Hi there, Miraculous fans! I'm pretty new to this fandom, but I've been around the site for a while, and my readers should be pretty much used to the fact that I keep starting new stories instead of finishing old ones! I have some ideas for stories starring Ladybug and Chat Noir, so I figured I might as well start sharing them with you!

The basic premise of this story is: while watching the episode 'Darkblade' (one of my favourites!) I began thinking, what would happen if Chloe succeeded at getting Marinette's diary? This story follows that scenario. It also explores what I think could potentially happen after the events of series 1, and builds on some of the relationship developments between Marinette and Adrien. I don't think anyone will object to reading about that!

Some quick notes before we get started. Concerning language/translation, I watch Miraculous episodes in French, purely out of preference. Because of that, I will use a lot of the French terminologies (ie. Chat Noir instead of Cat Noir, Chronogirl instead of Timebreaker, etc) since I am more familiar with them; except for where the sudden use of French words seems to get in the way of the English narrative and becomes intrusive (ie. Copycat instead of L'Imposteur). I suppose what I really mean is, I just use whatever I like according to my taste - as a disclaimer, I don't speak French! If it bothers people too much, I can change it all to the English versions.

As mentioned, this story is set at the end of Series 1, post-'Volpina', so if you don't want spoilers, you probably shouldn't read this!

I think that's everything, so without further ado, enjoy! ~ W.J.

A Class Act

Chapter One

"It's not fair!" Chloe raged, flinging an expensive handbag across the room; it landed on a cushion-covered chaise lounge with a soft 'flump'. Resisting the urge to check that it wasn't scuffed, she seized a handful of berets from a hat rack and threw them angrily on the ground, taking care not to tread on them as she stomped across her luxury suite.

"How dare she try to boss me around - me, the mayor's daughter! She won't get away with this!"

This declaration made her feel like a cartoon character - a thought that pleased her, though it didn't occur to her that she more closely resembled a moustache-twirling villain than the damsel she considered herself to be. Nor did she realize how out of proportion her dramatic statement was, compared to the cause of her distress.

"Just because she's the president..."

The student council had gathered in the library's main conference room to decide on the theme for their new after-school club. There were already plenty of pre-existing clubs, dedicated to various interests and open to students from every grade; however, each class was allowed to form one club of their own, based around a unique theme that they would choose just for themselves.

Class President Marinette Dupain-Cheng and Vice-President Alya Césaire had dedicate two meetings to this momentous decision - rightly so, as they soon found out. The students all had their own ideas on what sort of club they should form, and few of them were in agreement with one another.

Rose was keen to create an extension of the scrapbooking club, until Kim and Ivan both claimed a strong aversion to glitter. Nino proposed a film studies group, a suggestion that Juleka enthusiastically backed; Mylene, however, pointed out that they would watch nothing but horror movies, a prospect that she just couldn't stomach. The idea of a music-appreciation club was bandied about, though its supporters were split: half liked hard-rock acts like Jagged Stone and Zombies of Death, while the rest preferred XY-style electronica. Alix wanted to form a roller-derby team, causing everyone to quickly stifle groans.

Marinette dutifully wrote down all these possibilities, trying not to let the chalk squeak on the ancient blackboard they had at their disposal. Having written 'roller derby' in small letters near the bottom of the board (where it would hopefully be forgotten), she turned to face her classmates.

"Are there any more suggestions?" she asked, already feeling a bit weary of the whole business. So far, none of the options seemed very promising. What was supposed to be a 'simple' decision was turning into a long, drawn-out affair; they weren't even close to settling on a theme. Besides, a certain someone had been uncharacteristically quiet so far, and she suspected that blissful silence wouldn't last...

"Why is this taking so long?! Isn't it obvious?"

Marinette sighed; the rest of the students made similar gestures of dismay. Speak of the devil. Of course it was Chloe who had spoken. She sneered at her classmates, letting them know what hopeless dupes they were with a single look.

"It should be a fashion club, naturally - after all, there is no finer pursuit in life than that of the perfect outfit! I'm surprised that no such club exists, and I will take it upon myself to fix this terrible deficit, as club president - after all, it is my genius idea! Of course, there will have to be strict conditions for club membership... oh, I'll be lenient and make it only one piece of designer couture per person. By the way, Sabrina, I want that beret I lent you back - it wasn't a gift!"

