The sky seemed to have darkened rapidly in the few minutes it had taken to get from Ladybug to his mansion. She asked him to wait, and he was going to obey her orders. He didn't really want to go in anyway, he didn't want to do this. He could feel the anger still bubbling in his stomach, anger for himself, Marinette and the rest of Paris.

His baton began to ring and he noticed his lady's picture smiling back at him. He couldn't' help mirroring the facial expression, he truly adored her and he couldn't wait for this to be over so he could grovel at her feet, begging for forgiveness, before marrying her and working in the bakery. Ok, so his thoughts were getting a little ahead of him, but he was happy. For once in his life he knew nothing could go wrong.

He pressed the green receive button to be faced with a sullen looking Marinette, her eyes were red and it looked as though she had been crying.

"M'Lady? Are you ok?"

"I love you," her words hit him hard. Not that he didn't appreciate her calling now and saying it, but it made no sense.

"I love you too, Bugaboo. What's happening? Why do you look- "

A sudden thundering sound from behind the camera, broke his attention away from her. He turned his head towards the noise and what he saw made his heart drop.

"My father, he knows I'm here. I know you said not to go alone but -"

"Do it Kitty! I trust you."

Before he could respond his father had pounced on him. Closing the baton, he swung it as hard as he could, crashing against his fathers staff.

"Nice of you to come and join me, Adrien. Where's your little girlfriend? You both have something I need." Gabriel swung back again and hit against Adrien's side.

The cat hero went sailing across the roof and down into the forecourt, his father dropping beside him.

"I'm quite sure this would be classed as animal abuse," Adrien responded, taking a step to the side dodging his father's next attack.

He spun around bringing his baton down hard on the floor and using it to propel himself forwards, feet posed and positioned straight into Gabriel's chest. Unfortunately, his fathers reactions were quicker than expected. Grabbing hold of Adrien's ankle, he sent his son sailing over his head and through a large circular window.

Adrien sprung to his feet and looked around. He'd never been here before. He didn't even know this was part of his house. Looking around he noticed bright lights leading over a bridge. Plants and butterflies surrounded the area and something glass in the middle, something similar to a coffin. He ran towards it and noticed as it got closer there was someone in there. Someone familiar. Someone he loved.

"No," the words were faint on his lips as he stopped running. "Mother?" He stepped forwards and placed a hand over the cold glass, hovering where her heart was.

"Give me the ring Adrien," the voice was cold and harsh, nothing like a father should sound as he spoke to his son. "Give me the ring, Adrien, I can bring her back."

Adrien's hand clasped over his Miraculous, twisting it over his gloved finger.

"Bring her back to what? To a son and father who hate each other? To a husband who is a known terrorist?"

"I don't hate you Adrien, I just need you to understand where I am coming from. You know more than anyone that you'd do anything for love."

Adrien's head shot to look at the evil grin on Shadowmoth's face. He had never hated anyone more. How dare his father think this is what his mother would have wanted. How dare he think he knew the extent of his love for Marinette, for Ladybug.

Ladybug.

The name spurred something inside him. Something primal and possessive. He leaped forward, fist clenched and hit his father in the face. Gabriel stumbled backwards, as Adrien moved forward again. In the matter of seconds the two were rolling around on the floor, Adrien channeling all his strength to hold his father down.

"I hate you," he spat out at the helpless man underneath him. The Miraculous strengths were at an equal, however, Adrien's younger body was coming in handy when it came to stamina and deadweight strength. He punched his father in the face as he kept him still with a hand around his throat; once, twice, three times, Adrien's fist met his father's face. " I hate you, I hate you, I hate you."

Gabriel began to laugh.

"Oh silly boy, you have no idea do you?"

"Stop trying to delay the inevitable father, you won't win this so just give it up. What did you do to mother?"

The sinister laugh leaving Gabriel's mouth made Adrien turn cold. In response Adrien grabbed a hold on Gabriel's lapels and lifted his head before slamming it down onto the floor. A heavy slam echoed around the room.

"What did you do?" He repeated the action, slamming his fathers head into the concrete of the floor.

