Chapter 27

The music coming from Nino's house could be heard from the street. Adrien laced his fingers between Marinette's and asked, "You sure you're good?"

Her head was already bobbing to the music, "Mm-hmm! But if you want to sneak away for something quieter, just let me know. We could come up with a secret code, like a word or something—"

Adrien chuckled as he remembered setting up a code with Tom. "OK," he snickered, "if I start making a bunch of puns, you'll know it's time to go."

She giggled, "That is so you."

"Hey, don't knock the code. It's a good, solid code. It's worked in the past."

"Oh yeah?" she asked nonchalantly, "When was that?"

Adrien tried to think of the specific moment, but all he had were foggy memories. "I… I think it was yesterday? Or maybe earlier?"

She looked up at him meaningfully. "It was in the other reality, wasn't it."

He pondered that, "Was that even real?"

"I don't know. But I keep having distinct memories surface, side-by-side with other memories, and I'm not certain which to believe."

"I know exactly what you mean. Like," Adrien added, his voice lowering, "do you remember about the time we met, my mother had passed away, right?"

She bit her lip, "I believe so, but was she missing for years?"

"I don't think so." They looked at each other carefully for a long while.

Marinette squeezed his hand, "We're both still disoriented."

Adrien fingered his temple, "And what about my f-father?"

Marinette cupped his cheek with her hand, "That was not your fault, in any reality."

He hesitated, "I still can't believe he was Hawkmoth the whole time."

She touched his arm softly, "No matter the reason why he chose that path, we always tried to help him and everyone he akumatized."

He nodded. "I still wish I could have helped him more."

"Look, Adrien, if you need the evening off—"

"No," Adrien repeated, "I want to be with our friends. I want to get to understand everyone and everything again."

"Then let's dough this!" Marinette giggled.

Adrien sighed, "I love you so much." The two marched inside hand-in-hand. It was crowded, but casual. Nino had his turntable set up and was teaching Luka some of the finer points of DJing while Rose, Juleka, and Ivan watched on. Alya, Mylene, Chloe, and Sabrina were chatting in another corner. Alya waved when Marinette and Adrien entered. Marc, Nathaniel, Max, and Lila were playing video games on the couch. Alya bounded over to greet Adrien and Marinette.

"Hey! You two made it!" She greeted Marinette with a kiss on the cheeks, then stomped loudly, "Great. You're here. Now tell me about this," she demanded, pointing to their interlaced hands.

Marinette and Adrien smiled at each other, then Adrien winked at Alya cryptically, "A lot can change in a week, am I right?"

Marinette placed her head on his shoulder, "An awful lot."

Alya took a deep breath to start a major freak-out. Marinette gave Adrien a quick smile and pressed his back toward Nino—wordlessly communicating that she would talk Alya down while Adrien caught up with his friend. A moment later, Nino and Adrien high-fived into a one-armed-hug, "Adrien, dude, check this out!"

Nino launched into an explanation of his latest mix, and Adrien listened politely. When he took a breath, Luka broke in, "That's so cool, Nino! It's similar to the way Jagged Stone's crew mixes sound, only on a much bigger scale. I'd love to show him your technique."

"Wait," Nino's jaw went slack, "show J-Jagged Stone my technique?"

"Definitely!"

Adrien interjected, "How's the tour going, Luka?"

Luka smiled at him, "Excellent." The older boy then saddled closer to Adrien, leaned in, and muttered, "Hey, I saw you come in with Marinette. Are you two…?"

"Together?" Luka nodded eagerly. Adrien clarified, "Yes."

To Adrien's relief, Luka smiled, "That's awesome. I've always hoped that she would get what she dreamed of for years."

Adrien grinned, "You know, I loved her from day one as well. It just took us four years to realize it."

Luka raised an eyebrow, but patted Adrien's shoulder, "Well, I'm happy for you, man."

"How about you, how are you doing?" Adrien asked.

Luka scratched his cheek shyly, "There's this… this amazing stage tech in Jagged's crew… it's nothing official yet, I mean, I'm barely twenty, but… it's fun."

Adrien returned Luka's broad grin, "I'm happy for you too, then." Luka smiled. "Hey, uh, Luka," Adrien leaned in briefly, "have you ever thought about growing a beard?"

Luka's eyes widened and he stroked his chin. "I was… I was actually just thinking about that."

Nino, who had been only half listening to their conversation, gave Luka a thumbs-up, "Go for it, man!"

Adrien nodded. "Definitely. I hear girls really like guitarists with facial hair. And maybe a motorcycle."

