{+}{+}{+}

Ladybug's P.O.V

Everything happened so fast. I'm still trying to process it all.

   Shadow ran away, leaving me in my petrified state. My muscles are locked in place but my knees were loose enough for me to fall down onto them. My eyes kept glued onto the spot where Adrien last stood—where the imprint of his shadowy form now stained the street.

His last words stuck in her head like a broken record.

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

   Those words continued to ring in my ears, his voice was as fresh as it was just moments ago. The same ones I—that Marinette—said him.

   Realization fell upon me like getting hit by a semi-truck.

   "There was no way my brain heard it correctly! It's too good to be true! Maybe, the smoke is doing something to my head?" denial continued to swirl through my thoughts.

   Yet, I know what I heard. I can't deny the truth. The truth that connects my close friend and my partner.

   "K...Kitty?" my voice cracked, barely able to let his nickname slip past my lips. The shock of it all still paralyzes me.

   This entire time...Adrien and Chat Noir were the same person. Adrien is Chat Noir.

Adrien was the one who makes silly cat puns.

Adrien was the one who stood by my side in battle.

Adrien is the one I love...with my whole heart, not just half anymore. I love all of him.

Adrien was the one who protects me, even if it means taking the hit...

...even if it means sacrificing his own life for mine.

Droplets fell onto Adrien's silhouette from my glassy eyes. No noise, not even a whimper, escapes out of my mouth. I just sit and stare down at the human-like form staining the street. My heart clenches, hurting in my chest. My hands tighten into fists, shaking from the trembling.

I grit my teeth before finally pulling my act together. I can't just sit around while Paris is crumbling right before me. I stood on my feet and wipe my eyes.

"No...no more crying," I thought, "I have to save Mallorie. That'll save the people who were caught in her path—it'll save Adrien too."

I take a deep breath in then out.

"There's no way you'll save them. You're pathetic and a weakling. You're useless! You should just give your miraculous back to Sabrina and let her have it, permanently. She'd do a lot better of a job than you," the voice in my head berated me, its prickly tone poking at my insecurities.

"You're wrong," I replied in my head, "I just let my negative thoughts get the better of me. I'm not useless, weak, or pathetic. I'm Marinette Dupain-Cheng and I won't let even my mind change that. Sabrina may have done a good job but I shouldn't have given her my responsibility. Chat Noir—Adrien has always believed in me. Now, it's time I start believing in myself too."

The voice seemed to diminish, its presence seemed to wan away. It's still around but not as much as it was.

I grabbed my yoyo and swung onto a rooftop. My gaze darted left to right in search of wherever Shadow had gone.

I have to put myself in Mallorie's shoes for a moment and think like her.

Her goal is to probably destroy all of Paris but that would take way too long just going around the entire city. She would find a spot and make some sort of bomb to get everything at once. But where would that be?

"Wait a minute," I thought, hitting myself in the head, "Probably the one place most villains seemed to be attracted to."

{+}{+}{+}

"I knew it," I mumbled under my breath, hiding on a rooftop near the Eiffel Tower. The only parts that can be seen of the tower are its four legs and the top point. Everything else is inside a giant blackish-purple spherical ball.

"Wow, very original, Shadow. Coming to the Eiffel Tower to cause mayhem. Unless..." I trailed off, feeling the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. I nearly snapped my head to look behind me.

There stood Shadow with her claws raised and ready to fire. I jumped out of the way of her attack.

"...you knew I was going to come here. You wanted me to come and set up a chance to jump me. But knowing you, you also wanted to take care of me on your own terms instead of your creation," I concluded, gesturing to the giant ball wrapped around the tower.

Shadow speedily charged straight at me with her long claws ready to strike. I jumped off the side of the roof and tried to grab my yoyo. I couldn't grab it in time and ungracefully fell onto the ground. I pulled myself back up and groaned. My hand rubbed the aching spot on my head.

"Well, that was embarrassing," I grumbled to myself, reaching out for my yoyo. I felt something grip my ankle, sending an immediate shockwave to alert me of the danger that is about to happen.

