The Agreste Manor. A place Adrien once called home. But only because he didn't know what a real home is supposed to feel like. Now the mansion is just a place where he once lived. But right now, it was a place where both his mothers were in coma. Security was tight. Of course people would desecrate or damage the manor that Hawkmoth called his home. However, with two comatose women in the basement, couldn't risk anyone trying to get in and do damage as it may compromise the health of the two women. Luckily there were security agents doing their job, while doctors and scientists watched the health of the two women.
A group of people approached the gates of the mansion where a pair of security agents stood. The group consisted of Adrien, Greg, Allegra and a few of her agents, as well two cloaked figures. Allegra rolled her wheelchair up to the guards and noted. "Good day, I am Allegra Maoleidigh. I am present due to the sensitivity of the procedure that needs to happen with Mrs. Emilie Agreste and Miss Nathalie Sancoeur." She said as she handed a few documents to the security agents.
One of the large guards looked it over. "Seems to be in order, but if it is not too much trouble to ask, what requires a person of your position to be present for this?"
"Allow me…" one of the cloaked people said as she lowered her hood a bit, showing dark blue hair in ponytails and bluebell eyes surrounded by a red and black-spotted domino mask.
When confronted with the heroine Ladybug herself, security quickly decided that they should be allowed access. "Very well." The security guard said. Allow me to escort you."
The guard did just that, guiding them to the basement. The group of doctors and scientists were asked to leave the premise, but not before they put everything in place to keep the equipment running long enough for the hero to do their thing. A few of Allegra's agents would be at the entrance of the underground chamber standing guard, another few would talk to the staff present about secrecy details.
A few agents remained behind with Allegra…whom burst into orange smoke as the remaining agents turned into Nino, Chloé and Rena Rouge, the latter whom detransformed. Ladybug discarded her cloak, and so did the other person, revealed to be Master Fu. Allegra turned to them. "All right, we have given you all the room you need to work. The rest is up to you."
"I can't believe they'll be waking up soon…" Adrien said, smiling softly and slightly shedding tears.
"Let's not get hasty, I still need to pull it off. I have the power to do so, but I have to do it right." Ladybug said as she steeled herself.
"Everyone has utmost fate that you will do it right." Greg assured her.
"Now, just like we practiced…" Fu said to Ladybug. "Breathe in and out…" he instructed.
Ladybug calmed herself. She took a deep breath, closed her eyes and stood still for a few secs. Her head then jolted up as she opened her eyes as she started to make gestures with her hands, over and over, making the spots on her costume glow a bit more with each gesture. Finally she grabbed her yo-yo, which also glowed as she opened it up and aimed it towards the pods and the tree. "Miraculous Healing!" she whispered.
A beam shot out of her yo-yo, as the spots on her bodies turned into different colors, and more projectiles of light shot out of those spots. The lights of the spots and the beam merged together as they met mid-air, becoming a colorful beam of light, which instead of heading straight forward shot straight up, burst into fireworks of lights, and these lights descended on both of the stasis pods. Both pods glowed in a variety of colors for a moment, before it died down. For a few moments, nothing happened. Everyone was worried for those few moments.
Until a hissing sound filled the area, as the pods unlocked, a bit of white smoke came out of the pods before opening up. As the smoke faded, Emilie and Nathalie lay there, eyes still closed, but both started to stir. Their eyes clenched before they slowly opened them, blinked and tried to move their bodies. Their movements were a bit stiff, but they were asleep and immobile for a long time, it was to be expected.
Both of them sat up slowly and looked around. Nathalie looked to her right to see Emilie and her eyes widened. Emilie just blinked and looked around until she saw her son. "Adrien?" She asked as the realization set in.
"Hi, mom…" Adrien just said softly as he broke down and ran at her, grabbing her in a hug (careful not to crush her). "You're back."
"Adrien…my wonderful boy…" Emilie said as she returned the hug. For a few moments the two were left as they were as they just had to let out a series of emotions. Eventually when the two were done blubbering, they broke the massive hug and Emilie put her hands on Adrien's cheeks. "You've grown so much…and I wasn't there to see it happen…"
"You're here now…that's all that matters." Adrien replied.
Everyone kept quiet, not wanting to disturb this moment. In the pod next to them, Nathalie just keeps quiet and sits there, trying to not get noticed or speaking up.
"There is a lot to talk about…" Emilie said as she looked around the room. "But before we do so, aren't you going to introduce me to all your friends?"
"Aunt Emily?" Chloé squeaked.
"Chloé? Is that you…wow, almost didn't recognize you, you are wearing far less make-up." Emilie asked as the blonde girl tackled her into a similar hug like Adrien's. "It's good to see you too."
