A colorful swirl surrounded the darkness. A hand reached out to grab them but they turned into wisps, floating away like fireflies. The little girl grinned, showing her two missing teeth. She squealed as she ran after the wisps. 

"Hurry up, Peter! We're going to miss them!" the little girl shouted as she kept running. 

The little boy heaved as he tried catching up with the girl. "Wait up, Gwen! It's so scary! We should head back!"

A six-year-old Gwen laughed as she kept running, reaching her hand out for the wisps. She's so close and yet so far. She'll keep going. She loved the adrenaline and how her speeding heart fill her with thrill. The moist air caressed her arms as she let her hand out. 

She would occasionally look back if her best friend didn't chicken out but knew Peter would be too scared to go back. So she kept going. She heard a scream behind her, making her stop in her tracks. 

Gwen completely forgot it rained just a few hours ago. The grass was still wet and slippery, causing her to slip down a hill. She screamed, trying to tug on the grass but to no avail. She grunts as she landed on the flat ground. Her body was soaked as she coughed up the water. 

Gwen shook the water out of her pigtails and looked around. She gasped as the wisps from before were gone causing the darkness to envelop her. She whimpered as she hugged her knees, looking around to find anything. 

"P-Peter?" she calls out. 

But there was no response. Her eyes widened as they started to well up. Her lips quivered as she bit them hard. Her grip tightened on her dungarees. "Peter! I'm scared! Where are you?! Peter!"

"Gwen! Gwen!"

"Peter!" she cried, rubbing her eyes. 

The little boy pants as he followed his friend's cry and ran down the hill. It was a mistake as well as he slipped and rolled down the hill with a scream. Gwen and Peter screamed as Peter landed on her. 

Gwen pouted and shoved the boy off her. Peter screamed as he landed on his bum and looked back up at the girl. "What was that for?!"

"You scared me!" she shouted back. 

"Well, you shouldn't go far! Scaredycat!"

"S-Scaredycat?!" she was appalled and slammed her fist on his head making him exclaim in pain and hold his head tenderly. 

"Why were you screaming earlier?" she huffed, sitting on the grass in front of him. 

Peter sighed as he pulled something out of his pocket. Gwen's eyes sparkled as she saw a rounded rock in his hand. "Whoah! What is it?"

Peter hummed, taking a closer look. "Aunt May said they're called pearls. She said pretty girls wear it as necklaces and earrings."

"Cool!" she goes to snatch it but Peter moved it away from her hands making her pout. "Hey! I want to see it."

"I found it. I'm going to give it to the prettiest girl!" he turned away. 

She gasped and pointed at him accusingly. "I'm pretty! Mommy said so!"

"Yeah right," Peter sweatdropped. "I'm giving it to Aunt May."

"Pfft!" Gwen laughed. "She's old!"

An irk mark grew on the boy's temple as he tackled her and wrestled her onto the ground. Gwen smirked coyly as she was always the winner, kicking him away. She laughed as she stood up, throwing her hands in the air. 

"I win! I always win!" 

Peter huffed, tucking the pearl in his pocket. "Whatever. You're not pretty anyways. You don't deserve it."

"Oh?" Gwen smirked at him. "Once I grow boobs..." She pointed at him, throwing her head far, arching her back to look down at him. "I will be beautiful! Muahahaha!"

"Pfft!"

"H-Hey!" Gwen blushed as she stomped on the ground frustratingly. 

"Yeah, I'll let you know," Peter rolled his eyes. 

He stopped as he look up at the sky and gasped. The colorful wisps came back, surrounding the field they were sitting in. Gwen gasped too as her eyes sparkled at the sight of pretty lights. It reminded her so much of Christmas lights. 

She can feel their warmth as she spread her arms out, enjoying the cool breeze and lights. Peter stood up next to her and spread his arms too. Peeking an eye, he looked down at her and tucked the pearl in her pocket before looking away. 

Gwen felt a small weight in her left pocket and tucked it out. Her eyes widened and turned to Peter who still had his face turned. She blinked as she can see the redness in his cute little ears. She shrugged, holding onto the pearl tightly in her small hand. 

