Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

"Lila?" Adrien asked quietly. Chloé nodded. "Of course it's her. I ruffled her feathers yesterday afternoon, she decided to get back at me in the middle of the night. It's not like I'm accusing Dupain-Cheng of being Maladea."

"You know better than that," Marinette replied, silently fist-pumping under the table. "But getting back to Lila, it honestly makes perfect sense. She hates both of me and probably only loves what Adrien has rather than who he is. Or different sides? I dunno, I don't want to think like she does. Either way, the point is that we have a very good lead on the Darks, and once we figure out Dragonus's true identity…"

"If he pulls the 'I know who you and your families are' routine, you'll pull the 'we know who your girlfriend is' bit on him and scare his pants off?" Amber finished, taking a bite out of her croissant.

"Exactly. And if we play our cards right, he won't have any idea that we do know," Adrien added. Chloé checked her nails as she nibbled on her croissant. "Explain."

"We're going to lay low for a little while," Marinette said. "This new information doesn't go any further than this room - for now, at least. There's much less of a chance that the Darks would manage to corner one of us and learn the truth of what we know if it's just the four of us."

"Seven," Plagg interjected. "Though I don't think there's as much to worry about if the Darks don't get their claws on our Miraculouses."

"That's why I'm not worried as much about the kwamis," Marinette confirmed.

"So that's it?" Chloé demanded, her helpful demeanor suddenly dropping. "You're going to let Lila walk free after she did that to me?! I risk my neck for you two, and you aren't taking them out now?!"

"I wish we could, Chloé, but right now, things are quite touchy between us all," Marinette answered, tossing a quick glare at Adrien, who looked away sheepishly. "Since some of the others invaded the Darks' base and the Darks chased them out… it's in everyone's best interests that our as-of-now cold war stays cold. Besides, Maladea's actions might've heated it up on the Darks' side."

"But once everything goes hot again…" Chloé's voice trailed off expectantly.

Marinette sighed. "Yes, we'll make sure Lila is punished accordingly for everything she's done."

"Good," Chloé replied. "And Marinette… I can tell you want to do that more than anything. Don't lie to yourself. I'll make sure you relish in her destruction."

"This isn't going to be like that, Chloé," Adrien interjected. Chloé turned her gaze to him and sighed. "Oh, Adri-kins. I can tell you want to do it, too. No one'll stop you once the truth has come out to the world. In fact, I can guarantee they'll build the bonfire. Don't you want that?"

Marinette and Adrien glanced into each other's eyes before looking away in shame. Why does Chloé have a point?

"What even was that?" Lila hissed. Andrew shrugged. "I don't see the problem. I was only making conversation."

Lila pinched the bridge of her nose and took a sip of her water. "A conversation that started with yelling about 'vegan grits,' which escalated to outfit snarking, getting the cook from the back, crooked posters, barbeque types… I'm still trying to process the rest of it."

"Look, this was an awesome idea and I love that you found this place and gave me a little taste of home, but if you're going to tell me there's a Southern-style restaurant in Paris, I'm going to be skeptical," Andrew replied, sipping his sweet tea. "And they weren't terribly offensive questions, either. It's common knowledge back home for a lot of those."

"And asking why the cook, the one who made the menu, made the menu the way he did and he said it was because of dietary restrictions?"

"Having prediabetes excuses you from food sins. Besides, I told him he could've said something. And I said hi to his mom."

Lila sighed in exasperation before eating a forkful of collard greens, savoring the slightly bitter taste. "Well, at least the food's good."

Andrew nodded, taking a bite of his pulled chicken sandwich, an expression of pure bliss washing over his face as he chewed. "See? Making sure the guy in the back is authentic never hurts. You know how to pick a good place, despite a couple quirks. Still can't get over the barista look."

Lila chuckled a little. "I don't know, I think it's kinda cute," she teased. "I'd pay good money to see you wear something like that." Her chuckle grew into a laugh when she saw her boyfriend look appropriately aghast.

Vorath poked his head out a little, his chuckle echoing Lila's. "I've never seen someone scare him like that," he said quietly. "In other ways, maybe, but not that specifically."

Andrew rolled his eyes. "Ha, ha. Real funny, both of you. It's not like you immediately traumatized me with the mental image of a Talladega barista," he deadpanned, picking off a piece of chicken from his sandwich and slipping it to Vorath.

"We're just having a little fun before we move into the next phase, right?" Lila said, poking her fork into her Caesar salad. Andrew nodded. "And I thought we agreed that we weren't going to talk about it for now, right?"

"Oh, alright. In that case… what's your plan for your half of the date?"

Andrew smirked a little as he finished his sandwich. "Not to give too much away, there's a star show that's supposed to happen today real soon, but it's only going to last an hour."

"So… time travel?"

"Not quite. You'll see. It's supposed to be the most beautiful celestial activity this year. And we'll be the only ones in Paris to see it."

Lila smiled. "What time is the show supposed to start?" she asked. Andrew glanced at his phone. "About an hour. We've got plenty of time to set up our little spot… with all the modifications we might need to make it all the more magical."

"You're really raising the expectations here."

"When have I not?"

Once they had finished lunch and the bill had been paid - to the relief of the waitress who served them earlier - Andrew and Lila slipped off to a nearby alley and transformed into their Dark forms.

"Isn't the top of Notre-Dame a little obvious?" Maladea asked. Dragonus chuckled a little, golden light weaving between his fingers. "Maybe, but we can make it much less obvious. Mirage," he whispered, the golden magic forming a starry dome as it slowly circled the two villains, leaving a twinkling trail of sparkles in its wake as it hid them from the world.