"Yeah," Luka grinned pensively, "I might just do that…"

Their conversation trailed off, and Adrien looked around to find Marinette. She was apparently past Alya's tirade and was now surrounded by other girls. Lila had abandoned her video game and was talking animatedly while Chloe tossed her long blonde ponytail over her shoulder. "Oh no, I'd better go rescue Marinette," Adrien indicated the group with a nod in their direction.

"Good luck," Luka smiled, and Adrien made his way across the room. Lila's overly sweet voice was elevated over the others.

"All I'm saying," Lila snipped, "is that I saw Ladybug akumatized a week ago, and that she was trapped in a gazebo covered in thorns! I saw it with my own two eyes."

"Come on," Alya sighed, "That may be something I fell for back when we were in collège, but it's been years since any of us really believed you. No offense," Alya added. Lila was clearly offended. "Besides, I think we'd all know if Ladybug had been akumatized. She's the only one who has the power to cleanse the akumas, and if she went down, we'd all be doomed." Marinette was blushing furiously and looking at the floor, staying out of this conversation.

"What do I need to say to convince you?" Lila screeched, "I was there! As you all know, I work for this Chinese catering company, and we were hired by an anonymous source to set up the gazebo with dinner, and I was so intrigued that I hung back for a bit and Ladybug and Chat Noir arrived, and they fought—"

"You were spying on Ladybug and Chat Noir?" Chloe interrupted, "That's just—"

"Ridiculous, yes, Chloe, we all know that," Alya confirmed. "Seriously, Lila, you need to get yourself a new hobby."

Lila stomped her foot, "I'm telling the truth! Ladybug and Chat Noir got in a fight, she was angry, and the akuma hit the yo-yo in her right hand!"

Adrien made to say something, but Chloe held up a finger to his lips, "No, Lila, we're all done with your lies. I'm glad you're safe and well and all that, but please, spare your breath on all of us."

Lila folded her arms, glared, and stalked off, heading for the door. "Believe me, don't believe me, I don't care. It's still the truth!"

"Yeah?" Chloe called over her shoulder, "So you've said literally every time you've talked to anyone, ever. You've cried wolf a hundred too many times, Lila!"

The brunette growled under her breath and slammed the door behind her. Chloe turned and laughed, "Sorry that got kind of ugly there. I just… I can't stand her."

"Thanks," Marinette squeaked, "Thanks for sticking up for me, Chloe." Adrien wasn't sure what had sparked the fight with Lila, but he was outrageously grateful that Chloe had defended Marinette.

Chloe looked at Marinette with a lifted eyebrow. Chloe's face suddenly emitted golden tendrils of light that faded rapidly. "I… I just thought it was the right thing to do."

Alya gawked, "Heck yes it was, Chlo! That was about the awesomest thing I've ever seen you do!"

Chloe rolled her eyes, "Whatever. Adrien, good to see you."

"What, no Adrikins?"

She glared, "I only call you Adrikins when you've done something to deserve it. Now," Chloe huffed, "I'm getting tired and am going home early. Though—" she thought briefly, then turned to her best friend, "I did want to talk to you, Sabrina. I've been thinking about cutting my hair…" And with that, Chloe linked arms with Sabrina and the two marched off for the exit, thick as thieves.

The rest of the gaggle of girls dispersed, and Adrien found himself next to Marinette once more. "Bready to head out?" she whispered.

"De-feline-ately." The two made some quick excuses—years of training as Ladybug and Chat Noir helped with that—and headed out into the cold evening air. Marinette pulled her jacket close around her chin, shivering.

"You cold? I've got something for that," Adrien smiled, reaching into his messenger bag and extracting the soft blue scarf and wrapping it around her neck. She flushed pink and buried her nose in it. "I never got to thank you."

"For what?" she peeped in a muffled voice.

"For this scarf."

She paused her walking and looked up at him with those gorgeous bluebell eyes that always threatened to swallow him whole. "I… I thought you got it from your father?"

He shook his head, "Marinette, we promised not to hide things from each other anymore. I know you made the scarf. I know you were behind every good thing that's happened to me since the moment we met."

She swallowed, "I-I don't know what to say." Adrien loved catching her off guard. She was so beautiful when she was flustered. Adrien stepped closer, brushed her cheek with his thumb, and kissed her softly. She leaned up on her toes and returned his advance. He held her waist and kissed her until she finally took a step back and checked her phone for the time. "Oh shoot," she muttered.

"What is it?"

"I promised Papa I would help in the bakery tomorrow morning, and that means an early start; I really should get to bed on time."

