Chapter 40: Absolute

The B Team make their way further into the depths of the stadium. Then, a buzzer sounds. All of the electronic locks disengage. The children and teenagers they held prisoner escape. Chaos quickly takes over. It takes the B Team precious minutes getting everyone organized to evacuate safely, to not run away, to look after the smaller children. Carapace is pretty good at helping the youngest while Rena Rouge and Alpha organize the oldest.

Outside, Roger Raincomprix and the police have arrived to help with recovery. They encourage all the minors to remain with them so that they can be accounted for, all missing persons can be verified, and all parents can be called to pick their children up in an orderly manner. Those with injuries or emotional trauma are sent to the hospital for examination.

The adults are puzzled by what happened. Ladybug never fixed the damage the giant moth caused, but surely it was her and her team who helped free everyone. ("See, told you Ladybug would handle it better than the police"—argue the pro-Ladybug side of the viewing adults.) Since Nadja Chamack caught the moment Cat Noir's Cataclysm hit the Lucky Charm on live television, most people assume that's the reason why Ladybug was unable to fix the streets. However, they also think that it's Ladybug and Cat Noir who defeated Hawk Moth again, which is why all the children are free now. And having the children free takes priority over the streets any day.

Rena Rouge and company help the police organize everyone outside, but they refuse to make any comments to the news. They're just as confused as everyone else about Ladybug and Cat Noir and why the locks disengaged, but they don't want to publicly reveal that.

On the outskirts of Paris, both Mayura and future Bunnyx are exhausted but still willing to fight each other. However, that's when Mayura gets the "all clear" signal from Gabriel Agreste. She backs into a defensive posture and throws Bunnyx's umbrella back to her. "Get out. Go back to your own time and enjoy what's left of it. It's over."

They stare each other down. Then Bunnyx winces, clutching her side. "What you did today—you will regret."

Mayura knows she's help the man she loves be reunited with his wife; her heart is already breaking. She already regrets it. But, in doing so, she's making him happy. "I have no regrets."

"We both know that's a lie." Bunnyx knows she can't continue, so she opens the Burrow.

Mayura watches to make sure she leaves. Then she slips away and de-transforms back into Nathalie Sancoeur. Her head is pounding; she's dizzy and nauseous. She calls the gorilla bodyguard to pick her up; he's none the wiser as to what's been going on. The rain finally stops.

Inside the Burrow, Bunnyx bangs her head against the wall. Hard. She knew she'd have to do this. She knew it'd happen ever since her first time using her powers. She knew these events had to happen to create the future she knows. But it sucks. It sucked, and it sucks. She hates losing so much, and being dragged around by Hawk Moth was the worst. No, what's the absolute worst is knowing the pain Marinette and Adrien are about to endure. And she can't do anything to help; this has to happen.

Marinette Dupin-Cheng is still scurrying around her room, looking for a solution, when the door just opens of its own accord. She draws the hood of the poncho tighter and sticks her head out. There are no villains. She hears voices of other minors being freed. Marinette slips out as fast as she can. She has to find Hawk Moth, her earrings, Cat Noir—anyone!

She cautiously but quickly makes her way down the hallway, searching for the stairs. Judging from the chute, the laundry room must be lower. That's where she'll find her earrings. She needs to get them and Tikki back before Hawk Moth can complete his plan!

As she comes around the circle corridor, she notices one door with large, round dents in it. Dents the shape of Cat Noir's baton. Marinette pulls the poncho so it covers as much of her as possible. She raps on the door and calls Cat Noir's name. She gets no verbal response, but the door swings outward at her touch. She calls out again; if he is inside, this would give him time to hide his identity. However, no one speaks.

Marinette steps into the room. It's as empty as hers was, which means it's very easy to spot the poncho-clad figure sprawled out across the floor. Marinette had no doubt this is Cat Noir based on the dents on the door, the identical ponchos, and the claw marks on the wall. She calls his name as she approaches; rocks settle in her gut.

