A/N: Hey guys! I can't believe that it's the 100th chapter of the book!! (technically 90th with extra stuff) Last chapter of the arc! Enjoy!

Lies.

It's a funny word. It could be easily compared to betrayal, sadness, or the harsh truth. Even through all that, Adrien didn't know what to think. It took him little time to know about Gwen. The girl who caught his attention the moment he saw her, the moment he talked to her, the moment he laughed with her.

She was perfect.

But then again, nobody's perfect. At least...not anymore.

It took him a while to know that Gwen was Ghost. He didn't believe it but their actions, their attitudes matched and took the risk to confirm it. Her silence further confirmed it. He was ecstatic. After all, the girl who he fell for is a hero, she is strong, determined, everything a hero is supposed to be.

But...

Did she really kill a boy in New York? The media refrained from showing the boy's physical appearance, but the boy had broken ribs. His upper rib impaled his lungs, causing internal bleeding and seized breathing.

Ghost–no. Gwen did this.

But why?

Why would she attack a boy in the middle of a school dance and kill him, along with causing property damage? What was the reason?

The look in Gwen's eyes showed loss, guilt, and rage within. He hardly recognized her at that moment. He doesn't know what to think. Especially considering that she rejected him.

If she doesn't like him as Chatnoir, there's no doubt that she won't like him as Adrien. What is the point of trying?

Heavy bangs hung under his eyes, staying up all night looking into more of Gwen's school. He hardly found anything afterward. But he did find it strange how Ghost was caught by the surveillance cameras far from the school beating up a woman just three hours after the incident.

What was Gwen doing? Is she really who he thinks she is? Is Gwen really a murderer? Just who is she?

Adrien stopped in his tracks, his eyes meeting familiar blues who looked up at him with a soft smile. There she was. Her short blonde hair with colored blue tips was sparkling from the caressing sun through the glass windows. She was slightly shorter than him, however, she seemed taller than him at the moment.

Her blue eyes were ever so caring with mischief. The same ones he adored but he couldn't think straight. He wasn't sure what to say. Not after what he knew. Not after last night. Not after his rejection.

"Gwen..." he murmured, raising a hand to remove one of his earbuds. It was inevitable. He would see her around school, fighting alongside her outside of school. He would see her.

But...he can't bring himself to be with her right now.

His heart ached from the rejection. His heart ached from her truth. He...just can't. And it hurts.

Gwen shifted her feet, looking up at him with a soft smile. Looking to the side, her eyes constricted, seeing Marinette hiding and giving her an encouraging smile with her thumbs raised for motivation. Looking back at the boy, she gripped the small box behind her. It wasn't major.

Just something Marinette thought Gwen should give the boy if he were to accept Gwen's invitation to the stupid ball.

"I've..." Gwen cursed internally, unsure of how to ask someone out. She's never one to ask. Her pride always gets in the way and it feels embarassing to say. "I've been thinking about...the ball," she started, looking up at him. "And I was thinking that maybe you'd like to...go...with me?"

Gwen brought out the box. It was beige and nicely carved with golden glitter on the sides like vines. Wrapped around it was a red bow that glistened from the lighting.

Her heart raced, her face burning up in embarrassment. Can this be more–

Adrien sighed, dejectedly looking away. Gwen stopped, looking more at the boy closely, her heart falling to her stomach to see the familiar expression before.

From his dad...from Peter...

He was...disappointed.

"Sorry, Gwen," Adrien murmured, bringing himself to look back at her surprised blues. "But I...can't. It's just..." his mind thought of anything. He wasn't sure why it felt wrong. He desperately wanted to go with her. He even thought of asking her to a picnic in the most luxurious park and skateboard, if he knew how, and ask her.

"There's someone else." Adrien grimaced, turning away from her and slowly walking past her, refusing to meet her gaze. Before he could step away, though. He felt something solid hit his chest, stopping him from fully walking away from her.

He was surprised, turning to her but she refused to meet his eyes. Only stoically staring forward. Her hand still held the box that was against his chest.

"If you're going to lie to me," she spoke, slowly looking up at him. "Hide your ears. They turn red."

Adrien's eyes widened, instinctively reaching a hand to his ears but lowered it as Gwen nudged the box in his chest, making him hold the box. Gwen dropped her hand, shrugging her bag on her shoulder.

"Think of it as a farewell gift," she stated. "I'm leaving in a few days. Just got a call from the foster home that I'm needed back." Gwen cleared her throat, stepping forward and slowly walking away. "See you around."

Adrien frowned, holding the box tenderly against his chest as he watched her walk away. From the corner of his eye, he saw Marinette running through the halls and catching up to her. But he only turned away.

It was for the best.

🕸🕷🕸

"Gwen!" Marinette panted, running towards the girl. Her brows furrowed in worry, stepping next to her. She sadly frowned, noticing Gwen's stoic features. But living with the girl for the last few months, she can tell Gwen was sad.

Marinette was not oblivious to Gwen's and Adrien's shared glances at one another. It was truly something she was happy for Gwen. And for Adrien to say that he likes someone else? Why lead her on?

