Still atop the school roof, Ladybug is starting to get impatient waiting for Cat Noir. She groaned, sliding open her yo-yo to call her partner again. It was bad enough Raven hadn't been around for weeks- now Cat Noir was taking his sweet time?!
"Cat Noir, what did you do?" But her anger was cut off by thuds behind her; she turned to see Cat Noir walking up to her, staff over his shoulders and hands resting atop the metal.
"Cat Noir, did you get my messages?"
"Yeah, and I can't wait to know more, Lady-tective. So, who's the suspect?" Cat Noir smirked, moving his staff to help prop himself up.
"Gabriel Agreste."

Cat gasped, his staff slipping and almost causing him to fall flat on his face.
"You know, the fashion designer?" Ladybug continued, not mentioning his reaction.
"You got proof?" He asked, almost not wanting to know the answer.
"I-I... I can't tell you." Ladybug stammered, her eyes avoiding his.
"So, I'm supposed to just... accept that?"
"You must trust me on this. But it all makes sense. Gabriel Agreste is a secretive man and he never leaves his house."
"Yes he has," Cat interrupted quick, "at Christmas. I visited Ella in the hospital and she mentioned the man joined his son visiting her for the holiday."
Ladybug frowned at this new info, but decided to file it away and deal with the problem at hand.
"Look at this." She pulled up images of Gabriel's fashion design logos on her yo-yo screen, pointing the screen to Cat. "Check out his brand's logo."
"A butterfly?" Cat asked, stunned. His brain goes through his memory bank, realizing the butterfly theme in the furniture and other items of the house. The hero sighed, not really knowing what to think anymore.
"You okay, Cat Noir?" Ladybug asked, taking her yo-yo back and placing a hand on his shoulder. Cat took a deep breath, turning away from his partner.
"It's time to get the bottom of this." He spoke, his voice set with grim determination.

Cat and Ladybug land in Gabriel Agreste's atelier through the busted open window. They wandered among many broken pieces of furniture strewn about the room.
"Whoa, what happened here? Looks like somebody had a little tantrum." Ladybug was shocked at the room, clearly the area where some sort of fight went down.
Cat spotted his painting of him and his family that was thrown on the floor by his father. He sighed, his heart clenching in his chest.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Ladybug came up beside him, her own eyes sad.
"Yeah. Yeah, let's keep going." Ladybug frowned before she gasped, realizing something.
"He's got a son! Let's go check his room; make sure nothing's happened to him."
The pair run toward the staircase in the front hall until they see the Collector at the top of the main stairs.
"Where's Gabriel Agreste?!" Cat demanded, eyes narrowing at the sight of the villain.
"There is no more Gabriel Agreste. There is only...the Collector!"
Collector threw his notebook towards Ladybug, trying to trap her inside of it; but she managed to dodge the hit, which lead the notebook to trap the mansion entrance door instead. The notebook headed back the way it came, towards Ladybug and Cat. Ladybug knocked Cat to the floor before the notebook managed to touch them.
"You won't be able to escape!"
Collector's notebook continued flying Ladybug and Cat around the room as they both vault away from both the book and the villain. They leapt up to the second floor, running and dodging the book. They both then escape to the large dining room.
Cat, annoyed at the whole situation- and panicking remembrance that Ella was still supposed to be in the house, threw his staff towards the Collector.
"Wait!" Ladybug shouted, but it was too late; the staff was trapped inside the notebook, the superheroes gasped.
"Nice piece, wouldn't you agree?" Collector taunted, admiring the new addition to his collection.
Cat was quick to throw a chair at Collector, which got trapped inside his notebook as well. The heroes ran back into the main hall thanks to that momental distraction. They leapt over the stairs and landed by a door, hiding behind the grand staircase.
"The akuma's gotta be in that book!"
"Yeah, but if we touch it, we'll disappear!"
"Lucky Charm! A pedal?" Cat watched Ladybug try to use her Lucky Vision to figure out what to do with the pedal, but she didn't seem to see anything.
"I have no idea what to do with this. We need to stall him."
All of a sudden, the staircase behind them vanished, leaving them exposed to the villain.
"Ladybug and Cat Noir, you shall be the masterpieces in my new book of inspiration. Now give me your Miraculous' and I'll return your little friend to you!
"What?! Who're you talking about!?" Both heroes exclaim, before Collector flipped his book to an occupied page.
"ELLA!" Cat Noir yelled, anger filling him at the sight of Ella's panicked face within the book. Instantly his blood was boiling, anger spilling over- it was suffocating!

