Adrien and Marinette stood in the mansion lobby together, Adrien trembling in every limb. There was no authority left in this house. Gabriel was two cities away in prison, and the rest of the house staff had been laid off. Sheets covered the furniture to keep off the dust. Curtains covered the windows, and the main gate remained closed.

Nathalie was in the office, working on trying to keep the company afloat. Sales in Paris had dropped to almost non-existent, which was expected. But international sales had skyrocketed in the wake of the news. It was like free advertising. A super villain clothing designer? Too intriguing! Be that as it may, the Paris store location was being shut down, because the landlord refused to House the business any longer.

At this rate, Gabriel was set up to live his life comfortably after prison, as France's most hated man.

Though prison was no walk in the park either. He'd been sent to the infirmary once already since his interment a week ago. And that was just from one guy. Who know how many other people held grudges against him?

Who knew if he'd survive the ten years?

Finally, Master Fu came out of the office. "Oh, you're early."

"Yeah...I'm kind of anxious."

"Then we needn't waste anymore time." He beckoned them along, to the hidden corridor that Nathalie had unveiled for Fu.

Marinette watched in awe as they descended into an atrium. A garden grew at the far side of the dark room, and she could see a glass coffin resting among the plants.

Adrien swallowed hard and reached out to take her hand.

At first, Marinette had tried to stay out of this thing with his mother. It wasn't her business, and didn't think she was needed. But contrariwise, Adrien wanted her along every step of the way. She was his family now, and he needed her more than ever.

The coffin was open, and next to it was the miracle box, of all things. Madame Agreste had the peacock miraculous resting in her hands, while Dusuu sat just above it, on her stomach. It seemed like the little Kwami had passed her crying spell, as she looked a little hopeful.

"So...did you figure out how to save her?" Adrien asked, his voice just barely audible.

"Yes. I have." Fu said, his voice strangely neutral. "Though, it is risky, and it will require the Black Cat and the Ladybug Miraculous."

"But, if we bring back her soul, won't one of us lose ours in return?"

"Yes, if you were to activate both and make a wish. But that's not what we're doing."

The duo looked at each other in question. If they weren't using a wish, then why would both be needed?

"Mme Agreste has not lost her soul…only been separated from it. From all that I've decoded from the Grimoire, the spell that Gabriel used puts Dusuu into a trance, at which point, she took Emilie's soul and hid it where no one, not even herself, would find it."

Adrien frowned. "Well, then how do we have any chance of finding it?"

"Simple. Kwami have a special world of their own, where they keep their treasures. If her soul is anywhere, it's there."

"So, do Tikki and Plagg go after it?" Marinette asked.

"You will be accompanying them."

Marinette and Adrien looked at each other, and then back at Fu. "If…it's a special kwami world, how are we supposed to get there?"

"The same way that Mme Agreste got there."

"No." Adrien said immediately. "My mother has been like this for four years, I'm not risking either of us being in the same state as her."

"Of course," Fu nodded, in understanding. "I thought you might feel that way. But I must warn you, this is the only way. And, if your mother's body is to be here much longer without a soul…it will perish."

Adrien closed his eyes, dreading the thought. They were so close…

Marinette tugged him to her and hugged him tightly. "Adrien, you have had so much hardship in the last year. You deserve happiness, and I want to help you get it."

Biting his lip, he looked to Fu. "What does your plan entail?"

"You will both transform. Then, you will take hold of the Peacock, and speak the spell. From there, your souls will be separated from your bodies, but since you are transformed, an anchor will connect you to your kwami. Dusuu will take your souls to Mme. Agreste, while Tikki and Plagg will follow. When you can recover it, Tikki and Plagg will escort you back."

Marinette smiled. "It sounds easy enough. Right kitty?"

Adrien was quiet, his mouth screwed up in thought. "Do we both have to go?"

"Yes. You and Marinette are the key to getting into the area where the soul will be. Plagg needs to go to wake Dusuu from her trance, and Tikki needs to go to make sure everyone stays focused."

Everyone collectively looked at Plagg.

"What?! I can stay on track!"

"You asked for cheese in the middle of your testimony!"

"I was hungry!"

