"Master, are you okay?" Wayzz asked in concern as his best friend had been deep in meditation all morning. But he received an answer as the door then knocked, and he immediately went to hide inside the phonograph.
"He's here." The master said, smiling as the door opened to reveal Tikki and her partner looking in curiously. "Hello, Ladybug." The master said with a smile as the young boy nodded his head as he entered. Clearly shaken by how he knew of his alter ego, but not forgetting his manners as he removed his shoes.
"Master I know you never wanted me to bring him here again but you must see what he's discovered! Show him, Marin!" Tikki said hovering over the old man as Marin looked at him in surprise.
"I'm guessing you're not really a vet?" Marin asked sitting down. "You helped me before." He recalled.
The old man nodded with a smile on his face. "The first day was no chance encounter. Marinus, you're always ready to help others. I knew that day, that very moment, that you'd make a fantastic Ladybug."
Marin chuckled dryly as he recalled the first time he became Ladybug, and how he gave up almost immediately. "But, who are you?"
The old man stood up, walking towards the phonograph as he gestured for Marin to follow. He pressed a few buttons on a secret compartment on the device, revealing a black box with a red inscription, one similar to the one he received his Miraculous within.
"Master Fu is the last known member of the Order of the Guardians!" Tikki explained as she hovered nearby.
"Guardian?" Marin questioned as he was surprised by another Kwami flying out towards him. A small green one with a turtle shell who smiled in greeting.
"Guardians of the Miraculous! Helly, I'm Wayzz, Master Fu's kwami. It's a pleasure to meet you, Marinus." He greeted.
Marin looked at Tikki for a moment before a smile broke out on his face. "You as well. Marin is fine."
"We guardians are responsible for protecting and distributing the Miraculous, for the good of all humanity." Master Fu explained. "We are chosen in childhood and trained for many years, specially for this mission. When I made a terrible mistake, and all was lost of the guardians' temple save for the remaining Miraculous within this box." The Master sighed heavily locking away the Miraculous box once more.
"Wait, but what about Hawkmoth's Miraculous?" Ladybug questioned, "Were you the one who gave him his?"
The Master shook his head, "No, of course not. The Miraculous he holds was one of two that were originally were apart of this Miraculous box, but were lost centuries ago."
"But that's part of the reason we're here today master!" Tikki suddenly said then turning towards Marin who had all eyes on him as he nervously took out the grimoire out of his messenger bag.
Both Master Fu and Wayzz were in shock as Marin handed the book over to him. "This is..." The master murmured as he opened the book, placing his hand over the pages delicately, as though the entire thing was made from dust.
"It has pictures of previous Miraculous holders." Marin said. "Master, what exactly is this book?" He asked as the master sighed heavily.
"Something incredibly invaluable." Master Fu said as he gestured for Marin to sit down while the 2 Kwami began to play together, chasing each other around the room happily. "A book that contains the spells needed to unlock the secret powers of the Miraculous."
Marin's eyes widened in surprise at this news.
"I've always believed, hoped, that whoever possessed this spellbook must also have the Peacock and the Butterfly Miraculous. How did you discover this book, Marinus?" Master Fu asked with a serious expression on his face.
Marin hesitated for a moment. "When I first saw the book it was with...a classmate. But I know him, he's a good, kind person. There's no possible way that he'd be Hawkmoth, much less a thief." Marin insisted.
Master Fu hummed for a moment stroking his beard as a playful smile broke out. "You're afraid that the one you care for could turn out to be a stranger."
Marin lowered his head, "I don't know that for certain Master. I can't jump to any conclusions" He then lifted it with a determined expression. "But if I can find a way to track down Hawkmoth and take away his Miraculous, I won't hesitate."
Master Fu closed the book, looking at Marin with a grave expression."You must be very careful, Marin. If you succeed, you may well find yourself face to face with Hawk Moth."
Marin smiled reassuringly, noticing Tikki sharing her precious macaroons with Wayzz happily. "I'll be very careful, I promise. Tikki." Marin called out as he put on his shoes, then leaving the shop with a conflicted expression as soon as he was out of sight of the master.
"Why did you take the book?"