"Gwen..." she murmured, reaching over to grab her hand.

"Marinette!" they both stopped, turning to the side. They were outside of the school when Luka was walking towards them with a smile, mostly directed at Marinette.

Marinette frowned. She's been wanting to ask Luka to the ball after Gwen asked Adrien but now she's not sure if she should. "Luka, I–"

"Go," Gwen lightly nudged her. A small smile adorned her features as she nodded to Luka. "I'll meet you back at home. Go ask him."

"Gwen," Marinette frowned at her, worried about the girl's relaxed demeanor but Gwen shook her head and gently pushed to towards Luka. "Go, I'll be fine," Gwen chuckled as she waved goodbye and walked away.

Marinette couldn't help but look after her as the girl crossed the street. She sighed, turning back to Luka with a smile before giving it a shot to ask him to the ball.

🕸🕷🕸

Gwen wasn't sure what to think, honestly. She guesses it was karma getting back at her for being with Chatnoir and growing feelings for him. It was meant to be this way. After all, she did receive a call from the foster home that she was to go back in a few days.

But it didn't mean it didn't hurt any less to know that she wouldn't get to see Adrien again for a very long time. After all, she is planning to go to college soon and start looking forward to moving away from everyone and everything.

Crossing the street, she took a deep breath before softly sighing as she stepped into the bakery. She lightly frowned, noticing Tom or Sabine weren't there. Did they close early?

Gwen shrugged, closing the door behind her before heading towards the stairs and to the apartment. The faint smell of cheese caught her attention but the appetite to eat was almost nonexistent. She wasn't hungry, yet she craved for those breadsticks.

Opening the door quietly to not get their attention, she quietly closed it before slowly walking up the stairs to Marinette's and Gwen's shared room.

Unfortunately, Sabine was too keen and smart, noticing her figure. "Gwen," she smiled, turning to the girl. She later frowned, noticing Gwen's eyes welling up in tears. "Sweety, is there something wrong?"

Gwen sniffed, blinking in confusion as she raised her hand to her face, feeling a warm tear fall. She dryly chuckled at it. When was the last time she cried for a boy again?

"Sorry," Gwen chuckled, rubbing her teary eyes. "It's nothing. It's stupid. I'll be in the room." She didn't give them time to reply as she rushed up the stairs and softly closed the door behind her. She shakily sighed, "Shit," she cursed, rubbing her eyes.

"Stop it," she whimpered, feeling her heart ache more as she realized how alone she felt at that moment. Peter's gone. Her dad's somewhere, and Adrien is already gone to the nice "gal" he lied about.

"This is so stupid," she chuckled, walking over to the beds, and climbing on to go to the balcony. The red blush of the sky was ever endearing, giving some comfort for the girl but didn't alleviate the sorrowful heart.

"I dreamed of calling New York home," she softly hummed. "Now everything just seems a mess. Surrounded but so alone. Expected to be this huge success. It's best to just forget it all, a fantasy and nothing more. Just paper dreams built to fall. Hang it all up and close the door..."

Gwen walked over to the balcony and leaned on the rails, her eyes trailing the sun-kissed sky, spotting a few birds flying to the sunset.

"Reaching out...to find the person I can be. Is it enough to just be me? I feel like setting myself free. I've got dreams to see me through. But will they just remain inside?" Pulling out her phone, her eyes softened to see the lock screen of her favorite boy with her grinning face.

Oh, how times have changed.

"I want to see the world brand new. Why do I always run and hide? Reaching out...to find the person I can be...Is it enough to just be me? I feel like setting myself free...I need this now. To say the things I want to say. There's got to be another way...I want to live, I need to stay. Is it enough to just be me?...Is it enough to just be me?"

Gwen sighed, sniffing as she hugged her waist while looking out at the now-dark sky. The lights of the Eiffel Tower were luminescent. However, before she could sit down and sleep for a couple of minutes, her senses flared up. Her eyes snapped open as she instantly stood up.

Frowning around, she couldn't see anything dangerous but the wailing and cries of the people caught her immediate attention. It wasn't until she heard the sky thundering, did it caused a chill on her spine.

"Hawkmoth," she paled, seeing the disaster form around the city. She growled, clenching her fists on her side as she punched them, making her suit take her form.

She needed to get to the people. Diving off the building, she swung through the city, pushing the people out of the way when a flock of butterflies headed to them. Taking them near the mayor's, she rushed everyone inside.

Gritting her teeth, she looked around in distress. How did it come to this? Did Hawkmoth come personally to deal with them? Or is it another akumatized villain?

"Right this way!" Ghost shouted, ushering the people inside the building. Looking around, she couldn't find Ladybug or Chatnoir anywhere and hoped they were at the center of the city. "Keep going!" Ghost exclaimed, turning around and crossing her arms in X to create a shield against the incoming flock of butterflies.

The people cried out in fear but Ghost didn't have time for that. "I got you! Go! Go! Go!" The people immediately started running inside. Ghost dropped her arms, running to the streets and find any more people to protect. Swinging through the city, she couldn't help but feel horror striking her immediately.

