After bidding Adrien goodnight and nodding to Chloe, Marinette closed the door behind her, her exhaustion weighing heavily on her. She couldn't help but feel a sense of relief, finally alone. Yawning deeply, she lowered herself to the ground and closed her eyes, taking a moment to collect herself and breathe. Today was a rollercoaster, and she felt drained--so she just needed a moment of solitude to gather her thoughts and feelings.

Counting to twenty, Marinette reached into her bag and pulled out the burner flip-phone that Alya had given her. As she flipped it open, a wave of nostalgia washed over her. She hadn't seen a flip phone in years, and the sight of it brought back memories of her childhood. She remembered calling Alya with her own pink phone. She scrolled through its contents, finding only a single saved contact labeled "Call" -- other than that, it devoid of pictures, history, or any other information.

Marinette's finger hovered over the call button, her thoughts swirling with uncertainty. The weight of her secret identity and the danger it posed hung in the air as she debated whether to proceed with the call.

Then, her regular phone buzzed, snapping her back to reality. She retrieved it and read the message from Chat Noir.

hamsterman32: you have news? do tell.

Marinette looked between the two phones, her mind racing. She knew she had to provide Chat Noir with some information, even if it was a half-truth. She couldn't reveal her identity or the events of the day with Gabriel Agreste. It was a delicate dance of secrecy, but she had to tell him what she knew about Gabriel. She typed a quick response.

ladyofthenight: Do you know who Gabriel Agreste is?

hamsterman32: the fashion designer? ive heard of him

ladyofthenight: Great. I think he's an Akuma.

hamsterman32: what???

hamsterman32: why do you think that?

Marinette hesitated, her fingers dancing on the keypad as she weighed her words carefully.

ladyofthenight: I have a friend who interns for him, and he showed me some pics from the office. Gabriel has a ring that I find really suspicious; do you want to do some meddling?

hamsterman32: always, my lady, but.... is there any other reason you'd think that?? 

ladyofthenight: Guess we'll have to see to find out. Let's meet at our bakery spot. I'll be there in about an hour. 

So, that lie was out of the way. The next challenge was to find a way to sneak out of the palace. She couldn't risk being discovered, and Luka had ensured that her regular route--out and down her window-- was closed. But Marinette knew there had to be another way out. And now, her stomach was healed, and she would climb high or low to find a way out. 

Marinette retrieved her Ladybug outfit, which she had spent her days in bed sewing. It was dark red, adorned with black spots. She put it on with care, but she didn't have to. The fabric was smooth but strong. And--the best part--it had pockets.

She examined the edges of her main window meticulously, her fingers searching for any vulnerabilities, grasping for them and scraping her fingernails in the process. Bbut it seemed that Luka had done his job well. The window was sealed.

With a sigh, Marinette turned away from it. She needed another plan, and she needed it quickly. She scanned the room, desperately seeking an alternative escape route. Her eyes landed on a vent in the corner of the room, barely visible in the darkness of her room. It was a slim chance, but it was a chance, and Marinette was going to try it.

Marinette approached the vent with determination. She knelt down and attempted to remove the vent cover, praying that it wasn't bolted shut, that Luka hadn't noticed it. Hell, she'd been in that room for a year and she'd never seen it. She pulled out the knife she kept in her pocket, and after several tense moments, a soft click signaled her success. The vent cover popped off with a small shove, and Marinestte carefully set it aside. She stared into the darkness, praying to whatever god was out there that she wouldn't come across any venomous spiders.

 It was a tight fit. She had to squirm her way through the narrow passage, the sides pressing in on her. She moved with painstaking slowness, her movements purposefully minimiizing any noise. Time stretched on endlessly as Marinette crawled through the vent. Beads of sweat formed on her forehead as she inched her way towards an exit, and after what felt like an eternity, she finally saw a faint light at the end of the tunnel.

Marinette emerged from the vent into a room that she recognized as the nurse's office, the light clicking on automatically. She glanced around cautiously, her eyes adjusting to the slight change in lighting. A wwhite sheet caught herr eye, and curiosity overcame her -- it was a document, lying out in the open, with her name written in small black letters that she fought to read. As much as she wanted to read it right then, she didn' tknow how long she had before being caught, so she promised herself she'd return later, see what was in the office.

