Author's Note: MR: This story was written by all of us; adapted from the well known work by Charles Dickens. Once I discovered that there was ACTUALLY a Chapel of the Miraculous Medal in Paris, it was something that begged to be included in this story. Happy Christmas, everyone!

Ep: I've been doing a lot of research for this. Thank goodness I have both the Muppet Christmas Carol and Mickey's Christmas Carol on DVD.

MR: Not the one starring Patrick Stewart? I'm shocked!

Ep: (scribbles on paper)... S-T-E-W-A-R-T. That name seems familiar, I'll check out IMDB when you unlock us from the writer's room.

MR: Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even the writers who are supposed to be finishing this story…

Lyra: *peeking her head out of the kitchen while covered in cookie dough* Shoot! Writing! … I forgot. Here. Have a cookie?

MR: *drops everything* COOKIES!

Ep: Hey - these small ones with the green cat paw logos are purrfect!

The akuma was free. There was no doubt whatsoever about that as she watched the little white butterfly flutter urgently into the evening sky, dodging heavy snowflakes as they fell. Chat crouched beside the dazed man who had been trying to kill them only moments before, providing a hand of help and comfort.

What kind of villain turned innocent people into akumas on Christmas Eve? Visions of a miserly old Hawkmoth sequestered in his hideout surrounded by butterflies snarling "Bah Humbug" drifted across her thoughts as she tried not to laugh at Chat's attempts to shake the snow free from his hair.

Her breath puffed in cold clouds in front of her face while she waited, the chirping sound of her earrings' warning her that she only had a few minutes left before she would change back. His ring sounded only a moment later, bringing his attention back to her.

"I should go," she said as he came close, her hand already grasping at her yo-yo for escape. "Merry Christmas, Kitty." He shifted uncomfortably, hand rubbing against his neck as he avoided looking at her.

"Ladybug, I -" He cut himself off, a look of embarrassment flashing across his features behind the mask. "Nevermind." Her earring chirped again. "Merry Christmas." Shoulders slumped ever so slightly, he attempted to cover it all with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.

Reaching out, Ladybug took his hand.

"What is it, Chat? Something is bothering you."

"It's silly really. I - I - Christmas is hard for me. I was hoping -" He dropped his gaze. "I was hoping maybe you could sit with me tonight. I don't want to be alone."

Alone? On Christmas? She blinked, studying her partner more closely. Questions that she'd always puzzled but never allowed herself to indulge in rattled in her brain, wondering about who exactly was behind the mask and the life that he had.

"That's not silly, Kitty. Everyone deserves to have someone at Christmas." A gentle squeeze of her hand in his for reassurance. "I've got a present for you, so let's meet up tonight." Mentally running through a list of family obligations for the evening, she suggested they run patrol at their usual late hour first.

The way his face lit up at her offer was more than enough to counter the feeling of worry she had for him. A stretch of her toes allowed her to leave him with a quick peck on his cheek, a promise that she would be back before she waved and flung the yo-yo before her earrings sounded their final warning.

It was very late on Christmas Eve Night when Ladybug and Chat Noir finished patrolling the city and sat on the roof of the Musee de l'Armee to exchange Christmas presents. The snow was falling lightly, and their view of the Eiffel Tower, all lit up for the holiday, was breathtaking. Almost as breathtaking, Chat thought, as the girl sitting next to him.

He grinned, ripping the green paper off of his gift to reveal a Black beanie with triangles on the top to cover his ears. It was loosely woven so his hearing wouldn't be affected, but soft enough to keep them warm. Tucked inside the beanie was a large bag, containing several varieties of Christmas cookies.

The red paper from his gift to Ladybug lay next to them. She was already snuggled under the fleece blanket that proudly displayed the logo for Ultimate Mecha Strike III, the game she claimed was her favorite.

As they sat there, Chat in his hat and Ladybug with the blanket thrown over the two of them, her head on his shoulder, Chat started devouring the cookies in front of him. He offered one to Ladybug, only to receive no reply. Turning his head to peer at her, he realized she had fallen asleep. Not wanting to wake her, he leaned his head against hers, and the next thing he knew, the bells of the Chapel of the Miraculous Medal were chiming midnight.

Each peal of the bell reminded him of how lucky he was to be sitting there, with Ladybug; more so, given how he typically would have been sequestered away in his sterile bedroom at the mansion, thinking of happier Christmases past. Sighing contentedly, and maybe, just maybe, purring slightly, he started to lean his blond mane against his partner once more to savor the change from Eve to Day.

