I've seen this idea a few times of Marinette winding in a AU world where she successfully gave up the earrings to Alya and she is working with Adrien instead, or it's an AU covering her doing it. I wanted to do a switch of that.

Be aware, no full plan for this, it's going to be an experiment. I'm hoping it'll work out.

"CHAT LOOK OU..!"

Chat's eyes snapped open with a jolt, jerking him up with a loud gasp. Breathing wildly, he looked around, searching for... for...

What he... he didn't quite know. He didn't really remember...

Something. Something dangerous and frightening.

Something he and his lady had been facing...

But he couldn't see either of them.

No Ladybug.

No akuma.

Just an empty street he had been left in.

Chat groaned, slowly laying back on the ground, gently smearing his claws over his face as his head throbbed. It was quiet. Still.

Ladybug must've already won. That's why it was so quiet. From what he could remember, the akuma, whatever her name was, she brought people's fear's to life, or made them a reality or something like that; sending the whole city into a panic. A very loud panic.

Kind of reminded him of Fright Knight from Danny Phantom.

He was such a fun villain.

Sighing, he got up slowly, wincing at a slight dizzy spell that knocked on his head. He wanted to lay down... "Plagg claws in," he softly called, grimacing. When he got home, he was going to bed...

Chat gave a slow start at the silence that hung in the air, at the feel of the suit still wrapped around him. Frowning at his claws, he ordered, "Claws in."

Still no change.

Frowning at the ring, he looked around, trying to find something to waste Cataclysm on. If anything would bring down this transformation, Cataclysm would.

Only before he could find anything suitable he heard the familiar whir of a yo yo. Perking up, Chat saw a zip of red going by.

Ladybug!

Wiggling excitedly, he pursued, easily shadowing after her.

Maybe the akuma was still about. Maybe that's why his miraculous wasn't working. A Miraculous Cure could reverse this!

Ladybug stopped at the rim of one building, glaring out and likely searching for the akuma.

Chat settled loyally beside her, ears perked, seeking out the akuma as well.

Had to be somewhere close.

"We got an akuma on the loose," she declared, "Chloe caused yet another and-"

His ear gave a twitch at the sharp intake of breath. "And..." he tempts, leaning over a little as he sought for an apparently new akuma. Maybe this one had something to do with the odd behavior of his miraculous.

Only Ladybug didn't answer.

Just kept the weight of her stare on him.

Frowning, he turned to her, asking, "Ladybug?"

He was not expecting her wide eyed gaze, staring at him in odd surprise; he was not expecting her gaze to narrow, eyes sharp with distrust, he was not expecting her to lash out, kicking him in the stomach and sending him toppling away.

He mewed in surprise, feeling the light throb of a bruise forming. "What was that for?!" he demanded, wincing as he rubbed his stomach.

Damn his lady had a kick...

Ladybug didn't answer, jumping away from him for distance and crouching low, pulling out her yo yo and spinning it dangerously.

Chaat blinked at that, unnerved to have such hostility directed at him. "L-Ladybug?" he stuttered, hurt and tense.

Why was she attacking him?

"It's, it's me? Chat Noir?" he tried to reason, putting his claws up, trying to placate her.

She frowns at him, a little confused by the gesture. Before she could speak, a cocky voice called out, "Look out Ladybug!"

Chat jerked away just in time as an achingly familiar silver staff slammed down on where he had been standing. He stared at the other black cat hero standing before him, the exact same ring on his claws, with a roughly similar suit design.

Only the belt tail was broader and silver.

Twin silver, almost white, v's going down the biceps.

And a v shaped white tuxedo mark on his chest.

And no bell.

Turquoise eyes, bright against the messy red hair of this cat, glinted at Chat as this black cat sneered, "Copying the best are we?"

Chat crossed his arms, green eyes narrowing. "Copying you?"

Personally, Chat thought he was copying him.

There was only one Chat Noir in Paris.

Only one true partner of Ladybug.

How dare this cat come and accuse him of copying?!

"Cat," Ladybug called tensely.

"Cat" ignored her, charging wildly at Chat, swinging his staff with enthusiasm.

Chat easily ducked and parried "Cat", and with a well placed foot, tripped the redhead to the roof.

Chat had enough to to cockily think, ha, before he ducked away from a coming yo yo, gaping at Ladybug.

Why was she attacking him?!

Ladybug charged, aiming to kick him in the chest. Chat fled away, staring at her oddly. She placed herself protectively before "Cat", crouched and ready. "Listen next time, Black Cat," she scolds, not tearing her gaze from Chat.

Black Cat grimaced, cheeks red. "I had him," he grumbled, getting up and ready to face Chat.

"Sure you did," she huffs, eyes narrowed. "I think the akuma is in his bell..."

Chat twitched, eyes wide.

Akuma?

In his bell?

But he, he wasn't an aku...

They thought he was an akuma.

That's why Ladybug attacked him.

She didn't know him.

She... she thought he was... she didn't know him... his lady didn't...

As Ladybug and Black Cat moved to attack, the true akuma sped by with a loud, whooping cackle, startling the two still. When they turned to the strange black cat, they found him gone.

"Where did he-"

"Let's just go," Ladybug bid, frowning.

"But," Black Cat tried to argue.

"The akuma's getting away," she stressed. "Hawk Moth, he's never released two akumas before... we'll figure it out after we get that taken care of."

Black Cat frowned but nodded, leaping away and pursuing the akuma.

Ladybug lingered, looking around for that cat one last time.

But he was gone.

And for some reason she felt... fretful?

She shook her head, pushing those feelings away and chased after Black Cat. She had a job to do.

