If Gwen have known that one of the greatest sculptors was going to make a statue of the three heroes of Paris in the public park, she would have squealed.

But she couldn't. She arrived early to work on the bread and was late for the statue celebration. She felt like dying as she finished baking the cake and start decorating it with frosting.

"Gwen, dear. I can't help but feel like you have been working too hard," Sabine worried.

Gwen turned to her, not noticing the flour over her face, and shrugged. "I'm fine. I had time and besides, this is the greatest bakery in Paris. I don't want to disappoint."

Sabine and Tom looked at each other and smiled at the girl.

"Why don't you enjoy seeing the statue ceremony. I'm sure it can be a good break," Tom nodded.

Gwen looked back at the couple and the cake, "Are you guys sure? I have my break in an hour."

Sabine nodded and assisted in taking the apron off the girl. "Actually, why don't you have the rest of the day off? There are not many customers today. It's a great day. And who knows? Maybe you'll see that boy again," she teased.

Gwen grimaced.

Ever since she started working at the bakery, boys would constantly come over and just order small things and would always strike up a conversation with the girl.

They were nice and cute, but she's not looking for that.

Besides, every time she is at least a few feet from a boy. A certain black cat would always come in and fuck every shit up.

"Thank you. I'll come back tomorrow," Gwen smiled.

Gwen got out of the bakery and walked to her apartment. She took a shower and wore a big sleeved sweater.

She finally spotted the people gathering at the park and punched her fists together, having the suit on.

Gwen smirked behind her mask. She finally mastered combining the technology from being invisible and the J.A.N.E.T to change to her suit without accidentally clicking her bracelets.

She now used small arm bracers that no one would suspect. And with her headband, if she thinks to change and punches her fists together, she would become Ghost-Spider.

With that, she jumped out.

🕸🕷🕸

Théo waited anxiously for the heroes to arrive. But more especially, Ladybug. He wants to see the look on her face filled with admiration for his work.

He stood stiff as André Bourgeois patted his shoulder, lightly taking off the nervousness.

"I'm sure you've outdone yourself, Théo," he smiled.

"It was my honor. And I can't wait to meet Ladybug, I hope she'll autograph the photo I used as the inspiration for the statue," he took a cropped newspaper of Ladybug from his pocket.

"Oh, it's nearly time. Ladybug, Chatnoir, and Ghost-Spider should already be here by now," he stopped as he saw the familiar heroine swinging towards them.

The crowd turned and cheered for Ghost-Spider.

"Ghost-Spider is here!"

"May I have an autograph!"

Ghost chuckled and just waved at the audience. Théo beamed at her and immediately asked for her autograph which she did drawing a spider and writing "Ghost".

Gwen never thought it would be a day where people admired her for her hero work. Her shoulders slightly dropped, remembering how she had left her home.

Everyone hates her. She's not sure how her father feels and it's burning inside.

She's completely alone.

Gwen sighed and looked up to the crowd. Her home may hate her right now but while she's here, she won't make the same mistake again.

She stopped her thoughts and chuckled as Chatnoir jumped in and waved at the crowd.

"You're early," Chat turned.

Ghost shrugged and continued waving at the excited crowd.

"I was let off early."

Chat nodded, knowing well to not ask questions about each other's identity. For the last month and a few weeks, Chat started trusting Ghost slowly and talking to each other normally.

Ladybug on the other hand. Whenever Ghost tries to talk to the hero, Ladybug would only tell her to focus on saving people and don't talk to her unless it's necessary.

Gwen understands where Ladybug is going through and she doesn't know when the hero will be able to trust her and consider her like a partner...or like a friend.

Ghost spotted Alya and figured it's for the Ladyblog. She was impressed with the work and can't wait to watch it tonight.

"Excuse me, Chatnoir, Ghost-Spider, but Ladybug's not here," Théo sadly frowned.

"Don't worry about Ladybug. I'm sure she'll be here any minute. We can handle this situation alone for now. I'm in charge anyway, you know," Chat grinned.

