Disclaimer: We Do Not Own Miraculous Ladybug or Devilman. MLB belongs to Thomas Asstruc and Devilman belongs to Go Nagai. Also, this fanfic contains slight mature themes and mild language.
Chapter 17
Night becomes early morning in the city of love. There was little to no traffic on the streets, and the moon began to set.
In the Devilman trio's apartment, Adrien lies on Ryo's bed, staring wide awake at the ceiling. He looked over at his friends, who were sound asleep in their bed. He glanced over at Ryo, who sat asleep at the nearby chair and table, maps and books scattered around him.
The blonde boy sat up with a sigh. There was no way he could sleep with the truth about Hawkmoth fresh in his mind. He grabbed his phone and scrolled to his contacts, locating Nino's number. After a moment of hesitation, he pressed the call button and waited.
(Over at the Cesaire's house)
Nino snapped up quickly as he heard the ringtone on his phone. He had ended up spending the night at Alya's, a sort of "makeup date" they had both agreed to the day before. The boy tried his best to answer quietly despite the adrenaline of nearly leaping out of the bed he shared with Alya.
"Yeah?"
"Hey, Nino. Sorry if I woke you up. I just really need a friend right now." Adrien said on the other end.
Shaking himself, Nino made his way to the far end of Alya's room and leaned back on the wall. Through a yawn, he answered again. "No problem dude. What's up?"
"I…" Adrien paused, wondering if he should lean into it, or spit it out. "I found out who Hawkmoth is."
Nino nearly choked, "You what?!"
That woke up Alya, who jolted up to a sitting position.
Nino froze as she gave him a confused look. The boy mouthed out "Adrien," and she gave him a nod. As Nino paced forward a bit, Alya got up and walked up to him, resting her hands on her hips with a concerned face.
"How? Who? Are you okay?" Nino asked.
"Akira and Miki told me," Adrien slowly replied, exhaling. "They said he's…Hawkmoth's true identity…" Adrien took another breath, keeping his voice steady. "Hawkmoth is my father."
"Mierda…" Nino felt his gut wrench. "You mean this whole time you've been…that close to..?"
"Oui, apparently." Adrien squirmed as he replied, "Which is why I'm at Akira's place right now."
A moment of silence followed.
Nino put a hand to his brow. "Geez. That's…well…you need another place to hang? I'm here at Alya's but I can take you to my place for a bit if you need."
"We can do that later." Adrien said, running a hand through his hair. "I just…you know how I am with keeping secrets."
"Yeah, I got you man." Nino nodded.
"I take it that things went well with Alya then?" Adrien asked, changing the subject.
"Heh, yeah. You could say that." Nino turned to give Alya a smile, who in turn raised her eyebrow.
"We…we're doing swell. Watched some movies at her place and I stayed the night." The boy nearly laughs to himself. "We made up pretty fast."
Adrien's frown curled into a knowing grin. "You two kissed, didn't you?"
"Yes Adrien, we kissed. Is that what you wanted to hear?" Nino sighed, feigning frustration.
Alya held back her own laugh.
A fit of chuckles can be heard on the other end.
Adrien quickly covered his mouth as Ryo began to stir. He lowered his voice to a whisper. "Congratulations, man."
Ryo rubbed his eyes with a yawn, blinking a few times before looking over at Adrien, who had the biggest smile on his face, a sharp contrast to how he was mere hours ago.
"Do I even want to know?" the detective asked.
Adrien's response was another fit of laughter.
(Insert Miraculous Ladybug Theme Music)
"In the daytime, we're Marinette, Adrien, and Akira,
Just normal teenagers with normal lives.
There is something about us only few know,
Because we have a secret,"
"Miraculous and Devilman,
Fight till the end to stop Hawkmoth!
Miraculous and Devilman,
Together as one they'll save us all!
Miraculous Devilman!"
Miraculous Devilman
The sun shone brightly in the clear sky of the capital city of France. Pedestrians strolled through the streets, while cars drove by. Up on the rooftops, our spotted heroine does her morning patrol, using her ladybug vision to scout the city below.
All seems well, people once again calmed down from the last akuma attack. On the news they even remarked that Guffawer had felt like a return to the old days of more silly akuma. They even joked about when Mr. Pigeon might show up again. Despite everything that was happening, Ladybug was glad to see that the city was able to make some light of the situation.
Unbeknownst to her however, she was being stalked. Waiting behind some cover on one of the rooftops was Lila, now empowered with her demon-miraculous. The girl had been waiting here all morning, having borrowed her detective ally's map of Ladybug's patrol route. Lila felt the anticipation fill her with energy. She had wanted to do something like this for so long, a direct attack of her hated enemy, and now she would have full control of herself. She couldn't wait.
As soon as Lila had spotted Ladybug swing overhead, she called out to her new kwami, the stag beetle.
"Chopper, let 'er rip."
…
Ladybug finished her newest swing around another building, letting herself fly in the air for a moment. She felt the wind, and her place watching over the city as she soared. She felt self-assured on her patrol.
Suddenly, she heard a loud sound like a chain. Then, without her realizing, something clamped around her foot and swung the hero back out of the air and into the rooftops. Before she could catch her senses, Ladybug crashed into the roof tiles of a building, bounced roughly into an open roof area, and rolled to a sudden stop against another building.
Her back hit the hard wall of the building she was against, knocking the wind out of the heroine. As Ladybug fought to get on her feet, she saw what had grabbed her. It was a three pronged claw attached to a chain. That chain retracted, and as Ladybug followed its course, she felt a rage begin to build up inside of her as she heard a familiar laugh. That anger was soon balanced by disbelief.
The figure that stood a few yards away had to be Lila, that voice was too iconic. But she was taller, her hair long and untied. And her costume. If Ladybug hadn't known any better, she would have mistook her for a miraculous hero. The bright orange suit with brown gloves, vest, and pants made the vile creature before her look like a hero.
But those eyes. Lila's eyes glared back with blood red irises within golden yellow retinas. Accenting them was a dark eye lining with some notable lashes on the underside. Equally striking, she now bore a sawtooth grin, just like a certain devil Ladybug knew.
"You miss me Ladybug?", the villain asked, twirling her clawed weapon in hand.
"You wish." The red heroine got in a fighting stance, her yoyo held ready. "Let me guess, this "miraculous" is about as real as the rest of your identity."
