"What was that?!" Ladybug yelled at Cat Noir as she entered the office after him. It was empty, even though this was the room where, supposedly, Gabriel kept himself locked up all day.
"I was getting information," Cat Noir answered irritably, stalking over to the picture of Mrs. Agreste – Adrien's mother – on the far wall.
"Cat Noir!" Ladybug grabbed his shoulder and turned him around to face her, "I… I have no idea how you're feeling right now," she admitted, "but if we want to get through this, you can't do it with anger. I need you, as Cat Noir. You have to try and keep it together."
"I know," Cat Noir sighed, "but I can't just… shut if off!" Cat Noir grew visibly more frustrated as he vented, "How can I… I don't even know… How did this happen?!"
"I don't know," Ladybug answered quietly, "but you don't have to go through it alone. I'm here for you, we can get through this, together." On a whim, she reached up and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek, hoping to provide comfort and encouragement.
"Thank you," Cat Noir's expression softened considerably, though the tension and anger were still evident, "Together. We'll do this together."
Cat Noir turned to the portrait and started searching for any manner of "button", like Nathalie said. Finally, his hands seemed to find a few oddities in the otherwise smooth picture. He rested his fingers on all of them at once and pressed in.
A circular panel twisted open practically right under his feet. Ladybug saw it and immediately jumped forward to stand on it with Cat Noir, holding herself close to him. Suddenly the platform descended, the panel twisting shut over their heads as they squeezed through the tight hole together.
At first, they were plunged into darkness. Then a light came on nearby, blindingly bright for a moment. They were in a small room in the basement with a door in front of them and what looked like another elevator just a few steps away. Silently, they walked over to it, squeezing again onto the tight space as Cat Noir reached for the single button on the wall beside them.
"Are you ready?" Ladybug asked right before he hit the button. His hand faltered.
"Yeah," he said, trying to sound determined. He pressed the button and held on tight to Ladybug as they were suddenly thrust up toward the ceiling.
Another circular opening twisted open to permit them through. This elevator went higher, high enough it felt like it must go to the roof. Another portal opened above them, dim light pouring down from above as they rose rapidly. Soon they came out into a wide, circular chamber. All around the room, they were surrounded by white butterflies, lending an oddly serene feeling to the place.
In front of them, though, was what held their attention. Standing there with his cane held firmly between his hands and resting on the ground, his metallic-colored mask covering most of his face, wearing a prim, fashionable suit, and the brooch of the butterfly displayed prominently on his sternum, was none other than Hawk Moth. Standing with the light from the butterfly-shaped window behind him made him an imposing sight, the master of his lair, the final boss.
He looked like he was expecting them. He was watching them as they ascended into his lair and stepped off the elevator, a confident grin on his face. Yet Ladybug could see the hint of worry in his eyes, the uncertainty and frustration that could be discerned in the tight grip on his staff. He knew as well as they did that this was the end. His cover was blown, and he couldn't hide from them anymore. One way or another, it would all end right here. This was the final showdown.