"Ooh… someone's been brushing up on his power, hasn't he?" she remarked. He took off his helmet and smirked back. "It's amazing what you can do when you really want to impress someone, am I right?"

Maladea nodded a little as she took off her helmet and slid closer to Dragonus, a satisfied little smile on her dark green lips. "It really is. So, you said this was some kind of big star thingy. Care to elaborate?"

"Well," Dragonus began as he sat down, gazing up at the roof of the Mirage dome, "It's more of a meteor shower, though I guess shooting stars makes enough sense. Vorath actually told me all about it. It's a rare cosmic storm that only Dark Dragons can see. Apparently, these meteors are imbued with the wishes and hopes of every Miraculous holder that ever was… and those wishes are linked to their powers. Basically, it's a really invigorating celestial rain."

"For Dark Dragons," Maladea said as she knelt beside him, attempting to mask her disbelief that he brought her to watch something only he could see. Dragonus smiled back. "But here's the neat part. I scoured through the entire grimoire, trying to find any way to share this moment with you… and I found it."

He cracked his knuckles. "I just need to make sure I get the incantation right. Let's see… nduohnhqv idpq."

His hand started to glow gold, and he took her hand. Warmth spread through Maladea's entire body, making her unwittingly gasp in a pleasured shock.

"Oh, look! It's starting!" Dragonus said quickly, pointing at the roof of the dome. Maladea glanced upwards, lying down next to her boyfriend. Her eyes widened.

It was the most beautiful thing she'd ever witnessed. Streaks of light, in many shades of red, blue, green, gold, purple, black, orange… every color she had ever seen or imagined could exist, all of them washing across the starry sky like a massive celestial river. She could just barely pick out Dragonus's smile in the corner of her eye, and the reflection of the beautiful display in his golden eyes.

"It's… it's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen," Maladea breathed, awe filling every fiber of her being.

Dragonus chuckled. "It is, isn't it? But can you feel it? It's a massive well of power, in a way… I've never felt as strong watching this."

Maladea nodded. "Oh, I feel it… I feel like I could take on the entire world… give Ladybug every last moment of payback she deserves… and like I could kiss you so senseless, you'd stay in Paris forever."

Dragonus sighed, sitting up. "I'm sorry that I'll have to go… but we always knew it would happen, even if everything in our best efforts could make it… not that way."

Maladea pouted as she sat up. "I know, but… I've never felt like this before… ugh, why did the one I actually fell for have to be the boy who has to leave my life one day?! What's wrong with me?"

"Hey," Dragonus said softly. "I'll figure out a way to keep in contact, at least. I'm really not the best with long-distance relationships… but if it has to end like this… between us… let's make it the best we can. Let's win. Let's get what we deserve." He kissed her cheek. "Okay?"

Maladea sighed, turning over to face him. "Okay," she answered, caressing his cheek. "How much longer does the shower go on for?"

"About another half hour."

"Good," Maladea purred. "Now… if this might be our last date… kiss me like you've never kissed before."

Dragonus smirked a little, scooting closer to Maladea. "Gladly," he replied, bridging the gap between their lips. The two villains sat contentedly, basking in each other's warmth, lips locked, arms and wings wrapped around each other's shoulders, the soaring lights of the heavens their only witnesses.

Gabriel Agreste, since Emilie's revitalization, the subsequent akumatization of his ambitious nephew, and the bounding joy of his son finally having his mother back, hadn't had much reason to brood for almost a month. But with certain people escalating their machinations using powers that had been rightfully his, it had become harder to take joy from his reunited family - and Felix's humiliation, but that wasn't nearly as satisfying.

"Sir?" Nathalie said as she stepped into the office. "Your absences aren't going unnoticed. I have practically all the suppliers breathing down my neck… you're thinking about someone, aren't you?"

"Close the door, Nathalie," Gabriel replied. "No one can come in."

She did as she was told, closing and locking the office doors behind her. "It's about Dragonus, isn't it?"

"It's been a week since the last public appearance of the Darks," Gabriel said, pacing the floor in front of Emilie's portrait. "You and I both know what that means."

"They're planning something," Nathalie answered. Gabriel nodded. "Exactly… and while I won't pretend to have any inkling of their plan… the fact that we are being monitored-" he motioned his head towards Emilie's painting. Nathalie's eyes widened at the revelation. "-means that we are part of his final plan."

Nathalie pursed her lips. "So we're walking into his game… blind?"

"We simply have no other choice."

"There must be something-"

"Dragonus has figured out how to cover his bases. He is using Emilie as a bargaining chip to ensure my compliance… perhaps Adrien's, as well."

Nathalie gasped. "You don't mean…?"

Gabriel set his jaw. "Yes. What I had suspected… turned out to be true." He sighed. "But enough of that now. We are not Hawk Moth and Mayura anymore… at least, until Dragonus chooses to enact his final plan."

Nathalie nodded, her head just a little shaky. "Right… how should we prepare?"

"Constant vigilance. The moment something seems off, be ready for the worst."

Nathalie nodded again, then handed him her tablet. "I've made a list of everything the brand needs finished or approved," she said, attempting to return to normalcy. "I'll be back in five minutes."

With that, she left the room, leaving Gabriel in the office. He sighed, placed the tablet on the desk, and slammed his fist dangerously close to it.

His aggression fully spent, Gabriel picked the tablet back up and glanced over the items, unconsciously going back to brooding.

"Is it all done?" Andrew asked, looming behind Alex as he opened his laptop. The blond boy nodded. "Down to the last detail. But seriously, all you needed from me was video editing?"

"You're the best of us," Jack replied casually.

The six Darks were holed up in Andrew's office in the warehouse, awaiting the right moment to begin the penultimate phase of the plan.

