Adrien didn't get far till he was grabbed and pulled back into the Agreste manor, feet digging into the ground as he resisted. He turned to his father, frustrated and worried. Houte stared down at him sternly, blue eyes bright and sharp against the black sclera, his grip on Adrien's jacket tight. He started to scold, "Adrien, don't—"
Adrien cut in, "But Mariposa—"
"You don't even know where she is!" Houte snapped, his peacock tail rising and opening up behind him. Adrien tugged against him, glaring at the peacock hero. Houte pointed out, "How far did you think you would get? You don't know where she is."
Adrien opened his mouth to snap, only to falter, the logic laid out before him. He didn't know where Mariposa was. And he didn't have a miraculous to help her with. He was useless. Frustrated, Adrien ran a hand through his hair, jerking away from Houte Roi. His father didn't reach for him this time, watching his son stress and fume. Plagg settled on Adrien's neck, leaning on him and purring softly, not able to offer much reassurance. There wasn't much he could do here either.
Adrien turned to his father, demanding, "What can I do then? Nothing? I'm not going to sit by and do nothing?! I-I can't, I..."
He went quiet when Houte raised his hand to Adrien, looking up to his father, waiting for an answer.
"Think," Houte prompted. "Plan. Focus on your objective. You want to really be a help to Mariposa, get your ring back. We are going to need those earrings now more than ever if the Butterfly is being misused." Houte peered out to the surrounding streets, his blue eyes narrowed. He revealed, "Lila Rossi lives right next to the town hall. Try to at least get your ring back, but you should be able to get the earrings."
"Tikki will need to recharge," Plagg backed, sitting up, green eyes coy and excited.
"I can get my ring and help Mariposa," Adrien said.
Houte Roi nodded. I'll handle things till you get back. Butterflies may be good at disappearing, but they aren't able to resist a flashy appearance." Whoever was using the brooch was going to appear sometime. They couldn't stay hidden for long.
Houte went down the steps, glowing blue wings spreading out of his back, ready to carry him over Paris.
"Papa."
Houte Roi paused, glancing at Adrien from over his shoulder.
"Be careful," Adrien requested.
Houte offered him a smile. He jerked his head forward, ordering, "Go."
Adrien nodded and tore off, ducking under those wings, Plagg pursuing close behind him. Houte Roi paused for a moment, watching Adrien go. Shaking his head and focusing, he pushed off the ground, his wings carrying him high over Paris. His eyes slid over the streets, skimming over the horizon, searching for anything abnormal. Any hint of a butterfly.
Houte Roi landed on a roof, ignoring how people looked towards him and pointed, searching for anything. There has to be something, somewhere...
There.
Houte's eyes locked on a shimmer in the distance, seeing something rise up along the buildings. Butterflies, a swarm of butterflies, fluttering around a dark figure, one that was familiar to Houte Roi.
"No," Houte whispered, surprised, an uncomfortable feeling settling on his chest. Feelings that burned and ate away at his core. Feelings of anger, rage, hurt, betrayal... Houte snapped his eyes closed, breathing in shakily, trying to cap this rush of emotions. He was in control. He was poised. He released a breath, opening his eyes and glaring at the swarm, his tail fanning out behind him, the eyespots fierce as they gazed skywards. His wings rose up as Houte crouched down. He jumped forward, flying straight towards the swarm, bringing out his twin fans, ready to fight.
He was not going to escape him this time.
Houte Roi will not let Hawkmoth escape this time.
Not after what he's done, causing Ariel to lose Tikki. Making the earrings lost.
Houte Roi will not let him get away with it.
He will not misuse another miraculous again.
The butterflies rushed towards him, intent on buffering Houte Roi before he could reach his target. Houte Roi just flew through the swarm, uncaring and focused on the Butterfly in the center. Butterflies scattered, escaping the peacock hero as he charged through them, helpless to stop him other than trying to block his vision.
Hawkmoth dodged Houte, teetering a little at the gust Houte Roi left behind.
"Always so confronting," Hawkmoth called out, his gaze locked on Houte as the peacock turned to him. "You haven't changed at all, Houte Roi."
"Neither have you, Hawkmoth," Houte responded, glaring at him. His wings flapped down, sending butterflies flying away from the gust. Hawkmoth grimaced, feeling the power of the flap, his wings itching to carry him away.
