Chapter 43:

He found a quiet and secluded room to hide in, sitting down in a corner. Leaning his head back, he watched as Plagg came flying in after him.

"Hey, Adrien… are you still stuck in your own little world or are you actually listening to me now?" Plagg asked, almost like he was talking to himself though and didn't expect an answer.

Adrien… that was his name… Yes, he remembered now…

"I'm here Plagg…" Adrien replied softly. "Still really messed up and confused, but I'm here…"

"I'm so glad!" Plagg exclaimed in happiness, giving Adrien a hug. "You're finally coming back to your senses. I wish we had cheese to celebrate! I'd even be willing to share it with you right now."

"Glad to see you care so much…" Adrien chuckled, moving to scoop up Plagg, only to stop when he noticed his hands. They were clawed and he was wearing white gloves with his black suit. In the corner of his eye, he saw a spaded tail lazily swishing back and forth. "Though it seems I'm still far from my regular self."

"Yeah, the ink and corrupted magic really did a number on you…" Plagg confirmed, floating back to get a better look at his owner. "And considering how much everything was raging havoc, the fact that you seem to be coming back to your own mind is a testament to your strength of character."

Adrien could only nod as more and more of his memories came flooding back into place. He remembered everything about what had happened to them in the studio. He remembered the ink infecting him and then transforming him. He remembered losing control and nearly attacking Henry and Marinette. He clenched his fist in anger at the thought. He hated how easily he could be turned against his Lady. Time and again he'd be taken over and forced to fight her. He was so useless! Maybe his Lady would be better off without him…

"Hey, stop that," Plagg said, flying up to Adrien's face. "I know that look and you have no right to be doubting yourself now! You have accomplished great things and are one of the best owner's I've ever had. Ladybug is lucky to have you by her side. You got that!"

"Yeah," Adrien smiled. "Thanks for-"

Adrien cut off as he felt something powerful wash over him. Something… deep within the ink was calling out. He felt his own ink and soul reacting and joining in. It was overwhelming, causing his vision to warp and his head to throb. It only lasted a moment before everything snapped back to normal with Plagg looked at him with concern.

"What was that about?" Plagg asked.

"No idea," Adrien shrugged and got to his feet. "I can't really explain it… but I think it has to do with Henry… We should get back to the others."

Adrien began making his way through the hallways of the studio. As he didn't remember traveling through it the first time, he was just wandering in what he felt was the right direction. Any ink creatures he came across either fled at the sight of him or were easily dispatched with his claws. He hadn't traveled very far when he was struck again by the powerful wave calling out. He buckled under the force and leaned up against the wall in an attempt to stay upright. He could hear the voices more clearly as his ink and soul joined in. He couldn't hear the specifics of what was being said, but it all boiled down to one thing… Save Us Creator!

Adrien shook it off as the wave subsided. Whatever it was that had been calling out had worn itself out. It would be a while before it would be able to make another attempt…

As Adrien's head cleared and the voices subsided, there was one point in his mind that still wasn't quite his own. Mentally prodding it, Adrien was able to sense anger and hatred coming from it. Adrien realized it was his connection to the Ink Demon. It seemed stronger, though it didn't seem to bother him unless he was paying attention to it. His heart skipped a beat when he realized that the Ink Demon was headed toward where he somehow knew where Marinette and the others are.

With a growl, Adrien ran forward, moving with more clarity and determination. He maneuvered through the halls with ease, using the connection to the Ink Demon to guide him. He stumbled slightly and his eyes flashed yellow, giving him a glimpse of what the Ink Demon could see, which was Marinette and the others in a vent. But instead of the usual anger, Adrian was sensing curiosity and interest from the Ink Demon. Almost as if he was trying to figure something out…

Whatever was going on, Adrien didn't like it so he increased his speed. Turning another corner, Adrien finally came across the Ink Demon just as he was about to go through an ink portal. Adrien charged and tackled him, sending them both into the portal. They tumbled through the dark void, Adrien sensing the Ink Demon's confusion at what had happened. They soon tumbled out in another part of the studio, though Adrien knew it hadn't been the Ink Demon's original destination.

Adrien had let go of the Ink Demon when they exited the portal and both of them rose to their feet. They stared at each other for a moment, before Adrien lunged forward. They wrestled, pushing back and forth but neither getting the upper hand. Adrien felt confusion and anger pouring from the Ink Demon through their link. On impulse, Adrien probed deeper into the connection, trying to find a weakness he could use. But what he failed to realize was that the link could work both ways. When he probed deeper, the Ink Demon sensed it and pushed back, flooding Adrien with thoughts and feelings.

AngerDesperationRunRunRunWhileYouCanSelfLoathingSaddnessIWasn'tMeantToBeAMonsterHatredAngerHeMadeMeThisWayFearAngerDispairRunRunHoplessnessBeforeHeMakesMeKillYouDesperationPleaseRunRunRun

The thoughts and feelings overwhelmed him, keeping him from understanding what the Ink Demon was trying to say. Adrien ended up letting go and stumbling back. The Ink Demon used the opportunity to disappear through another ink portal. Adrien took a moment to recover, but when he did, he realized that he was alone in the room. Plagg must not have been able to get through the portal in time. Deciding that returning to the others was the best option, Adrien got up. Unfortunately, the room Adrien was in had it's only exit blocked by debris. Testing it out, Adrien knew he couldn't clear a path by hand. Looking down at his claws, Adrien wondered if he'd be able to use his cataclysm. It was a silly thought as it was obvious he wasn't fused with Plagg, but there weren't many other options.

Deciding it was worth a shot, Adrien held out his hand. Before he even started to speak, darkness and ink swirled into his hand, responding to his thoughts and desires. Adrien looked at it a moment in wonder before pressing his hand against the derby. Ink shadows, similar to that of the Ink Demon's, spread out from his hand and melted the debris into ink. Grinning at his discovery, Adrien ran forward.

It took him a while and using his powers to clear several more obstacles, but Adrien soon came to a large warehouse full of games and parts. He knew that Marinette and the others were nearby, so he leaped onto the beams near the ceiling, giving him both a better view and keeping out of sight of the others. While he felt pretty much like his old self, a part of him worried he'd hurt the others if he got too close. A moment later, Plagg came flying up to him.

"I knew if I stayed around Ladybug you'd show up eventually," Plagg smirked. "Glad to see I'm right like always."

"Whatever you say Plagg," Adrien grinned, glad to have his kwamii back by his side. Adrien looked around the warehouse for the others. He spotted Alya and Nino nearby, the former pacing in frustration, but he didn't see Henry or Marinette. He was about to ask Plagg where they were when he was struck by the feeling that Marinette and Henry were in danger. He could feel the powerful voice in the ink calling out in fear and warning. The strange part was, Adrien could feel the Ink Demon's concern and desire to protect Henry spearheading the call.

Pushing that aside, Adrien leaped down without a second thought, feeling compelled both by the voices and his own desire to protect his friends and family. He ran down a hallway, dissolved a hatch blocking his path, and leaped at the Projectionist as it turned to face him. They fought for a little bit before Adrien ended it using his power to melt the Projectionist. The second the fight was over, the voices pulled back in relief knowing that the Creator was safe for now. Adrien would swear that he could even feel relief from the Ink Demon. But he didn't have time to probe his link further to find out as Marinette leaped out and hugged him. Adrien still felt nervous about what had happened to him, but as long as he was with his Lady, everything would be alright.