"Are we sure they'll fall for it?" Dylan asked. "Ladybug's won almost every heart in Paris. Trying to convince them that it's a lie might be near impossible."

"That's what my power's here for," Lila cut in. "The video's just meant to make them doubt everything - and that effect is supposed to be boosted, unless I'm mistaken - so my betrayal powers can truly break their loyalty to Ladybug."

"And how's that supposed to work?" Ryan demanded. "Some kind of computer virus?"

"In a sense," Andrew replied as he pulled a golden flash drive shaped like a dragon's head out of his pocket. "This is Internuke. A pocket drive sentimonster that can take any data and convert it into a rampaging computer virus… including videos and any superpowers used on it."

"You mean… that… thing…" Alex pointed at the sentimonster, its eyes blinking emotionlessly. "Can take…"

"Lila's power of betrayal and mix it with the video to create the perfect conditions to turn all of Paris against Ladybug and Cat Noir? Yes, yes it can."

An uncomfortable silence filled the room. Alex, Jack, and the twins all shared a conspiratory glance before turning to look at Andrew again.

"I thought you said our parents would be safe," Dylan hissed, making the accusation sound more like a threat. "You promised."

"There are some exceptions to the power," Andrew replied warily. "Anyone who knows the real truth won't be affected - unfortunately, but that's how the power works - and neither will anyone who never truly believed in Paris's protectors to begin with. We all know how they feel about them."

"Let's hope that works as intended, then," Jack said icily. Snapp floated up and scoffed. "While I may not always see the value in something created from Duusu's power, they have yet to fail at their intended purpose."

"How about we all have a little faith in each other?" Vorath suggested as he flew in between everybody. "I remember when you all were practically inseparable and unstoppable. When you trusted each other. When nothing stood in your way."

"That was a long time ago," Ryan said darkly, glaring at Andrew. Andrew glared back. "People change."

"That's debatable, but not the point," Vorath said flippantly. "What matters is that you all are still a team, a team that has each other's backs. A team that always does what's best for everyone. The Skyburners aren't dead yet. Show them all who you are."

The five boys sighed, not meeting each others' eyes. "Fine."

"Well, now that that's sorted out," Lila said, glancing between the other five and their kwamis. "Do we upload this thing or what?"

"Not quite," Andrew replied, inserting the flash drive. The download only took ten seconds, but it felt like an eternity to everyone. "First, we need to test it… and I think I have the perfect test subject." He pulled up a picture on his phone and showed it to the others.

"The conspiracy nutcase?" Alex asked incredulously.

"The guy who said that pyramids were spaceships?" Jack demanded.

"Didn't he try to resurrect some chick or something?" Dylan wondered.

"Why do I feel like I've seen him before?" Ryan muttered.

"Alix's older brother? Seriously?" Lila asked, crossing her arms. "Why him?"

"He's - simply put - a nutjob and conspiracy theorist," Andrew replied simply. "If he did spill something to our dear hero friends, they'd brush him off as just being caught up in another conspiracy. And besides, he was the one who first let me learn about Ladybug and Cat Noir… think of it as a sort of thank-you, in a way."

"Alright, if we're going to do this…" Alex's voice trailed off. "ANNA, track down Jalil Kubdel's phone and be ready to upload a copy of the data on the flash drive."

"Kubdel, Jalil located," ANNA's voice echoed. "Awaiting data upload."

"Prepare for the endgame, ladies and gentlemen," Andrew said, plugging Internuke into the computer. The sentimonster growled lightly as the data copied and transferred to ANNA's system, where the AI transmitted it to the waiting phone.

"Upload complete," ANNA reported. "Target should be vulnerable to transformation shortly."

"Make it quick," Alex muttered, the murmured agreements from the others echoing with him.

"No promises," Andrew sighed back as he fixed the Butterfly Miraculous to his shirt. "Vorath, Nooroo, unify!"

Viceroy opened his cane and released the premade akuma, watching as it fluttered out of the office and warehouse and out into the open air, towards the Louvre. "This is the beginning of the end of the current age, Ladybug, before the dawn of the new order," he mused, momentarily forgetting about the others behind him.

Of course, they didn't forget about him. Nor about what he just said.

"Something on your mind?" Alya asked quietly. Marinette blinked in surprise, shaken out of her thoughts. "Oh… yeah. It's not exactly something we can talk about here. I mean, we could, but still… security risks."

The two girls, along with Adrien, Nino, and Alix were meandering around the Louvre, specifically to the flag-bearing statue in one of the galleries.

"Maybe you're thinking about how crazy it sounds?" Nino suggested. "I mean, yeah, I get the whole spiritual thing and memories of holders - we've seen crazier stuff, right? - but the idea of talking to those…"

"If we're lucky, a past Ladybug can give us some good advice on how to defeat Dragonus and Lila," Adrien said.

"I had always figured there was something fishy about her," Alix muttered. "But I didn't think she was that nuts! Why didn't you say anything earlier?"

"I wasn't sure if you'd believe me," Marinette answered matter-of-factly. "You didn't stick up for me during the Chameleon incident. Or the other one."

"If you told us she had threatened you, we would've listened," Alya said softly. "But you do know why we weren't jumping up and joining you, right? You'd also been just as quick to lash out at Chloé and Kagami over the romantic rivalries, so we assumed it was that. Of course, that doesn't change the fact that we did majorly mess up. But we will always - always - have your back, even through your absolute worst screw-ups. You got it, girl?"

Marinette smiled a little, hugging Alya's shoulder. "Yeah, thanks."

"It's always so good to see holders work through their issues!" Wayzz chimed in. "Why, this reminds me of the time Master got into a fight with-"

"And we're here, guys!" Alix interjected, splaying her arms out wide as the group reached the base of the statue. "I'm not sure what you need to find on this, but let's hope it works."

