I Do Not Own Miraculous or Avatar.

Chapter Forty-Nine: What is Next.

The Earth King trailed behind Adrien silently. Bosco, the Earth King's bear, which Adrien had to go back for, was with them too. Adrien had to avoid several Dai Li, which proved difficult with the King and bear with him.

"...So you're real name is Adrien, correct?" The King asked in a shaky tone.

"Yeah, it is. Cat Noir is my Miraculous name. Cat Noir is Paris' symbol of Bad Luck and Destruction, which I was granted power over." Adrien said, "People didn't really know I was Cat Noir though. I wasn't allowed to tell anyone because our master thought it was better. I have this special magic that is supposed to keep people from putting the pieces together, but in this place blonde hair is uncommon and so I stick out like a sore thumb in both forms."

"So the hair is normal in your village?"

"I have lots of friends with this color hair back home. I was surprised no one had it here. Makes sense though. This place is asian baised and they don't really have the blonde gene. Not that a secret identity is any use to me now that my father is actually on my team now."

"You were enemies?" The King asked.

"...Until recently? Yeah. Now… we… well, we tolerate each other, or rather, I tolerate him. He's my dad and all, so I can't really just leave him to figure things out by himself, but I haven't really moved past the whole rivalry we had. We did some pretty terrible things to each other. Mainly him to me because he had no clue who I was…"

"Can he do the magic spirit things you and your friend do?" The King asked.

"Yeah, he's empathic. He can sense when people are upset or happy. He also can use said emotions to make champions to fight in battles. We call him Hawkmoth when he's transformed. When Long Feng was in charge, he used his powers on this kid named Jet. Jet had been arrested and brainwashed by the Dai Li and dad wanted to help him take the Dai Li down. Only, Jet was mortally wounded in the fight. It hit father pretty hard, I think. It was the first of his champions to actually…"

"...die?" The King asked softly.

"...yeah." Adrien said, looking down, "I am pretty furious with Father for everything that happened… but I… I don't want to be mad at him when I know he's still hurting and needs someone. I want to forgive him for our past, but… it isn't easy. I'm trying to do better though… I don't know why I'm telling you of all people about this. I don't really know you that well."

"You are fine. I am intrigued by your story and your special gifts. I've never seen anything like it.

"Yeah, well. Once the Winter Solstice comes… Milady, Father, and I will have to go. Our village needs their protectors." Adrien said, "Though I will miss this place. I like it here. Here I've gotten a clean slate and have had a freedom I haven't felt before."

"Well I'm glad you like my kingdom, Cat Noir." Adrien nodded before pausing as he heard a high pitched sound buzzing in his ears.

"Do you hear that?"

"What?"

"That buzzing. It's coming from over there. Come on!" Adrien grabbed the King by his arm and led him carefully through the Palace, heading in the direction of where head heard the buzz.

"Cat Noir I didn't hear any buzzing!" The King objected as Bosco lumbered after the pair.

"Yeah, well, enhanced hearing comes with my powers. Not many people realise that. All of my senses are enhanced. I see, smell, and hear better than a normal person, hence the ears and eyes. Ladybug knows about that too, but not the Fire Nation… I don't think. If only I could hear that, she might be trying to signal me to regroup."

"But what if the Fire Nation Princess and Long Feng do know about these senses and this is a trap?"

"My Lady has never led me astray, come on." Adrien led the King and his Bear carefully through the palace, listening carefully for any Dai Li that could anbush them and ducking through courtyards and halls. Finally, the three came to the palace wall.

"How exactly will we get out? The Dai Li surely await us up top." the King pointed out, patting a nervous Bosco on the head.

"We could use my cataclysm to break through the wall, but that will draw people's attention, and I will only have five minutes before I'm not able to use my Miraculous powers anymore. I do know how to fight outside of my transformation, but I would be helpless against people like the Dai Li. Unfortunately, this is literally our best option of escape right now. We will have to move fast, be ready to move, Your Highness. Once we get into the streets we'll have to hide and wait until I can transform again. Can you run fast for me?"

