A/N: This chapter gets dark. Trigger warning for suicide.

Chapter 2: Revelation

Adrien was awakened by something heavy falling on his chest, causing his kwami to yelp in surprise at the sudden impact. Instinctively, the young man grabbed at it, his hands finding smooth wood. Aided by the dim light provided by the Paris streetlights and his large windows, he could make out bright green lines on the edges of the angular box.

His eyes widened as he realized what he was holding, now fully awake. The Miraculous Box. It was in his signature colours, so he deduced that he had been named Guardian. But why? Why would Ladybug give him the Miraculous Box?

"Open it," Plagg urged, his voice tinged with apprehension. Adrien obliged, lifting the lid to find an envelope on top with the name "Tikki" written in cursive. Beneath it lay the red and black Ladybug earrings.

"Shit!" Plagg whisper-screamed, panic evident in his voice. "Kid, listen to me and do exactly as I say. Don't argue. Transform and follow the smell of croissants. There is no time to waste. We can't have me and Tikki here without Ladybug. I'll explain later, I promise, but now we need to go. Leave your phone here, just go."

Plagg pushed Adrien out of bed as much as his tiny body allowed, and the teenage boy followed sleepily. He called out his transformation phrase and leaped out the window, allowing the crisp night air to wake him up fully.

As he soared through the sky, the weight of the Miraculous Box and the truth behind Ladybug's actions burdened Adrien's heart. He had promised her that they would get the other Miraculous back, one by one, if necessary, but now it seemed she had given up her own Miraculous. He couldn't fathom why.

The Dupain-Cheng bakery came into view, and Chat Noir touched down on the balcony. He quickly detransformed and waited for Plagg. It seemed the bakery was Plagg's destination, and Adrien understood that Plagg's cryptic instruction to follow the smell of croissants had led them here.

"Get Tikki," Plagg said urgently. "Kid, please, I can't explain what we need to do next, but maybe she can."

Adrien opened the Miraculous Box and scooped the earrings out from under the envelope. The moment he touched them, a red light flashed, and the Kwami of Creation, Tikki, materialized before him. She hovered in the air, her small face showing an amount of heartache that Adrien couldn't understand.

"Adrien," Tikki said, locking eyes with him, "What are you doing here?"

"He's here because I brought him here," Plagg intervened, coming closer to Tikki. "Remember, Ladybug gave us all a riddle in case we ever got lost going back to her house. He got the clue, and we are here. He's here to help. But Tikki, where's Ladybug? We need to hurry."

"Just… go inside," Tikki said, defeated, gesturing to Marinette's bedroom. "Plagg is right; there's no time to waste. I'll stay here."

Plagg nodded at Adrien, who carefully let himself into the room, not surprised to find the door unlocked. He landed next to Marinette's bed, where a lump beneath the covers indicated her presence.

"Marinette?" Adrien called out softly. When she didn't respond, he repeated her name louder, trying to rouse her from her slumber. But she remained motionless.

He gently touched the lump, finding Marinette's shoulder. Panic surged through him when he felt how cold she was, and he quickly pulled the covers off her. Marinette's lips were blue, and she appeared lifeless.

"Marinette!" Adrien screamed, his voice filled with terror and grief. He shook her shoulders desperately, but she didn't respond. He felt hot tears streaming down his cheeks as he tried to wake her.

"Call an ambulance!" Adrien yelled, feeling helpless. "Please, we need to…"

Before he could finish his sentence, the door blasted open, and Marinette's parents rushed in. Adrien stepped aside, making way for her parents to see her.

"Call an ambulance," he pleaded again, his voice breaking, "Please, we need to save her."

Both adults sprang into action, and Adrien's head spun as they took charge. Madame Cheng was already on the phone with emergency services, while Marinette's father checked her pulse, his face filled with concern.

The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on Adrien's shoulders as he watched the frantic scene unfold. The sound of approaching sirens cut through the tense air, and the wailing grew louder as the ambulance drew closer. Adrien's heart pounded in his chest, hoping against hope that help would arrive in time to save Marinette.

Not long after, the paramedics burst into the room, their professional demeanour contrasting with the raw emotion of the scene. Adrien held his breath as they immediately took charge, gently pushing Monsieur Dupain aside and expertly assessing Marinette's condition. They worked quickly to revive her.

