Miraculous Team ✔️

35

Adrien's body couldn't decide how to react when his father got on his feet and stepped out from the shadows. Ladybug held her arm in front of him protectively, sending Hawkmoth a chilling glare. He did not seem to be intimidated as he dragged his feet forward. Whoever had anything to say kept it in. The silence was suffocating.

"Adrien." Hawkmoth breathed.

His son flinched, as if the sound of his own name hurt him. Adrien gulped and met his father's eyes. It was... sad.

"I'm so sorry, my son."

Adrien's jaw dropped. He expecting anything but those words.

Hawkmoth was shaking, arms raised in defeat. His jaw shifted uncomfortably and his eyes darted back and forth between the expressions the heroes had on their faces. Slowly, he reached into his purple suit and pulled out a grey dull ring.

"Here." He held the miraculous in front of himself, "This is yours."

Adrien, still in shock, didn't move a single muscle. Rena and Carapace exchanged confused glances. Ladybug, however, was fueled with so much anger that nothing fazed her. She stepped towards Hawkmoth, confident. Queen Bee opened her mouth to warn her but was rendered speechless.

"I hope you know how much trouble you've caused us, and might I add, the whole of Paris." Ladybug remarked.

She reached for the Cat Miraculous.

"Take it."

Hawkmoth broke into a sudden mischievous grin that Ladybug didn't notice.

"Take it, Ladybug." This time his tone was mocking.

Ladybug's head snapped up. Before she could react, Hawkmoth belted her across the face with his staff. Crack.

"Marinette!" Rena screamed as Ladybug collapsed on the floor, hand on her face.

Hawkmoth whacked her again, right on her temple. Ladybug was out cold. Before he could do any more damage, Rena had launched every fiber of her body at him.

"You monster!" She was screaming, fists swinging in every direction. Hawkmoth threw her off him, but was immediately attacked by two other furious friends. Carapace and Queen Bee were just as merciful as Rena.

Adrien sprinted to Ladybug's side. "Mari? Mari!"

Tears were streaming down his face. What an idiot he was, to let her walk into the trap of his own father. He held her face, which was bleeding from the sharp crack of Hawkmoth's staff. The guilt clawed angrily at his chest. He was reliving his nightmare. She was hurt, and he didn't protect her. Suddenly, the adrenaline kicked in.

Think, Adrien, think.

He grabbed hold of the piece of paper Ladybug had in her possession and mentally kicked himself for being unconscious when Master Fu told her the magic words. The one person who could unlock the powers was out cold.

Think, Adrien, think.

Queen Bee came flying and landed next to him with a crash.

"You okay?" Adrien shouted as she carefully picked herself up. His tone didn't match the sobbing mess on his face.

"I'd be better if you figure out what's on that paper." Queen Bee replied hastily, before joining the fight again.

"Right." Adrien racked his brain.

Carapace watched helplessly as Hawkmoth caught his flying shield and threw it across the room. Defenseless, he shielded himself with his arms as Hawkmoth went in to strike. Rena caught the blow before it reached him and sent Hawkmoth stumbling back.

"This is taking forever." She huffed.

"Oh, don't worry. I'll make it quick." Hawkmoth snickered. He clapped his hands and a low humming came from the walls.

The large window closed up and lasers stuck out from all sides, aiming directly at the heroes, who instantly jumped out of the way. Hawkmoth had activated the emergency system... but in their favor.

Adrien felt a surge of hope when the bright red lights activated and flashed.

Perfect.

The words on the paper were visible again. He stood up and shouted at the top of his lungs.

"Kwamis, GAME ON!"

Suddenly a whoosh of colour blinded him and he covered his eyes. When he opened them again, Ladybug was standing in front of him, smirking slightly.

"Oh my god-" Adrien couldn't even finish before she cut him off.

"Stay back, kitty."

Rena inspected the sparkling glow of her arms and turned to Carapace, who held a big thumbs up and mouthed amazing.

"I feel so much stronger." Queen Bee gushed, then she clenched her fists and stared Hawkmoth down, feeling extra confident, "Ready for round two?"

"What is this?" Hawkmoth exclaimed, moving backwards as the heroes closed in on him.

"Oh, I don't know." Rena taunted, "Maybe a taste of your own medicine."

"Okay." Ladybug said with exaggerated movements, "Let's finish this."

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A little shorter than usual hehe. Hope y'all don't mind too much. Lots and lots of love.

Bug out!