Miracle Box - an MLB rewrite

Book 3 - The War Begins

A/N

Sorry about that ridiculously long wait. I knew there'd be no June updates since I went to Greece and then had a job that was 10-12 hours a day with no weekends. So the plan was to pick up immediately in July but I made yall wait an extra two weeks I'm sorryyyyyyy I literally have no excuse. Deadass I just forgot.

"I wanted to kill him," Tomoe confessed. Her hands were in Ladybugs, her version of making eye contact to show how serious she was. "My child died in his house. Agreste and I have been in disagreements with each other that have escalated recently. I did not think it beyond him to do something so rash. I didn't assume death, I assumed abduction, which is why I turned up at his house, only to discover the disposal of Kagami's body."

"A lot is happening tonight," Ladybug said, "you now know Gabriel's secret. I know you must be in mourning, but in regard to him, what will you really do? I know you will not actually kill him."

Tomoe sighed. She squeezed Ladybug's hands. "Can we tell the world? I want justice."

"It is complicated," Ladybug said, "he has a family at risk."

"They can burn with him for all I care," Tomoe seethed.

"I know how you are feeling, but we must take into account, the workers of his house, companies affiliated with him, and most importantly, his son who knew nothing of this. Think of your own company. You collaborated with Mr. Agreste in the past, during his rise as Hawkmoth. You know how it will look if you reveal this to the world."

"Why?!" Tomoe's tearfilled eyes became more ragefull, "if you have known, why haven't you done anything to stop him?!"

Before Ladybug could answer, Chat Noir intervened. "We will do something. Right now."

Ladybug looked at him, alarmed. "Chat! We don't have a plan for that! It's been a week since we've–"

"It has to happen!" he pleaded, "Plagg may not let me out again–"

Ladybug understood. Chat Noir was at risk, Plagg didn't want to allow him the power of the black cat. It really was now or never. But Ladybug didn't know what they were meant to do to begin with. How would she save Adrien? How could she save Chat Noir? How could they face Hawkmoth who had the power of two kwami's on his side?

"Mrs. Tsuguri," Ladybug returned her attention to Tomoe, "I know this will be hard, but for now, we have to cover Kagami's death as an accident. Can you forge a lie? Even if just for a night?"

Tomoe looked angry and conflicted. She must have been biting her tongue to hold back her fury at such a request. She sought justice, she craved vengeance. More than anything, she wanted to mourn properly. To scream at the night and feel the relief of the coming rain, yearning for it like a final sweet embrace of her departed child. Tomoe's brows were fixed and narrowed, her face creasing deeply in hate.

She grit her teeth before saying, "Kagami had an accident while visiting their friend. They must have fallen down the stairs of the Agreste mansion. Nothing could be done."

"Thank you," Ladybug said. She just realized she was crying. Everything was so fucked up and she was part of the mess.

"I wish to return home now," Tomoe said.

"We will take you, for your safety," Chat Noir said. Ladybug made eye contact with him again and there was... something there. Like a wall, or barrier had just been forged. She couldn't read him anymore. She felt as though she didn't even know him.

***

They took Tomoe Tsuguri to her mansion where she began to weep before opening the door. Without saying goodbye or thanking the heroes, she shut the front door on them so that she could cry her heart out in privacy. Ladybug and Chat Noir stood there together, wondering what they could even do to fix this. Chat Noir was crying too, though Ladybug did not know why.