Time seemed to slow down, every second feeling like an eternity. Adrien's eyes stayed fixed on Marinette's lifeless form, his mind refusing to accept what was unfolding before him. This couldn't be happening. It couldn't end like this.

"No, no, please," Adrien whispered, his voice choked with tears, "You have to save her."

The paramedics tried everything, their efforts relentless, but despite their best attempts, Marinette's lifeless body remained unresponsive. The atmosphere in the room grew heavier with each passing moment, the weight of despair pressing down on everyone present.

Monsieur Dupain's shoulders sagged as he looked up at the paramedics, his eyes filled with grief. Madame Cheng clung to her husband, sobbing softly. Guilt vibrated through his body, unsure of why he felt guilty, and the realisation that Marinette was Ladybug was the furthest thing from his mind.

"I'm sorry," one of the paramedics finally said, his voice heavy with sorrow. "We did everything we could, but she's gone."

The words hit Adrien like a dagger to the heart, and he staggered back, unable to comprehend the reality of the situation. He screamed his throat raw, aware that Madam Cheng and Monsieur Dupain were both doing the same on their ends.

"No," Adrien whispered, denial consuming him. "It can't be true. She can't be gone."

Tears streamed down his cheeks as he collapsed to his knees beside her bed, reaching out to touch her cold hand. He felt numb, disconnected from the world around him as he felt her cold hand. His best friend in the world, his partner… and he wished he had known it before now, because the amount of love he felt, and the amount of pain that went with it, was tearing him apart.

"I'm so sorry, Marinette," Adrien choked.

"Adrien, why are you here?" Madam Cheng asked. It was later that day, and the police and emergency services had finally left. Marinette's body had been taken away, and they were going to an autopsy to make sure that it had been, indeed, suicide by sleeping pills.

Madam Cheng had made all three of them some tea, and the three of them sat around the kitchen table. Adrien debated what he should tell them, but as the new Guardian, it was his choice, his prerogative to choose.

"Marinette was Ladybug," he said. Under any other circumstances, he would have been over the moon to come to the realisation that one of his best friends was actually his very best friend in the world, the girl he had loved for so long… his partner. "And I'm Chat Noir."

The older couple shared a look, and both surged forward to embrace him. He threw up both of his arms and returned their hug. A lot of things passed between them. Acceptance of Adrien as Chat Noir, empathy at the burden he and Marinette had to bear on their own. It was the type of embrace that Adrien wished his father would give him from time to time.

After a long time, they separated, all of them looking grief-stricken and lost.

"Would you like me to call your father? I'm sure that he's worried." Madam Cheng asked. Adrien shook his head.

"No, I'll talk to him when I get home," Adrien said, "Listen, I'm really sorry about…" He couldn't find it in himself to say it out loud.

"No, honey, it's not your fault," Madam Cheng said immediately, "It's still very raw, and… I don't think we can talk about it yet, but we certainly don't blame you – Adrien or Chat Noir, or the fact that she was Ladybug. She left us letters. For us, and there is one for you."

Adrien frowned. "I'm sorry?"

"For Chat Noir," Monsieur Dupain corrected, and he pulled an envelope from his pocket, handing it to Adrien. The blond hesitated, he didn't want to know what it said. Terrified that it was his fault. Terrified that he hadn't done enough to be there for her. "I was wondering why she would leave him… you… a letter. Now I know."

"Please," Madam Cheng said, staring at her tea intensely, her voice only barely controlled, "Please, Adrien, you have to fix this. You have to make Monarch pay for what he did." She drew a shaky breath. "My daughter wasn't someone who lost courage easily."

"She was in love with you, you know," Monsieur Dupain said, and Adrien tilted his head thoughtfully, "Almost embarrassingly so, but she always had your best interests at heart. There were so many times that she tried to convince us to talk to your father, because she got so upset that he sheltered you so much."

His heart ached. He hadn't known how much she cared. He knew that she did care, but not exactly how much. Marinette… Ladybug… the two phased into one. Ladybug – his partner, best friend, and the person who was his best friend in the world. Marinette – his strong, brave friend. They merged into one, completing the puzzle.

