Warning: This episode does not reflect my views of who Hawkmoth actually is. This is for creative use only.
Marinette came barreling down the school entrance, regretting hitting her snooze button several times that morning. It was the second week back to school after winter break and she had already been late to classes twice. One more time and her principal would call her parents. And if the principal called her parents, she wouldn't be able to be Ladybug until she started being on time for class. And then never hang out with Adrien. As friends.
Even though Adrien had been stopping by a couple times a week for lunch and study sessions in the library with Nino and Alya.
Speaking of Adrien, she saw him exiting the locker hall, waving at her as she passed. Marinette waved back, not paying attention to where she was going as she ran into the door frame of the locker hall.
"Are you alright Marinette," asked Adrien as he ran up to her.
"I'm fine, this happens all the time," answered Marinette as she stood back up, wobbling as she did.
"You sure?"
"Yeah, you better head to class. I'll see you in a minute."
Marinette continued her mad dash to her locker, unaware of Adrien's crestfallen glance.
She quickly exchanged her books and dashed upstairs as the five minute bell rang. She nimbly maneuvered the crowds, making a sharp turn into the classroom, then a wide turn at Adrien's desk, barely managing to sit herself down in her seat. She looked over at Alya, who usually made a comment about Marinette's entrance, to find instead her attention was on Nino who was looking at Adrien reading a letter.
"That's awesome," Adrien congratulated his friend with a pat on the shoulder.
"What's awesome?" All three turned to look at her, surprised by her sudden appearance. She was sure she had barrelled into the classroom as loud as the Metro horn in a tunnel, but apparently not. Even Chloe hadn't noticed, so maybe Marinette had more stealth than she thought.
"Nino's going to be on this week's The Challenge," answered Alya.
"That's amazing! You deserve it Nino," complemented Marinette.
"You definitely do, especially with your dj skills," added Alya.
Both the girls' compliments made a tinge of red appear on Nino's cheeks.
"Can you invite people to watch the taping?" asked Marinette as she pulled out her school supplies, noticing Ms. Bustier leaving the teacher's lounge downstairs.
"It said I can bring up to five guests, but I know my parents and brothers will be busy that day." Nino's eyes lit up with a sudden thought.
"Why don't you guys come?"
"When is it again? I'm free in the morning, not the afternoon though," responded Alya taking the letter from Adrien.
"I should be free all day Saturday," answered Marinette, Nino responding with a high five and a "Boo-yah".
"Dang it, I have to babysit my sisters then. We'll support you from home though," continued Alya, handing Nino back the letter. All three heads turned to Adrien, who was trying hard not to meet anyone's eyes.
"I'll talk to my father. My grades and other extra-circulars have been going good, so maybe he'll be fine with it."
"Well, best of luck to you bro," responded Nino as Ms. Bustier entered the classroom. Everyone turned to face the front while Ms. Bustier organized her materials for the day.
Marinette looked down at Adrien, wishing he could go. A chance to get to know him better her head told her, her heart still saying something entirely different.
She opened up her tablet messenger and messaged Adrien.
"I hope your father lets you go."
There, a safe friend message to let him know she was cheering for him. She quickly got a response.
"Me too."
Adrien followed behind Nathalie as she proceeded to his father's office. He had asked Nathalie about attending the taping to support Nino, but she refused mention any conflicts with his schedule for that time, only suggesting it would be best to talk to his father. Nathalie entered the office and proceeded to her desk while Adrien walked over to his father's desk.
Gabriel Agreste glance up at his son while talking on the phone.
"Wouldn't miss it. Anyway, I have to go. I have an appointment in 20. See you Sunday." Gabriel hung up and looked at Adrien.
"Yes Adrien, what is it?"
"My friend Nino is going to be on The Challenge this week. I was hoping I might be able to go and watch him."
Gabriel nodded, then looked over at Nathalie.
"What does Adrien have scheduled that day?"
"There is a modeling shoot in the morning, and a piano lesson after lunch. But nothing has been scheduled for the remainder of the afternoon."
"And his grades?"
"Number two in the class behind one Max Kante." Gabriel nodded.
"I see no problem with it so long as once the show is over you come home immediately after for studying. And take your bodyguard with you."
Adrien's face lit up.
"Thank you father." Adrien was about to turn and leave when Gabriel spoke again.
"I will also be at a conference that Sunday. Nathalie, be sure Adrien practices his Chinese that day as well as fencing. I believe you have another competition coming up soon."