Peacocks were aggressive. They charged in and fought, ready to stand their ground, not let their opponents get off easy.
Physically, Houte Roi had power ove Hawkmoth.
But what Houte Roi lacked was speed, and Hawkmoth was far faster than him. Haughtily, Hawkmoth jabbed, "I'll have you know that I am far better than I was before, Houte Roi. You learn a lot in Tibet, like the fate of Ari."
Houte Roi stiffened, eyes widening at the mention of his wife.
Hawkmoth grinned, laughing as he dove away.
His feathered tails lashing behind him angrily, Houte Roi pursued. "HAWKMOTH!"
"Adrien's been great," Marinette said as she and Ariel walked down the street, keeping a look out for butterflies. "He joined us for school this year and we became fast friends. Well, there was a little misunderstanding... but we got past it." With a sheepish smile, Marinette reached up, tugging her ear, thinking back to the gum incident. It didn't seem so long ago now that she thought about it...
Ariel's smile was warm and relieved, sparing a glance down at Marinette. "That's wonderful to hear," she said. "We were unnerved for so long to let Adrien attend a public school, we were considering it last year but..." She had seen Hawkmoth again, prowling around, searching for a miraculous.
It made her scared. Scared for her family, of what Gabriel may do learning that Hawkmoth was back. Scared of Hawkmoth and him discovering Adrien. All Ariel can recall were the times Hawkmoth attacked Paris, possessing people, overcoming their will, forcing them to do as he pleased. She could just imagine Adrien being corrupted by one of his akumas, Adrien turned against them, attacking them, every ugly emotion he felt unleashed.
Ariel felt sick at the thought. Sick at the idea of facing her son, seeing him corrupted by Hawkmoth.
It was the same for Gabriel, it leads to him pushing Hawkmoth out a window after he had snatched the earrings from her. Just the memory had her consciously reached up to touch her ears, faintly recalling harsh fingers snapping the earrings off. He was supposed to be dead, thought to be dead. And then she had seen him, saw him prowling around, searching for them, the miraculous; Adriel couldn't say. Maybe even both? She was scared of what Gabriel may do. Scared of what Hawkmoth may do.
She didn't want to risk her family at all. She wanted to take care of this herself. She knew she could. Knew that she could handle this, at least, see that her family stayed safe, and her husband didn't do something he may regret.
"He's been enjoying being at a public school," Marinette continued, jerking Ariel out of her thoughts and turning her gaze back to the small teen. Marinette had her eyes set forward, a pensive frown on her face. "Gets along with pretty much everyone... though, there seems to be some tension going on with Lila lately."
"Lila?" Ariel repeated.
"A girl that goes to our school. For some reason, the other day, he was pretty... tense around her? It was really odd, hadn't ever seen Adrien behave like that before."
Ariel hummed, eyes narrowed. Something about this Lila rubbed her son wrong. Why she won't know till she saw him again. Ariel faltered, stiffen slightly.
Ariel faltered, stiffen slightly. Seeing him again. She was going to see her son again, her husband. She was home...
"Mme Agreste?"
Ariel glanced to Marinette, her vision blurry. Marinette looked up at her, brow furrowed and concerned. She reached out, setting a hand on Arie's arm. "Are you ok?"
She laid a hand over Marinette's own, her smile watery and warm. "I'm ok," she said softly. "Just... "I'm home. I"m back..." Marinette offered her a smile, both just standing still, letting the woman soak in the moment. Ariel shook her head and drew away, the moment over. "There's a butterfly we need to catch," Ariel said.
"Right," Marinette agreed, tightening her hand into fists, ready to go. Only to falter as she looked down the street. "There!" Marinette exclaimed, pointing down the street, where a swarm of butterflies danced about, looking like an angry cloud.
Ariel grabbed Marinette, pulling her out of sight to a near alley. Both leaned out, watching two dark figures flying about in the middle of the ivory hurricane, one aggressively going after the other. Ariel sucked in a shaken breath, recognizing the long, sleek tails and the broad dark wings. Houte Roi. Gabriel... The storm continued, the two miraculous holders guiding it along as they danced around each other. The two trailed out, staring after them.
