Tom and Sabine might possibly be the most incredible people Adrien had ever met. They sat on Marinette's chaise, hand-in-hand, listening, asking questions, but never flinching as Adrien had explained to them everything he knew about the Miraculous, about the wish, about Ladybug and Chat Noir, and about this new reality. They only exchanged a worried look when Adrien had told them about Hawkmoth and akumas. When Adrien finally made it to the part about the dream he'd had that night—Paris on fire, Ladybug dying, Hawkmoth's triumphant laugh—Sabine stood (her height hardly changed) and walked to where he was pacing and wrapped her arms around him. It was such a loving, motherly thing to do that Adrien instantly choked up. It had been five years since someone had held him like that. Adrien bit back his tears and whispered, "I've failed her. I got so hung up on a vision of a life with her that I didn't even realize that she was slipping away. Hawkmoth was using her to get to me… no, wait, the other way around. He was using me, my blindness, my inability to see the truth even when it was right in front of me, to get to her."

Sabine rubbed his back, "Adrien."

He released the tears and let them flow freely. Tom stood behind his wife and placed a hand on Adrien's shoulder. They stood like that for several minutes. Nobody spoke, nobody moved. They just stood there, weeping together, allowing everyone the opportunity to feel what they needed to feel.

At last, Adrien backed off, wiping his nose, "I… I'm sorry I don't have anything to prove all this. Magic, new realities, superheroes and supervillains? It's… far-fetched, I know—"

Tom shook his head, "It's actually the first thing we've heard in days that makes sense. And the only thing that explains the little red creature that's been buzzing around the bakery every night, checking on Marinette, and sneaking macarons."

"Wait—"

Tom smiled, "We do have security cameras."

"But—" Adrien smiled, "kwami can't be filmed or photographed."

Tom shrugged, "I could show you the footage—"

Adrien shook his head, "No time; besides, things were already falling apart. Tikki couldn't phase any more. I should have guessed that other problems were happening. Though," his stomach plummeted like a rock, "I had her in the mansion. It's possible, no, probable that my father caught a glimpse of her as well. Maybe that's how he figured out who I was?"

Tom and Sabine both shrugged. Sabine touched his arm warmly, "Adrien, we've always known something was different about our daughter. Thank you for sharing everything you know. The question now is what to do about it."

Adrien got to his feet and started pacing again. "Well, Hawkmoth has Ladybug's Miraculous. I think he's got my Chat Noir suit. And maybe the kwami. I guess… I guess it's time to pay my father a visit."

"But—" Sabine interjected, "what if he gets your Miraculous? What happens then?"

Adrien looked at the ring on his hand, "I think… I think that's when he wins."

Tom shuddered as if he'd been doused in ice water. "Ok then. We can't let him get the ring. We've got to get the earrings and the suit back. We've got to help Marinette!"

Adrien chucked despite himself, "Yeah, that's basically it."

Marinette gave a soft moan. Sabine raced up the ladder to check on her. Tom and Adrien exchanged worried looks. The sun was coming up in earnest, peeking through Marinette's round window and illuminating the room in a soft pink aura. It was warm and gentle, starkly juxtaposed to the tense feeling in the room. Sabine announced, "She's ok."

Both Adrien and Tom relaxed slightly, but only just. Tom swallowed, "Sabine, dear, are you ok to stay with her for now?"

Sabine nodded from above them, "I don't know what more we can do. The doctor we talked to last night had no idea what was going on, and from what Adrien's said, medicine would be pointless. I'll just try to keep her comfortable."

Adrien nodded forlornly, "I promise to do whatever I can, Madame Dupain-Cheng."

She smiled fondly at him, "Adrien, dear, about what you said a moment ago—you didn't fail her. Marinette has always done everything in her power to help others. This was her choice."

Adrien bit his lip, "I wish I could believe that was true—"

"Well," Tom boomed, "believe it. Come on. Let's get a plan figured out and get her earrings back. And then maybe, if we're very lucky, we can save the world in the process."

Adrien pushed the front door of the mansion open as quietly as he could. He looked around the foyer—it was quiet. Exhaling gratefully, he strolled across the marble tile floor and was on the second step of the grand staircase, when a piercing voice stated, "Adrien."

He halted, turned, and smiled sheepishly at his father, "Oh, uh, hi," he mumbled.

"Do you have any idea what time it is? You're supposed to be at school!"

Adrien looked around, "I was, uh, with Marinette." It wasn't a lie.

Gabriel looked up and down Adrien's sweaty, rumpled pajamas, and then gave a strange smile. "I see."

Adrien ran his fingers through his hair, "I… I'd appreciate it if you didn't say anything about it…"

Gabriel adjusted his glasses, "So, you care about her?"

Adrien nodded and grinned. "Very much."

"You're happy with her, the way things are?"

Adrien's stomach gave a lurch, but he kept his dopey grin, "She's amazing, Father. It's everything I've ever dreamed of, and more." Too much? But Gabriel's sinister smile only widened.

