Adrien woke slowly. He felt weak, like it was the most difficult thing in the world to open his eyes. All at once, everything hit him; he'd killed people, he'd been about to destroy the world, and Marientte was gone. A deep, cold emptiness filled him. He wrenched his eyelids open and sat up, looking around wildly. Plagg was hovering in front of him, wringing his paws. Plagg breathed a sigh of relief.

"Kid, you're awake! I was starting to worry-"

"Marinette's gone," Adrien said shortly, his eyes filling with tears. Plagg nodded.

"Yeah. She…"

But Adrien had stopped listening. She was gone. Plagg admitted it. She was gone and wasn't coming back. The deep, aching hole in his mind where Marinette should be was swallowing him. The only thing he could hear was sound of his own anguished sobs. If only he'd been quick enough! If only he'd destroyed Chloe and Hawkmoth when he had the chance! If only his Lady- his mind caught. The Ladybug Miraculous. Of course! The Ladybug and Black Cat Miraculous! The one wish! He didn't care what it cost him, as long as Marinette could live. Everything could be alright again. He got to his feet shakily, wiping his face, a determined expression overtaking his features.

"Adrien, where are you going, kid?" Plagg cut through his thoughts.

"To get Marinette back," he said. "Plagg, claws out!"

"Kid, wait!" But Plagg didn't have time to say anything more before he was sucked into the ring.

Ladybug was sprinting toward her apartment. She'd never run so fast in her life, hoping she'd get there in time to get the gemstone before Adrien woke up. She didn't really want to contemplate what might happen if… She cut herself off with a gasp. Chat Noir stood in front of her, looking thunderstruck.

"L-ladybug," he stuttered. "Oh, Ladybug, I- I thought I'd never see you again!" Then he seemed to shake himself, his expression turning livid. "Wait, you can't be the real Ladybug," he said quietly, as though talking to himself. He turned his angry gaze back to the woman in front of him, black bubbling magic swirling around his hand fiercely. "You're not the real one! You're an imposter! How dare you! Give me her Miraculous! You don't deserve it!" He shouted at her, raising his magic-clad claws.

Ladybug finally found her voice. "Ch-chat, it's me! It's Ladybug, your Ladybug!" she tried to calm him. "Y-you're not yourself. Please! Hand me your Miraculous, before it's too late!"

Instead of calming him though, this seemed to only make things worse. "The real Ladybug would never, ever ask that of me!" He cried, tears pouring down his face. "Sh-she wouldn't take Plagg from me. She w-wouldn't have left me willingly!" His hand glowed, a sphere of energy growing. In his anger and pain, the destructive power shot towards her, leaving a circle of ash in the rooftop they were standing on as she dodged. Her tears matched his as she faced him again.

"Chat, you're confused! You're hurting! You're- you're dangerous!" She indicated the hole in the roof. "Please! I beg you, see reason!" Before she could continue, she was cut off by a volley of destructive magical spheres. She had to perform a complicated serious of flips and dodges to evade them all. She led them to the Trocodero, figuring that being on solid ground could only help the situation. It would decrease the number of destroyed buildings, at least. Chat advanced toward her, tears gone, looking completely out of his mind with fury. Ladybug shivered as she looked him in the eye; his expression was hard, his eyes cold and lifeless.

"Never! I will NEVER give my Miraculous to you! You- you're- you're a liar and a thief! You stole Ladybug's Miraculous!" In one swift movement, he drew his silver baton from his belt, holding it before him like a fencing saber. "I'll give you one last chance, Ladybug," he sneered sarcastically. "Give me the Miraculous!"

"No, Chat, I-" she wasn't sure what she was going to say to him, but that didn't matter as he lunged, bringing the baton up towards her ribs. She ducked and weaved, knowing that her yo-yo would be useless in hand-to-hand or close range combat, and that his superior size would be to his advantage. At least she would be equal as far as strength while in their suits.

"Please, Chat, this isn't you!" She cried, hoping she could distract him long enough to maybe wrap him in her yo-yo string.

"Of course it's me, Milady, who else would it be?" He sneered at her again. "But then, you don't really know anything about me, because you're not my Lady!"

