Miraculous Hunters Rewritten: Book 1

Chapter 45: To Catch a Changeling Part 2

After the boys got their new Gaggletack, they headed home after making their plan for the next day. Per routine, when Jim went to bed he had called Marinette and they had their usual catch up like always. This time however, Jim contacted her when Marinette was in the middle of her Work Experience field trip for school and she was in the process of making a pair of glasses for Jagged Stone. This also gave him the chance to tell Marinette that Claire invited him to her house, prompting her to congratulate him while also growing a little jealous that he was making great progress with his crush. He even told her about their new Gaggletack and his and Toby's plan to find Changelings the next morning, which got a little bit more criticism than Jim was expecting. But that didn't stop Jim and Toby from executing their hastily made plan.

They started off with one of Toby's lead suspects, Coach Lawrance, who he tested in gym class in the most spy-like way he could by climbing down one of the ropes from the ceiling. He was then followed by Eli, and Steve, who were suspects Jim had on his list. While Jim had actually tried the more direct approach with Eli, he had decided to have some fun with Steve and throw the Gaggletack at the blonde's head. After Jim's failed attempts, Toby had decided to eliminate as many suspects as possible and tried setting up a horseshoe stall before getting bored after an hour when no one even tried to play. Once an exhausted Toby cleaned up the stall, he decided to walk in a crowd of people to save time, touching everyone in his path with the Gaggletack but earning nothing.

Meanwhile, Jim used the time to talk to Marinette while waiting for Toby to finish up with the crowd. During that time, Marinette had filled Jim in about Pixelator, outlining every detail like she always did. When she told them about her right limbs being pixelated and making it harder for her to fight Pixelator, he was concerned about Marinette's state after the battle before she assured him that she was fine. After she wrapped up the battle part of the recap, Marinette also reported that Jagged Stone had really worn her shades during the concert that she attended that night, and honored Ladybug with a song written for her. To say that Jim was excited to hear about Jagged Stone using her custom made shades was an understatement. He couldn't or wouldn't help the whoop of joy that burst through his lips.

"That's amazing, Mari! I knew you could do it!!" Jim praised once he calmed down, leaning against his locker while he spoke.

"Thanks bro, that means a lot." Marinette replied, her cheeks reddening as she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "But how are things going on your end? Any luck with finding any Changelings yet?" the pigtailed girl asked her brother, wanting to know about their day now that he heard about hers.

"Nothing yet. All the suspects we've checked have proven to be clean." Jim admitted, frustration leaking into his voice.

"I told you placing your hopes in a horseshoe was a bad idea." Marinette reminded Jim, a snarky tone filling her voice as she spoke to Jim.

"Yeah, but it's the best we've got so far, sis." Jim replied, trying to defend their plan even if it wasn't working.

"In any case, have there been any other issues?" Marinette questioned, her worry leaking into her voice while Jim fondly rolled her eyes at her.

"Relax, Marinette. There hasn't been anything else at all other than what I've already told you." Jim assured his sister, hoping that it would be enough to ease Marinette's worries.

"Good." Marinette sighed out. "But you will tell me if there is, right?" the designer asked, hoping that Jim wouldn't do anything stupid without telling her.

"Yes I will, Mom." Jim teased, immediately annoying Marinette.

"I don't act like a mom!" Marinette exclaimed, having enough of him and Toby saying she was the contrary.