Marinette wanted to pinch herself. She wanted to wake up in bed and realize that everything that happened was just a nightmare.
But no. She was still Ladybug. She was still with her Miraculous teammates. She was still standing before the enemy who now bore the face of the family she lost a long time ago.
She wanted to see even a small hint of difference, but Hawk Moth's civilian form held a perfect resemblance to her long-lost great-great grandfather.
His sparkling blue eyes, his nightly black hair, his warm charming smile... Everything...
Like the photos her parents show her.
Yet, she just couldn't believe the enemy that has been corrupting innocent civilians and terrorizing Paris was the courageous, artistic, loving soldier she looks up to.
Is this why he disappeared years ago?
A white butterfly flutters before her, holding the Butterfly Miraculous. It then flies and hands the brooch to its master, who pinned it back on his shirt.
With a few magical words, Hawk Moth regained his mask, his cane, and his butterfly wings.
He faces Ladybug, "I wish I could say more, but there's nothing more to say. Until next time."
He turns around, but not before giving Chat Noir a glare that made him flinch.
"Don't be a burden to my great-great granddaughter, Black Cat." The butterfly villain warns before he takes to the skies.
Ladybug fell, but landed on Fang's back. Cookie sadly rubbed himself against his owner's legs as an attempt to comfort her.
Ladybug petted her dog's head, before looking at her hand.
Her ladybug-covered hand.
For some strange reason, she just couldn't bear to see herself in costume and de-transforms back into Marinette.
The rest of the Team de-transformed back into their civilian forms as well. Adrien approaches Marinette and places a hand on her shoulder.
"There they are! The Miraculous Team!"
The heroes glared at Lila who was running towards them. A group of reporters ran behind her.
Once they stopped, those with cameras began taking pictures. But Lila noticed they were pointing their cameras upward.
She looks up, only to find the Miraculous Team leaping from the Eiffel Tower to the rooftops, until they no longer could be seen.
Lila knew those were just illusions created by Rena Rouge and called the reporters' attention back to the real Miraculous Team.
Unfortunately for her, all they could see was Sabrina tripping on Max, causing him to drop his glasses. Juleka and Mylene tried to pick the glasses up, only to bump heads with each other.
Also, Chloe screamed happily as she was glad to have her phone back and kissed it several times.
Since the Miraculous Team were no longer around, the reporters left, ignoring Lila's protests for them to stay.
"See you around, Lila." Adrien glared at the Italian girl as he helped a still-upset Marinette back on her feet, "We gotta go before any more akumas appear."
The others followed, all giving glares to their rival.
Lila gritted her teeth. One day Miraculous Team... One day...!
Marinette wondered why she bothered joining her friends in Chloe's room if all she was going to do was stare at pictures of her great-great grandfather.
She searches the internet about Alvere Cheng, a soldier who fought for Paris. There were many articles that spoke of his heroism, how he bravely led his army to many victories, how he was a passionate artist, and a loving husband.
Unlike the devious Hawk Moth...
Who... bore the face of her...
Marinette wanted to forget that scene in her head; Hawk Moth's unmasked face smiling at her.
She wanted to forget the many times he saved her, and the times he was so nice to her.
But every time she thinks about him, Hawk Moth's mask was always replaced with her ancestor's face...
After 30 minutes of watching her best friend miserably looking at pictures of her great-great grandfather, Alya had enough and grabs Marinette's phone.
"You need to get over this." She told the bluenette.
Just then, Chloe's dad entered the room with a cart of snacks.
"Chloe. Honey. I thought you and your friends could use a little snack." Mayor Bourgeois then spots Marinette, "Oh Marinette. Chloe told me about your presentation on one of our highly-esteemed heroes, Alvere Cheng. A proud role model to all. Why, I even have one of his wonderful paintings in the hotel. It's the very first thing our guest see when they check-in. A symbol of courage and...!"
"Thanks Daddy Bye!" Chloe quickly pushed her father out before locking the door. (And pushing a cabinet in front of the door.)
It was wrong, but he wasn't making Marinette feel any better.
"Mama and Papa always told me he was a good person." Marinette sadly spoke as she continues to look down.
Ever since she was a little girl, her parents would tell her stories about her great-great grandfather. She was immediately dazzled by his heroism and his talent for art.
She also fell in love with his love-story, dreaming of the day she would meet her own prince charming.
It just doesn't make sense. Her great-great grandfather was a hero. A soldier who would risk his life for his country.
How did he end up... turning into someone... who would hurt his fellow countrymen?
Tikki felt sorry for her holder. She knew she has to tell her everything, right now.
Even if there was a high chance she would be... heartbroken...
Just as the ladybug Kwami was about to speak, Adrien beats her to it.
He places a hand on Marinette's shoulder, "I don't know if this will sound right. But that doesn't make you a bad person. You helped save too many people. You're that good for your own good."
Marinette smiled at her prince charming. He always did know how to cheer her up.
"Yeah." Kim agreed, along with the others, "So Mothball got your old man's looks. That doesn't mean you're directly related."
"Actually..."
The heroes turned to their Kwamis. The little guys all dipped their heads as if they were guilty.
"You guys can't be serious." Alix said in disbelief.
The Kwamis lifted their heads a bit so that their holders could see the sadness in their eyes.
"But..." Rose spoke, "If Hawk Moth is your great-great grandfather..."
"Then your great-great grandmother is..." Juleka continued.
"The previous Ladybug?" Alya finishes in surprise.
The heroes were surprised. Once they joked that they were descendants of the Miraculous Warriors.
But now, it was no longer a laughing matter.
"Does that mean we're...?" Mylene asked the Kwamis.
"No." Tikki replies, "Believe us when we say none of you are descendants of the previous Miraculous heroes."
The group sighs in relief.
"Except... for you, Marinette."
The heroes look at the Kwamis once more with wide surprised eyes.
"You..." Tikki hesitates before continuing, "are... the direct descendant, of the previous Ladybug. Your great... great... grandmother."
Next time, the Miraculous Team...
Marinette: You used to be a soldier fighting for his country. Now you're hurting everyone.
Alvere: No. I'm still saving them.
(Alvere comes across a woman in a ladybug-colored costume. They both smile at each other.)
Tikki: Alvere had such a pure heart.
(Alvere, bonding with the Miraculous Warriors. Except one...)
Adrien: What happened to him?
(Alvere finds a dark purple brooch. The brooch glows, along with his eyes.)
Hawk Moth: Some heroes... are just not who they claim to be.
(Hawk Moth and Ladybug stare at each other.)
Another battle begins...
Nino: I'm guessing that's where she got her bad-yet-really-convincing disguises from.
Note: Not planning a sequel. Just did trailer for fun.
Until the next story.