The long-awaited conclusion of Descent into the Pit! This is the final chapter of this installment, and the one that will have the most lasting effects on the story from here on out. With that part out of the way, enjoy!

Chapter Ten

Green-Eyed Wasp: Repercussions

"They were insane," Mayura panted. "I could barely walk, let alone fight back. And they just kept coming…" She shuddered a little. "Perhaps we made the wrong choice, stealing those Dark Miraculouses."

Tyranno Moth grumbled darkly under his breath before he dropped his transformation. Nooroo and Rexx materialized, the latter kwami giving his holder a large, toothy, sinister smile.

"Oh, you're extinct now, yesss," he said gleefully. "Once they tire of using you as a plaything… I wouldn't want to be in your shoes, no."

"Quiet, Rexx," Gabriel snapped, tearing the Dark Miraculous from his coat. Rexx yelped as he was violently sucked back into his jewel. Gabriel was tempted to throw it, crush it, break the cursed Miraculous in some way, but it would be pointless. Dragonus would still come for him.

Gabriel took off his glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Perhaps we made the wrong choice. However, it might not be too late to reverse the damage done. If I return this… thing to the Darks, perhaps they will leave us alone. Perhaps they will give us time to plan our next moves. Emilie's revival is still possible."

"We've failed too many times, Gabriel," Mayura said as she transformed back to Nathalie. "Green-Eyed Wasp is the closest we've ever come to victory, and even she was defeated. The Darks being added complicates everything." She paused, and Gabriel noticed her expression. Like she was trying to figure out exactly what to say.

"What if we have to stop?" Nathalie asked.

Gabriel froze. The possibility had occurred to him numerous times, and he had always found a way to get around it. And he knew there was a way to get around this problem.

The Dark T-rex Miraculous seemed to pulse lightly in his palm, like it was whispering to him. Suddenly it all seemed clear. His mind flashed back to a conversation he had with Dragonus, one that seemed so long ago.

"I have a plan," Gabriel said suddenly, stuffing the purple chain pendant in his jacket. "And I need the Peacock Miraculous."

Nathalie blinked in surprise, but dutifully handed over the brooch. "Do you want to elaborate?"

"Not now…" Gabriel answered, straightening his tie as he moved briskly to the hidden lift. "We'd better go find Adrien… assuming the power of the Miraculous cure hasn't deposited him in his room."

"Now I'm worried, Gabriel," Nathalie sighed. "That horrible lizard's power might be influencing you. And if the choice you made is the one I believe you made, you must think carefully. What if he disagrees?"

"Then we're all doomed," Gabriel replied flatly as the elevator took him down to his atelier.

Cat Noir rolled his shoulders as he felt Amelie get off his back. She'd been gripping far too hard and yelling as he leapt over the city rooftops. Now she was gripping her stomach, as if she was trying to quell her nausea.

"I have to go," Cat Noir said. "Are you sure you're okay?"

Amelie nodded weakly and swallowed. "Yes, I'm fine," she answered. "Just a little queasy. Riding on a superhero's back wasn't something I expected to do."

Cat Noir smiled lightly. "Okay. Just be careful from now on in case Tyranno Moth tries to prey on you again. Cat out - I guess." He gave a slight bow and vaulted off. Amelie sighed, forcing down the nausea as she turned towards the house and ran in as fast as her heels would allow.

Unbeknownst to Amelie, Cat Noir had swung around and leapt into the bathroom, landing with a roll and releasing his transformation, turning back to Adrien. He tossed Plagg a piece of Camembert and stepped out of the bathroom. Then his path was blocked by an unamused Felix.

"They tied me… to a chair… for fifteen minutes," the other boy grumbled. Adrien had to stifle his laughter. "Sorry, cuz, what did you want me to do? I couldn't exactly bring you into the fight."

At that moment, Adrien's door swung open, and Amelie, Gabriel, and Nathalie poured into the room. Amelie went straight to Felix, checking him for injuries and muttering sweet nothings to her son in between apologies for whatever she might've done while under Tyranno Moth's influence. She was speaking so fast that her words jumbled together, almost resulting in nonsense.

Gabriel glanced at Adrien, studying his son's frame as if he was concerned something happened. "Why didn't you get to the safe room?" Gabriel demanded. "I was waiting for you."

Adrien blinked. "I- I couldn't!" he stammered. "Green-Eyed Wasp herded Felix and I up to my room and… blocked us in! We couldn't open the doors!" A bead of sweat trickled down the back of his neck. He was almost certain his father could smell his lies.

Luckily, Gabriel only shrugged. "Next time try and run," he said.

Adrien felt relief wash over his shoulders. "Yes, Father."

"You can have the night off," Gabriel said, almost like he was addressing one of his subordinates. "I believe today's… events may have been a bit disconcerting."

Adrien was tempted to say something snarky, but he held his tongue. "Thank you, Father."

Suddenly Amelie sighed softly, her knees buckling under her. Felix immediately lunged, catching his mother before she fainted completely and supporting her. Gabriel's face briefly flashed with an expression of concern before reverting to its normal cold mask. "Are you alright?" he asked, showing just the barest amount of concern.

Amelie groaned, holding her head. "Please tell me you have enough guest rooms available. I'd like to lie down a little," she replied.

Gabriel nodded. "Of course. Nathalie, escort Amelie to her room, then take Felix to his."

Nathalie nodded shortly as she took Amelie's hand and eased her to her feet. "Follow me," she ordered, lightly pulling Amelie along. Felix followed reluctantly, leaving Gabriel and Adrien alone.

Gabriel didn't stay long, only giving his son a tired nod and a wave before leaving the room, closing the door behind him. Adrien sighed, flopping down in his computer chair and swiveling towards the monitors.

"Maybe the extra jumps over the roofs were a bad idea when you could've just gone over the streets," Plagg suggested.

Adrien groaned. "I think that was made perfectly clear, thank you very much."

"I'm only trying to lighten the mood," Plagg replied. "Look, I don't want you to worry that Felix's mom is going to… well, you know."

"I know, I know. It doesn't help that you're bringing it up. But no, I'm not worrying about that. It's something else."

Plagg sighed. "Look, Adrien, I know I'm not really one to talk about modern human customs, but I don't think you did anything wrong. You saved your aunt and Ladybug! You don't need to go beating yourself up over what you had to do."

"You don't get it, Plagg," Adrien snapped. "I- I- ugh, I can't even say the word! But I did that, and I feel disgusted by it. Especially since you heard how quickly Felix snapped up Sentibug. Who knows what he was doing with her while Marinette and I were working out the game plan!"

"I don't think it was what you're thinking."

"It doesn't matter. What if it happens again? What if something else hits me and I lose control? What happens then?" Adrien demanded, taking a deep breath. "So, I'm going to explain to Marinette exactly what happened and let her judge if I'm guilty of anything or not. I'll only accept it from her."