Adrien hung his head fearfully as Nathalie showed images of him stealing the Miraculous book from his father's safe. His father had his back turned towards him as he looked out the window, radiating a quiet anger.
"I... I just wanted to know what you were hiding behind that portrait that was so important." Adrien hesitantly explained, trying not to make his voice shake. "You.. you never told me about those things. I was intending to give it back to you, I swear! But then... I lost it."
Adrien flinched slightly as he heard his father sigh heavily.
"I'm sorry... I'll get you another copy-"
"It's one of a kind!" Gabriel suddenly snapped as Adrien gripped his chair, keeping his head lowered.
His father changed lowered his tone as he then faced the door. The book's the source of my inspiration."You will be home-schooled again with Nathalie."
Adrien suddenly lifted his head, wanting to say something, but faltered as he watched his father and Natalie leave the room. Not even lifting his head as Plagg hovered nearby, nuzzling his face affectionately to try and improve his mood.
"I need to talk to Adrien..." Marin murmured as he stood just outside the school with Tikki looking up from his messenger bag.
"But Marin, what are you going to do if Adrien turns out to be Hawkmoth?" Tikki asked.
Marin looked away for a moment before he lifted his head with a determined expression. "I'll do what I have to Tikki." He said as he then walked into the school.
He looked around for a good while, getting slightly alarmed as he couldn't find Adrien anywhere. Nearby the classroom he heard crying, seeing Chloe bawl her eyes out over something. But he didn't have time for that now. He grabbed Nino as soon as he spotted him, dragging him outside the classroom.
"Hey-what gives?" Nino asked crossing his arms.
"Have you seen Adrien?" Marin asked, noticing Nino's somber expression.
"His dad grounded him over losing a book."
"A book?" Marin asked with great interest.
"Yup, it's really dumb, how much of a sticker can his dad be to imprison his son?" Nino sighed heavily, clearly missing his best friend.
Marin held out his arms as a smile broke out on Nino's face.
"You give the best hugs." Nino sighed as the two broke away.
"Don't let Alya hear you saying that, she'll get jealous." Marin chuckled.
"Nah, she'd totally agree with me."
"At least now we know what to do," Marin said as Nino tilted his head in confusion.
"Huh?"
"We need to find the book, we do that, and Adrien's dad won't have a reason to keep him at home anymore.
"Ohh, nice idea dude, I'll let everyone else know." Nino smiled as he walked back into the classroom, waving as Marin ran over to a nearby empty classroom.
Tikki flew out as Marin grinned, "So it wasn't Adrien's book. It belongs to his father!" Marin remarked sighing in relief as a wave of shock washed over him, his smile quickly fading."Oh no the book belongs to his father."
His Kwami gasped as she knew exactly who Gabriel Agreste was, knowing how much Marin admired the man's career.
"Gabriel Agreste." Marin murmured to himself. "A man who isolated himself after the disappearance of his wife. Mysterious, very intelligent, but cold, even with his own son. But if he's angry enough to lock his son away," Marin's eyes widened. "Then Adrien could be in danger!"
" You realize if your intuition is correct, then Adrien's father could be Hawkmoth." Tikki warned as Marin nuzzled her face.
"Don't worry about me sugar cube. I'll be careful. Tikki, Spots on!"
Adrien played around with the Foosball table with Plagg as the sound of piano music echoed through the background, deceiving anyone who would pass by into thinking that he was actually practicing the piano.
"Look on the bright side. Your father could've found out about me! It's a good thing we kwamis can never be filmed or photographed. Ah, those photographers have no idea what they're missing!" Plagg joked as he cheated, picking up the ball and throwing it for his point. He cheered happily, but it soon faded as he noticed Adrien's sadness.
"Come on," Plagg remarked as he flew before Adrien's face. "Return to school?! Are you crazy?! No more homework, no more alarm clocks! We should be celebrating! Hey, I know," He said picking up a jar out of the cabinet, "I named this piece El Plaggo. It's been maturing for nine hundred and ninety-nine days! I've been meaning to break it out for something special!"
Adrien was repulsed as he covered his nose. "Oh gross!"