"Yes, Chloe," Sabrina meekly acquiesced.

The others glared at Chloe resentfully. Besides having little interest in high-fashion, nobody else owned any designer clothing... well, almost nobody...

"Adri-kins, we could each wear a different outfit every day!" Chloe simpered in her most sickly-sweet voice, clinging to one of his Agreste-clad arms.

Adrien rubbed the back of his neck self-consciously with his free hand, resisting the urge to wrench away from her grasp; her manicured nails were very sharp - nearly as sharp as Chat Noir's, a comparison that he could personally vouch for.

"The privilege of being a designer's son," he said, cringing inwardly as he invoked the much-used celebrity label he always - quite literally - wore. Well, almost always; he did have one outfit that was completely off the wrack. "Perhaps some other theme would be better, though. A topic that not many others have an interest in-"

"What could be more interesting to anyone than fashion?!" Chloe demanded. Why wasn't he agreeing with her, like he was supposed to? Here she was, giving him the perfect excuse to have their own private club to themselves-

"I have no interest in fashion that excludes other people," Adrien replied flatly, finally extricating his arm from hers.

Chloe gasped in mute shock. Around them, the rest of the students murmured, eying them with interest. Though it was openly known - by practically everyone except Chloe - that Adrien detested her almost as much as anyone else, it was rare for the class 'glamour pair' to have an outright argument.

"Hey, you know who wouldn't be excluded?" Alya interposed, giving Chloe, her hated nemesis, a sly smirk. "Our own class president, Marinette! After all, who designed the derby hat that was approved by no less than Gabriel Agreste himself?"

"A design that had to be revised-" Chloe hastily shot back, unpleasant memories of her humiliation resurfacing at the mention of that incident. If only that stupid seamstress had had the sense to change the embroidery to spell out her own name...

"A switch from real feathers to synthetic," Adrien apologetically explained. "Hypo-allergic, and just as good-looking!" He winked at Marinette, who flushed happily at the praise. She had to resist the urge to say out loud who she really thought was 'just as good-looking' in fake feathers.

"Right, a technical adjustment," Alya declared, seizing on Adrien's statement. "Tailoring her masterpiece to the wearer, just like a real designer would! Since she is a designer herself, she is automatically eligible for your club membership, along with anyone else she makes clothes for!"

"That would be great!" Mylene piped in, smiling ecstatically. "The hat you made for Papa was wonderful - I'd really like to see what else you can do!"

The other students, impressed by this endorsement, eyed Marinette with looks that ranged from curiosity to hope. She heaved an inward sigh. She could practically see visions of a bespoke all-pink wardrobe shimmering in Rose's eyes; Sabrina, darting nervous glances at her best friend, was fiddling with the brooch on her jumper, perhaps picturing a new one she could pin it to; both Kim and Alix appeared to be on the verge of requesting an entire range of sportswear.

School work, student council, saving Paris - and on top of all that, now I'm supposed to be a seamstress as well!

"I'm sorry," she said, quickly jumping in before things could get out of hand. "Between school and my duties as class representative, I just don't have time to come up with clothes for everyone at such short notice - though I can make them eventually, if you're all willing to wait. Before that, though, we should select a theme that suits as many people as possible. I guess we'll adjourn for today, everyone; but please, think it over some more tonight. We'll meet again tomorrow and take a final vote on the club theme then. I'll set up a ballot box, which you will be able to put suggestions. It won't be possible to rig or falsely influence," she quickly added; Chloe found that, for some reason, she directly at her as she said this. "After the votes have been counted, I'll officially approve our choice and inform the principal of our decision. For now, though, I think we're done."

The meeting broke up into small groups, chatting and eating snacks. Rose and Mylene began handing out cups of juice and plates of cookies - the latter baked fresh at the Dupain-Cheng bakery that very morning.

"You know what theme I want to suggest?" Alya asked, released from her need for a vice-president's impartiality. She took the cookie Nino offered her with a wink, then gently nudged her best friend with her elbow.