"Excellent," he murmured.

Adrien gave a noisy yawn. "S-sorry," he smacked his lips, "I didn't—" he gave a giggle, "I didn't get much sleep last night. Let me just go grab a few things and change and I'll only be a little late for class. I didn't mean to disturb you." He headed back up the stairs, dragging his heels and slumping his shoulders.

"Adrien," his father's voice called him back, "You've had a big week. Why don't you go get some rest? I'll have your bodyguard bring you any makeup work. It's… it's good to have you back, son."

Adrien smiled and nodded his thanks and maintained his too-tired-to-go-to-school act until he was safely in his room. He pulled out Sabine's cellphone and sent a quick text to Tom: settled. It's a go.

It took thirty agonizing minutes before he heard the intercom buzzing throughout the mansion. Someone was at the main entrance, and they weren't going to leave until they spoke with Monsieur Agreste. Adrien smiled to himself, then slipped out of his room and waited by the top of the stairs until he could confirm that his father was gone. The building was silent except for the hammering thud of Adrien's heart against his ribcage. He raced down the stairs, into the atelier, and felt the portrait for the buttons he knew were hidden there. Hands shaking, he made connection with the right spots, pressed, and gave a quiet yelp as the floor started descending. He was in a plexiglass tube, feeling incredibly claustrophobic. The elevator took him down for a while, then it lurched sideways, and eventually back up into what had to be a nearby building—nothing about this place was familiar. He came up through the floor and the elevator stopped. He stepped off, looking around, panting. He didn't even need to have been here before in order to recognize it: Hawkmoth's lair. The air was frigid and damp. He took a step forward and screamed when the floor came alive—thousands of white butterflies flapped to life from where they'd been resting. Adrien shuddered just looking at them. They hovered a half meter off the floor, as if they were expecting him to do something or say something. Adrien looked around. There was nothing on the walls, just a small round oculus window above him. It reeked of sweat and decay. Adrien frowned. This was the right place, but nothing was right. Adrien pulled the phone out. It had been five minutes. Tom had only guaranteed him twenty, so he'd better get moving. He still gave the lair a solid look-over, and when he came up empty, he went back to the elevator. Maybe there was more to this place than just this single room?

Adrien didn't know how to start the elevator again, so he stomped his foot and magically, it started moving again. It was taking him down, lower and lower. The air grew colder and staler. Then, it slid through a gap in the ceiling of a cavernous room. Adrien caught a glimpse of the ceiling first—tall, arched beams reminded him of a cathedral. Below him, green water filled a pool. His breathing echoed against him and sent shudders down his spine. The elevator glided to a halt and he stepped off, afraid to move, afraid to even look. He was on a catwalk that extended above the pool, and at the end was a dais with a single spotlight lighting the way. He tried not to think of what might live in the green water as he walked forward. His steps rattled and clanked, and he winced with each one, even though he knew he had to be far enough below the surface of the earth by now that no one could hear him. The dais was surrounded by foliage—again, it was eerie… how could such lush plants grow down here? Above the dais was a large window that had been filled in with concrete. The pattern was far too familiar—a butterfly. A butterfly watching over this whole expansive place. Always watching, never faltering, never letting a single emotion or thought pass him by. Adrien snarled in his throat. He moved slowly toward the center of the dais, looking at the strange metallic tube in the middle. What was this thing? Some kind of hyperbaric chamber? An iron lung? A display case? There was a control panel on the side. Adrien started poking buttons at random, trying to decipher what they could mean.

Adrien shrieked as the metal started sliding back, opening. It was… It was his mother.

Adrien's hands flew forward and took hers. She was cold as ice. Perfectly preserved, but clearly not her alive, vibrant self, Adrien's beloved mother was lying there. Her hands were clasped over her abdomen, her wedding band glinting in the light from above, and Adrien didn't know how to feel.

So his father had told the truth. His mother was still here, still… alive. Maybe? Adrien looked over the control panel again. He couldn't make heads or tails of it; it seemed to show vitals, but it was impossible. Nobody could be in a coma for that long without so much an IV. It couldn't have been a normal coma. Besides, her body was cold. Was she dead and his father had her stuf—Adrien gulped at the thought and pushed it away. He fell to his knees, breathing, shaking, and—as the echo told him—screaming.

It couldn't be true. His mother was here, all these years! He'd done something to her, kept her down here in this crypt! One truth rang from the ceiling and back to him, pelting him with understanding, drowning him—his father was a supervillain. His father had done this, all of this, for some disgusting reason of his own, and Adrien didn't really care what that reason was. If he'd been given the chance, they could have mourned together. But no, Gabriel was selfish and always would be.

It took Adrien a long time to come back to his senses. He wanted to hold his mother's hands and cry forever, but something about the freshly polished band on her finger made him remember what he needed to do. "It's ok, mother," he promised, "I'm going to save you. I'm going to save all of us."

