Begrudgingly, Plagg accepted Nathalie's help in getting to Marinette. She explained to him how to get through the passage and what he was likely to expect. They had agreed that Tikki would stay with Adrien to try and keep him calm when he woke to find he had no Miraculous, and that Marinette was in grave danger. Another reason Tikki was staying away, was the danger of Marinette wearing both Miraculous', and if both of them got snatched, the implications would be detrimental.

Nathalie had gone down to check on Gabriel, with the additional Kwami hidden in her blazer. Nathalie had asked Gabriel if she could try and pry the entrance open, to which she received a condescending "go ahead." As she pressed the buttons in the painting, the door released just a fraction, just wide enough for Plagg to sneak the ring down to her. As Tikki had still been in Marinette's bag, and not with Marinette to witness any tampering to the door, Nathalie had asked Plagg to have a look, but the Kwami was dumbfounded, as he saw no evidence of tampering at all.

Making his way down as night had descended on Paris, he realised just how long Adrien had been knocked out for. Worrying for his holder, he prayed to Tikki that Marinette was fairing better.

The sight that met him made his cheese fuelled stomach curdle.

A disguised figure lay on the floor as Marinette cried out, he zipped to her while the figure lay there not noticing his arrival. Waiting for Marinette to be in the right mind to acknowledge his presence.

Hearing the threat to Marinette, Plagg slipped the ring into her finger, yet again praying that the right opportunity would present itself for her to summon the transformation. With only having limited time after using cataclysm, Marinette would need to be quick to neutralise the woman.

"...and Adrien will love ME!"

Nathalie returned to Adrien's room with food for the little red Kwami. Hoping that Adrien was also starting to stir, she had also grabbed food for him. Tikki and Duusu took up position next to Adrien's head, as Nathalie brought his computer chair over to sit at his bedside.

"He's still not awake," Tikki looked at Nathalie with despair. "What has done this to him."

"There was a potion in the Grimoire that Gabriel whipped up." Nathalie looked worriedly at the man in front of her, seeing the boy she had taught as youngster. "I guess even a little is enough."

"Nathalie?" Tikki questioned, "did you ever read the description of the potion?"

"No, I did not," Nathalie dropped her gaze to her lap in a defeated manner. "Do you know of any potions that could do this from the Grimoire?"

"Us Kwami can not read the sacred text, as if we fall into the wrong hands it can be used for evil." Tikki looked pointedly at Nathalie who grimaced at the irony of the situation. "This situation is dangerous Nathalie, the translations were rough, and anything could have been incorrect."

Marinette stared up at Agnès, waiting for the opportunity to get out of the restraints. The hate in Agnès' eyes was mixed with pain, so much pain.

"Agnès?" Marinette threw caution to the wind, to see if Agnès would open up, "what happened?"

The eyes of Agnès softened, more pain and sorrow were present, as tears congregated ready to spill. She stood up and walked a few paces from Marinette, as she curled into herself, a whole new timid demeanour was revealed to Marinette.

"He was nice," Agnès stated softly, "he was kind, understanding, kept an eye on me when I first came here." She turned looking at Marinette, disappointment on her face. "I know why he was around me." She gazed wistfully out of the window which had small rain droplets appearing on the panes, "but that didn't stop me from falling for his ways. Gabriel saw how me and Chase had a rapport, and we knew Gabriel was suspicious of Chase, I was meant to take his undercover position at the company...but..."

"You got too involved." Marinette sympathised with Agnès, watching her closely, she was hoping this could end without the reveal of the cat Miraculous.

"Yeah," she replied with a small empty chuckle. "I didn't think it would be possible for him to find someone he could love more than Ladybug. Even though he spoke so highly of his old classmate in such a admirable way..." Agnès looked intently at Marinette, "then I saw him with you last night. His father knew how I felt about Adrien, and when he found out he had turned down my advances...thats-that's when I told him everything."

Agnès started to casually pace as she spoke reflectively about the situation.

"I told him about the GIGN, I told him about the suspicions surrounding him, I told him about Adrien telling me there was someone who held his heart..." She stopped, looking once again directly at Marinette, "his father confirmed to me about Ladybug, and his infatuation with her. I told him how much he had spoken about his old school friend 'Marinette', during our time together...and..."

"That's why you thought I was her."

"Yes."

Agnès started to pace again in thought, "when I started studying, it was just a cover. I actually went back to the GIGN office to work the case behind the scenes, or so they thought." Another chuckle left her lips, but this one was more sinister, "That's when I planted the seed about you being Ladybug."

Agnès changed back to her aggressive nature, stomping back to Marinette and angrily turning her head so she could see her ear. "You even have earrings like the ones in the book."

Marinette panicked, praying that Agnès could not hear her heart beating against her chest. "I-I'm a big fan of hers," Marinette started, "I even used to wear my hair like hers."

"I know, I've seen pictures." Roughly dropping Marinette's head again, she sneered, "surely the Miraculous Ladybitch would have escaped by now!"

Marinette wanted to know more, so pressed her captor for more answers. "What were you hoping to achieve today Agnès?"

"For your precious Chat to come and try to rescue you, to kill you, step into my rightful place at Adrien's side and become the best Ladybug this world will ever see." she finished triumphantly, as if she had already succeeded.

The malice and danger glinting in Agnès' eyes gave Marinette a new found determination, no one would come between her and her Kitty.

"I best tell you now Agnès, Chat Noir is outside that very window," Marinette was calm and cunning. Danger shining from her own features now.

Agnès turned all of her attention to the floor to ceiling window behind her, big rain droplets now thrashing against the pains. Turning to face it fully, Agnès intently studied the whole of the window, looking for any hint of a shadow, looking to see which angle he would come in from. Marinette took her chance.

"Claws out."

Alya and Nino had been worried for their friends and team mates when they had not heard anything from either of them. When they had tried to call, both Marinette's and Adrien's phones went straight to voicemail. This unnerved the couple.

After the information they had been given the night before, Alya decided to ring the number on the card they were given by Jaques. Using her superhero alias, Alya and Nino were instructed to wait for further instruction.

Crouching on a roof top adjacent to the front gates of Agreste mansion, they watched a tall dark figure exit the building and make their way off the premises. Dressed as their hero alter egos, the pair made to follow the figure until they saw them approach and duck into an alleyway. The figure stopped.

Not wanting to miss anything Rena Rouge crouched behind a chimney stack overlooking the alleyway, using the bricks as leverage to lean over the buildings edge.

The figure looked up.

The figure was in fact a male, a man who was looking straight at Rena. A man who was now gesturing for her to join him. Landing with a soft thud, Rena approached the man who was now taking out a mobile.

"Tell your partner to join us please," the man pinched the bridge of his Grecian nose as he turned his back to Rena and spoke hurriedly on the phone. He was distressed, his dark hair disheveled, and his chocolate brown eyes had dark circles beneath them. His voice was hushed but urgent, as Carapace landed with a not so graceful thump next the Rena.

Carapace looked to Rena, worry pouring out of his aura. The man before them rubbed his long fingers against his square jaw, as he turned to face them, putting his phone back in his pocket.

"Your friends are in serious trouble."

Hey guys!

Thanks for sticking with this story so far! I had no idea where this was going when I started it, I hope you're enjoying what you've read.

Thank you for the reviews, follows and faves.

Stay safe everyone, and please let me know your thoughts.

Lady Rhi X