"Jealous!" Plagg accused, smiling as he saw a smile catch on Adrien's face. But it disappeared as there was crashing heard outside the door. "What was that?!" Plagg asked placing the jar on the table.
"Nothing." Adrien said, moving towards the window. "It'll stop soon enough." He sighed, hugging himself as he rested his head on the window. He snapped out of his as he heard a scream, running towards the door. He tried to open it but it was locked from the other side. "Hey!" He called out, but only heard grunts as his bodyguard. He concluded that there must be some kind of danger as his bodyguard was instructed to lock him down inside his room to keep him safe. "I can't stay here." Adrien concluded.
He turned around to face Plagg but saw that his Kwami had retreated, replaced now with Ladybug jumping through the window, landing in his room.
Under different circumstances, he would've probably fainted on the spot.
"Ladybug?" Adrien asked in shock as the hero walked up to him.
"We need to go Mister Agreste." Ladybug said as he placed a hand on his shoulder.
Adrien looked up to him in confusion. "I don't understand, what's going on?" He asked as he heard laughing outside his door, followed up by someone calling his name.
"I'm sorry, I'll explain later. Excuse me." Ladybug said as he wrapped his arm around his waist, jumping onto the window as he used his yo-yo to jump into the city.
Adrien reflexively wrapped his arms around Ladybug's neck, holding on tightly until Ladybug then placed him on top of a nearby roof. "What's going on?" He asked as Ladybug glanced back towards his house.
"Your father's been akumatized." Ladybug said was Adrien was shaken.
"My father?!" Adrien asked in shock until Ladybug rested his hand on his shoulder.
"Don't worry, Chat Noir and I will definitely save him, but I need you to stay safe while we do so."
Adrien nodded, placing his hand over Ladybugs. "Don't worry about me."
Ladybug smiled reassuringly but hesitated for a moment. "Forgive me if I'm out of line, but your father...he doesn't seem like the most, kindly person."
Adrien looked away from a moment, "He's my father, even if he's overly strict sometimes. I know it's just because he's he doesn't want to lose anyone else."
Ladybug glanced at him for a moment before he then jumped back towards the house. As soon as the hero was out of sight, Plagg flew out of Adrien's shirt.
"Looks like you really got on your father's bad side." Plagg remarked.
"Yeah, we'd go help him out." Adrien said. "Plagg, claw's out!"
Ladybug walked through the mansion on guard as he looked around hesitantly among with upturned furniture and broken statues. He checked the study, which was the most trashed compared to the rest of the rooms. There were various idols broken as well as thrown pictures of Adrien. Ladybug knelt as he picked up a photo that Adrien seemed to have drawn when he was a child. Noticing that it had his mother with him and his father. For a moment, Ladybug felt immense sympathy for his classmate, then grew angry as to what kind of person his father was turning out to be.
"Whoa, what happened here? Looks like somebody had a little tantrum."
Ladybug heard as Chat Noir approached him, looking over his shoulder. "Gabriel Agreste has been akumatized." He could see Chat Noir's frown as Ladybug placed the photo frame back on the shelf. He hoped that this would all be fixed soon. He noticed Chat Noir glancing at the same photo looking sad. "Are you okay?" He asked.
Chat Noir nodded, "Yeah... Yeah, let's find this guy."
The two walked into the main hall where Chat Noir immediately pulled Ladybug back. "Look out!" He shouted as he grabbed Ladybug's arm, his partner then falling into his arms as the two toppled back.
"What-" Ladybug questioned for a moment as he noticed his scarf was now gone. The two heard laughing in the main hall as they now carefully entered the main hall. Both of them spotted the akumatized villain.
"Not sure I like the new look, Gabriel Agreste!" Chat Noir remarked taking out his staff.
But the villain grinned. "There is no more Gabriel Agreste. There is only...the Collector!" He informed as he threw a book towards Ladybug, which boomeranged back to its owner as soon as Ladybug evaded it.
"You won't be able to escape!" The Collector remarked as he threw the book again. This time Ladybug pushed Chat Noir out of the way as it almost hit his head, then he grabbed his partner's hand dragging him into the dining room.
