Serpentina scanned the streets, her glowing yellow eyes narrowed. Behind her, she had a line of pink-eyed servants that had been hit with her venom.

"Marinette? Where are youuu?"

Suddenly, she heard footsteps to her left. She looked out among the deserted streets, where abandoned cars sat.

"Marinette, I know that's you!" Serpentina cackled, raising her hands and sending her snake pets out to retrieve her.

Then, all of a sudden, Nino appeared out from behind one of the cars and walked towards Serpentina.

"Ah," she grinned, lowering her hands. "I was wondering when you would arrive, my loyal servant."

"My queen!" Nino bowed, his pink eyes unwavering.

"Now to find that pest Marinette so we can properly exterminate her," Serpentina snarled, clenching her fists. "Not to mention, we will find my King and reunite him with me!"

In the blink of an eye, Ladybug swooped in with her yoyo, extending her legs and kicking Serpentina in the head. The recoil sent her falling to the ground, her head spinning.

Ladybug landed across from the akuma, standing tall and confidently. "Sorry to break it to you, but this ends now."

"Ah, Ladybug. I was awaiting your arrival," Serpentina mused, clicking her tongue and getting to her feet. "Surely you know that causing harm to a royal is punishable by death!"

And with that fiery statement, the akuma unleashed a battalion of snakes, as well as her minions.

The snakes slithered towards her at an alarmingly fast pace, hissing violently. Ladybug waited until they were close enough to her before springing out of the way and soaring over to the unguarded Serpentina.

"Fatal mistake, your Highness," Ladybug teased, wrapping her yoyo around Serpentina's wrists. "Now you're unprotected."

"I don't think so," she smirked, her mouth opening and her snake tongue tensing.

Ladybug squeaked, quickly ducking as a shot of pink venom flew over her head. With that distraction, Serpentina was able to free herself from Ladybug's yoyo and quickly grabbed the superhero by her neck, gripping tightly.

"You know, maybe I'll reconsider. I think I would like to have you as my servant," Serpentina smiled, preparing another shot of venom.

But before she could do anything more, Chat Noir appeared, extending his staff into Serpentina's side. She was thrusted to the side, yelping and letting go of Ladybug.

"Sorry I didn't come sooner," Chat grinned. "You know I have a hiss-tory of being late."

Ladybug rolled her eyes, panting for air after having being death gripped by the akuma. "If I hadn't almost died just now, I would so punch you."

Serpentina rose to her feet, eyes burning with fire and hatred. "Anymore superheroes that are going to knock me to the ground that I should know about?!?"

"No, but I don't mind doing it again," Chat shrugged.

Serpentina sent her army of snakes towards the pair again, this time one wrapping itself around Chat's ankle. He tried to shake it off, but to no avail. It clinged on to his leg, restricting his movement slowly. Other snakes started creeping up his legs.

"Ahh!" Chat screamed, his eyes wide and limbs flailing everywhere.

Ladybug flung her yoyo at the snakes to keep them away. A mass had circled around her and it was becoming impossible to ward them all off, for Serpentina only had to summon them with her hands.

"That's it," Chat declared firmly, his body almost entirely covered by snakes. "CATACLYSM!"

He placed his hand on the snakes and the entire tangle of them crumbled to black dust.

"My babies!" Serpentina cried, her eyes consumed with horror. Then, this horror quickly turned to hatred as it all sank in. "You are going to pay!"

Ladybug was slowly getting cornered by the snakes. Her yoyo was still spinning violently to keep the snakes away. To her dismay, she couldn't keep this up forever, especially if she wanted to use Lucky Charm. Desperately, she glanced over at her partner.

"A little help?" she asked, her eyes full of concern.

Chat's ring beeped but, despite that, he nodded. "I'll try!"

He launched himself over to Ladybug with his pole. There, he spun his pole so fast that it functioned as a sort of propeller. The wind it picked up was strong enough to blow all the snakes away.