Pure chaos.

Buildings were crashed and burning. Floors cracked and cars exploded left and right. Smoke was everywhere. "Ladybug!" Ghost shouted, swinging herself to another building, noticing how unstable it was. "Chatnoir!"

But no reply.

Ghost gritted her teeth, feeling the strains in her arms as she kept swinging her arms, releasing the webs and still swinging herself to find anybody in the burning streets. She can feel the heat of their flames licking her just faintly to her thin suit. She can feel the strains growing more in every passing second that she spends trying to look for her partners.

Ghost's eyes widened, noticing something red by the side and turned slightly, not wanting it to be more fire when she heard the familiar wiring of the yo-yo and sharply jumped on the wall before launching herself towards the chaos.

Ghost grunted, tackling Ladybug to the side along with a woman to the ground as a flock of dark butterflies flew where they were. Both girls panted, feeling the pressure and horror in their chests. They never thought that they would be against this level of disaster. How are they going to stop this? How as the people going to fare after this?

They...They are not ready for this kind of outcome.

"Ladybug," Ghost panted, looking over to the girl. She can definitely see how the girl was struggling to even get on her feet. "Stay with me, what do you have on your side?"

Ladybug wheezed, her eyes closed shut. Not believing what she is witnessing. How did it come to this? One second she was with Luka and going out to get ice cream after agreeing to go with him to the ball and the next, the sky darkened and everything was on fire.

She lost Luka in the crowd and went to at least investigate where the akumatized victim is but this kind of power is too much. She was only able to save the woman but Ghost tackled her and the woman away.

Looking to the side where the woman was, Ladybug didn't even notice her leaving her side. Turning back to Ghost, she was covered in soot and her frame seemed to be crouching over her to cover her from the butterflies.

Ladybug gulped, "I can't find Chatnoir anywhere. I've been looking around but this is just madness. What are we going to do?"

Ghost sighed, slowing her heart rate for a moment. "I evacuated some of the citizens but there's no doubt that some may be stuck through the buildings. I tried looking around for Chat but couldn't find him anywhere either. Right now, our main objective is to find Hawkmoth."

"Hawkmoth?" Ladybug's eyes widened in realization. "You think he's here?"

"I know he's here," Ghost sniffed, feeling her nose itchy all of a sudden. She really doesn't like this...at all. "And he decided to go and make an entrance. He's going to pay for this, that's for sure."

Ladybug gritted her teeth, narrowing her eyes on the spot on the ground not far from her. There were blood spots. She seethed, feeling her eyes well up in tears out of frustration. "Where are you, Chatnoir?!"

🕸🕷🕸

Meanwhile...

A lonely depressed child was currently lying in bed and silently crying to Careless Whisper through the chaos outside, unaware of his partner's distress. However, whilst he moaned in despair, he took notice of his ring lighting up every second like a pulse.

He breathily scoffed at it, looking at it in disbelief. "The less interested you are, the more they run after you," he turned away.

🕸🕷🕸

Ghost and Ladybug ran through the incoming dust taking over the air. Ladybug took notice of a large dust cloud coming toward them and raised her yo-yo, twirling it to shield her and Ghost. The young girl struggled, gritting her teeth as she felt the cloud physically pushing her back. But Ghost was there to keep her steady and take in more of their surroundings.

However, Ghost couldn't help but deadpan and get irritated as a guy ran out and decided to take a selfie of the heroes. "Run!" Ghost shouted.

It brought the boy out of his daze and ran away to the shelter. Ghost gritted her teeth, turning back to Ladybug and holding her firmly as the pressure started to push Ladybug down and break the concrete below her.

But it wasn't enough, Ladybug exclaimed as the cloud finally pushed her back to Ghost, flinging them back and falling on the ground. Ghost hastily stood up, standing in front of Ladybug, narrowing her eyes.

Looking up further, she noticed the butterflies gathering around on top of the Eiffel Tower. She is definitely sure Hawkmoth is there, taunting them and playing with them. She hated it.

🕸🕷🕸

Plagg had about enough about the pity party. Yes, Ghost didn't say anything about her past but she wasn't also obligated to say it. But at the same time, it could have helped to know what kinds of strengths she has and what kind of troubles she went through. The media spatted that she is a murderer but what about her?

What will she say through all this?

Adrien is heartbroken, not knowing that girl he liked for who she really is, and is confused. Even when his mind is saying that there are some truths in the media, his heart refuses, believing he knows Gwen enough that she isn't a killer.

That she isn't capable of that.

But he doesn't know what to do. But that is not the time right now. Paris is in chaos and Adrien can't keep ignoring his partner's help. By this point, the mansion will crash down. Which oddly, the butterflies have been avoiding this mansion through the disaster, but Plagg can't focus on that now.

They need to go and now!

"All right, pitty party's over, kid! Let's go!" Plagg shouted through Adrien's music. "And this time I'm not kidding!" Plagg flew over to the window.

Adrien frowned, rushing out of bed and running over to the window, moving the curtain in time to see purple lightning striking where the top of the Eiffel Tower was. He visibly paled, feeling his breath hitch at the disasters taking place outside his home. What happened? How long has this been going on?

