Placing his lips against Lorelei 's was about as pleasant as licking a toilet bowl. He'd never done such a vulgar action, personally, but he was quite sure it'd taste near enough the same.

As Chat Noir retained his concentration on what was happening between Nathalie's psychotic speech and his world class performance; he saw the opportunity to push forward in the plan and took it. Grabbing a hold of Lorelei he placed his lips firmly against hers, giving Flairmidable and Pegasus the chance to notice his signal—his hand behind his back clenching and opening, calling to his friends.

As prepared as they'd been for taking down Lorelei and, hopefully in conjunction, Äte, they weren't prepared for the big bad boss to be his fathers assistant. He'd always thought Nathalie was the innocent one, pulled in by the manipulative ways of his father; to see Mayura standing there wearing the combination of two Miraculous, was an oddly unsettling sight, he was just glad they weren't unified. He would have bet his left arm that it was his father once again pulling the strings, but as of right now the despicable human he called family was nowhere to be seen.

Lorelei, aka Vivica, assaulted his mouth, tongues, teeth and spit. The taste of her on his own tongue was not at all desirable—not to him anyway. He attempted to relax the muscles in his face, not wanting to bring any indication to his unsettledness but his stability was rocked when he heard Lila's name. It seemed she'd been as much of a pawn as they had. Feeling Lorelei stir against him, Chat pulled her closer into his chest, his hand fanning to try to gain attention of the two he needed.

On his fourth fan, he felt something in his hand. Something curved and spherical—a ball. He smiled against Lorelei 's lips, his fisted hand coming up and stroking alongside her breast, before he opened his palm and tapped the ball against the amulet in between her chest. Opening his hand once more, he felt the heavy weight of the ball disappear knowing now the fate of everything lay in the hands of Flairmidable — maybe they should have reconsidered this plan.

Making sure he was still 'under the spell' he moved his now empty hand back to his wife's chest, stroking his thumb to where he believed her nipple would be and making her groan. He heard a sob coming from behind him, and as much as he wanted to believe his Lady was just playing her part, he knew the sound was real. His actions hurt her once more and his stomach churned as he continued making out and groping his wife.

"Stop!" A voice cried out, Lorelei pulling away to look down on the floor at Lila. "Stop!" The villainess screamed, her voice contorted with hate and hurt; deep, heartbreaking hurt.

"Now, now, Ms. Rossi, it won't help your case if you start showing emotion now would it?"

Unlatching their lips, Chat Noir stood beside Lorelei, threading one arm around her waist He turned his attention down towards the ground, to where Lila Rossi curled herself in, bloodcurdling screams leaving her mouth as she stared back up at Adrien.

"What do you want from me?" Lila said, shakily. In all the years they'd known her, Lila Rossi had never shown fear. Right now though, the girl was trembling, looking uncharacteristically out of control.

Chat Noir turned his eyeline to the side, catching a glimpse of Flairmidable and seeing the pain on his cousin's face. He looked as much in pain as Lila did. What the hell was going on?

Mayura let out a spine chilling laugh, advancing over towards where Lila was lying on the floor. Whilst Lila had been worthy of the 'insane villain' title herself, Nathalie had taken it to the next level. One so far past demonic, Chat Noir was sure the line was a dot. He tilted his head in that direction of his lady, filling his eyes with the apology and questions he couldn't speak.

Are you okay?

They haven't hurt you have they?

I promise this is just an act.

Her small, weepy nod back was one of hurt but understanding. He watched her turn her attention to the side, mirroring the action to whoever's eyes she'd just caught.

Looking back at Mayura, Chat Noir winced, for she had dragged Lila to stand by her ponytail, shaking her side to side before throwing her in the direction of Flairmidable. She tripped and fell at his cousin's feet. He could tell it took all of Flairmidable's effort not to flinch. Was there something there between his cousin and his arch nemesis?

"Flairmidable, hold her."

Chat saw the mental debate Flairmidable was having with himself, before he bent down and pulled Lila to standing by the upper arm. Chat Noir noticed the hood was secure but not too tight.

"Quite a feature isn't it this." Mayura indicated towards the two females held hostage in the room. "Ladybug and Lila Rossi both ended up in the same position, because of the same guy. Adrien's just like his father really—big, bad trouble."

