(Just gonna leave that 👆here)

Adrien's POV

After going home from y/n's house I detransform and give Plagg a stern look.

"What?" He asks.

"You know what." I reply

"I have no idea what you're talking about." He says as he flies off for cheese.

"Yes, you do. Why did you tell y/n I never shut up about her? You make me sound like a creep!"

"Well, I thought she should know that you like her enough to bother me about her all the time."

"Wait, you were trying to help me?"

"Eh, sure."

"Why? I thought you found love stuff repulsive?"

"I do. But I was hoping that if you actually started dating her you'd stop complaining about not knowing if she likes you!"

"And what if I only talk about her more?" I tease.

"Then I'll take my cheese and leave!"

"Ha ha, good luck carrying it all!"

"Don't worry, I'll steal all your socks too."

"Plagg, you're a dork."

"Whatever kid, you need to sleep. You still have school, and unless you wanna stay home, which I'd suggest, you're gonna fall asleep."

"You're right." I say as I start getting ready for a shower.

"I know." He says.

After showering and getting in bed, I lay there and think about all that's happened in one night.

Found out my father has gone crazy.

My assistant is possibly crazy as well.

And my bodyguard is probably unaware.

At least, that's what father said, not that I really trust him anymore.

On the brighter side of the night, we got the miraculouses back.

They are safely with Fu.

And my favorite part, I finally confessed to y/n.

And she said she likes me back!

I'm very happy about that.

Though I thought she did, I wasn't sure.

I'm just glad it didn't make things weird with us.

I would've been happy to stay friends, but it wouldn't be the same.

I fall asleep with a smile, which is ironic because most of my life is falling apart.

When I wake up, I look at my phone and see I have tons of texts and missed calls.

I can assume they are mostly people who saw my father getting imprisoned and are checking on me, which I really appreciate.

I have such good friends.

But one notification seems more official, as it's from my school.

To Adrien Agreste.

Regarding the notice of your familial issues, you are excused from classes for the rest of this week, and the next.

We are deeply sorry for all that has arose in the past twenty four hours.

Best regards,
Francois Dupont College.

Well, that'll make Plagg happy.

I would have been fine to go, it probably would be better to keep my mind off of everything.

But, I'm not going to refuse a vacation.

I wonder if I'll get a vacation from modeling too?

Since father won't be making any designs for a while, I assume yes.

After checking and replying to all the other messages, which were friends seeing how I am, I get up and get dressed, then go downstairs for breakfast.

The table looks even lonelier than usual.

About to go tell the chef to get me the usual healthy, down to the calorie planned meal, I realize I can eat whatever I want now.

And what I want is the most unhealthy breakfast I've ever eaten.

So I quickly get Plagg and some money, then run out the door.

Didn't think that through.

Almost as soon as I leave the gates I'm bombarded by reporters.

"Adrien, Adrien, what are your thoughts on your father being Hawkmoth?!"

"Adrien, what does this mean for your modeling career?!"

So many questions, so little want to answer.

"I DON'T KNOW YET!" I yell at everyone then run into an alley.

They try to follow me, but I hide behind some trash cans.

"I think he went this way!" One of them shouts, and the whole mob runs off.

I sigh, and lean again the wall.

"Gee kid, who knew you'd get even more attention?"

"I know, right? I don't even know what I should tell them. All I know is I want some chocolate croissants."

"Ooh!! And get me some camembert ones!!"

"Will do. Claws out!"

I transform, then leap up to the rooftops and start jogging.

I pass the mob, but they don't even notice me.

That's crazy.

The freaking superhero gets less attention than the model.

Finally, I see my destination and jump to the alley behind it.

After checking I'm alone, I detransform and go into the Dupain Cheng bakery.

"Hello, what can I get you? Oh, hi dearie, how are you?" Mrs. Dupain Cheng asks once she realizes who I am.

"Hello Mrs. Dupain Cheng, I'm hanging in, I just came for some croissants."

"Ok, just croissants or with filling?"

"Chocolate and camembert please."

"Alright." She says then turns to get some put into a bag.

"You can just put them on a plate, if it's ok."

"Of course! But don't you have school?"

"They gave me the rest of the week off, I guess to sort things out."

"Oh. Well, here's your food, sit anywhere you like."

"Thank you!"

"You're very welcome."

I pay and go sit down, then start eating my croissants when I feel a poke from my bag.

After making sure nobody is looking, I slip Plagg his camembert bread.

As I eat I look around, noticing how warm and welcoming the little bakery is.

Or at least, how it's supposed to be.

I notice I'm getting more than one dirty glance, and people are whispering, then looking to me.

Why?

The realization hits me like bricks.

They probably think I'm crazy or something because of my father.

Or maybe they're just wondering what I'm doing out of school?

I'm pretty sure it's not the latter.

I finish my food, then take my plate to the counter and thank Mrs. Dupain Cheng again, as it was delicious.

"Of course, honey! Come back any time!"

"I will! Bye!"

