Author's Note:
I do not own any of these characters.
Hawk Moth was watching his akuma attack the city using his psychic vision. All of the sudden, his cane began to ring. Somewhat taken aback, he opened the top of it to find Ladybug and Cat Noir staring at him. This is going to end badly, he thought to himself. "How may I help you, children?"
"You already have, Hawk Moth. Thanks for answering. Since you accepted our call, we now know your location." Hawk Moth just sneered as the two heroes both stared at the screen in utter shock. "What are you doing at the Agreste Mansion!" they both yelled and then glanced at each other. "You better not be hurting anyone there!" Ladybug cried out. "You'll just have to come and see for yourself," Hawk Moth said dryly.
Once the screen went blank, Hawk Moth detransformed and called for Nathalie to join him in the basement, "Code Red!" Nathalie showed up with some rope and a gag. Soon Gabriel was tied up and Nathalie had just made it back in time to meet the two super heroes as they burst through the front door.
"Where's Gabriel!" Cat Noir yelled. "And, Adrien!" Ladybug added with more enthusiasm. Nathalie responded in her normally collected tone, "Gabriel is in his office and Adrien is in his room." "Quick, to the office, My Lady," Cat Noir insisted trying to take Ladybug's attention away from Adrien's whereabouts. "You check on Gabriel. I'll check on Adrien." Ladybug responded.
A few seconds later and both of them were back in the foyer. "Gabriel's not in his office." "Adrien's not in his room." Nathalie face was overtaken with concern, but only after Ladybug's report, though neither of the heroes noticed. "What could have happened?" she managed to finally ask. "Hawk Moth was on the premises," Ladybug replied. "They were fine just a few minutes ago," Nathalie insisted.
Cat Noir's ears twitched and Ladybug looked at him to get the update on what he had heard. "I heard a faint stomping sound," Cat Noir said just above a hush while holding his finger up to his lips indicating for everyone to remain silent. His ears twitched again. "It's coming from below us!" he exclaimed. "Ma'am, how do we get into the basement?" Ladybug asked.
Nathalie showed them to a door that was hidden by the grand staircase, which Adrien had always assumed was a janitor's closet. Nathalie opened that door to reveal another door. This one had a numeric keypad next to it. "We keep the basement under lock because it holds very personal and private... things... for Mr. Agreste," Nathalie stated. "Please do not tell anyone about what you might find in the basement." Ladybug and Cat Noir gave a hesitant stare at each other and then nodded.
Nathalie carefully entered the code out of sight of both Ladybug and Cat Noir. However, Cat Noir's increased hearing allowed him to hear the audible and distinguishable beeps as she entered the code. 51391295 was the code. Cat Noir kept repeating it to himself so he could remember it later.
As the door opened, Nathalie entered a small room. Ladybug and Cat Noir followed, realizing it was an elevator. Nathalie pushed the button next to "B" and the elevator began to descend. Cat Noir and Ladybug pushed Nathalie away from the door and prepared themselves to jump out and fight Hawk Moth.
The elevator stopped and the doors slid open. Cat Noir and Ladybug leapt through the open door and landed, facing a bound Gabriel Agreste who was stomping on the floor as hard as he could. Ladybug ran over to Gabriel while Cat Noir stayed on guard. As soon as Gabriel's mouth was untied, he took a deep breath and said, "Hawk Moth was here. He was going to kidnap me and Adrien and hold us for ransom for your miraculouses. He had kidnapped me and you interrupted him before he could get to Adrien."
"Adrien's not here either," Ladybug interrupted. Gabriel's eyes widened in shock. Where could Adrien be? Gabriel though to himself. However, he knew he had to play along. "Oh. No. He must've gotten Adrien before he left!" Gabriel lamented as he fell to his knees. "Please. Find my son. He the only thing I have left." Ladybug smiled, "We'll find him sir. You can count on us."
"What the..." the group heard. Cat Noir sounded like he had seen a ghost. He had wondered off to "search for where Hawk Moth had went" and stumbled upon a treed area under the house. Gabriel gasped, "No! Don't touch her!" The trio joined Cat Noir and Ladybug took a sharp breath. Was she looking at what she though she was looking at?
"That's my wife. She's in very serious shape and the casket is keeping her alive, but in a comatose state until a cure can be found. If you open the casket, she'll die." Ladybug was paying too much attention to Gabriel to notice the tears in Cat Noir's eyes. "Please," Gabriel pleaded, "conventional medicine can't help her. I have the very best people in the world working on a cure." Ladybug nodded and then turned to Cat Noir. "Are you okay Cat?" Ladybug asked. "Yeah, we still need to find Hawk Moth," Cat Noir responded slowly, as if it took every ounce of strength to utter each word.
