Chapter Thirty-Seven
"My name is Nino. Nino Lahiffe."
The name that fell from Carapace's lips seemed to hit Blue Wing straight into the heart.
His breathing hitched, the familiar name not being the one that the Turtle hero should be saying. He stared down at the hero's prone form, frozen in the beam of Lighteye, lips aglow as he was forced to speak. It was impossible for a lie to be spoken like Truth's power touched him– but that could be the only answer, because he couldn't be, he couldn't be–
But the glamour around Carapace was already falling away. Dark skin, amber eyes– the exact same as the one who would hold him so tenderly. The subtle shifts in Carapace's hood that dipped down to cover the scars that only Silver Paw had been inflicted with. That desperate gaze locked on him, Nino looking straight at him and only him as he always did.
Blue couldn't move, he couldn't breathe, he could only watch Carapace– Nino– as he stood there petrified. The realization that Carapace and Silver Paw were one of the same didn't seem to merge in his mind, because they couldn't be the same. One was the hero, and the other was his hero. An enemy and the one he loved, two who couldn't actually be one and the same.
A perfect Turtle, a Fox of Deception.
Carapace's timer must have been low, having drained its power– but no longer did that matter for Carapace, even being unable to escape. His name had been spoken, it was out there for the world to know, the truth no longer hidden.
"Nino," Hawk Moth spoke, and Blue flinched as his father spoke the name he had done so much for him to never know. There was no familiarity in his voice yet, just a glee from the fact that he now knew who was lurking behind a mask. "Now, tell me, Nino Lahiffe, why did Ladybug choose you to be a hero?"
Blue's eyes flickered to the heroines' for a moment, the fear on their faces clear, before his gaze was once more locked on Carapace. You could see the struggle on his face as he tried to fight the words being forced from him, his resistance unable to even slow his reply.
"She didn't. Panthera did," Carapace said, and shivers raced through Blue Wing as their eyes met. "She thought I would be a perfect holder for the Turtle so she came to me. Even though I told her not to pick me."
"Why? Didn't you want to be a hero?" His father spoke in a mocking tone, savoring the control he now had, perhaps not even truly caring for the answers he was getting– the name was all he had truly wanted.
"Because I'm not a hero," Carapace answered, and Blue Wing couldn't move, not with those eyes refusing to look away from him. "I'm Silver Paw."
"Silver Paw?" Hawk Moth echoed, and then he let out a laugh. "Oh really? I must say I was not expecting that. And how have you managed that, dear Nino?"
"Sometimes I'm Silver Shell too," Carapace replied. "When I unify the Miraculouses, and I use my illusions to hide me."
He needed to do something– but what, he did not know. This, this was what they wanted. This was why they had created this akuma and avatar. They needed this information, yet this had been the one thing he had so desperately been trying to keep from Father. But did it even matter anymore, when it was already out there? Already known before he could have even attempted to stop it.
Would he even want to now if he could?
"I told my son again and again that you were not to be trusted," Hawk Moth turned away from the stiffened form of Carapace, and he felt his father's eyes on him– but he couldn't look away. Not from Nino. "I knew that Silver Paw was using you, Blue Wing. Placed there by the heroes to get to you, trying to get information, to keep you from me. Deceptive just like the very Miraculous he wears."
A flash of green surrounded Carapace, the transformation falling away to at last to show Nino. No hood, no mask, no goggles, nothing between him and that painfully familiar face. For a moment Blue Wing didn't even take in a breath, pain flaring through his heart– because this couldn't be happening. Nino wasn't supposed to be there, Nino was supposed to be the one that would be there for him!
Tears stung his eyes as he forced himself to take in a ragged breath, the world starting to spin from the lack of oxygen. Duusu's presence spiraled in his mind, echoing the same panic that he felt.
Nino struggled against the spotlight that kept him rooted to the street, forcing himself to rise to his feet. Hands curled, face twisted as he glowered up at Hawk Moth with the same hatred he had always had. Two kwamis were on his shoulders– Trixx and the Turtle pressing close to him. He began to speak once more– this time prompted by no one but himself.
"Maybe you should turn your akuma on yourself!" Nino snarled. "Because maybe I have to speak the truth– but that's not stopping you from telling your own lies! I have never tried to trick or use Blue Wing! We both had our secrets, and we both knew that! The only thing I've ever tried to do was keep him away from a monster like you!"
Behind him, the akuma fight raged on– Truth still seeking the hidden identities of the heroines, forcing them to keep fighting even with one of their own exposed, unable to come to his aid. Blue Wing's hand wrapped around his Miraculous, with pulsed with the unsensed Emotions surrounding them.
"A monster?" Father said with a laugh. "I am just trying to help my family, Nino Lahiffe– and you're the one doing everything you can to stop me."
"You're not trying to help your family, not when you plan on murdering your own son!" Nino roared.