Cat charged with a growl, attacking Collector and going for his book. Collector grunted, vigorously trying to touch the feline hero with his book but he couldn't get close enough with the teen's vicious attack. Ladybug threw her yo-yo, latching it onto Collector's arm, making him throw the book in her direction. Cat snarled again as Ladybug dodged the book twice, before the pair went in together. Cat kicked the book away, launching it into the air. He moved to attack again but Collector kicked him away and jumped for the book. Ladybug used her yo-yo and lassoed Collector's leg, pinning him on to the floor. However, Collector managed to grab his book and trapped Ladybug's yo-yo inside.
"My collection's growing!"
"No!"
Fighting without their weapons becoming harder to do, the heroes jump up to the second floor.
"So this must mean...Gabriel Agreste can't possibly be Hawk Moth, since he's been akumatized!" He almost smiled, looking over at Ladybug.
"You call Agreste turning into the Collector good news?!"

Dodging the book once again, the pair run into Adrien's room and barricade the door using the furniture in Adrien's room. Once they were sure they had a few minutes to breathe, Ladybug looked around the massive room.
"Gabriel Agreste's son isn't at home?" She couldn't help but ask, cocking her hip and turning to Cat Noir.
"Maybe the Collector's already captured him."
"You think he'd take it out on his own son?" Ladybug gasped.
"He clearly doesn't care- he captured Ella like it was nothing!" Cat Noir shot back, his eyes going dark. But the moment was interrupted, as the items in front of the door started to vanish.
"You cannot escape from me." Collector laughed as the items vanished one after the other.
"Wait- what if he has no pages left in his book?" Ladybug glanced around the room, using her Lucky Vision again. Seeing certain objects, the teen leader figured out a plan.
The last object gone, Collector barged into the room. Cat Noir dodged first, hopping up to the second floor. Ladybug hid behind the TV out of the Collector's sight for the moment.
"Before I immortalize you, allow me to seize your Miraculous for Hawk Moth." Ladybug slid towards the wall, ready to get her plan in motion.
"Cat Noir, I need ammunition!" She squeaked as the TV blocking her from view vanished and she ran over to the trophies displayed.
"You need what?"
"We're gonna complete his collection!" She shouted, throwing one of the trophies at the CDs on the wall, making a handful fall. Cat Noir spied the discs, realizing her plan.
"Very smart Ladybug, quite ingenious."
"Less talking, more doing!"
Ladybug jumped up to Cat Noir's level, detaching his tail from his suit and leapt back down to the foosball table while Cat Noir went back at it with Collector, until the teen managed to kick the villain into the rock-climbing wall.
"Cataclysm!"
Cat Noir used the power on the bookshelf, with CDs dropping down. Ladybug attached the pedal along with Cat Noir's tail to the foosball table to create a makeshift conveyer belt. She smirked, pointing the table at the downed villain.
"Ready, Cat Noir?"
"I'm always ready!" Cat Noir grabbed a bunch of discs and threw them over the railing, as Ladybug spun the pedal to launch them at Collector. The villain approached Ladybug, capturing the CDs- but unknowingly using up pages in his book.
"Come on! Come on!" Ladybug groaned, her arm starting to get tired.
"No more ammo!" Cat Noir called down, worry evident in his tone.

Collector closed in on Ladybug, trapping the foosball table... then pressing the book to Ladybug's crossed arms; but the heroine was safe- the pages of his notebook all filled up.
"Huh? It's already full!"
Before the villain could swipe away anything to make room, Ladybug kicked the notebook out of his hand, Cat Noir catching it- drawing Collector over to him, and throwing it back to Ladybug.
"My book! No!"
Ladybug ripped the book in half, watching with a smile as the akuma appeared. She kept an eye on it, as she clutched her lucky charm- she needed her yo-yo back before anything else!
"Miraculous Ladybug!"
The pink ladybugs return everything back to normal, including returning Cat Noir's staff, the teen kissing it. Ladybug smiled at her partner, her own yo-yo back in her hand.
"No more evildoing for you, little akuma. Time to de-evilize! Gotcha! Bye bye, little butterfly." At the appearance of the white butterfly, Collector turned back to Gabriel Agreste. Ladybug turned to her partner, holding her fist out.
"Pound...Uh." She saw Cat Noir heading towards Gabriel, leading her to move over there as well.