"Bye!"

I wave and walk out, still getting dirty looks from the patrons.

It makes me feel a little bad, but I'll be alright.

I've never really had much free time. What to do?

Deciding to just stroll around, I walk to the park and take a seat, then look around.

It's nice to see so many people happy.

But then I see an unhappy face.

"Master? What are you doing here?" I ask, confused.

"Looking for you. Or Ladybug, but she is busy now. Come with me, it's urgent." Master Fu replies with a concerned look.

"Uh, ok." I get up and follow him to his house, which we weren't too far away from.

When we get inside and sat down he looks at me sternly.

"Why did you not return the miraculous to me?! I waited most of the night for you, but nobody ever came. And then, I see on the news Hawkmoth was arrested and his identity revealed, but I have no miraculouses! Not even the ones I lent you both!"

"What?!" I ask, shocked.

"Ladybug said she was bringing them to you!"

"Well, she didn't. Have you heard from her?"

"No! I hope she's alright!"

"As do I. If those miraculouses all got out, we would be in even bigger trouble." He says somberly.

"You know who she is, have you not tried looking for her?" I ask.

"Yes, but she couldn't be found.

"Oh gosh. What will we do?"

"I don't know."

"How about we try to track her? That's how we found Hawkmoth!"

"Yes, that could help."

I transform and take out my staff, then go to the tracking setting.

"Her miraculous isn't active..." I trail off, unable to find any sign of her.

"This is very odd."

"Yeah."

"So, did you not go with her when she was supposed to return them to me?"

"Um, no, I walked my civilian friend home."

"Why?"

"Because it was dark and I wanted to talk to her."

"Hmm. And did you show this girl your identity?" He questions, and I'm suddenly very thankful for y/n's want for detective work.

"No. She didn't want me to."

"Good. Do you know if any of the others know who each other are?"

"I doubt it."

"Oh. I somewhat regret not having Ladybug tell me who they are, that way you could ask them about her."

"Ah, yeah. Wait!"

"What is it?"

"I do know one of them!"

"Good! Who?"

"Viperon, I'll go ask him about her."

"Yes. Go!"

"Ok, bye Master!"

I run out the door and to the the Couffaine houseboat.

Luka is on the deck playing his guitar, so I jump over next to him.

He looks up startled, but relaxes when he sees there's no threat.

"Hello Cat Noir."

"Hi Luka, I need to ask you some questions."

"Ok, what? Did I do something wrong last night?"

"No, you were fine. It's just, Ladybug didn't return the miraculouses to the hiding place. And when I tried to find her the tracker wouldn't work, which means she's taken off her miraculous."

"Oh. That's not good."

"Yeah, so I know she got your miraculous back, but I need to know what happened after that."

"Hm, she asked if I needed help getting home."

"Did you?"

"No, I declined. I thought she'd be tired and would want to hurry and put the miraculouses away."

"I thought of that too, so I didn't go with her. But I guess I should have. Anyway, that's all that happened? She wasn't acting weird in any way?"

"Not that I could tell. Sorry."

"Oh, well thanks for your help. I'll let you know if we find her, and if you see her please call me."

I give him the number for my staff, and leave.

Jumping across the rooftops I scan for any sign of her, but see nothing.

Where could she be?

Marinette's POV

During class, I think about how I feel bad for not taking the miraculouses back to Master Fu, but I was really tired and upset.

But I shouldn't let such trivial things like what guy I like get in the way of the safety of the entirety of Paris.

It's fine.

That voice.

It keeps telling me I made the right decision by keeping them, and taking my earrings off.

What is it?

It's the voice of the dark.

The what?!

The darkness is calling.

What darkness!?

The one surrounding you.

That sounds scary, and really weird.

It's not. You'll like it.

Doubt that.

"Marinette, are you ok?" Alya whispers.

"Yeah, just tired."

"You look scared or something."

"Oh, I was just thinking of a story I read. It's nothing."

"Okay then." She backs off, but I can tell she's still worried.

The bell rings, and we all go to lunch.

"Sup dudes!" Nino says as he comes up to us.

"Hi Nino." Alya says and hugs him.

"Hey." I reply.

We continue talking and get our food, but that voice keeps calling to me.

Saying I need to go to the darkness.

Wait.

I remember something, something Master once told me.

"The miraculous are very powerful, and most are made for good. But if you have too many around you, including the butterfly, they can corrupt you with a need for power.

The butterfly is one of the most powerful, besides the ladybug and cat. It's also the one that has been made with darkness.

It can be for good, but more often than not, it is for bad.

That is why the transformation phrase is Dark Wings Rise."

Is that what's happening?

The darkness of the butterfly is calling me, because I have so many miraculouses together?

They're all in my bag now, along with my earrings.

Ladybug, butterfly, turtle, peacock, fox, snake and horse.

And five of those are some of the most powerful.

💚🖤💚🖤💚💚🖤💚🖤💚🖤💚🖤
Hey y'all! How's everyone doing?