At Tsurugi Labs, Marinette was wearing her clothing but all in white as she stood on a stand with her arms out as the machines scanned her a digital image of her was on the screen where Gabriel, Adrien, and Tomoe were waiting.
There was a green light on the computer as Tomoe nodded, "The scanning is complete," She said to Gabriel.
Gabriel turned to his son and nodded as Adrien smiled and looked at Marinette, "You can get down now," He said as Marinette relaxed and stepped off the stand.
She then joined them, "Wow, that was interesting," Marinette commented in surprise while rubbing her head, "Was this what it felt like to have yourself digitized?" She asked her boyfriend.
"A little, but it wasn't so bad," Adrien said with a small smile, "Especially now that everyone will know you're my only girl." He added with an arm over Marinette's shoulders.
Marinette gave a small blush and chuckled a bit, "Well, it's gonna be weird seeing myself in the Alliance Rings, but guess I'll have to get used to it," She said.
"Trust me, it's not so bad after a while," Adrien said.
"Now you are part of the Agreste Brand, Ms. Dupen-Chang," Gabriel said as he bowed his head, "It is the least I could do after my, unjustly actions towards you." He said with a hand to his chest.
"I'm just glad you finally heard my words and let your son be who he wants to be and do what he wants," Marinette said.
Gabriel laid a hand on Marinette's shoulder, "I wasn't kidding when I said you had great potential to be a great designer," He told her, "Your passion for listening to the hearts of others, combined with my guidance and influences, in a few short years the Gabriel Brand will soon become the Marinette Brand," He promised her.
Marinette eyes sparkled at the thought, "You mean it?!" She said eagerly.
"It's the least I can do for my son's Emilie," Gabriel said with a smile as Marinette let out a small laugh Gabriel turned to Adrien, "Now run along you two, and Adrien, make sure you notify me where you are at times and let me know when you'll be back,"
"Don't worry, Dad. I'll make sure to let you know," Adrien assured as he took Marinette's hand and the couple rushed out of the room with giggles.
Gabriel smiled at his son before he sighed as he sensed Tomoe looking at him, "I know what you're going to say, but this is for Adrien," He said.
"But he and my daughter are the heirs of our family name," Tomoe reminded him, "Removing her and letting Adrien be with that girl is…"
"What my wife would have wanted," Gabriel cut her off, "For Adrien to be free, and be with the one he truly loves."
"First you wanted to get him under control, but now you're setting him free again? Since you lost your Miraculous, you've changed Gabriel," Tomoe said while pointing at him, "And you're running out of time, Gabriel-San, I can hear your heart rate is worsening,"
"On the contrary, I have a backup so that I can fool the Miraculous heroes into thinking I've given up," Gabriel said while giving an evil smirk, "Which is why when Project Perfect Alliance is launched, they will be in for a surprise," He said.
"And what about our children? They might be caught in the chaos," Tomoe pointed out.
"Oh don't worry, I'll make sure that no harm will come to them when they're in Paris, since they'll be protected once the rings are in action," Gabriel assured her.
"And how is that?" Tomoe questioned.
"Let's just say that I have a few tricks up my sleeves," Gabriel said while looking at the evil brooch on his chest that Sedah gave him with an evil smirk.
While at the houseboat, the Miraculous team is all relaxing after the last aromatization and Monarch gives them the Butterfly Miraculous while Daniel is still deep in thought at what just happened.
"So, with Monarch gone, ya think this puts us out of a job?" Kim asked as he sat on a beanbag.
"Yeah, I mean without any more Akumas, there's no need for the Miraculous Heroes anymore," Max said.
"Who, hey dudes, let's not get carried away," Nino spoke while sitting close to Alya, "Even with no Akumas, Paris will always need heroes for it,"
"Yeah but, thieves, street thugs, and gangsters don't have the same action in them, you know?" Sam said as he lay on his back on the glass roof.
"Hey, it's better than doing nothing," Marc said, "I mean, remember New York, there might be other supervillains out there,"
"He does have a point, you never know when a supervillain will appear," Nathaniel stated as he sat back to back with Marc.
"But for now, let's just chill lax after an intense battle we had," Juleka said while sitting next to Rose.
"Yeah, I mean, sure, we got all the Miraculous back, but you never know when evil might step out of the shadows," Jacob commented, leaning on the rail with Molly.
Luka was currently strumming on his guitar while Zoe sat beside him, "But in the meantime, let's just enjoy the melody of our success." He suggested.
"Sounds good to me," Ivan said as he sat next to Mylene.
Felix sighed as he looked to the side and saw a familiar scooter approaching, "Oh look, the Prince and Princess have decided to grace us with their presence," He joked as Adrien and Marinette hopped off and walked up on deck.
"Hey, guys," Marinette said as she and Adrien took a seat, "Sorry, we were held up,"
"By letting Gabriel scan you into the Alliance rings? Kara asked with a smirk.
"Yeah, how'd you guess?" Adrien asked with a smirk.
"It was easy to tell, that and Kagami got a call from her mother," Rose explained, jerking a thumb at Kagami.
Kagami gave a small smile as she lifted her phone, "She always lets me know of the activities she is doing," She said.
Alya came up to her best friend, "So, how's it feel to know, your gonna be the new Adrien Agreste in Paris, Girl?" She asked with a smirk while poking Marinette's cheek.
"Well, it feels a little weird, but sorta cool," Marinette said with a slight blush, "Though this might take some getting used to,"
"Trust me Marinette, it's something that I still feel off about it at times," Adrien said.
"I guess you're right," Marinette said as the two chuckled.
"You two are quite the showgivers," Zoe said with a small smile.
"And you said you both kissed during the airport thing?" Rose asked excitedly.
The two both blushed while giving sheepish chuckles, rubbing their heads, and stuttering while their friends looked at them in amusement.
"Seriously, talk about a defining moment, huh guys?" Chloe asked.
Daniel stopped worrying as he chuckled and smiled, "Guess, love stories don't always end in tragedy."
"That is so true," Alya said with a smile, "Like how me and Nino were locked up in a zoo cage during the whole animal transform villain thing," She said while nudging Nino by the shoulder.
Nino rubbed the back of his head, "Heh, yeah. That was something," He said with a blush.
Alya giggled before turning to Marinette with a murderous look, "I'm still gonna kill ya later," She promised with a hiss.
Marinette flinched as she gave a nervous smile before hiding behind Adrien, "I said I was sorry," She said nervously.
"I know girl, but still, next time you wanna stuff your bff and her future man in a cage, give her a fair warning in advance," Alya joked as she and Marinette laughed.
Daniel then went back into deep thought as he still had a strange feeling, "There's something that's still bugging me," He said.
"What makes you say that, Daniel?" Molly asked.
"I have a feeling that the war isn't finished yet," Daniel said while looking out to the river.
"Seriously dude, I mean why would you think that?" Nino asked, "We got the Butterfly Miraculous, Monarch gave his word, so our fight is over," He listed out.
"I know, but something still feels off about this whole thing," Daniel said, still feeling suspicious. "Monarch's still hit with Cataclysm poison, meaning that he wouldn't just give up his Miraculous just like that if it meant saving his life, something about this doesn't feel right."
"He got a point there. Monarch giving up his Miraculous when he is slowly losing his life is 34.6% unknown if he has truly given up," Max calculated.
"You know, it is weird that he would give up evil after all he's been through," Jacob said in thought.
"And also, why go through a whole year of trying to get Marinette and Adrien's Miraculous only to give his own up?" Kara asked while rubbing her chin.
"That is strange," Zoe said.
"Well, whatever Monarch is up to, I have a feeling that this war isn't over yet," Daniel said seriously, "Because I have a feeling that we're in for a surprise," He said, looking out at the Seine.
The serious moment was broken when Alix rolled over and slapped Daniel's back, "Come on! You gotta stop worrying so much!" Alix said with a grin as Daniel shot her a look, "Take it from the girl who jumps across all of time, the only way to get away from problems in the future is to live in the present," She said as she rolled with her hands behind her head.
Daniel grumbled a bit as Luka stood up, "Hate to say but she's right, if something really is coming, we'll face it when it arrives," He said as he walked to the center of the deck and looked to the team, "We've had a big victory today, I suggest we just enjoy it." He said.
"I guess you're right," Molly said with a smile before rubbing her chin, "The question is, how do heroes enjoy the moment?" She asked.
They all thought before Kim snapped his fingers, "I got it!" He said before pointing to the Eiffel Tower and then at the school, "Let's race! First one to the Eiffel Tower and then to the school wins!" He suggested.
"And let me guess, we use our powers to see who can get there quicker for fun?" Nino asked with a smirk.
"With any means necessary, so that way, we can be pumped for the hypothetically
and ready if trouble really does come, while also having fun using our powers at times," Kim explained. "Loser has to pay for the after-race dinner." He added.
