Here we go, Chapter 9! Not much really happens here, just some setup and filler for what's yet to come, but it does get interesting at the end. Next up is the Finale and Epilogue. This story seems shorter, but it's actually around the same length as the first two, it just has longer chapters.

Cat Noir: (struggling to stand up) We...we made it.

Cass: They made it!

Nino: Adrien! (runs to)

Cat Noir: Nino! (stands up)

They hug. Nino stares in disbelief.

Nino: I was so worried! Wow, I still can't believe it, why didn't you tell me?

Cat Noir: I was just trying to protect you and everyone I care about, but it looks like I blew it.

Patricia: Everything will be alright, we'll find a way out of this.

Nino: Who is she?

Cat Noir: Nino, this is my mom. Mom, this is Nino, my best friend. His family took me in after father was arrested.

Sabine: Marinette?

Ladybug: Mom! Dad! (runs to)

Tom: So, it's true, you're really Ladybug?

Ladybug: Yes, hard to believe, I know.

Sabine: (smiling) Not at all.

Cass: Tadashi? Hiro?

Tadashi: We're right here.

Cass: Oh, are you hurt?

Hiro: No, we're fine. (glances back at Apidae)

Cass: (crying) What were you knuckleheads thinking? Doing this behind my back? I can't leave you boys alone for two seconds without disasters happening.

Evelyn: Where's Avery?

Baymax walks to Evelyn and gently lays Apidae on the ground.

Chloe: Avery, who did this to you?

Baymax: She is unconscious. Still alive, but badly injured.

Andre: I should have never treated her the way I did.

Evelyn: It's not your fault. It's mine. None of this would have happened if I didn't let her go to Paris in the first place. Then she wouldn't have met all of you and ended up here!

Hiro: She chose to join us, none of us influenced...

Evelyn: I don't want to hear about it! My daughter is dying because of you and your friends!

Hiro: There's still hope, and if you really don't trust me, I'll leave Avery alone, and never bother you again. Just let us help her, then everything will be the way it was, the way you want it.

Chloe: Come on, Felix is waiting for us.

In the Hamada's garage, Baymax is taking care of Apidae.

Felix: So, you're really superheroes?

Gogo: Yeah, but not for long.

Felix: Why is that?

Gogo: Our identities have been revealed, we can't keep doing this. Jewel wins.

Felix: You can't just give up! The world needs you!

Gogo: We have no other option, it's for the best. Besides, the identities of the Miraculous 3 remain a secret, they can handle this.

Felix: All of you are just giving up?

Gogo: Yes, we talked about it, and we all agree. We're in way over our heads.

Honey Lemon: Hey Marinette.

Marinette: Hi.

Honey Lemon: What happened back there?

Marinette: I don't know, I just, I thought for sure Chris had changed. He played with my emotions, and I made a bad choice.

Honey Lemon: Something else is bothering you.

Marinette: How could you tell?

Honey Lemon: I have a strong feeling there's another reason you held back.

Marinette: His fear, there was no way he faked it. I think Jewel really did do something bad to him. He reminded me of...

Honey Lemon: Of what?

Marinette has a flashback. Nine years ago, there was a hurricane, and the power went out. Tom and Sabine left Marinette with Nadja.

Marinette: When are they coming back?

Nadja: I don't know, sweetheart.

Marinette stares out the window at the pouring rain. The strong winds knock down a nearby tree. There is no sign of life for miles. Back to present-day.

Marinette: Some heavy thoughts passed through my head that night, stuff a six year-old doesn't normally think about. I thought for sure my parents weren't coming home.

Honey Lemon: Everything will be alright, Mari. Even though we're dropping the whole superhero thing, I'll still always be here for you.

Marinette: Thanks, Honey Lemon.

Chloe: Avery, please wake up.

Marinette: Hi Chloe.

Chloe: Oh, hi Marinette.

Silence.

Chloe: You know, you're not so bad, and I'm not just saying that because you're Ladybug and everything.

Marinette: I guess you're alright too.

