Ladybug's fake identity

Chapter 17: Friends

"Finally!" Chloe huffed, seeing Ladybug swing towards her balcony. "I was starting to believe that you forgot about Paris' most fabulous hero."

This time, the heroine didn't grumble something about the mayor's daughter needing to learn how to be modest. She simply gave the blond girl the bee miraculous, telling her to hurry up. Copybug was currently occupied by Rena Rouge's illusion, but it wouldn't last long and she had to share her plan with all four heroes before the illusion would fade.

Chloe winced, frustrated by the fact that she was the last one that the heroine had come to to ask for help, but still placed her miraculous in her hair, her eyes sparkling with joy upon seeing Pollen fly out of the jewel.

"Greetings, my queen." The yellow kwami bowed in the air.

"Pollen, buzz on!" she chanted out loud, going into a prideful stance for her transformation.

Soon enough, Queen Bee was back, grinning at Ladybug while happily taking her appearance in. Without much more words exchanged, the two heroines swung off Chloe's balcony to join the other three heroes, who were waiting for them, hiding behind a chimney.

"There you are!" Chat greeted them upon seeing them arrive.

Carapace winked and tapped Rena Rouge on the shoulder to catch her attention. The latter was focusing on three figures fighting in the street below them. Copybug and the illusion of Chat Noir and Ladybug, who were skillfully dodging all of her attacks and trying to lead her in a less crowded place. The fox hero was monitoring their movements and their conversation, angering the akumatized victim with each new word the illusions pronounced. She averted her gaze from the scene playing under her feet to stare at the newcomers.

"I've got three minutes left," she warned them. "After that, Copybug will realize that you called us, too."

"That'll be enough," Ladybug replied. "Everyone, listen up. The plan is risky, but it'll go well if you follow my instructions. First of all, there is one last person that we'll need. I'll stick around, but I won't appear in front of you. You'll have to take care of Copybug without me. I can't risk having you mistake me for her."

A frown appeared on the face of her partners upon hearing her excuse. It was quite hurtful to be suspected of being unable to recognize the true heroine. But Chat had tried to distinguish them once and, as much as he hated it, he already knew that Ladybug was right.

"Then who do you plan on calling?" he asked, crossing his arms.

"Marinette."

All four heroes flinched upon hearing the name of the girl. "What?"

"Please tell me you're giving her a miraculous, too," Rena begged. Her eyes sparkled brightly at the thought of fighting along with her best friend.

"No." The spotted heroine shook her head, suppressing a smile that crept on her face upon seeing Alya's excitement. "Lyssa hates her, and that's exactly what we need. She'll lure Copybug and distract her. During that time, Queen Bee will sneak behind them and freeze Copybug. We still don't know what her akumatized object is, that'll be our only chance to find and break it."

"But that's way too dangerous! Marinette is just a civilian, she won't be able to do anything against Copybug!" Chat protested.

"That's why Carapace will protect her. And Rena can step in, too, if needed. I've already thought about it, don't worry. As long as you follow my instructions, everything will be fine."

"Has Marinette already agreed to it?" Rena Rouge asked.

"Yes. She knows exactly what she has to do. She's the only one who can do it and she trusts us."