Plagg groaned. "First of all, you're too much of a nice guy to do anything to Pigtails, whether under the influence of a villain or not. Second, if I'm telling you exactly the same thing she tells you, you're gonna feel so dumb. And third… okay, I've got nothing, but still!"

"I still want to be sure," Adrien replied. "We'll head over to her place in a little bit, I just need a little time to process all this."

Plagg sighed. "Fine. Whatever makes you a happy cat."

"Oh, man, did you see their faces?" Buzz Skink said between chuckles. "They were all like 'Oh, lord, they're monsters!' and we were like 'You bet your tails we are!'"

"And then I was like-" Vedova Dea elbowed the chattering supervillain hard in the ribs, quickly silencing his laughter. The only downside was that Buzz Skink nearly dropped her, but Pterophaux quickly supported her.

"Perhaps you shouldn't have done that," he said as he glanced at her back, gently poking her wings. Vedova Dea flinched slightly.

"I thought the magic ladybugs would've fixed it," she complained.

"Oh, they did," Pterophaux confirmed. "You just didn't feel the break when you landed because of the Honorbound power paralyzing you and my Doublecross basically forcing your body to be treacherous and make you not feel it. It's complex, but what you're feeling is the after-effects."

"In normal words, please?"

Veloci Croc popped up next to Vedova Dea. "Our powers kept you from screaming in horrible agony and the ladybugs stopped the bad pain, and now you're left with a painful hangover," he explained.

Vedova Dea rolled her eyes. "Whatever. Just… please tell me this'll go away when I transform again," she said. The other boys shrugged.

"Maybe. Speaking of which, we should put these things back in the Box before Andrew gets here," Quickstrike suggested. "He might get mad that we didn't invite him to the party."

"Do we have to?" Buzz Skink whined. "I feel so powerful, like I could take on the entire world… or an evil version of Ladybug! Yeah, I'd crush an evil version of her!"

"Alright, I'll hand mine back first," Vedova Dea declared as she shot a disapproving look at Buzz Skink. "If he's rambling about alternate universes, then we all could go crazy and do something dumb. Araccia, Dennos, Divide," she commanded, her spider-like features disappearing in a wave of bronze-colored sparkles. Maladea quickly unfastened the chain as she strutted into the vault where the Dark Box was kept, then deposited the Dark Spider Miraculous in its compartment. "What're you waiting for, boys?"

The four boys glanced between each other, then sighed, begrudgingly dividing as they walked towards the Dark Box. Under Maladea's watchful eye, they put the four Dark Miraculouses back in their respective spots.

"Good," Maladea said. "Now out."

"You'd think she would transform back by now," Skinker muttered to Crocdown as they left the vault, dropping his transformation in a blackish-yellow flash.

Crocdown nodded as he transformed back to normal. "Maybe there's still a little spider residue she can feel and she's trying to enjoy it for as long as possible," he suggested.

Ryan shrugged. "Maybe."

"Dennos, Deadlights Off," Lila commanded, her suit evaporating in green sparkles. Then she grimaced, rolling her shoulders as she tried to relieve the pain.

"Or maybe not," Jack retorted. "You okay, sweetheart?"

"If anyone who isn't Andrew gives me another nickname, he's getting a kick to the stomach!"

"She's okay."

Alex raised an eyebrow in concern. "Since your wings were healed, you should be good in case you want to fly home," he said. "Just be careful to not overexert yourself and drink plenty of fluids so you heal faster."

"Since when did you become a doctor?" Lila scoffed.

Alex chuckled. "Never. I've just seen Andrew treat himself enough times to know what you should do."

"Speaking of which, shouldn't we check up on him?" Lila asked. The others exchanged uneasy glances, as if they were silently arguing.

Alex sighed. "If you want to."

"But maybe you shouldn't," Jack added. "We said he was fragile after… incidents. And he gave us our orders as if he didn't want to be bothered later."

"He definitely doesn't want to be bothered," Dylan agreed. "It's not like we don't care if he's hurt or not, it isn't. We've just learned to give him his space when he needs it. Especially after crashes."

"You know what they say about wounded animals. They're their most dangerous when they feel trapped," Ryan finished grimly. "Melissa nearly learned that the hard way."

"After she almost bit his face off that one time, so technically they're even," Jack snarked. Lila raised an eyebrow, trying to hide her surprise. She made a mental note to learn more about Andrew's past. It would at least help in passing conversation.

"You know what, I'm just gonna go check on him," Lila decided. The boys shrugged in unison.

"Fair enough," Alex replied. "Just don't scare the life out of him when you get there."

Lila rolled her eyes as she called on her transformation and, after experimentally flexing her wings and smiling once they worked properly, launched herself through the open skylight and into the air, flying towards the direction of the Hendrol mansion.

Once she was gone, Jack growled darkly. "Someone should've stopped her."

"Did you think she'd listen?" Alex shot back. "She's just as headstrong and determined as Melissa was, except, newsflash, she has no morals. And if we did try to stop her, she'd still transform and give us all a bad time before leaving anyway."

"Why are we even worrying about this?" Ryan demanded. "Melissa and Andrew were stronger together, we all know that. Maybe her presence might help him get out of his rut." A dark chuckle escaped him. "Especially since we couldn't do much when he crashed the first time."

"Ryan's right," Dylan said, rhythmically tapping his fingers on the wall. "I'm of the opinion she's better now. At least if Andrew were to go power-mad or got mind-controlled - however unlikely that is, but still possible - she could potentially snap him out of it. Lila might not be the best teammate in terms of sanity or teamwork, but she serves a purpose." He crossed his arms and leaned against the wall he'd been tapping on. "If it turns out something like that does happen, y'all gotta go through with my cover idea."

"I am not dressing up as Majestia. Never again," Jack snapped.

Alex rubbed his temples. "You might be right, dude, you might be right. Fine. We don't bring this discussion up again, and if she were to find out and ask about it, deny everything. She doesn't need to know about this." He sighed. "Managing all of this is going to give me a headache."

"Well, I think I can get you something to take your mind off of that," Ryan said. "Warbot Rumble, our place, we play until our parents kick you out. Sounds like fun?"

Alex shrugged. "Why not? The loser buys tickets and popcorn for a decade's worth of movies. Race you there! Howll, Time to Hunt!" In a flash of silver light, Alphaux leapt towards the roof and clambered through the skylight.

"That's cheating! Newwt, Crawl from Flames!" Ryan cried, following while yelling indignantly. Jack and Dylan shrugged, transformed, and followed their friends up to the roof.

Cat Noir found himself taking the long way to Marinette's house. He sighed, forcing himself to turn and take the most direct path. A stone of dread nestled in his stomach. There was a part of him that didn't want to talk about it, that just wanted to leave it all alone and brush it off. But he knew he had to do it. For himself, if not Marinette.

It's Marinette, a little voice muttered inside his head. A voice that sounded suspiciously like Plagg. She'll forgive you! Besides, the only reason it's so bad is because you're blowing it all out of proportion. And Felix is a bit of a creep, but whatever! That's not who you are, that's not how you act. Let's go back and have some cheese.