The others looked at each other with smiles, "You know, that might be fun," Adrien said with a smile.
"I'm game," Juleka said in interest as the others gave their own words of agreement
Marinette however, looked unsure, "I don't know guys, the Miraculous power shouldn't be used for personal pleasure." She said.
"Who said anything about personal?" Jacob asked, already on board with this idea.
Daniel nodded, "Yeah, this will give us some good practice with what we can do with our new powers." He said as they still had yet to know what their powers were capable of.
"Yeah, I do need some practice, at beating all of you!" Adrien declared with a cocky smile.
"Is that a challenge, black cat?" Juleka said with a smirk.
Alix rolled over with a smirk of her own, "Well, why are we just standing around? The last one to the Tower is Monarch's ugly brother! Fluff, Clockwise!" She said before turning into Bunnyx and jumping away.
Adrien laughed, "Well you heard her. Plagg, Claws out!" He said as he changed into Cat Noir and leaped away.
"Hey, cheater! Baihu, Earth Rise!" Sam exclaimed, turning into Caspian as he ran after the black cat.
"Only one cat's winning this, me! Roarr, Strips on!" Juleka called as Purple Tigress jumped after them.
Kara grinned and shook her head, "This Tortoise is winning this race. Xuan Wu, Water Flow!" She called before she changed into Terrapin and leaped after the boys.
"That's my line, dudette! Wayzz, Shell On!" Nino exclaimed while transforming into Carapace and jumped after them.
Alya laughed, "Oh it's on, Trixx, Let's Pounce!" She exclaimed, transforming into Rena Rouge as she followed after them.
"Oh wait for me! Pollen, Buzz On!" Zoe called out, transforming into Vesperia, and swung after them.
"Daizzi, Rejoice!" Rose called and turned into Pigella and jumped away as well.
"Xuppu, Showtime!" Kim called and King Monkey hopped away.
"You're gonna need more than a head start to get there, Kaalki, Full Gallop!" Max exclaimed and transformed into Pegasus, "Voyage!" He opened a portal and jumped through it to a rooftop.
"Oh no you don't! Longg, Bring the Storm!" Kagami exclaimed and transformed into Ryuko, "Wind dragon!" She exclaimed as she transformed into the golden wind and flew away.
"Wait for me! Duusu, Spread my Feathers!" Felix called and transformed into Argos and jumped away.
"Orikko, Sunrise!" Marc called, transforming into Rooster Bold and using his power, "Sublimation! I give myself the power of speed!" He said before zipping off.
"Birds of a feather, fly together! Nan Fang, Fire it Up!" Molly called before Phoenix took flight off the ship.
"Let's join them, teddy bear! Mullo, Get Squeaky!" Mylene said to Ivan before she transformed into Polymouse.
"Right behind you. Stompp, Make Way!" Ivan said as he transformed into Minotaurox and jumped away with Polymouse.
Luka looked to others with a shrug, "Well, if you can't beat them, join them, Sass Scales Slither!" he exclaimed as he turned into Viperion and jumped away.
"Might as well," Jacob said with a shrug, "Qinlong, Wind Rage!" He exclaimed, transforming into Hydrake and jumping away.
"Hey, you think that's ahead start, how about this?" Nathaniel said as he stood up, "Ziggy, Bleat it!" He exclaimed while transforming into Carpkid and jumping away.
Sabrina then stood up, "Oh, I love races! Barkk, On the Hunt!" She declared before she became Ms. Hound and jumped off the deck.
"Oh, I'll show you how it's done! Nooroo, Light Wings rise!" Chloe exclaimed as she gained a light purple and silver costume, with long wedge boots, arm-length gloves, a butterfly-wing-shaped cloak, and a grayish-purple mask before she jumped after the others.
Daniel and Marinette are left alone at the boat as they turn to one another, "Are you certain about this?" Marinette asked in concern.
"If I'm certain that a battle will appear soon, at least we'll have the exercise, so might as well join them," Daniel said with a smirk, "Huanglong, Heaven's Ascend!" He exclaimed, transforming into Dragold, "We don't wanna be Monarch's ugly brother would we?" He said before jumping away.
Marinette gave a smile, "You forget who's Guardian around here? Tikki, Spots On!" She called and transformed into Ladybug and swung away.
After some racing, the heroes all made it to the school they all panted, "Wow, never had to catch my breath before," Caspian panted as he leaned against his knees.
"Yeah, totally awesome, dudes," Carapace commented while doing air horns.
Caprikid sat down with Argos, Purple Tigress, and Phoenix, "Whew, who would've thought. All that action could make you so thirsty." He panted while whipping his head.
"Well, at least we're still in shape, and at least Pegasus made it fair and square," King Monkey joked while nudging Pegasus.
"Gotta say, using Voyage to traverse between buildings instead of shortcutting to the end, pretty impressive," Polymouse complimented.
"I wanted to play fair," Pegasus said with a smile.
"And hey, it's a tie, so no Monarch's ugly brother," Rooster Bold said.
"Yeah, it's a huge relief," Terrapin commented.
Cat Noir rests his arms on his staff, "Still, who's gonna pay for the victory dinner we're supposed to have," He reminded, "How about we Rock-Paper-Sissors for it?" He joked with a hand to his chin.
"Well not all of us have a 10-foot-deep wallet on us," Rena Rouge said while crossing her arms and looking at the rich kid members of the team, "So, it's gotta be one of you," She said.
"I got a better idea," Ladybug said with a finger up, "How about we just split it?" She suggested with a smile.
The heroes all looked at each other at Ladybug's suggestion as they thought about it before they shrugged, "You know, that is a better idea," Vesperia said with a small smile.
"Agreed," Chloe vouched with her hand up.
Ms. Hound turned to her best friend, "So Chloe, did you decide on your new Superhero name?"
"I've been thinking about it and found the perfect name," Chloe said while rubbing her chin, "From now on, you can call me, Royale Papillon," She declared while striking a pose.
"Royale Papillon?" Dragold asked with a smirk, "You just can't seem to stay away from the royal names, can you?" He asked in amusement.
"Well, it's a habit, besides, I think it works wonders on the costume," Papillon said while gesturing to her butterfly costume, "I mean, I can give people their own superpowers,"
"That's true," Hydrake agreed, "And you can create a link between others, which should make communication between us a little easier."
"Well, gotta be careful who I pick, and from what Monarch showed us, a person I give powers to can go rogue," Papillon said while looking at her brooch, "I just hope I don't screw up with this Miraculous too."
"From what Nooroo's been through for a whole year, you're a breath of fresh air compared to Monarch, Chloe," Ryuko stated.
"And we know that he's happy to be free from evil. And maybe you could use your powers to make a new generation of heroes to help us during the next crisis," Minotaurox commented.
"That's great, but I don't know if I could make a major superpowered being yet," Papillon said while looking at her brooch, "But I think I could make small ones,"
"Well, you only got the brooch just yesterday, so it's gonna take awhile before you're on Monarch's level," Polymouse said.
"And from how Monarch did it as an adult, you're gonna be one heck of a superhero," Dragold said with a smile. "Especially since you can stay transformed like us now."
"Yeah, we're stronger together," Ladybug added with a smile, "Now that we have both the Peacock and Butterfly Miraculous, no evil will stand a chance against us."
"Hey, speaking of which, Felix, why did you take the Peacock Miraculous to begin with?" Phoenix questioned with a brow.
Argos flinched as the others turned to him, "What are you talking about?" Argos asked while feeling nervous.
"I can tell that there's more than you're letting on, Felix. Especially since you seemed to care for the sentimonsters as if you're own from what you told us," Phoenix pointed out.
Argos felt uncertain while the others looked at him in wonder, "You know, she's right. You have been sensitive for the sentimonsters and you did trade Monarch the other Miraculous for the peacock when you could've kept them for yourself," Hydrake said in agreement.
Ryuko laid a hand on Argos, "If you rather not say we won't pressure you," She said while giving a smile, "You're among friends now, Argos, you can trust us."
"So only tell us when you want to," Cat Noir said, smiling at his cousin.
Argos looked at them, still feeling conflicted before he sighed, "You deserve to know the truth, but I'll tell you tomorrow," Argos said with his head to the sunset, "It's getting late and we're supposed to have dinner," He said.
"He's right, let's roll," Caspian said as his stomach growled, "All that running around town can really build up an appetite," He commented while rubbing his belly.
"Let's hit my parents' bakery," Ladybug suggested to the bakery across the street.
"Good idea, I'm sure they'll be happy to give their heroes some good baked goods," Cat Noir said with a smirk.
Ladybug gently whacked him on the head, "Watch it, Kitty Cat." She said with a smirk.
