Chapter 2

Gabriel and Nathalie met in her office to discuss the next steps in their plan.

"It's clear what Ladybug was trying to do," said Gabriel. "She used the Horse kwami to get past the barrier that Style Queen put around the building. She used it without Unification so that she could hand it off to Rena Rouge. Ladybug attacked Style Queen to keep her away from her allies, while Rena scouted for them, to give each their Miraculous and build up an attack force."

"What was the purpose of the visit to the elevator?" asked Nathalie.

"I'm convinced that either Adrien or Marinette has become a recruit of Ladybug as a temp Miraculous holder," said Gabriel. "One of them probably called her, telling her where they were."

"But if they were ever holders they would have reported to Miracle Queen, wouldn't they?" asked Nathalie.

"Not if they were chosen after the attack. It would be wise for Ladybug to look for new holders to replace the compromised ones," said Gabriel.

"Ladybug hasn't seemed to be very concerned about that, to our great advantage," said Nathalie. "But a person could have found a hiding place from the bees, or had something happen that prevented them getting to Miracle Queen. Like a car crash – there were a lot of them when drivers because paralyzed."

"You think it's possible that one of them has seen action as a Miraculous holder. If so, when?"

"Someone had to get into Kwami Buster's device to Cataclysm it from the inside. There would have been terrible side effects if Plagg used his power directly, but it would be a different story if someone got in with his Miraculous and became his holder. A small copy of a Mouse Miraculous holder could do that. Kwami Buster caught a glimpse of what might have been tiny riders on some of the kwamis, right?"

"I thought that it might have been Ladybug herself."

"Possibly, but it would be exhausting if one person did it alone. That's why I suspect Marinette came in, as the Mouse holder."

"It's plausible. All right, send Optigami to Marinette's room and see what we can learn."

"One problem, Sir," said Nathalie. "Optigami took damage from that Cataclysm, and my link to it was disrupted. I can still send it places, but it hurts when I link remotely, and the signal is glitchy. I can put it in her room for a day or two, storing up images, then have it come back and show us."

"I suppose that will have to do."

"I could dismiss it and make a new one."

"No, there's too much risk to your health."

"The Peacock is repaired now. It will be fine."

"No, the damage you already took might be made worse. Go ahead and send it as-is."

"Very well, Sir."

"While we're waiting, I will see what I learn from questioning Adrien about what he saw and heard in the elevator."

"He may try to keep Ladybug's secrets."

"Don't worry, I have ways of making him talk," said Gabriel, stroking his wedding band.

"Be careful not to arouse his suspicions. You promised Emilie not to reveal to him what he is."

"I'm always careful."

Nathalie arched an eyebrow, but said nothing.