Chapter Text
Somewhere in a corner of Adrien's room, hidden in the shadows, two little gods are having a heated conversation.
"Plagg, I can't let her continue like this, she's destroying herself! You said it will go away, all this drama hurt her for a while and after she'll be back to her bubbly state. It's been three months and nothing changed!" Tikki feels frustrated by the cat's dismissive behavior
"Come on Sugarcube, I'm the destruction god, if Adrien isn't the one destroying himself how could Pigtails do that?" it's not like Plagg doesn't trust his other half, of course he trusts Tikki, but Marinette seemed to be doing better lately. "She's back to the stalker-ish fangirl she used to be, she's always happy near my kitten, I'd say things are better." he continues munching on his piece of Camembert.
"You don't see how she's changed!" she has no reason to be mad at him, she's the one staying with Marinette so of course Plagg can't see her when Adrien isn't around, so Tikki can at least explain the situation to him "I have to watch her be a shell of what she's been, it's...nothing like it was supposed to be..." Tikki's eyes catch a glossier shade as they start watering. "She finally got with Adrien, she should be more relaxed and happy, but she can't...not when she's considering herself as the reason Adrien's an orphan or when she's hating herself for lying to him...she even started comparing herself to Lila!" her sorrowful expression being replaced by a disgusted one.
"Wait, that Lila? The one who lied about her entire existence? Come on, Pigtails is so much better than her, I can't forget how that liar harassed my boy." the disgust filling Plagg's eyes as he remembered the foxy girl.
"Plagg...I think...we should tell Adrien the truth. I know it's not up to us but I can't watch Mari living her life like this. Even after his death, Gabriel is still controlling her and ruining her life. Especially with this new Chrysalis going around, akumatizing everyone near Marinette, I fear she is going to lose it!" Tikki knows, it's not the first time they have this conversation, she already knows what Plagg's answer is, but she's still trying her luck.
"No! I told you more than a dozen time already sugarcube, we're not telling Adrien the truth. My kit is happy now, after years of suffering he's finally happy. If you really want to take that happiness away from him, then push Marinette to tell him the truth, but there's no way I'm gonna break the news to him, and you're not going to do it either!" Plagg's growl is a bit surprising even for him, it's not the first time he got attached this much to one of his holders, but it's still weird to him every time. He takes a look to check if the blond is still in bed, as he can't watch Tikki in the eyes anymore. He hates when he's against her, but right now he would do this again and again for his charge. 'Who would've thought I would come to like this kid so much...'
"Plagg, please!" tears now running down her small face. "We have to do something!" she tried pleading with him.
"I'm sorry to refuse you Tikki, but it's still a no." the little black cat says with his back still turned to her, he hears her sobbing, but there's no way he's going to break the sad news to his holder. "I'm not going to destroy this kid again. He just got a taste of freedom, of happiness, I won't take that away from him."
Tikki wipes her tears with her little paws, preparing to go back to the bakery, she told herself before coming here that this was the last time they will be having this conversation, and because Plagg's opinion is still the same it's up to her to solve this alone. "Isn't it funny?" a sad laugh escapes her mouth. "The wielder of destruction finally created a new life for himself, full of joy and happiness, as the wielder of creation has destroyed hers." then she left, without even letting Plagg process what she said.
"Come on sugarcube, it's not that de-" he turned to see her again only to realize she left. 'I'm sorry Tikki, I really am, but as you are trying to protect Marinette, I'm trying to protect Adrien. Neither of them deserve this, but at least she's stronger.' then he went to bed, next to Adrien, lying on his pillow. 'We'll talk about this in the morning.' he tried telling her through their communication link, only to find out she blocked it. 'Come on Tik, not again!' he sighed then he closed his eyes. He needs a good rest tonight if he wants to be able to fix things is the morning.
