my tumblr is Adrienaline-rushed-art if you wanna see artwork (links at bottom)
There's always an eerie feeling when something goes wrong. As if the ticking of clocks slows to a stop. A feeling of dizziness as though the earth had wobbled out of balance. Suddenly overcome with the experience; there's an ultra focus on that particular moment and yet a feeling of not really being there at all. Which is why the crowd's murmurs went unnoticed as Ladybug sat unmoving and hunched over. Her earrings screamed in her ears again, but she didn't even flinch. Nothing around her mattered, everything was caving in.
"Please… please."
Her whimpers fell quiet and pathetic on the ears of onlookers. It felt wrong to see her so weak. However, not nearly as wrong as seeing the limp frame she was cradling.
"This isn't fair." Ladybug shook her head violently. How dare the sun shine so brightly? How dare the birds sing? Why was time continuing for everyone else while she was stuck here?
Alya stood in the front row of the people encircled around Ladybug, her hands keeping the recording phone up only by absent habit. She didn't snap out of her horrified daze until the crowd behind her stirred and she was being shoved out of the way.
"Out of my way, and leave while you're at it," a tall figure emerged in front of Alya; the voice and stature unmistakable.
Footsteps brought Ladybug's attention up to the intruder, "Mr. Agreste? What are you doing here?" She sounded torn between being perplexed and offended.
Gabriel only stared down at her. His eyes were colder than usual, but Ladybug sensed a deep message was trying to be conveyed.
He crouched down beside her, his lips parting with a stern quiver, "Get away… from my son," his voice attempted to be a frustrated growl but was more of a cry for help.
Ladybug's eyes hardened, "What?"
Gabriel leaned over and touched the golden strands of hair of… that… thing… that empty shape that wasn't real.
Ladybug took a shaky breath, "You mean… he's your-"
Gabriel glared at Ladybug, answering her question thoroughly.
Finally, Gabriel reached underneath Chat Noir's knees and upper back, slowly leveling himself back to his feet. Chat Noir's neck caved and allowed his head to fall back, a trail of purple leading from the nape of his heck to the red stains tainting his blond locks.
Before she could lose herself down another spiral, Ladybug managed, "I'm so sorry… I thought we'd won. I didn't see-"
"Please, be quiet."
Gabriel turned - this time the crowd parted for him - and he left without another word. With her heartbeat ringing loudly in her ears, the sound of Ladybug's earrings' last cries were drowned out. Alya took no time putting her phone down and rushing to Ladybug's side as hot tears traced like acid down her face.
"Come on, Ladybug. This isn't the time to reveal your identity to everyone."
Ladybug lifted her head to look at Alya, opening her mouth hesitantly and straining her voice, "Alya?"
Alya's eyes widened at the familiarity in Ladybug's tone, but she said nothing.
"Oh, Alya!" Ladybug wrapped her arms around Alya's knee, making her jump.
Alya took Ladybug's hands and lifted her to her feet, "I know somewhere safe, follow me."
Ladybug blindly followed Alya. An unbreakable trust evident in the way her breathing calmed as she held onto Alya's hand. Heads turned as Alya dragged Ladybug into a small clothing store and through to the dressing rooms.
"Barely anyone comes here and I won't be able to tell which one is you when you come out," Alya smiled softly, waving as she turned to leave.
"Wait!" Ladybug snatched Alya's hand once again, "I don't wanna be alone. I can't be alone… Chat Noir… Adrien...he's-"
Alya blinked, "But Ladybug, your secret-"
"Oh, c'mon Alya. Don't pretend like you don't know. Don't pretend like you haven't been on my case multiple times already."
Alya studied Ladybug's face for a moment, "Ok, girl… let's go together," she brought her arm around Ladybug and they entered the dressing rooms with barely enough time for her transformation to lose hold.
No one dared approach the door the two girls had entered. No one dared bother the door behind which there was sniffling, coughing and whimpering. No one dared ask the broken girls to leave.
All of the lights were out in the Agreste Mansion. The shades were drawn. The bedroom lights doused. Gabriel's hooded eyes dimmed what light remained in his eyes.
He sat staring at Chat Noir, laying there on Adrien's bed. There was nothing much to do but watch. Maybe his eyes would flicker open at any given moment. Maybe they wouldn't, but Gabriel didn't care. He'd watch the lifeless body for the rest of his life if he had to. He'd sworn to himself he'd protect his son at all costs. Losing sight of him would only be admitting defeat.
"Mr. Agreste."
Gabriel didn't bother to look over at Nathalie. Not even so much as a hum in response. He simply bowed his head further.
"I'm sorry to bother you, but someone's here to see you, Sir," Nathalie's voice was soft and uneven, a shaky sniffle adding to her lost composure.
Gabriel finally spared her a glance, bringing his hand down to hold onto Chat Noir's, as if to make sure he wouldn't disappear. Her appearance confirmed what he'd heard in her voice. Her bun was lopsided, her glasses were smudged, and her blouse was half untucked with some buttons missing from the top. No one was in top condition today. Gorilla was nowhere in sight after they'd arrived at home. Driving them home, he ran two red lights, stopped at 3 green lights, and nearly parked the car… through the gate.
Gabriel sighed, "Who on earth would be here to see me now?"
"He says it's important," Nathalie glanced at Chat Noir, then looked back to Gabriel.
Gabriel straightened, "Bring him in."
Nathalie nodded and excused herself back out the door, returning quickly with a small solemn old man in a red Hawaiian shirt.
Gabriel's grip on Chat Noir's hand tightened, "Don't look at him."
"Gabriel-"
"You did this to him! If it weren't for you, none of this would've ever happened."
"He made the decision."
"You made the decision an option."
