"Are you… sure about this?" Marinette wondered, sparing a nervous glance with Tikki. The kwami didn't offer Marinette anything other than a proud smile, looking up at Marinette with bright blue eyes. Not that it helped. She turned to Wayzz, finding some relief that he had a small frown on his face.

Good. Someone else was a little unsure about this. She certainly wasn't.

"I am," Fu said, bringing out a familiar little black box, smiling as he turned back to Marinette. He drew near, sitting across from her. "You've done well, Marinette. Come very far as a hero from where you started. I think this is the next level you're ready for."

Fu brought out the miraculous chest, carrying it over to the table between them, setting them both down.

Marinette protested, "But this is really big! Like, what if I chose wrong? What if I trip and the miraculous winds up in someone's awful's hands? What if—"

"Marinette it's ok," Tikki reassured, rushing up to snuggle up against Marinette's cheek.

"It will be," Wayzz encouraged, drawing near with a small smile, looking more relaxed. "You being worried about it backs that you will make a good choice. You'll be conscious of it."

"And I'll be here to help you," Tikki encouraged. Marinette gave the kwami a tight smile, still unsure.

With a hum, Fu picked up the bee comb, presenting it to Marinette. She took it slowly, looking over the golden and black miraculous, gleaming in her hand. "Choose a hero," Fu told her, "someone you think will do well."

With a small gulp, she took the box and set the hair comb in it, closing it. Licking her lips, she wondered, "Anything I should look for? Like, any tips?"

Fu smiled, pleased. "Guardianship is a challenge when giving someone a miraculous. When you see potential of a hero, you must consider what miraculous they match with. Which can be challenging, there are times someone can match with more than one miraculous. Though sometimes the situation can demand for a certain miraculous, like giving the ladybug to you. Ladybug is the best option against Hawk Moth than passing the turtle onto you, or any other miraculous."

"R-really?"

"But you aren't in the same situation. With Ladybug active, no pressure for you to find the most fit. Just look for a solid bee, keep a look out for promising traits in them. I would look for traits of someone with a strong sense of community, a willingness to work in a team or be a part of a team, and a good work ethic. They are diligent, communicative, flexible, productive..."

"So look for someone who matches these," Marinette murmured.

Fu nodded, smiling at the wary teen. "You've come far, Marinette. You'll make a good choice."

"And you will," Tikki said, her voice thick with pride, blue eyes shining as she gazed at Marinette. Marinette smiled, cheeks a little pink. With a little wiggle, Tikki darted close and nuzzled, finned tail wagging. With a grin, Marinette cupped her kwami, the closest to a hug that she could give Tikki.

"You've come very far," Wayzz encouraged, drawing near with a beam. "You'll find a solid bee hero."

"Yeah, I will!" Marinette jumped to her feet, pumped. "Don't worry, Master Fu! I'll find the perfect bee hero!"

"You will," Fu agreed.

With an eager nod, Marinette tore off, Tikki zipping behind her. Behind them, Wayzz and Fu smiled, watching them go.

"I think she has potential," Fu said, staring after the possible new Guardian.

Wayzz nodded. "It will depend on her judgment." That was what it came down to for Guardians, their capability to see potential and who was fit. And preferably, giving them the right miraculous.

Marinette paced back and forth, tapping her chin, restless. On her desk was the small black box, set in front of the class picture they took in the park. Above it, Tikki sat on the monitor, watching her holder go.

"You know, you can ask for my advice." Tikki floated up, patting her chest. "There have been a few Ladybug Guardians."

Marinette sat down with a sigh, slouching on her hand as she stared down at the box. Tikki sat down behind the small box, leaning on it as she stared up at her holder. She asked, "Do you have any ideas?"

Marinette glanced to the picture. She repeated, "Community, communication, diligence, productive…" True bees sound sociable and responsible. And Tikki added in that they were providers and nurturing and… the list went on with bee. It did help to see who wouldn't fit.

Not Ivan. He wasn't very sociable and liked to be on his own. Same for Nathanael, actually Marinette didn't really know him well, on the surface he didn't strike her as a bee. Same for Alix, Juleka, and Max.

Rose and Mylene Marinette could see as bees, but… she couldn't see them being good in battle. Rose was too sweet to hurt even a fly and Mylene would probably be terrified, a lot. Marinette didn't think it was impossible for either of them, but, it'd take them a bit of work. Rose would have to be willing to fight against another… no, probably not. That goes against her morals; even akumas she was willing to give a benefit of the doubt. Perhaps Mylene then? Marinette can remember being terrified too, too frozen to move or act that first time. But she also needs a great need for justice, a need to act and protect and help. But that also depended if her fear was stronger or sense and need to help was… Marinette rubbed her forehead, frowning.

She'll have Mylene as a maybe for bee. It'd take a bit of courage, but she, Chat, and the bee kwami could help her find it. But there were others to reconsider, Marinette glanced up, eyeing the picture to see what else.

