Father?

It's Tuesday, so Ladybug does solo patrol tonight, but I need to talk to her.

We have to figure out a plan to catch Hawkmoth, as soon as possible.

He's caused enough damage, I know it's a selfish reason, but I'm not letting him come between me and y/n for long.

At just after 10 I transform and head out.

I see Ladybug swinging from building to building so I call out to her.

We meet and say hello, and she asks why I'm out.

"Oh, probably to see y/n, right?"

"Uh, no, that's kind of what I need to talk to you about. And that's why I'm out, I gotta talk to you."

"Ok, what's up?"

"Well, we need to find Hawkmoth and get rid of him."

"I agree, but what's your sudden desire to catch him about?"

"Um, so, y/n's best friend found out that we hang out, and since that would be too dangerous for y/n, having someone else know about our friendship, I decided that we needed to take care of Hawkmoth before we could continue being friends."

"Ohh, gotcha. But what do you suggest we do?"

"I'm not sure. I was hoping you'd have some ideas?"

"Well, I had that one theory back whenever, about who he was, but that flunked out."

"What theory?"

"You know, the one about Gabriel Agreste?"

"Oh, that one. Yeah, I remember, but he was akumatized, and surely Hawkmoth couldn't, and wouldn't, akumatize himself, that's just crazy!"

"It is weird, but you have a point."

"I do?"

"Yeah, maybe he akumatized himself!"

"Why would he do that, though?!"

I hope it's not my father, but honestly, I wouldn't be that surprised.

My guess is that he wants the wish to bring Mom back, but who knows?

But who could be Mayura, if Hawkmoth actually my father?

We fought Mayura, she was there when Sabrina was akumatized again, so I know she's a woman, but would she know Hawkmoth as regular people, or just as bad guys?

"Cat? Cat Noir, are you even listening to me!? You don't pay attention to anything! Ugh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean that." Ladybug breaks into my train of thought, and I realize I had zoned out.

"Oh, um, no? Sorry." I say sheepishly.

"It's fine. Anyway, I was saying, he may have figured out we were onto him or something, and did that to throw us off track!"

"And if that's true his plan worked."

"Yup. So, do you think it could be him? Agreste?"

"Well, possibly. But who would Mayura be? Do you think they know each others identities?"

"It's highly possible."

"So if Hawkmoth Mr. Agreste, who would he know that would be Mayura?"

"Uhh, doesn't he have an assistant? Maybe her?"

Nathalie? I guess it could be her, but why would she do that?

Does Father pay her?

"He does, so that's one possibility, anyone else?"

"Not really, he doesn't go out much, so I don't guess he has any friends."

No, he sure doesn't.

"I don't think he does."

"So it could be them?"

"It's our best lead. But how should we investigate it?"

"Dunno. Could we interrogate him? Is that like... legal?"

"The police could do it, but this really isn't their forte."

"Yeah. Would we need a warrant or something?"

"I don't think so..." She says, but sounds very unsure.

"Do you think Master Fu would know?"

"Maybe."

"We could ask him tomorrow, since it's too late now."

"Ok. We will."

"K. Should we meet there?"

"Yeah, around 9:30 work for you?"

"I think I should be able to."

I have a photoshoot at 5, but after that, nothing.

"Good. We'll meet at Fu's at 9:30 and discuss our theories with him, and see if he knows what to do."

"Sounds good. Oh, and Ladybug?"

"Yes?"

"Please don't say anything about me and y/n, and that her friend knows about us." I plead.

What if Ladybug was right, and Master would take my miraculous for being friends with a civilian?

Surely he wouldn't, I think I do a pretty good job as Cat Noir.

But of course, the safety of everyone comes first, not whether I'm good at being Ladybug's shadow of a partner.

"Don't worry, I won't tell him you're secretly in love with a civilian that you don't know in your regular life."

I give her an unamused look, and she laughs.

"Kidding, but I really won't tell him."

"Thanks."

"Yeah yeah, now, I gotta patrol."

"Right. I'll leave you to it."

I wave and extend my staff, jumping to the next building.

When I get home I detransform and Plagg quickly rushes for cheese.

"Plagg, I really hope my father isn't Hawkmoth, but it is a good idea..."

"I don't know, kid. Maybe he's not, how much proof to you have?"

"Well, there's actually not that much, but it just seems to fit."

"What does?"

"Everything. Father never leaves, and when he got akumatized, he never seemed to talk to Hawkmoth, like most akumas do."

"Yeah, but what else?"

"Um, Nathalie could be Mayura, that way they'd know each other, and I assume she would know if Father is Hawkmoth, and that's why she's Mayura. Maybe he's paying her to do it or something?"

"That's a good idea, but do they have a reason?"

"My only guess is to get Mom back." I shrug, unsure of all this.

"Yeah, valid reason."

"Mmhhmm. But still, wouldn't I have seen saying my dad is actually the crazy turning people evil?"

"Not necessarily, he may have a secluded place where he does everything."

"Maybe. I don't know, Plagg. I hope he's not, but it just works."

"Yeah. I hope he's not too, that would be very hard for you."

"Yep. I'd have a missing mother, psycho father, accomplice assistant, and there's always my bodyguard who could be in on it too."

"That would be bad."

"Uh-huh. But I'm tired, I'm gonna get ready for bed. Night, Plagg."

"G'night Adrien."

He scarfs down more cheese and I take a shower, and get into pajamas.

I climb into bed and fall asleep, feeling like a conspiracy theorist.

,