"Come on, look at all the nice plushies, don't you want to play with them?" Marin offered as he held his stuff toys before Noel. He'd offered to babysit for Nino so his friends could go to the movies, but soon realized that he was probably out of his element. Usually, Nino was with him to help quell his little brother's more boisterous side, but today he was on his own.

" I hate dolls. I hate toys. They're for babies!" Noel snapped as he kicked his backpack, scattering all of them on the ground.

Marin sighed, "I'm sorry Noel but your mom said no video games."

"I'm not scared of monsters like you. I'm a big boy!" Noel pouted angrily, crossing his arms and turning his head away from Marin.

Silently, Marin promised himself no more watching scary movies at his friends' house. He'd just have to sit alone at home in the dark if he wanted to overcome his newfound fear of possessed ventriloquist puppets. He flinched slightly as he looked down into the chest, seeing a familiar locked box that he had put in there earlier.

"Hey, what's that?"

Marin flinched as he quickly shut the chest, sitting on top of it trying to act casual. "What's what?"

Noel looked up at him in annoyance. "Hey no fair, come on what's that in the box?" His eyes then widened in excitement. "Is it a present for me?!"

"What? No, it's not not a present.." Marin said nervously, his eyes darted around, laying on one of Noel's fallen toys. "Hey, why don't we play with your snow globe?" He tried to offer but saw that it wasn't working on the kid.

"Tell me what's in the box!" Noel demanded.

Marin averted his gaze as he could feel the presence of the white bod in the chest he was sitting on. Even thinking about it made him tremble, almost making him cry if he didn't force himself not to cry in front of a child. Nino's little brother no less.

"I can't tell you, it's a super-secret," Marin said, but that only seemed to prod Noel further. "You wouldn't be interested in these, because gifts are for babies, right? And you're a big kid aren't you?" He said, trying to quell Noel's interest.

"Yeah, so I can keep secrets!" Noel insisted as he stood before Marin eagerly. "Tell me, I promise I won't tell anyone!"

"I can't tell you this secret Noel." Marin said, trying his best to be sincere, but quickly realized that it fell on deaf ears. He wasn't getting out of this unless he gave Noel something to chew on. He looked down at the globe in his hands, tapping the glass with his nail before he got an idea. "Alright. You've found me out, I'm actually one of Santa Claus's secret elves on a secret mission, to keep gifts away from little children like you."

Marin grimaced wondering when did lying become his go-to for simple solutions.

"Hmm," Noel inquired as he stared at Marin in disbelief. "Are you lying? You don't look like an elf. They're supposed to be short and funny looking."

"...That's because those elves live in the north pole, they're Santa's helpers. I'm a special elf, one that looks like a person so no one suspects anything. But I can't say anything else, otherwise, I'll lose my elf license." He lightly teased, hoping that was enough for Noel to stop asking questions.

"Hey wait, that means you can give me my Christmas present early!" Noel said as his eyes lit up much to Marin's chagrin. " I asked for a Grobotech Ultimate Destructor! It's easy, it's gotta be the biggest one in the box!" Noel said as he tried to open the chest but found no luck.

"Now wait a minute, I thought toys were for babies."

"Christmas isn't for babies, Chrismas presents are for everyone!" Noel grunted as he continued to try an open the trunk. "Can't I please have my toy Marin?" Noel asked now changing his tune. He widened his eyes, looking up at him sweetly. But Marin knew the intent behind that fake smile, Manon had trained him well for these kinds of moments.

"Sorry Noel, but Christmas rules are very strict. You don't open gifts early. Santa gives them at Christmas, not at Easter or Halloween. Otherwise, you'd might as well have a bunny or a witch delivering your presents."

Noel pouted, crossing his arms, but looked up to Marin with a little hope. "But, since you know him, you could ask him if I could have my toy? Can't just you call him on the phone or send him an email?"

Marin shook his head. " I can't do that. He's extremely busy all year round, that why he has to hire special elves. Besides, your present isn't here anyway. We elves don't watch over gifts for kids we know, one of the elves must have it. Santa's the only one who would know where to find it because he knows who's getting what. He has a list of good children."

Noel sat down on the ground in a silent tantrum, clearly not liking the answer he received.

"Hey, why don't we go for the park?" Marin suggested kneeling before Noel. "Your big brother's coming by to pick you up soon. Why won't we meet him at the park and I'll get you some nice cotton candy while we wait."

Noel didn't say anything, sitting still as Marin picked up his toys and putting them back into his bag a significantly harder task when using one arm.

Marin stood awkwardly as he held Noel's hand while they waited in line at the snack vendor. He hadn't said a thing since they left his house, now Noel was pouting and uncharacteristically quiet.

