Chapter 1

A loud ringing bell dismissed class for the day, and Marinette quickly gathered her belongings, stuffing everything into her bag in a disorderly fashion. Usually, she took her time leaving, chatted with friends, maybe even just hang out in one of the club rooms, but today was different. Tomorrow was the long-awaited day, Adrian's 18th birthday, and even though he wasn't going to have an official party, they were all going to have a small get together at her place. After stuffing the last sheet of paper in her bag she flung it over her shoulder, walking home like a woman on a mission. Tomorrow she was going to do it, this time she was really going to do it. She was finally going to tell Adrian how she feels.

"Marinette! Wait up!" A man's voice called out to her. Slowing her pace down to a slow walk she peeked behind her, spotting one of her best friends, Luka, running after her.

"Hey Luka" She greeted him with a big smile. "What's the rush?" she half laughed once he caught up to her, slightly out of breath.

"I just spotted you and thought it may be cool to hang out for a bit, you know since starting tomorrow if everything goes well I may need to start asking your boyfriend for permission before spending time together, just the two of us." Luka flashed her a bit of a smug smile, implying a bit of sarcasm surrounding the asking permission part.

"Oh Luka, you know I love spending time with you and regardless of how he reacts tomorrow, that's not going to change, you are my best guy friend after all… But I can't, I still have to finish making Adrian's present" she felt a little bad turning him down but knew he would understand and forgive her. After all, the day you confess to your five-year crush doesn't come every day, and she had to have some major pampering time if everything was going to go well. Just imagining the horror of the possibility of waking up with a zit or something tomorrow sent shivers down her back."Bye Luka, see you tomorrow" getting on her tiptoes she gave him a quick kiss on the cheek before running off.

Gently touching the spot her lips left him, he took in a slow deep breath "Goodbye Marinette… I really hope Adrian is all you imagine he is." Luka whispered, watching her with sad eyes as she got further and further out of his reach. Since they first met Luka always had a thing for Marinette, but opted to play the role of a close supportive friend, instead of risking the chance of being rejected and not having her in his life at all. Shaking his head he tried to conceal his feelings deep inside, wanting nothing more than to rush after her, swoop her off her feet, and make her finally give up on Adrian and give him an actual chance.

- The next night-

"Adrian, where are you going?" Gabriel's thundering voice almost seemed to echo off the walls by the front door, making Adrian freeze where he stood, completely busted trying to sneak out.

"A-ah, Father, I was just… uh… you see my friends and I were just gonna..." Adrian stammered over his words. He knew his father wouldn't allow him to just ditch all his duties for the day and go hang out with his friends, even if it was his birthday. It's always been like this, his father had complete control over his life. Told him what to do, where to go, how long to be there, and who to be around. His only real escapes where school and his time spent as Chat Noir. "I'm sorry Father… my friends had planned a party to celebrate my birthday and-"

"Adrian" his father interrupted "I did not ask for an explanation, I wanted a location" he recapped as he made his way down the staircase and put his hand on his son's shoulder. "In the eyes of society, you are now an adult, a functioning member of society. And as such if you decide you want to run off and play with your school friends, then pick your head up high and go be with them. No more of this sneaking around and half thought out excuses. All I ask is that you inform me of where you will be."

Adrian's eyes grew wide as his father's words replayed in his head. Was he really saying what he thought he was saying? He blinked a few times before quickly standing up straight. "Yes, thank you, Father. The party will be held at the Dupain-Cheng bakery."

Gabriel nodded in approval at Adrian's short report. "Very well, however, I had hoped you would have informed me of this earlier, I had plans involving you tonight," he said before turning around, taking a few steps away and tapping on the rounded top of his walking stick, thinking. "Well it is not ideal, but I suppose now will just have to do. Come along Adrian, it is time you accept your gift from me."

"A present? I don't understand, Natalie has already given me your present this morning." Adrian said as he followed his father through the house, over to his office.

"No, a present is not the right word for it. Adrian now that you are an adult I want you to join me and help me make my wish come true." Once he reached the alter he looked out at Adrian, who was clearly very confused. "Come, son, all will be explained," he said before leading Adrian over to the picture of his mother. He pressed in several blocks in the mural, causing the floor below them to descend, taking them to Hawk Moth's Lair.

Adrian looked around, panicked and confused. "W-What?! What is this place!" he asked, freaking out just before his eyes fell on one of the many white butterflies flying around them. "Wait… that's… but how… That means..." his brain was putting together the pieces way faster than his mouth could keep up. He looked over at his father horrified, only to find him very calmly removing his tie and fastening a broach to his collar.

"Nooroo, dark wings rise" he called out, before a bright purple light engulfed him, moments later leaving Hawk Moth in his place. "Adrian, I am Hawk Moth"

"No… no no no, that can't be… There's no way… you were even akumatized, how could you be…" Adrian muttered to himself, pacing around, in doubt.

"Yes Adrian, I am, do not trick yourself into believing what your own eyes have seen is a lie," Gabriel said, disappointed in his son's childish reaction.

Darting over to his father Adrian swung his fist, punching Gabriel as hard as he could on the face, knocking him off his feet, causing him to crash onto the floor with a loud thunk. "No! How could you! For five years! For five years you've been the sole person terrorizing Paris! How could you do this to me!"

Gabriel quickly grabbed his face where Adrian punched him, impressed by his son's strength. "Calm down Adrian, you are acting like a child." He said as he got up, "If you want to know why, then stop your whining and follow me". Adrian went in for another punch, but this time Hawkmoth avoided it and used the opening to wack him upside the head with his cane. "Let's go see your mother," he said as he began to walk away.

Rubbing his head Adrian's eyes followed his Father "… Mother?" he asked, in a much more calm tone before running after him. "I… I don't understand what do you mean see mom? She was declared head a few years ago." Gabriel did not say anything else as they walked down the corridor until they reached Emily's body. "M… Mom" Adrian barely choked out, his eyes beginning to feel with tears.

"You're mother was the owner of the peacock Miraculous. But despite knowing the danger, she continued to use her miraculous with it being damaged. Eventually, it became too much for her to handle, and she was put into this magical coma-like state. Now the only way to get her back is to use the collected powers of the Ladybug's and Chat Noir's miraculous to make my wish come true and break this magical curse on her." Gabriel explained as Adrian continued to stare at his mother, tears running down his cheeks.

"So this whole time… all you were doing was trying to save her… It was all for her from the very beginning?" Adrian finally asked, not really expecting an answer.

"Yes, but no matter what kind of approach I take, I am still no closer to obtaining their miraculous. So Adrian, now that you know everything, will you help me save your mother?" He asked, offering out his hand to his son.

Adrian looked down at his silver ring. His emotions swirled around inside, causing his stomach to feel almost nauseous like. Was he really considering this, how could possibly betray ladybug and team up with Hawkmoth, the thought had not even once ever crossed his mind… But then, on the other hand, it was his family at stake… his mother could really come back… and all he had to do was take those earrings. A cold chill ran down Adrian's neck and it felt like a rock fell in his stomach, pinning down all those wavering emotions as he made his decision. "All I ever wanted was for us to be a real family again. Plagg… Claws out" he said in a near whisper, letting the green light take over him, transforming him into Chat Noir. Dropping down to his knees in front of Hawkmoth he reached out and took his hand "Of course Father, let's make our wish come true. Together."

Thank you for reading! Please leave a review letting me know what you think so far! I look forward to hearing from you and will try to get the next chapter us as soon as I can.