"He's nothing like his father!"

Nathalie cackled and turned her attention back to Ladybug. The hero tensed under the gaze of their new foe. He could read her look and her body language—she was planning.

"Really? Well, let's see, his father is in his position because he was pathetic enough to fall in love, and now, well," Mayura walked over to Ladybug, cupping her chin and lifting the heroine to look directly into her eyes. "Adrien's done the same. You see, all those stupid stories and fairytales place love as the power to break any curse or succeed, but I know the truth," she hissed, spit hitting Ladybug who denied to recoil back. "Love is the biggest weakness any of us possess, and it's thanks to that weakness, I've got Adrien exactly where I want him."

Mayura clicked her fingers, only for Lorelei to grab his arm and twist it behind his back, hitting him in the back of his knees and taking him down to the ground. Two things were for sure. One; this wasn't expected and two; it damn well hurt.

•••••

Ladybug watched as Chat Noir was taken down to the ground, Lorelei standing over him and straining his arm back further. She was petrified that if she didn't do something soon, his arm would be dislocated or broken...either way, it wasn't good.

Her lack of attention gave Mayura a clear shot, Ladybug's head thrown to the side as the villain's hand came across full throttle onto her cheek, knocking her head to the side and causing an intense pain to sit there instead. She couldn't cry, she couldn't let this thing know anymore of her feelings. But it was hard not too. The pain was so intense and strong it almost knocked her straight out of consciousness.

Turning her head back slowly, she looked over at Chat Noir, his face wincing from the strength of Lorelei's hold, a strength which only came from superhero strength, so why the hell wasn't Flairmidable taking it away.

She looked over to where Flairmidable stood holding Lila, her once nemesis no more than weak out of place young woman. Ladybug couldn't believe it, she was actually feeling sorry for Lila, but karma was a bitch and it was about time she got hers—maybe Ladybug would be nice enough to save her if needs be.

"Félix, come here please."

Ladybug watched as Félix moved Lila by his side, his hold on her arm being used to manipulate her movements as he came to settle next to Mayura, his face statonic and void of any emotion.

"Everyone in this room is here because of the exact same...emotion." Mayura stroked over the peacock Miraculous sitting front and centre on her chest, her index finger tracing the finer details. "Some of us just play it better than others. You, my dear," she told Ladybug, "are only here to make sure he gives me what I want. Your dear teammates are only with you because of the adoration they have for their 'hero'." Mayura laughed, though the humourless tone cut right into her chest, her breath losing a couple of counts as she tried to keep it together.

She was unhinged. Completely and utterly unhinged, and if Ladybug wasn't careful she could easily step in the wrong direction. She looked around once more at the male heroes, they all must be wearing wax, so why aren't they attacking? Where were the girls too? Alya must be able to hear what's going on.

"Félix my darling, you know what you need to do."

Ladybug watched as Flairmidable pulled something from his back, something Ladybug was certain didn't belong with the costume. A knife glistened in the lights of the atrium, the reflection harrowing as she watched the blade fly down and cut the bounds around Lila's wrists before throwing her once more to the ground in front of Mayura.

She studied Flairmidable's face, the hero unable to look at her as he held the knife in front of him between two hands. The goddamn fucker had played them again! They give him one more opportunity and the bastard double crosses them—again.

"Take it," Mayura sneered in his direction, Flairmidable kneeling down beside Lila and cutting a chain from around her neck, a chain Ladybug was quite sure belonged to a Sentibeing; a question remained to who?

Flairmidable took a deep breath, his eyes now firmly on Lila and Ladybug was almost sure she could see some sort of remorse in his face as he clutched the pendant tightly in his hands.

He closed his eyes. "It's time to get rid of Lila Rossi."

The girl screamed at a level Ladybug thought only existed in over dramatised horror movies. Instead, she was here watching, as the girl she'd once labelled as the 'worst', was being ordered to her execution.

The door slammed open, and the uncoordinated sound of two people made their way into the room. Frankie and Dominic. Frankie looked in charge and focused on the plan, Ladybug understanding that that was who the pendant belonged to.