Marinette nodded. "You guys keep watch. Let's hope no one comes in."

The other four teens nodded and stealthily slipped towards the other entrances, leaving Marinette alone as she pulled out her kwagatama. "Are you sure this is going to work?" she asked.

Tikki nodded. "Joan was one of the last few Ladybugs to take on a Dark Dragon holder. I would say we could talk to the one who actually defeated the last known Dark Dragon in battle, but… she was never quite the same afterwards." Tikki's gaze dropped as the memory seemed to swallow her. She quickly shook herself out of it. "Either way, just touch your kwagatama to the Guardian emblem - it might be on the underside - and say Reunion. Once the magic starts, ask for Scarlet Fate."

After much fumbling on Marinette's part, she finally found the ornate seal, pressing the tip of her jewel to the symbol. "Reunion!"

Red light erupted from the kwagatama as dozens of portraits circled Marinette, eventually resting at her eye level. Trying to hide her nerves, she squeaked out, "Scarlet Fate?"

The portraits reoriented themselves, placing one of a battle-scarred woman in front of her. The picture grew into a spectral, armored Joan of Arc, a red tunic with black spots over her armor and a ladybug-pommeled sword at her hip.

Joan stretched, regarding Marinette with emerald green eyes. "Finally. I was beginning to wonder if my successors had forgotten me. What is your name, young holder?"

"Um… M- Marinette," she stammered, still processing the fact that she was talking to what amounted to a ghost. Alya and Adrien poked their heads around the corner. "You doing alright, girl?" Alya called.

"Did it work? Is she invisible?" Adrien asked. Tikki zipped over to Adrien, nodding. "Only Marinette and I can see or hear her," she explained before quickly zipping back to Marinette. "Hello, Joan! It's been too long!"

"Tikki, you playful little imp! Still as sweet-starved as ever, aren't you?" Joan replied, breaking into a smile and tickling the kwami with a spectral finger. She turned her attention back to Marinette. "Tell me, child, why have you woken me? Some assistance, or advice? A war to cease? A plague of dragons to be quashed?"

Marinette nodded. "In a sense, yes."

"The Dark Dragon Miraculous has returned to France, Joan," Tikki said urgently. "And we can't talk to Luo… not after what happened to her."

Joan nodded. "I sometimes hear her cries in the dark. How monstrous that Dragon was. Very well, then, fair holder, what do you wish to know?" she asked.

"Tikki said you fought a Dark Dragon once," Marinette began. "And the one I've been fighting managed to get my powers and my team's powers. He's also got a team of his own, and while we've guessed one's identity, we don't know for sure. How did you fight yours?"

Joan sighed. "How it would've been so good to have a team of mine own. To clarify, I did indeed face a Dark Dragon in combat, and he did indeed claim my powers as his own - for a time. He also managed to claim the power of my main adversary of the time - a Black Cat known as Dark Grimalkin, but that's a tale for another day - granting him an extended ability to shrug off horrific wounds."

"What?" Marinette asked, stunned. Joan cocked her head. "You knew not? Tikki, what have you told your ward? Does she not know of the Dragon's power to resurrect?"

"What?!"

Tikki turned her gaze away from Marinette. "We were just starting to fight him. I didn't want to overwhelm you with the knowledge that Dragonus had his own ultimate power. But in a passive sense, yes, Dragonus could - and I cannot stress this enough, in theory - take a life-ending hit and keep going, but only after he absorbed your and Adrien's powers. Anything short of pure universal annihilation could be taken and he'd still live."

"He'd be grievously wounded, but he'd fight another day," Joan remarked. "But enough of that. Dark Grimalkin actually faced him first, managing to strike him with his destructive touch. But the beast managed to nab Grimalkin's power and escape to lick his wounds. I faced that Dragon next. A monster of a man from lands east of dear France, he managed to inflict upon me these scars." She pointed to her right eyebrow scar and her cheek cross. "I had to flee him for a time, to plan how to best fell him."

"What about the Dark Dragon?" Marinette asked. "Couldn't he follow you, since he knew who you were?"

"Dracul was on a mission for a friend, but he had no support, from French or English," Joan said flippantly. "When I faced him next, knowing his powers, I brought a spear, and once I managed to bring his beastly form to the ground-"

A look of repulsion spread across Marinette's face. "You stabbed him?"

Joan gave her a wry smile. "I raised my spear aloft… and I merely went for his heart. He managed to shrug off the punishment I had inflicted upon him, and fled for the eastlands. I chased him just to be sure he would not take a turn and burn another village."

A cold feeling crept up Marinette's spine. "I don't have to… kill him… do I?" she asked, trying to keep the image from her mind… or the plan. Something dark deep inside seemed to make the plan almost instinctively; defeat his team, break his wings, take his ring, finish the job. Pure disgust with herself filled her mind.

"I know not," Joan said simply. "My only advice is this: go for the heart. Striking the heart can kill nearly all ambitions. Just ask your Black Cat to ask Grimalkin about it, if he has his gem."

"O- okay," Marinette stammered, trying to keep her nausea under control. Then the alarms started blaring, making Marinette jump and Joan nearly tear her sword from her scabbard. "What sorcery is this?!"

"Uh, guys!" Nino's voice called, the urgency crystal clear. "I think Alix's brother got akumatized again - and he's calling us out!"

"Ugh, Jalil… perfect timing, as always," Alix muttered. "Did you hear what you needed to hear?"

"Yeah! You guys go on ahead, I'll catch up!" Marinette called. The others nodded, Adrien blowing Marinette a kiss before turning to follow the others.

