I Don't Own Miraculous or Avatar.
Chapter Twenty-Nine: The Silent Guardian.
They got into the lower ring of the city. Gabriel hadn't actually gotten a job at the tea shop like Zuko and Iroh did, and he was glad for it. He knew his son was in that area of town and that he would be more likely to get spotted by Adrien if he worked in a public place. Instead, he took work in a tailor's shop down the road from the teashop Zuko and Iroh would work at. There, he could work on clothes, which had always been his passion, and keep careful watch over Zuko, Iroh, and Adrien without getting seen by Adrien or causing trouble for Iroh. The tailor was overjoyed to have Gabriel to assist him, though the second Gabriel saw the place, he knew there would be need of serious changes. Thankfully, he knew how to make clothes by hand and had actually studied the styles of the ancient Chinese attire in college. Unfortunately, the tailor wasn't the best in town, hence why the man worked mostly in the lower ring were anyone would use his services.
Meanwhile, Gabriel decided he would check out the bakery Adrien supposedly was at. He was certain that his son had sought refuge with the owners, but he also knew that Adrien wasn't at the bakery that day. He was currently elsewhere and in distress… but not because someone was hurting him. It was like from some sort of nightmare or flashback. Gabriel thought Adrien's absence from the bakery would be the perfect time to go and meet the man and woman he would be entrusting his son's life to until Ladybug came.
After dropping his things off at the apartment that he, Zuko, and Iroh would be forced to share for a short while and checking out the tailor shop he'd be working at, Gabriel made his way towards the bakery. He stopped every few seconds, checking and double checking that Adrien was nowhere near there. Thankfully, he didn't seem to be that close.
Finally Gabriel came to the bakery. Inside, a woman waited at the front, taking customers orders kindly. She was a good woman. She believed in helping others and showed concern for people in need. That was likely why his son ended up in her care. He came inside, pulling out the little money he had earned when working for Yung and set it on the counter.
"Hello, Mrs-"
"Seng." She said kindly.
"Seng, I am in need of something warm to eat. What can I buy for this much?" He asked.
"That could get you a few almond biscuits or a couple lotus seed buns." She said, "We just made some."
"I'll take one of each, if you'd please. And might I ask a question of you?"
"A question?" Seng asked.
"You recently employed a young man here?"
"Oh! Adin? Are you friends with him?" She asked.
"Uh, no. I don't know him. I was simply curious. He was here the other day when I stopped by, but not today. I was wondering if they young man was okay?" Gabriel asked carefully.
"Oh, it's dreadful. The poor boy fell ill this morning… at least we think. He wasn't running a temperature, but he seemed absolutely exhausted. We found him in the market square. I'd lost my daughter, Jeng while shopping that day, and he noticed her and watched over her until I got to that area. He is a fine young man. It breaks my heart to see him that way."
"Ill?" Gabriel asked in fear.
"Yes. And if you didn't notice the last time you came, he has been recovering from an injury. From what we could tell, someone with a sword attacked and robbed him. He won't talk too much about it. The experience must've been tragic, and he broke his ankle pretty badly during the attack too, so he's had to go around on crutches. We think his illness is a result of the incident… more of… due to his lack of sleep because he keeps having awful nightmares about it." Gabriel's heart sank. Attacked by a man with a sword. Attacked by him. He had hurt his son. His son was sick and on crutches because he'd been a terrible father. Seng noticed the look on Gabriel's face and quickly went to cheer him up.
"But don't worry. With some time, and rest, I'm sure he will recover. His ankle is at the point where he can try walking a little and putting pressure on it, and we kept him home today with Jeng so he can better rest." Gabriel nodded. Yes, this was good news. Sadly, it didn't take any of the guilty Gabriel felt over the entire ordeal.
"So he is safe?" Gabriel asked.
"Safe?" She said in confusion.
"Er… I mean, safe at home… were he can recover?"
"Of course." Seng said happily. Then she handed him the food he'd ordered. Gabriel smiled weakly, accepting it.
"Well, I will certainly come back for an update on his condition. I was merely concerned. Thank you Mrs. Seng. I will see you another time."
"Of course. And what is your name?"
"Uh…" Gabriel didn't want the woman to accidently slip up and inform Adrien he was there. "Riel." Seng smiled.
"Well, goodbye Mr. Riel." She said cheerfully. He turned and quickly left with food in hand, shoving the pastries into his bag for Nooroo to enjoy. He then began his brisk walk home when he spotted a few Dai Li agents conversing in an alley. His Miraculous sensed they had ill intents.
"Long Feng said the kid didn't show up like he'd ordered. Which means we'll need to find his location before quickly and quietly arresting him."
"Stupid Cat spirit." One agent muttered, "I wish we didn't have to waste our time searching this ring. Rumor is, the Avatar is coming, and the spirits know how hard he is going to be to keep secret from the Earth King."
"Yes, but you saw the kid. He is a powerful creature indeed. And those eyes… I've never seen anything like them, not to mention having golden hair."
Gabriel froze. They were talking about kidnapping Cat Noir… his son. Gabriel had sensed an evil man was after Adrien and had warned Ladybug accordingly, but he didn't imagine that the Dai Li would be involved.
"Don't worry. How hard is finding a golden haired boy with spirit powers anyway? We are pretty sure he is hiding out in this ring. We studied his searching patterns. Long Feng knows he is searching for a person. Not clear on who, but if we can get him to tell us, we might have the power to stop the Fire Nation for good." Gabriel frowned. He wasn't going to let these men lay a finger on Adrien. Gabriel ducked into an different alleyway and transformed into Hawkmoth before climbing onto the roof and jumping into the alley the Dai Li conspired in with his sword drawn. The earthbenders scrambled back in surprise.
