Hello everyone, we're back with another chapter this week. For those of you waiting to see more of the two new Varians we'll get to know them next week. For now I'm just going to make you cry…hopefully.

Content warning: Grieving, hints of depression, and sudden anger.

Chapter 19

A Piece of Them Lives on in You

Ladybug raced across Paris swinging from the buildings and running across rooftops as fast as she could. When she learned who Shadow Moth and Tanuki really were she was torn. Stay and arrest Varian, a (former?) friend, or go after the one who started it all. Gabriel Agreste, her boyfriend's father, who was just revealed as their mortal enemy Shadow Moth. She was going to have a breakdown later but right now she needed to get to him before he fled.

A part of her was thinking she should have tried to secure Varian beforehand, he did steal Chat Noir's ring after all, but there was still a part of her that wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt. She might regret this later but with his extended family there she'd likely have to get through all of them to get to Varian anyway and she'd risk Shadow Moth getting away. Still she couldn't just leave him there.

She called Rena Furtive and told her about the big reveal. She had been helping her investigate the other two beings that crossed over and asked her to keep an eye on Varian. Rena tried to update Ladybug but there was no time. As the two heroes raced to take down their biggest villains once and for all Ladybug couldn't help but think this was a hollow victory.

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Nathalie had been watching her boss as he stressed about the boys much like herself. As she did so however she witnessed everything. The man she cared about, more than she'd ever admit, was breaking right in front of her after all the reveals and the truth unfolded.

It was both heartbreaking and a relief at the same time. He had finally realized the futility in his quest to bring Emilie back but at the cost of Adrien learning everything they had been keeping from him. In the back of her mind she knew this was always a possibility but even after all their careful planning she wasn't sure if this was something they could fix. That would have to wait for the time being. Now she needed to act.

"Sir, if we've been compromised then we need to act quickly." she said gently but with urgency.

"What's the point, it's over." She frowned at the man she'd known for so long. She had been afraid of this. He put so much time and energy into a dream that just came crashing down around him. He didn't seem to have the will to fight anymore, but he needed to. She needed him to and the boys needed him to.

"Sir-Gabriel, I'm so sorry. I should have tried harder to stop both you and Varian but I was afraid. Afraid you'd just cut me loose and you'd be on your own with no one to…but I can't do that any more. I can't let you just give up when there are still people who need you!"

"Better off without me…all of you…" Her heart broke for this man, this foolish man.

"Maybe you needed that dose of reality, but if you understand now what are you going to do about it?" He paused but still wasn't moving. "You can wallow in self pity or you can get back up and make things right with your children. So tell me, are you going to fail again by doing nothing or are you going to try and give them a father they can be proud of?"

She wasn't sure if she went too far. He was finally starting to properly grieve his beloved wife after all but there was no time. Slowly he stood up and allowed her to lead him out of the room.

"Gorilla, we have a code Black Bug, this is not a drill! Prepare for evacuation immediately!" The manservant obeyed without question and prepared for their escape. Nathalie was going to be faced with the hardest task of all. Keeping Varian out of Ladybug's clutches and convincing Adrien to come with them. That last one was going to be the biggest challenge of all.

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The moment Hector was free from the Akuma Adira and King Edmund rushed over to him. He brushed them off and told them to stop fussing but they did catch a tiny smile he was trying to hide. He was more concerned about the "Other Quirin" who still looked absolutely devastated at the news that he had failed to save his son.

Varian had been going back and forth about comforting the man and finally made the decision to go up to him.

"Da-I mean, Quirin?" He looked up unshed tears in his eyes. "I'm sorry."

"No son-Varian." He reached out a hand and this time Varian took it. "You're alive and well. Even if you're not…not my Varian it makes me so happy to see there's still a part of him that still lives on in you." Varian felt tears forming in his own eyes.

"But it's still my fault! I-"

"It was an accident, Varian." He said in a soothing tone. "You were just trying to help, I should have explained to you what the rocks were and why I wanted you to stay away from them. And I should have known you'd want to find some way to help, that's just who you are." Tears were flowing freely from both of them now.

"I just missed you-him-Dad so much! I was all alone." Quirin frowned at this.

"Didn't the Brotherhood help you at all?" Varian shook his head.

"You-Dad's never even mentioned them before. Who are they?" Quirin was puzzled by this. Why would his counterpart not talk about his family? Sure he expressed his opinions about not wanting Varian to be brought up as a knight but they were still a part of their lives. It was another reminder this really wasn't his son. Still, this Varian had a chance at a full life that he had wished for with his own son.

"They're my sister and brothers. A clan tasked with guarding the Moonstone, the thing that's creating the black rocks." Varian's eyes went wide.

"I…I knew Dad knew more than what he was saying but…why not tell me?"

