Note: From now on Nino will be referred to as Carapace when he is transformed.

[Narrator's POV]

Nino slumps into school with a new friend hiding in his bag. Two arms suddenly wrap around him from behind.

"Morning!" Says a sweet voice.

Nino's spirits lift a little as he turns to face his girlfriend.

"Morning Als."

Alya gasps. "What happened to your face?"

Nino reaches up and touches his swollen nose. "I..." He could say he got in a fight, but Alya's laughter from yesterday rings in his head. Nino sighs, "I...was listening to music and ran into a pole."

"Sounds like you," Alya giggles affectionately and gives Nino's nose a gentle peck. She then smiles, takes Nino's hand and continues walking into school. "You won't believe what happened to me yesterday," Alya says with a laugh. "Come on, I'll tell you in class. I want Marinette and Adrien to hear this too."

Nino's smile fades as he recalls his humiliating first impression as Carapace.

"Hey, Alya?" He speaks up.

"What's up?" Says Alya.

"Do you...think I'm cool?" Nino asks hesitantly.

"Of course I do." Alya answers with a giggle.

"Do you think I'm manly?" Nino questions further.

"Manly?" Alya repeats, raising an eyebrow.

"Well, you know, I want to have your respect and admiration." Nino says. "What you think really means a lot to me."

Alya rolls her eyes. "You don't need to be manly to be valued, but yes, I think you are quite the man." She says with a soft smile. "If I didn't think you a worthy man, I wouldn't be dating you would I?"

Nino smiles. "Man am I lucky to be dating you."

Alya senses that something is on Nino's mind. "Do you wonna sit next to me today?" She offers.

Nino suddenly remembers what else had happened yesterday—The kiss between Adrien and Marinette. A mischievous smile stretches across his lips.

"Yes, actually, I think we'll be sitting together quite often from now on." Nino says.

Alya purses her lips as she examines her boyfriend. "Are you doing your pushy wingman thing again?"

"No need." Nino says with a smirk.

"What do you mean by that?" Alya questions.

Everyone in the classroom suddenly stops talking to stare at the doorway. Alya looks around Nino had her jaw drops at the sight. Adrien and Marinette had walked in holding hands with bright smiles and rosy cheeks. They stop giggling between themselves once they notice the shocked faces staring at them.

"Um...g-good morning." Marinette says.

"Good morning? What is this? What. Is. This!" Alya exclaims as she gestures wildly to their linked hands. "Are you guys finally together now or something?"

Marinette and Adrien both blush from the sudden attention.

"Uh, yeah...?" Adrien says awkwardly. "Is that a big deal?"

"Are you kidding me?" Alya grabs Marinette's shoulders and shakes her back and forth. "How have I not heard of this sooner?!"

"I-It only happened just yesterday." Marinette says. "I figured you'd find out today at school anyway, plus I just got out of the hospital so everything was a little overwhelming for me too."

Alya suddenly lets go of her best friend. "Oh, right, I probably shouldn't shake you around—But girl I am so proud of you!" Alya squeals and pulls Marinette into a back-breaking hug.

"Okay, okay, don't suffocate my girlfriend." Adrien says.

Marinette laughs as Alya pulls away.

"Well when I heard you guys snuck into an abandoned observatory for some romantic stargazing I figured something was up, but Adrien was so distressed while you were in the hospital so I didn't want to pry." Alya says.

Adrien's face falls as he remembers all that had happened. He still feels so guilty. Marinette notices the remorse in Adrien's eyes and gives his hand a gentle squeeze to comfort him. Adrien smiles softly and rubs her hand with his thumb, instantly feeling more relaxed.

Alya suddenly gasps in dismay and turns to Nino. "That's why you were acting all smug just now—you knew!"

"I may have witnessed them kissing yesterday afternoon." Nino says with a cheeky smile.

Both Adrien and Marinette turn red from embarrassment.

"Y-You saw all that huh?" Adrien says.

"Yes I did, including you screaming at the top of your lungs that you love Marinette Dupain-Cheng." Nino chuckles.

Alya gasps even more drastically. "And you didn't tell me?!"

Nino scratches the back of his head nervously. "Yeah, haha, I swear I meant to I just was, uh...busy."

Alya's eyes light up as she remembers her story, which is yet to be told. "That's okay, I was also a bit preoccupied as well—you'll never guess what happened! Well, actually, trusting that you are good friends and read my blog then you should know exactly what happened."

Marinette, Adrien and Nino all fidget nervously. They knew in extensive detail what had happened yesterday, but not because they had read the Ladyblog.

"Oh right, that turtle dude." Nino says as casually as he can. "He seems pretty cool."

Alya chuckles. "He is so not cool like Ladybug and Cat Noir. He's a total noob."

