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Adrien's P.O.V

   "Well, I can safely say that everything that could go wrong has gone exceedingly wrong," I thought, completely over everything since finding out father's secret identity.

   I tried to wriggle out of the invisible bonds keeping me attached to the chair, still "surprisingly" having no effect. I don't know what's happening to me or why I'm willingly obeying his orders. He told me to sit in this chair and not move. Ever since then, I've been unable to do anything.

   I couldn't see a single thing with how dark it is in this room. Where are we? His secret lair?

   I had watched father transform before my very eyes just a few minutes ago. At first, I was in shock even though I already knew he was Hawkmoth. Still, seeing it was a whole different experience solidifies the truth.

A giant window opened, letting in the moonlight. Standing in the center of the light is my father's silhouetted back.

   "How come I've never seen this place, especially this giant butterfly window for crying out loud?" I said within my mind. I can't believe everything was inside this house—was standing right in front of me this entire time.

   "Go and akumatize this vengeful soul!" Hawkmoth ordered the tainted butterfly. It innocently fluttered out of the window and off into the night sky toward its victim.

   "Who are you akumatizing now? Mr. Ramier for like...the eighth time," I sarcastically said. Father didn't say a word to me. I scoffed.

   "Well, whoever it is. I know Ladybug will triumph in the end."

   "I don't think so," he finally replied, "This one will be my greatest masterpiece and I'll finally get those miraculous."

   I narrowed my eyes at him.

   "I know why you're getting the miraculous but it won't work. A great price is going to have to be paid if you bring mom back from the dead! Who knows what will happen!" I tried to convince him to stop. Father is a reasonable man. Maybe, I can change his mind.

   "That's the thing, Adrien," Hawkmoth spoke, turning to face me, "Your mother isn't dead."

   My eyes widened before shaking the nonsense out of my head. No, he's lying. I can't trust anything he tells me.

   "Stop it..." I said in a low voice through gritted teeth. Father walked toward me with his cane gripped in his hand.

   "She has been alive this whole time. She is in a comatose state at the moment..." he continued.

   "Stop it," I commanded, my breathing starting to waver. I can't let him get into my head. He wants me to side with him, trying not to make himself the bad guy. He's trying to justify all his wrongs and terror. All the victims. All the pain. All the destruction.

I know mom wouldn't want this...even if it meant her return.

   "I can make a wish using the ladybug earrings and the black cat ring to awaken her..." he added on.

   "Stop it," my voice grew louder, starting to crack. My eyes welled up with water. I don't want him to make me hope that she'll magically return. I would want nothing more...but I know there'll be dire consequences. Paris has already paid enough suffering from my father. I won't let him bring anymore.

   How can I though when I'm so weak?

   "I'm willing to pay the price if it means we can be a family again," father finished, reaching out a hand.

   "I SAID STOP IT!" I snapped at him, making him wince back in surprise. Now I know I have his attention.

"Even if you did bring mom back and there wasn't a price, nothing will be the same again. Everything you've done—all the suffering you've caused Paris—how can I just simply brush off all of this? How will mom ever forgive you for what you've done?" I hissed. I let my face melt into a sad frown and my ragged voice softened.

"Please, father. Please just stop all of this. Just let her go-"

"I WILL NOT LET HER GO!" father cut me off, an angry look in his eyes, "I thought out of everyone that you'd be the most willing to stand by me. But it turns out my judgment was wrong. You don't care about your mother..."

Suddenly, a creepy smile adorned his lips, and let out some chuckles. I shrunk back, not liking this crazed side of him. He could do anything he wants with me and I'd be completely useless to fight back.

"How could you care about her?" He added on. That made my blood boil.

"What the heck does that mean? I do I love mom and respect her wishes a lot more than you do," I growled, wishing I could knock some sense into him, "Seriously, why can't I move?!"

"Of course, you don't love her," Hawkmoth explained, walking around me.