Cat Noir stirs ever so slightly. He turns toward her voice. Her name, "Ladybug" slips off of his lips. The movement is unexpected. Before Marinette can close her eyes or turn away, Cat Noir's hood slides off his face. Adrien Agreste. He sinks into deep unconscious.

Marinette feels her heart leap as her breath freezes. She drops to Adrien's side, checking his pulse and breath, calling his name, begging him to wake up. She shakes him, but he can no longer respond although he is breathing. Tears flow down her face as she tries and tries to revive him. Her brain gears are locked in a loop. Adrien is Cat Noir? Adrien is Cat Noir! She doesn't want to believe it, but she notices the impression on his finger where Cat Noir usually wears his ring. Marinette recalls Adrien also always wore a ring…and it's now missing.

Unable to do anything for him, she hefts him over her shoulder. With Adrien as dead weight, Marinette staggers back into the hallway. She sheds the ponchos behind her as she rejoins the crowd, pretending to be one of the teenagers who had been captured all along. She can barely see or walk straight she's sobbing so hard.

Fortunately, she soon runs into Mylene Haprele and Ivan Bruel. Both are hurt!surprised (need a word for hurt!surprised, as it's what the people feel a lot in these chapters) to see Adrien in such a state. Marinette whispers for help. Mylene does her best to comfort her while Ivan takes over carrying Adrien outside.

In a touch of irony, Gabriel and Emilie Agreste also intermingle with the former hostages. Gabriel and Emilie are ushered to the hospital as well to make sure that they're healthy after the whole ordeal. Gabriel is lying, claiming that Hawk Moth imprisoned him in the stadium office for days while the villain hijacked his fashion show. However, he can't stay mad as this incident has brought his wife back to him. (He's holding Emilie's hand as he briefly talks to the press.) Unfortunately, this disaster means he will have to cancel his fashion show. "Now, excuse me. I want to spend time with my family." Emilie is still overwhelmed and baffled by what's going on. Gabriel keeps promising her an explanation later. Nadja happens to catch a glimpse of Emilie as the two are taken to the hospital. Rumors begin about "missing actress returns."

With the police and other emergency workers handling the situation now, the B Team+ regroup atop the stadium. No sign of Ladybug or Cat Noir. But no sign of Hawk Moth. That means they won, right? Alpha says he hopes so. But it's not done for them as they still have a pack mate who needs help, Tsukuyomi. He then offers Snow to join their chat server. He'd offer the same to Rena Rouge and Carapace, but it's clear they're on Team Ladybug. The B Team assembled to understand their powers better; it's different for those with kwamis. He can put it to a vote of the B Team if his pack wants Rena Rouge and Carapace to join the chat. Both shrug. They know they're always on borrowed time with their miraculous. But Rena Rouge says she's always open for more communication with allies.

Alpha nods, then turns his attention back to Snow. He fumbles for one of their business cards, but then he realizes it's Froppy who always handles that stuff. They are lost without their secretary. Firefly pulls out a pen and writes the chat server on Snow's hand. He then asks if she has the spelling memorized. She says yes, so he pours water from a bottle over her hand to erase it. She's surprised and sorta yelps. Firefly apologizes; they do take their secrets seriously. The water freezes in Snow's palm.

Rena Rouge then realizes the time. She is way overdue. She has to get back before her parents notice she's gone—which they probably already have. "Oh man, I am so grounded." Carapace agrees he needs to get home too (and check on his little brother). The group says their good-byes and parts ways.

Alpha figures it's easiest just to blend in with the abductees, so he transforms back into Luka Couffaine and does so. Firefly just flies home; it's not like his parents would be there to miss him. Rena Rouge and Carapace find a quiet place. Carapace transforms back into Nino Lahiffe and hands Rena Rouge the turtle bracelet. He admits he's impressed with how much she figured out and how much maturity, leadership, and organization she showed tonight. They flirt a moment. Rena Rouge then rejoins Snow Leopard so they can go back to Master Fu together. The fox and the leopard go down the side streets and detransform safely out of sight. Nino blends in with the hostages as well.

