Thunder rumbles above us as Felix and I make our way back to the Temple. I open my umbrella just in time before the rain starts sheeting down. To tell the truth, I don't even notice the rain, for the only feeling I feel is numb. "Adrien, you couldn't have known. Don't put the blame all on yourself. I know you know your mother better then me, but she wouldn't want you to drag away this heavy and guilty sadness. She would want you to be happy, and you'll always have good memories." I process his words. "So, I shouldn't feel sad?" "No, no. That's normal. Just don't make it a burden."

They ask us where Mother should be buried and I tell them here. I'm not exactly sure where in Tibet my parents found the Miraculous, but I do know it was in this mountain range. Besides, with all the evil that has stained Paris (now that I know it was my father's doing) I want her to feel peaceful and happy, and no evil will come to her.

I'm glad I'm wearing a mask, to hide my emotions and when they carry Mother's casket I can't help let out a large sob. Still, I'm grateful Felix is here with me, if M'lady cannot. We might have had differences in the past, but that's long in past and forgiven.

A meal is to be served, and I will join the others shortly. But first, I must pick a bouquet of flowers. "Those are beautiful. I'm sure your mother would love those if she were here."

I whip around to see Grandma Pyo, leaning on her cane. "Grandma Pyo! Are you feeling okay?" She comes and stands beside me. "Your hurting much worse at the moment then me. You know, I knew your mother well. Your father was more quiet and reserved, but I got to know him too. Oh, honey, your shivering. How about we make a nice cup of tea?" I wipe my eyes but then let the tears fall. If I hold it in, it won't do me any good. Better to let it out now.

Grandma builds a fire in the hearth and makes sweet tea and has a cake on hand. "Always cooking and baking and making tea." "Its delicious," I sip my warm tea and nibble on my spicy but sweet cake. "Before we get to the story, there's something I want to have."

She goes into the other room, and comes back with a patchwork quilt. She tugs it around my shoulders and sits down in her rocking chair. "That was your mother's, Adrien. She visited here with you when you were just a tiny babe. In fact," the rocking chair groans and creaks as she leans forward. "This patch of green is from a little nightgown you wore. Looked adorable too. Like a little angelic cherub."

I choke on my tea, spluttering with laughter. "I wish M'lady could hear you say that. I'm just her lovable fur ball." Grandma spends the day knitting and rocking in her chair, telling me stories of me and my parents. "I did feel I knew you when we first met," I tell her. "I'm everyone's Grandma who wants me to be. That's why I call myself Grandma."

"You know, if Ladybug and I defeat Hawkmoth and Crone, I'm inviting you to our wedding." "When you defeat them, dear. But you know, defeating your enemies doesn't always mean fighting. It can be a simple word a simple gesture." "I understand, but Ladybug nearly lost her memory to Crone! How am I supposed to forgive that?" I begin to feel hot as my blood is boiling. What did Marinette do to Crone anyway? "Adrien, it might not be in your heart now, but that doesn't mean it won't find its way."

"I should be getting soon," I tell Grandma, just as Felix opens the door and is soaked and out of breath. "It is raining cats and dogs out there." I grin. "Funny, I didn't see myself falling from the sky." Felix cocks his head, then smiles a soft smile. "Before you head back boys, there's something outside I must show you."

Luckily, her giant umbrella keeps us all dry, and we head down the hill to where a weeping willow stands guard over a small pond. "Look, look there, in the mud. Can you see it?" I peer into the drizzle. "I can't see anything," Felix and I both say at once then grin at each other. "Ah, there is something there, you just can't see it yet. Today, after the funeral I planted three little willow saplings. One for each of you, and your mother, Adrien. One day, when I'm not here and neither is this tree, another will take its place and you'll always have memories of your mother and me."

Grandma gives us both hugs. "Oh, my boys, growing up so quickly." She looks at me with a twinkle in her eye. "I'll expect that invitation soon, Adrien. Now, go get your girl."