"Are you okay, Faaa...sir?"
"Cat Noir, Ladybug, what happened to me?"
"You were akumatized by Hawk Moth. But don't worry, it's over now!" Cat supplied, reassuring the man with a small grin.
"Thank you, thank you, both of you!" Gabriel spoke with a gentle smile but gasped, realizing that his son was nowhere to be seen.
"Adrien...where is my son? And Ella- where is she?"
"He...must be hiding?" Cat blanched, eyes widening as he remembered the girl- was she back safe in her room?
"Cat Noir is right, otherwise your son would have reappeared right here." Ladybug answered, her eyes narrowing and her teeth slightly clenched at the mention of the female; why was Mr. Agreste worried about her? Why would she even be at Adrien's house to begin with?
"Nothing must happen to him. He's too precious to me. And Ella is under my care, Adrien would be unhappy if something happened to her." Gabriel elaborated, putting his hands on Cat Noir's shoulders while his eyes trained on Ladybug's face. The heroine looked peeved before her earrings gave a beep.
"We're about to transform back. Goodbye, Mr. Agreste."
"Don't worry yourself, sir. I'm sure your son is safe and sound."
Cat followed Ladybug out and up, but quickly landed in the garden by the dining room. He hopped through the open window, as his ring gave a beep.
"Claws in..." The green light flashed and faded, leaving Adrien with a tired Plagg. Tucking the kwami into his jacket by the stash of cheese, Adrien ran for Ella's room. He skid to a stop before the wood, knocking in a way bordering on panic.
"Ella! Are you in there?!" He called, trying the door knob. The door swung open, revealing Ella standing at her piano- her eyes were wide in shock and panic.
"Elle! Angel- are you okay?! Oh god I was so worried!" The teen crossed the room, sweeping her into his arms tight. Ella returned the grip, her face immediately finding the crook of Adrien's neck.
"That was too scary..." She muttered, forcing her body to stop shaking. Adrien frowned, finding some way to pull her tighter against him.

"I'm sorry I couldn't protect you..."
Ella shook her head, her forehead rubbing against Adrien's collar bone.
"You don't need to apologize, mon étoile. Neither of us could've known it would happen nor could we have stopped it by ourselves. I assume Ladybug, Cat and Raven came and saved the day?" She spoke, holding in a little giggle at the mention of the heroes.
"I think so- I got pulled into the book too..." The girl frowned at the words and moved her arms to intertwine behind Adrien's neck. One hand found its way into his hair while the other encircled his shoulders.
"I'm sorry, Adrien..."
"Now it's my turn to tell you not to apologize." Adrien chuckled, pulling away to look into Ella's eyes. The girl smiled at him, moving to her tiptoes to peck his cheek.
"Can we get some lunch now? My stomach's been growling for the last five minutes." Adrien chuckled before detangling himself from the girl and taking her hand to lead her to the kitchen.
The pair grabbed some sandwiches before moving up to Adrien's room, where the male actually started his piano practice while Ella laid out her sheet music on the floor beside the stool and worked on her lyrics.

With a deep breath, Marinette rang the bell on the gate and was allowed inside after telling the female she had the book Adrien lost. She was told to wait in the foyer while Nathalie fetched Mr. Agreste from his atelier. The man walked out and stood before Marinette, who pulled the book from her backpack.
"So, when Adrien put the book down and walked away, I wanted to take a peek. You see, I thought it was a portfolio with lots of pictures of him 'cause he's so cute. Uh, but you already knew that. Anyway, um, when he came back, I was scared he'd see me staring at his book so I hid it in my backpack and I know it was a dumb thing to do. And with everything that went on with Ella, I never got the chance to give it back to him... I'm really, really sorry."
"I see. So, you're one of his admirers?"
"Admirer? Yeah. That's the word." Marinette handed the Miraculous book back to Gabriel, who passed it to Nathalie. "You won't say anything to him, will you?" The girl inwardly cheered as Gabriel shook his head.
"Are you going to let Adrien come back to school?"
"Well, considering he didn't actually lose my book as it was borrowed by you, yes I will."
"Thank you." Marinette chuckled, happy as can be. Nathalie began leading the blunette to the door when something popped in her head.
"Can I ask you a question?" Marinette spoke, turning her head back towards her crush's father. The man nodded.
"I flipped through the book and it looked really awesome. Those illustrations of legendary heroes are super...inspiring. Where did you get it?"
"I found it while I was on a trip overseas with my wife. I've never seen another copy of it."
"Well then, you're very lucky to own it." The teen smiled, waved and left.

