With Tikki fully charged, Marinette transformed back into Ladybug, left Gabriel Agreste's office, and re-entered the foyer. Mr. Chou and Mrs. Tsurugi were each seated in a high-backed chair, secured by a length of cord. Snake Noir was holding the Miraculous of the Pheasant and Scorpion. The respective kwamis were floating over his shoulder. Kagami was standing next to Snake Noir, arms folded, glaring at the woman in the chair.
Le Papillon was bustling around the foyer, straightening up items that had been knocked over in the skirmish. "The authorities have been called, Ladybug… we'll have about five minutes before they arrive."
"Very well. Mr. Chou - Le Faisan - told us why he was after the Miraculous. What I want to know is how Mrs. Tsurugi got wrapped up in this. I think I'm not the only one, either." She glanced at Kagami.
"My father," Tomoe spat, "was a well-regarded fencing champion in Japan. On an exhibition tour to showcase our country's finest athletes, he heard the legend of magic jewelry that would enhance strength and agility. He wanted those enhancements for himself to be an even better champion for our country. He believed that bringing the Miraculous to Japan would give him and our country prestige that it deserved."
Tomoe continued, rigid with rage in her confines. "His quest for the Miraculous became an obsession. He was ridiculed - ostracized. A chance encounter with a kindred spirit -" she inclined her head toward Mr. Chou "- gave him hope, but that was all that was sustaining him. He was viewed as a dreamer, as a fool. I was forced to live at a fencing academy growing up so I could have any chance of succeeding in life. I vowed revenge on the people who hurt my father.
"I was a champion and beloved by the people - but that did nothing to restore my father's reputation. Indeed, as he got closer to the legend of the Miraculous, other people who wanted the secrets for themselves attacked and blinded me as a warning. My father died broken, humiliated, and penniless. It was my mission in life to avenge him and restore his name to its rightful place. I met with his partner in the search for the Miraculous, and we bided our time.
"When it became clear that the Miraculous were in Paris, I came here to get as much information as I could. Chou followed soon afterwards. He had been studying the ancient art of the mages and had managed to craft two new Miraculous for us to use. He wanted Justice - but I wanted Vengeance."
"So you became Serket to get closer to the Miraculous," Snake Noir filled in.
The bubbling rage in Tomoe's voice subsided to a slow simmer. "Correct. Miraculous - even those outside of the Miracle Box - have a natural affinity for each other. That is why I spent so much time here at the Agreste mansion, as both myself and as Serket. I felt Miraculous energy here, and believed that Gabriel Agreste was named Guardian. I now think that I was mistaken in my conclusion, but accurate in my analysis. Clearly, Gabriel has some connection to the Miraculous, otherwise there would not have been three Miraculous holders waiting for us when we arrived. That connection may not be for me to discover, but I trust that my daughter -" Kagami flinched "- will be able to continue my quest."
"You're deranged," Kagami said quietly. "There is no way I will carry on this foolishness. Look at what you have done to yourself! Look at what your life has become! I won't be like you… mad… obsessed…"
"You must avenge me," Tomoe insisted.
"I will do no such thing! This ends now!" Kagami yelled.
"You dishonor our family!"
"No." Kagami's voice had gone ice-cold. "You did enough of that yourself."
"What do you want me to do with these?" Snake Noir asked Ladybug, indicating the two Miraculous.
"This has been my life's work! They belong to me!" Mr. Chou yelled.
"They belong to the Guardian of the Miraculous," Snake Noir pointed out. "And…" he paused and looked at Ladybug.
"And the Guardian will determine their fate," Ladybug concluded.
"Gabriel Agreste will decide what is to become of my finest creation?" Mr. Chou exploded.
"No," Ladybug corrected him. "I will. I am the Guardian of the Miraculous, as designated by Fu Wang last month."
"You?! A child is the Guardian? Preposterous!"
A new, stentorian voice spoke up. "She is not lying." The Pheasant kwami floated away from Snake Noir and between Ladybug and Mr. Chou. "Greeting, Guardian. I am Giichi. I am the kwami of Justice."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Giichi," Ladybug said, offering her hand.
Giichi flew over and touched his paw to her hand. "As Guardian, it is your right and privilege to do what you want with the Miraculous."
"What are your thoughts, my Lady?" Snake Noir asked.
Ladybug hummed. "Justice is a powerful value to have. Snake Noir, can I speak to Sass, please?"
"Certainly, my Lady. Let's Hide!" Snake Noir de-transformed to Chat Noir in a flash of teal light, and Sass appeared over Chat's left shoulder.
"Greetings, Guardian. How may I be of service?" Sass bowed.
"I need to know if there is precedent for new kwamis to be introduced to the Miracle Box, Sass. What can you tell me?"
"I can tell you what Chat Noir is thinking about doing after all of this is over," Sass grinned wickedly. He flew over to Ladybug's ear and hisspered, "He wants to kiss the spots off your massssssk."