However, when the girls approach the clinic, it's completely dark. Closer inspection reveals the door has been kicked in. Both hurry inside and call Master Fu's name, but there's no response. The inside is trashed as well.

What's trashed the worst is his living room—the same room they had sat in earlier that day. The tatami mats are slashed, the drawers are ripped open, and the table is overturned. Broken glass speckles the floor. They wonder who could have done this. Hawk Moth? It couldn't have been Mayura, she was fighting them. And it's likely Hawk Moth was busy with Ladybug and Cat Noir. However, it's not impossible all that was a distraction to get to Master Fu. But it could also be someone else—but who?

Trixx reminds Alya about the miraculous box. She checks the stand. The phonograph is smashed; the box is gone. Giselle checks the glass safe. The bee comb is also missing. Wayzz is anxious about his Master. There's no blood. But there's also no sign at all of where Master Fu can be. Was he abducted too? Did he flee? Does he have the miraculous? Were they stolen? They have no guesses.

Giselle Winters-Blanchet wonders what to do with their miraculous. She made a promise; she doesn't want to keep it. Alya points out that they don't really have a choice; they have to protect the miraculous, which means holding onto them for now. Giselle doesn't like that idea, but Alya Cesaire points out that they can't leave the miraculous here plus neither of them have a way of contacting Ladybug, Cat Noir, or Master Fu. Alya is happy she can keep the necklace longer and hang out with Trixx more. She feels a bit guilty about feeling happy in this situation. She also analyzes her actions to make sure she's not basing her decision based on her own selfish impulses. No, she really doesn't have any other option but to hold onto the fox. If things don't change by the time she runs into Nino, she'll have to let him hold onto the turtle.

Giselle then asks what they should do about the apparent break-in. Alya says they have to call the police. Then she realizes that it's even later. She winces. She doesn't want to leave Giselle in a lurch. But she really needs to get home. Can Giselle make the call alone? Just say that she was walking home and noticed the broken door; don't mention knowing Master Fu or anything about the miraculous. Giselle is wary. However, her mind repeats about being helpful and not being a burden, so she agrees.

Calling the police is otherwise uneventful. They're late because they're all tied up at the stadium. Giselle explains she discovered the break-in, but she doesn't know anything and didn't touch anything.

Emilie and Gabriel are given a physical at the hospital and then a clean bill of health. The whole time, there's talk of Hawk Moth and hostages. The news is running on a television in the background. Emilie looks at her husband quizzically. "Hawk Moth? Incident? Attack? Gabriel, what happened?" Gabriel promises to explain everything when they're alone. The opportunity presents itself when the doctors and nurses are out of the room. Nooroo greets Emilie and says he's glad she's awake. Emilie is kind to the kwami. Emilie asked what happened; "how long has it been? Where's Duusuu? Is Adrien at home?" Gabriel explains everything…

Alya sneaks back home and climbs through the window. Her parents are waiting. Grounded for life. And then, grounded for her second life too. That means no blog, no computer, and no phone. "How could Alya sneak out when Paris was in the middle of a crisis?! Where would she even want to go?" Alya says she had to see Nino—his brother was missing. He was worried. They point out she could have called. But her actions were irresponsible. Her mother holds out her hand to confiscate Alya's cell phone. Alya sighs. She knows it's not fair, but she can't explain it's because she's Rena Rouge. If saving Paris means she's grounded, then she just has to endure. Right before Alya hands over the phone, it chimes in her hand. A text message pops up across the screen; Alya is able to read it. Her parents can tell something genuinely went wrong by the expression on her face.

