The Perfect Tune, Chapter Fifteen:
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Everything in the last three years was all coming to a conclusion and the idea both excited and terrified Adrien. He gripped Kagami's hand, lacing their fingers tightly, as her father Kanzan got off the phone with Gabriel after successfully arranging a dinner between the two families.
"We're all set. Tomorrow night we'll have dinner at your family's estate," Kanzan said, slipping his cell phone into the inner pocket of his suit. "No doubt, he will be contacting you, Adrien, and formally invite you to return back home. It is imperative that you accept this request."
A feeling of dread began to settle in the pit of Adrien's stomach. He was about to face off against his father, who also happened to be Cat Noir's longtime enemy. And maybe, just maybe, something might be able to be done to help his mother. "So while we're at dinner, the rest of the team will infiltrate," Adrien said quietly. "If we're lucky, he won't have the Miraculous on his person."
"Do you think he knows your identity?" Kagami asked. "If he's suspicious, he'll definitely have the brooch on him."
Adrien believed his father suspected his identity as Cat Noir, but that Gabriel couldn't completely prove it. "It really doesn't matter. He's been lying about my mother for years and terrorizing the city." He could feel his cell phone vibrating in his side pocket. He checked the voicemail from his father — slightly surprised that he'd called himself. Gabriel Agreste really was laying on the honey thick. "He's invited me to come home in preparation of a business dinner with your family," Adrien said aloud. Kagami squeezed his hand and he appreciated her support. "He asked if I would consider coming home tonight and promised to be respectful of my independence."
"We could bug you," Kagami suggested. "I'm sure your friend Max could create a device and we could listen in and make sure you're safe."
"That's actually a good idea," Adrien agreed. He could feel the knot of tension that had developed between his shoulder blades easing up, though his stomach was still queasy. He hoped his lack of appetite wouldn't be too suspicious. He had eight hours to get his act together and pull off the best performance of his lifetime. He would need more than his modeling ability to school his face.
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The team was coming along. Marinette called a break and was enjoying a bottle of electrolyte water with Alya. Chloe had been called in to practice as well — her willingness to work with others surprising everyone. The big battle would be within twenty-four hours if all went well. The former class bully had checked her ego at the door. Her time in America, away from her toxic parents, had been good for her. Chloe had been sparring with Alix and Mylène creating a female trio that complimented one another's powers.
Luka and Ivan had been able to translate their partnership from Kitty Section into a strong superhero duo. Kagami, Nino, and Max were working on Adrien's listening device.
Adrien walked over to Marinette and Alya, his forehead glistened with a slight sheen of sweat. "It's almost showtime," Cat Noir said winded. He'd been the one leading the last cardio workout. In less than twenty-four hours, it would all be over.
"We'll be there tomorrow evening," Marinette promised. "No way will we leave you in the midst of the enemy."
Adrien sighed and leaned against the wall in exhaustion. "He's my enemy and yet he's also my father. I really think grief drove his descent into villainy." His green irises shrunk as his pupils dilated and gaze unfocused in thought. "Maybe he can be reasoned with."
"Everyone has an excuse for their poor decisions," Alya pointed out. "It doesn't give them the right to harm countless victims."
"You can still love your father and not agree with his behavior," Marinette said.
"As always, you nailed my feelings exactly, Bug-aboo," Adrien said, blinking and forcing a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.
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As the familiar black limousine parked in front of the library, Adrien shifted the backpack over his shoulder. He felt a little silly holding a limited edition superhero action figure, but as soon as he noticed the excited gleam in Gorilla's eyes he knew he'd made the right choice.
His bodyguard never spoke, but his actions were often more clear than simple words. He was devoted in his duty to protect Adrien and he truly seemed to care about the blond model. Adrien climbed into the backseat and stared out the window at the passing landscape in route to the Agreste estate.
The peaceful ride was over too soon. The stiff form of Gabriel Agreste stood impatiently at the front door's threshold to the mansion. It was strange to see his father opening his own door, but it happened. "We need to talk," Gabriel said without preamble, omitting any sort of pleasantries that might be construed as a civil greeting. He started down the hall, expecting Adrien to follow afterward obediently. "It's about your mother."
"I miss her too, Father," Adrien said, automatically. He did miss his mother, but more so, he missed feeling comfortable in his own home with a loving parent. He'd already learned from his mission with Luka that his mother was alive, though in a coma of some sort. Was his father about to confess that Emilie was alive? Adrien tried to calm his mind and succeeded at keeping his features locked into a cool mask.
Gabriel brought Adrien to the large portrait of Emilie Agreste in his study, he studied the portrait, never meeting Adrien's eyes. "Your mother isn't dead."
