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Chapter 25

-Adrien-

"You've got to transform," He told Marinette and she ducked behind a chimney and called,

"Tiki, spots on!"

It was the first time Adrien had ever seen Marinette transform, and he couldn't help but watch in wonder as the red and black suit covered her slowly and soon enough, the girl he fell in love with first was standing in front of him. She flashed him a quick smile before running across the rooftop and whisking out her yo-yo. The flapping akuma didn't stand a chance. As Ladybug freed the purified akuma before it could cause any damage, the little white butterfly starting to flit away.

"Wait!" Marinette realized, "We need to follow it!" She exclaimed, and Adrien nodded, ducking to the side and transforming as well.

"Plagg, claws out!" Together they bounded across the rooftops, keeping their eyes locked on the tiny white butterfly. But as Chat Noir watched, a sinking feeling started in his stomach as they drew closer and closer to home. Could it be that Ladybug had been right? But as soon as the thought crossed his mind, he realized that maybe he didn't want to know.

"Wait!" He said, and Ladybug turned to look at him, her face was puzzled.

"What is it Chat?" She asked, stepping back to him.

"What if there was another way to get to Hawkmoth?" He said, trying not to trip over his words.

"What do you mean? This butterfly could lead us right to him," She answered.

"But then what?" He protested, and Ladybug turned to glance anxiously at the butterfly before turning back to Chat.

"Well, once we know his identity, we'll tell Master Fu and then call him out on television to tell him that we know who he is so he can surrender." Ladybug answered, showing that she'd obviously thought about it a lot.

"Yeah, but what if that doesn't work?" Chat protested.

"We confront him. I don't think we should fight unless we have to." Ladybug answered, but her face told Chat that she was tracking down his train of thought.

"And what if you were right?" He sputtered, unable to meet her eyes, "What if he's my father?" He begged to know and Ladybug's look softened.

"I know it hurts but being in the dark might be worse than not knowing. And if we were right, we'll keep it quiet. We can assign a different price than prison." She assured. Chat cocked his head.

"Like what?"

"Like spending time with his son and opening himself to the world again." She smiled and Chat couldn't help but manage a shy one back.

"We'll get through this," She answered, and took Chat's hand, "Let's go see what we can see."

-Ladybug-

Dang it, she was right. She and Chat watched in near horror as the little white butterfly returned to the lair of Hawkmoth through the window of the Agreste mansion. What words could she have for him now?

"I'm so sorry, Adrien." She whispered, daring to use his real name. But he shook away the feeling.

"It's fine, Ladybug. At least we have an answer now, and all of this can end." He sighed. Neither of them spoke for a moment until Chat Noir did.

"We need to tell Fu." He said. Ladybug nodded, but her mind returned to Alya and Nino.

"Wait, Chat. Alya and Nino. Do you want to cancel on them first, or do you want to go eat first?" She asked. Chat hesitated.

"I still really like pizza." He answered.

Alya and Nino were only a little bit suspicious at their disappearance, but Alya couldn't have been more pleased. But with the akuma purified and a big question solved, there couldn't have been a time more necessary for some serious relaxation. Marinette tried not to look at Adrien too much, but he seemed to be burying his pain below the surface. He was putting up a wall. The pizza was delicious and a different server than Lila brought it to them. Everything seemed fine, except it wasn't.

Adrien walked her down the street after the meal, and she guided them through the streets to Mr. Fu's. Finally she spotted the familiar little shop and with a knock, they stepped inside together.

"Mr. Chang?" She called softly, using his cover name in case someone else was there.

"Yes, I am here!" His voice called back and Marinette entered and found him on his tablet, reading something. As he looked up and spotted the pair together, his brow furrowed in worry, but straightened with a quick breath.

"I take it you are not just here for a simple chat."

"Are you sure of this?" Master Fu was asking, and as Marinette turned to Adrien and they locked eyes, neither had any doubt.

"Yes, we're sure." Marinette answered firmly and Master Fu delved into thought until an idea seemed to strike him. He pulled out his tablet again and opened it to the picture of page on the butterfly miraculous.

"The main proof against Mr. Agreste was that he became akumatized, and as there is no specific in the book that says that can't happen, I think we may have finally tracked down our missing miraculous. My mistake can finally be made right." Master Fu breathed peacefully. Marinette smiled a little at that, "And that means you can tell her to come out once we figure this all out." Master Fu smiled shyly with a nod.

"Well done, Ladybug and Chat Noir. Let's call the TV station tonight and we'll send the message to Hawkmoth. Give him one shot to come clean." As Master Fu finished speaking, as if on cue, Adrien's phone rang and he let out a sigh.

"Speak of the devil. . ."

**Up next: Marichat, Hawkmoth, and the beginning of the end! MWAHAHAHAHA!