"Yes father." "Yes sir."
Adrien exited the office quickly pulling out his phone to text Marinette and Nino.
"I can go!"
"Awesome Bro! I'll text you the details."
"YAY!"
Adrien chuckled at the gif that came along with Marinette's text of a cat dancing. He switched from the group text to message her as he headed up to his room.
"My bodyguard has to come with me, would you want us to give you a ride?"
"No thanks, the tv station isn't to far from my house, plus I'm going a little early to make a delivery to Ms. Chamack. Thank you though." Adrien sighed.
"Ok, I'll see you at the station then."
"Ok!"
Adrien dropped his backpack by his desk as he sat down in his chair, feeling slightly less motivated to do homework than before.
He knew Ladybug was capable of taking care of herself, Marinette too by extension. But lately she had been rejecting his offers of help at every turn. No to a ride to the tv station. No to helping her after she fell. No to helping her with homework when she looked like she was having a hard time during their library study sessions. No to telling him about Camp Epon.
Adrien had been keeping it to himself he knew about Camp Epon for the past two weeks, but Marinette didn't bother to mention it to him. Only answering anyone with a blanket statement that the water was toxic from the science camp by the lake.
He turned on his computer, pulling out one of his text books to start working, only to be greeted by the front page of the Ladyblog, filled with more obscure answers for Lake Epon.
Adrien saw Marinette as a good friend he could be himself with now that she knew he was both Adrien and Chat Noir. His question was if she was still separating the two, or her former reactions towards Adrien leaking onto his Chat side as well.
Marinette was struggling over physics, trying to start on the weekend's home during the later half of lunch. Alya was sitting beside Marinette typing on her phone, Adrien had been absent all morning for a photoshoot and was home for lunch, while Nino had already left to change for gym.
"Adrien at five o'clock."
Marinette stiffened, then slowly relaxed. This was Adrien, her friend. There was no need to freeze up every time he was close by.
"Hey," Adrien sat down beside Marinette.
"Hey, how was the shoot?"
"The normal, no zombie snowmen attacking this time luckily."
Marinette chuckled.
"Is that the physics homework for this weekend?"
"Yeah, I wanted to get a jump start on it so I have a free weekend."
"Do you need any help?"
"No, I think I have a handle on this."
Marinette felt Alya jab her in the ribs. Sure that may have been a good chance to get closer to Adrien over physics homework, but she was still taking things slowly, trying to quell her her crush, which was starting to work. A little.
"Is there something wrong?" asked Adrien, causing Marinette to sit up in her seat, and Alya to glance over at the two.
"What do you mean?"
"Everytime I offer to help, you say no."
"I don't want to inconvenience you."
"You're not an inconvenience."
"I can do things on my own."
"I know that, I've followed the Ladyblog long before being Chat Noir."
Marinette glanced around seeing no one other than Alya was close enough to hear Adrien as Chat Noir.
"Then why do you think there's something wrong?"
Adrien shrugged.
"I don't know, maybe because we don't talk so much."
"We talk all the time Adrien."
"About casual stuff. You don't talk to me like how after the Ultimate Mecha-Strike Tournament you went on for hours telling Chat everything that happened. Or how honest you were with Chat when we were tailing Nino and Alya. We don't talk like that anymore. You won't even tell me about what happened at Camp Epon."
"I told you all there was to tell. That the water was toxic from the science camp."
"But I had to push more questions to find out it was an old mission. I even had to ask Nino why you wouldn't talk to me about it."
Marinette's eyes went wide. How much did Nino tell?"
"You talked to Nino?"
"Yeah, and he told me what happened." So probably everything that Nino knew, Marinette concluded.
"Did you ever stop to think there was a reason I didn't want to talk about it?" Marinette closed her book, stuffing the homework between the pages.
"Did you ever stop to think that we're friends and you could honest with me?"
"You didn't need to know about that."
"I'm your friend Marinette, I want to know more about you beyond what I can read on a blog."
"Then maybe actually try being a friend and trusting I would tell you when it was necessary." Marinette grabbed her things and stormed off, leaving Alya and Adrien at their table.
Adrien turned to Alya, who made no move to go after her best friend. Was he he pushing it too much? He and Nino talked about a lot of things, deep and casual. So why couldn't things be like that with Marinette?
"She probably hates me again," Adrien mumbled, planting his face on the table.
"Again?" asked Alya, turning towards Adrien.
"You know, before she knew I was Chat Noir, she hated me."
