Chapter 3: Disappearance

*Narrated by Marinette Dupain-Cheng*

*3 Days Later*

"Marinette Dupain-Cheng?"

"Here!" I called out, smiling as brightly as I always do. As our teacher took attendance, I looked around, hoping to spot a certain individual that I admired but sadly, he wasn't anywhere to be found. I let out a disappointed sigh, wishing that he was here today. My friend Alya, who always sits next to me, patted my back reassuringly like she always does. "Don't worry girl, he'll be back soon."

I whispered back, so as to not interrupt our teacher. "I sure hope so Alya. It's not the same without him here."

"Ni-" The doors to our classroom swung open with a loud crash. Between them was our friend Nino. He looked to be out of breath, as if he ran all the way here. "There you are. Please take your seat."

"Is… Is Adrien here?" he said in between breaths. Our teacher glanced over to him and responded, "No, he's absent again."

Today's been the third day in a row that Adrien's been absent from school. I've been worried about him ever since the first day he was missing but knowing what his schedule's like, I thought he might have taken some time off for himself. He really needs a break after all. However, with it being the third day of his absence, I was growing worried, and the way Nino was acting only raised my concerns. What if something happened to Adrien? No… I can't think like that. I'm sure that's not the case. He might just be taking a vacation or something. That has to be it.

As Nino took his seat, looking down, a memory began to flash in my mind. It was a horrid memory that caused me to worry even more. A while back, when I was running for class president, the town was attacked by an evil knight but it was thwarted by the lovely hero known as Ladybug and her partner Chat Noir. I remember that soon after that attack, the class and I were in the Town Hall. One of my classmates, Chloe, was pressing me, asking where I was during the attack. You see, I'm actually the hero known as Ladybug but I couldn't tell her and the rest of the class I was out there fighting against the Akuma since I wanted to keep my identity a secret so, I said that I was turned into one of the pawns that the knight commanded. And, just in that instant, Adrien came running down the stairs in a hurry, but he paused and added "So was I."

He was turned into a pawn back then… He was the victim of an attack. What if something else happened to him again? What if he's in trouble and needs help? I've been an idiot for not noticing earlier. I dare call myself a hero and can't even protect the one that I love? I had to get out of here and search for him!

"Psst, hey Nino." Alya whispered to Nino. I paused my thoughts and listened in. Perhaps he knows something of the situation that would be of use. "What's the deal?"

He turned around and whispered back. "Something's up with Adrien. I went over to his house to check in on him yesterday but the guard wouldn't allow me in. He hasn't been answering my texts either. I've been trying to track him down but no dice."

Hearing this eased my mind slightly. This could mean that he is in trouble, but at the same time, it could mean that he isn't in trouble. Perhaps he was grounded? I find that hard to believe since if he was grounded, he'd still be coming to school. But either way, it sounds like I might want to investigate the Agreste Manor after school. Hopefully it will provide me some answers that I'll be looking for.

I reached the manor not long after school. It was a little out of my way from my usual route, but I couldn't continue on without knowing about Adrien. If he really does need my help, I want to make sure I provide it as soon as possible.

I walked up to the front gates, about to go over and ring the buzzer but they suddenly began to open in front of me. Surprised by this, I hid with my back against the wall right beside the buzzer to see what was up. Perhaps it was Adrien about to go out for another photoshoot?

When I peered over to see who or what was coming out, I saw a large man carrying Nino by the scruff of his shirt and pants. I didn't recognize him at first, but upon further inspection I realized that I knew this man. It was Adrien's bodyguard.

He swung his arms back, then tossed Nino forward until he fell flat on his stomach inches away from the gate. He looked to be dazed but was generally alright. A woman came out from beside his bodyguard and looked down at Nino. "Never return to this residence again or else we will have you arrested for trespassing."

I recognized this woman, this was Adrien's Dad's assistant, Nathalie. She always been rather serious and can come off as cold but this wasn't like her. At least, from what I've seen.

"Please," Nino said as he flipped himself over. "Please tell me what's happened to Adrien. I'm his friend and I need to know!"

"Mr. Agreste is not to be seen at this time. Rest assured, no harm has come to him. Now, please vacate the premises."

The two walked back inside with the gates closing behind them. Nino stayed on the ground for a few more moments, then just got up and stormed off. He looked angry, and I wanted to go cheer him up, possibly asking him if he got any new information if it arose but I heard whispers coming from inside the gates that caused me to forget the idea.

I crept along the wall until I was just short of the metal gate. I looked in and saw Nathalie holding her head, while facing the bodyguard. "People are beginning to notice. We can't keep this secluded any longer."

Secluded? What did they mean by that? Did Adrien really disappear and they're just covering it up?

"Come inside. We'll decide our next course of action. We have to be careful that word doesn't get out to the media."

The bodyguard nodded and the two began to retreat back inside the mansion. I spun back to my hiding place. "I knew it!" I called out. Something has indeed happened to Adrien, but what it was, I wasn't sure. At this point, it could really be anything. The idea that I had earlier, that perhaps he became an Akuma, a person full of powered negativity, or a pawn of one couldn't be the reason why. I've been doing patrols during the night as my persona Ladybug. There's been absolutely no Akuma activity at all, unless it's been isolated activity. No… that wouldn't be it. That's not what the Akuma do. They always make their presence known. It's definitely something else. But the question was: what? The only way I would know for sure is if I get into the mansion but that's easier said than done. They won't let me in, that's for sure. If I sneak in, they'll just toss me out. Perhaps I could pay them a visit as Ladybug? No… I had a better idea.