"I'm long past lying to you at this point." Lila's voice is almost a hiss as her grin deepens. "You're looking at the real deal, Ladybug. You're looking at Colleo!" She lets her claw chain extend to the length of a flail and begins to swing the weapon around.
Ladybug rolls her eyes. "Oh, blah blah blah." She makes puppet gestures with her hands.
"Alright then," Colleo winds up a swing, "I'm gonna put some dirt in your eye."
Colleo thrusts her claw forward, barely missing Ladybug. The heroine leaps up to dodge before lassoing her yoyo around the villain's waist. Lila is barely able to pull her arms forward in order to block the kick Ladybug pulls herself into. Bouncing back, Ladybug spins her yoyo like a shield and enters a ready stance.
"You say you're different now Lila? Well you're still one for cheap shots apparently."
Colleo growls and rolls to grab her weapon before Ladybug lashes at her with the yoyo like a whip. The villain grabs her weapon and the two are back where they started. "And you're still arrogant as they come with that mask on, Marinette." Lila retorts with a grin.
It was Ladybug's turn to growl. She dashes forward and tackles Lila down, pinching her arms behind her head. "It's Ladybug, you parasite."
Colleo laughs, more than happy with that reaction. Ladybug motions to slam Colleo down, only for the demonic villain to rear back with a force she wasn't expecting. Lila slams the hands held behind her head back into Ladybug's face. The heroine staggers for a moment, long enough for Lila to swing a punch into her gut and launch her back. "That's more like it!"
Ladybug picks herself back up, tempering her actions. She begins remembering her fight with Devilman back when this whole mess started. This time Lila had a strength advantage, so Ladybug would have to strike hard and fast. As the villain made a charge, Ladybug swung to the side and lassoed Lila's legs.
Colleo fell to her face, but began to control her roll. She kicked her legs, the action yanking Ladybug close. A quick duck and Ladybug barely missed the fist swung in her direction.
('this is bad') Ladybug thought to herself. Up on the rooftops there were few places she could use to get higher or lower. The heroine began to sprint, dodging a chunk of building Colleo had grabbed with her claw-chain thrown at the hero. After she jumps down and swings to another rooftop across the street for some distance, Ladybug flips open her yoyo for its calling function and sends out a message.
"Attention Team Miraculous, Lila is attacking me with a new power similar to a miraculous. I'm taking this fight over to the Eiffel Tower so that there will be less collateral damage. Whoever sees this message, please get here as soon as you can."
(Over at the Lahiffe's house)
Nino paced back and forth in his living room, waiting for Adrien to arrive. The two agreed that this new revelation about Hawkmoth was too important to discuss over the phone, and that Adrien will come over to talk in person. Alya was still grounded, so she told Nino that she'll call Miki to tell her about the big news so that he can go talk to Adrien.
Nino's little brother watched his older brother, both curious and worried. "Nino, are you okay?"
Nino paused his pacing, offering a smile. "Of course, Chris. Alya and I are back together."
"Then why were you walking funny?" he asked.
"Adrien has big news he needs to tell me about." Nino explained.
"I have big news too." Chris said.
"Do you now?" Nino asked, giving his brother his full attention.
"Remember when you asked why my Jagged Stone CD container was cracked and I wouldn't tell you?" Chris mentioned.
"Yeah?" Nino said in anticipation.
"Well, there were these bullies that tried to break the CD, but Chloe helped me get it back." Chris explained.
"Chloe did that?" Nino replied dubiously.
"I don't get it either, but she really did." Chris said assuringly.
"I believe you." Nino said, patting his brother on the shoulder.
A knock on the door was heard.
"I got it!" Chris made a beeline for the door and opened it.
"Hi Chris." Adrien greeted the boy with a grin. "Is your brother home?"
"Nino, Adrien is here!" Chris shouted over his shoulder.
"I can see that." Nino came to the door. "Come on in."
Adrien stepped inside his best friend's home, taking off his shoes and leaving them near the wall by the door.
"Chris, don't you have homework to finish?" Nino asked knowingly, trying to usher his brother out of the room.
"But I don't want to do it." Chris crossed his arms with a pout.
Adrien bent down so that he was eye to eye level with Chris. "Did you know Nino is best friends with Chat Noir?"
"Wait, really?" Chris's eyes widened in curiosity.
"Really. And each time Nino does his homework, Chat Noir comes to visit him." Adrien explained, winking at Nino. "So, do you want Chat Noir to come visit?"
"Yes!" Chris replied excitedly. "I'm gonna finish my homework right now!" With that, he ran to his room.
Nino sighed with a grin. "Wish I thought of that."
"Consider me an expert at coming up with excuses." Adrien said with a shrug.
The atmosphere became still as the two stared at each other, neither wanting to be first to address the elephant in the room.
"So…" Nino steps up, "Your dad."
"Yeah…" Adrien frowned, wanting to say so many things but not sure what to start with.
"To think he almost killed himself with that 'Simon Says' guy," Nino attempts to make light, but shakes off that thought. "This really is a small world, isn't it? I mean what are the odds?"
"Nino…" Adrien started to scold him, but his smile betrayed him. "It's not too far-fetched the more I think about it. The constant excuses about his whereabouts, why he's always so cold towards me, the hidden book behind the portrait.." he covered his mouth. He didn't intend to say the last part out loud.
Nino glanced at Adrien, but then came to a new realization. "You think Lila knows? She got akumatized the most out of any of us, and now she's 'watching you' with that Ryo guy."
"Of course she knows! She told Akira and Miki out of spite!" Adrien shouted, quickly taking a breath. "Sorry. I didn't mean to shout. It's just.."
"All good, man. If Alya getting roped into Lila's stuff caused this much trouble, I can imagine what you're going through." Nino had only reared back for a second before going back to normal. "So… does Ladybug know?"
"Knowing Mr. Ryo, he probably told her already."
Nino put a hand to his face. This was becoming a lot to process for the boy. "Swell. Maybe you should make sure. If he hasn't, then at least it'll be you in control of that information. If she already knows, then at least you're letting her know you were going to tell her."
"Why should I? Ladybug always keeps me in the dark about everything." Anger returned to Adrien's voice. "And this is now a personal matter."
"Personal?" Nino raised his voice this time. "Adrien, we're talking about the guy who's been terrorizing the city for over a year. How is that personal?"
