Marinette and Adrien sat across from Gabriel Agreste. All three adults wore blank expressions and silence filled the room. The atmosphere was heavy but not filled with hatred, it was more with uncertainty.
It wasn't often that Gabriel got to see his son and daughter-in-law, he even thought they wouldn't want to, but he appreciated that they did visit. It made him think that there was a chance for redemption. A chance to see his grandchildren grow and catch up on all the time he lost with his son. To make up for all that he'd done in the past.
"Where's Emma?" That was the first thing to pass his lips as he looked at the two adults.
He cared deeply for his granddaughter, especially since she reminded him of Emilie, as did Marinette, but Emma more so. The older male looked at the two adults as they nervously shifted. He could sense that something was up.
"What happened?" He asked his voice calm, "You know you two can tell me anything. I just want to know she's ok."
The two adults looked at the man and saw the faintest glimmers of warmth in his eyes; a small smile was on his face and they could tell he meant it. This place was really doing him some good. He might even get out soon.
"We should tell him," Marinette looked at Adrien, "That is why we're here."
The blonde nodded before taking a deep breath. Even after all these years his father still intimidated him.
"Father," the blonde sighed, "Emma's missing."
The room was silent once more as the older male took in the information. He stared into the distance his bluish-grey eyes filled with thought. He wiped his glasses before turning to the young adults.
"It's Lila isn't it?" He sighed before running his hand through his hair again, "I should've known. She was way too manipulative to trust or use as a successful pawn. Way too selfish. All she wanted was- nevermind. What do you two need? I may be able to speed up the process."
The two adults peered at the man, both stunned. They'd never expected him to know this much just from them saying Emma was missing. The last time he saw Lila they all got along, but then again he was Hawkmoth. Plus his connections could still keep in contact.
"We just need to know about the Butterfly miraculous," Marinette spoke, "And maybe you might know something about Lila?"
"The Butterfly miraculous is relatively simple to understand," The designer spoke, "Both of you already know about most things. The only other thing is that Lila can akumatise herself, but that's about it. But Lila, she's ...complicated."
"What do you mean complicated?" Adrien raised a brow.
"She's just that way," The designer shrugged, "I believe she still wants to be friends with you guys, but she can't because it hurts too much. She can't bear the pain because she wants what she can't have."
"But what does she want?" Marinette's brow furrowed. She never knew that Lila wanted something so badly it stopped them from being friends.
"She wants..." The older male took a deep breath, "You may not want to hear this. Are you two sure you want to know?"
The two adults nodded, their eyes pleading. They clung to the hope that maybe knowing what Lila wants would help them to get their daughter back. It was one of the few options left.
"Very well," Gabriel sighed, "She wants Adrien. She wants what Marinette has, a loving husband and a happy family. Her jealousy and greed is what's fueling this escapade."
"She wants me?" Adrien furrowed his brow, "Father I'm pretty sure she was over that from high school."
"She isn't," The older blonde shook his head, "You'll see."
Just when they were about to respond, both of their phones vibrated. They already knew who was calling. Both adults sighed. A hero's work is never done.
"Hey!" A young woman with hazel eyes chased after Celeste as she ran with Emma on her shoulders. The infant giggled as the teen ran, thinking it was a game.
The teen's lungs burned and her legs were beginning to feel like lead. Her heart throbbed as she continued to run through the maze of streets that made up Paris. She had to lose woman before she could catch up. She'd been chasing the two since they walked into the cafe. First she demanded answers to her questions and then she tried to label the girl as a kidnapper, which she wasn't, her mother was. It had offended her greatly and instead of making a scene he did what she did best: run away.
The teen looked over her shoulder, the woman was gaining fast. Her expression was firm and her ombre ponytail flowing behind her. The woman's look alone showed that she meant business.
"We've gotta lose her," The teen puffed as she turned a corner.
The female followed, her gaze determined. She was like an Olympic athlete and it seemed like she wouldn't give up. The teen had to confuse her somehow.
"Wait!" The woman called out, "I just wanna talk!"
"Leave me alone!" Celeste climbed up a fire escape, making sure she didn't hurt Emma.
She ran along the rooftop until she spotted the hidden ramp way she usually crossed. It was a wooden plank between the rooftop she was on and the one adjacent. The drop was around four storeys high and looking at it alone could make an average teen weary. But Celeste wasn't the average teen, she took risks. The plank was risky to cross, yet she did it anyway, and this time it was with an infant on her back.
Taking shaky steps, the teen walked across the plank. It creaked a little and she felt in lean a little from the weight. The teen paused and the plank didn't give way. Celeste sighed before continuing to walk across, Emma bouncing on her back. She was around halfway across when she spotted Rena Rogue on the other side.
"Fox!" Emma squealed in delight.
"Rena Rouge?" The girl stopped dead in her tracks startled by the heroine's sudden appearance, "What are you doing here?"
"A...friend of mine told me that you'd found Emma Agreste," The brunette smiled looking at the infant, "She's been missing for a while now."
"Emma Agreste," The teen repeated under her breath before turning to the heroine, "I thought she looked familiar. I thought I'd take her to find her parents."
"So why did you run?" The heroine raised a brow.
"Because...because," The girl hesitated, "I didn't know who the woman was and I didn't want to hand Emma to a stranger."
"Well, she's safe now," The heroine traveled towards the teen, ready to take the infant, "I'll give her back."
"Oh..." The teen hesitated.
One side of her mind told her to do the right thing and hand over the infant, but the other selfish side told her to take the infant and run. She was the only person that made Celeste feel human and she valued that. The teen looked at the heroine and then to the infant. Her mind was made up.