The voice definitely had to be Plagg. Or his subconscious was playing tricks on him again.

Cat Noir landed on the rooftop of the school, eyeing Marinette's balcony. It would just be one single leap, then they could talk and put it all behind them. No need to worry.

So why was he worrying so much?

Cat Noir forced himself to swallow, then he jumped to Marinette's balcony, landing in a roll and coming to his feet smoothly. Quickly transforming back to his civilian self, Adrien slowly knocked on Marinette's skylight. "Kitty on the roof," he said.

A moment later, Marinette climbed up to the skylight and pushed it open. "Come on in," she said. "We're just debriefing."

Adrien's eye twitched, almost completely unnoticed to either of them. "Who's we?" he asked.

Marinette shrugged a little. "Alya, Nino, me, the kwamis. Is that okay?"

"Yeah… yeah, I guess. Even though I'd prefer this to be… private." Adrien couldn't stop himself from hesitating on the last word.

Marinette blinked in surprise. "Adrien, I know you too well - not like that, I mean! Whatever you had to do couldn't be that bad. Now get in here before someone outside sees you!"

Adrien sighed as he slid through the skylight and onto Marinette's bed before following her down to the floor. He glanced around at the kwamis flitting about, at Alya and Nino lounging on Marinette's chaise, at Marinette herself. He felt too many pairs of eyes on him, almost as if they were all waiting to pass judgment.

Marinette rested a hand on his shoulder. "So… what is it?"

Adrien gulped. "I… wanted to apologize for what I did when you were under Green-Eyed Wasp's mind control. I had to get through to you because Green-Eyed Wasp was being tortured by Vedova Dea and the other Darks were out of control and we had to end the fight quickly or we'd lose horribly. So I had to draw your attention to me and me only, and once you did pay attention to me, I told you to swing at Vedova Dea so Pterophaux and Veloci Croc would shoot her with their powers, and I felt horrible that I did it, and I'm so, so sorry for even thinking of that plan."

"How exactly did you get my attention?" Marinette asked, crossing her arms. Adrien rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly.

"I… kinda kissed your cheek."

Marinette started blinking rapidly, her breath coming in short, quick moments. Then she started giggling, laughing so hard she nearly fell over. Adrien immediately turned as red as Ladybug's suit, glancing away sheepishly, only to see Alya and Nino trying incredibly hard to repress their own chuckles. Even the kwamis were having a hard time keeping it together.

"I- I'm sorry," Marinette choked out through her giggles. "I know it's probably very important to you, but if that's the worst thing you're apologizing for… oh, boy, do I owe you so many!"

"So you're not upset at me?" Adrien asked. "Not even a little split end? I mean, after what Felix tried that one time."

"Not - hic! - not at all," Marinette answered, her laughter turning to hiccups. "I'm glad you asked anyway, though. But no, I'm not mad, and I know you'll never - hic! - be anything like your cousin."

"Well, if it wasn't for him, I probably wouldn't have gotten Sentibug out of the room so we could talk or delay Green-Eyed Wasp long enough to make the plan."

"Good for him, but my opinion isn't so easily changed."

Then Alya started laughing harder, almost falling over. "That's a lie and you know it, girl!" she crowed.

Nino chuckled. "Or at least, not easily changed if kindness and the shining light of righteousness aren't involved."

Marinette blushed a little herself, and Adrien had to hold a laugh down himself. "Okay. I guess that's all taken care of," Adrien said, finally glad to put that matter behind him. "You said you were debriefing?"

"Yeah," Alya answered. "We were telling her about the Darks and their fusions." She shuddered slightly. "They were aggressive beyond anything we've ever seen. And a lot more powerful than they had been before. Veloci Croc was able to hold off us and Vesperia, Pterophaux was going against Polymouse, Pigella, Purple Tigress and Minotaurox at once - without any clone backup - and Vedova Dea…" Her voice trailed off.

"Let's just say if it wasn't for Adrien's plan, we might not have walked away from that fight. Especially if Vedova Dea got tired of torturing just Green-Eyed Wasp," Nino finished. The air suddenly tensed, and all the kwamis present shuddered. Sass floated towards the four teenagers.

"If what you're saying about the Darks is true, and the Dark Scorpion was reclaimed… we might have to prepare for an all-out war," he said slowly.

"What do you mean?" Marinette asked.

Tikki flitted next to Sass. "You all already know how powerful the Darks are by themselves, especially Dragonus. You also know how bad they were scrambling when Tyranno Moth and Fowl Scorpia stole the two Dark Miraculouses. The fact they used unification like that means they may be more desperate than we originally thought."

"Dark unification is essentially the fusion of three separate minds in one body," Sass explained. "When a Dark normally transforms, their kwami can communicate with them, usually as a voice inside their head. Sometimes they'll directly help a holder who's still quite green with their new abilities. When they're unified, the second kwami mind can also provide input."

"At the cost of the Dark holder being highly aggressive and completely unstoppable," Tikki added. "The effect wears off once they transform back, and it lessens with age and experience, but the amount of damage a fused Dark can wreak in a short amount of time…" she shuddered. "We're lucky that none of the Darks are as overtly evil as Tyranno Moth. Some past fused Dark villains could easily wipe out cities, even destroy a nation-state if they had enough power."

"Unless we count Maladea," Alya said. "That girl definitely has to be fifteen different kinds of crazy."

"Unless Dragonus is holding her back," Marinette countered, pacing the floor. "But since they aren't as evil, maybe they'll put the other Dark Miraculouses back. Maybe today was a one-time thing."

"We can only hope," Sass answered.

Marinette sighed. "Okay, on that note, is there anything else I should know about today?" she asked.

Nino smiled brightly. "Just that Adrien got to flex his leadership muscles a good bit," he answered. "Making up plans on the fly like that, no wonder you two are a couple!"

"Well, I can't take all the credit," Adrien replied, rubbing the nape of his neck.

Marinette smiled, stepped over, and kissed his cheek. "Take as much of it as you want, kitty. I'm proud either way."

Adrien smiled back and kissed her forehead. "Thanks, bugaboo." Then his phone buzzed, and he quickly glanced at it. His eyes widened in surprise. "Oh, shoot, I gotta get home! My father was wondering where I was, and Felix covered for me again! See you later!"

"Adrien, wait!" Marinette yelped. "What about us looking into your dad? We should make a plan for that."

Adrien froze as he was pushing up the skylight. The thought had been in his mind ever since Amelie had been akumatized. Part of him was sure his father wasn't Tyranno Moth. He'd been in the safe room. On the other hand, his father had been even more distant ever since Tyranno Moth first appeared…

"Tomorrow," he said. "Tomorrow afternoon, we'll go to my house and look around. Try and find anything suspicious. Hopefully there won't be anything, but we should be sure about it. Sounds good?"

Marinette, Alya, and Nino glanced at each other, then nodded. "Sounds good. Try not to get caught," Marinette answered.