~with Tikki~
As Tikki left she blocked their communication link. 'I'm sorry Plagg, I love them both, but Mari is my holder and it's my duty to protect her.' She knows she promised him a thousand years ago that she won't block their communication link again. But isn't fate a funny thing? They are stuck in a similar situation, only then it was his wielder hiding things. 'In the end, when the truth was told, things went good, so why wouldn't it be the same now?' she dismissed the memory hurrying to the bakery.
When she entered Marinette's room, she was still sleeping, the tears on her face long gone, but it looked like she was having a nightmare. 'Chat Blanc again?' she rapidly used her powers to send Marinette into a nice dream. 'I know you'll hate me for this Marinette, but it's better to have you mad at me than to see you struggling' using her powers again, she modified the earrings. 'Tomorrow the truth will be out.' then she rapidly went to her little bed to catch a bit of sleep. It was weird to be unable to feel Plagg's emotions or to be able to send him a telepathic goodnight, but everything is gonna go back to normal soon.
If only she knew how wrong she was.
Marinette woke up feeling refreshed on this Saturday morning. 'Huh? Weird, I didn't wake up at all through the night. I missed a good night's sleep.' then she got out of bed to start preparing for her day. Today she had to help her parents in the bakery for the first half of the day, then she had patrol and in the evening she and Adrien were supposed to have a movie marathon at her house. 'It's going to be a looong day.' she thought while watching herself brushing her hair in the mirror. Her blue oceans that were once clear like a night's starry sky were now tired and almost lifeless. Her frame much smaller as she lost a few kilograms, the bags under her eyes were now always hidden under makeup. But she looked bright as always, she managed to make it seem like nothing happened, and today was going to be just like any other.
Tikki woke up but didn't say a thing, she didn't want Marinette to find out what's happening yet, so she just pretended to be asleep until she heard the trapdoor close. That was her cue, she rapidly got up and went straight into Marinette's purse. The bluenette once told her that, if she doesn't need to get out of the house in the morning, Tikki could just sleep a little more, and then go to her usual hiding place once she wakes up. She could wait a bit more to avoid suspicion but she didn't want to leave her holder on her own today.
'It's only the second time I'm using this trick, I hope she won't find out before patrol.' was the only thing the little red god could think about, watching Marinette go through her shift. If she was truthful on her own then she wouldn't realize yet that she can't lie. Tikki could only hope that no one would ask something dangerous.
~at the same time~
Adrien woke up later than usual. It was nice not having photoshoots all the time, being able to just lay in bed and do nothing, to sleep 'till noon, but he was used to waking up early, and he wants to keep the habit as it was reminding him of his dad. He got up watching his surroundings, Plagg was on the desk with a piece of cheese next to him. 'Huh? Weird, Plagg isn't eating his cheese? Am I still dreaming?' He rubbed his eyes but no, apparently that was the scene in front of him.
"Morning Plagg! Something wrong?" Adrien was worried seeing his kwami's new expression. 'I've never seen him like this. He looks sad, mad and scared, at the same time.'
"Morning kit!" Plagg instantly changed his expression "What? Something wrong? Nah, I'm just tired, I couldn't sleep all night..." he sighed looking away, but before the boy could say anything he started talking again. "The cheese you gave me yesterday may be the cause, it wasn't aged enough!" quickly changing the subject to avoid his holder's suspicion.
"Come on, it wasn't that bad, it was less pricey, you're just got used to the expensive stuff." the blond, now in front of the desk, rolled his eyes. "I'm going to buy you some Camembert today on the way to Marinette's, better?"
'Oh no.' Plagg thought. "Adrien I think today we should stay at home, maybe ask Nino to come over or something." he said quickly as his worry grew 'Tikki surely planed something, if I just keep him here today I might ruin her plan and get her to talk to me before doing anything.'
"What? Why? I have patrol and I already told Marinette we're gonna have a movie marathon tonight, we can't just cancel!" Adrien was weirded out by Plagg's unusual request. "What's wrong?" now he was sure something isn't right.