"And Adrien!" Ladybug remembered. "Mr. Agreste, did you see which way Hawk Moth went?" "No, I'm afraid he left from behind me, out of my view." Nathalie suggested, "Perhaps he went into the sewers then." "I'm on it!" Cat Noir exclaimed and leaped back to where Gabriel had been bound. Spotting the covering for the sewer, he flipped it off like a chef flipping a flapjack and darted down into the sewer at high speed.
Cat Noir was out of sight before Ladybug could yell after him, "Wait for me." Once Ladybug was in the sewer she saw Adrien running towards her. "Thank God, Adrien!" Ladybug cried out. She hugged Adrien and then stiffened up realizing Ladybug wasn't supposed to be so familiar with Adrien. "What happened?" she asked.
As soon as Adrien caught his breath, he told Ladybug how Cat Noir had jumped Hawk Moth. They fought for a few seconds and then Hawk Moth ran away. "Cat Noir untied me and told me to run back to the mansion as he took off after Hawk Moth," Adrien finished. Ladybug helped Adrien up to street level and told him to go straight home. She darted back down into the sewer to try and pursue Cat Noir and Hawk Moth.
She couldn't get Cat Noir on her yoyo and was becoming increasingly concerned that Hawk Moth had gotten his miraculous. Suddenly, her yoyo ringed. It was Cat Noir. "Hey Bugaboo. Sorry for not picking up. Meet me on the Eiffel Tower. I've lost Hawk Moth's trail. I think he's detransformed."
Zipping up to their normal meeting spot on the Eiffel Tower, Ladybug hugged Cat Noir. "I was so worried that I hadn't been there and Hawk Moth had gotten your miraculous," Ladybug whispered into Cat Noir's ear. Cat Noir smiled at her, "I'd never let Hawk Moth get my miraculous. I wouldn't be able to see you any more if that ever happened. And that's, impawsible to comprehend." Ladybug giggled at Cat Noir. "I'm glad you're not hurt. But, what was going on with you in the Agreste Mansion's basement?" "I-I, uh... Watch Out!"
Cat Noir pushed Ladybug out of the way as a magical bomb exploded near them. They still hadn't taken care of that akuma from before the call to Hawk Moth. One akuma and several puns later, "Bye, bye little butterfly." "Miraculous Ladybug!" Ladybug threw the red and black dotted can of tire sealant into the air and the Miraculous Ladybugs quickly repaired all of the damage. "To think, all that because of a flat tire, My Lady," Cat Noir mused.
Cat Noir looked at Ladybug. Beeping soon filled the air. "I know we're supposed to go, but I'm afraid my identity has been compromised," Cat Noir said hesitantly to Ladybug. "If I'm right, I know who Hawk Moth is. And if I'm right, that means he likely knows who I am." Cat Noir trembled. Ladybug placed her hand on Cat Noir. "I'm here for you. Can you recharge Plagg without leaving here?" "Yes. What about your kwami?" "Yes. I have something for Tikki so she can recharge." "Tikki. What a nice name." "Thanks. Now, let's sit facing away from each other to recharge."
After they had both detransformed, Plagg and Tikki were eating on their respective snacks, when Marinette looked at Tikki and nodded her head towards her partner. Tikki flew over to Adrien. "Hi! I'm Tikki. It's a pleasure to meet you." "The pleasure is all mine. Apparently, Ladybug and Plagg already know each other." Plagg flew over to talk to Marinette for a few minutes also.
Once chitchat was over and the kwamis were ready, Ladybug and Cat Noir were back in their suits and facing each other. "Your kwami is very nice LB. Thank you for allowing her to come over and introduce herself." "You're welcome. I though it was only fair since I've already met Plagg." Cat Noir's smile faded and he got this very far off look in his eyes.
"I'll try my best to explain my theory without giving away my identity. But, it might be hard. Please forgive me if I pause for long stretches of time. I'm just thinking of the best wording." "I understand Chaton. Please proceed with your theory." "I think Hawk Moth is Gabriel Agreste." Ladybug looked confused. "I thought we had ruled him out because he had been akumatized? Plus, he was bound in the basement." "I think those instances might have been a ploy to throw us off his track." "Why's that?" Ladybug cocked her head to the side.
"Emilie Agreste." Cat Noir stated firmly. "She was in the basement. He said she couldn't be healed with conventional medicine. That means he's likely trying to get our miraculouses in order to heal her." "That... makes... sense actually," Ladybug replied. "But, how would that compromise your identity?" Cat Noir stood there for what seemed to be an eternity trying to come up with the right words not to give himself away. Finally, he stated, "There's no way for me to explain that without you figuring out my identity."