As the final note of the final stroke of midnight dissipated, however, his night vision caught a movement in his periphery, and he carefully shifted. His masked eyes widened to see two individuals gliding effortlessly across the tile toward him and Ladybug; Chat went into full hero mode when he realized their feet were not touching the roof, nor did they appear to be making any effort to actually move, though moving they were.

Ladybug felt Chat's movements as he slid in front of her, the fleece blanket sliding to the tile. Opening her eyes, she saw him in his pounce-crouch stance, baton twirling, and she looked over him to she what had attracted his attention - and the low growl he was now making.

To her astonishment, a version of Ladybug and Chat Noir were approaching, though how she knew they were Miraculous holders was beyond her. Their costumes were wildly different; her first thought was that they were of a different time, given the Victorian-esque styling. Still, Ladybug had the requisite black polka-dots against yards of flowing red fabric, and Chat was looking very gentlemanly in unrelieved black, with a day-glo green cravat. Odder still was the slightly washed out look for both, making them appear to be fuzzy, or perhaps just in soft-focus.

"Stay behind me," Chat growled as the floating duo neared them and paused a respectful few meters away from them..

Ladybug looked again at their unexpected visitors. "I don't think they're akumas," she said thoughtfully.

"Indeed we are not, Madame," Apparation-Chat said as he bowed, twirling his cane in the process. "We are two of the former holders of the Cat and Bug Miraculous."

"How former?" Chat asked, still crouched and still slightly growling.

"My, my," Apparation-Ladybug laughed as she turned her masked eyes to her partner. "Some things never change, my dear. He's just as protective as you are - or were." She turned back to Chat. "We're not here to harm you - in fact, just the opposite."

Ladybug nodded. "You're ghosts, aren't you?"

Apparation-Chat shrugged. "Think of us as echoes of people who had been."

"Why are you here?" Chat asked as he stowed his baton and stood, but kept Ladybug behind him.

"To help the two of you," Apparation-Ladybug smiled. "In all of the years that we were holders," she nodded to Apparation-Chat, "Chat and I never shared the ultimate secret with each other." Apparation-Ladybug's eyes misted over as she continued. "It's a lasting regret that we now both share; we will spend eternity together, doomed to never know who we once were beneath the masks."

Chat's sharp intake of breath caught Ladybug. "You… wait, even now, you don't know?"

"We only carry what we knew forward to the afterlife," Apparation-Chat replied sadly. "And we've been forced to watch, helplessly, as it happened over and over again to our successors in the intervening hundred years since we shuffled off this mortal coil."

Apparation-Ladybug continued. "Miraculously, we've been granted the opportunity to break the cycle. I don't know how, or who was listening, but I thank the kwamis we are here in this moment."

Ladybug stiffened. "You must know how dangerous it is," she said slowly, looking at her Chat. "We can't know who is under the mask! Our enemies would use that against us, maybe even hurt our families and loved ones."

"Tonight we will try to show you that the rewards to knowing far outweigh the risks," Apparation-Ladybug said as she softened her smile. "It's up to you, of course," she added, looking back at her glowing partner, "but you have this one chance to avoid our fate."

Apparation-Chat nodded. "Three spirits will appear to you; look for the first when the bells in chapel ring out for one o'clock. Bide them, and listen well; there are lessons to be learned on this early morning."

"I'm not sure I'll change my mind," Ladybug said, "but out of respect for fellow holders, I will listen."

"That's all we ask," Apparation-Ladybug said. "And now, our time grows short. Look for us no more."

"Good luck," Apparation-Chat said as he bowed again, and then the two ghosts slowly moved away from them and into the night.

Chat looked to Ladybug. "Is this for real? Are we actually going to be visited by more ghosts?"

"Says the boy in a magical cat costume," Ladybug replied wryly as she settled back in on the roof and held out the blanket. "Come on, kitty; it's cold, and I'd like to get a bit of a rest before our adventure continues."

Not one to be asked twice, Chat flipped to Ladybug and snuggled under the blanket, and the duo quickly dozed off to troubled dreams of specters bearing gifts.

The chimes of the one o'clock hour from the Chapel of the Miraculous Medal woke Chat with a start. He quickly scanned the rooftops and didn't immediately see any sign of the promised ghosts, and wondered if he'd actually dreamed the entire sequence with the prior holders. He shifted slightly and pulled the blanket a little tighter around them.