"Sounds great." Marinette looked at him curiously. "I mean," Adrien clarified, "I'm not going anywhere. Our relationship isn't going to end just because you needed to go home early."

She bit her lip, "I love you so much, Adrien."

"I love you too, Maribug." He walked her home with his arm over her shoulders. She still seemed uncertain, like she couldn't quite believe he felt the same way about her, or maybe like she couldn't quite remember the past week. Adrien didn't blame her; everything was still blurry, though certain things were becoming clearer. He knew who his father was, he knew who Marinette was, and he knew who he was. For now, at least, that would be enough. Adrien walked Marinette right up to her doorstep, where she stood on the step above him so they would be at the same height. "Well, goodnight, Chaton," she smiled.

"You have no idea how many times I dreamed about you saying that," he grinned.

"And you have no idea how many times I dreamed about you kissing me on this doorstep."

"Well, sounds like we need to make more dreams come true."

Adrien scratched his cheek, "I don't know, a lot of my dreams lately have been a little too real."

She pursed her lips and nodded, "Mine too. Only the good dreams, then?"

"I like that," he agreed, and leaned in to kiss her thoroughly.

"Goodnight, Adrien," she whispered again, opened her door, and waved goodbye. Adrien caught a glimpse of something strange—a picture of some kind—on her right palm before she disappeared into the bakery for the night.

The air reeked of ash and chemicals. Adrien's hand flew to his face to block out the stinging smell. He heard a choking cough beside him and turned to see Marinette shielding her mouth with her elbow. "Are you alright?"

She nodded and managed a brief smile before her eyes widened in shock and she pointed behind him. Adrien whipped around to see another Marinette, this one appearing slightly blurry and trailing a faint lavender light, marching up the steps of the Agreste Mansion. The whole building was also tinged with purple light. Adrien called to the other Marinette, but she didn't turn or bat an eye. It was if she couldn't see them or hear them at all. The door opened as she approached, and she confidently strode into the foyer. Adrien and the Marinette holding his hand hurried in behind her before the doors closed magically. "This is so weird!" the Marinette beside Adrien muttered.

"Monsieur Agreste! I have some designs for you!" purple-Marinette called. "I think you're going to love them! Nothing quite as incredible as yours, of course!"

The door to the atelier opened then, also without a visible person pushing it. Gabriel Agreste was standing by the portrait of Emilie. He was the only part of the room that didn't have that eerie purple aura hanging around it. "Very well, Marinette, just leave them on my desk," he stated flatly.

"Don't you want to see them?" she trilled, laying a stack of papers on Gabriel's desk.

"I can't imagine it would be different than yesterday," Gabriel muttered.

"Come now, Monsieur! You always appreciate seeing my designs!"

"What I'd appreciate is for you to leave me alone!" Gabriel snapped. Adrien flinched, but purple-Marinette didn't seem to notice the edge in his tone.

"I so appreciate all your tutoring," purple-Marinette hummed cheerfully, "I still can't believe my fortune in getting to mentor with Gabriel Agreste!"

"Yes, you always were the lucky one, weren't you," he replied cryptically, before pretending to examine Marinette's sketches. "These look perfect. I suppose I will see you again tomorrow." His voice held no excitement, no joy. It was flat and dead, just like the expression on his face.

"Wonderful! I will work hard all night to bring you something new and unusual!"

"Very well," Gabriel sighed, and purple-Marinette skipped out of the room and into the charred landscape. Adrien grasped real-Marinette's hand firmly and marched into the atelier. He cleared his throat.

"Father?" Gabriel kept thumbing through the sketches, then glared and tossed the whole pile into the garbage can. Mysteriously, the papers immediately faded into nothingness. "Father?" Adrien repeated, louder. Still no response.

"Adrien," Marinette whispered beside him, "I don't think he can see or hear us."

Gabriel stood and returned to his reverie in front of Emilie's painting. He reached up and pressed the hidden buttons on the painting and the floor around him started descending.

"Hurry, let's catch up!" Adrien yelped, but just as he started racing forward to catch the elevator before it descended, the whole room morphed into the basement lair, the catwalk jangling and echoing off the ceiling arches. "Whoa, what was that?" Adrien gasped.

Marinette, who seemed far calmer than Adrien felt, looked around and muttered, "This is his reality. We see what he sees."

Gabriel walked solemnly forward. There was a fuchsia light ahead, flitting around the dais, that stopped moving when Gabriel approached it. Marinette and Adrien hurried to be in hearing range. No—it wasn't a light, it was Emilie. Adrien screamed, "Mother! You're alive!"