"Enough," Fu cut through their bickering. "The four of you have very specific roles in this venture, and if you want to succeed, you all have to agree."

"Come on kid!" Plagg nearly shouted. "If you think I'd let any harm come to my favorite kitten, you're dead wrong!"

Adrien couldn't help but laugh. "Alright, you convinced me. If…if you guys are all sure."

"After everything we've been through, this will be easy."

"Come on then! Suit up!" Plagg chirped.

"What's got you all excited all of a sudden?" Tikki asked.

"I can't wait for Adrien to meet everyone!"

"This isn't a reunion, Plagg! We can't waste time in there!"

"Aww…you're no fun!"

Adrien paused a moment. "Would it be too risky to activate all the Miraculous later? Just for like an hour?"

Fu frowned. "Miraculous are stones of incredible power. It would be irresponsible to activate them all at one time." He stroked his beard. "But, perhaps it would be advantageous to activate them for once, if only for them to meet the new guardians."

Oh, that's right. He had forgotten about that. "See Plagg? You can introduce me later."

"Fine fine. Let's just go!"

"Plagg, Claws out!"

"Tikki, Spots on!"

With transformations in place, Ladybug and Chat Noir walked over to the coffin, where the Peacock laid.

"You may want to kneel when you say the spell. Your bodies will collapse and you could get hurt if you fell." Fu reminded, gently.

They both knelt, taking hold of the Peacock, and interlocking their fingers with each other.

"Repeat after me." Fu instructed. "Fresta sálina úr…"

"Fresta sálina úr…"

"Verða til að ewig."

"Verða til að ewig."

There was a flash of blinding bright light, and when it was gone, Marinette and Adrien lay draped on the sides of the coffin, while Tikki and Plagg hovered nervously nearby.

Dusuu raised up, two of her feathers glowing, and flitted over to the Miracle Box.

"There they go! Let's hurry!"

They zoomed after, to keep up with her, and together disappeared into the other world.

On the other side, Tikki and Plagg were curious to find another side to their realm, one they weren't immediately familiar with. It was dark, a faint blue glow coming from beneath them. The void was further illuminated by little white glowing orbs, all floating in the air like snow.

"Where are we?" Plagg asked Dusuu, though she remained silent.

Tikki answered, vaguely. "I guess this is Dusuu's room. I feel like I've been here before, but I can't remember when..."

Suddenly, Dusuu stopped. Tikki and Plagg watched as she fanned her feathers out, and two more orbs joined the cluster. Only these two were red and green instead.

"Oh!" Tikki exclaimed, collecting the orbs in her hands. "I know where we are!"

"Tikki? Is that you?" The red orb flashed as Marinette's voice spoke.

"Marinette?" Adrien followed after, the green orb flashing as well. "Where are we?"

"We made it!" Tikki assured them. "It's been so long since I've been here, I forgot it existed."

"Where is here?!" Plagg shouted, his voice echoing on and on.

"Well, now that's a good question…how to describe it…it's not quite a prison, or a graveyard, but it's like that."

Plagg just stared at her. "This is…Tartarus?"

"Tartarus?" Asked Adrien.

"Yes. The ancient Greeks called it that at least. 'A dark cave as far below Hades as the Earth from the heavens.' Though, it's just another corner of the Miracle Box. It's a realm where souls are kept.

"What kind of souls? Others that speak the spell?" Marinette asked.

Tikki and Plagg watched as Dusuu flitted around, tending to some of the other orbs, like a mother hen to her chicks. "Some, likely. Though, many are souls of those that have committed evil deeds with the Miraculous. When Gabriel dies, Dusuu will likely fetch his soul and bring it here."

Marinette looked over the dozens of floating orbs surrounding them. "There's been that many?"

"…a lot of these souls belonged to kwami, too."

This time, Adrien questioned. "Kwami can die?"

"Kwami are abstract concepts. So when a concept is no longer true, the kwami dies."

"I don't think I can logically digest that." The green orb twinkled.

"Of course not, because there are no dead concepts that you would know or understand. Though, you two have nothing to worry about. There will always be creation and destruction."

Plagg reached over and took the green orb. "Any other questions? Or can we do what we came here to do?"