   I managed to grab my yoyo before Shadow pulled me off the ground. I yelped, feeling the blood rushing to my head. Then, she threw me into the air. I screamed as I flew across Paris. I flung my yoyo at what I hope is some sort of pole.

   My weapon wrapped around something and yanked me to it. I land on a fire escape and scanned the area for Shadow.

   She was nowhere in sight.

   I thought she would follow me...but she might think that I'll come find her anyway. She's probably still at the Eiffel Tower doing whatever she is going to use that giant sphere thing. I have to destroy that ball-thing before it creates more destruction to the city.

   Knowing the akumatized victim, that's another obstacle that will bring forth much difficulty in getting rid of it.

   I recall my yoyo back and call upon my power.

   "Lucky Charm," I said before catching the object. It took me only a moment to examine it and raise an eyebrow.

   "Friendship bracelets?" I questioned, "How am I going to defeat a powerful akuma with this?"

   I tried to look around the area for a solution but came up with nothing.

   I let out a sigh. What I need is probably at the Eiffel Tower. I looked at the bracelets again before letting a soft smile adorn my face, "Chat would probably say something stupid like "the magic of friendship will save the day" or something."

   My heart ached, knowing the situation he's in right now.

   As always, Adrien protected me from danger.

   I stare down at the bracelet and clutch it in my hand. Maybe that's why he was keeping his distance. He was protecting me from something (aside from himself). Of course, he would never betray me. How could I think such a silly thing like that?

   I nearly jumped out of my skin when hearing something pounding on the glass behind me. My heart skyrocketed as I nearly spun my entire head around like an owl to see what was behind me.

   There in the window was Alya. She opened it.

   "Ladybug!" Alya exclaimed, happily, "Thank goodness you're here!"

   "This was all purely a coincidence that I landed here," I thought, now noticing that this was Alya's apartment building. What are the odds that I land here? Maybe it has something to do with luck and I just don't know it yet.

   The ombré-haired teen dove back into her room before popping her head back out the window. She extended a vanilla folder out to me. Confused, I looked at her for an explanation.

   "I may have done some digging on the victim of the akuma and found some answers that might help you. It's all summarized to get to the point. But it's kind of private so give this to Marinette Dupain-Cheng. I know she'll help you come up with a solution to save her sister. She's admirably awesome like that," Alya explained.

I blinked in stunned silence. My mouth is left slightly agape, hearing the genuine faith and trust she has in me—in Marinette.

"Does she really mean that though?" that voice still peeked its ugly face.

"You must have a lot of faith in your friend," I commented.

Alya's smile saddened, hazel eyes looking down with guilt swimming in them. The usual confidence she always held in her form seemed to sag a bit.

"Yeah," Alya agreed before halfheartedly continuing, "But, I don't deserve to be her friend."

Her words crushed me. The raw devastation curled around my soul. The awful part about it, she believes what she says.

I will admit, she might also be right. With all the anguish she caused me by betraying me, it's unforgivable. I should hate her for choosing Lila's side but I don't.

Because, unlike Lila, Alya truly does feel terrible for her actions.

She made a mistake...

I glanced down at the vanilla folder in my grip. The ladybug pattern highlighted it for a moment. And when I looked up at Alya again, she was covered in the same pattern for a split moment too.

...and she's trying to fix it even if it can't ever be restored.

I placed a hand on her shoulder. Her gloomy gaze met my reassuring one.

"Thank you, Alya," I gratefully said, "And word of advice, I think you should talk with her. Sort out your problems."

Alya gave a small smile and a nod, "I'll take your word for it. For now, go kick evil's butt."

I gave her a confident nod and smirk. I hope she does just that the next time we see each other.

"You got it."

I detransformed on my way to the tower, knowing I'll need more than two minutes to defeat Shadow. My Lucky Charm disappeared into thin air. At least it had some use to point me in the right direction.