Blue reached out with his empathic abilities the same moment those words left Nino's mouth, Emotions flooding him just as he took in just what had been spoken. Nino's anger was the strongest– raging like a fire as it coiled about, burning and searing. It warped the fear Nino felt underneath, hidden, but just as fierce. His anger lit the determination that was driving him, pushing him forward despite the vulnerable place he was in. A cornered animal ready to lash out.
He sensed his father's triumph for only a moment, swiftly being smothered out with the same realization that was hitting Blue Wing as he listened to what Nino said. What was happening around Blue was quickly becoming drowned out– the heroes, the akuma, Mellifera– all their Emotions being washed away as Blue's own horror began to grow.
It wasn't true. There was no possible way that would ever be true.
But Nino's lips were still glowing that eerie white, letting no lies pass through his mouth. Truth still stood tall, the akuma's power in full force, the akuma powering him. It wasn't true, but Nino couldn't lie. It was impossible, just as Carapace and Silver couldn't be one and the same– but they were.
He reached for his father's Emotions without thought, trying to find something in the confusion. Something to resonate with the fear he was feeling, to be the foundation he needed so desperately in that moment.
Irritation. Surprise. Frustration.
Blue pulled away from the empathic connection, a hoarse coughing in his throat as he tried to take in panicked breaths. He wasn't getting enough air, his shallow breaths weren't enough as he continually gasped for air, black spots dancing across his vision. It couldn't be true, yet it couldn't be a lie. It was impossible yet it was what was right there, he–!
The panic gripped at his throat, which seemed to be closing in on him, and he couldn't breathe. His stomach twisted and turned as he desperately gasped for air. He was no longer seeing, chest tightening as he just tried to take in a single breath.
"It's equal exchange!" Nino cried to him, voice piercing through the panicked fog of his mind. "If you're going to bring her back someone has to take her place, and he knows that!"
He needed to move, he needed to run, he needed to reach Nino. But Nino couldn't come to him, not with Lighteye rooting him in place– and he didn't know who else to turn to. Mellifera's emotions were even, unbothered, knowing. His father's was turning panicked, but not the same fear Blue himself had been feeling. His wings tightened about him, a shield that could not protect him.
He reached out once more with his powers, searching for the love he knew had to be there.
And Blue could feel the love that was reaching for him, the fiery surge that stretched out towards him, and he took in a ragged breath. It was powerful, fierce, strong– but not at all engulfing. It reached, waiting to bring him into its embrace. It danced between Nino's fear and anger, shining just as strong, coming from him as it always had. Nothing like the strong walls he always sensed from his father– but still he desperately searched for that love.
He found nothing.
"It wasn't love I felt," Blue Wing whispered hoarsely, and he looked up at Hawk Moth. There had always been something within his father reaching for him, something that was nothing like the Emotions that came from Nino– because they were not the same. "It... it never was. You... you didn't love me. Why?"
His voice cracked, the realization somehow even more painful than what he had been told. The world continued to spin about him as he looked at his father. Wanting him to say it was all wrong, that it was a lie, that this wasn't happening.
And that was exactly what he did. "Son, you cannot trust–"
"No!" Blue cried, because no matter how much he wanted it to be true, he knew it wasn't– and it hurt. "N-no, you only gave Truth the power to bring truth– y-you didn't want lies, they can't be lies! Me for Mother, it... it makes sense, it does." He shivered as his wings wrapped tightly around him, tears in his eyes. "I... I understand. I do."
He did.
"...It's a life that would have to power the sentimonster, isn't it?" Blue realized, throat tightening. "Either way, no matter what... it would be me, wouldn't it?"
Hawk Moth regarded him for a moment, as if trying to decide what he could say. Blue couldn't take his eyes away from him, and he didn't know what he was waiting for. An apology. Something. Anything. Hawk Moth only shifted slightly, offering no answer before he grabbed his cane– pulling the sword out from it as he turned.
Blue couldn't run, and he knew it, not in the state he was in. No one could come for help, there would be no one to jump in the way of the blade as Nino had once before. It... it made more sense now. Him, a perfect Turtle. The perfect embodiment of Protection. It fit him well. But now no one stood between him and his father, as it always was.
Blue couldn't stay, he couldn't wait– and he reached out. Not with his Emotions, not to his kwami, but to the avatar he had created. Unlike Feast, this was in his control. Bound to him. A creation of the Peacock, more than a tool for the akuma it had been told to obey.
Lighteye turned its gaze away from Nino, racing through the air in response to his thoughts. It was a dark blur as it hurdled forward as Hawk Moth swung his sword down towards him– a bright beam of light engulfing the man before he could attack.
The avatar hovered above Hawk Moth, the spotlight locking him in place. Blue Wing stumbled back, falling onto the roof on which he stood, no longer having the strength to stand. He stared at his immobilized Father, whose eyes flashed at him in rage. Instinctively he crawled back, trying to get away from that horrible gaze.
