Welcome back! Meant to have this up earlier but I got called into work last minute. Here we have the conclusion to the Mean Streak saga. I'm currently planning the leave for Vacation next week but I leave after Tuesday and will be back before the following Tuesday so updates should remain consistent.

Content warning: Blood, injury, PTSD, lying, breakdowns, and violence

Chapter 22

Mean Streak Part 2

"Lucky Charm!" Pegabug called out summing an auto inflatable raft. Varian already knew she was planning to use that to catch Adrien once she pulled him down from the upper floor. He just had to get her to open a portal as soon as possible.

"While you're busy planning your camping trip I'll invite Young Master Adrien to join us." As he was about to make another hole in the ceiling however they heard a scream.

"LADYBUG HELP ME!" Adrien's loud terrified voice made Varian pause and Pegabug react. She knocked Mean Streak aside, threw the airbag on the ground and opened a portal in the ceiling.

Unfortunately her aim was off slightly and Adrien and the kidnapper were about to fall directly onto the camera equipment. Varian leapt into the air and grabbed the other boy as the kidnapper landed with a scream of pain on an exposed tripod. After seeing the blood on Adrien's neck and hands Varian felt no guilt whatsoever but he had to quickly look away so he wouldn't faint. But now that he had Adrien, what now?

"Mean Streak, you don't have to listen to Shadow Moth, just let Adrien go!" Varian hesitated. It wasn't unheard of for Akumatized victims to break free but if he did they'd lose the chance to use Mean Streak again.

"Fight it Varian! I know you're upset but hurting someone else won't make it better. You'll regret it, you know you will." Varian was struck by the truth of her words and momentarily found himself piloting the giant automaton wanting to crush the life out of Queen Ariana and Casandra.

"I…" He was still holding onto Adrien who was too afraid to move. He was afraid of him now.

Sensing her strategy wasn't working fast enough Pegabug tried a different approach.

"Are you really going to use your friend as a shield like a coward?" On the outside Varian looked outraged but on the inside he was silently thanking her for giving them the out they all needed.

"Who are you calling a coward! I don't need a hostage to win!" and with that he threw Adrien into one of the soft fluffy cloud props where he landed unharmed. Pegabug wasted no time and opened another portal besides the boy.

"Quick, Adrien, get to safety!" He took a moment to get back on his feet before bolting through the portal finally free.

Varian, Marinette and Gabriel all gave a collective sigh of relief now that Adrien was out of danger. Now Mean Streak could actually try and get the Miraculous.

"No more distractions, Pegabug." He said gathering up another sheet of paper and charging it. "I'll be taking your Miraculous now." And if I can get the glasses as well, maybe I can find a way to get back to my dad. He thought as she started to circle him.

"Good to know you're not a coward." she said, twirling her yoyo. If only she knew about his other alter ego, the Alchemist of Old Corona, he knew she'd take that right back.

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The portal opened up across the street from the studio. Thankfully everyone's eyes were on the building and Adrien was able to slip away into an alley unseen by the crowd. The moment they were alone Plagg flew up and looked at his current holder with a concerned expression.

"Adrien are you alright?" No, he wasn't alright. Not in the slightest. But he needed to know just how, "not alright" he was. But Adrien just shook his head.

"That doesn't matter now, Ladybug needs me. Varian needs me." Plagg sighed, his holder was just pushing his emotions aside but they were bound to come out sooner or later.

"I just think you should-"

"Later. Plagg, CLAWS OUT!"

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Pegabug was REALLY missing her partner right now. Now that Adrien was safe she could focus on freeing Varian but for some reason he was fighting her even harder than before. She thought she was getting through to him, did that coward line trigger him that badly?

She managed to dodge his last attack but she was having a hard time getting him into position to use the Lucky Charm. She was running out of time. Suddenly a heavy set of stage lights fell from above and she realized her mistake. He was the one drawing her into a trap. As she struggled to get out from underneath the metal and wires, Mean Streak came up to her.

"It's been fun but I'm afraid it's time to end this. I still have Gabriel to deal with." He was reaching for her earrings. "I'll turn my head if you want. I just need your earrings, not your secret identity." Pegabug blinked in surprise but she wasn't ready to give up just yet.

