Hi everyone!!  SylveonKwami here.

As you can guess, there's gonna be some big stuff happening in this chapter... it's the final fight for our heroes!!

Also.  Good things for Adrien coming up in this chapter too.  Not gonna spoil it, but I'll say that.

Quick news regarding my Miraculous OC Series: I'm turning it into just a solo-book.  Why?  It will be easier for me to update.  Besides, I already have one series going on rn, having two would just be too difficult >v<

Anyway, I'm really anxious to write this, and I'm sure you're anxious to read it.  So enjoy!!!

Marinette

Coughing a little, Marinette slowly blinked her eyes open.  Must be some of that gas still in my lungs, she thought while wincing.  She knew even without looking that HawkMoth had them put somewhere, so she tried her hardest to appear unconscious when she looked for Adrien.  "Adrien?" she whispered.  "A-"

"Right here, M'lady," he interrupted, walking next to her face so she could see him.  "Shrinkinator's here, and HawkMoth.  Don't worry, they haven't seen me yet," he added with a wink.  He pointed to them, saying "Look."

Carefully, Marinette turned her head to the right from where she was lying down.  Sure enough, there stood Shrinkinator and HawkMoth, the latter of which had his hands behind his back.  Just as she thought, they were trapped- the villain had put them in some sort of glass box.  Her heart lurched as she saw that there were cages beside hers; one that held Alya and Nino, and another that had the rest of their classmates.  It was at that point Marinette knew their identities were found out.  Thank goodness my parents haven't come home yet...

"Sit up, Ladybug.  I know you're awake," HawkMoth said without even looking at her.  Fuming, but staying silent, Marinette sat up.  She put Adrien on her shoulder, hoping her pigtails would hide him from the villains.

"Hey, HawkMoth!  Will I get that reward you promised?" Shrinkinator asked eagerly, making Marinette cringe a little.

"Oh- yes.  Over there," HawkMoth said simply pointing to a bag that lay nearby.  "That's about one hundred thousand dollars... should be enough for you, no?"

"Nah, that's plenty!" the akumatized man said while running to the money, seeming to forget completely about everything else going on.

HawkMoth walked up to Marinette's cage, giving her an evil smile.  "Well well well.  I must say, you have fought valiantly throughout the years.  However, all good things must come to an end, no?"  From outside the cage, she could see his grin grow wider, crazier, more insane.  "You must give me your Miraculous.  You and Chat Noir- now tell me.  Where is he?"

"You would only find him if I'm dead," Marinette spat out.  "You will never get your crazy hands on him.  You will never get our Miraculouses.  NEVER!"

"That can be arranged," HawkMoth said, rubbing his fingers together.  "In fact, this can happen right now.  Shrinkinator!" he yelled, gesturing for him to come over.

Marinette could feel her heart beating in her chest.  She looked to her left, where she met eyes with Alya and Nino.  She could see they were just as scared as her.  She looked to her right, where she saw her classmates... and although she was mad at them, she was about to die.  She even saw tears in some of their eyes.

She turned back to see Shrinkinator holding his gun at her, smiling.  "This can go through glass," he said.  "You'll be smaller than atoms!"

"Last change," HawkMoth said.  "I'd hate to take the life of someone as young as you... but if you don't show me your kitty-cat-friend, I'm afraid I have to," he said.  

Marinette remained silent, tears brimming at her eyes.

This is it.

I'm going to die.

Maman... Papa... Adrien...

I'm so sorry.

"Last change Ladybug.  Where is Chat Noir?" HawkMoth asked.  When she gave no answer, HawkMoth smiled sadly.  "Shrinkinator, get her small enough so I can take her earrings freely.  After, feel free to do with her what you like."

"My pleasure," the akumatized man said, aiming his gun.  Marinette closed her eyes, not wanting to see the blast-

"WAIT!"

Marinette shockingly opened her eyes to see Adrien defiantly standing on her shoulder.  "Adrien, wait-"

"HawkMoth, here I am.  I'm Adrien Agreste, and I am also Chat Noir.  You have us both in your prison.  Just please... don't hurt her," he pleaded.

"Adrien...?  Adrien!?" HawkMoth seemed shocked, angry, and almost... protective?  Why would he fuss over Adrien?  Unless my theory is true...

"Shrinkinator, unshrink him, now!" HawkMoth ordered.

"But... but sir..."

"I. Said. NOW!  Or no money for you!"

"Y-Yes!" Shrinkinator answered, aiming and firing his gun at Adrien.  The force of the blast was so strong, she felt herself being thrown against the back of the cage wall.  She heard a cry of pain from Adrien, and she feared for him.

She felt like she was going in circles for a few seconds, but then her vision cleared up.  She looked around, and to her delight, Adrien was beside her, finally normal-sized again at last; despite the situation, she couldn't help bursting out with excitement.

"You're back!" Marinette exclaimed, hugging him fiercely.  Adrien smiled and returned the hug; instantly, she felt a red hue appear on her cheeks.  "Adrien... do I have permission to-"

He seemed to know what she wanted, because he held her close and pressed his lips against hers.  Marinette felt like she was walking on air; it wasn't their first kiss, but after all they went through, it was the world to her.  Adrien's back to normal.  HawkMoth did this- but why?

The couple heard a shriek from their classmate's prison, and Marinette broke free of their embrace to see Sabrina holding back Chloe from smashing the glass to fight her.  The entirety of their class seemed dumbfounded, and when she went to see Alya and Nino's reaction, Alya seemed ecstatic while Nino seemed more calm.  She heard the word "ship" being tossed around, but there weren't any boats here, so what could it mean?  I'll have to ask her after we defeat HawkMoth.

"We have to transform," Adrien said.  "Plagg- wait.  Plagg?" Adrien was confused, searching the cage for their kwamis.

Marinette instantly went anxious.  "Tikki?  Tikki!?  TIKKI!"

"Ours are missing too!" Alya said nervously.  "I can't see Trixx or Wayzz anywhere!"

"Wait.  Where's Master Fu?" Marinette suddenly asked to no one in particular.  Angrily, she turned her face toward HawkMoth.  "What did you do with him!?"

"Relax, he'll come back should you defeat Shrinkinator.  Oh wait- that will not happen," HawkMoth smirked.

Marinette's heart shattered.  Master... no!  We'll defeat the pair of them, you can count on us!

"Where are our kwamis!?" Adrien demanded, standing up and walking to the front of their tiny cell.  "Well?"

"Would you really like to see?" HawkMoth asked.

Nervous, the four of them nodded.

Silently, HawkMoth held out his hands... 

Oh no.

No no no no no.

Tikki...!

... and in them were the unconscious forms of their kwamis.

Wow intense chapter right?  Trust me, this is nothing compared to the next one.  I'll try to upload it as soon as possible!!!

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter.  It's a bit shorter than I'd like it to be, but I might edit it in the future.  Good news- this book is back on weekly updates.  This update is supposed to be Wednesday's update (it's still Tuesday where I am), just so you all know.

Thanks for reading, and stay tuned for more!!