"Adrien," Father hissed, a tone that demanded compliance– one he had never disobeyed. "Call off the sentimonster, now."
Run. The memory of Pollen's voice echoed in his mind in the same instant.
He didn't have the strength to run, but he could move. He crawled back, away from the towering form of the man in front of him. Mind straining itself to keep Lighteye in place, because this avatar couldn't falter, not when he was still so close. Shivers raced through him as he reached the end of the roof, looking back at the dizzying drop below.
Blue Wing only hesitated for a moment– before pulling himself off of the edge.
His wings unfurled as he fell, though they struggled to catch the air. As the world blurred around him he could only hope that the magic Miraculous would be enough to protect him, even if it was the one that was sapping his strength. It was frightening, how freefalling felt infinitely more safe than this father's own gaze.
Blue's breath was knocked out of him– and it was not from colliding from the ground. Arms wrapped about him, jerking him from his fall as they leapt up, landing on the sill of a window. He laid there in their grasp, mind trying to catch up with what was happening, staring up at the face of Silver Paw. He wasn't sure when he had transformed, but it didn't matter– because it was him.
"Nino..." Blue whispered. "Nino he– he–"
"I didn't know," Silver Paw whispered as he clutched him. "I didn't know about the Wish before, I swear. They– they just told me, after Feast, and I– I tried–"
He didn't reply, just leaning his head against Silver's chest, and he broke down crying. Arms wrapped tighter around him, and he didn't have the energy to return the embrace. He couldn't move, he couldn't think, he– he just couldn't do more than curl up on himself. Blue barely registered the fact that they were moving, that the world was shifting about them as Silver Paw leapt down to the ground, still holding him in arms as he carried him back towards the heroes– who were still fighting Truth.
Which left one Miraculous holder unaccompanied.
The moment Blue Wing felt his connection to Lighteye fade he stiffened up, knowing what was happening. He didn't have to turn around to know that Mellifera's Venom had connected with the avatar, rendering it lifeless. His Miraculous began to beep– alerting Silver Paw to the fact that the avatar was no longer active. He wheeled around, watching as up on the roofs Hawk Moth stood, bringing his sword down on a limp Lighteye– and Mellifera dove down from the roof straight towards them, wings humming as another Venom gleamed around her hand.
Silver Paw took off running, racing towards where the two heroines fought– but he knew how fast Nathalie could fly. They wouldn't outpace her, and even if they did make it to the heroes first, them turning to protect him would only leave them open to Truth. And one hit would ruin everything for them– what they had left. He was a weak link, a vulnerability if they chose to protect them– and he knew what he needed to do. So with the last of his strength he twisted in Silver's arms, wrapping his arms tightly about him as he shifted his wait– pulling them to the ground.
They tumble across the cement, Mellifera flying over them. Blue was panting as he forced Silver Paw under him, spreading his wings open so Silver was completely sheltered beneath his form as Mellifera came swooping down on them, Blue Wing closed his eyes as he felt a sharp pain in the center of his back, every muscle locking up.
Silver knew he was too late the moment he felt Blue Wing tensing above him.
Mellifera's shadow stood over them as she landed, Silver barely able to catch a glimpse of her as she crept closer. Blue had cocooned him with his own body, wings spread out before Mellifera had attacked. And with the Venom running through him he was like a statue on top of him. Silver clung to his prone form as Mellifera came closer, attempting to pull Blue Wing from him.
"No!" Silver Paw roared, arms wrapping around Blue's shoulders. "Stay away from him– you stay away from him!"
That didn't stop the Bee holder from pulling the frozen form of Blue from off of him, the strength of the Miraculous allowing her to lift both of them up. Silver Paw was quick to find his footing, refusing to let go of Blue as he swung his foot out– catching Mellifera off balance as she attempted to summon another Venom. Those few seconds allowed him to scramble away, being forced to drag Blue with him, his stiff form and out-stretched wings keeping him from being easily carried.
A zip of a wire flew through the air, and for a moment he felt relief– thinking that Ladybug had been able to break away from Truth– but as he looked up he instead saw it was the Bee's trompo that was coming their way, the end of the weapon wrapping tightly around Blue Wing's arm, a harsh tug pulling them back from their retreat. Fear crawled up Silver's throat, and he didn't dare pull back– for he knew just how strong the weapon of the Miraculous could be, what it could do to Blue's prone instead together they were pulled towards Mellifera, and he drew his flute. With her trompo securing Blue Wing that meant that she couldn't summon a Venom, giving him one opportunity to fight her in close quarters.
"Let go of him, Nino," Mellifera said in a low voice. "You wouldn't want anything to happen to your family, would you? Such a tiny apartment you live in, and what a young brother you have... and there's your mother, of course– Lucie, was it?"