"I appreciate the sentiment but Shadow Moth is not getting my Miraculous. Isn't that right Kitty?" Mean Streak was caught off guard and didn't see Chat Noir's bo staff until it hit him square in the chest and flung him across the room.

After he helped Ladybug out of the mess of wires and lights she rounded on him.

"Where the heck were you? I've been calling you for ages!" Chat gulped, he couldn't tell her the truth so he said the first thing that came to his mind.

"S-sorry MyLady. I-I got held up by Tanuki." While Pegabug was now fuming at a different target they didn't notice Mean Streak doing a double take.

Chat Noir just lied to Pegabug? Well, that was interesting. He knew it couldn't be a sentimonster, Gabriel was currently using one of himself to interact with the police. A shame he couldn't take advantage of it would have no way of knowing he wasn't fighting with Tanuki and he couldn't risk blowing his cover.

He tried to take advantage of their fight but as soon as he got close enough Chat Noir blocked his attack giving Pegabus a chance to slip back.

'Damn!' Varian thought. 'He's covering her to set up an attack!' He looked around and realized the Lucky Charm was missing. 'Great! I was so focused on saving Adrien I lost track of the raft!' He sighed and charged another sheet of paper. 'Oh well, this fight isn't over yet and at least Adrien is out of Danger. That's the most important thing.'

Shadow Moth paused as he watched the fight through Varian's eyes. He wasn't sure if the boy was aware he was projecting his thoughts but he could tell they were sincere. But he chose to keep quiet for the time being. This was not the time or the place to dwell on it.

Varian was trying to get around Chat Noir but the black clad hero wouldn't let up.

"Out of my way!" but the cat blocked him again. Unfortunately these two had more combat experience than him. Even as Tanuki he preferred plotting from the shadows and striking when the moment was right. But he wasn't Tanuki right now, he was Mean Streak and he couldn't afford to have these two realize they were one and the same. Still as Varian he was still very intelligent so there was a chance he could outwit them.

Unfortunately for him Pegabug was also very intelligent. She gave a signal to Chat Noir who went low tripping him up. He stumbled back into the wardrobe triggering the hidden raft.

"Oh sh-" the raft inflated trapping Mean Streak inside. The force made him drop his notebook and Pegabug was quick to grab it, tearing it in half releasing the hidden Akuma. Varian silently cursed as she performed the cleansing ritual and his connection to Shadow Moth faded.

"Remember, a victim has no memory of being akumati…"

"Miraculous Ladybug!" And just like that his power was gone and all the destruction he made to the building was fixed as if it never happened. He was released from his makeshift prison as Pegabug extended him a hand. Showtime.

"Wha…Lady…Ladybug?"

"It's Pegabug at the moment."

"Where am I? The last thing I remember was…ADRIEN! Ladybug you have to help him I think he's-"

"It's alright Varian, he's safe now. You were akumatized and in a weird way helped us save him." Varian looked down, putting his face in his hands.

"I-I don't remember. I didn't hurt anyone did I?" That last line felt more sincere than the rest of his act.

As if on cue a groan was heard from the middle of the room where Jacques was laying healed by the lucky charm. Chart Noir angrily stopped over and without warning kicked the man in the stomach.

"Chat Noir! What are you doing!" Pegabug shouted, grabbing his arm as he aimed to kick him again.

"Adrien is not a doll you can just play with and break!" he hissed, getting another kick in before Pegabug pulled him away. "You had no right to hurt him!" While the heroes struggled with each other Varian was left stunned.

That seemed…personal. Did Chat Noir know Adrien? Or was he just reacting to the situation; this wasn't the type of villain they usually fought. He made himself useful and grabbed some rope to secure the man who was still curled up in pain. He could hear a hushed conversation but no real details.

"Oh, good you've restrained him. Thank you Varian." Varian nodded.

"I'm guessing he was the one who took Adrien. I-I need to see him. I was upset at his Dad and part of me was jealous of Adrien but you have to believe me I never-" Pegabug put a hand on his shoulder and while he missed it Chat Noir's ears twitched.