"I can hardly guess," Marinette said, with a mildly-teasing smile; she knew exactly what usually lay at the forefront of her best friend's mind. "A blogging tutorial? I'm sure lots of people would be eager to learn from you-"

"No, silly!" Alya laughed, holding up the remnants of her choc-chip-dotted cookie to illustrate her point. "I'd want a Ladybug club, dedicated to the patron protector of Paris!"

She spoke loud enough for the rest of the room to hear; there were a few murmured assents among the group. Marinette hoped that no one noticed the roots of her hair turning red. I'm flattered to be so popular, but this could prove to be rather awkward...

She realized that Alya was looking at her meaningfully, expecting her to give her some support. "Oh! T-that would be cool, but... Y-you might have to make it a Ladybug-and-Chat-Noir club, to cover everyone's interests..."

"Who'd want a club dedicated to that mangy, unimaginatively-dressed goofball?" Chloe said, in a scornful tone. She actually liked the idea of a Ladybug club, but would never admit as much out loud; she would rather burn her entire wardrobe to ashes than openly support something that Alya had suggested.

"He deserves a club of his own," Marinette shot back; to her own surprise, her temper was rising rapidly. Chloe's words and actions - as Antibug - against Chat were still vivid in her memory, and she found that she was unexpectedly protective of her ally; she supposed watching him dangle in the air several floors above the street would inspire such sympathy. Even if she found Chat Noir faintly irritating sometimes, he was still her partner; he always had her back, and of course she had his in return. She felt it was her duty to defend him, even when he wasn't here to witness it.

"He protects the city, just like Ladybug does," she pointed out, boldly staring Chloe down. "Didn't he save you a couple of times, Alya?"

Alya nodded in solemn agreement; even if her blog was devoted to Ladybug, her enthusiasm extended to Chat Noir as well. "Yep. He stopped a set of goal posts from hitting me; and a car narrowly missed crushing me before he stopped it."

"Another reason I don't like him," Chloe muttered under her breath. Alya pretended not to hear her. Across the room, Ivan nonchalantly sipped his juice, not looking in their direction; Mylene patted his hand comfortingly.

Adrien took advantage of this distraction to slip across the room. Chloe had cornered him to ask his opinion on blazers versus bomber-jackets, apparently trying to impress the need for a fashion club on him, to his chagrin; he had been trying to edge closer to the table of cookies for the past five minutes.

"Well, if Alya doesn't want to give us blogging tips, perhaps I could step in and teach Mandarin instead?" So saying, he grabbed the last cookie from Nino's plate, earning himself a poke in the ribs from his best friend. Ignoring the jab - it was worth it! - he took a large bite out of the cookie, grinning at Marinette all the while. "If not enough people are interested to form an entire club, maybe I could still give you some lessons, Marinette? If you want to learn, that is..."

Marinette smiled until her dimples practically ached. "That would be great," she said instantly, making an effort not to seem too overly eager. "I don't know if I'll be a very good student... I tried to learn from an app on my phone once, it was a complete disaster!" Adrien chuckled at the thought; so did she, ruefully, remembering her garbled efforts to speak with her uncle. "I'll try my best. I'm sure having a real, human teacher would help a lot!"

Of course, she earnestly meant what she said; but then, having not just any human, but Adrien helping her, was a better prospect than most! Despite any ulterior motives she might have - an excuse to be alone with Adrien! - she really did want to learn from him. She appreciated beyond words how he had helped her talk to her Uncle Cheng, and had supported her when he had been disgraced on live television - thanks to a certain someone's actions. She certainly hadn't forgotten how Adrien had spoken up when Chloe had insulted Cheng-sifu's cooking and his nationality - a racial slur that had hurt Marinette almost as much. At the time, she had been rendered momentarily speechless by this new low that Chloe had stooped to; before she could even think up a response, Adrien had already jumped in on her behalf. Considering how he had once counted Chloe as something akin to a friend, Marinette had been surprised by how quickly and completely he had taken her side - almost as surprised as she had been when she found out he spoke fluent Mandarin.

Is there any way at all in which he's not perfect? she wondered, a slight rose-coloured haze slowly forming before her eyes. Well, I guess there's the allergy to feathers, but that's not really-

"I'm still only learning," Adrien admitted, breaking in on her thoughts, "so I'm not sure if I'll be a very good teacher..."