He frowned, unsure of what to think. But two people crossed his mind, making him gasp and get angry quickly. "Ladybug...Ghost..."

Adrien gritted his teeth, "Plagg! Claws Out!"

Chat clenched his fists, jumping through the window, unaffected by the broken glass. He needed to get to them fast.

🕸🕷🕸

Ladybug wheezed, feeling her body ache. She could feel the dust and smoke gathering inside her lungs and she felt suffocated through all this. She weakly reached for her yo-yo but it was too far away.

Ghost-spider coughed, hunching over. Even with the mask, she can feel herself weakening with the pressure. She hasn't felt like this since that night. Not only that, she needed to get Ladybug out of there. That way she can deal with Hawkmoth herself.

She doesn't need to drag the others with her. Ghost grunted, reaching over to Ladybug and carrying her bridal style. Ladybug coughed, looking up at her but Ghost was already looking for a shortcut to take her to get fresh air.

However, before Ghost could take a step. A flock of butterflies flew over and headed towards them. Ghost turned her back on it, hoping to take the brunt of the attack. She felt the brunt, but not in the way she expected. Ghost and Ladybug exclaimed as they were both picked up and dashed away when they heard an explosion behind them.

Ghost panted, looking up and blinking as she saw Chatnoir carrying both girls in his arms with a blank expression.

"Looks like you need me after all," Chat sassed, looking down and looking into Ghost's mask.

Ghost sighed, relieved to see him but not at all happy with his snarky remark. She doesn't have time for that. She gently lowered Ladybug to the ground while Chat lowered her too.

Ghost turned stoic, turning to Chat. "Nice of you to show up. Right now, take Ladybug away from the city, and stay there."

"Who are you to order me around," Chat scoffed. "You think you can take this on yourself?" he pointed to the tower.

"I know I'm strong," Ghost stated. "So take her. This level is too much for you two. I'll do it."

"We don't have what it takes, Ghost," Ladybug groaned, holding her abdomen. "Neither can you."

"Maybe," Ghost turned to them. "But I'll keep fighting because this is what's at stake," she raised her arms, basically showing the burned-down city. "So go."

"Not happening," Chat glared, taking out his staff. "I'll take it from here."

Ghost's and Ladybug's eyes widened as Chat launched himself in the air and towards the tower.

"No!" they both shouted, but the hero wouldn't stop. Ghost cursed. "It's definitely a trap." Turning back to Ladybug, she stood in front of her looking up and zooming her mask on the scene, seeing Chat getting closer and closer to Hawkmoth.

Ghost saw as Chat summoned his cataclysm and tried to fight Hawkmoth head-on, but the villain easily evaded his strikes, punching his back. Chat fell and the next thing they knew, the tower rapidly started darkening. Ghost never witnessed Chat using his cataclysm before at a large object. But one thing's for certain.

The tower is going down.

Ghost moved, leaving Ladybug's side as she started swinging herself to the unstable tower. She can feel herself getting scared by the second, seeing the top of the tower collapse. Evading some bombs, she kept going, calling out to the hero, pleading with him to jump, to get out of there.

"Chat!" she screamed, straining her muscles to drag herself to the top. She could feel the metal under her groan as it began to fall to the side. She screamed, swinging herself faster to the top. She can see Hawkmoth flying in the air but her sole focus is on the hero who starts to fall too.

At that moment. She felt her world slowly quietening as her body ran cold, seeing the boy fall past her. Her hands didn't hesitate to let go of the metal, falling down with him. Her hand reached out to him, looking into his vibrant green eyes filled with utter fear.

His eyes were solely on her as she dived to him. That small distance between his feet and her hand was so short yet so far away. Ghost didn't realize she was screaming, desperately trying to reach him faster. She already lost so many.

She can't bring herself to lose anyone else.

Not when his green eyes looked so familiar to her in her heart. But not in the way that you think. It wasn't Peter who was close to death in front of her.

It was Adrien.

That same boy who brought light into her life through the darkness. She knew deep in her heart she shouldn't compare people. But Chat's face filled with fear and sorrow made her realize that she shouldn't let anyone die when she can do something about it. If–no. When this is all over, she'll make sure that no one gets hurt.

Ghost's eyes widened, feeling her hand finally grasp Chat's foot. She harshly tugged him to her, grunting as he hastily wrapped his arms around her neck. Ghost turned her back, feeling the brunt of her back meeting the water.

Ghost exclaimed, feeling the pain on her back. She choked, feeling the metallic taste in her tongue. She was unfortunate to protect Chat as the falling metal smacked against his head, knocking him unconscious in her arms.

Ghost held Chat to her, swimming away from the falling debris. Ghost flinched, feeling a hand on her back. She turned to fight, raising a fist but loosened as she saw Ladybug's worried expression. Ladybug took Chat from her arms, swimming up to the surface.

Ghost painfully swam after them, knowing that she will only slow Ladybug down and they need to get Chat out of the water and fast. She found the water started heating up at high temperatures. Turning around, her eyes widened to see the water slowly turning to lava.