"He's my father, Nino." Adrien repeated himself, trying to sound stern. "I can hardly stand up to him on a daily basis. How am I supposed to fight him now?" Adrien put his head in his hands, despair heavy in the air. "I thought I was finally recovering from what I've done to Kagami, and now I know she was right." Adrien's breath quivered as he added, "I'm the son of a monster."
Nino shook his head, but not in disappointment. He stood by his friend, gripping him firmly by the shoulder.
"Yeah, I guess knowing that your father is Hawkmoth undoes everything you've done as a hero. I guess the guy that saves our butts time and time again can't be trusted anymore since he's the son of the villain. Maybe my best friend in the whole wide world is a dirty poopoo head."
Adrien snorts at the sarcasm.
Nino cringes at himself for the last remark. "Dude, just because he's your dad doesn't mean you're any less of a hero. No one's perfect, but you've faced down your share of monsters when push comes to shove. After all, you had to kick my butt not too long ago, right?"
Adrien couldn't help but chuckle as the memory came back to him. "Yeah, I did." he looked up at his best friend with a smile. "Thank you, again. I needed to hear that."
Nino grinned back, "You watch my back, I watch yours. I've been with you this long and I'm not about to stop."
Adrien's smile turned into a smirk. "Say, how did you break away from Alya?"
"I'd been meaning to head back in the morning anyway. And now Alya's got new projects to work on, so we'll try and have another date later." Nino shrugged. "To be honest, I'm real beat as it is from all this action."
"All that action, eh?" Adrien snickered, the despair from earlier leaving his face as he laughed.
Nino faked offense, "Oh come on dude, I'm not Akira."
"I know you're not." Adrien replied seriously, his eyes growing dark. "I would know."
Nino did his best to hold back a laugh, realizing the story his friend just told him.
As the two settle down, Nino sits on the couch nearby. "Let's see what's on TV. I think there is supposed to be a game today…"
As Nino turned on the TV, it began playing the news. The camera panned to the Eiffel Tower, where Ladybug was making a fast approach as an orange and brown figure bolted right behind her. The reporter had been in the middle of speaking.
"...as you can see, Ladybug has seemingly lured this new akuma over to the tower. It's likely some trap that our spotted hero has planned out. Hopefully she can…"
The reporter falls silent as the orange figure tackles Ladybug, who kicks them off in a roll. The camera zooms in on the 'akuma' now that it's facing towards the camera. Nino and Adrien feel a chill as they recognize that face.
"Otra vez, this girl. Can you believe it?" Nino shaked his head. "And I was just talking about her."
Adrien sighed. "You jinxed it." he reached into his pocket and pulled out the ring. "A hero's work is never done." he slipped the ring back on his finger, and Plagg re-appeared.
"That's the last time you confine me while not transformed." the cat kwami said with a glare.
"I saved you the sappy talk, didn't I?" Adrien crossed his arms with a sly grin. "Plagg, Claws Out!"
(At the docks)
Luka sits on the deck of his house-boat, writing on a clipboard with guitar strapped to his back. The musician has gone between strumming notes and putting them on paper for the better part of that morning, getting ready for his band's next practice. Having it on paper puts him at ease, now he can share the vision he has built with the comrades who look up to him.
Having finished the main chorus of what will be their next performance, Luka decides to take a break and simply play to his present feelings.
It is this music that Ryo first begins to hear as he approaches the boat from the docks. "Soul searching again?" the detective asks as he draws closer, which get's Luka's attention.
"Ryo, right?" The musician smiles. "I take it you're not here to play too."
Ryo nods, "I'd like to have a word with you."
A short time later, and the two are under a bridge. Ryo gets ready to start and Luka, guitar still in hand, plays softly. "You know something important."
"I know many important things, Luka," the detective responds. "Let's just cut to the chase. I know your girlfriend is Ladybug. And I'm willing to bet that you, the guy with the most blue I've seen anyone have on their body and now has a new choker…" Ryo gestures to Luka's neck, and the musician plucks a final note with an awkward face. "I'm willing to bet you are the new 'Fenris Blue'. Does that ring a bell?"
Luka held up his hands, "Listen Ryo, I don't…"
"Luka I don't have time for this. I played this song and dance with Ladybug, Chat Noir, and the Guardian. Don't make me play this with you too." Ryo puts a hand to his brow and reaches into his coat, to which Ash flies out from behind Luka.
"You're the detective?!" The wolf kwami growls and holds its limbs out in a defensive position.
Luka rears back in a shock before quickly gathering his senses. Marinette had told him once or twice about Ryo, and it seems like this was another part of the hectic hero world she lived in. He looked to Ash, feeling himself begin to smile once more at the irony that she revealed herself after chastising him for doing so.
The wolf kwami caught his expression quickly, "Not. One. Word from you, boy."
The detective stared at the kwami, then at Luka. he gave a small sigh as if the wind had been taken out of his sails. "A part of me was hoping I was wrong, and this would be some mystery I had to work hard to solve…Well, I know you two are in good hands at least. You're going to need it."
"What do you mean?" The musician got serious, pressing forth.
"Lila's got some demon powers now so she's probably going to go after Ladybug soon." Ryo put his hands in his pockets, gritting his teeth a bit in remembering that conversation with Lila.
Luka gripped Ryo's arm. "How long have you known this? Where is Lila? We need to tell Marinette. Ash, we need to check on her."
The kwami nodded begrudgingly as Ryo answered the musician. "Just yesterday. She's made some contract with a demon. I could only get to Akira, not any of you other heroes."
The detective found himself pushed aside as Luka slung his guitar to his back. "We need to tell Ladybug, even if Lila isn't out and about yet."
Ash flew close to Luka, "Flip open the handle on your bow, that should let you see any messages the heroes might have sent you. If any of them have seen this villain, they'll have asked for help."
"Got it. Ash, Let's Dash!"
Transforming and climbing up to the rooftops, Fenris Blue opens the handle of his bow and he draws in a sharp breath at the emergency transmission being sent out by Ladybug.
"Attention Team Miraculous, Lila is attacking me with a new power similar to a miraculous. I'm taking this fight over to the Eiffel Tower so that there will be less collateral damage. Whoever sees this message, please get here as soon as you can."
Fenris Blue feels his mind begin to race, but he focuses. Marinette is in danger, and she needs help right now. "Swift Wind!" The hero calls out to activate his power, and he races across the city towards Ladybug in a blue blur.
As Ryo seen Fenris dash off from his position at the docks, he pulls out his phone and calls up Devilman.