"The sooner this is over the better." Marinette agreed.

So Plagg inhaled deeply and let out a cacophonous yowl, one that made the others cringe, and the little orbs immediately around them scatter.

Dusuu looked up, mildly surprised. "Oh Plagg! Tikki! It worked!"

"Now what?" Asked Adrien. "Do we need to split up to search?"

"No!" Dusuu protested. "You mustn't separate far from your kwami." Then she smiled. "But don't worry, I can handle things from here." She danced around, touching the orbs one at a time, just for a moment. "I'm very sorry to drag you all into this. I can't believe creation and destruction have to help me solve my mistake! I'm integrity after all! If only I could remember how to get here on my own! Without that stupid spell!"

"Dusuu," Tikki reprimanded. "This was not your mistake. This was Gabriel's fault, don't internalize it."

"Yeah, don't beat yourself up! I wiped the dinosaurs off the planet, and there was no fixin' that! And does it bother me? Not really."

Dusuu managed a smile at that. "I just wish this would stop happening. I have no control over that spell, and my holders keep interpreting it wrong."

"Well…" thought Adrien aloud, "what if we were to scratch it out of the texts?"

"No." Tikki said, "but we could write a warning next to it, so that it's understood to be a punishment and not a chance to be immortal."

"Ah-ha!" Dusuu chirped. "I found her!"

It was probably the brightest orb in the bunch, if that had been a clue.

"Mom?"

"She can't hear you right now, Adrien. She's in stasis."

"Oh…"

"Alright," Tikki smiled. "We found her! Now let's get back!"

"And that is…how?" Asked Plagg.

—

Several hours later, Adrien and Marinette both woke with a start, on the floor.

"Mom!" Adrien cried out, immediately.

Fu startled from his place, having dozed off in their absence.

Adrien was standing, hand rested on her arm as he waited on bated breath. Marinette stood as well, resting a gentle hand on his shoulder for support.

Slowly, Emilie Agreste's eyes opened, blinking owlishly against the still dim light. She seemed confused, as her brows furrowed, trying to recall what happened last.

Finally, she spoke. "Who…are you?"

Adrien deflated harshly, tears gathering from relief and heartbreak. "I'm your son." He answered softly.

Her eyes widened as she stared at him. "Adrien…? You look—" Her hand raised and caressed his scarred face. "…older."

He exhaled shakily. "You've been asleep for a while…about five years."

That prompted her to sit up, though the action was soon regretted as she held her head in her hands. "Ugh…I feel…sick. Where's your father?"

Adrien helped her to sit comfortably, then admitted sheepishly. "Um…it's a long story. But…he's in prison."

She stared at him again, as if he was speaking another language. "I…I don't understand."

Marinette touched her hand gently. "We'll help you. We'll explain everything."

"Thank you, my dear…and you are?"

She smiled. "My name is Marinette Dupain-Cheng. I'm the holder of the Ladybug Miraculous."

"The Ladybug-!" Emilie gasped.

"She's also my girlfriend." Adrien beamed at her. "And it works since…I was given the Black Cat Miraculous."

"And you're the Black Cat…" There was some humor in her eyes as she took in this information. "And all this time, we had been looking for them, and now…" She shook her head, feeling weak. "I'm so tired, Pumpkin."

"I wondered if you would be. We should probably get you to the hospital, don't you think?"

She nodded. "I don't even know if I can stand on my own."

"I'll get Gorilla," Adrien suggested.

"Oh Arthur still works for us? That's wonderful!"

Adrien nodded and headed out of the room.

"Um," Marinette spoke, once he left. "When you said you were looking for our Miraculous, what did you mean?"

"Oh, nothing to worry about anymore." The woman said wearily. "It was mostly Gabriel's venture. The grimoire that came with our Miraculous said that the Ladybug and Black Cat could grant any wish, including immortality. Gabriel was terrified of losing Adrien and I and wanted to find a way to prevent that." She shook her head. "But I knew it was foolish. If I was asleep for five years, then I was correct."

"So, you aren't going to try to take them?"

She shook her head. "No. I don't even want my own anymore…" Though she cast a tender glance at Dusuu. "Though it's nothing against you, Sweet Pea."

"I understand."