Ladybug stirred next to him, and they both sat there for a little while, blinking and rubbing their eyes as they struggled to wake up. A flash of green light to their left had them turning to peer at the small man in the large hat who appeared out of nowhere.

Pressing the palms of his hands together, he bowed to the pair of them. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am the Jade Turtle, the Spirit of Miraculous Past. I have come to show you some of the greatest triumphs and losses of previous miraculous holders. Learn from them, so you can defeat those nightmares which haunt you now."

Ladybug looked to Chat and then back to Jade Turtle. "Are you the first spirit that was foretold?" she asked, again looking back to Chat.

"I am," Jade Turtle continued to smile. "Come closer, and grab ahold of my arm!"

Chat stood, and helped Ladybug to her feet. Pausing, he asked her quietly: "Ready for this?"

"As ready as I'll ever be," she said. "But be prepared, just in case this is some sort of wildly choreographed Hawkmoth trap."

Jade smiled wider. "My children, have no fear; no harm will come to you."

"You can appreciate our caution," Chat said as they each took up position on either side of the diminutive figure. "Given what we deal with daily."

"I do," he said. "Hold on tight," the turtle spirit said as they quickly moved into the skies above Paris. Faster and faster they went, the clouds obscuring their path until both heroes lost track of their location. Then, before they knew it, they were gently landing inside a courtyard.

"Do you recognize this place?" Jade Turtle asked.

Ladybug looked around, as did Chat. The feline hero was the first to speak. "It looks like Dupont," he said, "but it's not quite the same."

Jade laughed. "It is Dupont, but we are more than a century of Christmases before your time."

"Is this your school?" Ladybug asked Jade Turtle, only partly hearing what he'd said.

"No, but two holders do attend."

Ladybug caught Chat stiffening. "At this time?" he quickly asked, hoping to clarify and also divert Ladybug's attention from his reaction.

Ladybug started. "Wait - we time travelled? How did we-"

"These are but echoes of the past, my dear young lady," Jade replied. "And class is about to begin."

Automatically, the duo's eyes swung to the massive doors; they parted to allow a flow of teenagers in matching school uniforms into the courtyard. Jade pointed out one particular pair - a young girl with blond hair and similarly aged boy with dark brown hair. Both seemed to be hanging back from the crowd, scanning the space for threats and completely oblivious to the other.

Chat stared at them. "That's Chat and Ladybug? In this time?"

"Yes," Jade replied as the trio watched them go to opposite parts of the school. "They don't get the opportunity to learn together, sadly; mixed classes are still a few decades away. But they do fight side-by-side most effectively."

The scene blurred for a moment and they were suddenly standing in Trocadero; Ladybug gasped to see a figured in unrelieved black and kitty ears perched atop the wall. The costume was different - not as form fitting as her current partner - but there was no denying it was the Cat Miraculous holder.

It was also clear that he was sobbing.

"Tonight is the night," Jade Turtle said.

"For what?" Ladybug asked, though she thought she knew.

"It's Christmas Eve," Jade said. "And the night Ladybug takes Chat's Miraculous."

Ladybug turned on Jade. "Why on Earth would she do that?"

"Simple," Jade said. "Chat loves her, and she loves Chat; but she feels that following through on that love will put them in danger." He paused. "Chat forced the issue by threatening to give up the ring if she didn't let them reveal themselves to each other."

Chat started to say something but caught himself. Instead, he deliberately avoided Ladybug's gaze as he said, "Sounds like something I would do."

"Ladybug accepted his offer," Jade said, "rather than adjust their reality. After tonight, the young man in that costume will ask to change schools and ultimately will move away from Paris, never to return."

"What happens to Ladybug?" Chat asked, very quietly.

"She never recovers from the heartbreak of losing her Chat," Jade said. "She'll give up the Bug Miraculous by the following Christmas and will wonder until her last breath what happened to her partner."

"That… seems harsh," Ladybug said.

Jade looked at Ladybug, hard. "Secret identities protect the people they love, isn't that what you always say?"

Before Ladybug could respond, the scene changed again. This time, they were in the halls of a good sized mansion, done in huge blocks of granite. Massive chandeliers of wax candles were flickering above them, lending a bit of a supernatural air to the scene as they watched a beautiful woman in a flowing gown bustle by, trailed by her ladies-in-waiting. "This is the Christmas before the French Revolution," Jade said. "And that is Lady Renalta. By day, she is the daughter of a minor noble; but by night, she is Ladybug."

