Disclaimer: I do not own any characters or elements relating to Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir.

Miraculous: Borderline

Chapter 9: Truths Unraveling

Adrien found his father in his study, gazing at the oil portrait of his mom.

"Father?"

Adrien cautiously entered the room, shutting the door softly behind him.

His father didn't turn to acknowledge him, and as the silence grew, Adrien shifted uncomfortably. His eyes wandered the room, and he suddenly caught sight of the bright blue color of a bead hanging off of the charm bracelet that lay on his father's desk.

Oh no. Is that—

His father's sudden voice startled Adrien. "What is it, Adrien?"

Adrien looked up to see his father's piercing eyes staring at him. Adrien swallowed. "Uh, where'd you get that bracelet, Father?"

Gabriel slowly turned fully to face him. His eyes were hard like the surface of a marble slab. "And why do you want to know that, Adrien?"

Adrien scratched the back of his neck nervously. "I—I was just wondering because...uh, I made it and I, uh…"

Looking into his father's eyes, Adrien suddenly felt an odd sensation.

He felt uneasy telling his father the truth.

By telling his father that the charm bracelet belonged to Marinette, Adrien sensed that that would unfold events in an irreversible, terrifying way. But his father wasn't evil, so why did Adrien feel he needed to hold back?

"...lost it," Adrien finished lamely.

He couldn't believe what he'd just done. He'd lied to his father. Gabriel Agreste.

Gabriel stared at him for a moment longer before turning back to the painting of Adrien's mom. "This bracelet couldn't be yours. It belonged to Ladybug and she dropped it this morning. I've been meaning to find her and give it back"—his father glanced at him out of the corner of his eyes, an unreadable expression on his face—"but I can't find Ladybug anywhere."

Gabriel folded his hands behind his back. "See if you can return it to her."

Adrien hesitated then picked up the charm bracelet. One of the beads was cracked down the side.

"Yes, father," Adrien promised, but deep in his mind, he knew that he would never lead his father to Marinette.

He just had a feeling that it wouldn't be safe for her.

Tikki would try to stop me.

Ladybug swung through the city hard, intent on getting to her destination as fast as possible.

But I'm doing this for the good of Paris. I'm a liability, an incredibly powerful liability who could destroy the city and the world if I slip up again.

Ladybug took a sharp turn, feeling the wind pushing back the hair on her face and clearing her head. She knew she was making the right decision. The only decision.

And I can't guarantee I won't slip up again because I'm too easily driven by my emotions.

Marinette landed on the rooftop across from the Grand Paris hotel and stared at it for a moment. There was no turning back now.

So it'd be safer for everyone if I just leave the picture.

Ladybug cast her yoyo and let herself freefall, the yoyo string pulling tight right at the last minute and propelling her up onto the open roof of the Grand Paris hotel.

Ladybug strode over to the blond girl tanning herself by the pool and waited for her to see Ladybug.

Once Chloe Bourgeois realized that the famous superhero was standing by her side, she squealed and jumped up, spilling the lemonade drinks she'd had balanced on her knee.

"Ladybug!" Chloe cried happily.

She sprung forward to give Ladybug an exuberant hug.

"Oh, what is it now?" Chloe asked excitedly, leaning back. Her bright blue eyes shone with anticipation. "Is it another akumatized villain? Hawk Moth himself?"

Ladybug's face didn't change. It was set in stone, her eyebrows drawn together in an expression of resolute anger and pain. Chloe's smile slowly slipped off her face.

"What's wrong, Ladybug?" Chloe asked.

"We need to talk," was all Ladybug said before she dragged Chloe behind the screen of bushes ringing the rooftop.

"Are you sure you're making the right choice, Master?" Wayzz asked as Master Fu closed the Miracle Box.

"If Marinette asks for the Bee miraculous, she must have a good reason," Master Fu said firmly. "And I chose her as Ladybug, and I know I wasn't wrong."

He kneeled down on his mat and stared at the patterning on the straw as if he could read Marinette's future.

Master Fu heaved a sigh. "Although, if she's about to do what I think she's going to do, then this could be very bad for all of Paris."

Wayzz flitted around in fear. "Then why did you give her another miraculous?"

"Because, Wayzz," Master Fu said, his voice solemn and his eyes deep and thoughtful. "If Marinette's not able to bear the burden that the Ladybug miraculous brings, then maybe she'll find home with the Bee miraculous."

Master Fu waved a hand. "All in all, if Marinette does not have a miraculous, then that is even worse. She won't be able to fight back."

Wayzz looked sad. "I don't think she's fighting back anymore, Master."

Master Fu sighed again and didn't answer. He couldn't see the future, but he knew that Marinette's challenges were not going to end any time soon. In fact, he suspected that her biggest battle was just beginning.

End of Chapter 9: Truths Unraveling