I Don't Own Miraculous or Avatar.
Chapter Forty-Five: The Moth Miraculous.
Adrien felt guilty for going through Marinette's stuff, but this was an emergency. He was surprised to find she had a copy of the book his father kept in a safe back in Paris along with two books about the Miraculouses and a sketchbook full of pictures. Those weren't what he was after. Finally he found it and grabbed it like it was his last link to his Lady. The Moth Miraculous. The door to the house suddenly opened and Adrien jumped as Sokka, Toph, and Aang came in.
"Hello!?" Aang called, is anyone home?"
"Guys!" Adrien was on his feet and ran to them, "You're here, thank goodness!"
"Woah! Adrien?" Sokka said, "Where are the girl's?" Adrien bit his lip, fingering the Moth Miraculous nervously.
"There's something I should have told you guys a long time ago… this is all my fault. I'm such an idiot." He said quickly.
"What are you talking about? Where's Katara? Is she safe?"
"No. They got her. They got her and Marinette."
"Who? The Dai Li? I thought be beat them." Sokka questioned.
"They have a new leader. Her name is Azula. She's Prince Zuko's little sister and insane. Probably worse than Long Feng."
"What? How? They can't be in the city! That's impossible!" Toph objected, "And how did you know Azula was Zuko's little sister?"
"Sokka… I'm so sorry… you're friend Suki… she and her comrades were captured by the Fire Nation and Azula stole their uniforms. They got in pretending to be the Kyoshi warriors." Adrien explained. The team let this settle in.
"But you didn't know the Kyoshi warriors, there's no way you could have known it wasn't them. Why are you saying this is all your fault?" Adrien shook his head.
"I have a friend… Lee... who is Fire Nation."
"What!" Sokka yelled, "You are friends with a firebender? Are you crazy? Is that how they got under your radar?"
"No! That's not it at all. That's just how they got Katara and Mari. Katara found out and freaked out. Marinette realised she was concerned and said that they would get the Kyoshi to keep and eye on Lee. I let them go right into a trap. Now they've captured Lee and they have Mari and Katara. I tried to stop Azula personally, but there was no way I could do it without getting Lee in trouble with the Earth King for being Fire Nation… so I panicked and I am exploring a secondary option." Adrien held up the Moth Miraculous, "Lee's uncle is getting my father right now." The team's eyes widened.
"Are you crazy? After everything you and Marinette said that man did to you? He may be reformed now, but he could go rogue on us!" Sokka said.
"Do you think I don't know that? But the thing is, my father is the only one experienced in using this Miraculous. He can use it to track our friends down and he can use it to get help in fighting Azula and preventing the Fire Nation from winning. It's a risk we have to take. Trust me, I wouldn't be considering this if I didn't think it was absolutely necessary." Adrien said angrily, "It's my partner's life that's at risk and the life of a very good friend of mine. Not to mention your sister's. We can't let Azula win, or we will lose everything." The Team gawked at him. Just then, there was a knock on the door. Toph perked up.
"Hey! I know that man!"
"My father?" Adrien asked, walking to the door.
"No. The other man. He gave me tea and some awesome advice. He's cool!" Toph said. Adrien smiled, wary to open the door, because he knew the instant he opened it, Team Avatar would know exactly who 'Lee' was. He opened it. The Team's jaws dropped. Gabriel, who looked concerned and Iroh, whose face was unreadable stood at the entrance.
"Hello Adrien, may we come in?" Iroh asked.
"Yes!" He said nervously.
"Adrien that's-"
"Iroh. Former Crown Prince and General of the Fire Nation. Yeah. I noticed." Adrien said, shooting Team Avatar a glare, daring them to question his judgement.
"I know how you all must feel to see me, and I'm sure Adrien told you about my nephew's capture. I need your help to save him." Aang paused, thinking for a second.
"Then I guess we are working together to save Katara, Marinette, and Zuko." Aang said. Inwardly Adrien was relieved, but he knew they were going to get angry at him for not telling them Zuko was his friend.
"You lost me at Zuko." Sokka said.
"Please." Iroh begged, "There is good inside him. I beg of you to believe me. Adrien and I have both seen it."
"Yeah, well, come back when it is outside of him, okay? Also, what the heck Adrien? How could you be friends with son of the Fire Lord?"
"To be fair, I wasn't aware there was even a thing called a Fire Lord until after I met Zuko, so I how the heck was I supposed to know firebenders are at war with us? Besides, Zuko isn't a bad person, he just has a terrible family and is constantly being placed in terrible situations where he has to chose one thing that could lead to potential disaster and losing the only life he's know or a choice that could lead to him forever serving his manic of a father. Let me tell you that is something I get! …no offense to you father."