"Would someone who hated you ask you to the back to school dance?"
Adrien did pause to think that statement over. As true as it was and as semi-comfortable as Marinette seemed that night with him, he couldn't ignore the past two years of awkward.
"So why wouldn't she talk to me?"
Alya looked like she wanted to burst, but took a deep breath before responding.
"She just has a harding communicating with people sometimes."
"If by people, you mean only me, then sure."
Alya groaned.
"Well do you want her to hate you?" She asked.
"No," Adrien sat up, "since the beginning when we first met, I just wanted to be friends."
"Then try being a friend. Being friends doesn't mean you have to tell each other your darkest secrets right away. Heck, I didn't know she was Ladybug until last summer, but I understood why she didn't tell me."
"Did she tell you about Lake Epon?"
"No, and I don't expect her too until she's ready. Just give her time and space and she'll open up."
"Thanks Alya," Adrien stood up at the warning bell rang, signalling the end of lunch.
"Doesn't mean she is right though not accepting help from you when you offer. She can be stubborn sometimes," finished Alya as she stood up.
"What would you suggest I do?"
Alya shrugged, "Ask her yourself."
Marinette marched away from their table fuming. Who did he think he was digging into her private life like that. He had no right to go snooping like that. Here she was trying to get over her crush and just be friends when he blew everything up with his stupid snooping.
Marinette opened her locker, hastily exchanging her books before slamming the locker shut.
She turned to go to class and brood some more when she found herself face to face with Alix Kubel.
"Hey Marinette, are you ok?"
"Yeah, sorry, just stupid things."
"That bums."
"Tell me about it. What's up?"
"Well my dad was held up late at the museum last night and didn't come home at all. Jalil went this morning after his college class and couldn't find dad anywhere."
"That's odd, you sure he didn't accidentally lock himself in a closet?"
Alix shook her head, "Jalil and the security checked everywhere."
"I'll stop by the museum after school, wait, I have homework, and tomorrow morning I work the bakery. I can come in the afternoon."
"Thanks Marinette. I'll let Jalill know."
The five minute warning bell sounded overhead.
"See you tomorrow Alix," Marinette called out, heading for her next class as Alix headed for her own. Marinette continued walking to see Adrien and Alya heading towards class.
Dangit, Nino's competition was tomorrow afternoon.
Nino would understand, besides, he had Adrien to go with him.
Adrien waited in the locker hall, pulling out his fencing gear for practice. Alya and Marinette had just come out of the girls bathroom, changing from their gym uniforms to their normal clothes.
"Hey Adrien, you ready to jam tomorrow," Nino came up behind him, messing up Adrien's well groomed hair that snapped back into place the moment Nino stopped ruffling it.
"Totally, did you get the details?"
"Yep, I wrote it down so you could give it to your pop's assistant."
Adrien took the note, "I think I may have to rewrite it for her," Adrien chuckled as he put the note in his backpack and Nino's smile turned into a frown.
"Bro, harsh." Upon noticing Marinette, Nino dragged Adrien over to her locker.
"Hey Marinette, I wrote the details down for the competition tomorrow."
"Thanks Nino, but I actually can't make it tomorrow. Something came up."
Really?! Now because of their argument Marinette was bailing on Nino's competition.
"It's fine, maybe if I make it past the first round then you can come see me at the second round."
"For sure, see you guys Monday," Marinette turned and left, Alya shrugging at Adrien as she followed Marinette out.
"Well, I'll see you later dude. I'm gonna go practice my mad dj skills," Adrien absent mindedly gave Nino a fistbump as he left, Adrien retreating to the bathroom to change for fencing.
Did Marinette really hate him that much to bail on Nino?
"Girl, wait up," Alya finally managed to stop Marinette on the front steps of the school. "What was that all about?"
"What do you mean?"
"You blowing off Nino's competition because Adrien was going to be there."
"I did not blow Nino's thing off because of Adrien. I actually have some Ladybug stuff to do."
"And you didn't think to tell either of them?"
"Because Nino was going to be at the competition and Adrien was going to be there to support him. I can handle on my own."
"I know, you've made that abundantly clear today."
"What do you mean?"
Alya sighed, leaning against the guard along the steps to their school.
"Marinette, when you like Adrien, how would you describe him to me?"
"The sweetest, and kindest ray of sunshine blessed upon this earth," answered Marinette, the opinion now slightly darkened to a kind boy who didn't know when to give a girl space for her wounded heart to heal.