Adrien smiled lightly. "Good. See you soon. Plagg, Claws out!" The skylight closed as Cat Noir leapt out of the bedroom and back towards the mansion, hoping his father wouldn't ask too many questions.

Or at least, not the right ones.

Maladea felt a smile tug at the edges of her lips. Alex was right; her wings definitely felt a lot better. She tucked in her wings and spun in the air, keeping away from civilian sight while she reveled in the freedom of the sky. How she had ever lived before this feeling, she was never sure.

The shape of the Hendrol mansion came into her line of sight, and she focused on Andrew's balcony, timing her approach just right. Andrew had filled her in on the house's security measures. The cameras had an almost perfect view of the entire surrounding area, but they weren't able to look up and didn't handle the sun's glare very well. She suspected he'd sabotaged them in some way to keep them from seeing him fly to and from the house.

Maladea spiraled her way into the direct light of the sun, flying at least twenty meters above the wall and higher than the cameras could reach. Then she dove down to the balcony, spreading her wings to slow her descent. She landed as gracefully as a falling leaf, then transformed back to her normal self and gently rapped on the balcony door.

"It's open," Andrew called, his back turned to the balcony door as he faced his computer setup. Lila reached for the door handle and gently tugged, opening the balcony door. "Well, glad to see you're not one of those people who locks their balcony," she said with a smirk.

Andrew jumped in his chair slightly as he turned. "Oh," he sighed. "It's just you." Lila's smirk immediately faded. She recognized the expression on his face. It was one she'd seen on herself a couple times.

He'd been seeing ghosts. Maybe talking to them. And they must've spoken back.

"What're you doing?" she asked, concern creeping into her voice.

Andrew sighed, shrugging slightly, curling a leg up on his chair. "Just… playing a game. One I've always lost, whenever I seem to play these days."

"What game?"

"What could've been."

His tone hadn't changed in the slightest, but Lila could hear the melancholy in his voice. As if he was longing for things he knew were too far gone. Lila knew that had to be what he meant. She had played the exact same game.

She slowly walked towards him, keeping her steps light and letting him have enough space so he didn't feel cornered. Part of her completely doubted Alex's statements. Andrew seemed so docile, if not outright fatigued. But she had heard - and seen - what Andrew could do when he was transformed and he felt cornered. Best to take the blond boy's advice.

Lila stepped behind his chair and draped her arms over his front in a loose hug, lightly massaging the spot under his collarbone with her thumbs. "I know how you feel, mio drago," she whispered. "I've always lost that game, too. What was the scenario this time?"

"Nothing much. Just… Nashville, safe under my protection. Not fighting Ladybug or Tyranno Moth. The guys and I hanging around the city, managing schoolwork and super-duties. Maybe…" he hesitated. "It doesn't matter, really. Just reflecting on what opportunities I've lost."

Lila kissed the top of his head. "Well, have you thought about what you've gained?" she asked. Like me?

"I have."

"And?"

Andrew sighed. "I'm definitely glad I got to keep my promise to Vorath. And I am glad I got some life experience outside of the States. And… I'm glad I got to meet you," he said, kissing her hand. "I just don't know anymore, Liles. My conscience basically launched an attack on my character as a person, and I'm not sure where to go with it."

"Seeing ghosts, in a way?" she asked.

Andrew drew his mouth into a tight line. "Yeah… although, she wasn't really a ghost as much as a… hallucination, I guess. Green-Eyed Wasp's toxins might not have taken control of me, but they still had that nasty side effect. And that leaves scars… or rather, reopens the scars that haven't quite healed yet."

"Melissa?"

"Yup." Andrew popped the p at the end.

Lila wanted to know a little more about Andrew's ex. He'd only told her the basics, but she could sense that there was a big part he was leaving out. Especially since Jack had mentioned that Melissa had almost bit Andrew's face off, and that didn't sound like a euphemism. But she could sense the pain the memories were bringing him. And that hurt her, too.

"You know this - us - can't last forever," Andrew said, surprising her out of her thoughts.

Lila sighed. "I know." She had always known, since she and Andrew first got together, that the day would come that Andrew would move back to the United States. "But let's not dwell on that. We can make the most of our remaining time together," she said, moving her hands so she could rub his shoulders comfortingly.

"And we will," Andrew replied. "It's just… you know that I know that pain. Of a loved one going away, just beyond your reach. I don't want you to feel that pain. I don't want anyone to feel that pain. Since Melissa left, I've been empty… until you came along, at least." He smiled gently. "You filled that void, Lila. I can't ever thank you enough."

Lila smiled warmly as she walked around the chair. "Here's a way you can," she said, then leaned in and kissed him full on the lips. He melted into the kiss a second later, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her just a little closer. The two sat like that for a while, enjoying each other's warmth and the taste of their lips.

Eventually they broke the kiss and smiled at each other. Lila reached over and brushed Andrew's cheek, and he readily nuzzled into her hand. "Feeling better?" she asked.

Andrew nodded. "Yeah. A lot better."

"I suppose I'd better get going before your dad or his assistant show up and start wondering how you got me in here," Lila said.

Andrew chuckled a little. "Yeah, they'd definitely be surprised. See you tomorrow?"

Lila nodded. "You betcha. Dennos, Deadlights On!"

A moment later, Maladea soared over the Paris skyline, flying back to the apartment. She caught a brief glimpse of Cat Noir vaulting over the rooftops, and she was tempted to follow him. Maybe shake him up a little. Just for the fun of it.

"I don't think Andrew would really appreciate hearing about a Maladea surprise attack on Cat Noir," Dennos whispered inside her head. Maladea sighed, then turned back to her original flight path. "I don't suppose he would."

"You really do love him, don't you?"

"Of course," Maladea replied, quickly and honestly. "And I hope he's feeling better by tomorrow. I know what that kind of grief does to people. Andrew's strong. Let's hope he stays that way."

The night wind was bitter cold at the top of the Eiffel Tower, making Dragonus's upper lip curl in discomfort. He hated the cold, how it bit at every surface of skin, how it froze the roads over. Maybe it was part of his own nature. Nashville never got horribly cold in the past, or at least, if it did, he wasn't running around it. Maybe it had to do with his powers. But the weather wasn't the reason he was here.

"Y'know, when I said you'll make the right choice, this wasn't what I had in mind," the specter of Melissa said, gesturing to the area around the both of them.

"I thought you were gone," Dragonus growled lightly. "I felt the ladybugs cleanse me of the toxins. That's what made me hallucinate you."

Melissa shrugged. "Dunno why I'm here, then. Except maybe to keep you from, oh wait, throwing yourself off the Eiffel Tower to test your wings. What if they're not fully healed?"

"I'll just make a portal and land safely," Dragonus replied, flexing his fingers.

"We both know that's not going to happen smoothly or safely."

"And we both know this isn't the first time I've done this!" Dragonus snapped. "Remember the AT&T Building? When I first committed to being the hero?"