Ghost gritted her teeth, swimming faster to the surface. Her back was killing her from every movement but she had to keep going. She will not die like this.

Reaching the surface, Ghost looked around for her partners, spotting them on top of a broken metal. Ghost hissed, webbing the metal and pulling herself towards them. Ladybug looked back from the unconscious Chat and gasped, seeing the lava getting closer to Ghost.

She groaned from the pain in her side and crawled over to the web, taking it out and pulling the girl to her. Ladybug hurried, pulling the web faster. Just as Ghost made it, Ladybug quickly started pulling her to the top of the metal, both girls exhausted and in pain.

Ghost choked, reaching her hand to her mask and hastily tapping her headband to remove it. She turned away from Ladybug's stare as she spat blood on the side. She panted, turning back to Chat, feeling her eyes watering in frustration.

"You dumbass," she panted, tapping her mask to cover her face. "You shitty dumbass. Wake up!" she felt his pulse, before leaning her head on his chest to closely listen to his lungs in hopes of not hearing crackles. Thankfully, she didn't hear that. However, it was concerning that the boy was unconscious.

Feeling around his head, she felt a bump in his occipital, making her worry more. "Shit," she cursed.

Ladybug whimpered, also attempting to wake the boy. "Chatnoir! Wake up! Chatnoir, please answer me!"

"He must have a mild concussion," Ghost muttered. "Thankfully, there's no water in his lungs but one can't be too sure."

Ladybug whimpered, turning to her. "What are we going to do?"

Ghost's senses flared, making her take a deep breath. Blocking out all noises while she held Chat's hand. Hawkmoth is here. She doesn't need to answer that question when the answer is very obvious. Standing up quietly, she stood in front of the heroes while she glared at the man.

Ladybug turned to the side, paling to see the man landing in front of them. "Stay away from him," Ladybug gritted her teeth, pulling Chat closer to her while Ghost took the initiative and punched her fists together as sparks flew from her fists.

Growling, she bolted to him, raising her fist. Screaming, she threw where he once stood but he jumped away, swinging his cane at her but she moved her head back. Webbing a large slab of concrete, she pulled it to her, smashing the man's back.

The man groaned, flying forward but Ghost threw a hard punch at his jaw. She can feel her blood boiling at every attack she gives. The man didn't deserve mercy after all this. Ghost punched both fists at his stomach, electrocuting him but Ghost wasn't done, jumping over to his shoulders and wrapping her legs around his neck, tightening her thighs around him.

Webbing a building, she forced them both to flee away from Ladybug and Chatnoir. Just before Ghost crashed against the wall, she kicked him and jumped away, causing him to crash against the wall.

Falling to the ground, Ghost stormed towards him, feeling herself seething as she grew closer to the man. However, she stopped in her tracks.

No.

Her body stopped in its tracks. Her eyes widened as she felt her body slowly floating in the air. Her arms and legs gave up on her at that moment. How is she flying? What is going on?!

"I can feel your bones shaking."

Ghost looked back, seeing Hawkmoth standing back up with his hand raised. He smirked, clenching his fist and blocking out Ghost's airway. She gasped, feeling her throat tighten.

"You're a Jedi now?" Ghost joked, choking more as he tightened his grip.

"You're just a scared little girl, aren't you?" Hawkmoth pulled her closer, reaching his other hand to her mask. He grabbed the fabric and tore it off, flinching back from the sparks as the mask was removed from the suit.

Hawkmoth looked at the girl closely, seeing her short blond hair with faint blue tips fly around through the dusty air. The girl's lips were covered with blood but her blue eyes sharpened on his.

She smirked, "Sorry to disappoint, but I grew up a long time ago." She grunted as she forced her arms forward from his slight hesitation and covered his face with her hands.

"BLAST HIM!" she shouted at her mask in Hawkmoth's hand. Her white gloves lit up with electricity, burning the man's face.

Hawkmoth screamed, trying to remove the girl's hands but she buried her fingers in his sockets, electrocuting him more. Hawkmoth screamed more, using his powers to throw her back against the wall. Gwen choked, feeling her back ache more as she fell to the ground.

Hawkmoth seethed, his vision blurred as he tried to locate her. Spotting familiar colors at the distance, he stormed towards her when he felt something smack his back. Turning around, he grinned as he saw Ladybug landing on the ground with a heated glare in her eyes.

"Stay away from her," she growled. "Stay away from us or you'll regret it."

Hawkmoth sighed, raising her clenched fist in the air. Ladybug yelped, feeling her body float in the air. Before she could even react, Hawkmoth removed her earrings, successfully capturing a kwami.

Ladybug gasped in horror as Tikki looked back at her scared before being caught in Hawkmoth's hand. Ladybug looked back at the villain and cried in pain as Hawkmoth threw her away but closer to Chat. Hawkmoth chuckled, seeing the earrings in his hand.

"Ladybug," Gwen groaned, dragging her body on the ground, trying to get to her but cried out in pain as Hawkmoth stepped on her aching back.