"I've basically adopted her as my sister now, Mom." Adrien said gladly.
"Well then, that makes her my daughter as a result. Don't think Audrey would mind, since she doesn't seem to care. How's that rich bitch anyhow?" Emilie asked. It caused a few people to gasp. They didn't expect the curse word from her.
"Back to America, disowned by me and Dad and last we heard spends ninety percent of her time plastered of her ass and the other ten percent passed out." Chloé added.
"Thank Kwamis!" Emilie said. "Now, I want to see both of your wonderful friends. Especially the girl that has wormed her way in my boy's heart. He couldn't stop speaking about her every time he visited me here."
"You heard everything?" Adrien asked.
"Oh, I did. And son, I love you, but your poetry is just so corny." Emilie noted. This got a laugh out of everyone. "But I am not surprised you'd be a lovesick puppy, Adrien."
"Rather a lovesick kitty!" Adrien added. "Chloé got herself a boyfriend too."
"I think I heard you mention that." Emilie booped Chloé. "You are going to give me details later, sweetheart." She then stretched her legs and put them over the edge of her pod, as she tried to stand. She nearly collapsed but Chloé and Adrien helped her up. "Oh, I think my legs still sleep."
"I'm surprised you are able to move as well as you do considering you have been…well…" Chloé noted.
"I guess the healing magic of the Ladybug is stronger then we thought." Adrien pointed out.
"Speaking of the Ladybug." Emilie noted as she looked at the red and spotted heroine. "I think you can get out of those jammies, Marinette. I would rather look at my son's girlfriend outside of her work clothes."
"Oh…er…" Ladybug wordlessly detransformed (she can do that now with her power boost) as Tikki flew out of her earrings. "Hello, Mrs. Emilie…"
"Drop the Mrs…" Emilie said. "It makes me feel old. Speaking of dropping, I should get back to my maiden name. Best to distance me from the man whom terrorized Paris and kept me in the deep freeze." It kind of flustered Marinette at how easy-going Emilie was. "Or you could call me Mom…Or Mom II, Oh, Mommilie! Take your pick. My boy is going to put a ring on that finger one day."
"Mom…" Adrien said blushing.
"I wasn't there to see the start of the relationship, so I want to catch up on the teasing." Emilie quipped. "And I must say, Marinette. You are adorable! And if half of what my boy said to me while I took my powernap, I think I'd love to have you around." Marinette turned a bit beet-red.
"Oh, look, more people whom want to meet you." Adrien pointed at his other friends. "Mom, this is Nino, my best friend. And his girlfriend Alya, Mari's best friend."
"It's nice to finally meet you, Miss E!" Nino said.
"Miss E? Like the sound of that." Emilie said with a cheeky grin.
"We could see the resemblance…Now we hear you talk, we can see it even more." Alya said.
At this Emilie let out some musical laughter. "Oh, you're so witty. It's nice to meet you all." She then turned her head towards the person whom was perhaps more nervous then Adrien to finally see her again. "Hello Greg." She said softly.
"Hello, Emilie." Greg said nervously as he rubbed he back of his head.
"I still see you have nothing in your closet that isn't green?" Emilie said.
"Green is kind of my thing." Greg replied, nervously.
"So…you are going to stand there or hug me you big palooka?" Emilie asked. Greg smiled and gently hugged her. "I missed you, you know?"
"I missed you too. I'm sorry I left Adrien behind. I…" Greg said, as he started to shed some tears.
"I don't blame you. I know he doesn't either. I blame that man I…really need to cut out of my life completely." Emilie pointed out. She pecked his cheek. "Now stop blubbering, this is supposed to be a happy occasion." Emilie looked around. She saw Nathalie, still sitting in her pod, doing her best to not be seen. "Come on, Nattie! Aren't you going to greet everyone now that you are awake?"
"I'm not sure if I should be here." Nathalie noted. "I am partly responsible for the trouble they all went through."
"You also helped fix it as Mayura." Greg pointed out.
"And I got myself sick and put into this pod. I shouldn't have helped Gabriel to begin with, I should have walked out sooner…I could…" Nathalie said, looking said and sounding defeated.
"I also rushed in with the Peacock Miraculous when confronting Gabriel. I also wasn't able to stop him. So I was in the same boat as you." Emilie pointed out. "But you did your best to rectify your mistakes. You are still family, and as family you should be here joining in this touching family scene. Somebody help her up."
"Allow me." Greg said as he handed Emilie back to Adrien and helped Nathalie get up. "And up you go, Nattie."