"Hey it's OK. Shadow Moth took advantage of you during an emotionally vulnerable time." He hung his head again, her words cutting deep. Were they hurting people more than they realized? She took something out of her holder.

"Varian, take this charm, it will protect you from being Akumatized again." She smiled seeing the awed look on his face. Only it wasn't for the reasons she thought. This was it, this was the thing that had been preventing them from reakumatizing people and she was just giving it to him. He took it eagerly.

"Thank you so much!" he couldn't wait to get back and see if he could analyze it. A beeping noise alerted Pegabug she was about to transform back. The two heroes said their goodbyes as the police arrived to arrest Jacques and see that Varian got home safely. As they led him out he clutched the charm tightly in his hands feeling conflicted once again.

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Adrien changed back in the alleyway just across the street from the building he had been trapped in. He spotted a car pulling up at breakneck speed and a few moments later his Father emerged demanding to speak with the officer in charge. At that moment his facade completely shattered. He wasn't the strong and brave Chat Noir he was a hurt and scared Adrien Agreste who wanted his Dad more than in the world.

"Dad!" He shouted running towards the man. As soon as he heard his son's voice he turned around and ran to his child.

"Adrien!" Finally reunited, Gabriel gathered his son up in his arms as the boy let out an agonizing sob. "I'm so sorry, you were supposed to be safe." he rubbed his back trying to sooth him. "I won't force you to model anymore I promise." Adrien let out another sob.

"I…I just wa-wanna go h-home."

"And we will son, we will. We're just waiting for-"

"Mr. Agreste?" Called an officer behind him. Varian was standing in the middle of two tall policemen looking like a scared rabbit. "This young man says he's staying with you?" Gabriel nodded.

"Yes, I'm fostering him for the time being." The officers left after he explained the situation and asked them to keep it quiet for the boy's sake. They would have to come down to the police station to give a statement but Gabriel just wanted to get them both home as soon as possible.

While he was with the officers Varian and Adrien were happy to see that the other was alright. "I'm so sorry I tried to attack you, I just was overwhelmed and I had just found out more bad news before you called and-" Adrien put a finger on his lip to keep him from talking.

"It's OK, you're not the only person I know who's been akumatized. Most of my friends in fact. I also saw how you tried to fight the Akuma which isn't an easy thing to do so don't worry we're not mad at you." Varian was glad Adrien didn't take it personally even if the whole thing was an act.

"But what happened to you, the officers said you were kidnapped?" something dark flashed in front of Adrien's eyes but it was gone in a blink.

"It's fine, I'm fine. Ladybug and Chat Noir came to save me." Neither Gabriel nor Varian believed that for a moment but it was not the time nor place to confront him. Gabriel wanted to get both boys home as quickly as possible. Gorilla was still in the hospital after he was attacked but thankfully would be released the next day.

Adrien practically jumped into the back set while Varian simply got in without protest. The ride back was quiet for the most part. Adrien had rolled up the privacy window which also sound proofed the two boys from the worried father driving them back. About half way there Varian broke the silence.

"You know, it's ok if you're not ok." Adrien didn't respond right away. He brought his knees to his chest and eventually looked up at his foster brother.

"I'm…I'm fine really. Sure I was scared but it was over pretty quickly. You've been through far worse so I shouldn't complain." Varian's eyes widened at that statement.

"Hey, come on don't do that."

"Do what?"

"Trauma isn't a competition. Just because someone supposedly had it "worse'" he said, making quotes in the air. "It doesn't mean you're not hurting. It doesn't invalidate what you went through either." Adrien went quiet again but Varian just sat there patiently not wanting to push.

"It's just…this wasn't a stranger. I knew him, I worked with him. I didn't like him but I never thought…" He wiped away the tears forming in his eyes. "Father is always so paranoid I've barely been allowed to spend any time with friends and this happens in a place that's supposed to be safe." He slammed his fist down on the car seat. "It's not…it's not…"

"It's not fair." Varian finished for him and that's when the floodgates opened. Adrien threw his arms around Varian and let it all out.