"Adrien Agreste is in the hospital in a coma…"

Adrien is laid out in a hospital bed, unresponsive. The doctors are flummoxed. He's healthy; his brain waves are normal. He just won't wake up. Bit by bit, his classmates are filtering in the room after their check-ups or as they hear word via the gossip text message chain. Mylene and Ivan are among the first. Marinette is sitting in the corner, stunned and silent. Her brain is still stuck in Adrien is Cat Noir? Adrien is Cat Noir! How? Why? How did I never realize? No, how could he be? Adrien and Cat Noir are so different. It can't be, can it? Adrien can't be Cat Noir. No. There's no other explanation. Adrien is Cat Noir. Adrien is Cat Noir? Adrien is Cat Noir!

Nino Lahiffe makes it up after he made sure his brother got home safely. Max Kante, Le Chien Kim, Juleka Couffaine, and Rose Lavillant also arrive. They try talking with Adrien, but his conscious mind is gone. Chloe bursts in. She drops by Adrien's bedside, crying sincerely and dramatically. Alya is able to visit too. Since this is a crisis, her parents allowed her to visit the hospital, go to school, and go home. That's all. And once Adrien is released, she'll only be able to go to school and go home.

As people visit and talk to Adrien despite his condition, Alya sees her chance. She takes Nino by the hand and into the hallway; she slips him back the bracelet. He's surprised she still has it and the necklace. Alya very quickly in a whisper explains that when she went to return it, the owner was missing and his place had been ransacked. She doesn't know what happened, and she has no idea how they can keep their word to return the miraculous, but for now they have a responsibility to keep them safe (especially if the other miraculous were stolen). Nino agrees. He puts on the bracelet and greets Wayzz with a special handshake. He notices Wayzz is worried about "the master," but Nino promises to take care of the turtle kwami. He and Alya will do their best to find the master again. (He doesn't want to break the trust he's earned as Carapace either.)

Nathalie Sancoeur arrives back at the Agreste manor; she's having difficulty walking. The gorilla helps her inside and then fetches her a glass of water. The news is running. She sees a clip of Gabriel's brief commentary and the shot of Emilie. She and Gabriel are holding hands. Nathalie's heart wrenches. She knows that Gabriel will never be hers. Will he even notice her now? He only has eyes for his wife. But… "Isn't this for the best? He's happy." She should be happy and proud she was able to make the man she loves happy—even if it means they can never be together.

Her business phone ring; the number she uses to field Gabriel Agreste's calls. Nathalie answers it; it's the hospital…

Emilie is NOT happy to learn her husband became a terrorist for her sake while she was comatose. Gabriel insists it was all for her and Adrien, so they could be a family again. She says she'd rather have him be a good man and never wake up herself. Gabriel promises that it's over; he has no reason to become Hawk Moth ever again. Emilie is still trying to process everything internally. She's happy to be conscious and healthy, to be back with her husband and her son. She loves them both so dearly. But she's so heart-breakingly disappointed in his actions.

Gabriel's phone rings in his pocket several times during this conversation; however, he ignores it. After a while though, it gets so annoying he answers it. It's Nathalie. Gabriel tells her sharply that he wished to not be disturbed. Nathalie replies with, "Sir, it's your son..." (As the doctors had not been able to get ahold of Gabriel, so had called his secretary.)

All of Adrien's class turns to the door as Gabriel enters like a grey cloud. The room falls completely silent. Nino steps back from the bed. Chloe Bourgeois looks up from her tears. Gabriel steps over to Adrien's bedside and drops to his knees. "How did this happen?" Everyone is a bit too overwhelmed to answer.

Emilie enters behind Gabriel. There's some confused looks. "Who is she?" But Chloe recognizes her right away. "Emilie Agreste?!" Murmurs rise through the students present. "You're Adrien's mom?" "She came back." "Where was she?" Marinette notes that Adrien really does take after his mother. Emilie, much more gently, asks those present what happened to her son. Nino answers that they're not really sure. He was just unconscious ever since he got rescued from Hawk Moth's trap.

