Ch17

Adrien tossed and turned in his bed. "No mom," he muttered fear spreading throughout his body. His body tensed up as he saw her face in his head. "Mom," he said desperately.

"Adrien take care darling," she said kissing his cheeks.

"Mom don't go!" he yelled as she walked down the stairs of the mansion. "Mom!"

"I'm sorry Adrien I have to go for now," his mom said her face wet with tears as she opened the door. "Mommy loves you."

"Mom!" he called as she opened the door. "Mom! Don't go."

His body tensed as various emotions tears fell down his face as he felt someone shaking. "Adrien calm down wake up!"

He slowly started to regain consciousness as he felt someone shake him. "Adrien calm down," said a familiar voice.

His vision foggy with tears as he opened his eyes. His room was dark but standing over him was Felix who was gripping him tightly. "F-Felix," he said softly his body slowly relaxing. His heart raced in his chest and he was covered in sweat.

"You were having quite the nightmare," Felix said as he sat down on his bed. "Was it about your mother?"

He flinched and looked down before slowly shaking his head. "Y-Yeah."

Felix handed him a tissue which he used to clean his face. "I try to put on a brave face but each day I miss her more," he said softly.

"She was a great person," Felix said softly. "My mom spoke highly of her." His cousin folded his arms and looked up at the ceiling. "Do you remember how she passed?"

He frowned. "I-I don't know," he said softly trying to remember the details of that day. "It all happened so fast."

Felix's posture stiffened. "Were you with her when she passed?"

He shook his head. "No. Father wouldn't let me." A part of him was bitter over that but on the other hand he wondered if he could would be able to see his mother dying.

"How was the funeral?" Felix asked softly.

"It was alright. I saw her body, she looked peaceful," he said trying to remember the day. "I wasn't allowed to touch though. I can't explain it but my dad was protective of her and the funeral." A lump began to form in his throat as his mind went back to that day. "There were things even I wasn't allowed to see or witness."

"It must have been hard for you," Felix said. "To not be able to see her in her last moments."

He clenched his sheets and nodded. "Yeah it wasn't easy. But I try to be strong for everyone, especially for my father." The memories were still fresh in his head, he missed his mother no matter how hard he tried to hide it.

"Well you don't have to shoulder your burdens alone," Felix said as he got up and looked him in the eyes. "Adrien you only live once you should find what makes you happy. You're a great person and the city of Paris owes a lot to you. Don't ever forget that I'm here for you."

He nodded, a part of him was suspicious about all these questions about his mother but he brushed them off thinking his cousin just wanted to help him out. "Thanks Felix."

His cousin nodded. "Good night."

Somehow he managed to sleep the remainder of the night. "I haven't had a dream about her for a while," he muttered the next morning as he got ready for the day.

"Maybe you should talk about it more instead of repressing it?" Plagg suggested.

"Maybe," he sighed as he exited his room.

Felix greeted him at the door. "You alright?"

He smiled at his cousin. "Yeah I'm better. I'm going to see Alya later did you want to come?'

Felix shook his head. "I'm good. I don't know her and it would be awkward if her family was there."

"Ah ok well have a good day," he said.

Felix nodded before heading up to his room. I wonder if he just doesn't feel comfortable with other people. His cousin was much more socially awkward than him and he could tell he wasn't too pleased that he had friends from school.

Maybe I could change his jealous? He thought as his bodyguard escorted him to his car. Maybe I could show him what friendship is like?

He knew it wouldn't be easy but he wanted to help his cousin just like he helped him. He thought of what could work, Felix got along ok with him and Kagami thought not with Chloe (not that many people did). Maybe he could learn to relate to others while he is a superhero? It works with me?

Upon arriving in class he found Nino at their desk. "Hey dude what's up?" He asked.

Nino looked up at him with a sorrowful gaze. "Hey sorry I've just been worried about Alya, she still hasn't woken up."

His heart fell as he sat down. I'm so sorry Nino. Swallowing the lump in his throat he forced himself to maintain composure. "You know I talked to my bodyguard, he is willing to turn a blind eye after school so I can visit her."

Nino's eyes lit up. "Thanks dude that means a lot."