The laughter sounded again.

"I did nothing, dear boy, it was all your mothers doing. I'd love to say that I'm the evil mastermind but I have nothing on her. Who do you think kept you locked in this house? Who do you think wanted the perfect son?"

Adrien slammed his head one more time before continuing to punch. Right hand, left hand, right hand, left hand.

"I didn't even want a child."

Rage ran through his veins and he started up again. Hit, slam, repeat.

"The perfect child, sacrificed for the perfect life, she said. We'd have everything we ever wanted."

Adrien allowed his rage to over power him. He called on his cataclysm ready to end the life of the vicious dictator he currently held in his hands.

"Kitty," a sweet voice rang out through the room.

"Kitty, stop." Adrien heard it again but he was in too much of a rage to stop. His hand began to lower towards his fathers chest.

Suddenly, he was yanked backwards and off his father's beaten body. He felt two hands on his cheeks, turning his head away from his father and down to the blue hues which calmed him, which made him feel safe.

"Adrien, I'm here. You're ok," she placed a gentle kiss on his cheek before pulling him into a hug. Closing her eyes she never saw the movements of Gabriel Agreste. She never saw the slab on concrete in his hands until it was too late. Adrien collapsed to the floor, unconscious and barely breathing. Her heart continued to break, was this what Bunnyx meant? Was this the end?

Marinette rushed forwards, heading towards Gabriel only for him to throw her down next to her beloved. Gabriel was on her in the matter of seconds, pinning her arms behind her back and yanking the earrings from her ears. His face was menacing as he made his way towards Adrien and pulled the ring from his finger. She looked at her partner sprawled out on the floor, his transformation dropping and Adrien left in Chat's place. She could just make out the slight movement in his chest, and thanked the Lords that even though he was out cold he was still breathing.

"You've put up a good fight over the years, Marinette, I must say, I'm impressed."

She scrambled over to Adrien and took his head on her lap. She was numb. This couldn't be happening, this was more painful than anyone could ever explain. Not only was she losing her soulmate, she would be the reason for the downfall of Paris and the victory of a villain. Forgetting Gabriel, she concentrated on the one important thing in the room. She concentrated on Adrien.

"You idiot, you got in the way again." She knew he probably couldn't hear her. "I love you, I love you so much." She ran a hand through his hair, cupping his cheek and stroking his upper lip with her thumb.

"Oh, how sweet." Gabriel had called off his butterfly transformation and was now in the midst of placing on the ring and the earrings. "It's a shame you never managed to experience the true depths of your love."

Tikki and Plagg looked towards Marinette for any indication of what to do. She shook her head in defeat. She had no game plan left, she had to let this happen. There were no Miraculous Ladybug's to help clean up this mess, or a Lucky Charm to defeat the villain. Just two ex-superheroes on the floor, helpless and broken.

"You unify Plagg and Tikki and you will lose something of equal value to Emilie, you will take Adrien's life."

Gabriel began to laugh at Marinette.

"You will actually try anything for me to lose, won't you, even as far as manipulating me. Adrien won't be going anywhere, he will finally have his mother and father back, he won't need you anymore. We'll be a happy family again."

"You don't know that." Marinette screamed, holding onto Adrien as though her life depended on it, and at this moment in time, she was sure it did.

The laugh which escaped Gabriel's mouth was bone chilling, and for once Marinette didn't quite know what to do.

You've got to let him go.

Marinette closed her eyes and waited for Gabriel's next move. She could hear him unifying the Miraculous and could see the harsh purple and gold glow surrounding her. She was positive he was summoning the magic to make the wish. To bring Emilie back from whatever magic induced coma she had been put in, but Marinette wasn't focusing on that. Not anymore. She looked down at Adrien, still unconscious in her arms. They always say you relive moments before you die, and the movie playing through her mind at that moment confirmed the accuracy of this. She began to stroke through his hair again, feeling the silky strands flow through her fingers.

