Chapter Text
The school grounds are lively this time of day as students use their free period to mingle amongst themselves. Marinette is talking with Alya, Alix, Juleka, and Rose. Adrien is chatting with Nino. Chloé is bullying a student from another class who accidentally bumped into her.
Then, a kid from Mrs. Mendeleiev's class bursts out of her classroom, looking like he's on the verge of tears, trying to hide his face. The kid rushes to a nearby unoccupied classroom. From within the classroom he ran out of, Mrs. Mendeleiev looks out the door confused before returning to her now empty classroom.
Once inside the unoccupied classroom, the student sits under the closest desk. He draws his knees up and starts to tear up. "This was my last chance and I blew it. I studied day and night and I still failed the exam." He berated himself. He grabs his hair and pushes his head into his knees. "I was so close to my dream job, but I just HAD to mess it up!" He yells at himself through his knees. He starts to spiral. His own thoughts plowing into him. I was never going to pass this test. I let my passion die. Why did I ever think I could succeed as a scientist.
The window opens up in Hawk Moth's lair. Hawk Moth begins to speak.
"Ah, failing to pass the one thing that could grant you your dreams. The overwhelming feeling of disappointment and aggravation. The consuming depths within one's own mind. Such a perfect feeling. To me, my little Akuma." Hawk Moth holds out his hand, allowing a white, almost glowing butterfly to land on it. He cups his hands over the butterfly, infusing it with his power. When he removes his hands, an Akuma is seen. The Akuma begins to take off and flies out of the open window. "Go my little Akuma, and give this troubled mind peace!" Hawk Most exclaims.
Back at the school, the Akuma floats its way through an open window in the classroom, going unnoticed by the single resident. The Akuma finds its way into the boy's pocket, inside is the crumbled up test that shows his failure in red pen. The Akuma merges with the paper. A light mask in the shape of a butterfly appears in front of the student's head. Hawk Moth's voice rings out.
"Hello, Gradescale. I am Hawk Moth. You lost your last chance at your dream and now that thought is consuming your mind. I am giving you the power to release these thoughts and give you peace. All I ask in return is Ladybug and Cat Noir's Miraculous."
"Yes, Hawk Moth." Gradescale submits. His body now being engulfed in darkness and transforming. His entire body now covered in a black and white gradient, starting at his feet and whitening towards his head. On his head, there is now a hood with his bad grade in red on his forehead, the only thing still colored, almost as if it's an emblem of his failures. As soon as he transforms, the color starts disappearing around him. The desk he is sitting under, the floor, the walls, all now matching the gray, black, and white hues on his body. His body slowly sinks into the desk, the greys on his costume now mixing with those of the desks. He's now stationary, his face twisted into a blank, distant expression.
Those currently enjoying their free period out in the courtyard don't notice anything out of the ordinary. They were just calmly going about their days. No one noticed the color slowly disappearing from the area around the classroom, the now desaturated colors blending together and becoming a blur of dull hues. Suddenly, Mrs. Mendeleiev screams. The students, now looking at her classroom, finally notice the color disappearing.
Mrs. Mendeleiev bursts out of the door. She tries to run before she slows to a stop. Then, the color is removed from her body as she drops to her knees. Why did I waste my time on those stupid creatures. She subconsciously asks herself. Why did I let myself get akumatized over them. She lets the guilt of her akumatization wash over her. I'm pathetic, I can't even protect my students from threats like this. The negativity slowly consumes her, echoing through her mind as her body slowly melts into the ground. She becomes part of the floor, her body now gone.
Panic erupts from the students as they see this. All of them attempt to evacuate.
Marinette and the girls run outside. As the girls watch people run out of the now dull and shifting school building, Marinette slips away to a nearby alley to transform.
"Looks like another akumatized villain. Tikki, spots on!" Marinette is engulfed in red light and transforms into Ladybug.
