Work Text:
Dos oruguitas
Marinette held Adrien's letter. She stared at it, tears filling up her eyes. She had been lying to Adrien.
Ladybug has been lying to the entire world about the death of Gabriel Agreste, the identity of Monarch. How Gabriel Agreste had died. What had happened of the universe. Nobody knew. No one knew that Gabriel Agreste had sacrificed himself, made the ultimate wish with the Miraculous of Creation and the Miraculous of Destruction. Nathalie was saved at the cost of Gabriel.
How was Ladybug — Marinette, even supposed to explain all of that to the public? To Adrien? Especially when Gabriel wanted to be remembered as a good father, a good man, to his son.
But all this lying was eating her up inside. It was chipping away at her sanity. Who could she confide in? Who was there for her to be able to confide in? What could she do?
Who would ever be able to save her from herself?
Especially when she has been saving everyone but herself.
Dos oruguitas, enamoradas
Pasan sus noches y madrugadas
"I need you to lie to Adrien for me."
How many more times was Marinette going to say that? How many more lies would she need to make up to keep her story intact? To keep Adrien's emotions safe?
What else would she be willing to do for him?
"YOU KNOW I HATE LYING!"
Alya's words had stung.
Callous words that didn't take in consideration that maybe, Marinette had no other choice than to lie.
What was she supposed to do? What was she supposed to do other than lie?
Everything was at stake here.
She got akumatized for God's sake when Adrien broke up with her!
What if she told Adrien? What if he broke up with her?
"But Marinette! Adrien has a right to know!"
Of course, Tikki was right. Adrien has the right to know about his father's identity as Monarch, as the man who brought much devastation upon Paris.
But was he really ready to be hearing of such a thing from Marinette?
Was Marinette ready to face the music?
Lienas de hombre, siguen andando
Adrien needed closure. He needed to learn about the true man that his father was. He needed to know.
So, the documentary was the best idea he had. An excuse of sorts, to be able to question everyone who was close with his father. To learn of his father from other perspectives. To truly know his father.
Adrien needed to know.
His curiosity ached deep within him in the wounds of his losses. He needed to know everything.
What type of person had Gabriel Agreste been while working?
What type friend had Gabriel Agreste had been?
What type of brother-in-law had Gabriel Agreste been?
What had happened in Gabriel Agreste's final moments?
Y navegando in mundo que cambia y sigue cambiando
Navegando in mundo que cambia y sigue cambiando
There was a new holder for the Miraculous of the Butterfly.
This person was much more calculated.
Much more intelligent, always vying to be a step ahead of Ladybug.
Most importantly, this person was cunning in every way, aiming to completely destroy Ladybug from the inside out.
Their true motive is unknown.
But it is clear that they intend to make a wish with the Miraculous of Creation and Destruction.
There couldn't be any other reason for their actions.
Everything felt so different now for Ladybug and Chat Noir.
In this world.
So different from their original universe.
Now, there were the Miraculers.
It's not just "Ladybug and Chat Noir against the world" anymore.
There were others to help them navigate the tough life of being young superheroes.
Now, the people of Paris can always be helped for non-supervillain issues as well.
Yet, everything is so different in this new world now.
Sometimes, maybe, Ladybug and Chat Noir mourn their old partnership, a tie that's completely build on trust and understanding.
Dos oruguitas, paran el viento
"Tell me truth, Marinette! What is that letter about?!"
And what was Marinette supposed to tell Adrien?
Her entire web of lies would be unravelled if she told the truth.
Would she lose Adrien in the aftermath of it all?
"We're over, Marinette!"
Why would Adrien ever believe that Marinette cheated on him with Nino?
Why would Alya ever believe that Marinette, her best friend, would have an affair with her boyfriend, Nino?
Marinette isn't that type of person.
Sure, Marinette hasn't been acting like herself in a long while now, not ever since her battle with Monarch.
Not since Marinette — Ladybug has been forced to lie to the entire world about what had occurred that night.
But Marinette was no boyfriend stealer, nor cheater.
Most of all, Marinette hated herself for lying to everyone.
She wasn't excusing her own behaviour at all.
Never.
Marinette completely accepted and understood that what she has been doing is completely wrong.
Mientras se abrazan con sentimiento
"Marinette, I'm so sorry. I should have never doubted you. It was akumatized villains."
Adrien begged, hugging Marinette.
Marinette was akumatized into Heartfixer.
How could Adrien have ever doubted his Marinette?
He should have never doubted her. He should've known better.
"I'm so sorry, Marinette," Adrien held the now, de-akumatized Marinette closer. She had fought off the akumatization successfully.