"Next."

Marin turned towards his head towards the vendor and was taken aback as he saw Master Fu wearing a fake mustache and clearly standing on top of a crate behind his stand. Over the past few weeks Master Fu had been jumping from job to job to support his new lifestyle.

"What'll it be sonny?" Master Fu asked in-character, speaking a different accent, he wasn't sure what kind but it had to be an accent of something.

"...One cotton candy please, sir." Marin asked as he watched Master Fu spin cotton candy before him. It was kind of surreal finding Master Fu pop up in random places across town, but oddly enough this wasn't the weirdest place that Marin had come across him.

"What a handsome young lad. Is he your brother sonny?" Master Fu asked playfully, but Noel didn't respond.

"I'm actually watching him for a little while." Marin said to keep up appearances.

"Why the long face young man?" Master Fu asked looking down at Noel who started scrunching up his face in frustration.

"Santa isn't going to give me my present until Christmas!" Noel suddenly yelled out, crossing his arms as a new tantrum was triggered.

"Ha, we've had a day." Marin chuckled nervously as he quickly handed Noel the cotton candy then gently pushed towards him towards a nearby bench. "Why don't you sit while I pay?" Marin suggested, gently pushing Noel towards a nearby bench. Marin forced himself to smile as he watched Noel walk away begrudgingly for a moment before his smile dropped.

"Is it a coincidence that you're here at the park Master Fu?" Marin asked.

"You act as though I need an excuse to check on my favorite student." He said with a carefree smile on his face.

Marin's expression softened as Master Fu rolled more cotton candy. "Thank you, but I'm alright. It's been hard trying to adjust, even more so since I won't be going back to school on Monday..." He said to himself as he recalled that he hadn't told anyone of his friends yet, giving him more anxiety. "But it'll be fine. I can hold my own Master." Marin said, though he was grateful that no Akuma had popped up as of late.

"You do not have to keep doing this to yourself you know." Master Fu remarked, keeping his focus on the cotton candy before him.

"Hm?"

"Pushing yourself as Ladybug always made you stronger, but pushing yourself as Marinus as well will drain you." Master Fu said aloud.

Marin averted his gaze as he clutched the sleeve of his jacket, now loosely hanging over his shoulders so long as his arm was still broken. "I'll tell you about everything when I'm ready Master." He promised, wanting desperately to confide everything he experienced with his master. "I'm just not ready to, not yet."

Master Fu nodded thoughtfully. "I trust in your judgment Marinus, even being the Guardian takes its toll on me. Just know, there is no problem to need to face alone." He said, holding up the saturated, giant cotton candy treat before his student.

Marin was about to take it before he remembered. " Oh right." He said about to take out his wallet out of his messenger bag.

"It's on the house." Master Fu remarked, handing the treat over to him.

Marin nodded his thanks as he walked away from Master Fu, though he felt a little guilty accepting it. In the past few days, he had already lost his appetite. He wasn't even sure what to do with this, but the pit in stomach grew as he saw Noel just sitting on the bench looking at his cotton candy, untouched. Marin took a deep breath as he sat down next to Noel. "You know, there is one exception to the Christmas rule."

Noel lit up as he clutched the snow globe in his hand. "Really? What is it, what is it?"

Internally, Marin screamed at himself not so say anything further, but he couldn't bear to see Noel looking sad. "Santa is allowed to make one exception but only for the best-behaved kid in the whole world."

Noel's eyes widened in anticipation. "Who's the best-behaved kid in the whole world?"

Marin hummed for a moment, keeping the child in suspense as he tried to think of a reasonable answer." Hm, maybe Ladybug?" He said even though he was sure that was far from the truth. Ladybug saved so many people, but it was Swallowtail who saved the person who mattered most to him.

Noel nodded, seeming to concede as he slumped back down on the bench. "Well, seeing as he saved Paris a gazillion times, that makes sense." He said as he took the cotton candy from Marin, taking a bite of the fluffy sweet.

"Marin!" Nino called as he walked over to them. "Did you guys have fun?" Nino asked as he tried to get his brother's attention, but was receiving the silent treatment.

"How was the movie?" Marin asked handing Nino his brother's bag.

"Awesome. Sorry for pushing my little bro on you Marin." Nino said, as Marin noticed him looking at his broken arm.

" Don't worry about it." Marin said with a smile as Nino then looked down at his little brother.

Hm, what's up little dude?" Nino asked crouching before him, then all of a sudden his little brother began to cry out.

"I want it to be Christmas right now!" Noel whined breaking his silence with another tantrum.

