A Masked Game

Level 21: Part I and Part II

The room was silent, everyone's eyes on Gabriel. Could she trust him? Had he done anything to make her believe he'd changed? Since Gabriel had returned to their lives only a couple of weeks ago, it was fair to say he had been trying, and both Emilie and Nathalie seem to have welcomed him back with open arms. He'd also been a key to taking Lila down... not that they knew that at the time.

When he'd been freed from the Miraculous under the guise he'd reveal Ladybug's identity, he's the one who'd directed Lila's attention to Pigella's 'gift'. As she thought she was about to win — Ladybug and Chat Noir at her mercy — it was Gabriel who had ripped the Miraculous from her body. Game over.

"What's in it for you, Uncle?" Félix moved to her side, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and pulling her close. Dusuu made their way to be beside Félix, obviously waiting to see if they would be called into transformation.

"Nothing! I just want to make it up to Adrien, to be there for him."

"He doesn't need you to hold his hand," Ladybug bit back.

"He doesn't need you to, either!"

As the two stood face to face, Ladybug felt herself stumble, the world spinning around her as she attempted to keep herself steady. Could she do this? Could she go and save him by herself? She looked up again, catching Gabriel's eyes and seeing something she'd never seen there before. Remorse. Sorrow. Grief.

Taking the yo-yo from her hip, Gabriel stepped backwards – his hand rose in surrender. Swiping her finger over the top, the yo-yo emitted a bright light and separated its wings allowing her to reach in. She grabbed the brooch of the butterfly and held it out in front of her, only for Alya to step in and place her own hand over the top.

"Have you gone insane?!"

"He has what he wanted, now! He can't hurt Adrien, or me, anymore. Not without hurting himself."

"I'm glad he had an epiphany, but Ladybug, giving him the butterfly? How much blood did you lose?" Alya looked deeply into Ladybug's eyes but she was standing strong.

"Félix will be there too." She turned her head to look at her husband's twin, his head shaking solemnly side to side.

"You've got to go!" she begged him. Félix closed his eyes and let out a sigh.

"I'm staying with you. Adrien would kill me if anything happened to you, and he found out I left you to save him. We need to be prepared in case someone comes back to finish the job."

She intensely studied Félix's face before shifting back to Gabriel.

After looking towards them both, Alya slowly removed her hand and stepped back, allowing Ladybug to step forward and address her ex-nemesis.

"Gabriel Agreste, this is the Miraculous of the butterfly which grants the power of transmission. You'll use it for the greater good. Once the mission is over, you'll return the Miraculous to me...." Everything stopped as Ladybug stared deep into Gabriel's eyes – into his very soul. "Can I trust you?"

Gabriel reached out before replacing his hand by his side. "Are you sure about this?"

"I'm only going to offer this once, Gabriel. Take it, or leave it."

Stretching up again, Gabriel took the butterfly and placed it on his lapel, Nooroo flew out and looked terrified at their holder.

"No!" Nooroo cried, "I can't, I won't!"

Dusuu flew to their friend comforting them. "It's okay. I promise!"

Nooroo looked around, noticing Ladybug and Alya in the room.