"Give it to her," Mayura demanded to Flairmidable, the latter freezing and eyeing up the jewellery before he looked back at Mayura.

"You know my deal. Lead Chat Noir here and you give me your pendant."

"When have I ever let you down before? Everytime you wanted your way with Viviac she's been allowed her own free will. Now, why would you think I'd suddenly change my mind."

Flairmidable narrowed his eyes, lifted his chin and grasped Frankie's chain harder. "Pendant or no deal."

Frankie had made her way to Mayura's side, Ladybug eyeing her over for a certain something she could possibly be wearing. Something that was proved correct as she ordered Dominic to take Lila to the rooftop, a twist of the ring on her finger—Peyton's ring.

Dominic did as asked, grabbing Lila forcefully by the hair and leading her out the doorway.

"Oh and Dominic," Mayura said, freezing him in his tracks. "You don't do anything until you get your order; not that he could anyway." Mayura and Frankie laughed as Dominic continued out the door with Lila, the slam echoing as he did. "We don't want Lila's time of death to mismatch with the rest of you, do we?"

"Félix," Frankie said walking towards Flairmidable, "I believe you have something of mine." She held out her hand waiting for the pendant to be placed on there, only for Flairmidable to retain it, moving his hand back and out the way.

"How do I know you'll give me Vivica's?"

"You really don't trust me, do you?" she laughed, moving away from Flairmidable and over to Mayura. "Though, I do have something additional up my sleeve."

"Don't you want to kiss Carapace first?" All heads turned towards Ladybug, the random words leaving her mouth, causing each hero to stumble in their act.

She notice Flairmidable look at her, his eyebrows creasing and her heart racing; praying that Flairmidable could once again be on their side.

"Well, he is Nino, and isn't that what you want? Frankie and Nino," Ladybug said again, "it has a nice ring to it, don't you think?"

Carapace looked like he wanted to close the lid on the sarcophagus as Frankie waltzed over towards him, a devilish smile crossing her face.

"You might be onto something there."

•••••

"It has a nice ring to it, don't you think?"

Chat Noir's head shot up, the movement adding pressure to the pain he was already in. Ring! She wanted Nino to grab the ring. He tried not to yelp as the pain in his shoulder increased with Lorelei's hold, she was not giving in.

He attempted the catch Carapace's eye, hoping that years of being epic Bros (even if he says so himself) Carapace could understand his signals just from the eye contact alone; though Adrien wasn't sure how to make his demented 'take the ring' look, look different to his demented 'don't touch her ring' look.

Nodding his head in different directions, he tried to get Carapace to stare back, the turtle hero doing a great job of someone under a spell, or sleeping with their eyes wide open. Nodding to the side again, this time he caught Carapace's eye, the hero looking over towards him. Thank god.

"I have a ringing in my ears," Chat said, keeping Lorelei's eyes on his, his words pulling Frankie to face him too. "I think it's trying to control me."

He couldn't be 100% sure, but from the vibrations he suddenly felt down his arm, Lorelei was singing again, attempting to keep Chat Noir under her spell.

"Äte go out into the streets. Maybe there's interference of some sort."

"Yes, Mayura." Äte left the room, heading up an elevator over the side of the basement, just beside the bridge. As she submerged back into the main part of the Agreste Mansion, Adrien threw out another clue.

"A bit of a circus ring down here, don't you think?"

Lorelei twisted his arm harder causing him to let out a curse and a scream. What the hell had he done to deserve this?

"Kitty!" Ladybug suddenly shouted, her call of his name echoing throughout the high ceiling roofs.

Frankie's attention was suddenly turned back to where Ladybug was huddled in the sarcophagus, her steps heading in her direction until Carapace's voice broke out with a cough.

"Frankie, my darling." Frankie stopped her eyes remaining on Ladybug as Carapace continued to speak. "Where have you been?' He said. "I've missed you."

A smirk took over Frankie's face as she turned around and faced Carapace. "I knew you'd see the light."

She stepped forward like a woman possessed and grabbed the back of Carapace's neck, smashing her lips against him fiercely—Chat was certain it would leave a bruise. As Frankie continued attacking Nino's lips, he slowly moved his hand towards her finger and began rubbing the ring as he intertwined their fingers and brought them into his chest. Chat Noir felt his breath catch as he watched Carapace slide the ring effortlessly from her finger and fist it tightly in his hand, hiding the object from the occupant.