The trio watched as the elegant figure paused at a doorway and dismissed her underlings; she entered the room and they followed by passing through the wall in time to see Lady Renalta fall into the arms of a tall, handsome man nattily dressed in black. "Lord Chaton," Renalta said with a smile. "How are the kittens?"

Chat Noir's eyes bugged out. "Is that… her husband?"

"Yes," Jade Turtle. "That is Lord Agreste."

Chat started. "Lord who?"

Jade turned to the feline hero. "Lord Agreste. He's a wealthy merchant, specializing in exotic cloth from the Far East." He nodded to the man. "He's also Chat Noir."

"What?!" both Chat and Ladybug exclaimed.

"Yes," Jade replied with a smile. "And they have children, too," he added as a nursemaid appeared holding a small child wrapped in a blanket and holding the hand of another child of no more than five.

Ladybug stared. "How can they be superheroes and have a family?" she asked. "Have a life?"

"They make it work," Chat actually answered, a small smile on his face. "Isn't that it?"

Jade nodded. "They love each other fiercely," he said as Lord Agreste knelt down to hug his child. "And would do anything to keep the City of Paris safe." He paused, looking at the duo. "When you love something - or someone - enough, you find a way."

"Love finds a way," Chat added softly.

Suddenly looking tired, Jade smiled. "My time grows short. Please, each take an arm. Hurry now!"

Chat and Ladybug did as instructed and before they knew it, they were once more atop the Musee de l'Armee. As the mists began to part, Jade smiled once more. "My children, I must leave you now. A compatriot of mine will appear when the bells chime one o'clock."

"Wasn't it already one?" Chat asked Ladybug, only to watch her move around him.

"Jade - wait!" Ladybug cried out, holding up a gloved hand to stop the spirit. "Honestly, were those really former holders?"

The Turtle nodded. "Yes," he said as he bowed and then added as he faded from existence: "I've shown you the truth from the past. May you use it wisely to inform your future."

As Jade Turtle faded from sight, the bells from the Miraculous Chapel chimed one o'clock once more. A flash of teal light revealed Viperion standing before them, smiling down at them. "I am Viperion, the Spirit of Miraculous Present."

Ladybug looked closely at Viperion. He looked similar to their Viperion, only older. As she moved to question him on this, he smiled gently at her. "I am not the Viperion that you know. You both know my name." He turned so that his smile included Chat as well. "I am from about 15 years in your future." He pulled out his lyre and strummed as he explained.

"I have been sent to show you a glimpse of the lives of your fellow chosen holders of the Miraculous. Ladybug knows the identity of all of them, and this will be Chat Noir's chance to learn the identities of all the holders. Fear not, it has been destined that the identities of ALL holders will be revealed this night. Including the two of you."

With that, Viperion tucked away the lyre and held out his hand. Ladybug slipped her hand into his, clutching it tightly, not letting go of Chat Noir with her other hand. They all leapt together into the air, and somehow landed in the warm sunlight-dappled dining room of the Grand Paris Hotel.

Viperion flicked back the snake head on his Miraculous. "In five minutes, we will be transported to the home of the next miraculous holder, but for now…" He gestured to a table where Chloe sat with her parents. Audrey and Andre were bickering, and Chloe just sat there, watching. As the three approached, Ladybug saw a tear slip down her cheek, to be quickly whisked away by a perfectly manicured finger.

Chat was the first of the three to speak. "Chloe?" His voice was soft in the mostly empty room. She sat there with a small pile of presents in front of her, mostly expensive jewelry, and other accessories, including a highly glamorized version of the bee miraculous hair comb, which she was turning over and over in her hands, as she watched her parents.

"She can't hear you. This is only an echo of things to come this Christmas day."

They watched Chloe watching her parents, until she stood, and looked sadly at them. The mayor and Mrs. Bourgeois didn't even look up from their argument to see her leaving. The ghostly trio followed her up to her room where she flopped in a chair, the tears coming more freely now. Opening her hand, Chloe looked down at the imitation Miraculous.

"Oh Pollen. I want to be a better person. I know that Ladybug no longer believes in me, so why should I believe in me. No. Chloe Bourgeois IS worthy of a miraculous. I am amazing. I just have to prove it."

Chloe was still making herself and her imaginary Pollen promises as the scene in front of them faded to be replaced by a small, but comfortable home. Delicious smells wafted in from the kitchen, and there was off-key singing that followed the smells.

Ladybug and Chat Noir were pulled towards the source, looking in on Max, standing at the kitchen counter chopping vegetables, while his mother made sauce at the stove. Both were grinning ear to ear, while music poured from Markov, and they warbled along to the happy Christmas tunes, not quite getting the notes or the words correct.