"Come on!" Chat Noir yelled, reaching for Ladybug's arm.

"No need," Ladybug replied confidently, pushing away his hand and reciting the catch phrase. "Lucky Charm!"

"You are seriously going to pay for this," Serpentina hissed, slowly walking forward as her eyes began to glow yellow, a sign she was preparing to shoot venom.

The Lucky Charm, a pair of gloves, fell from the sky and into Ladybug's hands. She quickly looked around for clues. Then, it clicked.

And just in time; Chat's ring beeped again.

"I have to go," he said apologetically, backing away slowly. "I'll be right back!"

"Hurry back!" Ladybug yelled. She then set her sights on Serpentina. "You're going down."

"I don't think so. No one can overthrow me!" the serpent-themed akuma snarled, shooting more venom at Ladybug, who quickly dodged it.

I just need to get closer... Ladybug thought. I sure wish Chat Noir would hurry up!

A purple butterfly outline appeared over Serpentina's face, and Hawkmoth's voice boomed in her head.

"Get Ladybug's miraculous NOW while she is distracted!"

Serpentina clicked her tongue in disgust. "I don't like how you're talking to me, Hawky!"

Ladybug glanced up at the akuma in confusion, before quickly realizing she was talking to Hawkmoth. She quickly used this precious distraction to find how out how to use the lucky charm.

"I granted you these powers, so you will follow my orders!" Hawkmoth snapped back.

"No one is going to talk to me like that!" she declared, turning away from Ladybug. "Your precious Miraculous can wait. I'm going to follow my own agenda for now!"

Hawkmoth groaned in frustration. "I don't think so! I can and will take your powers away!" His voice echoed dangerously within her head, and suddenly she felt a sharp pain.

But somehow, this method of torture that Hawkmoth frequently used on disobedient akumas had no effect on Serpentina, for she remained standing, albeit wincing from the pain.

"Goodbye Hawkmoth," Serpentina said shakily through gritted teeth.

"No!" Hawkmoth screamed.

The purple butterfly outline then gradually disappeared from her face and she let out a relieved sigh as the excruciating pain fled her body.

No longer was Hawkmoth present in her head. He was gone. It was almost as if she expelled him herself. Now, she was free to do whatever she wanted.

The akuma looked up to greet Ladybug after a brief pause, but the superhero was no longer there.

"Fine, I'll deal with you later," Serpentina whispered to herself. "I'll just find Adrien in the meantime."

*

"Spots off," Ladybug breathed, hiding behind a dumpster.

In a pink flash of light, Tikki spiraled out of her earrings, landing in the air right in front of her.

"What's wrong?" the kwami asked.

"I couldn't find a way to use Lucky Charm," Marinette sighed shamefully. "This has never happened before. Usually I always find a way to use it."

"Calm down, Marinette," Tikki replied. "I sense you have a lot on your mind."

"Of course I do, I don't know where Adrien is. Or Chat Noir! They're probably both servants of Serpentina as we speak."

"Think positive thoughts. We'll get through this, okay?"

Marinette nodded slowly. "Okay. Can we just find Adrien? I know Serpentina is after him."

"Of course," Tikki smiled. "But let me recharge first. Do you have a cookie?"

"I should," Marinette mumbled, rummaging through her purse. After a few seconds of digging, she lifted her head, frowning. "And of course I don't."

"We'll find something on the way. We just need to find Adrien, he's in danger!"

"You're right. Plus, Chat Noir must be around here somewhere. He can help in the meantime."

Tikki nodded and with that reassuring gesture, Marinette fled on foot in search of Adrien. She was afraid he already got hit by Serpentina's powers, but she had to see for herself.

*

Hawkmoth yelled in defeat, falling to his knees. "I lost the connection!"

He then pounded the ground with his fists in anger before pausing after a sudden realization came to him.