The words swirl in Nino's mind, so not cool...so not cool...

"But we were all newbies once," Marinette reasons kindly.

"She means Ladybug and Cat Noir were once new as well." Adrien cuts in swiftly.

"R-Right." Marinette covers up. "We've all been new to something before, even Ladybug and Cat Noir."

"Yeah, I'm sure he's trying his best." Nino says sadly. "Do you really hate him?"

"I never said I hated him. Sure, he's a total dorkosaurus, but he means well." Alya replies.

Nino frowns dejectedly. That answer doesn't satisfy him at all. He knows how much Alya idolises Ladybug and Cat Noir, he just wants her acceptance too. What if Ladybug and Cat Noir also think he's lame? How could they not after he injured himself with his own shield...

Alya holds up her fists and pretends to box the air. "We'll just have to see how the newbie handles against Hawkmoth!"

"Uh, yeah, haha!" Marinette says awkwardly.

"Who knows, maybe this new hero is just so intimidating that Hawkmoth will get scared off." Adrien jokes.

Alya laughs. "Yeah right, even a real turtle would be more intimidating than this guy. He literally couldn't get up off his back because of that big shield of his! Which he hit himself in the face with, by the way."

"I think the shield is cool..." Nino says glumly.

"Speaking of Hawkmoth though, there hasn't been an attack in ages!" Alya complains. "I haven't seen Ladybug and Cat Noir in at least a month, excluding our brief encounter yesterday of course."

"Maybe he's had a change of heart?" Adrien tries.

"As if!" Alya says. "I sense a story."

Adrien sweats nervously and shifts his eyes to Marinette in a plead of help.

"I-It's Ladybug and Cat Noir, they wouldn't keep anything from us." Marinette says. "Hawkmoth is probably...taking a break?"

Adrien slaps a hand on his face. Just then, the sound of sirens erupts from outside. Alya has sprinted out the door in a matter of seconds.

"Alya you don't even know if it's an akuma attack!" Nino calls after her to no avail. He sighs and shakes his head. "That girl..."

Marinette exchanges a look with Adrien as if to ask if he wants Ladybug and Cat Noir to go check out the trouble.

"Oh shoot!" Adrien says suddenly. "Marinette, I left my textbook at your house yesterday."

"Right, w-we should go get it before class starts." Marinette replies.

Marinette and Adrien leave the classroom hastily just as the teacher walks in.

"Where are all of my students rushing off to?" Ms Bustier asks.

Nino shrugs and sits down in his usual seat. He hears a small cough from his bag but chooses to ignore it. After a few more failed attempts at getting his attention, Wayazz pokes his head out and bites Nino's leg.

"Ouch! Alright!" Nino snaps. He groans in annoyance and puts up his hand. "Bathroom please, miss!"

Nino stomps out of the classroom and hides away in the bathrooms.

"Did you not hear the sirens?" Wayazz says as he flies out form Nino's bag. "You need to transform!"

"Do I though? I don't think anyone needs my help, Ladybug and Cat Noir would be better on their own." Nino replies, crossing his arms.

"You're wrong Nino, even superheros need protectors. You must support them!" Wayazz insists. "You were chosen for a reason, please, give it a shot. Being a superhero is your dream, remember?"

"Alright," Nino gives in with a sigh. "Arm Shell!"

.

There has been a robbery at a nearby bank. Three getaway cars are speeding away in separate directions but there are only two heroes.

"We'll have to split up." Cat Noir says.

"But which ones do we go after?" Ladybug replies in frustration.

"Need a hand?" Comes a third voice.

Ladybug and Cat Noir turn to see a familiar hooded boy wielding a shield.

Cat Noir's face lights up. "Turtle guy! Man, we're lucky to have you here."

Carapace smiles, his spirits lifting a little. "I'm happy to help."

"Good, then we need you to catch that third car. Let's hurry before they get away." Ladybug says before swinging off on her yoyo.

Cat Noir brings two fingers to his forehead and salutes his friend before leaping away as well. Carapace steps up to the edge up the building and watches worriedly as his designated car speeds away. The last time he tried parkour he crashed into a tree and fell on top of Alya.

Carapace grips his shield nervously. It is then that an idea comes to mind. He looks down at his shield and smirks.

Carapace walks backwards a few paces before sprinting forward, leaping off the building and flipping his shield upside down under his feet. He lands on his shield, on the edge of the next rooftop, and rides it along swiftly.

"Just like riding my skateboard back home," Carapace says to himself, feeling instantly more relaxed.

He pushes off the rooftop, grabs the edge of his shield and does a 360 in the air.

"WOOHOO!" Carapace shouts. "YEAH!"