"You will pay for my eyes, you insulant child," he growled, grabbing her by the back of her neck and raising her to her feet. He searched her, taking away her headband, her piercings but grew frustrated to not see her miraculous anywhere.

He reached for her pearl necklace but Gwen snatched his hand, gripping it tightly with some of the strength she had left. "You're not taking that," she growled.

Not far from them, Marinette groaned feeling herself weaker as Gho–no. Gwen keeps fighting Hawkmoth. Tikki is gone. She would only be in the way. She's not strong like Gwen. She's weak. She needs Ladybug.

She groggily sat up but flopped back on the ground as Hawkmoth consumed Tikki's power, growing even stronger. What can she do? What can she do?!

Looking back at Gwen, Hawkmoth threw her to Marinette's side. Marinette gasped, dragging herself to her and wrapping an arm around her defensively. "G-Gwen...Gwen?"

Gwen panted, looking back at Marinette defeatedly. "Run," Gwen spoke. "Run as far away from here and take him. Please."

Marinette looked back, seeing Hawkmoth pick Chatnoir from the ground by his jaw, using his power to take the boy's ring too. However, Chat slowly started waking up. Seeing the man in front of him, trying to take away his ring, he pulled it back and used his cataclysm before punching the man's face.

Hawkmoth cried out in pain, feeling not only Ghost's burn from earlier but also from Chat's cataclysm striking his mask. Chat fell to the ground after Hawkmoth released him and slowly grew unconscious.

Hawkmoth growled, turning back to the boy and controlling him to float in the air. The boy weakly opened his eyes, feeling himself float higher and higher.

"...Help me."

Chat couldn't voice out his cries as the butterflies one by one started flying to him and slicing him, little by little.

Marinette gasped, turning back at Gwen, seeing the girl slowly standing up. Marinette couldn't let the girl fight alone. She may have superpowers but if Gwen keeps this up, she will eventually die. And she can't let that happen. So, Marinette stood up too in pain, standing by Gwen's side.

Gwen looked beside her, seeing the burning determination in Marinette's eyes. Taking a deep breath, she slowly grabbed Marinette's hand comfortingly. They are going to fight together. No matter what it takes.

Gwen gritted her teeth, holding Marinette's hand tightly. Her eyes narrowed on Hawkmoth, seeing him charge up his power to his fist and knew what was going to happen next.

"Do you trust me?" Gwen asked, getting in her stance.

"Yes," Marinette glared at the man, answering it with no hesitation.

With no words needed to exchange, Gwen threw Marinette towards Chat. The girl exclaimed at the strength and speed but managed to tackle the boy away, barely missing Hawkmoth's attack.

Hawkmoth seethed, going to attack them but flew back as Gwen threw a sharp kick at him, knocking his head. Without a moment to waste, she kept throwing punches and kicks at him.

"Not on my watch!" Gwen webbed a car and threw it at the man.

Hawkmoth controlled it away but Gwen kept throwing large objects at him until he got tired. Throwing one more, she webbed the ground before walking back a few steps. Feeling the small strain coming from her wrists, she launched herself at him, tackling him to the ground.

She threw fist to fist at the man, not letting him take a break as she reached for his miraculous on his chest. However, a cold shuddering pain took over her form.

Gwen stopped her arm from throwing it down at his face and looked back down at her. Her abdomen exact.

A sharp metal was stabbed through her stomach. Gwen panted, believing the adrenaline was giving her a chance to slowly process what is going on. But she oddly didn't feel pain.

Hawkmoth grinned, satisfied to know that he stopped her. Turning back to Chatnoir, his eyes focused on his face. More specifically on his ripped mask, revealing half his face.

The world crashed around him. His blood ran cold the moment he saw his son slowly getting up and running towards them with warm tears falling. His son is Chatnoir. He has been fighting his son all this time. The sole reason for fighting was fighting against him all this time.

He couldn't hear the curses or the wails his son was making as Adrien removed Gwen from his hold. Adrien screamed, holding a shocked Gwen in his arms.

"...Adrien," Hawkmoth gasped, now coming to realization of what he's done. His heart raced in despair as his power slowly started diminishing. The clouds slowly but surely started to separate, leaving the sun to peek through. The lava slowly turned back to the water, bringing slight peace around them.

No butterflies were around. Just broken debris around.

Hawkmoth struggled. He got on his feet, holding his head in pain. He did this. He caused all this. What the hell was he thinking?! He grunted and groaned, forcing himself to take off his suit, leaving purified butterflies to fly away from him.

Gabriel gasped, looking down at the children in front of him. "Adrien!" he trembled.

Adrien looked back, his heart racing as he kept his hold on Gwen. The girl was bleeding but barely holding on to the metal still in her. His father stood in front of him. Adrien didn't know what to think or do.

Adrien grunts, slowly raising himself to his feet before groggily standing in front of Gwen defensively.

"Dad? You?" Adrien shook his head in disappointment and shock. "All of this because of you?"

Gabriel teared up, seeing his son scratched up. "Look at you," he whimpered. "What have I done? My little boy..."

Adrien shook his head in disbelief, "But why?" He wasn't accusing in any way. His tone was more of wanting to know out of curiosity.

