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Adrien groans, rolling over to his side. Every since the death of his father, sleep had eluded him. Tonight, it seems worse than ever. Whether that's because of the nightmares plaguing his mind, or the commotion outside, he couldn't tell.
Hold up... His tired mind flicked to alertness, commotion outside?
It's only then that his half conscious brain latches on to the noises crashing and banging across the city.
He leaps into action and calls on Plagg.
"Oh come on!" The kwamii hisses, "I was in the middle of a delicious dream about camembert and crackers!"
Adrien stretches, cracking his neck, "I think dreams can wait, Paris can't."
"You seem eager for a distraction," Plagg murmurs, floating closer to his holder.
Adrien ignores the comment, he doesn't have time to get into his broken dreams, not when the city is clearly in trouble.
"Plagg, claws out!"
With a burst of greenlight, Chatnoir materializes, opening a window and leaping across town in long, easy strides.
~~~
In another house, on the other side of Paris lives Marinette Dupain-cheng; who wakes up with a bang!
"Tikki! We have to do something, I can't let them find--" she gasps, staring wide eyed at her surroundings as though taking them in for the first time.
Her kawmii, Tikki, brushes against her face soothingly. "It's okay Marinette, everything's going to be all right. It wasn't real." When the holder's breathing finally evens, Tikki asks, "Did you have that dream again?"
"Nightmare," is all Marinette is able to choke out as she pulls her knees to her chest.
Tikki stays by her, her normally cheery expression doused by worry.
After a few moments of calm, Marinette lets her knees sink back against the bed and her head slump back into her pillow. She stares at the pictures on her corkboard, gaze lingering on Adrien. "What would he think of me?..." She mutters.
"I'm sure he would think of you as very brave and someone will a full heart who only knows how to be human." Tikki comforts, attempting to put as much reassurance into her tiny voice as possible.
Marinette just shakes her head and turns to her side, clutching a stuffed animal tightly.
Suddenly, her earning flash a brilliant red which blazes across her room. (It bathes her photos with blood, Marinette thinks, but does not dare repeat out loud).
She takes a deep breath, steeling her gaze and hiding any previous concerns deep inside. "Tikki, it seems like the city needs us. Spots on!"
This time her room is filled with an excitable pink, it's almost a miracle that her parents don't wake to see it.
Pushing through her trap door, Ladybug lunges into the night.
~~~
Somewhere in another part of town a little boy sits atop a magical carpet. He zooms around the city, sprinkling bits of sand wherever he flies.
His vision glows violet, and a slithering voice can be heard.
"Good." It purrs, "keep going, and soon those vile heroes will fall into our trap."
The boy smiles, brightening like a nightlight. "And that's when I'll take their mir-a-cu-lous-es!" He recites the words carefully, as though trying to impress a parent.
"Excellent" the voice proclaims, the sly grin evident through their tone.
~~~
The two superheroes converge at their normal meeting point-- a house in the center of Paris overlooking the Eiffel Tower. The view would've been jaw dropping if the two weren't so focused on the task at hand.
It's become too easy to ignore the stars and beams of moonlight recently, Chatnoir muses, forcing himself to rip his gaze from the scenery and back to his partner.
"What's the problem? Why'd you call me here?" Her voice is all business, leaving no room for the jests and teasing the two used to participate in.
Its been stilted like this between the two heroes recently, as though one of them is carrying more than they should, but still refuses to lighten the load.
Chatnoir leans against his staff, ears perked for disturbances, "I heard a commotion in the streets. Turns out we have an akuma on our hands."
"I thought you could handle a small akuma without needing me now that we can reuse our powers." Ladybug grumbles, her words coming out harsher than intended.
Maybe it's due to the lack of sleep, or strange rift that has divided them of late. Chatnoir isn't sure, but for the sake of peace, and the mission, he lets it go.
"Actually," he responds, "It's not just any akuma, but one we've fought before. Sandboy."
Ladybug takes a step back, her hands shaking slightly, "What."
"It's Sandb--"
"No I heard you I just... We can not get hit by his magic."
