Flashback Cutscene: Panic Attack

9 years and 5 months ago...

Stumbling down the celebrating streets of Paris, Adrien couldn't breathe. His throat was restricting every attempt as he tried to gain some sort of calm. His hand slammed into the wall, pushing himself forward and through the gaps in the river of people.

Focus, Adrien! Just keep your eyes forward and focus!

He would say he didn't know where he was going, but that would be a complete lie. As he pushed his way through the crowd, he ignored the gasps and announcements of his name, instead he continued on. There was only one place he needed to be, one person he needed to be with.

"That's Monarch's son!"

"I wonder if he knew what a terrorist his father was."

"I bet he was on the same side."

"I thought Gabriel Agreste was dead!"

The back of his eyes stung, the sudden build-up of tears blurring his vision and making him glad he knew this route like the back of his hand.

Forwards... right... 6 paces... left...

Breathe, Adrien! You're going to pass out if you don't!

He wasn't sure if he was talking to himself, or whether Plagg was trying to get his attention. All he knew was he needed to keep moving, because if he stopped he would have to think, he would have to feel... and right now he wanted to do neither.

Breathe! Breathe!

A sudden blur of red shot overhead, halting on a rooftop and crouching down. It was obvious she was looking for something, or more importantly someone. The crowd cheered and chanted her name, just like they always did. A couple even shouting out to question where her partner was. Lila had been defeated. Paris was safe once more — and he couldn't give a shit!

Nobody knew they would never see him again. She didn't know that she would never see him again — not that she'd care.

He felt a pain in his chest and backed himself into a darkened alleyway, Plagg releasing himself from where he was settled in Adrien's shirt and flying up to comfort his holder.

"You're okay," Plagg insisted. "You're okay," he repeated, patting Adrien's head in a caring and uncharacteristic way. "Just breathe. Think of something calming and breathe."

The pain in his chest increased as the sounds of the crowds grew louder, escaping confetti being blown in the wind and landing on his head. Red streamers of new beginnings and hope, green streamers celebrating a hero's victory against evil. Lila Rossi had been taken down and sent to prison where he was quite sure she'd be stuck for the rest of her life. However, the reappearance of his father was chilling and unexpected.

Had his father always been malicious, or was it something which had come with hate and love? Could losing your soulmate really push you over the edge that much?

Plagg's voice continued in his ear, calming his panic attack before it went too far. He was hot and sweaty, yet the cool breeze sent shivers to his core.

He stretched for his right hand and checked his Miraculous was there, before checking his left for his mother and father's rings. They were all there, accounted for.

Adrien's chest began to loosen, the tight pain easing off slowly, but surely and his vision was coming back as ears cleared of the buzzing.

"I'm okay," he said, flinging his head back onto the wall which was keeping him upright. "I'm okay."

"Adrien?" her soft voice broke through the haze and started his heart pounding erratically once more. Not now. Please, not now!

"Why are you here, Ladybug?"

"I just wanted to check on you, that can't have been easy to see."

He scoffed. Understatement of the century.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I tried! I tried so many times, but you either told me to keep it to myself, or you didn't want to know. I didn't keep it from you on purpose, I swear."

He closed his eyes again, exhaling and leaning his head back. It hurt so much! From the back to the front, there wasn't a single centimetre that was pain free.

"Did anyone else know?" he asked, keeping his eyes closed. He prayed she hadn't spread this news. That she hadn't done something stupid and kept him in the dark in both forms.

He held his breath as he waited for her answer.

"Yes," she whispered.

He felt every muscle in his face tighten. She'd told someone! Someone else knew, yet she never thought to tell her partner, once again abrupt anger washed over him and if he could feel his legs more he would have walked away.

"Who is it? Is it another hero?" He prepared himself for the worst. That once again someone else knew things Chat Nori should have.

"Kind of. She was only a hero once, but when it all happened, she was there too."