Understanding began to dawn on Melissa's spectral face. "Two things. One, this tower is taller than Batman HQ, and two… you wouldn't. You… can't. This isn't the right choice. I told you to make the right choice."

"Melissa always gave me the right advice, the right ideas," Dragonus sneered. "But you aren't her. You'll never be her. And I'm done listening to you."

The look on her face hardened. "Fine," she sneered back. "Make your fool's jump. But remember, Goldenwing, that you can't change your nature so easily. I'll never truly be gone." With that, the spectral representation of Dragonus's conscience vanished.

Dragonus turned and glanced at the railing. He forced himself to swallow. The Eiffel Tower was easily five hundred feet taller than the jump from the AT&T Building. There was more space to mess up. More space to lose control. More space to fall.

"You'll be fine," Vorath whispered in his head. Dragonus took a deep breath and approached the railing. He flexed his wings. Good. No unusual pains. The wind was coming from behind him, curling up his spine and wrapping around him before continuing on in the direction of the Trocadero. He took a deep breath, then exhaled. He couldn't smell any superpowers within the immediate vicinity, so there wasn't likely to be a chance of anyone showing up while he was up there.

It had to be now. If he waited a second longer, he wouldn't be able to do it. Dragonus took one final deep breath and climbed onto the railing. He took one last look at the city surrounding him.

Then he leaned forward and tumbled into the void.

The sensation was so familiar, yet so alien. The fall, the tumble into the expanse of air, the instinctual switching into a more controlled dive. The first time had been so long ago, and it had changed him forever. Andrew Hendrol had been reborn as Goldenwing, champion of Nashville, defender of the ones who couldn't defend themselves.

And now it was Goldenwing's turn to be reborn.

The wind whistled in his ears. The primal urge roared in his chest. His eyes had been closed when he dove. Dragonus inhaled deeply, despite all the air being ripped from around his falling body.

His eyes snapped open behind his visor, taking in the rapidly approaching ground. No time to waste. Dragonus spread his wings as wide as they would go, catching as much of the air as they could, slowing his descent. Then he flapped, taking control of his flight path and swooping just below the arches of the Tower's legs. His flight took him under the arches again as he changed course and glided towards the Trocadero gardens, eventually flying up to the roof of the northernmost palace.

Adrenaline coursing through his veins, Dragonus resisted the urge to whoop his victory to the heavens. A small smirk would be enough. "Am I glad to fly again," he muttered to himself. Then he stiffened, the scent of milkweed and cloves wafting into his nostrils. "If you wanted to ambush me, you should've stayed out of sight."

Shadow Moth acknowledged the younger villain's statement with a single amused chuckle. "Quite the performance, I must say," the fused supervillain said. "And no, I'm not here for an… ambush. I want to make a deal."

Dragonus turned, his expression hidden behind his helmet, but his eyes darted everywhere, searching around the purplish-blue suited, chromed lapis cowled, dark blue skinned Shadow Moth, looking for anything that might suggest a trap. Nothing. Unless those giant fake tail feathers Shadow Moth had along his back were able to be shot off and into an opponent.

"A deal, you say?" Dragonus asked, crossing his arms. "For what?"

Shadow Moth reached into his pocket. Dragonus momentarily tensed, only relaxing when he saw the Dark T-rex Miraculous lying in the older villain's palm. "The Dark Miraculous, in exchange for you healing my wife," Shadow Moth said. "I know you possess the power - or know of it and could access it - to heal her damages and awaken her."

Dragonus growled internally. How dare he come to me after what he's done? I could just as easily steal it back and do whatever I want to him. But he might be attempting to give me a fake. "Two things. One: how do I know that the thing in your hand is the real Dark Miraculous? And two: why should I help you, after all you've done?"

"You are correct to distrust me," Shadow Moth replied. "You can make sure this is the real Dark Miraculous yourself. I know you have that capability." He handed the jewel to the Dark Dragon holder, letting him weigh it in his hands. Dragonus could sense Rexx within, and the kwami seemed to be whispering a plan to him. Dragonus felt a small smirk cross his face. At least Shadow Moth couldn't see it.

"Well, it's the real one," Dragonus admitted, slipping it into his pocket. "And question two?"

"Your team attacked my akumatized villain and Fowl Scorpia, stealing back the Dark Scorpion Miraculous and opening my eyes to your destructive potential," Shadow Moth began. "If our little… spats continue, one of us, most likely you, will end up destroying the other, most likely me. And if my assumptions and current existence are any indication, you. Need. Me. If it had been otherwise, you would've ripped open my lair, stolen my powers from me, revealed my identity to the world, and shoved your sword through my chest."

"Your perceptive powers are phenomenal," Dragonus snarked. "But that isn't the only reason, is it?"

Shadow Moth sighed. "Emilie's condition deteriorates by the day now. Her stasis isn't helping much anymore. I want her back, more than you'll ever realize." His pale crimson eyes filled with desperation. "Against my better judgment, I beg you. Please."

Dragonus raised an eyebrow, the movement sheltered behind his visor. Then he turned away from Shadow Moth, gazing at the top of the Eiffel Tower, reflecting on his leap.

"Have you ever wondered what it's like to fly?" he asked.

Shadow Moth blinked in confusion. "No…? I have flown before."

"Not in a plane," Dragonus corrected. "Or a 'leap a building in a single bound' jump. I'm talking about real flight. Your own two wings, keeping you aloft against the pull of gravity. Looking whatever God or gods exist in the eye and spitting in their face. Telling Him or them that you are no longer bound to mortal laws. That you stand above the rest."

Shadow Moth stood silently, then spoke a single word. "No."

"So you've never wondered what it's like to be in freefall, when you have control of your own flight," Dragonus said. A dark chuckle escaped his lips. "It's a story with… unique perspectives. Despite the earth rushing towards you at speeds your body is never meant to experience, a sensation that rips apart rational thought, it's… peaceful. The whistling of the wind in your ears, it tries to lull you into an eternal sleep. 'Close your eyes, and all of your problems will just fade away,' it sings."

"And on the other hand, there's this…" Dragonus paused, searching for the right word. "...thing inside your mind, your chest, the tips of your fingers and toes. And it's screaming at you. 'Do something. Fight. Survive.' And all the while, between the sirens' songs and the harpies' screams, you're only able to discern one question that both sounds ask. 'Have you had enough?'" He let out an amused exhale.

"I have met several people in my lifetime. Some were less savory than others. And every single one has either never been asked that question, or they answered the wrong way. But the answer changes you in ways only you will understand. And when you make your choice, your wings respond. They either spread, or they don't move at all."

Dragonus turned back to Shadow Moth. "His wings are what gives a flier his power. It is what sets him apart from the regular people of the world. A man like you would never survive, simply because you wouldn't be able to spread your wings. If you had a jetpack, or a parachute, you might live. But that's a choice to push a button or pull a cord. Not the one that could define your existence as a strong, decisive, powerful human… or a vaguely red-colored stain on the grass."

"How insightful," Shadow Moth replied, his own patience starting to wear thin.