She grinned as she looked back at the wisps. She frowned as the wisps' color turned more blue and red. It brightened the field. It was until she heard sirens did Peter and Gwen look behind them. Gwen paled as she saw her dad coming out of his car. 

"Gwen! Peter! Did you sneak out again?! It's midnight!" George stomped towards them. 

"AAAH! Run! It's the popo!" Gwen screamed as she grabbed Peter's wrist and made a run for it. 

"GWEN! COME BACK HERE YOU BRAT!"

It was moments like this did she wish she could keep time from going forward. The once wisps on that day were filled with hope and laughter between two best friends. If only she could stop time at this very moment. How she wishes she could at least go back in time to see his smile again. 

His laughs, his pouts, his anger, his everything. 

Gwen's eyes opened, staring blankly at her ceiling. She sighed as she lifted her hand and rested it on her collarbone. She closed her eyes, wanting the feel the warm pearl that once was wrapped around her neck but once again was gone. 

She clenched her fist slowly as she sat up on the bed. "I forgot all about the wisps," she chuckled as she wiped the sweat from her forehead. 

Although it wasn't a nightmare, just remembering Peter's warmth makes her paralyzed and causes her to have irregular breathing. Just thinking to be in front of him scares her. 

Gwen stood up and walked to her bathroom to take a shower. Humming to an old tune, she brushed her teeth and headed to get herself breakfast. Weekend. She loved weekends. Enjoying her nice, long coffee just makes her day. 

She smiled in relief as she drank her coffee, loving the hot liquid burning her throat. 

"Ahh...this is the best."

BOOM!

Gwen deadpanned as she heard sirens outside and sighed, hitting her head against her table. Glancing at the time, her eye twitched at the time. 

2:48 p.m. 

"It's too early for this," she sighed and just leaned on her chair. "I'll let everyone handle it. Drink before swing," she nodded as she kept drinking. 

Her eyes never wavered as she can see Chatnoir being flung in the air and waving at her as he flew. She waved him back with her fingers before continuing to drink. 

"Perfect."

🕸🕷🕸

Gwen blinked as she turned on the TV. She was surprised to see Ladybug would bring Rena Rouge in order to put the panthers back to the zoo. She shrugged, liking her day off. She's going to keep her word. 

She will have her day off. 

Gwen looked around her place and groaned as she realized she needed to do deep cleaning. So much for a day off. She huffed, standing up and gathering her cleaning supplies. 

Putting up her vinyl record, she started banging on the chairs to the beat.

🎶ALL WE HEAR IS! RADIO GA GA! RADIO GU GU!🎶 Gwen used the mop as her microphone while she sang and bang on the chairs. 

🎶Radio! What's new?!🎶

Gwen flinched as she threw her Swiffer at the voice and deadpanned as it head straight on Chat's face, causing him to flail around to stay balanced on the rails. 

"What was that for?!" Chat groaned, rubbing his forehead. 

"Do you just sneak up on people? I'm busy," she rolled her eyes as she started sweeping her kitchen. 

Chat pouted and crossed his arms as he sat on the sofa. An irk mark appeared on her temple as she walked over and lifted the sofa a little making him stumble off of it. "AAHH!"

"I'm cleaning! If you're going to be in my way, get cleaning!" Gwen threw a kerchief at him. 

Chat looked at the kerchief strangely but Gwen walked over to him and grabbed it from his hands before wrapping it around his head, covering his hair. 

"Don't want hairs on my floor," she murmured. 

Chat blinked and grinned. "I look fabulous."

As he said this, his ears ripped through the fabric, popping out and showing his cat ears making her sweatdrop.

Gwen snorts and shook her head as she tightened her kerchief around her head. She grabbed her broom and started sweeping. Meanwhile, Chat just walked around, dusting everything and constantly coughing. 

"It's so dusty! Do you ever clean?" he glanced at the girl who was sweeping her ceiling by lifting the broom on the ceiling making him sweatdrop. 

"Nope. I live alone so I don't have to," she shrugged. 

He hummed and glanced at the rooms. He picked up the bucket and headed to one of the rooms. He grabbed the knob and frowned as he couldn't open it. His eyes widened as he saw there was a thumbprint lock.