"And he still is. He's trying to be nice by offering to help and you blow him off."
"Snooping is not something rays of sunshine do."
"Technically they do, they shine wherever they can to a certain degree."
"Your point?"
"While I do not agree Adrien should have been snooping like that, he was only doing so because he wants to be better friends with you."
Marinette squirmed uncomfortable where she stood, knowing Alya was right.
"Just take that into consideration and talk to him."
"You aren't doing this just so your ship can sail?"
"I'm doing this because you're both my friends. Talk it out with him."
Marinette sighed, "Fine, when I see him next then."
"Thanks, I gotta go, I promised Nino a plugin on my blog tonight." Alya dashed off, leaving Marinette to walk home alone.
"Marinette!" Alix waved over to Marinette, as she and her older brother stood by the entrance of the museum. Marinette, adorned in her Ladybug attire, waved as she approached.
"Sorry, should I have called you Ladybug," apologized Alix as Jalil led them inside the museum.
"It's fine. Without the mask, it's whatever you prefer," answered Marinette, "Jalil, can you tell me more about what happened when you last saw your father?"
"Sure, he was on the phone when I came to say good bye. He told me he would only be there for a couple more hours and told me to let mom know not to hold dinner up for him. He then went back to his conversation on the phone, and I left."
"Do you know who he was calling?"
"No idea, he didn't mention any names and I couldn't hear any voice from where I stood."
Jalil opened the door to his father's office, everything a mess and in need of organization.
"Father likes to work in messy areas like this, says it helps him find things," answered Alix as Marinette maneuvered over to the desk. Some of the papers on the desk had been dropped to the floor, almost as if in a rush. Marinette checked the business phone's call log.
"That was the call he made when I left," Jalil pointed at the second dialed number on the screen.
"So he made one more call afterwards," Marinette looked above to see fifteen minutes after the call Jalil heard, Mr. Kubel had made another call.
"That's Mayor Bourgeois' number," Marinette pointed out.
"How do you know," asked Alix?
"I've seen enough of Chloe calling her "daddykins" to recognize that number," answered Marinette, Alix chuckling at her impersonation of the narcissistic blond.
Marinette looked around the room to notice four cameras in the four corners of the room.
"Did you check the video cameras?"
"The police did, but they wouldn't tell us anything." Marinette frowned.
"Let's talk to security then."
Jalil led them over to the security office.
"Ladybug?! What are you doing here?" asked the guard who was watching the security cameras.
"I came to check the footage of Mr. Kubel's office from two nights ago.
"The police have already looked over it and couldn't find anything."
"It wouldn't hurt to have another pair of eyes look over the video," Marinette stepped behind the desk and started searching through the computer, Alix and Jalil coming up beside her, squeezing the security guard out so he could barely watch the video as well.
"There, that's when I left his office," point Jalil.
Marinette clicked on the video, pressing play.
Jalil and his father exchanged a few words, then Jalil left. Mr. Kubel hung up the phone a few minutes later and resumed work, only to stop short and make another phone call. The call continued for a quite a while, Marinette having to move to another video to keep watching.
The phone call ended. Mr. Kubel looked around his desk before working on the piece he had previously started. He was part way done when in a flash of grey, he was gone.
"What the?" All four in the room exclaimed. Marinette reran the video, watching frame by frame as three blurs moved into the room and abducted Mr. Kubel.
"Our next contestant is a high school student and loves making his own mixtapes in his spare time. Please welcome, Nino Lahiffe!"
Adrien watched as Nino shuffled onto the stage looking a bit nervous. Nino looked to Adrien who gave him a thumbs up and a wink, Nino then stood straight with confidence as the announcer, Alec walked over to him.
"So, the challenge the viewers have chosen for you is... To get the mayor of Paris, André Bourgeois, to dance! Thank you for going to play with us today, sir. What are Nino's chances tonight?"
Behind Nino appeared the Mayor on a giant screen while stage hands brought out a dj's turntable for Nino to use.
"Zero. I despise dancing. The last time I set foot on a dance floor, Madonna was in kindergarten."
"Well Nino, we wish you the best of luck," Alec walked over to the side stage while Nino took his place behind the turntable.
"Nino! Begin! Your! Challenge!"
Nino began to play, Mr. Bourgeois looking on in amusement. Adrien studied the mayor as Nino played. It started very gradually but the mayor's head began to bob.
If Alec considered head bobbing as dancing, Nino had this one in the bag.
