Unmasked

WARNING: CONTAINS ONE SPOILER FOR SEASON THREE, EPISODE 2. If you would like to read this story without that, please email me at missycamp.com and I will send it to you that way. (Put "Ladybug" in the title bar)

"Natalie," begins Gabriel, "I'm so tired of losing. I've akumatized half of the city--all at once, one time, as you know. Yet still, I cannot seem to get my hands on the magic jewels I need. I think the time has come again for me to fight for them *myself.* If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself, right? I don't want my son to spend one more Christmas without his mother!"

"I understand your feelings, sir, but...don't you think that's dangerous? I mean as you said, you had an ARMY of akumatized people with you the last time you faced them yourself, and you were still unsuccessful. Maybe you should just keep doing things the way you have been. Surely ONE akumatized person will be successful eventually..."

"I can't wait for that to happen, Natalie. The very next time I use my akuma, I will hope for success, but I won't be expecting it. I'll be waiting in the shadows for them to fail, and then make my move after Ladybug and Cat Noir have used their powers. If I can keep them busy long enough, they'll transform back and then they'll be powerless! That is probably going to be the best chance I'll ever get to take their Miraculous!"

"You've already made up your mind about this, haven't you, sir? In that case, I will watch over you from here. If you get into trouble..."

"Absolutely not!" He faces her in anger. "You will, under *NO* circumstances, use the Peacock Miraculous again, Natalie! I forbid you! Do you understand?"

"Y-yes, sir. Then please, do be careful. Those two are very clever." Her face shows her worry...and something more, a little deeper.

Mr. Agreste's hard face softens. He puts his hand on Natalie's shoulder. "Thank you, Natalie. The fact that you worry so over me gives me the strength I need to do this. Your support has *always* been a great source of strength for me. I couldn't ask for a better assistant. Or a better friend."

Natalie smiles at him. She knows his heart belongs only to Emilie, but she is grateful that she has at least a small place in there. "Thank you for saying that, sir. If you need anything..."

"Yes, I know. Thank you."

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It's Christmas Eve in Paris. The city is a sea of white with recent snowfall, and every street and shop window is lit up against the dark of night with colored lights and Christmas trees. People everywhere are full of good cheer for the holidays--except at the gift-wrapping counter of the town's biggest department store, Iren & Deniz, near the Eiffel Tower. Augustine DuPont is doing his best to wrap a long line of last-minute shoppers' gifts quickly and beautifully, but all he gets for his earnest attempts are grumbling complaints and anger. "Careful, you're ripping the paper!" "That looks like a three-year-old wrapped it!" "Could you possibly move any slower?!"

Finally, Augustine has had enough. His best isn't good enough or fast enough for anyone, and NO ONE is showing HIM any Christmas Spirit, despite his best efforts to show it to them. He excuses himself out through a door behind him where un-shelved items are stocked, shiny red wrapping paper in hand, dejected and stressed.