Chapter 48: Sentibug(Part 2)(Natalie's POV)
Natalie takes a deep breath. This has to work. Sentibug has to fool them, and has to eventually lead them to Gabriel's layer where the outcome will be decided. Either they lose, or they win. And Adrien can stop hurting, though winning would erase the hurt that would follow him discovering that Hawkmoth is his father if Team Miraculous wins. But no matter what, it must end soon. This insanity, the hurt, the lies, it must all end.
Then she begins attacking Sentibug, but before their mock fight can continue, a blue glow emits from between them and out appears Marmora, but something looks a little different. But she can't quite place it.
And then he charges for her, she quickly dodges making him skid to a halt.
"Look," Marmora's voice heavy with emotion, "I do not want to fight you. But I have to stop you. For the future's sake."
"Why? What's wrong with the future?"
"I can't tell you. All I can tell you is that this endeavour only leads to more destruction. I know you have good intentions, but Adrien doesn't deserve to have all this erased just because making a wish would take the pain and everything he remembers Gabriel having done…"
"How do you….."
"Because Lady Time showed me the future and had me live a bit of it to understand how messed up it was and how eventually the universe will tear itself apart because of it. And I'm here to fix it, by making sure Sentibug doesn't fool my teammates like she fooled us in the future."
Natalie looks at Sentibug and then Marmora, and sighs. The emotions coming from Marmora are raw, and pleading.
"Fine, I'll withdraw."
She snaps her fingers and Sentibug disappears, leaving behind a white feather.
"Thank you," he sounds so relieved, the future must have been horrid for him to be that relieved. His frame even looks less tense and bunched up.
"I was trying to end this, but if the universe is so upset by this path, then I had to. I don't want to cause anymore pain. Dussu fall my feathers."
She walks toward Mamora, "Here, take it. I don't want to be a part of this if it only causes more pain."
A cough escapes her, and worry flashes through Marmora's eyes.
"You okay?"
"Yeah."
"Again thank you. Seeing the future caused by your plan succeeding," He shudders, "it was horrifying. By the way it was a good plan, but the universe doesn't want this war to end that way I'm afraid."
"Why?"
"Because after the battle that ensues from us discovering Hawkmoth's lair, the universe collapses in on itself and destroys everything, creating a black expanse that hosts nothing…."
"And you were able to withstand witnessing it because?"
"Time Miraculous. Pretty self-explanatory."
"But didn't you say there was a Lady Time?"
"Yeah, she went back in time to grab me the Time miraculous from another era when there wasn't a holder for it. And thanks for the Peacock Miraculous. I have no idea how I'm going to explain how I got it…."
Natalie smiles, "I'm sure you'll figure something out. And with you having it, maybe this insanity will end soon, without it causing the end of the universe."
"I hope so. It's just, now I know the answer to a big question me and teammates have, but with the result of that alternate future, I'm unsure if I should reveal what I know. I also have no proof to prove what I learned."
She coughs again, and then says, "You'll find the proof you need. I'm sure. As for your uncertainty, I'm sure the right moment will prevent itself."
"Yeah. Can I bring you back to the mansion? You seem really sick and it's the least I can do. But how are you going to explain yourself to Hawkmoth? You gave me the Peacock Miraculous…."
"That's for me to worry about. And I will be fine. Gabriel is a patient man."
"I've been meaning to ask, but why did Hawkmoth wait so long to begin seeking out the miraculous. He started in September….."
"Like I said, patient. And he was still reeling from the loss of Emile to really think straight."
"Makes sense. I was still grieving hard after my father died for months."
Natalie sighs, not knowing what to say.
She clears her throat, "Well I suppose I should head home and thanks for the offer, but I can get there on my own just fine."
"I really shouldn't let you go, you were helping Hawkmoth, but," He sighs, "I don't know."
"When Hawkmoth's identity is revealed I will gladly reveal that I am Mayura."
"Really, why?"
"Thanks to you, I didn't cause any more pain in the future, but I still helped him, I still hurt people. And if you hadn't stopped me I would have hurt more people and ended the universe. I need to pay for my actions when everything is over, and maybe try and stop him before he hurts more people and ends up pushing Adrien away even further."
Marmora smiles, "I'm glad,"
Natalie smiles herself.
At the Dupain-Chengs: Keith's POV
"Keith, where were you? We heard you got expelled! What happened?" Sabine frets as he walks into the bakery.
"Someone planted Lila's fox pendant in my locker and everyone is convinced I stole it. Expect Adrien, Nino and Chloe, though she didn't say anything. Possibly because she was shocked."
"Chloe, Adrien and Nino called a little bit ago, they told us that you were expelled and that they are trying to remedy that."
Keith smiles, grateful to have friends like them. Then he shudders as flashes of that nightmarish future play in his mind. They're okay, everyone's okay. He takes a deep breath, the universe isn't going to end.
"Are you sure you're okay?"
"Yeah, just a little exhausted from all the excitement."
Sabine smiles softly. "Well you're welcome to rest upstairs."
Keith nods, though as he closes his eyes, flashes play in his mind again. Taking a deep breath, and exhaling he tells himself in his mind that it's okay. Everything's fine. Everything is fine.