"Houte," Ariel whispered in wary wonder, drawing Marinette's eyes to her.
"Houte?" Marinette repeated.
Ariel cracked a small smile, meeting Marinette's eyes. "Houte Roi, my husband."
Marinette looked after the butterfly and peacock, flying after each other. She ran after, dodging Ariel when the woman reached for her.
"Come on!" Marinette shouted, racing after them. "We can't lose sight of them!"
Ariel followed, glancing to the sky where two holders flew, Hawkmoth dodging the feathers that raced after him with ease, has laughter just making the feathers more wild and aggressive. Marinette stopped at a park, watching them go.
"I need to get the brooch," she murmured.
"You'll need Hawkmoth close to the ground for that," Ariel said.
"Something that he wants would draw him in," Marinette calculated. She spared a glance about, eyes settling on a jewelry store. A Gabriel brand store. Marinette smiled. To Ariel, Marinette offered, "How about a certain pair of earrings?"
Ariel glanced to the store, eyes brightening. With a grin, Ariel agreed, "I think he would love a pair of earrings."
Hawkmoth has taken Mariposa's brooch. It's not unbelievable for Ariel to grab Harlequin's earrings.
It would at least catch his attention, make him pause. Hopefully, enough for Houte Roi to get to Hawkmoth, or for them to grab the brooch. It was worth a shot.
Adrien leaned out, eyeing the hotel by the town hall where Lila was staying at, Le Élégance. The biggest rival to Le Grand Paris, Adrien believed. He could've sworn he's heard Chloe talk about it time to time, grumbling a bit, muttering under her breath as she tried to think of ways for Le Grand Paris to outmatch them. It was an ongoing contest between the two.
And Lila should be in that very hotel, Adrien hoped.
After that, she should flee to safety, go someplace where she wouldn't be bothered, where Tikki could recharge. And preferably, someplace far away from where a peacock couldn't follow or find her.
Home would be one of the places Adrien would head to, that he would deem to be safe.
Plagg sat on Adrien's head, leaning back with a hum. "There is a chance she's not here," Plagg said, tail tapping Adrien's head.
"And a chance she may be," Adrien replied, approaching the hotel, eyeing the building. Going into the lobby could draw attention, and there was the factor he may not be able to get in easily. The doorman at Le Grand Paris was rather vicious and picky about who entered, and for a high-class hotel like this, they likely had a similar doorman.
Adrien ran to the side, not stopping till he came to a side entrance. Without prompting, Plagg phased through the door and it popped open, allowing his holder to slip inside. Adrien ran down the hall, Plagg flying ahead, going through cameras and making them glitch out for a minute, allowing to get by unseen. When they neared the lobby, Plagg hid under Adrien's jacket and Adrien dove for the elevator.
Knowing Lila, she'd likely have her own room on the top floor...
Adrien had solid suspicions. Harlequin barely made it back in time before the transformation dropped, Tikki rolling across the floor, sagging in exhaustion from where she stopped. Lila walked right by her, eyes set to the floor, body stiff. She murmured, "The Agrestes are a family of miraculous holders."
Tikki gave her a tired blink, then sat up with a wobble. She floated up, shakily heading for the desk where a bowl of cookies were left. The kwami collapsed in them, sighing as she surrounded herself in the sweet, comforting aroma of chocolate chip. Tikki sat up, picking up a cookie. Before she could bite into it, she squeaked as she was plucked up by her tail, Lila turning her around to glare at her.
"How is that possible?" Lila demanded.
Giving her a tired glare, Tikki revealed, "Some families will form a clan for miraculouses. Usually, it winds up started by a miraculous holder or two, one that wants to pass on the miraculous and the duty of it to their child. Perhaps the Agrestes are one of these clans."
Lila frowned, lowering Tikki, still holding the struggling kwami by the tail. "Could that mean that they have more miraculouses?"
Tikki huffed, turning to glare at Lila. "Is that all you can think about? Getting more miraculouses?" Tikki snapped.
Lila sent her a look, stating, "The more power you have, the easier it is to get what you want."
"There's nothing you truly want," Tikki pointed out. Lila tossed the kwami into the bowl, ordering, "Eat."
Lila tossed the kwami into the bowl, ordering, "Eat."