"Sass!" Ladybug exclaimed, jumping away and flushing a shade of scarlet that would have been better matched with her Fire Ladybug transformation than with her current Ladybug transformation. She glanced over at Chat, who had turned a shade of pink and was intensely studying the floor for something. "I meant what can you tell me about accepting new kwamis?"
"Of course, Guardian. The last kwami to join our group was Xuppu, the Monkey. Being the kwami of Mischief, he took a while to acclimate, but we accepted him."
"Do you think Justice will be accepted?"
"Justice is a virtue that is fair. I would not expect any problems," Sass said earnestly.
"Very well. Thank you for your assistance, Sass." Ladybug turned to address Giichi. "You will come with me and we will introduce you to the other kwamis. Chat, may I have the Pheasant Miraculous please?"
Chat handed the pendant over, and Ladybug put it around her neck. "What should I do with the bracelet, my Lady?" He indicated the Scorpion Miraculous in his right hand.
"Vengeance is a powerful emotion, as we have seen," Ladybug mused. "We know the dangers of holders being consumed by the concepts of their Miraculous. Mr. Chou here has been consumed by Justice; Mrs. Tsurugi, by Vengeance. Hawk Moth was consumed by Generosity to the point where it changed to selfishness. The Peacock Miraculous holder was consumed by Hope to the point of despair. I cannot allow the risk of someone being consumed by Vengeance again." She pointed to the Scorpion kwami. "I'm sorry - I don't think we've met."
"My name is Namma, Guardian."
"Namma. I'm sorry for what you have been through," Ladybug began.
"I'm not!" the kwami spat. "If I regret anything, it's that I wasn't able to assist my master in getting the vengeance she craved. But now - now I will get vengeance on her!" The tip of Namma's tail started glowing, and she floated menacingly over toward Mrs. Tsurugi. "You will feel the Sting of the Scorpion!"
"Chat!" Ladybug yelled.
"On it, my Lady! Cataclysm!" Black energy bubbled in Chat Noir's hand, and the Scorpion Miraculous that he was holding blackened and turned to dust in an instant. There was a yellow flash of light, and Namma disappeared.
"I think that settles that," Ladybug said matter-of-factly.
Roger Raincomprix stuck his head in the foyer. "Mister Agreste? We received a call?" He looked at the doors on the foyer floor and frowned.
"Hello, Lieutenant Roger!" Ladybug called out. "We've managed to apprehend Le Faisan and Serket. You may take them away."
"Excellent work, Ladybug!" He walked into the mansion, looked at Le Papillon, and his jaw dropped. "Um… it looks like you've also apprehended Hawk Moth! Should we take him away too?"
Chat Noir walked over and put his hand on Roger's shoulder. "Actually, that's not Hawk Moth. This is our new superhero partner, Le Papillon." He winked at Le Papillon and smiled broadly.
"But they look almost exactly the same!" Roger protested. Le Papillon squirmed in place.
"Nope, not the same person. You've only seen Hawk Moth what, once? And wasn't he all red? Look at this guy: not red! Completely different." Chat began subtly nudging Roger toward Mr. Chou and Mrs. Tsurugi.
"But-"
"Lieutenant, please arrest these two. If Hawk Moth appears again, you'll be the first to know." Ladybug shot Roger a winning smile and started waving goodbye at him.
Roger gave Ladybug a confused look and said, "OK. You're the expert, Ladybug." He looked once more at Le Papillon, eyes narrowed. "Two to transport," he said into his walkie-talkie, and four officers entered the foyer, removed the bonds from Mr. Chou and Mrs. Tsurugi, cuffed them, and led them out the door. Roger followed behind them. As he left the mansion, he turned around and said, "If Mister Agreste wants to file a police report for this damage, he knows how to get in touch with me."
"He certainly does," agreed Ladybug. "Thanks for your help!" she added.
Roger turned and left the foyer. Ladybug, Chat Noir, and Le Papillon all let out a breath.
Chat Noir's ring chirped urgently. "Go recharge, Kitty… we can handle this for a few minutes without you."
"Aww man… are you sure?" Chat frowned, then grinned. "I'll be right back!" He ran out the front door and vaulted away.
"Kagami, thank you for your help." said Ladybug. "I know it couldn't have been easy for you to discover what your mother and her friend were up to, and you still stepped up and really helped us out today. How can we ever repay you?"
"I don't need repayment, Ladybug. I've always believed in doing the right thing, and helping you was the easiest choice I've made in a long time."
"Surely there's something we can do to help you out, though," Ladybug probed.
"Ladybug, you know what I asked you to do earlier. I trust that you'll follow through on that." She raised her eyebrows and looked toward Adrien's bedroom door.
Ladybug blushed and nodded.
"I should go and make sure there's nothing else laying around the house that can get the family in trouble," Kagami sighed.
"Oh! That reminds me. Either your mother or Mr. Chou had the Peacock Miraculous. Can you try to locate that for me, please?"