"No," Marinette whispered, pulling him closer to her, "don't fall for it. Your mother passed away nearly five years ago. Don't lose yourself, Adrien. Remember, we're doing this together."

His heart was still racing as he saw his mother's shining face. Her lush blonde hair cascaded over her shoulder, her wide emerald eyes dancing with delight as she greeted Gabriel. "My love!" she crooned, walking to him and throwing her arms around his neck. "I just finished preparing the akuma chrysalises. They'll be ready in a few days!"

Gabriel looked at her glowing face, "I miss you every day, Emilie," he whispered.

"I am right here, my love! What would you like me to do next?"

The look he gave her was haunted and lonely, not the adoring gaze that she was projecting. "Emilie," he whispered, "do you remember when we were courting? You were so passionate. I used to call you my Firebird."

She giggled and tried to kiss his cheek. He pulled away, but she didn't care. "You hated that about me. You always wished I would be quieter about my feelings and my passions. Aren't you glad I grew out of that? Now we can both be happy, here, together, caring for your akumas and working on your designs!"

He didn't move as she laid a kiss on his chin and then rested her head on his chest. "What I wouldn't give for just a little bit of your spirit again, if only briefly. I was wrong—your determination and drive were something special, not something to suppress."

She stepped back and the purple light she was radiating blazed particularly bright. "You want drama and passion, I'll give it to you," she announced mechanically, her smile dimming. "What would you like to argue about first?"

Gabriel's head dropped, "I don't want to argue with you, I just… want you to be yourself."

"You don't think I'm myself?" she queried, backing up, "I don't please you?"

He shook his head, "It's not that—"

"I can be anything you want," she answered. "You need only imagine it."

He nodded dully, "I know."

The scene slowed down. Adrien and Marinette watched as Gabriel busied himself checking over plants adorned with white chrysalises. His motions remained forced. Adrien felt sick watching his mother dancing from plant to plant, babbling endlessly about this or that. "That's not her, Marinette. That's not the woman who was my mother."

"I know, Adrien," Marinette responded gently.

"She was vibrant and funny, and so full of life. That… that robot is…" he had to swallow hard to prevent himself from letting out a sob.

"Adrien, she's a ghost from Hawkmoth's memory, that's all."

"So that's what all this is, then," he realized, "this is Hawkmoth's reality."

"Yes," Marinette acknowledged.

"Then why are we here?"

Marinette squeezed his hand. "It… it seemed like the right thing to do. When we were rewriting reality together. I… I made sure he would have everything he wanted or needed."

"You…" Adrien struggled to find the right words, "You trapped him here?"

Marinette shook her head adamantly, "No, absolutely not! This was his choice, to stay. I just made sure he would have everything he wanted or needed." Then, she looked down at her toes, "We're here because… because of the price." She let go of Adrien's hand and revealed her open palm. Adrien gasped in horror to see a burn scar in the shape of a butterfly on her right palm. He traced it with his finger.

"The last akuma?" Adrien asked, but as he looked up at her face, he had the strangest sensation of his chest being plunged in ice. Marinette shrieked as another figure walked right through them—a figure with blonde hair and green eyes, glowing a nasty shade of puce.

"Adrien, it's you!" Marinette wailed.

Adrien watched in horror as his purple doppelgänger strode up to his father. "Hello, father," purple-Adrien sneered in a cold, calculating voice. "I believe you called for me?"

Gabriel turned and gave a relieved smile when he saw his son. "Yes, yes, I am so grateful for you, Adrien." Not-Adrien's jaw clenched in pride. "You're the only one who brings me any peace these days. Knowing I have you on my side is the greatest comfort."

"I am the one grateful for you, Father," the impostor grinned, "and that you are entrusting me to carry on your noble work."

Gabriel nodded serenely as he gazed upon the chilling figure before him. "Excellent, excellent. Your mother has just helped arrange all the chrysalises. Today, I'd like to teach you how to hone the akuma's powers for maximum damage."

"I look forward to your instruction."

"You know," Gabriel smiled pensively, patting his son's shoulder, "I think you may be an even greater Hawkmoth than I ever was."

"No!" Adrien screamed, suddenly bolt upright, head throbbing.

"What is your problem?" Plagg groaned. Adrien checked the clock. Every breath helped him relax, and the pain in his head was dulling.

"Nothing," Adrien replied, climbing back into bed and resting, "it was just a bad dream."

"Well," Plagg yawned, "get used to it kid. Last time took years to get over, and that was when the bad guys won."

"Wait," Adrien gasped, "Are you saying—" But Plagg was already snoring.