"Hah, the old Ladybug whacked Cat Noir," Rena Rouge sighs with an amusing smirk, "This takes us back,"
"Enough chit-chat, on to some lips smacking!" King Monkey exclaimed, "Come on! Let's go detransform, hit the bakery, and head down to the Den! I'm hungry!"
The others cheered and headed out, but Dragold hung back as he looked to the horizon. He felt as if something else was out there, watching them.
"Dragold! Let's go!" Papillon called as Dragold looked back to the horizon again, narrowing his eyes before leaving to detransform. As he left, however, he couldn't shake the uneasy feeling inside him.
A little bit later, the Miraculous Team is at the den after picking up some big baked goods from Marinette's parents, as well as a few snacks for the Kawmis, as they were in the Miracle Den. "Okay, seriously, Marinette, you're parents gave us all these just by asking? I mean, we would've paid for them if they didn't insist," Jacob commented.
"Hey, you are all my friends, and my parents are the nicest people in the world," Marinette said with a smile as Tikki snacked on a Macaroon.
Plagg was on Adrien's shoulder holding some Camembert and smirked, "So long as Sugarcube doesn't get the munchies again, we'll be sitting pretty tonight," He said teasingly at Tikki.
If Tikki could blush, she showed it as she gave an embarrassing look, "I was going through a phase, Plagg! I just couldn't help myself, they were just so tasty," She said while rubbing her arms.
"You made a giant bake bigger than the planet and nearly through the world out of balance, way more than my Cataclysm," Plagg commented.
The group all chuckled in amusement before Tikki smirked, "Yeah, well, at least I'm not that crazy for cheese, Stinky Sock," She countered. "You don't see me sinking ancient cities or bringing about mass extinctions, do you?" She asked with a brow.
Plagg was about to retort before he shut his mouth as he slumped, "Touche," He said in defeat as Tikki giggled and flew towards him.
"But hey, nobody is perfect, even us Kwamis, Plagg," Tikki said in assurance while rubbing Plagg's back, "Though to be honest, you may be annoying and sometimes irritating, and definitely way too laid back at times." She started.
"Gee, thanks," Plagg said with a dull look.
"But you're heart and your passion are really big, you even sacrificed your Miraculous to save me and prevent Monarch from making his wish," Tikki said with a sweet smile.
Plagg gave a small smile at what Tikki just said, "Wow, that is nice of you to say, Tikki," He said.
"Like you said, you and I are one, Plagg. Even I couldn't stay mad at you for long," Tikki said with a warm smile.
Daniel glanced at Huanglong with a grin, "Are you sure Kwamis don't fall in love? Cause these are telling me otherwise," he commented, pointing to Tikki and Plagg.
"Some Kwamis may or may have been in love with one another or so through their own ways, but when we're unavailable without new holders, I suppose they're inexperience," Huanglong said with a smile before getting close to Daniel's ear, "Though when it comes for Tikki and Plagg, even I can see those two are a special case since they act like, well, act like them," He pointed to Marinette and Adrien, "Even before them back then, they somehow act like a Marinette and Adrien,"
"Oh, it was fate that matched for these four," Daniel said with a small chuckle, "I guess there are always gonna be a Marinette and Adrien in different forms,"
"The only difference is, Tikki doesn't have Marinette's clumsiness and Plagg doesn't have Adrien's real-world inexperience or obedience while the other two lack Plagg's cheese addictions or Tikki's sweet tooth," Huanglong said with a small chuckle.
"Oh I believe that," Daniel said before smirking, "Hey, you think you can get those two Kwamis to kiss or something?"
"Don't know, but we can surely at least try," Huanglong said with a smirk, "But we might need to plan this out first before we get them together,"
"Agreed," Daniel said.
"What are you two whispering about?" Alya asked as she and Nino were behind Daniel with their Kawmis, sitting on them.
"Oh, we're just thinking about how to get Tikki and Plagg to kiss," Daniel explained with a chuckle.
"Wait, seriously?" Nino asked as he and Alya gave a slight chuckle.
"That would be something," Alya commented while Wayzz and Trixx laughed at the thought.
Chloe took a macaroon and gave it to Nooroo, "Here Nooroo, you must be starving after being abused by Monarch all that time," she said.
Nooroo took it with a smile, "Thank you, mistress," He said politely as he bit into the macaroon, "You are a nice owner after my last one. All he ever did is yell and order me against his will,"
"Well, I'm no Monarch, Nooroo," Chloe assured with a smile, "And trust me, you're in good hands now, and you don't have to call me Mistress, we're friends remember?"
"Why thank you… Chloe," Nooroo said with a smile, which made Chloe rub Nooroo's head.
Rose yawned and leaned against Juleka, "I'm sleepy," she said tiredly.
"I'll say, we've been racing across town all day and only just now had dinner, I think we're ready to catch some snoozes," Marc said.
"It's gonna be a chore getting back home though," Jacob commented while stretching his back.
Molly had an idea, "Why don't we just sleep down here tonight?" She suggested.
"Like a slumber party? Awesome!" Alix cheered with her fist up.
"Yeah, a slumber party," Molly said in agreement before giving a concerned look, "But wouldn't our families be worried if we're not home?" She asked.
"Don't worry, I have the perfect excuses for all of us," Nino said while bringing out some notes, "They are all saying of staying over to our friends' places for a slumber party now that school is out, so we can all spend time here in the Den," He explained.
Marinette nodded, "Great, which gives me the perfect time to show you are first trophy as heroes," She said before reaching into her Backpack pulling out the Miracle Box, and setting it on the round table at the center of the seating ring.
The others' eyes widened in surprise, "The Miracle Box? Why bring that here?" Kagami asked with a brow.
"If someone like Monarch ever found out who I was, I can't risk them finding the Miracle Box there too," Marinette explained as she gestured to the base, "And since we're the only ones who know this place exists, this is the safest place for it."
"Smart, but as the Guardian shouldn't you be keeping it?" Max asked Marinette.
Marinette just smiled, "After Heartbreaker, I've realized that being the Guardian by myself is too hard, and like keeping all the Miraculous in one place indefinitely is dangerous, having just one Guardian over the box is risky too," She explained before looking to Molly, "That's when Molly came to me with an Idea?"
Molly brought out her phone and showed them the pages of the Miraculous Spellbook, "With some help from Nan Fang, I've been able to translate the pages of the Miraculous Spellbook." She explained to the group.
"Wait, I thought Kwamis aren't supposed to translate the spell book," Alya said in confusion.
"That's when you didn't have us around," Nan Fang said, "Since we Zodiacs can choose holders and not just anyone, we can do things like read the spellbooks," She explained.
"And as such, whenever Marinette is unavailable I'll be the secondary Guardian of the Miraculous in her stead," Molly added with a smile, which surprised the others.
"Wait, you can be a Guardian without her risking her memories and passing the mantle? No sacrifice or a price to pay?" Adrien asked in surprise.
"Yep, and it was thought to my Kwami, a bit of research, and the non-panic Marinetteing thing," Molly started while giving Marinette a teasing look, which made her chuckle in embarrassment, "I managed to find a solution to her Guardian issue since she can't do everything by herself, she's gonna have help from a second Guardian to help her out," She finished.
The others were awed by this before Alya smirked, "Is it possible for more than one Guardian to join in?" She asked.
"Just sign the contract and you're in!" Molly exclaimed while bringing out homemade contracts as they all laughed together, "But seriously we can each do our part to help one another,"
"As the new Guardians of the Miraculous." Marinette finished as the others smiled before she yawned, "Anyway, let's hit the hay."
"Yeah, time to turn in for the night," Daniel said as they all changed to their sleepwear and entered the barracks of the Den as there were even small beds for the Kawmis, "Gotta say Marinette, designing small beds for the Kwamis is impressive,"
"Well, they deserved the comforts when they used to be in my room. So I did a little something in my spare time," Marinette said with a stretch of her arms. "Well, I need a recharge, night guys."
"Night," They all replied as they all went to their respective bed barracks with their symbols on them as their Kwamis slept next to them as they all fell asleep.
A little bit later, in the middle of the night, the Miraculous Team were all sleeping peacefully before the Kwamis all got up when they shared concerned looks.
They all grouped together at the center of the room, "Do you sense it as well, siblings?" Haunglong asked.
"Indeed, a foreboding presence," Sass said in great concern.
"Such hate, fear, and darkness," Trixx shivered.
"I haven't felt something like that since," Xuppu trailed off.
"The Apocalypse War," Wayzz finished grimly.
"It's giving me the willies," Barkk said while feeling nervous.
"But I get the feeling we're in for a replay," Fluff said.
"Whoa, whoa. Are you suggesting that," Roarr asked in trepidation.
"Roarr is right, we cannot be sure," Orikko said, trying to sound hopeful.
"I don't know, but I have a feeling that it's not over yet," Nan Fang said.
