Profeshonal Artist

Ladybug stands in front of the city with dread. Flashing lights from cameras and shouts from the crowd were making her slightly dizzy. Chat Noir takes her hand, and she smiles at him.

“People of Paris,” She starts into the microphone, the crowd silencing, “we have defeated Monarch, and successfully taken back all of the Miraculous!” The square erupts into cheers, and the flashing exellerates.

“Did you uncover his identity??”

“Has the power he possessed been destroyed??”

“What is your plan now??”

The questions tumble one after the other, Chat Noir coming forward and holding up a hand.

“We have suspicions that he was not working alone, so, for now, we will not reveal his identity. Once we figure out who else was involved, we will work with the government bodies to figure out the best course of action.” He says confidently. “We don’t have the authority to legally handle civilians, and we won’t try to. We aren’t a position of power nor will we become one with Monarch gone.” Bustier, the new Mayor, ushers them off the stage once the questions start again. Imago comes up to them with a smile.

“You guys did great!” She gushes, the two smiling.

“Chat did most the important talking. You almost seemed like a different person!” Ladybug teases, Chat Noir smiling.

“Hey, a cat’s got nine lives, that means I have nine personalities.” He jokes back. They swing away from the crowd, and detransform. Natalie was in the limo waiting for them.

“Now to find out who Gabriel was working with.” Marinette says, closing the door. Natalie looks away.

“Natalie, we won’t mention your involvement. You tried to stop him… and you’re the only family I have left.” Adrien says quietly, Natalie nodding.

“I’m still responsible for what I’ve done. But, for your sake, I’ll make it up a different way.” She promises.

“Actually, I know how you can.” Adrien says. “When I did the Reunion with Gabriel, he mentioned me being the new Diamond, and “they” would keep me safe, do you know anything about that?” Natalie nods firmly.

“The Kingdom. Gabriel created it when he started his fight for the Miraculous. They’re a group of powerful figures, who all want to make a Wish with the Miraculous.” The three gasp.

“Do you know who’s involved??” Marinette asks, Natalie nodding.

“I do. But, we can’t go after them without definitive proof, and they’ll be on high alert after what Chat Noir said. Adrien, I think it best if you act as the new Diamond, act as though you are aligned with your Father’s goals.” Adrien scowls, but sighs, nodding.

“Racecar can look through old files of Gabriel’s contacts faster than we can. If you tell me who to look for, we could probably find proof of conspiracy in a few days.” Natalie nods.

They get into the safety of the mansion, and Natalie opens a doorway to Gabriel’s secret office, where the Kingdom meets.

“Alright.” The group had gathered around the table. “Adrien is the new Diamond. The others go by aliases, but Gabriel was trusted with their identities. My father is the Stomach, Tomoe is the Machine, Audrey is the Sceptor, Soraya is the Beyond, André is the Sword, Cerise is the Mask, Amelié is the Truth, Bertraad is the Molecule, Jean is the Wall, Gine is the Pen, and Olga is the Wheel. We can’t legally do anything to Soraya, since she’s a citizen of Achu. I know that Lady Amelié is only there as a spy, we started working together when Gabriel got power hungry. Most of the members are just there for intel, and in positions that can easily manipulate. The leaders are Audrey, Tomoe and.. well.. Gabriel.”

“Are you alright with your father being outted?”

“Can we out any of them? They’re all pillars of the community! Their only crime would be conspiring with Gabriel.” Marinette points out.

“Yeah… conspiring with a terrorist. I’m pretty sure we can.” Aglaé says, Natalie nodding.

“Just their interactions with Monarch puts scrutiny on them.”

“True.”

Now, Adrien stood next to Natalie in the dark room. Surrounding them were large pillars, each with a symbol that would glow when someone spoke.

“Welcome, New Diamond. I was assured that you’ve been brought up to speed?” The Machine inquires, Adrien nodding. Though, he realizes none of them can see him.

“Yes. I am honored to uphold my Father’s legacy, and continue towards his goal.” He responds.

“Ladybug and Chat Noir say they know Monarch’s identity. Have they gone after you at all?” The Pen asks.

“No. They assume since my father sent me to London, that I had no involvement in his plans. They did question me when I returned, but I led them away.” He says confidently.

“Our main focus should be trying to find a way to lead them away from us. If they go sniffing into Gabriel, they’ll confront his business partners.” The Mask says.

“All personal investor information is under my control, no one else’s. I can also edit those documents any way I want. If they come, I can lead them even further.” Adrien promises.

“Good. We have work to do.” The meeting ends, and all that remains is The Machine.

“I would hope your father told you about our arrangement, Adrien?” Adrien couldn’t help but roll his eyes. He had seen the documents talking about his father’s “deal” with Tomoe.

“Yes. My feelings for Kagami are still strong. I will be glad to honor the deal.” The Machine logs off.

“We’re offline too.” Adrien breathes a sigh of relief.

“That… was scary.”

“You handled yourself well.”

“All those lessons Gabriel made me do actually helped.” He huffs a laugh, shielding his eyes as they enter a well lit room.

“Well?” Marinette asks.

“The others are confident I’ll keep their identities safe. They also think that I’m now the only person who can edit the documents, not that I’ve blocked them out.” Marinette smiles.

“You’re brilliant.” She comes up to him and kisses his cheek, Adrien blushing.

“I’ve gathered up lots of evidence on my end. Including documentation and video proof.” Aglaé says, pulling up a few files on her new computer.

“Perfect. We should wait a few days.”

“Why? Why not do it now, while they’re scrambling? They’ll be unprepared.”

“Or they’ll be over prepared.” Aglaé mutters.

“What can they do? They don’t have a super villain on their side anymore.” Marinette points out, Natalie shaking her head.

“They can do a lot. Not only are they powerful figure heads, some members are average citizens, who know their way around the regular systems.”

“So… which do we do? Wait, or do it now?” The three all look to Adrien, who takes a large breath in.

“The sooner we finish this, the better.” He decides.

There they were again, in front of an even larger crowd. Rene Rouge, hiding behind a building nearby, had created an illusion of Adrien in the crowd, not close to anyone. He had Gorilla and Natalie shielding him if anyone tried to touch him.

“Citizens of Paris! Not only do we have the identity of Monarch, but we also have his correspondents, as well as proof of their identities!” Ladybug shouts into the microphone. The crowds were much louder than before, hungry for answers. With Felix’s help using Once upon a Time, which he had kept since its creation, Imago could project Racecar’s footage to a large screen. It took up the whole view of the Eiffel Tower. Everyone turns to look.

First, it showed Monarch being fought by Ladybug and Chat Noir, right before he took off the Butterfly.

“Monarch’s identity was Gabriel Agreste!” Ladybug declares as the footage shows him taking it off. The crowd gasps, an uproar of paparazzi start at Adrien, who is quickly led to a car. “Adrien Agreste nor the people employed by the Agreste household knew of his identity.” She adds quickly. Chat Noir steps up.

“We’ve also secured the identities of Gabriel Agreste’s confidants, with the help of Adrien Agreste’s access to his documents.” He begins, the screen changing to flashes of different legal agreements with multiple Kingdom members, videos of Monarch speaking to members, as well as the members accepting deals from him.

All chaos erupts.

Audrey was the first to outburst, rushing their stage with rage.

“This is ridiculous!! Utterly preposterous!” Tomoe joins her.

“You heroes have an illusionist on your side, how can we be sure this isn’t her magic!?” Tomoe accuses. Rene Rouge jumps from her hiding place, taking a spot next to Ladybug.

“Because,” Rene Rouge smiles at Ladybug, who’s eyes widen in realization, “Trixx, de-transform me.” Alya opens her eyes to the crowd. There was fear, surprise, anger, and relief amongst the crowd. She points up to the screen.