"Look kid, today I don't want you asking her any questions ok? Ladybug either!" the black cat knew his soulmate the best, and in a situation like this, the 'Truthful' spell was her first choice. "There is something wrong going on today, and you should avoid asking anyone anything, ok?" he should make his lie more believable "It's some weird thing that happens once a few years, today everyone is lying when being asked things, so it's better to avoid questions."
"Wait does it affect me too?" the blond was now worried 'What if I say something wrong to Marinette today?'
"No no, you're a miraculous holder, so you're safe."
"Oh, so then Ladybug is safe too?" his question stunned Plagg.
'Oh come on, my lie was perfect, you just have to think this much into it!' he mentally sighed before talking "Look kid, don't ask anyone anything today, ok? Not even Ladybug." Plagg was now tired, he had to make Adrien listen to him one way or another, if not, then he may find out the truth today.
"But wh-"
"No! No more questions. It's dangerous!"
"Ok..." Adrien finally agreed, it was weird that he never heard of such a day before, but he better be careful. If it really is like Plagg said then he should avoid any questions.
With the discussion now being closed the blond went to the bathroom to get ready, he had a lot of time before patrol so he could use it for practicing piano and maybe playing UMS.
Ladybug was now in her usual spot, at the top of Eiffel tower standing down with her feet freely hanging in the air. 'Tikki's behavior was weird today, what was with all that avoiding she wanted me to do. I even avoided my parents! I have to find out what's wrong before Adrien comes over.' she sighed. She wanted to finish this patrol faster so she could go home. It was hard seeing Chat daily while hiding so many things from him.
Just as being summoned, as soon as LB thought about him, Chat Noir reached the tower. "Hey Ladybug, read-" he chocked on his words 'Oh no! No questions today.' he thought a bit before starting again "I'm here, let's go!"
"What's with all this hurry Chat?" yes she wanted this patrol to end faster, but his unusual behavior made her curious "Is there anything wron" but before she could finish his left hand was over her mouth.
"Hey! It's dangerous. Today is lying day, your kwami should've told you! Anyone who is asked a question today will reply with a lie." Chat said in a serious tone "I can't believe Tikki didn't tell you!" he spoke again as he removed his hand from the shocked girl's mouth.
Just in time so she could start laughing. "What day? Lying day? Where did you hear that Chat?" she started laughing even harder "There's no such day kitty!"
He froze for a second, only to think about Plagg's words again. "Yeah, for us there isn't. We have our miraculouses to protect us so we're not affected, but the others are!" he said a bit happy, he was enjoying knowing more than Ladybug for once.
"Oh..." was all she could say before the little wheels in her head started working again. 'It makes so much sense! That's why Tikki wanted me to avoid everyone! Why didn't she just tell me?' she ended the train of thought by simply leaving them for later "Ok, got it, so today only we are telling the truth, everyone else is lying."
"I'd want it to be like that, but no, we're just able to answer how we want, the other are forced to lie." he sighed "If it was like that I'd ask you to finally tell me: What's the truth behind the defeat of HawkMoth?" he said in a sad tone, he knew she was hiding some parts, but he could never understand why she was hiding them from him too.
"Because HawkMoth was Gabriel Agreste." she answered before she could even think, only after the truth was out she finally realised what she said covering her mouth with her hands. "What did I-"
"Wait...what?!" he froze. 'Did...did she just say f-father was Hawkmoth?! No, there's no way! She must be affected too...' "I think you're affected too Ladybug." he said looking away.
"Haha, right?" she laughed weirdly 'What was that? Why did I just say that?' "I think we should start patrolling!" she couldn't stay there anymore, what if she said another weird thing without thinking.
"Yeah...we should" Adrien was a bit mad about her words "Of all the people why did you accuse him though? He was the hero, not the villain!" ok maybe a bit more. 'Wait it's not like she could control the lie...' he thought to himself.
"Because he was, I fought him that day, I lied just so I could protect his son as per his requests." she said again in a serious tone before she froze. 'Oh no. I'm actually affected by this weird day, but all I can do is tell the truth!' "Nevermind let's just-"
"You did what?!" he caught her wrist before she could reach the yoyo.