"He…he was obsessed! He…he wanted…he was going to kill me!" Varian let him cry and scream out all his emotions in the privacy of the limo. He rubbed his back in a soothing motion he remembered his father doing for him when he was upset. It seemed to help. When his father had been caught in the amber there was no one to comfort him except a nonverbal Ruddiger. He was glad that he could provide Adrien this small comfort and remind him he wasn't alone.

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The sound was off in the back seat of the car and it took every ounce of restraint in him not to hit the override button and hear what his son was saying. When he pulled up to the house Nathalie was waiting for them. He told her how Adrien had pulled up the privacy screen and wasn't sure if he should interrupt.

"I think you should just let them be for a while. In the meantime I think we should talk about Adrien seeing a therapist." Gabriel was surprised by her suggestion but truthfully after the fight he and Adrien had had it was becoming clear to him that perhaps he didn't know his son as well as he thought. He also felt incredibly guilty sending Adrien back into modeling when he had made it clear that he had no interest. And he nearly lost him because of his own stubbornness.

"That…might not be such a bad idea." She looked pleased.

"I'm a little surprised you're agreeing this quickly."

"This…this is my fault Nathalie. I have to do what is best for my son even if it's something I'm not personally comfortable with."

"Gabriel this is not your fault. Jacques slipped past every security check and had no prior incidents that would raise any red flags."

"Adrien complained about him and Miss Blair raised concerns as well. Adrien also wanted to quit. I was the one who insisted he stay at it for a while longer. I'll…I'll get him some help but I'm checking over every possible doctor personally and I want your opinion on them as well. If either of us has any doubts they wouldn't be getting anywhere near my son."

Nathalie sighed in relief, she was sure he was going to fight her on this. It seems like he was taking that being a better parent thing seriously. Now for the other elephant in the room. She would definitely have a fight on her hands for this one.

"I'm glad that you'll be getting Adrien some help but I also think Varian could use some-"

"Out of the question!" she sighed.

"Gabriel the boy has been traumatized more than either of us could imagine. He really should have been seeing someone when he first arrived here." Gabriel pinched the bridge of his nose.

"If it were that simple, yes I think he should go but keep in mind Varian is here illegally he's not even from this world. What if they start asking questions we can't answer? What if they think I'm the one who gave him those scars?" The last concern was said in a whisper. "What if they want to take him away?" Nathalie felt really conflicted by that last statement.

"Afraid you'll lose your partner?"

"No!" he practically shouted. "It doesn't matter if he doesn't want to help me anymore. After that fight we had it might be over already. But he's a being from another world. What if they want to study him or want to keep him locked up? It would kill him!" Nathalie's expression softened.

"No one's taking him away. They don't need to know all the details to help him. I'll look into one for Varian as well, one that can keep confidentially their highest priority." Gabriel still seemed unsure.

"I doubt he'll agree."

"How about we discuss this with him in the morning along with Adrien? I think we all need a good night's sleep after the day we've all had." Gabriel nodded but he doubted he'd be getting much sleep tonight.

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They must have arrived at the house by now but the two of them remained uninterrupted until Adrien composed himself enough to exit the car unassisted. Gabriel and Nathalie were both waiting patiently for the boys to come out. Adrien's eyes were red and Varian's shirt was stained with tear streaks.

Adrien looked up at his Father and Nathalie and frowned. "Father, I know it's early but could I just go to my room?" The adults shared a look.

"That's fine son, we can talk in the morning. I'll be here if you need me." Varian was about to leave to give Adrien some space when the other boy took hold of his sleeve.

"Varian, if it's alright…would you…"

"Did you want me to spend the night in your room?" Adrien nodded vigorously.

"It's alright with me. That is…" he trailed off to look at Gabriel.

"If you're worried about being welcome here you can put those thoughts to rest." Adrien had almost forgotten Varian and his father were fighting. It was the reason for him turning into an Akuma in the first place. He was glad the other boy was still welcome, but for how long?