“My powers don’t work when I’m not transformed! Yet there it is! Clear as day!” She shouts, the documents still flipping and the videos still playing. There was plenty of proof for all of them. There was even proof that Adrien nor Natalie were part of his scheming.

“W—Well… you’re protecting a criminal as well!” Audrey snarls, nearly getting dragged away. “Natalie was Myaura!! She helped Gabriel!!” The cameras start to question them.

“Gabriel used Natalie against her will!” Ladybug lies, “He would Akumatize her, then force her to wear a broken Miraculous!! She was nearly killed because of Gabriel! Akumatized victims never remember when they’re possessed, Natalie had no idea she was being used!” Bustier joins them on the stage after talking with the head of Police, and Council of Paris.

“Those who have been affiliated with Monarch will be held with no bail until a trial can be conducted. No money nor reason will exempt them from trial.” She declares. “To further make things just, neither Ladybug nor Chat Noir will be present in these trials, to show there is no bias.” Chat Noir goes to protest, but Ladybug stops him.

“Thank you, Mayor.” The video feed stops, and Ladybug, Chat Noir, Rene Rouge, and Imago leave the scene. Aglaé had already sent all of the evidence to Bustier through Racecar for the courts.

Felix charges into the mansion in a fury once the three return.

“Why on Earth are you covering for Natalie?? Why is she free??” He accuses. Mastenette steps forward.

“The same reason you still have the peacock, Felix.” She states, Felix faltering.

“I… I apologized for that. You know why I had to do it.”

“And we know why Natalie did what she did. We also know what your mother was up to. She’s pardoned as well, you know.” Felix screws up his face.

“My mother isn’t involved in anything.” Aglaé snorts, Felix glaring.

“She was part of the Kingdom, only as a way to keep an eye on things. She was a.. sleeper agent I guess.” He blinks, then sheepishly starts playing with his hands.

“I.. apologize. I didn’t realize. I shouldn’t have come at you with anger.” He mumbles, Mastenette smiling and coming up to him, resting a hand on his shoulder.

Aglaé vividly remembers sitting on her bed late at night, staring wide eyed and mesmerized as her fathers reenact their fairytale. Every so often, when Aglaé isn’t pretending she can’t sleep without their performance, she gets to be the bad guy. The two always ask if she would rather be a knight, but she likes “shooting them with lasers”, because they always come up with silly ways to get hit.

Back then, her home was a large room, on the very top floor, with other Rebellion members living right across the hall from hers. Lots of times, on the lower levels, new people would spend the night, or stay for a weekend. Nathaniel and Marc had named their house “hotel”, which Aglaé found very special, because no one else’s house had a name.

Nights when Marc and Nathaniel were around were rare, since they always disappeared when it started to get dark. They made it a point to call it business around Aglaé, and always left when they thought Aglaé was asleep.

Those days were quiet, and fun.

Those times didn’t last as long as they should have.

One day, they were all happy in their home, and the next, Nathaniel was gone, their home was gone, and Marc had become so distant that she thought he had gone as well. She was old enough by then to know what was going on, what her fathers and the Rebellion were doing. She was old enough to want to help, but was always shut down by Mylene and Ivan. While Marc was away, the two of them would take care of Aglaé. She got to be an observer of the Rebellion, and got to join Mylene on her restoration efforts.

Her house had gotten smaller, and even more secretive. It was a mansion now, and more often than not, they had to pretend they didn’t live there. Aglaé knew the reason now, and knew exactly how to act. There were no more late night stories about knights, she could no longer color her shirts or put stickers on her pants, or helping her fathers color their comics. Instead there was quiet days, where no one could leave the mansion, and secret classes in a basement, and white, plain clothes.

She could pinpoint the exact day that she lost her other father as well. It was a late afternoon, and Aglaé had snuck into his room— they no longer shared one, which was a huge shift for her. She had been told by Mylene that Marc was upset today, and not to bother him. So, she made a plan to make him feel better.

It took a lot of digging, but she finally finds the old costumes Nathaniel had made for them. She barely fit in her villain outfit, but she wouldn’t be playing as her anymore. Now, she’d be a knight for Marc. So, she puts on her father’s costume, and sets Marc’s aside. Then she starts to set up.

Later that evening, when Marc opened his door, he freezes in place, Aglaé looks over at him and beams, putting on her helmet.

“I made your story! Remember? We can play Jousting, like they did in chapter five!” She says, picking up Marc’s helmet too. “I made new horses, ‘cause I couldn’t find the old ones.” Marc stares at her as she comes up to him with it, smiling brightly.

Marc scowls.

“Have you been here instead of school? Does Supreme know??” He accuses, Aglaé frowning a little.

“N… No.. I’ve finished my classes today.”

“Then you should be learning with Bustier, not… playing dress up! We’re facing a real battle out there! No one has time for silly, fake stories!” He snarls, turning and slamming the door in her face. Aglaé stares at the closed door, his helmet still tightly in her grip.

It wasn’t until she was ten that she was allowed to learn to fight. Both Mylene and Ivan protested, but Aglaé was determined to help. Luckily, Marinette was thrilled by her perseverance, and started to personally train her. She was given a Mini-Markov, as well as Nooroo’s stone, and officially became a Rebellion Member.

As the banned book list grew and grew, Aglaé would spend more and more time learning with Ms. Bustier, finding that “real school” was becoming overly controlling, and skewed to favor Supreme. She became fascinated by books, especially ones that dealt with justice systems and government, along with laws and regulations.

Not going to school also meant she could dress however she wanted, since she didn’t have to worry about “stepping out of line”. Whenever she and Marinette would have conversations on fashion, the next week a new outfit with her favorite designs would appear.

It took about two years for Marc to come back to reality. Aglaé would see him go through the motions of living, but he wasn’t fully present, so Aglaé never approached him.

It was on her ninth birthday that things finally changed. She was visiting Nathaniel’s “grave”, talking about how her year had gone. She only visited him on her birthday, or his. It’s all she could handle. Deep in her heart she hoped that Nathaniel could hear her, but she doubted that. She was leaning against his leg, playing with a small goat plush that Marinette had made for his birthday. She had Racecar turned off, which meant he couldn’t warn her about the Akuma headed her way. She didn’t notice it until the butterfly had landed on the plush, and by then, it was too late.

“Hello, little one. I’m sorry for intruding, but I don’t believe I’ve seen you here before.” Supreme was in her head. Aglae quickly floods her mind with memories of her fathers before opening her eyes.

“He’s my papa.” She responds, Supreme giving her a sad look.

“I’m so sorry! That must be so hard! Were you close?”

“Sort of…. he always disappeared randomly. He never told me why.” A half truth.

“That must have been sad… I didn’t know Nathaniel had a daughter.” She says softly, “I can give you the power to bring him back, if you’d like.” Aglaé’s heart leaps, all her training for Akumas disappearing at the idea of having her father back. Having both her fathers back.

“But… you’re the one who put him here.”

“And I never would have if I knew he had a daughter. The pain you must feel is emence, and I feel horrible I put you through it! I’m a kind ruler, I won’t have families broken apart.”

“What do I have to do?”

“A simple task, really. I can give you the power to turn him back to normal, but I need you to show me where the Rebellion is.” Her training kicks in again at the mention, and she tries not to react.

“I don’t know what you mean… dad says the Rebellion ended when papa got frozen.” Supreme’s face changes to irritation, but it morphs back to sympathy.

“Are you sure? You said your dad used to disappear without telling you, has anyone else done that?” She pries, Aglaé shaking her head. “… I see. Well, I can only grant you my power if you do something for me in return…” Just then, she feels arms wrap around her, and hears her father’s voice from far away.