No, he couldn't accept her death. He couldn't accept that she would just leave him. Neither Chat Noir nor Adrien.

Adrien got up from his seat, a plan forming in his mind. He took the envelope off the table carefully and tucked it into his shirt.

"I promise I'll rectify this," He said, "Now, I… well, I need to go find the two kwami that I left on the balcony. And… well…"

"No, I'm here," Plagg's raspy voice said, eyeing Marinette's parents apprehensively, but neither of them showed any reaction. "Transform and go the long way around."

"Monsieur Dupain, Madam Cheng, I will fix this. Somehow." He promised before calling out his transformation and leaving the bakery. He swung around to the balcony, scooped up the box after making sure he had the earrings, and went home.

At home, his father, Natalie and the Gorilla was waiting for him, each with varying levels of concern on their face. Gabriel was busy chastising his employee when Adrien entered the house, having stashed the Miraculous Box in his room already.

"Adrien, where have you been?" Gabriel demanded when he caught sight of his son, turning the rings on his hand. Adrien had never noticed his father do that and figured that his father was attempting to force him to tell the truth.

"At the Dupain-Cheng bakery," Adrien replied honestly. He had to play his part, as Felix had instructed.

"And what were you doing there?"

"My friend Marinette died." He said, wincing as the words left his mouth. All he wanted to do was to go to his room and read Marinette's letter. He would put his plan into action after that. He was surprised when Natalie enveloped him in a hug, drawing him close to her.

He didn't reciprocate, remaining stiff in the hug. If his father was Monarch, he was pretty sure he knew who Mayura was.

"Adrien, what happened to her?" Natalie asked gently, and Adrien had to blink rapidly at the storm of emotions that Natalie's caring brought to his eyes. She wasn't terrible, but if she played a part in his father's tyranny, there was no respect remaining.

He was honestly disgusted by them, and pulled out of her embrace, finding it hard not to push her away.

"I don't want to talk about it," Adrien said firmly, "Can I… can I just go to my bedroom, please? I'll accept whatever punishment you deem fit, father."

And then he waited. His father was staring him down. The blond hoped his father would find some form of empathy, but his expression didn't falter. The man simply nodded, and Adrien made his way up the stairs. He was furious at his father and Natalie, and vaguely wondered if Gorilla also had a part to play in the whole ordeal.

The teenager locked his bedroom door behind him, glad that he at least had that luxury, and opened the shower tap. He then sat down on his bed and opened the letter. He saw Tikki do the same out of the corner of his eye.

His letter was written on red and black polkadotted paper. Almost as if she had summoned her lucky charm.

Dear Chat Noir

If you're reading this, then I'm gone. I can't begin to explain the pain and turmoil that led me to make this decision. But please know that it wasn't because of you or anything you did. You've been my partner, my friend, and my confidant. You've always stood by my side, and I couldn't have asked for a better teammate. You're my best friend, Kitty, and I wish I knew who you were. I wish we didn't have secret identities, and I could have met your civilian self.

I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me for leaving you like this. The burden of the Miraculous and the constant battles weighed heavily on me. I couldn't bear the thought of putting you or anyone else in danger anymore. So, I made the difficult choice to give up my Miraculous, the role of Guardian and, well, my life. This is all done for the greater good, and one day I know you will understand.

I believe in you, Chat Noir. You have the strength and courage to carry on this fight, and to get the Miraculous back. You are a true hero, and I know you'll continue to protect Paris with all your heart.

Please take care of my parents. They'll need someone to lean on in the days ahead. And promise me that you'll find the strength to move forward. Remember that you are not alone; you have friends who love and support you.

I'm sorry for any pain I've caused you, but I hope that someday, you'll understand why I had to do this. I wish I could turn back time and do everything all over, or at least appreciate you as a partner.

Thank you for everything, for being there for me, for being my partner, and for being my friend.

With all my love,

Your Lady

PS: Tikki likes cookies and macarons.

Adrien read the letter twice, thrice, before he realised what he had to do. He glanced at Tikki, who had a look of astonishment on her face.

"Destroy them." Tikki said, offering Adrien her letter. "Don't read my letter, just destroy them."