"I remember that first day so clearly. I remember everything so clearly. The times you saved me, my stuttering, your cool calm and collected self, encouraging me to carry on. Your support, your lo-, your love." She choked back a cry. "We've been through so much, Kitty, so, so much. This was not how it was supposed to end. We were supposed to grow old together, to continue to piss each other off. How can I live knowing that I wont see you again. Your bright smile, your loving personality." She let out another sob and placed her forehead against his chest, before she let out a huffed laugh. "Trust you to die before I had a chance to be angry at you, which I still am by the way." She laughed again, oblivious to the turmoil happening around her. "I never even got to say goodbye."

Adrien's breathing became shallow, gaps between each breath increasing and his once sun kissed skin turning a pale shade of grey. She was losing him. For the last time, she took in his face, his lips, his hair and rested her head into his neck, one last breath of his soothing scent.

"I love you Adrien, and I will always be yours and only yours."

A sudden scream sounded around the chamber, and a sound of heels hitting against metal echoed harshly against the bare walls. Marinette refused to look up. She wanted to feel the last of her Chaton's warmth, she wanted to be the last one he would feel before he left this world. She felt movement next to her as someone approached. Again, voices were talking around her, but she couldn't hear anything over her own heartbreak.

"No!"

A voice next to her reflected her own feelings. The distraught voice of a mother who had lost her child. Emilie Agreste was back.

"Emilie, my love, I didn't think it would be him." Gabriel's voice carried over the sound of the sobbing next to Marinette, still she didn't look up. She didn't want to look up.

"Adrien, my baby. Why did you do this?" The voice screamed, "why?" The voice threw poison at the once idolised fashion designer. "I hate you," it screamed again, "I hate you so much. Why did it have to be my baby?"

"I didn't know Emilie, we were to be a family again. I did it for him. I didn't know this would happen."

Red, painful anger flashed over Marinette. He didn't know? He didn't know?

"Yes you did." Marinette finally found her voice and lifted her head towards Emilie, "he did know." She was nodding at Emilie as she edged towards the verge of insanity. "He knew, because I told him."

"Marinette, this has nothing to do with -"

"It has everything to do with me, M. Agreste. He is my soulmate, you killed my soulmate and my best friend." Marinette stood up, placing Adrien's head into his mothers lap.

She made her way over to Gabriel. She'd never felt this way before in her life. The anger was something else, something hard, something overpowering and possessive. She realised Gabriel was back to his normal form, earrings and ring discarded to the side with two kwami's crashed out next to it. Marinette reached into her bag, absentmindedly, and threw food to both Tikki and Plagg, her gaze still fixated on Gabriel Agreste.

"I told you this would happen. I warned you."

"Marinette, don't be playing the hero now, it's too late." Gabriel said, hands clutched behind his back.

"Gabriel, what is this girl talking about?" Emilie looked towards the teen and her husband.

"He knew exactly what he was doing. He wanted you back and was willing to sacrifice his own son for the deed, oh sorry, he wasn't just willing, he actually accomplished it."

It was as though something had finally clicked in Emilie's mind.

"You unified the ladybug and cat Miraculous?" She questioned.

"He did," revealed Marinette.

"So, it does work." Emilie voiced in awe. Marinette turned to look at the recently returned woman to see her placing Adrien's head back on the floor.

"It does, my lady." A shiver ran down her spine at the use of her pet name. Is that where Adrien got it from? This wasn't right. Where had the broken woman gone? She wanted her son back, didn't she? What the hell was happening?

"I can't believe it." Emilie walked over to Gabriel wiping the tears from under her eyes, and took his hands in hers.

"We have absolute power, mon amour. Tell me what you want, I can get you anything."

"But we don't have the sacrifice anymore?"

Ice ran through Marinette's veins. His mother? The mother he had idolised was nothing more than a villain. A power hungry assassin. Did neither of them care about their son? Did neither of them care about what they had just done? And what was the sacrifice?

She backed away, slowly and steadily back to Adrien, not taking her eyes from Gabriel and Emilie. She was terrified. What monsters were these people?

She knew Alix had told her not to do anything but she couldn't leave it like this, could she? Two maniacs now with an insane amount of power. One who knew she was guardian and had the miracle box? She had to make a decision and quick, she needed to do something.