Chatnoir takes a step forward, carefully taking her hand. He runs soothing circles against her palm. They may not be on the closest of terms right now, but that won't stop him from caring for her. "It's alright m'lady, I can take this one if you need a breather."
"N-no. It's fine. I'm fine." She shakes her head, and gently lets his hand go, although not before offering him a small grateful smile. "We got this! If we could take him once before, the second time should be easy."
"That's the Bugaboo I know!" It's clear the cheerful attitude is a front, but if that's what'll keep her together for the time being then so be it. Hopefully, after the missions over and they get some well deserved sleep, he'll get a better chance to talk to her. Maybe finally figure out what's been plaguing her.
With a plan figured out, the two jump from roof to roof, settling back into their normal rhythm.
It's not long till they find their adversary.
He's maybe around 8, his form a disembodied sand blob. Clearly, the newest butterfly miraculous isn't big on fashion. In contrast, the carpet under the child's form is more elaborate, a purple base threaded with gold.
"You thinking what I'm thinking?" Ladybug calls.
Chatnoir smiles cockily, "Cat and Mouse? Works every time."
"Bingo."
The two diverge, Chatnoir takes center stage as Ladybug veers in an arc, headed for an attack from behind.
"Oh, Sandy! I think it's a little past your bedtime." Chat taunts, waving his arms in exaggerated gestures.
Sandboy zones on him, carpet shooting out bursts of light. It could be a fun fireworks show if it wasn't directed right at him.
Chatnoir dodges, jumping from roof to roof, and shouting quips galore, as the kid gives chase.
In the meantime Ladybug stalks from behind, quietly calling up a lucky charm. She's met with a giant pair of scissors.
Sometimes her item are random and insanely complicated, other times like this, they are obviously simple. Her sleep deprived mind can only handle so much after all.
Just as she's in range of Sandboy, so close to cutting the threads; a purple glow shines from the child's face and he whips back around to her face her.
Unprepared, Ladybug has no time to dodge the blast of sand that shoots her way.
Her body drains of color, or maybe it's the world, because nothing seems to make sense anymore. Her hands shake at the thought of what monster could appear, what being could spill her secrets.
For a second, a small merciful second, nothing happens.
Its pure bliss, a single drop of peace in an ocean of chaos.
And then that ocean swallows her.
"Oh Ladybug!" A dead man's voice taunts.
She feels her knees buckle, she doesn't want to look, she can't.
But she still does, because she knows she'll have to face him eventually.
So slowly, she twists around, and looks into the twisted expression of Gabriel Agreste.
~~~
Chatnoir had been doing pretty well up to that point. He'd manage to dodge all the blasts of sand that'd come his way, and had been making some pretty good puns. (His practice is paying off!)
That was until Ladybug had froze, staring off in opposite direction to the akuma.
"M'lady?" He called, ignoring the child's over the top laughter.
Ladybug didn't answer, and that's when she stepped ever so slightly to the side, enough to reveal why.
His father, a man who was supposed to be dead, was standing right in front of her.
Several colors flickered through his mind, blood red, presidential blue, tantalizing yellow, but it all faded to ebony. Chatnoir had a job to do, Adrien could wait-- he'd had plenty of practice in the past, what was one more emotion shovelled aside?
His blip of hesitation, however, was just enough time for Sandboy to gleefully drench him with sand.
Chatnoir sighed, glaring up at the kid. "Alright, now you've got me mad. Clearly someone's in need of a time out!"
He grabbed his staff and flung towards the carpet, yelling cataclysm!
The kid just floated out of the way easy, giggling at the frustrated hero.
"Could use a helping hand over here m'lady!" He called, attempting another swipe at the kid.
~~~
Ladybug was in no shape to help. She couldn't rip her gaze from the ghost before her. The one who had been haunting her dreams for weeks and now stood solidly before her.
"Do you want to hear a secret?" He shuttered out. His movements were erratic, as he stepped towards Ladybug.
His unblinking gaze was the only thing reminding her that he wasn't real.
But that doesn't mean what he says won't have harm. She thinks ruefully.