Dragonus glanced at his claws absently. "And you faced that question in a different form, didn't you? Except for the earth rapidly rising to greet you, it was my team deciding to take matters into their own hands. And you answered, 'yes.'"

"Are you going to heal my wife or not?!" Shadow Moth demanded, finally tired of the dragon's dodging.

After a moment of hesitation, Dragonus nodded. "I will. However, there are a few things I need before I can heal her. The Dark Spellbook, for one, as well as a wooden bowl, purified water, and three hairs. One from you, one from your wife, and one from your son."

"Why?"

"I researched the spell a while ago. Oh, and one more thing. This spell requires a sacrifice. Power for love. I'm certain you understand."

Shadow Moth gulped. "I… do. If you'll open-" the older villain was cut off by Dragonus opening the portal immediately under him.

"You have ten minutes. Be quick, butterfly."

Shadow Moth didn't yelp as he fell onto his atelier's floor and the portal closed behind him. He sighed, then released his transformation, and Gabriel quietly rushed out of the office. He hoped ten minutes would be enough to do everything he needed to do.

It almost wasn't. Gabriel only had just enough time to leave his lair before Dragonus stepped into his office through one of his portals, a heavy book under his arm. Gabriel had hoped to get a glimpse of wherever Dragonus had come from. But the draconian villain must've known, because it was just darkness behind him.

"Do you have them?" Dragonus asked. Gabriel nodded, producing the four items, careful not to spill the water in the bowl. He could feel the smirk emanating from Dragonus as he opened another portal to the sanctuary where Emilie's body was kept.

"Ah, the lost Lenore," Dragonus quipped, inspecting the stasis coffin. "Still in remarkably good condition for someone whose life is fading by the day."

"The magic never revealed to me why it kept her intact," Gabriel answered. Dragonus nodded as he pulled a square table from another portal, then gestured to Gabriel.

"The items."

Gabriel gently set the bowl on the table, then laid the hairs right next to it. "Adrien had left a hair on one of the designs he modeled a while back," he explained.

Dragonus waved the comment aside. "I didn't ask, you shouldn't have told."

Dragonus opened his spellbook and flipped to a certain page before laying it on the table. Gabriel briefly glanced at the header at the top of the page. Dark Secrets and How to Use Them. The name made the hairs on the back of his neck raise. Part of him wondered if he made a serious mistake.

Dragonus's claw traced the pages, and Gabriel heard him mutter the descriptions of the spells. "Staff severing… link building… gamble winning… soul rending… kwami healing… wish survival… reverse absolute point… ah, here we go! Coma awakening!"

Cracking his knuckles, Dragonus gently pulled the bowl directly in front of him and dipped his right-hand claws into it. "Txihfkd ifkbp ybqtbbk ifcb xka abxqe, qeb tfiqba ciltbo ixvp," he recited from the book. "Klt qxhb vlro mbqxi, xka qeb mbqxi lc vlro vxkd, xka qeb mbqxi lc vlro ebfo, xka aofkh qeb kbzqxo lc vlro rkfqv, xka obglfk qeb ixkap lc qeb ifsfkd."

Quickly scooping up the three hairs, he placed them in the water, which was glowing a steady gold. The three hairs dissolved in the water, blemishing the gold with flecks of purple, black, green, and blue.

A thought struck Gabriel like a truck barreling down a highway. It suddenly became clear to him. Emilie had only worn blue when she transformed with the Peacock Miraculous. The only purple Gabriel had ever worn was on his suit as Hawk Moth. The colors of their Miraculouses. Dragonus was drawing on whatever vestiges of power clung to their bodies. And Adrien… There was only one black and green Miraculous.

The Black Cat.

Adrien was Cat Noir.

It would've been a simple matter to turn and run. To get Adrien and akumatize him. Use him as bait to attract Ladybug and use the wish himself, with no consequences related to the Dark Dragon's powers. The universe might get annihilated in the process, he might lose Adrien or Nathalie or himself, but Gabriel considered that infinitely better than a deal with the devil practicing his black magic in front of him.

"If you have any objections to what I'm about to do next, speak now, or forever hold your peace," Dragonus said, just a touch of a growl in his voice.

Gabriel nearly objected, just about to call off the deal. Then he realized Dragonus could easily immobilize him and continue either way. Or worse, use his blood as part of the ritual. He couldn't understand the spell. Maybe it did require a blood sacrifice.

"No objections," Gabriel said, against his instincts. He could feel Dragonus's smirk behind his faceplate.

"Open up her pod, if you please," Dragonus ordered as he balanced the bowl of ichor-like potion in his palm. Gabriel took a deep breath and stepped over to the coffin, flicking the switch and letting the glass slide back.

"Xq ixpq, ilpq ilsb, ilpq tfcb, ilpq jlqebo, qeb jbozv lc qeb Aoxdlk xtxhbkp vlr. Pefjjbo ifhb x zovpqxi xka pefkb ifhb x pqxo, yrq vlr ltb vlro obyfoqe ql qeb Aoxdlk," Dragonus recited as he gently opened Emilie's mouth and poured the potion in, then slightly tilted her head back so she swallowed it all, finally laying her back down.

It was almost an unnecessary gesture, because Emilie's body jerked up as her eyes flared open, a horrible, pained scream erupting from her lips, echoing through the mausoleum. Gabriel rushed forward, the majority of his mind focused on helping her, and a small part of his brain eternally thankful that he had soundproofed the entire place. If anyone heard it-

His thoughts were cut off by Dragonus shoving him aside and sliding behind Emilie. To Gabriel's horror, long talons seemed to slide out of his right hand fingers as he jabbed them into the base of Emilie's neck.

"Now, for a little P.A. on Sleeping Beauty," Dragonus muttered darkly as he let his powers seep into her mind.

After a few moments of injection, he retracted his talons and let Emilie slump back to her prone position. "Oh, I have wanted to get that out of my system for weeks now," he said, as if he had only had a major tantrum.

"What have you done?!" Gabriel roared, shooting to his feet.

Dragonus crossed his arms and shook his head, then flapped his wings and rose into the air. "I saved your secret identity and everything related to you two and the Miraculous. That little injection? It was to wipe away any knowledge of the Miraculouses you two found. Or anything related to them. Now, if anyone came banging on your door, she wouldn't accidentally spill the beans."

Gabriel threw Dragonus a dark sneer as he rushed over to Emilie's side and checked the back of her neck, looking for the points where Dragonus had stabbed his claws into her. There was nothing. "How did you…?" his question died in his throat.

"What, you think I'd wake her up and fatally wound her? Is that what you think of me?" Dragonus asked, and Gabriel could've sworn he sounded hurt. Then the draconian villain flew in close to Gabriel. "She'll wake up fully and properly in about an hour. I hope you have a private hospital room and doctors on your payroll so no one will ask questions."

"What on earth are you talking about?"

"You mean you don't? Sweet Jesus, man, are you an amateur or what?"