“Aglaé! Aglaé, I’m here, it’s okay. You’re okay.” She immediately lets go of the plush, breaking free of the butterfly’s influence. She puts a hand on Marc’s arm, and he squeezes her. “My baby girl… you’re okay, it’s okay…” Aglaé smiles as tears go to her eyes.

Her dad was back.

She leans into him, looking up at him and smiling as tears fall down her cheeks.

“It’s okay, daddy, I didn’t tell her anything.” She promises, Marc rocking her. His eyes were squeezed shut as tears escape.

“You’re so brave, my little knight. I’m so sorry I wasn’t here for you… you’re so brave.” Aglaé looks down, her throat closing.

“I- I’m sorry…” Her voice breaks as the butterfly leaves, the Akuma magic disappearing. “She said I c-could’ve brought papa back… but.. but I c-couldn’t… she wanted to use m-me to f-find you g-guys... I’m s-sor-ry. I could’ve m-mad-de you happy a-again…” She chokes out, Marc shaking his head and squeezing her again.

“It’s okay. You did everything right. You did perfect. I’m happy you’re here, and safe, that’s all I need. You make me happy. I’m so sorry I left you. I’ll never leave you again.” Aglaé turns and properly hugs him, starting to sob.

They stayed there for an hour, just hugging and crying. Surprisingly, Supreme didn’t try to Akumatize either of them. Maybe she really thought Aglaé wasn’t aware of the Rebellion, or she knew Marc would fight her. Either way, it felt good to show emotion without fear.

Years went by, and Aglaé felt like she had a family like before. She had gotten used to calling Mylene and Ivan “mother and father”, and that never seemed to disappear, even after Marc came back into her life. She had started calling Adrien “pops-corn” as a joke, but after seeing him light up, she continued to call him it. Marinette preferred Master, but since her and Adrien were married, she occasionally called her mom. And since Aglaé gave the adults nicknames, they gave her nicknames as well. Marc would call her his “little knight”, Mylene always called her “Bat Orchid”, Adrien started to call her “Pupa” when she became Marinette’s apprentice. Marinette had started calling her it without noticing, and got teased by Adrien when she finally noticed.

She had gotten comfortable in Adrien’s mansion, being able to walk around the main floors without the fear of Supreme growing suspicious. Though, her being out in the open more meant she had to follow the rules more. She had to go to school, and she had to abide by Supreme’s dress-code. She didn’t mind, since she had far more freedom at Adrien’s house than Marc’s. Adrien let her do anything she wanted, which she took advantage of every so often.

Ever since Aglaé’s ninth birthday, Marc had joined her in visiting Nathaniel. They would spend the day reading their old comics, and then visit him, talking about the year. She would find herself looking forward to Nathaniel’s birthday, even if seeing him made her sad.

Then, the day came when everything disappeared again. She had been sent out to destroy FoxCams while Adrien kept The Kingdom busy.

She hadn’t even destroyed three of them before Racecar’s Emergency Alert disrupts her vision. She immediately dismissed the message and turns back towards the Mansion, just to be stopped short as the ground rumbles. Keeping her footing, she looks towards the Mansion to see a dust cloud billowing upwards. Her breath hitches and she launches towards her home, tears and red alerts blocking her vision.

She stops at a building next to the Mansion, expecting to see a fire, or an Akuma attack. But, instead, there was nothing. Only the dust clouds and the collapsed basement were proof that a building had even been there. She looks up at the thunderclouds, and sees Supreme flying away.

“Racecar, connect to Markov Prime.” She breathes.

“Unable to connect.”

“Connect to Markov Prime!!” She demands, getting the same reply. She jumps down from the building and runs towards the rubble.

“Connect, connect, connect!!” She screams, tears making her mask glitch.

“Aglaé!” She hears from behind her. She turns quickly, her head swerving so fast that she barely sees Marc. His arm was bleeding, and his jeans were torn at the knees.

But he was alive.

“DADDY!” She cries, lunging at him. Racecar makes her suit disappear, and Marc squeezes her tightly.

“It’s okay, my little knight, we’re all okay.”

“What happened?! Why are you hurt??” She sobs, Marc rubbing her back.

“I was in the Mansion when Supreme attacked, but I was able to jump out the window before the Cataclysm got to our floor.”

“From the second story?!” She yelps. She had pulled away from the hug, tearing off her sweatshirt sleeve and wrapping it around his arm.

“Landed hard on this arm. Dunno if it’s broken yet.” He chuckles, putting his other hand on her head. “I’m so grateful you’re okay… that you weren’t here.” He murmurs.

“Who else is hurt?? Where is everyone— what do we do now?!” Her mind was still racing, the adrenaline having no outlet.

“Everyone’s split up right now, so it’s harder for Supreme to track us.” He explains, going into a nearby building as storm clouds start to get closer. “We’ll go to my parents house, okay?” Aglaé nods, not letting go of him.

Later, when the dust had settled, and the storm had passed, she learned what they had lost. Adrien was killed. Supreme had been targeting him, and personally cataclysmed him when she found him. Ivan had lost his arm while protecting Mylene. He had to chop it off before the cataclysm spread to his whole body. Socqueline, who had been posing as Marinette, had also been killed. Natalie had tried to save her, tried to give her time to run, but Supreme ended both their lives.

Mastenette had decided to stay in the Bakery with Aglaé, since Aglaé was used to it, and she wanted to keep an eye on Mininette. Mininette’s parents happily accepted her, of course, they were the kindest parents ever. She insisted it was alright that both her and Aglaé shared the spare room, even buying two twin beds for themselves. There was definitely a bit of explaining to them, but they quickly understood.

Adrien had invited them to the Mansion, but she refused, telling him that he needs to aclomate the younger Adrien to all this craziness first.

“I suppose I should warn our Adrien not to mention his past… It’ll be hard to watch younger me overcome what Monarch instructed of her…” She murmurs, writing on her bed. Aglaé, who was testing out which foods Nooroo liked, turns from the desk.

“Don’t worry, I handled that!” She smiles, Marinette glancing up with a raised eyebrow, so, Aglaé continues. “You said that in the past you fought alone, but I made sure this Marinette didn’t have to! I got Adrien, and he fought alongside her.” She explains. Marinette’s eyes widen.

“You. What.” Aglaé nods, not sensing the tension.

“Yeah! And I made sure Gabriel still made the same Wish, so Natalie would live.” Marinette sets her notebook down.

“So… you told Adrien about his father being Monarch…. And then he fought his own father…. And watched him die?” She says slowly. Aglaé shrugs.

“He was already dying.”

“You told Adrien that the man he sentenced to death was his father?? And then you just… told him to go fight him??” Aglaé blinks, shrinking in her seat as Marinette stands, starting to pace.

“H.. He seemed okay..” She gets out, putting her hands under her legs so she didn’t pick at her nails. “It seemed like the best idea.” Marinette sighs deeply.

“I’m not… mad at you. I’m just… what else did you tell him? That he’s a sentimonster?” Aglaé shakes her head.

“I dunno if Felix told him.”

“Okay.” She takes another deep breath. “Okay. I’m going to Adrien’s house, okay?”

“Should I—“

“No, you stay here.” She instructs, Aglaé nodding stiffly.

“… I’m sorry, Master.” Marinette sighs, going over and patting her head.

“It’s okay. Your heart was in the right place.” Aglaé smiles a little as she leaves.

Marinette opens the door of Adrien’s room. He was on the couch, watching his mother’s old movie.

“Adrien…” She breathes, Adrien turning his head.

“Mari..” He stops, his eyes widening.

“It’s me, I promise. I’m from the future. Like the other Adrien.” Adrien nods, then turns back to the movie. She enters the room and sits with him.

“How long have you been in here?” She asks, Adrien shrugging.

“Twelve days.” Plagg says from his head, yawning. “He’s being boring.”