Gabriel's mind races. Was his son among those Mad Hare confined? He can't be certain Adrien wasn't. But he never activated any of his threats or traps. If Adrien was at the stadium, he should still be okay!

Nino goes on to say Marinette was the one who found him. Emilie asks Marinette directly what happened. Marinette has what is probably her most epic spazz yet as she's nervous about meeting Adrien's mother, heart-broken about him being comatose, and very confused about knowing he's Cat Noir. The entire class face palms at the epic-level of spazz.

Gabriel tells everyone to leave them alone, shooing them all out except for Adrien and his wife. Nino and the others are a bit reluctant to leave, but Gabriel is scary when he's forceful.

Alya asks if Marinette is okay and if she can get home by herself. Marinette numbly says she can. Alya tells her to call if she needs anything. She's grounded, but she'll do her best to help. Alya then has to head out before her parents extend her life sentence into her third reincarnation. Nino agrees to walk with her.

Fortunately, Marinette doesn't have to go home alone. Her parents are in the lobby waiting. They had assumed she was one of the ones kidnapped by Hawk Moth and were worried sick. The doctors and police said Marinette was okay, but then they learned about Adrien and decided to give her a couple of minutes with him before barging in. Tom and Sabine Dupin-Cheng scoop Marinette up in a much-needed hug. They ask what happened and if she's okay repeatedly. Marinette stammers out the bare-bones of what happened inside of the stadium. Her parents can see she's still upset, so they don't press things further. She sorta slumps against her parents as they drive home. She misses Tikki; she's worried about Adrien. What's going to happen now? Did Hawk Moth get her miraculous? Should she go back to the stadium and look for her earrings or did Hawk Moth leave there already? Is the world going to end?

In Adrien's room, it's just him and his parents. Nooroo is the only kwami present despite Gabriel still having the ladybug earrings and black cat ring on his person. Gabriel's distress is apparent, and he's one notch from an emotional tantrum. "I just got my wife back, and now I lose my son?!"

Emilie takes his hand, calming him down. "Tell me one more time what happened." Gabriel explains again, focusing on where Adrien was to the best of his knowledge and how he as Hawk Moth never actually harmed anyone that day despite his threats.

Emilie takes her son's hand, but he doesn't respond. "What can it be?"

"It's the same way you were. It hurt so much, seeing you there, unmoving, for months," says Gabriel.

The doctor comes in, explaining visiting hours are over. Gabriel goes into scary-mode, saying he's going to stay with his son. The doctor points out they need to run some more tests to help Adrien. Emile proves her talent as a peacemaker and says they'll leave. She asks when visiting hours begin tomorrow and says they'll be back promptly.

Neither wants to leave Adrien. It takes a few more minutes before they can pull themselves away. The gorilla picks them up after having dropped Nathalie off. When Emilie enters the back seat, his jaw drops. Emilie smiles and says, "it's good to see you again, Solomon." He just gapes before smiling and nodding. Gabriel is in a bad mood, so he just orders the gorilla to drive. Emilie again takes Gabriel's hand to calm him down, even though she does have many lingering feelings of anger over his actions as Hawk Moth.

Nathalie watches from the window as the two enter the manor together. Externally she is stone, but internally tears drip. She then has a coughing fit that shakes her whole body from prolonged use of the peacock miraculous, which she knows she'll have to give up now that Emilie's back. She calls Duusuu while coughing to say good-bye, but Duusuu fusses over her health, so the words don't get said.