Siguen creciento, no saben cuando
Buscar algun rincon, el tiempo sigue cambiando
Inseparables son y el tiempo sigue cambiando
At least, one thing remained consistent.
Ladybug and Chat Noir.
Ladybug still has Chat Noir by her side.
Chat Noir still has Ladybug by his side.
But essentially, Ladybug has been lying to Chat Noir as well about what had happened during her fight with Monarch.
But what else was she supposed to do?
At night, when the nightmares got too much, Marinette — Ladybug, wondered if Chat Noir knew the truth… How would he react? Would he have reacted as bad as Rena Rouge had?
Would Chat Noir understand the reasons behind all of her actions as her partner, the person who has stuck by her side since day one?
Would Chat Noir still stay by her side?
Would they still be as inseparable as they had been since day one?
Ay oruguitas, no se aguanten mas
Hay que crecer aparte y volver
"I need to tell Adrien the truth, Tikki," Marinette held the letter in her hands on her bed, one night.
Tikki stared at her holder, the young 14-year-old that was suddenly entrusted with the fate of the whole world into her hands.
The girl who had been brighter than the entire world when Tikki had first met her.
Now, where was that optimistic young girl?
The holder of the Miraculous of Creation had been completely destroyed by the weight of everything that she was holding
There were dark bags under Marinette's eyes now, marring her pale skin. She's been haunted by nightmares of the day she fought Monarch.
What could Tikki do to ever fix Marinette? Was there fixing that needed to be done? Would she be better if Tikki left her? Or would that tip her over the edge completely?
Oh, the things that Tikki would be willing to do for Marinette. Just to see her get a good night's sleep again. Just to see her live her life with no regrets anymore.
"Are you sure, Marinette?"
Of course, Tikki has urged Marinette to tell Adrien the truth before.
But ever since Marinette was akumatized due to being broken up with Adrien, Tikki was unwilling to risk any other accidents.
Tikki stared directly into Marinette's bluebell eyes.
"Will you be able to accept the consequences, Marinette? Whatever they may be."
And for once, ever since Marinette first met Tikki, she felt that deep thrum of power in Tikki's voice.
Gone was the high-pitched lilt of Tikki's voice. Now, it was deep. The same voice that had spoken when Tikki had been in her true form.
Tikki was being completely serious right now.
Marinette stared back at Tikki.
When was the last time Tikki had not seen grief in those bluebell eyes? When was the last time when those cheeks were not stained? When was the last time those eyes had not been red-rimmed?
What has Tikki brought upon her Marinette, her holder, inadvertantly?
Hacia adelante seguiras
Vienen milagros , vienen crisalidas
Hay que partir y construir so propio futuro
"If anything happens to me, Tikki will bring you my earrings. And you will be the new guardian of the Miraculous."
Marinette had entrusted that role to Alya. Her best friend.
But if Alya knew the whole truth… Would she still be Marinette's best friend?
Would Marinette be forced to relinquish her role as the guardian? As Ladybug?
"You're overthinking again, Marinette," Tikki stared at her holder, placing her tiny hand on Marinette's own which was still holding Adrien's letter.
"I'm sorry, Tikki. There's just been a lot on my mind."
Ay oruguitas, no se aguanten mas
Hay que crecer aparte y volver
Hacia adelante seguiras
"Marinette, you can still take your time to tell, Adrien," Tikki flitted around Marinette as she got dressed.
Marinette stared at the letter in her hands, "No, Tikki. He needs to know. You were right. He has a right to know."
"But Marinette—"
Marinette looked at Tikki, with those tired bluebell eyes. Eyes that used to carry mirth and strength.
"Marinette—"
Marinette gently cupped Tikki into her hands. Those bluebell eyes full of grief and exhaustion.
A tear slowly streamed down her face, "I have to do this, Tikki. Sooner than later."
Vienen milagros, vienen crisalidas
Hay que partir y construir su proprio futuro
No lie is forever.
The truth will prevail eventually.
And Marinette— Ladybug? She'd prefer if that truth reached Adrien from her own mouth.
Adrien deserves that honesty at most.
Dos oruguitas, desorientadas
Adrien was reading the letter.
My son, if you are reading this letter, it means I'm with your mother. I sacrificed everything to save Emilie. I was Monarch. I did all I could to seize the Miraculous of the Ladybug and the Black Cat. With their powers, I could have brought your mother back, but I failed.
My son, it's your turn now to continue my mission. Don't worry you'll have help. Nathalie will explain. You will seize the Miraculous of that wretched Ladybug and her pathetic partner, Chat Noir, and you will make the wish to bring your mother and me back. You will be perfect.