"I can't speak for the other Quirin but life in the Brotherhood is hard and unforgiving. I knew you'd never be happy growing up as a knight in training you're too much of an innovator like your mother. I kept knowledge of the Moonstone from…my son because he had such a drive to prove himself to me I knew he would decade his life to the cause thinking it would make me proud. I just wanted him to be the best Varian he could be, not the next Quirin." Varian wiped the tears from his eyes wishing he was hearing this from his own Dad.

"Some innovator, I messed up so badly and I keep messing up."

"You know how many times I stabbed myself while training to be a knight? And when I switched to becoming a farmer, if my neighbors hadn't shown me the basics I would have starved in my first year on my own." Varian laughed a little. It was weird hearing how his Dad struggled with things when he was younger but he supposed that was the point. "You're brilliant but you're still young. You're going to make mistakes, it's how you learn. You're a scientist, you should know that."

"It's true but…what if the mistake is too big to fix?" Quirin knew he was talking about the accident.

"Varian, listen to me. If your Dad was anything like me then that means he was willing to accept his fate if it meant you didn't have to."

"But-"

"Please let me finish. While it was noble of you, both of you, to try and fix your mistake we never wanted you to give up your freedom or your life for us." Deep down Varian knew this but it was just so hard to accept.

"I still don't want to give up. I managed to find a way to break the amber and I even got something out alive!" He was excited at first but then remembered the harsh reality. "Unfortunately it won't work in our world." Quirin put a hand on his shoulder.

"I'm not saying you have to give up, I have a feeling that would be pretty pointless. But more than anything your Dad would want you to live. He would love to watch you grow up and become a man yourself but if that's not it the cards know that he'll be watching you from afar."

At that moment Varian broke down. As the tear freely flowed Quirin scooped him up and cried with him. A father and son both lost, reunited only to be torn apart by the reality that they were shadows of the ones that were gone. Still they took solace in the fact that regardless what happens to them in the future, they at least got to say goodbye.

Adrien was in a similar position with Emilie who had just changed back from Madame Butterfly. Standing before him now was a woman who lost her own son but could at least comfort another who had lost her in return.

"I'm sorry Adrien, when the crack appeared in the sky we didn't know we weren't in the same world as before. And when we found out you two were alive…" tears streamed down her face as Adrien hesitantly wiped them away.

"I just…this has all just been so much." There was still a part of him who was convinced this was a crazy dream but the feel of his 'Mother's' tears told him that this was real, all of it.

"I'm sorry I-your mother had to leave you too. I know I wanted to stay with my little boy."

"I just can't believe you're here, even if you're not my real mother. I…I wish I had been able to say good-bye to her when I didn't know how sick she was." Emilie put a hand on his face.

"That's my fault. I didn't want you-him to see me so ill. I was afraid I'd scare or upset you. I had planned to be more open about it but my time ran out sooner than expected." Adrien figured as much. It was hard to see Luka when he'd first gotten hurt but in the end he was glad he did.

"I think your son would forgive you for that in time." She smiled back at him sadly.

"I'm still sorry I couldn't be there but at least some part of my son is able to live on and that makes me happy despite the pain." she glanced down at the ring on his hand. "At least your father never got your ring, no matter what happens, don't let him have it." Adrien glanced back at Varian who was talking with a version of his father.

"It was already stolen but not by father." she looked at him confused. "Then who, Tanuki?" It was the ring of the Black Cat, she was sure of that.

"Varian did steal it but…"

"You got it back?"

"No ah, he sort of gave it back." Her confusion morphed into a smile.

"So he's not under Gabriel's influence anymore." Adrien wasn't sure how to answer that.

"I…I don't know what's going on with him. Ever since he came to live with us we've slowly gotten close. Then he steals my ring and just as suddenly gives it back. I don't know what to think." Emilie had been told of Varian's struggles by Ruddiger so she had a pretty good idea of what was going through the boy's head.

"I'm certainly not condoning his actions but I can understand them. The fact he gave it back shows that he's not all bad." Adrien bawled his fists for a moment before opening them again.

"I'm still so mad at him."

"And you have a right to be Adrien and you'll need some time to figure out how you feel about everything you've gone through lately. Sadly my sudden appearance probably didn't help with that."

"No!" He exclaimed, grabbing her hand. "Even if you-you're not my real mother it was good to see you again. And you always gave the best advice. She smiled feeling reassured this version of her son would get through this even if he needed some time.

"Speaking of advice, I think you and Varian should talk." Adrien raised an eyebrow. "It doesn't have to be right away but you two need to talk things out."

"What if I can't forgive him?" She pushed a stray piece of hair out of his face and sighed.

"That's something only you can decide and maybe this is a friendship that can't be salvaged. But like I said, give it some time before you decide OK?" He looked torn but did concede she was right. Things were a little too emotional right now and that wasn't even taking into account the fact that his Father was Shadow Moth. He wasn't sure he had fully processed that fact yet.

