Standard disclaimer: I do not own Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir, and am not affiliated with them in any way. Let's face it, if I were, that TV-Y7 rating would've been out the door in an instant.

Y'all are gonna kill me for this one. Adrien's gonna kill me for this one. In fact, he's demanding not one, but two separate stories for all the crap I'm putting him through in this one. So, I've actually written 100+ pages these past two weeks. I'll probably try to post one of them soon. I still plan on keeping up with this one as scheduled, but please don't kill me if I take a short hiatus. Real life sucks, school is starting soon, and fight scenes are hard. I want to give you guys my best effort.

Issues

"And when the sun goes down, you better hang around!" -Miraculous Theme

Chapter 8: In Which Marinette Is a Little Tied Up at the Moment

Marinette felt herself groggily coming awake as someone touched her ears, gently taking out her earrings. She couldn't move. And her head hurt. A lot.

"Well, Nooroo?" a harsh voice asked. Marinette froze. She knew that voice! It had haunted her nightmares these past few nights! Hawkmoth!

"I'm sorry, master, but if these earrings were Miraculous, her kwami would've shown up by now," a small, timid voice replied.

"Disappointing," Hawkmoth said, moving away. She heard something small clatter to the ground and felt herself come awake fully. Nooroo! The kwami Tikki had told her about! He was lying to Hawkmoth for her? She didn't know kwamis could do that. But, wait! If he was talking to Hawkmoth, that meant—she tried to move, and felt her heart plummet. She was bound to a chair by a length of rope, her hands bound separately behind her. She was also gagged, so even if Tikki had been here, she couldn't call on her transformation. Hawkmoth, it seemed, had suspected her identity, and taken no chances.

But if Nooroo was out of his Miraculous, that meant Hawkmoth wasn't transformed….

Marinette opened her eyes, and immediately regretted it. Right in front of her was a huge window, like one in an atrium, and the bright light pouring out of it made her hiss through her nose and turn away.

Suddenly, she felt a tiny hand on her cheek, right beside her ear, as one of her earrings was pushed back in. "Shh," the tiny voice hissed her ear. It sounded a lot like Tikki and Plagg, but it clearly wasn't. In fact, Marinette was quite sure she'd never be able to mistake any of the kwamis' voices. Nooroo zipped over to her other ear and reattached the other earring.

"Don't say anything, he's more cunning than he lets on," he whispered carefully. "I'm sure Cat Noir is on his way." Then he floated in front of her face and gave her a nod, before turning away.

"Master," he called timidly, "she's waking up."

"Already?" Hawkmoth sounded surprised. Marinette tried to turn her head to see him, but she was bound too tightly. Well, that and the room appeared to only be lit by the huge window in front of her and…

She blinked, realizing what she was seeing. The world wasn't spinning and she wasn't going crazy…. The room was full of bright, white, luminescent butterflies. The akumas! She thought wildly. Oh my God. There's so many….

"You are stronger than I gave you credit for," Hawkmoth said, coming up behind her. Marinette stiffened, but he made no move to come in her line of sight. He chuckled. "And a designer as well. Under different circumstances, I might even approve of your relationship with my son. He needs someone strong to lead him. But alas, my dear, that person cannot be you."

Marinette's mind froze. His son? Wait, did that mean….

"Having fun?" a new voice interjected. Her heart leapt for joy. She'd know that voice anywhere! Sure enough, Cat Noir dropped down in front of her from where he had come in through the window. Marinette would've called out to him, but she was still gagged. Then she saw his face.

He was furious.

But he wasn't attacking. What…? Usually, she had to hold him back from diving into the fight. She was right here in front of him, tied up by their greatest enemy, who wasn't even transformed! Why hadn't he moved?

Instead, he looked around the room. "You weren't here earlier," he said casually.

"I felt it appropriate to give Volpina her chance to turn you," Hawkmoth replied, just as easily. "She's been… rather insistent."