Nino and Adrien go out the other exit. Adrien runs into a nearby subway station while Nino stares at the school in shock.
"A new villain! We need to transform!" Adrien says to Plagg. "Plagg, claws out!" Neon green light covers Adrien as he is transformed into Chat Noir.
Both Ladybug and Chat Noir land on the rooftop of the school, careful to avoid the growing spots of monochrome transforming the school.
"Greetings, m'lady." Chat Noir says, before inspecting the scene below them.
"Hello Kitty." Ladybug replies.
She looks down as well, seeing all the people caught in the grey colors fall over and start melting just like Mrs. Mendeleiev.
"We need to get as many people as we can out of here!" Ladybug directs before jumping down.
"Got it!" Cat Noir responds before jumping down as well.
The two superheroes start moving the melting bodies out of the grey shifting mass that was once the courtyard. Once out of the mass, the almost-victims return to normal.
The grey mass continues to grow outwards. Though as the mass grows, its spread became slower.
The two superheroes get as many people as they can out of the building. Then, they attempt to go after the akumatized villain.
As they enter the school, careful not to touch the walls or the ground, they notice that the portions of the school that haven't lost their color yet begin to dull faster. Ladybug and Chat Noir assume that the villain is getting closer and their powers are getting stronger. They also notice that both their weapons start to be affected by the villain's powers.
They don't have much time.
They start searching for the villain, but see nothing except the shifting shades of grey covering the entire school. That is until they both spot a red mark on the ground slip out from under the door of a nearby classroom before quickly rushing towards them.
"Do you see that?" Chat Noir asked his partner.
"I do." Ladybug responds, "I'm guessing that's our villain."
The red mark slides up the wall and stops on the balcony above the classroom. Gradescale emerges from the mass where the mark is, his body's gradient seemingly melting just like his surroundings. He speaks, his voice sounding as dull as the colors that surround him.
"There you are." The light mask appears in front of him.
"Quickly! Grab their Miraculous!" Hawk Moth instructs.
Gradescale nods before quickly proceeding to jump at the two Parisian superheroes. Both heros dodge out of the way and Gradescale lands behind them. He gets ready to attack again, before he notices the color starting to leave Chat Noir's staff and Ladybug's yo-yo. That gives him an idea. He sinks back into the floor before moving closer to Chat Noir's staff. Gradescale moves up the extended staff, causing the color to leech out of the weapon above him as he ascends.
Cat Noir sees the red mark fly up the staff. He attempts to leap off the staff, but it's too late. The color drains from the top of his staff before spreading to his feet. Gradescale's arm appears out of his now dull staff and grabs Chat Noir's foot, keeping him still as Gradescale's other hand attempts to grab the ring on Chat Noir's hand.
"Cat Noir!" Ladybug yells as she sees her partner get attacked by Gradescale. She swings on her yo-yo, allowing her body weight to swing forward and kick the monochrome villain's hand off of her partner's foot. This gives Chat Noir the chance to leap off of his now compromised staff. The staff is left standing, it's hue now starting to shift like the rest of the school. Gradescale's arms sink back into the now stationary weapon. The red mark sliding down the staff.
Ladybug catches Chat Noir before he falls to the ground and the pair attempt to flee the school. Ladybug swings away, making sure to not have her yo-yo stay attached to any part of the school building for too long.
Once outside, color returns to Chat Noir's feet. Both him and Ladybug let out a sigh.
"This is not good. We need to find a way to get to him without his powers affecting us!" Ladybug says.
"I think it's time you use that Lucky Charm of yours, m'lady." Cat Noir suggests.
"Good idea." Ladybug responds before throwing her yo-yo in the air. "Lucky Charm!"
Ladybug has to move out of the way to avoid being hit by the potted plant that her Lucky Charm created. She is barely able to catch it.
"I doubt gardening will help us fight, m'lady." Chat Noir remarked.
Ladybug thought for a moment before realizing she recognizes this plant.