Ladybug smiled at the scene, as the song ended and talk turned to the space program. Chat Noir's expression was more wistful, a longing there that Ladybug couldn't quite understand. Viperion quietly appeared behind them, placing a comforting hand on Chat's shoulder. Chat looked up at him gratefully, smiling wistfully at the older hero. "Not all single parent homes are cold, Chat. And as you saw with Chloe, just because both parents are present doesn't always mean things are better. Sometimes two parents just means twice the fighting."

Looking off into the distance, Viperion heard his miraculous beeped, and the scene around them started to fade. Once it re-solidified, they felt the gentle rocking of the Seine under their feet, and they looked around the colorfully decorated deck of the Liberty. Ladybug reached over to Viperion, placing her hand against his arm. "Your house."

He nodded. "With all her disregard for the standards of society, my mom made our home a happy one." Leading the way below decks, they entered a room blaring rock Christmas carols, a tiny tree on top of a corner table, with a load of gifts piled underneath, while Luka cowered behind it, while a triumphant Juleka stood on the couch, faux snowball in hand, arm cocked back, ready to throw at her brother the moment he showed himself.

Luka's hands were empty, but the scattering of artificial snowballs around the room showed that he had made a fair attempt at hitting her. Both siblings were cackling, while Anarka watched from the doorway, smiling at the pair of them, cheering them each on in turn.

Once again, the smell of a feast cooking in the galley permeated the room, and Chat looked wistfully at the scene in front of him. "I always wanted a sibling. I have a cousin who is close to me in age, but we don't live close. We always got along when he was in town, though."

"I never had a sibling, either." Ladybug smiled at her partner, wrapping her hands around his arm and resting her head against his shoulder. "It looks like so much fun."

Viperion smiled down at both of them. "I'm lucky. I have a great sister. You get really close living like this, sharing a room and everything. And the way things worked out..." He trailed off and shrugged.

They watched Luka glance around, then tuck and roll towards a pile of snowballs, snatching up a couple and launching them at his sister. Juleka squealed and dropped, rolling to the floor and stocking up on snowballs of her own as Luka dived for cover.

They watched for a little while longer, until they heard a beep, and the scene faded once again. The scene resolidified around them in an unfamiliar living room, but once again, delicious smells wafted around them. Looking around, they saw that the room was immaculate. Nothing was out of place, no speck of lint or stray needle from the Christmas tree to be found.

Chat looked around, wondering how something as austere as his home could still appear welcoming. A timer sounded from the kitchen, and a familiar voice called out. "Don't worry Mom! I'll grab it." The sound of an oven door opening, quickly followed by swearing. "Forgot the pot holder. I'm alright, though!"

The voice of Kim's mom came from further back in the house, but they couldn't make out the words. Chat followed his nose towards the kitchen, where a feast of dishes were spread across the countertops. Kim was standing at the sink, running his fingers under the cold water, when a short woman bustled in, pulling his hand towards her.

She pushed her glasses up on her head and peered at his hand. She hollered something unintelligible, and a middle aged version of Kim appeared in the doorway. The man's dark hair was short all over, and shot with grey instead of dyed blonde, but it was obviously Kim's father. He handed his wife the burn cream, smiling at his family.

Another boy, several years older than Kim stuck his head through the doorway behind his father. The slighter build was reminiscent of their mother, but the face he made was one they had seen on Kim a hundred times, as he laughed good naturedly at his younger brother's mishap. "Did you forget the pot holder again?"

As the family laughed together, Kim swearing he was fine, Ladybug's eyes lit up. "King Monkey! It has to be! He's the only one I didn't give a miraculous to, other than you, Kitty! Did you choose him?"

Chat shook his head. "I've never been tasked with choosing anyone, but Kim is a good choice for the Monkey."

"The guardian… the old guardian chose him." Viperion commented from behind them. "He was in Kim's presence when chaos was needed, and found him a suitable match for Xuppu. I never met the former guardian, but have become good friends with the current one." He shot a wink at Ladybug who, much to Chat's surprise, blushed pink under her mask.

He made to say something, but was unsure what, when Viperion thumbed his bracelet, and the shimmering sensation of switching locations took over.

The next living room they appeared in was one Chat was very familiar with. "This is the Lahiffe's house! Nino?" Chat ran through the remaining list of heroes in his head. "Carapace! I should have known!"