"Yeah, I'll bet," Cat Noir snorted. "And the big guy was just what? A bonus prize?"

"Insurance," Hawkmoth corrected. "You be surprised what bad decisions young people can make when they're in love."

"So, you intended to double-cross her all along."

Hawkmoth gave a short laugh. "I hardly think she's worthy of you," he said. "Even Miss Dupain-Cheng here would be a better choice." Marinette felt his hand fall on her shoulder briefly. She tried not to shied away from the contact. Or shudder with fear when she realized Hawkmoth knew her by name.

Cat Noir glared at the man. He tossed Hawkmoth what looked like a balled-up piece of paper. "I got your note," he said, growling.

"Well, I had to get your attention somehow," Hawkmoth chuckled. "You've been ignoring me lately."

Marinette's head spun at their easy banter. Oh God. Oh God, oh God, oh God. Cat Noir knew about Hawkmoth? Why hadn't he said anything? Did he know…? Did he know who Hawkmoth really was? Oh, heaven help her, had he known the whole time? What could this mean? WHAT WAS GOING ON?

Finally, Cat Noir looked down at her and frowned, before turning his attention back to Hawkmoth.

"How long have you known?" he asked, stepping towards them. Marinette jumped as she felt something hard tap her shoulder. Cat Noir stopped short, his eyes narrowing as the message was received. He wasn't to come any closer to Marinette.

"Months," Hawkmoth said, relishing his new control over Cat Noir. "Ever since the incident with Simon Says."

She could see her partner's hands flexing and unflexing, like he wanted to attack the man behind her. He probably did.

"Why haven't you done anything about it 'til now?" he asked. Hawkmoth chuckled.

"I was hoping you would lead me to Ladybug," he said. Cat Noir went still, and Marinette could see he was trying very hard not to glance at her and give the secret away. In her head, she could almost hear Tikki's eye roll. See? This is why we don't trust people with our identities, Marinette!

Oh God. Tikki. She hoped the kwami was okay.

"At first, I thought she might be one of your friends at that school, perhaps even this girl here, but it seems she continues to evade me," Hawkmoth mused. "You wouldn't happen to know her real identity, would you, Cat Noir?"

"Nope," Cat Noir said with a shrug.

Hawkmoth chuckled. "You always were a bad liar, Adrien," he said, sounding almost fond. "But, come now—"

"I don't know who she is," Cat Noir snarled, his voice shaking in anger. "You think it didn't frustrate me too? But she insisted, every time we had the chance! It's why I started seeing Marinette here." He said, gesturing to their captive. "Even told her my secret identity, 'cause I thought they had similar hairstyles, so maybe…." He shrugged and folded his arms. "Turns out she was just another fangirl."

Ouch. If Marinette hadn't known the truth, that would've stung. As it was, she had to give him extra points for his incredible acting ability.

Hawkmoth let out a small laugh. "Yes, my kwami confirmed the same," he said. "Well, if she means nothing to you—"

"I didn't say that!" Cat Noir said quickly, holding his hands out. Marinette felt a chill at the back of her neck and froze. What had Hawkmoth been about to do? Cat Noir took a deep breath. "Plagg, claws in."

Marinette's eyes flew to her partner as she refused to believe what she was seeing. A green flash and Adrien stood in front of her. NO! NO NO NO! HE NEEDED TO FIGHT! TO CREATE A DISTRACTION SO SHE COULD GET AWAY! SHE COULD GET AWAY, GET TO TIKKI, TRANSFORM AND THEY COULD TAKE HIM ON TOGETHER! WHY WAS HE LETTING GO OF HIS TRANSFORMATION?

Plagg zipped into his master's face. "Kid, no, don't-"

"I have to, Plagg," Adrien said sorrowfully. He took off his ring. Plagg disappeared and the ring turned black, the green pawprint glowing for a moment defiantly. Adrien sighed and held it out to Hawkmoth. "All right, father, you win. One Miraculous for one civilian's life."