"I'll try." The King said in uncertainty, "And Bosco will try too."

"Okay, good. Cataclysm!" Adrien placed his palm on the wall, imagining it breaking through to the other side and creating a hole just big enough for the Earth King, Adrien, and Bosco. His powers obeyed and that area of the wall crumbled to dust, leaving a gap big enough for them to slip through. Adrien grabbed the Earth King's arm again and rushed through, Bosco lumbering quickly behind. They made it to the other side with ease when the hole behind them suddenly slammed shut with a slab of Earth. Adrien picked up his pace, hoping the King's bear would keep up. Adrien was not planning on going back for the bear, but something told him the King would complain about it until he did. Losing Bosco was a last resort. The three didn't get far when Long Feng himself stepped into their path. The Earth King yelped as walls of Earth erupted around them and trapped to three with Long Feng.

"I thought you were in prison." Adrien said, backing up and quickly hiding his ring finger behind his back to muffle the urgent but soft beeping it was belting out. He was ready to detransform at moments notice, getting captured would be much worse if Long Feng put together that Adrien only got his powers from some ring. He had to make sure Long Feng didn't figure that out.

"Working for the Fire Nation Princess has its benefits. My Dai Li and I would be better off serving the powerful Fire Nation over a Kingdom that will soon crumble." Long Feng said coyly, "And she has order that you both be arrested in the name of Fire Lord Ozai. I hope you know I am not happy to arrest you, Chaton, because I still believe you could have made a wonderful asset. The ability to destroy anything or anyone you touch is truly exceptional. Adrien felt sick as he considered the way Long Feng casually mentioned using Cataclysm on someone, which further secured his need to keep the real source of his powers secret.

"The powers of destruction are not something to be taken lightly, Long Feng. A man like you would have only used me to get what you want. My powers are meant to destroy only what is necessary, and they can be reversed." He said. Long Feng froze, suddenly interested in what Adrien had said.

"Reversed?" Long Feng asked in confusion.

"The power of destruction must be balanced out by the power of creation. Even if you have me, my powers are useless to you, for if you destroy anything unnecessary, my partner, Ladybug, has the means to reverse any damage you have done. Likewise, if my partner creates anything unnecessary, I am able to destroy it. Like an idiot, you've caught a weapon you are unable to truly use. What use is a bow to you if you don't have any arrows?" Long Feng snarled.

"We have your partner, fool! We have complete control over you now!"

"Really? Because I recall that cats don't care what a human has to say to them. I mean, have you ever seen the way cats behave?" Adrien said in a joking tone as the Miraculous beeped one last time and he detransformed. Plagg instantly ducked into Adrien's satchel to hide from Long Feng. The Earth King squeaked loudly when he saw Adrien Detransform, clearly not expecting it. Long Feng focused on the man, who instantly hide behind Adrien. Adrien fell into a front stance, praying he remembered enough from fencing and Kung Fu lessons to get out of the situation.

"You're going to fight me? Even without your spirit magic?" Long Feng laughed, "You really are a child!" Long Feng fell into his own stance, but before either could make their move the walls around them suddenly cumbled to reveal Toph Bei Fong and Sokka.

"See, I told you I could find them." Toph said to Sokka. Sokka stuck his tongue at her.

"We are saved!" The Earth King cried. True to his statement, Toph attacked Long Feng mercilessly.

"But how did you escape from our prison!? It was completely metal!"

"That is under the file of none of your business." Toph retorted.

"Oh she is good." Adrien told Sokka, "I should get some banter tips from her."

"Eh, she's okay." Sokka said with a shrug, "My puns are better."

"Mine are the best." Adrien replied, "Even Bugaboo thinks they are purrfect, even is she won't admit how pawsitively pawsome they are. Cat you agree Sokka?"

"Woah! That was like… four cat puns in a row. Nice." Sokka said with respect in his tone.

"Is this really the best time to discuss this? Your blind friend is in the middle of a battle with my former secretary." The King asked worriedly.