"I tried everything to bring her back, son," Gabriel tried. "From the moment your mother and I met, we felt we had known each other forever. Two halves finally made one. We were each other's everything..."

Gwen's eyes slowly dimmed, knowing exactly what he meant when losing someone.

"And then the gift was given to us," Gabriel exhaustingly continued. "You came into the world. We were a family. It's all we needed. But fate..." his voice cracked, remembering vividly to see his Émelie getting sick in her deathbed. "...decided otherwise. I should have been the one to go. You needed your mother more than you needed me. After she was gone, I was...I was helpless."

Gabriel took a step closer to his son, warm tears falling as he looked at him. "I couldn't face the darkness in your eyes, Adrien. When I heard about the miraculous...I would have done anything to bring your mother back! To bring her back to you. I lost myself."

Gabriel shuddered, "I understand now. The only power stronger than death...is love. I failed you, my son. I don't know if you'll ever forgive me." He sobbed, dropping to his knees.

Adrien's eyes softened, knowing the pain and suffering his father must have gone through. But it doesn't make it okay. Placing a hand on his father's shoulder, he spoke. "You have to let her go, Dad." He softly smiled at him.

Gabriel sniffed, seeing so much understanding in his son's eyes. He slowly stood up but Adrien tackled him in a hug. He didn't hesitate to hug him back too.

On the side, Gwen sighed, leaning back down and lying on the ground. Her hand was on the abdomen and knew that she will be okay but her heart took in Adrien's words.

Does that mean that she has to let Peter go? After everything she and he went through. Their small moments, their laughs, their cries, their everything.

Peter is gone and she can't change that. No matter how many times she wanted to, she knew she couldn't. Otherwise, she will live with so much anger that would take over her like Gabriel Agreste.

Peter wouldn't want that. He would want her to move forward and it hurts to know that she will have to live with it. Warm tears fell from the corner of her eyes but she kept looking at the nice blue sky.

Gwen gasped, feeling a warm hand grasp hers. Looking to the side, no one was there except her broken pearled necklace in her palm. How it got there she wasn't sure. Her eyes welled up more but smiled as she closed her eyes, letting the darkness take her once again to dreamland.

And she could have sworn she saw a boy with a large smile waving at her goodbye.

🕸🕷🕸

The familiar smell of alcohol and medicine woke her up along with the blinding white light trying to peek through her eyelids.

Clenching her fists slowly, she felt the cold thin sheets under her hands. Is she in a hospital? Taking in her senses, she heard the EKG machine by her side, monitoring her heart. It was rhythmically pumping loudly, at least letting her know that she wasn't dead.

That's too bad, Gwen chuckled as she slowly opened her eyes, instinctively closing them as the light was too blinding. Taking a moment to process more, she was fully awake.

"Gwen?"

Gwen stopped, looking to the side. Her eyes slowly widened to see her dad sitting beside her chair with heavy bags under his eyes. He sat up, scooting his chair closer to hers, and grasped her hands.

"...Dad?" she rasped, looking at her dad in surprise. "...What? What are you doing here?"

George sighed, reaching over and pulling the girl in a hug. Gwen groaned in pain but George only held her tighter, relieved to know she was all right. "Gwen, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have left you alone. I shouldn't have–"

"Dad," Gwen stopped him, snuggling her head on his shoulder, comforted by his warmth. "Where are we?"

"We're still in Paris," George explained. "After getting a call that Ghost-Spider was spotted in Paris, I had to fly over. But after hearing of your wounds and what you had to go through, I couldn't leave your side for a moment. It was because of me that you're like this," he gritted his teeth, closing his eyes in shame.

Gwen tried not to be petty at his dad but her mouth didn't stop her. "So when I'm dying, you suddenly are worried to come see me?"

George sighed, pulling away from his daughter. His heart broke the moment he saw sadness and frustration in her eyes. However, she took her father in. He seemed more tired, and thinner. Just what happened while she was gone?

"You look skinny," she murmured.

"What have you been doing," George frowned, seeing her condition. For God's sake, she was stabbed and sent to the hospital.

Gwen sighed. "Out murdering all my friends," she deadpanned at him.

George scowled, standing up. "Oh, oh that's fine. Yeah, okay." He slowly started walking around the room.

But Gwen wasn't having it, groggily standing up too. "Where are you going? You suddenly sent me to the foster home, not even a call or a text and now you're walking away? Where are you going, Dad?!"

"I don't know," he sterned, his back still facing her. He sighed, unsure of what to say without starting an argument with his only daughter.

Gwen closed her eyes, taking a deep breath, containing her anger, sadness, and frustrations out on him. She was the one who messed up. After Peter's death, her dad was tasked to take her in. And he caught her in a corner. So when she removed her mask and revealed her identity...they started seeing each other like strangers.

And she didn't want that.

Not after losing Peter and she almost lost herself. He's all she has left.