"But we were all there, we all saw it with our own eyes," Xaun Wu reminded.
"There's no possible way anything could have broken the seal," Kaalki added.
"But there might have been. I mean, we've seen weird things and how Monarch reforge our Miraculous into rings," Daizzi commented.
"Looking back on it, those rings definitely felt like they're power," Ziggy recalled.
"And have we forgotten how much the Earth has endured since that day?" Qinglong asked his fellow Kawmis.
"Countless Millennia of wars, division, injustice, hatred, and fear," Baihu recalled with a disappointed look and arms crossed.
"The very thing that they feast upon," Longg added with a grim expression.
"Then there's no denying it," Mullo said in dread.
"Yes, the ancient enemy of the Miraculous, has returned," Stompp answered while bowing his head.
"I thought we wouldn't have to face them again," Pollen sighed.
"And it's more than likely Monarch is involved in this too," Nooroo said in worry.
"Should we tell our holders?" Duusu asked, looking at the sleeping children.
"No, those kids have gone through enough with Monarch this whole year, we can't dump something like this on them," Plagg stated.
"I agree, let's deal with Monarch first, then we can tell our Holders about them," Tikki said.
"A brilliant suggestion," Huanglong said with a serious tone, "First we deal with the present threat and then the ancient one. Now let's get some rest, tomorrow, the war starts," He said as they all nodded and flew off, feeling weary at an old enemy of theirs return after so long in many, many years.
The next day, the Miraculous Team all got up from their beds got out, and went to the kitchen quarters to make some breakfast.
"This is the very first time we spent a night at the Den, you guys," Nino commented with a yawn.
"You get used to it while hiding from Monarch down here for a while," Luka commented with a small smile.
"And it's another new day with no Monarch anymore, Summer vacation is gonna be fun now," Kim added with a relaxing smile.
Daniel was still deep in thought as he pulled out his phone to check the news, and his eyes widened "What the? Guys, guys!" He called.
"Huh? What is it, Daniel?" Chloe asked in wonder as the others all turned to him.
"Check this out." He said as he showed them a new article about how everyone in the world was plagued with fear, "According to this, people all over the world are afflicted by random flashes of what they fear most."
"What?!" They all exclaimed in shock.
"Seriously! There are even videos of people having those flashes, just look at this," Daniel then pressed a video on his phone and it showed the people clutching their heads before they used their Alliance rings to show what relaxes them and forget about the nightmares, "And apparently, if they use the Alliance rings, they feel better,"
"Wait? They do?" Adrien asked in surprise, "I didn't know they could do that,"
"Me neither," Kagami said while rubbing her chin, "But I did hear from Mother that she and Gabriel are working on a special feature for the Alliance rings,"
"Kinda convenient for them to have an app for treating Nightmares," Kara said suspiciously.
"That is strange," Jacob said with a suspicious look, "Wait. How come we're not getting any nightmares if the news says about it worldwide?"
"Well, I don't have any nightmares right now, so I'm good," Juleka said with a shrug.
"Same here," Nathaniel raised his hand.
"Ditto," Kim said.
"I think we're all good, dude," Nino said as they were all okay.
"Okay, something really fishy is going on here," Daniel said in thought while rubbing his head.
"Looks like we need to get to the bottom of this," Kara said with a serious look.
"I'm sure it's nothing, maybe some kind of pandemic that is going on like a sickness or something," Kim suggested.
Molly turned and saw Felix glaring down at the table, "You know what's going on, don't you, Felix?" She asked as Felix turned to her, "Felix if there really is something going on, about the Peacock Miraculous, Monarch and now this, now is the time to say it."
Felix took a sip of his tea before he sighed, "Well, I did promise you that I would tell the truth, so I might as well get over with it," He said as Duusu came next to him. "Word of warning, you might not believe it at first,"
"Are you certain that you're okay with this?" Duusu asked her holder in concern.
"We're a team, they deserve the truth, Dussu," Felix said to his kwami with a small smile, "And it's time they find out who I really am, and so will Adrien for who we are," He said.
That got the Agreste boy's attention, "'We'? What do you mean 'we'?" He asked in confusion.
"Well, you all remembered that I traded in your Miraculous for the Peacock?" Felix asked with a nervous look.
"Yes," They all said dully.
Felix gave a sheepish look, "Well, there's actually a very good and very big reason why I wanted the Peacock Miraculous, and it wasn't just to create Sentimonsters to make a free world," He started.
"So what's that?" Alix asked with a raised brow.
"Well, to put it simply, I'm not entirely human," Felix answered with his head down.
The heroes were caught off guard, "Say what?" Sam asked with a raised brow.
"I'm actually only half human, the other half of my being…" Felix started as he looked at his hand before clenching it, "...Is Sentimonster." He revealed.
Immediately everyone was shocked, "You're WHAT?!" Kim exclaimed before he lost his balance on the rail he was sitting on, "Whoa!" He said before falling off.
Plagg was so surprised he accidentally swallowed his Camembert whole without chewing it while the others did spit-takes, their jaws dropped or fainted in Rose, Zoe, or Marinette's case before Juleka, Luka, and Adrien caught them.
"I warned you, you wouldn't believe it," Felix told them while wincing from their reactions.
Tikki proceeded to help Plagg, who was coughing and choking on his Camanbert, slapping his back to help him spit it out while the other recovered, "You're half Sentimonster?! Are you serious?!" Daniel asked in disbelief, "How is something like that even possible?!" He questioned as Kim climbed back up while rubbing his head.
Tikki finally got Plagg to cough out his Camembert as the piece of cheese flew across the room Plagg managed to catch his breath and gave a quick cough, "Never thought Duusu could do that!" Plagg exclaimed.
While Marinette fanned herself, Adrien looked at his cousin in great confusion, "Felix? How can you be half Sentimonster?" He asked.
Felix took a breath while giving a moment of silence before Kagami placed a hand on his shoulder for support while giving him a smile, which he returned and spoke, "Well, it all started before you and I were born, Adrien. You see, way back then, our mothers, well, they were unable to have babies," He explained.
They were all surprised by this, "Wait, Mom and her sister were unable to have babies? H-How? Why?" Adrien asked in confusion, "Because obviously we…"
"Well, that's where the explanation of how we came to this world comes in, Cousin," Felix continued with a straight look, "As our mothers are infertile, they wouldn't have children of their own…at least by normal means," He said hesitantly.
"What do you mean, 'by normal means'?" Luka asked with a brow.
Felix then held his Miraculous, "They found an alternate method of birthing, through this." He told them.
That's when it hit them, "Wait, are you telling us that your and Adrien's mothers used the Peacock Miraculous to give birth!?" Alya questioned.
"Yes," Felix nodded with a somber look.
Marinette then looked to Adrien in shock, "But if Adrien's mother also used the Peacock Miraculous to have a child," She started.
"That means," Plagg continued as he looked at his holder in disbelief.
They all looked at Adrien as the Agreste boy looked in shock as he gave wide eyes, "I-I-I'm…" He stammered while trying to find the right words while having a hard time believing what his cousin was saying.
Felix gave a small nod, "I'm afraid so, Cousin. You and I are more like than you think," He said.
The others looked shocked beyond words, "A-Adrien…" Chloe stammered with her hands close to her mouth.
Nino had a hand to his head, "Dude, I'm like…Dude," He said, completely dumbfounded.
"Did not see that coming," Jacob said with wide eyes.
Adrien looked greatly shocked as he looked at his trembling hands, "So, you mean, I-I'm not…" He stammered before Marinette put a hand over his.
"Don't say it," Marinette cut him off as he turned to her, "Adrien, your every bit as real as me and the rest of us." She assured with a smile.
Adrien looked uncertain before they looked at the others and they gave him supporting smiles as he gave a small one before Plagg flew to him.
"Come on, Kid, Sentimonster or not, you are a great holder and a great friend," Plagg said with a small smile. "There's no one I'd rather have to give me Camembert every day than you," He joked as Adrien felt better.
"Thanks, guys," Adrien said with a smile.
"But wait a minute," Nino said as they all turned to him, "Wasn't Adrien hit by Cataclysm when Sabrina was Miraculer?"
"Uh, yeah. Why?" Alya asked in wonder.
"We've seen how Sentimonsters be like when someone Cataclysm them that they grew out of control," Nino reminded them as they all nodded, "But when Adrien was hit with it when he was Cat Noir, he didn't go crazy like the others," He noted.
That got their attention as they all looked surprised by that, "Hey, you're right. All my Cataclysm did was give me broken ribs, which by the way, hurts," Adrien said while rubbing his chest, "Maybe my human half kept me from going nuts,"
"Well, if it didn't, we would've faced one feral cat for sure," Marinette joked as they all gave a chuckle from that.