"Any ideas?!" Chat Noir asked as the two pulled out their weapons.
"He has a notebook, books that are 60 to 100 pages, give or take." Ladybug informed as the two were backed into a corner. "We need to find a way to incapacitate him, or fill up that book."
The Collector smiled evilly as he entered the dining room, evading as Chat Noir threw a few chairs at him. All of which got caught within the notebook as Ladybug and Chat Noir ran towards the main hall.
"The Akuma's gotta be in that book!" Chat Noir reasoned as they hid on the second floor. "Except that if we touch it, we'll disappear!"
Ladybug hummed for a moment as he then threw his yo-yo into the air. "Lucky Charm!" He called out, then received a corkscrew opener. The two heroes exchanged a glance of confusion as The Collector walked into the main hall.
"Ladybug and Chat Noir, you shall be the masterpieces in my new book of inspiration!" He called out wandering through the mansion. Ladybug tilted his head, signaling to hide in the nearby room, in Adrien's room.
They barricaded the door entrance using the furniture in Adrien's room to delay The Collector for a little while.
"Gabriel Agreste's son isn't at home?" Chat Noir asked as Ladybug shook his head.
"I already got him to safety, couldn't take any chances." Ladybug said as he started looking around the room for something.
"You think he'd take it out on his own son?" Chat Noir asked.
"...I don't know, but I saw Adrien before, he looked miserable stuck in this room alone." Ladybug remarked he observed the second floor.
"Well, parents can be strict sometimes." Chat Noir defended.
"There's strict, and then there's Gabriel Agreste...ah ha." Ladybug said as he picked up the El Plaggo, just in time as The Collecteur was at the door.
"You cannot escape from me!" He called out as he started to make the furniture disappear. Chat Noir stood before the door as Ladybug hopped to the second floor.
"Chat Noir, we need to feed him some inspiration." Ladybug instructed trying to open the jar, but was having a little trouble.
"Should I write him a sonnet?" Chat Noir asked, taking out his staff just as The Collector entered, he threw his book at Chat Noir who evaded the attacks narrowly. He slipped up a few times, getting his belt, and his staff caught, now on the floor just as The Collector approached him with the book in hand.
"My greatest masterpiece is at my fingertips."
"You mean your greatest plagiarism!" Chat Noir retorted. "I'll have you know I'm copyrighted!"
"Chat!" Ladybug called out as he threw the opened jar towards him. Chat Noir swiftly kicked it up, then just as fast slammed it down on The Collectors head as he writhed in agony due t the smell, leaving him wide open as Chat Noir activated his power.
"Cataclysm!" Chat Noir then grabbed the book on the cover as it disintegrated, releasing the Akuma.
"No more mischief from you little Akuma. Time to purify!" Ladybug said as he swung his yo-yo towards the possessed Akuma, capturing it in one motion. Then opening it once more, watching the newly purified Akuma fly away. "Bye-bye, little butterfly. Miraculous Ladybug!" Ladybug called out, throwing up the lucky charm as everything turned back to normal.
Ladybug helped Gabriel to his feet as he noticed that Chat Noir had disappeared. "Hm." He hummed as he turned his attention towards Gabriel.
"Ladybug, what happened to me?" He asked in confusion.
"You were akumatized by Hawkmoth, but it's over now." Ladybug informed, handing his book back in one piece.
"Thank you, to you both-" He suddenly gasped, "Adrien...where is my son?!"
"Your son is safe." Ladybug reassured, but then heard footsteps as Adrien appeared at the door to his room, looking timid.
"Father!" He said as he approached. "You're okay-" He said as his father immediately hugged him on sight.
"Are you alright?" His father asked as Adrien nodded, looking away.
"Father...I really am sorry about earlier." Adrien apologized lowering his head.
Gabriel sighed, "It appears that I allowed my temper to get the better of me. However, this doesn't change the fact that you disobeyed me."
"I know." Adrien nodded as he hugged his father again.
Ladybug felt a warm feeling in his chest but turned away as his Miraculous began to beep, escaping the room.
Back at Fu's massage shop. Tikki and Wayzz are played around with the phonograph while Master Fu poured tea for the four of them while Marin set out some cookies he brought from his family's bakery.