"Ah, that's it!" She shouts.
"What are you thinking?" Chat Noir asked.
"I'm thinking we're going need some help. Do you mind stalling for me?" Ladybug responded.
"Not at all." Chat Noir said before jumping up to get the attention of Gradescale. "Over here, you poor excuse for a painting!" Chat Noir taunted.
This caught the attention of Gradescale, who quickly rushes towards Chat Noir. As he does, the grey mass quickly spreads out in front of him, allowing him to flow along the rooftops as he chases Chat Noir. He leaps from building to building while chasing Chat Noir.
After making sure the grey villain was focused on Chat Noir, Ladybug starts traveling towards Master Fu's massage shop.
Once there, she hides in the nearby alleyway and detransforms. As Marinette, she knocks on the door.
"Come in!" Master Fu shouts from inside.
Marinette enters.
"Ah, Marinette. Hello." Master Fu calmly says to Marinette.
"Hello, Master. Me and Chat Noir need help." Ladybug explains.
Master Fu goes to his gramophone, opens it, and takes out the Miracle Box. He places it in front of Marinette.
"Marinette Dupain-Cheng, pick an ally you can trust to fight alongside you on this mission. Choose wisely; such power's on hand to serve a greater good. Once the mission is over, you must retrieve the Miraculous from them." Master Fu instructs.
Marinette takes a moment to think.
"We need a Miraculous that can protect us from the effect that surrounds the villain... Ah!" She picks up the nose ring.
"The Ox Miraculous is a smart choice." Master Fu remarks.
Marinette stands up and thanks Master Fu before heading for the exit.
"Tikki, spots on!" Marinette transforms back into Ladybug and leaves Master Fu's shop.
While traveling back to the fight, Ladybug searches the streets to find Ivan, who she has chosen to wield the Ox Miraculous.
Ladybug spots Ivan taking shelter far away from the desaturated streets. The color has stopped draining due to Gradescale fighting Chat Noir farther up north. She lands next to Ivan and takes out a wooden jewelry box. Ivan looks surprised, but calms down after he realizes it's ladybug.
"Ladybug, why are you here? Shouldn't you help Cat Noir?" Ivan asks, concerned.
"That's actually why I'm here. Are you willing to help us?" Ladybug responds.
Ivan nods. Ladybug gives Ivan the jewelry box.
"Ivan Bruel, this is the Miraculous of the Ox, which grants the power of resistance. You will use it for the greater good." Ladybug explains.
Ivan opens the wooden box and a blue orb of light exits it. The kwami of the Ox is seen hovering in front of Ivan.
"Hi, I'm Stompp! Let's fight this guy!" Stompp shouts.
Ivan looks hesitant.
"I'm sorry Ladybug, but I don't want to hurt anyone with my powers" Ivan says as he attempts to return the jewelry box to Ladybug.
"Don't worry, Ivan. Your power is used for protection. The villain we're fighting won't be hurt when you attack him. He's just as powerful as us." Ladybug reassures him.
With that, Ivan seems to become confident.
"All you have to do to transform is say the words 'Stompp, charge forward!'" Stompp instructs.
"Stompp, charge forward!" Ivan is engulfed in a dark blue light and transforms. His body is first covered in a navy blue jumpsuit. Then, he stomps each foot, causing boots to form. He then folds his arms together, allowing an armored vest to form on his chest. On his back, a large mallet appears. Finally, his mask forms across his face, and two large horns grow on the side of his head.
"Awesome." Ivan says.
Now fully transformed, he and Ladybug go to help Chat Noir.
Chat Noir dodges Gradescale as he leaps for him. Landing back on the ground, Gradescale sinks into the now desaturated rooftop when he notices Ladybug come back.
Ladybug lands on a nearby rooftop and calls over to Chat Noir. Chat Noir goes to her.
"I see you brought along a new friend, bugaboo." Chat Noir remarks as he lands on the rooftop.