“You’re as rude as ever, Plagg.” She huffs a laugh, bringing out a small package of old cheese. The Kwami perks up, snatching it and disappearing.

“Adrien, I want to talk to you.” Adrien nods, but doesn’t look away from the screen. She opens her mouth, but doesn’t know exactly what to say. With her Adrien they had time. They went through it slowly. He could process. “Your father was horrible to you.” She ends up saying, surprising herself. Adrien finally turns to her, tears in his eyes. He smiled at her.

“He really was… right?” Marinette nods. “Everyone keeps saying he loved me. He did this for me…” His voice breaks, and he clenches his fists. “But he was never around me. Not until I… until he got hurt. Then he just… pretended. Even then he was barely around. Even then he just did things I used to like. He never saw me.” Marinette starts rubbing his back, staying silent. Adrien buries his head in his hands.

“I hope he didn’t do it for me. I hate him for what he did— he hurt so many people. For what? His wish achieved nothing. If he didn’t ruin his life trying to get the Miraculous, Natalie wouldn’t have gotten sick… a-and I would never had… had killed him!” Adrien wails.

“You did not kill him.” Marinette says sternly. Adrien lifts his head, looking up at the windows and smiling a little.

“And then, after I learned that the monster that’s been terrorizing Paris was my own Father, I learn that I was just a tool to him. A mannequin to model for him.” He says, twisting one of the Twin Rings. Marinette looks at it with hatred.

“They made you because they wanted to love you, Adrien, that’s why any parent wants a child.”

“Then why didn’t he ever love me??” He snaps back, his face flashing with fear from his outburst.

“I can never understand what your father was thinking, and I’m sorry for that.” Adrien glares away. Then, an idea strikes him.

“You—Marinette… you both are the guardian of the Miraculous, right? You have Nooroo? Nooroo was around him the most, maybe he could tell me more about my father.” He suggests, his eyes getting brighter at the idea. A bad feeling shivers down Marinette’s back, but she nods.

“I can ask him… I want Aglaé or Mininette to be with you, though. Just in case.” Adrien nods.

An hour later, and Aglaé comes in. Adrien had actually cleaned, and showered, which he hadn’t done in awhile.

“Hi.”

“Hi.” Nooroo flies over.

“It’s nice to finally meet you, Adrien. I’m sorry for your loss.” Adrien grimaces.

“Not much of a loss.” He huffs out, Aglaé rubbing her arm. “I wanted to ask you about him, actually. What he was like, why he did what he did.” Nooroo’s wings sag.

“Yes, Marinette mentioned that. I hope I can help you heal.” Adrien nods, handing him some of his new favorite food as a peace offering of sorts.

“What was he like when he was hidden away? Did he… ever talk about me?” Nooroo sits on the couch next to Adrien, Aglaé following. He takes a breath in.

“The most he talked was when he was in the… basement, with your mother.” He starts, “He would reassure her that he was close to winning, that he was doing it for her, so you would be a happy family again.”

“Did he ever regret the damage he caused?” Nooroo shakes his head.

“He was convinced it would be worth it. He kept saying that no one was really hurt, since Ladybug fixed everything in the end.”

“Selfish.” Adrien hisses out, Nooroo nodding again.

“He was a very selfish man. He didn’t even care about your birthday.” He sniffs. “I wish I could have come to you— just talked to you.”

“Me too.” Adrien sighs, looking at the black tv screen. “I wish I could tell him how I feel.. how I’ve felt.” Aglaé thinks, then snaps her fingers at an idea.

“Master told me about the time she talked to a past holder, using a Kagatama, can’t you do that same with Gabriel? Since he was a past holder?” Nooroo flinches, looking away.

“I.. am not sure.” He lies, Adrien frowning.

“Nooroo, do you know something?” Nooroo shakes his head, flying under Aglaé’s braid.

“You wouldn’t want to! You just said how horrible he was!” He cries, Aglaé petting his head.

“We won’t force you, Nooroo, but… it’s Adrien’s dad… he deserves to see him one last time.” Nooroo sighs deeply, floating back over slowly.

“He… made one for you. So if his plan failed, he could tell you the truth about himself. He… he wanted you to continue his destruction.” He admits, Adrien scowling.

“I would have never—“

“The ring.” Nooroo interrupts in a near whisper. Adrien’s eyes grow wide, and he scoffs.

“Right. I’m his tool.” He shakes his head, “Show me where it is.”

So, they climb down the steps and into Gabriel’s office. It hadn’t been touched since the battle, and everything had a layer of dust— an unnatural sight in the Agreste home. Nooroo leads him to his mother’s painting. In a corner of it, right at Adrien’s eye level, was a Kagatama imprint. Adrien takes a breath in, Nooroo slowly coming over with the piece.

“Are you .. sure?” He asks softly, Adrien nodding and snatching the piece, pushing it into the hole without hesitation.

“Reunion.” The world around him seems to fall away, a strange mist surrounding him instead.

“Adrien?” His eyes go wide at the voice, and he turns to see Hawkmoth— Gabriel. Adrien narrows his eyes as he smiles. His eyes were sunken, and the cataclysm on his arm had spread up his neck and down to his fingers. “My boy! I knew Nooroo would obey me, and now he obeys you!” He says, almost cheerfully.

“You must know that I was Hawkmoth, then… if you’re here that means I failed… but, you won’t fail! You’ll take up the mantel! You’ll be the new Diamond, and get the Miraculous to save your mother!” Adrien scowls at him, but he wasn’t even looking at him.

“Father.” He seethes, Gabriel finally turning to look at him, his face falls at his glare. “I killed you.” His eyes widen, the color draining from his face.

“No…. No, whatever you did, it didn’t kill me. That vigilante Chat Noir did. He struck me with—“

“I know. I killed you.” He repeats, Gabriel’s eyes widening at the realization.

“You…?” Adrien grows red in the face.

“How could you think I wanted this?! Any of this?? How could you honestly believe that I’d be happy you’d destroyed all of Paris for me?!” He shouts, Gabriel flinching.

“You would have had your mother—“

“And nothing else! Not Natalie, not you, not a safe place to live! You really think Ladybug would keep your identity a secret?? The world would hate us because of you.” Gabriel shakes his head.

“They would keep you safe, you’d be their Diamond, they would make my history disappear, you would be fine.” He reasons. “Nothing matters but your mother and you.” Adrien scowls at him, shaking his head.

“You could have moved on. You could have been there for me, we could have remade our family. I’ve remade my family because I moved on. You stayed in your basement and tortured all of Paris.” He says.

“There is no world for me without Emelie and you—“

“Then why did you abandon my world?!” He shouts, clenching his fists. “I grew up without a mother or father! You only acknowledged me when you knew you were dying! The world didn’t stop because mom died, but you pretended it did, leaving everyone around you to grow up without you!” Tears were in Gabriel’s eyes.

“I’m sorry, my son. I thought I could fix the world for you.”

“I remade my world without you. I made friends, I have a girlfriend, I saved the world from you.” He spits, Gabriel looking away.

“I can’t change anything now, my son. You know that. I’m nothing but a ghost of the past. I can’t undo how you feel about me, or tell you anything that would fix things.” He says softly, Adrien shaking his head violently.

“Tell me you hate me, tell me that you never loved me, tell me you didn’t do these horrible acts on my behalf— anything! Then things would make sense, then I wouldn’t have to be sad, then I could let myself hate you right back!” He begs, Gabriel shaking his head.

“You’re allowed to hate me for the end of time, but, I never stopped loving you, not for a second. I’m sorry I was so deluded in my own fantasies to show you that.” Tears were pouring down Adrien’s face. He just kept shaking his head. He collapses to his knees.