I know these revelations will turn your life completely upside down. It was the case for your mother and me when we first found out about the Miraculous. But we never regretted harnessing the Peacock Miraculous.
"What… what is this Marinette?"
Adrien stared at her in disbelief and distress.
He didn't understand. What was going on?
Gabriel Agreste had not been a hero after all?
And Gabriel had wanted him, Adrien, his only son to follow in his misguided footsteps.
His mother. His dearest mother, Emilie.
She had used the damaged Miraculous of the Peacock to create him, to bring him into existence.
Emilie had died just to bring Adrien into this world.
Everything was so disorientating.
Adrien's world had not only been completely turned upside down. In some way, it felt like the colours in his life had turned muted.
Marinette knew that it would be like this. She was aware that Adrien would react this way.
There was no other way for things to go.
There was no other way for this to play out.
There was no other way for this to end.
En dos capullos, bien abrigadas
Con suenos nuevos, ya solo falta
"Why do you have this letter, Marinette? Did Nathalie give it to you?" Adrien lifted his teary gaze up from the letter to face Marinette.
Was he angry that she had kept this a secret from him? Yes.
Was he upset that she has been lying to him this entire time? That she had made others lie to him as well? Yes.
But a small part of Adrien had always been expecting this sort of behaviour from his father. It was the main reason why he had found it so hard to believe that his father had died a hero
This was much more believable.
What would've happened if Chat Noir had been in that final battle with Monarch?
Would his father have found out that he was Chat Noir?
Would his father have tried convincing him to make the wish? To turn against Ladybug? To use the Miraculous of Creation and the Miraculous of Destruction to make the ultimate wish? For his mother to be alive?
Would it ever be worth someone else losing their loved one?
Would it ever be worth betraying Ladybug?
Would it ever be worth changing the entire universe?
Just like his father— Monarch had done?
What had Gabriel Agreste been so willing to sacrifice in return for Emilie?
What would Adrien be willing to risk and sacrifice is he were to walk down his father's path? Make the wish?
Adrien stared at the letter in his hands.
Nothing. He isn't willing to risk anything, to sacrifice anyone for such a selfish wish.
"I… I was there on that day, Adrien. I was there during that fight," Adrien stared at Marinette, confused and concerned.
"At the fight… But there was only Ladybug during the fight… Does that mean—" Marinette looked up at him, sad, sincere.
Of course, why hadn't Adrien seen it before?
Marinette is Ladybug.
Hacer lo necesario en un mundo que sigue cambiando
Tumbando sus paredes, ahi vienen nuestro milagro
Ladybug and Chat Noir have been through so much together.
Ever since the old Hawkmoth.
Even when Ladybug had lost all the other Miraculous.
Through everything, Chat Noir had patiently and loyally stuck by Ladybug's side.
Adrien stared at the letter.
Why didn't Ladybug at least confide in Chat Noir?
Why had she been carrying this burden of a truth for so long?
Why had she lied to the entire world?
To Chat Noir?
To Adrien?
Did Chat Noir, her faithful partner, not have a right to know of what had really transpired during that fight with Monarch?
Did Adrien, Gabriel Agreste's son, not have the right to know of who his father really was?
Even when Gabriel had specifically requested Ladybug to not tell him.
Did they still not have the right for the truth from Ladybug— Marinette?
Why now? After so long? After Adrien had tried so hard to learn more about his father?
After Adrien had interviewed so many people? After Adrien had created a documentary on his father to understand him even more?
After all this…
Just when Adrien was believing that maybe his father had really been a hero on that day…
But it was all a lie.
A complete lie.
Gabriel Agreste had been a villain since day one.
Gabriel Agreste had brought chaos upon Paris.
Gabriel Agreste had been Hawkmoth, then Shadow Moth, and finally… Monarch.
Gabriel Agreste had been evil up until the very end.
Nuestro milagro
Nuestro milagro
Nuestro milagro
Adrien didn't even know what to say anymore.
Marinette— Ladybug…
Had Adrien— Chat Noir not done enough to show her that he was trustworthy?
Did he not love her enough?
Did he not have her back enough?
What had gone wrong? Where?
Marinette was Ladybug.
His Marinette was also his Ladybug.
If only Adrien had found out in other circumstances.
Ay mariposas, no se aguanten mas
"Tikki… I should renounce myself," Marinette stated, staring at her hands in her bedroom at night.
"What?" Tikki stared at Marinette, shocked, eyes filling with tears.
Marinette clutcher her hands, "It's the right thing to do now, Tikki. The Miraculers will be better off without me."
"Marinette… What are you saying? You can't renounce yourself now!" Tikki argued, tears spilling from her eyes.