Marin exchanged a surprised look with his friends before chuckling nervously. "Ah-ha...we had some rough patches," Marin admitted as Nino picked up Noel in his arms after shouldering his bag. Just as he was about to turn away, he hesitated for a moment before turning back to one of his best friends.

"So hey, can we talk about...this?" Nino asked, gesturing to all of him.

"Ah," Marin chuckled sheepishly, "I got really messed up the other day. That's what I get for forgetting to wear a helmet while biking." He said, lying through his teeth. It was the same lie he told to his parents, something so simple it could happen to anyone. However, if he was ever put up to explaining the ugly bruises on his neck...he'd be in trouble.

"Oh man that sucks dude." Nino said, sighing heavily. "But I'm glad you're alright, everyone was worried about you during that whole expulsion thing. I'm pretty sure that everyone's gonna freak out when they see you again at school." Nino chuckled in amusement, thinking about his friend's reactions.

"...about that." Marin said nervously.

Adrien thanked his bodyguard as he walked towards the school building with a smile on his face. Despite Marin not going to see the movie with himself, Nino and Alya he was in high spirits, hoping that everything would quickly go back to normal.

Good Morning Nino." Adrien greeted as he walked up to his friend sitting at the staircase, with his face in his hands. He flinches back as he saw Adrien standing over him now curious.

"What's up, forget to study again?"

Adrien chuckled as he sat down next to him.

Nino mirrored his laughter, but more somberly ahis laughter quickly faded. He then sighed heavily, adjusting his baseball cap.

"I'm going to be real here with you for a second here dude." Nino said seriously, surprising Adrien as he had never heard his friend speak in that tone before.

"Okay? Should I sit down?" Adrien joked, but could see how distressed his friend was. "Or ask Marin to get those cookies you love?'

"So...here's the thing about that..." Nino said aloud, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. "He's not coming back."

Thre was a brief respite of silence between them.

"...I'm sorry?" Adrien asked while Nino sighed heavily once more.

"Marin's not coming back. Apparently he got into some biking accident or something, and now his parents aren't allowing him to go back to school."

"Wh-what do you mean some accident?" Adrien asked growing more distressed.

"Dude, he's alright he broke his arm and half his face got messed up but other than that he's good." Nino said trying to reassure him. "His parents don't want to take any risks so he's going to be homeschooled until his injuries heal up."

Adrien was at a loss for words.

"Oh, but he did ask you to clean out his locker for him, also to wish you a happy fifth name day, or something," Nino informed patting Adrien's shoulder as he walked into the building.

Marin's eyes shot open as he gripped his shirt tightly. His entire body was covered in a cold sweat as he sat up, resting his head in his hand as he tried to calm his breath. Somehow he had fallen asleep at his desk as he was using his textbook as a pillow. He only calmed down as he saw his Miraculous Box nearby, placed carefully inside Tikki's yarn basket. But even with that relief, his head hurt all the time, and being stuck in one room was making him more anxious than anything. Looking up towards his skylight he saw that there was still light out despite it growing cloudy. He walked over to his sink, carefully splashing water on his face so as to not irritate his injury. His eye lingering on his ears void of his Miraculous. He hadn't summoned her since that day, partially because earings were hard to put on with one hand. But it would be cruel of him to keep her sealed away like that, not knowing why her partner hadn't summoned her.

But then something caught his eye as Marin thought he saw something white fall from the sky outside his window. "Huh?" He questioned as he climbed up to his deck, lifting up the skylight he saw snow falling from the sky along with flying catfish breathing fire. Marin then looked over the edge of the railing spotting a troop of life-sized plastic army soldiers patrolling the streets. He had been doing this long enough to know where this was going, and his suspicions were only confirmed as he saw a T-Rex running down the street barking orders to a Teddy bear about finding Santa Claus.

Marin took a deep breath as he opened up his Miraculous box, seeing a red ball of light materialize before him, transforming into his previous Kwami. Tikki yawned, as she then stared at her partner for a moment before tearfully hugging him. No words needed to be shared between them for Marin to know what Tikki was thinking as he petted her.

"It wasn't your fault sugarcube." He tried to reassure. "It was just a bad situation." He said, wondering how much she was privy to after his Miraculous was removed. She didn't respond immediately as Marin pulled her back, allowing her to sit on the palm of his hand.

" Tikki, spots on!"

Ladybug took precautions as he lept through Paris, stopping for a moment before a jumbotron and Nadja looking worried while she reported the news. He stared in disbelief at this entire situation; Paris had turned into a winter wonderland- of sorts-, toys were running amok on the streets, and for some reason, they were looking for Santa Claus.