“E-End of Reunion!” He sobs out, the mist disappearing, and the world coming back. Aglaé was immediately at his side, rubbing his back. Plagg launches towards him, curling around his neck and purring. Nooroo just watches with petrified fear.

“I knew this was a bad idea… I knew it… I knew it…” He whispers. He sends a thought to Tikki in desperation. “Please don’t hate me… please don’t punish me.. I did what you wanted..” Aglaé looks up at Nooroo with sympathy, reaching her hand out to him.

“It’s okay, Nooroo. You won’t ever be punished for the choices we make.” Nooroo flies into her arm, hugging her.

Mastenette and Oldrien slam the door open, scaring them all.

“Aglaé, I told you not to do anything crazy!” Mastenette immediately scolds, Adrien shaking his head and wiping his tears.

“I—It wasn’t her, it was me. I wanted it.”

“What did you do?” Oldrien asks, Aglaé standing and helping Adrien up as well.

With Natalie's help, Marinette retrieves the Kwamis from their cells, collecting all of the rings. With the Grimore's help, she starts to put the jewelry back to how it was. Adrien had been in his room for days, only letting Marinette in sometimes, but never talking much. Felix had released Kagami, who had gone back to her mother, despite Felix hating the idea.

That left Aglaé. She still kept tabs on Cerise, who had transferred to a different school. But wasn't doing much other than trying to make herself seem popular. The Kwamis never wanted to be separated from Aglaé, all of them fascinated by her journey.

Then, a few days after the incident, a portal opens in Aglae's room, and a teenage Bunnyx hops out. She apologizes to the shocked and startled Aglae, who quickly realizes who she was.

"You're the Timebug that Marinette was talking about, right?" Aglaé could only nod, still a little shocked by her appearance. Bunnyx motions her to follow through the portal, and she obeys without a word. Inside the Burrow, Aglaé gasps, trying to keep her balance as the floor disappears.

"No worries about balancing here, there's no direction." Bunnyx jokes, floating over to her. "Ladybug once told me about a different dimension, where the Hawkmoth there used a power that let him travel to different dimensions."

"Really?" Bunnyx nods.

"I thought, if you used that here, with the Rabbit and Butterfly, you could find your own Timeline." Aglaé's eyes widen and she smiles.

"You'd let me??" Bunnyx mirrors her smile and nods, handing her the pocket watch.

"Fluff, de-transform me." Aglaé's eyes sparkle, and she combines the two Miraculous. She summons a Time Butterfly, and the whole Burrow turns purple, the Burrow holes flickering to different scenes. Alix looks in wonder at the holes she could see into as BunnyBug scoures them.

"There!" She stops at a bubble to see herself get pulled through a different portal, the process destroying their timeline's Burrow, with Alix inside. Meanwhile, Marinette runs down an alleyway, Supreme right behind her.

"I— I need a way to hide her— to save her!" BunnyBug panics, grabbing the Goat Miraculous. Alix stops her.

"Woah, Timebug, combining two is already taxing. I'll help you." BunnyBug nods, and Alix puts on the Goat Miraculous, transforming. In an instant, she creates a wall behind Marinette, blocking her from Supreme.

"It's exactly like the walls around it. We can't let Supreme know there's other magic involved." BunnyBug nods, and jumps out of the Burrow, startling Marinette.

"Aglaé??" She whispers, shocked.

"It's me, Master." BunnyBug smiles, tears in her eyes.

"Ladybug, c'mon!" They both turn to the voice, seeing Rene Rouge with a sewer cap open.

"Alya??" BunnyBug gapes. She thought Alya was dead!

"How do you know Alya??" Ladybug asks, BunnyBug shaking her head.

"We've got to go. I can save you!" She begs, pointing to the portal.

"But.. the people here, I can't leave them." Tears go to Aglae's eyes.

"You can't save them if you're dead!" She panics, "I saw! If you don't come, she'll kill you! Please, I can't lose anyone else!" Her voice was getting louder, and more desperate. Ladybug and Rene look at each other and nod. In a swift motion, Ladybug scoops BunnyBug, and the three jump into the portal. Goatix dissolves the wall while Supreme was busy searching elsewhere, and de-transforms.

"Aglaé, you did it!" Ladybug sets her down. Aglaé couldn't stop smiling at Marinette— her Marinette. She gives Alix the pocket watch back, and detransforms from Nooroo. Ladybug's eyes widen as she sees the small Kwami.

"You... You got them back— you really got them all back?!" She twirls Aglaé, clinging to the embrace. The Burrow was back to normal, so they leave it, entering Aglae's room, which now seemed much smaller. Racecar jumps to life from the bedside table.

"Markov Prime and Rene Rouge's Mini Trixx detected!" He spins with joy, welcoming the two. They both take their masks off, their civilian aliases returning. Aglaé, unable to contain herself, jumps onto Marinette once more, koala hugging her.

"You're here! You're safe!" She cries, letting out a sob, Marinette hugging her back.

Then, Marinette rushes into the room, having been notified by Tikki that Bunnyx had appeared.

Older Marinette looks down at Modern Marinette, who was slack jawed staring up at her, still holding the doorknob.

"Hi." She waves awkwardly, Aglaé still clinging to her. "I guess.. we don't really need introductions, huh?" She snorts. Tikki comes up in front of Mininette, waving a hand in her face.

"Marinette, you have to breathe!" Mastenette stares at Tikki with misty eyes, reaching towards her with a shaky hand.

"T... Tikki..." Her voice breaks a little, the Kwami looking over at her.

"Oh dear! Don't cry! She'll be fine, I mean— you know.. you well enough.." Mastenette brushes Tikki's face, tears starting to fall onto Aglaé's head.

"I'm so sorry, Tikki. I failed. I failed everyone." Tikki pushes into her hand more.

"No, no! You didn't fail! You fought until the very end, that's why I chose you, you keep fighting." She reassures her, "And from what Aglaé has been bragging, you've fought hard!"

"Oh? Hopefully nothing embarrassing." She chuckles, ruffling Aglaé's hair, receiving a giggle.

"Don't worry, I'd never tell them about the time you nearly hit a window-washer while yo-yoing." She replies playfully.

"Good." She snorts, patting her head again.

"Do me and Adrien get a hamster when we're older??" Mininette finally blurts out, surprising them all. Aglaé looks up at Mastenette, who's surprised look slowly morphs into a devilish smile.

"As a matter of fact..."

"Oh dear." She pulls out her wallet, opening it and unclipping a pocket. Dozens of pictures on a line tumble out. Each one was a picture of a hamster.

"This was our first one, Muffin, her husband Phil— Adrien named him, and her little crumbs, Flour, Sugar, Egg, Milk, Salt and Vanilla Extract. Oh and the guinea pig is Adrien's, his name is Moldy Cheese." Mininette coos at the pictures.

"She has more pictures of her hamsters than her own daughter." Aglaé jokes, finally climbing off of her. Mininette freezes, slowly looking up at Mastenette.

"Y— I— WE HAVE A DAUGHTER?!" Aglae immediately puts her hands up, Mastenette shaking her head rabidly.

"No no no— oh dear—" Mininette looks over at Aglae.

"Are you— are we— did I—?!"

"Oh my gosh, no!" Aglaé starts cackling, grabbing her stomach as Mastenette stutters over an explination.

"The Rebellion grew up to be very tight-knit, to the point of family. Aglaé grew up in that environment, so she calls a lot of different people mom or dad." She finally gets out, Aglaé rolling on the floor in laughter.

"Oh phew. So... who are your real parents?" Aglaé sits up, wiping tears from her eyes.

"No clue. Nathaniel and Marc are the ones who adopted me officially, though." Mininette thinks.

"Why would Nath and Mar.... Oh." Her confusion breaks into a smile, "They make a cute couple!"