Chat had noticed Flairmidable's eyes were still shut looking at the floor and his heart broke for his cousin, his cousin who just wants to be loved.

...But then it all changed.

He'd seen Félix's intense mood a couple of times, but watching his head lift and eyes change was something out of a horror film. He glared towards Frankie, who had now taken Vivivca's chain from around her neck and began to spin it around her finger as she held an arm around Nino's shoulders. His jaw set in a teeth breaking clench. Chat saw him release the ball from its position on his belt and prepared himself.

"Fetch!"

In a flash of bright orange light, the ball flew around the room, finally hitting its destination — the siren pendant around Lorelei's neck. As the ball retrieved the object, Vivica lost her grip on Adrien, collapsing down on the ground in the stunning gown she'd worn that evening.

"No!" screamed Mayura, moving towards Chat with a menacing expression, the rage taking him back as Félix detransformed and headed straight for Adrien's wife.

•••••

As soon as she heard the word fetch she knew Félix was back on their side. The look in his eyes was one of sheer anger and determination to get what he wanted.

Ladybug watched as Vivica fell to the ground, her beautiful white gown cascading around her before Félix was at her side, just as Adrien would be hers; the knife he'd been holding clattering to the ground.

"No!" The scream of Mayura's voice sent her into action, finally unhooking the yo-yo, she sent it flying towards Frankie who was currently being contained by Carapace, knocking the necklace out of her grasp. It flew in the air; Ladybug running and diving to grab it before throwing it in the direction of Félix.

"Rena," Ladybug said, placing one finger against her ear as she spoke. "What's happening out there?"

'We need backup, LB, they're struggling.'

Without warning, King Monkey landed in front of her, covering her from an attack from Mayura. The villain began to fluctuate her attack between the two heroes, lashing out with all her might.

'Shit! She's taken out Pigella and Purple Tigress. Lady Dragon and Eagle are holding her off but I don't know for how much longer. Ryuuko's injured too.'

"You need to go," Ladybug announced, the guys around her removing the wax from her ears as Carapace retained his hold on Frankie.

"What about Dominic?" Viperion asked.

"Take this." She grabbed the ring from Nino's hand and placed it in Viperion's. "It's his akuma, order him to bring Lila down and then give the ring to Dominic. No one else. Can I trust you?"

She looked into his cyran eyes, his nod of understanding meaning everything, before he bounded off and towards where Dominic was waiting on the rooftop.

A startling scream was heard from the other side of the room, Mayura holding Vivica by the hair as she struggled against the grasp. Both Chat Noir and Félix try to talk the Peacock villain to let her go.

"All of you out onto the streets. Put your earpieces in and listen to Alya. Lady Dragon and Eagle are leading you."

"Is it an akuma?" Pegasus asked, placing his ear piece into his left ear.

"I don't think so. Look for something similar to Lorelei's pendant. There should be a golden feather hiding somewhere."

With a quick nod, they were off out into the street.

•••••

Chat stood alongside Félix watching as Mayura held Vivica by the hair, obvious pain disfiguring her face.

"Two for the price of one, how sweet! I bet you love this dear Vivica don't you? Made for the one, and end up getting to be with both. You've completed most women's dreams. I just hope you make it through tonight."

Félix moved to step forward, only for Mayura to wag her finger in his direction. "Don't even try it. Boy," she sneered. "One more step from you and I'll just snap your Lady out of existence."

Félix stepped back, Chat Noir stretching an arm out to keep him there in a makeshift barrier. He turned to his cousin and shook his head, telling him not to move, luckily he seemed to understand.

"Very good. At least we know who has the brains in the family." Mayura laughed, tightening her grip once more on Vivica. "Adrien, you have a choice to make now and as much as a hero you believe you are, just like everyone else, you're selfish too."

She walked over towards a mental container, Vivica still tightly in her hold, and pressed a couple of well hidden buttons, the lid lifting from the container and revealing what — or who — was hiding underneath.