He bit his lip in thought. Does she keep her suit and devices in there? He wanted to see it. 

He flinched hard as a hand was placed on top of his. He shivered as he glanced at the girl next to him. 

"I just cleaned there. You can clean my room and no snooping," Gwen nodded to her room as she cleaned the knob from her 'guest room'.

Chat sweatdropped and walked to her room and paled at the mess. Bowls, cups, and Chinese food are everywhere. Her bed was undone as well. 

"G-Gwen! Come on! I need help!"

"Get cleaning Cinderella!" Gwen laughed as she lifted her sofa with one hand and vacuumed the floor with the other. 

🕸🕷🕸

Chat and Gwen groaned as they flopped on the sofa, exhausted from cleaning the apartment. Gwen mostly cleaned the house as Chat kept messing everything up. She closed her eyelids as she leaned her head back and relaxed. 

"Gee...I thought cats make a mess," Chat groaned as he moved his shoulder, resulting in popping it with another groan. 

"Don't complain," she murmured. "You stayed anyway. I could have it handled."

Chat pouted as he took his pink-pig pattern kerchief off his head and closed his eyes too. They sat in silence which would be perfect for both of them to sleep if Gwen didn't speak up. 

"Now, are you going to tell me what's up with you?" 

Chat's eyes widened as he didn't realize she noticed. But this is Gwen he's talking about. Gwen always notices the littlest things. Especially coming from him. Well, not him him but him. He sighed as he raised an arm and draped it behind Gwen's head. She didn't bother moving from her spot and only stayed quiet. 

"Do you hide secrets from people you truly trust?" Chat asked. 

Gwen's eye peeked at him before closing it. "If it is to protect someone I care about, yes. What's this about?"

Chat deadpanned as he realized that Gwen is basically hiding the fact that she's Ghost Spider from everyone. He shook his head. "I don't want to rant."

"Cool–"

"It's Ladybug!" Chat stood up and paced around the living room. "We're heroes and have been partners for so long and she's suddenly hiding secrets from me? Doesn't she trust me? Then she up and left with Rena Rouge," he huffed in disbelief. 

Gwen's eyes opened slowly and looked at the cat. So this is what's about...Ladybug isn't telling him about Master Fu. She hummed, looking down at her hands. 

"I don't work for Hawkmoth if that's what she's worried about. I've been loyal to her more than anyone and yet I feel like she doesn't trust me," he frowned. 

Gwen stared at him for a moment and frowned as she clenched her fists. She remembered very well how Chat's thoughts were similar to someone she knew very well. Except this time, Chat and Ladybug are a duo. 

They have worked together and built a bond that can never be severed. They built it quickly by working together. Hiding their identities is one thing she'll understand. But hiding something that involves both of them is upsetting. 

It doesn't involve her as she doesn't have a miraculous but she knew how the hero felt. She went through the same thought and was too late to fix them. She stood up and walked over to Chatnoir who frowned at the ground. 

He looked up as Gwen cupped his cheek. Her eyes were soft as she smiled at him. He stiffened on his spot as he can see so many colorful wisps flying around her eye reflection, seeming like stars. 

"I uh," she started. "I had a friend who always relied on me for everything. But there was always a topic that would always upset him."

Chat walked back to the sofa and sat as Gwen kneeled in front of him, holding his hand. 

"There was a secret I had and I couldn't tell him or anyone as I was afraid of how they would react. There were dangers in the city and I decided to keep my secret hidden to protect them."

Chat frowned at her sad smile. "What happened?"

She hummed and smiled at him. "I thought my secret was protecting him, but it resulted in putting him in more danger."

Chat's eyes widened as he finally realized who she was talking about. Her best friend. "Is it the boy you loved?"

Gwen's eyes widened as she lightly blushed at his words. She cleared her throat, looking at him. "Yeah. We had many disagreements and he kept pushing me to tell him my reasoning for keeping my secret. I thought I was doing the right thing in staying quiet. But I should have noticed the signs and I was too late to save him."