He smiled at his friend. "No worries. I hope she gets well." Plagg I hope what you say is correct. Hopefully you can remove whatever curse you put on her.

The door opened and he saw Marinette walk in, she looked even more exhausted than Nino though when their gazes met he noticed a slight glimmer in her eyes

"A-Adrien," she croaked.

Oh boy. He forced a polite smile on his face and nodded politely. "Good morning Marinette," he said politely before looking down at his notes. Please don't make this awkward.

"Hey Marinette why don't you take a seat," Nino said. "Me and Adrien want to compare notes."

Out of the corner of his eyes, he noticed her frown but slowly nodded before going to her seat with a deflated look on her face.

He winced as he felt a hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry dude you have a right to your personal space, if you aren't ready to talk to her than it's ok," Nino said firmly.

He smiled at his friend. "Thanks. I know she is nice and all but what she did sort of made me uncomfortable, my dad wasn't happy either."

"Well you have a right to say no to anyone," Nino said. "As much as Marinette is my friend you have a right to your boundaries and privacy."

"Thanks. Hopefully, in the future, we can reconcile," he said just as their teacher walked in and class began.

School was alright nothing, new thought he found himself thinking of his cousin and Alya. When school finally ended he told his bodyguard to drive to the hospital where Alya was at.

"Are you sure you can do it Plagg?" He asked under his breath as they drove through Paris.

His kwami nodded. "I can. I honestly am sorry about all this, I didn't intend to hurt her I just wanted to be with you again."

He smiled at his kwami. "Don't worry we'll make it up to her somehow."

I don't know how but I'll see what I can do. His heart raced in his chest as his limo pulled up to the hospital. "I'll call you when I'm done," he said to his bodyguard who nodded and drove off.

Taking a deep breath he faced the hospital. "Lets do this." His heart raced in his chest as he walked in and asked the receptionist for Alya's room.

He carefully scanned the halls as he walked towards the room. Upon arriving at the door he looked at it and knocked. No answer. "Excuse me," he said as he opened the door.

The room was quiet, as he walked in he looked around but saw no one. Maybe her family is out? He saw Alya's body resting on the bed her face calm as if she were sleeping. "Alright lets do this," he muttered as he double checked to make sure the room was empty. He locked the door and pulled the curtain to hide the bed before sitting down next to Alya.

"Alright Plagg do your thing," he said softly.

His kwami came out and nodded. "On it."

Plagg flew towards Alya muttering something in a strange language before landing on a finger with a cat's paw on it. The symbol glowed a bit before slowly disappearing.

His heart raced in his chest as he watched Plagg while also making sure no one else was around. After what seemed like an eternity the mark disappeared and Plagg turned to him. "It's done, the curse I put is removed, she'll wake up soon."

"That's a relief," he sighed.

Plagg nodded. "She was a good girl, she really was. It's a shame that it went down the way it did."

"Well I'll apologize to her when I can," he said softly as his kwami flew into the ring.

He quickly unlocked the door and sat back down as Alya winced in bed. Come on Alya wake up.

The door opened and he nearly leaped out of his seat. Turning around he saw Nino and Alya's parents. "Hello," he said awkwardly.

"Hey dude glad you could make it," Nino said. "I was talking with Alya's parents."

He greeted them with a smile just as Alya groaned in the bed.

"Alya!" Nino yelled running over to hug her.

He stepped to the side as Alya's family embraced her. I'm glad you are well. The next few minutes were chaotic as doctors came in and took her vitals.

"Alya dear how are you?" Her mother asked.

"I-I'm fine," Alya said rubbing her head.

"Who through you down there! I'll teach them a lesson," her father said.

"It's alright," Alya said rubbing her head. "I don't remember much that happened."

"Dear lets give her some space," Alya's mother said.

"Alya I missed you so much," Nino said hugging her.

"I'm glad I'm back Nino," Alya said before turning to him. "Adrien I'm glad you are here too. I heard you were away."

He laughed nervously. "Y-Yeah I just came by to check on you. I've um been here for a while now."

"That's good to hear," Alya said. "Marinette will be lucky to have you back."

He and Nino exchanged a look. "Uh why don't you just rest," Nino said. "Do you remember anything?"

"It's all fuzzy," Alya muttered. "I'm not sure sorry."