Chloe: I'm really worried about her.

Marinette: So am I. Jewel slashed her right across the back like it was nothing. I never thought anything like this would ever happen.

Chloe: Is it true? Are you really going to stop being Ladybug?

Marinette: Yes.

Chloe: Don't give up. So you and your team messed up. That shouldn't discourage you. After all, you're the girl who saved me from Hawk Moth's villains more than a few times.

Marinette: Baymax, how's she doing?

Baymax: Apidae still hasn't woken up, but her condition is starting to improve.

Evelyn: She'd better be ok.

Cass: (under her breath) Why do you have to be so irritating?

Evelyn: Excuse me?

Adrien: Everyone, just remain calm. I know times are hard, but that's no reason for us to be fighting.

Cass: I promise you, she'll be ok, and then we'll send you both back home.

Evelyn: Good.

Andre: Evelyn, please, she's done nothing wrong, the opposite, rather. Don't punish her, or yourself, for it.

Hiro: You weren't just directing that advice at Aunt Cass and Avery's mom, were you?

Adrien: Actually, I was just about to say the same thing to you and Marinette.

Hiro: Oh.

Adrien: I understand why you're upset, but I think you guys should work things out. Avery's gonna be fine.

Hiro: No, she won't be. When she wakes up, she'll lose all of her freedom. The rest of us get to go back to school, but she's stuck at home with her mom for the rest of her life.

Adrien: We have to do something, but what?

Tikki is sitting on a shelf. Plagg lands next to her.

Plagg: Hi Tikki.

Tikki: Hi Plagg.

Plagg: What are you doing here all alone?

Tikki: I just have so much on my mind. If Marinette and Adrien are done with being superheroes, what's gonna happen to us?

Plagg: I don't know, I guess we would have to go back with Master Fu until the Miraculouses are passed on again.

Tikki: I don't wanna leave Marinette, though.

Plagg: I know what you mean. After all of the Cat Noirs in the past, I've never had a closer bond to any of them than Adrien.

Tikki: Hey Plagg, do you ever feel like, never mind.

Plagg: What?

Tikki: No, it's, it's nothing.

Plagg: Come on, you can tell me.

Tikki: Alright. You know how Marinette and Adrien are, you know?

Plagg: Yeah?

Tikki: Do you ever feel like we could be like that?

Plagg: I don't know, I never really thought about us that way. I mean, we've been friends since the beginning of time, wouldn't it be kinda weird?

Tikki: Oh, if you think it would be weird I'll just drop it.

Plagg: No, what I meant to say was, uh... (kisses Tikki on the cheek)

The two Kwamis smile. Apidae's eyelids flutter open.

Apidae: Where am I? (slowly sits up) I had the most messed up dream. Chris kissed me. Blech.

Evelyn: Avery, that wasn't a dream.

Apidae: It wasn't? Oh, I guess that means I'm busted, huh?

Evelyn: Transform back, we're going home.

Apidae: Mom, I can't go back there. But you can stay with Fred and I, right Fred?

Fred: Wait, what!?

Evelyn: You're coming back with me, without your Miraculous.

Apidae: But, this is who I am now, the people of the world need me, you can't just take that away from me!

Adrien: Sorry Apidae, but we've all decided: Big Hero Miraculous is officially over. It's for the best.

Apidae: What!? No, you can't just give up! Not when Jewel and Chris are out on the loose with no one to stop them!

Gogo: The cave blew up. I wouldn't be surprised if the explosion killed them.

Apidae: No, Chris wanted us to press self-destruct. I'm sure he and Jewel had some escape method.

Evelyn: Avery, I am your mother, and you're coming home!

Apidae: You think I'm not homesick? Of course I want to go back, but not like this! I'm finally important, I have something to contribute to society, and I'm actually helping other people. If you really cared about me, you wouldn't try to control every little aspect of my life! I'm not a kid anymore, I know it's hard, but it's time to let go. I've matured over my time as Apidae, and it's time for me to literally take flight, go places, save the world. If the rest of you want to retire, fine by me, but no one is stopping me from bringing those two to justice! Now, who's with me?