"Nadja Chamack here, don't be bemused it's just the news. Paris has been literally invaded by giant toys looking for Santa Claus-"

"Major Teddiski here, Santa Claus. All your toys belong to us. If you don't give yourself up real quick, this little city of Paris will go kaboom, lickety-split! Under the order of Christmaster!" A familiar teddy bear announced.

Ladybug narrowed his eyes as he too a moment to look down at his injured arm. As Ladybug his cast had disappeared, he could feel the use of his arm was limiting. said as he was taken off guard by deer flying away from what appeared to be some kind of wreckage...of a giant sleigh. He looked down into an alleyway, seeing a large sleigh

"Yo, you'll never guess what I just found." Chat Noir said though his device, sounding excited. "You there?" He asked, following up as Ladybug didn't respond almost immediately.

"Yeah, just send me location." Ladybug responded promptly before hanging up. He placed his good hand over his heart, feeling it race as soon as he heard Chat Noir's voice. It was too similar to...

"No, they're not the same." Ladybug tried to reason, taking a deep breath before checking Chat Noir's location.

"I smell a wood fire and cinnamon cookies. Santa Claus must be nearby! Soldiers, get in line!"

Ladybug overheard as he peeked out, seeing plastic toys assembling in militaristic groups.

" Follow me this way! Searching for Santa Claus far and wide! Searching for Santa—" The toy soldiers chanted in unison as they made their way towards him.

Ladybug's eyes widened for a moment, looking back at the

Chat Noir crossed his arms as he stood at the ice rink, looking at the rink over fawn over Santa Claus of all people. His tears twitched as he heard a series of footsteps on the roof, smiling as he recognized the sound. A few seconds later ha saw his partner jumping through the window and towards them.

"You can you believe this? It's Santa!" Chat Noir whispered in excitement as he pulled his partner aside.

Ladybug stared at him for a moment before looking back at Sata Slaus and then returned to staring at his partner, his mind clearly racing.

"What are you thinking?" Chat Noir asked.

"...It's nothing." Ladybug said taking a step back. "We have to move this guy soon. The toys outside already have his scent."

"I'm not surprised." Chat Noir commented as he noticed that Santa smalled like the epitome of Christmas.

" I'm so glad you're alright, we need to get you to safety." Ladybug commented as Santa Claus stood up.

"I have no what happened, one moment I was busy supervising the production of toys for next Christmas with my elves when all of a sudden, bang! I woke up in my sleigh in the Paris sky. Flying catfishes destroyed my sleigh. My reindeer were able to get away, but if it hadn't been for Cat Noir, they would have captured me."

"Isn't this the part where you say, 'Don't you think this whole thing is kind of strange?'" Chat Noir teased, crossing his arms.

"Not really." The hero remarked. "All of this is pretty much par for the course."

Then, there was a sudden blast as the toys from before blasted through the wall.

" My sense of smell has sniffed you out, Santa! Follow me and do not show resistance!" The toy dog demanded.

"Stay back, Santa!" Chat Noir said extending his staff.

"Christmaster demands his gift!"

Christmaster, huh?

Ladybug thought to himself as he narrowed his eyes as he took out his yo-yo, holding it behind his back.

"Christmas gifts must be deserved, and they're only given at Christmas. If you think I'm going to bend the rules, you're barking up the wrong tree." Santa scolded at the toys threatening him, but then the rink owner skated between the two opposing sides.

"Now hold on a minute, there's no use in fighting, that's not the Christmas spirit, now is it?" He offered, piquing the interest of the dog toy. "Would it be such a big deal if you gave the presents early, just this once?"

" Listen to the smart man." The toy said.

" And while we're at it, I asked for Super Blades and I could really use them for my upcoming competition." The rink owner added hopefully.

"I kinda like this idea. I asked for-OW!" Chat Noir quipped as Ladybug flicked his head.

"That's not the way it works."

"Aw, why not?" Bot h Chat Noir and Philippe asked, sincerely disappointed.

"What do you mean why not?" Ladybug quipped, growing more annoyed at this ridiculous situation. "Are you guys children?"

"...I am." Chat Noir said raising his hand causing Ladybug to slap his forehead.

" Christmas rules are very strict. You don't open gifts early. I give them at Christmas, not Easter or Halloween. Otherwise, you might as well have a bunny or a witch delivering your presents."

"But couldn't you…" the Rink owner asked.

"…make an exception?" Chat Noir finished but then grew embarrassed as Ladybug pulled him back, frowning at him as Chat Noir smiled sheepishly.

"Tradition is a tradition if we stop respecting it, then it's the end of Christmas!" Santa lectured as everyone who was eager was

Santa Claus pondered for a moment, as though he were recollecting a thought. "Well, there is one case in which I could make an exception for the best-behaved kid in the whole world.

"The one at the top of your list of good children?" Ladybug asked having a sneaking suspicion.