Marinette couldn't breathe. Her heart was beating hard in her chest. How could he? But even as she thought it, she wanted to cry. How could he not? It was so like him…

Hawkmoth stepped out of the shadows to stand beside Marinette. Finally, she could see him. As she suspected, Gabriel Agreste stood there, regarding his son with a frown. Her hero. Her favorite designer. The one who had inspired her to become a designer herself. Adrien's father. Oh God, his own father…. He had kidnapped her and was holding an entire city hostage to their own fears.

"You misunderstand me, Adrien," he said. "I don't want your Miraculous. I want you to use it, to bring me Ladybug's."

"I already told you, I can't do that," Adrien said, angry.

"Not as Adrien," Gabriel agreed. "But Ladybug trusts Cat Noir. You should have no problem getting close enough to steal her Miraculous. Bring me the earrings, relinquish your ring, and I will set your friend here free."

"You just don't get it, do you?" Adrien snarled, clutching his ring.

"No, Adrien, you don't understand," Gabriel countered. "Ladybug is not your friend. You are nothing but a sidekick to her, a running joke. All this time, and she's never even trusted you with her identity? Pathetic," he spat, "is what that is."

Adrien went pale and ducked his head, still refusing to look at Marinette.

"You think you can choose her over me?" Gabriel continued. "We are family. Bound by blood. And everything I've done here has been for you! Yet, here you stand against me, after all they've done to destroy us!"

Adrien's head shot up as he blinked in shock at his father. "Wha-what are you talking about?" he stammered.

"Hmph, so they didn't tell you," Gabriel said scornfully. He gestured to Adrien. "Go ahead. Put your ring back on and ask him. Ask your kwami what happened to your mother!"

His son's eyes went wide. Marinette felt her own stomach plummet. She couldn't imagine what he was feeling right now. White and shaking, Adrien slipped the ring back on. Instantly, Plagg flew back up to his face.

"Kid, don't listen to him—" Plagg pleaded.

"Plagg…?" Adrien asked weakly.

"Tell him!" Gabriel demanded. "Tell us both what happened that night!"

"I don't answer to you!" Plagg turned and hissed.

Marinette didn't need to hear his growl to see Gabriel grinding his teeth. "Adrien! Command him! He will obey you, whether he wants to or not!"

"But father, that's not—"

"He is not your friend either!" Gabriel raged. "Do you think it mere coincidence that he happened to choose you? My own son? They have been trying to tear us apart from the beginning! But it will backfire on them! As soon as you listen to me and take control of him! You are his master!"

Adrien's face hardened and he took a deep breath. "Plagg, tell me what happened to my mother," he said through gritted teeth.

Plagg spun around to stare at Adrien, looking apprehensive. "Kid, I don't think you want to hear that…."

"Now."

Plagg sighed. "We imprisoned her," he admitted, looking up at his wielder shamefacedly.

Marinette had thought Adrien couldn't look anymore pale and shocked than he already was. She was wrong. His face went white as his eyes widened.

"Why?" he whispered weakly.

"She was trying to use her Miraculous to gain more powers," Plagg said, pleading. "We couldn't let her do that. It would've upset the balance!"

Gabriel laughed scornfully. "She was trying to get more power to protect us," he corrected. "Evil forces attacked us daily, Adrien. You were nearly kidnapped several times. And all that idiot of a Guardian would do was offer to take what powers she had from her and hope they wouldn't come for us anymore!"

Suddenly, the Agreste manor's extraordinary security system started to make more sense.

"You didn't want our help, remember?" Plagg spat, rounding on Gabriel. "You just wanted to choose who the Miraculous went to so you could keep them for yourselves!"

"Is it wrong to choose our own allies?" Gabriel sneered.

"That's not how it works!" Plagg snarled. "It's how we get villains like you!"