"Hey Akira. You and Miki should transform and help Ladybug. She might be fighting another devilman now."
(at the Eiffel Tower)
Ladybug jumped left and right, dodging the claw's grasp as she ran. She planned to trap Lila under the Eiffel Tower to stall for time, but the empowered villain was beginning to wear her down. Ladybug had handled this dynamic before, being lighter and faster against a stronger opponent, but Colleo just never stopped swinging and clawing and fighting. It was ironically like she was possessed.
Colleo burst forth in charges, bending the metal and cracking the ground wherever she landed her blows. She was barely missing Ladybug, but relished in the adrenaline as she felt her endurance nowhere near running out.
Ladybug didn't know how much longer she could wait for backup, so she decided to take a risk. She rushed Colleo, who swung with her chain claw. The heroine, in the blink of an eye, slid under Lila's swing and lassoed the villain's foot. Ladybug quickly began to bounce around the inner structure of the tower, winding her yoyo rope around and around. She ran faster and faster as Colleo fired her chain and leapt after her.
At last, Ladybug made a hairpin turn and burst past Colleo a final time. Then all the rope of the yoyo came taught in a moment before the villain could react. Colleo snapped into the air, tied by her limbs and suspended in the air between the pillars of the tower. Lila thrashed and roared but could not break free.
Ladybug huffed, feeling her limbs begin to grow sore even as she pulled her rope tighter around her enemy. "Ok…I just need…to find your 'miraculous' now."
"STAGGER CLAW!" Colleo yelled out. And before Ladybug could process the fact Lila had powers too, the heroine found her arms pinned to her side by a large pair of glowing magic claws. The clamped down tight on her wrists, forcing Ladybug to let her string go with a yelp. And with a sawtooth grin, Lila gave her direction to the claws with her will.
Ladybug was slammed upwards into the metal bars that made up the superstructure of the tower. Pain seared as she clanged and fell up through the structure and back down. She hit her torso and joints in so many ways before feeling herself freefall. Ladybug tried to turn in the air, put her legs under, but all the air had been knocked out of her. With a small puff of dust and a painful thud, Ladybug hit the brick ground. She crumpled under the pain.
With another roar, Colleo used the small sharp ridges on her gloves to cut the rope and make a cratered landing. The villain stood up, dusting the rubble off her shoulder and strides towards Ladybug.
The heroine groans as she finds herself being pulled up. Lila kneels down in front of her enemy and pulls Ladybugs chin up to look in her eyes. A tired but fierce glare looks back at Lila as the villain asks. "What'd I say Marinette? I'm the real deal n-"
With a blue flash, Lila takes a punch to the face and is launched to the side. She rolls the stop with a growl.
"WHAT?!"
Both Ladybug and Colleo feel the wind begin to pick up as the blue blur forms a circle of residual energy around the tower's base. A hairpin turn later and Colleo takes another blow to the face.
Fenris Blue skid to a stop just to the side of Ladybug as Lila staggered back to her senses. Ladybug can barely make out what is going on and the moment, but she makes eye contact with Fenris as he winds up another dash. He gives her a worried nod before dashing back towards the villain.
"So you're the little boy blue everyone's been talking about." Colleo calls in between blocking what hits she can while taking others. "Are you another one of Ladybug's lap dogs?"
Fenris does not speak, his mind barely registering his words. He can feel heart racing faster and faster the longer he stays in this sped up state. He has to get Ladybug out of here and fast before he bites off more than he can chew.
The blue hero makes a dash for Colleo, who swings up in anticipation to claw him. Luckily for Fenris, he had been betting she would do this and stopped just short. He skids to a stop and turns just in time to swing his leg around, kicking the villain in her knee just as she opens herself up.
Lila roars out in pain, making a mad dash at Fenris. He jumps back in a sprint, pulls out his arrow, and fires. The blue energy bolt pierces Colleo in the shoulder, sending her crumpling to the ground, but only for a moment as she quickly begins picking herself up.
But that was all the time Fenris needed. Feeling his heart radiate a heat in his chest he's never known, Luka carefully picks up Ladybug and begins to run away.
Lila, with another roar, fires her chain claw at the escaping hero, "GET BACK HERE!"
"Grab this!' Chat Noir catches the chain claw with his staff and simultaneously throws it at Colleo like a boomerang. It whizzes past her face, and before the villainess can counter-attack, the staff whacks her in the back of the head, knocking her off balance. Wasting no time, Chat Noir pounces on Colleo, retrieving his staff and pushing it against her throat.
"Cataclysm!"
Black energy fills the cat hero's hand, and he positions his power inches away from Colleo's face, green eyes staring deadly at red irises. "I'm gonna give you a choice, Lila. Leave now without a scratch, or let the power of destruction finish the job." Chat Noir's staff pushed harder against Lila's throat as he added, "Choose wisely."
Colleo pushed back for only a second, but as Chat Noir drew his hand closer with that same fury in his eyes, all her rage melted away in place of fear. Her growl became panicked breaths as her eyes darted around. She saw her weapon, far out of reach, and quickly froze completely as Chat pushed down just a bit more.
With what was almost pure instinct, Colleo snapped her arms forward to grab Chat's wrist and hold it in place. She then pulled her legs in and kicked the blonde hero into the air. By the time Chat Noir flipped and landed, still bearing his cataclysm hand, Colleo had used her chain claw to grab a nearby building and pull herself out of the fight in the opposite direction Fenris had taken Ladybug. She disappeared over the rooftops in a few moments.
A good distance off, Fenris Blue began to slow down as he held Ladybug. The blue hero deactivated his speed, panting heavy breaths as his heart was pumping on overtime. The heat in his chest was beginning to make his own head fuzzy. Stopping his run entirely, Fenris leaned a nearby tree and slowly let himself sink to the ground with Ladybug still in his arms.
It was the small thud of his landing that got the heroine to clear her head. She felt sore all over, burned in a few places, but she was alive and kicking. Marinette looked up to see Fenris Blue still holding her up, a tired smile on his face. "Sorry I didn't get there sooner. I…I'm not used to going fast for that long."
"Are you kidding? That was amazing." Ladybug cupped Luka's face with a proud smile. "You're amazing."
That got a faint laugh out of Fenris, still catching his breath. "You too, Ladybug. Glad I could help."
The two softly put their foreheads together and shared a small chuckle before going back to resting against the tree. Fenris Blue slowly helped Ladybug adjust herself so that she was sitting against the tree rather than in his arms. The two heroes, winded, unconsciously rested their heads on each other's shoulders.