Fu kept his gaze steady on Gabriel's, allowing a beat of silence, "What do you plan to do?"
"I don't have one. But I should hope you do."
"Me? I expected you must have something in mind, taking him as Chat Noir and leaving him here. This isn't how most people handle a loss. I came for that concern."
"You should know everything about this miraculous. It's supposed to protect him. He must be alright… you must know how to wake him."
Fu shook his head regretfully, "That is not in my power."
Gabriel shot up, "If keeping my son safe is not in your power. Then neither should putting him in danger."
"I realize you aren't very happy with me right now-"
"I'm beyond unhappy. What you did to my son is unforgivable."
Fu narrowed his eyes and nodded, "And to think this is the happiest he's been," he stroked his beard shamelessly.
Gabriel snarled, "Look, is it the ring you want?" he turned to reach for Chat Noir's ring, "Just take it and go-"
"I wouldn't."
Gabriel stopped in his tracks, "What?"
"Whatever hope there is for your son… removing the ring isn't a good idea."
Gabriel raised an eyebrow, "So, you do know something."
"I know that much."
"Why can't I remove the ring?"
Fu approached the bed, gesturing towards the ring. Five lights holding for far longer than five minutes. "Normally, his transformation would've dropped by now. But his kwami is enduring, to talk to him one last time."
Gabriel looked at the ring; intrigued.
"The ring will hold his soul until his time runs out."
Gabriel stiffened as the ring beeped and one light blinked off, "Then I don't have much time," he stormed past Fu and started out the door.
"Don't do something you'll regret," Fu called.
"Why would I regret saving my son?" Gabriel growled.
"Maybe you can save him by leaving him be."
"As if I'd listen to the likes of you."
"Adrien… Adrien!"
Adrien brought himself to open his eyes at the desperation in Plagg's voice.
"Plagg?" Adrien blinked, then looked around, "Where are we?"
Plagg zipped closer to Adrien than usual, a foreign vulnerability in his eyes, "In the miraculous…"
"What?! How did I get in the miraculous?" Adrien furrowed his eyebrows, searching through his memories.
Plagg's laugh was tight, "Don't you remember?" he touched his paw to Adrien's cheek, "You asked me to show you what it was like!"
"No… the last thing I remember is…"
"Let me guess… Ladybug? Were you dreaming about giving her lots of smooches-"
"No, Plagg. I remember Ladybug, but it's like… she kept getting further away. I fell- no, I was pushed. I heard a scream, and then nothing… Plagg… am I-"
"Must be another one of those dreams of yours! Say, what was it you said you liked about Ladybug? I keep forgetting…"
Adrien stared at Plagg, realization creeping into his gaze, "You know, Plagg. You've never wanted to talk about love with me. You haven't even asked for cheese at all…"
"Oh! Oh, right! I-I'm so hungry… man, I could go for some cheese. Let's get… out… of here…" Plagg trailed off.
"Plagg, I won't be getting out of here will I?"
Plagg turned away.
"Or should I say, I won't be getting out of here… alive."
Plagg flinched.
Adrien looked down at his hands. He hugged his knees to his chest as a silence formed between the two of them.
Chat Noir! No!
"Ladybug?" Adrien looked above him. Ladybug's face was projected overhead, looking down at him with worry in her eyes.
Adrien reached out to touch her, "Ladybug, I'm right here!"
Open your eyes! Say something! Say some stupid joke... I don't care I just-
Adrien shut his eyes. He couldn't bare to watch.
Please… Please.
He laughed bitterly, "Don't cry, My Lady. I haven't even had the chance myself."
Plagg touched Adrien's shoulder. Adrien looked at his kwami dejectedly, letting him nuzzle into his chest. They stayed holding each other, ignoring what was in front of them, ignoring Gabriel's voice, focusing on each other.
Plagg groaned and fell limp in Adrien's embrace.
"Plagg! What's wrong?"
"Sorry, kid," he smiled faintly, "Could use a little cheese is all…"
Gabriel flipped through the miraculous book furiously.
"I doubt you'll find anything in there," Fu mumbled from behind Gabriel.
"You can read it, can't you?"
"Yes…"
"Then there must be something."
"My being able to read it doesn't confirm there will be useful information."
"It's the best I've got."
"I don't think you understand what you're doing."
Gabriel whipped around, "And you don't understand that you don't have the right to tell me that!"
Ladybug dialed again. It was a reflex at this point. Why did she come to tonight's patrol? To honor the tradition?
No answer.
She shook her head sadly, "No," she sobbed, "Not again!"
Her gasps quickened and her throat tightened. As if on a rebellious cue, tears fell down her face against her wishes.
"Gabriel, please listen. You don't look well."
"Did you expect me to be out singing for joy on the rooftops?!"
Her cries came stronger than ever this time. She wept loudly into her hands. She didn't care who would hear her.
She choked out a wail.
Her yo-yo lit up.
"I expect you to slow down and think about your actions for a moment. This isn't something that's supposed to be in human hands. Whenever a person tries to mess with magic on their own abilities, things never go well."
"Well, who then? If not me? What power-"
"There's only one power that can do it, but-"
"Quit hesitating over consequences when I have such little time. ALL I WANT IS A CHANCE TO HAVE MY SON BACK!"
Gabriel's voice echoed against the walls and a bright green glow flashed from the ring.
"No… I'm too late!" Gabriel ran up to his son's bedside.
A pink light trailed behind them, twirling into Adrien's bedroom and mingling with the dancing green light. The pawprint on the ring vanished and the green light climbed up Chat Noir's arm. The light consumed him entirely until he shattered.
"ADRIEN!" Gabriel grabbed for the small green specks desperately.
A bracelet remained where Chat Noir had been. The bracelet and the ring were swept up into the pink light as it flew away.
art