"You're a good cop, Dad," she spoke up, clenching her fist on her side. "You know, you put on that badge because you know if you don't, someone who shouldn't will. But...you have to understand, this mask is my badge! And I'm trying to be good, too. I was trying so hard to wear this thing the way you'd want! And I didn't! I didn't! I can do all those things, but I can't help the people I love the most, and they can only know half of who I am, so I–I'm completely on my own! And now, I don't–I don't even know what the right thing is anymore! I don't know what I'm supposed to do! But I know...! I can't lose one more friend," her voice cracked.

All her pent-up thoughts and feelings overwhelmed her. And her dad was still turning away from her. What does he want her to say?

"And I," she sniffed. "I took in two people. They were just kids who don't know better and I almost lost them. I can't even think straight without thinking about that night when I lost everyone...including you. So what do you want me to say? Because honestly? Neither do I!"

George stood silently, taking in her words. He slowly turned around and faced her. "Gwen...I always taught you to do it by the book."

"Yeah?" she frowned. "And how did that work out?"

"I took an oath–"

"Then arrest me, Dad!" she snapped at him, raising her fists together toward him, waiting for him to do it. "Get it over with."

"I...I can't!" George frowned at her.

Gwen gritted her teeth, "Why not?"

George closed his eyes, pulled out her mask from his pant pocket, and gripped it. "Because I quit."

Gwen stopped. Her eyes widened at the information. When was this? Why did he–? Being a cop was his life. "When?"

George sighed, "About halfway through your big speech."

Gwen frowned more, "You're...? Wait a minute, you're not–you're not going to be Captain? That means..."

"My job," he said almost emptily. "Being Captain, this whole thing doesn't matter anymore," he turned to her, seeing the tears welling up in her eyes. "You're the best thing I've ever done."

Gwen shuddered, webbing her father's chest and pulling him to her. She wrapped her arms around him, leaning her head against his chest as he slowly wrapped his arms around her too, leaning his chin on her hair.

Gwen felt slight relief in her chest. What does this mean?

"...It was a good speech, huh?" she tearily chuckled.

"No wonder you got an A in English," he chuckled too, hugging her tighter.

"B," she corrected him. "I got a B+. Missed a few classes."

George pulled back, looking at her daughter softly before cupping her face. "We're going back home. And you're coming with me this time, is that all right?"

Gwen laughed, grinning to hear the news. She's finally going back to him back home. However, a sudden thought popped into her mind. Her smile slowly dropped as her eyes wandered to the window. She chuckled, amused to see the city in perfect condition. How that happened and how long she was in a coma she wasn't sure.

But the fighting was over. Marinette and...Adrien can finally live peaceful lives away from danger.

"There's a ball I want to go to," she murmured. "I can't miss it," she turned back to her dad, blinking as she saw the knowing look he gave her. She rolled her eyes but only smiled.

🕸🕷🕸

Adrien stood in the cold night. His black suit hugged his form while leaned against the frozen lampost. The music inside filled the background, giving him serenity in the winter. It has been weeks since he last saw his father in a prison cell and weeks since he last saw Gwen.

However, getting to know Gwen's dad in the hospital was not what he was expecting. He wasn't sure why he brought himself to the ball when he embarrassingly told Gwen he was going with someone else.

He knew he shouldn't expect to see her and ask him again. So he only took the time and appreciated the quiet outside of the ball, letting the falling snow capture the sky and the golden glow of the light warm him up.

"I miss you so much, Gwen," he softly smiled, rubbing his ring with his thumb. "The world is at peace, but my heart is still in turmoil

His eyes were closed, taking in his surroundings. However, he heard a familiar thwip, making him open his eyes but gasped to see Ghost-Spider hanging upside down in front of him. Her face was close to his.

Adrien didn't consider moving away, entranced by the familiar mask looking through him.

"Gwen?" he breathed, reaching his hands out to her mask.

However, before he could touch her, Ghost released one hand and held his wrist softly. She hesitated. "I killed my best friend by accident. Are you sure you want to be closer to me...knowing that my past will come for me sooner than later?"

Adrien softly smiled, still reaching for her mask. She didn't stop him, letting him do whatever he wanted. Feeling his hand over her nape, he felt a small faint button, pressing it gently as her mask was removed, revealing his Gwen.

"I'm not going anywhere," Adrien looked into her beaming blue eyes. "As long as I'm with you, nothing can hurt me."

With that, he pulled her head to him into a kiss. Gwen leaned into him, closing her eyes. The world around them silenced, leaving the fated couple alone in the winter light. Their hearts' rhythms were synced as one.

Many universes can be different. But they end up in the same predicament. And sooner than later, they would regret it. But they will hold onto this moment. Just for a little while longer, after all...

Their story has just begun.

A/N: First FanArt created beautifully by Xx1Mica1xX

(っ◔◡◔) ♥ Next Episode: Questionnaire Pt.3 ♥

A/N: Hi guys! This was the end of the arc and thought it would be a good idea to do a questionnaire. It has been a while since we last did that, huh? This time, I would like to at least get 25+ people to ask their questions, please 🙈

Make sure to add a 🕸 to your question so I can add it to the questionnaire.

For example: 🕸 What is your favorite hobby?

Published: February 10, 2024

Word Count: 8123