I Do Not Own Avatar or Miraculous.
Chapter Seventy-Four: Revealed.
Adrien stood watch over Hakoda's cell as Sokka spoke with his father about the plan. Zuko, beside him, kept fingering the camouflage brooch, which for Zuko, appeared as a purple stone with the fire nation insignia etched onto it.
"This is really strange." He said, "Sensing all of these emotions. I'm starting to get why your father was so quiet and uptight. It's a lot of information for one guy to process and sort through."
"I got a headache the first time I wore it." Adrien admitted.
"How long have you been doing that anyways?" Zuko asked, curious as to how long Adrien had been trying to find his father with the brooch.
"Since Marinette gave it to me to hold onto a few days after the combustion man incident." Adrien said softly, "But I always had to take it off. It hurt my head to use. It was too much for me to handle. I'm surprised you're doing so well. With the balance of this world out of whack, I'm starting to realize just how badly it's affecting the Miraculouses. My Miraculous is jinxing everyone, Ladybug's isn't nearly as lucky and convenient to use as before, and that one can't be used for any selfish reason, even the smallest ones, or it gives you a splitting headache because of the emotions everywhere in this war."
"I seem fine." Zuko said in confusion.
"Because right now you want to help us. You only care right now about ending the war and stopping the chaos. You want there to be balance and you want peace for everyone. What you want, you want not because it benefits you, but because it helps everyone. When I put it on, I only wanted it to find Father, but it was selfish of me to do. So long as you keep trying to help others and focus on ending this war, I think you will be fine." Adrien explained, "Basically, it means your a good person. Empathetic. You actually care."
"Good and empathetic." Zuko said, "Not how I'd describe myself."
"Well, considering how you got that scar of yours, Zuzu, I would have to disagree. You are empathetic, you just don't act on it because you were told most of your childhood that it was wrong. And you really are a good person, you just struggle more than others. I wouldn't call my father empathetic either at one point of my life, but coming to this world had started to change him for the better. He finally started to grieve. He finally sought the help he needed. He finally started to confront his inner demons and he came out on top. He learned to be human again, and I was glad for it." Adrien then looked down at his boots, "I really hope he's okay."
"He's probably fine, he's intelligent, so I'm pretty certain he can come up with some way to survive. Besides, Nooroo said he might still be fine."
"Yeah, but I still worry. Don't you do the same with Ursa?" Zuko dropped his hand from the brooch.
"I worry about her everyday." Zuko admitted, "But that won't win the war." Adrien looked away.
"Yeah, unfortunately, that is true." Adrien said. That's when he noticed two guards walking in their direction, Adrien tensed, ready to make up another pointless story to get them away from Hakoda's cell while Sokka was in there. To his surprise, they stopped in front of Adrien, glaring at him like he had ruined their lives.
"Are you Captain Adin?" One asked.
"I am." Adrien confirmed.
"The Warden needs to speak with you about your transfer here. Seems there was a bit of a mix up with our intelligence. I'm sure it will be straightened out pretty quickly, but the Warden is not happy right now ever since they caught a bunch of prisoners attempting to escape the prison in a cooler."
"I heard about that." Adrien chuckled, "I wonder why they thought it would work."
"The scary thing is it almost did!" The second guard said, "If they had been a lot quieter, they would've escaped. Partially why you should watch out for him right now. He's a bit cranky. Don't say I didn't warn you."
"I believe you." Adrien chuckled, "I just hope this transfer thing gets worked out soon, because I really hate paperwork."
"Who doesn't? Now come on." Zuko gave Adrien a worried look, but Adrien waved it off. He was sure that this was a result of some guard, likely the one he'd told off earlier so they could talk to Suki, telling the Warden about the captain running around his prison.
"This shouldn't take long."
"With your luck?" Zuko grumbled, "It will."
"...True." Adrien chuckled, following after the guards. They took him up to the warden's tower before abandoning him as quickly as possible. Much to Adrien's surprise and dismay, Chit Sang was there, being escorted back to his cell. Adrien couldn't believe the guy got caught, Adrien and Sokka's plan had been fool proof, backed up by science itself. Adrien knocked on the door to the Warden's office, putting on his serious face and falling into the character of Captain Adin as the Warden told him to enter.