"And there's more," Felix said as they all turned to him, "While before, the Peacock Miraculous was damaged when our parents used them to give us life," He added while looking at the Peacock Miraculous, "You wanna know where my amok has been all along?" He asked.
"Uh, yeah, we've been wondering that ourselves," Ivan said while rubbing his head.
Felix didn't answer but he did raise his hand where he was wearing his ring, giving them a hint as they all were surprised again.
"Wait, your amok was in your father's ring this whole time?" Adrien asked in cousin in shock.
"Well, how do you think I've been making a little trouble now that my father is gone?" Felix questioned before giving a shameful look, "But, my father didn't show love to me or anything close to it, he calls me a monster and slammed the ring so many times that eventually it was cracked and I, I, I became very ill," He explained while clenching his fist.
The others were shocked by this, "W-What? Ill? How?" Marinette asked.
"My father's ring is connected to my life," Felix stated as he shook his head, "When the ring was damaged, I felt ill before it was fixed. And my father used it to control me, I didn't have control over myself from the beginning. I wasn't his son, just a slave," He explained while the others looked at him in sympathy, "But because my father used the Peacock Miraculous when it was damaged, he had little time left, and a few months ago when he passed on, I manage to get the ring and finally take my freedom. Which is why I wear it at all times,"
Adrien frowned at his cousin, never imagining he went through that, "Felix I, I'm so sorry." He apologized, "If-if I had known that you were," He started before Felix raised his hand.
"It's alright Adrien, my anger was never towards you," Felix assured before scowling, "Only towards your father,"
"My, father?" Adrien repeated in confusion, "W-Why though? I mean, sure he can be overprotective but why exactly?" he asked.
"Adrien, it's time you know the truth about your father," Felix said before closing his eyes and sighing, "Your Master said that both the Peacock and Butterfly Miraculous as well as the Spell Book were lost, correct?" He asked vaguely.
"Y-Yes?" Marinette answered hesitantly.
"And yet, your father had the spellbook and the Peacock Miraculous in his house," Felix added while raising a brow, "Yet you never questioned where he got them or if they were the only things he found?"
Adrien thought for a moment before he went wide-eyed and smacked himself on the head, "Oh Geez! I can't believe I didn't notice the Peacock Miraculous was in Dad's safe all along!" He called before turning to Plagg, "Why didn't you tell me that the Peacock Miraculous was also there as well!? I would've grabbed it and saved us all this trouble!"
"Hey, I was in my own little world to even notice the Peacock Miraculous! Cut me some slack!" Plagg called in defense.
"Wait, Plagg, you saw the Peacock Miraculous as well?!" Tikki yelled, which made Plagg flinch as his fellow Kwamis gave him a look, "Can't you be any more unfocused?!" She questioned.
"Hey, I'm not much of a focus Kwami! Get off my case!" Plagg said in defense.
"Moving on!" Felix called out as he sighed, "Adrien, did you even know why your father even has those things with him?" He questioned.
Adrien had a nagging feeling he knew why, but he couldn't say it, "How?" He asked in dread.
"Well, as it turns out, the enemy you've all been searching for was right next to you the whole time," Felix answered while giving a solemn look, "Your father… is Monarch,"
They all gasped in shock, except for the Zodiac Team since they already knew, as they knew what Felix is talking about, "My f-f-father is Monarch?!" He exclaimed in shock.
"Yes. How'd you think I got the Peacock Miraculous from him in the first place?" Felix stated. "It's when I found some clues and hints on how he's the man behind the mask while I was pretending to be you,"
"Dude, that's just, whoa!" Nino exclaimed.
"B-But that's impossible! We saw him get akumatized a few times and he wasn't-." Marinette tried to say before Daniel cut her off.
"It was a trick to cover his tracks," He said as they all turned to him, "Trust me, it's him alright. Me and the others, we saw proof."
"Wait, how do you know that?" Felix asked in surprise since he thought he was the only one while the others were surprised by this as well.
"Well, remember when we all scattered to detransform after stopping Audrey?" Kara asked as they all nodded, "Well before we could detransform back, Bunnyx, future Bunnyx, Future Alix, came to us and brought us in the borrow to help past Ladybug and Cat Noir get the rabbit Miraculous away from Monarch when he first revealed himself with them," She explained.
"Wait, I remember now," Alix said in thought, "Wait a minute, you five peak at one of the burrows, didn't you?" She asked.
"To be honest, Monarch left that burrow opened when he was tricked," Sam said in defense.
"And what we saw helped us find proof that Monarch is Gabriel," Molly said.
Adrien looked at them, "Wh-what did you see?" He asked.
"Well, it was at a moment in the past when your father and your mother had together where we saw him carrying your mother," Jacob said softly.
"And Monarch could only know about that moment, if he was actually that man your mother was with," Daniel finished while looking solemnly at Adrien, "I'm sorry, Adrien. But that's proof enough that your father is our villain,"
Adrien looked absolutely crushed as he stared at the table, tears in his eyes as he panted, "A-Adrien?" Marinette asked in Worry.
"Why? Why?" Adrien muttered in betrayal and sorrow before he sneered and clenched his fists, "Why?!" He snarled.
"Whoa! Dude, chill!" Nino called out while placing a hand on his shoulder, "Sure it's shocking, but now he gave up his Miraculous before…" He tried to say before he was cut off.
"It's not just that, Nino! I-I also did something that caused him so much pain!" Adrien exclaimed while looking at his ring.
Marinette realizes what Adrien is saying before she gasps, "You-You Cataclysm your own father," She says in shock.
"W-Wait, you mean since Gabriel is Monarch all this time, you Cataclysm him without knowing!?" Kim exclaimed.
"H-He made me do it! He forced my Cataclysm on him when we set up that trap!" Adrien exclaimed.
"Easy man, we know it's not your fault," Alix eased the Agreste boy.
"But that means, he doesn't have much time left," Max said.
"Oh boy," Marc muttered.
"Oh, that's dark," Juleka said.
Adrien looked to his cousin, "Felix, do…do you what my father is going to wish for, once he gets mine and Marinette's Miraculous?" He asked.
Felix looked away in worry before sighing, "It might be easier if I show you," He said before turning to Max and holding out his hand, "May I?" He asked.
"Uh, sure," Max said, giving Felix his glasses as he put them on.
"Kaalki, Full Gallop." Felix said as he turned into a horse-themed costume, "Voyage!" He called, opening a portal.
"Follow me," He said as he gestured to the portal.
The other heroes then entered the portal one by one as Felix entered as well.
As the heroes exited the portal, they found themselves in an underground chamber on a grassy platform.
The others looked around in wonder Adrien was the most shocked, "What, what is this place?"
Felix detransformed and gave Max his Miraculous back, "An underground chamber I found while looking for clues," he said before walking towards the golden capsule, "Which is how I also found this." He gestured.
They all looked at the golden capsule as Daniel walked further to it with a suspicious look, "What's behind this capsule?" He questioned.
"How about we let Adrien open it?" Felix suggested while Adrien looked surprised. "Then we can all see what, or rather, who is in her." He said with a solemn frown.
Adrien was uncertain for a moment before he walked up closer to the capsule, which opened on its own and revealed a familiar figure inside it Adrien gasped deeply while the others looked in shock at what they were seeing.
"M-Mom?" Adrien stuttered in shock.
"Yes, you're mother was here all along," Felix answered as Adrien trembled and fell to his knees.
"How? I-Isn't she supposed to be," Adrien tried to ask.
"She's in a comatose state, Adrien," Felix explained while the others turned to him, "I learned that this capsule is keeping her somewhat stable while keeping her alive,"
"W-why is she like this?" Rose asked.
"The same reason why my father died after her," Felix explained with a glare.
"Wait, you mean a Miraculous can actually, kill someone?" Marinette asked in shock, as well the others.
"Well, only if it's damaged," Felix explained solemnly, "Before the Peacock was repaired, it would make people feel ill after one use, but if they keep using it many times over, their sickness is accelerated,"
"Whoa, that's just, whoa," Kara breathed in shock.
"So it was the Peacock Miraculous that did this to her, all this time she was sick, because," Adrien trailed off as he realized his mother's sickness was his fault, "Didn't she know?" He asked.
"I think she did, but didn't care as long as you were happy," Felix said as he looked at his slumbering aunt.
"She must've been one brave mother, dude," Nino said in awed.
"But, but she shouldn't have, she could've," Adrien tried to say while Marinette placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Adrien, your mother knew the risk, even if it would cost her life. All she wanted was to have a son who would grow into a good man," Marinette said with a warm smile, "And I know she would be proud of who you are now,"
Adrien smiled in gratitude before he turned back to his mother with a frown, "He wants to bring her back, doesn't he?" He asked, already putting the pieces together.
"Wait, what?" Ayla asked in confusion.