Master Fu finally spoke, "Dusuu's brooch is broken, and it is not safe to be worn in the first place. She will come with me, and you may come and visit when you like. My name is Master Wang Fu, the guardian of the Miraculous."

"It's a pleasure, M. Fu."

—

2 weeks later

Marinette was snuggled into her boyfriend's arms as they sat together on the couch. Likewise, her parents watched with rapt, nail biting attention as the news unfolded on television.

A press conference at Gabriel's office, as led by Emilie Agreste. She looked a lot better, after several days of bedrest and hydration, she was back on her feet. Doctors had called it a miracle, considering she was in a coma for five years. She had not lost much weight, nor had her muscles atrophied.

But that was then end of her blessings in this waking nightmare.

"It has come to my attention that the Agreste family name has been popular in the media this year. First, with the dead of my son, then with the incarceration of my husband…and now I come forward and announce that I'm here in Paris and quite alive."

Adrien clenched Marinette closer to him. He had wanted to be there for his mother, but after the several hours of explanation, she had suggested that he return to his new life.

That wasn't to say she wouldn't have anything to do with him anymore, only that he step out of the spotlight.

"All that to be said, I have been brought up to speed on my husband's actions since my disappearance." She swallowed thickly, as she glanced up at the camera, her eyes filled with tears. "My heart is absolutely broken. To know that the man I once loved committed such atrocities to save me is…it makes me angry and confused…I never asked that of him. On the behalf of myself of my son Adrien, we are so very sorry for all that has happened. If you can never forgive Hawkmoth, I hope that you'll find it in your heart to forgive the two of us, for not stopping this sooner." She dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief, keeping her composure a lot better than she had when she had initially been told of Gabriel's deeds and plans.

A hand raised.

"Yes?"

"Mme. Agreste, what are your actions from here on out? Will you be returning to modeling and movies?"

"No," she shook her head. "I…I would like to continue being in movies, though it's not likely that I'll be able to at this point. I will be selling my share in the Gabriel Brand, as well as our mansion. I plan to move from Paris, to my summer home in Nice."

Another hand raised. "Mme. Agreste, are you planning to have contact with your husband?"

Emilie frowned hard, knowing it was important question, though it hurt all the same. "No. I have already started the divorce proceedings. I cannot in good conscience stay with him, after all I know." She cleared her throat. "I will take one more question."

"Mme. Agreste!" A hand called. "What about your son, Adrien?"

"My son has worked very hard to build a new life for himself under a new name. We agreed that he continue that path, though I will still be apart of life. I have plans to keep him in my will as well, even if Gabriel decides to disown him. He deserves that much after all of this." Then she nodded and departed from the stage, while a chorus of 'Madame Agreste!'s echoed over it all.

Tom turned off the Tv once the news went into another story.

"So," Sabine said softly. "It's all over?"

Adrien wiped his tears away with his knuckles. "It's all over."

"So, what's next for Emilie Fu?" Tom sang, his eyebrows dancing, "University? Global Domination? Baker?"

Adrien attempted to laugh, but it was watery. "I'm not sure yet. But someone has to take over the family business if Marinette is going into fashion."

"Yes!" Tom pumped his fist.

"But," Marinette reminded gently. "You've still got time to figure it out."

"Right."

Sabine yawned delicately. "Well, it's about time papa and I went to bed. Try not to stay up too late you two."

"Yes, Maman!"

Once they were alone, Adrien reclined so that Marinette could more comfortably lay on him.

"You okay?"

"You've asked me that every day since…since we took down Hawkmoth." He recalled.

"I just want to make sure you're coping alright. I want you to know that we're here, I'm here. And you've got your mom now too."

He smiled wistfully. "Mom's coming over for dinner tomorrow. That'll be fun. She'll get right along with your parents."

"She will! She's really nice."

"She likes you! Which is a huge relief. You know, my dad actually liked you, too? He still might. Not that it matters."

"Ten years isn't as long as we think." She reminded gently. "I'm not saying you have to see him again, but…maybe he'll change."

"I'm sure he will. For better or worse, he'll change. Who knows what he's going through right now."

Marinette spoke softly. "You still love him, don't you?"