The name of his mother sent a jolt of fear through him– because there was no way that she could know. Not that quickly, not that easily, not from just his name. He was one among millions in Paris– she couldn't know.
But that fear was all she needed to pull Blue Wing free from his grasp, arms wrapping around the teenage boy as his still form fell against her chest. Her own wings flared open, ready to take to the sky. Silver sprang forward the same moment her feet left the ground, clinging to Blue's long jacket, pulling them back down to the earth.
"Nino, behind you!" A voice cried out, and in the same moment he could see a flicker of movement out of the corner of his eye. Hawk Moth was bearing down on him with his cane raised, face twisted into an expression that sent chills through him. He didn't have time to even flinch, the metallic end of the weapon being slammed into his side. Even with the Miraculous magic shielding him pain flared through his body, but still he refused to let go of Blue, hand digging into the coat pocket as Hawk Moth swung his cane once more.
This time the blow was to his head– and he wasn't able to maintain his grasp on Blue Wing. He was sent flying to the ground, tumbling across the cement, a throb pulsing through his head. He pushed himself to his knees, forcing himself to stand, black dancing across his vision as he desperately looked for Blue.
"Well, my dear Mellifera," Hawk Moth mused, snapping his fingers. "It looks like we shall be doing things your way after all."
He opened up the top of his cane, where an akuma butterfly sat waiting. Confusion raced through Silver Paw, because that was impossible. Only one champion could be summoned at a time, if he were to create another that would mean he would have had to–
He twisted his head, looking back as he watched dark energy bubble about Truth, his power fading from him. In his wake was a teenage boy who was looking about in confusion, a white butterfly flying away from him. Ladybug spared him one glance– before taking to the sky, sending her yoyo flying out at the second akuma butterfly that was flying down towards Mellifera, which sank down into her comb before it could be snatched away.
"No!" Silver cried as the yoyo was knocked away, dark energy quickly transforming Mellifera where she stood, Blue Wing still in her arms. What powers she could be given, he did not know, and with a Miraculous who knew how her abilities could be twisted.
"Journey," Hawk Moth murmured, watching as the heroes turned their weapons towards them. "Take us home."
A purple glow pulsed about the newly named Journey, and it was in that moment that Silver Paw realized she had not been given the akuma to strengthen her. He sprang forward, but he was not quick enough as light flared about them– all three of them being whisked away with a single flash of light, leaving nothing where they stood.
"No," Silver Paw whispered. "N-no. No no no no no no..."
They were gone. No one to follow, no path to track down. One moment there, and the next absolutely nothing. Blue Wing being forced away, their hands on him.
"No!" He screamed, leaping at where they had been standing, as if something would still be there. Like whatever force had taken them away would allow him to follow. "No!"
Desperation had taken hold of him, barely aware of what he was doing. He heard himself scream and shout, he felt the boiling fear that seared every inch of him– and yet it felt he was observing from afar as he tore and ripped at the air, as if there were a hidden illusion he would be able to reveal.
"Nino!" He didn't know who was calling his name– Ladybug or Panthera or perhaps even some bystander– and he did not care. The name meant nothing, because it was not Blue Wing's voice. Whatever they had to say was pointless, because it wouldn't bring him back. It didn't matter, because all that did matter was gone, gone, gone gone gone gone gone–
Arms grabbed his shoulders, forcing himself away from where Blue Wing had been. He was spun around, forced to look into the bright blue eyes of Ladybug as she grabbed him, shouting at his face. "Nino, you need to focus– Nino, listen to me!"
He stopped thrashing against her, standing there as he panted and winced, the pain from Hawk Moth's attacks fresh and sore but they didn't matter because nothing mattered because he had failed he had Blue Wing he had been getting him away and he had failed they had got him they had him and they weren't going to let him leave Blue wasn't going to be able to get away from those monsters–
Then all at once, it seemed to shatter, the raging emotions and racing thoughts seeming to all fracture away into nothing as he stood there, Ladybug gripping his shoulders as she called to him. She went quiet as he started shaking, tears filling his eyes, and for a few moments he was able to stand there in the silence.
Then he broke down sobbing.
Adrien was used to waking up in pain– but this was the worst he could remember.
His shoulders ached, pulled and stretched. His neck was stiff, hanging limply down towards his chest. His arms were stretched out behind him, the skin of his wrists sore as something rough cut into them. He couldn't feel his legs, the blood cut off as he knelt down, the floor below him cold. Adrien let out a groan, but couldn't shift much without provoking the sore muscles.
He slowly raised his head, trying to take in his surroundings. His stomach twisted as he heard the sound of running water, cold metal under him. It was dim about him, but even before his blurring vision had fully adjusted he knew where he was. Chills swept through him as he looked about the basement, and it wasn't from the bitter cold.