Taking a deep breath, the teen turned to the side and jumped off the plank, Emma still in her arms.
"Shit," Rena Rouge jumped after the teen.
Her mind began to jump to conclusions. Whether the teen and infant had survived, whether she'd tricked her. The female just didn't know.
The heroine landed on the ground to find nothing. There was no blood, no teen and definitely no Emma. It was like the teen had been a fabrication of her mind and she had been cruelly tricked. The heroine threw her flute across the alleyway and punched the wall. Tears of rage and frustration slipped from her eyes and she sunk to her knees.
Once again she'd let her friends down...
Celeste climbed down from the fire escape and looked at Emma. Fortunately the infant had escaped unharmed, but the same couldn't be said for the teen. She'd hit her ankle against the ladder when she'd landed on the balcony and now it had turned red. The teen hissed as she placed pressure on her left ankle.
"Great," She sighed before limping down the street, "Hopefully we're close to someone who can help."
The teen hobbled down the street, the infant still on her back, looking for somewhere to go. She knew she was quite close to home, so it wasn't too bad but her home wasn't close enough. The teen sighed as she looked at all the store fronts each one offering no help. She needed somewhere that she knew the people working there would help.
Celeste continued down the street, trying not to cry. The pain was becoming too much and she could start to feel the pins and needles traveling up her legs. Gritting her teeth, the teen stopped in front of the bakery at the end of the street.
It was just on the corner and had a black sign with golden gilt lettering. It read: 'Tom and Sabine's Boulangerie'. The teen smiled at the familiar sight. It had been a while since she'd walked into the Dupain's bakery.
She pushed open the door and her legs buckled immediately. The teen dropped to the ground, shielding the infant from the fall. Emma stood up and looked at the teen, concern in her eyes. The Dupain's rushed over immediately.
"Are you ok?" Sabine asked, her hand over her mouth, "Here, I'll get the first aid kit."
She then led the teen to a chair and disappeared behind the counter. Emma crawled up to the teen and sat herself on her lap. She then proceeded to hug the teen before smiling at her.
"Thank you, Emma," The teen smiled at her.
Sabine soon returned, with Tom at her side. The woman then tended to the teen's ankle and Tom handed her a glass of water.
"What happened to you, Celeste?" Tom asked his concern genuine, "You don't usually collapse."
"I just ran into some trouble, that's all," The teen shrugged, "But I can take care of myself. It was Emma I was worried about."
It was then that the two adults noticed the quiet infant. She peered up at them through her lashes and gave them a smile.
"You found her..." Sabine looked at the teen, taken aback, "You found her!"
"Wait, so Rena Rouge wasn't lying?" Celeste looked at the two adults.
"She wasn't," Tom nodded, "That's our granddaughter."
"Oh..." The teen's expression saddened.
She was getting used to looking after the toddler and having her company. She was her little playmate, and now they had to say goodbye. Celeste sighed as she rubbed her temple.
"Well...tell Marinette that I'm glad Emma's back home," The girl smiled before standing up, "She's a really special and she deserved better than to be kidnapped."
Without another word, the teen left the bakery. Tears gathered at her eyes and she stubbornly wiped them away, she couldn't break down. Not like this. Celeste went to the nearest alleyway and took Duusu from her pocket.
The kwami zipped out and watched as the teen sunk to her knees. Despair took over her joy and tears escaped from her green eyes.
"Why did I have to go out today!" She yelled, "Why, Duusu? Why didn't I just stay put..."
"I know it's hard to let go Celeste but think about Emma," The kwami smiled, "She's back where she belongs."
"But where do I belong?" The teen sniffed, "My mother hates me and thinks I'm a selfish prick, other teens tease me, and the heroes all think I'm childish and irresponsible. Ask Ryuko."
And they were right she was selfish, irresponsible, childish, an outcast. The only person who understood her was now gone and she was left all alone in the dark once again.
"But you'll find that place Celeste," Duusu nuzzled herself against her chosen's cheek, "Just wait."
"I'm done waiting," The brunette stood up and looked at the kwami, "I'm taking what I want, starting right now."
"Celeste don't-"
But it was too late. The teen called the words that triggered her transformation and was replaced by her alter ego. She looked at her reflection and gave a twisted smile. If no-one wanted to accept her, then she'd do what she wanted whether they liked it or not.
Ladybug and Chat Noir were on the scene immediately. Rena Rouge, Queen Bee, Carapace, Bunnix, Viperion and Ryuko were already there and had began to survey the scene.
"About time you two got here," Queen Bee sighed, "Lila's released the children as akumas again. But this time it's one."
"That isn't good," Ladybug looked at the akuma.
It took the form of a giant stuffed bear and when it touched people it turned them into toy soldiers.
"So what's the plan this time?" Carapace raised a brow, "Is that Peacock heroine here yet?"
"No," Bunnix sighed as her communicator played the message, "She's busy."
"Speaking of which," Rena Rouge looked at Ladybug, "What did that teen look like?"
"We shouldn't really be talking about this right now," Ladybug drew her attention to the chaos below, "We can talk about this after."
"Ladybug's right the sooner we deal with this the sooner we can all talk," Chat agreed.
"I guess she's right," Ryuko nodded, "And we'll have more time to look for the infants."
The heroes then sprung into action, ready to face the akuma. This time they'll end it and get the children back.
A/N: I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! Thanks Rose Tiger for the constant reviews, and everyone else too! Knowing that you guys enjoy this actually helps me to write this when I get writer's block.
Anyway I'll be updating soon,
D.L.D