As silently as possible, Marinette pulled a chair and set it under the tall window in the room, slipping out of the window, her senses on high alert for any sign of approaching guards. As she passed thorugh the yard, she once again found herself hiding in the shadows, feeling more confident in the darkness with her new outfit than she did before. Unfortunately, she quickly realized that her weeks of bed rest made her week again, and she looked forward to when the nurse cleared her for self defense classes again. She would need it, especially if things kept escalating. 

With each step, Marinette's determination grew stronger. She was on the cusp of uncovering secrets that had plagued her city for far too long. And -- as silly as it sounds -- she was excited to see Chat again. He was the only one who didn't know her. When she was a child, she never knew the freedom that accompanied invisibility. She missed it. 

In no time, Ladybug arrived at their usual spot. Chat smoothly came out of the shadows, Ladybug expecting his cat-like entrance. "Long time no see," she said with a warm smile as she approached him.

"You look nice," he complimented, his eyes appreciatively scanning her new outfit.

"Thanks," she replied with a playful grin. "Now we can match in style."

Chat Noir chuckled, shaking his head in mock disbelief. "We can't do that. I look way cooler than you, My Lady."

She couldn't help but roll her eyes at his boast. "Just because I made you look cooler."

His grin widened, his emerald eyes gleaming with mischief. "I'm glad to see you. I missed you buzzing around my ear."

They giggled, and together they navigated through the main part of town with ease. In the darkness , they moved with grace, and although they both knew that they were there for serious issues, there was a light energy between them. They couldn't help but share a few lighthearted moments, trading jokes and laughter as they walked past building to building.

But as they neared Gabriel Agreste's residence, Ladybug couldn't help but feel a surge of anticipation. She knew that this mission was crucial in unraveling the mysteries surrounding the Akumas and potentially exposing Gabriel's involvement. Upon arriving at Gabriel Agreste's mansion, the two self-proclaimed heroes concealed themselves in the shadows, carefully observing the luxurious property. The mansion's grandeur and elegance was undeniable, but as Ladybug stared at its beauty, she only could imagine the darkness that lie beneath it. 

Ladybug leaned in and whispered to Chat Noir, "We need to find a way inside without being detected. Any ideas?"

Chat Noir scanned the area, his cat-like instincts sharp and alert. "I've got a few tricks up my sleeve."

Fairly quickly, Chat Noir's keen eyes spotted an open window on the upper floor. He motioned to Ladybug, and they silently made their way to it. With practiced grace, Chat Noir leaped through the window, followed closely by Ladybug, who tried to hide her huffing.

Inside, they found themselves in a dimly lit hallway. The walls were all grey, darker in the night light and lit only with the light of the moon, and covered with beautiful artwork and elegant furnishings. It was a stark contrast to the darkness of their mission, and for a moment, they allowed themselves to appreciate the beauty surrounding them. Plush carpets cushioned their silent footsteps, and the air was imbued with the scent of old leather-bound books and polished wood.

However, their focus quickly returned to the task at hand. They needed to find possible information on the Akumas. The information on the Akumas had to be there, Marinette knew -- she could feel it lurking in the shadows of the large halls, and as Chat walked past several doors, his shoulders kept tightening with each step. 

The shadows held secrets, waiting to be unveiled. 

As they approached a partially open door, Ladybug motioned for Chat Noir to stop. From within the room, they could hear loud voices, a man and a woman's. Gabriel, and his assistant Natalie, were inside, engaged in hushed but heated conversation.

They didn't have to strain to listen, as the voices were loud enough, but it was muffled through the door, so the two stayed silent and as still as possible, hoping to catch any valuable information. 

Gabriel's voice was grave, and it sent a chill racing down Ladybug's spine as she noted the eerie tone of their discussion. "She isn't what a princess should be," he said. Marinette felt both grateful and worried about her being the subject of their conversation. They could sit and listen, at least for the moment. Gabriel let out a long sigh. "I cannot tell if that is a liability. If it is a liability, Natalie, is it one for us, or for them?" 

Natalie's shoes clicked on the ground as she moved. "The princess is... vulnerable, sir. Not only have  the king and queen left her alone, but she has easily fallen for Adrien, that much is clear.  But if things continue the way they have, he can easily be in charge of the kingdom, and we don't have to worry about anything outside of it."

