Chapter Five: Re-Unity

"Before we go any further, are you certain this timeline is not plagued by armed assailants after my blood?" asked Gabriel, turning to Alix. "No militias, mercenaries, invading forces, anything of that nature?"

Alix had that look on her face, like she was internally rolling her eyes. "There's a reason I brought us here, okay? As far as I can tell, there's nothing else happening in this universe. No Hawkmoth, barely any Ladybug or Chat Noir, everything's relatively peaceful. All because you and Mayor Bourgeois swapped kids."

Having been glancing up at the billboard with Chloe's likeness, Gabriel turned around upon hearing that little tidbit. "Sw… 'Swapped kids?'" He had to take a moment to process that. "You say that as though it's an entirely normal occurrence."

She laughed knowingly. "Oh, you've got no idea what's out there in the multiverse! Just be glad this isn't one of the ones where everybody's a dinosaur or something. C'mon, I'll explain on the way." She led him, once again, towards Agreste Manor.

"...'Dinosaurs?'" Shaking his head, Gabriel followed, hoping they wouldn't need to visit a timeline like that in the future. "Please, enlighten me as to how exactly one 'swaps' children."

"I mean, there's really not much to say," she told him. "Everything was the same as it was back home, but you and Andre swapped your kids. You adopted Chloe, and he adopted Adrien. What more do you need to know?"

Everything, Gabriel thought, but was too tired to press the issue further. "As long as we can have the butterfly Miraculous, I'll try not to complain."

"See? That's the spirit!" said Alix, just knowing she was getting under his skin. "With any luck, we'll be in, out, and back to the burrow to think of a plan before you know it!"

What neither of them knew was that things wouldn't be nearly so quick. A few miles away, near the top of a tall building, a patch of air began to distort. Rippling like a mirage, the spherical formation soon gave way to a mass of viscous black fluid, which fell to the ground. Followed by another. And another.

Each of the three puddles took on a humanoid form, their purple eyes gazing across the cityscape. The first of the bunch, seeming to act as a sort of leader, apparently located something of interest. It vaulted from one rooftop to the next in pursuit of this, its compatriots following closely behind. They seemed to be heading for Agreste Manor.

Just as he had for the past few months, the Gorilla waited outside the school with the car to drive the young Agreste heir home. And, just as it had been for the past few months, a chauffeur in a limousine sent by the Mayor waited nearby to bring the young Bourgeois heir home. Neither of them questioned why or how the swap had happened, but as it hadn't affected their jobs, neither of them cared. Well, the Gorilla did miss Adrien a bit, but both he and Chloe seemed happier with this new arrangement, so he didn't say anything.

Class had just ended, with the students filing out the door to head home for the day, just as always. Adrien and Nino were talking, as always. Sabrina was carrying all of Chloe's things, as always. Both Marinette and Alya had their eyes on Adrien, as always. But this time, all of their conversations were about the exact same thing:

"So, what's it feel like to have a real birthday party for once, dude?" Nino asked Adrien. "With guests and everything?"

"I'd say surreal, but honestly, I'm just glad to be able to have one again," Adrien replied, smiling wistfully. "It's been years since my last real birthday party…I think I was seven? Man, I can't believe it's been so long."

"Well, you can count on me being there, Adri-kins!" said Chloe, suddenly appearing between the two. "Daddy was kind enough to reschedule my modeling gig so I'd be free and clear for your party! Just don't be surprised if you like my gift the best!" She winked at him as the two both entered their respective cars.

After waving to Adrien, Nino was joined by Marinette and Alya. "So consensus: new Chloe, or new Adrien–who's better?" asked the latter.

The question caused a quiet Marinette to suddenly speak up. "What!? You can't compare the two! I mean, sure, Chloe's mellowed out over the last few months, but saying I like her more than Adrian is just sacreligious! I…" She trailed off when she noticed Alya's smirk, realizing the girl was just winding her up. "Can't I like 'em both now?" she said, nudging her friend.

Chloe leaned back in the upholstered seats of her ride. "Home, if you will," she told the Gorilla, who drove off. She heard the familiar beeping of a call, and with an annoyed sigh, picked up the tablet. "Yes, Nathalie?"

"Chloe, your father has instructed me to inform you that he is busy today and does not want to be disturbed," Nathalie reported. "As such, your modeling for today has been moved forward by several hours. I have asked your bodyguard to drive you there now."

"...But I'm still clear for Adrien's party, right?" she asked.

