Chapter Four: Chat Sorti du Sac

It was by sheer chance that Marinette happened to be nearby when the explosion happened. Even at a distance, it was loud enough to cause a panic among the populace. Many people went to see what was wrong, while others ran inside nearby shops for shelter. But Marinette, immediately knowing where the sound had come from by its direction alone, knew she had to act. But that was where the problem lay.

In the ensuing commotion, it was easy for her to slip inside and into a bathroom. She hid herself in a stall, wondering if this was the best idea. Her pondering was cut short when she remembered that there was trouble at the Agreste mansion–she had to do this! With no small amount of hesitation, she opened her bag, taking out the spotted earrings she hadn't worn in over a month.

Taking a deep breath, she put both of them on. She wasn't sure what she would see: maybe Tikki wouldn't even show up. Maybe she would immediately begin berating Marinette for her choices. With just three words, Marinette could skip any sort of lecture or guilt trip the Kwami would put her through…but the very thought of doing that made her feel even guiltier. What she got was in some ways better and some ways worse, as Tikki hovered before her, her back turned. "...Hi again, Tikki," Marinette said softly.

"Marinette," said Tikki, casually yet by no means friendly. "Is Ladybug needed again?"

"Yeah, but…" Marinette paused, trying to think of the best way to say this. "Tikki, you're not just a tool for me to use however I want. You're my friend, and I…I should have treated you like one. I don't want to be someone who only uses Kwamis to get what they want, like Hawkmoth."

Tikki sighed. "I know you didn't mean any harm. And I know things were tough for you after you became guardian." She finally turned around, looking at the girl with pity. "But giving me and Plagg to him? By doing that, you betrayed everything the Guardians stand for. You betrayed Master Fu's trust, you betrayed Adrien when you took his Miraculous. And you betrayed me by giving me away to a supervillain."

"I-I know," stammered Marinette, "but everything worked out in the end, right? All Gabriel wanted was to bring his wife back. Now he and Adrien and Emilie are happy, and we don't have to worry about Akuma attacks anymore!" She wanted to add more, but she could see the disappointment in Tikki's eyes.

"And what about Nathalie?" Even more guilt slid down Marinette's back. "She's gone, Marinette, because of what you did. She's gone, and Adrien barely remembers who she is. Everything worked out in the end? That sounds like the reasoning Hawkmoth would use."

Marinette wanted to argue that Nathalie had chosen to sacrifice herself for Emilie's sake, but the words died in her throat. "I know," was all she was able to choke out. "I know, I messed up. I messed up worse than any other Ladybug in history. But that's exactly why I have to keep going! Even without Hawkmoth at large, Paris still needs a protector. I have to prove I can still be that hero, to myself and to you. If I ever can."

For some time, Tikki was silent, as though considering. After a few agonizing seconds, she reached a decision. "Say the words," she said, with a look like she was afraid she would regret this.

Marinette, on the other hand, lit up. "Yes! I promise I won't let you down, Tikki!" Then, taking on a triumphant pose, she shouted "Tikki, spots on!"

"Dad! Mom!" shouted Adrien, running into the waiting embrace of his parents. "You're safe! I heard all the fighting out here, and I was so worried something happened to you!"

Both Gabriel and Emelie held their son close. "Don't worry," said the latter, "we're all safe now. It's all thanks to Ladybug and Cat Noir." She turned towards her husband. "As well as a little help from your father."

Gabriel could only offer a small laugh. "I suppose that's true. I was a bit worried at first when that Akuma landed on my sword, but you can imagine my surprise when Hawkmoth didn't prey on my anger. He didn't even ask for the Miraculous, only for me to protect you two."

"I guess that means he really has given up villainy," Adrien said, with less surprise than most would have expected. "I wonder why he helped us, though. This is the first time there's been an Akuma in months–why now?"

"Could be he's trying to be a hero now." Having rounded up all the intruders, Officer Roger returned to the top of the stairs. "Welp, that should be all of 'em. I've got no idea how they managed to get all their resources, but we'll find out soon enough. I imagine you'll want to press charges?"

Gabriel stood up, straightening his tie. "Definitely. Please, officer, you may discuss any and all legal matters with my assistant." He pointed Roger over to the Gorilla, who was also keeping a close eye on the soon-to-be convicts. Once he was gone, he turned back to his family. "Adrien, would you mind staying in your room just a little while longer? I want to make absolutely sure every last one of these ingrates has been rounded up."

Hesitantly, Adrien agreed. "Okay, Dad." He slowly returned, casting another glance at his parents before shutting the door. Only when they both smiled at him was he reassured. With him safe and sound once more, the two of them returned to Gabriel's study.

"That should be everything," said Emilie. "You can come out now."