"Bravo, Ladybug. At last someone who knows the rules of Christmas. But I doubt your Christmaster is the best-behaved kid in the whole world." Santa praised.

" In that case, soldiers, attack!" The toy dog ordered as a barrage of plastic soldiers entered the rink.

Just as Chat Noir was about to step forward he felt himself being pulled back, off of the rink, and towards the sidelines where Santa nad Ladybug were standing.

"What are you-" Chat Noir was about to ask until he saw the enemies all sliding on the ice, unable to keep their footing.

"Ladybug, Cat Noir, protect Santa, I can take care of these toys!" The rink owner said, holding his own as the rest of them ran towards the exit.

On the streets, Ladybug looked around until he spotted what he was looking for.

"This way." He signaled, turning into an alleyway and he was followed by Santa and Chat Noir.

"Is this where Christmaster is?" Chat Noir half-joked, until he saw the dumpster and instinctively his ears flattened. "Please don't tell me..."

"May I Santa?" Ladybug said as Santa handed over his hat. "Sorry about this sir, but we're going to have to get rid of your smell." He said, tapping the dumpster. However, Santa shook his head in understanding.

"It's smelly work, but if it'll help you two out." He said before lifting himself into the dumpster.

Ladybug then placed Santa's hat on Chat Noir's head, adjusting it slightly so it rested on his head. The plan clicked his mind almost immediately as the cat-themed hero smiled cheekily.

"I assume I'm the star of your plan my lady?"

"The toys already have Santa's scent, I'll need you to draw them away while I get Santa somewhere where Chrismaster would never suspect to look."

"And where's that?" Chat Noir inquired as Santa jumped out of the dumpster, immediately the hero pinched his nose, repulsed by the scent.

"I assume that means the camouflage is working." Ladybug commented, already being aware of Chat Noir's heightened senses.

"This way! I smell Santa Claus's scent!" They overheard Ladybug quickly took Chat Noir's staff off of his belt. He removing the tracking device, placing one on himself and then placing one of the trackers from his yo-yo onto Chat Noir's hat.

"We'll catch up later." Ladybug said as Chat Noir nodded, jumping onto a nearby fire escape before jumping onto the roof.

"There he is! I can smell him. He is not far. Follow me!"

Ladybug signaled Santa not to move behind him as they saw the soldiers rushing by, assumingly going to chase down Chat Noir. He then took out his yo-yo, intending to swing his wag across the city, but then froze for a moment. He flexed the fingers on his injured hand, wincing in pain. Being Ladybug didn't take away from the fact that his arm was still broken. Even so, he looked back towards Santa after hooking his yo-yo onto a rooftop.

"I hope you're not afraid of heights sir." Ladybug said, noticing Santa Claus scoff.

"If I were afraid heights I wouldn't be able to do my job very well now would I?" He responded.

Ladybug started him at a for a moment in confusion before he remembered who he was talking to.

The two landed before a house nearby, Ladybug saw Nino yelling out onto the streets looking frantic and that fear didn't waver when spotted Ladybug.

"Ladybug! My little bro Noel, he was in his bedroom and then he disappeared! Uh, Santa Claus?" Nino then rasped as he noticed the old man.

" Ho ho, hello, Nino!" Santa Claus greeted with a smile while Nino looked at Ladybug for any kind of explanation.

Ladybug placed a hand on his friend's shoulder. "Calm down Mr. Lahiffe, I think your brother has been akumatized. Did you notice anything different about his room maybe some toys missing?"

Nino fixed his glasses as he nodded. "Yeah, a bunch of his favorite ones."

Ladybug averted his gaze for a moment as he thought for a moment before glancing at Nino again, "Do you by chance have a pen, paper, wrapping paper, a huge box, and an envelope?"

Nino's eyes darted through Ladybug's requests, reviewing if he actually had that stuff before nodding. "Yeah."

"Great, can you go grab those for me?" Ladybug asked. "I promise it'll help."

Nino nodded with determination as he ran back into his house, returning only a few minutes later with all the items in a large box.

"I never really get where you going with this kinda stuff." Nino remarked as Ladybug took out the pen and paper, using Nino's back as a desk as he quickly scribbled something, then proceeded to place the note in the envelope.

"I hear you can send these year 'round." Ladybug said, handing over the envelope which Santa accepted. "Could have my Christmas present right now, Mr. Claus? Please?"

Santa Claus clicked this tongue. "You know that I can't do that Ladybug"

"Except…" Ladybug prompted as Santa took the hint, taking out his list and scrolling to the top of the list, his eyes then lit up as he laughed heartily.

"Unbelievable! Ladybug, you are the best-behaved kid in the whole world."