"Mine eyes deceive me? You and your Black Cat are in love?" Joan asked. Marinette chuckled a little, her cheeks flushing a little. "Yeah… that isn't a problem, is it?"

Joan laughed. "Oh, of course not. My dear Grimalkin and I fell in love, as well. Of course, I was nearly burned at the stake, but I'm sure that has nothing to do with it."

"Huh… nice," Marinette replied shortly. "I guess I can let you go back to your rest-"

"Oh, you need not!" Joan interjected. "I would love to live the thrill of battle once again! The stink of combat, the clash of blades, the sight of-!"

"Um, Joan?" Tikki interrupted. "You're incorporeal, remember?"

"Oh… right," Joan said, instantly deflated. "But I wish to bear witness to this battle! May I accompany you?"

"Totally!" Marinette answered. "We should probably catch up with the others, anyhow. Tikki, Spots On!"

"Ma'at, lend me your power!" Pharaoh commanded, his face transforming into the goddess's as he started floating. Golden spheres of light started glowing around his hands. He burst into the next room over, and the civilians naturally started screaming and running.

"Order!" Pharaoh said as he blasted beams from his spheres, silencing and freezing anyone hit in their tracks. The frozen civilians were enveloped in bandages, unfreezing as they shuffled into phalanx columns in front of him.

The five heroes - and spectral Joan - peered around the corner. Pharaoh had his back to them, completely focused on increasing the size of his forces.

"Any idea what could've gotten him?" Rena Rouge asked. Carapace shrugged. "Last time was because he couldn't make a sacrifice, so we could go from there."

"Shh!" Bunnyx hissed. "He's saying something!"

"The gods' power will be more than enough to make Ladybug pay for lying and enabling Paris's supervillains!" Pharaoh declared. "Find her, my army! And bring her to justice!"

"Lying?" Cat Noir whispered angrily. "Enabling Hawk Moth, Mayura, the Darks… all of them?! Did he forget what we've done for Paris?"

"That's Jalil," Bunnyx sighed, shaking her head. "I love him, but he's always too obsessed with his conspiracy theories. Some idiot must've convinced him that we're the baddies or something."

Ladybug pinched the bridge of her nose before turning her eyes back to the - slowly spreading - mummy army. "Any ideas, anyone?"

"If you ask me," Joan said, pointing at Pharaoh's spreading army. "I believe a simple strike shall be enough. Hit your opponent hard and fast, and disable him before he can react! His forces are too slothish to truly harm you, giving you plenty of time to find his cursed jewel and free him."

"Sounds like a good idea…" Ladybug muttered, her eyes wandering until she caught the confused looks of the others. "Oh! Right, sorry. Joan said if we get him quickly after his army's gone, we'd stop him before he could cause any real damage."

"I bet if I aim right, I could knock out Pharaoh and a few of his mummies," Carapace whispered. "Then we just rush him and deakumatize him, right?"

"Yep," Ladybug answered. "Does anyone have anything else to add?"

"I'll try to draw Jalil's attention," Bunnyx said quickly. "I can keep time-hopping in front of him, just keeping him busy until you guys can attack."

"Sounds good, go for it," Ladybug replied. Bunnyx nodded, quickly opening her Burrow and leaping in. The other four heroes peered around the corner again, waiting, Carapace quietly unslinging his shield.

A few moments later, another portal to the Burrow opened, Bunnyx leaping from the white rift, bouncing off a straggling mummy's head, and diving back into the Burrow. Pharaoh turned with a growl, searching for the assailant. Bunnyx leapt out again, ricocheting off of Pharaoh's back. He turned back to his original position, giving Carapace the necessary opening for his shield to fly screaming towards Pharaoh's head.

Unfortunately, Pharaoh decided to swipe at Bunnyx, lowering his head just enough to dodge the shield - and accidentally hit Bunnyx, slamming her against the wall.

"Oh, come on!" Carapace groaned. "Sorry, Bunnyx! Bad timing!"

"YOU!" Pharaoh roared as he turned, his finger pointing accusingly at the hidden heroes. "Reveal yourselves, so you may face justice!"

"No point in hiding now," Ladybug muttered, glancing at the others. "Rena, Carapace, go left. Kitty, you and I will go right. We need to bring him down fast."

The other three nodded, then leapt out of their hiding spot, racing towards Pharaoh. Carapace aimed a kick at the villain, but Pharaoh sidestepped, dodging Carapace's clumsy attack and giving him the opening to catch Rena Rouge's arm and throw her aside.

"You believe you can defeat me?!" Pharaoh bellowed. "I, who wields the might of gods, against you liars?! Deceivers?! Betrayers?!"

"Don't those all mean the same thing?" Cat Noir quipped as he drew his staff and dove into a slide, striking Pharaoh's shin with his staff. Pharaoh's roar of pain echoed through the halls as he picked up Cat Noir and threw him into a stirring Rena Rouge.

"We don't want to fight you, Jalil!" Ladybug said, trying to catch his hand with her yoyo. "I don't know what's gotten into you, but you need to snap out of it!"

"I don't want your help! I want justice!" Pharaoh snapped, his fists glowing with power again. He punched them together, unleashing a shockwave that blew all the heroes back against the walls of the museum. "And I shall have it!"

Joan's spectral form nonchalantly walked over to a staggering Ladybug. "I suppose a direct assault wasn't the best idea," she said casually. "Perhaps a bit more knowledge of his powers would have sufficed. Khepri would be best to consult."

"We've fought him before, Joan," Ladybug replied weakly. "I can handle this. Lucky Charm!"

A set of scales fell into her hands, right as Pharaoh grabbed Cat Noir and Bunnyx. "If you do not submit to me now, Ladybug, I will judge your little allies guilty and make them part of my army!"

