/Our city is reeling after the devastating news that none other than Gabriel Agreste, head of the Gabriel brand, has been murdered. His death was apparently seen by multiple witnesses and we have confirmed that the alleged killer is none other than our city's beloved hero, Chat Noir. Why would he do this? He has no grudge to hold against this kind and respectful man. We have no news on Ladybug's thoughts on the matter and we pray that she can give us answers on why her partner of four years would do such a horrific act. For now, we await news from the Police, the Akuma Investigation Unit and its fellow hard working officers. This is Nadja Chamack, reporting live./

I like bananas | bananalover65

WTF?! Chat Noir killed someone!

Caramel Maddi-ato | coffeecoffeecoffee

Nopenopenope not happening! My precious kitty DID NOT kill someone!

I Am Confuzzled | ConfusedUwU

bannalover65 who'd he kill anyway?

The World is An Egg | NotAFlatEarther

ConfusedUwU GABRIEL AGRESTE!

I Am Confuzzled | ConfusedUwU

NotAFlatEarther Whut 0_0

Evan Eleven | Evan1111

ConfusedUwU Yeah, That's what we're saying, man.

"Chat Noir, Arnold Fox with Time Magazine, what's your true motive for killing Mr. Agreste?"

"Chat Noir, I'm Lisabet from The Paris Tribune, I'm curious if it's possible for Ladybug to undo the damage on Monsieur Agreste?"

"-Noir, since you killed Monsieur Agreste, will you go after the witnesses next?"

"Chat Noir, Look this way please!"

"Chat Noir!"

"Chat Noir!"

FLASH. FLASH. The cameras and voices closed in, choking and bleeding him dry. The bright lights hurt his eyes. He needed to escape, he had to. Their words rang in his ears, ringing like church bells in an endless choir.

"Chat Noir!"

FLASH. FLASH.

"Chat Noir!"

FLASH.

His eyes burned and started to water. God, he couldn't take it anymore.

"Chat Noir!"

"Chat Noir!"

"CHAT NOIR!"

CHAPTER ONE

The Brewing Storm

TWO WEEKS SINCE THE MURDER OF GABRIEL AGRESTE

PARIS, FRANCE— EIFFEL TOWER

THURSDAY 5:30 AM

The sun was just beginning to rise over the horizon, painting the city of Paris in a myriad of colorful pinks, reds, and oranges. From Ladybug's vantage point, it was absolutely perfect. Too perfect. It shouldn't be this perfect on this day. Not what was about to go down.

in less than four hours, her partner's pre-trial would start. Normally, Marinette would be heading home around this time, hoping that her parents wouldn't notice that she was missing from her bed after a night of patrol. But not today, not after what went down two weeks ago. The entire city was on edge, its people holding its breath and waiting for answers to come to light. Answers that they were looking for in Ladybug, at Marinette, to give to them. Answers she didn't have.

"God, this is a mess." She said, burning her face in her hands. What was she supposed to do? She was only eighteen! Sure, she has her powers given by Tikki, but still.

Yep, she was screwed, they were all screwed. Chat was especially screwed. Marinette let out a bitter laugh, she couldn't do this. Her partner just killed someone. God, her partner killed someone!

She couldn't do this. She couldn't convict her partner for 30 years in prison. Let alone for life. God, she couldn't do this.

But, she had to. She was Ladybug, and as Ladybug she had to make difficult choices. For the good of the city, for the boy that she had loved for over four years. For Chat, who had committed an unspeakable crime that he couldn't take back.

For the city of Paris, she protected. For the good of Paris. It was for the good of Paris, she reminded herself.

But, if Marinette was being honest?

She was telling herself a lie. There was nothing good about this. Her partner was going to be imprisoned for 30 years, possibly for life. Her heart practically shattered when she first heard the news.

It's for the good of Paris..

The good of Paris. It was time she headed home. Home to face her fears, her worries, and most importantly…Adrien.

PARIS, FRANCE— LYCÉE FRANCOIS-DUPONT

SIX HOURS BEFORE CHAT NOIR'S PRETRIAL

THURSDAY 10:00 AM

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN ADRIKINS IS MISSING?!" Chlóe shrieked loudly into her smartphone, drawing the attention of the rest of the class. It was basically a free period all day, most of their professeurs too distracted by the upcoming pretrial to even teach them lessons. It was a relief to some, to others it was very stressful. Particularly in Marinette's case. This was due to the fact that she secretly had to testify in court. Also, Marinette was worried about Alya because she wasn't at school. Nino wasn't either.

Neither one of them skipped class. Ever.

So, where exactly are they?

But, she couldn't focus on that right now. Her Adrien was missing and Marinette had to find him before this whole situation got even worse than it already was.

"No, you incompetent fool, Adrien Agreste! Not Felix Agreste! That's his older brother." Chlóe was arguing this into the phone, her voice was practically a snarl at this point as she talked to the (presumably) police officer on the other end. Then, after a few more minutes of chatter she slammed the phone down on the desk with an angry huff.