"No, I do, but-" Gabriel stammered, then pinched the bridge of his nose. "Yes, I do have a private hospital sector. Yes, I do have some doctors who are attached to that payment. But it's a little out of the city, and it isn't for coma recoveries-"

"You need a cover story, Gabriel," Dragonus interrupted, jabbing a claw into the man's tie. "The world believes - and I had to absorb memories from a lot of people to figure this out - that your wife is dead. And if she suddenly turns up alive and well, everyone is going to start looking into things. And they'll find some strange stuff going on. So, you need to come up with a cover story. Something clear enough so that people understand, but vague enough so that people don't question specifics."

"There is also the matter," Dragonus continued, "Of payment, which ties into the memory-wiping spell, in a way. The spell is somewhat fragile, and looking at anything that will significantly remind her of the memories will undo the entire spell. Like her Miraculous, for example. Or anything related to the Miraculouses. Which is my fee. The Butterfly, the Peacock, and the Grimoire."

Gabriel felt as if the breath was torn away from him. This was Dragonus's plan all along, wasn't it? It had to have been. And he had taken the bait, hook, line, and sinker. He watched as Dragonus fiddled with the Dark T-rex Miraculous, eventually clipping it to his pocket. Gabriel could sense the smirk behind the teenage supervillain's mask.

"Vorath, Rexx, Unify," Dragonus commanded as he was eclipsed in purple light. Gabriel shielded his eyes from the flash, and once it died down, he turned back to Dragonus.

The toes of his boots were split into three and clawed at the end. The boots themselves turned purple and extended into lower leg armor that went up to his knees. Dark purple armor extended from his waist and fell down the sides of his thighs. Swirls of violet scales trailed down his tail. A purple chestplate covered his golden upper body and purple bands circled his biceps. His gloves turned dark lilac, but remained gold at the fingers. The veins on his wings had shifted to purple. His helmet's faceplate darkened to a chromed purple, the visor turning gold, with jagged amethyst lines running along the top and bottom of the visor like T-rex teeth. The clamp weapon was strapped to his left arm.

"I know you must think I've betrayed your trust, yesss," the newly fused Dragonus said. "But I will have you know I betrayed no one. I just simply left a few key details out. When Thero Dragon makes a deal, he keeps it, yesss."

Gabriel sighed as he weighed his options. On the one hand, he had Emilie back. His goal, his dream, all fulfilled. At the cost of giving up his superpowers, the very things that gave him an extra measure of strength against anyone who dared oppose him. On the other, he could end the deal, keep his powers and continue with his original plan.

But to lose Emilie again? Perhaps this time, permanently?

No. It wasn't worth it.

"Fine," Gabriel said through clenched teeth, reaching under his tie and plucking the Butterfly and Peacock brooches off his chest, renouncing the kwamis as he handed the two jewels to Thero Dragon. Even without his empathic powers, he could sense Thero Dragon's glee. He just wasn't sure why.

"I assume I have your permission to get the Grimoire," Thero Dragon said as he opened a portal and swiped the ancient book, sliding it under his arm next to his own book. "I'd suggest encrypting your files in case Emilie goes wandering one day and she gets into your digital copy of the book."

Gabriel wasn't even sure if he should've been enraged that Thero Dragon knew. "I need a portal to that hospital," he said firmly. "And the payment of the powers should definitely… cover it."

"That's fair," Thero Dragon replied. "Which one is it?"

Ten seconds later, a portal opened in a gleaming white wing of the Agreste Foundation Hospital outside Paris. Gabriel carried Emilie in, throwing a glare at the nurse on duty. The woman was well-paid. She knew better than to ask questions. The nurse took Emilie's unconscious form to a different room as Gabriel stepped back through the portal, back to the mausoleum.

"Now that all our business is taken care of," Gabriel said, throwing Thero Dragon one last steely glare. "Leave my house."

"One more thing before I go," Thero Dragon retorted. "You know you'll never be able to speak of this ever again. Mostly because it would be too hard to reengineer the circumstances for my master plan, but mostly because no one would believe you. So, here's the insight I offer. Your son is Cat Noir."

So, Gabriel thought, careful to keep his face impassive. My theories were correct all along. "Why do you even bother giving me this knowledge?" he demanded. "I already have what I want. Do you think I will lose sleep over the fact that my son inhibited my victory?"

Gabriel could almost see Thero Dragon blinking in surprise. "I expected more of a reaction," the younger villain muttered. "But no. I want you to lose sleep at night knowing that you relied on your time as Hawk Moth to unleash your wild side. To experiment. To be free of your life. You'll lose sleep knowing that your son had that freedom, and you'll never get it back. That is the price you pay, Gabriel, when you attempt to screw me over."

As he opened one last portal, high above where Gabriel could reach, Thero Dragon seemed to smirk a final time. "Don't try anything funny, clipped-winged butterfly. I will know exactly what you do, all the time." With that final, ominous declaration, Thero Dragon flew through the portal, closing it behind him.

For a second, there was no noise, except the sound of Gabriel's breathing. Then the corners of his mouth upturned as he made his way to the elevator and punched in the code for his lair… or, he supposed, observatory, now. As it was always supposed to have been.

It felt strange, not having the presence of a kwami near his person. Not having the Butterfly Miraculous pinned to his shirt under his tie. But now, for once in a horribly long time, his empath powers were gone. He didn't feel the screams of Paris's souls anymore. But that didn't mean nothing in the house didn't feel them, though.

The elevator rose into the quiet lair, now devoid of the white butterflies. A curse escaped Gabriel's lips. Thero Dragon must've stolen them all… and the ones in the mausoleum, for that matter. But as long as he hadn't found the device, Gabriel would be able to rest easily.

Running his fingers along the westernmost wall, he found the, almost invisible, nub. He pulled on the nub, swinging out the hidden door and taking one last look for the night at his last reminder of his Miraculous life.

A single akuma, trapped in the heavily tinted glass top of a large and bulky cane, the glass itself inscripted with a dozen spells that he had found in the Grimoire to keep it stuck in the cane. His smirk turned into a grin. He was lucky he had finished it before the younger villain had arrived.

"Thero Dragon doesn't know everything," he said to himself, a slightly mad cackle in his voice. "It's only a matter of time before you can grace the world, my little akuma. A long matter of time… perhaps far from Paris, too. The era of Hawk Moth is not quite over."

"The era of Hawk Moth is over!" Thero Dragon declared to no one in particular as he swooped into the Darks' warehouse. The place felt too empty at night, too quiet. But Thero Dragon didn't care. Exhilaration rushed through his veins as he landed and sashayed to the vault, punching in the code and opening the door.

"Rexx, Vorath, Divide," he commanded, transforming back into Dragonus. Right as Rexx materialized and started heaping on the praise and accolades, Dragonus plucked the Dark T-rex Miraculous off his body and slipped it into the Dark Box, cutting off the manipulation kwami's words.