Elsewhere, in a lily pad themed bed room, there's a gentle rip noise. The shadows shift. Tsukuyomi sees a light expand in front of him. He hits the ground, still half asleep, as the powers that had enveloped him recede. He lays on his back on the floor. He has no idea how long he's been asleep, but it feels as if it was a while—and he's still completely exhausted. All he wants to do is roll back over. But the floor is hard...wait, why is he lying on the floor? His eyes adjust despite his protests. Tsuyu's room? Why am I here? There's what looks like a floating orb of water in the corner of his vision. Is that a crack in it? A buzzing…no, is it a beeping sound? Is there an alarm clock? A cell phone? fills in his ears…

By the time all these things settle, it's very late into the night. As the cast wakes up in the morning, the news is alive with dozens of stories of the prior day's events: the unfixed road destruction, the rescue of the minors from the stadium, Gabriel Agreste's canceled fashion show, the confirmed reappearance of actress Emilie Agreste, the condition of model Adrien Agreste, the fact schools are canceled today as students recover from being abducted, the fact that there's been no word from Ladybug or Cat Noir and their team refused to comment. Nadja herself is just overwhelmed and happy that her daughter Manon was returned safely.

With classes canceled, everyone in Miss Bustier's class makes plans to visit Adrien in the hospital. Rose Lavillant calls Marinette since Alya is denied phone privileges and can't arrange things. Marinette isn't sure if she's up to going. Her heart is so confused; sleep did not help. However, Rose is able to convince Marinette to come anyway. They agree to meet Juleka, Alya, Mylene, and Alix in front of the hospital.

Things haven't changed since the previous night. Even with more test results, the doctors can't find out why Adrien won't wake up. It's hard for the class to see him that way. Even some students from other classes show up. Mireille Caquet and Aurore Beaureal drop in briefly; it may be hinted Aurore has a small crush on Adrien too. Kagami Tsurugi of course arrives, and she's actually barely holding it together, which makes Marinette feel even worse. Marinette talks to her briefly. Gilles Chastain drops in with some flowers. Marc Anciel joins Nathaniel Kurtzberg in the visit, which also pulls in Mathieu Anciel and Monique Imhof. Luka Couffaine is there with Juleka. Max Kante brings Markov, who scans Adrien, but finds no anomalies. Sabrina Raincomprix has to comfort Chloe. Ondine is also there with Kim. (Cast images can be found at (( photos . app . goo . gl / cgLSrNi71rxfep9e8 ))(remove the spaces).)

Lila Rossi enters, hamming up the distraught in a way that has a fake edge to it. Alya Cesaire steps back as Lila does, aware of the fox necklace around her own neck. Lila bragged enough about the miraculous of the fox that Alya suspects she might be able to recognize it, even if it's disguised. When Lila is focused on Adrien, Alya hides it inside her shirt.

The group doesn't get too much time alone, however, before Gabriel and Emilie Agreste show up. Gabriel not-so-subtly hints he wants everyone out. Emilie is much more open. She greets all of Adrien's classmates and thanks them for being his friends while she was "away." She asks their names and gets to know them all a little bit. Gabriel waits, semi-impatiently, as Emilie finishes. Then she very politely asks everyone if they could wait in the lobby while she and her husband have some time alone with their son. Honey and vinegar, she gets a much better result. The teenagers head to the lobby, leaving them alone.

Once alone, Gabriel again calls Adrien's name, but there's no response. Emilie brushes his hair. Gabriel laments that he doesn't understand. He worked so hard to make them a whole family again. Why is this happening?

Emilie gets an idea. She asks to see the black cat and ladybug kwamis. If she was comatose because of the peacock miraculous, then maybe the kwamis have an idea about Adrien.

Gabriel turns the items over to her, and she accepts them, which causes Plagg and Tikki to appear. Both sprawl out across the table, completely exhausted. Tikki doesn't respond to much. Plagg's eyes roll to Gabriel. But then he notices Adrien, not moving. He whispers Adrien's name, but bubbles escape his mouth. Fortunately, no one notices. Plagg tries to crawl towards Adrien, but he doesn't have the strength. Gabriel ramps up the intimidation, demanding what happened. Emilie, however, steps in and very sweetly and diplomatically asks Plagg and Tikki if they knew what happened to her son. She even breaks off a bit of a cookie and gives it to them. Plagg, like Marinette, notes how much Adrien is like his mother.