   Once I'm at the Eiffel Tower, I kept my guard up. I found myself a hidden spot to keep a close eye on the ball while I investigate Alya's notes. If something were to happen, I'll need to react quickly and come up with a plan on the way.

   Hopefully, I have enough time to look through these notes.

I opened the folder. Just as Alya promised, everything is summarized with all the important details. Most of this information I already know since I experienced it first hand in those vivid dreams. I skimmed down the page and then flipped it, noticing an article behind the paper.

   "July 11, 2003," I mumbled under my breath, "That's close to the day I was born...meaning it's also close to Mallorie's birth too."

   Whatever is in this article could solve all my answers.

   I began to quickly read it.

   My eyes widened in shock.

{+}{+}{+}

Tom's P.O.V

   Everything is dark. It was like a never-ending void of ebony. No exits or entryways. No up or down. No light. Just pitch black, empty space. Nothing.

   Where am I? How did I get here? Am I sleeping? Is this just a dreamless sleep? Is there a way out?

   I try to move to see if there is any way to escape this place. Yet, my feet are cemented in place. I go to move my arms but it's like someone glued them to the sides of my body. The only thing I can move is my eyes and mouth.

   What's going on?

   "Tom."

   I'm startled by the disembodied echoing throughout the space. I try to find where the voice came from but I don't see anyone, not that I can look around much.

   That voice...that sweet voice...it's so...familiar. I've heard this voice like an echo from the past. The calm and gentle tone, sounding like a soothing song with a hint of a fiery spirit.

   "Sabine?" I questioned, searching for my wife.
The love of my life with which I thought I lost a few months ago.

   "Where are you?" I asked, wanting to desperately see her. I struggle to unbind myself from my prison, trying my best to go to Sabine. She can come back home, continue to run the bakery with me, and...

...and we can be a happy family again.

   Our entire family together like it should've always been.

   Sabine will get to meet her other daughter we thought we lost all those years ago. We can help Mallorie through her trust issues and become a part of the family.

   That's how it should've always been.

   How it should be.

   But life isn't that kind.

   It took two important people away from my family. I should be lucky I still have Marinette and Mallorie has returned.

   I'm so thankful to have them in my life, even if they don't feel the same about me in their own.

   "Honey," Sabine's voice spoke, sounding much closer as if...as if she is standing right behind me, "You have to go help our daughters. Break free."

   Something warm gently guided my arms up, somehow coming unbound from my invisible restraints. My hands came in contact with some sort of silk barrier. Using all of my strength, I broke through the silky material and a light broke through the darkness.

   I sat up, realizing I had been trapped in some sort of dark purple cocoon-like thing.

"What-" I said before my words were cut short. My train of thought went off track once noticing the scene around me.

I'm sitting on the remains of a crumbled building. Not just a random one either, it's the bakery and the apartment—my home now in pieces. Just like my family.

I notice the slightest movement from the corner of my eye and see some sort of shadowy figure running along the rooftops.

An akuma and I'm pretty sure I know who's been akumatized.

"Mallorie..." I trailed off, a coiling feeling in my aching chest tightens. This would've never happened if I just told the girls what happened all those years ago. Yet, there was a problem with telling Mallorie the truth.

Would she have believed me?

I could immediately tell she had trust issues. I wanted to earn her trust before telling both of them what had happened in the past. But that was the wrong choice.

"I need to fix this," I thought, determined to make things right with my daughters. Sabine would want that just as much as I do.

"Don't worry, Sabine. I'm going to make things right."

{+}{+}{+}

Ladybug's P.O.V

   After I finished reading, I placed the folder down and began to speedily put the dots together. All those terrible memories making her believe our parents didn't want her, abandonment problems, and continuously being rejected.

   It all makes sense now.

   "Oh, Mallorie..." I spoke with empathy. My heart goes out to her. I know the reason why she hates our parents...and me.

   An inhuman roar echoes throughout the city.