"What?" Adrien's shock was genuine —he never expected his father to admit his mother's state of being. Emilie wouldn't have left her only son without telling him, not willingly. Would his father explain how she'd hurt herself? Or would he start lying again? "Is she okay?"
"She's in a coma," Gabriel explained.
"But we had a funeral," Adrien protested.
"I used a life-like doll. That wasn't your mother."
"I want to see her. Aunt Amelie must have sensed her twin's presence. No wonder she's been so suspicious of you." Adrien reached out and touched the edge of his mother's portrait. "Which hospital is she at?"
"I don't want you to disturb her, Adrien. It wouldn't be healthy for her. She's barely hanging on as it is," Gabriel hedged.
"Comatose people can still hear what's happening around them. She needs to hear from me, Father. You have kept her from me for three years!" Adrien's temper rose, his ire natural, and his scowl scary. "Where is she?"
"That is irrelevant. Nathalie thought I should tell you," Gabriel admitted. "She didn't think it was fair for you not to know."
"Why would you keep this from me?" Adrien asked quietly. He really wanted an answer. He suspected his father had lost his sanity in his desire to obtain the Miraculous and re-write reality. Was Nathalie the only shred of morality that his father possessed? And if so, she wasn't doing a very good job considering he'd turned into Hawk Moth and terrorized Paris on average twice a week for the last three years.
"I understand you're angry," Gabriel said calmly, his expression flat and emotionless.
The familiar click-clack of Nathalie's high heels echoed on the tile floor. "Gabriel, what have you done?" Her bright eyes focused on Adrien in concern. "Are you okay, Adrien?"
"You are right, Nathalie. He needed to know. He needed to know that his mother is alive. She tried to abandon us both, but was injured," Gabriel explained coldly.
Adrien stepped back from his father, fists clenched at his sides. He shook his head in disbelief. "I don't believe you. Mother would never have willingly abandoned me."
"Adrien," Nathalie called softly. He turned towards her to see sympathy and concern for him reflected in her eyes. "You need to stay calm. I know you're angry, but you know what happens in this city when people are overcome with negative feelings."
Adrien held up his hand and took several deep breaths. He wasn't in any real danger of being Akumatized, his temper was mostly an act. He'd spent the last several hours preparing himself for this very scenario. "I'll be in my room. I will be ready for tomorrow's dinner, don't worry. I will do my part to represent this family as a united front, because that is what Mother would want."
Adrien didn't wait around to hear his father's response. As he rounded the stairs to the next floor, he noticed Nathalie standing close to Gabriel with her hand laid gently across his chest. If somehow his mother was revived, what would happen between those two? He really couldn't see his mother forgiving his father for his behavior over the past three years and that didn't even take into account what they actually argued about in the first place. Maybe Emilie had been planning to leave Gabriel. Maybe she was about to collect Adrien, move to her sister's estate, and Gabriel lost his temper. He'd certainly lost his reasoning over the last few years — it seemed plausible.
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Nervously, Kagami tugged on the hem of her skirt. Nathalie, Agreste's assistant, had opened the front door for them and they waited in the foyer for their hosts. It had been difficult convincing her mother to not attend the family dinner at the Agreste estate, but her father didn't want to endanger the blind swordswoman. She wasn't privy to the Miraculous drama and Kanzan wanted to keep it that way.
Gabriel and Adrien came down the stairs together— supposedly an example of their united front. Adrien was an excellent actor, his features were schooled to perfection. Even knowing what she knew, Kagami would never suspect that Adrien was anything other than the dutiful son.
"It is a pleasure to see you again, my old friend Kanzan," Gabriel greeted. "Dinner is waiting in the formal dining hall."
It was a very long dining table with Gabriel sitting at the head. Kanzan sat to his right, skipping the chair closest to Gabriel as it was normally Emilie's place. Adrien sat to Gabriel's left and catty-corner to Kagami.
Adrien's lip twitched into a quick smile for Kagami and she felt her heart flutter at the sight. It didn't matter that they'd been dating for a while, or that they were about to take down Paris' great terrorist, Adrien Agreste still could steal her breath away with a look.
While they began to eat the first course of the five course meal, the Miraculous team was slowly infiltrating the estate. It turned out that combining the Snake and Dog Miraculous lead to a stealth mode that could sneak several individuals past detection of the most top notch security.
Kanzan and Gabriel discussed business while the teens quietly ate their food, only contributing to the conversation when directly asked a question.
"Gabriel, I must ask, what happened to Emilie?" Kanzan asked, setting his silverware across his plate and politely patting his mouth with the linen napkin.
