top of the Louvre. Beside her, Chat Pink stood, holding the little girl in his arms.

"What do we do?" I asked Chat Noir.

"Umm...well, our first priority is the safety of the people..."

"So we need to get that little girl away from the Akuma," I finished.

Chat Noir nodded.

"So here's the plan...I'll go and try to get the girl while you distract Princess Perfect. Then, once the girl is safe, you'll use your special power...which is..."

"I can immobilize my opponent."

"Right. Then, I'll find her Akuma, break it, catch it, find Scar, have her purify it, and set everything back to normal!"

The wheels in my head were turning though...that plan...I don't know, something about it seemed off. But, I ignored the feeling. Chat Noir was experienced. He knew what he was doing.

"Alright...see you around Bee Girl!" Chat Noir said, then ran off towards Chat Pink.

"Okay...you can do this Marinette!" I whispered, then I used my top to get me in front of the pyramid, "Hey Princess Perfect! What's it like to sit on top of a triangle and be all high and mighty? 'Oh, look at me! I'm a supervillain dressed like a five-year-old-princess with anger issues. Bow before me!' I mean, come on! I bet you don't even have any real powers!" I taunted. Come on...take the bait, take the bait...

"HOW DARE YOU! I AM PERFECT IN EVERY WAY!" Screeched the Akuma, floating down to be level in front of me.

"Hmm...well I bet you're not perfect at...umm...tongue twisters! Ya... tongue twisters," I said, "No one's perfect at those...well, except maybe me!"

"Please, tongue twisters are for little kids!"

"Prove it. She sells seashells down by the seashore," I recited perfectly.

"Ugh, fine! She sells seashells down by the seashore."

"Red leather yellow leather. Red leather yellow leather. Red leather yellow leather!"

"Red leather yellow leather. Red leather yellow leather. Red leather yellow leather!"

"Seven sassy sailors sailed the seven salty seas so socially."

"Seven sassy sailors sailed the seven salty seas so socially," Princess Perfect said with ease.

"Peter Piper picked a peck of prickly pickled peppers. But if pitifully paranoid plump Peter Piper pathetically picked a peck of preferred prickly pickled peppers, where's part of the peck that Peter Piper painfully picked?" I said, adding extra 'P' words.

"Oh, it is on!"

...

I looked down in confusion at the new superhero and Princess Perfect...What are they...you know what? I don't wanna know...I really don't.

Sneaking, I climbed up the Louvre till I was right behind Chat Pink...then, I jumped. I managed to tackle him but forgot we were on a pyramid...so naturally, we slid down.

The little girl screamed as we fell/bounced/slid down. I reached for Chat Pink's ring and pulled it clean off. *Poof*

Pink powder went everywhere.

But Chat Pink had been holding the little girl and now she fell.

A voice suddenly screamed, "Calli! NO!" To my surprise, it was Princess Perfect.

I wasn't gonna get to her in time! With a ridged heart, I watched as the little girl fell...then-"

"I got you," Came the voice. The girl...the new superhero...umm...oh gosh, I didn't even know her name...anyhow, she had caught the little girl.

Princess Perfect ran as fast as she could over to...umm... Bee Girl...(I'd have to find out her name later.)

The Akuma threw her arms around Bee Girl and the little girl, "Oh Calli...Oh, Calli...what have I done?"

...

The deakumatized Princess Perfect stood holding her sister in her arms, "Thank you Scarlet Lady and Chat Noir...and..." She looked at me.

I shrugged and smiled, "I'm the newbie-"

"AKA the New Bee...eh? Eh?" Chat Noir punned.

I broke out into a fit of giggles.

"Thank you superheroes!" The little girl said.

"Of course. All in a day's work...oh! There's the news truck..." And just like that, Scar ran off.

The two sisters went their way as well, thanking us again.

Then it was just me and Chat Noir, "Umm...hi," I said lamely.

But Chat just laughed, "Hi."

I held out my fist, "Pound it?"