   I snap out of my head and turn my attention to the Eiffel Tower. The ginormous ball is starting to glow a chilling purple. I react fast, pulling out my yoyo and heading directly toward the ball. Once I land on top of it, I notice the material is the same silky stuff I was trapped in. I try to force my way inside but the walls were too thick to break.

I continue higher up until reaching the top part of the Eiffel Tower sticking out.

"Maybe, I can get in through the building," I thought, heading inside the tower. I managed my way through the room and eventually found a window that goes inside the ball. Unfortunately, the window couldn't open. So, I chucked my yoyo at the window, causing it to shatter on contact.

I winced at the loud shattering noise.

"Maybe, she didn't hear that," I unsurely stated, knowing my words were a bunch of bull.

I hear another inhuman screech filling my eardrums. My heart spiked before I instinctively ran to hide somewhere. I could get the jump on her and trap her with my yoyo. Then. I can get that thing on her finger. I'm pretty sure it's a ring (what else would it be). It has to be the thing holding the akuma inside it.

   ...unless she's hiding the object somewhere. For all I know, it could be the picture of her and her baby.

   Before I can second guess myself, I hear a low growl. I held my breath as if she could hear me breathing. I wouldn't be surprised if she could hear my hammering heart beating against my chest.

   Ding!

   My eyes expanded in befuddlement.

   "Is she taking the elevator?" I thought, peeking out from my hiding spot. Shadow perked up, having been nowhere near the elevator and crept towards it.

   "No..." I panicked in my mind after realization struck, "...someone's coming up the elevator! But this can be my chance to trap her while she's distracted!"

   I ran out from my spot and charged at Shadow. She seemed surprised by my sudden appearance. I used her state of confusion to quickly throw my yoyo and wrap her up.

   Shadow screeched in fury, struggling to get out of her restraints just as the elevator door opened.

   I turned to see dad standing inside.

   "What are you doing here?! It's not safe!" I yelled at him, baffled by his appearance. No! He can't be here! It's too dangerous! I can't lose him too!

   Seeing dad only made Shadow more irritated. Her body began to steam and my yo-yo's string began to snap. I brought my attention back to Shadow, seeing a glimpse of the ring on her finger. Even after a few seconds of seeing it, I knew I couldn't deny knowing that ring.

   It was Chat Noir's ring.

   "She must have found out I had it somehow and stolen it," I thought.

   "Get out of here now!" I yelled at dad.

   He didn't say anything and leaped into action. I watched in slow motion as he trapped Shadow in his arms.

   She screeched and struggled in his grip. Steam continued to radiate off Shadow's body and dad's form was quickly being taken over by the stone-like cover. I could see the pain wrinkling his face as his body began to deteriorate slowly.

   "Please! Help her! Save my daughter!" He begged me. I didn't need to be told twice. I tried to move from my spot but I'm once again immobilized by the webbing. I stood there completely useless. My yoyo is broken so I can't use it. He'll have to get the ring himself.

   "Hurry! Get the ring on her finger!" I instructed him. This is excruciatingly tormenting to watch my dad in this state, slowly and agonizingly turning to ash. I can't let this cloud my mind. I can save him, Adrien, Mallorie, and all of Paris if I can defeat Shadow.

   Shadow immediately bit his arm. Dad let out a pain-filled sound before his entire left arm crumbled to the floor in a pile of dust. I gasped, covering my mouth in stricken in terror.

   Shadow broke free from dad's grasp and watched as he suffered through the rest of his fate. I shakily took in a breath, not believing what I just witnessed. Hot tears trailed down my face like a stream.

   "Papa?" I barely managed to say, letting out a choked sob. Not again. No! I don't want to lose my papa! He can't be gone too!

   The restraints around my ankles released me again. And again, I was useless. I couldn't save another person I love. Another person gone.

   Shadow walked over to me.

   I gritted my teeth together as fuel was added to my fiery anger. I raised a fist and threw it at Shadow, who caught it merely an inch away from her face. She gripped my wrist and began to drag me toward the broken window. I struggled to get out of her hold.