"Who agreed with that?" Ghost mused.

Chat playfully glared at her and turned to the sculptor.

"It's just that, I wanted to ask her to autograph this photo. She's amazing. She's so brave and smart, the way she always saves everyone," Théo warmly smiled at the picture.

Ghost smiled at him. There are fans out there who dedicate their love to their heroes in many ways and she admires that. Chat, on the other hand, glared at the photo but Théo doesn't notice.

"Perhaps the ceremony should commence. It might bring her here faster," André suggested.

"Please, just one minute more, Mayor Bourgeois, she's going to come, I can feel it..." Théo tried.

They continued to wait at least six more minutes but the crowd was already getting impatient and Ladybug was a no show. Ghost sighed and nodded to the Mayor to start.

"It's only proper for Paris to pay homage to those to protect us from evil.–" They unveiled the statues having Chatnoir on the bottom and Ladybug and Ghost-Spider on the top.

"–Ladybug, Chatnoir, and Ghost-Spider!"

The crowd cheered for the great art and Chatnoir only smiled and waved. Ghost-Spider waved at them and comforted Théo at her best.

The mayor had asked the heroes to give a speech for this ceremony and Chatnoir didn't hesitate to grab the mic and face the crowd.

"Thank you so much! We are deeply grateful for you all!"

The mayor turned to Ghost but she only shook her head. She felt like she didn't deserve to say a few things. If she does, she'll start overthinking and she'll start crying. No one likes that.

After a few more pictures, the crowd dispersed. Only leaving Théo, Chatnoir, and Ghost-Spider.

"These statues are amazing. One thing's slightly off though–I'm actually taller than Ladybug," Chat jokes, leaning over Théo's shoulder.

"They're amazing. Great work," Ghost complimented.

"Ladybug didn't show up. I just wanted to express my adoration for her. Let her know that everything I had went into her statue. I'm sure if she took a little time to get to know me, she would see how much we have in common. Our devotion to the things we love," Théo beamed.

Chat didn't like the way Théo spoke out loud the way he felt for Ladybug and interrupted him.

"Hey, don't mean to burst your bubble, but you know, Ladybug and me, we're a thing, you know?"

Ghost took a second to hear the sentence completely. Based on the missions she has gone with them, it was obvious how Ladybug was not at all interested in Chatnoir and cringed.

'What is he doing?' she narrowed her eyes.

"Really?" Théo turned to him.

"Yeah, we're like this," Chat crossed his fingers and smirked.

Just as Ghost was about to explain to the man, Théo shoved himself off of Chat and walked away angrily. "What does Ladybug see in him?" he muttered.

Ghost closed her mouth and turned to Chat who was grinning from ear to ear.

"What was that about?"

"What was what?" he not-so innocently turned away.

"You know what I mean," Ghost crossed her arms.

"I don't know what you're talking about, I'll be going now. Bye Ghosty!" he jumped away and all Ghost could do was shake her head.

🕸🕷🕸

Having the rest of the day off made Ghost-Spider just swing around Paris in case she finds anything interesting to do.

She tried going back to the bakery but Sabine kicked her out and "find yourself a nice boy."

She chuckled, as the people in Paris found her and waved at her excitedly.

Just as she swung over the Louvre when her senses flared for a moment, making her stop. She frowned and looked around, seeing nothing.

She knew better than to ignore it so she swung on top of the Louvre when she sensed it again.

"J.A.N.E.T. Show me the cameras inside the building," she ordered.

She blinked in surprise to see Chatnoir walking inside the museum. "He must really like art," she shrugged.

Ghost dropped to the ground and turned invisible. She walked inside as the people grinned seeing their hero walk into the museum.

She's not sure about this. Her senses kept telling her something's wrong, so she'll just keep watch.

'Chatnoir' stepped across the rope and took off the painting of the Mona Lisa. "Don't mind me. Just stealing this painting. Go about your business," he grinned.

Ghost's eyes widened and took off her invisibility and rushed to him. One of the civilians placed a hand on 'Chatnoir's' shoulder but he grabbed his wrist and tripped him.