Now that the coast was clear, Marinette and another Gabriel emerged from their hiding spot. "I…I still can't believe you're from a completely different dimension," Marinette murmured, still trying to process everything. "So, in your world, I…didn't give you the Miraculous, did I?"

"No, you did not. I had to take them from you," said Gabriel, with a twinge of regret. "But that should be the least of our concerns now. I trust everything is settled regarding this matter?"

The other Gabriel nodded. He adjusted his tie again, and Gabriel could make out the telltale bump of the butterfly Miraculous beneath it. "Unfortunately, I can't say for sure. I have been hearing whispers of a potential attack for months now, and considering the scale of this invasion, their numbers could very well indicate only a fraction of their true strength. Not to mention, we have yet to locate the source of the information leak."

"That's what worries me the most, even more than the attack itself," said Emilie. "Someone told these people that Gabriel was Hawkmoth. Considering how many of them there were, and how aggressive they all seemed, it looks to be more than just a rumor."

Marinette spoke up. "The three of us are the only ones who knew that for certain, and I can't imagine it was any of us. We may have had our…disagreements in the past, but I wouldn't do anything that would put Adrien in danger. Is there anyone else who knows about the Miraculous of the butterfly?"

Other Gabriel thought for a moment. "Aside from Nathalie, there was also Colt and Tomoe, but Colt is long dead, and Tomoe has no reason to betray us. Unless Colt told his family…"

"No, Amelie or Felix would never do something like this," Emilie assured him. "My sister may not be fond of you, but I can't imagine she would stoop this low. The same goes for Felix." She turned to Marinette. "Marinette…is it possible Tikki or Plagg, or perhaps another Kwami, might have found a way to tell someone indirectly?"

The longer this conversation went on, the more Gabriel felt he wouldn't be getting the Miraculous he came here for. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but now that the worst of it has passed, might we save this discussion for after we've dealt with the matter of my decayed universe? Not to compare our predicaments, but I would imagine mine would take precedent."

It was obvious that even though other Gabriel didn't want to agree, he did. "I know you came here for my help, but there isn't much I can do. I have my own life, my own family to worry about. I wish there was more I could do, but this is beyond my power."

"There is one thing you could do," said Gabriel, eyeing the butterfly Miraculous.

Other Gabriel immediately knew what he meant. "Out of the question. While I may have been willing to lend you the Miraculous before today, now that I know my family is under direct threat, that is no longer an option. Hawkmoth is still needed."

He looked to Emilie, who looked away sadly. "Same with the peacock Miraculous. There's no telling when we might need a Sentimonster."

Before Gabriel could argue his case further, a blue portal appeared in the room, heralding the entrance of Bunnyx. "Thought I'd find you guys in here!" she said. "Good work on handling things, you three! I tried to help here and there, but I didn't want to be seen. So, everything wrapped up here?"

"As a matter of fact, not quite," Gabriel muttered, while Marinette was still processing her appearance. "We were just having some…disagreements regarding the entire reason we came here." Both Gabriels glared at each other.

Bunnyx was completely unconcerned. "Oh, is that all? Ah, don't worry about that, we'll just try somewhere else." She opened another portal behind her, leading back to her burrow. "Plenty of retired Hawkmoths out there. Let's go!"

All of this seemed a little too easy. "That's it?" said Gabriel, more than a little miffed. "Do you mean this entire effort was entirely pointless?"

"No, not at all," said Emilie. Gabriel turned to face her. "It's thanks to the two of you we were able to fend off those awful people. Who knows what might have happened if you hadn't been here?"

"Eh, Minibug and Kitten Nori would've shown up," Bunnyx said. This reminded Gabriel of something he wanted to ask, but Emilie continued.

"I'm sorry we can't do more to repay you, but if you ever need our help in the future, we'll do everything we can to help. Unfortunately, for now, we have to focus our efforts on this situation, but you're more than welcome back at any time."

So close, and yet so far; Gabriel could barely believe that Emilie was right here in front of him, and yet he had to leave. He hesitated, his hand almost reaching for hers. "I…I would love to come back," he said. "To see you again."

Her patience apparently wearing thin, Bunnyx began shoving Gabriel towards the portal. "Okay, it's been wonderful meeting you all, but we've really gotta go–end of the universe, and all that! Thanks for the invite, see ya later, maybe!"

"Hold on, I'm not finished," Gabriel hissed, trying to push her away. "Marinette, how did you and Cat Noir know the mansion was under attack?"

"Oh, uh, I just happened to be nearby," she said. "I'm sure Cat Noir would have contacted me, though, since he was already here."

Gabriel looked at her in confusion. "He was? What was he doing here?"

Marinette, Emilie, and the other Gabriel all shared glances. "He doesn't know?" Emilie asked Bunnyx, concern in her voice.