Kagami nodded. "I'll text you with what I find." She left the mansion.
"And then there were two," Le Papillon said. "Bright wings, fall!" A flash of purple engulfed Le Papillon, leaving Gabriel Agreste. He detached the Butterfly Miraculous from his lapel and handed it to Ladybug. "Thank you for the second chance."
"You earned it, Master," Nooroo said. "I'm glad we were able to fulfill your dream at least once."
"So am I, Nooroo." He smiled tenderly. Suddenly, his expression sharpened. "We should get the employees out of the bunker. He pulled a phone out of his pocket and pressed a button. After a few seconds, he spoke: "All clear. Please tell everybody they can stand down and have the rest of the day off."
A few seconds later, the family bodyboard emerged from a hidden door in the foyer, carrying Nathalie and leading a group of employees.
"Where's Adrien?" Gabriel snapped. "I thought I told you to gather him and take him to the bunker with everyone else!"
Adrien opened his bedroom door and bounded down the stairs. "Sorry, Father. He didn't have time to get me. I was hiding in my room and he couldn't find me. By the time I got out of my hiding place, Serket was here and I had to hide again." He ran to his father and hugged him. "I'm glad you're okay, Father."
Gabriel paused a second, shocked, before returning the hug. "I'm glad you're okay too, son."
"Your father was very brave this afternoon," Ladybug commented. "He sacrificed himself more than once to help Snake Noir and me defeat Le Faisan and Serket. He's a hero, Adrien."
"I know he is, Ladybug." Adrien looked at his father, tears beginning to swim in his eyes. "Thank you."
Ladybug glanced out the window and saw two very familiar shapes standing outside the gate. "Oh! Um… I've gotta return the Snake, Butterfly, and Pheasant Miraculous, then I'll be back to check on you," she told the Agrestes. "Bug out!" She ran up the stairs to Adrien's room, swung over to the guest suite from his bathroom window, and de-transformed. She stashed the bracelet, pendant, and brooch in her purse, took a deep breath, and opened the door.
Marianne Lenoir was downstairs with Tom Dupain and Sabine Cheng. "I'm telling you, Mr. Agreste, Marinette is here. Why don't you believe me? And why is the door smashed in? What is going on here?" Sabine pled.
"He didn't know," Marinette said, descending the stairs into the foyer. "I've been staying here for the past couple of days; ever since we moved out. I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner. I didn't want to put Alix's family in danger, and Adrien offered to put me up because of how well-defended the mansion is. I took it at the last minute."
The Agreste family bodyguard, who had re-entered the foyer after putting Nathalie back in her bedroom, looked at Marinette. His eyes widened briefly before resuming his normal stoic demeanor.
Tom spoke next. "Honey, we are glad that you're safe. Miss Lenoir here was helping us track you down. It took us longer than expected to get to the city because the trains were on strike, but Miss Lenoir met us at the station and walked us to the bakery, and then over here. How do you know her, anyway?"
"She's a friend of a good friend," Marinette evaded. "I'm glad that she was able to track you down. Um… is it OK if I stay with Adrien until the battle of the bands? All of my stuff is over here and I'd hate to lose time finishing their outfits up." Marinette did her best Chat Noir impression, complete with kitten eyes and wide smile.
Tom and Sabine looked at each other. Tom turned to Gabriel and said, "I guess the real question is if it's OK with you, since you didn't know she was staying here in the first place."
Adrien ran over to his father and whispered something in his ear. Gabriel frowned, then nodded. "Adrien is apparently very fond of your daughter. Of course, I will be talking to him about inviting classmates over without permission in the future. Adrien, your 'very good friend' can stay."
"We need to find a place in town to stay while we handle the bakery's affairs, anyway," Tom said. "It will be a long time before we can get it up and running again. We will rebuild, though."
Gabriel reached into his suit jacket's inside pocket and pulled out a pencil and slip of paper. He scribbled something on it, then handed it to Tom. "This is the number of the travel coordinator for Gabriel Fashion. Gabriel Fashion maintains an apartment specifically for visiting designers and other dignitaries. Contact this person and she will get you set up in there for as long as you need."
Sabine's eyes widened. "You're not serious, Mr. Agreste?"
"I most certainly am. Your family has been devastated by the supervillains; it's the least I can do to help a local institution get back on its feet."
"I… I don't know what to say. Thank you. We'll give her a call right now." Stunned, Tom and Sabine left the Agreste mansion.
Marinette said quietly, "Thank you so much, Mister Agreste. I'm sorry we didn't tell you sooner that I was staying here."
"My son speaks very highly of you. That said, please ask first next time." Gabriel smiled.
"Of course, Father." Adrien said.
"Miss Lenoir, do you need me to accompany you somewhere?" Marinette asked.
"Yes, please." Marinette took her hand and they walked out the door into the courtyard, then walked across the street to a park and sat down on the bench.