As if hearing his name, Nino comes in with his brother, Chris, and several cousins who appear to be around Nino's age. Chris was complaining that he didn't want to play with the little kids, that he was a big boy and wanted to play with the older kids. They firmly told him no and he went off to pout in his room.

Aunts and uncles were gathered in the kitchen, along with Nino's parents, reliving old memories and fighting old squabbles with good humor. Babies are passed from hand to hand, and toddlers demand food and attention. The older kids avoid the kitchen so as to not get pressed into service, whether it be babysitting or cooking. There are people everywhere, and Ladybug finds the sheer volume of noise and press of bodies a bit overwhelming.

Chat looked around, wide eyed and mouth agape. "Is this what families are normally like?"

Ruffling Chat's already unruly hair, Viperion grins down at the younger man. "This is what get togethers at your house are usually like. Or at least they will be. Everyone shows up with kids and kwamis… but I shouldn't say any more about that. Your wife will come after me." He grinned unrepentantly as Chat's jaw dropped even further.

Before Chat could ask any questions about his future wife, the scene started to shimmer, and Chat realized that Viperion had activated his miraculous once more. This time the scene was another house he knew, although not as well as Ninos. Two small girls, twins by the look of them were chasing a cat around the living room, while Alya's older sister, Nora, tried to help the cat escape, while chasing after her youngest sisters.

There was a crash as Nora's shin caught the edge of the coffee table, where a large, newly mixed bowl of glitter slime perched on the edge, waiting for the perfect opportunity. The jostling of the table sent the bowl crashing to the ground, and the slime landing squarely on the poor, unsuspecting cat. The cat belonged to the sweet older lady that lived across the hall from their apartment, but it often escaped, because Ella and Etta loved to cuddle it and give it treats, but sometimes the poor kitty regretted these decisions. This was one of those times.

Chat Noir felt sorry for the little feline, sitting there with slime pouring from its back, while more of the slime gripped in clumps to its fur. Quickly taking charge of the situation, Nora sent Ella for clean towels, and Etta for clean water and gentle soap, as she sat down with the hissing, but resigned, cat.

Alya stood in the corner, phone in hand, recording the scene, although the way she was shaking with laughter pretty much guaranteed that the footage would be unwatchable. Watching the chaos unfold around him, Chat's tail started to twitch, belying the fact that he wanted to join in on the fun.

As both he and Ladybug grinned at the companionable chaos happening around them, the room shimmered once again, and they were in the enormous, sterile foyer of the Agreste manor. Chat stiffened, and Ladybug's face fell as they took in the austere surroundings, the only nod to the holidays was a large, immaculately decorated tree. There was no warmth to the tree, being decorated only in white and silver, and there were no presents underneath it.

Ladybug stepped towards the tree, her gloved fingers trailing along the edges of the branches. She looked up the stairs before turning to Chat and letting out a long breath. "Adrien Agreste. He was Aspik. I don't believe you ever met him."

Ladybug lead the way up the stairs to his room. She'd been in the mansion a couple of times as Ladybug (and a few more as Marinette), so knowing where to go wasn't completely unreasonable. Plus she'd never seen Chat in Adrien's room, so she didn't know if he knew the way.

Adrien was sitting alone in his room, looking at pictures on the Ladyblog. Every so often, he would listlessly pick up his phone and check for messages, but would always put it down again immediately, as there weren't any. As he set his phone down again, it buzzed with an incoming message. Ladybug peered over his shoulder, and realized it was from Chloe. Having watched the two of them spending Christmas, basically alone, she understood their friendship much better, resolving to do what she could so that neither of them would have to be alone.

While Ladybug was having her epiphany, Chat wandered out of his bedroom, not wanting to spend much time watching what was in store for him the next day. Instead, he headed to his father's atelier, wanting to see what his father was doing, wanting to spend at least some time with his father, even if his father didn't recognize that he was there.

He passed through the doorway, which was an odd sensation, but saw his father standing, hands clasped behind his back, staring up at the portrait of his mother. Gabriel was talking to the portrait, promising to get her back, that soon, soon, she would be back in his life again.

Chat's eyes filled with tears as he stepped from the room, leaving his father in peace.

He met with Viperion and Ladybug on the landing, angling his head so they couldn't see the raw emotion playing across his face, but he could hear it in Ladybug's voice as she spoke. "Poor Adrien. I knew things were bad for him at home, but I didn't realize how bad."