Tikk sat up, teetering slightly. Sending Lila a grimace, she took an angry bite of a cookie. She said, "You do know that if they do have more miraculouses, they're not going to be easy to get."
"I know," Lila replied, picking up the silver ring. "But I just need to grab a kwami to become unstoppable." Tikki turned away, popping the rest of the cookie in her mouth and picking up another to eat. She ate quickly, aware that at any moment, Lila may grab her and pull her away from her food.
For now, taking away Tikki's food was the last thing on her mind. Lila went to her balcony, glaring out to where the Agreste manor lay, her thoughts whirling around the peacock holder that chased her away. On Gabriel, the peacock miraculous holder.
Ladybug, Black Cat, Butterfly, Peacock... what else was out there?
Far from her, a little black kwami phased through the door, catching Tikki's attention. Sending a wild look to Lila, Tikki dove at Plagg, tackling the cat god and making him grunt as she held him tightly. Blinking wildly for a minute, Plagg hugged her back, patting her head. He spared a glance to Lila, seeing her peering out. Then spared a look back at the door, very much aware that Adrien was going to follow, to peek in and see if this was the right room. It was not going to go in their favor if Lila caught Adrien coming in.
Reluctantly, Plagg withdrew from Tikki, asking, "The ring?"
Tikki narrowed her eyes, glancing back to Lila. "I'll get it away from her," she promised. She nodded to the door, suspecting that Plagg's holder was close behind. "Tell him to hide."
"You got it spots." Plagg darted away, phasing through the door. Tikki went for the table, eyeing the bowl of cookies. She pushed it along, struggling a little, and sent it over, pleased to see it fall and break, sending shards and cookies everywhere. And was loud enough to catch Lila's attention.
"Che palle?!" Lila snapped, seeing the broken ceramic bowl and cookies everywhere. She turned to Tikki, her gaze sharp.
Tikki peered back at her coolly, her little arms crossed. "Those cookies were stale," Tikki said.
"So you decided to break the bowl," Lila bit out.
Tikki huffed, turning away from her as she grumbled, "How else was I going to get your attention?"
"Then I suppose you're good on cookies."
"No I'm not," Tikki said. "I need fresh cookies. Else I won't have the energy to hold the transformation."
Lila eyed her, eyes narrowed. Tikki peered back, firm and immobile, her arms crossed tightly. Lila set the ring down, a ring she knew was far too plain to be stolen by the staff here. Still, as a precaution, she slid it just between two vases of flowers, a bit out of sight and easily overlooked. She opened her jacket, stating, "We'll get you fresh cookies, and you better be ready. We're going back."
"I figured," Tikki harrumphed, diving under the jacket. She hoped Plagg and his holder with find the ring...
Lila slipped out of her room and down the hall. Behind her, Adrien and Plagg peeked out behind a plant, wathcing her go. Plagg phased through the door, unlocking it and Adrien quickly followed, looking around wildly. Plagg darted around the room, checking every nook and cranny, muttering, "Where, where, where..."
"It's got to be somewhere around here," Adrien said, going into Lila's room, moving items about, trying to look for anything silver.
But nothing was popping out. Did Lila leave with it? Was it on her person? Adrien hurried back to the main room, looking at the door warily. Lila had Tikki and if she had the ring...
"Found it!" Plagg cried out, zipping to Adrien, holding the silver ring.
"Yes!" Adrien cried, eagerly grabbing it from Plagg, slipping it onto his finger.
With a voice full of glee, he shouted, "Claws out!"
Down below, Lila slipped outside the hotel, searching her phone for a close bakery. Only to freeze when she saw something dark above. She gasped, taking a few steps back when she saw a swarm of butterflies filling the sky, starting to cover the city.
Was this Mariposa acting out? Seeking her? Did she know that Lila was Harlequin?
Lila almost turned and fled inside, only two dark figures dove past her. Neither of them were Mariposa, and one was definitely a butterfly.
Lila watched them go, her gaze settling on a man with large, black butterfly wings. She heard Tikki gasp, looking down to see the kwami peering out, her gaze locked on this butterfly holder. "Hawkmoth," Tikki whispered.
"Hawkmoth," Lila repeated.
Tikki didn't elaborate, sinking out of sight.