He let out a long sigh, followed by the sound of a chair moving out and his voice was melancholic as he spoke. "This is bigger than us, Natalie."

"Sir," she continued, "The akumas... they're nobody."

Chat and Ladybug's gazes met, eyes locked in silent communication. Chat Noir's eyebrows eyed his surprise clear. Ladybug nodded subtly, indicating she was just as surprised.

"I know. I know they're nobody, but at this point, we can't stop them." Then, suddenly, Gabriel's voice grew panicked. "Shit, I forgot about the party tonight."

Natalie's response was cold, her words cutting through the air like ice. "I reminded you, sir."

Gabriel waved her off, his anxiety palpable. "It's fine. I'll just have to come back another time. But anyway, "Even if we did, I don't think Emily--" Chat jerked back at the name, bumping into a painting on the wall, accidentally making a large noise. Both he and Ladybug froze in place, and Gabriel stopped himself in the middle of his sentence. 

Exchanging worried glances, Ladybug and Chat Noir had to think fast, retreating into the shadows and concealing themselves as best they could.

Natalie, ever alert, moved toward the source of the noise. The tension in the room was palpable as they held their breath. Natalie walked past them, standing tall and looking with a keen eye. Ladybug didn't breath, worried she wouldn't be able to even if she tried. Natalie passed right by them as she looked for the noise. After a few moments, she came back to the room. "It must have been the air conditioning or something. 

Gabriel's voice quivered. "We need to move faster, Natalie, before it's too late. I'm going to bed." 

It was several minutes after they left before either of the two self proclaimed heroes decided to leave.Chat Noir felt guilty for the noise he had inadvertently made and leaned away from the wall, whispering, "Sorry. I didn't feel my... I'm sorry."

Ladybug's curiosity piqued. "Didn't feel what, Chat?"

He glanced at her, regret in his eyes. "It's nothing, Ladybug. Let's focus on the task at hand."

Ladybug turned to Chat Noir, her thoughts racing. "So," she said. "They're definitely working with the Akumas."

"Yeah," he agreed, his voice tense. "And M--the Princess seems to be in danger."

Ladybug nodded. "She always was."

She reached into her costume's zip pocket, retrieving the phone Alya had given her earlier. It felt so heavy in her hands, and then she said, "We need help, Chat Noir. I know a reporter who might be able to uncover the truth. We should contact her."

Chat Noir slowly nodded in agreement, looking far away. "Lead the way, Ladybug."

As they left Gabriel Agreste's mansion and headed back to Marinette's hometown, Ladybug couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. The city's familiar streets, once a source of comfort, now held the weight of her past, and she knew, unfortunately, that there wasn't anything for her to come back for, not really. She'd called Alya, stating that she was coming tonight without any other explanation. She knew that reuniting with Alya would be bittersweet, especially with the way her mind repeated Alya's expression from earlier. Alya was upset with her. Or hurt. And Marinette -- Ladybug -- was not entirely ready to see that again. But she had to.

Arriving at Alya's house, Ladybug sent a text: We're here. He doesn't know who I am. Pretend you don't know only Ladybug.

Entering Alya's home through the back door, Ladybug and Chat Noir made their way up to her room, their footsteps quiet. Marinette felt memories pass through her mind, realizing  as they navigated the familiar surroundings. Memories flooded Ladybug's mind, and she wished she could just take off her outfit and pretend like nothing had happened the past year. But she couldn't.

Alya sat on her bed, her expression a mixture of curiosity and caution. She acknowledged their presence with a nod, observing them. Ladybug and Chat Noir stood against the wall, apprehension lingering in the air.

Alya broke the silence. "Thank you both for being here. I've heard about your support, and I have a lot of information on the Akumas... I'll just jump in."

"Okay," said Ladybug. "We'll listen."

Alya sighed. "I'm an Akuma."

Chat froze. "What?"

She nodded. "When I first joined the Akumas, I needed change. My friend... Princess Marinette," she looked at Ladybug with a burning expression, "was suddenly in the crown, and I was left to think a lot about the situation. I delved into my writing, focused on journalism. The more that I found stories, the more I realized that things weren't right in the kingdom."

Alya deadpanned. "And somehow... I found them. The Akumas are not what people think them to be," she said, looking at them seriously. "They started out as a group that wanted to...  fight against the oppressive regime that had ruled our kingdom for generations. The wealth inequality was -- it IS -- staggering, and I couldn't stand idly by any longer. I wanted justice, I wanted change, and I believed that the Akumas were the means to achieve it."