"Eh, she's got this. Long Feng has nothing on Toph. She's the best earthbender to have ever existed." Sokka shrugged.

"If you say so." The King mumbled. As promised, Toph defeated Long Feng easy. As she did, they spotted Appa flying towards them. Adrien grinned. Perhaps they would beat Azula after all.

They waited for the bison to land, expecting Aang to leap out and tell them all about the exciting details of recusing Marinette, Katara, and Zuko. Instead, it wasn't Aang at all who slid down from the reigns. It was Marinette. Her expression was solem. Adrien had a terrible feeling.

"What's wrong, Marinette?" Sokka asked immediately, worry in his tone.

"There was an incident." She replied morbidly, "Princess Azula made an attempt on Avatar Aang's life." Everyone gasped.

"What happened?" Toph immediately demanded, "Is he okay?"

"She struck him with lighting while in the Avatar State. His heart stopped instantly. Katara managed to use her spirit water to revive him, but he is in terrible condition. We aren't sure what is going to happen. Katara and Gabriel are waiting back at the house, we need to leave and get Aang to safety as soon as humanly possible, Azula will be looking for us." Marinette said quickly. They all stared at her in shock.

"...But Aang is… he's just a little kid! She tried to kill a little kid?" Adrien objected.

"I'm sorry, we don't have much time, we have to leave now. Azula has taken over most of the city and the Dai Li have complete control now. If we want to stand a chance in this war, we need to leave Ba Sing Se now. We are meeting up with Sokka's father, Hakoda, where Aang can hopefully recover away from the Fire Nation's pursuits. Come on." The others shook their heads, clearing away their surprise and getting on Appa.

"What about Zuko and Iroh?" Adrien asked.

"...You're still worried about them?" Toph scoffed.

"I need to know Marinette." He insisted. She hesitated before replying.

"There was no way we could've changed his mind Adrien… I'm sorry." She said, "We both tried… but he couldn't give his father up."

"No…" Adrien breathed. Zuko had chosen the path Ozai made for him. He had chosen the Fire Nation. Zuko was his enemy now… Adrien truly was the unluckiest boy in the world.

"And Iroh?"

"Arrested. He surrendered after getting Aang to safety. I don't think… I don't think he wanted to fight his nephew. They are too close." Marinette informed him.

"What will they do with him?" Adrien asked.

"We don't know, but your father has reason to believe Iroh will live. The man apparently has connections all across the world. Iroh will be fine." Adrien nodded.

"...Okay… we should go." Adrien said mournfully. Marinette nodded, climbing back on Appa. Everyone followed her lead. They went and picked up the Gabriel, Katara, and the very injured Aang. They were careful about getting the last airbender onto Appa, made a wide circle in the saddle so there was room for him to be lain down. Momo instantly jumped down beside him, nudging his injured owner sadly. They took off in silence. None of them making eye contact and avoiding looking at Aang, a feat that only Toph could manage due to her blindness. Finally, when the city walls of Ba Sing Se had vanished from their sight, Katara spoke up.

"You should have told us." She growled lowly. They stared over at her in confusion.

"What?" Adrien asked. Instantly Gabriel sat up in alarm, obviously sensing exactly who Katara was upset with.

"You should have told us about Zuko! If you had told us, Aang wouldn't have gotten hurt!" She snapped.

"What is that suppose to mean? Zuko didn't shoot him from the sky! He isn't a coward. His sister though? That is a different story."

"He was obviously working with her on this whole thing from the very beginning."

"I already told you! He wasn't working for her. At least, not until you got him captured! That was exactly what I was trying to avoid when I didn't tell you!" Adrien argued back immediately, "My father can vouch for that!" Gabriel nodded.

"Zuko was impartail until Azula showed up. He would have helped us if she had not confused him." Gabriel agreed, "And he was horrified that she struck Aang down. He hadn't been expecting it. No one had been."

"And why the heck should your word mean anything?" Katara asked Gabriel, "You're the man who tried to kill his own son and ran around his village hurting innocent people on a daily basis while lying to everyone about it." Gabriel backed off, looking like Katara had punched him in the face before his expression morphed into one of genuine guilt. Okay. That was going to far.