"Ladybug!"
The red and blue heroes looked up to see Chat Noir running towards them, panting loudly.
"Are you okay? Why did Lila-" The cat hero paused as he processed what was happening, his concern turning into annoyance. "Oh. You beat me to it."
"What are you talking about?" Ladybug roused herself and tapped Fenris with her hand, who slowly got up then started to pull her up. The blue hero turned to Chat with a still tired smile. "Thanks for the save, Chat Noir. I was almost out of steam. If she'd hit me I'd be…well, you know."
"Don't mention it." Chat Noir said hastily, turning back to Ladybug. "How did Lila get a miraculous? That was definitely not Volpina back there."
"Definitely not Volpina," Ladybug said with a cough. "I don't know how she got one. But it's not a miraculous I've ever seen before." As she coughs again, Ladybug leans on Fenris, who keeps a straight face but widens his stance to hold her up.
"Ladybug, I'm not falling for this excuse anymore. Tell me what it is." Chat Nor's voice was steady, but firm.
"I don't know Chat," Ladybug eyes him sternly. "I've seen a lot of miraculouses before but nothing with that specific power. If I had to guess, it's some kind of bug." she holds true, but shudders a bit.
"Ladybug, this is bigger than us now. If we don't get to the bottom of this, all of Paris will be in great danger!" Chat Noir was getting more irritated by the minute as he tried to be rational.
"Chat. Noir." Ladybug grit her teeth in frustration. "I am trying to be patient with you, but in case you haven't noticed, that thing nearly killed me! If I knew what the hell it was I'd be telling you!" She takes a step forward to point a finger at him, but her leg wobbles and she starts to stumble. Fenris grabs her hand and adjusts his stance to hold her steady again.
"Ok, let's just take it easy for a minute," Fenris Blue suggests softly.
"You shut it!" The cat hero pointed a finger at the wolf hero before tossing his staff to the ground, making a loud clang as it fell. "You don't tell me anything, Ladybug! I had to wait for Devilman to take me to the Guardian you met months ago! You just conjure up plans without consulting me and expect me to go with it! I had to fight Gestalta and Miss-Fortune on my own, and you didn't even bother to ask if I was okay afterwards!" Chat Noir's green eyes almost seemed electric as he glared at the heroine. "And now you're roping our new ally into your mess!"
Chat Noir picked up his staff, pointing it at Ladybug. "Well guess what!? I'm done being the sidekick! Go on and fix this yourself!" He turned around and began to walk away. He turned back one more time with "After all, I'm the power of destruction, right!? We won't want our precious city in pieces!" Remembering he still had his power activated, Chat Noir walked over to a nearby streetlamp and disintegrated it. He extended his staff and jumped away in the direction that he came from.
"Chat!" Ladybug yelled after him, pulling away from Fenris Blue. "Get back here you idiot! You're going to destroy yourself!"
Fenris had caught his breath by now, and managed to keep Ladybug from falling over again before he heard a chime coming from his choker. "Uh, should mine be doing that?"
"It's your timer," Ladybug began to panic. "You have to get out of here before you transform back!"
Ladybug tries to push Fenris away, but he holds his ground. "I'm not leaving you here like this."
The two look around and see an alleyway, nodding together and shuffling out of sight.
No sooner have they gotten far into the alley and sat back down, Fenris reverts back to his civilian form. His kwami drops out of the air and onto his shoulder, not used to the strain after being inactive so long.
As the two heroes pant, they hear a familiar chuckle.
"Well, I couldn't have blown that one better myself."
"Are you two okay?" calls another voice from the rooftops.
Ladybug simply groans as Devilman and Multi-Mouse come down to help them get home.
(Back at the docks)
Chat Noir jumped from streetlamp to streetlamp, looking for an empty area to be alone. His miraculous beeped, but he didn't care. As he neared the boardwalk, he slid down the streetlamp and walked over to where gravel connected to the wood of the dock. A final beep, and his costume disappeared in a flash of green light, leaving a tired and slightly disoriented Plagg to float mid-air.
"Not. One. Word." Adrien warned the kwami.
I didn't even-" The cat kwami stopped mid-sentence as Adrien shot him a murderous look.
Stepping onto the dock, Adrien walked over to the edge and stared at the water ahead, trying to keep it together. He picked up a pebble off the dock and tossed it into the water, skipping a couple times before sinking.
Adrien took a deep inhale, then let a loud, ferocious scream. "AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
He tossed a bigger rock into the water. "I can't take this anymore!" He picked up one of the loose planks and heaved it into the water with a splash. "What's next!?"
Unbeknownst to him, a certain red fencer had been passing through on her way to Luka's home-boat. She drew to a silent stop as she beheld the sight before her. Kagami narrowed her eyes. Not him, not now. Not after all this time.
What made her walk closer, she couldn't really say. Was it the thought that he couldn't hurt her anymore? Spite? Some residual desire to have some closure? Who knew, either way she turned down the pier that Adrien had gone down. She couldn't help but wonder if she looked this dumb before she had been turned into Gestalta.
"Adrien." Kagami spoke with the feeling of old scars burning her insides again.
Adrien froze at that familiar voice. She was the last person he wanted to see, much less witness his foolish behavior. Reluctantly, he turned around, giving his ex-girlfriend a nod in acknowledgement. "Kagami."
The red fencer began to regret making her presence known almost immediately. She wasn't ready for this. However, Adrien could answer a question of hers, so she took slow steps forward.
"I heard a new hero joined your team." Kagami spoke with curiosity, "He was blue, right?"
Adrien's eyes narrowed at the mention of the new hero, but composed himself as he remembered who he was talking to. "Yeah. He goes by Fenris Blue."
"So he's a wolf then." The fencer grew a thin smile.
"I ran into him a few days ago when he was dashing about. He seemed very kind… Did he speak to you two at all?"
"Did you see the news today?" Adrien's voice was calm, but his eyes were still angry.
Kagami shook her head. "I got an alert on my phone to stay away from the tower. You fought another akuma together?" Her smile grew, appearing to have what amounted to a reserved eagerness.
"It was Lila. She attacked Ladybug with some sort of evil miraculous…" Adrien began to explain, before shaking his head. "Why should I tell you? Haven't you been through enough of this?" He gripped his hair tightly. "I don't understand how you can even talk to me after everything."