"Gabriel Agreste was akumatized..." Marin said after he explained the situation. "What does this mean?"
"It means that perhaps the trail has gone cold." Master Fu said as Marin narrowed his eyes.
"If I were a villain who lost something important, I'd want to cover my trail." Marin reasoned as he crossed his arms. "My lucky charm disappears if I transform back without using it, would the same apply to Hawkmoth's butterflies if he tried to detransform?"
Master Fu hummed for a moment, "It would be difficult to say. When the Miraculous are used for evil, it is possible for their powers to warp according to the user."
Marin hung his head for a moment as he then folded his hands together. "Master, I know I may be asking for a lot, but if I don't return that book then my classmate won't be able to go back to school."
Master Fu nodded with a smile, "I understand Marinus." He said handing back the grimoire and holding up his tablet. "Luckily, I've already ensured that I would never lose this book again."
A smile broke out on Marin's face as Master Fu smiled cheekily, both of them turned towards their Kwami scarfing down cookies. Laughing as two had a contest of who could shove the most mini-macaroons into their mouths.
Marin sighed heavily as he held his hands together standing before Gabriel Agreste who stood towering before him atop the stairs, as though he were facing judgment.
"I'm really sorry sir, I didn't realize the book was Adrien's when I was shelving them. When I saw it fallen on the ground in the library and I just assumed it was just one of the encyclopedias."
Gabriel stared at him. "And what, if I may ask, is your relationship with my son? It was quite forward of you to personally hand me the book."
Marin evaded eye contact, sighing heavily as he then lifted his head with determined eyes. "Sir, with all due respect, I'd like you to allow Adrien to return to school."
"Oh?" Gabriel inquired with an amused expression, "And why should I heed advice from a child about how I raise my son?"
Marin didn't waver. "Because it was my fault that Adrien lost the book. Even if he did take it from you, we both know he's not the type to be irresponsible with something that is clearly very important. If you have a problem with anyone, it should be with me."
The older man scoffed, tucking the book away under his arm. "You would do well to know your place." Gabriel remarked as he then turned away, retreating to his study. "Natalie will show you out."
Marin was escorted, nodding towards Gabriel's secretary as he was effectively, kicked out of Adrien's home.
"It was really brave what you just did for Adrien." Tikki said poking her head out of Marin's jacket pocket. "But aren't you worried about getting on that man's bad side?"
"All that matters is for Adrien to be allowed out of the house again, it doesn't matter what Gabriel Agreste thinks of me."
Adrien's attention was grabbed as he noticed someone familiar walking out of his house just as he was returning from fencing practice. He wanted to get a better look of this person, but Natalie was already waiting for him at the top of the stairs. Walking in, she gestured towards his father's study.
Adrien suddenly felt anxious as he walked in. His father was already working on new designs at his desktop when he walked in.
"I'm sorry I became so furious over a book." His father suddenly said, glancing towards him from across the room. "Tomorrow you may return to school."
Adrien's eyes widened in surprise. "Do you mean it father?" He asked hopefully as he watched his father open up the safe behind the portrait of his mother. Seeing that he had the book back. "That's..."
"The book was the very last gift your mother gave to me before...before she disappeared," Gabriel said closing the portrait. "All I have left of her is this book...and you, and I hope that in the future, you'll take care to remember that everything I do is for your best interests."
Adrien nodded, smiling, "I will, thank you, father." But just before he left the room he turned back. "Where did you find the book?"
"One of your classmates dropped it off, apparently you had dropped it in the school library." He said simply. As Adrien's eye widened in surprise, closing the door on his way out.
The next day at school Adrien was surrounded by his classmates and hugs as they were all glad to see him. Marin smiled to himself, isolated from the rest as he needed to see Master Fu. He waved to a few of his classmates and friends as he stood at the entrance of the building, smiling up at the clear sky.
"Marin."
Marin turned around in surprise to see Adrien standing behind him.
"Hey." Marin murmured as he averted his gaze as usual.
"You got a sec?" Adrien asked sitting down on the stairs as Marin mirrored him, placing his messenger bag in his lap.