Chat Noir stared at it suspiciously, "Are you trying to punch me or something?"

I laughed, "Haha. Very funny. Seriously, pound it!"

Chat Noir didn't smile.

I frowned, "It's a fist bump... you know, a way to say 'good job'!"

Chat Noir tentatively put out his fist and bumped mine, "Pound it?"

I smiled, "Perfect!"

"Can...can we try again?"

I smiled even brighter, "Of course!"

"Pound it!" We said together.

Suddenly there was a beeping. Chat Noir looked down at his ring, and I felt for my comb...only a few minutes before we transformed.

"Well...this was amazing! See you soon Chat Noir," I said, starting to run off.

But Chat grabbed my hand, "Wait! I didn't catch your name."

"Oh, it's Mari-" Then I remembered what Micah had said...I shouldn't reveal my true identity.

"Mary? That's your name? I was expecting something more like Goldy...I mean, that is what you're wearing..." Chat smiled.

Suddenly, I caught sight of something. A lady wearing a large hat with yellow flowers on it.

"Marigold. My name's Marigold..."

Chat Noir bent on one knee and took my hand. He kissed it delicately, "Till we meet again, my queen bee...Marigold."

I felt the blush rise to my cheeks, "B-Bye Hat Noir-I mean Chat Noir...I-you-me-umm..." My comb flashed again.

Chat Noir stuck out his fist. I smiled and did the same, "Pound it!"

...

"Marinette...Marinette...MARINETTE!" Micah yelled, kicking me out of my daydream.

"Yes! Sorry! Homework!" I shouted, automatically.

"Mari, you're not listening..."

I blushed, "Sorry Micah...I was thinking about today." HE KISSED MY HAND AND CALLED ME 'HIS QUEEN'!!!!

Micah's expression softened, "Sorry...I know becoming a superhero must be a lot on you..."

Then I frowned, "That's the weird thing, Micah...being a superhero...I...I feel wonderful! Like...like this was what I was meant to do!...sound cheesy?"

"I'm deciding between cheddar and swiss."

"Mic!" I laughed, but then I got serious, "Really though...I...I feel light as air...and super heavy too. I mean, Paris and Chat Noir are counting on me, right?...sorry. I'm not making any sense. I just...I love it. I really really love it.

...

She loves it...she really really loves it.

My heart broke for my little cousin. If only I could take this from her...I couldn't let her get hurt.

...

"Marigold is so cool! I wonder if she signs autographs."

"I'm trying to get an interview."

"I bet the TV station will do that."

"Her and Chat Noir would be so cute together!"

Marigold...the name was everywhere. Who was this Marigold, and why was everyone talking about her instead of Scarlet Lady?

Just then, Sabrina ran up, "Good morning Chloe! Your homework is all finished...and I brought you your American blueberry tea with a dash of lemon and two and a quarter spoonfuls honey!"

I grabbed the cup from Sabrina's hand and began to drink it. Suddenly, my sweet darling Adrikins walked in. I was about to run up when he was surrounded by his group of 'friends'...AKA people he hung out with because he felt sorry for those losers.

Alya and Nino were talking in a blur to Adrien, explaining all about this 'Marigold'.

I was about to run up and tell them Adrien didn't care about that loser when Adrien said, "Ya! I saw Marigold on TV. She's amazing! I couldn't believe yesterday was her first day."

"But Marigold wouldn't have been as good if Chat Noir hadn't been there," Came a voice. Marinette had walked up. I watched, glaring at her. She didn't notice.

"Eh, Chat Noir didn't do much," Adrien argued.

But Marinette shook her head, "Without him, Marigold never would have defeated Chat Pink. Or saved that little girl, and in turn, save the Akuma. Besides, Chat Noir's been saving Paris for over three months practically by himself! I mean, all Scarlet Lady does is sit around, capture the Akuma and look pretty."

I COULDN'T BELIEVE HER!!!

I ran up, Sabrina following, "HOW DARE YOU! Think of the sacrifices Scarlet lady makes! Adrikins, don't you think Scarlet Lady is just the best superhero ever."