   "How can you love anything when you're not even human yourself?"

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Ladybug's P.O.V

The moment I stepped out of my bedroom, the sounds of screaming and sirens filled my ears. Most parts of the city from which I could see are up in flames, smoke drifting up into the darkened sky. Now, it can truly be called the City of Light.

"Oh no," I gasped, hovering my hand over my mouth in shock, "Mallorie...what did you do?"

I scanned the perimeter for any sign of a trail to follow. Yet, the destruction has no path. It is in all sorts of directions. I grabbed my yoyo. I'll just have to make an educated guess on where Mallorie went.

   "Should I get some help?" I wondered, "It might take too long if I do this alone."

   "You're such a moron. Nobody can help you! You can't trust anyone! Alya betrayed you. Chat Noir betrayed you. Even your dad betrayed you. Everyone you thought you were close-knit with stabbed you in the back. Why should you trust them?" that mocking voice spoke within my head.

   I bit the bottom of my lip and clutched my yoyo. Is...this voice right? Everyone I've come to know and love has turned their backs on me. I can't trust them. They might betray me—hurt me. I don't want to go through with that...not again.

   I flung my yoyo at a metal bar and began to swing through Paris. A feeling of despair covers me when seeing all the chaos happening below me. Buildings are burning, cars crashed, and panicked civilians running around.

And I couldn't stop it from happening.

I need to fix all of this.

I need to save Mallorie not only from Hawkmoth but herself too.

   I need to do this by myself.

   While I scope the city for Mallorie, I noticed ebony silhouettes of human figures everywhere. On the streets, sidewalks, buildings, cars—generally everywhere. It's somewhat disturbing to see and gives me an uneasy feeling of twisting.

   What happened to them? Is that Mallorie's power? Suddenly, my arms grow weak and shake. A nauseous feeling punches my stomach. I need to stop.

    I paused on a rooftop for a second to take a break. For some reason, my knees are shaking and a cold feeling creeps along my skin. My hands start to pull at my pigtails. My ragged breathing turns into hyperventilating, making my chest hurt. I feel tears pooling in my eyes from the pain.

Finally, I fall onto my knees. Doubt starts to suffocate me.

"What's...What's h-happening...to...me," my voice wavered between each breath, "T-Tikki, spots...spots off!"

My transformation fell off me, leaving my civilian form in the place of Ladybug's. Tikki appeared in confusion before seeing the state I'm in. Her eyes widen and flew over to me in worry.

"Tikki...I...I can't do...this by...myself," I cried, my heart aching and fear overcoming my mind. My body hurts so much. I just want to curl in on myself and hide. I've never felt so afraid before in my life. I don't even know what's happening to me!

"What's...what's going...on?" I asked, having a hard time with this panic building up inside me. It's like a boulder was placed on my back and the only way to survive was to lift it off. Yet, it's too heavy.

I'm too weak.

"Marinette, I need you to listen to me. You're having a panic attack right now. I need you to breathe. We'll do it together. Okay?" Tikki explained in a serious tone. I nodded. My Kwami took a breath in, held it and let it out. I copycat her on this exercise until I've calmed down.

I dry the tears off of my face and sniffle. Then, I drag my knees until I'm hugging them against my chest.

"Are you...doing better?" Tikki asked hesitatingly.

"N-Not really," I replied, my voice scratchy, "I haven't even seen what Mallorie was akumatized into. I only saw the trail of destruction she left and I'm already terrified. I can't do this alone, Tikki, but there's no one else I can trust."

"You don't have to do this alone. I'm here with you. Your friends, family, and your partner—all of Paris is on your side and they need your help Marinette," Tikki said.

"I-I can't trust them. They all betrayed me," I argued, my nails digging into my skull.

"Not everyone betrayed you. Even if they did, they're trying their hardest to make up for it. They made mistakes but that's what makes them human," Tikki said.

   "I...I don't know," I responded unsurely.