"So... why did Aglaé think Alya was dead?" Mininette asks. They had been talking for hours. Alya was hanging out with Aglaé below them, connecting their Mini Markovs.

"Oh, right, that." Mastenette sighs, "Alya and Nino decided they were going to try and find Supreme's hideout, but they needed to disappear to be able to do that. So, we decided to fake their deaths, only I knew about them."

"Woah... that's really brave of them."

"Yeah. They got pretty close.." She trails off, shaking her head. "Anyway—" Alya pops her head up, getting their attention.

"Yo, Mini, can you call Bunnyx?" Mininette blinks a few times.

"Why?"

"I need to use BunnyBug, school's about to let out." Mastenette shares Mininette's confused stare.

"So?"

"I gotta pick up my daughter." Mastenette goes bug eyed.

"Not your actual—"

"You have a DAUGHTER??" Mastenette yelps, standing abruptly and tackling her to the ground with a loud thud. "When were you going to tell me?!"

"Ow." Mastenette gets off of her, helping her up, "Once we found Supreme. I didn't want you worrying even more."

"Wait, wait, wait... so you have an actual daughter?!" Mininette asks from the bed, Alya nodding.

"We need to get the rest of the Rebellion anyway, right? What's one more trip?" Mastenette shakes her head.

"I don't know... all of the Rebellion suddenly disappearing would cause her to become suspicious.. what if she uses Nooroo to come here?” Bunnyx arrives from Mininette's call, listening to them debate.

"Well, what if we pick a time when Supreme tried to wipe us out, and grab them all then, so she thinks she defeated us?"

"Like the most recent attack? But that was before we sent you here.." Bunnyx pops into the conversation.

"That would probably destroy your timeline. It's already quite messy with key players gone." The group falls silent.

"Is... that really so bad...?" Aglaé asks meekly, the four looking at her with horror. She grabs her braid. "I- I mean.. if we get the Rebellion here, and let the timeline break, that would destroy Supreme, right?"

"But... all those people."

"Those people exist here, though.. right? They're happier in this timeline too."

"Who are we to decides who gets to live and die?" Mastenette protests.

"We can't exactly bring a whole 'nother Paris here." Bunnyx brings up.

"Would bringing people here affect our timeline?" Mininette asks, Bunnyx shaking her head.

"Unless they bring a Miraculous." She shrugs.

"It's not really killing people if they can relive a better life... right?" Mastenette sighs. She was pacing the room. She takes a breath in.

"Okay. We get the Rebellion out." She decides, Bunnyx nodding. "If we use a time before Aglaé gets here, will that rewrite her out of this timeline?"

"No. Timelines aren't connected as securely as Time-Travel. Whatever is done to one, doesn't change the other." Mastenette sighs with relief.

"Okay. I will be the only one going."

"Nu uh. I'm coming too." Alya interjects, Mastenette sighing. She could never win an argument against her.

"... Fine." Aglaé hands her Nooroo, petting his head.

"Alright. I need Trixx and Sass."

"Will Sass work with time jumping?" Mininette asks, grabbing the Miraculous.

"Let's hope we don't need him." She replies. She gives both to Alya, while she uses Nooroo and Fluff.

They land in Marinette's room. It was as dark as ever. The only light was the green hue of the Shell-ter that surrounded all of Paris.

"Alright. You go get your daughter."

"Couldn't we have traveled to a time where more Rebellion fighters were alive?" Alya asks, Marinette clenching her fists.

"... This is the most logical event. Any other time and we risk Supreme catching on before we're done." She says softly, Alya nodding.

They go their separate ways, Alya heading to her secret base, while Marinette goes to the Agreste Mansion.

Marinette slips into Adrien's office. She knew where.. she was right now, and knew she'd be fine. Adrien was getting ready for a meeting with The Kingdom.

"Adrien, you have to gather the Rebellion." She says, startling him. He immediately goes to usher her out.

"Mari, you can't be in here—"

"Adrien, listen to me. Collect all of the Rebellion into the Crypt. Natalie can stall The Kingdom."

"Stall..? What are you talking about??"

"Supreme knows we're here. She's going to attack us, we need to get to the Crypt now!" She demands, Adrien's face flashes with horror before turning stern and nodding.

"Plagg, instruct all Minis to the Crypt, red alert."

"Don't alert Markov Prime or Racecar." She adds, Adrien giving her a weird look.

"I'm right here. It doesn't need to alert me. Aglaé is undercover." She lies, Adrien nodding.

"Stall as long as you can, Natalie, but make sure you get to safety as well." He instructs, Natalie nodding.

"Good luck."

They take the elevator into the Crypt, finding half the Rebellion already there. Others were making their way through other entrances, and everyone was confused.

Once she gets a head count, spotting Alya in the shadows with a child near her, she uses the Miraculous to transform.

"M-Marinette?!" Adrien shouts in surprise, everyone looking over at her.

"What the—!"

"Where'd she get those??"

"The Miraculous are back?!"

"LISTEN UP!" Marinette shouts, opening a portal. "Supreme is about to destroy the mansion! This portal leads to a Burrow from another Timeline! Where Aglaé has defeated Supreme!" She explains, pointing to the portal. "Everyone needs to go through, now!" The group nods, following her directions without any protest, which they were no stranger to. Adrien stays planted, staring at Marinette with confusion and shock.

"Wait— are you not my Marinette, then??" Marinette smiles, coming up to him and cupping his face.

"I'll always be yours. I'm just from a bit in the future, a future where we win." Adrien smiles and kisses her, joining everyone else in the Burrow. She closes the portal, then turns to Alya, who nods, using Trixx to create an illusion of the Rebellion fighters all around the Mansion. Her Mini Markov goes off, alerting them of a massive magical attack— too late, of course, just like last time.

The building above them erupts with sound. Walls caving in, statues tobbling, floors crumbling. The ceiling above them shakes, some pieces of flooring dropping around them. Natalie stumbles down the stairs, clutching her ears. Marinette quickly makes a portal under her, sending her to the others.

"Just a few more minutes!" Alya shouts, focusing on the illusions, making sure that they did just as they had done before.

"I'll be right back!" Marinette shouts, getting a quick nod in return.

The rumbling finally stops, Alya and Marinette meeting up again.

"Sorry, I had to grab someone else." Alya nods, and they both enter the Burrow. Somehow, it wasn't crowded. Some people were watching old holes, unable to interact with them, while a few looked towards holes in the future. Marinette detransforms from Nooroo, and the Burrow glitches into its regular white color, the holes showing their new Timeline.

"Alright, everyone. Through here." She instructs. While the Rebellion wasn't as big as it used to be, there were still plenty of people. Marinette had found an abandoned lot away from people, so they didn't spook anyone. Marc floats over to Marinette.

"So.... Why did you bring Nathaniel's dead body?" He asks, pointing to the Pollen-ified Nathaniel. Marinette shakes her head.

"In the new Timeline, we have the Bee Miraculous. We might be able to reverse it." Marc's frown deepens.

"And if we can't?"

"Then we can finally give him a proper burial." She says softly. Marc nods, and follows the others.

On the other side, Aglaé was waiting with Minibug and Alix. The portal opens and Aglaé bounces on her heels, practically buzzing with excitement.

Chris, Harmonie and Maya are the first to appear, Aglaé squealing with delight and running over, hugging them all. Nora, Etta and Verity arrive with Alya. Manon, Aurore and Socqueline in tow. Manon and Aglaé do their secret handshake, then hug tightly. Max, Luka and Marc come through, and Aglaé nearly throws Marc to the ground with how hard she hugs him. Mylene, Ivan and Amara arrive, followed by Adrien and Natalie.

"Papa!" Aglaé cries, running over and jumping into Adrien's arms.

