Hello again! So sorry for the delay in this chapter. I'm kinda swamped with homework now so I won't be able to update as often, but I will do my best to post once a week! Thank you for still supporting me :)

The Black Chat 993: Awe, I hope you don't mind the total emotional dump these chapters have been!

Le Chat Blanc: Thank you, you are so sweet! These past few chapters have been super emotional, but I hope you still enjoy them :)

Silver Shadow Noir: I guess you'll just have to wait and see!

Chapter 7: No Matter What

Marinette woke up to the sunlight peering through the small window of her hospital room. The warmth and brightness of the sunbeams caused her to squint and start waking up. She hated the mornings, and she especially didn't want to wake up from her dream because she felt so safe and warm. Though she couldn't clearly recall the events of yesterday, it did leave her bodying feeling absolutely worn out.

Blood rushed to the girl's cheeks when she opened her eyes to find Adrian protectively hugging her in his sleep. No matter how long they've been together, the butterflies he causes her never seems to end; not that she minds them.

Marinette took this moment to study his face. The crook of his eyebrows, his flawless skin, and flushed cheeks. How could such a perfect boy be hers? Not just by his looks, but also by his actions. All this time, the love of her life was also her partner and best friend.

A wave of guilt washed over her at that thought. She had been rejecting him and hurting him all this time. Yesterday, she almost got him and all of her friends killed. She should've been stronger than that. For some reassurance, she placed her hand on his chest to feel his heartbeat. They made it out alive, and everything was going to be okay.

The boy began to stir, furrowing his brows before his emerald green eyes met Marinette's ocean blues. "Good morning, princess," he mumbled, only beginning to wake up from his deep sleep.

Marinette couldn't help but giggle. "Morning, my prince."

Adrian tightened his grip around the girl and brought her closer by her waist. Once again, Mari began to blush furiously due to his actions but recovered quickly to nuzzle herself closer to him. She then noticed that he started planting sleepy kisses onto her forehead which only made her melt even more.

All of a sudden, their wholesome moment was ruined by a loud bang and swinging of the heavy hospital room doors. "MARINETTE WE CAN'T FIND ADRI- oh?"

The teens shot up out of their embrace to face none other than the miraculous trio: Alya, Nino, and Chloe.

Alya immediately covered Nino's eyes from the sight before them, her mind obviously wandering off to other places.

"Woah, dudes!"

"Ridiculous, utterly, Ridiculous!"

"Girl, do we need to come back later?"

Marinette groaned. "You guys, pleaseeeeee! We just woke up, nothing else, I promise," the flustered girl frantically explained.

Alya smirked. "Alright girl, whatever you say. We just wanted to come by and see how you guys were doing! Nino has been freaking out since we couldn't get a hold of Adrian."

"That's so nice of you guys. What happened after you were sent home yesterday," Adrian asked before sitting up and letting out a huge yawn.

"For your information, my Daddy was utterly shocked when he found out all of our identities. But of course, he couldn't punish me for saving the day once again," Chloe replied nonchalantly.

"Right… Nino and my parents were really worried. We are both grounded; except we are allowed to go to school and come see you, so I think it's worth it," the brunette added.

Mari looked down, suddenly getting sad. "I'm so sorry for putting you all through that. It's all my fault!" she cried out before burying her face into her palms to stop her tears.

Everyone began to tense up, but Adrian put his arm around his girl to comfort her. Alya sat on Marinette's side of the bed to hold her hand. "It's not your fault, Marinette. You were akumatized," she offered as a form of reassurance. "But girl, you should have talked to us. If you were holding so much sadness and hurt, it's okay to come to us for help instead of locking it all away like that!"

"Yeah, Mari! We are your friends, and if you ever feel overwhelmed you can talk to us any time," Nino added before nudging Chloe.

"Hey! I mean- yeah, um, I guess you could come to me too or whatever," her majesty said while flipping her hair.

The tears began to fall down Marinette's cheeks. "Still, I'm so sorry! I'm sorry for almost killing all of you, I don't know if I could live with myself if any of you got hurt because of me."

Adrian spoke up, "Mari, none of this was your fault. My father pushed you into a corner, and you still thought of me first. When you were akumatized, you had no control over what happened, and at the end of the day you saved everyone!"

"We forgive you. Everything is forgotten, okay?" Alya said comfortingly.

Marinette gave them all a smile. "Thank you, I love you all so much!"

They all gathered together for a group hug; holding the real Marinette tightly in their arms.

Of course, Plagg had to fly out and ruin the moment, but to his defense, it was pretty important. "Alright gang, pull it together. Cheesy tears, Marinette is back, everything is all in good for now blah, blah, blah; but we have a bigger problem on our plates."

The teens stared at the black kwami. "Plagg, what are you talking about?" his owner questioned, raising his eyebrow.

"He's right. It's my fault," Tikki chimed in.

Plagg flew over to Marinette. "You see since Tikki used her powers to bring back Marinette, we don't know if her magic will come with a price."

Marinette gasped and held Adrian's hand tighter. "Does this mean… someone else has to die since I was able to live?"

"No, we won't let that happen!" Adrian exclaimed, trying to stay positive, but Plagg shook his head.

