Ep 12. Stoneheart (Origins - Part 2)

At the end of the previous episode, Marinette and Adrien finally received their Miraculouses from Master Fu. In "Stoneheart (Origins - Part 2)," the second part of the show's origin story arc, their abilities as Ladybug and Cat Noir are put to the test.

The episode picks up where the last one left off: with Marinette and Adrien transforming into their superhero alter egos for the first time. While Cat Noir is excited to go out and fight evil, Ladybug reminds him that they have to be careful not to reveal their identities or give Hawk Moth too much information about their powers.

Meanwhile, Hawk Moth is still searching for someone to akumatize, hoping to use their negative emotions to turn them into a super-powered villain. He eventually settles on Xavier Ramier, a former schoolmate of Marinette and Adrien's who now works as a zookeeper. Ramier is feeling dejected and abandoned after the object of his affection rejected him, so Hawk Moth is easily able to turn him into Stoneheart, a giant stone monster with the power to grow and throw massive boulders.

Ladybug and Cat Noir race to the zoo to stop Stoneheart from destroying everything in his path. This is their first true test as superheroes, and it's clear that they still have a lot to learn about their powers and working together as a team. Ladybug is hesitant to use her Lucky Charm power, which creates a useful item to help her defeat the villain, because she's afraid it will drain her energy too quickly. Cat Noir, on the other hand, is quick to jump into action without thinking things through, which almost gets him squashed like a bug.

As they battle Stoneheart, Ladybug and Cat Noir slowly start to figure out how to work together and combine their powers. Ladybug uses her yo-yo to immobilize the monster while Cat Noir climbs onto his back and tries to find a way to destroy his akuma, the object that Hawk Moth uses to control his victims. They're eventually able to do so, but not before Stoneheart causes a massive earthquake that endangers everyone in the city.

After their first successful mission, Ladybug and Cat Noir realize that they have a lot to learn. They both feel the weight of the responsibility that comes with their powers, knowing that they must protect the people of Paris from Hawk Moth's evil plans. They also start to see each other in a new light; Cat Noir is attracted to Ladybug's confidence and bravery, while Ladybug appreciates Cat Noir's goofy charm and willingness to help others.

The episode ends with Hawk Moth vowing to continue his search for someone to akumatize. Marinette and Adrien, meanwhile, return to their normal lives, knowing that they have a secret that no one else knows. As the screen fades to black, Ladybug reminds Cat Noir of their motto: "Miraculous, simply the best, up to the test when things go wrong."