"Sir, you wanted to talk with me?"
"Captain." The Warden said, "Yes, we needed to look over the details of your transfer here. Seems it never came through. Please, sit." Adrien obeyed.
"I don't understand what the problem is sir, my commanding officer said he sent the documents a while back. Maybe the messenger Hawk got lost?" Adin asked, "Mine was General Shinu while I was stationed in the capitol."
"A fine man. One of the Fire Lord's top Generals. You must be an esteemed military member if you once served under him."
"I've trained my whole life in various arts. I fought to get to that point, but my wife…uh, Rin, got concerned during the invasion, and well, you know how they can be when they worry. Ended up transferring to this place to appease her." Adrien explained.
"I see." The Warden said, "So, tell me, Adin, what did you think of the escape attempt today?"
"I think it was foolish. I know this place is the most secure place in the Fire Nation… well, if we had water benders held here, that wouldn't really be true, but for the most part, it's secure. One of the best." Adrien said.
"It was, until a certain Captain I had never heard of started showing up and causing havoc and mixing up orders." The Warden growled.
"And I apologize." Adrien said, "I had been misinformed. Obviously a lot of this is a huge misunderstanding. It seems we were all misinformed on these matters. I'll see that it doesn't happen again."
"Yes. It won't happen again." The Warden said, "After all, I think we've all heard enough." He stood. Adrien felt a chill go down his spine.
"We?" Adrien asked.
"A marvelous performance, really." A female voice said from behind him, "If I didn't already know you, I would've believed you immediately." Adrien knew that voice well enough. Adrien also knew he was in trouble. Princess Azula came out of the shadows, leaning against the frame of the door.
"Well, there goes that role." Adrien sighed, "You really like to make my life hard, don't you Purrincess."
"So you were right." The Warden said, "This strange new guard was a spy, likely the one who led Chit Sang's escape attempt." Azula smiled, walking over to Adrien and grabbing his helmet.
"Well, I think you'll find he's more than just another guard. This particular spy is none other than the infamous Cat Noir. She pulled his helmet off, allowing his golden locks of hair to fall back into their natural positions. The Warden gawked at Adrien's hair.
"So the stories are true… the rumors of spirits running lose through the world." The Warden said, "Fascinating."
"Not a spirit." Adrien growled, "Just a wielder of their powers. Name's Adrien, Adrien Agreste. Holder of destruction and misfortune."
"And you are going to tell me where my big brother is. Something tells me you had everything to do with his disappearance." Azula said.
"Zuko's missing?" Adrien asked in confusion, "Since when?"
"Do you live under a rock?"
"No. I've been busy. If I had known Zuko was missing, I would have started looking for him too, but obviously, I didn't come here looking for Prince Zuko." Adrien said, "I came looking for someone else."
"Gabriel." Azula guessed.
"Yeah… total dead end." Adrien said, slumping back in his chair, "Where's my father, Azula?"
"No one knows." Azula said, "He vanished on the day of the eclipse along with Zuzu." Adrien looked up at her in shock.
"So… you don't have him?"
"Unfortunately, no. No one's quite sure where that fool ran off too, but he had surrendered with all the rest of your little friends before he was suddenly gone. No witnesses left to say what had happened to him." Azula replied. Adrien knew she was being honest, because telling him they had Gabriel would have been a great way to manipulate him. Instead, she hadn't tried to manipulate him at all, which just set him more on edge. He rubbed the bridge of his nose.
"Oh, father…" He grumbled, "Whatever have you done this time?"
"I'm sure he's gotten himself killed by now." Azula said, "Don't concern yourself too much about him. You should be more concerned about your current dilemma."
"What exactly are you hoping to do with me? Lock me up? You know my powers make that very difficult." Adrien retorted.
"Unfortunately, they do." Azula deadpanned, "But after interrogating a certain Earth bending traitor, I finally know your weaknesses and how I can grow stronger." Adrien clenched his fists.
"Long Feng." He said, "I knew that would haunt me later." Azula just hummed, grabbing Adrien's wrist, only to frown at his bare fingers in annoyance. She checked his other hand, before growling.