Chat's eyes softened as he worriedly looked at her. He remembered when Gwen mentioned that her best friend was killed and she was blamed for it by everyone. And because of that, she believed in their words subconsciously, blaming herself in the process. 

Chat tightened his hold on her hand. "Do you regret not telling him?"

"I don't know," she murmured. "Do I regret not telling him who I really was or do I regret not telling him I loved him? I'm not sure."

She grabbed both of his hands and tightened them as she stared at him, bringing his attention. "There are some secrets people don't wish to tell because they're scared. Ladybug could be keeping many secrets from you. But she relies on you more than everyone. If there comes a moment when Ladybug doesn't trust you enough...I'm here."

Chat's eyes widened as his breath hitched. Gwen smiled at him. 

"You and Ladybug are not equal. At least not in this situation. But you can be by trusting her that in due time, she'll tell you her secret. It takes time but if you ever want to confide with someone, my balcony doors are always open. Because you deserve trust more than anything."

Chat didn't realize his view was getting foggy as he can still see her beautiful smile. Gwen smiled as she pulled him in a hug which he gratefully hugged back. 

"Is there really a chance Ladybug will trust me?"

Gwen rubbed his back. "It's up to her. You don't have to do a thing. Let her do whatever she wants. The only thing you can do is sit back and wait for the time to come."

Chat smiled as he hugged her tightly. He sniffed, blinking away his tears. What did he ever do to deserve a girl like Gwen? He pulled back lightly as he placed his head against hers. 

"I'm sure your friend understands why you didn't tell him. I'm sure he doesn't blame you for what happened," he murmured as Gwen gasped. 

She chuckled as she blinked away her tears. "Now you want to make me cry? Not cool, man."

Chat smiled as he pulled her in a hug this time. He just hopes Gwen knows that she can also rely on him too. 

🕸🕷🕸

"Wait, so you're telling me that he lost his memories and now he wants to marry his cousin?" Chat frowned as he sat on the sofa, watching a movie. 

Gwen sipped on her soda and nodded. "He's adopted so they're not biologically cousins. Judy sucks."

Chat sighed, shaking his head. After their heartfelt moment, Gwen decided to put on a movie so they can relax in the tense air. Gwen was wearing her pajamas as she sat next to Chat who kept asking about the movie every second. 

"But she's better than the cousin!" Chat's eyes widened. 

Gwen laughed, reaching over to grab a popcorn filled with hot sauce and popping it in her mouth. "Meh."

Chat laughed but stopped as Gwen stiffened, looking at her. She frowned as she stood up and gasped as her apartment was being filled with water. Chat stood up too, looking at the ground in surprise. 

"Did you leave the water running?" Chat asked. 

Gwen frowned and ran to her restroom but it was clean and walked back to Chat. "It's not me."

Chat looked around and walked to her balcony and saw the city being filled with water. It was endless as it kept rising, reaching his knees. He went back to Gwen and grabbed her hand. "We have to go. The city is flooding."

Gwen deadpanned and sighed. "I just cleaned the apartment. This always happens," she murmured the last part. 

Chat grabbed her and carried her bridal style before jumping out the window and to the roof. He set her down and looked around the city. It seems more people reached the nearest rooftops too. 

He looked back to Gwen and grabbed her shoulders. "Stay here, I'll handle this with Ladybug."

Gwen smiled, "Don't get sappy with me and go, hero."

Chat grinned and jumped to other rooftops. Gwen looked around and saw people were far from her. She punched her fists together and dived into the water. 

🕸🕷🕸

Ladybug held her breath as she swam underwater. Her eyes widened as the whole city was enveloped by the sea. Based on the fish and sharks she passed by, she knew it isn't going to be easy. 

She stopped and hid as she spotted the akumatized victim grabbing Kim's wrist. She was thankful Kim had an air bubble to breathe but it was still difficult for her to breathe. 

Just as Kim and Syren passed, Ladybug wrapped her yo-yo around Kim's ankles. Syren wasn't happy about that and swam to retrieve him. She grabbed him and pulled but Ladybug held onto a rail. 