   I have to save everyone! I have to save the ones I love! I have to save my sister!

   "Mallorie," I started in a steady voice, "I want to help you. You don't have to do this. We can end it here and go home."

   Shadow didn't listen and jumped out the window. We slid down the silky material like a zip line.

   We were in the ball. It was dark with the occasional light purple illumination every so often. It was like a storm surrounding us, the light acting like lightning.

   We landed in the middle of the Eiffel Tower. There was a platform made from the silky material with some tendrils extending to the exterior parts of the ball to keep it held up.

   Shadow placed me down, having the material wrapped around my legs and arms to keep me secure.

   Her face turned goopy and diapered from the middle to reveal Mallorie's face. There were many dark purple veins all over her features. There weren't any pupils in her eyes, the same white as her akuma's eyes.

"You're going to watch as I destroy everything you love," she spoke malevolently. She perked up, seeming to turn her focus to something.

"Don't worry, Hawkmoth. I didn't forget our deal," Mallorie said.

"Mallorie, please," I begged, "Let's go home."

She stared at me with a blank-slated look.

"I don't have a home," she flatly stated before reaching out for my earrings. I moved back from her greedy hands.

"Of course you do! We're your family! We love you!" I genuinely spoke. She snarled, shaking her head.

"Lies," she spat. I shook my head so she wouldn't be able to grab the earrings. Yet, Shadow held the top of my head to hold it still and reached out for them again.

Suddenly, Mallorie is kicked to the side.

   Future Bunnix appeared in Mallorie's place, posed in a battle-ready stance.

"Hey, mini bug. It looks like I arrived just in time" she greeted. I blinked in surprise before seeing Alya appearing at my side. She had an ax in her hand.

"Bunnix? A-Alya?" I questioned, "But how—what?"

I was stupefied by their sudden arrival. I assumed they came through Bunnix's burrow but it was completely unexpected.

Mallorie's face was covered back up and Shadow charged at Bunnix. The two commenced in battle while Alya raised the ax. She swung it down with all her might and broke the webbing. Then, she did the same thing on my other side.

"Why are you here? It's dangerous!" I exclaimed to the crazy-headed reporter.

"Apparently, I'm supposed to be here. That's what Bunnix said," Alya explained quickly. I hummed in acknowledgment, wondering why Alya needs to be here.

   Then, I averted my attention over to Bunnix. She was starting to struggle to face off Shadow, having way too many close calls with being turned into ash. I have to help her.

I grabbed my broken yoyo and tossed it in the air.

"Lucky Charm!" I called my power. I caught my weapon before catching the floating, paper-thin object. I examined the key to our victory. My mouth fell slightly agape at the rectangular image.

   The photo of Mallorie and her son.

   I glanced away from the image and over to the battle. Shadow's figure was highlighted in a ladybug pattern for a split second then turned to the photo, it doing the same highlighting.

   "Of course," I mumbled, knowing what I have to do. Nothing gets to a Dupain-Cheng other than the ones they care deeply for.

   The exact strategy Chat Noir used to save me.

   "Ladybug, watch out!" Alya yelled at me while pushing me aside. I fell onto the ground before shifting my gaze at Alya. Within a few seconds, I saw her smile sadly before her body turned into one of the many shadowed figures embedded on the ground.

   "No! Alya!" I shouted, immersed in a cold feeling surrounding me. Another person gone. Another one I couldn't save.

   Still, I stood up.

   Because no matter how many times I get pushed down, I'll keep getting back up.

   Besides, I can save them all. There is still a chance to bring them back.

   I know what I have to do.

   Bunnix lets out a blood-curling scream and falls to the ground. There are four long claw marks embedded across her back. I stared in shock at her defeat, watching her slowly diminishing into ash. She gave me a weak smirk and a thumbs up.

   Then, she was gone.

   The good thing that came out of this, Shadow had grown worn out from battling the future miraculous holder.

   Now, it's just me vs Shadow.

   My only weapon is this picture.