The fencer pulled her arms around herself, her voice growing just a bit shaky. "For one thing, I was hoping you and Ladybug would take kindly to Fenris. He did save me during Guffawer's attack…"
"Oh, Ladybug took kindly to him alright." Adrien scoffed before he realized what he said.
"I see," Kagami began to lean to one side. On one hand, she felt vindicated by the knowledge of Fenris and Ladybug, but at the same time it didn't make her really feel better. "Well then, the second thing is you. I wanted to…apologize? Make something clear?" She struggled to find the right words, but came to them after a moment.
"Adrien, I don't know what you think of me now… I…I don't hate you. I did love you after all…" the fencer took a few wary steps back, drawing into herself more. "If it were my choice I wouldn't have become an akuma. You understand that, right?"
Adrien simply nodded, afraid that anything he said would be taken the wrong way.
Kagami nodded back to him, accepting the current situation. "You take care then…" as she began to step back further, her tone shifted to something more positive. "And tell Nino congratulations for me."
"Wait, he told you?" Adrien's anger turned to surprise.
That got a small chuckle out of Kagami, "No, but I saw him and Alya by chance when it happened."
It was Adrien's turn to laugh. The irony of getting their friends back together despite their own relationship failure didn't miss him. "Will do, Kagami. Will do."
With a nod of acknowledgment, and smile fading, the red fencer turned and took her leave.
Plagg looked on from behind a pier pillar, wondering when he'd be able to eat next.
(At the Le Grande Paris Hotel)
"This is Adrien Agreste. Please leave a message."
Chloe growled as she left her 20th voicemail in the past few hours. "Adrien, Chat Noir, whoever you are right now, if you don't call me back in the next 30 seconds, I'm gonna go to the police and file a missing child report to track you down myself!" With a huff, she hung up.
A knock is heard at the door.
"That better be him with an apology ready." Chloe stomped to the door and flung it open, only to pause at Nino in the doorway.
"…'sup?" The boy started with an awkward grin.
"Let me guess, Adrien's not answering your calls either?" Chloe asked with a sigh.
"Nope. Something must have happened after the fight," Nino scratched his head. "But that's not why I'm here."
Chloe raised an eyebrow. "Why are you here then?"
"I don't know if you'd even remember now, but you did my little brother a solid. He was getting picked on and you stood with him." Nino tipped his hat. "So I came to say thanks, dudette. That was pretty cool."
Chloe's eyes widened in surprise. "He told you about that?"
"Yeah, he did." The boy nodded. "I guess Queen Bee really is a hero," he couldn't help but grin at his own remark. "You're alright, Chloe. You're alright."
Chloe offered a small smile. "You're not bad yourself. The more shenanigans Adrien ropes us into, the more I understand why he calls you his best friend."
Nino smiled back, "Thanks." He takes a step back, "I'll let you know if I find him. See ya later." And with that Nino walks off to begin his search.
(At the Devilman's apartment)
The four heroes had made their way to the room with all haste. Akira was enjoying himself despite everything, getting a kick out of Fenris's costume deactivating almost as soon as he and Miki had found Luka and Mari.
As Akira set the heroine on Ryo's bed, Miki and Luka rushed in just behind. The mouse hero reached under the bed to grab a first aid kit, tossing it to Luka when he asked.
"I'm glad you have one of these," the blue hero sighed, quickly pulling out the things he needed to start patching up Marinette.
"Ryo figured it'd be good to have one in case I lost my arm again." Akira said with a grin.
"Your arm?!" Marinette exclaimed, starting to cough again.
The devilman chuckled, "Long story."
"Marinette, can I..?" Luka lightly tugged her overshirt.
The heroine nodded, and the musician carefully removed it, rubbing a cooling gel over her bruises. Miki started readying a towel to clean off any cuts as Akira looked on with fascination.
"I was worried I'd have to do this at some point," Luka admitted as he held Marinette's forearm and began to wrap it. "As soon as I figured out who you were, I decided to practice first aid just in case." He clearly spoke to the red hero, but his eyes were focused on the task at hand.
"Guess that's one thing we have in common," Miki said to him with something of a grimace. "As much as I want to say 'be careful', this is a dangerous job."
"You're gonna be just fine, fearless leader. You've got our team worriers on your case." Akira chuckled.
"I know," Marinette nodded and smiled, but her eyes were filled with concern. She looked at her boyfriend. "Luka, I'm sorry you had to see that. I don't know what's gotten into him."
"I wish I could say "It's okay", but clearly it's not." The musician said with a frown. "He seemed on edge the whole time, was it like that last time you two met?"
"He's been a lot more frustrated since Miss-Fortune." Marinette observed. "I think Lila is getting in his head."
"I don't suppose you know what's going on?" Fenris turned to both Akira and Miki.
Akira went stiff, glancing over at Miki. He opened his mouth to speak, but saw his girlfriend softly yet quickly shaking her head "no."
"I think he's going through some family stuff," the devilman grumbled. "Let's just say he's losing a lot of trust he had in those he cares about."
Marinette gave Akira a side-glance, to which the Devilman gave a low sigh. "Ryo wanted to talk to you later, said he's got some big news for you."
"Oh great. More news." Marinette replied sarcastically. "And I suppose he's already told this?"
"Yeah, and it's pretty big. But right now getting you in shape is our priority." The devilman stepped over to the side of the bed as Miki finished applying bandages to the ladybug's back.
"Just take it easy for now," Miki gestures to Luka, who begins applying a wrap over a burn on Marinette's arm.
"Agh!" Marinette shook slightly as the wrap made contact with the burn on her skin.
"Sorry." Luka apologized with a smile. "Musician hands are a little rough."
"I see," Marinette's face turned pink as she finished her response, "Please, keep going."
Akira and Miki slowly backed away and looked on. The devilman gave a light chuckle, and the mouse hero gave him a light elbow.
In a short time, Luka had finished wrapping the last bandage. He looked upon Marinette and felt his own hands begin to shake now. He had never seen his girlfriend this injured before, and something about it just tore at him.
"I really am glad you're okay…" the musician gently placed his hands on Marinette's shoulders. His eyes welled up, but he forced himself to keep a chin up.
"I just wish I could have gotten to you sooner. Then maybe it…wouldn't be as bad."
"You did what you could, Luka," Marinette placed her hands on top of her boyfriend's hands. "And that is enough." A small grin curled up on her face. "I should be asking how you are. Your speed back there was very impressive."