Adrien was quiet, considering her words. "Yeah. A little. I think I always will. He…wasn't always cold. I think about the days at the beach when he'd pick me up and toss me in the water. The Christmas Eve's when we sit around the fire, and he'd sing 'Sing We Now of Christmas'. The days when he treasured each and every one of my drawings. That's the father I love. I like to think he's still in there. Somewhere, maybe. But it's more likely that he's dead and gone. And all that's left is Gabriel Agreste, human glacier."

Marinette couldn't help but snort. "I understand. And you know…hating someone isn't good for the soul. So, I think…and I might be wrong…you're better off forgiving and letting him go. You don't have to bring him into your life, but don't let him control you."

"My lady is so wise." He hummed. "Hey."

"Hmm?" She leaned up slightly, from where she was laying on his chest.

He captured her lips in a kiss. One that lingered, and blossomed into tentative touches and fluttering hearts. Her hands combed through his hair as his travelled over her spine and down dangerously close to her rear.

He flicked his tongue out to tease her, as she parted her lips to tease him back.

Since they had left the hospital, and up to now, it seemed like there was never a quiet moment, for them to just indulge in each other. This was a first, and put off for too long.

"Marinette…" He whispered when they parted.

Her cheeks were flushed, but her smile was giddy. "Kitty."

He put his arm behind his head, propping him up to get a better look at her. "There's something I've been meaning to tell you."

"What? Adrien Agreste isn't your real name either?"

He snickered at her, and booped her on the nose. "It is, I swear. But…this is serious."

"Okay," she breathed. "I'm listening."

He gazed into her eyes, as his brows furrowed slightly, showing pain, and a little bit of reverence in his eyes. "Thank you for jumping after me. It was a crazy thing to do, but it's…" He pushed her bangs behind her ear. "It's the most awe-inspiring thing I've ever seen. To think some…cute little girl jumped off the Eiffel Tower into a fireball to reach for a guy she wasn't even dating…it floors me, Marinette. I can't begin to explain how much love I felt for you in that moment. When I grabbed you, and you were Ladybug, and all you could think about was my safety…not your identity or the akuma…just poor lonely Adrien…that meant the world to me. You mean the world to me."

"Adrien…" She whispered.

"I can't believe I missed you all those years. You were just behind me, loving me…and I swore as Chat I would know you outside of the mask…pretty pathetic huh?"

"I missed you too," she reasoned. "I had posters of your face everywhere, and yet I never put it together. I'm just as pathetic as you." She smirked. Instinctively, she flicked at his collar, where his bell usually was, but just ended up thumping his throat. "Oh whoops."

He only giggled. "And you're hilarious." He gazed at her with longing on his face. "Since I became Emile, there hasn't been a lonely moment. If I was bored, or wanted company, you were here. I found a home with you. And I never want to be away from you ever again."

"You don't have to be." She smiled back.

"Will you marry me?"

Marinette stared, slack jawed. "W-what?"

He grinned a little wider. "Will you marry me?"

She sat up, off of him. "Wha—Adrien, you can't make jokes like that! You'll kill me!"

"But I'm not joking!" He was quick to pull a little black box out of his pocket.

"Adrien, I swear to god, if there's a ring in that box—!"

He flipped the lid, and showed the sparkling band to her. It was simple, a diamond set on white gold, with smaller diamond embellishments. "It was my grandmother's. My mom gave it to me back before…you know. I already talked to your parents and Alya and Nino…and of course my mom—" He stopped talking when he noticed she was bawling.

"Marinette? Is it…too soon? Is that a no?"

She threw her arms around him, hugging him so tightly, it hurt. "No you stupid cat! I mean—yes! Yes I will! I will marry you!"

"Then…why are you crying?"

She pulled back, holding his face. "Because I'm so incredibly happy. I had always imagined getting married to you, and then after Hotspot…and then with all that happened, I never thought—" She hiccuped. "I love you so much."

Now he was crying, "I love you too, My Lady." He pressed another kiss to her lips, this one messy since they were just bursting with love.

"It's appropriate, don't you think?" He asked, nose to nose with her.

"What?"

"My partner in the streets, and my partner in the sheets."

"Oh for the love of—!"