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Ladybug's P.O.V

"What are you doing here?!" I scolded her, glaring at the woman.

She stood on her feet, not fazed in the slightest at the bodily fluids that covered her.

"Is it not obvious?" Mother questioned before studying the two tunnels, "I am here to help and it seems that I made the correct choice in coming."

I let a growl pass my lips, wanting nothing more than to shove her back where she just came from.

"As bad as it is to think as a hero, I kind of wish it was a dead body instead," I thought.

If this is another attempt to win me back by doing something noble for the hundredth time, she has another thing coming. I am sick of the games she forces me to participate in. Once this is over, I am cutting all my ties with her.

She may be my temporary ally now but she will never again have the right to call us family anymore. Not after everything she did. Those ties were broken years ago and nothing will change that.

"You might want to step back. I did not come alone," mother warned, "I picked him up before I came here."

I barely had time to get out of the way when another person fell. The person coughed before getting to their feet.

"Gabriel Agreste," I said a bit annoyed. What are these two doing here?! They should be helping the others on the outside or (for all I cared) finding shelter from the attack. Instead, they have come to the heart of the fight!

Gabriel let out a noise of disgust. He placed his gun down and tried to get as much saliva off of him as possible.

"This has to be the most disgusting place I have ever been," he grumbled.

"Well, you should not have come here then," Chat retorted, venom laced in his voice. I am glad that I am not the only one who is unhappy about this.

"You may not think it now but you need our help," mother stated, "We will split into teams of two: girls and boys. Ladybug and I will take the left while you boys take the right."

I scoffed. Since when did she just come out of nowhere and declare herself to be the leader, especially in front of me and her own leader?!

As much as I wanted to burst all my outrage onto mother, we did not have time.

   But as much as I hate to admit it, Chat and I needed all the help we could get. An elite magic killer and a magic user on each team would be most effective (even though I would prefer Chat Noir to be my partner instead of mother).

   "Fine," I sneered through clenched teeth.

   Chat Noir ushered me away from mother and Gabriel.

   He glanced over at the former SSS members before asking in a quiet voice, "Are you sure about this? I do not like the thought of leaving you alone with a highly-trained magic assassin...again."

   I glanced over at mother. She and Gabriel were having their own conversation. Mother looked very impatient, foot tapping the floor.

   If mother wanted to kill me, she would have. When we fought, I could tell she was an excellent fighter and swordsman. She was holding back on me, even admitting she did not want to harm me and kept her word.

   I am confident that is still the case.

   "As sweet as your concern is, I believe that there is nothing to worry over. I will be okay. I am more worried about you with Gabriel," I admitted.

   "We do not have time to talk in secret! Paris is being destroyed and we are dilly-dallying!" mother scolded us. I crossed my arms and narrowed my eyes at her.

   "I will be okay," Chat quickly assured. I frowned at him as he placed a hand on my shoulder

   "Once this is over, we will meet up again. Alright?"

   My eyes locked onto the floor with indecision, wanting to change the teams so that I was with Chat instead. I trusted him over the other two. Yet, that was my heart talking too while my brain said otherwise.

   Releasing a breath, I met his gaze and gave him a nod.

   "Okay," I struggled to accept this arrangement this time, "Just...be safe."

   "You as well," Chat replied. I have known Chat long enough to see that he was putting on a brave face, going through the same turmoil as I am.

   I stepped forward and onto my tippy toes. I placed a hand on his shoulder as I reached up and placed my lips on his cheek. Chat Noir was surprised, to say the least, but melted into a fond smile.

   I quickly turned, retreating to Gabriel and mother as my face went ablaze. Gabriel's expression had not changed yet mother had a very questionable look that I decided to ignore. If she wanted to hurry along with defeating this beast, I will take advantage of it.

"Shall we get this over with?" I asked mother.

"Before we do, Gabriel has some information he had forgotten to share very quickly," mother said, emphasizing the last of her words as a warning. Gabriel seemingly chose to ignore that bit of attitude.

"What would that be?" Chat Noir asked, having rejoined the group. I kept my eyes locked on Gabriel, still not having recovered from my...advancements on Chat.

"I was with Juleka when you all were fighting. She did this spell that helped her see the different "pulses" of this creature and noticed one too many of them," Gabriel tried to explain.

"What are you talking about?" I asked.

"Long story short, I have a theory that the Akuma is being presumably guarded," he stated, "So, if getting the Akuma is a bit too easy, then know it is too easy."

He was warning us of a trap.