As Chat Noir stared in shock, a gasp was heard alongside him before a supportive hand placed on her shoulder. His Lady was here, and for once he allowed himself to crumble into her arms.

"Why are you doing this?" Ladybug asked. Chat grew more grateful for her being there as the words failed to leave his mouth. He couldn't believe it. After all this time, his mother was here. Not just that, his father was alongside her. Both pale and still.

"Because I love him, you idiot!" Mayura spat back, giving Vivica an aggressive shake.

"He loves Aunt Emilié," Félix said. His voice, a small whisper losing its way in such a large space.

"Wrong!" she sneered. "He's holding onto something that needs to be let go."

"You were friends," Chat said, his eyebrows creasing as she laid his large weight into Ladybug. Thank god she could hold him up because right now he was ready to collapse.

"Wrong! She stole my man, all because of the Miraculous. She promised him everything all because of some magic! Well now that magic becomes your undoing! Give me the ring, or the senti's get snapped out of existence! All of them."

Félix began to shake beside him and he wasn't sure whether it was anticipation or fear. He looked towards Félix only for a glint of something to catch his eye.

He looked back at Vivica before turning back to Félix. "Trust me."

Félix nodded as Chat Noir reached for his ring.

"I knew you'd see sense." Mayura, started swinging Vivica backwards and forwards, humming a tune Chat was sure would haunt him the rest of his life. As the ring made its way over the first knuckle a hand came to stop him.

"What do you think you're doing?" Ladybug hissed, her eyes showing exactly how insane she thought he was.

In avoidance of speaking, he placed a hand around her lower back and pulled her towards him, kissing her like his mouth depended on it, and for once he truly believed it did. As the sour taste of what was yet to come overpowered the kiss, Chat pulled away and pressed his head to hers.

"You and me against the world, M'Lady."

She looked back at him, full Ladybug battle mode initiated.

"Always."

He pressed one last soaring kiss to her lips before yanking the ring from his finger and sending it soaring into the air, a good couple of feet from where Mayura stood. She moved for it, keeping her hand tightly wound in Vivica's hair like he hoped.

The green light washed over him as he took the opportunity to roll towards the glint. Towards Vivica's amok.

Before Mayura could slip the ring onto her finger the order was being sent.

"Remove all Miraculous from Mayura now."

Vivica stretched out, ripping the Miraculous from Mayura's body before moving away to grab the ring of the black cat. Mayura once again becoming Nathalie.

"No!" she cried, repeating the word time and time again. Félix moved in, taking Vivica in his arms and rocking the now sobbing model, Adrien tossing the necklace over to him and watching as he placed it securely back around her neck.

Adrien watched Ladybug, his Ladybug, move in towards Nathalie, taking all three Miraculous' and talking to Alya on the ear piece.

He felt good. So, so good and free. He made his way over to his parents and looked them over, and for once felt settled knowing that wherever they were, they were together again. If Ladybug couldn't help them he was sure Su-Han could.

For the first time in years he could breathe...until he couldn't.

A gasp left his mouth as he struggled to take anymore oxygen in, his legs crumbling underneath him and his hands going to his abdomen as the smell of lead assaulted his senses, and a startling scream echoed through the room.

Lifting his shaky hands, the last thing he saw was the bright red liquid before everything went black.

•••••

'LB, I don't know what just happened but she's detransformed. Caprikid and Rooster Bold are with her now, everyone else is coming back to you.'

"It's over, Alya. We've got the Miraculous, thank you for your help."

Ladybug took the Miraculous from Vivica's hand, sending a nod of respect her way before inserting the missing Miraculous' in the yo-yo, and keeping Adrien's in her hand before deteansforming. There was going to be no option for them to be taken again.

The sound of feet hitting concrete turned her attention to what was happening. Each hero landed beside her, a smile on their faces.

"Someone hold her back." Pegasus went to move in on Mayura as Ladybug moved to Eagle and Lady Dragon to debrief what the hell went on outside.

She opened her mouth to speak, only for a commotion behind her to pull her focus in that direction; and right there, and then she lived out her worst nightmare as Adrien was stabbed from behind by Nathalie.