   "That's alright, Marinette. You don't need to be sure at this moment. You can figure it all out later. We need to save your sister and Paris," Tikki reassured, knocking me back into reality, "You're not alone in this. I'll be here with you every step of the way."

   A small smile graced my lips. That's right. I'm not alone. Tikki's here with me and I'm sure if Adrien knew my identity, he'd be rooting for me too along with Paris. They believe in me.

   I swallow down my fear and steeled my nerves. She's right. I can't let it take me over right now. I need to help Mallorie. I've seen what she's been through. She's experienced betrayal too. She believes she has no one and is all alone in this world. She needs to know she's not alone just as much as me.

   I gave Tikki one of my emergency cookies from my purse and a determined smile.

   "Eat up, Tikki. We have a city to save."

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Adrien's P.O.V

   My mouth went dry of words. I stared wide-eyed at the man I call father, trying to process what he just said. I feel a sudden hollowness in my chest, something I thought was there but was never really. I tried to gulp down the bitter taste in my mouth but it still lingered.

"No..." I shake my head, "...you're lying. You're just messing with my head."

Hawkmoth hummed.

"You are right about one thing," he said, "I can mess with your head but I'm not lying. You see, you're actually an amok, Adrien. You were created a few years ago by your mother with the broken peacock miraculous."

   My entire world flipped. Everything I thought I knew—of who I am—was all a lie. I'm not human. I'm a monster. No wonder I act the way that I do. I'm practically a dog on a leash but when I'm released, I cause only trouble.

"Your mother was unable to bear any children but still dreamed of having a child of her own," he continued, "That's when we found the miraculous and learned of its powers. Yet, she grew ill over time after she created you and fell into a coma. I've been trying to bring her back ever since. But I need the ladybug and black cat miraculous to accomplish that."

   "So, even when you knew the peacock miraculous was dangerous, you still let Nathalie use it. I thought you cared about her. She can't even stand by herself without that machine," I hissed.

   I could've sworn I had seen a bit of guilt lingering on his face.

   "I didn't want her to use it. It was all her choice. She was bound and determined to help me, even at the cost of her health. But I won't allow her to use a miraculous anymore. I didn't want a repeat of what happened," father said.

   "But you still let her push herself to her limits," I replied, "That doesn't make it any better."

   Hawkmoth growled in frustration. He's never had to deal with my rebelliousness before. I must be really agitating him.

   I can't stay around though. I need to figure out a way to escape and go help out with the akuma. I can still be of some use to Marinette somehow though I don't have any powers. There has to be a way to break free.

   "I'm not the villain, Adrien. I'm only trying to help your mother and so is Nathalie," he said through gritted teeth.

   I can't blame Hawkmoth for all the mistakes I made and the choices I choose. Those are mine and mine alone.

   Yet, he's the one that causes the mayhem. He's the one who purposely victimized innocent people with problems and uses them for his own selfish actions.

   He's the one who nearly killed Marinette and her sister.

   So I've made some bad decisions but he's done way worse.

   I may be a monster but he sure acts more like one than me.

   I gather all my willpower and fight off whatever control father has over me. I won't let him treat me this way anymore. I won't let him continue his plans because he's wrong.

   He doesn't know anything, not even me.

   I may be a senti-monster but I do know what love is. I've felt it. I know there are people out there that care about me. I won't let this jerk tell me otherwise.

   Now, I need to go protect this city I care about and the people I love, who live in it.

      "Yeah," I retorted, "that's what villains usually say."

   I stood up, free from the bonds of obedience. Hawkmoth is shocked by this before he starts to boil with rage.

   "How did you do that?" He snarled.

   "Because father. I'm not scared of you anymore," I answered him, readying myself to fight. I don't need to beat him (not like I could even if I did have my miraculous). I just need enough time to get out of here. I need some sort of distraction.

   I scan around the room for anything I can use or do to escape. Unfortunately, the chair is the only thing in this area. I could try to steal Hawkmoth's staff but that'd be very tricky nor do I have the fighting skills for it.