He was kneeling on the platform that extended out from the elevator, his hands tied behind his back to the railing. To his right was the elevator– the carriage missing, currently on the upper floors. For a moment he thought he was alone, slowly moving his head to where the pod that held his mother was– fear jolting through him as he saw a tall figure looking down at where his mother laid.
Adrien began to struggle against his bonds as he stared out at his father, rope rubbing against skin, but whoever had tied him up knew exactly what they were doing. That did stop him from pulling and trying to reach the rope with tingling fingers, breath hitching as everything that had happened slowly started coming back to him. He swallowed down a sob, tears in his eyes as his struggles became more desperate.
"Shhh," an unfamiliar voice whispered in his ear, and he jumped. He felt something land on his shoulder, and he turned and found himself looking at a small green creature. "Don't let him know you're awake."
The Turtle kwami slowly drifted away and out of sight, landing on his hands. Adrien threw his head back in his father's direction, who was still looking down at Emilie's form. Adrien swallowed a few times, a tremble in his limbs as he slowly lowered his head once more, hoping that he would appear unconscious if anyone were to look his way. He could feel the ropes shifting, the kwami tugging and pulling at them.
His heart pounded, tears falling down his face as the ropes loosened. They fell away, and he instantly pulled his arms in front of him, relieving his shoulders of the pressure they had been put under. Once again the kwami was on his shoulder, whispering quietly in his ear as he quivered there on the metal platform.
"It's 'Wayzz, shell on'," Wayzz said softly. "Move quietly, but quickly."
With that Wayzz flew down, and slipped into his pocket. His hand followed the kwami, and he found a bracelet resting in the same pocket– the Turtle Miraculous. He didn't know how it had gotten there, but he slipped it onto his wrist, risking one more glance back at his father. His hand touched his chest, but he did not feel the Peacock brooch there– but he was not surprised that Duusu had been taken from him. He didn't know where she was– but he had to find her. Get her away from this place.
He began to crawl forward, not wanting to risk making noise by standing– and he wasn't even sure if he had the strength to do so. He pulled his body forward towards the elevator, knowing he couldn't transform yet as the flash of light would instantly give him away. But with the elevator upstairs he didn't know how he would be able to get up, as waiting for it to come down would not be quiet. Perhaps he could climb up the shaft, and use Shell-ter to slice through the walls–
The platform creaked beneath him, the metal squeal seeming like a rumble of thunder as it echoed throughout the silent room. He froze up, head whipping back over his shoulder, and he saw Gabriel lifting his gaze to look in his direction. Eyes widened in surprise as he saw Adrien free and on the move, which was quickly turning to anger.
"Shell on!" Adrien cried– a flash of green light engulfing him as he transformed, pushing himself to his feet with his new found strength as he made a desperate dash for the elevator. Another flash of light behind him was enough to alert him that his father had transformed as well. He rushed forward, grabbing the gate that separated from the elevator shaft, trying to pry the entryway open.
A hand grabbed him by his collar, pulling him away from the elevator and dragging him away. Hawk Moth was saying something– but he didn't listen, instantly thrashing in his grasp. He grabbed the shield on his back, slamming it straight into his father's gut, who dropped him as he doubled over. Adrien scrambled away– in the opposite direction of the elevator as that's where his father stood, and down the platform towards the garden where his mom rested.
"Enough, Adrien!" Hawk Moth snarled at him, his footsteps echoing as he came after him. Adrien's heart was racing as he reached the garden, but there was nowhere to go. No other exists except for through his father, which was a fight he could not win. So as Hawk Moth bore down on him he raised the shield over his head.
"Shell-ter!" He cried, and the force shield appeared about him, the glowing green walls encasing him as Hawk Moth stormed up to him, breathing heavily as he glowered down at Adrien as he retreated to the other end of the dome.
"Very well," Hawk Moth sneered at him, and the bracelet on Adrien's wrist beeped. "You are only prolonging the inevitable, you'll detransform in just a few minutes."
"St-stay away from me," Adrien whispered.
"You have been quite difficult today, son," Hawk Moth mused, tapping at the forceshield with his cane– but it held firm. Adrien winced, but Hawk Moth just merely turned away, looking about. "But I will forgive you, because I understand that this is hard for you. I tried to keep this knowledge from you, but the heroes just had to do this to you."
"Wh-what's going to happen?" Adrien whispered as he huddled in his Shell-ter.
"We shall be going through with Nathalie's plan," Hawk Moth replied, pulling a brooch from his pocket– the Peacock Miraculous. "We will be using an akumatized sentimonster to transfer life force into your mother. If she was any more far gone this wouldn't even be an option... but it seems it will be our only one."
"You're going to kill me." It was like he wasn't even speaking, hearing his own voice echo, as if someone else were talking for him.