Lila took a step back, her kwami's unease making her wary. What she can calculate, Mariposa lost her miraculous to this Hawkmoth, a holder that looked far more menacing and fierce than her. Lila didn't want to be hasty.
Her intent was cut short when Chat Noir dropped down beside her, a devil may care smile on his lips, green eyes locked on her. She barely had a chance to scream when he dove at her, claws reaching for her ears. Lila stumbled away, falling to the ground with the black cat following her, pinning her down and reaching for her ears.
"Get off!" Lila snapped, struggling against him, kicking punching, shoving. Anything to keep the hero from taking her earrings.
Chat gritted his teeth, resisting the temptation to use his full strength, just trying to get one earring. Just one and she may not become Harlequin again!
"CHAT NOIR!"
Chat paused, ears twitching at the shout. He looked up to see Roger racing to do him, baton in hand. "Get off that civilian!"
Chat made a wild grab at the earring and in a panic, Lila shouted, "Spots on!"
Before everyone, she transformed into Harlequin and kicked Chat Noir off. She rose up, spinning her yo-yo menacingly. Chat stood, extending his baton into a staff, tail curling in anticipation.
"How did you get that ring?" she growled.
Chat grinned. "You've been rather spotty these days, Harlequin."
Harlequin dove at him, yo-yo set back and ready to lash out. Chat charged, staff stretched back and ready. Sparks flew from the weapons as the miraculous tools clashed. Harlequin glared at the grinning cat, his eyes bright and resolute. She wasn't going to win. Chat wasn't going to let her. Not this time.
Hawkmoth flew higher, avoiding one feather that cut at the air below him, his cane coming up and blocking another blow. Pushing his cane, he sent that feather away. He turned his tool just in time to clash with the fan, sparks flying as the two tools clashed. Hawkmoth and Houte Roi glared at each other, wings beating hard as they tried to stay in place, not back down.
Around them, butterflies swarmed wildly around them, darting close to Houte, weakly trying to distract him from the butterfly villain. Little help it did for them, Houte Roi reached back, grabbing a closed of fan and whipping it out, set to slash at Hawkmoth while he was in reach.
Hawkmoth jerked away from Houte, escaping the second fan just in time.
Hawkmoth outstretched his hand, fingers loosely wrapping around a butterfly that came to him. Dark magic poured into it, blackening the butterfly. Hawkmoth threw it to Route, an eager hope rising in him. He was angry, Hawkmoth knew this.
He was suspectable for an akuma, suspectable to be manipulated. If there was a chance for Hawkmoth to turn this around...
Houte Roi knew this, the peacock hero jerked to the side, barely avoiding the akuma that went at him. Only butterflies, when sent after a target, stayed locked on them till they reached it. It followed Houte, intent to corrupt the peacock. Houte swiped and slashed his fan, intent of deterring the akuma. Locked on it, he barely had time to block Hawkmoth's cane as it came at him. With one wing trying to bat the akuma away, Houte turned his focus back to Hawkmoth, locking in a struggle of power.
"It's adorable that you think you can avoid it," Hawkmoth mocked. "You know my butterflies always reach their targets. You can't resist, Houte. You're too mad too."
"Most of your targets had no idea what was coming," Houte snapped. He snapped his wings down, making a great gust that sent the akuma away and shook up Hawkmoth. With this chance, Houte Roi rose up, allowing himself to regroup. He could take care of the akuma. He could cleanse it. He just needed a moment.
The moment came just as Hawkmoth was about to follow, teetering when something hard hit his midback. He whipped around, eyes ablaze.
Ariel stood on the roof, grinning at him, bouncing gleaming, red earrings in her palm. Hawkmoth stiffened, watching Ariel catch them, and hold up the two small earrings right in sight, where he can easily see them
No, it couldn't be. But, those were the earrings. Ariel had somehow gotten the earrings. And she was putting them on now!
"No!" Hawkmouth shouted, diving down at her.
Ariel tensed, ready for him.
Before Hawkmoth could reach her, bring his cane down on her, a dark body flew rose up over him, slamming a silver staff into his side and sending the butterfly villain flying. Ariel gave a start, staring at the blond cat hero, watching his green cat eyes turn to her, watching them widen as he faced her.