"Who are you?" They asked. A cruel smile played on his lips.
"I am Hawkmoth. I understand you are searching for a boy called Cat Noir. It seems you and I have a similar goal. Where is the man you report to?"
The Dai Li looked at each other in concern.
"Are you like that boy?" One dared to ask. Gabriel smiled.
"In a way. But I am far stronger than he is. He is young and the spirit of destruction only recently granted him his powers. I am experienced. He and I are revivals. I am the one who brought forth the destruction of his town and forced him to flee here. The one he searches for is called Ladybug, the spirit of creation had his other half. I am aware he knows nothing of the war, because like in this city, the war did not exist. I also know how to properly combat his strange powers. He's more dangerous than he looks. Tell your leader… I wish to make a deal. I offer my services in helping you capture the boy, and you prevent him from ever bothering me again. I don't care how you do it."
The Dai Li nodded.
"We will pass the message on, but how will we find you to give Long Feng's answer?"
"No need. I will easily find you." Gabriel said. He proved his point by summoning one of his butterflies.
"This is an Akuma. When tell your leader that when he has an answer, simply will me to come. My butterfly will sense him and I will meet him." Gabriel explained. The Dai Li nodded.
"We will postpone search for today. Perhaps having your help will make the search easier." The Dai Li agreed, "For now, we will depart." And they did. He sheathed his blade back into a staff, pleased that he had deceived the Dai Li so easily. Of course, he had years of practice as Hawkmoth, and being in a different world didn't change the fact that he knew how to trick people. He got out of the alley way and moved carefully through the empty backroads until he was certain the Dai Li weren't following after him before dropping his transformation. Nooroo immediately went after the rolls he'd purchased at the bakery.
"So Master Gabriel, what exactly is our plan here. You aren't seriously considering helping them catch Adrien, are you?"
"Of course not Nooroo. But they are an enemy I am unfamiliar with. At least Cat Noir and Ladybug were predictable. I need to gather information, or have you not heard the human phrase, 'keep your friends close, but enemies closer?'" Gabriel asked.
"But what if they find out how the Miraculous work?" Nooroo asked, "If they learn that they are magic jewels anyone could use, then we could put all of the miraculous wielders in this world into more danger than before."
"I am aware. But I will take great care to insure that little secret remains a secret from them." Gabriel explained, "I know Ladybug isn't far, but there are a few complications outside the walls right now her and her comrades will need to deal with. I need to stall until she can get here, confuse the Dai Li and keep them off Adrien's trail. Three Miraculous wielders is far better a fight than one against several highly trained earthbenders. Once she gets into the city, I'll make a trail of clues only she will be able to follow that will lead her to Adrien and reunite them. Once they are together, I doubt even the Dai Li will have what it takes to stop them. After all, I tried for two years and never could."
"It is a good plan Master, but you have to be careful. If they discover you are conspiring against them, you could be in grave danger." Nooroo warned. Gabriel laughed bitterly.
"I know the risks, but I am Gabriel Agreste, and no one is to ever harm my son lest my fury may be unleashed on them all. The Dai Li are fools for ever believing they could control the great Cat Noir or Hawkmoth. They clearly don't understand our magic. And, of course, what they do not understand is what they should fear the most." Nooroo smiled.
"Then I support this plan. You are doing well, Master Gabriel. Emilie would be proud."
"Yes. I suppose she would be." Gabriel agreed, "Ironic though, seems I am going to play the part as a villain for a little while longer."
"Well, for a villain, you seem to be doing something quite heroic to me. If only Adrien knew you were doing this."
"I rather avoid Adrien for the time being. He is still shaken from when I attacked him as Hawkmoth. What do you think his nightmares have been about? If he found out the truth now, I don't think he'd revice it so well. Ladybug can ease his troubled mind though. I just need to be patient." Gabriel explained.
"Yes, Master, I am aware of Adrien's condition. I am the Kwami granting your empathic powers after all. What you sense, I can sense as well. You are right. It is wise to wait until Adrien regains his confidence and feels safe. He likely won't do that until he is with Ladybug again." Nooroo said before pausing in thought, "But I think there is a better way to help your son from afar concerning his troubles with his family… mainly you."
"What exactly are you suggesting?"
"The Fire Nation boy, Zuko. He has been through similar circumstances as Adrien. Granted, I doubt his father plans on reforming as you have anytime soon, but both are struggling with the fact that their father's aren't who they thought they were. Perhaps the Fire Nation boy and Adrien could help each other mend the wounds inflicted by their troubling pasts?"
"Hmm. Perhaps… but unlike Adrien, who obviously blames me for his childhood struggles, Zuko does not feel any of the pain that has been inflicted on his as a child was because of his father, but rather of his own doing. This is not true, but he is convinced he must earn his father's love. Adrien does not feel so." Gabriel pointed out.
"Which is why I think it will benefit the both. Zuko needs someone to tell him that he was not in the wrong, and Adrien needs someone to encourage him that his father isn't a lost cause." Nooroo explained. Gabriel thought about this.
"I suppose you are correct about this too. Perhaps I should try and make the to meet each other and discuss those matters. It seems I have much to do Nooroo. I just hope these plans of mine all work out." Gabriel replied.