Another shout from Chatnoir brings her back to the battle at hand. She shakes her head, forcing her body to turn away from the ghoul.
Ladybug scans the battle, her tongue running along her lips in confusion. Chatnoir is no where to be seen, yet she thought she could hear the steady inflection of his voice earlier.
"Kitty?" The hero calls, readying her yo-yo.
Nothing.
And yet, the akumatized villain clearly is aiming it's shots at something.
"Are you gonna help or not? Not that I need it of course! But, I also don't want to turn into meow mix!" Chatnoir yelps.
Except, Ladybug still can't see him.
Unsure what else do, she picks up the scissors and jumps into the fray. It's not normal for her to just go head first, but she's tired and the night is starting to dwindle, she just doesn't care at this point.
~~~
Chatnoir on the other hand has grown surprisingly clear headed.
He spots Ladybug leaping into the fray and moves to join her.
By now, the two are dodging blasts and leaping away from quick grabs at their miraculouses. Every now and then a purple glow illuminates from the kid's eyes-- could that be the new butterfly holder talking to him?
At some point soon after, the child gets bored and drifts off to go terrorize a different part of the city.
The two heroes chase after, running from roof to roof.
"Alrightly Bugaboo, what's the plan?" Chatnoir asks, trying to ignore the phantom following silently behind.
Ladybug stumbles, whipping her head in every direction. "Chatnoir where are you?! If this is a prank it's not funny."
"I... It's not?" He leaps over a chimney, doing an extra fancy twist midair to test an idea out. "Did you see me do that?"
"I can't see you at all."
"Oh fur balls," He grumbles, running a hand against his face. "I got hit by Sandboy earlier, it must've turned me invisible."
"Better than my predicament." Ladybug murmurs in return, although she doesn't seem to have really digested Chatnoir's statement.
"This could be a good thing though right? I could easily sneak up on Sandboy and a simple cataclysm will do the trick!"
Ladybug shakes her head, "Sandboy clearly was able to still see you back there. No, we need backup, I don't want to accidentally run into you during battle or cause one of us mess up because we forget."
"But, we've fought blindfolded before, how is this much different?"
"It just is, okay? I'm sorry I don't have time to explain, I just need--" a break. Sleep. Stress to vanish. Him to vanish. Anything to alleviate this constant pressure. Instead, she said, "--you to stay out of the way."
Ladybug ignores the flash of hurt that crosses Chatnoir's face. Or maybe she just doesn't see it, because, she was too busy flipping through her yo-yo for any other heros to call.
She settles on Carapace, figuring the hero could just cover the villain in a shield and bam! his main weapon is taken out.
The two heroes spend the rest of the trek in silent, until finally they find the sand raining akuma once more.
Carapace arrives shortly after.
Ladybug explains the plan to him, and how Chatnoir is currently invisible. She doesn't mention Gabriel behind her, and Carapace seems too tired to care.
They split off into action, Chatnoir staying behind.
He stands on the road, looking around for any civilians that need help, but it's the dead of night; anyone full of sense is tucked away safely in bed.
He sighs, taking a seat on the ground. His only role is to stay put and wait till they've captured the kid so he can cataclysm the carpet.
Boring, as always.
Things have been like this lately, Ladybug leaving him in the dust, just so the rest of the team can achieve things that the two of them achieved easily in the past.
He misses those days, when it had been the two of them working together against the world. Sure, there'd been moments of pain, small spats here and there, but at least then they'd been a team. At least, then they'd been friends.
He doesn't get it, ever since Monarch was defeated Ladybug has been more distant than ever. At first he thought it was just awkwardness of trying to readjust, and figure out a new dynamic now that they both were dating civilians. But Chatnoir had approached her about that, and she'd assured him it wasn't an issue.
So what was the problem?!
"Do you want to hear a secret?" Chatnoir's skin crawled, he'd forgotten all about the ghost.
He shook his head, refusing to respond.
But the ghoul wasn't done with him, "Aren't you curious, why she's been so distant? I could tell you, I could help you understand."