She gritted her teeth in frustration as she can't hold her breath much longer. She didn't anticipate an attack before too late as she was out of the surface and flying in the air about to fall. 

Ladybug coughed as Chat spotted her and caught her in his arms. 

"You didn't tell me you were going swimming today," Chat blinked. 

"I wasn't planning on it," she coughed. "Ladybugs aren't exactly cut out for deep-sea diving, you know."

"Cats aren't exactly crazy about water either, you know," he set her down. "Is there any chance you can get us a submarine?" he winked jokingly. 

"Pawssibly, kitty cat," she smirked and summoned her lucky charm. She frowned as she received a potion bowl in her hands.

"Huh. Well, we can always use it to scoop up the water. It'll just take a long time," Chat suggested. 

Ladybug's eyes widened as she finally realized what it was. "I'll be right back!"

Chat's eyes widened and grabbed her wrist, stopping her. "Wait! Where are you going?"

Ladybug frowned and hesitantly looked away. "I...can't."

Chat frowned at her, letting her go. "Say anything. Yeah, I know. But we are a team, aren't we?"

Even though Gwen has told her to wait, he at least wants to hear it from his partner. 

"I'm sorry. It's not exactly easy for me either, trust me," Ladybug sighed and jumped away to look for Master Fu. 

Ghost sighed behind them, hiding behind a roof. She knew it would take time but perhaps Chat is right. They trust each other, they could at least talk about it. 

She walked out and stood next to him. "Is everything okay?"

Chat looked up at her and sighed. "You know where she's going, don't you? Why don't you tell me?"

Ghost looked over yonder and looked back at him. "She's most likely talking to the man responsible for the miraculous."

Chat's eyes widened as he didn't expect her answer. "The who?"

"I can't say more," she shrugged. "I'm sure they'll talk to you someday. It takes time." She stopped as she sensed someone and smiled. 

"Hello, Chatnoir, Ghost-Spider," Master Fu smiled. 

Chat's eyes widened as he saw an old man in front of them. "It's you..." He thought back to the moment he met the old man back when he started school. "You! You're the man who–"

Master Fu lifted a green vial to Chatnoir. "I'll explain everything, I promise. But right now, you two must go and help Ladybug."

Ghost smirked as she glanced at the old man. "I'll leave you to it." With that, she dived into the water once more to find the akumatized victim. 

🕸🕷🕸

Kim laughed as he was inside an air bubble inside the swimming pool. He was sitting on the lifeguard's seat as if he were king. Syren swam up to him outside of the bubble. 

"I love what you've done with the pool! It's awesome!" Kim grinned. 

"This is the pool where the old me tried to pour her heart out to you so many times," Syren smiled. 

"But, uh...I've never seen a Syren at the pool," Kim frowned. 

Syren smiled as she lifted her wrist, showing her swimming bracelet. Kim took a moment to take a look at it before gasping in realization. "Ondine?!"

"I'm your Syren now. And you could be my merman," Syren swam closer and cupped his face. "It only needs a kiss, and you'll become just like me!"

"You mean I could swim as fast as you?" Kim's eyes widened. 

Syren pulled Kim's face towards her slowly. "Yes, Kim! You'll be my prince, and we'll rule this underwater city together, forever!"

Kim closes his eyes and leans to kiss when he stopped. "Wait, does that mean I never get to see Mecha Monkeys vs. Cyber Shark 3 with Gwen?"

Syren blinked and moved back. "What?!"

"Dude has his priorities."

Syren flinched and looked up to see Ghost-Spider floating and crossing her arms. "Nothing stops a man from watching a movie."

Syren fumed as Aquabug and Aquanoir swam next to Ghost. Ghost grinned at their outfits and whistled. "You guys look refreshing."

"The four of us can go together," Aquanoir started after chuckling at Ghost's joke. "I'll even share my popcorn."

Syren screamed as she swam towards them. Ghost was ready as she set her webbed fins on her fingers and made an electric charge. It only needs a touch. 

She smirked as Syren headed straight for her and Ghost took her head on. Syren pushed her against the wall as Aquanoir and Aquabug went to grab her but Ghost waved them off. 

"Take Kim out of here."

