AN: I am so happy to see that so many liked the first chapter! As promised, here's the first part of the flashback. This one follows Ladybug. Next chapter, the second part of the flashback, will follow Cat Noir. I hope you enjoy!
Chapter 2: The Defeat of Hawk Moth
"Pound it!"
Ladybug and Cat Noir fistbumped, probably for the last time ever. After years of fighting akumas alongside each other, they had finally uncovered the truth about the mysterious Hawk Moth and his just-as-elusive sidekick, Mayura. Surprisingly, Cat Noir had taken this a bit hard, almost like he refused to believe that world renowned fashion designer, Gabriel Agreste, and his assistant, Nathalie, were the two that they had been searching for all these years.
That was not even the worst of it all! When all the clues finally aligned, leading Ladybug and Cat Noir right to the Agreste mansion, they learned the full truth of Hawk Moth's plan. They had learned that Emilie Agreste had been in a coma for years after using the broken Peacock Miraculous (which Gabriel had restored after Miracle Queen exposed all Miraculous holders and Master Fu relinquished his role as guardian, passing it on to Ladybug).
Ladybug could understand Gabriel Agreste's reasons for wanting to obtain the Miraculous of both Ladybug and Cat Noir. It was said that a wielder who held both the powers of creation and destruction would be granted one wish. Plus, Hawk Moth has looked almost broken when he confessed that he was doing everything, more so, for his son, Adrien, so that the boy could have his mother again. It broke Ladybug's heart, especially since she had a personal connection with Adrien Agreste, her high school classmate. However, she also knew from her training with Master Fu that making a wish with the Ladybug and Black Cat Miraculous would only lead to more chaos. The universe would demand a high price in return. No matter how Ladybug felt for Adrien, she could not allow Hawk Moth the opportunity to make his wish!
It was in that moment that Cat Noir had blindly jumped in to challenge Hawk Moth. He had no plan, just staff against cane in an almost hand-to-hand combat. Never before had Ladybug seen so much rage from her feline partner. There was no joking, no puns, no smirks or smiles.
Cat Noir yelled out to Hawk Moth, asking him if he had ever considered what Adrien would think and why he had hid this from his son for all those years. Ladybug had found it strange that Cat Noir knew so much about Adrien Agreste, but she had no time to consider it further.
Instead, she called Cat Noir back. Surprisingly he came, but Ladybug could see his emotions flaring in his green eyes. They needed a plan or else Hawk Moth would best them and get his hands on their Miraculous. Cat Noir knew this too, but his rage in that moment had blinded him. In fact, it must have still bubbled just beneath the surface as Ladybug had noticed the akuma flying toward Cat Noir, ready to feed on his intense negative emotions. Before it could, Ladybug caught it with her yo-yo and purified it.
Luckily, Hawk Moth could only send one akuma at a time and needed to charge his butterflies with his power. That would be their advantage! Another advantage that Ladybug and Cat Noir had over Hawk Moth and Mayura was that they were used to fighting enemies alongside each other. Hawk Moth and Mayura rarely engaged their enemies, preferring instead to track them from a distance.
With the battle stacked in their favor, Ladybug and Cat Noir had eventually overpowered their foes and retrieved the Butterfly and Peacock Miraculous. Hawk Moth and Mayura were no more, reverting back to their civilian forms of Gabriel Agreste and Nathalie Sancoeur. Ladybug and Cat Noir were victorious.
Even after the showdown came to an end, Ladybug found that she was not as happy as she should have been. It had been hard to see Gabriel Agreste look so broken. Yes, he had been a horrible father to Adrien for as long as Ladybug has known her classmate. However, seeing the sadness that came over the man as he realized his failure had hurt. In his mind, Hawk Moth has felt justified because he was trying to help his family—his wife and son.
Unfortunately, that had not been the hardest part for Ladybug. No, the hardest thing for her had been telling Adrien's father that there was no way to fix Emilie's coma, that the best thing that could possibly be done for her was to remove the supports keeping her alive and let her pass peacefully.
That was how Ladybug found herself where she was now, standing over the case that held Emilie. Prior to this day, she had only ever seen her in the pictures that Adrien would sometimes show her. Emilie Agreste was beautiful; it was no secret where Adrien had gotten his model looks. Ladybug looked back to Gabriel. She wanted him to fully understand what needed to happen. Adrien's father did not resist, giving Ladybug a small solemn nod.
Just as Ladybug bent down to pull out the plug to the power that was supplying the life support for Emilie Agreste, she heard Cat Noir shift a little uneasily behind her. Clearing his throat, Cat Noir spoke to her, his voice monotone, "Ladybug, I'm sorry. I have to go."
Even before Ladybug could turn around, Cat Noir was gone, running from the open area deep below the Agreste mansion. Ladybug wanted to call out to him, ask him to stay; she really did not want to do this on her own. Unfortunately, though, she would not have her Kitty's support this time. Still she found it strange how Cat Noir's voice had sounded so broken. What was going on right now in her favorite Kitty's head? Ladybug wished that she knew.
Steeling her nerves, Ladybug bent down again. I'm sorry, Adrien, she thought briefly, as she cut off the power to the case. The lights illuminating Emilie Agreste fell dark. She would soon be gone. Hawk Moth's reign of terror over Paris was finally over.
So, these flashback scenes will extend over several chapters and fill in the missing pieces of the story, but we will return again to Nino's and Alya's Christmas Eve party and the aftermath of that! It may not be for several more chapters, yet, but it will happen! Promise!