The three of us nodded in understanding before pairing with our partners.

I chanced one last glance at Chat Noir, catching his gaze. It felt like we exchanged one last "good luck" through quick eye contact before we disappeared into our assigned tunnels.

   A strange feeling churned in my stomach but I continued marching forward. Mother walked a few steps ahead of me, withdrawing her sword at the ready. I decided to do the same with my yoyo.

   I could not help studying her sword. It looked like a liūyèdāo (or "willow leaf saber"). A Chinese Dao of the Qing Dynasty and made sometime in the fifteenth century. The grip part is a midnight color while the pummel and rain-guard shined gold. There is a gentle curve over the entire blade's length.

   Yet, the blade was made out of a different material instead of silvery steel. No ordinary eye would have noticed but a trained one that knows swords would. The blade was more of a darker gray.

   "What is that blade made of?" I questioned her.

   Mother looked back at me before gazing upon the weapon's blade as if realizing that it was made from a different material for the first time too.

   "I am quite surprised you noticed. Not many would have," mother said, sounding a bit astonished at how observant I am.

"Well, maybe if you ever gave me the time of day that did not involve lady etiquette or calling me a complete and utter failure, we could have had a nice conversation over tea about my interests and dreams," I said, sarcastically.

Mother went quiet. I felt a little too proud of myself for knocking her down a peg or two.

   Did I feel bad about it?

No, no I did not.

She deserves my disrespect.

She did not even have to say anything for me to know how horribly she messed up our relationship.

Mother paused for a moment. I barely heard her quiet voice scrape my ears.

"I do know."

She turned around to face me, slipping off her mask to reveal a saddened expression.

"I have known for a long time."

I laughed but there was no humor behind it.

"Yes, and you will tell me next that you are a great mother. But we both know you are a lying, piece of-"

"Sword fighting," she cut me off, catching me off-guard.

"You had fallen in love with the sport ever since you picked up your first saber as a child. You gathered every sword history and fighting technique book you could get your hands on. Even continued it in secret ever since I made you start your lady lessons. You attempted to train down in the lower parts of the mansion, thinking I did not know.

You dreamed of learning to better yourself at it and use it for good purposes: save and protect people. Now, look at you."

She gestured to all of me. A fond smile spread across her face, eyes full of admiration.

"You have become a heroine. While this second life of yours terrifies me, I could not be any more proud than I already am. I know my words now mean nothing to you. I ruined everything between us.

   Before we part ways, the least I can do for you is assist you in defeating this villain. This may not fix all my wrongdoings of the past, but I can do this one final thing the correct way."

   Before mother pulled down her mask, I noticed the burning determination lighting up her silvery sight. I gawked at her as she took a few steps forward. My brain was still trying to catch up on everything she just said.

   This whole time, she knew about everything (except for the Ladybug part until recently). How had she known if I had never told her? I bet she spied on me! How else would she have gotten that information? Maybe, someone on the staff blabbed to her?

   Mother did say it herself that she studies her enemies. She must have done the same to me and was going to use that knowledge for blackmail.

   I will not fall for another one of her tricks again. Shame on me for giving her too many second chances before, only to be disappointed each time. I cannot believe I let myself relent into her little manipulative hands for so long. I kept thinking "this time will be different—she is going to change for the better."

   Oh, what an ignorant fool I was but not no more.

   I am placing my foot down. She had her chances to redeem herself and fix our bond. Yet, it all went up in flames.

   Mother paused, making me stop too.

   "Oh, and to answer your earlier question..." mother began, holding up her saber, "this blade is made of the same material shot out of Banshee guns. So, be careful not to touch the blade."

   "Noted," I acknowledged her warning.

   Would that weapon not be dangerous for her to wield as well? I am pretty sure she has used magic too. Although, she is well-trained in using swords. She would be able to wield it without the blade even skimming her skin.

   "You know this does not change a thing, right?" I questioned her.

   "I am aware of my actions and I will live with the consequences," mother said.

   Mother was good at hiding her emotions, talking like a blank-slated wall. But I could have sworn I heard the pain in her voice as she spoke. I am probably just going delusional and hearing things. Or she is good at acting.

An eerie chuckle echoed in the tunnel, seemingly coming from everywhere. Mother and I were back to back, ready for any surprise attacks that may commence.

"It seems like someone has some parent issues," a male voice said, amused, "but do we not all?"

Whose voice is that? It is not one I have ever heard. Could it be Hawkmoth's voice? I clutched my yoyo, keeping on high alert for any signs of trouble.