"Leave me alone." Chatnoir stands up, whipping around towards the phantom and muttering cataclysm. He holds it towards the ghosts throat, but Gabriel doesn't flinch.
He just keeps staring into Chatnoir's soul, a small smile breaking out on his lips.
"Chatnoir!" Ladybug calls from behind him.
Chatnoir gives one last glare to the ghoul, before turning back to face Ladybug.
He was about to respond, when Ladybug grumbles, "Of course the cat goes chasing some mouse. Can't he just stay put?" An old version of Ladybug might've said these word with affection, but this one says it with apathy.
"He's invisible, remember?" Carapace replies, hesitantly.
"Right..." She mutters, running a hand down her face, "Why don't you go keep guard of the akuma and I'll look around for him. He likely didn't go far."
Chatnoir wasn't sure why, but he kept silent. Maybe it was curiosity, or maybe he just wanted to see what Ladybug was like when he wasn't around.
"Is it secret time?"
The two heroes flinch at the ghost's voice.
"No. I don't have any secrets to hide, I just need to find Chatnoir so I can go home and finally sleep." Ladybug retorts, grabbing for her yo-yo.
"You mean you don't remember the promise you made to me?"
Ladybug's hand froze half way. Her eyes go wide, lost in another realm.
Chatnoir stares between the two unsure what to do. A swelling cauldron is bubbling inside him, and he isn't sure that he likes what it's going to produce.
The ghoul continued, oblivious or uncaring towards the obvious discomfort, "You mean you don't remember how you told the world I was a hero?" He hissed the next part, low and slow, "When I was the villain all along? When I tormented these streets for years, and you lied about that?"
Tears pour out from Ladybug, she wrapped her arms around her chest as her knees collapsed under her. She is stuck in an army of chains and for once, Chatnoir doesn't reach out, or offer a hand.
His own horror was too frightful. All the emotions he'd tried to lock away were sweeping him up now, the cauldron had exploded, and left his bloody body behind.
Still, he needed to know if what this illusion was saying was true. Akumas had lied before, maybe this was one of those times. "M'lady... What is he talking about?"
If there had been any structural support left in Ladybug, it collapsed in that instance. "I'm sorry kitty," She choked out. "I wanted to tell you, I really did. But how could I? How do you tell someone you made a deal with the devil?"
"What are you saying?" It all still felt too big to process. Too horrible to comprend.
Through the tears, Ladybug tells the story. She explains how the fight went down; how Monarch had managed to steal the jewels. She continues with Monarch revealing himself to be Gabriel Agreste, and how he'd done this all for his dead wife. How she'd tried to talk him down from the wish, reminding him who was at stake, but how it had still resulted in Gabriel creating a wish.
"He wished for Natalie to be cured, and made me promise to tell Adrien that he was a hero. To help him be remembered as a good father." She finishes, her glaze glassy and distant.
It was all too much, way too much.
"I should've never kept it a secret. But once it happen it felt too impossible to say anything, and even when I wanted to tell someone, Natalie was always there to stop me; and I just--" her voice rattled, "I can't go on like this. Living a lie."
Chatnoir was at a loss for words. His mind span in circles, like a dog chasing its own tail. "I... I have to go."
Ladybug nodded, and didn't try to stop him. If he wasn't so overwhelmed he would've felt pity, maybe even tried to reassure her. But right now he needed space, right now he needed to get away.
Natalie knew.
Ladybug knew.
He needed a place where they didn't exist and he could just process it himself.
So he stumbled over to a manhole cover, cracked it open, and jumped in.
~~~
In the next half hour, Ladybug fell into a trance. She defeated the akuma and stumbled back to her house, falling into her mattress. She tried to convince herself it was all a dream, but even she knew it was too horrible to be true.
~~~
Chatnoir on the other hand, stayed in the sewers for the night, and likely would for longer. He detransformed, replaying the night over and over again. He gave Plagg the run down, and just sat there staring at the gray, algae ridden walls. Maybe if he stared hard enough, it would all turn out to be a dream. But deep down, he knew it was too horrible to be true.