He reached for his baton, careful to shift most of his weight onto Panthera's legs so she couldn't run away.

"Hey, Bug," he said, staring at his captive, "I lost her. I don't feel good, though, so I think I'm gonna go home. Cat-ch you later."

"Puns, really," she said, sitting up.

"They're kind of my thing. Now, I think we need to have a very important conversation, don't you," he asked, standing up before offering her his hand.

"You're going to have to transform back if you don't want Ms. Spots to find you anyway," she mentioned, crossing her arms.

"You first," he said, opening the door to the random building before gesturing for her to enter it.

Moonlight flooded through the open windows, looking like they never left the outdoors despite the temperature being a good ten degrees cooler within the brick building.

"Fine, she said, "Stripes off."

In a flash of purple light, Panthera was replaced with Cassandra Taylor in a pair of form-fitting jeans and tank top.

"Your turn, Brother," she said, a hand gesturing to his costume.

He shook his head, "Claws in."

"How'd you find out," Adrien said, gesturing to himself.

"I've held my miraculous since the day I was born, and no one figured it out. Yet, the day I show up in Paris, I see a boy in a cat costume galloping all over Paris, and within the week, I not only have my brother showing up to my performances uninvited and out of the blue, but the very same black cat I saw on my first day somehow knows my real name. You're as subtle as a flaming torch in a dry forest," she said, a slight smile playing on her lips.

Adrien winced as if she hit him. "Okay, you have a point," he said, rubbing the back of his neck before replaying something she said back in his mind.

"Hang on," he said, "You've had your miraculous since you were born?"

"I wasn't lying to you when I said my bracelet was a gift from my mother," she said, rubbing her wrist where the bracelet lay.

"Mother had a miraculous," Adrien breathed, stumbling backward.

"Hang on, where did yours come from," Cassandra said, looking back at him.

"Ladybug and I both received ours from the guardian of the miraculous at the time. To stop Hawk, I mean Shadowmoth. Where would Mother have even gotten a miraculous?"

"Cassandra, I think you should show him the rest of the letter," a fuchsia tiger-like kwami floated out of Cassandra's ponytail.

"Roaar," Plagg said, zipping out of Adrien's jacket pocket and giving the kwami a hug.

"Oh, Plagg, it's been far too long," the being said, hugging her friend back.

"What does she mean, other part of the letter," Adrien said, crossing his own arms.

"I couldn't exactly show you at the time. It talks about the miraculous and why I can't see Father," she said, taking the letter from Roaar before handing it to him.

Adrien took a deep breath, steeling himself for seeing his mother's handwriting once again, before opening the letter.

My dearest daughter,

I gave strict instructions to Roaar that you would not receive this letter until you were ready for the message within it, and I hope that she has obeyed me despite the fact that I was never her holder. That being said, I hope the years and your adopted family have treated you wonderfully and that not too many more will pass before we are reunited. As you have figured out, the bracelet you possess is no ordinary piece of jewelry. It is called a miraculous. Wearing it, combined with Roaar, can give you special powers no other human being possesses. Your father and I found it while traveling through Tibet, and he became obsessed with the idea of power. He had tested the miraculous numerous times since, like he could never get enough. However, I firmly believe this particular miraculous belongs to you. There is a connection between you that I cannot explain, and one your father will either refuse to acknowledge or try to manipulate for his own purposes. This is the real reason why I had to give you away, and I will forever feel the burden of guilt by doing so. One day, when you are strong enough to stand up to him and not a moment sooner, I hope I will see you once more, my beautiful Cassandra. Until then, keep forging the bond between you and your miraculous that I know exists.

Forever your mother,

Emilie Agreste

"I don't understand," Adrien said, handing the letter back to Cassandra.

"She was so worried about our father getting his hands on my miraculous that she put me up for adoption. I'm not strong enough to face him, yet," she said, handing the letter back to Roaar for safe keeping.

"But, why," Adrien said, finding an empty milk crate and turning it upside down to sit on it.

"I don't know," she said, finding a seat herself.

"Hey, Adrien," Cassandra said, looking up at him and, for once, Adrien saw how young she was, "Where is Mother? I know you've mentioned seeing Father, and now you know why I can't yet, but you haven't mentioned her.

Adrien's hand found the back of his neck once more, rubbing it until it turned red. "Mother..." he started, his eyes unable to meet hers, "she's gone."

"What do you mean she's gone? What happened to her," Cassandra asked, intertwining her fingers to keep her hands from shaking.

"She disappeared three years ago. I don't know what happened to her," he said, scooting around until his back was to her.

"No," Cassandra said, the word unintelligible to normal human ears. "How is that possible? She was supposed to wait for me. We were supposed to be a family. How could she abandon me twice?"

The sounds of crashing and screaming interrupted Adrien's response.

"What the hell was that," Cassandra asked, wiping her eyes.

"Akuma," Adrien said, "Plagg, claws out!"