"This whole thing, the battles, close calls, The Akumas, the Miraculous being taken, he wanted to bring back my mother this whole time," Adrien said somberly as Felix stood next to him with narrowed eyes.
"Yes," Felix answered simply.
Daniel looked at Adrien as he shook his fist, "Adrien, are you?" He asked hesitantly.
Adrien sniffed, cleaned his eyes, and turned to them with a determined look, "We have to stop him." He said.
The others are all shocked by what Adrien is saying, "Whoa, dude, are you seriously going to fight your old man?" Nino asked nervously.
"I've done it many times when he was Monarch, Shadow Moth, Scarlet Moth, and Hawk Moth, this time, it's personal!" Adrien exclaimed with his fist clenched with a determined look, "He's gone too far trying to get what he wants, and he's gonna pay for this!"
"But first, we need to take his rings, cousin," Felix said, which made the others turn to him, "If my amok was in my father's ring, where did you think your amok is at?"
Adrien thought for a moment before he remembered the times when his father rubbed his ring and when he ordered him without Adrien even speaking or standing up against his father before it hit him, "My amok is in my father's ring!?" He exclaimed in shock.
The others all gasped when he said that, "Whoa! Dude, no wonder you couldn't stand up with your father in the first place! He's been controlling you the whole time!" Sam called out.
"Okay, but how are we supposed to get it?" Sabrina asked.
"Simple, I'll take it," Felix explained with a smirk.
"What? What do you mean?" Kim asked.
"Remember the ring I had when Gabriel became Collector the second time?" Felix asked, which made the others all nod as he chuckled, "Yeah, the ring he gave me was the amok one, and I switched it with a fake the first time when he wasn't looking before he got it back,"
"Wait, you had that ring the first time?" Zoe asked in surprise.
"How did you think Adrien managed to talk his father back at times before?" Felix asked before he gave a frown, "But I gave the ring back to him for a trade for the Peacock as well with the other Miraculous,"
"So if you stole it once, you can steal it again!" Marc exclaimed.
"Yep, so if Adrien is to be completely free of his father's control, we're gonna get the ring back," Felix declared with a determined look, "So if I pretend to be Adrien and steal it from him, Adrien will now be free," He explained.
"Are you sure it will work?" Kara asked.
"Hey, I fooled you guys once and I fooled uncle as well, so I can do it again," Felix said as he rubbed his head and his hair was made with a style of Adrien's hair, "So I'll get to him and take the ring without him knowing,"
"Well, what do we have to lose?" Daniel said with a shrug.
"But there is one thing we need to do," Marinette said with a serious look, "We need to find proof if we're ever gonna stop Gabriel, from someone who knows him,"
"And I already got the perfect one, Nathalie." Adrien said with a determined look, "She's been close to my father and been his assistant for years, so it's no surprise she knows what he's been doing as well. And she might have the proof we need to stop him," He stated.
"That is true, she's been closest to him than we know," Jacob said.
"Then what are we waiting for!? This is our last chance to put him away for good!" Sam exclaimed.
"Wait, didn't you say that Nathalie has been sick recently, Adrien?" Max asked.
"Well, yeah, and she's been growing sicker than ever before…" Adrien trailed off when he realized something that this way too familiar for him, "Wait, Mom was just like this before she disappeared, and if Nathalie was having the same sickness, then that means…"
"She's wore the Peacock Miraculous when it was damaged!" Marinette finished before she gasped, "Meaning that she must've been Mayura as well!"
The others were all shocked by what they found out before Chloe spoke, "Well, after the incident when I was Miracle Queen, we haven't seen Mayura in a while, and she's been very weak since Shadowmoth first appeared."
"But it was also around the same time Nathalie was sick as well when she," Adrien trailed off, feeling shocked by this before he clenched his fist, "We gotta go into her room and find the evidence we need to stop her and my father!"
"Okay, I think I know where this is going," Daniel started before turning to Felix, "Felix, you go and pretend to be Adrien to get Mr. Agreste's ring so Adrien will finally be free while the rest of us sneak out on the back so we could find the proof and evidence we need to expose him and end his reign once and for all,"
"I'll go with him, just to be safe," Marinette said before looking to the others, "Okay everyone, let's go before we're seen,"
"Time to get Miraculous," Adrien declared while Max turned into Pegasus and opened a portal they made it back to the Den to prepare before Adrien turned back to his mother with a sad look before giving a small smile. "I'll stop Father, Mom, then I'll find another to save you, I promise." He said before he entered the portal as it closed.
Felix, disguised as Adrien, and Marinette walked up to the front door, "Are you sure this will work, Felix," Marinette asked uncertainly while feeling uncomfortable, "I mean, he was already fooled many times, but I don't know if he can be fooled this time,"
"He couldn't tell the difference when me and Adrien switched places many times before, so he couldn't tell now," Felix pointed out, "He falls for this trick every time,"
"Well, I hope you're right, because no offense, being with you instead of Adrien is weird," Marinette said since she felt off being close to Felix since she was fooled by him being Adrien many times.
"Don't worry, I get that and trust me, I don't wanna be doing this any more than you, just play it cool," Felix instructed as he knocked on the door.
The Door opened as Gabriel saw them and gave a small smile, "Ah, Adrien, Marinette, you're here. How was the sleepover with your friends?" He asked them.
"Just fine, father. I figured I'd show Marinette around the Manor since she's going to be here a lot of time now," Felix said, gesturing to Marinette as she gave a sheepish wave.
"That's good to hear, son," Gabriel said as he allowed them in, "I want you both to know that now that Marinette is part of the brand, she is free to come and go from here as she wishes," He added.
"Yeah, it sure is great, huh, father?" Felix asked while holding Gabriel's hand, "Thank you for letting me stay in Paris, Father."
"Anything to make you happy, Adrien," Gabriel said while holding his 'son's' hand while Felix sneakily took Gabriel's rings and replaced them convincing duplicates from Chloe.
Gabriel nodded and returned to his work, as Felix and Marinette walked off. Once out of sight, Felix smirked and held the ring controlling his cousin, "Fool you once shame on me, fool you twice, shame on you." He quipped.
"Now to get the others in too." Marinette hoped as they headed to Adrien's bedroom.
Felix opened the window and threw down a rope, "Okay, Climb on." He called.
One by one, the others all climbed up into Adrien's room after they climbed the rope.
"Thank guys," Luka said as they dusted themselves, "Did you get the rings?" He asked.
"Was there ever any doubt," Felix said as he brought out the ring and showed it to them, "I believe this belongs to you, Cousin," He said.
Adrien smiled as he took the rings and placed them on his fingers. And when he did, he felt like something that had been tied around him for so long had at last been cut.
Marinette walked up to her partner and held his arm, "How do you feel, Kitty?" She asked.
Adrien turned to his girlfriend as he gave a confident smile. "Like there's no strings on me." He quipped with determination.
"Flirt later, we still need proof Gabriel is Monarch," Daniel reminded as they nodded.
They moved to the door but as Max cracked it open he saw no one around, "Coast is clear." Max whispered.
Max quietly opened the door as they all tip-toed upstairs. Once on the second floor they immediately rush through the halls.
"This way." Adrien pointed, leading them to Nathalie's room but the door was opened slightly, "It's open, she never leaves the door open."
"Well, don't look a gift horse in the mouth." Kara said as they walked inside and didn't see Nathalie but the room did look a bit messy, "Hmm, didn't know your guardian was such a slob."
"She, she isn't," Adrien said slowly as he looked around and picked up a book. "She's usually so organized and clean. I've never seen her room be a mess in all my life." He said. "She must've left in a hurry,"
"What are we even looking for in here?" Alix asked as they began searching as she took out a book.
"If Nathalie is in league with Monarch and was Mayura, she must've been his informer. She must have something." Daniel spoke in thought as Marinette opened a drawer and gasped at what she saw. "Look for anything. A computer, laptop, notes or even-"
"I think I found something," Marinette said as they all turned to see her pull out a tablet. She turned it on and saw a picture of her old master and his love, "Master Fu's tablet, the one Mayura and Hawkmoth stole." She said,
Adrien then noticed something else, Nathalie's own tablet, "Hey, look at this." He said as he turned it on to reveal all of the Miraculous Team's identities, sin Marinette, Adrien, and the Zodiac group, as it showed their Miraculous hero identities with their civilian forms and even their families. "This has everything about us, our names, our powers, there's even stuff about our personal lives and our loved ones."
Sam furrowed his brow, "Only someone who wants to turn people's lives into a train wreck would need stuff like that." He said in slight anger.
"Meaning that this is the proof that we've been searching for," Alya confirmed.
Molly shuddered, "I feel so violated." She commented.
"Actually, you guys and Marinette and I are the lucky ones," Adrien spoke as he searched through the table. "There's nothing on Cat Noir, Ladybug, or the Zodiacs on here and…" He trailed when noticed a file, "Project: Perfect Alliance?" He read.