Adrien opened his eyes to look at his partner. "Who?" An ice cold tremble ran down his spine. A realisation that he knew exactly what the name was that was about to come out of her mouth.

"Marinette."

He didn't know whether he should celebrate for getting the answer right or cry because of the implications.

"Is that why she broke up with me?"

"She hated lying to you, Adrien, but she also made a promise to your father. She loves you so much and thought that if you ever found out what she was hiding —"

"I'd break up with her."

"Exactly."

He thought for a moment about possible reactions to this news. Would he have broken up with her? Maybe. But right now, there was nothing more that he wanted to do than to run to her and take her in his arms — along with back into his heart.

She'd done what she'd been asked. She'd tried to do the right thing, unfortunately there was no right option; only wrong and really wrong. He needed to go and see her, to tell her it was okay, to forgive her and check — after everything she went through that day — that she was okay. His father had yet again manipulated someone who mattered.

"I need to go," he said, pushing from the wall.

"Where?" she called after him.

"To see Marinette,"' he replied again.

The winds around him began to pick up speed, grabbing the small pieces of paper confetti and sending them spiralling out of control in the air. A small hurricane of multicolour guiding him to new possibilities, to new love.

"I need to get her back. I forgive her. I forgive everything." He began to move as a second figure landed beside Ladybug. The snake hero and the soon to be Guardian. He wondered if he should say anything? To beg her not to do it? But instead he remained silent, absorbing the words which did funny things to his heart. As he made his way from the alley, Luka's words were carried by the wind.

"Are you ready to do it?" Viperion asked.

*****

Level 16: Eye of the Storm

Present Day...

Nothing seemed real.

Everything felt wrong.

For the past week, she'd felt like she was living in another life — another world! She'd spent most of the time patrolling, meeting with Chat Noir, Sabrina, or spending time with Myléne.

Every morning she woke up and wished she could press the reset button and start the game again, back to Level O and with a new strategy in place. Why did they think Max continuing with the game was a good idea? Why didn't she stop it there and then? The guilt was growing harder to deal with, even more so when she saw her husband's isolation and grief. The whole experience brought back a huge array of emotion. One she hadn't felt for years.

She'd hardly seen him. Her news being insignificant with the hurt and frustrations surrounding them. She craved his arms, to have a chance to break down in his strength, but he was feeling it as much as she was. His own grieving process happened in an opposite, yet equal way to hers.

Marinette stood beside Myléne, holding her hand tightly as Rose positioned herself on the opposite side. They stood strong and firm, allowing their friend to take what she needed from them as she mourned the loss of her husband.

They'd been the first to get together. The first married... and the first to have a child.

Marinette felt sick to her stomach, using a hand to rub over the area. She looked at the small child in the pushchair standing away from the grave with Juleka and Alix, both entertaining the curious toddler with toys and dolls — complete obliviousness to the situation and the fact she would never know her father. The hero who saved a life.

The gang were all back together for one last time. Almost.

The small church yard was silent apart from the comforting words of the priest. Ivan had visited the church often in preparation for his wedding, then remaining there after as a volunteer and handyman, so it wasn't surprising to see the crowds 4 people deep.

The males from their group were summoned forwards from where they were standing at the front of the mourners, opposite to where Marinette stood now. They had dressed in their finest, exactly what Ivan wanted and deserved, each adorning an enamel skin pin reminiscent of their collége days.

They each took a thick, black strap in their hands, holding the coffin as the planks were removed and the coffin lowered down into its dirt lined bed.

Marinette closed her eyes. The droplets of water ventured down her face as the grief — and guilt — took over. She couldn't help but think this was her fault. She should have figured this out by now and put a stop to it. They should not be here saying goodbye to their friend.

She looked to Alix, the hero staring back at her with a sorrowful look. She'd questioned Alix. Begged Alix. But there was nothing to be done. This was the way it was meant to be. Condolences were all she could offer.

