What The Future Holds

Hugo's Truth

When word got around that Hugo had been found, everyone couldn't help but be relieved that nothing had happened to him. Unlike many of them, Hugo never got akumatised for being so upset, and surprisingly, neither did Juleka. Taking Adrien's advice, Hugo explained everything that happened when he was out with Lila, especially how he really didn't feel comfortable being around her. Of course, Adrien understood everything perfectly, knowing exactly how Lila could be. If she wanted to, she can make a person feel like a total star or even lower than the trash itself. Lila's words are more powerful than any other person he's ever met.

Together, the two boys waited as everyone joined up together. Alya and Nino were the first pair to reach them before Juleka and Emma joined them. To no surprise, Marinette and Luka were the last to show up, but what shocked the other teens was the sight of them holding hands.

As soon as Adrien saw them, Marinette couldn't help but panic, dropping Luka's hand as she tried her best to clear up the misunderstanding. After all, Adrien was the love of her life, and the last thing she wanted was for him to think she was dating Luka.

"Hugo, wha-what happened? Are you okay? Lila didn't hurt you, right?" Marinette asked, trying to regain her composure. Luka pats her back with a smile, not taking offense to her action.

Luka knew all about Marinette's crush on Adrien and was there to support her. If things didn't work out between them, then he wanted to be the shoulder she could cry on. After all, it wasn't a secret to anyone who knew them that Luka likes her too.

Hugo watched both of them with a small smile before shaking his head no. "I'm okay. Cat Noir found me and helped me calm down. He told me that it was important to talk about it with friends who would understand."

He then looked over at Adrien and Nino before saying, "I'm sorry for letting Mr. Agreste get in between our friendship. Adrien, I want to stay friends. I want to play video games with you guys again and be how we used to."

Nino smiled before throwing his arms over both Adrien and Hugo. "We're your bros, dude. Of course, we can go back to being friends again. Adrien's dad is too strict anyway."

Adrien nodded at that before chuckling a little, glad to see Hugo so happy again. "Yeah, he is. Next time Hugo, please talk to me about this. I don't want to lose my friend just because my father doesn't approve."

Hugo hugged his friends tightly before Emma rushed in and wrapped her arms around his waist. "You're not allowed to do that again, Mister! Juleka and I were very worried!"

Hugo hugged his sister before picking her up in his arms before saying, "I promise I won't do it again." Leaning in close, he couldn't help but whisper the words, "we need to talk" in her ear. I know we were here for a reason, but several things are becoming fuzzy for me. If I forget everything, she needs to know everything that was going on.

Juleka stayed quiet as she watched everyone forgive the boy who broke her heart. She couldn't just accept what happened, and she couldn't decide whether or not she wanted to stay beside Hugo. He was a good kid and she loved having him around, but there was something else that was stopping her from simply accepting his words. 

Lila Rossi was adventurous and kind. She was everything Juleka felt she was not. After all, how could she compare to Lila? Of course, Hugo would fall for her. After all, why would Lila lie about that? What would she have to gain from lying about Hugo? Hugo obviously has something for her. After what happened at the museum last time, Juleka wasn't sure who to believe.

"Juleka?" Hugo puts his sister down before stepping closer to her, his frown turning nervous as he rubbed his arm. He tried to look her in the eye but didn't have the courage to do so. "I-I-I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to keep this from you. I-I want you to know that I really do like you." Realizing what he said, he began to panic in the same way his mother is famous for. "NOT LIKE THAT! Well, almost like that. No. I mean, I like you, but not like that. I mean, it wouldn't be that bad, right? No. Stop."

Luka and Adrien both couldn't help but chuckle, knowing that freak out so well. It was one only Marinette was capable of doing. Hugo couldn't help but blush slightly as he looked down, slightly embarrassed, but also nervous. What if Juleka didn't believe him? What if she doesn't like him anymore? What if Juleka doesn't want to be friends anymore, and he and his sister have to leave? 

"Hugo, calm down and breathe," Marinette reminded him, smiling at the boy. After all, if he was freaking out about this, then it was clear to all of them how he feels for her. "Don't babble. Just relax and let Juleka answer."

Juleka sighed before meeting the boy's eyes and giving him a small smile. So many things happened between them, but there was no real reason to believe that he would try to hurt her on purpose. After all, that wasn't the kind of boy Hugo was. He would never do anything to hurt her or anyone.

"I'm not mad at you, Hugo. Next time, just talk to me, please?" Juleka was quiet like normal, but everyone could tell with just those few words how relieved she was. She forgave Hugo for his mistake and gave him a hug to prove it to him. "You're not that kind of boy."

With a smile, Hugo couldn't help but glance over at Marinette and Adrien before whispering to them, "that's not the way my parents raised me."

Later that night, Ladybug and Cat Noir met up on the rooftop, staring out at the streets of Paris. Together, the two were sharing their usual chit chat, wondering if today is the day when their son would join them once again.

To their surprise, it wasn't just one but both of their children this time. Hugo arrived as Dragonfire, carrying his little sister as her kwami, Honey, sat on her shoulder. The two teens couldn't help but wonder what was going on with them. After all, bringing Emma here without a costume puts them both in danger. If someone were to get akumatised right now, it wouldn't be difficult to guess that Emma would be with her older brother.

"Mommy. Daddy. We have a problem," Emma says just as her brother put her down. Without hesitation, she moves closer to Cat Noir as he holds his arms out for her. "Hugo is having trouble remembering everything. Honey thinks it's because we've been here too long."

Worried, Ladybug goes over to Dragonfire, wondering what else was missing from his memory. "What can you remember?" she asked, needing to know if it was time to send them back home. It would be bad if he were to become a part of the present, because then what would happen to the future? The future in which Ladybug and Cat Noir were not only still heroes, but parents. "Please Hugo. You're forgetting things more frequently now. We may need to start thinking about sending you back."

"No!" Hugo and Emma both shouted at the same time. As Emma hugged her father, Hugo couldn't help but shake his head no. "We can't go back to the future, Ladybug. Not until we change the past. Lila is coming after me now, hurting my friends. I can't leave everything like this. Not until I know you guys are safe."

Holding his little girl, Cat Noir looked over at the boy, wondering when it must have happened between now and earlier. Something had to have gone wrong. 

"Hello, Ladybug. Hello Cat Noir! I am Honey, and I can explain everything," Honey says as she floats just above Emma, landing on the little girl's head. "It's been a long time since I've last been outside so the last ladybug and cat noir I've seen was a REALLY really long time ago."

Hugo shook his head no before saying, "I'm not feeling too good, Ladybug. We need to speak to master Fu. I-I..." With that said, he fell forward, holding his head again. Ladybug caught the boy just as Emma called out to him. "Volpina... We have to stop Volpina."

"He told me everything, Mommy. I can tell you guys everything, but please help my brother." Emma couldn't help but pout as she watched Ladybug throw Dragonfire's arm over her shoulder, holding him tightly to help him. "Honey and I can tell you guys everything."