Just then, something blasted its way through the door that was off camera in Mr. Bourgeois office. The mayor stood and began to back up.
"Mr. Bourgeois… we have come for you," robotic female voices came over the microphone in the mayor's office.
"Who... who are you?"
Three female robots surrounded the mayor in a flash.
"I am Bebe."
"I am Bebe."
"I am Bebe."
In another flash, the three robots and the mayor were gone from the screen.
"Well folks, considering before the Mayor's sudden departure he was bobbing his head, Nino has conquered the Challenge. We'll be right back after this break."
People part of the studio gradually began escorting people out of the room, Nino and Adrien taking a side exit.
Nino had already begun calling Marinette.
"Hey Nino, what's up?"
"The Mayor's been kidnapped!"
"So I saw."
"Wait, you saw the show," asked Adrien?
"I was watching it on my phone. I'll meet you guys at Mr. Bourgeois' office," and with that, Marinette hung up.
As she had said over the phone, Marinette was already at the Mayor's office talking to the police when Nino and Chat Noir arrived.
"Excuse me, but no kids allowed."
"Officer, they're with me," Marinette answered. The police officer let them pass, Chat surprised to see Marinette in her full Ladybug attire when he was only able to put on his mask on their quick run over.
"As I was saying Officer Raincomprix, I believe the disappearance of Mayor Bourgeois is correlated to Mr. Kubel's disappearance as well."
What?! Chat and Nino's eyes both went wide at this statement.
"And your grounds for suspicion?"
"Mayor Bourgeois was the last person Mr. Kubel called before he disappeared. And I'm sure the security camera in this room will show similar blurs like Mr. Kubel's security footage when he was kidnapped."
Double What?! Since when did Marinette know about all this?"
"Thanks for the help Ladybug. We'll be sure to take a look at the video footage from this office and the museum," Officer Raincomprix closed his notepad and proceed over to the mayor's desk.
"Since when did you know about Mr. Kubel's disappearance," whispered Chat as he followed Marinette over to the bookcase to watch the police work.
"Yesterday. Alix asked me to investigate."
"You could have told us ya know."
"Nino had the competion and I didn't want to distract him until after the show.I did think your beat was pretty awesome when I got to listen to it Nino," Marinette looked over to Nino, who nodded in affirmation but remained silent.
"What about me then? Your partner?"
"You were there to support Nino."
"So you just thought you could ditch Nino and leave me out of the loop?"
"I would have filled you both in once the competition was done."
"You sure? Because lately you seem to think you can handle everything on your own."
"Stop blowing this out of proportion. If I thought I needed help, I would have called you."
"Sure you would," Chat grumbled. Marinette sighed, and walked over to Officer Raincomprix.
"I'm going to head out. Let me know if you find anything."
"Will do Ladybug."
Marinette left the office with Nino following her. Chat was about to leave the office too when he noticed picture frame on one of the bookshelves.
On the picture he could see Mr. Bourgeois, Mr. Kubel, and his father all in university graduation gowns.
Mr. Kubel had gone missing, and now Mr. Bourgeois.
Gabriel Agreste could be the next target if Chat's theory was correct. Chat proceeded out of the office, intent on calling Ladybug when he stopped short.
If Ladybug could handle cases alone, so could Chat Noir.
"Marinette, hold up," Marinette stopped on the steps of the Place du Trocadero. Nino only ever called her by her actual name if they were in school or if it was a serious discussion.
"What's going on with you two? Two days ago you both were excited to come to the competition and friends, and now you act more like you can't stand each other."
"Because you told him about Camp Epon."
"Camp Epon? I was involved too so I can tell my best friend what I want."
"Yes, but still…" Marinette slumped onto the steps, "I didn't want him to know."
Nino sat beside her.
"You know Adrien best right," Marinette asked looking over at Nino.
"More or less."
"Adrien jumps into being friends. The moment you say you're friends, he want to be best friends."
"I won't disagree there."
"Me, it's taking a while to warm up to everything. I...I just don't want to leave false expectations for him. I can do things on my own, as Marinette or Ladybug. Ladybug and Marinette have personal things they don't want to talk about. I'm still getting use to being friends."
"But you were fine with being friends with Chat?"
"Chat… it felt different with Chat than with Adrien. It's not like how Adrien knew I was both Marinette and Ladybug and got use to all of me. I'm still getting use to all of him."
"Did you think maybe he may have had the same problem before when there was a difference between Ladybug and Marinette to people? He just got to sort things out earlier than you."