"The Miraculers deserve the truth… Chat Noir deserves the truth."
Hay que crecer aparte y volver
"The truth is… Gabriel Agreste was Hawkmoth. He wasn't a hero. He… He made a wish with the Miraculous of Creation and Destruction. His wish was to cure Nathalie Sancour. He sacrificed himself in exchange."
Hacia adelante seguiras
"Chat Noir… I'm sorry. I'll be renouncing myself from being guardian and Ladybug."
Chat Noir stared at Ladybug.
Was he hurt and angry at her for lying? Yes.
But not to the point where he was willing to make her relinquish her position as guardian and Ladybug.
"Ladybug— No. Marinette," Chat Noir decided that he was done hiding.
Ladybug stood, shell-shocked, "What? Marinette? I'm not Marinette—"
"Marinette," Chat Noir detransformed.
"I'm not letting you renounce yourself," Adrien stated.
"Adrien?" Ladybug detransformed.
Ya son milagros, rompiendo crisalidas
"Why didn't you tell me? When I gave you the letter?" Marinette stared at Adrien.
This entire time, since the beginning.
"I— You lied, Marinette. You lied to me. I never told you because I was upset. I… That's why I asked for a break between us. That's why I needed time away from you. But… I don't want you renouncing your position. Marinette— You'll lose all your memories," Adrien explained himself, trying to get through to Marinette.
"Adrien… I'm sorry. But I'm not fit to be the guardian anymore. I've made so many mistakes," Marinette buried her face into her hands.
Hay que volar, hay que encontrar su proprio futuro
"How could you lie to us, Ladybug?! This entire time!" Rena Rouge protested.
The other Miraculers chorused their agreements, all yelling and protesting.
"We trusted you!" Carapace yelled.
"Yea! We trusted you, Ladybug!"
"How could you lie to us, Ladybug!?"
"You lied to the entire world, Ladybug!"
"Why did you do this, Ladybug!?"
Chat Noir didn't say a word, but he refused to side with either side.
He understood Ladybug's reasons. He made his peace with those reasons.
"It had to be done, I'm sorry," Ladybug hung her head low.
Ay mariposas, no se aguanten mas
"Step down, Ladybug!" Rena Rouge yelled.
"What?" Chat Noir argued.
"She's right, Chat. I've been lying. This entire time. I'm not fit to be the guardian anymore. I'm not fit to be Ladybug," Ladybug looked away.
"Ladybug, no. We need to talk," Chat Noir dragged her away. Somewhere private, somewhere they could talk.
Just them again.
It'll always lead back to them in the end.
Always Ladybug and Chat Noir in the end.
Hay que crecer aparte y volver
"Marinette, please. Don't do this. You'll forget everything. Me. Us," Adrien held her hands.
"I am angry! I am upset! Yes! But I understand. I know why you lied. I would've lied!" Adrien hugged Marinette close.
This wasn't happening.
He wasn't allowing this to happen.
Adrien can't risk losing Marinette.
Adrien can't lose the girl he loves the most.
Hacia adelante seguiras
"Adrien… I have to. It's not safe anymore. You know my secret identity," Marinette tried to make her decision make sense.
"I've been lying and now, we know each other's secret identities. The new holder of the Miraculous of the Butterfly will—"
"Marinette… Stop. We can work this out. I know, we can," he held her by the shoulders.
Ya son milagros, rompiendo crisalidas
Hay que volar, hay que encontrar su proprio futuro
"I'm sorry, Adrien," tears pooled in Marinette's bluebell eyes.
Ay mariposas, no se aguanten mas
Hay que crecer aparte y volver
"I, Marinette Dupain-Cheng, renounce the Miraculous of Creation," Marinette handed Adrien her earrings.
"Marinette?" Tikki stared at her.
"Marinette, no!" Plagg protested.
"I'm sorry, Adrien. It's for everyone's safety," Marinette held Adrien's distressed gaze steadily.
"Marinette— Marinette, my lady, no! No, please! I love you! I love you so much! Please, don't do this! I can't lose you too!" Adrien cried, holding Marinette's face.
"You'll be the next guardian. I trust you," Marinette smiled through her tears.
'I trust you to remind me of all the memories lost' went unsaid.
And it hurt, how much they understood each other, how much they trusted each other.
Hacia adelante seguiras
"I, Marinette Dupain-Cheng, entrust the role of Guardian of the Miraculous, to Adrien Agreste."
Ya son milagros, rompiendo crisalidas
"Marinette…"
Marinette stared at Adrien, confused.
Tikki and Plagg hid away from her sight, tears in both of their eyes.
Hay que volar, hay que encontrar su proprio futuro
"Who are you?"