Nathalie was a bit surprised that she hadn't raised more of a fuss. "Of course." Satisfied, Chloe ended the call, once again leaning back. She wasn't much bothered by her new dad being busy all the time anymore. Gabriel did have a massive clothing brand to run, after all, so she could let it slide. He was probably meeting with investors or something.

Before today, Gabriel hadn't given any thought to the concepts of alternate realities. He knew of the rabbit Miraculous, of course, and the associated time travel, but that was only two directions: back and forth. The addition of up, down, and sideways into the equation made things far too complicated for it to be real in his mind. But a wielder of said Miraculous suddenly appearing through a portal in his study, bringing along another version of himself, left him with little room but to change his mind. "Now…you still have no idea what happened to your universe?" he asked. "Despite not knowing what caused it to deteriorate like it did, you believe the first logical step should be acquiring another Miraculous?"

An exasperated Bunnyx threw up her hands. "Look, we're not exactly experts here! I've been all over the past and the future, and I've never seen anything like this before, so clearly we're in uncharted territory! I'd just rather not have to babysit him," she pointed at the main Gabriel, "whenever something bad happens! And if that means giving him a Miraculous, then that's a risk I'm willing to take. So, what'll it be? You willing to spare that old trinket?"

"Hmm…it is true that I haven't used the Miraculous of the butterfly in some time…" the other Gabriel weighed his options. "But then, how can I be sure you can be trusted with it?"

Bunnyx once more leaned back in agitation. "We literally just had this conversation with another you! Gabe, talk some sense into this guy, would you? …Gabe?"

Main Gabriel hadn't been listening to their conversation, instead occupied by staring out the window, deep in thought. "Ever since we arrived here, one thing has been on my mind," he said. "Something I haven't been able to ignore. A small detail, perhaps, but one that has attached itself firmly to the back of my mind: how exactly does one 'swap children?'"

"Are you still on that?" grumbled Bunnyx, turning back to look at him. "I told you before, sometimes with the multiverse, you just have to roll with it, otherwise you'll drive yourself crazy trying to piece everything together! Dinosaurs, remember? Di-no-saurs."

Other Gabriel stood up. "No, no, I imagine another version of myself would be confused. Some time ago, I would be just as confused if I had peered ahead in time to today." He made his way over to the dresser, where multiple pictures sat–many of them still depicted Adrien or Emilie, but, as Gabriel had noticed when they entered, many more showed Chloe, either alone or by his side. "I, as I'm sure many Gabriels across the multiverse are, was far too stifling on Adrien for his own good. In my desire to give him a comfortable life, I suffocated him."

"And where is he now?" Gabriel asked, taking offense to the unspoken accusation. "With Andre as his father? I'm sure he's doing just fine." He punctuated his statement with a scowl.

"As a matter of fact, he is," said other Gabriel, doing his best to hide his anger. "He has more freedom than we ever allowed him. And as for Chloe, she has grown far more agreeable in her new life. Everyone involved here is happier–how can you argue with that?"

Before Gabriel could show his counterpart just how he could argue with that, Bunnyx spoke up. "There, see? Adrien has someone who dotes on him, and Chloe has a father who doesn't bow to her every whim while also having a job that puts her in the center of attention. Everyone gets what they want. Make sense now?"

Gabriel still couldn't fathom the idea of abandoning his son for Chloe Bourgeois, of all people. But, as Alix had told him, sometimes he just had to roll with it. "Indeed. Everyone is happier. Nathalie is here, but what about Emilie? Surely you haven't given up on seeing her again?"

He was sure this would strike a chord with other Gabriel, but he only smiled. It was a bittersweet smile, but a smile regardless. "I have long since come to terms with the past. I still miss her, of course, but I've found that moving on is the best way to honor her. She would never have agreed with that Hawkmoth business, after all." He gazed wistfully at a portrait of all three of them.

"In that case, not only do you not have any reason to hold onto your Miraculous, but there's your reason to trust us right there," Bunnyx said, standing up. "All we want is to move forward. But we can't do that if our universe is destroyed. And hey, once we're done with it, we'll bring it back right to the moment you gave it to us, so you'll get it back as soon as it's gone! How can you argue with that?"

It seemed like he couldn't. Other Gabriel took on a slightly more stern expression, walking over to the portrait of Emilie. Pressing the hidden switches, the elevator beneath him revealed itself. "Follow me."