"A villain? I have done more for the city of Paris than Ladybug and Cat Noir ever could!" Gabriel retorted. "Who do you think has kept the demons and darkness at bay this past year? I control that which feeds on fear and corruption! Monsters hide in their holes because they know if they step one foot in this city, I can possess them with my akumas! Look at how many I've collected!" He spread his arms wide as the white butterflies took to the air.

"Oh congratulations," Plagg said sarcastically. "While terrorizing the city, you've managed to do your job!"

"Enough of this," Gabriel spat. "Nooroo, dark wings, rise!"

Behind her, Marinette heard a small gasp and a final tug on the ropes that bound her, before a purple streak flew past her to merge with Gabriel's form. Tears pricked her eyes as she saw Hawkmoth's true form for the first time. Nooroo. Poor Nooroo. He had been trying to free her while the others were distracted. He was so sweet…. I'll help you, she promised him silently. I'll get out of this and save you, somehow.

Tikki. I have to get to Tikki. Tikki, please be okay.

"Now, Adrien, transform and bring me Ladybug's earrings," Hawkmoth ordered. Instead, Adrien sank to his knees, staring at the ground in silent defiance. From where she sat, Marinette could almost feel the anger radiating off both of them.

Finally, Hawkmoth sighed in frustration. "Adrien, together the earrings and the ring can bring your mother back. I managed to find her prison. It's here. Safe. All I need is the power to open it. The Ultimate Power. Not even Cat Noir's Cataclysm can do it. We need both," he said, almost pleading with his son. "With Ladybug's earrings, we could have her back by tonight!"

"We could ask," Adrien muttered. "Ladybug might be willing to help." He shot a glance at her from the corner of his eye. Marinette felt her face pale. Please don't let him give me away, she begged silently. And even then, she wasn't quite sure what she would say if he did ask her to bring his mother back. Using a Miraculous to gain more power? Trying to influence the Guardian's decisions? These didn't sound like very good choices to Marinette.

Not to mention she had just been kidnapped by these people.

"Ladybug would undoubtedly side with her kwami," Hawkmoth said scornfully.

"As she should!" Plagg shouted, from where he was hovering around Adrien's head, trying to make his wielder see sense. "You're so busy trying to get more power, you don't even think that we might know what we're talking about!"

Marinette closed her eyes, feeling the weight of her guilt. Yes, she would talk to Tikki before attempting anything. And considering how passionate Plagg was about the subject (Plagg! Lazy, carefree, cheese-obsessed Plagg!), she very much doubted Tikki would want to do it either.

Hawkmoth stepped towards Adrien. "Shut him up," he said, gesturing to the kwami. Plagg hissed at him again, flying closer to Adrien.

"Kid," he said, pleadingly. "Adrien. Please. Just listen to me for—"

"Plagg," Adrien said, defeated. "Claws out."

Marinette felt tears streak down her face as the kwami was sucked into the ring, screaming at his wielder the whole time. When he stood up, Cat Noir's cat ears were flat against his head and he glared at Hawkmoth. Vaguely, she realized the sun must've set sometime, because the whole world seemed darker.

"All right," Cat Noir growled. "I'll get the damn earrings. But I won't fight her, father. I'm not harming Ladybug."

"Very well," Hawkmoth agreed.

"And you—don't hurt Marinette, either," he said, finally glancing down at her. His eyes widened at her tear-filed gaze, and he quickly looked away.

"Of course," Hawkmoth practically purred.

Cat Noir glanced at his father and swallowed. "Can I… talk to her first?" he asked, nodding at Marinette.

Hawkmoth considered him for a moment. "Very well," he allowed. "But should you attempt to free her, her life is forfeit."

"Fine," Cat Noir agreed. He reached for her and Hawkmoth's cane was instantly in front of him. He glared at his father. "Talking means removing the gag, father. That's all. I won't untie her." Hawkmoth hummed at him and slowly moved back. With a quick swipe of his claw, the gag fell to the ground and Marinette gasped, breathing in the sweet, sweet air. Instantly, Cat Noir was crouched in front of her, a worried look on his face.