Luka gave a dry laugh, pulling Marinette's hands close and kissing them. "It's such a rush, if you'll pardon the expression. The faster I go for longer, the more it starts to burn. It feels like my heart is going a hundred miles an hour." He gives a reassured smile, "It wears me out, but I'm sure I can manage it with practice."
Marinette gently cupped Luka's cheek. "You will. You can do anything you put your mind to."
"Geez, you gonna kiss or what?" the devilman grins,
"Akira," Miki chides him.
Luka flushes for the first time in a long time. He looks to Marinette, inching closer just a bit. "Sorry, was I getting corny?"
"Yes." The heroine replied before leaning in and locking lips with her lover. The couple closed their eyes as they wrapped their arms around each other tenderly.
Akira held back a laugh, and Miki tried her best to enjoy the moment despite the clashing moods.
(At the bakery)
Getting home for Marinette had been an ordeal. Between her parents having been worried sick and Luka's best explanation of what had happened, she and her boyfriend had managed to largely salvage the situation. That said, the heroine doubted she'd be allowed outside of the house very often as she healed. But those concerns could wait, as Marinette and Luka got settled down in her room, they heard a knock from the roof. That had to be Ryo.
With a grumble, Marinette called out. "Let's get this over with."
Luka glanced back and forth as if asking if he should leave. Marinette quickly extended a hand to him however, and the two made their way to the roof.
Ryo was waiting for them, flipping through the contents of a briefcase as he turned to look at the two. The detective's eyes narrowed. "I thought we were going to have some privacy. This is important information I'm about to share."
"Whatever you have to say, say it to both of us." Marinette said with determination, her grip tightening on Luka's hand. "He's part of the team now."
"Ok, fine." Ryo sighed. It was obvious to anyone that he hadn't slept in a while, lines clear to see under his eyes.
"Ladybug, Fenris. After much investigation, I have discovered the identity of Hawkmoth." He makes something of a proud gesture with his arm.
Marinette's eyes widened in both surprise and cautiousness. She looked at Luka, who gave a similar expression.
"Who is it?"
As if holding back a maddened laugh, Ryo produced a photo. It was a man they were all familiar with at this point. "Gabriel Agreste. Adrien's father is Hawkmoth!"
Marinette's surprise turned to horror. She couldn't speak, her mind processing this new truth.
"Gabriel Agreste." She repeated the name slowly. "Adrien's father…" Her pupils grew small as she realized. "The Collector!"
"That akuma from way back?" Luka looked to Marinette with concern then back to Ryo. "Are you certain? Why would he akumatize himself?"
"To cover his tracks, clear himself of suspicion." the detective's eyes light with a glint. "The way he can monitor the populace, the layout of his mansion. The reason that he had this book about the miraculous hidden away!" he produced the book from his coat, a proud yet unhinged grin across his face.
Marinette's eyebrows furrowed into a scowl. "You've been working with the enemy!?" Her available hand reached for her purse, but she stopped herself.
"How else would I have gotten my hands on the book?" the detective retorted. "It was only recently I was able to compare stories with the Guardian. He said that the book had been lost with the peacock miraculous, likely stolen away by Hawkmoth. Then we have Mayura, wielder of that same peacock working alongside Hawkmoth."
Ryo combed through the book and came to a page on the peacock miraculous, turning the book to show Marinette and Luka. He had a glee about him like a child that had finished assembling a puzzle of a thousand pieces.
"So that's why I found a feather when Assembler and Asundere attacked." Marinette said, connecting the dots. She shook her head and glared back at Ryo. "Why did you keep this from me for so long? We could have defeated Hawkmoth much earlier!"
"I wanted to gather all the information I could before proposing a plan," the detective grumbled, "If you're going to launch a raid, we need a layout of the mansion. I've been working on that, but now Lila's gone and forced me to accelerate my mapping."
"Lila?" The musician raised an eyebrow.
Ryo grit his teeth. "We've been trading information up until now, she tells me who Hawkmoth might target, I give her some of my findings. She actually hinted to me about her new powers."
"That's how you knew to warn me," Luka had something of a grimace at that revelation. "I wouldn't have transformed and gotten Mari's alert if you hadn't shown up at the docks."
"You've been exchanging words with Lila!?" Now Marinette was furious, pointing an accusing finger at the detective. "She tried to kill me, Ryo! How do you expect us to believe you're on our side when you're inviting our enemies to my doorstep!?"
Luka had to keep his girlfriend from lunging at Ryo, gripping her shoulders firmly with both hands. A part of him wanted to reason with Ryo and even thank him, but more than that he resolved to stand by Marinette, so he held back any further remarks.
The detective crossed his arms. "And it looks like my warning got to Luka in time. First of all, I didn't invite Lila to anything. I don't tell her anything about your comings and goings so don't you dare accuse me of treachery!" He pointed a finger at Marinette. "And what right do you have to judge secrets? Chat Noir didn't know shit about the Guardian until we got involved in your mess. Frankly, I doubt you'd have ever found out who Hawkmoth was if I didn't take the measures I did!"
"Well thank you so much, Captain Obvious, for repeating everything Chat Noir yelled at me about earlier!" Marinette replied angrily. "And I had everything under control before you showed up and shot an akumatized victim right out of the sky!"
Ryo stood up as if he was about to yell back, but Luka spoke this time. "You're stepping out of line, Ryo. You may have solved the big mystery, but Marinette here has the experience to handle it better than any of us."
The detective gave the musician a dismayed glare, and it was then that Ticki and Ash flew between Ryo and Marinette.
"Enough! This game of cat and mouse is not getting us anywhere." Ticki said sternly. "You both have valid points, but you must also respect each other's authority."
"The secrecy of your work is paramount, but your refusal to work together has put you all at risk," Ash crossed her arms. "Detective, you were so lost in your own investigation that you forgot you lack the means of confronting the enemy on your own. You've wasted so much time in mere scheming." She then turned to Marinette. "And Ladybug, you've spent so much effort simply fighting the akuma and exerting your control over the others that you have lost sight of the true goal, defeating Hawkmoth."
Marinette sighed and nodded, acknowledging the kwamis. She placed her hands on hips.
Ryo huffed, yet he fell silent and stood down.
Luka gave a sigh of relief, turning between Marinette and Ryo. "Well, now that we know the truth, we should start planning what to do next together. I'm sure it'll take all of us to defeat Hawkmoth."
