Miraculous Games

Chapter Forty

Chapter Forty:

Marinette heard something. A voice? She couldn't tell what it was. It sounded like it was echoing down a long tunnel, it's meaning lost in the darkness. Did it matter, though? She was already happy. She was in Adrien's arms... She could touch, smell, and sense him holding her close like he'd never let her go ever again. Everything was as it should be...

Stand up, Adrien whispered in her ear. You have to protect yourself from the enemy. And in return, I'll reward you.

She did as she was told.

* * *

The Game Master laughed as he scanned a number of Charms that had fallen to his persuasion. It had actually worked! He now had control of all of the Miraculous Game Charms! The Charm he smiled broadest at was Ladybug. She was the first one to get to her feet and look at him for instructions.

Oh, it was magnificent! Her eyes glowed with the purple energy and her dress shimmered silver. Gabriel couldn't wait to see what he could do with her. What a perfect pawn.

Around the room, the rest of the Charms were starting to get to their feet. Soon, all twenty-four of them were standing at attention and awaiting instruction. The only one that was still struggling was Adrien.

Gabriel stared down at his son, silently pleading that he take up the offer. His had been the one he had worked the hardest on. He wanted to give Adrien the best he could, and this was one of the only ways he knew how to. If he could numb his son to the pains of the world, maybe then everything could work out. Adrien would understand why he was doing this.

Gabriel took a couple steps toward his son. Adrien still struggled against the purple energy, screaming and crying. Purple bolts of lightning shot out of his body. Gabriel dropped down to his knees, knowing that if Adrien kept fighting, the energy could possibly kill him instead of help him.

"Adrien, please, listen to me," Gabriel said. "Everything is going to be okay. I'm doing this to help you."

Adrien had barely enough energy to look up into his father's eyes. In his green eyes, Gabriel saw how broken he was. If he didn't give in soon, death was imminent. The Game Master pleaded with him, resting a hand on Adrien's shoulder.

"Son, I know what's best. Please, trust me with this."

His son couldn't say anything through the pain. He only glared up at his father, until, just as Gabriel predicted, his expression softened. The Game Master was about to smile, but just then, Adrien's eyes rolled into the back of his head and he collapsed. Gabriel gasped and was barely able to catch his son's head before it hit the floor.

"A-Adrien?" he said, his voice cracking. He gently rested his head in his lap and ran his fingers through his hair. "It's going to be alright... I promise..."

He didn't realize it at the time, but Gabriel hadn't said that to help his son. It was to calm himself.

Ladybug appeared beside him. The Game Master looked up at her, only to find her expression emotionless and blank. She was awaiting instruction, as were the rest of the Charms. Gabriel took a deep breath, set his son's head down onto the floor as gently as he could, then got to his feet. He straightened his suit. It was time to put on his leader mask.

"Search the area," he ordered. "Look for anyone that might-"

Something slammed into his chest. The next thing he knew, Gabriel was flat on his back with someone on his chest pinning him down. He coughed and gasped, trying to get air into his lungs. As he did so, he looked up at the person. His throat closed and his heart stopped.