Miraculous Ladybug: Future

The Miraculous Comeback

Marinette felt all the blood drain from her face. That could not be right. But, something about the way Chloe looked so scared, so worried, Marinette knew it was true. 

"Who is it? What happened? What did you see?" Marinette asked her urgently. 

People all around the room had heard, and there were mixed reactions. Some gasps of suprise, some shouts of fear, some people muttering about the former mayors daughter had gone crazy. Adrien Agreste stood on stage, looking just as lost as she.  Her heart broke for him, this was probably opening up old wounds. 

Chloe slurred her words, and she talked so fast they came out in a frazzled jumble that was half incoherent. "I was driving down ninth, I think, and I saw him. Ivan, he used to go to school with us and be in that kitty band. He had that weird purpleness over his face that you get when you are akumatized. He looked like he was fighting it, but-Hawkmoth- he won. Ivan told me to get help just before he changed into..whatever...I didnt really see." 

Marinette nodded. "Okay. Okay, then...well, we need to get help. Hopefully Ladybug and Catnoir know and show up." 

Chloe covered her face in her hands. " This is awful! I thought we were rid of him!" 

"I did too." 

Marinette jumped. When did Adrien get here? He stood next to her, and put a consoling hand on Chloes shoulder, though Marinette could not help but think that maybe he was the one that needed consoling. He was far closer to this than any of them. 

No time to dwell on that. Marinette needed to get into action. For the first time in nine years. 

She sighed. "This- this is a lot. I need to use the bathroom."  Before anyone could respond, she turned and headed through the sea of people, all talking about this sudden news. Was Hawkmoth really back? This was the question they all pondered, and yet, Marinette did not think so. 

She found her way into the public bathroom, locking the door behind. Immediately, Tikki and Plagg flew out of her bag. 

"Hawkmoth is back?" Tikki asked in her high pitched, shrill voice. 

"Yes, apparently." Marinette said. 

"Didnt you and my old holder lock him up for good?" Plagg asked. 

"Thats what I thought too, Plagg. And that is what I still think. When we defeated Hawkmoth, he had thrown his miraculous...somewhere. We never found it." She said, slowly pacing back and forth across the tiled floor. 

"So, youre saying that you think someone else found the miraculous and is becoming the new Hawkmoth." Tikki confirmed. 

"Bingo." Marinette sighed. "But, if so, this means its my fault. I let him hide the miraculous in that fight all those years ago. I never found it. God, I always messed up things, and now, once again, its coming back to bite me. Im the worst." 

Tikki looked sympathetic. "That is not true! You are one of the best holders I have ever had, Marinette! This is not your fault!" 

"Yeah, if you were the worst, why would my holder talk so much about you all the time?" Plagg offered. 

Marinette cracked a small smile. "Because he was an idiot. And speaking of... You do remember him, right Plagg?" 

"How could I ever forget?" 

"Good." Marinette retrieved Plaggs box from her bag. "Go find him, wherever he is. Tell him Ladybug says were back on the job." She handed Plagg the small box with the red symbol on top. 

"Will do." Plagg said, and with a zip, he vanished through the door. 

Tikki sighed. "I hope he does not get caught. He is terrible at hiding from humans" 

"We have, unfortunately, got bigger fish to fry. So, Tikki, you ready to do this? Just like old times?" Marinette asked her. 

Tikki nodded. 

"Alright then, here goes everything." Marinette took her own box from her bag and put on the small, round black earrings. "Tikki, spots on!" 

                                                                      ________________

Adrien meticulously rubbed the back of a fretting Chloe while his mind was silently racing. Hawkmoth was back? Did that mean his dad was back? Was his dad going to hurt him? Was he going to be Cat noir again? Would he see Ladybug again? 

He was broken out of his thoughts by a "psst" in his left ear. He turned, and at first he didnt see anything. Then, out of the corner of his eye, a small black shadow. It looked a little familiar...too familiar. A feeling crept into his gut. Could it be? Luckily for him, Sabrina had come by to check on Chloe, even though they were not as close as they once were, they were still friends. 

He ditched them and followed the place where the shadow was. He saw it flit through the people, loitering around and confused now that the show was canceled. He ran through the crowd pushing past a couple, and finally he found himself at the mens restroom. He took a deep breath and went inside. 

He quickly locked the door behind him. Thankfully no one else was in there. He looked around. Nothing. He knew what he had saw. "Plagg?" He called out, his voice echoing around. Silence answered him. 

Maybe he was going crazy. His therapist had said something about hallucinations of the past at their last meeting. Maybe the thought of his dad being back brought this on. But why had this felt so real? He turned to leave, and came face with Plagg.

"Boo!" Plagg yelled, busting out laughing. 

Adrien did not know whether to laugh along, or cry or yell at him. He just stood there, speechless. 

"What, not glad to see me, old friend?" Plagg asked playfully. 

"You-you!" Adrien wanted to be angry, but he was too happy and relieved. He just took Plagg in his hands. "Plagg, I missed you!" He said, stumbling over a laugh. 

"Well, of course you did! Im awesome! But, I missed you too." Plagg said.

Adrien laughed. Plagg! Unfortunately, his happiness did not last long. 

"So, youre here because Hawkmoth is back. Its true?" 

"Ladybug doesnt think its the old Hawkmoth, she thinks its someone new who found the miraculous." Plagg told him.

Adrien sighed with relief. Of course that was it. His dad was not back. But that still left anyone else in Paris now. And ladybug! He would see ladybug! "Now what?" 

Plagg shrugged. "Now, we fight supervillians like back in the day I guess." 

Adrien chuckled. " Okay, then. Lets do it." 

Plagg gave him the box. "You know what to say." 

Adrien smirked as he slid the black ring onto his finger. "How could I forget? Plagg, claws out!"