Tikki wheezes, trying to draw breath, and says that she tried to warn him. For ever wish, there is an equivalent price. Gabriel goes cold with shock when he realizes what that meant. Emilie pales.

She whispers "What do we do?"

Gabriel feels a surge of anger and pounds his fists on the edge of the bed before dropping to his knees. "I just want my family whole!" Emilie places her hands on his shoulders and insists they'll figure something out.

However, before they can discuss their options, Nooroo pops up and warns them that someone is coming. Gabriel quickly hides all three miraculous and kwamis and composes himself. The nurse then enters, explaining its time for her to check the medication and such. Emilie thanks her for helping her son. Gabriel doesn't really want to leave Adrien, but he knows that he and Emilie need to discuss the situation in private. He takes his wife's hand and they leave the room, entering a small, empty waiting room for that purpose.

Gabriel once again lines the miraculous on the table and demands answers from Plagg and Tikki, but they have none. (They're both clearly still fatigued but recovering slowly thanks to the food.) In desperation, Gabriel pulls out his smart phone and begins to search through photographs of the miraculous grimoire, trying to see if there's an answer in the pages of the text he cannot read.

It's tense as Gabriel skims and Emilie talks to the kwamis. She politely but desperately asks if anything can be done. "Please, Adrien is my son." This truly means a lot to Plagg even though he can't say it. His ears droop as he apologies, which includes a silent apology to Adrien.

Emilie is the one who realizes what needs to be done. She picks up the earrings and the ring and clutches them in her hands. "We need to undo this wish." Gabriel's expression turns to fear. He can't—he can't lose her again. If he undoes the wish, she'll be comatose. She takes his hand. "Yes, but Adrien will be awake." She's willing to make that sacrifice.

However, Tikki has to bear the bad news. Wishes cannot be undone. Before Gabriel can snap at her and Emilie can reply, the kwami adds "only a new wish can be made. At a cost."

Emilie contemplates…then she puts the ring on. She'll do it. She'll make a new wish for Adrien to be awake, and she'll bear the consequences.

Gabriel refuses to let her do it. He takes her hand and slips the ring off. If anyone deserves the punishment for this, he does. He's the one who made these choices. He won't let her bear the burden; the sins are his. Emilie caresses his cheek and then hands him the earrings. No matter what, she's going to stay by his side. (She still is having a hard time accepting her husband is a terrorist though. As she was comatose the entire time, the deeds of Hawk Moth seem surreal to her. But she knows she loves her family very much.)

Gabriel puts on the earrings and the ring. "Plagg. Tikki. Unify." He becomes Absolute again.

The scene pans over to Adrien, laying in the hospital bed. His eyes flutter.

In the main lobby, all the teens are milling about until Gabriel and Emilie are done with their visit. They're discussing what happened and worried, wondering if Hawk Moth hurt Adrien somehow while he was abducted. There's also a lot of talk about the prior day, those who were abducted comparing notes to those who were not. Marinette is very out of it still. Alya has never seen her like this before. She tries to cheer her up, but Marinette is stuck. I lost Tikki. I lost Adrien. Adrien is Cat Noir. I failed. Hawk Moth has the miraculous—how long will it be until he does something devastating to Paris?

Luka also notices Marinette is very dejected. He sits down beside her to try to help. They talk a bit, but it's hard to pull information out of Marinette. Both Alya and Luka conclude it's the trauma of being abducted on top of worry for Adrien.

Luka feels his phone vibrate in his pocket. He checks it discreetly. It's the chat server for the B Team, but the team only uses the "buzz" feature for emergencies. Around the room, the rest of the B Team receive a similar notification (ironic since they're all present.) Luka's eyes go wide. It's Tsukuyomi checking in.

"We need to meet ASAP. Something has changed."

To be continued in Chapter 41: Draco…