"Well, seeing as she saved Paris a gazillion times, it totally makes sense." Nino said proudly, nudging Ladybug's side with his elbow.

Santa Claus opened up the letter, reading it aloud. "Dear Santa, I want the same gift as Chris Lahiffe, whatever it is. Are you sure about this? You know that this is the only gift you'll get this whole year from me."

Ladybug shook his head. "That kind of stuff doesn't matter to me, all I care about is getting Noel home."

"Aww-Dude!" Ladybug then tensed up as Nino hugged him.

"Ah, you really do deserve to be at the top of my list. Merry Christmas, Ladybug." Santa Claus said, handing over a red box with a black ribbon from his bag.

"Thank you Santa, now get to safety. Mr. Lahiffe, I'm going to need you help now." Ladybug said, turning towards him.

"Mission accomplished Christmaster. We have captured Santa Claus.!" The dog announced as Chat Noir looked towards the small child before them as he was tied up and hanging from a rope within a catfish's mouth.

" He tried to trick us by dressing up as Cat Noir. But he couldn't fool us." One of the soldiers added as Chat Noir chuckled nervously.

" You were tricked! That's Chat Noir dressed up as Santa Claus, not the other way around! You're such babies!" Chrismaster snapped, throwing a building block at the soldier. " Keep searching!" He ordered as the catfish remained.

Chat Noir struggled against the bindings, but they were too tight for him to move, let alone use his claws or cataclysm to free himself. He become more concerned as Chrismaster eyed him mischievously.

"Give your paw, cat, Hawk Moth says he wants your ring. It's a stupid dumb-dumb Christmas gift, but that's his price." He said, but just before he eas about to take the ring, both of then turned to see a large wrapped box behind dropped before them, one that was wrapped in green and yellow wrapping paper.

"A present for you Chrismaster, one from Santa himself." A toy soldier said and almost immediately Chrismaster's eyes lit up.

"It's huge!" He said with a large smile, and in a second he forgot all about Chat Noir, who sighed in relief. He took notice of the snowglobe in Chrismaster's hand, seeing that no matter how excited he was, he wasn't letting go of the toy. Chrismaster shredded the wrapping paper as he opened up the tall box, then his smile faded as he was suddenly grabbed by Ladybug who had jumped out of the gift.

"NO NO!" Chrismaster shouted in frustration as he struggled in the hero's arms.

"The snowglobe!" Chat Noir yelled out just as Chrismaster touched it, his previous frustration quickly turning into a victorious grin as the sky above them opened up, releasing two action figures of Ladybug and Chat Noir that grew in size due to Chrismaster's power.

" Have fun being destroyed dumb-dumbs!" Chrismaster laughed before Ladybug shoved him in the box before evading one of the toy Chat Noir's attacks.

"Ah, a little help please!" Chat Noir yelled out as the toy Ladybug approached him. Ladybug heard his call and threw his yo-yo towards him, cutting him loose of the rope just as Toy Ladybug was about to attack.

"Lucky charm!" Toy Ladybug said robotically as it threw up its faux yo-yo, receiving a spiked mace before attacking Chat Noir. The cat-themed hero dodged its attacks and attacked it back using his staff to disarm his opponent.

"Cataclysm!" Toy Chat Noir exclaimed as it tried to destroy Ladybug. The hero kept jumping back until he felt his back against the wall, and then forced Toy Chat Noir to use his cataclysm on the present behind him.

However, as the two toys were disarmed, they both activated their powers again, this time Toy Ladybug summoned a morning star while Toy Chat Noir reactivated his Cataclysm.

"Playtime never ends for these two." Chat Noir commented as he and Ladybug stood back to back with their enemies slowly closing in. "If I could probably take these two out if I time my cataclysm right."

"Better not." Ladybug said as they both sprinted to avoid Toy Ladybug's attacks. "Chrismaster would probably just summon more to replace them.

" Hahaha my toys are going to destroy you. You guys are such babies!" Chrismaster cheered as he laughed at the two heroes being chased by giant toys.

"I think I might have an idea." Ladybug said as he threw up his yo-yo while they ducked for cover. "Lucky Charm!" he said and from it received a roll of ribbon.

"So hey, what was that earlier?" Chat Noir asked as they ran.

"What was what?"

"Come on, you know, kinda being a killjoy about presents." Chat Noir pointed out.

"You're the one who was being a little kid about it."

"Uh, yeah! It's Santa!"

"So what?"

"SO WHAT?! We got to meet THE Santa Claus, how are you so calm about that?"

"You actually believe in Santa Claus?"

"WHA-We just saw Santa!" Chat Noir pointed out as "What do you mean believe?" Chat Noir then narrowed his eyes suspiciously.