"I'll be up in a bit Adrien, your Father and I have something to discuss first." Adrien smiled but on the inside he was worried. He wasn't sure what the fight was about in the first place but it was serious enough for Varian to leave the first time. What if it happened again? Seeing the worried expression hidden behind his smile Varian reassured him that he'd be there for him tonight but he and Gabriel needed to talk some things out.

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Varian and Gabriel made their way to Shadow Moth's secret lair where they could discuss things in private.

"I've had some time to think." Gabriel started. "And there might have been a grain of truth when you accused me of sabotaging the mission…unconsciously." Varian stiffened. He always knew Gabriel could screw him over at any time but he had honestly thought they were working towards the same goal.

"Is that it then? Are you going to wipe my memory and stick me in an orphanage?"

"I think we're past that now. Don't you?"

"I don't know what to think anymore. I thought I could tru-" but he stopped himself. He should know better than to trust anyone by now.

"I also said it was an unconscious decision. You were right, we never fully discussed how the wish could be used to benefit us both. All I know for sure is that it has worked in the past. We also know that the magic can at least reach into your world; it's how you got here after all. But you also said your Kwami was an ordinary raccoon in your world so there is still a limit in place." Varian wasn't sure what the man was trying to say. He knew all this already.

"So where does that get us? You don't think the wish will work for me, is that it?"

"All I'm saying is that we need more information. We only have one source but there has to be more." Varian thought for a moment before pulling out the notebook he had been using.

"I've…actually been trying to do some of that on my own. The Ladyblog mentioned several paintings in the museum that had the Miraculous symbol on it. I've found a number of stories that might be about actual people who were former holders." Gabriel pondered this.

"It could be useful, many holders hid information that could be of use to us." It was a shame the Kwamis couldn't give out any information about their past holder. "I've also been tracking down the other guardians, it's where the book came from in the first place." Varian shuttered, the encounter with the Celestial Guardian still on his mind.

"I was kind of hoping to avoid them."

"Don't worry I'm having a third party looking into them. I won't ask you to take them on again." Varian sighed in relief but he realized they were planning again as if the Hack-san incident never happened.

"This is all well and good but I gotta say I still don't fully trust you after you blew a perfect chance to gain the Miraculous just so I wouldn't use them first." Gabriel was silent for a moment before taking a deep breath.

"I…I am sorry Varian. I know that doesn't make up for what I did or what I said. If it was the other way around I'd be just as furious as well. But I promise you now, and I know how you are with promises, if we do manage to get a hold of the miraculous again I want you to hold onto them until we decide how to use the wish. We'll only get one chance after all." Varian thought for a moment, still a little unsure. If Gabriel was lying or changed his mind there wouldn't be much he could do to stop him. But there was also a part of him that wanted to believe him. He didn't want to leave and be alone again.

"For the record I still don't fully trust you but…I'd like to meet Emilie someday as well. Adrien deserves to have his mother back." Gabriel smiled, softer this time.

"Regardless of what you decide you'll still be welcome in my home. As long as you want to stay, that is." Deep down Varian knew he should say no but…he reached into his pocket and took out the item he had been hiding.

"Alright, we get the Miraculous and maybe the Kwamis will have a clearer answer for us. In the meantime we both find out as much as we can about the Miraculous." He held up the charm.

"What's that?"

"It's a charm that Ladybug gives formerly Akumatized victims that prevents them from being re-akumatized." Gabriel's jaw dropped. It was almost funny.

"I'm an idiot." Gabriel exclaimed. "I should have just akumatized myself to find out how Ladybug was stopping my Akumas." Varian shrugged.

"We didn't know if it was permanent or not and I know you need The Collector to keep Ladybug off your trail."

"Still this is a huge advantage. I'll leave you to study it to find a weakness." Varian grinned.

"Now that we have the vaccine, we can work on a variant."

"I still wish you wouldn't call it that." Varian wished he could start work on it right away but he told Adrien he'd be up soon. Things were still a little iffy with Gabriel but at least they had a plan of action. Time would tell if this was a mistake or not.

To be continued…

Next time: Varian and Adrien have a sleepover and deal with the aftermath of Adrien's kidnapping.