"Oh..." Ladybug responded. "I understand. I..." "I trust you My Lady," Cat Noir interrupted. "I know you know who Rena Rouge and Carapace are. I know you've been keeping their secret. I don't really want to burden you with another one to keep. But, I really want you to understand the urgency of finishing this with Hawk Moth." "I'm ready," Ladybug said. She covered her eyes with her hands and heard Cat Noir detransform. Adrien placed his hands on hers and slowly pulled them down.
"A-Adrien!" Ladybug was in shock, to put it mildly. Plagg flew up to her and said, "Surprise!" "Plagg, not now," Adrien quipped. Every fiber of her being was shaking. Adrien pulled her into and embrace and she fell limp into his arms. He just held her there for several minutes while she regained her strength.
Ladybug's mind was a whirlwind of flashbacks at every little interaction she had had with Cat Noir and Adrien, trying to line them up as the same person. The love square became clearer and clearer. Ladybug's blush rivaled her suit. Adrien patted her back, "It's okay. Take your time. I know this must be a shock to you."
"I love you," Ladybug whispered. Adrien stiffened up. He had expected her to say something, but that certainly wasn't it. Ladybug was now looking at him as he lowered his gaze back to hers. They locked eyes. Adrien was lost in them. All his pining for Ladybug to love him back, and he had just needed to revel himself. The one thing she had been so against for so long.
Then it hit him. He was the boy she loved that prevented her from returning Cat Noir's feelings. Adrien blushed hard. "So, I guess I'm your crush then, huh?" Ladybug nodded. "I told you I couldn't picture a world without him. That was true, just as true as I can't picture a world without either of you. And yet, you're one and the same." "I love you too, Bugaboo."
Ladybug stood up straight. "Okay, back to work. I can see why you think your identity has been compromised. If your father is Hawk Moth, then he'd have known you weren't kidnapped by Hawk Moth. Meaning, if you were missing too, then you had to be Cat Noir." "Purrfect reasoning My Lady," Adrien responded. Ladybug giggle and curled her toes. "I think I'm going to have to stop you from making quite so many puns, Chaton." "And how do you purrposed to do..." Ladybug pulled Adrien down and kissed him before he could finish. "Like that," Ladybug smirked. "You can shut me up any time, My Lady." Ladybug just rolled her eyes.
Adrien noticed the sappy smile on her face as if she were daydreaming. He snapped his fingers and Ladybug came to. "Is this going to be a regular problem now?" Adrien asked. "Just transform back kitty. That'll do the trick." "Plagg, Claws Out!" Cat Noir once again stood in front of Ladybug. "What's the plan?" he asked.
"We need to know for sure that you father is Hawk Moth. I'd hate to accuse him and be wrong." "Me too, LB." "I'm worried that he'll try to take your miraculous as soon as you return home." "Two for two, My Lady." "So, we need a decoy ring." Ladybug smiled at Cat Noir. "I know just the place to get one."
Cat Noir followed Ladybug to a storefront that sold items from Gabriel Agreste's clothing line. They went to the jewelry section and found a Cat Noir style ring. Looking around at the others, they noticed several items looking very much like the Fox, Turtle, and Bee Miraculouses (among others). "I guess we should've noticed earlier, huh," Ladybug sighed. "We know now. Let's just get this over with. I can't stand the thought of him hurting someone else. even if it is to bring mother back."
Once they got near the mansion. Cat Noir detransformed and gave Ladybug his ring. "No making wishes, Bugaboo." "I wouldn't dream of it kitty. All my wishes have already come true." Adrien blushed hard, slipped on the decoy ring, and headed inside. Ladybug zipped up to the roof to watch everything. If this went south, she'd have to bust in and break up the party."
"Adrien!" Gabriel leered from the top of the stairs, "where have you been!" "I was kidnapped by Hawk Moth. Ladybug and Cat Noir just saved me and I had to walk back. Sorry it took so long, father." "I don't believe you. Come here." Adrien walked up to his father. "Give me your ring. You won't be needing it anymore." "But father, it was a gift." "I don't care. Give it to me now!" Adrien lowered his head and slipped off the ring. Gabriel's eyes shined. "Half way there," Gabriel muttered to himself. "Excuse me father?" "Adrien, I know you were Cat Noir." "But how?" "Because of you being *kidnapped* by Hawk Moth today."