Aquabug nodded as she swam towards the boy. Aquanoir was hesitant but swam towards Ghost who grabbed Syren by the throat before electrocuting her. 

Syren let out a blood-curdling scream as she grabbed Ghost's wrist. Ghost knew that her strength and webbing wouldn't work well underwater, so she'll have to rely on her machinery. 

Including the webbed zappers she constructed. 

Ghost let go of Syren and kicked her away as Aquanoir joined her in the fray. Ghost frowned as she looked at Syren's bracelet. Out of everything Syren had, the bracelet was suspicious. Ladybug grabbed Kim and headed to the surface which Syren didn't like. 

"Kim!" she screamed and followed them. 

Aquanoir and Ghost weren't far behind as they followed too. Syren was fast but Aquanoir was faster as he grabbed Ghost's wrist and caught up to Aquabug. 

"Ladybug! What have you done to my prince?!" Syren exclaimed as she didn't see Kim anywhere. 

"I think he took someone else to the ball," Aquabug smirked as she had Kim on the surface and hiding from Syren. 

"I won't let you steal him from me! Kim is mine!" Syren screamed and chased after Aquabug. 

Aquabug swam away and called her partners. "Chatnoir! Ghost! Are you all right?"

"We're good," Ghost spoke, swimming next to her. 

"Great! Now, be ready to strike!" Aquabug swam faster as Syren was following her. She swam inside a car as Syren followed after her. 

"Guys! Now!"

Ghost slammed her electrifying fists on the car, causing the airbag to trap Syren. Aquanoir and Aquabug trapped Syren inside by closing the doors. Aquabug smirked as she locked it with a car key she summoned from her Aqua Lucky Charm. 

Ghost used some of her webbings and wrapped it around the car as the three swam up the surface. The three landed on a rooftop as Aquanoir grabbed the webbing and placed it on his staff as he extended it like a fishing rod. 

"Looks like I got a nibble!" he exclaimed as he pulled it, pulling out the car as it landed in front of them. 

"How cool! I always wanted a goldfish!" he grinned as he imitated a goldfish by flapping his hands beside his head which made Ghost and Aquabug laugh at his humor. 

Ghost smirked as she walked over and broke the door open, pulling the handle as the water inside poured out. Aquabug walked forward and grabbed Syren's bracelet, breaking it. 

Aquabug smiled as she capture the akuma and purified it, bringing everything back to normal. 

Syren turned back to Ondine. 

"Thank you for keeping your promise, Ladybug," Chat smiled. 

Ladybug smiled and raised her fists when she stopped. "You didn't call me m'lady."

Chat blinked and looked away. "I haven't?"

"It's been about three times," she blinked. 

Chat flushed as he glanced at Ghost who helped Ondine off the ground. "I...figured you didn't like it when I call you that."

Ladybug smiled, raising her fist. "I don't mind."

Chat chuckled as he raised his fist too and bumped it with hers. Ladybug smiled at him. "After all, we are a team."

🕸🕷🕸

"Nooroo...how can I obtain more powers?" Gabriel frowned in thought, not looking at his kwami.

His kwami, on the other hand, trembled at the mere sight of his owner. "What do you mean, Master?"

"Don't treat me like an idiot!" Gabriel snapped, turning to his kwami. "Ladybug and Chatnoir have new powers. How did they do it?"

"We kwamis do not know the recipes," Nooroo tried.

"It's inside this Grimoire, isn't it?" Gabriel lifted the book. "Can't you read it?" he asked as he flipped over the pages. 

"Only the Guardians can. I don't know anything, I swear!" Nooroo cried out. 

"Well then," Gabriel smirked. "I will have to find this Guardian of the Miraculous, wherever he is."

He flipped through the pages and found an image of a body with a spider in its hand. "Do you know anything about a particular spider?"

Nooroo's eyes widened which caught Gabriel's attention. "So you do...tell me everything."

(っ◔◡◔)っ ♥ Next Episode: Troublemaker ♥

A/N: I am going to skip Frightningale. Enjoy the memes our favorite meme creator made 😘 halla92455

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Published: November 1, 2022

Word Count: 4684