"She passed away," Gabriel said slowly. "It was sudden." He glanced at Adrien. "Blood clot, side effect of her birth control medication."
"Come now, Gabriel," Kanzan chided. "Surely, you do not expect me to believe that lie. I asked my wife not to come so that she wouldn't call you out for your falsehood, but she isn't the only one capable of detecting lies."
"I do not know what you are talking about," Gabriel said coldly.
"Perhaps we can elucidate reality for you," Ladybug said, stepping into the dining room. Queen Bee stood beside her and Nathalie followed after them with a dazed look in her eyes. Ladybug held out her hand revealing the Miraculous of Butterfly and Peacock.
Viper-dog stepped behind them carrying the unconscious form of Emilie Agreste.
Gabriel stood abruptly, knocking his chair over, his eyes wild with panic. "Nathalie!"
"She can't hear you, boss," Queen Bee said, bracing her hand on her hip and smiling victoriously at the fashion icon.
Gabriel glared at Ladybug with a look of absolute loathing.
"It's over, Hawkmoth," Ladybug said, closing her fingers around the brooches.
"Sit down, Gabriel," Kanzan said calmly. "We can discuss this rationally."
"You cannot do this, Kanzan! You don't understand! I must save Emilie!" Gabriel cried out desperately. "I just need the Ladybug and Cat Miraculous. I'll give you the Butterfly — I don't care! But I must combine the powers of those two in order to save my wife!"
"This isn't what Emilie would want, Gabriel," Kanzan protested quietly.
"And you don't have the Butterfly Miraculous to bargain," Ladybug reminded. She released her yoyo and trapped Gabriel in his chair.
"She would want to live! And I will do anything to make that happen," Gabriel retorted fiercely, struggling in his binding. "You pesky children!"
Adrien sat quietly next to his father, saying nothing. His emerald gaze shifting from his mother's body to his restrained father. It wouldn't be necessary to reveal his identity in front of his father and for that he was relieved. He could feel Plagg shifting in his inner shirt pocket, but the kwami of destruction stayed hidden away.
"Father, maybe Mr. Tsurugi has a solution. He seems to know quite a bit," Adrien said.
Gabriel's gaze pivoted towards his son. "Adrien, did you know about this?"
"Gabriel, I can help you," Kanzan interrupted, before Adrien could answer.
"You wouldn't understand — you and your wife never loved each other." Gabriel's attention focused back on Kanzan. "You've always been a business arrangement."
Kanzan chuckled darkly. "Do not speak as if I do not understand love, Gabriel. It is you that do not understand the concept." He reached for Kagami's shoulder and squeezed it reassuringly. "You speak of possession. Love is what you should have showed your son instead of serving as his warden and turning this home into a prison. Love is what you should have shown Emilie by letting her find peace." He gestured towards Nathalie, still dazed by Queen Bee's powers. "It is clear this woman loved you, but you did nothing to reciprocate."
Gabriel's pale gaze flickered towards his assistance in confusion. "I haven't hurt anyone. Ladybug's powers always set things back to a harmless state. Besides, none of this will matter after I make the wish."
"Such a wish could unravel the time-space continuum. When you tamper with time over more than a few minutes, you affect reality in a complicated fashion, Gabriel. You cannot undo your damage. Your relationship with your son will be tarnished, you risk his life if you wish for Emilie to return. Someone must take her place if you use the Miraculous for it."
"I can't leave her like this," Gabriel whispered. "My sacrifices will have been for nothing."
"The Order can heal her injuries from the damaged Miraculous," Kanzan promised. "But you cannot make a wish off the Ladybug and Cat."
"Can something really be done for Mrs. Agreste?" Ladybug asked.
Kanzan looked over his shoulder at Bunnyx, where she stood in the corner of the room quietly with Mouse. "We will need to see exactly what happened, using one of your portals to watch the past. That will determine our course of action."
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Bunnyx revealed exactly what happened three years ago when Emelie first fell into stasis.
T the night of the incident, Emelie was leaving Gabriel and planned to go to her sister's estate with Adrien. She was tired of being the face of the company and of the politics of the film industry. She'd tried the Peacock Miraculous, wanting to try her hand at heroics, but the damage started to affect her health. She actually wanted to attend culinary school and Gabriel flipped out.
A solution was found that didn't involve disturbing the time-space continuum. Both of Adrien's parents and Nathalie were sleeping after Kanzan used his Miraculous on them.
"What about Father's memory? Is he going to remember?" Adrien asked, nervously pacing.
"I can utilize the same technique that was used on your Master Fu. He won't remember anything related to the Miraculous and his last memory will be shortly before Emilie's trip to Tibet," Kanzan said. "Your mother will be similar, she won't remember anything about the Miraculous. Neither will your father's assistant."