"I'm sure you'll be great," Marinette assured him. "I know how busy you are with modelling, so maybe my mum could give me some pointers when you're not available. We could both practice what we learn on her, and we could maybe Skype my Uncle Cheng in Shanghai, if he's not too-"

"I would be very honoured to speak with Cheng-sifu again," Adrien agreed, giving her a slight bow. Marinette melted a little inside, but succeeded admirably at staying upright.

Alya looked on proudly. Her little Marinette had made so much progress - speaking to her crush, and in coherent sentences no less! It was a drastic transformation. Alya had seen Marinette and her uncle on tv, with Adrien acting as translator; afterwards, her best friend had told her how she and Adrien had chatted between studio takes, and even sat down to try Chef Cheng's together soup after filming wrapped up. A private dinner-date, catered by a celebrated chef - oh la la! Alya thought, with a palpable sense of triumph. If Marinette could just keep her head long enough, those Mandarin lessons could soon turn into a proper date!

She grinned at the thought, managing to catch Nino's eye; they shared a virtual high-five, watching their respective besties chat away like almost-more-than-friends. She'd have to tell him later about all the pastries Marinette still owed her for setting up Adrien as Cheng's translator in the first place.

Across the room, Chloe silently seethed. Ever since that stupid cooking competition - which had been unfairly decided, without her expert opinion - that disgusting purple soup on the menu at her father's hotel was not the only thing she found hard to swallow. She'd noticed, with increasing fury, that Adrien and Marinette had been talking to each other a lot more of late. Even worse, she might be just imagining it, but she could almost swear that he had seemed slightly less entranced with Chloe herself since then. And now this - Marinette had shamelessly stolen her own plot to have Adrien all to herself!

Deciding she had suffered through more than enough slights for one afternoon, she turned and stormed out of the room. Sabrina, helping Juleka collect discarded cups and plates, hastily called after her to wait up, and was flatly ignored.

Rose, dutifully distributing the snacks, pressed a cup of fruit juice into Chloe's hand as she passed. She snatched it without thinking, then looked at it in disgust.

"Grape juice - ugh! I detest all things purple!" She stalked out of the conference-room and flung the full cup at the first trash-can she saw.

"Excuse me, are you the student representative? You'll need to finish up soon, the room is-"

Of course Chloe's aim was spot on; she could boast that her accuracy with a yoyo was just as good as Ladybug's - perhaps even better. It was the new teacher-librarian's fault for stepping in the way at just the wrong time.

The poor woman was splashed with juice from head to toe; it ran from her hair, dripped down her glasses, and formed dark stains on the scarf knotted at the neck of her blouse.

"Ack-! Oh no!" she exclaimed in horror, trying to shake off the vibrant splotches that were blooming all over the fabric. It was no good; the drink had already seeped into the pale silk, ruining it.

"Watch where you're going!" Chloe snapped, eyes sweeping critically over her. "And get a new scarf - that thing is hideous! I'll have you know that I'm the mayor's daughter, and I refuse to have to look at teachers who have little-to-no dress-sense!"

With a callous toss of her ponytail, she strode off to her waiting chauffeur-driven limousine.

At the memory of the afternoon's events, Chloe furiously snapped a nail-file in half (her manicure was thankfully unharmed, and she had plenty more files to spare).

Damn that Marinette! What she needed was something to bring her down a peg, put her back in her rightful place...

Angrily sweeping the objects on her desk onto the carpet, Chloe suddenly stopped, a journal with a quilted Chanel cover clutched in her hand. Slowly, a devious smile spread across her lips.

Perhaps it was time to revisit her father's fail-safe campaign tactic...

She began to reach for her phone, then changed her mind. That stupid Sabrina, she had stuffed it up the last time! This time, she would do it herself, and do it properly - even at the risk of ruining her nails.

As she looked about the dishevelled room, she realized that she had just the things she needed, all ready at hand...

But first, she should call a butler to tidy up the place; the room was totally trashed. It looked like Ladybug and Chat Noir had been fighting an akuma all over the suite!

"The student council?" Mrs Sabine Dupain-Cheng repeated.

She deftly dropped a flaky croissant into a bag, twisting the paper corners closed with a practiced motion; she handed it to a waiting customer with a warm smile. As the bakery door jingled shut, she gave the girl on the other side of the counter her full attention.

