This is some wonderful dream I tell myself, but no. I know its only Mother's memory. Still, I get to hear her laugh, her voice.
"My, Adrien, you grown so much. And who is this with you?" she asks, smiling at my partner. How shall I introduce her? Ladybug, no, Mother should know the truth. "This is Marinette." "So, your the next Ladybug that has been protecting Paris since I've been away." Ladybug takes my hand. "Yes, ma'am, and I couldn't ask for a better Cat Noir in your son." Mother laughs gently. "I'm not surprised you picked the name Cat Noir, sweetie. But did you tell her why you chose that name?" I shake my head.
"When Adrien was small, I would always read him a series of books about a hero named Cat Noir. Adrien admired him quite a bit, and we would have many adventures playing him out in the garden. Do you remember when you asked me to make you a stuffed cat for your sixth birthday?" I blush, scratching the back of my neck. "I may have even begged a little. I didn't mean to nag you, Mother."
"Still polite as always. Now, you must be hungry and thirsty from your travels, and even if I cannot join you, I can help you find food and drink. Come, follow me."
I want to ask Marinette to pinch me and I'll wake up from this wonderful dream. I keep having to tell myself this is real, and I can even hear the gentle swishing and rustling of Mother's dress.
Mother leads us to a large cave, the tunnel leaving us behind and we stare up into the large opening. Twisted things like snakes line the dirt-encrusted walls. "Roots and branches," Mother explains. "Its quite safe to make a fire here."
I gather branches, helping Marinette to start the fire. Soon, we are eating a cozy dinner and drinking tea and Marinette asks, "If I may ask, what's a statue of you doing underground?" Mother smiles. "Well, like Adrien's father, I spent a short time studying at the Temple, and I saved one of the students and they made a statue in my honor. I don't know why its underground, though." "Could Scorpius have anything to do with it?" Marinette asks quietly. Mother's face pinches up in worry. "Who?"
Taking turns, we explain the villain Scorpius, and why we're here in Tibet. Mother nods knowingly. "You were met to come here. After all, your soulmates." "Yes, but every time we get close, we're torn apart again!" I cannot keep the anger from my voice and stand up. "I need a minute."
"Take the left fork, dear. There's something you need to see."
I scatter little rocks and dirt as I traverse down the path, and I see a glimmering glint of water and head towards it. I sigh, plopping down at the water's edge, dipping my feet into the water. Scorpius has once again reminded me that he is another wedge that drives M'lady and I apart. But aside from that, what path am I supposed to be on? What would I be doing if I wasn't chasing a villain half-way across the world? Or even at school?
No wonder Father made all the decisions for you, a small voice yammers away in my head. Because even you knew you'd never be able to make up your mind. Oh, yeah? I yell back at it, I never had choices in the first place! I was controlled!
Angrily, I sluice my feet through the water, then stop suddenly as the water begins to swirl. For a second, I'm afraid, but no. The water is trying to tell me something.
Every time I did a good deed as Cat Noir, or cheered up Marinette, a happy glow is on my face. But then the water changes again, and I see my Cat and Adrien face fractured by the water different pieces of both of sides, like a disorganized puzzle. I feel so lost.
Yet, Marinette was there, nearly all the time, sometimes as Ladybug and sometimes my Princess. When I would feel lost, even back then, she would give me advice, help me find the way through the storm. My compass. My soulmate. Oh, how right Mother was. Whatever I end up doing, I'll do it with Marinette at my side.
Suddenly longing for her touch, I head back quietly through the passageway. Ladybug sees me first, holding her arms open for me, a irresistible invitation, and like a happy kitten, I clamber into her arms.
Mother watches as Marinette strokes my hair as I find her heartbeat, the gentle thump calming down my fears.
Eventually, Marinette falls asleep, and I wriggle gently away, pouring tea from the fire.
"She's so gentle, yet brave, a perfect match for you," Mother says. I look over at where Marinette's eyes flutter in sleep. "At times, she is still more confident in the mask. She calls me her voice of reason."
"Its good to see you, even though I'm just a memory." "I know," I whisper hoarsely, wishing I could reach out and touch her.
Just then, I leap as Marinette begins to toss and turn, having a nightmare. I rock her gently until she falls back asleep.
"We should take a cue from her," Mother says, and I nod.
Amnesia watched the scene from her hideout from behind the rocks. It was true, Cat and Ladybug seemed to be on a special wavelength, their own form of commutation without having to say a word. But what would happen if Cat forgot who she was, who he was?
Silently as a shadow, she skirted rocks and wandered over to the sleeping cat. Cat's eyes fluttered open as his hearing could detect the smallest of heartbeats. "Who are you?" he muttered sleepily.
"Amenisa, but you won't remember my name, nor soon your own. Now let the fog of sleep take over…" Cat could only remember a face as pale as the moon, a black dress, and eyes that resembled black holes.
Would Cat remember anything in the morning, for if he didn't would Ladybug be able to free him from Scorpius latest ploy?