"Right." Marinette replied with a small smile. Her smile faltered as she looked back at Ryo. "Did you tell Chat Noir?"
"I wouldn't have yet, but Akira did." The detective grumbled. "But he would've had to learn at some point, so whatever." Ryo pulled out a large piece of paper from his briefcase. "I've got a map here of the mansion, it's incomplete, but I've found some spots that could lead to Hawkmoth's lair." He handed the map to Marinette.
The heroine looked over the points that the detective highlighted, her eyes lingering on the deck by the double stairs where the large painting of Adrien's mother hung on the wall. "I remember that painting from the Simon Says fiasco. Some of the markings didn't seem right, but I thought I was just being paranoid."
"The frame was a cover for a safe," Ryo confirmed. "That's where I found the book."
"Perhaps there's a code in there that leads to Hawkmoth's lair as well." Marinette mused, "He isn't very subtle when choosing the next target for akumatization."
Ryo thought for a minute, "Maybe I could take a kwami with me the next time I enter the mansion." He turns to Ticki, "Kwamis can't be restrained by other wielders can they? If I could have one of you help me search, we might figure out where the entrance is."
"Kwamis are bound to their wielders until that bind is broken." Ticki explained. "I cannot do anything that will put my wielder at risk while not transformed. As the power of creation, my sole responsibility is to restore balance."
"Right, and you getting seen by Hawkmoth puts him on alert and us at risk," the detective grimaces, then turns back to Marinette. "Guess I'll just have to keep looking then. Do you have any other suggestions since you've been there before?"
"Look for anything unusual on the floor." Marinette suggested. "The tile design in the hallways are different from the ones in the bedrooms." She paused for a moment. "There must also be a security room somewhere. There are cameras all around the mansion."
Ryo nodded, putting a hand to his chin as if planning out something else. "Alright then. I'll need to be careful. Akira might be able to short out the cameras."
He began packing up his briefcase. "That was all I managed to find. You know the truth now, so I'll leave it to you to gather the other heroes. I'll let you know when I manage to find the lair."
Marinette nodded. "Very well, detective." She then rubbed the back of her neck. "Did you tell Adrien?"
Ryo paused, his frown curling further back as he nodded. "He had to know sooner or later. There's a few reasons he stays with me or Chloe nowadays."
"How's he even handling something like that?" Luka asked, concern growing.
"As best as he can, mostly thanks to his friends I imagine." the detective admitted.
"He'll need his friends more than ever now." Marinette added.
Closing his briefcase, Ryo began to climb up the rooftops. He looked at Marinette, then at Luka, giving them a nod before disappearing into the night.
Marinette turned to Luka, a million emotions on her face. "I had no idea things would get so difficult after you joined." She sighed. "It's unfair for you to deal with all this so early."
"It was easy before?" Luka responded somewhat rhetorically. He rested a hand on Marinette's shoulder. "I'm happy to join your band the way you helped mine. If that takes me extra work, so be it." He gives a reassuring smile. "Are you going to be alright? Should I maybe…step to the side next time Chat shows up? I don't think he likes me," the musician half-jokes.
"No." Marinette answered firmly, gripping Luka's hand on her shoulder. "Whatever problem Chat Noir has with us, he can address it to me directly. I'm sure he'll warm up to you with time." She offered an amused smile. "It took a while for me to get used to him."
Luka nearly laughs, moving to give her a light hug. "Alright then, I'll stand by you still. 'Fearless leader', was it?"
Marinette chuckled. "I suppose so, Fenris Blue." Her face blushed as she asked, "Do you want to spend the night?"
The musician flushed ever so slightly, "Would your parents allow that?"
"Considering how you helped me today, I'm sure they'll be okay with it." Marinette said confidently.
As the two heroes made their way down somewhat bashfully, the ladybug and wolf kwami stayed on the roof.
Ash turned to Ticki, "You've seen them for longer, what do you make of their…relationship? It's certainly a change given your history."
"I think Luka brings out the best in her." Ticki said with a smile. "Marinette wasn't as confident or collected before she met him, and those qualities are required of a good leader." Her smile faltered as she said, "However, she still isn't honest enough with him, or with the other people she cares about. She feels like she has to fix everything by herself, even when her friends want to help her."
"I'd have agreed with her perspective had I not seen the gridlock it caused with her and the detective," Ash said with a frown. However the kwami then softened her expression, "Though perhaps the boy can help. I'll admit I had my misgivings about him, took him for a fool. But when he's with Ladybug, he seems to become his best self, quick and decisive, earnest and true. If anything he is too honest," Ash's tone seemed praising, but held a hint of annoyance.
Ticki chuckled, "Perhaps his honest influence will help Marinette to allow herself to be helped eventually. They really do care about each other." She smiled at her kwami friend. "We will sure have plenty to share at the next meeting with the others."
Ash crossed her arms, "I'm used to my wielders being loners. It's so…odd to have a wielder in a relationship, especially with your wielder of all people." the faint tint of pink lights the kwami's cheeks before she shakes herself. "I'm sorry, I mean no offense Ticki. How do you and Plagg deal with this?"
"We've got plenty of experience, considering all our past wielders were in relationships." Ticki replied, a reminiscent expression on her face. "Love is such a powerful story, and I have so many beautiful memories of it." She giggled, "Though I'm sure Plagg would say otherwise."
Ash gave a nervous smile, "Then I pray for their success."
As the moon shown above, the two kwamis exchanged hopeful grins. Not wanting to miss the potential amusement, they soon flew back into Marinette's room to see what she and Luka got up to.
End of chapter 17
Author's Notes:
Dancecat25: Bonjour, beautiful readers. We had a lot going on here. I'm not gonna sugar coat it. Both main heroes are in deep shit. Funny how battle brought Luka and Marinette closer together.
Aladar Caval: I gotta say, that was one of the most fun fights I've written in a long time. And yeah, I'm always happy to have that bit of slightly romantic levity after a battle.
Dancecat25: I knew bringing out the Hawkmoth reveal was gonna postpone Chat Noir's recovery, but it had to be done. Now Chat Noir can really step up his role as a hero, as shown here with Colleo. As always, the next chapter should take a break from hero stuff. Till then, Cat Out!
Aladar Caval: Prepare for some good old intrigue, Devilman Lila with a suitably devilman entrance in the open and a few characters now on turned tables. See you next time, 'Til all are one.'