She looked about Marinette's age, dressed in a black-and-white striped top and a bright yellow jacket. Her hair didn't look natural; it was long and dark-brown, while the carefully-plucked eyebrows visible behind her bangs were much fairer.

The lengths young people go to for fashion these days! Sabine thought wryly to herself. Luckily, her own daughter wasn't as frivolous as that! Though she didn't recognize the girl, she couldn't help but think that she seemed strangely familiar. She wasn't any of Marinette's friends that she knew; maybe she had been into the shop before? She certainly wasn't one of their regular customers...

"Yes!" Chloe said with false cheer, hoping she came across as a friendly, do-gooder student. She casually raised a hand to her head, making sure her wig was still on straight. She had bought it a week ago, after a new super-heroine had appeared atop the Eiffel Tower - so stylish, in an orange and white suit with a slimming belt, and she had even begun to destroy those ugly old buildings across town! Chloe still liked Ladybug best, of course; but it would be nice to have more than one superhero outfit to choose from!

Unfortunately, Volpina had vanished soon after her debut, but Chloe had hung onto the wig - now she was very glad she'd had such foresight! After all, she was a well-known figure about town. She had no doubt that Mrs Dupain-Cheng would recognize her in her normal guise; and with the rivalry with her daughter going back well into primary school, there was no way she would gain entry to Marinette's room as herself. She needed a disguise... and a false name too...

"My name is... um... er... Nicole! Yes!" she said now, inventing her new identity as she went. Seeing the trusting expression on the woman's face, she was emboldened by the lie, glibly telling another one. "I, er, I'm the president of a different class, and I want to check what club the students are forming, in case we end up with the same theme - we'd each want to have something unique!"

"That's a good idea," Sabine said politely, wiping stray crumbs from a display case full of macaroons. "But I'm afraid you just missed Marinette. She's looking after the daughter of a friend this afternoon; they just went down to the park together. If you go after them-"

"No!" Nicole - Chloe - said hastily. "I mean, erm, I just saw them there on my way here! Marinette said the list of club suggestions was on her desk. I have her permission to go up and take a look at it - if it's alright with you...?"

She batted her lashes innocently at Marinette's mother. As she did, she was thinking: What a horrible blouse! Mandarin collars and frog buttons are so passé - unless you want to dress as an antique!

"Go right ahead," Sabine said, not suspecting anything. "It's through that door, up the second flight of stairs. If you want, I can take you-"

"No! N-no, don't trouble yourself, I can find it!"

Chloe took the stairs up to Marinette's inner sanctum, eagerly rubbing her hands together all the while.

The room was disgustingly pink. Ugh, Chloe spluttered, staring about her in horror, how old does she think she is?! No wonder she still dresses like a child! With a sense of satisfaction, she compared the sickly pastel palette to her own far-superior room; the fuchsia accents on her furnishings were elegant and mature, unlike this juvenile nursery, better suited to toddlers.

She quickly scanned the room, searching for a familiar box. If she remembered right, Sabrina had found it on the desk...

She spotted it, sitting there innocently, open and unlocked. The diary rested inside, deceptively unguarded. Oh ho, Chloe knew better!

Not this time! she promised herself, searching for something useful. This would do: an ugly, purple plastic ruler. Pinching it carefully by its very edge, she eased it over the lip of the box, pressing down with the slightest bit of pressure-

Snap!

The box slammed shut, or tried to; the ruler was jammed sideways in its lid, leaving a slight gap. Hopefully, it would be just wide enough...

She certainly wasn't going to attempt it with her bare hands - only a fool like Sabrina would do that! Instead, she reached into her purse, pulling out a pair of tweezers. This was the tricky part, where the true extent of her excellence would need to come to the fore! She poked the tweezers into the gap, prodding and poking, trying to get a grip on the diary's edge.

Suddenly, the lid of the box shuddered. Chloe gasped, hastily snatching her fingers back; she let go of the tweezers, which fell inside the box.

She gave an impatient snarl. It would be too dangerous to try to get them back. They were a good pair, too, edged with real 24-carat gold! Well, no matter; she could always get a new pair. As for the box, she had come more than prepared - sheer, ruthless determination had inspired her! She dipped into her purse again, this time extracting a pair of eyelash-curlers. She was glad she had only brought the 18-carat ones, in case they were disposed of the same way as tweezers - no need to be wasteful!