   "It doesn't matter. You're no match against me," he said. I narrowed my eyes before looking over at the railing. That's it.

   "That may be true..." I replied, "...but you don't want to hurt me."

   Father may be saying all these hurtful things but he does care about me enough to not physically see me hurt.

   That's why I need to take a leap of faith.

   I sprint over to the railing, confusing Hawkmoth.

   Then, I jumped over.

   "ADRIEN!" I heard father shout in fright. The wind tousled through my hair. I mentally prayed that my plan will work. If not, a fall from this height will surely kill me. If I'm correct...

I felt arms wrap around my abdomen only moments away from hitting the bottom. Father landed harshly on the soles of his feet, letting out a grunt of pain. He knelt onto a knee, his grip loosened.

"Now is my chance!" I thought quickly. I quickly broke out from his hold and grabbed his staff. I ran away from father as I heard him calling out my name. I ignored him and searched for an exit.

The staff in my hand soon began to disappear into specks of light that vanished into the darkness.

   "He detransformed," I thought, continuing on my quest to escape. Unfortunately, it is so dark I can barely see anything a few feet in front of me.  The only source of light is a faint glow up above on the platform. I dug into my pocket and grabbed my phone.

   This probably isn't the brightest idea I've ever had but I have to find a way out. It might give away my location and attract my father like a moth drawn to a flame. Hopefully, I'll be able to find a way out before he catches up to me.

   I shined my phone's light around to find some sort of exit. There has to be a way—like the elevator we came down into the lair or a door that leads through a secret emergency escape tunnel. Either of those would be very useful right now.

   "Adrien!" I heard father call me. I fumbled with my phone after nearly jumping out of my skin. I quickly turned off the light and quietly walked. As much as I wanted to ignore him, I listened in on his words.

   "Adrien! Please help me save your mother! We can heal her illness. Don't make me force my hand," he warned, "I obey you to come out of hiding this instant!"

   Moving my legs began to grow difficult. I had a hard time moving them like trying to pull a heavy object with my legs. I could feel myself being pulled toward my father's voice. My body wanted to obey. It wants to turn around and head toward Hawkmoth.

   But I can't give up. I have to go help Marinette with the akuma. I know she is capable of saving the day without me but I won't let her face it alone. She doesn't have to do everything by herself. I'll always be by her side through thick and thin.

   I can only hope she will accept me.

   All of me.

   I haven't quite had the time to process my...existence yet. But I can do that later. Though, I don't feel any different even with this information.

   I am still Adrien. That has not changed.

   I am still myself and I can accept that.

The strings that have trapped me for so long broke.

   I ran and not so long later, I came along an elevator.

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Ladybug's P.O.V

   The deeper I go into Paris, the quieter everything goes. I've never heard the bustling and lively city streets go silent. It's very disturbing. It doesn't help that it's nighttime. It makes it difficult to find the akuma.

   "If I were Mallorie, where would I be?" I thought before letting out a groan, "Probably the last place I would look."

   Out of the blue, I hear the first scream in a while. I quickly zip in that direction. I land on a rooftop and peeked over the ledge. A man is running down the street. For a split second, I saw something fly at the male and would've missed it if it weren't for the fire's light.

   Whatever the thing was, it hit the man. He lurched forward and fell onto the ground. He went still in the pose he fell in. His body started to crack and change into something rock-like. Then, his form turned to ash and stained the street's surface.

   The black stain is shaped in the exact position that the man was in, looking like a colored-in chalk outline of a body.

   The shadow of where the victim last was.

   I gulp, my blood running cold. That's not a very reassuring sight. I looked further down the street where the shot came from.

Standing in the fire's light, there stood a tall shadowy figure. The akuma. Mallorie.

Her entire figure resembled a human-like shadow. Her hair flickered around like the flames licking at the buildings. Her eyes are entirely white, glowing a ghostly hue that could haunt anyone's soul with just one look. Her fingers are long and needle-esque.