The trio descended into the atrium that held Emilie's secret garden. Main Gabriel had expected it to be neglected and dying, but it looked just as healthy as ever. He also noticed that where Emilie's coffin had been, there was now a giant safe. "I take it these are recent additions?" he asked.

"Indeed." Other Gabriel led them over the walkway once they reached the bottom. "My intention was to bury the past, both literally and figuratively. It took some convincing, but luckily, both Nathalie and Chloe came around to the idea of giving up Hawkmoth for good."

This comment made main Gabrie do a double-take. "Chloe knew? I assume you wouldn't tell her, and the chances she discovered on her own are slim. I take it she found out by accident?"

They reached the giant safe. Other Gabriel placed his hand on a scanner, which beeped. "No, no, I did indeed tell her. You see, I had initially intended to take her under my wing as an apprentice–she certainly had the shrewdness for it, not to mention a grudge against Ladybug. But as time went on, I started to see her less as a pawn…and more as a daughter." He smiled.

"And how exactly does that lead to you giving Adrien away?" asked main Gabriel.

Other Gabriel opened the safe. Despite its enormous size, all that it was meant to hold was the butterfly Miraculous. "As a side effect of Chloe's apprenticeship, I had her keeping a closer eye on Adrien. That meant he was over at her home more often. Somewhere along the line, I assume he confided in Andre how he felt about the whole thing. And before long…the four of us had reached an agreement."

He took the Miraculous in his hand, staring at it like it was an old friend. A look of longing crossed his face for the briefest of moments, as though he was considering putting it on once more. But the look faded as soon as it appeared.

"I swore I would never let anyone take this Miraculous away from me," he said, holding it out to Gabriel. "Please, don't make me regret breaking that promise."

Gabriel reached out to take the brooch, but hesitated. He assumed for a moment that he was having second thoughts, but his pause had been unconscious–there was an energy in the air, like just before a thunderstrike. Somehow, Gabriel's gaze was drawn upwards to the stained glass window above the garden, just as it shattered.

Bunnyx and Gabriel leapt back, the former taking other Gabriel with her. Three intruders landed before the open safe, their viscous bodies instantly recognizable. "Great, more of these guys!" Bunnyx groaned, drawing her umbrella. The ripplers prepared to do battle, though not before one of them glanced inside the safe. Its gaze then went to the Miraculous in other Gabriel's hand. All three of them zeroed in on him.

"Ripplers? What are they doing here?" asked main Gabriel, instinctively taking a step back as the beings began closing in.

"I told you, they just tend to show up sometimes!" Bunnyx swung her umbrella as one of them tried to grab her, sending it colliding into another. The third tried to rush past her, but she opened a portal in front of it, causing it to land on the other two. "Just hurry up and take that thing!"

Though he wasn't sure what these strange creatures that had suddenly invaded his inner sanctum were, it wasn't hard to figure out they were a threat. "Gabriel!" he shouted, throwing the Miraculous towards him. Main Gabriel caught it easily, instinctively clipping it to his shirt.

Nooroo had barely been visible for a split second before Gabriel spoke the phrase: "Nooroo, dark wings rise!" The Kwami was drawn into the jewel, triggering Gabriel's transformation into Hawkmoth for the first time in months. Though he could feel his power was far weaker than Shadow Moth or Monarch, it would be more than enough to handle the Ripplers. Cane in hand, he shot off towards them.

The first of the three Ripplers didn't know what hit it, vanishing as Gabriel cut it in half with his sword cane. The second was a bit more prepared, dodging a few slices until he was able to sweep its legs out from under it, before stabbing it once it had landed. He noticed his leg was unharmed: Miraculous provided protection against Ripplers' corrosive effects, this was good to know.

"Comin' your way!" Using her umbrella, Bunnyx hurled the third and final Rippler towards Hawkmoth. He leapt into the air, bisecting it before either of them had hit the ground. He then sheathed his sword as its remains landed, dissolving along with the others. "Heh, nice one! Never thought I'd be glad to see Hawkmoth again."

In truth, Gabriel never thought he'd be glad to be Hawkmoth again. "Yes, well, neither did I." He hated to admit it, but a part of him had missed this rush of power that came with transforming, especially now that he didn't have to worry about dying from a Cataclysm. "Now, with that out of the way, perhaps we can–"

Suddenly, Gabriel was overcome by an odd sensation shooting through his head. It wasn't quite painful, at least, not mostly, but it was mostly the shock that drove him to his knees. Bunnyx, trying to hold back her concern, approached him. "What's with you?" she asked.