"Damn, chill out will you?" Alix says, propping her feet up against the desk. "Adrien's going to be found. He probably just got lost in all the chaos of his world being destroyed or something."

Chlóe lets out a shrieking noise that seems almost unheard of. "Lost?! Adrikins is not-"

". According to my calculations it's 89.1% likely that Adrien is bound to be lost in all this chaos." Max interjects.

"Can confirm!" States Markov proudly, then he starts to list off various mind numbing facts relating to missing persons and traumatic experiences.

"Hey, has anyone seen Alya or Nino?" Kim says, cutting off Markov's tirade.

"Ooh, I hope they're OK." Rose intones. Juleka mumbled something afterwards.

"Uh, guys?" Nathienal says to the class.

"Let's try calling them!"

"—Text them maybe?"

"Hello, Alya? It's me, Mylene!"

"Excuse me?" Nathienal tries a little louder. Nothing.

"No, Officer. It's not MY fault he's missing! Your all incompetent! Utterly incompetent!"

"Yo, Nino! It's me, Kim! Call me when you get this!"

"Nope, that's not going to work, call someone else?"

"GUYS!" Nathienal yells. The class stops, their chatter coming to a stilled halt.

"I know where they are." Turning around his tablet to class, he shows what he has found: A livestream of the Ladyblog, standing outside none other than the steps of the Palace of Justice.

The class descends in chaos. None of them notice when Marinette slips outside the room, quite a mouse.

PARIS, FRANCE— PALAIS DE JUSTICE

SIX 1/2 HOURS BEFORE CHAT NOIR'S PRETRIAL

THURSDAY 10:30

The Palais de Justice or Palace of Justice as it was called, was huge in Adeline's opinion. Actually, it was huge in anyone's opinion. It was a daunting building. It was quite fitting considering what she herself was getting into. As a criminal defense lawyer, Adeline Beaufoy had tackled many difficult cases, this one by far would be her hardest. Her heels clicking against the hard marble floor, Adeline headed towards her preliminary destination: Holding Room C3.

This was where her client would be, normally they would be in handcuffs but this was no normal case. This case would rock the country, the city itself. It would spread through the world like wildfire. She would have to do her very best, dig her heels in and get down in the mud.

"Madame Beaufoy." Two AIU officers stood outside the oak doors, hands on their purifying guns. Originally those guns were created with the help of Ladybug, to help neutralize any rogue Akuma that the police came across. It was ironic really, they were intent on using these guns on one of the very heroes that swore to protect them.

Chat Noir, her client. The Black Cat of Paris and Hero of Destruction.

How the tables have turned, she thought. As the two men gripped the doors tight and prepared to open the doors, Adeline gathered herself. She could do this. She wouldn't fail, this was just another case. She couldn't let the City of Paris down. She's done this millions of times. So why was she so nervous?

Maybe because the man on the other side of those doors can end your existence with just a touch, Adeline thought morbidly.

Regardless, she straightened her crisp black blazer and smooths down her highlighted blond hair.

"Are you prepared, Mlle. Beaufoy? I must warn you, he has not been the most agreeable." Spoke the guard on the left. His grip on the door was knuckle-bone white, his eyes showing a hint of fear. With a terse nod, the woman nods her head. "I am ready." She says, voice full of confidence. "Now, open the doors."

The doors groan and for a moment, Adeline is blinded. So much, that she has to blink to clear her vision. Then, she saw him. Lounging across a leather chair with shiny boots propped up on the table, is Chat Noir. His slit eyes narrow and then widen, where it's in curiosity or not, she doesn't know.

"So," Chat purred, showing canines. "It seems they've brought me someone new to play with."

Adeline's heart seems to stop. Ducking heck, this was not a good situation. Nope, nope, nope.

"I can hear your heart racing, little mouse. Tell me, how much did they pay you to come play with me?" The cat's eyes dance with cold amusement.

"Stop with the games, Chat." Adeline can't help the venom slip through. "I haven't come here to play. I've come here for answers. And you? You're going to give them to me." Adeline slams her hand on the table with a resounding shudder.

The Cat's tail twitches. "Oh?", He tilts his head in mild amusement. "Well then, this will be far more interesting than the last. Let's see how fast you break, little mouse."

"You'll soon find I am no mouse." Adeline hisses.

"That's where you're wrong, little mouse, everyone is my prey. Now, let's get to work shall we?" The cat's eyes are alight with savage amusement, his grin predatory.

"I will get my answers Black Cat of Paris. " She says, her voice full of steel as she sits down across from him. "And when I do, you better hope that you didn't kill that man."

"Is that a threat, little mouse?" He says.

"The question is.." Adeline says as she leans across the table. "Do you want it to be?"

A/N: I hope you enjoy this chapter! Get ready for dirty secrets to come to light and heart pounding courtroom drama! don't forgetto comment!

NYM