Cassandra shielded her eyes against the green transformation energy. "A what?"

"No time to explain. You have to help us," Cat Noir said, gesturing for his sister to transform.

"And let your spotted girlfriend try and take my miraculous? Not happening, Brother," she said, shielding her bracelet with her other hand.

"One, as much as I wish she was, she's not my girlfriend. Two, I promise I'll explain everything to her, well as much as possible, when the fight's over. But you have to help."

Cassandra looked between him, Roaar, and her miraculous. Soon, she huffed, nodding. "Roaar, stripes on."

A flash of purple and the blonde duo were on their way to the akuma.

"Hey, Kitty, I thought you weren't feeling well," Ladybug said, eyes widening at their newest guest.

"Short version, I'm okay enough to help you fight. This is Panthera, and she's not with Hawkmoth. Long version can wait until after this is over," Cat said, hoping Ladybug will take the minimal explanation.

Ladybug narrowed her eyes before shaking her head and nodding. "I'm Ladybug. The akuma is in his chef's hat."

"Hey, uh, Panthera," he asked, "What's your special power."

Cassandra grinned, showing slightly elongated canines. "Watch this. Camouflage."

A purple light emitted from the palm of her hand. She touched herself with it, and she disappeared from Ladybug and Cat Noir's vision.

The pair looked at each other and the spot Panthera was moments before, grinning.

"How long can you stay like that," Ladybug asked, running her hand through the space only to touch presumably a shoulder.

"About five minutes give or take," Panthera said.

"And you can see everything," Cat Noir said.

"Everything you can," she replied.

"Alright, here's the plan," Ladybug said, and within minutes, and with the help of a well-timed lucky charm, the fight was over.

Panthera's miraculous beeped, warning the group of her imminent de-transformation.

"I guess that's my cue. See you around, Ladybug. Cat Noir," Panthera winked, sprinting before launching herself onto the next building.

"I guess it's time for my cat nap, Ladybug," he said, trying to run away as fast as he could.

"Not so fast, Chaton," Ladybug said, grabbing his tail. "Want to tell me why you lied to me?"

Cat's ears drooped as he rubbed the back of his neck. "I think we have to file this one under personal identity reasons, Milady."

"Why would the missing tiger miraculous and Panthera risk your identity? She doesn't know who you are, does she," Ladybug asked, eyes narrowing as she let go of his tail to cross her arms.

"Look, LB, I trust her. I didn't at first, and I can't tell you why that changed, but I do. And I don't think her timing is just coincidence. I think she could be the key to bringing down Shadowmoth. For good."

Ladybug didn't say anything as she looked at her partner. The one she trusted more than anything. The person who understood her more than anyone. After three years, it was impossible to deny the butterflies she felt when he looked at her. Not when he offered her roses or made his silly puns. No, she felt butterflies when she saw the intensity of his feelings for her. The boy who, despite the silliness and bold pickup lines, would lay down his life for her in a heartbeat no matter how much she wished he wouldn't. The boy who, now, was begging her to trust him.

"Fine. I trust you, Kitty, always. I just hope you're right. See you later," Ladybug said, swinging her yoyo and zipping away.

Cat nodded, smiling, before running toward his own home.

He transformed seconds before Nathalie entered his room. He froze, begging whoever was looking out for him that she didn't see him fly through the window.

"Where were you, Adrien? I knocked several times but you didn't answer," Nathalie said, tablet in hand.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Nathalie. I was just playing the piano, and I guess I got a little too into it," he said, rubbing his neck.

Nathalie nodded. "Dinner is ready for you in the dining room."

"Hey, Nathalie," he said, catching her just before she shut the door.

She looked at him expectantly.

"Um, I was just wondering, did Mother and Father ever want any more children? Or was I enough for them," he said, forcing himself to chuckle to try and ease the tension.

"Oh," she said, pushing her glasses higher on her nose, "I believe they were too heartbroken after the loss of your sister to have any more."

"Sister," Adrien said, praying she didn't see right through him.

"Adrien, you really should talk to your father about this. It's rather inappropriate to ask me."

"I know. You know how he is, though. I just didn't want to bother him with silly questions is all," he said, looking down at his shoes.

He could feel her eyes soften as she looked at him, and he tried to hide his smile.

"You were a twin. Your mother had a hard time giving birth to you, and your sister passed as a result. It took a toll on both of your parents, unfortunately," Nathalie said, and Adrien looked back up at her. "If that is all, I must ask you to go eat your dinner. Before it gets cold."

"Thank you, Nathalie. It must have been terrible for them," Adrien said, his mind reeling from the information.

"Your father doesn't like to talk about it. I must ask that you do not bring her back up. Sometimes, the past should stay in the past."

"Can I ask you one more question," he asked, hoping he wasn't pressing his luck.

She said nothing, and he took that as a yes. "What was her name?"

"I believe her name would've been Cassandra. Cassandra Agreste."