"Don't do it, m'lady!" Cat Noir yelled over Pharaoh's deranged demands. "We can't afford to lose this!"

"Ladybug!" Bunnyx yelped. "He's using Ma'at's powers! Ma'at was also the goddess of truth!"

"Truth…" Ladybug muttered, glancing down at the scales. The scales… Pharaoh's powers… whatever his akumatized object is… he's obsessed with the truth… so if he knows it…

"Pharaoh!" she said loudly. "I'll answer any question you want, and you can use your powers to make me tell the truth. In exchange, let my allies go and get out of harm's way. Do we have a deal?"

Pharaoh narrowed his eyes. "Perhaps… Viceroy? What's your opinion on this…? Viceroy? Hello?"

Ladybug couldn't help but smirk a little. "Bad connection?"

Pharaoh growled as he released Bunnyx and Cat Noir. "Take your friends… and now, the truth!" His hands glowing gold, Pharaoh fired a beam directly at Ladybug. Her lips took on a golden sheen. "Now, Ladybug, you can only tell me the truth. Were you truly behind the rise of Hawk Moth? Did you give him his powers? Have you been lying to all of Paris for nearly a year?!"

"Of course I haven't," Ladybug replied confidently. "I'd never do anything like that, and you know for sure that I wouldn't. I can only tell the truth, right?"

Pharaoh clenched his fists so hard, to the point where golden power started radiating from his fists. "Viceroy lied to me! He's the enabler! And he can take his powers back!" Pharaoh roared, tearing his pendant off and throwing it to Ladybug's feet. A moment later, the purified butterfly fluttered out of the museum as Ladybug unleashed the cure, undoing the curse on the civilians and freeing herself from the truth spell.

Jalil sat up, holding his head. "What in the… Ladybug?" he asked groggily. "So you didn't…?"

"I'm not sure who put that idea in your head, Jalil, but they clearly wanted to turn you against us," Ladybug said gently as she knelt by his side. "We didn't give Hawk Moth his powers, and we're doing everything we can to make sure no one will hurt our city ever again."

The other four heroes stood in a semi circle around Ladybug and Jalil. "Do you remember what happened before you got akumatized, dude?" Carapace asked.

"I- I was reading this… well, let's call it a hypothesis, that said that Dragonus is actually an American billionaire that faked his own death about a year or two ago," Jalil began, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly. "Just a stupid pet theory, really. Then, I got this link that popped up on my phone. I tried to close it, but the button was too small… and then… and then…"

"You don't remember?" Rena Rouge offered. Jalil clutched his head. "It's like I can't remember! I know something happened, because I got akumatized, but I can't remember why!"

"Horrific sorcery…" Ladybug heard Joan mutter.

"It's okay," Ladybug reassured. "Viceroy must've done something to you, just like Hawk Moth did to everyone before. Don't worry, we'll defeat him soon enough, and you won't have to worry about being manipulated like that again."

"I'll make sure to personally punch him," Bunnyx offered bluntly. "Y'know, for good measure."

Jalil laughed a little. "Sounds great. Oh, your earrings are flashing," he added, pointing at the Miraculous.

Ladybug nodded. "Then I guess it's time to go. Bug out!"

"Test successful," ANNA stated, her automated voice echoing throughout the office. Andrew smirked as he dropped his transformation and turned to the others. "The plan's almost ready to go," he said triumphantly.

"All of it?" Jack asked. "Your little Salvation project or whatever it's called?"

"What about the civilians?" Alex demanded. "The ones we're essentially… brainwashing to turn against Ladybug and Cat Noir?"

"All will be revealed in due time," Andrew replied. "For now, we're doing as I say. ANNA, prepare a mass upload of the video across Paris. I want every screen in this city to show everyone who the heroes are at precisely nine a.m. Monday morning."

"Upload and countdown commencing," ANNA said dutifully. "Good luck with this plan."

"Of course you'd pick a Monday…" Ryan muttered. Dylan crossed his arms. "So what? You're going to ruin the week with that, then immediately challenge them? Or let it fester and ferment for a while?"

"All will be revealed in due time," Andrew said dangerously. Lila quietly moved between the glaring boys, throwing her own glare between all of them.

"How about we not turn on each other at this critical phase of the proceedings?" she suggested. Vorath nodded as he floated up to Andrew's shoulder. "Don't break the fellowship," he hissed.

Andrew groaned, then cracked his knuckles as he forced a smile on his face. "Alright, then. Lila's right. We're almost at the finish line. Let's not stumble just yet. Utopia is just around the corner."

"Whose utopia?" Ryan asked, raising an eyebrow.

Andrew forced himself to pretend not to hear his question.

"You handled that fight most efficiently," Joan complimented. "Using guile when force would not work… I wish I had been as clever as you in my past skirmishes."

Marinette turned her gaze away from Joan. "Please tell me I won't have to kill anyone," she said quietly. Joan just smiled. "Remember my advice, Marinette, and apply it as you see fit. You might not be the only one able to fell your beast."

"Okay…" Marinette replied. "How do I… you know… let you go back to sleep?"

"Just say 'End of Reunion,'" Joan answered. Marinette nodded, a small, thankful smile on her lips. "Thanks for all your help, Joan. End of Reunion." Joan disappeared, leaving Marinette and the others alone in the museum wing.

"Did you hear everything you needed to?" Adrien asked. Marinette wouldn't meet his gaze. "Or was there something you didn't need to hear?"

"…Remember when I first learned to control darkness?" Marinette asked. "When I said I was afraid something terrible could happen?"

"Yeah?"

"Joan said something about striking her Dark Dragon in the heart. He lived it, apparently, and got away. If we don't want Dragonus to do the same…"

"We might have to kill him?" Alix asked.

