Kwami Struggle a miraculous ladybug fanfiction by @storiesunite

Chapter 11: Magic Retribution

Adrien and Marinette opened their eyes in alarm where there was a distinct-

CRACK!

Adrien quickly opened his palm to see that the Butterfly Miraculous...had a giant ugly crack in it's oval centerpiece. And the peacock miraculous was completely mended. Gabriel had only wished for the Peacock miraculous to be restored, and in exchange the wish damaged a different miraculous.

But that didn't make sense- Natalie was still going to-

Natalie woke up with a gasp. Her face shone with health and vitality. The woman felt around for the brooch that no longer rested on her heart and she looked at Gabriel. Relieved tears shone in her eyes. "Gabriel- you did it!"

Gabriel smiled tiredly. Without the powers of the Butterfly Miraculous...he seemed older than he actually was. He was nevermore going to be the notorious super-villain of Paris. But that didn't matter. Gabriel nodded. "I made the right wish."

That is when the two adults saw Adrien and Marinette.

Natalie gawked. "The winner of the bowling hat contest?"

Gabriel's voice was very soft. "My own son?"

***

After Gabriel, Natalie and Adrien dressed into something less fancy- they had taken refuge in a low class cafe to avoid being recognized. The peaceful taste of hot chocolate calmed them enough to relax. In a short few hours...they were no longer bitter enemies.

To say that the four of them had been through a lot was an egregious understatement.

With both of their miraculous revoked, the two adults cuddled close to each other, and didn't seem menacing or intimidating at all. They talked concisely about what the future would hold, and they were gracious to turn their fate directly into the hands of the 17 year olds sitting across from them.

Marinette exhaled, feeling the weight of the decision. She had imagined this day would come eventually, and she had pictured that Hawkmoth and Mayura would be put behind bars- 

But that picture didn't feel right anymore.

Looking into the eyes of Gabriel Agreste and Natalie Sancoeur- the teenage miraculous guardian could see a distinct change. They were ready to take full responsibility and be thrown in jail. They were even ready for a death sentence if it were deemed a fair punishment for their deplorable actions. The two adults looked almost- peaceful.

Adrien, who had spoken little during their meeting, finally spoke up. "I don't know but you My Lady, but I forgive the both of you 100%."

Gabriel visibly relaxed, as though he had been waiting for Adrien to fly into a rage. Gabriel seemed puzzled, and remorseful. "Even after everything I have done to you?"

Given Adrien's angelic character, his answer was immediate. "Yes I do." Adrien folded his arms as his expression became sullen. "It would make things much easier if I knew why you fought me and Bugaboo for almost 4 years- but we'll get to that in a minute." He turned to face his partner, his love, and his best friend. His voice was soft. "What do you think we should do Princess?"

Marinette choked on her hot chocolate and started coughing shallowly to recover. Hearing that pet name coming from Adrien was so surreal- Marinette snagged some napkins and started wiping up the liquid that she had spewed. She spoke low to ensure that only her present company could hear her. "I forgive you too, I will come up with a story for the defeat of Hawkmoth and Mayura to the press, and let you two live freely-on one condition-"

Gabriel, Natalie and Adrien all leaned in to hear as Marinette lowered her voice to a whisper. "Since Mr. Agreste is a millionare- I say that you anonymously donate to the workers that clean up the damaged buildings and roads that were ruined with your akumas. I say that you compensate the people that you akumatized by helping them get therapy. I know that you can remember every single one, since a bond like you ones you have made aren't easily broken-"

Gabriel nodded. "I agree to do all of that."   

Marinette smiled as she raised her eyebrow. "And finally-" Gabriel leaned forward as close as he could.  Marinette Dupain-Cheng's eyes glittered. "Me and My Kitty both deserve to know what you were fighting for all this time. I know that you didn't always have Mayura beside you- so you were obviously fighting us for another reason."

Gabriel winced and sighed deeply. Natalie looked up at him consolingly, as Gabriel's shoulders slumped. His voice was tired, and his crestfallen composure hinted that his reason was a powerful one. "As you wish. Almost 4 years ago I lost my wife Emile due to the effects of the Peacock Miraculous-"

Adrien gasped sharply in horror, his voice fragile. "No-" His spring grass green eyes started welling up with tears.

Gabriel cringed gruesomely and continued.  "Emile went into a coma, and I kept her glass coffin in my lair. Everyday I was doomed to look upon her smiling, slumbering face. I wanted her back so bad that I-" The fashion designer gulped hard as tears formed. "-I ignored Nuru's warnings and I became Hawkmoth. I created villains for years, trying to claim your Miraculous to use the wish to bring Emile back to life. Of course- that might have taken someone's life in return...but I didn't care. I was willing to pay any price to see her alive and well again-" 

Gabriel started shaking, and Natalie hugged him to be his solace. He had been running from his grief for too long. Natalie whispered. "Gabriel- you don't have to finish."

Gabriel hugged her back and breathed shakily. "I need to come out with it- They need to know." He looked back up at Adrien and Marinette. "Then there was the night of the Chemical Explosion. I was terrified of losing Natalie the same way I lost my wife. I was terrified because I finally realized- that I love her. Then Chat left a message about Adrien being missing- I wanted so badly to relinquish the Butterfly miraculous to break the spell and bring Adrien home- and I wanted to give up the peacock miraculous to save Natalie-" He looked up to glance at Adrien. 

Adrien was crying silently now. He wiped his nose with his sleeve. His voice was raw. "I...I can't believe you never told me..."

Gabriel was crying silently as well. Years of pain and guilt were finally being released. He croaked. "I'm so sorry Adrien. There were so many times where I wanted to tell you- There's one more thing you need to know-"

Adrien spoke up a bit louder. "What is it?"

Natalie spoke with a wince. "Emile is still in the chamber."