"Aglaé! I saw you twenty minutes ago and you've gone and grown again!" Adrien jokes, tears forming in her eyes. She nods silently, hugging him tighter.

Finally, Mastenette exits the the portal, and turns to Minibug.

"Hey, Mini... could I borrow Pollen?" She asks, Minibug nods, deciding a while ago to just roll with what's going on. Once Mastenette gets Pollen, she disappears back into the Burrow.

"Will I ever get my bunny back?" Alix scoffs, rolling her eyes.

"I mean... there's not really a need for you to go back to the Burrow, right?" Marinette says, Alix deflating.

"You've got a point."

"You can still keep Fluff, I know you guys are friends."

"Best friends!" She chirps.

Mastenette comes back with Nathaniel in tow, who was perplexed and a little dazed, but physically fine. Like he hadn’t just spent the last 13 or so years as a statue.

"Hey, Aglaé! Marc!" Mastenette calls, both of them looking over. Tears immediately pour down Marc's face, and he stumbles towards them, collapsing into Nathaniel's arms and sobbing. Aglaé just stares, unable to move. It's not until Adrien bumps her that she snaps out of her trance, running at them full speed and hugging them.

"Dad!!" She sobs, Nathaniel wrapping his arms around his family. Mastenette returns Pollen to a very confused Minibug.

"So.. why did you need Pollen?"

"Nathaniel was caught by Supreme and turned into a living statue with Pollen's power. I wanted to see if using the power again would reverse it, and it worked." She explains, handing Fluff back to Alix.

"So... what do we do now? You guys can't exactly... return to our society with younger versions of you wandering about." Mastenette shrugs.

The next day, Marinette had already called Adrien twelve times by the time Aglaé meets up with her at the Eiffel Tower.

"I hope his dad didn't change his mind about Adrien going to the dance." She murmurs, worry written on her face. It was a few hours before the party.

"He's fine." Aglaé reassures her. "But we need to get ready." Marinette gives her a strange look.

"We.. are ready." Aglaé smiles and shakes her head.

"Follow me."

They take the elevator to a dark room in the Eiffel Tower, a projector facing a blank wall.

"What's...?"

"Let Felix explain, okay?" Marinette's eyes widen, narrowing at Aglaé, who just waves from the closing elevator, leaving her alone.

Then, the show begins.

Marinette leaves the Elevator deep in thought, Aglaé joining her.

"Things make sense now?" She asks, Marinette shaking her head.

"Not... really..? So... Adrien, Kagami and Felix are.. they're made from the Peacock..? Why does that matter? They're still people, right?" Aglaé nods.

"What else did he tell you? He said he'd do things 'his way', he's way more theatrical than Adrien's ever told me." Aglaé scoffs.

"He didn't tell me anything else... I think. The story was a little... weird." She admits, Aglaé shrugging.

"Well, he did his part, now it's my part!" She says, skipping away from the Dance, Marinette jogging to catch up.

"Where are we going now?"

"We're going to defeat Monarch." She says, Marinette stopping with shock.

"Where are we going??" She repeats, baffled.

"His house!" She chirps with a smile, Marinette once more having to jog to keep up.

"Is this what you were up to yesterday?"

"Sorta." They get to the Agreste mansion, and Aglaé disables the security, allowing them to sneak in. They make it past the garden, and to a window that faces the entry way. Gabriel was pacing on the phone.

"What do you mean he's missing?? He's supposed to be on the plane to London in two hours!!" Gabriel snarls. Argos lands behind them, and Marinette jumps in her skin.

"Alright, I'm here. What now?" He grumbles.

"Want to help beat up your Uncle?" Argos smiles at that.

"Definitely." He releases Adrien from the Red Moon, and he looks around in pure confusion.

"Felix! You seriously used the Red Moon again?!" He snarls at his cousin.

"I told him to." Aglaé says, pulling his attention towards the two girls, making him even more confused.

"What are you doing here— what's going on??" Aglaé looks over at Argos.

"You seriously didn't explain the main problem??" She whisper shouts, Argos shrugging with mild interest.

"You think he'd believe me?"

"He idols yo— whatever." She turns to Marinette. "What did we come here for?" Marinette gives her a look.

"You said we were going to Monarch's house." She says, Aglaé nodding.

"Adrien, why would we be going to Monarch's house?" She asks, turning to him.

"I— I dunno... Why not just tell Lady..." He trails off, looking at Marinette with wide eyes. She was looking at the mansion with a look of realization and dread.

"You.." Adrien whispers, Marinette looking over with wide eyes, connecting the final piece.

"You..." She whispers with sympathy. Aglaé intervenes once more.

"It's only a matter of time before he goes looking for you, Adrien. He's at his weakest right now, you have to defeat him." She instructs, Marinette putting on a brave face, nodding and transforming, jumping through the window and sending glass against the marble floors of the mansion.

Adrien just stares with terror, trying to get a grasp on his thoughts.

"Adrien. You need to do this. Think later, act now." She says softly, Adrien nodding and coming back to his senses, transforming and following Ladybug's lead. Argos crosses his arms.

"My way was much less traumatic." He mocks, Aglaé rolling her eyes and putting on her mask.

"Just go kick his ass."

"Remember your end of the deal." He warns, jumping into the mansion.

Meanwhile, Imago sticks to the shadows and corners of the mansion, watching the fight from afar. She quietly opens a door, peaking in and finding Natalie. Tears go to her eyes as she sees the horrible state she's in.

"He's awful... Marinette told me he was a monster but..." She goes to her bedside, Natalie looking over weakly.

"You... Who are you... where's Ladybug... she needs to know... he.. he's gone to far... he.."

"Sh, I know. It's okay. Just relax, we'll handle everything, I promise." She whispers, holding her hand gently. "Just rest." Her voice breaks as Natalie shuts her eyes, and she quickly leaves the room, rubbing her eyes harshly as she returns to the battle ahead.

The Mansion starts getting destroyed as Monarch tries desperately to stop the three. Imago sticks to the shadows, acting as back-up, as a last resort. This was their battle, not hers. Due to their rage towards Monarch/Gabriel, Ladybug and Chat Noir had unlocked the ability to summon their power more than once without a timer, but it had its toll. Acting on emotions always does. Monarch was losing badly. Between the three bombarding him, his injury limiting him, and the heroes not needing to recharge, even with the rest of all the Kwamis, he was weakening. Imago smiles. Her present— their future— would be perfectly fine.

Then, right as she feels some hope, she spots Lila. She adorned a new alias, and had slipped through a hole in the wall to access the mansion. She scowls and follows her, jumping in front of her before she could get near the battle. She had transformed with Ziggy so she'd recognize her.

"Hey~"

"Ugh— you!" She snarls, backing away.

"Do you really wanna test how long you can survive in that box without food?" She warns, Lila glaring. "Leave."

"I will get that Wish. You'll regret ever crossing me." She leaves the way she came in, and Imago continues to watch the battle. It had crashed into the basement while she was busy, where Emelie's crypt was. They had him surrounded, all the rings were off of him, scattered through the mansion from the battle. Now, he only had the Butterfly Miraculous. He had Ladybug and Chat Noir in front of him, Argos behind him, in between the Glass Case and him. It was either face the heroes, or the abyss below.

"You're a monster!" Chat Noir snarls, advancing on him. "You ruined so many people's lives for your own selfish gain!" He advances towards him, his hand pitch black, raised threateningly towards the man. Imago narrows her eyes, jumping in between the two of them as Monarch trips and falls backwards.

"He's beaten." She says, Chat Noir glaring at him with hatred. "He's already dying, remember?" Chat Noir's eyes widen as he realizes, and he staggers back, the cataclysm disappearing. Imago turns to Monarch, who was on his back.

