Mayura

Deliverance

Opening the door for her charge, Nathalie glanced up to see the crimson sky slowly give way to the stars and crescent moon of the coming night. "Thank you, Nathalie," Adrien happily exclaimed as he entered the Agreste mansion.

"It's I who should be thanking you, Adrien," the purple-haired woman replied with a weak but meaningful smile. "You were right: I needed to get out and clear my head. Thank you."

"Any time, M…" the young man began before catching himself and disguising his unfinished sentence with a cough. Once they were both inside, Adrien abruptly turned around, threw his arms around his beloved guardian, and held her close for a moment. "I love you, Nathalie," he warmly declared. "Thanks for opening up to me."

Though the weight of her lie slowly became crushing, forcing the feeling of unworthiness back into her unhappy heart, Nathalie's eyes widened in horror for an instant, before she closed them, settled her expression, and slowly wrapped her arms around the boy she loved so dearly. "Thank you for trusting me, Adrien," she choked out. "I love you too."

Once the two separated from their embrace, the sound of naturally quiet footsteps began to resound through the living room. Appearing in the doorway, Gabriel slowly approached Adrien and his maid. "I trust all went well for the two of you," he declared without the presence of emotion. "Adrien, may I have a word with my assistant, please?"

Glancing back at Nathalie, Adrien lowered his glance to the floor beneath his father's feet. "Yeah," he managed to exhale. "See you later, Nathalie."

Once the young man had made his way upstairs, Gabriel approached Nathalie, stopped at a respectful distance, and dropped his arms at his sides. Nathalie avoided eye contact and attempted to slow her pounding heart. The silence was agonizing, until he broke it: "Nathalie, I'm sorry," Gabriel declared, causing his assistant's heart to skip a beat.

"Sir?" the purple-haired woman replied, her entire body beginning to tremble.

"I was wrong to respond to you the way I did," the silver-haired man confessed. "After what you had been through, and all you did to protect me, I had no right to treat you as I did. I was, myself, consumed by fear and guilt. You only responded as a loving friend would, and I was blind to the trauma you had experienced. Please, forgive me."

Knowing the man's words were earnest, the butterflies that had plagued Nathalie's stomach finally calmed, and all of her pain and anger faded, as if neither had existed to begin with. "I forgive you, sir," she warmly declared. "And thank you. I understand your feelings, and…"

Before the woman could finish, Gabriel stepped forward and embraced her for the first time: His strong arms gently yet firmly wrapped around her, and his stern eyes closed as he felt her back under his fingertips. Awestruck, Nathalie forced herself to take in the moment, and timidly raised her hands to gently return the gesture. Though her heart pounded, she remained calm and restrained, all the while smelling and feeling the one she adored. "Not a day goes by that I don't think of her," Gabriel whispered into the woman's ear. "Sometimes the guilt is so great I can't sleep, and the demons begin to take control. Please, forgive the beast that I have become."

"…Only if you'll forgive my demons, sir," Nathalie answered as she closed her eyes and felt Gabriel beneath her trembling fingers. Their embrace, though brief, seemed to last a beautiful lifetime, at least in her eyes.

That night, Nathalie stepped into the doorway of Adrien's open bedroom and tapped on his wall. Setting down the Valérian and Laureline comic he had been reading, the young man slid his chair away from his desk and stood up. "Hey, Nathalie," he said with a light tone. "How'd your talk with my dad go?"

"It went very well," the purple-haired woman answered with a casual yet sincere smile. "We talked everything out, and everything is back to normal. Thank you for helping me get through the day, Adrien. I think spending some time apart helped your father and I cool off a bit."

"I'm glad," Adrien warmly replied. "Plus, it was great spending the day with you. We should do that more often."

"Indeed we should," Nathalie answered, her voice professional but joyful. "Anyway, I just stopped by to say goodnight. I'm going to be retiring early tonight."

Walking over to his guardian, Adrien warmly hugged her. "Goodnight, Nathalie," he lovingly declared. "I hope you sleep better tonight."

"I hope you do too, Adrien," the woman answered, her arms crossed around her charge's upper back. "And remember, if you need anything, don't hesitate to wake me. If my room is locked, you know where the key is. Just crack the door and knock first, okay?"

"Will do," Adrien answered as the hug came to a gentle close. "Especially after that one time."

