Ladybug turned slightly and the arms around her tightened possessively. A flutter of pleasure rippled through her body for a second before she squashed it. She had woken up in a strange place, being held by some mysterious stranger who...just happen...
"N-Natalie! What are you doing here?" Adrian stammered.
"We don't have a lot of time a lot of time, Adrian." Natalie said, stepping through the doorway.
It had been six years since Adrian had seen her, and just like everyone else in his life, she had changed. She still held herself upright, but her clothing was worn and battered and her hair hung loose around her face. A dirty rucksack was slung around her shoulders.
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"I have intel that at this very moment, Hawkmoth has Marinette, and he is planning to use her as bait to capture you."
"Uh-huh..." Adrian tried to look as calm as possible. "And why are you telling me this?"
Natalie fixed him with her direct blue eyes.
"Adrian, I know you're Chat Noir."
"What?" Adrian tried to wave that accusation away. "No I'm not-"
"I said we have no time!" Natalie snapped. "I've been monitoring Hawkmoth's lair for years now, and this is the first time I've ever seen this much activity."
"Okay. Say for the sake of this argument that I am Chat Noir...how exactly were you able to monitor Hawkmoth's lair? And again...I'm not confirming I am Chat Noir, did Marinette look okay?"
Natalie gave him an irritated look.
"She's fine, Adrian. She appears to be tied up, but she's fine."
"And the monitoring..."
Natalie gave a little chuckle.
"I was his secretary for years. It wasn't difficult to place a few cameras in secluded corners." When Adrian just stared, Natalie continued. "He's your father, Adrian. Gabriel Agreste is Hawkmoth."
At that moment, there was a little squeal from Tikki and Plagg's hiding place. Plagg zoomed out, looking terrified.
"Adrian, Tikki...she just vanished! Hawkmoth must've gotten Ladybug's Miraculous!"
* * *
"Father?...He's...This must be some sort of joke..."
"Adrian-" Natalie looked sympathetic.
"But why? Why would he?"
"For your mother, Adrian."
"Mom?" Adrian looked puzzled. "How? She's been missing for years."
Natalie shook her head sorrowfully.
"She's been sleeping in a secret area of the mansion for almost fourteen years. "
Adrian looked a little dizzy. Natalie grabbed him and gave him a little shake.
"Adrian! This is not the time to fall apart! Your father has Marinette. Your kwami says he has Ladybug's Miraculous, and he has a new assistant who is wearing the peacock miraculous as we speak. It is his intention to hold her until your give him yours, and when he has them, he will use the combined miraculous to awaken Emile."