"That sounds too good to be true," Marinette said.
"It will take a combination of yours and my power," Kanzan said. "Difficult, but possible." He wrote symbols in the air and script appeared before Marinette explaining how she could combine her power with the Miraculous of Order.
Shortly afterwards, Adrien entered his mother's room. She sat at her dressing table, brushing out her long, blond hair. She smiled at his reflection in her mirror. "Hello, my darling. Is everything okay?"
"Mother," Adrien choked out before he closed the distance and enveloped his mother in a much belated hug.
Emelie laughed softly. "My darling boy, whatever has come over you? I thought I was the dramatic one, no?"
Adrien smiled and sat with his mother for the next couple of hours. She excitedly told him about the dreams she'd had of late — Peacock and Butterfly Miraculous in Tibet. They had great powers that went beyond her imagination. She read about them in an obscure book, but they had been lose in the mid-nineteenth century.
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It was the third week of the new school term. Marinette enjoyed having Luka walk her between classes. His music theory was directly across the hall from her fashion design classes. She had classes shared with all her friends, but unlike her secondary school, she didn't share the same classmates in every subject.
She had earned a lot of annoyed glances at her old school for her friendship with Adrien. That was nothing compared to the glares she received for being Luka's girlfriend. Apparently, his reputation on campus had him pegged as a man of mystery. Handsome, mysterious musician types apparently garnered a great deal of fans. When it became public knowledge that he was the son of Jagged Stone, media and paparazzi started to become a hassle. In spite of the additional attention, Luka continued making deliveries for her parents throughout Paris and maintained his low-key persona.
Marinette enjoyed her relative anonymity. If her identity as Ladybug were made public knowledge, she would have hated the attention. Luka took it all in stride. It did seem to draw additional attention to Kitty Section and his sister Juleka had started exhibiting a great deal more self-confidence.
Chloe had returned that term along with her American boyfriend, Josh— who was studying abroad for the year. The mayor's daughter was actually exhibiting characteristics of being a decent human being. Marinette even enjoyed the fashion classes they shared together — they even teamed up twice on projects.
"The Battle of the Bands is only in a few weeks," Luka said. He ran his long, musician fingers through his dark hair — it had grown out to a raven black with only the last few millimeters electric blue. "I'm so glad you finished the costumes for Kitty Section this past weekend."
"I'm glad you like them," Marinette said smiling as they walked outside to enjoy lunch. "Those costumes earned Chloe and me the highest score in fashion design two weeks ago." They joined the picnic table where Alya, Nino, Adrien, and Kagami were settled. The couple sat next to each other alongside their friends. "Good afternoon, everyone."
"Good to see you, Marinette. Ready for the Calculus test this afternoon?" Adrien asked.
She nodded. "Of course. I have so much free time to study these days after all. How are things at home?" Idly, she began to twist her promise ring around her finger, enjoying the way the mid-day sunlight made the diamond and rubies sparkle.
Adrien exchanged a look with Kagami. "It's nice having Mom back, but she and Father fight all the time. I had forgotten before the incident that they were often arguing. They live on opposite ends of the estate."
"Gabriel is having puppy dog eyes for Nathalie," Kagami said. "He approached her about an affair, but she refused. She did say she had feelings for him, but as long as he was married to another woman their relationship would stay strictly professional. And if he pressed her, she'd resign."
Alya sighed and slid her cell phone into her backpack. "It's nice having normalcy around here, but I have to admit, without Ladybug and Cat Noir constantly defending Paris from Hawk Moth, my journalist skills are becoming rusty."
"I enjoyed the piece you wrote about the national science contest," Nino pointed out.
"While it was nice that Marinette and Adrien won, can you imagine how much more amazing the interview would have been if it had been revealed that they were our national heroes?" Alya propped her fists under her chin and sighed dreamily.
Luka draped his arm across Marinette's shoulders and kissed her cheek. "We know and we're all very proud of them both!"
Marinette smiled. The prize for the national science fair had been for the acceptance and tuition of a summer camp hosted by the European Space Agency. "I wonder how Master Fu is doing."
"Father has been tracking him and it seems he's enjoying a much belated honeymoon with his long-lost love," Kagami answered.
"Everything seems to be working out," Luka said.
"It's almost miraculous," Marinette retorted with a broad smile.
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FIN
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A/N: Sorry for the long delay in this final chapter. It was surprisingly difficult to write. I left a lot up to the reader's imagination. Hopefully, S4 will be available soon. Thanks for joining me for the ride. Take care, stay safe!