Chat was shaking when he stopped, leaning against a wall heavily.

Ladybug didn't know him.

She thought, she thought...

And, and she had, she had a...

A different partner, a different black cat...

What, what was going on?!

"Claws in," he called desperately. Still the transformation didn't drop. "Claws in Plagg!"

Still nothing.

Shaky, he sharply pulled the ring from his finger, jerking when he felt the magic rip away from. The transformation fell away, leaving a trembling Adrien.

Alone.

No Plagg floated out beside him.

His ring didn't even turn silver.

It was black and still activated.

Plagg seemingly still in the ring.

What was going on?!

In a curious panic, he slipped it back on. The magic grabbed him, making him Chat Noir once more.

He plucked it off.

Adrien again.

No Plagg in sight.

Gulping, he set the ring in his jacket pocket, looking around nervously. Ok. No reason to panic. He just had to talk to Ladybug. She... she won't think Adrien is an akuma. He just had to get to her. Talk to her. Maybe she could help him. Akumas can make a lot possible. Surely she could believe that he is her Chat Noir. Her true partner.

Not that Black Cat.

He just, he just needed to get to her.

Plus she would listen to him.

She should know Adrien.

Or at least, be up to spare a few minutes to a civilian.

The mere fact had him moving, rushing forward, eager to see her, talk this out.

If anyone could help him, she could.

So caught up in his thoughts, Adrien wasn't looking where he was going. He jumped when his shoulder hit someone, turning to them with a frantic apology.

He was met with a snarl. "You should be sorry! You just wrinkled by designer jacket!"

He gave a start, then chuckled weakly at the blonde that scowled down at her clothes. Behind her, Sabrina glared at him furiously, like he had made the greatest offense. "Sorry Chlo," he offered.

Chloe paused, glancing up at him.

She didn't shift into that expectant, reassuring, bubbly smile he was use too.

She just narrowed her eyes and glared at him, looking him over with bored curiosity. "Do I know you?" she demanded.

He blinked at her. "Ye-yeah. It's, it's me Chloe. Adrien. Adrien Agreste? We're childho-"

Chloe cackles, hugging her sides. "Oh wow!" she cried. "You have to be the dumbest liar I've ever met!"

Adrien sputtered, offended. "I-I'm not liar!"

She puts her nose in the air. "A smart one would know that Gabriel Agreste doesn't have any other family. Including, no kids, nieces, nephews, or cousins."

Adrien stiffened, staring at Chloe. "W-what?"

Chloe and Sabrina laughed at his expression, and with a swagger in their hips, left the stiff blond on the sidewalk.

Adrien didn't notice, a cold feeling sinking in his stomach.

He turned and raced down the street, towards home.

Stopping before the manor, Adrien paused at the sight of it. Still as big as ever, but it was, it was less imposing. The fence was lower, he could actually see the yard. And yet, it still felt empty. Still looked empty. Adrien gulped, nervous. Nervous of what he'll discover. If what Chloe said was true... shaking, he hurriedly pushed the button before he could second guess himself, heart pounding.

It couldn't be true.

It just couldn't be true.

With a loud beat, the cam popped out and blinked at him. Nathalie's voice drone out, emotionless and bare. "Yes? Can I help you?"

There was no greeting, no recognition. No scolding for being out and about. "I," Adrien utters, staring back at the cam with wide eyes. "I'm Adrien..."

The cam blinked, quiet. After a few moments, Nathalie impatiently stressed out, "Yes?"

"I, I, I'm sorry, uh, n-nothing..." Adrien shrinks down, gripping his shirt tightly.

She didn't know him.

He, he was just some strange kid to her.

He heard her miffed sigh, wincing at her grumble, "Don't waste people's time then."

The cam went in with a click, leaving Adrien alone outside the manor. If, if what Chloe said was true then... then Nathalie would equally scoff at him. Maybe, maybe even call security. Call him crazy.

...He had to get in there, he had to check.

Rushing to the side, he slipped on the ring, and jumped up the side, going to what should be his bathroom window.

It was a smaller bathroom here, one built for guest use instead of personal. Ears down on his head, he went to what should be his room. He came across a library instead. Books, sketchbooks, art design books, fashion magazines; they piled on the walls in a colorful collection. There was no bed. No rock wall, no zip line, no three computer screens...

This wasn't his room.

All his things.

Gone.

Never existing...

He walked deeper into the room, shoulders slumped as he gaped around.

He stopped when he came across a huge portrait in this library. A portrait that hung and towered over smaller pictures, news articles, and a shelf full of awards.

It was his father.

Looking cold and content.

Beside it were news articles and clippings of Gabriel's success through the hears. No mention of him having a son in any of them, no mention of him being with anyone, not even maman.

Gabriel didn't have a son, he didn't have anyone.

Adrien... Adeien Agreste didn't exist in this world.

Shaking, Chat flew away, ducking out of the closest window. Ripping the ring off and tucking it into his pocket, Adrien raced away. He didn't know where he was going, it, it didn't matter. So long as he got away from that house. Away from this... this truth...

What, what was he going to do?!

Adrien stumbled when he hit someone, frantically meeting familiar amber brown eyes. "Nino," he uttered in a broken whisper.

Nino blinked at him, a curious Marinette and Alya standing behind him, eyeing the blond. Nino tilts his head, wondering, "Do, do I know you?"

Adrien flinched away, stumbling back.

The three blinked in alarm, Nino reached out to him, and Marinette took a few steps towards him. "You ok dude?"

Adrien shook his head, eyes stinging, and tore off.

Adrien Agreste didn't exist. Not here. Whatever this world was.

He didn't exist.

Chat Noir didn't exist either.

He was alone.