Ghost managed to catch him just in time and pushed the civilian behind her.

"I gotta get this on camera!" another civilian exclaimed.

Ghost-Spider only stood in front 'Chat' and spoke to the civilians, "I need you guys to get to safety. Don't come inside and wait for Ladybug and Chatnoir to arrive."

The people were confused. Chatnoir is right there in front of them, isn't he?

"Go!" She ordered. The people flinched and ran away.

🕸🕷🕸

After not being able to find his phone, he asked his chauffeur to drive him back to school. It was so weird because he could have sworn he had left it in his bag.

"And in some astonishing news, there's been a spectacular theft at the Louvre. Amateur video showed without a shadow of a doubt that the thief is none other than the famous hero, Chatnoir," Adrien gasped and turned on the seat-tv.

On the screen, it shows 'Chatnoir' carrying the painting of the Mona Lisa and smirking.

"This painting is the cat's meow," he grinned.

"Cat's meow?"

"That's not all, It seems Ghost-Spider is in the scene and fighting against Chatnoir."

Adrien's eyes widened at the screen. Ghost-Spider made sure to push the remaining people to safety and fought to retrieve the painting.

"Who are you?!" she demanded.

"What do you mean? I'm Chatnoir, your partner," he smirked.

"I can tell you're not the real Chatnoir. Give it up, Ladybug and the real Chatnoir knows when I can sense an Akuma. And I'm looking straight at him."

'Chatnoir' gritted his teeth in frustration and ran away, Ghost-Spider not far behind him.

As the chauffeur arrived at the school, Adrien bolted to the school angrily.

"Not only is that person a fake, he's a terrible fake!" With that, he transformed and jumped to the museum.

If he needs to find where Copycat was, he's sure Ghost-Spider left some clues for him. He jumped to the scene and the police had the Louvre surrounded.

The police turned to him and prepared themselves.

"Whoa! Easy, tigers! You've got the wrong cat! That thief's an impostor. I'm the real Chatnoir!" he tried.

Agent Roger turned to the police and ordered them to stop as Chatnoir jumped in front of them.

"Let me check it out where the robbery took place. I have a knack for finding clues. You know, animal instincts," he smirked.

Agent Roger smiled, "Of course. Come with me. Thanks for your help, Chatnoir."

They entered the museum. Agent Roger stayed behind as Chatnoir took in the place. It was much messier than what was seen on the screen.

Ghost-Spider definitely was here. There were spiderwebs everywhere and the remaining paintings were safe behind the webs.

He stopped as he saw a lollipop stick on a table. The next thing he knew, Agent Roger pressed a button, trapping Chatnoir.

"Hey! I'm the real Chatnoir! Ghost-Spider said so! I'm way slicker than that guy," Chat glared behind bars.

Agent Roger ignored him and spoke to his walkie-talkie. "Kitty's in the slammer. I repeat, kitty's in the slammer." he turned it off and turned to Chatnoir.

"And because Ghost-Spider was at the scene as well, we're going to confirm that she too stole the painting. It won't take long until my men find her."

Chatnoir gritted his teeth in rage, "She was telling the truth!"

Agent Roger laughed and walked away. As he left, Chatnoir looked around for any more clues and finally found it. In the corner of the room, he found a sticky note.

He narrowed his eyes and jumped to grab it. He turned the page over to see four numbers.

8008

Call me when you find this.

-Ghosty

Chat grinned and grabbed his staff and rang the number.

The other side answered with huffing. "Chat? Is that you? Or Ladybug?"

"It's Chatnoir. I saw your message, where are you?"

"I'll send you my location."

🕸🕷🕸

Finally getting the location, he turned to the bars and used his cataclysm to break the bars. He jumped out and ran to the higher level when he encountered more officers.

"Thanks for the warm hospitality, but I gotta split, so...I'll just say this one more time. You've got the wrong cat!" He took his staff and knocked his way through the police.