Viperion placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, and another of Chat's, softly squeezing, giving comfort, and letting him know that he wasn't alone. The stairs wavered out of focus, before solidifying into another set of stairs and another landing, much narrower than the one they'd just been standing on, but much more inviting and warm.

They heard the sounds of video games being played, and Chat is surprised to see that it is Sabine and Tom who are playing against each other, as Marinette cheered them on.

Watching her family with a smile on his face, Chat turns thoughtfully to Ladybug. "You know, she didn't reveal to everyone that she was Multimouse, just you and I. I think she deserves another chance with the Miraculous."

A faint blush appeared on Ladybug's cheeks, as Marinette told her parents she had something in her room that she wanted to take care of. Snatching a covered plate from the kitchen, she made her way up to her bedroom, Chat following close behind.

Ladybug followed a little slower, realizing that she was probably taking a Christmas treat up to the kwamis. Viperion gently touched her arm and gave her a reassuring smile. When they made it up to the trap door entrance to Marinette's room, Chat was standing stock still, as Marinette cradled a large spotted egg that he recognized.

Hearing Ladybug come up beside him, Chat turned to her. "Why does she have…" Then he broke off, studying Ladybug more closely, then turning to face Marinette. Turning back to face Ladybug he whispered, "Marinette? You're Marinette."

She smiled awkwardly as the blush crept up her neck. Waggling her fingers at her partner, she smiled awkwardly. "Hi Kitty."

Reaching over, he pulled Ladybug into his arms, hugging her tightly. "All this time. You were right here, all this time." He didn't notice the bedroom dissolving, until the cold wind ruffled his hair, and he realized they were back on top of the Musee de l'Armee.

Ladybug looked up at Viperion. "Don't we have one more stop? We need to visit Chat's house."

Viperion smiled fondly down at her. "Sorry Minibug. Your next visitor will take care of that." The chimes of the Chapel of the Miraculous Medal started to chime, and Viperion started to fade from view. Chat had very little time to process the fact that Marinette was Ladybug when the swirling mists that Viperion had become started to solidify once again, into a smaller figure.

Dressed in blue and white, Bunnix smiles at them as the bells of the Chapel of the Miraculous Medal once again chimed 1 am. "Are you ready to visit the world of Miraculous yet to come?" The question was asked, but she was already twirling her umbrella, preparing to create a burrow.

Dropping his arms from around his partner Chat Noir turned to face Bunnix, smiling as he felt Ladybug slide her hand into his as she spoke. "Alright. We are ready to face the future."

He turned his face to her, looking down, and seeing through the mask to Marinette for the first squeezed her hand, and she turned her blue eyes up to meet his green ones, as he softly breathed a single word. "Together."

She nodded, turning back to Bunnix, all business once again, as Bunnix opened a burrow and lead their way into it. Ladybug took the interior in stride, as if she'd been there before, but Chat was staring around, open mouthed, trying to take in as much as he could. Ladybug stood there patiently, eyes on Bunnix, while she scooped up a metal bowl, and unceremoniously dumped it, upside down on Chat's head.

A slightly muffled cry of "watch the ears" came out from under the bowl, but he wisely made no attempt to remove it. "Don't worry." Bunnix exclaimed, cheerfully. "I had to do the same thing the first time Ladybug came with me. She's learned. Maybe you will, too."

They walked together through a portal, back into the Agreste Mansion. Very little had changed, until they saw Adrien coming down the stairs. He looked a little taller, and a little less carefree. His shoes were green instead of orange, and his t-shirt was the same shade, with two black stripes running vertically, slightly off center, down the left side of his shirt.

Ladybug was struck by how much they resembled the bars of a cage. She was used to seeing him in horizontal stripes, although, she realized, those could also be indicative of restraints. His overshirt was black, making his blonde hair seem brighter, although she thought his eyes seemed to have lost their sparkle.

She took an unintentional step forwards, as, behind her, Bunnix pulled the bowl off of Chat's head. "Why are we here? Is this related to that other future you showed me? I thought we fixed that!" Ladybug's words ended on a near-sob, as Chat looked between the two of them, confused. Seeing Chat's expression, and getting a nod from Bunnix, Ladybug explained. "You found out my identity, and that caused you to be akumatized. Bunnix came for me, and I fixed everything, but it was one more reason to not let you find out who I was. One more wall I had to put up to keep you out. I guess now I'm scared, because, once again, you know who I am."

Chat stepped over to Ladybug, hugging her tightly. "I've always known Marinette was amazing. I guess I'm really not all that surprised that you are her, Buginette. And maybe I have one less amazing person in my life, but two of the best are actually the same one. How can that be a bad thing?"