He raised his baton again, this time hitting her left arm with enough force that she heard a sickening crunch! She cried out in pain, sure it was broken. She had just enough time to let the thought cross her mind that if it had been her ribs, she really would have been in trouble, before Chat was swinging at her again. His movements were frenzied now, desperate, not controlled and poised as he normally was. She could practically feel his pain, though she knew that the connection was still severed. She quickly leaped away, but his agility allowed him to keep up with her effortlessly. She knew she was tiring, and the pain in her arm was almost overwhelming. She hoped she would find a way to finish her mission soon.

Chat Noir was furious! How dare this fake Ladybug take Marinette's Miraculous! How dare they ask for his?! Dimly, he noted the change in his powers, but he wasn't going to complain. If it helped him accomplish his mission, then so be it. Maybe he could talk to her, distract her (he wasn't sure it even was a 'her', maybe the Miraculous was able to make anyone look like the real Ladybug). Then he might be able to find an opening to pin her down and take back his Lady's Miraculous.

"So, Milady," he sneered again, twirling his baton casually in his left hand. "If you really are the real Ladybug, why would you want my Miraculous?"

"Ladybug" looked uncomfortable for a moment, surreptitiously sliding her good hand towards her yo-yo. As if he wouldn't notice… "I-I already told you, Kit-"

"NO!" He roared angrily. His temper flared dangerously, his right hand flickering with black magic again. "Don't you DARE call me that! O-only.. only her."

Ladybug looked stricken. "Fine then, I already told you, Chat Noir. You aren't yourself."

Chat let out a mirthless bark of laughter. "I haven't been myself in quite some time, 'Milady'," he said with a confident smirk. He watched as her eyes filled with tears again, but he brushed it off. No way would he let himself be manipulated. He stalked slowly toward her, like a cat circling his prey. "Anyway, that's not an answer. Tell me the real reason."

Ladybug did not move as he approached seemingly lost in her own head, before her expression cleared and she looked at him in determination.

"Because…because I'm the Guardian," she said quietly but resolutely.

Chat's jaw dropped, and his spinning baton stilled. Of all the things he'd thought he might hear from this- this fraud, that wasn't one of them. His eyes narrowed in confusion. "No, you're not! It's…" His jaw snapped shut, seemingly of its own accord.

Sorry, Kid. Can't have you blabbing the Guardian's name all over Paris. Plagg's voice echoed through his mind.

"…It's Mister Turtle!" Chat finished. He began moving slowly towards her again, coming to stand directly in front of her. They were so close that he could reach out and touch her. He didn't dare.

'Ladybug' nodded at him with a shrug. She seemed to know what he was talking about, but he pushed that evidence away. He wouldn't allow himself to be distracted.

"That's true," she was saying, "but after Hawkmoth, Mister Turtle decided to start training me to be his successor. Something about being old enough that his children and grandchildren had passed on." She shuddered. "Chat, I wanted to tell you, but…but Mister Turtle didn't think it was a good idea. You understand, don't you? Secret identities and all that." She was staring into his eyes pleadingly, a hand on his arm, hoping that he would hear and understand.

Chat closed his eyes, trembling, a single tear streaking down his face. Maybe it was her, after all. Only the real Ladybug ever made such a huge deal out of secret identities. Plus, she had understood the reference to Mister Turtle, which was something no one else could possibly know. He still couldn't sense her, but…if Mister Turtle was involved, that could mean very little. "I understand," he said quietly. When he opened his eyes again though, they were once again cold and hard. "I understand that you never loved me! You- you were just trying to fill your mission for the Master! He doesn't trust me! And neither do you!" His hurt and agony filled him. His love was alive, but he'd lost her! No, he'd never really had her to begin with. He was a fool. "There no point in anything anymore. I should just end it," he said to himself. "You, me, Paris, everything!" As he spoke, a giant ball of energy grew from his hand. He lifted it high over his head as it continued to swell, his fury, fear and anguish fueling the enormous destructive mass.

"NO! Chat!"

"Shellter!" A new voice rang out. A green figure appeared out of nowhere, a green turtle-shell shield bubbling between Chat and Ladybug. Chat let the energy dissipate as his fury focused on the newcomer, who had pulled Ladybug away from him and was now standing between them. A new ball of destruction formed in his hand, growing as large as a parade balloon, turning towards the turtle-clad superhero. "Shellter!" He called again. Chat and Mister Turtle threw all their strength towards their powers, which each continued to expand to match the other. He would win this. He had to. There was nothing else left.