Just then Adrien's phone went off and he paled slightly seeing who it was. Emilie saw it too and looked both frustrated and sad. He thought about ignoring it but he had something to say.

"Yes Nathalie?" She seemed almost surprised he answered.

"A-Adrien? I…I know you must be terribly confused but your father-"

"Did you know?" He asked sharply, cutting her off.

"What?"

"Did you know my Father was Shadow Moth? Did you help him?" He repeated this time with more force. Nathalie was a bit taken aback but not surprised.

"I…yes I knew and yes I helped him along with Gorilla." Adrien was seething, the emotions that had been building up all day were on the verge of exploding.

"So my entire household has been terrorizing Paris this whole time!?" he shouted into the phone. Varian winched hearing his brother shout so loudly but said nothing. "You lied to me! You all LIED TO ME!"

"Adrien, I know this is a lot right now and I understand your upset but we've been compromised right now. We need to get-"

"Unless you're turning yourselves in I'm not interested in joining you."

"Adrien please listen-"

"NO! I've been the freakin' perfect son nearly all my life because I thought Father was an honorable and respectable man. Now I find out everything was a lie!'' She was quiet for a moment.

"Yo-you're right. We've all been lying to you because we thought it was for the best." Emilie cringed hearing the words of her former friend. "We were wrong. We have so much to make up for Adrien. If you just come home-"

"I'm not going."

"Adrien please-"

"Actions speak louder than words. Find me when you can prove your words aren't just pretty lies." And with that he hung up and yanked the battery and sim card out of his phone so no one could track him.

He was so done.

Once Varian and Quirin had finished their talk the rest of the Brotherhood went up to talk to the former knight. Even if he wasn't their real brother they still had questions. King Edmund was the first to speak.

"This is all very bizarre. I know we came from another world and I understand that you came from a different world than ours. It's still strange that the brotherhood in your world knows about Varian whereas our own Quirin has almost kept us away." Quirin admitted it bothered him the more he thought about it.

"I can't say for certain. Whatever his intentions were though it left his son alone and unprotected. I know we fought more than once about whether or not Varian should be raised to be a Knight of the Brotherhood but I never kept them away." The others looked from Quirin back to Varian who was looking a little uncomfortable. Hector raised an eyebrow.

"Whether you wanted to or not the boy's no stranger to battle it seems." Quirin sighed in frustration. He tried so hard to keep Varian off the battlefield and look what happened to him. He wasn't sure of the role his own family played after he was trapped in the amber.

Ruddiger only said Varian was being prevented from getting a message out to the brotherhood from the king's soldiers. He then took matters into his own hands which led him to being arrested. He had no doubt that if the portal hadn't opened up in his jail cell his family would have torn the place apart once they learned what happened. It seems that this Varian didn't even have that. Then there was the other thing he noticed.

"Another thing that's different. The black rocks did invade Corona but they didn't come to Paris in the world I was pulled to." The brotherhood exchanged looks.

"Is the time period the same?" Adira asked. "This world is much more advanced than either of ours, maybe it hasn't happened yet in the Paris you came from." Quirin thought to himself.

"I suppose that is possible. If I ever get Emilie back home we'll have to keep an eye out for them."

Suddenly without warning a portal opened up in the middle of the warehouse. On the other side was a girl who looked like she was wearing a version of the Horse and Rooster Miraculous combined.

"Quirin, Emilie, thank goodness you're OK!" the holder said, clearly relieved.

"Ladybug is that you?" Emilie asked as she walked up to her.

"It's Pony Feathers right now but anyway, you need to come back right now! I had to pull a few strings just to find the right world and I can't keep the portal open for long." The boys looked at their parents with Varian being visibly distraught.

"What? So soon! No, please, I know you have to go back for your own son but,,,I still have so many questions. I still have so much I need to say." Quirin knelt down to Varian's level.

"I know, I wish we had more time too but you're not alone this time." He pointed to the Brotherhood members already knowing what Quirin was going to ask.

"I know you haven't been properly introduced but I trust Edmund, Hector and Adira with my life and more importantly yours." Varian looked unsure.

"But I don't know them and Gabriel-"

"Varian, listen to me, I know he's helped you in the past but the path he's been leading you down will only lead to misery." Varian turned his head. True Gabriel was the one who offered him the wish but he's the one who took things to the next level, he wasn't just some poor kid led astray. He knew the consequences and made his choices. Some of which he came to regret but he was the one who made them. Then again he was planning to leave for a while afraid what the man would do when he found out Varian gave back the ring of the Black Cat.

"Maybe…maybe that would be OK for the time being." King Edmund stepped up and put a hand on Varian's shoulder.

"You need not worry brother, he's family, we'll see to it he is protected."

