Chapter 2- Hawkmoth's Demise

It came like a slap in the face… the final showdown with the villainous Hawkmoth. After some careful planning and investigation the two lovers were able to stumble upon Hawkmoth's lair. Before entering in, Ladybug turned to Chat Noir and whispered, "This is it… This is the final match… and after this… I'll show you who I am at our precious spot… okay?"

"Okay, My Lady." He whispered, gently yet excited.

With the help of their fellow allies, they fought hard. He surely wouldn't give in easily as he sent out waves of akumas to his defense, but this didn't matter once they overcame the source and snatched his miraculous right off his dress shirt. He shrieked out in shock as a wave of light flashed before their eyes, and all the lay before them was a solitary man… However, that didn't stop the shock that passed over everyone's eyes. This man was no stranger to the world. He was a famous fashion designer, Gabriel Agreste!?

"N-no!? Wh-why!?" Ladybug whispered in shock before shouting, "Wh-why would you do this!? Don't you care at all about what Adrien is going to feel once this is over with!?"

"I didn't intend to have it end like this…" Gabriel whispered, bitterly but helpless.

Anger erupted in Ladybug's heart as she growled to Chat Noir, "Chat, call the police and tell them we have Hawkmoth in custody… I can't stand to sit a second more with this monster. Ch-Chat!?"
She looked up at him and was shocked by the horror-struck expression upon his face and what looked like tears gathering in his eyes.

"Ch-Chaton, are you okay?"

"I… I… I gotta go!" He muttered before shooting out of the room much to everyone's surprise.

"Chaton!? Wait!"

That night, she waited for him in the hotel room, but he never came. She tried calling him to no avail. Over the course of the week, it was discovered that Gabriel's assistants had been involved in his scheme as well and were promptly arrested too, leaving everyone in school to wonder what would befall of Adrien Agreste. Also over the span of that week, Chat Noir did not appear again to anyone, let along Ladybug in their cherished spot.

Not long after, Adrien surprised everyone by making a public press conference a month after the events, announcing that not only was he currently in courts to become an emancipated minor (since he was still a half a year shy of his 18th birthday), but also, that in light of his father's actions, he was in the process of obtaining control of his father's shares and position in his father's company. This left everyone baffled. However, the court ruled in his favor, and Adrien left Collège Françoise Dupont to focus on his newfound responsibility. In doing so, he was too blinded by the work and grieving over his father to find himself befitting his Chat Noir persona.

On the other hand, much to everyone's surprise again, Marinette unexpectedly dropped out of school as well for unknown reasons and headed off with her grandmother Gina to travel the world. When all her friends, shy of the preoccupied Adrien, asked her parents for an explanation, all they offered up was that she had to sort out some things in her life.