To my horror, the smile slid from Adrien's mouth, "No. She doesn't do anything but worry about how she looks and occasionally throws a yoyo around. Marigold-"

"And Chat Noir-" Marinette added.

"Are ten times the hero she is," The two finished together.

I stood there, in horror...I...they...

Then I did what any hero would do in my position. I stormed off.

...

"Oh look! It's Maritrash...why she seems to be smiling!" Chloe said loudly. Everyone was downstairs at lunch, and I headed to meet Alya at the library to study. That's when I ran into Chloe and her little minion.

"Why don't you give her something to frown about Chloe?" Sabrina asked.

"Hmm...I think I should! Excellent idea Sabrina."

I tried to ignore them and keep walking.

"Huh! Is the little girl trying to ignore us? That's not very nice...maybe we should teach her a lesson-" Chloe said, running up and snatching my bag. I paled. Pollen was in there!

"Give it back Chloe. I don't have time for your games," I warned.

"So defensive! I just wanna take a tiny peek...maybe I'll look at it over here..." Chloe said, hanging my bag over the railing.

"Chloe, I have a living creature in there! You'll kill it."

"Marinette! Bringing your pets to school...No-no-no! You must be punished," Chloe lifted one finger from her hold on the bag.

"Chloe!" I exclaimed.

A second finger was lifted.

"Chloe, we don't want to hurt the creature...maybe this isn't such a good-"

"Shut up Sabrina!"

A third finger.

I looked around frantically. Then I noticed something. A plan suddenly lit up in my head.

I ran at Chloe and just before I crashed into her, I grabbed her bracelet and yanked her arm down. My bag came with it and landed harmlessly on the floor.

I snatched up my bag and held it tightly.

"Fine fine! Geez. Someone is overprotective. Why don't you just go back to your little burrow of trash you live in. Maybe there you'll actually find something decent to wear. I mean, look how cliche your outfit is! Almost like you made it yourself. I mean, come on. Cringe!"

I balled my fist, "Leave it, Chloe."

"Aww, poor Marinette. So easy pushed around."

"I am not a pushover!"

"Really? Prove it!" Chloe pushed me hard. But I planted my feet and didn't move. Chloe started to try again when I stepped out of the way. Chloe ran into the railing, hitting her elbow hard. She yelped in pain and turned to me. She was furious.

"Chloe, you can't push me, or anyone else around anymore. I'm sick of your bullying. So get this through your head. LEAVE ME ALONE!" I shouted.

Then I walked away.

...

I stood there, watching Marinette calmly walk away.

"Ridiculous! Utterly ridiculous!" As I stormed off, some imbecile ran into me.

"Ugh! Watch where you're going," I ordered.

"Oh my goodness! I'm so so sorry!" The girl exclaimed. I looked at her. She was decently tall with ugly grass-green eyes. Her hair was brown with cringe-worthy straight bangs. Two sections of the front part of her hair were tied. They looked like sausages.

"Ya...well you should be!"

"Again, I'm so sorry! I was just admiring all the superhero art."

I rolled my eyes. Lately, the students of my school had been posting their art around the walls. And even though none of them were good enough to paint Scarlet Lady, their little attempts at praise were cute.

But today...today the walls were covered in black and yellow. Drawings, paintings, and sketches of this 'Marigold'.

Suddenly, the girl said something that surprised me, "I mean...the art is so amazing. If only it wasn't mostly of that new hero, Marigold. I mean, naming yourself after a flower? How lame! Besides, it's not like she did anything special."

"That's what I've been saying!"

"Oh, I didn't get your name..." The girl suddenly said.

"I'm Chloe Bourgeois. Don't worry, if you haven't heard of me yet, you will. I'm very popular!"

"I can tell. You have that glow around you, you know...that glow that separates the truly great people from the others."

"Yes, yes. Finally, someone who sees it!"

"Of course...oh, and by the way. My name's Lila."