Ladybug wondered if he should remind his partner that everything created from Hawkmoth's Akuma was just a manifestation of the possessed victim's desires. The Santa they interacted with earlier was the same one he made up for Noel's sake, nothing about him was real except for the how everyone believed he was Santa.

They both then split up as the present behind them was destroyed and each toy pursed their namesake respectively.

"Come on partner, don't you remember that feeling when you'd write to him for that one present you really wanted, or you'd wait up for Santa to catch him putting presents under the tree?!" Chat Noir asked as he evaded Toy Chat Noir's swipes.

"Of course not!" Ladybug called back, "I got presents from my parents! Who would write to someone for a gift?!"

"It's the thought that counts! Santa's basically a superhero himself, he and his elves spend all year making gifs and writing lists then one day of the year every kid in the world wakes up happy. What's better than that?"

"I don't know, maybe the idea that someone would just give a gift to someone they hardly know?" Ladybug reasoned.

"You only give gifts to people you really care about, because you want to see them happy!" Chat Noir shot back as he narrowly evaded a cataclysm, kicking back Toy Chat Noir towards Toy Ladybug. The impact sent theme to the ground as Ladybug acted quickly, binding their hands together with his Lucky Charm as best as he could with his injured hand.

"That's not going to hold them for long!" Ladybug called out.

"Do you mean to tell me that you don't believe in Santa?" Chat Noir walked as they both ran towards Chrismaster's throne.

"Ah! No fair, my toys!" Chrismaster cried out as both heroes approached him.

"Playtime's over kid." Chat Noir said as he held his staff in hand.

"No!" Chrismaster snapped but just as he was about to

"Hm, you know someone told me that you didn't even like your globe. I'll make you a deal, how about you trade your snowglobe for one of my toys?" Ladybug asked noticing that Chrismaster was taking notice.

"NO, this is my snowglobe!" Chrismaster shouted as he pressed his snowglobe, activating his power again. Chat Noir nodded towards Ladybug before running interference against the new toy soldiers.

"Nah, you're right, that's Chrismaster's snowglobe, but I talked to your friend Marin, and you what he told me? He said that his friend Noel was a good boy who'd share his toys with anyone." Ladybug said as Chat Noir turned his head towards him. in surprise.

For a moment, Christmaster looked conflicted as he clutched his snowglobe. "He did?"

"Yup," Ladybug nodded as he knelt down before him, "He also told me about that toy you wanted.

"...I wasn't a good friend to him, was I?"

"Probably not, but if you won't mind, would you want to trade this for that snow globe of yours? I promise I'll give it right back."

Christmaster looked between his globe and the box before he trading it for the toy he desperately wanted. Christmaster immediately fell to his knees in excitement, ripping the rest of the paper off and taking out his new robot happily.

Just as Chat Noir was about to smash the globe and release the Akuma but was stopped as Ladybug placed a hand on his shoulder. Ladybug then tilted his head towards Chrismaster who was still playing with his new toy happily.

"Let's give him a few minutes." He requested but then felt embarrassed as Chat Noir smiled at him smugly.

"...What?" Ladybug asked as Chat Noir smiled down at him with a cheeky grin.

"Nothing."

"Thanks again for looking after the little dude, Marin." Nino said gratefully as they stood in Marin's room. "Are you sure that you can handle him?"

Marin chuckled nervously as he held Noel with his good arm, "It's no problem, at all. Say, uh-"

"I TOLD EVERYONE ABOUT HOW YOU BROKE YOUR ARM." Nino said abruptly,

"What?"

"I'm sorry! I couldn't help it!"

Marin placed Noel on the ground as he walked over to his messenger bag to turn on his phone. As he turned it on his phone started blowing up with notifications.

"Ah..."

"Don't worry about it dude." Marin sighed as he turned his phone back off. "...how did they react?"

"Well, I mean they were all kind of freaked out when I said, but I think they're chill about it now." Nino said, though Marin didn't really belive him.

"When did you tell them?"

"Yesterday."

"..."

Marin stared at his friend, but then sighed heavily as he placed his hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry about it dude. Did anyone clean out my locker yet?"

"No, I don't think so, why?" Nino asked.

"...no reason, I just had something I had to give to Adrien that's all." Marin quickly clarified as Nino then left. The moment the door close, Marin knelt down towards Noel, who was pouting. "Noel, I owe you an apology, I shouldn't have told you that I was one of Santa's elves. But you were acting—"

"Lika a baby, I know." Noel said finished off Marin's sentence then looked up at him apologetically. "My mommy says lying is wrong. So from now on, we'll always tell each other the truth, okay?" He asked holding out his pinky towards him.