"Are you all right?" He asked urgently. Not trusting herself to speak just yet, Marinette nodded. He relaxed a bit, and then glared at his father again. "Umm, can we get some privacy here?"

Hawkmoth chuckled. "Don't push your luck, Adrien. I'll let you talk to her, but I'm not leaving."

Cat Noir huffed in annoyance and turned back towards Marinette. He put on a dopey grin. "So, err, as you can see, we're having some family issues right now. Mom's in prison, Dad's trying to take over the world, the usual…. But don't worry," he said, suddenly serious again, as his hands came up to cup her face. "I'll get you out of this, I promise."

She started to give him a smile, but froze as she felt his fingers brush her earrings. Pale, she stared at him. He wanted to, oh god, he wanted to! She could tell. That burning, longing gaze in his eyes. He wanted them. He was begging her with his eyes. Those lovely, iridescent green eyes.

The earrings. They would make his life good again. He'd have his mother back. He and his father would get along better than ever before. His family would be whole.

But at what price?

She closed her eyes, unable to look at his anymore.

"You're quiet tonight," he murmured, pulling away slightly, "considering everything we've been talking about. Don't you have anything to say that might, I dunno, save your life?"

Marinette looked up at him quizzically. It took her a moment to realize what he was talking about. Why he looked slightly angry at her right now. Oh. Oh! He was wondering why she hadn't transformed the moment he'd cut the gag away. The ropes were tight, but they were nothing Ladybug couldn't break easily. What must he be thinking? That she cared more about her secret identity than him?

How could she tell him that she couldn't transform, without alerting Hawkmoth?

"Cat Noir," she said slowly, licking her lips to give herself more time to think how to phrase this. She took a deep breath, even if she was still shaking. "Adrien. You-you're my… closest friend… right now. And I'm sorry, but…," she choked up, the full extent of the choice he had to make hitting her, "there's nothing I can say… to make this better."

His eyes widened briefly and she knew he got the message. She didn't have Tikki. No Tikki, no transformation.

"I see," he said, drawing away from her and standing up. Panic rose in her chest. She didn't want him to leave. She didn't want to be alone with Hawkmoth!

"Cat Noir!" she cried. He winked at her and gave her a jaunty salute.

"No worries, princess," he said lightly. "Just gotta do a chore for my old man. I'll be right back. Don't go anywhere!" And with that, he was out the window and into the night.

Beside her, Hawkmoth chuckled. "Very touching, my dear."

Anger flooded through Marinette. "How can you do this to him?" she burst out. "He's your son!"

To her dismay, he chuckled again. "Yes, my son," he agreed. "My perfect, angelic, rebellious son. He's gotten so strong. So powerful."

"Don't you care about him?" she asked, stricken.

"Of course I do!" he snarled. Apparently, she'd hit a sore spot. "Everything I do is for him! My name, my reputation, my powers, my company and business; it's all for him! I've tried everything I can to bring him up to be perfect. But he continues to defy me at every turn! He was able to resist my akuma earlier. And he helped you break out of my spell as well." He looked at her and his lip curled. "Does he know the extent of your feelings for him?"

Marinette gulped, feeling a wave of embarrassment. "Yes," she whispered. He'd found out all of it (more or less) earlier.

Still, good news! Adrien had been able to resist an akuma! She felt a rush of happiness flood her. Thank God! Whatever he had finally decided to use, it had worked. He was safe.

"Why are you happy?" Hawkmoth asked, looking at her curiously. She froze. She'd forgotten he could do that. Hawkmoth could sense her emotions!

"Umm…."

"The Cat Ring and Ladybug Earrings are two halves of the same whole," Hawkmoth told her. "Cat Noir will always belong to Ladybug. Therefore, Adrien's heart is taken. Surely, you must know you can't compete with a superhero."

Marinette felt a wave of indignation and quickly forced it down. He was fishing for proof she was Ladybug. He had to be. Don't think about being Ladybug, she told herself. Think about her as a different person. A rival. Feel those emotions! Ladybug as a rival. Adrien with Ladybug!