"I lied to everyone, he told me to let Adrien remember only the good things he did as a fat-" she slapped her other hand over her mouth before she could continue. But to no use, Chat used his other hand to uncover her mouth to let her say the rest "father, so I told everyone he was the savior to let him be remembered in a good way so that his son doesn't suffer." her eyes went wide. 'No...no no no no no. This can't happen! Why can't I control myself!'
"A-are you l-lying?!" the black cat was now angry beyond limits, but his glossy green eyes betrayed his sadness.
"I'm affected by the 'Truthful' spell so I cannot lie." she blurted out again with tears in her eyes while trying to free herself. "Let me go!"
"So we're affected by a spell of truth while the others are affected by one of lies?"
"No, no one is affected by anything except me." her automatic response came out and with tears now falling down her face she finally freed herself but it was too late. He already knows.
"G-gabriel was Monarch?!" Chat blurted out shocked, maybe that's why Plagg told him to stay inside.
"Chat I-I" she tried to reach him.
"No! You did enough! No more lying!" he caught her shoulders looking her in the eyes. "What else did you hide from me?" he asked with a spiteful tone.
"You were akumatized in an alternative future where you found out my identity, so I repaired it, then went back in time so you couldn't become Chat Blanc again, this way you wouldn't be hurt but that's why we can't reveal our identities. I pushed you away because I was afraid you might find out again." her serious tone while saying this made it all more believable. She was crying and sobbing but while talking, it was like her words were pushed out of her body coming out as she would speak them normally. There was clearly a spell affecting her. "A lot of people know my identity but I can't tell you because I'm afraid it will end the world again." she continued. She was trying her best to free herself again as she saw Chat was taking advantage of this situation.
"So others know? Wasn't it one person? Now it's a lot people? Who are you Ladybug?" he was now fuming, she hid so many things from him, just like his father. The shock made him loosen his grip on her a bit.
"Yes there are about a dozen people who know I'm M-" but before the name came out she finally got out of his hands and ran away.
Left behind was a crying cat who's world had just been turned upside down in just a couple minutes. If it wasn't for the protection charm Ladybug gave him a while ago he would've already been akumatized. 'So that's why she gave me this charm!' Another thought now running trough his already full brain. His father was Hawkmoth, he was akumatized in the past by him, Ladybug fixed that and never told Chat the truth, a lot of people knew her identity but not him. Instead of talking all of this with her partner she kept them to herself and got a whole team of superheroes, pushing him away. 'She's just like my father, using people for their own benefit and only telling others the side of the story that's benefic for her.'
Reaching her balcony Ladybug let her transformation fell.
"Mari you should go for patrol!" the tiny red kwami scolded her as soon as she was left out.
"Patrol? PATROL?! Did you hear nothing in there?" she yelled while pointing to her earrings "What was that about? What's the 'Truthful' spell about?!" she felt like she was losing her mind.
"Oh...haha...you see with that you can only say the truth. If anyone asks you something you're uncapable of lying to them or hiding the truth, the answer comes out on it's own." Tikki replied while studying the flowers on her holders balcony, she had to think fast and watching Marinette have an existential crisis wasn't gonna help. 'It has to get worse before it gets better!'
"And why am I affected by it? And what about what Plagg said with others lying today? He knew I was affected and tried to help or what? And why didn't you say anything?!" the bluenette felt like she was going insane, and maybe she was "Chat is probably hating me right now! What am I supposed to do?"
"Everything is going to be fine Marinette! Calm down a little. I...knew nothing about the spell, maybe Plagg does, I will go to ask him later, right now you should cool off for a bit cause Adrien should be here in like two hours, you should clean up!" the kwami knew she was bad at lying, so the best she could do was come out with an excuse and dismiss the subject. The idea of Adrien's visit should take Marinette's attention away from the spell right now.
"Oh no! How am I gonna be able to meet with Adrien?! What if I mess up! I can't let him visit like this, I have to come up with an excuse!" the bluenette said, getting the phone out of her purse to call him.