"I know that voice," I heard mother mumble to herself.

"Who is it?" I asked.

She paused for a moment but soon answered.

"Leon Rouge, someone who should be dead."

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Chat Noir's P.O.V

Gabriel and I walked in silence. There really was no need to talk. As far as Gabriel knows, we are nothing but strangers that have nothing to do with each other. While the case of being strangers still stands strong...having nothing to do with each other was not.

I am his son unless it is just a major coincidence that he "lost" his son Adrien around the same time Master Fu found me on his doorstep.

   I want to despise Gabriel with every fiber of my being. He killed Master Fu. The very man who raised and cared for me as if I were his own child. Yet, I do not hate him as much as I used to. The swelling hurt I felt before has slowly subsided. That anger is being replaced by curiosity.

   If I had not been "lost," what would my life have been like? I wealthy life, surrounded by greedy pigs that only care about their image and money? Where would I be living? A mansion, I suppose?

  Out of the havoc that changed my life, I should count my blessings. Maybe, I was given a better life in the poor section. I might have grown up hating magic and turned into the rich animals I despise.

   Yet...what was my mother like? What was her personality? Was she like every other wealthy person or was she kind? What did she look like? I assume I had inherited her features since I do not look anything like Gabriel. I wonder if he will tell me more once I am Adrien?

   While I still do not like him, I do not think he is necessarily a bad guy. He had just lost his way after losing the one he loved. I knew that feeling all too well.

   I can see he is starting to turn over a new leaf...

   ...or he might betray us once we defeat Hawkmoth.

   "What had you done to get your powers?" Gabriel asked.

   I raised an eyebrow at him, suspicious of his intentions. Why does he want to know the source of where I obtained my miraculous?

   For a man who would rather die than use a simple potion, that is very strange. I highly doubt he wants magic powers. Unless he is going to use that information to destroy the miracle box?

   "Why would you want to know that?" I questioned him, "And what makes you think I am going to tell you anything?"

   He paused for a moment in thought.

   "I realize how odd that may have come out. I did not mean anything by it," he said, awkwardly.

   He let out a defeated sigh, "You know what...never mind. Just forget what I had said but is it alright if I ask you for a request?"

   "What exactly is your request before I agree?" I inquired

   "If I do not make it out of this alive, could you tell Adrien that I am sorry?" he asked. I perked up in shock, staring at the silver-haired male as if he had grown two heads.

   "What are you sorry for?" I could not help but ask.

   "For many things, really," Gabriel responded.

   "Sorry that I did not try harder to find him. Sorry, I could not be there for him when he needed a father. Sorry for being too weak to protect him and his mother. Sorry for everything."

   I can tell his words are genuine. He was trusting someone he had seen as an enemy to pass on his final message to his son—me.

   I could feel my heartstrings being tugged at, wanting to let Gabriel know that he already fulfilled his own request. That I am right here.

   "I wish I could tell him I did my best but that would be a lie. My best was...never good enough. I do not deserve to call him my son since I was never once a father to him. The only thing that connects us is blood and nothing more. He does not even know who I am. To him, I am merely a stranger he never met," he concluded wistfully.

I am pretty much the only family he has left. He had been searching for me for years, not knowing if I was alive or dead.

   It was difficult keeping my secret identity from him but I could not reveal myself. The least I did was give him closure that I am alive...and now walking into a deadly battle with him.

   I placed my hand on his shoulder, gaining his attention. His muscles stiffened at my touch and seemed to be holding back his instincts to attack. I removed my hand since it caused him so much distress.

   "We should not mark ourselves as death fodder before we even begin the fight. That is no sure way of staying alive. Thinking like that...you might as well dig your own grave while you are at it. We will walk in with a can-do attitude and getting us a step closer to winning this war," I advised him.

   "I did not mean to imply that I am going to die. It is a precaution that if worst comes to worst, I would like the matter to be handled. But I am going to fight with everything I have got and survive," he proudly proclaimed.

   "We still have a deal that needs to be fulfilled. So after all of this, I would like to meet my son."

   I gave a nod of approval, glad he was not going in with a death wish. He had a purpose to keep living, after all.

   We just need to beat this monster.

    It will be no easy task. If it is anything similar to the snail, the power source will be most likely be guarded.

   Not too far ahead, the glow at the end of the tunnel seemed to become brighter. A room, no doubt. I grabbed my baton and extended it, prepared for a fight.

   "Here we go," I thought.

   I pray that Ladybug is doing okay.

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