"It didn't have to be this way," Hawk Moth said softly, looking back at him. "But this is what it's come down to. Your mother will be back, but in the same weakened state that you are in. Perhaps again we could try for the wish, but without your help... you didn't have to turn against us, Adrien."
Adrien held his shield closely, fear and confusion racing through him as he listened to these words. He understood each word, yet it felt as if it were all being said in a language he didn't know, because none of it made sense.
"I– I don't want to die," Adrien breathed, barely even hearing the words himself, but still it made his father pause. Gabriel looked back at him once more, regarding him for a few moments, before simply shaking his head.
"You said you would do anything for your mother," Hawk Moth said. "That is why I gave you the Peacock, that is why we have been working towards this goal– and I am not going to turn back now."
"Fa-father, Father please–"
"I will forgive you for how you've been acting, Adrien," Hawk Moth cut him off, as he did. "Even for all the trouble you have put us through. Someone else will have to put on the Peacock since you cannot be trusted with it anymore– they will have to suffer the consequences of the magic that you agreed to bear in your place."
"Or maybe one of us won't have to," a new voice said, and Adrien raised his head, looking towards the elevator, whose doors were sliding open as Nathalie walked out. Her eyes flickered over Hawk Moth and the pod, Adrien transformed and hidden in his Shell-ter. "I leave for just a few minutes, Gabriel, and this happens?"
"The Fox must have slipped him the bracelet before we recovered him," Hawk Moth replied. "It's of no matter, the Shell-ter will fall in a few minutes, and the kwami will be too weary to transform him again. Now, what took you so long?"
Nathalie walked down the platform, calling for a transformation as she did so. Golden light surrounded her, and as she became Mellifera she rose up into the air, flying the rest of the way to land next to Hawk Moth. She approached the Shell-ter, looking in at the Miraculous around Adrien's wrist– which was beeping in warning.
"I was talking to Pollen," Mellifera finally said, still looking at the Turtle Miraculous. "I was curious, you see, after seeing Carapace pull out a power we haven't seen before. One that even he didn't seem to be aware of."
Adrien felt Wayzz tensing in his mind, a new fear taking hold of the kwami as they looked up at Mellifera, and he couldn't help but mimic it. He was already afraid, but if the kwami that embodied Protection itself was frightened, he realized that he wasn't going to get out of this. The Miraculous started to beep faster, with only a minute left– and he knew that he wouldn't be able to run once the magic of the Miraculous left him, let alone hope to outpace two other Miraculous holders.
He was going to die.
"I couldn't help but wonder if Pollen as well was holding back on a few powers herself," Mellifera said softly. "The Turtle can create shields and diffuse them, and the Bee can do the same with their paralysis, so why shouldn't she have a third power as well?" She looked up at Hawk Moth, smiling. "And what would you know Gabriel, I was correct."
"Another power?" He asked softly. "And just what is this new power?"
Mellifera held out her hand. "Sting."
A soft golden light formed in her hands, dancing around her palm as it took shape. As the glow faded a small golden bumblebee was flying about her fingers, a small buzz in the air as it took flight. Adrien looked up at it, the creature seeming to be like the akuma butterflies or the ladybugs of the healing light, a creature formed from the powers– but that did not tell him what it could do.
The bee flew down towards the Shell-ter, flying about as the Turtle Miraculous began to beep more frantically, only moments away before the transformation fell. Adrien kept his eyes right on the bee, not letting his gaze leave it. Not as green light surrounded him, not Wayzz came flying from the bracelet, nor as the protective Shell-ter shattered about him– leaving him more exposed than before.
He didn't have the strength to stand, so instead he began to crawl back as the bee descended down towards him, gleaming gold in the dim light. Wayzz rose up, placing himself between the Sting and Adrien, but the bee just zipped about him, flying down to land right on Adrien's hand. His vision blurred as the little creature crawled, before the sharp stinger was plunged into his skin. He let out a hiss of pain, the bee turning to light that instantly rushed over him.
The last thing he saw was Wayzz's desperate eyes locked straight on him– before gold flooded his vision.
"...Nino, can you hear me?"
Nino blinked at his name, frowning slightly as he saw Panthera kneeling down in front of him, not sure of where he was. He slowly sat up in the chair he didn't remember sitting in, trying to remember how he had gotten here. The last thing he remembered was... was fighting Truth. He had been hit, and then... and then...
"Blue Wing!" Nino suddenly screamed, trying to leap from his chair– but Panthera was faster. She pinned him down before he could rise, and he began struggling against her. "Let me go, let me go! Let me go!"
"Kit, calm down," a voice snapped, and he found himself stiffening up– these words being the only ones that seemed to reach him despite the shouts of his name. He craned his head up, looking at Trixx as she floated in the air, tail flicking. "Panicking isn't going to get us anywhere."