"My son," he whispered, feeling the fear rising in his chest. Serpentina was after Adrien, and without Hawkmoth to control her, she was free to do whatever she pleased without any restrictions.

"Nooroo, dark wings fall!" Hawkmoth yelled, getting to his feet. The transformation wore off in a flash of purple, returning Gabriel to his normal attire.

He had one thing to do; rescue his son.

*

Marinette jogged down the eerily empty sidewalks, looking for some sign of life. It seemed Serpentina already made her way through this part of town.

She passed her parents bakery and stopped. Her skin itching with nervousness, she decided to check on her parents. Even though they weren't Serpentina's primary target, they were still connected to Marinette, so she had a feeling they might've been on the hit list.

"Mom? Dad?" Marinette called out, stepping into the bakery. The door was unlocked, something she took note of. It wasn't unusual for it to be unlocked considering it was a public establishment, but she still kept it in mind just in case.

A shadow passed by on the wall beside Marinette, and she turned around. "Mom? Is that you?"

"Come here, sweetie," Sabine's voice rang out in an endearing tone. But it wasn't her mother. It sounded too fake, too forced, too--

Oh no.

Marinette quickly jumped out of the way just in time, for Tom stood behind her, eyes glowing pink, with a rolling pin in his hands.

He swung and missed, simply cutting through the air with a woosh.

"Dad!" Marinette yelled, heart racing frantically. Her head snapped to her left and that's when she saw her mother, pink eyes and all.

"Snap out of it you two!" she pleaded. "It's me, your daughter, Marinette!"

They didn't answer, instead they slowly creeped up on the girl, Tom smacking the rolling pin on the palm of his hand.

She knew there was no getting through to them. As Tom raised the rolling pin in the air to take another shot, Marinette swiftly rushed past him, heading for the door.

Tikki then peeked her head out of the purse, a nervous look in her eye. "Don't forget the cookie!" she whispered frantically.

"Dang it!" Marinette muttered, looking past her possessed parents and into the display case across the bakery where cookies and macarons sat waiting.

"I'll get it," Tikki said, noticing the look of dismay in her Chosen's face. The kwami flew out of the bag and close to the ground, whizzing between Sabine and Tom.

"You're grounded, Marinette," Tom said in a robotic voice, stepping closer to her. "Forever."

Marinette watched anxiously as her kwami phased through the glass display case and snatched a cookie.

Unfortunately, when Tikki tried to phase out of case, the cookie wouldn't come with her. It simply smacked against the glass and landed on the bottom of the case.

Tikki phased back into the display case, shrugging at Marinette, who nervously gulped. She didn't have time to wait for Tikki to eat the cookie.

Her hypnotized parents were after her now. And Tom was getting dangerously close to her with that rolling pin.

Marinette didn't want to fight her parents even if she could, so she backed herself all the way out the door, occasionally dodging Tom's swings.

"Just go," Tikki mouthed, eating the cookie.

Marinette furrowed her brows, nodding. "I'll be back!" she yelled, before running away as fast as she could.

She kept running until her lungs felt like they were on fire. She slid to a stop in front of Chloe's hotel, bending over to catch her breath.

Marinette felt guilty for leaving Tikki at the bakery with her evil parents, but she had no other choice. Besides, the kwami was smart and diligent.

She saw Adrien's mansion up ahead. Perhaps she should check for him there? He had to be there.

"There you are!" Serpentina's voice suddenly boomed from behind.

Marinette turned around, her heart dropping.

"I've been looking for you. Revenge is sweet, isn't it?" Serpentina smirked, slowly approaching Marinette.

"What do you want?" she asked, clenching her fists. "I'm really sick of this, Louise."

"Stop saying that name," Serpentina hissed. "That is the name of a weak and insecure individual. Now I am all powerful, free to do what I want."

"Not really, you still have Hawkmoth's agenda to follow," Marinette snapped back, slight smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "He can take away your powers if you don't do what he wants."