"What's the heck is th-" Nathaniel stopped as they heard footsteps and they all looked panicked, "Someone's coming!" He said quietly.
"Hide!" Daniel ordered.
"Where?! There's too many of us!" Chloe pointed out.
Daniel looked around before turning to Alya. "Alya, transform and give us cover!" He orders.
Alya nodded, "Trixx, Let's pounce." She whispered and became Rena Rouge, "Mirage." She said as they all turned invisible and scattered around the room. "Now everyone is as quiet as mice." She whispered.
They all didn't make a peep as they watched Monarch walking in with a deathly ill-looking Nathalie in his arms.
The teen silently gaped at the sight as Monarch placed Nathalie on her bed and tucked her in.
Anticipating what he might do, They all grabbed their phones and hit record as Monarch then straightened up, "Dark Wings Fall." He called as he transformed back into Gabriel Agreste.
The whole group gapped in shock at what they saw, even more than Adrien as he struggled to breathe with his grip on his phone loose as he struggled not to drop it.
"I knew you would betray me, Nathalie. I was prepared." Gabriel said as he picked up the tablets.
"F-Father?" Adrien stuttered with wide shocked eyes.
"I knew it as soon as I realized that you were instigating Adrien's defiance." Gabriel said spitefully, "When you started supporting his fling with Marinette Dupain-Cheng, something that I should've supported as well," He said in a twinge of regret before looking back at Nathalie, "Not that it matters anymore, everything is as it should be now and she shouldn't that difficult to control either."
The team all grit their teeth and glared at Gabriel, now seeing he was exactly as Felix described: Monarch without the purple suit.
"You will be loyal to me until the end, after all." Gabriel continued as Nathalie winced and clutched her head as Gabriel gently took her end. "As for the rest, let bygones be bygones." He said as he put the alliance ring on Nathalie and placed her hand on her chest. "Just think of it as a horrible nightmare. You can relax now. Adrien is happy now with Marinette, but I will have Cat Noir, Ladybug Miraculous, the Miraculous they stole from me, and the five Zodiac miraculous as well so that things will be even better." Gabriel declared as he walked out of the room.
Once he was gone, Alya dropped the Mirage and they all came out of hiding, "Why that four-eyed, white-suited, good-for-nothing, manipulating freak!" Kim exclaimed.
"Looks like we found our proof, in an unexpected way.," Juleka commented.
"Nathalie!" Adrien said as he rushed to her.
Adrien immediately turned off the video and took off the ring, "Nathalie, are you okay?!" He asked worriedly as they all gathered around her.
"Nathalie, how could you help somebody like that?" Marinette asked the woman.
Nathalie weakly opened her eyes as she turned and saw Adrien and his friends while Alya was still Rena Rouge. "A-Adrien?" She weakly said. "D-Did you, s-see…"
"Yes, I did. And I know why." Adrien told her gently but firmly.
"Believe me, f-from the start, w-we were only trying to bring Emilie back to us," Nathalie said as she started coughing. "B-But your father has g-gone too far. If he does, someone else, will die in her place. And he's going to put the whole world and the Miraculous holders in danger to do it!" she gasped.
"What? How?" Marc asked gently. "What's he planning?"
"Kids listen to me, if you are who I think you are, then please. Run, run, and never use your miraculouses again." Nathalie urged. "In a few moments, Project: Perfect Alliance will commence and he'll send all of humankind after Ladybug, Cat Noir, and all miraculous holders." She said as she gasped and coughed as she turned to them. "He can't get a hold of the Miraculous ever again." She then winced.
"We need to get you to the hospital! Sit tight!" Adrien pleaded as he turned to Max. "Max, open a portal and-" He was cut off when Nathalie grabbed Adrien's arm.
"I am beyond all medicine, Adrien," Nathalie said grimly as she coughed. "I used the Miraculous of the Peacock while it was still damaged and…" She inhales as Adrien and the others are shocked and horrified.
Nathalie coughed again as she reached out from behind her pillow and handed Adrien her phone, "Adrien, I beg you and your friends, stop your father at all costs," She said as Adrien held the phone and saw a paused video of his mother, looking at it longingly while the others looked behind while surprise. "That's what your mother would have wanted." She said as she turned to Alya. "Rena Rouge, transform back. None of you can be in your superhero forms." She said before she closed her eyes and lost consciousness.
"What? Why?" Adrien said as he shook Nathalie to try and wake her up. "Wake up. Nathalie, please wake up!" He pleaded as he kept shaking Nathalie, but she wouldn't wake up.
Adrien backed away in horror as the others were just the same, "No." Adrien whispered.
"Oh no." Sabrina whimpered while covering her mouth.
Marinette looked at Nathalie tearfully, "Is, is she?" She couldn't finish.
Kara put her fingers to Nathalie's neck, desperately trying to feel a pulse, and remarkably she got one, "No, she's still breathing, barely." She told the others as they felt some relief but were still worried. "Stand back, I got this! Xaun Wu, Water's Flow!" Kara then transformed into Northern Terrapin and put her hands on Nathalie's body concentrating as hard as she could, "Recovery!" She called out as Nathalie was covered in a purple wave of healing energy as the white of her hair turned red and black again, her skin was no longer pale.
Once it was done Terrapin panted, "Whew, that took, a lot more than I thought." He said exhaustedly.
"Kara, did you use your powers to heal her?" Adrien asked hopefully.
"Cross your fingers it worked," Terrapin said as they all looked at Nathalie with their breath held and then after a moment, Nathalie gave a large gasp as she coughed and started breathing again.
Nathalie sat up as she felt her strength returning as she looked at her hands and saw the teens. "W-What, what happened? H-How am I-?" She asked before Adrien rushed up and hugged her. "Adrien?" She asked in surprise.
"You're alive. You're okay." Adrien said as he held the hug Nathalie slowly smiled and hugged Adrien back.
The others all whooped and cheered while Nathalie smiled at Adrien, "Now, you're free to do whatever you want, Gabriel has no control over you anymore."
"Thanks, Nathalie, but our job isn't done yet." Adrien said looking serious, "We have to stop my father from launching Project: Perfect Alliance, get that Miraculous away from him, and bring him to justice." He declared as they all nodded except for Chloe who was looking at her at her phone in concern.
"Umm, Adrien?" Chloe started as she turned to them, "I think we might have another problem."
"What do you mean, Chloe?" Adrien asked as the others turned to her.
"Look at this!" Chloe said as Nathalie's Ring showed a video of Adrien and Marinette rolling dough before the screen turned red and then Ladybug and Cat Noir appeared.
"So you two think you can do better than us?" The A.I Cat Noir questioned.
"You think your Perfect Alliance is stronger against Akumas than Cat Noir, Ladybug or any miraculous holders?" A.I Ladybug added before the two dragged Adrien and Marinette away as they pleaded with them to let go.
Then an A.I version of Central Dragold appeared, "These two have done nothing for you! We, the wielders of the Miraculous, are the only protection you need!" He said before punching the screen as it fritzed out.
"What the!? What the heck is going on!?" Daniel questioned in shock. "That never happened!"
Nathalie looked at the video in horror, "We're too late, he's already started." She whispered.
And then Nadja appeared on Chole's ring. "Don't be bemused. It's just the news. Ladybug, Cat Noir, and the other Miraculous holders have abducted Adrien Agreste and Kagami Tsurugi, the perfect couple!" She said in despair.
Chloe's ring showed Gabriel looking remorseful, "Hello, I am Gabriel Agreste, designer of Alliance and father to Adrien. My son and his friend Kagami are victims of the Miraculous Holders. If you want to help me save them, say 'Alliance, Miraculize me!'"
"Turn it off, Chloe!" Daniel called out. "Get rid of that ring!" He ordered as she quickly took off her ring before anything happened.
Nino brought out his phone and gasped, "Dudes, dudettes! Check this out!" He said showing them a video of people doing as Gabriel instructed and turning into white and silver faceless people that started going on a rampage, using the heroes' powers and demanding Marinette, Adrien, and the Miraculous holders.
Adrien and Marinette gasped, "He made an army!" Marinette called out.
"That's why our parents wanted us out of Paris and under lock and key!" Kagami realized. "To send everyone on Earth on a wild goose hunt chase for Miraculous holders!"
"Just when he couldn't be any more cruel," Felix exclaimed with a clench of his fist.
"This is bad! This is very bad!" Adrien called out. "Father has gone too far!"
"Wait, but how can these people have Miraculous powers?! We took back all the Miraculous didn't we?!" Luka insisted.
"They're using Gabriel's Miraculous Alliance Rings to copy off the powers of the Miraculous," Nathalie said dreadfully as they all turned to her. "While Gabriel had the Miraculous in his possession, he came in contact with someone who taught him how to extract and copy their powers to create his own miraculous."