A squeeze of her hand made her reach out and comfort the woman beside her. The power house that had been destroyed by fate and unfairness. Myléne looked smaller than her 4 foot 9 frame and grey from the lack of care she'd given herself since her husband's murder because that's what it was — murder .

A week.

Paris had been silently mourning for a week.

They still had no idea who or what was attacking, only the helpful hints from Max's game to help try to pinpoint possible times of day and locations. Marinette looked across the way to Alya, the girl mirroring the dimness in Myléne's eyes, Marinette knowing exactly where her thoughts were. Kagami stood beside her, one hand placed on Alya's arm.

Nino was still unconscious, fighting for his life and Marinette knew full well her friend would be picturing her own boyfriend being lowered down into the dark, cold and empty pit. Alya was on edge, Marinette knew that. If it was up to the girl she would still be at the hospital, never leaving Nino's side. But she needed a break. She needed fresh air; and she wanted to be there to support Myléne — even if every second was a reality kick she didn't want.

Looking over the vast and mighty crowd, her eyes landed on Adrien's, his own stare directed straight at her. The sorrow in his eyes set her off again, another amount of tears freely rolling in an escape path. She could only imagine how he felt.

The guys were a tight group: Adrien, Nino, Kim, Max, Nathaniel, Marc, Ivan, and even Félix. They were bound at the hip, a friendship group even the girls battled to contend with. They did everything together. Everything.

But today they were men down.

Adrien, Kim and Max took three of the straps, Luka stepping up for the fourth. Though not as close to him as the others, the two had still spent an admirable amount of time together as they rehearsed for Kitty Section — back when they were mere teenagers.

Back then, they had no idea about life and she couldn't help but think about how stupid she'd been being so caught up with love when she could have been enjoying more time with her friends.

Moving from Adrien, she looked to Luka. A small, sorrowful smile being thrown her way in a means of comfort. She attempted to smile back — the result futile in response.

The men were asked to stop, each stepping back and positioning the strap out straight, Adrien heading straight for Alya and taking her into his arms. The thought that they'd have to live through this again if Nino didn't wake up was a stab in the chest and something no one wanted to consider.

Marinette watched as her best friend clung onto Adrien before having a jarring pull of her arm as Myléne collapsed to the floor — taking both Marinette and Rose with her.

They huddled in a tight hug, Myléne clinging to Rose as if her life depended on it. Part of Marinette wondering if it actually did.

Until death do we part.

The silence which followed allowed them a moment. A moment to grasp what was happening. A moment for her to feel guilty once again — a feeling she was sure would never stop. This was her fault. Her fault for putting them in this position. Her fault for not being the superhero Paris deserved.

Ashes to ashes... dust to dust.

She should be the one going down into dark nothingness. She should be the one dying for the cause. Not Ivan, not Nino and not... she wretched. The thought of a grave engraved with the name of her masked partner had her spiralling into turmoil; a hefty heave pushing her again in the stomach.

The guys came over, Kim taking Myléne from Rose and Nathaniel holding onto Marinette as Luka helped Rose to stand. Marinette wretched again, remembering the frozen expression on Ivan's face as she and Chat Noir fell on the scene, remembering the heart breaking sorrow of her friend that evening, coming to terms with the fact the love of her life was gone.

Unable to keep herself together much longer, Marinette stumbled out of Nathaniel's arms and headed for the bushes at the back of the graveyard, emptying her guts onto the plants. Her stomach continued twisting and turning inside out, bringing up whatever it could find as the sun beat down on her mocking the day and, consequently, her.

She threw up again, a barrage of coughs following as she fell to her knees.

"Hey, it's okay. I've got you." A strong hand rubbed against her back, relieving some of the tension and pain from her stomach. She heaved again; more fluid leaving her mouth.

"Shhhhh!" The hand began to rotate in circles as she closed her eyes and took deep breaths, soaking in the sound of his voice. This was happening far too often at the moment.