While he was talking, Gabriel appeared at the top of the stairs, calling out to the Adrien that was staring at the tree in the entrance hall. "Son. Come with me. I know it has been hard on you, being kept out of public school this year, but those so-called friends of yours were a bad influence. Son, I want to show you something to do with your mother."

Adrien robotically stood up and followed his father into his atelier. The three followed him and gasped as they saw Gabriel pushing secret buttons on the portrait of Emilie, and disappear into the floor. Ladybug wondered how they were going to follow, but Bunnix was ahead of her. "So neat trick…" The rabbit hero said, starting to phase through the floor.

Chat gawped at her. "How?"

"Just think it." Came the reply as the top of Bunnix's head disappeared.

Ladybug closed her eyes and started sinking as well. Chat took a few deep breaths, calming himself, and thought "Sink" as loudly as he could. To his shock and relief, he, too, started descending into the floorboards.

They ended up in an almost tropical feeling room, full of trees and greenery and a few pure white butterflies gently fluttering from plant to plant. In the center was a structure that immediately reminded Ladybug of a high tech version of Snow White's coffin. Stepping closer, she was pained to see that she was correct, what could only be Adrien's mother lay inside.

Adrien and Chat noticed at the same moment, identical gasps escaping from their mouths, both turning to face Gabriel, but only Adrien spoke. "Father? Why is Mother down here? Is she… is she dead?"

"No son, but you see, she was injured, very badly. She was using a miraculous that was damaged, and it made her extremely sick. I have been trying to gather the Cat and Ladybug Miraculous to gain a wish and make her well. You would have your mother back, son."

Ladybug gasped, a hand pressed to her mouth. "Oh, poor Adrien!"

Chat was frozen, horror embedded in all of his features as he stared at his father with an expression identical to Adrien's. Once again, it was Adrien that spoke. "Father? You're Hawkmoth? Why?"

"Once the wish is made, all will go back to the way that it should be. I will never have had to chase those pesky teens across the city, where their fighting caused so much damage. You will never have lost your mother. Everything will be alright."

Adrien sadly shook his head, subtly tucking his right hand, where he wore his ring, into his pocket. Gabriel didn't notice the gesture, but Ladybug did, snatching up his hand, and peering at the ring, then back and forth between Chat's face and Adrien's.

Meanwhile, Adrien was trying to reason with his father, his voice only shaking slightly. "Ladybug and Chat Noir will never give up their Miraculous. And what about the cost for such a wish? Would you want to wish someone else into this state?"

Bunnix put a hand on each of their shoulders. "Come on, little ones. We should go." The three stepped into the burrow. "This future is not set in stone, but what you have seen today is truth."

Ladybug turned to face Chat Noir. She cupped his cheek in her hand and whispered his name. "Adrien?" At his nod, she threw her arms around his neck, pulling him close, whispering words of comfort, pulling back only to wipe away the tears he hadn't realized were rolling down his cheek. "We will stop him before this happens. I won't let him take you out of school. Hawkmoth will be defeated."

At Adrien's lost look, she realized this was ripping away the last of his family. "Of course, you will come live with us at the bakery. Maman and Papa would be happy to adopt you. And feed you. And beat you at UMS III."

Chat Noir managed a watery smile. "Thank you, Ladybug. Marinette." Pulling himself together, he turned towards Bunnix. "And Nathalie is Mayura, right? It only makes sense." Bunnix nodded. "Is the Gorilla involved in any of it." He blew out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding, when Bunnix confirmed that his bodyguard had not been involved in any of Hawkmoth's schemes. "Alright. Now what?"

Bunnix smiled. "Now I take you back to where you started." With that, she ushered them out of her burrow and onto the roof of the Musee de l'Armee. As Bunnix faded from sight, the bells finally tolled 2am.

Alone on the roof once more, Chat Noir found himself wrapped in his partner's arms. "Where do we go from here?" He asked, face buried in her hair.

"Home." She replied. "And once your 'celebration' is over, you come to my house and enjoy a real Christmas. And then… we plan."

The Heroes of Paris hugged each other tightly on that cold, lonely rooftop, overwhelmed with their new knowledge, but overjoyed at just who was standing there by their side. Ladybug broke the silence as she smiled up at Chat. "You know, we have a lot of people out there cheering for us, who believe in us, who are praying for us."

Chat smiled back at her. "And God bless us. Every one."