🕸🕷🕸

Ladybug tried to get inside but Agent Roger wouldn't let him through. That was until they heard his walkie-talkie.

"Chatnoir is getting away!"

Both of their eyes widened and they both ran inside to see the police on the floor and in pain.

"Well, if he's so innocent, then why is he running away?" Agent Roger placed his hands on his hips in disbelief.

"Well, if you're wrongly imprisoned, wouldn't you run?" Ladybug accused.

She stopped as she felt her yo-yo vibrate from a call. Finding Roger distracted, she ran up the stairs and answered the phone.

"Chat noir, what's going on?" She asked.

"You know I'm innocent, don't you, Bugaboo?" he smirked.

"Stop playing around and calling me Bugaboo, This is really serious!"

"Ghost-Spider gave me the location of the culprit and I'll find him and save my tail. I'll get back to–"

Chatnoir stopped as the Helicopter arrived in front of him. He gasped and ran away. He ran and jumped into the subway. The police cars crashed the exit.

Adrien whistled as he innocently walks up the stairs and hides. Plag peaks out of his coat to him.

"If you want my opinion, I'd say the thief was akumatized," he mused.

Adrien thought back to Ghost-Spider in the news.

"I can tell you're not the real Chatnoir. Give it up, Ladybug and the real Chatnoir knows when I can sense an Akuma. And I'm looking straight at him."

"She figured it out," he murmured for Plag to hear and pulled out the lollipop stick. "See the lollipop stick? The sculptor. How did I not see that jealousy coming a mile away?"

"Yours or his?" Plag deadpanned.

"Ha ha, so funny," Adrien pushed him back and ran to Ghost-Spider's location.

🕸🕷🕸

Chatnoir jumped in front of the building and smirked. "Gotcha, Copycat." He looked around and found Ghost-Spider on the door.

He jumped down to meet her.

"How are we going to do this?" she asked, not looking back to him.

"This is between me and him. I got myself into this mess, so I'm gonna get myself out," he trudged forward before Ghost stopped him from going inside.

"Look, what you did was wrong. But you're not alone. I fought him and he's better than he looks. Trust me. I was waiting for you guys to ambush him."

She looked around but the familiar girl was not around. "Where's Ladybug?"

"I told her not to come, I can handle this myself. Thanks for sticking out for me, I got it from here."

He can tell she's glaring at him and she turned invisible. He quietly groaned as he heard her light steps go inside the building. He followed her, not too discreetly.

Chat found a box with a cat on top and a letter for him.

"Cat's in the bag?" he read. A moment later, the box opened and chains wrapped around his wrists.

He used his cataclysm only for it to be grabbed and be placed on a square object as it destroys, wasting the cataclysm.

Copycat stood in front of Chatnoir and smirked as Chat tried to kick him.

"I don't get what Ladybug sees in you. A fool who so easily falls into my trap. It took me a while to run away from Ghost-Spider, but it seems she's not as good as she looks."

Chat glared as he took notice that he didn't have his staff in his back. Only to see Copycat has it in his hands.

"Looking for this? Which one should I pick up? Mine or my one?" he said as he took out his, but he grinned as Ladybug started calling Chatnoir and answered.

"Ladybug, hurry up. I've caught the impostor at Théo Barbot's workshop."

"Don't come here, Ladybug! It's a trap!" Chat tried but Copycat hung up.

"Too late, Cat. Ladybug's on her way, which was my plan all along."

"She won't be duped. She knows me too well," Chat looked around to find Ghosty but she was good at hiding.

His eyes widened as she appeared behind Copycat.

"I know you well too. And from now on, she'll love me, not you!"

"Love me?" Chat saw as Ghost waved her hands to keep going to distract him and he understood.

"...You're right! She loves me! That's why she'll be able to reveal your true identity!"

In a moment of Copycat's hesitation, Ghost-Spider webbed the akumatized picture, surprising him.

"Rip it!" Chat shouted.

"If I do, The Akuma will be out and Ladybug won't be able to purify it!" Ghost dodged Copycat's attacks and kicked him away.