He pressed some buttons and the metallic tube closed again. Adrien's heart sank—he hated watching his mother's face be entombed, but once she was hidden, he was able to focus again. He looked around. Not far from the coffin where his mother lay was another table… altar, perhaps? This looked new, and temporary. He didn't need night vision to see his Chat Noir suit on the altar.

Sabine's phone buzzed. He slid it out—there was a message from Tom: abort!

"Shoot," Adrien growled, grabbing his suit. There was a tinkling sound on the dais below him. "No!" The light from the spotlight above illuminated his mother's coffin-thing well enough, but the rest of the dais and the rest of the room were dark. He knew he'd dropped something when he picked up the suit. Adrien dropped to his hands and knees, fumbling, feeling for anything. His pocket buzzed and Adrien quickly checked the text: get out NOW!

Hands racing, heart pounding, Adrien checked in the crevices between the floor panels. Something pricked his finger and he yelped "ouch!" before pulling the tiny object out of the crack of the floor it had been wedged in. He held it in the light and discovered what had poked his finger—the back of small, red and black earring.

He had to find the other earring. He had to find it now!

The elevator started moving on the other side of the room. It was returning to the atelier above. "Shoot," Adrien grumbled again. His father would know he was down here. Sabine's phone was buzzing like mad, but he didn't pause his search for the second earring to check it. Wait! The phone! He pulled it out and, shaking, turned on the flashlight mode. Scanning the floor desperately, something glinted. The elevator started whirring—it was returning, coming down its plexiglass tube.

There it was! The earring had rolled under the metal tube in which his mother was trapped. Adrien dropped to his stomach and reached for all he was worth. His fingers batted the minute earring back and forth. He reached. The elevator and a slender pair of grey slacks appeared from the ceiling—Adrien shut off the phone's light, pulled his legs in so he would be completely hidden behind the tube, and prayed that he could get out of there alive. His fingers clasped around the tiny earring, he pulled his hand backward, and rolled into the shadows.

His father's steps clanged ominously as they stalked toward him. "Adrien, I know you're down here. There's only one elevator, and in this reality, Nathalie doesn't know this place exists."

Adrien stuffed his fist in his mouth to prevent from making a peep, and crawled, following the line of shadows, to the far edge of the dais.

"You don't need to hide from me," his father hummed, "we can work together. You enjoyed yesterday; I know you did. It can always be like that." Gabriel's feet were mere meters away, "I knew something was wrong with the Tsurugi girl, as soon as I saw the way you glowed when she was around. I knew there was something unnatural about your relationship. Poor little Ladybug—" the way he hissed Ladybug's name made Adrien irrationally angry, "—she was so convinced you two were together, I'm afraid she pushed a bit too hard. But don't worry, I'll get it right. I've already done so much better, am I right? You much prefer this version of Marinette. Sweet, simple, doting, compliant Marinette."

Adrien looked over his options. His father was right on the mouth of the catwalk, and unless he planned on swimming through the sinister green water, there was no other way to reach the elevator. He silently tucked the earrings in his sock, not trusting his wide pockets to handle such a delicate job. Then, he rocketed to his feet, "Don't talk about her. You liar!"

"Oho," Gabriel chuckled, turning to his son, "so there you are. Enjoying what you've found? I trust you saw her," Gabriel placed his hand on the tube where his mother lay. "See? I told you I had her and that she was alive."

Adrien shook his head, "She would hate this. You know it. She wouldn't want to be kept like this, like some creepy science experiment. She would want to rest."

Gabriel sneered, "I can heal her. We are so close, Adrien. Just give me the ring, and she'll be fine. I'll give you a Marinette so perfect, you'll never be the wiser. I'll even erase all your memories of this week; you won't be haunted any longer."

Adrien puffed out his chest, "Don't you get it? My memories make me who I am! I don't want to forget; I want to learn and remember and do better!"

Gabriel growled and lunged for Adrien. Adrien, arms full of black Chat Noir suit, pushed hard back. The two locked in battle. Adrien swung his fist and connected with Gabriel's chest. The older man stumbled but latched onto the suit with his claw-like fingers. Adrien didn't even think—he let go of the Chat Noir suit. Gabriel's momentum carried him backwards and over the railing into the putrid water. Adrien made a run for it, the catwalk clattering, the water splashing, Gabriel screaming—and skid to a stop in the elevator. He stomped hard until the elevator slowly started rising.

"Come on," Adrien screamed at the tube, "Go go go!" Gabriel was climbing out of the pool, dripping oozy slime from his normally pristine clothing, and racing toward the excruciatingly slow elevator. "GO!"

Gabriel jumped—his fingers gripped the edge of the elevator floor. Adrien stomped on the long fingers, Gabriel howled and let go—and the elevator was encased in the plexiglass tube and just out of reach of Gabriel's desperate grasp.