Chapter 3: Chance of a Lifetime

Gabriel Agreste stood in his secret underground garden, facing the coffin-like life-support system of his wife.

He thought about the last battle, utilizing his most powerful akuma ever. Ladybug had fallen, but Chat Noir had simply upped his game. Instead of risking his own miraculous, he sent in his kwami to fight. He even enlisted some other hero to paralyze his opponent from behind. Hawk Moth didn't get a look the third hero, but knowing there were more was discouraging.

Gabriel said, "I don't want to break our promise, but… I can't keep putting our son in danger. Style Queen was supposed to be my masterpiece… but even she failed. I feel like I've done all I possibly could, you know? I'll never be able to fulfill my wish without Ladybug and Chat Noir's Miraculous. Forgive me, Emilie."

He took off the pin under his tie. "I'm giving you up, Nooroo."

Nooroo was sucked into the Miraculous. Now renounced, the pin lost its disguise and its wings sprouted.

Gabriel slowly went down the walkway, turning out the lights by remote control as he went.

Gabriel walked with Adrien through the interview area of the Grand Palais. Many reporters were taking flash photographs, but he ignored them.

Nadya Chamak was broadcasting live. "This was Gabriel Agreste's first public appearance since his wife disappeared. This fashion week is full of surprises and shockers."

Gabriel and Adrien walked up to the Bourgeois family: André, Audrey, and Chloé.

"My dear Audrey, I heard about the unforgivable misfortune you had to endure," said Gabriel.

He kissed her hand, but she didn't look at him.

"I'm still quite overwhelmed," said Audrey.

"I want you to know that I've fired the person who was responsible for the misunderstanding," said Gabriel. (He meant Hawk Moth, not Nathalie). "Only one row in the house is befitting to Audrey Bourgeois and that's the first."

"Let's not overdo it, Gabriel," said Audrey with a smirk.

He asked her how she enjoyed the show, and she called it "So-so."

Audrey took the hat from Adrien's head. "This hat is not a 'Gabriel Agreste'".

She looked over at Marinette, who had walked up with her family.

"Are you responsible for this?" she asked.

"Umm," said Marinette nervously, looking to her parents for support. Her father gave her a thumb's up.

"Stand proud!" Adrien said.

"I… I'm the one who created it," said Marinette.

"Marinette won a fashion design competition," Gabriel explained.

"It's the most…"

Chloé gave a mean grin, no doubt expecting the hat to be run down by her mother.

"...exceptional thing I've ever seen! You're a visionary, Marinette! Glitter's had its day. Feathers are the trend of tomorrow! I haven't felt this much emotion since…you," she said, looking back to Gabriel.

"She does have talent," said Gabriel.

"You wanna be a fashion designer, right?" Audrey asked Marinette.

"Uh-huh… Yes ma'am."

"Then come to New York with me! I'll make you the biggest name in fashion! I'm sure you'll even upstage Gabriel."

"I'll be able to model for you!" said Adrien.

"We'll be here for you honey, no matter what you decide!" said Marinette's mother.

"My helicopter will be leaving for the airport at 8 PM tonight," said Audrey.

"Isn't this awesome for Marinette, Chloé?" asked Adrien.

Chloé looked up, her face red with rage.

"It's... It's ridiculous! Utterly ridiculous! I've never been to New York with you and you're taking Marinette Dupain-Cheng!?"

"I'm taking her because she's exceptional Claudette. Uh— Chloé."

"I'm exceptional, too!"

"The only exceptional thing about you, my dear… is your mother."

Marinette gasped.

"Audrey, dear-" said her husband, putting his hands on Chloé's shoulders.

Chloé shook off her father's hands and ran off, shouting, "Someday I'll prove to you how exceptional I can be!"

Gabriel sighed. Such powerful emotions... but he was out of that business.

On the Metro ride home, Marinette's family discussed the offer.

Tom said, "We'll open a bakery in New York and introduce our Dupain-Cheng pastries to the Americans!"

Sabine asked, "Are you sure, Tom? You've always been afraid of flying."

"I'd fly to the moon and open a bakery for my daughter if I had to."

Marinette smiled, then looked down at her purse and asked quietly, "What should I do, Tikki? It's like my dream come true. I can go to New York and become a real fashion designer.

"Who will protect Paris from Hawk Moth if you leave?" asked Tikki.

"Chat Noir, Belle Abeille..."

"Only Ladybug can capture akumas," said Tikki. "I wouldn't be able to come to New York with you."

"I can't be Ladybug anymore," said Marinette. "Hawk Moth knows my identity. If I and my family are in New York he'll have a harder time getting to us."

"I'll miss you, Marinette."

"I'll miss you too, Tikki, very much. But Master Fu will find a good new holder for you."

Tom continued to speak, oblivious to the other secret conversation. "Nothing will come between my daughter and her dreams."