Without another moment's hesitation she made her way towards Tikki and Plagg, she could combine them and do something. Anything! But she was too late, someone else was there first.

She stopped as she looked into the eyes of Gabriel's assistant, she looked into the broken eyes of Nathalie Sancoeur.

"Trust me, Marinette." She whispered.

Not knowing what else to do, Marinette nodded to follow Nathalie's lead.

"Gabriel, Emilie, how lovely to see you back together."

"Nathalie," Emilie's words came out as a gasp. "I thought you would have gotten rid of her Gabriel, you know she was a loose end."

Nathalie laughed as Gabriel's face changed colour. The tall man paled in a way which made Adrien's lifeless body look tanned.

"He needed my help too much to try and get the Miraculous', you know he's pathetic if he works alone."

Marinette made her way back to Adrien's body and held onto his cold, stone-like hand. Rigor mortis was already taking over his once perfect body. She felt like she was going to need strength for what was about to happen and he was the only one who could ever give it to her. Even after death, he would still be her home. She looked at the adults, feeling her heartbeat begin to pulse strong and erratic, the looks between the two women were scornful and full of hate.

"You don't know what you're talking about." Gabriel scoffed.

"Don't I?" Nathalie, placed the ring on her finger and positioned the earrings in her ears.

"What do you think you're doing?" Emilie stepped forward towards Nathalie, only to be held back by newcomers in the room.

Unknown to Marinette; Rena, Carapace, Ryuko and Viperion had made it to the Agreste mansion, what had happened when they'd left them.

"I don't understand." Marinette muttered. Rena and Viperion ran over to her, encompassing her in a hug. She hadn't noticed but Viperion had begun to move her away from Adrien's body as Rena crouched over it. Tears in her eyes. When Marinette realised what was happening she began to fight back. Kicking and punching Viperion with all her might, she didn't even make him flich. She was nothing without her super suit.

"Marinette, you need to calm down." For once, Luka's calming voice did nothing to soothe the anxiety running through her. How could they expect her to calm down? Could they not see Adrien on the floor?

"Adrien's dead!" She shouted, "How can I be calm? I want to be with him, I want to go with him."

Viperion flinched and looked over to where both Emilie and Gabriel had been held back by Carapace and Ryuko. Both young heroes complete with tears streaming down their faces, both looking mournful for the loss of their friend.

"After all these years you betray me now." Gabriel spat out at Nathalie only for her to laugh back in his face.

"Betray you? Please, Adrien was the only reason I was here." Nathalie looked over at Marinette and gave her a small smile. "I am so sorry for everything, but this was the only way Marinette."

"The only way?" She asked back, nothing made sense anymore, what did everyone know?

"Adrien's memories of Emilie are not accurate, she hid him away from this world, she wanted him to be perfect. She wanted him to be the ultimate sacrifice."

"What?" The breath had left Marinette. Sacrifice? She was going to sacrifice her own son? "Why?"

"Trading the perfect son for the perfect life."

"How dare you say that Nathalie? You had no issue carrying him for nine months, did you?"

The room was silent. What did that mean? Was she - did she? Viperion let go of a still Marinette allowing her to walk back over to Adrien and be engulfed by Alya's arms. Once she was clear he went to flick the bracelet on his wrist.

"Second cha-"

"Stop," Marinette cried, "don't." She burned her eyes into Luka's. He gave her a nod in understanding and dropped his arms to his sides.

"I carried Adrien, I fed him for months, I looked after him to help him grow and all so you could keep your perfect image for your perfect life." Nathalie continued. "But you know what, he deserves more! He deserves a life with a mother and father who love him. He deserves to be treated right."

The colours in the room changed as Nathalie combined the two Miraculous' together.

"I, Nathalie Sanceour, wish to trade my life to give Adrien the one he deserves. I sacrifice myself for this wish."

A fog of purple swept the room as lightning bolts struck down. Marinette looked down towards Adrien, the mist of purple swooped around him and covered his body before spreading elsewhere in the room.