His heart raced in his chest, he didn't know if she literally forgotten or was just hiding the fact that she used the cat miraculous. Alya didn't want to speak much, she mainly ate some hospital food and caught up with Nino, after a while he decided to give them some privacy.

"Man that was exhausting," he muttered as he exited the hospital. "But we did it."

Plagg came out of the ring and rested on his shoulder. "Yeah we did. Hopefully, she doesn't take it too hard."

He nodded as his limo pulled up. "Actions have consequences. I'll make sure to not act rashly again."

Felix carefully opened the door to his uncle's study and found it empty. What is your secret uncle?

Letting himself in he placed a heat tracing monocle on his eye. The room became lit up with the residue of fingerprints and footsteps.

Carefully looking around he saw fingerprints on the wall where a safe was hidden. So out in the open. He turned around to look at the large painting on the wall. He frowned as he noticed the trace of repeated fingerprints on a few select squares on the wall.

Leaning forward he carefully analyzed them. Just what are you doing here uncle? Tapping his foot on the ground he heard the ever faint click of metal. Looking down he saw that a part of the ground was colder than the others. A secret passage? Interesting.

Curiosity swelled up inside of him but as he reached out to the painting he heard the sound of a car pulling up. Damn it.

He quickly put the monocle away and exited his uncle's study. The front door opened and Adrien came in. "How did it go?" he asked as followed his cousin up to his room.

"Good she's awake now," Adrien said softly as they entered his room. "You want to patrol again later?"

He shrugged. "Sure why not."

Adrien smiled at him. "Great let me do my homework first."

"Sounds good," he said before giving his cousin privacy.

Should I tell him? He debated in his head as he went to his own room. What would I tell him that his father has a secret room? I should wait till I have more information. His mind raced on what is his uncle could be hiding, deep down he knew something was off about his uncle he just didn't know what it could be. He is hiding something from Adrien and the world, just what is it?

He tried to think of various possibilities as he searched the internet for anything out of the ordinary pertaining to his uncle. One thing kept edging at his mind. It must be about Auntie Emilie, I can just feel it.

A knock on the door snapped him out of his thoughts. "Hey Felix I already finished my homework want to go out now?"

He stood up and closed his laptop. "Sure."

Adrien smiled at him and closed the door to his room. "Plagg claws out!"

"Pollen buzz on!"

In a blink of an eye they were both transformed into their superhero personas. This is pretty fun. Looking down at his suit he flexed his arm. Yeah I'm going to have fun with this.

"Looking good Felix," Cat Noir said with a mischievous grin.

He smirked at his cousin. "Of course."

The two cousins laughed before they jumped out of the room and into city and raced from building to building. It was a nice Parisian evening and so far no akumas. "Hey Hive how do you like wielding a miraculous?" Cat Noir asked.

"It's fun," he said. "Personally I've never felt more free in my life." Here he was just a carefree superhero and didn't have to worry about a bunch of family drama.

His cousin smiled at him. "Yeah I get that. As Cat Noir I'm not bogged down by the restraints of being my civilian form. I can let loose and do what I want."

"Yeah I can see that," he said. Looking into Cat Noir's eyes there was a glimmer of happiness in them that Adrien Agreste didn't always have, a glimmer of freedom unrestrained by parental overprotection.

"I hope you can experience the same joy I have," Cat Noir said as they rested on a rooftop. His cousin looked down at the streets. "Your father was hard on you just like mine is. I hope you learn to come out of your shell just like I am learning to."

He winced. "Personally I never really thought of making friends. This may sound harsh but outside you and Kagami I never felt the need to."

Friends. My father said they were just tools to be used.

Cat Noir sighed. "I understand that. But I know if you open up to others even a little bit you can find some happiness."

Happiness. He opened his mouth just as he heard a figure land behind them.

They both turned around to see an Asian man in monk robes glaring at them. "Can we help you?" Cat Noir asked.

The man assumed a fighting stance. "I am Su Han and have come to retrieve your miraculouses."

The hairs on his neck stood up, this man meant business and he could tell he could back up his threats with action.

Cat Noir folded his arms. "What for?"

Careful this guy has training. Su Han's stance was a mixture of Tibetan and Chinese martial arts his gaze bore into them with nothing but contempt.

