The Other Side of the Mirror -- genderbend

16: Brainstorming

"We need a plan," Marin said. "This world's Hawk Moth doesn't know we're here, and I'd like to keep it that way."

"He thinks we're gone for good," Adrien said. "It makes me feel good to be proving him wrong."

Among the heroes they had found, Adrien seemed to be the official talker. The others stayed silent for the majority of the time.

"This new life you've started," Alyo said. "Why? Couldn't you have stayed with your families?"

"No," Adrien said. "Hawk Moth's victory hit us hardest, of course. It affected us immediately. Eventually someone would have realized we were acting weird, and guessed why. So we faked our deaths, bought a house, and started attending school under different names and in different classes--classes that didn't recognize us on sight. We've been avoiding our old classmates at all costs."

"Hawk Moth would not have recognized you," Gabriella said tensely.

(For obvious reasons, she alone had not told Marinette, Adrien, Alya, Nino, and Chloe her identity.)

"Even if he did," Emilie said, "he couldn't act on it without alerting the rest of Paris to your identities. Everyone would know who you are, and likely support you."

"I'd like to believe you, but I'm not sure the people of Paris have much of a will to fight," Adrien sighed. "Not anymore. We've let them down, big time."

"We did not come here to deal with teens who have given up on their city," Adrienne said fiercely. "We came here to help superheroes who are set on protecting their city. So stop acting like the rest of this Paris. We're going to save your city, with or without you."

"But you can't risk showing your face," Marinette said. "Hawk Moth will be tipped off that there are still active heroes here."

"That's my plan," Marin said. "Reveal ourselves. Speak to him. See if we can't convince him to release his grip on Paris."

"That's your plan?! You think you can convince him to just release his grip on Paris?!" Adrien shook his head. "You'd be better off trying to teach a penguin how to fly."

"I can't convince him," Marin said. "But I'll bet anything that you could."

He glanced at Gabriella, who was determinedly avoiding his and Adrien's gazes.

"I'm telling you, it's impossible," Adrien insisted. "I can't even convince my father of anything half the time. What makes you think I can convince Hawk Moth of anything?"

"You're Chat Noir," Gabriella said, finally looking at Adrien. "Tell him that and he will listen to anything you have to say."

Adrien glanced at her. "How do you know?"

Marin watched the two anxiously. Gabriella took a deep breath.

"I know because I am my world's Hawk Moth," she said.

The reaction was instantaneous. Marinette leaped up. Alya and Nino did too, crashing into each other. Chloe covered her mouth with her hands to muffle a yell of shock. Adrien remained perfectly still as he processed that information.

"My father is Hawk Moth," he finally said. "That's why you think I can convince him."

Marin nodded.

"All right." He seemed to come to terms with the fact that he was trying to defeat his father. Turning to Adrienne, he asked, "How did you find out?"

"In battle" was all she said.

Adrien scanned the faces of Marin and his friends. Finally he looked up at his mother, who nodded.

"I still don't think this is going to work," he said. "But I'll do it."

Marinette nodded. Chloe lowered her hands. Alya and Nino straightened up.

"Great," Marin said, finally allowing himself to give a small smile. "Let's go."

*****************

School is OUT! Which, of course means I can UPDATE MORE!!!! :D

I'm planning on making some sort of updating schedule, but forgive me if this does not occur. Hopefully I can finish this story and maybe even start the sequel.

NOTE: I am going on an international vacation during the third week of this month, so I may or may not be able to update during that time. I will try, because y'all are awesome and I love writing this story, but I give no guarantees. Sorry!

This chapter was shorter than usual and unfortunately I have no excuse. Sorry again.

Stay Miraculous!

-Cassie ✪