"Thanks," she said, turning and falling into her saviour's arms, eyes still firmly closed as he placed her delicately onto his knee.

"Always."

She snuggled tighter into Adrien's chest, grateful to have him there protecting her. He was always in the right place at the right time. He continued to rub circles on her back as she succumbed to the emotions of the day, letting out tears and tension, and trying to hide her complete failure.

Marinette grasped tightly onto his shirt, holding onto him as though her life depended on it. On his strength. On his security. He always had a reassuring effect on her, one she held close to her heart and treasured.

"Just let it out, Marinette, let it out."

"It's my fault," she whispered. "This is all my fault."

"I don't know why you would think that. You had nothing to do with some crazy man's actions."

She continued to break and cry on his shoulder not even caring that he was on his knees in his impossibly expensive black suit.

"Where's Alya?" she sniffed, searching Adrien's pocket for the tissue she knew would be there.

"She's with Luka at the moment, he's talking to her. You know what he's like, he could sort out the world with his therapy sessions."

Marinette let out a wet laugh and brushed her fist under her eyes. "I'm sorry."

"Never apologise for feeling, you know that."

"I don't know if I can face this," she whispered, her hand once again rubbing circles around her stomach. "I c-can't." She sobbed again, Adrien taking a hold of her once more and rocking her like a saddened infant.

"How about we just go for a little bit and then I take you home. I'll stay with you the whole time."

"I'm sorry, I'm being selfish. Ivan was your close friend."

"But you're my 'closer' friend," he said, nuzzling into her hair which caused her to laugh a little.

"Okay," she said.

"Okay," he responded.

Helping her up onto her feet, Adrien led Marinette towards the car, one arm securely around her waist. Luka and Alya were already waiting beside the vehicle — talking and hugging. Marinette kept an arm around Adrien, needing him for balance as she became more and more lightheaded. She needed to eat. She needed to drink. She needed to try and get through the small talk of the rest of the day.

They stopped just short of the car, Marinette wrapping her arms around him and burying her head into his chest.

"Thank you, Adrien."

"You're welcome."

He kissed the top of her head before they carried on down to the car, Luka holding out the keys for Adrien to take.

"Let's go," he opened the passenger door for her, keeping one arm tightly around her waist and stopping her from collapsing, before leading her into her seat.

Closing the door, Adrien moved around to the opposite side and climbed into the driver's seat. Alya and Luka both seated themselves in the back.

"I can't believe we've had to do this!" Alya's voice was soft and almost hidden by the sound of Adrien's engine starting up. "What if we – if we –" The sound of broken hearted sobs carried around the car, Marinette's own eyes filling as her best friend wept for the one she loved. Marinette screwed her lips together and looked out the window, trying hard to stop her own cries from joining the sudden grief.

As she attempted to keep herself together, a hand reached over and rested on her thigh, the touch comforting and very much needed.

How had things suddenly gone so wrong?

Ladybug stood shoulder to shoulder with her partner as they awaited the arrival of the other heroes. She knew it wasn't the most ideal time to be doing this, but she also knew they were all together and would be more than willing to help put a stop to this once and for all. It had to be done.

Herself and Chat Noir had been meeting up any spare moment over the past week, coming up with plan after plan until they had one which would, hopefully, work. They were planning on setting a trap that should be the end of this nightmare, allowing the sun to rise on a new day — and for them all to start healing. For them to be able to move past this and rebuild the lives which had been so unfairly and irrevocably changed by this monstrous event.

"Are you going to tell her?" Ladybug asked, keeping her eyes out to the distance in search of the others.

"Tonight. I'm going to tell her everything and hope she doesn't want a divorce. I'd like to die as a happily married man."

Ladybug let out a little laugh. In times of dire consequences, her partner had turned to his usual coping mechanisms — jokes. This was a sad one though, as it held a slight piece of heartbreaking truth. She couldn't believe she was allowing him to do this, that she had agreed to stay back when she could be needed.