Marinette sighed.
"Chat or Adrien, he's still your partner. He'll make mistakes. Just be the nice you when you tell him what he did wrong."
Marinette giggled, "Fine." She stood up, Nino following in suit.
"I'm surprised you figured all that out. I thought you couldn't understand women."
"Alya's helping me learn. I still need a lot of practice according to her."
Nino's phone began to ring, the caller ID identifying it as Adrien.
"What's up bro?"
"Is Marinette with you?"
"Yeah."
"Good." Nino and Marinette could hear Adrien heavily breathing on the other line.
"My father's been kidnapped."
"Thanks for the ride Ms. Sancoeur," commented Marinette as she rode in the back of the vehicle with Chat Noir, now dressed in his Chat Noir attire, while Gabriel Agreste's assistant drove.
"Mr. Agreste insisted on some form of tracking device in case of an event like this," Nathalie gestured to her phone revealing the tracking information, "It was Adrien who insisted you and your partner be the ones to help find him."
Marinette looked over to Chat who stared nonchalantly out the window.
"Where is Adrien, if you don't mind me asking?"
"He's at home for his own safety."
Marinette nodded, intentionally not looking at Chat in case his father's assistant got suspicious. How he had managed to pull that one off was a mystery to Marinette. She didn't even bother trying to hide her heroism from her parents to prevent a dilemma where Marinette needed to be in two places at once.
Nathalie brought the car to a stop at a hotel, a banner outside reading "Welcome Phi Kappa Psi."
"Why would the robots take Mr. Agreste here of all places?" asked Marinette as she got out of the car.
"It could be possible who ever created the robots may have been a classmate of Mr. Agreste, Mr. Kubel, and Mr. Bourgeois. I saw a picture of them at their college graduation in Mr. Bourgeois office," answered Chat.
Nathalie walked over to the parking valet, offering the keys to the vehicle.
"Park it close. We shouldn't be long."
"Keep your keys Ms. Sancoeur, this guy's been hit with knockout gas," commented Marinette as she and Chat approached the valet inside the booth, to find his slumped over the desk.
"I shall be in the car if you two need anything," Nathalie proceeded back to the car while Chat and Marinette went inside the building.
The opened the doors to find everyone inside asleep.
"This is bad," Marinette proceeded further into the lobby, Chat following behind her.
"I'll say. They'd better get this ironed out before father's college reunion tomorrow."
Marinette and Chat opened the doors to a conference room, finding inside Mr. Agreste, Mr. Kubel, Mr. Bourgeois, and some man with his back turned to them.
"Scorned by my so-called friends. But I vowed to prove my genius to all of you and when I got the reunion invite…" the man waved the college reunion invite in the air.
"Since you dropped out Simon, you are not entitled to that," answered Mr. Agreste.
"Indeed! Exactly why I planned my own little reunion!"
The man turned to the door of the conference room, revealing himself to be Hawkmoth.
"HAWKMOTH!" exclaimed Chat and Marinette.
"LADYBUG!" exclaimed Hawkmoth.
"LADYBUG!" Mr. Kubel and Mr. Bourgeois cried in happiness.
"What are you doing here? This was an exclusive event," whined Hawkmoth stormed over to Marinette and Chat.
"I have my sources," answered Marinette.
"Well, the party's just getting started." Hawkmoth proceed to walk behind them his back towards the door of the conference room while Marinette and Chat stood between him and his prisoners. Bebes, return to me at once!"
In a flash, the robotic women were by Hawkmoth's side in a flash.
"Ha ha! Who's the genius now? These robots are perfect! And their sole purpose is to obey me!"
"Question," asked on of the Bebes, "If we are perfect, why do we obey one who is not perfect? Conclusion?"
"Drakken is unfit to command," answered all three of the Bebes, their eyes glowing a more vibrant red than before.
Hawkmoth gasped in horror.
"It's college all over again. That man cannot build a robot," commented Mr. Kubel.
"He should have stuck with magic," added Mr. Bourgeois.
Hawkmoth began to back up in fear as the robots marched towards them.
"This is just too weird," Marinette jumped over Hawkmoth and on the shoulders of two of the Bebes.
She brought their heads together in a sizzle of electricity. Once she was certain they were going to stay that way for a while, she jumped off, only to land into the arms of the third Bebe. Bebe threw Marinette across the room.
"Ladybug!" Chat called out from where he was, trying to release the electric cage holding his father and two other men captive.