Ladybug was glad for the distraction that had come in the form of Master Fu, but she could honestly say she didn't know what to do, she thought to herself as she took cover behind a clump of bushes. Chat had never been like this before. She was used to his optimistic outlook and stupid jokes, not this poor, lost, broken man who was on the brink of despair. She didn't know what to do to get through to him.

Think, Ladybug. Think! She admonished herself.

Time for a little luck, Marinette, Tikki's voice came through her mind.

Ladybug only just succeeded in not slapping herself in the forehead. Of course!

"Lucky Charm!" She muttered. A raspberry macron dropped into her hand. "Great," she muttered to herself. "This is no time for snacks!" Looking around, the only thing she could see highlighted in her lucky vision was Chat himself…and then, it came to her.

Slipping out from her hiding place, she circled carefully and quietly around behind Chat so that she was standing behind him, though at a safe distance. His Cataclysm was growing to match the turtle shield, each continuing to expand until BANG! The magic between them exploded, throwing Chat backwards, right into Ladybug's waiting arms. She gasped in pain as the movement jarred her injured arm, but otherwise ignored it. Before he could protest, she guided them both to the ground and gathered him to her chest, rocking him slowly. She began to whisper calmly, and as she did so, she focused with all her might, hoping and praying that the images and feelings would get through.

"My name is Marinette Dupain-Cheng: Ladybug. Your name is Adrien Agreste, also known as Chat Noir." He struggled against her grip, but she held on tighter. This had to work! "We met ten years ago during our first akuma fight against Stoneheart when we were no more than fourteen years old. You helped me gain confidence to make the right choice. We were together for ten years as hero partners, best friends." As she spoke, she let love and vivid images of them together with Stoneheart threatening, playing tag and hide-and-seek on the rooftops during patrol, Christmases full of raspberry macrons and hot chocolate, and quiet evenings just looking out over Paris fill her mind. He stilled, and a tear trailed down his face. She added a few more of trading jokes during missions, getting ice cream in the park with Monsieur Ramier. A couple more tears followed the first down his face.

"We met outside the masks just a few weeks ago. We grew close quickly, almost as though it were fate or destiny." More images, these of the cafe, the park, playing around in the bakery. "We found out each other's secret identities." More images of him teasing her while shirtless as they searched for a disturbance in her house. "We defeated…uh…helped…Hawkmoth, and helped your mother," she added, showing him the images. "We've shared everything the past few weeks. Sadness and pain…" She showed him his father's funeral. "…fear,…" The aftermath of a panic attack. "…support,…" The scene on the mezzanine, him coming with her to visit her father. "Dreams…and love." She poured every ounce of focus and love and longing she had into this last memory, handing him the macaron as she vividly recounted her image of his- their- future family. His shoulders were shaking with sobs now as he buried his face in the crook of her neck. Tears were pouring down her face now, too, as she whispered, "You are my everything, Adrien. I'm so sorry I didn't tell you about the Guardian, and I'm sorry I left. It was a mistake. Please…please don't leave me."

She was surprised when he threw his arms around her neck, hugging her tightly as they cried together. He pulled back from her and she was shocked to find Adrien in her lap instead of Chat, looking a little worse for wear in his street clothes, holding his ring out to her in the palm of his hand. He didn't meet her eyes. Now that things had calmed, she could feel his shame and guilt. Plagg looked sadly on beside them.

"Thank you," she whispered, slipping the ring on her finger so as not to lose it. She took the cookie from his other hand. He shifted in her lap so she could toss it in her right hand, murmuring, "Miraculous Ladybug." The magic ladybugs swarmed over Paris, and all evidence of the battle disappeared. Ladybug's arm healed in a flash, all memory of Chat Noir turning into Adrien Agreste was erased…and yet, there was one remaining difference- a little old man in a Hawaiian shirt, sprawled on the ground.

Adrien couldn't keep the tears from leaking down his face. Ladybug had saved him from himself. She always did. And staring down at the little old man lying on the cobblestone, a pang of guilt flooded through him.

What have I done?! He thought in anguish, kneeling next to Master Fu. His heart lightened slightly as Fu stirred, turning to stare blearily at him.