"Yes," Nathalie replied as an uncomfortable memory resurfaced. "…I love you, Adrien."

Though he was hesitant at first, Adrien quickly leaned forward and kissed his surrogate mother on the cheek. "Love you too, Nathalie," he lovingly answered. "I'm here too if you need me."

Once the two parted, Adrien closed his bedroom door, allowing Plagg to float out and eat his nightly block of cheese. "You really love her, don't you?" the Kwami realized.

"I do," Adrien answered with a smile. "She's the best."

"But, you don't love her the same way you love Ladybug, do you?" Plagg expressed his concern. "I mean, it's cool if you like older women and all, but…"

"I don't love her in that way, Plagg," the blond young man snapped. "You pervert. She's like a…She's like a mom to me."

"Aw," the black cat Kwami mockingly exclaimed as he took a seat on his partner's desk. "All joking aside, though…I'm glad you have her. She's a good lady."

"Thanks, man," Adrien said with a smile.

"Don't mention it, kid," Plagg replied. "I'm glad Hawk Moth hasn't been active in a while. That creep always gets in the way of family…and cheese."

"I know," the blond answered as he crossed his hands on the back of his head. "You know, after all these years, we still have no idea who he is, or even what he's really after."

"I'm sure Master Fu knows," the Kwami said. "It's a major sore spot with him, though. Who knows? We might be better off not knowing."

Gently running his hand down the precious tapestry depicting his beloved wife, Gabriel felt hot tears stream freely down his tired eyes. If only I could touch your face, my love, he prayed. Just one more time…

"You wanted to see me, sir?" Nathalie interrupted her employer's visit.

"Yes, Nathalie," the silver-haired man answered without the slightest sign of the anguish he was in. Turning around, Gabriel's face was free of tears, though his eyes were still red and swollen under his glasses. "As you know, my grip on the Akuma has been slipping. After last night, I considered leaving it behind…but we both know I can't."

"Of course, sir," the purple-haired woman answered, not letting on how much pain Gabriel's statement brought her.

"So, I have decided to isolate each Akuma," the man possessed continued to explain. "If they cannot converge, they pose no threat to me, or you. Furthermore, I have vowed to make a change…I will no longer treat the Akumatized as my pawns: I will share in their pain, as well as their emotions."

"But sir, you once said making that connection could be dangerous," Nathalie desperately interjected.

"Compared to our goal, my life means nothing, Nathalie," Gabriel gravely declared. "For her…I would do anything. I can no longer stand idly by out of concern for my own well-being. Everything I do is for her, and for Adrien." Nathalie felt a chill wash over her body as her heart began to pound in fear. "I have found my newest target: We knew him as Evilustrator once, but he has grown since then. This time, he will embrace his anger and rejection to become something far more powerful. Make sure Adrien remains at home tomorrow, Nathalie. His eyes will be set on the school, and I dare not endanger my son again."

Lowering her head in shame and guilt, Nathalie ignored her conscience once again. "Yes, sir," she submitted. "But, please, try not to let him harm anyone, especially the other students."

"I will do my best," Hawk Moth's menacing voice answered as the transformative dark-light formed around Gabriel's body. Once the transformation was completed, the dark Miraculous stood before his assistant, his body covered entirely and only by his dull-silver metallic uniform, which seemed to flow with strands of purple energy. "Until then, I must groom my chosen Akuma." Turning towards the tapestry, Hawk Moth entered his code, and his platform rose up to his lair once more.

"…Have mercy on us all," the long-suffering woman prayed. "And please…know that we don't do this for our own sake." As her fear and disgust resurfaced, Nathalie felt tears begin to stream down her cheeks. What's happened to you? she asked of her dear friend. …What's happening to me?

"Everything will be alright, Nathalie," the familiar voice from before whispered once again. Turning towards the source of that voice, Nathalie found herself staring face-to-face with Emilie's framed portrait, and the peacock-feather clip in front of it. "You have the power to make everything alright, Nathalie…Please, save me…so that we can save him."

Her arm trembling, Nathalie let her lips part as the pounding of her heart seemed to merge with her heavy breaths. Her fears and convictions all becoming second nature, the woman slowly reached for the forbidden item: The Peacock Miraculous now called to her, pleading for Gabriel's salvation. She could be the one: She could stop Ladybug and Chat Noir once and for all: She could finally deliver the one she loved from his hellish obligation: She could make it all end. "I love you, Gabriel," the woman warmly and lovingly declared as she made contact with the final Miraculous. "And that is why… I'll save you."