Félix moved in alongside Carapace. Ryuko and a couple others to detain her, Marinette rushing to Adrien's side as he collapsed on the crypts of his parents and collapsed on the floor in a pool of blood.

She ripped her tee over her head, not caring what people could see and balled it up tightly, pressing it into Adrien's wound.

"Someone call a fucking ambulance," she screamed. The harshness of her throat from the earlier screaming played into effect as she tried to get her other half help. He was bleeding out. His eyes were closed. His face was ashen. Dropping to her knees she pressed the balled up fabric into the wound, her emotions letting loose and running free as she sobbed for her partner's life.

Marinette lay her head on his chest, her ear to his heart trying to find a heartbeat; but with the pulse of blood in her ears plus the shaking in her body it was hard to tell what was real and what was not. She couldn't lose him like this. After everything they'd been through, she couldn't lose him now, not like this.

"We were meant to get married, and grow old together." She sniffed, wiping the tears from under her eyes. She'd never felt pain like this before, and even though she was quite sure she was battered and bruised herself she couldn't careless. If he was going, then she was too. Her heart couldn't live without him, and it didn't want to either.

"Where's those babies you promised me? I'm not pregnant, Adrien, you can't leave me! I'm not pregnant." Her lips quivered as she nuzzled in against him, his blood spoiling her beautiful formal dress, one she'd designed and made with her partner in mind. She wanted it ripped off tonight as a show of longing, instead she was sure I'd be ripped off for different means. A means where antiseptic smells and stinging wipes would be the overall outcome.

Unbeknownst to Marinette, the rest of the heroes had gathered around. Moving away from the out of source Gabriel and Emilié to stand guard over their leaders, their heroes. As Nino sobbed into Alya's shoulder, Kagami held tightly onto Fei, neither knowing what to say or do. Was there anything to be said?

"Marinette," Luka bent down, his hand placed on Marinette's shoulder only to have it thrown off in an aggressive display.

"Nobody touches me!" she hissed through gritted teeth. "Nobody comes near me!" The anger boiled inside her.

She broke down again, placing a kiss to her partner's forehead before snuggling her nose back into his neck. She slid his ring onto his finger allowing Plagg to appear alongside her with Tikki's support.

"What were you thinking, kid?" Plagg's voice was gentle as he sat and stroked through Adrien's hair. The blond locks being the brightest part of his body, the last remaining sunshine of her love.

"People do crazy things when they're in love." His voice was breathy and barely there, but she couldn't help the huffednoise escape her mouth as she heard Adrien's gruff voice assault her ears.

"Adrien," she said, weakly, "Adrien." She pulled her head off his body, her hands cupped his jaw as she looked down to see his closed eyes. Eyes which were shedding out of his tightly closed lids. A slight smile crossed Adrien's lips as his eyes flickered open. "Oh, fuck! Adrien you scared the shit out of me."

"This hurts like a bitch."

She covered her mouth with one hand as she sedated a laugh, Plagg purring and rubbing himself against Adrien's cheek. "Try not to move, Kid."

"I think it's gone through my appendix, it's a good job I don't need it."

Marinette closed her eyes, trying to remove the image of the knife piercing through his stomach and focus purely on him. He was talking, she needed to keep him conscious.

"Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, Chaton, but you had your appendix removed two years ago. I gave you that cuddly Ladybug to help you get better."

"Well. isn't that just a bit of a shit!" He closed his eyes, letting an exhale sound noisily out of his nose. "I'm not going to lie, this is fucking painful."

The overwhelming sound of sirens were heard in the distance, Marinette closing her eyes in relief. They may not be out of the woods yet, but this was the greatest signal of hope they could wish for, and maybe, for once, things were finally going to be okay.

•••••

IMMEDIATE CLOSURE

DUE TO RECENT CIRCUMSTANCES, 'MODE MANIA' WOULD LIKE TO ANNOUNCE ITS IMMEDIATE CLOSURE.

WE APOLOGISE FOR THE INCONVENIENCE.

- - - - - - - - 

One chapter left to go; the epilogue.
Thank you so much for coming on this journey with me. It stared in January and you've all been amazing to tag along and like and comment, it really means a lot. I will post the epilogue as soon as it's complete, thank you all once again <3