"Don't call me…Never mind." Nathalie grumbled.
"I hate to break this up, but I suggest that we get a medical exam for the both of you, and catch up afterwards. Because there will be a lot to talk about, so best to get that out of the way." Allegra noted.
"All right then." Marinette said as she wordlessly transformed into Ladybug again before turning to Alya. "Alya, glamours please?"
Alya wordlessly transformed into Rena Rouge (having fed Trixx in between) and put her flute to her lips again so she, Nino and Chloé appear like agents of the Bureau again.
The doctors and scientists did the checkup, and they were all surprised to see that the two ladieswere in relative health. Though they wanted to study this advanced healing a bit more, they were asked to secrecy as the family and friends could gather to catch up, to which they obliged.
So now they had the dining room of the Agreste mansion to themselves again, given privacy once more. All gathered around the table, with a few snacks and drinks. After getting some water, Emilie looked at the group for a bit before she sighed. "Now, I think that the first thing you would like to know is how the Peacock and Butterfly Miraculous came into my family's possession, right?"
"We would like to know about that indeed. Just take your time." Master Fu noted.
Emilie took a deep breath. "My family were New Guardians. Of a faction that wanted more than any other chapter to find the Lost Temple of the Guardians. And after a long time of traveling and research, they found it. What was left of it anyways…" Fu slumped a bit in his seat as he remembered the downfall of the temple. "There they found the Butterfly and Peacock Miraculous."
"And they never came forward with it? Not even to other chapters?" Master Fu asked.
"My parents nearly lost their lives to a demented huntsman whom tried to ambush them. Hence they kept the Miraculous secret, both so they wouldn't be targeted, and so the other Guardians would have less reason to talk to them. Eventually their circles drifted apart, but since none of them had anything of value and no one knew about our treasure, it kept all of us safe." Emilie continued.
"Kwami Hunter…" Marinette whispered upon thinking of a 'demented huntsman'.
"They experimented a little with the Miraculouses, but didn't do anything that drew much attention to them. They were more concerned with keeping them safe. As their daughter, I was of course aware of these Miraculous, but being a bit more of a thrill seeker, I did a few experiments myself and also created some Champions or Sentimentels to amuse me. Sometimes to amuse myself, sometimes send out in the city to provide help. Mostly stealth based ones so they wouldn't be noticed, at most causing a few ghost stories or rumors, nothing taken too seriously." Emilie added.
"But the Peacock was damaged. You felt the effects, right?" Master Fu noted.
"I noticed myself getting weaker over time, so no one in my family thought about using them again, just about keeping them safe. However, my parents…they raised me lovingly, but they had me late in life, so when I reached adulthood, their time was running out. They began setting up suitors for me from other New Guardians families. They thought it'd be the best to keep the secrets with the new Guardians so innocent people wouldn't be dragged into it." Emilie said. "And I understood. I didn't want to love someone just so he could be dragged into a dangerous life like ours." Emilie seemed to deliberately avoid Greg's gaze as she said that.
"And then you met Gabriel Agreste, right?" Allegra asked.
"Yes…and at first he seemed normal. He was a handsome young man, passionate and ambitious, charming. You would never think anything was wrong with him. We hit it off and…well, we eventually got married. My parents passed shortly after we had Adrien…and not much later Gabriel's parents had also passed. As far as I knew they had health issues." Emilie said. It got more difficult to speak.
"If you want to continue this later…" Fu said, knowing it was hard for the woman. She only woke up a few hours ago.
"No, it's best to get everything out now." Emilie said. She took a few breaths and continued. "Of course during our engagement Gabriel and his family were brought into the loop. Gabriel seemed much more interested in the Miraculous than his parents. He claimed that as an artist he felt inspired by the Miraculous and I could understand that. But only after my parents were gone they were truly left in our care. Normally I would have been happy to just safeguard them but…"
"Gabriel didn't want to just leave them locked up, right?" Allegra asked.
"No. Of course it was natural to be curious and he experimented a bit with them. Not unlike what I used to do. Even if he was aware of everything, including the side effects of the Peacock…I let myself getting talked into using it again. Maybe he was convincing, or maybe part of me wanted to feel that rush again…" Emilie said, looking ashamed at that last part as she sighed. "Later Nathalie became part of the household…"
"Me and Emilie went a long way back, I had no home or family left. I was taken in. I remember Emilie having to fight and vouch for me, since Gabriel seemed to have problems with outsiders. However, I took the vow to keep their secrets and was brought into the fold." Nathalie continued.