They sat there in silence for a little while until Adrien spoke up again. "I'm not really good at stuff like this." He said as though he were admitting something serious, smiling sheepishly.
"Stuff like what?" Marin inquired.
"This, sitting in one place, talking about my feelings." He said looking up towards the sky as he rested his hands behind him.
"I know the feeling." Marin admitted as well, sighing, noticing Adrien had turned towards him.
"Marin, I-"
"Hey guys, Cutie pie. " Nino greeted sitting down between them with a cheeky grin. "What'cha talkin' about?" He asked as Marin chuckled as Adrien looked like he might snap.
"Hi Cookie." Marin greeted as Nino gave him a tight hug, to which Marin returned with the same strength. Nino then turned to Alya who sat on Marin's other side.
"See, this is what I'm talking about, firm, warm, plus he smells like bakery stuff."
Alya hummed for a moment as she too hugged Marin, who was trying to hold back his laughter while hugging his two friends. "Yup, I see what you mean. This is a hug I could get into."
"Right? Hey Adrien, you want in on this-" Nino asked.
"OH, MY GOODNESS CAN YOU GUYS NOT? PLEASE." Adrien pleaded as Marin was surprised, while Alya quickly grabbed Nino's hand. The two clearly had planned this from the start as now they were laughing like maniacs.
"They're so cute together," Marin commented with a smile. "I'm sorry, did you want a hug to-"
"Please be my friend."
"Huh?"
"I really like you, I know Nino and Alya do as well..." Adrien said then chuckled to himself, "I've actually been trying to ask you for a while...but stuff just kept coming up." He murmured as he saw Marin's stunned face. "Okay wow, I probably shouldn't have asked. Have a nice life I will...leave...now." He said standing up, but was surprised as Marin grabbed onto his hand.
"No wait, I- I mean...I'd really like that!" As soon as he realized what he was doing he let go, now standing himself gripping the sash of his messenger bag with a red face that he was trying to hide behind his hands.
"I'd uh, I think I'd like that hug?" Adrien asked smiling brightly, unable to stop himself from teasing his new friend. Marin peaked out from behind his fingers, holding out his arms as Adrien stepped into a comfortable embrace. Wrapping his arms around his new friend as he noticed all of those that his best friend pointed out earlier. He couldn't resist resting his head on Marin's shoulder, sighing. "Nino's right, do you give good hugs."
Marin sat on the porch of his room wearing his pajamas under a black hoodie, resting against the railing as night fell.
"What are you thinking?" Tikki asked hovering nearby.
"I'm a Miraculous holder, it's up to me and Chat Noir to make sure that no one gets hurt because of Hawkmoth. The grimoire was in Gabriel Agreste's possession, probably for years. But the master lost track of it and the other Miraculous a long time before that. Which brings up the question, why would one of the most powerful men in the world want our Miraculous?" Marin sighed, "...maybe this is just a coincidence?" Marin rested his head on his hand sighing heavily as he bit the bottom of his lip, "But most important of all if Gabriel Agreste is Hawkmoth...it would crush Adrien. I know, I shouldn't be thinking about him in all this, his father is...seems unkindly but even so Adrien still cares about him. Even if I could take the Miraculous from Gabriel Agreste, what would become of the relationship with his son?"
"I thought you were a think with your head hero." Tikki lightly teased sitting on Marin's shoulder.
"I am. If I'm thinking that Gabriel is Hawkmoth then it'll involve Adrien no matter what. He's his father after all."
"It a lot to process, you'd need to be absolutely certain that Gabriel is Hawkmoth if you ever decide to pursue him. Maybe you should talk to Chat Noir?" Tikki suggested.
Marin shook his head, "My head is just scrambled from everything that happened today, but even I realize that almost everything I have is circumstantial. If I could get something solid, then maybe... But for now," He said turning towards his room. "I think it's time for bed." He said as Tikki nodded. "Maybe we'll go see Master Fu tomorrow and bring by some cookies."
"Oooo, yes. I want Wayzz to try the chocolate ones!" Tikki remarked as she nuzzled her partner.
"Anything for you and Wayzz, sugar cube."