"How is that possible? It's impossible to copy Miraculous magic!" Marinette pointed out.
"Not with my mother's technology and Gabriel's knowledge of the Miraculous!" Kagami countered.
"So his Fake Miraculous are tied to the Alliance rings!" Dragold gasped in realization as he snapped his fingers, "So that's how he was able to give the Akumas the abilities of the Miraculous! He must've been transferring those abilities before we got the real ones back! He's ahead of his game!" He stated.
"Now he's using the Alliance rings to form his Miraculous Alliance Army!" Molly called out.
"And we walked right into his trap!" Sam exclaimed.
"We gotta get out here!" Kim desperately called out.
"The Miraculized can track the magical energy of your miraculous when you're transformed." Nathalie told them
"What? How?! How can they figure them out!" Nathaniel asked.
"Gabriel used the magic signatures of the Miraculous and pieces of your magic to program the Miraculized to seek you out"
"But what about ours? Our Miraculous was never taken by him." Adrien said gesturing to him and Marinette.
Nathalie then looked at them, "But he does have samples of your powers." She said grimly.
Marinette and Adrien were confused before they remembered, "The Magical Charm I gave Gabriel," Marinette gasped.
"The Cataclysm injury I gave." Adrien realized in dread as he looked at his hand where his ring was.
"Yes. Even at those tiny samples, he was able to program your magical signatures into the Alliance rings." Nathalie explained.
Marinette turned to Rena and Terrapin, "Alya, Kara, detransform! Now!"
"Let's rest!/Water's still!" They both exclaimed as they transformed back to normal and fed their Kwamis.
Daniel looked relieved, "Good, hopefully now those Ring-faced bozos won't be able to-" Then portals like the Horse Miraculous's Voyage appeared, and from came dozens of Miraculizers, "Or maybe not, RUN!" He yelled as they ran out of the room.
Nathalie however stayed behind, "Nathalie?!" Adrien called.
"Go! I'll hold them back!" Nathalie said as she flipped over a Miraculizer before kicking another, "Just stop Gabriel Adrien!" She exclaimed as she closed the door and fighting could be heard.
"Nathalie!" Adrien cried out as he was about to go back before Kim and Sam grabbed him.
"Adrien, we have to go!" Sam urged as he pulled them along as they rushed through the halls.
They kept Dodging the Miraculizers but they stopped coming as they realized there were no Miraculous holders here. "Okay, now I'm really starting to see the logic statistics as to why not everyone on earth should have a Miraculous," Max stated.
"Well, Su-Han and Master Fu did warn us something like this would happen," Marinette noted.
"Come on team!" Daniel urged as they ran for the door, "If we can get to the streets, maybe we can find a place to transform and… Whoa!" He cut himself off as they all gasped and skidded to a halt as they saw Gabriel standing before them. "Okay, we are not having the best of luck today." He muttered.
"Why Adrien, why didn't you tell me you were having company over?" Gabriel said sarcastically, narrowing his eyes.
"Well, dad, n-now that you mentioned it, I was just about to surprise you, sorry. Maybe we should try again at the front door?" Adrien suggested nervously as the others nodded.
"Yeah, so if you'll excuse us, we'll show ourselves out," Zoey said as they tried to move away.
"Wait, you wouldn't leave without a proper farewell would you," Gabriel said before turning to Adrien, "Now Adrien, come here." He said.
"No." Adrien refused.
Gabriel looked at his son in shock as he narrowed his eyes. "Adrien, did you not hear me?" He questioned as he subtly rubbed his rings.
Adrien stood firm, "I did, Father, and my answer is still no." He said.
Gabriel was surprised by this as he rubbed his rings again Adrien just stood there, "What's going on?! Why won't the rings-" Gabriel said in confusion.
Adrien then lifted up his hand, "Looking for these?" He asked with a taunting smirk.
Gabriel looked at the rings on his son's fingers in shock. "My rings?! But how did-?!" He trailed off as he took off the ring he was holding and noticed a logo on it that shouldn't be there as he crushed it and it broke easily. "Fakes!?"
"You really should check your hands better, uncle." Felix taunted as he crossed his arms.
"Sorry, but your days of pulling Adrien's strings are done, !" Marinette said while narrowing her eyes, "Or should I say, Monarch?"
Gabriel looked in quiet shock as he growled. "How did you know?!" He questioned.
"If you wanna keep your identity a secret, make sure you do a better job at finding a perfect spot to detransform!" Daniel advised before gesturing to them all, "Take it from us."
Gabriel growled before he saw his son marching forward. "I've always been against you're rules and words, father, but what you're doing, is just crossing a line to use me and Kagami as a carrot dangling over scared and helpless people!" Adrien yelled in rage. "So you're going to do the right thing and hand over that Last Miraculous."
Gabriel growled as he clenched his fists. "You'll thank me when this is over son! Nooroo, dark wings rise!" He yelled as he transformed into Monarch, "I have Miraculous to find, so make this quick and give me those rings, Adrien!"
Marinette then stepped in front of Adrien, "I'll save you trip Monarch, Tikki, Spots On!" She exclaimed as she transformed into Ladybug which made Monarch gasped in shock while the others looked in surprise.
"Marinette! What are you doing?!" Daniel questioned in shock as Marinette blew her cover and revealed herself to Monarch.
"Not Marinette. Call me Ladybug." Ladybug said, holding her smirk as she turned to her friends, "With the whole world at stake, sometimes rules are meant to be broken!"
"Marinette!? You were Ladybug this whole time!?" Monarch questioned in anger.
Realizing they were doing this, Adrien stepped forward, "She's not the only one, "Plagg, claws out!" Adrien yelled out, transforming too as the others followed their example.
"Trixx, Let's Pounce!"
"Wayzz, Shell On!"
"Pollen, Buzz On!"
"Kaalki, Full Gallop!"
"Sass, Scales Slither!"
"Xuppu, Showtime!"
"Longg, Bring the Storm!"
"Mullo, Get Squeaky!"
"Daizzi, Rejoice!"
"Roarr, Strips On!"
"Fluff, Clockwise!"
"Barkk, On the Hunt!"
"Ziggy, Bleat It!"
"Orikko, Sunrise!"
"Stompp, Make Way!"
"Duusu, Spread my Feathers!"
"Nooroo, Light Wings Rise!"
"Baihu, Earth Rises!"
"Nan Fang, Fire it Up!"
"Qinglong, Wind Rages!"
"Xaun Wu, Water Flow!"
"Haunglong, Heaven's Acsend!"
One by one, they all, transformed into their Miraculous forms as Monarch covered his eyes for a bit before he saw them transformed as they glared at him.
"Adrien's friends, I understand, but you two!?" Monarch growled while looking at Ladybug and Cat Noir as they glared at him. "I should have known." He said with a smirk. "All this time, I could've got the ring I need with just the ring I had."
Dragoldl turned to his friends, "Guys, you keep the Miraculizers off our backs, Adrien and Marinette you handle Monarch, Papillon and Ryuko see if you can shut down the Perfect Alliance and get us some reinforcements!"
"What about you?" Papillon asked before Dragold turned to Emile's painting.
"I've got a wake call to do!" He said before punching the painting as a lift appeared beneath him and he sank below.
"No!" Monarch yelled as the other heroes dashed passed him into the streets while Papillon and Ryuko rushed to where she knew the Alliance Ring control center was as it was only Cat Noir and Ladybug now.
"And so begins and ends with just the Three of us," Ladybug said as she spun her Yo-Yo and Cat Noir pointed his staff at Monarch.
"This time, it's personal, father!" Cat Noir growled in rage.
Monarch growled as he raised his staff he then turned to where Dragold went to as his painting of Emilie was ruined and the hatch to his lair was opened, "I'll deal with you later, I have to-" He was cut off when as soon as he tried to run Ladybug wrapped him in her yo-yo.
"Nuh-uh! This is between us! Or do you not want our miraculous anymore?!" Ladybug mocked.
Monarch growled as he then used his powers. "Voyage!" He called out as he disappeared through the portal, which dragged Ladybug with him as she gave a yell as they fell from the ceiling Monarch landed on his feet and Ladybug fell on her back. "You couldn't even beat me from the start!"
"Well, this time, we're finishing this!" Cat Noir called out as he charged at his father, and he blocked his son's staff with his cane as they clashed weapons. "And to think I hurt you!"
"Don't be son! This has helped me plenty!" Monarch yelled with an insane smile as he pushed him back to where Ladybug is and the two heroes stood up as they glared. "And to think it all comes down to this. Just the three of us." He taunted.
Cat Noir and Ladybug growled as they stood side by side and readied their weapons as the two heroes faced their worst enemy while their friends dealt with his army Dragold went down to the lair to do something as this was their final battle in history for the Miraculous.