"Where is your ring?" She demanded.
"Safe from you." Adrien replied. Azula looked visibly agitated before she straightened her posture and regained her cool.
"So you've left yourself vulnerable. No spirit is coming to help you this time around. Cat Noir is no more." Azula said, "You're barely even a threat. Unfortunately, you're still useful. I need your ring and I want your father's brooch and Ladybug's earrings. You are the one who knows the location of the ring and has the leverage I need to draw Ladybug and Hawkmoth out of hiding. Ty Lee? Mai?" Adrien watched at Azula's two friends came in. Ty Lee was her usual bubbly self, but Mai seemed more moody than normal.
"Oh, look." Mai growled, "It's the jerk who convinced my boyfriend to betray his nation."
"...Wow. What the heck happened with Zuko? Last I heard, he was still living it up in the palace with you three." Adrien said, "Also, I'm still mad at him for totally abandoning me in Ba Sing Se like that. I thought we were friends, but the guy must've found me annoying or something. No clue why."
"He does that apparently." Mai deadpanned. Adrien was starting to get the access moodiness. She was upset that Zuko had left to join Team Avatar and left her a note to explain. He'd basically broken up with her over text, but with a letter instead. Adrien would've felt bad about it if she wasn't currently on the 'Let's Kill Adrien Agreste and Friends Side.'
"What's the chance I could convince you ladies to let me go so I can continue my search for my father?" Adrien asked.
"I'd say your chances were slim." Ty Lee said cheerfully.
"Figures. Ring is gone, but bad luck still follows me everywhere. I swear, it's like Plagg has nothing better to do with his life bother me! 'Hey kid! Get me cheese! Hey kid! I think you just ran into a wall! Hey kid, you're a real idiot sometimes, you know that?' Trust me, Purrincess, you do not want that ring. Plagg can be insanely obnoxious, and that's coming from the kid who once annoyed a mine into destroying a tower in Paris."
"We'll take him with us to the capitol." Azula instructed, "I'm certain father will be pleased to meet the boy who helped uncle turn Zuzu."
"Yeah, I'll pass." Adrien said, standing, "I've got places to be, a lady to flirt with, and a father to find, so if you don't mind." Adrien fell into a stance, his voice lowered to that of a threat, "Back off and let me leave."
"You think you can take all four of us on?" The Warden laughed. Adrien rolled his eyes at the man.
"Oh, please, you couldn't even win in a fight with me if my hand was tied behind my back and I was blindfolded, it's these scary ladies that I'm concerned with." Adrien said, clearly agitating him.
"Why you-" The Warden began before they heard commotion outside of the room. The all looked over at the door in confusion, Azula took advantage of Adrien's brief distraction to summon a fire dagger and grab him by his uniform's collar.
"Come on, Warden, lets see what else you've messed up so far." Azula growled, posing the fire under Adrien's chin, "As for you, kitty, stay here like a nice cat. Mai and Ty Lee, make sure he doesn't try anything." Azula let go, shoving Adrien back into the chair. Azula, and the Warden left, leaving Mai and Ty Lee alone with Adrien. Instantly, Adrien got an idea.
"Mai… I lied." Adrien said, "I have seen him." Mai didn't even flinch.
"Don't try tricking me, Adrien, it won't work."
"I tricked them." Adrien said, "I said I came here for my father, and that was true enough for her not to notice. She didn't realize I didn't come alone. I came with Zuko." Mai looked him up and down.
"So, what? You're betraying him now?"
"No… I'm defending him, and I'm giving you closure." Adrien said, "You're angry at him, I get it, but I hope you know he didn't want to leave you." Mai unsheathed one of her knives with the flick of her wrist. Ty Lee flinched as she watched Adrien and Mai with wide eyes.
"Choose your next words carefully, Agreste." She said, her emotionless tone just made her seem all the more threatening. Adrien gulped.