"Yeah, and he's going to help us defeat this guy." Ladybug says. "Chat Noir, meet—"
"Minotaurox." Minotaurox interrupts.
"Minotaurox, huh? Well, nice to meet you." Chat Noir holds out his hand for a handshake.
Minotaurox returns the handshake.
Gradescale silently approaches, and attempts to take the three superheroes by surprise. Luckily, Minotaurox notices him in time and knocks the villain back with his mallet. Ladybug and Chat Noir look at Minotaurox in surprise.
"That was close." Ladybug says. "Luckily you had our backs!"
"Mhm, I feel we'll get a long great." Chat Noir adds.
A crater is visible where Gradescale was hit against the wall, the color disappearing. Gradescale lets out an aggravated grunt before sinking into the now monochrome wall.
"Before we attack, we should come up with a plan." Ladybug says. "Lucky Charm!"
A bottle of glue falls down from the yo-yo.
"How is that supposed to help?" Minotaurox asks.
"That's what I'm going to find out." Ladybug responds while her Lucky vision activates.
Ladybug spots appear on the glue bottle, Minotaurox, Chat Noir, and Minotaurox's mallet.
"I've got it." Ladybug whispers to Minotaurox and Chat Noir her plan.
"Okay, got it." Minotaurox says.
"Genius as always, m'lady." Chat Noir remarks.
The three heroes split up. Minotaurox gets the attention of Gradescale.
"Over here!" Minotaurox shouts.
Gradescale sees Minotaurox and attempts to attack him. He jumps out from the grey rooftop he was hiding in and tries to attack Minotaurox.
Minotaurox takes the glue bottle and hits it with his mallet, causing the glue to explode out and blind Gradescale.
"Aghhh!" Gradescale yells out.
Gradescale lands on another rooftop below. His powers quickly affect the glue splatter on his face, allowing him to wipe it off easily. He looks around, trying to figure out where the ox-themed hero went.
"Resistance!" Minotaurox yells.
Gradescale turns around, but it's too late. Minotaurox grabs Gradescale and restrains him in the air, stopping him from retreating back into the monochrome rooftop.
Minotaurox grabs Gradescale's hood and throws it. Chat Noir catches it in his hand.
"Cataclysm!" Chat Noir yells.
The hood crumbles into dust as the Akuma flies out of it.
"No more evil-doing for you little Akuma. Time to de-evilize!" Ladybug shouts as she captures the Akuma in her yo-yo. "Gotcha!"
She opens her yo-yo to release a glowing butterfly which flies out into the Parisian sky. Gradescale is deakumatized back into the student.
"Bye bye little butterfly." Ladybug says before throwing the glue bottle into the air. "Miraculous Ladybug!"
The magic ladybugs return the color to everything and restores everyone who got melted by Gradescale. The three heroes fist bump.
"Pound it." They all say together before their Miraculous start flashing.
"Looks like I've got to go." Ladybug says. "Bug out!"
With that, Ladybug leaves.
"I've got to go too." Minotaurox said, before leaping after Ladybug.
"Enjoy your victory for now Ladybug and Chat Noir, but soon your skies will turn grey and I'll win!" Hawk Moth shouts.
Ladybug and Minotaurox returns to the street.
"Halt charge!" Minotaurox detransformed
Ivan hands Ladybug the Ox Miraculous.
"You did great, Ivan." Ladybug said.
"Thanks." Ivan replied.
Ladybug's earrings start flashing.
"Welp, I've got to go. Until we meet again ."
With that, Ladybug jumped away back home.
The next day, the student rushed into Mrs. Mendeleiev's classroom. Mrs. Mendeleiev stopped them.
"I just double checked, and I found that I accidentally gave your test from last year. You passed your test from this year!" Mrs. Mendeleiev explains.
"Really!" The student asks.
"Yes."
"Awesome!"
The student pumps his fist into the air.