He lands on the edge of the next rooftop and slides across it with the momentum from his jump, now side by side with the getaway car in the street below. Carapace leans forward to get more speed. He leaps off the building, grabs his shield and spins round as he whirls the metal disk down at the car. The shield smashes the front tyre, sending the car skidding to a stop, and bounces back towards Carapace. He makes sure to catch it with his hands instead of his face this time as he lands in the street below. The observing citizens all cheer and applaud. Carapace smiles and waves timidly as they frantically snap pictures of their new hero.

A police car speeds to a stop and Sabrina's dad, Roger, steps out to cuff the robber stepping out from his crashed car. Ladybug and Cat Noir jump down to join the scene as well.

"Thanks man," Cat Noir says, holding up his fist with a smile.

Carapace smiles and gives Cat Noir a fist bump, finally feeling accepted. "No problem! The name's Carapace by the way."

Ladybug steps forward and holds out her hand. "You did good today, Carapace."

Carapace's eyes light up as he happily shakes Ladybug's hand.

"We should be going now." Cat Noir says. "See ya around."

Cat Noir wraps his arm around Ladybug's waist and lifts them up and away using his staff.

"So, buginette, what do you think of the new guy?" Cat Noir asks as they land on a nearby rooftop. "I think he really stepped up today. He would be a great addition to the team."

"I think so too, but...why would Master Fu give away his miraculous when he still has three others including the butterfly, speaking of which, we already defeated Hawkmoth so why would he need another superhero at all." Ladybug questions.

"Who knows." Cat Noir shrugs away the topic and smirks as he wraps his arms around his lady. "Did you use your lucky charm?"

"No need, why?" Ladybug says, tilting her head slightly.

Cat Noir pulls Ladybug in tighter, pressing their bodies together and looking down at her with their faces inches apart. "Well, if you're not in risk of timing out, I was thinking we skip next period to do some emergency investigating at the ice-cream parlour."

Ladybug gasps playfully. "Wagging class? How scandalise of you, Cat Noir."

"I don't hear a no..." Cat Noir whispers as he slowly leans in.

"I have a better idea." Ladybug says alluringly, her eyes locked on Cat Noir's lips.

"Oh yeah? And what's that?" Cat Noir asks, his voice deep and hungry.

Cat Noir slowly begins closing his eyes when Ladybug suddenly pulls away.

"We're going on a date to Master Fu's place." Ladybug answers, grabbing Cat Noir's hand.

"How romantic..." Cat Noir says as he gets dragged away by Ladybug.

The two heroes make their way through the city carefully, making sure they are not followed, and sneak into the small, Chinese healing shop belonging to Master Fu.

"Master Fu," Ladybug bows respectfully before taking a seat at the low wooden table. "Sorry to come here in uniform, I just had to check up on some things."

"You are worried about Carapace." Master Fu concludes wisely.

Cat Noir sits beside Ladybug and puts a hand on her leg. "We're sorry to doubt your actions, it's just...we've been through a lot."

Ladybug places her hand over the top of Cat Noir's and looks at him sympathetically.

"I understand completely," Master Fu says gently. "Worry not, there is no new threat to your lives—but that does not mean I won't prepare for the worst."

"What do you mean?" Ladybug asks worriedly.

"There is still one miraculous lost out there. The peacock miraculous...it is far stronger than the butterfly." Master Fu explains. "Hopefully, nothing will come of it. But if it does happen to fall into the wrong hands, I want a strong team to be ready."

"A team?" Cat Noir repeats. Upon hearing the word he thinks of something a little more grand like the Justice League, but...there are only three of them.

"Yes, a team, which is why I am glad you're here." Master Fu says as he opens up his miraculous box. "I have made mistakes in the past but choosing you two was the best decision I ever made. I would entrust only you with this responsibility. I've taken my pick for Carapace, it is only fair that Ladybug and Cat Noir themselves have a say in their other teammates."

Ladybug and Cat Noir stare at Master Fu as he holds out two miraculouses, the fox and the bee.

"Oh, no, we couldn't." Ladybug says.

Cat Noir has already stuck out his hands eagerly. Master Fu smiles and gently places the bee miraculous—a hair comb—into Cat Noir's cupped palms.

"Come on, Mari," Cat Noir says. "This is a great honour."

"He is right." Master Fu says as he holds out the fox necklace. "I have faith in you, Ladybug."

Ladybug slowly reaches out and accepts the fox miraculous. "Thankyou...Master Fu. I promise I'll choose wisely."

Master Fu smiles. "I know you will, but remember, identities must remain secret."

Ladybug and Cat Noir bow once more before leaving the home of the great guardian, with two new miraculouses in their procession and two people's fates in their hands.