After just a few second Adrien answered.
"H-hey..." he spoke first.
"Hey Adrien, how was your day?" she thought a little small talk would be nice before cancelling their movie marathon.
"It was awful. I can't wait to get there..." his sad voice sending her brain into another breakdown.
'Was he crying? His voice is hoarse! Did Chat tell him anything? Oh no I can't cancel, he's hurt!' she then realized he was waiting for an answer. "Oh, then why don't you come sooner?"
"W-would that be alright?"
"Of course it is! You know that I'm always here for you. Now get ready and get here faster while I try to clean up my room, then we can talk." she knew she had a lot of cleaning to do, and she was in no way prepared to face Adrien with this spell thing going on, but she can't ignore her sad boyfriend just because of her problems, he has a lot to deal with too.
"I'm gonna be there in fifteen minutes!" he said before ending the call.
"F-fifteen minutes?! Oh no!" she exclaimed out loud before rushing in her room to clean the mess.
Tikki, now hidden away in a corner of Marinette's room, was watching her holder picking up the fabric left behind from her new project. 'I don't know what Plagg told him, but I think it's time he finds out everything. Mari has to get this burden off her shoulders. After he finds out everything maybe he'll be less mad at her and finally realize she did it all for him.'
~at the same time~
After crying his eyes out Chat didn't even bother returning home. He was far away from any civilian's eyes, so he can just detransform there, at the top of the Eiffel tower. Plagg has some answers to give.
"Are you sure everybody is lying today? Or is it just you?" Adrien's spiteful tone now directed at the kwami who just flew out of his ring.
"Kit I-" the little black cat tried to come up with an excuse but he was stopped by his fuming holder.
"You knew! All this time you knew all this and you hid it from me?! You're no better than her! Than my father! Everybody is just lying to me!" his green gardens now locked on the small god, if looks could kill then this would be the moment Plagg would finally be freed from his immortality.
"I tried to protect you!" the kwami screamed in his face before turning his back to him, he can't watch his kit being all hurt again.
"Do I look like I need protection?! I deserve the truth Plagg! And the only thing I receive is a bunch of lies!" his eyes got filled with a new round of tears. "You let me think that my f-father was a hero, you saw me mourning him, looking up to him, thinking he did his best to take care of me, that he died protecting Paris, but you didn't think to tell me that he actually was the villain, in this whole story?! That I fought against him all this time?" the tears were now running down his face. "If you wanted to p-protect me then you would've told me the truth from the start Plagg!" he had a lot more to say but his words were interrupted by the ringtone of his phone. "At least there's one person who truly cares about me, I bet she never lied to me!"
'Oh boy! If only you knew how far from the truth you actually are!' Plagg would be laughing at his words now if he wasn't feeling this bad, never in a million years did he ever think that seeing one of his kittens cry would make him feel this hurt.
"H-hey..." he spoke first, he tried his best to sound normal.
"Hey Adrien, how was your day?" her question made his attempt useless, of course the first thing she would ask is about him, about his day, he can't lie to her.
"It was awful. I can't wait to get there..." what he needed now was definitely her, one of her hugs that could solve everything.
"Oh, then why don't you come sooner?" her question made him feel loved, she took a bit longer to talk but that may be because she thought about how to help him, right?
'As soon as she found out I'm not feeling good she already tries to help me, how I love this girl!' he couldn't wait to get there, but first he has to see if he wouldn't mess up her schedule. "W-would that be alright?"
"Of course it is! You know that I'm always here for you. Now get ready and get here faster while I try to clean up my room, then we can talk."
"I'm gonna be there in fifteen minutes!" he said before ending the call, that was the fastest Chat Noir could get there, as he didn't even bother to go home. 'What would be there to see anyway? HawkMoth's home? It's not like I'm not living there already!' He then turned to Plagg, who's expression was full of sadness, but he can't have this conversation now, so before the cat could open it's mouth Adrien spoke first "Plagg, Claws out!"