"Over time…Gabriel acted more obsessed. At what the Miraculous could do. He became more controlling, not approving of my circle of friends and my activities, slowly starting to put a limit on things. I may thought he was just overprotective. That's what he implied. After all the Miraculouses are big targets and highly coveted. And because we had a child, because we had Adrien…he played on that to convince me to distance ourselves from the outside world bit by bit. I believed him and I feel stupid for believing him." Emilie started to nearly tear up again.
Greg put a hand on my shoulder. "He can be convincing if he wants. He managed to sent me away as well with a few well placed words." He assured her.
Emilie felt like reaching out to the hand on her shoulder, but backed off at the last sec, and Greg removed his hand. Emilie continued. "However, Gabriel couldn't put fool me forever. I noticed that some of his decisions became questionable and that our home situation was no longer becoming healthy. I wanted to confront him one day when I found him…he experimented on a homeless person. He had been forcing him to be akumatized over and over again. It eventually became too much for the poor man." Emilie tore up and cried. "Only then I realized he was a monster."
Everyone else went quiet. It seems even when he was no longer a problem he still found ways to make them more disgusted with him. Emilie fought the tears and continued: "I didn't recognize that madman as the man I married. I didn't know if he was always like this or that the Miraculous have…brought something out. Power corrupting and all…and the casualness in what he did. He had done it before. I then felt I had to take him down. For Adrien's safety, my own safety and the safety of the world. So I donned the Peacock Miraculous one more time and confronted him, but…" Emilie stopped. "You know how that ended up going. Me in the deep freeze, forced to listen to that madman ramble in coma that he is going to terrorize Paris, all so he could turn me into his perfect doll."
Adrien clenched his fists. Now, Duusu and Nooroo had filled in a few gaps, but due to the horrors they were forced to endure and an order that was placed on them with Gabriel, they weren't able to tell them everything. Adrien thought he had gotten over it, but more feelings of disgust and anger came, feeling like he failed to recognize how dangerous his father was. Marinette grabbed his wrist gently, to calm him down. Everyone else looked like they were doing their best to not stand up, go to the prison hospital and put the comatose Gabriel out of his misery.
"He can no longer hurt anyone anymore. We defeated him. He had been careless with his actions and experiments. Now he is suffering a curse not unlike yours." Marinette noted.
"Yeah, but unlike you or Nathalie, it doesn't seem he will be able of coming out of it." Chloé added.
"Would theoretically he be able to be healed by Marinette? Not that I want that to happen but…" Alya wondered.
"Emilie and Nathalie's souls weren't damaged. Hurt, perhaps but able to be healed. Even without the magic, Gabriel damaged his soul with darkness and murder. His soul will never be whole again." Master Fu assured.
"Then why is he still on life support?" Nino asked.
"Because the court doesn't know what else to do with him, as this is a strange situation. I mean, how many criminals in magical induced comas does one witness? It's an administrative nightmare." Allegra pointed out. "Though as the marriage hasn't been cancelled yet due to both of you being out of it, you still have the power to decide what to do with him."
Emilie pondered that for a bit. She looked at Adrien. She was being soothed and calmed by Marinette. She clearly knew how to keep Adrien from spiraling. That madman has put his son through so much, both his civilian life where he was a trophy, and as a hero where he had hurt him. And even when Fu said Gabriel's soul is damaged beyond repair and may not wake again…she didn't want to take that risk. "I'd say cut the bastard off. His presence not only causes pain, but wastes medical resources." A few heads turn towards her. "I have not been able to do anything to stop him…Until now. And I don't want him to harm anyone ever again."
"Isn't that killing him?" Alya asked a bit disturbed.
"I don't think he is even truly alive anymore. Spiritually or something. His body just hadn't given up yet." Chloé said.
"He is a threat and needs to be put down." Nino said. It was even odder to hear it from Nino, the most chill guy. However, they also realized how Nino had reacted to Latombe, and he was murderous.
"I'm sorry you had to hear that, Adrien. But…" Emilie said.
"It's ok. If he isn't going to wake up ever again, then he would have to be cut off eventually, right? I wonder if it is even a mercy he deserves." Adrien replied. He sighed deeply. "Man, this went dark real quick."
"It makes me wonder what we'll have to do when we face Latombe…and if we can't make him come quietly. Kwami Hunter we captured because we wanted answers from him. But Latombe…" Marinette thought.
"Sometimes you have to make the hard choices." Master Fu said. "I lived through two World Wars and a few minor ones. Killing never feels good, but sometimes necessary and justified, if it is in defense of others. Though while I know it will eventually catch up to you, I hope you get to avoid it for as long as possible."