She discussed swapping Miraculous', but he denied the idea.

'I'm sorry. But if I'm against someone with a knife, I'd prefer to have my cataclysm than a magical pair of sunglasses.'

He was right of course. A random fork, or box — or pants — wasn't going to help out when someone was set on stabbing you.

'Also, no offence to Tikki, M'Lady, but if I'm going down, I want Plagg with me. He's been my best friend through everything and I can't imagine not having that last opportunity to say goodbye.'

The sadness of the speech wrecked her more thanks to the use of her nickname. They'd spoken a lot over the week, rebuilding bridges she'd never imagined could be reconstructed. Why had communication always been such a low point of their partnership? Why had she allowed it to happen? She was the Guardian. She had the opportunity to change the rules, yet continued with these appalling ways.

Marinette, nor Ladybug, had neither seen or heard from anyone at the Temple, once again showing a lack of any care.

"Are you telling your husband about the baby? And your identity?"

She let out a puff of air. This was always something she'd dreamed about. Having a loving husband, having children with him, growing old together — happy and content. Yet, like what Chat Noir said, she hoped he wouldn't want to separate for her betrayal.

"Yeah, it's not exactly the way I would have liked to have done it. I always imagined it being a big occasion. He's like you. He enjoys jokes and puns; I always dreamed of putting a bun in the oven, or making a little pair of boots. I didn't expect to tell him and then follow it up with 'oh and by the way, I'm Ladybug, there's a psycho trying to kill me, so after Bastille Day, me and your unborn child might be dead'."

"He'll be proud of you, you know. Getting to be with and love the famous Ladybug. Paris' favourite hero and number one protector. He'll forgive you! He'd be an idiot not too." Chat Noir laughed to himself. "It's a shame we don't get to meet, have a beer and compare notes about you."

They sat in comfortable silence for several minutes, just taking in the sight of the city they loved. It was a moment of peace, one they both knew might be their last.

"Do you ever wish we hadn't been chosen?"

She shook her head and looked at him. "I used to, but not anymore. You know why?"

"Because you like being the French, female version of Spider-Man?"

She let out a chuckle. God, she'd missed him and she was glad they could sort out their issues before it was too late.

"No," she said, pushing him on the arm. "The reason I'm glad I was chosen is because it meant I met you."

His eyes glistened in the lowering sun, a shocked yet welcomed warm shine in them. He reached out and took her hand in his.

"Me too."

They stepped forward and into each other's arms, burying their faces into the other's body for reassurance and support. Stronger together as always. They had a relationship so unique and special, she was an idiot for not nurturing it the way she should have been, the way it deserved.

The sound of feet hitting the rooftop echoed around them, but they still took their time pulling apart as they were suddenly surrounded by a strategic array of other heroes.

Thanks to finally getting a hold of Nathaniel and Max they had a clear idea of who, what and when the next murder could take place. They also had a clear idea of suspects.

As Caprikid, Pegasus, Rooster Bold, King Monkey, Pigella and Purple Tigress situated themselves in front of the heroes, Viperion stood beside Ladybug, taking her hand and giving it a squeeze.

"You can do this bug," he whispered before turning back to face the others.

Taking a deep breath, Ladybug stepped forward, her hands moving to the front of her body and winding tightly together — the proximity from her partner making her feel vulnerable.

"Thank you all for coming. I know it's been a tough day for you all, but unfortunately we don't have much time to waste. The next attack is most likely happening tomorrow, during the market for Bastille Day."

"How do you know?" King Monkey questioned, looking between Ladybug and Chat Noir.

"We have it on good authority." Chat Noir stepped up to Ladybug's side and placed a hand on her shoulder. Her shoulders lowering and heart thanking him dearly. "We wouldn't be asking for all your help if we didn't think we could stop it."