Once she held the precious jewel in her right hand, Nathalie gently wrapped it under her fingers and cupped her other hand around it. Smiling, the woman closed her eyes as she pulled her knees to her chest to complete a fetal position on the floor. In that moment, she found a deeper peace than she had known in years. Hours passed before she finally awoke on the floor of her bedroom, still holding the Miraculous. Upon opening her hands, the woman heard something falling just to her right, prompting her to stand up and search for the source of the sound. Only for an instant, the edge of a bioluminescent, aqua-colored feather shined among the shadows before sliding behind an overturned dresser.

"H-hello?" Nathalie called out, her voice uneasy but gentle. "Who's there?" Remembering Nooroo, the purple-haired woman felt her heart settle. "It's alright," she declared with growing confidence and compassion. "I won't hurt you."

A strange noise, almost resembling a desperate grunt, sounded from behind the dresser as a flash of aqua light quickly skimmed up the wall and hid itself upon a high shelf behind a small pile of books. Not long after, the mounted shelf began to quake: The being taking refuge atop the wooden stand was trembling, probably in fear.

Remembering the times Adrien ran away from her as a child, Nathalie smiled and slowly stepped forward. "You're afraid, aren't you?" she gently spoke with the voice of a loving, understanding mother. "Have you been running for a long time?" A book plunged to the ground, most likely having been kicked. "You don't need to worry…I know what it's like to be scared. You probably think you're all alone, don't you?" The shelf slowly grew still, but the woman could still hear unsteady breathing. "You're not alone. My name is Nathalie. Can you tell me your name, please?" Nathalie slowly walked closer, unafraid. "Do you have a name?"

Slowly, the frightened creature raised its big, round head up and glanced over the books and down at the floor. Its bulbous head glowed with a weak light that mimicked its aqua-blue body as the timid, little being's large, scared blue eyes glistened as its ruby-colored irises nervously shifted back and forth. Atop the upper back of its head, three antennae somewhat resembling the head-ornament of a peacock were folded back so far they nearly fell flat against the creature's neck. A small, pink dot between the strange being's eyes appeared to shrink as the blue creature scanned its surroundings.

"You don't need to be afraid," Nathalie warmly declared as she slowly spread her arms. "Come here, little one."

The glowing nymph began to tremble again, but it slowly walked forward on all fours. As the creature observed Nathalie, five thick, entirely solid, aqua plumage with transparent lining just slightly darker than the shade of the rest of its body began to lift up, revealing dark ocean-blue ovals containing ruby ovals that, in turn, contained solid-black ovals to produce the image of Egyptian eyes upon each feather. Its mannerisms and expressions implied, beyond any doubt, that it was confused, afraid, and childlike. Seeing this, Nathalie only drew closer, seeking to comfort it. Finally, the strange and adorable creature leapt forward into the woman's loving grasp. Though it kicked and squirmed at first, Nathalie's gentle hold and quiet hushing soon calmed its pounding heart.

"It's alright," the purple-haired woman whispered as she carefully stroked the creature's head and lightly flattened its soft antennae. "It's alright, little angel. I'm here now. My name is Nathalie. Do you have a name? What can I call you?"

Its breath steadying and growing quiet, the blue creature relaxed its tiny muscles and began to nuzzle against the woman's breast. As its body seemed to reverberate and release a sort of purr, the little one slowly began to close its heavy, weary eyes. "Duusu," it answered with the familiar voice of a little girl.

"Duusu?" Nathalie repeated, bewildered. "What a beautiful name," she exclaimed in a whisper. "Thank you for accepting me, Duusu. I love you, little one."

"…Duusu…" the tired, little creature chirped. "…I love you, Nathalie." Closing her eyes, the peacock Kwami found peace in the loving arms that now cradled it.

Nathalie raised her new companion up and nuzzled her cheek against hers. At last, she was no longer alone. Now, only one last part remained… "I'll save you, Gabriel…" the woman promised, feeling tears of sorrow, now mingled with joy, dripping from her eyes. Ladybug and Chat Noir would no longer stop her beloved friend from fulfilling his sacred dream. Looking up to the sky with hope in her heart, Nathalie held Duusu and the peacock Miraculous close to her heart. "…My love."