"I…don't…know," he groaned, clutching his forehead. A flickering purple visor appeared and disappeared sporadically around his face, bringing with it a familiar sensation. "I can see…flashes. Brief visions, more like…feelings. There's…more. Here."

Bunnyx, less concerned now, just stared. "Alright, not too sure what that means, but can you get it together?" Other Gabriel had gone over to help his counterpart up. "I assume you mean there's more Ripplers coming, right?"

Now that he was over the initial shock, Hawkmoth was able to get a better handle on what he was feeling. "Yes. I don't know how, but I can feel their presence. Whenever I Akumatized someone, I had a connection to them; this feels similar, only the connection is…broken, somehow. Like a radio with poor reception."

"These 'Ripplers,' then…could they be related to Akumas somehow?" suggested other Gabriel. "I will admit, I am…out of my depth in these matters, but perhaps you could use that connection to track them?"

Hawkmoth had the same idea. Main Gabriel tried to connect directly to the Ripplers, but all he got were flashes of swirling, shapeless darkness. But the more he tried, the more he could sense some sort of pull, like a magnet. "I feel something, coming from downtown. They're heading towards…the Bourgeois hotel?"

"That…doesn't make a whole lot of sense," said Bunnyx. "Every single time I've seen a Rippler, it was coming after me. Why would they suddenly be interested in that place?"

Other Gabriel seemed to have an idea why. "Adrien," he said in a hushed voice. "That's where Adrien is! Please, you have to stop them before they reach him! You're the only ones who can!"

All desires to leave this timeline behind melted away once main Gabriel learned that Adrien was in danger. "They won't lay a hand on him," he growled, leaping out the window they broke in through in a single bound.

"Don't worry, I'll keep him on track," Bunnyx assured other Gabriel, disappearing onto the rooftops through a portal, and following after Hawkmoth.

Now alone, all other Gabriel could do was hope he had made the right choice. "Please do," he said quietly.

"Out of the way!" Bunnyx shouted to the other Bunnyx, dodging past her and a crowd of still more Bunnyxes. She had an urgent mission, and there was no way she was letting herself get tripped up this time!

The burrow this Bunnyx ran through was far more vast and winding than one confined to a single timeline. Rather than a pure white room, it was an entire network of interconnecting tunnels and hallways, existing both within and without the multiverse. Eventually, after passing by hundreds of various Bunnyxes, Bunnyx finally reached her destination: the control room.

Even more Bunnyxes manned several consoles, with screens showing images all across the multiverse. In the center, one woman watched over it all. "Director Bunnyx!" shouted Bunnyx, racing over to her. She doubled over, winded, but still managed to deliver her message. "W-we've got…we've got confirmation on that rogue Bunnyx, ma'am! And it appears she's teamed up with a Hawkmoth!"

Director Bunnyx turned around. She, though far older than the others, was still Alix Kubdel underneath her Miraculous. "Is that so?" Bunnyx handed her an envelope, which she read the contents of with growing concern. "Turn the screen to Universe #23507," she ordered.

One of the Bunnyxes obliged, showing an image of Paris. Sure enough, Hawkmoth and Bunnyx leapt across the rooftops, racing towards some unseen destination. "What should we do, Ma'am?" she asked.

"A task like this calls for a specialist…or three," said Director Bunnyx, having carefully weighted her options. "Send in the Hunters."

Bunnyx was taken aback. "T-the Hunters? Are you sure? Not to doubt you, but that seems like overkill for just one rogue Bunnyx…"

But the Director's mind was made up. "A rogue Bunnyx and a rogue Hawkmoth. Not to mention the problems those Ripplers have been causing. We need to resolve this matter quickly, and with as little fuss as possible."

"I've contacted the Hunters and dispatched them," reported another Bunnyx. "They should be arriving in Universe #23507 within the hour."

Director Bunnyx watched the two on the screen. "What are you up to now, Bunnyx?" she wondered.

AN: Happy new year! So, this was a more crack-y idea I had that I decided to reuse for this fic, based around the idea of Chloe and Adrien swapping places. As Alix explained, Adrien now has a father who dotes on and listens to him, while Gabriel is far less willing to put up with Chloe's nonsense, but she's still rich and has plenty of limelight from her modeling career. Everyone wins! But no, it's definitely an odd one. But that's what makes it fun, no?