Adrien, while still sad this version of his mother was leaving, felt at peace. He had already been moving on and now he'd finally gotten to say goodbye.

"I'm going to miss you…so much." Emilie smiled as she gave him a peck on the cheek and wiped away a stray tear.

"And I you." She paused for a moment before glancing back at Varian and Quirin's family. "If I may make a suggestion. If you're serious about leaving your father, the Brotherhood would not be a bad group to help you on your journey." She was hesitant to send him to her sister, that would be the first place Gabriel would look. Not to mention he was still needed in Paris.

She brushed her finger over his ring making it clear what she meant. At first he was shocked, she couldn't be serious could she? Then he remembered when they said they were hunting down something called the Moonstone and that's what was causing the black rock to take over Paris, his home. Even Varian, who he really didn't want to talk to right now said he found a way to break the rocks with his ring.

He glanced down at the ring. His entire household had been lying to him but Varian was the only one to come clean on his own without being outed. He wasn't ready to forgive the other boy. Hell he didn't even want to even talk to him right now. But with his ring back he was something more than Adrien Agreste, he was Chat Noir and his city was still under siege. Not to mention the damage being done to their dimensional barrier with all these people coming through. If the Brotherhood could help or at least shine a light on things then he'd do it.

"If they'll have me?" he said politely to the knights. The king seemed thoughtful but didn't see any harm. Adira silently nodded while Hector just smirked.

"Why not. We need some new blood after all. Let's see if you've got some sharp claws to go with that sharp tongue." Adrien smirked, he had no idea.

"Hey Guys, I know this is touching and all but I can't keep this thing open much longer." Pony Feather grunted straining to keep the portal open. Quirin and Emilie gave their children one last hug before bidding them farewell.

"Be safe you two." Emilie said with tears spilling down her eyes.

"Take care everyone." Quirin said to his family before they both disappeared through the portal.

"Bye Dad."

"Goodbye Mom." And with that the portal closed behind them.

"We should get going before Ladybug comes back for Varian." Adira suggested as the rest of the group got ready to leave. Varian was surprised to see the bag he had packed lying on the floor ready to go. Quirin must have taken it with him when he grabbed Varian earlier. It seemed a little heavier than he remembered but he didn't have time to worry about that.

"Ah hey Adrien?" he asked nervously. "I have a few spare outfits if you-"

"Don't worry about it, I've got that covered." he said abruptly as he walked past Varian without looking back. Varian adjusted his bag and followed behind pretending it didn't hurt to be brushed off like that. As the knights neared the exit Edmund silently signaled to the other two.

Before either boy knew what was happening the two knights picked up and threw some loose netting from the warehouse floor into an empty corner. They were confused until they heard a grunt of surprise.

A miraculous holder, one who neither of them had seen materialized in front of them. Both recognized that the holder was fox-like in appearance, meaning Ladybug had given the Fox Miraculous to another hold and was being used as her spy. Varian had suspected for a while now that this was the case while Adrien was stunned. He knew it wasn't personal but yet again someone he cared about was keeping secrets. They all left in a hurry and by the time Rena got free they were long gone without a trace.

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Ladybug gave a frustrated sigh as she searched the Manor of Gabriel Agreste with not a soul to be found. It was becoming abundantly clear that Shadow Moth and everyone involved had escaped leaving little behind in the ways of clues. While she doubted Gabriel would be going after the Miraculous again after what that other Emilie said to him, he was still a cornered beast. And a cornered beast was still dangerous.

Speaking of which, she was starting to regret not securing Tanuki AKA Varian when she had the chance. Hopefully Rena Furtive was able to follow them before they got too far.

"Ladybug? Can you hear me?" she had a sinking feeling about this.

"I'm here, no luck at the Agreste Manor, everyone's gone. How about you?" she hesitated for a moment.

"About that…" Ladybug rubbed her eyes, feeling a headache coming on.

"Don't tell me, they got away too?"

"I'm sorry Ladybug I still don't know how they saw me." Ladybug was about to collapse, this has been one of the longest nights she's had since becoming Ladybug. "Oh and one more thing." Marinette didn't think she could take one more thing.

"Please let it be good news."

"That depends. Remember when you had me investigating the other two things that came through?"

"Yes, did you find them?"

"Sort of. I had Pegasus help me search through the security cameras around town and we spotted two people who shouldn't have been there."

"So wait, you recognize them?"

"Yeah and get this, both of them were the same person?"

"Couldn't they have been twins?"

"Not unless Varian is a triplet."

"Waitwaitwait! You're saying the other two who came through were both…two other Varian?!"

"That would be a yes."

She was going to need more aspirin.

To be continued…

Next time: Two other Varians with two similar but also different histories have just entered Paris. A different decision and an unforeseen event changed the course of both their lives and they are different people because of it. These are their stories.