"I take care of rogue miraculous holders," Su Han said. "Since you both don't respect the guardian I'll take them from you. Hand them over less I take them from your dead bodies."

He placed a hand on Cat Noir's shoulder and gripped it tightly. "Be careful this guy is strong." A bit of fear crept into his voice whoever this man was serious.

Cat Noir looked at him and nodded. "Then we'll do this together."

He nodded and stepped forward. "We won't give them to you. We cut ties with Ladybug because she doesn't respect us. We don't mind working with her but we won't bow down to someone who treats us unfairly."

"Defying the guardian and stealing a miraculous are your crimes! The cat must submit!" Su Han declared. "For that you shall suffer."

The monk charged at him. He raised his hands to block the attack and winced when it hit. Damn it this guys is strong. He tried counter with his own attacks but Su Han countered them. Each of his strikes here blocked and the man struck back with twice the amount of force.

His instincts and training kicked in, he wasn't about to lose to some monk. He wasn't about to let this guy take away Adrien's happiness.

"Hive!" Cat Noir yelled as he came at Su Han with his staff.

The monk effortlessly blocked the staff with his hand before kicking Cat Noir in the stomach sending him flying towards a chimney. "So sad that a boy like you wields such immense power," Sun Hand said darkly. "You really are unworthy of such greatness."

"You bastard," he spat as lunged at Su Han.

The two exchanged a series of blows. His body slowly was becoming accustomed to the monk's attacks but the realization as slowly coming to him that this man was not an opponent he could beat.

Out of the corner of his eyes Cat Noir leaped to his defense. Su Han leaped out of the range of the baton as the two of them began to fight him head on.

Cat Noir managed to keep Su Han at a distance with the baton while he kept the monk from getting too close. I haven't faced an opponent like this in a while. Someone stronger and maybe smarter than me. Finally a challenge.

He blocked one of Su Han's strikes with his hand and tried to throw him only for the monk to throw him on the ground. "Thieves like shall pay!" Su Han declared as he struck him in the gut

His eyes went wide as the air was knocked out of him. "Hive!" Cat Noir yelled.

His vision blurred as he hit the ground and spat out blood. "I'm fine," he said cleaning the blood from his lips.

Cat Noir helped him his eyes fully of worry. "We should get out of here."

He shook his head. "I doubt he'll let us, we'll have to end this one way or another."

"You both done?" Su Han asked as he cracked his knuckles. "You both cannot win. I've studied both of your powers well."

"Well you haven't fought us," Cat Noir said coldly his gaze narrowing as he formed a fighting stance. "We won't let you have our miraculouses."

Su Han's nostrils flared. "Then you both shall perish."

He pushed Cat Noir back ready for round two when a familiar figure jumped in between them. "Wait!" Viperion yelled. "You said you wouldn't hurt them."

Su Han folded his arms. "I had a change of heart. These two are dangerous."

Viperion stood in front of them. "If you fight them you fight me. They agreed to cooperate with me and Ladybug which should be good enough. Now leave."

Su Han glared at them as they drew their weapons. "Fine," he said curtly. "But if I hear of any more disobedience they shall suffer."

Thankfully the monk left. "You guys ok?" Viperion asked.

He groaned and rubbed where the monk hit him. "Somewhat." I can't believe some monk defeated me. His pride was wounded, he wasn't going to let this insult stand.

"Well you saved this cat," Cat Noir said with a grin. "He took a few lives from me."

He nodded his body slowly calming down. "Who is he?"

Viperion sighed. "Some monk from a temple who claims to be a guardian of some kind. He already doesn't like Ladybug, I recommend you guys keep a low profile, he seems to want you both to step in line."

"We'll consider that," Cat Noir said.

He nodded his posture turning rigid as he looked to where the man fled. His blood boiled, and few people could beat him in a fight. The fact that they both nearly lost damaged his pride. We'll be prepared next time. Adrien I won't let anyone take away your happiness.

His mind began to prepare various schemes and ideas on what he could do. Whoever this man was he would prepare for him. This will be the strongest fight I've done in a long time. But as his gaze turned to Cat Noir his heart softened. But for him. For the one person who was always there for me I'll do anything.