"Okay, that is enough Katara." Adrien said, "I get you are upset about Aang, but the past of my father and I is none of your concern. He is a reformed man now and you should accept that. You didn't even know him when he was a villain! I did! I've seen him change. He's trying his best, okay? I'm sorry that Zuko chose the Fire Nation, I really am. I thought he was better than that. I still do."

"Zuko is a horrible, selfish prince who only cared about what his daddy thinks of him! He just stood there and let them arrest Iroh, hurt Aang, and take over Ba Sing Se! Why are you defending him!? He doesn't deserve pity or forgiveness or even the benefit of the doubt from any of us!" Katara growled.

"I think you are confused on how forgiveness works." Adrien snapped, "And I think you are too emotionally conflicted and bais to be arguing with me right now about have no room to smack talk the likes of Prince Zuko. You don't really know him like I do. I know he'll come through for us in the end. From the conversations I've had with him, I know it. If his father really is worse than Azula, then I doubt he will remain loyal to him for long. Zuko was always talking about wanting only what was best for the Fire Nation and how he didn't think life was something to be so carelessly taken the way Azula tried to do tonight."

"Oh! So you have that much faith in your 'friend?' Ha! You really are naive!" She laughed bitterly, "Because everyone here knows he was just using you!"

"Katara! Stop!" Sokka said, "You are going to far. Arguing won't help Aang get any better. So Adrien and Gabriel made a bad judgement call? That's in the past. Besides, might I remind you what happened the first time we ran into Jet? You made some bad call them too and disregarded all my warnings concerning him because you had a little crush." Instantly Katara shut up, her face was bright red.

"Yeah, I thought so." Sokka said, crossing his arms, "Look, what matters now is the invasion, getting away from Ba Sing Se, and above all, Aang's health. When we meet up with dad's fleet at Chamillon Bay, we will make sure Aang will get the proper help and rest he needs to get better. Then, my dad, Marinette, and I will work on revising the invasion plan. The eclipse is too big of an advantage to give up, though we will have to face the possibility Aang might not be able to stop Ozai for us like the Avatar was meant to do. I have a few ideas that could make it work better with fewer people that I need to run by my father and plan guy number two."

"Plan guy number two?" The King questioned.

"That's me. Sokka's number one because he was on the team longer." Marinette, who'd been silent up until then called from the reigns.

"But you are a girl." The King objected.

"Just roll with it." Toph deadpanned, "Those two are weirdly obsessive about their Plan Guy Club they are forming. That, and they are both really obsessive about their complex plans." Yeah… that sounded about right.

"Well, okay… but I don't think I should come with you to this invasion. I feel I'd get in the way." The King pointed out, "Perhaps you can drop me off part way and Bosco and I could go into hiding until the war ends."

"Are you sure?" Sokka asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Positive. It would be too risky for me to come along." The Earth King confirmed.

"Then I guess we will do that. If everything works out, you'll be able to return to your throne after we invade the Fire Nation then retake Ba Sing Se." Sokka decided.

"What about me?" Gabriel asked, fingering the Miraculous still pinned to his kimono. Adrien faultured. Thinking it over before reaching over to his father and resting his hand on Gabriel's back in a gentile manner.

"Keep it." Adrien said instantly, "And come with us. You and I really need to get used to each other again, and if we really are going to be invading the Fire Nation head on, we will need all the help we can get. Besides, until I'm eighteen, I'm kinda stuck with you when we get back to Paris so I think we need to move on from what happened back home and finally mourn mother together."

"Are you certain?"

"Unless Milady has any objections?" Adrien looked over at Marinette.

"It's your call." She said with a shrug, "I'll always trust you." Gabriel smiled, which was a rare sight on the older man and wrapped his son in a hug.

"Thank you Adrien… for forgiving me. I don't deserve a son like you." He said softly. They pulled away from each other before once more returning to silence.

"So…" Sokka said awkwardly, "To my dad's fleet we go?"