Chapter Text
He had finally done it! He, Gabriel Agreste, had captured Cat Noir. Now all he had to do was wait for the pussy cat to transform, which should happen within half an hour. By his calculations, Cat Noir’s miraculous had been activated for about an hour, but Ladybug and Cat Noir were still new to using their miraculous, evidenced by the fact that they had to deactivate in order to use their powers again. How quaint.
Who would have thought that Puppeteer, a mere child, would have ended up being the akuma that finally brought down Ladybug and Cat Noir? True, he only had Cat Noir in his custody, but Ladybug would follow. She would attempt to rescue her friend or some such nonsense, and then both miraculous would be his.
Gabriel had tried removing Cat Noir’s ring, but it wouldn’t come off. Gabriel could only assume that the miraculous could not be removed while engaged, a very handy safety feature. Now all he had to do was wait. However, who said he couldn’t have a little fun while he waited? After all, it wasn’t every day that one had one of his worst adversaries at his mercy.
Gabriel strode into the room where Cat Noir was being kept. The boy’s hands were tied behind his back, and his left ankle was twisted at an awkward angle; it had been broken during his capture. Those piercing green eyes glared up at Gabriel, speaking volumes of the boy’s hatred for him.
“I welcome you to my abode,” said Gabriel as he threw his arms wide, encompassing the stark, bare walls of the cell Cat Noir was currently being kept in. “I hope that we may be able to help each other.”
“I’ll never help someone like you,” snarled Cat Noir. “I’d sooner eat my own tail.”
“I’m sure that could be arranged,” said Gabriel smoothly. “Now, I shall tell you of your situation, and I may just be able to change your mind concerning the matter of helping each other.”
He took a step forward, towering over the form of Cat Noir crouched on the floor, forcing the boy to crane his neck to meet Gabriel’s eyes.
“I will tell you three things about your current situation. Then I will offer you a deal. First, you have been captured. There’s no way for you to escape. Even if there were, you’re injured, you wouldn’t be able to get far.”
“I’m sure I could manage,” snarled Cat Noir.
Gabriel lashed out with the toe of his boot, clipping Cat Noir in the side. The boy let out a huff of air, doubling over.
“Insolence and disrespect will not be tolerated,” said Gabriel coldly. “Now, second. Your beloved Ladybug has no idea where you are. She won’t be able to find you. Clear?”
Cat Noir glared stubbornly up at him. Gabriel struck the cat with his cane, a glancing blow on the arm. Cat Noir grunted in pain.
“When I ask you a question I expect an answer,” said Gabriel coldly. “Now, are we clear?”
Cat Noir continued his silence for a moment, until Gabriel raised his cane threateningly once more.
“We’re clear,” snarled the boy.
“Good,” said Gabriel coldly. “Third, you will not be able to remain Cat Noir for long. I estimate that you have a half hour at most, probably closer to only fifteen minutes until you transform back into your civilian form, at which time I will be able to take your miraculous. Now, I give you an option. Transform back, give me your miraculous, tell me who Ladybug is, and no more harm will come to you. Refuse to give me your miraculous or tell me who Ladybug is, and I will not be merciful after you have transformed back. I have resources. I can find your friends and family, and I can make them pay.”
Cat Noir’s frightened gaze met Gabriel’s. The boy shivered, and seemed to be considering. The last words had gotten to him. The boy had no desire to have Hawkmoth hounding him and his family, he must care about them deeply. It made Gabriel briefly remember why he was doing all of this. For his family. To bring back his dear Emily. It was all for her. For her and for Adrien.
Finally, Cat Noir spoke. “I already told you, I won’t make a deal with you. I don’t bargain with monsters.”
Gabriel felt himself stiffen, and his eyes narrowed in rage. He took a step toward Cat Noir’s crouched form, and grabbed the boy by the scruff of the neck, hauling him off his feet so that the tips of his toes could barely touch the floor. Gabriel struck the irritating little cat across the face, an open palmed strike. The boy’s head whipped back, and he grunted in pain. Gabriel struck him again, a punch to the eye this time. The boy whimpered, but stayed firm. Gabriel delivered several more blows to the boys face before dropping him onto the ground in a heap, split lip bleeding.
“Having second thoughts?” asked Gabriel coldly.
Cat Noir shook his head, curling in on himself as he looked away.
“Pity,” said Gabriel coldly. He delivered several swift kicks to the boy’s ribs, feeling one of them give slightly. The boy let out a pained cry, and Gabriel thought he might have broken one of the boy’s ribs.
Gabriel sighed and turned away. “Very well. I shall see you in a few minutes, once you have transformed back.”
Gabriel turned away and stalked out of the room. In truth, Gabriel took no enjoyment from tormenting Cat Noir. He had been a worthy opponent and deserved to be treated with more respect than this. However, desperate times called for desperate measures.
~*~*~*~
Fifteen minutes later Gabriel again stood before Cat Noir, observing the curled form of his fallen adversary. He had definitely broken at least one rib, decided Gabriel as he watched the boy’s labored breathing.
Gabriel heard a faint beeping, and smiled. Knowing that the moment was here, he would at last have one of the miraculous in hand, and he would know the identity of Cat Noir.
The light on the ring flashed green one last time, and Noir’s disguise dropped away, mask fading.
Gabriel felt shock, and disbelief. He stared, wide eyed, down at the form of the beaten, bloodied boy at his feet.
Gabriel sucked in a deep breath, and uttered one word, a painful question that seemed to be ripped from him. “Adrien?”