"Adrien. Your father would like to see you in his office." Nathalie spoke, drawing the teens attention to the door.
"I'll be right back, Elle." The girl nodded at his words, waving at Nathalie as she zoned back into her writing. The older woman led Adrien downstairs and motioned for him to enter by himself.
"Father?"
"Adrien. I'm sorry I became so furious over a book." The man apologized, placing the book back into the safe and returning the portrait to its position.
"I shouldn't have taken it without your permission." Adrien frowned sadly, rubbing his left elbow.
"That book...was the very last gift your mother gave to me before...before she disappeared. All I have left of her is this book...and you. But I know I can't keep the book or you locked up in this house forever."
"Does that mean you'll let me and Ella go back to school, then?" Adrien gasped as his father rested his hands on the teens shoulders. And he couldn't hold in the happiness at his father's nod.
"Thank you, Father!" Adrien threw his arms around his father in a tight hug, and was thrilled as arms returned the gesture and fingers gently rubbed against his cheek.

Adrien followed Ella to her room after dinner that night, taking a seat on the edge of her bed while the girl sat at her piano. She had been silent since dinner, when he told her the pair of them were allowed to go back to school.
"What's on your mind, Elle?" Adrien finally broke the silence, watching her pluck away at the white and black keys. Ella didn't answer at first, but eventually raised her eyes to meet his... and Adrien was shocked at the tears welling up at the corners.
"Elle-!" Up quick, Adrien crossed the room and sat beside her, wrapping an arm gently around her waist to pull her close.
"I... I don't think I can go back to school..."
"What? Why not?"
"You said- you said the school announced... what my father did..." Ella's breath hitched, a sob escaping. Adrien frowned, carefully pulling the crying girl into his lap.
"Yeah, they did..."
"I-I-I ca-can't face e-every-one now! Th-they must th-th-ink I'm s-s-s-so p-pathe-pathetic...!" Ella wailed, burying her face in Adrien's shoulder. The blond teen clutched his girlfriend to him tight, running a hand through her midnight hair.
"No one will think that, Ella. You've been through so much- all they'll see is a strong, brave girl who's faced more trials than anyone else. You kept everything a secret to keep your friends safe- that's the bravest thing I've ever heard of. No one and I mean no one, thinks you're pathetic. Marinette, Alya and Nino all miss you and can't wait to see your beautiful face every day. Today, everyone was asking when you'll be back cause they miss you!" Adrien shifted, allowing Ella to move her gaze up to meet his.
"And while you want to keep our relationship to ourselves for now," Adrien started, avoiding the word 'secret' since Ella's had enough of them hidden away, "you know I will be at your side no matter what. And if it comes to it, I'm more than ready to step out into the sun about us- if it means keeping you safe and happy."
Ella didn't say anything, and for a few seconds, the pair sat in silence staring into each other's eyes. But the girl whispered out a 'thank you' before returning her face to its spot against Adrien's neck. The teen pressed a soft kiss to her ear and continued to hold her, as he promised himself he would for the rest of his life.

The next day, Adrien gave Ella her cheek a kiss goodbye and got in the car for school.
The vehicle stopped beside the curb and Adrien was amazed at the crowd that gathered at his door as he got out. Nino got to him first, the two sharing a hug, until Chloé pushed the teen aside and leapt into Adrien's arms, taking a selfie.
Marinette sighed in relief with Alya by her side just inside the school doors.
"Yo dude- when's Ella coming back?" Nino asked, arm back around Adrien's shoulder.
"Thursday. The doctor wants her to relax and adjust to her new situation before coming back to school." Adrien gave a vague enough answer to tide over the curiosity, leading the way into the school.

After checking on Ella, Nathalie joined Gabriel in his office, where the man was looking at the pages of the Miraculous book on his monitor, revealing that he had a digital version of the book.
"So then, if you already had a copy of the book, why'd you go through all that trouble?"
"I did what had to do to keep my secret."
And she watched as Gabriel pressed in a code incorporated within the painting of Emilie Agreste, which then revealed a hatch that led down into his secret room.

Within the confines of his lair, Gabriel opened up the small white box where the Butterfly Miraculous was stored, and Nooroo popped out.
"Happy to see me again?"
"At your service, Master."
"Nooroo, dark wings rise!"
The little kwami was absorbed, and Gabriel transformed into Hawk Moth.
"Ladybug, Cat Noir- you almost managed to find out who I am; but now I am more above suspicion than I've ever been. As of today, nothing will prevent me from getting either your or the Raven's Wing Miraculous, and making my greatest wish come true! All I need to do now is wait for my next prey. And with my new addition, it may come sooner than you think...!"