He stared at her, gaping.
She looked over him, offering a small smile. With a small wave, she greeted, "Hello Chat Noir."
Chat fumbled, mouth opening and closing, turning to her, reaching for her, looking utterly shell shocked to see her. Before he could speak, Marinette rushed to him, calling, "Chat!"
His ear twitched to her, turning to her, blinking in surprise. "Marinette?" he said, sparing a wild glance to Ariel, whipping back to her, going near and setting his claws on her shoulder, demanding, "What's going on? Why are you here? Who was that?!"
"You got your ring back!" Marinette said, picking up his claws and beaming as she looked over the miraculous. "How did you get it back?"
"Marinette!" Chat scolded, then faltered "how did you know—"
"I was there when you—" Chat whipped away from her, slapping an oncoming yo-yo away.
Harlequin rose, eyes locked on Marinette and the blonde woman, her gaze settling on the black winged butterfly that rose up, rubbing his side. His gaze met hers, and he turned to Ariel, growling, "You tricked me."
Ariel cracked a grin, teasing, "That's not my fault. Fool you once, shame on me. Now, fool you twice..."
Chat chuckled shakily, his gaze meeting Ariel.
Hawkmoth moved to charge, only to jerk back as the peacock hero came down, fan glowing as he slashed it at the butterfly. Hawkmoth jerked back and flew away, gritting his teeth as he glared down at Houte. He turned his gaze to Harlequin, eyes calculating.
Harlequin tensed, not liking how Hawkmoth looked to her.
The heroes moved, Chat charged Harlequin, and Houte Roi flew at Hawkmoth.
The villains turned and fled away, dashing away. Harlequin quickly swung herself far away and butterflies swarmed around Houte, dense enough to slow and buffer the peacock. Chat stopped at the edge, watching Harlequin go. He turned slowly, heart beating quickly from both the adrenaline and the shock. Ariel met his wide gaze, curious about it.
She turned to Marinette, smile a little tight. She said, "I suppose this is a good time to regroup."
Chat drew near them slowly, barely hearing Marinette's reply. He just whispered, "Maman?"
Ariel and Marinette gave a start, turning their eyes to Chat, his locked on the woman.
Ariel stared back, her own eyes widening. She approached Chat, cupping his face as she looked him over, seeing him past the magic and the mask. "Adrien?" she whispered.
His faux ears went down, eyes shining as his lip trembled. He dove at her, wrapping her up in a hug and holding her tight. Ariel quickly wrapped her arms around him, holding him tight. "Adrien," she breathed, "my Adrien."
Marinette stared, soaking in this revelation. Adrien was Chat. The whole Agreste family was a miraculous family. Adrien was Chat, and that meant—
"He got away."
She jumped, turning to see the peacock hero land beside her, glaring about, Hawkmoth gone, butterflies scattering and flying off in random directions, making it hard to track and locate Hawkmoth. He turned and looked down at Marinette, blue eyes bright against black sclera. Marinette offered him a small, wary wave. "Monsieur Agreste?" she asked.
He blinked in surprise, narrowing his eyes down at her. "How do you..." he trailed, looking past her to the two embracing blonds. He breathed, "Ariel?"
The woman looked to him, offering a watery smile. She whispered, "Gabriel."
Houte Roi hurried up to them, wrapping his arms around both and holding them tight, pressing both tightly to him as possible. A laugh broke out of Chat as they were pulled into a tight hug, pressing his face against his mother's neck, surrounded by them both.
Marinette stood off to the side, watching the family embrace and hold each other tightly. She drew away to give them a moment alone, looking out to Paris, her gaze considerate, a warm yet weary smile on her lips.
THere were two villains active and hiding in Paris. Neither knew where the other went. But, things didn't feel hopeless. Chat was back, he... Adrien, had his ring again. And his parents, this family, they were all reunited. Marinette found she had a good feeling about this.
Down the street, a small butterfly followed a ladybug villain.
I tried to end this in one chapter, but I have to admit, it was becoming tightly packed and rushed and I wasn't a 100% with where it was going. So I divided it up, I'll post this, edit the 2nd half till I'm happy and post it then as the true last chapter.
We're close, we're so close.
You guys have no idea how ready I am to be done with RoM.