"We don't know for sure. I know that when I use my powers on my own, something really bad tends to happen…" he said shyly, noticing that Tikki was giving him a sideways glance. He knew he messed up more than once due to his own stubbornness.

"One thing that is for sure is that since Plagg and my powers were not combined, no one has granted the ultimate wish. My power is the power of creation, so it's possible that everything will be fine." Everyone visibly relaxed at the red kwami's statement but Tikki continued. "However, since no life has been taken away for Marinette's it is possible that the world could go completely out of balance."

"Sugar cube is right. I might have to use my powers to balance hers, but I don't know how much destruction that will cause because… I just, can't control it."

Adrian noticed Plagg beginning to droop down at the thought that he wouldn't be strong enough to protect him. "Hey, we'll figure this out, okay? You're amazing, Plagg and we won't panic unless we have to-"

Without warning the ground began to shake. The teens held their respective partners protectively, and Chloe held onto the bed frame, covering her head. Screams were heard throughout the hospital as the violent shakes rippled through the building like a great wave.

"Looks like we spoke too soon," Alya commented as the rumbling settled.

"Adrian, we have to help them!" Marinette pleaded, her Ladybug side showing. The boy nodded and they both transformed.

"Alright guys, I know it hasn't been too long, but are you up for another fight?" Adrian said, looking at the others for their approval.

Nino pumped his fist. " You know we're always ready, dude!"

The other trio of miraculous holders transformed as well. Adrian was thankful that he allowed them to keep their miraculous until Marinette was feeling better.

"I'll start evacuating the hospital, you guys go ahead and start evacuating the city to find shelter!" Chloe instructed, trying to take charge as usual, but the others agreed.

Alya opened the window of Marinette's hospital room and was shocked to see the destruction that occurred in such a short amount of time. Buildings were collapsed and on fire, civilians were running through the streets looking for safety, and the sky turned blood-red causing darkness to fall throughout Paris. "Let's go," she said jumping out first.

"What are we going to do?" Marinette whispered under her breath.

Adrian glanced over at his lady, taking notice of her sadness and distress. "What we always do, M'lady," he offered with a smile.

The teens jumped through the buildings heading towards the town center. They guided some of the townspeople on the street to get to the strongest building in their city, which was ironically Chloe's home. She was definitely going to freak out when she arrived.

The miraculous holders decided to split up to scan the city for anyone trapped in their homes. Each of them taking the North, South, East, and West of the city. Marinette was still exhausted, but guilt continued to rip through her. How were they going to stop this? Would she have to die for the sake of everyone else? Being Ladybug brought her so much joy, but also gave her the burden of everyone else.

Marinette got to her house, slipping through her roof hatch to check on her parents and the other kwami's. To her relief, the miraculous box was still safely hidden. She decided to leave it there for now because it would be safer than bringing it with her, out in the open.

Next, she ran downstairs to make sure her parents were safe. "Mr. and Mrs. Dupain-Cheng?" she called out, but she paused after coming to a realization. "Oh, I guess I don't need to hide my identity from them anymore," she whispered to herself.

The bluenette continued down the stairs. "Mom, Dad? I'm here!" Marinette shouted down the halls, starting to get anxious. Something wasn't right, and she could sense it. A part of her wanted to believe that she was simply overthinking and that her parents were safe at city hall. However, her heart dropped when she arrived at her beloved bakery.

The glass windows and equipment were shattered. The pastries and bread were also destroyed and scattered all over the floor. Marinette didn't notice the tears that fell down her rosy cheeks. A single envelope was placed in the middle of all the destruction. The girl reached out to flip it over to reveal a butterfly wax seal.

She had to resist the urge to crumple the letter, but with shaky hands, she opened it.

I have your parents, Marinette. If you want to see them again, come to the Eiffel tower with Chat Noir's Miraculous. You have until midnight to bring them to me, or they will perish the same way all of Paris will because you are alive.

Marinette couldn't hold back her rage. She screamed, ripping the letter and throwing the pieces in the rubble. The poor girl fell to her knees, sobbing. How could she let this happen?

Without realizing it, she pulled out her yo-yo to call Adrian. It rang, and he instantly picked up.

"Princess, are you okay? I just finished my rounds, I'll meet you at- wait, Ladybug, are you crying?"

The girl did her best to control her hyperventilating and sobs, but it was impossible. "H-He took them, Chat! He took my parents!"

The other line was silent for a moment. "I'm coming, M'lady. Don't go anywhere okay. We will get them back, I promise."

The only thing Marinette could give in return was a gasp of agreement through her tears. She hung up so that he wouldn't be distracted on his way over. After a few deep breaths, Ladybug rose up to her feet, holding her head up high. A few hiccups interrupted her breathing but that didn't stop her.

She must be Ladybug before Marinette in situations like this, and Gabriel messed with the wrong family. The heroine walked outside to look up to the Eiffel tower. She noticed Chat Noir's dark figure coming closer to her; he would always be by her side, no matter what.

Marinette took in a deep breath knowing what she would have to do, and she would stop at nothing to save her family. Even if it's the last thing she does.