Once back at the cells when Ladybug (or should I say Marinette) and I are reunited, there's hugging, squealing and a whole lot of kissing. "Okay, enough with the smooches, its supper time and I am not sharing a cell with either one of you," Sapphire wags a finger under both of our noses. We smother our giggles as best we can and head into our stalls.

Despite wanting more time with Ladybug, I'm a contented kitten to eat my food and go to sleep. Sometime during the night though, I hear loud eerie noises coming throughout the castle, traveling down to even the deepest part of the castle. Sapphire suddenly bursts into my cell with Orion and she clings to him, shaking and shivering like a leaf. "What's happening and what is that noise?"

Orion tries to comfort Sapphire while filling me in at the same time. "Crone's out of time, Cat Noir." Orion says. "Out of time?" "She's turning back into a bird!"

Kindness can change everything, Grandma's words ring softly in my ear. I can't just sit by and let this happen. "Cataclysm!" I cataclysm the cell door and Ladybug's and together we head towards the awful screeching.

Crone is withering away in agony and feathers fly everywhere. "Cat, take a look at this vial!" Ladybug tosses it to me. I read the label. Reserve any spell, just drink the potion. Okay, seems easy enough in writing but actually getting Crone to take it is a whole other story. "Ladybug! Get Sapphire! She'll calm Crone down, I know it will work!"

Sapphire grabs hold of Crone, and at first she struggles but Sapphire uses soothing words and gradually Crone settles down. I open the potion and pour it down her beak. Now what we do is wait.

We don't have to wait long for a swirling pink glittery mist surrounds her and Crone is transformed. But this time, she is a radiant beauty with kind eyes and a gentle smile.

No one moves or breathes until Crone sits up, rubbing her eyes and I hear Sapphire gasp. "Mother?" "Sapphire?" "Oh, my darling, smart girl! How I've missed you!" When Crone was under the spell, she must have forgotten or not known who her daughter was. But yet, even under the evil spell, she still took a shine to her. Crone looks at us, her daughter snuggled in her arms. "You all must think of me a monster." "There is no monster now. Love conquered the darkness and shattered the power of the spell."

"Now we just have to get your father to give up his evil plans," Marinette sighs. It quiet for awhile and I can hear rain falling gently on the roof. Crone has brought us to her quarters, and we cuddle up in big puffy blankets and drink hot soup and cider. "But Sapphire, I don't understand," Crone says, watching her daughter. "Don't understand what, Mama?" "How you could have survived thee shipwreck." "Well, its true, I didn't know how to swim at the time. But luckily, I found a raft and sailed to a island where eventually I was brought to the Temple. There, I begin my training as a Guardian."

As Mother and Daughter caught up in a joyful reunion, Gabriel Agreste peeked through the door. He couldn't believe his eyes, his son Adrien was here. But he had seen Cat Noir get captured, so Adrien was Cat Noir. And if Marinette was here, well, she was certainly Ladybug. Gabriel had learned the news of his wife's passing, but his heart wasn't sad. Not when he could easily bring her back with the wish.

He'd have to capture Marinette some how, and force her and Adrien to give up their Miraculous. He knew their weakness, they would do anything for each other.

He grinned to himself his cane tapping at the floor as he walked away. It wasn't like Crone needed the Miraculous anymore.

Cat Noir looked up, hearing a muffled tapping sound. What was that? "I'll be back," he said, creeping out into the hall like the stealthy cat he was. He followed his father shadow, leaping from one shadow to the other.

Cat watched his father disappear into a small doorway, and crept inside after the door didn't catch all the way. Cat clapped a hand to his mouth, this room smelled worse then the cells.

"Dark wings, rise!" Cat gasped as he saw his father transform into Hawkmoth. Even if he knew it to be true, this made it final, so real. Would he and Ladybug be able to save him to? Cat knew they would certainly try, but he felt uneasy like another wave of change was coming.

And it was, in the way of water. They just didn't know it yet. Cat watched his father catch a butterfly in his hand before sneaking away. He'd seen enough for today.