"It's been fun, but we've really gotta go!" Bunnyx said, pushing Gabriel harder. "We might be back soon, but probably not! Multiverse isn't gonna save itself!"

But the knowing looks on their faces had Gabriel intrigued. "Know what? What should I know?" he asked.

"Nothing! You don't know nothing!" shouted Bunnyx. "And for your own good, let's keep it that way!" As a Miraculous-holder, her strength was greater than his, and he was soon being shoved towards the portal.

Marinette looked back and forth between both Gabriels. "Don't you think he deserves to know? It's his–"

"No! He doesn't deserve, so would you all please drop it!?" With one final shove, she and Gabriel both tumbled into the burrow. But just as the portal closed, other Gabriel shouted one last message through before that universe was left behind:

"Cat Noir is Adrien!"

The blank white room was silent, even more than usual. Bunnyx and Gabriel were both completely still, and the former winced like those parting words had been a physical strike. The very thing she had been trying to avoid had suddenly been thrust on the both of them, and only time could tell how things would play out. Slowly, she turned around to face the catatonic Gabriel, staring where the portal had just been.

"Adrien is…" With unfocused eyes, Gabriel looked out at the white expanse of the burrow. "...Cat Noir?" He noticed his hands were shaking. Something wasn't right–no, that must have been unique to that timeline. Surely Adrien couldn't be Cat Noir in his universe! He didn't believe it, he couldn't believe it, it didn't make any sense…

With all the care one might afford an armed bomb, Bunnyx approached Gabriel. "So, Gabe, this must be a lot," she said gingerly. "I know you're probably upset, and have a lot of questions, but–"

Gabriel whipped around to face her with frightening speed. "Were you ever planning on telling me this?" he hissed. "That I've been at war with my own son for the better part of a year? That I regularly almost killed him!?"

"I was hoping to avoid telling you!" Bunnyx snapped back, her trepidation replaced by anger. "Do you know what happens in nine out of ten realities where you learn who Cat Noir is? You go completely off the deep end and try to Akumatize him! Let me ask, why are you really upset? Is it because Cat Noir is actually your son? Or is it because your son is actually Cat Noir!?"

He pushed past her, unfocusedly pacing through the burrow. "His ring…we never bought him that ring," he murmured. To think it was so close this entire time…" Realizing he was proving her right, he turned back to her. "Even now, with the whole of creation in jeopardy, you didn't think I deserved to know? Even when, for all intents and purposes, the two of us are the only survivors of some unknown cataclysm?"

Bunnyx only glared at him. "Do you know why I didn't tell you, even then? Because you're a Gabriel." She stormed up to him. "I've been all across the multiverse, buddy, and let me tell you, Gabriels that are decent human beings are the exception, not the rule! And even then, that's discounting universes where everything is flipped! So can you really be surprised I wanted to avoid you doing something stupid because you couldn't handle the fact that you didn't have as much control over Adrien as you thought!?"

It took every ounce of strength Gabriel had to avoid striking her. He held himself back, not only because she had a Miraculous and he didn't but also because she was her only ally. "Just…open the portal," he growled. "Take me to the next universe so I can become Hawkmoth, fix reality, and see my son again." 'And hopefully apologize,' he didn't say.

"Right. Because I'm sure that won't backfire at this point," Bunnyx muttered. Despite her growing misgivings, she opened the way to their next stop with a "Burrow!" She gave him one last unapproving glance before disappearing through it.

Looking back, it all seemed so obvious. Adrien's rebellious streak started at around the same time Ladybug and Cat Noir had appeared. His substitute Chinese teacher had been the guardian. Not to mention, he had never seen the two of them together–not really, anyway. How much of this was the Miraculous' effects, and how much of it was just his lack of attention?

But none of that mattered now. Who his son was behind his back didn't matter if his son was dead. No–whatever he had done to the universe, he hadn't killed anybody. There was a way to fix everything, there had to be. But how? Whatever the answer was, being Hawkmoth would make everything just a small bit easier. Pushing all of his pain and unanswered questions deep down within, he stepped through the portal.

On the other side, Paris looked just like how he remembered it. Same blue sky, same green grass, same buildings stretching skyward. Just like the previous universe, it wasn't immediately obvious what made this one different from his own. That is, until he looked closer.

On that same skyline, something was decidedly off. Giant posters bearing Adrien's likeness, advertising this and that, had always been plastered all across the city. After a few years, they all began to blend into the background for him. But instead of his son, another blonde face he had come to recognize took up most of the space. The same pose, the same sky background, only this one an advert for 'Chloe: the fragrance.'

"Oh," Gabriel said, unimpressed, "this should be an interesting one."