The Bebe picked up a table full of trophies, tossing them towards Marinette, who did backhandspring away to the stage. The two Bebes with their heads still electronically connected separated and the three robot females ran after Marinette at lightning speed. Marinette dodged, grabbing a mic stand to fight back. She attempted to attack one of the Bebes, only the have the stand knocked in half when parried by a Bebe's arm. The Bebe swung her other arm in retaliation, breaking in half the remaining part of the mic stand. Marinette dodged as the Bebe attempted to attack her again, only to run into another Bebe. Marinette slid under only to be almost punched in the ground by the third Bebe. She managed to escape from the stage to the ground floor of the conference room. The Bebes quickly jumped after her, forcing Marinette to try and dodge all three of them attacking her.
"Dude, you're a scientist, can't you do something," whined Chat as he approached Hawkmoth, unable to disconnect the electronic cage.
Despite Ladybug being able to handle herself in most cases, this was one that was turning south fast.
"Let the ladies work this out amongst themselves," answered Hawkmoth grin a devilish grin. Either outcome worked in Hawkmoth's favor as far as Chat could tell.
"Nino," Chat called on his watch. Nino's face immediately appeared on screen.
"I need a sonic disturbance. Make it loud. Make it ultra-high frequency."
"Something that can jam a wireless network signal?"
"Thanks."
All of a sudden, a high pitched sound emitted from Chat's watching, drawing the Bebe's attention away from Marinette.
"Analysis... subject... Chat Noir's attack strategy. Threat... substantial. Destroy electronic device."
The Bebe's dropped Marinette, rushing over to Chat. Chat ran to the other side of the room, taking of his watch as he did.
"Mr. Agreste!" Chat called out, "Catch!" Chat threw the watch, Mr. Agreste reaching out to catch it. But one of the Bebe's caught the watch before him, the additional Bebe's forcing the first into the electronic cage, destroying the watch, and frying some of the Bebe's circuits.
But the signal kept going. Everyone turned to find Marinette holding up her own watching with the frequency signal still blaring.
"Hive mind command con-con-connection lo-lo-lost." The Bebes alternated speaking as sparks came out of their limb connections.
Marinette smirked as she charged again at the Bebes, easily able to detach some of their limbs and a head. With a final kick, the Bebes collided into each other, exploding in a pile of robotic parts.
"Way to go Ladybug!" Cheered Mr. Bourgeois, still plugging his ears from the frequency. Marinette turned it off as she joined Chat Noir over by the captured men.
"Thank Chat Noir, it was his idea," Marinette gestured over to Chat, who slightly blushed. Maybe things weren't over for their partnership.
"Yes, thank you Chat Noir," responded Mr. Agreste, the two other men nodding in agreement.
Just then, they heard a slight crash. They all turned to see Hawkmoth attempting to escape.
"Allow me," asked Chat, Marinette gesturing for him to go ahead. Chat rushed over in front of Hawkmoth, locking his escape.
"What about your college reunion, Simon?"
"I'll come to the next one... when I'm even more successful! Ha ha ha ha!" Immediately straps came around his shoulder and mid-section, twin jets extending from the straps. With a push of a button Hawkmoth blasted out of the hotel.
"Darn it, wish we had one of those," grumbled Chat, not noticing Marinette's smirk.
Chat quickly extended his baton, climbing into his room via window. Marinette was buying him time by taking everyone to their families in the order they were kidnapped, leaving Mr. Agreste until last.
He speedily changed out of his uniform and mask, throwing on the clothes he had worn earlier. He sat at his desk, luckily thinking before to leave his book and homework open. Not a moment to soon as the door to his room opened. Adrien spun in his chair to see his father.
"Father, you're ok." Adrien stood up as his father approached.
Adrien was sure he could see a glimpse of happiness he hadn't seen in a long time as Gabriel Agreste leaned down to hug his son.
"I'm glad you're safe," Adrien whispered as he tightened the hug. Gabriel let go and smiled at his son.
"As am I."
"Father, what exactly happened? Why were you kidnapped," Adrien asked, doubting he would receive an answer. Just like Camp Epon, it wasn't entirely his business to know.
Gabriel checked his watch then put a hand on Adrien's shoulder.
"I guess I can spare a few more moments to tell you."
Gabriel led Adrien over to the sofa and sat beside his son. Adrien hadn't had a conversation with his father like this in years.