Adrien transformed and held both letters in his hand as he used his superpower. The paper crumpled to ash, leaving nothing as evidence of the last words from Ladybug. He promptly detransformed, watching as Plagg flew off to his cheese cupboard.

"We have a puzzle," Adrien said, and Tikki nodded. "We agree not to tell each other what our letters said, correct?"

"Yes."

"Tikki," Adrien said hesitantly, "Monarch is my father."

The small god looked surprised for a moment, before she drew her expression into something more neutral. Plagg, having finished his meal, flew to Tikki and hovered next to her.

"You need to give me to a temporary holder; we can't have both me and Plagg under one roof." Tikki said matter-of-factly. "You can assign me to someone or give me my Miraculous to go give to someone."

"I have someone in mind," Adrien said, locking eyes with Plagg. "I can fix this. I know I can. But I need allies that I can trust."

"We're with you, kid, no matter what." Plagg said; Tikki nodded in agreement. "Who is the person you had in mind?"

"Alya," Adrien said, "I think she would want to bring justice to Marinette's memory."

The kwami shared an amused look.

"Well, what are you waiting for?" Plagg said, "Let's go!"

Not long after, Chat Noir landed on the balcony of the Cesaire residence, having done a few rounds to ensure that Alya was home alone. The teenaged girl was indeed alone, and frantically trying to call someone. The brunette made her way to her balcony, her face scrunched in a frown.

"Oh, for God's sake, Marinette, please answer your phone!" She said, frustrated, before looking up from her phone and seeing him.

"Chat Noir," She said, surprised, "What are you doing here? Did Ladybug send you?"

"Can we go inside?" Chat asked, "We need to talk."

Alya nodded, sensing the severity of his visit. She indicated for him to follow her inside and drew the curtains as he sat down.

"Plagg, Claws In." He said, the brilliant green light shining over his body as his suit disappeared. Alya's mouth dropped open.

"Adrien?"

"Alya, I'm sorry to have to tell you this way, and I don't know what to say or how to say it," The blond said, tears in his eyes, "Marinette – Ladybug, she…"

"Oh no," Alya's voice cracked, "No, Adrien, please, don't tell me she did what I think she did." She opened her phone and showed him a text from Marinette.

I'm sorry, Alya, I can't do this.

"I found her last night," Adrien said, "She's gone."

Alya collapsed onto the couch next to him. She wasn't breathing, and the young man didn't know what to do, except reach out to Alya and pull her into a hug. She sobbed, her heart broken, and Adrien felt terrible that he had to intrude on her grief, and force her into action.

"Alya, we need to act fast, and we need to act now. I'm sorry to have to ask you this, but we need to put our grief aside and find a way to defeat Monarch. Alya, it's my father, he's Monarch, and I know I have terrible tact, but we need to act fast if we are going to save Marinette and defeat Monarch."

"Save Marinette?" Alya asked, her voice thick.

"Yes, and I know it sucks and it hurts right now, but we need to act now. Today. I need you with me. If you can take Tikki, then we can still do something."

"You have a plan?" Alya asked, still clutching Adrien tightly.

"Yes, but I need your help. I need you to take Ladybug's Miraculous and wear it and be a superhero. Call Alix. I need to speak to her. I don't have her number. I can't tell you the plan here."

Alya pulled away, her hands shaking as she unlocked her phone and searched for Alix's number. She dialled and gave the phone to Adrien.

"Alya, did you hear?" Alix answered. "Marinette, she –"

"It's not Alya," Adrien said, "Listen, Alix, I need you to meet me at Alya's house now."

"Now? Adrien, even I can't run that fast."

"No, I need Bunnyx to meet me here." He rectified himself. "Please."

"Understood." Alix ended the call.

It wasn't even a full ten seconds later when a bright blue portal opened, and an adult Bunnyx stepped out of it.

"Right on time," The superhero said, "Well, let's go into the Burrow, we have some talking to do."

Adrien handed Alya the Miraculous, where Tikki finally made her appearance. The red kwami kissed Alya's cheek, and Alya hugged the kwami close to her.

Both transformed and stepped into the Burrow.

"So, what's the plan?" Scarabella asked, and Adrien was somewhat amused. Now he understood why the kwami thought it was funny that he had chosen her. "How are we saving Marinette?"

And Adrien told them.