Adrien was sitting in the police car of lieutenant Raincomprix. Looking outside the passenger window, he saw a flash of red swinging by. Ladybug was following the car at a safe distance.
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When he looked in the front, he noticed something was wrong. He cleared his throat, trying to find his voice.
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"Hum... e-excuse-me, Officer? I thought we were going to... to the police station... not..."
"I'm sorry Adrien." answered the policeman, looking right in front of him while driving. "We discovered something at the Agreste's mansion and we need you for identification."
"I...identification? But... I knew nothing about my f... about Hawkmoth's hideout or plan. I..."
"We know that. And I truly believe you. But there's really something we need you to confirm."
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They arrived in front of the mansion's gate, which was open. Officers were guarding the entrance. They let the car in and lieutenant Raincomprix parked it in front of the main entrance. He stepped out of the car and walked around it to open the door on Adrien's side.
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The young adult followed him and stopped in front of the stairs, releasing a shaky breath. He suddenly felt a hand on his right shoulder. He looked on his right and saw Ladybug's blue eyes. She was smiling softly. She squeezed his shoulder before letting go and walked to the officer.
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"Ladybug? Is something wrong?" asked the policeman.
"Not at all, sir. I just wanted to make sure Adrien feels safe after all that's happened and it's my and Chat's duty to take care of the civilians, especially after they were Hawkmoth's victims. I hope it's not a problem if I come along?" asked the spotted heroine.
"Of course not, Ladybug. We owe you and Chat the fallout of Hawkmoth and the end of his reign of terror. You shall be a part of everything related to him."
"Thank you, lieutenant Raincomprix."
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She went back to Adrien and put her arm around his shoulders, encouraging him to move forward. The policemen guided them to Gabriel's office. In the back of the room, in front of the large picture of Emily Agreste, a medium size hole was piercing the floor. Adrien knew it led to Hawkmoth's lair, having been there 24 hours ago as Chat. This is where the fight begun, before moving out to the rooftops.
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The three stepped in the glass elevator, and it started to go down. Adrien's eyes were shut tight, dreading the moment when he would see again the place from where Hakemoth was commanding the akuma's attacks. The elevator went down for what seemed to be forever.
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"Where are we going?" asked Ladybug. "Yesterday the elevator stopped way before that..."
"That's the thing we discovered." answered lieutenant Raincomprix. "There's another floor below the lair. And we found something rather... unexpected. That's why we need you, Adrien."
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Hearing his name, Adrien opened his eyes just as the elevator slowed down, arriving on the bottom floor. The glass door slid open and the police officer lead the way.
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It was a strange place, full of flowers and white butterflies. This was probably where Hawkmoth was raising his akumas. The lighting gave the place an etheral look, almost eerie. Ladybug and Adrien followed lieutenant Raincomprix to the centre of the room.
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"So...Adrien. Did you know that this place existed?" asked the policeman.
"No... I... I even didn't know the mansion had a basement..."
"Alright and... I know it's been already five years but, do you remember something, anything, regarding your mother's disappearance?"
"My m-mother? No... I... She just leaved and never came back... I was just thirteen, how would I know something..."
"I understand. I just wanted to know if you knew something. Because... because we believe we found her. And... we need you to confirm her identity."
"Wait. What?!" shouted Ladybug.
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Adrien went suddenly livid. The heroine took his hand in hers, squeezing it. It seemed to ground him a little bit. The boy looked at her, fear and pain written all over his piercing green eyes.
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Lieutenant Raincomprix, moved to the left, revealing a rectangular glass container that was previously hidden by his imposing stature.
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Adrien was trembling like a leaf. No. He couldn't believe that this was his mother's coffin. That all this time, she was laying right under his feet. He suddenly felt weak and turned around. He emptied his stomach, unable to control the heaves coming like waves.
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The policeman hurried beside him and gave him a tissue. Adrien wiped his mouth, his breathing shallow. Ladybug hugged him, drawing comforting circles on his back with her hand. He seemed to calm down a bit, regaining control of his breathing.
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Ladybug supported him as they walked slowly to the center of the room. He then took a deep breath and looked in the glass box. There it was, like he remembered it, the beautiful face of his mother. His eyes were instantly filled with tears, as he wailed, his legs giving out.
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"We...we think she might still be alive..." said the officer softly. "We didn't want to move her. The specialists are on their way. We'll do everything we can to save her, Adrien."
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Ladybug was kneeling on the ground, holding the boy tightly, and was gently stroking his hair while he sobbed uncontrollably. It was too much for him. She was humming a soft lullaby, rocking him slowly. When he was a bit calmer, she looked at lieutenant Raincomprix who understood. He made a sign, letting her know that Adrien's presence wasn't needed anymore.
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She held him firmly by the waist, his arms around her neck, as she lunched her yoyo in the elevator tube and hoisted them to the next floor and than by the butterfly window of Hawkmoth's lair, that they broke yesterday during the fight. She carried him, like the day before, to her home. They landed on her balcony and she helped him slide down onto her bed and detransformed.
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Adrien was laying on his side, unable to say a word. Tears were still streaking down his cheeks slowly. She placed a pillow under his head, and pulled a plush blanket over his body. She texted her mother to let her know that they were home and came through the side door. That Adrien was not feeling well and would be resting. She laid behind him and pulled his body tightly against hers, her arm draped over his stomach.
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Adrien soon fell asleep from exhaustion. Marinette followed, lulled by his regular breathing and his warmth.
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When Sabine went upstairs to tell them dinner was ready, she didn't have the heart to wake them up. They slept till morning, being physically and mentally drained from the lack of sleep and the events of the last two days.