It happened in an instant, she had let her guard down.
Every time she opened her eyes, it was blurry, her head hurt, but she could hear voices, Tikki's and three other voices. "What?" Marinette asked in her drowsy state.
The voices stopped as footsteps came towards her. "So, you are finally awake." Marinette scrunched her eyes, that voice was familiar.
Slowly, a hand reached under her chin, lifting her face up to meet none other than Gabriel Agreste. The man smirked; amused with the state Marinette was in. "Glad to finally have you with us, Ladybug."
Marinettes eyes slowly widen as she registered what he called her. Her eyes cleared as panic settled in, eyes darting round the dark room as she spotted Tikki, with what looked like two other Kwami.
As her body stood, she felt weight on her arms and legs.
She was chained to the floor, her arms couldn't go past her back and her legs barely allowed her to stretch.
"I apologise, but I can't have you moving much." Gabriel began as he stepped back. "You have been a worthy opponent, Maritnette Dupain-Cheng. If you hadn't been as worth, I wouldn't even give you the chance to see your fate."
Marinette slowly looked to Gabriel. She gulped; she knew who she was dealing with. "Y-you are Hawk moth then?" Gabriel nods slowly. "Why? Why would you do this to everyone?" Marinette wanted to know what this man's intensions were. "Also, where's Adrien?"
She remembered how she ended here, Gabriel had asked for her presence, wanting to discuss a project for young upcoming fashion designers.
He has asked her to join him and Adrien for dinner. She had been worried, but the thought of spending time with Adrien, was too much to pass up.
She remembered having a drink during the meal. Then all went black from there.
"You want to know what I want. Let me tell you a small tale, then we will discuss anything else you want to know." Gabriel walked the room, as he moved, Marinette spotted her earrings on Gabriel, she watched the three Kwami move about.
She felt exposed, as Tikki glanced to her, worried and sad.
"A few years ago, I used to have a loving happy family." Gabriel began as he remembered his day with his wife and his son. "But life is a cruel person, and the love of my life and mother of my son, was taken from us." Marinette glanced down to the floor, well aware of this. "I spent six months in solitude; I went travelling to get away from everything. Wanting to seek an answer to this cruel world I was given." Gabriel turned to Marinette, his hand moved to the small gem on his neck. "Then I came across this, the miraculous."
Marinette glanced to the black Kwami then the purple Kwami. "You have two Kwami?" Marinette asked curiously. Gabriel chuckled and it made Marinette feel really worried.
"I'll explain about this, but let me continue." Gabriel mused as he continued his story. "So, when I learned of the Kwami, I came across an old book. It was very interesting, giving some very interesting information and one such thing that caught my attention." Marinette could see the grin and she stepped back nervously. "Was to bring the dead back to life!" Gabriel roared to the heavens. "So at last, I saw a life I could have again with my wife. But you see, I needed something important, I needed the ladybug Miraculous of Creation." Gabriel gestured to Tikki as Marinette glanced to her Kwami.
"And," Gabriel stated as he drifted a, now that she can see it, ringed finger to the black Kwami. "I needed the cat Miraculous of Destruction." Marinette flopped to her knees, realisation hitting her, that her partner was defeated.
"How did you get Chat's?" How did Gabriel find her partner? She didn't even know who Chat was.
"Well, you see." Gabriel mused as he walked the room, his eyes drifted to a black panel. "You can see how for yourself..." He snapped his fingers and the black window lit up.
Marinette felt her stomach flip; she could see him, hanging from his arms by chains. "A-adrien?" He was unconscious, he didn't look harmed, but his wrists looked red. She was on her feet instantly, wanting to help him. "Let him go!" Gabriel turned to the girl.
"I will, once we are done." Gabriel walked to Marinette, staying just out of reach. "Before he wakes, I wish to ask you something." Marinette scowled at the man. How could he do this to his son? "You want hawk moths terror to end, right?" Marinette blinked in confusion. "Do you want Adrien to be happy?" Marinette frowned.
"I- of course I do." She spoke quietly, nervous about what or where this was going. "I'd do anything to keep him happy." Gabriel smiled.
"Good, then let me make an offer to you." He stood straight as he tucked his arms behind his back. "The power of the Kwami of Destruction and Creation combined to grant me one wish. But life can't be made out of nothing. Something, must be given in exchange, as is the law of the world we live in." Gabriel kept his eyes on the girl as Marinettes eyes widen and she began to shake as it settled in her head. "I want you to be the sacrifice for Adrien's mother."
Marinette felt her legs give out again, she was being asked to die for Adrien? She shivered, the thought was unsettling. Gabriel kept a calm feature as he studied the girl. "As ladybug, you would always put the people before yourself. You are being given the perfect moment to save Paris, to make one boy happy. By simply doing what I ask."
Marinette took a long shuddered breath. "H-how do I know you mean it?" Marinette asked. She knew she was on a losing battle here anyway. "How do I know you will return the miraculous to Master Fu?" Her gaze shifted up to Gabriel.
But it was not the man who spoke next, but the purple Kwami next to him. "I understand this is important to think about, Marinette." Nooroo spoke as Gabriel glanced to the small being, Plagg and Tikki remained quiet. "But master is a man of his word. He will follow through with his statement. I will vouch for him, he may be cruel at times, but he does have honour." Marinette stared at the Kwami.
This small being, had been found by Gabriel and had spent the most time with him. Surely she could trust it, right?
The whole situation seemed to be getting heavy, she felt like sand was being poured onto her as she tried to focus on the current situation.
She could end this, and make Adrien happy? Her family would miss her, Alya would be upset.
They'd never know, no one would ever know what she had done to save them all.
A hero to the people, who would disappear but save them in that instance, only Gabriel and maybe Adrien would remember her sacrifice.
She felt numb, was there no other way?
Taking a deep breath, she knew there wasn't. He'd use her regardless, but he was willing to be fair and give her the choice first.
"O-" Her voice cracked, as a tear began to form. "Okay, I'll do it." Gabriel nods slowly with a smile as he walked up to the girl.
"I'll remove the restraints, but any sudden actions to me and I may just choose to sacrifice someone closer to you." Marinette felt scared to death as he undid her restraints.
Gabriel was dangerous as she followed him to the middle of the room. Marinette looked to Adrien, his body still hanging from the chains. She couldn't really take in that he, was Chat Noir. "Take hold of this..." Gabriel commanded as he held a pole to her.
She took it instantly.
That's when his hands clasped on top of hers, and a sharp pain emitted in her palms causing her to yelp.
He held her tight to the pole as she saw blood trickle down to the bottom. He released her hands as she yanked them back, studying the deep indentations in her palms.
Gabriel tapped the pole to the floor, a red chalk design being sketched out before her, no wait, around her. He was drawing a ritual circle, he was using her blood with chalk.
Gabriel was quiet the whole time, studying to make sure he had the designs right. Marinettes eyes floated to Tikki and the cat Kwami.
Both avoided Marinettes gaze, it made her feel guilty.
Gabriel set the staff down, looking at the girl. "And now, we can begin." Marinette gulped.
She froze as a groan echoed the room, Gabriel had a small smirk. "Looks like our cat, has woken up."