"Back in college, Mr. Kubel, Mayor Bourgeois, and I were in a fraternity together. Another fraternity brother and friend of our was Simon Grimault, a scientist who also was a magician as a hobby. Being the only four in the fraternity without dates for a Greek Life Mixer, Simon agreed to get us dates. Instead, he ended up making us robotic dates. Bebe is what he called them, before they fell apart. We laughed and he vowed revenge. Simon later dropped out and we never saw him again. I don't think he ever forgave us, and in some small way, maybe we never forgave ourselves."
"Did mom know?"
"Not for a while, considering I met her at the Mixer. She had just joined a sorority along with Mrs. Bourgeois."
Adrien chuckled, imagine a younger version of his father and mother at college party along with the mayor and his wife. That chuckle then turned into a frown.
"Was mother upset that you didn't tell her?"
"Your mother understood that while we dating, and even after we married that we would learn more about each other as we grew closer as a couple and grew as persons. And with every new thing we learned about each other, good or bad, it made life more interesting to see where we had come from and where we were going."
Gabriel looked down at Adrien and smiled.
"I know with work I have been busier lately," Gabriel stood up, getting ready to head back to work, "But if there is ever something you want to talk about with me, my office is open."
"Thanks father." Gabriel Agreste left the boy's room, leaving Adrien the ponder over some choices he needed to make.
Marinette sat on the school steps of the school at 7:30 am for two reasons. One so she wouldn't be late. Two, Adrien arrived at school between 7:30-7:45 according to the schedule she had just taken down from her room, throwing it into the trash before leaving to school.
Despite working together fine on Saturday with the Bebe thing, they needed to talk.
Adrien's car pulled up to school, Adrien stepping out of the car in the blue scarf he still thought was from his father.
"Adrien!" Marinette called out, hoping she didn't sound too harsh. Adrien looked surprised, but walked over to her.
"Hey, you're here early."
Marinette nodded, not trusting herself to not jump into what she had to say.
They stood awkwardly on the steps, obliviously to Nino and Alya who passed them by and entered the school building.
"Adrien." "Marinette." They both said at the same time.
"You go first." They both said again.
Uncertain who was actually going first, "I'm sorry."
"What?" "What?"
"You're sorry?" "You're sorry?"
They were about to say something again when Marinette snapped her mouth shut, biting her bottom lip. Adrien took that as a sign to proceed.
"I'm sorry, for prying into Camp Epon. I should have respected your privacy and trusted you would tell me when you were ready."
"No, no, it's fine. I should have told you. I just, really don't like talking about that."
"So Nino told me. I'll try to be more patient from now on."
"Thanks, as Nino and Alya can tell you, you're going to need a lot of it when dealing with me."
"Anything for a friend."
Marinette smiled at the affirmation they were friends again.
"And I'm sorry too, for not being a better friend, and pushing you away when you were only trying to help."
"It's fine, I get it, you're Ladybug and you can do anything."
"Not without Chat Noir." Adrien froze at Marinette's statement.
"Or Adrien. I'm still getting use to you both being the same, but you are still my friend either way. I just have to get use to puns without the mask."
"You know you find them a-mew-sing."
Marinette groaned.
"Still friends then?" Adrien asked for affirmation.
"Still friends, with a lot of learning to do," affirmed Marinette. Adrien came around to her side, escorting her into class.
"By the way, the whole frequency thing you did to corrupt the Bebes was really cool. How'd you figure that out?"
"It was in our physics homework, didn't you read the chapter?"
"I may or may not have slightly glossed over that chapter and found the answers on the internet," Marinette answered sheepishly as they headed up the stairs.
"Physics is my favorite subject. I could tutor you, you know, if you want," offered Adrien, who looked as if he was trying not to get his hopes up too high.
"I would like that. Let me know when you are free and we could go to my place. Or your place. Or the library. Whatever works for you," answered Marinette, hoping she wasn't sounding to desperate to make amends.
"I'll let you know," Adrien smiled as he opened the door for her. Marinette entered the class ahead of Adrien, frowning suspiciously as Nino sat in her seat, leaving the front row open.
"Marinette, you don't mind if Nino sits next to me today do you? He promised to give me all the deets on The Challenge," asked Alya all too innocently.
Marinette was about ready to pick up Nino and put him back in his seat when she felt Adrien's hand on her shoulder.
"Come on Marinette, wouldn't want to interrupt the couple wanting some alone time," said Adrien with a smile. Marinette nodded and proceed to sit down in Nino's seat while Adrien sat in his own, Alya and Nino left speechless and fifty shades redder.