All Except Evelyn: We are!

Apidae: (to herself) Cool, that actually worked.

Butterfly: We won't stop defending the people we love until the end of time. Jewel may have won this round, but we'll be back, and we'll stand strong, united as one!

Paon: Our unbreakable bond will be their downfall!

Volpina: And no one can stop us this time!

Evelyn: Am I the only one who sees disaster waiting to happen?

Andre: These kids are full of positive energy, you know you can't resist it!

Hiro punches in the coordinates for Paris.

Hiro: Anyone going to Paris, your ride's here.

The Dupain-Cheng family, the Miraculous 3, Patricia, the Kwamis, Nino, Andre, and Chloewalk through the portal.

Hiro: Adrien, aren't you going?

Adrien: Promise me you'll make things right with Marinette, ok? I hate seeing you both like this.

Hiro nods as Adrien steps through the portal.

Apidae: Stripes Off. (transforms back)

Evelyn: Giant bee. (backs away slowly)

Avery: Oh, I almost forgot, this is my Kwami, Peeka.

Peeka: Hi, I'm Peeka!

Evelyn: I don't wanna know.

Avery: I guess this means I'm never getting a bearded dragon, huh?

Evelyn: If I let you adopt one and keep all your superhero stuff, do you promise to come home? And keep it all in your room so I don't have to see it?

Avery: Whoa, really!?

Evelyn: If it'll get you home, I'll do it, I even decided you and Hiro can continue to d-d-d-d...

Avery: Date?

Evelyn: Yes, that.

Avery: Yes! Let's go home, PetCo. awaits!

Evelyn: How expensive are those lizards, anyway?

Avery: Uh, I could've played the puppy card again!

Evelyn: You know we don't have room for a puppy.

Avery: So bearded dragon it is!

Hiro: Ok, we're good to go. (opens portal)

Evelyn and Avery walk through the portal, it closes.

Hiro: (sigh) I miss her already.

Gogo: Get a grip, you've got a portal that can take you anywhere in a flash. Even if she lived on the moon you'd be able to see her whenever you want to.

Hiro: Yeah, but I don't think her mom likes me.

Cass: She sure isn't my favorite person in the world. Not Avery, I meant her mom.

Wasabi: I guess it's because she's divorced, and she rarely sees Chloe, so Avery is like her only immediate family.

Honey Lemon: True, I never thought about that.

Hiro: Great, so she hates me because she thinks I'm trying to take her daughter away.

Tadashi: I'm sure she'll learn to like you. I mean, there's no way she's this bitter all the time.

It is time for the students in Mr. Haprele's class to present their group projects.

Mr. Haprele: Ok, who wants to go first? Chloe?

Chloe: I...didn't finish.

Aurore: You didn't finish? What were you doing all weekend?

Chloe: I was in Hawaii!

Jean: Of course you were.

Sabrina: Don't worry, I'll finish it for you!

Mr. Haprele: Maybe we should start with another group. Marinette?

Marinette and her group stand up and attaches their poster to the whiteboard with magnets.

Marinette: Uh, hi! So, this is our group presentation, I hope you like it.

Rose: Marinette Dupain-Cheng is a truly extraordinary girl. She's an amazing designer who's full of talent. Some of her most notable creations are Jagged Stone's new album cover, his Eiffel Tower sunglasses, and the Pigeon Feather Derby, modeled by Adrien Agreste!

Adrien waves awkwardly to the class.

Rose: But what makes her really stand out among all other people, is that she is Ladybug, one of the greatest heroes in the whole world, and it has been my pleasure to work with her on this project.

Marinette: (whispering) That wasn't in the script.

Rose: (whispering) I know, I just thought it would make your day!

Later that day, Marinette and Adrien go to see Master Fu.

Master Fu: Marinette, Adrien, please come in.

Marinette: We have good news and bad news.

Master Fu: Yes, your identities have been revealed, and the lead Fujitas are on the loose. However, you did manage to free their prisoner.