But, even then…

"It's just… it's not that bad," she said slowly. "I've loved him for so long without telling him. And Ladybug..., she's a good person. At least I know he'll be happy, right? If he's happy, then I'm happy. And I can still be his friend, no matter what."

"That will be enough for you?" Hawkmoth asked, incredulous.

"Well, Adrien cares about his friends," Marinette quietly. "So, there will always be a little place for me in his heart. Even if it's not as big as I wanted. Yes. If Cat Noir loves Ladybug, and she loves him back, then I will cheer for them as loudly as anybody." Then she raised her chin defiantly. "But if he loves her so much, you should know he won't betray her."

To her surprise, Hawkmoth started laughing. "You think I don't know that?" he asked, smirking at her. "My dear, I know my son. He intends to warn Ladybug. They'll probably swoop in here together, ready to destroy me. But he will still be conflicted, knowing just who he is facing. In fact, I'm counting on it," He added, his voice hardening. "Adrien is perfect in every way, but one. He lacks discipline.

"Fortunately," he continued, holding out his hand, "I happen to have the means to correct this." As Marinette watched, a butterfly flew into his outstretched palm. He cupped it and she watched in horror as it turned black before her eyes. An akuma.

"You can't!" she gasped, before she could stop herself. "You can't akumatize Adrien! You just said you've tried already! And even if he's conflicted, he's still a Miraculous wielder! It won't work!" As soon as the words left her mouth, she wished she hadn't said them. Hawkmoth turned to her with a raised eyebrow.

"Uh… he, uh, talked to me about it," she stuttered, trying to find a way to cover for herself. Fortunately, she at least one good instance that might work. "When he was caught leaving my balcony!" she said quickly, silently thanking the reporter she had been cursing earlier. "He came and asked about how I was able to resist and we got to talking… and he admitted he couldn't be akumatized because he's got a Miraculous!"

Hawkmoth frowned at her, then smirked. "So, they really haven't told him anything," he said, half to himself. Marinette stared at him and he chuckled again. "I'll let you in on a little secret, Miss Dupain-Cheng," he said slowly, enjoying himself. "Miraculous wielders can be akumatized. But only under a very special set of circumstances. You see, their mind must be frazzled, so they cannot think to call upon their power. It must hit at a time of great shock, to keep them from fighting back. And they must experience a despair so deep, they embrace the darkness with all they are."

Marinette's mind worked furiously to keep up. But Tikki had reassured them that day in her room… "Miraculous wielders can't be possessed by other Miraculous unless they're willing."

"Or they're having a really bad day," Plagg had muttered. And then Tikki had shot him one of her "shut up now" looks.

Marinette swallowed. So that's what Plagg had meant.

"And luckily for me, there is a very easy way to achieve all of this," Hawkmoth continued, pacing until he was standing right in front of her. "Adrien must experience, first hand, the death of someone he loves. Someone he trusts. Someone, perhaps, that he was supposed to protect?"

Marinette felt a cold, hard ball of fear sink into stomach as she looked up at Hawkmoth. He smiled, ice cold, back at her.

"I am sorry it had to be like this, my dear. You had so much potential. Do you have any final words?"

She gaped at him, as the room started to spin with her panic. No, no, no, no! This couldn't be happening! Not like this! She had so much left to do!! Dazed, she blinked, seeing spots. No! A spot! NO! A small, bright-pink bundle of hope and joy, streaking towards her determinedly through the night, right above his head, even as Hawkmoth raised his cane. And just like that, Marinette snapped back to herself, panic gone.

"Actually, Hawkmoth," she said calmly. "I do."

He froze. She smirked at him.

"Spots on."

End Chapter 8

A/N: I would say that this story has gotten a lot darker than I intended, but this is one of the first chapters I wrote, so I'd be lying.

Next: Chapter 9: In Which a Major Beatdown Goes Down (finally)