Kim, no. Marinette liked him, he was a hoot and fun and energetic; but Kim with a miraculous? She can just picture him and Chat being bad influences on each other, goofing off all the time and she's left with even more work to make up for them both and just… no. Kim with a miraculous, at least right now, was a bad idea.

Chloe and Sabrina were definitely not. Chloe with a miraculous Marinette doesn't even want to think about. All she can picture is just abuse and her being really exhausted and Marinette would like to avoid more exhaustion. And Sabrina… she was hardworking, but not really socially inclined and very loyal to Chloe and that would just lead to Chloe getting the bee and that just… no. Too risky right now.

Now that left, Nino, Alya, and Adrien.

Marinette perked up, making Tikki rise to, her antennas set high attentively, her finned tail wiggling.

Marinette stared down at her friends, considering them.

She could see bee working with all of them. They all could be really good bees to have on the team. But who? Who should she choose?

With a torn whine, Marinette glanced to Tikki and asked, "What about Alya? She's diligent, hard working, gets along with people—"

"And wants to know who you are," Tikki reminded, antennas dropping back slightly. "She could use the bee to find out who you are, Marinette. And no one should know. It's too risky."

Marinette slouched, disappointed. That was true. As hardworking and passionate as Alya was, most of that did go to trying to find out who Ladybug was. As much as Marinette would love to work with Alya, giving her a miraculous was a risk. At least, for now.

She murmured to herself, "That leaves Nino and Adrien."

Humming, Tikki turned to eye the picture, specifically the two boys in the frame, the last options for bee. As tempted as Marinette was about Adrien, she turned her gaze to Nino. She listed off, "Nino is hard working. Probably works the hardest in the whole class. And he's pretty sociable and well liked." She knows he's friends with Kim, Max, and Rose. He got along with Adrien immediately, and was really supportive of his friend. He did have potential.

Tikki made a wary hum, frowning at the picture.

"What?" Marinette asked.

"I'm remembering back at Horrificator. He was very impatient with Mylene, putting so much pressure on her. And Alya, he didn't talk with her at all when he changed the script."

"So he's not a good choice," Marinette murmured.

Tikki floated up, waving her arms wildly. "Nonononono! I don't mean to discourage you, this is your choice. I'm just bringing up issues to consider. This is a teammate that will work with you and Chat, and you need to factor in issues. I do believe that Nino would be a solid teammate for you both, but be aware that he can be inconsiderate of who he's working with, especially when reaching his own goal." As Marinette's frown deepened, Tikki quickly added, "But! No one is perfect! And that's the beauty of miraculouses! We can all help you grow and bring out your strengths! For sure, Pollen could help Nino with this."

"But ideally, it should go to who's most fit," Marinette said. "The perfect choice. Not everyone works. Like, is there anyone else who could pull off Ladybug?"

Tikki was quiet, frowning as she considered Marinette's question. She shook her head, admitting, "Out of your class, you are most fit, but that doesn't mean that no one else works or could be Ladybug. Everyone is different and has different things to work on. You stood out most, but no, you're not the only potential Ladybug. Just as no one is the true only bee. Anyone could pull off bee. There are a lot of possibilities."

"But it should go to the most fit," Marinette repeated.

"Yes, ideally," Tikki sighed.

Marinette turned to the photo, looking to Adrien, looking past her crush and really considering him. She declared, "Adrien's perfect."

"Marinette?"

Marinette excitedly grabbed the little box, jumping up and pacing about, thrilled, eager, anticipating. She repeated, "Adrien is perfect! He's perfect for the bee! We found our bee, Tikki!" Marinette listed off, "He is hardworking, honest, considerate, well liked, sweet, is always quick to jump up and help others. He is perfect, Tikki! Adrien's a bee! We found our bee! I'm going to work with Adrien!"

Excited and giggling, Marinette jumped up and down, pigtails bouncing with her movement. Near her, Tikki faltered, frowning. "But Marinette—"

Marinette turned to her, wondering, "Can you even think of any flaws? Why Adrien doesn't work as a bee? What he would struggle with? How he wouldn't be a great teammate?"

Tikki hummed, considering this, recalling all she knows about Adrien. "Well… no. I can't think of any of his faults. I suppose he would be a pretty solid bee."

"He's perfect!" Marinette gushed, falling back on her chaise, clutching the little black box. Adrien's future miraculous. She was going to work with Adrien…

"Now, this seems like a flaw."

Marinette glanced at Tikki, brow raised. "What?"

Tikki waved to her, asking, "Would you be able to focus working with Adrien? Being Ladybug is more important than hanging out with your crush."

Marinette sat up with a pout. "I can focus."

Tikki gave her an unsure stare.

"I will focus," Marinette corrected, waving Tikki back. She smiled down at the box. She had Adrien's miraculous in her hand. She had found her bee. Her perfect bee. She was so excited.