"But this won't just be another mission. I can't promise your safety this time," she added.

"So, you expect us to put our life on the line? Do you not think that losing Minotaurox was enough? With Carapace being in the hospital too!" Pigella asked, her usual settled persona breaking in the moment.

"We expect you to do what's right." Viperion moved forward, crossing his arms and standing tall. "We've lost one, and another is in hospital right now fighting for his life. Do you not want to stop this before we lose another?"

They all looked between each other, before Pegasus stepped forward. "I'll do whatever you need."

His voice was steady, surprising her as she knew the turmoil he was experiencing at the moment. Like her, he had placed himself firmly as the cause. Without the game this wouldn't have been happening... except it would have. Whoever had planned this was intent on killing, the game was just a way to prove a point.

Slowly but surely, the other heroes came around. Each and every one was ready to hear the plan, and prepare to hopefully play the killer at their own game and catch them.

"There's something else that will be different this time," Ladybug said, nerves filling her as she was about to announce something she still hadn't told her husband yet.

She hated the fact she had to tell the heroes first, but Chat Noir had assured her that when he finds out he'll understand. If he was as amazing as she said he was, he would listen and comfort her. This was now out of her control.

They all watched with bated breath, Viperion's eyes looking over her curiously as Pigella moved in closer.

"I won't be involved in the main action."

"What?" They all exclaimed at once.

Viperion's outburst especially took her by surprise, her hand automatically reaching out to grab Chat Noir's in support.

"Calm down, she's not exactly doing this by choice. I've made her sit this out." Chat Noir, as always, was straight on the defensive. A team through and through.

"Why?" Rooster Bold asked.

"Because I'm pregnant!"

Gasps and profanities were thrown around the group. Caprikid moved to Ladybug and wrapped his arms around her tightly, squeezing her into his body.

"Congratulations."

The words hit her like a plank to her head. Congratulations!? for what? She felt like screaming! There was nothing to celebrate... or maybe, just for this moment she could dream there was. That they would make it through this. They would catch the killer and then she'd go back to normal life — even giving Chat Noir that Godfather title he craved so much.

As the chatter died down, Chat Noir laid out the plan, directing the heroes as to where they would be stationed and what their jobs would be. As she tried to concentrate on what her partner was saying, a certain amount of unease crept over her as she felt eyes studying her, tracking each and every one of her moves.

A couple of hours later and they were done. Each hero was saluted with a goodbye, as they headed off for one last night of normality.

Chat Noir was the main line of defence in the plan and as much as she wanted to get home after such an emotional day, she couldn't help but think these were the last couple of hours with her partner and she wanted to make the most of them.

"To our rooftop?"

He nodded with a smile. "Last one there's a rotten egg."

They launched over the rooftops, shouting backwards and forwards as they continued towards the shining hope of the Eiffel Tower. A beacon of support and joy to the citizens of Paris. A meaningful place they both returned to time and time again.

Only this time, it was already occupied. As their feet touched down, fear and dread struck her hard in the chest- the weakened, fragile body of Su-Han lay flat on the roof.

Moving forward in perfect synchronisation, the two heroes crouched beside him, Chat Noir automatically reaching out and searching for a pulse.

"He's alive," he said, looking Ladybug in the eyes. "Though, his pulse is weak."

As though the touch of Chat's gloved hand awoke something in the Celestial guardian, the man shot up and grabbed his arm.

"The temple," he mumbled out. "The temple."

"What about the temple?" Ladybug asked.

"Arson." He turned to look at Ladybug, his hand still firmly on Chat's arm. "It's been burned to the ground."

She gasped in shock. What?

"They're dead, Ladybug. They're all dead." He turned his head to look at Chat Noir. "And he's coming for you next."

Before anything more could be spoken, the deep gasping sound of a last breath echoed over the rooftops. Su-Han's eyes turned glassy as his body slumped down to the roof. Lifeless.