   Shadow let out a shrill screech before charging at me. She raised her claws, about to strike me down.

   I stood my ground and stared her charging form down. I held up the picture.

   I flinched when her claws flew down but paused in their descent near the left side of my face. Shadow's eyes widened, unable to look away from the picture.

   "Mallorie, you need to stop this. What would your son think of you right now if he saw all of this?" I questioned. I knew I got to her, hitting her where it really hurts. I hate to bring this pain upon her but nothing else is getting through her head.

   She needs to stop and listen.

   Even if I have to use the one thing she cares about most in this world to do so.

   Shadow's face disappeared and was once again replaced with Mallorie's. Her hand reached for the photo and held it. A look of sadness crosses over her features, withering from her state of conflict.

   She opened her mouth to say something but no words seemed to form. She blinked, gathering her thoughts in her head.

   "No..." Mallorie shakily said, moving her head back and forth, "...he...he betrayed me."

   "He did not betray you. Your son was a baby, who was taken from you. You were still too young to be raising an infant and you're constantly being moved around in the system. That was the best decision made for him to live a good life that you weren't given," I explained.

   Mallorie turned away from the picture with rage-filled eyes.

   "And who's fault was that?" She growled, "Everyone betrayed me. All those foster parents treated me terribly or ignored my existence. The man I loved. Even my parents didn't want me...but they wanted you. Why you? Why didn't my parents want me?"

   I frowned, my heart clenching at her words. It hurts to hear her think how unwanted she believes herself to be. How she believes that our parents liked me more than her.

   Yet, that's not true at all.

   "I know that a lot of those parents were awful to you but not all of them. I saw what you went through," I replied, "I can't speak for the ones who did do all those despicable things but there were some that tried their best to show that they did care for you. Not everyone betrayed or abandoned you, Mallorie. Not even Eric or our parents."

   "Then, why did Eric leave me and our child to die?!" She yelled.

   "Because he knew you were stubborn and reckless," I countered back, "The firefighters were right there to help you out. He would've helped you if they weren't and would've kicked you out of the gang afterward.

   "He couldn't let you put yourself or your child in any more danger. So, even if it meant never seeing you again and you hated his guts, the only way to protect the both of you was to let you go."

   I could see the gears in Mallorie's head turning, probably recalling those past events. There were still some conflicting emotions, which I didn't blame her for having.

   She's been through a lot physically and mentally living in America. It really messed with her state of mind to the point that the smallest things set her off or gave the wrong impression. She now resides in a place where she can't trust anyone. That's her way of survival.

   I can only hope that she believes me.

I dared to take a step forward and wrap my arms around her neck.

"I'm sorry for everything you've been through. You didn't deserve it. I know you don't believe me but, I really do deeply care about you. I'm certain dad feels the same way too," I earnestly spoke.

"Why did our parents give me up then?" I heard her question, not as much malice in her voice as before. There was more dejection hidden within her tone. I pulled away from her but kept my hands on her shoulders as a form of comfort.

"It's not my story to tell. It's best if dad explains it himself...to the both of us. I'm positive he has a reason," I explained, sincerely. I do know the reason but I'd rather hear the whole story from dad. He'll tell us more about that day than what some article can.

   It's time we know the entire truth.

"I know this is hard but you're going to need to trust me on this. Just give us a chance to give you the life you should've had. Let's go home," I concluded.

   Mallorie still seemed very skeptical of me. For all she knows, I could be lying to stop her and to save the people I love.

   But she is one of the people I love too.

   Luckily...

   Mallorie reached for the black cat miraculous and turned it to ash. The akuma flew out.

   ...Mallorie is very intelligent in reading people and knows that I'm telling the truth.

   I caught the butterfly and threw the photo in the air.

   "Miraculous Ladybug!"

   The magical ladybugs flew through the air, restoring everything that had been touched by Shadow's destruction. Fires were extinguished. Buildings were fixed like they weren't touched by the wicked flames. People returned from their near-death experiences.

   Finally, the battle was over.

{+}{+}{+}