"In my time, you used the Wish to exchange your life for Natalie's, saving her."

"Your... time..?" Aglaé glares at him, reminding him to stay quiet with just a look.

"Will you do the same in this time?" He stares at her with fear. "You've killed Natalie the same way you killed your Wife," Chat Noir makes a noise of distress, "you've killed yourself in your grab for power. When will it stop?" Tears go to Gabriel's eyes, he had de-transformed due to exhaustion.

"I... I just wanted my son to have his mother again."

"... By destroying his remaining family?" Chat Noir gets out, tears rolling down Gabriel's cheeks. He stands slowly, giving Aglaé the Butterfly Miraculous.

"I want to save her. I need to.." He musters, Aglaé nodding and looking towards Ladybug and Chat Noir.

"Let him make the Wish." She instructs, Ladybug resisting at first, but nodding sharply once she sees Argos ready to attack Gabriel from behind.

"Please... just don't tell my son... I don't want him to know me as a disappointment." He begs softly as he steps towards the two. Both Ladybug and Chat Noir take off their jewelry, Adrien looking up at his father with pure hatred as he drops the ring into his father's shaking hands.

"He already does." Gabriel takes a ragged breath in, wanting to say something, anything as the gravity of everything crushes him. He smiles a little, looking down at the jewelry.

"I... I really am a fool. Please... don't ever forgive me." He whispers, turning and stepping away from them.

He says the incantation, and a barrier goes up around him, Gimmi looking down at him, and reading his heart. Just as before, always the same sacrifice, the same loss. Nothing gained. Everything gone.

The inside of the barrier glows, blinding the group for only a moment. When the heroes blink, the barrier was gone, and so was Gabriel, leaving both Miraculous in his place. Aglaé goes over and takes them, handing them back to the two teens, who were too shocked to do much other than receive them. Adrien falls to his knees and grabs his head, starting to sob, Argos rushing over and hugging his cousin the best he could. Marinette looks over at a gaping hole in the ceiling, seeing Natalie descending with a crossbow. Marinette runs over, helping her balance as she steps onto the uneven catwalk.

"Are you feeling alright??"

"Y... Yes... I feel fine... Where is he? I need to stop him, he's gone too far." She says, Marinette looking towards the now empty crypt.

The next week was a whirlwind of events. Aglaé successfully gets video of Lila and Chloe planning to ruin Marinette's reputation after Akumatizing Sabrina at the set up for the Dance. Later, she experiences the horror of the Red Moon in the safety of a dark closet, but everything turns out alright in the end, and finally, Adrien texts "Imago" that his father told him about London.

She sets her plan into motion.

Aglaé: Hey Kagami, how can I contact Felix?

Kagami: I don't know what you're talking about.

Aglaé: You and Adrien need to disappear soon, and I know he can do that.

Kagami: What are you talking about? You're acting strangely.

Aglaé: I'll explain everything... just.. please?

Kagami: I trust you. She sends Aglaé his number, and she smiles.

Aglaé: Hey, can you make Red Moon again?

Felix: who this??

Aglaé: A hater of Gabriel/Monarch. After a tense few minutes, he responds.

Felix: listening.

Aglaé: good. I need you to make Adrien and Kagami disappear during the "end of the year party"

Felix: Y? I won’t make em just to destroy em.

Aglaé: because if Adrien goes to London, you'll lose the Peacock and both you and Kagami will be killed. She had finally remembered the story Marinette told her when she was young. About the two Senti-Monsters that lost their lives because of the Wish.

Felix: Fine. She smiles.

The next school day, it's revealed that Lila was replaced by Kagami on the Alliance Rings. She takes the opportunity to suggest that since she has more time, she should take Marinette's responsibilities of class president, since she's so focused with Adrien and the Dance.

"There's only a week or two of school left, wouldn't that just complicate things?" Aglaé brings up, Lila scowling at her.

"I want to help all my classmates succeed, but I can't help Chloe without class representative privileges, and since Marinette has already dismissed helping Chloe—"

"Chloe isn't even upset she got caught! She's been copying off Sabrina for years, and won't suddenly change now!" Marinette protests.

"I just want to help!" Lila shoots back. Aglaé smiles as Racecar comes to her, and she connects him to the classroom screen. An image of Lila and Chloe comes up, and the video starts.

"We can ruin Marinette's reputation in one go. We just need to pull a few strings, and everyone will think she's a thief." The feed then shows Sabrina running off crying at something Chloe said to her off screen. The video cuts and another plays, this one is from the locker room, Lila and Chloe are talking by some far lockers.

"Once we convince those saps that I should be class rep, we'll get access to the student files. Then we use Sabrina to make Marinette look like a complete fool. Her friends will turn on her, and you'll be on top."

The video ends and the classroom is silent. Lila is standing there, her mouth open with shock. In a swift motion she clenches her jaw, and runs out of the room without a word. Everyone turns to Chloe, who stammers.

"And here we thought you could actually change." Adrien scowls.

"Chloe, go to the principal's office!" Bustier instructs, Chloe standing with a huff.

"Hah! My father will hear about this!" She storms out of the room. Bustier goes to her computer, trying to look for the videos.

"I have no idea how those videos appeared..." She murmurs. Aglaé feels Racecar buzz and she excuses herself to the bathroom, running down the hall while pulling her mask on. She slams the door open right as an Ultrakuma appears through a portal. Lila turns with surprise at the same time Aglaé chucks her knife at it, pinning it against the wall and breezing past Lila's hair, cutting some off. Lila screams in rage, looking at the mirror.

"You ruined my hair!" She screams, glaring at her. "Who even are you?! Monarch has all the Miraculous!" She snarls. Imago collects her knife, glaring at her.

"Ziggy, Transform me." She snarls, Lila's eyes widening. Before she could run, Imago surrounds her in a soundproof box. She then grabs an "out of order" sign and hangs it on the door, and locks it from the inside.

"You monster!!" She screams in rage. "Let me out!"

"No way. I'm not letting you anywhere. I'd rather watch you die in there." She seethes, Lila glaring.

"You'll have to let me out in five minutes, when your stupid powers disappear." Imago jumps on the counter, swinging her legs.

"I won't let that happen." She decides, Lila scowling and yelling for help. "No one can hear you but me."

"The heroes will save me." She threatens, Imago laughing.

Imago was right. She didn't de-transform all day, leaving Lila to become bored, sitting in the box and just stewing in her hatred. Imago was looking through the news, when an announcement for Police Robots being implemented comes across her screen. She checks the time.

"Only a day until the end of the year dance." She murmurs. "That means Monarch should be trying to act now... but without Chloe.. hm.." She mutters to herself.

"Where'd you even come from? How'd you kill that Akuma?" Lila asks out of boredom. Imago glares at her.

"My sole purpose of being here is to stop you. By any means." Lila huffs, glaring away.

"I'd have thought you heroes all wanted Monarch defeated. I wonder how Ladybug and Chat Noir would react to you holding a civilian hostage." Aglaé cackles at her.

"Trust me, they know I'm stopping something much worse, Cerise." She snarls, Lila looking at her with surprise.

"Whatever, so I fib to get what I want. It's not a crime."

"It is when you're involved." Looking back towards her phone, she sees that Audrey and Chloe had left for America.

"Oh good. Ziggy, de-transform me." In an instant, the box was gone, and Ziggy lands in Imago's hand, exhausted. "Sorry. I'll get you any food you want." She says remorsefully as Lila runs out of the bathroom. She pulls up her phone.

Aglaé: Project Red Moon ready?

Felix: I do things my way, and you're explaining everything to me later.

Aglaé: I promise. She runs to Marinette's house. It was pitch black, and silent inside. She gives Ziggy free reign over the fridge, and Tikki flies over to her.

"Where have you been? Marinette's been super worried."