"But he has–"
"We know," Trixx said, flying closer. "That's why we all need to stop, think– then that way we can actually do something!"
Nino was still breathing heavily, and while he couldn't relax, he stopped struggling against Panthera. She hesitated for a moment, before letting go of him as he was no longer thrashing. Nino slowly looked about, trying to take in his surroundings. He was in a room that was nice, far too nice– and completely unfamiliar.
They weren't alone in the room– Trixx and Panthera were the closest to him in the grand room, looking at him in worry. Beyond them he could see a set of doors, where two police officers stood guard. He stared at them, though none of them were looking at him. One of them did keep shooting hesitant glances at Trixx, though.
"Wh-where are we?" Nino whispered.
"Le Grand Paris," Panthera replied, and she hesitated. "You... you don't remember coming here?"
"No?"
"You were out of it," Trixx replied, landing on his shoulder. "In some kind of shock or something, I dunno, I'm no human doctor. Ladybug's talking with the mayor right now, trying to plan our next step."
"The mayor?" Nino asked wearily, and Panthera nodded behind them. He turned in the chair, looking back to see Ladybug standing in front of the desk where Mayor Bourgeois sat, the two in deep conversation. His gaze didn't go unnoticed, however, the mayor looking up at them. He then rose to his feet, walking around his desk towards Nino and Panthera.
He quickly turned his head away, hunching down slightly as he listened to the approaching footsteps. "M. Lahiffe, I see that you are, er, coherent now?"
"Yes sir," Nino said quickly, glancing at the mayor. He wasn't sure how to act, his identity as both Carapace and Silver Paw now exposed. And the thing was he really didn't care either– the only thing that mattered was Blue Wing.
"I just wanted to let you know that your mother and brother have both been successfully evacuated from your home to a safe location," the mayor said, and Nino felt his throat go tight. "I cannot state the location right now with this many people in the room, but I want to assure you that they are safe and in the best care."
"Th-thank you," he whispered– and for a moment he felt the tiniest bit of relief. A fear in his heart that he could let go of.
"With what you've done for the city, it is the least I can do," he replied, and he glanced at Ladybug. "I have, er, been filled in on the situation regarding Blue Wing and the... magic creatures, the full span of what Hawk Moth is doing with those under his thumb."
"We're called kwamis," Trixx snapped, her fur puffed up.
"Nino?" Ladybug asked, stepping forward, and he looked away. "Um... where is the Turtle Miraculous? It wasn't on you when we brought you here."
"...I slipped it into Blue Wing's pocket before they took him away," he whispered.
"Okay," Ladybug said, trying to sound calm, but he could hear the panic that was in Marinette's voice. "This... this could be a good thing. He could find where they are and lead us there... if they don't get his Miraculous first, that is."
"Mellifera knows who I am," Nino whispered.
"Er, kind of all of Paris does?" Panthera offered awkwardly. "The fight was being aired live and... yeah. Cat's out of the bag?"
"No, she knows me," Nino said, looking up at them. "She knew my mother's name, she– she was threatening me and she–" His breath hitched. "She shouldn't know who I am. I'm a nobody, I'm–"
"You're saying she might know you in your personal life?" Ladybug asked, alarmed.
"I– I don't know– but there's no way she had time to like, I don't know– research me midfight?" His own panic was rising, and he curled up slightly on himself. "But she knew, she knew Mom's name, and I don't know what that means."
"I'll make it clear that your mother's location is revealed to no one but the officers working directly with her," Mayor Bourgeois promised.
"That still doesn't tell us anything," Panthera muttered. "Even if she does know Nino... where do we start? We can't just start busting down doors and demanding if anyone knows who Hawk Moth is."
"We don't have time to wait," Nino hissed. "They– they're doing something else. Something without your Miraculouses. Blue, he– he mentioned something about a sentimonster and Hawk Moth– he said they were going to be doing Mellifera's plan. We can't just wait, we can't–"
"We have no leads," Ladybug said. "Nothing save for that Mellifera knows your name. That's not enough to tell us who Hawk Moth is."
Nino sat straight up. "I know someone who does."
"What?" Ladybug said, blinking.
"I know someone who can tell us who Hawk Moth is," Nino said, pushing himself to his feet. "M. Bourgeois, where is Chloe? We need Chloe, now."
"Chloe?" He said defensively. "What does Chloe have to do with this?"
"She knows who Blue is," Nino said desperately. "She knows who they truly are, they're friends, she knows his real name, she knows–"
"My daughter has not been associating with anyone connected to Hawk Moth," Andre said indignantly– but when he saw the cold gazes being turned his way he quickly corrected himself. "Um, someone connected to Hawk Moth willingly or not."
"Chloe knows?" Ladybug asked Nino, not bothering to keep her skepticism out of her voice.