"Before the invasion, Zuko found out about a plan his father and Azula were planning on executing when Sozin's comet comes. They plan on burning the entire Earth Kingdom to the ground, just like how they killed off all the Air Nomads. No one, not even the kingdom of Omashu will be spared. That's really what got Zuko to turn. Iroh, Father, and I helped, but Zuko told me his eyes were opened when he realized his father had no care for human life and didn't care at all if he lived or died. He doesn't even care about his own soldiers. The reason Zuko got banished was because Ozai planned on sending a bunch of new recruits to the slaughter for the sake of his plans and Zuko objected. Zuko betraying the Fire Nation was inevitable, with how Ozai was acting compared to what Zuko's morals are. The problem is, once Zuko knew he was going to join Team Avatar, he knew he was going to have to either leave you behind or drag you into this mess. Zuko was afraid he'd place you in direct danger if he said anything. He was right too. Ozai and Azula will turn against anyone who gets in their way, and if you had chosen to go with him, he was afraid Azula would try to kill you. So, he held his tongue, wrote a letter that was vague enough for no one to suspect you knew anything, and left during the eclipse." Mai's eyes narrowed even more.
"Destroy the Earth Kingdom?" She questioned.
"And kill everyone there. Doesn't your brother and parent's live in Omashu?" Adrien asked, "If so, they aren't going to make it. Ozai doesn't even care about the colonists. He just wants the Earth Kingdom gone. Zuko left hoping to prepare Aang to stop that. He wants to end the war once and for all so that no one else will suffer because of it." Mai lowered her blade.
"And why should I believe you?"
"Because you've known Azula your whole life. Zuko was blinded by his desire for his father's pride, but you never were blind, where you? Neither are you, Ty Lee. Azula has had you both at her side for so long, controlling you both through fear. I'm sure you'll deny it, but you were raised knowing that anything you did to offend the princess could very well cost your father his job. Then you got older, and that fear remained, even when no one else could see it. You know how Azula and Ozai are. You know what they'll do to win, what they'll destroy for power." Adrien said, "And you know Zuko still cares about you. You know he has always been different than the rest of his family. It's why you are so fond of him, because unlike with Azula, he never kept you in line with fear. He actually cared about what you had to say."
Mai dropped her weapon.
"I believe you." She said, "But you're wrong. I'm not afraid of Azula. There's nothing she could do to me that I would be frightened by."
"Yeah, but what about your family?" Adrien asked, "After all, you were raised to put your father's reputation first, but if you let them die because you were too afraid to let your dad have a bad name, then this is all in vain." Mai closed her eyes, breathing in deeply. Adrien had no idea what was going on in her head. She then opened her eyes, a new determined look was now settled in them.
"Ty Lee? We need to stop Azula and Ozai. We'll grab Zuko on our way out." She said in a monotone, "And anyone else on Team Avatar you decided to drag into this mess. Do you have a plan?" Ty Lee looked surprised, but for once was completely silent. She didn't object to Mai's decision, but her eyes darted nervously between the two.
"Sokka and his dad were coming up with one… they are here two along with Suki, but I never heard the end result, since I was brought up here. I assume it has something to do with the commotion outside."
"Then we find the ponytail guy." Mai said, motioning for Adrien to come with her. Ty Lee stood where she was, unmoving, grasping everything that had just happened.
"...We… we are betraying the Fire Nation?" She asked in uncertainty, "And Azula?"
"Ty Lee, I know you care about Azula, but I also know the only reason you are in this war is because she forced it onto you. She threatened you into this. Adrien is right, Azula has been using fear to control us. So far, staying on Azula's side has kept my family safe and kept us both alive." Mai said in her normal monotone, "But if Adrien is right about this comet, it won't matter if we are safe."
"Because everything else will be dead." Adrien said grimly. Ty Lee flinched a little at those words.
"Azula's going to be alone…" She said softly.
"She chose her father. She chose to destroy the world." Adrien said, "Will you follow her that far?" Ty Lee lowered her gaze.
"...I'm sorry Azula." She muttered, before following Mai and Adrien to the prison courtyard.
Great News! So, I am doing several drafts for the next story. Still bouncing around ideas and going through the brainstorming phase, but I'm hoping the next story will focus on Miraculous Lore. But so far, it is happening. We've still got a little bit more to go before the end of Sons of Destruction, but keep your eyes pealed. If there's anything any of you would like to see in the next story, feel free to tell me, since I'm open to new ideas. Thank you all so much for reading and sorry for the uploading delay.