1 – the author does not own nor has any claim over Miraculous: Adventures of Ladybug and Chat noir, its characters or situations.

2 – Tale for entertainment purposes only.

3 – I was reading "Not that Ring, the Other One Ring", by leafgreenflower – go check it, is very good. No, wait, come back! Finish reading and leaving your opinion, then go check it – and I noticed Max is very underused on Miraculous community. I told leafgreenflower how that tale inspired me and that I intended to post a story after theirs was finished, for I did not wanted to force LGF out of any plot due similarity. They were gracious enough to give me a "go ahead".

So, thank you, LGF. And I hope you all enjoy this one. Probably will be a 3-parter.

4 – Opinions more than welcomed.

Max opened the program on his computer. For a while, he looked at the empty screen.

He was akumatized. His best friend was akumatized. His would-be special someone was akumatized. Most of the kids he knows and talk to were, at one time or another, being akumatized.

And, no matter how forgiving are the others, the matter comes now and then on talks. Who looked the more ridiculous, who caused more damage, and more.

Worst, he could not completely forgive himself.

Clearly, Ladybug and Chat Noir need help. Rena Rouge does her part, but it's not enough.

They need someone with a more scientific approach.

He opened the Ladyblog. So much data. But scattered. Without a direction. Without a purpose. He can use all that to make a difference. He started to write his Hero Algorithm.

For a week, Max worked feverishly on the equations, correlations, data input. Even his friends started to notice:

"I think I need help, or I will fluke physics."

"Hm-hum. There's the school library."

Kim blinked at Max answer.

"I said I need help with physics."

"Hm-hum." He answered, without taking his eyes of the paper he was filling with equation after equation. Kim decided to test him.

"Never mind, Stephen Hawking was overrated anyway."

"Hm-hum."

"We have a year until we graduate, but I think there's still time to change my Second Foreign Language* from Spanish to Basque. What do you think?"

"Hm-hum. Very traditional."

"I am thinking about escalating Chloé's hotel like Spider-Man and serenate her."

"I am certain she will find it romantic."

"If I pick the TGV to Madrid, and from there a train to Pamplona, do you think I can run with the bulls and return without needing to pay for a hotel?"

"Hm, unlikely."

"My family will go back to Vietnam."

"Hm-hum. It will be nice to see your relatives there again."

Kim was having his fun, but enough is enough.

"Max!" he said, raising his voice "What's the problem with you?"

"Huh? What?"

"You were not listening to a word I said."

"Huh, you are planning to run away with Chloé to Basque Country."

"Max…"

"I apologize, Vietnam."

"Max!"

"I am sorry, Kim, it's just I am really fascinated with a new project and…"

"I will say but burning your brains out will not help. After school. You. Me. Sun. Ice-Cream. Don't say no."

"Huh…"

The buzz rang ending their talk.

*In France, secondary students, like the kids of Miraculous, must choose two foreign languages to learn. The first one is usually English or Spanish and, for the second one, besides German, Italian, Portuguese and others, they can choose a French traditional dialect/language.

Late night, Max was still buried on his algorithm. Long gone what is available on Ladyblog, he went to obscure sources. Legends of supernatural heroes of the past, with characteristics similar to Paris' heroes.

He let the computer ran the program and decided to check some books. Before he knew, he was dozing over then.

Hours later, a mechanical claw bumped lightly his head.

"Max, wake up. It's almost school time"

"Hm? Markov? I felt asleep. Wait, the computer."

The mechanic marvel hooved away his friend and creator, who was dashing to look at the screen. He looked at the information on it, his brain quickly processing those on a conclusion.

"Preposterous. Surreal. Absurd. And still… plausible. Markov, run the data again while I shower, will you? I don't want to get too excited without a confirmation."

"Sure thing, Max. But I can't find a fault at the input or output."

"Just satisfy me."

Max walked in the school gates in trance. The info was correct, his deductions, likewise. Who would know he was so close to

"Good morning, Max."

"Mmrrnikim."

Ladybug and Chat Noir all that time? Now he must develop the best way to use this information and

"After class, I will go do some parkour at the top of the Tour First**, want to come and see?"

"Maybe later."

Really help the heroes. It goes without saying he must work faster on phase two so Ladybug and

"Max!"

"CHAT NOIR! I mean, oh, greetings, Kim, didn't see you there."

"Still not paying attention, huh? Wait, were you thinking about Chat Noir?"

"Who? Me? What in the world could possible give you such a notion?"

"You just shout his name."

"I did not! I was thinking about Cha, Cha, Chaaaooomsky, Noam. That's it. Noam Chomsky. His new work is intriguing."

"Riiiight."

"Let's make haste. You don't want to be tardy, right?"

Class could not end soon. Back home, electronics, metal and lot of work waited Max.

** Tallest building in France, with 52 floors and 231 meters.

Four days later, Paris faced another akuma attack. Adrien rushed to a safe place to transform, he entered the boys' locker room, just to find Max there.

"Huh, hi Max, I am just looking for a safe place to hide from the akuma."

"You are in no obligation to find excuses, Chat Noir."

"W-what?"

"Explanations later. Markov, transform me."

The small robot flew to Max's locker, opening it and connecting himself to a large box hidden inside.

Then he flew to his friend, the box unfolding itself to an armor, mostly blue, white and some details in black in the torso. The helmet was a cowl, blue in the back, yellow around the eyes and nose, leaving only his mouth uncovered. Markov's face/screen sat in the middle of Max's chest.

"Call me Sparrowhawk, Chat Noir. Now, shall we get into action?"

You have no idea of how hard was to avoid calling him "European Swallow". His weapon, of course, would be a coconut.

Again, if you like Max, go check leafgreenflower's "Ring" tale. And, if you are liking this, may I recommend my "Kwamisplaced" tale?

Thanks for the readership in advance.