Adrien: How did you know?

Master Fu: I can read other people easily. Also, that transmission found it's way to every form of contact. Television, radio, computers, nearly everyone has seen or heard it.

Marinette: We were almost going to quit, I mean, we messed up big time, but Apidae convinced us otherwise.

Master Fu: Even after what happened, that is no reason to give up. Paris will need extra protection now, luckily Butterfly and Volpina are here to help you.

Adrien: And Paon.

Master Fu: Your father?

Adrien: No, I had the Peacock Miraculous. I was going to give it back to you, but I lost it at school. I might have an idea of who took it, but I'm not sure. Anyway, he seems like a great guy and hero, but I figured you might want to meet him.

Master Fu: I will try to make contact with him soon. For now, I believe it's time both of you learned the true story behind the Miraculous. Long before humans, when our world first formed, there were special stones known as Miracle Stones, and several of them were spread across the planet. Each Miracle Stone contained a special power: red, luck; black, misfortune; green, immortality; purple, friendship; yellow, freedom; orange, control; and blue, courage. These are only a few of the stones, as there are hundreds of them in existence. For generations, the Miracle Stones granted powers to whoever possessed them, but often they fell into the wrong hands. That was when certain individuals were chosen to become keepers. Each keeper had a green stone to ensure that they would live forever to protect their own set of stones for all eternity. Another adjustment to protect the stones was to place them inside pieces of jewelry, so that the hero could always wear their Miraculous and keep it away from their enemies.

Marinette: So, there are more than just seven Miraculouses?

Adrien: And there are other keepers, each with their own seven stones to watch over?

Master Fu: Exactly.

Marinette: Wait, why are you just telling us this now?

Master Fu: I didn't think you needed to hear the story right away, but now that the world knows your names, it felt like the right time.

Marinette: One more thing, who are Butterfly and Volpina?

Master Fu: Only time will tell, Marinette.

Outside College Francoise Dupont.

Alya: Has anyone seen Marinette? I need to talk to her!

Chloe: Uh, she's Ladybug, everyone needs to talk to her!

Kim: I still can't believe it, I've known her for so long, how could I not have figured it out?

Max: I agree, judging by the number of hours we spent talking to Marinette in school, it seems idiotic of us not to know that she's Ladybug.

Alix: Wow, does anyone else feel guilty about fighting her? I mean, yeah, we were akumatized, but still, this is just crazy!

Ivan: She helped us become better people, without us even knowing.

Mylene: And let's not forget Adrien, this sure is a whole lot to take in.

Rose is sitting alone on a bench.

Rose: Ladybug, you're the best.

Nooroo: And you will be too, someday.

Rose: Aw, thanks Nooroo!

Juleka walks home alone.

Juleka: I just don't know about all this.

Jinxx: Hey, I've seen worse, you're on the right track.

Juleka: It sure doesn't feel right. Why do I keep doing it?

Jinxx: I'm not a mind reader, figure it out.

Nathaniel is in his room, sitting at his desk, drawing.

Myyst: Nath, aren't you worried about what the future holds?

Nathaniel: A little, but sketching helps me relieve life's frustrations.

Myyst: What's it supposed to be?

Nathaniel: The cover for my latest comic.

Myyst: Ooh, I love reading your Super Nathan comics!

Nathaniel: Actually, this isn't about Super Nathan, it's about a team of heroes. Big Hero Miraculous.

So as I said before, the finale and epilogue are coming up, then I'm jumping into The Miraculous 3. So, about this short upcoming story, it will be under Miraculous only, not under Big Hero 6 and Miraculous crossovers. The reason I'm doing this is because I want to draw in some more readers for the main series. The first story will be about how Rose and Juleka got their Miraculouses, and the second story will explain how Nathaniel ended up with the Peacock Miraculous. Marinette/Ladybug and Adrien/Cat Noir will be in it, but more behind the scenes. It's sort of like a prequel to this story, but it also ties into the events that take place at the beginning. Anyway, I'll see you soon!