Where was I?
I mentioned a storm, did I?
Right.
Marinette sat at the table, her pencil in her mouth.
Chat was Skyping her, and she looked severely confused.
''You know, you could come over. A smart kitty like you could easily help me with my Algebra homework.'' She smiled.
''You wish. I suck at Maths.'' He answered, peering at the screen, ''does that say eight pm? You want me to come see you at eight pm? Does your aunt know about this? What would she say?'' He placed his hand on his heart.
''I don't want to see you. Well, I do, but that's not the point. I want to see Papa. And they won't let me in without an "adult" escort. And you're legally eighteen, making you a legal adult.''
''Ah, so nothing to do with Algebra homework?''
''Not really. Unless X can find me the cure to amnesia.'' She crossed her arms. Chat smirked, leaning forward.
''I'm sure the only cure is "time" princess.'' He answered.
''I thought you were all for adventure, kitty.'' She retorted. ''You coming or not?''
He shrugged.
''Why not? I suppose you need an adult like me to look after a kid like you.'' He chuckled at her expression. ''What? You said it, not me.''
''I meant it.'' She smiled, flicking hair behind her shoulders. He laughed, watching her with his analysing eyes. It's sad that she has to pretend she's okay, when it's clear she's not. But she has me, and I'll protect her from anyone.
But Daniel.
Do you remember him?
Well, he was a sad boy himself. He's actually an important person in our story. He's not just a cameo as you'd say.
He was a murderer.
He was a liar, and the reason he hated Adrien Agreste?
Because the boy had told him everything was okay when he was ten.
Adrien was ten, at the time. His mother had been missing for a week on his birthday. On his birthday, he was told she'd been found, dead, in an alleyway.
Daniel had killed her.
And Adrien, the poor boy, believed Daniel was grieving for Mrs Agreste's death. He had put his arm around the killer's shoulders, and said it was "all gonna be okay". Daniel was an immortal, cursed to live forever without his beloved Emily. Mrs Agreste's death was supposed to have brought her back.
But it only broke a family up more than ever.
And caused Hawkmoth to rise from the ashes.
"I am sorry, Adrien...'' Daniel sighed, pressing his hands against the glass he was holding, ''I never meant to ruin your life..."
The hero waited for his princess at the hospital, smiling.
''Nice to see you.'' He nodded, ''in the flesh and not behind a computer screen.'' She nodded, looking unemotional. She had her hands in her coat pocket, a habit she never succumbed to, no matter how cold it was. Why, you might ask?
She'd hit her wall, and her knuckles bled badly. She was spiralling into an abyss of sadness and sorrow, and never believed she'd find the culprit.
"Let's go in.'' Marinette bit her lip.
Another habit she never succumbed to.
"As you wish."
The nurse at the waiting area allowed them in, nodding to the room her father was in.
''Be careful. He's suffered a loss.''
''What loss?'' Marinette asked, her eyebrow raised.
''His wife, well, she passed away, earlier today.''
''Mama, she... is dead?'' The girl wiped her eyes, pushing her way to the door, looking at her father.
''I'm sorry, Papa. I didn't know about Mama.'' She let tears slide down her face. Chat Noir looked at the floor, awkwardly. Her father glanced at her, confused.
''Uh... I want an answer. Why? I could just start to remember her... You.'' He looked at her, his eyes widened, ''you look like her.''
''That's because I'm her daughter. Your daughter.'' She answered. He nodded.
''I remember, only a little. A little girl... But there's still much of my life I'm missing.''
''Yeah... But at least you can remember something about me. It's a step.'' She said earnestly. Tom nodded.
''Yes, you're right. You'll be completely clear as daylight in my mind soon.''
''Yeah,'' She turned, smiling. She linked her arm with Chat. She went to close the door, about to leave, when he called her back.
''You're going?''
''I have to live my life.''
She tried, so hard, to pretend nothing was going on.
It didn't work the way she wanted.
Grief would hit her and she wouldn't see straight.
But that wasn't the storm.
The storm happened on October 31st 2016.
Ladybug and Chat Noir were in the park.
''Look, I know I.. I'm weird, but I love you. Can we just.. I don't know, do something Halloween styled?''
''Chat, I'm sick of Halloween puns. I can't bear it anymore. One more and I swear...''
''Wait 'til Christmas.''
''No.''She answered.
''Why not?''
''Because I can't take it!" She replied, nudging him. He smiled, teasingly kissing her nose.
''I can deal it, though.''
"Oh lord, kill me now.'' Her eyes closed. He chuckled, closing his own eyes.
''This is normal. I wouldn't mind dying now, y'know.''
''Don't say that!" She hissed, as he pulled her closer.
''Okay, okay, I won't! I won't!'' He promised, laying down on the grass. She laid on his chest, sounding relaxed.
''Good.'' She murmured, ''I can't handle losing you.''
''You're stuck with me for eternity.'' He grinned, his eyes closed. In the distance, the bells tolled, signalling the end of Halloween.
But when she opened her eyes, she screamed.
Chat Noir was wearing a red suit with black spots, and a mask with the same pattern.
She looked at herself, springing up on her feet.
She was wearing Chat's suit, except she had a mini-skirt attached to the leather leggings. She glanced at her tail, and touched her head.
Ears.
She had ears.
Cat ears.