"Then destroy it!"

"Ladybug is almost here, hold on."

As Copycat was far enough, she ran to Chatnoir and punched the chains, breaking them.

"Thanks."

Ghost wasn't able to dodge as Copycat attacked her, making her scream out in pain. Chat's eyes widened as Copycat used his cataclysm on her.

She groaned as the pain surged on her back.

"Ghost!"

He ran to her but Copycat kicked him away and snatched the paper from her hands.

"Stop getting in my way!" he kicked her stomach, worsening the pain. She fell back, hit against the wall, and drop to the ground.

"You'll pay for that!" Chat fumed and started to fight him.

Ghost couldn't comprehend what happened next. Her vision was going in and out of focus. The pain kept growing as her senses kept warning her about danger, only hurting her more.

She pants as she tries to stand up.

"Ghost!"

She wasn't sure who was calling her, but she kept groaning in pain. The pain was so immense she was shaking and the last thing she saw was Chatnoir and Ladybug running to her.

"Miraculous Ladybug!"

🕸🕷🕸

Her eyes opened and groaned from the mild migraine.

"Ghost, how are you feeling?"

She looked next to her to see Ladybug look at her in worry. Chatnoir was on the other side. She licked her lips and sat up, using both of their help.

She noticed she was on top of one of the buildings, the sun was setting. She sighed and refrained from groaning in embarrassment.

"Ghost?"

"I'm fine," she coughed. "How long was I out?"

"Not long, Ladybug helped Théo," Chat worriedly looked at her.

Ghost nodded and shakily stood up. They helped her stand up and they couldn't help but notice how she was more stiff than usual.

"Thanks. I'll..see you guys later," she whispered.

"Wait. Ghost," Chat stopped her.

She turned to him, seeing the guilt expression on his face, and knew what he was thinking.

"It wasn't your fault."

Chat was quick to disagree, "If I hadn't made Théo mad, you wouldn't be hurt."

"You kept screaming and convulsing Ghost. Are you all right? It must have been a shock to you," Ladybug worriedly looked at her.

Ghost-Spider saw the cataclysm as a weapon but she was surprised how touching someone with it can cause immense pain.

If she were a regular person, she would have turned to dust. But because of the spider DNA in her system, it only slowed it down.

She shivered when she felt like her body was on fire and had a knife peel her skin like a butter.

Her vision blurred for a second and turned away from them.

"I'm fine."

Before they could stop her, she jumped and swung away.

🕸🕷🕸

Gwen crashed to her bathroom and whimpered in pain. She turned on the lights and looked at herself in the mirror. She grimaced as her back was filled with black and purple veins underneath her skin.

"What the hell?" she sweated.

She pants and reaches for her bed but her vision blurs and passes out on the floor.

🕸🕷🕸

At the school, Adrien and Nino walked into the classroom. Adrien had yet to find his phone and pouted.

"Maybe you dropped it somewhere," Nino thought out loud.

"Well, if I did, then whoever has it found it in the boy's locker room. I was checking my voicemail there during fencing practice."

Marinette took this chance and dropped his phone in his bag, but the bag ended up falling on the floor.

"Huh? What in the?... I already looked in here a thousand times!" Adrien grabbed his bag.

"You need some time off. Hey, I know, let's go to the movies tonight," Nino smiled.

Alya jumped into the conversation behind them.

"Hey, dudes, mind if a few friends tag along?"

"Sure thing!"

Adrien smiled and turned to where Gwen sat but was confused as the girl was not present.

"I'll call Gwen, maybe she wants to tag along," he shrugged.

Alya and Marinette looked at each other confused. Marinette was fine as long as she got to sit next to him.

(っ◔◡◔)っ ♥ Next Episode: The Evillustrator ♥

A/N: I'm going to skip The Pharaoh and Lady Wifi because I wasn't sure how to fill Gwen into those episodes but I have an idea for The Evillustrator.

Publish: January 6, 2022

Word Count: 3730