It took a good ten minutes of careful manoeuvring. If she had seen her reflection in the mirror over Marinette's dressing table, she would have given up almost immediately: her brow was furrowed in concentration, her tongue sticking slightly out, an unbecoming sheen of sweat formed on her carefully-moisturized skin.

At last, she managed to get one end of the diary clear of the lid. Barely daring to get her precious manicure close, she grasped it carefully, dragging it out little by little... she almost had it...

Snap!

The box clamped shut; the ruler shot free, landing at the foot of the dressmaker's dummy across the room. Chloe fell over backwards with a startled squawk. As she sat sprawled on the floor rug, struggling to recover from the shock, it took her a moment to realize that the pink-spotted journal was clutched in her hands.

Quickly stifling a triumphant whoop, she took it and ran, clambering back down the stairs, bursting out of the back door onto the street. She almost ran straight into a woman who happened to be passing by.

"Yow! Watch it, young lady!"

Chloe stared at her for a moment, then scurried away, barely able to keep from laughing. Her disguise must be good indeed - even Nadja Chamack, reporter and interviewer of popular social figures, had failed to recognize a celebrity like her!

Having recovered her balance, Nadja turned back toward the bakery with a shake of her head. Young people these days! she thought, scornfully. She often interviewed kids about that age for her job, and the vast majority of them were spoiled brats! Luckily, the girl who baby-sat her daughter was altogether more dependable - thanks to the excellent upbringing her own dear friend, Sabine, had given her! For a second, as the shop bell tinkled above her head, she let herself wonder what Manon would be like when she got to that age. She had the feeling that she could be a difficult teenager, when the time came - she was already a bit of a handful! Hopefully, she wouldn't turn out to be half as bad as the mayor's girl - she was an outright terror!

Meanwhile, Chloe's limousine was discreetly parked a block away. She reached it without incident and slid into the back seat, panting heavily. Safely back from her successful mission, the first thing she did was to tear the wig from her head - it was starting to itch her sensitive scalp.

As the limousine glided through the city streets, she peered down at her hard-won quarry. All the way home she gazed at it, keeping a tight grip on it, as if it might somehow try to escape through the car window. She knew just how valuable it was to her - and to their class president. Smiling viciously to herself, she chuckled with gleeful anticipation.

It was just a little pink book; but to her, it was so much more. It meant that her hated rival, Marinette Dupain-Cheng, was firmly enmeshed in her vengeful clutches.

Author's note: just a few more things to mention...

The idea of after-school clubs is perhaps more of a Japanese thing than a French one. I have no idea if this is typical of France; if not, please assume it is a special program exclusive to the Francoise-Dupont College!

Obviously this takes place post-Animan, so Alya and Nino are a couple. Does Nino know who Marinette likes? Despite Alya's pinky-promise to the contrary, based on what he says at the end of the episode, honestly... I think that he does! I reckon Alya honestly didn't tell him, and has made him promise to 'not know' about it; but he's certainly no idiot! He acknowledges that girls tend to fall all over Adrien, so if he's watched Marinette at all, it wouldn't take him very long to work it out. I like to think that he and Alya are secretly scheming ways to bring them together - Alya shouldn't have to do it on her own, and Nino could be a very useful ally!

Probably my favourite episode of the whole first season is 'Kung Food'. For a start, I'm half-Chinese, so I can totally relate to Marinette - some of my conversations with family members on my dad's side have been very similar to hers with Uncle Cheng! What I liked best, though, was how much better Marinette's interactions with Adrien were; she was actually speaking intelligibly to him, and he was so nice to her, sticking up for her and openly opposing Chloe's xenophobic attitude. Even though Marinette still totally lost her cool around Adrien in later episodes, I like to think that this was a turning-point in their friendship, where she found out that he wasn't so scary to talk to - though she still has trouble managing it most of the time! I thought I'd like to portray her making a bit of progress at it.

Well, how's that for a start? I've already begun writing Chapter 2, but it's going to take a while longer to complete - so if you liked it so far, please stay tuned!