Marinette winced a little. "Yes."

The silence was overwhelming. The revelation screamed in their minds. Alya took a deep breath. "There might be another way," she offered.

"I don't know if there is," Marinette replied hoarsely. "Dragonus could take anything and throw it back at us… maybe the only way to stop him is to permanently de-power him."

"We don't need to make that choice just yet," Nino said. "Not at all. There's plenty of time to figure out what to do, who to get on our side… anything!"

Adrien pulled Marinette into a hug. "You're not alone in this choice, bugaboo," he said softly. "We'll always be by your side."

The five kwamis popped up by their owners' heads. "All of us," Tikki reassured.

Marinette buried her face in Adrien's shirt and let her silent tears flow. "Thank you. All of you."

The eight teenagers and kwamis stood quietly in the gallery as Marinette clung to Adrien, trying to ignore the thoughts tugging in their minds. A feeling of collective dread passed through them all. The next confrontation with Dragonus could end in so many terrible ways, and none of them would leave unscathed.

"Where's Alix?" Kim asked out of the blue, interrupting Ms. Bustier's lecture on the destructive power of disinformation.

Ms. Bustier sighed. "Alix is out today, Kim," she answered simply. "I got a message from her father. Something about not feeling well and needing to stay home. We'll wish her a speedy recovery and get back to the lesson, okay?"

Alya leaned over to Marinette. "She looked fine on Saturday, right? She couldn't have gotten sick in between then and now."

"I told her to," Marinette replied quietly. "I just had a bad feeling about things yesterday, and I told Alix to be ready on standby in case things go south."

Alya nodded slowly. "Okay… care to elaborate?"

Marinette shrugged. "I don't know how to describe it. It was just… it felt bad."

"Like I was saying," Ms. Bustier continued, startling Marinette and Alya back into turning to the front of the room again. "Disinformation, while sounding similar to misinformation, is more malicious than misinformation. It's deliberate and made to spread fear, similar to propaganda and - what is that?"

The entire class looked up at the projected image on the blackboard, stifling their gasps.

Dragonus's head and shoulders filled the screen, his steepled fingers pointing up at the sky. He was helmetless, letting the world see his dark brown hair and golden dragon eyes and mask. But his face was somber… melancholic, even.

"Good morning, Paris," he said. "By this point, you know who I am. You know what I've done. If you hate me despite what I will tell you, I will not hold it against you. But please, do not turn off this message. It could mean your freedom from a pair of manipulators who have this city so tightly wrapped around their little fingers."

"For centuries, my forefathers and their forefathers have fought against the predecessors of Ladybug and Cat Noir. Not because they desired their destruction, no. Rather, they wanted the freedom to use their powers to better mankind, in ways the previous bearers of the Ladybug and Black Cat would not allow. The Ladybug and Black Cat holders have desired not humanity's safety, but dependence on their powers."

"The current generation of Ladybug and Cat Noir, of their allies and servants, they are no different."

"What's he talking about?!" Ivan demanded. "Ladybug and Cat Noir have never done any of that!"

"Yeah! Who's going to believe this?!" Nino yelled. Ms. Bustier threw an uncharacteristic glare at the boys, silencing them and making them sit back down.

"Let's hear him out first," she said icily.

Horror spread throughout the class - save for Andrew and Lila, the corners of their mouths twisting into satisfied little smirks.

"They have given the monsters of this city - Hawk Moth and Mayura - the means to terrorize you all, for the sole reason of giving themselves a reason to exist," Dragonus continued. "Of course, you don't need to take my word for it. Here is a memory I took from the minds of Hawk Moth and Mayura themselves. Behold!"

Dragonus's image faded away, replaced by a video of Ladybug holding two small, open hexagonal boxes in front of her, a small brooch with four cloth wings in one, a peacock tail-shaped brooch in the other.

"Hawk Moth, Mayura," she said. "These are the Butterfly and Peacock Miraculouses. You will use them to sow terror throughout Paris, giving myself and Cat Noir the reason to make ourselves known and force them to accept us as their protectors. With your help, we will be guaranteed to rule this city within a year or two." An evil smile lit up Ladybug's face. "And it seems you both are all too willing to help."

The video went black for a moment before Dragonus filled the screen again. "You see? They have manipulated you. And this," he pointed to a small picture beside his head, of Ladybug and Cat Noir standing across from Hawk Moth and Mayura, "this is the two supposed villains of your city talking with your 'heroes,' all of them risking being seen, in order to plan how to get rid of me. The only true threat to all of them."

"When have I ever truly worked to harm you, Paris?" Dragonus asked. "True, I sided with Hawk Moth during your Heroes' Day celebration, but that was to get close to him. To learn of the true extent of the so-called conflict between him and his masters. Ask anyone, and they will acknowledge that I never terrorized civilians myself. I never let my opponents get away, unlike Ladybug and Cat Noir."

"That's just ridiculous!" Alya yelled. "The only reason they couldn't get Hawk Moth was because he always tricks his way out-"

"Quiet!" Ms. Bustier snapped, a faint, sickly green glow in her pupils. "No more interruptions! The next one to speak out of turn will be sent to the principal's office! Do you understand me?!"

"In the end, Paris, I hope you have taken this information to heart," Dragonus finished. "And shake off the restraints of Ladybug and Cat Noir, and try them for their crimes against you all. I wish you the best… and hope you find it in your hearts to forgive me." The video cut out a moment later.

A horrible feeling welled in Marinette's stomach. It was almost as if she couldn't breathe. Panic flooded her mind. The video had been playing over everyone's phones, too. It wasn't a stretch to assume every screen in Paris had been afflicted.

