[This story takes place after the defeat of Hawk Moth in season five with an alternate consequence to Garbiel Agreste's wish. It's a dark storyline with difficult themes. I hope you enjoy it as I'm trying my best to tell the story in an interesting manner.]

Adrien

"So, you wanna come over tonight? I got that game you were talking about but i've got no idea how to play," Adrien chuckled to himself half heartedly. His left hand ran up and down his right upper arm, he hated to have to ask; it made him feel incredibly vulnerable, but that was the only way he could be less alone today.

"I wish I could, bro, but I've got that gig for the opening of that club that's down the street from the university. I told you about it, no? The manager said he's gonna give us free drinks during our set, haha!" Nino was beaming, opportunities like this are rare and he was pumped. Adrien sighed, he knew It was a long shot.

After graduating from high school, it seemed like all his friends had taken their own brilliant path, learning and becoming adults all on their own. The only thing that united them, the Miraculous, were not even being used in Paris. There was a quiet period after Hawk Moth was defeated, no villains, no destruction, no Miraculous. It was as if Adriens life had returned to before he was chosen as a holder; bleak, boring and lonely. He felt like he was still just a hopeless kid playing heroes as everyone else passed him by.

"Oh, right. Well have fun with that, make sure to let me know when you're down to hang out," Adrien said quite unenthusiastically.

"Well the opening is free for the public, why don't you stop by? I'm sure I could score you a shot or two."

"No, I'm good. Just give me the play by play next time." Adrien took his hand to his forehead, rubbing it to comfort himself. He's angry, but unwilling to show it. This was a new feeling that often overtook the sadness he felt. Adrien was becoming less and less of the bright and brilliant person he used to be.

"Hah! You got it, man! It's gonna be insane." Nino paused for a second, he could tell Adrien was feeling some type of way, but Nino no longer understood Adriens plights. Over time his problems became complex, and Nino just couldn't keep up, like many of his other friends. "You know, I can carve out some time next week, I don't wanna make it seem like i dont wanna hang out with my number one pal, afterall." Adrien's anger bubbled up even hotter in his throat.

"Hm. Number one, huh?" The petty nature of his words wore down Ninos pity. "Im pretty sure that busted turntable is your number one."

"Dude, i'm just a little busy, I gotta prioritize my art right now, but i never leave you hanging, right?" Adrien scoffed hearing those words through the phone. Wasn't he leaving him hanging right now?

"Talk to you later, man." Frustration and guilt made every cell in his body feverish as Adrien hung up. He slumped back in his chair, head in hands. His face burned with the venom he wanted to let out.

"Fuck." He stood up from the chair in a violent thrust, marching to the mirror across from him, leaning precariously against the wall. He threw a fist into the reflective surface, shattering the mirror into countless pieces. He huffed, stewed anger bubbling down. For a split second, he looked to his fist in a panic, searching for the black cat ring he had long since stopped wearing on the regular. He sighed at its absence, placing his forehead on the cool surface of the wall that was behind the now shattered mirror.

The black cat ring was not gone, he had it in his bedside drawer at all times in case of an emergency, but after what happened with Ladybug, it just seemed to reckless to wear it all the time, the power of destruction, negativity and violence right at his literal fingertip.

Sometimes, though, when he felt like there was nothing that could possibly calm his seething anger, he'd put on the ring just to see himself succumbed by his negativity. The Miraculous would change his appearance into that of a totally different person, he was no longer Cat Noir, he was… something horrible, twisted and irresponsible. It was a black curiosity. He'd stare at himself in his mirror and allow himself to go into the city to destroy something small; to appease his desire for destruction. Afterward, he'd come home, detransform, and lay in his bed. He'd think about how selfish and stupid he was. Anger twisted into depressive episodes.

Tonight was one of those days. He'd been locked up in his home for weeks, avoiding work, ditching university classes and wasting away. Nino's rejection of his invitation was the breaking point for his fragile state of mind. Adrien lifted his head off the wall with a sunken look and determined aura, it was more energy than he'd had in weeks. He marched to his bedside table, pulling out a drawer that contained the small Miraculous box. He gently pulled open the lid, taking the ring and sliding it on with a shaky hand.

A being came flowing out from the jewelry, its mouth sealed by a mysterious symbol. Its face frightened, but mostly pitiful.

"Plagg," Adrien spoke with venom, "Claws out."

Marinette

It was already close to closing time, the sun had gone down but the customers just kept coming. Marinette and her father hurriedly put pastries in white boxes as per the customers demands. 8pm and the line was still out the door.

"Dad, this is insane! Where's mom? Wasn't she supposed to help us with the rush?" Marinette handed off yet another box of chouquettes, almost forgetting to put a bow on top.

"I know sweety, i'm so grateful for the business, but this just isn't feasible. Your mother will be busy at the university art gallery until 9pm. Don't you know anyone you can call to help?" Marinette's father looked at her full of hope, and perhaps a bit of desperation.

"Im sorry, dad, but everyone is so occupied these days. I mean, we don't even hang out anymore…" Marinette's packing of sweets slowed as she gained a hurt expression. Her father noticed and gave her a small side hug.

"Oh, I know. Once you become an adult it becomes so much harder to connect. That doesn't mean it's impossible though, you just have to hold out for those special occasions that you do spend time together." Marinette smiled up at her father, it was definitely forced, but she knew she needed to snap out of the grief one way or another. Her father could tell with just a glance that she was still struggling, but he didn't think it was appropriate to poke the bear.

After Hawk Moth's defeat, Marinette had experienced something she'd never soon forget at the hands of Cat Noir. Something in him broke, and after the events of that day, something in Marinette was destroyed as well. Everyone could tell, she carried herself differently, she was missing her lust for life and bright gleaming aura. However, Marinette's stubborn sense of justice and responsibility caused her to repress the feelings and events in everyday life; after a while, people thought her charismatic act was her true self coming out again. She was laser focused on her new path, designing accessories for small brands and keeping herself busy, away from the stomach churning feeling she had when thinking of the black cat.

"Oh, that's right, I forgot to tell you," Marinette's words snapped Tom back into the moment, forcing him to forget about his daughter's progressively pale expression. "I won't be able to help you guys for a few weeks, deadline crunch." Marinette shrugged, looking away from her fathers eyes.

"Deadline crunch? I thought you just finished that one handbag design last week?" Marinette's father looked slightly flustered, he didn't like when she stayed locked up in her apartment too long. She was working a lot with breaks that were far and few between.

"That was last week, this is this week. Different company, papa." She looked unbothered, but she was definitely tired.

"Well, I really appreciate your help here in the bakery, especially when your mother is busy with her art things, but…" Marinette continued to package boxes as he spoke, only slightly registering Tom's words; she'd already made up her mind about what she was doing, his opinion did not matter to her. "But… I understand you have a lot going on! We'll manage. I hope the designs come out good, sweety." He patted Marinette on the head, she rolled her eyes with a smile.

"I'm a professional, dad, my designs are always good." They both laughed and continued to pack up sweets.