Her eyes held a flicker of passion, looking at Ladybug, as she continued, "I saw the suffering of our people, Ladybug. Families struggling to put food on the table while the palace was filled with fancy foods. Children without access to education, while the monarchy hoarded knowledge. I couldn't ignore it any longer. I wanted to be a part of something greater, something that could spark a revolution and tip the scales of justice in favor of the oppressed."

Ladybug didn't mean to interrupt, but she couldn't help it. "I grew up in a poorer part of the country, but I don't remember seeing anything like that."

Alya's words resonated with sincerity, but she paused, a hint of regret in her expression. "Just because you didn't experience it, doesn't mean others haven't. The main town is RIFE with tragedy... I wanted--no, I NEEDED--justice, and I needed equality, and no one going to bring it that could.. But as time passed and I delved deeper into the Akumas' plans, I realized that their objectives were far more extreme than I had ever imagined. Their willingness to resort to violence and take innocent lives... it shook me to my core. I couldn't reconcile my initial ideals with their methods.

"But by then, I felt trapped."

She looked at Ladybug and Chat Noir, her gaze pleading for understanding. "I need you both to know that my intentions were pure, but... But I was blinded by my desire for change. Now, I want to find a way to make amends and steer this revolution in a more compassionate direction. Honestly? I still want revolution. It's important. But too many innocent people have died, and too many innocent people will. And I'm constantly worried for the princess. She doesn't deserve that."

Ladybug felt something crawling in her throat, holding her tightly, holding her back. That was a big message she didn't know how to swallow. But luckily, Chat Noir spoke first. 

"Who's in charge?"

Alya shook her head. "I don't know. But they want change, too. They just think... More violent ways are the way to go. 'It worked with the French Revolution, so why not now?' they say, but I worry about the princess, and her father, who were just simple commoners who got caught up in something bigger than them, and it isn't fair to hurt them... But the guards have been hurting innocents for longer. And I don't know where to turn."

"Really?" Ladybug interjected. She couldn't help but think of Luka. "I thought the guards were wanting to protect the greater good." 

Alya's gaze turned to Marinette, her eyes filled with a mixture of emotions. "You don't understand. Neither of you. The guards hurt people, the akumas hurt people. I wish you did, but there's only one way to explain it to you: they have no other choice. It's either continue suffering in poverty while the castle is filled with jewels and riches, or they take drastic measures to bring about change."

Ladybug shook her head, her heart heavy with conflicting emotions. "But maybe the new crown won't be like that. Maybe they'll make a change, and it won't be like it's been in the past."

Alya's response was somber. "You can't change a system that's designed to be corrupt. I don't agree with the Akumas on their next steps, on taking lives, but I understand why they're doing it. I'm going to support a change in the status quo. I think--" she said, staring at Ladybug very seriously--"that you should too."

TLadybug, hoping to hope for a better future ad a better future, couldn't reconcile the idea of violence with her principles. But she also couldn't ignore the glaring inequities and suffering that plagued the kingdom. She leaned forward, her determination etched on her face, as she sought a way to bridge the gap. Tensions rose as Ladybug leaned forward, her voice resolute. "How can we change it, so that things can change without resorting to death?"

Chat Noir interjected. "There has to be a way to bring about reform without causing harm to innocent lives, My Lady. Violence only begets more violence. Perhaps we can find a way to expose the corruption, to make the people aware of the truth."

Alya nodded in agreement, relieved that they were willing to explore alternative solutions. "You both have a point," she conceded. "The people need to know what's happening, and they need a leader who will champion their cause. Maybe if we can reveal the extent of the corruption without resorting to violence, it will ignite a spark for change."

The trio continued to brainstorm, each offering their unique perspectives and ideas. Ladybug proposed using Alya's skills as a journalist to expose the corruption within the kingdom, while Chat Noir suggested leveraging their alter egos to protect the innocent and thwart any violent schemes the Akumas might have. Alya, in turn, promised to gather more information from her contacts within the Akuma organization, hoping to unveil their true motives.

Despite their differing stances on the means to an end, they shared a common goal: to bring about positive change within the kingdom. As they continued to discuss their plan of action, they knew unity was the keys to their success.