If you were wondering where the Adrien angst was last chapter, here it is.

Chapter 41: Falling In Place

Luka was not surprised when he heard Chat Noir land on the deck of the Liberty.

He immediately detransformed, revealing how ragged he looked. The news of Hawkmoth's identity was taking its toll on Adrien.

Luka offered him a drink, and sat next to him in silence. He was ready to talk when Adrien was.

And if Adrien wanted to spend the night in silence, that was perfectly okay.

That morning, Adrien got up earlier than anyone else on the Liberty. He tiptoed through the boat, and ended up on the upper deck, looking out over the Seine.

"You okay, kid?" Plagg asked.

"I- I don't know," Adrien replied. "Do you really think it's him?"

"It fits," Plagg said. "Ladybug already suspected him for some reason."

Adrien sighed. He wanted to argue - his father had been akumatized - but every argument was something Ladybug already knew. And while she never said what led her to initially suspect him, she had made several good points. Adrien trusted Ladybug with his life - shouldn't he trust her with this?

But then again, they didn't know for sure that it was his father. After all, he did make most akuma's lists of horrible parents - but Adrien didn't know Lacy well, surely she'd have naturally said someone closer to her?

But if it was him, could Adrien fight his father?

"Do you think I should tell Ladybug?" Adrien asked.

"It's up to you," Plagg said. "But I'm with you. No matter what."

"Thanks, Plagg."

Just to be unpredictable, Ladybug held the meeting in the teachers lounge of a school she had never stepped foot in before.

(She did get permission. Kinda.)

Everyone attended the meeting this time. Kota and Roi Singe still refused refused to sit in chairs normally, but everyone else was strangely serious.

Chat Noir was in the corner, sulking. Ladybug didn't know why, or how to cheer her partner up. She would resume trying after the meeting.

"As you all know, Kota helped us figure out Hawkmoth's identity," Ladybug began.

"Speaking of, is anyone going to tell me what I said?" Kota asked. "I don't remember anything from that battle."

"Gabriel Agreste," Ladybug said.

Ladybug had known that it would be one of her friend's family members, but it had still be a shock when Lacy said that. The idea that Adrien - her friend - was living with a super villain was not pleasant.

It made her that much more eager to defeat him.

Everyone else looked as grim. Adrien was a close friend to most of the other heroes too. Carapace looked ready to take on Hawkmoth by himself.

Viperion moved closer to Chat Noir and whispered something that made Chat Noir relax a little.

"Alright, so let's go over the plan-"

"Wait."

Ladybug stopped, surprised to be interrupted by Chat Noir.

"Yeah?"

"I - there's something you should know," Chat Noir said. "If you plan on attacking Hawkmoth with me. I - I don't know if I can."

"Chat, what do you mean?"

Chat Noir closed his eyes. "Plagg, claws off."

Ladybug wanted to scold him for being responsible, or close her eyes, but she didn't have a chance. Next thing she knew, Adrien was standing in front of her.

And then it hit.

"Chat! I'm so sorry."

Ladybug enveloped him in a hug, and Adrien rested his head on her shoulder.

"It's not your fault," Adrien whispered. "I just can't believe he'd do something like that."

Carapace and Rena Rouge joined the hug. Viperion awkwardly patted his arm.

"It's okay, Chat," Rena Rouge said. "We've got you."

"I don't know if I can fight him," Adrien admitted.

Ladybug took a deep breath. "Okay."

"But I don't want to leave you alone," Adrien added.

"She's not alone," Rena Rouge replied.

"It's your choice, Chat," Ladybug said. "I would like to have you by my side, but I won't ask you to fight your own father."

Adrien nodded. "I'll try. I - I want to help."

"Okay." Ladybug took a step back, addressing the whole room. "So this is what we'll do."

They had one day to prepare, and then they'd attack.

Ladybug landed on the balcony of Mylene's apartment, glad to see she caught the two of them together. She knocked on the door, and Mylene let her in.

"Mylene Haprele, Ivan Bruel, I need your help," Ladybug began. "We know the identity of Hawkmoth, and plan to attack tomorrow. Will you join us?"

"You want me to help?" Mylene asked.

Ladybug nodded. "I know you told me you didn't want to keep a secret life as a superhero, but this will be a one-time thing. You were amazing as Souris Rose, and we need as many heroes for this battle."

Mylene nodded. "Okay, I accept."

"What can I do to help?" Ivan asked.

"Ivan Bruel, this is the miraculous of the ox. It grants its user strength and perseverance. I would like you to wield this and assist us in our battle."

"You're giving me a miraculous?" Ivan asked.

Ladybug nodded. "You are steadfast, just like an ox. I trust you."

"Okay. I'm with you."

"Good. Here's what I need you two to do-"

Alix was harder to track down, but eventually she caught her walking home from Nathaniel's.

"Alix Kubdel," Ladybug called.

Alix turned. "Ladybug. Is there a reason you're being extra formal tonight."

"I'll explain," Ladybug said, holding a hand out. Alix grabbed it, and Ladybug yo-yoed them up to a roof.

"Alix Kubdel-"

"Again with the full name," Alix said. "Actually, Alix isn't my full name, but now I'm scared to tell you what is."