"No, I get it." Gabriel muttered.
"Besides, Katara and Marinette are also in trouble. There's really no use in fighting over the past when they could be in potentially life threatening danger and when the Earth Kingdom itself could be on the verge of collapse. Working together is the best chance we've got." Sokka reeled back, considering Adrien's point. He sighed before nodding.
"...You're right." He said.
"Thank you." Adrien huffed.
"Yes, but why am I here? I'm not really able to help you anymore son. My powers are gone and I don't have Nooroo anymore." Gabriel objected.
"Here." Adrien shoved the Moth Miraculous into Gabriel's hands, "Accept it and transform. We don't have much time." Gabriel stared down at the Miraculous like it was venom.
"Adrien, I don't think this is a good idea. Can't you give this to someone else?"
"You are probably the most talented Moth Miraculous wielder yet. No! I can't simply give it to someone else! You know that!" Adrien growled, throwing his hands in the air in annoyance, "You are the only other person in this room who knows how to use one and I don't think it's a good idea to run into a battle with a new Miraculous holder who will only be a temp anyways. I don't like it either, but we need the Miraculous to track them down." Gabriel sighed.
"Very well, son. If you believe this is the best way. Nooroo?" The Miraculous shimmered and in a flash of purple light, Nooroo appeared.
"Master Gabriel?" The Kawmi asked in confusion, "What happened?"
"Later Nooroo. I have need of your services right now." The Kwami nodded, "Of course."
"What? Is my Kwami the only one who is rude to me?" Adrien asked, glaring over at Plagg who was lounging on his bed.
"I excel at being a lazy cat, Adrien. Do not question my raw talents." Plagg said.
"Ugh! Whatever! Plagg, Claws out." Adrien transformed.
"Nooroo, Light Wings, Rise!" Gabriel said, echoing his son's actions.
"This is crazy." Sokka muttered, "I can't believe we planning on rescuing the jerk prince with your formerly evil dad."
"Yeah, well, my father will be returning the Moth Miraculous when we are finished." Adrien said, giving his father a glare.
"I understand son." Gabriel said as he summoned a white butterfly and turned it light purple. He held it in his hands for a moment before addressing the team, "I don't think it smart for us all to go look for Ladybug, Katara, and Prince Zuko. If what Iroh told me is true, Azula will likely be planning an a coup against the Earth King and his generals. Some of us need to go and protect and warn them. Adrien, you, the Watertribe boy, and the blind girl should protect the Earth King. You have much more experience at protecting things than most, considering how long you've kept you Miraculous from me. Iroh, Aang, and myself will go to find the others."
"But father! I need to be there with Ladybug. She's my partner." Gabriel got a dark look on his face.
"Trust me son. The instant I put on the Moth Brooch, I sensed overwhelming emotions. There is something happening. Something bad. It would be risky if all of the Miraculous holder remained in one area and I do not think you should be with your Lady tonight. For tonight will be the crossroads. The world will rise or fall depending on the choices made. I don't want you or Ladybug to be caught in the middle of those choices, or you may never recover." Gabriel warned.
"So we are just going to leave Aang with a former villain and former Fire Nation general? Cause that's logical!" Sokka groaned.
"I will not hurt your friend. The Avatar was never my target, if you would recall the stories my son told you about me. It was always the Miraculous holders."
"And why should I trust you with my Lady?" Adrien asked. Gabriel shook his head.
"I deserve that distrust, yes. But I would ask you to trust in your father one final time. I will protect Ladybug, because she is someone who makes you happy and without her, you are not yourself. I will not let that be taken from you after all I took when we lived in Paris." Gabriel promised. Adrien growled lowly, but quickly covered up his annoyance in the situation he had been placed in.
"Okay, father. I trust you this one time." Adrien said, avoiding his father's gaze.
"That is all I can ask for." Adrien looked up, his eyes brimming with rage.
"But! If anything happens to My Lady, I will hold you accountable." He threatened coldly.
"Of course Adrien." Gabriel said, then he allowed his butterfly to take off, "Track down the emotions of Marinette Dupain-Cheng." The butterfly fluttered out the door. Gabriel looked over at Aang and Iroh.
"Shall we?" He asked, motioning for the door with his cane. The two nodded and followed the Butterfly out. Gabriel looked back at Adrien, "Good luck son."
"Good luck?" Adrien scoffed, "Don't you know I'm a black cat? I am the exact opposite."
"Still. I send my silent support that you will do well." Adrien sighed.
"You too, I suppose." Gabriel smiled faintly and left. Adrien turned back to Team Avatar.
"Let's go."