If it weren't for the fire, I would've never spotted the akuma. Aside from her glowing eyes, her entire body would've been camouflaged in the darkness. Unfortunately, I couldn't see anything on her that could hold the akuma. Either, it's hidden somewhere in Paris or it's blending in with her skin.

The akuma began to walk down the street. I ducked further down so as to not be seen and grabbed my yoyo. I flipped it open and used my camera setting. I zoomed in and took a picture.

I wasn't expecting it to make a clicking noise. It wasn't very loud but still gained the akuma's attention. Mallorie shot her head directly up at where I am currently hidden. Instinctively, I withdrew from the side entirely.

"I wonder if she saw me," I thought.

A black blur appeared in front of me. My adrenaline kicked in the moment her eyes opened and revealed the ominous white staring at me.

"Mallorie..." I spoke, finally finding my words. Her eyes narrowed as she raised her claws. I nearly managed to jump out of the way of her strike and land behind her. The akuma swiftly twisted around and wasted no time shooting her long, needle-like claws. I quickly ducked behind some cover.

   This isn't Mallorie anymore.

   This is Shadow. The very demon that's been haunting Mallorie's soul. The one that hates my guts. I can practically feel the rage emitting from Shadow.

"This is going to be a tough one," I thought, grabbing my yoyo, "especially when she really has it out for me."

   I hear a thump above me and shoot my gaze up. Shadow looms over me, crouched on top of the thing I was hiding behind with a hand raised. I ducked and rolled out of the way of her attack. I got onto my feet and spin the yoyo to ready it.

   "Mallorie, please! Let's talk this out!" I begged. What was a mouthless face tore open with cracking and tearing noises, revealing shadowy, jagged teeth. Shadow let out an inhuman screech before leaping at me. I dodged again.

   Yet, I wasn't ready for the next attack. Just as I was about to defend myself again, Shadow suddenly appeared in front of me. She rammed her head into my stomach getting the wind knocked out of me. I went over the ledge and landed on the street.

   I groaned, using my shaky arms to help me sit up. My back tremendously aches like someone hit it with a sledgehammer. I placed my hand on my pounding head, feeling something wet sliding past my ear. I remove my hand to see a different shade of red on my suit. Crimson.

   Blood.

   "How is it that Chat Noir gets thrown into buildings all the time and comes out of battle without a scratch? And I get a head injury after falling off a building," I muttered to myself, getting onto my feet. Shadow appeared from a dark alleyway, slowly sauntering over. Her claws drag not too far behind, scraping along the concrete.

   I search again for an object.

   It's then I spot a hint of green on her finger. I try to make out what is on her finger but I didn't have enough time. Shadow attacks again. I fling my yoyo at her after sliding to the side. I managed to hit her head.

   Yet, my victory is short-lived once realizing that I made her angrier. She charged.

   I tried to dodge again but my feet suddenly couldn't move. I looked down, noticing black webbing coming out from the road and wrapping around my legs. I was locked in place. My eyes are drawn back onto the charging akuma before closing them, preparing myself for the pain.

I screamed.

   Yet, the pain never came.

   I felt something wrap around my head and held me close to something warm. I could hear the faint sound of a heartbeat. Was this somebody's chest?

   But...who...

   I reopened my eyes. I stumbled back from the hold once my legs were free. I gasped, covering my mouth in disbelief—flabbergasted. My body ran cold and my lip trembled. My mind went completely blank.

   Shadow seemed to be stunned too, eyes widening in shock.

   I wasn't focused on her.

   Only the five long claws protruded out of Adrien's abdomen. Adrien coughed, blood spilling out from his lips

   "W...Why..." was the only question that I could manage to slip off my tongue. A pained smile formed on the blonde's face.

"Just yell and I'll always come running, M'lady."

Adrien diminished into ashes.

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