It was now the next morning- around 7:30 am. Marinette hurried down the stairs into the bakery to leave for 'school' (in which she was really going to track down Nathalie and see what she knows). Running out the front door, Marinette's father called her back. The pair of them stood face to face, her father's hand placed gently on her shoulder. He presented her with the typical lines one might say to a loved one of the deceased at a funeral or at a hospital. Although she knew he meant well Adrien wasn't dead yet... he was just missing for a week. There was still hope. Marinette was determined to go and hunt down Gabriel's Assistant to save the one she cared for. Sometime passed, but Marinette soon bust out the front door and waited for her parents to return to the bakery. Finally, once she was in the clear, Marinette ran to the bushes "Tikki, spots on!"
By the time Ladybug arrived at the Agrest household, Nathalie had already checked in with Gabriel Agrest and was getting into the car to be driven out on one of the daily patrols she was sent on to look for Adrien. The 'gorilla' sat upfront meanwhile Nathalie sat in the back. Ladybug followed in pursuit of the car, waiting for the right moment to strike. Each swing from roof top to roof top motivated Ladybug to keep going like each one was a step closer to finding Adrien.
The car slowly pulled up on the side of the road. Nathalie slowly stepped out clutching a 'Missing person' poster for Adrien. Nathalie proceeded into the police station and handed the posters over to Rodger, the police chief, to hang them up all over Paris. On the surface all seemed fine, although Ladybug could see through the scheme. Nathalie was working with Gabriel to cover something up. Ladybug crept close by ensuring she didn't miss any details.
*ring* *ring*
Nervously, Nathalie left the police station out a side door and took her call. It was obvious she didn't want anyone overhearing her conversation.
"Yes sir... No sir... No sir, no one expects a thing." she mumbled down the line.
Ladybug couldn't believe what she was hearing. whatever was going on, Gabriel Agrest was clearly using his lackeys to cover it up; make it look like a missing persons case. As Nathalie hung up and placed her phone in her pocket Ladybug landed before her.
"I got an inside tip that you know something about the disappearance of an Adrien Agrest." Ladybug demanded
While initially shocked Nathalie regained her composure and put one hand forward to shake hands. Formally, she introduced herself and her occupation (of course Ladybug already knew all of this). Ladybug could tell Nathalie was willing to help, but was clearly under oath to remain silent. Ladybug approached Nathalie with compassion in her eyes, and a hand stretched out for support.
"You can trust me Nathalie, I just want to find Adrien" but Nathalie didn't appear convinced.
"Just..." Nathalie took Ladybug by the wrist and took her deeper down the passage way before continuing what she was saying.
Gabriel Agrest had wanted to protect his son at any cost after losing Adrien's mother. The night Adrien got akumitized, Gabriel took drastic measures to protect his son from himself. He wouldn't risk losing his son to this power no matter how long he needed to keep him hidden. The secret archive of architectural antiques just north of Paris' Champs-Élysées provided the perfect cover. Hundreds of antique wood panels lie stacked against the walls of the glass-roofed warehouse. Nathalie pleaded Ladybug to help. As loyal as she was to Mr Agrest, she knew he needed the help of Ladybug.
"Please Ladybug, save Adrien." Nathalie pleaded, "He's like a son to me."
Ladybug escorted her back through the police station side door and left her to go back to the car. Nathalie shook Ladybug's hand as a final farewell before climbing into the personal taxi. Meanwhile Ladybug made her way to the warehouse. If there was any chance Nathalie had been telling her the truth, Adrien was a few leaps away.
She would never let him go again.
YOU ARE READING
Shadow of Noir
FanfictionA miraculous Ladybug and Chat Noir story- it's been a week since Adrian went missing and Chat Noir has gone awal. Now it is up to a combination of Ladybug and Marinette to try and uncover the truth behind their absence but will they be able to make...