"I brought Blue Wing to the dance my school had, under a fake name," Nino said. "It's– it's one of the only times I've seen him detransformed, but he was still wearing a mask. He was recognized at the dance though– by Chloe."
"And... and you're positive that she... that she knows Blue Wing?" Andre asked hesitantly.
"Bring Chloe here and tell her that Blue Wing is Jaden," Nino said, his voice taking on an edge. "And that we need to know who he truly is now, before he ends up dead."
The mayor still seemed to hesitate– but when Ladybug turned on him demanding he bring his daughter up, he hastily pulled out his phone. Nino sat back down into his chair, Trixx landing in his hands. Chloe was coming, but it wasn't fast enough. None of this was fast enough– they didn't have time to be sitting around in a grand hotel, when Blue was out there in the hands of–
"Are you okay?" Panthera asked in a quiet voice, kneeling down next to him.
"I– I know who you are," Nino muttered, as that wasn't a question he could answer. He spoke as quietly as he could– knowing her enhanced hearing would pick up on it. "Both of you. I have from the start."
Panthera was quiet at this.
"The... the guardian knows too. Who I am and everything. Um, during Feast," he said quickly. "I just– I just needed to–" He closed his eyes, but didn't continue– because none of it mattered right now. It had once seemed so important– but it didn't matter now.
The flicker of movement near the doors instantly snapped him out of his spiral, eyes locked on the double doors as the policemen stepped aside, the doors opening up to reveal several more officers standing protectively about Chloe as she was let into the room. She had her arms crossed as she marched in, the doors being shut behind her, and the two police stepping in front of it once more.
"Ladybug!" Chloe said in delight, hurrying forward. "You need my help, I hear? I mean, of course you do, I'm–"
Nino lunged forward towards Chloe desperately, causing her to stumble back. "Who's Jaden!"
Chloe's nose wrinkled. "Really, that's the first thing you're still set on? Revealed as a 'hero' but still trying to invade others' privacy–"
"Actually, Chloe, that's why we need to talk to you," Ladybug said, laying a hand on Nino's shoulder. "We need to know, um, who 'Jaden' is– an address too if you know it."
"Chloe, dear," Andre said quietly. "According to Nino Lahiffe, here, the 'Jaden' you encountered at the dance is in fact... Blue Wing. He is in grave danger, we need to know who he is so the heroes can find him and put a stop to Hawk Moth."
Chloe's eyes widened– her eyes sweeping across everyone in the room. Her gaze was filled with disbelief, as if waiting for someone to tell her this was a joke. She was turning paler as the seconds passed, and her eyes fell onto Nino, taking in the sheer desperation in his eyes.
Chloe turned and ran towards her father's desk– throwing up in the trash can next to it.
Nino's own stomach turned, but he couldn't take his eyes off of her– because she knew. She was the only one that could help Blue Wing right now, she was the only way they could find him– and none of this was happening fast enough. Every second they wasted was a second of Blue being alone and–
"That means... that means he's Hawk Moth," Chloe hissed, leaning against her father's desk. "...Of course he's Hawk Moth, of course he is, that bastard–"
"Chloe, please," Ladybug whispered. "We need a name, now, we don't have time–"
"Adrien." Chloe snapped– cutting her off. Ladybug blinked, and Andre stiffened up slightly.
"Dear, you don't mean–" Andre began, and Chloe lifted up her head, tears in her eyes.
"Blue Wing is Adrien Agreste," Chloe hissed.
"Gabriel Agreste is Hawk Moth?" Panthera whispered– stunned.
Adrien. Adrien. The name echoed in his mind, and Nino felt tears in his eyes– because they had a name. At last they had a name.
"Chloe, are you sure–?" Andre asked.
"I need to come with you!" Chloe cried, throwing herself towards Ladybug. "You– you can give me a Miraculous! I need to help him, I need to– I need to come with you!"
"You most certainly will be doing no such thing!" Andre bellowed.
"Nino has two Miraculouses– give me one!" Chloe cried, turning towards him, eyes flashing towards Trixx in his hands, who hissed at Chloe.
"Let's pounce," Nino muttered, and with a flash of gold he became Silver Paw. He turned towards the doors, and Chloe grabbed his arm.
"We need a way out of here that won't attract attention," Ladybug was speaking to the mayor, Silver Paw trying to pull free of Chloe's grasp. "If they know we're coming they could act rashly– we need to have the element of surprise on our side."
"There's passages in the basement that lead out from the hotel," Andre replied. "They're escape tunnels leftover from the second world war– the main path leads to safe rooms, but it's a maze down there though. They interconnect with the catacombs, and, er I don't exactly recommend–"
"We have GPS," Ladybug said, hand tightening on her yoyo. "We can find our way, lead us there now."
"I'm coming with you!" Chloe cred.
Andre grabbed his daughter. "Not on my watch!"
"Let's go," Ladybug whispered.