Marin was stunned for a moment but then smiled as he returned the gesture. "Alright. As long as you stop trying to act all grown up." He said ruffling his hair.

"Psh." Noel scoffed. "You act all grown up too." He pointed out. "You lied just so I wouldn't find out what was in the chest."

Marin stared at him for a moment before getting embarrassed at how right this kid was. He groaned into his hands, before facing Noel again. "You're right, Noel. I should be honest with you about what's in there." He took a deep breath as he walked over to the chest, taking a deep breath as he opened it. Noel looked on in excitement as Marin took out the white box he had hidden inside.

As he opened it up Chat Noir's words from earlier ringing in his mind.

You only give gifts to people you really care about, because you want to see them happy

He recalled as he unlocked the box, revealing a silver pocket watch. As he held it in his hand, he recalled the moment when he came to his senses back at the riverside, with the silver pocket watch in his hand as he turned his head towards it with his back to the ground.

"That's it, just a silly watch?" Noel asked in disappointment, pulling Marin out of his thoughts as he chuckled.

"Yeah...that's all it really was, just a silly watch."He said aloud, sitting with his back to the chest as Noel sat down next to him.

"Ugh, I don't get big kid stuff, can I draw on your cast now?"

Marin chuckled as he ruffled Noel's hair. "Sure bud, it's all yours."

Adrien slumped down on the bench, chugged down water as just as he was exhausted from an all-day practice. He was so tired he hadn't even bothered changing out of his fencing gear yet, taking a break on a nearby bench. He heard a buzz from his phone, as he took it out he saw a new message from Marin on it. His eyes widened in surprise, no one had heard from him all weekend except for Nino. For a moment his eyes went to the worst possible place, that maybe his best friend would be mad at him, that he would be in worse shape than Nino first told him, or probably something far worse than anything he was thinking of.

He was then snapped out of his thoughts as he saw Kagami standing before him, already having changed out of her uniform. "My mother is waiting outside, do you want a ride back?" Kagami asked holding her fencing bag in hand.

"I...have something to do, I'll catch up to you in a bit." Adrien said with a smile.

Kagami nodded, walking out the door, and as soon as she was gone Adrien opened up the message, feeling his heart face from anticipation

[Marin: Sorry to trouble you. I know you're at school right now. I got some stuff in my locker I needed to give to you so you can just get if now if you want.]

Adrien frowned. He wasn't sure why, but he got an uneasy feeling in his stomach. He looked up at his friend's locker before walking over to it. It was already hard to believe that he wasn't going to see his friend that often anymore. He entered the combination, but just as he opened the door his phone buzzed again.

[Marin: ALSO PLEASE THROW AWAY WHAT'S IN THE WHITE BOX, THEY'RE PROBABLY GONE .]

Inside, Adrien saw two boxes, one large one and one small one, the rest of the locker was empty as Marin always carried his books everywhere with him.

He picked up the smaller box first as Plagg popped out of his gym bag sniffing the air, then dawned a cheeky grin. "I smell something tasty!" He exclaimed flying towards the box which Adrien tried to keep away from him.

"Now Plagg, Marin asked me to toss these away." He said.

"He's not gonna care what happens to it!" Plagg reasoned, successfully knocking the box out of his partner's hands and revealing a box of macaroons. "HA HA!" Plagg laughed triumphantly as he went to town on the cookies. Adrien then sighed heavily as he picked up the other box. As he opened it up he saw a red bomber jacket with ladybug printed spots on it.

Adrien looked over it for a moment as he recognized it as the same one Marin offered to make him months ago.

"PLEGH!"

Adrien heard Plagg grimacing and sighed. "I told you not to eat them."

"It's not that, it's mint and orange! Gross! The baker boy clearly has no taste." Plagg remarked as he flew back into Adrien's gym bag, searching for his precious camembert.

[Dear Adrien,

Happy fifth name day, I didn't wait to give you this jacket on a special day, that would be ridiculous.

Marin]

Adrien laughed at the card as he turned towards the box of macaroons. Looking down at them despite how crummy he felt about being bad friend. he couldn't help but feel extremely fortunate as he popped one of the stale cookies in his mouth.

Notes:

-I was a little sad that the original Nino/Ladybug interaction was overwritten

-Marin's keeping the cast on for a while so it'll be consistent for a few chapters

- Mar doesn't believe in Santa necessarily, he's just very pragmatic. He pretty much just asked for soft toys and DIY equipment for Christmas.

- Adrien on the other hand would stay up with his mom but ended up always falling asleep before midnight waiting for him.

- Master Fu is a good gramps.

- That pocket watch is going to come back, and it's going to be extremely painful when it does