"It's not important," Ladybug said. "Alix, I'm here to give you your miraculous."

Alix's eyes widened. "Now? But why?"

"I'll explain." Ladybug held the box out. "I usually have a speech and everything, but I don't think you'd appreciate it. Just remember, this is a powerful miraculous. Don't misuse it."

Ladybug held another meeting in the sports arena for the three new (or newer, in Mylene's case) to practice their powers.

And because she wanted to see their transformations.

Ivan's transformation gave him sturdy brown combat boots, brown loose leather pants with two blue cargo pockets, and a blue top and brown gloves. He had leather armor over his elbows and shoulders, and a brown leather masks. His hair spiked up into two horn-looking puffs, and a cornucopia rested on his hip for his weapon.

"You look good," Ladybug commented. "Have a name picked out?"

"Uh, Taurus."

"Good name. Now, let's see how strong you actually are."

Turned out, Taurus was plenty strong.

Souris Rose wasn't interested in practicing her powers, but instead practiced using her jump rope like a whip. She only ended up hitting herself in the face once, but it left a nasty red welt.

"I'll tell my parents I fell," Souris Rose said. "They should buy it. Hopefully."

"You can tell them the truth after we defeat Hawkmoth," Ladybug said.

"Are you going to tell your parents?" Taurus asked.

Ladybug hesitated. She had dreamed of being able to tell her parents, but now that that seemed like a real possibility, it scared her.

"Maybe," Ladybug eventually said. "I'd like to, but - I guess it's been a secret for so long, you know?"

Alix's transformation was much cooler than future Bunnyx's. She had similar boots as Ibex, except now blue, and baggy blue pants with lots of pockets. She wore a blue turtleneck with long sleeves, and a white crop-top over it that was furry on the top. Her gloves, elbow-pads, and knee-pads were all white, and her hair turned blue. She had a white beanie that bunnies ears sprang out of. Her mask was the only thing that remained the same.

"I want to come up with a name," Alix said. "I know Bunnyx exists, but still."

"Okay," Ladybug replied.

"Hmm, what if I combine 'bunny' with Ibex? That would be - oh. I guess I did come up with Bunnyx."

Bunnyx easily adapted to the umbrella as a weapon. She and Taurus sparred, and Bunnyx was victorious every time.

Ladybug was glad to have her on their side. Bunnyx was vicious.

After the meeting, Bunnyx told Ladybug she had something important to tell her, so they met up in as civilians as Alix's place.

"So I have this idea," Alix said, waving her arms excitedly. "So, you know the whole the-gods-actually-exist thing, right? Okay, so I was talking to my friend Lacy, and the idea of nectar and ambrosia - the food of the gods - came up, and like, kwami are essentially gods, so could they use ambrosia?"

"We can!" Tikki confirmed. "We're not allowed to bring it up, because it helps circumvent the time limit, but now that you brought it up, I can confirm. It works."

"I really wish you were allowed to tell me these things," Marinette complained. "I know, I know, it would be bad if Nooroo could tell Hawkmoth, but still."

"You wouldn't be able to use it in every fight," Tikki informed. "Especially since you and Chat Noir are completely mortal. It's not good for you. And it won't completely avoid the time limit, it just lengthens it and allows you to use your powers again."

"That's still helpful," Marinette said. "Where can we get some?"

"Lacy should have some," Alix said.

"I'll ask her then," Marinette said. "This is great. We need every advantage against Hawkmoth."

"Nectar?" Lacy asked. "Sure, I have some. Why?"

It was night, and Lacy was exhausted from nerves. They were fighting Hawkmoth tomorrow. She had just been turning the lights off when Ladybug had knocked.

"I have a source that says it can help circumvent the time limit," Ladybug replied.

"It's true!" Orikko confirmed, from up on the ceiling fan where he'd made his nest for the night. "If we eat nectar, we automatically power up."

"Okay," Lacy said. "I keep some in my desk. I'll grab it for you. But be careful - this is meant for gods. A single drop can kill a mortal, and even demigods die if they have too much."

"Right," Ladybug said. "I will keep that in mind."

The morning came eerily peaceful.

Lacy woke up to Orikko's yelling, transformed, and went out for her morning patrol.

Marinette slept in, far from a peaceful sleep.

Adrien laid awake on the floor of the band room, where he and Luka had camped out. Across the room, Luka was awake and meditating.

Nino and Alya had, without either's parents knowing, camped out in Alya's room. Neither slept well that night.

Kagami woke up and did her morning stretches. She had something more important than fencing practice to stretch for, after all.

Chloe was up all night, just in case.

Ivan slept over at Mylene's, with her dad fully aware he was there, unlike some people.

Alix stayed up late, talking to her dad about non-Hawkmoth related things. They both fell asleep on the couch, and didn't realize it until the following morning.

Max woke up early, too nervous to do anything but code.

Kim, unfortunately, had to wake up at an inhumane time for swim practice.

Hawkmoth was up, transformed, in his lair that morning, completely unaware of the storm that was brewing. He surveyed Paris, feeling the pull of emotions, and picked a target.

Next chapter is super important, so I might be late publishing it to make sure it's exactly what I want.