"It is necessary here, though…To end a dark chapter in our lives, to put the past behind, and move forwards." Emilie said.
"I suggest that we deal with that later." Greg suggested. It was supposed to be happy occasion to see Emilie return. "So, what are we going to do with this mansion? Adrien no longer wanted to live here so I took him in for now."
"I don't think I can stay here either. I'd rather find a new home. Though I don't know what to do with this building either." Emilie said.
"I think I know." Adrien said. "I have been working on something in my spare time. I wanted to make a place, a youth center, so that lost kids have a home, a place to go to. This building was a lair of evil, but it can turn into something good. After we get rid of all the junk of course."
"I think that's a wonderful idea." Emilie said with a soft smile.
"We can then find you an Adrien a new home, something cozier and less sterile then this." Greg noted.
"Adrien, me and you, Greg." Emilie said. "You have been there, doing your best for Adrien, where ever we go, you come too. Besides, both me and Adrien love having you around." She assured him.
"I think I may need to sell my house too. Too many bad memories." Nathalie noted.
"Speaking of which, Miss Sancoeur, all your assets are seized." Allegra noted. "While you did a lot as Mayura to help take Hawkmoth down, it doesn't change the fact you were initially an accomplice."
"What? Nathalie will be arrested, but…" Adrien asked.
"Calm down Adrien. She is right. I wasn't a hero, I was trying to fix my own foolish mistakes. But I haven't undone all the damage. I will stand trial and accept all the consequences." Nathalie said.
"But jail…" Adrien said sadly.
"It doesn't have to come to that." Allegra pointed out. "My people have pulled some strings. It doesn't mean you are fully of the hook, but due to your heroic actions prior to your coma, we have been able to possibly arrange community service."
"I don't think cleaning up garbage on the highway or cutting rocks with a pickaxe is enough to make up for…" Nathalie began.
"Nothing like that. I wanted to suggest you become part of my Bureau. While the Miraculous team deals with magic threats, our people cover the spots they may miss. Hawkmoth upset the magical balance, you can help fix it this way." Allegra suggested. "Of course once you recovered. And you are on house arrest for the duration of the community service."
"That isn't so bad. It seems you are going to be able to pick up your life again, Nattie." Greg said happily.
"It also sounds like the best solution to me." Nathalie said. "It feels more…meaningful."
"Glad you think so. I already have some paperwork you can go over in your own time…I also have Emilie's documents for cancelling her marriage and…Gabriel's situation." Allegra said as she pulled out a briefcase.
"You had that on hand all this time?" Marinette asked.
"Hey, what can I say? I like to be crazy prepared. Something you are known for being too." Allegra noted. Marinette had to agree with that.
"Now I think about it…are Duusu and Nooroo fine? I can imagine how much healing they'd need after the ordeal." Emilie asked.
"Their recovery comes along rather well, they are going to be back to normal soon. If you want, once you are ready, I can let you meet up with them again." Master Fu suggested.
"I would really like that." Emilie said. "But what do we do next?"
"You can crash at my apartment. It will be tight between the three of us but it will do until we find a new place to stay." Greg suggested.
"You and Nathalie would still need a bit of physical therapy. Ladybug's healing sped up your recovery but it didn't go all the way. If you want, you can also help impart some of your wisdom and experience." Master Fu added.
"We'll find miss Sancoeur a new place to live but until then, she is in the custody for my Bureau. I allow visitation rights of course." Allegra added.
"It seems things are looking good so far." Chloé added.
"I'm glad to be back, and glad to be with family again…" Emilie said as she looked at her son. "And friends…" she looked at Greg. The two blushed slightly before breaking eye contact.
"I think that we should be slowly wrapping up things here, so that the people working here can clear out the mansion as soon as possible, if you want to continue, I suggest we continue elsewhere…" Allegra noted.
"Like Daddy's hotel, we should have room there." Chloé suggested.
"Great idea, Chloé…" Emilie said. "I think I can tell a few tales from the past, things I no longer need to hide now you are all in the loop. How I always regretted being unable to share these parts of my life with anyone."
Today was an emotional rollercoaster and a half. But Emilie and Nathalie were among them again. There is going to be a few new things to get used to. But things will turn out for the better, that the heroes know for sure.
However, not everything is a bright spot. At the prison complex' medical bay, where the comatose Gabriel Agreste was hooked up, he was still lying there. Unmoving. Nothing that would suggest he would be able to do any damage. However, the shadow his bed cast started to grow darker and grow…stretching out over the wall behind him. The shadow sported red eyes and sharp fangs. The familiar voice of Mahamayuri uttered: "Gabriel Agreste, I presume?"