"What have you done?" Gabriel shouted, the fog and mist covering his own and Emilie's bodies.

"Get the Miraculous, Marinette," Nathalie said, indicating to the butterfly still laying on the floor, discarded from any of the holders.

She dropped Adrien's hand and ran towards where it had been abandoned, sliding on her knees to grab the discarded broach. Then lightning cracked again sending everything into pitch black darkness. Seconds seemed to turn to minutes before the minutes seemed to turn to hours.

"Hello?" Marinette couldn't see a thing. The room was still pitch black, the fog covering more than just the darkness.

"Marinette?"

"Who's there?"

"Marinette? Where are you?"

"Kitty?" Her heart skipped a beat. Was it Adrien? Had he come back? She began to move around the room, trying to find where the voice was coming from.

"Marinette?"

"I'm here, I'm here, I'm ..." she hit something. A body? It was warm and tall and squishy.

"Marinette," her name was said with a sigh as two arms wrapped around her. She positioned hers around the waist of the person in front and snuggled her head under their chin.

"You're here, you're -" she sniffed. Something wasn't right. He didn't smell right.

"I've got her," the voice rang out, before other arms reached around her.

She was in the centre of a group hug. But that voice wasn't Adrien. She pushed her way out of it, shaking her head.

"No! No!" Luka attempted to keep hold of her as she stumbled backwards out of their group hug.

"Nathalie? Nathalie? Nat-" Marinette stumbled backwards, tripping over something.

The lights flickered before turning on and brightening up the room. Marinette looked over to where she had stumbled and found a body lying lifeless on the floor. A body which looked beautiful and at peace.

Nathalie Sancoeur had given her life in sacrifice which meant -

"Where's the aspirin? This is one hell of a headache."

Her head shot to the side seeing a perfectly coloured Adrien attempting to sit up holding his head. He was no longer pale grey, but a wonderful shade of sun kissed.

"Kitty?" Her voice broke as she crawled across the floor and into Adrien's lap. "You're back, you're here." She wrapped her arms around his waist pushing her body into his.

"I'll never leave you M'Lady." Adrien said and he buried his face into her hair. "I will never leave you." He was kissing into her hair as they clung onto each other.

The skies outside began to clear, opening up and allowing the sun to shine through. In the distance they could hear cheering and celebrating, the war was finally over.

Marinette clung to the butterfly Miraculous in her hand, noticing the hand in front of her holding her earrings and Adrien's ring. Cried sobs left her mouth as she looked into Alya's eyes. She took the earrings before pulling her friend into a hug. Alya collapsed next to them, before Nino came to join too. Adrien turning his head indicated for Kagami and Luka to join in too.

The dampness of each other's cheeks pressed against one another, sobs and laughs bursting from each other's mouths. They'd done it.

Marinette and Adrien slipped their Miraculous in place before looking around the room. Gabriel and Emilie were currently out cold on the floor, Nathalie peacefully resting next to them.

"I'll call the police." Luka stood up and made his way over to the window, Nino on his tail, understanding this was Adrien and Marinette's time, this belonged to them. Ryuko and Alya headed over to Gabriel and Emilie, making sure they couldn't escape as Adrien crouched beside Nathalie, Marinette on her knees next to him.

He crouched down and pressed his lips to Nathalie's forehead, placing her hands on top of each other in the centre of her body. A lone tear ran down his face, coating his cheek in dampness.

"What do I do now?" He sounded so strong considering everything happening, Marinette guessed the shock was keeping his head level. "I have nowhere to go."

He looked over to his father and mother. He felt sick. They were not his family anymore, he wanted nothing to do with the Agreste name. Adrien felt Marinette wrap an arm around his waist and rested her head on his shoulder. The sound of sirens became the background noise as they approached the mansion. He placed his hand around her and onto her hip, draining strength from her to keep himself going.

"You will always have somewhere to go, Chaton. I'm never leaving you."

He looked down into her glassy eyes and nodded. Lifting his fist, he held it out to her.

"Pound it?" He questioned, allowing her to complete the call.

"Pound it."