"Master, I-I'm s-so s-sorry," he finally managed. Master Fu waved him off.

"Don't…worry…Chat Noir," he croaked, placing a gentle hand on Adrien's arm. "You…did not…do this. It- It was…the energy I used…to fuel…the shield. My…My body couldn't…handle…any more." Adrien was about to argue when he noticed that Fu's gaze was no longer on him, but on Ladybug's tear-streaked face. "There…is a note…in the grimoire…for you. It…will explain…everything." He paused, his breathing labored. "Thank you…Ladybug…Chat Noir. I am…proud…of…you." He whispered before his eyes closed and he moved no more.

Adrien crumpled, sobbing silently. "I'm s-sorry! I'm s-so s-sorry!" He repeated, though the person he addressed could no longer hear him. Ladybug took his hand, squeezing it, before taking out her Bug-phone and calling for help. As the sound of sirens approached them, Ladybug led Adrien away before anyone could see them. They took one last look back at the body of their mentor before Ladybug swung them away.

The next few days went by in a blur. Adrien and Marinette spent much of their time together, though mostly in uneasy silence. Neither really knew what to say. They knew they eventually needed to talk about what happened, but neither really wanted to be the one to begin the conversation. But, they reasoned, there would be plenty of time for that later. Plagg stayed by Adrien's side, too, though Marinette kept his ring for now. Adrien thought it for the best, all things considering. He refused to ask for it back, though he was grateful that Marinette had allowed Plagg to stay.

Marinette, for her part, had gone almost immediately to collect all the Miraculous-related memorabilia from Master Fu's apartment, letting herself in through his window. She'd tried to lend the Black Cat ring back to Adrien for a short while in order to help her, but he'd refused. She had looked at him in concern before he offered to have his mother send a car for them a couple blocks from Fu's apartment instead. She accepted, but she knew he was having a hard time trusting himself after everything that had happened.

So it was that Wednesday afternoon as Adrien was enjoying getting to know his new piano, Marinette sidled up to him. She sat next to him on the piano bench, a small smile on her face. She was holding a couple small sheets of paper. Adrien glanced sideways at her, registering Master Fu's writing as he continued to play.

"You read that yet?" He asked with feigned casualness. He was desperately curious, but he knew it was unlikely that the contents should be allowed anywhere near him. He had almost destroyed the city singlehandedly, after all. His control had slipped. He had no business anywhere near any Miraculous, let alone Plagg's Miraculous. He was startled out of his thoughts as Marinette shook his head, looking a little mischievous.

"What? Why not?" He asked her. She just held it up to his eye level and he stopped playing. "To Ladybug and Chat Noir-" the first line read. His jaw dropped.

"Wha-? Why? Why would he include me?" Adrien wondered aloud. His face and feelings betrayed his shock.

"Shall we find out together?" Marinette suggested. She began to read it out loud, beginning with the proclamation of a date of some ten days previously.

To Ladybug and Chat Noir-

If you are reading this, then we must not have been able to complete your training before my unfortunate demise. I sincerely apologize for not being more forward-thinking in my preparations for my passing, but I hope you will have at least enough information to get going with. Hopefully I have taught you to decode the ciphers in the grimoire by now, because that concept is too large to teach you in a letter.

The combination to get the Miracle box is shown below- Marinette indicated a drawing of the twin dragons on the phonograph, the buttons in between numbered in the correct sequence. I strongly encourage you to spend time with all the kwamis, not just your own. They can help you learn more about the past Chosens and powers of the Miraculous gems than can be found in the grimoire. The recipes for the special transformations are also contained in the grimoire.

The two of you should stick together. Being a Guardian is an awesome responsibility, and you will need to be able to lean on each other. Marinette, considering everything that has happened in the recent past, I am certain that, so far, you have been the only one being trained. Adrien, I apologize for the difficulties this has or may yet cause you. But just know, it was originally my intent for both of you to become Guardians. Together. And that is still my intention. When you both feel that the time is right, Marinette, you may begin transferring your knowledge to Adrien so that neither of you will be alone with this power and duty.

Stand for what you believe to be right. Work hard. Be there for each other. I wish the both of you all the best.

Sincerely,

Wang Fu.