Dragonus and the Darks had turned the entire city against her, Adrien, and the entire team in one fell swoop. Maybe even further. Adrien threw a worried look in her direction. Alya sat nearly slack-jawed in shock. Everyone else hadn't fallen for the video - which, she reasoned, the mass reveal had helped with - but they all exchanged worried looks and hushed words.

"Attention, students," Principal Damocles's voice echoed from the intercoms. "Due to today's news, the mayor has ordered all schools to close for the day to process this terrible revelation. Go straight home. Anyone still here after twenty minutes will be suspended."

"You heard him," Ms. Bustier said, her own rage making her tremble. "Go. And don't forget to read the chapters on disinformation I assigned."

As the students shakily gathered their things, Marinette locked eyes with Max. "Meet us outside my place," she whispered. "We need to get to Alix fast."

Max nodded wordlessly, pushing a confused Markov back into his bag. Marinette turned to Adrien, tapping him on the shoulder. "We have to talk to Alix," she whispered. "Do you think your parents will be worried?"

"I'll text them," he whispered back. "But I don't know if Father's going to let me."

"I have to give it to him," Nathalie said darkly. "He makes a convincing liar."

"So that's why he wanted to keep an eye on us," Gabriel mused. "Clever boy…"

Then Emilie burst into the office, a sickly green glow in her emerald eyes. "Gabriel!" she nearly screamed. "Our son is out there with those… those… monsters running around! We have to get him home!"

Gabriel's eyes turned steely. "Emilie, please get a hold of yourself," he said softly. "Adrien is perfectly safe."

"Sir, it's Adrien," Nathalie reported. "School let out early, and he wants to know if he can process this news with Marinette Dupain-Cheng."

Gabriel raised an eyebrow. "Very well. As long as he stays safe," he answered. Emilie nearly tore her hair off.

"Safe?! No one's safe, Gabriel! We're all doomed! With those two monsters out and about, it's only a matter of time before they drop the masquerade and attack people outright!" she yelled frantically. "Bring him home! Now!"

"Try and get her to calm down, Nathalie," Gabriel said nonchalantly. "I'm starting to get a headache."

"Yes, sir."

"You can't treat me like this! Don't be that monster, Gabriel! I know how you truly feel!" Emilie's shouts faded as Nathalie led her away. Gabriel took off his glasses and rubbed his temples.

"If his plan is what I imagine it is, I hope I can run him through if I get the chance," he muttered. "No one messes with my wife like that."

"Voyage!"

Pegasus's portal deposited Marinette and Adrien in the shadows just beyond the entrance to the Louvre. Transforming into Ladybug and Cat Noir had immediately become too dangerous, and just teleporting into the museum would arouse too much suspicion. It had to be on foot.

"Dragonus planned this whole thing way in advance," Adrien said, his voice low as the two teenagers walked briskly into the glass pyramid. "That meeting with Hawk Moth… that was forever ago! And the video… it must've been spiked with Maladea's manipulation powers. It had to be. We both know how that feels."

Marinette nodded grimly. "We've been playing into his hand for a while now, haven't we?"

Adrien glanced down at her somber expression. "What is it?"

"I don't remember if I told you, but Dragonus told me - a long time ago, after we fought DJ Doomsday the first time, the time he got all weird after the fight, but that's a long story - that he used to be a hero. He had a goal to better the world. But he knows how we think. He knows our weak points. I'm starting to wonder if he told me that to let my guard down. To make us vulnerable." Marinette steeled herself, her bluebell eyes hardening. "If it was all a trick…"

"We'll deal with that soon enough," Adrien promised. "But for now… we're here."

Exhaling quickly, Marinette knocked on the Kubdels' door. The two waited with baited breath when, thankfully, Alix answered. Glancing around quickly, she beckoned them to come in.

"I thought you were sick," Marinette said casually.

"And hello to you, too," Alix replied. "Yeah, I'm not. But a girl's gotta say what a girl's gotta say to protect the fragile thread of time where the world doesn't blow up or a crazy dragon doesn't consume our souls."

"That… could happen?" Adrien asked apprehensively. Alix shrugged. "Not in this timeline just yet, but maybe."

"Alix, we can't wait any longer," Marinette said. "Dragonus basically brainwashed all of Paris to turn against us. Everyone thinks we're the ones who gave Hawk Moth his powers, that we haven't found him because we don't want to find him."

"Not to mention that the video turned Ms. Bustier into an absolute rage-freak," Adrien added.

Alix pursed her lips. "So it's that bad, huh?" she asked grimly, plopping down on a couch. "Well, that's better than what I thought he was going to go with."

"You said you knew who Dragonus is," Marinette began. "You looked into the past. You saw his face. Please. If there's any time for us to know, it's now."

"Actually, it's about thirty-seven seconds."

"Alix, please."

"Alright, alright, I'm just ribbing you." Suddenly the skater's expression turned serious. "But you might want to sit down. Oh, and Fluff?"

The rabbit kwami popped out of the sofa, glancing around. "You're still ten seconds too early."

"Is everything I'm about to say true beyond a shadow of a doubt?"

Fluff nodded. "Of course it is! Unless it's supposed to be for tomorrow."

"Who is Dragonus, Alix?" Marinette asked. "It has to be the right time, right?"

Alix sighed. "You aren't going to like it. He's been close to us this entire time. Under our noses, in fact. You suspected him, once. But he managed to trick you, and now he's on the warpath."

The realization dawned on them as panic spread across Marinette and Adrien's faces.

"N- no. It… it can't be him," Marinette stammered.

"He… he didn't. He couldn't have, we've seen him in class when we leave!" Adrien protested.

Alix leaned back. "He's a pretty good liar and trickster, I'll give him that. But it's true. Dragonus... well, he's Andrew Hendrol."