Adrien glared at his father. "Hawk Moth!" "Yes son. It seems you tipped your hand by playing along with the Hawk Moth ransom ruse." At that, Ladybug burst through the window and tied up Gabriel with her yoyo. Adrien ran down the stairs and Ladybug threw his ring to him. "Plagg, Claws Out!" Cat Noir was back just in time to see Nathalie running into the room with the safe. Cat Noir followed her and was able to stop her before she was able to grab the Peacock Miraculous. Walking into the room, Ladybug held up the Moth Miraculous. "Good job, kitty."
The police escorted Gabriel and Nathalie away. The news of Hawk Moth's defeat was on the television as Cat Noir and Ladybug arrived at Master Fu's. Cat Noir detransformed. Master Fu said, "I see, you had to trust Ladybug with your identity in order to defeat Hawk Moth. Well done you too. I'm sorry Adrien, but I must take the ring back now that Hawk Moth has been defeated." Adrien looked at Plagg and a tear crept out of his eye. "Don't go mushy on me now kid," Plagg said, hiding a tear of his own. "You can come and visit anytime Adrien," Master Fu assured him. Adrien smiled. "I'll be going now," Adrien said.
"Wait!" Ladybug interjected. Adrien and Master Fu turned to look at Ladybug. "I know I have to give my earrings back also. I just think it's time for Adrien to see who his partner has been." "Very well," Master Fu stated. Ladybug turned to Adrien and smiled. "I've loved you ever since you convinced me you weren't like Chloe, even though you were her friend." "How did I do that? And, when?" Adrien looked puzzled at Ladybug. "Tikki, Spots Off!" While Ladybug was detransforming, she said, "when you gave me your umbrella." "Marinette!" Adrien pulled her into an embrace. "I'm so glad it was you. I thought you and I could only be friends because of my love for Ladybug. But, my heart kept longing for you also."
After a kiss. Marinette turned to Tikki. "I'm going to miss you so much. You've been my best friend and my support during all of this." "I'm going to miss you too. But, you have Adrien now." Marinette turned to Master Fu, removed her earrings, and gave them to him. Master Fu smiled, "The same goes for you Marinette, you are welcome here anytime." Marinette smiled and walked out leaving Adrien with Master Fu.
"Oh! I almost forgot," Adrien stammered. Adrien handed over the other two miraculouses to Master Fu. "Oh no. This one is damaged," Master Fu said looking at the Peacock Miraculous. "Can you fix it?" Adrien asked. "Yes. I can." "Can you fix my mother also?" "Excuse me?" Master Fu asked. Adrien explained everything that he had learned that day about his mother. "She must've been using the Peacock Miraculous," Master Fu acknowledged.
After fixing the Peacock Miraculous, Master Fu followed Adrien back to his basement. Luckily, Adrien remembered the code for the elevator and they did not have to go in through the sewer. With some help from Wayzz, Master Fu was able to revive Emilie. "Mother!" Adrien cried. "What, what happened?" Emilie asked while still a little groggy. After a few minutes of letting her rest upstairs with a cup of hot tea, Adrien explained everything to her. "Oh," Emilie replied, "So, your father is in custody now?" "Yes. I couldn't let him get away with his crimes. He's hurt so many people. They need closure also." "I understand son. But, maybe we can ask for leniency?" "Maybe, but the people of Paris have been hurt by father repeatedly. It might be difficult, even if they understand his motivations."
That night, Emilie and Adrien arrived the Dupain-Cheng bakery. "Please come in. How may we help you Adrien?" Sabine asked. "We'd like to see Marinette if that's okay?" "Go right on up." "Thank you, Mrs. Cheng." After climbing the stairs to the apartment, Adrien rang the bell. They could hear doors flying open and tripping sounds. Adrien just smiled at his mother, "She's fine. Really." Marinette opened the door, "Yes... A-Adrien! What brings you here?" "I wanted to introduce you to my mother." "Mrs. Agreste, it's a pleasure to see that you're okay!" "Thank you dear. I hear you played an important part in waking me up. Thank you." Marinette blushed. "You're welcome. I'm just glad you came back just in time to take care of Adrien now that his father is going to be busy for a while. I was so worried about what might happen to him if they were not able to wake you." "Everything is fine now. Thank you for your concern."
"So, Marinette?" Adrien started, "would you like to go get ice cream sometime?" "Yes!" Marinette replied. Emilie looked at Adrien suspiciously. "Mother, may I take my girlfriend out for ice cream tomorrow?" "Yes, son." They turned to Marinette who was now a bright shade of red. Thud! Marinette hit the floor. "Marinette! Are you okay?" Adrien asked leaning down to pick her up. "Yes, Adrien. I've just died and gone to heaven." "Not yet," Adrien quipped, "we still have to have ice cream tomorrow, Purrincess." Marinette giggled. "Okay, I'll stick around... but just for you kitty."