"Not anymore," Serpentina laughed, crossing her arms behind her back. "I said goodbye to Hawkmoth. He can't control me anymore."

Marinette widened her eyes. "What?"

"That's right. I can do whatever I want. And that includes killing you!"

Serpentina rushed forward, so close that her nose was brushing Marinette's. "You've taken everything away from me. My career. My boyfriend. My image."

"You did that yourself," Marinette replied, her voice unwavering. She stared dead center into Serpentina's chilling eyes, remaining confident and tall.

"No, you stole it from me. Well, you know what?"

Marinette raised an eyebrow, waiting for the akuma to finish.

Serpentina backed up, looking over her shoulder. "I stole it back."

She snapped her fingers and Marinette's entire world changed. Out from an alley, Nino and a couple of other servants were carrying a thrashing Adrien.

"Adrien!" Marinette screamed, covering her mouth.

Snakes were restraining his arms and legs, ensuring he couldn't escape. He had multiple bruises on his face, as well as a black eye.

Beneath all those injuries, his emerald eyes shone through, glancing down at her, full of pain and worry.

"Marinette," Adrien breathed, a relieved smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "You're okay. I thought she hurt you."

"No, I'm fine!" Marinette reassured, tears welling up in her eyes. She ran up to him, rubbing his cheek. "What did she do to you?"

He coughed, melting into her longed touch. "Nothing I can't handle."

Serpentina rolled her eyes, stepping in between the two. "Enough with that lovey-dovey crap. I brought him here so you could watch him fall in love with me."

"Please, don't," Marinette begged, a tear slipping down her cheek. "He's hurt, a-and he needs help!"

"Oh, shut up!" Serpentina yelled. "I've been waiting to do this for a long time. He will love me forever, and not you!"

"You're delusional, Louise!" Adrien coughed, raising his head. "I could never love you. No matter how much of your akuma magic you use on me."

"Take that back!" Serpentina hissed.

"Face it. I'll always love Marinette," he replied, glancing over at the girl in question. He smiled softly at her, his emerald eyes watering.

All of the memories came flooding back to him in that crucial moment.

The day he gave her the umbrella, the day she gave him her lucky charm, the day they went to the movies, the first time they kissed... the list goes on.

Marinette could tell Adrien was reflecting on all of these memories, as if it were the last time he ever would.

"Adrien..." she whispered, tears forming in her eyes.

Serpentina stepped in front of Adrien, tilting her head. "Ready?" she grinned evilly, her eyes beginning to glow.

He refused to look at Serpentina and, instead, he kept looking at Marinette. "Don't worry," he whispered with a hopeful smile. "Ladybug will fix all of this."

Marinette felt her heart drop, realizing how much faith he put into her. She tried to keep it together, nodding her head painfully.

She wanted to stop Serpentina. But she couldn't. Not without Tikki and not against a bunch of Serpentina's slaves.

So, Marinette had to make the worst decision of her life.

She had to walk away.

"I'll be back!" Marinette yelled to Adrien, tears streaming down her face. "I love you!"

Adrien smiled weakly at her, a pink light reflecting on his tear stained cheeks, indicating that Serpentina was almost ready to shoot him with venom.

"I love you too," he replied with a confident nod. "Now go. Get Ladybug and she will know what to do!"

Marinette nodded, another tear slipping down her cheek, and ran away from them both. She didn't want to watch Serpentina do that to Adrien. It was too painful to watch.

She ran all the way back to the bakery where she was surprised to find it empty. She thought she'd have another struggle with her brainwashed parents but thankfully, it seemed they were meandering the streets somewhere.

So, taking that into account, Marinette expected to find Tikki in the bakery display case, safe and sound while sitting there patiently, ready to transform.

Instead, to her utter dismay, besides a few pastry crumbs, the space was completely empty. There was no sign of Tikki anywhere. And Marinette swore she felt her heart shatter into a thousand pieces for the second time that day.