Dragonus then placed the Dark Spellbook on its shelf in the vault, then weighed the Grimoire he'd taken from Gabriel. He tentatively opened it, flipping through a few pages. Still coded. Gabriel and his assistant hadn't added any translations to the book itself. He tried infusing it with a little bit of power, trying to bend it to his will. Nothing.

"Oh, well, there's always tomorrow," he muttered, shelving the book next to its Dark counterpart. Then he took the Butterfly and Peacock brooches out of his pocket, admiring the little jewels. He was tempted to try them on. Unify them with his powers. But a yawn escaped his throat. It was far too late for that. Paris would meet its new Butterfly villain at a later date.

Dragonus placed the two Miraculouses in between the two spellbooks. "I need to build a new box for them," he said to himself.

Vorath stirred within his mind. "Maybe. But it's not like they deserve it, the bystanders," he growled. "We should be getting home, boss. We've done enough tonight."

"Indeed we have, Vorath, indeed we have," Dragonus replied, as he exited the vault and closed it tight. Then he opened the last portal of the night and stepped into his bedroom, releasing his transformation and falling into bed.

Vorath floated on his personal pillow. "You haven't changed anything too drastically, have you, boss?" he asked.

Andrew chuckled. "I'm not sure yet, bud. All I do know is that I'm not letting anything knock me down ever again. Emotionally, physically, whatever. Dragonus's time as a pushover is over. It's time to get serious. My plans depend on it."

The next morning, Adrien felt something poke him in the back. Part of him thought it was Plagg, asking for more cheese. But Plagg didn't usually poke him, he just mewled loudly until Adrien couldn't stand it anymore. And he couldn't think of anyone who would poke him while he slept.

"It's not a school day, let me sleep," Adrien mumbled. Then he heard a very familiar voice huff disapprovingly. Oh, no. Adrien tried to keep himself from bolting awake. As it was, he seemed to rise too fast. His father stood by his bed, looking over Adrien, fiddling with his ring like he always did when he was being assertive… or nervous. His eyes seemed to look everywhere that wasn't Adrien. Like he was trying to hide something.

"Adrien, get dressed and head downstairs," Gabriel ordered, a slight stammer in his voice. "There's a… very pressing matter that we must attend to and it can't be put off for very long. Your aunt and cousin are already waiting." Gabriel immediately turned and walked away the moment he finished his words, leaving his son in complete bewilderment.

"Well…" Plagg began as he phased out of his hiding place in Adrien's other pillow. "That was… surprising. You think he's proposing to his assistant?" the destruction kwami asked.

Adrien shook his head. "At this point, I'm tempted to believe anything."

Adrien quickly hopped out of bed and got dressed, then he left his bedroom as Plagg slipped into his jacket pocket. As his father said, Felix and Amelie were waiting in the foyer - with Nathalie, who looked just as confused as any of them - and Amelie was muttering about how Gabriel had been so urgent about whatever this was that he'd forgotten breakfast for any of them.

"You'll be fed once this is taken care of," Gabriel said firmly as he and the Gorilla - also wearing an expression of perplexity instead of his usual stoic mask - opened the front doors. Gabriel gestured towards the car. "It won't be a short journey, but it won't be terribly long, either," he added. "Get in."

"If he wasn't my uncle, I'd say this was a kidnapping," Felix muttered.

Adrien snorted. "He's my father and even I'm never sure," he replied as the group piled into the sedan, just barely enough room for all of them. Gabriel slid into the front passenger seat and gestured for the Gorilla to start the engine.

"And where exactly are we going, Gabriel?" Amelie demanded. "I barely had time to make myself look presentable in the house, let alone in public. This isn't anywhere public, is it?"

"I would also like to know, sir," Nathalie added. "Dragging everyone out of bed as if we were going on the run… it doesn't look good for you."

Gabriel sighed. "We are going to a private hospital funded by the Agreste Foundation. No one will question our sudden appearance there. And we are not going on the run. Now, everyone please hold all questions until we get there. Thank you."

Adrien's head swam with questions. Why are we even going there? Was this all planned in advance? Is Father running a secret organ harvesting scheme? Is he sacrificing us for extra money? Suddenly he wanted more than anything to get out of there. Felix leaned closer to Adrien. "Weren't you born in that hospital?" he asked.

Adrien just barely nodded. "And I went there when I had broken my leg when I was two. But I have no idea why we're going now."

Adrien glanced over at Nathalie, who seemed to have gone very white. As if she knew - or had a very good hunch - that something was up. His stomach churned. He wasn't sure what he could believe.

After nearly a half hour once they got out of Paris city limits, the sedan finally pulled up in front of a gleaming white building emblazoned with the Agreste family logo over the red cross above the front doors. Adrien vaguely remembered the details of the building. It had been built long before he was born, and once the Agrestes had gathered enough wealth, they purchased the building and essentially upgraded it, making it the hospital for models under the brand's employ, for whatever was necessary.

"Everybody out," Gabriel said, opening all the car's doors with the click of a button. As he got out, a stone of dread nestled in Adrien's stomach. Gabriel ushered everyone into the building, where they were greeted by a nurse in green scrubs who gave the five ID badges and led them into the twisting maze of hallways.

"She's still a bit weak, so be incredibly gentle," the nurse said to the group. "However, Mr. Agreste, given the unique circumstances, she should be able to return home within twenty-four hours at the latest."

"Who?" Amelie demanded. The nurse ignored her as she thumbed in a code for a particular door. One labeled E. Agreste.

Adrien caught his breath, and he heard Felix nearly choke on his own saliva and the sound of Amelie repressing a scream. The nurse opened the door, leading into a well-equipped hospital room, clearly designed to keep its occupant, at the very least, happy. A wide screen TV was perched on the left wall. A small kitchenette sat in one corner. The standard hospital bed was parked against the right wall. And on it, cloaked in the same standard hospital gown found everywhere was…

"Mom?" Adrien felt the word slip out of his mouth.

Emilie's gaze turned to her son, and she gave the softest, purest smile he had ever seen. "Hello, Adrien."

The sound of a scream pierced the quiet of the room. Adrien wasn't sure if it was his aunt, his cousin, or himself.

Yes, you read that right. Emilie Agreste is alive and ready to shake this storyline to its core (or not, haven't quite decided yet ¯\_(ツ)_/¯). With this chapter, Descent into the Pit concludes, (originally) exactly eight months and three days before its official first publishing anniversary. And holy hell, has so much changed in that timeframe. Miraculous Season 4 released (which slightly influenced some of this story's canon), birthdays and holidays have passed, I got Omicron around Christmas 2021, I started writing stories for Arcane (the second of which was released sometime around the month this was originally posted), school's stopped and started, and colleges are being searched for. And I was still able to get this entire thing written. And y'all stuck with me through this. Hats off to all of you.

The next story is titled "Reign of Viceroy", and we're picking up right from this spot!

So, as always, tell me what you think, questions, comments, critiques, praises, you know the drill, and stay safe, healthy, and buy gold before the apocalypse! Cya next week!